cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction of Stat6 and NF-κB: Direct Association and Synergistic Activation of Interleukin-4-Induced Transcription

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (Stat6) and NF-κB are widely distributed transcription factors which are induced by different stimuli and bind to distinct DNA sequence motifs. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), which activates Stat6, synergizes with activators of NF-κB to induce IL-4-responsive genes, but the molecular mechanism of this synergy is poorly understood. Using glutathione S-transferase pulldown assays and coimmunoprecipitation techniques, we find that NF-κB and tyrosine-phosphorylated Stat6 can directly bind each other in vitro and in vivo. An IL-4-inducible reporter gene containing both cognate binding sites in the promoter is synergistically activated in the presence of IL-4 when Stat6 and NF-κB proteins are coexpressed in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells. The same IL-4-inducible reporter gene is also synergistically activated by the endogenous Stat6 and NF-κB proteins in IL-4-stimulated I.29μ B lymphoma cells. Furthermore, Stat6 and NF-κB bind cooperatively to a DNA probe containing both sites, and the presence of a complex formed by their cooperative binding correlates with the synergistic activation of the promoter by Stat6 and NF-κB. We conclude that the direct interaction between Stat6 and NF-κB may provide a basis for synergistic activation of transcription by IL-4 and activators of NF-κB.
Self-assembly for maximum yields under constraints

We present an algorithm that, given any target tree, synthesizes reversible self-assembly rules that provide a maximum yield in the sense of stochastic stability. If the reversibility constraint is relaxed then the same algorithm can be trivially modified so that it converges to a maximum yield almost surely. The proof of correctness in both cases relies on the notion of a completing rule. We examine the conservatism of this technique by considering its implications for the internal states of the system. We show by example that any algorithm that guarantees the existence of a completing rule for all target trees will, for some cases, (1) produce complete assemblies with non-unique internal states, or (2) produce internal states that cannot be recovered from the unlabeled graph.
MAPK activation predicts poor outcome and the MEK inhibitor, selumetinib, reverses antiestrogen resistance in ER-positive high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Purpose: Although 67% of high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC) express the estrogen receptor (ER), most fail antiestrogen therapy. Because MAPK activation is frequent in ovarian cancer, we investigated if estrogen regulates MAPK and if MEK inhibition (MEKi) reverses antiestrogen resistance. Experimental Design: Effects of MEKi (selumetinib), antiestrogen (fulvestrant), or both were assayed in ER-positive HGSOC in vitro and in xenografts. Response biomarkers were investigated by gene expression microarray and reverse phase protein array (RPPA). Genes differentially expressed in two independent primary HGSOC datasets with high versus low pMAPK by RPPA were used to generate a “MAPK-activated gene signature.” Gene signature components that were reversed by MEKi were then identified. Results: High intratumor pMAPK independently predicts decreased survival (HR, 1.7; CI > 95%,1.3–2.2; P = 0.0009) in 408 HGSOC from The Cancer Genome Atlas. A differentially expressed “MAPK-activated” gene subset was also prognostic. “MAPK-activated genes” in HGSOC differ from those in breast cancer. Combined MEK and ER blockade showed greater antitumor effects in xenografts than monotherapy. Gene set enrichment analysis and RPPA showed that dual therapy downregulated DNA replication and cell-cycle drivers, and upregulated lysosomal gene sets. Selumetinib reversed expression of a subset of “MAPK-activated genes” in vitro and/or in xenografts. Three of these genes were prognostic for poor survival ( P = 0.000265) and warrant testing as a signature predictive of MEKi response. Conclusions: High pMAPK is independently prognostic and may underlie antiestrogen failure. Data support further evaluation of fulvestrant and selumetinib in ER-positive HGSOC. The MAPK-activated HGSOC signature may help identify MEK inhibitor responsive tumors. Clin Cancer Res; 22(4); 935–47. ©2015 AACR .
Energy Requirements of Pediatric Patients With Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Introduction: The primary purpose of this study was to compare the measured resting energy requirements (MREE) of children with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) with that of children with burns of similar size. A secondary goal was to develop a predictive equation useful in estimating the energy of children with SJS/TEN. Methods: This retrospective study included 30 patients admitted to our pediatric burn unit between 12/91 and 03/06. All patients were admitted within 10 days of injury and had at least 1 metabolic cart measurement. Fifteen patients with SJS/TEN comprised group 1. Group 2 consisted of 15 burn patients matched for total wound size, age, preinjury weight, and gender. Caloric intake and discharge weight (percent of preburn weight) were recorded. Results: The energy needs of the SJS/TEN group were 22% less than the burn group. Correlation between MRE × 1.3 and caloric intake was 0.89 for the SJS/TEN group and 0.92 for the burn group (P < .0001). Both the SJS/T...
Bioengineered human and allogeneic pulmonary valve conduits chronically implanted orthotopically in baboons: Hemodynamic performance and immunologic consequences

