cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interaction between early-life stress and FKBP5 gene variants in major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Gene-environment interaction contributes to the risks of psychiatric disorders. Interactions between FKBP5 gene variants and early-life stress may enhance the risk not only for mood disorder, but also for a number of other behavioral phenotypes. The aim of the present study was to review and conduct a meta-analysis on the results from published studies examining interaction between FKBP5 gene variants and early-life stress and their associations with stress-related disorders such as major depression and PTSD. Methods A literature search was conducted using PsychINFO and PubMed databases until May 2017. A total of 14 studies with a pooled total of 15109 participants met the inclusion criteria, the results of which were combined and a meta-analysis was performed using the differences in correlations as the effect measure. Based on literature, rs1360780, rs3800373, and rs9470080 SNPs were selected within the FKBP5 gene and systematic review was conducted. Results Based on the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software, no publication bias was detected. Sensitivity analysis and credibility of meta-analysis results also indicated that the analyses were stable. The meta-analysis showed that individuals who carry T allele of rs1360780, C-allele of rs3800373 or T-allele of rs9470080 exposed to early-life trauma had higher risks for depression or PTSD. Limitations The effects of ethnicity, age, sex, and different stress measures were not examined due to limited sample size. Conclusions These results provide strong evidence of interactions between FKBP5 genotypes and early-life stress, which could pose a significant risk factor for stress-associated disorders such as major depression and PTSD.
Coordinated control of building loads, PVs and ice storage to absorb PEV penetrations

Abstract Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) are active loads as they increase the distribution network’s demand during charging and can have potential impacts on the network. This study discusses the impact of PEV charging on a distribution feeder serving commercial customers and proposes a mitigation strategy to make PEV penetration transparent to the grid. The proposed strategy relies on coordinated control of major loads in demand responsive commercial buildings, ice storage, along with strategically deployed solar photovoltaic (PV). A real world electrical distribution feeder serving a number of commercial buildings is used for analysis purposes. Rather than looking at individual building’s economic benefits, the proposed approach considers overall technical and economic benefits of the whole distribution network, focusing on enhancing distribution-level load factor and reducing feeder losses. Results indicate that by performing load control in selected commercial buildings, along with utilizing capability of existing ice storage units and strategically deployed PV, the proposed approach can absorb 100% PEV penetration, and result in 13.4% decrease in the peak load; 10.9% improvement in the load factor; and 11.6% reduction in feeder losses. Sensitivity analysis shows that both load control and PV are needed to absorb any PEV penetration above 50% level.
Classification models inspired by multisensory integration

This paper introduces two multisensory object classification models inspired by multisensory integration in the brain. The "feature-integrating" model emulates integration in the sub-cortical superior colliculus by combining unisensory features which are subsequently classified by a multisensory classifier. In the "decision-integrating" model, which emulates integration in primary cortical areas, the unisensory stimuli are first classified independently by unisensory classifiers and the results are combined and classified by a multisensory classifier. The models are implemented using multilayer perceptron classifiers. Through several sets of experiments involving the classification of auditory and visual representations of ten digits, it is shown that the multisensory classification systems demonstrate the "inverse effectiveness principle" by yielding significantly higher classification accuracies when compared with those of the unisensory classifiers. Furthermore, the flexibility offered by the generalized models makes it possible to simulate and evaluate various combinations of multi-modal stimuli and classifiers under varying uncertainty conditions.
Impact of Different Ramp Metering Strategies on Vehicle Emissions Along Freeway Segments

2nd Highest Scoring Abstract: Undergraduate/Masters Background Air pollutants are widely recognized as the substances that adversely affect the global climate, plants and animal species and public health. Certain strategies have been proposed to reduce vehicle emissions, such as the ecology oriented pavement designs and green road operations. A ramp meter is typically installed on a freeway entrance ramp to regulate the traffic flow entering a freeway according to actual traffic conditions. Ramp meters could reduce traffic congestion through adjusting ramp traffic flows to minimize the disruptions on mainline traffic flows. While there is plenty of mobility and safety related research on ramp metering, there are relatively fewer studies on the estimation of specific impacts of ramp metering on freeway emissions. Methods The objective of this research is to estimate emissions while driving along mainline freeways with a series of ramps that are controlled by meters. The vehicle emissions were estimated based on the instant vehicle speed and acceleration rate through dynamic vehicle operating modes defined by EPA MOVES. Real time driving speed and acceleration rate were measured from a test vehicle driving along the freeway I-45 in Houston, TX, where five on-ramps were placed with three control mode: (1) no metering, (2) isolated metering, and (3) integrated metering. Results During rush hours of a weekday, the isolated and integrated ramp metering strategies could improve the mobility, therefore reducing travel delay; and prevent harder acceleration and deceleration from being operated. The integrated metering strategy is more beneficial to the mobility improvement and smooth vehicle maneuver than the isolated one, which is reflected by the dominant distribution of the operational mode IDs as well. However, the ramp metering control strategy is not always favorable to vehicle emissions. The total mainline freeway emissions estimated under the isolated ramp metering strategy are higher than the no metering strategy. Conclusions Isolated and integrated ramp metering control strategies could improve mobility and enhance smooth vehicle maneuver in the mainline of a freeway. In the mean time, only when the mobility is significantly improved, such as the one in the integrated ramp metering control strategy, the total emissions are tremendously reduced for the shorter emission duration. Therefore, the integrated ramp metering control strategy is superior to the isolated control strategy, in terms of both mobility and vehicle emissions.
Regulation of Feeding Behavior of the Bicolor Damselfish (Eupomacentrus Partitus Poey) by Environmental Factors

