cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of ethionine on fetal pancreatic development in the rat.

SummaryThe effects of dl-ethionine on fetal development in the rat were studied, with particular reference to the formation of the exocrine pancreas. Pregnant rats were injected from day 14 through day 20 of pregnancy, and sacrificed on day 21 of the 22-day gestation period. Controls were injected with equivalent volumes of saline. Ethionine caused significant decreases in litter size and fetal body weight, and had a selectively disruptive effect on the formation of the fetal pancreas as indicated by measures of pancreatic relative weight and histological examination of fetal pancreatic tissue.
Hand smoothness in laparoscopic surgery correlates to psychomotor skills in virtual reality

The main purpose of this study is to find possible relationships between the smoothness of hand function during laparoscopic ventral hernia (LVH) repair and psychomotor skills in a defined virtual reality (VR) environment. Thirty four surgical residents N = 34 performed two scenarios. First, participants were asked to perform a simulated LVH repair during which their hand movement was tracked using electromagnetic sensors. Subsequently, the smoothness of hand function was calculated for each participant's dominant and non-dominate hand. Then participants performed two modules in a defined VR environment, which assessed their force matching and target tracking capabilities. More smooth hand function during the LVH repair correlated positively with higher performance in VR modules. Also, translational smoothness of dominant hand is found as the most informative smoothness metric in the LVH repair scenario. Therefore, defined force matching and target tracking assessments in VR can potentially be used as an indirect assessment of fine motor skills in the LVH repair.
Tissue-Engineered Organs

Human organs are exposed to a variety of possible injuries from the time the fetus develops. Individuals may suffer from many conditions that may lead to organ damage or loss and necessitate eventual reconstruction or replacement. In most cases, the replacement of lost or deficient tissues with functionally equivalent autologous tissues would improve the outcome for patients immensely. Tissue-engineering therapies have been developed in order to achieve this goal. The development of functional organ systems from the building blocks of cells, scaffolding, and growth factors is a Herculean task, however, as evidenced by the few successful tissue-engineering technologies currently in clinical use. There have been successes, however, as evidenced by functioning autologous bioengineered tissues that have been implanted in humans – including trachea, blood vessels, pulmonary valves, endothelialized vascular stents, and urinary bladder. An examination of the building blocks of tissue-engineering strategies, as well the successful applications of these techniques in human clinical applications, provides an insight into the difficulties facing scientists as they seek to develop more complex bioengineered organs.
The Riedel vapor pressure correlation and multi-property optimization

Abstract The Riedel vapor pressure correlation is a useful model that has been employed for decades. The shape of the temperature dependent correlation is a strong function of the value of the final coefficient (denoted as E), particularly at the low temperature end. Vapor pressure data can be accurately correlated with different values of E, but properties derived from vapor pressure are more sensitive to the value of E. Such properties include enthalpy of vaporization and liquid heat capacity. Because these three properties are linked through rigorous thermodynamic relationships (including the Clapeyron equation and the derivative of enthalpy of vaporization), a multi-property optimization is possible to obtain the value of E that will give the best thermodynamic picture for the compound. To determine the effects of the final coefficient on subsequent properties, E was varied from 1 to 6 in integer steps and for E = 0.5, and vapor pressure data were fit for several well-known compounds. These correlations were then tested to see how well they predict enthalpy of vaporization and liquid heat capacity data. The results indicate that the traditional practice of setting E = 6 rarely produces the best thermodynamic consistency, and that E = 2 is superior for many compounds. The improved vapor pressure correlations were then used to predict triple point pressures with favorable results that compare well with the literature.
Indian Herbs for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disease

Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine that is indigenous to India, is believed to be the world’s oldest comprehensive health-care system and is now one of the most recognized and widely practiced disciplines of alternative medicine in the world. Medicinal herbs have been in use for treating diseases since ancient times in India. Ayurvedic therapies with medicinal herbs and herbomineral products generally provide relief without much adverse effects even after prolonged administration. Neurodegenerative disorders are a major cause of mortality and disability, and increasing life spans represent one of the key challenges of medical research. Ayurvedic medicine describes most neurodegenerative diseases and has defined a number of plants with therapeutic benefits for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases having antioxidant activities. In this chapter, the role of four important Ayurvedic medicinal plants, viz., Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), Bacopa monnieri (brahmi), Centella asiatica (gotu kola), and Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean), on neurodegenerative diseases are discussed.
Is external control important for internal control

