cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retinoid-Induced Repression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Core Promoter Activity Inhibits Virus Replication

The rates of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), progression to AIDS following HIV-1 infection, and AIDS-associated mortality are all inversely correlated with serum vitamin A levels (R. D. Semba, W. T. Caiaffa, N. M. H. Graham, S. Cohn, and D. Vlahov, J. Infect. Dis. 171:1196–1202, 1995; R. D. Semba, N. M. H. Graham, W. T. Caiaffa, J. B. Margolik, L. Clement, and D. Vlahov, Arch. Intern. Med. 153:2149–2154, 1993; R. D. Semba, P. G. Miotti, J. D. Chiphangwi, A. J. Saah, J. K. Canner, G. A. Dallabetta, and D. R. Hoover, Lancet 343:1593–1596, 1994). Here we show that physiological concentrations of vitamin A, as retinol or as its metabolite, all- trans retinoic acid, repressed HIV-1 Ba-L replication in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). Repression required retinoid treatment of peripheral monocytes during their in vitro differentiation into MDMs. Retinoids had no repressive effect if they were added after virus infection. Retinol, as well as all- trans retinoic acid and 9- cis retinoic acid, also repressed HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR)-directed expression up to 200-fold in transfected THP-1 monocytes. Analysis of HIV-1 LTR deletion mutants demonstrated that retinoids were able to repress activation of HIV-1 expression by both NF-κB and Tat. A cis -acting sequence required for retinoid-mediated repression of HIV-1 transcription was localized between nucleotides −51 and +12 of the HIV-1 LTR within the core promoter. Protein-DNA cross-linking experiments identified four proteins specific to retinoid-treated cells that bound to the core promoter. We conclude that retinoids render macrophages resistant to virus replication by modulating the interaction of cellular transcription factors with the viral core promoter.
On the probabilistic complexity of finding an approximate solution for linear programming

We consider the problem of finding an @e-optimal solution of a standard linear program with real data, i.e., of finding a feasible point at which the objective function value differs by at most @e from the optimal value. In the worst-case scenario the best complexity result to date guarantees that such a point is obtained in at most O(n|ln@e|) steps of an interior-point method. We show that the expected value of the number of steps required to obtain an @e-optimal solution for a probabilistic linear programming model is at most O(min{n^1^.^5,mnln(n)})+log"2(|ln@e|).
Fabrication of a DRA Array Using Ceramic Stereolithography

The purpose of this letter is to demonstrate monolithic fabrication of an array of dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs) using ceramic stereolithography. Design and measurements of a eight-by-eight array of rectangular DRAs composed of four monolithic four-by-four array blocks are presented. The array elements are designed over a ground plane and fed by a standard aperture-coupled microstrip corporate feed network. It is shown that the corporate feed, and not the DRAs, is mainly responsible for losses in the radiating structure
Kinetics of Precipitation from a Dilute Solid Solution

Kinetics of precipitation in a binary or a pseudobinary system, where diffusion and interface transfer are comparable, were examined along lines similar to those proposed by Wert and Zener. An equation which explicitly relates annealing time to the fraction transformed is derived. The possibility of change-over from diffusion to interface control of the kinetics in ceramics through appropriate doping is suggested.
Evaluations of BDA Scheme Using the Advanced Research WRF (ARW) Model

A tropical cyclone bogus data assimilation (BDA) scheme is built in the Weather Research and Forecasting three-dimensional variational data assimilation system (WRF 3D-VAR). Experiments were conducted (21 experiments with BDA in parallel with another 21 without BDA) to assess its impacts on the predictions of seven Atlantic Ocean basin hurricanes observed in 2004 (Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne) and in 2005 (Katrina, Rita, and Wilma). In addition, its performance was compared with the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) hurricane initialization scheme in a case study of Hurricane Humberto (2007). It is indicated that hurricane initialization with the BDA technique can improve the forecast skills of track and intensity in the Advanced Research WRF (ARW). Among the three hurricane verification parameters [track, central sea level pressure (CSLP), and maximum surface wind (MSW)], BDA improves CSLP the most. The improvement of MSW is also considerable. The track has the smallest, but still noticeable, improvement. With WRF 3D-VAR, the initial vortex produced by BDA is balanced with the dynamical and statistical balance in the 3D-VAR system. It has great potential for improving the hurricane intensity forecast. The case study on Hurricane Humberto (2007) shows that BDA performs better than the GFDL bogus scheme in the ARW forecast for the case. Better definition of the initial vortex is the main reason for the advanced skill in hurricane track and intensity forecasting in this case.
We Be Burnin'! Agency, Identity, and Science Learning

