cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Mess at Plastron: A Case History of an SPC Startup

This is an unvarnished case history of the initial stages of a Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation in a small manufacturing plant. The story focuses on how a team used statistical process control (SPC) and related improvement tools as part of the start-up of a broad corporate TQM program. A distinctive feature of this effort is that it occurred in a very small division of a large multi-national company. The SPC implementation was not always straightforward and numerous technical and managerial issues surfaced. On the positive side, the case shows how the statistical tools enabled the project team of outsiders to learn things about the processes and the product that were not realized by those in the plant who managed and worked the processes day in and day out. On the negative side, the project was not a resounding success. Although quantifiable process improvements occurred, some production practices changed and some attitudes about quality management were modified, to this day, big performance gaps remain in the plant studied. It may be interesting to the reader to see the implementation team make errors, to see experiments bungled or sabotaged, and to find some problems that prove too complex for solution in the near term. We encounter a management who is not always fully supportive.
Role of Vitamin D and Vitamin D Analogs for Bone Health and Survival in Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is accompanied by reduced conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and is often also associated with a deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. These and other metabolic changes can lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism and a range of disorders of bone turnover, mineralization, and volume, the most prominent of which is osteitis fibrosa cystica. Attempts to prevent this disorder have led to widespread use of vitamin D receptor agonists, but may increase the risk of adynamic bone disease. Beyond its use in regulating bone metabolism, several studies suggest that vitamin D may influence survival in advanced CKD. Potential mechanisms for this effect are likely to influence cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in CKD. Alterations in left ventricular function and the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone axis appear to be modulated by vitamin D. We discuss these and other aspects of the role vitamin D may play in the CKD population as well as the current state of evidence supporting therapeutic use.
Mpl ligand enhances the transcription of the cyclin D3 gene: a potential role for Sp1 transcription factor.

Cyclin D3 plays a major role in the development of polyploidy in megakaryocytes. The expression of cyclin D3 gene and the level of cyclin D3 protein are increased by the Mpl ligand in the Y10/L8057 megakaryocytic cell line, as indicated by Northern and Western blot analyses, and by nuclear run-on assays and transfection experiments with cyclin D3 promoter constructs. DNase I footprinting of the promoter region showed protected segments, at −75 to −60 bp and at −134 to −92 bp, which display binding sites for the Sp family of transcription factors. Gel mobility shift assay and supershifts with specific antibodies indicate that Sp1 binds to these regions in the cyclin D3 promoter and that Sp1 binding activity is significantly increased by Mpl ligand. Mutation of either Sp1 site both decreases the basal promoter activity and eliminates the induction by Mpl ligand. We find that the nonphosphorylated form of SP1 has greater affinity for the cyclin D3 promoter and that the majority of Sp1 in the cells is nonphosphorylated. Mpl ligand treatment results in increased levels of Sp1 protein, which also appears as nonphosphorylated. Okadaic acid, which inhibits protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and shifts Sp1 to a phosphorylated form, decreases cyclin D3 gene expression and suppresses Mpl ligand induction. Our data point to the potential of Mpl ligand to activate at once several Sp1-dependent genes during megakaryopoiesis.
Recent advances in the use of adapalene 0.1%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% to treat patients with moderate to severe acne

The central role of inflammation in acne is now more clearly understood. Adapalene, a third-generation topical retinoid, down-regulates toll-like receptor 2 expression and inhibits activator protein-1 activity. In a fixed-dose combination, adapalene and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) act synergistically on inflammatory patterns through regulation of innate immunity. In addition to reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, adapalene/BPO helps prevent lesion and microcomedone formation. The combination of a topical retinoid and antimicrobial agent remains the preferred approach for almost all patients with acne. In cases of more severe disease, there is a clinical benefit in combining adapalene/BPO with an oral antibiotic for 12 weeks. Most recently, adapalene/BPO plus doxycycline 200 mg was found to be highly effective when compared with isotretinoin in the treatment of patients with severe acne with nodules. Long-term maintenance therapy is needed for most patients. Retinoids are the preferred agents, with BPO added in patients with more severe disease if needed. Adapalene is anticomedogenic, reduces comedones and has anti-inflammatory properties, while BPO is a unique antimicrobial agent not shown to induce microbial resistance after more than 50 years of use. Maintenance therapy for 6 months with adapalene/BPO prevents relapse among patients with severe acne and continues to reduce disease symptoms.
Investigation of Circular Hydraulic Jump Behavior in Microgravity

The behavior of the circular hydraulic jump has been studied, under conditions of reduced gravity aboard the NASA C-9 microgravity research aircraft, for Reynolds numbers based on jet diameter between 27,000 and 58,000 and Weber numbers between 1000 and 4600. The steady-state jump radius was observed to increase under conditions of reduced gravity, relative to its magnitude during hypergravity at the same flowrate. The measured jump radius achieved a steady-state value in approximately 3 to 5 s, which corresponded to the time for the establishment of steady reduced gravity conditions during each parabola. Jump radius in reduced gravity increased in a nearly linear fashion versus jet flowrate. Comparisons with available theories were incomplete due to unsuccessful attempts to measure the upstream and downstream jump depths.
Archytas marmoratus (Diptera: Tachinidae): Advances in Large-scale Rearing and Associated Biological Studies

