cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast multipole method on GPU: tackling 3-D capacitance extraction on massively parallel SIMD platforms

To facilitate full chip capacitance extraction, field solvers are typically deployed for characterizing capacitance libraries for various interconnect structures and configurations. In the past decades, various algorithms for accelerating boundary element methods (BEM) have been developed to improve the efficiency of field solvers for capacitance extraction. This paper presents the first massively parallel capacitance extraction algorithm FMMGpu that accelerates the well-known fast multipole methods (FMM) on modern Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). We propose GPU-friendly data structures and SIMD parallel algorithm flows to facilitate the FMM-based 3-D capacitance extraction on GPU. Effective GPU performance modeling methods are also proposed to properly balance the workload of each critical kernel in our FMMGpu implementation, by taking advantage of the latest Fermi GPU's concurrent kernel executions on streaming multiprocessors (SMs). Our experimental results show that FMMGpu brings 22X to 30X speedups in capacitance extractions for various test cases. We also show that even for small test cases that may not well utilize GPU's hardware resources, the proposed cube clustering and workload balancing techniques can bring 20% to 60% extra performance improvements.
Long-term outcomes in adults with chronic ITP after splenectomy failure

Adult chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder manifested by thrombocytopenia from the effects of antiplatelet autoantibodies and T lymphocyte-mediated platelet cytotoxicity. Multiple studies show that corticosteroid treatment and splenectomy, alone or together, increase platelet counts to safe levels in 60% to 70% of patients. However, there is little information on the outcomes of ITP patients refractory to splenectomy. We studied 114 patients with ITP for whom splenectomy failed and who required additional therapy; long-term follow-up was available on 105 (92%) patients. Seventy-five (71.4%) patients attained stable partial (platelet count greater than 30 x 10(9)/L) or complete (normal platelet count) remission; 51 patients remained in remission after therapy was discontinued, whereas 24 patients required continued treatment. Median time to remission after splenectomy failure was 46 months (range, 1-437 months). Median remission durations were 60 months (range, 10-212 months) for patients off therapy and 48 months (range, 2-167 months) for patients on therapy. Thirty (29.6%) patients remained unresponsive to treatment. Thirty-two patients died, 17 (15.7%) of ITP (bleeding, 11 patients; therapy complications, 6 patients) and 15 (13.9%) of unrelated causes. We conclude that most patients with refractory ITP attain stable remission, though on average this occurs slowly. However, a subpopulation with severe, resistant disease experiences significant morbidity and mortality.
The buccal mucosal bleeding time.

289 Steven L. Marks, BVSc, MS, MRCVS, Diplomate ACVIM Bleeding occurs when vascular integrity is disrupted. Hemostasis is accomplished by vascular reaction, formation of a platelet plug, and activation of the coagulation cascade. In general, hemostasis can be divided into primary and secondary systems. The primary hemostasis system relies on the dynamic interaction between the vessel wall, vascular endothelium, and platelets. Exposure of vascular subendothelium triggers activation of von Willebrand’s factor, which links platelets to the site of vessel injury. Once platelets have adhered to the area and form the platelet plug, they assist in activation of the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade or secondary hemostasis. Several commonly used “bleeding times” are utilized in veterinary medicine to evaluate patients for hemostatic disorders. The one-stage prothrombin time (OSPT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), activated clotting time (ACT), and the buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT) are parameters that provide the veterinary clinician with critical information about the bleeding or at-risk patient. All of the tests mentioned, other than the BMBT, are used to evaluate secondary hemostasis. The BMBT is used along with the platelet count to evaluate primary hemostasis. The BMBT is a valuable diagnostic tool that is cost effective and easy to use in the general practice setting. The BMBT is used to evaluate hemorrhage from a standardized incision on the oral mucosa. It is performed using a disposable, single-use, spring-loaded lancet [Figure 1]. The procedure is performed with the dog restrained in lateral recumbency. The upper lip is everted and held in place by a length of roll gauze [Figure 2]. The gauze acts to maintain the eversion of the lip and to cause some vascular congestion. The lancet is placed against the buccal mucosa in a vertical direction directly above the maxillary canine tooth. Depressing the trigger [Figure 1] then activates the lancet. The lancet causes a controlled incision, which will readily bleed. Once the incision is made, the time should be noted and monitored. Circular filter paper is used to blot the blood as it drips from the incision. The filter paper should be held approximately 1 to 2 mm away from the incision, using care not to disrupt the clot formation. It is important to not allow the blood to drip into the animal’s mouth, as this may lead to agitation and movement. The end point of this test is when the incision stops bleeding. The published normal range for the BMBT in the dog is less than three minutes. Prolongation of the BMBT can occur with thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopathy, and von Willebrand’s disease. Clinical findings associated with abnormalities of primary hemostasis include superficial cutaneous bleeding, petechiation, ecchymosis, epistaxis, and mucosal bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract and urogenital tract (hematuria). If The Buccal Mucosal Bleeding Time
The antitumor effects of OSU-HDAC42, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, in HER-2-positive breast cancer

