cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The isolated perfused working mouse heart system

Study of cardioactive agents in vivo is complicated by neurohormonal influences and variations in loading conditions. The working mouse heart perfusion system allows for the ex vivo direct measurement of cardiac metabolism and function, and responses to drugs and hormones, under defined conditions. Myocardial pressure and volume measurements are obtained using a micro-tip catheter inserted into the left ventricular chamber. Direct and derived functional data include heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), end systolic pressure (ESP), end diastolic pressure (EDP), end systolic volume (ESV), end diastolic volume (EDV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF). Metabolic data include rates of glycolysis, glucose oxidation, and fatty acid oxidation. The mouse serves as an ideal model for evaluation of the pharmacology and toxicity of novel cardioactive therapeutics due to its rapid reproduction, low cost, and relevance to human physiology.
FDA Advisory Committees

FDA Advisory Committee meetings and their topics are always of great interest to some segment of the regulated community and the associated investment community. Because FDA will often involve an advisory committee for controversial or politically contentious issues such as approval of an OTC drug to induce abortion, or other especially difficult decisions or close calls, advisory committee meetings are often also of great interest to the general public. FDA Advisory Committee meetings are almost always public and although often covered by and reported about in the popular press, the committees themselves, their deliberations and their role or authority are frequently misunderstood. Although FDA advisory committees or panels may be asked to help or offer counsel to FDA over any matter related to FDA’s role, including policy and scientific questions, advisory committees attract particularly intense attention when they are asked to advise about an agent’s safety and efficacy, and to help in determining the so-called “benefit-to-risk ratio” as part of the final process in determining whether or not to give regulatory approval.
Post-systolic shortening: a functional window into ischemic memory?

The heart's memory eliminates the bad and magnifies the good; and thanks to this artifice we manage to endure the burdens of the past.—Gabriel Garcia Marquez ([1][1]) Myocardial post-systolic shortening is characterized by a large variability in both duration and magnitude. Although typically
The state of medical education research.

Professional development portfolio curriculum at New York University is described by a participant. It consists of an online collection of essays, diagnostic write-ups and reflections made during all four years of medical school. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Towards controlled polymer brushes via a self-assembly-assisted-grafting-to approach

Precise synthesis of polymer brushes to modify the surface of nanoparticles and nanodevices for targeted applications has been one of the major focuses in the community for decades. Here we report a self-assembly-assisted-grafting-to approach to synthesize polymer brushes on flat substrates. In this method, polymers are pre-assembled into two-dimensional polymer single crystals (PSCs) with functional groups on the surface. Chemically coupling the PSCs onto solid substrates leads to the formation of polymer brushes. Exquisite control of the chain folding in PSCs allows us to obtain polymer brushes with well-defined grafting density, tethering points and brush conformation. Extremely high grafting density (2.12 chains per nm(2)) has been achieved in the synthesized single-tethered polymer brushes. Moreover, polymer loop brushes have been successfully obtained using oddly folded PSCs from telechelic chains. Our approach combines some of the important advantages of conventional 'grafting-to' and 'grafting-from' methods, and is promising for tailored synthesis of polymer brushes.
Angle of Incidence Effects on External Quantum Efficiency in Multicrystalline Silicon Photovoltaics

The accurate prediction of photovoltaic power output under a wide range of conditions observed in the field is of significant interest to the effective insertion of solar power into the electric grid. Spectrally resolved external quantum efficiency (EQE) is used to compute changes in the short-circuit current density as a function of the incidence angle, thus providing a cell-level performance metric that can be integrated into an irradiance-to-power model, allowing an alternative to empirically derived parameters. Multicrystalline silicon cells have been examined both in their as-received condition and after the addition of an EVA/top glass laminate structure. The use of a physical mask in the EQE measurement has allowed the isolation of the expected cosine law behavior from the contribution of optical effects associated with reflection and scattering that are unique to cell/module materials and architecture.
Northern Corn Rootworm Resistance in Sweet Corn

Resistance to feeding larvae of the northern corn rootworm, Diabrotica longicornis (Say), observed in nursery-grown sweet corn, differed greatly among even closely related lines and was sometimes transmitted to the hybrids of a particular inbred. Root examination gave a better indication of resistance than percentage of leaning stalks.
Repressed anger mediates associations between sexual minority stressors and negative psychological outcomes in gay men and lesbian women

ABSTRACTSexual minority individuals may be exposed to unique social stressors that include anticipation of harassment and concealment of their sexual identity, with increased risk for psychological problems as a result of such stressors. The present study identified coping behaviors of gay men and lesbian women that mediate these associations between sexual minority stressors and negative psychological outcomes. Participants included 128 gay men and 123 lesbian women who completed online surveys to report two social stressors (harassment, concealment), three psychological outcomes (health concerns, self-esteem, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms), and seven possible coping behaviors (exercise, sleep, alcohol use, tobacco use, religiosity, expressed anger, repressed anger). For both gay men and lesbian women, repressed anger was the only coping behavior that mediated associations between sexual minority stressors (harassment and concealment for men, concealment for women) and negative psychologi...
Applications of Amorphous Ti-P-N Diffusion Barriers in Silicon Metallization

