cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vaginal Po2 in healthy women and in women infected withTrichomonas vaginalis: Potential implications for metronidazole therapy

Summary We measured the Po 2 , pH, and temperature in the vaginal canals of nine patients with symptomatic Trichomonas vaginitis and those of 10 healthy women. The patients included eight women with primary infections caused by metronidazole-susceptible strains and one refractory case that resulted from infection with a metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis . The median vaginal Po 2 , pH, and temperature in the patient group were 1 mm Hg, 6, and 37.3° C respectively; these medians were 1 mm Hg, ≤4.5, and 37.2° C in the healthy group. These data show that vaginal environment is anaerobic or microaerophilic (it has reduced oxygen tension). Because the activity of metronidazole is reduced under aerobiosis, the vaginal environment should enhance the biologic activity of the drug
Wrinkling and folding of nanotube-polymer bilayers

The influence of a polymer capping layer on the deformation of purified single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) networks is analyzed through the wrinkling of compressed SWCNT-polymer bilayers on polydimethylsiloxane. The films exhibit both wrinkling and folding under compression and we extract the elastoplastic response using conventional two-plate buckling schemes. The formation of a diffuse interpenetrating nanotube-polymer interface has a dramatic effect on the nanotube layer modulus for both metallic and semiconducting species. In contrast to the usual percolation exhibited by the pure SWCNT films, the capped films show a crossover from “composite” behavior (the modulus of the SWCNT film is enhanced by the polymer) to “plasticized” behavior (the modulus of the SWCNT film is reduced by the polymer) as the SWCNT film thickness increases. For almost all thicknesses, however, the polymer enhances the yield strain of the nanotube network. Conductivity measurements on identical films suggest that the polymer has a modest effect on charge transport, which we interpret as a strain-induced polymer penetration of interfacial nanotube contacts. We use scaling, Flory-Huggins theory, and independently determined nanotube-nanotube and nanotube-polymer Hamaker constants to model the response.
Abstract 704: Expression of FOXO1 is associated with GATA3 and Annexin-1 and predicts disease-free survival in breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Purpose: To determine the prognostic value of FOXO1, GATA3 and Annexin-1 expression in breast cancer. Methods: Tissue microarray and individual paraffin tissue slides from 131 patients were used for the study. The association of FOXO1, GATA3 and Annexin-1 expression with clinicopathological features of breast cancer and disease outcome was examined in retrospective samples. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression with multivariate analysis were used for assessing the relative risk (RR) and disease-free survival (DFS). The expression of FOXO1, GATA3 and Annexin-1 were determined by immunohistochemistry and the association among the three proteins was analyzed by Logistic regression analysis. Results: The nuclear expression of FOXO1 was observed in most of the normal breast tissues and 51.3% of the malignant breast tissues. GATA3 and Annexin-1 were expressed at 73% and 24.6% respectively in breast cancer tissues. The expression of FOXO1, GATA3 and Annexin-1 were all inversely correlated with lymph node-positive tumors. Both FOXO1 and Annexin-1 expression were also inversely associated with HER2-overexpressing tumors. FOXO1 expression was significantly associated with both GATA3 and Annexin-1 expression. In addition, Multivariate analyses confirm that only FOXO1 levels independently predict DFS. Conclusion: FOXO1 expression in breast cancer is regulated by the PI3K/Akt pathway. The expression of FOXO1 is also associated with GATA3 and/or Annexin-1. Restoring or targeting FOXO1 to the cell nucleus in breast cancer tissues may improve response to therapy and disease outcome. Further clinical studies are warranted to test this hypothesis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 704. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-704
SEED MORTALITY IN DAUCUS CAROTA POPULATIONS: LATITUDINAL EFFECTS

Daucus carota , a common herbaceous weed, grows over a wide latitudinal range in eastern North America. Viability and germination tests of mature seeds collected from 36° to 45°N were conducted to measure predispersal seed mortality. Viability and germination declined as latitude of the seed source decreased. Only 30-50% of the seeds from southern populations germinated owing to high embryo inviability and absence of embryos. Sixty to ninety percent of the seeds from northern populations germinated. Reciprocal planting of seeds in outdoor experimental plots at three latitudes and testing of seeds over two generations together showed that the environment in which seeds mature, rather than environmental preconditioning over generations or genetically-based differences among populations, explain this variation in germination ability. Within-latitude germination declined in experimental plots as population age of the seed source within latitudes increased. The data indicate that predispersal seed mortality can influence local population persistence and that seed mortality is an increasingly important factor in population regulation at the southern limit of the species' range.
Assessing the tissue-imaging performance of confocal microscope architectures via Monte Carlo simulations