e14587 Background: Elevated HER-2/neu expression in primary breast tumors is associated with frequent relapse and poor prognosis. For this reason, HER-2/neu has been actively pursued as a target for novel therapeutic agents. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), a new class of antitumor drugs, can downregulate HER2 through hyperacetylation of heat shock protein 90 (hsp90), an important ATP-dependent chaperone that mediates the stability and maturation of a variety of important oncogenic proteins, including HER2, Akt and ERα. In this study, we assess the effects of OSU-HDAC42, a novel orally bioavailable phenylbutyrate-based HDAC inhibitor, on hsp90 and HER2 downregulation. Methods: OSU-HDAC42 was tested for effects on the human breast cancer cell lines BT474, SKBR3, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Assays of cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, HER2 expression, phosphorylation, and hsp90 acetylation were performed. Tumor growth was assessed in an orthotopic HER2+ mammary tumor model, using diets ± OSU-HDAC42. Re...
Acute and crucial requirement for MeCP2 function upon transition from early to late adult stages of brain maturation

Germline mutations in the X-linked gene, methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), underlie most cases of Rett syndrome (RTT), an autism spectrum disorder affecting approximately one in 10 000 female live births. The disease is characterized in affected girls by a latent appearance of symptoms between 12 and 18 months of age while boys usually die before the age of two. The nature of the latency is not known, but RTT-like phenotypes are recapitulated in mouse models, even when MeCP2 is removed at different postnatal stages, including juvenile and adolescent stages. Unexpectedly, here, we show that within a very brief developmental window, between 10 (adolescent) and 15 (adult) weeks after birth, symptom initiation and progression upon removal of MeCP2 in male mice transitions from 3 to 4 months to only several days, followed by lethality. We further show that this accelerated development of RTT phenotype and lethality occur at the transition to adult stage (15 weeks of age) and persists thereafter. Importantly, within this abbreviated time frame of days, the brain acquires dramatic anatomical, cellular and molecular abnormalities, typical of classical RTT. This study reveals a new postnatal developmental stage, which coincides with full-brain maturation, where the structure/function of the brain is extremely sensitive to levels of MeCP2 and loss of MeCP2 leads to precipitous collapse of the neuronal networks and incompatibility with life within days.
Some Causes of Variation in the Quality of Raw Rubber and Latex. The Sol: Gel Ratio in Relation to the Ultimate Physical Properties of Rubber

Abstract When raw rubber is treated with solvents such as benzene or ether, dissolution is gradual and never complete; a swollen residue remains which disperses extremely slowly, if at all. The soluble portion is generally called the “sol”, and the insoluble the “gel”, and although these need not be considered as two distinct components, it is convenient, in view of the existing state of our knowledge regarding them, to continue to use this terminology. The nature of the gel fraction of raw rubber has long been under discussion. Gladstone and Hibbert were inclined to regard the less soluble modification as a product produced by heat during the drying of the latex and rubber, whereas Fessenden and Seeligman came to the conclusion that the two components were isomerides, a view which has long persisted. Weber, as the result of studies of the gel fraction of Para rubber, contended that the soluble and insoluble fractions were not identical in composition. Later it was shown by one of us that the gel fraction...
Petitioning for Social Change: Letters to Religious Leaders From Gay Men and Their Family Allies

ABSTRACTComing out is often described as challenging, especially for individuals from conservative religious communities (Etengoff, 2013). In an effort to explore how these sociocultural conflicts are mediated, gay men (n = 16) and their family allies (n = 9) from Christian and Jewish communities wrote letters to religious leaders regarding current sexual minority policies and whether they should change or remain the same. Petitioning tasks were selected as letters can shift author–audience relations to allow for non-normative and unscripted expressions (Daiute & Lightfoot, 2004). Sixteen of the 25 participants addressed their letters to a specific religious figure, illustrating the sociorelational applicability of the task. Ninety-three problems and 75 solutions were discussed, supporting prior discussions of petitioning tasks as a form of living history and conflict mediation (Daiute, 2010). Moreover, 20 of the 25 participants wrote about humanization needs (e.g., “We are not freaks at a freak show”), p...
Parathyroid hormone and liver regeneration.

