cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Nuclear Receptor Nur77 by miR-124

The nuclear receptor Nur77 is commonly upregulated in adult cancers and has oncogenic functions. Nur77 is an immediate-early response gene that acts as a transcription factor to promote proliferation and protect cells from apoptosis. Conversely, Nur77 can translocate to the mitochondria and induce apoptosis upon treatment with various cytotoxic agents. Because Nur77 is upregulated in cancer and may have a role in cancer progression, it is of interest to understand the mechanism controlling its expression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are responsible for inhibiting translation of their target genes by binding to the 3'UTR and either degrading the mRNA or preventing it from being translated into protein, thereby making these non-coding endogenous RNAs vital regulators of every cellular process. Several miRNAs have been predicted to target Nur77; however, strong evidence showing the regulation of Nur77 by any miRNA is lacking. In this study, we used a luciferase reporter assay containing the 3'UTR of Nur77 to screen 296 miRNAs and found that miR-124, which is the most abundant miRNA in the brain and has a role in promoting neuronal differentiation, caused the greatest reduction in luciferase activity. Interestingly, we discovered an inverse relationship in Daoy medulloblastoma cells and undifferentiated granule neuron precursors in which Nur77 is upregulated and miR-124 is downregulated. Exogenous expression to further elevate Nur77 levels in Daoy cells increased proliferation and viability, but knocking down Nur77 via siRNA resulted in the opposite phenotype. Importantly, exogenous expression of miR-124 reduced Nur77 expression, cell viability, proliferation, and tumor spheroid size in 3D culture. In all, we have discovered miR-124 to be downregulated in instances of medulloblastoma in which Nur77 is upregulated, resulting in a proliferative state that abets cancer progression. This study provides evidence for increasing miR-124 expression as a potential therapy for cancers with elevated levels of Nur77.
Abortion: A Mixed and Unsettled Legacy

Not long after William Rehnquist joined the Court, he dissented in Roe v. Wade. He has continued to urge the Court to overrule Roe throughout his time on the Court. This paper, which will be published by Cambridge University Press in a forthcoming book entitled The Rehnquist Legacy, evaluates Rehnquist's legacy on abortion, and more generally substantive due process. Rehnquist's abortion opinions over the years are striking in how little they say about abortion per se or any governmental interest in fetal life - less than any other Justice who has opposed Roe. Rehnquist has based his opposition to Roe instead on an extremely narrow view of individual liberty protected against governmental intrusion and general hostility to the doctrine of substantive due process. Rehnquist obviously has not succeeded in overruling Roe. Originally in a minority of only two Justices in Roe, Rehnquist steadily gained support throughout the 1980's. But just when new appointments seemed to provide the necessary votes, the Court unexpectedly reaffirmed what it described as Roe's essential holding in its 1992 Casey decision. Less appreciated is the extent to which the Court has diminished judicial protection for reproductive liberty. Rehnquist wrote in Casey: Roe continues to exist, but only in the way a storefront on a western movie set exists: a mere facade to give the illusion of reality. Court appointments and decisions in the near future will determine Rehnquist's ultimate legacy on reproductive liberty, but for now it is best viewed as mixed and unsettled.
Introducing PMS

The PMS (Processors, Memories, and Switches) notation was developed to describe the physical structure of parts of computers, computer parts, and computer networks in terms of a small number of elementary components.1 A primary aim was to give a uniform meaning and definition to components to facilitate better communication among professionals. PMS has been used pedagogically to focus analysis on certain structures; it has been used at lower system levels to describe register transfer and switching circuits structures; and it has been the basis of a computer-implemented data base and analysis language.
Mechanical properties of small airways in excised pony lungs

We evaluated the pressure-flow relationships in collaterally ventilating segments of excised pony lungs by infusing N2, He, Ne, or SF6 at known flows (V) through a catheter wedged in a peripheral airway. Measurements were made at segment- (Ps) to-airway opening (Pao) pressure differentials of 3–15 cmH2O when the lungs were held at transpulmonary pressures of 5, 10, and 15 cmH2O. The data were analyzed both by calculating collateral resistance (Ps-Pao/V) and by constructing Moody-type plots of normalized pressure drop [(Ps-Pao)/(1/2 rho U2, where rho is density and U is velocity)] against Reynolds number to assess the pattern of flow through the segment and the change in dimension of the flow channels as Ps and Pao were changed. The interpretations from these analyses were compared with radiographic measurements of the diameters of small airways within the collaterally ventilating lung segment at similar pressures. Collateral resistance increased as Ps-Pao increased at high Reynolds numbers, i.e., high flows or dense gas (SF6). Analysis of the Moody-type plots revealed that flow was density dependent at Reynolds number greater than 100, which frequently occurred when N2 was the inflow gas. The radiographic data revealed that small airway diameter increased as Ps-Pao increased at all lung volumes. In addition, at 5 cmH2O Pao, small-airway diameter was smaller for a given Ps in the nonhomogeneous case (Ps greater than Pao) than small-airway diameter for the same Ps in the homogeneous case (Ps = Pao). We interpret these data to suggest that the surrounding lung prevented the segment from expanding in the nonhomogeneous case.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lower plasma α-carboxyethyl-hydroxychroman after deuterium-labeled α-tocopherol supplementation suggests decreased vitamin E metabolism in smokers

