cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Invited: Metabolic network alignments

The accumulation of high-throughput genomic and proteomic data and results of thousands of experiments allow modeling of increasingly large and complex metabolic networks. Analysis of accumulated data requires identification of network patterns and evolutionary relations between metabolic networks. This challenge can be addressed by network alignment approach which can be used for comparing biological networks between different species to reveal evolutionary conservation of most vital life processes. We investigate a general network alignment problem: a pathway forms a pattern, and a cellular network (usually from another species) forms the text, and we want to find the best correspondence between the text and the pattern.
Equalization and interference rejection for the terrestrial broadcast of digital HDTV

The authors address the problem of transmitting digital HDTV signals in a co-channel interference (CCI) limited environment. A new signal processing technique aimed at rejecting CCI from adjacent analog transmitters is described. The focus is on a receiver structure employing a form of joint decision-feedback equalization (DFE)/trellis coded modulation to combat the interference. DFE is normally not used in coded systems because delay-free decisions are required from the decoder. It is shown that DFE can be used in the application be exploiting the cyclostationary properties of the interference. The technique has several advantages over methods previously proposed: (1) processing is constrained to the receiver; (2) the scheme is able to make use of powerful coding schemes; (3) the scheme is adaptive; and (4) reception of conventional NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) receivers is not affected by this scheme. Simulation results illustrating the performance of this receiver are given. >
Field Performance of Triploid and Diploid Rainbow Trout in South Dakota Ponds

Abstract Triploid fish theoretically divert energy from sexual development and reproductive behavior into somatic growth. We found lengths, weights, and relative weights of triploid rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss to be significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less than those of diploid fish at the age of 45 months in three South Dakota ponds. Gonadal development in triploid females was negligible in 1989 and 1990 and reduced in triploid males during 1990. Catches of triploid fish were always lower than catches of diploid fish, suggesting lower survival. Physiological factors, perhaps environmentally induced, may have diminished the growth potential of triploid rainbow trout. Results of this study indicate that the use of triploid rainbow trout is not justified as a means of obtaining increased growth and survival under the conditions present in our study ponds.
Signal detection theory clarifies the concept of perceptual range and its relevance to landscape connectivity

Understanding functional connectivity is critical for several issues in ecology and conservation. When animals actively search for habitat across landscapes, their perceptual range of habitats can profoundly influence connectivity. Nonetheless, con- ceptual development and estimation of perceptual ranges and their influence on connectivity have been limited. Signal detection theory (SDT) has a long tradition in several disciplines to address the problem of detecting stimuli in noisy and uncertain environ- ments. SDT is particularly useful for understanding perceptual ranges because it acknowledges uncer- tainty in the detection process and distinguishes between two key parameters that have previously been confounded when interpreting the perceptual range of animals: signal detectability and response bias of individuals. Here we extend SDT to the concept of perceptual range, provide approaches for estimating patch detectability and response bias, and apply this framework to interpreting the perceptual range of cactus bugs (Chelinidea vittiger). We find that signal detectability of habitat by C. vittiger, and thus their perceptual range, is between 1 and 2 m, based on generalized linear models aimed at estimat- ing signal detection parameters. SDT provides new insights into perceptual ranges and functional connec- tivity, which may help understand intra and interspe- cific variation in animal responses to modified landscapes.
Scattering from low-density dielectric bodies

It is shown that the coherent scattering integral provides a convenient and mathematically tractable method of solving scattering problems of large, low-density, dielectric bodies. In this method the solid dielectric body is replaced by an assembly of particles whose boundary coincides with the outside surface of the dielectric body. Considering the coherent scattering integral, and realizing that coherent scattering comes primarily from sudden particle density changes such as the boundaries of a particle system, it is shown that for low-density dielectric bodies of arbitrary shape the coherent scattering integral yields the physical optics cross section of the dielectric body. Backscattering echo areas for a cylinder, sphere, lens, and various truncated cones are derived and discussed.
Safety design for medical robots

The use of robots in medicine is increasing, leading to the call for specific safety standards. This is a challenging endeavor, however, because the patient must usually be placed in the robot’s workspace and the medical staff must frequently interact with the robot. Although specific safety standards for medical robots do not yet exist, there are several medical device standards and well-established principles of risk analysis and safety design that can and should be applied. This paper presents a tutorial overview of safety design for medical robots, starting with a discussion of high-level safety requirements, followed by methods for risk assessment (or hazard analysis) and a brief discussion of some sample safety strategies.
Optimization of vapor post-deposition processing for evaporated CdS/CdTe solar cells

