cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive wearable electroactive pharmaceutical monitoring for personalized therapeutics.

To achieve the mission of personalized medicine, centering on delivering the right drug to the right patient at the right dose, therapeutic drug monitoring solutions are necessary. In that regard, wearable biosensing technologies, capable of tracking drug pharmacokinetics in noninvasively retrievable biofluids (e.g., sweat), play a critical role, because they can be deployed at a large scale to monitor the individuals’ drug transcourse profiles (semi)continuously and longitudinally. To this end, voltammetry-based sensing modalities are suitable, as in principle they can detect and quantify electroactive drugs on the basis of the target’s redox signature. However, the target’s redox signature in complex biofluid matrices can be confounded by the immediate biofouling effects and distorted/buried by the interfering voltammetric responses of endogenous electroactive species. Here, we devise a wearable voltammetric sensor development strategy—centering on engineering the molecule–surface interactions—to simultaneously mitigate biofouling and create an “undistorted potential window” within which the target drug’s voltammetric response is dominant and interference is eliminated. To inform its clinical utility, our strategy was adopted to track the temporal profile of circulating acetaminophen (a widely used analgesic and antipyretic) in saliva and sweat, using a surface-modified boron-doped diamond sensing interface (cross-validated with laboratory-based assays, R2 ∼ 0.94). Through integration of the engineered sensing interface within a custom-developed smartwatch, and augmentation with a dedicated analytical framework (for redox peak extraction), we realized a wearable solution to seamlessly render drug readouts with minute-level temporal resolution. Leveraging this solution, we demonstrated the pharmacokinetic correlation and significance of sweat readings.
Mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation Enzymes and NAD+ Metabolism: A Focus on Diseases and Therapeutic Perspectives

Mono(ADP-ribose) transferases and mono(ADP-ribosyl)ating sirtuins use NAD+ to perform the mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation, a simple form of post-translational modification of proteins and, in some cases, of nucleic acids. The availability of NAD+ is a limiting step and an essential requisite for NAD+ consuming enzymes. The synthesis and degradation of NAD+, as well as the transport of its key intermediates among cell compartments, play a vital role in the maintenance of optimal NAD+ levels, which are essential for the regulation of NAD+-utilizing enzymes. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of NAD+ metabolism, highlighting the functional liaison with mono(ADP-ribosyl)ating enzymes, such as the well-known ARTD10 (also named PARP10), SIRT6, and SIRT7. To this aim, we discuss the link of these enzymes with NAD+ metabolism and chronic diseases, such as cancer, degenerative disorders and aging.
Rapid analysis of minerals in oysters using microwave decomposition and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract Oysters are rich in nutrients and can be cultivated in oceans; therefore they have attracted considerable interest as a food source. In this study, we investigated the rapid analysis of multiple minerals in oysters using microwave decomposition combined with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Because all body parts of oysters other than the shell are edible, we homogenized all the edible parts and used them as samples. Multiple sample masses and acid-digestion formulations (nitric acid only and nitric acid with hydrogen peroxide) were evaluated in a microwave decomposition step using zinc as the target analyte. The levels of calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium were also studied. Microwave digestion using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide yielded slightly higher mineral concentration results than those obtained with nitric acid alone. The mineral composition of oysters varies with the cultivation location and season. With the establishment of an appropriate database, the proposed method for the evaluation of mineral content could be used for rapidly determining the origin of oysters.
Having a voice in your group: Increasing productivity through group participation

Participatory work structure is a popular concept but its causal impacts in real world work groups have heretofore been unquantified and research has been Western-centric. We test the hypothesis that participatory group structure increases productivity for blue collar workers in a context where participation is not a normative default. We conducted a longitudinal field experiment with 65 Chinese factory groups (1752 workers). Half of the groups were randomly assigned to a 20-minute participatory meeting once per week for six weeks, in which the group’s supervisor stepped aside and workers contributed ideas and personal goals in an open discussion of their work. The other half continued with status quo meetings in which supervisors spoke and set goals, workers listened, and a researcher observed. In an independent survey, American full-time workers predict those who listen to the supervisors to be more productive than those who engage in an open discussion. Yet, we found that participatory vs. a hierarchical structure led to a 10.6% average increase in individual treatment workers’ productivity, an increase that endured for 9 weeks after the participatory experiment ended. The brief participatory meetings also increased treatment workers’ retention rate and feelings of empowerment such as job satisfaction and sense of control. We find no evidence of informational gains or new worker goals; instead, evidence suggests that the increase in frequency of workers’ voicing opinions may have driven higher productivity.
Empirical prediction of saline water atomization pressure loss and spray phase change using local flow pressure analysis

