cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TTFV molecular tweezers with phenylboronic acid and phenylboronate endgroups: modular synthesis and electrochemical responses to saccharides and fluoride ion

Abstract Tweezer-like molecular systems containing a redox-active tetrathiafulvalene vinylogue (TTFV) unit and two phenylboronate or phenylboronic acid endgroups were synthesized via the Cu-catalyzed alkyne azide coupling (i.e., click) reaction. The TTFV-phenylboronic acid derivative was found to show different differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) responses to various monosaccharides in aqueous DMSO at pH 7.41, suggesting potential use in electrochemical sensing of saccharides. Moreover, the TTFV-phenylboronate derivative exhibited strong binding to the fluoride ion, giving rise to sensitive electrochemical detection of the fluoride ion.
The floccular syndrome in herpes simplex type 1 encephalitis

A woman with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) encephalitis had downbeat nystagmus. The nystagmus was robust in primary gaze but attenuated during upgaze, suggestive of the flocculus involvement. FLAIR and T2-sequences of the brain MRI revealed cerebral lesions typical of HSV1, but also patchy hyperintensities in bilateral flocculi. Cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction confirmed HSV1 infection. Encephalopathy and downbeat nystagmus gradually improved with acyclovir therapy.
Precipitation and growth of zinc sulfide nanoparticles in the presence of thiol-containing natural organic ligands.

In sulfidic aquatic systems, metal sulfides can control the mobility and bioavailability of trace metal pollutants such as zinc, mercury, and silver. Nanoparticles of ZnS and other metal sulfides are known to exist in oxic and anoxic waters. However, the processes that lead to their persistence in the aquatic environment are relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the importance of dissolved natural organics in stabilizing nanoparticulate ZnS that precipitates under environmentally relevant conditions. Precipitation and growth of ZnS particles were investigated in the presence of dissolved humic acid and low-molecular weight organic acids that are prevalent in sediment porewater. Dynamic light scattering was used to monitor the hydrodynamic diameter of particles precipitating in laboratory solutions. Zn speciation was also measured by filtering the ZnS solutions (<0.2 μm) and using anodic stripping voltammetry to confirm that Zn was coordinated to sulfide during the precipitation e...
Short-chain fatty acids induced autophagy serves as an adaptive strategy for retarding mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the major by-products of bacterial fermentation of undigested dietary fibers in the large intestine. SCFAs, mostly propionate and butyrate, inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells, but clinical trials had mixed results regarding the anti-tumor activities of SCFAs. Herein we demonstrate that propionate and butyrate induced autophagy in human colon cancer cells to dampen apoptosis whereas inhibition of autophagy potentiated SCFA induced apoptosis. Colon cancer cells, after propionate treatment, exhibited extensive characteristics of autophagic proteolysis: increased LC3-I to LC3-II conversion, acidic vesicular organelle development, and reduced p62/SQSTM1 expression. Propionate-induced autophagy was associated with decreased mTOR activity and enhanced AMP kinase activity. The elevated AMPKα phosphorylation was associated with cellular ATP depletion and overproduction of reactive oxygen species due to mitochondrial dysfunction involving the induction of MPT and loss of Δψ. In this context, mitochondria biogenesis was initiated to recover cellular energy homeostasis. Importantly, when autophagy was prevented either pharmacologically (3-MA or chloroquine) or genetically (knockdown of ATG5 or ATG7), the colon cancer cells became sensitized toward propionate-induced apoptosis through activation of caspase-7 and caspase-3. The observations indicate that propionate-triggered autophagy serves as an adaptive strategy for retarding mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death, whereas application of an autophagy inhibitor (Chloroquine) is expected to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of SCFAs in inducing colon tumor cell apoptosis.
Calcium-dependent protein kinases regulate polarized tip growth in pollen tubes.