Objective This study assesses in a baboon model the hemodynamics and human leukocyte antigen immunogenicity of chronically implanted bioengineered (decellularized with collagen conditioning treatments) human and baboon heart valve scaffolds. Methods Fourteen baboons underwent pulmonary valve replacement, 8 with decellularized and conditioned (bioengineered) pulmonary valves derived from allogeneic (N = 3) or xenogeneic (human) (N = 5) hearts; for comparison, 6 baboons received clinically relevant reference cryopreserved or porcine valved conduits. Panel-reactive serum antibodies (human leukocyte antigen class I and II), complement fixing antibodies (C1q binding), and C-reactive protein titers were measured serially until elective sacrifice at 10 or 26 weeks. Serial transesophageal echocardiograms measured valve function and geometry. Differences were analyzed with Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results All animals survived and thrived, exhibiting excellent immediate implanted valve function by transesophageal echocardiograms. Over time, reference valves developed a smaller effective orifice area index (median, 0.84 cm 2 /m 2 ; range, 1.22 cm 2 /m 2 ), whereas all bioengineered valves remained normal (effective orifice area index median, 2.45 cm 2 /m 2 ; range, 1.35 cm 2 /m 2 ; P = .005). None of the bioengineered valves developed elevated peak transvalvular gradients: 5.5 (6.0) mm Hg versus 12.5 (23.0) mm Hg ( P = .003). Cryopreserved valves provoked the most intense antibody responses. Two of 5 human bioengineered and 2 of 3 baboon bioengineered valves did not provoke any class I antibodies. Bioengineered human (but not baboon) scaffolds provoked class II antibodies. C1q + antibodies developed in 4 recipients. Conclusions Valve dysfunction correlated with markers for more intense inflammatory provocation. The tested bioengineering methods reduced antigenicity of both human and baboon valves. Bioengineered replacement valves from both species were hemodynamically equivalent to native valves.
The incidence and management of biliary complications following liver transplantation in children

Biliary complications following liver transplantation are a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. During the period 1988–1993 ten cases of biliary complications occurred after 98 transplantations in 78 children. The complications were four bile leaks, three intrahepatic biliary strictures (one with recurrent cholangitis), two anastomotic biliary strictures (one with recurrent cholangitis) and one recurrent cholangitis. All leaks occurred within 6 weeks of transplantation whereas all strictures and cholangitic episodes occurred after 3 months. Two biliary complications (20%) — one intrahepatic and one anastomotic stricture — developed secondary to hepatic artery thrombosis. The incidence of biliary complications was 13.2% with whole liver grafts as compared to 6.7% with partial liver grafts and it was 4.3% with duct-to-duct anastomosis as compared to 12.0% with Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunostomy. Seven children required intervention for management of biliary complications and three were managed conservatively. There were no deaths related to the biliary complications.
Eliciting and comparing false and recovered memories: an experimental approach

SUMMARY We describe an experimental paradigm designed to elicit both recovered and false memories in the laboratory. All participants saw, on a video screen, three critical categorized lists of words mixed in randomly with eighteen filler categorized lists. Those in the blocking condition then had several paper-and-pencil tasks that involved only the 18 non-critical filler lists. An uncued recall test was then given, asking participants to recall all the lists they originally saw on the video screen. Finally, there was a cued recall test that provided category cues for the three critical lists. Substantial memory blocking of critical lists on the uncued test and recovery on the cued recall test was observed in all three experiments. In Experiments 2 and 3, many false and recovered memories were elicited on the cued recall test by including cues for the three critical (forgotten) lists, plus cues for three lists that had never been presented. False memories were distinguishable from truly recovered memories in cued recall by ‘know’ versus ‘remember’ judgements, and by confidence ratings; accurately recovered memories were associated with higher confidence. False and recovered memories could not be discriminated based on recall latency. The results repeatedly show powerful effects of memory blocking and recovery. We also show that recovered and false memories can be elicited within a single experimental procedure, and there may be unique characteristics of each. Although we urge caution in generalizing to false and recovered memories of trauma, we suggest that variations of our comparative memory paradigm may be useful for learning about such phenomena. Copyright # 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
General anesthesia for cesarean section at a tertiary care hospital 1990–1995: indications and implications

Abstract Complications of general anesthesia for cesarean section remain the leading cause of anesthesia-related maternal mortality. General anesthesia, however, is becoming less popular for obstetric anesthesia, and thus fewer cesarean sections are conducted using this technique. As the number of general anesthesia cases decrease, the number of difficult intubations witnessed and managed by residents decreases. In addition, patients who undergo general anesthesia may have co-morbidities which, while not contraindicating regional anesthesia, may increase the risk of providing anesthesia. We reviewed the medical records of 6 calendar years (1990–1995) at our busy tertiary center, to determine patient demographics, indications for cesarean section, indications for general anesthesia, time of day, and complications related to airway management. From 1990 through 1995, cesarean sections under general anesthesia decreased from 7.2% to 3.6% ( P = 0.0001), however, they were performed on parturients with more maternal diseases (17.2% to 35.8%; P = 0.0034). Although the incidence of difficult intubations in those years ranged from 16.3% to 1.3%, only one failed intubation with resultant maternal mortality occurred. Few residency programs offer instruction on the difficult airway in the parturient population. Organized airway management programs specifically for the obstetric population may assist efforts to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with the provision of general anesthesia for cesarean section.
Use of an automated prescription database to identify individuals with asthma.

