cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 170: Hippo Signaling Regulates Epicardial Derived Cell Fate through Controlling Mechanical Property

Epicardium is the outmost layer of heart and regulates heart development by contributing to the heart tissue and secreting signaling molecules. Epicardial-derived cells, EPDC, is a group of multi-potent cells mainly derive into cardiac fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Hippo signaling pathway controls organ growth through regulating cell proliferation. Yap, the effector of Hippo pathway has been shown to regulate mechanosensing and cell fate. However, the function of Hippo signaling in EPDC development has not been studied yet. To study the role of Hippo signaling in development of epicardium and EPDC, we used epicardial specific line, Wt1CreERT2 , to conditionally delete the components of the pathway, Lats1/2. Cre activity was induced at embryonic day (E)11.5 and Lats1/2 CKO hearts exhibited disorganized coronary vasculature. We used genetic lineage tracing approach to track EPDC and revealed increased endothelial cells deriving from EPDC, suggesting that EPDC changed cell fate. We observed that shape...
Helix Propensities of Basic Amino Acids Increase with the Length of the Side-chain

Abstract Helix formation in a 17-residue alanine-lysine peptide and analogous peptides with specific lysine→X substitutions, where X is 2,3-diamino- L -propionic acid, 2, 4-diamino- L -butyric acid or L -ornithine, have been examined using circular dichroism measurements. The dependence of helix content on X, its position in the sequence, and the number of lysine→X substitutions are reasonably well described by using the Lifson – Roig theory modified to include N-capping, without explicitly considering charge – helix dipole interactions. The helix propensities for these basic amino acids increase with the length of the side-chain in the rank order 2,3-diamino- L -propionic acid L -butyric acid
Description of Amorbimorpha Kruse, new genus, from Mexico and the southern United States (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Sparganothini)

Amorbimorpha Kruse, new genus, is described and illustrated. The genus ranges from Texas, U.S.A., south through Ve-racruz, Mexico, with greatest species richness documented from the middle to upper elevations of central Mexico. Twospecies are described as new: A. powelliana (type species) and A. mackayiana; the latter is the only species in the genusknown from the U.S.A. Also, two new combinations are proposed: A. schausiana (Walsingham, 1913) and A. spadicea (Walsingham, 1913). Male and female genitalia are illustrated for each species where known; A. spadicea is representedby a unique female. Limited biological and life history data are summarized based mainly on laboratory rearings from eggs deposited by confined females of A. powelliana. At least ten additional species remain to be described.
A Robot System Which Acquires Cylindrical Workpieces from Bins

The feasibility of robots employing vision to acquire randomly oriented cylinders has been demonstrated for the first time. An experimental robot system using vision and a parallel jaw gripper was able to acquire randomly oriented cylindrical workpieces piled in bins. Binary image analysis was adequate to guide the gripper into the multilayered, piles. Complementary information was provided by simple sensors on the gripper. Experiments were performed using titanium cylinders 6 cm × 15 cm diameter and 7.6 cm × 3 cm diameter. Cycle times to acquire a cylinder and deliver it to a receiving chute ranged from 8 to 10 s when a single supply of one-size cylinders was used. By using a dual supply bin configuration with one bin of each size and overlapping arm motion and image analysis tasks, the cycle times for one cylinder from alternate bins ranged from 5.5 to 7.5 s per piece. In the future robots with such capabilities can be applied to enhance automation applications, especially in small batch production.
The First Days of the Principalship: A Time of Discovery.

The intense experiences that fill a principal's school day often create blind spots in which one cannot see the greater opportunities for discovery. In fact, these daily challenges of the principalship can lead to very reactive measures and sometimes tunnel vision. The purpose of this case is to help future educational administrators recognize the importance of knowing that the challenges will come and knowing that the school culture itself can provide tremendous insight into leading positive change efforts. In this case, students are provided empirical data from various sources (i.e., test data, specific faculty information, school climate survey results) and additional observational data (i.e., conversations with stakeholders). These data will be used to address and evaluate issues pertaining to the school district's culture and the need for organizational change at Eastside School. Students are asked to analyze all of the information in light of needed reforms and determine appropriate responses. In ad...
Particulate matter air pollution disrupts endothelial cell barrier via calpain-mediated tight junction protein degradation

Background Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is a significant risk factor for increased cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality. The mechanism of PM-mediated pathophysiology remains unknown. However, PM is proinflammatory to the endothelium and increases vascular permeability in vitro and in vivo via ROS generation.
Fruit-Localized Phytochromes Regulate Lycopene Accumulation Independently of Ethylene Production in Tomato