The effects of thermal annealing in conjunction with CdCl2 vapor heat treatment on the properties of CdTe/CdS thin films and devices deposited by physical vapor deposition are reported. Results are compared for three treatment variations: high-temperature anneal only, high-temperature anneal followed by CdCl2 vapor heat treatment and CdCl2 vapor heat treatment only. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy show improved crystallographic properties of the CdTe film and reduced CdS/CdTe interdiffusion when a high-temperature anneal is used prior to CdCl2 treatment. The CdTe/CdS solar cells fabricated using an anneal at 550°C in argon prior to the CdCl2 vapor heat treatment exhibited improved electrical characteristics compared to cells fabricated with no anneal step, yielding an open-circuit voltage exceeding 850 mV. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aerosol hygroscopicity in the marine atmosphere: a closure study using high-time-resolution, multiple-RH DASH-SP and size-resolved C-ToF-AMS data

Abstract. We have conducted the first airborne hygroscopic growth closure study to utilize data from an Aerodyne compact Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (C-ToF-AMS) coupled with size-resolved, multiple-RH, high-time-resolution hygroscopic growth factor (GF) measurements from the differential aerosol sizing and hygroscopicity spectrometer probe (DASH-SP). These data were collected off the coast of Central California during seven of the 16 flights carried out during the MASE-II field campaign in July 2007. Two of the seven flights were conducted in airmasses characterized by continental origin. These flights exhibited elevated organic volume fractions (VForganic=0.56±0.19, as opposed to 0.39±0.20 for all other flights), corresponding to significantly suppressed GFs at high RH (1.61±0.14 at 92% RH, as compared with 1.91±0.07 for all other flights), more moderate GF suppression at intermediate RH (1.53±0.10 at 85%, compared with 1.58±0.08 for all other flights), and no measurable GF suppression at low RH (1.31±0.06 at 74%, compared with 1.31±0.07 for all other flights). Organic loadings were slightly elevated in above-cloud aerosols, as compared with below-cloud aerosols, and corresponded to a similar trend of significantly suppressed GF at high RH, but more moderate impacts at lower values of RH. A hygroscopic closure based on a volume-weighted mixing rule provided good agreement with DASH-SP measurements (R2=0.78). Minimization of root mean square error between observations and predictions indicated mission-averaged organic GFs of 1.22, 1.45, and 1.48 at 74, 85, and 92% RH, respectively. These values agree with previously reported values for water-soluble organics such as dicarboxylic and multifunctional acids, and correspond to a highly oxidized, presumably water-soluble, organic fraction (mission-averaged O:C=0.92±0.33). Finally, a backward stepwise linear regression revealed that, other than RH, the most important predictor for GF is VForganic, indicating that a simple emperical model relating GF, RH, and the relative abundance of organic material can provide accurate predictions (R2=0.77) of hygroscopic growth for the California coast.
Close encounters of the distracting kind: Identifying the cause of visual tracking errors

Why can we track only so many objects? We addressed this question by asking when and how tracking errors emerge. To test the hypothesis that many tracking errors are target/nontarget confusions emerging from close encounters, we compared standard multiple-object tracking trials with trials on which a nontarget turned a random color whenever it approached within 4° of a target. This manipulation significantly improved performance by alleviating the correspondence challenge of a close encounter. Two control experiments showed that color change benefits were not merely due to target recovery. Follow-up experiments demonstrated that color change benefits did not accrue monotonically with distance but, instead, seemed to obey a step function; and an additional experiment demonstrated that, without color changes, the frequency of close encounters predicts tracking performance. Taken together, these experiments suggest that uncertainty about target location imposes the primary constraint on tracking, at times causing errors by leading to confusions between targets and nontargets.
Phenotypes of lexA Mutations in Salmonella enterica: Evidence for a Lethal lexA Null Phenotype Due to the Fels-2 Prophage

The LexA protein of Escherichia coli represses the damage-inducible SOS regulon, which includes genes for repair of DNA. Surprisingly, lexA null mutations in Salmonella enterica are lethal even with a sulA mutation, which corrects lexA lethality in E. coli. Nine suppressors of lethality isolated in a sulA mutant of S. enterica had lost the Fels-2 prophage, and seven of these (which grew better) had also lost the Gifsy-1 and Gifsy-2 prophages. All three phage genomes included a homologue of the tum gene of coliphage 186, which encodes a LexA-repressed cI antirepressor. The tum homologue of Fels-2 was responsible for lexA lethality and had a LexA-repressed promoter. This basis of lexA lethality was unexpected because the four prophages of S. enterica LT2 are not strongly UV inducible and do not sensitize strains to UV killing. In S. enterica, lexA(Ind−) mutants have the same phenotypes as their E. coli counterparts. Although lexA null mutants express their error-prone DinB polymerase constitutively, they are not mutators in either S. enterica or E. coli.
Foreign Aid Effectiveness and the Strategic Goals of Donor Governments

