cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stability of choices in a risky decision-making task: a 3-year longitudinal study with children and adults

In a 3-year follow-up to Levin and Hart's (2003) study, we observed the same children, now 9–11 years old, and their parents in the same risky decision-making task. At the aggregate level the same pattern of means was observed across time periods. At the individual level the key variables were significantly correlated across time periods for both children and adults. Taken together with the results from the original study and earlier studies, these results solidify the following conclusions: children utilize both probability and outcome information in risky decision-making; the tendency to make more risky choices to avoid a loss than to achieve a gain of equal magnitude, which is a major tenet of the leading theories of risky decision-making, occurs for children as well as adults; children make more risky choices than adults; temperamental predictors of risky choice are valid for children as well as for adults. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Erasure of fission tracks in glasses and silicates by shock waves

Shock loading experiments have been carried out to determine the effect of dynamic pressures and associated temperatures on fission tracks in tektite (indochinite) and soda-lime glasses, biotite, and apatite. Below shock pressures of 83 ± 4 and 31 ± 3 kb, track densities remain unaltered in the tektite and soda-lime glass, respectively. In the tektite glass, partial and complete erasure of tracks is observed in samples recovered from 112 ± 2 and 133 ± 10 kb. In the soda-lime glass, partial erasure is observed in samples recovered from 33 ± 3 and 42 ± 3 kb. Shock temperature calculations indicate that the temperatures achieved upon shocking the glasses are appreciably lower than those at which tracks would be annealed out under static conditions. Single-crystals of apatite retain tracks when shocked to 45 ± 5 kb. apatite recovered from shock pressures above 82 ± 5 kb is granulated to micron-sized particles which preclude recognition of tracks. Single-crystal biotite specimens shocked to pressure up to 173 ± 5 kb show no appreciable loss in fission track density.
Frontocingulate Dysfunction in Depression: Toward Biomarkers of Treatment Response

Increased rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) activity has emerged as a promising predictor of treatment response in depression, but neither the reliability of this relationship nor the mechanisms supporting it have been thoroughly investigated. This review takes a three-pronged approach to these issues. First, I present a meta-analysis demonstrating that the relationship between resting rACC activity and treatment response is robust. Second, I propose that the rACC plays a key role in treatment outcome because of its 'hub' position in the default network. Specifically, I hypothesize that elevated resting rACC activity confers better treatment outcomes by fostering adaptive self-referential processing and by helping to recalibrate relationships between the default network and a 'task-positive network' that comprises dorsolateral prefrontal and dorsal cingulate regions implicated in cognitive control. Third, I support this hypothesis by reviewing neuropsychological, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging data on frontocingulate dysfunction in depression. The review ends with a discussion of the limitations of current work and future directions.
Looking for Clues to Failures in Large-Scale, Public Sector Projects: A Case Study

We describe results from historical analysis of a large-scale, public sector effort: the IRS Modernization Project that has already spanned a decade and consumed more than 3 billion dollars. The results focus on analysis of Sentiments and Confidence expressed by different stakeholders, as found in various documents. We explore how such analyses may provide a window on project progress and potential early clues that may contribute to preventing undesirable outcomes in the future.
Epithelial cell α3β1 integrin links β-catenin and Smad signaling to promote myofibroblast formation and pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis, in particular idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), results from aberrant wound healing and scarification. One population of fibroblasts involved in the fibrotic process is thought to originate from lung epithelial cells via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Indeed, alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) undergo EMT in vivo during experimental fibrosis and ex vivo in response to TGF-beta1. As the ECM critically regulates AEC responses to TGF-beta1, we explored the role of the prominent epithelial integrin alpha3beta1 in experimental fibrosis by generating mice with lung epithelial cell-specific loss of alpha3 integrin expression. These mice had a normal acute response to bleomycin injury, but they exhibited markedly decreased accumulation of lung myofibroblasts and type I collagen and did not progress to fibrosis. Signaling through beta-catenin has been implicated in EMT; we found that in primary AECs, alpha3 integrin was required for beta-catenin phosphorylation at tyrosine residue 654 (Y654), formation of the pY654-beta-catenin/pSmad2 complex, and initiation of EMT, both in vitro and in vivo during the fibrotic phase following bleomycin injury. Finally, analysis of lung tissue from IPF patients revealed the presence of pY654-beta-catenin/pSmad2 complexes and showed accumulation of pY654-beta-catenin in myofibroblasts. These findings demonstrate epithelial integrin-dependent profibrotic crosstalk between beta-catenin and Smad signaling and support the hypothesis that EMT is an important contributor to pathologic fibrosis.
Cellular Transplantation Strategies for Spinal Cord Injury and Translational Neurobiology

