cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Economic Analysis of Microfinance Through Women Entrepreneurs

The micro finance is agenda for empowering poor women. Micro enterprises are an integral part of planned strategy for securing balanced development of the economy of the poor women. Rural women’s participation in agro-based activities is much more than what statistics reveal. The study was conducted with the following specific objectives; to evaluate the role of self Help Groups in women entrepreneurship in Vellapatti village. To assess the perception of beneficiaries about the role of SHGs. To evaluate the working of the SHGs in Vellapatti village. The present study is based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data have been collected by conducting a survey among 75 sample respondents from 9 Self Help Groups in different areas of Vellapatti village of Tuticorin town. Eight respondents were selected from each Self Help Group. Random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Percentage analysis, averages, chi square test and probability analysis were used. The data relates to the month of April 2012. The study reveals that 17.33 percent of the sample respondent’s suggestions to improve the performance of SHGs are to provide more loans, whereas 60 percent and 22.67 percent of the sample respondents’ suggestion is to provide loan at right time and to provide loan at lesser rate of interest. Microfinance has been one of the few effective tools for poverty reduction over the past years. Through the creation of self help groups, poor people can safely deposit money and accumulate funds for future investments or emergencies as well as access loans for productive purposes leading to higher incomes. Women are participating in all the productive activities and are at par with men. Government, banks and other financial institutions should come forward to offer loans for rural women, so that women entrepreneurs’ movement in India will work on right direction to empower more and more women in social, economical, cultural and in political matters.
When Less Is Better: ER Stress and Beta Cell Proliferation

Pancreatic β cells synthesize and secrete insulin to increase anabolic metabolism in an organism, and insulin synthesis has long been suspected to inhibit β cell replication. Recently in Cell Metabolism, Szabat et al. (2015) present evidence that deletion of Insulin genes alleviates ER stress and promotes mature β cell replication.
Model predictive control for power control in islanded DC microgrids

Islanded DC microgrid architecture and control have become popular recently. One of the main control architectures is the DC bus voltage following type, where a main generator controls the DC bus voltage and the others follow the bus voltage and the power commands. Conventionally, the power regulation in the following generators is often employed with the droop control method. The main problem of the droop control is the non-precise power sharing characteristic. One of the improvement approaches is to use PI controllers for correcting the power share. However, PI controllers do not provide optimal control. Thus, in this paper a new power control method utilizing model predictive control is proposed and applied in the power control for islanded DC microgrids. The algorithm and method are presented and validated through simulation in MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS.
A New Class of Carbon Nanotube: Polymer Concrete with Improved Fatigue Strength

Polymer concrete (PC) has been used successfully as bridge deck overlays and in machine foundations. In such applications, PC is subjected to cyclic loading and thus is prone to fatigue failure. In this paper, we introduce a new method for improving the fatigue strength of PC using carbon nanotubes. To overcome the challenge of fatigue testing of concrete, a four point flexural displacement control test borrowed from Asphalt standards in AASHTO was used. In this test the displacement was ramped up from zero to 1.2 mm then the PC specimen (25 × 25 × 200 mm) was cycled between zero and 1.2 mm using a sinusoidal signal with a frequency of 0.5 Hz. Guided by AASHTO specifications, failure is defined as 50 % reduction in stiffness. Four PC mixes were tested. These mixes incorporated neat epoxy, and epoxy including 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 % multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by weight of epoxy resin. Damage in PC due to fatigue was evaluated with time. The experiments showed the ability of MWCNTs to improve fatigue strength by 61 and 100 % for PC incorporating 0.5 and 1.0 % MWCNTs respectively. PC incorporating 1.5 % MWCNTs reached 50,000 cycles without experiencing fatigue failure showing improvement above 520 %. Microstructural analysis of PC was conducted using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to explain the ability of MWCNTs to significantly improve fatigue strength of PC.
The Extension Problem for Contractions and Isometries

Let (X, d1) and (Y,d2) be metric spaces. A mapping T from a subset S of X into Y is a contraction provided that $$d_2(Tx_1,Tx_2)\leq d_1(x_1,x_2)\quad (x_1,x_2\in S),$$ (10.1) an isometry if equality is maintained for all pairs, or a Lipschitz-Holder map of order α (a Lip(α) map) with constant k provided that $$d_2(Tx_1,Tx_2)\leq k\ d_1(x_1,x_2)^\alpha\quad (x_1,x_2\in S).$$ (10.2)
Should the BK polyomavirus cytopathic effect be best classified as atypical or benign in urine cytology specimens

