cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 5366: Propentofylline inhibits TROY/TNFRSF19 signaling to enhance therapeutic efficacy in invasive glioblastoma cells

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary tumor of the CNS and carries a dismal prognosis. The aggressive invasion of GBM cells into the surrounding normal brain makes complete resection impossible, significantly increases resistance to the standard therapy regimen, and virtually assures tumor recurrence. Median survival for newly diagnosed GBM is 14.6 months and declines to 8 months for patients with recurrent GBM. New therapeutic strategies that target the molecular drivers of invasion are required for improved clinical outcome. We have demonstrated that TROY (TNFRSF19), a member of the TNFR super-family, plays an important role in GBM invasion and resistance. TROY expression increases with glial tumor grade and inversely correlates with patient survival. TROY stimulates GBM cell invasion and increases resistance to temozolomide (TMZ) and radiation treatment. Conversely, knockdown of TROY expression inhibits GBM cell invasion, increases sensitivity to temozolomide, and prolongs survival in an intracranial xenograft model. Propentofylline (PPF), an atypical synthetic methylxanthine compound, has been extensively studied in Phase II and Phase III clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia where it has demonstrated blood-brain permeability and minimal adverse side effects. In this study, we demonstrated that PPF decreases TROY protein expression in glioma cells, and subsequently suppress activation downstream signaling effectors including AKT, NF-κB, and Rac1. PPF treatment of glioma cells also suppressed glioma cell migration and invasion, demonstrated by transwell migration assay and reduced membrane ruffling. Finally, PPF treatment increased vulnerability of glioma cells to Temozolomide (TMZ) and radiation. In summary, this study demonstrates that PPF provides a pharmacologic approach to target TROY to inhibit glioma cell invasion and reduce therapeutic resistance to TMZ and radiation. Citation Format: Harshil D. Dhruv, Serdar Tuncali, Alison Roos, Patrick Tomboc, Nathan Jameson, Ashley Chavez, Joseph Loftus, Michael E. Berens, Nhan L. Tran. Propentofylline inhibits TROY/TNFRSF19 signaling to enhance therapeutic efficacy in invasive glioblastoma cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5366. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5366
Small-Signal Equivalent Circuit Model of Quasi-Square-Wave Flyback Converter

One benefit of switching a converter at very high frequencies—even to the multimegahertz range—is that the loop bandwidth can be increased so that the transient performance is significantly improved. However, using the conventional small-signal model of continuous conduction mode (CCM) for quasi-square-wave (QSW) converters introduces a huge mismatch for the placement of the dominant poles when compared to the experiment results. The double poles in high-frequency QSW converters are split widely which cannot be predicted by the conventional model. A modified small-signal model of the QSW flyback converter is proposed to predict the double-pole splitting phenomenon and to analytically quantify the damping effect. The impacts of deadtime on control-to-output transfer function have been investigated in detail. The conventional CCM model turns out to be a special case of the proposed model. The theoretical analyses were eventually verified by Simplis simulation and experimental results on a 5-MHz QSW flyback converter.
Coaches’ Perspectives on Bullying

In this chapter, Kowalski describes how the values associated with major sports in Western culture (i.e., winning at all costs, using power and dominance to control others, and employing a hierarchical structure of authority) may contribute to hazing practices associated with bullying. Kowalski notes that as a central figure in the development of athletes, the coach has the potential to influence whether or not students engage in bullying activities to achieve sport-related goals. Specifically, this chapter addresses how coaches view and respond to bullying in athletics and outlines the positive steps coaches may take to encourage athletes’ success and growth in lieu of bullying.
From Here to There: Vision, Value, and the Advancement of Respiratory Care.

The GPS app on my smartphone was on, and my destination loaded. I was on my way. I knew where I was going and I knew the general direction I would have to travel, but I had a number of options concerning the route. Since I didn't know which one would be best, I was content to leave that decision up
Precarious Paddies: The Uncertain, Unstable, and Insecure Lives of Rice Farmers in the Mekong Delta