Studies of food chains and webs on reefs have been carried out by collecting and observing animals, identifying and quantifying the kinds of food they have eaten, and thereby determining their ecological relationships. Emery (1968), Hobson (1968), Randall (1967), Hiatt and Strasburg (1960), and others showed that certain species of fishes feed predominantly on particular kinds of animals or plants and thus have established pathways through which food, and energy, “flows.”
Logic Inference and a Decomposition Algorithm for the Resource-Constrained Scheduling of Testing Tasks in the Development of New Pharmaceutical and Agrochemical Products

In highly regulated industries, such as agrochemical and pharmaceutical, new products have to pass a number of regulatory tests related to safety, efficacy and environmental impact, to gain FDA approval. If a product fails one of these tests it cannot enter the market place and the investment in previous tests is wasted. Depending on the nature of the products, testing may last up to 10 years, and the scheduling of the tests should be made with the goal of minimizing the time to market and the cost of testing. Maravelias and Grossmann (2001) proposed a mixed-integer linear program (MILP) that considers a set of candidate products for which the cost, duration and probability of success of their tests is given, as well as the potential income if the products are successfully launched. Furthermore, there are limited resources in terms of laboratories and number of technicians. If needed, a test may be outsourced at a higher cost. The major decisions in the model are: (i) the decision to perform in-house or outsource a testing task, (ii) the assignment of resources to testing tasks, and (iii) the sequencing and timing of tests. The objective is to maximize the net present value of multiple projects. The mixed-integer linear program can become very expensive for solving real world problems (2–10 products and 50–200 tests). In order to improve the linear programming relaxation, we propose the use of logic cuts that are derived from implied precedences that arise in the graphs of the corresponding schedules. The solution of a single large-scale problem is avoided with a heuristic decomposition algorithm that relies on solving a reduced MILP model that embeds the optimal schedules obtained for the individual products. It is shown that a tight upper bound can be easily determined for this decomposition algorithm. On a set of test problems the proposed algorithm is shown to be one to two orders of magnitude faster than the full space method, yielding solutions that are optimal or near optimal.
Infections of the Central Nervous System

Central nervous system (CNS) infections can be devastating in a child with a neurological condition. This chapter discusses the etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment options for CNS infections such as brain and spine abscesses, empyema, neurocysticercosis, shunt infections, and postoperative infections. Specific organisms and their antibiotic susceptibilities are identified for various types of infection. Nursing care and patient/family education are included along with a case study of a child with a shunt infection.
Percentages, Relational Degrees, and Degree Constructions

Comparatives and equatives are usually assumed to differ only in that comparatives require that one degree be greater than another, while equatives require that it be at least as great. Unexpectedly, though, the interpretation of percentage measure phrases differs fundamentally between the constructions. This curious asymmetry is, we suggest, revealing. It demonstrates that comparatives and equatives are not as similar as one might have thought. We propose an analysis of these facts in which the interpretation of percentage phrases follows straightforwardly from standard assumptions enriched with two additional ones: that percentage phrases denote "relational degrees" (type ) and that the equative morpheme is uninterpreted.
Stroke Survivor and Caregiver Perspectives on Post-Stroke Visual Concerns and Long-Term Consequences

Approximately 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke annually. Up to two thirds of stroke survivors have some visual problems, which result in disability and can affect survivors' overall rehabilitation outcomes. Although some post-stroke visual impairments can be corrected and respond well to intervention, ocular signs can be subtle and may not be recognized or reported by the stroke survivor but rather by a vigilant caregiver. The purpose of this study was to explore the post-stroke visual concerns and consequences expressed by stroke survivors and caregivers. This study employed a qualitative design using semistructured interviews conducted with a convenience sample of stroke survivors and caregivers recruited from either a community support group or skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Comparative content analysis was used to identify vision-related themes by two independent coders. All research team members completed quality checking of coding. Twenty participants (11 stroke survivors and 9 caregivers) expressed visual concerns or consequences following stroke: (1) eye movement problems, (2) perceptual issues, and (3) consequences of vision problems or issues, which affected their daily life/quality of life. Stroke survivors and caregivers reported receiving vision care from (1) eye doctors, (2) occupational therapists, and (3) other healthcare professionals. All vision care providers need to be observant of potential post-stroke visual concerns. Stroke survivors should have a thorough vision evaluation to optimize their independence in everyday activities and quality of life.
Utility of the Amplatzer Vascular Plug Type II™ for transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in adults