SummaryRemoval of the parathyroid glands in rats reduced the initiation of DNA synthesis and proliferation which normally occurs in the liver parenchymal cells remaining after partial hepatectomy. However, this effect was observed only when the parathyroid glands were removed 24 or more hours before partial hepatectomy. When the glands were removed 12 hr before the partial hepatectomy, there was no decrease in the ability of hepatocytes to initiate the regenerative process. These observations suggest that parathyroid hormone is needed to maintain the competence of liver parenchymal cells to proliferate when activated by partial hepatectomy, but is not involved in the initial activation process itself.The authors are grateful to Miss J. Bayliss and Mr. D. Gillan for their excellent technical assistance.
Synthesis and Characterization of Monomeric Organogallium−Nitrogen Compounds, Et2GaNMe[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3], Me2GaNMe[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3], MeGa{NH[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3]}2, and Ga{NH[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3]}3

Four gallium−nitrogen compounds, Et2GaNMe[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3], Me2GaNMe[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3], MeGa{NH[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3]}2, and Ga[N(H)C6H2(t-2,4,6-Bu)3]3, have been prepared by metathetical reactions. The monomeric derivatives Et2GaNMe[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3] and Me2GaNMe[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3] are of interest because their 1H NMR spectra at room temperature had resonances indicative of two magnetically nonequivalent organic groups bonded to gallium, a spectral feature consistent with restricted rotation about the gallium−nitrogen bond. Variable-temperature 1H NMR spectral studies of a toluene solution of Me2GaNMe[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3] identified the barrier to rotation about the gallium−nitrogen bond as approximately 71 kJ/mol. This result suggests that steric effects might be responsible. The monomeric compound MeGa{NH[C6H2(2,4,6-t-Bu)3]}2 was prepared from MeGaCl2 and LiNH[C6H2(t-Bu)3] but was also the gallium−nitrogen product when Me2GaCl was reacted with the same lithium amide in diethyl ether. Experimental data d...
Large Eddy Simulations and Experimental Investigation of Flow in a Swirl Stabilized Combustor

Swirling flows are the preferred mode of flame stabilization in lean premixed gas turbine engine combustors. Developing a fundamental understanding of combustion dynamics and flame stability in such systems requires a detailed investigation of the complex interactions between fluid mechanics and combustion. The turbulent reacting flow in a sudden expansion swirl combustor is studied using compressible large eddy simulations (LES) and compared with experimental data measured using PIV. Different vortex breakdown structures are observed, as the mixture equivalence ratio is reduced, that progressively diminish the stability of the flame. Sub)grid scale combustion models such as the artificially thickened flame method and the partially stirred reactor approach, along with appropriate chemical schemes, are implemented to describe the flame. The numerical predictions for average velocity correspond well with experimental results, and higher accuracy is obtained using the more detailed reaction mechanism.
Photosynthetic Characteristics of the Yellowish Leaf Mutant Annong Biao 810S in Rice

The photosynthetic characteristics of the yellowish leaf mutant rice Annong Biao 810S and its wild type Annong 810S were comparatively studied.The results showed that the total chlorophyll content in the mutant line was significantly lower than that of its wild type in the whole growing period,but there was not a significant difference between the F1 hybrids of Annong Biao 810S/D100 and Annong 810S/D100 in chlorophyll content.The Chl.a/Chl.b ratio in the mutant line was higher than that in its wild type from seedling to heading stages.The net photosynthetic rates of the mutant line at tillering and heading stages and in different periods of a day at heading stage were higher than those of its wild type.The yield of the mutant line in its multiplication was higher than that of its wild type.It is concluded that Annong Biao 810S is not only a leaf colour marker mutant line but also a material with higher photosynthetic efficiency,which would have a wide applied prospect in purity identification of hybrid rice seeds and in breeding of high photosynthetic efficiency.
Medical management of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a cause of considerable morbidity and mortality in men and women. Medical intervention can reduce the progression of osteoporosis and decrease the fracture risk associated with low bone mineral density. In this article, we review the evidence for medical therapies for osteoporosis, including estrogen, calcitonin, bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and the newest approved agent, recombinant human parathyroid hormone. We also discuss several controversial areas in osteoporosis treatment, including the management of men with osteoporosis, approach to monitoring the effects of osteoporosis therapy, and need for cost-effective strategies for osteoporosis treatment.
Manuel Cardona: Mentor, Friend, Teacher

I first met Manuel in September, 1965, at a faculty-student social event hosted for Brown Physics entering graduate students. I had just traveled from South Georgia with my new wife, Susie; we had a few disappointments with our new apartment in Providence.
Reestruturação Educativa e Curricular e as Agendas Neoliberal e Neoconservadora: Entrevista com Michael Apple

In this interview Michael Apple’s theoretical standpoint is made clear: he analyses educational and curricular restructuring in the context of the neo-liberal and neoconservative policies and discusses educational contemporary themes covering a broad range of issues. Themes related to the fields of sociology of education, critical theory, and curriculum are discussed not only in the context of the educational policies of the US but also in the global context. Among the issues addressed by Apple are the advances of the New Right and the forms by which the conservative movements have been articulating themselves politically to impose their views about textbooks, national curriculum, and teacher education. The interview also deals with aspects of multiculturalism and the dynamics of race, class, and gender, working towards an understanding of the movements of struggle and resistance conducted by teachers and other social actors in opposition to neo-liberal and neo-conservative agendas
The Use of Monoclonal Antibodies for Radioscintigraphic Detection of Cancer