BACKGROUND According to The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS), the category of atypical urothelial cells (AUC) should not be applied to specimens in which cellular changes can be entirely attributed to the polyoma (BK) virus cytopathic effect (CPE). Until recently, cases with BK CPE at The Johns Hopkins Hospital were categorized as atypical urothelial cells of uncertain significance (AUC-US), which is equivalent to the TPS AUC category. This study was performed to determine how significantly the rate of AUC-US specimens would decrease if specimens with only BK CPE were classified as benign. METHODS Two reviewers and 1 adjudicator re-evaluated urinary tract specimens to determine whether sufficient cytological atypia justified an AUC-US diagnosis independent of the presence of BK CPE. For patients with surgical follow-up, the rate of high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) on tissue biopsy was tracked over a 5-year period. RESULTS The reclassification rate of AUC-US cases with BK CPE as benign was 62.6%. The rate of subsequent HGUC was 6.0% for cases reclassified as benign and 10.0% for cases still classified as AUC-US. These rates were not significantly elevated in comparison with control cohorts among all-comers. However, for patients without a history of HGUC, the rate of HGUC on follow-up was significantly elevated in comparison with the rate for a benign control cohort and was similar to the rate for the AUC-US control cohort. CONCLUSIONS Reclassification as benign would have decreased the rate of AUC-US from 24.8% to 20.7% during the study year. However, the high rate of subsequent HGUC among nonsurveillance patients suggests that the reclassification of specimens with BK CPE in these patients may be inappropriate. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Abstract A107: Epigenetic markers for tissue-based breast cancer risk stratification

Effective breast cancer risk management requires accurate breast cancer risk stratification. The Gail model is the most widely used and best validated epidemiological risk assessment model. Though well calibrated, this model is not ideal for individualized risk counseling as it is only 8% better than chance for discriminating between women with breast cancer and unaffected women. Biologically based approaches, such as cytological assessment of nipple aspirate fluid or assessment of mammographic density, only marginally improve the discrimination of the Gail model. Promoter region methylation is one of the earliest identifiable molecular changes during breast carcinogenesis. We have previously shown that RASSF1A methylation, detected in benign breast epithelium obtained by random periareolar fine needle aspiration biopsy (RP-FNA), is associated with increased breast cancer risk, but this was based primarily on correlation with Gail risk and not cancer case prediction. A clinically useful epigenetic risk stratification panel would be ideally suited to benign RP-FNA samples and would provide a high degree of discrimination between benign samples from women with cancer and unaffected women. We performed a genome-wide 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-aza) induced gene re-expression screen in 6 breast cancer cell lines and 6 early passage primary benign breast epithelial cell cultures to identify potential epigenetic markers of breast cancer risk. MSP assays were designed for the 286 genes that were 1) expressed in benign breast epithelium, 2) not expressed in cancer, and 3) induced by 5-aza in cancer, or 4) had previously shown some potential for breast cancer risk stratification. 20 genes were identified that were frequently methylated in primary breast cancer, rarely methylated in benign RP-FNA samples and never methylated in lymphocytes. Quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR assays were designed and optimized for the 17 best genes and then assessed in an archival RP-FNA sample set that included 146 samples from unaffected women, 59 benign samples from breast cancer patients, and 52 primary breast cancers. A three marker panel including PSAT1, HS3ST2, and GNE provided the best discrimination between benign samples from cancer patients and unaffected women. One or more of these markers was scored as positive in 46% of benign samples from cancer patients, 8% of samples from unaffected patients, and 72% of primary cancers. The odds ratio for cancer case prediction based on assessment of benign RP-FNA samples was 9.42 (95% CI 4.31 — 20.59, p Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):A107.
Melting Behavior of Poly(3-(2'-ethyl)hexylthiophene)

While polymer materials possess significant promise as components in large-area organic electronic devices—such as thin-film transistors or photovoltaic devices—the ability to improve the performance of these materials is critically linked to understanding and controlling the morphology, namely control of crystallinity, crystallite size, and texture. In this context, conjugated poly(3-alkylthiophenes) are a model system for studying the structure–property relationships in conjugated polymers. Herein, we examine P3EHT as a model polymer for exploring crystallization in P3ATs—as it has a final melting transition well below degradation in contrast to the more common P3HT—using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide-angle X-ray scattering. Notably, examination of the melting endotherms following isothermal crystallization of P3ATs—namely poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(3-(2′ethyl)hexylthiophene) (P3EHT)—reveals a bimodal final melting peak. Differential scanning calorimetry reveals a shift in...
Protective Effect of Barley Hulls Against the Rice Weevil

Rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), were unable to reproduce in pellets prepared from ground. covered barley. Also, more rice weevil progeny were produced on hand-dehulled grains in a shorter time than on the covered grains. Pellets, prepared from dehulled grains of ‘Larker.’ produced about the same number of progeny as did the covered grains. Failure of pellets. prepared from covered grains, to support insect growth is attributed to the presence of ground hull material.
POPULATION CAGE EXPERIMENTS WITH A VERTEBRATE: THE TEMPORAL DEMOGRAPHY AND CYTONUCLEAR GENETICS OF HYBRIDIZATION IN GAMBUSIA FISHES.

