cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of electrode composition on the partial discharge characteristics of a dielectric elastomer actuator system

Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (DEAs) are electroactive polymers capable of achieving high actuation. The key to achieving these high actuation strains is to make both the electrodes and the elastomer highly compliant without sacrificing their dielectric strength or conductivity. DEAs, because they are soft materials designed to exert mechanical stress, often break down because of mechanical phenomena less common in other, rigid, high voltage systems. This work explores the use of partial discharge activity as a precursor to breakdown for DEAs. A variety of electrodes have been used, powdered electrodes and conductive greases are of particular interest because they provide negligible increases to the stiffness of the actuator, allowing greater strains. An increase in partial discharge is seen from the use of less rigid electrodes, resulting in a trade-off between mechanical performance and electrical aging. Additionally, it has been found that the electrodes' properties, such as thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and active area affect the electrical performance of the DEA. This paper presents a comparison of partial discharge characteristics based on electrode composition.
Dark Matter + Higgs($$\rightarrow b\bar{b}$$): Overview

This chapter presents an overview of the analysis in search of dark matter (DM) produced in association with a Higgs boson in the \(h \rightarrow b\bar{b}\) channel [1]. For other types of collider searches for DM, see Chap. 5 This chapter is organized as follows: Sect. 6.1 briefly states the physics motivation for such a search; the models used for this analysis, including both EFT models and a simplified model, are introduced in Sect. 6.2; and Sect. 6.3 describes the two analysis methods used in this analysis, categorized by the way the Higgs boson is reconstructed.
Satellite Data and Climate Models

In this brief chapter, Lloyd sets the stage for the following three papers, most centrally, Santer et al. (2008a), which discusses whether the satellite data fit with climate models. Its target is a paper by Douglass et al. (Douglass DH, Christy JR, Pearson BD, Singer SF, A comparison of tropical temperature trends with model predictions. Int J Climatology 28:1693–1701, 2008), which claimed that satellite and weather balloon data showed that the climate models were wrong and could not be trusted. The Santer and Wigley “Fact Sheet” (Chap. 4) gives a nontechnical summary of what is wrong with the Douglass paper, while the full story is in Chap. 5, a reprint of the Santer et al. (2008a) paper. The context and import of this work is discussed in Lloyd (Chap. 6). In this introduction, Lloyd emphasizes the timeliness of this work, as climate deniers testify in Congress presently.
Hydrogen-Enriched Syngas from Biomass Steam Gasification for Use in Land-Based Gas Turbine Engines

This paper presents the results from an experimental study on the production of hydrogen-enriched syngas through un-catalyzed steam biomass gasification. Wood pellets were gasified using a 100 kWth fluidized bed gasifier at temperatures up to 850 °C. The syngas hydrogen concentration was found to increase with both bed temperature and steam–to-biomass weight ratio, reaching a maximum of 51 %. The overall energy conversion to syngas (based on heating value) also increased with bed temperature but was inversely proportional to the steam-to-biomass ratio. The maximum heating value measured was 16.1 MJ/m3, occurring at a temperature of 697 °C, a S/B of 0.7, and a residence time of 1.9 s. The maximum energy conversion to syngas was found to be 68 %. Further analysis revealed that to produce syngas with high hydrogen concentration, inert-fluidized gasification was the most efficient method tested in this study. While fluidized bed gasification with CaO was found to be less efficient than inert-bed gasification, it does produce syngas with higher hydrogen concentration.
THE FORMATION OF GLYCOCYAMINE IN MAN AND ITS URINARY EXCRETION

Glycocyamine was first isolated from human and dog urine and identified by Weber (1-3). He supported the view that glycocyamine is a normal precursor of creatine and that its appearance in urine (2) is “an overflow phenomenon of an intermediate metabolic product ...” He expressed no views on the mechanism of its formation.
Understanding the Gender Schema of Female Engineering Students: A Balanced Sex-Type and an Ideal of Autonomy

For both females and males, the decision to become engineers rests upon academic interest as well as encouragement from teachers, parents, or mentors. However, because engineering is still stereotyped as a predominantly masculine profession, females are faced with one additional prerequisite: flexible and accommodating gender schemas. These gender schemas form over time through socialization and may align very closely to, or even formally reject, the dominant social ideal. For women, this ideal is one of femininity, and women who have gender schemas that tightly adhere to it are unlikely to choose masculine-stereotyped careers. Do, then, the gender schemas of female engineering students stray from the social ideal? Research combining in-depth interviews and a standardized survey instrument identifies and explores such deviation. This paper presents the research findings and their implications on the broader issues of gender diversity in engineering.
Primary placement of a skin-level Cecostomy Tube for Antegrade Colonic Enema Administration Using a Modification of the Laparoscopic-Assisted Percutaneous Endoscopic Cecostomy (LAPEC).