Abstract The Amplatzer Vascular Plug Type II™ (AVPII) has been considered and used for the percutaneous closure of certain cases of persistent patent ductus arteriosus. Certain institutions use this device preferentially over the Amplatzer Duct Occluder Type I (ADOI). We present a series of three cases that highlight the versatility and applicability of this device, particularly in cases of adult congenital heart disease. This device is particularly useful when ductal anatomy cannot be precisely elucidated, or in adults with abnormal or difficult to define ductal anatomy. Two of the three cases presented were percutaneous interventions that were performed in Leon, Nicaragua, highlighting the use of the AVPII in resource-limited settings where device adaptability and cost are paramount.
Free and clear: national origins and progress toward unencumbered homeownership among post-civil rights era immigrants in the US

Homeownership has been a central part of community and wealth building strategies in the US, and prior research demonstrates that Post-Civil Rights Era immigrants have employed these strategies wit...
Neighborhood crime is differentially associated with cardiovascular risk factors as a function of race and sex

Background: Neighborhood crime may be an important factor contributing to cardiovascular health disparities, and these relations may vary by race and sex. The present investigation evaluated (a) potential differential associations between neighborhood crime and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors within subgroups of African American (AA) and White men and women, and (b) potential mediation by negative affect. Design and Methods: Participants were 1,718 AAs and Whites (58% AA; 54% female; 59% above poverty; ages 30-64 years) living Baltimore, Maryland who completed the first wave of the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study from 2004-2009. CVD risk factors included body mass index, total serum cholesterol, glucose, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A negative affect composite was comprised of self-reported depression, anxiety, anger, vigilance, and perceived stress. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine associations between per capita overall and violent crime rates, negative affect, and CVD risk factors. Results: There were significant associations of greater overall crime rate with higher fasting glucose (b=.192, P<0.05), and greater violent crime rate with higher systolic (b=86.50, P<0.05) and diastolic (b=60.12, P<0.05) blood pressure in AA women, but not men. These associations were not explained by negative affect. In Whites, there were no significant associations of overall or violent crime rates with cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: AA women may be particularly vulnerable to the negative impact of crime on cardiovascular risk. Preventative efforts aimed toward this group may help to deter the detrimental effects that living in a high crime area may have on one's cardiovascular health.
Associations between Nekton Assemblages and Ribbed Mussel (Geukensia demissa) Patches in a South Carolina Salt Marsh

Geukensia demissa (Ribbed Mussel) is an important foundation species in the salt marsh ecosystem, providing habitat for resident invertebrates and influencing ecosystem functioning. Our goal was to determine whether Ribbed Mussels increase the abundance and diversity of the nekton assemblage at high tide. We sampled an area of marsh in Charleston, SC, using drop-net traps to compare nekton abundance, species richness, species diversity, and species composition in plots with and without Ribbed Mussels. Over the course of 1 year, there were no significant differences between plots with and without mussels in any of the metrics of nekton abundance or diversity, although ordination results suggested that the species composition was distinct in each plot type. Season and tidal height were more important in influencing nekton assemblage abundance and diversity. Our findings suggest that the Ribbed Mussel does not act as a foundation species for nekton at the patch scale, although it does influence the composition of the nekton assemblage, as do season and tidal height. The role of the Ribbed Mussel as a foundation species for the nekton assemblage at the landscape scale remains untested.
Do NHTSA vehicle safety ratings affect side impact crash outcomes