Calcium signals are critical for the regulation of polarized growth in many eukaryotic cells, including pollen tubes and neurons. In plants, the regulatory pathways that code and decode Ca 2+ signals are poorly understood. In Arabidopsis thaliana, genetic evidence presented here indicates that pollen tube tip growth involves the redundant activity of two Ca 2+ -dependent protein kinases (CPKs), isoforms CPK17 and -34. Both isoforms appear to target to the plasma membrane, as shown by imaging of CPK17-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) and CPK34-YFP in growing pollen tubes. Segregation analyses from two independent sets of T-DNA insertion mutants indicate that a double disruption of CPK17 and -34 results in an approximately 350-fold reduction in pollen transmission efficiency. The near sterile phenotype of homozygous double mutants could be rescued through pollen expression of a CPK34-YFP fusion. In contrast, a transgene rescue was blocked by mutations engineered to disrupt the Ca 2+ -activation mechanism of CPK34 (CPK34-YFP-E465A,E500A), providing in vivo evidence linking Ca 2+ activation to a biological function of a CPK. While double mutant pollen tubes displayed normal morphology, relative growth rates for the most rapidly growing tubes were reduced by more than three-fold compared with wild type. In addition, while most mutant tubes appeared to grow far enough to reach ovules, the vast majority (>90%) still failed to locate and fertilize ovules. Together, these results provide genetic evidence that CPKs are essential to pollen fitness, and support a mechanistic model in which CPK17 and -34 transduce Ca 2+ signals to increase the rate of pollen tube tip growth and facilitate a response to tropism cues.
Common property theory and resource governance institutions: strengthening explanations of multiple outcomes

Different strategies to govern resource commons generate outcomes that can be assessed along different dimensions, in terms of the ecological or social sustainability of the resource system, contributions to the livelihoods of those who rely on these resources, or equity in the allocation of benefits. This paper reviews the existing literature concerning three major renewable resource commons, namely pasture lands, fisheries and irrigation water. Most existing work on these commons has been inattentive to the multiple outcomes that management of all renewable resources generates. Studies of commons can provide better information about livelihoods, sustainability and equity dimensions of natural resource governance outcomes than previously. Attending to the distinctive determinants and drivers of these outcomes and the nature of trade-offs and synergies among them has the potential to advance common property theory substantially. Possible relationships among livelihoods, sustainability and equity are identified, and the major explanations of outcomes advanced by scholars of fisheries, pastoral and irrigation commons reviewed. An interdisciplinary approach is needed to improve existing efforts to determine the outcomes that resource commons generate.
Document recognition/authentication based on medium-embedded random patterns

An approach to authenticating/recognizing documents based on random patterns embedded into the document medium is described. The random patterns are formed by embedding short fibers during medium fabrication and the resulting documents have extremely high uniqueness. Therefore, these patterns offer an effective anti-counterfeiting measure. The proposed algorithm compares a document under consideration to all documents contained in a database assuming that the newly acquired document may be rotated and translated relative to its match in the database, and/or parts of the document may be missing. The algorithm has been tested on over 2000 synthetic images always giving satisfactory results. >
Update of status of OLED technology

Flat-panel displays are basically of two types: light valve (needs an external source of light) and emissive type (generates light at the display surface). The light emitting diode (LED) display is of the emissive type. The inorganic LED displays have been in use for more than 25 years in one form or the other. Because of certain limitations of inorganic materials (such as luminous efficiency and color), LED applications have been limited. The recent discovery (over the past 15 years) of polymer and organic materials has changed LED prospects. It now may become possible to make LED displays that are inexpensive, bright, low-power, large size, and at the same time provide full color. If present research objectives are met, LEDs, especially organic LEDs (OLEDs), may have the potential to revolutionize a certain segment of flat- panel display market. This paper discusses various types of OLED technologies with particular reference to Small Molecule and Conjugated Polymer displays. Some unique versions of these displays such as transparent displays and flexible displays will also be discussed. A part of the discussion will be devoted to various driver circuitry and full color generation schemes. A comprehensive list of various research efforts in OLED technology all over the world will be presented with their differentiating features. The strength of the underlying technology and the challenges facing these types of displays will be discussed.
Novel Design, Characterization, and Control Method for Large Motion Range Magnetic Levitation

This letter describes a method to quickly calculate the coil current to force and torque transformations required for levitation of cylindrical magnets above a given array of cylindrical coils, and evaluate the feasibility, efficiency, dynamic performance, and stability of the resulting design. This method has been used to develop levitation systems for one or two magnets with translation ranges greater than the dimensions of the levitated body in all directions and potential for large rotation ranges. Results of the evaluation method are applied to three cases, and experimental results are given for single magnet levitation in horizontal and vertical orientations, and for a double magnet platform in the horizontal orientation.
Predictors of C-Reactive Protein in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