Archytas marmoratus (Townsend) was successfully reared on a large scale using maggots that were mechanically extracted from fecund females in a homogenizer (Virtis). In selected biological studies, extracted maggots were evaluated in a solution of hydroxyethyl cellulose against larvae of Heliothis zea (Boddie) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) in diet cups. Maggots dispensed on the inner lid of diet cups yielded significantly higher rates of parasitization of H. zea larvae than did maggots dispensed on the surface of semisynthetic diets. No significant differences in percentage parasitization of H. zea larvae were obtained when maggots were dispensed at 5.9, 10.5, or 15.2 per cup lid. Significant reduction in yield of parasitized H. zea larvae, however, did occur when maggot numbers were reduced to 2.7 per cup lid. Percentage parasitization of H. zea larvae was significantly higher when diet cups containing 6.8 maggots per lid were held on their sides during larva-maggot development than when placed upright or inverted. Rates of parasitization of S. frugiperda larvae were significantly lower on multiple larvae per diet cup than on single larvae similarly confined. No significant differences in the mortality of A. marmoratus adult females were detected when 20, 30, or 40 pairs were held in plyboard cages (33 by 33 by 18 cm) during the prelarviposition period. Maggots extracted from A. marmoratus females held for 14 and 21 days at 13°C yielded 89.0 and 51.3% parasitization of H. zea larvae, respectively. In standardized rearing procedures, extracted maggots of A. marmoratus yielded 86.9% parasitization of H. zea larvae when maggots were applied at a mean 10.4 per diet cup lid.
1 / f Noise Measurements of Interacting Current Filaments in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon

The coplanar current in n-lype doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) displays random telegraph switching noise, indicating the presence of inhomogeneous current filaments whose conductance varies with time. There are strong correlations of the 1/f noise power spectra across differing frequency octaves which are much larger than expected if the magnitudes of the fluctuators are varied in parallel. The scale invariant second spectra and the temperature dependence of the spectral slope indicate that hydrogen motion is involved in the cooperative dynamics between noise sources. A model is described wherein the properties of the current filaments are modulated by hydrogen-hydrogen interactions which are mediated by the Si strain fields.
INFLUENCE OF REPEATED SUBTOTAL HEPATIC RESECTIONS ON IN VITRO SURVIVAL OF RAT LIVER CELLS.

SummaryHepatic tissue from immature rats demonstrates minimal cell yield in tissue culture while hepatic tissue from mature rats (> 230 g) does not survive under the conditions employed. Mature rat (> 230 g) hepatic tissue obtained following repeated subtotal hepatic resections in the same animal demonstrates relatively large cell yield in tissue culture, using the same technique. The yield in tissue culture using hepatic tissue from mature rats following repeated resection is greater than in any of the control groups, including the most immature (weanlings) rats, and markedly greater than in tissue obtained following single hepatic resection.
Blind Separation of Chaotic Vibration Signal

The aero-engine is a complex mechanical dynamic system and has many non-linear parts.Its chaos vibration synthetically reflects each non-linear response.Therefore,judging the aero-engine condition and carrying out the fault diagnosis according to the chaos vibration signal is an effective technical method.As chaotic vibration signal is sensitive to initial conditions,chaotic vibration signal has a wide band frequency,it has a variety of overlapping characteristics,and the actual vibration signals contain ingredients such as various kinds of interference as well as noises,the separation of chaotic vibration signals is the key to judging a state and fault diagnosis.The paper applies Fast ICA to separate the simulation signals of chaotic mixed-signal blindly,even if in low signal-to-noise ratio situation,the Fast ICA can separate the chaos vibration signal effectively from other source signals.As a method applying to the actual aero-engine vibration signal analysis,the method can separate actual chaotic vibration signal from the actual aero-engine vibration signals,which makes the further judgment of the state of engine possible according to the chaos vibration signals.
In Defense of Presidential Signing Statements

This short essay defends the use of presidential signing statements against a misguided attack by an ABA report, which was signed by a number of prominent academics and leaders of the bar. Posing as a champion of the rule of law and the will of Congress, the ABA hysterically objected to George W. Bush’s statements about his constitutional authority without evidence that his views led his administration to refuse compliance with any statutes. President Obama has continued to issue signing statements, often indistinguishable from those issued by President Bush. More significantly, he has frequently engaged in actual defiance of the will of Congress. The ABA, however, has not denounced Obama a threat to the rule of law and the separation of powers, which confirms that its denunciation of signing statements was really just a politically motivated canard.
Advances in the Management of Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a frequent complication of serious injury. Although the direct impact of hypothermia on mortality is difficult to ascertain, cold patients clearly appear to have higher mortality rates. The primary adverse effects of hypothermia in the trauma victim appear related to its effects on metabolism and upon the coagulation system. A variety of rewarming methods are available, and are described in this article.
A Distressed Bond Model