Thin films of amorphous TiP and TiPN2 alloys were deposited by sputtering of a TiP target in an Ar and N2/Ar mixture, respectively. These alloy films were tested as diffusion barriers between Al and Si as well as between Cu and Si and also in metallizations which included TiSi2 as the contacting layer. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, x-ray diffraction and electrical measurements were used to determine the barrier effectiveness. We find that TiP and TiPN2 films prevent the interdiffusion and reaction between Al and Si up to 500°C and 600°C for 30 minutes annealing, respectively, and between Cu and Si up to 600°C and 700°C, respectively.
Maternal Prenatal Psychological Distress and Preschool Cognitive Functioning: the Protective Role of Positive Parental Engagement

Considerable animal research and available human studies suggest that psychological distress experienced by mothers during gestation is associated with later neurodevelopmental deficits in offspring; however, little research has examined potential protective factors that might mitigate this risk. The current study examined the impact of maternal prenatal psychological distress during pregnancy on cognitive outcomes in preschoolers (ages 2.5-5 years) and positive parenting as a potential protective factor. Mother-child dyads (N = 162, mean child age = 44 months, 49 % female) were recruited from a longitudinal cohort of women who had previously participated in a study of maternal mood disorders during pregnancy. Maternal prenatal distress was assessed with multiple measures collected throughout pregnancy. During a follow-up visit, mothers were interviewed about their psychological symptoms since the birth of the child, parenting behaviors were recorded during a parent-child interaction, and children's cognitive abilities were measured using the Differential Ability Scales, 2nd Edition. Maternal prenatal distress significantly predicted lower general cognitive abilities; however, this relationship was strongest for children whose mothers exhibited low levels of positive engagement and not significant when mothers exhibited high levels of positive engagement. Results suggest that positive parental engagement can protect against the detrimental effects of maternal prenatal distress on preschoolers' cognitive abilities.
Clinical analysis of thrombocytopenic purpura caused by sodium valproate treatment in 8 children with epilepsy

OBJECTIVE To explore the pathogenesis of thrombocytopenic purpura caused by sodium valproate treatment. METHOD Platelet counts ,bleeding times and blood levels of sodium valproate of 8 cases of children with epilepsy who presented purpura 3～5.5 months after Sodium valproate treatment were measured. RESULTS All patients presents purpura over the whole body skin, especially over two legs skin, and 2 cases of those patients presented gingival bleeding. All patients showed decreased platelet counts and prolonged bleeding times, and the decrements of platelet counts positively related with the blood levels of sodium valproate.CONCLUSION Treatment with sodium valproate may influence the count and function of platelets in children with epilepsy, the extent of which may correlate with the dosage of sodium valproate .
The historicity of time

The aim of this chapter is to establish a general theoretical framework for analyzing the various post-Kantian positions that emerge in response to the temporality of modern life. I do this by defending the claim that the experience of temporality is itself historical and, as such, fundamentally a product of human convention; and I seek to distinguish this view from accounts that do not refer to the social or to the social constitution of time. I then try to show that, qua historical, this experience can be theorized in terms of the inferential articulation concepts implicitly have when applied in temporally indexed judgments, and I emphasize the first-person standpoint as being ultimately both irreducible and authoritative. The idea of narrative will be important: the narrative mode conditions and structures action, experience, and selves. Ultimately, these can appear intelligible only against the background of narratives that bring about temporal synthesis, thereby creating order and unity among their various elements. Finally, I introduce three levels of temporal mediation and negotiation – (a) of everyday life, (b) of the relation between singular action and one's life as a whole, and (c) of larger, collective events – suggesting that narrative is what allows these levels to interact with one another. Physical vs. social time This book is predicated on the idea that there is something distinct about the way in which time is understood and experienced in modernity .
Ethnicity in the New Era

At a banquet celebrating the fifty-fifth anniversary of the Anshe Sholom Congregation in 1925, Rabbi Saul Silber expressed anxieties about the future that were shared by Polish, Czech, and Italian community leaders. On this seemingly joyous occasion, he lamented: What will become of our children? Do we want them to grow up pinochle players and poker sharks, or do we want them to grow up men and women who have an understanding of the problems of life, who know the history of their ancestors, who are proud Jews, and who will be a credit to us? Our children are running away from us … Let us build houses of worship, social centers and Hebrew schools, and let us provide the means for the coming generation to learn and to know. During the 1920s, newspapers of the “new immigrant” groups, those who had emigrated from eastern and southern Europe in the decades between 1880 and World War I, were filled with concerns about the falling away of the flock. Czech “Jaroslavs” who became “Jacks,” Poles who dropped the “wicz” or the “ski,” Jews who intermarried, immigrants who packed away the once treasured handicrafts of the old country, all worried ethnic leaders. The move away from European customs, they feared, signified a decline in ethnic identity of consequence to their communities as well as themselves personally.
Quality of urban life among older adults in the world major metropolises: a cross-cultural comparative study

