cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitric oxide increases IL-8 gene transcription and mRNA stability to enhance IL-8 gene expression in lung epithelial cells

Interleukin (IL)-8, a C-X-C chemokine, is a potent chemoattractant and an activator for neutrophils, T cells, and other immune cells. The airway and respiratory epithelia play important roles in the initiation and modulation of inflammatory responses via production of cytokines and surfactant. The association between elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO) and IL-8 in acute lung injury associated with sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants, and other inflammatory diseases suggested that NO may play important roles in the control of IL-8 gene expression in the lung. We investigated the role of NO in the control of IL-8 gene expression in H441 lung epithelial cells. We found that a variety of NO donors significantly induced IL-8 mRNA levels, and the increase in IL-8 mRNA was associated with an increase in IL-8 protein. NO induction of IL-8 mRNA was due to increases in IL-8 gene transcription and mRNA stability. NO induction of IL-8 mRNA levels was not inhibited by 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one and KT-5823, inhibitors of soluble guanylate cyclase and protein kinase G, respectively, and 8-bromo-cGMP did not increase IL-8 mRNA levels. This indicated that NO induces IL-8 mRNA levels independently of changes in the intracellular cGMP levels. NO induction of IL-8 mRNA was significantly reduced by inhibitors of extracellular regulated kinase and protein kinase C. IL-8 induction by NO was also reduced by hydroxyl radical scavengers such as dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylthiourea, indicating the involvement of hydroxyl radicals in the induction process. NO induction of IL-8 gene expression could be a significant contributing factor in the initiation and induction of inflammatory response in the respiratory epithelium.
The development of a finite volume method for modeling sound in coastal ocean environment

The rapid growth of renewable energy from offshore sources has raised concerns that underwater noise from construction and operation of offshore devices may interfere with communication of marine animals. An underwater sound model was developed to simulate sound propagation from marine-hydrokinetic energy (MHK) devices or offshore wind (OSW) energy platforms. Finite volume and finite difference methods were developed to solve the 3D Helmholtz equation of sound propagation in the coastal environment. For the finite volume method, the grid system consists of triangular grids in the horizontal plane and sigma-layers in the vertical dimension. A 3D sparse matrix solver with complex coefficients was formed for solving the resulting acoustic pressure field. The Complex Shifted Laplacian Preconditioner (CSLP) method was applied to solve the matrix system iteratively with MPI parallelization using a high performance cluster. The sound model was then coupled with the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) for simulating sound propagation generated by human activities in a range-dependent setting, such as offshore wind energy platform construction and tidal stream turbine operations. As a proof of concept, initial validation of the finite difference solver is presented for two coastal wedge problems.
Loss of pace capture after radiofrequency application predicts the formation of uniform transmural lesions.

Aims Lesion transmurality is critical to procedural success in radiofrequency catheter ablation. We sought to determine whether loss of pace capture (PC) with high-output unipolar and/or bipolar pacing predicts the formation of uniform transmural lesions. Methods and results Ten juvenile swine were anaesthetized and prepped under sterile conditions. Seventy-seven isolated radiofrequency applications (RFAs) using a 3.5 mm tip-irrigated catheter were available for analysis. Pace capture was assessed before and after RFA at 10 mA/2 ms and catheter stability verified with a three-dimensional mapping system. Pace capture was defined as 1 : 1 or intermittent local capture per paced beat. Myocardial contact and catheter orientation were assessed using intracardiac echo. Endocardial and epicardial lesion areas were measured after sacrifice using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. A uniform transmural lesion was defined as an epicardial-to-endocardial surface ratio (epi/endo) ≥ 76%. Seventy-four per cent of lesions were transmural and 55.8% of lesions had an epi/endo ratio ≥ 76%. In all, 79.2% of lesions associated with loss of bipolar PC were uniform whereas 20.8% of lesions with loss of bipolar PC were non-uniform ( P = 0.006). Loss of bipolar PC was associated with higher mean epicardial/endocardial ratio compared with lesions with persistent PC ( P = 0.019). Echocardiographic evidence of optimal catheter contact during RFA improved the predictive accuracy of uniform lesion formation when loss of bipolar PC was noted after RFA. Conclusion Loss of bipolar PC after RFA is associated with the formation of uniform lesions in atrial tissue. Optimal catheter contact further improves the predictive accuracy associated with loss of PC.
322 COORDINATE REGULATION OF CERAMIDE AND CHOLESTEROL SYNTHESIS IN HUMAN EPIDERMAL KERATINOCYTES.

