cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Cure of a pMDI-wood Bondline Using Spectroscopic, Calorimetric and Mechanical Methods

Abstract The cure of polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI)/wood bondline in a controlled saturated steam environment was monitored using micro-dielectric analysis (μDEA). Saturated steam environments were produced between 110°C and 140°C. The degree of cure calculated from μDEA was a basis for further spectroscopic, calorimetric, and mechanical evaluation. Interpretation of calorimetric and spectroscopic analysis revealed large consumption of isocyanate early in cure. However, mechanical strength, as revealed by lap-shear tests, did not develop until late in cure. Low lap-shear strengths and a plateau in conversion rates were detected for samples pressed at 110° and 120°C. Several components of the analysis suggest that low temperature cure may result in crystal formation, leading to diffusion controlled cure.
Imaging is overrated: early and frequent use of FNA in pancreatic tumors.

A pretreatment tissue diagnosis in patients with pancreatic tumors is important. Although the predominant tissue type is adenocarcinoma, the differential diagnosis of a solid pancreatic tumor includes squamous-cell carcinoma, acinar-cell carcinoma, lymphoma, neuroendocrine tumor, solid pseudopapillary tumor, autoimmune pancreatitis, and focal pancreatitis. In addition, other malignancies can metastasize to the pancreas and present as pancreatic tumors: renal-cell carcinoma, melanoma, GI stromal tumors, as well as primary cancers of the breast, ovary, thyroid, lung, prostate, and colon. Also, tumors with a cystic component may represent other pathology, such as serous cystadenoma, mucinous cystadenoma, intrapapillary mucinous neoplasm, neuroendocrine tumor, simple cyst, and pseudocyst. It has been estimated that approximately 6% of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenoectomy have a benign process. Another 6% of patient may have an ‘‘unusual’’ histology, including tumors that have metastasized to the pancreas. Therefore, to minimize the number of patients undergoing nontherapeutic surgeries, a pretreatment tissue diagnosis is strongly recommended in most cases. There is a general consensus that patients with pancreatic tumors that are obviously metastatic or unresectable based on imaging should undergo pretreatment biopsy to confirm the tissue type before chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Most would also agree that, for the patient with a ‘‘borderline’’ unresectable tumor who is being considered for neoadjuvant therapy, a tissue diagnosis should be obtained. What is somewhat controversial is the
Integration of Group Communication into CCITT X.400 Message Handling Systems

This paper discusses the basic concepts of the X.400 specification for an electronic Message Handling System with respect to the integration of group communication processes. Three group communication scenarios are distinguished: distribution-oriented, collection-oriented and coordination-oriented communication. Possible solutions for the integration of the distribution-oriented features into a X.400 based MHS are described and some light is shead onto the problems involved with the more complex collection-oriented and coordination-oriented communication.
Effects of light on NO3− uptake in small forested streams: diurnal and day-to-day variations

AbstractWe investigated the effects of autotrophy on short-term variations in nutrient dynamics by measuring diurnal and day-to-day variations in light level, primary productivity, and NO3− uptake during early and late spring in 2 forested streams, the East and West Forks of Walker Branch in eastern Tennessee, USA. We predicted that diurnal and day-to-day variations in NO3− uptake rate would be larger in the West Fork than in the East Fork in early spring because of higher rates of primary productivity resulting from a more stable substratum in the West Fork. We also predicted minimal diurnal variations in both streams in late spring after forest leaf emergence when light levels and primary productivity are uniformly low. Reach-scale rates of gross primary production (GPP) were determined using the diurnal dissolved O2 change technique, and reach-scale rates of NO3− uptake were determined by tracer 15N-NO3− additions. In the West Fork, significant diurnal and day-to-day variations in NO3− uptake were rela...
Privacy-preserving logistic regression

This paper addresses the important tradeoff between privacy and learnability, when designing algorithms for learning from private databases. We focus on privacy-preserving logistic regression. First we apply an idea of Dwork et al. [6] to design a privacy-preserving logistic regression algorithm. This involves bounding the sensitivity of regularized logistic regression, and perturbing the learned classifier with noise proportional to the sensitivity. We then provide a privacy-preserving regularized logistic regression algorithm based on a new privacy-preserving technique: solving a perturbed optimization problem. We prove that our algorithm preserves privacy in the model due to [6]. We provide learning guarantees for both algorithms, which are tighter for our new algorithm, in cases in which one would typically apply logistic regression. Experiments demonstrate improved learning performance of our method, versus the sensitivity method. Our privacy-preserving technique does not depend on the sensitivity of the function, and extends easily to a class of convex loss functions. Our work also reveals an interesting connection between regularization and privacy.
Generating Abstract Networks Using Multi-relational Biological Data

This paper presents an approach for visual exploration of groups in network data. We let users visually cluster nodes based on common semantic and relational features. We describe the clusters in the context of multi-relational protein data. Finally, we illustrate the clusters as composite nodes using a visual analytic tool and show how to create a meaningful abstracted protein network by connecting these composite nodes based on common membership or common attribute features.
Microcomputer Aided Analysis Of Respiratory Muscle Activity In Premature Newborns