Basic science advances in spinal cord injury and regeneration research have led to a variety of novel experimental therapeutics designed to promote functionally effective axonal regrowth and sprouting. Among these interventions are cell-based approaches involving transplantation of neural and non-neural tissue elements that have potential for restoring damaged neural pathways or reconstructing intraspinal synaptic circuitries by either regeneration or neuronal/glial replacement. Notably, some of these strategies (e.g., grafts of peripheral nerve tissue, olfactory ensheathing glia, activated macrophages, marrow stromal cells, myelin-forming oligodendrocyte precursors or stem cells, and fetal spinal cord tissue) have already been translated to the clinical arena, whereas others have imminent likelihood of bench-to-bedside application. Although this progress has generated considerable enthusiasm about treating what once was thought to be a totally incurable condition, there are many issues to be considered relative to treatment safety and efficacy. The following review reflects on different experimental applications of intraspinal transplantation with consideration of the underlying pathological, pathophysiological, functional, and neuroplastic responses to spinal trauma that such treatments may target along with related issues of procedural and biological safety. The discussion then moves to an overview of ongoing and completed clinical trials to date. The pros and cons of these endeavors are considered, as well as what has been learned from them. Attention is primarily directed at preclinical animal modeling and the importance of patterning clinical trials, as much as possible, according to laboratory experiences.
Issues in Providing Mental Health Services to Hearing-Impaired Persons

Interest in the mental health service needs of hearing-impaired persons has expanded over the past 35 years, but the availability and accessibility of clinical services have lagged behind developments in research. Despite federal mandates, deaf Americans' psychiatric and psychosocial needs remain profoundly underserved. The author provides an overview of deaf culture and the deaf community and discusses issues in communication, including use of American Sign Language and interpreters in clinical settings. Diagnostic considerations, clinical assessment strategies, and inpatient, outpatient, educational, and early intervention treatment strategies are explored, and the needs of special populations, including mentally ill offenders, patients with multiple disabilities, and persons with hearing loss in later life are examined.
Stability and Degradation Processes of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) on Metal Oxide Surfaces

The chemical stability of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) when placed in physical contact with metal oxide surfaces is investigated. The TNT is deposited at 1–3 monolayers of coverage on the surface of microcrystalline MnO2, CuO, WO3, MoO3, Bi2O3, SnO2, and Fe2O3 by wet impregnation. The samples were placed in a 50°C oven and allowed to react over a period of 11 months. Periodically, samples were removed and analyzed chromatographically to determine whether products were being formed at the surface of the oxide. TNT proved to be inert to most oxides; however, both CuO and MnO2 effected a clean decomposition of the TNT into tri-nitrobenzene.
Lower prolactin bioactivity in unmedicated schizophrenic patients

In previous work, prolactin (PRL) abnormalities of a lower bioassay (BA) to radioimmonoassay (RIA) ratio were found in schizophrenic patients. This line of research was extended in seven male patients with schizophrenia who were neuroleptic-free; seven male control subjects were also studied. PRL values were assessed by RIA and Nb2 BA techniques. The schizophrenic group had a significantly lower PRL BA as compared to normal controls and a lower PRL ratio of BA/RIA. The lower ratio is consistent with an earlier finding and suggests that schizophrenic patients have different molecular forms of PRL than control subjects. This difference could be due to a disordered tuberoinfundibular dopamine system or the long-term effects of neuroleptic medications.
Historical review of termite activity at Forest Service termiticide test sites from 1971 to 2004

The U.S. Forest Service has a long history of providing termiticide efficacy data used for product registration and labeling. Four primary test sites (Arizona and Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina [hereafter southeast]) have been used for this purpose. Various parameters of termite attack at water-only control plots were examined in this study to assess the relative pressures of termites at each site. Termiticide studies installed between 1971 and 2001 by using ground board (GB) and concrete slab (CS) test methods were included. GB control plots were attacked 85% of the time in the southeast, about twice the rate observed in Arizona (43%). CS plots were attacked 59–70% of the time in the southeast, significantly higher than in Arizona (43%). Termites were slower to initiate attack at control plots in Arizona compared with the southeast, and they were up to twice as slow at GB controls. Once initial attack began, GB plots were reattacked at higher percentages in the southeast (89–90%) than in Arizona (67%). Reattack at CS plots ranged from 65% in Arizona and South Carolina to 76% in Mississippi. Termites caused less damage to wooden blocks in control plots in Arizona than the southeast. Attack rates at controls generally declined during the 1990s, but these rates have rebounded since 2000, except at CS plots in Arizona and South Carolina. Statistical analysis of attacks at plots treated with chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, and permethrin also was undertaken. Time to initial termite attack (failure) of the organophosphate chlorpyrifos was generally shorter in Arizona than in the southeast, whereas time to initial attack in plots treated with one of three pyrethroids (cypermethrin, fenvalerate, and permethrin) was generally longer in Arizona.
ENHANCING CUSTOMER-NEEDS-DRIVEN CRM STRATEGIES: CORE SELLING TEAMS, KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT COMPETENCE, AND RELATIONSHIP MARKETING COMPETENCE

