cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Manufacturing Gender Inequality in the New Economy: High School Training for Work in Blue-Collar Communities

Tensions between the demands of the knowledge-based economy and remaining, blue-collar jobs underlie renewed debates about whether schools should emphasize career and technical training or college-preparatory curricula. We add a gendered lens to this issue, given the male-dominated nature of blue-collar jobs and women's greater returns to college. Using the ELS:2002, this study exploits spatial variation in school curricula and jobs to investigate local dynamics that shape gender stratification. Results suggest a link between high school training and jobs in blue-collar communities that structures patterns of gender inequality into early adulthood. Although high school training in blue-collar communities reduced both men's and women's odds of four-year college enrollment, it had gender-divergent labor market consequences. Men in blue-collar communities took more blue-collar courses, had higher rates of blue-collar employment, and earned similar wages relative to otherwise comparable men from non-blue-collar communities. Women were less likely to work and to be employed in professional occupations, and they suffered severe wage penalties relative to their male peers and women from non-blue-collar communities. These relationships were due partly to high schools in blue-collar communities offering more blue-collar and fewer advanced college-preparatory courses. This curricular tradeoff may benefit men, but it appears to disadvantage women.
SOCIAL CLASS AS A FACTOR IN STUDENT SOCIAL RELATIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the social framework within which student social relations are meaningful. The chapter focuses on those areas in which social relations are influenced by the students' social class of origin. Cultural differences of the social classes or socioeconomic groups from which students come are reflected in and have at least some influence on what happens within the student body whether or not there is real consciousness among the students that this is so. The chapter discusses cultural and spatial factors at work in student social relations, which modify and fill out the present framework in various ways. The chapter shows that the students are conscious of the influence of social class and describes the social classes of students as meaningful groupings within the student body. The chapter discusses the various factors that operate in a number of spheres of association of students. The chapter shows that the students are well aware of the kinds of discrimination that are operating for and against particular social groups. The chapter discusses students' attitudes to the effect of the collegiate system on class divisions and examines the factors which students think to affect the prestige of a college.
The Two Membranes Problem

Abstract We study the regularity of the free boundary in the two membranes problem. We prove that around any point the free boundary is either a C 1, α surface or a cusp, as in the obstacle problem. We also prove C 1, 1 regularity for the pair of functions solving the problem.
Cytoskeletal Priming of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to a Medicinal Phenotype

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, demonstrating pronounced trophic, immunomodulatory, and pro-angiogenic activity. However, clinical efficacy has suffered from broad variability, presumably due to cell death upon implantation, and the heterogeneous population of autologous cells. Micropatterning single cells in the same geometry can normalize the phenotype in a population, and variations in subcellular curvature will guide focal adhesion, cytoskeletal organization, and the regulation of distinct epigenetic marks to orchestrate a medicinal secretome. Within 2 days, activated cells show elevated expression of pericyte markers and will recapitulate functional pericyte activity through enhanced association with endothelial cell tubules in co-culture. MSCs are believed to undergo a temporary switch in vivo to an activated state in response to injury; thus, we propose engineering actomyosin contractility after isolation can similarly activate MSCs, which may serve as a general approach to prime a medicinal phenotype for cell-based therapies. Patient-derived mesenchymal stem cells will secrete molecules that promote new vasculature and have demonstrated clinical efficacy as a therapy for treating myocardial infarction. While autologous cell implantation is promising, there is considerable variability in current treatments and controversy over the underlying mechanisms. In this work, we reveal that careful control of actomyosin contractility in mesenchymal stem cells can prime a pericyte state with a medicinal secretome that shows sustained pro-angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. Activation of mesenchymal stem cells to a medicinal phenotype may increase the efficacy and reproducibility of cell-based therapies for cardiovascular disease
Assessing guideline-concordant prescribing for community-acquired pneumonia.

Background Current reports of outpatient antimicrobial prescribing practices may overestimate guideline concordance since they address only drug selection. Appropriate stewardship should consider all prescribing criteria (i.e., dose, frequency, duration, and route of administration) to fully assess guideline concordance. Objective Using a community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) example, the aims of this pilot study were to estimate guideline concordance in adult patients 18 years or older when all prescribing criteria are considered, and provide recommendations to optimize treatment. Specific objectives were to determine which medications were most commonly prescribed for high-and low-risk patients, respectively, and determine if prescription parameters typically meet guideline recommendations. Methods This historical (retrospective) chart review at a large, non-emergent, outpatient academic practice included adult cases of CAP identified by ICD-9 codes, 481.x–486.x, 480.x and 487.x, diagnosed between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. Patients were stratified into low- or high-risk categories based on presence of comorbidities and recent antibiotic use. Descriptive statistics were used to profile the sample and estimate aggregate guideline appropriateness, based on Infectious Disease Society of America/American Thoracic Society guidelines. Cases that were not prescribed an antibiotic at the index visit were excluded from assessment of concordance. Results Of the 101 total episodes identified, 49% were treated with an antibiotic. Of the 45 cases that met low-risk criteria, seven of the 24 treated cases (29%) received an appropriate antibiotic. When considering all prescription elements, all seven cases were congruent, for a composite concordance rate of 29%. Of the 56 cases that met high-risk criteria, 13 of the 25 treated cases (52%) received an appropriate antibiotic, although two cases were prescribed a suboptimal dose, and one case was prescribed a suboptimal duration, dropping composite concordance to 40%. Overall, prescribing was concordant in 17 of the 49 treated cases (35%). Conclusion Concordance with current guidelines in this local sample is suboptimal. In the low-risk group, when the correct medication was chosen, dose, duration, and frequency were appropriate. Consideration of dose and duration of treatment decreased the rate of concordant prescribing in the high-risk group.
Identification of EGF-NF-κB-FOXC1 signaling axis in basal-like breast cancer

