cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Soft Electrically Actuated Quadruped (SEAQ)—Integrating a Flex Circuit Board and Elastomeric Limbs for Versatile Mobility

Like their natural mammalian and reptilian counterparts, legged soft robots require robust walking dynamics and untethered functionality in order to swiftly maneuver through unstructured environments. Progress in this domain requires careful selection of soft limb actuators and integration of power and control electronics into a soft robotics platform capable of biologically relevant locomotion speeds without dependency on external hardware. We demonstrate this with an untethered soft palm–sized, 25 g soft electrically actuated quadruped, which is capable of crawling at a maximum speed of 0.56 body length per second (3.2 cm/s), and making 90° turns in two complete gait cycles (∼5 s). The robot is composed of a flexible printed circuit board and electrically powered soft limbs that contain shape memory alloy (SMA) wires inserted between pre–stretched layers of a soft, thermally conductive elastomer. Its versatile mobility and robust dynamics are demonstrated by its ability to walk on a variety of surfaces—including inclines, rocky, and granular surfaces, and steps that are over half the robot height—and maintain continuous forward locomotion through confined space or after being dropped from an elevated height. In addition to these locomotion studies, we perform an experimental study on the blocking force of a single actuator to provide independent support for the feasibility of untethered soft robot walking with SMA–based actuation.
Lost in transition: resident and fellow training and experience caring for young adults with chronic conditions in a large United States' academic medical center.

Background: The transition from pediatric to adult healthcare is a vulnerable time for adolescents and young adults (AYA), especially those with chronic conditions. Successful transition requires c...
Angle Estimation Using an Active 38 GHz Interferometric Radar

The operation of a millimeter-wave interferometric radar for estimating the angle of a target is discussed in this paper. The transmitter emits a linear frequency modulated (LFM) signal, ranging from 37 GHz to 39 GHz. The millimeter-wave interferometric receiver is composed by two receive antenna elements separated by 51 cm (64.6λ). The number of sidelobes in the radiation pattern will change as a function of frequency, generating a frequency response that can be transformed to the angle of a target. The theory behind the technique is explained, supported by the experimental measurements.
Constitutional Courts in Civil-Law Western Europe: Quantitative Approaches

This chapter summarizes the state of the art concerning empirical studies about constitutional courts in civil-law Western Europe. There is a solid, even if not very extensive or exhaustive, empirical literature on civil-law Western European constitutional courts. Still, a broad overview of the empirical literature seems to confirm that it is mostly driven by concerns about local dynamics in specific Western European countries and less so about any more general comparative assessment. There is a very limited number of quantitative studies using data from multiple countries and looking for possible common and causal patterns.
Messaging for Impact: Behavioral Science-Based Communication Strategies to Advance Energy Efficiency

Author(s): Chalasani, Sravan; Johnson, Clayton; Morabito, Molly; Newkirk, Alexander; Wang, Liyang; Hoffman, Ian; Payne, Christopher | Abstract: Currently, five legal authorities require U.S. federal agencies to purchase energy-efficient products. However, compliance with these requirements has consistently been low (~55%). Recent surveys indicate that energy efficiency requirements are not communicated properly within federal agencies and energy-efficiency is not a top priority. In the constantly evolving energy industry, with many solutions for a clean energy future, effective communication methods are vital for widespread adoption of energy efficiency. We have been conducting experiments within the U.S. federal sector that test the effectiveness of messaging strategies developed by using behavioral science principles like loss aversion, framing, and herd behavior. This will identify effective communications methods that encourage energy efficiency adoption. In this study, we measure the effectiveness of different communication strategies by monitoring the web traffic of hyperlinks placed within our digital communications and outreach materials. To determine effective strategies that influence federal buyer behavior, the web traffic from subjects that received the behavioral science-based messaging (treatment group) is compared to that from subjects that received regular messaging (control group) for each of the strategies. This paper provides an overview of the behavioral science principles that we applied, data collection methods, and results of our analysis. Since the lack of effective communication of energy-efficiency policies is also a common problem in the private sector, the messaging strategies developed in this study can be applicable to other large private sector institutions
Probing Biomolecular Machines with Graphics Processors: The evolution of GPU processors and programming tools is making advanced simulation and analysis techniques accessible to a growing community of biomedical scientists.

Computer simulation has become an integral part of the study of the structure and function of biological molecules. For years, parallel computers have been used to conduct these computationally demanding simulations and to analyze their results. These simulations function as a "computational microscope," allowing the scientist to observe details of molecular processes too small, fast, or delicate to capture with traditional instruments. Over time, commodity GPUs (graphics processing units) have evolved into massively parallel computing devices, and more recently it has become possible to program them in dialects of the popular C/C++ programming languages.
Time-dependent changes to sepsis-specific networks in the plasma proteome are mechanistic readouts of sepsis progression.