Various confocal microscope architectures have been developed for in vivo tissue imaging, including single-axis confocal (SAC) and dual-axis confocal (DAC) configurations utilizing both point-scanning (PS) and line-scanning (LS) approaches. While it is known that these design variations lead to tradeoffs in imaging performance, a quantitative comparison of the imaging performance of these configurations in highly turbid media would be of value. Here, we perform Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate the optical-sectioning capability of these various confocal microscope architectures in reflectance mode. In particular, we investigate the axial and transverse responses of these configurations to reflective targets at various depths within a homogenous scattering medium. We find that the DAC-PS configuration results in superior rejection of multiply scattered background light compared to all other configurations, followed in performance by the SAC-PS, the DAC-LS, and then the SAC-LS. Line scanning with both the DAC and SAC configurations leads to photon crosstalk between pixels. However, at shallow depths, the axial and transverse resolution of all configurations is maintained in a homogeneous scattering medium.
The 3He(3He, t)3p reaction at 44 MeV

Triton spectra from the reaction ^3He(^3He,t)3p have been measured at a bombarding energy of 44 MeV for lab angles between 6° and 25°. These spectra are quite featureless and show no indication of either a 3p final-state interaction or of a strong sequential decay mode.
Rotation-induced measurement error by a CD-SEM

As feature sizes shrink, metrology tools are challenged to deliver higher precision. To meet the demands of the semiconductor industry it is critical to determine and eliminate erros induced by metrology tools. It is also critical to investigate error-inducing factors neglected in the past. Image rotation is regularly experienced on a CD SEM, however error induced by it is assumed to be negligible and neglected. Experience shows an inline SEM often has image rotation of as much as ±26.3% of the edge thickness. For the range of rotation often experienced, experimental data fits the theoretical model suggested. Current tool monitoring techniques rely on pitch accuracy to monitor the day to day performance of the tool. Pitch is also used for tool calibration. However, pitch measurements are not significantly affected by image rotation hence using pitch as a standard for CD SEM monitoring is inadequate when dealing wiht a rotated image.
RNA‐binding proteins in mouse oocytes and embryos: Expression of genes encoding Y box, DEAD box RNA helicase, and polyA binding proteins

Growth and differentiation of early embryos depends almost entirely on information which is maternally inherited in the form of macromolecules accumulated by the female gamete during its growth phase. Most of the maternal mRNAs synthesized by growing oocytes are not immediately recruited onto polysomes but are stored as translationally dormant messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) particles. mRNA binding proteins which have been associated with masked mRNP complexes in Xenopus oocytes fall into two main categories, those having affinity for a variety of RNA sequences (members of the Y box and DEAD box RNA helicase families) and those which interact more specifically with 3′ polyA tails (the polyA binding proteins or PABPs). The objective of this study was to determine whether mouse oocytes and embryos express sequences encoding a Y box protein, (MSY1); an RNA helicase, (RCK/p54); and a universally expressed PABP and testis specific isoform (PABP1 and PABPt, respectively). RNAs were amplified by RT/PCR and the identities of targeted cDNAs were confirmed by restriction analysis and/or direct sequencing. Relative steady state levels and time courses of accumulation/decay were compared by Northern hybridization. All of the sequences are transcribed as maternal mRNAs. MSY1 transcripts accumulated during the growth phase appear to be degraded in parallel with the bulk of maternal mRNAs by the mid-late two-cell stage. RCK/p54 mRNAs are most abundant in growing oocytes; steady state levels decline in primary and secondary oocytes, and degradation appears to be complete by the mid-late two-cell stage. Zygotic transcription of MSY1 and RCK/p54 is evident in four-cell stage embryos. Most of the PABP1 message accumulated by growing oocytes decays during meiotic maturation with transcription resuming in two-cell embryos. PABPt is expressed at very low levels in oocytes and embryos. Based on the temporal patterns of expression and the reported activities of homologous sequences in other systems, we suggest that these RNA binding proteins may participate in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression during the period of maternal control of development in the mouse. Dev. Genet. 23:285–298, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Use of Railroad Flatcars in Cost-Effective Low-Volume-Road Bridges

The use of railroad flatcars (RRFCs) as the superstructure in lowvolume bridges has been investigated in a research project at Iowa State University. These alternative bridges should enable county engineers to replace old, inadequate county bridges for less money and in a shorter construction time than required for a conventional bridge. Capital saved can be used to improve other areas of secondary road transportation. A feasibility study completed in 1999 by the Bridge Engineering Center at Iowa State University determined that RRFC structures have adequate strength to support Iowa legal traffic loads. In a follow-up research project, two RRFC demonstration bridges with different substructures and RRFC lengths were designed, constructed, and tested to validate the conclusions of the feasibility study. Bridge behavior predicted by grillage models was supported by data from field load tests, and it was determined that the engineered RRFC bridges had live-load stresses significantly below the safe yield str...
Redesigning consent forms and processes for health research

