cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Timeliness of TENS

To the Editor: I would like to commend the authors of “Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Human Blood β-Endorphin Levels,” for their ambitious undertaking.1 It is necessary that studies like this one be undertaken. It is unfortunate, however, that the plethora of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and acupuncture literature was largely ignored by the authors and the study suffered for it. As a professor of electrotherapy, I come across very little literature suggesting that conventional TENS works at all through an endorphin-mediated pain pathway.2 Nor has this claim been made regarding low-rate TENS in general. Rather, strong, low-rate2 or acupuncture-like TENS has been hypothesized to work in this manner.3,4 Unfortunately, by ignoring this important distinction, the authors have emerged with a less than valuable study. The operative word in strong, low-rate is “strong.”… [ ARTICLE][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/64/1367?iss=9
A Secure Collaborative Machine Learning Framework Based on Data Locality

Advancements in big data analysis offer cost-effective opportunities to improve decision-making in numerous areas such as health care, economic productivity, crime, and resource management. Nowadays, data holders are tending to sharing their data for better outcomes from their aggregated data. However, the current tools and technologies developed to manage big data are often not designed to incorporate adequate security or privacy measures during data sharing. In this paper, we consider a scenario where multiple data holders intend to find predictive models from their joint data without revealing their own data to each other. Data locality property is used as an alternative to multi-party computation (SMC) techniques. Specifically, we distribute the centralized learning task to each data holder as local learning tasks in a way that local learning is only related to local data. Along with that, we propose an efficient and secure protocol to reassemble local results to get the final result. Correctness of our scheme is proved theoretically and numerically. Security analysis is conducted from the aspect of information theory.
Importance of Temperature and Humidity Control in Rubber Testing. Progress Report of the Physical Testing Commitee, Rubber Division, A.C.S. (Dated Dec. 8, 1927)

Abstract The purpose of the work which this committee has undertaken is to determine the effect of the variables which influence the results of physical tests on rubber. The investigation has proven that variations in temperature which may occur from day to day in an uncontrolled testing room may affect the physical tests to as great a degree as a 25 to 40 per cent change in the time of cure, while relative humidity affects the results to only a minor degree. Furthermore, variations in the absolute humidity of the room in which the unvulcanized rubber is stored between the time of mixing and the time of curing may affect the tensile strength and modulus of rubber compounds to as great a degree as does the temperature after curing. It is, therefore, apparent that laboratory tests which are conducted under uncontrolled conditions of temperature and humidity may give highly erroneous results and may even give misinformation which is worse than no information at all. The committee, therefore, recommends that ...
Draft Genome Sequence of Hawaiian Sea Slug Symbiont Vibrio sp. Strain ER1A

ABSTRACT Bacteria belonging to the genus Vibrio are prevalent in the marine environment and are known for forming symbiotic relationships with hosts. Vibrio sp. strain ER1A is a dominant symbiont of the Hawaiian sea slug, Elysia rufescens. Here we report the draft genome sequence of Vibrio sp. ER1A.
3D bathymetry and bottom backscattering maps applied to identify potential phosphate deposits in the pelotas Basin, Brazil

The Brazilian sector of the Pelotas Basin (PB) covers an area of 210,000 km2, limited northwards by the Florianopolis High southwards by the boundary with Uruguay. The PB is economically and strategically important due to the presence of sub-surface mineral resources such as oil, natural and hydrate gas, as well as surface deposits, crusts and concretions of phosphorite (P2O5), in addition the PB it is an important fishing ground. In this work bathymetric and Bottom Surface Backscattering Strength (BSBS) data were used from twenty hydroacoustic assessment surveys undertaken either to map pelagic fish or to evaluate the abundance of cetaceans in the PB. Bathymetry and BSBS were collected with a calibrated scientific echo-sounder SIMRAD EK500, operating at the frequency of 38 kHz. A total of 5,249,191 acoustic readings were processed from 15,367 nautical miles. Bathymetric data were integrated to satellite altimetry data in order to produce a 3D map aiming the identification of the main features in the region, such as the Rio Grande Valleys, the Rio Grande Cone, the Rio Grande Terrace and the terrace off Florianopolis. A BSBS map was also generated. The BSBS acoustic parameter is the ratio between incident and reflected energy by the seafloor and it is usually expressed on a logarithmic scale (dB). Bottom backscattered signal is influenced by physical, chemical and morphological characteristics of the seabed. Thus, BSBS can be used to identify different bottom types due to their different acoustic responses. In our analyses the PB showed intermediate BSBS values. Lower BSBS values, associated with finer sediment, predominated in the continental slope and oceanic areas, while high values, associated with coarse sediments, did not occupy large areas. The BSBS map was then superimposed on the 3D bathymetric map, allowing the identification of six areas associated with the presence of phosphorite in the PB, based on the high BSBS values and depth, suitable for the formation of phosphorite. Because of their genesis phosphorite deposits tend to exist in areas with high levels of organic matter, at depths of up to 1000 m, covering the edge of the continental shelf and upper slope, marginal plateaus and submarine banks. Potential areas were identified in the outer shelf on the Rio Grande Cone, on the outer shelf and slope off Mostardas-RS, on the Rio Grande Terrace and off Florianopolis-SC. All these areas have good correspondence with those identified by the Geological Survey of Brazil with the presence of calcareous deposits and phosphorite.
A Value Model for Asset Tracking Technology to Support Naval Sea-Based Resupply

