cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PSA immunoreactivity detected in LNCaP cell medium, breast tumor cytosol, and female serum

We made an effort to identify a reliable source for obtaining large quantities of both free (PSA) and PSA-ACT complex for the preparation of the calibrator for the PSA assay. Using size exclusion chromatography, we found both free PSA and PSA-ACT complex in the conditioned cell medium of the LNCaP cell line, which was derived from a human metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate. An assay specific for PSA-ACT reacted only with the PSA-ACT complex from cells grown in serum-free medium, and not with the complex from the cell medium grown in 10% calf serum. We also found both free PSA and PSA-ACT complex in 15% of cytosols prepared from breast tumor tissues; the cytosol PSA concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 110 ng/ml. No correlation was found between cytosol PSA and concentrations of estrogen receptor, progestin receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, cathepsin D, or the ectodomain of c-erbB-2 protein. Based on chromatographic characterizations and the slope of their dose-response curves, it appears that both free PSA and PSA-ACT complex found in the cytosols are similar to PSA complex from the cell medium and the serum of prostate cancer patients. Ectopic PSA was also detected in pooled sera from patients with breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and colon carcinoma. The PSA concentrations in these serum pools increased with the level of their dominant tumor marker. In any event, the LNCaP cell medium appears to be a reliable source for obtaining both free and ACT-complexed PSA of human tumor origin for the preparation of PSA assay calibrators.
Progestin and AdipoQ Receptor 7, Progesterone Membrane Receptor Component 1 (PGRMC1), and PGRMC2 and Their Role in Regulating Progesterone's Ability to Suppress Human Granulosa/Luteal Cells from Entering into the Cell Cycle

The present studies were designed to determine the role of progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1), PGRMC2, progestin and adipoQ receptor 7 (PAQR7), and progesterone receptor (PGR) in mediating the antimitotic action of progesterone (P4) in human granulosa/luteal cells. For these studies granulosa/luteal cells of 10 women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were isolated, maintained in culture, and depleted of PGRMC1, PGRMC2, PAQR7, or PGR by siRNA treatment. The rate of entry into the cell cycle was assessed using the FUCCI cell cycle sensor to determine the percentage of cells in the G1/S stage of the cell cycle. PGRMC1, PGRMC2, PAQR7, and PGR mRNA levels were assessed by real-time PCR and their interactions monitored by in situ proximity ligation assays (PLAs). These studies revealed that PGRMC1, PGRMC2, PAQR7, and PGR were expressed by granulosa/luteal cells from all patients, with PGRMC1 mRNA being most abundant, followed by PAQR7, PGRMC2, and PGR. However, their mRNA levels showed considerable patient variation. P4's ability to suppress entry into the cell cycle was dependent on PGRMC1, PGRMC2, and PAQR7 but not PGR. Moreover, PLAs indicated that PGRMC1, PGRMC2, and PAQR7 formed a complex within the cytoplasm. Based on these studies, it is proposed that these three P4 mediators form a complex within the cytoplasm that is required for P4's action. Moreover, P4's ability to regulate human follicle development may be dependent in part on the expression levels of each of these P4 mediators.
Robot Path Planning

The sections in this article are 1 Planning as a Reaction to Anticipation 2 Planning as a Part of Behavior Generation 3 Classification of Robot Planning Problems 4 Planning of Actions Versus Planning of States 5 Linkage Between Planning and Learning 6 Planning in Architectures of Behavior Generation
Normalizing the CPT for Overburden Stress

Effective overburden stress can have a significant influence on cone penetration test (CPT) measurements. This influence can lead to an incorrect assessment of soil strength/resistance for such purposes as liquefaction triggering analysis. For an accurate measurement of tip and sleeve resistance, unbiased by overburden stress, it is essential to normalize these index measurements appropriately. Presented herein is a comprehensive study reviewing all aspects of CPT normalization. A result of this study is a variable normalization procedure for the CPT that is based on both empirical results and theoretical analysis. This paper presents these results in the form of an improved normalization scheme and discusses its application in practice.
Cerebral MRI findings and cognitive functioning The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Objective: To examine the association between prevalent cerebral abnormalities identified on MRI and cognitive functioning in a predominantly middle-aged, population-based study cohort. Methods: Cerebral MRI was performed on 1,538 individuals (aged 55 to 72) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort, with no history of stroke or TIA, at study sites in Forsyth County, NC, and Jackson, MS. White matter hyperintensities (WMHs), ventricular size, and sulcal size were graded by trained neuroradiologists on a semiquantitative, 10-point scale. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Delayed Word Recall Test (DWRT), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and Word Fluency Test (WFT). Results: High ventricular grade was independently associated with significantly lower scores on the DWRT and DSST and greater risk (odds ratio [OR] 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.51 to 3.56) of impaired scores (i.e., ≤10th percentile) on the DWRT. High sulcal grade was associated with a modest decrement in scores on the DWRT. The presence of coexisting high grade WMHs and silent infarcts was independently associated with lower scores on all cognitive tests and greater risk of impaired functioning on the DSST (OR 2.91, 95% CI: 1.23 to 6.89) and WFT (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.03 to 5.08). The presence of two or more high-grade abnormalities was associated with increased risk of impaired functioning on all cognitive tests (DWRT: OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.40 to 3.55; DSST: OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.76; WFT: OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.49) independent of multiple covariates and silent infarcts. Conclusion: Common changes in brain morphology are associated with diminished cognitive functioning in middle-aged and young-elderly individuals.
Predator disease out-break modulates top-down, bottom-up and climatic effects on herbivore population dynamics

