cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computing for STEM majors: enhancing non CS majors' computing skills

One of the challenges facing the U.S. technological workforce is that as fewer students take computing courses, fewer college graduates are being prepared for computing careers. Besides trying to attract more CS majors, another approach is to (i) design a computing curriculum that appeals to students and faculty from other (non-CS) disciplines, (ii) use special scholarships to attract students to that curriculum, and (iii) sponsor faculty development workshops for non-CS departments. In this paper, we detail this approach, using a new introductory course oriented to science majors, and scholarships funded by the National Science Foundation Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (NSF S-STEM) program to motivate non-CS majors to take CS courses. We also present several success stories that this approach has produced in its first two years.
Chromatin immunoprecipitation identifies genes under direct VraSR regulation in Staphylococcus aureus

Transcriptional profiling of Staphylococcus aureus treated with cell wall-active antibiotics identified the 2-component system, VraSR, as one of the key players in response to antibiotic stress. Although it has been shown that a number of genes are regulated by the VraSR system, it has not been shown which genes are under direct VraSR regulation and which genes are not. In this study, chromatin immunoprecipitation techniques were used to identify the genes which are regulated by the direct interaction of VraR with their promoter regions. The results showed for the first time, that the VraSR mediated regulation of cell wall biosynthesis-associated genes, pbp2, murZ, and sgtB are facilitated by the direct binding of VraR to their respective promoters. Conversely, fmtA, indicated previously to be under VraSR regulation did not exhibit direct regulation by the binding of VraR to its promoter. The VraSR system plays a very important role in antibiotic resistance against cell wall-active antibiotics, and hence,...
Analysis of Social Interaction Gestures in Infants with Autism

This study analyzes the emergent use of gestures used among 9–12-month-old infants with autism and typical development using retrospective video analysis. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the frequency, initiation, prompting, and diversity of types of gestures used for social interaction purposes. It was hypothesized that a restricted variety in type(s) of gestures as well as fewer child-initiated gestures and more prompted gestures would be associated with later diagnosis of autism. Logistic regression analysis found that decreased variety in type of gestures used was significantly associated with autism status. Neither number of total gestures nor initiation of gestures (child-initiated vs. prompted) was significantly associated with autism status.
Prognostic value of metabolic tumor burden in lung cancer

Accurate prognosis in patients with lung cancer is important for clinical decision making and treatment selection. The TNM staging system is currently the main method for establishing prognosis. Using this system, patients are grouped into one of four stages based on primary tumor extent, nodal disease, and distant metastases. However, each stage represents a range of disease extent and may not on its own be the best reflection of individual patient prognosis. 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography ( 18 F-FDG-PET) can be used to evaluate the metabolic tumor burden affecting the whole body with measures such as metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). MTV and TLG have been shown to be significant prognostic factors in patients with lung cancer, independent of TNM stage. These metabolic tumor burden measures have the potential to make lung cancer staging and prognostication more accurate and quantitative, with the goal of optimizing treatment choices and outcome predictions.
α4α6β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation on ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons is sufficient to stimulate a depolarizing conductance and enhance surface AMPA receptor function.

Tobacco addiction is a serious threat to public health in the United States and abroad, and development of new therapeutic approaches is a major priority. Nicotine activates and/or desensitizes nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) throughout the brain. nAChRs in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons are crucial for the rewarding and reinforcing properties of nicotine in rodents, suggesting that they may be key mediators of nicotine’s action in humans. However, it is unknown which nAChR subtypes are sufficient to activate these neurons. To test the hypothesis that nAChRs containing α6 subunits are sufficient to activate VTA DA neurons, we studied mice expressing hypersensitive, gain-of-function α6 nAChRs (α6L9′S mice). In voltage-clamp recordings in brain slices from adult mice, 100 nM nicotine was sufficient to elicit inward currents in VTA DA neurons via α6β2* nAChRs. In addition, we found that low concentrations of nicotine could act selectively through α6β2* nAChRs to enhance the function of 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl)propanoic acid (AMPA) receptors on the surface of these cells. In contrast, α6β2* activation did not enhance N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor function. Finally, AMPA receptor (AMPAR) function was not similarly enhanced in brain slices from α6L9′S mice lacking α4 nAChR subunits, suggesting that α4α6β2* nAChRs are important for enhancing AMPAR function in VTA DA neurons. Together, these data suggest that activation of α4α6β2* nAChRs in VTA DA neurons is sufficient to support the initiation of cellular changes that play a role in addiction to nicotine. α4α6β2* nAChRs may be a promising target for future smoking cessation pharmacotherapy.
Nonerythroid αII spectrin is required for recruitment of FANCA and XPF to nuclear foci induced by DNA interstrand cross-links

