cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steam Induced Structural Changes of a Poly(ethylenimine) Impregnated γ-Alumina Sorbent for CO2 Extraction from Ambient Air

Poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) impregnated mesoporous γ-alumina sorbents are utilized for CO2 adsorption from dry and humid simulated ambient air, and the sorbents are regenerated under an environment of flowing steam for times ranging from 5 min to 24 h of continuous exposure. The sorbents are compared on the basis of equilibrium CO2 capacities from simulated air at 400 ppm of CO2, 50% relative humidity, and 30 °C as well as their physiochemical characterization by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), 27Al NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, N2 physisorption, and elemental analysis. The sorbents retain better than 90% of the initial equilibrium capacity of ∼1.7 mmol/g at steam exposure times up to 12 h; however, PEI leaching reduced the capacity of the sorbent to 0.66 mmol/g after 24 h of continuous treatment. It is demonstrated that the γ-alumina support partially hydrates to form a boehmite crystal phase at steam times of 90 min and longer but that this phase transition occurs predominately b...
Simultaneous evaluation of multiple rotationally excited states of H3(+), H3O(+), and CH5(+) using diffusion Monte Carlo.

An extension to diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) is proposed for simultaneous evaluation of multiple rotationally excited states of fluxional molecules. The method employs an expansion of the rotational dependence of the wave function in terms of the eigenstates of the symmetric top Hamiltonian. Within this DMC approach, each walker has a separate rotational state vector for each rotational state of interest. The values of the coefficients in the expansion of the rotational state vector associated with each walker, as well as the locations of the walkers, evolve in imaginary time under the action of a propagator based on the imaginary-time time-dependent Schrodinger equation. The approach is first applied to H3+, H2D+, and H3O+ for which the calculated energies can be compared to benchmark values. For low to moderate values of J the DMC results are found to be accurate to within the evaluated statistical uncertainty. The rotational dependence of the vibrational part of the wave function is also investigated, a...
Potential relativistic dispersion in material medium

Abstract Lorentz space-time transformation has been applied to the phase factor of a plane electromagnetic wave in linear material medium. The derivation shows in the limiting case for v = c, the phase velocity converges to its monochromatic value implying no such dispersion effect can exist in free space. However in linear material medium, wave speed may exceed the monochromatic phase velocity by a factor purely due to the relativistic consideration of the phase factor invariant under Lorentz transformation. The equation suggests such speed dispersion factor will be higher in the denser medium to its monochromatic material phase velocity. A critical cut-off number for the refractive index may exist to excite such mode in the material. The results can be interesting particularly for materials with high refractive index as well as for anisotropic space-time metric formulations in Transformation Optics.
Solid-state rotor: A demonstration

The broad goal of this research is to demonstrate the feasibility of a fully solid-state rotor using smart materials for various purposes such as shape, vibration, acoustic, and flow control to name a few. In this context, this paper presents a novel fully-functional solid-state piezo-composite rotor concept for use in any rotary system. Experimental analysis demonstrated that the baseline average thrust coefficient of the rotor is improved by 3.6 percent. The proposed concept is implemented on a quad-copter to demonstrate its feasibility on a flight vehicle. The proposed hub-rotor system can be implemented in small unmanned-aerial-vehicles such as single-rotor, tandem-rotor, quad-copter, and ducted-fan rotorcraft, or other rotating systems such as wind turbines, turbine engines and marine propellers. The solid-state rotor, by design, has the potential to function with a minimum number of parts compared to a conventional design, which may enable rapid, minimumcost, atmospheric exploration of MARS or other places with adverse environmental conditions using small rotary wing aircraft.
living a Nightmare: Family Experiences of Waiting Following Neurological Crisis

This study examined the waiting experiences of 12 families following a sudden unexpected neurological intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization. Using a phenomenological approach, family experiences were collected and analyzed. The major themes of uncertainty and searching for meaning depict the lifeworld of family waiting during critical illness. By understanding and entering a family's experience of waiting, ICU nurses can have a pivotal role in empowering families.
The potential role of bioscavenger in the medical management of nerve-agent poisoned casualties.

