cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
State space approach to mixed boundary value problems.

A state-space procedure for the formulation and solution of mixed boundary value problems is established. This procedure is a natural extension of the method used in initial value problems; however, certain special theorems and rules must be developed. The scope of the applications of the approach includes beam, arch, and axisymmetric shell problems in structural analysis, boundary layer problems in fluid mechanics, and eigenvalue problems for deformable bodies. Many classical methods in these fields developed by Holzer, Prohl, Myklestad, Thomson, Love-Meissner, and others can be either simplified or unified under new light shed by the state-variable approach. A beam problem is included as an illustration.
Understanding and Exploiting the Trade-Offs between Broadcasting and Multicasting in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

We find that current group communications protocols are far from "one size fits all", they are typically geared toward and optimized for particular scenarios. Multicasting, in general, works well if the density of group members is sparse and in low mobility; broadcasting, in contrast, works well with a high density of group members and in high mobility. Due to the dynamics of the network, one strategy may be preferable to the other at different times and in different localized regions. In this paper, we first quantify the trade-offs between broadcasting and multicasting and evaluate the suitability of a strategy in various scenarios of deployment. Based on the lessons learned, we design a protocol that adapts in response to the dynamics of the network. We named our protocol Fireworks. Fireworks is a hybrid two-tier multicast/broadcast protocol that provides efficient and lightweight multicast dissemination and self-adapts in response to variations in the density and distribution of group members to provide efficient performance. Fireworks creates pockets of broadcast distribution in areas with many members, while it creates and maintains a multicast backbone to interconnect these dense pockets. Fireworks offers packet delivery statistics comparable to that of a pure multicast scheme but with significantly lower overheads. We also show that Fireworks has a lower level of degrading influence on the performance of coexisting unicast sessions than either traditional multicast or broadcast methods
Cigarette smoking, nicotine, and body weight.

Smokers generally gain weight when they quit smoking; this weight gain can lessen some of the health benefits of quitting smoking. We review the effectiveness of behavioral and pharmacological approaches to mitigating weight gain in the context of quitting smoking and consider mechanisms that could potentially account for the effects of smoking and nicotine on body weight. Understanding how nicotine affects body weight may lead to novel pharmacological and behavioral interventions for obesity as well as concurrent obesity and nicotine dependence.
Transitive indistinguishability and approximate measurement with standard finite ratio-scale representations $

Ordinary measurement using a standard scale, such as a ruler or a standard set of weights, has two fundamental properties. First, the results are approximate, for example, within 0.1 g. Second, the resulting indistinguishability is transitive, rather than nontransitive, as in the standard psychological comparative judgments without a scale. Qualitative axioms are given for structures having the two properties mentioned. A representation theorem is then proved in terms of upper and lower measures.
The Relationship Between Texture and Pavement Friction

Abstract The transient slip method is shown to be a useful technique to evaluate the speed dependence of pavement friction. From the results of transient slip tests with a standard test tire, it is possible to predict skid resistance, speed gradients, and side force coefficients. Transient slip data can be predicted from wet pavement macro‐texture and microtexture and, therefore, skid resistance‐speed gradients and side force coefficients can be predicted from texture measurements.
Risk Tolerance Parametrics and the Maximal Value Frontier: The Value of Information for Risk-Averse Decision Making With Exponential Utility

When risk tolerance is varied from small to large values in a parametric programming study using CEV as the maxim and, a family of maximum value solutions are obtained that can be compactly summarized in policy region tabulations (in the discrete case) or asset allocation tabulations (in the continuous case). This gives the decision analyst an awareness of the full spectrum of solutions, from the one appropriate for the ultra-risk-averse decision maker, to the one appropriate for the risk neutral decision maker. When the interval of uncertainty from the least square risk tolerance estimation procedure is compared to the policy region tabulation or asset allocation tabulation, one obtains the solutions that are most preferred by the decision maker whose risk tolerance has just been estimated. From these solutions, all optimal in a neighborhood of the estimated risk tolerance, a final solution can be selected with complete awareness of what nearby optimal solutions would be like. In addition, for decision analyses involving an information option, parametric analysis reveals that the risk-averse CEVSI evaluation of information can be substantially greater than the risk neutral EVSI evaluation, which may lead to acquisition of information in cases where the risk neutral decision maker would pass it by. Hence use of EVSI for buy decisions about information may result in serious underutilization of information, leading to much greater downside risk than would be the case if CEVSI were used for those very same information buy decisions.
The electro-mechanical responses of suspended graphene ribbons for electrostatic discharge applications

