cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of a carbohydrate recognition domain in filamentous hemagglutinin from Bordetella pertussis

The adherence of Bordetella pertussis to ciliated cells and macrophages is critical to colonization and infection of the respiratory tract. Adherence to both types of cells involves the recognition of eukaryotic carbohydrates by the bacterial adhesin filamentous hemagglutinin (Fha). The carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of Fha is considered an important antigen for subcomponent vaccines to maximize the generation of antiadherence antibodies capable of protecting against colonization. For identification of the CRD of Fha, a bank of eight monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that mapped to four contiguous regions were tested for their ability to block Fha binding to lactosylceramide or to block bacterial binding to ciliated cells. Only MAb 12.5A9, which maps to amino acid residues 1141 to 1279, blocked both Fha binding to lactosylceramide and bacterial binding to ciliated cells. An 18-kDa polypeptide corresponding to this region was expressed in Escherichia coli. Cell lysates containing this protein bound to lactosylceramide in a manner identical to that of native Fha. Mutant strains of B. pertussis that contained an in-frame deletion of the coding sequence for this region produced a truncated Fha that showed negligible cross-reactivity with MAb 12.5A9. In an adherence assay, these mutant strains failed to bind efficiently to either ciliated cells or macrophages. The numbers of adherent bacteria for these strains were reduced to the number obtained with a nonadherent strain. We conclude that the region defined by residues 1141 to 1279 of Fha constitutes a CRD critical for bacterial adherence and represents a potential candidate for a subcomponent vaccine.
Job satisfaction among Arizona adult nurse practitioners

Purpose: A literature review for studies of job satisfaction among nurse practitioners (NPs) suggests that the true determinants of job satisfaction have not been discovered. The purpose of this study was to determine job satisfaction among adult health NPs (ANPs) practicing in Arizona. Data sources: The Misener nurse practitioner job satisfaction scale was mailed to 329 Arizona ANPs who were certified by the Arizona State Board of Nursing (47% response rate). Conclusions: The mean overall satisfaction score was 4.69 out of a possible score of 6.0 for very satisfied. Differences in employer type, gender, annual income, membership in professional nursing organization, or full-time versus part-time employment status did not result in significantly different scores on the job satisfaction scale in this group. Implications for practice: A deep and sustained nursing shortage, the exodus of experienced nurses from the profession, and a projected shortage of primary care providers have generated interest among professional groups, private and government healthcare commissions, and the healthcare industry in determining what factors may influence an individual to choose and remain active in nursing practice. Researchers, educators, employers, and the healthcare industry must look beyond well-worn assumptions about job satisfaction to explore what the individual NP finds satisfying about his or her role.
A Native Stochastic Computing Architecture Enabled by Memristors

A two-terminal memristor device is a promising digital memory for its high integration density, substantially lower energy consumption compared to CMOS, and scalability below 10 nm. However, a nanoscale memristor is an inherently stochastic device, and extra energy and latency are required to make a deterministic memory based on memristors. Instead of enforcing deterministic storage, we take advantage of the nondeterministic memory for native stochastic computing, where the randomness required by stochastic computing is intrinsic to the devices without resorting to expensive stochastic number generation. This native stochastic computing system can be implemented as a hybrid integration of memristor memory and simple CMOS stochastic computing circuits. We use an approach called group write to program memristor memory cells in arrays to generate random bit streams for stochastic computing. Three methods are proposed to program memristors using stochastic bit streams and compensate for the nonlinear memristor write function: voltage predistortion, parallel single-pulse write, and downscaled write and upscaled read. To evaluate these technical approaches, we show by simulation a memristor-based stochastic processor for gradient descent optimization, and k-means clustering. The native stochastic computing based on memristors demonstrates key advantages in energy and speed in compute-intensive, data-intensive, and probabilistic applications.
MILLIMETER AND SUB-MILLIMETER WAVE PERFORMANCE OF AN ERAS:INALGAAS SCHOTTKY DIODE COUPLED TO A SINGLE-TURN SQUARE SPIRAL

We report the first experimental results for noise-equivalent power (NEP) and noise-equivalent temperature difference (NETD) of single-crystal ErAs:InAlGaAs, zero-bias rectifier diodes coupled to free space quasi-optically in the THz region. At a frequency of 639 GHz, an optical NEP of 4.0×10−12W/Hz1/2 is measured with the rectifier coupled to a quasi-plane-wave coherent source through a single-turn square spiral antenna. With a broadband thermal (hot water) source, an NETD of 120 mK is measured from the same device. Antenna radiation patterns at 100 GHz and 639 GHz are also presented.
An all-purpose transmission-line model for interconnect simulation in SPICE