Abstract A pressure analysis technique was developed to obtain spray spatial evaporation profile in a thermal desalination process. The technique can replace temperature-based evaporation measurement methods that are challenged by liquid-phase interference. It also provides an alternative to optical methods with high cost and complexity. Fundamental analysis was developed to determine local humidity ratios from changes in local static and dynamic pressures. The analysis was applied to data obtained from an external mixing air-assist atomizer. An empirical model was developed for the pressure loss in atomization process and was used in the analysis of humidity ratio. The results were used to develop empirical correlations for local humidity ratio in spray mediums using inlet conditions. Utilizing inlet conditions to predict evaporation profiles is an important contribution as it eliminates the need to take local spray measurements. Obtaining local data is often difficult and expensive; Our method and correlation circumvent the need for that. The correlations presented in this paper apply to saline water sprays with total dissolved salt of 0-10 wt%. The salinity-specific correlations are accurate to within ±10% of experimental data. The individual models were aggregated into a unified correlation for salinities within 0-10 wt%. The unified correlation is accurate to within ±18% of experimental data.
HITNet: Hierarchical Iterative Tile Refinement Network for Real-time Stereo Matching

This paper presents HITNet, a novel neural network architecture for real-time stereo matching. Contrary to many recent neural network approaches that operate on a full cost volume and rely on 3D convolutions, our approach does not explicitly build a volume and instead relies on a fast multi-resolution initialization step, differentiable 2D geometric propagation and warping mechanisms to infer disparity hypotheses. To achieve a high level of accuracy, our network not only geometrically reasons about disparities but also infers slanted plane hypotheses allowing to more accurately perform geometric warping and upsampling operations. Our architecture is inherently multi-resolution allowing the propagation of information across different levels. Multiple experiments prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach at a fraction of the computation required by state-of-the-art methods. At the time of writing, HITNet ranks 1st-3rd on all the metrics published on the ETH3D website for two view stereo, ranks 1st on most of the metrics amongst all the end-to-end learning approaches on Middlebury-v3, ranks 1st on the popular KITTI 2012 and 2015 benchmarks among the published methods faster than 100 ms.
Hemodynamic Effects of Ketamine Versus Etomidate for Prehospital Rapid Sequence Intubation

Abstract Objective Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is often required in managing critically ill patients in the prehospital setting. Although etomidate is a commonly used induction agent for RSI, ketamine has gained new interest in prehospital management with reported neutral hemodynamic effects. Limited data exist to support ketamine as an alternative to etomidate, particularly in the prehospital setting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate hemodynamic changes after the administration of ketamine versus etomidate in prehospital RSI. Methods This retrospective study evaluated adult patients undergoing prehospital RSI over 13 months within a regional emergency transport medicine service. Hypotension was defined as a 20% decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) within 15 minutes of receiving ketamine or etomidate. Hemodynamic data were collected 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after administration or until additional sedative medications were given. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 21; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY), with P Results One hundred thirteen patients met the inclusion criteria (ketamine, n = 33; etomidate, n = 80), with the primary reasons for intubation being respiratory failure and trauma. There was no difference between the incidence of patients who experienced a 20% decrease in SBP (16% etomidate vs. 18% ketamine, P = .79). There were no significant differences in SBP pre- to postadministration between ketamine and etomidate. Conclusion No hemodynamic differences occurred between patients who received ketamine versus etomidate for prehospital RSI. Neither drug was associated with an increased need for additional sedatives, and neither drug was associated with an increased first-pass intubation success rate. Larger, prospective, powered studies are required to identify patients who may benefit from either ketamine or etomidate.
Association Between Neurocognitive Outcomes and Radiation Dose to the Corpus Callosum and Hippocampus in Children With Medulloblastoma Treated on a Phase III Study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) To characterize the association between neurocognitive outcomes and radiation dose to the corpus callosum and the hippocampus in children with medulloblastoma treated on a phase III study. MATERIALS/METHODS Patients aged 3 to 21 years with medulloblastoma were treated at a single institution on a phase III risk-adapted study. Craniospinal radiation dose was 23.4 Gy for average-risk patients (M0 and GTR/NTR) and 36-39.6 Gy for high-risk patients (M+ or STR). All patients were treated with photons and received 55.8 Gy to the tumor bed using a 1cm clinical target volume margin. Metastasis > 0.5 cm received 50.4-54 Gy. Patients underwent age-appropriate cognitive testing at baseline (prior to completion of radiation) and yearly for 5 years. Neurocognitive scores were reported as standard deviations (SD) derived from age-standardized normative samples. Mixed effects models were used to estimate the longitudinal trends in neurocognitive scores. Reliable change index was used to identify patients whose scores declined significantly from baseline to last follow-up. Logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with a significant decline in neurocognitive outcomes. RESULTS One hundred and twenty-four patients were eligible for analysis. The median neurocognitive follow-up was 59.4 months. Decline in processing speed was associated with mean dose to the corpus callosum genu (slope: -.166 points/year/Gy, P < .001), body (slope: -.176 points/year/Gy, P < .001) and splenium (slope: -.115 points/year/Gy, P < .001), after adjusting for age and sex. Of the 90 patients with baseline processing speed scores, 21 (19%) demonstrated significant decline at last follow up. Patients with a mean corpus callosum genu and body dose of ≥40 Gy were at a four to seven-fold increased odds of experiencing significant decline compared to those with a mean dose of < 40 Gy (genu: OR: 7.47, 95% CI: 2.64 - 21.12, P < .001; body: OR: 4.47, 95% CI: 1.65 - 12.11, P = .003). Decline in associative memory was associated with mean right hippocampal dose (slope: -.11 points/year/Gy, P = .013) and left hippocampal dose (slope: -.109 points/year/Gy, P = .019), after adjusting for age and sex. Of 98 patients with baseline memory scores, 11 (11%) demonstrated significant decline at last follow up. Patients with a mean hippocampal dose of ≥50 Gy were at a five to seven-fold increased odds of experiencing significant decline compared to those with mean dose < 50 Gy (right hippocampus: Odds Ratio [OR]: 7.21, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.98 - 27.46, P = .004; left hippocampus: OR: 5.17, 95% CI: 1.38 - 19.36, P = .015). CONCLUSION For children with medulloblastoma, increasing radiation dose to the corpus callosum and hippocampus is associated with decreased performance on tests of processing speed and memory, respectively. During radiation plan optimization, careful consideration should be given to minimizing dose to these structures while achieving appropriate tumor bed coverage.
Girls’ and Boys’ Academic Self-Concept in Science in Single-Sex and Coeducational Classes

