cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design History Systems: Data Models & Prototype Implementation

This paper presents ISO/STEP compatible data models for digitally archiving the history of design projects. The two main components are a product core model and a process core model. The former relates product data to design process rationale and the latter encapsulates the design process itself. The process core model can represent process hierarchy, structure, logical and temporal relationships between processes and design steps. The core models are domain independent; specific schemas can be derived from the core models. A prototype Design History System has been implemented which can be accessed over the Internet with a web based user-interface. A relational-object database is used for design history archival. The system supports browsing, various types of queries, and dynamic schema evolution.
Modeling for NASA Autonomous Nano-Technology Swarm Missions and Model-Driven Autonomic Computing

NASA ANTS autonomous nano-technology swarm missions will be operating in the universe, and therefore rely much on high autonomy. This paper presents a novel technology for NASA's ANTS missions, named as model-driven autonomic computing. As the foundation for the technology, a new model is constructed for the ANTS system. Exceeding other existent models, the new hierarchical model overcomes the challenges of largeness, complexity, dynamicity and unexpectedness possessed by the ANTS system. Then, the paper exhibits the structure and functions of virtual neuron that is basic unit together with the model for the model-driven autonomic technology in ANTS missions. The paper also deploys self-configuration, self-healing, self-optimization and self-protection for ANTS. A case study, examples and simulations are illustrated.
Postoperative fluorescence bronchoscopic surveillance in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Abstract Background . Second lung primaries occur at a rate of 1% to 3% per patient-year after complete resections for non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Fluorescence bronchoscopy appears to be a sensitive tool for surveillance of the tracheobronchial tree for early neoplasias. Methods . Patients who were disease-free after complete resection of a NSCLC were entered into a fluorescence bronchoscopy surveillance program. All suspicious lesions were biopsied along with two areas of normal mucosa to serve as negative controls. Results . A total of 73 fluorescence bronchoscopies were performed after conventional bronchoscopy in 51 patients at a median of 13 months postresection. The majority (46 of 51) of patients had stage I or II NSCLC, whereas 10% (5 of 51) had stage IIIA. Three intraepithelial neoplasias and one invasive carcinoma were identified in 3 of 51 patients (6%), all current or former smokers. Of the four lesions identified, three were in the 20 patients with prior squamous cell carcinomas. No intraepithelial neoplasias were identified by white-light bronchoscopy, whereas two of three were detected by fluorescence examination. The one invasive cancer detected was apparent on both white-light and fluorescence bronchoscopic examinations. Conclusions . Surveillance with fluorescence bronchoscopy identified lesions in 6% of postoperative NSCLC patients thought to be disease-free. Patients with prior squamous cell carcinomas appear to be a population that may warrant future prospective study of postoperative fluorescence bronchoscopic surveillance.
On the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture

In this paper we prove that if the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture holds for products of a finite number of modular elliptic curves defined over totally real number fields, then the Birch and SwinnertonDyer conjecture holds for products of a finite number of elliptic curves defined over totally real number fields.
Microwave and millimeter wave signal generation using mode-locked semiconductor lasers with intra-waveguide saturable absorbers

The authors consider electrical and optical signal generation techniques using passively and hybridly mode-locked semiconductor lasers with intra-waveguide saturable absorbers. Microwave and millimeter-wave signals can be generated using mode-locked semiconductor lasers with the intra-waveguide saturable absorbers. Monolithic and external cavity devices optimized for electrical and optical signal generation are discussed along with measurements of amplitude noise, phase noise, output power, and repetition rate tunability. >
Nanoscale Materials, Devices, and Systems for Sensing, Detection, and Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Mitigation

The objective of this investigation is to utilize nanoscale materials, devices, and systems as in-situ sensors and detectors of chemical and biological agents coupled with remote satellite image processed data for environmental air pollution monitoring. The efficacy of nanoparticles based environmental sensing using commercially available nanoscale metal-oxide based gas detectors is augmented by image processed satellite data to monitor local and regional air pollution dispersion. To extend our research to other forms of pollution, we present preliminary investigations of nanotechnology based sensors towards mitigating air and water based contaminants. Similar extensions of preliminary research results towards the detection of food and air-borne pathogens using nanoparticles based diagnostic tools are also presented
Endoluminal treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common and expensive condition that negatively affects the quality of life of millions of people. Traditionally, it has been treated with lifestyle modifications, acid-reducing medications, or surgical fundoplication. Endoscopic treatments have been developed for patients with symptomatic GERD in the absence of hiatal hernia. Radiofrequency energy delivery has been in use for more than a decade and has been proven to reduce GERD symptoms and PPI use. Transoral fundoplication has also been shown to reduce GERD symptoms and PPI use, though long-term efficacy has yet to be established. The newest endoscopic GERD treatment uses ultrasound to achieve more consistent fastener deployment. Although still in its infancy, early trials of this device have demonstrated similar safety and efficacy in reducing symptoms of GERD. All of these therapies have demonstrated potential for improving quality of life in patients with GERD, but further investigation is warranted to determine the optimal patient population and the long-term durability of these procedures.
Cellular and molecular regulation of the primate endometrium: a perspective