AbstractA value model is developed for military logistics that fulfill emergent requests for tailored resupply packages from the sea. Asset tracking technologies, including radio frequency identification, barcoding, internal positioning systems (IPS), and camera-aided technology, are considered as alternatives to a multi-objective decision model. Model measures include registration of inventory in the system, stowage factor enablement, storage location precision, retrieval identification accuracy, system compatibility, and security. The decision model is presented using insights from subject matter experts. Given the requirements of selective offloading in dense storage environments, IPS is the preferred asset tracking technology. Sensitivity analysis and recommendations for engineering managers are provided.
Cervical spine injuries in the pediatric and adolescent athlete

Injuries of the cervical spine in the pediatric and adolescent athlete are less common than other musculoskeletal injuries. Although many of these injuries are relatively minor, serious and potentially unstable or progressive spinal injury must be excluded. Important anatomic differences between the child younger than 10 years and older children and adolescents influence the types of injuries sustained and make assessment of the child's cervical spine sometimes difficult for practitioners accustomed to treating adolescent and adult athletes. Stable soft-tissue injuries of the cervical spine are the most common injuries that occur in all athletes. These injuries are responsive to symptomatic treatment and aggressive rehabilitation. Stingers are injuries of the brachial plexus and upper cervical roots that result from stretching or compressive forces associated with collision sports. Rapid return of sensory and motor dysfunction of a single upper extremity characterizes this entity; long-term disability is rare. Cervical cord neurapraxia (CCN) with transient quadriplegia is most commonly seen in football players. Most athletes fully recover. Cervical canal stenosis as defined by a Pavlov/Torg ratio of less than or equal to 0.8 is predictive of recurrent CCN. Young athletes sustain CCN secondary to hypermobility of the immature cervical spine. Return to play after these injuries is controversial. The athlete with Down syndrome and potential cervical hypermobility requires a careful cervical and neurologic evaluation prior to clearance for participation in sports.
Systematic Modification of Teacher Behavior

(1983). Systematic Modification of Teacher Behavior. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 7, Communication Yearbook 7, pp. 672-684.
The electronic structure of Au25 clusters: between discrete and continuous

Here, an approach based on synchrotron resonant photoemission is employed to explore the transition between quantization and hybridization of the electronic structure in atomically precise ligand-stabilized nanoparticles. While the presence of ligands maintains quantization in Au25 clusters, their removal renders increased hybridization of the electronic states in the vicinity of the Fermi level. These observations are supported by DFT studies.
Family Economy, Rural School Choice, and Flexischooling Children with Disabilities

Most homeschooled students would be more accurately described as “flexischooled,” partly homeschooled and partly enrolled in school. The popularity of these two alternatives to public or private school enrollment has increased over the past several decades to the extent that, by 2012 over 2 million students, 4 percent of the population, were either flexischooled or homeschooled in the United States. To understand why parents have pursued these options over enrollment, we employed a family economy perspective, arguing that family, child, and locational considerations shaped parents' motivations for homeschooling or flexischooling over enrollment. For example, parents' decisions were partially shaped by the interaction between children's disability status and rural location. Using data from the National Household Education Survey 2012, this article first describes the prevalence of flexischooling and full-time homeschooling. Then, it demonstrates how various family, child, and locational factors shape the odds of flexischooling and homeschooling, and then examines the interaction between location and children's disability status in detail. We discuss the implications of our findings for family economy theoretical perspectives, flexischooling, and rural education research.
Labeling of neuronal morphology using custom diolistic techniques