Abstract Purpose Children failing medical management for severe constipation and/or fecal incontinence may undergo surgical intervention for antegrade enema administration. We present a modification of the laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic cecostomy (LAPEC) procedure that allows primary placement of a skin-level device. Methods A single-institution retrospective review was performed from 2009 to 2015. In the modified technique the colonoscope is advanced to the cecum, cecal suspension sutures are placed under laparoscopic visualization, and percutaneous needle puncture of the cecum is performed under direct laparoscopic and endoscopic visualization. A skin-level cecostomy tube is then placed over a guide wire. Patient characteristics and 30-day results were analyzed by Fisher's exact test. Results Fifty-two patients underwent attempted LAPEC. Successful LAPEC using both laparoscopic and endoscopic guidance was achieved in 46 (88.5%). A MIC-KEY device was placed in 38. Corflo PEG tube placement was necessary in 14 due to high BMI (mean 28.4). Colonoscopy failed to reach the cecum in 6 and laparoscopy alone was utilized to achieve successful tube placement. Cecostomy site infections occurred in 3 (5.8%), only in those undergoing PEG placement using a pull technique (p Conclusion Primary placement of a skin-level device was successful in the majority of patients undergoing cecostomy tube placement for bowel management utilizing antegrade colonic enemas. This technique avoids a second anesthesia for tube conversion. Visualization via colonoscopy with the use of cecal suspension sutures is recommended. High BMI necessitates initial placement of a PEG tube and complications exclusively occurred in this group. Type of Study Clinical. Level of Evidence IV Case series study.
Hematologic Challenges in ICU Patients with Malignancy

Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer and associated with a high economic burden. Oncogenes activate blood coagulation as an integral feature of neoplastic transformation whereby cancer cells support clot formation and clotting proteins support cancer growth and dissemination. A complex coagulopathy develops characterized by activation of clotting mechanisms to different extents, and its manifestations may range from a subclinical asymptomatic hypercoagulable state to overt thrombosis of the large vessels and further to systemic disseminated intravascular coagulation with severe bleeding. ICU risk factors including mechanical ventilation, pharmacologic sedation, immobilization, vasopressor use, and central venous catheters place cancer patients at higher risk of venous thromboembolism. Other hematologic challenges associated with cancer and its treatment include thrombotic microangiopathies, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Hemorrhagic complications are often related to thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopathies, and coagulation factor deficiencies. Hematologic toxicity from chemotherapy and novel immunotherapeutic agents are also an important consideration in ICU patients with malignancy.
Applying a Computational Model Credibility Framework to Physiological Closed-Loop Controlled Medical Device Testing

Physiological closed-loop controlled medical devices are safety-critical systems that combine patient monitors with therapy delivery devices to automatically titrate therapy to meet a patient's current need. Computational models of physiological systems can be used to test these devices and generate pre-clinical evidence of safety and performance before using the devices on patients. The credibility, utility, and acceptability of such model-based test results will depend on, among other factors, the computational model used. We examine how a recently developed risk-informed framework for establishing the credibility of computational models in medical device applications can be applied in the evaluation of physiological closed-loop controlled devices.
Dowsing for nodal lines in a topological semimetal.

In PNAS, Shao et al. (1) report a spectroscopic search for line degeneracies in the electronic bands of NbAs2, a topological semimetal (TSM). TSMs have attracted great interest recently as exemplars of the emergent physics that can arise in quantum condensed matter (2). They host quasiparticle excitations that cannot occur in the vacuum but do occur in solid-state realizations when protected by discrete symmetries (3). This search is particularly fascinating because the spectroscopic features they uncover are, by any reasonable measure, completely hidden. First, the nodal lines in question are energy dispersive and nearly completely submerged within a Fermi sea, where they are inaccessible to transport measurements. Second, even if the nodal lines could be energy-flattened and floated to the Fermi surface, they would remain hidden. This is because spin-orbit coupling in this material removes the Dirac line degeneracy on an experimentally relevant energy scale. The title of their paper, “Optical signatures of Dirac nodal lines in NbAs2,” is thus a curious misnomer, since there are actually no Dirac nodal lines in this material! Nonetheless, by using infrared spectroscopy, this group detects the fingerprints of these hidden features, which turn up in frequency-scaling relations for the infrared conductivity. One can compare their method to dowsing, the folklore practice of searching for underground water, minerals, or anything invisible indirectly by observing the motion of a pointer or the changes in direction of a pendulum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowsing). In the case of Shao et al. (1), their method actually works and is interpreted using a theory of the scaling relations. As a bonus, the authors suggest that the nascent nodal lines might explain an unusually strong magnetoresistance of the family of related dipnictides, XPn 2 , where X = {Ta, Nb} and Pn = {P, As, Sb} (4⇓– … [↵][1]1Email: mele{at}physics.upenn.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
The Mindfulness Pilot Project: The Effects of a Body Scan Activity on Bone Marrow Transplant Patients