In cybernetics, the basic assumption is that systems aim for control. But what and how are they controlling? I dierentiate two categories of control: internal and external control. In external control, one starts from outside, and tries to determine the environment completely. While with internal control, one's own aspirations are taken as a starting point, and useful synergies with the environment are sought. I'll dene these con- cepts in cybernetic terms, and argue why they are not necessary related. There are two aspects in this dierence. The rst lies in the locality: is there an aim for global control, or only for control in the immediate envi- ronment? There is also a dierence in what one tries to change. An agent could adapt its links, or try to change either the methods or the goals of its neighbors. Several of these cases will be further explored by giving an existing model that falls under this circumstances. All of these models will be put into an overarching framework. The model of controllability is a model about global control, while the others model local control, based on neural net- works or perceptual control theory.
Method of sensitivity analysis in anomaly detection algorithms for hyperspectral images

Anomaly detection within hyperspectral images often relies on the critical step of thresholding to declare the specific pixels based on their anomaly scores. When the detector is built upon sound statistical assumptions, this threshold is often probabilistically based, such as the RX detector and the chi-squared threshold. However, when either the detector lacking statistical framework or the background pixels of the image violate the required assumptions, the approach to thresholding is complicated and can resolve into performance instability. We present a method to test the sensitivity thresholding to small changes in the characteristics of the anomalies based on their Mahalanobis distance to the background class. In doing so, we highlight issues in detectors thresholding techniques comparing statistical approaches against heuristic methods of thresholding.
A Class Project Combining Organic Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, and Statistics

Abstract A class project in an introductory computational chemistry course focused on electronic factors influencing the pKas of substituted anilines, phenols, and benzoic acids. Semiempirical quantum chemistry calculations were employed to test whether variations in electronic features of the compounds correlated with variations in the experimental pKas. Statistical analyses revealed significant correlations between several electronic features and the observed pKas. The results were compared with earlier published results obtained using more advanced quantum chemical methods and interpreted in terms of concepts from organic chemistry. In carrying out the project, students combined concepts from organic chemistry, quantum chemistry, and statistics.
Multimode Operation of Resonant and Hybrid Switched-Capacitor Topologies

This paper presents an overview of resonant and hybrid switched-capacitor converters with a particular focus on multimode operation. The multimode approach is discussed as a tool to affect high efficiency and power density across a wide load range, provide variable regulation, and, as a general framework, to conceptualize the advantages and opportunities of the approach compared to more traditional dc–dc converters. A general analysis is provided to quantify the advantage of hybrid and resonant converters that factors in the tradeoffs between size and loss in the magnetic component and voltage stress on the active devices. A broader set of operating modes is presented that spans continuous and discontinuous conduction and includes resonant, quasi-resonant, and more traditional buck- or boost-like operation. A prototype flying-capacitor multilevel converter is presented to demonstrate the variety of operating modes and motivate important considerations such as voltage balance on the flying capacitors.
On Euler Buckling and Snap-Through

Bistable structures have seen significant attention in recent years for their potential uses in switching and energy harvesting. The behavior of these structures, however, is very sensitive to boundary conditions and initial geometry making their calibration for various applications a difficult task. Additionally, obtaining the force-deformation behavior of these highly (geometrically) nonlinear structures often requires computationally expensive continuation methods. This paper presents a very simple closed-form method which estimates several important characteristics of classical snap-through curves of transversely loaded beams. The estimation is based on a relationship between classic Euler buckling of beams under axial load and the snap-through of post-buckled and curved beams and arches under transverse loading that has recently been investigated by the authors.
Localized and indolent myeloma

Criteria were defined for recognizing 29 patients with a localized plasmacytoma of bone and 20 patients with an indolent variety of multiple myeloma in order to justify long-term follow-up without chemotherapy. All patients with indolent myeloma were asymptomatic from their low tumor mass disease, had a hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dl, and showed no more than 3 lytic bone lesions. The presence of more than 200 mg/day of Bence Jones protein was usually followed by disease progression within 2 yr. Serial assessments of myeloma protein level provided a useful index of changing tumor load and the need for chemotherapy. In patients with localized disease, radiotherapy usually reduced myeloma proteins markedly with subsequent disease control for many years, even though small serum peaks persisted. Chemotherapy for multiple myeloma was not required for a median of 8 yr in patients presenting with localized disease and of 3 yr in those with indolent myeloma. The additional survival from the start of drug treatment was similar to that of comparable patients treated promptly for overt multiple myeloma. The delay of chemotherapy until evidence of tumor progression did not affect the long-term outcome of patients with localized or indolent myeloma.
RAPD and SCAR markers linked to the sex expression locus M in asparagus