We present the framework for a distressed bond model. The utility is as a proxy for calculating the risk of a distressed bond portfolio. We elaborate several possible implementations and give an example.
Acromioclavicular Joint Pain

Abstract The acromioclavicular joint is vulnerable to injury from both acute trauma and repeated microtrauma. Acute injuries are frequently the result of falling directly onto the shoulder when playing sports or riding a bicycle. Repeated strain from throwing or working with the arm raised across the body may also result in trauma to the joint. After trauma, the joint may become acutely inflamed; if the condition becomes chronic, arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint may develop. Cysts of the acromioclavicular joint can become quite large and contribute to functional disability and pain. Rarely, infection of the acromioclavicular joint may occur. Patients suffering from acromioclavicular joint dysfunction frequently complain of pain when reaching across the chest. Often, patients are unable to sleep on the affected shoulder and may complain of a grinding sensation in the joint, especially on first awakening. Physical examination may reveal enlargement or swelling of the joint, with tenderness to palpation. Downward traction or passive adduction of the affected shoulder may cause increased pain. Physical examination of the abnormal acromioclavicular joint will reveal positive provocative tests including the acromioclavicular adduction stress test, the chin adduction test, and the Paxino test. If the ligaments of the acromioclavicular joint are disrupted, these maneuvers may reveal actual joint instability.
Extent of the Oxidative Side Reactions to Peptides and Proteins During the CuAAC Reaction.

The copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction is a powerful tool for bioconjugation of biomolecules, particularly proteins and peptides. The major drawback limiting the use of the CuAAC reaction in biological systems is the copper-mediated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to the oxidative degradation of proteins or peptides. From the studies on a limited number of proteins and peptides, it is known that, in general, the copper mediated oxidative damage is associated with the copper coordination environment and solvent accessibility. However, there is a lack of data to help estimate the extent of copper-mediated oxidation on a wide range of proteins and peptides. To begin to address this need, we quantitatively measured the degree of copper-mediated oxidation on libraries of 1200 tetrapeptides and a model protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The collected data will be useful to researchers planning to use the CuAAC ...
P074 Donor specific anti-HLA antibodies are associated with subclinical allograft injury in heart transplant recipients

Aim Anti-HLA antibodies detected after heart transplantation have been associated with graft rejection and worse survival. However, the presence of donor specific antibodies (DSA) alone is not diagnostic of antibody mediated rejection (AMR). To better define the significance of circulating DSA, we investigated the relationship between DSA and relevant histo- and immunopathologic features of endomyocardial biopsies. Methods Sixty-three patients received heart transplantation between Jan 1st 2011 and Dec 31st 2013 and were followed at our center. Serum anti-HLA antibodies were monitored using the Single Antigen Bead assay (One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA). Endomyocardial biopsies were performed serially during the first year post-transplant and yearly thereafter, according to the existing clinical protocol. Results At a median followup time of 33 months, graft/patient survival was 98%. Sixteen (25%) out of 63 patients had at least 2 DSA positive tests after transplantation. DSA were predominantly directed to HLA class II antigens, with 13 out of 16 patients displaying anti-HLA-DQ DSA. A total of 906 endomyocardial biopsies were performed after transplantation. Out of 906, 305 biopsies had concomitant DSA results and were included in the analysis. Fifty-seven (19%) biopsies had positive DSA associated results. ACR was diagnosed in 60 (20%) out of 305 biopsies. There was no significant correlation between ACR and serum DSA. AMR was diagnosed in one (0.3%) biopsy, which had a concomitant positive DSA. The following histo- and immunopathologic parameters were analyzed in relation to DSA: perivascular inflammation, interstitial inflammation, myocyte injury, lymphocytic infiltration, interstitial edema, interstitial hemorrhage, fibrosis, microvascular changes and C4d staining. Microvascular changes included prominent endothelial cells and intravascular mononuclear cells and/or neutrophils. DSA were associated with microvascular changes (N = 9; p Conclusion Our results provide evidence that circulating DSA are associated with subclinical graft injury. Post-transplant DSA monitoring may serve as a useful, non-invasive tool to identify patients at risk for early graft loss.
Far-red light photoacclimation (FaRLiP) in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7335: I. Regulation of FaRLiP gene expression

