cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective Modifications of Cellular Proteins in Intratumoral Subpopulations of Human Colonic Carcinoma Cells

AbstractMolecular alterations of cellular proteins were assessed in three previously described subpopulations of human colon carcinoma cells that were originally isolated from a single human primary colon carcinoma. The subpopulations designated HCT 116b, HCT 116, and HCT 116a exhibited significant differences in their expression of several biological properties. Immunoautoradiographic analysis of membrane components, fractionated by SDS-PAGE and electrophoretically transferred onto nitrocellulose sheets, distinguished the most aggressive tumor cell subpopulation from the intermediate and least aggressive subpopulations. An elevated expression of antigens of molecular weight in the range of 116-120 led, 92 kd, 55-66 kd, and 31 kd was found to be associated with the most aggressive subpopulation of HCT 116a cells. The binding pattern of RCA I and WGA lectins to membrane components, fractionated by SDS-PAGE and fixed on nitrocellulose, also distinguished the three subpopulations of cells. Elevated bindings ...
Poster: Synthesis of biochemical models

The development of mechanistic computational models of biological systems continues to be an iterative manual process that requires considerable insight and patience from the modeler. An abundance of high throughput experimental methods has caused a rapid explosion of factual information about the behavior of biochemical systems. It is unreasonable to assume that a human can continue to use his limited intellectual faculties to explore the space of all possible mechanistic models and suggest biochemical models that affirm all the observed behaviors.
Interdisciplinary Epidemiologic and Economic Research Needed to Support a Universal Childhood Influenza Vaccination Policy

Recent research indicates that influenza vaccination of children may decrease the influenza disease burden in adults to a greater extent than targeting vaccination to populations at high risk of serious disease. Possible new policies reflecting these results would add groups most likely to transmit disease to existing vaccination recommendations. Interdisciplinary research combining epidemiology with economics is needed to answer critical questions about the desirability and feasibility of potential new policies, such as what additional resources medical providers might need to expand vaccination to larger groups or what opportunity costs parents might incur in vaccinating their children annually. In this paper, the authors provide background for some of the changes in influenza vaccination rates and disease and discuss existing information gaps and research methods capable of closing these gaps. They provide several examples of interdisciplinary studies that have incorporated both economics and epidemiology or health policy issues. These studies are representative of a variety of stakeholder perspectives needed to determine whether community-based, universal childhood vaccination policies would be more efficacious and cost-effective than strategies targeted toward persons at high risk of disease complications.
Identity Style: Conceptualization and Measurement

The four personality outcomes classified by Mar-cia 's idenltity-status paradigm are conceptualized in terms of three styles of per sonial pr-oblem solvilng atid decision making: (a) An Information...
Characterization of hydrocarbon/nitrous oxide propellant combinations

Given the interest in using hydrocarbon-nitrous oxide propellant combinations in space propulsion applications, mixtures of various hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H2 and C3H8) and nitrous oxide were studied to experimentally and numerically determine the laminar ame speeds at near atmospheric pressure (0:8 atm). The literature is quite limited with these data, and the few experiments conducted show a large disparity in many cases. In this work, a comprehensive hydrocarbon mechanism in the literature was integrated with a nitrogen chemistry sub-model, and computational ame speed results using this mechanism are compared with experimental results. These results include ame speed measurements for CH4-, C2H2- and C3H8-nitrous oxide
The Source of Degradation of the Construction Industry Performance

The construction industry performance has been analyzed for the past 20 years. There has been no simple answer to the source of the construction industry problems. In 1991, the Construction Industry Structure (CIS) was formulated, and identified that the price based environment was more inefficient than the best value environment. Over the past 18 years, the analysis of the CIS has led to the hypothesis that the price based sector is inefficient because the buyer controls it. The hypothesis has been tested through case studies, and test results show that the owner is the biggest source of project risk and deviations. The dominant information was formed through repeated testing by moving the control to the vendor, and documenting all sources of project deviation. The studies have shown that the use of decision making, management, direction and control of the contractor by the owner increases the project risk. Two longitudinal studies are used to confirm the potential accuracy of the deductive logic. Key words: contractor control, owner releases control, contractor defined scope.
Linear Functional Response of Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to Variation in Heliothis spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Density in the Field

We measured the relation between search rate of Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) and density of third instars of its hosts, Heliothis zea (Boddie) and Heliothis virescens (F.). We released wasps in field cages containing various densities of host larvae on wild host plants (chiefly Geranium dissectum L.) in spring and on cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) in summer. Number of Heliothis spp. larvae parasitized increased linearly over the range of host densities used. Such responses may be more common than has recently been assumed. A simple search model first proposed by Nicholson & Bailey (1935) fit the data well. Search rate was 0.20 ± 0.03 m2 per day (mean ± SE) in spring and 0.55 ± 0.04 to 0.87 ± 0.09 m2 per day in summer. Neither air temperature nor host-plant size explained these differences completely.
Abstract 1287: High mobility of triple-negative breast cancer cells is due to repression of plakoglobin gene by SLUG

