cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Saving Skidgits: Using a game to model protected area management

Games and simulations as instructional tools help students process material using multiple avenues of inquiry and engage in different learning styles simultaneously. Developing and modifying a strategy as part of a game gives students the opportunity to practice critical thinking skills and can lead to a deeper understanding of subject material. Simulations are particularly useful in illustrating scenarios where there are multiple paths to a successful outcome. To take advantage of these benefits, I developed a simulation game to illustrate principles of protected area management as part of the Wildlife Ecology for Conservation curriculum at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation. In the simulation, students are given the role of managers for a protected area and are tasked with keeping a fictitious species, the skidgit, alive for two years. Students set their management goals and are able to use resources to protect and manage their skidgit populations in the face of stressors presented as the simulation unfolds. Throughout the simulation, students are asked to balance needs and resources to meet their management goal. Evaluations of the activity indicate students have an increased understanding of the challenges and processes involved in managing protected areas and have fun learning.
Using a structural competency framework to teach structural racism in pre-health education.

The inclusion of structural competency training in pre-health undergraduate programs may offer significant benefits to future healthcare professionals. This paper presents the results of a comparative study of an interdisciplinary pre-health curriculum based in structural competency with a traditional premedical curriculum. The authors describe the interdisciplinary pre-health curriculum, titled Medicine, Health, and Society (MHS) at Vanderbilt University. The authors then use a new survey tool, the Structural Foundations of Health Survey, to evaluate structural skills and sensibilities. The analysis compares MHS majors (n = 185) with premed science majors (n = 63) and first-semester freshmen (n = 91), with particular attention to understanding how structural factors shape health. Research was conducted from August 2015 to December 2016. Results suggest that MHS majors identified and analyzed relationships between structural factors and health outcomes at higher rates and in deeper ways than did premed science majors and freshmen, and also demonstrated higher understanding of structural and implicit racism and health disparities. The skills that MHS students exhibited represent proficiencies increasingly stressed by the MCAT, the AAMC, and other educational bodies that emphasize how contextual factors shape expressions of health and illness.
Inhomogeneous Diophantine approximation in the coprime setting

Abstract Given n ∈ N and x , γ ∈ R , let | | γ − n x | | ′ = min ⁡ { | γ − n x + m | : m ∈ Z , gcd ⁡ ( n , m ) = 1 } , Two conjectures in the coprime inhomogeneous Diophantine approximation state that for any irrational number α and almost every γ ∈ R , lim inf n → ∞ n | | γ − n α | | ′ = 0 and that there exists C > 0 , such that for all α ∈ R \ Q and γ ∈ [ 0 , 1 ) , lim inf n → ∞ n | | γ − n α | | ′ C . We prove the first conjecture and disprove the second one.
Split-Flow Thin (SPLITT) Cell Separations Operating under Sink-Float Mode Using Centrifugal and Gravitational Fields

Particles of two different densities can be continuously and rapidly separated by employing sink-float phenomenon in split-flow thin (SPLITT) cells using both centrifugal and gravitational fields. Separation of a binary mixture of submicron size latex beads differing in densities is achieved by feeding them as a suspension in a carrier liquid of intermediate density into a SPLITT cell subject to a centrifugal field. A steady state condition is rapidly achieved, and two particle types accumulate at opposing channel walls as they are carried by the laminar channel flow to two separate outlets. Similarly, micron size particles of two different densities are separated using a planar channel and the gravitational field. Equations are developed to predict throughput in terms of the number fractions of the separated particles determined by scanning electron microscopy. Experimental results from three SPLITT cell systems under different field and flow conditions are compared with theoretical predictions.
Insurance correlates with improved access to care and outcome among glioblastoma patients.

Background The current standard of care for glioblastoma (GBM) constitutes maximal safe surgical resection, followed by fractionated radiation and temozolomide. This treatment regimen is logistically burdensome, and in a health care system in which access to care is variable, there may be patients with worsened outcomes due to inadequate access to optimal treatment. Methods The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with diagnoses of GBM in 2006-2014. Patients were grouped according to insurance status: private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or uninsured. Treatments provided (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy) were compared between groups in univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 61614 patients were analyzed. Compared with private insurance, the odds of surgery for Medicaid and uninsured patients were 0.72 (95% CI: 0.66-0.79) and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.69-0.87), respectively (P < 0.001). The multivariable odds of receiving radiotherapy were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.86-0.96), 0.62 (95% CI: 0.57-0.68), and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.43-0.52) for Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured patients, respectively (all P < 0.001). In addition, the odds of receiving chemotherapy were 0.94 (95% CI: 0.89-0.99), 0.53 (95% CI: 0.49-0.57), and 0.41 (95% CI: 0.38-0.46) for Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured patients, respectively (all P < 0.001). Conclusion Insurance status and type of insurance coverage appear to impact treatments rendered for GBM, independently of other variables. Furthermore, we find that such differential access to care significantly impacts survival. Ensuring adequate access to care for all patients with diagnoses of glioblastoma is critical to optimize survival, especially as therapies continue to advance.
Internal Climatic Mechanisms Participating in Glaciation Cycles

