cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Method for amine―amine attachment in nanodevice preparation

A process for covalent attachment of amines to other amines is described for nanodevice preparation. This method utilizes a linker with aldehyde and N-hydroxysuccinimide ester terminals separated by a heptyl spacer. Nanodevices consisting of amine or hydrazide-containing molecules (Lucifer Yellow, fluorescein-5-thiosemicarbazide, and 2-hydrazinopyridine) attached to the surface of a generation 4 amine-terminated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer were prepared as model compounds. In spite of the numerous amine groups present on the dendrimer, aggregate formation was negligible, yielding well-defined nanoconstructs. This negligible aggregation was attributed to the reversible imine bonds formed between the surface amine groups of the dendrimer and the aldehyde group of the linker. We also prepared a dual fluorophore-dendritic nanodevice in which fluorescein was attached to the dendrimer surface via the linker while rhodamine was directly bound to the dendrimer surface. Fluorescence, UV-visible spectrophotometry, size exclusion chromatography, electrophoresis, and dynamic light scattering were used to analyze these nanodevices.
Glucocorticoid-receptor complexes and the earliest steps in the action of glucocorticoids on thymus cells

Abstract Cortisol and other glucocorticoids added at physiological concentrations to rat thymus cells in vitro at 37°C begin to inhibit glucose transport after about 15 min. This effect corresponds to effects observed in vivo and probably is in good part responsible for the catabolic actions of glucocorticoids on lymphoid tissue. From a variety of experiments we have concluded that cortisol initially stimulates synthesis in the nucleus of a specific form of RNA that. after an intermediate step, by 15 min initiates synthesis of a protein that inhibits glucose transport. The first step in cortisol action is formation of specific cortisol receptor complexes. At 37°C this process is complete by 7 min, by which time the complexes are localized largely in the nucleus. At 3°C, however, most of the complex appears in the supernatant when cells are broken by osmotic shock and nuclei spun down. This non-nuclear bound complex we refer to as “cytoplasmic”. On warming the cells to 37°C, [3H]-cortisol bound in the cytoplasmic complex becomes bound in the nucleus within l min, probably by transfer of the cytoplasmic complex in loto to a nuclear acceptor site. Isolated cytoplasmic and nuclear receptors bind glucocorticoids specifically, becoming saturated over the physiological range of glucocorticoid concentrations. The isolated cytoplasmic receptor has a half-life at 3°C of about 2 h. Saturating concentrations of cortisol or other glucocorticoids increase this value to more than 20 h. Both α and β sides of the steroid appear to interact with the binding site. which probably consists of a hydrophobic pocket with polar groups that form hydrogen bonds. The principal driving forces for formation of the hormone-receptor complex are probably hydrophobic interactions, the hydrogen bonds conferring specificity to the interactions. Cortisol-eytoplasmic receptor complexes are transformed by brief warming at 25°C into complexes with high affinity for nuclei. These latter complexes become rapidly associated with isolated nuclei at 3°C. Two alternative functions are proposed for the hormone in this temperature-sensitive transformation: one is that hormone binding displaces the equilibrium of the receptor towards a form with high affinity for nuclei; the other assumes that the cytoplasmic receptor is in a non-equilibrium state, and that hormone binding accelerates its transformation to the equilibrium high-affinity form. Protein synthesis does not appear to bo necessary to replace receptors that are transferred to the nucleus in the presence of hormone. ATP or some related substance, however, does seem to be required, it is proposed that ATP generates the normal cytoplasmic receptor from a pre-cursor. Furthermore, it is suggested that the precursor may be the form in which the receptor leaves the nuclear site, so that in the presence of hormone there is a continuously operating receptor cycle, dependent for energy on ATP.
Chains of poor performance and supervisory control

Abstract This study examined 84 bank branch managers' actions in controlling ineffective performance. Through structured interviews about a specific, poor performing subordinate, descriptions of sequences of actions, problem duration, number of episodes, guidance sought by managers, managers' perceptions of the situation, outcomes of the performance problem, etc., were obtained. The concepts of control chains and tactics are introduced with three control tactics being identified to characterize managers' action patterns: use of support, rapidity of escalation of control action (e.g., discussion to probation), and reliance on discipline. These tactics were found to relate to problem seriousness and the consulting of formal authority. Also, managers reported better resolution of the problems when more punitive control tactics were employed by them.
2011 U.S. National School on Neutron and X-ray Scattering.