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL One of highly pathogenic breast cancer cell types are the SLUG-high claudin-low triple negative (negative in the expression of estrogen, progesterone and ERBB2 receptors) breast cancer (TNBC) cells. These cells are highly metastatic and have low levels of the motility regulatory catenin plakoglobin. In order to link high levels of the transcriptional repressor SLUG in the TNBC cells with low levels of plakoglobin we found that SLUG inhibits the expression of plakoglobin gene directly in these cells and thus, among other downstream effects, help disseminating these tumor cells. Overexpression of SLUG in the SLUG-deficient cancer cells significantly decreased the levels of mRNA and protein of plakoglobin. On the contrary, knockdown of SLUG in SLUG-high cancer cells elevated the levels of plakoglobin. Overexpression of SLUG in the SLUG-deficient cells elevated the invasiveness and motility of these cells. On the other hand, knockdown of plakoglobin in these low motility non-invasive breast cancer cells did not affect the ability of the cancer cells to penetrate Matrigel matrix but increase the growth and migration rates of these cells. This study thus implicates high levels of SLUG and low levels of plakoglobin as determinants in the progression of highly disseminating breast cancer. Supported in parts by the DOD-CDMRP grants BC050641, BC086542 and BC103645 to GC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1287. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1287
COMPONENTS OF PHENOTYPIC SELECTION: POLLEN EXPORT AND FLOWER COROLLA WIDTH IN IPOMOPSIS AGGREGATA.

In the hummingbird-pollinated herb Ipomopsis aggregata, selection through male function during pollination favors wide corolla tubes. We explored the mechanisms behind this selection, using phenotypic selection analysis to compare effects of corolla width on two components of male pollination success, pollinator visit rate and pollen exported per visit. During single visits by captive hummingbirds, flowers with wider corollas exported more pollen, and more dye used as a pollen analogue, to stigmas of recipient flowers. Corolla width was less strongly related to visit rate in the field, and had no direct effect on visit rate after nectar production and corolla length were controlled for. Moreover, the phenotypic selection differential was 80% higher for the effect on pollen exported per visit, suggesting that this is the more important mechanism of selection.
Research of One In Circuit SOC Verification Interface Design

SoC has been the key component in embedded system design, and the key step of SoC design is verification which engrosses more than 60 percents time during SoC design. Using definite purpose test equipment and JTAG interface ect which are main SoC verification means were deficiency when SoC in system couplet verification. We introduced one in circuit SoC verification interface design method, This verification method fetch up the deficiency of the main SoC verification method in SoC verification, and enhance the efficiency of SoC verification.
Institution-specific versus published in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility data in making formulary decisions

The results of susceptibility testing of 549 isolates of gram-negative organisms to 17 antimicrobial agents were compared with published reports of the sensitivity of those organisms to those agents. All gram-negative bacilli isolated from cultures obtained from hospitalized patients during a three-month period were preserved for antimicrobial sensitivity testing. Standard Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion susceptibility tests were performed using 17 broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents that either were included in the hospital formulary or were being considered for inclusion. Organisms were recorded as being sensitive or resistant to each drug, and the results were compared with the published results of in vitro sensitivity studies. When the results of actual antimicrobial sensitivity testing varied from published results, the discordant results were assigned a ranking of 1 to 4 based on the percentage difference. In 34 of 77 drug-organism pairs tested, the results of susceptibility testing differed by more than 10% cumulative susceptibility from published values; 26 of these represented instances in which the results of actual testing were at least 10% less than published values. For seven of the antimicrobial agents that were being considered for inclusion in the hospital formulary, results indicating unexpectedly suboptimal activity against institutional pathogens were a determinant in eliminating the agents from further consideration. In vitro testing of antimicrobial susceptibility of local pathogens can be a better method of predicting the susceptibility of such pathogens to new antimicrobial agents than relying on published susceptibility data. Pharmacy and therapeutics committees should consider testing prevalent institutional pathogens for susceptibility to all antimicrobial agents that are proposed additions to the formulary.
Brain Death in the Newborn: Current Perspectives

Brain death can be diagnosed in the full-term newborn, even when less than 7 days of age. An observation period of 48 hours is recommended to confirm the diagnosis. If an EEG is isoelectric or if a CBF study shows no flow, the observation period can be shortened to 24 hours. Although there are few cases of preterm infants who are brain dead, it is likely that the same time frame would be applicable. Based on available data, the risk of misdiagnosis appears exceedingly low. There have been few instances of neonates or older infants who showed minimal transient clinical or EEG recovery but with no meaningful neurologic function and all died within brief periods of time.
Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock for the Obstetrician–Gynecologist

