cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accumulation and Intranuclear Distribution of Unintegrated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 DNA

The RNA genome of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is converted into DNA after infection in order to integrate into the host cell DNA. However, a large number of these reverse-transcribed genomes remain unintegrated in the nucleus of infected cells. Currently, there are no data available about the intranuclear distribution pattern of unintegrated HIV-1 DNA in relation to nuclear structures as observed on the single-cell level. In the present study, we investigated the intranuclear fate of unintegrated viral DNA in cell lines expressing CD4 and coreceptors (HOS-CD4.CCR5 and U373-MAGI-CXCR4(CEM)) infected with HIV-1 (strain 89.6). We used a novel approach to distinguish in situ unintegrated from integrated viral DNA by performing fluorescent in situ hybridization on cells in which stress-induced chromosome condensation had been induced, a procedure that contracts chromosomes independent of the cell cycle. Cells infected for 15 h accumulated large amounts of HIV-1 DNA which was located between the condensed chromosome strands, allowing the identification of this viral DNA as unintegrated. In contrast, in HeLa/LAV, a cell line carrying integrated HIV-1 genomes, the great majority of viral DNA colocalized with the cellular DNA. We show that unintegrated HIV-1 DNA does not evenly distribute within the host cell nucleus but tends to aggregate into clusters containing many copies of the viral genomes. The formation of these DNA clusters was independent of viral DNA replication and thus appeared to result solely from multiple infections. The DNA aggregates remained in the nuclei of infected cells for at least 25 h after the infection was stopped. The emergence of transcription sites, which most likely denote sites of the integrated provirus, lagged clearly behind the accumulation of viral DNA. These transcription foci could not be linked to unintegrated DNA molecules, suggesting that this DNA type is unable to transcribe, at least at levels comparable to those of integrated DNA. Neither unintegrated HIV-1 DNA nor transcription foci nor integrated DNA was observed to associate with nuclear domain 10 (ND10), a nuclear structure known to represent the site where several DNA viruses replicate and transcribe. Also, HIV-1 does not modify ND10 at early or late times of infection. There was no specific association of HIV-1 transcripts with splicing factor SC35 domains, in contrast to what has been reported for a number of both cellular and viral genes. Surprisingly, unintegrated HIV-1 DNA was found to accumulate within or in close association with SC35 domains, demonstrating a specific distribution of the viral DNA within the host cell nucleus. Taken together, our results demonstrate that unintegrated proviral HIV-1 DNA does not randomly localize within infected cells but preferentially aggregates in the nucleus within SC35 domains.
Yukawa unification in an SO(10) SUSY GUT: SUSY on the edge

In this paper we analyze Yukawa unification in a three family SO(10) SUSY GUT. We perform a global ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}$ analysis and show that supersymmetry (SUSY) effects do not decouple even though the universal scalar mass parameter at the grand unified theory (GUT) scale, ${m}_{16}$, is found to lie between 15 and 30 TeV with the best fit given for ${m}_{16}\ensuremath{\approx}25\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$. Note, SUSY effects do not decouple since stops and bottoms have mass of order 5 TeV, due to renormalization group running from ${M}_{\mathrm{GUT}}$. The model has many testable predictions. Gauginos are the lightest sparticles and the light Higgs boson is very much standard model-like. The model is consistent with flavor and $CP$ observables with the $\mathrm{BR}(\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}e\ensuremath{\gamma})$ close to the experimental upper bound. With such a large value of ${m}_{16}$ we clearly cannot be considered ``natural'' SUSY nor are we ``split'' SUSY. We are thus in the region in between or ``SUSY on the edge.''
Translating Genetic Research into Preventive Intervention: The Baseline Target Moderated Mediator Design.

In this paper we present and discuss a novel research approach, the baseline target moderated mediation (BTMM) design, that holds substantial promise for advancing our understanding of how genetic research can inform prevention research. We first discuss how genetically informed research on developmental psychopathology can be used to identify potential intervention targets. We then describe the BTMM design, which employs moderated mediation within a longitudinal study to test whether baseline levels of intervention targets moderate the impact of the intervention on change in that target, and whether change in those targets mediates causal impact of preventive or treatment interventions on distal health outcomes. We next discuss how genetically informed BTMM designs can be applied to both microtrials and full-scale prevention trials. We end with a discussion of some of the advantages and limitations of this approach.
The role of electrophysiological studies in the management and therapy of recurrent ventricular tachycardias in patients with ischemic heart disease

Programmed electrical stimulation and endocardial catheter mapping have been widely employed over the last ten years to establish the diagnosis and mechanism of ventricular tachycardia (VT) as well as to determine the potential role of pharmacologic, electric or surgical therapy. The present manuscript will concentrate on the role of electrophysiologic studies for the management of VT.
New Kinetic Model That Describes the Reversible Adsorption and Desorption Behavior of CO2 in a Solid Amine Sorbent