The events responsible for repair of DNA interstrand cross-links in mammalian cells, the proteins involved and their interactions with each other are poorly understood. The present study demonstrates that the structural protein nonerythroid α spectrin (αSpIIΣ*), present in normal human cell nuclei, plays an important role in repair of DNA interstrand cross-links. These results show that αSpIIΣ* relocalizes to nuclear foci after damage of normal human cells with the DNA interstrand cross-linking agent 8-methoxypsoralen plus ultraviolet A (UVA) light and that FANCA and the known DNA repair protein XPF localize to the same nuclear foci. That αSpIIΣ* is essential for this re-localization is demonstrated by the finding that in cells from patients with Fanconi anemia complementation group A (FA-A), which have decreased ability to repair DNA interstrand cross-links and decreased levels of αSpIIΣ*, there is a significant reduction in formation of damage-induced XPF as well asα SpIIΣ* nuclear foci, even though levels of XPF are normal in these cells. In corrected FA-A cells, in which levels of αSpIIΣ* are restored to normal, numbers of damage-induced nuclear foci are also returned to normal. Co-immunoprecipitation studies show thatα SpIIΣ*, FANCA and XPF co-immunoprecipitate with each other from normal human nuclear proteins. These results demonstrate thatα SpIIΣ*, FANCA and XPF interact with each other in the nucleus and indicate that there is a close functional relationship between these proteins. These studies suggest that an important role for αSpIIΣ* in the nucleus is to act as a scaffold, aiding in recruitment and alignment of repair proteins at sites of damage.
Intercellular exchange of class II major histocompatibility complex/peptide complexes is a conserved process that requires activation of T cells but is constitutive in other types of antigen presenting cell.

Activated T cells acquire antigen presenting cell- (APC) derived class II major histocompatibility complex glycoproteins (MHCII) but the role of TCR in this process is controversial. This study provides additional evidence that ligation of TCR initiates activation-dependent processes that independently mediate acquisition of APC-derived molecules. First, intercellular exchange of MHCII resulted in the constitutive accumulation of xenogeneic rat I-A on murine B cells, whereas naive murine T cells required activation to adsorb xenogeneic I-A. Likewise, continuous lines of B cells, basophils, and MO from various species such as rat, mouse, and human constitutively acquired xenogeneic I-A. Second, inhibitors of T-cell activation such as wortmannin, EGTA, or mAb against I-A, TCR, LFA-1, or CD4 inhibited I-A acquisition by rested T cells but not by preactivated T cells. In conclusion, exchange of MHCII is a conserved process that requires activation of T cells but is constitutive in other types of APC.
Arterial hemodynamics and mechanical properties after circulatory intervention in the chick embryo

Altered blood pressure and flow impact cardiac function during morphogenesis. How the arterial system supports cardiac morphogenesis after circulatory disruptions is not well characterized. We manipulated arterial flow via left atrial ligation (LAL) or arterial load via right vitelline artery ligation (VAL) in Hamburger-Hamilton (HH) stage 21 chick embryos. Embryos were reincubated for 1 h (HH21), 14 h (HH24) or 30 h (HH27). At each stage we measured simultaneous dorsal aortic blood pressure and flow, and calculated arterial compliance, impedance and hydraulic power. LAL acutely reduced stroke volume (Vs), cardiac output (Q) and hydraulic power. Arterial pressure was preserved by a compensatory increase in characteristic impedance and decrease in compliance. Impedance parameters and compliance normalized by HH24 and all parameters normalized by HH27. VAL acutely increased arterial resistance. Embryos maintained arterial pressure by decreasing Vs and Q. These parameters remained altered through HH27. In summary, despite the intervention, compensatory alterations in Vs and arterial resistance maintained arterial pressure and fraction of oscillatory power within a narrow range. These results suggest that the maintenance of arterial pressure and circulatory energy efficiency, but not arterial flow, is critical to embryogenesis.
Comparing PLS to regression and LISREL: a response to Marcoulides, Chin, and Saunders

In the Foreword to an MIS Quarterly Special Issue on PLS, the senior editors for the special issue noted that they rejected a number of papers because the authors attempted comparisons between results from PLS, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling (Marcoulides et al. 2009). They raised several issues they argued had to be taken into account to have legitimate comparison studies, supporting their position primarily by citing three authors: Dijkstra (1983), McDonald(1996), and Schneeweiss (1993). As researchers interested in conducting comparison studies, we read the Foreword carefully, but found it did not provide clear guidance on how to conduct "legitimate" comparisons. Nor did our reading of Dijksta, McDonald, and Schneeweiss raise any red flags about dangers in this kind of comparison research. We were concerned that instead of helping researchers to successfully engage in comparison research, the Foreword might end up discouraging that type of work, and might even be used incorrectly to reject legitimate comparison studies. This Issues and Opinions piece addresses the question of why one might conduct comparison studies, and gives an overview of the process of comparison research with a focus on what is required to make those comparisons legitimate. In addition, we explicitly address the issues raised by Marcoulides et al., to explore where they might (or might not) come into play when conducting or evaluating this type of study.
High Speed Heterodyne Holographic Interferometry