The provision of effective Medical Countermeasures (MedCM) for all agents and routes of exposure is a strategic goal of defence research and development. In the case of military autoinjector-based therapies for nerve agent poisoning, current treatment effectiveness is limited by the oxime reactivator being effective against only certain agents, by rapid clearance times of the drugs and because the doses may not be optimal for treatment of severe poisoning. Prolonged poisoning by nerve agents entering the body through the skin is also challenging. Since casualty handling timelines have reduced significantly in recent years, it may be sufficient for first aid therapy to provide protection for only a few hours until further medical treatment is available. Therefore, the traditional evaluation of first aid therapy in animal models of survival at 24 h may not be appropriate. At various echelons of medical care, further therapeutic interventions are possible. The current basis for the medical management of nerve-agent poisoned casualties is derived mainly from clinical experience with pesticide poisoning. Adjunct therapy with a bioscavenger (such as human butyrylcholinesterase (huBChE)), could have utility as a delayed intervention by reducing the toxic load. It has previously been demonstrated that huBChE is an effective post-exposure therapy against percutaneous VX poisoning. It is recommended that the scope of animal models of nerve agent MedCM are extended to cover evaluation of both first aid MedCM over significantly reduced timescales, and subsequent supportive therapeutic and medical management strategies over longer timescales. In addition to bioscavengers, these strategies could include repeated combined and individual therapy drugs to alleviate symptoms, other classes of drugs or ventilatory support. Crown Copyright © [2016] Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. This is an open access article under the Open Government Licence (OGL) (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/).
Cloacal duplication: genitourinary and lower intestinal implications.

Abstract Complete duplication of the bladder, urethra and hindgut is a rare congenital anomaly. We report a case of complete duplication of the genitourinary and lower intestinal tracts with a brief discussion of the pertinent embryogenesis and therapeutic options.
Structurally diverse molecular deletions in the beta-globin gene cluster exhibit an identical phenotype on interaction with the beta S- gene

We have characterized a new deletion that increases hemoglobin F synthesis in an American black woman who is doubly heterozygous for this mutation and the beta S-gene. The 5' endpoint is 2.4 +/- 0.1 kilobases (kb) upstream from the delta-globin gene, and the 3' endpoint is 0.2 +/- 0.1 kb downstream from the beta-globin gene; the deletion is 12 kb long. Both members of the Alu moderately repetitive DNA sequence family, normally present upstream from the delta-globin gene, are preserved. The patient is asymptomatic with a mild anemia and 24.8% HbF. The patient's husband and daughter have a similar clinical syndrome, with HbF levels of 22.4% and 25.4%, respectively. Both husband and daughter are doubly heterozygous for the beta S-gene and the Ghana type of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) deletion (HPFH-2). The 5' end of this deletion is in the psi beta-gene, and its total length is more than 70 kb. All three members of the family have normocytic red cells, of which 95% or more are F cells as detected by immunofluorescence. Previous studies have shown that culture of the erythroid progenitors (BFU-E) from both types of these compound heterozygotes in the presence of fetal sheep serum, rich in "switching factor," resulted in complete suppression of HbF synthesis. Although the newly described deletion resembles the Sicilian type of delta beta-thalassemia by its size and preservation of the Alu sequences, the clinical and biological phenotype produced by its interaction with the beta S-gene is very similar to that of the HPFH-type deletion.
Automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Summary The AICD represents a major technologic advance for patients with life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias in whom drug or surgical therapy is unsuccessful. A significant reduction in mortality in these patients is seen with AICD use. As the device becomes more widely available and more centers in the country become adept in its implantation and use, a rapidly expanding patient population with AICDs will exist. These patients, who typically have severe underlying cardiac disease and are at high risk for sudden cardiac death, will present in increasing numbers to EDs with complaints related to the device. Emergency physicians must be prepared to evaluate and treat AICD patients and must be aware of the complications and problems associated with AICDs. This preparation will ensure that the AICD patient will receive prompt and appropriately directed treatment in the ED.
INVESTIGATION OF THE GRANULOMETRIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF AlN AND SI3N4 POWDERS AFTER HYDROGEN- THERMAL TREATMENT

A principle new approach to the non-metal nitride powders activation is proposed in this paper. This approach consists in hydrogen-thermal treatment (HTT) of precursor non-metal nitrides powders at 500-1,150°C in presence of hydrogen and catalysts. The goal of hydrogen-thermal treatment of powders is to extract the irrelevant impurities, to grind the powder particles and to improve the powder structure. Evolution of AlN and Si3N4 powders structure in HTT at different temperatures (500-1,150°C) has been studied. HTT of non-metal nitrides powders was shown to favour the removal of sorbed impurities from the particle surface and to decrease in starting temperature of powder sintering.
Impact of VA Research on Health Care for All: Contributions Over Nine Decades and Counting.