Human-introduced disease and climatic change are increasingly perturbing natural ecosystems worldwide, but scientists know very little about how they interact to affect ecological dynamics. An outbreak of canine parvovirus (CPV) in the wolf population on Isle Royale allowed us to test the transient effects of an introduced pathogen and global climatic variation on the dynamics of a three-level food chain. Following the
Could It Be Cardiac

Although it is very rare for a normal child to have a true cardiac emergency, nonetheless, parents often come to the emergency department because they worry that their child might have a serious cardiac problem. This article will review common emergency department presentations in children that raise the concern for heart disease and clues that may indicate the presence of cardiac-related disorders.
Paradoxes on the Borders of Europe

Abstract This paper argues that contemporary hegemonic projects such as ‘Fortress Europe’ exercise violence at their borders forcing certain people to be borders. Those very borders and the people who inhabit them constitute paradoxically the very conditions of possibility of any hegemonic order. This paper focuses on Sangatte, the site of a Red Cross ‘reception centre’ outside Calais for refugees and migrants seeking entry into Britain, as one manifestation of the border in the context of asylum and migration in Europe. This paper draws on contemporary Marxist and feminist theory to think through how those on the borders of the state provide real, material insights into practices that subvert the power of the sovereign state and its corollary hegemonic projects of violence, and to argue that attempts to envision alternatives to the contemporary hegemonic political orders in Europe must begin at the political apertures opened up by thinking the border as paradox.
Minimum cuts and shortest non-separating cycles via homology covers

Let G be a directed graph with weighted edges, embedded on a surface of genus g. We describe an algorithm to compute a shortest directed cycle in G in any given Z2-homology class in 2O(g)n log n time; this problem is NP-hard even for undirected graphs. We also present two applications of our algorithm. The first is an algorithm to compute a shortest non-separating directed cycle in G in 2O(g)n log n time, improving the recent algorithm of Cabello et al. [SOCG 2010] for all g = o(log n). The second is a combinatorial algorithm to compute minimum (s, t)-cuts in undirected surface graphs in 2O(g)n log n time, improving on previous combinatorial algorithms, and in particular the recent of Chambers et al. [SOCG 2009], for all g = o(log n). Unlike earlier algorithms for surface graphs that construct and search finite portions of the universal cover, our algorithms use another canonical covering space, called the Z2-homology cover.
Analysis of metal pollutants in the Houston Ship Channel by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry

Abstract Trace metal pollutants in the surface water of the Houston Ship Channel were determined using inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS). Metal concentrations varied according to sampling sites. Barium, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, silver, beryllium, antimony, lead, and mercury concentrations were relatively similar throughout the channel averaging 83.25, 0.55, 6.31, 6.66, 0.02, 0.017, 3.61, 0.68, and 0.055 μg/L, respectively. Titanium, manganese, copper, zinc, nickel, and selenium concentrations were found to be higher at stations closer to the Galveston Bay (as the water is turning from relatively fresh water to sea water) with concentration ranges of 102.5–351.7, 0.3–25, 0.3–25, 30–280, 16–77, 6.2–26.5, and 0.0–6.2 μg/L, respectively. Aluminum was found to be much higher at the Buffalo Bayou station (341 μg/L) followed by the San Jacinto station (104 μg/L) with an average of 42 μg/L in the other two stations. Vanadium was found to be unusually high at the Washburn Tunnel station (116 μg/L) and at much lower concentrations in the other three stations, averaging 6.5 μg/L. Iron was also higher at the Buffalo Bayou station (143 μg/L) but was absent at the Lynchburg Ferries station. Arsenic was not found at the Lynchburg and San Jacinto stations. However, arsenic had similar concentrations of 1.983 and 1.835 μg/L at Buffalo Bayou and Washburn Tunnel, respectively. Cadmium was higher at the Lynchburg Ferries station (3.3 μg/L) and ranged from 0.3 to 0.96 μg/L in the other locations. Thallium was not found in any of the stations.
A single amino acid substitution in ORF1 dramatically decreases L1 retrotransposition and provides insight into nucleic acid chaperone activity