This contribution will trace some of the many seminal studies on the female uterus (endometrium) over the centuries and conclude with a description of some current research initiatives in our laboratory. Numerous contributions from many investigators over the years have contributed to our current understanding of endometrial function. The historical section of this chapter is intended to be a brief overall description of some of these efforts and not exhaustive. Additional information can be found in the review articles and books cited herein.
The relationship between early-life environment, the epigenome and the microbiota

Children exposed to early-life adversity carry a greater risk of poor health and disease into adulthood. This increased disease risk is shadowed by changes in the epigenome. Epigenetics can change gene expression to modify disease risk; unfortunately, how epigenetics are changed by the environment is unclear. It is known that the environment modifies the microbiota, and recent data indicate that the microbiota and the epigenome interact and respond to each other. Specifically, the microbiome may alter the epigenome through the production of metabolites. Investigating the relationship between the microbiome and the epigenome may provide novel understanding of the impact of early-life environment on long-term health.
Similar Coefficients Method of Primary Factors Selection for Aero-engine Fault Diagnosis

For the common problems existed in models of main factors in fault diagnosis of aero engines that how to decrease calculation amounts and overcome questions of multicollinearity in error equations,the method of similar coefficients in choosing the main factors presented in the paper.Based on models of aero engine air path diagnosis,this method was used to compute the difference between the modes and the measured parameters,which was utilized to choose the main factors of error equations and led to avoid computing all possible combinations of the main factors.The comparison of the results between this method and other methods of direct models of the main factors,together with the research into questions of multicollinearity in dealing with the equations of this method showed that the method decreased the multicollinearity of error equations,more time-saving and reliable.
"Who Would Hire a Blind Poet?": Blindness in the Eyes of Stephen Kuusisto

The trope of blindness has persisted since antiquity in figures like Oedipus, Tiresias, and the hypothetical blind man. Furthermore, colloquial uses of blindness shore up problematic and reductive narratives and expectations about blind individuals. Representing the disabled man thus poses a distinct challenge as it works against hegemonic notions of masculinity and ability. disability—as it is reductively associated with dependency, infirmity, and weakness—contradicts the strength, autonomy, and bodily integrity of stereotypical masculinity. Through close readings of the poetry and memoir of St ephen Kuusisto, a partially blind american poet, the author identifies the double gesture of defamiliarization and refamiliarization in Kuusisto’s representations of blindness and masculinity. Kuusisto carves out a space for the blind man in everyday life by deploying, reworking, and rejecting the problematic constructions of blindness and masculinity.
Venture Investment and Dynamic Complementary Capabilities

Teece (2007) argued that entrepreneurial ventures are inherently dynamic. Dynamic capabilities help a venture attain and sustain competitiveness in a rapidly changing competitive environment. Dynamic complementary capabilities are different from the entrepreneurial capabilities (Arthurs and Busenitz, 2006). Chapter 4 describes the entrepreneurial capital resources or entrepreneurial capabilities, namely the entrepreneur’s knowledge capital, human capital, family capital, social capital, and emotional capital. Entrepreneurial capabilities are the abilities of an entrepreneur to identify and reconfigure an entrepreneurial opportunity, and thus effectuate the entrepreneurial competence (in Stage 1 or during the venture formulation process). In comparison, in Stage 2, during the venture monetization process, dynamic complementary capabilities are the venture capabilities or the value levers that are employed to modify and reconfigure the entrepreneurial competence, strengthening the venture’s business model value drivers, and thus enhancing the value appropriation and entrepreneurial reward (see chapter 9). The survival and growth of a venture pivots on the timely organization and the speed of deployment of the selected dynamic complementary capabilities.
Conservation of residual hearing with cochlear implantation.