This work presents a suspended graphene ribbon device for electrostatic discharge (ESD) applications. The device structure was proposed and fabricated after careful design considerations. Compared to the conventional ESD devices such as diodes, bipolar junction transistors, and metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors, the proposed device structure is believed to render several advantages including zero leakage, low parasitic effects, fast response, and high critical current density. A process flow was developed for higher yield and reliability of the suspended graphene ribbons. Direct current (DC) and transmission-line pulse (TLP) measurements were carried out to investigate the switching behavior of the device, which is crucial for ESD operation. DC measurements with a different configuration were used to assess the mechanical shape evolution of the graphene ribbon upon biasing. Finite Element Simulations were conducted and agreed well with the experimental results. Furthermore, the current carrying capability of non-suspended graphene ribbons was tested using TLP. It was found that the critical current density of graphene is higher than that of copper wires widely used as interconnects in integrated circuits (ICs).
Sixth Nerve Palsy in Paediatric Intracranial Hypertension

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to report the incidence and describe the characteristics of sixth cranial nerve (CN VI) palsy in paediatric patients with intracranial hypertension (IH). A retrospective chart review of central Ohio children diagnosed with IH over the 3-year period from 2010 to 2013 was conducted. IH without identifiable cause was defined as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), whereas IH with identifiable pathologic aetiology was deemed secondary intracranial hypertension (SIH). A subset of patients with CN VI palsy was identified. Data collected included patient age, gender, past medical history, aetiology of SIH, ophthalmic examination, lumbar puncture results, neuroimaging results, and response to treatment. Seventy-eight children with intracranial hypertension were included in the study. Nine (11.5%) children (four males, five females; median age 14, range: 3–18) were found to have a unilateral (n = 2) or bilateral (n = 7) CN VI palsy. Five children had IIH; the remaining ...
Secure Data Aggregation Model (SDAM) in Wireless Sensor Networks

Nowadays, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN's) are becoming more and more promising and applicable to a variety of fields: military, environmental, medical, wild life habitat, and transportation as well wearable devices, target-tracking. WSN are expected to be a main player in the Internet of Things technology. Power management is very important factor in considering WSN's and it has been demonstrated that communication cost is higher than the computational as nodes consume most of the energy in communication. Added to the fact that sensors could be closely deployed and report the same reading, the data aggregation concept was introduced to resolve those issues and for the sake of better performance at a reduced cost. Nonetheless, sensing devices are prone to failure due to several aspects such as node failure or low batteries as well as being compromised. In this paper, we are introducing a novel method Secure Data Aggregation Model (SDAM) aiming at assuring a secure aggregate communication at a low cost (in terms of resources). Our simulation results showed that implementing SDAM resulted into an increase in the energy efficiency as well as a considerable reduction in cross-layering overhead.
Polarization-dependent apical membrane CFTR targeting underlies cAMP-stimulated Cl- secretion in epithelial cells

The relationship between adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated Cl- secretion and the cellular location of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) was determine...
Influence of RNA Binding on the Structure and Dynamics of the Lassa Virus Nucleoprotein

Lassa virus protects its viral genome through the formation of a ribonucleoprotein complex in which the nucleoprotein (NP) encapsidates the single-stranded RNA genome. Crystal structures provide evidence that a conformational change must occur to allow for RNA binding. In this study, the mechanism by which NP binds to RNA and how the conformational changes in NP are achieved was investigated with molecular-dynamics simulations. NP was structurally characterized in an open configuration when bound to RNA and in a closed form in the absence of RNA. Our results show that when NP is bound to RNA, the protein is highly dynamic and the system undergoes spontaneous deviations away from the open-state configuration. The equilibrium simulations are supported by free-energy calculations that quantify the influence of RNA on the free-energy surface, which governs NP dynamics. We predict that the globally stable states are qualitatively in agreement with the observed crystal structures, but that both open and closed conformations are thermally accessible in the presence of RNA. The free-energy calculations also provide a prediction of the location of the transition state for RNA binding and identify an intermediate metastable state that exhibits correlated motions that could promote RNA binding.
A Review of “What They Don’t Teach You in Library School”

While library school can provide an education in the theory of librarianship, students graduate with different levels of practical experience. Elisabeth Doucett's What They Don't Teach You in Libra...
Impact of a telehealth intervention on quality of life and symptom distress in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background Patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer commonly experience signicant changes in quality of life (QoL) and levels of symptom distress. It is not known if a telehealth intervention would mitigate these changes. Objective To evaluate the impact of a telehealth intervention on QoL and symptom burden in patients undergoing initial treatment for head and neck cancers. Methods A randomized clinical trial comparing the impact on QoL and symptom distress of telehealth intervention and standard care was conducted with 80 patients (45 treatment, 35 control) who had been diagnosed with head or neck cancer and were receiving 1 or more treatment modalities. Treatment group participants responded daily to symptom management algorithms using a simple telehealth messaging device. QoL was evaluated by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck Scale (FACTHN) and symptom burden by the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). Control group participants completed assessments while they received routine care. Results In the posttreatment phase, the telehealth participants had signicantly better scores than the controls for physical well-being (20.6 vs 17.0, P = .02) and trial outcome index (59.9 vs. 50.2, P = .04) on the FACT-HN, and total scores on the MSAS (0.9 vs. 1.2, P = .04). Limitations The moderate sample size of 80 patients limits the power to measure more subtle impacts of the intervention. Conclusions Using telehealth to provide support to patients with head and neck cancer during the acute phase of treatment improved some aspects of posttreatment QoL and symptom burden.
Acute hemodynamic alterations after aortic valve replacement with the glutaraldehyde-treated porcine heterograft prosthesis.