The 13th annual U.S. National School on Neutron and X-ray Scattering was held June 11 to 25, 2011, at both Oak Ridge and Argonne National Laboratories. This school brought together 65 early career graduate students from 56 different universities in the US and provided them with a broad introduction to the techniques available at the major large-scale neutron and synchrotron x-ray facilities. This school is focused primarily on techniques relevant to the physical sciences, but also touches on cross-disciplinary bio-related scattering measurements. During the school, students received lectures by over 30 researchers from academia, industry, and national laboratories and participated in a number of short demonstration experiments at Argonne's Advanced Photon Source (APS) and Oak Ridge's Spallation neutron Source (SNS) and High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) facilities to get hands-on experience in using neutron and synchrotron sources. The first week of this year's school was held at Oak Ridge National Lab, where Lab director Thom Mason welcomed the students and provided a shitorical perspective of the neutron and x-ray facilities both at Oak Ridge and Argonne. The first few days of the school were dedicated to lectures laying out the basics of scattering theory and the differences and complementarity betweenmore » the neutron and x-ray probes given by Sunil Sinha. Jack Carpenter provided an introduction into how neutrons are generated and detected. After this basic introduction, the students received lectures each morning on specific techniques and conducted demonstration experiments each afternoon on one of 15 different instruments at either the SNS or HFIR. Some of the topics covered during this week of the school included inelastic neutron scattering by Bruce Gaulin, x-ray and neutron reflectivity by Chuck Majkrazak, small-angle scattering by Volker Urban, powder diffraction by Ashfia Huq and diffuse scattering by Gene Ice.« less
Urinary lysozyme phenotypes in monocytic leukemia

A method of two-dimensional electrophoresis has been devised to allow the study of the electrophoretic mobility of urinary lysozyme. Three different phenotypes have been defined in a study of thirteen purified lysozymes obtained from different patients with monocytic leukemia.
Dabigatran Induced Hemorrhagic Cystitis in a Patient with Painful Bladder Syndrome

An 82-year-old female presented with longstanding history of both painful bladder syndrome and atrial fibrillation. She underwent hydrodistension remarkable for hematuria without temporary discontinuation of Dabigatran. Subsequently, patient was admitted to the hospital secondary to anemia and hemorrhagic cystitis.
Drosophila melanogaster as a complementary system for studying HIV‐1‐related genes and proteins

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) persists as a pandemic even though new information about the virus is being discovered on a daily basis. If the brain becomes infected, HIV-1 encephalitis or HIV-1-associated dementia may develop. There is much to be learned about the modes of action and mechanisms of genes and proteins, and their interactions that underlie HIV-1 infection. Drosophila melanogaster has been used successfully to study genes and proteins related to HIV-1 infection, including but not limited to the disturbance of antimicrobial responses by viral protein U and the identification of D. melanogaster analogs to the serine palmitoyltransferase 5 and 6 proteins that play a role in activation of transcription by the HIV-1 Tat protein in human cells. We believe that utilizing D. melanogaster as a complementary system for the study of genes and proteins related to HIV-1 infection will provide useful information that will lead to new studies designed to enhance our understanding of the mechanistic roles of these molecules. In the present study, we focus on the utilization of D. melanogaster as a complementary system for studying HIV-1 related genes and proteins, why this research should be extended, and why this complementary system is an important method for enhancing our understanding of the genetics involved in HIV-1 infection.
Plasma membrane calcium pumps in mouse olfactory sensory neurons

We report here the presence of specific plasma membrane calcium pumps (PMCAs) in mouse olfactory sensory neurons. All 4 isoforms are present as shown by deconvolution microscopy, and the specific splice variants are identified by reverse transcriptase (RT)–polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PMCAs are present on the cell body, dendrite, knob, and cilia, but the different isoforms of PMCAs are not identical in their distributions. The PMCAs are positioned to play a role in calcium clearance after stimulation.
CFD Challenge: Modeling Blood Flow Dynamics in a Cerebral Aneurysm Using Fluent

The Biofluids Laboratory at the University of Akron has used Fluent [Ansys Inc., Canonsburg, PA] for image-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of physiological flows since the lab’s inception in 2008. Recently our group has focused on modeling of pathophysiological problems in cerebrospinal fluid motion and air flow in the trachea, in addition to past work in cardiovascular problems.© 2012 ASME
Multinationality and performance: A synthetic review and research agenda

This paper provides a reflective and synthetic review of the literature on the relationship between a firm's multinationality and performance. It revisits the main theories and demonstrates a gradual shift from the traditionally equilibrium-oriented theorization to the recent dynamics-oriented perspectives. It also examines the current status of empirical inquiry and identifies some important voids. The following areas are highlighted for further conceptual development and empirical investigation: (1) conceptual refinement and measurement of multinationality as a construct; (2) cost-efficiency implications of multinationality; (3) impact of internationalization motivations on both multinationality and performance; (4) two-way relationships between multinationality and performance; and (5) moderating roles of important external and internal contextual factors.
Adolescent Catatonia Successfully Treated with Lorazepam and Aripiprazole