Recording and measurement in full field of transient displacements such as those associated with acoustic wave propagation can be performed using double-exposure, dual-reference beam holographic recordings. Holograms thus recorded may then be analyzed using the principles of heterodyne and phase-step quasi-heterodyne interferometry. The advantages of these procedures include an increase in up to three orders of magnitude in the sensitivity and dynamic range of measurement over conventional double-pulsed holographic interferometry. Using these techniques, the production of full field “contour maps” with measurement sensitivities below 10 Angstroms have been demonstrated for out-of-plane surface displacements.
MAJOR BLEEDING AMONG RIVAROXABAN USERS WITH NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND DIABETES

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are both independent risk factors for stroke. Per current clinical practice guidelines, all female and many male patients with AF who also have DM should be considered for oral anticoagulation therapy for stroke prevention. Rivaroxaban, a novel
Novel sensory signaling systems in the kidney.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review summarizes recent literature highlighting the roles of chemical and mechanical sensory receptors in renal function. RECENT FINDINGS Both chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors play important roles in renal physiology; here, we discuss specific examples of both chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors in the kidney. SUMMARY In order to maintain homeostasis, the kidney uses sensory receptors to assess the composition and rate of flow of the forming urine. Understanding the roles of these receptors will help us to better understand how the kidney functions both in health and in disease.
City of Noise: Sound and Nineteenth-Century Paris

How might we imagine the city of light, the city in which the nineteenth century witnessed tremendous innovations in lighting and optical technologies, as a "city of noise"? Such is the question po...
Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Sperm from Patients with Testicular Carcinoma

AbstractSemen samples from 14 patients with testicular cancer were analyzed by new flow cytometry techniques and by conventional semen analysis. Samples were obtained post-unilateral orchiectomy and prior to further treatment. With only 1 exception, light microscopic analysis of sperm count and morphology indicated a decrease of normal sperm production and incomplete or abnormal differentiation. Flow cytometry of semen aliquots showed, with the same exception as above, increased acridine orange staining of the sperm nuclear chromatin, attributed to abnormal chromatin composition and condensation. In addition, the chromatin structure of isolated sperm nuclei was abnormally sensitive to thermal stress. These changes were present up to 15 months post orchiectomy and suggest abnormal spermiogenesis in the contralateral testis of patients with testicular tumors. Of the 14 patients studied only 1 fell well within the normal range for all parameters measured; 2 other patients were in the low normal range for all...
Prevention of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections

Bloodstream infections related to the use of central venous catheters are common in hospital settings. They cause a substantial amount of morbidity and add significantly to the cost of health care. Guidelines have been published on preventive measures, but such measures must be implemented systematically for success in preventing these infections. Useful steps include instructing all personnel who manage catheters with interactive educational programs, practicing cutaneous antisepsis, following aseptic insertion technique, and using antibiotic- and antiseptic-impregnated catheters.
Modelling the Energy Requirements of Seabird Populations

The previous chapters in this volume have considered aspects of the physiology of marine birds: the energetics of egg formation, embryonic metabolism, activity costs, incubation and developmental patterns, and the like. In this chapter I approach seabird energetics from an ecological rather than a physiological perspective, asking “How can information on the metabolism and energetics of seabirds be used to address questions about their behavior, population dynamics, or role in the trophic pathways of marine ecosystems?”.
Comparing posteroanterior with lateral and anteroposterior chest radiography in the initial detection of parapneumonic effusions

Abstract Background It is unclear whether anteroposterior (AP) or posteroanterior with lateral (PA/Lat) chest radiographs are superior in the early detection of clinically relevant parapneumonic effusions (CR-PPEs). The objective of this study was to identify which technique is preferred for detection of PPEs using chest computed tomography (CCT) as a reference standard. Methods A secondary analysis of a pneumonia database was conducted to identify patients who received a CCT within 24 hours of presentation and also received AP or PA/Lat chest radiographs within 24 hours of CCT. Sensitivity and specificity were then calculated by comparing the radiographic diagnosis of PPEs of both types of radiographs compared with CCT by using the existing attending radiologist interpretation. Clinical relevance of effusions was determined by CCT effusion measurement of >2.5 cm or presence of loculation. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the sensitivity of AP (67.3%) and PA/Lat (83.9%) chest radiography for the initial detection of CR-PPE. Of 16 CR-PPEs initially missed by AP radiography, 7 either required drainage initially or developed empyema within 30 days, whereas no complicated PPE or empyema was found in those missed by PA/Lat radiography. Conclusions PA/Lat chest radiography should be the initial imaging of choice in pneumonia patients for detection of PPEs because it appears to be statistically superior to AP chest radiography.
Smoking Behaviors and Abstinence in Low-Income Pregnant Women