Twenty-two patients underwent aortic valve replacement for acquired valvular heart disease with the porcine heterograft prosthesis. In the immediate postoperative period, a transient decrease in the cardiac index (CI) (preoperative 3.0 ± 0.14 to 2.45 ± 0.16 L. per minute per square meter, p 0.05) were seen; these values returned to preoperative levels by the first postoperative day. After valve replacement, an elevation in the heart rate (HR) (preoperative 75 ± 2 to 87 ± 4 beats per minute, p
Interdependence quantification for compositional control synthesis with an application in vehicle safety systems

Composing controllers designed individually for interacting subsystems, while preserving the guarantees that each controller provides for each subsystem, is a challenging task. Motivated by this challenge, we consider in this paper the problem of synthesizing safety controllers for linear parameter-varying subsystems, where the system matrices of each subsystem depend (possibly nonlinearly) on the states of the other subsystems. In particular, we propose a method for synthesis of controlled invariant sets and associated controllers, that is robust against affine parametric uncertainties in the system matrices. Then we show for certain classes of parameter dependencies how to quantify the uncertainty imposed on the other subsystems by convexifying, with an affine map, the effects of these parameters. An analysis of this quantification is provided. In the second part of the paper, we focus on an application of this method to vehicle safety systems. We demonstrate how controllers for lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control can be synthesized in a compositional way using the proposed method. Our simulations illustrate how these controllers keep their individual safety guarantees when implemented simultaneously, as the theory suggests.
Electrodynamic Eddy Current Separation of End-of-Life PV Materials

In this work, we examine the efficacy of Electrodynamic Eddy Current Separation (EECS) to recover valuable materials from end-of-life solar panels. Traditional rotary-based eddy current separators are capable of excitation frequencies of ≈1 kHz or less and struggle to economically separate particles smaller than ≈1 cm. A new design of eddy current separators has been developed at the University of Utah which has no mechanically moving parts. The design is capable of excitation frequencies up to 50 kHz, allowing sorting of particles as small as 1.0 mm. Recently, we have been successful in separating mixtures of Si/Al and CdTe/Al particles (1–3 mm) with recovery and grades greater than 85%, an energy demand of 68 kWh/short ton of sorted material, and throughput of roughly 10 kg/h. Current and future challenges utilizing this method for valuable material recovery from end-of-life solar panels are discussed.
Utility of Amborella trichopoda and Nuphar advena expressed sequence tags for comparative sequence analysis

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for the basal angiosperms Amborella trichopoda (Amborellaceae) and the water lily Nuphar advena (Nymphaeaceae) have proven valuable in identification of gene pairs to study the timing of duplication events relative to the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all extant angiosperms. Here we discuss how ESTs for these taxa are also useful for deducing gene families that were present in the MRCA of all flowering plants. For example, 4,572 gene clusters identified in an analysis of the rice and Arabidopsis proteomes contained putative orthologs of Amborella or Nuphar. Homologs of many developmentally important genes were identified from Amborella or Nuphar in these gene clusters. This number of ancestral genes is expected to increase as the number of Amborella and water lily ESTs increases. Genes found unduplicated in the rice and Arabidopsis genomes may be especially useful for phylogenetic analyses including diverse angiosperm lineages. We identify 595 of these single copy genes with putative orthologs in Amborella or Nuphar. Phylogenetic analysis of one of these nuclear single-copy genes encoding the enzyme carboxymethylenebutenolidase yields a topology that places Amborella and Nuphar as the sisters to all other extant lineages of angiosperms and is generally consistent with current angiosperm phylogenies based mainly on chloroplast, mitochondrial, and nuclear ribosomal sequences.
Contemporary Controversies in the Management of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has remained the most frustrating of the major birth defects to manage successfully. Despite the earlier detection of severe diaphragmatic defects by prenatal ultrasound, and the early recognition of CDH as a cause for respiratory distress presenting at birth, current mortality has improved little from the original series presented in 1940 by Ladd and Gross. This article discusses the difficulty in defining population with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, current controversies in the medical and surgical management of these patients, appropriate timing and usage of ECMO, a review of current, experimental therapies, and short-term and long-term outcomes of these patients.
Sociology of Islamic and Customary Law in Post-Conflict Settlement: Novolak Conflict in Dagestan