Beginning with Ehrlich's original “magic bullet” concept of 1904, the pioneering human trials in the late 1970s of Goldenberg and Mach using polyclonal antibodies, and the Nobel Prize-winning work of Kohler and Milstein in 1975 for developing monoclonal antibody (MAb) technology, there has been much interest in the use of antibodies for detecting and treating cancer. Although not the revolutionary breakthrough that was initially hoped for, marked progress has been made. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved the intact murine IgG, 111-indium CYT-103 (satumomoab, Oncoscint™ Cytogen, Princeton, NJ) for clinical use in detecting colorectal and ovarian cancer. However, the agent has been approved for only a single, one-time use, because patients developed an immune response (human anti-mouse antibody, or HAMA) that alters MAb biodistribution and may limit the clinical effectiveness of this agent when repeat studies are performed. Other MAbs reacting with a variety of antigens and targeti...
Dendrochronology and the Complex History of the William Hawk Cabin, Salt Lake City, Utah

ABSTRACT The William Hawk Cabin is considered one of the oldest pioneer structures in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tradition suggests that it was originally constructed in 1848 inside the “Old Fort” established by Mormon settlers in 1847, and then moved to its current location between 1850 and 1852. We examined tree rings from 23 Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) and eight white fir (Abies concolor) timbers in the cabin to (1) evaluate and refine the suggested range of construction dates of 1848–1852, (2) verify or refute the suggestion that the cabin was originally constructed within the Old Fort, (3) identify any evidence of use of deadwood, timber re-use, stockpiling, or renovation, and (4) determine the provenance of the timbers. We built a 209-year floating chronology from 36 cores crossdated visually and verified statistically with COFECHA. Statistically significant (p < 0.0001) comparisons with established regional chronologies indicated that the Hawk Cabin chronology extends from 1651–1859....
Treatment, Outcomes, and Adherence to Medication Regimens Among Dual Medicare-Medicaid–Eligible Adults With Myocardial Infarction

Importance Patients with dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility have a higher burden of chronic disease conditions and increased health care utilization compared with patients with Medicare coverage alone, but the treatment patterns and outcomes of dual-eligible patients with myocardial infarction (MI) are unknown. Objective To examine the association of dual-eligible status with clinical outcomes and adherence to medication regimens (hereinafter “medication adherence”) among older adults after MI. Design, Setting, and Participants In this retrospective study conducted from February 2015 to April 2016, we linked patients 65 years or older enrolled in a national myocardial infarction registry (the Acute Coronary Treatment Intervention Outcomes Network Registry–Get With the Guidelines [ACTION Registry-GWTG]) from July 1, 2007, to December 31, 2009, to Medicare claims data to obtain 1-year follow-up and medication adherence data. The ACTION Registry-GWTG is the largest quality-improvement registry of patients with MI in the United States. Included patients were all 65 years or older; had Medicare Parts A, B, and D; presented with MI; and survived to hospital discharge. Exposures Dual Medicare and Medicaid eligibility. Main Outcomes and Measures Death, readmission, major adverse cardiovascular events (death, recurrent MI, stroke), and medication adherence at 1 year. Results Of 17 419 Medicare patients discharged alive after MI, 4674 (27%) were dual eligible. Dual-eligible patients were more likely to be female (64% vs 49%) and nonwhite (29% vs 6%), with a higher prevalence of comorbid conditions and more frequent presentation with non-ST elevation MI (non-STEMI) (75% vs 69%). Dual-eligible patients were less likely to receive primary percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI (77% vs 81%), revascularization for non-STEMI (58% vs 65%), and prescription of secondary prevention medications at discharge. After multivariable adjustment, dual eligibility status was associated with a higher risk of readmission at 30 days (hazard ratio [HR], 1.16; 95% CI, 1.06-1.26), death at 1 year (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.14-1.36), and major adverse cardiac events at 1 year (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.12-1.31). Dual-eligible patients had higher 1-year adherence to medications prescribed at discharge (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.39-1.74) than Medicare-only patients. Conclusions and Relevance Compared with Medicare-only patients, older adults with dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility presenting with MI have superior rates of medication adherence but higher rates of postdischarge readmission and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Braddock–Carey syndrome: A 21q22 contiguous gene syndrome encompassing RUNX1

In 1994, Braddock and Carey first reported two unrelated girls with a new multiple malformation syndrome. The primary features included Pierre Robin sequence, persistent neonatal-onset thrombocytopenia, agenesis of the corpus callosum, a distinctive facies, enamel hypoplasia, and severe developmental delay. Since that time, there have been multiple other reported patients with a similar phenotype. In addition, several reports of thrombocytopenia and developmental delay have been documented in association with deletions in the Down syndrome critical region at 21q22. The similarity of the reported cases with deletions involving 21q22 with the clinical presentation of the two patients with Braddock-Carey syndrome resulted in a reinvestigation of the genetic etiology of these two patients 20 years after the original study. This investigation provides evidence that the etiology of this and other "Fanconi-like" disorders represent a newly recognized contiguous gene deletion syndrome involving 21q22 and specifically, the RUNX1 gene. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Computationally designed peptides for self-assembly of nanostructured lattices