In recent decades, the concept “precarious work” has gained great ­currency in the literature of the social sciences. Generally speaking, “precarious work” is defined as work that is uncertain, unstable, and insecure, wherein the preponderance of risks is borne by workers rather than by employers or government. Up until now, the concept has almost always been used with reference to wageworkers employed, whether formally or informally, in the manufacturing or service sectors. In this chapter, we broaden this valuable concept by extending it to the agricultural sector and by including various types of “insecure” agriculturalists – whether wage laborers, tenants, or owner operators – in its embrace. More specifically, we apply the concept to farmers and farming in the Mekong Delta. Rice farming in the Mekong Delta has never been easy, seldom been secure, and never been risk-free. Year-to-year fluctuations in weather conditions alone are enough to render farm life in the region so. Over the past two decades, though, uncertainty, instability, and insecurity have risen for many Delta farmers as a result of market reforms in Vietnam beginning in 1986, the vagaries of world commodity prices, changes in health care, disability, and pension schemes in the country, a variety of environmental changes associated with the modernization of rice agriculture and the increase of poorly monitored industry, and now, the threat of significant, if not drastic climate change, which has the potential to increase uncertainty, instability, and insecurity exponentially. We have used a variety of sources, including field investigations, to demonstrate the relevance of the “precarious work” concept to the Mekong Delta’s rice cultivators.
AMATO, Paul R. and Alan BOOTH, A GENERATION ATRISK: GROWING UP IN AN ERA OF FAMILY UPHEAVAL

AMATO, Paul R. and Alan BOOTH, AGENERATIONAT RISK: GROWING UPINAN ERA OF FAMILY UPHEAVAL. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2000, 319 pp., $18.95 softcover. A Generation at Risk provides a thorough examination of how recent changes in American family experiences have influenced children's adult outcomes. As the authors document, family life has changed in numerous ways over the last few decades. Amato and Booth seek to understand how adult children's outcomes and characteristics are affected by some of these sociological changes. The authors research the effects of variables reflecting changes in the socioeconomic conditions, gender relations, and family structure and marital quality. The aim of their research is to document the significant associations between adult children's well-being and the characteristics of their family that reflect the recent social changes. To achieve this goal, Amato and Booth use data from the Study of Marital Instability Over the Life Course and linear and logistic regression techniques to model these associations. A contribution of the present research is their focus on adult children. Whereas most research on the effects of family background characteristics has focused on young children and teenagers, Amato and Booth look at the effects of the three categories of family change on adult children's characteristics. They research five categories of adult children's outcomes - their relationship with their parents, romantic relationships, their social integration, socioeconomic attainment, and psychological well-being. Theoretically, Amato and Booth draw upon the life course perspective to better understand how family characteristics affect youth as they transition to adulthood. With the life course perspective, the authors are sensitive to both the ages of the children when they experience various family behaviors and to the historical context of that experience. To better understand the processes by which family characteristics influence these adult outcomes, the authors turn to a mediation model. Parental support and parental control are tested as mediating factors for the family's socioeconomic, gender relations, family structure and marital happiness in influencing the children. The data source for this research is rich with information about the adult child's family of origin. Besides the standard information available in other data sets, this study also has rarely collected information on the gender division of housework and childcare, gender attitudes, marital happiness and interaction, marital conflict, and divorce proneness. …
Clinical Implications of Direct Immunofluorescence Findings in Patients With Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid.

Purpose To examine the clinical implications of positive or negative direct immunofluorescence biopsies (DIF) in patients with clinically typical ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP). Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods The study population was patients with clinically typical ocular MMP disease with documented DIF results who were followed for at least 1 year at the Duke University multidisciplinary ocular MMP clinic. Data were collected by chart review and included patient demographics, clinical examination findings, and history of autoimmune disease and/or malignancy, as well as topical, systemic, and surgical treatments received. Main outcome measures included MMP Disease Area Index, Foster stages, proportion legally blind, duration of follow-up, and use of systemic immunosuppression and ocular procedures in treatment. Results In multivariable analysis restricted to 55 patients, patients with negative and positive biopsies were similar in the outcome measures; however, positive-biopsy patients were more likely to be treated with systemic immunosuppression and were followed for longer at our clinic. Patients with isolated ocular disease were also more likely to have negative biopsies compared to those who also had extraocular disease. Patients who had conjunctival biopsies were more likely to have a negative direct immunofluorescence result than patients with biopsies from other sites. Conclusions We encourage clinicians and patients to consider treatment with systemic immunosuppression even in the absence of diagnosis confirmation by DIF. Furthermore, this study supports current standard of care to pursue a nonocular biopsy of normal-appearing, perilesional skin or oral mucosa when possible.
Quantification of Morphine, Codeine, and Thebaine in Home-Brewed Poppy Seed Tea by LC-MS/MS

Recently, medical examiners reported two cases of a 21-year-old male and 24-year-old male with high amounts of morphine in their blood at autopsy. It was suspected that the decedents ingested lethal amounts of morphine from home-brewed poppy seed tea. No studies to date have investigated opium alkaloid content extracted from poppy seeds by home-brewing methods. Various poppy seed products were purchased from online sources and extracted with four home-brewing methods representative of recipes found on drug user forums. Morphine, codeine, and thebaine were quantified in the tea extracts by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using a validated analytical method. Morphine, codeine, and thebaine concentrations from seeds were <1-2788 mg/kg, <1-247.6 mg/kg, and <1-124 mg/kg, respectively. Alkaloid yield varied between extractions, but regardless of extraction conditions, lethal amounts of morphine can be rinsed from poppy seed coats by home-brewing methods.
What Are Men Doing while Women Perform Extra Unpaid Labor? Leisure and Specialization at the Transitions to Parenthood

