cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
POINTS - A small astrometric interferometer in space

Numerous astrophysical objectives could be achieved with an astrometric instrument able to measure the angular separation of a pair of widely separated stars with an uncertainty of a few microarcseconds. An instrument that could make tens of measurements per day would form the basis for a multifarious scientific program. Although more complex, an astrometric interferometer offers a substantially larger information rate than a comparably-sized astrometric telescope for most applications. POINTS (Precision Optical INTerferometry in Space) is a design concept for an astrometric interferometer originally conceived as a means of performing the light deflection experiment of general relativity to second order. The present "strawman" version, which has a pair of 2 m baselines and four 25 cm telescopes, would fit fully assembled with a support spacecraft in one-third of the Shuttle bay. For a pair of tenth-magnitude stars about 90° apart, POINTS would yield the separation uncertain by 5 μas after a 10-minute observation. We consider both the design of the instrument and aspects of a mission.
Parametric Study of Extrusion and Thermoforming Conditions for CPET

Crystallized polyethylene terephthalate (CPET) is nearly transparent to microwave energy and can sustain 200°C convection oven temperatures for more than 60 min. without embrittling. As a result, it is a leading candidate for thermo formed freezer-to-oven portion servings. The rate of crystallization is controlled by adding small amounts of organic and/or inorganic nucleants. Nearly amorphous sheet of thickness of 60 mil or less can be extruded by casting onto chill rolls. This sheet is then rapidly heated to forming temperature with radiant and/or convection energy sources. The rapidly crystallizing sheet is finally formed against a heated mold. This paper proposes a way of understanding the time-dependent nature of CPET crystal linity during the typical thermoforming process. The results are compared with the patent literature.
Financial Information for Decision Making: An Alternative Small Firm Perspective

Successful decision making in small firms requires the availability of financial information and its deployment in a variety of financial management techniques. This prescriptive dictate and the techniques and practices it advocates have developed from, and are supported by, a framework of assumptions derived from mainstream neoclassical economics. Substantial relaxation of these assumptions is often necessary to provide plausible explanations for many observed practices such as the irregular use of financial information in small firm decision contexts. Rather than seeking to justify these departures within the extant framework, understanding may be better accommodated by adopting a different perspective. Concerned primarily with the role of entrepreneurs in the market process, the Austrian school of economic thought appears well placed to provide an appropriate framework for the study of small firms. Financial information in this alternative framework is likely to have a different, less prescriptive, role in decision making.
Improving the Performance of Mobile Phone Crowdsourcing Applications

Mobile phone crowdsourcing is a powerful tool for many types of distributed sensing problems. However, a central issue with this type of system is that it relies on user contributed data, which may be sparse or erroneous. This paper describes our experiences developing a mobile phone crowdsourcing app, Kpark, for monitoring parking availability on a university campus. Our system combines multiple trust- based data fusion techniques to improve the quality of user submitted parking reports and is currently being used by over 1500 students.
Interaction of Blastomyces dermatitidis, Sporothrix schenckii, and Histoplasma capsulatum with Acanthamoeba castellanii

Several dimorphic fungi are important human pathogens, but the origin and maintenance of virulence in these organisms is enigmatic, since an interaction with a mammalian host is not a requisite for fungal survival. Recently, Cryptococcus neoformans was shown to interact with macrophages, slime molds, and amoebae in a similar manner, suggesting that fungal pathogenic strategies may arise from environmental interactions with phagocytic microorganisms. In this study, we examined the interactions of three dimorphic fungi with the soil amoeba Acanthameobae castellanii. Yeast forms of Blastomyces dermatitidis, Sporothrix schenckii, and Histoplasma capsulatum were each ingested by amoebae and macrophages, and phagocytosis of yeast cells resulted in amoeba death and fungal growth. H. capsulatum conidia were also cytotoxic to amoebae. For each fungal species, exposure of yeast cells to amoebae resulted in an increase in hyphal cells. Exposure of an avirulent laboratory strain of H. capsulatum to A. castellanii selected for, or induced, a phenotype of H. capsulatum that caused a persistent murine lung infection. These results are consistent with the view that soil amoebae may contribute to the selection and maintenance of certain traits in pathogenic dimorphic fungi that confer on these microbes the capacity for virulence in mammals.
Designing Property Specifications to Improve the Safety of the Blood Transfusion Process

Computer scientists use a number of well-established techniques that have the potential to improve the safety of patient care processes. One is the formal definition of a process; the other is the formal definition of the properties of a process. Even highly regulated processes, such as laboratory specimen acquisition and transfusion therapy, use guidelines that may be vague, misunderstood, and hence erratically implemented. Examining processes in a systematic way has led us to appreciate the potential variability in routine health care practice and the impact of this variability on patient safety in the clinical setting. The purpose of this article is to discuss the use of innovative computer science techniques as a means of formally defining and specifying certain desirable goals of common, high-risk, patient care processes. Our focus is on describing the specification of process properties, that is, the high-level goals of a process that ultimately dictate why a process should be performed in a given manner.
Walkway surface heights and ground reaction forces

