cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Back to the Future: A Framework for Automatic Malware Removal and System Repair

Malware, software with malicious intent, has emerged as a widely-spread threat to system security. It is difficult to detect malware reliably because new and polymorphic malware programs appear frequently. It is also difficult to remove malware and repair its damage to the system because it can extensively modify a system. We propose a novel framework for automatically removing malware from and repairing its damage to a system. The primary goal of our framework is to preserve system integrity. Our framework monitors and logs untrusted programs' operations. Using the logs, it can completely remove malware programs and their effects on the system. Our framework does not require signatures or other prior knowledge of malware behavior. We implemented this framework on Windows and evaluated it with seven spyware, trojan horses, and email worms. Comparing our tool with two popular commercial anti-malware tools, we found that our tool detected all the malware's modifications to the system detected by the commercial tools, but the commercial tools overlooked up to 97% of the modifications detected by our tool. The runtime and space overhead of our prototype tool is acceptable. Our experience suggests that this framework offers an effective new defense against malware.
Enhanced superplastic deformation of 2 mol % yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals-alumina composite by liquid-forming additives

A recent study has shown that the addition of a small amount (0.3-1.0mo1%) of liquid phase-forming CuO greatly enhances superplastic deformation of 2 mol % yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (2Y-TZP) [1]. The superplastic deformation in that system is accompanied by changes in the stress exponent and in the activation energy across the melting temperature of the liquid phase, corresponding to a shift in deformation mechanism from diffusion-control to interface-control [1]. In this letter we report the superplastic deformation behaviour of a 2Y-TZP'20 wt % A120 3 composite (denoted as Z20A) doped with 0.7 mol% liquidforming additives which exhibits a significantly enhanced deformability and a similar temperaturedependent characteristic to that of CuO-doped 2Y-TZP.
Synthesis of the 13,14-diazasteroid ring system

l-Vinyl-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalene (1) reacted with azo dienophiles to form cyclo-adducts II, III, IV, and V. The reaction of adduct II with bromine resulted in the aromatization of the B ring to form the cycloadduct VIII.
Influence of Temporal Variation in Wall Shear Stress on Intima‐Media Thickening in Arteriovenous Fistulae

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure is mainly due to venous stenosis characterized by significant amount of intima-media thickening (IMT), probably in the presence of negative (inward) remodeling. Our hypothesis is that the longitudinal changes in wall shear stress (WSS) within different configurations of AVF can influence remodeling factors (changes in luminal diameter (ΔDh ) and IMT) during its maturation process. Dh is an equivalent diameter for a noncircular conduit. A total of six AVFs with curved (C-AVF; n = 3) and straight (S-AVF; n = 3) configurations were created between the femoral artery and vein of three pigs, bilaterally. CT scans and ultrasounds were utilized to calculate local WSS at 2D (D: days), 7D, and 28D postsurgery. For each AVF, IMT was measured at four regions along the vein using morphometric analyses. At these regions, repeated measurements of WSS and luminal diameter of each AVF were obtained over time. The ΔD(h) between 7D and 28D was significantly larger for C-AVF than for S-AVF (2.27 ± 0.67 mm vs. 0.02 ± 0.55 mm; p < 0.05). Also, at 28D the amount of IMT in C-AVF (77.46 ± 7.10 units) was significantly greater (p < 0.05) when compared with S-AVF (53.71 ± 8.23 units). These structural changes were accompanied by significantly different gradients of WSS over time (τ') for C-AVF (-0.56 ± 0.60 dyne/cm(2)/day) in comparison with S-AVF (0.71 ± 0.39 dyne/cm(2)/day). Negative τ' for C-AVF corresponded to reduction in WSS level over time resulting in a physiological level of WSS at 28D (4.08 ± 5.08 dyne/cm(2)). In contrast, a positive τ' for S-AVF was associated with the increase in WSS levels over time causing high levels of WSS at 28D (36.68 ± 5.32 dyne/cm(2)). The decrease in WSS levels for the C-AVF over time was associated with outward remodeling of the venous wall (favorable to maturation). In contrast, for S-AVF, the increase in WSS levels over time was associated with inward remodeling and subsequently, venous stenosis. Thus, temporal gradients of WSS, which could be altered by the surgical configuration of AVF, may provide important information on the remodeling behavior of AVFs. Identification of an optimal AVF configuration, which results in a temporal decrease in WSS and an outward remodeling of the venous wall, may reduce AVF maturation failure.
Effects of data quality and quantity in systems modelling: a case study