The pathogenesis of human basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is not well understood and patients with BLBC have a poor prognosis. Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is well-known to be upregulated in BLBC. The forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) transcription factor, an important prognostic biomarker specific for BLBC, has been shown to be induced by EGF and is critical for EGF effects in breast cancer cells. How FOXC1 is transcriptionally activated in BLBC is not clear. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to show that NF-κB-p65 enhances FOXC1 promoter activity in BLBC cells (MDA-MB-468). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay, biotinylated oligonucleotide precipitation assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were used to show that NF-κB interacts and binds to the promoter region of FOXC1. In this study, we demonstrate that NF-κB is a pivotal mediator of the EGF/EGFR regulation of FOXC1 expression by binding to the FOXC1 promoter to activate FOXC1 transcription. Loss or inhibition of NF-κB diminished FOXC1 expression. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel EGFR-NF-κB-FOXC1 signaling axis that is critical for BLBC cell function, supporting the notion that intervention in the FOXC1 pathway may provide potential modalities for BLBC treatment.
Resilience in Homogeneous Networks: A Strategic Network Formation Approach

This paper introduces a framework for studying resilience of networked systems in the presence of strong network externalities. The framework used in this paper explicitly incorporates costs of connection and the benefits that are received by direct and indirect access to resources. We show that this simple framework is capable of capturing the three key parameters of resilience: Magnitude of Performance drop, transient to recovery and post recovery performance. We also show that the model can capture certain phase transitions as a result of single-node disruption. While we focus on homogeneous structures, assume efficiency, and consider only node failure, the framework can easily be used in modeling more general performance schemes and be extended to link failure or hybrid scenarios where both links and nodes are disrupted.
Measures of Forgiveness: Self-Report, Physiological, Chemical, and Behavioral Indicators

We review 14 measures of forgiveness, including measures of state forgiveness, forgivingness as a disposition or trait, self-reported state self-forgiveness, and trait self-forgivingness. The state forgiveness measures include self-report measures, chemical measures of state unforgiveness and forgiveness, measures of peripheral physiology (i.e., blood pressure, heart rate, skin conductance, and electrical activity of facial muscles) to supplement self-reports – unforgiveness, measures of brain activity associated with forgiveness, and behavioral indices of forgiveness. We also review a ten-item scale and a five-scenario scale of dispositional forgivingness. Self-forgiveness may also be assessed at state (one measure) and trait levels (one measure). These measures of forgiveness and their various targets (self or other) and different levels (state or trait) are generally strong – with considerable evidence supporting estimated reliabilities and construct validities.
Insertion of magnetically controlled growing rods in a patient with a diaphragmatic pacemaker: case report.

Phrenic stimulators offer an alternative to standard mechanical ventilation as well as the potential for ventilator independence in select patients with chronic respiratory failure. Young patients ( 120°. The patient had previously undergone insertion of phrenic nerve stimul...
High fat diet induces airway hyperresponsiveness in mice

The experiment was conducted to examine the effect of a high fat diet (HFD) on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in mice. Twenty-three adult male C57BL/6 J mice were fed with HFD or regular chow diet for two weeks. The total respiratory resistance was measured by forced oscillation technique at baseline and after methacholine aerosol challenge at 1, 3, 10 and 30 mg/mL. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed. Lipid levels and lipid peroxidation in lung tissue were measured along with gene expression of multiple cytokines. Lungs were digested, and IL-1β secretion by pulmonary macrophages was determined. HFD feeding resulted in 11% higher body weight compared to chow. HFD did not affect respiratory resistance at baseline, but significantly augmented airway responses to methacholine compared to chow diet (40.5 ± 17.7% increase at 30 mg/ml methacholine, p < 0.05). HFD induced a 3.2 ± 0.6 fold increase in IL-1β gene expression (p < 0.001) and a 38 fold increase in IL-1β secretion in the lungs. There was no change in BAL and no change in any other cytokines, lipid levels or lipid peroxidation. Hence, HFD induced AHR in mice prior to the development of significant obesity which was associated with up-regulation of pulmonary IL-1β.
Advances in genetic understanding of gorlin syndrome and emerging treatment options