Falling is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. Several factors can contribute to injuries resulting from tripping, slipping and falling during locomotion such as surface condition, transitions and the degree of walkway evenness. Because walkway unevenness has been largely unexamined, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which gait kinetics change with uneven walkway surface heights. In this study, subjects walked at a constant velocity over a walkway, whose surface for various trials was positioned above, below, and level with respect to multicomponent force measuring plate. Ground reaction forces (GRF) were recorded from a single step when the subject stepped up or down onto the force plate during gait. Averaged trials from three step-up and two step-down heights were compared to level gait trials. GRF parameters included peak force components, center of pressure and temporal measures. Significant differences in GRF measures were found between the level condition and step-up heights >2.5 cm and step-down heights >-1.5 cm. No differences were found between the level condition and a step-up height of 0.7 cm. The results suggest that a walkway unevenness of >2.5 cm step-up and >1.5 cm step-down may contribute to initiating a trip, stumble or fall since the GRF are significantly altered with these conditions. However, negotiating a step-up of <2.5 cm or step-down of <0.7 cm produces gait kinetic measures similar to walking on a level surface, and therefore may not predispose one to a trip or stumble.
The Drosophila Melanogaster Suppressor of Hairy-Wing Zinc Finger Protein Has Minimal Effects on Gene Expression in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Many mutations in Drosophila melanogaster are gypsy retrotransposon insertions. Gypsy binds the protein (SUHW) encoded by the suppressor of Hairy-wing [su(Hw)] gene, and SUHW alters expression of surrounding genes. When gypsy is between an enhancer and promoter, SUHW blocks activation of transcription by the enhancer. Additionally, when gypsy is downstream of a promoter in a parallel orientation, SUHW increases truncation of transcripts at the poly(A) site in the gypsy 5' long terminal repeat, thereby decreasing the gene transcript levels. The effects of SUHW appear to involve fundamental and general mechanisms controlling gene expression because SUHW potentiates other poly(A) sites and blocks several enhancers in Drosophila. To investigate these mechanisms, SUHW was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although SUHW enters the nucleus and binds DNA in yeast, it has surprisingly minor effects on utilization of the CYC1 poly(A) site and transcription activation by a GAL upstream activation sequence. These observations indicate that the observed effects of SUHW on gene expression in Drosophila require specific interactions with other factors that are absent or unrecognizable in yeast.
Problems of Nonadherence in Cardiology and Proposals to Improve Outcomes

At least 1 in 7 cardiology patients now reports nonadherence to prescribed medications, potentially leading to negative outcomes across a broad range of cardiovascular diseases. This nonadherence can begin as early as the time of prescription or any time thereafter and occurs for a variety of reasons, including communication difficulties, polypharmacy, and a variety of objective and perceived side-effects. Among elderly, low-income, and disabled patients, drug costs represent a growing source of medication nonadherence and can be markedly reduced through the use of drug assistance programs and low-cost generic medications without sacrificing evidence-based therapy. Depression also contributes strongly to nonadherence and is widely prevalent in cardiovascular populations. Improvements in depression are mirrored by improvements in adherence. A systematic screening to identify the presence of nonadherence and many of its causes can be accomplished with minimal impact on visit length. In conclusion, once specific concerns are recognized, options frequently exist to help patients and providers address many of the most common difficulties.
Viral respiratory infection increases susceptibility of young rats to hypoxia-induced pulmonary edema

Recent clinical observations of a high incidence of preexisting respiratory infections in pediatric cases of high-altitude pulmonary edema prompted us to ask whether such infections would increase the susceptibility to hypoxia-induced pulmonary edema in young rats. We infected weanling rats with Sendai virus, thus causing a mild respiratory infection. Within 7 days of infection, Sendai virus was essentially undetectable by using viral culture and immunohistochemical techniques. Animals at day 7 of Sendai virus infection were then exposed to normobaric hypoxia (fraction of inspired O2 = 0.1) for 24 h and examined for increases in gravimetric lung water and in vascular permeability, as well as for histological evidence of increased lung water. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed on a separate series of animals. Compared with control groups, infected hypoxic animals showed significant increases in perivascular cuffing, gravimetric lung water, and lung protein leak. In addition, infected hypoxic animals had increases in lavage fluid cell counts and protein content compared with controls. We conclude that young rats, exposed to moderate hypoxia while recovering from a mild viral respiratory infection, may demonstrate evidence of early pulmonary edema formation, a finding of potential relevance to human high-altitude pulmonary edema.
Google Earth and the nation state : Sovereignty in the age of new media

This article analyzes the nature of sovereignty in a globalizing world and the role new media entities play within it. It studies a protracted engagement between Google and nation states on the abi...
Semiconductor Nanowire Array: Potential Substrates for Photocatalysis and Photovoltaics

