cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oscillatory behavior of a gas bubble growing (or collapsing) in viscoelastic liquids

A theoretical study was carried out to achieve a better understanding of the oscillatory behavior of a gas bubble growing (or collapsing) in a viscoelastic liquid, by taking into account both the hydrodynamic and diffusion effects. The Zaremba-DeWitt model was chosen to represent the rheological properties of the suspending medium. The finite difference method was employed to solve the governing system equations. The computational results show that, in the case of very fast diffusion (i.e., constant bubble pressure), the oscillatory behavior of a bubble takes place only when the ratio of the initial pressure difference between the gas bubble and the liquid phase to the elastic modulus of the suspending medium is below a certain critical value. On the other hand, in the case of very slow diffusion, the oscillatory behavior of a bubble persists, regardless of the magnitude of the rheological properties of the suspending medium. Our study indicates further that the diffusivity of a gas has a profound influence on the occurrence of oscillatory behavior, that the elastic property of the suspending medium enhances oscillatory behavior while its viscosity plays the opposite role, and that even a Newtonian medium can give rise to an oscillatory pattern of bubble growth (or collapse), although it dampens out very quickly.
Radiation modeling of terahertz transmission-line metamaterials

The cavity antenna model is applied to terahertz passive transmission-line metamaterials based upon metal-insulator-metal waveguides to predict their far-field radiation polarization. The model is verified experimentally by angle-resolved reflectivity spectroscopy of a planar composite right/left-handed metamaterial transmission-line array, which also allows for mapping of the waveguide dispersion.
Emotional Memory in Schizophrenia

Emotional memories play an important role in our day-to-day experience, informing many of our minute-to-minute decisions (eg, where to go for dinner, what are the likely consequences of not attending a meeting), as well as our long-term goal setting. Individuals with schizophrenia appear to be impaired in memory for emotional experiences, particularly over longer delay periods, which may contribute to deficits in goal-related behavior and symptoms of amotivation and anhedonia. This article reviews factors that are known to influence emotional memory in healthy subjects, applies these factors to results from emotional memory studies with individuals with schizophrenia, and then uses extant neurobiological models of emotional memory formation to develop hypotheses about biological processes that might particularly contribute to emotional memory impairment in schizophrenia.
Parameter discovery in stochastic biological models using simulated annealing and statistical model checking

Stochastic models are increasingly used to study the behaviour of biochemical systems. While the structure of such models is often readily available from first principles, unknown quantitative features of the model are incorporated into the model as parameters. Algorithmic discovery of parameter values from experimentally observed facts remains a challenge for the computational systems biology community. We present a new parameter discovery algorithm that uses simulated annealing, sequential hypothesis testing, and statistical model checking to learn the parameters in a stochastic model. We apply our technique to a model of glucose and insulin metabolism used for in-silico validation of artificial pancreata and demonstrate its effectiveness by developing parallel CUDA-based implementation for parameter synthesis in this model.
Time Allocation between Farm and Off-Farm Activities in Israeli Farm Households

This paper examines the time allocation of Israeli farm families between farm work and off-farm work. We found that extended families behave differently than nuclear families: people in families with adult children or siblings of the farm couple tend to work more off the farm and less on the farm, while people in families with parents tend to work less both on and off the farm. We also found that farm land and capital do not affect time allocation once we control for the productive structure of the farm. The private Arab and Jewish farm families behave differently than families in Moshavim, perhaps due to institutional factors, cultural background, and/or labor market discrimination.
Anxiety Symptoms During Adolescence Predicts Salivary Cortisol in Early Adulthood Among Blacks; Sex differences

Although the link between psychological distress and altered cortisol level has been already shown; very limited information exists about this association among Black youth.We tested sex differences in predictive role of symptoms of anxiety during adolescence on annual decline in morning salivary cortisol levels in early adulthood among Black youth.Data came from wave 1 (year 1994), wave 6 (year 2000), and wave 7 (year 2001) of the Flint adolescent study. In this study 176 Black youth (85 males and 91 females) were followed for 7 years from mean age of 15 at baseline to 22 at the end of follow up. Linear regression was used for data analysis with change in salivary cortisol from 2000 to 2001 as the dependent variable, symptoms of anxiety, at 1994 as independent variable, age, number of employed parents, depressive symptoms and alcohol use at 1994 as controls, and sex as the moderator.Higher level of anxiety symptoms at 1994 was predictive of a higher decline in morning salivary cortisol from 2000 to 2001 for all youths, while the effects of baseline socio-economics, depressive symptoms, and alcohol use were controlled. Among female participants, anxiety symptoms at 1994 were predictive of a greater decline in morning salivary cortisol level from 2000 to 2001. The association was not found among males.Our findings suggest sex differences in the predictive role of anxiety symptoms during adolescence on the annual decline in cortisol level during early adulthood. While most research on this topic is among White middle class individuals, our findings shed more light on the longitudinal links between psychological distress and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function among Black youth.
Combining Critical Reflection and Design Thinking to Develop Integrative Learners

