cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of Malachite Green-Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Detection of Plasmodium spp. Parasites.

Malaria elimination efforts are hampered by the lack of sensitive tools to detect infections with low-level parasitemia, usually below the threshold of standard diagnostic methods, microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests. Isothermal nucleic acid amplification assays such as the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), are well suited for field use as they do not require thermal cyclers to run the test. However, the use of specialized equipment, as described by many groups, reduces the versatility of the LAMP technique as a simple tool for use in endemic countries. In this study, the use of the malachite green (MG) dye, as a visual endpoint readout, together with a simple mini heat block was evaluated for the detection of malaria parasites. The assay was performed for 1 hour at 63°C and the results scored by 3 independent human readers. The limit of detection of the assay was determined using well-quantified Plasmodium spp. infected reference samples and its utility in testing clinical samples was determined using 190 pre-treatment specimens submitted for reference diagnosis of imported malaria in the United States. Use of a simplified boil and spin methods of DNA extraction from whole blood and filter paper was also investigated. We demonstrate the accurate and sensitive detection of malaria parasites using this assay with a detection limit ranging between 1–8 parasites/μL, supporting its applicability for the detection of infections with low parasite burden. This assay is compatible with the use of a simple boil and spin sample preparation method from both whole blood and filter papers without a loss of sensitivity. The MG-LAMP assay described here has great potential to extend the reach of molecular tools to settings where they are needed.
Growth options and relative performance evaluation

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the cross-sectional associations between growth options and the peer pay–performance sensitivity of CEO compensation. Design/methodology/approach – This study includes analytical analysis and multivariable regression analysis. Findings – It is predicted in this study that there is a non-linear concave relation between peer pay–performance sensitivity and a firm’s growth options. Results based on the executive compensation data from ExecuComp are consistent with the hypothesis presented in this study. Research limitations/implications – Future scholars need to consider the non-linear impact of growth options on peer pay–performance sensitivity when they conduct research related to CEO compensation by differentiating the company’s growth options to be at a low, medium and high level. In an industry, when a compensation committee decides on the peers for performance comparison purposes, the committee needs to make sure that the peer firms they select have...
Lateral Prefrontal Cortex Contributes to Fluid Intelligence Through Multinetwork Connectivity.

Abstract Our ability to effectively adapt to novel circumstances—as measured by general fluid intelligence—has recently been tied to the global connectivity of lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC). Global connectivity is a broad measure that summarizes both within-network connectivity and across-network connectivity. We used additional graph theoretical measures to better characterize the nature of LPFC connectivity and its relationship with fluid intelligence. We specifically hypothesized that LPFC is a connector hub with an across-network connectivity that contributes to fluid intelligence independent of within-network connectivity. We verified that LPFC was in the top 10% of brain regions in terms of across-network connectivity, suggesting it is a strong connector hub. Importantly, we found that the LPFC across-network connectivity predicted individuals' fluid intelligence and this correlation remained statistically significant when controlling for global connectivity (which includes within-network connect...
Parylene-on-oil packaging for long-term implantable pressure sensors

This paper reports and analyzes the feasibility study of a parylene-on-oil encapsulation packaging method of pressure sensors targeted for long-term implantation. Commercial barometric digital-output pressure sensors are enclosed in silicone oil and then encapsulated in situ with parylene-C or –D (PA-C, PA-D) chemical vapor deposition. Experimentally, sensors encapsulated with 30,000 cSt silicone oil and 27 μm PA-D show good performance for 6 weeks in 77 °C saline with >99 % of original sensitivity, corresponding to an extrapolated lifetime of around 21 months in 37 °C saline. This work shows that, with proper designs, such a packaging method can preserve the original pressure sensor sensitivity without offset, validated throughout accelerated lifetime tests. In experiments, wires on the prototypes are used for external electronics but it is found that they contributed to early failures, which would be absent in real wireless versions, indicating a potential for even longer lifetimes. Finally, a verified model is presented to predict the pressure sensor sensitivity of parylene-on-oil packaging with and without the presence of a bubble in the oil.
Fundamental real estate analysis

There are a number of excellent real estate analysis programs for practitioner use in ‘‘numbers crunching.’’ Essentially, these are variant forms of spreadsheets that perform numerical analysis. Moreover, the market is competitive. Principals and brokers compete for the best deals. Hence, decisions must be made quickly. Real estate markets present a unique; the real world analysis of a real estate investment involves many complex variables. All of these, to some degree, change constantly due to market forces. For stock market data a holding period return can be parsed into even increments, because sales of homogeneous assets occur in a continuous auction market. Thus, because annual, monthly, weekly, or daily stock prices are all available, returns may be expressed over any interval.
Fragment Coupling with Tertiary Radicals Generated by Visible-Light Photocatalysis.