A new all-purpose multiconductor transmission-line model is described for efficient and robust interconnect simulation using nonlinear circuit simulators such as SPICE. All types of interconnects, i.e., uniform, nonuniform, lossless, lossy/dispersive, can be handled by the proposed model. Furthermore, coupling of electromagnetic radiation to interconnects can be directly modeled without the need for developing a new subcircuit. Another advantage of the proposed model is that it enables sensitivity analysis with respect to both circuit and interconnect parameters, thus facilitating interconnect circuit optimization. Chebyshev expansions for the spatial variations of the interconnect voltages and currents are used to effect highly accurate numerical approximations of the Telegrapher's equations using as small a number of degrees of freedom as possible. A simple rule of thumb is provided for the selection of the order of the approximation given the frequency bandwidth of interest. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed model and illustrate its application to a variety of interconnect-induced noise interactions in high-speed electronic systems.
Multiphase Ceramics from Combustion-Derived Powders

Ceramic technologies should aim at producing materials with optimum properties for specific functions. In many cases, this means that materials must be well-designed at the microstructural level. However, “a key aspect of microstructures lies in the extent to which they can be realised.”1 To produce components having a designed microstructure with a low degree of random complexity by sintering or hot-pressing powders, high quality powder is required. It is also necessary to realize such a microstructure using cost-effective methods for powder synthesis and production of components. Yet, typical ceramic powder producing methods conform to either the first (high quality powder) or the second (cost effectiveness) requirement only (Table 1). Only combustion synthesis, also called self-propagating high- temperature synthesis (SHS), permits both requirements to be linked most predictably.
Next generation vehicle network (NGVN): Internet access utilizing dynamic discovery protocols

In the near future, vehicles are expected to become a part of the Internet, either as a terminal in a mobile network, as a network node, or as a moving sensor (providing environmental information, cars status, streaming video, etc.) or a combination of the three. This is partly due to the steadily growing interest of vehicles' passengers in location-based information. Drivers and passengers that would want to receive information about traffic jams or accidents in their vicinity will likely be interested in accessing Internet services from within the vehicular network. Access can be gained by using roadside installed Internet Gateways (IGs), which are able to communicate with the vehicles. However, several difficulties must be addressed in such a scenario. Examples are the communication efficiency, mobility support, the discovery of Internet Gateways, and the handover of connections from one gateway to the next. In this paper, we are focusing on the aspect of accessing the Internet from within the vehicle network using a service discovery protocol. We therefore developed a Dynamic Discovery Service (DDS) protocol to discover Internet Gateways which is suitable for the characteristics of future vehicular ad hoc networks. Besides the benefit of efficient service discovery, our protocol is able to choose the most suitable Internet Gateway among others.
Interaction of progesterone with testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on follicle-stimulating hormone release by cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells.

Cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells were utilized to examine the effects of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and progesterone alone as well as the interaction of progesterone with these androgens on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release. Four-day cultures were incubated with the steroids for 48 h to examine their effects on basal FSH release and were then challenged for 6 h with 5 X iO�0 M luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), the approximate concentration required to induce half-maximal FSH release (EC50), to assess the effects of these steroids on LHRH-induced FSH release. Incubation of cultures with either testosterone, dihydrotestosterone or progesterone stimulated 48-h basal FSH release with EC,0 ‘s of 8.6 X 10b0 M, 2.2 X 10b0 M and 6.4 X 1IT’#{176} M, respectively. Progesterone (106 M) was not synergistic nor antagonistic with either testosterone or dihydrotestosterone in stimulating 48-h basal FSH release. Neither testosterone nor dihydrotestosterone altered LHRH-induced FSH release but progesterone (>10’ M) had a stimulatory effect. The stimulatory effect of progesterone on LHRH-induced FSH release was partially reversed by high concentrations (�101 M) of either testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. Each of these 3 steroids increased the total FSH content of culture dishes, suggesting stimulation of FSH synthesis. Progesterone was slightly synergistic with dihydrostestosterone, but not with testosterone, in stimulating total FSH. Because dihydrotestosterone was approximately 4-fold more potent than testosterone in stimulating basal FSH release, we examined the effect of testosterone in the presence of heparin, a substance which may be used to inhibit steroid 5o-reductase activity. Unexpectedly, the addition of 1000 U/mI heparmn increased 48-h basal, testosterone- and LHRH-induced FSH release.
Ground-water problems in Ohio, with special reference to the industrial area of Cincinnati in Butler and Hamilton counties

The importance of ground-water as a natural resource to be used for water-supply and industrial purposes is often overlooked by the general public. A recent survey conducted by the Engineering News-Record [see 1 of “References” at end of paper], based on data obtained from State Sanitary engineers, shows that 9,100 out of a total of 12,700 public water-supply systems in the United States obtain water from underground sources. Of the total population served by public water-supplies, about 28 per cent or 22,500,000 people are served by systems using ground-water. In addition to the quantities of water pumped for public supplies, many million gallons of ground-water are pumped daily for rural, domestic, and industrial purposes. In many of the cities that have public supplies from surface-sources, there is nevertheless heavy pumping from private wells for industrial purposes.
M&A due diligence: How to uncover corruption

