cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing self-propelled microcapsules for pick-up and delivery of microscopic cargo

Using computational modeling, we design a system of active polymeric microcapsules that pick-up, convey and drop-off a cargo between locations on a patterned surface. To create this system, we harness “signaling” and “target” capsules, which release nanoparticles into the surrounding solution. These nanoparticles bind to the underlying surface and thereby create adhesion gradients that trigger the spontaneous motion of the capsules. One signaling and two target capsules are found to form a stable triad, which can transport a cargo of four target capsules. Guided by an adhesive stripe on the surface, the triad and cargo form a “train” that moves autonomously along the substrate. The stripe is designed to encompass a small region with a lower adhesive strength. Through the aid of this patch, the triad can deposit its cargo and move on to potentially pick up a new payload at another location. Since the microcapsules can encase a wide variety of compounds, the system could provide an effective means of autonomously transporting a broad range of substances within microfluidic devices.
Spectroscopy with sound on superfluid 3He B

Collective modes of superfluid 3He B have been studied by means of sound attenuation and sound velocity studies. A new sound attenuation peak has been observed in superfluid 3He B at ħω ≈ Δ(T). This peak has been identified with the real squashing mode. Pulse time of flight methods has been used in these studies. At high sound amplitudes, interesting transient effects have been observed which have been tentatively identified with solitonlike behavior.
Rituximab-Induced Splenic Rupture and Cytokine Release

BACKGROUND Rituximab is a therapeutic monoclonal antibody that is used for many different lymphomas. Post-marketing surveillance has revealed that the risk of fatal reaction with rituximab use is extremely low. Splenic rupture and cytokine release syndrome are rare fatal adverse events related to the use of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, especially in aggressive malignancies with high tumor burden. CASE REPORT A 55-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and type B symptoms and was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma. Initial peripheral blood flow cytometry showed findings that mimicked features of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Further treatment with rituximab led to catastrophic treatment complications that proved to be fatal for the patient. CONCLUSIONS Severe cytokine release syndrome associated with biologics carries a very high morbidity and case fatality rate. With this case report we aim to present the diagnostic challenge with small B-cell neoplasms, especially mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic lymphomas, and underscore the importance of thorough risk assessment for reactions prior to treatment initiation.
Encapsulation of Phosphine-Terminated Rhenium(III) Chalcogenide Clusters in Silica Nanoparticles

Cationic phosphine-terminated rhenium(III) chalcogenide clusters—[Re6Se8(Et3P)5I]I, [Re6S8(Et3P)5Br]Br, [Re6Se8(Bu3P)5I]I, and [Re6S8(Bu3P)5Br]Br—were synthesized and encapsulated in silica nanosph...
A label-free Sirtuin 1 assay based on droplet-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a NAD+-dependent deacetylase which has been implicated in age-related diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and vascular diseases. SIRT1 modulators are of interest for their potential therapeutic use and potential as chemical probes to study the role of SIRT1. Fluorescence-based assays used to identify SIRT1 activators have been shown to have artifacts related to the fluorogenic substrates used in the assays. Such problems highlight the potential utility of a label-free high throughput screening (HTS) strategy. In this work, we describe a label-free SIRT1 assay suitable for HTS based on segmented flow-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). In the assay, 0.5 μM SIRT1 was incubated with 20 μM acetylated 21-amino acid peptide, which acts as substrate for the protein. A stable-isotope labeled product peptide was added to the assay mixture as an internal standard after reaction quenching. The resulting samples are formatted into 100 nL droplets segmented by perfluorodecalin and then infused at 0.8 samples per second into an ESI-MS. To enable direct ESI-MS analysis, 11 μM SIRT1 was dialyzed into a 200 μM ammonium formate (pH 8.0) buffer prior to use in the assay. This buffer was demonstrated to minimally affect enzyme kinetics and yet be compatible with ESI-MS. The assay conditions were optimized through enzyme kinetic study, and tested by screening an 80-compound library. The assay Z-factor was 0.7. Four inhibitors and no activators were detected from the library.
Dynamic ground testing of the Skipper Attitude Control System

The evaluation of the Attitude Control System (ACS) for the Skipper spacecraft required the development of two complementary tools: a high fidelity numerical simulation program and a three axis air bearing table to experimentally evaluate the ACS hardware operating in a dynamic environment. The simulation program provides detailed evaluation of the controller's performance over entire orbits, allowing studies of varying sensor viewing conditions, aerodynamic effects and magnetic field variations. The air bearing table was used for functional, rather than calibrated testing of the integrated ACS. The table was first used as a platform for initial integration testing of the ACS sensors, electronics and computer system. The ACS maneuvers were then test-flown on the table. In doing so, several software errors and systemlevel problems were easily identified and corrected. A proposed method for estimating the inertia tensor of the spacecraft in flight was evaluated using air bearing test data. Data gathered from air bearing tests were used to evaluate the attitude determination software off-line. This proved necessary due to a need to examine the attitude resolution algorithm and the lack of a valid indoor GPS signal for nadir vector information.
Fate of inducer during induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in mammalian cell culture. II. Levels of intracellular polycyclic hydrocarbon during enzyme induction and decay.