Health researchers, especially those in academics fields, are often frustrated by their inability to recruit significant numbers of research participants and the high costs associated with obtaining samples from those patients. Several factors have contributed to low participation rates, including short decision times, poorly designed consent forms and informational messages, and technical jargon that is beyond patient understanding. The challenge facing researchers and technical communicators involved with medical research is to overcome these obstacles while maintaining principles of informed consent for participants. This presentation follows a case history of the development of one set of multimodal informational tools designed to help researchers recruit and inform patients.
Care labelling for upholstered furniture: consumers’expressed needs and preferences

The issue of care labelling for upholstered furniture has been debated by U.S. government officials and furniture manufacturers since 1974. While the Federal Trade Commission in 1982 voted not to include upholstered furniture in a move to extend coverage to products other than apparel, they did order a continuing investigation into this area. FTC officials solicited an opinion from industry representatives on the necessity of providing care labels for upholstered furniture at this time; however, they did not seek consumer input. An investigation into consumer preferences for care labelling on upholstered furniture was needed. This study was designed in two phases. Phase 1 consisted of a market survey to assess the availability of written care information on upholstered furniture at a local level. The second phase was a mail survey of consumers that collected data on expressed needs and preferences for upholstered furniture care labelling.
A 94-μW 10-b neural recording front-end for an implantable brain-machine-brain interface device

This paper describes a fully integrated neural recording front-end comprising a low-noise two-stage amplification circuitry and a 10-b successive approximation register (SAR)-based ADC as part of a fully implantable brain-machine-brain interface (BMBI) device for neuroanatomical rewiring of cortical circuitry in an injured brain. Fabricated using the TSMC 0.35 mum 2P/4M n-well CMOS process, the ac-coupled amplification circuitry provides a maximum mid-band ac gain of ~52 dB and features a measured input-referred voltage noise of 3.5 muVrms from 0.1 Hz to 12.8 kHz, while dissipating ~78 muW from 2 V. The SAR ADC features an ENOB of ~9.4 for maximum sampling frequency of ~45 kSa/s, while dissipating only 16 muW. Benchtop as well as in vitro measurement results in saline are reported.
Development of novel poly(ethylene glycol)-based vehicles for gene delivery.

The purpose of this research was to develop and characterize a gene delivery vehicle with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) backbone with the aim of overcoming limitations, such as cytotoxicity and rapid clearance, associated with current commonly used non-viral carriers. PEG was functionalized with DNA-binding peptides (DBPs) to make a vehicle (DBP-PEG) capable of condensing DNA. Complexes of plasmid DNA and DBP-PEG were formed and characterized by measuring particle size, zeta potential, and transfection efficiency as a function of N:P charge ratios (DBP-PEG amino groups:DNA phosphate). Dynamic light scattering showed that DBP-PEG was able to condense DNA efficiently resulting in a population of particles in the range of 250–300 nm. Neutral or slightly positive zeta potentials were measured for charge ratios of 3.5:1 and greater. DBP-PEG/DNA complexes, made with plasmids encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and β-Galactosidase (β-Gal) genes, were used to transfect Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. DBP-PEG/DNA was capable of transfecting cells and maximum transfection efficiency was observed for N:P ratios from 4:1 to 5:1, corresponding to zeta potentials from −4 to +1.6 mV. The effect of the DBP-PEG vehicle on cell viability was assayed. DBP-PEG was associated with a higher percentage of viable cells (∼95%) than either polyethylenimine (PEI) or poly-L-lysine (PLL), and with transfection efficiency greater than PLL, but with somewhat lower than PEI. The results of this work demonstrate that PEG can be used as the backbone for gene delivery vehicles. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;96:967–976. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Animals Models of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases. Animal models of alcohol-induced liver disease: pathophysiology, translational relevance, and challenges

Over the last four decades, chronic ethanol feeding studies in rodents using either ad libitum feeding or intragastric infusion models have significantly enhanced our understanding of the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Recently, we developed a chronic plus binge alcohol feeding model in mice that is similar to the drinking patterns of many alcoholic hepatitis patients: a history of chronic drinking and recent excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic+binge ethanol feeding synergistically induced steatosis, liver injury, and neutrophil infiltration in mice, which may be useful for the study of early alcoholic liver injury and inflammation. Using this chronic+binge model, researchers have begun to identify novel mechanisms that participate in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury, thereby revealing novel therapeutic targets. In this review article, we briefly discuss several mouse models of ALD with a focus on the chronic+binge ethanol feeding model.
EagleEye: A logging framework for accountable distributed and networked systems

We propose EagleEye, an accountable logging framework as a middleware for distributed and networked systems. EagleEye offloads the logging function from the distributed application program so that applications can focus on the logic handling without worrying about when and how to do logging. By capturing and analyzing network packets, EagleEye is able to reproduce the entire networking event history in the application layer, which is the basis of implementing an accountable system. We provide a case study by replacing the logging component of PeerReview [1] with EagleEye. The evaluation result shows that EagleEye can achieve equivalent accountability without modifying the host application program, which can save numerous workloads of modifying, republishing, and redeploying the host software.
Control of Neuronal Precursor Proliferation in the Cerebellum by Sonic Hedgehog

Cerebellar granule cells are the most abundant type of neuron in the brain, but the molecular mechanisms that control their generation are incompletely understood. We show that Sonic hedgehog (Shh), which is made by Purkinje cells, regulates the division of granule cell precursors (GCPs). Treatment of GCPs with Shh prevents differentiation and induces a potent, long-lasting proliferative response. This response can be inhibited by basic fibroblast growth factor or by activation of protein kinase A. Blocking Shh function in vivo dramatically reduces GCP proliferation. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms of normal growth and tumorigenesis in the cerebellum.
Exopolysaccharides and Rhizobium meliloti-alfalfa interactions.