В статье рассматриваются особенности северокавказского «полиюридизма» и его функционирования в полуавтономном социальном поле сельских районов. В статье рассмотрен случай Новолакского района, где в конце 1980-х - начале 1990 в ходе миграций, организованных при участии государства, возник конфликт между потомками депортированных в 1944 г. чеченцев и лаками, насильственно переселёнными на эти земли. Социологический анализ бесед с представителями обеих сторон, вовлечённых в конфликт, показывает, каким образом нормы неофициального обычного права (адата) и исламского права (шариата) взаимодействуют официальное российское право.
The association between creatinine versus cystatin C-based eGFR and cardiovascular risk in children with chronic kidney disease using a modified PDAY risk score

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular events in adulthood. Among adults with CKD, cystatin C-based estimates of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) demonstrate a stronger predictive value for cardiovascular events than creatinine-based eGFR. The PDAY (Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth) risk score is a validated tool used to estimate the probability of advanced coronary atherosclerotic lesions in young adults. To assess the association between cystatin C-based versus creatinine-based eGFR (eGFR cystatin C and eGFR creatinine, respectively) and cardiovascular risk using a modified PDAY risk score as a proxy for CVD in children and young adults. We performed a cross-sectional study of 71 participants with CKD [median age 15.5 years; inter-quartile range (IQR) 13, 17], and 33 healthy controls (median age 15.1 years; IQR 13, 17). eGFR was calculated using age-appropriate creatinine- and cystatin C-based formulas. Median eGFR creatinine and eGFR cystatin C for CKD participants were 50 (IQR 30, 75) and 53 (32, 74) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. For the healthy controls, median eGFR creatinine and eGFR cystatin were 112 (IQR 85, 128) and 106 mL/min/1.73m2 (95, 123) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. A modified PDAY risk score was calculated based on sex, age, serum lipoprotein concentrations, obesity, smoking status, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. Modified PDAY scores ranged from −2 to 20. The Spearman’s correlations of eGFR creatinine and eGFR cystatin C with coronary artery PDAY scores were −0.23 (p = 0.02) and −0.28 (p = 0.004), respectively. Ordinal logistic regression also showed a similar association of higher eGFR creatinine and higher eGFR cystatin C with lower PDAY scores. When stratified by age <18 or ≥18 years, the correlations of eGFR creatinine and eGFR cystatin C with PDAY score were modest and similar in children [−0.29 (p = 0.008) vs. −0.32 (p = 0.004), respectively]. Despite a smaller sample size, the correlation in adults was stronger for eGFR cystatin C (−0.57; p = 0.006) than for eGFR creatinine (−0.40; p = 0.07). Overall, the correlation between cystatin C- or creatinine-based eGFR with PDAY risk score was similar in children. Further studies in children with CKD should explore the association between cystatin C and cardiovascular risk.
Further evaluation of animal systemic insecticides, 1971.

Of 23 previously tested and 8 recently screened animal systemic insecticides administered orally by capsule or dermally as sprays to cattle to determine systemic activity against larvae of the common cattle grub, Hypoderma lineatum (de Villers), the following two afforded > 89% control: Hercules 18009 ( O,O -dimcthyl phosphorodithio-ate S-ester with l-acetyl-3-(mercaptomethyl) hydantoin) as an 0.25% spray and Stauffer R-15201 ( O,O -diethyl phorothioate O -ester with 4’-hydroxy-2’-methylacetophe none oxime N -acetate) administered orally at a rate of 25 mg/kg.
Reduced Instruction Set Computers Then and Now

A widely cited Computer article published in 1982 described the reduced instruction set computer (RISC) as an alternative to the general trend at the time toward increasingly complex instruction sets. A RISC executes most instructions in a single short cycle.
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF REGULATION OF TYROSINE HYDROXYLASE ACTIVITY DURING NERVE STIMULATION

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on studies on the mechanism of regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity during nerve stimulation. Most of the studies on the regulation of TH activity in adrenergic neurons have been performed with either mouse vas deferens preparations or the hypogastric nerve-vas deferens preparation of the guinea-pig. These tissues contain short adrenergic neurons and the entire cell body, axon and nerve terminals are present intact in the isolated preparations of these tissues. For this reason these tissues may represent a more appropriate model system of in vivo adrenergic neuronal metabolism and, in particular, they may provide a model for central adrenergic neurons, most of which are much shorter than the bulk of the neurons of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. The properties of the enzymes of the mouse vas deferens preparation and the guinea-pig vas deferens preparation are very similar. Both enzymes have a higher affinity for tetrahydrobiopterin than for 6,7-dimethyltetrahydropterin. The guinea-pig vas deferens tissue is capable of converting both tyrosine and phenylalanine to catecholamines, although tyrosine is much the preferred substrate.
Time-dependent differences in cortical measures and their associations with behavioral measures following mild traumatic brain injury