Objective. Inflammation plays an important role in many chronic degenerative diseases associated with aging, and social, economic, and behavioral factors that contribute to inflammation may lead to differential burdens of morbidity and mortality in later life. This study examines socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity as predictors of C-reactive protein (CRP) among older adults in the United States and considers the degree to which health behaviors, medical conditions and medication use, and psychosocial factors account for these associations. Methods. Multiple linear regression analysis of survey data for 1,580 participants, 57–85 years of age, in a populationbased nationally representative sample of community-residing older adults in the United States. Results. Educational attainment, household wealth, and race/ethnicity were independently associated with CRP, with limited evidence for interactions with age. Health-related behaviors and usage of medications related to inflammation accounted for substantial proportions of these associations. Discussion. These results highlight the fundamental causes of inflammation among older adults and suggest pathways through which social disparities in inflammation may be reduced.
Concavity properties and a generating function for stirling numbers

The Stirling numbers of the first kind, S N k, and of the second kind, σN k, are shown to be strongly logarithmically concave as functions of k for fixed TV. This result is stronger than the unimodality conjecture which was heretofore proved only for σN k (Harper). We also introduce a generating function for the σN k which is different from the conventional one but which has a relatively simple closed form expression.
Identification of patients with coronary disease at high risk for loss of employment. A prospective validation study.

BACKGROUND Work disability is common in patients with coronary artery disease and adversely affects both economic well-being and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to construct a model to predict premature departure from the work force of patients with coronary disease and to validate this model prospectively in an independent cohort of patients. METHODS AND RESULTS We enrolled 1,252 coronary disease patients referred for diagnostic cardiac catheterization who were less than age 65, employed, and without prior coronary angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery. Medical, functional, psychological, economic, and job-related variables were measured at the time of baseline diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and all patients were followed for 1 year. Three hundred twelve patients underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) within 60 days of catheterization, and 449 had coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) within 60 days of catheterization. The remaining 491 patients were treated with initial medical therapy. Logistic regression was used to develop a multivariable model for predicting 1-year work status in the training sample patients (872 patients enrolled between March 1986 and February 1989). This model was then validated in the independent prospective test sample (380 patients enrolled between March 1989 and June 1990). Eight factors were independent predictors of departure from the work force: lower initial functional status (as assessed by the Duke Activity Status Index), followed by older age, black race, presence of congestive heart failure, lower education level, presence of extracardiac vascular disease, poorer psychological status, and lower job classification. Standard clinical variables provided only 20% of the total predictive information available from the model about follow-up work outcomes, whereas functional measures provided 27%, and demographic and socioeconomic measures provided 45%. In the test sample, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the model predictions was 0.74, compared with 0.80 in the training sample, and model predictions agreed well with observed prevalences of return to work. After adjustment for baseline imbalances, there was no significant difference in 1-year return-to-work rates among the patients receiving initial PTCA or CABG therapy versus initial medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS Patients with coronary disease who are at high risk for premature departure from the work force can be accurately identified from a combination of medical and nonmedical risk factors. The model developed in this study provides a tool to identify patients at high risk for premature loss from the work force. Such patients may benefit from special multidimensional intervention programs designed to preserve work status. Our data show that revascularization with either PTCA or CABG is not, by itself, sufficient to accomplish this goal.
From the sanitary city to the sustainable city: challenges to institutionalising biogenic (nature's services) infrastructure

Much has been made of the need for cities to become more sustainable, particularly since for the first time in human history over half of the world's population are urban dwellers. Cities concentrate human activities in an exceptionally powerful manner, and this includes resource use and the generation of pollution. Attention has turned towards cities for their capacity to enhance and use nature's services – ecological sustainability – to remediate some of their own environmental impacts. Insufficient attention has been paid to the challenges of implementation of this new approach to infrastructure in an era of devolution and skepticism about government. This paper discusses these twin and interwoven questions through the lens of an on-going natural experiment, the implementation of a million tree-planting campaign in Los Angeles, CA.
The kinesin Eg5 drives poleward microtubule flux in Xenopus laevis egg extract spindles.

Although mitotic and meiotic spindles maintain a steady-state length during metaphase, their antiparallel microtubules slide toward spindle poles at a constant rate. This “poleward flux” of microtubules occurs in many organisms and may provide part of the force for chromosome segregation. We use quantitative image analysis to examine the role of the kinesin Eg5 in poleward flux in metaphase Xenopus laevis egg extract spindles. Pharmacological inhibition of Eg5 results in a dose–responsive slowing of flux, and biochemical depletion of Eg5 significantly decreases the flux rate. Our results suggest that ensembles of nonprocessive Eg5 motors drive flux in metaphase Xenopus extract spindles.
Intraspecific competition and spatial heterogeneity alter life history traits in an individual-based model of grasshoppers☆