Corporate balance sheets in the United States currently show an excess of cash. And to make earnings-conscious shareholders happy, many corporate managers will funnel that cash into more merger-and-acquisition (M&A) activity. But M&A is never without risk, warn the authors of this article. And they caution managers that their M&A due diligence should not overlook the existence of possible corruption and bribery in an acquired company. The authors also include a handy checklist to help corporate managers find possible problems when examining a target company. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elaboration of flavonoid-induced proteins by the nitrogen-fixing soybean symbiont Rhizobium fredii is regulated by both nodD1 and nodD2, and is dependent on the cultivar-specificity locus, nolXWBTUV

Genistein and other flavonoids from host legumes are known to stimulate cells of the nitrogen-fixing soybean symbiont Rhizobium fredii to synthesize Nod factors, which function as signals during nodule initiation. Flavonoids also trigger R. fredii to secrete a set of signal-responsive (SR) proteins into the environment. By insertion mutagenesis, we showed that secretion of SR proteins by this organism has an absolute dependence on the regulatory gene nodD1. We isolated and sequenced nodD1 and nodD2 of R. fredii USDA257 and constructed strains containing additional, plasmid-borne copies of these genes. Extra copies of nodD1 had no effect on secretion of SR proteins, but extra copies of nodD2 rendered the process constitutive. Extracts from seeds of the soybean cultivars McCall and Peking can substitute for purified flavonoids as inducers of SR proteins. The nolXWBTUV locus is known to control cultivar-specific nodulation of McCall soybean in a negative, flavonoid-dependent manner. Inactivation of any of these genes prevented SR proteins from accumulating in culture fluids. Protein secretion in response to host signals was a characteristic of nine out of ten R. fredii strains tested. Immunological probes failed to detect SR3 or SR5 in mature soybean or cowpea nodules. Although the functions of these proteins remain unknown, their potential role in symbiosis is strengthened by the discovery that their accumulation depends on nodD1, nodD2 and nolXWBTUV.
Systemic properties of ensembles of metabolic networks: application of graphical and statistical methods to simple unbranched pathways.

Motivation: Mathematical models are the only realistic method for representing the integrated dynamic behavior of complex biochemical networks. However, it is difficult to obtain a consistent set of values for the parameters that characterize such a model. Even when a set of parameter values exists, the accuracy of the individual values is questionable. Therefore, we were motivated to explore statistical techniques for analyzing the properties of a given model when knowledge of the actual parameter values is lacking. Results: The graphical and statistical methods presented in the previous paper are applied here to simple unbranched biosynthetic pathways subject to control by feedback inhibition. We represent these pathways within a canonical nonlinear formalism that provides a regular structure that is convenient for randomly sampling the parameter space. After constructing a large ensemble of randomly generated sets of parameter values, the structural and behavioral properties of the model with these parameter sets are examined statistically and classified. The results of our analysis demonstrate that certain properties of these systems are strongly correlated, thereby revealing aspects of organization that are highly probable independent of selection. Finally, we show how specification of a given behavior affects the distribution of acceptable parameter values.
Catheter-Induced Venous Spasm

Digital subtraction venography provides invaluable anatomic and hemodynamic information about the venous system, particularly in patients with congenital venous anomalies. An 18-year–old male patient with congenital phlebectasia of the superficial and deep veins of the left calf associated with anomalous veins presented with pain and heaviness. Prior to percutaneous occlusion of the ectatic veins, sonographic image demonstrated a patent popliteal vein (Figure 1). Multiple venous accesses were obtained to study the lower extremity venous drainage. Antegrade venography via an anterior tibial vein and retrograde venography via left …
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF VERTEBRAL FRACTURES IN WOMEN

Vertebral fracture prevalence was assessed in an age-stratified random sample of Rochester, Minnesota women aged 50 years and over. Vertebral fractures, including wedge and concavity as well as compression fractures, were common and increased with age. The estimated incidence of new vertebral fractures also rose with age, reaching 29.6 per 1,000 person-years in women aged greater than or equal to 85 years. The prevalence of one or more vertebral fractures also increased with declining bone mass, reaching 42% in women with spinal bone mineral density less than 0.6 g/cm2 by dual photon absorptiometry. Bone mass and age contributed independently to the risk of vertebral fracture, but "age" may reflect other manifestations of osteoporosis.
Anomalous behavior of CGP 12177A on beta 1-adrenergic receptors.