We show that phytochromes modulate differentially various facets of light-induced ripening of tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Northern analysis demonstrated that phytochrome A mRNA in fruit accumulates 11.4-fold during ripening. Spectroradiometric measurement of pericarp tissues revealed that the red to far-red ratio increases 4-fold in pericarp tissues during ripening from the immature-green to the red-ripe stage. Brief red-light treatment of harvested mature-green fruit stimulated lycopene accumulation 2.3-fold during fruit development. This red-light-induced lycopene accumulation was reversed by subsequent treatment with far-red light, establishing that light-induced accumulation of lycopene in tomato is regulated by fruit-localized phytochromes. Red-light and red-light/far-red-light treatments during ripening did not influence ethylene production, indicating that the biosynthesis of this ripening hormone in these tissues is not regulated by fruit-localized phytochromes. Compression analysis of fruit treated with red light or red/far-red light indicated that phytochromes do not regulate the rate or extent of pericarp softening during ripening. Moreover, treatments with red or red/far-red light did not alter the concentrations of citrate, malate, fructose, glucose, or sucrose in fruit. These results are consistent with two conclusions: (a) fruit-localized phytochromes regulate light-induced lycopene accumulation independently of ethylene biosynthesis; and (b) fruit-localized phytochromes are not global regulators of ripening, but instead regulate one or more specific components of this developmental process.
Monoclonal antibody to ICAM-1 preserves postischemic blood flow and reduces infarct size after ischemia-reperfusion in rabbit.

Neutrophils are pivotal in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury leading to myocardial infarction. Firm adhesion of PMN to endothelium may be initi- ated by the interaction between constitutively expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-i (ICAM-i) on endo- thelluin and (32 integrin (CD1Ib/CD18) on neutrophils. We tested the hypothesis that a monoclonal antibody (mAb Ru!!) agninat ICAM-i would preserve postisch- ernie myocardial blood flow and attenuate myocardial injury in an anesthetized rabbit model of coronary oc- clusion and reperfusion. Either mAb Hill!! or isotype- matched control mAb (R3.1) was injected 10 mm before reperfusion. Postischemic myocardial blood flow in the area at risk (Ar) and necrotic area was sig- nificantly improved with niAb RR1/1 treatment com- pared with vehicle and mAb R3.1 during the reper- fusion period. RH!!! had no effect on nonischernic zone blood flow. The Ar as a percent of left ventricle was comparable between groups. Infarct size (TTC) as a percent of Ar was significantly reduced by mAb RR1II compared with saline vehicle and mAb R3.1. Plasma creatine kinase activity confirmed the reduc- tion of infarct size in mAb Hill!! group. in in vitro studies, 40 �tg/mL mAb 11111/1, which approximates the plasma concentration of 2 mg/kg mAb RR1/1, markedly inhibited platelet-activating factor-stimulated neutrophil adherence to rabbit aortic endothelium. We conclude that blockade of ICAM-1 during reper- fusion reduces postiachernic perfusion defects and at- tenuates the progression of myocardial injury leading to necrosis. This cardioprotection by rnAb HR1/i may be due to inhibition of neutrophil adhesion to the coronary endothelium. J Leukoc. Biol. 62: 292- 300; i997.
The credible forensic psychiatric evaluation in multiple chemical sensitivity litigation

The forensic psychiatrist must be able to perform a credible psychiatric evaluation and render a competent psychiatric opinion in hotly contested multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) litigation. Forensic psychiatrists are often requested to evaluate MCS claimants by third party payers, employers, lawyers, and government agencies regarding health care costs and disability payments, workers' compensation claims, unemployment benefits, workplace accommodation reimbursements for special housing and environmental needs, civil litigation, and other claims. The credible forensic psychiatric evaluation of MCS litigants is described using the multiaxial diagnostic system of DSM-IV. Forensic psychiatrists must avoid becoming polarized by the current MCS controversy. The ethical requirements of honesty and striving for objectivity can be met by keeping separate the roles of therapist and expert, staying abreast of the scientific literature regarding MCS, and understanding the role of the psychiatric expert in MCS litigation.
Dietary Na and ACE inhibition effects on renal tissue angiotensin I and II and ACE activity in rats

This study was designed to improve and validate methods for the accurate and consistent quantitation of angiotensin (ANG) I and II levels in rat kidney and to determine the effects on renal ANG I and II of changes in dietary sodium intake and ANG-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Kidneys from pentobarbital-anesthetized rats were rapidly removed and homogenized in methanol before extraction and purification of ANG peptides by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Recoveries of 125I-ANG I and II were greater than 80%. Reversed-phase HPLC of the partially purified methanol extract showed that greater than 75% of the ANG I- and greater than 82% of the ANG II-like immunoreactivity coeluted with ANG I and II, respectively. Dietary sodium deprivation (0.003 meq/g) and excess (1.34 meq/g) for 7 days significantly (P less than 0.01) increased and decreased renal ANG I (296 +/- 30 and 82.6 +/- 15.8 vs. 161 +/- 18 fmol/g) and ANG II (216 +/- 16 and 45.6 +/- 11.8 vs. 98 +/- 16 fmol/g) contents, respectively. Plasma ANG I and II levels showed similar changes. ACE activity was significantly upregulated by sodium deprivation in both kidney (44% increase) and plasma (30% increase). In rats fed normal chow, infusion of enalaprilat for 1 h abolished plasma ACE activity but decreased renal ACE activity by only 58%. ACE inhibition increased renal and plasma ANG I levels 2.8- and 12-fold, respectively, and decreased renal and plasma ANG II levels 75-78%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Modifying tumor associated macrophage function through cannabinoid receptor 2.