Abstract An individual-based model (IBM) was developed to examine the effects of intraspecific competition and spatial structuring of food on life history traits of grasshoppers inhabiting temperate-zone grasslands. Each individual carried real-valued genes which determined size of offspring and size at maturity, and which were passed on to its offspring. Size at maturity was a plastic trait, depending on an individual’s growth rate, whereas size of offspring was a fixed trait. Individuals with more successful combinations of traits produced more offspring that eventually came to dominate the population. Populations were food limited and intraspecific competition was either exploitative or size-based interference. Growth rates and fecundity depended on food quality, which declined within season as a function of day of year and the proportion consumed by grasshoppers. Three different spatial distributions of food quality were examined: uniform, random, and clumped. Optimal egg size was larger under interference competition and spatially clumped resources. Reaction norms of size at maturity were strongly affected by type of competition, and, by spatial distribution of resources within exploitative competition, but not under interference competition. The IBM shows promise as a means of analyzing life history evolution in grasshoppers in relation to processes that arise from localized interactions between individuals.
Impact of interventions to reduce Alzheimer's disease pathology on the prevalence of dementia in the oldest-old

Abstract Introduction The number of persons aged >90 years will grow significantly in coming decades. This group has the highest rates of dementia, most commonly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods Using The 90+ Study, we developed a statistical model for dementia risk based on brain pathologies. Intervention scenarios which reduce or eliminate AD pathology were considered, and the numbers of dementia cases among the U.S. oldest-old that could be prevented were estimated. Results The U.S. dementia prevalence among the oldest-old will increase from 1.35 million in 2015 to 4.72 million in 2050. If interventions eliminate AD pathology, dementia prevalence would be reduced by approximately 50%, averting nearly 2.4 million cases in 2050. However, large numbers of dementia cases would still remain. Discussion Reducing AD pathology would significantly decrease the public health burden of dementia. However, other interventions are needed to address the burden associated with other dementing pathologies prevalent in the oldest-old.
Instructor-Examiners, External-Examiners, and Student Learning Under the Shadow of Examination: A Game-Theoretic Analysis of Two Educational Institutions

The present study takes examinations as a mechanism by which to elicit student learning and compares student learning effort provision under alternative methods of examination content generation. A two-stage game is constructed in which the examiner sets the predictability of exam content in the first stage (via content clue provision) and students exert learning efforts under the shadow of examination in the second stage. In equilibrium, an instructor-examiner is found to set content to be more predictable than that of an examination written independently of specific lecture material, review material, and past years’ examinations. This result is consistent with surveyed instructor reports of “teaching to the (instructor-generated) test,” “spoon-feeding” information to students, reviewing to the test, and re-testing students. Moreover, an instructor-examiner is found to provision more content clues as the marginal cost of student learning effort in a given class rises. In turn, student learning effort provision strictly decreases in examination content predictability. As such, instructor-generated examinations are found to cause student learning detriments and compound “naturally-occurring” inequalities in learning effort provision (learning outcome) as compared to an examination that is independently-generated. Parameterizations of the model suggest that these effects lead to potentially large proportional decreases in learning (increases in learning effort variability) across class. We discuss a solution to these unintended consequences of instructor-generated examinations. External-examiners, as used in the British educational system since the 19th century, can create independence between instruction and examination to improve learning effort provision (decrease inequality of learning effort provision).
Psychological reactance and HIV-related stigma among women living with HIV

Psychological reactance is defined as the drive to re-establish autonomy after it has been threatened or constrained. People living with HIV may have high levels of psychological reactance due to the restrictions that they may perceive as a result of living with HIV. People living with HIV may also exhibit levels of HIV-related stigma. The relationship between psychological reactance and HIV-related stigma is complex yet understudied. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to examine the association between psychological reactance and HIV-related stigma among women living with HIV. Data were obtained from one time-point (a cross-sectional assessment) of a longitudinal HIV disclosure study. Psychological reactance was measured using the 18-item Questionnaire for the Measurement of Psychological Reactance. HIV-related stigma was measured using the HIV Stigma Scale, which has four domains: personalized, disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and concerns with public attitudes. Principal component analysis was used to derive components of psychological reactance. Linear regression models were used to determine the association between overall psychological reactance and its components, and stigma and its four domains, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. The associations between stigma and mental health were also examined. Three components of psychological reactance were derived: Opposition, Irritability, and Independence. Overall psychological reactance and irritability were associated with all forms of stigma. Opposition was linked to overall and negative self-image stigma. Overall psychological reactance, opposition, and irritability were positively associated with anxiety symptoms while opposition was also associated with Centers for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression depressive symptoms. There were also positive associations between all forms of stigma, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Health-care providers and counselors for women living with HIV addressing feelings of irritability and opposition toward others may reduce HIV-related stigma. Future research should examine the link between psychological reactance, mental health, and HIV-related stigma among other populations living with HIV.
The mixing mechanism during lithiation of Si negative electrode in Li-ion batteries: an ab initio molecular dynamics study