Abstract We used medication-dispensing information for 4 years (1/1/87 through 12/31/ 90) to examine the utilization of anti-asthma medications among 175,562 members of a large health maintenance organization. A total of 297,863 anti-asthma medications was dispensed during the study period, over one-half of which (55%) were β-agonists, followed by aminophylline preparations (23%) and inhaled corticosteroids (13%). Next, we compared the predictive value of three algorithms for identifying individuals with asthma: (1) two or more β-agonist dispensings, (2) both a β-agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid dispensing, and (3) five or more total anti-asthma dispensings. We performed chart reviews for 40 subjects aged 5–45 years in each of these three groups and made a clinical judgment, based on all available information in the chart, as to whether each patient had asthma. Two levels of certainty were used: “any asthma” and “definite asthma.” All 120 charts reviewed presented a clinical picture consistent with asthma. However, patients identified by the algorithm that included both a β-agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid were more likely to meet our criteria for “definite” asthma and more likely to have moderate to severe asthma. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using an automated outpatient pharmacy database to identify patients with asthma.
Re-Imagining Archival Display: Creating User-Friendly Finding Aids

This article examines how finding aids are structured and delivered, considering alternative approaches. It suggests that single-level displays, those that present a single component of a multilevel description to users at a time, have the potential to transform the delivery and display of collection information while improving the user experience. It also examines how single-level displays allow for greater reuse of finding aid data. It introduces the Brigham Young University finding aid system as a proof of concept model demonstrating the power of using inheritance and single-level displays to meet user needs.
Isolation, Culture and Characterization of Human Renal Tubular Cells

AbstractTubular cells have been isolated, characterized and cultured from more than 70 adult cadaver kidneys (postmortem time ≦ 12hr.). Confluent monolayers were observed at 7 days after seeding (106 cells/ml.) and cells demonstrating normal human karyotypes have been passaged up to 6 times. Primary isolates and monolayer cultures were negative for Factor VIII activity, and strongly positive for gamma-glutamyltransferase activity and keratin. Ultrastructurally primary isolates consisted of cells with numerous mitochondria, microvilli, cytoplasmic filaments and well-developed endocytotic apparati. Monolayer cultures examined at 7, 14, 21 and 72 days demonstrated less prominent microvilli and the additional structures of desmosomes and cell junctions. Membrane-associated and cytosolic enzyme activities were measured up to 28 days in culture. The membrane-associated enzymes γ-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase both exhibited approximately 10-fold decreases in activity during the 1st 7 days in cultu...
Transparency, Control, and Content Generation on Wikipedia: Editorial Strategies and Technical Affordances

The sparse nature of Wikipedia’s main content interface, dominated by clearly laid out content, neatly organized into information boxes, and structured into headings and subheadings projects an image of a simple and flexible content management system. Even though the process of social production that undergirds Wikipedia is rife with conflict, power struggles, revert wars, content transactions, and coordination efforts, not to mention vandalism, the article pages on Wikipedia shun information gauges that highlight the social nature of the contributions. Rather, they are characterized by a “less is more” ideology of design, which aims to maximize readability and to encourage future contributions. The tools for discerning the social dynamics that lead to the creation of any given page are buried deep into the structure of the interface. Often they are created and maintained by voluntary contributors, who host the information on their own servers. The reason for which the design choices made for the Wikipedia interface hide rather than highlight the true nature of these social dynamics remains a continuous motive for puzzlement.
Inference for performance evaluation of fingerprint identification systems based on a hierarchical random effects model

ABSTRACTBiometric authentication is widely employed today, from immigration and border control to ensuring security on mobile devices. Just as it is important to devise efficient biometric systems, it is equally or even more important to evaluate their performance. This article introduces a novel method of performance evaluation, particularly to assess the “scalability” of fingerprint identification systems using a Bayesian inference technique based on hierarchical random effects models. We also extend this model to predict false alarm probabilities on “watch-lists.” Both of these aspects are important for national security applications of such systems. We illustrate our approach using three fingerprint databases.
Application and Thinking of Network Technology in Hubei Province,the Local Opera Drama book Management System

With the development of network technology and the application in the library management system,model library management system with convenient,fast,intelligent advantages,strengthen Hubei local opera,drama books management system management system research and development,for the Hubei province local operas,plays a significant role in the development.This paper discusses the network technology in Hubei province,the local opera drama book management system application and thinking.
STUDY OF POLYSILICIC DECOLORATION COAGULANT(PSDC-III) AND ITS ENGINEERING APPLICATION