When constructing a probability distribution from incomplete and imprecise data, the effects of the quantity and the quality of the data are of serious concern in practical applications. Consider a situation when one is building a matrix of a joint probability distribution. For some events, the probabilities are available only approximately, and for the majority of the events they are not available at all. Traditionally, if the known values are exact values, this type of problem is dealt with by maximizing the Shannon entropy of the distribution while using the known values as constraints. In this case, however, the available information is approximate and represented by fuzzy numbers. A multi-objective optimization method is proposed that employs the well-known principles of maximum and minimum uncertainty. In this method, the Shannon entropy is maximized and, in addition, the known elements whose membership grades are as high as possible are searched for. The method is applied to the construction of an ...
Odor-induced, activity-dependent transneuronal gene induction in vitro : mediation by NMDA receptors

Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) by juxtaglomerular (JG) neurons of the olfactory bulb (OB) requires innervation of the bulb by olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORN lesion selectively downregulates TH in JG neurons. In reversible odor deprivation, TH expression is downregulated as the naris is closed and then upregulated upon naris reopening. The mechanism or mechanisms regulating this dependence are unknown. TH expression could be regulated by trophic factor release and/or synaptic activity from ORN terminals. We investigated TH expression in cocultures of dissociated postnatal rat OB cells and embryonic olfactory neuroepithelium (OE) slice explants. TH-positive neurons in control dissociated OB cell cultures alone comprise only a small fraction of the total population of cells present in the culture. However, when OE slice explants are cocultured with dispersed OB cells, there is a mean 2.4-fold increase in the number of TH-positive neurons. ORNs in vivo use glutamate as a neurotransmitter. Broad spectrum excitatory amino acid antagonists (kyurenic acid) or selective antagonists of the NMDA receptor (APV) both prevent induction of TH expression in OE–OB cocultures. Furthermore, pulse application of NMDA stimulates TH expression in OB neurons in the absence of OE. In vitro , OB TH neurons express NMDA receptors, suggesting that NMDA stimulation is acting directly on TH neurons. Exposure of OE explants to natural odorants results in upregulation of TH, presumably through increased ORN activity, which could be blocked by APV. These findings indicate that odorant-stimulated glutamate release by ORN terminals regulates TH expression via NMDA receptors on JG dopaminergic neurons.
Tendon and neurovascular bundle displacement in the palm with hand flexion and extension: An MRI and gross anatomy correlative study†

This study evaluated the correlative use of MRI methods and gross anatomy to monitor tendon displacement in the central region of the palm at rest and during flexion and extension of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints with respect to the corresponding neurovascular bundles (NVBs). In all of the samples the neutral and extended positions showed the NVB to be palmar with respect to the flexor tendons, while during flexion tendon displacement caused the NVB to be dorsal to both the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons. T1-weighted MR images correlated with gross anatomical slides demonstrated that significant changes occur in the relative positions of the flexor tendons and associated NVBs of the palm upon flexion and extension. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. Published 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Rule selection, fuzzy logic and time series

It is difficult to extract trading rules for financial trading systems. One reason is that the data often leads to conflicting rules, i.e., rules that have the same left-hand side but different right hand side. In this paper, we explore ways to deal with the problem of inconsistent rules using US ten-years bond time series data. We explore Wang's method, and identify a particular shortcoming. In addition, we explore the use of frequency, and the last-in-sequence methods in choosing among inconsistent rules. We conclude that frequency can be used to develop short-term systems, while last-in-sequence produces overly biased rules. >
Chemical shift and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the anterior mediastinum in oncology: Current clinical applications in qualitative and quantitative assessment

Recently, the use of magnetic resonance (MR) in clinical practice for the evaluation of the anterior mediastinum has considerably increased due to technological improvements and standardization of thoracic protocols. Currently, MR imaging is increasingly seen as a useful problem-solving modality, especially in equivocal cases at computed tomography, with the advantage of a higher contrast resolution and no radiation exposure. Chemical shift and diffusion-weighted MR are helpful in tissue characterization and present advantages over conventional MR imaging, first in providing quantitative data, without the need for the administration of contrast medium. By detecting microscopic fat in tissue, chemical shift imaging is useful for differentiating normal thymus and rebound hyperplasia from cancer tissue at diagnosis and after chemotherapy in oncologic patients, and for distinguishing lymphoid hyperplasia from thymoma in autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis. Diffusion-weighted MR reflects diffusivity of water molecules within tissue and is increasingly used as a cancer biomarker, even in the thorax, for the detection and characterization of tumors, for their differentiation from benign conditions, and for monitoring treatment response. In this review, based on the current literature, technical considerations about image acquisition and data analysis of chemical shift and diffusion-weighted MR are discussed along with clinical applications in the field of benign and malignant disease of the anterior mediastinum.
Dual-Use Research of Concern (DURC) Review at American Society for Microbiology Journals and Its Effect on Other Organizations

The recent editorial by A. Casadevall, T. S. Dermody, M. J. Imperiale, R. M. Sandri-Goldin, and T. Shenk, “Dual-use research of concern (DURC) review at American Society for Microbiology Journals” (1), provided valuable practical information on the formal process that the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) family of journals uses to review manuscripts for dual-use research of concern (DURC). The information should be of use to other journal editors and publishers and their organizations, as well as to investigators and academic institutions. Sharing such information among these groups has been suggested …
Continuous Time Processes