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale Patients with hematological malignancies, particularly those with acute diagnoses requiring immediate treatment and hospitalization, often experience high levels of distress. Mindfulness has been shown to alleviate symptoms of distress in cancer patients, but there is limited research on the effects of mindfulness on distress in this inpatient population. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine the effects of a mindfulness intervention on symptoms of distress during inpatient hospitalizations for patients with hematological malignancies (HM). Methods, Intervention, & Analysis A convenience sample of 30 patients with HM admitted to an oncology floor in a large, Midwestern hospital participated in this study. Participants completed the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL): 30 physiological and psychological symptoms of distress, rating how much the symptoms bothered them during the past week on a Likert-type scale. Patients completed a 20-minute mindfulness activity including breathwork and the Body Scan in their rooms. Participants were given a summary sheet and practice log. The RSCL was again completed at two weeks. Patients were asked open-ended questions regarding their experience. Findings & Interpretation A Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test revealed a statistically significant reduction in physiological and psychological distress at the two-week follow-up, z=4.12, p Discussion & Implications Patients expressed the desire for their care to include mindfulness interventions. This intervention is low-risk and low-cost and might be extended to include recorded mindfulness exercises or informal classes. Future studies might explore the use of different media such as audio recordings or phone apps for inpatient self-practice. After initial education of the Body Scan, nurses might encourage patients to utilize it while waiting for as-needed medications to be administered, before or during inpatient procedures, or in conjunction with medication to alleviate side effects of treatment. Doing so could empower patients during the course of their hospitalization, improving the patient experience.
The impact of climate change on tropospheric ozone and subsequent human health

Tropospheric ozone is a common urban air pollutant associated with numerous human health endpoints ranging from respiratory symptoms to premature mortality. Ozone is also one of the many pathways t...
Applicant Reactions to the AAMC Standardized Video Interview during the 2018 Application Cycle

Purpose This study examined applicant reactions to the Association of American Medical Colleges Standardized Video Interview (SVI) during its first year of operational use in emergency medicine (EM) residency program selection to identify strategies to improve applicants' SVI experience and attitudes. Method Individuals who self-classified as EM applicants applying in the Electronic Residency Application Service 2018 cycle and who completed the SVI in summer 2017 were invited to participate in 2 surveys. Survey 1, which focused on procedural issues, was administered immediately after SVI completion. Survey 2, which focused on applicants' SVI experience, was administered in fall 2017, after SVI scores were released. Results The response rates for surveys 1 and 2 were 82.3% (2,906/3,532) and 58.7% (2,074/3,532), respectively. Applicant reactions varied by aspect of the SVI studied and their SVI total scores. Most applicants were satisfied with most procedural aspects of the SVI, but most applicants were not satisfied with the SVI overall or with their total SVI scores. About 20% to 30% of applicants had neutral opinions about most aspects of the SVI. Negative reactions to the SVI were stronger for applicants who scored lower on the SVI. Conclusions Applicants had generally negative reactions to the SVI. Most were skeptical of its ability to assess the target competencies and its potential to add value to the selection process. Applicant acceptance and appreciation of the SVI will be critical to the SVI's acceptance by the graduate medical education community.
TP53 Action and the Consequences of TP53 Mutation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

p53 action and the consequences of p53 mutation in acute myeloid leukemia TP53 mutations are common in treatment associated myeloid neoplasia (tMN) and complex karyotype acute myeloid leukemia (CK-AML), where they are associated with chemoresistance and one of the worst prognoses of any leukemia genotype. To understand the impact of TP53 mutations on AML biology, we are performing arge scale genomic analyses of p53 mutant AML and have produced a series of animal models that appear to faithfully reflect molecular and biological features of the human disease. We have gone on to explore the biology of particular TP53 mutational configurations drive AML initiation and maintenance, and to identify and understanding the events that cooperate with p53 mutations during leukemogenesis. Disclosures Lowe: Blueprint Medicines: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; ORIC pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Mirimus: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Constellation Pharma: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Petra Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; PMV Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Equity Ownership; Faeth Therapeutics: Consultancy, Equity Ownership.
Chemogenetic activation of an infralimbic cortex to basolateral amygdala projection promotes resistance to acute social defeat stress

Tremendous individual differences exist in stress responsivity and social defeat stress is a key approach for identifying cellular mechanisms of stress susceptibility and resilience. Syrian hamsters show reliable territorial aggression, but after social defeat they exhibit a conditioned defeat (CD) response characterized by increased submission and an absence of aggression in future social interactions. Hamsters that achieve social dominance prior to social defeat exhibit greater defeat-induced neural activity in infralimbic (IL) cortex neurons that project to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and reduced CD response compared to subordinate hamsters. Here, we hypothesize that chemogenetic activation of an IL-to-BLA neural projection during acute social defeat will reduce the CD response in subordinate hamsters and thereby produce dominant-like behavior. We confirmed that clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) itself did not alter the CD response and validated a dual-virus, Cre-dependent, chemogenetic approach by showing that CNO treatment increased c-Fos expression in the IL and decreased it in the BLA. We found that CNO treatment during social defeat reduced the acquisition of CD in subordinate, but not dominant, hamsters. This project extends our understanding of the neural circuits underlying resistance to acute social stress, which is an important step toward delineating circuit-based approaches for the treatment of stress-related psychopathologies.
Quinupristin/Dalfopristin (RP 59500): A New Streptogramin Antibiotic