Managing relationships with customers is often challenging because firms engage in many different types of transactions and their customers vary considerably as to their wants and needs. To meet these challenges, firms are turning increasingly to formal customer relationship management (CRM) programs. Because of their ability to enhance interfirm relationships in business-to-business marketing, firms often turn specifically to customer-needs–driven CRM strategies. These strategies focus on the use of database technology to aid in developing long-term cooperative relationships with key customers. One important resource that enables firms to more easily develop and implement customer-needs–driven CRM strategies is the core selling (CS) team. We examine CS teams’ ability to enhance the development of two competences (a knowledge management competence and a relationship marketing competence) that are important components of customer-needs–driven CRM strategy.
Why Women Participate Less than Men in Civic Activity: Evidence from Mali

Civic engagement fails to foster democratic representation and accountability when women or other marginalized groups face barriers to participation, as they do in many developing countries. Rather than flattening access to participation, a randomly assigned civic education course in Mali widened the gender gap when it increased civic activity among men while decreasing that among women. Qualitative evidence reveals mechanisms by which the information intervention generated perverse consequences for women. In a place where women are traditionally unwelcome actors in the public sphere, the course heightened the salience of civic activity, thus increasing social costs for female participators. Women report implicit and explicit threats of sanctions from male relatives and village elders. The intervention did, however, work to close the gender gap in civic and political knowledge. Together, these findings suggest that resource constraints limit civic participation, but flattening access cannot overcome discriminatory gender norms – and may even exacerbate them.
Irradiation and immunotherapy: From concept to the clinic

In recent years, an increased understanding of T-cell-regulatory mechanisms has led to the development of a novel class of immune-checkpoint inhibitors that have robust clinical activity against a broad array of malignancies-even those that historically were not believed to be sensitive to immune therapy. With this, there has been renewed interest in the potential for synergy with more traditional forms of anticancer therapy like radiation therapy (RT). The role of RT in palliation or as definitive treatment for certain malignancies has been well established. Yet, in recent years, the concept has come to light that RT could be an attractive partner for use in combination with other immunotherapies. The effects of RT include not only control of an irradiated tumor but also multiple immunomodulatory effects on both the tumor and the microenvironment, priming tumors for an immune-mediated response. Herein, the authors summarize relevant preclinical data and rationale supporting the synergy of combined RT and immunotherapy and highlight recent clinical work on promising combination strategies. Cancer 2016;122:1659-71. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Resource management in 5G: A tale of two timescales

To attain the targeted data rates of next generation (5G) cellular networks requires dense deployment of small cells, in addition to macro cells which provide wide coverage. Dynamic radio resource management (RRM) is crucial to the success of such heterogeneous networks due to much more pronounced traffic and interference variations in small cells. This work proposes a framework for RRM organized according to two timescales, which includes 1) centralized RRM on a second/minute timescale corresponding to typical durations of user sessions, and 2) distributed RRM on a millisecond timescale corresponding to typical latency requirements. An optimization problem is formulated for the slower timescale with consideration of (distributed) opportunistic scheduling on the faster timescale. An iterative algorithm is developed to solve the optimization problem efficiently for a small cluster of cells. Numerical results demonstrate advantages of the dual-timescale RRM framework.
Guinea Pig Inclusion Conjunctivitis Virus: I. Isolation and Identification as a Member of the Psittacosis-Lymphogranuloma-trachoma Group

conjunctival cells. Although viruses closely related to psittacosis occur in many avian and mammalian species, as described by Meyer (1962), the only viruses morphologically similar to psittacosis which are known to be pathogenic for the conjuctiva occur in man as trachoma and inclusion conjunctivitis. They are described by Thygeson (1959). The present paper describes (a) the isolation of 14 strains of a virus subse-
Synthesis and Electrochemical and Computational Analysis of Two New Families of Thiophene-Carbonyl Molecules

Two oligomeric families of materials containing thiophene-carbonyl and thiophene-dicarbonyl units have been synthesized and characterized with emphasis on structural, electrochemical, and electronic properties. Three thiophene-carbonyl derivatives containing 1, 2, and 3 carbonyl groups exhibited one, two, and three one-electron reversible reduction processes, respectively. On the other hand, three thiophene-dicarbonyl derivatives exhibited two, four, and six reversible reduction processes, respectively. The electrochemical stability of these materials derives from the existence of the various anionic species, monoanion, dianion, trianion, and so forth, respectively, in the form of enolate anions. Single crystals and density functional theory models of typical structures were obtained and compared to investigate the electronic properties of the two series of molecules. The exhibited electrochemical characters endowed these structures with a potential application prospect in the field of electrical energy s...
Democracy and Socialism in New Zealand