Background : Despite efforts to educate individuals about the hazards of smoking, pregnant women continue to smoke. In the literature, there is less evidence about successful abstinence strategies for low-income women. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess smoking behaviors and factors that support smoking abstinence in low-income pregnant women. Methods : Using a longitudinal design, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from pregnant women at a low-income community prenatal clinic. Based on the Transtheoretical model, all subjects received information about the harmful effects of smoking and secondhand exposure, while current smokers were given a “quit kit” and contacted up to one year post-delivery to evaluate smoking behaviors. Results : All subjects (N = 135) ranged in age from 18 to 41; 75% were not married; 78% had household incomes < $30,000; and the majority were African American (40%). Fifty-five (40.7%) never smoked while 77(57%) had a smoking history, of these 18(23%) were spontaneous quitters. Data indicated that 36% reported smoking during pregnancy, with the majority in pre-contemplation. After one year, 18% of current smokers quit. Conclusions : Without a specific plan, the majority were unable to successfully abstain. Rate of abstinence may have been further influenced because subjects began smoking at an early age and were unsuccessful at previous quit attempts. Providers must continue to educate pregnant women but also evaluate strategies that require few provider visits, are cost effective, focus on relapse prevention, and can successfully influence smoking abstinence in low-income pregnant women.
Developing a Biomarker Feedback Intervention to Motivate Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy: Phase II MAW Study

Introduction The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy for Alaska Native (AN) women is more than triple that of non-Native Alaska women. In this qualitative study, we solicited input from AN women and others to determine how best to present findings from an earlier study demonstrating a strong correlation between biomarkers for maternal smoking (cotinine) and neonatal exposure to a tobacco-specific carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) to motivate cessation. Methods We developed a brochure incorporating generalized biomarker information. Using in-depth individual interviews with pregnant and postpartum AN women and partners/family members, we explored applicability and acceptability of the information. Postpartum women, who had participated in the earlier correlation study, additionally received their individual biomarker results. We assessed whether being presented general or individual biomarker information would motivate cessation using content analysis. Results We conducted 39 interviews: 16 pregnant women, 12 postpartum women, and 11 partners/family members. Overall, participants agreed the biomarker information was new, but understandable as presented. Postpartum women shared that learning their personal results inspired them to want to quit or cut back smoking while pregnant women indicated the generalized correlation information was less helpful in motivating cessation. Conclusion Generalized information about fetal exposure to carcinogens may be more effective in motivating pregnant women to quit smoking when combined with individual cotinine testing. Implications Using feedback from this study, we refined and are currently evaluating an intervention incorporating generalized correlation information from Phase I and cotinine testing to determine its effectiveness in motivating smoking cessation among pregnant AN women.
Degradation of the BAF Complex Factor BRD9 by Heterobifunctional Ligands

The bromodomain-containing protein BRD9, a subunit of the human BAF (SWI/SNF) nucleosome remodeling complex, has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target in cancer. Despite the development of chemical probes targeting the BRD9 bromodomain, there is a limited understanding of BRD9 function beyond acetyl-lysine recognition. We have therefore created the first BRD9-directed chemical degraders, through iterative design and testing of heterobifunctional ligands that bridge the BRD9 bromodomain and the cereblon E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. Degraders of BRD9 exhibit markedly enhanced potency compared to parental ligands (10- to 100-fold). Parallel study of degraders with divergent BRD9-binding chemotypes in models of acute myeloid leukemia resolves bromodomain polypharmacology in this emerging drug class. Together, these findings reveal the tractability of non-BET bromodomain containing proteins to chemical degradation, and highlight lead compound dBRD9 as a tool for the study of BRD9.
Hermes: Secure heterogeneous multicore architecture design

The emergence of general-purpose system-on-chip (SoC) architectures has given rise to a number of significant security challenges. The current trend in SoC design is system-level integration of heterogeneous technologies consisting of a large number of processing elements such as programmable RISC cores, memory, DSPs, and accelerator function units/ASIC. These processing elements may come from different providers, and application executable code may have varying levels of trust. Some of the pressing architecture design questions are: (1) how to implement multi-level user-defined security; (2) how to optimally and securely share resources and data among processing elements. In this work, we develop a secure multicore architecture, named Hermes. It represents a new architectural framework that integrates multiple processing elements (called tenants) of secure and non-secure cores into the same chip design while (a) maintaining individual tenant security, (b) preventing data leakage and corruption, and (c) promoting collaboration among the tenants. The Hermes architecture is based on a programmable secure router interface and a trust-aware routing algorithm. With 17% hardware overhead, it enables the implementation of processing-element-oblivious secure multicore systems with a programmable distributed group key management scheme.
Atomically-precise colloidal nanoparticles of cerium dioxide.