Objective:To review the current knowledge on RP 59500 (quinupristin/dalfopristin, Synercid), a new streptogramin antibiotic, with respect to its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, mechanism of resistance, and in vitro inhibitory and bactericidal activity.Data Sources:A MEDLINE search using the keywords RP 59500, pristinamycin, virginiamycin, and streptogramin was performed. Relevant abstracts presented at recent scientific conferences also were consulted.Study Selection:Because RP 59500 is a relatively new investigational agent, relevant in vitro and animal studies were selected. All available human studies were included as well.Data Extraction:Data from in vitro and in vivo studies were included, with particular emphasis on human studies.Data Synthesis:RP 59500 is a new injectable streptogramin antibiotic consisting of a mixture of 2 synergistic pristinamycin compounds. RP 59500 possesses in vitro inhibitory and bactericidal activity against most isolates of gram-positive organisms includi...
Effective Communication and Counseling Approaches

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been rising over the past several decades and currently afflicts approximately 37 million American adults [1]. It was estimated in 2016 that 661,000 adults in the United States had kidney failure, with 468,000 receiving dialysis and 193,000 living with a functioning kidney transplant [2]. In addition to physical detriment, those with CKD also experience psychosocial detriments that influence how they view the dietary restrictions of the renal diet and their personal motivation aimed at self-care efforts [3, 4, 5]. Complicating life further for people with CKD are the psychological and social burdens that ripple toward the patient’s expanded circle of family and friends, thereby creating a negative impact on an even greater number of individuals. These burdens undoubtedly influence the high prevalence of depression seen in patients with CKD, which is reported to be between 20% and 30% of patients [6, 7].
Ochrobactrum Peritonitis: Case Report and Literature Review.

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients, including those on peritoneal dialysis (PD), are considered immunocompromised and at risk for opportunistic pathogens. Peritonitis is a major infectious PD complication with common causative pathogens, including gram-positive organisms such as coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus more often than gram negative organisms. PD peritonitis is often secondary to suboptimal technique leading to contamination of the catheter site but can also be due to bacterial translocation from the bowel lumen or transient bacteremia after procedures; this makes identification of the causative organism crucial to optimal management of PD peritonitis. Ochrobactrum are glucose-non-fermentative, non-fastidious, motile gram-negative bacilli typically isolated in aqueous environments. Reported infections primarily occur in immunocompromised hosts with environmental exposure, including nosocomial contamination of fluids or indwelling catheters. We present only the seventh reported case of Ochrobactrum peritonitis in a 67-year-old PD patient secondary to poor technique, and review the literature for all prior cases. Although there have been no previous cases leading to bacteremia, three of the seven cases required removal of PD catheter.
Study on the Lightning Withstand Performance of Back Striking for the ±1100kV UHVDC Large Crossing Overhead Transmission Line

Large crossing overhead transmission lines are usually erected on the ultra-high towers with long span, and its lightning withstand performance should be paid more attention to. Considering the propagation process of lightning current along the high tower, an improved simulation model of back striking was established by using the electromagnetic transient program, and then the lightning withstand performance of back striking under different conditions for the ± 1100kV UHVDC large crossing line were studied. The results show that comparing with the conventional transmission line for the ±1100kV UHVDC project, the large crossing section has a much lower lightning withstand level of back striking (LWLBS); The LWLBS for the large crossing line with high tower is not significantly affected by the footing resistance, while enhancing the insulation level can effectively improve the LWLBS. Furthermore, the LWLBS increases with the increase of the distance between striking point and the tower when lightning strikes the large crossing overhead ground wire.
Coherence and variability of ground motion in New Madrid Seismic Zone using an array of 600 m

The spatial variation of ground motion is determined for high-frequency P- and S-waves in the New Madrid Seismic Zone at a site near Mooring, TN. An L-shaped array consisting of 19 seismometers and having arm lengths of 600 m located on Holocene fluvial sediments of the Mississippi River was used to examine wave coherency appropriate for many sites throughout the Mississippi embayment and other sediment sites associated with large rivers. Data from local and regional earthquakes within a distance range of 300 km show that coherency within the frequency band of 0.5 to 16 Hz degrades with inter-station distance across the array according to an empirical exponential model. Vertical component P-waves are coherent over nearly 2 horizontal wavelengths. However, the coherency for horizontal component S-waves degrades more rapidly than the vertical component P-waves. S-waves become significantly incoherent at distances of only 0.2 horizontal wavelength and become completely incoherent after 0.5 wavelength. The results of this study show clear and quick decay of wave coherence likely to occur in strong ground motions from nearby earthquakes. The observed incoherence can be a significant factor for the response of structures having foundation lengths of even 100 m.
Bias Reduction in Sample-Based Optimization.