Bulk segregant analysis (BSA), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) methods were used to map molecular markers to the sex locus M of asparagus. Two parents, A19 (male, Mm) and MW25 (female, mm), and 63 progeny were used for the study. Two DNA bulks, one male and one female, were made by pooling equal amounts of DNA from 10 randomly selected progeny of each sex type. A total of 760 arbitrary decamer oligonucleotide primers were used for RAPD analysis. Primer OPC15 produced two RAPD markers, OPC15-98 and OPC15-30, both of which were linked to the M locus at a distance of 1.6 cM. Subsequently, amplified RAPD fragment OPC15-98 was cloned and sequenced. The sequence was then used to design flanking 24-mer oligonucleotide SCAR primers SCC15-1 and SCC15-2. Both of these SCAR primers amplified a single 980 bp fragment; the same size as the cloned RAPD fragment. However, the SCAR marker was dominant as was the original OPC15-98 band from which it was derived. These RAPD and SCAR markers could be used for scoring male and female progeny in the mapping population, but were not found to be applicable to other asparagus germplasm studied.
Biologics of Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Abstract Lumbar interbody spine fusion is increasingly utilized for treatment of a variety of spinal pathologies. The utilization of biologics in this space has gained significant interest from both—a research and clinical perspective. Historically, iliac crest bone graft has been the gold standard for lumbar interbody spine fusion, however, to avoid donor site morbidity, other options for bone graft substitutes are now commercially available. These include allograft, demineralized bone matrix, ceramics, and recombinant growth factors. More data is needed to assess clinical efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells, platelet rich plasma and peptides.
The Neglected Constructs of Health Literacy, Shared Decision-Making, and Patient-Centered Care in Behavioral Health: An Integrated Model

Behavioral health costs have continued to escalate in the United States, with 36.2 million Americans paying a total of $57.5 billion in 2006 for behavioral health services (National Institute of Mental Health (2006) Mental healthcare cost data for all Americans (2006). Retrieved from National Institute of Menal Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/cost/mental-healthcare-cost-data-for-all-americans-2006.shtml). This increased expense has led to the proposal of a number of possible solutions to reign in the escalating cost of both medical and behavioral health treatments. Among these proposals are three important, and what will be argued interrelated, concepts: behavioral health literacy, shared decision-making, and patient-centered care. While these constructs are frequently mentioned as possible avenues to reduce healthcare costs and generally improve the quality and experience of care, the terms themselves are ill-defined, and consequently poorly measured, and inconsistently implemented. Despite the lack of agreed-upon definitions, several methods of defining and measuring these three constructs have been developed, but it raises the question about what these constructs and measures are capturing.
Missing the Mark: Standardized Testing as Epistemological Erasure in U.S. Schooling.

For the past century, standardized testing in the United States has been a measure of school success on both the individual and organizational level. A seemingly benign measure, such testing has in...
Invited Review: Hypophagia and hypogalactia associated with heat stress *

ABSTRACT Heat stress depresses growth, lactation, and mammary development and when occurring during in utero development, may have life-long effects on meat and milk production. These phenotypic responses result in billions of dollars in losses to US animal agriculture producers annually. Implementation of heat abatement strategies (shade, misters, sprinklers, and fans) has reduced the financial burden of heat stress, but many of these cooling methods are limited to intensive production systems and are water demanding. The extensive consequences of heat stress, increasing global temperatures, water use limitations, and water run-off concerns make it imperative that animal agriculture find alternative approaches to mitigate these heat-related production losses. This review examines the common responses to heat exposure across species, including depressed feed intake, growth, and milk production, while addressing the maternal and offspring responses to heat stress during gestation. The conservation of the hypophagia and hypogalactia induced by heat exposure among homeotherms proposes that the mechanism by which heat depresses production is conserved across species. Herein, I discuss how redistribution of blood flow from the viscera to the periphery may explain production losses and propose that by preventing the adaptive decrease in visceral blood flow, we may limit production losses.
L&D in the ED: A Game-Based Approach to Learning High-Risk Obstetric Emergencies.

Introduction Teaching emergency medicine residents the principles of obstetric emergencies is a challenging task, as these emergencies are uncommon in general practice and include specific maneuver...
Abstract P164: Walking Pace is Inversely Associated With Heart Failure Risk in the Physicians’ Health Study

Background: Heart Failure (HF) continues to place a large burden on the public health. While previous studies reported a lower risk of HF and coronary heart disease with increased physical activity...
Reassessing the Influence of Parents and Advertising on Children’s BMI

AbstractWith many rendering child obesity as a national priority, researchers are calling for transformative approaches to investigating the precursors of child obesity, including persuasion, and p...
Metal Hydroxide/Polymer Textiles for Decontamination of Toxic Organophosphates: An Extensive Study of Wettability, Catalytic Activity, and the Effects of Aggregation.

