cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AKT1 Activation Up Regulates Peroxiredoxin 1 in Human Melanoma Cells

Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are highly abundant antioxidant enzymes overexpressed in many cancers, e.g., breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer. About 90% of cellular peroxides are reduced by PRDXs. Melanoma cells, and cancer cells in general, often have a high level of oxidative stress which is thought to drive the expression of many cancer phenotypes. AKT activation (i.e., phosphorylation) is a key mechanism giving rise to increased oxidative stress and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells. The degree of AKT activation in cancer cells often correlates with cancer aggressiveness. We sought to determine if increasing AKT1 activation in human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-28 by transfection with pBABE-puro-MF-AKT1 (constitutively active AKT1) would cause a compensatory increase in PRDXs. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) with tandem mass spectrometry was utilized to measure the relative abundance of proteins in transfected (SK-MEL-28-AKT1) and non-transfected control cells (SK-MEL-28). Our results show that (P This research was supported in part by NIH Grant C06RR0306551 and the East Tennessee State University Robert W. Summers Pediatric Research Endowment.
WiP Abstract: Diagnostics and Prognostics Using Temporal Causal Models for Cyber Physical Energy Systems

Reliable operation of cyber-physical systems such as power transmission and distribution systems is crtiical for the seamless functioning of a vibrant economy. These systems consist of tightly coupled physical (energy sources, transmission and distribution lines, and loads) and computational components (protection devices, energy management systems, etc.). The protection devices such as distance relays help in preventing failure propagation by isolating faulty physical components. However, these devices rely on hard thresholds and local information, often ignoring system-level effects introduced by the distributed control algorithms. This leads to scenarios wherein a local mitigation in a subsytem could trigger a larger fault cascade, possibly resulting in a blackout.Efficient models and tools that curtail such systematic failures by performing fault diagnosis and prognosis are therefore necessary.
The use of Economic Analysis of Penicillin G Manufacturing Costs in Establishing Priorities for Fermentation Process Improvement

Publisher Summary The process used for the production of penicillin by fermentation is quite complex and involves culture maintenance, fermentation, and extraction/purification procedures. This chapter presents a diagrammatic illustration of that process and emphasizes on the economic significance of several fermentation process improvement strategies to evaluate alternative approaches. The chapter discusses about the time course of nutrient use for penicillin fermentation. Many factors influence the cost of penicillin production. Even the age of the facility can have a significant influence. Many large scale facilities are 15 to 20 years old and the fixed charges are much reduced. If the fixed charges drop by $200 (out of a $378 total), the unit cost becomes $1454.41/89.23 Kg = $1630/Kg, substantially less than the standard of $18.54/Kg. Maintenance would increase and the labor tends to be higher in older plants which often have smaller fermenters, greater contamination, and less efficient process strategies. The choice among development alternatives depends upon the scale of production and the importance of a given product among a group of similar products which the process improvement team might work on.
Predicting service industry performance using decision tree analysis

Financial factors are better predictors than ICTs on service industry performance.Access to bank loans or lines of credit is the most important predictor of service industry sales revenue growth.Websites can negatively affect sales revenue growth in Africa and Eastern Europe. Using global industry data on service industries from the World Bank, we investigate the impact of ICTs within the financial context, on service industry performance. This is motivated by the lack of consensus on the impact of ICTs at the industry level of analysis, and insufficient attention given to service industries. Our decision tree analysis is framed by the Technology, Organization, and Environment (TOE) framework. We discover that financial factors are better predictors than ICTs on service industry performance. Access to loans and lines of credit is the strongest predictor. It is often assumed that websites expand markets and increase revenues, but we find that they negatively affect sales revenue growth in Africa and Eastern Europe. These findings help companies and policy makers understand that ICTs alone are insufficient to improve service industry performance. Our findings lead to theoretical contributions in the form of nine hypotheses for future research.
Practical Evaluation and Optimization of Contextual Bandit Algorithms.

We study and empirically optimize contextual bandit learning, exploration, and problem encodings across 500+ datasets, creating a reference for practitioners and discovering or reinforcing a number of natural open problems for researchers. Across these experiments we show that minimizing the amount of exploration is a key design goal for practical performance. Remarkably, many problems can be solved purely via the implicit exploration imposed by the diversity of contexts. For practitioners, we introduce a number of practical improvements to common exploration algorithms including Bootstrap Thompson sampling, Online Cover, and $\epsilon$-greedy. We also detail a new form of reduction to regression for learning from exploration data. Overall, this is a thorough study and review of contextual bandit methodology.
Other Semantic Feature Segmentation

The automatic classification of semantic classes (background, vegetation, roads, water, political boundaries, iso-contours) in raster map images still poses significant challenges. We describe and compare the results of three unsupervised classification algorithms: (1) k-means, (2) graph theoretic (GT), and (3) expectation maximization (EM). These are applied to USGS raster map images, and performance is measured in terms of the recall and precision as well as the cluster quality on a set of map images for which the ground truth is available. Across the six classes studied here, k-means achieves good clusters and an average of 78% recall and 70% precision; GT clustering achieves good clusters and 83% recall with 74% precision. Finally, EM forms very good clusters and has an average 86% recall and 71% precision.
Thermal and chemical expansion properties of La0.2Sr0.8Fe0.55Ti0.45O3−x

