cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Isoflavone from Leiophyllum buxifolium and Its Antiproliferative Effect.

A new C-methylisoflavone, isosideroxylin (1), and a known C-methylflavone, sideroxylin (2), were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the leaves of Leiophyllum buxifolium. The two compounds were evaluated with the sulforhodamine B assay for their antiproliferative effects against ER– MDA-MB-231 and ER+ MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and the NIH3T3 mouse fibroblast cell line. Isosideroxylin (1) displayed a selective antiproliferative effect against MDA-MB-231 cells.
Pulsating Magnetic Reconnection Driven by Three-Dimensional Flux-Rope Interactions.

A real-time 3D map of all magnetic and electric field lines from a laboratory magnetic reconnection experiment has been created.
The MIT Implementation of PI

The original implementation of PI was carried out by a team of theory students working at the MIT Laboratory for Computer Science. This chapter presents an assortment of information about this work. Section 9.1 explains the major objectives of the MIT PI Project. Section 9.2 describes the major decisions made in the design of the MIT PI System, and section 9.3 discusses some of the implications of these decisions. Section 9.4 provides detailed information about the software development of PI at MIT, explains how to obtain source code, describes the role of each member of the PI team, and lists all documentation on the PI Project.
Retinal vascular occlusion: a window to diagnosis of familial and acquired thrombophilia and hypofibrinolysis, with important ramifications for pregnancy outcomes.

Aim Our specific aim was to document the pathoetiologic importance of thrombophilia among females presenting with severe ischemic retinal vein (RVO) or retinal artery (RAO) occlusion, without typical risk factors, and to emphasize that the ophthalmologists' diagnosis of thrombophilia has important diagnostic and therapeutic downstream ramifications for nonocular thrombosis, including reproductive outcomes. Methods We evaluated familial and acquired thrombophilia in 60 females with RVO (central RVO, n=52; branch RVO, n=8) and 16 with RAO (central RAO, n=11; branch RAO, n=5). They were referred by retinologists, without typical risk factors for RVO/RAO and/or severe ocular ischemic presentation. We focused on extraocular thrombotic events, particularly pregnancy complications, including unexplained spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia-eclampsia. Thrombophilia measurements in the 76 females were compared with 62 healthy normal females without ocular vascular occlusions (OVOs). Results The 76 females with OVO were more likely than 62 normal female controls to have high homocysteine (24% vs 0%, P 150%) factor VIII (42% vs 11%, P 150%) factor XI (22% vs 4%, P=0.004). Of the 76 females, 26 (34%) had ≥1 spontaneous abortion; 17 (22%) had ≥2 spontaneous abortions and/or pre-eclampsia-eclampsia. Compared to 62 healthy female controls, these 17 females with pregnancy complications had high homocysteine (29% vs 0%, P=0.0003), high anticardiolipin antibody immunoglobulin M (24% vs 3%, P=0.02), high factor VIII (38% vs 11%, P=0.02), and were marginally more likely to be heterozygous for the factor V Leiden mutation (19% vs 3%, P=0.058). Conclusion In females lacking typical risk factors for retinal vascular occlusion or severely ischemic presentation, by diagnosing thrombophilia as an etiology for OVO, the ophthalmologist opens a window to family screening and preventive therapy, with particular relevance to pregnancy outcomes and venous thromboembolism.
Configurable Post-Release Stress-Engineering of Surface Micro-Machined MEMS Structures

Stress-engineering is the method for inducing curvature in initially planar micromachined structures by the deposition of a stressor layer. Post-release stress engineering occurs when the stressor layer is deposited and patterned after the release of the underlying structures. In this paper, we present a novel post-release stress-engineering process, which patterns the stressor layer without the use of photolithography using a set of in-situ fabricated configurable shadow masks. The configuration of these masks enables variable coverage of the evaporated stressor layer, and is automated with the help of surface-micromachined scratch drive actuators, which maneuver the shadow masks to their desired configuration. We present both theoretical and experimental results showing the viability of this new stress-engineering method. In particular, theoretical models validated by experimental results are presented, describing the gradual increase in deflection of the stress-engineered structures. A new set of stress-resisting microelectromechanical systems I-beams is also presented, allowing the development of support structures that resist to curving during blanket stressor layer deposition.
Incidence and Predictors of Repeat Bone Mineral Densitometry: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Existing guidelines for repeat screening and treatment monitoring intervals regarding the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans are conflicting or lacking. The Choosing Wisely campaign recommends against repeating DXA scans within 2 years of initial screening. It is unclear how frequently physicians order repeat scans and what clinical factors contribute to their use. To estimate cumulative incidence and predictors of repeat DXA for screening or treatment monitoring in a regional health system. Retrospective longitudinal cohort study A total of 5992 women aged 40–84 years who received initial DXA screening from 2006 to 2011 within a regional health system in Sacramento, CA. Two- and five-year cumulative incidence and hazard rations (HR) of repeat DXA by initial screening result (classified into three groups: low or high risk of progression to osteoporosis, or osteoporosis) and whether women were prescribed osteoporosis drugs after initial DXA. Among women not treated after initial DXA, 2-year cumulative incidence for low-risk, high-risk, and osteoporotic women was 8.0%, 13.8%, and 19.6%, respectively, increasing to 42.9%, 60.4%, and 57.4% by 5 years after initial screening. For treated women, median time to repeat DXA was over 3 years for all groups. Relative to women with low-risk initial DXA, high-risk initial DXA significantly predicted repeat screening for untreated women [adjusted HR 1.67 (95% CI 1.40–2.00)] but not within the treated group [HR 1.09 (95% CI 0.91–1.30)]. Repeat DXA screening was common in women both at low and high risk of progression to osteoporosis, with a substantial proportion of women receiving repeat scans within 2 years of initial screening. Conversely, only 60% of those at high-risk of progression to osteoporosis were re-screened within 5 years. Interventions are needed to help clinicians make higher-value decisions regarding repeat use of DXA scans.
Abstract WP101: Involvement of the Contralesional Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor in Compound 21 Mediated Functional Recovery After Stroke