ConspectusConvergent synthesis strategies in which a target molecule is prepared by a branched approach wherein two or more complex fragments are combined at a late stage are almost always preferred over a linear approach in which the overall yield of the target molecule is eroded by the efficiency of each successive step in the sequence. As a result, bimolecular reactions that are able to combine complex fragments in good yield and, where important, with high stereocontrol are essential for implementing convergent synthetic strategies. Although intramolecular reactions of carbon radicals have long been exploited to assemble polycyclic ring systems, bimolecular coupling reactions of structurally complex carbon radicals have rarely been employed to combine elaborate fragments in the synthesis of structurally intricate molecules. We highlight in this Account recent discoveries from our laboratories that demonstrate that bimolecular reactions of structurally elaborate tertiary carbon radicals and electron-de...
Digital health intervention during cardiac rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trial.

Background Digital health interventions (DHI) have been shown to improve intermediates of cardiovascular health, but their impact on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes has not been fully explored. The aim of this study was to determine whether DHI administered during cardiac rehabilitation (CR) would reduce CV-related emergency department (ED) visits and rehospitalizations in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods We randomized patients undergoing CR following ACS and PCI to standard CR (n=40) or CR+DHI (n=40) for 3 months with 3 patients withdrawing from CR prior to initiation in the treatment arm and 6 in the control group. The DHI incorporated an online and smartphone-based CR platform asking the patients to report of dietary and exercise habits throughout CR as well as educational information toward patients' healthy lifestyles. We obtained data regarding ED visits and rehospitalizations at 180 days, as well as other metrics of secondary CV prevention at baseline and 90 days. Results Baseline demographics were similar between the groups. The DHI+CR group had improved weight loss compared to the control group (−5.1±6.5 kg vs. −0.8±3.8 kg, respectively, P =.02). Those in the DHI+CR group also showed a non-significant reduction in CV-related rehospitalizations plus ED visits compared to the control group at 180 days (8.1% vs 26.6%; RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.08-1.10, P =.054). Conclusions The current study demonstrated that complementary DHI significantly improves weight loss, and might offer a method to reduce CV-related ED visits plus rehospitalizations in patients after ACS undergoing CR. The study suggests a role for DHI as an adjunct to CR to improve secondary prevention of CV disease. Trial registration This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01883050).
The tracer diffusion coefficient of soft nanoparticles in a linear polymer matrix

The diffusion properties of nanoparticles in polymer nanocomposites are largely unknown and are often difficult to determine experimentally. To address this shortcoming, we have developed a novel method to determine the tracer diffusion coefficient of soft polystyrene nanoparticles in a linear polystyrene matrix. Monitoring the interdiffusion of soft nanoparticles into a linear polystyrene matrix provides the mutual diffusion coefficient of this system, from which the tracer diffusion coefficient of the soft nanoparticle can be determined using the slow mode theory. Utilizing this protocol, the role of nanoparticle molecular weight and rigidity on its tracer diffusion coefficient is provided. These results demonstrate that the diffusive behavior of these soft nanoparticles differ from that of star polymers, which is surprising since our recent studies suggest that the nanoparticle interacts with a linear polymer similarly to that of a star polymer. It appears that these deformable nanoparticles mostly closely mimic the diffusive behavior of fractal macromolecular architectures or microgels, where the transport of the nanoparticle relies on the cooperative motion of neighboring linear chains. The less cross-linked, and thus more deformable, nanoparticles diffuse faster than the more highly crosslinked nanoparticles, presumably because the increased deformability allows the nanoparticle to distort and fit into available space.
Learning from Recounts

We compare the results of two recent statewide recounts in Wisconsin — the 2011 Supreme Court election and the 2016 presidential election. We argue that recounts provide a valuable window into the accuracy of initial vote counts. Recount accuracy is best measured in terms of the absolute deviation between initial vote counts and recounted vote counts. We show that the accuracy of this assessment declines as the level of aggregation in comparing vote counts increases. In the particular case of Wisconsin in 2011 and 2016, we find that: (1) simply comparing the recounted victory margin with the election night victory margin significantly understates the degree to which counting errors occurred in the original vote count, (2) aggregated reporting vote totals understate the number of errors made in the original count of ballots, (3) recounts reveal far more errors in counting ballots of minor-party and write-in candidates than for major-party candidates, and (4) ballots originally counted by computerized means appear to be at least as accurate as ballots originally counted by hand.
A VIRUS-INDUCED MAMMALIAN GROWTH WITH THE CHARACTERS OF A TUMOR (THE SHOPE RABBIT PAPILLOMA) : II. EXPERIMENTAL ALTERATIONS OF THE GROWTH ON THE SKIN: MORPHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS: THE PHENOMENA OF RETROGRESSION.