BACKGROUND Cigarette smoking increases the fractional disappearance rates of alpha-tocopherol and is associated with increased oxidative stress, but its effects on alpha-tocopherol metabolism are unknown. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that smokers would have less alpha-tocopherol available and consequently lower plasma alpha-carboxyethyl-hydroxychroman (alpha-CEHC), the alpha-tocopherol metabolite produced by a cytochrome P450-mediated process. DESIGN Smokers and nonsmokers (n = 10 per group) were supplemented with deuterium-labeled alpha-tocopheryl acetates (75 mg each d3-RRR-alpha-tocopheryl and d6-all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) from day -6 to day -1, and plasma tocopherols and CEHCs were measured (day -6 through day 17). RESULTS After 6 d of supplementation, plasma d3- and d6-alpha-tocopherol concentrations did not differ significantly between groups. Plasma d3- and d6-alpha-CEHCs were detectable only from day -5 to day 5. Before supplementation, unlabeled alpha- and gamma-CEHCs were approximately 60% and 40% lower, respectively, in smokers than in nonsmokers (P < or = 0.05). In addition, d0-, d3-, and d6-alpha-CEHC areas under the curves were approximately 50% lower in smokers (P < 0.05), and smokers had lower maximal d3-alpha-CEHC (P = 0.004) and d6-alpha-CEHC (P = 0.0006) concentrations. Notably, 2.9-4.7 times as much alpha-CEHC was produced from all-rac-alpha-tocopherol than from RRR-alpha-tocopherol. During supplementation, smokers had about one-half (P < 0.05) the plasma total, d6-, or d3-alpha-CEHC concentrations that nonsmokers did given similar alpha-tocopherol concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Smoking did not increase alpha-tocopherol disappearance through P450-mediated tocopherol metabolism. Therefore, the mechanism of increased alpha-tocopherol disappearance in smokers likely operates through oxidation pathways, which is consistent with alpha-tocopherol's antioxidant function. Consequently, evaluating the molecular mechanism or mechanisms responsible for tocopherol metabolism under conditions of oxidative stress and the mechanisms that regulate alpha-tocopherol status is warranted.
Cryo-Immunology A Method of Immunization to Autologous Tissue.

SummaryBy means of a blind test, in which serum samples from a group of rabbits were relabeled with code designations, it was shown clearly that definite antibody production had occurred as a result of freezing of tissue in the animal. Freezing was done by means of a liquid nitrogen probe and the target tissue was the coagulating gland and seminal vesicle of the urogenital tract. Antibodies were detected by tanned cell hemag-glutination and were found to be present within 7 days after cryosurgery. No antibody was detected in any of 15 sera from 5 control animals, whereas 6 out of 7 rabbits exposed to freezing showed positive results. Titers as high as 1:4096 were obtained, and there was a progressive increase with time.
Direct Numerical Simulation of 1000 Deformable Capsules in a Channel Flow at Finite Inertia

Three-dimensional numerical simulations are presented on the motion of large ensembles of deformable particles (up to 1096 in number) in a channel flow in presence of inertia. Particles are modeled as capsules, that is, liquid drops surrounded by hyperelastic membranes. Unlike liquid drops where the fluid-fluid interface is characterized by isotropic surface tension, that of a capsule is governed by more complex constitutive laws. Here we assume that the membrane follows the neo-Hookean constitutive law. The particle Reynolds number, based on the centerline velocity of the undisturbed flow, the undeformed particle diameter, and suspending fluid viscosity, is in the range 0.1 to 25. The particle volume fraction considered is 9 and 26%. The ratio of the particle diameter to channel height varies from 0.08 to 0.16. The numerical methodology is based on a mixed finite-difference/Fourier transform method for the flow solver and a finite-element based fluid-structure interaction, and front-tracking method. In the simulations, the flow field is resolved using up to 2883 grid points, and each particle surface is resolved by 1280 triangular elements. Instantaneous snapshots of particle distribution from the simulations are analyzed to study the interaction between the deformable particles in a multi-particle environment. Results are presented on the time-dependent and mean quantities such as particle velocity and trajectory, deformation and orientation, rms fluctuations in lateral velocity, location, and deformation. The simulations are computation- and data-intensive, and the first of their kind in the context of deformable particle suspension. The database generated from the simulations provides a wealth of information on the dynamics of semi-dense suspension of liquid capsules, in particular, and of deformable particles, in general.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Case Study of Renewable Bacteria Cellulose Fiber and Biopolymer Composites in Sustainable Design Practices