Abstract The thermal and chemical expansion coefficients for La 0.2 Sr 0.8 Fe 0.55 Ti 0.45 O 3− x were measured at 800 ≤ T ≤ 1200 °C and at ∼1 × 10 − 15 ≤ p O 2 ≤ 0.21 atm. Measurements of the total expansion coefficient in air, on heating and cooling between room temperature and 1200 °C, are reproducible. The average thermal expansion coefficient of La 0.2 Sr 0.8 Fe 0.55 Ti 0.45 O 3− x is 9.3 ± 1.1 × 10 − 6 K − 1 over the whole temperature range, similar to the values reported for other titanium substituted perovskites and yttria-stabilized zirconia. The chemical expansion coefficients measured at 800 °C vary linearly with the degree of oxygen non-stoichiometry. At higher temperatures, the chemical expansion shows a pronounced non-linear dependence on stoichiometry. At oxygen partial pressures below ∼10 − 6 atm, the expansion shows evidence of the slow kinetic behavior previously observed in stoichiometry and conductivity measurements.
Away From the Ivory Tower

With hopes of following up on my experience in the Summer Scholars Program, I accepted a position as a full time science teacher in Urban High School (UHS)2 in New York City. I knew that most of the students would be different than those in the Summer Scholars Program. I knew that the environment and expectations would be different. I knew that there would be so much for me to learn. As I went through my orientations in August leading up to teaching at UHS, I was eager, hopeful, excited, and more than a little nervous. Prior to my sabbatical, from my experiences learning physics I saw the beauty and elegance of the subject matter, often delivered to me by master physicists. From my experiences in education I saw the importance of setting up an environment, both affectively and cognitively, conducive to maximizing learning.
Advances in User-Session-Based Testing of Web Applications

Abstract With the increased use of web applications their reliability is an important concern. Software testing is one mechanism by which the system’s reliability can be assessed. One particular testing method, called user-session-based testing harnesses usage data of web applications to create test cases. User-session-based testing has the advantage of being able to detect faults that end-users encounter with minimal configuration changes to the web application. In this chapter, the different applications of user-session-based testing in the literature are presented. This form of testing is most relevant during regression testing, and thus, the different applications of user-session-based testing focus on regression testing components, such a test suite reduction, test case prioritization, and test case repair. The tools and frameworks available for user-session-based testing are also discussed.
Infidelity Goes Online: Communicating About Sexual Health in Personal Ads When Seeking Extra-Dyadic Relationships on Craigslist

Objectives: The present study explored married and partnered individuals’ ads on Craigslist seeking extra-dyadic sexual relationships. An analysis of the ads containing words related to health and ...
Hydrology: Infusing Science into a Demand-Driven Art

In content, hydrology is a science; in practice it is an art. Scientists study physical processes; practitioners seek numbers. Sciences are shaped by discovery, hydrology by user demands. Hydrologists have been too prone to seek the favor of institutions that seek an image of good performance and feel uncomfortable when forsaking simple methods with official blessings. Because the discipline has stagnated, conceptual breakthroughs are now essential to solve pressing water problems. However, a discipline dominated by scientists tends to understand practical problems poorly. Supply side advances in understanding should be coupled with demand-side advances in addressing problems under innovative leadership who are willing to take risks in the interest of better science and who come from professional societies where both academics and agencies participate. Universities must do better at infusing science into professional curricula. Employers must do better at rewarding excellence.
Psychic distance and performance of MNCs during marketing crises

When multinational corporations face foreign marketing crises, the psychic distance between the home and host country represents a distinct challenge. This paper examines the curvilinear relationship between psychic distance and firm performance during marketing crises, and the moderating role of marketing capabilities. We test our hypotheses using an event study on a panel dataset of 217 firms based in 19 countries facing crises in 41 host countries. The results show that (1) marketing crises are most harmful when the host country is either very close or far away and (2) firms can mitigate this effect with marketing capabilities.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms alter kinase anchoring and the subcellular targeting of A-kinase anchoring proteins