Rhizobium meliloti strain Rm 1021 excretes two exopolysaccharides. The first of these, succinoglycan (EPS I), is a high molecular weight polymer (Gravanis et al., 1987) composed of polymerized octasaccharide subunits. Each octasaccharide consists of a backbone of three glucoses and one galactose residue, a side chain of four glucose residues, and 1-carboxyethylidene (pyruvate), acetyl and succinyl modifications in a ratio of approximately 1:1:1. The structure of succinoglycan was determined through studies in a variety of labs (Bjorndal et al., 1971; Hisamatsu et al., 1980; Jansson et al., 1977; Aman et al., 1981). Recently in a collaboration with V. Reinhold’s lab the positions of the acetyl and succinyl modifications were determined (see figure) (B. Reinhold et al., in preparation). Before polymerization, the subunits are assembled on a lipid carrier, and in vitro labeling studies show that the sequence of assembly is, first galactose and β- 1,3 glucose, then the rest of the glucose residues and the other substituents (Tolmasky et al., 1980, 1982). R. meliloti strain Rm1021 also has the capacity to make a second exopolysaccharide, EPS II, whose structure is also shown (Glazebrook and Walker, 1989; Zhan et al., 1989).
Self-Esteem and Depression in Battered Women A Comparison of Lesbian and Heterosexual Survivors

The study assessed depression and self-esteem in 23 lesbians and 17 heterosexual women who had experienced battering in intimate relationships. Indexes of psychological and physical abuse were used to predict psychological symptoms. Hierarchical regression was used to examine the hypothesis that depression and self-esteem would be predicted by nonphysical and physical abuse, but not by the batterer's gender. After demographic variables were controlled, nonphysical abuse predicted self-esteem and physical abuse predicted depression. The gender of batterer was not a significant predictor of either self-esteem or depression. Limitations and implications of the study are presented.
Fabrication and calibration of oxazine-based optic fiber sensor for detection of ammonia in water

This paper presented the fabrication and calibration of a clad-modified evanescent based plastic optical fiber (POF) sensor for the detection of ammonia in both stagnant and dynamic aqueous media. This optochemical sensor was based on Oxazine 170 perchlorate (sensing material) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) (protective material) thin layers. A special chemical solution was developed for the etching removal of cladding and a methodology for trapping moisture was exercised. Experimental results on dissolved ammonia detection exhibited short response time (≤10 s), low detection limit (minimum detection limit 1.4 ppm), high sensitivity, and excellent reversibility (over 99%).
EFFECT OF FOOD SUPPLEMENTATION ON JUVENILE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL IN MARMOTA FLAVIVENTRIS

Abstract We provided 2 social groups of yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) with 2 types of supplemental feed (high and low protein) to test hypotheses about effects of food abundance and quality on juvenile growth rates and survival. Both supplemented litters and reference litters ceased to gain body mass by 2 weeks before hibernation even though supplemented litters had access to supplemental food. Body mass at weaning did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, but supplemented young had significantly higher growth rates (21.4–48.7 g/day) than reference young (24.1–33.3 g/day) and therefore had higher body mass late in the season. Juveniles that received high-protein supplements grew faster than the low-protein group. The addition of high-protein feed did not increase survival; however, juveniles that received low-protein feed were more likely to survive. Juveniles with higher body mass were not more likely to survive. Marmots must reach a critical body mass to survive hibernation and ...
Imprecision in orthodontic diagnosis: reliability of clinical measures of malocclusion

The study examined the reliability among seven orthodontists in judging dental and facial aspects of malocclusion in a screening of elementary schoolchildren. Data included measures typically recorded during a clinical orthodontic examination: facial assessment of skeletal/incisor relationships and individual measures of morphologic malocclusion. Interexaminer reliability data were collected on 52 children. Pairwise comparisons between orthodontists were made using exact percent agreement and agreement within one category. Kappa statistics and one-sided Z-tests were used to evaluate observed agreement compared with agreement that would be expected by chance. Median Kappa statistics indicated that the reliability of maxillary and mandibular anteroposterior positions, incisor exposure, interlabial gap, and maxillary crowding was poor (K < 0.40). Acceptable reliability existed for mandibular anterior crowding, facial convexity, overbite, overjet, and molar classification (median Kappas ranged from 0.48 to 0.72). Excellent reliability existed only for evaluating the presence of a posterior crossbite (K = 0.79). The results caution that the language of clinical orthodontic diagnosis is imprecise.
Insulation materials for commercial buildings in North America: An assessment of lifetime energy and environmental impacts