Folded peptides present complex exterior surfaces specified by their amino acid sequences, and the control of these surfaces offers high-precision routes to self-assembling materials. The complexity of peptide structure and the subtlety of noncovalent interactions make the design of predetermined nanostructures difficult. Computational methods can facilitate this design and are used here to determine 29-residue peptides that form tetrahelical bundles that, in turn, serve as building blocks for lattice-forming materials. Four distinct assemblies were engineered. Peptide bundle exterior amino acids were designed in the context of three different interbundle lattices in addition to one design to produce bundles isolated in solution. Solution assembly produced three different types of lattice-forming materials that exhibited varying degrees of agreement with the chosen lattices used in the design of each sequence. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the nanostructure of the sheetlike nanomaterials. In contrast, the peptide sequence designed to form isolated, soluble, tetrameric bundles remained dispersed and did not form any higher-order assembled nanostructure. Small-angle neutron scattering confirmed the formation of soluble bundles with the designed size. In the lattice-forming nanostructures, the solution assembly process is robust with respect to variation of solution conditions (pH and temperature) and covalent modification of the computationally designed peptides. Solution conditions can be used to control micrometer-scale morphology of the assemblies. The findings illustrate that, with careful control of molecular structure and solution conditions, a single peptide motif can be versatile enough to yield a wide range of self-assembled lattice morphologies across many length scales (1 to 1000 nm).
Identification of Tension Sensing Motif of Histone H3 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Its Regulation by Histone Modifying Enzymes.

To ensure genome stability during cell division, all chromosomes must attach to spindles emanating from the opposite spindle pole bodies before segregation. The tension between sister chromatids generated by the poleward pulling force is an integral part of chromosome biorientation. In budding yeast, the residue Gly44 of histone H3 is critical for retaining the conserved Shugoshin protein Sgo1p at the pericentromeres for monitoring the tension status during mitosis. Studies carried out in this work showed that Lys42, Gly44, and Thr45 of H3 form the core of a tension sensing motif (TSM). Similar to the previously reported G44S mutant, K42A, G44A, and T45A alleles all rendered cells unable to respond to erroneous spindle attachment, a phenotype suppressed by Sgo1p overexpression. TSM functions by physically recruiting or retaining Sgo1p at pericentromeres as evidenced by chromatin immunoprecipitation and by in vitro pulldown experiments. Intriguingly, the function of TSM is likely regulated by multiple histone modifying enzymes, including the histone acetyltransferase Gcn5p, and deacetylases Rpd3p and Hos2p. Defects caused by TSM mutations can be suppressed by the expression of a catalytically inactive mutant of Gcn5p. Conversely, G44S mutant cells exhibit prominent chromatin instability phenotype in the absence of RPD3 . Importantly, the gcn5 − suppressor restores the tension sensing function in tsm − background in a fashion that bypasses the need of stably associating Sgo1p with chromatin. These results demonstrate that the TSM of histone H3 is a key component of a mechanism that ensures faithful segregation, and that interaction with chromatin modifying enzymes may be an important part of the mitotic quality control process.
Models of Consumer Choice Behavior

No review of the scholarly literature of economic psychology would be complete without some treatment of the process of consumer choice leading to the acquisition of goods and services. The present chapter examines five conceptual models of consumer choice behavior. None of these models can be considered old. Two originated in the mid-1960’s while the remaining three were developed (or revised) in the last ten years. Thus the development of this theoretical area has been a relatively recent phenomenon in economic psychology.
Simulation study of charge collection in highly pixilated CdZnTe detector for PET imaging

In this simulation study, we consider a planar CdZnTe detector with pixilated anode as an insert detector for the conventional PET scanner. The anode size is mostly limited by the charge sharing between neighboring pixels. This charge sharing is affected by the following: diffusion of charge particles; original charge particles distribution after the interaction; multiple interactions of gamma rays inside the detector; and electronic crosstalk. To evaluate charge sharing in highly pixilated CdZnTe detectors, we developed the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation tool to guide the experiment design and validate its results. The MC tool includes a gamma tracking module and a signal processing module. The charge distribution after the interaction of gamma with CdZnTe is simulated using EGSnrc code [4]. The simulations were done for CdZnTe detector with cathode-anode distance L=5 mm and anode pixel size W=600 μm.
Nanoparticles as a Technology Platform for Biomedical Imaging

From their humble beginnings by adding color to ceramics and human skin, engineering of nanoparticles has become increasingly sophisticated for the production of highly versatile constructs that improve the sensitivity and specificity of biomedical imaging. Conjugation of targeting moieties, as well as the potential to release drugs, adds to their functionality and positions nanoparticles as a key technology platform to integrate diagnosis and treatment into a single procedure. These advances aim to identify disease at the earliest stages of development, when therapeutic intervention is most successful, and to release targeted drugs in response to specific molecular pathologies. However, the implementation of an adequate regulatory system that addresses clinical guidelines including the administration route, dose, and potential nanoparticle toxicity is urgently needed to exploit the full potential of novel engineered nanoparticles.
The Scarlet Letter: Cellular Recognition of Misfolding-Prone Membrane Proteins