Recently, single-sex classes within public coeducational schools have proliferated across the USA; yet, we still know little about whether and how single-sex science classes influence adolescents’ attitude and affect toward science. This exploratory study expands upon our current understanding by investigating the extent in which female and male students’ enrollment in either single-sex or coeducational science classrooms may influence their academic self-concept in science. Utilizing a quasi-experimental research design, findings suggest that being enrolled in single-sex science classrooms influence how students in this study perceive their abilities to perform and learn in science, particularly for females in single-sex science classrooms.
Highly sensitive plasmonic grating platform for the detection of a wide range of infectious diseases

We report the cost-effective fabrication of a plasmonic grating for improved light coupling in a fluorescence-based sensor platform by a simple micro-contact printing technique. The fluorescence of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) film on gratings was enhanced by up to 239-fold with respect to glass using a fluorescence microplate reader. The silver gratings are made suitable for use in biological buffers by a protective alumina layer. The platform has been optimized to detect Interferon-gamma (IFN δ ), a commonly used biomarker for M. tuberculosis infection and other autoimmune diseases, with an immunofluorescence assay. The platform demonstrates 500 fg/ml limit of detection (LOD) while commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) report 2 pg/mL LOD. The extraordinary fluorescence enhancement was compared with simulation result to predict and support the experimental analysis. These results can be used to expand the platform for numerous fast, robust, sensitive biosensors.
Component content management in multiple languages: A conceptual controversy

This article delves into the conceptual controversy between two terms that describe quality in global technical communication: consistency and localization. This controversy becomes particularly troublesome and leads to problematic practices when information products are created with component content management strategies and technologies. The analysis of this controversy is based on the results of two separate studies. The author suggests more precise terminology to address this controversy and improve theory and practice of multilingual component content management.
Abstract 4309: Whole slide image analysis quantification in a mouse lung metastasis model

Digital whole slide imaging is the technique of digitizing a microscope slide at the highest resolution to produce a “digital virtual microscope slide”. This digital image can be viewed in three or four fields, from low to high power fields, which can be commonly used to evaluate the tissue. Many of these systems have a whole slide software image analysis system. The goal of this study was to determine if the Aperio positive pixel algorithm (image analysis) could effectively quantitate metastatic mouse lung tumors in a lung section using a HE 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4309. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4309
Natural Law and the Antislavery Constitutional Tradition

1. Prologue: slavery and the laws and rights of nature 2. Introduction: the apple of gold 3. Somerset and the antislavery constitutional tradition 4. Constitutional disharmony in The Antelope and La Amistad 5. Constitutional construction in Prigg and Dred Scott 6. Natural law, providence, and Lincoln's constitutional statesmanship 7. Public reason and the wrong of slavery 8. Conclusion: the heritage of the antislavery constitutional tradition.
A finite parameterization and iterative algorithms for constrained minimum norm signal reconstruction

Summary form only given. Signal reconstruction from a limited set of linear measurements of a signal and prior knowledge of signal characteristics expressed as convex constraint sets were treated. The problem was posed in Hilbert space as the determination of the minimum norm element in the intersection of convex constraint sets and a linear variety with finite codimension. A finite parameterization for the optimal solution was derived, and the optimal parameter vector was shown to satisfy a system of nonlinear equations in a finite-dimensional Euclidean space. Iterative algorithms for determining the parameters were obtained, and convergence was shown to be quadratic for many applications. The results were applied to example multidimensional reconstruction problems. >
Special contact Wilson loops