This paper argues that foreign aid can promote economic growth in recipient countries by facilitating economic reform, but only when the strategic benefits associated with providing aid are small for donor governments. When the strategic benefits are large, foreign aid becomes ineffective because Western governments cannot credibly enforce their conditions for economic reform. This paper presents evidence consistent with both the cause and effect of this argument. Based on the understanding that Western aid was driven more (less) by strategic factors during the Cold War era (post-Cold War era), it shows that aid has been positively associated with economic reform, but only after 1990 when Western governments could more credibly threaten to curtail their aid if such reform was not forthcoming. It also shows that aid has promoted economic growth, but only after 1990 when the strategic benefits associated with aid provision declined for most Western donors.
Changes in RNA in relation to growth of the fibroblast: II. The lifetime of mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA in resting and growing cells

Abstract The established cell lines 3T6 and 3T3 contain more of both rRNA and mRNA when they are growing than when they are resting, but mRNA is increased more than rRNA. During conversion of 3T6 cultures from resting to growing state, mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA accumulate long before DNA synthesis begins. The increases in rRNA and tRNA are coordinate, but mRNA accumulates earlier and to a greater extent than the others. The rate of protein synthesis in cultures in transition from resting to growing state increases faster than their content of rRNA and appears proportional to the amount of mRNA rather than to the number of ribosomes. The doubling of mRNA content that takes place before any cells begin to synthesize DNA should be considered in relation to the absence of change in the overall rate of synthesis of HnRNA during the same period.
Prolonged Immunostimulatory Effect of Low-Dose Polyethylene Glycol Interleukin 2 in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection

13 patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection class II-IV, but without opportunistic infection or neoplasm, received 6 micrograms (3.6 x 10(4) IU) of polyethylene glycol recombinant human interleukin 2 (PEG IL-2) intradermally twice a week for 4 mo were then followed for an additional 6 mo. Clinical, immunological, and viral parameters were monitored in the patients, all of whom were taking zidovudine. The cutaneous administration of PEG IL-2 resulted in an indurated zone resembling a delayed-type hypersensitivity response of 26 +/- 1 mm diameter (676 mm2) at 72-96 h after injection throughout the 4 mo of administration. This dose, which was appreciably lower than in most previous trials, was not associated with local or systemic toxicity. No increase in the viral burden of circulating leukocytes or plasma occurred. A number of immunological functions were stimulated by this course of therapy. All patients demonstrated high levels of lymphokine-activated killer cell activity by cells freshly removed from the circulation and in the absence of in vitro exposure to IL-2. Natural killer cell activity was also enhanced. Limiting dilution analysis revealed an increase in the frequency of IL-2-responsive cells from abnormally low to levels above normal during the course of injections. In a subgroup of four patients with > or = 400 CD4+ T cells/microliter at entry, there was a trend to sustained increases in CD4+ T cell numbers. However, this increase did not reach statistical significance. This subset of patients also exhibited higher proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin as mitogen. Several of these effects persisted for 3-6 mo after cessation of therapy. In conclusion, low-dose IL-2 regimens lead to sustained immune enhancement in the absence of toxicity. We suggest pursuit of this approach for further clinical trials both as prophylaxis and therapy.
Effect of Anode Active Layer on Performance of Single-Step Cofired Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Anode-supported planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with and without the anode active layer were fabricated by a single-step cofiring process. The cells were comprised of a porous Ni + yittria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode support, a porous fine-grained Ni + YSZ anode active layer for some experiments, a dense YSZ electrolyte, a porous fine-grained Ca-doped LaMnO 3 (LCM) + YSZ cathode active layer, and a porous LCM cathode current collector layer. The fabrication process involved tape casting of the anode support followed by screen printing of the remaining component layers. The cells were then cofired at 1300°C for 2 h. Sintered cells were electrochemically tested between 700 and 800°C with air as oxidant and various compositions of humidified hydrogen as fuel to simulate the effect of fuel utilization on cell performance. Experimentally measured current density-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the cells were fitted into a polarization model, and the cell parameters, including the area-specific ohmic resistance, exchange current density, anodic limiting current density, cathodic limiting current density, effective binary diffusivity of hydrogen and water vapor in the anode, and that of oxygen and nitrogen in the cathode, were obtained. Evaluation of the electrochemical performance and the polarization modeling results indicated that the cell performance is dominated by the cathodic activation polarization at low fuel utilization condition. However, the cell performance loss due to the anodic activation polarization increases as the fuel utilization increases. The anode active layer significantly improves the cell performance at high fuel utilization by lowering the anodic activation polarization under H 2 O-rich fuel because the anode active layer has finer and less porous microstructures and increases the number of the reaction sites near the anode-electrolyte interface. Cell performance at high fuel utilization and the effect of the anode active layer on the cell performance were discussed in detail.
Elastic wave speeds and moduli in polycrystalline ice Ih, sI methane hydrate, and sII methane-ethane hydrate