In 2015, the Veterans Administration (VA) celebrated 90 years of VA research. As Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the Birmingham VA Medical Center, I pondered how to celebrate this momentous occasion for the yearly VA Research Week. My first questions were how has a structured VA Research Program been in existence for 90 years and how did it all start in 1925, 20 years before the National Institutes of Health?1 My thoughts since then have become especially poignant in view of the recent turmoil within the VA system that has led to questions about its position in the Healthcare System. I respond to this invitation not as the section would imply in its title: Viewpoints, but more so to share the 90-year journey of the VA in melding its tripartite mission of patient care, education, and research. Before World War I, hospitals were considered charitable institutions for the impoverished, and the sick and injured were cared for in their homes. Passage of the Langley Bill in 1921 marked the transition from a Soldier’s home with compensation/pension for injury to a true medical center orientation. The Veterans Bureau took over all Public Health Service Hospitals, and by 1925, the Veterans Bureau oversaw 50 VA hospitals and 30 000 hospitalized veterans. In 1924, a 22-member council on Medical and Hospital Affairs comprised leaders in academic, public, and private medicine endorsed a system of diagnostic hospital beds. They also initiated the US Veterans’ Bureau Medical Bulletin, and the establishment of a research program with emphasis on research related to veterans’ medical conditions. The VA Medical Bulletin (Figure A) underscored the Medical Council’s idea of a hospital-based research program seeking methods to cure disease by systematic bedside observation with an emphasis on outcomes. Before World War II, there was not a strong …
Effective Signal Restoration in Post-Silicon Validation

Trace buffer based run-time techniques have been proposed and widely applied to post-silicon validation for bug detection and localization after post-manufacturing testing. However, hardware overhead limits the size of the trace buffer, i.e. the number of signals traced during run-time. In order to alleviate this limitation, maximal state restoration based on the data stored in trace buffer is desirable with minimal compromise in efficiency. Forward propagation and backward justification (FB) methods were commonly employed and satisfiability-based (SAT) techniques were recently introduced for signal restoration. In this paper, we propose efficient heuristics based on the structure of the circuit and a signal ordering technique for signal restoration using hybrid FB and SAT methods. Experimental results show that our reconvergent fanout based algorithm can achieve up to 72% improvement and our signal ordering heuristic can attain 77.9% improvement compared to the state-of-the-art methods while maintaining optimal restoration ratio.
Trading in Sacrifice

The chapter examines the trade of live animals for slaughter, focusing on export from Australia to the Muslim-majority countries that are the main customers. Here, animals are shipped across boundaries of religion, culture, and norms of animal welfare. While the typical rules of international trade in goods apply, they do not really fit. In addition, the current legal regime governing live exports is insufficient to provide animals with an adequate standard of welfare, from the point of entering the ships in the country of origin to the moment of slaughter in the importing country. Stilt argues, however, that with the due involvement of religious authorities, the Islamic tradition of animal welfare could be harnessed to develop more widely accepted international transportation and slaughtering standards.
SOCIAL MEDIA FOR BEGINNERS

Social media (or social networking) is a universal phenomenon. It is the most popular online activity worldwide. It empowers people to share their opinions with others online. It has opened new ways of communication in the hyper-connected world. It has become an integral part of modern society as they provide means of interacting and socializing. This paper briefly introduces beginners to social media.
Head to head polymers. XVII: Head to head polypropylene

Head to head polypropylene was prepared by catalytic hydrogenation of eithercis-1,4-poly(2,3-dimethylbutadiene) ortrans-1,4-poly(2,3-dimethylbutadiene) with cobalt 2-ethylhexanoate/triethylaluminium as the hydrogenation catalyst in decahydronaphthalene solution. The hydrogenation occurred predominantly bycis hydrogen addition, but was not stereospecific. The samples of head to head polypropylene were characterized by IR and NMR, particularly by13C-NMR spectroscopy. The polymers were amorphous and exhibited glass transition temperatures about 20°C lower than that of head to tail poly-propylene; the glass transition temperatures were measured by DSC and varied somewhat from sample to sample (sufficiently high molecular weight) according to their stereochemistry. TheTgvalues were confirmed by Rheovibron measurements. The thermal stability of head to head polypropylene is not significantly different from that of either atactic or isotactic head to tail polypropylene.
Low-End Regressivity

The earned income tax credit and the child tax credit lift millions of families out of poverty each year, and are found to increase employment and improve health and education outcomes among recipients. Supporters of these programs also ascribe them with reducing average tax burdens for low-income taxpayers and increasing the progressivity of the tax and fiscal system. Although these results are broadly true, expanding the analysis to include those disadvantaged by the programs’ design reveals a more complex story. This Article highlights how structural features of these tax benefits create a distribution of taxes and transfers that disadvantages childless workers and families in deep poverty relative to better-off poor and middle-class families. As a result, relatively poorer taxpayers face higher average tax rates compared to better-off households, a phenomenon this Article defines as “low-end regressivity.” This Article argues that low-end regressivity subverts principal goals of progressive redistribution, reducing the system’s ability to maximize aggregate utility and to combat poverty and inequality. To make this claim, the Article identifies primary progressive goals of redistribution under both welfarist and nonwelfarist paradigms, and demonstrates how low-end regressivity undermines key objectives under diverse distributive justice frameworks. The Article then builds on this analysis by offering policy reforms that seek to reduce low-end regressivity—including eliminating the credits’ floors and phase-ins, and implementing state-level offsetting tax credits.
C-9: Development of advanced technology and methods for cryopreservation: Seattle experience