There is a fundamental difference between the mathematical formulation of a discrete time stochastic process and a continuous time stochastic process. In discrete time, it is necessary to specify only the mechanism for transition from one state to another, and of course the initial state (distribution) of the system. For Markov chains, this consists of the transition matrix and the initial vector. Everything about the chain can, in principle, be deduced from this matrix and vector.
Abstract 2825: History of Cancer Predicts Mortality After Acute Endovascular Treatment for Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Endovascular treatment is an emerging therapy for acute ischemic stroke. There is no clear consensus about how best to select patients that may benefit from intervention. We conducted...
Responsible Resource Development and Prevention of Sex Trafficking: Safeguarding Native Women and Children on the Fort Berthold Reservation

In 2010, large deposits of oil and natural gas were found in the Bakken shale formation, much of which is encompassed by the Fort Berthold Indian reservation, home to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (“MHA Nation” or “Three Affiliated Tribes” or “the Tribe”). However, rapid oil and gas development has brought an unprecedented rise of violent crime on and near the Fort Berthold reservation. Specifically, the influx of well-paid male oil and gas workers, living in temporary housing often referred to as “man camps,” has coincided with a disturbing increase in sex trafficking of Native women. The social risks of oil development on American Indian reservations like Fort Berthold are distinct from development in other areas in the United States. The complex and shifting nature of federal Indian law presents legal and practical challenges to law enforcement in civil and criminal contexts. Further, the historical exploitation of Indian lands and people informs current social and economic conditions that contribute to increased sex trafficking of Native women and children. This paper begins by describing the intersection of sex trafficking and oil and gas development on the Fort Berthold reservation. Next, the paper describes the jurisdictional regime within federal Indian law and other barriers to law enforcement that have created a situation ripe for trafficking and other crime on the Fort Berthold reservation. Third, the paper will examine strategies to address this complex issue including: corporate engagement of relevant companies; tribal capacity and coalition building; and remedies contained in the Violence Against Women Act of 2014. This paper asserts that all of the stakeholders involved in oil development on the Fort Berthold reservation – federal, state, tribal, and public and private companies – must work cooperatively to decisively eliminate sex trafficking of Native women and children.
Maternal Education Level Predicts Cognitive, Language, and Motor Outcome in Preterm Infants in the Second Year of Life.

Objective To evaluate the relative impact of maternal education level (MEL) on cognitive, language, and motor outcomes at 20 months' corrected age (CA) in preterm infants. Study Design A total of 177 preterm infants born between 2008 and 2010 were tested at 20 months' CA using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III. Multiple regression analyses were done to determine the relative impact of MEL on cognitive, language, and motor scores. Results Infants born to mothers with high school MEL were 3.74 times more likely to have a subnormal motor index, while those born to mothers with some college and graduate school MEL had reduced odds (0.36 and 0.12, respectively) of having subnormal language index at 20 months. In linear regression, MEL was the strongest predictor of cognitive, language, and motor scores, and graduate school MEL was associated with increases in cognitive, motor, and language scores of 8.49, 8.23, and 15.74 points, respectively. Conclusions MEL is the most significant predictor of cognitive, language, and motor outcome at 20 months' CA in preterm infants. Further research is needed to evaluate if targeted interventions that focus on early childhood learning and parenting practices can ameliorate the impact of low MEL.
Gene Editing 20 Years Later

Directed modification of the genome is critical for interrogating gene function and can also be applied for gene therapy. Two decades ago a double-strand break (DSB) in the genome was discovered to induce efficient gene modification, either by homologous recombination with introduced DNA, i.e., gene targeting, or imprecise joining of DNA ends leading to mutagenesis. The accelerating development of technologies—meganucleases, ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas9— to introduce DSBs at specific sites in the genome for the purposes of modification is revolutionizing the biological and biomedical sciences. This chapter provides an overview of the research that led to these advances in gene editing and also summarizes DSB repair mechanisms in mammalian cells.
Determination of chlorpromazine hydrochloride residue in pig liver by HPLC

Objective:A sensitive HPLC method was developed for the rapid determination of chlorpromazine hydrochloride residue in pig liver.Methods: Samples were extracted with acetonitrile and cleaned up on an activated solid phase extraction column filled with alkaline alumina.The chlorpromazine hydeochloride was detected by HPLC after the procedure of being concentration and mixed.Results: In the of 0.2 μg/ml～1.5 μg/ml the standard curves for chlorpromazine hydrochloride were in good linearity and the correlation coefficients(r) were 0.9998.The recoveries were 93.6%～113.3 % and the relative standard deviation(RSD) were less than 7%(n=6).Conclusion: It is a rapid,accurate,precise,low-limit and hight-recovery method for the trace analysis of the chlorpromazine hydrochloride in pig liver.
WE-H-207A-01: Computational Evaluation of High-Resolution 18F Positron Imaging Using Radioluminescence Microscopy with Lu2O3: Eu Thin-Film Scintillator