In human breast cancers, tumor infiltration by tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) correlates with multiple markers of poor prognosis: higher tumor macrophage counts are associated with higher tumor grade, higher tumor vascular density, and reduced overall survival[1]. TAMs secrete biologically active molecules that promote tumor growth and metastasis[1]. Additionally, unique subpopulations of TAMs contribute to the immunosuppressive microenvironment that significantly enhances tumor genesis by limiting vital anti-tumor immune responses[2], however the mechanisms that regulate TAM development and their actions within the tumor microenvironment remain poorly understood. Pre-clinical studies demonstrate that macrophage ablation retards tumor progression[3], suggesting that TAMs may be a viable target for eliciting an anti-tumor response. We have therefore begun to analyze the effects of novel cannabinoid agonists on TAMs in a murine model of breast cancer. Macrophage expression of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is induced by inflammatory stimuli and regulates multiple functions including chemotaxis and antigen presentation[4]. Recent findings in our lab and by others indicate that CB2 agonists significantly reduce tumor burden and metastasis in several models. Although the in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of cannabinoids is mimicked in continuously cultured cancer cells in vitro, cannabinoid potency for direct elicitation of apoptosis in cancer cells is far lower, indicating that other mechanisms (perhaps other cell types within the tumor) are involved in vivo. We have recently obtained evidence that: 1) CB2 agonists mediate inhibition of primary tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, 2) significant infiltration of TAMs occurs within the developing tumor in this murine model, 3) administration of a CB2 agonist increases populations of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages (MHC Class II-high, iNOS high) in both the primary tumor and in the spleen of tumor bearing mice, and 4) a concurrent increase in the proportion of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes is also observed within the primary tumor upon CB2 agonist treatment.
Effect of plasma osmolality on steady-state fluid shifts in perfused cat skeletal muscle

Fluid redistribution in isolated perfused cat calf muscle caused by rapid increases in plasma osmolality was studied using NaCl or sucrose. Extracellular tracers (51Cr-labeled EDTA or [3H]mannitol) were added to the perfusate 90 min before solutes were added, and samples were taken from plasma immediately before osmolality was increased and 17, 40, and 65 min later. Interstitial fluid volume (IFV) was calculated as extracellular volume (ECV) minus plasma volume (Evans blue dye). Total tissue water changes (delta TTW) were measured by continuous recording of tissue weight. Change in intracellular volume (delta ICV) was obtained from delta TTW--delta IFV. TTW, IFV, ICV, and plasma osmolality were in steady state after 17 min. Changes in hydrostatic and colloid osmotic pressure were insignificant in comparison with small-molecule osmotic pressure changes. The apparent volume of TTW participating in the fluid shift averaged 65 +/- 1 ml/100 g (SE) over a wide range of osmolality increases. In contrast to the large changes in TTW, IFV was not altered by osmolality. Thus decreases in TTW were similar to cell dehydration. Hence, increases in plasma volume induced by hypertonic fluids may come entirely at the expense of cell volume, not interstitial volume.
Improving Crowd Innovation with Expert Facilitation

Online crowds are a promising source of new innovations. However, crowd innovation quality does not always match its quantity. In this paper, we explore how to improve crowd innovation with real-time expert guidance. One approach would for experts to provide personalized feed-back, but this scales poorly, and may lead to premature convergence during creative work. Drawing on strategies for facilitating face-to-face brainstorms, we introduce a crowd ideation system where experts monitor incoming ideas through a dashboard and offer high-level “inspirations” to guide ideation. A series of controlled experiments show that experienced facilitators increased the quantity and creativity of workers' ideas compared to unfacilitated workers, while Novice facilitators reduced workers' creativity. Analyses of inspiration strategies suggest these opposing results stem from differential use of successful inspiration strategies (e.g., provoking mental simulations). The results show that expert facilitation can significantly improve crowd innovation, but inexperienced facilitators may need scaffolding to be successful.
Effects of sublingual allergen specific immunotherapy on PPAR-γ、IL-4 and clinical curative effect of children with allergic asthma