This presentation reports recent activities and results in cryobiology and cryopreservation research with a focus on the new engineering methods, instruments, and advanced technology developed at the Research Center for Cryobiology and Cryo-Biomedical Engineering at University of Washington (UW) collaborating with the UW Medical Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Puget Sound Blood Center in Seattle, Washington.
Decentralized Control of Switched-Systems with Path-Dependent $\ell_{2}$ -induced Bounds

In this paper, we extend recent results on the decentralized switched control problem to include path-dependent performance bounds, and demonstrate the application of the new method to test a system of quadcopters. Path-by-path performance bounds leads to increased flexibility when designing the controller and improves the closed-loop performance, because the decentralized controller depends on a switching path with given memory and preview horizon. Application example is provided, we consider an aircraft formation problem, and then compare the performance of a switched controller with uniform performance bound to that of a controller synthesized with path-by-path performance bounds.
Nitric oxide and its role as a non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic inhibitory neurotransmitter in the gastrointestinal tract

NO is a neurotransmitter released from enteric inhibitory neurons and responsible for modulating gastrointestinal (GI) motor behaviour. Enteric neurons express nNOS (NOS1) that associates with membranes of nerve varicosities. NO released from neurons binds to soluble guanylate cyclase in post-junctional cells to generate cGMP. cGMP-dependent protein kinase type 1 (PKG1) is a major mediator but perhaps not the only pathway involved in cGMP-mediated effects in GI muscles based on gene deletion studies. NOS1+ neurons form close contacts with smooth muscle cells (SMCs), interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and PDGFRα+ cells, and these cells are electrically coupled (SIP syncytium). Cell-specific gene deletion studies have shown that nitrergic responses are due to mechanisms in SMCs and ICC. Controversy exists about the ion channels and other post-junctional mechanisms that mediate nitrergic responses in GI muscles. Reduced nNOS expression in enteric inhibitory motor neurons and/or reduced connectivity between nNOS+ neurons and the SIP syncytium appear to be responsible for motor defects that develop in diabetes. An overproduction of NO in some inflammatory conditions also impairs normal GI motor activity. This review summarizes recent findings regarding the role of NO as an enteric inhibitory neurotransmitter. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Nitric Oxide 20 Years from the 1998 Nobel Prize. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.2/issuetoc.
Correctional Staff: The Issue of Job Stress

Staff perform myriad tasks to help ensure a safe, secure, and humane correctional facility. Correctional staff face many challenges when working in institutional corrections. One of these challenges is job stress, which is defined as feeling psychologically distressed or strained due to work demands or stressors. The job demands-resources model provides a framework for why workplace factors may effect job stress. This model divides the workplace variables into the groups of demands and resources. Job demands place staff under pressure, which can result in higher job stress. Job resources allow staff to focus on the positive aspects of the job and can help buffer staff from job demands, which can result in lower job stress. Additionally, the absence of (or deficiencies in) job resources can become job demands. The major job resources for correctional staff are quality supervision, input into decision-making, and instrumental communication. The major job demands faced by correctional staff are fear of victimization, work-family conflict, and the role stressors of role conflict, role ambiguity, and role overload. Reducing fear of victimization, work-family conflict, and role stressors are predicted to decrease job stress. Additionally, the job resources of quality supervision, input into decision-making, and instrumental communication need to be enhanced in order to help reduce job stress among correctional staff. Furthermore, social support, especially supervisory and administrative support need to be raised, as well as providing mental health support for staff and their families to combat correctional staff job stress.
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Interventions

Ten-year patency rates are around 90 % for internal mammary arteries [IMA] and 57 % for saphenous veins grafts [SVG] [1]. Redo CABG mortality is very high at 11, 25, and 39 % for first, second, and third reoperations, respectively, as compared to first CABG [4 %] with reduced graft patency and incomplete symptom relief [2, 3]. Hence, PCI is increasingly preferred in symptomatic patients with graft vessel disease [4]. PCI of native vessel, if feasible, is preferred over PCI of the grafts [4].
Funds of knowledge for scholars: Reflections on the translation of theory and its implications

This paper investigates the roots of Funds of Knowledge, looking at how a collection of theories, ideologies and methods were brought together by diverse actors at one historical moment to launch a...
Active Commute in Relation to Cognition and Academic Achievement in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Future Recommendations