This document presents a computerized method for the analysis of the electrical activity of the respiratory muscles of premature infants. The measurement of electrical activity in the muscles of respiration provides a mean for studying muscular activity in relation to the ventilatory process.
Evolution of Bioengineering at UCSD: Opening New Vistas

Before this, the field of bioengineering refers to biomedical engineering of prosthetic devices in physiology. In addition to exciting applications of engineering principles, UCSD Department of Bioengineering began to extend the notion of engineering models of physiological systems to physiological processes. This led to a conceptual shift in the discipline and contributed to the areas of tissue and physiological process engineering. In 1988, Dr. Shu Chien and Richard Skalak joined UCSD to begin research and education on cellular and molecular bioengineering, especially, mechanobiology. Dr. Fung and Dr. Skalak initiated the new field of tissue engineering. These two decades of evolution of bioengineering and its growth across the country was spearheaded by the Whitaker Foundation, whose leitmotif was the building of bioand biomedical engineering across the country. We have garnered other accomplishments in the following fields: regenerative medicine; bioinspired artificial extracellular matrices; flexible bioelectronics and tatoos; cells show how to synchronize biological clocks; and systems medicine.
Differential regulation of leukemia inhibitory factor-stimulated neuronal gene expression by protein phosphatases SHP-1 and SHP-2 through mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent and -independent pathways.

Abstract: The neurally active cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signals through a bipartite receptor complex composed of LIF receptor α (LIFR) and gp 130. gp 130 and LIFR contain consensus binding motifs for the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 surrounding tyrosines 118 and 115 (Y118 and Y115) of their cytoplasmic domains, respectively. These sites are necessary for maximal activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Coexpression of catalytically inactive, but not wild-type, SHP-2 reduced LIFR- and gp 130-mediated activation of MAPK up to 75%. Conversely, coexpression of the wild-type, but not catalytically inactive, SHP-1, a related phosphatase, reduced activity up to 80%, demonstrating that SHP-2 and SHP-1 have opposing effects on the MAPK pathway. Mutation of Y115 of the cytoplasmic domain of LIFR eliminates receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP-2. In contrast, SHP-1 association with gp 130 and LIFR is constitutive and independent of Y118 and Y115, respectively. SHP-1 has a positive regulatory role on LIF-stimulated vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) reporter gene expression in neuronal cells, whereas the effect of SHP-2 is negative. Furthermore, LIF-stimulated MAPK activation negatively regulates this VIP reporter gene induction. SHP-2 also negatively regulates LIF-dependent expression of choline acetyltransferase, but this regulation could be dissociated from its effects on MAPK activation. These data indicate that SHP-1 and SHP-2 are important regulators of LIF-dependent neuronal gene expression via both MAPK-dependent and -independent pathways.
Nanotechnology: potential challenger to silicon CMOS?

We discuss the potential "challenger" of silicon chip technology at or before the end of the roadmap. These disruptive technologies are rooted in the nanoscale materials or structures, synthesized by the inexpensive bottom-up chemistry methods, which exhibit exceptional materials and electrical properties. The new technologies will help the continued advancement, not necessary through conventional geometry scaling, of solid-state chip technology in several mainstream applications such as computing and data storage.
Trade-offs Between Customer Service and Cost in Integrated Supply Chain Design

When designing supply chains, firms are often faced with the competing demands of improved customer service and reduced cost. We extend a cost-based location-inventory model (Shen et al. 2003) to include a customer service element and develop practical methods for quick and meaningful evaluation of cost/service trade-offs. Service is measured by the fraction of all demands that are located within an exogenously specified distance of the assigned distribution center. The nonlinear model simultaneously determines distribution center locations and the assignment of demand nodes to distribution centers to optimize the cost and service objectives. We use a weighting method to find all supported points on the trade-off curve. We also propose a heuristic solution approach based on genetic algorithms that can generate optimal or close-to-optimal solutions in a much shorter time compared to the weighting method. Our results suggest that significant service improvements can be achieved relative to the minimum cost solution at a relatively small incremental cost.
Novel mechanisms of sublethal oxidant toxicity: induction of premature senescence in human fibroblasts confers tumor promoter activity.

