cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Corn Rootworm Tolerance in Maize

Heritable resistance of corn ( Zea mays L.) to feeding by the corn rootworm ( Diabrotica spp.) complex has been reported, but little has been presented on the prospects of forming corn populations resistant to rootworm feeding. Tolerance, or the ability of lines to develop new roots in spite of rootworm infestation, was considered to be composed of 4 traits: decreased feeding damage; decreased root lodging; increased root size; increased secondary root development. The experimental material was composed of 221 random inbred lines developed from the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic variety of maize. Root rating systems were utilized and selection was made for tolerance to corn rootworm damage. Estimates of heritability were calculated for each of the 4 root traits and indicated that selection on the basis of rootworm feeding damage alone would be ineffective. Heritability values for root sizes, secondary roots, and root lodging indicated that gains could be expected from selection for each of these traits. Genotypic, phenotypic, and error correlations were calculated and indicated that selection for larger root systems may result in superior secondary root development, reduced feeding damage, and reduced lodging. A retest of 50 superior entries indicated that selection for rootworm tolerance resulted in advance for each component trait of tolerance. The advance for each trait reinforces the existence of interrelationships among the 4 root traits. Superior lines selected from the retest population have been recombined into a single synthetic population, which should possess tolerance to corn rootworm feeding.
171 THE EFFECT OF FETAL ADRENALECTOMY IN THE OVINE FETUS

Adrenalectomy (Adx) was performed at 112 to 116 days of gestation in 32 fetal lambs. Of these, 7 survived and were studied at near term (136-144 days). Compared with age-matched controls (C) body weights were not significantly different. The mean brain weight was less in Adx vs C, (Adx 47.12 ± 4.94 g. C 51.32 ± 3.15g) but statistically insignificant. Fetal heart rate, blood pressure, carotid artery blood flow, O2 and glucose consumption of the brain did not show any significant differences between Adx and C. No difference in white blood cell counts, percentage lymphocytes and “B” lymphocyte counts was observed in Adx vs C, but in mitogen tests lymphocytes from C showed responses greater in magnitude than Adx. Five of 7 Adx fetuses showed immature EEG (low amplitude and frequency) in comparison with C. The number of type II alveolar cells were significantly reduced in 4 of 6 lungs of Adx studied vs C. The study indicates that fetal adrenal glands play an important role in the development of vital organs.
Development of Combined Dual-Pump Vibrational and Pure-Rotational Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (DPVCARS and PRCARS) Systems and their Application to Laminar Counter-flow Flames

It is valuable to obtain, experimentally, temperature and concentration information for multiple species in laminar flames to validate and further develop chemical mechanisms which can then be applied in turbulent combustion [1]. This is because underlying flame chemistry and transport properties in combustion environments with different Reynold’s number is similar if the fuels and the oxidizer are the same. Furthermore, according to laminar flamelet theory [2] the mixing layer in turbulent flows can be modeled as diffusion flamelets which can be approximated as non-premixed flames under strain. Laboratory scale, opposed flow burners have been used to stabilize steady-state non-premixed and premixed flames [3,4] for combustion diagnostics. The main advantage of such burners is that the flame is stabilized away from the nozzles which reduces the uncertainty in the heat loss terms in the energy equation thereby, making it much easier to solve for temperature and species concentration. Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), a non-linear spectroscopic technique, is well suited for obtaining quantitative data in combustion environment. CARS is a four-wave mixing parametric process in which two laser beams called the pump and Stokes beam create a Raman coherence in the medium. A third beam, called the probe beam scatters of the Raman coherence thereby generating the fourth beam called the CARS signal. The Stokes beam is broadband which allows creation of a spectrally wide Raman coherence, thereby permitting single-shot data acquisition. CARS due to it non-linear nature provides species specific, accurate measurements with high spatial and temporal resolution. CARS systems, in comparison with single beam techniques such as spontaneous Raman scattering, are relatively complicated especially for multi-species measurements [5,6]. However, due to its coherent nature, CARS provides signal levels orders of magnitude larger than spontaneous Raman scattering. Therefore, over the years, CARS has been widely applied towards combustion diagnostics [7-8]. CARS can be broadly divided into pure-rotational CARS (PRCARS) and vibrational CARS (VCARS) depending on whether the Raman coherence is generated within pure-rotational or within vibrational-rotation transitions. PRCARS provides excellent temperature sensitivity and precision at lower temperature whereas VCARS provides large signal levels even at high flame temperatures. Several innovative attempts have been made to extend the applicability of the technique by either using multiple colors (DPVCARS) and/or by combining VCARS and PRCARS. Lucht [9] choose the pump and probe frequencies in a way that they could be interchanged to access both N2 and O2 spectra simultaneously. Bengtsson et al. [10] used four beams and spatially arranged them in such a way that the PRCARS and VCARS signals propagated in the same direction. They used a single spectrometer by including 3 more mirrors in it so that the PRCARS and the
Mechanical Prophylaxis for Post-Traumatic VTE: Stockings and Pumps