The swing to the left, discernible at present in many countries, has given a new urgency to the old problem of hyphenating the politics of democracy to the economics of socialism. What was in the past mainly a matter of theoretical discussion and parliamentary rhetoric has shifted to the stage of legislative enactment and executive application. It is worth while, therefore, to pay attention to some of the world's smaller states whose experiments over a number of decades are pointers along the path now trodden by larger nations like Britain. One of these smaller communities which has persistently moved in a socialist direction by piecemeal and peaceable methods is New Zealand.The history of New Zealand as a state organized along Western European lines can count but a little over a hundred years. Just because of its youth, however, this nineteenth-century colony and twentieth-century Dominion has provided from its birth a fertile field for governmental activity. The discovery of New Zealand by Tasman and Cook, and to a large extent the early colonization and settlement by white immigrants, were due to public enterprise. The extension of state functions was facilitated from the beginning by the vesting of large tracts of land in the Crown, and was necessitated by the inadequacy of available private capital.
Preparation of dealuminated zeolite HY and its adsorption properties of CO_2/H_2O

Different concentrations of hydrochloric acid was used to prepare dealuminated zeolite HY. The structures and CO2/H2O adsorption properties of the dealuminated samples were determined by means of X- ray technique and thermal gravimetric analysis. The results showed that a high crystalline zeolite HY was successfully prepared with a high amount of adsorption of CO2,when the zeolite HY was dealuminated by using 0.5 mol/L HCl solution.
The Parameters Study About Contrast Material Injection Rate and Delay Time in Spiral CT Angiography of Cerebral Vessels

Objective To assess the relation of contrast material injection rate and delay time in SCTA of normal patients and to choose the proper injection rate and relative delay time in SCTA of cerebral vessels. Methods A prospective,self-controlled study were underwent in 20 normal cerebral CT cases with small circular test at different injection rate(2 ml/s,3 ml/s,4 ml/s respectively). Single-level dynamic CT scanning was performed at the level of the plane. PTA,PTV,RVA,RVV and A-Vt were observed and analyzed statistically. Results The PTA,PTV,RVA,RVV of 2 ml/s rate were significantly different with 3 ml/s and 4 ml/s rate(Ρ0.05), but no significant difference between the 3 ml/s and 4 ml/s rate(Ρ0.05). There were no significant difference at the different rate of 2 ml/s,3 ml/s,4 ml/s regarding the A-VT(Ρ0.05). Conclusion The optimal delay time can be got by small circular test ;3 ml/s injection rate is suitable for SCTA in cerebral vessels and its delay time of artery should be 13.839～15.822 seconds; there are no significant difference about A-Vt with different rate of 2 ml/s,3 ml/s,4 ml/s.
Necessity of Including Maintenance Traffic Delay Emissions in Life Cycle Assessment of Pavements

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method which aggregates the environmental impacts associated within the life cycle of a pavement. Incorporation of LCA has been mostly focused on the emissions produced in the construction phase and in its constituents, such as material extraction and manufacturing, hauling of materials, etc. Less emphasis has been given to emissions caused by traffic delays during maintenance operations due to lack of well-defined methodology and unfamiliarity about the magnitude of these emissions. In this study, an approach is proposed to include traffic delay emissions by combining Users Cost approach of Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) with Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES 2014) developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The LCA was performed for four different pavement designs and their Global Warming Potential (GWP) were included in the assessment. The GWP of the four designs with and without considering traffic delay emissions (in carbon dioxide equivalents: CO2e) were 53, 51, 50, and 22 versus 6.1, 4.5, 4.3, and 13 thousand tons per mile, respectively. The differences between the GWP with and without traffic delay emissions suggests that there is a need to include traffic delay emissions in the LCA to better estimate environmental impact.
Psychological Adjustment among Young Puerto Rican Mothers: Perceived Partner Support and the Moderating Role of Latino Cultural Orientation

Adolescent mothers face multiple stressors and are at risk for experiencing high levels of depressive symptoms and parenting stress. This study examined the interplay of Latino cultural orientation and perceived support from romantic partners in protecting the adjustment of young, low-income, Puerto Rican mothers (N = 103; M age = 18.0 yrs; SD = 1.2) during the second year postpartum. In multivariate analyses, perceived partner support was uniquely and negatively associated with both maternal depressive symptoms and parenting stress. However, in the case of parenting stress, this association was moderated by mothers' Latino cultural orientation. Perceived partner support was related to less parenting stress when mothers endorsed a relatively strong Latino cultural orientation; perceived partner support was no longer protective at low levels of Latino orientation. The implications for intervention and for the understanding of the role of culture in social support processes within close relationships are discussed.
An interpretative phenomenological analysis exploring synesthesia as an exceptional experience: insights for consciousness and cognition