Abstract Aging is the highest risk factor for cancer. Although oxidants are thought to contribute to both aging and cancer, the interplay between oxidative stress, aging, and cancer has not been well studied. Human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) undergo premature senescence in response to sublethal doses of H2O2. To test the hypothesis that senescent or senescent-like HDFs function as a tumor promoter, we have employed an in vitro skin tumor promotion model, in which colony formation is measured using initiated mouse keratinocyte 308 cells seeded at clonal density. 308 cells form colonies when co-cultured with normal HDFs only in the presence of the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA), which induces an average of 5.75 colonies. When co-cultured with H2O2-treated HDFs, 308 cells form an average of 30.3 colonies. To understand the mechanism behind this phenomenon, we tested whether conditioned medium of HDFs, HDF extracellular matrix (ECM), density of HDFs, or the contact between keratinocytes and HDFs plays a role in 308 cell colony formation. The conditioned medium from prematurely senescent cells resulted in an average of eightfold more 308 cell colonies formed than the conditioned medium from normal HDFs, and the growth-promoting effect of the conditioned medium was trypsin sensitive. The ECM alone was not able to induce 308 cell colony formation. Increasing the density of normal HDFs or contact with normal HDFs but not senescent-like HDFs was inhibitory to the growth of 308 cells. Measurement of Connexin 43 indicated a decreased expression of the protein, which suggests an impaired gap junction communication in senescent-like HDFs. We conclude that H2O2-treated fibroblasts not only lose contact inhibition of the growth of initiated keratinocytes perhaps related to reduced gap junction communication but also increase production of secreted protein factors to enhance the growth of 308 keratinocytes.
Identification of a Molecular Signaling Network that Regulates a Cellular Necrotic Cell Death Pathway

SUMMARY Stimulation of death receptors by agonists such as FasL and TNFa activates apoptotic cell death in apoptotic-competent conditions or atype of necroticcell death dependent on RIP1 kinase, termed necroptosis, in apoptotic-deficient conditions. In a genomewide siRNA screen for regulators of necroptosis, we identify a set of 432 genes that regulate necroptosis, a subset of 32 genes that act downstream and/or as regulators of RIP1 kinase, 32 genes required for death-receptor-mediated apoptosis, and 7 genes involved in both necroptosis and apoptosis. We show that the expression of subsets of the 432 genes is enriched in the immune and nervous systems, and cellular sensitivity to necroptosis is regulated by an extensive signaling network mediating innate immunity. Interestingly, Bmf, a BH3-only Bcl-2 family member,isrequiredfordeath-receptor-inducednecroptosis. Our study defines a cellular signaling network that regulates necroptosis and the molecular bifurcation that controls apoptosis and necroptosis.
A Multiplicity of Coactivators Is Required by Gcn4p at Individual Promoters In Vivo

Transcriptional activators interact with multisubunit coactivators that modify chromatin structure or recruit the general transcriptional machinery to their target genes. Budding yeast cells respond to amino acid starvation by inducing an activator of amino acid biosynthetic genes, Gcn4p. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of viable mutants affecting known coactivator subunits from the Saccharomyces Genome Deletion Project for defects in activation by Gcn4p in vivo. The results confirm previous findings that Gcn4p requires SAGA, SWI/SNF, and SRB mediator (SRB/MED) and identify key nonessential subunits of these complexes required for activation. Among the numerous histone acetyltransferases examined, only that present in SAGA, Gcn5p, was required by Gcn4p. We also uncovered a dependence on CCR4-NOT, RSC, and the Paf1 complex. In vitro binding experiments suggest that the Gcn4p activation domain interacts specifically with CCR4-NOT and RSC in addition to SAGA, SWI/SNF, and SRB/MED. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments show that Mbf1p, SAGA, SWI/SNF, SRB/MED, RSC, CCR4-NOT, and the Paf1 complex all are recruited by Gcn4p to one of its target genes (ARG1) in vivo. We observed considerable differences in coactivator requirements among several Gcn4p-dependent promoters; thus, only a subset of the array of coactivators that can be recruited by Gcn4p is required at a given target gene in vivo.
Contested Landscapes: Movement, Exile and Place

Contested Landscapes: Movement, Exile and Place. Barbara Bender and Margot Winer, eds. Oxford: Berg Publishers, 2001. 320pp.
Transformation of lightwave communication technologies, systems, and networks: “Photonics is a 40-year overnight success”

Dr. Tingye Li once commented “Photonics is a 40-year overnight success.” This paper reviews the rapid transformation of lightwave communication technologies, systems, and networks.
A Two-Layer Wind-Driven Ocean Model in a Multiply Connected Domain with Bottom Topography

Abstract The behavior of the solution to a two-layer wind-driven model in a multiply connected domain with bottom topography imitating the Southern Ocean is described. The abyssal layer of the model is forced by interfacial friction, crudely simulating the effect of eddies. The analysis of the low friction regime is based on the method of characteristics. It is found that characteristics in the upper layer are closed around Antarctica, while those in the lower layer are blocked by solid boundaries. The momentum input from wind in the upper layer is balanced by lateral and interfacial friction and by interfacial pressure drag. In the lower layer the momentum input from interfacial friction and interfacial pressure drag is balanced by topographic pressure drag. Thus, the total momentum input by the wind is balanced by upper-layer lateral friction and by topographic pressure drag. In most of the numerical experiments the circulations in the two layers appear to be decoupled. The decoupling can be explained b...
Marijuana Use Among Patients With Glaucoma in a City With Legalized Medical Marijuana Use.