Hypothesis: The goals of this work were (a) to review the pre- and postsurgical auditory thresholds in a consecutive samplc of cochlear implant recipients to determine the fate of residual hearing, and (b) to obtain preliminary indication of the value of a multicenter longitudinal study of residual hearing in implant patients. Background: Indications for cochlear implantation have been expanded to include severely hearing impaired (SHI) adults and may someday include SHI children. Implantation of individuals with more residual hearing is a concern owing to the possible development of better devices that may make use of residual hearing within the lifetime of implanted children if not that of adults. Preservation of residual hearing would be a desirable outcome of implant surgery; however, conventional thought is that implantation destroys any remaining hearing. This study was undertaken to assess if and how often conservation of hearing occurred after implantation in a sample of multichannel implant recipients. Methods: Records of 50 profoundly hearing impaired consecutively implanted patients were examined for pre- and postsurgical audiometric results. Standard audiometric techniques were used for all testing procedures. Forty patients were considered to have some hearing conserved based on a response obtained at any one of the three speech frequencies prior to implantation. The most recent postimplantation audiometric results were used providing data from users with 1-41 months of use. Results: Twenty-one of 40 implanted subjects were found to have responses in at least one of the speech frequencies both pre- and postsurgery, with the majority of those displaying responses at all three frequencies. In this preliminary retrospective study, it did not appear that duration of cochlear implant use, gender, level of preoperative hearing, or length of electrode insertion were related to outcome. There were insufficient data to draw conclusions on individual devices. Conclusions: Conservation of hearing occurred in approximately half of the subjects reviewed. There is no indication of what factors contributed to the preservation of hearing in those with postsurgical residual hearing or if that hearing is usable. The study does suggest that a larger multicentcr longitudinal study would be of value to determine what factors may be related to conserved hearing in implanted patients.
Where Stands the Pandemic Now

The Thesis position urges that “In the face of so much growing personal tragedy associated with HIV infection, and in the face of such a rapidly expanding global pandemic, waiting any longer to initiate phase I and II trials for HIV vaccines would simply be wrong.” In order to have any notion of the full force of this claim, we will need to have some elementary understanding of the present scope and predicted future course of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
An Alternative to Cp Model Selection that Emphasizes the Quality of Coefficient Estimation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses an alternative to Cp model selection that emphasizes the quality of coefficient estimation. Cp plots are most appropriate when the emphasis is on prediction (fit) rather than on the quality of the estimated coefficients as Cp is based on a sum of squares of errors in the fitted values. It seems more reasonable to look for a selection statistic based on the sum of squares of errors in the coefficient estimates when one is particularly interested in the coefficients. Ridge regression is often used to improve coefficient estimation by allowing some bias to reduce the variance. In ridge regression, the data is usually both centered and scaled so that only collinearity among the nonconstant regressors is considered. In some instances, it is important to consider possible collinearity with the constant term.
Analysis of Efficacy and Tolerability of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Ibrutinib in Various B-cell Malignancies in the General Community: A Single-center Experience.

Abstract Background Ibrutinib, an irreversible inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), is a novel drug that has shown significant efficacy and survival benefit for treatment of various B-cell malignancies. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of ibrutinib therapy in various B-cell malignancies in the general community. The secondary objectives included studying the adverse effects, ibrutinib-induced peripheral lymphocytosis, and effect on immunoglobulin levels. Patients and Methods The present study was a retrospective observational cohort analysis conducted at Abington Jefferson Health. The clinical response was determined from the hematologist's assessment and evaluated independently using the response criteria for each B-cell malignancy. Adverse effects were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare immunoglobulin levels before and after ibrutinib. Forty five patients with B-cell malignancies and receiving ibrutinib therapy were eligible. Results The median age was 73 years (range, 49-96 years), and 84.4% of the patients had received ≥ 1 previous therapy. The best overall response rate of all cohorts combined was 63.8%. The greatest overall response rate was observed in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (76.1%), followed by those with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (75%). Of the 45 patients, 88.9% experienced adverse effects. Antiplatelet activity of ibrutinib was most commonly observed (30.5%). Of note, 5 patients (11%) developed new-onset atrial fibrillation after drug initiation. Peripheral lymphocytosis after drug initiation was observed in most patients, with a peak level at 1 month (median lymphocyte count, 2.7 × 10 3 cells/μL). Although the IgG levels at 3, 6, and 12 months had decreased ( P = .01 for all) compared with the levels before ibrutinib, the IgA levels had not increased at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months ( P = .6, P = .5, P = .3, and P = .9, respectively). Conclusion Ibrutinib is a highly effective and tolerable drug for B-cell malignancies in the general community. In contrast to the previously reported rate of 5% to 7%, we observed a higher rate (11%) of atrial fibrillation, which might have resulted from the smaller sample size in the present study and the multiple comorbidities. Nonetheless, this treatment-limiting side effect requires further elucidation. Paradoxical lymphocytosis at the outset of therapy was a common and benign finding. In conjunction with the reported trials, the IgG levels decreased in the first year of continued therapy. However, the IgA levels did not increase, even after 2 years of therapy.
Canine panuveitis: a retrospective evaluation of 55 cases (2000-2015).