[1] We used ultrasonic pulse transmission to measure compressional, P, and shear, S, wave speeds in laboratory-formed polycrystalline ice Ih, sI methane hydrate, and sII methane-ethane hydrate. From the wave speed's linear dependence on temperature and pressure and from the sample's calculated density, we derived expressions for bulk, shear, and compressional wave moduli and Poisson's ratio from −20 to −5°C and 22.4 to 32.8 MPa for ice Ih, −20 to 15°C and 30.5 to 97.7 MPa for sI methane hydrate, and −20 to 10°C and 30.5 to 91.6 MPa for sII methane-ethane hydrate. All three materials had comparable P and S wave speeds and decreasing shear wave speeds with increasing applied pressure. Each material also showed evidence of rapid intergranular bonding, with a corresponding increase in wave speed, in response to pauses in sample deformation. There were also key differences. Resistance to uniaxial compaction, indicated by the pressure required to compact initially porous samples, was significantly lower for ice Ih than for either hydrate. The ice Ih shear modulus decreased with increasing pressure, in contrast to the increase measured in both hydrates.
A longitudinal study of incremental expansion using a mandibular lip bumper.

Abstract A retrospective study using models was performed to evaluate the incremental expansion that occurred during mandibular lip bumper therapy in 44 adolescent patients. The purpose was to dete...
Cancer and Employment Issues: Perspectives from Cancer Patient Navigators

Among individuals diagnosed with cancer, 40 % are working-age adults who will face numerous challenges in returning to work, yet oncology providers report limited guidance and uncoordinated communication processes in addressing patients' work-related issues. Cancer patient navigators are uniquely positioned to fill this care and communication gap due to their focus on both practical matters and clinical care. This cross-sectional study utilized survey methodology to collect quantitative and qualitative data from 58 cancer patient navigators to (1) identify patients' cancer and employment issues that commonly challenge navigators and (2) identify the necessary training navigators felt would allow them to more effectively help patients deal with cancer and employment issues. Participants from the southeast USA were invited to complete a paper survey while in attendance at a statewide cancer patient navigator conference or online via the state comprehensive cancer coalition's cancer patient navigator listserv. Results suggest financial burdens, work and treatment conflicts, taking unpaid leave for cancer care, and working through treatment were common concerns among their patients. Navigators also identified employment, legal, government programs, and financial resources as important training and education topics that would help them address their clients' employment and cancer conflicts. Given the fact that employment issues remain one of the most common unmet need of survivors and the increasing presence of navigators across the USA, it is important to address the role of navigators in meeting patients' needs regarding cancer and employment and ensure they are provide with adequate training and resources.
Die zweite Migrationsgeneration

Im vorangegangenen Kapitel wurde die Situation albanischer, bosnischer und tamilischer Zugewanderten sowie die religiose Pluralisierung und die Lage der Hindus und Muslime in der Schweiz erlautert. Das vorliegende Kapitel nahert sich nun noch weiter an Jugendliche der zweiten Migrationsgeneration an, die im Zentrum der Arbeit stehen.
Obesity, leptin, and incident heart failure.

Obesity has been established as a risk factor for the development of heart failure (HF), independent of the established risk factors for HF such as diabetes and hypertension. Studies have demonstrated a continuous gradient of HF risk with increasing body mass index (BMI) ([1,2][1]). Although waist
Back to Bilateralism? Pendulum Swings in International Intellectual Property Protection

This article briefly presents an account of bilateralism in international economic relations - encompassing intellectual property regulation - that suggests that the TRIPS Agreement should never have been understood as a crowning point of international intellectual property regulation. The article explores the implications of this possible reformulation of the theory and place of the TRIPS Agreement in international intellectual property law and policy. The author argues that the new bilateralism, while similar in form, serves a different agenda from the old bilateralism which relied principally on commercial agreements as a means to stabilize, formalize and advance interests ostensibly mutual to the contracting parties. Notwithstanding this different function, and in spite of the deployment of coercive measures enforced through unilateral trade policy, the author seeks to consider what, if any, real prospects for gain may exist for developing countries under the new bilateralism.
Hosls and Distribution of Five Species of Trialeurodes (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Host and distribution records are given for Trialeurodes abutilonea (Haldeman), floridensis (Quaintance), notata Russell, packardi (Morrill), and vaporariorum (Westwood). T. abutilonea is a vector of the yellow dwarf virus of sweetpotato, and the other species are of actual or potential economic importance.
Effect of age on circulatory response to postural and valsalva tests (39884).

SummaryIn order to analyze the effect of age, a study was made of the hemody-namic responses of three groups of normal male subjects (19 to 26, 40 to 49, and 47 to 56 years) to 70° head-up tilt and...
Analysis on Reason of High Yield of Rice in Cold Region in 2014 than in 2013

In order to explore reason of high yield of rice in the same soil,the same processing conditions,the month and daily average temperature from March to September in 2013 and 2014in Jiamusi City of Heilongjiang province were analyzed,leaf age process of the same experiment condition was discussed,yield and its constitute factors were analyzed.The results showed that the main reason of the 2014 yield was higher than that in 2013,it was the lack of the low temperature environment at grain-filling stage in 2013,as compared with the seed setting rate and seed weight per panicle in 2014,it reduced by 16.6percent point and 0.64 gram in2013respectively.
Acquisition and reacquisition (relapse) of drug abuse: modulation by alternative reinforcers.