This case study challenged researchers and practitioners to rethink what constitutes sustainable consumer products in a world of increasingly stressed natural resources by exploring innovative ways to develop renewable biocomposite materials, e.g., leather-like nonwoven fabrics, that can be used for apparel and footwear products. Scientific research was conducted to identify cultivation and treatment methods that produce cellulose fiber mats, formed by bacteria and yeast in fermenting tea, with sufficient strength for use in apparel. Wearable products made of the green-tea based cellulose fiber mats can be an alternate future in which we move to a cradle-to-cradle (C2C) system instead of relying on materials derived from unsustainable sources. The outcome of this innovative and sustainable design effort is presented by creating aesthetically pleasing, biodegradable apparel prototypes and providing a promising future for this nonwoven material as an alternate future suitable for the apparel and footwear industries. A consumer survey was conducted of users’ perceptions and acceptance of using apparel products made of this material, and the results of the survey are discussed.
Modeling and Simulation for Automated Yacht Design

Computational simulation is an important tool for predicting the behavior of physical systems. Many powerful simulation programs exist today. However, using these programs to reliably analyze a physical situation requires considerable human effort and expertise to set up a simulation, determine whether the output makes sense, and repeatedly run the simulation with different inputs until a satisfactory result is achieved. Automating this process is not only of considerable practical importance but also raises significant AI research issues in the areas of spatial reasoning and modeling of physics and numerical methods. The application domain described in this paper is the design of racing yachts.
Discharge Path Selective Probability of Optical Fiber Composite Overhead Ground Wire at Different Ground Methods

OPGW(Optical fiber composite overhead ground wire)have been widely used in the AC and DC transmission lines due to its function of shield wire against lightning and fiber optic communications.The unbalanced grounding methods of ground wire,which OPGW is grounding at every towers and ground wire is segment insulated and grounded at one tower,may be responsible for OPGW vulnerability to lightning striking.By simulating lightning,we experimentally researched the discharge path selectivity of OPGW and ground wire under three different grounding methods of grounding at every towers,all insulation to tower,and segment being insulated and grounded at one tower.The experimental results show that the probability of selecting discharge path is the highest in the conditions that wire is grounded at every towers while the lowest is fully insulated wire.In order to reduce the probability of lightning striking OPGW,the grounding methods of OPGW is needed to change or appropriate measures are taken to protect the OPGW.
Early pituitary desensitization and ovarian suppression with leuprolide acetate is associated with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer success

Objective To determine if the timing of the onset of pituitary desensitization and ovarian suppression using follicular phase leuprolide acetate (LA) is associated with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) success for pregnancy. Design Retrospective series of IVF patients undergoing pituitary desensitization and ovarian suppression before beginning controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET. Setting Tertiary infertility practice. Patients Seventy-eight women for 80 cycles began LA on day 1 of their menstrual cycle. After 11 days of LA, 47 (59%) cycles in group I had suppressed serum estradiol (E 2 ) levels Interventions Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was started when patients were satisfactorily suppressed, i.e., E 2 Main Outcome Measure(s) Mean E 2 response, ampules of human menopausal gonadotropin, cancellation rates, number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rates, and pregnancy rates (PRs) per cycle were examined between groups I and II. Results Group I demonstrated a greater mean E 2 response on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin 1,735 pg/mL versus 1,470 pg/mL ( P = 0.008), a greater fertilization rate 64% versus 55% ( P = 0.02), and a higher PR per cycle 34% versus 12% ( P = 0.036) compared with group II. Conclusions Women who achieved desensitization-suppression within 11 days of initiating LA demonstrated a more favorable outcome for IVF-ET than those who did not.
ANTITHROMBOTIC THERAPY DIFFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION UNDERGOING TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

Background: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) prescribing patterns for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients vary following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, there are limited data on the ideal antithrombotic treatment strategy and outcomes in the U.S. Methods: We evaluated AF patients
Can financial development enhance transparency

A substantial strand of literature unambiguously established the importance of financial development for economic growth. Relatively less attention has been paid to the impact that financial development of a country can have on important development outcomes like transparency. As established by existing research, strong financial institutions in a country would imply an improved and transparent banking system, better corporate governance, ease of accessing credit, greater availability of information and best practices in investment protection. All these should theoretically promise a more transparent economic system. Our empirical findings confirm this. Using several estimation strategies, our results confirm that greater financial development enhances transparency.
A pressure map dataset for posture and subject analytics