In order to realize Si as a negative electrode material in commercial Li-ion batteries, it is important to understand the mixing mechanism of Li and Si, and stress evolution during lithiation in Si negative electrode of Li-ion batteries. Available experiments mainly provide the diffusivity of Li in Si as an averaged property, neglecting information regarding diffusivity of Si. However, if Si can diffuse as fast as Li, the stress generated during Li diffusion can be reduced. We, therefore, studied the diffusivity of Li as well as Si atoms in the Si-anode of Li-ion battery using an ab initio molecular dynamics-based methodology. The electrochemical insertion of Li into crystalline Si prompts a crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition. We considered this situation and thus examined the diffusion kinetics of Li and Si atoms in both crystalline and amorphous Si. We find that Li diffuses faster in amorphous Si as compared to crystalline Si, while Si remains relatively immobile in both cases and generates stresses during lithiation. To further understand the mixing mechanism and to relate the structure with electrochemical mixing, we analyzed the evolution of the structure during lithiation and studied the mechanism of breaking of Si-Si network by Li. We find that Li atoms break the Si rings and chains and create ephemeral structures such as stars and boomerangs, which eventually transform to Si-Si dumbbells and isolated Si atoms in the LiSi phase. Our results are found to be in agreement with the available experimental data and provide insights into the mixing mechanism of Li and Si in Si negative electrode of Li-ion batteries.
Cool Mist Irrigation Improves Heat Dissipation during Surgical Bone Drilling

Objective High-speed drilling generates heat in small cavities and may pose a risk for neurovascular tissues. We hypothesize that a continuous pressurized cold mist could be an alternative approach for better cooling during drilling of bone to access cranial lesions. This study aims to examine this idea experimentally. Design Ex-vivo drilling tests with controlled speed, feed, and depth were performed on cortical bone samples. Thermocouples were embedded underneath the drilling path to compare the temperature rises under mist cooling (at 3°C, 800 mL/h). Results A significant difference exists between these two systems (p value Conclusion Experimental data indicate the capability of mist cooling to reduce heat generation while simultaneously enabling flow reduction and targeted cooling. An improved field of view in an extremely narrow access corridor may be achieved with this technology.
Preventing heart disease and stroke: messages from the United States.

The steady decline in cardiovascular disease mortality in America appears to have been caused to a significant extent by a change in lifestyle behaviors. Between 1960 and 1990, smoking and dietary saturated fat declined, serum cholesterol declined and blood pressure control improved. More recently, however, a number of concerning trends have been observed. Smoking by youth and young adults has increased; the prevalence of obesity and diabetes have increased in association with a decline in physical activity; and, hypertension control has deteriorated. A study of myocardial infarction rates in four communities suggests that the decline in coronary heart disease events may have stopped.Effective interventions exist for the control of all behavioral risk factors. Therefore, CardioVision 2020 has been organized in Olmsted County, Minnesota to minimize cardiovascular disease rates and associated costs. The goal of CardioVision 2020 is to make Olmsted County the healthiest county in the nation by the year 2020 by creating an environment that will help individuals achieve personal dietary, smoke-free, physical activity, blood pressure, and cholesterol goals.
Breaking the spell of differentiated instruction through equity pedagogy and teacher community

Koomen’s study of Wizard—an articulate, inquisitive, energetic seventh grader with a penchant for science—adversely juxtaposed his learning-centered identity with classroom experiences that marginalized him. I claim in my response that critical commentary about Wizard’s race is germane to any analysis of his experiences, as participation in an inclusive science classroom can be conceptualized as a racialized form of experience. My paper contributes a counternarrative to deficit normalizations of African American children—including students identified with exceptionalities—by rendering the inequities of differentiated instruction visible and theorizing about how this approach restricted Wizard’s learning and participation by positioning him as low status and less competent. I discuss four reasons why the strategy of differentiated instruction is ideologically opposed to goals for equitable classrooms and argue that this model invites reproductions of status orderings from the larger society into the classroom. I conclude with recommendations for an equity pedagogy through Complex Instruction developed inside teacher community as a viable alternative for this work.
An integrated approach to treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder

Except for rarely performed psychosurgery, obsessive compulsive disorder seldom improved with reversible treatments before 1966. In that year, Victor Meyer reported successful treatment of OCD with behavior therapy, and clomipramine was first released. For the past 25 years, controlled research has demonstrated specific efficacy of exposure for obsessional anxiety and ritual or response prevention for reducing ritual time, interference, and associated distress
On NASDAQ Order Book dynamics: New problems for the control field

The NASDAQ is an electronic stock market which is run entirely by high-speed computers. With this as context, the main objectives of this tutorial are as follows: First Objective: To demonstrate that NASDAQ order book dynamics provide a rich source of many new research problems of a control-theoretic nature. Second Objective: To provide context and motivation driving new order book research in the control area by presenting a review of the critical issues and results in the finance literature. Third Objective: To provide a detailed explanation of order book "mechanics" and a review of existing literature providing the basis for state space and simulation models. Fourth Objective: To describe some specific new examples of Order Book Control Problems that are amenable to solution using the tools and expertise of our community. This includes control problems involving regulation in volatile markets, stock-price manipulation and robustness issues arising from dynamic model uncertainty. Fifth Objective: To provide broader context for the research based on the role of the order book in a larger financial network, the tutorial includes a review of some existing results in the area of Network Identification which are relevant to areas being surveyed. When traders submit their orders, either to a broker or directly to the exchange, entries are made into the NASDAQ order book which evolves over time. The state of the order book consists of two lists: one for the buyers and one for the sellers. On the buy side, at a fixed moment in time, the i-th entry is an ordered pair (Ni, pi) which is interpreted as follows: Buyer i is willing to buy Ni shares provided the price paid is pi or less. This is called a limit order. Similarly, on the sell side (Ni, pi) denotes the willingness of Seller i to sell Ni shares provided the price received is pi or more. The order engine is basically an algorithm in software matching buyers and sellers dynamically over time.
Analysis of Protein–Protein Interactions by Coimmunoprecipitation

Abstract Proteins generally act by binding to other molecules, including proteins. When proteins bind to other proteins, we speak of protein–protein interactions. It has become apparent that protein–protein interactions are critically important to many processes that take place in the cell, including signal transduction, regulation of gene expression, vesicular transport, nuclear import and export, and cell migration ( Pawson and Nash, 2003 ). This has led to the recognition of protein–protein interactions as targets for drug development and to an increased interest in the identification of novel protein–protein interactions ( Fry and Vassilev, 2005 , Fry, 2006 , Tord et al., 2007 ). Coimmunoprecipitation is a technique that is used to confirm novel protein–protein interactions in the context of a living cell or organism. In addition, coimmunoprecipitation is also used to study the dynamics of protein–protein interactions in response to intra- or extracellular stimuli, or can be used to study the effect of mutations on the ability of a protein to engage its binding partner. In a coimmunoprecipitation experiment, a protein of interest is isolated by immunoprecipitation. Subsequently, the presence of binding partners can be assessed by immunoblotting (see Western Blotting using Chemiluminescent Substrates ).
Ethanol and Other Short-Chain Alcohols Inhibit NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation through Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Stimulation

Immunosuppression is a major complication of alcoholism that contributes to increased rates of opportunistic infections and sepsis in alcoholics. The NLRP3 inflammasome, a multiprotein intracellular pattern recognition receptor complex that facilitates the cleavage and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, can be inhibited by ethanol, and we sought to better understand the mechanism through which this occurs and whether chemically similar molecules exert comparable effects. We show that ethanol can specifically inhibit activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in attenuated IL-1β and caspase-1 cleavage and secretion, as well as diminished apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) speck formation, without affecting potassium efflux, in a mouse macrophage cell line (J774), mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, mouse neutrophils, and human PBMCs. The inhibitory effects on the Nlrp3 inflammasome were independent of γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor activation or N-methyl-d-asparate receptor inhibition but were associated with decreased oxidant production. Ethanol treatment markedly decreased cellular tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas administration of the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate prior to ethanol restored tyrosine phosphorylation and IL-1β secretion subsequent to ATP stimulation. Furthermore, sodium orthovanadate-induced phosphorylation of ASC Y144, necessary and sufficient for Nlrp3 inflammasome activation, and secretion of phosphorylated ASC were inhibited by ethanol. Finally, multiple alcohol-containing organic compounds exerted inhibitory effects on the Nlrp3 inflammasome, whereas 2-methylbutane (isopentane), the analogous alkane of the potent inhibitor isoamyl alcohol (isopentanol), did not. Our results demonstrate that ethanol antagonizes the NLRP3 inflammasome at an apical event in its activation through the stimulation of protein tyrosine phosphatases, an effect shared by other short-chain alcohols.
An Implementation of Evolutionary Computation Operators in OpenCL