Objective To determine the most common etiologies of panuveitis in a group of dogs, patient response to therapy, and visual outcome. Design Retrospective study. Materials and methods Medical records of 55 dogs diagnosed with panuveitis at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital between December 2000 and December 2015 were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, season of diagnosis, descriptions of ocular lesions, diagnostic testing, treatment protocols, etiologic diagnoses (when determined), and visual outcome. Results The most common clinical sign in the anterior segment was aqueous flare and in the posterior segment was serous retinal detachment. The most common diagnosis was idiopathic/immune-mediated disease followed by systemic blastomycosis, lymphoma, and other causes (leptospirosis, aspergillosis, and histoplasmosis). Of the 43 dogs for which follow-up was available, 40% of dogs had resolution of visible inflammation and retinal reattachment, 32% of dogs had slight to moderate improvement, and 28% of dogs had no improvement or deterioration of lesions. Mean follow-up time was 11 months, and mean time to resolution of visible inflammation and retinal reattachment was 32 days. Sixty-five percent of dogs either retained or regained vision in one or both diseased eyes with initial medical therapy. Conclusions Idiopathic/immune-mediated panuveitis was the most common diagnosis. Dogs with idiopathic/immune-mediated panuveitis tended to respond more favorably to medical therapy than dogs with infectious panuveitis. Visual outcome was favorable in those dogs that responded to initial medical therapy, but long-term therapy was required in many dogs to maintain vision and prevent recurrence of disease.
Fabrication of hydroxyapatite ceramic with controlled porosity

Porous hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics were fabricated using poly vinyl butyral (PVB) as a porosifier. The effects of preparation conditions involving PVB particle size, sintering time, and forming pressure (die-pressing technique) on the resultant pore size/structure as well as the pore size distribution were investigated. The experimental results showed that the HAp ceramics with controlled pore characteristics such as pore volume fraction, pore size and pore structure are achievable. It provides the possibility to design HAp ceramics with diverse porosities simulating that of natural bone.
A Population-Based Study of Large Granular Lymphocyte Leukemia: Analysis of 978 Patients Using the SEER and NCDB Databases

Background: Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia is a lymphoproliferative disorder of mature cytotoxic T- or Natural Killer (NK)-cells. T-cell LGL (T-LGL) leukemia is characterized by accumulation of cytotoxic T-cells in blood and infiltration of the bone marrow, liver, or spleen. T-LGL leukemia may manifest as asymptomatic persistent lymphocytosis or present with a myriad of autoimmune diseases including autoimmune cytopenias. Population-based studies have not been reported in LGL leukemia. Here, we present clinical characteristics, natural history, and risk factors for poor survival in patients with T-LGL leukemia using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) and the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), the two largest national cancer registries in the US. Methods: We queried the SEER and NCDB databases using ICD-O histology code 9831 corresponding to LGL leukemia. The query was further refined to include patients with T-LGL leukemia only. Incidence rates (case/1,000,000) were calculated using 2000-2011 data from SEER and age-adjusted to the US 2000 standard population. Patient level data were obtained from the NCDB and used to describe patient characteristics such as demographics, year of diagnosis, treatment, and survival. Results: The incidence of LGL leukemia was 0.2 cases/1,000,000 individuals. The incidence did not change significantly over the period of time studied. The incidences according to racial groups were (mean, 95%CI): White 0.2 (0.18-0.24), Black 0.14 (0.07-0.24), American Indian/Alaska native 0.24 (0.03-0.8), and Asian/Pacific Islander 0.15 (0.07-0.25). The incidences among Blacks, American Indians/Alaska Natives, or Asian/Pacific Islanders were not significantly different compared to Whites. Patient-level data was available for 978 patients with T-LGL leukemia. The median age at diagnosis was 66.5 years (range, 19-90) with a male to female ratio of 1.05. Females were diagnosed at a younger age compared to males (65 vs. 68 years, p 60 years) and higher co-morbidity score (≥2) were independent predictors of poorer survival (Table 1). Conclusions: We present the first population-based study of patients with LGL leukemia, an extremely rare disease. The incidence has remained stable over the last decade and does not vary significantly among races. Most patients with T-LGL leukemia do not require treatment and the overall prognosis is relatively good. Table 1 . Multivariable analysis showing predictors of mortality in patients with T-LGL leukemia Parameter Hazard Ratio Lower CI Upper CI P -Value Age 2.73 1.90 4.04 Male vs Female 0.82 0.61 1.09 0.19 White vs Other 0.99 0.97 1.00 0.23 Charlson-Deyo score 2.03 1.29 3.06 0.003 Year of Diagnosis (2001-2006 vs. 2007-2012) 1.11 0.76 1.69 0.58 Download : Download high-res image (98KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Overall survival in patients with T-LGL leukemia Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Platelets prime hematopoietic–vascular niche to drive angiocrine-mediated liver regeneration