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of sublingual allergen specific immunotherapy on PPAR-γ、IL-4 and clinical curative effect of children with allergic asthma.METHODS We divided 100 cases with allergic asthma into dust mites therapy group(50 cases)and control group(50 cases).The dust mites therapy group received "Dermatophagoides Farinae drops" sublingual immunotherapy,while control group received regular treatment of inhaled corticosteroids.25 weeks later,we compared clinical effect and serum PPAR-γ、IL-4 in both groups.RESULTS There was significant differences between the two group in clinical controlled rate and efficiency(P0.05).In the control group,the level of serum PPAR-γwere statistically significant differences before and after treatment(P0.05),while there were no significant differences in the level of serum IL-4(P0.05);In the dust mites therapy group,the levels of serum PPAR-γand IL-4 were significant differences before and after treatment(P0.05).There were sharply significant differences in the levels of serum PPAR-γand IL-4 between the dust mites therapy group and control group after treatment(P0.05).CONCLUSION Sublingual allergen specific immunotherapy has a significant effect in children Allergic asthma treatment,which can decrease the levels of serum PPAR-γand IL-4.
Endoscopic Reconstruction of Traumatic Membranous Urethral Transection

Newer endoscopic techniques derived from percutaneous renal manipulations are well suited for endoscopic reconstruction of traumatic short total membranous urethral transections. Four men and 1 child underwent successful endoscopic membranous urethral reconstruction. All 4 men are voiding with good flow and normal control more than 1 year after any endoscopic manipulation.
Regional Coverage Maximization: Alternative Geographical Space Abstraction and Modeling

Analysis results are often found to vary with the way we abstract geographical space. When continuous geographic phenomena are abstracted, processed, and stored in a digital environment, some level of discretization is often employed. Information loss in a discretization process brings about uncertainty/error, and as a result research findings may be highly dependent on the particular discretization method used. This article examines one spatial problem concerning how to achieve the maximal regional coverage given a limited number of service facilities. Two widely used geographical space abstraction approaches are examined, the point-based representation and the area-based representation, and issues associated with each representation scheme are analyzed. To accommodate the limitations of the existing representation schemes, a mixed representation strategy is proposed along with a new maximal covering model. Experiments are conducted to site warning sirens in Dublin, Ohio. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the mixed representation scheme in finding high-quality solutions when the regional coverage level is medium or high.
Defense by association: Sponge‐eating fishes alter the small‐scale distribution of Caribbean reef sponges

Recent studies have demonstrated that sponge-eating fishes alter the community of sponges on coral reefs across the Caribbean. Sponge species that lack chemical defenses but grow or reproduce faster than defended species are more abundant on reefs where sponge-eating fishes have been removed by overfishing. Does predator-removal have an effect on the distribution of sponges at smaller spatial scales? We conducted transect surveys of sponge species that are palatable to sponge predators in proximity to refuge organisms that are chemically or physically defended (fire coral, gorgonians, hard corals) on the heavily overfished reefs of Bocas del Toro, Panama, and a reef in the Florida Keys where sponge-eating fishes are abundant. In Panama, palatable sponge species were not distributed in close association with refuge organisms, while in the Florida Keys, palatable sponge species were strongly associated with refuge organisms. The presence of fish predators alters the meter-scale pattern of sponge distribution, and defense by association enhances biodiversity by allowing palatable sponges to persist on reefs where sponge-eating fishes are abundant.
Treatment of dependence on opiate medications.

Various therapies and treatments can help patients rehabilitate from opiate addictions and withdrawal symptoms. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Application of geographic information systems to investigating associations between social status and burial location in medieval Trino Vercellese (Piedmont, Italy)

Objectives Socioeconomic status differences in skeletal populations are often inferred from skeletal indicators of stress and burial location. However, to date, the association between osteometric parameters and spatial location in relation to socioeconomic status in medieval Italy has not been explicitly tested. Materials and Methods This study examined the spatial distribution of osteometric data in the medieval (8th–13th c.) cemetery of San Michele di Trino (Trino Vercellese, VC, Italy) to determine whether skeletal correlates of socioeconomic status correspond with privileged burial locations. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that greater growth outcomes are associated with privileged burials located inside the church by examining osteometric data (femoral bicondylar length [N = 74], maximum tibial length [N = 62], and the sum of the two measurements [N = 59]) in a geographic information system (GIS) of the cemetery. Results Getis-Ord G Hot Spot analysis identified significant (90% CI) spatial clustering of high osteometric values within the church, while low values clustered in areas of the cemetery farther from the church. These results, supported by the results of interpolation analyses, became more pronounced when z-scores were calculated to combine the male and female samples and the analyses were repeated. Discussion Overall, the findings corroborate the observation that the spatial distribution of osteometric data reflects socioeconomic status differences within the population. This research exemplifies the advantages of integrating bioarchaeology and spatial analysis to examine mortuary behavior and health outcomes in highly stratified societies where access to resources is demarcated in both life and in death.
Abstract NTOC-090: TARGETING AND EFFICACY OF THE RECEPTOR TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITOR PONATINIB IN SMALL CELL CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY, HYPERCALCEMIC TYPE, WORKS THROUGH INHIBITION OF PLATELET DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR (PDGFR)