Glaciation cycles are the phenomena which dominate climatic variability on time scales of 103–106yr over the last few million years of the earth’s history. They have attracted increased attention lately due to the wealth of proxy data recently uncovered and interpreted which document them. We describe and model some of the physical mechanisms internal to the climatic system which might play a causal role in glaciation cycles. Model results indicate that the nonlinear interaction of these mechanisms leads to oscillations in temperature and ice extent comparable to those found in the paleoclimatological proxy record. We outline ways in which the models could account for most of the glaciation cycles’ characteristics by combining the action of the internal mechanisms with that of quasi-periodically varying external forcing.
Large-scale map-making

Current mapping algorithms using Consistent Pose Estimation (CPE) algorithms can successfully map areas of 104 square meters, using thousands of poses. However, the computation to construct the map grows as O(n log n), so larger maps get increasingly difficult to build. We present an abstraction method for postponing the growth in computation. This method solves a much smaller problem in the space of the connection graph of the map.
Boom and Bust

Current Western models of technological development in Africa exist at two extremes. On one end, Africa is perceived as a tech-barren land that relies heavily on Western imports for technological access. On the other end, recent narratives depict Africa as a continent of unprecedented and largely self-initiated technological growth. This paper analyzes the problems that arise when looking at Africa’s access to technology through one of these two extremes. My findings demonstrate that these two contradicting models of technology in Africa are 1) concurrently prevalent across Western media and academia and 2) sharply inadequate in their generalization of technology and the African continent. These insights call for a more complex, multidimensional model of African technological development. To work towards such a layered model of Africa, I propose a strategy to export learning models from Africa to the West. By breaking out of the traditional flow of knowledge in the opposite direction, from the West to Africa, well-rounded insights can be drawn from and about both regions. In this paper, I detail an example of implementing this strategy and analyze its potential strengths in stepping towards a more accurate narrative of Africa.
Anion control of tautomeric equilibria: Fe-H vs. N-H influenced by NH···F hydrogen bonding.

Counterions can play an active role in chemical reactivity, modulating reaction pathways, energetics and selectivity. We investigated the tautomeric equilibrium resulting from protonation of Fe(PEtNMePEt)(CO)3 (PEtNMePEt = (Et2PCH2)2NMe) at Fe or N. Protonation of Fe(PEtNMePEt)(CO)3 by [(Et2O)2H]+[B(C6F5)4]− occurs at the metal to give the iron hydride [Fe(PEtNMePEt)(CO)3H]+[B(C6F5)4]−. In contrast, treatment with HBF4·OEt2 gives protonation at the iron and at the pendant amine. Both the FeH and NH tautomers were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Addition of excess BF4− to the equilibrium mixture leads to the NH tautomer being exclusively observed, due to NH⋯F hydrogen bonding. A quantum chemical analysis of the bonding properties of these systems provided a quantification of hydrogen bonding of the NH to BF4− and to OTf−. Treatment of Fe(PEtNMePEt)(CO)3 with excess HOTf gives a dicationic complex where both the iron and nitrogen are protonated. Isomerization of the dicationic complex was studied by NOESY NMR spectroscopy.
Purulent Inflatable Penile Prostheses Can Be Safely Immediately Salvaged in Insulin-Dependent Diabetics.

Abstract Introduction Historically, contra-indications for immediate salvage of an infected penile prosthesis have included purulence on the device, purulent infections in diabetic patients, and severe diabetes. These clinical principles are from the 1990s to early 2000s and based on limited retrospective series or expert opinion. Since the publication of these contra-indications there have been improvements in device design, surgical technique, corporal washout protocols, and perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis that allow us to re-evaluate whether we can broaden the criteria for immediate salvage of an infected penile prosthesis. Aim To report whether patients with severe diabetes can safely have a purulent inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) immediately salvaged. Methods We considered a “severe diabetic” as a patient whose disease has progressed past diet control and oral medications and, therefore, has insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus (IDDM II). We retrospectively reviewed 6 consecutive patients with IDDM II and a purulent IPP who had been immediately salvaged from July 2011 to November 2017. In addition to immediate exchange, each received catheter-directed anti-microbial intracorporal irrigation and device culture. All patients were discharged home the next day with oral antibiotics. Main Outcome Measure Outcomes included repeat penile prosthesis infection or any other complication following immediate salvage. Results All 6 patients have healed well and remained infection free at their 6- to 8-week post-operative follow-up appointment. 15–39 months after salvage, no patients have had a repeat infection or any other complication. 5 patients received a malleable replacement device and 1 patient was electively converted to an IPP 7 months after his salvage procedure. 1 patient received an IPP during salvage per patient preference. All patients are currently pleased with either their malleable penile prosthesis or IPP. Clinical Implications Immediate salvage attenuates the morbidity associated with an infected penile prosthesis such as irreversible penile shortening and corporal fibrosis. Our findings suggest that more patients than originally thought may be a candidate for immediate salvage. Strength & Limitations To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating outcomes after immediate salvage of a purulent IPP in patients with advanced diabetes. Limitations of the study include the small sample size and retrospective nature. Conclusion Our results suggest that those with IDDM II who have a purulent penile prosthesis may be candidates for safe and effective immediate salvage. Peters CE, Carlos EC, Lentz AC. Purulent Inflatable Penile Prostheses Can Be Safely Immediately Salvaged in Insulin-Dependent Diabetics. J Sex Med 2018;15:1673–1677.
Modeling of lüders elongation and work hardening behaviors of ferrite-pearlite dual phase steels under tension