We discuss the parallel implementation of Genetic Algorithms and Evolution Strategy on General-Purpose Graphical Units, using the OpenCL framework. Multiple evolutionary operators are tested (tournament, roulette wheel selection, uniform and Gaussian mutation, crossover, recombination), as well as different approaches for parallelism, for small and large problem sizes. We use the Island Model of Parallel GA, with random migration. Performance is measured using two graphic cards: NVidia GeForce GTX 560Ti and AMD Radeon 6950. Tests are performed in a distributed grid, using the Java Parallel Processing Framework.
Patent Foramen Ovale Combined With Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation

A 71-year-old woman who had 2 strokes without significant atherosclerosis was referred to our institution for consideration of percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure. There was no family history of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, and the patient had no telangiectasia or history of
Image privacy prediction using deep features

Online image sharing in social media sites such as Face-book, Flickr, and Instagram can lead to unwanted disclosure and privacy violations, when privacy settings are used inappropriately. With the exponential increase in the number of images that are shared online, the development of effective and efficient prediction methods for image privacy settings are highly needed. In this study, we explore deep visual features and deep image tags for image privacy prediction. The results of our experiments show that models trained on deep visual features outperform those trained on SIFT and GIST. The results also show that deep image tags combined with user tags perform best among all tested features.
A balanced view of casein interactions

Abstract In this short review of hydrophobicity in relation to the caseins and their properties, it is concluded that the scales are weighted heavily in favour of hydrophobic interactions contributing the attractive component in casein self-assembly and casein micelle formation. Multiple clusters of hydrophobic residues are identified as potential reaction sites in the hydrophobic tails and trains of the casein proteins. Multiple examples of the involvement of hydrophobic interactions are listed. The concentration of electrostatic charge in the phosphoserine clusters of the proteins amplifies the range of electrostatic repulsion. The cooperative, concerted nature of the phenomenon takes hydrophobic interaction to a similar operating range to provide the perfect foil to the repulsion.
Assessing responsiveness over time of the PROMIS® pediatric symptom and function measures in cancer, nephrotic syndrome, and sickle cell disease.

Previous studies provided evidence for the validity of the PROMIS Pediatric measures in cross-sectional studies. This study evaluated the ability of the PROMIS Pediatric measures to detect change over time in children and adolescents with cancer, nephrotic syndrome (NS), or sickle cell disease (SCD). Participants (8–17 years) completed measures of fatigue, pain interference, anger, anxiety, depressive symptoms, mobility, upper extremity, and peer relationships at three or four time points (T1–T4). Between T1 and T2, children with cancer received chemotherapy and children with SCD experienced a pain exacerbation. Children with NS were first assessed during active disease (T2), with T3 and T4 conducted at disease remission. For the primary analysis of responsiveness, we expected better scores at T3 (recovery) compared to T2 (event) for all diseases. T1 and T4 are also expected to have better scores than T2. Linear mixed models were used and adjusted for time, gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, comorbid conditions, and disease. Enrolled were 96 children with cancer, 121 children with SCD, and 127 children with NS. Fatigue, pain interference, mobility, and upper extremity scores worsened from T1 (baseline) to T2 (event) (p < 0.01), and significantly improved from T2 to T3 and T4 (p < 0.01). Similarly, anxiety and depressive symptoms significantly improved from T2 to T3 and T4 (p < 0.01). This study provides evidence for the responsiveness of seven PROMIS Pediatric measures to clinical disease state in three chronic illnesses. The findings support use of PROMIS Pediatric measures in clinical research.
On the Range of Frequencies of Intrinsic Climate Oscillations

The purpose of this work is to establish the limits of natural oscillations in the climate system, i.e., not attributed to alleged anthropogenic effects. To this end we considered many proxy climate records representing the state of climate in the past when human activity was not a factor.
Acetate ion and its interesting solvation shell structure and dynamics