The induction and degradation of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in hamster fetal cell cultures was studied in the presence and absence of actinomycin D and/or cycloheximide; the concentration of polycyclic hydrocarbon in these cells was examined concomitantly. The level of intracellular polycyclic hydrocarbon diminishes after about 30 min of exposure of the cells to the inducer benz[a]anthracene. This decrease is presumably related to the appearance of the induced microsomal oxygenase. We have estimated the minimal number of molecules of benz[a]anthracene per cell that are sufficient to stimulate the initial rate of hydroxylase induction maximally. In cells exposed to inducer plus cycloheximide and then grown in fresh control medium, no correlation exists between the amount of intracellular polycyclic hydrocarbon physically or covalently bound and the kinetics of hydroxylase induction. Exposure of the cells to benz[a]-anthracene for 20 min or less does not stimulate hydroxylase activity if RNA synthesis is prevented thereafter. Inhibition of RNA synthesis at any time after 30 min of exposure of the cells to inducer does not prevent the initial, maximal rate of microsomal oxidase induction. The amount of intracellular polycyclic hydrocarbon that is sufficient to stimulate hydroxylase activity maximally in cells during the first several hours of exposure to inducer does not stimulate enzyme activity in cells exposed to benz[a]anthracene for 12 hr or more. In cells previously treated with benz[a]anthracene and then grown in fresh control medium, actinomycin D produces a stimulation of hydroxylase activity for 7-10 hr. There is no correlation between the concentration of intracellular polycyclic hydrocarbon and this stimulatory effect. The rate of disappearance of induced hydroxylase activity is not affected by the concentration of intracellular polycyclic hydrocarbon in the presence of cycloheximide or actinomycin D plus cycloheximide.
Improved Results of Cadaver Renal Transplantation in the Diabetic Patient

The results of 54 renal transplants performed on 48 patients with end stage renal disease and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus are reported. Pre-transplant screening with coronary angiography was done to determine the presence and severity of coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction. There were 12 living related donor (group 1) and 42 cadaver renal transplants. The cadaver transplant recipients were grouped further into those who received additional prophylactic immunosuppression with antilymphoblast globulin (group 2, 18 patients) and those who received standard immunosuppression with azathioprine and prednisone (group 3, 18 patients). The 2-year patient and graft survival rates in groups 1 to 3 were 81 and 67, 88 and 69, and 61 and 32 per cent, respectively. The use of prophylactic antilymphoblast globulin for adjunctive immunosuppression resulted in significantly improved graft survival among cadaver recipients (p less than 0.003). Selection of patients for transplantation on the basis of preliminary screening with coronary angiography was found to have a major impact on patient survival.
In vitro production of erythropoietin by mouse fetal liver.

Mouse fetal liver tissue has been cultured and shown to produce and release into the culture medium an erythropoietically active substance for up to 30 days of culture. Since this substance can be completely neutralized by an antiserum to erythropoietin and shows a dose-- response relationship in the plethoric mouse assay, it is suggested that the culture medium contains erythropoietin, a hormone important in the regulation of erythropoiesis. Using this procedure, we have obtained the equivalent of about 20.7 unites of erythropoietin from five T-flasks (75 sq cm) over the 30-day culture period.
Consequences of personal teaching metaphors for teacher identity and practice

Past research has clearly indicated that teachers’ metaphors can serve as a framework that moves our understanding of teaching forward by making more explicit the intuitive knowledge teachers hold ...
Being Digital Citizens, by Engin Isin and Evelyn Ruppert

Being Digital Citizens takes a nuanced, theoretical look at how the definition of a political subject evolves as more and more of both day-to-day life and overt political action takes place through...
Do corticosteroids play a role in the management of traumatic brain injury

Neuroprotective strategies for the medical management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been elusive. While laboratory studies provide a conceptual framework for the potential efficacy of corticosteroids in this context, clinical trials testing this hypothesis have yielded no convincing evidence of clinical benefit. Here, we review the five key randomized control trials (RCTs) that have examined this issue. Based on the proposed primary endpoints of these RCTs, the five RCTs consistently showed that corticosteroids do not confer significant benefit in the TBI population.
Birdsong performance studies: reports of their death have been greatly exaggerated