Most of the behavioral pharmacology research that has examined variables controlling drug self-reinforced behavior has been concerned with well-trained steady-state levels of drug-maintained responding. Little attention has been directed toward transition states such as the initial acquisition of drug-reinforced responding or reacquisition of responding after a period of abstinence (relapse). It is especially important to have animal models for these stages of the addiction process because ethical considerations do not allow these processes to be thoroughly studied in the human laboratory. The purpose of this chapter is to describe animal models for acquisition and reacquisition (relapse) of drug self-administration and to examine the effect of nondrug alternative reinforcers on these processes.
Zinc induces mitochondria apoptogenesis in prostate cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prostate secretory epithelial cells have the unique function and capability of accumulating extremely high intracellular levels of zinc. One of the effects of this accumulation is inhibition of cell growth due, in part, to an increase in apoptosis. The present studies were conducted to determine if this zinc-induced apoptosis involves stimulation of mitochondrial apoptogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The PC-3 a human malignant prostate cell line, which is zinc accumulating, was exposed to medium supplemented with physiologic levels of zinc. RESULTS By 24 h, zinc treatment resulted in the translocation of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol, the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and eventually, the cleavage of nuclear poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP). Under similar conditions, exposure of freshly prepared rat ventral prostate cells (which are also zinc accumulating) resulted in increased apoptosis following translocation of cyochrome c and activation of caspases-9 and 3. The human prostate PZ-HPV-7 cells, which do not accumulate zinc, did not exhibit any apoptotic effect from zinc treatment. CONCLUSION The accumulation of high intracellular levels of zinc by prostate cells induces mitochondrial apoptogenesis. This represents a newly identified physiological effect of zinc in the regulation of prostate cell growth.
Social justice leadership and inclusion: a genealogy

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to engage in an historical analysis of research about two concepts: social justice leadership and leadership for inclusion. Recent experiences have caused me to wonder about our interpretations of justice, equity, and inclusion. Analysis of the relevant literature revealed a lack of consensus among scholars as to a clear, operational definition of both social justice leadership and inclusion. I use a Foucauldian genealogical method to examine texts and uncover the historical development of social justice leadership and leadership for inclusion in the United States. Uncovering past meanings and contexts should help illuminate current meanings and uses of these concepts. It is recommended that leaders engage in critical reflection to uncover the common sense language of equity-oriented leadership practices and that researchers take a more critical, historical, open stance of social justice leadership, and inclusion.
Mixed Enterprises in India

This chapter consists of Abstract descriptive account of mixed enterprises in India which involve domestic private capital. Public-private mixtures involving Western business will be treated in the next chapter. This chapter will set forth such facts as are readily available on India’s domestic mixtures and will record interpretive comments of observers and analysts which are relevant to the subject. There are three major subdivisions used in the chapter. The first and second are concerned with mixtures in the states of India prior to and following World War II. The third part deals with mixed enterprise in which the central government is involved. Although factual description will prevail in the exposition, interpretative materials such as survey comments will also be recorded. Table IV and V in the appendix summarize much of the material presented here. A summary is also provided which calls attention to some of the unusual features of the development.
Happily Religious: The Surprising Sources of Happiness Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Adults

This article analyzes the impact of religion on reported levels of subjective well-being (general happiness) among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults. Although previous studies find religious affiliation to be a significant predictor of subjective well-being among the general population in the United States, limited quantitative research investigates general happiness among sexual and gender minorities. This study augments the existing literature by using a national survey of LGBT adults conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2013. The results show that religious affiliation is a significant predictor of LGBT individuals’ happiness. LGBT individuals who identify as Catholic, agnostic or atheist, or with no particular religious affiliation report lower levels of happiness compared to mainline Protestants. Surprisingly, no significant differences are found between mainline Protestants (whose church doctrine often accepts same-sex relations) and evangelical Protestants (whose church doctrine often condemns same-sex relations). In addition, income is the only control variable that affects general happiness. Our analysis reveals interesting differences in the determinants of subjective well-being between the LGBT and general population.
Noteworthy Collections of Lichens and Allied Fungi from Western Wake County, North Carolina, USA

Abstract. A seemingly undescribed Peltigera and several noteworthy collections were made during a gradient study examining highway effects on forest lichen communities in western Wake County, North Carolina, USA. Rebentischia massalongii is here newly reported from North Carolina. Acrocordia megalospora, Gyalolechia flavorubescens, and Porina scabrida are new records for the Piedmont ecoregion in the state. Lobaria quercizans is noteworthy as belonging to a group of pollution-sensitive cyanolichens that until recently have not been recorded from the Triangle area of central North Carolina. Historical occurrences of Triangle Lobariaceae are also presented.
Influence of geometric parameters on the restraint of guardrail posts by asphalt mow strips