The incidence of sepsis is increasing in the United States, both in the general adult population and among pregnant and postpartum women. Neither infection nor bacteremia are synonymous with sepsis: it is a dysregulated host response to a pathogen in which organ dysfunction is key. New clinical criteria have been released. Cornerstones of management are early suspicion and recognition, effective fluid resuscitation, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Defining an inflamed tumor immunophenotype in recurrent, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Abstract Objectives Immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated clinical benefit in recurrent, metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SSCHN), but lacking are biomarkers that predict response. We sought to define an inflamed tumor immunophenotype in this R/M SCCHN population and correlate immune metrics with clinical parameters and survival. Methods Tumor samples were prospectively acquired from 34 patients to perform multiparametric flow cytometry and multidimensional clustering analysis integrated with next-generation sequencing data, clinical parameters and outcomes. Results We identified an inflamed subgroup of tumors with prominent CD8+ T cell infiltrates and high PD-1/TIM3 co-expression independent of clinical variables, with improved survival compared with a non-inflamed subgroup (median overall survival 84.0 vs. 13.0 months, p = 0.004). The non-inflamed subgroup demonstrated low CD8+ T cells, low PD-1/TIM3 co-expression, and higher T regs . Overall non-synonymous mutational burden did not correlate with response to PD-1 blockade in a subset of patients. Conclusion R/M SCCHN patients with an inflamed tumor immunophenotype demonstrate improved survival. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and explore the use of immunophenotype to guide patient selection for immunotherapeutic approaches.
The Role of microRNAs in Drug Addiction: A Big Lesson from Tiny Molecules

Alcoholism is a multifactorial disease of unclear molecular underpinnings. Currently, we are witnessing a major shift in our understanding of the functional elements of the genome, which could help us to discover novel insights into the nature of alcoholism. In humans, the vast majority of the genome encodes non-protein-coding DNA with unclear function. Recent research has started to unveil this mystery by describing the functional relevance of microRNAs, and examining which genes are regulated by non-protein-coding DNA. Here, I describe alcohol regulation of microRNAs and provide examples of microRNAs that control the expression of alcohol-relevant genes. Emphasis is put on the potential of microRNAs in explaining the polygenic nature of alcoholism and prospects of microRNA research and future directions of this burgeoning field.
Free-water and free-water corrected fractional anisotropy in primary and premotor corticospinal tracts in chronic stroke.

Measures from diffusion MRI have been used to characterize the corticospinal tract in chronic stroke. However, diffusivity can be influenced by partial volume effects from free-water, region of interest placement, and lesion masking. We collected diffusion MRI from a cohort of chronic stroke patients and controls and used a bitensor model to calculate free-water corrected fractional anisotropy (FAT) and free water (FW) in the primary motor corticospinal tract (M1-CST) and the dorsal premotor corticospinal tract (PMd-CST). Region of interest analyses and whole-tract slice-by-slice analyses were used to assess between-group differences in FAT and FW in each tract. Correlations between FAT and FW and grip strength were also examined. Following lesion masking and correction for multiple comparisons, relative increases in FW were found for the stroke group in large portions of the M1-CST and PMd-CST in the lesioned hemisphere. FW in cortical regions was the strongest predictor of grip strength in the stroke group. Our findings also demonstrated that FAT is sensitive to the direct effects of the lesion itself, thus after controlling for the lesion, differences in FAT in nonlesioned tissue were small and generally similar between hemispheres and groups. Our observations suggest that FW may be a robust biological measurement that can be used to assess microstructure in residual white matter after stroke. Hum Brain Mapp, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New method to induce mild traumatic brain injury in rodents produces differential outcomes in female and male Sprague Dawley rats.

Background Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are an increasing health concern due to persistent behavioral and neurological effects. To better understand these effects, researchers frequently rely on animal injury models. Existing models, however, may not adequately reproduce the mechanism of injury as it occurs in humans.
Structural Property Losses from Tornadoes in Florida

AbstractProperty losses from tornadoes in Florida are estimated by combining a 1-km spatial grid of structural values from the Department of Revenue’s 2014 cadastral database with historical tornado events since 1950. There are 91 180 grid cells in the state with at least some structural value. Total and residential structural values total $942 billion and $619 billion, respectively. Over the period 1950 through 2015 there were 3233 individual tornado reports in the state with a peak frequency during June. The property value exposed to tornadoes is estimated using a geometric model for the path. Annual statewide total and residential structural property exposure to tornadoes is estimated at $171 million and $103 million, respectively. Property exposure to tornadoes peaks in February. A regression model quantifies the relationship between actual losses since 2007 and exposures. A doubling of the residential exposure increases actual recorded losses by 26% since 2007, and a doubling of nonresidential exposu...
Complete Lower Extremity Revascularization via a Hybrid Procedure for Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia.

