cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Tobacco Brand Websites to Understand Marketing Strategies Aimed at Tobacco Product Users and Potential Users.

Author(s): Escobedo, Patricia; Cruz, Tess Boley; Tsai, Kai-Ya; Allem, Jon-Patrick; Soto, Daniel W; Kirkpatrick, Matthew G; Pattarroyo, Monica; Unger, Jennifer B | Abstract: Introduction:Limited information exists about strategies and methods used on brand marketing websites to transmit pro-tobacco messages to tobacco users and potential users. This study compared age verification methods, themes, interactive activities and links to social media across tobacco brand websites. Methods:This study examined 12 tobacco brand websites representing four tobacco product categories: cigarettes, cigar/cigarillos, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes. Website content was analyzed by tobacco product category and data from all website visits (n = 699) were analyzed. Adult smokers (n = 32) coded websites during a one-year period, indicating whether or not they observed any of 53 marketing themes, seven interactive activities, or five external links to social media sites. Results:Most (58%) websites required online registration before entering, however e-cigarette websites used click-through age verification. Compared to cigarette sites, cigar/cigarillo sites were more likely to feature themes related to "party" lifestyle, and e-cigarette websites were much more likely to feature themes related to harm reduction. Cigarette sites featured greater levels of interactive content compared to other tobacco products. Compared to cigarette sites, cigar/cigarillo sites were more likely to feature activities related to events and music. Compared to cigarette sites, both cigar and e-cigarette sites were more likely to direct visitors to external social media sites. Conclusion:Marketing methods and strategies normalize tobacco use by providing website visitors with positive themes combined with interactive content, and is an area of future research. Moreover, all tobacco products under federal regulatory authority should be required to use more stringent age verification gates. Implications:Findings indicate that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should require brand websites of all tobacco products under its regulatory authority use more stringent age verification gates by requiring all visitors be at least 18 years of age and register online prior to entry. This is important given that marketing strategies may encourage experimentation with tobacco or deter quit attempts among website visitors. Future research should examine the use of interactive activities and social media on a wide variety of tobacco brand websites as interactive content is associated with more active information processing.
A Real-Time Greedy-Index Dispatching Policy for Using PEVs to Provide Frequency Regulation Service

This paper presents a real-time greedy-index dispatching policy (GIDP) for using plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) to provide frequency regulation services. A new service cost allocation mechanism is proposed to award PEVs based on the amount of service they provided, while considering compensations for delayed-charging and reduction of battery lifetime due to participation of the service. The GIDP transforms the optimal dispatch problem from a high-dimensional space into an 1-D space while preserving the solution optimality. When solving the transformed problem in real-time, the global optimality of the GIDP solution can be guaranteed by mathematically proved “indexability.” Because the GIDP index can be calculated upon the PEV’s arrival and used for the entire decision making process till its departure, the computational burden is minimized and the complexity of the aggregator dispatch process is significantly reduced. Simulation results are used to evaluate the proposed GIDP, and to demonstrate the potential profitability from providing frequency regulation service by using PEVs.
The potential for neighborhood council involvement in american metropolitan governance

This paper examines the role that neighborhood associations might play in helping to govern American cities. In contrast to recent arguments that there has been a decline in grass-roots level “social capital,” the empirical evidence suggests that local neighborhood associations are growing in number, and are increasingly active. We discuss the theoretical foundations for involving neighborhoods in governance, and argue that informal associations can mediate between citizens on the one hand, and large-scale bureaucracies and businesses, on the other. In addition, a formal system of associations may encourage discussion among fragmented neighborhoods, which in turn could improve conflict negotiation and develop mutual understanding. We argue that a major impediment to the development of a neighborhood council system in Los Angeles has been a lack of information about existing neighborhood-based associations, and discuss an ongoing initiative to develop a comprehensive base of information regarding neighborhood associations in Los Angeles.
High power-density photovoltaic boost converter and inverter using GaN and AlGaN devices housed in 3D printed packages

A power converter capable of converting the 48 V DC output of a photovoltaic panel into 120 V AC at up to 400 W has been demonstrated in a 40 cu. cm. (2.4 cu. in.) module, for a power density of greater than 160 W/cu. in. The module is enabled by the use of GaN and AlGaN field effect transistors (FETs) and diodes operating at higher power densities and higher switching frequencies than conventional silicon power devices. Typical photovoltaic panel converter/inverters have power densities ranging from 3.5–5.0 W/cu. in. and often make use of bulky, low frequency transformers. By using wide- and ultra-wide-bandgap switching devices, the operating frequency has been increased to 150 kHz, eliminating the need to use low frequency charge and current storage elements. The resulting size reduction demonstrates the significant possibilities that the adoption of GaN and AlGaN devices housed in small, 3D printed packages offers in the field of power electronics.
Carebit: A Privacy-Preserving "Step" Toward Remote Informal Caregiving