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Basal cell carcinoma nevus syndrome (BCCNS) is a rare syndrome characterized by multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCC), odontogenic keratocysts, and other abnormalities. The most common etiology, the loss-of-function PTCH1 mutations and consequent constitutive hedgehog signaling, can be blocked by smoothened inhibitors (SIs). However, other causes and alternative pathways have been identified.Areas covered: Vismodegib and sonidegib are SIs approved for treating advanced BCCs and BCCNS-BCCs, but not without adverse effects. Other SIs include itraconazole, SUBA-itraconazole, and paridegib. Their roles in treating resistance to vismodegib and sonedegib warrant further investigation. Inhibition of downstream hedgehog signaling or PI3K by arsenic trioxide, imiquimod, and busparlisib may control SI resistance. Other potential therapeutic targets to control resistance include TP53, BRCA1, wnt, and SUFU.Expert opinion: BCCNS is more complex than a genetic disease whose consequences result from...
Determination of a histidine residue at the yeast orotate phosphoribosyltransferase active-site.

A purified preparation of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase(0-PRTase) from yeast has been shown to catalyze the formation of orotidine monophosphate (OMP) from orotate and 5-phosphoribosyl α-1-pyrophosphate (PRibPP) through the use of a ping pong kinetic mechanism (1) in the presence of an optimum concentration of Mgll(2). The present investigation was initiated to search for nucleo-philic active-site residues of 0-PRTase which would stabilize (in an SN1 elimination) or react with (in a triple SN2 displacement) the enzyme-phosphoribosyl intermediate, formed as a consequence of this mechanism. Analysis of the amino acid composition, pH dependency of the 0-PRTase activity in the forward and reverse directions, and chemical modification of 0-PRTase using histidine-specific reagents have been accomplished.
Direct and Indirect Adaptive Control

Abstract The paper considers the control of an unknown linear time-invariant plant using Direct and Indirect Control. Using a specific controller structure and the concept of positive realness, adaptive laws which are very similar are derived for the two cases. The stability questions that arise are also shown to be analogous and are discussed in some detail. Simulation results are presented towards the end of the paper to demonstrate the effectiveness of the two schemes.
Update on Nutritional Assessment Strategies

Assessing the true nutritional status of an older person is a task not easily performed, being frequently complicated by the presence of excess cytokine production (which leads to many of the same effects as protein undernutrition) as well as other factors. Assessment of recent weight status is thus generally the best indicator of nutritional deficit. This chapter reviews a number of recently developed nutritional screening tools and laboratory tests used for nutritional assessment. While the most practical nutrition assessment tools are simple ones, the interpretation is still fraught with difficulty.
TARPSY: A New System of Remuneration for Psychiatric Hospitalization in Switzerland

As financing mental health care is becoming more challenging, governments are progressively introducing new remuneration systems. At the beginning of 2018, Switzerland introduced TARPSY, a new tari...
Supermarket retailers' perspectives on healthy food retail strategies: in-depth interviews.

Excess calorie consumption and poor diet are major contributors to the obesity epidemic. Food retailers, in particular at supermarkets, are key shapers of the food environment which influences consumers’ diets. This study seeks to understand the decision-making processes of supermarket retailers—including motivators for and barriers to promoting more healthy products—and to catalogue elements of the complex relationships between customers, suppliers, and, supermarket retailers. We recruited 20 supermarket retailers from a convenience sample of full service supermarkets and national supermarket chain headquarters serving low- and high-income consumers in urban and non-urban areas of New York. Individuals responsible for making in-store decisions about retail practices engaged in online surveys and semi-structured interviews. We employed thematic analysis to analyze the transcripts. Supermarket retailers, mostly representing independent stores, perceived customer demand and suppliers’ product availability and deals as key factors influencing their in-store practices around product selection, placement, pricing, and promotion. Unexpectedly, retailers expressed a high level of autonomy when making decisions about food retail strategies. Overall, retailers described a willingness to engage in healthy food retail and a desire for greater support from healthy food retail initiatives. Understanding retailers’ in-store decision making will allow development of targeted healthy food retail policy approaches and interventions, and provide important insights into how to improve the food environment.
Cobalt bis(acetylacetonate)–tert-butyl hydroperoxide–triethylsilane: a general reagent combination for the Markovnikov-selective hydrofunctionalization of alkenes by hydrogen atom transfer