Background:Complete revascularization, achieving inline flow to the foot through at least 1 patent tibioperoneal artery, is considered to be desirable for treating critical limb ischemia (CLI). Hyb...
Decision Support Variables for Reverse Logistics

The purpose of this study is to discover variables that should be considered in the creation of a strategic knowledge and decision support system for reverse logistics. This paper addresses a gap in the Lambert model of supply chain management through refining the link between the returns management process and the overall strategy of a supply chain firm by addressing the decision as to which reverse logistics activity to pursue. Current literature is sparse in this area and existing DSS do not specifically address this problem. In order to determine what variables should be considered in such a system, recent reverse logistics frameworks which address returned-products disposition were reviewed. Using an inductive literature review process and subsequent content analysis, the authors found seven factors that are relevant to reverse logistics disposition. Propositions are offered for further research in this area. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
Critical Service-Learning: Learning Through Experience to Advance Teacher Education:

Background: The ability to effectively teach culturally and linguistically diverse students is critically important. Research has shown that providing teacher candidates educative experiences throu...
Structure-Based Vaccine Antigen Design.

Enabled by new approaches for rapid identification and selection of human monoclonal antibodies, atomic-level structural information for viral surface proteins, and capacity for precision engineeri...
Lactic acid bacteria isolated from dairy products as potential producers of lipolytic, proteolytic and antibacterial proteins

Regular consumption of fermented dairy products helps maintain a healthy microbiota and prevent gut dysbiosis-linked diseases. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in food enhance the digestibility of proteins, moderate the release of fatty acids, and support human health through inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract. These desirable properties of LAB are attributed, in part, to their metabolic processes involving enzymes such as lipases, proteases, and antibacterial proteins. The LAB strains presenting higher enzymatic activities may offer improved functionality for applications in foods. The first aim of this work was to isolate and identify LAB from diverse dairy products and select those with enhanced enzymatic activities. Secondly, this work aimed to investigate the subcellular organization and identity of these enzymes after semi-purification. Out of the total 137 LAB strains isolated and screened, 50.3% and 61.3% of the strains exhibited lipolytic and proteolytic activities, respectively. Seven strains displaying high enzymatic activities were selected and further characterized for the cellular organization of their lipases, proteases, and antibacterial proteins. The lipolytic and proteolytic activities were exhibited predominantly in the extracellular fraction; whereas, the antibacterial activities were found in various cellular fractions and were capable of inhibiting common undesirable microorganisms in foods. In total, two lipases, seven proteases, and three antibacterial proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS. Characterization of LAB strains with high enzymatic activity has potential biotechnological significance in fermentative processes and in human health as they may improve the physicochemical characteristics of foods and displace strains with weaker enzymatic activities in the human gut microbiota.
La Vulnerabilidad de la propia imagen y la Búsqueda de la perfección lingüística

Students’ reticence in foreign language classes has long been a challenge for both teachers and students. This study aims at investigating if the frequency of Spanish oral usage in the classroom is affected by the level of the fear of damaging one’s “Vulnerable Self-Image” and the “Perfecting grammar and searching for linguistic excellence” reported by the students. The data were gathered from 138 students of Spanish as foreign language in the Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages of Taiwan through the use of a questionnaire. Results reveal that these three variables are related and that cultural and social linguistics variables influence the frequency of usage of the target language. The study offers certain pedagogic implications and findings for educators to take into consideration in their plan to create a classroom environment that motivates Taiwanese students to engage more actively in oral activities.
Physical Processes Influencing the Sedimentation and Lateral Transport of MOSSFA in the NE Gulf of Mexico

Accurate predictions of the transport and fate of oil spilled in the marine environment are essential for response and mitigation efforts. The sedimentation of oil-associated marine snow (MOS) has been shown to be an important pathway by which Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil was removed from the water column; thus, information is needed on the vertical and lateral dispersion of MOS. Here, we simulated the physical environment in the NE Gulf of Mexico using the Connectivity Modeling System (Paris et al., Environ Model Softw 42:47–54, 2013). Field measurements of marine snow provided initial conditions for the simulations. High Mississippi River (MR) discharge during 2010 and 2013 resulted in strong eastward flowing fronts along the shelf break to the east of the MR, and an anticyclonic eddy at the shelf break retained and aggregated particles, which acted to enhance MOS sedimentation. Forward simulations suggested that particles with high sinking rates (200 m d−1) reached the seafloor within <5–15 days and settled within 0–30 km of their origin, while particles with low sinking rates (30 m d−1) were dispersed up to 110 km away from their origin. Suspended particles (no sedimentation rate) may be transported over 300 km from their origin.
Sodium doping of Pt/m-ZrO2 promotes C–C scission and decarboxylation during ethanol steam reforming