Importance Previous research has shown several limitations associated with the use of marijuana as a treatment for glaucoma. However, little is known regarding patients’ perceptions toward using marijuana for glaucoma and their intentions to use this therapeutic alternative. Objective To identify factors among patients with glaucoma that could lead to intentions to use marijuana for treatment. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional survey study of 204 patients with glaucoma or suspected to have glaucoma was conducted at an academic-based glaucoma clinic in Washington, DC, between February 1 and July 31, 2013. Patients completed a self-administered survey assessing demographics, perceived severity of glaucoma, prior knowledge about marijuana use in glaucoma, past marijuana use, perceptions toward marijuana use (legality, systemic adverse effects, safety and effectiveness, and false beliefs), satisfaction with current glaucoma management, relevance of treatment costs, and intentions to use marijuana for glaucoma. Medical records were reviewed for disease severity. Data analysis was conducted from September 1, 2013, to September 30, 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was patients’ intentions to use marijuana for glaucoma. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with patients’ intentions to use marijuana for glaucoma. Results Of the 334 patients who were invited to participate in the study, 204 (61.1%) completed the survey. About half the participants were women (104 [51.0]%), and 82 (40.2%) were white. Regression analysis of 204 respondents indicated that perceptions of legality of marijuana use (β, 0.378; 95% CI, 0.205 to 0.444; P P P P = .04) were significantly associated with intentions to use marijuana for glaucoma treatment after controlling for demographic variables, disease severity, and previous marijuana use. Conclusions and Relevance This study’s findings suggest a need for more education on this topic for ophthalmologists to be able to protect patients with glaucoma against the increased acceptability among the public of using marijuana based on false perceptions of its therapeutic value in glaucoma therapy. Considering the strong influence of perceptions of the legality of marijuana use on intentions to use this substance as a treatment for glaucoma, patient education might be particularly relevant in states in which marijuana use for glaucoma is legal, as in the case of the current study’s setting.
The role of FDG-PET in low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL): Impact of histology

17534 Background: FDG-PET scan was proved important diagnostic and prognostic tool in patients with aggressive (NHL). The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between the histo...
Reduced Silver Nanoparticle Phytotoxicity in Crambe abyssinica with Enhanced Glutathione Production by Overexpressing Bacterial γ-Glutamylcysteine Synthase

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are widely used in consumer products, and their release has raised serious concerns about the risk of their exposure to the environment and to human health. However, biochemical mechanisms by which plants counteract NP toxicity are largely unknown. We have previously engineered Crambe abyssinica plants expressing the bacterial γ-glutamylecysteine synthase (γ-ECS) for enhancing glutathione (GSH) levels. In this study, we investigated if enhanced levels of GSH and its derivatives can protect plants from Ag NPs and AgNO3 (Ag+ ions). Our results showed that transgenic lines, when exposed to Ag NPs and Ag+ ions, were significantly more tolerant, attaining a 28%–46% higher biomass and 34–49% more chlorophyll content, as well as maintaining 35–46% higher transpiration rates as compared to those of wild type (WT) plants. Transgenic γ-ECS lines showed 2–6-fold Ag accumulation in shoot tissue and slightly lower or no difference in root tissue relative to levels in WT plants. The levels...
Post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis Following Pyoderma

Studies of the epidemiology of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) following pyoderma reported over the past 15 years have been reviewed. Investigations in Alabama, at Red Lake in Minnesota, and in Trinidad proved of special interest because they contribute new information concerning the natural history of streptococcal skin infections and the role of such infections in AGN. Interesting contrasts between streptococcal infections of the skin and those of the throat are now apparent. Compared with pharyngeal infections, skin infections are more common in young preschool children, are caused by different serotypes, and differ in the nature of the streptococcal antibody response. A number of new M-serotypes of group A streptococci, including several of importance in AGN, were found in studies of pyoderma. In contrast to M-types 1 and 12 (those of major importance in AGN followng pharyngitis), M-types 2, 49, 55, 57, and 60 are now recognized to be of major importance in AGN following pyoderma. Although streptococcal skin infections are quire important in AGN, they do not result in acute rheumatic fever.
Aerodynamic Optimization of the Lockheed- Martin FPASS/Desert Hawk UAV

The United States Air Force Academy Department of Aeronautics aircraft design classes have developed an analysis method for sizing and optimizing electric-powered aircraft. This method has been used to analyze a number of electric-powered UAVs, including the Lockheed-Martin Force Protection Aerial Surveillance System (FPASS) Desert Hawk. The method and its implementation in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets are described. Results of the analysis of FPASS, plus limited flight test results of a modified FPASS are described. Results of wind tunnel tests of the effect of covering the open camera cavity on FPASS are also described.
The Adequacy of Women's Expectations for Adult Roles

cultural standards of men, they are perceived as a threat and tensions increase? Of what significance are regional and community variations in the treatment of and degree of participation permitted women, mindful here that women share responsibility with men for the perpetuation of attitudes toward women? This paper is exploratory in suggesting the enhanced possibilities of fruitful analysis, if women are included in the minority group corpus, particularly with reference to such concepts and techniques as group belongingness, socialization of the minority group child, cultural differences, social distance tests, conflict between class and caste status, race relations cycle, and marginality. I believe that the concept of the marginal woman should be especially productive, and am now engaged in an empirical study of role conflicts in professional women.
HIV-Associated Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis at San Francisco General Hospital.