The injection of Scharlach R into the skin about rabbit papillomas resulting from virus inoculation causes them to invade the underlying tissue and form large, fleshy masses beneath the surface. Histologically these appear malignant, and they frequently invade the blood vessels. Covering young papillomas with a layer of collodion causes them to burrow downwards with result in discoid masses which enlarge progressively, both by expansive growth beneath the epidermis and by invasion. Such masses, like the nodules resulting from implantation, have the papillae turned toward their interior, the apparent reverse of the condition of affairs when the growth is situated on the skin surface. The reasons for this are analyzed. The peculiarities of the host influence skin papillomas not a little, as is plain from the forms they assume; but the epithelial changes induced by the virus take a single direction, and no significant variations from type have been encountered. Local or generalized retrogression of the experimentally induced papilloma is not uncommon. The histological alterations that take place are identical with those attending retrogression of the epidermoid tumors, and the reactive changes taking place in the surrounding tissue are also like those about such tumors. The slowing and cessation of growth that occur secondarily in the case of virus-induced skin papillomas are associated with the formation under them of a dense layer of connective tissue, and to this their behavior is attributable. Similar findings have been often recorded for tumors, notably for the epidermoid cancers produced in rabbits by tarring.
Interactions of Ethylene and Polyamines in Regulating Fruit Ripening

Ethylene is one of the simplest organic molecules which affects many aspects of growth, development and senescence of higher plants - biological effects that make it a very versatile plant hormone [21]. For instance, ethylene promotes seed germination [31], leaf senescence [19], flower abscission [27], fruit ripening [6] and development of plant defense systems [5]. In addition, it inhibits cell division and cell differentiation [2, 18, 32]. The biochemical pathway of ethylene synthesis has been elucidated and the enzymes involved have been characterized. The key enzymes regulating the production of ethylene are 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid [ACC) synthase, which catalyzes the formation of ACC from S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), and ACC oxidase, which catalyzes the synthesis of ethylene from ACC, in the following metabolic sequence: methionine→ AdoMet→ ACC→ ethylene [35]. The genes encoding ACC synthase and ACC oxidase have been cloned and sequenced from a wide variety of horticultural, agronomic and model plants [14, 33]. Also, molecular analysis of Arabidopsis and tomato mutants has identified the genes that encode proteins that either bind ethylene or regulate ethylene signal transduction pathway [14, 34].
A scope freezing effect with negated quantifier phrases

I document a scope freezing effect found with negated quantifier phrases (distinct from the scope freezing effect discussed in Collins (Nat Lang Semant 24: 291–303, 2016a)). In a sentence with a negated quantifier phrase of the form [NEG DP1], no quantifier phrase DP2 can take scope between NEG and DP1. I show how this scope freezing effect can be explained in terms of the analysis of negated quantifier phrases given in Collins and Postal (Classical NEG raising, MIT Press, Cambridge, 2014) and Collins (2016a).
Zero-Error Relaying for Primitive Relay Channels

In a primitive relay channel, a new one-shot relaying scheme termed color-and-forward is proposed that guarantees a probability of error equal to zero. This relaying scheme constructs a relaying compression graph of relay outputs based on the joint conditional distribution of the relay and destination outputs, and forwards a minimum coloring of this graph. The $n$ -letter extension of the proposed color-and-forward scheme is shown to be optimal in the sense that it results in the smallest needed out-of-band relay to destination link rate for the overall message rate to equal the single-input multiple-output outer bound for any fixed number of channel uses. This is used to obtain an upper bound on the asymptotic minimal relay to destination link rate needed to achieve the single-input multiple-output outer bound.
Differential signaling pathways are initiated in macrophages during infection depending on the intracellular fate of Chlamydia spp.

Chlamydia muridarum and Chlamydia caviae have equivalent growth rates in mouse epithelial cells but only C. muridarum replicates inside mouse macrophages, while C. caviae does not. Macrophages infected with C. muridarum or C. caviae were used to address the hypothesis that the early signaling pathways initiated during infection depend on the fate of chlamydiae in the host cell. Transmission electron microscopy of C. muridarum-infected macrophages showed intact chlamydial elementary bodies and reticulate bodies 2 h postinfection in compact vacuoles. Conversely, in macrophages infected with C. caviae, chlamydiae were observed in large phagocytic vacuoles. Furthermore, C. caviae infections failed to develop into inclusions or produce viable bacteria. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β and MMP13 was similar in C. caviae- or C. muridarum-infected macrophages at 3 h postinfection, indicating that chlamydial survival is not required for initiation of these responses. IL-1β secretion, dependent on inflammasome activation, occurred in C. caviae-infected macrophages despite no chlamydial growth. Conversely, IFNβ mRNA was observed only in C. muridarum- but not in C. caviae-infected macrophages. These data demonstrate that differential signaling events are initiated during a productive versus nonproductive chlamydial infection in a macrophage.
Lutein, zeaxanthin and mammalian development: Metabolism, functions and implications for health