Introduction: We have recently shown that the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) agonist, compound 21 (C21), provides sustained functional recovery after ischemic stroke. This was associated with upregulation of the AT2R and the neurotrophin, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in the contralesional brain hemisphere. Here, we aimed to study the contribution of this hemisphere in C21 mediated functional recovery after stroke through localized knockdown of the AT2R. Methods: male wistar rats (34) received two intrastriatal injections of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentiviral particles against AT2R, or non-targeting control vector (NTC) into the left brain hemisphere to achieve localized AT2R knockdown. After 14 days, rats were subjected to 90 minutes right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and received either C21 (0.03 mg/kg) or saline at reperfusion (IV) then daily (IP) for 7 days. Rats were blindly assessed for behavioral outcome up to 10 days as well as molecular analysis. Results (table): PCR and Western blotting confirmed successful knockdown of the AT2R in the left (contralesional) hemisphere by about 50%. All groups showed worsened outcome on days 1 to 3 then recovered on days 7 to 10. The C21/NTC group showed better behavioral outcome compared to other groups at days 7 and 10, while the saline/shRNA group was associated with the least recovery. Using Western blotting, C21/NTC group showed higher BDNF and lower proBDNF (pro-form) levels in the ischemic and contralesional hemispheres respectively. Expression of the pro-apoptotic P75NTR receptor of proBDNF was decreased with C21 treatment irrespective of AT2R knockdown. Conclusion: Contralesional AT2R could be involved in C21 mediated functional recovery after stroke.
Recurrent Biliary Obstruction Secondary to Portal Biliopathy and the Role of Cholagioscopy: A Case Report

Portal vein thrombosis with cavernous transformation is a rare cause of biliary obstruction. Portal biliopathy is a term that refers to abnormalities in the intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary tract, gall bladder, and cystic duct secondary to portal hypertension. Patients may be asymptomatic, but they can also present with abdominal pain, jaundice, and fever. We present the case of a 61-year-old Caucasian female who presented with generalized weakness, dark urine, and yellow skin for three days' duration. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) showed extrahepatic and intrahepatic biliary ductal dilatation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with cholangioscopy was used to make the diagnosis of portal biliopathy. This case highlights the importance of ERCP with cholangioscopy in the diagnosis and management of recurrent portal biliopathy.
The Study of Copper Leaching from Conichalcite and Chalcopyrite Using Alternative Lixiviants

This project investigated alternative lixiviants for leaching copper from chalcopyrite and conichalcite, two highly refractory Cu ore minerals. Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is the most abundant of the copper sulfide minerals; conichalcite (CaCuAsO4OH) is less well known but contributes to supergene Cu inventory in high-As deposits. Neither leaches well in sulfuric acid. Sulfurous acid, glycine, methanesulfonic acid (MSA), and thiourea (for conichalcite leaching test) were tested as lixiviants for chalcopyrite- and conichalcite-bearing ores with ferric sulfate or hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. The highest Cu extraction from chalcopyrite was obtained by MSA (47% Cu recovery in 30 g/L of MSA with 5 g/L Fe3+ at 75 ℃ within 96 h; nearly 100% Cu extraction in 30 g/L MSA with 3% hydrogen peroxide at 75 ℃ within 72 h). Glycine recovered 20.7% of copper from chalcopyrite at room temperature within 96 h. All these compare favorably to the results of sulfuric acid leaching of chalcopyrite (1.5% recovery at 96 h). Conichalcite proved less refractory to sulfuric acid (46–71% extraction in 10 g/L H2SO4 with 3 g/L Fe3+ in 24 h) and leached almost as well in MSA (45–67% extraction in 20 g/L MSA with 3 g/L Fe3+ in 24 h), but glycine, thiourea, and sulfurous acid did not effectively leach conichalcite.
NeON+: An Atom and a Molecule