Ceramides (Cer), along with cholesterol (Chol) and free fatty acids, are the major lipids of the stratum corneum lamellar membrane domains that comprise the mammalian permeability barrier. In extracutaneous tissues, reciprocal effects of Chol and certain Cer species (eg, sphingomyelin) on their respective levels also have been noted. Given that formation of the three critical barrier lipids is simultaneously elevated during epidermal differentiation, we investigated possible mechanisms for coordinate regulation of their respective biosynthetic pathways. First, low-dose (2.5-5 μM) mevinolin (Mev; lovastatin), an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, modestly reduced cultured keratinocyte (CHK) growth (10-15% decrease vs vehicle control; p
Identification of Fiber Length-Related Genes Using Cotton Oligonucleotide Microarrays

Gossypium barbadense L.is known for its superior fiber quality including long fiber and their quantitative trait loci(QTL) have been reported.However,little is known about the molecular genetic basis of fiber quality traits.The objective of the present study was to identify differentially expressed genes in the rapid fiber elongation stage(10 days post-anthesis,10 DPA) using a comparative microarray analysis between two backcross inbred lines(BIL) with contrasting fiber lengths.The two BIL lines,NMGA-062(33.03 mm) and NMGA-140(25.87 mm),were selected based on a 3-year field trial in four environ-ments.The Affymetrix Cotton GeneChip was then used to perform a transcriptome analysis of 24 029 transcripts in developing fibers(10 DPA).Among the transcripts 7 282(30.31%) showed a significant differential expression(DE) and 3 993(16.62%) showed 2-fold or higher levels of expression changes between the two BIL lines.Through quantitative RT-PCR analyses on dif-ferent plant organs and developing fibers of 10 DPA,eight selected DE genes,including Ghi.10655.1.S1_s_at,ACO1,ARF1,SAHH,TUA6,TUA7,β-tub1,and β-tub10,all displayed similar results to theses of the microarray analysis.This indicated that the comparative microarray results were biologically reproducible.Quantitative RT-PCR analyses were also performed at five fiber development stages from 5 to 25 DPA on ARF1,β-tub1,and β-tub10.The results indicated that they were all highly expressed in a period of fast fiber elongation and primary cell wall synthesis(at 10–15 DPA),implicating their roles in fiber elongation.This study represents the first investigation using a microarray analysis to compare differential gene expressions between near-isogenic lines with contrasting fiber quality.It provided a list of putative candidate genes for further studies in identifying genes responsi-ble for fiber traits and developing molecular markers for marker-assisted breeding.
Coupled crystal orientation-size effects on the strength of nano crystals

We study the combined effects of grain size and texture on the strength of nanocrystalline copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) using a crystal-plasticity based mechanics model. Within the model, slip occurs in discrete slip events exclusively by individual dislocations emitted statistically from the grain boundaries. We show that a Hall-Petch relationship emerges in both initially texture and non-textured materials and our values are in agreement with experimental measurements from numerous studies. We find that the Hall-Petch slope increases with texture strength, indicating that preferred orientations intensify the enhancements in strength that accompany grain size reductions. These findings reveal that texture is too influential to be neglected when analyzing and engineering grain size effects for increasing nanomaterial strength.
Radiation response of alloy T91 at damage levels up to 1000 peak dpa

Abstract Ferritic/martensitic alloys are required for advanced reactor components to survive 500–600 neutron-induced dpa. Ion-induced void swelling of ferritic/martensitic alloy T91 in the quenched and tempered condition has been studied using a defocused, non-rastered 3.5 MeV Fe-ion beam at 475 °C to produce damage levels up to 1000 peak displacements per atom (dpa). The high peak damage level of 1000 dpa is required to reach 500–600 dpa level due to injected interstitial suppression of void nucleation in the peak dpa region, requiring data extraction closer to the surface at lower dpa levels. At a relatively low peak damage level of 250 dpa, voids began to develop, appearing first in the near-surface region. With increasing ion fluence, swelling was observed deeper in the specimen, but remained completely suppressed in the back half of the ion range, even at 1000 peak dpa. The local differences in dpa rate in the front half of the ion range induce an “internal temperature shift” that strongly influences the onset of swelling, with shorter transient regimes resulting from lower dpa rates, in agreement not only with observations in neutron irradiation studies but also in various ion irradiations. Swelling was accompanied by radiation-induced precipitation of Cu-rich and Si, Ni, Mn-rich phases were observed by atom probe tomography, indicating concurrent microchemical evolution was in progress. In comparison to other ferritic/martensitic alloys during ion irradiation, T91 exhibits good swelling resistance with a swelling incubation period of about 400 local dpa.
NTDS Network Controller (N 2 C) - Linking NTDS with MILSTAR

Due to the rapid advances in enemy strike capability, the command, control, and communications theater becomes a greater challenge to the decision maker's ability to make the correct timely decision to defeat the threat. Communication advancements must meet this challenge by providing confidence in the quality, reliability, and timeliness of the data transmitted. Advanced developments in the Tactical Digital Information Link (TADIL) standards, TSEC/KG-84A, and an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) satellite are anticipated to support the desired quality and reliability requirements for military communications. Yet integration of these developments in providing the decision maker with correct timely data has not been identified. A design approach in interfacing with the Naval Tactical Digital System (NTDS), TSEC/KG-84A, and EHF satellite, while providing timely receipt of TADIL messages, is being introduced by the NTDS Network Controller (N2C).
Limited Evidence for Rickettsia felis as a Cause of Zoonotic Flea-Borne Rickettsiosis in Southern California