It is now widely accepted that nutrition during critical periods in early development, both pre- and postnatal, may have lifetime consequences in determining health or onset of major diseases in the adult life. Dietary carotenoids have shown beneficial health effects throughout the life cycle due to their potential antioxidant properties, their ability to serves as precursors of vitamin A and to the emerging signaling functions of their metabolites. The non-provitamin A carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are emerging as important modulators of infant and child visual and cognitive development, as well as critical effectors in the prevention and treatment of morbidity associated with premature births. This review provides a general overview of lutein and zeaxanthin metabolism in mammalian tissues and highlights the major advancements and remaining gaps in knowledge in regards to their metabolism and health effects during pre- and early post-natal development. Furthering our knowledge in this area of research will impact dietary recommendation and supplementation strategies aimed at sustaining proper fetal and infant growth.
A History of Mobile Stroke Units and Review of Literature

Using intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA), improved functional outcomes are seen with earlier initiation of treatment. Recent studies have shown endovascular revascularization to be a revolutionary and effective treatment. There have been many initiatives focused on improving public education and awareness of stroke symptoms. The concept of a mobile stroke unit (MSU) was created as a way of bringing treatment to patients. Earlier CT scans, delivery of tPA, proper triage and on-scene goal-directed care were the primary goals with these units. It was thought that rapid implementation would shorten hospital stay and improve outcomes. The University of Saarland found a decrease of 41 minutes from stroke alarm to therapeutic decision when an MSU was used. A second trial found a decrease of 25 minutes in time to treatment, an increase in the rate of thrombolysis utilization, and no change in the rates of intracranial hemorrhage or 7-day mortality when an MSU was employed. In 2016, a Lancet article showed that 3 month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and 3-month mortality were improved in MSU patients. Finally, starting thrombolytic therapy in the MSU was associated with higher probability of mRS of 0-3 but not an improved 3-month survival rate. Long-term results are thus far not available precluding an effective cost-benefit analysis. Many study results are not generalizable as they compare a single hospital system and specialized MSU team to conventional care delivered by a multiple healthcare systems. Future studies will target these limitations.
Phase Retrieval andMagnitude Retrieval of EntireFunctions

This article concerns the problem of determining an entire function f when |f (x)| is known for every real x. For functions of finite order it is shown that |f (x)| and |f (x + b) – |f (x)| determine f up to a factor with period b and the involution f(z) \rightarrow \overbar{f (\overbar{z})}. Applications are given in the cases where f is a polynomial, a trigonometric polynomial, or where it corresponds to a band-limited signal. Similar results are obtained for the analogous problem of determining f when (arg(f (x)) is known.
Beyond Morphology: Pattern Matching with FST

fst stands for Finite-State Toolkit. It is an enhanced version of the xfst tool described in the 2003 Beesley and Karttunen book Finite State Morphology. Like xfst, fst serves two purposes. It is a development tool for compiling finite-state networks and a runtime tool that applies networks to input strings or files. xfst is limited to morphological analysis and generation. fst can also be used for other applications. This paper describes the new features of the fst regular expression formalism and illustrates their use for named-entity recognition, relation extraction, tokenization and parsing. The fst pattern matching algorithm (pmatch) operates on a single pattern network but the network can be the union of any number of distinct pattern definitions. Many patterns can be matched simultaneously in one pass over a text. This is a distinct fst advantage over pattern matching facilities in languages such as Perl and Python.
Stepwise trimethylsilyl and trimethylgermyl substitutions at tetraborylmethane

Abstract In exploring the suitability of tetraborylmethane precursors as C4− synthons, we have studied the limits of stepwise trimethylsilyl and trimethylgermyl substitutions on tetrakis (1,3-propanediolatoboryl)methane. In contrast to previous reports indicating minimal silylation of tetraborylmethanes, we have shown that organolithium-mediated deborylation-metalation methodologies readily proceed for up to two substitutions. This enables the synthesis of new borylmethane derivatives including (TMS)2CB(pg)2 and (TMG)2CB(pg)2 (pg = 1,3-propanediolate, TMS = trimethylsilyl, TMG = trimethylgermyl). While further base-activated deborylation attempts lead to protodeboronation, limited reactivity, or de-esterification of the boronate ester, increasing the degree of substitution imparts air- and water-stability to the boronate esters.
Optogenetic lac operon to control chemical and protein production in Escherichia coli with light

Abstract Control of the lac operon with IPTG has been used for decades to regulate gene expression in E. coli for countless applications, including metabolic engineering and recombinant protein production. However, optogenetics offers unique capabilities such as easy tunability, reversibility, dynamic induction strength, and spatial control that are difficult to obtain with chemical inducers. We developed an optogenetic lac operon in a series of circuits we call OptoLAC. With these circuits, we control gene expression from various IPTG-inducible promoters using only blue light. Applying them to metabolic engineering improves mevalonate and isobutanol production by 24% and 27% respectively, compared to IPTG induction, in light-controlled fermentations scalable to at least 2L bioreactors. Furthermore, OptoLAC circuits enable light control of recombinant protein production, reaching yields comparable to IPTG induction, but with enhanced tunability of expression and spatial control. OptoLAC circuits are potentially useful to confer light controls over other cell functions originally engineered to be IPTG-inducible.
Contrast and normalization in vowel perception