This article investigates the development of agency in science among low-income urban youth aged 10 to 14 as they participated in a voluntary year-round program on green energy technologies conducted at a local community club in a midwestern city. Focusing on how youth engaged a summer unit on understanding and modeling the relationship between energy use and the health of the urban environment, we use ethnographic data to discuss how the youth asserted themselves as community science experts in ways that took up and broke down the contradictory roles of being a producer and a critic of science/education. Our findings suggest that youth actively appropriate project activities and tools in order to challenge the types of roles and student voice traditionally available to students in the classroom.
A Novel Arthroscopic Inside-Out Repair Technique for PASTA Lesions

There is no current consensus in the literature on the optimal technique for surgical treatment of partial articular-sided supraspinatus tendon avulsion (PASTA) lesions, although most techniques described to date require takedown of the partially torn tendon or passage of an anchor through the already damaged tendon. We describe a novel inside-out repair technique for partial articular surface supraspinatus tears that does not require further disruption of the partially torn tendon by passage of an anchor.
The Analytic Hierarchy Process: wash criteria should not be ignored

In this short paper it is shown that care is required to perform the appropriate normalisation needed to derive the right set of priorities from paired comparisons when criteria are added or deleted in a decision problem. This is particularly true for criteria with respect to which the alternatives have equal priorities and may be thought by someone to be of no consequence in ranking the alternatives. It is easy to see that small perturbation of the equal values of the alternatives with respect to an overwhelmingly important criterion can make a substantial difference to the final priorities of the alternatives if that criterion, called a wash criterion, is blindly deleted from the set of criteria. Background discussion and examples by some authors who did not examine it in the depth needed to understand its consequences are given to demonstrate how to deal with this artificially concocted idea.
Systemic Preexposure Prophylaxis for HIV: Translating Clinical Data to Clinical Practice

Objective: To assess the real-world implications of oral tenofovir–emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) for HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in clinical practice and highlight important considerations for its implementation. Data Sources: A search of PubMed (January 1996 through June 2013) was conducted using the terms HIV preexposure prophylaxis, HIV prevention, tenofovir, and emtricitabine. Abstracts from 2012-2013 HIV/AIDS conferences were also reviewed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All pertinent original studies and review articles published in English were evaluated for inclusion. Reference citations from identified articles were examined for additional content. Data Synthesis: Although antiretroviral therapy has been highly successful in reducing AIDS outcomes and death in HIV-infected patients worldwide, transmission of HIV remains a major global health problem. The recent approval of oral TDF-FTC for HIV PrEP represents the latest biomedical intervention to help control this epidemic. Four published ...
Optical and Physical Properties of Carbodiimides

Electronic (ultraviolet and visible), infrared, far infrared, and Raman spectra are listed for selected aliphatic and aromatic carbodiimides. Analysis of the spectral bands associated with the alip...
A consistent nonparametric density estimator for the deconvolution problem

The problem of nonparametric estimation of a probability density function when the sample observations are contaminated with random noise is studied. A particular estimator fn(x) is proposed which uses kernel-density and deconvolution techniques. The estimator fn(x) is shown to be uniformly consistent, and its appearance and properties are affected by constants Mn and hn which the user may choose. The optimal choices of Mn and hn depend on the sample size n, the noise distribution, and the true distribution which is being estimated. Particular selections for Mn and hn which minimize upper-bound functions of the mean squared error for fn(x) are recommended. On etudie le probleme de ľestimation ďune fonction de densite a partir ďun echantillon contamine par un bruit aleatoire. Un estimateur fn(x) de type “noyau” et faisant intervenir des techniques de deconvolution est propose. II est demontre que fn(x) est uniformement convergent. Sa forme et ses proprietes sont affectees par des constantes Mn et hn que ľutilisateur peut choisir. Les choix optimaux de Mn et hn dependent de la taille echantillonnale n, de la loi du bruit aleatoire et de la vraie densite que ľon estime. On recommande des choix de Mn et hn qui minimisent des bornes superieures de ľerreur quadratique moyenne de fn(x).
Subjective reports of withdrawal among cocaine users: recommendations for DSM-IV

The proposed DSM-IV criteria for substance use disorders have included, as an option, a subtyping for physiologic dependence, characterized by either tolerance or withdrawal. Even if this option is not chosen at this stage of system revision, this weighting scheme justifies wider surveillance of these symptoms, especially for the more newly described cocaine dependence disorder. Wider surveillance of withdrawal is possible with the CIDI Substance Abuse Module (SAM), a WHO/ADAMHA diagnostic interview which covers criteria of substance use disorders according to the DSM-III, III-R, ICD-10 and proposed DSM-IV systems. To aid in this effort, we used the SAM, which includes a master list of all symptoms (n = 16) in the DSM manuals related to withdrawal from any substance to assess withdrawal symptoms from all substances. In this study, we hypothesized that the persons who used opiates with cocaine might misattribute their symptoms to cocaine; thus, we compared the responses of persons who used cocaine and opiates (opiate users) with the responses of persons who used cocaine without opiates (non-opiate users). Data from two St. Louis studies were combined for these analyses, users not in treatment or newly enrolled to drug-free or methadone treatment from a NIDA demonstration project and users selected for the St. Louis DSM-IV Field Trial. Of the 196 persons included from the field trial, 80% reported lifetime cocaine use compared with 91% of the 412 persons from the demonstration project. The symptoms mentioned in the diagnostic manuals were among the most frequently endorsed by both cocaine use groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adaptive Neural Net Preprocessing for Signal Detection in Non-Gaussian Noise