The dynamics of mitochondrial and multilocus nuclear genotypic frequencies were monitored for 2 yr in experimental populations established with equal numbers of two poeciliid fishes (Gambusia affinis and Gambusia holbrooki) that hybridize naturally in the southeastern United States. In replicated "small-pool" populations (experiment I), 1018 sampled individuals at six time periods revealed an initial flush of hybridization, followed by a rapid decline in frequencies of G. affinis nuclear and mitochondrial alleles over 64 wk. Decay of gametic and cytonuclear disequilibria differed from expectations under random mating as well as under a model of assortative mating involving empirically estimated mating propensities. In two replicate "large-pond" populations (experiment II), 841 sampled individuals across four reproductive cohorts revealed lower initial frequencies of F1 hybrids than in experiment I, but again G. holbrooki alleles achieved high frequencies over four generations (72 wk). Thus, evolution within experimental Gambusia hybrid populations can be extremely rapid, resulting in consistent loss of G. affinis nuclear and cytoplasmic alleles. Concordance in results between experiments and across genetic markers suggests strong directional selection favoring G. holbrooki genotypes. Results are interpreted in light of previous reports of genotype-specific differences in life-history traits, reproductive ecology, patterns of recruitment, and size-specific mortality, and in the context of patterns of introgression previously studied indirectly from spatial observations on cytonuclear genotypes in natural Gambusia populations.
The clinical diagnostic value of anti-deoxyribonuclease B for acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis

Objective To estimate the diagnostic value of anti-deoxyribonuclease B (ADNase B) in acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN). Methods The ADNase B and anti-streptolysin O (ASO) of 80 patients with APSGN and 50 children without any clinical manifestation of infection were measured separately. The time and type of GAS preceding infection were recorded simultaneously. The two antibodies of 68 patients with APSGN were measured repeadly during the second to the sixth month after the preceding infection. Results In patients with APSGN, the positive rate of ADNase B (81.3%) was significantly higher than that of ASO (73.8%,P=0.008). And the combination of the two detections could increase the positive rate to 90.0% . The area under ROC curve of ADNase B (0.90±0.04) was significantly larger than that of ASO (0.77±0.06, P=0.000). The positive rates of ADNase B (80.9% and 83.3%) were higher than that of ASO (77.9% and 50.0%) in upper respiratory tract infection and pyoderma subgroup respectiely. During the second to the sixth month after the preceding infection, the positive rates of the two antibodies were both descended. But the positive rate of ADNase B (73.5%) was obviously higher than that of ASO (42.6%). In each subgroup, the combined measurement could increase the positive rate. Conclusions The diagnostic efficacy of ADNase B for APSGN is better than that of ASO. Particularly for patients with pyoderma infection and during the second to the sixth month after the preceding infection, the difference is significant. The combination of the two antibodies can increase the diagnostic positive rate. ADNase B is a valuable parameter for the diagnosis of poststreptococcal diseases.
Maternal cardiovascular dynamics. VII. Intrapartum blood volume changes

Blood volume was measured in 75 normal pregnant women at term and serially at 10 and 60 minutes and on Days 1 and 3 post partum in women delivered vaginally and on Days 1, 3, and 5 in women who underwent cesarean section. The mean blood volume at term was 5.95 L. and 83.3 c.c. per kilogram, an increase of 44 and 16%, respectively, over nonpregnant values. The increment appeared to be related to lean body mass and the weight of the neonate alone and to the combined weights of the neonate and placenta, but the wide range of values precluded statistical significance. The blood volume loss at 60 minutes post partum was 610 c.c. (10.2%) for patients delivered vaginally and 1,030 c.c. (17.4%) for those delivered by cesarean section. The blood volume showed a steady decline to Day 3 post partum in the vaginal delivery group, whereas it remained fairly stable from 60 minutes to Day 5 post partum in the surgically delivered group. Remarkably, the volume had declined by the amount, 16.2%, in both groups on the third postpartum day. On the other hand, the hematocrit showed a rise of 5.2% in the former group and a decline of 5.8% in the latter. A remarkable tolerance for blood loss at delivery was demonstrated. A more realistic definition of postpartum hemorrhage is strongly recommended.
Optical coherence tomography angiography

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a noninvasive approach that can visualize blood vessels down to the capillary level. With the advent of high-speed OCT and efficient algorithms, practical OCTA of ocular circulation is now available to ophthalmologists. Clinical investigations that used OCTA have increased exponentially in the past few years. This review will cover the history of OCTA and survey its most important clinical applications. The salient problems in the interpretation and analysis of OCTA are described, and recent advances are highlighted.
Porous SiC Microdialysis Technology