Trauma patients pose unique challenges when it comes to the decision for optimal thromboprophylaxis. Risk reduction of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events is paramount in the modern management of trauma patients. The choice of pharmacologic prophylaxis is standard for most hospitalized patients. However, the potential for bleeding complications with this therapy, in a subset of major trauma patients, can have dire consequences. Fortunately today, a variety of mechanical compression methods exist to assist in the optimal management of VTE prophylaxis for trauma patients. Graduated compression stockings, pneumatic compression devices, foot pumps, and neuromuscular electrical stimulators are just a few of the choices in today’s providers’ armamentarium. In this review, we discuss the need for mechanical VTE prophylaxis in trauma patients, the mechanisms of clot prevention associated with the available devices, and take an evidence-based look at the efficacy of the mechanical methods available for VTE prophylaxis.
Sporadic Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy: Pathophysiology, Neuroimaging Features, and Clinical Implications

Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy is a small vessel disorder defined pathologically by progressive amyloid deposition in the walls of cortical and leptomeningeal vessels resulting from disruption of a complex balance between production, circulation, and clearance of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in the brain. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is a major cause of lobar symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, transient focal neurologic episodes, and a key contributor to vascular cognitive impairment. The mechanisms and consequences of amyloid-β deposition at the pathological level and its neuroimaging manifestations, clinical consequences, and implications for patient care are addressed in this review.
Negation and Negative Polarity Items in Berber

0. Introduction The main goals of this paper are: (a) to provide an analysis of sentential negation that captures the variation in the strategies used to express it across Berber dialects; (b) to provide evidence that the Negation head ur (Neg1) is generated as a head of NegP higher than TP and that sha (Neg2) is adjoined to VP, therefore sha-ur is a derived order as opposed to French pas-ne which was argued to be a basic order; (c) to show that sha (Neg2) is licensed via Spec-Head only and so are higher NPI adverbs like never—NPI’s like no one and nothing are licensed via c-command; and (d) to argue that NPI licensing is done under strict locality conditions. This paper offers an analysis that captures the micro-variation in the strategies used to express negation across Berber dialects. I argue that the “optional” negation markers sha (Tamazight)/ ara (Taqbaylit)/ kra (Tarifit) should not be ignored in any syntactic analysis of Berber negation and show that they have serious implications concerning the structure of this language. There are two types of dialects with regard to how negation is expressed. Type 1 uses one negation marker; these dialects are Tachelhit and Touareg (see section 1). Type 2 uses the negation markers Neg1 and Neg2 and there two subgroups within this type. In the first group, which includes Tarifit, Taqbaylit, and Chaoui, Neg1 is always pre-verbal and Neg2 is always post-verbal. In the second group, which consists only of one dialect, namely Tamazight, Neg1 behaves in the same way as in the other dialects but Neg2 behaves differently in the sense that it can either be post-verbal or pre-verbal. This is schematized in (1).
When do consumers feel betrayal and face-loss? Examining service communality and social presence types in service failures

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the importance of consumer–restaurant relationship norms (service communality) in connection with consumer–companion social presence types (business versus private) in producing consumers’ feelings of betrayal and face-loss in service failures. The results suggest that consumers felt more betrayed and face-loss in service failures as service communality increased. In addition, social presence types moderated the effect of service communality on face-loss, suggesting consumers in private social presence situations were more sensitive to face-loss as service communality increases. These findings were integrated into a discussion of theoretical and managerial implications regarding restaurant service management.
Improvement of Strength of Carbon—Epoxy Composite as the Result of Treatment of Prepreg by Isostatic High Pressure

Regarded is the effect of application of high isostatio pressure (50–360 MPa) at normal temperature to prepreg on the structure and mechanical properties of carbon-epoxy composite.
Heterogeneous catalysis in complex, condensed reaction media