ABSTRACT Sepsis accounts for 1 in 5 deaths globally and is the most common cause of deaths in U.S. hospitals. Despite this public health burden, no diagnostic biomarker, nor therapeutic agent for sepsis has proven useful or effective. The principal obstacle is the lack of a mechanistic understanding of this syndrome, particularly during its onset and progression. Using an experimental model of murine sepsis, we report here a time-dependent assessment of changes to the plasma proteome upon infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Changes to the plasma proteome signature of sepsis (PPSS) revealed a transition from early inflammation and coagulation to a later stage of chronic inflammation, coagulopathy and bacteremia. This study represents an advance in our understanding of sepsis progression that may guide innovative therapeutic attitudes and help clinicians track sepsis progression.
Measurement of the Soft X-Ray Temporal and Spectral Response of InP:Fe Photoconductors

X-ray pulses (300 ps FWHM) from the SPEAR storage ring at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL) were used to study the energy-dependent pulse response of InP:Fe photoconductors in the soft x-ray region (0.8 to 3 keV). The detector sensitivity (2.7×10–3 A/W) has been measured to be independent of the photon energy in this range. The temporal response of the photoconductor to x-rays is similar to optical excitation (FWHM ≃ 180 ps).
Design of a Pupil-Matched Occlusion-Capable Optical See-Through Wearable Display.

The state-of-the-art optical see-through head-mounted displays (OST-HMD) for augmented reality applications lack the ability to render correct light interaction behavior between digital and physical objects, known as mutual occlusion capability. This paper presents a novel optical architecture for enabling a compact, high performance, occlusion-capable optical see-through head-mounted display (OCOST-HMD) with correct, pupil-matched viewing perspective. The proposed design utilizes a single-layer, double-pass architecture, offering a compact OCOST-HMD solution that is capable of rendering per-pixel mutual occlusion, a correctly pupil-matched viewing between virtual and real views, and a very wide see-through field of view (FOV). Based on this architecture, we demonstrate a design embodiment and a compact prototype implementation. The prototype offers a virtual display with an FOV of 34 by 22, an angular resolution of 1.06 arc minutes per pixel, and an average image contrast greater than 40% at the Nyquist frequency of 53 cycles/mm. Further, the prototype system affords a wide see-though FOV of 90 by 50, within which about 40 diagonally is occlusion-enabled, along with an angular resolution of 1.0 arc minutes, comparable to a 20/20 vision and a dynamic range greater than 100:1. Lastly, we composed a quantitative color study that compares the effects of occlusion between a conventional HMD system and our OCOST-HMD system and the resulting response exhibited in different studies.
Skin Color and Skin Tone Diversity in Human Sexuality Textbook Anatomical Diagrams.

Little is known about skin tone and skin color representation within sexuality education materials. A content analysis was performed to assess skin tone and skin color diversity among anatomical images (n = 182) within eight contemporary, college-level human sexuality textbooks. Of these images, 1.1% represented dark skin tones while 83.5% represented light skin tones. Skin colors commonly associated with Black and Brown people were underrepresented in comparison to colors generally associated with white or white-presenting people such as conch, which comprised 42.3% (n = 77) of anatomical images. We encourage sex therapists to use racially conscious and inclusive imagery and educational materials when serving clients.
DiGeorge syndrome: Implications for aortic arch obstruction

Abstract DiGeorge syndrome refers to a rare constellation of cardiac, parathyroid, thymic, and facial anomalies attributed to disruption of the interaction of premigratory neural crest cells with endodermal pharyngeal pouch cells. Prototypic cases are recognized by characteristic facies, interrupted aortic arch or truncus arteriosus, and complete absence of parathyroid and thymic tissues, resulting in recalcitrant hypocalcemia and deficient T-cell immunity. Approximately 95% of children with DiGeorge syndrome have congenital heart disease. Among patients with interrupted aortic arch type B or truncus arteriosus, the incidence of DiGeorge syndrome is striking, >60% and 30%, respectively. The objectives of medical management of patients with DiGeorge syndrome are to maintain a normal calcium level and minimize complications of immunodeficiency. Few patients require immunologic reconstitution. Supportive medical therapy is largely successful. The current outlook for patients with DiGeorge syndrome is predominantly determined by the long-term surgical results of repair of the associated congenital heart defects.
Engineering pH responsive fibronectin domains for biomedical applications