Over 90% of human flea-borne rickettsioses cases in California are reported from suburban communities of Los Angeles and Orange counties and are presumed to be associated with either Rickettsia typhi or Rickettsia felis infection. Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche) is considered the principal vector for both rickettsiae, and R. felis has largely replaced R. typhi as the presumptive etiologic agent based on the widespread incidence of R. felis in cat flea populations. However, with no evidence to confirm R. felis as the cause of human illness in southern California, coupled with recent findings that showed R. felis to be widespread in cat fleas statewide, we propose that this hypothesis should be reconsidered. Evidence of only limited numbers of R. typhi-infected cat fleas in the environment may indicate a very rare infection and explain why so few cases of flea-borne rickettsioses are reported each year in southern California relative to the population.
Child Routines and Self-Regulation Serially Mediate Parenting Practices and Externalizing Problems in Preschool Children

Studies clearly indicate that parenting practices relate to child externalizing behaviors, although the mechanisms underlying this relation are less well understood. There has been limited evaluation of child routines and self-regulation in relation to these variables, and no known studies have evaluated all of these variables simultaneously. This study examined child routines and self-regulation as serial mediators of the relations between positive and negative parenting practices (separately) and child externalizing problems among preschool children. Participants included 146 maternal caregivers of preschool children who completed measures of their parenting practices and of their child’s daily routines, self-regulation, and externalizing behaviors. Results demonstrated that both child routines and self-regulation are significant mechanisms through which negative and positive parenting practices relate to externalizing problems in preschoolers, although the temporal sequencing was only upheld with respect to negative parenting. Our findings offer preliminary evidence that child routines may play a critical role in self-regulation development among preschool children, which, in turn, is inversely associated with externalizing behaviors. Although further study is needed, these findings suggest that child routines and self-regulation development may be key components to incorporate clinically and evaluate empirically among intervention programs designed to prevent early development of behavior problems in preschool children.
The Impact of Russia-China Trade Relationship on the U.S. Economy

Over the years, bilateral trade between China and Russia experience many turbulences but in recent years has grown rapidly. Their relationship has evolved in such a way that they have come to rely on each other. The reason why Russian-Chinese relationship improved is because of U.S. and EU economic sanctions due to Russian invasion of Crimea and military attacks of Eastern Ukrainian territory. Russia needs China for funding and infrastructure development, and China needs Russia to feed its large energy needs. China and Russia have a strong trade partnership that extends into many different sectors throughout each country. While deep mistrust exists between both sides, China and Russia have proud cultures that desire to be viewed as global powers and believe their relationship with each other will advance that objective. Further, both countries view the West as a hindrance to their overall trade goals, and this marriage of convenience strengthens their position in global affairs which could result in far reaching implications for the world. This paper provides a short overview of how the China-Russia relationship developed, where it is at now, how it could be harmed, and how a stronger trade relationship with the U.S. and rest of the world could subvert those fears. It will also provide recommendations based on a solid foundational understanding of global trade and management.
A Functional Below-the-Knee Brace for Tibial Fractures

1. Experiences with the treatment of 135 fractures of the tibia with a below-the-knee brace are described. The brace is composed of a conventional shoe, short double uprights, and ankle joints which are attached to a plaster-of-Paris or thermoplastic cylinder shaped like a patellar-tendon-bearing prosthesis. [See figure in the PDF file] 2. The results obtained from preliminary studies of forty cases of tibial fracture treated with a thermoplastic brace are described. 3. It appears from the results obtained from the first 135 cases that uneventful healing of tibial fractures can be obtained while function of the knee and ankle joints is maintained and the patients walk with full weight-bearing beginning about four weeks after fracture. 4. The rapid healing of the fracture in most patients suggests that the early resumption of nearly normal physiological conditions in the limb is conducive to prompt and uninterrupted osteogenesis. 5. With this method of treatment rehabilitation of patients with tibial fractures [See figure in the PDF file] has been facilitated significantly. Elderly patients and those with bilateral tibial fracture seem to have benefited the most.
A Calorimetric Investigation of the Energy Relations in Alloys of Composition Cu3Au

The energies of formation of ordered and disordered solid solutions of composition Cu3Au and the energy of ordering in this alloy were determined by tin solution calorimetry. The degree of order was measured by X-ray diffraction and electrical resistance and microhardness measurements were made on ordered and disordered specimens.
Bioresorbable Scaffolds: Polymer Troubleshooting or Simply Not Good Enough?