The work reported in this paper is an attempt to understand vowel normalization better by investigating the relationship between vowel normalization and vowel contrast. In the first experiment, vowels from a “hood”–“hud” continuum were presented at two levels of fundamental frequency (F0) using two types of presentation. In one condition, tokens were blocked by F0. In the other, tokens with different F0 levels were randomly intermixed with each other (as in the typical F0 normalization experiment). In the mixed presentation, subjects identified the high F0 items most often as “hood” and the low F0 items most often as “hud”. In the blocked condition, there was no reliable difference between the high and low F0 continua. This pattern of results suggests that a contrast effect is at work. Therefore, four models of perceptual contrast were tested in simulations using auditorily-based spectra produced by a model which incorporates two levels of processing, (1) narrow-band auditory filtering (R. D. Patterson, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 1976, 59, 640) and (2) wide-band integration (L. A. Chistovich, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 1985, 77, 789). The experiment’s results could be approximated by either of two models: an auditory figure/ground model, and a talker contrast model. A second experiment distinguished between these two models. The auditory figure/ground model predicts that in a cross-series anchoring experiment (in which tokens with high F0 are used to anchor the low F0 continuum and tokens with low F0 are used to anchor the high F0 continuum) the boundary of the vowel identification function will be shifted toward the vowel quality of the anchoring stimulus. The talker contrast model predicts that the vowel quality of the anchoring stimulus is less important than its F0 and that the phoneme boundary will be shifted in the same direction regardless of the vowel quality of the anchoring stimulus. The results of the experiment quite unambiguously supported the predictions of the talker contrast model.
Narcissism and the experience of pain

Abstract In the present set of studies, narcissism and painful experiences were examined. In Study 1, kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing were assessed. In Study 2, participants experienced a socially painful experience via the game of Cyberball and were given a set of cognitive tasks to complete. In Study 3, participants’ reactions to experiencing a physically painful experience (a cold pressor task) were examined. Results indicated that vulnerable narcissists were more concerned about having physically painful experiences, but did not report greater pain when having an actual physically painful experience. Vulnerable narcissists also reported negative affect following negative experiences of physical and social pain (in addition to more need threat). Grandiose narcissists appeared to be less concerned about having physically painful experiences. Although grandiose narcissism was not associated with experiencing physical pain, it was associated with worse mood from experiencing pain. When experiencing a socially painful experience, they reported being relatively unaffected and were not overly distracted from cognitive tasks. The facets of narcissism such as psychological entitlement, interpersonal exploitativeness, and grandiosity were also explored.
Clinical Deterioration in Single Ventricle Infants Waiting for Heart Transplant

Purpose Ventricular assist device (VAD) support has drastically improved waitlist mortality for pediatric patients awaiting heart transplant (HT). However, VAD support for single ventricle (SV) patients remains challenging, particularly in smaller patients with non-Fontan physiology. Unfortunately, waitlist mortality and morbidity are also significant in this subset of SV patients, and the risks of VAD support should be examined in the context of waitlist risks. We examined clinical deterioration while on the waitlist for a subset of SV patients for whom VAD support remains challenging. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all single ventricle patients listed for HT at a single pediatric center from 2012-2018. Patients Results Thirty-three SV patients were included. Median weight was 7.6 kg (IQR 5.1, 11.5), 58% were s/p Glenn, 21% Norwood, 18% hybrid or banding, and 3% unrepaired. Over a median 89 day (43, 206) of waitlist time, 21 (64%) were transplanted, 8 (24%) died or were removed for deterioration, and 4 (12%) were alive waiting or removed for improvement. Of the 21 transplanted, 7 had escalation of support by time of HT, for an overall waitlist deterioration of 45% (n=15/33, Figure 1A). From listing to HT, inotrope use increased from 48% to 71%, intubation 19% to 24%, and VAD 5% to 19%. At time of HT, 43% were in ICU and 29% were NPO for feeding intolerance. Survival to HT was similar between patients on VAD versus not on VAD support (67% vs 78%, p-value = 0.65, Figure 1B). Conclusion Single ventricle infants are at high risk for death and clinical deterioration while waiting for HT. While VAD support remains challenging for this population, it can be a successful means of bridging to transplant.
Leptin Signaling Affects Survival and Chemoresistance of Estrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer

Estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer (BCER-) is mainly treated with chemotherapeutics. Leptin signaling can influence BCER- progression, but its effects on patient survival and chemoresistance are not well understood. We hypothesize that leptin signaling decreases the survival of BCER- patients by, in part, inducing the expression of chemoresistance-related genes. The correlation of expression of leptin receptor (OBR), leptin-targeted genes (CDK8, NANOG, and RBP-Jk), and breast cancer (BC) patient survival was determined from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) mRNA data. Leptin-induced expression of proliferation and chemoresistance-related molecules was investigated in triple-negative BC (TNBC) cells that respond differently to chemotherapeutics. Leptin-induced gene expression in TNBC was analyzed by RNA-Seq. The specificity of leptin effects was assessed using OBR inhibitors (shRNA and peptides). The results show that OBR and leptin-targeted gene expression are associated with lower survival of BCER- patients. Importantly, the co-expression of these genes was also associated with chemotherapy failure. Leptin signaling increased the expression of tumorigenesis and chemoresistance-related genes (ABCB1, WNT4, ADHFE1, TBC1D3, LL22NC03, RDH5, and ITGB3) and impaired chemotherapeutic effects in TNBC cells. OBR inhibition re-sensitized TNBC to chemotherapeutics. In conclusion, the co-expression of OBR and leptin-targeted genes may be used as a predictor of survival and drug resistance of BCER- patients. Targeting OBR signaling could improve chemotherapeutic efficacy.
Regulation of Mel-CAM/MUC18 expression on melanocytes of different stages of tumor progression by normal keratinocytes.

Abstract The cell-cell adhesion receptor, Mel-CAM/MUC18, is highly expressed on metastatic melanoma cells and is also detectable on primary melanomas but not on normal melanocytes. Previous studies have shown that increased Mel-CAM/MUC18 expression correlates with tumor thickness and metastatic potential. We show here that normal melanocytes and nevus cells in culture express Mel-CAM/MUC18, but expression is down-regulated when cells are co-cultured with keratinocytes. Such keratinocyte-mediated regulation of Mel-CAM/MUC18 expression on melanocytes, nevus cells, and early melanomas can also be demonstrated in situ in patients' specimens. On the other hand, melanoma cells from primary and metastatic lesions constitutively express Mel-CAM/MUC18, and keratinocytes have no modulatory effect. These results suggest that contact between keratinocytes and human melanocytic cells modulates Mel-CAM/MUC18 expression, raising the possibility that escape from keratinocyte control during melanoma development leads to expression of antigens that contribute to the malignant phenotype.
Student Engagement in the Online Classroom: Comparing preclinical medical student question‐asking behaviors in a videoconference versus in‐person learning environment

The COVID-19 pandemic forced medical schools to rapidly transform their curricula using online learning approaches. At our institution, the preclinical Practice of Medicine (POM) course was transitioned to large-group, synchronous, video-conference sessions. The aim of this study is to assess whether there were differences in learner engagement, as evidenced by student question-asking behaviors between in-person and videoconferenced sessions in one preclinical medical student course. In Spring, 2020, large-group didactic sessions in POM were converted to video-conference sessions. During these sessions, student microphones were muted, and video capabilities were turned off. Students submitted typed questions via a Q&A box, which was monitored by a senior student teaching assistant. We compared student question asking behavior in recorded video-conference course sessions from POM in Spring, 2020 to matched, recorded, in-person sessions from the same course in Spring, 2019. We found that, on average, the instructors answered a greater number of student questions and spent a greater percentage of time on Q&A in the online sessions compared with the in-person sessions. We also found that students asked a greater number of higher complexity questions in the online version of the course compared with the in-person course. The video-conference learning environment can promote higher student engagement when compared with the in-person learning environment, as measured by student question-asking behavior. Developing an understanding of the specific elements of the online learning environment that foster student engagement has important implications for instructional design in both the online and in-person setting.
Insuring the 'Uninsurable': Catastrophe Bonds, Pandemics, and Risk Securitization

In theory, governments could protect against the potential economic devastation of future pandemics by requiring businesses to insure against pandemic-related risks. In practice, though, insurers do not currently offer pandemic insurance. Even assuming companies could obtain sufficient statistical data to reliably set pandemic underwriting standards and rate tables, the insurance industry is concerned that it lacks sufficient capacity to cover those risks, which are likely to occur worldwide and be highly correlated. Pandemics therefore are in the class of risks, like nuclear accidents, war, and terrorism, that are sometimes defined as “uninsurable,” at least by private markets. This Article focuses on using risk securitization—a relatively recent and innovative private-sector alternative to government insurance, funded by the issuance of catastrophe (“CAT”) bonds—to insure pandemic-related risks. Risk securitization would utilize the “deep pockets” of the global capital markets, which have a far greater capacity than the global insurance markets, to absorb these risks. The Article also examines how risk securitization could supplement public-private catastrophe insurance schemes, such as Chubb’s recent pandemic-coverage plan, to reduce the government’s shared exposure.
Freshwater salinization increases survival of Escherichia coli and risk of bacterial impairment