Monitoring sleep postures can provide critical information when analyzing an individual's sleep quality and in-bed behavior. Furthermore, tracking sleep posture over time can play an important role in preventing pressure ulcers (bedsores) in bed-bound patients who are unable to move and change their position frequently. Pressure sensing mats consist of gridded and flexible force sensors are now commercially available for continuously measuring pressure distribution under body parts in different in-bed postures. In this paper, we report the results of a data collection study conducted in two separate experimental sessions from 13 participants in various sleeping postures using two commercial pressure mats. This resource, released publicly, would benefit future research in the area of sleep behavior/quality and corresponding complications. Moreover, we have employed an algorithm based on deep learning for subject identification in the three common sleeping postures using statistical features extracted from the pressure distribution. Our experiments showed promising results in subject identification and further validated the personal sleeping style of each participant.
Teaching Computer Literacy with Transmedia Designed by Learners with Broken Window

This chapter explores the design and development of the Broken Window transmedia learning game experience, built as a successor to The Door as a means of supporting content learning and “showing what students know.” In addition to designing the game using problem-based learning, it was also an attempt to build new learning theory focused on communicative actions to be fostered through the learning activities. We provide an overview of that guiding theory and how it was used to guide learning game design. It also covers challenges faced from a changing student population skill set as they entered the classroom and what that meant for development over time.
The Substance and Value of Italian Si

This book offers an original treatment of the Italian clitic si . Sharply separating encoded grammar from inference in discourse, it proposes a unitary meaning for si , including impersonals, passives, and reflexives. Si signals third-person participancy but makes no distinctions of number, gender, or case role. The analysis advances the Columbia School framework by relying on just these straightforward oppositions, attributing variety of interpretation largely to language use rather than to grammar. The analysis places si within a network of oppositions involving all the other clitics. Data come primarily from twentieth-century and more recent published and on-line literature. The book will be of interest to functional linguists, students of reflexivity, and scholars of the Italian language.
Structural analysis of imino- and amino-pyridine ligands for Ni(II):Precatalysts for the polymerization of ethylene

Abstract Imino- and amino-pyridine ligands are versatile scaffolds to probe how ligand sterics influence polymerization outcomes for nickel(II) ethylene polymerization catalysts. Six imino- and one amino-pyridine nickel(II) complexes with varied imino/amino-carbon substitution (R1 = methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl) were synthesized (1-7). Five of these complexes were analyzed crystallographically: dimeric {[2-[(2,6-Me2-C6H3)N=C(R1)]C5H4N]NiBr2}2 (R1 = Et 2; R1 = t-Bu 4), monomeric [2-[(2,6-Me2-C6H3)N=C(R1)]C5H4N]NiBr2NCCH3 (R1 = Me 5; R1 = t-Bu 6), and monomeric [2-[(2,6-Me2-C6H3)NHCH(t-Bu)]C5H4N]NiBr2 (7). Complexes 1-7 are competent ethylene polymerization precatalysts at 0°C, and tert-butyl substituted imino-pyridine precatalysts 4 and 6 and amino-pyridine precatalyst 7 display the best activity, highest polyethylene molecular weight, and narrowest dispersity values of series. 13C-NMR analyses of polyethylene samples reveal a lightly branched morphology with a modest amount of methyl branching; polymer Tm values are consistent with this assessment. Ongoing work includes further exploration of precatalysts 4, 6, and 7 in attempt to maximize polyethylene molecular weight and achieve living polymerization.
Characteristics of antimicrobial stewardship programmes in rural East Texas hospitals.

Summary Introduction Antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) serve as the primary method to prevent and manage the development of antimicrobial resistance. Rural settings may lack the recommended personnel and resources needed to provide antimicrobial stewardship services. Methods An electronic survey was distributed via e-mail to pharmacy directors or antimicrobial stewardship programme directors of licensed hospitals within Public Health Region 4/5N of East Texas. Results Sixty percent of ASPs were established Conclusions Institutions in rural settings require additional resources, personnel, and time to implement ASPs and perform various antimicrobial stewardship practices.
A Geometric Morphometric Assessment of Plan Shape in Bone and Stone Acheulean Bifaces from the Middle Pleistocene Site of Castel di Guido, Latium, Italy