There is currently a critical need to establish an improved understanding of time-dependent differences in brain structure following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We compared differences in brain structure, specifically cortical thickness (CT), cortical volume (CV), and cortical surface area (CSA) in 54 individuals who sustained a recent mTBI and 33 healthy controls (HCs). Individuals with mTBI were split into three groups, depending on their time since injury. By comparing structural measures between mTBI and HC groups, differences in CT reflected cortical thickening within several areas following 0-3 (time-point, TP1) and 3-6 months (TP2) post-mTBI. Compared with the HC group, the mTBI group at TP2 showed lower CSA within several areas. Compared with the mTBI group at TP2, the mTBI group during the most chronic stage (TP3: 6-18 months post-mTBI) showed significantly higher CSA in several areas. All the above reported differences in CT and CSA were significant at a cluster-forming p < .01 (corrected for multiple comparisons). We also found that in the mTBI group at TP2, CT within two clusters (i.e., the left rostral middle frontal gyrus (L. RMFG) and the right postcentral gyrus (R. PostCG)) was negatively correlated with basic attention abilities (L. RMFG: r = -.41, p = .05 and R. PostCG: r = -.44, p = .03). Our findings suggest that alterations in CT and associated neuropsychological assessments may be more prominent during the early stages of mTBI. However, alterations in CSA may reflect compensatory structural recovery during the chronic stages of mTBI.
Global seawater redox trends during the Late Devonian mass extinction detected using U isotopes of marine limestones

Abstract The Late Devonian extinction ranks as one of the ‘big five’ Phanerozoic extinctions affecting up to 80% of marine species and is characterized by two major extinction events that are separated by δ 238 U) across a ∼7 My interval of well-dated Upper Devonian marine limestones from the Devil's Gate Formation in Nevada, USA. The measured δ 238 U curve shows no co-variation with local sediment-derived redox trends, water-depth dependent facies changes, redox-sensitive metals, TOC, or diagnostic elemental ratios. From these relationships, we infer that the δ 238 U curve represents global seawater redox conditions. Two negative δ 238 U excursions (indicating more reducing seawater) are observed with durations of ∼3.8 My (late Frasnian) and ∼1.1 My (early Famennian), respectively. Steady-state modeling of the observed −0.2 to −0.3‰ shifts in δ 238 U points to a ∼5–15% increase in the total area of anoxic seafloor during these excursions. The late Frasnian negative excursion is broadly coincident with the first extinction event (late rhenana Zone or lower Kellwasser event), whereas the early Famennian negative excursion (lower-middle triangularis zones) occurs after the most intense Frasnian–Famennian boundary (F–F) extinction event (upper Kellwasser event). Compilations of local sediment redox conditions from Upper Devonian marine deposits with conodont zone-level age control indicates that the extinction events were coincident with widespread anoxic deposits accumulating in subtropical epeiric sea and some open ocean settings, supporting previous interpretations that widespread marine anoxia had an important influence on the Late Devonian extinctions. The temporal relationships between global-ocean redox trends represented by the δ 238 U curve and the newly compiled subtropical marine redox sediment trends indicates that local epeiric seawaters carried a similar U-isotopic composition as the open ocean for the majority of the studied interval except for a brief interval (
Environmental and Genetic Sex Determining Mechanisms in Fishes

Teleost fishes are the most speciose group of vertebrate animals, and their study has been fundamental to understanding the mechanisms underlying sex determination, development, physiology, and evolution. Teleosts display extraordinary diversity in a variety of phenotypes, with sexual patterns and determination mechanisms being no exception. Sexual patterns range from familiar male–female gonochorism to various forms of hermaphroditism, including systems where individuals undergo functional sex change over their life cycle, or are capable of self-fertilization. There is also considerable variety in how gonochoristic species determine sex, with mechanisms using social, environmental, and genetic inputs to direct sexual development. Within genetic sex determination systems, there is additional diversity, with monogenic and polygenic systems found in various chromosomal contexts. Here, we review the above diversity and describe how it has revealed broad mechanistic and evolutionary insights into sexual phenotypes. We further discuss why fish display such amazing diversity in sex determination systems and how the necessary evolutionary transitions producing that diversity may have taken place.
Examining the Effects of Family and Community Violence on African American Adolescents: The Roles of Violence Type and Relationship Proximity to Violence:

The current study examined the unique and interactive effects of family and community violence across types of violence (weapon, physical, and death) and relationship proximity (self, family/friend...
Abstract 2827: Identification of chemotherapeutic resistant microbiota profile in colorectal cancer