Abstract Introduction: Side impact crash injuries tend to be severe, mainly due to the effects of the mechanism of such crashes. This study addresses the relationship between side impact crash injury severities and side impact safety ratings of the passenger cars involved in such crashes. It is motivated by the lack of research on side impact safety ratings in relation to the real-world crash outcomes. Method: Analysis of Crashworthiness Data System’s (CDS) data show the head and thorax are the most common regions of impact of severe injuries, while the neck is the least. Irrespective of body regions, higher-rated vehicles were found to provide better occupant protection to both younger and older driver age groups. Assessment based on injury severity score (ISS) indicates that higher-rated vehicles have an overall lower average ISS compared to lower-rated vehicles. Results: Ultimately, this study shows that vehicles rated with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) new criteria had lower average ISS compared to vehicles rated under the old criteria. The 2011 NHTSA side impact rating criteria being relatively new, it has very few crashes to draw meaningful statistically significant conclusions. However, this paper establishes the fact that vehicles with higher star ratings (under experimental conditions) indeed offer increased occupant protection in the field conditions. Practical applications: The results from this study provide a point of reference for safety advocates to educate the drivers about the importance of considering vehicle safety ratings during a vehicle purchase. Practical applications: Previous studies have found that safety was given priority while buying new vehicles. However, people associated vehicle safety with technologies and specific safety features rather than the vehicle’s crash test results or ratings ( Koppel, Charlton, Fildes, & Fitzharris, 2008 ). The results from this study provide a point of reference for safety advocates to educate the drivers about the importance of considering vehicle safety ratings during a vehicle purchase.
Repetitive inspection scheme based on the run length of test results: A Markov chain Monte Carlo approach

We propose a repetitive inspection plan that is based on the run-length of positive and negative test results. In a numerical analysis, we show that the new inspection plan outperforms previous one...
A Method and Model to Predict Initial Failure Rates

It has long been well known that actual system reliability typically falls well short of early estimates. Failure rates are often ten or more times higher than anticipated. Many reasons have been given for this, but over-optimism is the fundamental cause of too-favorable reliability predictions. Most forecasts of reliability are essentially best-case scenarios, as are predictions of budget and schedule. Confident engineers assemble estimates bottom-up, including the known factors and ignoring problems that they hope won’t happen. Traditional reliability estimation is based on simply summing up the component failure rates. This ignores most actual failure causes. The way to reduce over-optimism is to use the historical system level failure rate from similar projects. Adjustments should not be made based purely on engineering judgment, but only if there is so logical quantitative justification. The traditional component-based reliability estimate is useful as a lower bound on the system failure rate. The difference between this lower bound component-based reliability and the historical system level reliability indicates how much of the total failure rate is due to system level problems rather than component failures.
Sui Sin Far/Edith Maude Eaton : a literary biography

This first full-length biography of the first published Asian North American fiction writer portrays both the woman and her times. The eldest daughter of a Chinese mother and British father, Edith Maude Eaton was born in England in 1865. Her family moved to Quebec, where she was removed from school at age ten to help support her parents and twelve siblings. In the 1880s and 1890s she worked as a stenographer, journalist, and fiction writer in Montreal, often writing under the name Sui Sin Far (Water Lily). She lived briefly in Jamaica and then, from 1898 to 1912, in the United States. Her one book, Mrs. Spring Fragrance, has been out of print since 1914. Today Sui Sin Far is being rediscovered as part of American literature and history. She presented portraits of turn-of-the-century Chinatowns, not in the mode of the "yellow peril" literature in vogue at the time but with an insider's sympathy. She gave voice to Chinese American women and children, and she responded to the social divisions and discrimination that confronted her by experimenting with trickster characters and tools of irony, sharing the coping mechanisms used by other writers who struggled to overcome the marginalization to which their race, class, or gender consigned them in that era. "Superbly researched, thoughtfully reasoned, and beautifully written. . . . Will be the foundation for all future work on Sui Sin Far." -- Elizabeth Ammons, author of Conflicting Stories: American Women Writers at the Turn into the Twentieth Century
Chronic Mental Health Sequelae of Climate Change Extremes: A Case Study of the Deadliest Californian Wildfire

Introduction. Weather-related disasters, such as wildfires exacerbated by a rise in global temperatures, need to be better studied in terms of their mental health impacts. This study focuses on the mental health sequelae of the deadliest wildfire in California to date, the Camp Fire of 2018. Methods. We investigated a sample of 725 California residents with different degrees of disaster exposure and measured mental health using clinically validated scales for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Data were collected at a chronic time-point, six months post-wildfire. We used multiple regression analyses to predict the mental health outcomes based on self-reported fire exposure. Additionally, we included vulnerability and resilience factors in hierarchical regression analyses. Results. Our primary finding is that direct exposure to large scale fires significantly increased the risk for mental health disorders, particularly for PTSD and depression. Additionally, the inclusion of vulnerability and resilience factors in the hierarchical regression analyses led to the significantly improved prediction of all mental health outcomes. Childhood trauma and sleep disturbances exacerbated mental health symptoms. Notably, self-reported resilience had a positive effect on mental health, and mindfulness was associated with significantly lower depression and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion. Overall, our study demonstrated that climate-related extreme events, such as wildfires, can have severe mental illness sequelae. Moreover, we found that pre-existing stressful life events, resilient personality traits and lifestyle factors can play an important role in the prevalence of psychopathology after such disasters. Unchecked climate change projected for the latter half of this century may severely impact the mental wellbeing of the global population, and we must find ways to foster individual resiliency.
APE1 and SSRP1 is overexpressed in muscle invasive bladder cancer and associated with poor survival