Electrospun nanofibers (NFs) incorporated with catalytically active components have gained significant interest in chemical protective clothing. This is because of the desirable properties of the NFs combined with decontamination capability of the active component. Here, a series of metal hydroxide catalysts Ti(OH)x, Zr(OH)4, and Ce(OH)4 were incorporated into three different polymer NF systems. These new polymer/metal hydroxide composite NFs were then evaluated for their catalytic activity against a nerve agent simulant. Two methods were utilized to incorporate the metal hydroxides into the NFs. Method one used direct incorporation of Ti(OH)x, Zr(OH)4, and Ce(OH)4 catalysts, whereas method two employed incorporation of Ti(OH)x via a precursor molecule. Composite NFs prepared via method one resulted in greatly improved reaction rates over the respective pure metal hydroxides due to reduced aggregation of catalysts, with polymer/Ce(OH)4 composite NFs having the fastest reaction rates out of method one materials. Interestingly, composite samples prepared by method two yielded the fastest reaction rates overall. This is because of the homogeneous distribution of the metal hydroxide catalyst throughout the NF. This homogeneous distribution created a hydroxyl-decorated NF surface with a greater number of exposed active sites for catalysis. The hydroxyl-decorated NF surface also resulted in an unexpected highly wettable composite NF, which also was found to contribute to the observed reaction rates. These results are not only promising for applications in chemical protective clothing but also show great potential for application in areas which need highly wettable membrane materials. This includes areas such as separators, antifouling membranes, and certain medical applications.
Problem-solving challenges: operating a campus food pantry to improve student success

As of June 2018, over 640 college campuses were registered with the College and University Food Bank Alliance, an organization that supports campuses currently operating or interested in opening a ...
Power Grid Online Surveillance Through PMU-Embedded Convolutional Neural Networks

Power grid operation continuously undergoes state transitions caused by internal and external uncertainties, e.g., equipment failures and weather-driven faults, among others. This prompts an observation of different types of waveforms at the measurement points (substations) in power systems. Modern power systems utilize phasor measurement units (PMUs) and intelligent electronic devices embedded with PMU functionality to capture the corresponding peculiarities through synchrophasor measurements. However, existing PMU devices are equipped with only one synchrophasor estimation algorithm (SEA) and are, thus, not always robust to handle different types of signals across the network. This article proposes a PMU-embedded framework that ensures real-time grid surveillance and potentially enables adaptive selection of preinstalled SEAs in the PMU. Therefore, it ensures high-fidelity measurements at all times and irrespective of the input signals. Our proposed framework consists of: 1) a pseudocontinuous quadrature wavelet transform which generates the featured scalograms and 2) a convolutional neural network for event classification based on the extracted features in the scalograms. Our experiments demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves high classification accuracy on multiple types of prevailing events in power grids, through which an enhanced grid-scale situational awareness in real time can be realized.
Rotational Raman effect: Molecular impurities in alkali halides

Raman scattering of light from representative alkali-halide crystals containing C${\mathrm{N}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, N$\mathrm{O}_{2}^{}{}_{}{}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, O${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, and O${\mathrm{D}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ impurities is reported and analyzed. The observed spectra have a low-frequency range in which the scattered light is usually shifted from the incident light by less than 300-400 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, and a high-frequency range in which the shifts are typically 1000-2000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Although the low-frequency region does not readily lend itself to quantitative analysis, it is clear that its main features can be interpreted in terms of a mixture of second-order scattering from the pure host, impurity-induced first-order scattering that results from perturbing the pure host, and scattering from the rotational degrees of freedom of the molecular impurity. The high-frequency region, on the other hand, consists of spectra whose frequencies are characteristic of the internal normal coordinates of the molecule. A very narrow totally polarized line with depolarized sideband structure is generally observed. The sharp central component is at the frequency of an internal molecular normal coordinate and, typically, has a linewidth of 1 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. It is not significantly affected by the type of host or changes in temperature. It is found that the sideband structure gives a measure of the molecular rotational dynamics. Depending on host and impurity, the observed characteristic behavior varies from nearly free rotation to heavily trapped librational motion. The techniques employed here, both theoretical and experimental, demonstrate and define the usefulness of the Raman effect in studying systems of an analogous nature.
1 – Powder sampling

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of powder sampling. It is essential that the samples selected for measurement should be representative of the bulk in the particle size distribution and the relative fractions of their various constituents, irrespective of whether a physical or chemical assay is to be carried out, since these characteristics are frequently inter-dependent. Two types of sampling errors have been highlighted. Samples are withdrawn from a population in order to estimate certain characteristic of that population and to establish confidence limits for that characteristic. The characteristic may be particle size, composition or quality; a measure of the spread of the distribution may also be required. The chapter mentions the golden rules of sampling: a powder should always be sampled when in motion and the whole of the stream of powder should be taken for many short increments of time in preference to part of the stream being taken for the whole of the time.. The chapter illustrates various sampling techniques, their percentage standard deviation, estimated maximum sample error, and efficiency.
Relationship between students’ online learning behavior and course performance: What contextual information matters?