L1 is a ubiquitous interspersed repeated sequence in mammals that achieved its high copy number by autonomous retrotransposition. Individual L1 elements within a genome differ in sequence and retrotransposition activity. Retrotransposition requires two L1-encoded proteins, ORF1p and ORF2p. Chimeric elements were used to map a 15-fold difference in retrotransposition efficiency between two L1 variants from the mouse genome, T(FC) and T(Fspa), to a single amino acid substitution in ORF1p, D159H. The steady-state levels of L1 RNA and protein do not differ significantly between these two elements, yet new insertions are detected earlier and at higher frequency in T(FC), indicating that it converts expressed L1 intermediates more effectively into new insertions. The two ORF1 proteins were purified and their nucleic acid binding and chaperone activities were examined in vitro. Although the RNA and DNA oligonucleotide binding affinities of these two ORF1 proteins were largely indistinguishable, D159 was significantly more effective as a nucleic acid chaperone than H159. These findings support a requirement for ORF1p nucleic acid chaperone activity at a late step during L1 retrotransposition, extend the region of ORF1p that is known to be critical for its functional interactions with nucleic acids, and enhance understanding of nucleic acid chaperone activity.
Restriction enzyme-free construction of random gene mutagenesis libraries in Escherichia coli

Directed evolution relies on both random and site-directed mutagenesis of individual genes and regulatory elements to create variants with altered activity profiles for engineering applications. Central to these experiments is the construction of large libraries of related variants. However, a number of technical hurdles continue to limit routine construction of random mutagenesis libraries in Escherichia coli, in particular, inefficiencies during digestion and ligation steps. Here, we report a restriction enzyme-free approach to library generation using megaprimers termed MegAnneal. Target DNA is first exponentially amplified using error-prone polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then linearly amplified with a single 3' primer to generate long, randomly mutated, single-stranded megaprimers. These are annealed to single-stranded dUTP-containing template plasmid and extended with T7 polymerase to create a complementary strand, and the resulting termini are ligated with T4 DNA ligase. Using this approach, we are able to reliably generate libraries of approximately 10⁷ colony-forming units (cfu)/μg DNA/transformation in a single day. We have created MegAnneal libraries based on three different single-chain antibodies and identified variants with enhanced expression and ligand-binding affinity. The key advantages of this approach include facile amplification, restriction enzyme-free library generation, and a significantly reduced risk of mutations outside the targeted region and wild-type contamination as compared with current methods.
Robust Adaptive Beamforming Algorithm using Instantaneous Direction of Arrival with Enhanced Noise Suppression Capability

In this paper, we propose a novel adaptive beamforming algorithm with enhanced noise suppression capability. The proposed algorithm incorporates the sound-source presence probability into the adaptive blocking matrix, which is estimated based on the instantaneous direction of arrival of the input signals and voice activity detection. The proposed algorithm guarantees robustness to steering vector errors without imposing ad hoc constraints on the adaptive filter coefficients. It can provide good suppression performance for both directional interference signals as well as isotropic ambient noise. For in-car environment the proposed beamformer shows SNR improvement up to 12 dB without using an additional noise suppressor.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid Isomers and Cancer

We reviewed the literature regarding the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) preparations enriched in specific isomers, cis9, trans11-CLA (c9, t11-CLA) or trans10, cis12-CLA (t10, c12-CLA), on tumorigenesis in vivo and growth of tumor cell lines in vitro. We also examined the potential mechanisms by which CLA isomers may alter the incidence of cancer. We found no published reports that examined the effects of purified CLA isomers on human cancer in vivo. Incidence of rat mammary tumors induced by methylnitrosourea was decreased by c9, t11-CLA in all studies and by t10, c12-CLA in just a few that included it. Those 2 isomers decreased the incidence of forestomach tumors induced by benzo (a) pyrene in mice. Both isomers reduced breast and forestomach tumorigenesis. The c9, t11-CLA isomer did not affect the development of spontaneous tumors of the intestine or mammary gland, whereas t10, c12-CLA increased development of genetically induced mammary and intestinal tumors. In vitro, t10, c12-CLA inhibited the growth of mammary, colon, colorectal, gastric, prostate, and hepatoma cell lines. These 2 CLA isomers may regulate tumor growth through different mechanisms, because they have markedly different effects on lipid metabolism and regulation of oncogenes. In addition, c9, t11-CLA inhibited the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway and t10, c12-CLA inhibited the lipooxygenase pathway. The t10, c12-CLA isomer induced the expression of apoptotic genes, whereas c9, t11-CLA did not increase apoptosis in most of the studies that assessed it. Several minor isomers including t9, t11-CLA; c11, t13-CLA; c9, c11-CLA; and t7, c11-CLA were more effective than c9, t11-CLA or t10, c12-CLA in inhibiting cell growth in vitro. Additional studies with purified isomersareneededtoestablishthehealthbenefitandriskratiosofeachisomerinhumans. J.Nutr.137:2599‐2607,2007.
Multi-point interactions with immersive omnidirectional visualizations in a dome