Abstract Because of their good combination of strength and ductility, ferrite-pearlite (F-P) dual phase steels are widely used as structural components for various engineering applications. Several numerical models have been developed to predict the flow behavior of F-P steels with a focus on the strain hardening effect. However, little attention has been put on modeling the Luders elongation phenomenon, which dominates the plastic behavior of F-P steels at a relatively low-strain range. This research is to establish a stress–strain model capable of predicting both the Luders elongation and work hardening behaviors of F-P steels subjected to room temperature tension. Representative volume element method in combination with finite element simulation is used for the overall stress–strain relationship prediction. The effects of ferrite grain size, pearlite volume fraction, and pearlite inter-lamellar spacing on flow behaviors are investigated. Model validation is achieved by comparing the simulation results with experimental data from literature.
Abstract 099: Carvedilol Selectively Stimulates Beta-arrestin2-dependent Serca2a Activity in Cardiomyocytes to Augment Contractility

Background: Heart failure (HF) is the number one killer in the western world and β-blockers are part of its cornerstone pharmacotherapy. We recently showed that β1-adrenergic receptor (AR)-activate...
Embracing Postcolonialism: The Future of Christian Education:

The field of Christian education is changing due to globalization and contextualization of society, particularly as it relates to the ethnic demographics of the church. While much of the research a...
Cladistic analysis of the Xylocopa caffra (Linnaeus, 1767) species-group (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Results of a cladistic analysis of the species of the African Xylocopa caffra (Linnaeus, 1767) species-group (Hymenoptera: Apidae, genus Xylocopa Latreille, 1802) are presented. Thirty-five external adult morphological characters were coded for the twelve species in this group plus two outgroup taxa. Cladistic analysis with the computer program “TNT” recovered a single most parsimonious tree of 45 steps. This cladogram provides insights into the evolution of aposematic dorsal color patterns in females of species in this group. Females in each of three monophyletic lineages have distinctive black and yellow, white, or orange color patterns: In the first lineage, females have white pubescence on the head and varying amounts of yellow pubescence on the mesosoma and metasoma; in the second lineage, females of all but one species have banded black and yellow or white pubescence; and in the third lineage, the mesosoma in females is predominantly or entirely covered in yellow or orange pubescence, except for a c...
High Rac1 activity is functionally translated into cytosolic structures with unique nanoscale cytoskeletal architecture

Rac1 activation is at the core of signaling pathways regulating polarized cell migration. So far, it has not been possible to directly explore the structural changes triggered by Rac1 activation at the molecular level. Here, through a multiscale imaging workflow that combines biosensor imaging of Rac1 dynamics with electron cryotomography, we identified, within the crowded environment of eukaryotic cells, a unique nanoscale architecture of a flexible, signal-dependent actin structure. In cell regions with high Rac1 activity, we found a structural regime that spans from the ventral membrane up to a height of ∼60 nm above that membrane, composed of directionally unaligned, densely packed actin filaments, most shorter than 150 nm. This unique Rac1-induced morphology is markedly different from the dendritic network architecture in which relatively short filaments emanate from existing, longer actin filaments. These Rac1-mediated scaffold assemblies are devoid of large macromolecules such as ribosomes or other filament types, which are abundant at the periphery and within the remainder of the imaged volumes. Cessation of Rac1 activity induces a complete and rapid structural transition, leading to the absence of detectable remnants of such structures within 150 s, providing direct structural evidence for rapid actin filament network turnover induced by GTPase signaling events. It is tempting to speculate that this highly dynamical nanoscaffold system is sensitive to local spatial cues, thus serving to support the formation of more complex actin filament architectures—such as those mandated by epithelial−mesenchymal transition, for example—or resetting the region by completely dissipating.
Heterogeneous Immunoassay Using Channels and Droplets in a Digital Microfluidic Platform