Marriage has significantly changed since Becker proposed his specialization model yet some scholars maintain that specialization characterizes modern couples. Specialization occurs when one partner, traditionally the man, concentrates on market work while the other partner, traditionally the woman, focuses on nonmarket work such as housework or childcare. Using innovative time diary data from primarily highly-educated, White, dual-earner U.S. couples, we examine how couples manage their time in market and household work and leisure across a momentous, gendered life course turning point—the transition to parenthood. We find little evidence of specialization, but stronger evidence of nonspecialization where both partners concurrently engaged in market work or leisure. Yet gender still mattered. Men enjoyed more leisure time, particularly on nonworkdays, whereas their partners performed more nonmarket work. Our study is the first known to uncover exactly what men were doing while women performed additional minutes of housework and childcare. On nonworkdays, fathers engaged in leisure 47% and 35% of the time during which mothers performed childcare and routine housework, respectively. Mothers engaged in leisure only about 16% to 19% of the time that fathers performed childcare and routine housework. In sum, although our study challenges economic theories of specialization by suggesting that nonspecialization is the norm for new parents’ time among highly-educated, dual-earner couples, persistent gender inequalities continue to characterize family work and leisure time.
Building a digital Girl Army: The cultivation of feminist safe spaces online:

“Safe spaces” emerged as an important activist tactic in the late twentieth-century United States with the rise of feminist, queer, and anti-racist movements. However, the term’s ambiguity, while d...
Caught in a Web of Abjection: High-Stakes Testing in Miriam Cohen’s First Grade Takes a Test and Andrew Clements’ The Report Card

Standardized achievement testing of children began in the United States in the 1960s. Since then, the data produced from such tests has been extrapolated to measure schools, teachers, and principals. Today, testing and its corollaries consume much of the time and energy of teachers and students. Miriam Cohen’s (2006/1980) First Grade Takes a Test and Andrew Clements’ (2004) The Report Card invite young readers to question the purposes and validity of the tests they are required to take. Both authors clearly present the more insidious aspects of testing and question the tests’ assumptions of normalcy, and each suggests the adults themselves are caught in the same web created by the agencies and institutions they serve. However, when read in the light of Kristeva’s (1982/1980) descriptions of the abject as that which is on the border of identity, Cohen’s and Clements’ stories go further, raising the specter of a disturbing scenario involving an underlying and diabolical institutional mindset—a mind behind the test—that, through the guise of testing, blurs borders of identity, collapses meaning and perceptions of what is normal, and contributes to the resulting abjection of all participants, especially children identified as geniuses.
Critical Issues in the Diagnosis of Urogenital Infections

The clinician and the laboratorian are aware of the wide variety of new and innovative methods for the diagnosis of urogenital disease. Subsequent papers in this volume will provide methodologic and analytical precision and accuracy of a variety of instruments and techniques for diagnosis. This review will focus on 3 areas of interest: a) a broad overview of technology, b) the relevance of laboratory data, and c) practical considerations of Beysian statistics as they apply to microbiology.
Assessing an Online Tool to Promote Sustainability Competencies in Construction Engineering Education

AbstractSustainability is an important component of engineering design and construction; however, recent research has shown that engineering education remains inefficient in teaching students basic...
Applying the ID process to the guided design teaching strategy

This article describes the application of the ID process to an instructional technique called Guided Design. Guided Design is an approach to teaching that is intended to teach decision making skills within the context of a given content area. This case study traces the development of a Production-Operations Management course from the client’s initial contact with the developer to the final evaluation of the course. To implement the Guided Design technique in the course it was necessary to complete a comprehensive task analysis of the content, develop mastery level self-instruction units, group activities to serve as synthesizing exercises for the content, as well as grading and course management procedures. Student final performance on major course goals was assessed and indicated mastery. The article concludes with the personal observations of the developer and the client about the project and discusses some of the implications of this experience for developers.
Interpretation and management of positive anti‐hepatitis B core antibody tests in immunocompromised pediatric patients