Polymerization silicate coagulant named(PSDC-III) was prepared with the wet waste from Hangzhou Steel Plant by using the method of pulverization,alkalization,acid pickling,polymerization,filtration and so on.In the process of polymerization,some Fe3+and Al3+were added.The influencing factors of decoloration and coagulation,as well as application in one Hangzhou printworks were investigated.The result indicated that(PSDC-III) as coagulants had a good effect within wide scope of pH value(≥6) and the coagulate produced from treatment process settled out quickly.The best ranges of pH value of decoloration treatment were pH 6～8.
Long Blind-Ending Ureteral Duplications

Long blind-ending ureteral duplications can be symptomatic and require surgical intervention. Three patients with long blind-ending ureteral duplications had prominent reflux and required either resection of the blind ureter and ureteral reimplantation or nephroureterectomy.
Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides from Freeze-Dried Tissue of Marine Mussel, Mytilus eduli

Supercritical fluid extractions (SFEs) of 21 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 8 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from freeze-dried mussel tissue are compared with traditional Soxhlet extractions. The aim was to determine the efficacy of supercritical CO 2 to extract these 2 classes of lipophilic compounds. A spike study to determine the feasibility of on-line cleanup by inclusion of an inert matrix (activated alumina) in the extraction vessel showed that the chemical integrity of the PCBs was not compromised, whereas some DDTs were decomposed to their respective metabolites. Relatively long static extraction time, higher density, and lower temperature yielded quantitative recoveries of PCBs from freeze-dried mussel tissue with good reproducibilities. Recoveries of OCPs were nonquantitative and highly variable. Finally, the efficacy of fluoroform (CHF 3 ) as an alternative supercritical fluid to selectively extract PCBs and OCPs was studied. Fluoroform yielded nonquantitative and variable recoveries of PCBs and OCPs, but its use eliminated the need for in situ alumina to retain coextracted lipids from the matrix.
ATPS-89LOCAL DELIVERY OF A SMALL-MOLECULE INHIBITOR OF HYPOXIA INDUCIBLE FACTOR-1: A NEW CANDIDATE DRUG FOR BRAIN TUMOR THERAPY

This work investigated the efficacy of intracranial delivery of acriflavine (ACF), a small-molecule hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) therapeutic inhibitor, for the treatment of primary brain malignancies. ACF, a mixture of two closely related acridine molecules, has only recently been recognized as a potent hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) inhibitor, but has already demonstrated highly effective anti-tumor activity against a wide spectrum of cancers. Thus far, no study has reported its efficacy in either glioma cell lines or brain tumor models. In our in vitro study on rodent and human glioma cell lines, we showed that ACF suppressed cell viability and increased cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Our in vivo study examined the safety and efficacy of locally delivered ACF in monotherapy. To overcome ACF's poor systemic bioavailability and limited BBB penetration, we delivered ACF directly to the site of the tumor via biodegradable polymer wafers. Throughout three separate experiments, enrolling a total of 60 F334 Fisher rats, we showed that animals receiving local implantation of ACF wafers achieved an extraordinary 100% survival rate of up to 300 days (p <0.0001 vs. controls and 0.0002 vs. a Temozolomide-treated positive control), whereas the systemic administration of ACF provided no survival benefit compared to the control. Neuropathological examination at 120 days, as well as neuroimaging follow-up using MRI, confirmed tumor growth arrest in animals treated with ACF wafers, as opposed to progressive tumor growth in both untreated animals and animals treated with empty wafers. This is the first study to describe the extraordinary potential of ACF for the treatment of brain tumors as well as the effectiveness of interstitial local therapy via biodegradable polymer wafers for the use of ACF for brain tumor therapy.
Geometry of escaping dynamics in nonlinear ship motion

Abstract Escape from a potential well is a paradigm to understand critical events in chemical physics, celestial mechanics, structural mechanics, and ship dynamics, to name but a few. The consequences of escape could be desirable or undesirable depending on the specific problem at hand, however, the general question is how escape occurs and the effects of environmental noise on the escape. In this article, we answer the first question by discovering the phase space structures that lead to escape and the second question by investigating the effects of random forcing on these structures in the context of ship dynamics and capsize. The phase space structures that lead to escape are the tube manifolds associated to the rank-1 saddles in the conservative system. They are also robust in the sense of predicting high probability regions of escape even in the presence of random forcing.
Wikipedia in the tourism industry: forecasting demand and modeling usage behavior

Due to the economic and social impacts of tourism, both private and public sectors are interested in precisely forecasting the tourism demand volume in a timely manner. With recent advances in social networks, more people use online resources to plan their future trips. In this paper we explore the application of Wikipedia usage trends (WUTs) in tourism analysis. We propose a framework that deploys WUTs for forecasting the tourism demand of Hawaii. We also propose a data-driven approach, using WUTs, to estimate the behavior of tourists when they plan their trips.
Night World Identity Affirmations