Engineered antibodies with pH responsive cell surface target antigen-binding affinities that decrease at the acidic pH (5.5-5.8) within the endosomes have been found to have reduced susceptibility to degradation within the lysosomes and increased serum half-life. Such pH responsive recombinant antibodies have been developed for the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Engineered tenth type III human fibronectin (Fn3) domains are emerging as a class of target antigen-binding biopharmaceuticals that could complement or be superior to recombinant antibodies in a number of biomedical contexts. As such, there is strong motivation for demonstrating the feasibility of engineering Fn3s with pH responsive antigen binding behavior that could lead to improved Fn3 pharmacokinetics. A yeast surface-displayed Fn3 histidine (His) mutant library screening approach yielded epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-binding Fn3 domains with EGFR binding affinities that markedly decrease at endosomal pH; the first reported case of engineering Fn3s with pH responsive antigen binding. Yeast surface-displayed His mutant Fn3s, which contain either one or two His mutations, have equilibrium binding dissociation constants (KDs) that increase up to four-fold relative to wild type when pH is decreased from 7.4 to 5.5. Assays in which Fn3-displaying yeast were incubated with soluble EGFR after ligand-free incubation in respective neutral and acidic buffers showed that His mutant Fn3 pH responsiveness is due to reversible changes in Fn3 conformation and/or EGFR binding interface properties rather than irreversible unfolding. We have established a generalizable method for efficiently constructing and screening Fn3 His mutant libraries that could enable both our laboratory and others to develop pH responsive Fn3s for use in a wide range of biomedical applications.
Review article: an analysis of the efficacy, perforation rates and methods used in pneumatic dilation for achalasia

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 34: 832–839 Summary Background Pneumatic dilation has re-emerged as a first line treatment for achalasia, but conclusions are limited by the relatively small numbers of patients studied and the lack of long term follow-up. Aim To summarise and analyse 29 available studies evaluating pneumatic dilation for achalasia with focus on efficacy, rate or perforation and dilation technique. Methods A literature search for all studies, in which pneumatic dilation was performed for treatment of achalasia, was conducted. Studies, in which clear endpoints of efficacy of single dilation sessions over a period of years, were chosen. Results The response for a single dilation session was 66% at 1 year and 59, 53, 50 and 25% at 2, 3, 5 and 10 years respectively. Use of a Rigiflex dilator and multiple dilations during the initial treatment improved efficacy. Overall perforation rate was only 2% (24/1358) of which only 1% required surgery. Use of multiple dilations led to increased perforation risk. The method of dilation used with regard to balloon size, pressure used, dilation times and single or multiple dilations varied in almost every study. Conclusions Pneumatic dilation is safer than commonly thought and efficacious, although multiple dilations will be needed over a lifetime in most patients. Standardisation of the technique should be attempted.
Cadherin-11 regulates pulmonary fibrosis in bleomycin-induced lung injury (MUC5P.865)

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, irreversible pulmonary disorder with unknown effective treatment. IPF is characterized by excessive myofibroblast differentiation in the alveolar airways. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the differentiation of fibroblast-like phenotype from epithelial cells resulting in myofibroblast accumulation. Cadherin-11 (Cad11) expression on hyperplastic alveolar epithelial cells is a novel finding in our lab. Hence, we hypothesized that Cad11 contributes to the development of pulmonary fibrosis through EMT. Our aims consist of determining: 1) The role of Cad-11 in EMT; and 2) The contribution of Cad11 deficiency and neutralization in the intraperitoneal (IP) bleomycin (BLM) model of pulmonary fibrosis. Preliminary findings show that deficiency and neutralization of Cad11 in this model is associated with attenuated pulmonary fibrosis and myofibroblast accumulation. In vitro studies demonstrated that Fc-Cad-11 was able to stimulate MLE-12 cell lines to produce Col1α expression while knockdown of Cad-11 via siRNA in these epithelial cell lines prevented the increase of fibrotic markers. These findings demonstrate that Cad-11 contributes to the development and progression of pulmonary fibrosis. The novelty of this project will be the identification of mechanisms by which Cad11 regulates EMT. This project will support additional translational studies to develop Cad11 as a therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.
Abstract 453: Ablation of TRPV1 Impairs Exendin-4 Induced Suppression in Renal Cytokine Release

Impairment of function and expression of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) occurs in obesity and diabetes, which may aggravate inflammation and tissue injury given that the TRPV1 mediated pathway has been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone released in response to food intake, is capable of protecting tissues from injury, but its mechanism largely unknown. We tested thehypothesis that exendin-4 (Ex4), a GLP-1 receptor agonist, suppresses hypoxia-induced cytokine release via a TRPV1 mediated pathway. Using gene-targeted TRPV1-null mutant (TRPV1-/-) or wild-type (WT, C57BL/6) mice, plasma creatinine or urine lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were measured 40- min after ischemia plus 3-hr reperfusion (I/R). Renal I/R increased plasma creatinine and urine LDH levels with a greater magnitude in TRPV1-/- than WT mice (creatinine, uM: WT: 99.4 ± 4.4 to TRPV1: 129.7 ± 11.9, p 0.05 for all). Moreover, Ex4 increased CGRP release from the renal pelvis in WT ( p < 0.05) but not TRPV1 -/- mice, which can be inhibited by Ex9-39, an Ex4 antagonist. Thus, ablation of TRPV1 or blockade of CGRP receptors enhances hypoxia-induced inflammation and renal injury following I/R. Ex4 suppresses hypoxia-induced cytokine/chemokine release and enhances CGRP release from the kidney only when TRPV1 function and expression are intact, suggesting that TRPV1/CGRP may play a key role mediating Ex4-induced anti-inflammatory effects.
Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect as a Cosmological Probe