The quest to manufacture a safe and effective bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) has been ongoing for nearly 2 decades. Polymers based on poly-l-lactide (PLLA) or poly-d,l-lactide were introduced as the base material for BRS technology. The core polymer technology has distinct differences compared with
The Anadarid Subgenus Caloosarca in the Western Atlantic Region

Species referable to the anadarid subgenus Caloosarca Olsson, 1961, are distinguished by their broadly elongate valves with anteriorly located umbos and, especially in the younger stages of growth, a broadly emarginated posterior end that gives the valves an auriculate or winged outline. The ligament in the young and early mature stages is confined to the posterior portion of the cardinal area, extending anteriorly only to a point directly below the umbo, with the anterior portion of the area bare; in late mature and gerontic stages this anterior portion may also be covered. The teeth on the hinge plate are in two series that meet immediately below a transverse groove on the cardinal plate which marks the anterior end of the normal ligamental structure. Seven named species, differentiated primarily upon the number and nature of the radial ribs that ornament the valves, are recognized. A probable eighth species is represented by specimens dredged from upper Miocene deposits in the bed of the Caloosahatchee River, near Olga, lee County, Florida, but present material is inadequate for description. One species, Anadara (Caloosarca) notabilis (Roding), is living in relatively shallow waters from Florida to southern Brazil and has been reported from Pleistocene deposits from Cape Hatteras to Brazil. The other species are known only from the fossil record, with five of them being confined, so far as is presently known, to peninsular Florida. Two new species, A. (C.). nota florida and A. (C.) boerleae, are described from the upper Miocene, Pinecrest Formation; one species, A. (C.) crassicosta (H eilprin) occurs in the Pliocene, Caloosahatchee Formation; and two species, A. (C.) aequalitas (Tucker and Wilson) and A. (C.) catasarca (Dall), are confined to deposits referred to "Unit A" of Olsson and Petit, 1964, an as yet unnamed post-Caloosahatchee formation. The type of the subgenus, A. (C.) rustica (Tuomey and Holmes) is known only from the Pliocene, Waccamaw Formation of South Carolina and adjacent areas of southern North Carolina.
A unified approach to Tianjin trisyllabic tone sandhi: Metrical conditions and tonal complexity

Tianjin (Chinese) exhibits complex interactions among its disyllabic tone sandhi rules, leading to both left-to-right and right-to-left rule applications in trisyllabic sequences (cf. Chen 1986, X. Wang 2003). Which directionality to adopt for each particular trisyllabic sequence is arbitrary and cannot be accounted for by any known principles. Based on data from a recent acoustic study, our phonological analysis demonstrates that the seemingly ungoverned directionality is only apparent and that Tianjin tone sandhi rules apply only from left to right when both metrical and tonal complexity conditions are satisfied, thereby providing a unified account.Â
Identification, Estimation, and Control of Sheet and Film Processes

Abstract Sheet and film processes are of substantial industrial importance and include coating, papermaking, and polymer film extrusion processes. Recent efforts in developing state-of-the-art technologies for the identification, profile estimation, and cross directional control of sheet and film processes are described and evaluated in terms of their effectiveness at addressing practical data and operational constraints.
Water and salt transport properties of disulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) desalination membranes formed by solvent-free melt extrusion

Abstract This paper reports water and salt transport properties of sulfonated polysulfone desalination membranes prepared by solvent-free, melt extrusion. The 20 mol% disulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (BPS-20K) membranes were prepared by melt processing, using poly(ethyelene glycol) (PEG) M n (200 ~ 400 g/mol) as plasticizers at concentrations of 20 wt% to 30 wt%, and different PEG extraction temperatures. Water and salt transport properties of BPS-20K membranes prepared by different processing routes correlated well with water uptake, as expected, based on free volume theory. The melt-extruded BPS-20K membranes show higher water uptake than those of solution cast membranes. As PEG molecular weight and concentration used during extrusion increases and as PEG extraction temperature increases, water uptake also increases. As water uptake increases, water and salt permeabilities and diffusivities increase, consistent with the findings of Yasuda et al. In general, BPS-20K membranes prepared by different processing routes followed the trade-off relationship between water permeability and water/salt permeability selectivity. These results indicate that differences in membrane processing history have significant effects on the transport properties of small molecules in these polymers, similar to other glassy polymers.
Thermodynamics of Hydration Water around an Antifreeze Protein: A Molecular Simulation Study.

We investigate by molecular simulations thermodynamic properties of hydration water and protein, the sensitivity of hydrogen bonds to change in temperature, and hydration water distribution at varying levels of hydration of a hyperactive antifreeze protein, DAFP-1. Hydration water coverage of the protein and partial thermodynamic properties of the hydration water are heterogeneous, different for the water near the ice-binding site (IBS) and the rest of the protein, particularly at low levels of hydration. Overall, we find the partial specific heat of water to be larger at low hydration levels than in the fully hydrated limit, with the separation corresponding roughly to one hydration layer. Differences in the specific heat in the low- and fully hydrated regions are accounted for by the varying sensitivity of water–water and water–protein hydrogen bonds to change in temperature as a function of hydration, most strikingly near the IBS. Using values computed for the specific heat, we estimate the partial ent...
Design and Optimization of Tunable Silicon-Integrated Evanescent-Mode Bandpass Filters