In this article, we argue for advancing grounded curricula, which explicitly link theory and pedagogy, and executing them in authentic and multidisciplinary settings as a means to facilitate student growth into integrative learners. We describe the development of a student-centered learning experience that combines elements of critical management education, situated learning, and design thinking. The commonalities between a critically based pedagogy and design thinking create a context for collaboration that enables students to acquire attributes consistent with integrative learners: critical reflection, multiliteracy, the ability to negotiate identity, engage in constructive critique, become skilled in knowledge transformation, and create tangible and implementable outcomes. Drawing from 13 years of pedagogical experimentation, this article contributes to the domain of management education by providing greater specification to the concept of integrative learning, as well as articulating a novel and effective pedagogy based in design thinking. We present our story in three acts, showing how our methodology can enable transformative student learning and offer faculty invigorating teaching experiences.
Distributed lag and spline modeling for predicting energy expenditure from accelerometry in youth.

Movement sensing using accelerometers is commonly used for the measurement of physical activity (PA) and estimating energy expenditure (EE) under free-living conditions. The major limitation of thi...
Orographic Precipitation and Oregon’s Climate Transition

Oregon’s sharp east–west climate transition was investigated using a linear model of orographic precipitation and four datasets: (a) interpolated annual rain gauge data, (b) satellite-derived precipitation proxies (vegetation and brightness temperature), (c) streamflow data for a small catchment, and (d) stable isotope analysis of water samples from streams. The success of the linear model against these datasets suggests that the main elements of the model (i.e., airflow dynamics, cloud time delays, condensed water advection, and leeside evaporation) are behaving reasonably, although the high Oregon terrain may push the linear theory beyond its range of applicability. A key parameter in the linear model is the cloud delay time (), encapsulating the action of orographic cloud processes. Each dataset was examined to see if it can constrain the values. The statewide precipitation patterns from rain gauge and satellite constrain the values only within a broad range from about 500 to 5000 s. A focus on the sharp gradient on the lee slopes of the Cascades suggests that values in the range of 1800–2400 s are preferred. The study of the small Alsea watershed constrains little, as it receives a mixture of upslope and spillover precipitation. Stable isotope ratios in stream water indicate an atmospheric drying ratio of about 43%, requiring an average cloud physics delay time greater than 600 s.
Standards of pontic design.

Abstract Criteria and illustrations for average pontics have been provided. It is recognized that clinical circumstances will require infinite variations. However, the stated criteria should serve as a basic standard for clinical acceptability.
A faster circular binary segmentation algorithm for the analysis of array CGH data

Motivation: Array CGH technologies enable the simultaneous measurement of DNA copy number for thousands of sites on a genome. We developed the circular binary segmentation (CBS) algorithm to divide the genome into regions of equal copy number. The algorithm tests for change-points using a maximal t-statistic with a permutation reference distribution to obtain the corresponding P-value. The number of computations required for the maximal test statistic is O(N2), where N is the number of markers. This makes the full permutation approach computationally prohibitive for the newer arrays that contain tens of thousands markers and highlights the need for a faster algorithm. Results: We present a hybrid approach to obtain the P-value of the test statistic in linear time. We also introduce a rule for stopping early when there is strong evidence for the presence of a change. We show through simulations that the hybrid approach provides a substantial gain in speed with only a negligible loss in accuracy and that the stopping rule further increases speed. We also present the analyses of array CGH data from breast cancer cell lines to show the impact of the new approaches on the analysis of real data. Availability: An R version of the CBS algorithm has been implemented in the "DNAcopy" package of the Bioconductor project. The proposed hybrid method for the P-value is available in version 1.2.1 or higher and the stopping rule for declaring a change early is available in version 1.5.1 or higher. Contact: venkatre@mskcc.org Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A simple prognostic scoring system for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated by chemo-embolization.