Mutations that alter the sequence of membrane proteins are a frequent cause of, or risk factor for human disease. Many such mutations result in membrane protein misfolding, causing loss of function and, sometimes, formation of toxic aggregates. This is so even though the endoplasmic reticulum has an elaborate quality control system for surveilling and managing the misfolding of membrane proteins. In this work we probe the structural and biophysical nature of the defects in membrane proteins that are recognized by quality control as the hallmarks of misfolding. The focus of these studies is human peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22), a tetraspan membrane protein for which mutations result in the peripheral neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.
Parenting and SES: relative values or enduring principles?

The quality of parenting is a complex and multiply determined construct that is strongly influenced by the larger ecological context in which it evolves. A substantial body of literature has documented associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and parenting but has been limited in its consideration of factors that may explain or moderate the nature of this relation. The socioeconomic conditions within which a family lives may powerfully influence parenting through its effects on parental mental health and via differential access to resources. Parents’ childrearing knowledge and cultural values may also vary along a socioeconomic gradient, with downstream effects on parenting. Further, both socioeconomic factors and parenting can independently shape children’s health and development. A more comprehensive understanding of linkages between SES and parenting may inform preventive intervention efforts to support families from disadvantaged environments.
Putrescine and spermidine sensitivity of lysine decarboxylase in Escherichiacoli: Evidence for a constitutive enzyme and its mode of regulation

Abstract Cells of Escherichia coli grown under physiological (noninducing) conditions have a low level of lysine decarboxylase activity. This activity differs from the enzyme found in induced cells in its sensitivity to putrescine (33% of control in the presence of 20 mM putrescine). It is also sensitive to spermidine (20% of control in the presence of 6 mM spermidine). A mixture of putrescine and spermidine completely eliminated lysine decarboxylase activity. This provides evidence for the existence of a biosynthetic enzyme and suggests a mechanism to explain the appearance of cadaverine in polyamine-depleted cells.
Air Suspension Encapsulation of Moisture-Sensitive Particles using Aqueous Systems

This study was initiated to investigate the feasibility of eliminating the organic solvents in the application of coatings onto solid particles. While it was anticipated that moisture- sensitive substrates might interact with aqueous coating systems used for encapsulation, it was also realized that the successful utilization of aqueous systems offered economic advantages compared to the use of organic solvents.
Colorado Water Watch: real-time groundwater monitoring for possible contamination from oil and gas activities

Currently, only a few states in the USA (e.g., Colorado and Ohio) require mandatory baseline groundwater sampling from nearby groundwater wells prior to drilling a new oil or gas well. Colorado is the first state to regulate groundwater testing before and after drilling, which requires one pre-drilling sample and two additional post-drilling samples within 6-12 months and 5-6 years of drilling. However, the monitoring method is limited to the state's regulatory agency and to ex situ sampling, which offers only a snapshot in time. To overcome the limitations and increase monitoring performance, a new groundwater monitoring system, Colorado Water Watch (CWW), was introduced as a decision-making tool to support the state's regulatory agency and also to provide real-time groundwater quality data to both the industry and the public. The CWW uses simple in situ water quality sensors based on the surrogate sensing technology that employs an event detection system to screen the incoming data in near real-time.
The Engineering Knowledge Research Program

The engineering knowledge research program is part of a larger effort to articulate a philosophy of engineering and an engineering worldview. Engineering is not ‘merely’ applied science. Engineering knowledge requires a more comprehensive conceptual framework than scientific knowledge.
ATMOSPHERIC PARAMETERS OF SUBLUMINOUS B STARS

High signal-to-noise optical spectrophotometry of a sample of field subluminous B stars drawn largely from the Palomar Green UV excess survey is analyzed with a new grid of model atmospheres and synthetic spectra. The effective temperatures, surface gravities, and photospheric helium abundances are determined simultaneously from an analysis of hydrogen and helium absorption line profiles. The derived temperatures and gravities place the helium-deficient sdB stars in the H—R diagram along and just above theoretical sequences of the zero-age extended horizontal branch, lending strong support to the hypothesis that these stars are composed of helium-burning cores of ∼0.5M ⊙ overlain by very thin (\(\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\thicksim}$}}{<}\), 0.02M ⊙) layers of hydrogen. Various scenarios for their past evolutionary history are examined in the context of their probable future evolution into low-mass white dwarfs.
ONTOGENIC DEVELOPMENT OF PORCINE NK AND K CELLS