A novel vapor-liquid-solid epitaxy (VLSE) process has been developed to synthesize high-density semiconductor nanowire arrays. The nanowires generally are single crystalline and have diameters of 10-200 nm and aspect ratios of 10-100. The areal density of the array can readily approach 1010 cm-2. Results based on Si and ZnO nanowire systems are reported here. Because of their single crystallinity and high surface area, these nanowire arrays could find unique applications in photocatalysis and photovoltaics.
Pontine Omnipause Activity During Conjugate and Disconjugate Eye Movements in Macaques

Previous reports have shown that saccades executed during vergence eye movements are often slower and longer than conjugate saccades. Lesions in the nucleus raphe interpositus, where pontine omnipause neurons (OPNs) are located, were also shown to result in slower and longer saccades. If vergence transiently suppresses the activity of the OPNs just before a saccade, then reduced presaccadic activity might mimic the behavioral effects of a lesion. To test this hypothesis, 64 OPNs were recorded from 7 alert rhesus monkeys during smooth vergence and saccades with and without vergence. The firing rate of many OPNs was modulated by static vergence angle but not by version and showed transient changes during slow vergence without saccades. This modulation was smooth, and not the abrupt pause seen for saccades, indicating that OPNs do not act as gates for vergence commands. We confirmed that saccades made during both convergence and divergence are significantly slower and longer than conjugate saccades. OPNs paused for all saccades, and the pause lead (interval between pause onset and saccadic onset) was significantly longer for saccades with convergence, in agreement with our hypothesis. Contrary to our hypothesis, pause lead was not longer for saccades with divergence, even though these saccades were slowed as much as those occurring during convergence. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation, on a trial-by-trial basis, between pause lead and saccadic slowing. These results suggest that it is unlikely that presaccadic slowing of OPNs is responsible for the slower saccades seen during vergence movements.
Carfilzomib: A new proteasome inhibitor for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

Purpose: The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical trials, adverse effects, dosage recommendations, and economic considerations of carfilzomib are reviewed. Summary: Multiple myeloma accounts for approximately 10–15% of all hematologic malignancies and 20% of bloodrelated cancer deaths. Despite recent advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma, most patients will eventually relapse, requiring further treatment. Carfilzomib is a new proteasome inhibitor that primarily targets the chymotrypsinlike activity of the 20S proteasome. The safety and efficacy of carfilzomib was demonstrated in the PX-171-003-A1 trial, a prospective phase II trial in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who had received at least 2 prior therapies including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent. Common adverse effects included fatigue (55.5%), anemia (46.8%), nausea (44.9%), and thrombocytopenia (36.3%). The recommended dose of carfilzomib for the first cycle is 20mg/m 2 on 2 consecutive days each week for 3 weeks in a 4-week cycle escalating to 27mg/m 2 for subsequent cycles. It is recommended that patients receive premedication with dexamethasone during cycle 1 and cycle 2 to minimize risk of infusion reactions. Conclusion: Carfilzomib provides a clinical benefit to patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have been previously treated with a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent.
Mitigating GI Risks Associated with the Use of NSAIDs

Objective Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have multiple established adverse effects on various organ systems. Among those associated with high mortality are gastrointestinal complications. We address the scope of the problem and the scientific basis for risk mitigation. Design This review covers the most successful of such strategies published to date. Results Mitigation strategies to enable ongoing anti-inflammatory benefit are well studied, albeit imperfect. Conclusions Such strategies may involve the choice of NSAID or the combined use of gastroprotective measures in association with NSAIDs.
An Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Method for Monitoring Surface Acidity of Clay Minerals under Varying Water Content

The ability of a clay mineral surface to function as an acid is not represented by bulk pH measurements. A method using u.v. analysis and organic indicators has been developed to monitor surface acidity. The u.v. organic indicator method enables sensitive in situ quantification of surface-induced pro- tonation in wet or dry clay systems. The clay preparation procedure used yields reproducible acidic behavior.
Interleukin-4 inhibits spontaneous sleep in rabbits

Proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α, are involved in sleep regulation. IL-4 is an antiinflammatory cytokine that inhibits proinflammatory cytokin...
Abstract P5-06-13: Reduced NIMA Related Kinase 2 (Nek2) Expression Level Enhances Anti-Cancer Drug Sensitivity in the Breast Cancer Cells

Although the anticancer drugs paclitaxel and doxorubicin are commonly used to treat many types of solid tumors, their effectiveness is highly variable due to tumor cell resistance. Therefore, it is important to find mechanisms that can be targeted to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to antitumor agents such as paclitaxel and doxorubicin. NIMA related kinase 2 (Nek2), a serine/threonine kinase is emerging as an important oncogene because of its regulatory role in mammalian cell mitosis. Thus, regulation of the Nek2 expression levels may prove important as a target for cancer treatment. In this study, we investigated whether drug sensitivity was increased in the triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 by using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and siRNA against Nek2. MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells transfected with Nek2 siRNA or ASO were exposed to various concentrations of paclitaxel and doxorubicin. Cell viability, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis were evaluated. We observed that drug susceptibility in these transfected cells was dramatically increased compared with either agent alone. Interestingly, the cell proliferation of the Nek2 ASO transfected breast cancer cells was much lower than the Nek2 siRNA transfected breast cancer cells. Our FACS data showed paclitaxel and doxorubicin treated cells transfected with ASOs arrested in G2/M phase as expected due to Nek2 regulatory function in centrosome duplication. We observed that ASOs and siRNA against Nek2 work with paclitaxel and doxorubicin by arresting cells at G2/M and progressing the cells to apoptosis. Our results suggest that these drugs in combination with Nek2 siRNA or Nek2 ASO treatment greatly improve the sensitivity of cancer cells. Thus, these results provide a possible new strategy for the treatment of breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-06-13.
Cyanide Detection Using a Triazolopyridinium Salt