A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) shape second-messenger signaling responses by constraining protein kinase A (PKA) at precise intracellular locations. A defining feature of AKAPs is a helical region that binds to regulatory subunits (RII) of PKA. Mining patient-derived databases has identified 42 nonsynonymous SNPs in the PKA-anchoring helices of five AKAPs. Solid-phase RII binding assays confirmed that 21 of these amino acid substitutions disrupt PKA anchoring. The most deleterious side-chain modifications are situated toward C-termini of AKAP helices. More extensive analysis was conducted on a valine-to-methionine variant in the PKA-anchoring helix of AKAP18. Molecular modeling indicates that additional density provided by methionine at position 282 in the AKAP18γ isoform deflects the pitch of the helical anchoring surface outward by 6.6°. Fluorescence polarization measurements show that this subtle topological change reduces RII-binding affinity 8.8-fold and impairs cAMP responsive potentiation of L-type Ca2+ currents in situ. Live-cell imaging of AKAP18γ V282M-GFP adducts led to the unexpected discovery that loss of PKA anchoring promotes nuclear accumulation of this polymorphic variant. Targeting proceeds via a mechanism whereby association with the PKA holoenzyme masks a polybasic nuclear localization signal on the anchoring protein. This led to the discovery of AKAP18e: an exclusively nuclear isoform that lacks a PKA-anchoring helix. Enzyme-mediated proximity-proteomics reveal that compartment-selective variants of AKAP18 associate with distinct binding partners. Thus, naturally occurring PKA-anchoring-defective AKAP variants not only perturb dissemination of local second-messenger responses, but also may influence the intracellular distribution of certain AKAP18 isoforms.
The priming factor CAPS1 regulates dense-core vesicle acidification by interacting with rabconnectin3β/WDR7 in neuroendocrine cells

Vacuolar-type H+-ATPases (V-ATPases) contribute to pH regulation and play key roles in secretory and endocytic pathways. Dense-core vesicles (DCVs) in neuroendocrine cells are maintained at an acidic pH, which is part of the electrochemical driving force for neurotransmitter loading and is required for hormonal propeptide processing. Genetic loss of CAPS1 (aka calcium-dependent activator protein for secretion, CADPS), a vesicle-bound priming factor required for DCV exocytosis, dissipates the pH gradient across DCV membranes and reduces neurotransmitter loading. However, the basis for CAPS1 binding to DCVs and for its regulation of vesicle pH has not been determined. Here, MS analysis of CAPS1 immunoprecipitates from brain membrane fractions revealed that CAPS1 associates with a rabconnectin3 (Rbcn3) complex comprising Dmx-like 2 (DMXL2) and WD repeat domain 7 (WDR7) proteins. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we found that Rbcn3α/DMXL2 and Rbcn3β/WDR7 colocalize with CAPS1 on DCVs in human neuroendocrine (BON) cells. The shRNA-mediated knockdown of Rbcn3β/WDR7 redistributed CAPS1 from DCVs to the cytosol, indicating that Rbcn3β/WDR7 is essential for optimal DCV localization of CAPS1. Moreover, cell-free experiments revealed direct binding of CAPS1 to Rbcn3β/WDR7, and cell assays indicated that Rbcn3β/WDR7 recruits soluble CAPS1 to membranes. As anticipated by the reported association of Rbcn3 with V-ATPase, we found that knocking down CAPS1, Rbcn3α, or Rbcn3β in neuroendocrine cells impaired rates of DCV reacidification. These findings reveal a basis for CAPS1 binding to DCVs and for CAPS1 regulation of V-ATPase activity via Rbcn3β/WDR7 interactions.
Cryo-EM structure of the Ebola virus nucleoprotein–RNA complex

Ebola virus is an emerging virus that is capable of causing a deadly disease in humans. Replication, transcription and packaging of the viral genome are carried out by the viral nucleocapsid. The nucleocapsid is a complex of the viral nucleoprotein, RNA and several other viral proteins. The nucleoprotein forms large, RNA-bound, helical filaments and acts as a scaffold for additional viral proteins. The 3.1 A resolution single-particle cryo-electron microscopy structure of the nucleoprotein–RNA helical filament presented here resembles previous structures determined at lower resolution, while providing improved molecular details of protein–protein and protein–RNA interactions. The higher resolution of the structure presented here will facilitate the design and characterization of novel and specific Ebola virus therapeutics targeting the nucleocapsid.
Does Increasing Body Mass Index Correlate with Adverse Outcomes Following Posterior Cervical Fusions

Background Obesity has been shown to be associated with higher rates of complications after lumbar spine surgery. However, the evidence regarding the impact of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes following posterior cervical fusions (PCFs) remains limited. Methods The 2012–2017 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried using Current Procedural Terminology code 22600 to identify PCFs. Patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery and surgery for deformity, malignancy, or infection were excluded. Patients with missing data with regard to weight, height, and 30-day outcomes were excluded. BMI (kg/m2) was categorized into 4 groups: 1) Results Of 2786 patients with PCFs, 710 (25.5%) had BMI Conclusions With the exception of a higher rate of deep surgical site infections seen in obese patients, increased BMI does not seem to have a major impact on 30-day outcomes following PCFs.
The Discrepancy between Mother and Youth Reported Internalizing Symptoms Predicts Youth’s Negative Self-Esteem

In the field of child and adolescent psychopathology, discrepancy among informants (e.g., mother and child) is common. Discrepancies are an important topic of research as assessments utilize multiple informants, which guild clinicians’ diagnostic, treatment, and research decisions. The difference score between mothers and youth report of internalizing disorders, broadly, has been found to be associated with youth’s negative self-esteem. However, the relationship among these variables has only been examined through the use of difference scores, which have significant limitations. The current study aimed to examine whether the discrepancy between maternal- and self-reported withdrawn and anxious/depressed symptoms (respectively) would be predictive of youths’ self-reported negative self-esteem. We extend the literature by utilizing polynomial regressions to examine the linear and curvilinear main effects and interactions between mother and youth report. One-hundred and fifty-one child-mother dyads (age range, 11–17 years; Mage = 12.98 ± 2.42 years; 82 males and 69 females) were administered the Child-Behavior Checklist, Child Depression Inventory, and Youth Self-Report scale. Our results supported our hypotheses; when mothers and youth disagreed on the respective internalizing symptoms, youth were more likely to report lower self-esteem (higher negative self-esteem). The implications and limitations of the current study are discussed.
Geographic Disparities in Liver Allocation and Distribution in the United States: Where Are We Now?

