cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanoscale phase change memory materials

Phase change memory materials store information through their reversible transitions between crystalline and amorphous states. For typical metal chalcogenide compounds, their phase transition properties directly impact critical memory characteristics and the manipulation of these is a major focus in the field. Here, we discuss recent work that explores the tuning of such properties by scaling the materials to nanoscale dimensions, including fabrication and synthetic strategies used to produce nanoscale phase change memory materials. The trends that emerge are relevant to understanding how such memory technologies will function as they scale to ever smaller dimensions and also suggest new approaches to designing materials for phase change applications. Finally, the challenges and opportunities raised by integrating nanoscale phase change materials into switching devices are discussed.
States and the Politics of Incrementalism: Health Policy in Wisconsin during the 1990s

Wisconsin officials during the 1990s seemed poised to enact innovative and comprehensive health care reform. During that era, an ambitious, popular, and reform-minded governor led the state. The state had an unusually professional legislature. The state's economy was strong. Even with these advantages, however, the report card on the state's efforts is mixed. The state enacted a fairly modest set of reforms that were financed largely by the federal government and subject to extensive federal oversight. The Wisconsin story thus seems to be about the politics of incrementalism. But while critics of incrementalist politics point out that the number of uninsured continues to grow, the catalytic federalism witnessed in Wisconsin in the 1990s may well be the best model for implementing health care reform.
Oesophageal sensors and their modulatory influence on oesophageal peristalsis in the lobster, Homarus gammarus.

The musculature and innervation of the oesophagus of Homarus gam­marus are described as a prerequisite to studies on the mechanisms and control of food ingestion. Of particular interest are two paired sensors (the anterior and posterior oesophageal sensors) which are bi­laterally situated at the oesophageal-cardiac sac valve. These are similar to contact chemoreceptors previously described in insects and are classified as such on morphological grounds and with indirect electro-physiological evidence. Oesophageal peristalsis is effected by the coordinated contraction of the oesophageal musculature. This is controlled by rhythmical bursting neuronal activity, which can be recorded from the nerve trunks in the area. A characteristic burst recorded from the superior oesophageal nerve is used as an indication of oesophageal dilatation during peristalsis for studies on the feedback effects of the oesophageal sensors. Electrical and chemical stimulation of the posterior oesophageal sensors can initiate and increase the frequency of oesophageal peristalsis, while stimulation of the anterior oesophageal sensors can slow and terminate oesophageal peristalsis. The results are discussed and a model presented of the role of the oesophageal sensors in feeding.
High‐resolution analytical electron microscopy characterization of corrosion and cracking at buried interfaces

Recent results are presented demonstrating the application of cross-sectional analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM) to corrosion and cracking in high-temperature water environments. Microstructural, chemical and crystallographic characterization of buried interfaces at near-atomic resolutions is shown to reveal evidence for unexpected local environments, corrosion reactions and material transformations. Information obtained by a wide variety of high-resolution imaging and analysis methods indicates the processes occurring during crack advance and provides insights into the mechanisms controlling environmental degradation. Examples of intergranular attack and cracking in type 316 austenitic stainless steel and Ni-based alloy 600 are presented to illustrate the potential for this approach. The presence of deeply attacked grain boundaries off the main cracks, revealed by TEM, is believed to indicate a major role of active corrosion in the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) process. Corroded boundaries were filled with oxides to the leading edges of attack. Analyses of the oxide films and impurities in the narrow intergranular penetrations and crack tips with widths of 10 nm or less indicate influences of the grain boundary characteristics and water chemistry. Boundary and precipitate corrosion structures can be used to identify the local electrochemistry promoting degradation in complex service environments. Solution impurities such as lead are found in high concentrations at nanometer-wide reaction zones in samples from secondary water environments, indicating water access at leading edges of the attack and the influence of these impurities on the corrosion processes. Results for specific samples are used to demonstrate the ability of cross-sectional ATEM to reveal new details of buried corrosion structures that cannot be detected by other methods.
Maintenance of the alcohol dehydrogenase polymorphism in Tiger Salamanders, II. Differences in biochemical function among allozymes