The concept of quality of urban life (QoUL) can be interpreted quite differently across different cultures. Little evidence has shown that the measure of QoUL, which is based on Western culture, can be applied to populations cross-culturally. In the current study, we use data from the 2006 Assessing Happiness and Competitiveness of World Major Metropolises study to identify underlying factors associated with QoUL as well as assess the consistency of the QoUL measurement among adults, aged 60 and older, in ten world major metropolises (i.e. New York City, Toronto, London, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Stockholm, Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul). Exploratory factor analysis and multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) are used to analyse the data. Findings of the study suggest that the measure of QoUL is sensitive to socio-cultural differences. Community factor and intrapersonal factor are two underlying structures that are related to QoUL among older adults in ten metropolises cross-culturally. Results from the CFA indicate that Toronto is comparable with Beijing, New York City, Paris, Milan and Stockholm in QoUL, while other cities are not. The results provide insights into the development of current urban policy and promotion of quality of life among older residents in major metropolitan areas. Future researchers should continue to explore the relationship between QoUL and socio-cultural differences within international urban settings, while remaining cautious when making cross-cultural comparisons.
Differentially Private Online Active Learning with Applications to Anomaly Detection

In settings where data instances are generated sequentially or in streaming fashion, online learning algorithms can learn predictors using incremental training algorithms such as stochastic gradient descent. In some security applications such as training anomaly detectors, the data streams may consist of private information or transactions and the output of the learning algorithms may reveal information about the training data. Differential privacy is a framework for quantifying the privacy risk in such settings. This paper proposes two differentially private strategies to mitigate privacy risk when training a classifier for anomaly detection in an online setting. The first is to use a randomized active learning heuristic to screen out uninformative data points in the stream. The second is to use mini-batching to improve classifier performance. Experimental results show how these two strategies can trade off privacy, label complexity, and generalization performance.
Fixed Point Theory and Elliptic Boundary Value Problems

Abstract Let Ω ⊂ R n be a bounded smooth domain. For k >1, consider the following non-linear elliptic boundary value problem (I) ÷ A l ( x , u , D u ) + f l ( x , u , D ) = 0 in Ω , l = 1 , … , k , u ( x ) = u 0 ( x ) , o n ∂ Ω , where u : Ω → R k , f l : Ω × R k × R n k → R , A l : Ω × R k × R n k → R n , l = 1 , … , k , are vector-valued functions. Under appropriate conditions on the functions f l and A l , we investigate the question of existence of positive solutions to the boundary value problem (I) via the fixed point theory. The a priori estimates play a key role.
Characterization of the leukemogenic potential of distal cytoplasmic CSF3R truncation and missense mutations

An increasing number of variants of unknown significance are being identified in leukemia patients with the application of deep sequencing and these include CSF3R cytoplasmic mutations. Previous studies have demonstrated oncogenic potential of certain CSF3R truncation mutations prior to internalization motifs. However, the oncogenic potential of truncating the more distal region of CSF3R cytoplasmic domain as well as cytoplasmic missense mutations remains uncharacterized. Here we identified that CSF3R distal cytoplasmic truncation mutations (Q793-Q823) also harbored leukemogenic potential. Mechanistically, these distal cytoplasmic truncation mutations demonstrated markedly decreased receptor degradation, probably owing to loss of the de-phosphorylation domain (residues N818-F836). Furthermore, all truncations prior to Q823 demonstrated increased expression of the higher molecular weight CSF3R band, which is shown to be essential for the receptor surface expression and the oncogenic potential. We further demonstrated that sufficient STAT5 activation is essential for oncogenic potential. In addition, CSF3R K704A demonstrated transforming capacity due to interruption of receptor ubiquitination and degradation. In summary, we have expanded the region of the CSF3R cytoplasmic domain in which truncation or missense mutations exhibit leukemogenic capacity, which will be useful for evaluating the relevance of CSF3R mutations in patients and helpful in defining targeted therapy strategies.
Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction associated with Shifts in Dyadic Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms in German Couples across Four Years.