Abstract Many reactions required for the upgrading of biomass into fuels and chemicals—hydrogenation, hydrodeoxygenation, hydrocracking—are ostensibly similar to those practiced in the upgrading of petroleum into fuels. But, repurposing hydroprocessing catalysts from refinery operations to treat bio-oil has proved to be unsatisfactory. New catalysts are needed because the composition of the biogenic reactants differs from that of petroleum-derived feedstocks (e.g. the low concentration of sulfur in cellulose-derived biomass precludes use of metal sulfide catalysts unless sulfur is added to the reaction stream). New processes are needed because bio-oils oligomerize rapidly, forming intractable coke and “gunk”, at temperatures so low that the desired upgrading reactions are impractically slow, and so low that the bio-oil upgrading must be handled as a condensed fluid. Ideally, the new catalysts and processes would exploit the properties of the multiple phases present in condensed bio-oil, notably the polarizability and structure of the fluid near a catalyst’s surface in the cybotactic region. Molecular simulation results of the cybotactic region adjacent to different catalyst surfaces in the hydrogenation of phenol suggest that Pd catalysts supported on hydrophilic surfaces are more active than catalysts based on lipophilic supports because the former serve to enhance the concentration of the phenol in the vicinity of the Pd. The effect stems from thermodynamics, not the rate of mass transport.
Therapeutic Potential of a Desert Plant Triterpenoid Molecule for Polycythemia Vera.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is an acquired, clonal stem cell, myeloproliferative, hematological disorder with variable increase in erythrocytes, neutrophils and granulocytes. PV causes significant morbidity and mortality from thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications and has a propensity for leukemic transformation. Phlebotomy, interferon a and myelosuppressive chemotherapy have been the cornerstones of treatment to date. With no specific drugs to treat PV effectively, the development of new therapeutic modalities is important. A somatic mutation in the JAK2 tyrosine kinase ( V617F) causing constitutive activation of the JAK/STAT pathway was recently reported in over 80% of PV patients. Based on this observation, we explored the therapeutic efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as imatinib (Gaikwad A et al, Blood106: 2601, 2005) and AMN107 for PV. These TKIs showed marginal efficacy in vitro . Research using natural sources has led to important pharmacological targets for cancer therapy. Several plant molecules have either been introduced to the US market or are in late-phase clinical trials. We focused on a natural product called “Avicin D,” which is a plant derived triterpene electrophilic molecule with cyto-protective and anti-inflammatory functions (Haridas V et al, J. Clin. Invest113: 65, 2004; Haridas V et al, PNAS, 98:11557, 2001). Avicin D is reported to initiate selective pro-apoptotic activity in malignant cells (Mujoo K, et al. Cancer Res.61: 5486, 2001) by direct perturbation of mitochondria (Haridas V, et al. PNAS, 98: 5821, 2001). It has also been shown to down-regulate a group of pro-survival, anti-apoptotic proteins that act downstream of cytochrome c release, including HSP70, HSP90 and XIAP (Gaikwad A, et al. Clin. Cancer Res. 11: 1953Gaikwad A, et al. Clin. Cancer Res. 11: 2005). In addition, Avicin D also blocks glycolysis, a key metabolic process that malignant cells exploit for their proliferation and survival (Warburg phenomenon). To examine Avicin D’s therapeutic efficacy for PV, we utilized mouse reporter cells expressing the JAK2 V617F protein. Avicin D inhibited the growth of these cells with an IC 50 of 2μM. Interestingly, in cells carrying wild-type JAK2 there was no significant inhibitory effect. In addition, Avicin D showed marked growth inhibition of human erythroleukemic cells (HEL) that harbor the JAK2 V617F mutation at an IC 50 of 2μM. We then examined Avicin D’s effect on in vitro expanded native human erythroid progenitor cells. Avicin D showed specific growth inhibition of erythroid progenitor cells from PV patients (IC 50 ~3μM) with no significant effect on the normal progenitors. We conclude that Avicin D should be a promising candidate for clinical trials of PV and other disorders that are associated with JAK2 V617F somatic mutations.
A collaborative faceted categorization system - user interactions.

We are building a system that improves browsing and searching access to a large, growing collection by supporting users to build a faceted (multiperspective) classification schema collaboratively. The system is targeted in particular to collections of photographs and images that, in general, have few textual metadata. Our system allows users to build and maintain a faceted classification schema collaboratively and have the system help to classify documents into the evolving facet schema automatically. This paper focuses on the evolution of faceted classification schema for a large growing collection.
Psychological inflexibility as a mediator of the relationship between depressive symptom severity and public stigma in depression

Abstract Psychological flexibility refers to attending to the present moment and accepting internal experiences in order to effectively adapt behavior in the pursuit of valued goals. Previous research has linked mental health stigma to lower levels of psychological flexibility (i.e., psychological inflexibility or experiential avoidance), resulting in negative attitudes toward those affected by mental health problems. In the current study, 570 individuals participated in an online survey in which they completed measures of depressive symptom severity, psychological inflexibility, and different types of public mental health stigma. Results showed that psychological inflexibility statistically mediated the relationship between depression symptomatology and public stigma toward others with depression, but not the relationship between depression symptomatology and stigma about others receiving treatment for depression. In other words, one's own depressive symptoms increased the likelihood of holding stigmatizing attitudes toward others with depression, and this process worked through increased levels of psychological inflexibility. In contrast, the relationship between people's increased depressive symptoms and stigmatizing attitudes about others receiving mental health treatment was not dependent on their psychological inflexibility level. The findings are discussed within an emerging contextual behavioral science model of stigma.
Phase I/IB trial of eribulin and everolimus in patients with triple-negative metastatic breast cancer.