Abstract In the United States, commercial buildings accounted for about 19% of the total primary energy consumption in 2012. Further, 29% of the ‘site’ energy in commercial buildings was consumed for space heating and cooling. Applying insulation materials to building envelopes is an effective way of reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling, and limiting the negative environmental impacts from the buildings sector. While insulation materials have a net positive impact on the environment due to reduced energy consumption, they also have some negative impacts associated with their ‘embodied energy’. The total lifetime environmental impacts of insulation materials are a summation of: (1) direct impacts due to their embodied energy, and (2) indirect or impacts avoided due to the reduced building energy consumption. Here, assessments of the lifetime environmental impacts of selected insulation materials for commercial buildings in North America are presented. Direct and indirect environmental impact factors were estimated for the cradle-to-grave insulation life cycle stages. Impact factors were calculated for two categories: primary energy consumption and global warming potential. The direct impact factors were calculated using data from existing literature and a life cycle assessment software. The indirect impact factors were calculated through simulations of a set of standard whole-building models.
Is Cystatin C an Important Prognostic Marker Independent of Renal Function

Cystatin C (cys-C) is a 122–amino acid, 13-kDa protein that is a member of a family of competitive inhibitors of cysteine proteases.(1) Cys-C is produced by all human nucleated cells and the human cys-C gene is of the housekeeping type, which indicates a stable production rate of cys-C by most nucleated cell types. Cys C has several properties that make it a good candidate marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), including a constant production rate, free filtration at the glomerulus, complete reabsorption and catabolism by the proximal tubules with no reabsorption into the bloodstream, and no renal tubular secretion.(2) Serum Cys C is a good marker of renal function and correlates better to direct measures of GFR more precisely than creatinine, because its serum concentrations are independent of muscle mass and do not seem to be affected by age or sex.(3,4) The development of automated and rapid particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric and immunonephelometric methods have allowed large-scale use of serum cys-C as a clinically useful GFR marker. However, several factors have been reported to influence the production of cys-C; large doses of glucocorticoids have been described to increase the production of cys-C, whereas low and medium doses of glucocorticoids do not seem to alter the production of cys-C.(5) Thyroid dysfunction also has a major impact on cys-C level. In contrast to creatinine concentrations, cys-C levels are lower in the hypothyroid and higher in the hyperthyroid state as compared with the euthyroid state.(1,6,7)
A novel container closure system for radiopharmaceuticals

1479 Objectives Peptides used in synthesis of radiopharmaceutical PET tracers are often lipophilic and adhere to the walls of container closure systems (CCS) such that the peptide and product is unrecoverable after synthesis occurs. This investigation compares an FDA approved USP Type I borosilicate glass CCS to a novel Crystal Zenith Resin CCS (Daikyo Seiko), to evaluate the losses due to container surface adherence of 68Gallium and 68Ga-DOTATOC (68Gallium-Edotreotide, 68Gallium- DOTA-D-Phe1-Tyr3-octreotide) after synthesis. Methods 68Ga-DOTATOC synthesis was conducted by adding 68Ga-chloride (68Ga generator, iTHEMBA), 2M HEPES (4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperazine-1-ethanesulfonic acid, Sigma Aldrich) or 2M Sodium Acetate (Sigma Aldrich), and 5µg to 30µg of DOTATOC (DOTA-DPhe1-Tyr3-octreotide, Bachem), into the crystal resin or glass CCS. The reaction mixture was heated for 15 minutes, and then cooled to room temperature. The crude reaction mixture was withdrawn via syringe for final processing. The CCS was then assayed using a dose calibrator to determine the amount of retained 68Ga-DOTATOC. Results In all experiments, with peptide amounts ranging from 5µg to 30µg and for both HEPES and Sodium Acetate buffering systems, the crystal resin CCS retained less residual activity than the glass CCS, resulting in higher recovery of the product. Using 2M HEPES and 5µg of DOTATOC, the glass and crystal resin CCS retained 6.2% and 1.3%, respectively (n=3 each). Utilizing a 2M Sodium Acetate buffering system with 30µg of DOTATOC the glass and crystal resin retained 6.1% and 3.2% respectively (n=3 each). Product yield was equivalent under the same reaction conditions independent of heating in the glass or crystal resin CCS. Both the crystal resin and glass vials showed no retention of 68Ga (n=8 each). Conclusions For applications utilizing limited or expensive peptides, the crystal resin CCS allows substantially higher recovery with unvarying product yields compared with glass CSS. Research Support Supported through a grant provided by West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc
A Review on the Respiratory System Toxicity of Carbon Nanoparticles.