Synthesis of truly monodisperse nanoparticles and their structural characterization to atomic precision are important challenges in nanoscience. Success has recently been achieved for metal nanoparticles, particularly Au, with diameters up to 3 nm, the size regime referred to as nanoclusters. In contrast, families of atomically precise metal oxide nanoparticles are currently lacking, but would have a major impact since metal oxides are of widespread importance for their magnetic, catalytic and other properties. One such material is colloidal CeO2 (ceria), whose applications include catalysis, new energy technologies, photochemistry, and medicine, among others. Here we report a family of atomically precise ceria nanoclusters with ultra-small dimensions up to ~1.6 nm (~100 core atoms). X-ray crystallography confirms they have the fluorite structure of bulk CeO2, and identifies surface features, H+ binding sites, Ce3+ locations, and O vacancies on (100) facets. Monodisperse ceria nanoclusters now permit investigation of their properties as a function of exact size, surface morphology, and Ce3+:Ce4+ composition.
IMMEDIATE CHANGES IN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS OF RIGHT HEART FUNCTION AFTER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) can adversely affect right ventricular function (RVF). RVF is an important determinant of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) outcomes. Immediate changes in echocardiographic parameters of RVF have not been previously reported. We report changes in
The Next Era of Regulation: Partnerships for Change

To achieve meaningful impact in the coming years, health care regulators must redouble their efforts to develop robust partnerships. New relationships in the regulatory arena are increasingly central to improving and sustaining high-quality health care broadly and patient safety specifically. The contributions of boards of nursing, with the support of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, are substantive. Many of them drive an agenda that supports the delivery of safe, competent nursing care, not only in the United States but also in collaboration with counterparts around the world. This article will identify and discuss eight important factors nurse regulators must consider as they work to build strong partnerships in a changing health care environment.
Impact of PEG additives and pore rim functionalization on water transport through sub-1 nm carbon nanotube porins

Carbon nanotubes represent one of the most interesting examples of a nanofluidic channel that combines extremely small diameters with atomically smooth walls and well-defined chemical functionalities at the pore entrance. In the past, sub-1 nm diameter carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs) embedded in a lipid membrane matrix demonstrated extremely high water permeabilities and strong ion selectivities. In this work, we explore additional factors that can influence transport in these channels. Specifically, we use stopped-flow transport measurements to focus on the effect of chemical modifications of the CNT rims and chaotropic polyethyleneglycol (PEG) additives on CNTP water permeability and Arrhenius activation energy barriers for water transport. We show that PEG, especially in its more chaotropic coiled configuration, enhances the water transport and reduces the associated activation energy. Removal of the static charges on the CNTP rim by converting –COOH groups to neutral methylamide groups also reduces the activation energy barriers and enhances water transport rates.
Stuttering Frequency, Speech Rate, Speech Naturalness, and Speech Effort During the Production of Voluntary Stuttering

Purpose:Voluntary stuttering techniques involve persons who stutter purposefully interjecting disfluencies into their speech. Little research has been conducted on the impact of these techniques on...
Tissue-specific functions of invariant natural killer T cells

Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) are an innate-like T cell subset that expresses an invariant T cell receptor (TCR) α-chain and recognizes lipids presented on CD1d. They secrete diverse cytokines and can influence many types of immune responses. Despite having highly similar TCR specificities, iNKT cells differentiate in the thymus into distinct subsets that are analogous to T helper 1 (TH1), TH2 and TH17 cell subsets. Additional iNKT cell subsets that may require peripheral activation have also been described, including one that produces IL-10. In general, iNKT cells are non-circulating, tissue-resident lymphocytes, but the prevalence of different iNKT cell subsets differs markedly between tissues. Here, we summarize the functions of iNKT cells in four tissues in which they are prevalent, namely, the liver, the lungs, adipose tissue and the intestine. Importantly, we explain how local iNKT cell responses at each site contribute to tissue homeostasis and protection from infection but can also contribute to tissue inflammation and damage.
The role of the chief information officer in the health care organization in the 1990s.