A nonlinearity is required before matched filtering in minimum error receivers when additive noise is present which is impulsive and highly non-Gaussian. Experiments were performed to determine whether the correct clipping nonlinearity could be provided by a single-input single-output multi-layer perceptron trained with back propagation. It was found that a multi-layer perceptron with one input and output node, 20 nodes in the first hidden layer, and 5 nodes in the second hidden layer could be trained to provide a clipping nonlinearity with fewer than 5,000 presentations of noiseless and corrupted waveform samples. A network trained at a relatively high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and then used as a front end for a linear matched filter detector greatly reduced the probability of error. The clipping nonlinearity formed by this network was similar to that used in current receivers designed for impulsive noise and provided similar substantial improvements in performance.
The relationship of sperm counts to birth rates: a population based study.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determined if a statistical relationship exists between changes in sperm counts and birth rates by comparing data from a single geographic location for a 24-year period.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 660 men who banked 1,972 semen samples before vasectomy in Minnesota from 1971 to 1994. Using general linear models, annual variations in sperm count were determined after adjusting for age, duration of abstinence and seasonal (monthly) effects. Adjusted annual mean sperm count was then correlated with regional birth rate data obtained from The National Center for Health Statistics.Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant linear increase in mean annual sperm count at an estimated rate of 1.03 x 106 sperm per ml. per year (b = 0.14, t = 5.641, p <0.0001). There was no effect of age (t = -0.814, p = 0.4156) but there were significant effects of abstinence (b = 0.14, t = 8.808, p <0.0001) and month of sperm banking (b = 0.025, t = 5.00, p <0.0...
Understanding Hector: The Dynamics of Island Thunderstorms

Abstract Linear and nonlinear models are used to examine the development of island thunderstorms, in particular the Hector convective system that forms over the Tiwi Islands just north of Australia. The linear model is used to examine the flow response to an isolated, elliptical, heat source. It is found that the low-level convergence is maximized when the flow is weak and along the major axis of the heat source. A dry version of the nonlinear model verifies the trends predicted by the linear model except at very low flow speeds where the convergence is bounded in the nonlinear model but increases indefinitely in the linear model. Deep convection develops over the heat source when a moisture profile with positive convective available potential energy (CAPE) is added to the nonlinear model. The sensitivity of the convective strength (defined by the accumulated rainfall and total condensate) to wind speed and direction, surface fluxes, and low-level moisture is then examined. It is shown that the strength i...
Automating voting terminal event log analysis

In the interest of auditing election procedures, certain electronic voting technologies provide monitoring capabilities that record select actions undertaken by election officials before, during, and after an election process, as well as the conditions present in an electronic voting terminal as the result of its interactions with its environment. In this paper we report on an automated auditing process for detecting procedural irregularities for elections employing the AccuVote Optical Scan (AV-OS) terminal (manufactured by Premier Election Systems). Our auditing process is derived from an abstract finite state model of the AV-OS; this determines, in particular, a correspondence between state transitions and logged events that separates expected and "irregular" histories. Automating the detection of these irregular histories has permitted us to provide detailed election procedure audits for full-scale Connecticut elections. We conclude the article with a discussion of the result of the event log analysis performed within the post-election audit of the November 2008 elections in Connecticut. Additionally, we identify a defect and some deficiencies in the AV-OS event logging subsystem that can interfere with the event log transcript making it vulnerable to manipulation and discuss the effects of these deficiencies. This research is funded by the Office of the Secretary of the State of Connecticut.
Altering molecular photophysics by merging organic and inorganic chromophores.

ConspectusPhotofunctional molecules and assemblies lie at the heart of many important fundamental processes in nature, and researchers have generated multitudes of artificial chromophores intended to mimic these naturally occurring systems. As dynamic spectroscopic techniques are becoming more widely available, ultrafast techniques in particular, substantial insight continues to be gleaned from the initial photon stimulation event through internal conversion, structural rearrangements, intersystem crossing, energy migration, electron transfer events, and ultimately regeneration of the ground state chromophores in both naturally occurring and inspired chromophores.This Account details research endeavors motivated by the concept that merging organic and inorganic chromophores can lead to new molecules exhibiting novel excited state properties. Moreover, these excited state properties can be fundamentally understood using combinations of static and dynamic spectroscopic tools, yielding systematic improvement...
Role of pyridoxine in the production of leucocytes in normal and leukemic mice.