Catatonia is especially concerning in children and adolescents. It leads to significant impairment, including emotional distress, difficulty communicating, and other debilitating symptoms. In this case report, we discuss a patient with no previous history of neuroleptic medication or psychotic symptoms, presenting with first-episode catatonia in the presence of disorganized, psychotic thoughts. We then review the catatonia syndrome, citing examples in the literature supporting its underdiagnosis in children and adolescents, and discuss successful treatment modalities. It is important to diagnose and treat catatonia as efficiently as possible, to limit functional and emotional distress to the patient.
Standard 3-components of type SL(4, 2)

Abstract Aschbacher's recent work on finite simple groups G with e ( G ) = 3 has led to the following problem. Find all finite simple groups G which contain an element b of order 3 such that C ( b ) contains a normal quasi-simple subgroup L with L Z(L)≅ SL(4, 2) and such that certain further conditions hold. This paper solves that problem.
Comparison of Solutions from Parabolic and Hyperbolic Models for Transient Heat Conduction in Semi-Infinite Medium

The expression for the transient temperature during damped wave conduction and relaxation developed by Baumeister and Hamill by the method of Laplace transforms was further integrated. A Chebyshev polynomial approximation was used for the integrand with a modified Bessel composite function in space and time. A telescoping power series leads to a more useful expression for the transient temperature. By the method of relativistic transformation, the transient temperature during damped wave conduction and relaxation was developed. There are four regimes to the solution. These include: (i) a regime comprising a Bessel composite function in space and time, (ii) another regime comprising a modified Bessel composite function in space and time, (iii) the temperature solution at the wave front was also developed separately, and (iv) the fourth regime at a given location X in the medium is at times less than the inertial thermal lag time. In this regime, the temperature was found to be unchanged at the initial condition. The solution for the transient temperature from the method of relativistic transformation is compared side by side with the solution for the transient temperature from the method of Chebyshev economization. Both solutions are within 12% of each other. For conditions close to the wave front, the solution from the Chebyshev economization is expected to be close to the exact solution and was found to be within 2% of the solution from the method of relativistic transformation. Far from the wave front, i.e., close to the surface, the numerical error from the method of Chebyshev economization is expected to be significant and verified by a specific example. The solution for transient surface heat flux from the parabolic Fourier heart conduction model and the hyperbolic damped wave conduction and relaxation models are compared with each other. For τ > 1/2 the parabolic and hyperbolic solutions are within 10% of each other. The parabolic model has a “blow-up” as τ → 0, and the hyperbolic model is devoid of singularities. The transient temperature from the Chebyshev economization is within an average of 25% of the error function solution for the parabolic Fourier heat conduction model. A penetration distance beyond which there is no effect of the step change in the boundary is predicted using the relativistic transformation model.
Hospital charges for a community inpatient palliative care program.

Defining financial parameters of palliative care (PC) is important for providing sustainable programming. In our study, we evaluated hospital length of stay (LOS) and charges for the first 164 inpa...
High frequency of tetrahydrobiopterin-responsiveness among hyperphenylalaninemias: a study of 1919 patients observed from 1988 to 2002

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4))-responsive hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) is a recently described variant of phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency. In contrast to patients with classical phenylketonuria, these patients respond to BH(4) loading tests (20mg/kg) with decrease of plasma phenylalanine levels 4 and 8 h after administration and they can be treated with BH(4) monotherapy. We retrospectively evaluated 1,919 loading tests from 33 different countries performed in our laboratory between 1988 and 2002 of which 278 loading tests were performed with 6R-BH(4), which is about 33% more active than the formerly used 6R,S-BH(4). The loading tests were performed between the ages of one week and 4.6 years, using 2.6-30.0 mg 6R,S- or 6R-BH(4)/kg. Plasma phenylalanine levels before the test ranged from 121 to 4,705 micromol/L. We calculated the phenylalanine "hydroxylation rate" 4 and 8 h after BH(4) administration and plotted the slope of the hydroxylation rate against the phenylalanine levels at time 0. The slope was greater than 3.75 in 65, 74, 33, 17, 0, and 10% of patients with basal phenylalanine levels of 120-400, 400-800, 800-1,200, 1,200-1,600, 1,600-2,200, and >2,200 micromol/L, respectively, when loaded with 20 mg 6R-BH(4)/kg (p>0.0001). This is 5-20 times higher compared with tests using 6R,S-BH(4) or lower doses of BH(4). More than 70% of patients with mild HPA (<800 micromol/L) are found to be BH(4) responders. Therapy with BH(4) (approximately 10mg/kg/day) was initiated in several patients instead of a low-phenylalanine diet, resulting in much better treatment compliance. Our data further demonstrate that BH(4) loading tests can only distinguish between BH(4) responders and non-responders. To differentiate between BH(4) and phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiencies additional tests are essential.
Multi-environment model estimation for motility analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans.