This work presents a heterogeneous immunoassay using the integrated functionalities of a channel and droplets in a digital microfluidic (DMF) platform. Droplet functionality in DMF allows for the programmable manipulation of discrete sample and reagent droplets in the range of nanoliters. Pressure-driven channels become advantageous over droplets when sample must be washed, as the supernatant can be thoroughly removed in a convenient and rapid manner while the sample is immobilized. Herein, we demonstrate a magnetic bead-based, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using ~60 nL of human interleukin-6 (IL-6) sample. The wash buffer was introduced in the form of a wall-less virtual electrowetting channel by a syringe pump at the flow rate of 10 μL/min with ~100% bead retention rate. Critical parameters such as sample wash flow rate and bead retention rate were optimized for reliable assay results. A colorimetric readout was analyzed in the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) color space without the need for costly equipment. The concepts presented in this work are potentially applicable in rapid neonatal disease screening using a finger prick blood sample in a DMF platform.
Intestinal Lengthening and Transplantation Surgery: Candidacy, Logistics, and Techniques

The surgical management of gastrointestinal failure continues to evolve with major advances in the fields of intestinal transplantation and gut rehabilitation [1–3]. The recent significant improvement in the therapeutic efficacy of intestinal and multivisceral transplantation has elevated the level of such a challenging procedure to permanently reside in a respected place in the surgical armamentarium [3–7]. In parallel, the concept of gut rehabilitation was introduced and has recently evolved, utilizing novel autologous reconstructive procedures [2]. In addition, distinctive small bowel lengthening techniques were implemented to enhance the natural adaptation process in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) [1, 2, 8, 9].
Re-Imagining Futurity for Fat, Disabled and “unhealthy” Bodyminds: A Response to 23andMe’s Health + Ancestry Genetic Testing Kits

In the era of rising biotech corporations integrating into the medical landscape, how can a future for non-normative bodyminds be reimagined? The biotech company 23andMe sells the idea of controlli...
Wind-induced vibration of structural cables

The wind-induced vibration of cables has been widely studied over the past decades because of cables’ many applications in cable-stayed, suspension, and tied-arched bridges, and power transmission lines. They have been mostly investigated through research conducted on rigid model cables with a finite length and circular cross-sectional geometry that represents a section model of a long cable. These models have been considered accurate because the behavior of flow over a cable and circular cylinder is similar, although there are structural differences between them. Cables usually experience small- to large-amplitude vibration due to wind loads that causes fatigue failure and poses a significant threat to the safety and serviceability of these structures. Although this paper mainly focuses on reviewing the past studies about different types of wind-induced cable vibration, some general information related to circular cylinders has been briefly reported for better understanding of the flow over cables. This paper incorporates an extensive review based on the existing papers about different sources of wind-induced cable vibration consisting of vortex-induced vibration, rain-wind-induced vibration, dry galloping, ice galloping, and wake galloping. Furthermore, this paper explains the mechanism, vibration source, and a mitigation solution for each type based on the past studies using wind tunnel experiments, computational fluid dynamics, field measurements, or analytical approaches. This review helps to better understand the aerodynamics and fluid–structure interactions of cables with or without ice/rain on the surface, while static and dynamic wind loads act on the structure.
National Healthcare Safety Network Standardized Antimicrobial Administration Ratios (SAARs): A Progress Report and Risk Modeling Update Using 2017 Data.

BACKGROUND The Standardized Antimicrobial Administration Ratio (SAAR) is a risk-adjusted metric of antimicrobial use (AU) developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015 as a tool for hospital antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) to track and compare AU with a national benchmark. In 2018, CDC updated the SAAR by expanding the locations and antimicrobial categories for which SAARs can be calculated and by modeling adult and pediatric locations separately. METHODS We identified eligible patient-care locations and defined SAAR antimicrobial categories. Predictive models were developed for eligible adult and pediatric patient-care locations using negative binomial regression applied to nationally aggregated AU data from locations reporting ≥9 months of 2017 data to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). RESULTS 2017 Baseline SAAR models were developed for 7 adult and 8 pediatric SAAR antimicrobial categories using data reported from 2156 adult and 170 pediatric locations across 457 hospitals. The inclusion of step-down units and general hematology-oncology units in adult 2017 baseline SAAR models and the addition of SAARs for narrow-spectrum B-lactam agents, antifungals predominantly used for invasive candidiasis, antibacterial agents posing the highest risk for Clostridioides difficile infection, and azithromycin (pediatrics only) expand the role SAARs can play in ASP efforts. Final risk-adjusted models are used to calculate predicted antimicrobial days, the denominator of the SAAR, for 40 SAAR types displayed in NHSN. CONCLUSIONS SAARs can be used as a metric to prompt investigation into potential overuse or underuse of antimicrobials and to evaluate the effectiveness of ASP interventions.
Significance of proximal ductal margin status after resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract Background The impact of additional resection for positive proximal bile duct margins during hepatic resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) on survival and disease progression remains unclear. We asked how re-resection of positive proximal bile duct margins affected outcomes. Methods Patients undergoing resection between 1993–2017 were reviewed. Both frozen section and final margin status were reviewed. Overall survival was the primary outcome. Results 153 patients underwent surgical resection for HCCA. Median survival (months) for initial margin negative (M−), margin-positive to margin-negative (M+/M−) and margin-positive to margin-positive (M+/M+) was 45, 33, and 35 months respectively. Nodal metastases increased with margin positivity: 32% with M−, 49% with M+/M− and 63% with M+/M+ (p = 0.016). Local/regional progression more frequently occurred in M+/M− (27.3%) and M+/M+ (33.3%) patients (M+/M- vs. M-: p = 0.41, M+/M+ vs. M-: p = 0.27). Patients receiving postoperative chemotherapy were 33% M−, 46% M+/M− and 63% in M+/M+. Postoperative radiation was used in 13% of M−, 31% of M+/M− and 63% of M+/M+. Most frequent initial recurrences were within the liver and hepaticojejunostomy site. Conclusion Competing risk for systemic disease based on primary characteristics of HCCA outweighs the impact of re-resection to achieve R0 status. Improved survival will likely depend on future regional and systemic therapy.
Perceived Organizational Support and Employee Satisfaction and Retention