Background: Emerging data shows a rise in CRC incidence in men and women under 55 years of age, with a potential new risk factors including alterations in the microbiome. While recent advances have significantly reduced CRC morbidity and mortality, such as screening and new therapeutic strategies, how the microbiome modulates CRC chemotherapy response remains understudied. This alarming trend presents an urgent need for further understanding of the molecular mechanisms and “signatures” of the gut microbiome in CRC patients. Key driving pathways in CRC include WNT, RAS, RAF, APC and TGF-β signaling. Modulating the gut immune response includes multiple mechanisms, including sensors through carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules (CEACAMs) that serve as receptors to microbes, and crosstalk with signaling pathways such as TGF-β signaling pathway. Interestingly, disruption of TGF-β leads to increased sensitivity to cisplatin and other DNA cross-linking agents. Hypothesis and Aims: Our hypothesis is that the gut microbiome plays a key role in modulating the TGF-β pathway by CEACAMs binding to specific microbial species, thereby impeding the TGF-β pathway and altering chemotherapy response. Our aims are to explore TCGA genomics, and functional interactions between gut microbiota, CEACAMs, and TGF-β signaling in processing chemotherapy response. Methods and Results: We first analyzed microbiome signatures in normal and CRC patients, and identified a signature pattern. TCGA analyses in 9,125 human cancers reveal alterations of TGF-β with CEACAM members in over 40% of CRC and correlate with a cancer stem cell signature. Mechanistic studies reveal that CEACAMs inhibit TGF-β tumor suppressor signaling by blocking TGFBR1, and promoting invasive CRC. Likewise, our TGF-β signaling-deficient mouse models spontaneously develop CRC, as well as metastases, likely modulated in part by the microbiome. Furthermore, key defects in the TGF-β pathway alter sensitivity to 5-FU and DNA cross-linking agents, such as cisplatin, through disruption of DNA repair pathways. Conclusion: The TGF-β pathway is important in maintaining colon epithelial cell homeostasis potentially through interactions with CEACAMs and gut microbiota. When the pathway is disrupted, epithelial cells are more susceptible to transformation and invasion, potentially identifying specific populations that are more sensitive to chemotherapy such as cisplatin and 5FU. Citation Format: Shuyun Rao, Charles Hadley King, Raja Mazumder, Shoujun Gu, Richard Amdur, Bibhuti Mishra, Lopa Mishra. Identification of chemotherapeutic resistant microbiota profile in colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2827.
Biodegradation of Atmospheric Halocarbons

Diverse aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms have the ability to degrade selected atmospheric halocarbons. In many cases, these degradative reactions are operative at the ambient tropospheric mixing ratios of these substances. This will either result in their complete destruction, or in the accumulation of non-degradable (and perhaps toxic) intermediates within aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The significance of these microbiological sinks with respect to the global biogeochemical budgets of halocarbons has not been accurately assessed. However, preliminary results suggest that they depend on the particular compound in question. Thus, biodegradation appears to be a minor global sink for certain CFCs while for methyl halides it is a major one. A challenge for future research, therefore, is not only to define novel pathways and microorganisms, but also to determine if these reactions truly represent important biogeochemical sinks.
Procedural organic modeling

David Bachman is a professor of Mathematics at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA, where also teaches computer science, and has co-taught classes on design with faculty in the art department. He received a PhD in 1999 from the University of Texas at Austin, and has since published over 20 research articles, three books, and received two grants from the National Science Foundation. For the last nine years David has been combining techniques from mathematics, biology, and computer science to produce 3D printed artwork, which has been shown in galleries across the country.
An interpretation of the properties of the propensity score in the regression framework

AbstractThe propensity score is the probability of receiving the treatment given a set of baseline covariates. The two properties of the propensity score has been illustrated under the potential ou...
Fast MAS 1 H– 13 C correlation NMR for structural investigations of plant cell walls

Plant cell walls consist of a mixture of polysaccharides that render the cell wall a strong and dynamic material. Understanding the molecular structure and dynamics of wall polysaccharides is important for understanding and improving the properties of this energy-rich biomaterial. So far, solid-state NMR studies of cell wall structure and dynamics have solely relied on 13C chemical shifts measured from 2D and 3D correlation experiments. To increase the spectral resolution, sensitivity and upper limit of measurable distances, it is of interest to explore 1H chemical shifts and 1H-detected NMR experiments for analyzing cell walls. Here we demonstrate 2D and 3D 1H–13C correlation experiments at both moderate and fast MAS frequencies of 10–50 kHz to resolve and assign 1H chemical shifts of matrix polysaccharides in Arabidopsis primary cell walls. Both 13C-detected and 1H-detected experiments are implemented and are shown to provide useful and complementary information. Using the assigned 1H chemical shifts, we measured long-range correlations between matrix polysaccharides and cellulose using 1H–1H instead of 13C–13C spin diffusion, and the 2D experiments can be conducted with either 13C or 1H detection.
Cross-sectional associations of food insecurity with smoking cigarettes and heavy alcohol use in a population-based sample of adults

