cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teaching Science in the City: Exploring Linkages between Teacher Learning and Student Learning across Formal and Informal Contexts

This paper describes the Science in the City seminar, an innovative approach to in-service and preservice science teacher development that bridges formal and informal science learning contexts. Drawing upon the tenets of design and evaluation research, the study focuses on the teachers' presentations of evidence of student learning from trips they made to the museum. The findings show linkages between teacher education, teacher practices, and student learning through (a) novel use of the museum as a place to learn science connected to mandated science curricula and (b) clear, reciprocal connections between students' learning in the museum and in the science classroom. We discuss instances of teacher learning falling short of equity goals and examine how structured and unstructured student engagement strategies were employed at meso and micro levels.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy acutely improves diastolic function

Background Invasive studies have shown that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) acutely improves left ventricular (LV) systolic performance and lowers filling pressures in a majority of patients with medically-refractory severe heart failure. Measurements included LV volume, ejection fraction, PWD early (E-wave) and atrial (A-wave) velocities, diastolic filling time (DFT), and DTI early diastolic mitral annular velocity (Em) at the lateral and septal annulus; PWD mitral E-wave/Em and E/FP were calculated to estimate LV filling pressures. Results Immediately after CRT, LV volumes decreased and LVEF increased significantly. PWD mitral E-wave velocity decreased and E-wave duration and DFT increased significantly; mitral E/FP ratio also decreased significantly, consistent with a decrease in LV filling pressure. Patients with a pre-CRT mitral E/A ratio >1 (n = 20), demonstrated improvements in LV diastolic filling and lower filling pressures whereas those with an E/A ratio ≤1 (n = 21) did not show significant changes in diastolic indices. Conclusions The acute effects of CRT include echocardiographic evidence of reduced LV volumes and increased LVEF with improved diastolic filling and lower filling pressures; LV relaxation is not significantly altered. The benefits in diastolic function are dependent on the PWD-determined LV filling characteristics prior to CRT.
Commuting, Gender Roles, and Entrapment: A National Study Utilizing Spatial Fixed Effects and Control Groups

Women's earnings, employment, and commutes have generally lagged men's. Geographers emphasize the effects of women's gender roles on their spatial entrapment as limiting their job opportunities and labor market status. This research methodologically advances spatial entrapment research by utilizing a national model of commuting with spatial fixed effects to make more accurate predictions and generalizations. Second, this research found that a control group of same-sex partners allows for more direct isolation and measurement of the gender role effect on women's commutes. This research concluded that women's gender roles are negatively affecting their commuting range and, therefore, their labor market status.
What's new in enzymatic halogenations

The halogenation of thousands of natural products occurs during biosynthesis and often confers important functional properties. While haloperoxidases had been the default paradigm for enzymatic incorporation of halogens, via X + equivalents into organic scaffolds, a combination of microbial genome sequencing, enzymatic studies and structural biology have provided deep new insights into enzymatic transfer of halide equivalents in three oxidation states. These are (1) the halide ions (X − ) abundant in nature, (2) halogen atoms (X ), and (3) the X + equivalents. The mechanism of halogen incorporation is tailored to the electronic demands of specific substrates and involves enzymes with distinct redox coenzyme requirements.
Nitrate Reductase Activity in Corn Seedlings as Affected by Light and Nitrate Content of Nutrient Media

Young corn plants placed in complete darkness for 48 hours lost 90% of their nitrate reductase activity. The activity was quickly restored when the plants were returned to the light. In other experiments, corn plants were grown under artificial shade in the greenhouse. The nitrate reductase activity in these plants decreased roughly in proportion to the amount of shading. It was shown that both light and nitrate are necessary for the formation of nitrate reductase in quantities required by the plant for normal growth. Corn seedlings germinated in the dark in Hoagland solution showed a fourfold increase in nitrate reductase within 8 hours after they were transferred into the light. Plants that were germinated in the dark without nitrate, and given nitrate at the same time they were transferred to the light, showed a slower rate of development of nitrate reductase activity. Green house experiments in which the nitrate content of nutrient media was varied showed that the level of nitrate reductase activity was dependent in part upon the substrate concentration. There was a positive correlation between the nitrate reductase activity and the growth and protein content of both strains. 18 references, 5 figures, 4 tables.
Virtualization challenges: a view from server consolidation perspective

Server consolidation, by running multiple virtual machines on top of a single platform with virtualization, provides an efficient solu-tion to parallelism and utilization of modern multi-core processors system. However, the performance and scalability of server con-solidation solution on modern massive advanced server is not well addressed. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive study of Xen per-formance and scalability characterization running SPECvirt_sc2010, and identify that large memory and cache footprint, due to the unnecessary high frequent context switch, introduce additional challenges to the system performance and scalability. We propose two optimizations (dynamically-allocable tasklets and context-switch rate controller) to improve the performance. The results show the improved memory and cache efficiency with a reduction of the overall CPI, resulting in an improvement of server consolidation capability by 15% in SPECvirt_sc2010. In the meantime, our optimization achieves an up to 50% acceleration of service response, which greatly improves the QoS of Xen virtualization solution.
Surgical Management of the Neuropathic Bladder