The ability of recreational sport departments to offer quality programming and services often depends on whether they are able to employ and retain quality student employees. These student employee...
Oceanic patterns of thermal stress and coral community degradation on the island of Mauritius

Knowing the responses of high-latitude corals to thermal impacts will be critical to predicting the possibility for range expansion of reefs provoked by climate change. We, therefore, tested how oceanographic and island geography variation and subsequent interactions between chronic and acute environmental stresses would influence the temperate corals of Mauritius (~ 20°S). Specifically, we predicted higher impacts of thermal stress due to rare events on ocean-impacted windward than leeward reefs. To test this prediction, surveys of benthic cover and corals in the shallow lagoon’s perimeter reefs were repeated between 2004 and 2019—an interval with frequent warm thermal anomalies. Hard and soft coral cover declined 40% and 83%, respectively, and erect algae increased 78% over the 15-yr interval. Coral taxa were distributed along a Montipora-community axis dominant on the island’s leeward reefs and an Acropora-axis dominant on the windward reefs. Nine of the 30 originally encountered sub-genera were not observed in the second sampling, of which most losses were on the windward reefs and among taxa that were initially uncommon during the initial 2004 sampling. The largest declines occurred in the southeast where rare acute stress was higher and open-ocean conditions interacted strongly with the island. The north and western corals experienced less acute stress and greater persistence of taxa. Searching an additional 15 sites in 2019 found six of the missing coral taxa, often in deeper reef edges. Screening of potential environmental variables indicated that that skewness of the degree heating weeks and thermal stress anomalies were the strongest predictor of the changes. A chronic stress metric was more difficult to identify but water flow variability and chlorophyll-a concentrations were part of the oceanographic conditions associated with attenuated responses to acute stress. Frequent acute stress was associated with lower thermal acclimation rates over the 15-yr interval and more evident for the dominant than subdominant taxa. The extra-equatorial location of Mauritius will not ensure latitudinal sanctuary, apart from the leeward reefs.
Handling crowdsourced data using state space discretization for robot learning and synthesizing physical skills

Intelligent physical skills are a fundamental element needed by robots to interact with the real world. Instead of learning from individual sources in single cases, continuous robot learning from crowdsourced mentors over long terms provides a practical path towards realizing ubiquitous robot physical intelligence. The mentors can be human drivers that teleoperate robots when their intelligence is not yet enough for acting autonomously. A large amount of sensorimotor data can be obtained constantly from a group of teleoperators, and processed by machine learning to continuously generate and improve the autonomous physical skills of robots. This paper presents a learning method that utilizes state space discretization to sustainably manage constantly collected data and synthesize autonomous robot skills. Two types of state space discretization have been proposed. Their advantages and limits are examined and compared. Simulation and physical tests of two object manipulation challenges are conducted to examine the proposed learning method. The capability of handling system uncertainty, sustainably managing high-dimensional state spaces, as well as synthesizing new skills or ones that have only been partly demonstrated are validated. The work is expected to provide a long-term and big-scale measure to produce advanced robot physical intelligence.
Wnt/ β -catenin signaling pathway in uterine leiomyoma: role in tumor biology and targeting opportunities