Abstract Background Diolistic labeling is increasingly utilized in neuroscience as an efficient, reproducible method for visualization of neuronal morphology. The use of lipophilic carbocyanine dyes, combined with particle-mediated biolistic delivery allows for non-toxic fluorescent labeling of multiple neurons in both living and fixed tissue. Since first described, this labeling method has been modified to fit a variety of research goals and laboratory settings. New method Diolistic labeling has traditionally relied on commercially available devices for the propulsion of coated micro-particles into tissue sections. Recently, laboratory built biolistic devices have been developed which allow for increased availability and customization. Here, we discuss a custom biolistic device and provide a detailed protocol for its use. Results Using custom diolistic labeling we have characterized alterations in neuronal morphology of the lateral/dentate nucleus of the rat cerebellum. Comparisons were made in developing rat pups exposed to abnormally high levels of 5-methyloxytryptamine (5-MT) pre-and postnatally. Using quantitative software; dendritic morphology, architecture, and synaptic connections, were analyzed. Comparison with existing method(s) The rapid nature of custom diolistics coupled with passive diffusion of dyes and compatibility with confocal microscopy, provides an unparalleled opportunity to examine features of neuronal cells at high spatial resolution in a three-dimensional tissue environment. Conclusions While decreasing the associated costs, the laboratory-built device also overcomes many of the obstacles associated with traditional morphological labeling, to allow for reliable and reproducible neuronal labeling. The versatility of this method allows for its adaptation to a variety of laboratory settings and neuroscience related research goals.
Improved Incremental J-Integral Equation for Determining Crack Growth Resistance Curves

The J-integral resistance curve is the most important material property used in structural integrity assessment. ASTM E1820 is a commonly used fracture toughness test standard for measuring the critical value of J-integral at the onset of ductile fracture and J-R curve. The recommended test procedure is the elastic unloading compliance method where multiple points are obtained from a single specimen test. For a stationary crack, the J-integral is simply calculated from the area under the load-displacement record using the η-factor equation. For a growing crack, the J-integral is calculated using the incremental equation proposed by Ernst et al. (1981) to consider the crack growth correction. In order to obtain accurate J-integral values, ASTM E1820 requires small and uniform crack growth increments. To allow larger crack growth increments in the unloading compliance test, an improved J-integral estimate equation is needed. Thus, this paper proposes a new incremental J-integral equation for determining J-R curves. An analytic approach is then developed and used to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed incremental equation using single edge bending and compact specimens for different hardening materials. Followed is an experimental evaluation using actual fracture test data for HY80 steel. The results show that the proposed incremental J-integral equation can obtain much improved results of J-R curves for larger crack growth increments, and thus is more accurate than the present ASTM E1820 equation.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Lentiviral Gene Transduction of Mouse and Human Stem Cells

This chapter describes the methods we use to transduce mouse and human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We provide detailed protocols for producing high-titer lentiviral supernatants by transient transfection and for measuring viral titers. Methods to concentrate viral supernatants to achieve a higher titer are also described. The protocols given here have been used successfully to transduce engrafting mouse and human HSCs as well as progenitor cells. These cells maintained stable transgene expression after engraftment in mice and in vivo differentiation. Human ESCs can also be transduced with a high efficiency, and transgene is expressed stably after hematopoietic differentiation.
A method of directly defining the inverse mapping for solutions of coupled systems of nonlinear differential equations

Recently, Liao introduced a new method for finding analytical solutions to nonlinear differential equations. In this paper, we extend this idea to nonlinear systems. We study the system of nonlinear differential equations that governs nonlinear convective heat transfer at a porous flat plate and find functions that approximate the solutions by extending Liao’s Method of Directly Defining the Inverse Mapping (MDDiM).
Associations Among Psychological Distress, High-Risk Activism, and Conflict Between Ethnic-Racial and Sexual Minority Identities in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Racial/Ethnic Minority Adults.

In this brief report, we present results from a study exploring the associations of high-risk activism (HRA) orientation in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) issues; HRA orientation in racial/ethnic issues; conflicts in allegiances (CIA) between one's ethnic-racial and sexual minority identities; and anxiety among LGB racial/ethnic minority adults. A racially and ethnically diverse sample of 208 LGB racial/ethnic minority adults (age: M = 27.52, SD = 8.76) completed an online survey. Bivariate correlations showed that HRA orientation in LGB and in racial/ethnic issues, as well as CIA, were each positively associated with anxiety. However, regression analyses indicated that CIA moderated the association between anxiety and HRA orientation in LGB issues (but not racial/ethnic minority issues) such that this association was significant and positive at low levels of CIA and nonsignificant at high levels of CIA. These findings can be used to not only inform psychological practice with this population (e.g., by encouraging practitioners to be more attentive to these issues as potential sources of stress), but also more broadly, as knowledge that can inform the burgeoning psychological literature on collective action. We highlight, for example, the importance of distinguishing between types of activism (i.e., high- vs. low-risk types) in relation to mental health outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record
Reply to "Comment on 'Reactivity of Ketyl and Acetyl Radicals from Direct Solar Actinic Photolysis of Aqueous Pyruvic Acid'".