The NeON+ molecule is stable with a Ne + NO+ dissociation energy of 0.90 kcal/mol. While this is small, the two vibrational modes that include the neon atom are less than this barrier at 57.9 and 45.0 cm–1. Hence, this “L”-shaped molecule will not readily vibrate itself apart in cold environments, such as the interstellar medium, where the nitrosylium cation is believed to exist. While the 2359.2 cm–1 N≡O vibrational frequency is only slightly perturbed (but perturbed nonetheless) by the presence of the Ne atom, the other two fundamental vibrational frequencies will be observable in the terahertz region, where future space telescopes may operate. Furthermore, the curiosity of a stable molecule whose constituent atomic symbols spell the name of one such atom give this structure a unique place in the chemical imagination. Hence, “neon” is both a molecule and an atom.
Dual-radiolabeled nanoparticle probes for depth-independent in vivo imaging of enzyme activation

Quantitative and noninvasive measurement of protease activities has remained an imaging challenge in deep tissues such as the lungs. Here, we designed a dual-radiolabeled probe for reporting the activities of proteases such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with multispectral single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. A gold nanoparticle (NP) was radiolabeled with 125I and 111In and functionalized with an MMP9-cleavable peptide to form a multispectral SPECT imaging contrast agent. In another design, incorporation of 199Au radionuclide into the metal crystal structure of gold NPs provided a superior and stable reference signal in lungs, and 111In was linked to the NP surface via a protease-cleavable substrate, which can serve as an enzyme activity reporter. This work reveals strategies to correlate protease activities with diverse pathologies in a tissue-depth independent manner.
Phase 1 study of the PI3Kδ inhibitor INCB040093 ± JAK1 inhibitor itacitinib in relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma

Because both phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase δ (PI3Kδ) and Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways contribute to tumor cell proliferation and survival in B-cell malignancies, their simultaneous inhibition may provide synergistic treatment efficacy. This phase 1 dose-escalation/expansion study assessed the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of INCB040093, a selective PI3Kδ inhibitor, as monotherapy or combined with itacitinib (formerly INCB039110), a selective JAK1 inhibitor, in adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) B-cell lymphomas. Final results are reported. Overall, 114 patients were treated (monotherapy, n = 49; combination therapy, n = 72 [7 patients crossed over from monotherapy to combination]). INCB040093 100 mg twice daily (monotherapy) and INCB040093 100 mg twice daily + itacitinib 300 mg once daily (combination) were the recommended phase 2 doses. One dose-limiting toxicity (gastrointestinal bleed secondary to gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL] regression) occurred with monotherapy. The most common serious adverse events with monotherapy were pneumonia (n = 5) and pyrexia (n = 4), and with combination Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (n = 5), pneumonia (unrelated to P jiroveci; n = 5), and pyrexia (n = 4). Grade 3 or higher transaminase elevations were less common with combination. INCB040093 was active across the B-cell lymphomas; 63% of patients (5/8) with follicular lymphoma responded to monotherapy. Adding itacitinib provided promising activity in select subtypes, with responses of 67% (14/21) in classic Hodgkin lymphoma (vs 29% [5/17] with monotherapy) and 31% (4/13) in nongerminal center B-cell-like DLBCL. INCB040093 with/without itacitinib was tolerated and active in this study, and is a promising treatment strategy for patients with select R/R B-cell lymphomas. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01905813.
Fracturing deformable and rigid materials

In this thesis we have developed efficient methods for fracturing both deformable and stiff objects. They can be either volumetric bodies or infinitely thin shells. First, we propose a virtual node algorithm that allows material to separate along arbitrary paths through a mesh. The material within an element is fragmented by creating several replicas of the element and assigning a portion of real material to each replica. This results in elements that contain both some real material and empty regions. Our new virtual node algorithm automatically determines the number of replicas and the assignment of material to each. Moreover, it provides the degrees of freedom required to simulate the partially or fully fragmented material. This approach provides for the efficient simulation of complex geometry with a simple mesh, i.e. the geometry need not align itself with element boundaries. It also alleviates many shortcomings of traditional Lagrangian simulation techniques for meshes with changing topology. For example, slivers do not require small time step restrictions since they are embedded in well shaped larger elements. Consequently, using the virtual node algorithm, we are able to fracture deformable bodies without compromising stability. In addition, we present several mechanisms for influencing and controlling fracture with grain boundaries, prescoring, etc. We illustrate our method for both volumetric and thin-shell simulations. To enable robust simulation of embedded geometry, we also propose new algorithms for handling self collisions. Finally, we propose a novel approach to fracturing, denting and bending of brittle materials. To avoid the computational burden imposed by the stringent time step restrictions of explicit methods or with solving nonlinear systems of equations for implicit methods, we treat the material as a fully rigid body in the limit of infinite stiffness. In addition to a triangulated surface mesh and level set volume for collisions, each rigid body is outfitted with a tetrahedral mesh upon which finite element analysis can be carried out to provide a stress map for fracture criteria. We demonstrate that the commonly used stress criteria can lead to arbitrary fracture (especially for stiff materials) and instead propose the notion of a time averaged stress directly into the FEM analysis.
Staged Laser-Plasma Accelerator: Introduction