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common tumor of the female reproductive system and originates from a single transformed myometrial smooth muscle cell. Despite the immense medical, psychosocial, and financial impact, the exact underlying mechanisms of leiomyoma pathobiology are poorly understood. Alterations of signaling pathways are thought to be instrumental in leiomyoma biology. Wnt/β-catenin pathway appears to be involved in several aspects of the genesis of leiomyomas. For example, Wnt5b is overexpressed in leiomyoma, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway appears to mediate the role of MED12 mutations, the most common mutations in leiomyoma, in tumorigenesis. Moreover, Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a paracrine role where estrogen/progesterone treatment of mature myometrial or leiomyoma cells leads to increased expression of Wnt11 and Wnt16, which induces proliferation of leiomyoma stem cells and tumor growth. Constitutive activation of β-catenin leads to myometrial hyperplasia and leiomyoma-like lesions in animal models. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is also closely involved in mechanotransduction and extracellular matrix regulation and relevant alterations in leiomyoma, and crosstalk is noted between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and other pathways known to regulate leiomyoma development and growth such as estrogen, progesterone, TGFβ, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, IGF, Hippo, and Notch signaling. Finally, evidence suggests that inhibition of the canonical Wnt pathway using β-catenin inhibitors inhibits leiomyoma cell proliferation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of leiomyoma development is essential for effective treatment. The specific Wnt/β-catenin pathway molecules discussed in this review constitute compelling candidates for therapeutic targeting.
Mechanistic Data Science for Modeling and Design of Aerospace Composite Materials.

Polymer matrix composites exhibit remarkable lightweight and high strength properties that make them attractive for aerospace applications. Constituents' materials such as advanced polymers and fibers or fillers with their hierarchical structure embed these exceptional properties to the composite materials. This hierarchical structure in multiple length scales provides an opportunity for designing the composite materials for optimized properties. However, the high dimensional design space for the constituents' materials and architectures choice of the composites makes it a challenging design problem. To tackle this high dimensional design space, a systematic, efficient approach named mechanistic data science framework is proposed in this work to identify the governing mechanisms of materials systems from the limited available data and create a composite knowledge database. Our composite knowledge database comprises the knowledge of polymers at the nanoscale with nano reinforcement, the unidirectional structure at the microscale, and woven structure at mesoscale mechanisms that can be further used for the part scale composite design and analysis. The mechanistic data science framework presented in this work can be further extended to other materials systems that will provide the materials designer with the necessary tools to evaluate a new materials system design rapidly.
Growth Inhibition of CEM Cells by Glucocorticoids: c-myc down Regulation, and the Topology of the Glucocorticoid Receptor

Steroids’ effects on cells and cellular processes are usually exerted via the interaction the steroid has with intracellular receptors, specific for each class of hormone. It seems clear from the work of the last decade that frequently a powerful effect of the steroid receptor complex is to affect the transcription from particular genes. This may be an up or down regulation of gene transcription and may occur on genes regulated by RNA polymerase I or RNA polymerase II (Ringold, 1985; Yamamoto, 1985; Cavanaugh & E.A. Thompson 1986). As many papers of the last several years have shown, it is commonly true that the steroid receptor complex interacts with a specific sequence or steroid response element in or around the promotor of the regulated gene. It is equally clear that there also exist well documented examples of regulation by steroid hormones at levels other than transcription, such as rate of transcription elongation, post-transcriptional events including message stabilization, and protein product turnover (Barbour, et al., 1988; Brock & Shapiro, 1983; Granner, et al., 1986; Raaka & Samuels, 1983). One of the more profound effects of steroids is their action on cell growth. Glucocorticoids specifically can act upon certain kinds of lymphoid cells to stop their growth and to bring about cell lysis (Thompson, E.B., et al., 1988). As yet there has been no specific proof that these effects occur by one or another of the above mentioned mechanisms, but the assumption is widely held that glucocorticoids are acting to regulate cell growth by regulation of specific genes through one or more of them.
Tunable thermal quenching of photoluminescence in GaN

In this work, we report the observation of abrupt and tunable thermal quenching of photoluminescence (PL) in high-resistivity, undoped GaN. The ultraviolet luminescence (UVL) band in these samples exhibited abrupt and tunable quenching, which is similar to behavior observed for p -type GaN:Mg samples. Such behavior has never been observed for undoped GaN and was very rarely reported for other semiconductors. We describe the effect of temperature and excitation intensity on PL in undoped GaN with a phenomenological model involving three defect species. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermodynamics of hydrolysis of disaccharides: Cellobiose, gentiobiose, isomaltose, and maltose

The thermodynamics of the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellobiose, gentiobiose, isomaltose, and maltose have been studied using both high pressure liquid chromatography and microcalorimetry. The hydrolysis reactions were carried out in aqueous sodium acetate buffer at a pH of 5.65 and over the temperature range of 286 to 316 K using the enzymes beta-glucosidase, isomaltase, and maltase. The thermodynamic parameters obtained for the hydrolysis reactions, disaccharide(aq) + H2O(liq) = 2 glucose(aq), at 298.15 K are: K greater than or equal to 155, delta G0 less than or equal to -12.5 kJ mol-1, and delta H0 = -2.43 +/- 0.31 kJ mol-1 for cellobiose; K = 17.9 +/- 0.7, delta G0 = -7.15 +/- 0.10 kJ mol-1 and delta H0 = 2.26 +/- 0.48 kJ mol-1 for gentiobiose; K = 17.25 +/- 0.7, delta G0 = -7.06 +/- 0.10 kJ mol-1, and delta H0 = 5.86 +/- 0.54 kJ mol-1 for isomaltose; and K greater than or equal to 513, delta G0 less than or equal to -15.5 kJ mol-1, and delta H0 = -4.02 +/- 0.15 kJ mol-1 for maltose. The standard state is the hypothetical ideal solution of unit molality. Due to enzymatic inhibition by glucose, it was not possible to obtain reliable values for the equilibrium constants for the hydrolysis of either cellobiose or maltose. The entropy changes for the hydrolysis reactions are in the range 32 to 43 J mol-1 K-1; the heat capacity changes are approximately equal to zero J mol-1 K-1. Additional pathways for calculating thermodynamic parameters for these hydrolysis reactions are discussed.
Oxygen Sensing Gets a Second Wind