Kroodsma (2017, Animal Behaviour, 125, e1–e16) has critiqued ‘the performance hypothesis’, which posits that two song attributes, trill rate and frequency bandwidth, provide reliable indicators of singer quality and are used as such in mate or rival assessment. Kroodsma develops three main arguments: (1) young male sparrows copy songs with high accuracy from neighbours, and thus cannot calibrate song models to their own performance capacities; (2) in species with song repertoires, vocal performance varies widely within individuals and among song types, thus rendering song performances inadequate as quality indicators; and (3) experimental studies of song function have relied on playback of structurally abnormal stimuli, with interpretation of birds' responses to these stimuli thus compromised. I address these critiques in turn, offering the following counterpoints: (1) the reviewed literature actually reveals substantial plasticity in song learning, leaving room for birds to tailor songs to their own performance capacities; (2) reasonable scenarios, largely untested, remain to explain how songs of repertoire species could convey information about singer quality; and (3) the playback studies critiqued actually enable direct, reasonable inferences about the function of vocal performance variations, because they directly contrast birds' responses to low- versus high-performance stimuli. My analyses support the plausibility of performance hypotheses and highlight avenues for future research. My analyses also reveal numerous shortcomings with Kroodsma's arguments, including an inaccurate portrayal throughout of publications under review, logic that is thus rendered questionable and reliance on original data sets that are incomplete and thus inconclusive.
ATPS-62TARGETING OF NOVEL GBM BIOMARKER EMP2 RESULTS IN DECREASED TUMOR GROWTH AND INCREASED TUMOR NECROSIS

INTRODUCTION: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a deadly disease with a survival of approximately 15 months. Epithelial membrane protein 2 (EMP2) is correlated with advanced disease and adverse outcomes in several cancers and has recently been found to be expressed on the surface of GBM cells. Its expression in GBM increases integrin surface expression resulting in activation of focal adhesion kinase and Src and promoting increased tumor growth, cell migration, and invasion. METHODS: Subcutaneous and orthotopic mouse models were utilized for this study. In the subcutaneous model, n = 4 BALB/c mice were inoculated with U373 cells and treated with weekly systemic treatments of either anti-EMP2 or control IgG1. Tumor size was measured weekly. In the intracranial model, n = 6 BALB/c nude mice were inoculated with U87 cells overexpressing EMP2 and treated with weekly systemic injections of either anti-EMP2 or control IgG1. Tumor size was followed with bioluminescence imaging. RESULTS: In the subcutaneous model, tumor growth was significantly reduced at 50 days when treated with anti-EMP2 antibody (19 mm3 vs. 45 mm3, p < 0.05), and the residual tumors displayed significant necrosis compared to the control group. In the intracranial model, the treatment group showed a trend toward reduced tumor growth compared to the control group. The mean fold change in average tumor radiance in the treatment group was 402 compared to 543 in the control group. CONCLUSION: Our data present an extremely novel biomarker and therapeutic target for GBM. These findings suggest that targeting EMP2 may be an effective treatment modality for GBM. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the role of targeting EMP2 in the treatment of GBM.
Challenges and Opportunities for Effective NOTCH1 Targeting in T-ALL.

The NOTCH pathway is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism responsible for the direct transduction of developmental signals at the cell surface into changes in gene expression in the nucleus. In the hematopoietic system, the NOTCH1 signaling pathway is required for the commitment of multipotent hematopoietic progenitors to the T cell lineage and, later on, to support cell growth, proliferation, and survival at multiple stages of thymocyte development. These physiological functions are disrupted by activating mutations in the NOTCH1 gene in over 50% of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL). NOTCH1 mutations result in ligand-independent activation or increased protein stability, leading to deregulated cell proliferation and survival in T cell progenitors and T cell transformation. Importantly, small molecule inhibitors of the γ-secretase complex (GSIs) effectively abrogate NOTCH1 signaling, making NOTCH1 a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of T-ALL. However, the clinical development of GSIs has been hampered by our incomplete understanding of the effector pathways controlled by NOTCH1, the lack of clinical responses to GSI therapy, and the development of gastrointestinal toxicity secondary to inhibition of NOTCH signaling in the gut. Recent progress in the identification of the transcriptional regulatory networks that control T cell transformation downstream of NOTCH1 has shown a close relationship between oncogenic NOTCH1 signaling and the transcriptional control of cell growth and metabolism. Thus, NOTCH1 directly controls multiple genes involved in anabolic pathways and further promotes cell growth via direct transcriptional upregulation of MYC and indirect upregulation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway via HES1-mediated downregulation of PTEN . Moreover, oncogenic NOTCH1 signaling promotes activation of the NFKB pathway and interacts with the function of p53. Although the specific mechanisms mediating some of these interactions have not been elucidated yet, these results suggest that combinations of GSIs with chemotherapy or drugs targeting the PI3K-AKT and NFKB pathways may have a synergistic effect in the treatment of T-ALL. Moreover, inhibitory antibodies capable of selectively blocking the activation of NOTCH1 and inhibitors of the nuclear transcriptional complex mediating the activation of NOTCH1 target genes offer alternative approaches for the inhibition of oncogenic NOTCH1 signaling. Each of these strategies offers the promise to induce potent antileukemic effects and/or to ameliorate the gastrointestinal toxicity associated with systemic inhibition of NOTCH signaling and may ultimately lead to the development of rationally-designed and highly effective anti-NOTCH1 therapies for T-ALL.
Racial variation in the reliability of prostate cancer indicators in men undergoing subsequent prostate biopsy.