ABSTRACTPrevious research has indicated that there may be a role for synesthesia in exceptional experiences, including experiences which have been labeled “paranormal.” The current project sought to further understand what it is like to experience the world synesthetically and how synesthesia can inform our understanding of exceptional experiences (ExE). A case study was undertaken with a 27-year-old male participant (“Harry”) who experienced several forms of strong synesthesia in addition to exceptional experiences and cognitive and perceptual abilities (e.g., subjective paranormal experiences, musical ability, mathematical ability, enhanced memory skills). A semi-structured interview exploring his experiences was undertaken. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was conducted on the interview transcripts, which resulted in the identification of five main themes. The themes can be summarized as relationship with synesthesia, complexity/kaleidoscope of representations, access to meaning, contr...
Acute toxicity with intensity modulated radiotherapy versus 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy during preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer

Abstract Background and purpose We examined acute toxicity profiles and outcomes among rectal cancer patients treated with pre-operative chemoradiation using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) to identify predictive clinical factors associated with increased acute toxicity. Material and methods We retrospectively reviewed records of 301 consecutive rectal cancer patients treated with pre-operative chemotherapy and radiotherapy (median dose 5000cGy) at our institution between 2007 and 2014. Results Of the 301 patients, 203 (67.4%) were treated with IMRT and 98 (32.6%) with 3DCRT. Significantly more patients experienced ⩾grade 2 diarrhea in the 3DCRT group compared to the IMRT group (22% vs 10%, p =0.004), and those who received 3DCRT had 2.7 times greater odds of a higher diarrhea score than those on IMRT, even after adjusting for patient characteristics and chemotherapy (OR 2.71, p =0.01) Fewer patients experienced grade 2 genitourinary toxicity in the IMRT group (6% vs 13% 3DCRT, p =0.04) and there was a trend toward decreased grade 2 proctitis in the IMRT group (22% vs 32% 3DCRT, p =0.07). Patients over the age of 55 had 45% lower odds of proctitis than patients younger than 55. Conclusion The use of IMRT significantly reduced grade ⩾2 diarrhea and GU toxicity during chemoradiation. Younger patients were more likely to report grade 2 or higher proctitis.
Antisocial Traits, Distress Tolerance, and Alcohol Problems as Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence in Men Arrested for Domestic Violence

Objective Men with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) traits are at an increased risk for consuming alcohol and perpetrating intimate partner violence (IPV). However, previous research has neglected malleable mechanisms potentially responsible for the link between ASPD traits, alcohol problems, and IPV perpetration. Efforts to improve the efficacy of batterer intervention programs (BIPs) would benefit from exploration of such malleable mechanisms. The present study is the first to examine distress tolerance as one such mechanism linking men's ASPD traits to their alcohol problems and IPV perpetration. Methods Using a cross-sectional sample of 331 men arrested for domestic violence and court-referred to BIPs, the present study used structural equation modeling to examine pathways from men's ASPD traits to IPV perpetration directly and indirectly through distress tolerance and alcohol problems. Results Results supported a two-chain partial mediational model. ASPD traits were related to psychological aggression perpetration directly and indirectly via distress tolerance and alcohol problems. A second pathway emerged by which ASPD traits related to higher levels of alcohol problems, which related to psychological aggression perpetration. Controlling for psychological aggression perpetration, neither distress tolerance nor alcohol problems explained the relation between ASPD traits and physical assault perpetration. Conclusion These results support and extend existing conceptual models of IPV perpetration. Findings suggest intervention efforts for IPV should target both distress tolerance and alcohol problems.
RATA: A method for high-throughput identification of RNA bound transcription factors

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate critical cellular processes and their dysregulation contributes to multiple diseases. Although only a few lncRNAs have defined mechanisms, many of these characterized lncRNAs interact with transcription factors to regulate gene expression, suggesting a common mechanism of action. Identifying RNA-bound transcription factors is especially challenging due to inefficient RNA immunoprecipitation and low abundance of many transcription factors. Here we describe a highly sensitive, user-friendly, and inexpensive technique called RATA (RNA-associated transcription factor array), which utilizes a MS2-aptamer pulldown strategy coupled with transcription factor activation arrays for identification of transcription factors associated with a nuclear RNA of interest. RATA requires only ~5 million cells and standard molecular biology reagents for multiplexed identification of up to 96 transcription factors in 2–3 d. Thus, RATA offers significant advantages over other technologies for analysis of RNA-transcription factor interactions.
A Novel Role for Osteopontin in Facilitating West Nile Virus Neuroinvasion