In a simplified view, the "normal" bladder, through a multifaceted neuromuscular event, allows the basic functions of urinary storage and emptying. More specifically, the urinary bladder accommodates increasing urinary volume with little to no increase in vesicular pressure while maintaining continence. The normal act of emptying integrates the relaxation of the urinary sphincters (external and internal) with the subsequent bladder contraction to void to completion when full. There are a multitude of conditions, both congenital and acquired, that can affect the bladder's ability to perform these functions in a smooth and coordinated fashion. The most common causes of pediatric bladder dysfunction necessitating surgical intervention are those associated with spina bifidalmyelodysplasia, posterior urethral valves, and bladder exstrophy. Over the last 2 decades, the evolution of complex reconstruction for lower urinary tract dysfunction has resulted in an improved quality of life for children afflicted with upper urinary tract changes or incontinence despite maximum utilization of nonoperative therapies. Because each patient represents a unique therapeutic entity, an individualized approach to each child is recommended.
Immunochromatographic Diagnostic Test Analysis Using Google Glass

We demonstrate a Google Glass-based rapid diagnostic test (RDT) reader platform capable of qualitative and quantitative measurements of various lateral flow immunochromatographic assays and similar biomedical diagnostics tests. Using a custom-written Glass application and without any external hardware attachments, one or more RDTs labeled with Quick Response (QR) code identifiers are simultaneously imaged using the built-in camera of the Google Glass that is based on a hands-free and voice-controlled interface and digitally transmitted to a server for digital processing. The acquired JPEG images are automatically processed to locate all the RDTs and, for each RDT, to produce a quantitative diagnostic result, which is returned to the Google Glass (i.e., the user) and also stored on a central server along with the RDT image, QR code, and other related information (e.g., demographic data). The same server also provides a dynamic spatiotemporal map and real-time statistics for uploaded RDT results accessible through Internet browsers. We tested this Google Glass-based diagnostic platform using qualitative (i.e., yes/no) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and quantitative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. For the quantitative RDTs, we measured activated tests at various concentrations ranging from 0 to 200 ng/mL for free and total PSA. This wearable RDT reader platform running on Google Glass combines a hands-free sensing and image capture interface with powerful servers running our custom image processing codes, and it can be quite useful for real-time spatiotemporal tracking of various diseases and personal medical conditions, providing a valuable tool for epidemiology and mobile health.
Luminescence of rare earth borosilicates with the stillwellite and related structures

Abstract By hydrothermal reactions it was possible to prepare well-crystallized borosilicates of composition La 1 − x − y Ln x Ln′ y BSiO 5 with the trigonal stillwellite structure. Ln = Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ produce compounds with only weak luminescence. Compounds with Ln = Ce 3+ are strong UV phosphors with peak intensity at x = 0.08 and abrupt concentration quenching at x = 0.10. Compounds with Ln = Ce 3+ and Ln′ = Tb 3+ exhibit effective Ce 3+ → Tb 3+ coactivation and strong green luminescence. This family of borosilicates appears to be useful phosphor hosts, aside from the necessity of non-traditional synthesis.
Air and Ground-Based Methods for Absorbing Delay in Four-Dimensional Trajectory-Based Operations

This paper focuses on pilot and controller issues linked to alternatives for absorbing delay in metering conditions under four-dimensional trajectory-based operations (4D TBO). We specifically explored combining two robust and complex tools, Required Time of Arrival (RTA) and three-dimensional Path Arrival Management (3D PAM) Efficient Descent Advisor (EDA) to yield more accurate and reliable delivery to the meter fix while maintaining operational efficiency. This represents the first time that these two robust and complex tools, one airborne (RTA) and one ground-based (EDA) have been used together. The data demonstrated that the combination of RTA (for speed) and EDA (for path) offered significant capacity for absorbing delay, and these two tools seemed to work well together. Specifically, the speed management of RTA was sufficiently stable and accurate to preserve 3D PAM conflict detection and avoidance and active conflict probe functionality. Potential safety and operational impacts/mitigations and hum...
Comparative profiling of the transcriptional response to infection in two species of Drosophila by short-read cDNA sequencing

Homology-based comparisons of the genes involved in innate immunity across many insect taxa with fully sequenced genomes has revealed a striking pattern of gene gain and loss, particularly among genes that encode proteins involved in clearing pathogens (effectors). However, limited functional annotation in non-model systems has hindered understanding of evolutionary novelties in the insect innate immune system. We use short read sequencing technology (Illumina/Solexa) to compare the transcriptional response to infection between the well studied model system Drosophila melanogaster and the distantly related drosophilid D. virilis. We first demonstrate that Illumina/Solexa sequencing of cDNA from infected and uninfected D. melanogaster recapitulates previously published microarray studies of the transcriptional response to infection in this species, validating our approach. We then show that patterns of transcription of homologous genes differ considerably between D. melanogaster and D. virilis, and identify potential candidates for novel components of the D. virilis immune system based on transcriptional data. Finally, we use a proteomic approach to characterize the protein constituents of the D. virilis hemolymph and validate our transcriptional data. These results suggest that the acquisition of novel components of the immune system, and particularly novel effector proteins, may be a common evolutionary phenomenon.
Cardiac Alpha1-Adrenergic Receptors: Novel Aspects of Expression, Signaling Mechanisms, Physiologic Function, and Clinical Importance