TPS2637 Background: Eribulin mesylate is a synthetic analog of halichondrin B via tubulin-based anti-mitotic mechanism, leads to G2/M cell cycle arrest, disruption of mitotic spindles, apoptotic cell death and inhibits the phosphorylation of AKT in TNBC cells. Everolimus inhibits mTOR pathway. With mTOR inhibition, pAKT is enhanced, seen at 24 hours with everolimus alone in TNBC cell lines Ser473 and SKBR3. Combination of eribulin and everolimus suppressed both pAKT and pS6K1 at 24 hours. Based on our preclinical findings, we hypothesize that everolimus and eribulin will have a synergistic effect with inproved clinical activity in metastatic TNBC. Objectives: phase I/IB trial of everolimus plus eribulin in metastatic TNBC. Phase I determines the safety & tolerability and the recommended Phase II dose (RP2D), while the Phase IB will evaluate event free survival rate at RP2D. Methods: Eligibility: Metastatic TNBC who progressed on anthracyclines/taxanes, and previous chemotherapy for metastatic disease (up ...
Primary versus redo paraesophageal hiatal hernia repair: a comparative analysis of operative and quality of life outcomes

We compared patient outcomes after initial versus redo paraesophageal hernia (PEH) repair at two high-volume GI surgery centers. Retrospective review analyzed one-year outcomes after initial versus redo elective laparoscopic PEH repair, including wound/non-wound-related complications and quality of life benefits as measured by four validated instruments: reflux symptom index, gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and swallowing scales. Three hundred and seventeen patients (271 initial and 46 redo) underwent laparoscopic PEH repair. Groups differed with respect to age (64.6 vs. 60.2 years, p = 0.027), but were comparable in gender (71.2 vs. 67.4% female, p = 0.596), BMI (29.0 vs. 27.6 kg/m2, p = 0.100), and ASA score (2.3 vs. 2.3 p = 0.666). Redo surgery was more complex with longer mean operative times (112.2 vs. 139.1 min, p < 0.001). Groups did not statistically differ with respect to 30-day wound (0.7 vs. 2.2%, p = 0.363) and non-wound (6.0 vs. 8.7%, p = 0.511)-related complications. After one year of follow-up, QOL analysis revealed that initial versus redo groups significantly benefited from operative intervention. Although redo PEH repairs are more complex, patients enjoy equivalent operative outcomes and quality of life benefits compared to initial surgery lending support to the significance of surgeon experience and high-volume centers in optimizing outcomes.
LOW-GWP REFRIGERANTS FOR MEDIUM AND HIGH-PRESSURE APPLICATIONS

The merits of an alternative refrigerant are established based on many attributes including environmental acceptance, chemical stability in the refrigeration system, low toxicity, flammability, efficiency and volumetric capacity. In an earlier work, these criteria were used to screen a comprehensive database to search for refrigerants with low global warming potentials (GWP). The present paper summarizes the screening process and presents the performance of the “best” replacement fluids for small and medium-sized air-conditioning, heating, and refrigeration applications. In addition to considering cycle calculations based only on thermodynamic properties, a simulation model that included transport properties and optimized heat exchangers was used to assess the performance potentials of the candidate fluids. The need for this more detailed modeling approach is demonstrated for systems relying on forced-convection evaporation and condensation. The study shows that the low-GWP refrigerant options are very limited, particularly for fluids with volumetric capacities similar to those of R-410A or R-404A. The identified fluids with good COP and low toxicity are at least mildly flammable. Refrigerant blends can be used to increase flexibility in choosing tradeoffs between COP, volumetric capacity, flammability, and GWP. The probability of finding “ideal”, better-performing low-GWP fluids is minimal.
Impure but not inactive: Behavioral pharmacology of dibenzylpiperazine, a common by-product of benzylpiperazine synthesis.

Background:Substituted piperazines comprise a substantial proportion of the novel psychoactive substance market. Among the most widely abused piperazine compounds are meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m...
Arduino activities for computer science undergraduate curriculum

Current computer science programs fall short in introducing the use of electronics for applications. This workshop will present laboratory activities using microcontrollers for various embedded applications to incorporate throughout a computer science curriculum. The goals of the presented activities are to engage students regularly with real world data acquisition and processing. With the advent of reasonably priced, flexible microcontroller environments it becomes feasible to incorporate these devices in a variety of undergraduate computer science classes. Equipment necessary for conducting these laboratory exercises centers around the SparkFun Inventor's Kit for Arduino. The activities described are used in courses from CS 1 up to upper division courses such as networking and robotics.
Adaptive Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor accommodating large wavefront variations

Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors (SHWFSs) usually have fixed subaperture areas on the detector, in order to fix the minimum and maximum amounts of wavefront departure, or the dynamic range of measurement. We introduce an active approach, named Adaptive Shack Hartmann Wavefront Sensor (A-SHWFS). A-SHWFS is used to reconfigure detection subaperture areas by either blocking or unblocking desired lenslets by using an electronically modulated mask. This mask either increases or decreases the measurable aberration magnitude by placing a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel in front of the lenslet array. Depending on which control signal that is sent to the LCD, the variable, application-dependent blocking pattern (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, uneven) makes this an adaptive and efficient sensor with a variable dynamic range of measurement. This scheme is also useful for regional blocking, which occurs when the wavefront is severely aberrated in a limited region.
Automated formation of black lipid membranes within a microfluidic device via confocal fluorescence feedback-controlled hydrostatic pressure manipulations