Abstract Background : Hepatacellular carcinoma (HCC) comprises heterogeneous groups of patients with differing outcomes. Methods : In order to attempt to identify patient sub-sets, we retrospectively examined the records of 750 patients with biopsy-proven unresectable HCC, who were treated with hepatic artery chemo-embolization and were followed till death. We used the Cox proportional hazard model, as it was neutral with respect to prejudged cut-off between short and long survival. Results : On univariate analysis, we found a shorter survival to be associated with male gender, presence of cirrhosis, portal hypertension, portal vein thrombosis and elevations of bilirubin, GGTP, ALKP, AFP, DCP, PT and albumin. Five factors were found to be statistically significant ( p 100ng/mL) and ALKP (+=>100IU/mL), we found a simple parsimonious prognostic tool, which segregated the patients into survival groups, namely AFP− ALKP−; either AFP+ or ALKP+; and AFP+ ALKP+; these three groups corresponded to a 24-month survival of 70%, 32% and 12%, respectively. Conclusion : we found that only two lab functions, AFP and ALKP levels, in our large HCC patient cohort undergoing hepatic artery chemo-embolization, had prognostic significance.
On the calculation of the generalized Q -function via Parl's method (Corresp.)

Parl has previously given error bounds suitable for calculating Marcum's Q -function. However, it is shown that additional terms in the error bound are necessary for accurate calculations of the generalized Q -function Q_{m}(\alpha, \beta) . The values of m, \alpha , and \beta that result in successful algorithm completion are examined. Numerical results are presented for calculations of the noncentral chi-square distribution and the probability of detection for a classical multiobservation detection problem.
Engendered Encounters: Men of the Church and the “Church of Women” in Maasailand, Tanzania, 1950–1993

A significant paradox of the missionary endeavor in many parts of Africa, as elsewhere, is the preponderance of female adherents to Christianity, despite concerted efforts by most mainstream missionary groups to convert men.Theoretical or comparative studies of missionization, conversion, or religious experience and change which have informed this article include Beidelman (1974), Etherington (1977), King (1995), Holden (1983), Bowie (1993), Rafael (1993), Blakeley, Van Beek and Thomson (1994), Swatos (1994), Shaw (1995), Kipp (1995), and Spear and Kimambo (1999). “Again and again in a mission history,” notes Adrian Hastings, “the early significant baptisms were mostly of women” (Hastings 1993:112).In her history of Christianity in Africa, Elizabeth Isichei (1995) corroborates Hastings' findings, as does much of the ethnographic and historical literature on missionization in Africa (e.g. Barrett 1968:148; Landau 1995:197; Hastings 1993:112–114). Although not self-evident, such an outcome is of course more understandable for missionary groups who tried to convert and train African women to be the “good wives and mothers” necessary for the propagation of the Christian family and the “domestic” duties of the Christian home (Gaitskell 1979, Hunt 1990, Labode 1993, Kanogo 1993). Certainly this has been the case among Maasai in Tanzania, even though Catholic missionaries from the Congregation of the Holy Ghost have spent over forty years trying to evangelize Maasai men. In vain they tried to convert men first through schools, then in their homesteads, and finally in individual instruction classes. Maasai women were restricted from attending school, tolerated but not encouraged to attend homestead instruction and services, and dissuaded from holding formal leadership positions in the church. Despite these gender-based evangelization strategies and objectives, however, significantly more Maasai women than men have sought instruction and baptism in the Catholic church. Conversion to Catholicism was never easy for these women, as they had to overcome not only the reluctance of the missionaries but also the objections of their husbands and fathers. Yet they persevered, and now constitute the majority of practicing Catholics. Intent on creating Christian communities premised on male leadership and patriarchal authority, the men of the church have instead facilitated the creation of a “church of women.”
The proximal tubule in the pathophysiology of the diabetic kidney

Diabetic nephropathy is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism involved in the early changes of the diabetic kidney may permit the development of new strategies to prevent diabetic nephropathy. This review focuses on the proximal tubule in the early diabetic kidney, particularly on its exposure and response to high glucose levels, albuminuria, and other factors in the diabetic glomerular filtrate, the hyperreabsorption of glucose, the unique molecular signature of the tubular growth phenotype, including aspects of senescence, and the resulting cellular and functional consequences. The latter includes the local release of proinflammatory chemokines and changes in proximal tubular salt and fluid reabsorption, which form the basis for the strong tubular control of glomerular filtration in the early diabetic kidney, including glomerular hyperfiltration and odd responses like the salt paradox. Importantly, these early proximal tubular changes can set the stage for oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and thereby for the progression of diabetic renal disease.
Nm23 Metastasis Suppressor Gene

The nm23 gene family was identified on the basis of its reduced expression in highly metastatic melanoma cell lines, as compared to related cell lines of low metastatic potential. Transfection of nm23 into metastatically competent melanoma and breast, oral squamous cell and colon carcinoma cell lines reduced tumor metastatic potential upon in vivo injection. No effect on primary tumor size was observed, making nm23 a metastasis suppressor gene. Research in Drosophila, human breast carcinoma and rat neural cells show nm23 to regulate differentiation, which may contribute to its metastatic suppressive phenotype. The biochemical mechanism of action of Nm23 in metastasis suppression is under investigation, and is hypothesized to involve a histidine protein kinase activity. Elevation of nm23 expression in micrometastatic cells of cancer patients is hypothesized as a translational strategy to limit further colonization, invasion and induce differentiation, potentially with a clinical benefit.
Evaluating Curriculum Design in the Context of Active Teaching