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a well-known model organism used to investigate fundamental questions in biology. Motility assays of this small roundworm are designed to study the relationships between genes and behavior. Commonly, motility analysis is used to classify nematode movements and characterize them quantitatively. Over the past years, C. elegans' motility has been studied across a wide range of environments, including crawling on substrates, swimming in fluids, and locomoting through microfluidic substrates. However, each environment often requires customized image processing tools relying on heuristic parameter tuning. In the present study, we propose a novel Multi-Environment Model Estimation (MEME) framework for automated image segmentation that is versatile across various environments. The MEME platform is constructed around the concept of Mixture of Gaussian (MOG) models, where statistical models for both the background environment and the nematode appearance are explicitly learned and used to accurately segment a target nematode. Our method is designed to simplify the burden often imposed on users; here, only a single image which includes a nematode in its environment must be provided for model learning. In addition, our platform enables the extraction of nematode ‘skeletons’ for straightforward motility quantification. We test our algorithm on various locomotive environments and compare performances with an intensity-based thresholding method. Overall, MEME outperforms the threshold-based approach for the overwhelming majority of cases examined. Ultimately, MEME provides researchers with an attractive platform for C. elegans' segmentation and ‘skeletonizing’ across a wide range of motility assays.
Quantitative Assessment of Environmental and Economic Benefits of Recycled Materials in Highway Construction

The benefits of using recycled materials in highway pavements was assessed quantitatively by conducting life-cycle analysis and life-cycle cost analysis on pavements consisting of conventional and recycled materials for a highway construction project in Wisconsin. Results of the analysis indicate that using recycled materials in the base and subbase layers of a pavement can result in reductions in global warming potential (20%), energy consumption (16%), water consumption (11%), and hazardous waste generation (11%) while also extending the service life of the pavement. In addition, using recycled materials in the base and subbase layers can result in a life-cycle cost savings of 21%. The savings are even greater if landfill avoidance costs are considered for the recycled materials incorporated in the pavement. Extrapolation of the benefits to conditions nationwide indicates that modest changes in pavement design to incorporate recycled materials can contribute substantially to the emission reductions requ...
Molecular cloning and characterization of α1-soluble guanylyl cyclase gene promoter in rat pituitary cells

Soluble guanylyl cyclase is a cytosolic enzyme which catalyzes conversion of GTP to the second messenger cyclic GMP. The transcriptional regulation at the promoter levels offour soluble guanylyl cyclase subunits, termed a1, a2, b1, and b2, is largely unknown. In this study, we identified the transcription start site of a1-soluble guanylyl cyclase gene in rat pituitary cells and cloned the 3. 5k b 5 0 -promoter. Sequence analysis of this TATA-less promoter revealed the presence of several putative-binding sites for transcriptional factors, including CCAAT site at K41 to K32 and Sp1 site at K34 to K24. Transfection of pituitary cells with constructs of variable lengths confirmed the relevance of different promoter regions in the control of transcriptional activity. Among them, the K49 to C156 region was critical for basal transcriptional activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay using nuclear proteins extracted from normal and immortalized pituitary cells indicated that the CCAAT/Sp1 site within the K49 to C156 region was able to specifically interact with CCAAT-binding factor and Sp1. These two sites were partly overlapped and both of them conferred stimulatory effects. The in vivo recruitment of CCAAT-binding factor and Sp1 was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. These results indicate that the composite CCAAT/Sp1 cis-element contributes to the expression of a1-sGC subunit in resting pituitary cells.
A new design of a fast barrel switch network

A new implementation of the barrel switch with a speedup of 20-30% as compared to that of the prior barrel switch design is proposed in this paper. Domino CMOS is used to implement the design, which can shift or rotate 32-b data to the left or right by any number of bit positions between 0 and 31. The principles behind the design, timing and area comparisons, layout, simulation, and test results are presented. The area required for laying out the entire circuit was 4.2 mm*3.2 mm. The critical path delay of the circuit was 27.53 ns. This compares very favorably with the 62 ns that was reported by S. M. Kang (1987). A novel feature of the design is the reduction in the number of stages for shifting from six to four, resulting in a 30% increase in speed. >
Multilevel approaches for large-scale proteomic networks

Our multilevel algorithms aim to improve existing graph clustering algorithms which predict protein complexes in large-scale proteomic networks, which are represented as unweighted graphs. Current matching based multilevel algorithms are hampered by low-quality of grouping (coarsening) even though they dramatically reduce computational time. We present a multilevel algorithm with structured analysis of unweighted networks which constructs high-quality groups of nodes merged before applying a clustering algorithm. A 2-core network of a proteomic network is constructed by removing all nodes which have degree less than two recursively. Our multilevel algorithm builds a series of smaller (or coarser) networks from the 2-core network by searching highly dense subgraphs in each level and then a clustering algorithm is applied. The clustering results are passed to the original network with additional fine tuning. All leftover nodes outside the 2-core network are added back after the multilevel algorithm. Compared to existing multilevel algorithm, our multilevel algorithm on 2-core networks shows that nodes in coarser networks have higher accuracy in all supernodes, and clustering results show up to 15% (mostly around 10%) improvements. Moreover, our clustering algorithm uses only one or two levels, so it is free from deciding the number of levels to expect best results.
A New Gene Family (ariel) Encodes Asparagine-Rich Entamoeba histolytica Antigens, Which Resemble the Amebic Vaccine Candidate Serine-Rich E. histolytica Protein