This paper describes an interactive immersive experience using mid-air gestures to interact with a large curved display: a projected dome. Our Pinch-the-Sky Dome is an immersive installation where several users can interact simultaneously with omnidirectional data using freehand gestures. The system consists of a single centrally-located omnidirectional projector-camera unit where the projector is able to project an image spanning the entire 360 degrees and a camera is used to track gestures for navigation of the content. We combine speech commands with freehand pinch and clasping gestures and infra-red laser pointers to provide a highly immersive and interactive experience to several users inside the dome, with a very wide field of view for each user. The interactive applications include: 1) the astronomical data exploration, 2) social networking 3D graph visualizations, 3) immersive panoramic images, 4) 360 degree video conferencing, 5) a drawing canvas, and 6) a multi-user interactive game. Finally, we discuss the user reactions and feedback from two demo events where more than 1000 people had the chance to experience our work.
Gas‐Phase Unimolecular Dissociation Reveals Dominant Base Property of Protonated Homocysteine Sulfinyl Radical Ions

Homocysteine sulfinyl radical ((SO⋅) Hcy) is a reactive intermediate involved during oxidative damage of DNA in the presence of high concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy). The short lifetime of (SO⋅) Hcy makes its preparation, isolation, and characterization challenging using traditional chemical measurement tools. Herein, we demonstrate the first study on mass-selected protonated (SO⋅) Hcy ions in the gas phase by investigating its unimolecular dissociation pathways from low energy collision-induced dissociation (CID). Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), stable-isotope labeling, and theoretical calculations were employed to rationalize the observed fragmentation pathways. The dominant dissociation channel of protonated (SO⋅) Hcy was a charge-directed H2 O loss from the protonated sulfinyl radical (-SO⋅) moiety, forming a thiyl radical (-S⋅), which further triggered sequential radical-directed ⋅SH loss through multiple pathways. Compared to cysteine sulfinyl radical ((SO⋅) Cys), the small structural change induced by one additional methylene group in the side chain of (SO⋅) Hcy significantly promotes its base property while reducing the radical reactivity of sulfinyl radical. This observation provides new insight into studying reactions of (SO⋅) Hcy with biomolecules, which are critical in understanding toxicity induced by high levels of Hcy in biological conditions.
Robust wireless transmission of scalable coded videos using two-dimensional network coding

With the rapid increase in the popularity of wireless devices (e.g. smartphones and tablets) and watching videos over the Internet, delivering high quality videos to mobile users over wireless links is becoming an important application. Diversity of the receivers is a main challenge of multicasting in wireless networks, where variant channel conditions of end users lead to different packet delivery rates. In order to handle these heterogeneous channel conditions, multi-resolution videos can be used to deliver videos at multiple quality levels. The recent research studies on multi-resolution codes show that triangular network coding can increase the quality of the received videos by the users. In this paper, considering the dependencies among different temporal and spatio (resolution) layers of a video, we propose the concept of two-dimensional triangular network coding that performs network coding between the temporal and spatio layers. We also propose the concept of coding speed, which realizes difference balances between video playback smoothness and resolution. We evaluate our proposed two-dimensional coding schemes through simulations using two video sequences.
Immigrant Students in the U.S. Chemistry Classroom: An Educational Opportunity and Challenge

Close to one-quarter of the U.S. population is an immigrant or the child of an immigrant. This editorial outlines how chemistry educators have the opportunity to address this new group in four important ways: (i) by considering pedagogical, systematic, and content responses to working with immigrant students; (ii) educating for international connections; (iii) including new countries and cultures in educational content; and (iv) working with undocumented students.
Advanced Ceramic Materials and Processes

Ceramics have been the focus of increased interest in recent years. This interest is reflected in part by governmental programs to stimulate advanced development and uses of ceramics, e.g. in the U.S., Japan, and Germany. This interest is also shown in the wide press coverage, including terms such as “ceramis fever” and “the new ceramic age”. More concrete are the interests and commitment shown by a number of large, especially chemically based, corporations, in ceramics not only in the U.S. and Japan, but also several other countries, such as England, France, Germany and Sweden. This conference and the resultant procedings are another manifestation of this interest.
Documentation for the public: Social editing in The Walt Whitman Archive

As digital literary collections continue to expand their scope and to broaden their audience, documenting the collaborative editorial work involved in creating these collections—and rendering that documentation transparent for its users—ensures that scholars continue to develop the idea (and reality) of the ‘social text’ envisioned by D. F. McKenzie. By documenting their collaborative editorial practices in a digital environment, scholarly editors help instantiate both the material history and the authorial, literary, and social contexts of a particular text. By rendering these collaborative practices visible, they make digital collections dynamic and usable for a wide range of individuals. The Walt Whitman Archive (WWA) serves as an ideal case study for examining the ways this particular collection intermediates scholarly editorial practices within a collaborative digital environment, as well as conventions of a scholarly edition and an archive. Through its collaborative editorial practices and guidelines, its layout and design, and its detailed documentation about its conditions of use for the general public, the WWA at once renders more visible the iterative process involved in editorial work, and makes the publicly accessible documentation of that process part of its infrastructure.
Optimal Solar Geometry Definition for Global Long-Term Landsat Time-Series Bidirectional Reflectance Normalization