Wilson loops in ${\cal N}=4$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory correspond at strong coupling to extremal surfaces in $AdS_5$. We study a class of extremal surfaces known as special Legendrian submanifolds. The "hemisphere" corresponding to the circular Wilson loop is an example of a special Legendrian submanifold, and we give another example. We formulate the necessary conditions for the contour on the boundary of $AdS_5$ to be the boundary of the special Legendrian submanifold and conjecture that these conditions are in fact sufficient. We call the solutions of these conditions "special contact Wilson loops". The first order equations for the special Legendrian submanifold impose a constraint on the functional derivatives of the Wilson loop at the special contact contour which should be satisfied in the Yang-Mills theory at strong coupling.
Palliative Treatment of Obstructing Esophagogastric Malignancy by Endoscopic Positioning of a Plastic Prosthesis

Two hundred patients with obstructing esophagogastric malignancy were treated with positioning of a plastic prosthesis. With the aid of a small caliber fiberendoscope and a pusher tube, the prosthesis was positioned under continuous visual control, using only local anesthesia. Seventy-seven patients had esophageal carcinoma, 25 had pulmonary carcinoma obstructing the esophagus; and 98 had gastric carcinoma. Of the latter, 21 had extensive stomach involvement and 8 had local tumor recurrence after esophagojejunostomy. A bronchoesophageal fistula was present in 17 patients. Complications were bleeding (3), perforation (16) with only one death, and obstruction either due to food impaction (13), tumor overgrowth (17), or re flux esophagitis (5); the latter two conditions were corrected by changing the tube in all cases. Tube migration occurred frequently, but could be prevented by adapting the shape of the prosthesis. The procedure was performed as ultimate palliation in patients unfit for surgical insertion and had a low mortality rate of 2%. In general, there was marked improvement in the quality of life.
Intraoperative Consultation for Testicular Tumors: Challenges and Implications for Treatment

Intraoperative pathologic consultation provides critical information that determines immediate diagnostic decision making for optimal patient care. The most frequent indications for intraoperative consultation during testis surgery include assessment of testicular/paratesticular lesions, retroperitoneal lymph nodes in patients with a history of testicular cancer, and rarely surgical margin status during partial orchiectomy. In the vast majority of cases, gross examination of a testicular mass may suffice, but frozen section evaluation plays a significant role in preventing unnecessary orchiectomy in some cases, including fibrous pseudotumor, adenomatoid tumor, epidermoid cyst/dermoid cyst, teratoma in prepubertal boys, and other neoplasms generally with a benign course. An increasing number of partial orchiectomy have been performed mostly in patients with small non-palpable benign lesion. When a partial orchiectomy specimen from a patient with germ cell tumor is submitted for intraoperative frozen section, in addition to evaluating whether invasive tumor is at the margin, the presence of intratubular germ cell neoplasia in the grossly normal parenchyma should also be carefully assessed. For assessment of lymph nodes, the number and selection of tissue for frozen section are both important for an accurate diagnosis. However, the pathologist should be aware that permanent sections may reveal viable tumor cells even if the frozen sections show totally necrotic and/or fibrotic tissue. Furthermore, the metastatic tumors may show a variety of histologic features, not only germ cell tumor but also components of carcinomatous or sarcomatous transformation. Other common pitfalls in the frozen section diagnosis include various types of artifacts such as thermal injury, crush artifact, and freeze artifact. Recognizing these artifacts, familiarizing with all the diagnostic entities in different age groups, as well as clinical, imaging, and tumor markers prior to the intraoperative consultation are important for an adequate interpretation of the testicular specimen.
Effects of dietary protein to carbohydrate ratio on Bt toxicity and fitness costs of resistance in Helicoverpa zea

The ratio of dietary protein to carbohydrate (P:C) affects the feeding performance of insect herbivores and was recently shown to affect susceptibility to Bt toxins and fitness costs of resistance in Trichoplusia ni Hubner. Here, we used laboratory experiments with larvae reared on artificial diet to determine whether dietary P:C ratio affects responses to Bt toxin Cry1Ac and fitness costs of resistance in Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). We tested a H. zea strain that was selected for resistance to Cry1Ac in the laboratory (GA-R) and its field-derived parent strain (GA), which was not selected in the laboratory. Relative to GA, GA-R had 14-fold resistance to Cry1Ac. The P:C ratio of diet did not affect susceptibility to Cry1Ac of GA-R. However, against GA, Cry1Ac was least toxic on the diet with the lowest P:C ratio (35:65) and most toxic on the diet with the highest P:C ratio (90:10). Diets of all P:C ratios except 80:20 induced a fitness cost of lower pupal weight in GA-R relative to GA for males, females, or both. Considered together with previous results, the new findings reported here indicate that the effects of P:C ratio on responses to Cry1Ac and fitness costs vary between species and between strains within species.
A computational approach to resource allocation in spatial urban models