The work that will be presented strongly suggests the identification of a unique vulnerability of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary-Hypercalcemic Type (SCCOHT) to PDGFR inhibition. SCCOHT is an aggressive subtype of ovarian cancer afflicting young women and children with fewer than 35% of patients surviving two years after diagnosis. Currently, these patients must endure high dose chemotherapy because no effective targeted therapies have been identified. We previously demonstrated that these tumors are driven by inactivating mutations in SMARCA4, one of two ATPases in the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex. In addition, we have also shown that SCCOHT lacks expression of the alternative SWI/SNF ATPase, SMARCA2. SWI/SNF is a key tumor suppressor complex in diverse cancers and its members are mutationally inactivated in up to 50% of other ovarian cancer subtypes. However, no therapeutic approaches selective for SWI/SNF-dysregulation in cancers are routinely used. We have now found through multiomic (DNA/RNA), pathway analysis, immunohistochemistry and functional studies in SCCOHT tumors and cell lines that SMARCA4 loss correlates with increased expression of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) including the platelet derived growth factor receptors (PDGRs). Through integration of high-throughput RNA interference and drug screens in SCCOHT cell lines we have also identified sensitivity to RTK knockdown and inhibitors such as ponatinib. These data corroborate prior studies showing RTK dependence in rhabdoid tumors, rare cancers that are also driven by mutations in the SWI/SNF complex. As ponatinib is approved for cancer treatment and showed great potency, we tested this agent in two patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of SCCOHT. Ponatinib significantly reduced tumor growth in both models. Of the known ponatinib targets, PDGFR and FGFR1 were highly expressed in SCCOHT tumors, suggesting that SCCOHTs are sensitive to ponatinib through the expression of these RTKs. Further, PDGFR-alpha phosphorylation and downstream signaling are strongly inhibited by ponatinib in SCCOHT. In summary we believe this finding may allow a way to be exploited therapeutically through the FDA-approved inhibitor ponatinib. Citation Format: Jessica D. Lang, William Hendricks, Pilar Ramos, Holly Yin, Chris Sereduk, Jeffrey Kiefer, Yemin Wang, Anthony N. Karnezis, Bernard Weissman, David Huntsman, Jeffrey Trent. TARGETING AND EFFICACY OF THE RECEPTOR TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITOR PONATINIB IN SMALL CELL CARCINOMA OF THE OVARY, HYPERCALCEMIC TYPE, WORKS THROUGH INHIBITION OF PLATELET DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR (PDGFR) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr NTOC-090.
Investigating the effect of quality of grammar and mechanics (QGAM) in online reviews: The mediating role of reviewer crediblity

Abstract Grammar and mechanics are important components of written communication and provide signals of credibility. Although past research has documented general effects of grammar and mechanics, to date, the influence of quality of grammar and mechanics (QGAM) of online reviews remains largely unexamined. Through the lens of ELM, the present research examines QGAM of a review as a peripheral cue influencing the perceived credibility of a reviewer, finding that reviews with high QGAM have higher perceived credibility and exert a stronger influence on purchase intentions. Meanwhile, reviews with low QGAM are not as credible, influencing purchase intentions less. Product type, review length, and review valence moderate these influences, such that QGAM is more important for reviews of experience goods and reviews of shorter lengths. Further, reviewer credibility fully mediates positive reviews but does not mediate negative reviews. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.
Financing the Luso-Atlantic Slave Trade, 1500–1840: Collective Investment Practices from Portugal to Brazil

Between 1500 and 1840, ships under Portuguese colors embarked more than 5 million enslaved men, women and children from the coasts of Africa. Despite its position as the preeminent slave trading empire in the Atlantic World, no studies have systematically traced the evolution in maritime investment practices in Portugal and its American colonies which propelled this massive forced transportation of captive Africans. Beginning with Portuguese merchants’ earliest forays into Atlantic trade, on the West African island of Cabo Verde in the fifteenth century, maritime cargoes were collectively owned through the distribution of small shares. Drawing on medieval Mediterranean precedents, these collective, legally constructed partnerships opened early transoceanic trading opportunities to a diverse group of traders, colonists, and mariners, creating a decentralized mercantile trade which diffused profits throughout slave trading communities. Slaving merchants in Salvador da Bahia adopted this collectivist model of investment by the early eighteenth century, converting commercial disadvantages into a prosperous and durable trade which wove together the economic interests of a heterogeneous cross-section of Salvador’s inhabitants—including merchants, their families and slaves, and mariners—within the business of slaving. This article traces the persistence of this financial strategy, and argues that it enabled the longevity of the transatlantic slave trade in Salvador.
Asymmetric energy barrier and mechanical diode effect from folding multi-stable stacked-origami