Including contextual information about online instructional events is more likely to provide actionable instructional suggestions than other data analytics approaches.
A Taxonomic Revision of the Palaearctic Members of the Ant Subgenus Lasius S. Str. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

A revision of the Palaearctic members of the ant subgenus Lasius s.str. is presented the fundamentals of which are application of Numeric Morphology-Based Alpha-Taxonomy (NUMOBAT), investigation of type specimens of 58 taxa, critical evaluation of original descriptions of further 22 taxa, and decision-making based on the GAGE species concept. Excluding nomina nuda and unavailable names, 80 taxa are considered which divide into 56 recognized good species (with 16 of these described here as new), 12 junior synonyms, 11 incertae sedis, and one name representing a F1 hybrid. Eighteen phenotypic characters – seven shape, eight seta and two pubescence characters as well as absolute size – were recorded numerically in 4900 worker individuals originating from 1722 nest or spot samples. The subdivision of the subgenera Lasius s.str. Ruzsky 1913, Cautolasius Wilson 1955, Dendrolasius Ruzsky 1913, Chthonolasius Ruzsky 1913 and Austrolasius Faber 1967 is clearly confirmed by morphological data with each of the 99 recognized Palaearctic species being unambiguously assignable to either subgenus. A key to the 56 Palaearctic species of Lasius s.str., subdivided into five geographic regions, is presented. All species are depicted as z-stack photos in two standard positions. The new species Lasius precursor sp. nov. is proposed as a model for transition from a largely monogynousmonodomous social type (exemplified by the sister species Lasius turcicus Santschi 1921) to a supercolonial type (exemplified by the closely related species Lasius neglectus Van Loon et al. 1990).
Visualization and quantitation of electronic communication pathways in a series of redox-active pillar[6]arene-based macrocycles

While oxidized pillar[5]arenes with 1-5 benzoquinone units are known, very few examples of oxidized pillar[6]arenes have been reported. We describe here the synthesis, characterization and electrochemical behavior of a series of macrocyclic hosts prepared by the stepwise oxidation of 1,4-diethoxypillar[6]arene, resulting in high-yield and high-purity isolation of two constitutional isomers for each macrocycle, in which two, three or four 1,4-diethoxybenzene units are replaced by benzoquinone residues. A careful structural comparison with their counterparts in the pillar[5]arene framework indicates that the geometries of the macrocycles are better described as non-Euclidean hyperbolic hexagons and elliptic pentagons, respectively. A comprehensive computational study to determine anisotropic induced current density (ACID) allows us to visualize and quantify through-space and through-bond communication pathways along the macrocyclic belt. Experimental and simulated voltammetric data, as well as UV-vis spectra, of the new macrocycles afford insights into the various electronic communication pathways in these compounds. Partially oxidised pillar[n]arenes exhibit interesting redox behaviour, but the pillar[6]arenes are poorly characterised in this context. Here stepwise oxidation of 1,4-diethoxypillar[6]arene allows detailed study of the structural and electrochemical properties of molecules with 2, 3, and 4 oxidised units.
Pedagogical translanguaging in community/heritage Arabic language learning

This article examines the potential of pedagogical translanguaging in a community/heritage language context. With focus on Arabic as a multidialectal and multiglossic language, the paper primarily ...
Yeast Nucleolin Nsr1 Impedes Replication and Elevates Genome Instability at an Actively Transcribed Guanine-Rich G4 DNA-Forming Sequence

A significant increase in genome instability is associated with the conformational shift of a guanine-run-containing DNA strand into the four-stranded G-quadruplex (G4) DNA. The mechanism underlying the recombination and genome rearrangements following the formation of G4 DNA in vivo has been difficult to elucidate but has become better clarified by the identification and functional characterization of several key G4 DNA-binding proteins. Mammalian nucleolin (NCL) is a highly specific G4 DNA-binding protein with a well-defined role in the transcriptional regulation of genes with associated G4 DNA-forming sequence motifs at their promoters. The consequence of the in vivo interaction between G4 DNA and nucleolin in respect to the genome instability has not been previously investigated. We show here that the yeast nucleolin Nsr1 is enriched at a G4 DNA-forming sequence in vivo and is a major factor in inducing the genome instability associated with the cotranscriptionally formed G4 DNA in the yeast genome. We also show that Nsr1 results in impeding replication past such a G4 DNA-forming sequence. The G4-associated genome instability and the G4 DNA-binding in vivo require the arginine-glycine-glycine (RGG) repeats located at the C-terminus of the Nsr1 protein. Nsr1 with the deletion of RGG domain supports normal cell growth and is sufficient for its pre-rRNA processing function. However, the truncation of the RGG domain of Nsr1 significantly weakens its interaction with G4 DNA in vivo and restores unhindered replication, overall resulting in a sharp reduction in the genome instability associated with a guanine-rich G4 DNA-forming sequence. Our data suggest that the interaction between Nsr1 with the intact RGG repeats and G4 DNA impairs genome stability by precluding the access of G4-resolving proteins and impeding replication.
A combined stress/energy-based criterion for mixed-mode fracture of laminated composites considering fiber bridging micromechanics