During the next decade, the role of the CIO will change in two major areas: 1. The relative importance of the CIO as the person who translates business and clinical needs into information technology ideas will diminish. Although this portion of the CIO role will not disappear, this role will be increasingly filled by senior management, clinicians, and other members of the hospital staff. 2. The CIO role will need to shift from an emphasis on managing implementations and projects to developing and advancing the infrastructure. CIOs need to distinguish between the expression of the asset (the application portfolio) and the information technology infrastructure (the remaining four components of the asset). While being pressured to deliver more applications, they can fail to invest in and manage the infrastructure. This is a mistake. By neglecting management of and investment in the infrastructure (e.g., staff training and data quality) or by failing to take advantage of new technologies, they can hinder the ability of an organization to deliver superior applications. Poor data quality will cripple an executive information system and a too-permissive stance toward hardware and operating system heterogeneity will hinder the ability to deliver a computerized patient record. Although some management of the infrastructure is in place, in general it is insufficient. Few organizations have both a distinct data management function and a technical architecture plan, and also develop and enforce key technical, data, and development standards. This insufficiency will hinder their ability to effectively and efficiently apply their information technology infrastructure. The role of the CIO will evolve due to several powerful forces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analysis of Sequential Substages of the Natural Killer Cell Lethal Hit

Previous studies have shown that NK cytotoxicity can be resolved into several stages: NK-target cell binding, triggering, programming, and killer cell independent lysis (KCIL)(1, 2). NK cells produce soluble cytolytic factors (NKCF), which can lyse NK-sensitive targets and have been used as another measure of the NK lethal hit (3, 4). Since KCIL and NKCF-mediated cytolysis are independent of the NK cell, and are inhibited by PGE, (5), low temperatue (1), and trypsin (6), it was postulated that the target cell membrane probably played a crucial role during the NK lethal hit. Several hypotheses were proposed to explain these results. [1] Membrane fluidity/movement may play a role in channel formation by the NK lytic complex. [2] Membrane movement or endocytosis, requiring intact metabolic and energy transfer pathways, may be required for completion of the lethal hit. [3] Enzymatic activity, either from target cell enzymes or a function of the NK lytic complex itself, may be a necessary substage of the NK lethal hit. These hypotheses were tested in this study with specific membrane crosslinking/fluidizing agents, inhibitors of energy metabolism, and inhibitors of protease activity.
Integration of Sustainability Indicators and the Viable System Model Towards a Systemic Sustainability Assessment Methodology

Reports on the progress of sustainability initiatives in industrial practice and academic research have increased over the past several decades, but organizations are still faced with challenges in defining what sustainability means to them, in assessing their sustainability performance, and in making decisions that allow them to develop as sustainable systems. The developmental milestones of sustainability are consistent with the post‐normal versus traditional science, where transdisciplinary and policy/action research are among the important approaches to be added to traditional analysis. This shift requires a new perspective to look at the problem at hand: we are no longer considering a group of users with common and self‐interested goals when defining the scope of sustainability studies. This new perspective, in turn, requires sustainability indicators that can capture largely diverse but relevant measurements to completely represent the different perspectives that must be fulfilled, as well as requiring new methodologies that focus on heuristics, systemic stability, control, and feedback, versus traditional optimization for mechanistic problems. The presented research attempts to build upon an established connection between sustainability and viability, that is, the Viable System Model offers a framework to map the self‐adapting mechanisms that allow a system to cope with its internal and external sustainability challenges. These capabilities can help the organization reach its sustainability goals. A sustainability assessment model that integrates both sustainability indicators and Viable System Model methodologies has been developed and is presented here. This model presents an effort towards integrated assessment, with a focus on dynamics, control, and feedback. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Signal and Noise Sources from Microwire Arrays Implanted in Rodent Cortex

Microelectrode arrays are commonly used in neuroscience experimentation, but detailed engineering-oriented characterizations of these devices are rarely found in the literature. This manuscript presents spectral and time domain measurements from microwire arrays (TDT) implanted in rodent cortex. Characterizations of thermal noise, local field potentials, and action potential activity were performed with custom low noise electronics as well as a commercial neural recording system. The measurements show spectral characteristics relevant to noise specifications for front-end electronics designed for neural recording, often referred to as “neural amplifiers.” Background noise levels in different frequency bands were quantified, and suggest lower noise specifications for front-end electronics than are often used in state-of-the-art designs. The measurements are also relevant to understanding intracortical recordings in general, particularly in less explored regions of the spectrum.
Joint Gaussian copula model for mixed data with application to imaging epigenetics study of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It has been proposed that this disorder is related to disrupted brain connectivity, which has been verified by many studies, but its underlying mechanism is still unclear. Recent advances have combined heterogeneous data including both medical images (e.g., fMRI) and genomic data (e.g., SNPs and DNA methylations), which give rise to a new perspective on SZ. In this paper, we aim to explore the associations between DNA methylations and various brain regions to shed light on the neuro-epigenetic interactions in the SZ disease. We proposed a joint Gaussian copula model, where we used the Gaussian copula model to address the data integration issue and the joint network estimation for different conditions (case-control study). Unlike previous studies using methods such as CCA or ICA, the proposed method not only can provide the neuro-epigenetic interactions but also the brain connectivity, and methylation selfinteractions all at the same time. The data we used were collected by the Mind Clinical Imaging Consortium (MCIC), which includes the fMRI image and the epigenetic information such as methylation levels. The data were from 183 subjects, among them 79 SZ patients and 104 healthy controls. We have identified several hub brain regions and hub DNA methylations of the SZ patients and have also detected 10 methylation-brain ROI interactions for SZ. Our analysis results are shown to be both statistically and biologically significant.
Literature sources for primary environmental science teachers