AbstractCGP 12177A originally was developed as a hydrophilic antagonist to detect cell surface β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors, and sub-sequently was found to be a partial agonist for the atypical or β3-adrenergic receptor. Using hamster cells stably expressing either the human β1-, human β2- or rat β1-adrenergic receptor, we found that CGP 12177A behaved as an agonist for β1-adrenergic receptors. Whereas at low concentrations, CGP 12177A behaved as an antagonist and inhibited isoproterenol stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity, at higher concentrations, it stimulated a response even in the absence of isoproterenol. The agonistic properties of CGP 12177A were positively correlated with the level of β1-adrenergic receptor expression. Thus, at low receptor densities, CGP 12177A behaved as a weak, partial agonist whereas as high receptor densities, the drug was a full agonist. At similar high densities of the β2-adrenergic receptor, CGP 12177A acted only as a partial agonist. Competition binding studies t...
What Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis Teaches Us About Multiple Sclerosis

After 37 years of study of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) and multiple sclerosis (MS) I obviously know more about these conditions than I did when I began, but two questions arise: 1) Could I have predicted where I am now sufficiently clearly to have convinced any granting agency to support my research for these 37 years, and 2) from my vantage point can I predict how and when the puzzle will be solved? Of course, the answer to both questions is no — the first, emphatically no; the second, more questioningly so. I have the impression I am looking over a photographer’s shoulder, watching a picture being developed, with the more heavily exposed portions appearing first, apparently randomly scattered and only slowly coalescing to provide some details while the whole picture is still not recognizable.
TAILORED RESEARCH: ON GETTING THE RIGHT FIT BETWEEN MACROLEVEL THEORY AND MICRO-LEVEL DATA

Ethnographers often criticize broad theoretical models, such as the one offered by General Systems Theory, as being insensitive to unique historical processes and events that can dramatically affect decision-making at the local level. Using data drawn fromboth a Greek and an Irish rural community, this work examines the validity of such criticism and concludes that there is no necessary inconsistency between variable-level theory and data, provided that the ethnography itself incorporates the appropriate kinds of data.
A Review of “Twenty-First-Century Access Services: On the Front Line of Academic Librarianship”

Twenty-First-Century Access Services: On the Front Line of Academic Librarianship can best be summed up as a textbook on access services in the academic arena. The chapters are written by access se...
Re-refined Base Oil Characterization and Consistency Monitoring

Qualite de l'huile de base. Caracterisation des huiles de base reraffinees. Comparaison entre les huiles de base reraffinees et les huiles de base vierges. Proprietes physiques etc...
Emergence of Root-feeding Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Central Georgia Peach Orchards

Abstract Injury to peach, Prunus persicae (L.) Batsch, roots is common by several plant pathogen species and by larvae of the peachtree borer, Synanthedon exitiosa Say (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae). External feeding injury to peach roots was observed that was not consistent with S. exitiosa injury but was suspected to be caused by the larvae of root-feeding weevil species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Thus, we used conical emergence traps for 3 yr to sample in unsprayed peach orchards (within the dripline of trees and at missing tree sites) to monitor for root-feeding weevils. Fuller rose beetle, Naupactus cervinus (Boheman), whitefringed beetles, Naupactus spp., and the twobanded Japanese weevil, Callirhopalus bifasciatus (Roelofs), (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were captured at significantly higher numbers within the dripline of the tree than at missing tree sites. Adult N. cervinus emerged from soil year around; whereas, the other 2 species had seasonal emergence. In commercial peach orchards comprised of culti...
Chronic Recurrent Abdominal Pain

1. Brian A. McFerron, MD* 2. Shamaila Waseem, MD* 1. *Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology/Hepatology and Nutrition, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN. * Abbreviations: CBT: : cognitive behavioral therapy FGID: : functional gastrointestinal disorder GI: : gastrointestinal IBS: : irritable bowel syndrome Chronic abdominal pain in childhood accounts for 2% to 4% of office visits to primary care clinicians and 50% to pediatric gastroenterologists. Differentiation among organic gastrointestinal, organic non-gastrointestinal, and functional gastrointestinal disorders can be difficult, but specific criteria are available. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Develop a differential diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain in children. 2. Be aware of alarming signs and symptoms that could indicate organic disease. 3. Differentiate the four abdominal pain–associated functional gastrointestinal disorders in children as outlined by the Rome III criteria. 4. Discuss the role of acid peptic disorders as it pertains to chronic abdominal pain in children. 5. Discuss the role of lactase deficiency as it pertains to chronic abdominal pain in children. 6. Determine when referral to a pediatric specialist is warranted. Chronic abdominal pain in childhood is encountered frequently by primary care physicians, subspecialists, and surgical specialists alike. This symptom accounts for 2% to 4% of office visits to primary care clinicians and 50% of office visits to pediatric gastroenterologists. (1)(2) Chronic abdominal pain is defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2005 clinical report as “long-lasting intermittent or constant abdominal pain that is functional or organic.” (3) Chronic abdominal pain in children ignites significant anxiety in both patients and their families. In addition, the economic impact on health care is substantial. Furthermore, the short- and long-term effects on school attendance, academic performance, and peer interaction cannot be understated. The exact prevalence of chronic abdominal pain is not known. However, it has been suggested that 13% to 17% of the pediatric population experience chronic abdominal pain. (1) Of note, there are …
Taking the Initiative: Direct Legislation and Direct Democracy in the 1980s