Abstract A combined stress/energy-based (CSE) criterion is developed to predict mixed mode I/II fracture behavior in laminated composites by taking into account the effect of fiber bridging toughening. Following the proposed criterion, first, the absorbed energy resulting from fiber bridging micro-mechanisms is obtained and translated into a defined effective critical distance (i.e., the size of the crack tip micro-cracking zone). Then, the maximum principal stress is evaluated at the calculated effective critical distance around the crack tip to predict the onset of fracture. The CSE criterion is employed, along with other criteria, to predict experimental data reported in the literature on the onset of mixed mode I/II fracture in laminated composites and wood species (i.e. orthotropic composites). A higher correlation is found between the theoretical results predicted by the CSE criterion and the test data, as compared to other criteria. The stress-based formulation of the CSE criterion offers more computational simplicity as compared to the energy-based criteria while providing an acceptable accuracy and taking into account the effects of absorbed energy resulting from the micromechanical fiber bridging in the solution.
In silico identification of available drugs targeting cell surface BiP to disrupt SARS-CoV-2 binding and replication: Drug repurposing approach.

Aims Cell surface binding immunoglobin protein (csBiP) is predicted to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 binding. With a substrate-binding domain (SBD) that binds to polypeptides and a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) that can initiate extrinsic caspase-dependent apoptosis, csBiP may be a promising therapeutic target for COVID-19. This study aims to identify FDA-approved drugs that can neutralize viral binding and prevent viral replication by targeting the functional domains of csBiP. Methods In silico screening of 1999 FDA-approved drugs against the functional domains of BiP were performed using three molecular docking programs to avoid bias from individual docking programs. Top ligands were selected by averaging the ligand rankings from three programs. Interactions between top ligands and functional domains of BiP were analyzed. Key findings The top 10 SBD-binding candidates are velpatasvir, irinotecan, netupitant, lapatinib, doramectin, conivaptan, fenoverine, duvelisib, irbesartan, and pazopanib. The top 10 NBD-binding candidates are nilotinib, eltrombopag, grapiprant, topotecan, acetohexamide, vemurafenib, paritaprevir, pixantrone, azosemide, and piperaquine-phosphate. Among them, Velpatasvir and paritaprevir are antiviral agents that target the protease of hepatitis C virus. Netupitant is an anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits neurokinin-1 receptor, which contributes to acute inflammation. Grapiprant is an anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits the prostaglandin E2 receptor protein subtype 4, which is expressed on immune cells and triggers inflammation. These predicted SBD-binding drugs could disrupt SARS-CoV-2 binding to csBiP, and NBD-binding drugs may falter viral attachment and replication by locking the SBD in closed conformation and triggering apoptosis in infected cells. Significance csBiP appears to be a novel therapeutic target against COVID-19 by preventing viral attachment and replication. These identified drugs could be repurposed to treat COVID-19 patients.
Rotational Position of the Aortic Root is Associated with Increased Aortic Dimensions in Marfan and Loeys–Dietz Syndrome

Progressive aortic dilation is common in Marfan syndrome (MFS) and Loeys–Dietz syndrome (LDS). Risk factors for progression are poorly understood. Normal variation in the aortic root (AoR) rotational position relative to the left ventricular base may impact this risk. We aimed to assess the relationship between the rotational position of the AoR and aortic dimensions in this population. Patients with a genetic diagnosis of MFS or LDS were included. AoR and ascending aorta (AAo) dimensions were measured from the first and most recent transthoracic echocardiogram. The AoR rotational angle was measured in the parasternal short-axis plane in diastole. Linear regression was used to study the correlation between AoR rotation angle and aortic dimensions. 53 MFS and 14 LDS patients were included (age 11.5 ± 5.8 years at first TTE and 21.2 ± 7.2 years at most recent, 68% male). The mean indexed AoR and AAo values were 2.26 ± 0.58 cm/m2 and 1.64 ± 0.35 cm/m2 at the first TTE and 1.98 ± 0.39 cm/m2 and 1.45 ± 0.25 cm/m2 at the most recent TTE, respectively. The mean AoR rotational angle was 8 ± 14°. AoR rotational angle was central (− 9 to + 14°) in 42, clockwise (≥ + 15°) in 19, and counterclockwise (≤ −10°) in 6. The six outliers with counterclockwise position were excluded. There was a positive association between the AoR rotation angle and most recent TTE indexed AoR (r2 = 0.08, p = 0.02) and AAo sizes (r2 = 0.08, p = 0.02). There was no association between AoR rotational angle and rate of change in indexed AoR size (p = 0.8). There was a positive association between AoR rotation angle and rate of change in indexed AAo size (r2 = 0.10, p = 0.01). There is an association between clockwise rotational position of the AoR and increased AoR and AAo dimensions in children and young adults with MFS and LDS patients. The rotational position of the AoR may guide follow-up in these patient populations. However, this potential risk factor for dilation warrants further investigation.
The Formal Cross-Coupling of Amines and Carboxylic Acids to Form sp3–sp3 Carbon–Carbon Bonds