Several tele-monitoring systems have been developed for in-home patient use. Unfortunately, many of these systems are cost prohibitive and privacy invasive to the patient. To overcome this problem, we designed a more affordable and lightweight solution called Carebit, an Android application that leverages the Fitbit API. We conducted two user studies to understand ways to improve our design. Overall, we found that the notifications feature is the most useful feature for users, and no concerns about privacy were mentioned. The goal of Carebit is improve informal caregiving.
Cost-Effectiveness of Sharing Roadside Infrastructure for Internet of Vehicles

Vehicular networks have the potential to improve road safety using dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) technology, but substantial investment in roadside units (RSUs) is required. DSRC can be simultaneously used for safety and non-safety applications. If local governments share RSUs deployed for safety or smart streetlights with other kinds of service providers, then the respective costs can also be shared, thereby reducing costs for the government. We estimate that government could save about one-fifth of the nationwide cost of safety RSUs in the U.S. if they are shared with Internet service providers. We also estimate an increase in social welfare from sharing safety RSUs. In the case of sharing smart streetlights, we find that nationwide benefits could be up to one-third higher than with sharing of safety RSUs. The prices that maximize government savings and social welfare may differ. However, we find that maximizing government savings results in near-optimal social welfare. The benefits of sharing would increase significantly if the Internet traffic or DSRC penetration grow over time, as expected.
NMNAT1 E257K variant, associated with Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA9), causes a mild retinal degeneration phenotype.

NMNAT1 (nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1) encodes a rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of NAD+ and plays a role in neuroprotection. Mutations in NMNAT1 have been identified to cause a recessive, non-syndromic early form of blindness genetically defined as Leber Congenital Amaurosis 9 (LCA9). One of the most common alleles reported so far in NMNAT1 is the c.769G > A (E257K) missense mutation, which occurs in 70% of all LCA9 cases. However, given its relatively high population frequency and the observation of individuals with homozygous E257K variant without phenotype, the pathogenicity of this allele has been questioned. To address this issue, we have studied the pathogenic effects of this allele by generating a knock-in mouse model. Interestingly, no obvious morphological or functional defects are observed in Nmnat1 E257K homozygous mice up to one year old, even after light-damage. Together with the previous clinical reports, we propose that the E257K allele is a weak hypomorphic allele that has significantly reduced penetrance in the homozygous state. In contrast, compound heterozygous Nmnat1E257K/- mice exhibit photoreceptor defects which are exacerbated upon exposure to light. Furthermore, retina tissue- specific Nmnat1 conditional knockout mice exhibit photoreceptor degeneration before the retina has terminally differentiated. These findings suggest that NMNAT1 plays an important role in photoreceptors and is likely involved in both retinal development and maintenance of photoreceptor integrity.
Regulation of Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) gene expression by Peroxisome Proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) is dependent of Her-2/neu (erbB-2) signaling in breast cancer cells

3722 Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily with a prominent role in the regulation of differentiation of cell types with active lipid metabolism, has become a potential target for the prevention and treatment of cancer. However, the promise of PPARγ-based differentiation therapy has been questioned by studies demonstrating that an increased PPARγ signaling exacerbates tumor development in breast cancer animal models. Since a biologically aggressive subset of breast carcinomas exhibits high levels of Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS)-dependent endogenous fatty acid metabolism, we envisioned that a molecular explanation of this PPARγ-dependent tumor-promoting effect may be an increase in FAS signaling. Interestingly, it has recently been reported that Her-2/neu oncogene, an up-stream up-regulator of FAS, up-regulates PPARγ expression and modulates the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to PPARγ ligand therapy. In the present study we have found that two distinct ligands of PPARγ, 15dPG-J2 and triglitazone (TGZ), significantly increased the expression levels of FAS protein in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. When transient transfection experiments with a reporter construct containing the FAS promoter were carried out in MCF-7 cells, 15dPG-J2 or TGZ treatment induced two to three-fold increases in FAS promoter activity. Interestingly, the increase in luciferase activity observed in response to PPARγ ligands was completely abolished when MCF-7 cells were transfected with a deletion construct lacking the SREBP binding site of the FAS promoter. An opposite picture emerged when PPARγ and FAS signalings were evaluated in MCF-7 cells engineered to overexpress Her-2/neu oncogene (MCF-7/Her2-18 cells). As expected, Her-2/neu overexpression resulted in a significant up-regulation of PPARγ, while pharmacological inhibition of Her-2/neu-activated MAPK and PI-3K/AKT signaling cascades led to decreased levels of PPARγ in MCF-7/Her2-18 cells. Interestingly, the activation of PPARγ through 15dPG-J2 and TGZ caused a dramatic inhibition of Her-2/neu tyrosine phosphorylation and abolished FAS overexpression in MCF-7/Her2-18 cells. Moreover, pharmacological FAS blockade using the novel small compound C75 completely mimicked the effects of PPARγ ligands by suppressing phosphorylated Her-2/neu receptor as assessed by using a phosphorylation state-dependent anti-Her-2/neu monoclonal antibody. Moreover, pharmacological FAS blockade suppressed PPARγ overexpression in MCF-7/Her2-18 cells. These findings support the possibility that PPARγ-regulated FAS signaling, in a Her-2/neu-related manner, could serve as a breast cancer promotor as FAS overexpression is known to maintain and enhance a malignant phenotype in cancer cells.
Prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of occult uterine cancer in presumed benign hysterectomy