The respiratory system represents the main gateway for nanoparticles’ entry into the human body. Although there is a myriad of engineered nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles/nanotubes (CNPs/CNTs) have received much attention mainly due to their light weight, very high surface area, durability, and their diverse applications. Since their discovery and manufacture over two decades ago, much has been learned about nanoparticles’ interactions with diverse biological system models. In particular, the respiratory system has been of great interest because various natural and man-made fibrous particles are known to be responsible for chronic and debilitating lung diseases. In this review, we present up-to-date the literature regarding the effects of CNTs or carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the human respiratory system with respect to respiratory toxicity pathways and associated pathologies. This article is intended to emphasize the potentially dangerous effects to the human respiratory system if inadequate measures are used in the manufacture, handling, and preparation and applications of CNP or CNP-based products.
Reclaiming Justice and Eliminating Inequality through Compassionate Migration: The Relentless Struggle of Migrants Living in the Shadows

This article elaborates on the emerging concept of “compassionate migration” as a counter-hegemonic response to the institutions and systems that criminalize unauthorized immigration, including the assistance provided by those who aid such migrants out of a sense of compassion. In the name of human dignity, it is imperative that those who live in the shadows of United States immigration law and its enforcement system sense that social justice is a tangible possibility, and that they indeed may be able to free themselves from the structures that criminalize them and render them vulnerable to various forms of discrimination and other human rights abuses.
A Study of Sulfenamide Acceleration

Abstract Sulfenamide—sulfur curing systems containing zinc oxide and stearic acid respond to both ionic and radical reaction conditions. Scorch delay and rate of the vulcanization are determined by...
Synchronous Ruptures along a Major Graben‐Forming Fault System: Wasatch and West Valley Fault Zones, Utah

Abstract The Salt Lake City segment (SLCS) of the Wasatch fault zone and the antithetic West Valley fault zone (WVFZ) form a large, Holocene‐active, intrabasin graben in northern Salt Lake Valley, Utah. We integrate previous paleoseismic data with new data from recent trench investigations and compare earthquake timing and displacement for both the master and antithetic faults of this major graben‐forming system to address whether the WVFZ ruptures simultaneously with the SLCS or is a separate, independent source of earthquakes. Nine SLCS surface‐faulting earthquakes postdate the Lake Bonneville highstand (∼18 ka); however, the record is most complete since ∼14 ka, yielding latest Pleistocene and Holocene mean recurrence estimates of ∼1.5 ky and ∼1.3–1.6 ky, respectively. Six post‐Bonneville‐highstand WVFZ earthquakes yield a mean recurrence of ∼2.0–3.6 ky; however, we consider the WVFZ earthquake record incomplete because of distributed faulting and limited paleoseismic data. Five of six WVFZ earthquakes have mean and 2 σ times that are very similar to those of SLCS earthquakes. WVFZ earthquake W5 lacks an apparent temporal correlation with an SLCS earthquake but occurred during a period for which the SLCS chronology may be incomplete. Mean WVFZ per‐event vertical displacement (∼0.5 m) is 26%–42% of that for the SLCS (∼1.2–1.9 m), consistent with that predicted by previous mechanical modeling of antithetic faulting triggered by slip on a listric master fault. We conclude that large WVFZ earthquakes are likely synchronous with, or triggered shortly after, SLCS surface‐faulting earthquakes. Although earthquake‐timing uncertainties preclude determining an unequivocal coseismic link between the WVFZ and SLCS, structural models suggest a high likelihood for synchronous rupture. These results have important implications for forecasting earthquake probabilities in complex normal‐faulting environments.
Systematic review of symptom clusters in cardiovascular disease

Background:Although individual symptoms and symptom trajectories for various cardiovascular conditions have been reported, there is limited research identifying the symptom clusters that may provid...
Development of Modulus and Fatigue Test Protocol for Fine Aggregate Matrix for Axial Direction of Loading

The testing of fine aggregate matrix (FAM) is rapidly gaining attention in the pavement research community because of its notable similarities with asphalt concrete (AC) and the increased testing efficiency that it affords. In most of the existing studies, FAM tests are used for characterization of relative material performance in the presence of phenomenon like moisture damage and healing. However, to better understand the fundamental properties of FAM and to establish the mechanistic connection between its properties and those of AC, proper fabrication and testing protocols need to be established. The focus of this research is to develop such standard testing protocols for both dynamic modulus and uniaxial fatigue testing. In the current effort, two FAM materials are prepared with the same gradation but two different asphalt cements (PG 64-22 and PG 76-16). Pilot studies to support the development of sample fabrication protocols are explained. Both FAM materials are tested for modulus and uniaxial fatigue, and during testing both on-specimen and machine actuator displacement are recorded. Material parameters were separately calculated using these two deformation measurements and compared to uncover the errors resulting from machine-based measurements of FAM. The percentage error in measuring dynamic modulus of FAM specimens using actuator strain ranged from 5 % to 79 %. After correcting actuator strain with a constant machine compliance factor, the percentage error changed to 10 %–32 %, which is still high. In addition, variation in time dependency and fatigue damage characterization was observed using the corrected actuator data to on-specimen data. To overcome all of the above issues and measure reliable test data for FAM, it is concluded that protocols must include measurement of on-specimen deformation.
Map matching with inverse reinforcement learning