AbstractWith school days seemingly getting shorter and packed with more and more obligations, teachers integrate core subjects like science and reading in the hopes of delivering a curriculum that is meaningful and content rich. Using trade books, primary teachers can develop and deliver science content designed to introduce students to proenvironmental behaviors built around the Next Generation Science Earth and Human Activity Standard, Human Impacts on Earth Systems, ESS3-C. The Next Generation Science standards call for integrating literacy skills and science to develop knowledge of scientific topics. This article shares ideas on how primary teachers can use a variety of children’s literature as a foundation to inspire young students to take small steps toward developing proenvironmental behaviors. Under an umbrella of three environmental themes, proenvironmental behavior, trash, and water pollution, the article describes key concepts, vocabulary, and activities designed to develop a mindfulness of pro...
Time-dependent antagonist-agonist switching in receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling

ErbB4/HER4 is a unique member of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases concerning its activation of anti-proliferative JAK2-STAT5 pathway when stimulated by ligand Neuregulin (NRG). Activation of this pathway leads to expression of genes like β-casein which promote cell differentiation. Recent experimental studies on mouse HC11 mammary epithelial cells stimulated by ligand Neuregulin (NRG) showed a time-dependent switching behavior in the β-casein expression. This behavior cannot be explained using currently available mechanistic models of the JAK-STAT pathway. We constructed an improved mechanistic model which introduces two crucial modifications to the canonical HER4-JAK2-STAT5 pathway based on literature findings. These modifications include competitive HER4 heterodimerization with other members of the ErbB family and a slower JAK2 independent activation STAT5 through HER4. We also performed global sensitivity analysis on the model to test the robustness of the predictions and parameter combinations that are sensitive to the outcome. Our model was able to reproduce the time-dependent switching behavior of β-casein and also establish that the modifications mentioned above to the canonical JAK-STAT pathway are necessary to reproduce this behavior. The sensitivity studies show that the competitive HER4 heterodimerization reactions have a profound impact on the sensitivity of the pathway to NRG stimulation, while the slower JAK2-independent pathway is necessary for the late stage promotion of β-casein mRNA transcription. The difference in the time scales of the JAK-dependent and JAK-independent pathways was found to be the main contributing factor to the time-dependent switch. The transport rates controlling activated STAT5 dimer nuclear import and β-casein mRNA export to cytoplasm affected the time delay between NRG stimulation and peak β-casein mRNA activity. This study highlights the effect of competitive and parallel reaction pathways on both short and long-term dynamics of receptor-mediated signaling. It provides robust and testable predictions of the dynamical behavior of the HER4 mediated JAK-STAT pathway which could be useful in designing treatments for various cancers where this pathway is activated/altered.
False Memories: The Other Side of Forgetting.

Objective:To measure caregivers’ and clinicians’ perception of false memories in the lives of patients with memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using a novel false memories questionnaire. Our hypotheses were that false memories are occurring as often as forgetting according to clinicians and family members.Method:This prospective, questionnaire-based study consisting of 20 false memory questions paired with 20 forgetting questions had two forms: one for clinicians and the other for family members of older subjects. In total, 226 clinicians and 150 family members of 49 patients with AD, 44 patients with MCI, and 57 healthy older controls (OCs) completed the questionnaire.Results:False memories occurred nearly as often as forgetting according to clinicians and family members of patients with MCI and AD. Family members of OCs and patients with MCI reported fewer false memories compared to those of the AD group. As Mini-Mental State Examination scores decreased, the mean score increased for both forgetting and false memories. Among clinicians, correlations were observed between the dementia severity of patients seen with both forgetting and false memories questionnaire scores as well as with the impact of forgetting and false memories on daily life.Conclusion:Patients with AD experience false memories almost as frequently as they do forgetting. Given how common false memories are in AD patients, additional work is needed to understand the clinical implications of these false memories on patients’ daily lives. The novel false memories questionnaire developed may be a valuable tool.
Organization of the Living Dead: The Zombie Enterprise