Background Occult uterine cancer at the time of benign hysterectomy poses unique challenges in patient care. There is large variability and uncertainty in estimated risk of occult uterine cancer in the literature and prior research often did not differentiate/include all subtypes. Objectives To thoroughly examine the prevalence of occult uterine cancer in a large population-based sample of women undergoing hysterectomy for presumed benign indications and to identify associated risk factors. Study Design Using the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database, we identified 229,536 adult women who underwent an inpatient or outpatient hysterectomy for benign indications during the period October 1, 2003 to December 31, 2013 at civilian hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers throughout the state. Diagnosis of corpus uteri cancer within 28 days after the index hysterectomy was determined using linked state cancer registry data. We estimated the prevalence of occult uterine cancer (overall and by subtype) and developed and validated risk prediction models using a random split sample approach. Results Overall, 0.96% (95% confidence interval: 0.92–1.00%) of the women had occult uterine cancer, including 0.75% (95% confidence interval: 0.71–0.78%) with endometrial carcinoma and 0.22% (95% confidence interval: 0.20–0.23%) with uterine sarcoma. The prevalence of leiomyosarcoma was 0.15% (95% confidence interval: 0.13–0.17%). Seventy-one percent of the endometrial carcinomas and 58.0% of the uterine sarcomas were at localized stage. The risk for occult uterine cancer ranged from 0.10% in women aged 18–29 years to 4.40% in women aged ≥75 years; and varied from 0.14% in women undergoing hysterectomy for endometriosis to 0.62% for uterine fibroids and 8.43% for postmenopausal bleeding. The risk of occult uterine cancer was also significantly associated with race/ethnicity, obesity, comorbidity, and personal history of malignancy. Prediction models incorporating these risk factors had high negative predictive values (99.8% for endometrial carcinoma and 99.9% for uterine sarcoma) and good rule-out accuracy despite low positive predictive value. Conclusions In women undergoing hysterectomy for presumed benign indications, 0.96% had unexpected uterine cancer. Patient characteristics such as age, surgical indication, and medical history may help guide risk stratification.
Clinical endpoints for efficacy studies

Abstract Well-established, validated and clinically meaningful primary and secondary endpoints are critical in advancing vaccines through proof of principal studies, licensure and pre-qualification. To that end, the field of vaccine development for Shigella, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) as well as other enteric pathogens would benefit greatly from a focused review of clinical endpoints and the use of common endpoints across the field to enable study-to-study comparisons as well as comparative assessments between vaccine candidates. A workshop was conducted to review clinical endpoints from controlled human challenge studies, field studies in naive adult travelers and pediatric studies in low-middle income countries and to develop a consensus on clinical endpoints for future vaccine trials. Following sequential presentations on different study designs (CHIM, travelers’ efficacy and pediatric efficacy), workshop participants broke into three simultaneous workgroups focused on those study designs to discuss a number of topics key to clinical endpoints specific to each study design. Previously utilized endpoints were reviewed with an eye towards potentially novel endpoints for future studies and consideration of the disease parameters and spectrum of disease targeted for prevention. The strength of support among workshop participants for the use of various endpoints is summarized as are recommendations for additional endpoints to be considered in future studies. It is anticipated that this report will facilitate endpoint determination in future efficacy trials of vaccine candidates.
Spectroscopic Signature of Proton Location in Proton Bound HSO4-·H+·X- (X = F, Cl, Br, and I) Clusters.

Proton transfer plays a vital role in a variety of chemical and biological processes. The proton location in proton bound clusters, specifically, in the anions of HSO4–·H+·X– (X = F, Cl, Br, and I)...
The burden of subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder in World Trade Center responders in the second decade after 9/11