A triazolopyridinium salt chemodosimeter has been developed that displays a 60-fold enhancement in fluorescence upon reaction with cyanide. The novel, fast, selective and sensitive reaction-based indicator relies on the pseudopericyclic ring opening of the bridgehead nitrogen-containing detector.
Nonlinear Legendre Spectral Finite Elements for Wind Turbine Blade Dynamics

This paper presents a numerical implementation and evaluation of a new nonlinear beam finite element model appropriate for highly flexible wind turbine blades made of composite materials. The underlying model uses the geometrically exact beam theory (GEBT) and spatial discretization is accomplished with Legendre spectral finite elements (LSFEs). The displacement-based GEBT is presented, which includes the coupling effects that exist in composite structures with geometric nonlinearity. LSFEs are high-order finite elements with nodes located at the Gauss-Legendre-Lobatto points. LSFEs can be an order of magnitude more efficient that low-order finite elements for a given accuracy level. The LSFE code is implemented in the software module called BeamDyn in the new FAST modularization framework for dynamic simulation of highly flexible composite-material wind turbine blades. The framework allows for simulations of wind turbines in operating conditions. In this paper, we verify BeamDyn for static and dynamic nonlinear deformation of composite beams and compare BeamDyn LSFE performance against common low-order finite elements found in a commercial code. Comparisons show that the BeamDyn LSFEs can provide dramatically more accurate results for a given model size.
Analytical Method for Individual Ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate Fungicides Residues in Agricultural Products

A method was developed for the determination of individual ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamates (Zineb, Maneb, Mancozeb and Polycarbamate) in agricultural products.This analytical method consists of four procedures; washing or wiping with 10% surface active agent solution, filtration through a Millipore filter, acidic hydrolysis in the presence of stannous chloride and quantitative measurement of carbon disulfide, ethylenediamine (EDA), dimethylamine (DMA) and bivalent metals [zinc (Zn) or manganese (Mn)].The fungicides were identified as follow: Zineb was based on Zn and EDA, Maneb was based on Mn and EDA, Mancozeb was based on Mn, Zn and EDA, Polycarbamate was based on Zn and DMA. In this method, recoveries of Zineb, Maneb, Mancozeb and Polycarbamate from five agricultural products fortified at a level of 0.2-2.0ppm averaged 61.0, 54.4, 52.0 and 63.2%, respectively.
Toward Building a Safe, Secure, and Easy-to-Use Internet of Things Infrastructure

Carnegie Mellon University is leading a multi-institutional effort to build an open infrastructure to support the Internet of Things.
Persistence and Surface Transport of Urea-Nitrogen: A Rainfall Simulation Study

Studies of harmful algal blooms and associated urea concentrations in the Chesapeake Bay and in coastal areas around the globe strongly suggest that elevated urea concentrations are associated with harmful algal blooms. The observed increased frequency and toxicity of these blooms in recent decades has been correlated with increased agricultural use of N inputs and increased use of urea as a preferred form of commercial N. This rainfall simulation study sought to assess the potential for different N fertilizers and manures to contribute to urea in runoff from a Coastal Plain soil on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Under worst-case conditions, ~1% of urea-N applied as commercial fertilizer and surface-applied poultry litter was lost in runoff in a simulated rainfall event, roughly equivalent to a 1-yr return period rain storm in the study area, 12 h after application. Cumulative urea-N losses, including four subsequent weekly rainfall events, approached 1.7% from urea-N fertilizer containing a urease inhibitor. Urea-N loss from incorporated poultry litter was negligible, and losses from dairy manure were intermediate. These losses are likely confined to hydrological contributing areas that extend several meters from a drainage ditch or stream for storms with frequent recurrence intervals. Cumulative dissolved N losses in runoff (urea-N + ammonium-N + nitrate-N) as a proportion of total applied plant-available N were <5%, suggesting that most of the applied N was lost by other pathways or was immobilized in soil. Results also highlight the potential for simple management options, such as shallow incorporation or timing, to greatly reduce urea runoff losses.
Epidemiological survey of HIVAIDS among low fee sex workers in three counties of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Objective To understand the knowledge,behavior and HIV infection among low fee sex workers three counties of Guangxi.Methods A cross sectional survey was conducted with structured questionnaires.Data on demographics,HIV knowledge,sexual behaviors were collected.Blood specimen was tested for HIV,syphilis infections and hepatitis C.Results A total of 571 low fee sex workers were surveyed.The average age of the sex workers were(33.7±8.2)years old.60.6% of them were primary school or lower.The awareness of AIDS related knowledge was 68.3% and 36.1% had more than60 times commercial sex per month in the last 6 months.The proportions of condom use in last sex with fixed sex partner/casual sex partner/commercial sex partner were 21.6%,53.1%,71.3%,respectively.The prevalence of HIV,syphilis and hepatitis C were 5.3%,19.4%,1.4%,respectively.Conclusions The prevalence of HIV and STD in low fee sex workers was high,while the condom use rate was lower.Effective intervention programs need to be tailored for this population to promote condom use and self-protection.
A surgical approach for S,L,L single ventricle incorporating total right atrium-pulmonary artery diversion