Adrenergic receptors (AR) are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that have a crucial role in cardiac physiology in health and disease. Alpha1-ARs signal through Gαq, and signaling through Gq, for example, by endothelin and angiotensin receptors, is thought to be detrimental to the heart. In contrast, cardiac alpha1-ARs mediate important protective and adaptive functions in the heart, although alpha1-ARs are only a minor fraction of total cardiac ARs. Cardiac alpha1-ARs activate pleiotropic downstream signaling to prevent pathologic remodeling in heart failure. Mechanisms defined in animal and cell models include activation of adaptive hypertrophy, prevention of cardiac myocyte death, augmentation of contractility, and induction of ischemic preconditioning. Surprisingly, at the molecular level, alpha1-ARs localize to and signal at the nucleus in cardiac myocytes, and, unlike most GPCRs, activate “inside-out” signaling to cause cardioprotection. Contrary to past opinion, human cardiac alpha1-AR expression is similar to that in the mouse, where alpha1-AR effects are seen most convincingly in knockout models. Human clinical studies show that alpha1-blockade worsens heart failure in hypertension and does not improve outcomes in heart failure, implying a cardioprotective role for human alpha1-ARs. In summary, these findings identify novel functional and mechanistic aspects of cardiac alpha1-AR function and suggest that activation of cardiac alpha1-AR might be a viable therapeutic strategy in heart failure.
Parallel Image-Based Hemodynamic Simulator

With cost effective distributed memory computer systems reaching high performances, it may become feasible in the near future to provide routinely reliable blood flow simulations during angiographic procedures to enhance standard medical imaging techniques. The long term goal of our work is to produce a fast parallel image base Navier-Stokes flow solver for these kinds of clinical procedures. To achieve such performance, our method relies on the proper combination of three techniques that are the L2 penalty method to deal with complex geometry, a level set method to extract the geometry of the arteries, and a fast scalable domain decomposition solver for the parallel processing of the discrete equations. We developed a web application with a database back-end to store both the original medical images and the results of these simulations. This will assist the endovascular surgeon by providing quickly blood flow indicators such as pressure or shear stresses at the wall of the artery, in addition to existing image analysis technique aimed at improving therapy.
Newer Aspects of the Roles of Zinc, Manganese, and Copper in Human Nutrition

Advances in knowledge of the trace elements zinc, manganese, and copper are reviewed (151 references), particularly as related to human metabolism and disorders. The literature reviewed, with few exceptions, is that published by December 1973.
Nucleon-Meson Transport Calculations

A review of medium- and high-energy nucleon-meson transport calculations carried out at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the past several years is presented.
0.5- $\mu\hbox{m}$ CMOS Implementation of Analog Heart-Rate Extraction With a Robust Peak Detector

A robust high-accuracy analog-signal-processing 0.5-mum CMOS chip for real-time heart-rate (HR) extraction is presented. A novel peak-detector architecture is proposed and implemented to facilitate on-chip integration. The system is capable of processing electrocardiogram (ECG) signals with a peak-to-peak amplitude as low as 5 mV, without any prefiltering. Experimental results with prerecorded and real-time ECG signals have demonstrated the obtained R-R interval accuracy on the order of milliseconds. The system was also used to successfully extract HR intervals with Doppler radar. Such a system may significantly reduce ADC resolution and sampling speed requirements while providing high immunity to noise and DC offset drift.
Probing the Sites of Interactions of Rotaviral Proteins Involved in Replication