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy is increasingly used in the pediatric population, in particular among children with immune-compromising conditions. Pooled immunoglobulin products are routinely tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and nucleic acid; however, screening for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) is not commonly performed. Thus, the administration of IVIg containing anti-HBc to children with immune-compromising conditions may complicate the interpretation of hepatitis B serologic testing in that a positive anti-HBc test may represent passive transfer of antibody from IVIg or may indicate resolved or chronic hepatitis B infection. Due to the risk of hepatitis B reactivation in immunocompromised patients, a positive anti-HBc test must be carefully considered. As part of a quality improvement initiative, we identified and reviewed the records of all pediatric patients at our institution who tested positive for anti-HBc over an 18-month period. Of 44 total patients with positive anti-HBc tests, we found that 22 (50%) had previously received IVIg in the preceding 4 months. All but one of these, 21/22 (95%), went on to receive immunosuppressive therapy (IS). Among the patients who received IS, 19 (86%) had not undergone hepatitis B serologic testing prior to IVIg administration and 16 (73%) did not have subsequent testing to distinguish between passive acquisition of anti-HBc from IVIg and chronic hepatitis B infection. Our single-center experience reveals that a high proportion of positive anti-HBc tests in children are presumed to be because of the passive antibody transfer from IVIg. However, a low proportion of patients undergo confirmatory testing, despite the risk of hepatitis B reactivation during IS. We thus propose a risk-based algorithm for interpretation and monitoring of hepatitis B testing in immunocompromised children.
Model-based performance for gas distribution from perforated manifolds and spargers

Abstract The in-situ introduction and mixing of chemical precursors can be a potentially important aspect of process intensification. In this sense, a separate premixing unit process can be eliminated. However, depending on the process, introducing the precursors with spatial uniformity can be important to achieving desired results. The present paper develops a computational model to simulate gas distribution within channel manifolds containing uniformly spaced perforations or nozzles. When pressure within the manifold is much higher than pressure within the reactor (typically greater than a factor of two), gases issuing from the individual nozzles are choked (i.e., at sonic velocity). The present model, which poses and solves one-dimensional gas-phase plug-flow conservation equations, is implemented in Matlab. To achieve generality in the results, the model is transformed to a non-dimensional setting, where two characteristic dimensionless groups emerge. A dimensionless performance map provides generalized quantitative information about flow uniformity and the feed pressure. The dimensionless groups represent combinations of manifold and nozzle dimensions, gas properties, and mass flow rates.
Supraventricular tachycardia of the sick, a unique entity.

Objective This study explored a unique form of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) in which certain acutely ill patients have a first episode of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with a short RP interval. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients at a single institution who developed SVT with short RP and yielded 19 patients. Results None of the 19 patients had a prior history of AVNRT or any other arrhythmia. The mean age was 58 years, the majority of patients were male (13/19), and there was a presence of hypertension (10/19), diabetes mellitus (5/19), hyperlipidemia (7/19), congestive heart failure (2/19), coronary artery disease (3/19), obstructive sleep apnea (2/19), and active cancer (8/19). The reasons for admission were planned surgery (8/19), sepsis (8/19), drug abuse (2/19), and neurological disorder (2/19). The AVNRT either terminated spontaneously or following the administration of adenosine. The patients were treated with amiodarone (12/19), metoprolol (6/19), or diltiazem (1/19). Follow-up (mean: 370 days) details revealed that patients were on amiodarone (3/19), metoprolol (6/19), were not taking any cardiac medication (5/19), or had passed away (5/19). Only 1 patient had a recurrence of AVNRT, and none of the patients required ablation therapy. Conclusion 'AVNRT of the sick' has not been previously described in the medical literature, to our knowledge. It can be successfully treated with medications and the chance of recurrence after resolution of the acute illness is small.
Mechanical versus bioprosthetic valves in patients on dialysis

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of bioprosthetic versus mechanical valves in patients on dialysis. Methods: All patients who underwent aortic (AVR) or mitral valve replacement (MVR) at a single institution from 2011–2017 were reviewed. Primary stratification was bioprosthetic versus mechanical valves. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital readmission, valve reoperation rates and bleeding events. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used for risk-adjustment. Results: During the study period, 3,969 patients underwent AVR or MVR, of which 97 (2.4%) were on dialysis. In dialysis patients, unadjusted 30-day mortality was comparable between bioprosthetic (13%) versus mechanical (6%) valves (P=0.31). However, the bioprosthetic group had higher rates of 1-year (40.3% versus 15.2%; P=0.03) and 5-year mortality (67.9% versus 60.7%; P=0.02). Most patients were readmitted within 5 years with no differences between the groups (bioprosthetic 80.3% versus mechanical 100%; P=0.57). There were no valve reoperations in either group at 5 years. The 5-year readmission rate was higher in the mechanical cohort (10.5% versus 53.8%; P=0.05). Risk-adjusted analysis confirmed these findings, where mechanical valves were independently associated with reduced mortality at 1-year and 5-years. Conclusions: Despite the limited life expectancy of patients on dialysis, mechanical valves have an intermediate term mortality benefit compared to bioprosthetic valves. This comes at the expense of a higher rate of readmission for bleeding. Although valve choice should consider multiple factors, these data suggest that mechanical valve usage in dialysis patients is reasonable.
Controls of plant diversity and composition on a desert archipelago