Patients with single ventricle and unfavorable anatomy for partitioning procedures have been considered inoperable. Such was the case in two patients with single ventricle and subaortic inverted (hypoplastic) infundibulum associated with subaortic obstruction and levo-transposition of the great vessels (S.L.L). Both had undergone pulmonary artery banding in infancy and presented 11 and 14 years later, cyanotic and severely incapacitated. Both patients were treated surgically by resection of the subaortic obstruction, patch closure of the right atrioventricular valve, closure of the proximal pulmonary artery, and diversion of systemic venous flow through a xenograft valved conduit from the right atrium to the distal pulmonary artery. Early postoperative complications included atrial dysrhythmias and right-sided congestion. The first patient, who had massive cardiomegaly and complete heart block preoperatively, developed congestive failure 20 months postoperatively. The second patient has an excellent functional result and is leading a normal life 1 year after operation. This procedure may be of value for patients with single ventricle in whom corrective ventricular septation is considered too risky or technically unfeasible.
Abstract 552: IL-17C-Producing Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells Play a Pro-Atherogenic Role Via the Recruitment of Inflammatory IL-17A+ T Cells

Atherosclerosis is characterized by frequent communication between infiltrating leukocytes and vascular cells, through chemokine and cytokine networks. Various IL-17 cytokine family members are detected within atherosclerotic plaques; however the involvement of IL-17B-IL-17E has not been thoroughly examined. Aortic IL-17 cytokines were initially profiled and Il17a, Il17f, and Il17c mRNA expression was found to be elevated in Apoe-/- aortas in comparison to C57Bl6 controls. To determine the cellular sources of aortic IL-17C, aortic IL-17C-producing cells were phenotyped by flow cytometry. Surprisingly, these experiments revealed a major population of IL-17C-producing smooth muscle cells within Apoe-/- versus C57Bl6 aortas. To determine the role of IL-17C in atherosclerosis, we generated Il17c-/-Apoe-/- mice and compared 12 week western diet-fed Apoe-/- and Il17c-/-Apoe-/- mice. Atherosclerotic lesions were reduced by 42±2.6% in WD-fed Il17c-/-Apoe-/- aortas in comparison to Apoe-/- controls. Flow cytometric analyses of Il17c-/-Apoe-/- mice revealed a reduction in the number of aortic leukocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells, which corresponded with smaller atherosclerotic lesions (40±5%). However, the percentage and number of aortic IL-17A+ TCRγδ T cells and Th17 cells were disproportionately reduced within Il17c-/-Apoe-/- aortas (70±5%). We hypothesized that IL-17C might support the recruitment of Th17 cells to the aorta. To study comparative Th17 migration, Apoe-/- T cells were transferred to western diet-fed Il17c-/-Apoe-/- and Apoe-/- recipients and examined for Th1 and Th17 migration 48 hours post transfer. We found diminished accumulation of Th17, but not Th1 T cells, in the aortas of Il17c-/-Apoe-/- versus Apoe-/- recipients. Thus smooth muscle cell-derived IL-17C plays a pro-atherogenic role by supporting the recruitment of Th17 cells to atherosclerotic lesions.
Modification of L-asparaginase by subunit cross-linking with dimethylsuberimidate.

Cross-linkage of L-asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1), a tetrameric enzyme from Escherichia coli, has been accomplished with dimethylsuberimidate. Approximately 60% of the enzyme is converted to dimers and higher oligomers. Associated with cross-linkage is a loss of enzymatic activity to about 17% of that found in the native enzyme. Using [1,8-14C]dimethylsuberimidate, 5 molecules of the suberimidate were shown to bind per monomer, a value corresponding to 25% of the lysine residues. The relative catalytic activity of the modified enzyme toward the alternative substrates L-glutamine, β-cyano-L-alanine, and 5-diazo-4-oxo-L-norvaline was essentially the same as that for the native enzyme.
Is Self-Efficacy More Important than Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem and self-efficacy are two important aspects of self-concept that are often discussed when we talk about change. However, they are completely different concepts. We discuss the differences, applying these two concepts to group-centered prevention. Self-efficacy is based on skill building. If your prevention program is to be effective, it must teach skills. Through example and research, we emphasize why self-esteem should not be used in group prevention, and why rebuilding self-efficacy is a much better approach. Case-study examples illustrate self-efficacy as used in health-oriented and educational group-centered prevention programs. The training session for this chapter gives two case studies and shows how to build self-efficacy in each program.
Adverse Reactions to Food Additives

As part of a multicentre study of food additive intolerance commissioned by the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the prevalence of reactions to food additives was studied in a survey population by the Depts of Dermatology and Community medicine, Wycombe General Hospital, High Wycombe, Bucks, and St.
Characteristics That May Help in the Identification of Potentially Confusing Proprietary Drug Names.