Crowley considers gamer identity and its relationship to representations of wealth in videogames. Drawing from McKenzie Wark, Ian Bogost, and Nick Dyer-Witheford and Grieg de Peuter, Crowley posits that Frye’s conception of the hero in the underworld has special bearing on the player’s act of play in titles from the period of the Global Great Recession. Highlighting the significance of surreal and mysterious wealth in such tales to the final affirmation of the hero’s identity, Crowley examines the relevance of player inventory systems to the concluding moments of BioShock and Mass Effect—both of which underscore the illusion of player choice at the same moment they affirm the hero’s identity.
Abstract 20: Angiotensin Suppresses Thermogenic Capacity Through Adipose AT2 Receptors

Selective induction of the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) results in hypertension, polydipsia, and elevated resting metabolic rate. Transgenic sRA mice exhibit brain-specific RAS hyperactivity through expression of human renin via the synapsin promoter, and human angiotensinogen via its own promoter. The circulating RAS in these animals is suppressed due to chronic hypertension, and the elevated resting metabolic rate of sRA mice is sensitive to peripheral propranolol or angiotensin replacement. Cultured 3T3L1 adipocytes exhibited a dose-dependent induction of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) by the AT 2 receptor (AT 2 R) antagonist, PD-123,319, and suppression by the AT 2 R agonist, CGP-42112a (CGP). UCP1 mRNA was specifically induced within inguinal adipose of sRA mice (25-fold, P=0.02). Treatment of sRA mice with CGP (50 ng/kg/min, 8 weeks, s.c.) normalized metabolic rate (control 2.8±0.2, sRA 3.6±0.2, sRA+CGP 3.1±0.2 mL O 2 /100g/min) and inguinal UCP1 mRNA (sRA 24.6 vs sRA+CGP 4.6-fold of control, P=0.02), blood pH (control 7.26±0.02, sRA 7.37±0.03, sRA+CGP 7.28±0.06), bicarbonate (control 22±1, sRA 31±1, sRA+CGP 21±6 mM) and perigenital adipose mass (control 317±100, sRA 127±16, sRA+CGP 590±127 mg). Fluid and sodium intake, urine volume and electrolytes, and heart and kidney masses were different in sRA mice but unchanged by CGP treatment, and food intake was unchanged in all groups, highlighting the specificity of effects elicited by CGP. We conclude that AT 2 R activation blunts the thermogenic response to increased brain RAS activity. Interestingly, sRA gain weight at the same rate as control mice when fed a high fat diet, prompting the hypothesis that an elevated circulating and/or adipose RAS may result in attenuated thermogenic responses during obesity. This may suggest a positive-feedback loop between the circulating RAS and adiposity, and identify adipose AT 2 R as a novel therapeutic target for obesity.
Effects of Food Supplement on the Performance of Selected Gross Motor Tests

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of a well-advertised vitamin-mineral supplement on three selected gross motor tests. Experimental and control groups were formed in two groups, football players and physical education majors. Measurements were taken at five different time periods covering a period of 12 weeks. No statistically significant differences in motor performance were found between those subjects taking the supplement and those taking the placebo.
Individual Differences in Face Recognition: A Decade of Discovery

Given the vital role face recognition plays in human social interaction, variations in this ability hold inherent interest and potential consequence. Yet the science of such differences has long lagged behind that of differences in other cognitive domains. In particular, although scattered case reports of catastrophic face-recognition deficits due to brain damage date back more than a century, for many decades, virtually no attention was paid to naturally occurring individual differences in face recognition. This past decade, in contrast, has seen a remarkable acceleration of research into these naturally occurring differences, spurred by the creation and validation of high-quality measures, open sharing of these measures, new options for remote testing, and a concerted move toward larger and more multivariate investigations. In this article, I recount six fundamental insights gained during the past decade about individual differences in face recognition—concerning their broad range, cognitive specificity...
In older patients with UTIs, trimethoprim vs amoxicillin was linked to higher risk for AKI at 14 d.

Source Citation Crellin E, Mansfield KE, Leyrat C, et al. Trimethoprim use for urinary tract infection and risk of adverse outcomes in older patients: cohort study. BMJ. 2018;360:k341. 29438980
Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Wound Healing: A Review

Externally applied electrical stimulation is frequently used in the treatment of dermal wounds in cases where normal wound healing processes are delayed or absent, and has been used for over thirty years for the treatment of dermal ulcers and other open wounds, including septic abscesses1 and osteomyelitis2. Such therapy involves the delivery of small amounts of electric current to the wound site via some type of electrode. Modes of stimulation, methods of delivery, and treatment protocols vary widely, however. In this paper, the published data on the effect of electrical stimulation on wound healing and the variety of approaches used in the application of electrical stimulation is reviewed. Results from various animal and human studies are discussed.
Starch-g-Poly(Methyl Acrylate)╌Effects of Graft Level and Molecular Weight on Tensile Strength

Starch, a hydrophilic polymeric material produced by plants as a food reserve, is produced in amounts in excess of that required for nutritionally balanced diets. In the United States about 4 billion pounds are used annually in industrial markets where a water-soluble polymer is needed, as in paper sizes and pastes. Interest has been shown in chemical modification of starch to make it hydrophobic to increase its potential as a replacement or extender for certain polymeric materials derived from nonrenewable resources.
The Duration of Untreated Psychosis: A Phenomenological Study