Abstract The effect that sodium has on Pt/m-ZrO2 catalyst was investigated during ethanol steam reforming (ESR). Sodium doping decreases the catalytic activity, but significantly increases CO2 selectivity, providing a means of improving H2 selectivity. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) results suggest that acetate species are intermediates in the reaction and that their decomposition can follow different routes depending on the catalyst formulation. When Pt/m-ZrO2 is promoted by sodium, decarboxylation is the favored route: forward decomposition of acetate at lower temperatures yields essentially methane and adsorbed carbonate, further decomposing to carbon dioxide. At higher temperature, the methane precursor can be intercepted by the metal for further steam reforming or a separate methane steam reforming catalyst can be used downstream. Decarbonylation is instead favored for the unpromoted catalyst; decarbonylation tends to lower the H2 selectivity of the overall process. Finally, the addition of sodium promotes C–C scission as methane formation is detected at lower temperature by DRIFTS and TPD-MS of ethanol in steam. This is analogous to formate C–H bond breaking in methanol steam reforming, steam-assisted formic acid decomposition, and water-gas shift reactions. In catalytic testing of ESR utilizing a tubular reactor at low temperatures (where steam reforming of CH4 is limited), methane and CO2 selectivities are higher with the Na-promoted catalyst than with the unpromoted catalyst. Thus, promotion of the forward decomposition of acetate route by Na addition is confirmed.
The Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule in Development: Examples of Differential Adhesion

The pioneering studies of Holtfreter (1939) on the contribution of tissue affinities to formation of tissue patterns spurred several decades of work and speculation on the nature of cell-cell interactions. One of the most useful and intriguing concepts to emerge from this period was the potential ability of cells to order themselves according to quantitative differences in adhesiveness (Steinberg 1970), as opposed to the expression of absolute binding specificities. Until recently, too little has been known about the molecular nature of cell-cell adhesion to provide ample evidence that such hierarchies of adhesion actually exist in tissues during their morphogenesis and histogenesis.
Salvar La Ciencia (Saving Science)

Spanish Abstract: La ciencia enfrenta una crisis multifacetica –de calidad, valor publico y legitimidad politica– cuyo origen es, en gran medida, la creencia de que la simple curiosidad cientifica ayuda a resolver problemas cientificos y sociales. Este articulo muestra que esa creencia afecta cada vez mas la capacidad de la empresa cientifica para satisfacer los estandares de alta calidad y las necesidades de la sociedad, a pesar de su creciente productividad. Contrasta el ideal de la libre investigacion con episodios reales de interrelacion entre ciencia, innovacion y solucion de problemas despues de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Y, con ejemplos actuales e historicos, muestra que es necesario vincular mas estrechamente la creacion de conocimiento a la solucion de problemas para que la ciencia recupere su integridad y cumpla sus promesas y su responsabilidad con la sociedad. English Abstract: Science is facing a multi-faceted crisis: in terms of quality, of public value, of political legitimacy. To a significant degree, these problems find their origin in the widely held belief that unfettered scientific curiosity provides the best starting point or departure for solving both scientific and social problems. In this article I show how this belief has contributed to a scientific enterprise whose exponentially growing productivity is increasingly decoupled from meeting the standards of high quality or the needs of society. I contrast the ideals of unfettered scientific inquiry with real stories of how science, innovation, and problem solving came together in the institutional arrangements of the “military-industrial complex” after World War. Through an array of contemporary and historical examples stronger links, I show how stronger links between the context of knowledge creation, and the context of problem solving, provides the pathway along which science can recover both its integrity and its commitment to society.
Hopscotch: a micro-benchmark suite for memory performance evaluation

Due to the ever-increasing gap between the speed of processing elements and the speed at which memory systems can feed them with data, current computing systems are often bottlenecked by memory bandwidth. Researchers are developing new memory architectures and concepts such as near-data-processing and processing-in-memory to overcome this issue. Memory benchmarks with different access patterns are essential to evaluate the performance of these emerging architectures. Existing memory benchmarks either support only sequential or random access patterns and do not provide tunability, or provide it in very limited scopes. We, therefore, present Hopscotch, a micro-benchmark suite in which the access pattern of read-only, write-only, and mixed accesses can be tuned to cover a wide spatio-temporal locality spectrum. We evaluated three platforms using our benchmark, one of which uses a 3D-stacked hybrid memory cube as on-chip memory.
Imaging of Injectable Hydrogels Delivered into Myocardium with SPECT/CT.