The recent discovery of molecules that mediate the hypoxia response pathway demonstrates that mammalian cells are supremely well adapted to dealing with conditions of low oxygen. In their Perspective, [Bruick and McKnight][1] detail new findings ([ Lando et al .][2]) that describe an additional way in which the transcription factor HIF, a central player in the hypoxia response pathway, can be regulated. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/295/5556/807 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/295/5556/858
Morphological studies on periodontal disease in the cynomolgus monkey. III. Electron microscopic observations.

Electron microscopic observations were made on naturally occurring gingivitis, on gingivitis at non-ligated sites of an experimental animal, and on ligature-induced periodontitis in a periodontal disease model using female cynomolgus monkeys. For both types of gingivitis specimens, a plaque associated chronic inflammatory reaction was observed, comparable to that described for the human established lesion. Bacterial accumulations on tooth surfaces were separated from the epithelium by neutrophils which exhibited variations in fine structure and extent of bacterial phagocytosis related to their proximity to the plaque. In the inflamed connective tissue of the papillae, collagen was reduced to strands extending between the cellular elements. The plasma cell was the most common inflammatory cell and had three major variations in form. With ligature-induced periodontitis, similar inflammatory features were observed in the gingiva. A complex flora like that encountered in human periodontitis was observed around and within the ligature as well as more apically in the pocket. As compared to the flora in gingivitis, more spirochetes were encountered, a larger proportion of the microorganisms appeared to be in a living state, and bacteria were in contact with the epithelial surface, rather than being walled off by the neutrophils. This seemingly more aggressive plaque was associated with an advanced lesion characterized by changes that indicated sequential destruction of the collagenous attachment to cementum and concommitant apical migration of the epithelial attachment. No bacteria were observed in the soft tissues, even in the wide intercellular spaces between the epithelial cells.
School Counseling: Student Assistance Programs

(1992). School Counseling: Student Assistance Programs. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 65, No. 5, pp. 263-264.
School Matters:Political Socialization, Immigrants and the Role of Schools

Growing immigrant populations pose a unique strain on current political socialization practices in American society. This paper analyzes the effect of school as an institution on the political socialization of Latino immigrants. I ask specifically what role direct and indirect exposure to the educational system of the US can have upon an immigrant’s political socialization. I argue that access to schools, a primary socialization source for many native born Americans, will impact the political socialization of Latino immigrants, but that this contact can happen both directly and indirectly. Utilizing the Latino National Survey and the 2009 Latino Decisions Healthcare Survey, I establish that for immigrants, schools provide socialization both when the immigrant is a student, and when the immigrant has contact with the school as an institution. In this paper, I thus argue and find that the role that school plays is far more extensive and dynamic than traditionally understood in the political socialization process for Latino immigrants.
Basis for the diversity of states of controlling elements in maize

In maize the insertion of a controlling element such as the regulatory element, En, (Enhancer) at a locus generates diverse derivatives. These derivatives include stable phenotypes that range from colorless to full color. Distinguishable patterns are determined by timing and frequency of mutation events. It has been hypothesized that diverse expressions are based either on position of the controlling element at the locus or composition differences among controlling elements. — Experiments with two target loci, A2 and C, indicate that the previous pattern of a controlling element does not influence the pattern generated at a new site. This finding supports the hypothesis that these diverse trans-effects of En are not caused by a change in the genetic information of En itself but rather by its position; diverse expressions are a manifestation of the effect of an element at a specific locus site. — Controlling elements are discussed in relation to chromosome structure, gene activation, gene programming and possible parallels in prokaryotes.
Can the Effects of Antidepressants Be Observed in the First Two Weeks of Treatment

Recently the claim that there is a lag in the time of onset of antidepressant effects has been questioned. This issue rests on contrasting the time course of ultimate responders versus nonresponders on imipramine and amitriptyline. It is concluded that in 1 week on antidepressants "clinicians were capable of detecting changes in general states between the groups and the specific effects of depressed mood and anxiety and the physical expression of distress" (Katz et al. 1987). To examine this issue, we first used the design in which ultimate responders and ultimate nonresponders to antidepressants were compared at 1 and 2 weeks. Clearly there were statistically significant differences between ultimate responders and nonresponders on drug. However, the same was true on placebo. When the ultimate responders on placebo were contrasted to the ultimate responders on drug at 1 and 2 weeks using the Clinical global Impression (CGI) scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), there was no difference between drug and placebo. This was also true for a subgroup of patients who met the criteria for melancholia. We conclude that, if the effects of nonspecific improvement are partialed out, there is no evidence of a medication effect at 1 and 2 weeks.
Application Layer Protocols for Disruption Tolerant Remote Sensor SATCOM Links