Far-red light photoacclimation (FaRLiP) is a mechanism that allows some cyanobacteria to utilize far-red light (FRL) for oxygenic photosynthesis. During FaRLiP, cyanobacteria remodel photosystem (PS) I, PS II, and phycobilisomes while synthesizing Chl d, Chl f, and far-red-absorbing phycobiliproteins, and these changes enable these organisms to use FRL for growth. In this study, a conjugation-based genetic system was developed for Synechococcus sp. PCC 7335. Three antibiotic cassettes were successfully used to generate knockout mutations in genes in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7335, which should allow up to three gene loci to be modified in one strain. This system was used to delete the rfpA, rfpB, and rfpC genes individually, and characterization of the mutants demonstrated that these genes control the expression of the FaRLiP gene cluster in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7335. The mutant strains exhibited some surprising differences from similar mutants in other FaRLiP strains. Notably, mutations in any of the three master transcription regulatory genes led to enhanced synthesis of phycocyanin and PS II. A time-course study showed that acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus from that produced in white light to that produced in FRL occurs very slowly over a period 12–14 days in this strain and that it is associated with a substantial reduction (~34 %) in the chlorophyll a content of the cells. This study shows that there are differences in the detailed responses of cyanobacteria to growth in FRL in spite of the obvious similarities in the organization and regulation of the FaRLiP gene cluster.
Spinal Cord Hemangioblastoma

A 6-month-old infant with a spinal cord hemangioblastoma located in the conus medullaris is reported from the University of Washington School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA.
Substance Abuse Prevention, Assessment, and Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth

Knowing how to manage substance abuse in all youth is an important aspect of pediatric care, including providing clinically appropriate anticipatory guidance, monitoring, assessment, and treatment. Although most lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth do not abuse substances, as a group they experience unique challenges in self-identity development that put them at an increased risk for substance abuse. This article addresses prevention and management of substance use in LGBT youth relevant to pediatrics and allied professions as an aspect of their overall health care. It reviews basic information about substance abuse in youth and special considerations for LGBT youth.
Surviving as an Unequal Community: WASH for Those on the Margins

The Sustainable Development Goals intend to address populations “missed” by the Millennium Development Goals for safe water and sanitation access. To capture these populations, programs need to attend to community norms for usage and the groups most marginal in those communities. Policies should include a focus on ways to eradicate socioeconomic and political marginality.
Wealth Accumulation, On-the-Job Search and Inequality

To study the equilibrium interactions between wealth accumulation and labor market search, this paper constructs a model where individuals can accumulate non-contingent assets under a borrowing limit, all workers can search for jobs, and search is directed. On-the-job search generates a wage ladder, which affects inequalities in earnings, wealth and consumption. Employed workers have incentive to save as a precaution for exogenous separation into unemployment. In the reverse direction, wealth and earnings affect search decisions by changing the optimal tradeoff between the wage and the matching probability. The calibrated model reveals that wealth significantly reduces a worker's transition rate from unemployment to employment and from one job to another. Moreover, search frictions increase wealth inequality significantly by increasing the mass of wealthy individuals and lengthening the right tail of the wealth distribution. However, the effect of wealth on job search widens frictional wage dispersion by only a small amount. In addition, on-the-job search is important for frictional wage dispersion.
Acute radiation mortality in mice inoculated with pigmented or non-pigmented Pseudomonas.

SUMMARY Different groups of lethally-irradiated and normal control mice were inoculated with a pigmented Pseudomonas (P. aeruginosa), or a non-pigmented Pseudomonas (P. stutzeri), by intraperitoneal and oral routes. Thirty-two of 50 mice receiving P. aeruginosa died within 8 days after irradiation, and 29 of the 32 showed pigmented P. aeruginosa on heart blood culture. Fewer early deaths were seen with oral administration of the organisms than with intraperitoneal administration. Two out of 50 mice given P. stutzeri died within 8 days of exposure to X-rays. Neither showed the organism on heart blood culture. No pigment reversion for cither organism was demonstrated in vivo. These results indicate that P. stutzeri is not involved in the early-death syndrome in X-irradiated mice.
Clinical and anatomic predictors of need for repeat atrial fibrillation ablation.

Aim To identify predictors of need for repeat procedures after initial atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Methods We identified a cohort undergoing first time AF ablation at our institution from January 2004 to February 2014 who had cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging performed prior to ablation. Clinical variables and anatomic characteristics (determined from CMR) were assessed as predictors of need for repeat ablation. The decision regarding need for and timing of repeat ablation was at the discretion of the treating physician. Results From a cohort of 331 patients, 142 patients (43%) underwent repeat ablation at a mean of 13.6 ± 18.4 mo after the index procedure. Both male gender (81% vs 71%, P = 0.05) and lower ejection fraction (57.4% ± 10.3% vs 59.8% ± 9.4%, P = 0.04) were associated with need for repeat ablation. On pre-ablation CMR, mean pulmonary vein (PV) diameters were significantly larger in all four PVs among patients requiring repeat procedures. In multivariate analysis, increased right superior PV diameter significantly predicted need for repeat ablation (odds ratio 1.08 per millimeter increase in diameter, 95%CI: 1.00-1.16, P = 0.05). There were also trends toward significance for increased left and right inferior PV sizes among those requiring repeat procedures. Conclusion Increased PV size predicts the need for repeat AF ablation, with each millimeter increase in PV diameter associated with an approximately 5%-10% increased risk of requiring repeat procedures.
Functional characterization of the G162R and D216H genetic variants of human CYP17A1.