We consider stochastic optimization problems which use observed data to estimate essential characteristics of the random quantities involved. Sample average approximation (SAA) or empirical (plug-in) estimation are very popular ways to use data in optimization. It is well known that sample average optimization suffers from downward bias. We propose to use smooth estimators rather than empirical ones in optimization problems. We establish consistency results for the optimal value and the set of optimal solutions of the new problem formulation. The performance of the proposed approach is compared to SAA theoretically and numerically. We analyze the bias of the new problems and identify sufficient conditions for ensuring less biased estimation of the optimal value of the true problem. At the same time, the error of the new estimator remains controlled. We show that those conditions are satisfied for many popular statistical problems such as regression models, classification problems, and optimization problems with Average (Conditional) Value-at-Risk. We have observed that smoothing the least-squares objective in a regression problem by a normal kernel leads to a ridge regression. Our numerical experience shows that the new estimators frequently exhibit also smaller variance and smaller mean-square error than those of SAA.
Quantitative and Multiplexed Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging of Intercellular Tensile Forces

Mechanical interactions between cells have been shown to play critical roles in regulating cell signaling and communications. However, the precise measurement of intercellular forces is still quite challenging, especially considering the complex environment at cell-cell junctions. In this study, we report a fluorescence lifetime-based approach to image and quantify intercellular molecular tensions. Using this method, tensile forces among multiple ligand-receptor pairs can be measured simultaneously. We first validated our approach and developed lifetime measurement-based DNA tension probes to image E-cadherin-mediated tension on epithelial cells. These probes were then further applied to quantify the correlations between E-cadherin and N-cadherin tensions during an epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. The modular design of these probes can potentially be used to study the mechanical features of various physiological and pathological processes.
Renal interventions in the management of hypertension.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW In the present comprehensive review, we describe the pathophysiology, indications, and evidence for both renal artery stenting and renal artery denervation. We also discuss the procedural techniques, risks, benefits, and future directions of renal intervention in the management of hypertension (HTN). RECENT FINDINGS Hemodynamic confirmation of lesion severity in severe renal artery stenosis is a resting or hyperemic translesional systolic gradient >20, resting or hyperemic mean translesional gradient >10 and/or renal fractional flow reserve <0.8 are considered severe. Knowing that correct stent size was used is the best predictor of restenosis, intravascular ultrasound is effective and well tolerated for stent sizing. The main categories of renal denervation: radiofrequency ablation, ultrasound, chemical ablation, and brachytherapy have shown impressive outcomes in treating resistant HTN. SUMMARY Over the past decade, several studies have shown the safety and benefit of catheter-based renal interventions in managing HTN. Renal artery stenting and renal artery denervation are the leading alternative invasive treatment employed in managing HTN.
Abstract 2364: MicroRNA-1205 directly targets ONECUT2 in neuroendocrine prostate cancer cells

One of six deaths globally is due to cancer. In 2018, prostate cancer (PCa) represented 1.28 million cases worldwide, the second most frequent cancer diagnosis and fifth leading cause of death in men. Currently, the mortality rate of PCa has experienced a steady increase due to the progression of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). As an androgen driven disease, androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs) have been employed for treatment. However, despite ADTs, mCRPC develops by maintaining AR signaling, which can eventually lead to progression of AR-independent neuroendocrine PCa (NEPC). NEPC is observable in 1 in 5 men with mCRPC and associated with poor outcome. Therefore, further understanding the mechanisms of progression to mCRPC and NEPC is required. The 8q24 human chromosomal region associated with Increased PCa incidence and aggressiveness contains the PVT1 (Plasmocytoma Variant Translocation 1) locus. The PVT1 locus encodes six microRNAs, including microRNA-1205 (miR-1205) in PCa. Our laboratory previously confirmed that miR-1205 is underexpressed in PCa tissue in comparison to normal prostatic tissue and in CRPC cells in comparison to non-CRPC cells. To understand the molecular mechanism of miR-1205, we performed RNA pull down and RNA sequencing analysis to identify miR-1205 molecular targets in non-tumorigenic RWPE-1 prostate epithelial cells and PCa cells (MDA PCa 2b (metastatic PCa), PC-3 (NEPC), and C4-2B (CRPC)). We identified one cut homeobox 2 (ONECUT2 or OC2) as a direct molecular target of miR-1205. ONECUT2 is a master regulator of transcriptional factors that drives NEPC by through regulating hypoxia signaling or inducing neuroendocrine markers. ONECUT2 enrichment was approximately 3-fold higher in RWPE-1 (P=0.26), 2-fold in PC-3 (P=0.06), 1-fold in C4-2B (P=0.05) and MDA PCa 2b (P=0.02) cells. The significant binding of miR-1205 to ONECUT-2 in the PC-3 NEPC cell line suggests that miR-1205 regulation of ONECUT2 may be an important molecular mechanism in NEPC. Consequently, further study of miR-1205 and ONECUT2 in NEPC is required. Citation Format: Bachelard Dieujuste, Michelle Naidoo, Olorunseun Ogunwobi. MicroRNA-1205 directly targets ONECUT2 in neuroendocrine prostate cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2364.
Textlinguistische Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede in einer deutsch-englischen Selbstübersetzung