We review recent results of Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (SZE) observations toward galaxy clusters. Using cm-wave receivers mounted on the OVRO and BIMA mm-wave arrays we have obtained high signal to noise images of the effect for more than 20 clusters. We present current estimates of the Hubble constant and cosmological parameters and discuss the potential of conducting statistical studies with large SZE cluster samples.
A muscle cell variant defective in glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis forms nerve-induced but not spontaneous clusters of the acetylcholine receptor and the 43 kDa protein

Myotubes of the C2 mouse muscle cell line form clusters of ACh receptors (AChRs) at apparently random sites along their length when cultured alone, and near sites of nerve-muscle contact when cocultured with neurons. We find in aneural cultures that myotubes of a C2 variant, S27, which is defective in glycosaminoglycan synthesis, express the AChR on their surface, but do not form clusters. S27 cells in aneural cultures also express the 43 kDa protein but do not cluster it. The altered distribution of laminin and collagen IV on the surface of S27 myotubes suggests that the basal lamina is abnormal. Neither the addition of exogenous proteoglycans or conditioned medium from wild- type C2 cells, nor the growth of S27 cells on substrates rich in basal lamina elements caused clusters to appear on S27 myotubes in aneural cultures. When cultured with primary neurons, however, S27 myotubes formed large clusters of the AChR near sites of neurite contact. The clusters were coincident with patches of the 43 kDa protein. Prelabeling experiments indicate that at least some AChRs in the clusters arise through aggregation. Although Torpedo agrin induces AChR clusters on C2 myotubes, it does not do so on S27 cells. Our experiments suggest that the spontaneous formation of clusters of AChRs and the 43 kDa protein in aneural cultures of myotubes depends upon the normal synthesis of muscle proteoglycans, and that nerve-induced clustering does not. Thus, there appear to be multiple mechanisms for the formation of AChR clusters.
Surgical management of airway obstruction

Surgical management of obstructive diseases of the pediatric airway is challenging and rewarding. These diseases may present with acute, life-threatening airway obstruction and warrant quick relief of obstruction often accomplished by endotracheal intubation or tracheotomy. The etiology of obstructive airway disease is often multifactorial, and includes anatomic, congenital, and inflammatory problems. Regardless of the cause and mode of presentation, diagnosis and successful surgical management requires a high index of suspicion and clinical experience to establish the correct diagnosis and formulate a surgical solution. To achieve good surgical outcomes, meticulous attention to detail, recognition and treatment of other medical comorbidities that affect healing, and complete dedication of the surgeon's time and resources are required. These resources include many other pediatric specialists and other allied health care individuals. The priority of intervention is to establish and maintain a safe and stable airway. One must also recognize that diseases causing airway obstruction and the surgical interventions to correct these problems may compromise voice, speech, and swallowing. The impact of these diseases and their surgical interventions may have tremendous socialization implications for children at a critical phase of growth and development. Because of the potential impact and devastating outcomes these diseases and interventions may have on medical and psychosocial development of children, we are obliged to examine our interventions to assume the best possible outcomes for airway, voice, swallowing, and socialization. The number of children who require surgical intervention for airway obstruction has increased.
Perfect robust stabilization for SISO plants with uncertainty in the gain factor

The problem of perfect robust stabilization (PRS) is considered for plants with gain uncertainty. Conditions for PRS using constant output feedback as well as dynamic controllers are derived. A design algorithm based on a divisibility condition is proposed. Plants with gain uncertainty and integral control and the perfect simultaneous stabilization problem of two plants with gain uncertainty are discussed. Illustrative examples are given. >
Stability analysis of genetic algorithm controllers

This study presents a method of adaptive system control based on genetic algorithms. The method consists of a population of controllers evolving towards an optimum controller through the use of probabilistic genetic operators. A brief overview of genetic algorithms is first given. The remainder of the paper identifies the problems associated with genetic algorithm controllers, and addresses the key issue of stability. A theoretical analysis of the proposed genetic algorithm controller shows that the population converges to stable controllers under fitness-proportionate selection pressure. The minimization of the effects of instability is also discussed.
Framing Connections: Improving the Relationship between Rhetorical and Social Scientific Frame Studies, Including a Study of G.W. Bush’s Framing of Immigration

We agree with recent scholarship that calls for more extensive efforts to bridge the divergent approaches to framing studies. However, several terminological and methodological barriers exist to finding common ground between social scientific and rhetorical frame scholarship. In response, we argue for a greater sense of methodological pluralism in frame studies. To make our argument, we outline the position of rhetoric in contemporary framing scholarship, propose points of contact that can serve as a reinforcing element with social scientific research, and include a brief case study to show how rhetorical framing can employ and build upon the advances of empirical studies in an analysis of competing frames used by President George W. Bush on the issue of immigration.
Exposing rural African-American students to computer science as a career choice using robots