115Background: Many men with an initial negative prostate biopsy have a persistently elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) prompting physicians to perform repeat biopsies. African American men (AA) are at particular risk as they have a greater prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and mortality, yet traditional PSA testing may be less reliable in this cohort. We sought to determine the predictors of PCa and PCa severity in a racially diverse population on subsequent biopsy following an initial benign biopsy. Methods: Upon receiving Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective analysis was performed on men with repeat prostate biopsies at Tulane Medical Center and Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care Services in New Orleans, Louisiana from 2003-2015. Inclusion criteria included patients with a benign initial prostate biopsy and underwent subsequent repeat prostate biopsy within 5 years. Race, age, serum PSA, PSA density (PSAD), and prostate volume by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) were evaluated to...
Shape-Invariant Potentials: Soluble One-Dimensional Potential Problems

Having seen and used a number of examples, let us now look at the factorization method in a more general way.
Medical comorbidity in complicated grief: Results from the HEAL collaborative trial.

Abstract Objective To describe medical comorbidity in persons with Complicated Grief (CG) and to test whether medical comorbidity in individuals with CG is associated with the severity and duration of CG, after adjusting for age, sex, race, and current depressive symptoms. Methods In exploratory analyses, we compared data from participants in an NIMH-sponsored multisite clinical trial of CG (“HEAL”: “Healing Emotions After Loss”) to archival data from participants matched on age, gender, and race/ethnicity, stratified by the presence or absence of current major depression. We used the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G) as a measure of medical polymorbidity. We investigated the association between CG and medical comorbidity via multiple linear regression, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables, including severity of depressive symptoms. Results Chronological age and severity of co-occurring symptoms of major depression correlated with cumulative medical polymorbidity in persons with Complicated Grief. The severity of CG and the time since loss did not correlate with global medical polymorbidity (CIRS-G score). Nor was there an interaction between severity of depressive symptoms and severity of CG symptoms in predicting global CIRS-G score. Cumulative medical comorbidity, as measured by CIRS-G scores, was greater in subjects with current major depression (“DEPRESSED”) than in CG subjects, and both DEPRESSED and CG subjects had greater medical morbidity than CONTROLS. Conclusion Medical comorbidity is prevalent in Complicated Grief, associated with increasing age and co-occurring depressive symptoms but apparently not with chronicity and severity of Complicated Grief per se. This observation suggests that treating depression in the context of CG may be important to managing medical conditions in individuals with Complicated Grief to attenuate or prevent the long-term medical sequelae of CG.
N-Acetylcysteine for Nonsuicidal Self-Injurious Behavior in Adolescents: An Open-Label Pilot Study.

Abstract Background: Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is common in adolescents and young adults, and few evidence-based treatments are available for this significant problem. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a widely available nutritional supplement that has been studied in some psychiatric disorders relevant to NSSI including mood and addictive disorders. This pilot study tested the use of NAC as a potential treatment for NSSI in youth. Methods: Thirty-five female adolescents and young adults with NSSI aged 13–21 years were enrolled in this study that had an open-label, single-arm study design. All participants were given oral NAC as follows: 600 mg twice daily (weeks 1–2), 1200 mg twice daily (weeks 3–4), and 1800 mg twice daily (weeks 5–8). Patients were seen every 2 weeks throughout the trial, at which time youth reported the frequency of NSSI episodes. Levels of depression, impulsivity, and global psychopathology were measured at baseline and at the end of the trial using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI...
The Genetics and Epigenetics of Colorectal Cancer Health Disparity

Out of all the malignancies known to afflict the human population, colorectal cancer has been characterized as a health disparity disease. In addition to a genetic and familial predisposition, the disparities observed in colorectal cancer are governed by societal economics, and availability of health care and preventive measures. In this chapter, we focus on the health disparities of colon cancer as it relates to genes that are specifically altered in populations and largely contribute to the disease. Epigenetic alterations, currently known modifiers of gene expression which include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs, will be discussed in the chapter. The epigenetic markers in conjunction with altered genes as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease will also be covered.
Modeling ultrashort electromagnetic pulses with a generalized Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation

Abstract In this paper we derive a properly scaled model for the nonlinear propagation of intense, ultrashort, mid-infrared electromagnetic pulses (10–100 femtoseconds) through an arbitrary dispersive medium. The derivation results in a generalized Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (gKP) equation. In contrast to envelope-based models such as the Nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation, the gKP equation describes the dynamics of the field’s actual carrier wave. It is important to resolve these dynamics when modeling ultrashort pulses. We proceed by giving an original proof of sufficient conditions on the initial pulse for a singularity to form in the field after a finite propagation distance. The model is then numerically simulated in 2D using a spectral-solver with initial data and physical parameters highlighting our theoretical results.
Implementation strategies to improve cervical cancer prevention in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Developed countries, such as the USA, have achieved significant decreases in cervical cancer burden since the introduction of Pap smear-based programs in the 1960s. Due to implementation barriers and limited resources, many countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have been unable to attain such reductions. The purpose of this review is to evaluate implementation strategies used to improve the uptake and sustainability of cervical cancer prevention programs in SSA. A reviewer (LJ) independently searched PubMed, Ovid/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for relevant articles with the following search limits: English language, peer reviewed, and published between 1996 and 2017. The 4575 search results were screened for eligibility (CJ, LJ) to identify original research that empirically evaluated or tested implementation strategies to improve cervical cancer prevention in SSA. Fifty-three articles met criteria for inclusion in the final review. AA, CJ, and LJ abstracted the included articles for implementation-related content and evaluated them for risk of bias according to study design with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) Quality Assessment Tools. Results were reported according to PRISMA guidelines. The 53 included studies are well represented among all sub-Saharan regions: South (n = 16, 30.2%), West (n = 16, 30.2%), East (n = 14, 26.4%), and Middle (n = 7, 13.2%). There are 34 cross-sectional studies (64.2%), 10 pre-posttests (18.9%), 8 randomized control trials (15.1%), and one nonrandomized control trial (1.9%). Most studies are “fair” quality (n = 22, 41.5%). Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) (n = 19, 35.8%) was used as the main prevention method more frequently than HPV DNA/mRNA testing (n = 15, 28.3%), Pap smear (n = 13, 24.5%), and HPV vaccine (n = 9, 17.0%). Effectiveness of strategies to improve program implementation was measured using implementation outcomes of penetration (n = 33, 62.3%), acceptability (n = 15, 28.3%), fidelity (n = 14, 26.4%), feasibility (n = 8, 15.1%), adoption (n = 6, 11.3%), sustainability (n = 2, 3.8%), and cost (n = 1, 1.9%). Education strategies (n = 38, 71.7%) were used most often but have shown limited effectiveness. This systematic review highlights the need to diversify strategies that are used to improve implementation for cervical cancer prevention programs. While education is important, implementation science literature reveals that education is not as effective in generating change. There is a need for additional organizational support to further incentivize and sustain improvements in implementation.
Elastomers and fluid applications

Since the commercialization of carboxylated elastomers by B.F. Goodrich, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene (Hypalon®) by DuPont in the 1950s, there has been substantial patent activity directed at new classes of ionomers and new applications. The commercialization of partially neutralized salts poly(ethylene-comethacrylic acid) by DuPont in the 1960s, resulted in a substantial increase in ionomer research. While those materials were not strictly elastomeric, they stimulated interest in other classes of ionomers because of the versatility of polymer structure and the unique properties available by incorporating relatively low levels of metal carboxylate groups on hydrocarbon chains. These new generations of ionomers were employed as modified elastomers or flexible plastics (MacKnight and Lundberg, 1984) wherein their ionic nature improved tensile properties or enhanced other properties (clarity, tensile strength, etc.). Since the early 1980s, there has been a substantial amount of patent activity directed at new classes of ionomers, new synthetic routes, and more importantly, new applications of ionomers which exploit specific advantages of ionic interactions.
Ligand-Metal Surface Interactions: Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity

Surface chemistry under high pressure of gaseous reactants is often different from surface chemistry at low pressure. For example, many surface chemical reactions proceed readily under high pressure conditions typical of a commercial, heterogeneous catalytic reaction but appear not to proceed at low pressures(<10-4 torr), despite favorable thermodynamics. The different chemistry and, in particular, the lack of reactivity at the low pressures where ultrahigh vacuum surface science techniques are operable is known loosely as the pressure gap and casts doubt on the relevance of UHV surface chemistry to high pressure processes such as catalysis, chemical vapor deposition and etching reactions. One proposal for the origin of this pressure gap in the catalytic reactivity was the presence of a barrier to the dissociative chemisorption of at least one of the reactants [1,2]. Since it is the translational energy of the incident molecule that is important in sunnounting this barrier and not the surface temperature, the rate of the reaction is limited by the flux of incident molecules with energies above the energy of the barrier. High pressures simply increase the absolute number (not the fraction) of high energy molecules, thereby increasing the reaction rate sufficiently for the products to be detected. This hypothesis was verified by the demonstration of the translational activation of C14 on Ni(111) and the ensuing favorable comparison between the rate constants for C14 dissociation calculated from the low pressure dissociation probability measurements and the rates as measured under high pressure conditions [3-5]. The agreement between the low and high pressure experiments carried out in different laboratories formly establishes
Picosecond Photomodulation Studies of Carrier Trapping in a-Si:H