This paper reports on the design and optimization of MEMS-tunable evanescent-mode cavity-based bandpass filters with continuously variable center frequency within an octave tuning range. The devised filters are manufactured using silicon-micromachining techniques that enable their actualization for frequencies located in the millimeter-wave (30–100 GHz) regime. An RF design methodology that takes into consideration all microfabrication-induced constrains—e.g., nonvertical wall profiles and finite MEMS deflection—enables high unloaded factor ( $Q_{u}$ ) and also minimizes bandwidth (BW) variation within the octave tuning range is reported. Furthermore, a new passively compensating package-integrated input/output feeding structure that enables optimal impedance matching over the entire tuning range is also presented. In order to evaluate the devised RF design methodology, a filter prototype was manufactured and measured at Ka-band. It exhibits a measured frequency tuning between 20 and 40 GHz (2:1 tuning range), relative BW between 1.9 and 4.7%, insertion loss between 3.1 and 1.1 dB, and input reflection below 15 dB. This paper also explores important tradeoffs between mechanical stability and insertion loss by comparing creep-resistant to pure-Au tuning diagrams.
Culturally Relevant Leadership for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools

The issues and struggles facing school principals today seem daunting, especially for urban school principals. Educational leaders in the United States encounter serious challenges, much like their counterparts in other nations as they struggle to deal with greater external problems like overcrowding, grinding poverty, and problematic politics that impede the mission of their schools. We proffer in this chapter that a commitment to educational equity and excellence cannot occur without principals acknowledging and understanding the importance of culturally relevant leadership. Culturally relevant leadership involves a school leader: (1) understanding the importance of diversity and the recognition of different social identities (race, class, gender, ability status, religious orientation, etc.) (Harro B, The cycle of socialization. In Adams M, Blumenfield WJ, Castaneda R, Hackman HW, Peters ML, Zuniga X (eds) Readings for diversity and social justice: an anthology on racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and classism. Routledge, New York, pp. 79–82, 2000) and (2) utilizing such knowledge in every practice conflating this with notions of cultural collision and collusion (Beachum FD, McCray CR, Leadership in the eye of the storm: challenges at the intersection of urban schools, cultural collusion, and no child left behind. Multicultural Learning and Teaching, 3(2), 2008, Available: http://www.mltonline.org/current-articles/mlt-3-2/beachum-mccray.pdf), while also (3) constantly reflecting on these practices for continuous improvement and enhancement.
Tight Reachability Bounds for Nonlinear Systems Using Nonlinear and Uncertain Solution Invariants

This article continues a recent line of research that uses so-called solution invariants to enhance the accuracy of fast interval methods for bounding the reachable sets of nonlinear ODEs under uncertainty. The term solution invariants refers to algebraic state constraints that are implied by the dynamics. These can either exist naturally in the model (i.e., conservation laws) or they can be deliberately introduced by ‘lifting’ to achieve tighter bounds. While such reachability methods have proven very effective in some cases, they are limited in the types of invariants that can be used. In this article, we first present an important theoretical extension that permits the use of invariants that depend on uncertain model parameters. Next, we develop an extension of existing algorithms that enables the use of general nonlinear invariants for the first time. These extensions are demonstrated on an uncertain dynamic model of an anaerobic digestion process.
Enhanced Implant Impression Techniques to Maximize Accuracy

Purpose: The purpose of this chapter was to review the scientific literature on implant impression techniques for partially edentulous patients and to propose evidence-based clinical guidelines for implant treatment in the aesthetic zone.
Chapel HyperGraph Library (CHGL)

We present the Chapel Hpergraph Library (CHGL), a library for hypergraph computation in the emerging Chapel language. Hypergraphs generalize graphs, where a hypergraph edge can connect any number of vertices. Thus, hypergraphs capture high-order, high-dimensional interactions between multiple entities that are not directly expressible in graphs. CHGL is designed to provide HPC-class computation with high-level abstractions and modern language support for parallel computing on shared memory and distributed memory systems. In this paper we describe the design of CHGL, including first principles, data structures, and algorithms, and we present preliminary performance results based on a graph generation use case. We also discuss ongoing work of codesign with Chapel, which is currently centered on improving performance.
Single Cluster Clustering

Various approaches to comparing subsets are discussed. Two approaches to direct single cluster clustering are described: seriation and moving center separation, which are reinterpreted as locally optimal algorithms for particular (mainly approximational) criteria. A moving center algorithm is based on a novel concept of reference point: the cluster size depends on its distance from the reference point. Five single cluster structures are considered in detail: Principal cluster as related to both seriation and moving center; Ideal fuzzy type cluster as modeling “ideal type” concept; Additive cluster as related to the average link seriation; Star cluster as a kind of cluster in a “non-geometrical” environment; Box cluster as a pair of interconnected subsets. Approximation framework is shown quite convenient in both extending the algorithms to multi cluster clustering (overlapping permitted) and interpreting.
Identifying TRKA and TRKB specific pathways in neuroblastoma through phosphoproteomic analysis.