Das Forschungsobjekt dieser Studie ist eine kontrastive Analyse zwischen der deutschen (1992) und der selbstubersetzten englischen Version (2001) von Ruth Klugers Autobiographie. Anders als bei der traditionellen Methode der kontrastiven Linguistik ist die Studie eine linguistische Beschreibung zweier schriftlich redigierter Auserungen ein und derselben Person. Diese werden auf der Basis textlinguistischer Fragestellungen durch eine grammatisch-linguistische Untersuchung analysiert, um Analogien und Divergenzen im deutschen und englischen Sprachgebrauch der Schriftstellerin festzustellen, sowie eventuelle Abweichungen von der standardsprachlichen Struktur hervorzuheben. Besonders auf der syntaktischen Ebene der Thema-Rhema-Gliederung wird untersucht, ob und wie die Informationsstruktur bewahrt wird. Die Analyse zeigt, dass Kluger im Englischen die lineare syntaktische Reihenfolge fordert und im Original die unmarkierte Abfolge SVO zugunsten der Fokussierung am Satzanfang vermeidet.
Foodborne illnesses

Foodborne illnesses cause a substantial human and financial burden. Despite sanitary infrastructure improvements, the incidence of foodborne bacterial infections due to non-typhoidal salmonellae (NTS), Campylobacter jejuni, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has risen over the last two decades. Overall, viruses account for two thirds of all foodborne illness. Most foodborne illnesses are self-limited. Supportive therapy with rehydration and the correction of electrolyte abnormalities is usually sufficient. Antibiotics play a beneficial role in the treatment of patients with certain foodborne diseases, such as listeriosis and typhoid fever, and all patients with tissue invasive or bloodstream infections. Immunocompromised patients should be treated presumptively. Antibiotics are of variable efficacy for the treatment of many infections limited to the gastrointestinal tract, and recommendations differ between pathogens. Antibiotics are generally helpful for shigellosis and cholera, and possibly beneficial for campylobacteriosis. However, antibiotics are potentially harmful in uncomplicated NTS and EHEC gastroenteritis and generally should not be used. Toxin-mediated food poisoning usually does not require specific therapy. The exception is botulism, for which botulinum antitoxin is highly efficacious if used early in the course of illness. Empiric therapy for gastroenteritis is possibly beneficial, though the magnitude of benefit is modest and incurs the risk of inadvertently treating NTS or EHEC. The choice of antibiotic should be based on local resistance patterns and the results of susceptibility testing.
70 Years of Internationalization in Tertiary Education: Changes, Challenges and Perspectives

Internationalization as a concept and strategic agenda is a relatively new, broad, and varied phenomenon in tertiary education, driven by a dynamic combination of political, economic, sociocultural, and academic rationales and stakeholders. Its impact on regions, countries, and institutions varies according to their particular contexts. Mobility, also known as “internationalization abroad,” is the most referred to activity in internationalization and takes in itself a great variety of forms. Curriculum and global professional and citizenship development, also referred to as “internationalization at home,” is the other key component of internationalization. It receives increased attention, but still less than mobility.
Corpus callosum atrophy correlates with gray matter atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE Atrophy of the corpus callosum is a recognized characteristic of multiple sclerosis (MS). We describe a new reliable method for measuring corpus callosum atrophy and correlate this with global cerebral atrophy measures. METHODS Whole brain 3T MRI was performed in 38 relapsing-remitting MS subjects and 21 healthy controls (HC). Brain global gray and white matter volumes were segmented with SPM8. The contour of the corpus callosum was outlined on the midline of 3-D T1-weighted images by a semiautomated edge-detection technique to determine the corpus callosum area (CCA). Normalized CCA was correlated with other brain atrophy measures in MS subjects. RESULTS CCA was disproportionately lower in MS subjects vs. HC (20.1% mean decrease; P < .001), with a large effect size (d = .62) when compared with global atrophy measures. In MS subjects, CCA correlated with brain parenchymal fraction (r = .55; P < .001) and gray matter fraction (r = .45; P = .005) but not white matter fraction (r = .18; P = .29). An inverse correlation with FLAIR hyperintense lesion volume (r = −.40; P = .01) was detected for CCA. CONCLUSION Measurement of atrophy of the corpus callosum can have sensitivity as a useful imaging biomarker in patients with MS, even in patients with low disability levels. Both gray and white matter involvement in MS contribute to corpus callosum atrophy.
A Game Approach to Teach Environmentally Benign Manufacturing in the Supply Chain.

Multidisciplinary models of education are needed to prepare students for their role in a global work environment. Combined with this need is the reality of the new Millennial Generation entering the educational system with a different approach to learning. This paper introduces an interactive, educational engineering game designed to appeal to the Millennial Generation's learning preferences. Shortfall is a prototype board game with a tea m approach and a trial and error methodology to introduce students to environmentally benign manufacturing in the supply chain using the automobile industry as a model. After playing the game, quantitative analysis showed that on average, students gained new knowledge and a changed perception of their confidence in their answers. Qualitative analysis of data demonstrated that students felt the game also helped them with the teamwork/communication aspects of supply chain. Future plans involve converting the game to a computer format to streamline its effectiveness for multi-institutional participation.
Identification of intracellular calcium pools. Selective modification by thapsigargin.