A family of genes, called ariel, are named for and encode asparagine-rich Entamoeba histolytica antigens containing 2 to 16 octapeptide repeats. Ariel proteins, which are constitutively expressed by trophozoites, belong to a large antigen family that includes the serine-rich E. histolytica protein (SREHP), an amebic vaccine candidate.
A suite of prototype CAD tools to support early phases of architectural design

A suite of prototype CAD (computer-aided design) tools has been developed as part of an educational experiment in which an architectural design studio course was combined with a computer science graduate course on architectural CAD to study the collaboration between architects and their clients in a computer-based environment. The suite of tools is based on formalized abstractions inspired by lessons learned in the VLSI (very large-scale integrated circuit) CAD revolution of the 1980s. It encourages a step-by-step transformation of a building program, first into symbolic representations that can be checked and evaluated with automated programs, and eventually into simple but consistent 3-D (three-dimensional) geometry that can be inspected with an interactive walk-through visualization program.
Predictors of Sustained Prescription Opioid Use After Admission for Trauma in Adolescents.

Abstract Purpose The study objectives are to describe the longitudinal trajectory of prescription opioid use among adolescents requiring a trauma admission and then identify predictors of sustained opioid use. Methods Randomly sampled adolescents (12–18 years) admitted to a Level I trauma center were surveyed. Follow-up assessments were obtained at 2, 5, and 12 months. Self-reported prescription opioid use, defined as "taking an opioid prescribed by a physician," was obtained at baseline and every follow-up time point. At the baseline interview, validated mental health measures and pain scales were obtained as well as preinjury substance use. A fixed-effects mixed Poisson regression analysis was performed to predict prescription opioid use over time. Results A total of 120 adolescents (mean age 15.5 years [1.9 standard deviation], 75% male) completed the baseline interview with 98% follow-up at 12 months. At baseline, 7% of adolescents reported prescription opioid use before their trauma, with rates of prescription opioid use of 52% at 2 months, 13.3% at 5 months, and 12.5% at 12 months after discharge. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and injury severity score, those with sustained prescription opioid use were more likely to report preinjury marijuana use and higher baseline pain scores. Conclusions Approximately one in eight adolescents (12.5%) was using prescription opioids 12 months after injury hospitalization. Readily identifiable risk factors predicted sustained prescription opioid use, including preinjury marijuana use and baseline pain score. Screening for substance use including marijuana at the time of injury could help identify patients at risk for both substance use problems and sustained prescription opioid use.
Palliative Pharmacotherapy: State-of-the-Art Management of Symptoms in Patients With Cancer.

BackgroundAdvanced cancer produces multiple symptoms as patients progress through their disease trajectory. Identifying, measuring, and providing therapy for uncontrolled symptoms becomes important...
American Economic Preparations for War, 1914-1917 and 1939-1941

My purpose in this paper is to indicate the extent to which the United States seems to have learned something from history as regards the economic problems incident to the preparation for war by comparing the preparations made during the period of neutrality in 1914-17 with those of the corresponding period of 1939-41, though I shall at points go beyond the neutrality period. The topic is a wide-ranging one and in the time available I can only hope to touch rather sketchily upon the more important aspects of the problem. I shall not attempt any analysis of the factors which explain the greater results secured during the last two years than in the earlier period of neutrality, involving such things as the attitude of the administration, of Congress, and of the public, as well as the fact that so many of the generation that faced the problems of the last war are still alive, in marked contrast to the situation in 1861 or 1914, for to do this would carry me too far afield. I shall treat the subject topically under the headings of the chief economic problems of war. These chief problems are: first, getting the goods and services required for fighting; second, providing for the essential needs of the civilian population; third, devising means to enable the government to pay for these goods and services, the problem of war finance. Sometimes a fourth problem is added to this list, that of preparing to meet and to minimize the inevitable post-war readjustments. While I think this last should be classed as a peace-time problem still it is one which should properly be held in mind in shaping war-time policy, but it must be kept strictly subordinated to the problems involved in the effort to win the war.
Alexis De Tocqueville's Ancient Modern Liberty