This study compared two curricula designed to teach ratio and proportion word problems. Both curricula were taught following principles of active teaching. The experimental curriculum, presented via an interactive videodisc program, incorporated empirically validated curriculum design principles. The comparison curriculum was derived from four math basals and was teacher taught. The curricula were matched for content and length. The subjects included 29 secondary students who qualified for remedial or special education services in math. Students were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments, resulting in 16 students in the active teaching with basals (ATB) group and 13 students in the active teaching with curriculum design (ATCD) group. On a 21-item, criterion-referenced posttest, students in the ATCD group performed significantly higher than students in the ATB group. On a parallel form maintenance test administered 2 weeks after the completion of the study, performance for students in the ATCD gro...
Characterization of the weld structure in a duplex stainless steel using color metallography

Abstract A three-step etching technique, utilizing a Glyceregia etch, a 10% oxalic acid electrolytic etch, and a boiling Murakami's reagent etch, was employed to reveal the weld structure in a commercial duplex stainless steel alloy. Color metallography indicated that chromium segregation, which is residual from significant phase composition differences in the original ferrite-austenite base metal structure, existed in all areas of the weld heat-affected zone. Evidence of fine chromium-rich precipitates distributed homogenously within the ferrite grains and heterogenously at ferrite subgrain boundaries in the middle and near heat-affected zone regions was observed and correlated with local variations in chromium content.
Use of Probability of Success as an Independent Variable for Decision-Making

Presented at the 4th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Forum, Chicago, IL, September 20-23, 2004.
Multi-label classification of short text: a study on Wikipedia barnstars

A content analysis ofWikipedia barnstars personalized tokens of appreciation given to participants reveals a wide range of valued work extending beyond simple editing to include social support, administrative actions, and types of articulation work. Barnstars are examples of short semi-structured text characterized by informal grammar and language. We propose a method to classify these barnstars which contain items of interest into various work type categories. We evaluate several multilabel text categorization classifiers and show that significant performance can be achieved by simple classifiers using features which carry context extracted from barnstars. Although this study focused specifically on work categorization via barnstar content for Wikipedia, we believe that the findings are applicable to other similar collaborative systems.
Pharmacological chaperone for α-crystallin partially restores transparency in cataract models

Cataracts reduce vision in 50% of individuals over 70 years of age and are a common form of blindness worldwide. Cataracts are caused when damage to the major lens crystallin proteins causes their misfolding and aggregation into insoluble amyloids. Using a thermal stability assay, we identified a class of molecules that bind α-crystallins (cryAA and cryAB) and reversed their aggregation in vitro. The most promising compound improved lens transparency in the R49C cryAA and R120G cryAB mouse models of hereditary cataract. It also partially restored protein solubility in the lenses of aged mice in vivo and in human lenses ex vivo. These findings suggest an approach to treating cataracts by stabilizing α-crystallins.
Parental Incarceration and Child Well-Being: Implications for Urban Families†

Objective. Using a population-based, longitudinal family survey (N=4,898), we identify economic, residential, and developmental risks particular to the children of incarcerated parents. Methods. We use parental reports of incarceration history, demographic background, and a rich set of child and family outcomes, in a series of multivariate regression models. Results. Children of incarcerated parents face more economic and residential instability than their counterparts. Sons of incarcerated fathers display more behavior problems, though other developmental differences are insignificant. Conclusions. We find that incarceration identifies families facing severe hardship that cannot be explained by other observed family characteristics. Given the prevalence of incarceration, our findings suggest that a large population of children suffers unmet material needs, residential instability, and behavior problems. These risks may be best addressed by using the point of incarceration as an opportunity for intervention and the administration of age-appropriate social services.
Plerixafor (AMD3100) in myeloma and lymphoma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation

7100 Background: Poor peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization has been reported as an obstacle to autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Plerixafor (AMD3100) has been recently approved as a...
Abstract A42: Increased Akt3 expression as a resistance mechanism to targeted therapy