The last decade has seen a resurgence in interest in three direct democracy devices—the initiative, the popular referendum and the recall. These processes reflect the Progressive Era reformers' aim of enlarging the role of citizens and voters as well as restricting or checking the power of intermediary institutions such as state and local legislatures, political parties, and elected executives. The focus of this article is to examine the increased use of the initiative and popular referendum at the state level as well as how the process actually works. The related processes of the recall and teledemocracy are addressed in other articles in this symposium.Statewide Provisions for Initiative, Popular Referendum and RecallThe initiative process permits petitioners to write and, if a sufficient number of valid signatures are gathered, place those proposals on the ballot. The initiative can be placed directly on the ballot (the direct initiative); or before the legislature. If the legislature does not enact the measure or otherwise satisfy the sponsors of the initiative, the sponsors can gather additional signatures and place their proposal on the ballot (the indirect initiative). Five times as many states have the direct initiative as the indirect and, in states that permit both, proponents typically prefer to go directly to the ballot.
Circle Through Three Given Points

(1971). Circle Through Three Given Points. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 44, No. 5, pp. 279-282.
Statistical Evaluation of Rans Simulations Compared To Experiments for A Model Premixer

AbstractThis paper investigates the ability of computationally time efficient CFD models to predict mixing of hydrogen and air in a model premixer with a complex 3D geometry. Axial and radial injection of hydrogen into swirling and non-swirling air streams at standard and elevated pressures and temperatures conditions are considered. Statistical analysis is applied to the results of comparison between experimental measurements and numerical simulations. The analysis of variance suggests that, for non-swirling flows, reasonable numerical predictions can be made if appropriate modeling parameters, such as turbulence model and turbulent Schmidt number, are considered. Comparing the results at standard conditions to those at elevated pressures and temperatures suggests that the conclusions at standard conditions may hold if appropriate scaling parameters are utilized.
Politics as Usual or Transformation? Mobile & Internet-Enabled Political Participation in Emerging East Asia and South America Democracies

This research explores the published literature on information communication technologies (ICTs) and political participation in East Asian and Latin America; two regions with the highest rate of ICT use, in relation to two questions: (1) How do the youth/subaltern movements and political parties in both regions use ICTs during periods of political contestation?; and (2) What are the regional differences, if any, in how these groups use ICTs during political conflict?. In order to explore these differences, my presentation will share survey data from college students and members of political parties taken during two highly volatile political events of two of my case studies: (2013 Presidential elections in Chile and the 2014 Sunflower Student Movement in Taiwan). Preliminary findings reveal differences in how youth and political parties in each country use ICTs for political action and campaigning. At the same time, political parties mostly use ICTs as another communication tool, rarely taking advantage of its interactive capabilities. As a result, even though political parties in both countries do find that ICTs do help to facilitate interpersonal discussions, political involvement and political engagement (Polat, 2005; Ward etc. al., 2003); there are no new linkages being built between citizens and political parties and so party organization in either country is not being evolved.
Depression in Medical Practice

The depressive syndromes may be classified in three groups: psychotic, psychoneurotic and drug-induced.Treatment may be either medical or psychiatric, the choice being based on the best individual approach for the patient. Factors involved in the choice of management are discussed.The authors present a standardized human bio-assay technic and associated psychologic testing technics for evaluating patient response to the antidepressant drugs, and offer a sequential regimen of treatment.
Prevalence and Predictors of Fruit Intake Among Community College Women in the Extended Opportunity Program and Services

This study examined fruit intake among 276 female Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) community college students. Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors associated with fruit intake were determined. The attitudes which are potential predictors of daily fruit intake were also examined. Analysis showed that 33% ate fewer than the minimum recommended two daily servings of fruit. Students reported that fruit gave them energy, taste and cost were not barriers to consumption and that it would not be difficult to increase daily fruit consumption. A linear regression analysis revealed that beliefs that eating fruit leads to good health, having a habit of eating fruit, feeling energy, and weight loss accounted for 30% of the variance in fruit intake.
History of Mesenteric Vascular Disease

Although it is generally stated in any short historical introduction to an article concerning chronic mesenteric ischemia that Dunphy first correlated chronic abdominal pain to subsequent mesenteric artery occlusion and gut infarction in 1936, his paper did not arise suddenly from a barren field (Dunphy JE, Abdominal pain of vascular origin, Am J Med Sci. 1936;192:109–13). The problem with “mesenteric occlusion” and death from ischemic necrotic bowel had interested physicians for years previously. The problem was a complex one, but the impediments to understanding mesenteric ischemia and treating it were dishearteningly simple: neither diagnostic angiography nor vascular intervention was extant. Diagnosis was made during exploratory laparotomy for acute abdominal crises or at autopsy. Bowel resection was the sole surgical option.
Review: Prophylactic use of granulocyte colony–stimulating factor reduces febrile neutropenia and short-term mortality in cancer