e20008 Background: Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor found in children and is difficult to treat given its genetic and clinical heterogeneity. The tyrosine kinase receptor, TrkB, is ofte...
Community-Initiated Student-Engaged Research: Expanding Undergraduate Teaching and Learning through Public Sociology:

Drawing on a multiyear local research project on the affordable housing crisis, this article outlines a pedagogical approach we call Community-Initiated Student-Engaged Research, or CISER. The CISE...
Polar polymer–solvent interaction derived favorable interphase for stable lithium metal batteries

Lithium metal has long been regarded as one of the most promising anode materials for future rechargeable batteries. However, the severe reaction of Li with carbonate electrolytes and the rapid growth of Li-dendrites at high current densities hinder its practical application in Li-metal batteries. Here we report a polar polymer protective layer to suppress highly corrosive cyclic carbonates by tuning polymer–solvent interactions. The CN groups of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer chains in the polar polymer network can effectively reduce high reactivity of the CO groups of carbonate solvents leading to a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer with higher inorganic components. In situ optical and electron microscopes demonstrate that the polar polymer network effectively restrained the formation and growth of Li-dendrites, which helps to stabilize the plating/stripping behavior of Li in a symmetric Li|Li cell and a Li|LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cell. This study provides a useful perspective of controlling electrolyte coordination to form a stable SEI layer in carbonate electrolytes for Li-metal batteries.
A Prospective Analysis of Intake of Red and Processed Meat in Relation to Pancreatic Cancer among African American Women.

Background: African Americans have the highest incidence of pancreatic cancer of any racial/ethnic group in the United States. There is evidence that consumption of red or processed meat and foods containing saturated fats may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, but there is limited evidence in African Americans. Methods: Utilizing the Black Women9s Health Study (1995–2018), we prospectively investigated the associations of red and processed meat and saturated fats with incidence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n = 168). A food frequency questionnaire was completed by 52,706 participants in 1995 and 2001. Multivariable-adjusted HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. We observed interactions with age (Pinteraction = 0.01). Thus, results were stratified at age 50 ( Results: Based on 148 cases among women aged ≥50 years, total red meat intake was associated with a 65% increased pancreatic cancer risk (HRQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.65; 95% CI, 0.98–2.78; Ptrend = 0.05), primarily due to unprocessed red meat. There was also a nonsignificant association between total saturated fat and pancreatic cancer (HRQ4 vs. Q1 = 1.85; 95% CI, 0.92–3.72; Ptrend = 0.08). Red meat and saturated fat intakes were not associated with pancreatic cancer risk in younger women, and there was no association with processed meat in either age group. Conclusions: Red meat—specifically, unprocessed red meat—and saturated fat intakes were associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in African-American women aged 50 and older, but not among younger women. Impact: The accumulating evidence—including now in African-American women—suggests that diet, a modifiable factor, plays a role in the etiology of pancreatic cancer, suggesting opportunities for prevention.
Hydrogen desorption from the surface and subsurface of cobalt

The influence of coverage on the diffusion of hydrogen into the subsurface of cobalt was studied using density functional theory (DFT) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). DFT calculations show that as the hydrogen coverage on Co(0001) increases, the barrier for hydrogen diffusion into the bulk decreases by 20%. Additionally, subsurface hydrogen on a hydrogen covered surface was found to be more stable when compared to a clean cobalt surface. To test these theoretical findings experimentally, excited hydrogen was used in an ultra-high vacuum environment to access higher hydrogen coverages. Our TPD studies showed that at high hydrogen coverages, a sharp low temperature feature appeared, indicating the stabilization of subsurface hydrogen. Further DFT calculations indicate that this sharp low temperature feature results from associative hydrogen desorption from a hydrogen saturated surface with a population of subsurface hydrogen. Microkinetic modelling was used to model the TPD spectra for hydrogen desporption from cobalt with and without subsurface hydrogen, showing reasonable agreement with experiment.
P128 Measuring the Long-Term Effectiveness of a SNAP-Ed Curriculum

Background The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) aims to improve the dietary, physical activity and food resource management behaviors of limited resource individuals to decrease their risk of chronic diseases. Several SNAP-Ed nutrition curricula are known to be effective at changing participants’ short-term behaviors. However, less research has been done to determine the long-term effectiveness of such curricula on behavior change. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the Utah's Create Better Health adult nutrition curriculum 6 months after participants completed the program. Impact on nutrition, physical activity, food safety, and food resource management behaviors were evaluated. Study Design, Setting, Participants Adult participants (n = 150) in SNAP-Ed classes were contacted via email or phone 6 months after completing a series of 4-8 Create Better Health classes. Participants completed a 24-question retrospective pre-post survey. Survey respondents were asked 24 nutrition, physical activity, and food resource management questions. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Respondents were asked to identify the frequency of behaviors prior to and after participating in the Create Better Health series. Questions included the frequency of making healthy food and physical activity choices consistent with the Dietary and Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Food resource management practices were also assessed. Responses were compared using paired t-tests and effect size was calculated using Cohen's d. Results Respondents reported statistically significant improvements in several behaviors 6 months after participating in Create Better Health classes including consuming recommended amounts of fruits (P Conclusions Utah SNAP-Ed's curriculum, Create Better Health, helps adult participants make and sustain healthy behavior changes for at least six months after participating in classes. This long-term behavior changes may help reduce some of the health disparities often experienced by limited resource individuals.
Timing and order of different insecticide classes drive control of Drosophila suzukii; a modeling approach