Five, semi-empirical, temperature-dependent, kinetic models were developed and systematically studied to determine which one best described the reversible reaction/adsorption and desorption behavior of CO2 in a solid amine sorbent over a broad range of experimental conditions. Each model varied in the number and type of reaction to account for different CO2–amine site reactions. The solid amine sorbent was composed of polyethylenimine (PEI) immobilized on a CARiACT G10 silica support. A total of 4 temperatures (40, 60, 80, and 100 °C) and 7 concentrations of CO2 in N2 at 1 atm (1.2, 4.8, 14.5, 32.8, 56.1, 69.8, and 88.6 vol %) were studied by carrying out 4 consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles at each of the 28 conditions using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Each cycle consisted of 40 min of adsorption in CO2/N2 followed by 40 min of desorption in N2. The best model consisted of three parallel reactions, which was consistent with PEI having three different amine sites. Considering the wide range ...
Steric and electronic consequences of flexibility in a tetradentate redox-active ligand: Ti(IV) and Zr(IV) complexes.

A redox-active, tetradentate ligand, N,N′-bis-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-4,5-dimethoxy-benzene-1,2-diamide ([N2N2cat]2−), was developed, and the six-coordinate metal complexes [N2N2cat]TiCl2 (3) and [N2N2cat]ZrCl2 (4) were synthesized. The tetradentate ligand was determined to be fluxional in 3 and 4, enabled by reversible dissociation of the neutral amine groups of the [N2N2cat]2− ligand. Both amine arms of 3 could be replaced by N,N-dimethylaminopyridine with an overall free energy change of −4.64(3) kcal mol−1 at 298 K. Cyclic voltammetry experiments were used to probe the redox capabilities of the [N2N2cat]2− ligand: complex 3 exhibited two one-electron oxidations at −0.19 and −0.52 V versus [Cp2Fe]+/0 while 4 exhibited a single two-electron oxidation at −0.55 V. Substitution of the chlorides in 3 for an imide afforded the dimer {[N2N2cat]Ti(μ-p-NC6H4Me)}2, in which the metal centers are five-coordinate because of dissociation of one amine arm of the [N2N2cat]2− ligand. While the bis-azide complex [N2N2...
Heterogeneity of the electron-trapping kinetics in CdSe nanoparticles.

The kinetics of electron trapping in CdSe nanoparticles are examined from 0.5 ps to 1.8 ns. The ensemble kinetics fit a slow power law, but two-dimensional measurements show that the decay of each nanoparticle is exponential. A model is proposed in which defect sites provide a gateway for surface trapping and are randomly distributed on the surface. The electric field from the particle’s dipole moment creates the observed heterogeneity in rates.
Trends in older adult nonmedical prescription drug use prevalence: Results from the 2002-2003 and 2012-2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Abstract Background Based on projections of increasing older adult nonmedical prescription drug use (NMPDU) prevalence, we investigated whether increases had occurred in opioid, tranquilizer and stimulant NMPDU in older adults from 2002–2003 to 2012–2013, using the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Methods The NSDUH is a nationally representative survey of the US population, with assessments of lifetime, past-year and past 30-day NMPDU from opioids, tranquilizers and stimulants. Weighted cross-tabulations were used to compute prevalence rates, and design-based logistic regressions were used to examine change in NMPDU. Regressions controlled for gender, race/ethnicity and population density of respondent residence. Results Across medication classes, lifetime NMPDU rates increased in all older adults and two sub-groups: those aged 50 to 64 and those 65 years and older. Rates of past year opioid NMPDU also increased from 2002–2003 to 2012–2013 in all examined age ranges. Trend-level results were also found for the past-30 day opioid NMPDU and past-year tranquilizer NMPDU in adults aged 50 years and older. Conclusions The results support projections of increasing older adult NMPDU rates. As NMPDU in older adults may impart greater risk for adverse events, public health efforts are needed to reverse the increases in older adult NMPDU.
The study the effect of atomization inhalation of low dose isoprenaline and adrenaline on bronchiolitis

Objective: To study the effect and side-effect of atomization inhalation of low dose isoprenaline and adrenaline in treating bronchiolitis. Methods: 120 infants diagnosed of bronchiolitis were divided into 2 groups, the control were treated with atomization inhalation of bricanyl and pulmicort, and the treatment group inhaled low dose isoprenaline and adrenaline besides the treatment in the control group. Result: Gasp were relaxed quickly in treatment group, and hypoxia was improved, the curative rate was increased, the days of hospitalization was reduced; no arrhythmia happened in the group. Conclusion: The atomization inhalation of low dose isoprenaline and adrenaline were better and safer than traditional treatment.
‘Self-Responsibility’ and the Politics of Chance: Theorizing the Experience of Japanese Child Welfare