Source Citation Kuderer NM, Dale DC, Crawford J, Lyman GH. Impact of primary prophylaxis with granulocyte colony–stimulating factor on febrile neutropenia and mortality in adult cancer patients rec...
A Pilot Study on Developing a Standardized and Sensitive School Violence Risk Assessment with Manual Annotation

School violence has increased over the past decade and innovative, sensitive, and standardized approaches to assess school violence risk are needed. In our current feasibility study, we initialized a standardized, sensitive, and rapid school violence risk approach with manual annotation. Manual annotation is the process of analyzing a student’s transcribed interview to extract relevant information (e.g., key words) to school violence risk levels that are associated with students’ behaviors, attitudes, feelings, use of technology (social media and video games), and other activities. In this feasibility study, we first implemented school violence risk assessments to evaluate risk levels by interviewing the student and parent separately at the school or the hospital to complete our novel school safety scales. We completed 25 risk assessments, resulting in 25 transcribed interviews of 12–18 year olds from 15 schools in Ohio and Kentucky. We then analyzed structured professional judgments, language, and patterns associated with school violence risk levels by using manual annotation and statistical methodology. To analyze the student interviews, we initiated the development of an annotation guideline to extract key information that is associated with students’ behaviors, attitudes, feelings, use of technology and other activities. Statistical analysis was applied to associate the significant categories with students’ risk levels to identify key factors which will help with developing action steps to reduce risk. In a future study, we plan to recruit more subjects in order to fully develop the manual annotation which will result in a more standardized and sensitive approach to school violence assessments.
Age-Dependent Hepatic UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Gene Expression and Activity in Children.

ABSTRACT UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are important phase II drug metabolism enzymes. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between age and changes in mRNA expression and activity of major human hepatic UGTs, as well as to understand the potential regulatory mechanism underlying this relationship. Using previously generated data, we investigated age-dependent mRNA expression levels of 11 hepatic UGTs (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A5, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, UGT2B4, UGT2B7, UGT2B10, UGT2B15 and UGT2B17) and 16 transcription factors (AHR, AR, CAR, ESR2, FXR, GCCR, HNF1a, HNF3a, HNF3b, HNF4a, PPARA, PPARG, PPARGC, PXR, SP1, and STAT3) in liver tissue of donors (n = 38) ranging from 0 to 25 years of age. We also examined the correlation between age and microsomal activities using 14 known UGT drug substrates in the liver samples (n = 19) of children donors. We found a statistically significant increase (nominal p < 0.05) in the expression of UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A5, UGT1A6, UGT2B7 and UGT2B17, as well as glucuronidation activities of serotonin, testosterone, and vorinostat during the first 25 years of life. Expression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and pregnane X receptor (PXR), two strong UGT transcriptional regulators, were significantly correlated with both age and UGT mRNA expression (p ≤ 0.05). These results suggest that both UGT expression and activity increase during childhood and adolescence, possibly driven in part by hormonal signaling. Our findings may help explain inter-patient variability in response to medications among children.
Epigenetic Inactivation of Notch Signaling Target Genes HES in B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The Notch signaling pathway has been implicated in multiple functions during normal hemato-lymphoid development. It also plays critical roles in T-cell leukemogenesis through influencing T-cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. In contrast, we have previously reported a tumor suppressor role in B-cell leukemias, where Notch signaling leads to growth inhibition and apoptosis. The Notch target genes Hairy/Enhancer of Split (HES1-7) encode transcriptional repressors with basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domains. Functional and phenotypic analyses of some of the HES family members have been reported, however, expression and epigenetic regulation of the HES family in leukemia is largely unknown. Using Methylated CpG Island Amplification (MCA) / DNA promoter microarray, we identified several HES family genes as hypermethylated in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B ALL). We further investigated the comprehensive methylation profiles of HES family genes in a panel of leukemia cell lines and ALL patient samples by bisulfite pyrosequencing. Aberrant DNA methylation of HES2, HES4, HES5 and HES6 was detected in most B ALL cell lines including B-JAB, RS4:11, REH, Raji and Ramos but not in normal B cell controls. In contrast, in T cell leukemia cell lines such as Molt4, PEER, T-ALL1 and J-TAG, these genes were generally unmethylated. In B ALL patient samples, the frequencies of DNA methylation in the promoter regions of these genes were 25% for HES2, 50% for HES4, 76% for HES5 and 71% for HES6. Expression analysis of HES4, HES5 and HES6 in leukemia cell lines by real-time PCR further confirmed methylation associated gene silencing. Treatment of methylated/silenced cell lines with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5’-aza-2’-deoxycytidine resulted in HES gene re-expression. Finally, forced re-expression of HES5 and HES6 in methylation silenced Rs4 and REH cell lines inhibited cell growth. These results suggest that the Notch/HES signaling pathway is epigenetically-inactivated in B ALL. These data support the role of the HES family as tumor suppressors in pre-B ALL and establish epigenetic modulation as a novel mechanism of Notch pathway regulation. We anticipate that therapies capable of activating Notch/HES signaling may have therapeutic potential in B cell leukemias.
Improving Hospital Performance Rankings Using Discrete Patient Diagnoses for Risk Adjustment of Outcomes.