Increasing minority representation in the field of Computer Science has been a focal point of concern. Outreach activities, after-school programs, and summer camps are common efforts that have been employed in an attempt to reverse this trend of underrepresentation in the field. There have also been instances in which these efforts were found to be successful [1, 2, 3, 4]. However, these efforts appear to occur more often in urban areas of the United States. Meanwhile, there are rural areas that contain a substantial representation of minorities, in particular African-Americans. In states like Alabama and Mississippi, for instance, 51.4% and 72.4% of its residents respectively live in rural areas [5]. Yet, both states also possess a denser population of African-Americans as residents than the national average [6]. Employing efforts of a similar prevalence seen within urban areas towards rural areas could further assist the cause of alleviating minority underrepresentation in computer science. This poster details an outreach effort that was conducted on a group of African-American juniors at a rural high school (named Aliceville High School) in Pickens County, Alabama. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pickens County is composed of ∼20,000 residents in which ~41% are African-American [6]. Furthermore, the student representation at Aliceville High School is predominantly African-American. Using an interactive robotic environment called PREOP (Providing Robotic Experiences through Object-based Programming), the objective was to expose these students to robotic programming with the intent of encouraging and engaging them to the idea of viewing computer science as a possible career choice. Upon the completion of this outreach, it was found that nearly half of the students exhibited some level of interest for pursuing computer science as a potential career choice.
Intracardiac Fontan procedure for heterotaxy syndrome with complex systemic and pulmonary venous anomalies.

Objective: The extracardiac conduit procedure is widely used for patients with heterotaxy syndrome with complex systemic and pulmonary venous anomalies; however, it lacks conduit-growth potential and requires long-term anticoagulation. We present the intracardiac Fontan procedure, which eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages. Patients and methods: Twenty-four patients (mean age, 4.1 years; weight, 13.0 kg) with heterotaxy syndrome underwent intracardiac Fontan operations between March 1995 and March 2008. In each patient, the anomalous systemic venous return with the isolated hepatic vein was redirected to the pulmonary artery using an intra-atrial baffle without obstructing the pulmonary venous pathway; this was accomplished by anterior (n = 5), lateral (n = 15) or posterior tunnel methods (n = 4), depending on the anatomical relationship of the systemic and pulmonary venous pathways. Results: There was one (4%) in-hospital and two (8%) late deaths in total. Five (21%) patients underwent re-operation for either pulmonary venous obstruction or supraventricular tachycardia. The actuarial 12-year survival was 86% (the Kaplan—Meier survival plot). The freedom from re-operation at 10 years was 77%. Anticoagulation was not required except for two patients (8%) who had prosthetic valves and coagulation disorder. Obstruction of the systemic venous pathway was not observedinanypatient;however,five(20%)patientshadclinicallysignificantpostoperativearrhythmias.Atthefinalfollow-up,all survivorswere categorised as the New York Heart Association class I. Conclusions: Aided by detailed preoperative anatomical and physiological diagnoses, intracardiac Fontan procedures were technically feasible in patients with complex systemic and pulmonary venous anomalies. The specific cardiac anatomy in these patients warranted this procedure; however, taking into consideration the improved outcomes of the modified Fontan procedure, this method should be performed with deliberation. # 2009 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Neural network simulations of coupled locomotor oscillators in the lamprey spinal cord

The segmental locomotor network in the lamprey spinal cord was simulated on a computer using a connectionist-type neural network. The cells of the network were identical except for their excitatory levels and their synaptic connections. The synaptic connections used were based on previous experimental work. It was demonstrated that the connectivity of the circuit is capable of generating oscillatory activity with the appropriate phase relations among the cells. Intersegmental coordination was explored by coupling two identical segmental networks using only the cells of the network. Each of the possible couplings of a bilateral pair of cells in one oscillator with a bilateral pair of cells in the other oscillator produced stable phase locking of the two oscillators. The degree of phase difference was dependent upon synaptic weight, and the operating range of synaptic weights varied among the pairs of connections. The coupling was tested using several criteria from experimental work on the lamprey spinal cord. Coupling schemes involving several pairs of connecting cells were found which 1) achieved steadystate phase locking within a single cycle, 2) exhibited constant phase differences over a wide range of cycle periods, and 3) maintained stable phase locking in spite of large differences in the intrinsic frequencies of the two oscillators. It is concluded that the synaptic connectivity plays a large role in producing oscillations in this network and that it is not necessary to postulate a separate set of coordinating neurons between oscillators in order to achieve appropriate phase coupling.
Construction of a Job in General scale: A comparison of global, composite, and specific measures.