Mounting evidence has indicated that early intervention leads to improved clinical and functional outcomes for young persons experiencing recent onset psychosis. As part of a large early detection campaign, the present study aimed to investigate subjective experiences during the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), or time between psychosis onset and treatment contact. Participants were 10 young adults participating in early intervention services for psychosis. After DUP was estimated during standardized baseline assessment, participants engaged in qualitative interviews focused on their life experiences prior to treatment and leading up to the present. Mixed methods data analyses compared standardized DUP estimates with participants' subjective narratives. Findings revealed that participants experienced and conceptualized a longer trajectory of subjective difficulties (TSD) beginning before and extending beyond standardized DUP estimates. Participants emphasized striving for independence and social belonging. The majority of participants reported benefiting from their current services and believed that earlier support of some kind would have been beneficial. These findings support previous research on subjective barriers to early detection and treatment seeking in young adults experiencing psychosis. Implications and future research directions include further efforts to differentiate the struggles unique to early psychosis from psychosocial risk factors and other challenges of young adulthood.
Estimation of brain functional connectivity from hypercapnia BOLD MRI data: Validation in a lifespan cohort of 170 subjects.

Abstract Functional connectivity MRI, based on Blood-Oxygenation-Level-Dependent (BOLD) signals, is typically performed while the subject is at rest. On the other hand, BOLD is also widely used in physiological imaging such as cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) mapping using hypercapnia (HC) as a modulator. We therefore hypothesize that hypercapnia BOLD data can be used to extract FC metrics after factoring out the effects of the physiological modulation, which will allow simultaneous assessment of neural and vascular function and may be particularly important in populations such as aging and cerebrovascular diseases. The present work aims to systematically examine the feasibility of hypercapnia BOLD-based FC mapping using three commonly applied analysis methods, specifically dual-regression Independent Component Analysis (ICA), region-based FC matrix analysis, and graph-theory based network analysis, in a large cohort of 170 healthy subjects ranging from 20 to 88 years old. To validate the hypercapnia BOLD results, we also compared these FC metrics with those obtained from conventional resting-state data. ICA analysis of the hypercapnia BOLD data revealed FC maps that strongly resembled those reported in the literature. FC matrix using region-based analysis showed a correlation of 0.97 on the group-level and 0.54 ± 0.10 on the individual-level, when comparing between hypercapnia and resting-state results. Although the correspondence on the individual-level was moderate, this was primarily attributed to variations intrinsic to FC mapping, because a corresponding resting-vs-resting comparison in a sub-cohort (N = 39) revealed a similar correlation of 0.57 ± 0.09. Graph-theory computations were also feasible in hypercapnia BOLD data and indices of global efficiency, clustering coefficient, modularity, and segregation were successfully derived. Hypercapnia FC results revealed age-dependent differences in which within-network connections generally exhibited an age-dependent decrease while between-network connections showed an age-dependent increase.
Transformation of a Mechanical Engineering Capstone Experience

This contribution is an innovative practice work in progress paper. The capstone experience in mechanical engineering at the University of Maine consists of a senior year, 2 semester 7ch sequence, where student teams design, build and test a mechanical device. It not only constitutes the culmination of the plan of study, but also represents a signature component of the curriculum and student experience in the department due to its intensive nature that includes the construction and testing of the project. In the past, and due to stagnant teaching capacity coupled with high student growth in the major, the aim had been to streamline the implementation by increasingly standardizing the experience and assessment around a common land-drone theme. However, a recent change and expansion of the instructor team to two faculty members, combined with the necessity to improve the assessment of the ABET outcomes linked to the course, motivated the transformation of the sequence presented here. This transformation has included the development of a robust and transparent assessment system that incorporates both formative and summative feedback modes including continuous peer evaluation, as well as an active outward-opening of the projects to research entities on and off-campus as well as industry. Initial results indicate an almost three-fold increase in externally sponsored projects, as well as the successful assessment of the learning outcomes as evidenced by ABET and anonymous student surveys that support the perception of the system being capable of fair and transparent allocation of individual grades in a team environment.
Real-time measurements of cerebral blood flow, intra- and extravascular oxygen tension during functional activation

We report real-time simultaneous recordings of cerebral blood flow, intravascular and extravascular oxygen tension in the somatosensory cortex of the rat brain during functional activation using laser speckle contrast imaging and phosphorescence quenching oximetry.
Management Practices Leading to High Work Unit Performance

Assuring high work unit performance has always been an important organizational task, especially during times of scarce resources and economic uncertainty. One potential source of high performance is the management practices in the work unit. Sometimes called “climate” (Litwin and Stringer, 1968), these factors include the work unit’s formal and informal systems, its ways of solving problems and making decisions, its management “style”, and its goals and values.
Ice-Templated Anisotropic Flame-Resistant Boron Nitride Aerogels Enhanced through Surface Modification and Cellulose Nanofibrils