The systematic generation of global Landsat time-series products has been advocated, and studies have suggested the need to minimize Landsat reflectance anisotropy effects. Considering a global year of non-Antarctic Landsat 5 and 7 acquisitions, the scene center solar zenith varied from 22.14° to 89.71°, with a mean of 43.23°. However, a solar zenith angle definition suitable for generation of global bidirectional reflectance normalized Landsat time series has not been considered. In this paper, a solar zenith optimal definition is developed in terms of the following criteria: i) ensuring that it can be modeled for any location and date; ii) ensuring that it is constant or smoothly changing with respect to space and time and has global annual variation no greater than the variation in the observed Landsat solar zenith angles $(\theta_{s})$ ; and iii) minimizing the differences between $\theta_{s}$ and the solar zenith angle used for normalization. Global coverage Landsat data are used to evaluate four solar zenith angle definitions, namely, fixed solar zenith angles, i.e., $(\theta_{\mathrm{fixed}})$ , the solar zenith at local solar noon, i.e., $(\theta_{\mathrm{solar\ noon}})$ , the solar zenith at the global mean Landsat overpass time, i.e., $(\theta_{\mathrm{mean\ overpass\ time}})$ , and the solar zenith at a latitude-varying local time parameterized by a polynomial function of latitude, i.e., $(\theta_{\mathrm{poly\ overpass\ time}})$ , that effectively provides a model of $\theta_{s}$ . The optimal definition for global and long time-series Landsat bidirectional reflectance normalization is $(\theta_{\mathrm{poly\ overpass\ time}})$ . The polynomial coefficients are provided so that users may implement Landsat bidirectional reflectance normalization algorithms using this optimal solar geometry.
UAV Systems for Sensor Dispersal, Telemetry, and Visualization in Hazardous Environments

The University of Colorado, partnered with the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, MIT, and the University of Oklahoma, has proposed the Center for Cooperative Mobile Sensing Systems (CCMSS), a university, government, and industrial partnership dedicated to the development of integrated unmanned vehicle systems with novel capabilities to revolutionize volumetric in-situ sensing and distributed communications through mobility, cooperation, and affordability. These integrated systems will enable access and persistence in the hazardous and hard-to-reach environments associated with scientific inquiry, natural and man-made disasters, and public safety. These capabilities will be developed and demonstrated through three thrusts: Wildfire to address the sensing, communications, and safety needs to support fire-fighting operations and increase capabilities for modeling and prediction; Polar to deploy heterogeneous mixes of sensor-integrated unmanned vehicles for novel, in-situ data acquisition in volumes that range from beneath the ocean surface into the troposphere; and Storm to address the challenges of volumetric in-situ data acquisition in severe storms, from the ground into the cloud. This paper presents the motivation for the CCMSS and the proposed unmanned vehicle systems.
You Do What You See: How Witnessing Physical Violence Is Linked to Violent Behavior among Male African American Adolescents

African American boys are more likely than same-aged counterparts to live in disadvantaged neighborhoods characterized by exposure to physical violence, lower socioeconomic status, poor parent educ...
Modeling Scientific Communication with Multimodal Writing Tasks: Impact on Students at Different Grade Levels

One emerging area of science education research deals with the use of multimodal writing tasks to help improve student conceptual understanding. In these tasks, students are asked to utilize non-text modes along with text to discuss concepts dealt with in classroom activities. Previous research has indicated that these tasks benefit student conceptual development most when students are effective at integrating all modes together within one piece of communication. Lessons specifically designed to improve ability to integrate or embed modes have been shown to help students develop this skill, however the impact of these lessons has not been systematically tested at different grade levels. In this study, Cognitive Load Theory provided a framework for evaluation of the lesson and its impact on student writing and conceptual development. Students in pre-existing science classrooms in grades 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 were randomly assigned to treatment groups in which an “Embeddedness Encouraging Lesson” (EEL) was taught and were compared to control groups that did not receive the lesson. Student multimodal writing products were assessed for embeddedness strategy use and student writing scores were correlated to overall test performance. Results indicate that the current pedagogical progression associated with multimodal writing tasks may be most beneficial for students at middle grade levels.
Advertising Receptivity and Youth Initiation of Smokeless Tobacco

ABSTRACTBackground: Cross-sectional data suggests that adolescents’ receptivity to the advertising of smokeless tobacco is correlated with use of chewing tobacco or snuff. Lack of longitudinal data has precluded determination of whether advertising receptivity precedes or follows initiation of smokeless tobacco. Objectives: The objective of this study was to test for the association between advertising receptivity and subsequent initiation of smokeless tobacco among adolescent males. Methods: Adolescent males from the 1993–1999 Teen Longitudinal California Tobacco Survey were selected at the baseline survey for never having used smokeless tobacco. Separate longitudinal analyses corresponded to two dependent variables, ever use of smokeless tobacco (1993–1996; N = 1,388) and use on 20 or more occasions (1993–1999; N = 1,014). Models were adjusted for demographic variables, risk factors for smokeless tobacco use, and exposure to users of smokeless tobacco. Results: Advertising receptivity at baseline was pr...
Catholic bioethics and the case of Terri Schiavo.