Injectable hydrogels are being widely explored for treatment after myocardial infarction (MI) through mechanical bulking or the delivery of therapeutics. Despite this interest, there have been few approaches to image hydrogels upon injection to identify their location, volume, and pattern of delivery, features that are important to understand toward clinical translation. Using a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel as an example, the aim of this study is to introduce radiopacity to hydrogels by encapsulating a clinically used contrast agent (Omnipaque Iohexol, GE Healthcare) for imaging upon placement in the myocardium. Specifically, iohexol is encapsulated into shear-thinning and self-healing hydrogels formed through the mixing of HA-hydrazide and HA-aldehyde. Upon examination of a range of iohexol concentrations, a concentration of 100 mg mL-1 iohexol is deemed optimal based on the greatest contrast, while maintaining hydrogel mechanical properties and acceptable injection forces. In an acute porcine model of MI, hybrid single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) perfusion imaging is performed immediately and 3-4 days after hydrogel delivery to assess radiopacity and verify the hydrogel location within the perfusion defect. Hybrid SPECT/CT imaging demonstrates excellent radiopacity of the hydrogel within the perfusion defect immediately after intramyocardial hydrogel injection, demonstrating the feasibility of this method for short-term noninvasive hydrogel monitoring.
Environmental Resources: Dynamics, Irreversibility and Option Value

This chapter begins with a short discussion of the evolution of environmental economics, with links to theories of externalities and public goods and a focus on pollution. The focus then shifts to a less-studied aspect: the economics of natural environments. The idea that the environment from which commercially valuable resources are taken may have value in its natural state motivates a discussion of how this affects a benefit/cost analysis of the resource development project. This in turn leads to the concept of irreversibility, joined to uncertainty concerning evaluation of the environmental services that would be lost in perpetuity, or at least in the very long run if the resource development project goes forward. Examples are given to motivate the realism and potential importance of this approach. A theoretical discussion of investment under uncertainty and irreversibility is presented, verbally and graphically, which leads to the concept of option value (real, not financial), in turn given an analytical treatment, including an example of how to compute. The potential empirical importance of option value is illustrated in an application to a forested area in Thailand, in which each of four zones can be either preserved, developed, or given an intermediate level of development, in each of three periods. The states are distinguished by appropriate uses but subject to an irreversibility constraint, formulated as a decision tree of feasible sequences. For example, commercial agriculture can follow preservation but not vice versa. Results of an exercise using illustrative values show that option value, though small in relation to total use values, can tip the balance in a major way, with the largest zone optimally developed in what might be called the traditional analysis but preserved when option value is taken into account.
Circulation, Writing, and Rhetoric: Laurie E. Gries and Collin Gifford Brooke, eds. Logan, UT: Utah State University Press, 2018. 338 pages. $37.95 paperback.

Circulation is about flow, movement, dissemination. It averts the gaze from the physical (as in books, magazines) to the intangible (as in algorithms). Laurie E. Gries credits circulation with deve...
Darfur: Rainfall and Conflict

Data on rainfall patterns only weakly corroborate the claim that climate change explains the Darfur conflict that began in 2003 and has claimed more than 200,000 lives and displaced more than two million persons. Rainfall in Darfur did not decline significantly in the years prior to the eruption of major conflict in 2003; rainfall exhibited a flat trend in the thirty-years preceding the conflict (1972-2002). The rainfall evidence suggests instead a break around 1971. Rainfall is basically stationary over the pre- and post-1971 sub-periods. The break is larger for the more northerly rainfall stations, and is less noticeable for En Nahud. Rainfall in Darfur did indeed decline, but the decline happened over 30 years before the conflict erupted. Preliminary analysis suggests little merit to the proposition that a structural break several decades earlier is a reasonable predictor of the outbreak of large-scale civil conflict in Africa.
Comparative analysis of hybrid vehicle energy management strategies with optimization of fuel economy and battery life

Abstract Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) form an important category of the automotive segment and most importantly fill the transition between internal combustion engines powered conventional vehicles and electric motor-powered vehicles. One of the main propagandas and sales factor of HEV is improved fuel economy over conventional vehicles. Over the recent years, considering the longevity of HEV usage, battery life evaluation has been brought to the forefront of research along with fuel economy and the key method to slow down the battery aging is through Energy Management Strategy (EMS). This research paper presents the comparative analysis of battery life optimization with different control strategies in a parallel hybrid vehicle. In the available research work, EMS considering battery aging is still lacking. This research work considers the impact of multiple parameters, including temperature and current on battery aging, providing more accurate battery life prediction. Four different control strategies are analyzed including, Thermostat, Fuzzy logic, Adaptive Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy (A-ECMS) and Q-learning considering battery aging. Results are compared concerning battery aging and fuel economy. In this research, ECMS results show a 25% improved fuel economy compared to the rule-based strategy. Also, a market cost-analysis is depicted to show the monetary savings for each of the energy management strategy.
A new approach of inducing proprioceptive illusion by transcutaneous electrical stimulation