Abstract This paper synthesizes and generalizes recent literature on the use of ‘fixed point methods’ to compute approximate numerical solutions to general equilibrium models of urban land use. We show how a broad array of spatial urban models, including ones involving endogenously generated externalities, can be studied within the context of a single unifying computational framework.
Valuing flexibility: an impulse control framework

This paper presents a general framework for modeling and evaluating investments which involve flexibility to switch between alternative states of operation (for example, different sets of production inputs and outputs). The model employs a contingent claims pricing approach and encompasses previous real option models as special cases. We discuss practical solution techniques for the valuation problem under different assumptions regarding the cost and frequency of switching.
Freedericksz Transition Measurements on Polymer-Stabilized Liquid Crystals

Abstract Electric-field Freedericksz transition experiments were performed on homogeneous nematic samples of pentylcyanobiphenyl in which an anisotropic cross-linked polymeric network was formed. The studied geometry yields the splay elastic constant from the threshold voltage, Vc. Specimens in which the network was polymerized with the field OFF exhibited an increase in Vc; those in which the network was formed with the field ON, i.e. in the homeotropic alignment, showed a decrease in Vc. These observations are interpreted in terms of a model which assumes that the nematic elasticity is coupled to that of the network. Thus, Vc depends on the longitudinal component of the network elasticity, as well as on the Frank elastic constant. From this relationship, values of network elastic modulus can be estimated.
Understanding the effects of Doppler phenomena in white light Fabry–Perot interferometers for simultaneous position and velocity measurement

In static tests, low-power (<5 mW) white light extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometric position sensors offer high-accuracy (μm) absolute measurements of a target’s position over large (cm) axial-position ranges, and since position is demodulated directly from phase in the interferogram, these sensors are robust to fluctuations in measured power levels. However, target surface dynamics distort the interferogram via Doppler shifting, introducing a bias in the demodulation process. With typical commercial off-the-shelf hardware, a broadband source centered near 1550 nm, and an otherwise typical setup, the bias may be as large as 50–100 μm for target surface velocities as low as 0.1 mm/s. In this paper, the authors derive a model for this Doppler-induced position bias, relating its magnitude to three swept-filter tuning parameters. Target velocity (magnitude and direction) is calculated using this relationship in conjunction with a phase-diversity approach, and knowledge of the target’s velocity is then used to compensate exactly for the position bias. The phase-diversity approach exploits side-by-side measurement signals, transmitted through separate swept filters with distinct tuning parameters, and permits simultaneous measurement of target velocity and target position, thereby mitigating the most fundamental performance limitation that exists on dynamic white light interferometric position sensors.
Structure and ubiquitin binding of the ubiquitin interacting motif

Ubiquitylation is used to target proteins into a large number of different biological processes including proteasomal degradation, endocytosis, virus budding, and vacuolar protein sorting (Vps). Ubiquitylated proteins are typically recognized using one of several different conserved ubiquitin binding modules. Here, we report the crystal structure and ubiquitin binding properties of one such module, the ubiquitin-interacting motif (UIM). We found that UIM peptides from several proteins involved in endocytosis and vacuolar protein sorting including Hrs, Vps27p, Stam1, and Eps15 bound specifically, but with modest affinity (Kd = 0.1-1 mm), to free ubiquitin. Full affinity ubiquitin binding required the presence of conserved acidic patches at the N and C terminus of the UIM, as well as highly conserved central alanine and serine residues. NMR chemical shift perturbation mapping experiments demonstrated that all of these UIM peptides bind to the I44 surface of ubiquitin. The 1.45 A resolution crystal structure of the second yeast Vps27p UIM (Vps27p-2) revealed that the ubiquitin-interacting motif forms an amphipathic helix. Although Vps27p-2 is monomeric in solution, the motif unexpectedly crystallized as an antiparallel four-helix bundle, and the potential biological implications of UIM oligomerization are therefore discussed.
Is Web-based instruction popular in psychology? A national survey

Abstract To date, there has been sparse research on the extent of use of online (Web-based) instructional approaches in academic Psychology. This survey reports the findings of a national survey ( N = 207) of Chairs of Psychology departments on the didactic use of online instruction. Although the respondents expressed positive views regarding Web-based pedagogy, the actual implementation by psychology faculty of online instruction was reported by Chairs as being somewhat negligible. Previous studies have found that that the major drawback to the use of online teaching is the lack of formal training in computer technology on the part of psychology instructors (e.g., Vodanovich, S. J., & Piotrowski, C. (2001). Journal of Instructional Psychology, 28 , 253–255). The implications of embracing Web-based didactic approaches for the field are discussed.
FOXO1 in the ventromedial hypothalamus regulates energy balance