Replication and packaging of the rotavirus genome occur in cytoplasmic compartments called viroplasms, which form during virus infection. These processes are orchestrated by yet-to-be-understood complex networks of interactions involving nonstructural proteins (NSPs) 2, 5, and 6 and structural proteins (VPs) 1, 2, 3, and 6. The multifunctional enzyme NSP2, an octamer with RNA binding activity, is critical for viroplasm formation with its binding partner, NSP5, and for genome replication/packaging through its interactions with replicating RNA, the viral polymerase VP1, and the inner core protein VP2. Using isothermal calorimetry, biolayer interferometry, and peptide array screening, we examined the interactions between NSP2, VP1, VP2, NSP5, and NSP6. These studies provide the first evidence that NSP2 can directly bind to VP1, VP2, and NSP6, in addition to the previously known binding to NSP5. The interacting sites identified from reciprocal peptide arrays were found to be in close proximity to the RNA template entry and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) exit tunnels of VP1 and near the catalytic cleft and RNA-binding grooves of NSP2; these sites are consistent with the proposed role of NSP2 in facilitating dsRNA synthesis by VP1. Peptide screening of VP2 identified NSP2-binding sites in the regions close to the intersubunit junctions, suggesting that NSP2 binding could be a regulatory mechanism for preventing the premature self-assembly of VP2. The binding sites on NSP2 for NSP6 were found to overlap that of VP1, and the NSP5-binding sites overlap those of VP2 and VP1, suggesting that interaction of these proteins with NSP2 is likely spatially and/or temporally regulated. IMPORTANCE Replication and packaging of the rotavirus genome occur in cytoplasmic compartments called viroplasms that form during virus infection and are orchestrated by complex networks of interactions involving nonstructural proteins (NSPs) and structural proteins (VPs). A multifunctional RNA-binding NSP2 octamer with nucleotidyl phosphatase activity is central to viroplasm formation and RNA replication. Here we provide the first evidence that NSP2 can directly bind to VP1, VP2, and NSP6, in addition to the previously known binding to NSP5. The interacting sites identified from peptide arrays are consistent with the proposed role of NSP2 in facilitating dsRNA synthesis by VP1 and also point to NSP2's possible role in preventing the premature self-assembly of VP2 cores. Our findings lead us to propose that the NSP2 octamer with multiple enzymatic activities is a principal regulator of viroplasm formation, recruitment of viral proteins into the viroplasms, and possibly genome replication.
Serum immunoglobulin G analysis to establish a delayed diagnosis of chronic cough due to Bordetella pertussis.

Objectives. Incidence of Bordetella pertussis infection among adults has risen significantly throughout the United States, but pertussis is not often considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic cough in adults. The authors hypothesized that serum IgG testing can establish a diagnosis of pertussis infection late in disease presentation when cultures and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are not reliable.Study Design. Case series with chart review.Setting. Tertiary care hospital.Subjects and Methods. Institutional B pertussis serum IgG and PCR tests were reviewed since 2007. Clinical factors assessed included vaccination history, duration and severity of cough, and general medical history.Results. Forty-eight patients had B pertussis fimbrial agglutinogen IgG levels tested since 2007, with a significant increase in positive IgG tests (>27 IU/mL, 3 times the upper limit of normal) since fall 2009. Nineteen patients (39.5%) met IgG criteria for likely recent pertussis infection. Six IgG-positive...
Evolutionary and Functional Relationships among the Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae HMW Family of Adhesins

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a common cause of localized respiratory tract disease and initiates infection by colonizing the nasopharynx. Approximately 75 to 80% of NTHi clinical isolates produce proteins that belong to the HMW family of adhesins, which are believed to facilitate colonization. The prototype HMW adhesins are designated HMW1 and HMW2 and were identified in NTHi strain 12. HMW1 and HMW2 are 71% identical and 80% similar overall, yet display differing cellular binding specificities. In the present study we set out to define more clearly the relationships between HMW1 and HMW2 and other members of the HMW family of adhesins. PCR analysis of 49 epidemiologically distinct isolates revealed that all strains possessing hmw genes as determined by Southern analysis contain two hmw loci in conserved, unlinked physical locations on the chromosome. Functional analysis of the HMW adhesins produced by three unrelated strains demonstrated that each isolate possesses one protein with HMW1-like adherence properties and another with HMW2-like adherence properties. These findings suggest that the hmw1 and hmw2 loci may have arisen via a gene duplication event in an ancestral strain. In addition, they support the hypothesis that the distinct binding specificities of HMW1 and HMW2 emerged early and have persisted over time, suggesting an ongoing selective advantage.
Chaperone Activity with a Redox Switch

Hsp33, a member of a newly discovered heat shock protein family, was found to be a very potent molecular chaperone. Hsp33 is distinguished from all other known molecular chaperones by its mode of functional regulation. Its activity is redox regulated. Hsp33 is a cytoplasmically localized protein with highly reactive cysteines that respond quickly to changes in the redox environment. Oxidizing conditions like H2O2 cause disulfide bonds to form in Hsp33, a process that leads to the activation of its chaperone function. In vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that Hsp33 protects cells from oxidants, leading us to conclude that we have found a protein family that plays an important role in the bacterial defense system toward oxidative stress.
Mariner 6 and 7 Ultraviolet Spectrometer Experiment: Analysis of hydrogen Lyman-alpha data

Four Lyman alpha airglow measurements of the limb and disk of Mars, made by ultraviolet spectrometers on Mariner 6 and 7 in 1969 and Mariner 9 in 1971, are analyzed to determine the amount and distribution of atomic hydrogen above 80 km. The variation of atomic hydrogen with altitude is calculated by using time-independent chemical diffusion models from 80 to 250 km, and an exospheric model is used above 250 km. By employing radiative transfer theory that includes effects of pure absorption and accounts for temperature variations in the atmosphere, a spherical model of the airglow Lyman alpha emission is used to produce theoretical intensities for comparison with the data. It is found that (1) the exospheric temperature and distribution in 1971 are consistent with those determined in 1969, (2) the vertical optical depth above 80 km was 2.2 in 1969 and 5 in 1971, and (3) the derived atomic hydrogen distribution from 80 to 250 km requires a source of atomic hydrogen above 80 km. Comparison of observed profiles with chemical diffusion models implies a large downward flow of atomic hydrogen at 80 km coupled with a large upward flow of molecular hydrogen.-
Differentiation between electron transport sensing and proton motive force sensing by the Aer and Tsr receptors for aerotaxis