We show that cobalt bis(acetylacetonate) [Co(acac)2], tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), and triethylsilane (Et3SiH) constitute an inexpensive, general, and practical reagent combination to initiate a broad range of Markovnikov-selective alkene hydrofunctionalization reactions. These transformations are believed to proceed by cobalt-mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) to the alkene substrate, followed by interception of the resulting alkyl radical intermediate with a SOMOphile. In addition, we report the first reductive couplings of unactivated alkenes and aryldiazonium salts by an HAT pathway. The simplicity and generality of the Co(acac)2–TBHP–Et3SiH reagent combination suggests it as a useful starting point to develop HAT reactions in complex settings.
Primary cardiac angiosarcoma diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma (PCAS) is a malignancy seldom seen in pregnancy. A 23-year-old G1P0 Chinese female was found to have PCAS during her first trimester when she presented with tamponade physiology. The transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) results did not indicate the presence of an intracardiac lesion, and pericardial fluid cytology analysis showed no evidence of malignancy. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) exhibited a right atrial mass, and tissue biopsy indicated a high-grade angiosarcoma. MRI of the abdomen was suggestive of liver metastasis. She underwent an abortion and was started on combination chemotherapy, with a reduction in both the cardiac and liver masses. In cardiac angiosarcomas, advanced imaging modalities such as MRI should be utilised when there is high clinical suspicion or in the case of pregnancy when trying to minimise foetal harm. Prognosis is poor, and a standardised treatment protocol regardless of pregnancy continues to elude the medical community.
Differences in magnitude and rates of change in BMI distributions by socioeconomic and geographic factors in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, 2005–2010

Previous studies about obesity and its associated factors in low- and middle-income countries have been based mostly on women of reproductive age. Furthermore, disproportionally changing BMI distributions have been a challenge for its appropriate modeling. In this context, we assessed the magnitude and rate of change in BMI distribution by socioeconomic and geographic factors in both sexes in Latin American countries, modeling the shape of BMI distributions. We used data from national surveys conducted in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru at two time points between 2005 and 2013 (N = 57,414, 13,5403, and 30,811, respectively). We estimated shapes of BMI distributions for 2005 and 2010, and assessed their changes, using the generalized additive model for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS), in which BMI was assumed to follow a Box-Cox Power Exponential (BCPE) distribution. In all the three countries, higher education was negatively associated with BMI in women but somewhat positive in men; and household wealth was positively associated in men but not in women. Lower household wealth was associated with higher rates of change in BMI distributions in women. Education and household wealth were associated with BMI distributions and their change over time. Observed sex differences in these associations have implications for designing relevant policies and programs to approach target populations effectively. The BCPE-GAMLSS method can provide a useful visual assessment of time-varying measures.
Perceived burdensomeness uniquely accounts for suicidal ideation severity in social anxiety disorder.

Abstract Background High rates of suicidal ideation in those with social anxiety disorder (SAD) have been attributed to feelings of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, but most work has been in non-clinical samples. We assessed the contributions of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness to suicidal ideation severity, over clinical covariates, in individuals diagnosed with SAD. Methods Participants were 58 adult outpatients (mean age 25.62 years, 69% female) with SAD. Hierarchical linear regression assessed contributions of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness to suicidal ideation, before and after covarying other potential explanatory variables (depression, agitation, brooding rumination). Results Perceived burdensomeness was significantly positively related to suicidal ideation severity (p Limitations This study was cross-sectional, did not assess all potential confounding variables, and utilized a treatment-seeking sample. Conclusions Results suggest perceived burdensomeness is independently related to suicidal ideation severity in SAD, over thwarted belongingness and other clinical features. Future work should seek to replicate these findings and evaluate causal, longitudinal relationships among perceived burdensomeness, agitation, and severity of suicidal ideation in those with SAD in order to determine whether these may be clinically-relevant mechanisms.
Speculating in History

Nathan Connolly reflects on the convening of Black intellectuals in Miami in April 2018 and the nature of speculation.
Hospital Burden of Migraine in United States Adults: A 15-year National Inpatient Sample Analysis.

Background Migraine headache is associated with high costs, but changes over time of inpatient burden in the United States are unknown. Understanding longitudinal trends is necessary to determine the costs of evolving inpatient treatments that target biological factors in the generation of pain such as vasodilation and aberrant activity of trigeminal neurotransmitters. We report the migraine hospital burden trend in the United States over 15 years. Methods Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Hospitalization Cost and Utilization Project databases were analyzed from 1997 to 2012. Inpatient costs were reported in dollars for the cost to the institution, whereas charges reflect the amount billed. These parameters were trended and the average annual percent change was calculated to illustrate year-to-year changes. Results Overall discharges for migraine headache reached a low of 30,761 discharges in 1999, and peaked in 2012 with 54,510 discharges. Average length of stay decreased from 3.5 days in 1997 to 2.8 days in 2012. Total inpatient charges increased from $176 million in 1999 to $1.2 billion in 2012. Inpatient costs totaled $322 million in 2012, with an average daily cost of $2,111. Conclusions Inpatient burden rapidly increased over the analyzed period, with hospital charges increasing from $5,939 per admission and $176 million nationwide in 1997, to $21,576 per admission and $1.2 billion nationwide in 2012. This trend provides context for research examining cost-effectiveness and quality of life benefits for current treatments. The study of these parameters together with better prevention and improved outpatient treatment may help alleviate the inpatient burden of migraine.
The Cutaneous Manifestations Associated with COVID-19: A review