Abstract Elevated levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) are responsible for more designated freshwater stream impairments than any other contaminant in the United States. E. coli are intentionally used as a sentinel of fecal contamination for freshwaters because previous research indicates that salt concentrations in brackish or marine waters reduce E. coli survival, rendering it a less effective indicator of public health risks. Given increasing evidence of freshwater salinization associated with upland anthropogenic land-use, understanding the effects on fecal indicators is critical; however, changes in E. coli survival along the freshwater salinity range (≤ 1500 µS cm−1) have not been previously examined. Through a series of controlled mesocosm experiments, we provide direct evidence that salinization causes E. coli survival rates in freshwater to increase at conductivities as low as 350 µS cm−1 and peak at 1500 µS cm−1, revealing a subsidy-stress response across the freshwater-marine continuum. Furthermore, specific base cations affect E. coli survival differently, with Mg2+ increasing E. coli survival rates relative to other chloride salts. Further investigation of the mechanisms by which freshwater salinization increases susceptibility to or exacerbates bacterial water quality impairments is recommended. Addressing salinization with nuanced approaches that consider salt sources and chemistry could assist in prioritizing and addressing bacterial water quality management.
Kinetics of the O + ClO Reaction†

The rate coefficient for the reaction O + ClO → Cl + O2 (1) was measured over the range 227 to 362 K using a discharge flow tube coupled to a pulsed laser photolysis-atomic resonance fluorescence apparatus. The title reaction was studied under pseudo-first-order conditions in O atoms in an excess of ClO. ClO radicals were produced in the discharge flow tube by the reaction of Cl with either O3 or Cl2O and its concentration was measured in situ by UV absorption. O atoms were produced by pulsed laser photolysis of ClO at 308 nm and detected by atomic resonance fluorescence. The measurements yield k1(T) = (3.0 ± 0.8) × 10-11 exp((75 ± 40)/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1, where the uncertainties are at the 95% confidence level and include estimated systematic errors. These results are compared with previous data and an expression that can be used for atmospheric purposes is suggested.
Secretion of Pertussis Toxin from Bordetella pertussis

Production and secretion of pertussis toxin (PT) is essential for the virulence of Bordetella pertussis. Due to the large oligomeric structure of PT, transport of the toxin across bacterial membrane barriers represents a significant hurdle that the bacteria must overcome in order to maintain pathogenicity. During the secretion process, PT undergoes a two-step transport process. The first step involves transport of the individual polypeptide chains of PT across the inner membrane utilizing a generalized secretion pathway, most likely the bacterial Sec system. The second step involves the use of a specialized apparatus to transport the toxin across the outer membrane of the bacterial cell. This apparatus, which has been termed the Ptl transporter and which is unique to the PT secretion pathway, is a member of the type IV family of bacterial transporters. Here, the current understanding of the PT secretion process is reviewed including a description of the Ptl proteins that assemble to form the transporter, the general structure of type IV transporters, the known similarities and differences between canonical type IV substrate transport and Ptl-mediated transport of PT, as well as the known sequence of events in the assembly and secretion of PT.
Multi-mode lasing in terahertz metasurface quantum-cascade VECSELs

To date, terahertz quantum-cascade vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (QC-VECSELs) have tended to oscillate in only one or two lasing modes at a time. This is due to the fact that the interaction between all of the longitudinal external cavity modes and the QC gain material is mediated through a single metasurface resonance, whose spatial overlap changes little with frequency; this suppresses spatial-hole-burning induced multi-mode operation. In this Letter, a VECSEL external cavity is demonstrated using an output coupler based upon a high-resistivity silicon etalon, which presents a periodic reflectance spectrum that is nearly matched with the external cavity mode spectrum. As the cavity length is varied, a systematic transition between a single/double-mode lasing regime and a multi-mode lasing regime is realized due to the Vernier effect. Up to nine modes lasing simultaneously with a free-spectral-range of approximately 21 GHz is demonstrated. This result provides a path toward the multi-mode operation necessary for eventual frequency comb operation.
Mothering Through Mental Illness: Exploring the Experiences of Motherhood for Criminally Involved Women on Mental Health Probation:

As the number of criminally involved women has increased substantially over several decades, the prevalence of mothers impacted by criminal justice involvement has also increased. The current paper...
Multiple Discrete Choice with Order Statistic Marginal Utilities

The paper presents a random utility maximization model for individuals selecting discrete quantities from a set of n alternatives. Multiple alternatives with positive quantities may be selected. Diminishing marginal utility to quantity of each alternative is modeled via order statistics of independent Gumbel random variables. The model is parsimonious — requiring n + 1 parameters — and tractable — admitting closed-form expressions for choice probabilities. As such, the model is amenable to maximum likelihood estimation of structural parameters from observed choices. Probability functions recover binary logit probabilities under binary choice and a maximum quantity of one unit, and probability is monotonic in the quantity of each alternative. The monotonic property likely restricts the application of the model to a narrow range of settings. The property is a manifestation of a simple recursive relationship among Gumbel order statistic probabilities. This relationship, to my knowledge, has not previously been identified in the literature and may lead to new models for capturing important complexities in a tractable manner.
Low-Dimensional Geometry