Reply to Comment on "Reactivity of Ketyl and Acetyl Radicals from Direct Solar Actinic Photolysis of Aqueous Pyruvic Acid"
Contextual, Organizational, and Ecological Factors Influencing the Variations in Heart Failure Hospitalization in Rural Medicare Beneficiaries in Eight Southeastern States

This chapter reports contextual, organizational, and ecological factors influencing the variations in risk-adjusted hospitalization rates for heart failure (HF) of Medicare patients served by rural health clinics (RHCs) in the eight Southeastern states in the United States. We conducted a longitudinal analysis to show trends and patterns of RHC variations in the race-specific, risk-adjusted rates. There was a steady decline in HF hospital admission rates. A net-period effect of the Affordable Care Act on HF hospital admissions was also observed in both White and African-American groups. The results affirm the importance of considering county characteristics and organizational factors for African-American patients in accounting for the variability in HF hospital admissions. However, for the White patients, the variables measured at the organizational level (such as the dual-eligibility status of Medicare patients and the total FTEs employed by RHCs) were influential and could be considered in the formulation of hospital incentive payment formula in the future.
Security-Aware FSM Design Flow for Identifying and Mitigating Vulnerabilities to Fault Attacks

The security of a system-on-chip (SoC) can be compromised by exploiting the vulnerabilities of the finite state machines (FSMs) in the SoC controller modules through fault injection attacks. These vulnerabilities may be unintentionally introduced by traditional FSM design practices or by CAD tools during synthesis. In this paper, we first analyze how the vulnerabilities in an FSM can be exploited by fault injection attacks. Then, we propose a security-aware FSM design flow for ASIC designs to mitigate them and prevent fault attacks on FSM. Our proposed FSM design flow starts with a security-aware encoding scheme which makes the FSM resilient against fault attacks. However, the vulnerabilities introduced by the CAD tools cannot be addressed by encoding schemes alone. To analyze for such vulnerabilities, we develop a novel technique named analyzing vulnerabilities in FSM. If any vulnerability exists, we propose a secure FSM architecture to address the issue. In this paper, we mainly focus on setup-time violation-based fault attacks which pose a serious threat on FSMs; though our proposed flow works for advanced laser-based fault attacks as well. We compare our proposed secure FSM design flow with traditional FSM design practices in terms of cost, performance, and security. We show that our FSM design flow ensures security while having a negligible impact on cost and performance.
Improving Human Rights in Mexico: Constitutional Reforms, International Standards, and New Requirements for Judges

IntroductIon In Mexico, the defense of human rights is rapidly evolving due to a series of constitutional amendments passed in 2011. On June 10, 2011, provisions of the Mexican Constitution changed profoundly, due to modifications of eleven articles, which came to be known as the 2011 Human Rights Amendments (HRA 2011). The amendments transformed the way human rights will be defended in Mexican society.
On the Immediate Fate of Bacteria in the Land Snail Helix

The fate of materials injected into molluscs and other facets of molluscan internal defense mechanisms have been investigated and discussed widely. The unifying vision among the investigators was that they saw in such studies a useful tool for invertebrate immunology. Cheng’s (1967b) account of defense mechanisms in molluscs remains an excellent working model. Based largely upon investigations by Stauber (1950), Tripp (1958a,b, 1960, 1961), Feng (1959, 1965a,b), Bang (1961), Michelson (1961, 1963) and last, but not least, his own group (Cheng, 1966, 1967a; Cheng and Coopermari, 1964, Cheng and Snyder, 1962), Cheng (1967b) has shown that a scheme can be drawn up as illustrated in Fig. 1. Studies on a variety of molluscs reveal that when small particles are introduced into the circulation they are rapidly cleared from the hemolymph. We may now ask the question: “What are the agents of clearance?”
Langmuir turbulence in horizontal salinity gradient

Abstract Langmuir circulation (LC) is believed to be one of the leading causes of turbulent mixing in the upper ocean. Large eddy simulation (LES) models that solve the Craik–Leibovich equations are used to study LC in the upper ocean, yielding new insights that could not be obtained from field observations or turbulent closure models alone. The present study expands our previous LES modeling investigations of LC to real ocean conditions with large-scale environmental motion due to strong horizontal density gradient, which is introduced to the LES model through scale separation analysis. The model is applied to field observations in the Gulf of Mexico when a measurement site was impacted by fresh water inflow. Model results suggest that LC can enhance turbulence in the water column and deepen the mixed layer (ML) with or without the large scale motions, being consistent with previous studies. The strong salinity gradient is shown to be able to reduce the mean flow in the ML, align Langmuir cells with the pressure gradient direction and inhibit turbulence in the ocean surface boundary layer.
Information and Entropy in Physical Systems