Tocqueville’s discovery of a muscular, participatory citizenship in the United States is well known, as is his argument that such citizenship is vital to the success of democracy. This has been a source of both self-congratulation and anxiety among Americans, the anxiety stemming from worries about the progressive loss of this type of citizenship in the years since Tocqueville wrote. These anxieties should prompt us to reflect on how unusual is Tocqueville’s notion of democratic liberty among thinkers in the modern age. Montesquieu inaugurated, and Benjamin Constant took up in Tocqueville’s time, a distinction between “ancient” and “modern” liberty, according to which modern liberty was emphatically divorced from the vigorous, participatory liberty of the ancient world. Against this backdrop, Tocqueville’s description, and prescription, of vigorous, participatory citizenship appears as a dissent from accepted views. I look at Tocqueville’s Ancien Regime and Democracy in America, together with Montesquieu and Constant, to clarify his position. Tocqueville’s neo-classic civic ideal owes something to Rousseau, but it is more apt to call it a new synthesis of the classical and the modern. The nature of this synthesis (and its ultimate plausibility) has important implications for anxieties over the state of American democracy today.
A Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical True Triaxial Cell for Evaluation of the Impact of Anisotropy on Thermally Induced Volume Changes in Soils

This paper describes a new thermo-hydro-mechanical true triaxial cell used for the evaluation of the impact of stress-induced anisotropy on thermally induced volume changes in saturated soils. Specifically, details of the experimental setup, instrumentation, thermal calibration of the device, experimental procedures, and typical measurements are presented in this paper. Principal stresses were applied to the sides of a cubical specimen with a side length of 178 mm independently using flexible bladders, while the pore water pressure and temperature were controlled at the top and bottom of the specimen using rigid plates with embedded heaters and fluid control ports. In the testing program, temperatures between 25 and 65 °C were applied in stages to four different specimens of compacted bonny silt which had been consolidated to different initial anisotropic stress states under quasi-plane strain conditions. Consistent volumetric contraction was measured in each of the specimens during heating, regardless of the initial stress state. However, for specimens with a greater initial principal stress difference, the soil was observed to expand in the direction of the minor principal axis and contract in the direction of the major principal stress during heating. Relatively consistent elastic volumetric and axial contraction was noted during cooling regardless of initial stress state. The results from this preliminary investigation indicate the importance of measuring the impact of temperature changes in the directions of anisotropic stresses as part of the design of thermally active geotechnical systems.
Abstract A4: CXCR3-B-mediated signaling suppresses c-MET-mediated angiogenic signals through the down-regulation of HO-1 and VEGF expression

Chemokine receptor CXCR3 gene encodes two splice variants with opposite functions; CXCR3-A promotes cell growth whereas CXCR3-B is growth inhibitory. Down-regulation of CXCR3-B promotes survival of many cancer cell types including Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) cells. However, the molecular signaling events that mediate down-regulation of CXCR3-B are not fully understood. Growth factors mediated signaling events govern Alternative Splicing (AS) of genes. The receptor tyrosine kinase c-MET is over-expressed in RCC cells and signaling through its ligand Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) can play a major role in the growth and survival of tumor. In this study, we investigated the role of c-MET-mediated signaling in the modulation of AS of CXCR3 gene and analyzed the impact of CXCR3-B-mediated growth inhibitory signals on c-MET-mediated angiogenic pathway in RCC cells. We found that HGF treatment down-regulated CXCR3-B expression in both primary renal epithelial (RPTEC) and RCC (786-O and ACHN) cells. We found that c-MET-mediated signaling increased the expression of gene AS regulating protein SAM68 (also a prognostic marker for RCC) and modulated the association of SAM68 with CXCR3 gene. Utilizing gene over expression approach, we found that CXCR3-B-mediated signaling down-regulated the expression of cytoprotective molecule Hemeoxygenease-1 (HO-1) and angiogenic factor VEGF at both transcription and protein levels. We also found that CXCR3-B-mediated signaling down-regulated c-MET-induced secretion of angiogenic factors from RCC cells, as observed by the decrease in the tube formation ability of endothelial (HUVEC) cells grown with supernatant obtained from CXCR3-B over-expressing RCC cells culture. Together, we suggest that CXCR3-B-mediated signaling acts as a checkpoint for c-MET-mediated angiogenic signals in RCC. We propose a novel function for c-MET-mediated signaling in promoting angiogenesis in renal cancer cells through the down-regulation of CXCR3-B expression. Citation Format: Murugabaskar Balan, Soumitro Pal. CXCR3-B-mediated signaling suppresses c-MET-mediated angiogenic signals through the down-regulation of HO-1 and VEGF expression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr A4.
Clinical Case #1: James

James is an 84-year-old retired ironworker. He is referred by his primary care provider. James has a 10-year history of intermittent lower back pain that he says sometimes refers into the bilateral buttocks. The pain has been slowly getting worse in the last 2 years and finally he told his primary care doctor about it because the pain has been preventing him from going for walks, which is something he loves to do. He can walk about a block before the pain starts to get bad, and at a block and a half, James feels that he has to sit down because of the pain. The pain is much worse with standing and often he has no pain with sitting.
A Unified Theory of Union of Subspaces Representations for Period Estimation