Aerotaxis (oxygen-seeking) behavior in Escherichia coli is a response to changes in the electron transport system and not oxygen per se. Because changes in proton motive force (PMF) are coupled to respiratory electron transport, it is difficult to differentiate between PMF, electron transport or redox, all primary candidates for the signal sensed by the aerotaxis receptors, Aer and Tsr. We constructed electron transport mutants that produced different respiratory H+/e- stoichiometries. These strains expressed binary combinations of one NADH dehydrogenase and one quinol oxidase. We then introduced either an aer or tsr mutation into each mutant to create two sets of electron transport mutants. In vivo H+/e- ratios for strains grown in glycerol medium ranged from 1.46 ± 0.18 to 3.04 ± 0.47, but rates of respiration and growth were similar. The PMF jump in response to oxygen was proportional to the H+/e- ratio in each set of mutants (r2 = 0.986 to 0.996). The length of Tsr-mediated aerotaxis responses increased with the PMF jump (r2 = 0.988), but Aer-mediated responses did not correlate with either PMF changes (r2 = 0.297) or the rate of electron transport (r2 = 0.066). Aer-mediated responses were linked to NADH dehydrogenase I, although there was no absolute requirement. The data indicate that Tsr responds to changes in PMF, but strong Aer responses to oxygen are associated with redox changes in NADH dehydrogenase I
Ultrasound-mediated oncolytic virus delivery and uptake for increased therapeutic efficacy: state of art.

The field of ultrasound (US) has changed significantly from medical imaging and diagnosis to treatment strategies. US contrast agents or microbubbles (MB) are currently being used as potential carriers for chemodrugs, small molecules, nucleic acids, small interfering ribonucleic acid, proteins, adenoviruses, and oncolytic viruses. Oncolytic viruses can selectively replicate within and destroy a cancer cell, thus making them a powerful therapeutic in treating late-stage or metastatic cancer. These viruses have been shown to have robust activity in clinical trials when injected directly into tumor nodules. However limitations in oncolytic virus' effec- tiveness and its delivery approach have warranted exploration of ultrasound-mediated delivery. Gene therapy bearing adenoviruses or oncolytic viruses can be coupled with MBs and injected intravenously. Following application of US energy to the target region, the MBs cavitate, and the resulting shock wave enhances drug, gene, or adenovirus uptake. Though the underlying mechanism is yet to be fully understood, there is evidence to suggest that mechanical pore for- mation of cellular membranes allows for the temporary uptake of drugs. This delivery method circumvents the limitations due to stimulation of the immune system that prevented intravenous administration of viruses. This review provides insight into this intriguing new frontier on the delivery of oncolytic viruses to tumor sites.
Conceptual Abstraction Levels (CALs) for managing design complexity of market-oriented MPSoCs

Architecting Multiprocessor System-on-Chips (MPSoCs) solutions for multiple markets with many applications has appeared as an important trend. Developing an efficient system specification model is a challenging and critical step toward realizing MPSoCs architecture, considering the diversity of often conflicting requirements. Current ESL design flows typically start with an executable specification model, where many essential design decisions are already locked down. This defines an abstraction gap between market requirements and system specification model. Thereby, new solutions are required to fill the abstraction gap and guide system architects in developing an efficient system specification.To manage design complexities above the system specification, in a joint academia and industry effort, we propose a set of higher abstractions; which we call Conceptual Abstraction Levels (CALs). CALs addresses early design decisions separately and iteratively at higher levels of abstraction enabling an efficient solution space exploration. Through explicitly exposing essential design decisions, such as functional decomposition, algorithm exploration and tuning, granularity of computation/communication and parallelism, CALs fills the gap between market requirements and the system specification model. To illustrate the benefits of our approach, we have applied CALs to the embedded vision market and focused on an example of vision pipeline including Background Subtraction, Object detection and Object Tracking. By applying CALs, we achieved an efficient specification model choosing algorithm, processing element class, parallelism, and hierarchy, along with exploring a flexible trade-off between quality/bandwidth/computation supporting variations in application requirements. For Background Subtraction we demonstrate a 63% reduction in memory bandwidth with minimal increase in computation when comparing to the initial algorithm. The resulting specification model serves as an input for a top-down downstream ESL flow for further fine grained exploration, synthesis and implementation.
In vitro inhibition of leukocyte uptake of radioactive endotoxin by components of normal serum.