The Landauer Principle connects the information theoretic notion of entropy to the physics of statistical mechanics. When a physical system performs a logical operation that erases or loses information, without a copy being preserved, it must transfer a minimum amount of heat, \(k_B T \log (2)\), to the environment. How can there be such a connection between the abstract idea of information and the concrete physical reality of heat? To address this question, we adopt the Jaynes approach of grounding statistical mechanics in the Shannon notion of entropy. Probability is a quantification of incomplete information. Entropy should not be conceived in terms of disorder, but rather as a measure on a probability distribution that characterizes the amount of missing information the distribution represents. The thermodynamic entropy is a special case of the Shannon entropy applied to a physical system in equilibrium with a heat bath so that its average energy is fixed. The thermal probability distribution is obtained by maximizing the Shannon entropy, subject to the physical constraints of the problem. It is then possible to naturally extend this description to include a physical memory device, which must be in a nonequilibrium long-lived metastable state. We can then explicitly demonstrate how the requirement for a fundamental minimum energy dissipation is tied to erasure of an unknown bit. Both classical and quantum cases are considered. We show that the classical thermodynamic entropy is in some situations best matched in quantum mechanics, not by the von Neumann entropy, but by a perhaps less familiar quantity—the quantum entropy of outcomes. The case of free expansion of an ideal quantum gas is examined in this context.
Eating Disorders in Ethnic Minorities: an Update

Eating disorders are recognized to occur across ethnic and racial groups. The aim of the present review was to examine recent advances in the understanding of the development, presentation, and intervention approaches specific to eating disorders among ethnic and racial minority groups. An increasing number of measures have been found to be useful tools for assessing eating disorder risk and symptoms among ethnic and racial minority populations. In addition, further evidence has emerged supporting the relationship between higher levels of eating disorder symptoms and acculturation stress, as well as investment in appearance ideals. In contrast, the relationship between ethnic identity and eating disorder symptoms is less consistent, although several studies suggest that positive ethnic identity may be protective. Finally, increasing efforts have been made to develop and implement culturally sensitive interventions by tailoring evidence-supported treatments. Our understanding of and capacity to treat eating disorders among ethnic and racial minority groups continues to improve. However, further research is needed, particularly among neglected groups, such a smaller ethnic and racial groups, males, and intersecting minority statuses.
Inhibition of TNF-alpha by anti-inflammatory drug Etanercept is radioprotective for liver

3123 Effectiveness of radiotherapy for cancer depends on the maximal radiation dose that can be tolerated by normal tissue. In particular, radiation-induced liver toxicity becomes a major limitation during radiation treatment for liver tumors. We previously demonstrated that ionizing radiation causes liver function damage as a result of apoptosis mediated by TNF-alpha elevation in the liver. In this study, we tested the potential of using Etanercept (EnbrelÂ®), a TNF-alpha blocker that is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, as protective agent during liver radiation. C57BL/6 mice were treated with Etanercept (i.p., the dose range of 0.4 to 6.4 mg/kg) at the time before (24 or 2 h) or immediately after (0 h) a single dose of radiation with 4, 12.5, or 25 Gy. Liver function was assessed by serum AST/ALT activities at 2 h post radiation treatment and was further correlated with liver apoptosis measurements using TUNEL staining and caspase-3 western blotting. Etanercept was effective from the dose of 1.6 mg/kg when it was administered at 2 h prior to or immediately after 12.5 Gy of radiation, resulting in ~70% or ~60% increases of serum ALT relative to an increase of ~350% in control mice. This protection was minor when Etanercept (1.6 mg/kg) was used at 24 h before radiation or Etanercept at lower dose (0.4 or 0.8 mg/kg) was used. Consistently, radiation-induced liver apoptosis as quantified by TUNEL staining was significantly lower when mice were pre-treated with 1.6 mg/kg of Etanercept (~3.5-, ~4.5-, and ~5.0-fold) compared to control mice (~5.0-, ~6.3-, and ~8.2-fold) at the radiation dose of 4, 12.5, and 25 Gy, respectively. This protective effect was dramatically improved by the use of higher Etanercept dose (6.4 mg/kg), which produced only ~1.5-, ~3.0-, and ~3.5-fold induction of TUNEL positive cells at respective radiation doses, and was further confirmed by the decreasing of caspase-3 cleavage in western blot analysis. Etanercept-mediated liver protection against fractionated radiation was also investigated. We conclude that specific inhibition of TNF-alpha by Etanercept is radioprotective for mice liver and is a potentially effective radioprotector during liver radiotherapy.
Do Readers Remember What Story Characters Remember

ABSTRACTThe current study examined whether readers encode the thoughts of story characters. Participants read narratives in which characters were described as either needing or not needing to remem...
Outsmarting and outmuscling cancer cells with synthetic and systems immunology.