We study map-matching, the problem of estimating the route that is traveled by a vehicle, where the points observed with the Global Positioning System are available. A state-of-the-art approach for this problem is a Hidden Markov Model (HMM). We propose a particular transition probability between latent road segments by the use of the number of turns in addition to the travel distance between the latent road segments. We use inverse reinforcement learning to estimate the importance of the number of turns relative to the travel distance. This estimated importance is incorporated in the transition probability of the HMM. We show, through numerical experiments, that the error of map-matching can be reduced substantially with the proposed transition probability.
The Areas of Early Experience

THE LIBIDO THEORY OF FREUD includes the idea that the manifestations of libido may be observed to proceed in an orderly succession of stages from the earliest period of extrauterine life to the period of physiologic sexual maturation (adolescence). The stages as Freud described them are oral, anal, phallic, and genital, with a latency period interpolated between the last two. He did not mean that in any of these stages the manifestations of libido were exclusively of the nature indicated by the name of the stage; rather, that they were predominantly of the nature characterizing the given phase of development. The implication of the theory was that this genetic account was of universal reference and that it represented a psychobio-logic process true of all human organisms in all times at all places; that is, that it paralleled psychobiologically the known facts of embryology. Just as the human fetus progresses through a series of structural and functional developments, regardless of accidental factors of time, place, race, or culture, so the human child was regarded by Freud as inevitably and quite independently of any environmental factors passing through the defined stages. An Abraham might refine the genetic description, subdividing oral and anal phases, but this did not alter the basic concept of a universal psychobiologic process.
Low Plasma Zinc Is Associated with Higher Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress and Faster Liver Fibrosis Development in the Miami Adult Studies in HIV Cohort

Background: Oxidative stress and reduced antioxidants may be a trigger for liver fibrogenesis. Reducing oxidative stress through higher antioxidant concentration may be a potential antifibrotic target.Objective: We aimed to investigate longitudinally whether plasma zinc, an antioxidant, is related to mitochondrial oxidative stress and the progression of liver fibrosis in the Miami Adult Studies in HIV (MASH) cohort.Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in 487 predominantly African American HIV-monoinfected and HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected adults with a mean ± SD age of 47.08 ± 7.67 y from the MASH cohort and followed for a median of 34 mo. Blood was collected for plasma zinc and measures were used to calculate the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score (aspartate amino transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and platelets). Plasma zinc deficiency was defined as <0.75 mg/L. Total DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) was determined. Adjusted mixed models were used to assess the relations between zinc, stage of liver disease, and oxidative stress over time and compared between HIV and HIV/HCV groups.Results: Zinc concentrations (β: -0.368, SE = 0.172; P = 0.033) and deficiency were associated with lower FIB-4 scores over time (β: 0.381, SE = 0.118; P = 0.001). Compared with those who were not zinc deficient, zinc-deficient participants had an increased risk of having more-progressed liver disease (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.15, 3.16; P = 0.012). Higher mtDNA 8-oxo-dG was associated with zinc deficiency (β: 0.049, SE = 0.024; P = 0.044) and higher FIB-4 scores over time (β: 0.597, SE = 0.168, P < 0.001).Conclusions: Lower plasma zinc concentrations were associated with liver fibrosis progression and mitochondrial oxidative stress in the HIV and HIV/HCV groups. Zinc may play a role in the impact of liver disease outcomes.
HTAF: hybrid testing automation framework to leverage local and global computing resources

In web application development, testing forms an increasingly large portion of software engineering costs due to the growing complexity and short time-to-market of these applications. This paper presents a hybrid testing automation framework (HTAF) that can automate routine works in testing and releasing web software. Using this framework, an individual software engineer can easily describe his routine software engineering tasks and schedule these described tasks by using both his local machine and global cloud computers in an efficient way. This framework is applied to commercial web software development processes. Our industry practice shows four example cases where the hybrid and decentralized architecture of HTAF is helpful at effectively managing both hardware resources and manpower required for testing and releasing web applications.
Imaging in Acute Ischemic Stroke and Stroke Outcome Prediction

This invited talk is mainly based on joint work of Ahmedul Kabir, Carolina Ruiz, Sergio A. Alvarez, and Majaz Moonis. There are two parts of this talk. The first part deals with imaging in acute ischemic and second is devoted to a comparison of conventional Regression with Machine Learning Methods for Stroke Outcome Prediction. The second part is based on Kabir et al., Indian J. Indust. Appl. Math. 7(2), 12, 2016 [4].
Greek membership and academic performance: evidence from student-level data