Abstract Origami, the ancient art of paper folding, has evolved into a design framework of a wide variety of engineering systems such as deployable structures and architected cellular materials. The fundamentally three-dimensional folding is not only a capable tool to generate shape transformation, but also a powerful platform to program sophisticated elastic properties. This study investigates the multi-stability characteristics of a stacked origami cellular solid consisting of multiple Miura-ori sheets, specifically focusing on a dual-cell chain structure. Experiment results indicate that folding imposes a unique kinematic constraint between the two adjacent bistable origami cells, which can significantly increase the energy barrier of the extensional switch from one stable state to another without notably increasing the barrier of the opposite switch, creating an asymmetric barrier. We formulate a geometric mechanics model to examine the underlying physical principles of the observed asymmetric behaviors, and demonstrate the potentials to strengthen this asymmetric energy barrier and to achieve a static mechanical diode effect. That is, the multi-stable origami could be easily compressed via switching between different stable states, but demand a large external force to be extended. Since such diode effect has the potential to rectify reciprocal loads into unidirectional deformation, the results of this study can become the building blocks for origami solids with novel functionalities.
PAROXYSMAL AV BLOCK: A RARE CAUSE OF CARDIAC ARREST

Paroxysmal AV block is an abrupt, unexpected, repetitive block of atrial impulses as they propagate to the ventricles and is a rare cause of cardiac arrest. A 66-year old man with a history of hyperlipidemia and left bundle branch block was admitted to the hospital for an esophagectomy for
Fractals Everywhere. By Michael Barnsley

(1990). Fractals Everywhere. By Michael Barnsley. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 97, No. 3, pp. 266-268.
The prionlike domain of FUS is multiphosphorylated following DNA damage without altering nuclear localization.

It was previously speculated that phosphorylation of FUS’s prion-like domain promotes cytoplasmic localization and the pathological potential of the FUS protein. We found that multiphosphorylation ...
Low-cost outdoor robot platform for the Penn State Abington mini grand challenge

A low-cost, autonomous, outdoor mobile robot platform has been designed to facilitate student participation in the Penn State Abington "Mini Grand Challenge" contest. The robot platform consists of a modified PowerWheelsTM robot base, servocontrolled steering and drive, vision system, GPS interface, sonar, and text-to-speech engine with a speaker for interaction with the contest spectators. Control of the robot is accomplished by a laptop running Windows XP operating system, and MATLABTM software. The Abington Mini Grand Challenge requires autonomous robots (traveling at a speed between 2 and 5 mph) to follow unmarked sections of pathways throughout the campus, and take off-road detours. Robots are also encouraged to interact with, and entertain, spectators who may be present observing the robots. The contest is partly inspired by the DARPA Grand Challenge, and promotes advances in robot technology. However, the availability of a lowcost hardware and software platform will allow participants in the Mini Grand Challenge to focus on vision, navigation, and intelligent software solutions and reduce overall development and operation costs. This strategy has allowed lower-division undergraduate students to participate in the challenge at a level that would be impractical in the past. The ability to prototype and deploy algorithms directly in the MATLAB environment is a key element to this design solution. The expected applications and outcomes of the robot platform and Mini Grand Challenge include curriculum enhancement, increased interest in undergraduate research, recruitment and retention, and K-12 outreach. The Mini Grand Challenge experience can also serve as an effective and practical first step towards preparation for the DARPA Grand Challenge. More information on the Penn State Mini Grand Challenge can be found at the website: www.ecsel.psu.edu/~avanzato/robots/contests/outdoo r/contest05 Figure 1 depicts the block diagram of the key components of the robot design, and figure 2 shows the Penn State Abington outdoor robot platform on a campus path.
Chemotaxis as a Mechanism for Recruitment of Mucosal Plasma Cell Precursors

Precursor cells in mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue travel via the lymphatic system to the regional lymph nodes, proceed to the blood and then preferentially home to a number of sites, including the gut, respiratory tract, and during lactation, the mammary glands where they complete their differentiation into IgA plasma cells (1–6). The basis of the selective homing of these cells to secondary sites is not understood. The objective of the current work is to begin to examine Chemotaxis as a possible mechanism.
PW 2063 Reducing alcohol related injury: experiences from an alternative model from rural south india

Alcohol is a major contributor to the global burden of disease accounting for 4.0% of Disability Adjusted Life Years worldwide and 3.2% of mortality. Reports suggest that between 10%–18% of injury patients (both intentional and unintentional injuries) involved alcohol. There also is an association between average consumption of alcohol and injury. Studies also indicate a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and violence. Prevention of intoxication and de-addiction efforts could bring down injury related morbidity and mortality significantly. Between 2010 and 2017, we conducted 9 community based de-addiction camps, each of 10 days duration with active participation of the community and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The traditional 12 steps approach was followed and participants were systematically provided individual counseling at their homes and through cluster meetings. Rehabilitation efforts included restoring them back to the jobs they had lost as well as livelihood programs. A total of 295 participants have attended the nine camps conducted. Out of 222 who are on follow up 48.6% continue to be abstinent. Among those have relapsed (47.3%), 58.7% (67/114) continue to attend the counseling sessions and behavioral therapy. Interview of 112 participants revealed Low self efficacy, social support and high craving were associated with relapse. In multiple logistic regression model, low craving, good interpersonal support, desirable life events in the past year have emerged as an independent factors associated with abstinence of alcohol Cost effective camp based model with effective follow up counseling by the community health workers has shown significant success rate (48.6%). This community-based intervention has a potential to reduce alcohol-related injuries and violence among in rural population.
Effect of clays on the settling behavior of coal and pyrite