Summary1) Pyridoxine deficiency in mice produces granulocytosis and lymphopenia. 2). The leukemia of the Ak mice now being bred in this laboratory is participated in by both granulocytes and lymphocytes. In pyridoxine deficiency the leukemic granulocytosis is more severe and the survival time of the animals is decreased. 3) The hypothesis is advanced that the granulocytosis in pyridoxine-deficient mice is due to the failure on the part of the animals to perform metabolic functions in which pyridoxine derivatives play a catalytic role; thus, supplies of compounds used in the formation of granulocytes accumulate, and, as a result, the animals utilize this plethora in producing excess numbers of granulocytes. The implications of this hypothesis are discussed.
Factors Affecting Extraction and Recovery of Follicle Stimulating Hormone From Sheep Pituitary Glands.

Summary(1) The effect of salt concentration and pH during extraction of sheep pituitary tissue, and temperature and pH of fractionation of these extracts on the preparation of FSH were studied. The most highly purified FSH from the biological standpoint was obtained by extracting at pH 5 with saturated NaCl solution and fractionating at pH 2.5 and 30°C. (2) The FSH preparations made by extracting with 90% saturated and saturated NaCl at pH 5, 5.5 and 6 and fractionating at 30°C and pH 2.5 contained little LH. (3) These preparations were free of ACTH and TSH at the levels tested. (4) The FSH can be concentrated and purified by use of anion and cation exchange resins. (5) Preparations made from 80% saturated NaCl extracts and from extracts made at pH 8 and 9 with saturated NaCl contained significant amounts of LH.
Sub-grid models for heat transfer in gas-particle flows with immersed horizontal cylinders

Abstract Simulating full-scale heated fluidized bed reactors can provide invaluable insight to the design process. Such simulations are typically computationally intractable due to their complex multi-physics and various length-scales. While it may be possible to simulate some large-scale systems, they require significant computing resources and do not lend themselves well to design optimization methods. To overcome these problems coarse-grid simulations can be used with supplementary constitutive sub-grid models to approximate the unresolved physics. This study details the development, implementation, and verification of a sub-grid model for heat transfer in gas-particle flows with immersed horizontal cylinders. Using the two-fluid model for multiphase flow, small periodic unit-cell domains were simulated over a wide range of flow and geometry conditions. The results were filtered and fit using nonlinear regression to build a Nusselt correlation based on the solids fraction, solids velocity, cylinder geometry (diameter and spacing), and the Peclet number. The proposed model is highly nonlinear and includes power-law contributions from each parameter. The model was verified using a nearly orthogonal experiment design where the input parameters were varied randomly to generate combinations not previously considered. The predicted filtered Nusselt numbers agreed well with the observed (simulated) values. Work is on-going to further expand the capabilities of the model, including 3D simulations, vertical cylinders, and uncertainty quantification.
Analysis on monitoring result of fly in 2010 in Xianyang city

Objective To find out species,quantity,distribution and seasonal variation of flies in Xianyang city.Methods According to the "Surveillance methods for vector density-fly" GB/T23796-2009,cage trap method was adopted in continuous dynamic monitoring of flies in urban area from April to October in 2010.Results 2 735 flies were captured in total.Mean density of these flies was 18.99%.These flies made up of 37.29% flesh fly,25.27% of house flies,19.89% of Lucilia,11.33% of Muscina stabulans.Peak density appeared in July,August,September;and densities of the three months were 29.45,30.75,37.60 flies per cage respectively.Conclusion During active phase of adult flies,the time between July and September is important to prevent and cure,the prevention focus areas are public lawn and residential area.The related departments should increase the fly fishing equipment around these spaces,and keep environment clean,help people to avoid Harassment from flies,reduce and avoid incidence of intestinal infectious diseases and parasitic diseases.
Dynamic observation on the volume change of thyroid among the targeted population from 1997 to 2005 in Jiangsu province

[Objective] To explore the underlying information from the volume of thyroid among the targeted population. [Methods] 5920 children aged between 8 and 10 were examined for the volume of thyroid with AKHO-3000 B ultrasonic wave machine in 1997,1999,2001,2002 and 2005 respectively. [Results] The volumes of thyroid of children aged 8 to 10 years had dropped to normal level after 2 to 4 years of universal salt iodinization and more deeply in the 6th and 7th year within the normal range,and then swing on a comparatively low level. [Conclusion] It can be used as one of the indicators in evaluating the results of universal salt iodinization intervention of iodine deficiency disorders among the residents by measuring the tendency of thyroid volume change with ultrasonic.
WE-B-201-00: Statistical Failings That Keep Us All in the Dark