Abstract Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) is a dual-function enzyme catalyzing reactions necessary for cortisol and androgen biosynthesis. CYP17A1 is a validated drug target for prostate cancer as CYP17A1 inhibition significantly reduces circulating androgens and improves survival in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Germline CYP17A1 genetic variants with altered CYP17A1 activity manifesting as various endocrinopathies are extremely rare; however, characterizing these variants provides critical insights into CYP17A1 protein structure and function. By querying the dbSNP online database and publically available data from the 1000 genomes project ( http://browser.1000genomes.org ), we identified two CYP17A1 nonsynonymous genetic variants with unknown consequences for enzymatic activity and stability. We hypothesized that the resultant amino acid changes would alter CYP17A1 stability or activity. To test this hypothesis, we utilized a HEK-293T cell-based expression system to characterize the functional consequences of two CYP17A1 variants, D216H (rs200063521) and G162R (rs141821705). Cells transiently expressing the D216H variant demonstrate a selective impairment of 16α-hydroxyprogesterone synthesis by 2.1-fold compared to wild-type (WT) CYP17A1, while no effect on 17α-hydroxyprogesterone synthesis was observed. These data suggest that substrate orientations in the active site might be altered with this amino acid substitution. In contrast, the G162R substitution exhibits decreased CYP17A1 protein stability compared to WT with a near 70% reduction in protein levels as determined by immunoblot analysis. This variant is preferentially ubiquitinated and degraded prematurely, with an enzyme half-life calculated to be ∼2.5 h, and proteasome inhibitor treatment recovers G162R protein expression to WT levels. Together, these data provide new insights into CYP17A1 structure-function and stability mechanisms.
Performing Under Pressure: Winning Customers Through Improvisation in Team Selling

The sales presentation is one of the most challenging and dynamic aspect of the sales process. Often-times, the presentation is composed of teams. The purpose of this study is to examine how improv...
Preconcentration of DNA using magnetic ionic liquids that are compatible with real-time PCR for rapid nucleic acid quantification

Nucleic acid extraction and purification represents a major bottleneck in DNA analysis. Traditional methods for DNA purification often require reagents that may inhibit quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) if not sufficiently removed from the sample. Approaches that employ magnetic beads may exhibit lower extraction efficiencies due to sedimentation and aggregation. In this study, four hydrophobic magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) were investigated as DNA extraction solvents with the goal of improving DNA enrichment factors and compatibility with downstream bioanalytical techniques. By designing custom qPCR buffers, we directly incorporated DNA-enriched MILs including trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tris(hexafluoroacetylaceto)nickelate(II) ([P6,6,6,14+][Ni(hfacac)3−]), [P6,6,6,14+] tris(hexafluoroacetylaceto)colbaltate(II) ([Co(hfacac)3−]), [P6,6,6,14+] tris(hexafluoroacetylaceto)manganate(II) ([Mn(hfacac)3−]), or [P6,6,6,14+] tetrakis(hexafluoroacetylaceto)dysprosate(III) ([Dy(hfacac)4−]) into reaction systems, thereby circumventing the need for time-consuming DNA recovery steps. Incorporating MILs into the reaction buffer did not significantly impact the amplification efficiency of the reaction (91.1%). High enrichment factors were achieved using the [P6,6,6,14+][Ni(hfacac)3−] MIL for the extraction of single-stranded and double-stranded DNA with extraction times as short as 2 min. When compared to a commercial magnetic bead-based platform, the [P6,6,6,14+][Ni(hfacac)3−] MIL was capable of producing higher enrichment factors for single-stranded DNA and similar enrichment factors for double-stranded DNA. The MIL-based method was applied for the extraction and direct qPCR amplification of mutation prone-KRAS oncogene fragment in plasma samples.
Isomer-to-Isomer Beta Decay of {sup 180}Hf{sup m} and the Nucleosynthesis of {sup 180}Ta{sup m}

The direct beta-decay branch linking {sup 180}Hf{sup {ital m}} ({ital t}{sub 1/2}=5.5 h) to {sup 180}Ta{sup {ital m}} has been measured to be {ital f}{sub {beta}}=(0.29{plus minus}0.05{plus minus}0.06)%. The relevance of this decay for the nucleosynthesis of {sup 180}Ta{sup {ital m}} is discussed.
Unnatural Amino Acid Antibody Conjugates as Next Generation Biologics

Trastuzumab represents a monoclonal antibody therapeutic with substantial clinical benefit, but tumors ultimately evolve resistance to its mechanism of action, often while maintaining HER2 expression and signaling dependence. Thus, “next-generation” biologics targeting HER2 but providing novel effector mechanisms of action may provide avenues to combat resistance. The ability to encode unnatural amino acids allows unique site-specific drug conjugates as well as multispecific molecules to be made and developed against HER2-dependent tumors. This broad-based technology could potentially be applied to any antibody therapeutic target.
Integrity Monitoring of Pressurized Gas Cylinders Using the SSUE Technique