Objectives:We sought to characterize recent cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) in HIV-infected patients at San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH), a large HIV referral center.Methods:This was...
Nonautistic Motor Stereotypies

Clinical features and long-term outcomes of 100 children (62 boys and 35 girls) with motor stereotypies were evaluated by review of records and telephone interviews at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
Coriolanus: ‘Author of Himself’

Coriolanus, which takes its title from the name its protagonist Caius Martius wins for himself through his prowess in battle, is one in the series of six tragedies Shakespeare provided for the King’s Men from 1604 through 1608. It is also one of a sub-group of four within that series in which the protagonist is a warrior. Like Othello, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra, this play — by most estimates the last Shakespearean tragedy — directs attention to the warrior’s relationship with a woman, but it is different in one vital respect. In them, the relationship between the warrior and the woman is sexual, involving the wives of Othello and Macbeth and Antony’s lover Cleopatra, who, in her final moments, claims him as a spouse: ‘Husband, I come’ (V.ii.286). Coriolanus, too, has a wife, but primary emphasis does not fall on their relationship. The play stresses instead his relationship with his mother. The point of crisis for Coriolanus — and in the play — comes when his mother pleads with him to spare his native Rome, powerless to resist the army, composed of those he won fame by fighting against in the service of Rome, that he now leads against it. She implores him to change from warrior to peacemaker, to reconcile Romans and Volsci so that ‘each in either side / Give the all-hail to thee, and cry, “Be bless’d / For making up this peace!” ’ (V.iii.138–40).
Energy Tranfer in the Photosynthetic Reaction Center

For isolated photosynthetic reaction centers from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides R26, pump-probe experiments with 20–25 fs pulses near 800 nm yield an initial anisotropy of 0.4 which decays in ~80 fs. The initial anisotropy decay is assigned to dipole reorientation by electronic energy transfer from the accessory bacteriochlorophylls (B) to the upper exciton state (P+) of the special pair. This ~80 fs energy transfer step excites vibrational wavepackets assigned to P+ on the basis of their anisotropy. B→P+ energy transfer is followed by ~150 fs internal conversion to the lower exciton state (P-) of the special pair.
Quantitative echocardiographic measures in the assessment of single ventricle function post-Fontan: Incorporation into routine clinical practice.

Background Quantitative echocardiographic measurements of single ventricular (SV) function have not been incorporated into routine clinical practice. Methods A clinical protocol, which included quantitative measurements of SV deformation (global circumferential and longitudinal strain and strain rate), standard deviation of time to peak systolic strain, myocardial performance index (MPI), dP/dT from an atrioventricular valve regurgitant jet, and superior mesenteric artery resistance index, was instituted for all patients with a history of Fontan procedure undergoing echocardiography. All measures were performed real time during clinically indicated studies and were included in clinical reports. Results A total of 100 consecutive patients (mean age = 11.95±6.8 years, range 17 months–31.3 years) completed the protocol between September 1, 2014 to April 29, 2015. Deformation measures were completed in 100% of the studies, MPI in 93%, dP/dT in 55%, and superior mesenteric artery Doppler in 82%. The studies were reviewed to assess for efficiency in completing the protocol. The average time for image acquisition was 27.4±8.8 (range 10–62 minutes). The average time to perform deformation measures was 10.8±5.5 minutes (range 5-35 minutes) and time from beginning of imaging to report completion was 53.4±13.7 minutes (range 27–107 minutes). There was excellent inter-observer reliability when deformation indices were blindly repeated. Patients with a single left ventricle had significantly higher circumferential strain and strain rate, longitudinal strain and strain rate, and dP/dT compared to a single right ventricle. There were no differences in quantitative indices of ventricular function between patients 10 years post-Fontan. Conclusion Advanced quantitative assessment of SV function post-Fontan can be consistently and efficiently performed real time during clinically indicated echocardiograms with excellent reliability.
Abstract 234: Cigarette Smoke Induction of Mmp9 in Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells is Mediated by the Jak/stat Pathway