Resistance to targeted therapy poses a major challenge for successful treatment of cancers. Despite a number of drugs targeting the PI 3-K/Akt pathway are in clinical development, mechanisms of resistance to drugs targeting this pathway have not been studied extensively. To determine how breast cancer cells develop resistance to Akt inhibitors (Akti), we generated Akti-resistant lines using dose escalation regimens with pan-Akt inhibitors (ATP-competitive: GDC0068, GSK690693; Allosteric: MK2206). Interestingly, in multiple Akti-resistant breast cancer lines, we observed a robust increase in the protein expression of Akt3, but not Akt1 or Akt2. We were intrigued by this observation, as we have recently demonstrated that Akt3 has a predominant function in regulating growth of triple negative breast cancer cells in three-dimensional spheroids and in xenograft models. The increased expression of Akt3 in Akti-resistant cells occurs via a genetic event, since the levels of Akt3 remain elevated after 3 weeks of Akt inhibitor removal. Moreover, upon Akt inhibitor removal in resistant lines, cells remain resistant to Akt inhibition. The enhanced Akt3 expression is observed in both luminal and basal-like triple-negative breast cancer resistant lines. Importantly, knockdown of Akt3, but not Akt1 or Akt2, results in re-sensitization of resistant cells to Akti. Mechanistically, using anti-phosphotyrosine receptor antibody array (RTK array), we observed increased phosphorylation of several RTKs in resistant cells, including EGFR, Her2, and ROR1. Akt3 knockdown in resistant cells results in reduction of pEGFR, pHer3 and pHer2, suggesting that Akt3 plays a role in the regulation of multiple RTKs in resistant cells. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is implicated in therapeutic resistance of cancers. Interestingly, several of our resistant lines display EMT properties including downregulation of E-Cadherin, and upregulation of N-Cadherin as well as Vimentin. We propose that enhanced Akt3 expression is a general mechanism by which breast cancer cells acquire resistance to Akti targeted therapy. Current efforts are aimed at investigating the mechanistic basis for Akt3-mediated resistance, and demonstrating the physiological relevance of these findings in clinical samples as well as in mouse models. The role of Akt3 in regulating EMT during establishment of resistance will also be explored. These studies will provide insights into molecular mechanisms of therapeutic resistance to drugs targeting the PI 3-K/Akt pathway, as well as information for designing combination strategies and next generation therapy. Citation Format: Y Rebecca Chin, Alex Toker. Increased Akt3 expression as a resistance mechanism to targeted therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Targeting the PI3K-mTOR Network in Cancer; Sep 14-17, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(7 Suppl):Abstract nr A42.
Capture of μ - Mesons by Protons

By use of a two-component theory of the neutrino the capture process and the radiative capture process of a ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ by a proton is analyzed in some detail.
Large-eddy simulation of autoignition-dominated supersonic combustion

The simulation of low-speed combustion flows is well established. However, at high-speed conditions where radical formation and ignition delay are important, there is much less experience with turbulent combustion modeling. In the present work, a novel evolution variable manifold (EVM) approach of Cymbalist and Dimotakis is implemented in a production CFO code and preliminary RANS and large-eddy simulations are computed for a hydrogen combustion test case. The EVM approach solves a scalar conservation equation for the induction time to represent ignition delay. The state or the combustion products is tabulated as a function of density, energy, mixture fraction, and the evolution variable. A thermodynamically-consistent numerical flux function is developed and the approach for coupling the EVM table to CFD is discussed. Initial simulations show that the EVM approach produces good agreement with full chemical kinetics and model simulations. Work remains to be done to improve the numerical stability, extend the grid, and increase the order or accuracy of the simulations.
Predicted Releases of Engineered Nanomaterials: From Global to Regional to Local

A key question for industry, regulators, toxicologists, and risk assessors working with nanomaterials is what relevant environmental engineered nanomaterial (ENM) concentrations should be considered. Answering this question requires ENM material flow estimates at the local level. Using a life-cycle approach, global ENM production and application data were used to estimate releases at global, regional, national, and local levels. Local level emissions were then used to estimate releases to water (direct and from wastewater treatment effluent), soils (direct and from runoff and biosolids), and air (direct and from incineration of ENM-containing products). Waste management data for dozens of countries were used to estimate the flow of 10 major ENMs through eight world regions. A national and local release example was conducted with data from the United States, providing predicted wastewater effluent concentrations for the San Francisco Bay area, ranging from low nanograms per liter to micrograms per liter de...
Graph isomorphism in quasipolynomial time [extended abstract]