AbstractAsphalt pavement mow strips, used as a vegetation barrier in guardrail systems, have typically been regarded as a rigid layer in roadside design. However, geometric parameters of the mow strip such as thickness and rear distance behind the post have a significant impact on the amount of restraint the asphalt layer provides to resist translation and rotation by the posts. In this paper, a standard steel guardrail post designed with a range of asphalt mow strip dimensions is evaluated. A survey of the use of asphalt pavement mow strips in the United States was undertaken to determine an initial set of mow strip designs for investigation. Static tests were performed based on these designs, and finite element models were calibrated using the test data and parallel material characterization experiments. Utilizing the calibrated finite element model, simulations were performed on a wide variety of asphalt mow strip designs. Simulation and experimental results were correlated to develop a set of quantita...
Photoaffinity Ligand for the Inhalational Anesthetic Sevoflurane Allows Mechanistic Insight into Potassium Channel Modulation

Sevoflurane is a commonly used inhaled general anesthetic. Despite this, its mechanism of action remains largely elusive. Compared to other anesthetics, sevoflurane exhibits distinct functional activity. In particular, sevoflurane is a positive modulator of voltage-gated Shaker-related potassium channels (Kv1.x), which are key regulators of action potentials. Here, we report the synthesis and validation of azisevoflurane, a photoaffinity ligand for the direct identification of sevoflurane binding sites in the Kv1.2 channel. Azisevoflurane retains major sevoflurane protein binding interactions and pharmacological properties within in vivo models. Photoactivation of azisevoflurane induces adduction to amino acid residues that accurately reported sevoflurane protein binding sites in model proteins. Pharmacologically relevant concentrations of azisevoflurane analogously potentiated wild-type Kv1.2 and the established mutant Kv1.2 G329T. In wild-type Kv1.2 channels, azisevoflurane photolabeled Leu317 within th...
Comparison of Five Modeling Approaches to Quantify and Estimate the Effect of Clouds on the Radiation Amplification Factor (RAF) for Solar Ultraviolet Radiation

A generally accepted value for the Radiation Amplification Factor (RAF), with respect to the erythemal action spectrum for sunburn of human skin, is −1.1, indicating that a 1.0% increase in stratospheric ozone leads to a 1.1% decrease in the biologically damaging UV radiation in the erythemal action spectrum reaching the Earth. The RAF is used to quantify the non-linear change in the biologically damaging UV radiation in the erythemal action spectrum as a function of total column ozone (O3). Spectrophotometer measurements recorded at ten US monitoring sites were used in this analysis, and over 71,000 total UVR measurement scans of the sky were collected at those 10 sites between 1998 and 2000 to assess the RAF value. This UVR dataset was examined to determine the specific impact of clouds on the RAF. Five de novo modeling approaches were used on the dataset, and the calculated RAF values ranged from a low of −0.80 to a high of −1.38.
Application of MALDI-TOF MS Systems in the Rapid Identification of Campylobacter spp. of Public Health Importance.

Campylobacteriosis is an infectious gastrointestinal disease caused by Campylobacter spp. In most cases, it is either underdiagnosed or underreported due to poor diagnostics and limited databases. Several DNA-based molecular diagnostic techniques, including 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence typing, have been widely used in the species identification of Campylobacter. Nevertheless, these assays are time-consuming and require a high quality of bacterial DNA. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) MS is an emerging diagnostic technology that can provide the rapid identification of microorganisms by using their intact cells without extraction or purification. In this study, we analyzed 24 American Type Culture Collection reference isolates of 16 Campylobacter spp. and five unknown clinical bacterial isolates for rapid identification utilizing two commercially available MADI-TOF MS platforms, namely the bioMerieux VITEK® MS and Bruker Biotyper systems. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to confirm the species-level identification of the unknown clinical isolates. Both MALDI-TOF MS systems identified the isolates of C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari, and C. fetus. The results of this study suggest that the MALDI-TOF MS technique can be used in the identification of Campylobacter spp. of public health importance.
Effects of organic ligands and background electrolytes on barite dissolution