High-performance and lightweight fire-resistant structural materials with high thermal insulating and mechanical strength are desired for thermal management in many fields, such as energy-efficient...
Capillary electromigration techniques coupled to mass spectrometry: Applications to food analysis

Abstract Analysis of food is essential for safety, quality control, government regulations, and recommendations to answer basic research questions. Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) is a powerful hyphenated technique in food, beverages, and foodomics for analytes ranging from small organic ions and biochemical compounds to macromolecules. Advantages of CE-MS for food analysis include high efficiency, high resolution, low cost of reagent consumption, fast and green approach in various food research areas. This review offers a comprehensive evaluation of CE-MS application for food analysis published in the open literature in the last decade (July 2010–October 2020). The principles of various CE-MS modes, CE-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ionization interfaces, and sample preparation methods for multiple types of liquid and solid food analysis are compiled. The latest advances and potential trends are outlined in several food analysis areas where CE-MS could be beneficial.
Terahertz generation of two methoxy stilbazolium crystals: MBST and MBSC

Abstract Optical rectification of nonlinear optical organic crystals has been widely employed to obtain terahertz (THz) frequencies with simple laser setups. Red organic crystals like DAST, DSTMS, and OH1 have generated intense THz pulses with peak electric fields up to a few megavolts per cm. Other newer organic crystals such as HMQ-TMS and EHPSI-4NBS have shown similar performance.Recently, the yellow organic crystals BNA and HMI-TMS have drawn attention due to improved phase matching conditions compared with red crystals in the technologically important 800 nm wavelength. This light is usually obtained with widely available Ti:Sapphire lasers and therefore, the development of materials that can efficiently generate THz with these sources is of high scientific interest. In this article, we introduce the THz generation capabilities of two yellow crystals, namely, MBST and MBSC. Electric fields of similar magnitude compared to the organic generator HMQ-TMS were obtained when MBST and MBSC crystals were pumped with 800-nm light. The THz absorption profile and crystal growth are also discussed to introduce new insights in how to improve the THz output of MBST and MBSC.
Impacts of vertical salt welding on pore pressure, stresses, and deformation near the weld

Abstract We use a forward finite-element model to explore pore pressure, stresses, and deformation near a vertical weld. Dipping layers of mudrocks interbedded with a mixture of basin-center and basin-wide sand layers are deposited sequentially over a salt layer. After a salt wall rises at the downdip end of the model and emerges at the basin surface, shortening is imposed on the system until the salt wall almost welds where the wall feeder is narrowest (waist). Welding causes a significant increase in horizontal stress, which results in increased pore pressure near the weld. The pore-pressure increase adversely affects hydrocarbon accumulation and drilling near the weld because it: 1) causes remigration of pore water downdip along sand beds cresting near the weld, 2) decreases the hydrocarbon-column capacity of these beds, and 3) narrows the mud-weight window for drilling wellbores near the weld. The least principal stress near the weld is almost vertical and equal to the overburden stress in mudrocks, but horizontal and significantly lower in sand beds. Welding of the salt wall causes steepening of flanking strata and shortening of the weld wall rocks. The impacts of welding begin at a waist width of 1.35 km, long before the salt wall welds.
Home as the Quintessential Anti-Racist School: Reflections on Black Logics of Place and Opportunity, Parenting and Learning, Being and Striving

In this article, we share our process of reflecting together and our resulting thoughts on the idea of anti-racist schooling amid our current experiences as Black men and fathers, as educators and ...
The use of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis from 2009 to 2018.

AIM The existing literature was updated, assessing the use of surgery in patients with ulcerative colitis in more recent years. METHODS This was a retrospective observational study identifying all patients with ulcerative colitis within the National Inpatient Sample, years 2009-2018. All patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions, Clinical Modification diagnostic codes for ulcerative colitis were included. The primary outcome was the trend in total number of total abdominal colectomy, proctocolectomy and simultaneous versus delayed pouch construction. RESULTS A total of 1 184 711 ulcerative-colitis-related admissions were identified. An increase of 18.6% in the number of patients was observed, while the number of surgeries decreased. A total of 40 499 patients underwent total colectomy, annually decreasing from 5241 to 3185. The number of proctocolectomies without pouch decreased from 1191 to 530, while the number of patients undergoing pouch construction decreased from 2225 to 1284. The proportion of patients undergoing initial pouch at time of proctocolectomy decreased from 995 (45%) to 265 (21%), while the proportion of patients undergoing delayed pouch construction in 2018 was 79% (n = 1120). CONCLUSION Surgery use in ulcerative colitis has decreased in the last decade despite increasing numbers of hospital admissions in patients with this condition. While the overall proportion of patients undergoing pouch construction remained stable, the majority of patients were initially treated with total colectomy and their ileal pouches werre constructed in a delayed fashion.
Demographischer Wandel als Herausforderung