Flaked bone artifacts are a noteworthy component of some Early and Middle Paleolithic tool kits. Several Paleolithic sites with lithic assemblages attributable to the Acheulean Industrial Complex (Mode 2) have yielded bifacial bone artifacts. Many of these bone implements are similar to classic handaxes in plan shape. The arbitrary imposition of form represented by these bone bifaces suggests the deliberate application of certain operational concepts that originate from particular Acheulean technological behaviors, namely, stone handaxe manufacture. In addition, the presence of these bone tools suggests an application of specific reductive techniques that originated in both Mode 1 (i.e., Oldowan) and Mode 2 (i.e., Acheulean) lithic technologies. How does the Acheulean model for stone biface shape compare to that observed for bone biface shape? In order to understand the degree to which Acheulean stone bifaces may have served as a model of form in flaked bone technology, an objective method for evaluating form is necessary. The dimensionless approach of geometric morphometrics was applied to the study of 2D bone and stone biface plan shape. The similarity of bone and stone bifaces from the Middle Pleistocene (∼300 kya) Acheulean site Castel di Guido, Latium, Italy was evaluated by a geometric morphometric analysis of 2D outlines. The null hypothesis that there is no difference in the 2D shape of each artifact material class was tested by principal component analysis (PCA) and MANOVA/CVA of eigenshape scores. Results of the analysis show no significant difference between the plan morphology of bone and stone bifaces. These results may indicate that Acheulean concepts of preferred 2D shape were applied in the production of some bifacial bone tools and that a great disparity in raw materials did not significantly influence 2D biface morphology. Furthermore, these results lend support to the idea that Mode 2 stone flaking techniques and tool types were directly applied to bone materials in some instances.
Five-Fold Part-Formation Operators in the Symmetry-Restricted Interactive Unfoldings of EA 5 and EA −5

Chapter 6 elaborated a set of Process Grammar operators for the creation of 5-fold parts. These are listed as follows:
Acute Biological Effects of Nicotine and Its Metabolites

The actions of nicotine in humans, with emphasis on recent research findings, are reviewed. Issues that are discussed include the importance of rate of dosing and development of tolerance in determining nicotine effects, quantitative studies of nicotine metabolism, and cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic effects of nicotine.
Advanced High Temperature Corrosion Sciences

Advances in high temperature corrosion science are described by considering the current status of developing oxidation resistance in alloys, inhibiting the mixed gas attack of alloys, controlling hot corrosion degradation, and understanding the combined erosion-corrosion of alloys. Recent advances in coatings used to protect alloys from high temperature corrosion are then considered. The high temperature corrosion of intermetallic compounds, ceramics and composites is examined to identify some of the advanced materials upon which this technology is being focussed.
Chronotype mediates gender differences in risk propensity and risk-taking

Risk-taking is a complex form of decision-making that involves calculated assessments of potential costs and rewards that may be immediate or delayed. Thus, making predictions about inter-individual variation in risk-taking due to personality traits, decision styles or other attributes can be difficult. The association of risk-taking with gender is well-supported; males report higher propensity for risk-taking and show higher risk-taking on tasks measuring actual risk-taking behavior. Risk-taking also appears to be associated with circadian phenotypes (chronotypes), with evening-types reporting higher levels of risk-taking-but this association may be confounded by the fact that, in certain age groups, males are more likely to be evening-types. Here, we test for gender by chronotype effects on risk-taking in young adults (n = 610) using a self-reported risk propensity questionnaire, the health domain of the DOSPERT, and a behavioral task measuring risk-taking, the Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART). Our results show that males report and take significantly more risks than females in this population. In addition, evening-type individuals have significantly higher self-reported risk propensity and tend to take more risks on the BART. Interestingly, there is no significant difference in risk propensity or risk-taking behavior across male circadian phenotypes, but evening-type females significantly report and take more risk than female intermediate and morning types. In regression analyses, we found both gender and chronotype predict risk propensity and risk-taking. Path analysis confirms that chronotype has an indirect effect on gender differences in both risk propensity and risk-taking. Furthermore, we found that trait anxiety (STAI) and sleep disturbance (PROMIS), significantly correlate with chronotype and gender in the complete dataset, but do not independently predict differences in female risk-taking. These results suggest that chronotype mediates gender effects on risk-taking and that these effects are driven primarily by morning-type females, but are not related to gender-specific differences in trait anxiety or sleep quality.
A predictive model of intercellular tension and cell-matrix mechanical interactions in a multicellular geometry