Aim With the most robust floristic data set for any arid archipelago, we use statistical modeling to determine the underlying controls of plant diversity and species composition. Location The study was undertaken in the Midriff Islands of the Gulf of California, Mexico. Methods Using the area-diversity relationship we estimate the power coefficient z with generalized linear models (GLM). We tested eight predictors (area, human presence, habitat diversity, topography, distance to mainland, island type, precipitation, and seabird dynamics) using a step-wise process on the same GLM procedure. Plant species composition was assessed by conducting a non-standardized principal component analysis on a presence-absence matrix of the 476 (plant species) × 14 (islands). Finally, families were tested for over or under representation with a X 2 analysis subjected to a Bonferroni correction. Results The classic species-area model explained 85% of the variance in island plant diversity and yielded a slope (z) of 0.303 (±0.01). When the effect of area is removed, four additional factors were shown to account for observed variation; habitat diversity (34%), seabird dynamics (23%), island type (21%), topography (14%). Human presence and distance to mainland were not predictors of species richness. Species composition varies significantly with island area; small islands have a particular flora where certain families are overrepresented, such as Cactaceae, while the flora of larger islands is strongly dependent on the continental source. Main conclusions The factors that control diversity levels are expressions of geology, landscape heterogeneity, and land-sea connections. Species assemblages in small islands are governed by copious marine nutrients in the form of guano that depress species diversity. Distance to mainland and human presence hold no predictive power on diversity. The results show these islands to be isolated arid ecosystems with functioning ecological networks.
Identifying Event-Specific Sources from Social Media

Social media has become an indispensable resource for coordinating various real-life events by providing a platform to instantly tap into a huge audience. The participatory nature of social media creates an environment highly conducive for people to share information, voice their opinion, and engage in discussions. It is not uncommon to find novel and specific information with intimate details for an event on social media platforms in contrast to the mainstream media. This makes social media a valuable source for event analysis studies. It is, therefore, of utmost importance to identify quality sources from these social media sites for understanding and exploring an event. However, due to the power law distribution of the Internet, social media sources get buried in the Long Tail. The overwhelming number of social media sources makes it even more challenging to identify the valuable sources. We propose an evolutionary mutual reinforcement model for identifying and ranking highly ‘specific’ social media sources and ‘close’ entities related to an event. Due to the absence of ground truth, we provide a novel evaluation strategy for validating the model. By considering the top ranked sources according to our model, we observe a substantial information gain (ranging between 25 and 130 %) as compared to the baselines (viz., Google search and Icerocket blog search). Moreover, highly informative sources are ranked much higher according to our model as compared to the widely-used baselines, putting spotlight on the social media sources that could be easily overlooked otherwise. Our model further affords an apparatus to analyze events at micro and macro scales. Data for the research is collected from various blogging platforms such as, Blogger (hosted at blogspot), LiveJournal, WordPress, Typepad, etc. and will be made publicly available for researchers.
Gender difference on spatial visualization by college students’ major types as STEM and non-STEM: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACTGender difference on spatial visualization has been considered an important factor that impacts the gender gap in academic performance in STEM-related disciplines. The purpose of this meta-...
Discontinuation of disease-modifying therapy for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Effect on clinical and MRI outcomes.

Abstract Background Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) have been shown to reduce relapses and new MRI lesions. However, few studies have assessed the impact of discontinuing DMT after a period of disease inactivity. Objective To investigate the impact of DMT discontinuation on clinical and radiological outcomes in RRMS patients. Methods 69 RRMS patients who discontinued DMT after a period of disease inactivity were identified from the Comprehensive Longitudinal Investigation of MS study at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, based on the following inclusion criteria: age 18 or older; treated with DMT ≥2 years; no clinical and radiological relapse ≥2 years until the discontinuation; not restarting DMT for ≥6 months after discontinuation. Patients matched by age, gender, treatment, treatment duration, disease duration and Expanded Disability Status Scale score who remained on DMT were identified. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models with robust standard errors to account for the paired data were used to test the differences based on DMT discontinuation with the outcome measures: time to clinical relapse, MRI event, disability progression, and disease activity (either clinical relapse or MRI event). Results Based on the 69 pairs of patients, discontinuation was not associated with time to clinical relapse (HR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.44–1.72, p = 0.69), MRI event (HR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.57 to 1.59, p = 0.84), disability progression (HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.61 to 2.53, p = 0.55) and disease activity (HR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.56 to 1.42, p = 0.62). When we performed subgroup analysis to compare the impact of DMT discontinuation between older (age > 45) and younger (age ≤ 45) patients, we found a significant difference in the association between young and old for time to MRI event (p = 0.012) and time to new disease activity (p = 0.0005). Conclusions This study found that patients who discontinued treatment after a period of disease inactivity had a similar time to next event compared to subjects who remained on first-generation DMTs. In our cohort, we found that discontinuation after age 45 was associated with a stable disease course, while patients younger than age 45 who discontinued treatment were more likely to experience a new clinical relapse or MRI event.
Modeling Electrical Grid Resilience Under Hurricane Wind Conditions With Increased Solar and Wind Power Generation