Introduction Cigarette smoke has a strong correlation with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation and is characterized by increased levels of MMP9 in the aorta. We hypothesized that smoke-induced MMP9 regulation is mediated by the Jak/Stat pathway thereby contributing to AAA formation. Methods Aqueous extract of cigarette smoke (AEC) was applied to male rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (RASMC) for 24 hours (h) in serum free medium (SFM), using SFM alone for controls. Media were collected for MMP2 and MMP9 zymography and proteins extracted from cells for phospho-Stat3 (pStat3), total Stat3 (T-Stat3), phospho-Jak2 (pJak2) and total Jak2 (T-Jak2) western blots. RASMC were transfected by siRNAs for Jak2 and Stat3 before AEC treatment to evaluate induction of MMPs. Coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence microscopy investigated complex formation and cellular distribution of Jak2 and Stat3 following AEC treatment. Results MMP9 was increased in the medium of the AEC treated RASMC (P=0.005) and pro-MMP2 slightly elevated (P=0.055) at 24h compared to controls. By western blot protein extracts from AEC treated RASMC showed up regulation of pStat3, pJak2 and T-Jak2 and stable T-Stat3 compared with controls. siRNA transfection of RASMC for Jak2, Stat3 and a combination of Jak2 and Stat3 reduced MMP9 (P Conclusion This study suggests that cigarette smoke may result in AAA formation through Jak/Stat-mediated MMP9 production. siRNA inhibition of the Jak/Stat pathway greatly reduced AEC-induced MMP9 by RASMC and suggests a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AAA.
Sensitivity of the mode locking phenomenon to geometric imperfections during wrinkling of supported thin films

Abstract Although geometric imperfections have a detrimental effect on buckling, imperfection sensitivity has not been well studied in the past during design of sinusoidal micro and nano-scale structures via wrinkling of supported thin films. This is likely because one is more interested in predicting the shape/size of the resultant patterns than the buckling bifurcation onset strain during fabrication of such wrinkled structures. Herein, I have demonstrated that even modest geometric imperfections alter the final wrinkled mode shapes via the mode locking phenomenon wherein the imperfection mode grows in exclusion to the natural mode of the system. To study the effect of imperfections on mode locking, I have (i) developed a finite element mesh perturbation scheme to generate arbitrary geometric imperfections in the system and (ii) performed a parametric study via finite element methods to link the amplitude and period of the sinusoidal imperfections to the observed wrinkle mode shape and size. Based on this, a non-dimensional geometric parameter has been identified that characterizes the effect of imperfection on the mode locking phenomenon – the equivalent imperfection size. An upper limit for this equivalent imperfection size has been identified via a combination of analytical and finite element modeling. During compression of supported thin films, the system gets “locked” into the imperfection mode if its equivalent imperfection size is above this critical limit. For the polydimethylsiloxane/glass bilayer with a wrinkle period of 2 µm, this mode lock-in limit corresponds to an imperfection amplitude of 32 nm for an imperfection period of 5 µm and 8 nm for an imperfection period of 0.8 µm. Interestingly, when the non-dimensional critical imperfection size is scaled by the bifurcation onset strain, the scaled critical size depends solely on the ratio of the imperfection to natural periods. Thus, the computational data generated here can be generalized beyond the specific natural periods and bilayer systems studied to enable deterministic design of a variety of wrinkled micro and nano-scale structures.
Institutional Logics: The Next Big Challenge for Information Systems Cross-Cultural Research?

While there is continued interest in traditional culture studies in global IS research, the theoretical foundation of culture studies is shifting to the newer Theory of Institutional Logics. Instit...
The tech-talk balance: what technical interviewers expect from technical candidates

Software engineer job candidates are not succeeding at technical interviews. Although candidates are able to answer technical questions, there is a mismatch of what candidates think interviewers assess versus what criteria is used in practice. This mismatch in expectations can cost candidates a job opportunity. To determine what criteria interviewers value, we conducted mock technical interviews with software engineer candidates at a university and collected evaluations from interviewers. We analyzed 70 interview evaluations from 9 software companies. Using a grounded theory approach, we compared interviewer interpretations of criteria including: performing a problem solving walkthrough, applying previous experience to problem solving, and the ability to engaging in conversation beyond writing code. From these findings, we provide implications on what candidates can expect to be evaluated on during technical interviews across companies, which can sometimes vary significantly.
Relativistic distorted-wave collision strengths for the 16Δn=0 optically allowed transitions with n=2 in the 67 Be-like ions with 26≤Z≤92

Abstract Relativistic distorted-wave collision strengths have been calculated for the 16 Δ n = 0 optically allowed transitions with n = 2 in the 67 Be-like ions with nuclear charge number Z in the range 26 ≤ Z ≤ 92 . The calculations were made for the four final, or scattered, electron energies E ′ = 0.20 , 0.42, 0.80, and 1.40, where E ′ is in units of Z eff 2 Ry with Z eff = Z − 2.5 . In the present calculation, an improved “top-up” method, which employs relativistic plane waves, was used to obtain the high partial-wave contribution for each transition, in contrast to the partial-relativistic Coulomb–Bethe approximation used in previous work by Zhang and Sampson [H.L. Zhang and D.H. Sampson, At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 52 (1992) 143]. In that earlier work, collision strengths were also provided for Be-like ions, but for a more comprehensive data set consisting of all 45 Δ n = 0 transitions, six scattered energies, and the 85 ions with Z in the range 8 ≤ Z ≤ 92 . The collision strengths covered in the present work should be more accurate than the corresponding data given by Zhang and Sampson [H.L. Zhang and D.H. Sampson, At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 52 (1992) 143] and are presented here to replace those earlier results.
Early Childhood Educators’ Self-Efficacy in Science, Math, and Literacy Instruction and Science Practice in the Classroom