Subnanosecond trapping in gap states of photogenerated carriers in doped, compensated and undoped a-Si:H, and a—Si:H/a—SiNx:H multilayer structures, was studied by the picosecond pump and probe technique. In undoped a-Si:H the photoexcited carriers are trapped in band-tail states and in compensated a-Si:H in impurities introduced by doping. In singly doped a-Si:H the photoexcited majority carriers are trapped in impurities while the minority carriers are trapped in charged dangling bonds introduced by doping. In a—Si:H/a—SiNx:H superlattices photocarriers are trapped in interface related defects. The transport dynamics of the trapping process is in all cases dispersive.
The Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on Brain DHA and EPA Content and Fatty Acid Profile

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) constitutes a large portion of the brain and nervous tissue and is necessary for cognitive function and development. Evidence suggests that supplementation with omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids may improve cognitive performance and be protective against cognitive decline. However, the changes in brain phospholipid fatty acid composition after supplementation with n-3 fatty acids are poorly described. The objective of this study was to 1) investigate how increasing dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)+DHA influences brain fatty acid composition, and 2) determine if the red blood cell (RBC), as a biomarker, reflects dietary induced fatty acid changes in the brain. Mice were fed fish oil with increasing EPA+DHA concentrations, equivalent to recommendations by the American Heart Association on a percent of energy (%en) basis (0.1%, 0.675%, and 1.8% of total energy from EPA+DHA in the diet). Whole brain and blood samples were collected, phospholipids were isolated, and fatty acid methyl este...
Ionic η5-Cp-Ruthenium (II) complexes as potential anticancer agents

Abstract Ionic organometallic ruthenium(II) complexes, [η5-CpRu(PPh3) (1,10-phenanthroline)]+Cl− 1, [η5-CpRu(PPh3) (4,7-dimethyl, 1,10-phenanthroline)]+Cl− 2, and [η5-CpRu(PPh3) (1,10-phenanthroline-5-amine)]+Cl− 3 have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of the complexes 1 and 2 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that these compounds show significant toxicity against NIH3T3 and Raw 264 cancer cell lines at low concentration. These complexes have the property of DNA binding cleavage.
Finding the Better Fit: The Microwave Spectrum and Sterically Preferred Structure of trans-1,2-Difluoroethylene–Hydrogen Chloride

The rotational spectrum of the gas-phase bimolecular heterodimer formed between trans-1,2-difluoroethylene and hydrogen chloride is obtained using Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy from 5.6 to 20.6 GHz. Analysis of the spectrum provides rotational constants and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants that are used to determine the structure of the complex. The HCl molecule forms a hydrogen bond with one of the two electrostatically equivalent fluorine atoms of the difluoroethylene, and this hydrogen bond bends from linearity to allow a secondary interaction between the chlorine atom and the hydrogen atom located cis to the fluorine atom in the hydrogen bond. Because the two hydrogen atoms are likewise electrostatically equivalent, the structure indicates that this is the sterically preferred arrangement in HCl binding to a fluoroethylene rather than the one with the secondary interaction to the geminal hydrogen atom. Detailed comparisons among the geometries of the complexes formed between HCl and HF, on the one hand, and vinyl fluoride, 1,1-difluoroethylene, trans-1,2-difluoroethylene, 1,1,2-trifluoroethylene, and ( E)-1-chloro-2-fluoroethylene, on the other, reveal structural trends accompanying increasing fluorination and substitution of chlorine for fluorine.
Procedural sedation in children with autism spectrum disorders in the emergency department

Abstract Background and objectives Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present more frequently to the emergency department (ED) than children with normal development, and frequently have injuries requiring procedural sedation. Our objective was to describe sedation practice and outcomes in children with ASD in the ED. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of children with ASD who underwent sedation at two tertiary care EDs between January 2009–December 2016. Data were collected on children 1–18 years of age with ASD who were sedated in the ED. Results There were 6020 ED visits by children with ASD, 126 (2.1%) of whom received sedation. The most frequent indications for sedation were laceration repair (24.6%), incision and drainage (17.5%), diagnostic imaging (14.3%), and physical examination (11.9%). The most common sedatives used were ketamine (50.8%) and midazolam (50.8%). Ketamine was most commonly given intravenously (71.9%), while midazolam was usually given intranasally (71.9%). Procedures could not be completed in 4 (3.2%) patients, and adverse events were noted in 23 (18.3%) patients. Only four (3.2%) patients required supplemental oxygenation, and one received positive pressure ventilation. Conclusions Children with autism in the ED commonly received sedation; one in four of which were for non-painful diagnostic procedures or physical examination. Over one-third received sedation via a non-parenteral route for intended minimal sedation. Sedative medication dosing and observed adverse events were similar to those reported previously in children without ASD. Emergency providers must be prepared to meet the unique sedation needs of children with ASD.
Improving Economic Contribution Analyses of Local Agricultural Systems: Lessons from a Study of the New York Apple Industry