We show that the Graph Isomorphism (GI) problem and the more general problems of String Isomorphism (SI) andCoset Intersection (CI) can be solved in quasipolynomial(exp((logn)O(1))) time. The best previous bound for GI was exp(O( √n log n)), where n is the number of vertices (Luks, 1983); for the other two problems, the bound was similar, exp(O~(√ n)), where n is the size of the permutation domain (Babai, 1983). Following the approach of Luks’s seminal 1980/82 paper, the problem we actually address is SI. This problem takes two strings of length n and a permutation group G of degree n (the “ambient group”) as input (G is given by a list of generators) and asks whether or not one of the strings can be transformed into the other by some element of G. Luks’s divide-and-conquer algorithm for SI proceeds by recursion on the ambient group. We build on Luks’s framework and attack the obstructions to efficient Luks recurrence via an interplay between local and global symmetry. We construct group theoretic “local certificates” to certify the presence or absence of local symmetry, aggregate the negative certificates to canonical k-ary relations where k = O(log n), and employ combinatorial canonical partitioning techniques to split the k-ary relational structure for efficient divide-and- conquer. We show that in a well–defined sense, Johnson graphs are the only obstructions to effective canonical partitioning. The central element of the algorithm is the “local certificates” routine which is based on a new group theoretic result, the “Unaffected stabilizers lemma,” that allows us to construct global automorphisms out of local information.
Müllerian Agenesis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Fertility

Mullerian agenesis or Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome is typically diagnosed during adolescence when the individual presents with primary amenorrhea. Despite ongoing research, its etiology remains elusive. It is one of the most common congenital anomalies of the reproductive tract and thus it is important for the clinician to gain familiarity with its diagnosis and management. Mullerian agenesis must be differentiated from complete androgen insensitivity syndrome and obstructive anomalies such as low transverse vaginal septum in which the management differs significantly. Throughout the years innumerable techniques have been devised to create a vagina. Both the nonsurgical and surgical modes of creating a vagina are described in this chapter. The success of these therapies, in large part is due to the continuing education of the patient. Finally, reproductive options for patients with mullerian agenesis are reviewed.
Gender differences in snus versus nicotine gum for cigarette avoidance among a sample of US smokers.

Abstract Introduction Women are more susceptible to the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. Thus, identifying effective harm reduction approaches for women is necessary. The goal of this project was to examine gender differences in response to snus versus nicotine gum for cigarette avoidance, as a means of harm reduction. Methods Participants were randomly assigned to use snus or nicotine gum as a method to avoid cigarette smoking. Participants attended clinic visits to receive study product, as well as provide biological samples to assess smoking avoidance and biomarkers and report on use of study product and cigarettes. A secondary analysis comparing men and women by randomization to study product was conducted. Results Participants (n = 391; 47% women) were randomized into the snus group (n = 196; 45% women) and the gum group (n = 195; 49% women). Men used more snus whereas women used more gum (p = 0.02). During treatment, men in the snus group had higher total nicotine equivalent values whereas women did not vary by group (p = 0.03). Overall, fewer men in the snus group completely avoided cigarettes compared to men in the gum group (e.g., continuous abstinence at Week 12: odds ratio = 0.43, 95% confidence interval = 0.20–0.93). Among women, there were no differences by randomization in cigarette avoidance. Conclusions Despite a number of gender differences in response to snus versus nicotine gum, these data suggest that snus may not be an optimal harm reduction approach for either gender.
Development of genetic algorithm embedded Kohonen neural network for dynamic security assessment

A Kohonen self-organizing neural network embedded with a genetic algorithm is proposed in this paper. The genetic algorithm is embedded to initiate the Kohonen classifiers. By the proposed approach, the neural network learning performance and accuracy are greatly enhanced. In addition, the genetic algorithm can successfully avoid the neural network from being trapped in a local minimum. The proposed method is developed and tested on an electric utility system to access its dynamic security.
Long-term Growth Response of Douglas-fir to Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer

The effect of a single application of ammonium nitrate fertilizer on diameter, height, arid volume growth of a Site IV plantation of Pseudotsuga menziesii was measured repeatedly during a 15-year period. Fertilizer dosages of 157, 314; and 471 kg N/ha increased gross volume growth during the 15-year period by an average of 5 I, 88, and 111 percent, respectively (67, 116, and 146 tn3/ha). Quadratic equations best described the relationship between fertilizer dosage and gross and net volume growth during the erttite period and during three intermediate periods. Volume growth on fertilized plots exceeded that on unfertilized plots in ail periods. Response to all N dosages did not change significantly during the 15-year period of obserVation. The positive, long-term effect of fertilizer on stand growth is attributed both to improved tree nutrition and to secondary effects of increased tree growth on stand structure. FOREST SCI. 29:127-137.
Abstract 1123: Glutaminase inhibitors suppress pyrimidine synthesis and promote DNA replication stress inVHL-deficient human renal cancer cells