Abstract Background Human apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease 1 (APE1) plays a critical role in DNA base excision repair (BER) pathway and has been reported to be overexpressed in multiple cancers. Previously, we have shown that histone chaperone FACT complex (Facilitates Chromatin Transcription, a heterodimer of SSRP1 and SPT16 proteins) facilitates the chromatin access and DNA repair function of APE1, and their expression levels are correlated with promoting drug resistance in cancer. FACT inhibitor has been introduced in phase I and II clinical trials for chemosensitization of advanced solid cancers. However, the expression profile and prognostic significance of APE1 and FACT complex in bladder cancer remains largely unknown. Methods Retrospectively, 69 bladder cancer samples were retrieved and submitted for immunohistochemical staining of APE1 and SSRP1. Expression profile including cytoplasmic and nuclear staining of APE1 and expression level of SSRP1 was examined and semi-quantified to render a H-score. The prognostic significance of APE1 and SSRP1 was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis in our cohort and R2 database. Results APE1 expression is elevated in bladder cancer compared to normal adjacent tissues. Compared with low grade tumors, high grade tumors show a shift in the staining pattern including higher intensity and positive cytoplasmic staining. Carcinoma in situ has a similar staining pattern to high grade tumors. APE1 and SSRP1 staining intensity increases as tumor progresses with stage. There is a correlation between APE1 and SSRP1 staining in invasive bladder cancer (Spearman r = 0.5466, p Conclusions The expression levels of APE1 and SSRP1 are significantly elevated in bladder cancer as compared to normal adjacent tissues. APE1 correlates with SSRP1 expression in high grade tumors. Overexpression of APE1 and SSRP1 is associated with poor survival in bladder cancer. This suggests the usage of FACT inhibitor curaxins in muscle invasive bladder cancer to target FACT complex and APE1 to improve chemosensitization after further validation.
Abstract LB005: High quality neoantigens are immunoedited in long term survivors of pancreatic cancer

Cancer immunoediting, a hallmark of cancer, predicts that lymphocytes recognize tumor-specific mutations (neoantigens) to kill immunogenic tumor cells and select less immunogenic clones to survive in immunocompetent hosts. Yet, though proven in mice, whether immunoediting governs how human tumors evolve naturally, and the principles of how the immune system edits tumors remain unclear. Here, we report that T cell rich tumors of rare long-term survivors of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma longitudinally lose immunogenic features predicted by a fitness model based on immune recognition of high quality neoantigens. We find that compared to T cell poor tumors in short-term survivors, long-term survivors evolve less immunogenic recurrent tumors over 10 years with fewer clones, fewer neoantigens, and new neoantigens of markedly lower quality, to indicate that the immune system edits lower fitness clones with high-quality neoantigens. To explore if the immune system more broadly selects against non-self-like changes in host genomes, we define a minimal amino acid substitution distance sufficient for T cell receptors to discriminate self from non-self mutations. We find that both primary and recurrent tumors in long but not short-term survivors are enriched in self-like mutations, to suggest that the immune system depletes non-self-like mutations. Thus, we submit longitudinal evidence that the immune system edits neoantigens to sculpt recurrent human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, a lethal tumor largely considered resistant to endogenous immune attack. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the neoantigen quality fitness model predicts how immune pressure changes tumor cell populations over time, with significant implications for cancer biology and immunotherapy. More broadly, our results argue that cancer immunoediting is a fundamental principle of how human cancers evolve in immunocompetent hosts. Citation Format: Marta Luksza, Zachary Sethna, Luis Rojas, Kevin Soares, Yuval Elhanati, Jayon Lihm, David Hoyos, Rajya Kappagantula, Alvin M. Moore, Erin Patterson, Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue, Benjamin Greenbaum, Vinod P. Balachandran. High quality neoantigens are immunoedited in long term survivors of pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr LB005.
Theory and Least Squares Fitting of CW ESR Saturation Spectra Using the MOMD Model

CW saturation experiments are widely used in ESR studies of relaxation processes in proteins and lipids. We develop the theory of saturation in ESR spectra in terms of its close relation with that of 2D-ELDOR. Our treatment of saturation is then based on the microscopic order macroscopic disorder (MOMD) model and can be used to fit the full CW saturation spectrum, rather than fitting just the peak–peak amplitude as a function of microwave field $$B_1$$ as is commonly done. This requires fewer experiments to yield effects on $$T_1$$ , as well as provides a more extensive dynamic structural picture, for example, for scanning experiments on different protein sites. The code is released as a publicly available software package in Python that can be used to fit CW saturation spectra from biological samples of interest.
Consumer affinity and an extended view of the spillover effects of attitudes toward a cross-border-acquisition event