ABSTRACTYouth who grow up in Japanese child welfare institutions (‘children’s homes’ or ‘orphanages’) are socially and structurally marginalized, and many have pasts characterized by neglect and abandonment. In a contemporary context in which young people in Japan are encouraged to think of themselves as agentive, ‘self-responsible’ subjects, I argue that Japan’s child welfare system disproportionately depends on chance in shaping positive or negative outcomes for state wards. Japan’s system of care and emancipation from the child welfare system is, I suggest, rooted in a non-empiricist view of experience: despite the fact that most of us depend on our past experiences to guide our expectations for the future, the child welfare system demands that youth leaving care break with a past of dependency and social marginalization to care for themselves with minimal or no state assistance. This article focuses on Tanpopo, a self-help group for people with putatively common experiences receiving care in a child w...
From Bondage to Contract: Beggars Can't Be Choosers

In the late nineteenth century anyone traveling on foot in an American city was likely to be accosted by a beggar asking for alms. Beggars had long been a familiar metropolitan sight, even in the New World. But, according to contemporaries, they were more commonplace in the years after the Civil War than ever before. With hands outstretched, they lined the streets, roved the parks, lingered on stoops. By all accounts, the most vexing specimen was the sturdy beggar, a man in the prime of life telling a pitiful tale of need. He would be likely to say that he had no work and his family was starving. Should he be believed? Would alms help him or sink him deeper in pauperism by teaching him that he need not labor to live? Puzzling over the subject, the writer William Dean Howells described his own encounter with a street beggar in New York City. In the urban sketch, “Tribulations of a Cheerful Giver,” he recounted being torn between the pulls of “conscience” and of “political economy.” In the “presence of want,” Howells observed, “there is something that says to me ‘Give to him that asketh.’ ” But the question of alms was not so simple: I have been taught that street beggary is wrong, and when I have to unbutton two coats and go through three or four pockets before I can reach the small coin I mean to give … I certainly feel it to be wrong. In the end, Howells confessed, he gave the beggar fifteen cents without getting so much as a lead pencil in exchange.
Mesh denoising via cascaded normal regression

We present a data-driven approach for mesh denoising. Our key idea is to formulate the denoising process with cascaded non-linear regression functions and learn them from a set of noisy meshes and their ground-truth counterparts. Each regression function infers the normal of a denoised output mesh facet from geometry features extracted from its neighborhood facets on the input mesh and sends the result as the input of the next regression function. Specifically, we develop a filtered facet normal descriptor (FND) for modeling the geometry features around each facet on the noisy mesh and model a regression function with neural networks for mapping the FNDs to the facet normals of the denoised mesh. To handle meshes with different geometry features and reduce the training difficulty, we cluster the input mesh facets according to their FNDs and train neural networks for each cluster separately in an offline learning stage. At runtime, our method applies the learned cascaded regression functions to a noisy input mesh and reconstructs the denoised mesh from the output facet normals. Our method learns the non-linear denoising process from the training data and makes no specific assumptions about the noise distribution and geometry features in the input. The runtime denoising process is fully automatic for different input meshes. Our method can be easily adapted to meshes with arbitrary noise patterns by training a dedicated regression scheme with mesh data and the particular noise pattern. We evaluate our method on meshes with both synthetic and real scanned noise, and compare it to other mesh denoising algorithms. Results demonstrate that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art mesh denoising methods and successfully removes different kinds of noise for meshes with various geometry features.
An Examination On Human Resource Management In Aligning To The Organizational Strategy

Human Resource Management has been proved to be an important element in organizing business. Every organization should have their own strategy. A study has been carried out to evaluate that Human Resource Management strategy is aligned to the organization strategy. In this paper, I have examined on how Starbucks uses Human Resource Management strategy to manage their business.
An Integrative Review of Text Message Reminders for Medical Surveillance Examinations

The purpose of this integrative review was to evaluate the use of text message (TM) reminders to promote timely medical surveillance examinations (MSEs). Notifying employees of scheduled MSE appointments is challenging. Text messaging can be used by occupational health nurses to remind employees of needed examinations. SCOPUS was searched for relevant studies between 2005 and 2015, resulting in nine articles meeting inclusion criteria. Seven of the nine articles reported significant improvement in attendance rates, with one study demonstrating no-show rates could be reduced by 51% using TM reminders. This integrative review demonstrated that text messaging appointment reminders for MSEs could be effective.
Characterizing and Controlling Nanoscale Structure Using Layered Materials

Interfaces are essential to the function of many biological systems, but the nanoscale structure of interfacial assemblies is, in general, not as well understood as it needs to be. We have used metal-bisphosphonate layered assemblies grown on SiOx as model systems for the investigation of local organization and defect density. These chemical systems are important in their own right as robust materials and serve as a useful model for layered membrane systems. We have used time-domain fluorescence spectroscopy and surface second harmonic generation spectroscopy to determine the extent of aggregation and investigate defect density in these assemblies. We have found that control of the substrate morphology is essential to achieve regular layer growth and that, even for relatively featured surfaces, there is a relatively low density of orientational or vacancy defects at the molecular level. This work points the way to the characterization of other, structurally complex interfacial systems.
Co-liquefaction of mixed culture microalgal strains under sub-critical water conditions