This chapter suggests the concept of the zombie enterprise as a metaphor to explain a toxic organizational environment. While zombies are typically portrayed as grossly disfigured, half-dead humans who prey on their victims to eat, infect, or kill them; in the zombie enterprise, these individuals use the characteristics of self-centeredness and power to infect and subvert an organization. This metaphor offers a way of illustrating the causes and effects of organizations that decline into unethical, immoral, and even illegal activities for the purpose of personal or institutional control. Through an examination of the organizational design, environment, boundaries, and culture, an understanding of the zombie enterprise comes to life. Christian leaders, however, possess the antidote in the form of scripture. By following the lessons that Christ taught us in the Beatitudes, Christian leaders can not only combat these soulless creatures but build an organization that is immune to their harmful effects.
Tensile behavior and microstructural evolution of a Fe-25Ni-20Cr austenitic stainless steel (alloy 709) from room to elevated temperatures through in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction characterization and transmission electron microscopy

Abstract Uniaxial tensile tests were done on Fe-25Ni-20Cr Austenitic Stainless Steel (Alloy 709) along with in-situ synchrotron measurement at different temperatures (25 °C, 500 °C, 700 °C and 900 °C). The X-Ray diffraction data was collected in-situ in order to follow the phases present as well as to derive the dislocation density as a function of strain through peak broadening analysis based on the modified Williamson-Hall method and see how trends are affected as a function of temperature. The XRD data were complemented by TEM and STEM-EDX characterization done on the post-experiment samples to observe the deformed microstructures. The paper presents a depiction of the tensile behavior of this advanced steel by interpreting the stress-strain curves and the effect of temperature through the information gained by in-situ XRD and TEM observations as well as fractography done ex-situ on the samples tested to rupture.
Variation in the Presentation of Intussusception by Age.

Objective To compare the clinical presentation of intussusception among children younger and older than 24 months of age. Design/methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study of children treated in the emergency department, aged 1 month to 6 years, who had an abdominal ultrasound to evaluate for intussusception over a 5-year period. After stratifying by an age cut-point of 24 months, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results One thousand two hundred fifty-eight cases of suspected intussusception were studied; median age was 1.7 years (interquartile range, 0.8, 2.9 years), and 37% were female. Intussusception was identified in 176 children (14%); 153 (87%) were ileocolic, and 23 were ileoileal. Abdominal pain (odds ratio, 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-10.5), emesis (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.8-6.7), bilious emesis (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5-5.7), lethargy (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3-5.7), rectal bleeding (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.4-5.7), and irritability (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.8) were found to be predictors in those younger than 24 months. In children older than 24 months, male sex was the only predictor identified (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.7). In cases where abdominal radiographs were obtained (n = 1212), any abnormality on abdominal radiograph was found to be predictive in both age groups (OR, 7.8; 95% CI, 3.8-25.7; and OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.8-5.2, respectively). Conclusions Intussusception presents differently in children younger than 24 months compared with older children. "Traditional" clinical predictors of intussusception should be interpreted with caution when assessing children older than 2 years.
Clinical Features and Outcomes of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Caused by Haemophilus Influenza.

Background Long regarded as the second most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), Haemophilus influenzae has recently been identified with almost equal frequency as pneumococcus in patients hospitalized for CAP. The literature lacks a detailed description of the presentation, clinical features, laboratory and radiologic findings, and outcomes in Haemophilus pneumonia. Methods During 2 prospective studies of patients hospitalized for CAP, we identified 33 patients with Haemophilus pneumonia. In order to provide context, we compared clinical findings in these patients with findings in 36 patients with pneumococcal pneumonia identified during the same period. We included and analyzed separately data from patients with viral coinfection. Patients with coinfection by other bacteria were excluded. Results Haemophilus pneumonia occurred in older adults who had underlying chronic lung disease, cardiac conditions, and alcohol use disorder, the same population at risk for pneumococcal pneumonia. However, in contrast to pneumococcal pneumonia, patients with Haemophilus pneumonia had less severe infection as shown by absence of septic shock on admission, less confusion, fewer cases of leukopenia or extreme leukocytosis, and no deaths at 30 days. Viral coinfection greatly increased the severity of Haemophilus, but not pneumococcal pneumonia. Conclusions We present the first thorough description of Haemophilus pneumonia, show that it is less severe than pneumococcal pneumonia, and document that viral coinfection greatly increases its severity. These distinctions are lost when the label CAP is liberally applied to all patients who come to the hospital from the community for pneumonia.