Abstract Barite dissolution rates and features were investigated under conditions that combine a variety of organic ligands with different background electrolyte solutions. The organic ligands included low molecular weight organic compounds (LMWO) that can be produced by halophilic bacteria and are common in natural environments, as well as synthetic chelators that were previously studied in barite dissolution. Background electrolyte solutions included deionized water, 0.72 M NaCl and 2 M NaCl solutions designed to simulate freshwater, seawater, and brine fluids, respectively. Barite dissolution rates and corresponding rate constants normalized for saturation states were calculated for most experiments. Equal or lower rates and rate constants for pure LMWO relative to controls at all background electrolyte concentrations and pH values indicated that LMWO do not promote barite dissolution. Synthetic chelators showed higher rates and rate constants at pH 10 at static conditions than controls, indicating enhanced barite dissolution. Distinctive etch pit morphologies on the barite (0 0 1) face were observed in the presence of synthetic chelators, suggesting a direct contact dissolution mechanism by synthetic chelators. The effect of synthetic chelators on barite dissolution was significantly reduced in the presence of 2 M NaCl and/or at pH 6.5 due to salting out effects. Under hypersaline conditions, barite dissolution rates and rate constants by bacterial activities were up to four times higher than those of synthetic chelators. The wide range of conditions studied in this work provides insights into prediction of barite dissolution behavior in various natural environments as well as in industrial treatment procedures.
Interferon-gamma suppresses T-cell proliferation to mitogen via the nitric oxide pathway during experimental acute graft-versus-host disease

The development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is associated with long-lasting and profound deficits in immune function that lead to increased morbidity and mortality after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We investigated a mechanism of T-cell immunodeficiency in response to mitogen or alloantigen in an experimental model of acute GVHD by analyzing the roles of two immunosuppressive moieties: interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and nitric oxide (NO). Splenocytes from mice with GVHD did not proliferate either to the T-cell mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A), or to host alloantigens, but only mitogen- activated cultures produced increased levels of NO. The abrogation of NO synthesis with LG-mono-methyl-arginine (NMMA) restored mitogen- induced proliferation but not the response to host antigens. The mechanism of impared proliferation to mitogen was dependent on IFN- gamma because blockade of this cytokine in culture inhibited NO production and restored proliferation to Con A to levels similar to those in transplanted control mice without GVHD. NMMA did not substantially reduce IFN-gamma levels, demonstrating that NO acted distally to IFN-gamma in the pathway of immunosuppression in response to mitogen. Furthermore, the prevention of IFN-gamma production in vivo after allogeneic BMT, by transplantation of polarized type 2 donor T cells (secreting interleukin-4 but not IFN-gamma), also prevented NO production and restored splenocyte responses to mitogen. Our data demonstrate the existence of NO-dependent and NO-independent pathways involved in suppression of T-cell proliferation during acute GVHD. Excess NO synthesis appears to be one mechanism by which IFN-gamma induces immunodeficiency after allogeneic BMT.
Monte Carlo Simulation of One Dimensional Quantum Systems

In this talk I will discuss work that R. Blanken- becler, J. Hirsch, D. Scalapino and I have been doing on the Monte Carlo simulation of one dimensional quantum systems.[1,2] The emphasis of this work has been on systems with fermion degrees of freedom, but the techniques we have been using can also be applied to the study of quantum spin models. I will discuss this application very briefly at the end of the talk.
Abstract 23: Chemotherapy and tau interplay facilitates breast-to-brain metastasis

Breast cancer represents the second most common cause of brain metastasis with the rate of 10-16% after lung cancer. The overall survival in brain metastatic patients is very short ranging from 2 to 25 months. Considering the high incidence of brain metastasis and the limitation of available therapies, developing preventive strategies and early detection methods are required to improve the survival rate in the patients. Many primary and brain metastatic breast cancer patients represent cognitive deficits. Besides, chemo-treated breast cancer patients show memory problems before brain metastases diagnosis. Although the cause of cognitive impairments after chemotherapy have not been explored, a recent study revealed that chemotherapy promotes breast cancer metastasis. Correspondingly, our mRNA expression analysis showed downregulation of the tight junction markers in chemo-treated choroid plexus cells (CPs), suggesting that chemotherapy is likely to cause an increase in the blood-cerebral spinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) permeability. Chemotherapy also induces upregulation of tau expression in CP cells. Tau is known as a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer9s disease (AD) and neurodegenerative disorders. The abnormally phosphorylated and aggregated form of tau play critical role in neurodegenerative diseases as of AD. Tau expression, both at the mRNA and protein level, is significantly elevated in breast to brain metastases (BBMs). Therefore, we hypothesized that chemotherapy upregulates tau expression in breast cancer cells leading to the BCSFB and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and consequently, breast to brain metastasis and neurodegeneration. To test our hypothesis, the effect of chemotherapy on the BCSFB and BBB permeability were investigated using the trans endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and migration assays in the in vitro models. Our results show an increase in abnormal tau expression in chemo-treated primary breast cancer cells. BBM-derived tau is abnormal and forms paired helical filaments (PHFs), similar to Alzheimer9s. We conclude that breast to brain metastasis is facilitated through an interplay between chemotherapy, and tau expression and release from breast cancer cells. Additionally, we suggest that tau plays a key role in neurodegeneration defects in brain metastatic patients. This study opens a new path towards prevention and early detection of breast cancer metastasis to the brain, cognitive decline and neurodegeneration in metastatic patients. Citation Format: Behnaz Saatian, Krutika Deshpande, Alex Julian, Brooke Naomi Nakamura, Ling Shao, Josh Neman. Chemotherapy and tau interplay facilitates breast-to-brain metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 23.
The impact of binge eating behavior on lithium- and quetiapine-associated changes in body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference during 6 months of treatment: Findings from the bipolar CHOICE study.