We report the co-liquefaction performance of unicellular, red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae and Galdieria sulphuraria under sub-critical water conditions within a stainless-steel batch reactor under different temperatures (150-300°C), residence time (15-60min), and Cyanidioschyzon merolae to Galdieria sulphuraria mass loading (0-100%). Individual liquefaction of C. merolae and G. sulphuraria at 300°C achieved maximum biocrude oil yield of 18.9 and 14.0%, respectively. The yield of biocrude oil increased to 25.5%, suggesting a positive synergistic effect during the co-liquefaction of 80-20mass loading of C. merolae to G. sulphuraria. The biocrude oils were analyzed by FT-ICR MS which showed that co-liquefaction did not significantly affect the distribution of product compounds compared to individual oils. The co-liquefied biocrude and biochar have a higher-heating-value of 35.28 and 7.96MJ/kg. Ultimate and proximate analysis were performed on algae biomass, biocrude and biochar.
Resveratrol Attenuates Nicotine-mediated Oxidative Injury by Inducing Manganese Superoxide Dismutase in Renal Proximal Tubule Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM Nicotine (NIC) exposure - via smoking and the increasingly popular E-cigarettes- increases oxidative stress and hence, renal risk in smokers. Resveratrol (RES) may help ameliorate this risk by mounting anti-oxidant responses in the kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS Renal proximal tubule cells (NRK52E) were treated with vehicle or 20 μM RES prior to treatment with 200 μM NIC and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as cell viability was determined. RES-induced antioxidant responses were determined in reporter luciferase assays. Gene silencing was used to determine mechanism of RES action. RESULTS RES protected NRK52E cells from NIC-induced oxidative injury. RES activated the promoter of the anti-oxidant manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene via activation of the forkhead box O (FoxO3a) transcription factor. Silencing of MnSOD abolished the protective effects of RES on NIC-associated oxidative injury. CONCLUSION RES may provide protection to the kidney from the adverse effects of NIC in smokers.
A Technological Framework for EHR Interoperability: Experiences from Italy

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) systems enable the construction of longitudinal collection of health information about individual patients, by integrating health data produced by the healthcare facilities. The advantags associated with the use of such systems are in terms of improvement of quality of care and cost reduction. An important barrier to the availability of exhaustive longitudinal collections of health data is represented by the lack of interoperability among EHR systems. In Italy, each region has been developing its own EHR systems according to the national guidelines and technical specifications compliant to the indications provided by a Italian Law issued in 2012 and updated in 2013. This paper describes the national technological framework designed from a National Technical Board for making interoperable the regional EHR systems each other, preserving the privacy of the patients. The framework, based on a System-of-Systems approach, enables healthcare professionals both to (i) consult health documents associated with a patient, even if they are produced in other regions, and (ii) register new health documents for patients assisted by other regions.
Locally optimal designs for some dose–response models with continuous endpoints

ABSTRACTWe consider the problem of constructing static (or non sequential), approximate optimal designs for a class of dose–response models with continuous outcomes. We obtain conditions for a design being D-optimal or c-optimal. The designs are locally optimal in that they depend on the model parameters. The efficiency studies show that these designs have high efficiency when the mis-specification of the initial values of model parameters is not severe. A case study indicates that using an optimal design may result in a significant saving of resources.
A Novel Approach for Classifying Gene Expression Data using Topic Modeling

Understanding the role of differential gene expression in cancer etiology and cellular process is a complex problem that continues to pose a challenge due to sheer number of genes and inter-related biological processes involved. In this paper, we employ an unsupervised topic model, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to mitigate overfitting of high-dimensionality gene expression data and to facilitate understanding of the associated pathways. LDA has been recently applied for clustering and exploring genomic data but not for classification and prediction. Here, we proposed to use LDA in clustering as well as in classification of cancer and healthy tissues using lung cancer and breast cancer messenger RNA (mRNA) sequencing data. We describe our study in three phases: clustering, classification, and gene interpretation. First, LDA is used as a clustering algorithm to group the data in an unsupervised manner. Next we developed a novel LDA-based classification approach to classify unknown samples based on similarity of co-expression patterns. Evaluation to assess the effectiveness of this approach shows that LDA can achieve high accuracy compared to alternative approaches. Lastly, we present a functional analysis of the genes identified using a novel topic profile matrix formulation. This analysis identified several genes and pathways that could potentially be involved in differentiating tumor samples from normal. Overall, our results project LDA as a promising approach for classification of tissue types based on gene expression data in cancer studies.
Efficient sampling on the simplex with a self-adjusting logit transform proposal

A vector of k positive coordinates lies in the k-dimensional simplex when the sum of all coordinates in the vector is constrained to equal 1. Sampling distributions efficiently on the simplex can be difficult because of this constraint. This paper introduces a transformed logit-scale proposal for Markov Chain Monte Carlo that naturally adjusts step size based on the position in the simplex. This enables efficient sampling on the simplex even when the simplex is high dimensional and/or includes coordinates of differing orders of magnitude. Implementation of this method is shown with the SALTSampler R package and comparisons are made to other simpler sampling schemes to illustrate the improvement in performance this method provides. A simulation of a typical calibration problem also demonstrates the utility of this method.
Aging impairs regulation of ryanodine receptors from extensor digitorum longus but not soleus muscles.