Purpose: Radioluminescence microscopy, an emerging and powerful tool for high resolution beta imaging, has been applied to molecular imaging of cellular metabolism to understand tumor biology. A novel thin-film (10 µm thickness) scintillator made of Lu2O3: Eu has been developed to enhance the system performance. However the advances of radioluminescence imaging with Lu2O3scintillator compared with that using conventional scintillator have not been explored theoretically to date. To validate the advantages of the thin-film scintillator, this study uses a novel computational simulation framework to evaluate the performance of radioluminescence microscopy using both conventional and thin-film scintillators. Methods: Numerical models for different stages of positron imaging are established. Positron from 18F passing through the scintillator and its neighbor structures are modeled by Monte-Carlo simulation using Geant4. The propagation and focus of photons by the microscope are modeled by convolution with a depth-varying point spread function generated by the Gibson-Lanni model. Photons focused on the detector plane are then captured and converted into electronic signals by an electron multiplication (EM) CCD camera, which is described by a photosensor model considering various noises and charge amplification. Results: The performance metrics of radioluminescence imaging with a thin-film Lu2O3 and conventional CdWO4 scintillator are compared, including spatial resolution, sensitivity, positron track area and intensity. The spatial resolution of Lu2O3 system can achieve 10 µm maximally, a 12 µm enhancement from that obtained from CdWO4 system. Meanwhile, the system with Lu2O3 scintillator can provide a higher mean sensitivity: 40% compared with that (21.5%) obtained from CdWO4 system. Moreover, the simulation results are in good agreement with previous experimental measurements. Conclusion: This study provides a new theoretical understanding of our imaging system and has the potential to promote the development of radioluminescence microscopy for more reliable and robust application on the functional imaging of delicate biological structures. The authors acknowledge funding from NIH grant R01CA186275 and SBIR grant 1R43GM110888-01.
From Strings to Sets

A complete proof is given of relative interpretability of Adjunctive Set Theory with Extensionality in an elementary concatenation theory.
Virtuous Norms for Visual Arguers

This paper proposes that virtue theories of argumentation and theories of visual argumentation can be of mutual assistance. An argument that adoption of a virtue approach provides a basis for rejecting the normative independence of visual argumentation is presented and its premisses analysed. This entails an independently valuable clarification of the contrasting normative presuppositions of the various virtue theories of argumentation. A range of different kinds of visual argument are examined, and it is argued that they may all be successfully evaluated within a virtue framework, without invoking any novel virtues.
Combined Endoscopic and Open Approaches in the Management of Sinonasal and Ventral Skull Base Malignancies

Combined transcranial and endoscopic endonasal approaches remain useful in the treatment of ventral skull base malignancies. The extended bifrontal transbasal approach provides wide access to the anterior ventral skull base and paranasal sinuses without transfacial incisions. In more extensive lesions, the bifrontal transbasal approach can then be combined with an endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) from below. This article reviews the indications, surgical technique, and operative nuances of combined transbasal and EEA (cranionasal) approaches for the surgical management of ventral skull base malignancies.
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) markedly regulate tumor cell migration and invasion of three-dimensional collagen matrices

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 5638 Tumor cell migration and invasion through three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrices (ECMs) occurs via interactions between the cell and its environment. Here we describe two lipid signaling molecules, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). These compounds markedly stimulate cell migration and invasion and are more proficient at regulating tumor motility than growth factors (e.g. EGF, FGF, or HGF). Multiple tumor cell lines were tested for migratory ability in modified Boyden chamber assays using both LPA and S1P. Addition of toxins and adenovirally transfected cells helped identify downstream effectors. To assess invasive ability, cell lines were seeded on top of collagen matrices containing LPA and S1P. Invading cells were counted and visualized in cross-section. Nearly all cell lines tested strongly migrated in response to LPA and were inhibited by S1P. In contrast, the HT1080 fibrosarcoma migrated in response to both LPA and S1P. In most cases, pertussis toxin treatment inhibited cell migration in a dose dependent manner. Transfection with constitutively-active RhoA strongly reduced the migratory effect of LPA while dominant-negative RhoA reversed the inhibitory effect of S1P. C3-exoenzyme treatment also negated S1P inhibition and enhanced LPA-induced migration. In invasion assays in response to LPA, A2058 melanoma cells invaded moderately, while SKOV ovarian carcinoma and HEK293 showed little invasion- despite a marked ability of these cells to migrate in response to LPA. In contrast, HT1080 cells invaded dramatically into 3D collagen matrices in response to either LPA or S1P. Furthermore, S1P completely blocked invasion of A2058 melanoma cells. Treatment with matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors and the addition of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2, -3 and -4 fully inhibited LPA-induced invasion in HT1080 cells. TIMP-1 addition did not block LPA-induced invasion in HT1080 cells suggesting a critical role for membrane-type MMPs (MT-MMPs) in this process. In conclusion, we attribute a major role for both S1P and LPA in the regulation of tumor cell migration and invasion. In the latter case, the lipid-induced tumor invasive responses were entirely dependent on MT-MMPs as evidenced by blockade with TIMPs or synthetic MMP inhibitors (i.e. GM6001). We suggest that S1P and LPA act antagonistically, and a predominance of LPA or S1P will stimulate or inhibit migration, respectively. We believe that a loss of S1P inhibition may confer a pro-migratory or pro-invasive phenotype (e.g. HT1080 cells). Overall, our data suggests that LPA is a major stimulator of tumor cell migration and invasion of 3D ECMs, and in most cases, S1P inhibits these processes. We hypothesize that LPA stimulates MT-MMPs to coordinate the tumor invasion process.
HISTORY OF HEREDITARY NONPOLYPOSIS COLORECTAL CANCER OR “LYNCH SYNDROME”