Spread-Spectrum Ultrasonic Evaluation (SSUE) is a newly emerging technique for the global inspection and integrity monitoring of objects such as pressurized gas cylinders and structures such as bridges and airframes. This technique is based upon the measurement of an ultrasonic correlation signature which is sensitive to the structural and material properties of the test object. Recently, we applied the technique to pressurized gas cylinders and found that it was very sensitive to small changes in the cylinder. Specifically, we looked at the ability of the SSUE method to detect artificially-induced cracks at various points on the outside of the cylinder.
Controlling Dispersion during Single-Cell Polyacrylamide-Gel Electrophoresis in Open Microfluidic Devices

New tools for measuring protein expression in individual cells complement single-cell genomics and transcriptomics. To characterize a population of individual mammalian cells, hundreds to thousands of microwells are arrayed on a polyacrylamide-gel-coated glass microscope slide. In this “open” fluidic device format, we explore the feasibility of mitigating diffusional losses during lysis and polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (PAGE) through spatial control of the pore-size of the gel layer. To reduce in-plane diffusion-driven dilution of each single-cell lysate during in-microwell chemical lysis, we photopattern and characterize microwells with small-pore-size sidewalls ringing the microwell except at the injection region. To reduce out-of-plane-diffusion-driven-dilution-caused signal loss during both lysis and single-cell PAGE, we scrutinize a selectively permeable agarose lid layer. To reduce injection dispersion, we photopattern and study a stacking-gel feature at the head of each <1 mm separation axis....
Religious Attendance, Healthy Lifestyles, and Perceived Health: A Comparison of Baby Boomers with the Silent Generation

Baby boomers are aging, and their health is an important concern. Research has suggested that (1) aging boomers are more vulnerable to mental and physical health problems than their parents’ generation; (2) adoption of healthy lifestyles is critically important for the health of the aging population; and (3) religious attendance, often found to be associated with health-related outcomes, is lower among aging boomers than their parents’ generation. In this research, we use a large national dataset to examine (1) whether the baby boom generation lags behind their parents’ generation in adoption of healthy lifestyles and perceived health; and (2) if it does, whether the lag might possibly be attributed to lower religious attendance. We analyzed data collected by University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study from the silent generation in 1994 and from the baby boom generation in 2010 when both generation cohorts were at about the same age (age 49–64 years). The results indicated that (1) the baby boom generation lagged behind the silent generation in adoption of three healthy lifestyles (not smoking, not drinking excessively, and not being overweight or obese) and in perceived health; (2) the lag may be partially attributed to lower religious attendance in the baby boom generation. We also discuss implications for the health of the baby boom generation and for promoting healthy lifestyles and health to the baby boom generation.
Bystander Responses to Intimate Partner Misconduct: Barriers to Responding to Physical and Sexual Violations:

All forms of unchecked acts of violence against women may harm individual women while also normalizing the ways in which women are routinely violated. Violence against women manifests across a continuum of linked behaviors, yet few studies have investigated bystander responses to less extreme forms of intimate partner violence. We examined bystander responses to different forms of misconduct: physical (grabbing and imminent slapping) or sexual (groping and unwanted kissing). Undergraduates (N = 402) read and responded to dating conflict scenarios in which they witnessed a young man verbally insult a young woman while perpetrating either sexual or physical misconduct. Across conditions, 42% of participants described misconduct as abusive, although this was significantly more common among those assigned to the physical (52%) than sexual (32%) conditions. Compared with those in the sexual misconduct condition, participants in the physical misconduct condition reported greater intent to directly intervene. Furthermore, participants in the physical misconduct condition also reported more barriers to intervention, including less awareness/attention to misconduct, less perceived danger to the victim, and less personal responsibility to intervene. In multivariate analyses, less awareness/attention to misconduct and less personal responsibility uniquely predicted lower intent to intervene; these same barriers also explained the tendency for bystanders to report lower intent to intervene in response to sexual than physical misconduct. These results suggest the need for education to promote awareness of the continuum of violence against women. Education also is needed to increase feelings of personal responsibility to challenge the normalization of less extreme violent acts.
Use of Capnography and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Feedback Devices Among Prehospital Advanced Life Support Providers.