Catholic bioethics is pre-modern: it is based on scripture and the natural law as revealed in the work of moral theologians and the teachings of the magisterium, including papal encyclicals. It may be contrasted with a modernist, secular bioethics that finds its origins in the Enlightenment, rejects religion and metaphysics, and focuses primarily on autonomous human reason. It can also be distinguished from a post-modernist approach that rejects modernist rationalism and any attempts at constructing a coherent, overarching moral philosophy. And while secular bioethics is concerned more with procedural issues, Catholic bioethics is concerned with the principles of good moral decisionmaking rather than with the identity of who makes the decision. A 1991 statement by the Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania asserts that religiously grounded bioethics provides unique insights on issues that secular bioethics cannot offer:
Endogenous plasma proteins in edematous lungs and alveolar fluid in rabbits.

In this study, we compared two methods of differentiating hydrostatic and permeability types of pulmonary edema. The first method entailed measurement of protein concentrations directly in samples ...
Defining Audience Awareness for Information Systems Research

Above all, information systems (IS) professionals must be effective communicators. After all, a core part of the job is to translate business needs into system requirements. Conveying information in the right form is essential. Effective IS professionals have refined social cognitive abilities. They consider their audience and tailor the content of their messages accordingly. This concept is called audience awareness. It is a manifestation of social cognition and a hallmark of strong communicators. Although the concept of audience awareness has been discussed in other contexts, it has never been used within the IS field. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to develop a conceptual definition of audience awareness so that it can be used for IS personnel research. The definition is derived inductively using a content-analytical approach. The definition is further refined and validated using an expert panel. Implications and future research are also discussed.
Imagining roles for epigenetics in health promotion research

Discoveries from the Human Genome Project have invigorated discussions of epigenetic effects-modifiable chemical processes that influence DNA's ability to give instructions to turn gene expression on or off-on health outcomes. We suggest three domains in which new understandings of epigenetics could inform innovations in health promotion research: (1) increase the motivational potency of health communications (e.g., explaining individual differences in health outcomes to interrupt optimistic biases about health exposures); (2) illuminate new approaches to targeted and tailored health promotion interventions (e.g., relapse prevention targeted to epigenetic responses to intervention participation); and (3) inform more sensitive measures of intervention impact, (e.g., replace or augment self-reported adherence). We suggest a three-step process for using epigenetics in health promotion research that emphasizes integrating epigenetic mechanisms into conceptual model development that then informs selection of intervention approaches and outcomes. Lastly, we pose examples of relevant scientific questions worth exploring.
A Mouse Model of Zika Virus Sexual Transmission and Vaginal Viral Replication

Summary Case reports of Zika virus (ZIKV) sexual transmission and genital persistence are mounting. Venereal transmission and genital persistence threaten public health within and beyond the range of ZIKV's mosquito vectors. In this study, we administered ZIKV into the vaginas of AG129 mice and LysMCre + IFNAR fl/fl C57BL/6 mice after hormonal treatments. Mice infected during estrus-like phase were resistant to vaginal infection. In contrast, when infected during diestrus-like phase, AG129 mice succumbed to infection, whereas LysMCre + IFNAR fl/fl mice experienced transient illness. Patency of transgenital transmission (TGT) in diestrus-like mice was demonstrated by detection of viremia and ZIKV replication in spleen and brain, and viral RNA persisted in vaginal washes as late as 10 days post-infection. In these lethal and sublethal mouse models, this study indicates that intravaginal deposition of ZIKV can cause TGT, hormonal changes in the female reproductive tract (FRT) influence transmission, and ZIKV replication persists in the FRT for several days.
Nanotechnological strategies yielding high-barrier plastic food packaging

Polymers and their hybrid nanocomposites serve as inexpensive, lightweight, and processable alternatives to more traditional materials, such as metals and ceramics, employed for barrier purposes in food packaging. In light of the impact of solid waste on environmental integrity, these systems must be designed to minimize material use and yet impede molecular transport into or out of packaged food/beverage products. To achieve these objectives, a variety of different physicochemical approaches have been developed on the basis of either deposited/assembled coatings or incorporated nanoscale objects. In this chapter, we explore the motivation for and application of these strategies as routes by which to enhance barrier properties. Established sputtering and chemical-vapor deposition technologies involving metal/silica-like coatings are compared with current approaches relying on atomic layer deposition and layer-by-layer techniques to generate conformal coatings. Nanocomposites designed to not only hinder molecular transport but also improve physical/thermal properties are systematically examined to identify key design rules. The objective of the present work is to describe the coating and nanocomposite approaches developed to enhance barrier performance in food packaging, as well as introduce developing trends and future needs.
Hierarchical and Analytical Placement Techniques for High-Performance Analog Circuits