RESUMEN Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC or “Lynch syndrome”), involving pathogenic variants in the Mismatch Repair (MMR) genes, is the most common inherited condition that predisposed to colorectal adenomas and colorectal cancer. In this chapter I review the history of HNPCC, from early case reports, to more systematic clinical information and clinical criteria, and finally to the discovery of the MMR genes themselves in 1993, including the key feature of microsatellite instability. This central role for microsatellite analysis of colorectal cancers involves a growing trend toward “universal testing” for evidence of MSI, whether by PCR methods or by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Even though such universal testing has not been completely adopted around the world, we are already evolving toward more routine use of multi-gene “panels” for germline MMR mutation detection. Under these circumstances, one may reasonably ask whether understanding the historical unfolding of clinical features of HNPCC is even relevant. As this chapter hopes to demonstrate, an appreciation of the landscape of HNPCC would not be complete without such a historical perspective, including the important role of Dr Henry Lynch over a lifetime of work in the field.
Investing in safety an analytical precautionary principle.

Abstract Problem : Governments and businesses must respond to increasing safety requirements and balance the associated costs with productivity and competing pressures. Method : A real options approach has been introduced for decision making in the private sector; this approach is adapted for regulatory decisions that can involve irreversible and uncertain safety impacts, social costs that differ from private costs, and differences in perception among the stakeholders. Result and Impact on Industry and Government : The outcome is an economic decision gage that determines if it is optimal to invest in safety even if the estimated costs significantly exceed the estimated benefits. Applications potentially include safety decisions related to aviation, ground transportation, pipelines, nuclear facilities, natural disaster planning, and terrorism, among others.
Characterization and Functions of the Natural Suppressor Cell Systems

Natural suppressor (NS) cells are potent, nonspecific, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-unrestricted inhibitors of immune responses. They have been characterized as having the “null” phenotype; i.e., they do not have the usual markers or characteristics of mature T cells, B Cells, or macrophages and are, for example, Thy-, Ig-, and nonadherent. They differ from natural killer (NK) cells in that they show no ability to kill NK targets such as YAC-1.
Making Attentive Citizens: The Ethics of Democratic Engagement, Political Equality, and Social Justice

Much discussion of the ethics of participation focuses on electoral participation and whether citizens are obligated or can be coerced to vote. Yet these debates have ignored that citizens must first pay attention to politics and make up their minds about where they stand before they can engage in any form of participation. This article considers the importance for liberal democracy of citizens paying attention to politics, or attentive citizenship. It argues that the democratic state has an obligation to cultivate interest in politics and that this obligation authorizes means up to and including some forms of coercion. The argument is that when citizens are inattentive to politics, it undermines political equality and social justice because it undermines what John Rawls called the fair value of the political liberties. The importance of these ends for liberal democratic states requires them to take steps to promote attentive citizenship.
Role of ionic strength in the thicknesses of the biopolymer fringes, spring constants, and Young's moduli of Pseudomonas putida

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to probe the mechanical properties of the soil microbe, Pseudomonas putida, as a function of the ionic strength (IS). By modeling the linear and nonlinear regimes of the AFM force-indentation data, the spring constant and the Young's modulus of the bacterial cell were estimated, respectively. In addition, the thickness of the biopolymer fringe that covers the bacterial surface was estimated as the transition distance between the linear and nonlinear regimes of a given force-indentation curve. The authors' results indicated that as the IS increased from 0.16 to 0.52 M, the bacterial spring constant remained unchanged, suggesting that the turgor pressure of the bacteria is unchanged in that range. This finding further suggests that P. putida arrives to osmotic equilibrium with its surroundings in the IS range of 0.16 and 0.52 M. Their results further indicated that as the IS increases from 0.02 to 0.52 M, the thickness of the biopolymer fringe decreased by ∼3-fold and ...
A recreational dose of methylphenidate, but not methamphetamine, decreases anxiety-like behavior in female rats.