We have developed a deaminative-decarboxylative protocol to form new carbon(sp3 )-carbon(sp3 ) bonds from activated amines and carboxylic acids. Amines and carboxylic acids are ubiquitous building blocks, available in broad chemical diversity and at lower cost than typical C-C coupling partners. To leverage amines and acids for C-C coupling, we developed a reductive nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling utilizing building block activation as pyridinium salts and redox-active esters, respectively. Miniaturized high-throughput experimentation studies were critical to our reaction optimization, with subtle experimental changes such as order of reagent addition, composition of a binary solvent system, and ligand identity having a significant impact on reaction performance. The developed protocol is used in the late-stage diversification of pharmaceuticals while more than one thousand systematically captured and machine-readable reaction datapoints are reposited.
Council and Hierarchy: RESULTS: LIBERTY AND LAW

In Durant's opinion the central obstacle to the reform of the church was the conflict between law and government. In itself, of course, this opinion was by no means new. Ever since the papacy had risen to lead the medieval church there had been doubts about the legitimacy of its policies. One need not turn to the party of the emperor and his Ghibelline supporters or to Cathar heretics to demonstrate the depth of such doubts; St Bernard could not have put it more soberly when he announced that the papal plenitude of power was not the same as a plenitude of justice. Hence thinkers of unquestionably orthodox intentions, with deep roots in the ancient traditions of the church, had attempted to limit papal government long before the days of William Durant. Canonists, not heretics, were responsible for showing that, above and beyond the articles of faith, there was a ‘state of the church’ which the pope was not at liberty to change; canonists, not heretics, taught that a pope who fell into heresy or committed outrageous crimes could be deposed from office; canonists, not heretics, declared that councils were greater than popes.
A collaborative negotiation methodology for large scale civil engineering and architectural projects

Large-scale engineering and architectural projects are unique endeavors that require a high level of human creativity from multiple professional disciplines. In such an environment, successful collaboration is critical. Because the different participants are from different technical backgrounds, and typically come from different organizations, competitive stresses exist within project relationships. Better methodologies are needed to relieve these stresses that exist in this environment. The research presented in this paper outlines a collaborative negotiation model and methodology that successfully takes into consideration the following four issues faced during large scale civil engineering and architectural projects: (1) a collaborative-competitive environment; (2) domain-dependent information; (3) strategy-influenced outcomes; and (4) the geographical and time distribution of the negotiating individuals. The methodology explored in this paper utilizes the quantitative nature of game theory and the qualitative nature of various conflict resolution theories, and better defines the interactions of collaborating professionals to use the strengths of humans and computers alike. This research also sought to complement the development of new communication technologies with the development of a collaborative negotiation methodology that best allows professionals to take advantage of those technologies by defining the protocols of interaction during the negotiations presented in largescale engineering systems.
Research in computer science

Several short summaries of the work performed during this reporting period are presented. Topics discussed in this document include: (1) resilient seeded errors via simple techniques; (2) knowledge representation for engineering design; (3) analysis of faults in a multiversion software experiment; (4) implementation of parallel programming environment; (5) symbolic execution of concurrent programs; (6) two computer graphics systems for visualization of pressure distribution and convective density particles; (7) design of a source code management system; (8) vectorizing incomplete conjugate gradient on the Cyber 203/205; (9) extensions of domain testing theory and; (10) performance analyzer for the pisces system.
From barriers to bridges: approaching accessibility in course design

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how the principles of universal design can be implemented by faculty and course designers to help give all learners access to equivalent information. It describes how information communication technologies can create barriers to information access, particularly when course content is rich in multimedia, but also how such technologies can be utilized to creates bridges to accessible content through designing for accessibility from the outset. Design/methodology/approach – This paper offers a brief review of current international guidelines and US legislation related to information communication technologies in higher education. It documents the challenge of meeting these best practices and legal mandates, as evidenced by recent legal cases in the USA resulting from inaccessible course content in higher education. Finally, it describes how universal design can enhance accessibility for individuals with visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive impairments and pr...
Intravital Macrozoom Imaging and Automated Analysis of Endothelial Cell Calcium Signals Coincident with Arteriolar Dilation in Cx40BAC‐GCaMP2 Transgenic Mice