1. Previous studies of Tiger Salamanders demonstrated that variation in alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) contributed significantly to associations between multilocus heterozygosity and oxygen consumption traits, and that Adh variation was associated with levels of pond-oxygen and metamorphic ability in extreme oxygen environments. Here Adh allozymes are characterized kinetically, and relationships between Adh and oxygen-related physiological traits (ATP/Hb, 2,3-DPG/Hb) are measured. 2. Kinetic differences were measured among Adh allozymes in the acetaldehyde-to-ethanol direction: kcat/Km ratios (the catalytic constant divided by the Michaelis–Menton constant) were significantly higher in Adh-SF than the other two genotypes, and in Adh-SS compared with Adh-FF. No significant differences were measured in the ethanol to acetaldehyde direction. 3. Adh-SS had a significantly higher ATP/Hb than Adh-FF, with the Adh-SF intermediate. In addition, a significant interaction between Hb and body mass was measured, such that Adh-FF showed a negative relationship between Hb concentration and body mass while the other two genotypes showed a positive relationship. 4. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that variation at the Adh locus has adaptive and physiological significance, and that functional differences among Adh allozymes partly explain significant associations between multilocus genotype and organismal traits.
Probing the Structure of Water Molecules at an Oil/Water Interface in the Presence of a Charged Soluble Surfactant through Isotopic Dilution Studies

We have employed vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) to obtain the first vibrational spectra of water molecules at an oil/water interface in the presence of a charged, soluble surfactant. By examining OH stretching modes that are highly sensitive to the local hydrogen-bonding environment, we have been able to compare the structure of interfacial water molecules with the structure of bulk water molecules determined from previous studies. From the VSFG spectra we infer that there is more extensive hydrogen bonding between neighboring water molecules at the CCl4/water interface as compared to water molecules in the bulk aqueous phase. The presence of a charged surfactant enhances the SF response in the OH stretching spectral region in a manner similar to what we have previously observed at the air/water interface. To further probe the hydrogen bonding of water molecules at the oil/water interface, we have employed VSFG to study mixed samples of H2O and D2O. As the mole fraction of H2O is decreased, t...
Identification and Characterization of alcR a Gene Encoding an AraC-Like Regulator of Alcaligin Siderophore Biosynthesis and Transport in Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica

A Bordetella bronchiseptica iron transport mutant was isolated following an enrichment procedure based on streptonigrin resistance. The mutant displayed a growth defect on iron-restricted medium containing ferric alcaligin as the sole iron source. In addition to the apparent inability to acquire iron from the siderophore, the mutant failed to produce alcaligin as well as two known iron-regulated proteins, one of which is the AlcC alcaligin biosynthesis protein. A 1.6-kb KpnI-PstI Bordetella pertussis DNA fragment mapping downstream of the alcaligin biosynthesis genes alcABC restored both siderophore biosynthesis and expression of the iron-regulated proteins to the mutant. Nucleotide sequencing of this complementing 1.6-kb region identified an open reading frame predicted to encode a protein with strong similarity to members of the AraC family of transcriptional regulators, for which we propose the gene designation alcR. Primer extension analysis localized an iron-regulated transcription initiation site upstream of the alcR open reading frame and adjacent to sequences homologous to the consensus Fur repressor binding site. The AlcR protein was produced by using an Escherichia coli expression system and visualized in electrophoretic gels. In-frame alcR deletion mutants of B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica were constructed, and the defined mutants exhibited the alcR mutant phenotype, characterized by the inability to produce and transport alcaligin and express the two iron-repressed proteins. The cloned alcR gene provided in trans restored these siderophore system activities to the mutants. Together, these results indicate that AlcR is involved in the regulation of Bordetella alcaligin biosynthesis and transport genes and is required for their full expression.
A provider-side view of web search response time

Using a large Web search service as a case study, we highlight the challenges that modern Web services face in understanding and diagnosing the response time experienced by users. We show that search response time (SRT) varies widely over time and also exhibits counter-intuitive behavior. It is actually higher during off-peak hours, when the query load is lower, than during peak hours. To resolve this paradox and explain SRT variations in general, we develop an analysis framework that separates systemic variations due to periodic changes in service usage and anomalous variations due to unanticipated events such as failures and denial-of-service attacks. We find that systemic SRT variations are primarily caused by systemic changes in aggregate network characteristics, nature of user queries, and browser types. For instance, one reason for higher SRTs during off-peak hours is that during those hours a greater fraction of queries come from slower, mainly-residential networks. We also develop a technique that, by factoring out the impact of such variations, robustly detects and diagnoses performance anomalies in SRT. Deployment experience shows that our technique detects three times more true (operator-verified) anomalies than existing techniques.
Differences between men and women in sleep disordered breathing

Abstract Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is becoming a commonly recognized condition that has important cognitive and cardiovascular sequella if left untreated. Men are more commonly affected probably due to anatomical and functional differences in the pharyngeal airway wall. Inspiration causes collapse and results in apnea. Women may be protected by the remote effects of female sex hormones in some fashion stabilizing the pharyngeal walls. Central sleep apnea is also more common in men, perhaps due to heightened chemosensitivity of CO2. Treatment of OSA is most commonly accomplished using positive airway pressure through the nose (nasal CPAP). Use of CPAP throughout the night remains problematic in many patients. Other therapies include surgery to remove redundant tissue in the upper airway, and dental devices to jet forward the mandible thus opening the airway. Medical treatment includes weight loss, side or prone sleeping, avoidance of alcohol and other sedative drugs.
Structural Identification Concept