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: Quality early science education is important for addressing the low science achievement, compared to international peers, of elementary students in the United States. Teachers’ beliefs about their skills in a content area, that is, their content self-efficacy is important because it has implications for teaching practice and child outcomes. However, little is known about how teachers’ self-efficacy for literacy, math and science compare and how domain-specific self-efficacy relates to teachers’ practice in the area of science. Analysis of survey and observation data from 67 Head Start classrooms across eight programs indicated that domain-specific self-efficacy was highest for literacy, significantly lower for science, and lowest for math. Classrooms varied, but in general, engaged in literacy far more than science, contained a modest amount of science materials, and their instructional support of science was low. Importantly, self-efficacy for science, but not literacy or math,...
State of the Science in Big Data Analytics

Big data analysis is made feasible by the recent emergence and operational maturity and convergence of data capture, representation and discovery methods and technologies. This chapter describes key methods that allow tackling hard discovery (analysis and modeling) questions with large datasets. Particular emphasis is placed on answering predictive and causal questions, coping with very large dimensionalities, and producing models that generalize well outside the samples used for discovery. Within these areas the chapter emphasizes exemplary methods such as regularized and kernel-based methods, causal graphs and Markov Boundary induction that have strong theoretical as well as strong empirical performance. Other notable developments are also addressed, such as robust protocols for model selection and error estimation, analysis of unstructured data, analysis of multimodal data, network science approaches, deep learning, active learning, and other methods. The chapter concludes with a discussion of several open and challenging areas.
Team-based, transdisciplinary, and inclusive practices for undergraduate research

We present work-in-progress reflecting on the initial year of a distinctive summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Our REU model combines fundamental research in computational sensing with a scholarly context that connects computer science with computational liberal arts. Students are intellectually stimulated to make sense of people's behaviors and cognitive processes with multimodal sensing hardware and software. In doing so, they explore the fundamental challenges found at the intersection of computing, the human experience, and scientific interrogation. The placement of the human experience at the core of the research theme enables an environment that stimulates and cultivates an innovative undergraduate research model. We highlight outcomes from the first year and discuss three emerging practices that are central to our REU framework: (1) team-based collaborative training; (2) transdisciplinary integration; and (3) systematic prioritization of inclusiveness. We also describe how these practices are incorporated into our overall undergraduate research framework and touch upon lessons learned from feedback collected.
Ecologies of risk among African American girls in juvenile detention

Abstract African American girls are disproportionately represented in juvenile detention, yet less is known about their distinctive and heterogeneous needs, especially regarding their psychosocial contexts. Latent class analysis determined four subgroups based on the adolescent ecology (neighborhood, family, peers) among detained African American girls ages 13–17 (N = 188). The Shielded class (32%) displayed the lowest levels of risk and highest levels of protective factors. The Typical class (24%) was close to the sample average on all indicators, with elevated histories of family incarceration. The Family Distress class (16%) reported the lowest neighborhood risk but was marked by high family risk levels and abuse history. The Highest Risk class (28%) had elevated risk on most indicators but particularly high neighborhood and peer risk. These classes significantly varied by youth social context and mental health. Findings bolster the need to consider the diverse, multidimensional contextual experiences of detained and at-risk African American girls.
Prepubertal Ovariectomy Exaggerates Adult Affective Behaviors and Alters the Hippocampal Transcriptome in a Genetic Rat Model of Depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating illness that affects twice as many women than men postpuberty. This female bias is thought to be caused by greater heritability of MDD in women and increased vulnerability induced by female sex hormones. We tested this hypothesis by removing the ovaries from prepubertal Wistar Kyoto (WKY) more immobile (WMI) females, a genetic animal model of depression, and its genetically close control, the WKY less immobile (WLI). In adulthood, prepubertally ovariectomized (PrePubOVX) animals and their Sham-operated controls were tested for depression- and anxiety-like behaviors, using the routinely employed forced swim and open field tests, respectively, and RNA-sequencing was performed on their hippocampal RNA. Our results confirmed that the behavioral and hippocampal expression changes that occur after prepubertal ovariectomy are the consequences of an interaction between genetic predisposition to depressive behavior and ovarian hormone-regulated processes. Lack of ovarian hormones during and after puberty in the WLIs led to increased depression-like behavior. In WMIs, both depression- and anxiety-like behaviors worsened by prepubertal ovariectomy. The unbiased exploration of the hippocampal transcriptome identified sets of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the strains and treatment groups. The relatively small number of hippocampal DEGs resulting from the genetic differences between the strains confirmed the genetic relatedness of these strains. Nevertheless, the differences in DEGs between the strains in response to prepubertal ovariectomy identified different molecular processes, including the importance of glucocorticoid receptor-mediated mechanisms, that may be causative of the increased depression-like behavior in the presence or absence of genetic predisposition. This study contributes to the understanding of hormonal maturation-induced changes in affective behaviors and the hippocampal transcriptome as it relates to genetic predisposition to depression.
Pluralizing Science for Inclusive Water Governance: An Engaged Ethnographic Approach to WaSH Data Collection in Delhi, India