Recent studies have identified inositol 1,4,5-tris-phosphate(InsP3)-sensitive and -insensitive Ca2+ pools and a GTP-dependent mechanism that transfers Ca2+ between them. Here, the Ca2+ pump-inhibitory sesquiterpene lactone, thapsigargin, is shown to distinguish these two Ca2+ pools and identify a third Ca2+ pumping pool unresponsive to InsP3 or GTP. Using saponin-permeabilized DDT1MF-2 smooth muscle cells, approximately 75% of total intracellular ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation is blocked by thapsigargin with an IC50 of 30 nM. In contrast, 1 mM vanadate or 5 microM A23187 block 100% of Ca2+ accumulation. The thapsigargin-responsive Ca2+ pool corresponds exactly to that released by 10 microM InsP3 in the presence of 10 microM GTP. Indeed, addition of InsP3 with GTP has no effect on Ca2+ accumulated in the presence of 3 microM thapsigargin whereas A23187 releases all the remaining Ca2+. Added after maximal Ca2+ uptake, thapsigargin induces only slow Ca2+ release consistent with blockade of pumping activity. Unlike InsP3, the action of thapsigargin is entirely heparin insensitive. The large increment in Ca2+ uptake caused by 12 mM oxalate is completely reversed by thapsigargin, indicating that thapsigargin functions on an oxalate-permeable pool. Moreover, the still larger uptake induced by GTP in the presence of oxalate is also completely reversed by either thapsigargin or InsP3. The results indicate that thasigargin blocks Ca2+ uptake into two discrete pools: the InsP3-sensitive, oxalate-permeable Ca2+ pool and the InsP3-insensitive, oxalate-impermeable Ca2+ pool that can be "recruited" into the InsP3-sensitive pool by GTP-dependent Ca2+ translocation (Ghosh, T. K., Mullaney, J.M., Tarazi, F.I., and Gill, D.L. (1989) Nature 340, 236-239). Additionally, a third Ca2+ pool is defined, unreleasable by InsP3 or GTP, and containing a thapsigargin-insensitive Ca2+ pump.
THE SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL IN OKLAHOMA: PARTNERING WITH FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO DELIVER SOCIAL SERVICES

Oklahoma should be fertile ground for faith-based social service initiatives. This bible-belt state fares poorly on numerous economic, health, and social indicators. Despite the overwhelming optimism that initially inspired key leaders to involve faith organizations in helping to solve Oklahoma's pressing problems, the results so far have been less than dramatic. New financial relationships with faith-based organizations in Oklahoma appear minimal. The honeymoon for charitable choice implementation in Oklahoma is over. The state is now focusing on non-fmancial collaborations with the faith community.
Human adenylosuccinate synthetase. Partial purification, kinetic and regulatory properties of the enzyme from placenta.

Abstract Human adenylosuccinate synthetase (IMP:aspartate ligase (GDP) EC 6.3.4.4) has been purified 110-fold from placenta. The partially purified preparation was stable and free of nucleotidase activity, permitting study of substrate kinetics and regulatory properties. The Michaelis constants for the substrates, IMP, GTP, and aspartate were 37 µm, 31 µm, and 0.95 mm, respectively. Based on studies of initial velocity and product or end product inhibition, the enzyme kinetic mechanism was compatible with a sequential rapid equilibrium fully random mechanism. Human adenylosuccinate synthetase was inhibited by a variety of purine nucleotides; the corresponding nucleosides and bases were ineffective. Inhibitory effectiveness decreased with the series mono g di g triphosphates. The mechanism of inhibition by specific purine nucleotides revealed that adenylosuccinate, AMP, and XMP were competitive inhibitors with respect to IMP with Ki values of 57 µm, 170 µm, and 140 µm, respectively. GMP and GDP were competitive with respect to GTP with Ki values of 10 µm and 45 µm, respectively. These findings suggest that human adenylosuccinate synthetase activity, despite its importance in a branched pathway, is not regulated by a highly specific molecular control mechanism.
Structure and Energetics of the Silicon Carbide Clusters SiC3 and Si2C2

A comprehensive ab initio study of the four atom silicon carbide clusters SiC3 and Si2C2 using multiconfigurational self-consistent-field wave functions is presented. In contrast to previous studies the global minimum isomer for SiC3 is predicted to be a C∞v linear triplet with a terminal silicon atom. For Si2C2 the global minimum is a rhombic structure, in accordance with previous studies, while the linear triplet Si–C–C–Si is just 1.0 kcal mol−1 higher in energy.
Building 3D mosaics from an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Doppler velocity log, and 2D imaging sonar

This paper reports on a 3D photomosaicing pipeline using data collected from an autonomous underwater vehicle performing simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). The pipeline projects and blends 2D imaging sonar data onto a large-scale 3D mesh that is either given a priori or derived from SLAM. Compared to other methods that generate a 2D-only mosaic, our approach produces 3D models that are more structurally representative of the environment being surveyed. Additionally, our system leverages recent work in underwater SLAM using sparse point clouds derived from Doppler velocity log range returns to relax the need for a prior model. We show that the method produces reasonably accurate surface reconstruction and blending consistency, with and without the use of a prior mesh. We experimentally evaluate our approach with a Hovering Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HAUV) performing inspection of a large underwater ship hull.
Deletion of alternative pathways for reductant recycling in Thermococcus kodakarensis increases hydrogen production.