Active commuting to school (ACS) is an important source of physical activity among children. Recent research has focused on ACS and its benefits on cognition and academic achievement (AA), factors important for success in school. This review aims to synthesize literature on the relationship between ACS and cognition or AA among children and adolescents. Peer-reviewed articles in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library assessing ACS with cognition and/or AA among children, until February 2019, were selected. Twelve studies across nine countries (age range 4–18.5 years) were included. One study used accelerometers, whereas all others used self-report measures of ACS. A wide range of objective assessments of cognitive functioning and AA domains were used. Five among eight studies, and four among six found a positive relationship between ACS and cognitive or AA measure, respectively. Four studies found dose–response relationships, and some studies found sex differences. The quantitative analysis found that ACS was not significantly associated with mathematics score (odds ratio = 1.18; CI = 0.40, 3.48). Findings are discussed in terms of methodological issues, potential confounders, and the strength of the evidence. Future studies should conduct longitudinal studies and use objective measures of ACS to understand this relationship further.
The Incorporation of Discrete Deformation Twins in a Crystal Plasticity Finite Element Framework

The most prevalent twinning models homogenize the local deformation response by considering twins as “pseudoslip” systems, obscuring the physical differences between slip and twinning—namely the discrete nature of twinning. Presented is a computational approach designed to consider discrete deformation twinning in a crystal plasticity finite element framework. A polycrystalline domain is pre-discretized at the sub-grain scale into lamellar regions dependent on the geometry of the twin systems, which facilitates a finite element mesh that is attendant to this geometry. A twin is activated in a lamellar region by applying essential velocities to its nodes and rapidly mapping their locations to their expected twinned positions. The rest of the body deforms by crystallographic slip to enforce mechanical equilibrium. Results indicate stress relaxation in the parent grain and regions of large stress concentrations in neighboring grains. These trends are discussed in light of global and local energetic observations.
The Effects of a Multicomponent Self-Monitoring Intervention on the Rates of Pre-Service Teacher Behavior-Specific Praise in a Masked Single-Case Experimental Design:

The effects of self-monitoring (SM) on teacher behavior are well documented, but previous research does not attempt to control for reactivity as a threat to internal validity. This study examined t...
Genomics-guided molecular maps of coronavirus targets in human cells: a path toward the repurposing of existing drugs to mitigate the pandemic

Human genes required for SARS-CoV-2 entry into human cells, ACE2 and FURIN, were employed as baits to build genomics-guided maps of up-stream regulatory elements, their expression and functions in human body, including pathophysiologically-relevant cell types. Genes acting as repressors and activators of the ACE2 and FURIN genes were identified based on the analyses of gene silencing and overexpression experiments as well as relevant transgenic mouse models. Panels of repressors (VDR; GATA5; SFTPC; HIF1a) and activators (HMGA2; INSIG1) were then employed to identify existing drugs that could be repurposed to mitigate the coronavirus infection. Present analyses identify Vitamin D and Quercetin as promising pandemic mitigation agents. Gene expression profiles of Vitamin D and Quercetin activities and their established safety records as over-the-counter medicinal substances suggest that they may represent viable candidates for further assessment and considerations of their potential as coronavirus pandemic mitigation agents. Notably, gene set enrichment analyses and expression profiling experiments identify multiple drugs, most notably testosterone, dexamethasone, and doxorubicin, smoking, and many disease conditions that appear to act as putative coronavirus infection-promoting agents. Discordant patterns of Testosterone versus Estradiol impacts on SCARS-CoV-2 targets suggest a plausible molecular explanation of the apparently higher male mortality during coronavirus pandemic.
Chapter 10 – Cyber Forensics and Incident Response

Listening to the news on a daily basis suggests that it is a matter of when rather than if any given computing device will be compromised. What really matters is how fast one responds to the compromise to mitigate loss and to prevent future incidents. To be able to react with speed, proper plans and procedures need to be implemented beforehand, and tested on a regular basis for preparedness. Part of the response process is to investigate and understand the nature of the compromise. Cyber forensics is an integral part of incident response that fills this role. It is a form of forensic science whose aim is to identify, preserve, recover, analyze and present facts and opinions regarding evidence stored on or transferred between digital devices. This chapter discusses the steps and methods to respond to incidents and conduct cyber forensics investigations. We will mainly focus on Windows systems as target systems and utilize open- source or freeware tools for discovery and analysis.
Neoadjuvant rituximab modulates the tumor immune environment in patients with high risk prostate cancer