Objective To characterize the prevalence, risk and protective correlates, and clinical characteristics associated with probable subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in police and nontraditional (eg, construction workers) World Trade Center (WTC) responders a median of 12.2 years after September 11, 2001. Methods A total of 4,196 WTC responders, monitored via the WTC Health Program, completed a web-based survey between 2012 and 2014 assessing a range of variables, including demographics, WTC exposures, medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and mental health services use. The sample included 2,029 police responders and 2,167 nontraditional responders. Current (past-month) probable WTC-related PTSD level (none, subthreshold, or full PTSD) was assessed based on DSM-IV criteria using the PTSD Checklist-Specific Stressor version (PCL-S). Results The prevalence of current probable full and subthreshold WTC-related PTSD in police responders was 9.3% and 17.5%, respectively, and in nontraditional responders was 21.9% and 24.1%, respectively. Risk and protective correlates for subthreshold PTSD included post-9/11 medical comorbidities and traumatic events (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.1-1.2). Clinical characteristics included elevated rates of comorbid depression (OR = 3.2 and 3.9 for subthreshold PTSD and 17.2 and 30.3 for full PTSD for nontraditional and police responders, respectively). Among responders with subthreshold PTSD, police were more likely to have accessed mental health services and utilized a greater variety of treatments than nontraditional responders. Conclusions Overall, 26.8% of police and 46.0% of nontraditional responders met criteria for probable WTC-related full or subthreshold PTSD an average of 12 years after 9/11. Probable subthreshold PTSD, which is not typically assessed in clinical settings, was more prevalent than probable full PTSD and was associated with significantly elevated rates of psychiatric comorbidities, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. These findings underscore the importance of assessing, monitoring, and possibly treating subthreshold PTSD in WTC and other disaster responders.
Clinical Education: Origins and Outcomes

This opening chapter is an indictment of traditional clinical education in the health professions. Traditional clinical education in the health professions is not effective to achieve goals of skill acquisition, use, and maintenance by individuals or teams. The chapter argues from evidence that the time honored “see one, do one, teach one” approach to clinical education—the so-called apprenticeship model—for doctors, nurses, and other health professionals is obsolete. Introductory framing remarks and an example of medical education featuring mastery learning compared to traditional medical education are followed by three chapter sections: (a) historical origins of clinical education; (b) current state-of-affairs in clinical education including uneven educational opportunities, learner evaluation and feedback, and clinical practice outcomes; and (c) new directions for clinical education, namely, the learning sciences, active learning, deliberate practice, reliable measurement with feedback, and mastery learning.
Getting started: altering promoter choice as a mechanism for cell type differentiation

In this issue of Genes & Development, Lu and colleagues (pp. 663-677) have discovered a key new mechanism of alternative promoter choice that is involved in differentiation of spermatocytes. Promoter choice has strong potential as mechanism for differentiation of many different cell types.
ZUPT-Aided INS Bypassing Stance Phase Detection by Using Foot-Instability-Based Adaptive Covariance

In this paper, we propose a Foot-Instability-Based Adaptive (FIBA) covariance to dynamically adjust the covariance matrix for the pseudo-zero-velocity measurements in the Zero velocity UPdaTe (ZUPT)-aided Inertial Navigation Systems (INS). The proposed ZUPT-aided INS using the FIBA covariance is implemented in an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) framework, which utilizes a time-varying measurement covariance matrix that is updated in each iteration according to the FIBA covariance. The FIBA covariance is designed to have a very high value during the swing phases in a gait cycle, and the value significantly decreases during the stance phases. As a result, the proposed method eliminates a need to use a binary stance phase detector in implementation of the ZUPT-aided INS. Properties of EKF innovation sequences in the algorithm were studied, and two series of indoor pedestrian navigation experiments were conducted to demonstrate the navigation performance of the proposed system. In the first series of experiments, which included cases of walking and running, localization solutions produced by the system using the FIBA covariance demonstrated 36% and 64% improvements in navigation accuracy along the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. In the second series of experiments, which included a pedestrian walking on different indoor terrains, such as flat planes, stairs, and ramps, the navigation accuracy of the system using the FIBA covariance reduced horizontal and vertical position errors by 12% and 45%, respectively, as compared to the conventional ZUPT-aided INS.
Phase separation dynamics of the C. elegans PGL-1 P granule protein in oocytes are sensitive to heat stress

Phase separation has emerged as a widespread process of organizing the cytoplasm of diverse eukaryotic cells. In C. elegans oocytes, several RNA binding proteins are condensed into germ granules called P granules. Prior studies studying the phase transitions of RNA binding proteins in response to increased temperature have suggested that PGL-1 decondenses in oocytes in response to heat. Here, we confirm this finding with a new reporter strain and demonstrate the sensitivity of PGL-1 to temperature changes.
Age of Onset, Functional Status, and Quality of Life Outcomes in Patients with Congenital and Childhood-Onset Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (P3.6-069)

Objective: To determine if the quality of life of congenital and childhood-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) patients differs with age of onset, ambulatory status, and functional progress. Background: DM1 is a devastating multisystem disease for which treatment is solely supportive. Finding the greatest areas of burden on quality of life is therefore important in best directing available therapies. Design/Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of electronic health records of DM1 patients attending the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Comprehensive Neuromuscular Care Canter from January 1, 2012 until June 1, 2018. The primary outcome measure was patient-reported quality of life. The PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scale measures emotional, physical, school, and social functioning, while the PedsQL™ 3.0 Neuromuscular Module measures family resources, disease severity, and communication ability. Secondary outcome measures included age of onset, ambulation status, and motor function progress. Inclusion criteria included a confirmed diagnosis, evident symptoms, and genetic confirmation of DM1, along with completion of at least one quality of life survey at a clinic visit. Thirty-two DM1 patients were included: 18 congenital and 14 childhood-onset. Results: Congenital DM1 patients rated their overall quality of life significantly lower than patients in the childhood-onset cohort (p = 0.049). Additionally, congenital-onset patients scored lower in both parent- and patient-reported health and activities (p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). When motor function progress was studied amongst all patients, all parent-reported PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scale domains were significantly lower in the declining group versus the stable or improving group. In congenital-only analyses, neither motor function progress nor ambulatory status significantly impacted quality of life. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that patients with congenital DM1 experience a lower quality of life than those with childhood-onset of disease. It also demonstrates that worse physical functioning negatively impacts quality of life in DM1 patients. Disclosure: Dr. Kelder has nothing to disclose. Dr. Horn has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bange has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rybalsky has received research support from Pfizer, BMS, Roche, Fibrogen, PTC, and Sarepta. Dr. Tian has received research support from Pfizer, BMS, Roche, Fibrogen, PTC, Sarepta.
Path integral solutions for non-Markovian processes

For a nonlinear stochastic flow driven by Markovian or non-Markovian colored noise ζ(t) we present the path integral solution for the single-event probabilityp(x,t). The solution has the structure of a complex-valued double path integral. Explicit formulas for the action functional, i.e., the non-Markovian Onsager-Machlup functional, are derived for the case that ζ(t) is characterized by a stationary Gaussian process. Moreover, we derive explicit results for (generalized) Poissonian colored shot noise ζ(t). The use of the path integral solution is elucidated by a weak noise analysis of the WKB-type. As a simple application, we consider stochastic bistability driven by colored noise with an extremely long correlation time.
Ascorbic acid within chromaffin granules. In situ kinetics of norepinephrine biosynthesis

Ascorbic acid requirements for norepinephrine biosynthesis were investigated in intact bovine chromaffin granules using the physiologic substrate dopamine and a novel coulometric electrochemical detection high pressure liquid chromatography system for ascorbic acid. 10 mM external dopamine, 1 mM Mg-ATP, and 1 mM ascorbic acid produced maximal norepinephrine biosynthesis without granule lysis. When external ascorbic acid was omitted, intragranular ascorbic acid was consumed in a 1:1 ratio with respect to norepinephrine biosynthesis. The initial concentration of intragranular ascorbic acid was 10.5 mM, which was depleted in stepwise fashion to 15 lower concentrations over the range of 9.2-0.2 mM. Chromaffin granules containing these varying concentrations of intragranular ascorbic acid were then incubated with 1 mM exogenous ascorbic acid, and norepinephrine biosynthesis from dopamine was determined. The apparent Km of norepinephrine biosynthesis for intragranular ascorbic acid was 0.57 mM by Eadie-Hofstee analysis and 0.68 mM by Lineweaver-Burk analysis. These data indicate that intragranular ascorbic acid is available and required for norepinephrine biosynthesis, that ascorbic acid is a true co-substrate for dopamine beta-monooxygenase, and that intragranular ascorbic acid is maintained by extragranular ascorbic acid. Continued norepinephrine biosynthesis in granules is dependent on both intragranular and extragranular concentrations of the vitamin. Furthermore, in situ kinetics of dopamine beta-monooxygenase for ascorbic acid may be most accurately determined using intact granules and the true physiologic substrate.
The Politics of Reproductive Health: Why Political Scientists Need to Study Baby-Making and its Consequences

Political scientists have studied struggles over reproductive rights and technologies, but have focused on women's right NOT to have children and far less so on the medical, economic and political circumstances of gestating, birthing, and raising offspring. Although pregnancy, childbirth and conditions of the neonatal period together account for one quarter of all hospital admissions in the US, this most common of all health issues has failed to stir much interest among political scientists. This sets political science apart from cognate disciplines such as anthropology, history, and sociology. My paper maps out a framework and research agenda for the comparative study of the politics of reproduction along three dimensions: comparative regulatory policy and institutional practices; socioeconomic consequences of reproductive policies; and advocacy and social movements surrounding reproduction. Relevant topics include maternal and perinatal health, breastfeeding in public and in the workplace, the accommodation of children in public spaces, nontraditional kinship formation, gendered welfare policies, and implications of variations in maternal leave policies.
Happier together: integrating a wellness application into a social network site

What are the benefits and drawbacks of integrating health and wellness interventions into existing online social network websites? In this paper, we report on a case study of deploying the Three Good Things positive psychology exercise as a Facebook application. Our experience shows that embedding a wellness intervention in an existing social website is a viable option. In particular, we find adherence rates on par with or better than many other Internet-based wellness interventions. We also gained insights about users’ privacy and audience concerns that inform the design of social network-based wellness applications. Participants did not want all of their entries to be shared with all their Facebook friends, both because they did not want others to know some things and because they did not want to clutter others’ newsfeeds. Users found it compelling, however, to interact with their friends around some “Good Things” they had posted.
Estimation of 2-D wavenumbers

In this paper, three new 2-D wavenumbers estimation methods, called PESS (parameter estimation via signal-selectivity of signal-subspace) methods, which completely solve the pairing problem in a computationally efficient manner are presented.
A Rebuttal to Jack Niemonen’s “Whither the White Working Class?”

Prof. Niemonen claims that the concept of white privilege is “anti-sociological” and “mask[s] complex race–class interactions.” He highlights the importance of including social class in discussions...
Proteins of Unknown Biochemical Function: A Persistent Problem and a Roadmap to Help Overcome It

The number of sequenced genomes is rapidly increasing, but functional annotation of the genes in these genomes lags far behind. Even in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), only approximately 40% of enzyme- and transporter-encoding genes have credible functional annotations, and this number is even lower in nonmodel plants. Functional characterization of unknown genes is a challenge, but various databases (e.g. for protein localization and coexpression) can be mined to provide clues. If homologous microbial genes exist-and about one-half the genes encoding unknown enzymes and transporters in Arabidopsis have microbial homologs-cross-kingdom comparative genomics can powerfully complement plant-based data. Multiple lines of evidence can strengthen predictions and warrant experimental characterization. In some cases, relatively quick tests in genetically tractable microbes can determine whether a prediction merits biochemical validation, which is costly and demands specialized skills.
Sex and Contextual Differences in the Appropriateness of Assertive Behavior

A series of one-line descriptions of assertive behavior sequences were written so that the situational context was systematically varied. Adult males and females were asked to rate how appropriate each behavioral sequence would be if performed by men and if performed by women (normative appropriateness). The same persons were also asked to estimate how appropriately a typical man and a typical woman would rate them if they engaged in the same behavior (expected appropriateness). Analyses of normative ratings indicated that assertion by women is viewed as slightly more appropriate than that by men, at least when carried out with opposite sex friends and spouses. Both males and females expected higher appropriateness ratings from their own sex. Both normative and expected appropriateness varied as a function of situational context.
Vasopressin Antagonism in Heart Failure

Treatment of chronic heart failure (HF) is based on interference with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the adrenergic nervous system. Diuretics are used in volume-expanded patients. Insights from clinical trials and registries establish the need to consider correcting both cardiac loading conditions and nonload-related biological factors if HF therapy is to be optimized. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) represents a potentially attractive target for therapy in both acute and chronic HF. Excessive AVP secretion could contribute to both systolic and diastolic wall stress via V1a- and V2-mediated effects on the peripheral vasculature and on water retention. Arginine vasopressin also may directly and adversely affect myocardial function due to the effect of V1a activation on myocardial contractility and cell growth. Last, AVP may contribute to hyponatremia, a powerful predictor of poor outcome in HF. The development of effective nonpeptide antagonists to both the V1a and V2 receptors for AVP now allows for testing the hypotheses that interfering with AVP-mediated signaling could be beneficial in HF. This review summarizes the theoretical rationale for further development of such therapy, reviews the status of current compounds under development, and suggests key issues that need to be addressed as these agents undergo further clinical testing.
Sentential and discourse context effects: adults who are learning to read compared with skilled readers

In a series of three experiments, we examined how sentential and discourse contexts were used by adults who are learning to read compared with skilled adult readers. In Experiment 1, participants read sentence contexts that were either congruent, incongruent or neutral with respect to a target word they had to name. Both skilled and less skilled adults benefited from a congruent context, and were not disadvantaged by an incongruent context. Contrary to research conducted on children learning to read, skill level of the adult reader did not interact with context. Experiments 2 and 3 tested readers' ability to make predictive inferences. Again, all readers, regardless of skill level, provided evidence that they were making predictive inferences. This finding is inconsistent with research that has examined individual differences in college readers.
Microenvironment regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity in chondrocytes: effects of culture configuration, interleukin-1, and compressive stress.

Objective To compare extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) activity in response to interleukin-1 (IL-1) in chondrocytes under various culture configurations designed for the study of cartilage biology and repair, and also in response to dynamic load for chondrocytes in cartilage. Methods Isolated bovine articular chondrocytes were maintained in serum-supplemented medium under 4 culture configurations: high-density monolayer, attached to a cut surface of cartilage, within tissue-engineered constructs, or within intact cartilage explants. Samples were subjected to a change of medium with or without IL-1. Cartilage explants were also subjected to dynamic compression. Results In chondrocyte monolayers, both basal and IL-1–stimulated ERK activities were similarly elevated at 0.5 hours after medium change, diminishing by 74% after 16 hours. In contrast, chondrocytes in other culture configurations exhibited lower basal levels of ERK activity and a moderate activation of ERK in response to IL-1 that was sustained over the 16-hour treatment time. The dynamic component of loading of cartilage explants led to a 5-fold activation of ERK, compared with free-swelling controls, that was indistinguishable from the effects of IL-1. Conclusion ERK signaling in response to IL-1 in chondrocyte monolayers exhibited a pattern that was distinct from that in other culture systems, suggesting that the extracellular matrix plays an important regulatory role in modulating the response to extracellular stimuli. Since IL-1 and dynamic loading have distinct effects on chondrocyte biosynthesis, signaling pathways other than ERK participate in the chondrocyte responses to these stimuli.
Abstract 4802: Human breast carcinoma-associated mesenchymal stem cells from primary breast cancer metastasis promote proliferation, invasion and mammosphere formation in breast cancer

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recruited to the tumor microenvironment; however controversy exists regarding their role in solid tumors. In this study, we identified the presence of carcinoma-associated MSCs (CA-MSCs) isolated from breast cancer metastasis to a human lymph node (LNM) and liver (LM). Methods: Tissue harvesting and culture: CA-MSCs were isolated from fresh samples of lymph nodes and liver breast cancer metastasis obtained from the operating room. A portion of each specimen was mechanically dissected and digested with collagenase. Red cells were lysed with ACK buffer and cell suspensions were cultured in Human Epithelial Medium and isolated adherent CA-MSCs were subculture in MSC medium for up to 12 passages for each experiment. Another portion of the tumor samples were subjected to IHC for HE 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4802. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4802
Research and Application of Disturbance Environment Simulation for Power Dispatching System Considering Electrical and Non-Electrical Data

Nowadays, Power Dispatching System is not only facing disturbances caused by electrical data, but also facing disturbances caused by non-electrical data, such as working conditions and communication failures. Currently applied power system simulation software is either only facing monitoring personnel or only facing some application functions, without comprehensive consideration of the disturbance environment brought by the Power Dispatching System itself. This disturbance may reduce the reliability of Power Dispatching System, and even have a great impact on its reliable operation. This paper proposes a simulation system used as building disturbance environment for the test of Power Dispatching System. It proves that the established environment could effectively test a variety of functions of Power Dispatching System under the following situations, normal operation, disturbance, fault and avalanche. By applying this system, some functional and performance test that could not be done in Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) can be implemented, thus can be used to assist on Power Dispatching System’s security test.
Potassium-doped polyacetylene studied by photoelectron and metastable quenching spectroscopy.

We study the modification of the photoelectron and metastable quenching spectra of trans-polyacetylene caused by doping with potassium in an ultrahigh-vacuum system. We find that the addition of potassium enhances and shifts the \ensuremath{\sigma}-band peak and creates a new peak at the Fermi level which seems to originate from an orbital localized around the potassium atoms.
Familial touch and perceptual reactivity of children with severe mental illness

The nature of touch among family members can influence the degree of nervous system arousal experienced by children who are hypersensitive to the environment.
Resist freezing process challenges of cross pattern applications

Three resist freezing methods (fluoride plasma, chemical and thermal freezing) were studied for double patterning cross pattern by printing the second layer directly on top of the first resist layer. Different methods show different challenges: plasma freezing is very hard to remove footing on both layers; Chemical freezing first layer CD will grow after completion of second pattern; thermal freezing will change line curvature when the CD is smaller than 50nm, if first layer is wave type pattern.
Water-soluble copolymers: 27. Synthesis and aqueous solution behaviour of associative acrylamideN-alkylacrylamide copolymers

Copolymers of acrylamide (AM) and N-alkylacrylamides have been prepared by micellar copolymerization in aqueous solution utilizing sodium dodecyl sulphate as a surfactant and potassium persulphate as the initiator. Synthesis, characterization, and copolymerization of the N-alkylacrylamide monomers with eight, ten and twelve carbons on the alkyl substituent are described. Rheological properties have been studied as a function of polymer concentration, electrolyte concentration, temperature and shear rate. A remarkable increase in apparent viscosity observed at low mole fractions of the N-alkylacrylamide in the copolymer occurs at a critical concentration which is a function of length of the alkyl chain in the monomer and copolymer molecular weight. Viscosity behaviour is interpreted in terms of a concentration dependent model involving interchain hydrophobic associations in aqueous solutions.
Molecular modeling of initiation of interlayer swelling in Na–montmorillonite expansive clay

Expansive soils are found in many parts of the world. A major constituent of these clays is the mineral montmorillonite. Molecular interactions between clay, cations, and water play an important ro...
IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDY OF ANTIGENIC SPECIFICITY IN DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY II. DELAYED HYPERSENSITIVITY TO POLYTYROSINE-AZOBENZENEARSONATE AND ITS SUPPRESSION BY HAPTENS

Delayed hypersensitivity in guinea pigs was produced by immunization. with a conjugate prepared by coupling diazotized arsanilic acid to polytyrosine. The resulting sensitivity could be demonstrated by skin test with conjugates prepared from a wide variety of tyrosine-containing proteins. Definite but smaller degrees of sensitivity could be induced with conjugates of proteins containing little or no tyrosine. The apparent absence of carrier-specificity is considered to be due to the narrowed range of immunologic response produced by immunization with polytyrosine-azobenzenearsonate. Injections of the hapten N-acetyltyrosine-azobenzenearsonate was found to suppress completely the delayed reaction attributable to the tyrosine-azobenzenearsonate group. The same hapten was only slightly effective in suppressing reactions in guinea pigs immunized with guinea pig serum albumin-azobenzenearsonate, suggesting that a broader range of specificities is involved with such antigens. Confirmation of such increased range of specificity attributable to antigenic determinants contributed by the carrier protein was obtained by desensitization studies with N-acetyltyrosine-azobenzenearsonate and guinea pig serum albumin-azobenzoate. While separately these materials produced only a slight decrease in skin reactivity to guinea pig serum albumin-azobenzenearsonate, the combination was found to give almost complete suppression.
Prevalence of and sex disparities in posttraumatic stress disorder in an internally displaced Sri Lankan population 6 months after the 2004 Tsunami.

Background: When the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami suddenly hit unsuspecting coastal populations in Sri Lanka, it inflicted unprecedented devastation including 35,000 deaths and 500,000 people displaced. Evaluating the psychological impact of this natural disaster provides valuable insights into planning interventions and disaster preparedness. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 264 adult males and females gt/=16 years old living in temporary shelters housing tsunami survivors at 6 months. Interviewer-administered structured interviews were conducted to measure posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its risk factors. Results: The participation rate was 97%. Of the subjects, 56% met criteria for symptoms of PTSD, with females at 64% and males at 42%. Females had at least twice the risk of experiencing PTSD (odds ratio [OR] 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37-3.76). This sex difference persisted after adjusting for age, marital status, being a parent, loss of family members, amount of social support, education level, and level of depression (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.21-3.80). Depression was significantly associated with PTSD (OR 7.19, 95% CI 3.83-13.52). Conclusions: In this directly affected population, a majority met criteria for PTSD, indicating a significant long-term public health burden. The findings also confirm that females are at much higher risk for PTSD than males, suggesting that special mental health efforts should be targeted at women exposed to trauma.
Involutory matrices over finite commutative rings

Abstract An n × n matrix A is called involutory iff A2=In, where In is the n × n identity matrix. This paper is concerned with involutory matrices over an arbitrary finite commutative ring R with identity and with the similarity relation among such matrices. In particular the authors seek a canonical set C with respect to similarity for the n × n involutory matrices over R—i.e., a set C of n × n involutory matrices over R with the property that each n × n involutory matrix over R is similar to exactly on matrix in C . Because of the structure of finite commutative rings and because of previous research, they are able to restrict their attention to finite local rings of characteristic a power of 2, and although their main result does not completely specify a canonical set C for such a ring, it does solve the problem for a special class of rings and shows that a solution to the general case necessarily contains a solution to the classically unsolved problem of simultaneously bringing a sequence A1,…,Av of (not necessarily involutory) matrices over a finite field of characteristic 2 to canonical form (using the same similarity transformation on each Ai). (More generally, the authors observe that a theory of similarity fot matrices over an arbitrary local ring, such as the well-known rational canonical theory for matrices over a field, necessarily implies a solution to the simultaneous canonical form problem for matrices over a field.) In a final section they apply their results to find a canonical set for the involutory matrices over the ring of integers modulo 2m and using this canonical set they are able to obtain a formula for the number of n × n involutory matrices over this ring.
Do women like options more than men? An examination in the context of service recovery

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the benefits of letting customers choose among compensation methods following a service failure. The author is also interested in the role of gender in influencing satisfaction with the compensation method and post‐recovery emotions.Design/methodology/approach – A between‐subjects quasi‐experiment was conducted in addition to a series of pretests.Findings – Findings from this study indicate that women are more satisfied with the compensation when given the opportunity to choose from alternatives than are men. Moreover, women seem to value the act of choosing more than their male counterparts. The findings further suggest that service operators and retailers might benefit from offering the customer a choice between hedonic and utilitarian compensation options as part of the service recovery process. Letting the customer choose his/her preferred recovery option enhances satisfaction with the chosen compensation method, thus somewhat mitigating the ill‐effects of service ...