Depression is a pervasive mental health concern; thus, it is important to identify modifiable factors associated with reducing depressive symptoms across time. Using 1,876 heterosexual couples assessed annually across 4 years from the Panel Analysis of Intimate Relationships and Family Dynamics (Pairfam) study, time-varying covariate growth models tested if sexual and relationship satisfaction were linked with shifts in trajectories of depressive symptoms across time. For both men and women, higher sexual and relationship satisfaction scores were significantly associated with decreasing their own depressive symptom trajectories, but only relationship satisfaction was linked with their partners' depressive symptom trajectories. Potential clinical implications include the treatment of depressive symptoms by making changes across time in their own relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction.
Detecting Compensatory Trunk Movements in Stroke Survivors using a Wearable System

Because of the redundancy in the human body, stroke survivors often use atypical compensatory movements, such as reaching with trunk motion to compensate for deficits in arm function. Prior studies have established that minimizing these compensatory movements during therapy result in improvements in arm function -- however, there has been little effort till date to monitor these compensatory movements during everyday activities outside of a lab environment. Here, we developed a wearable senor system that is capable of detecting compensatory trunk movements in a wide range of upper extremity activities. Participants with chronic stroke participated in the experiment, performing a range of activities with both the affected and unaffected arm, while wearing a 3-sensor wearable system, where each sensor consisted of an accelerometer and a gyroscope. Results showed that activities that involved elbow extension robustly elicited compensatory movements on the affected arm, and were detected with high accuracy by the wearable system. On the other hand, activities which did not require elbow extension did not elicit trunk compensation, and resulted in low classification accuracy. These results show the potential of using a wearable sensor system to detect compensatory movements in stroke survivors, which can be a critical tool for rehabilitation outside of the lab.
Robust Dictionary Learning

The lack of labeled data presents a common challenge in many computer vision and machine learning tasks. Semi-supervised learning and transfer learning methods have been developed to tackle this challenge by utilizing auxiliary samples from the same domain or from a different domain, respectively. Self-taught learning, which is a special type of transfer learning, has fewer restrictions on the choice of auxiliary data. It has shown promising performance in visual learning. However, existing self-taught learning methods usually ignore the structure information in data. In this chapter, we focus on building a self-taught coding framework, which can effectively utilize the rich low-level pattern information abstracted from the auxiliary domain, in order to characterize the high-level structural information in the target domain. By leveraging a high quality dictionary learned across auxiliary and target domains, the proposed approach learns expressive codings for the samples in the target domain. Since many types of visual data have been proven to contain subspace structures, a low-rank constraint is introduced into the coding objective to better characterize the structure of the given target set. The proposed representation learning framework is called Self-taught Low-rank coding (S-Low), which can be formulated as a non-convex rank-minimization and dictionary learning problem. We devise an efficient majorization-minimization augmented Lagrange multiplier (MM-ALM) algorithm to solve it. Based on the proposed S-Low coding mechanism, both unsupervised and supervised visual learning algorithms are derived. Extensive experiments on five benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Directional Label Rectification in Adaptive Graph

With the explosive growth of multivariate time-series data, failure (event) analysis has gained widespread applications. A primary goal for failure analysis is to identify the fault signature, i.e., the unique feature pattern to distinguish failure events. However, the complex nature of multivariate time-series data brings challenge in the detection of fault signature. Given a time series from a failure event, the fault signature and the onset of failure are not necessarily adjacent, and the interval between the signature and failure is usually unknown. The uncertainty of such interval causes the uncertainty in labeling timestamps, thus makes it inapplicable to directly employ any standard supervised algorithms in signature detection. To address this problem, we present a novel directional label rectification model which identifies the fault-relevant timestamps and features in a simultaneous approach. Different from previous graph-based label propagation models using fixed graph, we propose to learn an adaptive graph which is optimal for the label rectification process. We conduct extensive experiments on both synthetic and real world datasets and illustrate the advantage of our model in both effectiveness and efficiency.
Measuring Science, Technology, and Innovation: A Review

The measurement of scientific, technological, and innovative activities (STI) in the economy is an increasing challenge faced by statistical agencies around the world. In this review, we survey the current state of the art.We discuss the concept of indicators, their quality and use, and present a schematic model of the STI system that can help us identify gaps in the set of indicators commonly in use. We then review the developments in STI measurement that have taken place in the rest of the world, particularly the widespread use of innovation surveys. The monograph concludes with a discussion of the measurement gaps and issues in the U.S., which we identify as innovation (especially in the service sector), non-R&D investment related to innovation, data timeliness, data linkages, measurement related to public policy goals, and the sources of capital for innovation.
Psychological Impact of Shift Work.