The transcription factor FOXO1 plays a central role in metabolic homeostasis by regulating leptin and insulin activity in many cell types, including neurons. However, the neurons mediating these effects and the identity of the molecular targets through which FOXO1 regulates metabolism remain to be defined. Here, we show that the ventral medial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) is a key site of FOXO1 action. We found that mice lacking FOXO1 in steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) neurons of the VMH are lean due to increased energy expenditure. The mice also failed to appropriately suppress energy expenditure in response to fasting. Furthermore, these mice displayed improved glucose tolerance due to increased insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle and heart. Gene expression profiling and sequence analysis revealed several pathways regulated by FOXO1. In addition, we identified the nuclear receptor SF-1 as a direct FOXO1 transcriptional target in the VMH. Collectively, our data suggest that the transcriptional networks modulated by FOXO1 in VMH neurons are key components in the regulation of energy balance and glucose homeostasis.
Effectiveness of a Web-based genomics training for health educators in Texas.

Purpose: With advanced genomic developments, better prevention strategies are available via personalized genomic services. Because there is a shortage of genetic professionals, and primary-care providers are overwhelmed with routine practice, involving health educators—whose expertise includes educating the general public and promoting healthy behavior—to provide basic genomics education may facilitate better services. We developed the first evidence- and theory-based family health history Web-based training for Texas health educators. This report presents its evaluation results. Methods: Approximately one-third of Texas health educators holding (Master) Certified Health Education Specialist designation (~40% were racial/ethnic minorities) participated in the family health history Web-based training. Attitudes, self-efficacy, intention, knowledge, and practice were assessed at baseline, immediately after training, and 3 months posttraining. Qualitative data were collected to provide additional evaluation findings. Results: Participants significantly improved their attitudes, knowledge, intention, and self-efficacy regarding family health history education, immediately posttraining and after 3 months. The number of participants practicing family health history was significantly increased. Participants’ overall assessment of the program was positive. Conclusion: This family health history Web-based training successfully increased the number of genomically competent and culturally diverse Texas health educators. Ongoing efforts are needed to sustain and expand this education as well as to disseminate it to all health educators in the United States. Genet Med 2014:16(3):271–278
Effects of Heating on the Behavior of Lead-Rubber Bearings. I: Theory

The energy dissipated per cycle and the characteristic strength of lead-rubber bearings reduce with increasing number of cycles as a result of heating of the lead core. The reduction is substantial depending on the geometric characteristics of the bearing and the speed of motion. This paper presents a theory that is capable of predicting the dependency on time of the characteristic strength and energy dissipated of lead-rubber bearings. The theory is based on predicting the temperature of the lead core and relating the temperature to the strength. A much simpler theory is also presented based on neglect of heat conduction through the steel shim and end plates of the bearing. The theory is useful in predicting the cyclic behavior of lead-rubber bearings for simplified analysis, in extrapolating experimental data from one scale to another and in developing models for dynamic response history analysis of seismically isolated structures that account for the time-dependent mechanical properties of the bearings. A companion paper presents results of eight tests of six lead-rubber bearings that provide verification of the theoretical solution.
Theory of solar cells incorporating impurity gradients

This paper discusses the theory of solar cells incorporating impurity gradients as a potential means of improving the efficiency. Both abrupt changes in doping as at high-low junctions and gradual changes resulting in drift fields have been considered. The advantages of high-low junctions have been demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally for silicon cells where the minority carrier diffusion length is larger than the cell thickness. Predicted advantages of other drift fields have not been clearly demonstrated. It appears that the advantages of drift fields throughout the device in enhanced carrier collection efficiency are largely offset by reduced open circuit voltages and/or reduced curve factors.
Diabetic nephropathy in a sibling and albuminuria predict early GFR decline: a prospective cohort study

Diabetic nephropathy is a growing clinical problem, and the cause for >40% of incident ESRD cases. Unfortunately, few modifiable risk factors are known. The objective is to examine if albuminuria and history of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in a sibling are associated with early DN progression or mortality. In this longitudinal study of adults >18 yrs with diabetes monitored for up to 9 yrs (mean 4.6 ± 1.7 yrs), 435 subjects at high risk (DN family history) and 400 at low risk (diabetes >10 yrs, normoalbuminuria, no DN family history) for DN progression were evaluated for rate of eGFR change using the linear mixed effects model and progression to ESRD. All-cause mortality was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analyses while controlling for baseline covariates in a Cox proportional hazards model. Covariates included baseline eGFR, age, gender, race, diabetes duration, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c and urine albumin:creatinine ratio. Propensity score matching was used to identify high and low risk group pairs with balanced covariates. Sensitivity analyses were employed to test for residual confounding. Mean baseline eGFR was 74 ml/min/1.73 m2 (86% of cohort >60 ml/min/1.73 m2). Thirty high risk and no low risk subjects developed ESRD. eGFR decline was significantly greater in high compared to low risk subjects. After controlling for confounders, change in eGFR remained significantly different between groups, suggesting that DN family history independently regulates GFR progression. Mortality was also significantly greater in high versus low risk subjects, but after controlling for baseline covariates, no significant difference was observed between groups, indicating that factors other than DN family history more strongly affect mortality. Analyses of the matched pairs confirmed change in eGFR and mortality findings. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the eGFR results were not due to residual confounding by unmeasured covariates of a moderate effect size in the propensity matching. Diabetic subjects with albuminuria and family history of DN are vulnerable for early GFR decline, whereas subjects with diabetes for longer than 10 years, normoalbuminuria and negative family history, experience slower eGFR decline, and are extremely unlikely to require dialysis. Although we would not recommend that patients with low risk characteristics be neglected, scarce resources would be more sensibly devoted to vulnerable patients, such as the high risk cases in our study, and preferably prior to the onset of albuminuria or GFR decline.
Stimuli-responsive colloids: From stratified to self-repairing Polymeric Films and Beyond