In mammals, the livers regenerate after chemical injury or resection of hepatic lobe by hepatectomy. How liver regeneration is initiated after mass loss remains to be defined. Here, we report that following liver injury, activated platelets deploy SDF-1 and VEGF-A to stimulate CXCR7+ liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) and VEGFR1+ myeloid cell, orchestrating hepatic regeneration. After carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injection or hepatectomy, platelets and CD11b+VEGFR1+ myeloid cells were recruited LSEC, and liver regeneration in both models was impaired in thrombopoietin-deficient (Thpo-/-) mice lacking circulating platelets. This impeded regeneration phenotype was recapitulated in mice with either conditional ablation of Cxcr7 in LSEC (Cxcr7iΔ/iΔ) or Vegfr1 in myeloid cell (Vegfr1lysM/lysM). Both Vegfr1lysM/lysM and Cxcr7iΔ/iΔ mice exhibited suppressed expression of hepatocyte growth factor and Wnt2, two crucial trophogenic angiocrine factors instigating hepatocyte propagation. Of note, administration of recombinant thrombopoietin restored the prohibited liver regeneration in the tested genetic models. As such, our data suggest that platelets and myeloid cells jointly activate the vascular niche to produce pro-regenerative endothelial paracrine/angiocrine factors. Modulating this "hematopoietic-vascular niche" might help to develop regenerative therapy strategy for hepatic disorders.
Scoring the Quality of E-Serials MARC Records Using Java

ABSTRACTIn 2015, the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC) adopted a policy of cataloging electronic serials in the online catalog to represent the Library's large electronic journal holdings. Historically there had been no consistent policy of cataloging e-serials at UIUC, so this decision also required retroactive cataloging of the Library's existing holdings. In order to add the more than 100,000 titles to which the library has access, batch searching and bulk loading records are necessary. This can be particularly challenging with serials records, due to bibliographic changes (such as title and publisher) and record duplication in OCLC WorldCat. This column describes a Java program, written by the author, which aids in selecting high-quality records from batch searches to be bulk loaded into the catalog. The program scores the quality of Machine-Readable Cataloging Record (MARC) records based on data in a select number of fields and discards records that fail to meet minimum criteria, such...
How large herbivores subsidize aquatic food webs in African savannas.

Mass migration—the periodic, synchronized movement of large numbers of animals from one place to another—is an important part of the life cycle of many species. Such migrations are variously a means of avoiding climatic stress, escaping food and water scarcity, and satiating predators (thereby reducing individuals’ risk of being eaten). They are among the most spectacular of natural phenomena, and also among the most threatened: by building walls and dams, disrupting the climate, and decimating wildlife populations, people have steadily diminished and extinguished many of the huge migrations known from historical records (1, 2). Although tragic on purely aesthetic grounds—nobody today knows the music of several million American bison ( Bison bison ) snuffling and shuffling across the Great Plains—the extinction of great migrations also poses a profound threat to the functioning of ecosystems. In PNAS, Subalusky et al. (3) show how one of the world’s last vast overland migrations, the seasonal movement of ∼1.2 million wildebeest ( Connochaetes taurinus ) through East Africa’s Serengeti–Mara Ecosystem, couples terrestrial and aquatic food webs. Each year, thousands of wildebeest drown while trying to cross the Mara river, injecting the water with massive doses of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients, much of which is taken up by aquatic organisms. When wildebeest sleep with the fishes, the fishes feast. The Serengeti wildebeest, along with more than 200,000 zebra ( Equus quagga ) and 400,000 gazelles ( Eudorcas thomsonii ), follow the rains in a clockwise loop from the southern part of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park into Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, and back again (Fig. 1). The river crossings that they must undertake to complete this annual cycle are dramatic events that attract thousands of tourists, who watch as animals fling themselves into the water (and occasionally into the jaws of lurking crocodiles). It had been observed that some wildebeest … [↵][1]1Email: rpringle{at}princeton.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
The fracture and fatigue of sintered diamond compact

The fracture stress of the sintered diamond compact is reduced under cyclic loading. The measurements were made using a dynamic test machine, with a diamond compact cutter impacting onto cemented tungsten carbide. The fracture mode under the present experimental conditions is brittle shear fracture. Crack growth is believed to be promoted by a relatively small tensile stress component at the tip of the crack due to the very large applied shear stresses. A possible failure mechanism is proposed based on examination of SEM micrographs of the damaged area. The results obtained in the present test indicate that the asymptotic value of the failure load corresponding to an infinite number of cycles is far above the reported value of force for cutting rocks under similar geometric conditions.
Systematic STAT3 sequencing in patients with unexplained cytopenias identifies unsuspected large granular lymphocytic leukemia.