There is a critical need for commercial and military remote sensor links to function effectively over unreliable SATCOM Internet Protocol (IP) Service channels caused by disruptive conditions (for example lossy, disrupted, intermittent, limited, and/or targeted-attack) with high link-error rates and severe loss of end-to-end (E2E) connectivity. Considerable research has been devoted to Delay- and Disruption-Tolerant Network Protocols (D/DTN) in the context of deep space and MILCOM applications. This research developed paradigms for asynchronous interaction, additional inter-networking layers, and improving communications with connectivity disruptions. The paper focuses on a complementary IP Suite Application-layer approach that is applicable to packet data exfiltration (Exfil) and control (Infil) via commercial and military SATCOM systems from mobile or fixed sensors. It describes a set of integrated Application-layer protocols and processes running on sensor and destination hosts that operate through most encryption and privacy wrappers and positively impact the two essential E2E Quality of Service (QoS) metrics: probability of successful packet delivery and delivery timeline. They are especially useful for remote sensing capabilities that can function effectively with increases in delivery timelines while meeting packet delivery guarantees. Examples are provided for disruptions characterized by high bit-error-rate (BER), packet error-rate (PER), and loss of end-to-end connectivity during continuous Exfil/Infil operations.
Land cover controls on summer discharge and runoff solution chemistry of semi-arid urban catchments

Summary Recharge of urban runoff to groundwater as a stormwater management practice has gained importance in semi-arid regions where water resources are scarce and urban centers are growing. Despite this trend, the importance of land cover in controlling semi-arid catchment runoff quantity and quality remains unclear. Here we address the question: How do land cover characteristics control the amount and quality of storm runoff in semi-arid urban catchments? We monitored summertime runoff quantity and quality from five catchments dominated by distinct urban land uses: low, medium, and high density residential, mixed use, and commercial. Increasing urban land cover increased runoff duration and the likelihood that a rainfall event would result in runoff, but did not increase the time to peak discharge of episodic runoff. The effect of urban land cover on hydrologic responses was tightly coupled to the magnitude of rainfall. At distinct rainfall thresholds, roads, percent impervious cover and the stormwater drainage network controlled runoff frequency, runoff depth and runoff ratios. Contrary to initial expectations, runoff quality did not vary in repose to impervious cover or land use. We identified four major mechanisms controlling runoff quality: (1) variable solute sourcing due to land use heterogeneity and above ground catchment connectivity; (2) the spatial extent of pervious and biogeochemically active areas; (3) the efficiency of overland flow and runoff mobilization; and (4) solute flushing and dilution. Our study highlights the importance of the stormwater drainage systems characteristics in controlling urban runoff quantity and quality; and suggests that enhanced wetting and in-stream processes may control solute sourcing and retention. Finally, we suggest that the characteristics of the stormwater drainage system should be integrated into stormwater management approaches.
Metabolic responses to protein restriction during pregnancy in rat and translation initiation factors in the mother and fetus.

A low-protein diet during pregnancy in the rat results in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses. The adaptive responses of the mother to low-protein diet and the mechanisms of IUGR in this model are not understood. In the present study, we report the maternal metabolic responses to protein restriction and their impact on growth, carcass composition, and translation initiation in the fetus. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were pair-fed either a 6% protein (LP, n = 7) or a 24% protein (NP, n = 7) diet from conception until delivery. Plasma amino acids and urea levels and rate of oxygen consumption were measured sequentially through pregnancy. Translation initiation factors eIF2α, Ser51 phosphorylated eIF2α, eIF4E, phosphorylated eIF4E, and 4E-BP1 were quantified in the maternal and fetal muscle and liver. Protein restriction resulted in higher rate of oxygen consumption (p < 0.01), lower plasma branched chain amino acid (p < 0.05) in the mother, and lower plasma histidine levels (p < 0.05) in the fetus. Plasma urea nitrogen was lower in the LP group throughout gestation. The phosphorylated 4E-BP1 (γ form) in the maternal liver was 4-fold higher in the LP group. The phosphorylated eIF2α was higher in the livers of IUGR fetuses. We speculate that the lower plasma branched chain amino acids in the mother during early pregnancy may be due to a lower rate of protein turnover in the LP group. The mechanism of increased energy consumption due to protein restriction remains unclear. The data on translation initiation factors suggest a higher rate of protein synthesis in the maternal liver and a lower rate in the fetal liver in response to protein restriction.