The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, is an invasive pest causing significant damage to soft skinned fruits. Control of D. suzukii is critical since there is no tolerance for infested fruit in the market. While most insecticides control one or more D. suzukii life-stages (e.g., egg, larvae, and adult), the impact of insecticides that are toxic to immature stages is unclear on the subsequent generation of a field population. Insecticides were applied at field recommended rates on cherries and blueberries in the laboratory to determine immature D. suzukii mortality. Spinetoram, cyantraniliprole, malathion, methomyl, spinosad, and phosmet resulted in relatively high mortality of all immature life stages. Zeta-cypermethrin, cyclaniliprole, and fenpropathrin resulted in lower mortality of egg and all larval instars. Malathion was also applied to lowbush blueberries with different fruit sizes (small, medium, and large) in the laboratory and there was no statistical difference in mortality rates depending on fruit sizes. Mortality data from the laboratory experiments were used to parameterize a refined D. suzukii population model. The model revealed that the timing and order of different insecticide classes are important to control D. suzukii population. Model runs that included early applications of more effective insecticides resulted in high immature mortality and greater reduction of D. suzukii populations compared to treatments applied later.
Disseminated Nocardia beijingensis Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Nocardia is a genus of aerobic, non-motile and non-spore-forming filamentous branching bacteria with fragmentation into bacillary or coccoid forms. Infections caused by Nocardia often occur in immunocompromised hosts and are potentially life-threatening. Nocardia beijingensis has rarely been reported to cause infection in immunocompetent hosts. We present a case of disseminated infection due to Nocardia beijingensis in a patient with no known medical comorbidities, who presented with new-onset seizure. Another interesting finding in our case is that our patient did not have any pulmonary symptoms despite chest CT showing the pulmonary system as the likely primary site of infection. As per our literature review, this is the seventh reported case of infection due to Nocardia beijingensis in an immunocompetent host. Learning points To recognize Nocardia beijingensis, a slow-growing weakly acid-fast filamentous bacteria commonly causing opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts, as an emerging pathogen in immunocompetent patients.Tissue biopsy with Gram staining showing variable filamentous bacteria and confirmation of species using restriction enzyme analysis and 16S rRNA analysis is needed to establish a diagnosis of infection.Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole has been successfully used to treat infection due to Nocardia beijingensis.
A population-based psychometric analysis of the insomnia severity index in black women with and without a history of cancer.

Black women are under-represented in insomnia research. Further, cancer treatments increase the risk of late effects, thus affecting the sleep of psychologically and medically vulnerable cancer survivors. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) is widely used, but has not been researched in black women, and research in cancer survivors is limited. Prior studies demonstrate that psychometric properties of the ISI are not consistent across samples. This study examined the internal consistency and factor structure of the ISI in 29,500 participants from the Black Women's Health Study, an epidemiological study of black women in the United States. This cohort included 28,214 women without a cancer history and 1,286 cancer survivors. Exploratory, confirmatory and multigroup analyses were conducted to determine the psychometric properties of the ISI in these groups. The mean ISI score was 7.18 (standard deviation [SD] = 6.82). Findings supported the internal consistency reliability of the ISI in black women with (Ω = 0.896) and without (Ω = 0.892) a cancer history. Exploratory factor analyses supported a one-factor structure. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that fit of this one-factor model was not robust in survivors (Satorra-Bentler chi-square [χSB2 (14)] = 197.78, comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.928, root mean-square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.143) or in women with no cancer history (χSB2 (14) = 2,887.93, CFI = 0.945, RMSEA = 0.121), but the alternative models we examined were not superior. Although factor structures in previous studies have varied considerably, we found a one-factor structure. Although internal consistency reliability was strong, factor analytic results did not further support the ISI. Inconsistencies in ISI measurement properties across studies may reflect differences in sample sizes and populations.
Environmental contamination of a quarantine hotel via SARS-CoV-2 positive travellers.