In this paper, possibilities of identifying important engineering characteristics of the structures using selected inspection and test results are examined. Recently, methods of system identification have been used to obtain a set of differential equations or generalized impulse response functions for the representation of the dynamic behavior of a given structure. It is suggested herein that the characteristics to be thus identified can include such functions as the damage and reliability of the structure at the time of the test and inspection. The general problem of structural identification is formulated and considered. The literature on damage function and reliability functions of structures are reviewed and summarized. Possible applications of various testing procedures including nondestructive and proof-load tests for structural identification purposes are also considered. Finally, the potentially practical implementation of such a methodology is suggested.
Intervention model for sustainable household food security in the drylands of Kenya: Case study of Makueni district

A chronic problem of household food insecurity in Kenya is concentrated in the rural drylands constituting two-thirds of the country’s land mass. Drought is cited as the main culprit, aggravated by inappropriate policy, such as the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) of the 1990s, said to have created an institutional vacuum in the provision of various agricultural services in Kenya. The combined effect has been erosion of farm productivity and food security of households. The potential of external intervention to bridge the service gap has been demonstrated by strong support from donor organizations. However, there is need to identify effective strategies and processes for attaining the food security objective. The research in this dissertation contributes by providing an intervention model for sustainable household food security in the drylands of Kenya. The research used ex-post evaluation of multiple intervention case studies in order to compare and identify most effective strategies. The cases were selected in Makueni, one of the dryland districts having the highest level (70 percent) of food insecurity in the country. A “with” and “without” intervention comparative approach was used in which the food security outcomes (farm productivity, non-farm income and food energy acquisition) were compared between a ‘treatment’ and a ‘control’ group. To understand the processes behind observed impacts of an intervention, the designs of the interventions were also analysed. The results from the analysis showed that only two of the five cases studies had significant impact on household food security. Emerging effective strategies were integration of irrigation with access to inputs, credit and output markets. But non-farm strategies, such as trading opportunities were highly preferred by households for stabilising incomes. An emerging key intervention objective is to raise farm aggregate incomes to the relative poverty line. The implication for future intervention planning is integration of irrigation, markets and non-farm income-generating strategies with the ultimate objective of raising household income at least to the relative poverty line; through the three-level linkages provided in the research.
One case of Kawasaki disease coupled to vaccination with inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine

Objective To analyze the relationship between the inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine and the occurrence of Kawasaki disease.Methods To collect and analyze the hospital in-patient medical records and to organize a municipal expert group of investigation and diagnosis on abnormal reaction in preventive vaccination.Results The vaccine was qualified and the vaccination process met the specification.The patient was diagnosed of Kawasaki disease by several hospitals during inpatient and outpatient treatment,combined clinical signs and auxiliary examination,and the diagnosis of Kawasaki disease was confirmed.A coincidence was judged between the vaccination of inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine and the occurrence of Kawasaki disease.Conclusion The patient is Kawasaki disease coupled to vaccination of inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine.
Evaluatin Models of Technologic Innovation Capability (TIC) in Enterprise

Tecnologic Innovation Capbility (TIC) is formed by personnel capability, information capability, equipment capability and orgnization capability, and each of the factors above in cludes several concrete indexes, which form an inde evluation system of TIC in entarprise. In addition, they are the fowndation of evaluation models of TIC in enterprise and calculation methods of capability index of which is composed by personnel capability. information capability, equipment capability and orgnization capability.\;
Moderators of Brief Motivation-Enhancing Treatments for Alcohol-Positive Adolescents Presenting to the Emergency Department

A 2011 randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of two brief motivation-enhancing therapy (MET) models among alcohol-positive adolescents in an urban emergency department: adolescent MET-only versus MET + Family Check-Up (FCU), a parent MET model. RESULTS indicated that among the 97 adolescents completing the 3-month assessment, both conditions were associated with reduced drinking and MET+FCU was associated with lower rates of high volume drinking than adolescent MET-only. The goal of this study was to identify predictors and moderators of high volume drinking in the original trial. Seven candidate variables were evaluated as moderators across three domains: demographic characteristics, psychological factors, and socio-contextual factors. Analyses of covariance models identified one significant predictor and one significant moderator of outcome. Older adolescents had significantly worse drinking outcomes than younger adolescents regardless of MET condition. Adolescents whose parents screened positive for problematic alcohol use at baseline had significantly worse drinking outcomes in the MET+FCU condition than the MET-only condition. RESULTS indicate that alcohol-positive adolescents presenting to the emergency department may respond better to MET models if they are under the age of 16. Involving parents who have problematic alcohol use in a parent-focused MET may have negative effects on adolescent high volume drinking.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Language: en
MOOSE crossing: creating a learning culture