Immunotherapeutic regulation of the tumor microenvironment in prostate cancer patients is not understood. Most antibody immunotherapies have not succeeded in prostate cancer. We showed previously that high-risk PCa patients have a higher density of tumor infiltrating B-cells in prostatectomy specimens. In mouse models, anti-CD20 antibody ablation of B-cells delayed PCa regrowth post-treatment. We sought to determine whether neoadjuvant anti-CD20 immunotherapy with rituximab could reduce CD20+ B cell infiltration of prostate tumors in patients. An open label, single arm clinical trial enrolled eight high-risk PCa patients to receive one cycle of neoadjuvant rituximab prior to prostatectomy. Eleven clinical specimens with similar characteristics were selected as controls. Treated and control samples were concurrently stained for CD20 and digitally scanned in a blinded fashion. A new method of digital image quantification of lymphocytes was applied to prostatectomy sections of treated and control cases. CD20 density was quantified by a deconvolution algorithm in pathologist-marked tumor and adjacent regions. Statistical significance was assessed by one sided Welch’s t-test, at 0.05 level using a gatekeeper strategy. Secondary outcomes included CD3+ T-cell and PD-L1 densities. Mean CD20 density in the tumor regions of the treated group was significantly lower than the control group (p = 0.02). Mean CD3 density in the tumors was significantly decreased in the treated group (p = 0.01). CD20, CD3 and PD-L1 staining primarily occurred in tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). Neoadjuvant rituximab was well-tolerated and decreased B-cell and T-cell density within high-risk PCa tumors compared to controls. This is the first study to treat patients prior to surgical prostate removal with an immunotherapy that targets B-cells. Rituximab treatment reduced tumor infiltrating B and T-cell density especially in TLSs, thus, demonstrating inter-dependence between B- and T-cells in prostate cancer and that Rituximab can modify the immune environment in prostate tumors. Future studies will determine who may benefit from using rituximab to improve their immune response against prostate cancer. Trial registration NCT01804712, March 5th, 2013 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01804712?cond=NCT01804712&draw=2&rank=1
Abstract 3971: The role of obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation in breast cancer metastasis

Although obesity is a known risk factor for breast cancer incidence, metastasis, and mortality, the mechanisms underlying this link remain elusive. This study therefore aims to uncover the relationship between obesity-associated adipose tissue and breast cancer metastasis by identifying specific inflammatory mediators in the adipose secretome. It is well known that obesity induces hypoxic conditions in the adipose tissue, stimulating an inflammatory response that ultimately creates a favorable environment for cancer cell growth and survival. The link between obesity-associated adipose inflammation and cancer metastasis, however, remains poorly described. We have previously shown that injection of basal-like E07719s, and claudin-low metM-Wnt-Lung and metM-Wnt-Liver metastatic breast cancer cell lines in mice fed a diet-induced obesity (DIO, 60% kcal from fat) diet displayed larger tumors with increased metastatic potential compared to lean mice fed a control (10% kcal from fat) diet. When diets were supplemented with Sulindac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), the enhancing effects of DIO on tumor growth and metastasis were mitigated. Gene expression microarray analysis of non-tumor bearing mammary fat pads from these mice revealed increased mammary expression of inflammation-related genes in tissues from DIO relative to control mice. Moreover, gene expression analysis of the tumor microenvironment from these mice revealed a signature of DIO-induced immunosuppression that was normalized by Sulindac supplementation. To further investigate the relationship between obesity-associated inflammation and breast cancer metastasis, we cultured our metastatic metM-Wnt-Lung, and metM-Wnt-Liver, and claudin-low, non-metastatic M-Wnt breast cancer cell lines with conditioned media (FCM) from the mammary fat pads of mice fed control, DIO, or DIO+Sulindac diets. We then conducted phenotypic assays to characterize differences in cell growth, proliferation, and metastatic potential. After normalizing the FCM concentrations to fat pad mass, we saw increased cell viability and migration in cells treated with FCM from DIO relative to control mice. Luminex assays identified several pro-inflammatory factors associated with the pro-cancer effects of FCM from DIO versus control mice, and additional characterization studies utilizing high-throughput proteomic screening and immune-depletion approaches are on-going. Taken together, our findings suggest an important role for the adipose secretome, and specifically inflammatory mediators, in obesity driven breast cancer progression. Citation Format: Lydia K. Eisenbeis, Shannon B. McDonell, Laura A. Smith, Alyssa J. Cozzo, Michael F. Coleman, Stephen D. Hursting. The role of obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation in breast cancer metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3971.
Half-Integer Winding Number Solutions to the Landau-Ginzburg-Higgs Equations and Instability of the Abrikosov-Nielsen-Olesen Vortex

New solutions to the abelian U(1) Higgs model, corresponding to vortices of integer and half-integer winding number bound onto the edges of domain walls and possibly surrounded by annular current flows, are described, based on a fine-grained analysis of the topology of such configurations in spacetime. The existence of these states, which saturate BPS bounds in specific limits and are quite reminiscent of D-branes and membranes in general, could have interesting and some important consequences in a wide range of physical contexts. For instance, they raise the possibility that for some regimes of couplings the usual vortex of unit winding number would split into two vortices each of one-half winding number bound by a domain wall. A similar approach may also be relevant to other known topological states of field theory.
From high school to community college to ODU to the C-suite: creating a text-book free pathway to a bachelor’s Z-degree

To counter tuition and textbook costs for degree-seeking students, a specific pathway to a bachelor’s degree in Leadership was developed. The pathway, comprised of partnerships with the high school...
Coordinating Expertise Among Emergent Groups Responding to Disasters