West Nile virus (WNV) is a positive sense, single-stranded RNA flavivirus that can cause human neuroinvasive diseases, including encephalitis and meningitis. The mechanisms by which WNV enters the central nervous system (CNS) and the host-factors that are involved in WNV neuroinvasion are not completely understood. In this study, we found increased production of soluble osteopontin (OPN) in human plasma following WNV infection compared to uninfected controls, indicating a role for OPN in WNV pathogenesis. In a mouse model, after challenge with WNV (2000 plaque forming units, PFU), OPN deficient ( Opn − / − ) mice exhibited a higher survival percentage (80%) than wild-type (WT) mice (20%). However, both groups had comparable levels of virus in circulating blood and peripheral organs. Interestingly, viral burden in the brains of Opn − / − mice were significantly lower than WT mice, which was coupled to reduced polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration. Soluble OPN has been previously described as a chemokine for PMN recruitment, and intracerebral supplement of recombinant OPN (50 ng/mouse) followed by an intraperitoneal challenge of WNV (2000 PFU), resulted in increased PMN infiltration and WNV load within the CNS. Furthermore, we also confirmed that infected-PMNs carried WNV into the CNS. Together, these data suggest OPN plays a negative role in recruiting WNV-infected PMNs into the CNS, thus mediating WNV neuroinvasion.
Casi Víspera / Colibrí Resucitado Crónica

Abstract Susana Chavez-Silverman is a Califas-born U.S. Latina writer and flaneuse who (against all odds) is also an educator, although she mostly laments what’s happened to la cacademia over the last decade or so. She still finds joy and hope in being la High Priestess of SLOW to her students and former students, some of which are among her closest compinches. Of the two cronicas included in this special curated issue of cultural works in PORTAL under the theme Transitions and Dislocations, she says: ‘My writing/life took a major detour in 2016. For most of the year, I wrote nothing at all. Or rather, nothing except e-mail after email: to administrators, colleagues all over the world, attorneys, friends and relatives. I had scheduled my sabbatical in order to finish a book project, but had been derailed by a Title IX investigation and plagiarism case at my home institution, and the accompanying anxiety and anger . I returned to my book over the summer, culling and editing hundreds of pages of primary texts (letters and emails). But this book is much longer—and truer—than anything I’ve written before and takes a different kind of writing energy, uninterrupted time, and commitment. Writing from a place of anger and anxiety doesn’t serve this book. The two cronicas included in this special curated issue are not part of my book in progress, Our Ubuntu, Montenegro: del Balboa Cafe al Apartheid and Back . Rather, they were my way of easing back into my (he)art space. ‘Casi Vispera’ proves I did write something in 2016 after all (other than email, I mean)—I had no memory of it until early this year! ‘Black Holes’ talks about precisely this (remembering and not). I was determined not to let 2016’s plagiarism/Title IX toxic double helix continue to poison me. I wanted to begin 2017 with a bang, and wrote this for my son, for his 30th birthday.’
Rumination interacts with life stress to predict depressive symptoms: An ecological momentary assessment study

Rumination is a well-established vulnerability factor for depression that may exert deleterious effects both independently and in interaction with stress. The current study examined momentary ruminative self-focus (MRS) and stress-reactive rumination (SRR) as predictors of depressive symptoms utilizing a smartphone ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design. 121 undergraduates responded to four text message alerts per day for one week in which they indicated the occurrence of life stress, rumination, and depressed mood. SRR, but not MRS, independently predicted increases in depressive symptoms. MRS interacted with depressive symptoms to predict increases in symptoms at the subsequent timepoint, supporting the deleterious effects of depressive rumination on future mood state. Interactions emerged between stress and both MRS and SRR, such that experiencing higher levels of stressors and rumination at an observation predicted greater increases in depressive symptoms. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that state rumination moderates the effect of stress in predicting depressive symptoms using EMA methodology. Results suggest that rumination levels in response to stress vary within individuals and can have an important effect on depressed mood. Findings may have important clinical implications, as lessening individuals' tendency to engage in rumination following stress may help to alleviate depressive symptoms.
Predictors of Physical and Dating Violence in Middle and High School Students in the United States

Dating violence is a growing and prominent problem for today’s middle and high school students. Intimate partner violence, which can include physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological aggressio...
I’m Uncomfortable, You’re Uncomfortable, We’re Uncomfortable: An Integrative Family Approach to the Treatment of Tourette’s Disorder and Separation Anxiety Disorder in a Young Child:

This case study follows a 6-year old Caucasian Hispanic male who presented with symptoms of Tourette’s disorder and separation anxiety disorder. Given the young age of the child, a critical focus w...
What Makes People “Like” Comedic-Violence Advertisements?: A Model for Predicting Attitude and Sharing Intention

ABSTRACT Comedic-violence—violence depicted humorously—in advertising is growing and seems to be making a connection with certain audiences. Yet, the determining factors that affect responses to this type of appeal are unknown. To address this gap, a survey of 423 U.S. adult Internet users was conducted to test the key factors that predict attitudes toward and sharing intention for comedic-violence advertisements: demographic (gender and age); personality (arousal-seeking tendency and normative belief about violence in advertising); and message-perception (perceived humor and perceived violence). While perceived humor is the key, results further shed light on the characteristics of people who are likely to enjoy and share such advertisements.
Retinal neovascular disorders: mouse models for drug development studies.

Neovascularization is a hallmark of several eye diseases leading to visual impairment, and its epidemiological impact is substantial (Lee et al. 1998). In retinal degenerative disease models, neovascularization is the process by which the choroid and/or retina become infiltrated with new blood vessels. In retinal neovascularization (RNV), sprouting retinal vessels penetrate the inner limiting membrane (ILM) and grow into the vitreous, and in some cases, grow through the avascular outer retina into the subretinal space (Campochiaro 2000). Numerous clinical and ­experimental observations indicate that ischemia (or hypoxia) is the driving force behind RNV (Michaelson and Steedman 1949). Occlusion of retinal vessels leading to ischemia is a feature of diseases with RNV, including diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (Campochiaro 2000).
Abstract 2226: TGF-β and CEACAMs regulated biomarkers detect early colorectal cancer

Introduction: Development of colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with alterations in key driving pathways, which include Wnt (APC-βcatenin), TGF-β members, p53 and pathways that regulate Ras activity. Members of the TGF-β superfamily regulate colon inflammation, have both tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting activities, while colon cancer formation has been observed in TGF-β deficient mouse models. Through earlier studies, using mouse models followed by functional studies in human cell lines and tissues, we identified candidate set of TGF-β regulated biomarkers for early detection of CRC, that were altered in tissues from patients with adenomas, and could represent signs of early cancer stem cell development (J Clin Invest 2016;126(2); PLoS One 2016;11(4)). These markers are CEACAMs 1, 5 and 6; TGFBR2, SMAD4, Smad adaptor, SPTBN1. Here, we took an integrated approach to extend and validate these potential markers for early detection of CRC. Methods and Results: 1) Analyzing the TCGA cohort of 9,125 samples and 33 cancer types, including CRC, revealed alterations in TGF-β members in ~40% of samples. 2) cBioportal cancer genomics data reveal reduced overall survival in CRC patients with decreased TGFBR1 and TGFBR2, together with increased CEA (CEACAM5). 3) TCGA analyses also reveal significant tendency of co-occurrence of genomic alterations in TGFBR1 and CEA. 4) mRNA stemness index score in 33 cancers types in TCGA, reveals increased transcriptome levels of a cancer stem cell signature in specific cancers, that concomitantly have decreased levels of TGF-β pathway members, supporting the mouse models revealing that TGF-β suppresses cancer stem cells. 5) Cluster analysis for miRNAs in the 33 cancers suggest a role for these in suppression of TGF-β pathway, depending on the cancer type. miRNA 92a-3p that targets 3 core genes, BMPR2, TGFBR2, and SMAD7, is overexpressed in many cancers. Colon cancer with high frequencies of hotspot mutations in BMPR2 and TGFBR2 did not have high expression of 92a-3p, perhaps indicating that there is little selective pressure for a second mechanism of inactivation. 6) We further identified hotspot mutations in the B3 domain of the CEA that interacts with TGFBR1, supporting a mechanism for previously observed CEA inactivation of TGF-β tumor suppressor function. Conclusions: CEACAMs with TGF-β signaling members as a group could represent strong prognostic indicators of high-risk adenoma-carcinoma progression and invasive disease. Citation Format: Sobia Zaidi, Anil Korkut, Wilma Jogunoori, Jian Chen, Shoujun Gu, Shuyun Rao, Kazufumi Ohshiro, Rehan Akbani, Chuxia Deng, Bibhuti Mishra, Lopa Mishra. TGF-β and CEACAMs regulated biomarkers detect early colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2226.
UNIT 1.2 Receptor Theory

Receptor theory assigns mathematical rules to biological systems in order to quantify drug effects and define what biological systems can and cannot do, leading to the design of experiments that may further modify the model. Drug receptor theory also furnishes the tools for quantifying the activity of drugs in a system-independent manner, essential because drugs are almost always studied in test systems somewhat removed from the therapeutic system for which they are intended. Since biological systems operate at different set points in the body under different conditions, the ability to predict drug effects under a variety of circumstances is important. This unit provides a historical perspective of classical receptor theory and the currently used operational model of drug effects. The mechanism of drug receptor function is also described in terms of the various iterations of the ternary complex model, the two-state theory for ion channels, and a probabilistic model of multiple receptor conformations. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 41:1.2.1-1.2.28. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: occupancy theory; agonist; antagonist; agonism; antagonism; two-state theory; ternary complex model
Polymorphic Wavelet Transform