Abstract Background Smoking, alcohol abuse and dual substance use represent significant public health problems and are thought to contribute to significant disparities in morbidity and mortality in the United States. Associations of food insecurity with these substances are poorly characterized, particularly concerning heavy alcohol consumption and dual substance use. Additionally, demographic factors may moderate these associations. Methods In a cross-sectional, representative sample of Wisconsin adults (n = 1616), logistic regression was used to examine whether food insecurity was associated with cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol use and dual substance use. Interactions of food insecurity with gender, marital status and age group tested moderation by demographic factors. Principal Findings Food insecurity was associated with cigarette smoking in men and women (odds ratio (OR) = 3.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.1–4.4); however, only among men was food insecurity associated with heavy alcohol use (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.0–2.2) and dual substance use (OR = 5.2; 95% CI = 1.5–18.6). Marital status and age group did not moderate associations of food insecurity with substance use. Conclusions Food insecurity and substance use are highly correlated. Heavy alcohol consumption and dual use were positively correlated with food insecurity among men, but not among women. Longitudinal analyses are needed to disentangle temporality and underlying pathways of observed associations. Additionally, future work should determine whether interventions and policies targeting food insecurity can simultaneously reduce cigarette and alcohol use.
Carbon Black Templated Gold Nanoparticles for Detection of a Broad Spectrum of Analytes by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful tool for detection of analytes at low concentrations. Because the electric field generated by surface plasmons decays exponentially with dista...
Disruption and the theory of the interaction order

Micro-sociological theory has traditionally stressed interactional pressures towards alignment: actors’ attempts to co-construct a shared definition of the situation. We argue that this model provides an insufficient account of the coordination of action and of the emergence of intersubjectivity among actors. To complement the focus on alignment, we develop a theory of disruption—a perceived misalignment of the dramaturgical structure of interaction in coordinating expected lines of action. We develop a theory of the interaction order that takes the interplay between interactional alignment and disruption as a foundational challenge both for sociology and for actors in their everyday lives. We focus on the practical ways in which actors negotiate both interactional breaches and wider relational ruptures, and how they differentiate between disruptions-of relations and disruptions-for them. By doing so, we connect the interaction order to a wider relational order, providing a bridge between micro-level interactionism and the sociology of culture.
Enhanced energy mitigation of thin-walled tube filled with liquid nanofoam under dynamic impact

Abstract Due to the intimate contact between the fluid-like liquid nanofoam (LN) filler and the tube wall, the filler-tube wall interaction in LN-filled tube (LNFT) is enhanced, leading to a much-improved performance of the composite structure. However, a comprehensive understanding of the energy mitigation performance and the underlying working mechanism of LNFT is still lacking. This study aims to explore the crushing behavior of LNFT subjected to quasi-static compression and dynamic impact and reveal the working mechanism of LNFT at different strain rates and the selection criteria for LN filler and tube wall material. A series of quasi-static compression tests are conducted on LNFTs with various LN fillers. The strengthening coefficient of LNFTs is larger than 3.5. Micro-CT images show that the LN-tube interaction improves the performance of LNFT through extended plastic deformation of the tube wall. Under dynamic impacts, the energy absorption capacity of LNFT shows 54% increase compared to that under quasi-static tests, leading to a remarkable strengthening coefficient of 8.0. The strain rate effect is due to the different energy mitigation mechanisms of the LN-filler, i.e. energy dissipation at lower strain rate and energy capture at higher strain rate. To optimize the impact mitigation performance of LNFT, the most critical system parameters are the infiltration pressure and total pore volume of the LN-filler and the stiffness and ductility of the tube wall. These findings and research outcomes expedite the understanding of the impact mitigation mechanism of LNFT and provide design guidance for the LN-based composite structures.
MST1R (RON) expression is a novel prognostic biomarker for metastatic progression in breast cancer patients