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on ontogenic development of natural killer (NK) cells in specific pathogen-free (SPF) and germfree (GF) piglets, the relationship of NK and killer (K) cells, and proposed model of the cell lineage(s) of NK and K cells. In a study described in the chapter, the K cells for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) developed before birth, but NK cells developed after the GF piglets were 3–4 weeks of age; the SPF piglets developed NK activity two weeks after birth. The effector cells for NK in the SPF young adult miniature swine were present only in peripheral blood and not in spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus, or bone marrow. To examine the possible involvement of in vivo armed natural antibodies in NK activity, newborn piglets were fed colostrum resulting in high levels of maternal natural antibodies in their circulation, and cells from various tissues including peripheral blood, spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, liver, and bone marrow of these colostrum-fed piglets were examined. The unique gnotobiotic miniature swine model may provide with an excellent opportunity to further investigate the definition of the cellular nature of NK and K cells and to examine their cell lineages and relationships.
Our Ancestral Shadow: Hate and Human Natuere in Evolutionary Psychology

In some unique ways, each of us is like no other human being. In other ways, each of us is like some other human beings. And, in yet some other ways, each of us is like all other human beings. The question of the nature of human nature is captured in this final statement. In what ways are we like every other person that has gone before us and will come after us? This question is particularly relevant to the emerging field of hate studies. Is there an endowment with which each of us begins our life that is important in understanding how, and why, people hate?
REVIEW OF REMOTE CONTROLLED AND ATMOSPHERIC VEHICLE SYSTEMS

This paper deals specifically with underwater operations that do not involve divers, i.e., operations that involve remote controlled and manned vehicles where the operators are at atmospheric pressure. These vehicles can be divided into five groups: Remote Control Eyeball Cameras Remote Control Pipeline Inspection Vehicles Remote Control Platform Work Vehicles One-Manned Atmospheric Vehicles Conventional Submersibles The paper discusses these various groups in detail and their ability to fulfill the three basic requirements essential for machines to progressively replace man as set forth by the British Advisory Group for the Progressive Replacement of Man Underwater. These criteria are as follows: Hand-eye coordination Tactile sense Ability to react to forces The paper also discusses the future potential for these vehicles and their ability to replace man and do meaningful work. And it attempts to reach some conclusions about the future requirements for water depths between 300–500 meters and to define areas in which technical research should be focused.
Perceptions of Organizational Justice Among State Government Employees: The Effect of Years of Public Service:

Over the past several decades, researchers across public and private organizations accumulated evidence that perceptions of organizational justice influence work attitudes and performance. Building...
Perturbed Layered Graphs

Several graph theoretic measures are known to be computationally intractable on general graphs. In some scenarios, if a graph is restricted in a certain manner then the corresponding measure is shown to be tractable. Restricted graphs include bipartite, chordal, tree, grid, planar and interval. Computation of the maximum independent set i.e. MIS, the minimum vertex cover i.e. MVC, and the minimum dominating set i.e. MDS is shown to be NP-hard. However, these measures are shown to have myriad applications on tractable classes. A layered graph consists of several subgraphs, each containing at most some $k$ vertices. Each subgraph is a layer and the inter-layer edges are restricted to the vertices in adjacent layers. A graph class that has layered graphs as a sub-class has been proposed where $O(1)$ inter-layer edges originating from each layer need not terminate in an adjacent layer. We call the graph class where a specified number of inter-layer edges are not restricted to adjacent layers as perturbed layered graphs. For perturbed layered graphs where $O(1)$ inter-layer edges originating from each layer need not terminate in an adjacent layer an open question has been posed which seeks the complexity of computing MIS, MVC and MDS. We design FPT algorithms for computing these measure with dynamic programming. For several sub-classes of the above class we show that computation of MIS, MVC and MDS is tractable. Thereby, we partially answer the open question.
Magnetotransport and superconductivity in InBi films grown on Si(111) by molecular beam epitaxy

Bismuth-containing compounds inherit the high spin-orbit coupling and bandgap bowing effects of the Bi atom. Here, we report the growth of InBi films using molecular beam epitaxy. By growing in a Bi-rich regime, we obtain coalesced and crystalline films with a sharp interface to the high-resistivity Si(111) substrate. Temperature-dependent transport and resistivity measurements exhibit a nonlinear Hall effect and parabolic magnetoresistance, suggesting two-carrier semimetallic behavior. In In-rich films, metallic temperature-dependent resistivity is observed. In Bi-rich films, we observed semiconductorlike temperature-dependent resistivity as well as superconductivity.
Gay and Bisexual Men Living with Prostate Cancer: From Diagnosis to Recovery

This volume of essays and research studies shows, a major disparity exists in the quality of care and information received by gay and bisexual men who are living with prostate cancer.
Introduction to the Special Series on Community Informatics