Preliminary experiments have revealed that the addition of bentonite to a coal-pyrite slurry in water of controlled pH (usually equal to the PZC of coal) selectively accelerates the sedimentation rate of pyrite. Electrokinetic flocculation between the positively charged pyrite particles and the negatively charged bentonite particles appears to be the dominant mechanism for this phenomenon. Although all coals possess varying surface chemistry effects, the process appears to hold potential for the economical removal of pyritic sulfur from a variety of coals. ■
Segmental Power Analysis of Sequential Body Motion and Elbow Valgus Loading During Baseball Pitching: Comparison Between Professional and High School Baseball Players

Background:Pitching-related elbow injuries remain prevalent across all levels of baseball. Elbow valgus torque has been identified as a modifiable risk factor of injuries to the ulnar collateral li...
A Community Approach to Academic Research Safety

Since 2012, stakeholders have advocated for the need to create a more positive academic research safety culture. Here, we make the case for supporting a paradigm shift from a rule-based culture to a risk-based one. The community structure should include common language, support teams, and education in safety science.
Kinetics of ordering in fluctuation-driven first-order transitions: simulation and theory

Many systems involving competing interactions or interactions that compete with constraints are well described by a model first introduced by Brazovskii [Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 68, 175 (1975) [Sov. Phys. JETP 41, 85 (1975)]]. The hallmark of this model is that the fluctuation spectrum is isotropic and has a maximum at a nonzero wave vector represented by the surface of a d-dimensional hypersphere. It was shown by Brazovskii that the fluctuations change the free energy structure from a ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{4}$ to a ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{6}$ form with the disordered state metastable for all quench depths. The transition from the disordered phase to the periodic lamellar structure changes from second order to first order and suggests that the dynamics is governed by nucleation. Using numerical simulations we have confirmed that the equilibrium free energy function is indeed of a ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{6}$ form. A study of the dynamics, however, shows that, following a deep quench, the dynamics is described by unstable growth rather than nucleation. A dynamical calculation, based on a generalization of the Brazovskii calculations, shows that the disordered state can remain unstable for a long time following the quench.
Common Medical Errors in Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Abstract Medical errors are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in healthcare. Pediatric patients receiving care in the acute or emergency setting may be especially susceptible to medical error and subsequent harm. Here we review the most common types of medical errors in pediatric emergency medicine – those related to medication, laboratory evaluation, communication, and diagnosis. Diagnostic errors are perhaps the most common but least studied type of error, though there has been recent interest in further quantifying, characterizing and preventing such error. Active research focuses on the systems issues and cognitive biases that likely play a role in this process.
A Voltage-Sensitive Ultrasound Enhancing Agent for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in a Rat Model

Echocardiographers with specialized expertise sometimes perform myocardial perfusion imaging using U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved microbubbles in an off-label capacity, correlating microbubble replenishment in the near field with blood flow through the myocardium. This study reports the in vivo clinical feasibility of a voltage-sensitive ultrasound enhancing agent (UEA) for myocardial perfusion imaging. Four UEAs were injected into Sprague-Dawley rats while ultrasound images were collected to quantify brightness in the left ventricular (LV) cavity, septal wall, and posterior wall in systole and diastole. Formulation IV, a phase change agent nested within a negatively charged phospholipid bilayer, increased the tissue-to-cavity ratio in both systole and diastole in the septal wall, 6 dB, and in the posterior wall, 5 dB, while leaving the LV cavity at baseline. This outcome improves the signal of the myocardium relative to the LV cavity and shows promise as a myocardial perfusion UEA.
Heavy fermion behavior in Pr0.5Ir4Sb10.2Sn1.8

Abstract We report on the properties of single crystals of Pr0.5Ir4Sb10.2Sn1.8, a new partially-filled rare earth skutterudite which exhibits Kondo alloy and heavy fermion behavior. Using magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and resistivity measurements we find evidence of Kondo-screening of the f-moments. This material shows a Kadowaki-Woods ratio consistent with heavy fermion behavior. Susceptibility measurements predict a Kondo temperature T K ≈ 4 K , however the minimum found in the low temperature resistivity appears at a higher temperature T ≈ 10 K . A small fraction of the material ( 0.5 % ) becomes superconducting with a critical temperature T c ≈ 4.2 K .
Sensitivity and Simulation Analysis in Excel Without Programming