Hydrogen (H2) production by Thermococcus kodakarensis compares very favorably with the levels reported for the most productive algal, fungal and bacterial systems. T. kodakarensis can also consume H2 and is predicted to use several alternative pathways to recycle reduced cofactors, some of which may compete with H2 production for reductant disposal. To explore the reductant flux and possible competition for H2 production in vivo, T. kodakarensis TS517 was mutated to precisely delete each of the alternative pathways of reductant disposal, H2 production and consumption. The results obtained establish that H2 is generated predominantly by the membrane-bound hydrogenase complex (Mbh), confirm the essential role of the SurR (TK1086p) regulator in vivo, delineate the roles of sulfur (S°) regulon proteins and demonstrate that preventing H2 consumption results in a substantial net increase in H2 production. Constitutive expression of TK1086 (surR) from a replicative plasmid restored the ability of T. kodakarensis TS1101 (ΔTK1086) to grow in the absence of S° and stimulated H2 production, revealing a second mechanism to increase H2 production. Transformation of T. kodakarensis TS1101 with plasmids that express SurR variants constructed to direct the constitutive synthesis of the Mbh complex and prevent expression of the S°-regulon was only possible in the absence of S° and, under these conditions, the transformants exhibited wild-type growth and H2 production. With S° present, they grew slower but synthesized more H2 per unit biomass than T. kodakarensis TS517.
Social Construction of Colombo Lotus Tower: Intertwined Narratives of Religion, Economic Development, and Telecommunication

This paper discusses, using the framework of Social Construction of Technology SCOT and some recent related work, the design, location, and the funding background of the Colombo Lotus Tower. Lotus Tower is a multifunctional communication tower currently being built in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Popular press articles, a discussion forum at Skyscrapercity.com, website of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, and content on several related websites were used to understand the public discourse related to the Lotus Tower. According to the public discourse, there are at least three intertwined narratives related to the design and location of the Lotus Tower: 1 Buddhist symbolism, 2 symbolizing post-war Sri Lanka's development, and 3 help develop Colombo as a tourist destination. These three narratives show how power asymmetries between main ethnic groups, aspirations of pre-existing social groups, and government's ability to draw resources shape the construction of the Lotus Tower. Accordingly, the case of Lotus Tower indicates how ethnic, religious, and political factors can make artifact design unique in different contexts.
Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954–1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines, and Anecdotes by Stephen Sondheim

Though only one of his shows ran for more than athousand performances and few of his songs became pop standards, Stephen Sondheim is considered by many the greatest composer and lyricist since Broa...
KCNQ1/KCNE1 K+ Channels Associated with Long QT Syndrome are Expressed in Early Stage Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) are not only a potential source of functional cardiac tissue that can be utilized as a drug screening platform or agents for cell-based therapy but also offer great potential in studies of heritable cardiac arrhythmias known as channelopathies. Many major cardiac ion channels have been reported to be expressed in hESC-CMs. However, the presence of KCNQ1/KCNE1 (IKs) K+ channels critical to cardiac repolarization particularly during sympathetic nerve stimulation and associated with the most common variant of congenital Long QT syndrome (LQT1), to date has not been reported. Here we report investigation of the cellular electrophysiological properties of hESC-CMs during the first 34 days of cytokine directed differentiation with a focus on IKs channels. All beating hESC-CMs studied had action potentials with cardiac phenotypes and expressed L-type calcium channels (n=26) and pacemaker channels (n=27) while 68% of cells (n=11 out of 16) expressed IKr, the potassium current associated with LQT2, defined as E4031-sensitive outward current measured during prolonged depolarization. IKs, the potassium current associated with LQT1, was identified by its biophysical and pharmacological properties: recorded in 29% of cells (n=5 out of 17), IKs was defined as an outward current slowly activating during prolonged depolarization, insensitive to E4031 (5 μM) and blocked by Chromanol 293B (30 μM). qPCR experiments confirmed the presence of IKs channels α- (KCNQ1) and β- (KCNE1) subunits in these hESC-CMs. This is the first report of IKs channel expression in hESC-CMs providing strong evidence in support of their use in mechanistic and pharmacological investigations of LQT1 and other heritable arrhythmia syndromes linked to mutations in the genes coding for IKs channel subunits and/or accessory proteins.