Abstract Methylphenidate (MPH) and methamphetamine (METH) are two commonly abused psychomotor stimulants that impact anxiety, but in a manner that is currently unclear. This study adds to the literature by testing the effects of MPH and METH on anxiety in adult female rats, which has not previously been studied. In Experiment1, changes in anxiety-like behavior were determined using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) following either an acute injection of saline, METH (1 mg/kg), or MPH (10 mg/kg). Changes in general locomotion were measured using the open field test. MPH, but not METH, significantly decreased anxiety; MPH and METH were associated with increased activity in the open field. In Experiment2, we compared the effects of three once daily injections of saline to MPH (10 mg/kg) or METH (1 mg/kg). As with the acute dosing, repeated exposure to MPH, but not METH, decreased anxiety, and both drugs increased locomotion. Neither acute nor chronic dosing produced a change in locomotion during the EPM, indicating that the anxiolytic effects of MPH are independent of changes in locomotor behavior. These findings add further clarification to the literature investigating the psychoactive properties of MPH, with a special and needed emphasis on female behavior.
Spatial externalities and risk in interdependent security games

Individuals regularly invest in self-protection to reduce the risk of an adverse event. The effectiveness of self-protection often depends on the actions of other economic agents and can be modeled as a stochastic coordination game with multiple Pareto-ranked equilibria. We use lab experiments to analyze tacit coordination in stochastic games with two kinds of interdependencies in payoffs: “non-spatial” in which every agent’s action has an impact on the risk faced by every other agent, and “spatial” in which agents only impact the risk faced by their immediate neighbors. We also compare behavior in the stochastic games to deterministic versions of the same games. We find that coordination on the payoff-dominant equilibrium is significantly easier in the deterministic games than in the stochastic games and that spatial interdependencies lead to greater levels of coordination in the deterministic game but not in the stochastic game. The difficulty with coordination observed in the stochastic games has important implications for many real-world examples of interdependent security and also illustrates the importance of not relying on data from deterministic experiments to analyze behavior in settings with risk.
Exploring the brain with drugs.

The nature and distribution of drag-induced or dragmodified responses, in health and in disease or experimental approximations of similarly disturbed function, have been investigated. From the results it appears that: 1. A sensitive substrate of drag action is the neurohumorally-determined synaptic equilibrium, which is transiently disturbed by transmission and distorted by drugs. These act through their ability to mimic or alter the duration of action of the cholinergic, excitatory, or adrenergic and serotoninergic inhibitory neurohumors. 2. Cerebral synaptic responsiveness to drugs isqualitatively identical at various cerebral sites sampled, including the cortex, subcortex and brainstem. This, therefore, is a general characteristic which, however, exhibits markedquantitative differences. 3. Because of such differential thresholds, drugs can cause disruption of normal relations or equilibrium between parts of the brain, as with LSD, or, if appropriately used, can act to promote restoration of equilibrium, as with tranquilizers and antidepressants. 4. A concept of cerebral homeostasis can be equated with mental health and its disturbance with psychosis, which is then regarded as a failure of cerebral integration. Clinical yardsticks for measuring degrees of functional integration are proposed, which make use of subclinical doses of drugs to challenge cerebral homeostasis in quantified lever-pressing and perceptual aberration-tracking situations. Exploration of the brain with drugs allows also exploration of the mind, for which it is the substrate. Drugs may be used to increase understanding of cerebral function in health and disease and to assess functional disintegration, as in brain damage, aging, mental retardation and mental disturbance. Proposed clinical yardsticks based on this could be used for diagnosis, evaluation of therapy, screening populations for individuals in need of preventive or prophylactic care, and in evaluation of new drugs.
X-ray Swift observations of SN 2018cow

Supernova (SN) 2018cow (or AT2018cow) is an optical transient detected in the galaxy CGCG 137-068. It has been classified as a SN due to various characteristics in its optical spectra. The transient is also a bright X-ray source. We present results of the analysis of ~62ks of X-ray observations taken with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory over 27 days. We found a variable behavior in the 0.3-10 keV X-ray light curve of SN 2018cow, with variability timescales of days. The observed X-ray variability could be due to the interaction between the SN ejecta and a non-uniform circumstellar medium, perhaps related to previous mass ejections from a luminous-blue-variable-like progenitor.
Photocatalytic Activity: Experimental Features to Report in Heterogeneous Photocatalysis