In this chapter, the experimental design and setup of the staging experiment are presented. The central goal of the staging experiment is to drive two LPA modules with two independent laser pulses and transport the e-beambetween them. This will demonstrate that a fresh laser pulse can be supplied to a sequenced module and pump depletion can be overcome. Furthermore, staged acceleration allows independent control of electron injection and acceleration.
Small-spot intensity-modulated proton therapy and volumetric-modulated arc therapies for patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: A dosimetric comparative study

Purpose To compare dosimetric performance of volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and small-spot intensity-modulated proton therapy for stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and materials A total of 24 NSCLC patients were retrospectively reviewed; 12 patients received intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and the remaining 12 received VMAT. Both plans were generated by delivering prescription doses to clinical target volumes (CTV) on averaged 4D-CTs. The dose-volume-histograms (DVH) band method was used to quantify plan robustness. Software was developed to evaluate interplay effects with randomized starting phases of each field per fraction. DVH indices were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results Compared with VMAT, IMPT delivered significantly lower cord Dmax , heart Dmean , and lung V5 Gy[ RBE ] with comparable CTV dose homogeneity, and protection of other OARs. In terms of plan robustness, the IMPT plans were statistically better than VMAT plans in heart Dmean , but were statistically worse in CTV dose coverage, cord Dmax , lung Dmean , and V5 Gy[ RBE ] . Other DVH indices were comparable. The IMPT plans still met the standard clinical requirements with interplay effects considered. Conclusions Small-spot IMPT improves cord, heart, and lung sparing compared to VMAT and achieves clinically acceptable plan robustness at least for the patients included in this study with motion amplitude less than 11 mm. Our study supports the usage of IMPT to treat some lung cancer patients.
Culture, Islamic feminism, and the quest for legal reform in Indonesia

This paper examines the interplay of Islam, history, and feminism and views it in the legal context of Indonesia. I use social movement theory to examine how women’s movements here have organized a...
Detection of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) IgG and IgA in muscle tissue exudate ("meat juice") specimens.

The diagnostic performance of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) IgG and IgA ELISAs was evaluated using paired serum and meat juice samples collected from PEDV-negative (n = 50) and PEDV-inoculated pigs (n = 87). Serum samples were tested by PEDV (IgG, IgA) ELISAs using a procedure performed routinely at the Iowa State University-Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU-VDL). Serum samples were tested using PEDV serum IgG and IgA ELISA procedures as routinely performed at the Iowa State University-Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU-VDL). Serum samples were diluted 1:50 and conjugate concentrations were 1/20,000 for IgG and 1/3000 for IgA. Meat juice samples were tested using the serum PEDV IgG and IgA ELISAs, with modifications, i.e., meat juice samples were diluted 1:25 and conjugate concentrations were 1/40,000 for IgG and 1/10,000 for IgA. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to estimate diagnostic sensitivities and specificities over a range of sample-to-positive (S/P) cutoffs. Consistent with previous reports, this study showed that the PEDV IgG and IgA meat juice ELISAs provided excellent diagnostic performance and suggest that meat juice recovered from samples collected at slaughter could be used in routine PEDV surveillance.
Biopsy of the small intestine with the Crosby-Kugler capsule. Experience in 3,866 peroral biopsies in children and adults.

Experience with 3,866 peroral intestinal biopsies performed over 6-1/2 years is presented. Fifty-five infants and children had 101 biopsies performed. Initial attempts at obtaining tissue in three children were unsuccessful, but tissue was obtained in all three on the second attempt. One infant receiving heparin experienced significant bleeding, which stopped spontaneously when the heparin was discontinued. Tissue was obtained in 93–98% of all biopsies performed on 3,765 adult individuals and six had significant bleeding. Only one required transfusion and no perforations were encountered. We find that peroral intestinal biopsy is a relatively easy and safe procedure in both adults and children. It should be performed under the direction of those experienced in intestinal biopsy techniques because of occasional complications.
Modeling Aeroform Tissue Expander for Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy

The AeroForm chest wall tissue expander (TE) is a silicon shell containing a metallic CO2 reservoir, placed surgically after mastectomy. The patient uses a remote control to release compressed CO2 from the reservoir to inflate the expander. AeroForm poses challenges in a radiation therapy setting: The high density of the metallic reservoir causes imaging artifacts on the planning CT, which encumber structure definition and cause misrepresentation of density information, in turn affecting dose calculation. Additionally, convolution-based dose calculation algorithms may not be well-suited to calculate dose in and around high-density materials. In this study, a model of the AeroForm TE was created in Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS). The TPS model was validated by comparing measured to calculated transmission through the AeroForm. Transmission was measured with various geometries using radiochromic film. Dose was calculated with both Varian's Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) and Acuros External Beam (AXB) algorithms. AAA and AXB were compared using dose profile and gamma analyses. While both algorithms modeled direct transmission well, AXB better modeled lateral scatter from the AeroForm TE. Clinical significance was evaluated using clinical data from four patients with AeroForm TEs. The AeroForm TPS model was applied, and RT plans were optimized using AAA, then re-calculated with AXB. Structures of clinical significance were defined and dose volume histogram analysis was performed. Compared to AXB, AAA overestimates dose in the AeroForm device. Changes in clinically significant regions were patient- and plan-specific. This study proposes a clinical procedure for modeling the AeroForm in a commercial TPS, and discusses the limitations of dose calculation in and around the device. An understanding of dose calculation accuracy in the vicinity of the AeroForm is critical for assessing individual plan quality, appropriateness of different planning techniques and dose calculation algorithms, and even the decision to use the AeroForm in a postmastectomy radiation therapy setting.
Practical Molecular Testing in a Clinical Genitourinary Service.

Context.— Molecular testing is increasingly playing a key role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of neoplasms of the genitourinary system. Objective.— To provide a general overview of the ...
Midlevel Providers in Orthopaedic Surgery: The Patient's Perspective.

Background Midlevel providers (i.e. physician assistants [PAs] and nurse practitioners [NPs]) are being integrated into systems of care due to the exponentially increasing demand for orthopaedic care. There is a lack of studies which investigate orthopaedic patients' perspectives regarding midlevel providers. Methods An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 538 first-time patients of four orthopaedic surgeons before their new patient visit. Content included patient perspectives regarding: optimal scope of practice, midlevel provider importance in physician selection, and reimbursement equity with physicians. Results Of 538 consecutive patients, 415 (77%) responded. 57% were female with an average age of 63.9 ± 11.4 years. Most patients (68%) considered the training background of the surgeon's midlevel provider when initially choosing an orthopaedic surgeon. 34% of all patients perceived PAs to be more highly trained than NPs while 17% perceived the opposite. Patients had specific preferences regarding which services should be surgeon-provided: follow-up for abnormal tests (82%), initial postoperative appointment (81%), new patient visits (81%), and determining the need for advanced diagnostic studies (e.g. MRI) (76%). Patients had specific preferences regarding which services could be midlevel-provided: preoperative teaching (73%), minor in-office procedures (65%), long term postoperative appointments (61%), and prescriptions (61%). Patients lacked a consensus on reimbursement equity for midlevel providers and orthopaedic surgeons, despite most patients (78%) reporting the surgeon provides a higher-quality consultation. Conclusions As health care becomes increasingly consumer-centric and value-driven, a databased utilization of midlevel staff will allow orthopaedic physicians to optimize efficiency and patient satisfaction. Surgeons may consider our results in division of clinical duties among midlevel staff since patients had specific preferences regarding which services should be physician-provided or midlevel-provided. Orthopaedic surgeons may also consider including the midlevel provider in marketing efforts, as most patients considered the midlevel provider's training background when initially choosing a surgeon and perceived PAs to be more highly trained than NPs. Patients lacked a consensus towards reimbursement equity for orthopaedic surgeons and midlevels, despite reporting that the surgeon provides a higher quality consultation. These findings are important as the midlevel workforce grows in response to the rising demand for orthopaedic care.Level of Evidence: IV.
"Iolani Palace: Spaces of Kingship in Late Nineteenth-Century Hawai'i

This paper explores indigenous colonial architectural patronage in Hawai'i through King David KalAkaua's building project, 'Iolani Palace, which constituted the political center of Hawai'I during the last decades of the sovereign monarchy and into the twentieth century when Hawai'i became an American state. This paper examines intersections of global socio-political forces and indigenous agency and suggests that the design, purpose, and location of the palace projected an image of Hawai'i as a modern independent nation vis-A -vis other enlightened nations while it also functioned as a sacred chiefly structure that presented the king as a legitimate political and religious authority in Hawaiian terms.
The Tetraspanin CD53 Regulates Early B Cell Development By Promoting IL-7R Signaling

The tetraspanin CD53 has been implicated in B cell development and function. Tetraspanins are a family of transmembrane proteins important for organization of the plasma membrane and regulation of cellular migration, adhesion, and activation. CD53 has been shown to be a transcriptional target of EBF1, a critical transcription factor for early B cell development. Additional signaling for early B cell development occurs through the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R), where ligation promotes continued B cell differentiation and pro-survival/anti-apoptotic gene expression. Human deficiency of CD53 results in recurrent infections and reduced serum immunoglobulins. While prior studies have implicated a role for CD53 in regulating mature B cells, its role in early B cell development is not well understood. Herein, we show that CD53 expression rapidly increases throughout B cell development, beginning at the pre-pro-B cell stage. With a CRISPR-generated knockout mouse, we show that Cd53-/- mice have significantly reduced bone marrow (25% fewer, p Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Influence of water activity on growth, metabolic activities and survival of yeasts and molds