In the aftermath of catastrophic events, when plans for organized and timely response break down, impromptu groups often emerge to provide disaster relief. Much remains to be learned about the internal dynamics of these emergent response groups whose representatives may include members from organizations with relief missions; private sector organizations offering resources; and private citizens with the information, relationships, or physical and mental stamina to help. Organizational theories have the potential to contribute to a better understanding of emergent response groups and how they efficiently coordinate knowledge, people, resources, tasks, and technology, thereby substantially improving disaster response for future catastrophes. We apply one organization science theory toward better understanding of these groups — transactive memory systems theory — which is a theory about knowledge coordination in groups. Our application of this theory to emergent response groups requires extending the theory in three ways: the role of expertise in task assignment, how groups function when credibility in member expertise cannot be validated, and how expertise is coordinated. By demonstrating how transactive memory systems theory can be extended to the unique operating conditions of emergent response groups, we hope to inspire organization science researchers to accept the challenge of adapting their theories to study this important problem of our time.
Changes in social work students’ attitudes and knowledge following opioid overdose prevention training

Background: Opioid use disorders are widespread, commonly occurring, and have serious impacts on individuals, families, and communities. When adequately trained, social workers play a pivotal role ...
Fecal PCR testing for detection of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridioides difficile toxin genes and other pathogens in foals with diarrhea: 28 cases.

Clostridium perfringens and Clostridioides difficile cause significant morbidity and mortality in foals. Antemortem diagnosis of C. perfringens infection has been complicated by a paucity of tests ...
A REEVALUATION OF THE MOGOLLON-MIMBRES ARCHAEOLOGICAL SEQUENCE

A new series of radiocarbon and tree-ring dates from the Mimbres area of the Mogollon region has modified the accepted chronology in the area. Recent work in the Mogollon-Mimbres area has firmly es...
Performance Bounds for Rapid Computer System Evaluation

Simulation is generally used to model program execution characteristics under some set of conditions, for example the execution of a finite element application on a high speed workstation. The simulation output may include several performance metrics, such as the expected runtime, memory utilization, register usage, or processor cache performance.
Towards trusted data management in online social network (OSN) services

In this research, we analyze the privacy and security vulnerabilities in current OSN services. Furthermore, we develop a framework that can provide trusted data management in OSN services.
Promoter substitution and deletion analysis of upstream region required for rpoS translational regulation.

The RpoS sigma factor of enteric bacteria is required for the increased expression of a number of genes that are induced during nutrient limitation and growth into stationary phase and in response to high osmolarity. RpoS is also a virulence factor for several pathogenic species, including Salmonella typhimurium. The activity of RpoS is regulated at both the level of synthesis and protein turnover. Here we investigate the posttranscriptional control of RpoS synthesis by using rpoS-lac protein and operon fusions. Substitution of the native rpoS promoters with the tac or lac UV5 promoters allowed essentially normal regulation after growth into stationary phase in rich medium or after osmotic challenge. Regulation of these fusions required the function of hfq, encoding the RNA-binding protein host factor I (HF-I). Short deletions from the 5′ end of the rpoS transcript did not affect regulation very much; however, a larger deletion mutation that still retains 220 bp upstream of the rpoS ATG codon, including a proposed antisense element inhibitory for rpoS translation, was no longer regulated by HF-I. Several models for regulation of rpoS expression by HF-I are discussed.
Cell Wall Polymers of Bacillus sphaericus 9602 II. Synthesis of the First Enzyme Unique to Cortex Synthesis During Sporulation

The cell wall peptidoglycan of vegetative cells of Bacillus sphaericus 9602 contains l-lysine and d-isoasparagine and is devoid of diaminopimelic acid (Dap), whereas the peptidoglycan of its spore cortex is devoid of l-lysine and d-isoasparagine and contains meso-Dap. These two structures have a common biosynthetic precursor, uridine-diphospho-N-acetylmuramyl-l- alanyl-d-glutamic acid, which accepts either l-lysine or meso-Dap, the latter reaction being the first unique to the synthesis of the spore cortex peptidoglycan. l-lysine-adding activity decays at the end of vegetative growth to a level which is maintained until Dap-adding activity appears, when it declines rapidly again. Dap-adding activity is not detectable in refractile spores, in vegetative cells, or in sporulating cells until about 4 hr after the end of vegetative growth, when it increases rapidly for about 1.5 hr in a process dependent on continued protein and ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis. This process apparently involves transcription and translation during this period of a “sporulation-specific” gene whose product is essential for and unique to sporulation. It is closely followed by the acquirement of refractility. Another sporulation-specific gene, that for dipicolinate synthase, is apparently transcribed and translated in an overlapping period commencing about 0.5 hr later, although dipicolinate does not accumulate rapidly until 1.5 hr later, when about 75% of the cells are already refractile. Inhibition of protein synthesis with chloramphenicol or of RNA synthesis with streptolydigin inhibited accumulation of these enzymes in sporulating cells; this inhibition could be reversed by washing out the antibiotics after 1.5 hr. Sporulation recommenced with an unaltered sequence of events but with poorer synchrony. There was no evidence for a messenger RNA for either enzyme of lifetime greater than a small fraction of the period of enzyme accumulation, although dilution with 10 volumes of fresh medium failed to prevent synthesis of Dap-adding enzyme in cells which had become terminally swollen, a process preceding enzyme synthesis by about 1.5 hr. The synthesis of this enzyme in B. sphaericus is apparently dependent on programmed transcription of the appropriate gene.
HEAD START ENROLLMENT AND CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT

This secondary data analysis from a Head Start program examines the association between children's entry age and enrollment duration and the likelihood of mental health treatment. Study questions are as follows: (a) Do baseline characteristics differ among three groups of Head Start children? (children who enrolled at 3 years of age and stayed for 1 year [group 1], enrolled at 4 years of age and stayed for 1 year [group 2], and enrolled at 3 years of age and stayed for 2 years [group 3]); (b) Does the likelihood of children's mental health treatment differ among the groups?; and (c) Are baseline characteristics associated with the likelihood of mental health treatment? Except ethnicity and family size, other baseline characteristics did not differ across the three groups. Groups 1 and 3 received more mental health treatment than group 2. Different percentages of mental health treatment were found, depending on children's gender, ethnicity, family income, special needs, and bilingual status.
Perfectionism, anxiety, and depression: Are the relationships independent?

The present study examined the relationship between perfectionism and various features of anxiety to determine whether these features of anxiety were related to perfectionism independent of depression. A factor analysis of various measures of anxiety symptoms reduced the measures to three factors: obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety/trait anxiety/worry, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. All three factors were significantly related to maladaptive perfectionism, but the social/trait/worry factor was the only factor found to be related to maladaptive perfectionism independent of depression. The PTSD factor was the only factor related to the adaptive component of perfectionism, and this relationship remained significant even after controlling for depression. Perfectionism was related to depression after controlling for the three anxiety factors; maladaptive perfectionism was positively related to depression and adaptive perfectionism was negatively related to depression. These findings indicate that there appears to be an aspect of perfectionism that is related to anxiety independent of depression and a separate aspect of perfectionism that is related to depression independent of anxiety.
Cross‐cultural research: Challenge and competence

Increasing globalization, population diversity and health disparities among non-dominant cultures necessitate cross-cultural research. Research with other cultures is fraught with challenges that must be addressed by the competent cross-cultural researcher. Areas for consideration include choice of research foci, ethical concerns, cultural adaptation of research measurements and interventions, participant recruitment and retention, strategies for data collection and analysis, dissemination of findings and perspectives of time. Approaches to dealing with these challenges are addressed, with an emphasis on community-based participatory research.
Psoriasiform pemphigus foliaceus: A report of two cases

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) represents an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by the disruption of epidermal intercellular adhesion proteins. Clinical findings include superficial crusted erosions in a seborrheic distribution; however, the disease can rarely present as an exfoliative erythroderma. Histopathologic findings include acantholysis with cleavage within the granular layer. Direct immunofluorescence studies show intercellular IgG and complement deposition. We present two patients, to our dermatology department, with a previous diagnosis of psoriasis, with an exfoliative erythroderma, which ultimately proved to be because of PF based on histopathological features, direct immunofluorescence results and levels of antibodies against desmoglein 1. Both patients responded well to oral prednisone and rituximab. This variant of PF should be entertained in both the clinical differential diagnosis of psoriasiform erythroderma and in the microscopic differential diagnosis of psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia with focal acantholysis, particularly in patients for whom the clinical history is not classic for psoriasis or for whom conventional psoriasis therapies have not proven beneficial.
The Effect of Culture Conditions on Cytodifferentiation of Fetal Mouse Lung Respiratory Passageways

Differentiation of the respiratory region of fetal mouse lungs was investigated in serum-free medium supplemented with growth factors and hormones. Terminal buds from the margins of a lobe were removed from 16-day fetuses and organ cultures prepared either in submersion culture or at the air-medium interface. It was found that glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, transferrin, and somatostatin were sufficient to promote branching in the absence of serum. However, type II pneumocytes containing lamellar bodies formed only in the presence of thyroxine or dexamethasone. At concentrations of these hormones slightly above the physiological range most of the cells became cuboidal and contained lamellar bodies-, at lower concentrations regions of flattened cells appeared. In submersion culture a large, central cavity surrounded by saccules was formed rather than a branched tree. Thus, the pattern of differentiation is significantly influenced by culture conditions.