INTRODUCTION Because impaired excitation-contraction coupling and reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release may contribute to the age-associated decline in skeletal muscle strength, we investigated the effect of aging on regulation of the skeletal muscle isoform of the ryanodine receptor (RyR1) by physiological channel ligands. METHODS [3 H]Ryanodine binding to membranes from 8- and 26-month-old Fischer 344 extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles was used to investigate the effects of age on RyR1 modulation by Ca2+ and calmodulin (CaM). RESULTS Aging reduced maximal Ca2+ -stimulated binding to EDL membranes. In 0.3 μM Ca2+ , age reduced binding and CaM increased binding to EDL membranes. In 300 μM Ca2+ , CaM reduced binding, but the age effect was not significant. Aging did not affect Ca2+ or CaM regulation of soleus RyR1. DISCUSSION In aged fast-twitch muscle, impaired RyR1 Ca2+ regulation may contribute to lower SR Ca2+ release and reduced muscle function. Muscle Nerve 57: 1022-1025, 2018.
Innate Immune System and the Eye

Innate immunity serves as the first line of defense against infection, providing a rapid immune response against foreign pathogens. Inflammation is a major component of innate immunity and is required for pathogen clearance. However, inflammation can also cause nonspecific host tissue damage that is detrimental in the eye, often leading to loss of vision. This article focuses on the passive and active components of ocular innate immunity and the mechanisms by which the eye modulates inflammation to maximize pathogen clearance and minimize host tissue damage.
Information systems in critical care: a measure of their effectiveness.

The PDMS Effectiveness Measure evaluates, from a clinical nursing perspective, the effectiveness of patient data management systems (PDMS) and is designed to be non-vendor-specific. This paper describes the development and testing of this measure.
Nickel Containing CO Dehydrogenases and Hydrogenases

The two redox catalysts described here can generate very low potential electrons in one direction and perform chemically difficult reductions in the other. The chemical transformations occur at unusual metal clusters. Spectroscopic, crystallographic, and kinetic analyses are converging on answers to how the metals in these clusters are arranged and how they are involved in the chemical and redox steps. The first structure of CO dehydrogenase, which will appear in the next year, will help define a firm chemical basis for future mechanistic studies. In the immediate future, we hope to learn whether the hydride intermediate in hydrogenase or the carbonyl intermediate in CO dehydrogenase bind to the Ni or Fe subsites in these heterometallic clusters. Or perhaps could they be bridged to two metals? Inter- and intramolecular wires have been proposed that connect the catalytic redox machine to proximal redox centers leading eventually to the ultimate redox partners. Elucidating the pathways of electron flow is a priority for the future. There is evidence for molecular channels delivering substrates to the active sites of these enzymes. In the next few years, these channels will be better defined. The products of CO2 and proton reduction are passed to the active sites of other enzymes and, in the case of H2, even passed from one organism to another. In the future, the mechanism of gas transfer will be uncovered. General principles of how these redox reactions are catalyzed are becoming lucid as the reactions are modeled theoretically and experimentally. Proton and CO2 reduction and the generation of C-C bonds from simple precursors are important reactions in industry. H2 could be the clean fuel of the future. Hopefully, the knowledge gained from studies of hydrogenase, CO dehydrogenase, and acetyl-CoA synthase can be used to improve life on earth.
Incidence of Immediate Extubation After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Predictors for Reintubation.

Objectives:The objectives were to assess the incidence of immediate tracheal extubation in the operating room after pediatric cardiac surgery and to investigate predictors for subsequent reintubati...
Examining the relationship between incarceration and child support arrears among low-income fathers

Abstract The child support program promotes parental responsibility, so that children receive support from both parents even when they live in separate households. While this program aims to reduce poverty, the program has financially burdensome consequences for low income, noncustodial parents who have experienced incarceration. Noncustodial parents may accrue arrears when they are unable to work due to incarceration. This study examines the relationship between incarceration and child support arrears among low-income fathers. The results from the analyses imply that incarceration is a predictor of fathers' accruing child support debt and fathers who have experienced incarceration tend to have higher child support arrears than fathers who have not experienced incarceration. This illustrates that people seeking to reintegrate into society from correctional institutions face economic disadvantages making it more difficult for them to contribute financially to their families. This study concludes with policy solutions which create cohesion between the child support and criminal justice systems.
Getting by and getting ahead: Social capital and transition to college among homeless and foster youth