Several popular period estimation techniques use union-of-subspaces models to represent periodic signals. The main idea behind these techniques is to compare the components of the signal along a set of subspaces representing different periods. Such techniques were shown to offer important advantages over traditional methods, such as those based on DFT. So far, most of these subspace techniques have been developed independent of each other, and there has not been a unified theory analyzing them from a common perspective. In this paper, all such methods are first unified under one general framework. Further, several fundamental aspects of such subspaces are investigated, such as the conditions under which a generic set of subspaces offers unique periodic decompositions, their minimum required dimensions, etc. A number of basic questions in the context of dictionaries spanning periodic signals are also answered. For example, what is the theoretically minimum number of atoms required in any type of dictionary, in order to be able to represent periods 1 ≤ P≤ P_(max)? For each period P, what should be the minimum dimension of the subspace of atoms representing the Pth period itself? Unlike in traditional Fourier dictionaries, it is shown that nonuniform and compact grids are crucial for period estimation. Interestingly, it will be seen that the Euler totient function from number theory plays an important role in providing the answers to all such questions.
Emphasizing space efficiency in a computer science curriculum: faculty poster abstract

The study of computational complexity is a central aspect of every computer science curriculum. However, most programming and algorithm design courses and textbooks - even those dedicated to complexity theory (see, e.g. [1]) - focus primarily on analyzing, classifying, and reducing the time complexity of algorithms, whereas space complexity is typically given little or no attention. We propose that space efficiency be given greater emphasis in computer science courses, and that new programmers are encouraged to be mindful of the scalability and robustness of their programs with regard to space. In support of this argument, we list a number of settings in which space efficient algorithms are necessary or advantageous, and discuss important practical and theoretical problems related to space efficiency.
The New Inequality of Old Age: Implications for Law

Inequality isn’t just for the young anymore. People over age sixty-five face large and growing inequalities in health, wealth, work, and family. The widening gap between better- and worse-off older Americans has begun to undermine legal institutions that once worked to correct inequality, including Social Security, Medicare, private pensions, and family law. In this Article, I briefly document the inequalities that have transformed old age in the last fifty years (or so) and then analyze three common justifications for reform: budget solvency, inequality, and progressivity. I show that each of these falls short of the kind of principled justification that will be needed to justify cutting benefits, raising taxes, or both.
Revisiting Financial Derivatives and Corporate Governance, with Varying Levels of Financial Distress: A Simultaneous Equations Framework

Firms respond differently to the level of financial distress faced by the firm (Purnanandam 2004, 2008). Similarly, financial constraints could have a varying effect on corporate governance risk management behavior. This study examines the monitoring effects of corporate governance on financial derivatives usage when controlling for different levels of financial distress and is an extension of an earlier paper on the subject (Tashfeen 2016). The results show that selective corporate governance mechanisms are sensitive to varying financial distress. When levels of leverage are considered, then the corporate governance-derivatives relationship either becomes insignificant or negative for audit committee size, CEO age, block holders, board size and board meetings. This suggests that varying intensities of financial distress need to be incorporated in studies where the risk management impacts of corporate governance are examined. The study uses a simultaneous equations model to examine the effects of leverage and derivatives decision simultaneously. It is the first study to consider levels of financial distress in a study of corporate governance-derivatives risk management and makes important contributions to the literature.
Pilot survey of a novel incentive to promote healthy behavior among school children and their parents.

Reversing the obesity epidemic has been a persistent global public health challenge, particularly among low socioeconomic status populations and racial/ethnic minorities. We developed a novel concept of community-based incentives to approach this problem in such communities. Applying this concept, we proposed a school intervention to promote obesity prevention in the U.S. We conducted a pilot survey to explore attitudes towards this future intervention. The survey was collected as a nonprobability sample (N = 137 school-aged children (5-12 years)) in northern California in July 2013. We implemented multivariable logistic regression analyses where the dependent variable indicated the intention to participate in the future intervention. The covariates included the body mass index (BMI) based weight categories, demographics, and others. We found that the future intervention is expected to motivate generally-high-risk populations (such as children and parents who have never joined a past health-improvement program compared to those who have completed a past health-improvement program (the odds-ratio (OR) = 5.84, p < 0.05) and children with an obese/overweight parent (OR = 2.72, p < 0.05 compared to those without one)) to participate in future obesity-prevention activities. Our analyses also showed that some subgroups of high-risk populations, such as Hispanic children (OR = 0.27, p < 0.05) and children eligible for a free or reduced price meal program (OR = 0.37, p < 0.06), remain difficult to reach and need an intensive outreach activity for the future intervention. The survey indicated high interest in the future school intervention among high-risk parents who have never joined a past health-improvement program or are obese/overweight. These findings will help design and implement a future intervention.
Tensile Behavior of Single PPTA Fibers Measured by the Kolsky Bar Using the Direct Fiber Clamping Method