Importance: As the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic spreads, increasing cases of dermatologic manifestations of the disease continue to be reported. Observations: In this general review of the case reports, case series, and other systematic reviews on this subject, several patterns of cutaneous lesions have been compiled. These include viral exanthems, papulovesicular, pernio-like, vasculopathy-related, and other miscellaneous rashes. Conclusions and Relevance: While clinical observations and subjective cases of rashes associated with SARS-CoV-2 are important to furthering our research and study of this viral disease, we as clinicians must be cautious in attributing causation with correlation. Continued research and study are needed before we can attribute a source for these dermatologic manifestations. Funding: This research was partially support by IMPACT funds to NY from the School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Marked hypereosinophilia secondary to endometrioid ovarian cancer presenting with asthma symptoms, a case report.

Abstract Background Hypereosinophilia (HE) is defined by the presence of >1.5 × 109/L eosinophils in the peripheral blood. Paraneoplastic HE has been reported in a number of solid and hematologic malignancies including ovarian cancer. We present a case with paraneoplastic HE in the setting of underlying endometrioid ovarian carcinoma. Case presentation An 88-year-old woman presented with cough, dyspnea and 20-pound unintentional weight loss of one month duration. Evaluation revealed peripheral hypereosinophilia (HE) with absolute eosinophil count of 15.38 × 109/L (53.8%) and an elevated exhaled nitric oxide at 172 parts per billion (normal Conclusion This case highlights that solid malignancy should be considered in patients with marked HE.
Morbidity and mortality in Danio rerio and Pimephales promelas exposed to antilipidemic drug mixtures (fibrates and statins) during embryogenesis: Comprehensive assessment via ante and post mortem endpoints.

Abstract Antilipidemic drugs are routinely detected in effluent and surface waters downstream of wastewater treatment plants. A mixture exposure study with nine environmentally relevant antilipidemic drugs was performed with zebrafish (Danio rerio, ZF) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas, FHM) embryos to investigate the effects on sensitive embryologic stages. Zebrafish embryos were exposed nominally to: (a) 0.005 μM, (b) 0.05 μM, or (c) 0.5 μM of each drug in the mixture. Fathead minnow embryos were exposed nominally to: (a) 0.0005 μM, (b) 0.005 μM, or (c) 0.05 μM of each drug in the mixture. Several of the individual drug concentrations were within ranges previously found in the environment. Multiple metrics demonstrate that (a) exposure of ZF and FHM embryos to antilipidemic drugs during embryonic development results in lethal and sublethal effects, (b) ZF were more sensitive than FHM based on median lethal concentration (LC50 0.02 μM and 0.05 μM, respectively), but FHM exhibited more severe abnormal sublethal morphologies than zebrafish embryos, and (c) the sublethal effects differed between the two species. This model identified novel specific endpoints for assessing sensitive, sublethal effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Abnormal myofiber birefringence pattern, hemorrhage, and heart rate are not included in standard evaluations but each of these metrics demonstrated a dose-dependent response in this study. Results demonstrate risk to fish development with potential repercussions at the population level, especially if environmental concentrations increase.
Laminarization of turbulent flow in a heated vertical finned tube

Abstract Laminarization of the turbulent flow of Helium in a heated vertical finned tube was studied using a low-Reynolds number turbulence model. The study was carried out for an inlet Reynolds number of 6000, a non-dimensional wall heat flux value of 0.003, the number of fins ranging from 8 to 24, and non-dimensional fin height ranging from 0.1 to 0.3. Reductions in turbulent kinetic energy production and low-velocity regions in the inter-fin region are observed which promoted laminarization. Also, for low Reynolds number turbulent flow with large heat fluxes, the finned tubes are found to offer comparatively lower heat transfer enhancement at the expense of a larger pressure drop penalty.
HIMALAYAS-A hierarchical compaction system with a minimized constraint set

A hierarchical compactor, HIMALAYAS (HIerarchical MAcro LAYout ASsembler), developed for constructing big macro layouts, is discussed. The hierarchical compaction problem is formulated as an integer linear programming (ILP) problem. Two algorithms are presented to reduce the problem size, in order to make the ILP approach practical. The first algorithm reduces the number of variables to a small set of pitch variables, while the second algorithm reduces the number of equations by restricting the constraint generation within a small set of regions, called the minimum cover. These reductions bring in considerable saving in computation time for layouts with cell repetitions or cell alignments. As a result, the ILP method can be used to solve the compaction problem for very big macros. Experimental results for MCNC benchmark examples are also given. >
Credentialing and Pharmacologically Targeting PTP4A3 Phosphatase as a Molecular Target for Ovarian Cancer