Microdialysis is a method for sampling the bloodstream, tissues, and organs in living animals and man. It relies on diffusion through semipermeable membranes incorporated into submillimeter-diameter implantable probes. Microdialysis is a powerful and versatile technique that allows the examination of diverse biochemical processes, drug levels, and cellular communications with minimal invasiveness. The most commonly used probe material is polymer. However, porous semiconductor materials are semipermeable and offer the added potential of integration with microdevices such as implantable sensors. This chapter briefly presents the basic principles of microdialysis and selected applications. Further, investigations on the suitability of porous silicon and silicon carbide as a material for microdialysis are reviewed. The production, biocompatibility, and protein diffusion characteristics of porous silicon carbide (n-type and p-type) are examined in detail. Porous SiC is as resistant to protein deposition (biofouling) as commercially available fouling-resistant polymer membranes. Porous SiC is permeable to proteins up to 30,000Da in molecular weight. This size range includes peptides, most signaling and many immune response proteins. SiC-based sensors could be integrated with porous SiC to produce long-term implantable devices that combine tissue sampling with molecular quantification and data transmission.
Natural Language Processing for Large-Scale Medical Image Analysis Using Deep Learning.

Recent advances in deep learning enable us to analyze a large number of images efficiently; however, collecting such large dataset has been mostly hindered by the rate of manual human efforts. Nonetheless, medical images are usually saved with the accompanying radiology reports, and accommodating the natural language information for image analysis has great potential. For example, data collection can be automated to leverage the large volume of data available in the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS). Additionally, image annotation can be automated by incorporating the human annotation in the radiology reports. The size of medical dataset usually is much smaller than the natural image dataset which advanced deep learning technology is developed for. We can unleash the full capacity of deep learning for analyzing a large volume of medical images, by automating the data collection and annotation. Moreover, a sustainable system can be developed even when the data are continuously being updated, shared, and integrated. This chapter will review some fundamentals of natural language processing (NLP) and cover various NLP techniques to help automate medical image collection and annotation.
A tunnel FET design for high-current, 120 mV operation

We report simulations of logic transistor operation at supply voltages V dd between 0.08–0.18V. Tunnel FETs (TFETs) can operate at low voltage with low off-currents I off , but on-currents I on are greatly reduced by low tunneling probability. The minimum feasible Vdd is constrained not only by the transistor subthreshold swing (SS) given a target /on//off ratio, but also by the reduction of the drain current as the drain Fermi level approaches the channel conduction-band energy. This output conductance reduces the TFET voltage gain and impairs the logic gate noise margin; increasing the TFET threshold voltage Vh increases the noise margin while reducing both I on and I off . In ballistic simulations with 10−3A/m I off , triple-heterojunction tunnel FETs (3HJ-TFETs) show >50% tunneling probability and a high 265A/m I on at V dd = 0.18V and 195A/m at V dd =0.12V. In simulations with an optical deformation constant (proportional to scattering strength) of 220meV/nm, consistent with μ=1.1×105 cm2V−1s−1, reduces I on by 31% given fixed I off and V dd . In ballistic simulations, increasing Vth by 0.02 V above that required for 10−3A/m I off , a noise margin of 24% of V dd is obtained at V dd =0. 12 V.
Measuring and Assessing Public Health Emergency Preparedness: A Methodological Primer

Given the magnitude of the investments made in public health emergency preparedness (PHEP) in recent years, elected officials and policymakers need to know whether these efforts have actually substantially improved the nation’s ability to respond to large-scale public health emergencies. In addition, if the nation’s public health system remains underprepared (which is likely for some preparedness functions), policymakers and public health practitioners need guidance on how best to further improve the PHEP system’s capabilities. Valid, reliable, and practical PHEP measures are needed to ensure accountability for a decade’s worth of PHEP investments, to improve public health systems’ capabilities to respond effectively to future public health emergencies, and to support related research efforts. To this end, this paper will summarize insights on PHEP measure development that are emerging from this effort, drawing on the experience of the authors and their public health practice partners as well as on discussions in workshops, exercises, and other venues, only some of which has been published in scientific and professional journals. The goal is not to describe a universal set of preparedness measures, but rather an approach that others can use to develop measures as needed for a variety of purposes. Adopting a public health systems research perspective, we begin by describing an approach to the development of performance measures and assessment tools that has proven to be effective in health services research and healthcare quality improvement efforts. We then apply this approach to PHEP, illustrating each of the four major steps in the measurement development cycle with preparedness examples, many of which are drawn from the work of the LAMPS team. A companion paper will use this framework to assess the current state of PHEP measurement, identifying areas in which more measurement development work is needed.
Urban anglers' adherence to fish consumption advisories in the Great Lakes region