Purpose:This study aimed to provide a descriptive analysis of characteristics that are common among drug name pairs involved in name confusion medication errors.Methods:We evaluated drug name pairs...
Dark-matter dispute intensifies

The controversy surrounding evidence for the discovery of "dark matter" particles has heated up following two conflicting talks given at a conference at the end of February. The papers were presented at the 4th International Symposium on Sources and Detection of Dark Matter/Energy in the Universe held in Marina del Ray, California. (Most of the transparencies from the conference arc available on the Web at www physics.ucla.edu/dm2O/talks/index.html.) For almost 70
Intramolecular Didehydro-Diels–Alder Reaction for the Synthesis of Benzo- and Dihydrobenzo-Fused Heterocycles

Using an intramolecular didehydro-Diels–Alder reaction, ene–yne substituted pyrroles, thiophenes, and furans afford functionalized indoles, benzothiophenes, and benzofurans and the corresponding dihydroaromatic products. Product selectivity for the aromatic or dihydroaromatic product is controlled by the reaction conditions, which vary depending upon the substrate.
Natural Killer cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity towards red blood cells infected by Plasmodium falciparum

In areas of high Plasmodium transmission, humans develop clinical immunity only after years of recurrent exposure. This naturally acquired immunity depends primarily on antibodies specific for parasite antigens. The underlying basis of this protective response remains unclear. In particular, the contribution of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) to malaria immunity remains largely unexplored. Peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells exhibit potent ADCC through FcγRIII (CD16) binding to antibody-coated target cells. We have developed sensitive and quantitative in vitro assays to evaluate outcome of infected red blood cells (RBC) incubation with NK cells. Without specific antibodies, NK cell-mediated natural cytotoxicity was undetectable towards both uninfected and infected RBCs. Addition of serum antibodies raised against human RBCs in immunized rabbits, however, produced NK cell-dependent lysis of both uninfected and infected RBCs. Rabbit serum antibodies specific for PfEMP1, an immunodominant P. falciparum variant antigen at the surface of infected RBCs, yielded selective lysis of infected RBCs. Plasma from malaria-immune individuals also triggered selective NK-mediated ADCC of infected RBCs. Finally, incubation of infected RBCs with NK cells in the presence of plasma from malaria-immune individuals inhibited P. falciparum growth, as determined by reinvasion of fresh, uninfected RBCs. Therefore, primary human NK cells can limit growth of bloodstream P. falciparum through specific ADCC-mediated lysis of infected RBCs.
Clinical use of irradiated donor lymphocytes in bone marrow transplantation

Only 25% of patients presenting for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation will have a sibling who is an antigenically matched potential donor (1). The use of alternative stem cell sources such as volunteer unrelated donors, mismatched related donors, cord blood, and placental blood has increased to meet the demands imposed by the limited number of matched sibling donors (2-4). As antigenic diversity between donor and host increases, so does the risk of graft versus host disease (GvHD) and graft rejection. Manipulations of the stem cells to reduce the risk of GvHD, such as T-cell depletion, lead to increased graft rejection and relapse among patients with malignancies (5-9). The risk of GvHD or rejection increases from 20% with a matched sibling donor to as high as 60% for a matched unrelated donor or over 70% for a mismatched unrelated donor (10-12). An important goal in extending the range of alternative donor is to achieve immunologic balance between donor and host T-cells and produce stable donor-derived hematopoiesis post-transplant.
Industrial Wastewater Sources

The chapter provides an overview of the characteristics of typical waste streams from major industry sectors. A review of the discussions in the chapter provides the reader with the understanding of the sources of these wastes from each industry sector, their general characteristics and types of pollutants, and when filtration is applicable. The overall wastewater characteristics from wood pulping processes may vary seasonally because of the changes in the characteristics of wood and variations in the temperature of the water. The volume and characteristics of the process wastewater depend on the degree of water reuse, chemical recovery systems, and the type and quality of paper involved. In most of the cases presented in the chapter, filtration plays a major role in the pretreatment of waste streams and also, to a lesser degree, as a finishing stage for final solids removal. Industry terminology typically refers to this as “polishing.”
An efficient VLSI network bridge architecture for local area networks