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is a prominent area of research with major applications in solar energy conversion, air pollution mitigation, and removal of contaminants from water. A large number of scientific papers related to the photocatalysis field and its environmental applications are published in different journals specializing in materials and nanomaterials. However, many problems exist in the conception of papers by authors unfamiliar with standard characterization methods of photocatalysts as well as with the procedures needed to determine photocatalytic activities based on the determination of “apparent quantum efficiencies” within a wavelength interval or “apparent quantum yields” in the case of using monochromatic light. In this regard, an astonishing number of recent research articles include claims of highly efficient (photo)catalysts or similar terms about materials with superior or enhanced efficiency for a given reaction without proper experimental support. Consequently, the comparison of the efficiencies of photocatalysts may result as being meaningless, especially when reports are only based on expressions determining (1) a reaction rate per weight of catalyst or its surface area, (2) quantum efficiencies or quantum yields, and (3) turnover frequencies or turnover numbers. Herein, we summarize the standards needed for reporting valuable data in photocatalysis and highlight some common discrepancies found in the literature. This work should inform researchers interested in reporting photocatalysis projects about the correct procedures for collecting experimental data and properly characterizing the materials by providing examples and key supporting literature.
Raman imaging of surface and sub-surface graphene oxide in fiber reinforced polymer nanocomposites

Abstract Visualization of dispersion is a challenging and unresolved issue for high aspect ratio nanofillers, such as surface-modified graphene oxide (mGO) and carbon nanotubes, in fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Conventional metrologies to study dispersion (location, spacing, size, etc.) have proven difficult and impractical when the fibers are present, particularly at the industrially-relevant, low mass fractions of nanofillers. Here, Raman spectroscopy and imaging are exploited to investigate the dispersion of mGO in unsaturated polyester (UP) resin composites both with and without glass microfiber reinforcement. Through comparative TEM and Raman maps on the same sample area, we validate a detailed Raman methodology to detect mGO agglomerate positions, even at low loadings of
Abstract P2-06-20: CDC20 is a novel therapeutic target in triple negative breast cancer

Background: Approximately 15% of breast cancers lack expression of Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR) and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2), and are referred to as Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Clinical outcomes in patients with TNBC continue to be poor due to inherently aggressive biology of the disease and paucity of targeted therapies. In this study, we identified Cell Division Cycle protein 20 (CDC20), a key regulatory protein that mediates sister chromatid separation in mitosis, as a novel therapeutic target in TNBC. Methods: To uncover new drivers of TNBC, we nominated genes that are significantly overexpressed in patients with TNBC, compared to non-TNBCs. After identifying CDC20 as a top hit in this analysis, we used expression microarrays, RNA-seq analyses and Western blotting to assess CDC20 expression levels in breast cancer patients and cell lines. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to study the correlation between CDC20 expression levels and clinical outcomes, including recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival and overall survival. shRNA-mediated knockdown of CDC20 in TNBC cell lines was employed to study the role of CDC20 in TNBC proliferation, invasion, migration and xenograft growth in mice. Results: CDC20 was significantly overexpressed in TNBCs (compared to non-TNBCs) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) breast dataset, and in several other independent breast cancer datasets, including Curtis, Stickeler and Kao. CDC20 expression was also significantly higher in TNBC cell lines compared to non-TNBC cell lines. Furthermore, expression levels of CDC20 were highly significantly correlated with clinical outcomes, including recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival and overall survival. shRNA-mediated knockdown of CDC20 expression in TNBC cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468, resulted in decreased proliferation, invasion and migration. Our preliminary findings suggest that CDC20 knockdown also results in inhibition of cell line-derived xenograft growth in mice. Conclusion: We identified CDC20 is a novel therapeutic target in TNBC. Our findings support development of pharmacologic strategies to inhibit CDC20 function as a potential targeted therapy against TNBC. Citation Format: Sharma J, Raicu I, Nguyen J, Udden N, Wang Q, Alluri P. CDC20 is a novel therapeutic target in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-06-20.
Understanding mothers' perception of child's illness: Adapting the CONNECT Instrument for pediatrics.

Aims and objectives To adapt the CONNECT Instrument for use in the paediatric population, to assess validity of this instrument after its adaptation and to assess concordance between mothers' perception of their child's illness and providers' understanding of mothers' perceptions. Background The CONNECT Instrument (Patient Education and Counseling, 73, 2008, 232-239) was validated in an adult outpatient population to characterise both patients' perspectives and physicians' understanding of their patients' perspectives for several dimensions of the illness experience. However, this did not include the paediatric population or advanced practice providers. Design A two-part prospective, cross-sectional, observational study to assess the validity of CONNECT for Pediatrics and to assess perception of illness. Methods The CONNECT Instrument (Patient Version) was adapted from its original form and modified to CONNECT for Pediatrics to facilitate use in the inpatient paediatric population. Eighty-five participants were enrolled including mothers, advanced practice providers and physicians from 2013-2014 during a child's scheduled admission to a paediatric epilepsy monitoring unit. Principal components analysis and inter-item reliability were analysed, and differences in the six mean domain scores were assessed using repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). Reporting of this research adheres to the STROBE guidelines (See Appendix S1). Results Our analysis indicated that the modifications made provided a relatively valid and reliable instrument. There were overall statistically significant differences between the mother and physician groups, specifically in the domains of meaning and preference for partnership. Conclusions Paediatric advanced practice providers and physicians do have an understanding of mothers' perception of illness. Relevance to clinical practice The ability of physicians and advanced practice providers to understand mothers' perceptions of illness is increasingly important in a changing healthcare environment. CONNECT for Pediatrics facilitates the identification of mothers' perception of their child's illness and provides the opportunity for paediatric advanced practice providers and physicians to understand parents' perception of illness.
“Authorized to work in the US”: Examining the myth of porous borders in the era of populism for practicing linguists:

This paper explores top-down, enacted, institutional pushbacks to supermobility and superdiversity in the under-examined arena of academia using emerging frameworks in political economy and the geo...
THE DYNAMICS OF CURRENT CHANNELS WITH LARGE SELF-GENERATED MAGNETIC FIELDS

In a series of experiments a single or two parallel current channels are drawn through a collisionless magnetoplasma (1 m diameter, 2 m length, n ~ 10 12 cm −-3 , kT e = 5 eV, T e /T i = 10, 5 ZO (5000 spatial points, 1024 timesteps). The three dimensional currents are evaluated The columns are observed to merge and twist about each other but are free from kink or sausage instabilities. In a second series of experiments a single cylindrical current channel is established in a background plasma. Using a rapidly swept Langmuir probe the plasma potential, density and temperature are evaluated in the current channel and its surroundings. A self-generated radial electric field is observed. The column also twists about itself. The relative magnetic helicity is evaluated in the volume probed and is found to jump after the current formation occurs.
Tissue distribution of 35S-metabolically labeled neublastin (BG00010) in rats.

Abstract Neublastin (NBN) is a neurotrophic growth factor that promotes the survival and regenerative properties of nociceptive neurons and has been tested in clinical trials as a treatment for neuropathic pain in individuals with sciatica and painful lumbosacral radiculopathy. Like many low molecular weight heparin binding proteins, NBN is rapidly cleared from the blood following systemic administration. To explore ADME properties of NBN in rats, we used metabolically 35S-labeled NBN following IV and SC administration quantifying counts and intact protein in kidney, liver, brain, serum, and urine at 5 min, 8 h, 24 h and 48 h, and biodistribution in whole body carcasses by QWBA at 2, 8, 48, 96, and 168 h post dose. NBN is rapidly taken up by tissues mainly by liver and kidney and then degraded. Products of degradation are excreted in urine or recycled and utilized for resynthesis. The data we generated for NBN provides a first look at the complex clearance mechanisms for this protein and should aid in the design of ADME studies for other heparin binding proteins.
Appendicular myological reconstruction of the forelimb of the giant titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur Dreadnoughtus schrani

Soft tissues are variably preserved in the fossil record with external tissues, such as skin and feathers, more frequently preserved than internal tissues (e.g. muscles). More commonly, soft tissues leave traces of their locations on bones and, for muscles, these clues can be used to reconstruct the musculature of extinct vertebrates, thereby enhancing our understanding of how these organisms moved and the evolution of their locomotor patterns. Herein we reconstruct the forelimb and shoulder girdle musculature of the giant titanosaurian sauropod Dreadnoughtus schrani based on observations of osteological correlates and dissections of taxa comprising the Extant Phylogenetic Bracket of non-avian dinosaurs (crocodilians and birds). Fossils of Dreadnoughtus exhibit remarkably well-preserved, well-developed, and extensive muscle scars. Furthermore, this taxon is significantly larger-bodied than any titanosaurian for which a myological reconstruction has previously been attempted, rendering this myological study highly informative for the clade. In total, 28 muscles were investigated in this study, for which 46 osteological correlates were identified; these osteological correlates allowed the reconstruction of 16 muscles on the basis of Level I or Level II inferences (i.e. not Level I' or Level II' inferences). Comparisons with other titanosaurians suggest widespread myological variation in the clade, although potential phylogenetic patterns are often obscured by fragmentary preservation, infrequent myological studies, and lack of consensus on the systematic position of many taxa. By identifying myological variations within the clade, we can begin to address specific evolutionary and biomechanical questions related to the locomotor evolution in these sauropods.
Between a Camera and a Hard Place: A Content Analysis of Performer Representation in Heterosexual Pornographic Content

This study examined the physical representation of men and women in online pornography through a content analysis. A total of 123 popular pornographic Internet videos featuring a male-female dyad were gathered from the most visited pornographic website in the United States. Coders analyzed the screen time, visual, and audible presence of each actor within a sexual scene. Female performers were substantially more physically represented on screen, based on an operational definition of representation that included screen time, on-screen placement, camera blocking techniques, intelligible and unintelligible audibility, and participation with the camera. Female performers were found to be physically represented on screen over four times as much as male performers. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for understanding viewers' formation of sexual behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs, to the extent that these formations are influenced, at least in part, by the physical representation of characters within a pornography scene.