High-performance analog integrated circuits usually require minimizing critical parasitic loading, which can be modeled by the critical net wire length in the layout stage. In order to reduce post-layout circuit performance degradation, critical net wire length minimization should be considered during placement, in addition to the conventional optimization objectives of total area and half perimeter wire length (HPWL). In this paper, we develop effective hierarchical and analytical techniques for high-performance analog circuits placement, which is a complex problem given its multi-objectives and constraints (e.g. hierarchical symmetric groups). The entire circuit is first partitioned hierarchically in a top-down, critical parasitics aware, hierarchical symmetric constraints and proximity constraints feasible manner, where the placement subproblem for each partition at each level can be solved in reasonable run-time. Then, different placement variants are generated for each partition from bottom up, taking advantage of the computation power of modern multi-core systems with parallelization. To assemble the placement variants of different subpartitions, a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulation is proposed which can simultaneously minimize critical parasitic loading, total area and HPWL, and handle hierarchical symmetric constraints, module variants selection and orientation. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques.
Utilization of Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Patients With Low-Risk Prostate Cancer Treated With Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Abstract Introduction Pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is not recommended for low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients. However, the rate of PLND in this population is unknown. Methods We queried the National Cancer Data Base for PCa patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy from 2010 to 2013 and stratified them by D'Amico risk classification. We identified the frequency of PLND in low-risk patients and identified factors associated with receipt of PLND. Further, we determined the number of lymph nodes evaluated (quality) and proportion of patients with detected nodal metastatic disease (utility) in each risk group. Results Of 51,971 patients with low-risk PCa who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, 19,059 (36.7%) received PLND. Predictors of PLND in low-risk patients included rural residence (odds ratio [OR], 1.157; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.009-1.327), treatment at an academic center (OR, 1.492; 95% CI 1.188-1.874), and high-volume facility (OR, 1.327; 95% CI, 1.078-1.633). The mean number of lymph nodes obtained in low-risk patients was lower than in intermediate/high-risk patients (4.74 vs. 5.86, P Conclusion While PLND is not recommended for low-risk PCa by clinical practice guidelines, it was performed frequently (36.7%) in a large hospital-based data set. PLND in this population was of lower quality (nodal yield) and had less utility of detecting nodal metastatic disease than PLND in intermediate/high-risk PCa. Treatment at a high-volume or academic center was associated with increased use of PLND. Reasons for the variation in practice patterns should be investigated to improve the value of PCa care.
A Simple Neuronal Mechanical Injury Methodology to Study Drosophila Motor Neuron Degeneration

The degeneration of neurons occurs during normal development and in response to injury, stress, and disease. The cellular hallmarks of neuronal degeneration are remarkably similar in humans and invertebrates as are the molecular mechanisms that drive these processes. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, provides a powerful yet simple genetic model organism to study the cellular complexities of neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, approximately 70% of disease-associated human genes have a Drosophila homolog and a plethora of tools and assays have been described using flies to study human neurodegenerative diseases. More specifically the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in Drosophila has proven to be an effective system to study neuromuscular diseases because of the ability to analyze the structural connections between the neuron and the muscle. Here, we report on an in vivo motor neuron injury assay in Drosophila, which reproducibly induces neurodegeneration at the NMJ by 24 h. Using this methodology, we have described a temporal sequence of cellular events resulting in motor neuron degeneration. The injury method has diverse applications and has also been utilized to identify specific genes required for neurodegeneration and to dissect transcriptional responses to neuronal injury.
Chemical Crosslinking Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Protein Conformations and Supercomplexes in Heart Tissue

While modern structural biology technologies have greatly expanded the size and type of protein complexes that can now be studied, the ability to derive large-scale structural information on proteins and complexes as they exist within tissues is practically nonexistent. Here, we demonstrate the application of crosslinking mass spectrometry to identify protein structural features and interactions in tissue samples, providing systems structural biology insight into protein complexes as they exist in the mouse heart. This includes insights into multiple conformational states of sarcomere proteins, as well as interactions among OXPHOS complexes indicative of supercomplex assembly. The extension of crosslinking mass spectrometry analysis into the realm of tissues opens the door to increasing our understanding of protein structures and interactions within the context of the greater biological system.
Subterahertz and terahertz sensing of biological objects and chemical agents