The behavior of yeasts and molds as influenced by water activity (aw) is reviewed. Fungal spoilage of foods occurs more often than bacterial spoilage at aw 0.61–0.85 not because fungi grow faster at reduced aw but rather because the competitive effects of the vast majority of bacteria are absent. Higher aw is generally required for spore formation than for spore germination. The range of aw permitting germination of spores is greatest at an optimum temperature, but optimum availability of nutrients tends to broaden the range of aw and temperature at which germination and growth will occur. The minimum aw levels for growth of fungi are lower than those required for mycotoxin production. It is imperative that diluents and enumeration media with reduced aw be used to detect xerotolerant fungi in foods. Otherwise, vegetative cells and spores may be killed by osmotic shock or remain dormant when exposed to high aw associated with diluents and media routinely used for mycological analyses.
Examining the contribution of weight-bias internalization to the associations between weight suppression and disordered eating in undergraduates.

Weight suppression (WS) is consistently, positively associated with eating disorder (ED) symptoms, but variables that contribute to these associations remain understudied. The current study examined weight-bias internalization as a potential contributor to the link between weight suppression (WS) and disordered eating in an undergraduate sample. Men (n = 285) and women (n = 610) completed assessments of weight history, weight-bias internalization, and ED symptoms. Absolute (difference in highest and current BMI) and relative WS (%BMI change) were calculated. Hierarchical linear and count regression models examined whether WS contributed to ED symptoms (restraint, objective binge episodes [OBEs], loss-of-control [LOC] eating, and compensatory exercise) above and beyond weight-bias internalization. Analyses were conducted by gender. After accounting for weight-bias internalization, WS demonstrated unique associations with restraint in men (p = .01) and women (p < .001), and LOC eating frequency in men (p = .02), though effects were weaker relative to weight-bias internalization. Although WS was positively correlated with frequency of OBEs in men and LOC eating in women, these associations were no longer significant when accounting for weight-bias internalization. Weight-bias internalization was positively associated with all measured ED symptoms. Consistent with previous work, gender differences in the relations of WS and ED symptoms emerged. Results suggest weight-bias internalization might contribute to links between WS and ED symptoms, particularly binge behaviors, in non-clinical samples. Future research should explore whether decreasing weight-bias internalization could weaken the association between WS and ED symptoms.
Defining Fashion, Luxury, and Luxury Fashion

While traditionally difficult to define, the concepts of fashion and luxury are examined anew to highlight key moments in scholarly thought that advanced our understanding of how these two terms can relate to each other and to culture. Identifying their role in the fields of creativity elucidates how they can impact the individual physically, emotionally, and intellectually. This launches our inquiry into understanding how weak signals that are perceived within a specific culture can become the instigators of new creative thought which in turn can transform society and culture.
Examining the decision to offer in-person college instruction during the COVID-19 era: A multilevel analysis of the factors that affected intentions to open

Abstract At the end of Summer 2020 colleges and universities had to make difficult decisions about whether to return to in-person instruction. While opening campuses could pose a major health risk, keeping instruction online could dissuade students from enrolling. Taking an ecological approach that considers the influence of state, county, and college characteristics, this study uses mixed modeling techniques and data from 89% of two- and four-year public and four-year private US colleges to assess the factors that shaped their decision to provide mostly in-person instruction as of August 1, 2020. We consider the roles of the political and religious climate, COVID-19 infections, deaths, and mask mandates, college niche, finances, dormitory capacity, faculty resistance, online readiness, and enrollment pressures. Most notably, we find that decision-making was unrelated to cumulative COVID infection and related mortality rates. The strongest predictor of in-person instruction was the proportion of state residents who voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election. We also find that dormitory capacity, percentage of revenue from tuition, institutional importance to the local economy, graduation rates, and per capita endowment were associated with providing in-person instruction.
Practising what we preach: clinical ethicists' professional perspectives and personal use of advance directives.

The field of clinical bioethics strongly advocates for the use of advance directives to promote patient autonomy, particularly at the end of life. This paper reports a study of clinical bioethicists’ perceptions of the professional consensus about advance directives, as well as their personal advance care planning practices. We find that clinical bioethicists are often sceptical about the value of advance directives, and their personal choices about advance directives often deviate from what clinical ethicists acknowledge to be their profession’s recommendations. Moreover, our respondents identified a pluralistic set of justifications for completing treatment directives and designating surrogates, even while the consensus view focuses on patient autonomy. Our results suggest important revisions to academic discussion and public-facing advocacy about advance care planning.
What Motivates Reasoning? A Theory of Goal‐Dependent Political Evaluation