This paper aims to investigate the structural impacts of consumer ethnocentric tendencies (CETs) and consumer affinity on attitudes toward a cross-border-acquisition (CBA) event and the spillover effects of attitudes toward a CBA event on post-CBA attitudes toward foreign brands in the industry where the CBA event occurs. Two studies were conducted to examine whether the relationships remain unchanged across different groups based on multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) for multiple groups measurement invariance and group comparison. The analyses extend the basic SEM framework to accommodate differing parameter values across different groups. The analysis results show that (1) CETs and consumer affinity impact attitudes toward the CBA event in opposite directions, and (2) attitudes toward the CBA event positively impact post-CBA attitudes toward the acquirer’s corporate brand, the target brand, a competing brand from a different foreign country, and a competing brand from the acquirer’s home country. Theoretical and managerial implications, limitations and future research directions are also discussed.
Fuel Cells Electrocatalysis with QM and FF

Our studies on hydrogen PEM fuel cells have focused on the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR), which is currently the biggest obstacle to wide spread application, and the role of the Nafion electrolyte in proton conduction and degradation. The big breakthrough here was full solvent (5 layers) solvation, which required ReaxFF to pre-equilibrate the system.
Regulation of Nav1.6-mediated sodium currents underlie the homeostatic control of neuronal intrinsic excitability in the optic tectum of the developing Xenopus laevis tadpole

For individual neurons to function appropriately within a network that is undergoing synaptic reorganization and refinement due to developmental or experience-dependent changes in circuit activity, they must homeostatically adapt their intrinsic excitability to maintain a consistent output despite the changing levels of synaptic input. This homeostatic plasticity of excitability is particularly important for the development of sensory circuits, where subtle deficits in neuronal and circuit function cause developmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. Despite the critical importance of this process for normal circuit development, the molecular mechanism by which this homeostatic control of intrinsic excitability is regulated is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that Xenopus optic tectal neurons express distinct fast, persistent and resurgent Na+ currents. Here, we demonstrate that Xenopus optic tectal neurons express distinct fast, persistent and resurgent Na+ currents. These are regulated with developmental changes in synaptic input, and homeostatically in response to changes in visual input. We show that expression of the voltage-gated Na+ channel subtype Nav1.6 is regulated with changes in intrinsic excitability, that blocking Nav1.6 channels is sufficient to decrease intrinsic excitability. Furthermore, that upregulation of Nav1.6 expression is necessary for experience-dependent increases in Na+ currents and intrinsic excitability. Finally, by examining behaviors that rely on visual and multisensory integration, we extend these findings to show that tight regulation of Na+ channel gene expression during a critical period of tectal circuit development is required for the normal functional development of the tectal circuitry.
A New Bioink for Improved 3D Bioprinting of Bone-Like Constructs

Bone tissue loss can occur due to disease, trauma or following surgery, in each case treatment involving the use of bone grafts or biomaterials is usually required. Recent development of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting (3DBP) has enabled the printing of customized bone substitutes. Bioinks used for bone 3DBP employ various particulate phases such as ceramic and bioactive glass particles embedded in the bioink creating a composite. When composite bioinks are used for 3DBP based on extrusion, particles are heterogeneously distributed causing damage to cells due to stresses created during flow in the matrix of the composite. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop cell-friendly osteopromotive bioink mitigating the risk of cell damage due to the flow of particles. Towards this end, we have linked organic and inorganic components, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and Ag-doped bioactive glass (Ag-BaG), to produce a hybrid material, GelMA-Ag-BaG (GAB). The distribution of the elements present in the Ag-BaG in the resulting hybrid GAB structure was examined. Rheological properties of the resulting hydrogel and its printability, as well as the degree of swelling and degradation over time, were also evaluated. GAB was compared to GelMA alone and GelMA-Ag-BaG nanocomposites. Results showed the superiority of the hybrid GAB bioink in terms of homogenous distribution of the elements in the structure, rheological properties, printability, and degradation profiles. Accordingly, this new bioink represents a major advance for bone 3DBP.
The Emergence of “Atomodoxy” in Cold War Rhetoric and Science Fiction Narratives: Fear, Threats, and the Duties of Citizenship in an Atomic Age

The 1950s science fiction attempted to provide a moral framework for adults, but especially children and teenagers concerning the duel intimidation of communism and nuclear threats. Though no causality is implied, tracing these moral lessons allows us to find out how a particular subjectivity emerges. This chapter attempts to identify and illuminate the imagined companion narratives of a world in the nuclear age. These narratives were created out of a fear of what could be rather than a fear of what was, a fear of philosophy rather than historical fact, and became the companion to facts that ultimately became conspiratorial truisms. This chapter refers to these instantly recognizable Cold War metaphors, opinions, and narrative constructs as atomodoxies. Examples include the consistent use of ticking clocks, mushroom clouds, and desert wasteland inhabitance in both science fiction narratives and political speech.
Determining Structural and Dynamic Distribution Functions from Inhomogeneously Broadened NMR Spectra: The Conjugate Orthogonal Functions Approach

