cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gγ-Globin Promoter Trans-Activation: Characterization of Transcription Factor Interactions in the Upstream cAMP Response Element (CRE).

Abstract Erythroid differentiation recapitulates the temporal switch from γ to β-globin gene expression that occurs during fetal development. We and others have demonstrated a p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent mechanism for γ-globin activation by fetal hemoglobin inducers in the setting of permissive chromatin structure. Furthermore, by electrophoretic mobility shift assay we confirmed that CREB and ATF-2 bind the CRE at nucleotide −1222 in the Gγ-promoter (G-CRE). A naturally occurring C→G mutation in the CRE occurs is associated with the Benin haplotype, producing lower fetal hemoglobin levels in sickle cell patients. To understand the functional relevance of the G-CRE we used a luciferase reporter system established with promoter mutants at nucleotides −1500, −1350 and −1180 to produce the respective reporters -1500Gγluc, −1350Gγluc and −1180Gγluc. Transient transfections were performed in K562 cells by electroporation. In the −1180Gγluc reporter there was a loss of the 15 to 20-fold activation induced by 2mM butyrate and 0.5μM trichostatin in the −1500Gγluc reporter . The loss of trans-activation when the G-CRE was deleted in the −1180 mutant confirms functional relevance for this element. Trans-activation studies were also completed with a wtCREB (pCMV-CREB) and dominant negative, pKCREB expression vector. The latter forms an inactive heterodimer with CREB by blocking the DNA binding domain. To determine the direct trans-activation potential of wtCREB, co-transfection studies were completed with 10 to 40μg of either pCMV-CREB or pKCREB alone. We observed a dose-dependent 1.5 to 11-fold increase in luciferase activity with wtCREB compare to a robust 18 to 100-fold Gγ-promoter induction by pkCREB. This ability of both vectors to activate was reversed when the G-CRE was deleted. Interestingly, when an equal concentration of both vectors was co-transfected, a 40-fold increase in promoter activity was observed. Additional studies with pkCREB and butyrate or trichostatin inductions produced a similar synergistic effect. Collectively, the findings suggest that other transcription factors with greater trans-activation potential bind the G-CRE when CREB is inactivated by its dominant negative protein. We will test the two most likely candidate transcription factors, cJun and ATF-2 which bind the G-CRE and are downstream effectors of p38 MAPK signaling. Transfection experiments with cJun confirmed a dose-dependent 80-fold activation of −1500Gγluc. Interestingly, when cJun was combined with wtCREB, γ-promoter trans-activation dropped 60-fold supporting two possible interactions between cJun and CREB: 1) competitive binding to the G-CRE or 2) the formation of an inactive or low activity heterodimer between the two proteins. Additional studies with site-directed mutants of the G-CRE will be performed to ferret out the DNA-protein interactions in this region, thereby providing gene-based approaches for fetal hemoglobin induction.
Pavement drainage pipe condition assessment by GPR image reconstruction using FDTD modeling

Abstract Drainage pipes, as a common water collection system, need to be monitored to ensure proper functionality. One non-destructive way to assess the condition of drainage pipes is to use ground penetrating radar (GPR). The main objective of this study is to develop algorithms to process and interpret the simulated GPR signal from drainage pipes embedded in concrete pavement. This allows locating drainage pipes and predicting their size and condition. The research focuses on reconstructing target images of drainage pipes embedded in concrete pavement. GPR signals were simulated using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Migration reconstruction and sparse reconstruction methods were used to reconstruct the drainage pipes target. It was found that both methods can predict the condition of the drainage pipe, i.e., whether the pipes are empty or occupied by water or soil. The sparse reconstruction method has better reconstruction accuracy and can be used to locate the drainage pipes and determining pipes diameter. The migration reconstruction method is easier to perform and requires less computational time.
Population Dynamics of Citrus Leafminer (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) as Measured by Interception Traps and Egg and Larva Sampling in Lime

Apical leaf sampling and interception sticky traps were used to assess seasonal density for the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, adults and eggs plus early-instar larvae, respectively, in lime orchards. Traps intercepted greater numbers of adults when placed in the middle or top of the tree canopy than in the lower canopy. Citrus leafminer was most abundant in the spring, summer and fall, and numbers were reduced between November 1994 and January 1995. In 1994, adult capture and egg and larval density were higher than in 1995. The development of an efficient means to estimate citrus leafminer egg density or, alternatively, develop techniques to aid in prioritizing egg sampling was attempted. The probability of finding eggs in the vicinity of a passive interception trap was determined. A linear relationship was found between cumulative number of moths captured and citrus leafminer egg density (r2 = 0.52). A lower variability was recorded for adult traps than for egg densities.
Microtubule-targeting agents can sensitize cancer cells to ionizing radiation by an interphase-based mechanism.

Background The cytotoxic effects of microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) are often attributed to targeted effects on mitotic cells. In clinical practice, MTAs are combined with DNA-damaging agents such as ionizing radiation (IR) with the rationale that mitotic cells are highly sensitive to DNA damage. In contrast, recent studies suggest that MTAs synergize with IR by interfering with the trafficking of DNA damage response (DDR) proteins during interphase. These studies, however, have yet to demonstrate the functional consequences of interfering with interphase microtubules in the presence of IR. To address this, we combined IR with an established MTA, mebendazole (MBZ), to treat glioma cells exclusively during interphase. Materials and methods To test whether MTAs can sensitize interphase cells to IR, we treated GL261 and GBM14 glioma cells with MBZ during 3-9 hours post IR (when the mitotic index was 0%). Cell viability was measured using a WST-1 assay, and radiosensitization was quantified using the dose enhancement factor (DEF). The effect of MBZ on the DDR was studied via Western blot analysis of H2AX phosphorylation. To examine the effects of MTAs on intracellular transport of DDR proteins, Nbs1 and Chk2, cytoplasmic and nuclear fractionation studies were conducted following treatment of glioma cells with MBZ. Results Treatment with MBZ sensitized interphase cells to the effects of IR, with a maximal DEF of 1.34 in GL261 cells and 1.69 in GBM14 cells. Treatment of interphase cells with MBZ led to more sustained γH2AX levels post IR, indicating a delay in the DDR. Exposure of glioma cells to MBZ resulted in a dose-dependent sequestration of Chk2 and Nbs1 in the cytoplasm. Conclusion This study demonstrates that MBZ can sensitize cancer cells to IR independently of the induction of mitotic arrest. In addition, evidence is provided supporting the hypothesis that MTA-induced radiosensitization is mediated by inhibiting DDR protein accumulation into the nucleus.
Network Analysis of Conversation Data for Engineering Professional Skills Assessment

In this paper, we examine the student group discussion processes in a scenario-based assessment of engineering professional skills called Engineering Professional Skills Assessment (EPSA). In the assessment, the students were evaluated through a discussion on a scenario related to an engineering problem with no clear-cut solution. We applied various social network analysis (SNA) techniques and constructed 2 types of networks to model the patterns of the communication process in the student discussion and the connections among engineering professional skills (EPS) during the discussion process. We found that some network statistics were statistically related to team scores (or performance), such as the density of the EPS networks. We also investigated the temporal pattern of the discussion process by comparing the network statistics across 3 different time points. Results showed that the middle and end of the discussion processes differed significantly on 2 network measures: communication density and EPS connectedness. Results of the study have implications for instruction and scoring of such performance tasks. Limitations and next steps are also discussed.
The effects of nasal closure on quality of life in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Introduction Epistaxis is the most common symptom of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Complete nasal closure is one of the treatment options for patients with severe, intractable epistaxis. In our experience, this surgery can be life changing in a positive sense; but many patients as well as their physicians understandably fear that such a procedure will diminish certain aspects of quality of life (QOL). Methods Case-control study of HHT patients treated at the University of Utah HHT Center of Excellence with and without nasal closure from January 2005 to January 2016. Patients were matched according to epistaxis severity. Each included patient was issued three surveys: Epistaxis Severity Score (ESS), the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE). Results After treatment, the mean PSQI and NOSE scores were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the mean ESS score in the nasal closure group was significantly lower at 1.10 compared to the severe epistaxis group with a mean score of 3.99 (P = .027). Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that nasal closure significantly improves epistaxis severity without having a significant effect on sleep or nasal obstruction as they relate to QOL. These findings suggest that nasal closure should be considered for HHT patients with chronic severe epistaxis. Level of evidence 4.
Preparing for the Dawn mission to Vesta and Ceres

The Dawn project is progressing toward its 2006 launch on a mission to orbit main belt asteroids (4) Vesta and (1) Ceres. Designed to provide insights into important questions about the evolution of the solar system, Dawn will spend more than 0.5 years in orbit about each of these bodies. This challenging mission is enabled by an ion propulsion system. In contrast to missions that use conventional chemical propulsion, the use of this system couples flight system mass and power , thereby requiring different methods of managing these and other technical resources. Now that the project is nearing launch, the refinement of resource estimates allows the identification of excess margin, which is being applied in novel ways to increase the scientific potential of the mission. The unusual relationship of the margins is described, and progress in preparing for the mission is presented.
An Efficient Treatment of Model Uncertainties for the Dynamic Response of Structures

The problem of calculating the uncertainty in the dynamic response of a structure due to uncertainties related to the modeling of its dynamic behavior, is addressed. Based on a Bayesian probabilistic approach, a new efficient and accurate numerical method is proposed to investigate the resulting uncertainties in the structural response, where engineering judgement is used to quantify the uncertainties in the modeling process. The proposed method is useful in design, where dynamic test data is not available to investigate modeling errors through the application of system identification.
Dibenz[a,c]anthracene: A potent inhibitor of skin-tumor initiation by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

The mechanism by which the weak tumor initiator dibenz(a,c)anthracene (DB(a,c)A) inhibits the skin-tumor-initiating activity of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) was investigated. DB(a,c)A was found to be a potent inhibitor of DMBA initiation when given either 5 min, or 1, 12, or 36 hours before DMBA. Pretreatment of mice with unlabeled DB(a,c)A at either 1, 12, or 36 hours before killing increased the in vitro epidermally mediated covalent binding of (/sup 3/H)DMBA to DNA more than pretreatment with unlabeled DMBA at comparable times. Only when the tumor experiments were mimicked did a decrease in DMBA covalent binding to DNA in vitro occur. The results suggest that some competition at the level of polycyclic hydrocarbon metabolism or at the genome level may exist between metabolites of the weak carcinogen and those of the strong carcinogen.
Mortality and Resource Use Following Cardiac Interventions in Children with Trisomy 13 and Trisomy 18 and Congenital Heart Disease

We sought to evaluate the mortality, risk factors for mortality, and resource utilization following cardiac interventions in trisomy 13 (T13) and 18 (T18) children. All T13 and T18 children who underwent a cardiac intervention from January 1999 to March 2015 were identified from the Pediatric Health Information System database. Data collected included demographics, type of congenital heart disease (CHD), cardiac interventions, comorbidities, length of stay (LOS), hospital charges, and deaths (within 30 days). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with mortality. There were 49 (47% females) T13 and 140 (67% females) T18 subjects. The two cohorts were similar in distribution for race, geographic region, insurance type, and median household income. The most common CHD in both groups was a shunt lesion followed by conotruncal defects. Compared to T18, the T13 cohort had higher mortality (29% vs. 12%), tracheostomies (12% vs. 4%), gastrostomies (18% vs. 6%), and overall resource use (P < 0.05 for all). White race (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06–0.81) in T13 and older age (in weeks) at surgery in T18 (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64–0.86) were associated with lower mortality. A select group of T13 and T18 CHD patients can undergo successful cardiac interventions, albeit with a higher mortality and resource use. T13 patients have higher mortality and resource use compared to T18. In T13 and T18 patients, interventions for CHD may be an acceptable and ethical option following a careful individualized selection and counseling by a team of experts.
Co-Op Light: Developing a Cybersecurity Workforce through Academia-Industry Partnerships

This paper presents a discussion on a cybersecurity co-op light model. Elements of an internship are combined with elements of a co-op to help provide students with an engaging work experience while also serving the needs of an organization.
Caspase-1 from MDSC promote MyD88 dependent carcinogenesis that is T-cell independent

Myeloid-derived-suppression cells (MDSC) are functionally defined to suppress T-cells in their primary means of immune evasion mechanism in cancer. However, we have discovered that MDSC can have direct, T-cell independent pro-carcinogenic effect on tumor cells. Sorted monocytic CD14 + /CD11b + /HLA-DR low MDSCs from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients were found to increase the proliferation index of HNSCC cells. This induction of tumor proliferation was not dependent on MDSC-tumor cell contact. Exome analysis showed that these human MDSC from cancer patients expressed high levels of inflammasome complex, and supernatant from the MDSCs were found to secrete IL-1b and IL-18. When we probed the functional significance of these inflammasome complex, we found that MDSC’s promotion of tumor proliferative index of the tumor was found to be caspase-1 dependent. To test this in vivo, T-cell depleted caspase-1 null mice showed significant decrease in tumor growth rate. To confirm the importance of myeloid inflammasome signaling in carcinogenesis, we suppressed MyD88 gene in tumor cell line Cal27 and found that the ability of MDSC to promoting tumor proliferation is diminished. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that tumor infiltrating MDSCs may play a prominent role in chronic inflammation associated carcinogenesis.
On the second minimizing graph in the set of complements of trees

Let be a graph of order and be its adjacency matrix such that if is adjacent to and otherwise, where . In a certain family of graphs, a graph is called minimizing (or second minimizing) if the leas...
Observed climatic changes in West Virginia and opportunities for agriculture

Increasing variability in temperature and precipitation patterns is reducing the security of natural resources including food, water, and energy in many locations globally. Changes in climate are particularly relevant to the agricultural sector, given the increasing demand for food, less predictable water supplies, and more expensive energy. Among these challenges, however, are opportunities to improve human health with climate-conscious approaches to field crop production. Such opportunities may be emerging in historically productive areas in the Appalachian region of the United States including West Virginia that are often typified by food deserts. Long-term records of farm count, farm area, and crop yield data for West Virginia’s most valuable crops are presented relative to national averages to better understand emergent challenges and opportunities associated with local climate changes. Observed datasets of daily maximum temperature, minimum temperature, and precipitation for 18 climate observation sites in West Virginia dating back to at least 1930 were used to assess climatic trends between 1900 and 2016. To account for the regions’ complex physiography, daily data were averaged annually and spatially (all 18 sites). The maximum temperatures were shown to decrease significantly (− 0.78 °C/century; p = 0.001), whereas the minimum temperatures increased significantly (0.44 °C/century; p = 0.017), and precipitation increased (25.4 mm/century). Additionally, intra-annual variance of maximum temperatures decreased (− 0.22 °C/century), minimum temperatures increased significantly (0.39 °C/century; p = 0.041), and precipitation increased (25.4 mm/century). Observed climate trends suggest that local and regional changes in land-atmosphere interactions may result in a wetter and more temperate Appalachian climate characterized by longer growing seasons that may be supportive of a broader range of crops. Results suggest that strategically expanding local agriculture to adapt to changing climate could simultaneously improve human health and socioeconomic status in West Virginia, the broader Appalachian region, and other similar physiographic locations globally.
The Emotional Bank Account and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Romantic Relationships of People With Borderline Personality Disorder: A Dyadic Observational Study:

Few studies have examined behaviors in romantic relationships associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD). We assessed critical variables from marital research: the "emotional bank account" (positive-to-negative behaviors; Gottman, 1993) and the "four horsemen of the apocalypse" (criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling; Gottman & Silver, 1999; Gottman & Krokoff, 1989). Couples (N = 130, or 260 participants) engaged in a conflict task and reported relationship satisfaction at intake and 12-months. Clinician-rated BPD and avoidant PD (APD) criteria were examined. People with more BPD symptoms and their partners were less satisfied, which worsened by follow-up. Conflict behaviors partially explained these associations. Partners of people with more BPD symptoms had a worse emotional bank account, which then predicted (a) poorer satisfaction for both members and (b) worsening partner satisfaction. People with more BPD symptoms criticized more; their partners defended and stonewalled more. APD predicted worsening satisfaction. BPD appears to link specifically with relationship dysfunction, partly through associations with partner behavior.
Application of the pKa rule to synthesize salts of bezafibrate

ABSTRACTCo-crystallization frequently employs forces such as hydrogen bonds, halogen bonds, and π-π stacking to assemble molecules in a multi-component crystal. In an effort to increase the strengt...
Air Age Maps, the Shrinking Globe, and Anglo-American Relations

This chapter examines another technological aspect, namely, the impact of the Air Age on British and American news cartography at this time. Tracing its roots to the early 1900s, this age of powered flight prompted both nations’ cartographers to invent or rediscover map projections that better described the roundness of the earth and to apply those projections to World War II and Cold War–era geopolitics. Mapmakers abandoned the flat Mercator projection especially after the “rediscovery” of the world’s Polar Regions led to a new popularity of polar projection maps that became increasingly important as Cold War tensions mounted. Finally, a case study comparing American and British cartographic campaigns to decentralize their respective nation’s urban clusters for fear of Soviet nuclear attack is presented. Nevada Senator Pat McCarran’s bilateral federal commission on decentralization, which promised to boost state commerce and mitigate national losses in a predicted nuclear war, differed greatly from British motives of urban slum clearance and property renewal.
Search for the H Chondrite Parent Body among the Three Largest S-type Asteroids: (3) Juno, (7) Iris, and (25) Phocaea

NASA Near-Earth Object Observations (NEOO) program grant [NNXAL06G]; state of Arizona Technology Research Initiative Fund (TRIF)
Regurgitation, Restitution, Resurrection, and Relics

Starting with the reference in La Manekine to the “sanctuaire” in the belly of a fish which preserved the protagonistʼs amputated hand until it could be miraculously grafted onto her arm, this chapter examines the theory and practices behind relics, along with other literary examples of relics, as well as the general motif of fishy containers. Additionally, the sturgeon that regurgitates the hand evokes Christian dogma about bodily integrity at the time of resurrection, as well as serving as a reminder of the role of restitution in the sacrament of penance. Compared to the treatment of relics in such works as the Chanson de Roland, the Pelerinage de Charlemagne, and La Vie de Sainte Elysabel, Philippe de Remi employs an empty, hand-shaped reliquary to demonstrate Godʼs favor upon the heroine.
[Transient erythema after alcohol consumption; a side effect of tacrolimus].

Background Transient erythema after alcohol consumption is a side effect of topical tacrolimus use. The clinical picture is characterised by itching, a burning sensation and erythema, often at the site where tacrolimus is applied. The erythema develops shortly after alcohol consumption and disappears after approximately 1 hour. Case description We are describing a patient who used a 0.1% tacrolimus ointment for periocular eczema and in whom transient erythema developed around the eyes after alcohol consumption. Conclusion The symptoms may be caused by the capsaicin-like effects of both tacrolimus and ethanol. Potential inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase by tacrolimus may also play a role. Prophylactic treatment with acetylsalicylic acid before alcohol consumption reduces the symptoms.
Professional societies can play a vital role in career development

Ph.D.s in the life sciences are seeking nonacademic careers in large numbers, and private sector employment is reaching an all-time high. In this climate, trainees are seeking mentors and opportunities to understand and explore different career paths. Scientific societies such as the Society for Developmental Biology play vital roles in professional development to support members at all stages of their careers and promote a range of employment opportunities. To this end, the Professional Development and Education Committee of the society offers full day workshops and sessions at regional and annual meetings that support constituents throughout their careers. For example, a new GetHIRED! workshop the day before the 2019 annual society meeting was developed as an interactive job skills workshop for postdoctoral fellows to gain insights into the job application process. The committee also aims to advocate for innovative approaches to teaching and science literacy in both the classroom and through outreach activities. The activities offered by scientific societies can reach a broader audience than individual institutions, and have lasting impacts in the quality of their members' careers by augmenting professional development opportunities.
Sexual Identity-Behavior Profiles and Suicide Outcomes Among Heterosexual, Lesbian, and Gay Sexually Active Adolescents.

Objective Adolescents' sexual behaviors can be incongruent with those assumed to align with their sexual identity. Identity-behavior profiles permit the characterization of youth who might remain undetected using a single-dimensional assessment of sexual orientation. This study examined suicide risks among four distinct sexual identity-behavior profiles of youth: heterosexual with other-sex partners only, heterosexual with any same-sex partners, lesbian or gay (LG) with same-sex partners only, and LG with any other-sex partners. Method Data were analyzed from the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Participants' reported sex, sexual identity, and the sex of their sexual contacts were used to construct the identity-behavior profiles. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between identity-behavior profiles and suicide outcomes. Results Compared to heterosexual respondents with other-sex partners only, heterosexual respondents with any same-sex partners and LG respondents with same-sex partners only had greater odds of having a suicide plan; LG respondents with any other-sex partners were over seven times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and attempt suicide and 14 times more likely to have a suicide plan. Conclusions Health and mental health providers can expand the identification of youth at risk for suicide by assessing both sexual identity and behavior.
Strategies for Addressing Mouth-Breathing Treatment with an “Adequate” Nose

Now that we have discussed and analyzed strategies to surgically achieve an adequately functioning and appearing nose, additional treatments are still required in many cases to achieve jaw closure due to limited musculoskeletal tone of the maxilla and mandible, as we described in Chaps. 4 and 5. From surgical jaw expansion, orthodontic treatments to jaw closure straps and appliances, these strategies are considered and evaluated in this chapter.
Smeared quasidistributions in perturbation theory

Quasi- and pseudodistributions provide a new approach to determining parton distribution functions from first principles' calculations of QCD. Here, I calculate the flavor nonsinglet unpolarized quasidistribution at one loop in perturbation theory, using the gradient flow to remove ultraviolet divergences. I demonstrate that, as expected, the gradient flow does not change the infrared structure of the quasidistribution at one loop and use the results to match the smeared matrix elements to those in the $\overline{\mathrm{MS}}$ scheme. This matching calculation is required to relate numerical results obtained from nonperturbative lattice QCD computations to light-front parton distribution functions extracted from global analyses of experimental data.
Telehealth in Pediatric Care

Regionalization of pediatric clinical services results in differential access to care, creating barriers for children with special healthcare needs and for those living in rural and underserved communities. These disparities in access contribute to inferior healthcare outcomes among infants, children, and adolescents. In this chapter, we broadly review the medical literature on telehealth and its use to improve access, patient-centered care, and quality of care to these patients. We review the use of telehealth in the settings of ambulatory care, behavioral health, school-based care, and hospital-based care, including labor and delivery, newborn nursery, and emergency department care. We also discuss the use of telehealth in direct to consumer models of care. In general, research demonstrates the feasibility and efficiencies gained with telehealth models of care and supports the notion that pediatric patients are more likely to receive care that adheres to evidence-based guidelines when telehealth is used. We present data that pediatric telehealth is effective and, in some cases, can significantly improve provider, patient, and family satisfaction, increase measures of quality of care and patient safety, and reduce overall costs of care.
Social media as a window into human-wildlife interactions and zoonotic disease risk: an examination of wild pig hunting videos on YouTube

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) damage agriculture and the environment, as well as transmit diseases to animals and people. Hunters are particularly vulnerable to zoonotic disease risks when harvesting wild...
Single-Frequency Method for Computing Seismic Earth Pressures

Seismic earth pressures computed using an elastodynamic Winkler solution that considers soil–structure interaction effects were recently developed by the authors using two different analysis approaches: a frequency-domain method in which ground motion time series are utilized to represent seismic demand and a single-frequency solution in which the ground motion is modeled using a single representative surface displacement and frequency. This paper provides guidance on selection of appropriate surface displacement and frequency for the single-frequency method to provide reasonable agreement with the frequency-domain solution. Suites of frequency-domains solutions are first performed, and peak seismic increment earth pressure resultants are computed. Single-frequency solutions are then performed by setting the frequency to the inverse of the mean period of the ground motion and selecting the surface displacement amplitude required to match the seismic increment resultant from the frequency-domain solution. Regression equations are provided to define the surface displacement amplitude as a function of peak ground velocity and mean frequency.
Evaluating the Impact of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience on Student Pharmacist Metacognition.

Objective. The objective of this study was to assess factors impacting metacognition during the advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) year for student pharmacists at five different institutions. Methods. Student pharmacists completed a pre- and post-APPE year survey, which collected data on demographics, curricular and co-curricular experiences, and the 19-item modified metacognition assessment inventory (MAI). Additionally, the post-APPE survey collected data on learning activities completed during the APPE year. Matched survey responses were analyzed using paired t-tests and Spearman’s correlation to identify associations between change in MAI and individual experiences. Results. A total of 139 matched responses were analyzed. A statistically significant improvement in overall student pharmacist metacognition was seen in matched pre- versus post-APPE surveys. Several statistically significant, moderate to weak correlations were associated with a change in MAI over the APPE year. Conclusion. The APPE year resulted in a statistically significant change in student pharmacists’ metacognition at five institutions. This improvement was multifactorial as individual factors had minimal association with the change in metacognition.
Teledermatology in the Control of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) include a group of about 20 illnesses that have garnered relatively little attention, despite their ability to inflict significant suffering and disability. Skin neglected tropical diseases (sNTDs) are a subset of NTDs that present with cutaneous manifestations and are well known for their ability to generate stigma and promote poverty. Teledermatology (TD) represents a potential method to control sNTDs. Objective: We sought to analyze the potential for TD to ease the burden of sNTDs. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search using the Texas Medical Center Library One Search, which scans 167 databases, including Embase, PubMed, and Scopus. We included all original investigations published after 2011 that assessed the impact of TD intervention in the control of one or more sNTDs. We excluded studies not written in English and studies that did not perform any outcome analyses. Results: 20 studies met our search criteria, and 18 expressed positive attitudes towards TD. Overall, we found that TD may be a sustainable, cost-effective strategy for expanding access to care for individuals afflicted with sNTDs. However, poor image quality, lack of access to further diagnostic tests, and ethical, legal, and cultural issues pose as barriers to TD utilization. Conclusion: TD may be helpful in achieving control of sNTDs but has its limitations. An integrated approach, which employs TD in conjunction with other strategies, represents a realistic path for alleviating sNTDs.
Improving epigenetic clock performance and interpretation with deep learning

Several age predictors based on DNA methylation, dubbed epigenetic clocks, have been created in recent years, with the vast majority based on regularized linear regression. This study explores the improvement in the performance and interpretation of epigenetic clocks using deep learning. First, we gathered 143 publicly available data sets from several human tissues to develop AltumAge, a neural network framework that is a highly accurate and precise age predictor. Compared to ElasticNet, AltumAge performs better for within-data set and cross-data set age prediction, being particularly more generalizable in older ages and new tissue types. We then used deep learning interpretation methods to learn which methylation sites contributed to the final model predictions. We observe that while most important CpG sites are linearly related to age, some highly-interacting CpG sites can influence the relevance of such relationships. Using chromatin annotations, we show that the CpG sites with the highest contribution to the model predictions were related to gene regulatory regions in the genome, including proximity to CTCF binding sites. We also found age-related KEGG pathways for genes containing these CpG sites. Lastly, we compared the age acceleration of AltumAge with Horvath’s model, showing that our neural network approach predicts higher age acceleration for tumors and for cells that exhibit age-related changes in vitro, such as replicative senescence and mitochondrial dysfunction. Altogether, our neural network approach provides significant improvement and flexibility to current epigenetic clocks for both performance and model interpretability.
Mice expressing HLA-DQ6α8β transgenes develop polychondritis spontaneously

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a human autoimmune disease of unknown etiology in which cartilaginous sites are destroyed by cyclic inflammatory episodes beginning, most commonly, during the fourth or fifth decade of life. We have previously described collagen-induced polychondritis that closely mirrors RP occurring in young (6–8 weeks old) HLA-DQ6αβ8αβ transgenic Aβ0 mice, following immunization with heterologous type II collagen (CII).
Lysis by RNK-16 cytotoxic lymphocyte granules. Rate assays and conditions to study control of cytolysis.

Abstract Dense subcellular granules of cytolytic lymphocytes can mediate rapid lysis of erythrocytes or nucleated cells. The granules contain several different proteases and proteoglycans that regulate cytolysis. We describe a rate assay that we have already used to demonstrate the requirement for serine proteases in granule-mediated lysis. In this assay, 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes are lysed by limiting concentrations of granules from RNK-16 tumor cells. Cytolysis is initiated by the addition of calcium (1 mM final concentration) and stopped at 0.5–1 min intervals by acidification to pH 6.0. The effects of the granule protein concentration, temperature, the concentration of erythrocytes, pH, and the concentration of calcium on the rate of lysis are reported. A preliminary mathematical approach is described and suggested as a means to differentiate ‘lag’ or activation times from the initial burst of lysis. With this rate assay, we have found four classes of protease inhibitors that block granule-mediated lysis (Hudig et al. (1987) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 149, 882). The utility of the rate assays is underscored by the observation that reversible protease inhibitors only showed rates of cytolysis whereas irreversible protease inhibitors stopped cytolysis completely. Rate assays are essential for future analyses of the complex physiological regulation of granule-mediated cytotoxicity by proteases, endogenous protease inhibitors and proteoglycans.
Anatomy of a Genetic Algorithm

This chapter contains sections titled: Creating an Initial Population Evaluating Fitness Natural Selection Mate Selection Generating Offspring Mutation Terminating the Run
Thermometry and thermal management of carbon nanotube circuits

Monitoring of the intrinsic temperature and the thermal management is discussed for the carbon nanotube nano-circuits. The experimental results concerning fabricating and testing of a thermometer able to monitor the intrinsic temperature on nanoscale are reported. We also suggest a model which describes a bi-metal multilayer system able to filter the heat flow, based on separating the electron and phonon components one from another. The bi-metal multilayer structure minimizes the phonon component of the heat flow, while retaining the electronic part. The method allows one to improve the overall performance of the electronic nano-circuits due to minimizing the energy dissipation.
Ultra-Low Power Wireless Technologies for Sensor Networks

Ultra-Low Power Wireless Technologies for Sensor Networks is written for academic and professional researchers designing communication systems for pervasive and low power applications. The main emphasis of the book is on design techniques for low power, highly integrated transceivers. Instead of presenting a single design perspective, this book presents the design philosophies from three diverse research groups, providing three completely different strategies for achieving similar goals. The following transceiver styles are represented: MEMS-assisted super-regenerative transceiver architecture, Ultra-wideband transceiver architecture, Low-IF CMOS transceiver architecture. The design of RF transceiver circuits and architectures is historically (and notoriously) heuristic. By presenting diverse perspectives on transceiver design, Ultra-Low Power Wireless Technologies for Sensor Networks prepares the reader for the countless design decisions they will be making in their own designs. Ultra-Low Power Wireless Technologies for Sensor Networks also includes invited chapters: "Ultra-Low Power Radio in a Package Using Ultra-Wideband Technology" by Julien Ryckaert and Steven Sanders from Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre and "Low Energy Wireless Communication" by Ben Cook and Kris Pister from the University of California, Berkeley.
Analyzing the Impact of Promotions on Manufacturer and Retailer Performance

Abstract Promotional strategies used by manufacturers (or retailers) influence not only their own outcomes, but also the outcomes of retailers (or manufacturers). As cooperation of both the parties is needed for successful implementation of promotional strategies, the promotions used by either party should provide outcomes that are positive for the other party. The authors propose a framework for examining (1) the effect of promotional strategies on both manufacturer and retailer profitability and (2) which of two promotional strategies (retail price cut or coupon promotion) yields greater total profitability to achieve an exogenously given sales level. The proposed framework also helps in identifying conditions when conflict is likely to occur between manufacturer and retailer, and suggests a cooperative strategy to resolve the conflict.
Subject domain restriction and reference-tracking

This paper addresses a question: How does reference-tracking work with non-referential items? Specifically, it explores switch-reference, which typically tracks subjects, in the endangered Kiowa language (of Oklahoma). In it, I propose that switch-reference does not track reference of subjects at all; instead, it tracks the domain restricting resource situation of the subject. This proposal explains a wide variety of switch-reference facts in Kiowa, and the paper brings to light new data that elucidates our understanding of this reference-tracking phenomenon, and perhaps others like it.
Circuit theoretic approaches to determining software complexity

New methodologies for complexity of software engineering systems are proposed. The new methodologies proposed in this paper are based on the classical approach of McCabe [1976], Halstead [1977], and Ramamurthy and Melton [1988]. In this new method, the McCabe method (based on graph theoretic loops) is modified to take into account the effect of the number of operators and operands. Comparison results for the four methodologies based on different programs are presented. In this paper, a combination of McCabe's and Halstead's methods similar to Ramamurthy and Melton is developed. >
On Sign Distribution in Relatively Convergent Series

We study conditions of convergence of series with alternating signs. This problem has already attracted attention of many authors; among the most prominent let us mention Cesaro who first discovered even distributionof positive and negative terms in such series. This observation has been rediscovered and reproved by many authors. One of the goals of this paper is to show that Cesaro's result is indeed the best possible. In order to achieve this we introduce several quite sophisticated constructions of series with desired properties. The other goal is to get an interesting generalization of Cesaro's result by introducing the notion of logarithmic density (and then further generalizing it).
Review: Leah Vande Berg & Nick Trujillo (2008). Cancer and Death: A Love Story in Two Voices

ancer and Death is a co-constructed narrative of autoethnography that explores the experiences of a couple as one of them slowly dies from cancer. The book focuses on narrative voices and emotions rather than getting bogged down in discussions of theory and methodology regarding the broader sociological implications of health care and cancer that some accounts employ. Without the academic frame, is this book a scholarly text or a literary memoir? The intent of this account is health communication in the social sciences, although the question arises: Is such a text actually science or is it literary memoir? I open the debate in this review. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs090333
Research on Colombian medicinal plants: roles and resources for plant taxonomists

Colombia has one of the richest floras of any country on earth. It has a large topographic range and varied climatic regimes, and is rich in endemic species (GENTRY, 1983). Many areas of the country have been poorly collected; nevertheless, SCHULTES (1951) estimates that 50.000 species of phanerogams grow in Colombia. PRANCE (1977) cites the lower figure of 45.000, and other workers have speculated that the diversity is even lower (GENTRY, 1978). Because the study of the flora of Colombia is not yet complete it is impossible to give an accurate figure for the number of plant species occurring in the country. It is certain, however, that Colombia is tremendously rich floristically, including in its flora perhaps as much as 50% of all the flowering plant species in the Neotropics (PRANCE, 1977).
P03-338 - Validation of a liability syndrome for schizophrenia (‘schizotaxia’) and effects of low dose risperidone on neurocognitive, clinical and social functioning: results from the Changsha study

Introduction The Changsha study identifies adult, non-psychotic relatives of patients with schizophrenia who show deficits in neurocognitive, social, clinical and other dimensions, and who meet proposed diagnostic criteria for a liability syndrome for schizophrenia (’schizotaxia’). Objectives To define and validate schizotaxia. Aims To develop and validate diagnostic criteria for schizoaxia, and to reduce its symptoms using risperidone. Methods We investigated whether a low dose (2.0 mg) of risperidone, a second generation antipsychotic medication, could attenuate negative symptoms, neurocognitive deficits, and other measures of clinical and social function in subjects who met our research criteria for schizotaxia. One hundred eighty nine relatives were assessed at the Mental Health Institute, Second Xiangya Hospital, in Changsha, China. Eighty six of these individuals met criteria for schizotaxia, and 36 agreed to enter a 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled protocol. Results ANCOVAs using age and gender as covariates showed significant improvement in the risperidone group (n = 20) on neurocognitive function (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test Total Errors and Perseverative Errors) and on a self-report measure of social function (Social Adjustment Scale), compared to the placebo-control group (n = 16). Effect sizes were small to medium. Notably, risperidone effect sizes were larger (medium to large) in a subset of subjects (risperidone = 15; placebo = 10) whose membership in the schizotaxic group was confirmed by cluster analysis. Conclusions The results are generally consistent with previous open-label investigations of risperidone administration in subjects with schizotaxia, and provide evidence that significant neurocognitive and clinical problems are amenable to remediation in non-psychotic relatives of people with schizophrenia.
A new heuristic method for mixed model assembly line balancing problem

The goal chasing method is a popular algorithm in JIT system for the mixed model assembly line balancing problem. It is simple and easy to implement, but it is a very greedy algorithm and uses up 'good' parts in the early sequence so that the whole performance of the solution is influenced. In this paper, we provide the definition of good parts and good remaining sequence and analyze their relationship with the optimal solution's objective function value. We develop a new heuristic algorithm called 'variance algorithm' the numerical experiments show that the new algorithm can yield better solution with little more computation overhead.
Reliability and Validity of an Interactive Computer Method for Rating Quality of Life

Objective. The purpose of this study was to describe the reliability and validity of an interac- tive computer method that assesses the quality of life of patients in chronic pain and healthy individuals. Methods. A software program to assess 21 aspects of quality of life was administered to 88 pain patients on two occasions separated by an average of 30 days. Comparison data were obtained from 105 healthy individuals retested after an average of 16 days. Results. For both groups, moderate test-retest correlations occurred for mean ratings based on an aggregation of data for all variables, single global ratings, and single ratings of individual variables. Patients in chronic pain scored significantly lower on all quality of life variables than did healthy individuals. High correlations were obtained between mean ratings from the present study and those from an earlier investigation using the same method. Conclusions. The interactive computer method is both reliable and valid as a means to assess quality of life for patients in chronic pain as well as for healthy individuals.