TO THE EDITOR: Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) both typically present with unexplained cytopenias, yet these diseases are pathobiologically distinct and associated with substantial differences in prognosis and therapy. LGL leukemias, including both T-
Palladium/Beta zeolite passive NOx adsorbers (PNA): Clarification of PNA chemistry and the effects of CO and zeolite crystallite size on PNA performance

Abstract Model 0.3 wt% and 1 wt% Pd/Beta was synthesized with nano-sized Beta crystals (average size O2 in dry streams promotes NO storage via additional formation of nitrosyl (NO+) ions; it also leads to stabilization of significant amounts of N2O3 in BEA pores. In the presence of water, NO storage capacity is dramatically lowered. However, in the presence of CO (which is always present in exhaust gas) the performance improves. With the aid of spectroscopy and PNA measurements we show that in the presence of CO, stable mixed palladium(II) carbonyl nitrosyl complex [Pd(II)(CO)(NO)] is formed and responsible for enhanced NOx storage. This points to a general conclusion that the species responsible for NOx storage on various zeolites in the presence of water and CO, are in fact, Pd(II)(CO)(NO). Decreasing the Pd loading to 0.3 wt% improves Pd dispersion and NO/Pd storage ratio. We also demonstrate that varying crystal sizes of BEA leads to significant changes in the NOx release temperature as well as NO/Pd ratio. Larger, defect free, more hydrophobic BEA crystals store more NOx and release it at higher temperature. Furthermore, larger, defect free and more hydrophobic BEA crystals stay significantly more active for PNA after hydrothermal aging, losing little activity compared with defective nanocrystals. High-field 27Al NMR results show that larger, hydrophobic BEA crystals are more resistant to de-alumination upon hydrothermal aging (HTA), and thus are more attractive for PNA storage with Pd.
Effect of ghost pepper on cell proliferation, apoptosis, senescence and global proteomic profile in human renal adenocarcinoma cells.

Chili peppers are an important constituent of many foods and contain medicinally valuable compounds, such as capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin. As various dietary botanicals have anticancer properties, this study was aimed to examine the effect of Ghost pepper (Bhut Jolokia), one of the hottest chili peppers in the world, on cell proliferation, apoptosis, senescence and the global proteomic profile in human renal cell adenocarcinoma in vitro. 769-P human renal adenocarcinoma cells were cultured on RPMI-1640 media supplemented with fetal bovine serum (10%) and antibiotic-antimycotic solution (1%). Treatment stock solutions were prepared in ethanol. Cell proliferation was tested with phenol red-free media with capsaicin (0–400 μM), dihydrocapsaicin (0–400 μM), capsaicin + dihydrocapsaicin (5:1), and dry Ghost peppers (0–3 g L-1) for 24, 48 and 72 h. Polycaspase and senescence associated-beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) activities were tested with capsaicin (400 μM), dihydrocapsaicin (400 μM), capsaicin (400 μM) + dihydrocapsaicin (80 μM), and ghost pepper (3 g L-1) treatments. Global proteomic profile of cells in control and ghost pepper treatment (3 g L-1) was analyzed after 6 h by a shotgun proteomic approach using tandem mass spectrometry. At 24 h after treatment (24 HAT), relative to control, cell proportion with capsaicin (400 μM), dihydrocapsaicin (400 μM), capsaicin (400 μM) + dihydrocapsaicin (80 μM), and ghost pepper (3 g L-1) treatments was reduced to 36%, 18%, 33% and 20%, respectively, and further reduced at 48 and 72 HAT. All treatments triggered an early polycaspase response. SA-beta-gal activity was normal or suppressed with all treatments. About 68,220 protein isoforms were identified by shotgun proteomic approach. Among these, about 8.2% were significantly affected by ghost pepper. Ghost pepper regulated various proteins involved in intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, Ras, Rb/E2F, p53, TGF-beta, WNT-beta catenin, and calcium induced cell death pathways. Ghost pepper also induced changes in proteins related to methylation, acetylation, genome stability, cell cycle check points, carbohydrate, protein and other metabolism and cellular mechanisms. Ghost pepper exhibited antiproliferation activity by inducing apoptosis through a complex network of proteins in human renal cell adenocarcinoma in vitro.
Introductory Remarks by Adrien K. Wing

My name is Adrien Wing. I am Associate Dean of International and Comparative Law Programs at the University of Iowa College of Law where I have been teaching for thirty-two years. I am also pleased to be with you today because I have been a member of ASIL for thirty-seven years. When I joined, we did not have any topics like today's subject. We certainly did not have the demographic diversity that is represented in this room. We have come a long way in some respects, and so at least for programming, it is wonderful that we have this topic “Diverse Perspectives on the Impact of Colonialism on International Law.” Three of the speakers will emphasize Africa. One person will focus on Latin America. The MILIG Interest Group, the minority interest group, is sponsoring this session. We are fortunate to have the co-chairs of the Interest Group here: Rafael Porrata-Doria and Christina Beharry.
Intersection Homology After Deligne

In this chapter, we explain the sheaf-theoretic approach to intersection homology theory. We introduce here the Deligne intersection cohomology complex, whose hypercohomology computes the intersection homology groups. This complex of sheaves can be described axiomatically in a way that is independent of the stratification or any additional geometric structure (such as a piecewise linear structure), leading to a proof of the topological invariance of intersection homology groups.
Characterization of crack propagation behavior in Al-7075 under in-plane biaxial fatigue loading with shear overloads