Many modern computing applications have been enabled through the use of real-time multimedia processing. While several hardware architectures have been proposed in the research literature to support such primitives, these fail to address applications whose performance and resource requirements have a dynamic aspect. Embedded multimedia systems typically need a power and computation efficient design in addition to good compression performance. In this chapter, we introduce a Polymorphic Wavelet Architecture (Poly-DWT) as a crucial building block towards the development of embedded systems to address such challenges. We illustrate how our Poly-DWT architecture can potentially make dynamic resource allocation decisions, such as the internal bit representation and the processing kernel, according to the application requirements. We introduce a filter switching architecture that allows for dynamic switching between 5/3 and 9/7 wavelet filters and leads to a more power-efficient design. Further, a multiplier-free design with a low adder requirement demonstrates the potential of Poly-DWT for embedded systems. Through an FPGA prototype, we perform a quantitative analysis of our Poly-DWT architecture, and compare our filter to existing approaches to illustrate the area and performance benefits inherent in our approach. Poly-DWT serves as an example of joint design of algorithms and architectures for multimedia compression.
The Limit Point-Limit Circle Problem for Nonlinear Equations

An introduction to and discussion of the limit point - limit circle problem for nonlinear equations is given. In addition to a new nonlinear limit circle theorem, some relationships between the limit circle property and other asymptotic properties of solutions are indicated.
Original Research: Racial/Ethnic Patterns of HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Objectives: Not enough is known about the HIV high-risk sexual behaviors of young men who have sex with men (YMSM), and this is especially the case among ethnic minorities. This study examined racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence of HIV risk behaviors among YMSM across the United States. Design: Face-to-face interviews were conducted among randomly selected participants in venues identified with large samples of ethnic minority YMSM. Methods: Participants (N = 2612) were systematically sampled from venues in 13 U.S. cities representing four ethnic strata (African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and mixed ethnicity). Results: Twenty-two percent of the sample reported that their last sexual contact with their main sexual partner, someone other than a main sexual partner, or both involved unprotected anal intercourse. Participants from Asian/Pacific Islander sites, mixed sites, and Hispanic sites were more likely than participants from African American sites to report unprotected anal intercourse. Moreover, within the mixed sites, Hispanic participants, followed by Asian/Pacific Islander and White participants, were more likely than African American participants to report unprotected anal intercourse. Conclusions: Interventions are needed that are responsive to the racial/ethnic differences in HIV risk behaviors of YMSM throughout urban American cities.
Ethical Implications in Donor and Recipient Utilization for Liver Transplant

The inception of liver transplantation although controversial continues to save daily lives of patients in need. Its successful practice is owed to the various medical advancements to cross the complex immunological and surgical barriers. Herein, we discuss the several ethical dilemmas in organ donation and transplantation with application of ethical principles and reflections from the literature There are several ethical and moral complexities when evaluating living donors and matching deceased donor livers to recipients. The lack of “one size fits all” turns these complexities into controversies and thus requires a well-balanced ethical approach for better acceptance. Since the practice of transplant is dependent on the moral behaviors of society, i.e., act of organ donation, it confers many ethical issues that the transplant community has to carefully address. These issues are doubly onerous because every act of transplant has two parties involved: the donor and the recipient. Therefore, transplant physicians have to uphold the ethics of physician-patient relationship for the recipient, fair allocation of donor organs, and demonstrate good organ stewardship for the donated gift of the community, i.e., the organ. Thus, practice of organ transplantation is a unique blend of utilitarian and egalitarian principles while also being equitable and in line with the moral code of the Hippocratic Oath.
Fault-tolerant and 3-dimensional distributed topology control algorithms in wireless multi-hop networks

We can control the topology of a multi-hop wireless network by varying the transmission power at each node. The life-time of such networks depends on battery power at each node. This paper presents a distributed fault-tolerant topology control algorithm for minimum energy consumption in these networks. More precisely, we present algorithms which preserve the connectivity of a network upon failing of, at most, k nodes (k is constant) and simultaneously minimize the transmission power at each node to some extent. In addition, we present simulations to support the effectiveness of our algorithm. We also demonstrate some optimizations to further minimize the power at each node. Finally, we show how our algorithms can be extended to 3-dimensions.
Inducible ornithine decarboxylase expression in brain subject to vasogenic oedema after transient ischaemia: relationship to C-fos gene expression.

Ornithine Decarboxylase (ODC) is the rat controlling enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis and has been shown to be produced in a delayed fashion in response to cerebral ischaemia. Its appearance has been linked to the development of vasogenic brain oedema. To understand the genetic control of this protein, Mongolian gerbils were studied for the possible expression of the ODC gene as compared to that of the inducible proto oncogenes c-fos and c-jun after transient bilateral carotid artery occlusion.