Although stratification in polymeric colloids and films has been known for a long time, its significance has not been recognized until surface-interfacial properties driven by mobility of dispersing agents became one of the key features that impact structure–property relationships. Learning from these studies, the last decade resulted in significant advances that have led to the development of a new generation of polymeric materials in general, and colloids in particular, that exhibit stimuli-responsive attributes. As significant as hydrophobic interactions are in biological systems, the abundance of these and other interactions can be found in colloids that are capable of recognition and dynamic responsiveness leading to life-like materials with significant technological applications. Recent advances in the development of stimuli-responsive colloidal materials are discussed in the context of surface and bulk responsive morphologies, from dynamic shape and color changing colloidal nanoparticles to expandable nanotubes and polymer-modified metal nanoparticles. Stimuli-responsive and signaling attributes of macromolecular segments of colloids along with dispersing components will play key roles during colloidal film formation. Concurrently, the development of heterogeneous functional objects that can exhibit dimensional change initiated by light or other environmental factors will form a new platform of amazing and sparkling technologies for the 21st century capable of producing on-demand self-repairing colloid-based materials.
Kinetics of the Addition of Diethyl Phosphonate to Various p-Substituted Benzylideneanilines

The kinetics of the base-catalyzed addition of diethyl phosphonate to some substituted benzylideneanilines were measured by observing the disappearance of the Schiff bases spectro-photometrically. A first-order dependence of the rate of diethyl phosphonate, Schiff base, and ethoxide-ion concentration was observed. A typical Hammett relationship was obtained. The reaction mechanism proposed is discussed in relationship to the kinetics, the Hammett plot, and activation parameters.
Targeted Gene Delivery to CD117-Expressing Cells In Vivo With Lentiviral Vectors Co-Displaying Stem Cell Factor and a Fusogenic Molecule

The development of a lentiviral system to deliver genes to specific cell types could improve the safety and the efficacy of gene delivery. Previously, we have developed an efficient method to target lentivectors to specific cells via an antibody-antigen interaction in vitro and in vivo. We report herein a targeted lentivector that harnesses the natural ligand-receptor recognition mechanism for targeted modification of c-KIT receptor-expressing cells. For targeting, we incorporate membrane-bound human stem cell factor (hSCF), and for fusion, a Sindbis virus-derived fusogenic molecule (FM) onto the lentiviral surface. These engineered vectors can recognize cells expressing surface CD117, resulting in efficient targeted transduction of cells in an SCF-receptor dependent manner in vitro, and in vivo in xenografted mouse models. This study expands the ability of targeting lentivectors beyond antibody targets to include cell-specific surface receptors. Development of a high titer lentivector to receptor-specific cells is an attractive approach to restrict gene expression and could potentially ensure therapeutic effects in the desired cells while limiting side effects caused by gene expression in non-target cells.
Focusing short-wavelength X-rays and neutrons with advanced Kirkpatrick-Baez optics

Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors can efficiently condense x-rays and neutrons. Nondispersive KB x-ray optics with focal spots below 100 nm have been demonstrated and beams as small as 20 nm are possible. Similarly, KB-mirrors can focus neutrons to dimensions less than 100x100 square microns with performance limited primarily by the source brilliance.
Preparation of Nano- MgO and Investigation of its Infrared Absorption Properties

A precipitation-pyrolysis process was developed for the synthesis of MgO nano-particles with diameter of 20~100 nm by using organic reagent, glycol, n-butanol and N,N-Dimethylacetamide, as shape and size controller. XRD and TEM were used to study on composition, morphology and size of the as prepared MgO nanoparticles. The results indicate that organic crystal controller is one of the key factors affecting the sizes and shapes of the nano MgO particles. When using glycol as a crystal controller, the dispersion of nano MgO particles is better and olive-shaped particles with sizes of 20~40 nm are prepared. When nano MgO particles are synthesized by MgCl2 and Mg(NO3)2, their particle sizes are smaller and their particles with olive shape. During chemical reaction process, Mg(OH)2 particles are already formed to be nano scale. Calcination process at the temperature of 650°C can change the crystal shape slightly. FTIR results show that nano MgO particles have abnormal infrared absorption behaviors compared with that of micron scale.
EFFECTS OF ANGULAR MOMENTUM ON KINETIC ENERGY RELEASE IN FISSION