Black lipid membranes (BLMs) provide a biomimetic model system for studying cellular membrane processes, and are important tools in drug screening and biosensing applications. BLMs offer advantages over liposomes and solid-supported lipid bilayers in applications where access to both leaflets of the bilayer is critical. Reliable and repeatable formation of BLMs presents a major challenge, especially in systems that require interrogation of the membrane via optical microscopy. BLMs for optical interrogation are often formed by the manual painting method, which is tedious and has a high failure rate because it involves manual manipulation of nanoscale liquid films for membrane self-assembly. Here, we describe a fully automated technique for the formation of BLMs within the imaging plane of an inverted fluorescence microscope. The technique utilizes hydrostatic pressure manipulations within a simple microfluidic device, which are feedback controlled via confocal fluorescence monitoring of the BLM formation process. An algorithm for monitoring and precision control of BLM formation is devised and optimized to yield an 80% success rate for the formation of BLMs, with formation times on the order of 78 min. Membranes formed via the automated procedure are confirmed to be fluid and biomimetic via spontaneous insertion of α-hemolysin pores with characteristic conductance of ca. 1 nS.
Administration of chemotherapeutic agents. Techniques and controversies.

Safe and pain-free vascular access is now the achievable goal for every patient receiving systemic chemotherapy. The discomfort and anxiety that used to accompany multiple (often unsuccessful) venipunctures can be avoided by placement of a longterm central-venous-access device as part of the patient's early treatment plan. In the United States, approximately 5x105 such devices are now inserted each year. This review discusses and compares the different types of devices currently available, methods of insertion, and management of morbidity. Future studies should focus on the cost effectiveness of these devices, better selection of patients for the various types of access, and avoidance, recognition, and treatment of complications.
Ubiquitination is required for the initial removal of paternal organelles in C. elegans.

Elimination of paternal mitochondria after fertilization occurs in many species using the process of selective autophagy. The mechanism for targeting paternal mitochondria, but not maternal mitochondria, for elimination in the early embryo is not well understood. The results in this paper suggest that there are at least two different mechanisms for targeting paternal mitochondria for elimination: the first involving ubiquitination and a second involving a mitochondrial associated autophagy receptor, fndc-1. Elimination of paternal mitochondria can be visualized in embryos of the nematode, C. elegans. Paternal mitochondria enter the zygote at fertilization. Initially, they are closely associated with another sperm organelle, the membraneous organelle (MO). The MOs become ubiquitinated within minutes after fertilization. Simultaneous RNAi knockdown of two ubiquitin conjugating enzymes, ubc-18 and ubc-16, reduces MO ubiquitination. Loss of function of ubc-18 alone leads to loss of K48-linked polyubiquitin chains and halts the recruitment of proteasome to MOs. Interestingly, knockdown of ubc-18 or ubc-16 or the combination does not reduce the localization of K63-linked ubiquitin chains to MOs suggesting that some ubiquitin structure other than K63 chains is responsible for recruiting the autophagy machinery to MOs. Double knockdown (ubc-18/ubc-16) inhibits the recruitment of the autophagy protein, LGG-1 (homolog of LC3/GABARAP), to paternal organelles and causes the persistence of paternal mitochondria into the two cell stage. If paternal mitochondria are not eliminated via this early process, they are eventually removed from the embryo in a process that depends on the mitophagy adaptor protein, fndc-1. Thus, there are two redundant, but temporally distinct mechanisms that target paternal mitochondria for elimination in C. elegans. In addition to the involvement of ubiquitination in the elimination of paternal mitochondria, two subunits of the proteasome, rpn-10 and rad-23, are required for elimination of paternal mitochondria. These subunits are known to function as ubiquitin receptors and knockdown of either inhibits the recruitment of proteasome to ubiquitinated MOs. Their knockdown does not affect the localization of LGG-1 to paternal structures indicating that the proteasome is not required for autophagy membrane recruitment but might be involved in autophagosome maturation or its fusion with the lysosome.
Understanding Broadband Speed Measurements

Broadband speed has emerged as the single most commonly cited metric for characterizing the quality of broadband offerings. However speed measurements for the same service can vary significantly. These differences arise from a complex set of factors including different test methodologies and test conditions. For any testing methodology, teasing apart the end-to-end tests and attributing performance bottlenecks to constituent parts is technically challenging. While the broadband access network can be the bottleneck, significant bottlenecks arise in home networks, end users' computers, and server side systems and networks. Consequently, inferences regarding how ISP delivered speeds compare with their advertised speeds need to be undertaken with careful attention to the testing methodologies employed. Many testing methodologies are inappropriate for the purposes of assessing the quality of a broadband network.
Verification of the Repeatability of Soil Liquefaction Centrifuge Testing at Rensselaer

The Liquefaction Experiments and Analysis Projects (LEAP) is an international effort to use experimental data from physical modeling at different (international) centrifuge facilities to validate soil liquefaction numerical models and analysis tools. The goals of LEAP-2017 experimental efforts are to assess the repeatability potential at each facility, the reproducibility of centrifuge tests among different facilities, and the sensitivity of the experimental results to variation of testing parameters and conditions. A number of tests of the same (sloping deposit) centrifuge model were repeated at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2015 and 2017. This paper focuses on two specific tests to assess and demonstrate repeatability at this facility.
Checkpoint inhibitor treatment-related cutaneous adverse events in skin of color patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