Abstract Despite the desire and motivation to earn a college degree, only a small portion of young adults who have experienced homelessness or in foster care succeed in achieving this goal. Some of the very familiar challenges encountered throughout childhood– the lack of a stable home, financial resources to cover basic needs, inadequate academic preparation and stability, and the lack of a support system - often persist into young adulthood making the transition to college especially difficult. This qualitative study examines the academic pathways of 33 college students with a history or foster care placement, homelessness, or both, to better understand the ways in which forms of social capital influence the transition to college and early college experiences. Many of the student participants described receiving both social support and social leverage in high school through family members, teachers, and adult role models who provided encouragement or developed connections to resources and opportunities. In high school, this support often helped students get ahead by providing access to the information and resources needed to take entrance tests, complete applications and forms, and secure college acceptance. In college, students relied on social support to meet basic needs and maintain enrollment financially and academically. Many students received or fostered social leverage in college through adult mentors and engagement in student organizations and activities. More research is needed to understand the role of aid and social resources in helping young adults who have experienced foster care or homelessness access and complete higher education and what separates these students from others who have not successfully developed social capital and social leverage networks.
Self-Powered Gesture Recognition with Ambient Light

We present a self-powered module for gesture recognition that utilizes small, low-cost photodiodes for both energy harvesting and gesture sensing. Operating in the photovoltaic mode, photodiodes harvest energy from ambient light. In the meantime, the instantaneously harvested power from individual photodiodes is monitored and exploited as clues for sensing finger gestures in proximity. Harvested power from all photodiodes are aggregated to drive the whole gesture-recognition module including the micro-controller running the recognition algorithm. We design robust, lightweight algorithm to recognize finger gestures in the presence of ambient light fluctuations. We fabricate two prototypes to facilitate user's interaction with smart glasses and smart watch. Results show 99.7%/98.3% overall precision/recall in recognizing five gestures on glasses and 99.2%/97.5% precision/recall in recognizing seven gestures on the watch. The system consumes 34.6 µW/74.3 µW for the glasses/watch and thus can be powered by the energy harvested from ambient light. We also test system's robustness under varying light intensities, light directions, and ambient light fluctuations, where the system maintains high recognition accuracy (> 96%) in all tested settings.
The Courage to Lead

Interpersonal and inter-group conflict currently challenges many colleges and universities, as it does broader society. Courageous leadership is needed in order to facilitate healthy outcomes for t...
The Role of Proton Therapy in the Treatment of Craniopharyngioma

Owing to its physical properties, proton therapy allows a decrease in the radiation dose to uninvolved tissues surrounding the target in comparison to photon-based radiotherapy. This decrease in normal tissue exposure is particularly beneficial for patients with craniopharyngioma, whose tumors grow in a region of the brain surrounded by numerous critical structures, including the optic pathway, pituitary, hypothalamus, temporal lobes, brainstem, and major intracerebral blood vessels. Several groups have reported clinical outcomes after proton therapy for craniopharyngioma, with local control and survival rates equivalent to those achieved with conventional radiotherapy. Contemporary studies suggest proton radiotherapy is associated with minimal acute effects and a reduction in late effects, such as neurocognitive dysfunction. The optimal technical approach for treating craniopharyngiomas with proton therapy is currently controversial because treatment requires a robust plan that offers high conformality yet responds to expansion during the treatment course in the event of cyst growth.
Medium Voltage DC Bus Enabled by Series Connection of SiC Mosfet Based Three Port DC-DC Converters

This paper presents development of Medium Voltage(MV) DC bus using series connection of Modular DC-DC Converter blocks. The MVDC bus is developed using Three Port Triple Active Bridge(TAB) DC-DC converter, which integrate Renewable Energy Sources(RES) and Energy Storages(ES). The TAB DC-DC converter units are three port high frequency transformer isolated phase shifted converters which integrate RES and ES with an output dc bus. Multiple of this DC-DC converter output dc buses can be connected in series to obtain a Medium Voltage DC Bus. The three port TAB converters for this series connection of converters, use 1200V & 1700V SiC Mosfets as switching devices with a three port high frequency transformer providing galvanic isolation among the three ports. In this paper, two laboratory prototypes of the three port TAB converters are connected in series to demonstrate MVDC bus(>2kV). Three port TAB converter, Gate Drivers for TAB converters, Three Port High Frequency transformer, along with independent power & voltage control for three port TAB Converter is discussed here in this paper with experimental verification.
Unilateral cerebral herniation resulting in combined contralateral superior cerebellar artery territory infarction and mesencephalic injury: Two cases of a severe unrecognized variant of Kernohan notch phenomenon?