Abstract Urban anglers are considered a group at high risk of being exposed to contaminants from fish consumption. Past studies of urban anglers' fish consumption, however, have had significant limitations making it difficult to generalize their findings broadly and to assess the degree to which urban anglers are complying with advisory recommendations. We used a diary method to collect detailed information on fish consumption in three cities in the Great Lakes region for a 4-month period during the summer of 2014. We assessed how much fish anglers were consuming, whether they were complying with fish consumption advisories, and how fish consumption and advisory compliance varied for different demographic groups and in different locations. We estimated a mean of 1.12 meals/week of fish and 25.1–26.8 g/day of fish, and the amount of fish consumed varied by no > 25% from one site to another. Advisory exceedance was more variable, however, ranging from 7–10% to 27–40% in our three study sites. Fish consumption increased with age, education, and income, and was higher for non-whites than for whites. Advisory exceedance was higher for women, non-whites, and older anglers. At each site, the types of fish that contributed the most to advisory exceedance varied, which points to the benefits of community-specific (and resource-intensive) fish consumption advisories. Our findings could help fish consumption advisory programs tailor their advice to vulnerable populations and particular locations.
Report from PHENIX

Abstract This talk will briefly report the PHENIX status and focus on the newest results from the PHENIX experiment.
FEM modeling of squeeze film damping effect in RF-MEMS switches

A very important aspect in the design of RF-MEMS switches, is to obtain low switching time. The switching time not only depends on the device geometric parameters but also on the operating conditions. This paper presents the squeeze film damping effect on the dynamic response of the RF-MEMS switches. The squeeze film damping effect, with and without perforations, on the switching time is analyzed using finite element method (FEM) simulations. The effect of temperature and humidity on the squeeze film damping and switching time is also investigated.
Intelligence and the Orienting Reflex

A series of studies is described involving measurement of the orienting reflex in retarded, gifted, and intellectually average children. These studies show that measured IQ is positively correlated with the strength and persistence of orienting reactions. In addition, some evidence is presented to support the conclusion that orienting reactions may be strengthened by conditioning and that this may lead to improved performance in intellectual tasks.
Validity of the AUDIT-C screen for at-risk drinking among students utilizing university primary care.

Objective: Research is needed to establish the psychometric properties of brief screens in university primary care settings. This study aimed to assess the construct validity of one such screen, th...
Large-Scale Analysis of Genetic and Clinical Patient Data

Biomedical data science has experienced an explosion of new data over the past decade. Abundant genetic and genomic data are increasingly available in large, diverse data sets due to the maturation...
Connecting the science classroom and tangible interfaces: the bifocal modeling framework

Fifteen years ago, few would have predicted that children would be doing advanced robotics in middle-school. Indeed, since the seminal work by Papert, Martin, and Resnick (Martin, 1993; Resnick, et al., 1998; Resnick, Ocko, and Papert, 1991), the launch of the Lego Mindstorms platform, and the appearance of robotics competitions across the country, robotics has become a common activity in public and private schools. However, the learning revolution predicted by its proponents is still far away - such activities are oftentimes attended by males, too focused on competitions and prescribed, standardized "challenges," and disconnected from the school curriculum. In most schools, robotics teachers conduct activities regardless of what happens in the science or math classroom.
Design, Execution and Analysis of a Large-scale In Situ Thermomechanical Test for Siting High-level Nuclear Waste Repository

Publisher Summary Large-scale in situ tests in candidate formations at depth are an essential part of repository site investigation, and play a major role in site suitability evaluation, repository design and performance assessment computation. The tests provide rock mass mechanical and thermal property data, among others, which are crucial engineering parameters required for repository design exercises, that is, for determining configurations of excavated openings and waste canister emplacement density, and for assessing long-term stability of the repository structures. This chapter discusses the salient aspects of a large-scale thermomechanical test conducted in situ, which is called the jointed block test.
Mechanisms of Neutrophil Release from the Bone Marrow

Abstract Neutrophils are an essential component of the innate immune response and a major contributor to inflammation. Consequently, neutrophil homeostasis in the blood is tightly regulated. This is achieved by balancing neutrophil production and release from the bone marrow with clearance of senescent neutrophils from the circulation. Here, we highlight recent studies elucidating the signals that regulate neutrophil homeostasis. Constitutive chemokine expression by bone marrow stromal cells plays a key role in regulating neutrophil egress. Specifically, CXCL12 from CXCL12-abundant reticular (CAR) cells and possibly endothelial cells serves to retain neutrophils in the bone marrow. Conversely, CXCL1/2 expression from endothelial cells may promote neutrophil egress. Consistent with these observations, gain-of-function mutations of CXCR4 (the major receptor for CXCL12) or loss-of-function mutations of CXCR2 (the major receptor for CXCL1/2) are associated with myelokathexis in humans. G-CSF promotes neutrophil release from the bone marrow, in large part, by decreasing CXCL12 expression in bone marrow stromal cells, while increasing CXCL2 expression in bone marrow endothelial cells. CXCL12 production from bone marrow stromal cells may be a target of a feedback loop involving the clearance of senescent neutrophils. Specifically, macrophage engulfment of senescent neutrophils in the bone marrow attenuates CXCL12 expression, thereby facilitating neutrophil egress. Recent data suggest that signals from gut microbiota may play a significant role in regulating neutrophil homeostasis. In particular, mice raised under germ-free conditions display marked neutropenia. Gut microbiota appear to regulate neutrophil homeostasis, at least in part through toll-like receptor signaling. These data suggest new pathways that might be targeted therapeutically to modulate neutrophil number in the blood. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Challenges in Speech Coding Research