Objective To assess the changes in patient outcome prediction and hospital performance ranking when incorporating diagnoses as risk adjusters rather than comorbidity indices. Data Sources Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases for New York State, 2005–2009. Study Design Conducted tree-based classification for mortality and readmission by incorporating discrete patient diagnoses as predictors, comparing with traditional comorbidity indices such as those used for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) outcome models. Principal Findings Diagnosis codes as predictors increased predictive accuracy 5.6 percent (95% CI: 4.5–6.9 percent) relative to CMS condition categories for heart failure 30-day mortality. Most other outcomes exhibited statistically significant accuracy gains and facility ranking shifts. Sensitivity analysis showed improvements even when predictors were limited to only the diagnoses included in CMS models. Conclusions Discretizing patient severity information beyond the levels of traditional comorbidity indices improves patient outcome predictions and substantially shifts facility rankings.
Does the Screening Status of Message Characters Affect Message Effects

Public health messages can be used to increase awareness about colorectal cancer screenings. Free or inexpensive images for creating health messages are readily available, yet little is known about how a pictured individual's engagement in the behavior of interest affects message outcomes. Participants ( N = 360), aged 50 to 75 years, completed an online survey in which they viewed a colorectal cancer screening message and were then randomly assigned to view one of four different messages about the pictured individual's screening status. Analyses revealed no significant differences in message credibility, message effectiveness, or screening intention among the four conditions. The pictured individual's level of knowledge was rated significantly lower among those participants who were told the screening status of the pictured individual was unknown, compared with those who received no screening status information, U = 3574.50, p = .005. Future studies could build on the design of this study to examine the effects of using free or purchased images on intent to screen and other message outcomes over time.
The effect of antipyretics on immune response and fever following receipt of inactivated influenza vaccine in young children.

Background Antipyretics reduce fever following childhood vaccinations; after inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) they might ameliorate fever and thereby decrease febrile seizure risk, but also possibly blunt the immune response. We assessed the effect of antipyretics on immune responses and fever following IIV in children ages 6 through 47 months.
Pavan v. Smith: Equality for Gays and Lesbians in Being Married, Not Just in Getting Married

Did the United States Supreme Court’s landmark 2015 marriage equality decision, Obergefell v. Hodges, provide only a narrow and specific right of same-sex couples to obtain state-issued marriage licenses and to have their extant marriages recognized in a new state? Or, was the decision intended to go further—to vindicate the equality and dignity of gays and lesbians at a deeper level—by affirming not only their capacity to enter into marital relationships, but also their capacity to fully participate in the social institution of marriage as it is regulated by American law and understood by contemporary American society? The Court answered that question, at least partially, in one of its last decisions of the October Term 2016, Pavan v. Smith, which dealt with the right of same-sex couples to have their names listed on their childrens' birth certificates. Yet the Court may not have been clear and definitive enough in Pavan to prevent continued efforts in some states to deny gays and lesbians the full meaning of marriage equality.
Emerging ADAS Thermal Reliability Needs and Solutions

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs) used for pedestrian detection, parking assist, night vision, blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and other such capabilities have significantly enhanced car safety and reduced the risk of dangerous accidents. Their further evolution into a network of intelligent systems using vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications is paving the way for autonomous driving. To support these advanced technologies, automotive electronics must be overhauled to enable machine learning capabilities, particularly deep learning, to transform the typical car into a smart system on wheels. Thermal reliability is critical because these high-power, intelligent electronics systems must last more than 10 years under often hostile thermal environments. This article presents an innovative multiphysics solution for thermal, thermal-aware electromigration, and thermal-induced stress analysis of a chip-package-system realized in 3DIC, an example of which is an AI system used in ADAS.
Overall severities of gastrointestinal symptoms in pediatric outpatients with and without autism spectrum disorder.

In order to determine the effectiveness of a Gastrointestinal Severity Index to screen for gastrointestinal disorders, the Gastrointestinal Severity Index was administered to 135 children with auti...
Kurdistan: The Taiwan of the Middle East?