The applications of the terahertz (THz) technology include detection, sensing, and imaging of biological objects and chemical agents. The traditional approaches to sensing, and imaging of biological objects and chemical agents have been based on measuring THz absorption or reflection from biological tissues and compiling spectroscopic signatures of different chemicals. An extreme sensitivity of THz absorption and reflection to the water content allows for distinguishing cancer and healthy cells. Chemical changes, changes in polarizability or density or conformation might be detected as well. One of the limitations of the traditional THz absorption/reflection studies is related to a wavelength limited resolution. A more recent THz technology based on plasmonics and metamaterials has the resolution determined by the plasmonic detector feature size, i.e. down to the nanometer scale. Such detectors operating in a resonant regime are expected to have a large sensitivity at the plasma frequencies to even small changes of the dielectric properties at the detector surfaces. While remaining high-risk and high payoff technology, THz biological and chemical sensing is poised for breakthrough developments due to the recent progress in THz electronics including emerging nanoscale Si CMOS based sub-THz ICs.
Racial disparities in preoperative chemotherapy use in gastric cancer patients in the United States: Analysis of the National Cancer Data Base, 2006-2014.

Background No studies have investigated whether race/ethnicity is associated with the recommended use of preoperative chemotherapy or subsequent outcomes in gastric cancer. To determine whether there is such an association, analyses of patients with gastric cancer in the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) were performed. Methods Patients with clinical T2-4bN0-1M0 gastric adenocarcinoma, as defined by the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual, who underwent gastrectomy from 2006 to 2014 were identified from the NCDB. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine factors associated with preoperative chemotherapy use. Results This study identified 16,945 patients who met the criteria, and 8286 of these patients (49%) underwent preoperative chemotherapy. The use of preoperative chemotherapy remarkably increased over the study period, from 34% in 2006 to 65% in 2014. Preoperative chemotherapy was more commonly used for cardia tumors than noncardia tumors (83% vs 44% in 2014). In a multivariable analysis, races and ethnicities other than non-Hispanic (NH) white race were associated with less frequent use of preoperative chemotherapy in comparison with NH whites after adjustments for social, tumor, and hospital factors. The insurance status and the education level mediated an enhanced effect of racial/ethnic disparities in preoperative chemotherapy use. The use of preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy was associated with reduced racial/ethnic disparities in overall survival. Conclusions Racial/ethnic disparities in the use of preoperative chemotherapy and in outcomes exist among patients with gastric cancer in the United States. Efforts to improve the access to high-quality cancer care in minority groups may reduce racial disparities in gastric cancer in the United States. Cancer 2018;124:998-1007. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Are dental providers the next line of HPV-related prevention? Providers' perceived role and needs.

Abstract The rise in HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer incidence necessitates novel prevention efforts including multiple provider types. Although dental providers screen for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers, little is known about their needs to advance “primordial prevention,” or interventions at the earliest possible stage, to prevent HPV-related cancers. This study assessed dentists' and dental hygienists’ perceived roles and needs regarding HPV-related primordial prevention. We conducted a mixed-method study with data from focus groups with dentists (n= 33) and dental hygienists (n= 48) and surveys from both provider types (n= 203) among providers from a diverse set of practice settings and geographic communities. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis and chi square tests. Participants affirmed dental professionals’ roles in preventing HPV-related cancers and identified needs to overcome barriers to fulfilling prevention objectives. Barriers included: (1) practice environment and patient characteristics, and (2) the sensitive topic of HPV. Further, participants identified needs to improve HPV-related cancer prevention. Findings from this study suggest that dental providers may become the next line of prevention for HPV-related cancers. Dental providers’ professional associations have provided guidance on HPV and oropharyngeal cancers, but our study reveals dental providers’ needs for following professional organizations’ guidance to advance prevention efforts and reduce HPV-related cancer incidence.
Potential Value of YAP Staining in Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a common malignancy of soft tissue, subclassified as alveolar (ARMS), pleomorphic (PRMS), spindle cell/sclerosing (SRMS), and embryonal (ERMS) types. The Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a member of the Hippo pathway and a transcriptional regulator that controls cell proliferation. We have studied the immunohistochemical expression of YAP in different RMSs, arranged in tissue microarray (TMA) and whole slide formats. Pertinent clinical data including patient age, gender, tumor location, and clinical stage were collected. Out of 96 TMA cases, 30 cases (31%) were pleomorphic, 27 (28%) were embryonal, 24 (25%) alveolar, and 15 (16%) spindle cell. Positive nuclear YAP staining was seen in the PRMS (17/30, 56.7%), SRMS (7/15, 46.7%), ERMS (19/27 or 70%), and less in ARMS (37.5%). YAP nuclear staining was significantly more prevalent in ERMS than ARMS ( p=0.02). Of the 41 whole slide cases, nuclear staining was detected in all ARMS but was restricted in distribution to 30% staining. These results highlight the role of YAP in RMS tumorigenesis, a fact that can be useful in engineering targeted therapy. Restricted nuclear YAP staining (<30% of cells) may be of value in the diagnosis of ARMS.
Pregnancy as a risk factor for thyroid cancer progression.

Purpose of reviewThe current review evaluates the impact of pregnancy on women with thyroid cancer in three different clinical situations: those with newly diagnosed differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), those under active surveillance for papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PMCs), and those with prev