The Kolsky bar test has been widely used in measuring material behavior under high strain rate conditions. In particular, this methodology has been used to characterize the high strain rate behavior of polymer and polymer composites during ballistic impact. Chen et al. measured the tensile properties of single poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) fibers at high strain rates by gluing the fiber directly to the Kolsky bar. However, the application of this technique is somewhat limited because of the time-consuming nature of the gluing procedure [1]. Due to the highly stochastic nature of fiber tensile strength, large test-sample sizes are required to analyze distributions of fiber properties such as tensile strength, modulus, and strain-to-failure. The authors have investigated the direct gripping method to facilitate high throughput single fiber tensile testing at high strain rates. As an extension of these efforts, the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) platens used for directly gripping the fibers are replaced here by rubber platens to assess the impact of the platen material properties on the stress transfer from the Kolsky bar to the fiber at high strain rates. In this study, the system compliance for the PMMA grips is measured under the quasi-static condition to assess the stress transfer from the grip and to correct the modulus and failure strain of the fiber. In preliminary tests using a PMMA grip, the system compliance was obtained by the 5, 10 and 60 mm gauge lengths. These data will be compared with similar data using the rubber grips to investigate the influence of the gripping material properties.
Bedside spirometry in a tertiary care hospital: the cleveland clinic experience.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to outpatient, laboratory testing, which is performed by a small, dedicated group of pulmonary function technologists, inpatient, bedside spirometry at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital is performed less frequently and by a larger group of respiratory therapists with broader responsibilities. A 1998 audit of bedside spirometry tests at our hospital showed that American Thoracic Society acceptability and reproducibility criteria were infrequently met (15% of instances). METHODS: To address that shortcoming, we initiated an improvement plan for bedside spirometry that included: (1) A didactic review of American Thoracic Society acceptability and reproducibility criteria that was videotaped and reviewed by all but one of the therapists performing spirometry; (2) limiting the number of operators to a core group to allow more tests per therapist; (3) producing printouts of the pulmonary function tests, which allows immediate review of volume-time and flow-volume curves; (4) central review of all tests by a pulmonary function technologist and feedback and constructive suggestions on test quality and reproducibility to operators. After initiating the program we performed a consecutive survey of all inpatient spirometry sessions performed from July 16, 1998, to March 2, 1999. RESULTS: During the survey period, 63.5% of the tests (n = 137) were deemed acceptable, exceeding the low baseline rate of 15% (p < 0.001). Values for forced expiratory volume in the first second were reproducible in 83.9% of sessions. Values for forced vital capacity were reproducible in 80.3% of sessions. CONCLUSION: A quality improvement program for bedside spirometry testing that emphasizes training and routine feedback on test quality can enhance the quality of inpatient spirometry testing.
Effects of Episodic Alcohol Exposure on BMP2 Signaling During Tibia Fracture Healing.

Objectives To explore how alcohol affects the BMP-2 signaling pathway, which is known to play a critical role in bone and cartilage formation during fracture healing. Methods A rat model was used to demonstrate the detrimental effects of alcohol exposure on tibia fracture healing. Specific components of the BMP-2 pathway were analyzed in fracture callus on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after fracture via western immunoassays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Alcohol exposure before tibia fracture demonstrated attenuation of downstream BMP-2 signaling. The BMP-2 antagonist, Chordin, may be the central component of the BMP-2-related changes demonstrated in this study. Although alcohol affected BMP-related proteins at all time points, it seems that day 14 after fracture is a critical time point for alcohol-related modulation of callus formation in our model. Conclusions This study may provide the scientific basis for further studies addressing whether the application of exogenous BMP-2 in patients with a history of alcohol abuse who sustain long bone fractures may or may not be of benefit.
Transport simulation of a field-reversed configuration plasma

A numerical simulation of the evolution of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasma is described. The calculation proceeds by alternating between a two-dimensional axisymmetric equilibrium calcu...
Diet-induced obesity precipitates kidney dysfunction and alters inflammatory mediators in mice treated with Shiga Toxin 2.

Abstract Shiga Toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli (STEC) continue to be a prominent cause of foodborne outbreaks of hemorrhagic colitis worldwide, and can result in life-threatening diseases, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), in susceptible individuals. Obesity-associated immune dysfunction has been shown to be a risk factor for infectious diseases, although few studies have addressed the role of obesity in foodborne diseases. We hypothesized that obesity may affect the development of HUS through an alteration of immune responses and kidney function. We combined diet-induced obese (DIO) and HUS mouse models to look for differences in disease outcome between DIO and wild-type (WT) male and female C57 B l/6 mice. Following multiple intraperitoneal injections with endotoxin-free saline or sublethal doses of purified Stx2, we examined DIO and WT mice for signs of HUS development. DIO mice receiving Stx2 injections lost more body weight, and had significantly higher (p
Association between primary tumor site, perioperative CEA ratio, and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

518Background: There are differences in the incidence, clinical presentation, molecular pathogenesis and outcome of colorectal cancer (CRC) based on the tumor location. Emerging research suggests t...