Background Capnography and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) feedback devices have been shown to improve resuscitation outcomes, with the American Heart Association recommending their use during advanced life support (ALS). Little is known about the availability of these devices, their protocoled use, and the attitudes toward them in the prehospital setting. Objectives The objectives of this study were to assess the availability of capnography and CPR feedback devices among prehospital ALS agencies in New York State (NYS), to describe the protocoled use of these devices, and to evaluate the attitudes of providers toward the use of these devices. Methods Prehospital agencies that provide ALS services in NYS were identified using an online registry. Managers in these agencies were contacted by electronic mail and asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their agency's experience with capnography and CPR feedback devices. The questionnaire included questions on the availability of capnography and CPR feedback devices, the existence of clinical protocols for using capnography, and provider opinion on the utility of capnography and CPR feedback devices for improving pediatric resuscitation. Results Of 710 ALS agencies, 238 (33.5%) completed the survey. Ninety-five percent and 24% of agencies reported having capnography and CPR feedback devices available aboard ambulances, respectively. Ninety-seven percent of agencies reported having capnography clinical protocols for endotracheal intubation, 63% for return of spontaneous circulation, and 54% for guiding CPR. Forty-seven percent agreed that capnography improves outcomes in the resuscitation of pediatric patients, whereas 51% of providers were neutral and 2% disagreed. Conclusions Capnography is available in most NYS ALS agencies surveyed. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation feedback devices are less common. Protocols for the use of capnography mainly focused on endotracheal intubation and less for the recognition of return of spontaneous circulation and for guiding CPR. Half of the providers surveyed were neutral on whether capnography improves outcomes in the resuscitation of pediatric patients.
Attitudes and beliefs of graduate medical trainees regarding palliative care at a comprehensive cancer center.

e20562 Background: Although studies have shown that palliative care (PC) training is lacking and should be integrated with oncology care, most cancer centers do not have established PC programs. At...
Separation and Purification of Furans from n-Butanol by Zeolitic Imidazole Frameworks: Multicomponent Adsorption Behavior and Simulated Moving Bed Process Design

Biomass-derived furanic chemicals such as 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) are significant biorefining targets with potential as biofuels and aromatic feedstocks, and processes for their large-scale product...
Explore daily activity-travel behavior of the elderly using multiyear survey data

Abstract The United States is experiencing dramatic demographic shifts in recent years. The total number of the elderly population, aged 65 years and above, has increased rapidly and it is estimated that the elderly population will double by 2020. These shifts have tremendous implications on transportation planning and policy owing to the unique mobility needs of the elderly population. To this end, the objective of this study is to analyze daily activity-travel behavior of the elderly using data from five waves of NHTS/NPTS. The daily activity-travel patterns are characterized as categorical time series so as to study both the timing and schedule of different activity-travel episodes jointly. A novel Divide and Combine based Mixture Markov model estimation approach was applied to not only characterize activity-travel patterns of the elderly, but also segment them into subgroups with similar activity-travel behavior. Subsequently, the heterogeneity in the segments is explored by analyzing the differences in socio-economic and demographic characteristics, generational cohort impacts as well as period effects using a multinomial logistic regression analysis. The study offered into the activity-travel characteristics of the elderly. The Markov model identified three segments of elderly. The multinomial logistic analysis offered interesting insights into the relationship between various elderly factors and the segment membership. For example, it was found that elderly who experienced 2008 recession are less likely to belong to the group that spends more time on discretionary activities and traveling. The study contributes to the literature on factors related to activity-travel behaviors of elderly.
ESAC: An Energetic Sustainable Adaptive Clustering Protocol for Heterogenous Wireless Ad Hoc Networks (HANETs)

We study adaptive clustering in heterogenous wireless ad hoc networks (HANETs) and propose ESAC, an energetic sustainable protocol that adaptively forms clusters using a weighted election function based on the current energy status of nodes in each region. The proposed protocol is distributed, and each node independently makes the decision to become a cluster head at the current round. The workload of a cluster head is heavy, including forming the cluster, collecting data from cluster members, data aggregation and transmission to faraway base station. ESAC selects an optimum number of cluster heads in each round among high-powered nodes that can afford the heavy duties of a cluster head. The protocol keeps track of the nodes' residual energies and selects the high-powered nodes as cluster heads more frequently than other nodes. As a result, although each node starts with a different initial energy, it adaptively tunes its energy consumption with its residual energy and the current energy status of other nodes, so that all nodes deplete their batteries at almost the same time. ESAC is energetic sustainable and the nodes last for as long as possible. Classical clustering protocols assume the same or certain number of initial energy levels for nodes, however ESAC is designed for HANETs where nodes have different energy levels. We validated the effectiveness and efficiency of our protocol through simulations. The analysis of our results showed that on an average ESAC reduces the instability into 46% and improves the total throughput by 42% and the stable phase throughput by 21% (and as high as 32%) in a HANET.
Determinants of length of stay after pediatric liver transplantation