SummaryChromium51-labeled enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides were incubated with leukocytes or erythrocytes in the presence or absence of serum (or serum protein components) . Leukocytes exhibit a much greater affinity for endotoxin than erythrocytes. Serum inhibits the rate of uptake of lipopolysaccharide by the blood cells. Each of the serum fractions (albumin, and α1-, α2-, β-, γ-globulins) interfere in the uptake of endotoxin by leukocytes.
A STUDY OF THE UTILITY OF BLOOD THEOPHYLLINE MEASUREMENT KIT ED009 USING BIOTRACK 516

In this study blood levels of theophylline were measured by using simple apparatus, Biotrack, Vision, and TDX. Studies were carried out on 55 patients with bronchial asthma (41 malesand 14 females with a mean age of 8.5±3.6 years) who were attending the Department of Allergy of National Children' s Hospital, performing a total of 99 sessions of blood theophylline mesurement. Blood was sampled when the patients visited the outpatient clinic, and blood levels of theophylline were measured by using three kinds of apparatus, Biotrack, Vision, and TDX. The masurements obtained by the three methods were analyzed for correlation between the three apparatus so as to determine the clinical utility of Biotrack. There was a significant correlation (r=0.978) between Biotrack and Vision (p<0.01), and there was again a significant correlation between Biotrack and TDX (r=0.977) (p<0.01). Based on the results presented it may be concluded that Biotrack favorably compares with other conventional apparatus for mesurement of theophylline in the blood. Furthermore, considering the fast results and high procedural simplicity, Biotrack seems to be a blood theophylline measurement apparatus of clinical use.
Erratum to: Extracting drug-enzyme relation from literature as evidence for drug drug interaction

Following the publication of the original article [1] it was brought to our attention that an important acknowledgement from co-author Jingcheng Du was missing from the manuscript. The authors would like to apologise for this oversight and now take the opportunity to gratefully acknowledge the support from the UTHealth Innovation for Cancer Prevention Research Training Program Pre-doctoral Fellowship (Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas grant # RP140103).
Social influences on charitable giving in the workplace

Abstract Social influences have been widely recorded in charitable giving. In two field experiments, we attempt to exogenously manipulate sources of social influence in the workplace. This environment allows the use of administrative data to map participants’ hierarchies in a network, and their approximate proximity to each-other socially. In our first experiment, participants are sent an email by the CEO asking them to donate a day's salary to charity. When this email is personalised, being addressed to “Dear John” rather than “Dear Colleague”, donations significantly increase. In the second experiment, we provide some participants with information about the proportion of their colleagues who have already donated. In this case, the social norm is not to donate (only 7.5% have donated). We find no negative effects of this information on future donations, and that for some, high-ranking groups, the effect is (perhaps counterintuitively) positive. We suggest that relationships within the workplace—a concern for status relative to the CEO, or for the firm's reputation—may explain these results.
Non-endoscopic Management of Acute Mechanical Colonic Obstruction and Pseudo-obstruction

Acute colonic obstruction is either due to acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) or mechanical colonic obstruction (MCO). The clinical presentation is similar in both conditions. Radiologic imaging is the principal determinant for the diagnosis and differentiation of ACPO and MCO. The evaluation and management of ACPO include careful review and modification of predisposing factors, including metabolic derangements and medications that impair motility. Management options for ACPO include pharmacologic agents that promote colonic motility and endoscopic decompression. Acute MCO generally requires endoscopic or surgical intervention for definitive therapy. A multidisciplinary approach, with the involvement of gastroenterologists, surgeons, and interventional radiologists, will optimize patient outcomes.
A compact bio-inspired visible/NIR imager for image-guided surgery(Conference Presentation)

Inspired by the visual system of the morpho butterfly, we have designed, fabricated, tested and clinically translated an ultra-sensitive, light weight and compact imaging sensor capable of simultaneously capturing near infrared (NIR) and visible spectrum information. The visual system of the morpho butterfly combines photosensitive cells with spectral filters at the receptor level. The spectral filters are realized by alternating layers of high and low dielectric constant, such as air and cytoplasm. We have successfully mimicked this concept by integrating pixelated spectral filters, realized by alternating silicon dioxide and silicon nitrate layers, with an array of CCD detectors. There are four different types of pixelated spectral filters in the imaging plane: red, green, blue and NIR. The high optical density (OD) of all spectral filters (OD>4) allow for efficient rejections of photons from unwanted bands. The single imaging chip weighs 20 grams with form factor of 5mm by 5mm. The imaging camera is integrated with a goggle display system. A tumor targeted agent, LS301, is used to identify all spontaneous tumors in a transgenic PyMT murine model of breast cancer. The imaging system achieved sensitivity of 98% and selectivity of 95%. We also used our imaging sensor to locate sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in patients with breast cancer using indocyanine green tracer. The surgeon was able to identify 100% of SLNs when using our bio-inspired imaging system, compared to 93% when using information from the lymphotropic dye and 96% when using information from the radioactive tracer.
Identification of High Utilization Inpatients on Internal Medicine Services