Hypoxic and VHL-deficient cells use glutamine to generate citrate and lipids through reductive carboxylation (RC) of a-ketoglutarate. To gain insights into the role of HIF and the molecular mechanisms underlying RC, we took advantage of a panel of disease associated Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) mutants and showed that HIF2a expression is necessary and sufficient for the induction of RC in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells. Reductive carboxylation can be detected in vivo. HIF2a-mediated glutamine metabolism is induced by low intracellular citrate levels, which promote the reductive flux by mass action to maintain lipogenesis. In addition to being a source of lipogenic acetyl-CoA, glutamine can be used in the Krebs cycle to generate aspartate - the carbon source for pyrimidine biosynthesis. We showed that VHL-deficient RCC cells rely on RC-derived aspartate to maintain de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. Pharmacological inhibition of glutaminase (GLS) by the commercially available glutaminase inhibitor BPTES and a glutaminase inhibitor which is in Phase I clinical study (CB-839, Calithera Biosciences Inc) depleted the levels of pyrimidines in VHL-deficient cells but not in VHL-reconstituted cells, which utilized glucose oxidation to supply the aspartate pool. Nucleoside depletion activates an intra-S-phase checkpoint corresponding to DNA replication stress and suppressed S-phase transition in VHL-deficient RCC cells. DNA replication stress was rescued by administration of glutamate or dimethyl-alpha-ketoglutarate. Addition of nucleobases partially rescued the effect of glutaminase inhibitors on cell growth. Our data suggest that glutaminase inhibitors suppress de novo pyrimidine synthesis, leading to DNA replication stress in VHL-deficient RCC cells. We currently test the hypothesis that this mechanistic insight may allow the development of novel therapeutic strategies for RCC by combining glutaminase inhibitors with drugs promoting DNA replication stress. Citation Format: Arimichi Okazaki, Paulo Gameiro, Gregory Stephanopoulos, Othon Iliopoulos. Glutaminase inhibitors suppress pyrimidine synthesis and promote DNA replication stress in VHL-deficient human renal cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1123. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1123
Research Evidence and the Common Core State Standards

The shift from mathematics and English language standards unique to each state to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), now adopted by 45 states, represents a major change in US education policy. Also notable is the advocates’ promise that the standards would be “research and evidence based.” Drawing on a conceptual lens grounded in the policy analytic and political science research literature, this chapter examines how research and other types of evidence were used over the course of the Common Core process, what CCSS participants learned from past unsuccessful attempts to implement national standards, and how participants combined peer-reviewed research findings with other types of evidence (e.g., statistical data, expert judgment, practitioner knowledge). Study data include content analysis of key documents, interviews with leading participants at the national level and in four states, and notes from participant observers. Research use in the CCSS process underscores its role in framing how people think about policy problems and solutions; learn from past political and policy failures; and integrate research with experience, prior beliefs, and other sources of information.
Mechanistic Insights into NSF Mediated SNARE Complex Disassembly

Evolutionarily conserved SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) proteins form a complex that drives membrane fusion in eukaryotes. The ATPase NSF (N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor), together with the adaptor protein SNAP (soluble NSF attachment protein), disassembles the SNARE complex, making individual SNAREs available for subsequent rounds of fusion. We determined structures of ATP- and ADP-bound NSF, and the NSF/SNAP/SNARE supercomplex (known as 20S particle) using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). We further dissected the mechanism of NSF mediated SNARE complex disassembly using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy based on the cryo-EM structures.
Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network Centers.

Twenty years ago, the American Heart Association (AHA) pioneered a national initiative to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. In 1997, only 1 in 3 women recognized heart disease as their leading killer, and the percentage doubled within a decade.1 In 2004, the AHA adopted the Red Dress symbol to represent the cause and, in conjunction with the release of the first evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of heart disease in women, launched the Go Red for Women campaign. The Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network represents another major milestone in the women and heart disease movement. Funded centers are listed in the Figure. Each center has synergistic population, clinical, and basic projects with a shared scientific theme. All centers train fellows and collaborate with each other in the Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network to advance the mission and impact of the AHA. A recent AHA scientific statement highlighted the lack of sleep as an important contributor to obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and CVD.2 Women may be at particular risk of abnormal sleep and its consequences because of unique life stages and circumstances, such as caregiving responsibilities and hormonal changes. Despite the importance of sleep as a lifestyle risk factor, …
Isolation and Characterization of a Shewanella Phage–Host System from the Gut of the Tunicate, Ciona intestinalis