Policymakers and economic development profes­sion­als are often confronted with fundamental questions about the efficacy of agriculture-based economic development initiatives in enhancing the economic vitality of communities relative to other forms of development. By better understanding the relation­ships of agricultural industries within local economies, community educators, industry leaders, and public officials can make more informed choices to enhance economic activity and impact. We illustrate a framework for conducting multi-industry economic contribution analyses to inform practitioners on what it is, when it should be used, and what information it can provide. As these types of analyses are popular among industry and public agencies alike, promoting a replicable frame­work improves the compatibility and comparison of analyses across industries, geographies, and time. In addition, we describe the costs and rewards of primary data collection to support more refined and locally-specific impact estimates and illustrate its use to the apple industry in New York State. Finally, we describe how backward industry link­ages lead to commonly referenced multipliers. In doing so, practitioners can better understand the local supplying industries that are most important to the industry of inquiry and the supplying sectors most influenced by industry expansion efforts.
Filling in the gaps in survival analysis: using field data to infer plant responses to environmental stressors

Elucidating how organismal survival depends on the environment is a core component of ecological and evolutionary research. To reconcile high-frequency covariates with lower-frequency demographic censuses, many statistical tools involve aggregating environmental conditions over long periods, potentially obscuring the importance of fluctuating conditions in driving mortality. Here, we introduce a flexible model designed to infer how survival probabilities depend on changing environmental covariates. Specifically, the model (1) quantifies effects of environmental covariates at a higher frequency than the census intervals, and (2) allows partitioning of environmental drivers of individual survival into acute (short-term) and chronic (accumulated) effects. By applying our method to a long-term observational data set of eight annual plant species, we show we can accurately infer daily survival probabilities as temperature and moisture levels change. Next, we show that a species' water use efficiency, known to mediate annual plant population dynamics, is positively correlated with the importance of "chronic stress" inferred by the model. This suggests that model parameters can reflect underlying physiological mechanisms. This method is also applicable to other binary responses (hatching, phenology) or systems (insects, nestlings). Once known, environmental sensitivities can be used for ecological forecasting even when the frequency or variability of environments are changing.
Modulation of iron homeostasis with hepcidin ameliorates spontaneous murine lupus nephritis.

Lupus nephritis is the end organ manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Iron metabolism and its master regulator, hepcidin, are known to regulate cell proliferation and inflammation, but their direct role in the pathophysiology of lupus nephritis remains under-investigated. Exogenous hepcidin reduced the severity of lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice, a preclinical model of spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus without worsening anemia of inflammation. Hepcidin treatment reduced renal iron accumulation, systemic and intrarenal cytokines, and renal immune cell infiltration, independent of glomerular immune complex deposits and circulating autoantibodies. Hepcidin increased renal H-ferritin (a ferroxidase), reduced expression of free iron dependent DNA synthesis enzymes, Ribonucleotide Reductase 1 and 2, and intra-renal macrophage proliferation. These findings were recapitulated in vitro upon treatment of macrophages with hepcidin and murine colony stimulation factor-1. Furthermore, hepcidin-treated macrophages secreted less IL-1β and IL-6 upon stimulation with the TLR3 agonist polyinosine-polycytidylic acid. Of clinical relevance, hepcidin reduced progression and severity of nephritis in old mice with established systemic autoimmunity and overt proteinuria, highlighting its therapeutic potential. Thus, our findings provide a proof-of-concept that targeting cellular iron metabolism with hepcidin represents a promising therapeutic strategy in lupus nephritis.
“MS4 Report”: a Student-Led and Remote Model for Case-Based Learning in Preparation for Residency

Case-based conference preparation is a valuable skill rarely covered in medical school training. We implemented an innovative program to teach fourth-year medical students to prepare and facilitate a virtual case presentation conference with faculty mentorship. Feedback survey results indicated improved confidence in case presentation and in establishing a broad differential.
Bosonic Random Walk Networks for Graph Learning.

The development of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) has led to great progress in machine learning on graph-structured data. These networks operate via diffusing information across the graph nodes while capturing the structure of the graph. Recently there has also seen tremendous progress in quantum computing techniques. In this work, we explore applications of multi-particle quantum walks on diffusing information across graphs. Our model is based on learning the operators that govern the dynamics of quantum random walkers on graphs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method on classification and regression tasks.
Interest on bank reserves and optimal sweeping.

Abstract A key rationale offered by the Federal Reserve for the payment of interest on reserves was to remove the incentive for banks to operate sweep accounts. Sweeping shifts funds from transactions deposits subject to reserve requirements to non-reservable deposits. This paper extends a conventional banking model to analyze sweeping behavior. Sweeping responds positively to increases in bank loan rates and reserve ratios and negatively to increases in the interest rate on reserves or exogenous increases in bank equity. Sweeping generates greater responsiveness in lending to changes in loan rates or the interest rate on reserves and lower responsiveness to changes in reserve ratios or equity than in its absence. Empirical analysis of an explicit condition that we derive suggests that, with an unchanged reserve requirement, the Fed could eliminate sweeping by setting the interest rate on reserves to no less than approximately 4% points below the market loan rate.
Sleep quality and neuropsychological functioning in bipolar I disorder