Background We sought to identify factors that are associated with LOS following pediatric ( Methods We identified 2726 infants (≤24 months) and 3210 children (>24 months) who underwent pediatric liver-only transplantation from 2002-2017 using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We used multilevel multivariable negative binomial regression to analyze associations between LOS and recipient and donor characteristics and calculated the MLOSR to quantify heterogeneity in LOS across centers. Results In infants, the median LOS (IQR) was 19 (13-32) days. Hospitalization prior to transplant (ICU ratio:1.46 1.591.70 ; non-ICU ratio:1.08 1.161.23 ), public insurance (ratio:1.03 1.091.15 ), and a segmental graft (ratio:1.08 1.151.22 ) were associated with a longer LOS; thus, we would expect a 1.59-fold longer LOS in an infant admitted to the ICU compared to a non-hospitalized infant with similar characteristics. In children, the median LOS (IQR) was 13 (9-21) days. Hospitalization prior to transplant (ICU ratio:1.49 1.621.77 ; non-ICU ratio:1.34 1.441.56 ), public insurance (ratio:1.02 1.071.13 ), a segmental graft (ratio:1.20 1.271.35 ), a living donor graft (ratio:1.27 1.381.51 ), and obesity (ratio:1.03 1.101.17 ) were associated with a longer LOS. The MLOSR was 1.25 in infants and 1.26 in children, meaning if an infant received a transplant at another center with a longer LOS, we would expect a 1.25-fold difference in LOS driven by center practices alone. Conclusions While center-level practices account for substantial variation in LOS, consideration of donor and recipient factors can help clinicians provide more personalized counseling for families of pediatric liver transplant candidates.
The Effect of Timing of Adjuvant Therapy on Survival After Esophagectomy

Background Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) after esophagectomy improves survival in esophageal cancer when induction therapy is not given; however, the optimal timing for initiation of AC is poorly characterized. We aimed to determine the impact of timing of AC on survival after esophagectomy. Methods The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with pT1-4aNxM0 esophageal cancer receiving AC with or without radiation from 2004 to 2015. The median and interquartile range of time to AC were determined. Patients were stratified by initiation of AC into 4 cohorts based on quartiles. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated and factors associated with survival were identified by Cox proportional hazards modeling. A separate analysis was performed with time to AC as a continuous variable. Results A total of 1634 patients received AC after esophagectomy. Median time to receipt of AC was 59 (interquartile range, 45-78) days. There was no significant difference in overall survival at 5 years (P = .86) between groups. Median survival was 29 months in those receiving AC within 45 days and was 28 months in those receiving AC at other time points. On multivariable analysis, delay in receipt of AC beyond 45 days was not associated with inferior survival. This was preserved when time to AC was analyzed as a continuous variable (hazard ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.0). Conclusions Timing of initiation of AC after esophagectomy does not appear to impact survival. Given the highly variable postoperative course after esophagectomy, the decision to start AC should involve multidisciplinary discussion and be made on a patient-by-patient basis.
Online crowd-funding strategy: a game-theoretical approach to a Kickstarter case study

There are many factors that can inhibit the potential of promising projects from being completely funded in crowd-funding campaigns. In order to study this, a game-theoretical model is constructed to display irrational fear and help creators maximize their chances of facilitating a successful campaign. This research shows that once irrational fear is modeled along with the strategies associated with the design of the reward system, the total pledged amount for a project can be predicted in order to scheme their strategies based on the situation. For simplicity and consistency, the model is based on Kickstarter funding campaigns of physical products that are used as rewards for support. This paper discusses the influence of potential strategies for increasing the total pledge, such as modeling irrational fear and limiting rewards.
Automated Modeling of Protein Accumulation at DNA Damage Sites using qFADD.py

Cells are exposed to a plethora of influences that can cause damage to DNA and alter the genome, often with detrimental consequences for health. Cells mitigate this damage through a variety of repair protein pathways, and accurate measurement of the accumulation, action, and dissipation timescales of these repair proteins is required to fully understand the DNA damage response. Recently, we described the Q-FADD (Quantitation of Fluorescence Accumulation after DNA Damage) method, which enhances the analytical power of the widely used laser microirradiation technique. In that study, Q-FADD and its preprocessing operations required licensed software and a significant amount of user overhead to find the model of best fit. Here, we present "qFADD.py", an open-source implementation of the Q-FADD algorithm that is available as both a stand-alone software package and on a publicly accessible webserver (https://qfadd.colorado.edu/). Furthermore, we describe significant improvements to the fitting and preprocessing methods that include corrections for nuclear drift and an automated grid-search for the model of best fit. To improve statistical rigor, the grid-search algorithm also includes automated simulation of replicates. As an example, we discuss the recruitment dynamics of the signaling protein PARP1 to DNA damage sites, and we show how to compare different populations of qFADD.py models. Statement of SignificanceCells are constantly bombarded by factors that can alter or damage their genome, and they have evolved a variety of proteins that can identify and fix this damage. To fully understand how these proteins interact in repair pathways, we need robust methods to quantify the timescales between the initial identification of the DNA damage event and the subsequent protein-protein interactions that lead to repair. Laser microirradiation is a popular method for studying these repair protein cascades in vivo, and methods for quantifying the timescales of recruitment in these experiments have historically been simple to implement but lacking in physical interpretation. Here, we present qFADD.py, the next iteration of the Q-FADD method, which uses Monte Carlo diffusion models to interpret repair protein recruitment timescales to sites of DNA damage. By moving towards automated fitting procedures with minimal bias from the user, qFADD.py provides a statistically robust but low-effort means to analyze laser microirradiation experiments through a biophysical framework.