Abstract Epithelial cells form continuous sheets of cells that exist in tensional homeostasis. Homeostasis is maintained through cell-to-cell adhesions that distribute tension and balance forces between cells and their underlying matrix. Disruption of tensional homeostasis can lead to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), which is a transdifferentiation process in which epithelial cells adopt a mesenchymal phenotype, where cell-cell adhesion is lost and individual cell migration is acquired. This process is critical during embryogenesis and wound healing, but is also dysregulated in many disease states. To further understand the role of intercellular tension in spatial patterning of epithelial cell monolayers, we developed a multicellular computational model of cell-cell and cell-substrate forces. This work builds on a hybrid Cellular Potts-finite element model to evaluate cell-matrix mechanical feedback of an adherent multicellular cluster. Thermodynamically-constrained cells migrate by generating traction forces on a finite element substrate to minimize the total energy of the system. Junctional forces at cell-cell contacts balance these traction forces, thereby producing a mechanically stable epithelial monolayer. Simulations were compared to in vitro experiments using fluorescence-based junction force sensors in clusters of cells undergoing EMT. Results indicate that the multicellular CPM model can reproduce many aspects of EMT, including epithelial monolayer formation dynamics, changes in cell geometry, and spatial patterning of cell geometry and cell-cell forces in an epithelial colony. Author summary Epithelial cells line all organs of the human body and act as a protective barrier by forming a continuous sheet. These cells exert force on both their neighboring cells as well as the underlying extracellular matrix, which is a network of proteins that creates the structure of tissues. Here we develop a model that encompasses both cell-cell forces and cell-matrix forces in an epithelial cell sheet. The model accounts for cell migration and proliferation, and regulates how cell-cell adhesions are formed. We demonstrate how the interplay between cell-cell forces and cell-matrix forces can regulate the formation of the epithelial cell sheet, the organization of cells within the sheet, and the pattern of cell geometries and cell forces within the sheet. We compare computational results with experiments in which epithelial cell sheets are disrupted and cell-cell junction forces are measured, and demonstrate that the model captures many aspects of epithelial cell dynamics observed experimentally.
Novel Plasma Based Microfluidic Assay for Measuring Fibrin Formation,Thrombin Generation and Fibrinolysis Under Flow: Monitoring Patients with Hemophilia on Inhibitors

Abstract INTRODUCTION The unpredictable clinical response of patients to bypassing therapy and the lack of a proper laboratory tools to measure clot formation and stability renders prophylaxis and surgery on these patients a huge challenge. These patients are at a risk for bleeding or thromboembolic complications. AIMS In this study we introduce a novel plasma based microfluidic assay that can qualitatively and quantitatively measure fibrin deposition, thrombin and plasmin generation, and fibrinolysis under flow. We then examined the dynamics of thrombus formation in patients with hemophilia and their response to replacement and bypass therapies under flow conditions. METHODS Coagulation in the plasma based assay was initiated by spherical 1µm lipidated- Tissue Factor biomimetic silica beads which were patterned into 200µm circles on a substrate surface. Plasma samples were obtained from Hemophilia patients and inhibitor patients, before and after replacement or bypassing treatment and perfused over the tissue factor rich surfaces at a sheer rate of 100 s-1 Fibrinolysis was initiated with the addition of tPAto the plasma samples before perfusion. RESULTS The microfluidic assay was sensitive enough to measure the activation of coagulation triggered by the bypassing agents. Fibrin generation and thrombin generation were measurable both qualitatively and quantitatively using three metrics; lag time, rate of production and maximum quantity produced. Individuals on replacement therapy showed normalized fibrin formation with a 69% increase in fibrin formation, a decrease in lag time and an overall increase in maximum fibrin and thrombin production (See attached Figure). The microfluidic assay was also able to show an increase in overall fibrin generation in certain Individuals that were given more bypassing treatment than needed. Compared to healthy controls the rate of fibrin generation and maximum fibrin was greater, thereby identifying a risk for prothrombotic state. (See attached Figure). Finally, using the microfluidic assay we were able to observe both clot formation and lysis and asses the the stability of the fibrin clot produced when these inhibitor patients were on and off treatments, which reflects a more complete picture of the coagulation process. CONCLUSION We are able to show that individuals, treated by replacement therapies showed normalized clot formation. Individuals with hemophilia treated by bypassing therapies also showed normalized clot formation. Sometimes however, the fibrin production is more than a normal control, which could lead to a risk of prothrombosis. By using microfluidic assay, the treatment can be given in doses and fibrin production observed, to decrease the overall fibrin formation from a hypocoagulable to a hemostatic state, avoiding hypercoagulability. Download : Download high-res image (77KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Effects of Different Opponent Types on Motivation and Exercise Intensity in a Competitive Arm Exercise Game.