Abstract Background Individuals with bipolar I disorder (BD-I) experience both poor sleep and neuropsychological dysfunction relative to non-psychiatric populations, which limits functional recovery. Poor sleep adversely affects learning, memory, and executive functioning in healthy individuals; however, little is known about the role of poor sleep in neuropsychological functioning in BD-I. We tested whether sleep disturbance was greater in BD-I than healthy control participants (HC), and compared the effect of sleep quality on learning, memory, and executive functioning between BD-I and HC. Methods Participants with BD-I (N=250) and HC (N=206) completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, neuropsychological testing, and clinician-administered mood measures as part of a naturalistic study of bipolar disorder. We examined effects of both diagnosis and sleep quality on neuropsychological functioning. Results Relative to HC, BD-I showed poorer sleep quality and neuropsychological functioning in verbal learning, verbal and visual memory, processing speed, psychomotor speed, inhibitory control, and selective attention (7/9 domains). Poor sleep quality was associated with poorer verbal learning, verbal fluency, processing speed, and interference control (4/9). Effects of poor sleep on neuropsychological functioning did not differ between BD-I and HC. Limitations The assessment of sleep quality using a self-report measure and the effects of medications/sleeping aids (given the naturalistic study design) should be considered when interpreting results. Conclusions Those with BD-I experiencing poor sleep may also be more vulnerable to verbal learning and executive functioning impairments. The findings of poor sleep in relation to poorer neuropsychological functioning have implications for assessment and treatment of sleep disturbance in BD-I.
SMAC-Survivin apoptotic "switch" is regulated through the PI3K-Src-p at the α1-Na/K-ATPase in NASH related hepatocellular carcinoma: Studies in-vitro/vivo and in humans.

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second and fastest-growing cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Our group has described the signaling properties of the α1-Na/K-ATPase providing a pathway for organogenesis during cell development. We hypothesized that during hepatocarcinogenesis, regulation of Src-phosphorylation at the α1-subunit of the NKA causes an imbalance of the Smac/DIABLO-Survivin apoptotic signaling process, favoring cell division and tumorigenesis. Methods Expression of Cav-1/Smac/Survivin proteins was performed on immuno-stained HCC cell lines (Hep3 & SNU475), and livers from a NASH-HCC rodent model, and humans. Furthermore, signaling pathway studies were explored in-vitro guided by RNA sequencing. Selective blockage of Src-phosphorylation at its kinase domain was performed by administration of a synthetic peptide (33aa = pNaKtide, developed from N domain of Na/K-ATPase). Significant differences among groups were accepted at p < 0.05 using ANOVA/t-test. Results α1-NKA/Src-p inhibition promoted apoptosis of cell lines, and receptor' IC50 drove concomitantly both, Survivin's downregulation and SMAC's upregulation expressions (dose-related, p < 0.01). In-vivo, liver tumor burden was significantly lower in animals treated with pNaKtide (p < 0.01), and the expressions of Cav-1/Survivin were significantly higher in liver tumor tissue from non-treated when compared to treated animals (p < 0.01). A similar pattern of Cav-1 and survivin expressions was noted in tumors from patients with NASH ± HCC when compared to liver tissue from healthy subjects or subjects with liver metastases (p < 0.05). In-vitro, Src-p at the α1-NKA activates PI3K/Akt dependent and independent to EGFr/Grb2 pathways. Conclusions α1-NKA/Src-p in Caveola regulates Survivin/SMAC expressions which in turn modulate a cellular "switch" from apoptosis to cell division involving two signaling pathways.
Repurposing Tech Tools for Game-Based Learning

This chapter uses autoethnography to examine game-based learning approaches to teaching. It begins with an analysis of educational games and concludes that curricular games are goal-driven simulations where players can experiment in a risk-free environment. The author then pulls out the essential elements of game-based learning and examines ways in which free and/or ubiquitous technology tools can be used to design curricular games. This chapter addresses common misconceptions about creating digital games and counters them by showing how technological tools that are commonly used by educators can be repurposed into game creation tools. It emphasizes a game design process where the game is derived from the content in order to enable students to engage in deeper learning. The chapter concludes by encouraging educators to explore and make their own discoveries and to share these discoveries with others.
SIRT6 and Premature Aging of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome Fibroblasts.

SIRT6 AND PREMATURE AGING OF HUTCHINSON-GILFORD PROGERIA SYNDROME FIBROBLASTS. By Helal A. Endisha, MSc. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013. Major Director: Gail E. Christie, Ph.D. Department of Microbiology and Immunology The genetic disease Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) arises from a de novo single nucleotide mutation (1824CT) in the LMNA gene. As a result, the mutated lamin A protein (progerin) remains farnesylated and permanently attached to the nuclear membrane. Progerin accumulates and deforms the nuclear membrane leading to an array of cellular abnormalities