The growth of local area networks (LANs) has raised an important issue of efficient interconnection of LANs. Network bridge was introduced to address this issue and it provides an interconnection channel between multiple independent LANs. The existing network bridge, however, is not efficient for bridging a large number of LANs because the bridging is accomplished at the cooperation of separately packaged processors in a serial fashion. In this paper, we present a new VLSI architecture which provides an efficient bridging mechanism for multiple LANs. By processing the bridge operation in parallel, in a single chip, our design achieves a few orders of magnitude speed-up compared to the traditional design. It can also be easily expanded to accommodate a large number of LANs.
Nutritional Ketosis for Weight Management and Reversal of Metabolic Syndrome

The goal of this paper is to review current literature on nutritional ketosis within the context of weight management and metabolic syndrome, namely, insulin resistance, lipid profile, cardiovascular disease risk, and development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We provide background on the mechanism of ketogenesis and describe nutritional ketosis. Nutritional ketosis has been found to improve metabolic and inflammatory markers, including lipids, HbA1c, high-sensitivity CRP, fasting insulin and glucose levels, and aid in weight management. We discuss these findings and elaborate on potential mechanisms of ketones for promoting weight loss, decreasing hunger, and increasing satiety. Humans have evolved with the capacity for metabolic flexibility and the ability to use ketones for fuel. During states of low dietary carbohydrate intake, insulin levels remain low and ketogenesis takes place. These conditions promote breakdown of excess fat stores, sparing of lean muscle, and improvement in insulin sensitivity.
Sex-specific differences in organic anion transporting polypeptide 1a4 (Oatp1a4) functional expression at the blood–brain barrier in Sprague–Dawley rats

Targeting endogenous blood–brain barrier (BBB) transporters such as organic anion transporting polypeptide 1a4 (Oatp1a4) can facilitate drug delivery for treatment of neurological diseases. Advancement of Oatp targeting for optimization of CNS drug delivery requires characterization of sex-specific differences in BBB expression and/or activity of this transporter. In this study, we investigated sex differences in Oatp1a4 functional expression at the BBB in adult and prepubertal (i.e., 6-week-old) Sprague–Dawley rats. We also performed castration or ovariectomy surgeries to assess the role of gonadal hormones on Oatp1a4 protein expression and transport activity at the BBB. Slco1a4 (i.e., the gene encoding Oatp1a4) mRNA expression and Oatp1a4 protein expression in brain microvessels was determined using quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Oatp transport function at the BBB was determined via in situ brain perfusion using [3H]taurocholate and [3H]atorvastatin as probe substrates. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and analyzed via one-way ANOVA followed by the post hoc Bonferroni t-test. Our results showed increased brain microvascular Slco1a4 mRNA and Oatp1a4 protein expression as well as increased brain uptake of [3H]taurocholate and [3H]atorvastatin in female rats as compared to males. Oatp1a4 expression at the BBB was enhanced in castrated male animals but was not affected by ovariectomy in female animals. In prepubertal rats, no sex-specific differences in brain microvascular Oatp1a4 expression were observed. Brain accumulation of [3H]taurocholate in male rats was increased following castration as compared to controls. In contrast, there was no difference in [3H]taurocholate brain uptake between ovariectomized and control female rats. These novel data confirm sex-specific differences in BBB Oatp1a4 functional expression, findings that have profound implications for treatment of CNS diseases. Studies are ongoing to fully characterize molecular pathways that regulate sex differences in Oatp1a4 expression and activity.
Evolving maps and decks for ticket to ride

We present a search-based approach to generating boards and decks of cards for the game Ticket to Ride. Our evolutionary algorithm searches for boards that allow for a well-shaped game arc, and for decks that promote an equal distribution of desirability for cities. We show examples of two boards generated by our algorithm and compare our results to those of the actual components of the game. Our approach creates game content that is specifically designed towards metrics that can affect gameplay in an impactful way.
Clinical conundrums in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis in the elderly

One of the dreaded life-threatening complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). American Diabetic Association (ADA) came out with 2018 guidelines on the management of DM and its complications, but these are woefully silent on the clinical conundrums that accompany DKA in elderly patients. In elderly patients, DKA is often complicated by sepsis, atrial fibrillation, polypharmacy, nonketotic hyperosmolar states, atypical clinical presentations, acute kidney injury (AKI), dementia, and noncompliance with medications. Here in we highlight these conundrums that need to be addressed to improve morbidity and mortality in elderly patients.
How Creative Mindset Operates with Respect to Creative Performance: Pedagogical Factors that Ignite Creative Mindset in Design Education

This research investigated college design students’ mindset for the “decision to be creative” when they have a design project in front of them; moreover, this research investigated factors that influence students’ creative mindset and how educators enhance creative mindset to students. In order to address these purposes, a qualitative triangulation was used. The major findings of this study provide a number of important implications for improving pedagogical strategy, utilizing the concept of the creative mindset within a design education context. Moreover, this study provides directions for future research regarding the creative mindset in design education and suggestions for expanding this study to contribute to other disciplines that is needed creative thinking.
Modeling the cardiometabolic benefits of sleep in older women: exploring the 24-hour day