We describe the construction of a Job in General (JIG) scale, a global scale to accompany the facetscales of the Job Descriptive Index. We applied both traditional and item response theory proceduresfor item analysis to data from three large heterogeneous samples (N = 1,149, 3,566, and 4,490).Alpha was .91 and above for the resulting 18-item scale in successive samples. Convergent and dis-criminant validity and differential response to treatments were demonstrated. Global scales are con-trasted with composite and with facet scales in psychological measurement. We show that globalscales are not equivalent to summated facet scales. Both facet and global scales were useful in anotherorganization (N = 648). Some principles are suggested for choosing specific (facet), composite, orglobal measures for practical and theoretical problems. The correlations between global and facetscales suggest that work may be the most important facet in relation to general job satisfaction.
Genetic Screening for X-Linked Hypophosphatemic Mice and Ontogenic Characterization of the Defect in the Renal Sodium-Phosphate Transporter

X-linked hypophosphatemic (Hyp) rickets is characterized by short stature, rickets, and bone abnormalities. Biochemically, hypophosphatemia and decreased renal reabsorption of phosphate are the hallmark of the disorder. Mutation of the PEX gene has been linked to human and murine Hyp rickets. Our study showed that phenotypical changes of this disease could be detected in 6-wk-old mice, but not in 2-wk-old mice. Therefore, we developed a PCR method to identify Hyp mice by detecting a lack of the 3′ region of the PEX gene. Serum inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels were decreased, whereas alkaline phosphatase activity was increased in 2- and 6-wk-old Hyp mice. Northern blot showed that renal Na+-Pi transporter mRNA levels were decreased by 2.1-fold (1.47 ± 0.21 densitometric units for normals; 0.68 ± 1.43 for Hyp mice; p < 0.040) in 2-wk-old Hyp mice and by 1.7-fold (2.41 ± 0.42 for normals; 1.44 ± 0.33 for Hyp mice; p < 0.027) in 6-wk-old mice. Western blot showed that levels of immunoreactive renal Na+-Pi transporter protein were decreased by 4.5-fold (0.90 ± 0.10 for normals; 0.22 ± 0.08 for Hyp mice; p < 0.001) in 2-wk-old Hyp mice; and by 4.9-fold (1.47 ± 0.19 for normals; 0.30 ± 0.09 for Hyp mice; p < 0.0001) in 6-wk-old Hyp mice. In addition, levels of Na+-Pi transporter mRNA and protein were increased between 2- and 6-wk-old normal mice, but not in Hyp mice. This study demonstrates an easy assay to detect Hyp mutation and characterizes the defect during ontogeny of the Na+-Pi transporter in Hyp mice.
Crystals and Polycrystals in ℝ n : Lower Semicontinuity and Existence

We give a simple, new algebraic condition, directional control, which is sufficient for lower semicontinuity of surface energy and which is also very easy to check in practice, and we discuss and relate several other sufficient conditions. We establish an existence theorem for surface energy minimizers. We also show how to apply these results to minimal partitions, immiscible fluids (with and without gravity), soap bubble clusters, and curvature flow of polycrystals. In some cases, we use our results to give short, alternative proofs of important existence results in the literature. Our techniques are representative of those which could be used for many variational problems, both static and dynamic, involving interfaces. Our setting is that of the sets of finite perimeter and integral currents of geometric measure theory.
Dual Mode EPR Studies of a Kramers ion: High-Spin Co(II) in 4-, 5- and 6-Coordination

The EPR spectra of high-spin Co(II) systems typically consist of poorly resolved resonances, broadened by a combination of large g-anisotropy, sizable spin–orbit couplings and admixture of excited state character into the magnetic ground state. In this report, we present dual-mode EPR studies of a set of 4-, 5- and 6-coordinate Co(II) complexes, as well as cobalt-substituted carbonic anhydrase, with and without a bidentate chelator. The suite of samples shows surprisingly large signals in parallel mode that cannot be accounted for by imperfections in the isolation of the parallel and perpendicular polarizations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of parallel polarization EPR from a Kramers system. We suggest that the parallel mode signals arise from admixture of excited state character into the ground state, and that the methods employed here may provide a means of quantitatively assessing the extent of mixing.
Discounting for personal and social payments: Patience for others, impatience for ourselves

The market rate of return on private investment is often used as the discount rate when conducting cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of public projects. I argue that the decision to invest pits current consumption against future consumption, both of which accumulate to the private decision maker. Public projects, on the other hand, provide benefits that accrue to society in general. To examine the appropriateness of discount rates based on returns to private investment, this paper considers lab experiments designed to test whether individuals discount personal and social benefits at different rates. Personal benefits are captured through personal monetary payments, while social benefits are captured through anonymous donations to charitable organizations. I jointly elicit time and risk preferences and find that subjects discount charitable contributions at significantly lower rates than personal payments.
The Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD)