Outnumbering all other biological entities on earth, bacteriophages (phages) play critical roles in structuring microbial communities through bacterial infection and subsequent lysis, as well as through horizontal gene transfer. While numerous studies have examined the effects of phages on free-living bacterial cells, much less is known regarding the role of phage infection in host-associated biofilms, which help to stabilize adherent microbial communities. Here we report the cultivation and characterization of a novel strain of Shewanella fidelis from the gut of the marine tunicate Ciona intestinalis, inducible prophages from the S. fidelis genome, and a strain-specific lytic phage recovered from surrounding seawater. In vitro biofilm assays demonstrated that lytic phage infection affects biofilm formation in a process likely influenced by the accumulation and integration of the extracellular DNA released during cell lysis, similar to the mechanism that has been previously shown for prophage induction.
La buena enseñanza y el éxito escolar de los estudiantes en América Latina

La educacion en America Latina transcurre entre las enormes esperanzas que en sus maestros tienen los estudiantes y lo poco que se aprende en la escuela. Revertir esta situacion requerira desarrollar las competencias pedagogicas de los docentes, pues ahi esta la clave para permitir a las chicas y a los chicos aprender en profundidad contenidos significativos que les permitan cambiar sus opciones en la vida, concentrandose sobre todo en aquellos estudiantes cuyos padres tienen mas bajos niveles educativos. Centralizarse en la buena ensenanza requerira, sin embargo, reemplazar un ideario equivocado que ha dominado entre quienes toman decisiones de politica educativa y entre las agencias de desarrollo y cooperacion internacional.
Powered by Netflix: speed test services and video-on-demand’s global development projects:

This article examines three online tools that enable users of video-on-demand (VOD) platforms to check their Internet speeds: the ISP Speed Index and Fast.com, both developed by Netflix, and Google...
On the Semantics of the Perfective Aspect

The study of the temporal structure of events in natural language is of prime importance in linguistics. Though there has been recent progress on formal theories of events, these theories do not address certain syntactic and semantic properties peculiar to languages such as Hindi. This paper concentrates on properties related to perfectivity. It motivates a small number of semantic features for events and their objects, such as whether an object exists independently of an event, whether it is totally affected by the event, and so on. It then formalizes these features. It also shows how they can be formalized in an algebraic framework and applied in a categorial grammar to derive the properties of verbal and nominal predicates. The result is an integration of descriptive semantics with algebraic theories of objects and events.
Aggregation Methods to Represent Small Dismounted Infantry Unit Combined Arms Battles in Division and Corps War Games

Methods of representing small dismounted infantry units in combined arms battle in division and corps war games are described. Explanation of the aggregation (artillery, scenario, and terrain effects) required by these methods in order to meet resource constraints is also included.
Numerical Investigation of the Punching Resistance of Reinforced Concrete Flat Plates

AbstractNonlinear finite-element analyses are used to numerically investigate the punching shear resistance of reinforced concrete flat plate structures. Material nonlinearity is based principally ...
Preadolescents’ Internal Attributions for Negative Peer Experiences: Links to Child and Classroom Peer Victimization and Friendship

In addition to children's own peer relations, contextual norms for peer relations in classrooms and schools can influence how they perceive their peer interactions, and in some cases, might do so in opposite ways. The current study examined the relations of preadolescents' internal attributions for negative peer experiences with their own peer victimization and reciprocal friendship, as well as their classrooms' norms for peer victimization and reciprocal friendship. A racially diverse sample of 532 boys and girls from 37 fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms completed self-report measures of two internal attributions (characterological and behavioral) and peer nominations for peer victimization and reciprocal friendship. Multilevel multivariate regression was used to test a series of two-level models. Child peer victimization was positively associated with characterological attributions, and classroom peer victimization was negatively related to these attributions. Child reciprocal friendship was negatively associated with characterological and behavioral attributions, and classroom reciprocal friendship was positively related to characterological attributions. Results reveal distinct relations of children's own peer victimization and reciprocal friendship with their internal peer attributions. The findings also highlight the contextualized nature of children's internal peer attributions and provide additional support for the emerging notion of inverse or paradoxical effects of class/school-level variables on children's social cognition. Implications are briefly discussed for both school-based intervention and psychotherapy.
COMISA (Comorbid Insomnia and Sleep Apnea): a Practical Approach

Comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA) is prevalent and carries significant morbidity but lacks a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Through a critical evaluation of the literature, we propose a novel approach to COMISA that incorporates the underlying etiology and existence of different phenotypes in this disorder. A low arousal threshold and/or hyperarousability may underlie the development of COMISA. Pretreatment symptoms may serve as baseline predictors of response to positive airway pressure therapy in COMISA and differentiate insomnia secondary to OSA from independent insomnia. A variety of therapeutic strategies for COMISA have been put forward with evidence supporting the use of monotherapy or combined therapy in the appropriate clinical setting. Patients with either OSA or insomnia must be effectively screened for both disorders based on presenting symptoms and response to therapy. Recognition of the underlying etiology of COMISA and the different COMISA phenotypes can guide therapy.