Neurotraumas or neurodegenerative diseases often result in proprioceptive deficits, which makes it challenging for the nervous system to adapt to the compromised sensorimotor conditions. Also, in human machine interactions, such as prosthesis control and teleoperation, proprioceptive mismatch limits accuracy and intuitiveness of controlling active joints in robotic agents. To address these proprioceptive deficits, several invasive and non-invasive approaches like vibration, electrical nerve stimulation, and skin stretch have been introduced. However, proprioceptive modulation is still challenging as the current solutions have limitations in terms of effectiveness, usability, and consistency. In this paper, we propose a new way of modulating proprioception using transcutaneous electrical stimulation. We hypothesized that transcutaneous electrical stimulation on elbow flexor muscles will induce illusion of elbow joint extension. Eight healthy human subjects participated in the study to test the hypothesis. Transcutaneous electrodes were placed on different locations targeting elbow flexor muscles on human subjects and experiments were conducted to identify the best locations for electrode placement, and best electrical stimulation parameters, to maximize induced proprioceptive effect. Arm matching experiments and Pinocchio illusion test were performed for quantitative and qualitative analysis of the observed effects. One-way repeated ANOVA test was performed on the data collected in arm matching experiment for statistical analysis. We identified the best location for transcutaneous electrodes to induce the proprioceptive illusion, as one electrode on the muscle belly of biceps brachii short head and the other on the distal myotendinous junction of brachioradialis. The results for arm-matching and Pinocchio illusion tests showed that transcutaneous electrical stimulation using identified electrode location and electrical stimulation parameters evoked the illusion of elbow joint extension for all eight subjects, which supports our hypothesis. On average, subjects reported 6.81° angular illusion of elbow joint extension in arm-matching tests and nose elongated to 1.78 × height in Pinocchio illusion test. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation, applied between the the synergistic elbow flexor muscles, consistently modulated elbow joint proprioception with the illusion of elbow joint extension, which has immense potential to be translated into various real-world applications, including neuroprosthesis, rehabilitation, teleoperation, mixed reality, and etc.
Comparison of Reduced-Fare Programs for Low-Income Transit Riders:

Means-based reduced-fare programs can help address transit rider fare equity. The objective of this study is to synthesize the current state of reduced-fare programs for low-income transit riders. ...
Magnetic Breakdown in the Long DHVA Periods in Zinc

In early studies of the de Haas-van Alphen effect in zinc,1 it was found that the amplitude of the long period oscillations (which are now attributed to the needle-shaped electron portions in the third band) fell off unexpectedly with increasing magnetic fields. The solution of this puzzle was indicated by Stark’s2 identification of the occurrence of magnetic breakdown in magnetoresistance effects in zinc. The present work was initiated to further explore the influence of breakdown on these DHVA oscillations.
Factor analysis of physical fitness tests.

Abstract The four factors upper body strength and endurance, trunk strength and endurance, leg strength and endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance were hypothesized as defining the domain of physical fitness. Physical fitness was defined in this study as being muscular strength and endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Thirteen fitness test items were administered to college women (N = 336) and college men (N = 283). Data were analyzed for each group using eight derived factor solutions. Findings in this study did not support the hypothesized factors. There seem to be three factors for the domain of physical fitness for both men and women; however, those identified in this study are not the same for men and women.
Durability of concrete incorporating crushed brick as coarse aggregate

Abstract Using crushed bricks as coarse aggregates in concrete is of particular interest to preserve natural aggregate sources as well as to reduce waste and waste storage. The objective of this experimental work was to study the durability of reinforced concrete made with crushed brick as aggregate. For this purpose, a comparative study was performed on the durability properties of concrete made with crushed brick as coarse aggregates and with natural aggregates. Results show that the natural coarse aggregates can be replaced by crushed bricks, without significant change in the durability of concrete when the steel is not present. However, when concrete is reinforced with steel, replacing natural aggregates with crushed brick is not recommended.
On-line Fault Detection, Diagnosis, Isolation and Accommodation of Dynamical Systems with Actuator Failures

A general framework for the on-line detection, diagnosis, isolation and accommodation for a class of actuator faults in dynamical systems is developed. This framework, which addresses both abrupt and incipient faults, utilizes a nonlinear adaptive detection observer along with an on-line approximation scheme for failure assessment. The actuator failure is modeled as an additive perturbation of the actuator signal (actuator gain) that may be described by a nonlinear function of both the input and output signals. Robust adaptive schemes are introduced to account for modeling errors that affect the diagnosis process and may cause false alarms. Numerical studies using a neural network-based on-line approximator are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed automated diagnostic scheme.
Abstract #4459: Down-regulation of cystatin E/M in HPV16 E7 transformed keratinocytes