Technology and globalization have been central forces driving the need for shift work. This review examines recent scientific developments that inform our understanding of how psychological processes contribute to and are impacted by shift work. Nascent research is beginning to expand beyond circadian misalignment to elucidate the phenomenology of shift work and the associated psychological impairments. Psychological processes and their interaction with biology are considered in the pathophysiology of shift work sleep disorder. Additionally, a review of the adverse consequences of shift work in the cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial domains are reviewed and discussed. The phenomenology of shift work encompasses multiple domains of biopsychosocial functioning. As such, interventions to reduce the adverse impact of shift work may benefit from an integrated approach.
Simulation Models of Energy Cables in SPICE

Accurate modeling of cables is important to study the behavior of high frequency disturbances in power converter systems. This paper reviews and compares two popular methodologies to model energy cables – an improved per unit length parameters based model and a Laplace SPICE element based model. The two models presented take into account the frequency dependence of the parameters of the cable. A ladder network is used for this purpose in the per unit length based model. The Laplace SPICE element model is generated from from a rational function approximation for the admittance parameters that are frequency dependant. The rational function approximation is obtained using a well known vector fitting algorithm. The time and frequency domain solutions of a two wire energy cable, obtained from the two models, agree well.
Abstract 014: B1 Integrin is Essential for Kidney Structure, Function and Vascular Development

Integrins are the largest family of cell adhesion molecules. β1-Integrin (Itgb1) is the most abundantly expressed β subunit and is present in almost every cell type. Previous studies showed that Itgb1 is required for normal development of the ureteric bud and podocytes and for the function of the proximal tubule. However, its role in the kidney vasculature has not been explored. Renin cells are crucial for blood pressure homeostasis and for normal nephrovascular development. The mechanisms involved in their morphogenetic functions are not well understood. We found that Itgb1 is highly expressed in renin expressing cells throughout development. Therefore, to study the role of Itgb1 in renin cells we generated a conditional deletion (cKO) of Itgb1 in cells of the renin lineage by crossing floxed Itgb1 mice with mice expressing cre recombinase driven by the renin locus. Itgb1 cKO mice were smaller in size (20.32 ± 4.35 g vs 29.55 ± 7.39 g, p=0.016 ), had smaller kidney to body weight ratio (0.92 ± 0.30 vs 1.31 ± 0.30, p=0.017 ), hypotension (MABP 82.33 ± 4.00 mmHg vs 92.55 ± 7.72 mmHg, p=0.02 ), anemia (hemoglobin 11.26 ± 1.48 g/dL vs 15.07 ± 1.31 d/dL, p=0.003 ; hematocrit 40.39 ± 5.48% vs 53.8 ± 4.21%, p=0.002 ), renal failure (BUN 71.44 ± 32.81 mg/dL vs 29.4 ± 7.67mg/dL, p=0.004), and lower plasma renin levels (6664.58 ± 3251.92 vs 43357.09 ± 17032.63 pg/ml, p =0.001 ). Mutants also developed hyposthenuria (urine osmolality 452 ± 138.98 mOsm/kg vs 1460.5 ± 482.09 mOsm/kg, p ). Histological analysis revealed excessive collagen deposition in the interstitium and peri-glomerular areas; fibrocystic glomeruli; tubular dilatation and protein casts in the tubules. Immunostaining for renin and α-smooth muscle actin showed a marked decrease in renin protein expression and abundant α-smooth muscle actin expression in the interstitium. Microdissection of the renal arterial tree combined with renin immunostaining confirmed the marked decrease in renin and evidenced the overall vascular abnormalities including fewer and shorter arterial and arteriolar branches. Overall, this study shows that β1-Integrin in cells of the renin lineage is crucial for renin expression, morphogenesis of the renal vasculature and maintenance of the normal kidney architecture and function.
Infrastructure Resilience for Climate Adaptation

Developing and maintaining resilient transportation infrastructure is a key strategy for meeting several UN sustainable development goals in the face of climate change-driven extreme flooding events. We present a framework for performing data-driven vulnerability analysis for flooding on existing transportation networks, and use this analysis to inform decision-making about investments for climate adaptation. We apply this approach to study the potential impacts of severe flooding on regional mobility in Senegal, using a combination of flood hazard maps and a travel demand model based on call detail record data. We use the estimated number of infeasible trips as a direct measure of flooding-induced mobility impacts, as well as an objective for minimizing these impacts. We then compare three alternative road network upgrade strategies to assess the extent to which each strategy would preserve network functionality under a given flooding scenario. We illustrate that strategies driven solely by travel demand can lead to underinvestment in roads that are at risk of flooding, while solely focusing on repairing flooded road segments neglects the criticality of those repairs to mobility. For example, in a 100 year flooding scenario with a fixed budget, our strategy that considers both flooding and mobility data can achieve a 53% reduction in the number of infeasible trips, while a strategy that just considers flooding data achieves only a 38% reduction for the same cost. Our framework can be applied more broadly to integrate information from a variety of sources about climate hazards and potential human impacts to make better informed decisions about investments in critical infrastructure systems.
Strategies for the Use of a Multiple-Endpoint System for Mammalian Germ Cell Mutation Testing