Values for the most probable kinetic energy release in fission following compound-nucleus reactions between various targets and ions are reproduced. with a standard deviation of 1.5 MeV. by the expression EK0 (MeV) = 0.0042 Z02/A013 + 0.075 E0. where Z0.A0 and E0 are respectively the atomic number. mass number and the excitation energy of the compound nucleus.
Modeling of void formation and removal in liquid composite molding. Part I: Wettability analysis

This two-part paper focuses on the characterization and simulation of two important molding defects in liquid composite molding-poor wetting and void formation. Part I analyzes resin-fiber wettability. This involved characterization of various liquids/resins and fiber filaments/fiber mats by using wicking test and capillary pressure measurement. Methodology to quantify capillary pressure-wettability relationships was developed. It was found that the Leverett J function can correlate capillary pressure-saturation relationships for fiber reinforcements with various porosities and fiber architecture.
Trajectory of systolic blood pressure in children and adolescents.

Purpose Rapid height and weight changes during childhood contribute markedly to blood-pressure change during children's physical growth. This article evaluates the differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP) growth or changes between four gender-ethnic groups: African American males (AM), Caucasian males (CM), African American females (AF), and Caucasian females (CF). Methods Subjects 6–9 years old at entry ( n = 1302) were followed for 12 years. The repeated-measure data of SBP were analyzed using the Gompertz growth model with random coefficients. Results Mean SBP (mmHg) at age 6 years was lowest in African American girls (82.23 ± 0.76) and highest in Caucasian boys (102.83 ± 0.5). And for both ethnic groups, girls had lower levels at which SBP growth stopped. The peak growth ages (years) also differed by group: 9.30 ± 0.73, 9.91 ± 0.28, 10.00 ± 0.82, and 10.60 ± 0.22 for African American girls, African American boys, Caucasian girls and Caucasian boys, respectively. Conclusion SBP growth differed among gender-ethnic groups with respect to mean SBP level at age 6, the level at which SBP growth stops and the mean age at which SBP growth rate was at its peak.
Sensitivity of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Economics to Drive Patterns, Electric Range, Energy Management, and Charge Strategies

Abstract Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) offer the potential to reduce oil imports, greenhouse gases, and fuel costs, but high upfront costs discourage many potential purchasers. Making an economic comparison with conventional alternatives is complicated in part by sensitivity to drive patterns, vehicle range, available energy management, and charge strategies that affect battery wear and gasoline consumption. Identifying justifiable battery replacement schedules adds further complexity to the issue. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed the Battery Ownership Model to address these and related questions. The Battery Ownership Model is applied here to examine the sensitivity of PHEV economics to drive patterns, vehicle range, available energy management, and charge strategies when a high-fidelity battery degradation model and financially justified battery replacement schedules are employed. We find that energy management methodology, all-electric range, maximum beginning-of-life state of charge, and basic charge timing generally have a small impact on the total cost of ownership of PHEVs; however, PHEV economics do prove sensitive to drive patterns and the availability of an at-work charger.
Magnetic Bending of Laser Guided Electron Beams

Experiments have been performed to study magnetic turning of laser-guided electron beams. This technique is of interest for beam transport in circular high-current electron beam accelerators such as Sandia's recirculating linac. A 1-MeV, 2-kA, 50-ns, electron beam was turned through a 45° angle with > 90% current transport efficiency. The 45° bend was accomplished by switching the beam between two laser ionized guide channels which intersected in the center of a 680 Gauss turning magnet. The beam radius was observed to increase as a result of turning by the uniform field in agreement with single particle simulations. These simulations predict much smaller emittance growth for optimized sector magnet bending.
Modified Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap Vaginal Reconstruction: An analysis of surgical outcomes

Objective To examine the early and late flap related morbidity and associated risk factors in patients with modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap neovaginal reconstruction at the time of pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancy.
US dairy policy alternatives under bovine somatotropin

A dynamic optimal control model is constructed to study US dairy policy alternatives under bovine somatotropin (bST). The results indicate that the adoption of bST might be slower than that indicated by the early surveys. Even if adoption is widespread, the government can have the potentially large milk surplus problems under control with a combination of price support, generic milk advertising, and a cow buy-out. With bST adoption, the government would set lower support prices and would increase assesment for milk advertising, compared with the no-bST case. The higher adoption rates, the lower the support prices and the higher the advertising assesments. It is found that bST adoption is socially beneficial; consumers gain at the expense of producers. The government can, however, help produces by giving a larger policy weight to producers in setting the optimal levels of policy variables. Finally, it is found that the current levels of generic advertising are too low, and the allocation of advertising bet...