NASA is presently overseeing a project tocreate the world’s first free-space lasercommunications system that can be operated overa range ten times larger than the near-earth rangesthat have been demonstrated to date. To be flownon the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust EnvironmentExplorer (LADEE), which is planned for launch byNASA in 2012, it will demonstrate high-rate lasercommunications from Lunar orbit to atransportable ground terminal on the Earth. Tosupport up to 622 Mbps over the approximately400 thousand kilometer link, the system will makeuse of a high peak-power doped-fiber transmitter,a hybrid pointing and tracking system, highefficiency modulation and coding techniques,superconducting photon-counting detectors, and ascalable optical collector architecture. It also willsupport up to 20 Mbps on the optical uplink, plus ahighly accurate continuous two-way time-of-flightmeasurement capability with the potential toperform ranging with sub-centimeter accuracy tothe moving spacecraft. The project is beingundertaken by MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MIT/LL)and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center(GSFC.)
Quark propagation in the quark-gluon plasma

It has recently been suggested that the quark-gluon plasma formed in heavy-ion collisions behaves as a nearly ideal fluid. That behavior may be understood if the quark and antiquark mean free paths are very small in the system, leading to a ``sticky molasses'' description of the plasma, as advocated by the Stony Brook group. This behavior may be traced to the fact that there are relatively low-energy $q\overline{q}$ resonance states in the plasma leading to very large scattering lengths for the quarks. These resonances have been found in a lattice simulation of QCD using the maximum entropy method (MEM). We have used a chiral quark model, which provides a simple representation of effects due to instanton dynamics, to study the resonances obtained using the MEM scheme. In the present work we use our model to study the optical potential of a quark in the quark-gluon plasma and calculate the quark mean free path. Our results represent a specific example of the dynamics of the plasma as described by the Stony Brook group.
Retinoic Acid-Induced Regulation of Neuropeptide Y Receptor Expression and Function in the Neuroepithelioma Line SK-N-MC

Abstract Neuropeptide Y (NPY) acts through specific receptors to inhibit adenyl cyclase and may have a role in neuroblastomas and neuroepitheliomas (NE) as a regulator of cell growth and differentiation. The authors have examined the status of NPY receptors in the NE cell line SK-N-MC and the effect of retinoic acid (RA), a known differentiating agent, on their expression and function. Methods: Competitive NPY binding studies were performed on normal and RA-treated cells, followed by Scatchard analysis. NPY receptor function in the absence of or following RA treatment was determined by the ability of various concentrations of NPY to attenuate the forskolin-stimulated accumulation of intracellular cAMP. The mitogenic effect of NPY was evaluated by growing normal or RA-treated cells in the presence of various concentrations of NPY. Results: Scatchard analysis showed a K d of 2.3 nmol/L and a B max of 91,000 receptors per cell for untreated cells. RA treatment decreased receptor expression to 11,700 per cell without a significant change in receptor affinity (3.6 nmol/L). The effect of forskolin was inhibited by NPY in a dose-dependent fashion in both untreated and treated cells indicating functional receptors in both. NPY stimulates the growth of normal SK-N-MC cells. NPY stimulated growth was significantly attenuated after RA treatment, possibly as a result of decreased NPY receptor expression. Conclusions: Treatment of SK-N-MC cells with RA, a known differentiating agent, leads to decreased expression of functional NPY receptors and a concomitant decrease in the mitogenic effect of NPY. This supports a role for NPY in the pathogenesis of NE.
Usefulness of 18F-FDG PET-directed skeletal biopsy for metastatic neoplasm.

Rationale and Objectives Technium-99m methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) bone scintigraphy and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) are useful imaging modalities to detect skeletal metastases. Several other conditions such as infection, fractures, and arthritis can cause false-positive results with either modality. However, PET is felt to be more specific than bone scintigraphy for malignancy. Our objective was to investigate the value of PET scan compared with bone scintigraphy for directing biopsies in patients with suspected metastatic bone lesions. Materials and Methods Retrospective case series of subjects with undergoing skeletal biopsy of suspected metastases detected by 99mTc-MDP scintigraphy or 18F-FDG PET scan. Reference standards were pathologic reports and follow-up for 6 months. The diagnostic test performance measures of true positive (TP), false positive (FP), and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated for each group. The PPV with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was compared using the Fisher exact test. Results There were a total of 68 subjects. PET-directed skeletal biopsies (n = 39) showed 35 TP, 4 FP, and an 89.7% PPV (95% CI: 75.7–97.1%). Bone scintigraphy directed biopsies (n = 29) had 21 TP, 8 FP, and 72.4 % PPV (95% CI: 52.7–82.7%). The PPV was not significantly different between the groups (P = .10). Conclusion This study supports that PET can be used to effectively direct bone biopsies to confirm metastatic neoplasm and suggests that PET may provide incremental improvement to diagnostic yield over bone scintigraphy. The role of PET compared with bone scintigraphy for directing skeletal biopsies warrants further verification.
Religiosity and Consumer Ethics

This article presents the results of an exploratory study that investigated the role that religiosity plays in determining consumer attitudes/beliefs in various situations regarding questionable consumer practices. Two dimensions of religiosity – intrinsic and extrinsic religiousness – were studied. Results indicated that an intrinsic religiousness was a significant determinant of consumer ethical beliefs, but extrinsic religiousness was not related to those beliefs.
Abstract 1233: Inhibition of STAT-3 by piperlongumine induces anoikis, prevents tumor formation in pancreatic cancerin vitroandin vivo