Speech and audio coding underlie many of the products and services that we have come to rely on and enjoy today. In this chapter, we discuss speech and audio coding, including a concise background summary, key coding methods, and the latest standards, with an eye toward current limitations and possible future research directions.
Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Variants Associated With Blood Pressure Among 2 Cohorts of Older Adults

Background Age‐related changes in blood pressure are associated with a variety of poor health outcomes. Genetic factors are proposed contributors to age‐related increases in blood pressure, but few...
To What Ends: Engineering, Technology, and Business Program Perspectives as to Their Key Purposes with Regard to the Society Housing Them

The purposes of higher education have been debated ever since tertiary education emerged. Not surprisingly these discussions have also addressed the purposes of Business, Engineering and Technology (BE&T) programs in higher education. Furthermore, given the obvious and frequently threatening challenges of contemporary society, there have been multiple voices calling for attention to the social welfare of all of the world citizens and their quality of life. The intersection of these concerns with the pragmatic nature of BE&T programs has engendered some calls for change. The authors of this chapter examine the extent to which the actual undergraduate plans of study reflect any evidence of attention to ethics, corporate social responsibility, and conscious capitalism – collectively referred to as larger outcomes. In addition to an analysis of the plans of study of BET programs, the authors interviewed thought leaders, reviewed literature, and conducted two case studies/vignettes of exemplary programs to see what the future might hold. The chapter ends with a provocative set of conclusions, recommendations for practice and for further research.
Comparing the Impact of HEMP Electric Field Waveforms on a Synthetic Grid

A nuclear bomb detonated above the earth’s surface can cause a high altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP). HEMP’s create an electric field at the earth’s surface, which induces unwanted slowly varying dc currents on transmission lines. To evaluate a power grid’s vulnerability to HEMP’s, two electric field waveforms have been used, having peak electric fields of 24 volts per km and 40 volts per km. Recently, a report was released containing six time-varying electric field waveforms and justified using a peak electric field of 84.57 volts per km. This paper compares how the magnitude of each electric field waveform is affected by different 1D conductivity regions. In addition, the impact of each electric field on a 10,000-bus synthetic grid will be evaluated. Analysis of the new waveforms show that there is not a single worst-case waveform. Different electric field waveforms have characteristics that affect the grid in varying ways. It is recommended that comprehensive HEMP vulnerability studies be done with multiple waveforms.
Global Analysis of Cellular Proteolysis by Selective Enzymatic Labeling of Protein N-Termini

Proteolysis is a critical modification leading to alteration of protein function with important outcomes in many biological processes. However, for the majority of proteases, we have an incomplete understanding of both cellular substrates and downstream effects. Here, we describe detailed protocols and applications for using the rationally engineered peptide ligase, subtiligase, to specifically label and capture protein N-termini generated by proteases either induced or added to complex biological samples. This method allows identification of the protein targets as well as their precise cleavage locations. This approach has revealed >8000 proteolytic sites in healthy and apoptotic cells including >1700 caspase cleavages. One can further determine substrate preferences through rate analysis with quantitative mass spectrometry, physiological substrate specificities, and even infer the identity of proteases operating in the cell. In this chapter, we also describe how this experimental method can be generalized to investigate proteolysis in any biological sample.
Content evaluation of social determinants of health and cultural fluency to measure nurse practitioner application in clinical situations

Academic–clinical partnerships demonstrated sustained learning experiences for nurse practitioner students to apply concepts of social determinants of health and cultural competency learned in clas...
How fluoride protects dental enamel from demineralization

Introduction: How fluoride (F–) protects dental enamel from caries is here conveyed to dental health-care providers by making simplifying approximations that accurately convey the essential principles, without obscuring them in a myriad of qualifications. Materials and Methods: We approximate that dental enamel is composed of calcium hydroxyapatite (HAP), a sparingly soluble ionic solid with the chemical formula Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. Results: The electrostatic forces binding ionic solids together are described by Coulomb’s law, which shows that attractions between opposite charges increase greatly as their separation decreases. Relatively large phosphate ions (PO43–) dominate the structure of HAP, which approximates a hexagonal close-packed structure. The smaller Ca2+ and OH– ions fit into the small spaces (interstices) between phosphates, slightly expanding the close-packed structure. F– ions are smaller than OH– ions, so substituting F– for OH– allows packing the same number of ions into a smaller volume, increasing their forces of attraction. Dental decay results from tipping the solubility equilibrium Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 (s) ⇔ 10Ca2+ (aq) + 6PO42– (aq) + 2OH– (aq) toward dissolution. HAP dissolves when the product of its ion concentrations, [Ca2+]10×[PO43–]6×[OH–]2, falls below the solubility product constant (Ksp) for HAP. Conclusion: Because of its more compact crystal structure, the Ksp for fluorapatite (FAP) is lower than the Ksp for HAP, so its ion product, [Ca2+]10×[PO43–]6×[F–]2, must fall further before demineralization can occur. Lowering the pH of the fluid surrounding enamel greatly reduces [PO43–] (lowering the ion products of HAP and FAP equally), but [OH–] falls much more rapidly than [F–], so FAP better resists acid attack.
Personalized Antibodies for Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma (PANGEA): A Phase II Study Evaluating an Individualized Treatment Strategy for Metastatic Disease