Evidence is growing to suggest that many published clinical results cannot be replicated. At the same time, the number of published clinical papers is steadily increasing and most if not all base their conclusions on evidence provided by formal statistical tests. Medical physicists have a critical need to understand and be able to interpret the methods and results of these studies in order to judge their scientific quality and relevance. However many medical physicists have minimal or no training in the sort of practical statistical methods commonly found in the literature. They may therefore have an inadequate ability to detect statistical errors and limitations that are an unfortunately too frequent occurrence in clinical papers. In this session we will use published examples to demonstrate common statistical errors frequently encountered in peer-reviewed literature, distinctive symptoms that can help detect these errors, and explanations for how they might have been corrected. In the process, we will explain some of the basic concepts of inferential statistics. Some specific case studies we will cover will include misunderstanding the meaning of p-values and clinical significance, misinterpreting statistical power, not accounting for multiple-hypothesis testing, ignoring missing data, and faulty survival analysis. Learning Objectives: 1.Learn about the presence of statistical problems in published studies 2.Identify common signs and symptoms of potential problems in various types of statistical tests 3.Learn methods for correctly implementing statistical analyses of the type commonly found in clinical publications
Dependence of Contrast-Enhanced Lesion Detection in Contrast-Enhanced Digital Breast Tomosynthesis on Imaging Chain Design

Contrast-enhanced digital breast tomosynthesis CEDBT may improve contrast-enhanced lesion conspicuity and relative contrast quantification by improving three-dimensional visualization of lesion morphology, and reducing the integration of attenuation information along the axial direction. Improved visualization of patterns of contrast-enhancement and improved iodine quantification may help differentiate between malignant and benign enhancing lesions. The dependence of dual-energy contrast-enhanced lesion detectability on imaging chain design is investigated. Lesion detectability and relative iodine quantification is comparable for subtraction in either reconstruction or projection domains for both phantom and patient images. SART generally produces greater SDNR than FBP, and scatter correcting projections further improves SDNR.
Conclusion: Lessons Learned

The contributions in this book have focused on the strategies being employed by global south countries that are striving to achieve or sustain influence and leadership in their regions and beyond. The countries selected have ranged from large to medium to small-sized states, high income to low, advanced industrializing to agricultural nations, and democracies to quasi- and nondemocracies. Several common threads have been identified in the descriptions of the strategies chosen by these countries to project themselves: institutionalism, autonomy, prioritization of global and regional economic integration, antihegemonic approaches, and cultural promotion. In terms of the drivers of global south diplomacy, relevant factors include economic development, security vulnerabilities, executive preferences, and local ideas and culture. As far as the bureaucratic capabilities are concerned, problems such as staffing and politicization are identified as obstacles to greater international promotion. It is concluded that the international relations (IR) and foreign policy scholars need to incorporate global south perspectives to better understand the new multipolarity.
Localization Methods for Excisional Biopsy in Women With Nonpalpable Mammographic Abnormalities

Abstract Introduction With the advent and proliferation of breast cancer screening programs, more women are being diagnosed with mammographic abnormalities that require tissue diagnosis. If imaged-guided biopsy is not possible or previous image-guided biopsies reveal pathologies that require more extensive surgery, guided excisional biopsy/lumpectomy may be necessary. Methods Fifteen women were enrolled in the study of the feasibility of off-site or day-before wire-localization excisional biopsy of the breast with mammographic abnormalities. Five patients had their localization wire placed the day before, whereas 10 patients had their localization the same day with surgery in a distant procedure room under straight local anesthesia. Results Two of the 15 patients had an eventual cancer diagnosis from their wire-localized excisional breast biopsy. All patients had their mammographic abnormality removed with the previously placed core biopsy clip, and there was 100% radiologic/clinical correlation. All patients' wounds healed primarily without any surgical site infections. Conclusion The protocol answers 2 questions concerning the wire-localized excisional breast biopsy technique. The series shows that the wire-localization technique can be performed the night before or in a location away from the procedure room that would allow better synchronization with surgical schedules or allow the procedure to take place in low-cost settings away from the expense of the hospital operating room.
A propagation/expansion model for large scale vapor explosions

A one-dimensional, propagation/expansion model has been developed for large scale vapor explosions based on a fragmentation concept involving film collapse and coolant jet impingement and entrapment. This fragmentation model was combined with the nonequilibrium propagation/explosion model to predict the integral behavior in a vapor explosion such as pressure history and explosion conversion ratio. The model predicts the correct qualitative trends from available explosion data (e.g., the fully instrumented test series at Sandia National Laboratories) as a function of fuel composition, coolant temperature, ambient pressure, coolant/fuel mass ratio, and initial constraint.
Linking Organelle Remodeling with the Erythroid Cell Genetic Network