This case study demonstrates how water scientists can shift standard methods for water sampling to include marginalized communities as partners in ethical research. This case argues that water inequities are magnified when participation in scientific inquiry limits the participation of certain groups of people. It used hydrogen sulfide (H2S) testing as part of a larger project tracking water purity practice patterns, responses, and research recommendations of the hydro-socially marginalized people—the people who face not only physical, but also political barriers to water. The methodological innovation draws from engaged ethnography to enable Delhi’s water-poor to sample their own water. In doing so, community members become active partners who can better direct scientific inquiry. Their participation as active partners further empowers them as water stakeholders. It reveals how everyday small-scale cooperative projects became catalysts to inclusive governance.
Racial sedimentation and the common sense of racialized violence: The case of black church burnings

I theorize how the common sense of racialized violence, manifest in public discourse, is engendered by the rhetorical process of racial sedimentation. This meaning-making process fashions a seeming...
Flights Go On, Inquires Pass Through

The high-complexity environment of the flight deck follows the model spoken-heard-understood-applied in the interaction and action of ATC and pilots. Aviation systems require the maximum amount of information expressed with the minimum of effort and consuming the minimum of time. A successful flight is a systemic interactional accomplishment of human performance. This book follows a communication orientation to investigate the knowledge applied; every interaction is based on a first event, time is important, and communication process is a product of what actors have learned, inward, in ways that permit skill and event growth and discovery of knowledge from their awareness. Separation of situation awareness (SA) in types denotes that a practitioner could commit in awareness of any type. ATC needs to sustain GA, for the big picture ahead, while addressing/replying with LA to each flight; TA is necessary for the required separation in the limited airways.
Dialogue and Disagreement in the Christian Community

The 9/11 event and its aftermath encompassed social, political, and religious dimensions. While immediately following there was a euphoric sense of national unity, 9/11 proved to be divisive even within the Christian community. The attacks and subsequent “war on terror” necessitated that Christians again address the nature of suffering and evil, the justice of war, and God’ s providence over human events. Theologians and other Christian scholars have wrestled with the same existential and political issues confronting all Americans, and their response has been anything but uniform. The nature of Christian responses to 9/11 is the focus of this chapter.
Ore Microscopic Study of Copper Losses from Mining of Bornite Ores in the Sweetwater Mine, Viburnum Trend, Southeast Missouri

The bornite pods in the Viburnum Trend of the southeast Missouri Pb–Zn district are unique in their mineralogy and textures with respect to typical Mississippi Valley-type ores in that district and elsewhere. The pods are small bodies of massive sulfide ores with very fine grains requiring ore microscopic study. A recently mined bornite pod at the Sweetwater mine was found to consist of 90-vol% spheroidal bornite, 5–10-vol% anhedral chalcopyrite, and 1–12-vol% early carrollite crystals partly replaced by subsequent chalcopyrite and bornite. Small amounts of gersdorffite, tennantite, and pyrite also are locally present.Beneficiation of the Sweetwater bornite ores resulted in low copper recoveries. This study was undertaken to examine the copper mineralogy and to determine their effect on the beneficiation results. Minerals with low copper content had insignificant influence upon the concentrate grade. The diminished copper recoveries were due to bornite losses to the tailings.
Modeling God in One Hindu Context: The Supreme God in a Medieval South Indian Hymn

“Modeling God in One Hindu Context” exemplifies a South Asian theology of the ultimate reality, by introducing song IV.10 from the Tiruvaymoli (the “Holy Word of Mouth”), a key Vaisnava Hindu scripture composed by the ninth century poet, Satakopan. In addition to translating and interpreting the song, this essay also reads it in accord with medieval commentaries. God is recognized as supreme and perfect, yet actively engaged in ordering the world for the sake of all beings. This God is transcendent and yet also dwells by in temples close to home. By studying this song, commentary, and theological conclusions regarding God, world, living being, grace and free will, we are afforded a rich theological resource for comparison and contrast with Biblical and Christian understandings. Differences are evident, but the similarities are remarkable, enabling and challenging us to think theologically across religious boundaries.
In Screening for Colorectal Cancer, Is the FIT Right for the Right Side of the Colon?

Zorzi and colleagues reported on the yield from 6 rounds of biennial colorectal cancer screening with the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) from 2002 to 2015 in a fixed cohort. The editorialists disc...
Late recovery from total lung injury after ECMO support

Abstract ECMO supports life in the total absence of lung function. Some patients with apparently irreversible lung injury recover completely after months of ECMO support. New research is intended to determine why this occurs, how often it occurs, and how to predict and initiate lung recovery. This is a new era in lung regenerative biology.
The Democratic Deficit of United States Federalism? Red State, Blue State, Purple?*:

Aspects of an entrenched constitution that were essential parts of founding compromises, and justified as necessary when a constitution was first adopted, may become less justifiable over time. Is ...