MOOSE Crossing is text-based virtual reality environment (or "MUD") on the Internet designed to give kids 9 to 13 a meaningful context for reading, writing, and computer programming. The project aims use the Internet to situate constructionist learning in a supportive community context, and explores the notion of "a learning culture."
JNK Phosphorylates SIRT6 to Stimulate DNA Double-Strand Break Repair in Response to Oxidative Stress by Recruiting PARP1 to DNA Breaks.

The accumulation of damage caused by oxidative stress has been linked to aging and to the etiology of numerous age-related diseases. The longevity gene, sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), promotes genome stability by facilitating DNA repair, especially under oxidative stress conditions. Here we uncover the mechanism by which SIRT6 is activated by oxidative stress to promote DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. We show that the stress-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphorylates SIRT6 on serine 10 in response to oxidative stress. This post-translational modification facilitates the mobilization of SIRT6 to DNA damage sites and is required for efficient recruitment of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) to DNA break sites and for efficient repair of DSBs. Our results demonstrate a post-translational mechanism regulating SIRT6, and they provide the link between oxidative stress signaling and DNA repair pathways that may be critical for hormetic response and longevity assurance.
Expression patterns of the chromosome 21 MicroRNA cluster (miR-99a, miR-125b and let-7c) in chorioamniotic membranes.

Abstract Trisomy 21 (T21) is the most common chromosome abnormality in humans and is associated with a spectrum of phenotypes, including cognitive impairment, congenital heart defects and immune system defects. In addition, T21 is also associated with abnormalities of fetal membranes including chorioamniotic separation, delayed fusion of the chorioamniotic membranes, defects in syncytiotrophoblast formation, as well as amniocyte senescence. There is evidence indicating miRNAs encoded by sequences on chromosome 21 (Chr-21) are involved in several of the cognitive and neurological phenotypes of T21, but the role of Chr-21 derived miRNAs in fetal membrane abnormalities associated with T21 has not been investigated. In the current study, we determined the expression patterns of three miRNAs derived from a cluster on Chr-21 – hsa-miR-99a, hsa-miR-125b and hsa-let-7c in chorioamniotic membranes obtained from term pregnancies with spontaneous rupture (n = 20). Tissue and location specific expression patterns within the chorioamniotic membranes were identified. The rupture zone in the choriodecidua had distinct expression patterns compared to other fetal membrane locations. Despite the increased gene dosage associated with T21, the expression of all three miRNAs was reduced in cultured T21 amniocytes as compared to cultured euploid amniocytes. In silico analysis of experimentally validated targets of the three miRNAs suggest these Chr-21 derived miRNAs play a potential role in fetal membrane rupture and the fetal membrane defects associated with T21.
Lightning characteristics relative to radar, altitude and temperature for a multicell, MCS and supercell over northern Alabama

Cloud electrification leads to the production of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which has an effect on ozone concentrations. Currently large uncertainties exist regarding the contribution of lightning to the global and local NOx budget, even on a per flash basis. Most lightning NOx (LNOx) models distribute the LNOx at reflectivities (Z) ≥ 20 dBZ in the horizontal, while vertically, a Gaussian distribution function with a peak at − 15 °C is used for cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes and a bimodal distribution function with peaks at − 15 °C and − 45 °C is used for inter- and intra-cloud (IC) flashes. This research aims to improve our basic understanding of lightning location relative to radar Z as a function of storm and flash type. Using data from the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array (NALMA) and the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor data suite, the results from analyzing a multicell storm, mesoscale convective system and supercell storm showed that 29.7%, 15.9% and 6.9% of all flashes initiated in regions where Z < 20 dBZ, respectively. The bimodal lightning initiation distribution for IC flashes was also not observed for any of the three storms. In addition, it is shown that when incorporating the propagation of the flash, the percentage of NALMA lightning sources located in regions where Z < 20 dBZ increases. Finally, when comparing flash types, the results show that Hybrid flashes have consistently larger sizes than IC and CG flashes, while IC and Hybrid flashes tend to have more sources located at Z < 20 dBZ than CG flashes.
Effect of Germination and Extrusion on Physicochemical Properties and Nutritional Qualities of Extrudates and Tortilla from Wheat