High grade serous ovarian cancer (OvCa) frequently becomes drug resistant and often recurs. Consequently, new drug targets and therapies are needed. Bioinformatics-based studies uncovered a relationship between high Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver-3 (PRL3 also known as PTP4A3) expression and poor patient survival in both early and late stage OvCa. PTP4A3 mRNA levels were 5-20 fold higher in drug resistant or high grade serous OvCa cell lines compared to nonmalignant cells. JMS-053 is a potent allosteric small molecule PTP4A3 inhibitor and to explore further the role of PTP4A3 in OvCa, we synthesized and interrogated a series of JMS-053-based analogs in OvCa cell line-based phenotypic assays. While the JMS-053 analogs inhibit in vitro PTP4A3 enzyme activity, none were superior to JMS-053 in reducing high grade serous OvCa cell survival. Because PTP4A3 controls cell migration, we interrogated the effect of JMS-053 on this cancer-relevant process. Both JMS-053 and CRISPR/Cas9 PTP4A3 depletion blocked cell migration. The inhibition caused by JMS-053 required the presence of PTP4A3. JMS-053 caused additive or synergistic in vitro cytotoxicity when combined with paclitaxel and reduced in vivo OvCa dissemination. These results indicate the importance of PTP4A3 in OvCa and support further investigations of the lead inhibitor, JMS-053.
I’ll be back? The Deconstruction of the 1980s and the 1990s Hard Body Movies

The following essay discusses the cultural factors that inspired the “hard body” movies of the 1980’s and 1990’s, but it also describes the changes that occurred, later on, that contributed to the deconstruction of those movies. The hard body movies were characterized by having a reoccurring set of actors (Schwarzenegger, Stallone, and Van Damme) and themes (facing adversaries in a forceful manner), and some of the factors that influenced this portrayal were the Reagan Revolution and a revaluation of the Vietnam war. However, a change in political ideology, and a reassessment of America’s place in the world, inspired the deconstruction of those movies, and newer movies brought with them a new message, of what could be considered a soft body.
Hypergraph Tur\'an Problems in $\ell_2$-Norm

There are various different notions measuring extremality of hypergraphs. In this survey we compare the recently introduced notion of the codegree squared extremal function with the Turan function, the minimum codegree threshold and the uniform Turan density. The codegree squared sum $\textrm{co}_2(G)$ of a $3$-uniform hypergraph $G$ is defined to be the sum of codegrees squared $d(x,y)^2$ over all pairs of vertices $x,y$. In other words, this is the square of the $\ell_2$-norm of the codegree vector. We are interested in how large $\textrm{co}_2(G)$ can be if we require $G$ to be $H$-free for some $3$-uniform hypergraph $H$. This maximum value of $\textrm{co}_2(G)$ over all $H$-free $n$-vertex $3$-uniform hypergraphs $G$ is called the codegree squared extremal function, which we denote by $\textrm{exco}_2(n,H)$. We systemically study the extremal codegree squared sum of various $3$-uniform hypergraphs using various proof techniques. Some of our proofs rely on the flag algebra method while others use more classical tools such as the stability method. In particular, we (asymptotically) determine the codegree squared extremal numbers of matchings, stars, paths, cycles, and $F_5$, the $5$-vertex hypergraph with edge set $\{123,124,345\}$. Additionally, our paper has a survey format, as we state several conjectures and give an overview of Turan densities, minimum codegree thresholds and codegree squared extremal numbers of popular hypergraphs.
Scan4CFU: Low-cost, open-source bacterial colony tracking over large areas and extended incubation times

Abstract A hallmark of bacterial populations cultured in vitro is their homogeneity of growth, where the majority of cells display identical growth rate, cell size and content. Recent insights, however, have revealed that even cells growing in exponential growth phase can be heterogeneous with respect to variables typically used to measure cell growth. Bacterial heterogeneity has important implications for how bacteria respond to environmental stresses, such as antibiotics. The phenomenon of antimicrobial persistence, for example, has been linked to a small subpopulation of cells that have entered into a state of dormancy where antibiotics are no longer effective. While methods have been developed for identifying individual non-growing cells in bacterial cultures, there has been less attention paid to how these cells may influence growth in colonies on a solid surface. In response, we have developed a low-cost, open-source platform to perform automated image capture and image analysis of bacterial colony growth on multiple nutrient agar plates simultaneously. The descriptions of the hardware and software are included, along with details about the temperature-controlled growth chamber, high-resolution scanner, and graphical interface to extract and plot the colony lag time and growth kinetics. Experiments were conducted using a wild type strain of Escherichia coli K12 to demonstrate the feasibility and operation of our setup. By automated tracking of bacterial growth kinetics in colonies, the system holds the potential to reveal new insights into understanding the impact of microbial heterogeneity on antibiotic resistance and persistence.
Simulation of a plasma-focused electron gun

Summary form only given. Plasma can play an important role in the physics of an electron gun. It can provide an important focusing mechanism, and plasmas are often present in varying densities in many devices designed for vacuum operation. Plasma can also be a source of noise and instability for a microwave beam device. A plasma-focused electron gun is modeled using the PIC code XOOPIC. The plasma is formed via electron impact ionization with an argon background gas at 10/sup -4/ Torr. Electron-neutral interactions are included using a Monte-Carlo model. The gun operates close to the space charge limit, with V=30 kV, I=9A for a 7 mm AK gap. A solenoidal coil with an iron core provides a peak field on axis of B/sub max/=180 G. Argon ions streaming back toward the cathode cause erosion of the surface. Most of the ion flux passes through a 1 mm hole in the center of the cathode. The flux at the cathode surface is characterized, including energy and angle of incidence. In addition, the beam emittance is examined as the plasma builds up to steady state over a microsecond timescale.
The α-Chymotrypsin-catalyzed Hydrolysis of Esters of α-Amino Acids

Abstract The pH dependence of the α-chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of l-tryptophan methyl ester in H2O and D2O and of d-tryptophan methyl ester was determined by spectroscopic means (kcat, Km and kcat/Km). No product inhibition or substrate activation was observed. The kinetic parameters of the α-chymotrypsin-catalyzed hydrolysis of l-tyrosine p-nitrophenyl ester were also determined. Values of kcat for both the tyrosine and tryptophan derivatives depend on the ionization of the amino group. For the tryptophan derivatives which were investigated in most detail, the pH dependence of kcat/Km ( = k2/Ks) yields a bell-shaped curve with a maximum at pH 7.2. The deuterium oxide kinetic solvent isotope effect and the dependency of the reaction on a base of pK ∼ 7 for the l derivative are comparable to that seen with the corresponding acylamino derivative. Thus, the mechanism of hydrolysis of the amino acid esters appear to be the same as that for the acylamino acid esters. However, the ionizability of the α-amino group in the former produces a markedly different pH dependency of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction, which can be attributed to the presence of a protonated and unprotonated substrate. The protonated substrate is about 20-fold faster than the unprotonated substrate in both acylation and deacylation of l-tryptophan methyl ester. Full specificity of the enzyme (l over d) is found for l-tryptophan methyl ester in its protonated form. This may be due to a hydrogen bond between the substrate and the enzyme with very strict orientational requirements.
Intelligent Aircraft Damage Assessment, Trajectory Planning, and Decision-Making under Uncertainty

Situational awareness and learning are necessary to identify and select the optimal set of mutually non-exclusive hypothesis in order to maximize mission performance and adapt system behavior accordingly. This paper presents a hierarchical and decentralized approach for integrated damage assessment and trajectory planning in aircraft with uncertain navigational decision-making. Aircraft navigation can be safely accomplished by properly addressing the following: decision-making, obstacle perception, aircraft state estimation, and aircraft control. When in-flight failures or damage occur, rapid and precise decision-making under imprecise information is required in order to regain and maintain control of the aircraft. To achieve planned aircraft trajectory and complete safe landing, the uncertainties in system dynamics of the damaged aircraft need to be learned and incorporated at the level of motion planning. The damaged aircraft is simulated via a simplified kinematic model. The different sources and perspectives of uncertainties in the damage assessment process and post-failure trajectory planning are presented and classified. The decision-making process for an emergency motion planning and landing is developed via the Dempster-Shafer evidence theory. The objective of the trajectory planning is to arrive at a target position while maximizing the safety of the aircraft given uncertain conditions. Simulations are presented for an emergency motion planning and landing that takes into account aircraft dynamics, path complexity, distance to landing site, runway characteristics, and subjective human decision.
On Drawing Angle Graphs

An Angle graph is a graph with a fixed cyclic order of edges around each vertex and an angle specified for every pair of consecutive edges incident on each vertex. We study the problem of constructing a drawing of an angle graph that preserves its angles, and present several new results.
Identifying and assisting adult survivors of child sexual abuse

Nurse practitioners are in a pivotal position to identify and to assist adult survivors of child sexual abuse. An awareness of the definitions, prevalence, and dynamics of sexual abuse is essential for providing holistic care. This article outlines the nurse practitioner's role in working with clients of either sex who may have been sexually abused as children. Correlates of undisclosed childhood sexual victimization are identified, as are strategies for providing a therapeutic environment for clients to disclose their abuse experience and begin the healing process. Language: en
Interaction between natural particle beams and space plasmas