This study evaluates the prognostic significance of MST1R (RON) expression in breast cancer with respect to disease progression, long-term survival, subtype, and association with conventional prognostic factors. The approach includes interrogation of survival and tumor staging with paired MST1R RNA expression from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Protein expression evaluation was performed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of MST1R on breast cancer tissue samples from the Cancer Diagnosis Program Breast Cancer Progression tissue microarray and locally obtained breast tumor tissue samples analyzed with paired survival, metastasis, and subtype. Data from TCGA (n = 774) show poorer relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients with high MST1R expression (P = 0.32) and no difference in MST1R expression based on tumor stage (P = 0.77) or nodal status (P = 0.94). Patients in the GEO-derived Kaplan–Meier Plotter microarray dataset demonstrate the association of MST1R and poorer overall survival (n = 1402, P = 0.018) and RFS in patients receiving chemotherapy (n = 798, P = 0.041). Patients with high MST1R expression display worse overall survival (P = 0.01) and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrate the predictive capacity of increased MST1R with early death (P = 0.0017) in IHC-stained samples. Paired IHC-stained breast tumor samples from the primary versus metastatic site show MST1R expression is associated with metastatic progression (P = 0.032), and ROC analysis supports the predictive capacity of MST1R in metastatic progression (P = 0.031). No associations of MST1R with estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), both ER and PR, HER2 positivity, or triple-negativity were found (P = 0.386, P = 0.766, P = 0.746, P = 0.457, P = 0.947, respectively). MST1R expression has prognostic value in breast cancer with respect to survival and metastatic progression. MST1R expression is not associated with tumor stage, nodal status, or subtype.
Microevolution and Gain or Loss of Mobile Genetic Elements of Outbreak-Related Listeria monocytogenes in Food Processing Environments Identified by Whole Genome Sequencing Analysis.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analyses have been instrumental in traceback investigations of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). To demonstrate how long-read sequencing analysis can capture and describe relationships among isolates from clinical, food, and environmental sources, we analyzed 366 long-read- and shotgun-sequenced isolates from 16 Lm outbreak strains associated with cantaloupe, leafy green, stone fruit, caramel apple, mung bean sprout, multiple cheese products, multiple ice cream products and their production environments. The analyses demonstrated that outbreak strains could be distributed in different areas and zones of food production environments through persistent or repeated contamination. Multi-strain and multi-clone contamination were common. Further, WGS could differentiate among isolates collected at different time points or from different production lines in the same facility, revealing microevolution events in processing environments. Our comparison between complete and shotgun genomes showed that isolates of the same outbreak strain diversified mostly by gain/loss of plasmids and chromosome-borne prophages that constitute 2% to 5% of the chromosome. In contrast, other genes missing in the shotgun genomes were randomly scattered, constituting ~0.5% of the chromosome. Among different outbreak strains of the same CC, most gene-scale differences were due to gain/loss of mobile genetic elements, such as plasmids, chromosome-borne prophages, a Tn916 like transposon, and Listeria Genomic Island 2. The nucleotide variations in the same prophage and the same plasmid shared among isolates of the same outbreak strain were limited, which enabled different WGS tools to unambiguously cluster isolates of the same outbreak strain. In some outbreak strains, correlation between prophage gain/loss and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) accumulations in the genome backbone were observed.
The occurrence of Salmonella, extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and carbapenem resistant non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria in a backyard poultry flock environment.

Increase in the number of small-scale backyard poultry flocks in the USA has substantially increased human-to-live poultry contact, leading to increased public health risks of the transmission of multi-drug resistant (MDR) zoonotic and food-borne bacteria. The objective of this study was to detect the occurrence of Salmonella and MDR Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in the backyard poultry flock environment. A total of 34 backyard poultry flocks in Washington State (WA) were sampled. From each flock, one composite coop sample and three drag swabs from nest floor, waterer-feeder, and a random site with visible faecal smearing, respectively, were collected. The samples were processed for isolation of Salmonella and other fermenting and non-fermenting GNB under ceftiofur selection. Each isolate was identified to species level using MALDI-TOFF and tested for resistance against 16 antibiotics belonging to eight antibiotic classes. Salmonella serovar 1,4,[5],12:i:- was isolated from one (3%) out of 34 flocks. Additionally, a total of 133 ceftiofur resistant (CefR ) GNB including Escherichia coli (53), Acinetobacter spp. (45), Pseudomonas spp. (22), Achromobacter spp. (8), Bordetella trematum (1), Hafnia alvei (1), Ochrobactrum intermedium (1), Raoultella ornithinolytica (1), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (1) were isolated. Of these, 110 (82%) isolates displayed MDR. Each flock was found positive for the presence of one or more CefR GNB. Several MDR E. coli (n = 15) were identified as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) positive. Carbapenem resistance was detected in non-fermenting GNB including Acinetobacter spp. (n = 20), Pseudomonas spp. (n = 11) and Stenotrophomonas maltophila (n = 1). ESBL positive E. coli and carbapenem resistant non-fermenting GNB are widespread in the backyard poultry flock environment in WA State. These GNB are known to cause opportunistic infections, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Better understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of these GNB in the backyard poultry flock settings is needed to identify potential risks of transmission to people in proximity.
Double Diversity: Jewish Women Writers in Canada

This article is based on Our Canada: Jewish-Canadian Women Writers, a federally funded research project exploring the literary output of more than one hundred women authors in this country, together with the body of commentary on their work. Elucidating themes of immigration, tradition, identity, family, hope, and strengthening connections, the prose and poetry of these authors prods us to think about what Canada means and what these authors have contributed to our shared cultural imaginary. This literature serves to deepen our understanding of broadly diverse nations-both Jewish and Canadian. It is timely in terms of current reflection, examination and questioning of the multicultural paradigm that has shaped Canadian identity for over thirty years. Nothing is more challenging than grasping, or attempting to grasp, the mindset of others with radically different understandings and beliefs. Part of this challenge are the social and political implications of how particular individuals within particular communities have understood themselves and their place in the Canadian mosaic-often over generations. The contributions of Jewish women writers to Canadian literature respond to this challenge, beginning in the late nineteenth century in Montreal, developing in key centres across the country, and continuing in the twenty-first century. Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE