cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel Link Between Inflammation, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Muscle Insulin Resistance

In response to development of the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique in the 1980s, much emphasis was placed on skeletal muscle as the major site of insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes (1). Following the discovery of the insulin receptor (IR) tyrosine kinase activity by Ron Kahn and colleagues (2) and the importance of IR substrate molecules in the 1990s (3,4), attention was directed on intrinsic alterations in the insulin signaling cascade in skeletal muscle and liver as fundamental causes of insulin resistance. In 1996, I joined Ron Kahn's laboratory as a participant in the gold rush to discover novel mechanisms responsible for insulin resistance. It was a time of intellectual and scientific awakening. With the advent of the Cre/loxP system, came the first surprise: muscle-specific IR knockout (MIRKO) mice showed no alterations in glucose homeostasis. Rather, they developed visceral adiposity (5). MIRKO mice exhibited impaired insulin activation of muscle glycogen synthase resulting in decreased muscle glycogen content (6,7). MIRKO mice also displayed reduced insulin-stimulated muscle glucose uptake during the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp (6). However, under physiological conditions of a glucose tolerance test, MIRKO mice had near normal skeletal muscle glucose uptake and did not display insulin resistance (7). Conversely, disruption of insulin action in the hepatocyte-specific IR knockout mouse produced severe resistance to the blood glucose–lowering effect of insulin (8). Together with the MIRKO, the hepatocyte-specific IR knockout mouse demonstrated …
Wnt-4 is a mesenchymal signal for epithelial transformation of metanephric mesenchyme in the developing kidney

Development of the mammalian kidney is initiated by ingrowth of the ureteric bud into the metanephric blastema. In response to signal(s) from the ureter, mesenchymal cells condense, aggregate into pretubular clusters, and undergo epithelialisation to form simple epithelial tubules. Subsequent morphogenesis and differentiation of the tubular epithelium lead to the establishment of a functional nephron. Here we demonstrate that Wnt-4, a secreted glycoprotein which is required for tubule formation, is sufficient to trigger tubulogenesis in isolated metanephric mesenchyme, whereas Wnt-11 which is expressed in the tip of the growing ureter is not. Wnt-4 signaling depends on cell contact and sulphated glycosaminoglycans and is only required for triggering tubulogenesis but not for later events. The Wnt-4 signal can be replaced by other members of the Wnt gene family including Wnt-1, Wnt-3a, Wnt-7a and Wnt-7b. Further, dorsal spinal cord, which has been thought to mimic ureteric signaling in tubule induction induces Wnt-4 mutant as well as wild-type mesenchyme suggesting that spinal cord derived signal(s) most likely act by mimicking the normal mesenchymal action of Wnt-4. These results lend additional support to the notion that Wnt-4 is a key auto-regulator of the mesenchymal to epithelial transformation that underpins nephrogenesis adding another level of complexity in the hierarchy of molecular events mediating tubulogenesis.
Structural evolution, formation pathways and energetic controls during template-directed nucleation of CaCO3

Through the process of biomineralization living organisms use macromolecules to direct nucleation and growth of nanophases of a variety of inorganic materials. Evidence shows this is a widespread strategy for controlling the timing, polymorphism, morphology, and crystallographic orientation of CaCO3 nuclei. In the past decade, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols have been used as a simple model to reproduce the controls of organic substrates. However, despite the importance of nucleation phenomena in the crystallization of inorganic materials our understanding of the reaction dynamics is extremely limited because, until recently, there was no experimental tool that possessed the spatial and temporal resolution needed to capture the formative events in the process. Issues such as the formation of amorphous precursors, and polymorph selection during the initial stages of nucleation, as well as the structural relationships and energetic controls of the inorganic matrix on the emerging nucleus have not been fully explored. To address these gaps in our understanding we have developed a suite of in situ methods and applied them, along with synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopies, to CaCO3 nucleation. We used these methods to observe CaCO3 nucleation rates on alkanethiol SAMs. We found that for two carboxyl-terminated alkanethiol SAMs with odd (mercaptoundecanoic acid) and even (mercaptohexadecanoic acid) carbon chains, the effective interfacial energy is reduced from about 109 mJ m−2 in solution to 81 mJ m−2 and 72 mJ m−2, respectively, showing that templating is driven by a reduction in the thermodynamic barrier to nucleation. We also report in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of crystal nucleation and growth in solution at the nanometre scale and video rates. This capability is enabled by the combination of a custom designed TEM stage and fluid cell. Significantly, the design of the cell and holder ensures temperature and electrochemical control over the reaction environment, allowing for direct investigation of nucleation. Our first results show that CaCO3 nucleates via nanoparticles of an apparent metastable precursor— most likely ACC—followed by consolidation and faceting. Finally, we report insights from the use of synchrotron-based near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) into the evolution of the SAM during the nucleation process. Based on measurements of SAM monomer orientation, we argue that the ability of the SAM to reorganize during the nucleation process is a key feature of an organic matrix that successfully directs mineralization.
Robust analysis of future climate change impacts on water for agriculture and other sectors: a case study in the Sacramento Valley

As part of the 2006 Climate Change Report to Governor Schwarzenegger and the California Legislature, an application of the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system in the Sacramento River Basin was deployed to look at the impact of climate change on agricultural water management and the potential for adaptation. The WEAP system includes a dynamically integrated rainfall runoff hydrology module that generates the components of the hydrologic cycle from input climate time series. This allows for direct simulation of water management responses to climate change without resorting to perturbations of historically observed hydrologic conditions. In the Sacramento River Basin, the four climate time series adopted for the 2006 Climate Change Report were used to simulate agricultural water management without any adaptation and with adaptation in terms of improvements in irrigation efficiency and shifts in cropping patterns during dry periods. These adaptations resulted in lower overall water demands in the agricultural sector, to levels observed during the recent past, and associated reductions in groundwater pumping and increases in surface water allocations to other water use sectors.
Electron microscopy of rejected human liver allografts

Recognition by biopsy of liver allograft rejection has been less successful than diagnosis of rejection of cardiac and kidney allografts. In a study of 138 failed liver allografts, we recognized damage to small interlobular bile ducts by lymphocytes as the most useful indicator of the presence of rejection. This is a report of the electron microscopic features of three patients with unequivocal allograft rejection. Lymphocytes and occasional granulocytes penetrated the epithelia of interlobular bile ducts. Ducts with diameters of 30 to 60 μM were preferentially affected but ducts up to 120 μM were also occasionally involved. Point contacts between infiltrating inflammatory cells and bile duct epithelial cells were observed occasionally. Degenerative changes of bile duct epithelial cells were conspicuous and involved nuclei and cellular organelles. Degeneration was often accompanied by aggregation of dense bundles of filaments in the cytoplasm. In severely affected ducts, epithelial cell disintegration was noted. In all involved bile ducts, the basement membrane was markedly thickened. Hepatocytes were well-preserved but contained lipid vacuoles, pigment granules, and blunted canalicular microvilli. The similarity between these observations and those seen in primary biliary cirrhosis and chronic graft-versus-host disease is striking.
Age-Related Differences in Locomotor Targeting Performance Under Structural Interference

Objective: to determine if there are age-related differences in locomotor targeting (LT) performance and step length (SL) regulatory behaviour under structural interference. Methods: forty older (n = 20, mean age = 77.9) and younger (n = 20, mean age = 25.2) participants walked 11.6 m while stepping on a target positioned at the 9.5 m point. Participants completed seven trials under each of three conditions, including the control (C) (no structural interference), low structural interference (L) and high structural interference (H). The structural interference conditions required participants to engage in LT while simultaneously verbally identifying letters that were visually presented on one of two monitors. One monitor was located near the target (low interference), while the other monitor was elevated to require participants to direct their gaze further away from the target to identify a letter (high interference). Outcome measures included LT error, SL, SL variability and the distribution of SL adjustment. Results: structural interference had a detrimental effect on the LT accuracy of the older group (2.75 cm mean increase in absolute error) but not on the younger group (1.05 cm mean increase in absolute error), even though the interference caused the older group alone to adopt a more conservative gait pattern involving shorter SLs. The older participants exhibited shorter mean SL with each increase in structural interference (conditions C vs. L, P = 0.004; conditions L vs. H, P = 0.050), whereas the younger participants’ mean SL did not differ across conditions. The manner in which older and younger participants distributed SL adjustment across the steps in advance of the target did not differ. Conclusions: the results confirmed that LT demands more attention from older adults than it does from younger adults, and revealed that a consequence of this age difference is a decline in LT accuracy among older adults. The study implicates age-related impaired visual attention switching as a potential source of impaired walking performance among older adults.
New Selachian Paleofaunas from “Fluvial” Deposits of the Ferris and Lower Hanna Formations (Maastrichtian– Selandian: 66–58 Ma), Southern Wyoming

Abstract Historically, sandy paleochannel deposits of the 2,000 m- thick Ferris (Maastrichtian–Danian: 66–62 Ma) and overlying 3,000 m-thick Hanna Formation (Danian–Thanetian: 62–55 Ma) in southern Wyoming's Hanna and Carbon basins have been interpreted as fluvial channel fills. New selachian paleofaunas from both formations are concentrated in stratigraphic intervals that also exhibit an abundance of mechanical tidal indicators and low-diversity marine ichnofossil assemblages (indicating brackish-water). Their presence in these two continental formations supports the reinterpretation of some sandy paleochannel deposits and shaly intervals as brackish-water estuaries, tidally influenced distributary channels, and interdistributary bays. Cederstroemia and Cretorectolobus are reported for the first time from Maastrichtian deposits (they previously have been documented only from Campanian and older strata). A new species of dasyatid is preserved in the middle Ferris Formation (earliest Paleocene: 64 Ma) and ...
Mitigation of risk in facility layout design for single and multi-period problems

The most desirable characteristic of a facility layout is its ability to maintain its efficiency over time while coping with the uncertainty in product demand. In the traditional facility layout design method, the facility layout is governed by the flow intensity between departments, which is the product flow quantity between departments. Hence, an error in the product demand assessment can render the layout inefficient with respect to material handling costs. Most of the research integrates uncertainty in the form of probability of occurrence of different from-to charts. In an environment where the variability of each product demand is independent, the derivation of ‘probabilistic from-to chart’ based scenario cannot be used to address uncertainty of individual demands. This paper presents an FLP (facility layout problem) approach to deal with the uncertainty of each product demand in the design of a facility layout. Two procedures are presented: the first procedure is utilised to assess the risk associa...
Glycoprotein Ibα Polymorphism T145M, Elevated Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2, and Hypertriglyceridemia Predict Risk for Recurrent Coronary Events in Diabetic Postinfarction Patients

To explore altered platelet function in recurrent coronary event risk among diabetic postinfarction patients, we investigated a function-altering genetic polymorphism (T145M) in the von Willebrand factor binding region of the platelet glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) subunit. The study comprised diabetic and nondiabetic patients of the Thrombogenic Factors and Recurrent Coronary Events postinfarction study. Cox proportional hazards multivariable modeling, adjusted for significant clinical covariates, was performed using the polymorphism and metabolic, inflammatory, and thrombogenic blood markers. Nondiabetic patients demonstrated risk for elevated lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2). In contrast, diabetic patients demonstrated significant and independent risk for the M allele of the T145M polymorphism (MT plus MM versus TT, hazard ratio [HR] 3.73, 95% CI 1.90–7.33, P
Coping expectancies, not enhancement expectancies, mediate trauma experience effects on problem alcohol use: a prospective study from early childhood to adolescence

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between experiencing trauma and increased alcohol consumption has been well established. Exposure to childhood trauma has been linked to both early onset of drinking and problematic substance use. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. The results of early work suggested that drinking to relieve negative affect (i.e., drinking to cope) was driving this connection. However, the findings of more recent work suggest that drinking might be used to enhance positive affect as a way of addressing the aftereffects of early trauma. The current study looked at these two drinking expectancies as indirect pathways between the experience in early childhood of living in a home with parental violence and peak alcohol use in emerging adulthood. METHOD: Participants were 1,064 children and their parents involved in a longitudinal community study of children at high risk for the development of alcoholism and a community contrast group of those at lower risk. Baseline assessment was at age 3-5 years, self-reports of internalizing behavior and drinking expectancies were obtained at age 12-14, and drinking measures were assessed at age 18-20. RESULTS: Results indicated that coping expectancy was a mediator of the relationship between early childhood trauma and later peak alcohol use, whereas enhancement expectancy was not. CONCLUSIONS: Children living in homes with parental violence were more likely to develop ineffective coping strategies, such as using alcohol to decrease negative affect. These results support the self-medication theory. They also demonstrate the long-term effects of early life experience on drinking behavior in early adulthood. Language: en
Differentiation of the bacterial cell division site

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the differentiation of the bacterial cell division site. The division site has a developmental history in which the stages of genesis, maturation, and localization, and ultimate fate are considered. The chapter describes the evidence obtained from several disciplines: genetics, microscopy, and biochemistry. In most bacterial species, cell division occurs by the ingrowth of a division septum at the midpoint of the cell. This process is under strict topological and temporal control. The chapter discusses the problem in subcellular differentiation, in which a complex structure is constructed at a specific location in the cell in a process that must be coordinated with a variety of other cellular events, most notably with chromosome replication and segregation. The chapter describes the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell division and the aspects of bacterial cell envelope organization and chromosomal replication that are relevant to division process. Significant advances have been made in defining the Escherichia coli cell division process. The combined application of genetics with other techniques to study cell division in this organism is emphasized.
Planning for co-existence

Many institutions offer Management Information Systems (MIS) programs from their Schools of Business. Similarly, Computer Science Departments in the Schools of Liberal Arts and Sciences offer both Computer Information Systems (CIS) and the traditional Computer Science (CPSC) major. How similar are MIS and CIS? What distinguishes them? Can both programs be offered without robbing majors from each other? Two instructors at The University of Mary Washington, one in Computer Science and the other in Management Information Systems, chose to explore these questions within the context of two existing courses. One course is offered by the computer science department as part of the computer information systems program that has existed for four years. The other course is offered by the College of Business as part of the business administration major, which has existed for many years. Both courses are required in their corresponding major. This paper summarizes the comparison of BUAD 152 Management Information Systems from the business administration major and CPSC 310 Computer Information Systems from the computer information systems major.
Increased Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 4 Expression in Lung Pericytes Is Associated with Reduced Endothelial-Pericyte Interactions and Small Vessel Loss in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Reduced endothelial-pericyte interactions are linked to progressive small vessel loss in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease remain poorly understood. To identify relevant gene candidates associated with aberrant pericyte behavior, we performed a transcriptome analysis of patient-derived donor control and PAH lung pericytes followed by functional genomics analysis. Compared with donor control cells, PAH pericytes had significant enrichment of genes involved in various metabolic processes, the top hit being PDK4 , a gene coding for an enzyme that suppresses mitochondrial activity in favor of glycolysis. Given reports that link reduced mitochondrial activity with increased PAH cell proliferation, we hypothesized that increased PDK4 is associated with PAH pericyte hyperproliferation and reduced endothelial-pericyte interactions. We found that PDK4 gene and protein expression was significantly elevated in PAH pericytes and correlated with reduced mitochondrial metabolism, higher rates of glycolysis, and hyperproliferation. Importantly, reducing PDK4 levels restored mitochondrial metabolism, reduced cell proliferation, and improved endothelial-pericyte interactions. To our knowledge, this is the first study that documents significant differences in gene expression between human donor control and PAH lung pericytes and the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and aberrant endothelial-pericyte interactions in PAH. Comprehensive characterization of these candidate genes could provide novel therapeutic targets to improve endothelial-pericyte interactions and prevent small vessel loss in PAH.
Airway resistances deteriorate following spirometry in asthma and COPD patients

Introduction: Spirometry is the most commonly used pulmonary function test. However, the forced expiratory manoeuvre itself may affect airway physiology. Aim: We investigated the effect of spirometry on airway impedance (resistance and reactance) as assessed by impulse oscillometry (IOS). Methods: IOS parameters were measured by IOS system (IOS, Jaeger Master Screen, Jaeger Co, Wurzburg, Germany) in 12 mild asthmatics , 10 mild COPD patients, and 12 healthy volunteers before and after spirometry for 60 minutes, including airway resistance at 5 and 20 Hz (R5, R20 respectively), airway reactance at 5 Hz (X5), dependence of resistance from 5 to 20 Hz (R5-20), resonant frequency (Fres), and low-frequency reactance area (AX). Results: Following the spirometric manoeuvre, airway resistances (R5, R20) were significantly increased in COPD and asthmatic patients (p=0.004, p=0.04 respectively). Whereas airway reactance (X5) was significantly increased in only COPD patients (p=0.009). Contrary to patients with lung disease, healthy volunteers presented a significant decrease in airway resistance immediately after spirometry (p=0.01). Conclusion: The forced expiratory manoeuvre of spirometry may increase airway resistances in COPD and asthmatic patients contrary to healthy volunteers where resistances decreased. An important practical clinical message is physicians should undertake oscillometry before spirometry.
Tit-Bits, New Journalism, and early Sherlock Holmes fandom

The Strand 's more popular sister magazine, Tit-Bits, played a significant role in establishing Sherlock Holmes as a literary and cultural icon, particularly through its use of participatory practices, cross-promotion, and transmedia storytelling. I argue that Tit-Bits ' late 19th-century New Journalism techniques like contests and prizes, inquiry columns, correspondence, and internal advertising fostered a corporately devised participatory fandom that directly contributed to Sherlock Holmes's popularity. Tit-Bits audiences were invited and encouraged to imagine new scenarios for their favorite character that were validated through publication. Such practices not only created a unique identity for Sherlock Holmes fandom but also directly contributed to the creation and maintenance of Holmes's fictional world. With fandom studies reaching more and more audiences—both academic and popular—historicizing early fan practices like the early publication and reception of the Sherlock Holmes stories provides important insight into how audiences have historically responded to, and interacted with, fictional characters, and how they helped sustain and expand those characters' fictional worlds.
Acceleration of diabetic wound healing with adipose-derived stem cells, endothelial-differentiated stem cells, and topical conditioned medium therapy in a swine model.

Abstract Objective The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), endothelial-differentiated ASCs (EC/ASCs), and various conditioned media (CM) on wound healing in a diabetic swine model. We hypothesized that ASC-based therapies would accelerate wound healing. Methods Diabetes was induced in four Yorkshire swine through intravenous injection of streptozotocin. ASCs were harvested from flank fat and cultured in either M199 or EGM-2 medium. A duplicate series of seven full-thickness dorsal wounds were surgically created on each swine. The wounds in the cellular treatment group underwent injection of low-dose or high-dose ASCs or EC/ASCs on day 0, with a repeat injection of one half of the initial dose on day 15. Wounds assigned to the topical CM therapy were covered with 2 mL of either serum-free M199 primed by ASCs or human umbilical vein endothelial cells every 3 days. Wounds were assessed at day 0, 10, 15, 20, and 28. The swine were sacrificed on day 28. ImageJ software was used to evaluate the percentage of wound healing. The wounded skin underwent histologic, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay examinations to evaluate markers of angiogenesis and inflammation. Results We found an increase in the percentage of wound closure rates in cell-based treatments and topical therapies at various points compared with the untreated control wounds (P Conclusions Cellular therapy with ASCs, EC/ASCs, and topical CM accelerated diabetic wound healing in the swine model. Enhanced angiogenesis and immunomodulation might be key contributors to this process.
Myology of the forelimb of Majungasaurus crenatissimus (Theropoda, Abelisauridae) and the morphological consequences of extreme limb reduction

Forelimb reduction occurred independently in multiple lineages of theropod dinosaurs. Although tyrannosaurs are renowned for their tiny, two-fingered forelimbs, the degree of their reduction in length is surpassed by abelisaurids, which possess an unusual morphology distinct from that of other theropods. The forelimbs of abelisaurids are short but robust and exhibit numerous crests, tubercles, and scars that allow for inferences of muscle attachment sites. Phylogenetically based reconstructions of the musculature were used in combination with close examination of the osteology in the Malagasy abelisaurid Majungasaurus to create detailed muscle maps of the forelimbs, and patterns of the muscular and bony morphology were compared with those of extant tetrapods with reduced or vestigial limbs. The lever arms of muscles crossing the glenohumeral joint are shortened relative to the basal condition, reducing the torque of these muscles but increasing the excursion of the humerus. Fusion of the antebrachial muscles into a set of flexors and extensors is common in other tetrapods and occurred to some extent in Majungasaurus. However, the presence of tubercles on the antebrachial and manual elements of abelisaurids indicates that many of the individual distal muscles acting on the wrist and digits were retained. Majungasaurus shows some signs of the advanced stages of forelimb reduction preceding limb loss, while also exhibiting features suggesting that the forelimb was not completely functionless. The conformation of abelisaurid forelimb musculature was unique among theropods and further emphasizes the unusual morphology of the forelimbs in this clade.
“Students at the Margins”: Student Affairs Administrators Creating Inclusive Campuses for LGBTQ Students in the South

Activism by student affairs administrators can provide powerful methods for change within higher education for LGBTQ students. Though the LGBTQ community has experienced improvements in campus climates, marginalizing policies for members of that community are still prevalent in higher education. Using the tempered radicals theory to guide this narrative study, we explored how student affairs administrators engaged in advocacy, used educational programs, and worked for policy changes to create more inclusive campuses in the South.
Intrajudge and Interjudge Reliability of the Stuttering Severity Instrument-Fourth Edition.

Purpose The Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI) is a tool used to measure the severity of stuttering. Previous versions of the instrument have known limitations (e.g., Lewis, 1995). The present st...
Postsynthetic Modification of Bacterial Peptidoglycan Using Bioorthogonal N-Acetylcysteamine Analogs and Peptidoglycan O-Acetyltransferase B

Bacteria have the natural ability to install protective postsynthetic modifications onto its bacterial peptidoglycan (PG), the coat woven into bacterial cell wall. Peptidoglycan O-acetyltransferase B (PatB) catalyzes the O-acetylation of PG in Gram (−) bacteria, which aids in bacterial survival, as it prevents autolysins such as lysozyme from cleaving the PG. We explored the mechanistic details of PatB’s acetylation function and determined that PatB has substrate specificity for bioorthgonal short N-acetyl cysteamine (SNAc) donors. A variety of functionality including azides and alkynes were installed on tri-N-acetylglucosamine (NAG)3, a PG mimic, as well as PG isolated from various Gram (+) and Gram (−) bacterial species. The bioorthogonal modifications protect the isolated PG against lysozyme degradation in vitro. We further demonstrate that this postsynthetic modification of PG can be extended to use click chemistry to fluorescently label the mature PG in whole bacterial cells of Bacillus subtilis. Mod...
Enhancing Program Delivery

As the AIDS pandemic escalated, it was essential that the global community had a leader to coordinate and direct its response, and the Global Programme on AIDS (GPA) was pivotal in this role. As its new Director, Michael Merson made essential organizational changes within GPA to improve the Program’s performance and increase donor confidence in GPA’s leadership. This chapter describes how GPA strengthened the global response by: containing the global spread of HIV; reviewing and enhancing the performance of national programs; addressing human rights; and improving coordination. We detail how Merson navigated the internal politics of the World Health Organization (WHO), as he undertook to shift more responsibility from GPA in WHO headquarters to the WHO regional offices. This chapter also covers GPA’s efforts to continue a close partnership with non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups.
Sarbin’s Way: Markers on a Long Career Pathway in Psychology

It is easy to define the end of Ted Sarbin’s career in psychology—for he was an active voice in his profession until he died. It is not so easy to say with precision when his career in psychology began. Was it when Frank Stanton picked him out of his introductory psychology course in 1933? Was it his first-listed publication—a film on the pecking behavior of chicks (Sarbin, 1937)? Was it 1939, when he first joined the American Psychological Association (APA)? Or 1941, when he received his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University? The precise date hardly matters. The point to note is that the young Ted Sarbin took to psychology early in his adult life and stayed with it with notable passion until the end. The pathway he traced in his psychological career was not a straight line, and along the way were some formidable obstacles as well as exciting adventures. Like his fictional hero, Don Quixote, his journey in psychology was animated by a rich imagination—with the courage to confront and challenge the windmills of the conventional psychological world.
Suicide Among Youth of Middle Eastern Origin

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among youth worldwide. Its prevalence has been increasing recently in Middle Eastern countries and those recently immigrating from the Middle East (ME), especially among young females. Despite the high correlation between suicide and mental illness, especially depression, there has been a dearth of research on adolescent mental health in immigrants from the ME.
Energy Conversion Efficiency of a Piezo-Thermoelectric Material

This work presents a set of one-dimensional piezo-thermoelectricity equations for semiconductors exhibiting both piezoelectric and thermoelectric effects. Diffusion current due to the carrier concentration gradient is considered in the piezo-thermoelectricity theory. The coupled equations satisfied by the temperature, carrier concentration, and mechanical displacement are derived. The theory is subsequently applied to a thin film of a zinc oxide (ZnO) piezo-thermoelectric material subjected to a steady state temperature gradient in the thickness direction and fixed-end boundary conditions. The numerical results show that the energy conversion efficiency may be significantly increased by the coupling between the thermoelectric and piezoelectric effects.
Patient and provider perspectives on adherence to and care coordination of lynch syndrome surveillance recommendations: findings from qualitative interviews

Patients with a genetic variant associated with Lynch syndrome (LS) are recommended to undergo frequent and repeated cancer surveillance activities to minimize cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Little is known about how patients and primary care providers (PCPs) track and manage these recommendations. We conducted a small exploratory study of patient and PCP experiences with recommended LS surveillance activities and communication with family members in an integrated health care system. We used in-depth interviews with patients and providers to understand how surveillance is coordinated and monitored following confirmation of LS. We recruited patients with a range of ages/gender, and providers with at least at least one patient with a molecular diagnosis of LS. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and content analyzed by a trained qualitative methodologist. Twenty-two interviews were completed with 12 patients and 10 providers. Most patients (10) had detailed knowledge of surveillance recommendations, but were less sure of time intervals. While all patients reported receiving initial education about their surveillance recommendations from a genetic counselor, seven did not follow-up with a genetic counselor in subsequent years. A third of patients described taking sole responsibility for managing their LS surveillance care. Lack of routine communication from the health system (e.g., prompts for surveillance activities), and provider engagement were surveillance barriers. PCPs were generally aware of LS, but had limited familiarity with surveillance recommendations. Most PCPs (7) viewed LS as rare and relied on patient and specialist expertise and support. Providers typically had 1 patient with LS in a panel of 1800 patients overall. Providers felt strongly that management of LS should be coordinated by a dedicated team of specialists. Most patients (92%) had at least one family member that sought LS testing, and common barriers for family members included lack of insurance, affordability, and fear of result. The maximal benefits of screening for confirmation of LS will only be realized with adherence to recommended preventive care. Important factors to ensure patients receive recommended LS care include a comprehensive and coordinated monitoring program that includes reminder prompts, and increased PCP education of LS and associated surveillance recommendations.
Alpha-synuclein delays mitophagy and targeting Miro rescues neuron loss in Parkinson's models.

Alpha-synuclein is a component of Lewy bodies, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and is also mutated in familial PD. Here, by extensively analyzing PD patient brains and neurons, and fly models, we show that alpha-synuclein accumulation results in upregulation of Miro protein levels. Miro is a motor/adaptor on the outer mitochondrial membrane that mediates mitochondrial motility, and is removed from damaged mitochondria to facilitate mitochondrial clearance via mitophagy. PD patient neurons abnormally accumulate Miro on the mitochondrial surface leading to delayed mitophagy. Partial reduction of Miro rescues mitophagy phenotypes and neurodegeneration in human neurons and flies. Upregulation of Miro by alpha-synuclein requires an interaction via the N-terminus of alpha-synuclein. Our results highlight the importance of mitochondria-associated alpha-synuclein in human disease, and present Miro as a novel therapeutic target.
Fault Detection and Design For Testability of CMOS Logic Circuits

Advances in integrated circuit technologies have made complementary MOS (CMOS) the preferred MOS technology for digital logic circuits. Cost effective design and fabrication of reliable CMOS VLSI chips require understanding of various CMOS technologies, logic families, failure modes, fault detection methods and design for testability methods. In this paper we will review some of the basic methods and issues related to the design and fault detection of CMOS logic circuits.
Discussion: Metachromatic leukodystrophy, an unusual case with a subtle cerebroside sulfatase defect.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a case of metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) with a subtle cerebroside sulfatase defect. A mentally retarded patient with neuropathy of undetermined etiology showed a deficiency of arylsulfatase A in leukocytes typical of MLD. Urinary enzyme level was also greatly depressed and the urine contained metachromatic granules, which yielded lipids cochromatographing with cerebroside sulfate. The patient presented with the biochemical benchmarks of sulfatide lipidosis, although there were clinical inconsistencies. Neuropathy and myopathy had been evident from infancy. Development was slow and childhood years were stormy because of emotional disturbances. However, the patient remained unchanged neurologically for many years and there was no evidence of progressive degeneration. The arylsulfatase A of this variant form of MLD represents the first mutant enzyme of this disorder amenable for studies of the defect at the molecular level.
Vents at higher frequency

The oceanic hydrothermal vents found along mid-ocean ridges continue Indian ridge — which, according to predictions that vent frequency correlates with the spreading rate of ridges, should have a very low incidence of vents. The new study finds that incidence to be three times higher than expected.
Slow but Steady Progress in Cancer Chemoprevention with Phenethyl Isothiocyanate: Fulfilled Promises and Translational Challenges

Population-based observational studies continue to support the premise that intake of certain fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of cancer, and this association is quite persuasive for the cruciferous vegetables. Inverse association between cruciferous vegetable intake and the risk of cancer has been noted for different types of malignancies, including stomach, prostate, lung, breast, colon, and bladder cancers. Epidemiological observations in “FOLKS” have undoubtedly sparked interest among cancer biologists to conduct “FLASK”-based bench investigations to identify bioactive anticancer compounds from cruciferous vegetables as well as to determine their efficacy through “FUR”-based preclinical research in rodents. Cancer protective effect of cruciferous vegetables is partly attributed to organic isothiocyanates (ITC) with an –N = C = S functional group. Elucidation of the mechanism by which ITCs impart protection against cancer has been the topic of intense research in the past few decades. This article reviews bench-cage-bedside evidence supporting cancer chemopreventive potential of one such ITC compound, phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC). Future directions and challenges in clinical translation for PEITC are also highlighted.
A Wide-band, Cross Bow-Tie Antenna Using Microstrip Ring

A single-feed, circular polarized (CP), cross bow-tie antenna with parasitic strips and microstrip ring is proposed. Simulated antenna achieves −10-dB impedance bandwidth of 84.4% (1.60 GHz – 3.92 GHz). A 3-dB axial-ratio bandwidth is 60.4% (2.02 GHz – 3.68 GHz). Overall size of the antenna is contained within a radius of. $42\lambda$ with $\lambda$ at 2.02GHz. The average realized gain of the antenna is 5.66 dBic in the common bandwidth between −10-dB impedance bandwidth and 3-dB axial-ratio bandwidth.
Impacts of renewable hydrogen production from wind energy in electricity markets on potential hydrogen demand for light-duty vehicles

Abstract This work developed two methods to investigate the technical and economic potential of hydrogen demand and production: (1) estimating potential hydrogen demand for light-duty vehicles (LDVs) at the county-level using a first-order engineering model, and (2) quantifying temporal renewable hydrogen production from wind energy using a linear programming model. The potential hydrogen demand was primarily evaluated for three geographical regions: (1) the United States, (2) Texas, and (3) the Texas Triangle which is one of the nation’s most important mega-regions. The linear programming model compared marginal electricity and hydrogen prices to maximize revenue over the course of a year. The analysis primarily focused on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), but also included other six U.S. electricity markets for hypothetical analysis. Results show that the potential hydrogen demand for LDVs in the United States, Texas, and the Texas Triangle are 53.3, 5.3, and 3.9 billion kg per year, respectively. Using the electrolyzer system energy efficiency of 75% and the marginal hydrogen price of $4/kg, the wind energy in Texas as of 2015 could produce nearly 0.84 billion kg of hydrogen, which could supply about 22% of the potential hydrogen demand for LDVs in the Texas Triangle. When the marginal hydrogen price is low (e.g. $1/kg), it is only favorable to produce hydrogen during early morning hours, especially, 1–6 a.m., in ERCOT and other electricity markets except California’s market. These results could provide information for decision makers to better understand the holistic feasibility of a hydrogen economy in the United States.
A New Robot Fly Design That is Easier to Fabricate and Capable of Flight and Ground Locomotion

Efforts to engineer insect-sized (~100 mg) robots are motivated by their potential advantages relative to larger robots, such as greater deployment numbers at the same cost. Previous iterations have demonstrated controlled flight, but were limited in terms of locomotion capabilities outside of flight. They also consisted of many parts, making them difficult to fabricate. Here we present a re-design that lowers the center of mass, allowing the robot to additionally land without the need for long legs. Furthermore, we show that the new design allows for wing-driven ground locomotion. This is achieved by varying the speed of downstroke relative to the upstroke of the flapping wings, which also allows for steering. By landing and subsequently moving along the ground, the robot can negotiate extremely confined spaces and underneath obstacles, as well as navigate to precise locations for sensing operations. The new design also drastically reduces the number of parts, simplifying fabrication. We describe the new design in detail and present results demonstrating these capabilities, as well as feedback-stabilized flights.
Go For the Sure Thing: An Accounting Internship/Job-Seeking Discussion Case

After the choice of college and major, the next significant decision for many accounting students is an internship. Through the experience of one of our students, this discussion case provides an opportunity for others to 1) determine what job attributes are important, 2) develop expectations for an internship experience, and 3) create a decision model for job/internship acceptance. Our student Jason made a choice between Tiny CPAs and Big Regional Firm. Both firms were located ideally. The deciding factor was the likelihood of a position being available at graduation. The internship experience was adequate, but the job offer fell through
Reply to Bracher: Scoring probabilistic forecasts to maximize public health interpretability.

Evaluating probabilistic forecasts in the context of a real-time public health surveillance system is a complicated business. We agree with Bracher’s (1) observations that the scores established by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and used to evaluate our forecasts of seasonal influenza in the United States are not “proper” by definition (2). We thank him for raising this important issue. A key advantage of proper scoring is that it incentivizes forecasters to provide their best probabilistic estimates of the fundamental unit of prediction. In the case of the FluSight competition targets, the units are intervals or bins containing dates or values representing influenza-like illness (ILI) activity. A forecast assigns probabilities to each bin. During the evolution of the FluSight challenge, the organizers at CDC made a conscious decision to use a “moving window” or “multibin” score that … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: nick{at}schoolph.umass.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Perceptions of preparedness for nursing practice using a preceptorship model

Nursing graduates need to be “real world ready”, and able to meet the demands of the healthcare workforce. Research indicates that baccalaureate graduates have adequate theoretical base, but often lack competence in the clinical setting. Preceptorship programs are an effective way of developing clinical competence in the nursing student. The purpose of this study was to compare a traditional senior clinical course to a preceptorship model on students, faculty, and nurses’ perceptions of student preparedness for the nursing role. A formal preceptorship program with the support of a clinical nurse faculty member was developed to enhance the success of clinical nursing education. A quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent groups was used to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a preceptorship model for senior nursing students comparing the students’, the faculty, and the nurses’ perceptions of the students’ preparedness for clinical practice after a traditional clinical and a preceptor clinical experience. The sample consisted of the fall 2017 senior semester cohort and the spring 2018 senior semester cohort, senior faculty who taught in those semesters, and nurses at the participating facilities. Overall, findings did not show a statistically significant difference between the traditional cohorts and the precepted cohorts; however, there is evidence of clinical significance. After implementation of the preceptorship model, there was an increase in the percent of nurses (100%), faculty (100%), and students (95%) who felt that the senior nursing students were ready for the professional role of a registered nurse.
Ionic Liquid Stabilized 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidine 1-Oxyl Catalysis for Alcohol Oxidation

N-Oxyl reagents, particularly 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (TEMPO), have been extensively used for alcohol oxidations. While TEMPO-mediated oxidations are kinetically and thermodynamically ...
Pharmacist-Driven Implementation of Fast Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Improves Outcomes for Patients with Gram-Negative Bacteremia and Candidemia.

Bloodstream infections (BSI) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially when caused by Gram-negative or fungal pathogens. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of fast identification-antimicrobial susceptibility testing (ID/AST) with the Accelerate Pheno system (AXDX) from May 2018 to December 2018 on antibiotic therapy and patient outcomes. A pre-post quasiexperimental study of 200 patients (100 pre-AXDX implementation and 100 post-AXDX implementation) was conducted. The primary endpoints measured were time to first antibiotic intervention, time to most targeted antibiotic therapy, and 14-day hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints included hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), antibiotic intensity score at 96 h, and 30-day readmission rates. Of 100 patients with Gram-negative bacteremia or candidemia in each cohort, 84 in the preimplementation group and 89 in the AXDX group met all inclusion criteria. The AXDX group had a decreased time to first antibiotic intervention (26.3 versus 8.0, P = 0.003), hours to most targeted therapy (14.4 versus 9, P = 0.03), hospital LOS (6 versus 8, P = 0.002), and average antibiotic intensity score at 96 h (16 versus 12, P = 0.002). Both groups had a comparable 14-day mortality (0% versus 3.6%, P = 0.11). In this analysis of patients with Gram-negative bacteremia or candidemia, fast ID/AST implementation was associated with decreased hospital LOS, decreased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, shortened time to targeted therapy, and an improved utilization of antibiotics within the first 96 h of therapy.