In discussing the interaction of naturally occurring particle beams with space plasmas it is convenient to divide the plasma processes involved into two classes — weakly turbulent and strongly turbulent. Naturally occurring particle beams generate a variety of wave modes, and the beam dynamics depend upon several channels of both weakly and strongly turbulent wave-particle interactions. Wave modes generated by the particle beams are divided into two very distinct groups — electrostatic and electromagnetic. The main problem of theoretical interest is to identify the plasma processes that play the major role in the spatial and temporal evolution of the particle beam. The main topic of this paper is a discussion of the role of electrostatic waves in determining the evolution of the auroral electron beam through weakly turbulent processes. This discussion allows the identification of the parameter regime in which strongly turbulent processes are likely to occur. A brief discussion of some wave spectra observed in conjunction with Jupiter’s bow shock is included as an illustration of nonlinear plasma processes.
Overvaluation, Financial Opacity and Crash Risk

Equity is overvalued when its market value is far above its underlying value. Jensen (2005) proposes that overvaluation leads to value-destroying opportunistic earnings management. In this study I examine how equity overvaluation affects a firm’s financial opacity and its stock crash risk. I find that overvalued firms tend to use more earnings management (higher financial opacity) and they do so to conceal firm specific information from the investors, it is especially so for substantially overvalued firms. On the contrary, undervalued firms are willing to provide more firm-specific information to the market. Furthermore, I find that the reported ROEs of substantially overvalued firms are significantly higher than the unmanaged ROEs. But no significant difference of reported ROEs and unmanaged ROEs is detected among substantially undervalued firms. In addition, I show that overvalued firms have higher crash risk than otherwise identical but non-overvalued firms. At last, I find that a powerful CEO (proxy by CEO and chairman duality) can restrain an overvalued firm’s urge to manage earnings more aggressively.
Mental Retardation and Mental Health

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the factors that contribute to the risk of behavior problems and emotional disorders, as well as the assessment, treatment, and implications of mental health problems among persons with mental retardation. Mental retardation is characterized by low intelligence and deficits in adaptive skills that are observed before the age of 18. The majority of people with mental retardation are mentally healthy and free of serious behavior problems, although the prevalence of psychiatric disorders is higher than that in the general population. People with mental retardation are characterized by significantly subaverage intellectual functioning (IQs lower than 70 or 75) and by concurrent limitations in two or more adaptive skill areas. Mental retardation is defined as a fundamental difficulty in learning (intellect) and an ensuing difficulty in performing daily life skills (adaptation). Although certain aspects of this new definition depart from previous conceptions of mental retardation, the dual criteria of low IQ and deficits in adaptive behavior have been critical elements of most definitions for many years. Defining mental retardation in terms of adaptive behavior deficits is especially important when considering the presence of co-occurring mental health problems.
Transient hyperckemia in the setting of neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Introduction Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is characterized by inflammatory demyelinating lesions of the spinal cord and optic nerves from an autoimmune response against water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4). We report 2 patients with transient hyperCKemia associated with NMO suggesting possible skeletal muscle damage. Methods: Patient 1 was a 72-year-old man who presented with muscle soreness and elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) preceding an initial attack of NMO. Patient 2 was a 25-year-old woman with an established diagnosis of NMO who presented with diffuse myalgias, proximal upper extremity weakness, and hyperCKemia. Muscle biopsies were obtained for histopathologic evaluation, protein gel electrophoresis, immunofluorescence, and complement staining. Results: In both patients the muscle showed only mild variation in fiber diameter. There were no inflammatory changes or muscle fiber necrosis, though there was reduced AQP4 expression and deposition of activated complement. Conclusions: Complement-mediated sarcolemmal injury may lead to hyperCKemia in NMO. Muscle Nerve 50: 859–862, 2014
Is there a role for digoxin in patients with systolic dysfunction

In early placebo-controlled trials in patients with heart failure who were in sinus rhythm, digoxin improved hemodynamics, signs and symptoms of heart failure, and exercise capacity, and decreased functional deterioration and the need for pharmacologic cointervention. A more recent trial showed that withdrawing digoxin from patients who were clinically stable while receiving diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors often resulted in clinical deterioration, whereas continuing the agent maintained stability. Which patients should initially be treated with digoxin remains to be determined. The effects of digoxin on mortality in patients who are receiving ACE inhibitors must also be established.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary

5571 Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been associated with significant tumor reduction prior to interval debulking surgery, enabling optimal cytoreduction in up to 50% of patients wi...
Shaped Goals Teaching Undergraduates the Effects of Social Stratification on the Formulation of Goals

This note describes an in-class activity that helps undergraduate students to under stand the effects of their socio-economic position on the formulation, pursuit, and achievement of goals. Social stratification and inequality have an initial impact on the formulation of goals. Through this exercise students will perceive the effects of having a restraint in the pursuit of their goals, thus experiencing the impact of their socio economic position in society. Students will understand the effects of social stratification