Objective: Competitive exercise games are popular in areas like rehabilitation and weight loss due to their positive effects on motivation. However, it is unclear whether a human opponent is necess...
Social Media and Health Promotion

With over 3 billion users worldwide, social media has become a staple of daily life for people across the globe [...].
Peripheral neuroimmune interactions: selected review and some clinical implications

To provide a brief and focused review on peripheral neuroimmune interactions and their implications for some clinical disorders. Narrative review of the literature including of English-language articles published between 1985 and 2021 using PubMed and MEDLINE. Many studies on experimental models and in vitro indicate that there are close interactions between the neural and immune systems. Processes from sensory afferents and autonomic efferents co-localize with immune cells and interact at discrete anatomical sites forming neuroimmune units. These neuroimmune interactions are bidirectional and mediated by a wide range of soluble factors including neuropeptides, classical neurotransmitters, cytokines, and other molecules that mediate complex cross-talk among nerves and immune cells. Small-diameter sensory afferents express a wide range of receptors that respond directly to tissue damage or pathogen signals and to chemokines, cytokines, or other molecules released from immune cells. Reciprocally, immune cells respond to neurotransmitters released from nociceptive and autonomic fibers. Neuroimmune interactions operate both at peripheral tissues and at the level of the central nervous system. Both centrally and peripherally, glial cells have a major active role in this bidirectional communication. Peripheral neuroimmune interactions are complex and importantly contribute to the pathophysiology of several disorders, including skin, respiratory, and intestinal inflammatory disorders typically associated with pain and altered barrier function. These interactions may be relevant for persistence of symptoms in disorders associated with intense immune activation.
Analytical solution for nonlinear hydrologic routing with general power-law storage function

Abstract A new analytical solution for nonlinear storage routing with a general power-law storage function is presented. The resulting implicit solution, expressed in terms of the incomplete beta function, is valid for inflow hydrographs that may be represented by a series of pulses of arbitrary widths. The new solution thus extends the existing analytical solutions reported in the literature which are valid only for specific exponents in the power-law storage function. An explicit solution expressed in terms of the Lambert-W function is also presented for reservoirs for reservoirs with linear storage-elevation relationship and a single orifice or submerged sluice gate outlet. To support practical design applications and to demonstrate the utility of the new solution, we provide approximate explicit solutions and four simple applications. The results show that, being exact, the new solution is not subject to numerical errors or instabilities and may hence be used in a variety of modeling, design, optimization, forecasting, and control applications involving nonlinear routing with power-law storage functions.
Arte culinario y creación poética en Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

espanolEn el presente articulo, exploramos las conexiones que existen entre el arte culinario y la obra poetica de Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. En particular, usamos un estudio detallado de las analogias que emergen entre la comida y la preparacion culinaria por un lado, y la poesia y la composicion poetica, por otro lado. En este articulo mostramos que el arte culinario funciona como causa o catalizador de la creacion poetica y que existe una relacion intima y profunda entre el buen sazon, lo bello, y el bien para la monja jeronima. EnglishIn this paper, we explore the connections between the culinary art andthe poetic work by Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. In particular, following a detailed studyof the analogies between, on the one hand, food and culinary preparation, and onthe other hand, poetry and composition, we show that culinary art functions as causeand catalyst of Sor Juana’s poetic creation. Also, we show that, for the hieronymitenun, there is an intimate and profound relation between good seasoning, beauty andmoral good
Interest-Group Theories of Regulation: A Skeptical Note

As a rule, regulation is not acquired by “the industry,” and it is not designed and operated primarily for its benefit. The mechanisms behind the promulgation of regulations are multiple, and almost all of the time, it greatly matters whether regulators believe that regulations will, all things considered, have good consequences. In terms of understanding the sources of regulations, it would therefore be valuable to obtain more clarity about the sources of the beliefs of regulators — about what information they receive and find credible, and why.
Clinical Aspects of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus are nearly infinitely complex. Patients may be inflicted with one or many manifestations of lupus at once, intermittently or chronically. The severity of the manifestations can similarly vary from a self-resolving photosensitive rash to life-threatening major organ involvement. Even the less objective manifestations of lupus such as fatigue drastically impair quality of life and activities of daily living. We are hampered in the clinical care of patients with lupus by grossly inadequate biomarkers of lupus disease activity. Further, as we attempt to develop new therapeutics for lupus, we must attempt to quantify both the level of disease activity and the response to therapy. Thus, an awareness and appreciation of the protean manifestations of SLE is an imperative for the lupus doctor as well as those involved in lupus research. We attempt a broad discussion of these manifestations in this chapter.
Insights from Computational Studies on the Anisotropic Volume Change of LixNiO2 at High States of Charge (x < 0.25)

The need for high-capacity Li-ion battery cathodes has favored the increase of Ni content in commercial battery cells. However, at high states of charge (SOCs), Ni-rich materials undergo a phase tr...
A Phenomenology of the Integration of Faith and Learning

This phenomenological investigation examined how eight student-nominated faculty who teach at an evangelical Christian liberal arts university describe their understanding and practice of the Integ...
Meta-evaluation as a tool for program understanding