Abstract Effect of shear overloads in an otherwise constant amplitude, tensile biaxial fatigue loading is investigated using a cruciform specimen of Al 7075-T651, and the crack propagation behavior and governing micromechanisms are characterized. It was observed that with an increase in shear overload ratio fatigue life of the specimen is increased and the crack growth rate is significantly affected. This behavior is attributed to the combined effects of competing mechanisms including compressive residual stress, plasticity induced crack closure, and strain hardening. The fractographic study revealed features of shear fracture in the transient region and tensile fracture in the pre-overload region and post-overload region.
Postdiagnosis Body Mass Index, Weight Change, and Mortality From Prostate Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, and All Causes Among Survivors of Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSETo investigate the association of postdiagnosis body mass index (BMI) and weight change with prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM), cardiovascular disease–related mortality (CVDM), and a...
Structural basis of nucleosome-dependent cGAS inhibition

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) synthase (cGAS) recognizes cytosolic foreign or damaged DNA to activate the innate immune response to infection, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. By contrast, cGAS reactivity against self-DNA in the nucleus is suppressed by chromatin tethering. We report a 3.3-angstrom-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of cGAS in complex with the nucleosome core particle. The structure reveals that cGAS uses two conserved arginines to anchor to the nucleosome acidic patch. The nucleosome-binding interface exclusively occupies the strong double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)-binding surface on cGAS and sterically prevents cGAS from oligomerizing into the functionally active 2:2 cGAS-dsDNA state. These findings provide a structural basis for how cGAS maintains an inhibited state in the nucleus and further exemplify the role of the nucleosome in regulating diverse nuclear protein functions.
Microneedle-based skin patch for blood-free rapid diagnostic testing.

Rapid diagnostic tests are one of the most commonly used tests to detect and screen for infectious diseases in the developing world. While these tests are simple, inexpensive, and readily available, they rely on finger-prick blood sampling, which requires trained medical personnel, poses risks of infection, and can complicate cooperation in young children, asymptomatic individuals, and communities with blood taboos. Here, we report a novel microneedle-based skin patch for the rapid detection of protein biomarkers in dermal interstitial fluid. Sample collection is facilitated by a hydrophilic hollow microneedle array that autonomously extracts and transports interstitial fluid to an antibody-based lateral flow test strip via surface tension for colorimetric antigen detection. We employ a simple gold enhancement treatment to enhance the detection sensitivity of this colloidal gold-based lateral flow assay and elucidate the underlying mechanism of this enhancement mechanism through experimental investigation. For proof-of-concept, this device was used to detect Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2, a biomarker for malaria infection, which could be detected at concentrations as low as 8 ng/mL. Each test can be completed in <20 min and requires no equipment. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first demonstration of a microneedle-based lateral flow assay for rapid protein detection in dermal interstitial fluid. In addition to its simplicity, minimally invasive nature, and low cost, this diagnostic device can be readily adapted to detect other protein biomarkers in interstitial fluid, making it a promising tool for point-of-care testing. A simple, minimally invasive, low-cost microneedle skin patch has been developed that allows rapid detection of protein biomarkers in the dermal interstitial fluid (fluid surrounding skin cells). Rapid diagnostic tests are commonly used to detect and screen for infectious diseases in developing countries, but they rely on finger-prick blood sampling, which carries the risk of infection. Xue Jiang and Peter B. Lillehoj at Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States succeeded in creating a device that quickly collects dermal interstitial fluid using a microneedle array, and autonomously transports it to a lateral flow test strip. The authors verified their system with a biomarker for malaria infection, which could be detected at low concentrations. The test requires no equipment. The authors believe that their device has considerable potential for quickly detecting other protein biomarkers in resource-limited settings.
Clinical Informatics during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned and Implications for Emergency Department and Inpatient Operations.

In response to a pandemic, hospital leaders can use clinical informatics to aid clinical decision making, virtualizing medical care, coordinating communication, and defining workflow and compliance. Clinical informatics procedures need to be implemented nimbly, with governance measures in place to properly oversee and guide novel patient care pathways, diagnostic and treatment workflows, and provider education and communication. The authors' experience recommends (1) creating flexible order sets that adapt to evolving guidelines that meet needs across specialties, (2) enhancing and supporting inherent telemedicine capability, (3) electronically enabling novel workflows quickly and suspending noncritical administrative or billing functions in the electronic health record, and (4) using communication platforms based on tiered urgency that do not compromise security and privacy.
Does truth have a future in higher education

Most institutions of higher education presume that the pursuit of truth is central to their missions. However, the status of truth has been seriously challenged in contemporary society—by postmoder...
Assessment of factors related to carbohydrate intolerance II: OGTT glucose at 120 minutes (LB298)

The OGTT is a gold standard in assessing carbohydrate intolerance (CI) and insulin resistance. However, the test is costly and time consuming. This study examined whether responses to a carbohydrat...
Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa During Pregnancy