Abstract Background Equitable deceased donor liver allocation and distribution has remained a heated topic in transplant medicine. Despite the establishment of numerous policies, mixed reports regarding organ allocation persist. Methods Patient data was obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing liver transplant database between January 2016 and September 2017. A total of 20,190 patients were included in the analysis. Of this number, 8790 transplanted patients had a median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 25 (17-33), after a wait time of 129 (32-273) days. Patients were grouped into low MELD and high MELD regions using a score 25 as the cutoff. Results Significant differences were noted between low and high MELD regions in ethnicity (white 77.4% vs 60.4%, Hispanic 8.1% vs 24.5%; P Conclusions These results highlight some of the existing disparities in the recently updated allocation and distribution policy of deceased donor livers. Our findings are consistent with previous work and support the liver distribution policy revision.
On the Reflexive Relation Between Developing L2 Interactional Competence and Evolving Social Relationships: A Longitudinal Study of Word-Searches in the ‘Wild’

In this study we extend current research on L2 interactional competence and its development by exploring the reflexive relationship between, on the one hand, peoples’ changing practices for accomplishing social actions and, on the other hand, their evolving social relationships. Our analytic focus is on word-searches as a type of self-initiated repair, and hence as part of a mechanism of social interaction that is fundamental to in-situ meaning-making processes. We document change, over a period of 10 months, in an L2-speaking au-pair’s ‘methods’ and grammatical resources for recruiting co-participants’ assistance while searching for a word during dinner table conversations with her host family. We show how this change indicates the L2 speaker’s increased ability to maximize the progressivity of talk while at the same time establishing mutual comprehension, and hence intersubjectivity. Zooming in onto one precise linguistic construction recurrently used in word-searches (comment on dit ‘how do you say’), we also shed light on the progressive development of an L2 grammar-for-interaction as part of L2 interactional competence. We discuss how the observed changes constitute and simultaneously reflect dynamically evolving epistemic entitlements and social relationships between the participants.
Spiritual Opium: The Internet Addiction Panic and the Spiritually Ailing Nation

This chapter analyzes the phenomenon of Internet cafes and Internet gaming as portrayed in dominant media discourse, with a focus on the moral panic about Internet addiction. The chapter begins with an analysis of Chinese media reports published between 2000 and 2019. Next, the chapter focuses on the argument that the Internet and digital games, in particular, constitute a dangerous form of spiritual opium. In equating the Internet with opium, the Chinese media frame it as a “foreign” substance that poses a threat to the nation and, most notably, the productivity of its young male citizens. Yet before opium became the scourge that it is known as today, it was first considered to be a substance that could “replenish the spirit.” This double discursive construction mirrors that of the Internet cafe, as portrayed in the previous chapter. By engaging with academic scholarship on the social use of opium and the manner in which the social significance of opium use itself has shifted over time, this chapter draws out issues of class that lie hidden within the present-day discourse. Finally, the chapter addresses the network of actors and issues that have contributed to the moral panic about Internet addiction.
The role of pubertal timing in the link between family history of alcohol use disorder and late adolescent substance use

Abstract Background Youth who experience puberty earlier than their peers are at heightened risk for substance use during adolescence. However, little is known about whether pubertal timing exacerbates effects of relevant early risk factors, such as family substance use history, as predicted by the “accentuation hypothesis”. Using longitudinal data from youth with and without a family history of alcohol use disorder (AUD FHx), we evaluated whether pubertal timing intensifies preexisting familial risk effects on late adolescent substance use. Methods Participants were 568 males and 245 females from the Michigan Longitudinal Study. Pubertal timing was indexed by fitting mixed-effects linear models to repeated measures of self-reported Tanner stage. Multilevel models then tested: (a) whether AUD FHx predicted pubertal timing, and (b) whether AUD FHx, pubertal timing, or their interaction predicted alcohol and marijuana use at ages 16–18. Results AUD FHx was unrelated to pubertal timing in either males or females. In males, alcohol and marijuana use in late adolescence were predicted by AUD FHx and timing, but not their interaction. In females, AUD FHx predicted alcohol-related outcomes, but there were no main or interaction effects of timing. Conclusions Pubertal timing does not moderate the link between AUD FHx and late adolescent substance use, in contrast to the accentuation hypothesis. In males, measures of pubertal maturation and familial risk provide unique information for prediction of use. Females displayed no link between pubertal timing and use, which may suggest different risk pathways, or may have been due to the female sample’s smaller size.
Research progress in the mechanism of Escherichia coli K1 translocation of the blood-brain barrier