Abstract 367 Developmental processes such as hematopoiesis are regulated by complex genetic networks, which can be deconstructed into regulatory modules termed network motifs. Although considerable progress has been made in defining genetic networks that control hematopoiesis, many questions remain regarding how such networks are established and maintained. We provide evidence for an important network motif involving the master regulator of erythropoiesis GATA-1 and the forkhead transcription factor FoxO3, which instigates autophagy as an important component of the erythroid cell genetic network. Autophagy mediates organelle remodeling, including the consumption of mitochondria, as a critical developmental process and as a cellular quality control mechanism. Whereas autophagy has been analyzed extensively under stress conditions, mechanisms that instigate and regulate autophagy in specialized cell and tissue types are much less understood. In a genetic complementation assay in G1E-ER-GATA-1 cells, ER-GATA-1 directly activated transcription of essential autophagy genes, including the gene encoding Microtubule Associated Protein 1 Light Chain 3B (LC3B). GATA-1-mediated LC3B induction was associated with increased LC3B-positive autophagosomes, based on immunofluorescence studies. We developed transmission electron microscopy/immunogold labeling assays, which uniquely allow one to mechanistically dissect how a single regulatory factor (GATA-1) orchestrates organelle remodeling as a crucial step in terminal maturation. This analysis provided evidence that GATA-1 induction of LC3B is linked to increased autophagosome/autophagolysosome numbers per cell and to increased autophagosome/autophagolysosome size. As these organelles mediate mitochondrial clearance as a crucial step in erythropoiesis, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. We demonstrated that GATA-1 directly activates autophagy genes and induces FoxO3, another direct activator of autophagy genes. This dual regulatory mechanism constitutes a type 1 coherent feed-forward loop, a network motif that can buffer input signal noise (GATA-1 level/activity), thus preventing a premature output (autophagy). In principle, a sustained input signal translates into an irreversible autophagy output. GATA-1 induced FoxO3 protein 6.7 fold (p Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Towards an automated tool for software testing and analysis

Inclination of the world towards automated applications has made software testing a vital part of software development. Two most commonly used types of software testing are Black-box testing and White-box testing. Similarly, unit testing allows testing software in parts, which takes less time as compared to other types of software testing and also provides a cost-effective software testing approach by detecting errors at initial stages of software development. In this paper we present a technique to build an automated software testing tool, which covers all the above mentioned frequently used kinds of software testing. This tool tests the source code (in C++ Language) of any software, thus performs the White-Box Testing. It also performs unit testing by providing the option to test any unit or module of the source code of a software. A comparison of this tool with the commercial testing software is presented. A distinguishing feature of the automated software tool is the ability to use Assertion based Testing. Moreover, our tool also supports performing Dead Code and Exception Testing.
New State Variable Opportunities Beyond CMOS: A System Perspective

HERE is an international effort underway to discover a replacement for the CMOS transistor which will, within about one decade, not submit to further feature size scaling. There are many different candidates to replace the CMOS FET, but according to ITRS [1], none of them appear at this time to offer functional properties that are universally superior to the extremely scaled FET.
Relational autonomy in informed consent (RAIC) as an ethics of care approach to the concept of informed consent

The perspectives of the dominant Western ethical theories, have dominated the concepts of autonomy and informed consent for many years. Recently this dominant understanding has been challenged by ethics of care which, although, also emanates from the West presents a more nuanced concept: relational autonomy, which is more faithful to our human experience. By paying particular attention to relational autonomy, particularity and Process approach to ethical deliberations in ethics of care, this paper seeks to construct a concept of informed consent from the perspective of ethics of care which is here called relational autonomy-in-informed consent (RAIC). Thus, providing a broader theoretical basis for informed consent beyond the usual theoretical perspectives that are particularly Western. Care ethics provides such a broader basis because it appeals to a global perspective that encompasses lessons from other cultures, and this will help to enrich the current ideas of bioethics principles of autonomy and informed consent. This objective will be achieved by exploring the ethics of care emphasis on relationships based on a universal experience of caring; and by contrasting its concept of autonomy as relational with the understanding of autonomy in the approaches of the dominant moral theories that reflect rational, individualistic, and rights-oriented autonomy of the American liberalism.
Bumpless Reengagement Using Shared Control between Human Pilot and Adaptive Autopilot

Abstract In this paper, we consider a flight control problem subjected to actuator anomalies. We propose a shared control architecture that includes actions of both a human pilot and an adaptive autopilot that achieves bumpless performance while retaining a Capacity for Maneuver (CfM) following the anomaly. The shared controller distributes the critical tasks of anomaly perception and adaptation between a human pilot and an adaptive autopilot to best utilize their individual strengths. The human pilot’s expertise in detection and perception of anomaly is utilized to determine an initial estimate of the plant parameters. An adaptive autopilot then carries out further tuning of the controller to minimize the tracking error while retaining a certain CfM. The shared controller is evaluated in simulation study of an F-8 aircraft under actuator anomalies and shown to be advantageous compared to a fixed-gain fault tolerant controller.
[Fulminant hepatic failure after simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation: a case report].