We have previously identified cystatin E/M as a cervical cancer tumor suppressor gene. Analysis of cervical cancer cell lines and tumors showed cystatin E/M inactivation by epigenetic mechanisms, mutations, and homozygous deletion. To examine if human papilloma virus (HPV) has a role on cystatin E/M, we studied cystatin E/M expression in normal and HPV16 E6, E7, E6 and E7 transformed human keratinocytes. While cystatin E/M expression was observed in all the above mentioned keratinocytes, it\#8217;s expression was reduced in E7 and E6 and E7 expressing keratinocytes. Immunoprecipitation studies showed direct binding of HPV16 E7 and cystatin E/M. Culture supernatants from normal and HPV16 E6 expressing keratinocytes showed growth suppressive effect on HeLa cells. Western blot studies showed presence of cystatin E/M in culture supernatants of normal and HPV16 E6 keratinocytes indicating the growth suppressive effect due to the presence of cystatin E/M protein. However, culture supernatant from HPV16 E7 expressing cells did not inhibit HeLa cell proliferation and cystatin E/M expression in this culture supernatant was very low. These studies confirmed growth suppressive effects of cystatin E/M and indicated a possible mechanism of HPV16 E7 mediated inactivation of cystatin E/M. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 4459.
The cytoskeleton of the intestinal epithelium: Components, assembly, and dynamic rearrangements

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the components, assembly, and dynamic rearrangements of the cytoskeleton of the intestinal epithelium. Of the conspicuous features of biological tissues, perhaps none is more intriguing than the paradoxical coincidence of extreme order and extreme flexibility. The subject of this review, absorbtive cells of the intestinal epithelium, provides an outstanding example of such a paradox. The beautifully precise structure of the intestinal brush border, long evident from EM studies, belies the fact that its constituents are undergoing constant turnover, and are capable of rapidly reorganizing in response to a variety of extrinsic challenges. Moreover, in spite of their ordered appearance, the constituent cells of the intestinal epithelium are in constant motion, from their formation in the crypt to their ultimate extrusion from the monolayer.
Lithium diphenylcuprate reactions with 4-tosyloxy-L-prolines; an interesting stereochemical outcome: A synthesis of TRANS-4-phenyl-L-proline.

Abstract The reaction of lithium diphenylcuprate with trans-4- and cis-4-tosyloxy-L-prolines gives excellent yields of 4-phenyl substituted L-prolines and the reaction proceeds with net retention of configuration at the carbon center bearing the tosyloxy group.
A 0.18 /spl mu/m 4Mb toggling MRAM

A low power 4Mb Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) with a new magnetic switching mode is presented for the first time. The memory cell is based on a 1-Transistor 1-Magnetic Tunnel Junction (1TIMTJ) bit cell. The 4Mb MRAM circuit was designed in a five level metal, 0.18/spl mu/m CMOS process with a bit cell size of 1.55/spl mu/m/sup 2/. A new cell architecture, bit structure, and switching mode improve the operational performance of the MRAM as compared to conventional MRAM. The 4Mb circuit is the largest MRAM memory demonstration to date.
Actuation of wind-loading torque on vertical axis turbines at model scale

A method for applying aerodynamic load to model-scale wind turbines is developed and implemented on the UC Berkeley Multiple Integrated Synchronized Turbines (MIST) model platform. A floating platform is subject to loads from incident waves and wind. These hydrodynamic and aerodynamic loads are unsteady. Though many wave (tow) tank facilities exist worldwide, only a select few have the capabilities to test model-scale winds and waves simultaneously. Thus, model testing of a floating platform with a wind turbine remains cumbersome and expensive. In this study, a Real-Time Hybrid Testing (RTHT) method is used to actuate the simulated aerodynamic forces on a model wind turbine. The actuator as developed can be mounted directly to the model turbine shaft and behaves as a stand-alone system that has its own processing capability for closed-loop control. This method is particularly useful for tests that allow platform motion. The selected hardware for the aerodynamic thrust actuator is a motor and a propeller. System design, hardware selection and integration, and an evaluation of the performance of the actuation system as conducted by (Koukina, 2014) are presented in this paper.
Nutritional Assessment in Preterm Infants

If the aim of nutritional assessment of preterm infants is to identify suboptimal (or excessive) provision of protein, energy and micronutrients, most currently available methods perform poorly. Ass
Comparative Physiology of Colonic Electrolyte Transport

The sections in this article are: 1 Comparative Structure of Large Intestine 2 Absorptive Load 3 Electrolyte Concentration Patterns 4 Electrolyte Transport Pattern in vivo 5 Basic Mechanisms of Electrolyte Transport 6 Absorption of Volatile Fatty Acid 7 Conclusions