The one-year and median overall survival (mOS) rates of advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (GEA) are ∼50% and <12 months, respectively. Baseline spatial and temporal molecular heterogeneity of targetable alterations may be a cause of failure of targeted/immunooncologic therapies. This heterogeneity, coupled with infrequent incidence of some biomarkers, has resulted in stalled therapeutic progress. We hypothesized that a personalized treatment strategy, applied at first diagnosis then serially over up to three treatment lines using monoclonal antibodies combined with optimally sequenced chemotherapy, could contend with these hurdles. This was tested using a novel clinical expansion-platform type II design with a survival primary endpoint. Of 68 patients by intention-to-treat, the one-year survival rate was 66% and mOS was 15.7 months, meeting the primary efficacy endpoint (one-sided P = 0.0024). First-line response rate (74%), disease control rate (99%), and median progression-free survival (8.2 months) were superior to historical controls. The PANGEA strategy led to improved outcomes warranting a larger randomized study. SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights excellent outcomes achieved by individually optimizing chemotherapy, biomarker profiling, and matching of targeted therapies at baseline and over time for GEA. Testing a predefined treatment strategy resulted in improved outcomes versus historical controls. Therapeutic resistance observed in correlative analyses suggests that dual targeted inhibition may be beneficial.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 211.
Differential mast cell phenotypes in benign versus cancer tissues and prostate cancer oncologic outcomes

We reported previously that high numbers of mast cells in benign (extra-tumoral) regions of the prostate are associated with worse outcomes after radical prostatectomy including biochemical recurrence and the development of metastases. Herein, with a cohort of 384 men, we performed mast cell subtyping and report that higher minimum number of the tryptase-only (MCT ) subset of extra-tumoral mast cells is associated with increased risk of biochemical recurrence (comparing highest to lowest tertiles: HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.37-3.93; P-trend = 0.002), metastases (HR 3.62, 95% CI 1.75-7.47; P-trend 0.001), and death from prostate cancer (HR 2.87, 95% CI 1.19-6.95; P-trend = 0.02). Preliminary RNA sequencing and comparison of benign versus cancer tissue mast cells revealed differential expression of additional site-specific genes. We further demonstrate that the genes CXCR4 and TFE3 are more highly expressed in tumor-infiltrating mast cells as well as other tumor-infiltrating immune cells and in tumor cells, respectively, and represent an altered tumor microenvironment. KIT variants were also differentially expressed in benign versus cancer tissue mast cells, with KIT variant 1 (GNNK+ ) mast cells identified as more prevalent in extra-tumoral regions of the prostate. Finally, using an established mouse model, we found that mast cells do not infiltrate Hi-Myc tumors, providing a model to specifically examine the role of extra-tumoral mast cells in tumorigenesis. Hi-Myc mice crossed to mast cell knockout (Wsh) mice and aged to 1 year revealed a higher degree of pre-invasive lesions and invasive cancer in wild-type mice versus heterozygous and knockout mice. This suggests a dosage effect where higher numbers of extra-tumoral mast cells resulted in higher cancer invasion. Overall, our studies provide further evidence for a role of extra-tumoral mast cells in driving adverse prostate cancer outcomes. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Familial Lipomas Without Classic Neurofibromatosis-1 Caused by a Missense Germline NF1 Mutation.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1; OMIM 162200) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a wide variety of germline mutations in the NF1 gene. Nearly all individuals with NF1 exhibit cafe-au-lait macules before the age of 2,1 but can also develop numerous other medical problems, including autism, cognitive deficits, tumors, and congenital heart defects. Although the clinical variability inherent in NF1 has been attributed to stochastic events, it is possible that the specific germline NF1 mutation might be one factor underlying this heterogeneity. To illustrate this point, we report a family with 2 affected members harboring a missense mutation in the NF1 gene who lack the classic features of NF1.
Historical perspective and progress on protein ubiquitination at glutamatergic synapses.