This special issue presents eight papers delivered originally at one of the two Informing Science conferences held in Krakow, Poland in 2001, and Cork, Ireland, in 2002. The eight papers cover several generic issues related to Community Informatics. Community Informatics is the science and application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support human communities and their processes. A major concern of Community Informatics is how communities can utilize effectively ICTs in achieving their developmental, economic, social and cultural objectives. Much effort today in Community Informatics is finding ways of making the enormous opportunities of Internet connectivity of real value to communities of all types. Community Informatics traditionally has been applied to local communities, which address the needs and interests of people in particular geographical areas. Briony Oates' paper, Foot and Mouth Disease: Informing the Community?, is an excellent case study of the variety of human needs, both shared and conflicting, that existed during the 2001 foot and mouth disease outbreak in the United Kingdom, and how ICTs were utilized both effectively and ineffectively by the community to cope with the crisis. Community Informatics applies not only to local communities but also to virtual communities--communities with no particular geographical limits. Virtual communities depend on information technology, but often are only using limited tool sets to support specific types of interaction and communications. Betsy Van Dijk's paper, Navigation Assistance in Virtual Worlds, explores some of these issues and discusses research on forms of navigation assistance that enable non-professional visitors of a virtual environment to find their way without previous training, with implications for community development. A major issue in Community Informatics is the effective and ethical use of systems development methodologies. Typically practitioners working to support communities are working with limited conceptualizations about the effective utilization of ICTs in community processes. Often they do not take full advantage of rapidly developing technology opportunities, and have little systematic contact with or feedback into on-going organizational or technology design, or emerging business models. These system design issues are discussed in the two papers by Chuck Winer and Thomas Pavkov, The Development of Consumer-Driven Human Services Information Technology Initiatives: The Lake County Indiana Experience and Human Services Information Technology, A Shared System. The authors present case studies illustrating the variety of value-laden issues in the analysis, design, and implementation of community information systems, especially the roles of researchers, practitioners, system developers, and community leaders and participants. …
Telemetry for System Reliability

Computer systems need to be highly reliable for efficient usage and satisfactory user experience. Telemetry-based systems enable gathering actionable data from end users. We review concepts, methods and results regarding the use of field data for deciding use conditions for IC reliability modeling and optimization. Then we present concepts and results about using telemetry for IC product health monitoring, focusing on issue detection and support based on a sampled population.
These Are the Genes You’re Looking For: Finding Host Resistance Genes

Humanity's ongoing struggle with new, re-emerging and endemic infectious diseases serves as a frequent reminder of the need to understand host-pathogen interactions. Recent advances in genomics have dramatically advanced our understanding of how genetics contributes to host resistance or susceptibility to bacterial infection. Here we discuss current trends in defining host-bacterial interactions at the genome-wide level, including screens that harness CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, natural genetic variation, proteomics, and transcriptomics. We report on the merits, limitations, and findings of these innovative screens and discuss their complementary nature. Finally, we speculate on future innovation as we continue to progress through the postgenomic era and towards deeper mechanistic insight and clinical applications.
PWM Gain Linearization Algorithm for Medium Voltage Source Inverter

This paper deals with industrial Medium Voltage (MV) multilevel converters used in voltage source drives. The switching features (as minimum time of conduction) of the power electronic components induce some non-linearities on the output voltage, that increase the harmonics and limit the maximum power of the drive. To overcome these drawbacks, we will present an algorithm that keeps the linearity of the converter and by the way increases the drive power and mitigate some harmonics.
Abstract 14986: A Randomized Trial of Statins to Reduce Vascular Endothelial Inflammation in Psoriasis

Introduction: Psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic skin disease associated with increased CV risk. Systemic and vascular endothelial inflammation in PsO is highly prevalent and associated with CVD. Statins...
A buprenorphine-validated rat model of opioid use disorder optimized to study sex differences in vulnerability to relapse

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a major epidemic in the USA. Despite evidence indicating that OUD may be particularly severe for women, preclinical models have yet to establish sex as a major factor in OUD. Here, we examined sex differences in vulnerability to relapse following intermittent access fentanyl self-administration and protracted abstinence and used buprenorphine, the FDA-approved treatment for OUD, to test the validity of our model. Following acquisition of fentanyl self-administration under one of two training conditions, male and female rats were given extended, 24-h/day access to fentanyl (0.25 μg/kg/infusion, 10 days) using an intermittent access procedure. Vulnerability to relapse was assessed using an extinction/cue-induced reinstatement procedure following 14 days of abstinence; buprenorphine (0 or 3 mg/kg/day) was administered throughout abstinence. Levels of drug-seeking were high following extended-access fentanyl self-administration and abstinence; buprenorphine markedly decreased drug-seeking supporting the validity of our relapse model. Females self-administered more fentanyl and responded at higher levels during subsequent extinction testing. Buprenorphine was effective in both sexes and eliminated sex and estrous phase differences in drug-seeking. Interestingly, the inclusion of a time-out during training had a major impact on later fentanyl self-administration in females, but not males, indicating that the initial exposure conditions can persistently impact vulnerability in females. These findings demonstrate the utility of this rat model for determining sex and hormonal influences on the development and treatment of OUD.