ABSTRACT Background Lithium and quetiapine can cause weight gain, but their comparative longer term anthropometric effects are unknown, as are the potential moderating effects of baseline binge-eating (BE) behavior. Methods We assessed 6 month changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in 482 adults with DSM-IV bipolar disorders who participated in a comparative effectiveness study of lithium and quetiapine with evidence-based adjunctive treatment (Bipolar CHOICE). Anthropometric measurements were obtained at baseline, and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. BE behavior was defined as affirmative responses to MINI items M1 and M3 at baseline. Data were analyzed using a mixed model repeated measures approach, adjusted for baseline values of dependent measures. Results On average, body weight and BMI increased over 6 months with lithium and quetiapine. However, those treated with quetiapine experienced greater increases from baseline in body weight (peak change, + 3.6 lbs. vs. + 1.4 lbs.) and BMI (peak change, + 0.6 kg/m2 vs. + 0.3 kg/m2), starting at 2 weeks (group x time, F8,3052= 2.9, p = 0.003 for body weight, F8,3052= 3.0, p = 0.002 for BMI). Significant increases in waist circumference were observed only with quetiapine. The relationship between drug treatment and changes in body weight (group x time x binge eating status, F1,2770= 2.0, p = 0.002), BMI (F1,2767= 2.0, p = 0.002), and waist circumference (women only, F25,1621= 2.9, p Limitations Bipolar CHOICE was not designed to study anthropometric outcomes. Conclusions Greater changes in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference occurred with quetiapine- versus lithium-based treatment over 6 months of treatment. The effects of study drugs on these anthropometric measures were moderated by BE behavior at baseline.
Kinetic Model under Light-Limited Condition for Photoinitiated Thiol-Ene Coupling Reactions.

Thiol–ene click chemistry has become a powerful paradigm in synthesis, materials science, and surface modification in the past decade. In the photoinitiated thiol–ene reaction, an induction period is often observed before the major change in its kinetic curve, for which a possible mechanism is proposed in this report. Briefly, light soaking generates radicals following the zeroth-order reaction kinetics. The radical is the reactant that initializes the chain reaction of thiol–ene coupling, which is a first-order reaction. Combining both and under the light-limited conditions, a surprising kinetics represented by a Gaussian-like model evolves that is different from the exponential model used to describe the first-order reaction of the final product. The experimental data are fitted well with the new model, and the reaction kinetic constants can be pulled out from the fitting.
Expanding the CITE-seq tool-kit: Detection of proteins, transcriptomes, clonotypes and CRISPR perturbations with multiplexing, in a single assay

Rapid technological progress in the recent years has allowed the high-throughput interrogation of different types of biomolecules from single cells. Combining several of these readouts into integrated multi-omic assays is essential to comprehensively understand and model cellular processes. Here, we report the development of Expanded CRISPR-compatible Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by sequencing (ECCITE-seq) for the high-throughput characterization of at least five modalities of information from each single cell: transcriptome, immune receptor clonotypes, surface markers, sample identity and sgRNAs. We demonstrate the use of ECCITE-seq to directly and efficiently capture sgRNA molecules and measure their effects on gene expression and protein levels, opening the possibility of performing high throughput single cell CRISPR screens with multimodal readout using existing libraries and commonly used vectors. Finally, by utilizing the combined phenotyping of clonotype and cell surface markers in immune cells, we apply ECCITE to study a lymphoma sample to discriminate cells and define molecular signatures of malignant cells within a heterogeneous population.
Relevance vector machines modeling of nonstationary ground motion coherency

Abstract Conventional coherency models do not consider the nonstationary character of ground motions. Accurate modeling of nonstationary coherency can motivate accurate simulation of spatially incoherent ground motions. In this work, wavelet transform and Relevance Vector Machines are used to develop a regression model for nonstationary lagged coherency that characterizes the space-time variation of seismic ground motions. Earthquake data from four events recorded at dense seismograph SMART-1 array is used in the analysis. The nonstationary lagged coherency is computed using the wavelet transform of strong motion S-wave window, and then fed to the Relevance Vector Machine as training data. A homogeneous isotropic field is assumed. The proposed model does not require a fixed parametric functional form. It has been shown that the proposed model can estimate the lagged coherency for different separation distances at different time instants.
The CAROLE (CArdiac Related Oncologic Late Effects) Study: A Phase II, single-arm feasibility trial.

11569Background: Long-term breast cancer survivors are at risk of late effects from cardiotoxic (tox) radiation (RT) and chemotherapy (chemo). However, there is a paucity of data to recommend appro...