ABSTRACTCompared to other inputs of the ‘education production function’, less is known about the effect of social and non-classroom choices. This study examines whether joining fraternities and sororities improves academic performance. In order to account for the self-selection bias of Greek membership, I exploit plausibly exogenous cross-class variation in Greek student composition at the course-instructor level. My estimate shows that a 10 percentage point increase in Greek student composition translates to a 0.02 standard deviation increase in course grade for Greek students relative to non-Greek students. I further find that this effect is driven largely by low-achieving and middle-achieving white Greek members.
Exploring the impact of the default option on student engagement and performance in a statistics MOOC

Engagement and motivation are particularly important in optional learning environments, like educational games and massive open online courses. Providing some aspects of autonomy and choice to the student can yield significant benefits to learner motivation and persistence; yet there is also evidence that unsupported learners may not always automatically choose to allocate their learning time to pedagogical activities that are most known to be as associated with better learning outcomes. We investigated the impact of choice on student engagement and learning in a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on introductory statistics and probability. We compared conditions in which students are given free choice over the practice problems completed to conditions in which students receive a full set of practice activities or no practice activities before completing a post-test. In all cases students were free to navigate to other sections of the course at any time. In one of the two topic sections that included personalized practice activities we found that students performed better in the condition in which they were prompted to complete all practice activities. Though more students in this condition dropped out before reaching the post-test, many more students completed the full set of practice activities in this section than those who did in the free choice condition. These results are still quite preliminary but suggest that providing a default encouraged opt in procedure can encourage students to do more problems than they would otherwise, and that doing such additional problems can yield learning gains.
Neurobiology of Anxiety Disorders

Most neurobiologic studies conducted in humans with anxiety disorders have been either in adults with panic disorder or in adults and children with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The author reviews what is known about the neurobiology of anxiety in adults, and neurobiologic correlates of animal models of anxiety.
Controls on submarine canyon head evolution: Monterey Canyon, offshore central California

Abstract The Monterey submarine canyon, incised across the continental shelf in Monterey Bay, California, provides a record of the link between onshore tectonism, fluvial transport, and deep-marine deposition. High-resolution seismic-reflection imaging in Monterey Bay reveals an extensive paleocanyon unit buried below the seafloor of the continental shelf around Monterey and Soquel canyon heads. Paleocanyons shifted position through numerous phases of cut-and-fill in response to Salinas, Pajaro, and San Lorenzo river extensions and avulsions across the continental shelf during high-frequency Pleistocene sea-level and climatic variations. Five seismic facies within the Monterey paleocanyon unit and below the modern canyon are defined to interpret canyon evolution during the Pleistocene. Repeated sea-level oscillations appear to have switched the main fairway(s) of sediment transport. Large-scale erosion and fill occurred in marine environments. Paleocanyon fill is characterized by paleo-axial channel deposits and mass transport deposits, followed by canyon head abandonment and marine sedimentation. The upper portion of the paleocanyon unit contains relatively small channels that were likely incised by erosion in the paleo-Salinas and Pajaro rivers and filled with a mix of nonmarine and marine deposits. Shifting position of submarine canyons over time is characteristic of Monterey Bay, east of the Monterey Bay Fault Zone, and is likely unidentified in other submarine canyon head regions that lack dense high-resolution seismic-reflection subbottom images. We show that canyon heads can be areas of sediment accumulation linked to sea-level oscillations, providing new insights into submarine canyon evolution and sequence stratigraphy.
Use of regulated secretion in protein production from animal cells: an overview.

Traditional industrial cell culture processes require extensive downstream product refining due to low product titer and purity in the spent growth medium. A controlled secretion process incorporating cells derived from endocrine or exocrine organs could potentially alleviate this processing burden by dynamically decoupling product recovery from cell growth and product biosynthesis. In addition, such specialized secretory cells may be uniquely capable of performing desirable post-translational processing of the secretory product. We briefly review the biology of regulated protein secretion as well as the biology and biochemistry of the signal transduction mechansims by which regulated systems respond to environmental stimuli. Drawing on these and other basic principles from cell biology and bioengineering, we describe the important features of a controlled secretion process. Among other issues we discuss the choice of cell lines, expression systems, cell culture methods, and bioreactor configurations. We extensively analyze the kinetics of regulated secretion in the context of a controlled secretion process. This discussion is illustrated with experimental results from two model cell lines, recombinant AtT-20 and βTC3, expressing recombinant human endocrine hormones or native murine insulin respectively.
Work Flow and Optional Protocols for Laboratories in Industrialized Countries

The algorithm of the mycobacteriology laboratory of the 1990s relies heavily on growth-dependent procedures that are slow and labor intensive. The introduction of nucleic acid-based direct amplification tests portends future laboratories where molecular diagnostic assays will prevail. Financial constraints mandate an interdisciplinary approach to establish clinical pathways and rational tailoring of current protocols to curtail expensive overuse of dwindling resources.