3076Background: The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) for the management of advanced malignancies has led to unintended consequences of nonspecific immune activation. Cutaneous immune r...
Redundant targeting of Isr1 by two CDKs in mitotic cells

Protein phosphorylation is an essential regulatory mechanism that controls most cellular processes, integrating a variety of environmental signals to drive cellular growth. Isr1 is a negative regulator of the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP), which produces UDP-GlcNAc, an essential carbohydrate that is the building block of N-glycosylation, GPI anchors and chitin. Isr1 was recently shown to be regulated by phosphorylation by the nutrient-responsive CDK kinase Pho85, allowing it to be targeted for degradation by the SCFCDC4. Here, we show that while deletion of PHO85 stabilizes Isr1 in asynchronous cells, Isr1 is still unstable in mitotically arrested cells in a pho85∆ strain. We provide evidence to suggest that this is through phosphorylation by CDK1. Redundant targeting of Isr1 by two distinct kinases may allow for tight regulation of the HBP in response to different cellular signals.
Fashion inspiration and technology: virtual reality in an experimental apparel design classroom

This study aimed to understand how apparel design students perceived virtual reality (VR) technology as a source of inspiration for garment design. Students interacted with VR technology as a part ...
Pricing Impacts of State of Charge Management Options for Electric Storage Resources

FERC Order 841 directed the U.S. Independent System Operators (ISOs) to incorporate appropriate changes to their market design and market clearing software to allow for an enhanced participation of electric storage resources (BRs). A few key aspects included providing BRs with the option to self-manage their state of charge (SOC) and allowing BRs to be able to set the wholesale price as both a buyer and seller when it is the marginal resource. This paper contributes to the market design realm by providing detailed theoretical analysis of the impending changes including the potential implications of the different SOC management options on price setting.
Hardware Trojan Design and Detection in Asynchronous NCL Circuits

Hardware Trojans that degrade performance, change functionality, leak information, or halt service, have been problematic in synchronous circuits. Asynchronous circuits are gaining popularity due to their lower power consumption, and better immunity against PVT (process, voltage, temperature) variations. In this paper, we show some designs to realize hardware Trojans in NULL Convention Logic (NCL), which is a Quasi-Delay Insensitive (QDI) asynchronous digital circuit paradigm. We also present a formal verification methodology to detect such Trojans, and validate our technique on an RSA decryption circuit.
Structural Finite Element Evaluation of Twisted Stacked-Tape Cable Under Cyclic Lorentz Loads

Structural finite element analysis (FEA) was performed on a straight 40-tape Twisted Stacked-Tape Cable (TSTC) surrounded with a solid copper core to investigate the stress state of the tape-stack under cyclic transverse compressive Lorentz loads up to the tenth cycle. Two worst-case stack orientations, 45 degree and 90 degree, were investigated. In addition, the stack was modeled as simply placed into the core or soldered to the core. Since annealing of the copper core can occur during machining; the stress state of the stack was studied as a function of yield strength of the copper. The results showed that if the copper was strong enough, the stress state of the stack remained unaltered and low up to 300 kN/m cyclic transverse compressive loading. However, when the copper was fully annealed, the plastic deformation accumulated from cyclic loading more significantly affected the stress distribution in the stack. If the tape-stack was simply placed into the core, the tapes can move and slide after each loading cycle. The averaged stress went down for the first few cycles, and then plateaued. However, when the stack was soldered to the core, the stack had less room to move, and therefore the stress state remained at higher values and was less affected by cyclic loading. Additionally, when producing the stack, the tapes at the edge may not align perfectly, and this would introduce additional stress concentration. The misalignment of the stack was studied, and the results showed that this effect caused higher stress in the stack. The numerical modeling presented provides a technique to simulate cyclic loading of TSTC cable. Besides, the information on the stress state of the tape-stack can be used to investigate the behavior of more recently developed cable designs and optimize future configurations.
Effectiveness of social science research opportunities: a study of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs)

Undergraduate research experiences (UREs) can improve student skills, retention, and matriculation to postgraduate study. Traditionally, UREs are available mostly in the natural and biological scie...
A comparative analysis of cold war and post-cold war media framing of aviation disasters

This study builds on previous research that examined U.S. media coverage of two airline disasters – KAL007 and IR655 – during the Cold War in the 1980s. It explores new Cold War frames in The New York Times and The Moscow Times’ coverage of the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014. Additionally, U.S. and Russian official narratives of the incident were compared to the MH17 coverage by the two selected newspapers. Results reveal an absence of hostile Cold War assertions but indicate a link between media frames and the U.S. and Russian government positions. Additionally, findings shed light on the Moscow-Washington relations against the backdrop of intense confrontation between Russia and the West not witnessed since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Outbreaks in the United States, 2010–2017