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Metastasis of pancreatic cancer is a major challenge leading to the failure of its therapy. Hence, novel strategies to prevent metastasis are of prime importance. Anoikis is an anchorage independent cell death. Resistance to anoikis is one of the key features of a metastatic cell. In the current study, we show induction of anoikis by piperlongumine, a component of black pepper, through inhibition of STAT-3. Treatment of various pancreatic cancer cell lines under low attachment conditions with piperlongumine reduced the anoikis resistance in a concentration-dependent manner. The decrease in anoikis resistance was associated with decrease in the expression of STAT-3 and its phosphorylation at Y705. Significant down-regulation of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1, which are under the transcriptional regulation of STAT-3, were also observed by piperlongumine treatment indicating the role of STAT-3 in anoikis. Concentration-dependent cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was observed by piperlongumine treatment in these cells. IL-6 treatment not only increased the phophorylation of STAT-3 at Y05 but also abrogated the anoikis induced by piperlongumine in Panc-1 and HPAC cells. Silencing STAT-3 by shSTAT-3 sensitized BxPc-3 and Panc-1 cells to piperlongumine treatment. On the other hand, over-expression of STAT-3 in Panc-1 cells conferred resistance to anoikis induced by piperlongumine. STAT-3 -/- BxPc-3 cells were highly sensitive to anoikis upon piperlongumine treatment. Finally, our in vivo studies established that pancreatic cancer cells treated with piperlongumine in suspension condition lost their potential to form tumors in xenograft model. On the other hand, untreated cells in suspension conditions formed aggressive tumors. Moreover, cells treated with PL in suspension conditions completely failed to metastasize when injected intravenously in mice whereas the untreated cells extensively metastasized in lungs and liver. The presence of metastatic tumors was detected by bioluminescence imaging as well as immunohistochemistry. Taken together, our study suggests that the decrease in anoikis resistance induced by piperlongumine was mediated by STAT-3 inhibition which resulted in reduced tumorigenic as well as metastatic potential of pancreatic cancer cells. Notably, STAT-3 has been shown to be constitutively upregulated in pancreatic cancer rendering it resistant to chemotherapy and potential to metastasize. [Supported in part by R01 grant CA129038 (to S.K.S) awarded by the National Cancer Institute]. Citation Format: Neel Manoj Fofaria, Sanjay K. Srivastava. Inhibition of STAT-3 by piperlongumine induces anoikis, prevents tumor formation in pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo . [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1233. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1233
Apatite as a probe of halogen and water fugacities in the terrestrial planets

Abstract Apatite preserves a record of the halogen and water fugacities that existed during the waning stages of crystallization of planetary magmas, when they became saturated in phosphates. We develop a thermodynamic formalism based on apatite–merrillite equilibria that makes it possible to compare the relative values of halogen and water fugacities in Martian, lunar and terrestrial basalts, accounting for possible differences in pressure, temperature and oxygen fugacities among the planets. We show that each of these planetary bodies has distinctive ratios among volatile fugacities at apatite saturation and that these fugacities are in some cases related in a consistent way to volatile fugacities in the mantle magma sources. Our analysis shows that the Martian mantle parental to basaltic SNC meteorites was dry and poor in both fluorine and chlorine compared to the terrestrial mantle. The limited data available from Mars show no secular variation in mantle halogen and water fugacities from ∼4 Ga to ∼180 Ma. The water and halogens found in present-day Martian surface rocks have thus resided in the planet’s surficial systems since at least 4 Ga, and may have been degassed from the planet’s interior during a primordial crust-forming event. In comparison to the Earth and Mars, the Moon, and possibly the eucrite parent body too, appear to be strongly depleted not only in H 2 O but also in Cl 2 relative to H 2 O. Chlorine depletion is strongest in mare basalts, perhaps reflecting an eruptive process characteristic of large-scale lunar magmatism.
Numerical Simulation Study on Surfactant Flooding for Low Permeability Oilfield in the Condition of Threshold Pressure

Based on the non-Darcy flow characteristics of surfactant flooding in the low permeability oilfield, considering the changes of threshold pressure and influence of surfactant on convection, diffusion, adsorption and retention, a mathematical model is established for a three-dimensional, two-phase, three-component surfactant flooding. A new treatment for the changes of threshold pressure and a novel correction method for the relative permeability curve in the process of surfactant flooding are derived, which enhances the matching degree between the mathematical model and field practice. The mathematical model was used to perform the numerical simulation study for a pilot test of surfactant flooding in Chao 45 Block of Daqing Oilfield, a proper injection plan was optimized. After the optimized plan was carried out in oilfield, the desirable effects, like pressure-reducing, injection rate increase, and the increase of oil recovery, were achieved. The average oil increase for single well reaches 37%, the ratio of cost to revenue is above 1:4, so the economic effect of scale is promising.