We report on the extent of environmental contamination of a quarantine hotel in China via two SARS-CoV-2 VOCs positive travellers.
System Structure and Connectivity

Many properties of our tracer model $$ \begin{array}{*{20}c} {\dot x(t) = Ax + b,\:t \geqslant 0,} \\ {x(0) = x_0 } \\ \end{array} $$ (11.1) depend only on the disposition of zero and nonzero elements in the compartmental matrix A (matrix singularity of A turns out to be such a property). If aij = 0 (i ≠ j), then there is no flow of material from compartment j directly to compartment i. If aijj ≠ 0 (i ≠ j), then material is passing directly from the jth to the ith compartment. A useful representation of structure of a compartmental system is the connectivity diagram for the system which shows the nonzero transfers of material on a directed graph. The directed graph consists of a set of nodes (the compartments) together with a set of directed edges (the flows) connecting certain of these nodes. A compartmental system, complete with inputs and exits, and its associated connectivity diagram are given in Figure 11.1.
Pre-Military Conditioning

(1943). Pre-Military Conditioning. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 28-59.
Hydrodynamics of Single Cloud and Precipitation Particles

Once formed, cloud particles immediately begin to move under the action of gravity and frictional forces, the latter arising from their motion relative to the air. Some fraction of these particles will undergo complex hydrodynamic interactions causing some to collide. The particles will experience growth if the collision results in a permanent union. However, most of the time most cloud particles will simply fall with negligible interaction. It is this basic mode of isolated motion that we address ourselves to in this chapter. Furthermore, for simplicity we shall defer to Chapter 17 the consideration of the complicating influence of electrical forces.
High reflectance DBR gratings in LiNbO/sub 3/ channel waveguides for WDM applications

We have proposed and implemented a new concept for fabricating high reflectance DBR grating channel waveguides in materials such as LiNbO/sub 3/ which bypasses many of the problems associated with previous techniques. First, annealed proton exchanged channel waveguides were fabricated on the surface of a LiNbO/sub 3/ substrate using a standard process. Next, we deposited 1800 A of silicon on the surface by e-beam evaporation. A first-order grating (with a period of 359 nm) was formed on the surface of the silicon with commercial photoresist and standard holography using an argon laser at /spl lambda/=457.9 nm. The grating was transferred to the silicon layer by RIE. No additional buffer layer was added. Our preliminary results show higher reflection than any other previously reported. The optimized process is expected to find applications in commercially viable devices. These include key devices of WDM systems such as tunable rare-earth doped DFB lasers, modulators, and tunable filters; as well as SHG devices.
Certified Genetic Counselors: A Crucial Clinical Resource in the Management of Patients with Suspected Hereditary Cancer Syndromes

The role of the cancer genetic counselor in the management of patients with cancer is discussed in this article. This includes explaining what a genetic counselor is trained to do and how they are credentialed and licensed. In addition, the article explains who to refer for cancer genetic counseling. Once referred, the article describes what actually happens in a pretest and posttest cancer genetic counseling session. Use of a cancer genetic registry and how it can help in practice is discussed. Finally, several mechanisms for identifying a cancer genetic counselor at one's institution or nearby are outlined.
Effects of estrogenic oral contraceptives on the lipoprotein B particle system defined by apolipoproteins E and C-III content

Abstract Apolipoproteins E and C-III are modulators of lipoprotein metabolism that could affect development of atherosclerosis. The prevalence in plasma of apoB-containing particles (LpB) that contain either apoE or apoC-III, both or neither, and the effect of estrogen on these lipoproteins are unknown. The LpB particle system, defined by the presence or absence of apoE or C-III, was studied in 13 normolipidemic women, 7 nonusers and 6 users of oral contraceptives. Fasting plasma was separated by anti-apoE and C-III affinity chromatography and ultracentrifugation into four types of VLDL, IDL, and LDL particles: with apoE but not apoC-III (E+C−), apoC-III but not apoE (E−C+), both (E+C+) or neither (E−C−). The predominant VLDL particles were E−C− (42% in nonusers, 56% in users) and E+C+ (39% in nonusers, 24% in users), suggesting that apoE and apoC-III mainly exist together in VLDL. In IDL, E−C− was the major fraction (74% nonusers, 81% users), and in LDL, it was 99% in both groups. The triglycerides in VLDL and IDL were mainly contained in C+ particles (79% and 66% of the total VLDL and IDL triglycerides, respectively). Within VLDL, IDL, and LDL, E−C− particles had the smallest size and E+C+ or E−C+ the largest. Users had higher concentrations of VLDL E−C− (280%) and IDL E−C− (90%) particles than nonusers. They also had higher free cholesterol and cholesteryl ester concentrations associated with these fractions and with VLDL E−C+. The triglyceride contents of VLDL E−C− particles were lower in users of oral contraceptives than in nonusers. This study demonstrates that the elevated VLDL TG concentrations in users of estrogen-dominant oral contraceptives is mainly caused by an increased concentration of small VLDL particles that have reduced TG content, and that do not have apoE and C-III. These particles may have lower atherogenicity than particles enriched with apoE and C-III. —Khoo, C., H. Campos, H. Judge, and F. M. Sacks. Effects of estrogenic oral contraceptives on the lipoprotein B particle system defined by apolipoproteins E and C-III content. J. Lipid Res. 1999. 40: 202–212.