Abstract We describe an unusual case of hyperacute hepatic failure following general anesthesia in a patient receiving a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant. Despite an aggressive evaluation of structural, immunological, viral, and toxicological causes, a definitive cause could not be elucidated. The patient required a liver transplant and suffered a protracted hospital course. We discuss the potential causes of fulminant hepatic failure and the perioperative anesthesia management of her subsequent liver transplantation.
The Surface Tension of Air and Air Component Mixtures

New equations for the surface tension of nitrogen, argon, and oxygen have been developed and incorporated in a mixture model which predicts the surface tension of air and air component mixtures. Independent variables for the mixture surface tension model are the liquid mole fractions of nitrogen, argon, and oxygen, and the bubble point temperature. Predictions from the new surface tension equations are compared with experimental pure fluid and mixture data.
THE ECOLOGY OF THE VERNACULAR HOUSING IN TURKEY TOWARD DESIGNING FOR ‘LOCUS’

ABSTRACT The present study examines the morphology of vernacular houses in Turkey in terms of their micro-climatic properties. Human aspects of these forms are also analyzed briefly especially in hor-arid regions of the country which has four distinct climatic and ecological conditions. The vernacular house forms developed for centries within these varying ecosystems reflect highly sensitive micro-climatic solutions.
The Measurement of Auger Electron-Ion Coincidence Events from Surfaces

The recent activity in the area of desorption induced by electronic transitions has resulted in evermore complex and detailed models for the desorption event [1,2]. The gains in conceptual framework for desorption has been matched by advances in the experimental capabilities, e.g.,angle resolved techniques, photon stimulated desorption, the detection of neutral species (sometimes in a state selective way), to name a few. The challenging physics of the desorption event will require a continual improvement in the sophistication of our techniques, so that the range of questions we can pose and eventually answer keeps expanding. Much of what we now believe to be true regarding desorption mechanisms came from inferences from desorption threshold and near edge structure measurements. In these, the characeristic energy of a threshold or a peak in a desorption yield curve is related to an excitation, which can be directly to a desorbing state, or can subsequently decay to yield desorption via a more complex final state. Another technique which is often used in the gas phase is to measure coincidence between electrons emitted during the formation of the desorbing state, and the emitted ion. In this way one can directly determine the nature of the electronic configuration leading to desorption. This experiment has never been done from surfaces because the surface presents formidable problems; it acts as a source of secondary electrons, there are numerous simultaneous sources of ions, it is difficult to efficiently collect ions or electrons from a surface, and reneutralization and recapture occur readily, so that emitted electrons which in the gas phase would be accompanied by ions, are instead in most events accompanied by a recapture or reneutralization event on surfaces. Here we describe an attempt to measure coincident events between Auger electrons from a surface and ions which are desorbed from the Auger final state.
METABOLIC CONTROL IN THE PERFUSED RAT HEART

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses relative activity of phosphofructokinase (PFK), functioning as an individual member in the intact sequence of glycolytic enzymes, to changes in the levels of known activators and inhibitors. In some experiments described in the chapter, rat hearts were perfused by gravity feed, and in some experiments, the mechanical performance was monitored by means of a Stat ham strain gauge. In a rat's heart muscle, entry of glucose into the cell is restricted by a permeability barrier, which is relieved wholly or partially by drugs or humoral factors or by an increase in the work load on the heart. Certain reactions of the glycolytic sequence are maintained close to equilibrium, even when the flux rate is high, while other reactions are far displaced from equilibrium. Glycolytic flux in the heart muscle is mainly limited by the activity of PFK.
Thermoelectrics: Material Candidates and Structures I – Chalcogenides and Silicon-Germanium Alloys

Bismuth telluride, Bi2Te3, state-of-the-art material, is a well-established and effective thermoelectric material from V–VI group of materials. The Peltier effect (thermal cooling) has been observed in p-Bi2Te3 coupled with n-type samples and has been commercialized since the early 1960s. Tremendous amount of research has been reported on these materials from single crystal form to polycrystalline form and from 3D to nanodimensions to quantum confinement.
Enhanced tumor specific immune response by combination of low and high energy high intensity focused ultrasound therapy in a murine tumor

2091 High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invassive treatment that can induce temperature elevation resulting in coagulative necrosis and tumor ablation. HIFU frequently uses "high" energy (1300-2000 W/cm2) and at 4 MHz. In contrast, "low" energy HIFU operating at focal intensity (~500 W/cm2) and frequency 1 MHz induces membrane perturbations and mild hyperthermia, maintaining cell viability and avoiding tissue cavitation. Although HIFU has been used for tumor ablation, we wanted to explore immuno-modulatory roles of HIFU. We hypothesized that repeated cycles of Low-HIFU, followed by High-HIFU (1 day post-low-HIFU), could release tumor-derived peptide-heat shock proteins (peptide-hsp) and induce systemic tumor-specific immune response that would enhance control of both local and systemic disease. RM-1-OT murine prostate cancer cells, transfected with ovalbumin (OVA) gene were used as footpad and flank tumors in C57BL/6 mice. Since RM-1-OT expresses ovalbumin, immune responses to OVA can be monitored as a surrogate for tumor-specific immunity. Palpable tumors (3-5 mm) were treated with Low or High-HIFU or a combination of low- and high-HIFU, weekly for 3 wks. Animals were monitored for adverse effects and tumor growth. Levels of HSP 70 protein in tumor homogenates and serum were measured by ELISA, 6 and 24 hours after HIFU. At the end of experiments (3 wks), splenocyte phenotypes and tumor-specific, IFN-γ-secreting T-helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were assessed by FACS, IFN-γ ELISPOT and functional CD107 mobilization assay, respectively. Additionally, tumor specific antibodies were evaluated by indirect ELISA assay. Low-HIFU alone did not affect tumor growth while High-HIFU had an intermediate effect. The combination of the Low+High HIFU treatment was the most effective in reducing tumor growth compared to other cohorts (P
Trends in the Use of Laparoscopy and Robotics for Colorectal Cancer in Florida.