Taiwan and Kurdistan appear to have little in common, but the progressive values of these two societies embedded within hostile regions make them both natural allies and important strategic assets in the U.S.’s and international community’s long-term fight against authoritarianism and radical religious theocracies. Instead, they have been ignored and/or exploited in the pursuit of short-term geopolitical and economic interests in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, which comes at great cost to American and international values as well as long-term strategic interests, so both citizens and policymakers must consider new approaches.
Recent advances in surface elemental mapping via glow discharge atomic spectrometry

Abstract Glow discharge atomic spectrometry has been very popular for direct solid, quantitative, conductive and non-conductive materials characterization. Lateral resolution capabilities, however, have been very limited. Described in this review are the advantages and current limitations of glow discharge surface elemental mapping, coupled with optical emission or mass spectrometry, along with recent advances in measurement strategies to overcome many of the conventional limitations. Recent applications, including glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) ultra-high throughput elemental mapping of thin films and combinatorial libraries utilizing glow discharge as an excitation source are presented. Also, current advances for extending the lateral and depth resolution capabilities of GDOES elemental mapping to larger samples by adapting the discharge chamber design are discussed. In addition, the realization of glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS) elemental mapping through a pixel-by-pixel rastering method is reviewed, along with the potential advantages. Furthermore, the three-dimensional elemental mapping capabilities recently displayed by GDOES are considered to show the future trends, which include the potential of allowing elemental mapping protocols previously reserved for fundamental studies to be implemented for routine diagnostic mapping of high sample numbers.
Enzyme Entrapment in Erythrocytes and Liposomes for the Treatment of Lysosomal Storage Diseases

Exploratory trials of enzyme replacement therapy have been stimulated by advances in the elucidation and characterization of the specific enzymatic defects in many inborn errors of metabolism, particularly the lysosomal storage diseases. The rationale for enzyme therapy for these disorders evolved from two fundamental observations: (1) the identification of lysosomes as the subcellular site of pathology, and (2) the elucidation of the basic role of the lysosome in cellular catabolism. Thus, it was reasoned that, after endocytosis, exogenous enzyme would be brought into contact with substrate by fusion of the various components of the lysosomal apparatus (de Duve, 1964).
Shape-Value Abstraction for Verifying Linearizability

This paper presents a novel abstraction for heap-allocated data structures that keeps track of both their shape and their contents. By combining this abstraction with thread-local analysis and rely-guarantee reasoning, we can verify a collection of fine-grained blocking and non-blocking concurrent algorithms for an arbitrary (unbounded) number of threads. We prove that these algorithms are linearizable, namely equivalent (modulo termination) to their sequential counterparts.
Calcium Transport by the Proximal Tubule

The proximal tubule contributes to renal handling of calcium by reabsorbing approximately 60% of the filtered quantity (Lassiter et al., 1963). Studies employing in vivo and in vitro perfusion of single proximal tubules have begun to provide some information about the transport mechanisms that contribute to recovery of filtered calcium by the proximal tubule.
ABET accreditation: what do the new guidelines mean to me?

ABET Computing guidelines have gone through a major change. They are much more flexible and allow for a greater variety of programs and departments (even small ones)! Most (if not all) of the specific numbers are gone. These changes make accreditation more accessible to more programs. This session will explain the new guidelines and talk about what is needed for accreditation.
Income disparities in smoking cessation and the diffusion of smoke-free homes among U.S. smokers: Results from two longitudinal surveys.

Background Lower rates of successful quitting among low-income populations in the United States may be from slower dissemination of smoke-free homes, a predictor of cessation. Objectives To explore the role of smoke-free homes in cessation behavior across income levels. Participants Current smokers who were ≥18 years and who participated in the longitudinal 2002–2003 (n = 2801) or 2010–2011 (n = 2723) Tobacco Use Supplements to the Current Population Survey. Measurements We categorized income as multiples of the federal poverty level (FPL) (<300% FPL versus ≥300% FPL). We examined the association of smoke-free homes with 1+day quit attempts and 30+days abstinence at 1-year follow-up. We then conducted a mediation analysis to examine the extent that smoke-free homes contributed to income disparities in 30+days abstinence. Results Between the two surveys, heavy smoking (≥ 1 pack/day) declined by 17%, and smoking prevalence declined by 15% among those with higher-incomes (>300%FPL). Although similar in 2002, the prevalence of smoke-free homes was 33% lower among individuals living <300% FPL than those living ≥300% FPL. Although the quit attempt rate was similar, the 30+days abstinence rate was higher in the 2010–11 cohort than in 2002–3 cohort (20.6% versus 15.5%, p<0.008). Whereas smoking ≥ 1 pack/ day was associated with lower odds of 30+days abstinence (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.7; 95% CI 0.5–0.9), having a higher income (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4–2.6) and a smoke-free home (AOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.1) were associated with greater odds of 30+day abstinence. Differential changes in smoke-free homes across income groups between the two surveys contributed to 36% (95% CI 35.7–36.3) of the observed income disparity in 30+days abstinence. Conclusions Increasing the diffusion of smoke-free homes among low-income populations may attenuate at least a third of the income disparities in smoking cessation, highlighting the need for interventions to increase adoption of smoke-free homes among low-income households.