Abstract A case of unilateral cerebral herniation due to an acute middle cerebral artery territory infarct and a second case of unilateral cerebral herniation due to an acute subdural hematoma are presented in this article. In both instances, the unilateral cerebral herniation resulted in a combined contralateral superior cerebellar artery territory infarction and mesencephalic injury. Unilateral cerebral herniation resulting in a combined contralateral superior cerebellar artery territory infarct and mesencephalic injury is previously undescribed in the literature and likely reflects a severe unrecognized variant of Kernohan notch phenomenon.
Complement Blockade for TA-TMA: Lessons Learned from Large Pediatric Cohort Treated with Eculizumab

Introduction Overactivated complement is a high-risk feature in HSCT recipients with transplant associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) and untreated patients have dismal outcomes. We present our experience in 64 pediatric HSCT recipients with high risk TA-TMA and multi-organ injury treated with the complement blocker eculizumab. Objectives • To evaluate the impact of high risk TA-TMA on clinical outcomes. • To determine high risk TA-TMA response to complement blocking therapy with eculizumab. • To gain clinical knowledge in this high-risk population for future study planning. Methods We performed retrospective chart review of all patients receiving eculizumab therapy for high risk TA-TMA at our institution (2012-2018). All patients were prospectively screened for TA-TMA and received PK/PD guided eculizumab dosing. Results We demonstrate a significant improvement in 1 year post-HSCT survival to 66% in treated patients from our previously reported untreated cohort with the same high-risk TA-TMA features that had 1 year post-HSCT survival of 16.7%. Responding patients benefited from a brief but intensive eculizumab therapy course using PK/PD guided drug dosing, requiring a median of 11 doses of eculizumab (IQR 7-20), and were off therapy in median of 66 days (IQR 41-110). Subjects with higher complement activation measured by elevated blood sC5b-9 at the start of therapy were less likely to respond to treatment (OR =0.15, p-value 0.0014) and required more doses of eculizumab [r = 0.43, p-value = 0.0004]. Patients with intestinal bleeding had the fastest eculizumab clearance, required the highest number of eculizumab doses (20 vs 9, p=0.0015) and had lower 1y survival (44% vs 78%, p=0.01). Over 70% of survivors had mild proteinuria on long term follow up. The best CystC GFR recovery in survivors was a median 20% lower (IQR 7.3-40.3%) than their pre-HSCT CystC GFR. Conclusion Complement blockade with eculizumab is an effective therapeutic strategy for high risk TA-TMA, but some patients with severe disease lack a complete response, prompting us to propose early intervention strategies and search for additional targetable endothelial injury pathways.
From Stigma to Validation: A Qualitative Assessment of a Novel National Program to Improve Retention of Physician-Scientists with Caregiving Responsibilities.

Background: Research is needed to improve understanding of work-life integration issues in academic medicine and to guide the implementation of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Fund to Retain Clinical Scientists (FRCS), a national initiative offering financial support to physician-scientists facing caregiving challenges. Materials and Methods: In 2018, as part of a prospective program evaluation, the authors conducted a qualitative study to examine FRCS program participants' initial impressions, solicit descriptions of their career and caregiving experiences, and inquire how such factors might influence their professional advancement. The authors invited all 33 awardees who had been granted FRCS funding in the first year of the program to participate in the study, of whom 28 agreed to complete an interview. Analysts evaluated de-identified transcripts and explicated the data using a thematic analysis approach. Results: While participants described aspects of a culture that harbor stigma against caregivers and impede satisfactory work-life integration, they also perceived an optimistic cultural shift taking place as a result of programs like the FRCS. Their comments indicated that the FRCS has the potential to influence culture if institutional leadership simultaneously fosters a community that validates individuals both as caregivers and as scientists. Conclusions: Insights garnered from this qualitative study suggest that there is a pressing need for institutional leaders to implement programs that can foster awareness and normalization of caregiving challenges. In addition to providing funding and other tangible resources, interventions should strive to reinforce a broader culture that affirms the presence of work-life integration challenges and openly embraces solutions.
Ontology-Driven Transformations for PDF Form Accessibility

Filling out PDF forms with screen readers has always been a challenge for people who are blind. Many of these forms are not interactive and hence are not accessible; even if they are interactive, the serial reading order of the screen reader makes it difficult to associate the correct labels with the form fields. This demo will present TransPAc[5], an assistive technology that enables blind people to fill out PDF forms. Since blind people are familiar with web browsing, TransPAc leverages this fact by faithfully transforming a PDF document with forms into a HTML page. The blind user fills out the form fields in the HTML page with their screen reader and these filled-in data values are transparently transferred onto the corresponding form fields in the PDF document. TransPAc thus addresses a long standing problem in PDF form accessibility.
Navigating the corn maze: Customizing travel cost models to value market segments in heterogeneous industries:

Agritourism is an example of a growing and important industry to rural communities in the United States seeking to leverage interest in their natural resource, agricultural, and other heritage asse...
Novel Göttingen Miniswine Model of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Integrating Multiple Comorbidities.