Rather than exhibiting bias or open‐minded reasoning at baseline, we argue that information processing is motivated by whatever goals a context makes salient. Thus, if politics feels like debate, people will be motivated to argue for their side. If politics feels like deliberation, they will be motivated to seek consensus through open‐minded processing. Results from three experiments demonstrate: (1) Politics evokes thoughts similar to conflictual contexts and dissimilar from deliberative contexts. (2) Consequently, information labeled “political” primes the motivation to counterargue, leading to opinion polarization. Absent such labeling, no such motivation is evident, explaining why bias is common but not inherent to politics. (3) Despite this capacity for bias, people can be motivated to actively process and accept counterattitudinal information by simply making the value of open‐mindedness salient. This suggests open‐minded discourse is possible even absent motivation to evaluate information accurately. We conclude by discussing the implications of our research for political discourse.
Geomorphological responses of rivers to active tectonics along the Siwalik Hills, Midwestern Nepalese Himalaya

The Nepalese Himalaya is well known for ongoing collisional tectonics, witnessed by major historical and recent earthquakes. The Siwalik Hills in Midwestern Nepalese Himalaya are bounded by eastwest trending Main Frontal Thrust (MFT) to the south and the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) to the north. The area is dissected by numerous southwest to south-flowing bedrock rivers. This study investigates geomorphic metrics of these rivers to unravel landscape evolution and active tectonics of the Siwalik Hills. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) analysis was conducted to extract structural lineaments and longitudinal river profile and their metrics (knickpoints, Normalized Steepness Index (ksn), concavity index, and chi integral) using steam power-law approaches. Most of the lineaments trend eastwest like MFT. River profiles exhibit convex to double-concave shapes with upstream-propagating tectonic knickpoints that separate upstream and downstream reaches, indicating different phases of river incision. The spatial distribution of ksn shows high values along with low concavity values at the eastern part of the study area, reflecting disequilibrium conditions that are likely responding to a high uplift rate. Chi integral distribution shows a variation in drainage divide migration between the eastern and western parts of the study area. This study suggests that the rivers in the Siwalik Hills are undergoing active incision likely related to the ongoing uplift and active deformation associated with the Himalayan tectonics. The above findings can bring fresh perspectives to comprehend the neotectonic deformation and lateral variability along the Siwalik Hills landscapes within the Himalaya.
Predicting Long-Term Hepatocellular Carcinoma Response to Transarterial Radioembolization Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: Initial Experiences

Abstract Conventional cross-sectional imaging done shortly after radioembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) does not reliably predict long-term response to treatment. This study evaluated whether quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can predict the long-term response of HCC to yttrium-90 (Y-90) treatment. Fifteen patients underwent CEUS at three time points: immediately following treatment and 1 and 2 wk post-treatment. Response 3–6 mo after treatment was categorized on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging by two experienced radiologists using the Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. CEUS data were analyzed by quantifying tumor perfusion and residual fractional vascularity using time–intensity curves. Patients with stable disease on magnetic resonance imaging had significantly greater fractional vascularity 2 wk post-treatment (65.15%) than those with partial or complete response (13.8 ± 9.9%, p = 0.007, and 14.9 ± 15.4%, p = 0.009, respectively). Complete responders had lower tumor vascularity at 2 wk than at post-operative examination (–38.3 ± 15.4%, p = 0.045). Thus, this pilot study suggests CEUS may provide an earlier indication of Y-90 treatment response than cross-sectional imaging.
Back donation, intramolecular electron transfer and N–O bond scission targeting nitrogen oxyanion reduction: how can a metal complex assist?

A density functional theory exploration studies a range of ancillary coordinated ligands accompanying nitrogen oxyanions with the goal of promoting back donation towards varied nitrogen oxidation states. Evaluation of a suite of Ru and Rh metal complexes reveals minimum back donation to the κ1-nitrogen oxyanion ligand, even upon one-electron reduction. This reveals some surprising consequences of reduction, including redox activity at pyridine and nitrogen oxyanion dissociation. Bidentate nitrate was therefore considered, where ancillary ligands enforce geometries that maximize M-NOx orbital overlap. This strategy is successful and leads to full electron transfer in several cases to form a pyramidal radical NO32- ligand. The impact of ancillary ligand on degree of nitrate reduction is probed by comparing the powerful o-donor tris-carbene borate (TCB) to a milder donor, tris-pyrazolyl borate (Tp). This reveals that with the milder Tp donor, nitrate reduction is only seen upon addition of a Lewis base. Protonation of neutral and anionic (TCB)Ru(κ2-NO3) at both terminal and internal oxygens reveals exergonic N-O bond cleavage for the reduced species, with one electron coming from Ru, yielding a RuIII hydroxide product. Comparison of H+ to Na+ electrophile shows weaker progress towards N-O bond scission. Finally, calculations on (TCB)Fe(κ2-NO3) and [(TCB)Fe(κ2-NO3)]- show that electron transfer to nitrate is possible even with an earth abundant 3d metal.
Hope, optimism, gratitude, and wellbeing among health professional minority college students.