There are specific advantages to the use of a multiple-endpoint system, as opposed to any individual in vivo mutation test system. First of all, a larger sampling of the genome becomes possible than with any individual system. It has become clear that some loci (both within and between systems) appear to be more sensitive to mutagens (Favor, 1989; Neel and Lewis, 1990). By examining a broad spectrum of loci, as is possible in a multiple-endpoint system, a better idea of differential sensitivities of regions of the genome becomes possible. Furthermore, it permits more effective use of resources by performing multiple assays on the same animals. This capability is especially valuable in experiments on postgonial stages and those experiments in which fertility is affected by the test compound. Finally, a multiple-endpoint system allows for flexibility. It is clearly an option to add other assays which may become available in the future and to allow selective use of individual endpoints, according to the requirements of a given experiment.
Changed Setting: Law and Politics of the New Danube Commission

The Belgrade Conference opened an entirely new chapter in the history of the Danube. It repudiated the century-old idea of internationalization — that is, freedom of navigation on a basis of equality for riparians and nonriparians alike — and subsituted the Soviet concept of free navigation which meant navigation under the exclusive control of riparians, most of which were themselves ruled by Russia. On a purely formal level, the Conference adopted a Soviet-inspired Convention clearly reflective of the fundamental changes which had occurred in the balance of power and patterns of East European effective control to Russia’s thorough advantage in the wake of the Second World War.
Laser Capture Microdissection for Protein and NanoString RNA analysis

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) allows the precise procurement of enriched cell populations from a heterogeneous tissue, or live cell culture, under direct microscopic visualization. Histologically enriched cell populations can be procured by harvesting cells of interest directly or isolating specific cells by ablating unwanted cells. The basic components of laser microdissection technology are (a) visualization of cells via light microscopy, (b) transfer of laser energy to a thermolabile polymer with either the formation of a polymer-cell composite (capture method) or transfer of laser energy via an ultraviolet laser to photovolatize a region of tissue (cutting method), and (c) removal of cells of interest from the heterogeneous tissue section. The capture and cutting methods (instruments) for laser microdissection differ in the manner by which cells of interest are removed from the heterogeneous sample. Laser energy in the capture method is infrared (810 nm), while in the cutting mode the laser is ultraviolet (355 nm). Infrared lasers melt a thermolabile polymer that adheres to the cells of interest, whereas ultraviolet lasers ablate cells for either removal of unwanted cells or excision of a defined area of cells. LCM technology is applicable to an array of applications including mass spectrometry, DNA genotyping and loss-of-heterozygosity analysis, RNA transcript profiling, cDNA library generation, proteomics discovery, and signal kinase pathway profiling. This chapter describes LCM using an Arcturus(XT) instrument for downstream protein sample analysis and using an mmi CellCut Plus® instrument for RNA analysis via NanoString technology.
Disrupting the Disruptor: Perceptions as Institutional Maintenance Work at the 1968 Olympic Games

How people reflect on and discuss protests at sporting events is a relevant question of interest to sport management scholars. This article uses qualitative data to understand how institutional mem...
Walking School Bus Program Feasibility in a Suburban Setting

A walking school bus (WSB), a group of children walking to school under adult supervision, has social, environmental, and public health benefits. Although WSBs may require a certain neighborhood de...
Organometallic structural units in solid state ternary transition metal carbides

Abstract Solid state ternary transition metal carbides containing carbon, a transition metal (Cr to Ni and their heavier congeners), and a highly electropositive multivalent metal such as a lanthanide (Ln), Sc, Y, or Th, exhibit a number of structural features resembling those in metal carbonyls and other transition metal derivatives of π -acceptor hydrocarbon ligands. Complete ionization of the electropositive metal to the stable ions Ln 3+ , Sc 3+ , Y 3+ , and Th 4+ leads to a negatively charged transition metal—carbon subnetwork, which may be regarded as an organometallic net. Many such carbides contain discrete C 2 units with C=C distances in the range 1.32 to 1.47 A suggestive of double bonding and the C 2 4− tetra-anion obtained by the complete deprotonation of ethylene. Thus the carbides Ln 2 FeC 4 , Sc 3 CoC 4 , and Ln 3 MC 4 (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Os, Ir) may be considered to contain 1,1- μ 2 -C 2 4− , 1,2- μ 2 -C 2 4− and μ 3 -C 2 4− ligands respectively. Other ternary transition metal carbides contain C 2 2− ligands in [M]=C=C units derived by complete deprotonation of a terminal vinylidene ligand, [M]=C=CH 2 . Such terminal deprotonated vinylidene ligands are isoelectronic and isostructural with terminal metal carbonyl groups and are found in trigonal M(C 2 ) 3 units isoelectronic with M(CO) 3 units with the transition metal in very low formal oxidation states (e.g. Mn(—V) of Mn(C 2 ) 3 11− in Ln 3 Mn 2 C 6 isoelectronic with Mn(CO) 3 5− and Ni(—II) of Ni(C 2 ) 3 8− in Eu 3.16 NiC 6 isoelectronic with Ni(CO) 3 2− ). The carbide ScCrC 2 contains a C 2 pair with a longer C-C distance of 1.60 A, suggesting a C-C single bond and the C 2 6− anion obtained by complete deprotonation of ethane. Examples of C 1 ligands found in the solid state ternary transition metal carbides include terminal C 4− in Th 2 NiC 2 , Y 2 ReC 2 , and Ln 12 M 5 C 15 (M = Mn, Re) and μ 2 (=C=) 4− in YCoC and Y 2 ReC 2 .
The COOH-Terminal Proline-Rich Region of GRP78 Is a Key Regulator of Its Cell Surface Expression and Viability of Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells

Translocation of 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to plasma membrane represents a paradigm shift beyond its traditional function as an ER chaperone protein. Cell surface GRP78 (csGRP78) exerts novel signaling functions, and mechanisms underlying its cell surface expression are just emerging. Acquired tamoxifen resistance of breast cancer cells is accompanied with elevated level of csGRP78. Therefore, the tamoxifen-resistant MCF7 breast cancer cells (MCF7-LR) represents a clinically relevant model to study mechanisms of csGRP78 expression. We discovered that a proline-rich region (PRR) containing three consecutive prolines close to the COOH-terminus of GRP78 is important for its ability to form a complex with the partner protein, CD44v, as demonstrated by in vitro glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay. Proline to alanine mutations at the PRR compromised GRP78 expression level on the cell surface as evidenced by purification of biotinylated cell surface proteins. Reconstitution of MCF7-LR cells with the PRR mutant after knockdown of endogenous GRP78 diminished the capacity of GRP78 to stimulate STAT3 activation. The enforced expression of a short peptide bearing the PRR region of GRP78 led to reduction of CD44v and Cyclin D1 protein levels as well as cell viability, accompanied with increase in apoptotic signaling including cleaved Caspase-3 and PARP. These findings suggest that the COOH-terminal PRR of GRP78 is critical for its interaction with CD44v as well as its cell surface expression, and enforced expression of the short peptide bearing the PRR region may provide a new approach to lower the viability of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells.
Adaptive testing with the GGUM-RANK multidimensional forced choice model: Comparison of pair, triplet, and tetrad scoring

Likert-type measures have been criticized in psychological assessment because they are vulnerable to response biases, including central tendency, acquiescence, leniency, halo, and socially desirable responding. As an alternative, multidimensional forced choice (MFC) testing has been proposed to address these concerns. A number of researchers have developed item response theory (IRT) models for MFC data and have examined latent trait estimation with tests of different dimensionality and length. Research has also explored the advantages of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) with MFC pair tests having as many as 25 dimensions, but there have been no published studies on CAT with MFC triplets or tetrads. Thus, in this research we aimed to address that issue. We used recently developed item information functions for an MFC ranking model to compare the benefits of CAT with MFC pair, triplet, and tetrad tests. A simulation study showed that CAT substantially outperformed nonadaptive testing for latent trait estimation across MFC formats. More importantly, CAT with MFC pairs provided estimation accuracy similar to or better than that from tests of equivalent numbers of nonadaptive MFC triplets. On the basis of these findings, implications and recommendations are further discussed for constructing MFC measures to use in psychological contexts.
Measuring and Supporting Second Language Development Using Computerized Dynamic Assessment

This study developed an innovative framework for measuring and supporting second language development through integrating diagnostic language assessment and instruction by incorporating mediation. Nineteen students enrolled in an intermediate Chinese listening and speaking course at a large public university in the Midwest United States took a computerized dynamic assessment (C-DA) listening test in the Spring 2015 semester. The C-DA test differed from traditional standardized tests in that it diagnosed not only students’ fully developed abilities but also their emerging abilities. It offered students graduated mediational prompts for items they had difficulty with and tracked the amount of mediation they needed for those items. The test report also included a learner profile detailing each student’s independent and mediated performance on clusters of items designed to test different language constructs. Based on the results of the diagnostic C-DA test, students were categorized in three groups, and each group was offered instructional support tailored to their listening abilities and learning needs. Analysis of the diagnostic test reports, student interviews, and end-of-semester student evaluations of the course provided evidence that the integration of diagnostic language assessment and instruction that incorporates appropriate mediation helped creating a coherent and effective pedagogy for the students.
A 41.5 pJ/b, 2.4GHz Digital-Friendly Orthogonally Tunable Transceiver SoC with 3-decades of Energy-Performance Scalability

Adaptive communication for Internet of Things (IoT) and Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) technologies is becoming increasingly popular due to the large power-performance trade-offs and highly dynamic channel conditions. Path loss, low signal to noise ratio (SNR) in the channel and network congestion adversely affect the data communication, each of which can be taken care of using different strategies such as reducing the data rate (for reducing congestion), increasing the output power (for increased path loss) and application of error correction coding (ECC, for low SNR). In this paper, we present a digital-friendly Transceiver SoC consisting of an RF-DAC based transmitter with orthogonally tunable output power, data rate and ECC that enables optimum system level bit error rate (BER) and energy for over 3-orders of energy-performance scalability, along with an ultra-low-power OOK receiver that receives the transmitter's control bits from a nearby base station for closed-loop control. The data rate and ECC control is achieved through a digital baseband, while a tapped capacitor matching network controls the output power. The energy efficiency of the transmitter is 27.6pJ/b at 10MSps and at 0.8V supply (~9X improvement over state-of-the-art), while the entire SoC (Transmitter+OOK receiver for controller feedback) consumes only 41.5pJ/b.
Patient and provider factors impacting referral for neonatal organ donation.