This paper develops models for hurricane exposure, fragility curve-based damage to electrical transmission grid components and power generating stations using Monte-Carlo simulation, and restoration cost to predict resiliency factors including power generation capacity lost and the restoration cost for electrical transmission grid and power generation system damages. Synthetic grid data are used to model the Energy Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) electrical grid. A case study is developed based on Hurricane Harvey. This work is extended to evaluate the changes to resiliency as the percentage of renewable sources is increased from 2017 levels to levels corresponding to the NREL Futures Study 2050 Texas scenarios for 50% and 80% renewable energy.
Modeling of deformations of Roma Plastilina # 1 clay in column-drop tests by incorporating the coupled strain rate and temperature effects

Roma Plastilina (RP) # 1 clay has been used as a backing material in ballistic testing of body armor. Column-drop tests are conducted to assess the suitability of RP # 1 clay for ballistic tests. I...
Achieving sustainability requires systemic business transformation

Achieving sustainability requires that businesses transform; however, it is virtually impossible in today's competitive environment for individual businesses to do what is needed to bring about systemic transformation. Instead, it is the context around businesses, including the public policy environment and changes by major actors, which must shift so that the pressures, constraints and demands on businesses can epimimetically drive their competitive instincts in the direction of wellbeing for all.
Brightly Luminescent CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals through Ultracentrifugation

Using a combination of density-gradient and analytical ultracentrifugation, we studied the photophysical profile of CsPbBr3 nanocrystal (NC) suspensions by separating them into size-resolved fracti...
Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation Associated with Fat Mass and Weight Status in Youth.

(1) Background: Few studies have examined the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation (SED) and weight-related outcomes in youth, controlling for weight-related behaviors. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between neighborhood SED, weight status, and fat mass in a diverse sample of youth, before and after controlling for physical activity and diet. (2) Methods: The sample included 828 youth from the Transitions and Activity Changes in Kids study. Neighborhood SED was expressed as an index score at the census tract of residence. Height, weight, and body composition were measured and used to calculate fat mass index (FMI) and weight status. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (min/h) were measured via accelerometry. Diet quality was assessed via the Block Food Screener for Kids. Multilevel regression models were employed to examine these relationships. (3) Results: Neighborhood SED was significantly associated with FMI and weight status before and after controlling for MVPA, sedentary behavior, and diet. Notably, youth residing in the most deprived neighborhoods had significantly higher FMI and were 30% more likely to be overweight/obese (OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.03–1.65). (4) Conclusions: Greater neighborhood SED was consistently and significantly associated with higher fat mass index and increased likelihood of overweight/obesity among youth.
Considerations for Addressing the Needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Speech-Language Pathology Praxis Test Takers

Purpose The primary purpose of this article is to explore the speech-language pathology (SLP) Praxis test, a barrier to culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) individuals entering the profession, by investigating first-time pass rates and mean scores by test taker race/ethnicity. Other potential barriers to licensure and certification, as well as solutions for mitigating these barriers, will also be addressed. Method SLP Praxis test data from two windows of time, 2008-2011 and 2014-2020, were compared for the following: (a) proportions of test taker race/ethnicity relative to U.S. demographic estimates of racial/ethnic group proportions overall, (b) proportions of racial/ethnic groups, and (c) trends in test-taker mean scores by race/ethnicity. First-attempt pass rates by racial/ethnic groups were also calculated for the 2014-2020 testing window. Results The percentage of some CLD SLP Praxis test-taker groups increased since the 2008-2011 testing window but is still not representative of U.S. racial/ethnic demographics. The first-attempt pass rates and overall mean scores of CLD test-taker groups remained substantially lower than White non-Hispanic/Latinx test takers. Conclusions Despite the encouraging trends in SLP Praxis test-taker racial/ethnic diversity, disparities persist between the racial/ethnic makeup of SLP Praxis test takers and the demographic makeup of the United States. Consequently, these disparities have implications for the continued lack of cultural representativeness seen in our workforce.
Physiological, cognitive, and expectancy effects of aromatherapy following acute stress