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) present high-risk situations during pregnancy. These conditions have been associated with poor energy and nutrient intakes, notably total energy; folate; vitamins B6, B12, and A; calcium; iron; and zinc. Electrolyte imbalances are also of concern. Inadequate or excessive weight gain, spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, and low birth weight, among other adverse outcomes, have been reported in pregnant women with AN or BN and their offspring. Screening and assessment of women for these eating disorders during prenatal clinic visits is recommended. An interdisciplinary approach to care during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and beyond is critical to the successful management of AN or BN and optimal pregnancy outcomes.
Biomarkers of Dietary Polyphenols in Cancer Studies: Current Evidence and Beyond

Polyphenols, commonly contained in fruits and vegetables, have long been associated with a protective role against multiple diseases and adverse health effects. Generally, in vitro and animal experiments have provided strong positive evidence, whereas evidence from in vivo and human epidemiological studies is not strong enough. Most epidemiological studies to date use food frequency questionnaire based dietary intake estimations, which inevitably incur imprecision. Biomarkers of polyphenol have the potential to complement and enhance current studies. This review performed a literature search of all epidemiological studies or controlled clinical/intervention trials which employed biomarkers of exposure for polyphenols to help assess their anticarcinogenic role, using studies on green tea polyphenols as a study model. Currently, studies on this topic are still limited; breast cancer and prostate cancer were the only widely studied cancer types. Isoflavone is the only widely studied polyphenol. In addition to associations between polyphenols and cancer risks, factors such as host genetic susceptibility, epigenetic modification, and gut microbiome patterns may also impact on the protective roles of polyphenols. More evidence should be collected by utilizing biomarkers of exposure for polyphenols in future epidemiological studies before a clear conclusion can be made.
Income Risk and Health

We investigate the impact of exogenous income shocks on health using twenty years of data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. To unravel the impact of income on health from unobserved heterogeneity and reverse causality, we employ techniques from the literature on the estimation of dynamic panel data models. Contrary to much of the previous literature on the gradient, we find that, on average, adverse income shocks lead to a deterioration of health. These effects are most pronounced for working-aged men and are dominated by transitions into the very bottom of the earnings distribution. We also provide suggestive evidence of an association between negative income shocks and higher mortality for working-aged men.
The Inflammation and Nutritional Science for Programs/Policies and Interpretation of Research Evidence (INSPIRE) project (1034.19)

Introduction: The Inflammation and Nutritional Science for Programs/Policies and Interpretation of Research Evidence (INSPIRE) project was a response to high prevalence of malnutrition, infectious ...
Screening for bone health in epilepsy

Elderly and young patients with epilepsy are at risk for fractures from seizure and antiepileptic drug (AED) related falls and from epilepsy and AED related lowered bone mass. Enzyme inducing AEDs are often implicated, although, nonenzyme inducing medications may also impact epilepsy bone disease. Screening for bone health with direct measures, such as bone densitometry by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and indirectly via biochemical markers of bone turnover may help identify patients who are at increased risk for fractures and offer an opportunity for intervention.
Network aware video transcoding for symbiotic rate adaptation on interactive transport

The authors present a potential new approach of application integrated congestion management. It is applicable for time-sensitive traffic and is based on the principle of direct protocol interactivity. In contrast to classical transport protocols, we envision a transport mechanism which is interactive and can provide event notification to the subscriber of its communication service. We then show a network aware adaptive MPEG-2 video transcoding mechanics, which directly interacts with the protocol and adjusts its production in sync with the impairment events in the transport layer. The authors present the novel symbiotic mechanics, and share the performance result observed on the MPEG-2 video stream carried by this symbiosis implementation. We report dramatic improvement in time-conformant video delivery by such protocol interactivity.
Gelation of Fmoc-diphenylalanine is a first order phase transition

We explore the gel transition of the aromatic dipeptide derivative molecule fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF). The addition of water to a solution of Fmoc-FF in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) results in increased attractions leading to self-assembly of Fmoc-FF molecules into a space-filling fibrous network. We provide evidence that gel formation is associated with a first order phase transition resulting in nucleation and growth of strongly anisotropic crystals with high aspect ratios. The strength of attraction between Fmoc-FF molecules as a function of water concentration is estimated from long-time self-diffusion measurements using (1)H NMR diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY). The resulting phase behavior follows that observed for a wide range of other crystallizing nanoparticles and small molecules - a result consistent with the short-range nature of the intermolecular attractions. Furthermore, we use NMR to measure the rate of increase in the fraction of bound Fmoc-FF molecules after water is suddenly mixed into the system. We observe a lag time in the formation of the new phase indicative of the existence of a free energy barrier to the formation of a crystal nucleus of critical size. The application of classical nucleation theory for a cylindrical nucleus indicates that one-dimensional crystal growth is driven by an imbalance of the surface energies of the ends and sides of the fiber.