Neonatal purulent meningitis is one of the severe infectious diseases of the central nervous system.Escherichia coli K1(E.coli K1)strain is the most common Gram-negative bacteria which leads to neonatal purulent meningitis.The mechanism of E. coli K1 translocation of the blood-brain barrier(BBB)include the high degree of bacteremia, invasion of brain microvessel endothelia cell by E. coli K1, receptor-mediated pinocytosis transport for E. coli K1 and the living bacteria across the BBB.The current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the successful E. coli K1 translocation of the BBB are summarized in this review. Key words: Purulent meningitis; Neonate; Escherichia coli K1; Blood-brain barrier; Mechanism
Association Between Birth Region and Time to Tuberculosis Diagnosis After US Entry Among Non–US-Born Persons

Abstract Approximately 90% of US tuberculosis (TB) cases among non–US-born persons are attributable to progression of latent TB infection to TB disease. Using survival analysis, we investigated if birthplace is associated with time of progression to TB disease among non–US-born persons. We derived a Cox regression model comparing differences in time to TB diagnosis after US entry among 19 global birth regions, adjusting for sex, birth year, and age at diagnosis. Compared with persons from Western Europe, the adjusted hazard rate of developing TB was significantly higher (p ≤0.05) for persons from all other regions, except North America and Northern Europe, and highest among persons from Middle Africa (adjusted hazard ratio = 7.0; 95% confidence interval: 6.5–7.4). Time to TB diagnosis among non–US-born persons therefore varied by birth region, which represents an important prognostic indicator for progression to TB disease.
Redescription of the type species of the spider genera Artonis, Chorizopes and Mecynidis (Araneae: Araneidae and Linyphiidae)

Redescriptionption of the numerous old spider species is often far more important than the descriptionption and naming of additional new ones. This is particularly true of the types of generic names. The species redescriptionbed here had been placed in the Theridiidae by many authors. A recent revision of the genera of the family Theridiidae (Levi and Levi, 1962) indicated the erroneous placement of several of these genera, but redescriptionption of the type species was not within the scope of that paper. These type species of the araneids and linyphiids are redescriptionbed here, with the exception of Paurotylus depressus Tullgren, 1910, of which I examined some male specimens at the MusA©e Royal de l'Afrique Centrale in Tervuren last August, with Dr. P. L. G. Benoit, and we found that it belongs to the Gasteracanthinae (Araneidae). Unfortunately, it is difficult to match males and females in this group. Dr. Benoit has redescriptionbed the male type in his revision of African Gasteracanthinae.
Electronic Business Adoption by European Firms: A Cross-Country Assessment of the Facilitators and Inhibitors

In this study we developed a conceptual model for studying the adoption of electronic business (e-business or EB) at the firm level, incorporating six adoption facilitators and inhibitors, based on the technology-organization-environment theoretical framework. Survey data from 3,100 businesses and 7,500 consumers in eight European countries were used to test the proposed adoption model. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis to assess the reliability and validity of constructs. To examine whether adoption patterns differ across different e-business environments, we divided the full sample into high EB-intensity and low EB-intensity countries. After controlling for variations of industry and country effects, the fitted logit models demonstrated four findings: (1) Technology competence, firm scope and size, consumer readiness, and competitive pressure are significant adoption drivers, while lack of trading partner readiness is a significant adoption inhibitor; (2) As EB-intensity increases, two environmental factors - consumer readiness and lack of trading partner readiness - become less important, while competitive pressure remains significant; (3) In high EB-intensity countries, e-business is no longer a phenomenon dominated by large firms; as more and more firms engage in e-business, network effect works to the advantage of small firms; (4) Firms are more cautious in adopting e-business in high EB-intensity countries - it seems to suggest that the more informed firms are less aggressive in adopting e-business, a somehow surprising result. Explanations and implications are offered.
Inhibition of NF-kB enhances chemotherapy induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells

4932 Objectives: The NF-kB transcription factors can both promote cell survival and induce apoptosis depending on cell type and context. It is thought that inhibition of NF-kB may differentially affect tumors that retain wt-p53, as compared to tumors with mutant p53. We sought to determine if the NF-kB inhibitors curcumin, resveratrol, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) could enhance cisplatin induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. Methods: Constitutive activation of endogenous NF-kB was determined in a panel of 8 ovarian cancer cell lines by immunoblotting for IKBα. NF-kB is present in the majority of cells as an inactive cytoplasmic precursor complexed with the inhibitory subunit IkBα. Upon activation of NF-kB, IkBα is degraded. Consequently, cells with constitutive activation of NF-kB have low IkBα expression levels. Cell lines with wt-p53 (A2780, OVCAR4) and mutant/null p53 (SKOV3, CaOV3) were treated with the NF-kB inhibitors (curcumin, resveratrol, and PDTC) alone, or in combination with cisplatin. Cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine. Apoptotic fraction was determined by staining with propidium iodide and analyzing subGo content by flow cytometry. NF-kB activation was determined by transfecting cells with a NF-kB-dependent reporter plasmid, and measuring luciferase activity. Results: The NF-kB inhibitors used in this study induced cell death in ovarian cancer cell lines with wt and mutant/null p53 expression, suggesting that constitutive NF-kB activity is required for survival. NF-kB inhibition following treatment with curcumin, resveratrol, and PDTC was confirmed using the NF-kB-dependent reporter assay. All NF-kB inhibitors enhanced cisplatin induced apoptosis. Conclusions: Most ovarian cancer patients die of chemoresistant recurrent disease. Conventional chemotherapeutic agents induce apoptosis, and resistance to chemotherapy can be promoted by constitutive activation of NF-kB. We have shown that inhibition of NF-kB enhances chemotherapy induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells regardless of p53 status. These results suggest that the use of NF-kB inhibitors in combination with conventional chemotherapy may have broad clinical benefits to ovarian cancer patients.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Non-US-Born and US-Born Health Care Professionals, 2010-2018

Importance Immigration to the US results in greater racial/ethnic diversity. However, the contribution of immigration to the diversity of the US health care professional (HCP) work force and its contribution to health care are poorly documented. Objective To examine the sociodemographic characteristics and workforce outcomes of non-US-born and US-born HCPs. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used national US Census Bureau data on US-born and non-US-born HCPs from the American Community Survey between 2010 and 2018. Demographic characteristics and occupational data for physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses, and other HCPs were included for analysis. Data were analyzed between December 2020 and February 2021. Exposures Nativity status, defined as US-born HCP vs non-US-born HCP (further stratified by <10 years or ≥10 years of stay in the US). Main Outcomes and Measures Annual hours worked, proportion of work done at night, residence in medically underserved areas and populations, and work in skilled nursing/home health settings. Inverse probability weighting of 3 nativity status groups was carried out using logistic regression. F test statistics were used to test across-group differences. Data were weighted using American Community Survey sampling weights. Results Of a total of 657 455 HCPs analyzed (497 180 [75.5%] women; mean [SD] age, 43.7 [13.0] years; 518 317 [75.6%] White, 54 233 [10.8%] Black, and 60 680 [9.6%] Asian), non-US-born HCPs (105 331 in total) represented 17.3% (95% CI, 17.2%-17.4%) of HCPs between 2010 and 2018. They were older (mean [SD] age, 44.7 [11.6] years) and had more education (75 227 [70.1%] HCPs completed college) compared with US-born HCPs (mean [SD] age, 43.4 [13.3] years; 304 601 [55.2%] completed college). Nearly half of non-US-born HCPs (47 735 [43.0%]) were Asian. In major metropolitan areas, non-US-born HCPs represented 40% or more of all HCPs. Compared with US-born HCPs, non-US-born HCPs with less than 10 years and 10 or more years of stay worked 32.3 hours (95% CI, 19.2 to 45.4 hours) and 71.6 hours (95% CI, 65.1 to 78.2 hours) more per year, respectively. Compared with US-born HCPs, non-US-born HCPs were more likely to reside in areas with shortages of health care professionals (estimated percentage: <10 years, 75.3%; ≥10 years, 62.8% vs US-born, 8.3%) and work in home health settings (estimated percentage: <10 years, 17.5%; ≥10 years, 13.1% vs US-born, 12.8%). Conclusions and Relevance The contributions of non-US-born HCPs to US health care are substantial and vary by profession. Greater efforts should be made to streamline their immigration process and to harmonize training and licensure requirements.
To Batch or Not to Batch

Abstract Washington State University Libraries is participating in the OCLC eSerials Holdings Pilot. This project explores the possibilities of using existing management tools to enter holdings information into WorldCat with minimal impact on workflow for the participating libraries. This automated batch loading of holdings data into WorldCat has implications for public services by extending local library catalog holdings to the World Wide Web; for Interlibrary Loan by increasing the number of requests for articles in electronic serials; and most profoundly in cataloging departments where established policies and procedures need to be reviewed and revised.
On-Line Fault Detection on a Pilot Flotation Column Using Linear PCA Models

Abstract On-line fault detection, for instrumentation and process operation, has become important part of industrial programs leading to improve process operation and therefore product quality over time. Multivariate statistical projection methods, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), have been proposed to effectively deal with these situations. In this work, a pilot flotation column is operated under distributed control of froth depth, gas hold up and bias, to experimentally collect operation data at steady state, to build a PCA model. The basic control is implemented in a PLC, and all data is communicated to a PC network for displaying and further processing, under Intouch software. The column is operated in a hybrid form, for the air water system, while concentrate and tailing grades are obtained by on line predictions by using a static metallurgical model. A steady state on-line detector has been implemented on the PC to test when the collected data met the requirements to be used to build a PCA model. Several examples are discussed, detecting both particular instrumentation failures and abnormal operating conditions, and how using the system suggestions the metallurgical objectives of the process are met again.
Formal Verification for Fault-Tolerant Architectures: Some Lessons Learned

In collaboration with NASA's Langley Research Center, we are developing mechanically verified formal specifications for the fault-tolerant architecture, algorithms, and implementations of a “reliable computing platform” (RCP) for digital flight-control applications.
Expression of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters B1 and C1 after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Humans

Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transport proteins ABCC1 and ABCB1 (also known as multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 and p-glycoprotein, respectively), are key membrane efflux transporters of drugs and endogenous substrates, including in the brain. The impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on ABCC1 and ABCB1 expression in humans is unknown. We hypothesized that ABCC1 and ABCB1 expression would be altered in brain tissue from patients acutely after severe TBI. Archived TBI samples (n=10) from our Brain Trauma Research Center and control samples (n=7) from our Alzheimer Disease Research Center were obtained under Institutional Review Board approval. Protein was extracted from fresh frozen cortical brain tissue for Western blot analysis and sections were obtained from fixed cortical tissue for immunohistochemistry. Relative abundance of ABCC1 was increased in samples from TBI versus controls (2.8±2.5 fold; p=0.005). ABCC1 immunohistochemistry was consistent with Western blot data, with increased immunoreactivity in cerebral blood vessel walls, as well as cells with the morphological appearance of neurons and glia in TBI versus controls. Relative abundance of ABCB1 was similar between TBI and controls (p=0.76), and ABCB1 immunoreactivity was primarily associated with cerebral blood vessels in both groups. These human data show that TBI increases ABCC1 expression in the brain, consistent with possible implications for both patients receiving pharmacological inhibitors and/or substrates of ABCC1 after TBI.
Regulated degradation of ornithine decarboxylase requires interaction with the polyamine-inducible protein antizyme

Intracellular degradation of vertebrate ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is accelerated by polyamines, the products of the pathway controlled by ODC. Antizyme, a reversible, tightly binding protein inhibitor of ODC activity, is believed to be involved in this process. Mouse and Trypanosoma brucei ODCs are structurally similar, but the trypanosome enzyme, unlike that of the mouse, is not regulated by intracellular polyamines when expressed in hamster cells (L. Ghoda, D. Sidney, M. Macrae, and P. Coffino, Mol. Cell. Biol. 12:2178-2185, 1992). We found that mouse ODC interacts with antizyme in vitro but trypanosome ODC does not. To localize the region necessary for binding, we made a series of enzymatically active chimeric mouse-trypanosome ODCs and tested them for antizyme interaction. Replacing residues 117 to 140 within the 461-amino-acid mouse ODC sequence with the equivalent region of trypanosome ODC disrupted both antizyme binding and in vivo regulation. Formation of an antizyme-ODC complex is therefore required for regulated degradation.
Vasopressin release during nonhypotensive hemorrhage and angiotensin II infusion.

These experiments were designed to determine whether angiotensin II (AII) could potentiate the increase in plasma vasopressin (ADH) concentration produced by continuous, nonhypotensive hemorrhage in nephrectomized dogs. Infusion of AII (10 ng/kg.min) into a common carotid artery in nonbled dogs did not increase plasma ADH levels, suggesting that increases in carotid arterial plasma AII concentration alone do not stimulate an increase in ADH release. Subsequently, nephrectomized dogs subjected to nonhypotensive hemorrhage (0.44 ml/kg.min) were infused as follows: 0.9% saline intravenously, AII (10 ng/kg.min) intravenously, or AII (10 ng/kg.min) into the carotid. The Plasma ADH concentration increased in all three groups of dogs during hemorrhage. Although the AII-infused dogs demonstrated significant increases in plasma ADH levels earlier during hemorrhage, these changes were small; there were no statistically significant differences in plasma ADH concentrations among the three groups. These results suggest that increases in plasma AII concentration have little or no significant effect on the volume control of ADH release.
The relationship of heart rate patterns and tissue pH in the human fetus

The relationship between different FHR patterns and fetal tissue pH in 68 high-risk gravidas in labor was analyzed. A tissue pH electrode was placed in the fetal scalp and tissue pH recorded on a fetal monitor every 15 seconds along with uterine contractions and continuous fetal heart rate. The tissue pH changes correlated with the FHR patterns in a manner consistent with current concepts of fetal stress. Trend monitoring of fetal tissue pH in labor may prove useful in the management of high-risk patients in labor.
The Prediction of Ovulation

The ability to predetermine the arrival of ovulation can obviously enhance the chances of conception, and this is a subject that has intrigued fertility clinicians and researchers for many years. To the time honored methods of charting the basal body temperature and of examination of cervical mucus have now been added new information and new approaches that improve the accuracy of this aid to infertility treatment.
A Two-Stage Method for the Study of Cultural Bias in the Diagnosis of Schizophrenia in African Americans:

Reasons for diagnostic bias in psychiatric evaluations of African Americans fall into two basic categories: clinician bias, which is the lack of adherence to diagnostic criteria during psychiatric ...
Stress-induced ordering of interstitial atoms due to dislocation motion

Abstract The variation of the activation energy of plastic deformation with strain rate was investigated in iron-carbon alloys as a function of interstitial concentration, pre-strain, temperature and grain size. The activation energy was measured directly by a differential temperature technique and was found to be 12 to 14 kcal/mole a t fast strain rates, rising to 20 kcal/mole a t slower strain rates. The stress dependence of strain rate was investigated in two strain rate ranges and was found to be a linear function in the slow strain rate range and a logarithmic function in the fast strain rate range. It was concluded from the data that this investigation was a direct verification of theories of Schoeck and Seeger and Eshelby of stress-induced ordering of interstitial atoms due to the stress fields of moving dislocations. The observed minimum in the activation energy versus strain rate relationship proves that the activation energy of the usual low-temperature rate-controlling mechanism does not increa...
Instabilities and Dynamics of Weakly Subcritical Patterns

The bifurcation to one-dimensional weakly subcritical periodic patterns is described by the cubic-quintic Ginzburg-Landau equation At = µA + Axx + i (a 1 |A |2 Ax + a 2 A 2 Ax * ) + b |A |2 A - |A |4 A . These periodic patterns may in turn become unstable through one of two different mechanisms, an Eckhaus instability or an oscillatory instability. We study the dynamics near the instability threshold in each of these cases using the corresponding modulation equations and compare the results with those obtained from direct numerical simulation of the equation. We also study the stability properties and dynamical evolution of different types of fronts present in the protosnaking region of this equation. The results provide new predictions for the dynamical properties of generic systems in the weakly subcritical regime.
Power and possibility: the construction of a pedagogical practice

Abstract This article examines the relations of power that shape an elementary preservice teacher's pedagogical discourse and practice. The study employs a post-structuralist, connectionist framework to map the multiple social and discursive relations that interconnect to produce what preservice teachers can pedagogically conceive. The analysis shows how relations such as the state, cooperating teachers, school structures, and the preservice teacher function concertedly, within particular temporal and spatial conditions, to create a psychological/individual discourse as the dominant pedagogical framework. At the same time, this study shows how preservice teachers may interpellate, or summon, discourses that allow them to enunciate, or rework into something different, what relations of power have produced.
Understanding interethnic communication and research: “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”

Abstract Hecht, Sedano, and Ribeau (1993) raise some interesting and important issues in their response to our critique (Mirande and Tanno, 1993) of their article, “A Mexican American Perspective on Interethnic Communication,” which appeared in this journal in 1990. We welcome this opportunity not only to comment on their response to our critique, but also to continue this important dialogue.
The influence of uncompensated solution resistance on the determination of standard electrochemical rate constants by cyclic voltammetry, and some comparisons with a.c. voltammetry

Abstract a digital simulation analysis is presented of the deleterious effects of uncompensated solution resistance, R us , on the evaluation of standard rate constant, k s ob , by cyclic voltammetry. The results are expressed in terms of systematic deviations of “apparent measured” rate constants, k s ob (app), evaluated in the conventional manner without regard for R us , from the corresponding actual values, k s ob (true), as a function of R us and other experimental parameters. Attention is focused on the effects of altering the electrode area and the double-layer capacitance on the extent of the deviations between k s ob (app) and k s ob (true), and on comparisons with corresponding simulated results obtained from phase-selective a.c. impedance data. The extent to which k s ob (app) k s ob (true) for small R us values was found to be similar for the cyclic and a.c. voltammetric techniques. The latter method is, however, regarded as being preferable under most circumstances in view of the greater ease of minimising, as well as evaluating, R us for a.c. impedance measurements. The influence of solution resistance on k s ob measurements with microelectrodes and without iR compensation is also considered.
Brief communication: Glomerulonephritis in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis undergoing liver transplantation.

In this case series, 25 of 30 patients who received liver transplants for hepatitis C virus (HCV)–induced cirrhosis had immune-complex glomerulonephritis on intraoperative kidney biopsy. Of these, ...
Modified Bentall Operation With a Novel Biologic Valved Conduit

Purpose The optimal conduit for a modified Bentall operation remains unknown. The current study tested hemodynamics and early clinical results of the newly developed valved conduit composed of the 3f Aortic Bioprosthesis (ATS Medical, Minneapolis, MN) and the Vascutek Gelweave Valsalva Aortic Root Graft (Terumo Cardiovascular Systems, Ann Arbor, MI). Description Between December 1, 2008, and April 6, 2009, 20 patients underwent a modified Bentall operation with this valved conduit and their clinical records were retrospectively reviewed. Evaluation The indication for aortic root replacement in the 20 patients was aortic root aneurysm in 14, acute type A dissection in 5, and structural deterioration of an aortic root homograft in 1. Four patients had had previous cardiac operations, and 8 patients required concomitant procedures. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 146 ± 110 minutes and 110 ± 32 minutes, respectively. There were no perioperative deaths. The average mean pressure gradient across the bioprosthesis assessed with intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram was 4.0 ± 1.7 mm Hg. Conclusions Our initial experience with our new valved conduit showed favorable results. Further accumulation of cases and longer follow-up are warranted.