Objective. Aromatherapy is commonly used for stress relief, yet the evidence for its effectiveness is weak due to the poor quality of previous studies and lack of understanding for the aromatherapy mechanism. The main goal of this work was to use a rigorous randomized control trial (RCT) design to assess effects of a popular stress-reducing aromatherapy on subjective, physiologic, and cognitive measures sensitive to stress. Additionally, the study evaluated the role of a psychological mechanism (expectancy) in aromatherapy actions. Methods. Ninety-two healthy adults were randomized to 3 groups based on aroma type (experimental lavender aroma, detectable coconut placebo aroma, and undetectable water placebo aroma) to evaluate efficacy of lavender aromatherapy compared to the placebo groups. Detectable placebo aroma was utilized to test the role of aroma-mediated expectancy in aromatherapy actions. Additionally, participants in each group were randomized to one of two subgroups: either receiving a suggestion that the assigned aroma is a powerful stress-reducing agent (prime) or receiving a neutral statement about the aroma qualities (no prime). This manipulation was used to assess the role of verballymediated expectancy in aromatherapy actions. To reach the study goals, participants underwent a stress battery and completed baseline and post-stress assessments during which participants’ physiological, endocrine, and cognitive function were assessed with objective stress markers. Subjects’ perceived stress, affect, anxiety, and expectancy of improvement were also evaluated.
Better Diagnostics for Linear Mixed-Effects Models Using Visual Inference

Linear mixed-effects (LME) models are versatile models that account for dependence structures when data are composed of groups. The additional flexibility of random effects models comes at the cost of complicating model exploration and validation due to the breakdown of asymptotic results, boundary issues, and patterns in diagnostic plots inherent to model structures. While these issues are well known and adjustments have been proposed, they require the analyst to keep track of all the special circumstances that may arise. In this paper we illustrate the use of visual inference for diagnosing LME model fits based on graphical tests that that can be broadly used in situations where the assumptions of conventional inferential procedures are violated. This approach provides a unified framework for diagnosing LME model fits and for model selection.
Object-oriented programming in TCL/TK

[incr Tcl], an object-oriented extension for Tcl, will be used to introduce object-oriented concepts into the Introduction to Computer Science course at the University of Northern Colorado. Tcl, an extensible, scripting language, and Tk, an extension to Tcl for building GUIs, have previously been used successfully in the same course.[incr Tcl], written in 1993 by Michael McLennan of Lucent Technologies, has encapsulation, multiple inheritance, composition, and polymorphism (via virtual methods). Tcl itself contains namespaces which extend Tcl's use to large-scale projects.The [incr Tcl] extension allows the programmer to move from Tk's object-based orientation to true object-oriented capabilities.True to Tcl/Tk, [incr Tcl] accomplishes its object-oriented ability within the same simple, command-oriented syntax. Commands like class, inherit, constructor, and protected are used.
Purine catabolism in Drosophila melanogaster. I. Reactions leading to xanthine dehydrogenase.

Abstract 1. The pathway of purine catabolism in larval extracts of Drosophila melanogaster has been investigated. 2. The enzymes prior to xanthine dehydrogenase in the pathway appear to be adenosine deaminase, inosine phosphorylase and guanine deaminase. 3. The evidence indicates that adenine deaminase and urate oxidase are not present in extracts of larvae. 4. A Canton-S wild-type stock strain did not metabolize [14C]guanine, suggesting a possible mutation affecting guanine deaminase. 5. Some conversion of [14C]xanthine to uric acid was noted in extracts of the xanthine dehydrogenase mutants, ma-l and ry.
Repair of Thermal Injury of Staphylococcus aureus

Iandolo, John J. (University of Illinois, Urbana), and Z. John Ordal. Repair of thermal injury of Staphylococcus aureus. J. Bacteriol. 91:134-142. 1966.-Exposure of Staphylococcus aureus MF 31 to sublethal temperatures produced a temporary change in the salt tolerance and growth of the organism. After sublethal heat treatment at 55 C for 15 min, more than 99% of the viable population was unable to reproduce on media containing 7.5% NaCl. The data presented demonstrate that thermal injury, in part, occurred owing to changes in the cell membrane, which allowed soluble cellular components to leak into the heating menstruum. When the cells were placed in a limiting medium, complete recovery did not occur, regardless of the incubation time. The temperature and the pH which produced the optimal rate of recovery were similar to those described previously for the multiplication of uninjured cells. However, the rate of recovery as well as the unchanging total count during recovery indicated that cell multiplication was not a factor during the recovery process. The nutrient requirements for the complete recovery of injured cells consisted of a solution containing an energy source, such as glucose, a mixture of amino acids, and phosphate. The use of the metabolic inhibitors, penicillin, cycloserine, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and chloramphenicol, did not inhibit recovery. Actinomycin D, however, completely suppressed recovery. This result implied that ribonucleic acid synthesis was particularly involved; this inference was substantiated by radio tracer experiments. The rate at which label was incorporated in the nucleic acid fraction paralleled that of recovery and the return of salt tolerance.
Designing the Best Catamaran