Abstract Transcription-translation coupling leads to the production of proteins that are key for controlling essential neuronal processes that include neuronal development and changes in synaptic strength. Although these events have been a prevailing theme in neuroscience, the regulation of proteins via posttranslational signaling pathways are equally relevant for these neuronal processes. Ubiquitin is one type of posttranslational modification that covalently attaches to its targets/substrates. Ubiquitination of proteins play a key role in multiple signaling pathways, the predominant being removal of its substrates by a large molecular machine called the proteasome. Here, I review 40 years of progress on ubiquitination in the nervous system at glutamatergic synapses focusing on axon pathfinding, synapse formation, presynaptic release, dendritic spine formation, and regulation of postsynaptic glutamate receptors. Finally, I elucidate emerging themes in ubiquitin biology that may challenge our current understanding of ubiquitin signaling in the nervous system.
In Pursuit of Knowledge: Black Women and Educational Activism in Antebellum America reviewed by Sarah Ruffing Robbins

Kabria Baumgartner’s In Pursuit of Knowledge carries out a current-day version of the very subject of its research by demonstrating how archival investigation can contribute to a larger social ente...
Health Initiatives Vitalize

This chapter reviews initiatives in HIV/AIDS surveillance, as performed by health departments within the United States in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first objective is a historic analysis that emphasizes the expansion of HIV Surveillance Reports, which have served as the main source of information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the impact of HIV/AIDS over the past four decades in the United States and its eight independent areas. A second objective is a procedural examination of the role of state health departments through active surveillance that contributes to the accuracy and functionality of HIV/AIDS data in HIV Surveillance Reports. The chapter is an expanded, revised version of Bletzer [1].
Behavioral constituents of chronic pain acceptance: Results from factor analysis of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire

Clinical experience and research show that patients with chronic pain who have a more accepting attitude about their pain experience less distress and function better as compared to those with chronic pain who do not have this attitude. Because this idea has only recently received some empirical scrutiny, the meaning of acceptance and methods for assessing it in relation to chronic pain have not been firmly established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the behavioral components underlying acceptance of chronic pain. Responses to the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire from 230 persons seeking treatment for chronic pain were submitted for principal components analysis with oblique rotation. Based on percent variance, interpretability, and the scree test, four factors were extracted, accounting for 53% of total variance in 27 items. Factors included (1) engaging in normal life activities, (2) believing that controlling thoughts controls pain, (3) recognizing that pain may not change, and (4) needing to avoid or control pain. Based on analysis of item summary scores, Factor 2, the “cognitive control” factor, showed the smallest corrected factor-total correlation, suggesting that it may not be an important facet of acceptance. Studies of acceptance of pain have shown that it has potentially high utility for understanding the process of adjustment to chronic pain, however, continued study of this complex attitude is needed.
Demography of snowshoe hares in relation to regional climate variability during a 10-year population cycle in interior Alaska

We monitored populations of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus, Erxleben) in interior Alaska for 10 years from 1999 to 2008. During this period, fall densities of hares fluctuated approximately 14-fold. High population growth rates over summer (l = 1.83-8.00) were followed by large population declines over winter (l = 0.16-0.82). Young-of-the- year hares tended to gain mass over winter, while adult hares tended to loose body mass. The average mass of adult hares was significantly lower during the low phase of the cycle compared with when hares were abundant. Overwinter survival of juveniles relative to adults decreased strongly as a function of the frequency of snowfall events. However, effects of temperature and precipitation on hare demography were season dependent and appear to act as modifiers of the primary controls over population dynamics (predation and food) rather than as direct sources of mortality. The rapid changes in green-up and snow-up in interior Alaska may affect forage conditions as well as the timing of molt in snowshoe hares. The strength of these interactions may increase in importance if the asynchrony of environmental seasonality and life his- tory traits of snowshoe hares becomes more pronounced as the climate continues to change. Resume´ : Nous avons effectueun suivi annuel des populations de lievre d'Amerique (Lepus americanus, Erxleben) de l'interieur de l'Alaska de 1999 a 2008. Au cours de cette periode, la densiteautomnale du lievre a fluctued'un facteur 14. Les taux eleves de croissance des populations en ete ´ (l = 1,83-8,00) ont etesuivis d'importants declins des populations en hiver (l = 0,16-0,82). Les levreaux tendaient aaugmenter leur masse corporelle en hiver tandis que les adultes ten- daient ala voir diminuer. La masse moyenne des lievres adultes etait significativement plus faible durant le creux du cycle que durant la periode d'abondance. La frequence des chutes de neige influencait davantage la survie hivernale des juveni- les que celle des adultes. Toutefois, les effets de la temperature et des precipitations sur la demographie du lievre depen- daient de la saison et semblaient agir comme agents modificateurs des principaux facteurs de la dynamique des populations (predation et nourriture) plutot que comme causes directes de mortalite ´. Les transitions rapides entre les sai- sons avec et sans neige al'interieur de l'Alaska peuvent influencer les conditions d'alimentation ainsi que la periode de mue du lievre d'Amerique. L'intensitede ces interactions pourrait s'amplifier si l'asynchronie entre la phenologie et les caracteristiques du cycle biologique du lievre d'Amerique s'accentue en lien avec la progression des changements climati- ques. (Traduit par la Redaction)