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cause illnesses ranging from mild diarrhea to ischemic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS); serogroup O157 is the most common cause. We describe the epidemiology and transmission routes for U.S. STEC outbreaks during 2010-2017. Health departments reported 466 STEC outbreaks affecting 4769 persons; 459 outbreaks had a serogroup identified (330 O157, 124 non-O157, 5 both). Among these, 361 (77%) had a known transmission route: 200 foodborne (44% of O157 outbreaks, 41% of non-O157 outbreaks), 87 person-to-person (16%, 24%), 49 animal contact (11%, 9%), 20 water (4%, 5%), and 5 environmental contamination (2%, 0%). The most common food category implicated was vegetable row crops. The distribution of O157 and non-O157 outbreaks varied by age, sex, and severity. A significantly higher percentage of STEC O157 than non-O157 outbreaks were transmitted by beef (p = 0.02). STEC O157 outbreaks also had significantly higher rates of hospitalization and HUS (p < 0.001).
Implementation and Evaluation of a 10-Week Health Equity Curriculum for Pharmacy Students

Objective. To describe a health equity curriculum created for pharmacy students and evaluate students’ perceptions and structural competency after completion of the curriculum. Methods. A health equity curriculum based on transformative learning and structural competency frameworks was implemented as a 10-week mandatory component of the pass-no pass neuropsychiatric theme for second year pharmacy students. Each week, students reviewed materials around a neuropsychiatric-related health equity topic and responded to discussion prompts through asynchronous forums or synchronous online video discussions. The effectiveness of the health equity curriculum was evaluated through assessment of structural competency through a validated instrument, an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), and a questionnaire. Results. All enrolled second year pharmacy students (n=124) participated in the health equity curriculum. Of the 75 students who completed the structural competency instrument, 46 (61%) were able to identify structural determinants of health, explain how structures contribute to health disparities, or design structural interventions. Ninety-six of the 124 students (77%) were able to address their OSCE standardized patient’s mistrust in the health care system. Thematic analysis of student comments elucidated three themes: allyship, peer connection, and self-awareness. Students rated asynchronous discussion forums as significantly less effective than online video discussions and patient cases for achieving curricular objectives. Conclusion. A mandatory curriculum delivered remotely throughout the didactic pharmacy curriculum using a blended learning approach was an effective way to incorporate health equity content and conversations into existing courses. Implementation of this or similar curriculums could be an important step in training pharmacy students to be advocates for social justice.
Vaporization behavior of Ir4(CO)12 and Re2(CO)10 measured by torsion effusion gravimetric method

Abstract Metal carbonyls are of great importance in chemical vapor deposition (CVD), composite materials fabrication, and other near-net shape technologies. Carbonyl CVD is used for deposition of high-purity metallic and alloy coatings for which vapor pressure data is essential. In this study, we report vapor pressures of solid Ir4(CO)12 and Re2(CO)10 carbonyls measured by using the Knudsen Cell methodology using a torsion effusion thermogravimetric system. The vapor pressure of the Ir4(CO)12 exhibited incongruent vaporization, as the molecular weight (MW) of the effusing species was determined as 128 g/mol as compared to the theoretical MW of 1105 g/mol. It is proposed that the Ir4(CO)12 (s) partially decomposed (∼66%) to Ir4(CO)12(g), Ir(s), and CO(g). The Re2(CO)10 on the other hand, showed congruent behavior with Re2(CO)10(s) vaporizing to Re2(CO)10(g) in the measured temperature range. The raw data for vapor pressures was measured using two sets of Knudsen cells with different orifice sizes, and the equilibrium vapor pressures were calculated using Whitman-Motzfeldt methodology. The equilibrium vapor pressures of these carbonyls, partial pressures of gaseous species in case of decomposition, average molecular weights of the effusing gasses were determined. The vapor pressures and Gibbs energies of vaporization reactions of the two above mentioned carbonyls, as well as comparison of vaporization thermodynamics these two carbonyls with other carbonyls from Group VIB to VIIIB are presented in this paper.
Maf1, a repressor of RNA polymerase III-dependent transcription, regulates bone mass