Wheat is the most common grain in the temperate region. Modifying its constituent through food processing improves its functionality and nutrient access. In this study, the combined effect of germination and extrusion on physicochemical properties and nutritional qualities of extrudates and tortilla from wheat was evaluated. Results showed that germination significantly increased (P <0.05) the γ-aminobutyric acid content in germinated whole wheat (GW) and extruded germinated whole wheat (EGW) as compared to the control of whole wheat (WW). Germination also significantly increased the protein content, reducing sugar and total soluble sugar content in GW, while extrusion had much increasing impact on reducing sugar content in extruded samples. Specific mechanical energy during extrusion was reduced as feed moisture content increased from 20 to 30%. Higher extruder screw speed (350 rpm) led to better expansion ratio at low moisture content (20%) as compared to low screw speed (200 rpm). Extrusion significantly increased the starch digestibility but decreased the protein digestibility in extrudates. Tortilla made from 100% WW had about the same physical characteristics, namely color and rollability, with tortilla made from 85% WW with 15% GW, 85% WW with 15% extruded whole wheat (EW), and 85% WW with 15% EGW. Tortilla made from 85% WW with 15% GW showed the largest diameter, thinnest thickness and least extensibility. A 15% extruded germinated wheat (350 rpm) addition in 85% WW showed significant increase of γ-aminobutyric acid content in tortilla compared to the control (100% WW).
Interruptions and Regulatory Focus: Effects on Attention Residue and Task Performance

This paper explores how regulatory focus affects transitions between tasks following interruptions. Consistent with the research on attention residue (Leroy, 2009), we argue that in order to be cog...
High-Throughput Block Optical DNA Sequence Identification

Optical techniques for molecular diagnostics or DNA sequencing generally rely on small molecule fluorescent labels, which utilize light with a wavelength of several hundred nanometers for detection. Developing a label-free optical DNA sequencing technique will require nanoscale focusing of light, a high-throughput and multiplexed identification method, and a data compression technique to rapidly identify sequences and analyze genomic heterogeneity for big datasets. Such a method should identify characteristic molecular vibrations using optical spectroscopy, especially in the "fingerprinting region" from ≈400-1400 cm-1 . Here, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is used to demonstrate label-free identification of DNA nucleobases with multiplexed 3D plasmonic nanofocusing. While nanometer-scale mode volumes prevent identification of single nucleobases within a DNA sequence, the block optical technique can identify A, T, G, and C content in DNA k-mers. The content of each nucleotide in a DNA block can be a unique and high-throughput method for identifying sequences, genes, and other biomarkers as an alternative to single-letter sequencing. Additionally, coupling two complementary vibrational spectroscopy techniques (infrared and Raman) can improve block characterization. These results pave the way for developing a novel, high-throughput block optical sequencing method with lossy genomic data compression using k-mer identification from multiplexed optical data acquisition.
Cognitive and Behavioral Treatment of Childhood Depression

Historically there has been much debate about the existence and nature of depressive disorders during childhood. During the 1980s a consensus emerged within the literature that depressive disorders exist and that they are expressed in much the same fashion as adult variants with some developmental differences. Depressive disorders during childhood appear to be more common and of longer duration than previously thought. Onset of a depressive disorder during childhood is a risk factor for later episodes and impacts all areas of the youngster’s psychosocial functioning, the youngster’s family system, the parent-childs dyads, and has potentially life-threatening consequences. Perhaps due to a recognition of the seriousness of the disorder and the growing number of youths affected by it, research in the area has mushroomed over the past 15 years. Numerous advances have been made in our understanding of the nature of the disorder, its impact on the youngster and his or her family, its course, common cooccuring disturbances, and how to assess it. However, issues surrounding the treatment of depressed children have been sorely neglected and few developmentally sensitive treatment models have been proposed.
Clustering hand-drawn sketches via analogical generalization

One of the major challenges to building intelligent educational software is determining what kinds of feedback to give learners. Useful feedback makes use of models of domain-specific knowledge, especially models that are commonly held by potential students. To empirically determine what these models are, student data can be clustered to reveal common misconceptions or common problem-solving strategies. This paper describes how analogical retrieval and generalization can be used to cluster automatically analyzed hand-drawn sketches incorporating both spatial and conceptual information. We use this approach to cluster a corpus of hand-drawn student sketches to discover common answers. Common answer clusters can be used for the design of targeted feedback and for assessment.
Total Reproductive Capacity in Female Mice: Chemical Effects and Their Analysis

The necessity of studying the effects of certain chemicals on mammalian reproduction before they are introduced into the human environment is now fully recognized. This recognition stems from the fact that mammalian reproduction is a very complex biological function, in which many different processes come into play. Detrimental effects on one or more of these processes can lead to alterations in the normal reproductive pattern and represent a health hazard that may or may not be detectable by the present testing systems. This concern was expressed by the Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee on Protocols for Safety Evaluation: Panel on Reproduction Report on Reproduction Studies in the Safety Evaluation of Food Additives and Pesticide Residues (Friedman et al., 1970). Consequently, a three-generation plan, which was designed to study effects of food additives and pesticides on a number of reproductive end points, has been adopted by that advisory committee.
Some of the Reasons Why Preparing for Exams Is So Hard: What Can Be Done to Make It Easier?

Why it is so difficult to prepare for academic exams is reviewed with respect to recent research. Textbooks, teaching, and information processing characteristics of students all contribute to undermining effective learning and review. Recommendations are made about how instructors can make it easier for students to review and appraise their test readiness, as well as about how students can make a difference in the quality of their own preparations for tests.
Application of Alloy Physics to Solution Strengthening

Experiments indicate that in Ti alloys, solution hardening occurs predominantly by an electronic mechanism, i. e., by interactions within atomic dimensions of the impurity. The basic cause of such a mechanism is investigated using ideas originating from alloy physics. It is shown that the solution strengthening of group B metals in Ti is dominated by the behavior of the d states of the Ti host. They are repelled in the vicinity of the impurities, causing a large change in residual resistance which is experimentally correlated with good solution hardening properties. The discussion shows that, in general, better solution hardening should occur the further apart the columns of the solute and solvent are in the periodic table, i. e., the greater their valence difference is. A simple model calculation is made of the pinning capability of an impurity under dilation strains, and qualitative agreement with experiment is found.
Abstract 1219: Association between MICA polymorphisms, s-MICA levels, and pancreatic cancer risk in a population-based case-control study

Objectives: The immune system has been shown to play an important role in pancreatic cancer. Abnormal cells express the transmembrane major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA) protein, which is recognized by receptors present on NK and cytotoxic T cells. However, pancreatic tumor cells release MICA protein in soluble form (called s-MICA) from the tumor surface and thus avoid immune surveillance. In our previous study, we showed that a higher serum concentration of the s-MICA protein was associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk. In the current study, we hypothesized that functional variants in the MICA gene are associated with higher circulating s-MICA levels and increased pancreatic cancer risk. We focused on the A5.1 MICA allele, as this allele encodes a MICA protein that is shorter than its normal counterpart and is more easily cleaved from the cell surface. Methods: MICA alleles and s-MICA levels were measured in 116 cases and 492 controls (n=608) in a population-based case-control study in Minnesota. Allele assignments were based on the number of repeat units in the amplified regions of the MICA gene, and s-MICA levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. To address the non-normal distribution of s-MICA levels, general linear regression with a log link was used to assess mean s-MICA levels across MICA alleles. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for pancreatic cancer after adjustment for age, sex, education, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and diabetes status. The analysis was restricted to Caucasians, who represented 96% of all study participants. Results: 452 participants (74%) possessed at least one copy of the A5.1 allele. After adjustment for confounders, participants with at least one copy of the MICA A5.1 allele were at an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (multivariable OR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.06-3.79), compared to participants who did not possess any A5.1 allele. Participants who had at least one copy of the A5.1 allele had 2.46 (95%CI: 2.36-2.56) times greater mean s-MICA levels than those without the A5.1 allele. These associations were consistent among pancreatic cancer cases and controls. Conclusions: Our study supports the role of the MICA A5.1 allele in impaired immune response, which may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: Guillaume C. Onyeaghala, John Lane, Nathan Pankratz, Heather H. Nelson, Bharat Thyagarajan, Kristin E. Anderson, Anna E. Prizment. Association between MICA polymorphisms, s-MICA levels, and pancreatic cancer risk in a population-based case-control study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1219.
Reliability Assessment of Cyber Physical Power System Considering Communication Failure in Monitoring Function

The power system is evolving into the cyber physical power systems (CPPS) that are highly coupled by the physical power systems and the information systems. Many blackouts occurred worldwide because of cyber-attacks or communication failures. Therefore, the reliability evaluation of the CPPS needs to consider the impact of the information systems on the physical systems. The monitoring function is one of most importance roles of the information systems. This paper firstly analyzes the impact of monitoring function failure on the reliability of power system. Then, the reliability calculation model for the monitoring function and the reliability assessment method to CPPS considering communication failure in monitoring function are proposed. Finally, the simulation results on the IEEE-30 bus system validate the proposed method.
Patients’ perspectives and outcomes on an oral chemotherapy education and electronic monitoring program.

e18007Background: Patients on oral chemotherapy (OC) often lack consistent education and monitoring, risking toxicity and poor adherence. We developed an OC management program including education a...
Production Techniques for Highrise™ and Seedling Live Oak

Abstract Cutting propagated Quercus virginiana ‘QVTIA’ Highrise™ PP #11219 and seedling live oak required the same amount of time to prune to a dominant leader in the nursery. Highrise™ live oaks were more uniform in caliper, height and root ball characteristics than the seedling crop. Finished seedling trees had larger caliper than cutting propagated Highrise™ but height was similar. Root pruning horizontal roots alone or in combination with placing root pruning fabric under the liner at planting reduced dry weight of roots in the root ball by reducing large-diameter root weight and increasing small-diameter root weight. Trees produced by both methods of root pruning survived the digging process better than non root-pruned trees in the summer digging season. Seedlings had more root weight in the root ball and a higher root: shoot ratio than Highrise™ live oak. But Highrise™ had a 45% greater small diameter root: shoot ratio than seedling live oak, and more Highrise™ survived the digging process than seed...
Coalescent models at small effective population sizes and population declines are positively misleading

Population genetics employs two major models for conceptualizing genetic relationships among individuals - outcome-driven (coalescent) and process-driven (forward). These models are complementary, but the basic Kingman coalescent and its extensions make fundamental assumptions to allow analytical approximations: a constant effective population size much larger than the sample size. These make the probability of multiple coalescent events per generation negligible. Although these assumptions are often violated in species of conservation concern, conservation genetics often uses coalescent models of effective population sizes and trajectories in endangered species. Despite this, the effect of very small effective population sizes, and their interaction with bottlenecks and sample sizes, on such analyses of genetic diversity remains unexplored. Here, I use simulations to analyze the influence of small effective population size, population decline, and their relationship with sample size, on coalescent-based estimates of genetic diversity. Compared to forward process-based estimates, coalescent models significantly overestimate genetic diversity in oversampled populations with very small effective sizes. When sampled soon after a decline, coalescent models overestimate genetic diversity in small populations regardless of sample size. Such overestimates artificially inflate estimates of both bottleneck and population split times. For conservation applications with small effective population sizes, forward simulations that do not make population size assumptions are computationally tractable and should be considered instead of coalescent-based models. These findings underscore the importance of the theoretical basis of analytical techniques as applied to conservation questions.
Remodeling Point-of-Care Ultrasound Education in the era of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic requires a new approach to point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) education. Although virtual education offers a unique solution to didactic material, education that require hands-on learning is limited. POCUS education is predominantly done at the bedside and as a result could pose risk to health-care providers and patients as well as increase utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE). This paper discusses the challenges and unique solutions to address POCUS education in the era of COVID-19.
Improving the Accuracy of Firearm Identification in a Dynamic Use of Force Scenario

Law enforcement officers are sometimes required to make split-second use of force decisions. One factor that can impact their decision-making process is the presence of a weapon. This experiment so...
Lignin-propiconazole nanocapsules are an effective bio-based wood preservative

In the modern forest industry, the need for bio-based, renewable, and environmentally-benign wood preservatives is increasing. The world harvests approximately 1700 million m3 of wood annually for ...
Novel therapies in inherited cardiomyopathies

Abstract Background Despite significant advances in the field of genetic cardiomyopathies, the treatment of inherited cardiac disease has long focused on symptom management and therapies geared towards the consequences of heart failure. More recently, small molecule therapy has emerged as a targeted approach that seeks to alter the progression of genetic cardiac disease at the molecular level. Aim of Review To provide a summary of the novel therapeutics in primary genetic cardiomyopathies. Key Scientific Concepts of Review Small molecule myosin inhibitors have been developed to decrease the hypercontractility observed in conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and myosin activators seek to reverse the reduced left ventricular function seen in dilated cardiomyopathy. Further targeting specific genetic etiologies of cardiomyopathy, P38α MAP kinase inhibition is a therapy developed to counter abnormally upregulated pathways in lamin A/C cardiomyopathy. While trials are still ongoing, these small molecule therapies could alter the treatment landscape of genetic cardiomyopathies for years to come
Assessing the need for power: A regional econometric model

Abstract The growing controversy over nuclear power has demanded a critical evaluation of the need for power to justify proposed nuclear power plants. This paper discusses the use of an econometric model developed for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to conduct an independent assessment of electricity demand forecasts related to the licensing of nuclear power plants. The model forecasts electricity demand and price by sector and by state. The estimation and forecasting results for the New England region are presented as a case in point where an econometric model has been used to analyse alternative fuel price scenarios and to aid substantive public decision making regarding new nuclear power plant decisions.
Subunit and peptide compositions of yeast phosphoglucose isomerase isoenzymes.