Summary A lack of preclinical large animal models of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) that recapitulate this comorbid-laden syndrome has led to the inability to tease out mechanistic insights and to test novel therapeutic strategies. This study developed a large animal model that integrated multiple comorbid determinants of HFpEF in a miniswine breed that exhibited sensitivity to obesity, metabolic syndrome, and vascular disease with overt clinical signs of heart failure. The combination of a Western diet and 11-deoxycorticosterone acetate salt−induced hypertension in the Gottingen miniswine led to the development of a novel large animal model of HFpEF that exhibited multiorgan involvement and a full spectrum of comorbidities associated with human HFpEF.
The International Medium of Exchange

We propose a model of endogenous, persistent coordination on the international medium of exchange. An asset becomes the dominant international medium because it is widely held, and remains widely held because it is dominant. The country issuing the dominant asset is a net debtor, but earns an “exorbitant privilege” on its position. In a calibrated model, only steady states with one dominant asset are stable. The dominant country experiences a significant welfare gain, most of which is accrued during its rise to dominance. A mild trade war reduces privilege slightly, while a protracted or deep trade war eliminates it altogether.
Sea level rise exposure assessment of U.S. East Coast cargo container terminals

Continuity of marine port operations and recovery in the event of disaster and flooding are dependent upon planning for acute or chronic disruptions. Ports are developing the capacity to integrate ...
SiGe and Si Strained-Layer Epitaxy for Silicon Heterostructure Devices

What seems routine today was not always so. The field of Si-based heterostructures rests solidly on the shoulders of materials scientists and crystal growers, those purveyors of the semiconductor black arts associated with the deposition of pristine films of nanoscale dimensionality onto enormous Si wafers with near infinite precision. We can now grow near-defect free, nanoscale films of Si and SiGe strained-layer epitaxy compatible with conventional high-volume silicon integrated circuit manufacturing. SiGe and Si Strained-Layer Epitaxy for Silicon Heterostructure Devices tells the materials side of the story and details the many advances in the Si-SiGe strained-layer epitaxy for device applications. Drawn from the comprehensive and well-reviewed Silicon Heterostructure Handbook, this volume defines and details the many advances in the Si/SiGe strained-layer epitaxy for device applications. Mining the talents of an international panel of experts, the book covers modern SiGe epitaxial growth techniques, epi defects and dopant diffusion in thin films, stability constraints, and electronic properties of SiGe, strained Si, and Si-C alloys. It includes appendices on topics such as the properties of Si and Ge, the generalized Moll-Ross relations, integral charge-control relations, and sample SiGe HBT compact model parameters.
Dynamic ice formation in channels as a driver for stream-aquifer interactions

[1] This research introduces and provides evidence of a novel mechanism of stream-aquifer exchange caused by dynamic ice formation on streams. At a stream site in southwestern Wisconsin, we document a significant fluctuation in stream depth and the potentiometric surface in the adjacent aquifer during periods of ice formation, suggesting that stream-aquifer interactions may be influenced by these transient events. Four years of winter stream data document that dynamic ice formation (1) causes an average increase in stream depth of 106%, (2) affects stream depth on 20% of days from December through February, and (3) substantially alters stream-aquifer interactions by reducing the hydraulic gradient toward the channel during ice formation events. Dynamic ice formation represents a potentially widespread mechanism for altering stream-aquifer interactions and associated biogeochemical transformations. The sensitivity of this process to air temperature indicates a need for further research on the impacts of climate warming.
Chapter 11. Antibiotics and Related Compounds

Publisher Summary The alarming increase in serious infections caused by drug-resistant gram-negative bacilli is attributed in part to drug resistance. The majority of all antibiotic-resistant strains of Escherichia coli, Aerobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Salmonella from clinical sources are capable of transferring multiple-drug resistance (R factors) to sensitive strains of enteric bacteria in mixed culture. The in vivo transfer of drug resistance has been demonstrated. Genes responsible for the resistance can be carried on extra chromosomal DNA. A deeper insight into the biochemical and genetic bases of drug resistance may lead to more effective countermeasures against this public health hazard. References cited in the chapter are intended as guides to the most notable chemotherapeutic advances in this vast field. The β-lactam antibiotics continue to be the cynosure of synthesis. The chapter discusses some structure–activity relationships of penicillins and cephalosporins. Timely reports aimed primarily toward the evaluation of the newer highly serum-bound penicillins dealt with the controversial relationship of drug-serum protein binding to clinical anti-microbial effectiveness. In this regard, systematic chemical modification of rifamycin SV has led to remarkable chemotherapeutic improvements, which include broadening the antimicrobial spectrum to include gram-negative bacteria, gaining oral activity and obtaining higher stability.