Abstract Background As healthcare reform moves toward value based care, hospitals must reduce costs. As a first step, here we developed a predictive model to identify high-cost patients on admission. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study of 7,571 adults admitted to internal medicine services from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. We compared the top 10% highest cost patients to other patients (controls) and identified clinical variables associated with high inpatient costs. Using logistic regression analyses, we developed a predictive model that could be used on admission to identify potential high utilization patients. Results In the 757 high utilizer patients, the median total hospital cost was $53,430 ± 60,679 compared to $8,431 ± 7,245 in the control group (P Conclusions High resource utilization patients appear to have a specific phenotype that can be predicted with commonly available clinical variables. Our predictive formula holds promise as a tool that may help ultimately reduce hospital costs.
High performance ZVT with bus clamping modulation technique for single phase full bridge inverters

This paper proposes a topology based on bus clamping modulation and zero-voltage-transition (ZVT) technique to realize zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) for all the main switches of the full bridge inverters, and inherent ZVS and/or ZCS for the auxiliary switches. The advantages of the strategy include significant reduction in the turn-on loss of the ZVT auxiliary switches which typically account for a major part of the total loss in other ZVT circuits, and reduction in the voltage ratings of auxiliary switches. The modulation scheme and the commutation stages are analyzed in detail. Finally, a 1kW, 500 kHz switching frequency inverter of the proposed topology using SiC MOSFETs has been built to validate the theoretical analysis. The ZVT with bus clamping modulation technique of fixed timing and adaptive timing schemes are implemented in DSP TMS320F28335 resulting in full ZVS for the main switches in the full bridge inverter. The proposed scheme can save up to 33 % of the switching loss compared with no ZVT case.
Abstract PR02: The diverse roles of long noncoding RNAs in the p53 tumor suppressor pathway

The p53 tumor suppressor is a transcription factor, which plays a central role in the cellular response to DNA damage and oncogenic stress. Using genetic approaches in the mouse as well as antisense technology, we have previously shown that the p53-regulated lncRNA, lincRNA-p21 activates the expression of its neighboring gene, the critical G1/S checkpoint mediator, p21. Mechanistically, we found that lincRNA-p21 localizes at its site of transcription, where it acts in cis to stabilize the binding of p53 and its transcriptional co-activator hnRNP-K at the promoter of p21. Importantly, using CRISPR-based approaches to modify the endogenous lincRNA-p21 locus in primary human fibroblasts, we show that the role of lincRNA-p21 in promoting p21 levels is conserved between mouse and human. To expand our understanding of the contribution of lncRNAs to the p53 tumor suppressor pathway, we have performed p53 ChIPseq and RNAseq under conditions of oncogenic stress and identified multiple previously uncharacterized lncRNAs that are regulated in a p53-dependent manner. One of them, lincRNA-Dhx15 is a novel lncRNA expressed from a bidirectional promoter shared with the RNA helicase Dhx15. LincRNA-Dhx15 is a direct target of p53 by virtue of multiple p53 response elements located in its first intron and appears to be preferentially expressed under conditions of senescence. We have generated a conditional knockout of lincRNA-Dhx15 in the mouse and found that absence of lincRNA-Dhx15 leads to impaired induction of senescence following prolonged exposure to DNA damage. Moreover, by gene expression profiling, we observed a downregulation of a subset of p53 target genes, suggesting that lincRNA-Dhx15 plays a global role in the p53 pathway. Surprisingly, we found that lincRNA-Dhx15 is exported to the cytoplasm and appears to promote the translational of p53 itself. The mechanistic basis for lincRNA-Dhx15 function is under active investigation. Altogether, these studies reveal that p53-regulated lncRNAs act through diverse mechanisms to add important layers of regulation to the p53 transcriptional network. Citation Format: Jordan Bendor, Jesse Zamudio, Tyler Jacks, Nadva Dimitrova. The diverse roles of long noncoding RNAs in the p53 tumor suppressor pathway. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Noncoding RNAs and Cancer: Mechanisms to Medicines ; 2015 Dec 4-7; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(6 Suppl):Abstract nr PR02.
Microresonator based optical sensors

We describe optical-sensing measurements that utilize natural cavity resonance modes associated with glass spheres and cylinders with diameters between 10 and 100 μm. Radiation may be trapped by total internal reflection in the circular cross-section of such structures, and a resonant cavity mode occurs when a ray reflects back on itself in phase. Such modes have been referred to as morphology-dependent resonances (MDRs)1 since resonant frequencies and widths depend on the cavity size, shape, and refractive index. MDR positions and widths for spheres or circular cylinders can be calculated in terms of the size parameter (ratio of circumference to wavelength) for a given refractive index. These calculations predict a dense spectrum of optical modes with a broad range of possible widths or quality factors (Q's). MDR structure has previously been observed in a variety of different optical measurements from both fibers and. spheres2-4 Q's as high as 108 have been determined in fluorescence from dye-doped droplets.5 Recent observations of sharp MDR features in elastic scattering from undoped glass fibers and in emission from Nd3+ doped glass fibers suggest a new approach for optical sensors since these resonance positions are very sensitive to the cavity environment (temperature, surface quality, physical shape, etc.). By monitoring shifts in the resonances, one can infer changes in these environmental factors.
A chiral, bis-anthraquinone-bridged cyclophane with a large specific rotation