Adoptive T-cell therapy has shown remarkable clinical efficacy in treating refractory hematological cancers. However, challenges presented by solid tumors impede the applicability of adoptive T-cell therapy to the majority of cancers. In order to engineer effective T-cell therapies targeting solid tumors, two synergistic design criteria—T-cell therapeutic programs and anti-tumor T-cell chassis—should be taken into consideration. Recent advances in synthetic biology have enabled genetic programming of therapeutic sense-and-respond modalities in T cells. Furthermore, systems-level integration of multi-omics datum have allowed researchers to holistically profile robust anti-tumor T-cell populations. In this review, we feature novel strategies that can be incorporated into adoptive T-cell therapy design–ushering in a new paradigm of solid tumor treatment options.
The relationship between chronic stress, hair cortisol and hypertension.

Abstract Inconsistencies in studies of chronic psychosocial stress and hypertension may be explained by the use of stress markers greatly influenced by circadian rhythm and transient stressors. We assessed whether hair cortisol, a marker that captures systemic cortisol over months, was independently associated with hypertension. We measured hair cortisol and blood pressure in 75 consecutive participants in the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin, using an ELISA test. Individuals with values ​≥ ​median (78.1 ​pg/mg) were considered exposed. We used approximate Bayesian logistic regression, with a prior odds ratio of 1.0–4.0, to quantify the multivariate-adjusted hair cortisol-hypertension association. Participants' average age was 46.9 years; 37.3% were male; and 25.3% were hypertensive. Hypertension prevalence was 2.23 times higher in exposed (95% CI: 1.69–3.03). This finding was unlikely explained by differential measurement errors, since we conducted blinded measurements of exposure and outcome. Sensitivity analyses showed the association was unlikely explained by an unmeasured confounder, survival bias, or reverse causality bias. Findings suggest elevated hair cortisol is a risk factor for hypertension. Although feasible, the clinical value of hair cortisol as a tool for hypertension risk stratification or for monitoring the effect of chronic psychosocial stress management interventions is still uncertain.
Benzo[b]fluorenes via indanone dianion annulation: a short synthesis of prekinamycin.

A rapid construction of benzo[b]fluorenones via reaction of 1-indanone dianions with phthalate diesters is described. Its utility is illustrated with a concise synthesis of prekinamycin.
Artificial Intelligence in Resource-Constrained and Shared Environments

The computational demands of modern AI techniques are immense, and as the number of practical applications grows, there will be an increasing burden on shared computing infrastructure. We envision a forthcoming era of "AI Systems" research where reducing resource consumption, reasoning about transient resource availability, trading off resource consumption for accuracy, and managing contention on specialized hardware will become the community's main research focus. This paper overviews the history of AI systems research, a vision for the future, and the open challenges ahead.
Miles and Memories

An internist describes preparing to run a marathon in memory of her mother and the injury that prevented her from completing the race. Her perspective on this setback was shaped by her own loss and memories of patients whose lives were interrupted by cancer, reminding us that a cancer diagnosis comes without preparation and without choosing. While more cancer patients are surviving, there are still those whose life journeys end much too soon.
Synthetic biology approaches for targeted protein degradation

Protein degradation is an effective native mechanism used in modulating intracellular information, and thus it plays an essential role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Repurposing native protein degradation in a synthetic context is gaining attention as a new strategy to manipulate cellular behavior rapidly for a wide range of applications including disease detection and therapy. This review examines the native mechanisms and machineries by which mammalian cells degrade their own proteins including the sequence of events from identifying a candidate for degradation to the protein's destruction. Next, it explores engineering efforts to degrade both exogenous and native proteins with high specificity and control by targeting proteins into the degradation cascade. A complete understanding of design rules with an ability to use cellular information as signals will allow control over the cellular behavior in a well-defined manner.
Abstract P1-02-01: HER2/neu antibody-fluorophore conjugate for intraoperative detection of HER2-positive breast cancer