STUDY OBJECTIVES Activities throughout the day, including sleep, sedentary behavior (SB), light-intensity physical activity (LIPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are independently associated with cardiometabolic health. Few studies have examined interrelationships between sleep and 24-hour activity and associations with cardiometabolic risk. The objective of this study is to understand how replacing time in SB, LIPA, or MVPA with sleep impacts cardiometabolic risk. METHODS Women's Health Initiative OPACH Study participants (N = 3329; mean age = 78.5 ± 6) wore ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers 24 hours/7 days. Adjusted linear regression estimated the relationship between sleep duration and cardiometabolic markers. Separately for shorter (<8 hours) and longer (≥8 hours) sleepers, isotemporal substitution models estimated the cross-sectional associations with cardiometabolic markers with reallocating time in daytime activities to or from sleep. RESULTS Longer sleep duration was associated with higher insulin, HOMA-IR, glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides (all p < 0.05). The associations between sleep duration and C-reactive protein, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were U-shaped (both p < 0.05). For shorter sleepers, reallocating 33 minutes of MVPA to sleep was associated with higher values of insulin, HOMA-IR, glucose, triglycerides, waist circumference, and BMI (0.7%-11.5%). Replacing 91 minutes of SB time with sleep was associated with lower waist circumference and BMI (-1.3%, -1.8%). For long sleepers, shifting 91 minutes of sleep to SB was associated with higher waist circumference and BMI (1.3%, 1.4%). CONCLUSIONS This is one of the first isotemporal analyses to include objectively measured sleep duration. Results illuminate possible cardiometabolic risks and benefits of reallocating time to or from sleep.
Physiological regulation and social-emotional processing in female carriers of the FMR1 premutation.

The FMR1 gene is associated with a wide range of clinical and cognitive phenotypes, ranging from intellectual disability and autism symptoms in fragile X syndrome (caused by the FMR1 full mutation), to a more varied, and still poorly understood range of clinical and cognitive phenotypes among carriers of the gene in its premutation state. Because the FMR1 premutation is relatively common among women (as high as 1 in 150), investigations of its phenotypic impact could have broad implications for understanding gene-behavior relationships underlying complex human traits, with potential clinical implications. This study investigated physiological regulation measured by pupillary responses, along with fixation patterns while viewing facial expressions among women who carry the FMR1 premutation (PM group; n = 47), to examine whether the FMR1 gene may relate to physiological regulation, social-emotional functioning, and social language skills (where subclinical differences have been previously reported among PM carriers that resemble those documented in autism-related conditions). Relative to controls (n = 25), the PM group demonstrated atypical pupillary responses and fixation patterns, controlling for IQ. In the PM group, pupillary response and fixation patterns were related to social cognition, social language abilities, and FMR1-related variation. Results indicate a pattern of atypical attention allocation among women who carry the FMR1 PM that could reflect different emotion-processing strategies mediated by autonomic dysregulation and the FMR1 gene. These findings lend insight into the FMR1 gene's potential contributions to complex human traits such as social emotional processing and social language.
Synthesis, characterization and CO-releasing property of palladium(II) bipyridine flavonolate complexes

A series of bipyridyl (Bpy) Pd(II) complexes with 3-hydroxyflavone (Fla) [PdBpyFlaR][BF4] (R=OCH3 (1), R=CH3 (2), R=H (3), R=Cl (4)) were prepared and characterized. The molecular structures of the four compounds were determined by UV–Vis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, FTIR, ESI mass spectra and elemental analysis. Their ability to release carbon monoxide was investigated through oxygenation reaction under various conditions of temperature and light irradiation. The nitroxygenation reaction was also studied with nitroxyl, HNO, generated in situ from Angeli’s salt. The experimental results showed that oxygenation reaction of [PdBpyFla]+ with oxygen happens at high temperature (> 80 °C) and light does not affect the reaction, whereas nitroxygenation reaction with HNO happens at room temperature without light irradiation. Carbon monoxide released from the complexes during the nitroxygenation reaction was trapped by deoxymyoglobin.
Molecular targets for NF1-associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor

Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST) is a soft-tissue neurosarcoma. It can occur sporadically, after radiotherapy or in patients with Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). The hereditary disorder, NF1, is a common cancer predisposition syndrome. The main genetic feature is the mutation of the NF1 tumor suppressor gene that is inherited in an autosomal dominant, progressive manner. Mutations of the NF1 gene increase the activity of Ras signaling and cause the development of different types of tumors, including subcutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas. These can have further mutations that mediate the transformation into MPNST. Somatic mutations that have been observed are the loss of cell cycle regulators of the CDKN2A gene, and the inactivation of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), mainly embryonic ectoderm development (EED) or suppressor of zeste 12 homologue (SUZ12). Other molecular pathways that have been targeted for treatment are dual MAPK-mTOR targeting, p53 protein, and MEK-ERK pathway. To advance the therapies focused on delaying or inhibiting malignant tumor formation in NF1, we need to understand the implications of the molecular and genetic pathway that are involved in the transformation into MPNST.