Maf1, a key repressor of RNA polymerase III-mediated transcription, has been shown to promote mesoderm formation in vitro. Here, we show for the first time that Maf1 plays a critical role in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation and bone mass. A high bone mass phenotype was noted in mice with global deletion of Maf1 (Maf1-/- mice), as well as paradoxically, in mice that overexpressed MAF1 in cells of the osteoblast lineage (Prx-Cre;LSL-Maf1 mice). Osteoblasts isolated from Maf1-/- mice unexpectedly showed reduced osteoblastogenesis ex vivo. Prx-Cre;LSL-Maf1 mice showed enhanced osteoblastogenesis concordant with their high bone mass phenotype. Thus, the high bone mass phenotype in Maf1-/- mice is likely due to the confounding effects of the global absence of MAF1 in Maf1-/- mice. Expectedly, MAF1 overexpression promoted osteoblast differentiation and shRNA-mediated Maf1 downregulation inhibited differentiation of ST2 cells, indicating an overall positive action of Maf1 on osteoblast formation. We also found that, in contrast to MAF1 overexpression, other perturbations that repress RNA pol III transcription, including Brf1 knockdown and the chemical inhibition of RNA pol III by ML-60218, paradoxically inhibited osteoblast differentiation. RNA-seq was used to determine the basis for these opposing actions. The three modalities used to perturb RNA pol III transcription resulted in distinct changes gene expression, indicating that this transcription process is highly sensitive and triggers diverse gene expression programs and phenotypic outcomes. Specifically, MAF1 overexpression in ST2 cells induced genes known to promote osteoblast differentiation. A subset of these genes was altered in an opposite manner with Brf1 downregulation or treatment with ML-60218, both of which also inhibit RNA pol III-mediated transcription. All these perturbations, however, enhanced adipogenesis in ST2 cell cultures. Furthermore, codon bias was observed in a subset of genes expressed during osteoblast differentiation. Together, these results reveal a novel role for Maf1 and RNA pol III-mediated transcription in osteoblast fate determination and differentiation and bone mass regulation.
Altered Bile Acid Metabolome in Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH) is increasing at an alarming rate. The role of bile acids in the development and progression of NAFLD to NASH and cirrhosis is poorly understood. This study aimed to quantify the bile acid metabolome in healthy subjects and patients with non-cirrhotic NASH under fasting conditions and after a standardized meal. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy was used to quantify 30 serum and 16 urinary bile acids from 15 healthy volunteers and 7 patients with biopsy-confirmed NASH. Bile acid concentrations were measured at two fasting and four post-prandial time points following a high-fat meal to induce gallbladder contraction and bile acid reabsorption from the intestine. Patients with NASH had significantly higher total serum bile acid concentrations than healthy subjects under fasting conditions (2.2- to 2.4-fold increase in NASH; NASH 2595–3549 µM and healthy 1171–1458 µM) and at all post-prandial time points (1.7- to 2.2-fold increase in NASH; NASH 4444–5898 µM and healthy 2634–2829 µM). These changes were driven by increased taurine- and glycine-conjugated primary and secondary bile acids. Patients with NASH exhibited greater variability in their fasting and post-prandial bile acid profile. Results indicate that patients with NASH have higher fasting and post-prandial exposure to bile acids, including the more hydrophobic and cytotoxic secondary species. Increased bile acid exposure may be involved in liver injury and the pathogenesis of NAFLD and NASH.
Ectopic pregnancy occurring three times in the same patient.

Abstract 1. 1. A rare case of ectopic pregnancy occurring three times in the same patient is reported. 2. 2. Recurrent ectopic pregnancy is not infrequent. Usually the repeat gestation occurs in the opposite tube. Recurrence in the same tube is a rarity. In this case recurrent atypical pregnancies occurred in the same and opposite tubes. 3. 3. We should learn from the possibility of recurrent ectopic pregnancies to be “ectopic alert” in pregnancies following the first atypical implantation. 4. 4. If the uninvolved tube is macroscopically healthy it should be allowed to remain in situ, since the percentage of normal pregnancy following tubal pregnancy is much greater than the percentage of repeated tubal pregnancies.
Presentation of Morris F. Collen Award to Professors Howard Bleich and Warner Slack

The Morris Collen Award is given each year, when appropriate, to pioneers in the field of medical informatics who best exemplify the teaching and practice of Dr. Morris Collen. This year's co-recipients, Drs. Howard Bleich and Warner Slack, who have been co-presidents of the Center for Clinical Computing at Harvard Medical School and collaborators for nearly 30 years, have pioneered work in the field of medical consultation, patient–computer dialogue, and hospital-wide clinical computing systems. The work of these two has taken place principally at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital. Howard Bleich arrived at Harvard and Beth Israel in 1967; he was joined by Warner Slack in 1970. Since then, the two Harvard professors have created, among other things, an integrated hospital computing system that is a model for many other institutions. Howard Bleich was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1934 but grew up in Washington, D.C., where his father worked for the Washington Terminal Company and his mother ran a dry cleaning and laundry business. He was the oldest of three sons, all of whom became doctors. His childhood interest in chemistry included synthesizing organic explosives. He graduated from George Washington University and then went on to get his medical degree from Emory University. Further up the east coast, Warner Slack was born in East Orange, New Jersey, in 1933. His father was a nuclear physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project. The family moved to Pennsylvania, and Warner graduated from Mount Lebanon High School, where he minored in basketball and football. At Princeton, he played junior varsity football and picked up his degree and then got his medical degree from Columbia. Both Howard and Warner served in the Air Force in the '60s. Warner was with a M.A.S.H. unit at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, and Howard served …
Telephone Assessment of lllness: What Is Being Taught and Learned?

An important part of the educational program of house officers consists of teaching skills that are needed to practice medicine. There is great time and energy expended in the educational process, but rarely are these efforts subjected to critical evaluation. The following study points out the need for an evaluation program to determine if the teaching is effective. Since pediatricians may spend one eighth of their time on the telephone,1 an important part of house officer training programs should be the development of telephone communication skills. Careful evaluations have demonstrated that pediatricians and house officers have not asked important questions during telephone consultations.