Please cite this paper as: Bagher, Davis and Segal (2011). Intravital Macrozoom Imaging and Automated Analysis of Endothelial Cell Calcium Signals Coincident with Arteriolar Dilation in Cx40BAC-GCaMP2 Transgenic Mice. Microcirculation 18(4), 331–338. Abstract Objective: Calcium signaling is integral to endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Our goal was to develop methods enabling automated analyses for accurately and objectively determining the dynamic relationship between EC Ca2+ responses and arteriolar diameter in vivo. Methods: User-friendly software (DiaFluor) written in LabView was applied to images acquired at 15 fps with a custom macrozoom intravital microscope to evaluate changes in EC Ca2+ concomitant with arteriolar diameter. Transgenic Cx40BAC-GCaMP2 mice expressing a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator molecule in arteriolar ECs enabled resolution of EC Ca2+ signaling in response to ACh microiontophoresis (500 nA, 100–1000 msec pulse) from a micropipette (1 μm tip) positioned adjacent to an arteriole in the superfused cremaster muscle preparation. Results: A 100-msec pulse of ACh (1 M) had little effect on EC Ca2+ or arteriolar diameter. As pulse duration increased, vasodilation increased with fluorescence intensity (p < 0.01). Based upon fluorescence responses (F/Fo), the effective diffusion distance of ACh along arterioles increased from ∼100 μm (250 msec pulse) to ∼200 μm (1000 msec pulse) with a peak velocity of ∼150 μm/sec. Conclusions: The novel imaging and software presented here are the first to enable automated simultaneous evaluation of EC Ca2+ signaling and endothelium-dependent vasodilation in vivo.
Achieving Symmetry in Lower Blepharoplasty Fat Removal

These tips will make fat removal in a purely subtractive transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty procedure more symmetric to avoid postoperative surprises. Divide each fat pad flush with the orbital rim and check for residual fat using ballottement of the globe.
Abstract 5313: The anticancer effect of Vernonia amygdalina in the MMTV-PyVT transgenic mouse model

One of the most frightening events that women will ever face is being diagnosed with breast cancer. One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with this life-threatening disease during her lifetime. Even with all the advances in pharmaceutical technology, mortality rates for breast cancer have remained stagnant for the past few decades. The development of new drugs from natural products is considered important. Previous studies from our laboratory show that a novel natural product, Vernonia amygdalina (V. amygdalina) leaf extract, exerts DNA-damaging anticancer activities against breast cancer. Therefore, the specific aim of the present study was to use transgenic mouse mammary tumors as a test model to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of V. amygdalina as anti-cancer agent in the treatment of breast cancer. To achieve our specific aim, we performed both in vitro and in vivo studies. Acridine orange and propidium iodide (AO/PI) staining were used to visualize live and dead cells with the means of Cellometer Vision. Tumor volume and weight were measured. Tumor histology was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and enzymatic activities were determined by spectrophotometry. The extent of DNA damage was evaluated by the Comet assay. Cell/tissue apoptosis was measured by the flow cytometry. Data obtained from the AO/PI dye assessment indicated that V. amygdalina significantly reduced the number of live cells in a dose-dependent manner, showing a gradual increase in the loss of viability in V. amygdalina-treated cells. We observed tumor growth inhibition after 4 weeks of daily intraperitoneal administration of V. amygdalina to trangenic mice. There was a significant increase in DNA damage in V. amygdalina-treated mice compared to the control mice. Flow cytometry data showed a strong dose-response relationship between V. amygdalina treatment and annexin V/PI positive cells. Similarly, a statistically significant and dose-dependent increase (p Citation Format: Clement G. Yedjou, Paul B. Tchounwou, Lucio Miele, Ifedayo V. Ogungbe, Robert J. Brown, Marinelle Payton. The anticancer effect of Vernonia amygdalina in the MMTV-PyVT transgenic mouse model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5313. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5313
The Dendritic Lamellar Body: A New Neuronal Organelle Putatively Associated with Dendrodendritic Gap Junctions

It is shown in rat that antiserum alpha 12B/18 specifically labels a new lamellar organelle that is exclusively located in dendritic appendages. These dendritic lamellar bodies occur in a restricted number of brain regions, which include areas like the inferior olive, area CA1 and CA3 of the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, olfactory bulb, and cerebral cortex. In these regions the neurons with lamellar bodies form dendrodendritic gap junctions. Immunoreactivity in the inferior olive is first detected between P9 and P15, which coincides with the development of gap junctions in this nucleus. In the adult inferior olive, the density of dendritic lamellar bodies is highest in the rostral medial accessory olive, the subnucleus where electrotonic coupling is most prominent. Antiserum alpha 12B/18, thus, specifically detects a new neuronal organelle that may be related to dendrodendritic gap junctions.
The Fertility Decline in India’s Kerala State: A Unique Example of Below Replacement Fertility in a High Fertility Country

This paper attempts to fill a gap in an updated study of the rapid fertility decline in Kerala, which has evoked world wide interest, using historical and recent data from direct and indirect sources. The three determinants of fertility decline – changes in age at marriage; the use of effective family planning methods as a result of the state’s aggressive family planning program; and the unique Kerala characteristics - have contributed to the fall in fertility. Additional insights are provided by comparing this with similar fertility decline in six countries of the region.