The structure and dynamics of amorphous solids are difficult to characterize. On the one hand, the absence of structural coherence makes most experimental techniques, such as X-ray scattering and NMR spectroscopy more challenging due to line broadening effects, which degrade the available signal to noise ratio. On the other hand, the presence of structural and dynamic inhomogeneity means that a complete characterization of the sample involves the determination of distributions of structural and dynamic parameters [1,2]
Hertwig, Wilhelm August Oscar (1849–1922)

This article has no abstract. Keywords: Hertwig, Wilhelm August Oscar (German cell biologist); coelom theory
Simple Steps for Simply Stepping

We introduce a general method for animating controlled stepping motion for use in combining motion capture sequences. Our stepping algorithm is characterized by two simple models which idealize the movement of the stepping foot and the projected center of mass based on observations from a database of step motions. We draw a parallel between stepping and point-to-point reaching to motivate our foot model and employ an inverted pendulum model common in robotics for the center of mass. Our system computes path and speed profiles from each model and then adapts an interpolation to follow the synthesized trajectories in the final motion. We show that our animations can be enriched through the use of step examples, but also that we can synthesize stepping to create transitions between existing segments without the need for a motion example. We demonstrate that our system can generate precise, realistic stepping for a number of scenarios.
Human papillomavirus immunology and vaccine development

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses human papillomavirus (HPV) immunology and vaccine development. The chapter examines recent developments in HPV immunologic research, and discusses relevant issues to design and implement effective strategies for mass immunization against HBV-associated disease. Uterine cervical carcinoma is the second most common malignancy among women worldwide, and is the most common female cancer in the developing regions. Infection with certain mucosatropic HPVs is known to be a necessary prerequisite for development of this disease. Anogenital HPV infection in susceptible populations is characterized by high rates of acquisition and spontaneous clearance, suggesting that most infected individuals can mount an effective response to infection. Observations in clinical settings have indicated that cellular immune mechanisms are key elements of effective responses to anogenital HPV infection—for example, an increased incidence of anogenital HPV disease has been observed in patients with primary or secondary cellular immunodeficiencies. Despite significant effort, no consistent patterns have emerged concerning T helper (Th) and/or cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) specificities that may be associated with efficient clearance of infection. Current strategies for HPV immunoprophylaxis rely on the concept of antibodymediated neutralization of viral infectivity. Prophylactic vaccination may well prove to be efficacious in preventing anogenital HPV infection. An interesting finding from studies of autogenous vaccination suggests the possibility that antigenic type specificity of virions may play a role in wart resolution.
RELIGION AND SCIENCE THROUGH THE AGES: RESPONSE TO MARANGUDAKIS

This paper is in response to an article by Professor Marangudakis in Zygon in which he presented a “grand narrative” that predicted the coming of a new “axial age” (Marangudakis, 2012). In his article, Marangudakis criticized parts of my article in Zygon, “Athens, Jerusalem and the Arrival of Techno-Secularism” (Caiazza, 2005). Two issues separate us: first, whether the Athens/Jerusalem dilemma can or should be overcome in a new axial age, and second, how benign future technological developments will be. Marangudakis thinks that the Athens/Jerusalem dichotomy will be overcome, whereas I think that the dichotomy should and will persist in future ages. I am suspicious of the future effects of current technologies, since they give political elites increased control over the individual, while Marangudakis generally applauds the new technologies (especially biotechnology). The Athens/Jerusalem dichotomy arises as an inevitable part of monotheistic religious belief.
Envenomation by the northern blacktail rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus molossus): report of two cases and the in vitro effects of the venom on fibrinolysis and platelet aggregation.

Abstract In two cases of human envenomation by the northern blacktail rattlesnake ( Crotalus molossus molossus ) there was marked swelling and ecchymosis of the bitten extremity and thrombocytopenia and, in one case, hypofibrinogenemia. Treatment consisted of i.v. antivenin, crystalloid solutions, fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitates, with recovery in each case. In vitro studies showed that the venom had fibrinolytic and platelet aggregating properties; a coagulant effect, although present, was much less marked.
Radiofrequency treatment in chronic pain