Most finance textbooks talk about the benefits of conducting sensitivity and/or Monte Carlo simulation analyses in financial modeling, but mostly limit coverage to commenting on these techniques in passing. This is particularly true when it comes to simulation analysis, which typically requires the use of a third-party add-in or a significant level of programming expertise in VBA. We provide an extensive, step-by-step guide demonstrating how data tables in Excel can be used to easily implement sensitivity and simulation analyses. This approach requires only minor modifications to the base-case model; without the need for any programming experience.
From Plant Closure to Reemployment in the New Economy: Risks to Workers Dislocated from the Declining Garment Manufacturing Industry

The current study investigates financial and emotional consequences to workers as the U.S. economy continues to shift from a manufacturing to a service economy. One hundred eighty-eight garment workers were surveyed before their plant closed in 1998 and six months later to assess reemployment opportunities, financial difficulty and emotional well-being. All workers experienced some financial difficulty after the plant closed, with single parents reporting the greatest financial difficulty. Workers who became immediately reemployed lost an average of $2.41 in wages per hour. Sixteen percent of the sample lost their health insurance. Overall depression and anxiety scores declined over six months, but not evenly. Men and single women did not significantly decline in depression or anxiety. Financial difficulty was the most important predictor for both depression and anxiety. Immediate reemployment served to increase depression in the presence of financial difficulty
Thermal information regarding the cooldown and operation of liquid argon calorimeters

Three liquid argon calorimeters were cooled down and operated as part of the D-Zero detector at Fermi National Accelerator laboratory. The largest vessel contains 248 metric tons of uranium and copper plates and 19 kL (5000 gal.) of liquid argon. The other two vessels are mirror images, each containing 185 metric tons of uranium and stainless steel plates and 12.1 kL (3200 gal.) of liquid argon. The cooldown was accomplished by convection heat transfer between boiling liquid nitrogen filled finned heat exchangers and argon gas inside the vessels. Information regarding the general internal geometry of the calorimeters, cooldown, operation, and steady state heat loads will be presented.
Chapter 44 Agricultural Extension

Abstract In this chapter we analyze the considerations that lead policy makers to undertake extension investments as a key public responsibility, as well as the complex set of factors and intra-agency incentives that explain why different extension systems' performance varies. Accordingly, the chapter provides a conceptual framework outlining farmers' demand for information, the welfare economic characterizations of extension services, and the organizational and political attributes that govern the performance of extension systems. The framework is used to examine several extension modalities and to analyze their likely and actual effectiveness. Specifically, the modalities reviewed include “training and visit” extension, decentralized systems, “fee-for-service” and privatized extension, and farmer-field-schools. The chapter also provides a discussion of methodological issues pertaining to the assessment of extension outcomes, and a review of some of the recent empirical literature on extension impact. The chapter emphasizes the efficiency gains that can come from locally decentralized delivery systems with incentive structures based on largely private provision that in most countries will still be publicly funded. In wealthier countries, and for particular higher income farmer groups, extension systems will likely evolve into fee-for-service organizations.
La economía política de la civilización

En la Colombia de mediados del siglo XIX, la economia politica no estaba centrada en la acumulacion de riquezas sino en la acumulacion de palabras y capital civilizador. El poder se concentraba en quienes poseian los secretos de la civilizacion occidental: los hombres criollos letrados.
Multiscale Local Forcing of the Arabian Desert Daytime Boundary Layer, and Implications for the Dispersion of Surface-Released Contaminants

Abstract Four 6-day simulations of the atmospheric conditions over the Arabian Desert during the time of the 1991 detonation and release of toxic material at the Khamisiyah, Iraq, weapons depot were performed using a mesoscale model run in a data-assimilation mode. These atmospheric simulations are being employed in a forensic analysis of the potential contribution of the toxic material to so-called Gulf War illness. The transport and concentration of such surface-released contaminants are related strongly to the planetary boundary layer (PBL) depth and the horizontal wind speed in the PBL. The product of the PBL depth and the mean wind speed within it is referred to as the ventilation and is used as a metric of the horizontal transport within the PBL. Thus, a corollary study to the larger forensic analysis involves employing the model solutions and available data in an analysis of the multiscale spatial variability of the daytime desert PBL depth and ventilation as they are affected by surface forcing fr...
Transport of lysolecithin by albumin in human and rat plasma

Lysolecithin comprises 9.6 and 21.5% of the phospholipids of the plasma of man and rat, respectively. Ultracentrifugal and gel filtration studies showed that the major portion of the lysolecithin is not found together with the other phospholipids in the plasma lipoproteins. By zone electrophoresis, gel filtration, and ammonium sulfate fractionation, it was found that lysolecithin was consistently associated with albumin fractions. Immunoelectrophoretically homogeneous rat albumin was prepared. It contained 0.5 mg of lipid phosphorus per g of protein; 98.3% of this lipid was lysolecithin. It is concluded that lysolecithin is transported in plasma bound to albumin.