Background: Although advances in neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatments have led to enhanced survival in patients with HER2 positive breast cancer, intraoperative detection of residual disease and tumor margins (including HER2 positive DCIS) remain challenging. Real-time fluorescence imaging is being used during surgery to improve tumor visualization and identify margins. However, the lack of an approved intraoperative imaging agent that is specific for HER2 expressing cancers limits the utility of fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) in this patient population. We examined the potential of using clinically approved anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), trastuzumab and pertuzumab, for the development of fluorescent immunoconjugates dual-labeled with radioactivity to enable quantitative assessment. Methods: Trastuzumab, and pertuzumab were conjugated to the near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore, IR800CW, and radiometal chelator, deferoxamine (DFO), to permit dual labeling with 89Zr (positron emitting radionuclide). To confirm retention of HER2 specificity and functionality, flow cytometry analysis of the dual-labeled immunoconjugates was performed in HER2+ (BT474, SKBR3), HER2 moderate (MCF7), and HER2− (MDA231) cell lines. Using the same cell lines, radioactive uptake studies were employed to quantitatively measure cellular uptake study using 89Zr with and without blocking doses of unlabeled mAb. In vivo optical imaging of each immunoconjugate and IgG controls was performed in BT474 and MCF7 xenografts in BALB/c (nu/nu) mice 48 hours post injection using the BrukerXtreme system. Results: In vitro results confirmed retention of receptor mediated binding on both flow cytometry and radioactive analyses. As shown in Table 1, uptake of each immunoconjugate correlated with the degree of HER2 expression. Importantly, the addition of unlabeled mAb led to a 79-93% reduction in binding to cells with the highest HER2 expression (BT474 and SKBR3). In MDA231 cells binding of the immunoconjugates was similar to the IgG control and indicates low non-specific binding. In vivo and ex vivo analysis of HER2+ and HER2 moderate xenografts demonstrated prominent tumor uptake with minimal signal in non-clearance organs. As a result, tumor-to-muscle, tumor-to-fat pad, and tumor-to-lung ratios were >5, indicating excellent contrast in key regions where surgical excisions are performed clinically. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential utility of HER2-targeted FGS to improve tumor visualization, increase the likelihood of obtaining clean surgical margins, and ultimately reduce morbidity in patients with HER2 breast cancer. Citation Format: Jo Simien, Julie Voss, A.M. Thompson, S.C. Ghosh, S. AghaAmiri, A. Azhdarinia, H.S. Tran-Cao. HER2/neu antibody-fluorophore conjugate for intraoperative detection of HER2-positive breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-02-01.
Onco-nephrology highlights: Chronic kidney disease, end-stage kidney disease, and cancer patients:

With increasing prevalence of both kidney disease and cancer, patients who have both are common. Toxicity from treatment or direct kidney injury by the cancer itself can lead to acute kidney injury...
A thermal multi-phase flow model for directed energy deposition processes via a moving signed distance function

Abstract Thermal multi-phase flow analysis has been proven to be an indispensable tool in metal additive manufacturing (AM) modeling, yet accurate and efficient simulations of metal AM processes remains challenging. This paper presents a flexible and effective thermal multi-phase flow model for directed energy deposition (DED) processes. Departing from the data-fitted or presumed deposit shapes in the literature, we first derive a deposit geometry model based on an energy minimization problem with a mass conservation constraint. Then, an interface-capturing approach based on a signed distance function that moves with the laser is constructed to represent the air–metal interface evolution. The approach can be applied to any type of mesh without requiring the activation process of solid elements in a mesh. The coupled multi-phase Navier–Stokes and energy conservation equations are solved by a variational multi-scale formulation (VMS). A density-scaled continuous surface force (CSF) model is employed to incorporate the Marangoni effect, no penetration boundary condition, and the heat source on the air–metal interface. We utilize the proposed method to simulate two representative metal manufacturing problems. The simulated results are carefully compared with available experimental measurements and computational results from others. The results demonstrate the accuracy and modeling capabilities of the proposed method for metal AM problems.
Interpersonal Violence and Institutional Misconduct in the Los Angeles County Jail System: A Mixed Method Investigation.

This study involved a mixed method evaluation of interpersonal violence and institutional misconduct in the Los Angeles county jail system. Interviews with 52 correctional staff uncovered a widely ...
Anti-Xa levels in critically ill children receiving enoxaparin for venothromboembolism prophylaxis.

Abstract Venothrombolism (VTE) prophylaxis is increasingly utilized in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Enoxaparin, a low-molecular weight heparin, is frequently used for this purpose. Enoxaparin can also be used for therapeutic anticoagulation in cases of known thrombus. In such cases, monitoring involves obtaining serum anti- Xa levels with a target value of 0.5–1 units/mL. No monitoring recommendations currently exist for enoxaparin when intended for pediatric VTE prophylaxis. We hypothesize that a clinically important number of patients on VTE prophylaxis with enoxaparin have serum anti-Xa levels consistent with values targeted for therapeutic anticoagulation. We found that over 20% of patients on VTE prophylaxis with enoxaparin had serum anti-Xa levels consistent with true therapeutic anticoagulation (anti-Xa level 0.5–1 units/mL) during their enoxaparin course and 5% achieved values of supratherapeutic anticoagulation (anti-Xa level >1 units/mL). Serum anti-Xa level did not correlate with once versus twice daily dosing, body mass index (BMI), or creatinine level. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was found to have a positive odds ratio for an anti-Xa level ≥ 0.5 units/mL. We believe that this incidence of unintended therapeutic anticoagulation indicates a clinically significant number and therefore routine anti-Xa evaluation while on VTE prophylaxis is warranted within our population.
Components of Job Satisfaction Related to Intentions to Leave: A Study of the Purchasing Profession

Research has related job satisfaction to employee turnover in the purchasing profession. However, little research has been done to establish which aspects of job satisfaction contribute to this turnover. This research reports on a survey of almost 400 purchasing executives nationwide and establishes a link between intention to leave and the components of job satisfaction.
The Academy Is Flat: Using Technology to Create Authentic Multicultural Education