Formal program specifications are difficult to write. They are always constructed from an informal precursor. We are exploring the technology required to aid in the construction of the formal specification from the informal version. An informal specification differs from a formal one in that much information which the writer believes the reader can infer from the context has been supressed from the specification. Resolution of the supressed information depends upon information contained in other parts of the specification and upon Knowledge of what makes a specification well-formed and the ability to model the parts of the specification interacting with one another. This paper describes the technology used in a running system which embodies theories of program well-formedness and informality resolution within the context established by symbolically executing the program to systematically discover the intended meaning of each informal construct within an informal specification.
Multiplicity Reactivation of Reovirus Particles After Exposure to Ultraviolet Light

McClain, Mary E. (California State Department of Public Health, Berkeley), and Rex S. Spendlove. Multiplicity reactivation of reovirus particles after exposure to ultraviolet light. J. Bacteriol. 92:1422–1429. 1966.—Exposure of reovirus suspensions to moderate doses of ultraviolet light results in essentially exponential inactivation of infectivity to survivals of 10−2 to 10−3. With suspensions of sufficiently high particle concentration, larger doses of ultraviolet light (6 to 12 min) are associated with multiplicity reactivation (MR) which is demonstrable both by immunofluorescent-cell count and by plaque assay in FL human amnion cells. Similar effects are produced by photodynamic inactivation in the presence of proflavine, but not by thermal inactivation at 50 C. All three reovirus types exhibit MR under appropriate conditions, and all three interact in mixed ultraviolet suspensions with high efficiency. Progeny from FL cells infected under conditions of MR were as infectious as those of unirradiated inocula, with yields per cell ranging from 104 to 4 × 104 infective units.
Classification, Investigation, and Management of Midfoot Sprains Lisfranc Injuries in the Athlete

BackgroundMidfoot sprains in athletes represent a spectrum of injuries to the Lisfranc ligament complex, from partial sprains with no displacement to complete tears with frank diastasis. Treatment of these injuries varies from the treatment of high-velocity injuries seen in nonathletes.PurposeWe wanted to report the outcome of treatment in athletes with Lisfranc injuries classified according to our system.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsWeightbearing radiographs and bone scintigrams were used to diagnose midfoot sprains in 15 athletes who were treated surgically or nonoperatively according to the following classification: nonoperative management for stage I injuries (undisplaced) and anatomic reduction with fixation for stage II (diastasis with no arch height loss) and stage III (diastasis with arch height loss) injuries.ResultsWe achieved an excellent outcome in 93% of 15 athletes with midfoot sprains at an average follow-up of 27 months (range, 9 to 72).ConclusionsWeightbearing radiographs...
Malignant Glaucoma (Posterior Aqueous Diversion Syndrome)

Von Graefe1 first used the term malignant glaucoma to describe a devastating and unusual form of glaucoma that occurred following ocular surgery. This sequelae was asso­ciated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and flattening or shallowing of the anterior chamber. The word malignant was used to characterize the uniformly grave visual prognosis, but because of its relationship to cancer, many have objected to its use, preferring the term misdirection of aqueous. The current definition has been expanded to include classic malignant glaucoma and nonphakic malignant glaucoma as well as disorders occurring in other clinical situations. Classic malignant glaucoma is usually associated with a specific clinical scenario that occurs after incisional surgery (iridectomy or filtration) for primary angle-closure glaucoma, secondary or chronic angle-closure glaucoma, or at times open-angle glaucoma in phakic patients (Table 37.1). The occurrence of malignant glaucoma after cataract surgery and the persistence of malignant glaucoma following cataract surgery in the classic form have been termed as aphakic malignant glaucoma. The diagnosis nonphakic malignant glaucoma has been suggested for both aphakic and pseudophakic types 2 and may also be applied to the development of malignant glaucoma after combined cataract and filtration surgery. The term malignant-like glaucoma has been proposed for instances with similar clinical presentations but where different underlying pathophysiology may be present.
Diffusion of methylene chloride and tetrahydrofuran in amorphous poly(ether ether ketone)

Abstract The diffusion of methylene chloride and tetrahydrofuran in amorphous poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) films was studied by the following method. A specimen was immersed in the solvent, the reaction was stopped by immersing the specimen in liquid nitrogen, the dried specimen was finally fractured into two pieces, one for observation under scanning electron microscope and the other for thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry. As the solvent was allowed more time to penetrate into the film, the fracture surfaces showed distinct solvent diffusion fronts that increased in thickness and the d.s.c. curves displayed crystallization exothermic peaks whose areas decreased, showing the solvent-induced crystallization (SINC) process. SINC was then analysed in term of the diffusion process using the Zachmann and Konrad theory. The SINC process was found to be solvent-diffusion controlled.
Reconsidering the use of race as an explanatory variable in program evaluation

Program evaluators often use race as an explanatory variable without clearly articulating what race means in an evaluation context.