Abstract Background: Laparoscopy and more recently robotics are increasingly used for colorectal cancer surgery in the United States. We examined the current trends of minimally invasive surgical r...
Catching As and Zs: poor sleep quality predicts failures to increase studying time.

Abstract Objective We examined the association between sleep quality and academic performance by attending to university students' self-defined goals to increase studying behaviors over a four-week period. Methods We evaluated this association in 100 undergraduates, who self-elected to change their studying behaviors and were randomly assigned to one of three interventions (action planning, dissonance-based, or reflection). Results We found a negative association between the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline and subsequent studying time over the next four weeks, reflecting a small to medium effect size (partial r = .21). Depressive symptoms did not mediate the predictive influence of sleep quality on studying behavior. Intervention type did not influence the association between sleep quality and studying time. Conclusions The predictive significance of sleep quality, in the context of the failure of effects for the randomized interventions, underscores the potential for intervening with sleep as part of efforts to improve academic behaviors.
Genotoxic effects of topoisomerase poisoning and PARP inhibition on zebrafish embryos

Topoisomerase poisons are known to stabilize covalent enzyme-DNA intermediates forming covalent cleavage complexes, which are highly cytotoxic especially for dividing cells and thus, make topoisomerases targets for cancer therapy. Topoisomerases have been extensively studied in mammalian model systems, whereas in other vertebrate models including zebrafish, they still remain less characterized. Here we show similarities in the genotoxic effects of zebrafish and mammalian systems towards topoisomerase I (Top1) poisons and PARP inhibitor - olaparib. On the other hand we observed that topoisomerase II (Top2) poisons (doxorubicin and etoposide) did not affect 1 day post fertilization embryo viability, however in cells isolated from Top2 drug treated embryos the formation of DNA cleavage complexes was observed by comet assay. We explain this by cellular drug uptake limitation in live zebrafish embryos versus unimpeded drug influx in cells isolated from Top2 poisons pre-treated embryos. We also demonstrate that EDTA facilitates the extraction of Top2 from zebrafish nuclei and recovers both, basal and Top2 poison induced DNA damage.
Acculturation, enculturation, and bicultural orientations: Conceptualizations and links to alcohol use

Abstract Many people from immigrant backgrounds experience intercultural contact and adjustment. Acculturation and enculturation can affect people’s worldviews, including distinct societal scripts on culturally sanctioned behaviors in any given society. In turn, the integration of these cultural scripts can influence people’s behaviors, such as engaging in alcohol use. Acculturation and enculturation have been shown to be associated with alcohol use, yet it is unclear as to how the integration of these two orientations are related to drinking behaviors and related consequences. In this chapter, we address the conceptual issues associated with acculturation, enculturation, and bicultural orientation as they pertain to alcohol use, and shed light on the strengths and limitations of the measures that are designed to assess these constructs. We also provide an overview of the literature and critically evaluate the state of the field. Finally, we provide suggestions for future research that will help advance this field forward.
Early Predictors of Performance Deficiencies in Academic Faculty: Pre-Employment Red Flags.

Abstract Objective To determine whether faculty who had red flags (unprofessional behavior, delayed response to queries, or delayed submission of required documentation) during pre-employment were more likely to have performance deficiencies than faculty who did not have red flags. Methods The study included 187 faculty consecutively hired in a Department of Pediatrics in a large academic health system from 2013 to 2018. Faculty with and without pre-employment red flags were compared to identify the proportion who had subsequent performance deficiencies related to documentation, unprofessional behavior, performance, or premature departure from the faculty. Results Most of the hired faculty were female (127, 0.68), physicians (136, 0.73), and clinicians or clinician-educators (124, 0.67). Sixteen faculty (0.09) had pre-employment red flags. In the 3 years after hiring, 31 (0.17) of the faculty cohort had at least 1 performance deficiency. Faculty with pre-employment red flags were more than 4 times as likely to experience a performance deficiency during follow-up (0.56 vs 0.13, P Conclusions Faculty who had pre-employment red flags were significantly more likely to experience subsequent performance deficiencies. Given the substantial investment that individuals and academic medical centers make in recruiting and hiring new faculty, efforts to identify and assist faculty members at risk provide academic departments opportunities to provide the best environment for success for all faculty.