Der Demographische Wandel hat sich als „Megathema“ (Sarcinelli/Stopper 2006) oder „Megatrend“ (Loeffelholz 2011 und Piepenbrinck 2011) im offentlichen Diskurs bereits zu einer Chiffre mit eigenstandigem Charakter entwickelt. Aus diesem Grund wird der Begriff in der vorliegenden Studie als Eigenname eines sozialen Prozesses behandelt und daher prinzipiell gros geschrieben. Um seine Nahe zur Bevolkerungswissenschaft und -statistik zu unterstreichen, wird entgegen gangiger Praxis zudem die Schreibweise Demographie verwendet.
Implications of assessing gastric function at 2.5 hours

1359 Objectives The standard scintigraphic protocol for assessing gastroparesis requires 4 hr. data collection (JNM Tech 2008;36:44). It has been suggested that gastroparesis & abnormally rapid gastric emptying can be assessed by quantifying gastric retention (GR) at 2.5 hrs (GR2.5), as GR2.5>40% & GR2.5 Methods Data were collected for 389 pts., 98 men & 291 women (age 55±19 yrs.) using standardized meal & imaging at 0, 1, 2, 3 & 4 hrs. Conjugate-view counts were obtained from manually drawn anterior & posterior stomach regions. GR2.5 values were obtained by interpolating 2 & 3 hr. GR values. For curve fitting, counts from 0-3 hrs. were fit to a biphasic model (JNM 1985;26:1319), using Poisson noise modeling & gradient-expansion algorithms with imposed convergence tolerance of 10-5, in which case extrapolated GR>10% at 4 hrs. predicted gastroparesis. When data could not be fit to a biphasic model, GR>26% at 3 hrs. was used to predict gastroparesis based on ROC area optimization. Results were compared to predicted gastroparesis based on GR2.5 >40% versus GR>10% at 4 hrs. Actual prevalence of abnormally rapid gastric emptying, (GR Results 84/389 (22%) pts. had gastroparesis. 56/389 (14%) had rapid gastric emptying. Significantly more normal than gastroparesis cases exhibited biphasic curves (267/305 (88%) vs. 33/84 (39%), p Conclusions Curve-fitting for data collected up to 3 hrs. is more reliable than gastric retention at 2.5 hrs. for identifying abnormal gastric emptying
Predictability Index: Novel Metric to Assess Cost and Schedule Performance

AbstractThe ability to timely forecast accurate project outcomes is fundamental in an industry marked by endemic cost and schedule deviations. Indeed, owners and contractors alike make key strategic decisions about individual projects and capital investment programs alike based on forecasted values. As a departure from current cost and schedule assessments solely based on deviations at completion, this article introduces the Predictability Index, a novel performance metric that also considers the project team’s ability to timely predict outcomes at completion. This article conceptually explains and defines the index and, based on the statistical analysis of retrospective data from 135 completed projects, identifies threshold values of predictability performance. Complementary, lessons learned and observations collected from the adoption and assessment of predictability by industry organizations are also discussed. A significant cultural shift within an organization is necessary for project teams to focus ...
Crowds of Syntaxins

Diffusion of the membrane-fusion protein syntaxin in cell membranes can be explained by a simple model of attraction and repulsion.
For the love of the children: the coming out process for lesbian and gay parents and stepparents.

Abstract This research investigated the coming out decision and process for 23 lesbian and gay custodial step families. We argue that lesbian and gay stepfamilies represent a unique type of family, distinct from heterosexual stepfamilies and from lesbian and gay families who have children within the context of a lesbian or gay relationship. The coming out process is one developmental challenge that distinguishes lesbian and gay stepfamilies from these other types. Through interviews with both lesbian and gay parents and stepparents we explored their coming out process to significant others: the children, families of origin and ex-spouses. We discuss those factors influencing the decision and the consequences that developed in light of these decisions. Findings show that the coming out process for lesbian and gay co-parents is a flexible and familial one, primarily influenced by and centered around the needs of the children.
Dynamic bandwidth allocation and channel coding in providing QoS for wireless local area networks

In this paper, we consider the problem of transmitting real-time traffic over local area networks (LAN) using three technologies. The first technology is dynamic bandwidth allocation, a packet based forward error correction. The second and third technologies are solutions to the packet loss problem in which source coding and channel coding are designed jointly. Although the technologies discussed are applicable to all LANs, this paper focused on wireless LANs.
Integrated Assessment Modeling of Global Climate Change: Much Has Been Learned—Still a Long and Bumpy Road Ahead

This paper presents a history of integrated assessment modeling of climate change, discussing many relevant modeling studies produced over the last few decades. It identifies the era following the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Third Assessment Report as a new phase in integrated assessment modeling and describes pioneering studies undertaken since that time. The paper then pinpoints challenges and initiatives in integrated assessment modeling, both in terms of the models themselves and in terms of communicating model results to policy makers and the general public. It emphasizes that improved modeling will produce results more relevant to policy makers, but these results must be a collaborative effort between scientists and laypeople, and must be communicated effectively in order to have any impact on the decisionmaking process.