Background As determination of brain death is infrequent in neonates, the AAP endorses donation after circulatory determination of death as an acceptable alternative. Despite this recommendation, neonatal organ donation is infrequent. Timely referral to OPOs is a vital first step in the organ donation process. The aim of this study was to identify patient and provider factors impacting timely referral for neonatal organ donation. Methods Medical records were reviewed for deaths occurring in a Level IV NICU from 2007 to 2017. Clinical and demographic factors, provider type, timing of OPO referral (before or after death), and outcome were assessed. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to identify predictors of OPO referral characteristics. Results Between 2007 and 2017, 329 deaths occurred in the NICU or delivery room. Of the 265 infants meeting inclusion criteria, 96% had late referrals (after death) and were declined for organ donation. Frequency of timely referrals (before death) improved when OPO contact was by an attending neonatologist, when withdrawal of life support was planned, and with increasing birthweight, gestational age, and PMA. Factors associated with decreased OPO referral included male sex, lower weight at death, earlier PMA, and deaths occurring while receiving maximal intensive care support. No organs or tissues were donated. Conclusions This study is the first to report NICU referral patterns for organ donation. We found that timely provider referral of neonates to the OPO was rare. Exploration of provider knowledge will guide future educational interventions aimed to improve the referral process.
Machine learning based prediction model for thermal conductivity of concrete

Abstract Thermal conductivity, k, is an important property of concrete, and it influences the design and energy-efficiency of many concrete-based structures. Due to the requirement of sophisticated test procedures, experimental measurement of k of concrete for every such structure is impractical, and therefore, a model for prediction of k is demanded. For this purpose, a data-driven machine learning (ML) model was developed in this study. The dataset for model training was developed from the published literature that contained missing data. For the imputation of missing data, fractional hot-deck imputation (FHDI) provided better performance than manual and naive methods and is proposed for the imputation of similar datasets. Evaluation of nine ML algorithms, feature selection, and tuning of hyperparameters led to a final multilayer perceptron (MLP) model with the highest prediction accuracy. The model was developed using the Maxout activation function and three hidden layers, each containing 100 neurons. It performed reasonably well on the training, validation, and an independent dataset with a mean absolute error of 0.07, 0.14, and 0.10 W/m-K, respectively. The developed model was incorporated for a case study on a typical mass concrete mixture. The results indicated that a combination of quartz sand and siltstone could increase k and the rate of cooling and consequently can reduce the probability of thermal cracking in a mass concrete element. The developed model can provide more similar quantitative information that can aid in informed decision-making for the construction of critical structural elements. Besides, the robustness of the model can further be improved by a larger training dataset.
Calculating Age-Standardized Death Rates Among People With HIV Comparable Across Jurisdictions and Over Time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health jurisdictions have been using HIV surveillance data to monitor mortality among people with HIV in the United States with age-st...
Carbonate Alkalinity Enhances Triclosan Photolysis

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial compound found in many household products used across the world. TCS is not completely removed in wastewater systems, resulting in trace-level concentrations present ubiquitously in surface waters. The direct photodegradation of TCS has been widely studied, with results indicating that TCS breaks down to chlorophenols and dioxins. To date, no studies have specifically investigated the effects of alkalinity on the photolysis of the acidic form of TCS. This study assessed the effect of carbonate/bicarbonate alkalinity, which is ubiquitous in natural waters, on the photolysis rate of TCS. Results indicate that bicarbonate enhances the photodegradation of TCS at pH values well below the pKa of TCS (7.9), with direct photolysis reaction kinetics that are very slow in the absence of buffers, but significant in the presence of bicarbonate (0.711 h−1 at pH 6.55). At pH values well above its pKa, both unbuffered- and buffered-mediated photolysis increased dramatically (1.92 h−1 for direct photolysis and 2.86 h−1 in buffered water) and is attributable to the increased photoreactivity of TCS by its conjugate base. Photolysis of methyl triclosan (MeTCS), a non-acidic analog of TCS, demonstrated the importance of TCS’s acidic functionality as MeTCS did not degrade at any pH. The observed influence of alkalinity on the acidic form of TCS photolysis was attributed to both a decrease in its excited state pKa, coupled with TCS deprotonation through an excited state proton transfer to a base (bicarbonate and to a lesser degree hydrogen phosphate) resulting in the more photo-labile conjugate base form of TCS.