Thomas Freidman (2005) asserts that technology has created a transnational platform for communication, collaboration, and competition that is stimulating global opportunity for all individuals. Aft...
An Air-Ocean Coupled Nowcast/Forecast System for the East Asian Marginal Seas

The South China Sea (SCS), Yellow/EaBt China Sea (YES), and Japan/East Sea (JES) are major east Asian marginal seas (EAMS). The complex topography includes the broad shallows of the Sunda Shelf in the south/southwest of SCSi the continental shelf of the Asian landmass in the north, extending from the Gulf of Tonkin to the YES; a deep, elliptical shaped SCS and JES basins, and numerous reef islands and underwater plateaus scattered throughout (Fig. 1a). The shelf that extends from the Gulf of Tonkin to the YES is consistently near 70 m deep, and averages 150 km in width.
Art outreach toward STEAM and academic libraries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) efforts at Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) John D. MacArthur Campus Library (JDM) to share methodologies and ideas with other academic libraries. Recently, there has been an emphasis on and push for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in colleges and universities across the USA as a means for training future work forces and for remaining competitive in global job markets (Land, 2013). FAU in South Florida is a big proponent of STEM and STEAM education (Florida Atlantic University, 2012; Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, 2013). Design/methodology/approach – As many librarians and outreach staff strive to remain relevant to their faculty and students with changing technologies (Drewes and Hoffman, 2010), the FAU JDM outreach staff have developed several novel programs that are geared toward the STEAM initiative. Findings – The Library Outreach Commit...
An investigation of aphasic naming error evolution following phonomotor treatment

Background: Though treatments for anomia in aphasia typically use accuracy of trained and untrained targets to determine treatment efficacy, researchers have begun to employ error analyses in order to more closely delineate the mechanisms involved in anomia recovery.Aims: The aim of this study was to examine changes in naming errors of 24 individuals with aphasia after phonomotor treatment (14 new individuals and 10 individuals whose word retrieval error data were previously reported in a separate manuscript).Methods & Procedures: Twenty-four individuals with aphasia received phonomotor treatment. Confrontation naming was assessed pre-treatment, immediately post-treatment, and 3 months post-treatment. Responses were scored for accuracy and error type. Paired-samples t tests comparing pre-treatment versus immediately post-treatment and 3 months post-treatment accuracy and error-type proportions were conducted. Additionally, the role of language severity in error-type proportion shifts was examined through ...
A novel histone-stimulated protein kinase in normal and psoriatic epidermis

During the course of studies on protein kinases in psoriatic epidermis, a novel histone-activated protein kinase activity was identified. This activity (referred to as PK-II because it was the second peak of protein kinase activity eluted from a DEAE column) was partially purified from the supernatant of an epidermal homogenate by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Although histone was not a substrate for phosphorylation, in the presence of histone, endogenous proteins of M r 105 and 95kDa were phosphorylated. Activity was not affected by Ca 2+ /phospholipid, cAMP, cGMP, cAMP-dependent kinase inhibitor, spermine, spermidine, calmodulin, EGF, or phorbol ester. Pbosphorylation was specific for serine and threonine residues. A major peak of PK-II activity eluted from sepharose 6B with an apparent M r of 100kDa, suggesting that histone may stimulate autophosphorylation. The properties of PK-II resemble those recently described for a class of polypeptide-dependent protein kinases isolated from placenta, Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, and bakers' yeast. PK-II was significantly higher in psoriatic involved epidermis (32.6 ± 11.6 pmol/min/mg protein) compared to psoriatic uninvolved epidermis (5.7 ± 0.6 pmol/min/mg; p=0.03) and normal epidermis (9.5 ± 2.2 pmol/min/mg; p=0.05). The function of histone stimulated protein kinase in epidermal function and its role in the pathophysiology of psoriasis remain to be explored.
An architecture for an ASN.1 encoder/decoder

Abstract This paper deals with the implementation of architectural problems in the ISO Presentation layer, particularly with reference to the encoding/decoding aspects. First, a brief overview is made of the OSI Presentation layer, then the problem of passing from an abstract (ASN.1) description of data types to an actual representation of data associated values is tackled. Next, a possible solution is given, and an architecture is shown for an ASN.1 encoder/decoder implementation. The last section describes how to enrich such an architecture in order to implement a so-called generalized encoder/decoder.
The snackbot: documenting the design of a robot for long-term human-robot interaction

We present the design of the Snackbot, a robot that will deliver snacks in our university buildings. The robot is intended to provide a useful, continuing service and to serve as a research platform for long-term Human-Robot Interaction. Our design process, which occurred over 24 months, is documented as a contribution for others in HRI who may be developing social robots that offer services. We describe the phases of the design project, and the design decisions and tradeoffs that led to the current version of the robot.