Chronic pain management physicians and patients are always looking for long-term solutions rather than short-lived interventions. There are three main nonsurgical modalities to ablate nervous system elements. These involve the use of extreme cold (cryoablation), high temperature radiofrequency and chemical neurolysis, such as alcohol or phenol. Radiofrequency ablation offers the advantage of being precise, reproducible and effective to a great extent. It also has the ability to stimulate before the ablation to avoid ablating the wrong nerve elements, which provides a considerable safety margin. In this article we will review the basis of radiofrequency ablation and some of the most common applications in the management of chronic pain.
Whi5 Regulation by Site Specific CDK-Phosphorylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Whi5 transcriptional repressor is a negative regulator of G1 cell cycle progression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and is functionally equivalent to the Retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor protein in mammals. In early G1, Whi5 binds to and inhibits SBF (Swi4/Swi6) transcriptional complexes. At Start, Cln:Cdc28 kinases phosphorylate and inactivate Whi5, causing its dissociation from SBF promoters and nuclear export, allowing activation of SBF transcription and entry into late G1. In an analysis of Whi5 phosphorylation, we found that 10 of the 12 putative CDK phosphorylation sites on Whi5 were occupied in vivo in asynchronously growing cells. In addition, we identified 6 non-CDK Whi5 phosphorylation sites. Whi5 CDK and non-CDK phosphorylation mutants were functional and able to rescue the small cell size of whi5Δ cells. However, the Whi5 CDK mutant with all 12 putative CDK sites changed to alanine causes a dramatic cell cycle phenotype when expressed with a Swi6 CDK phosphorylation mutant. Mutational analysis of Whi5 determined that only four C-terminal CDK sites were necessary and sufficient for Whi5 inactivation when Swi6 CDK sites were also mutated. Although these four Whi5 CDK sites do not wholly determine Whi5 nuclear export, they do impact regulation of cell size. Taken together, these observations begin to dissect the regulatory role of specific phosphorylation sites on Whi5.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Expansion of Poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene)/Polystyrene Blends Processed in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene) (FEP)/polystyrene blends were prepared by the heterogeneous free-radical polymerization of styrene in supercritical (SC) CO2-swollen FEP substrates. Volume incorporations of up to 50% polystyrene were achieved, and the composition and phase morphology of the blends were controlled by varying the styrene monomer concentration and reaction time. The crystallinity and glass transition temperature of the FEP substrate are unaffected by the addition of the polystyrene component, indicating that polymerization occurs exclusively in the amorphous phase and that the polymers are immiscible. The molecular weight of the polystyrene formed within the FEP substrate is significantly higher than that which forms in the SC CO2 phase outside of the substrate. Attempts were made to prepare composite foams by saturation of the blends with SC CO2 and subsequent rapid depressurization. At lower temperatures (conditions under which polystyrene foams) the crystalline domains of ...
Hotspot mitigation in the StarCAVE

Rear-projected screens such as those in Digital Light Projection (DLP) televisions suffer from an image quality problem called hot spotting, where the image is brightest at a point dependent on the viewing angle. In rear-projected mulit-screen configurations such as the StarCAVE at Calit2, this causes discontinuities in brightness at the edges where screens meet, and thus in the 3D image perceived by the user. In the StarCAVE we know the viewer's position in 3D space and we have programmable graphics hardware, so we can mitigate this effect by performing post-processing in the inverse of the pattern, yielding a homogenous image at the output. Our implementation improves brightness homogeneity by a factor of 4 while decreasing frame rate by only 1-3 fps.
Nest raiding by the invasive Argentine ant on colonies of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex subnitidus

Invasive ants often displace native ants, and published studies that focus on these interactions usually emphasize interspecific competition for food resources as a key mechanism responsible for the demise of native ants. Although less well documented, nest raiding by invasive ants may also contribute to the extirpation of native ants. In coastal southern California, for example, invasive Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) commonly raid colonies of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex subnitidus. On a seasonal basis the frequency and intensity of raids vary, but raids occur only when abiotic conditions are suitable for both species. In the short term these organized attacks cause harvester ants to cease foraging and to plug their nest entrances. In unstaged, one-on-one interactions between P. subnitidus and L. humile workers, Argentine ants behaved aggressively in over two thirds of all pair-wise interactions, despite the much larger size of P. subnitidus. The short-term introduction of experimental Argentine ant colonies outside of P. subnitidus nest entrances stimulated behaviors similar to those observed in raids: P. subnitidus decreased its foraging activity and increased the number of nest entrance workers (many of which labored to plug their nest entrances). Raids are not likely to be the result of competition for food. As expected, P. subnitidus foraged primarily on plant material (85% of food items obtained from returning foragers), but also collected some dead insects (7% of food items). In buffet-style choice tests in which we offered Argentine ants food items obtained from P. subnitidus, L. humile only showed interest in dead insects. In other feeding trials L. humile consistently moved harvester ant brood into their nests (where they were presumably consumed) but showed little interest in freshly dead workers. The raiding behavior described here obscures the distinction between interspecific competition and predation, and may well play an important role in the displacement of native ants, especially those that are ecologically dissimilar to L. humile with respect to diet.