OBJECTIVES To (1) describe the level of hope, optimism, and gratitude in a sample of minority health professional college students. (2) To examine the association between hope, optimism, and gratitude with wellbeing domains. Participants: One hundred and thirty-two (n = 132) college students from the Nursing, Medicine, and Allied Health programs. Methods: Cross-sectional survey study assessed wellbeing across the five domains of positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Results: Mean and Standard Deviation on hope, optimism, and gratitude were 50.2 ± 5.6; 21.7 ± 4.34; and 36.3 ± 5.35, respectively. Hope, optimism, and gratitude were positively associated with domains of wellbeing, controlling for gender and age. Conclusion: Students maintained a positive outlook in life. Hopeful, op6timistic, and grateful students experienced positive emotion, were more engaged in their daily activities, had more supportive relationships, had a better sense of direction in life, and more often accomplished their goals. Interpretations and future directions are discussed.
Special education for students with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic: "Each day brings new challenges".

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disrupted how educators provided supports and services for students with autism spectrum disorder. School closures and related pivoting between learning modalities ...
Gas Breakdown in Atmospheric Microgaps with Surface Protrusion on the Cathode

Gas breakdown phenomenon in macrogaps has been widely studied and is well understood by the Paschen's law1,2. The breakdown mechanisms can be more complicated in microdischarge at atmospheric pressure, since the dimensions are sharply reduced, where the presence of surface protrusion on the electrode surface becomes important3, In this paper, by using a two-dimensional fluid model, breakdown voltages in microgaps are predicted based on the voltage-current (VI) characteristics. The obtained VI curve, which includes the dark discharge region, the Townsend discharge region and the subnormal glow region, identifies the breakdown voltage when the discharge current enters the subnormal region. The effects of the protrusion's size and aspect ratio on the breakdown voltage are compared. The results show that the protrusion's size has a more profound effect on the breakdown voltages than the aspect ratio. When the effective distance between the anode and cathode is fixed, the breakdown voltage has a minimum value as the aspect ratio increases. As the effective distance increases, the breakdown voltage with a surface protrusion increases faster than that without a protrusion, resulting in an intersection between the two curves. The current density distribution on the cathode surface and the effect of the micro gap aspect ratio on the breakdown voltage are also presented.
Learning Feature Weights from Positive Cases

The availability of new data sources presents both opportunities and challenges for the use of Case-based Reasoning to solve novel problems. In this paper, we describe the research challenges we faced when trying to reuse experiences of successful academic collaborations available online in descriptions of funded grant proposals. The goal is to recommend the characteristics of two collaborators to complement an academic seeking a multidisciplinary team; the three form a collaboration that resembles a configuration that has been successful in securing funding. While seeking a suitable measure for computing similarity between cases, we were confronted with two challenges: a problem context with insufficient domain knowledge and data that consists exclusively of successful collaborations, that is, it contains only positive instances. We present our strategy to overcome these challenges, which is a clustering-based approach to learn feature weights. Our approach identifies poorly aligned cases, i.e., ones that violate the assumption that similar problems have similar solutions. We use the poorly aligned cases as negatives in a feedback algorithm to learn feature weights. The result of this work is an integration of methods that makes CBR useful to yet another context and in conditions it has not been used before.
Essentials of Nursing Law and Ethics

This book is a collaboration between Susan Westrick, JD, MS, RN, CNE, a Professor of Nursing and Attorney at Law, and Katherine Dempski, JD, BSN, RN, a Director of Risk Management at a medical cent...
Steroid-protein interaction with particular reference to testosterone binding by human serum.

The binding affinity of serum protein for testosterone (and also of serum albumin as a reference protein) was determined by a technique based on the principle of equilibrium dialysis but with the use of the cross-linked dextran, Sephadex G-25, in a batchwise fashion on a semimicro scale. The binding parameters were shown to be dependent on the concentrations of both protein and steroid. The logarithm of the reciprocal of the protein concentration and the logarithm of the reciprocal of the bound steroid concentration (at 50% steroid binding) were in linear relationship. A sensitive and rapid method thus evolved for the detection and quantitative estimation of serum protein, or proteins, exhibiting a specific or high binding affinity for testosterone. This new technique, entailing a novel treatment of the experimental data, may also prove to be useful in the general study of steroid-protein interaction. Testosterone-binding levels in various human sera were determined in a comparative survey; markedly elevated levels were observed in advanced pregnancy.
Cell Surface Protein Disulfide Isomerase Regulates Natriuretic Peptide Generation of Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate

Rationale The family of natriuretic peptides (NPs), including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), exert important and diverse actions for cardiovascular and renal homeostasis. The autocrine and paracrine functions of the NPs are primarily mediated through the cellular membrane bound guanylyl cyclase-linked receptors GC-A (NPR-A) and GC-B (NPR-B). As the ligands and receptors each contain disulfide bonds, a regulatory role for the cell surface protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) was investigated.