Abstract Three isoenzymes of yeast phosphoglucose isomerase were studied by physical and chemical methods to establish their subunit properties and to identify the structural differences among them which give rise to their heterogeneous chromatographic behavior. Equilibrium sedimentation ultracentrifugation in 6 m guanidine hydrochloride and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate showed all three isoenzymes to be dimers composed of subunits of equal size. (The latter technique was found to give rise to multiple band artifacts if special precautions were not taken to avoid interference from possible protease contaminations.) The subunit molecular weights of each isoenzyme species were determined to be 60,000, i.e. one-half of the molecular weight of 120,000 of the native, undissociated isoenzymes (Kempe, T. D., Nakagawa, Y., and Noltmann, E. A. (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249, 4617–4624). Equilibrium binding studies with the competitive inhibitor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate indicated preferential binding at a single site per monomer and yielded a dissociation constant of 0.4 mm, in reasonable agreement with a kinetically derived Ki of 0.22 mm. Treatment with carboxypeptidase established methionine as the COOH-terminal residue for both subunits common to all three isoenzymes. Several attempts to identify any NH2-terminal residues yielded negative results, suggesting that they might be blocked. Extensive peptide-mapping studies, made possible through use of a high sensitivity, miniscale thin layer method, yielded fully resolved and excellently visible maps from 25 to 50 µg of peptide mixture and permitted identification of all but 1 to 3 of the theoretically expected number of 50 tryptic peptides. The data showed, moreover, that within each isoenzyme the two subunits are not only equal in size but also identical in their polypeptide sequence. Finally, the maps allowed unequivocal identification of differences in peptide composition between the individual isoenzymes. These were concluded to cause their differences in over-all net charge and, consequently, in their different chromatographic properties.
Phototransduction and circadian clock pathways regulating gene transcription in higher plants.

Publisher Summary Plants serve as one of the best model systems for the investigation of the integration of the phototransduction and circadian clock pathways regulating gene transcription. The use of combined biochemical, molecular, and genetic approaches provide information on each of the three components of the circadian system involved in the regulation of plant gene transcription. The three basic components are: (1) input signal transduction pathways from the environmental cues (primarily light-dark signals), which entrain the activity of the circadian oscillator and determine the phase of the free-running rhythm; (2) a circadian oscillator that generates the rhythm; and (3) output signal transduction pathways for the temporal regulation of specific biological processes. This chapter discusses the identity and function of plant photoreceptors, the input signal transduction pathways from the photoreceptors, the analysis of the circadian oscillator by genetic screens for mutants with altered regulation of CAB expression, and the characterization of the output signal transduction pathways starting from the identification of circadian clock- and light-responsive cis-acting CAB promoter elements. Expression of the plant CAB gene family, encoding the chlorophyll a and b binding proteins of the light-harvesting complex of photosystem II, is one of the most extensively investigated plant gene families whose expression is circadian clock-regulated at the level of transcription. Analysis of CAB gene expression has revealed that a network of regulatory pathways controls CAB transcription. The potential for the combinatorial interaction of a multiplicity of inputs to CAB regulation provides a means of generating complex expression patterns.
Snow is Only White in Our Imagination Integrating Cultural Exploration into the Learning Experience for White College Students

America has a long history of privileging the color white. Historically racist constructs of color have often positioned “White” as the ideal and “Black” “Brown” “Red” and “Yellow” as the disdained. Whiteness is often associated with ideals of purity, cleanliness, holiness, and spotlessness ( http://www.thefreedictionary.com). Of course this type of discourse deeply damages communities of color whose racial identity is not aligned with Whiteness. But this way of thinking also damages members of White communities. Besides breeding a culture of imagined superiority, conceiving White as spotless erases the real imprint of life experience. This way of thinking actually posits White as a blank color. White can be seen as empty, colorless, bare, and plain. White has been a blank slate. But anyone that lives in a snow state knows very well that snow is only white in our imagination. When snow covers our streets it is actually colored gray as a result of its social interactions—the people that walk on it, the cars that drive through it. Life leaves its imprint on the snow. And life also leaves its imprint on people—it gives us color. So what might happen when we provide intentional and deep educational opportunities for White college students to wrestle with issues of cultural identity—to explore the life experiences that give their lives color?
Terahertz wave tomographic imaging with a Fresnel lens

We demonstrate three-dimensional tomographic imaging using a Fresnel lens with broadband terahertz pulses. Objects at various locations along the beam propagation path are uniquely imaged on the same imaging plane using a Fresnel lens with different frequencies of the imaging beam. This procedure allows the reconstruction of an object's tomographic contrast image by assembling the frequency-dependent images.