This chapter illustrates use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process in the selection and design of a sailboat. How does one bring together one’s ideas when designing a versatile sailing machine? Imagination plays an important role but is full of disconnected thoughts. The AHP was used to first choose the overall sailboat design, and then to select some fundamental hydrodynamic features of the newly designed boat.
Cardiopulmonary consequences of positive end-expiratory pressure.

Summary: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), while of major benefit in the therapy of pulmonary diseases characterized by low functional residual capacity (FRC), is frequently associated with depression of cardiac output (CO) and specific dynamic compliance (Csp). The cardiopulmonary consequences of sequential increases of PEEP (3, 6, 9, 12, 15 cm H2O) in normal dogs were studied utilizing an apparatus that permits measurement of FRC by helium dilution while the animal remains on PEEP. It was found that increasing levels of PEEP had no effect on tidal volume (VT) or inspiratory time, but appeared to lengthen expiratory time by delaying expiratory flow until the preinspiratory period, and led to facilitated expiration. This response occurred immediately upon changes in the level of PEEP and is felt to be reflex in nature. FRC increased and Csp fell as PEEP was increased. This was reflected in a fall in transmission of applied airway pressure to an esophageal balloon. Pulmonary hypertension did not develop in our animals, but net right atrial (RA) pressure was elevated by PEEP. There was no difference in cardiac index (CI) between the control and study groups. Both the magnitude of applied airway pressure and the extent to which it is transmitted across the lungs to the pleural space appear to be determinants of possible effects of PEEP on CO and may explain the diversity of results among reported studies of PEEP. Transmission of pressure is related directly to Csp. Speculation: Transmission of PEEP to the pleural space is dependent on the level of PEEP and on the preexisting state of the lungs. Transmission of applied airway pressure will be greatest when the Csp of the lungs is highest; it may be reduced significantly if either insufficient or excessive levels are used for a given clinical situation. The pleural pressurevs applied PEEP relationship thus provides a sensitive index of changing status of the lungs, as well as an assessment of therapeutic efficacy.
Foraging differences between white and dark morphs of the Pacific Reef Heron Egretta sacra

Among the species of diurnal herons (Ardeinae) showing light-dark colour polymorphism in plumage, colour phase is age-related in one species, closely associated with geography in three species, and found in most populations in three closely related species of reef herons. In Pacific Reef Herons Egretta sacra white-phased birds sought prey by a flight, land, and freeze hunting style in breaking surf, while dark birds pursued prey by actively walking or running on reef flats. On Mangaia, in the southern Cook Islands, more white-phased birds used the windward side of the island and more dark-phased birds used the lee side. On Rarotonga, 204 km from Mangaia, reef herons foraged almost exclusively in shaded streams and no entirely white-phased bird was encountered. These results provide the first evidence of differences in hunting techniques associated with colour morph and only the second observation of differences in habitat use by white- and dark-phased herons at single localities. As such they support Murton's (1971) idea that colour polymorphism serves herons in their role as predators. For reasons discussed in the text such differences are more expected in reef herons than in most other colour-polymorphic herons.
Generating items during testing: Psychometric issues and models

On-line item generation is becoming increasingly feasible for many cognitive tests. Item generation seemingly conflicts with the well established principle of measuring persons from items with known psychometric properties. This paper examines psychometric principles and models required for measurement from on-line item generation. Three psychometric issues are elaborated for item generation. First, design principles to generate items are considered. A cognitive design system approach is elaborated and then illustrated with an application to a test of abstract reasoning. Second, psychometric models for calibrating generating principles, rather than specific items, are required. Existing item response theory (IRT) models are reviewed and a new IRT model that includes the impact on item discrimination, as well as difficulty, is developed. Third, the impact of item parameter uncertainty on person estimates is considered. Results from both fixed content and adaptive testing are presented.
Effects of Dielectric Width Extension in a Parallel-Plate Blumlein Line

Computational analyses are performed on a parallel-plate Blumlein line with a nonstandard width of the dielectric, as a way to mitigate against the dielectric breakdown. We report its effects on the electric field, propagation time of the transient effect, characteristic impedance of the line, and output pulse. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 46: 220–225, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20950