The asymmetric stretch of the carboxylate group located near 1560 cm−1 in solutions of sodium acetate in water and 6M sodium chloride was investigated by linear and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopies. The linear IR spectra showed that the carboxylate asymmetric stretch central frequency and bandwidth are not significantly perturbed by the presence of a large amount of sodium chloride. Similarly, the frequency-frequency autocorrelation functions extracted from the time evolution of two-dimensional infrared spectra revealed a dynamical component having a picosecond time constant which is also not affected by the presence of high salt concentrations. A comparative study on the asymmetric stretch of the azide ion showed that the lack of change in the vibrational spectroscopy of the ion in the presence of large concentration of sodium chloride is particular to the acetate ion. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and a frequency map confirmed our experimental observations and linked the observed vibrational phenomenon to the hydrogen bond structure and dynamics of the acetate first solvation shell, which is governed by the thermal rotation of its methyl group (—CH3).
The Planes Interpreter and Compiler for Augmented Transition Network Grammars

This chapter discusses the design and implementation of the ATN interpreter and compiler used in the PLANES system ([Walt75], [Walt76] and [Walt78]). This system, developed at the University of Illinois in the mid 70’s, is an interactive question answering system which answers questions concerning a large data base of aircraft maintenance information. The intended scope of the PLANES system is to answer such questions as: How many Skyhawks required engine repairs in 1973? Did any of these log more than 200 hours in March? Show me the tail numbers of planes which were NOR during May. What kinds of aircraft are in the data base?
Isotyping of Paraprotein Irresolvable by Routine Immunofixation Electrophoresis.

The patient is a 76-year-old Chinese man who was found to have increased serum protein concentrations during workup for severe anemia. Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP)2 performed on Sebia Hydrasys 2 showed a protein band with wide smearing extending from the β to γ regions (Fig. 1A, lane 1). The staining of the γ region was strikingly decreased. On the immunofixation gel (IFE, Sebia Hydrasys 2), a discrete band was seen close to the point of application on all lanes with equal intensity (Fig. 1B, gel 1), preventing isotype identification. In accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation, the serum specimen was pretreated with Fluidil or Fluidil with β-mercaptoethanol (bME). A sharp band without smearing was seen in the β region on SPEP (Fig. 1A, lane 3), while only minor change was seen on IFE gel (Fig. 1B, gel 2). This pattern of a discrete band in every lane of IFE persisted in this patient's later follow-up visits, irrespective of serum immunoglobulin levels or treatment. Isotype identification of the paraprotein could not be achieved by currently known …
Design Flow of Neural Network Application for IoT Based Fall Detection System

In the remote health monitoring system, it is crucial to identify and analyze the current users' status accurately. The accuracy depends on many different aspects including physical conditions, surrounding environmental conditions, users' distinct features and other factors. In this paper, we investigate the enhacement possibility of IoT based health monitoring system by applying neural network. By training the collected user data from different types of medical emergency-related scenarios, the system would gain better accuracy over the traditional thresholding data analysis systems. In this study, we focus on applying neural network to the fall detection application which involves wireless wearable sensors with accelerometers and a gyroscope. We utilize multilayer perceptron neural network to train user movement datasets including positive falls (falling events) and negative falls (non-falling events). This system design approach has the potential to be extended to multi-purpose user activity and health monitoring system, including people who have potential in needs of medical attentions and daily activity tracking.
Bridging the Employment Gap: Meeting the Needs of Rural Healthcare

There is a severe shortage of Medical Laboratory Scientists in hospitals across the United States. Rural hospitals are especially impacted by this shortage due to their limited pool of professional candidates. The lack of Medical Lab Scientists is also due in part to lack of awareness of the profession as a whole, which results in low numbers of students graduating from these programs. With the increasing number of laboratory professionals retiring, it is essential to attract and retain local talent. This begins with educational awareness and interactive programs at the secondary education level. Michigan Tech University (MTU) is increasing the visibility of the program by educating high school students about MLS and the high demand for laboratory professionals. Students are introduced to MLS through on-campus visits with faculty and current students, where they perform various interactive laboratory activities. Recruitment efforts include collaboration with regional Health Occupation Student Association (HOSA) chapters, weeklong MLS Summer Youth Programs, Bioathalon competition, and individual visits with local high school science classes. By involving these students at an early age, the goal is to attract students to the profession, increasing program enrollment, which would lead to increased practicum students in rural healthcare systems. Hospitals often rely on retaining these students for employment after the practicum is completed to meet staffing needs. MTU is confident that these recruitment efforts will be successful in increasing awareness of the MLS profession, which, in turn, will help bridge the employment gap in rural healthcare.
Asymmetric synthesis of novel spirocycles via a chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed desymmetrization

Abstract A straightforward method for the asymmetric preparation of novel lactone and lactam spirocycles is described. An initial desymmetrization via a chiral Bronsted acid yields enantioenriched lactones which readily undergo a second cyclization to give the desired spirocycle.