Abstract A wide variety of common TD-DFT methods predict that chiral cyclophane 1 should exhibit a specific rotation ranging from large ([ α ] D ∼ 1000) to unreasonably large ([ α ] D > 1,000,000) with numerous estimates between these values. Compound 1 was prepared in two steps from 1,8-dichloroanthraquinone, and its X-ray structure showed it to be, as expected, a C 2 -symmetric, roughly triangular macrocycle. Compound 1 was resolved into nearly pure enantiomers by chromatography on a chiral support, and the specific rotations of the two components were determined to be [ α ] D 23 = +1520 and [ α ] D 23 = −1470. These values are large, but not exceptionally so, and the wildly inaccurate TD-DFT estimates of the specific rotation of compound 1 are shown to be closely related to the failure of the same TD-DFT methods to predict accurately the absorption spectrum of 1 .
Correlation Between Antibodies to Bisphenol A, Its Target Enzyme Protein Disulfide Isomerase and Antibodies to Neuron-Specific Antigens

Evidence continues to increase linking autoimmunity and other complex diseases to the chemicals commonly found in our environment. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic monomer used widely in many forms, from food containers to toys, medical products and many others. The potential for BPA to participate as a triggering agent for autoimmune diseases is likely due to its known immunological influences. The goal of this research was to determine if immune reactivity to BPA has any correlation with neurological antibodies. BPA binds to a target enzyme called protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). Myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) are neuronal antigens that are target sites for neuroinflammation and neuroautoimmunity. We determined the co-occurrence of anti-MBP and anti-MOG antibodies with antibodies made against BPA bound to human serum albumin in 100 healthy human subjects. Correlation between BPA to PDI, BPA to MOG, BPA to MBP, PDI to MBP and PDI to MOG were all highly statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The outcome of our study suggests that immune reactivity to BPA-human serum albumin and PDI has a high degree of statistical significance with substantial correlation with both MBP and MOG antibody levels. This suggests that BPA may be a trigger for the production of antibodies against PDI, MBP and MOG. Immune reactivity to BPA bound to human tissue proteins may be a contributing factor to neurological autoimmune disorders. Further research is needed to determine the exact relationship of these antibodies with neuroautoimmunities. Copyright © 2016 The Authors Journal of Applied Toxicology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Recent advances in preclinical model systems for papillomaviruses

Preclinical model systems to study multiple features of the papillomavirus life cycle have greatly aided our understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) biology, disease progression and treatments. The challenge to studying HPV in hosts is that HPV along with most PVs are both species and tissue restricted. Thus, fundamental properties of HPV viral proteins can be assessed in specialized cell culture systems but host responses that involve innate immunity and host restriction factors requires preclinical surrogate models. Fortunately, there are several well-characterized and new animal models of papillomavirus infections that are available to the PV research community. Old models that continue to have value include canine, bovine and rabbit PV models and new rodent models are in place to better assess host-virus interactions. Questions arise as to the strengths and weaknesses of animal PV models for HPV disease and how accurately these preclinical models predict malignant progression, vaccine efficacy and therapeutic control of HPV-associated disease. In this review, we examine current preclinical models and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the various models as well as provide an update on new opportunities to study the numerous unknowns that persist in the HPV research field.
The Influence of Axial Grooves on Dislodgment Resistance of Prosthetic Metal Crowns in Maxillary Fourth Premolar Teeth of Dogs.

The reported failure rate for full veneer crowns in dogs is suboptimal, particularly in teeth with naturally poor retentive features such as the maxillary fourth premolar tooth of dogs. Although th...
Comparison of injected and radiated EMC testing of active implanted cardiac medical devices at the boundary frequency of 450 MHz

We compared testing via radiated vs. injected susceptibility methods specified in the ISO 14117 standard for electromagnetic compatibility of implantable cardiac medical devices. Injected testing is specified at and below 450 MHz and radiated testing is specified at and above this boundary frequency. Experimental and computational studies were performed to determine voltages induced in a model of an implant. The device under test (DUT) was a model with a metal case (5.0 x 4.5 x 3.4 cm high) containing a diode detector and a fiber optic link plus a insulated wire simulating a unipolar lead. We evaluated induced voltage in the model for radiated versus injected testing. The voltage from experimental measurements agreed with computed values within ± dB or less. Radiated testing with 12.25 Watts delivered to the dipole specified on the standard induced the same voltage as the injected test requirement (14 Vp-p). This is in strong contrast to the specified radiated test power of 120 me or even the optional worst-case radiated test level of 8 Watts. Lateral displacement of the dipole by 2 cm changed the voltage induced in the DUT by 20% or less. For depth changes below saline surface from 5 mm to 10 mm voltage variations were 12.5%. There is poor agreement (by a factor of 9.9 or more) for radiated vs. injected testing at the border frequency of 450 MHz separating the two methods. Our computational model can also be used at other frequencies and for EMC studies or other types of active implants that use the ISO14117 standard's radiated test method, such as neuro-stimulators.