The study of 3-dimensional spaces brings together elements from several areas of mathematics. The most notable are topology and geometry, but elements of number theory and analysis also make appearances. In the past 30 years, there have been striking developments in the mathematics of 3-dimensional manifolds. This book aims to introduce undergraduate students to some of these important developments. ""Low-Dimensional Geometry"" starts at a relatively elementary level, and its early chapters can be used as a brief introduction to hyperbolic geometry. However, the ultimate goal is to describe the very recently completed geometrization program for 3-dimensional manifolds. The journey to reach this goal emphasizes examples and concrete constructions as an introduction to more general statements. This includes the tessellations associated to the process of gluing together the sides of a polygon. Bending some of these tessellations provides a natural introduction to 3-dimensional hyperbolic geometry and to the theory of kleinian groups, and it eventually leads to a discussion of the geometrization theorems for knot complements and 3-dimensional manifolds. This book is illustrated with many pictures, as the author intended to share his own enthusiasm for the beauty of some of the mathematical objects involved. However, it also emphasizes mathematical rigor and, with the exception of the most recent research breakthroughs, its constructions and statements are carefully justified.
Expansion of vasopressin/oxytocin memory research III: research summary and commentary on theoretical and methodological issues.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the research summary and commentary on theoretical and methodological issues of expansion of vasopressin/oxytocin (VP/OT) memory research III. The studies provide insights into the types of variables that may influence experimental outcomes and contribute to discrepant ﬁndings in the VP/OT memory research literature, ultimately furthering the attempt to test theoretical positions. The studies examined the effect of peripherally administered VP or OT on both the early (learning) and late components (consolidation) of memory storage, as well as on the process of memory retrieval. In the studies with human subjects, a variety of neuropsychological tests are used to assess the nature of the influence exerted by these neurohypophysial peptides on the early and later stages of memory processing and on other cognitive processes. The chapter focuses on the contribution of the neurohypophysial peptides to learning and memory and relates them to the findings and views of the major theoretical positions.
Trace Theoretic Verification of Asynchronous Circuits Using Unfoldings

An approach is presented for hierarchical, trace-theoretic verification of speed-independent circuits based on Petri net unfolding. The purpose is to avoid the explosion of states that results from interleaving of concurrent transitions. The trace structures of the circuit components are represented by Petri nets. Conformance between implementation and specification is tested by composing the implementation with the mirror of the specification, unfolding the resulting product net into an occurrence net, and testing this net for failures. The latter problem is shown to be NP-complete, however a practical branch-and-bound algorithm is presented. In two examples of scalable asynchronous control circuits, the unfolding size is found to grow linearly with the circuit size, while the number of states grows exponentially. In one case, the unfolding method succeeds in verifying large configurations while BDD-based traversal techniques do not.
SPARQL: Querying the Semantic Web

This chapter covers SPARQL, the last core component of the Semantic Web. With SPARQL, you will be able to locate specific information on the machine-readable Web, and the Web can therefore be viewed as a gigantic database, as many of us have been dreaming about.
Protein synthesis inhibitors attenuate water flow in vasopressin-stimulated toad urinary bladder

Vasopressin stimulates the introduction of aggregated particles, which may represent pathways for water flow, into the luminal membrane of toad urinary bladder. It is not known whether water transport pathways are degraded on removal from membrane or whether they are recycled. The authors examined the effect of the protein synthesis inhibitors cycloheximide and puromycin using repeated 30-min cycles of vasopressin followed by washout of vasopressin, all in the presence of an osmotic gradient, a protocol that maximizes aggregate turnover. High dose cycloheximide inhibited flow immediately. Low dose cycloheximide did not affect initial flow. In the absence of vasopressin, inhibition did not develop. Despite the inhibition of flow in vasopressin-treated tissues, the cAMP-dependent protein kinase ratio was elevated in cycloheximide-treated tissues, suggesting modulation at a distal site in the stimulatory cascade. ({sup 14}C)urea permeability was not inhibited by cycloheximide. Puromycin also inhibited water flow by the fourth challenge with vasopressin. The data suggest that protein synthesis inhibitors attenuate flow at a site that is distal to cAMP-dependent protein kinase. However, the reversal of inhibition in MIX-treated tissues suggests that the water pathway can be fully manifested given suitable stimulation. They conclude that either large stores of the transport system are availablemore » or that the transport system is extensively recycled on retrieval from the membrane.« less
Smart packages and interconnect substrates-computing functions using signal line coupling

Signal transmission delays in electronic packages and integrated circuits are key factors limiting system performance. We demonstrate that certain computing functions can be achieved by manipulating signal line inductive and capacitive coupling, as well as signal line discontinuities in lossless transmission lines. Computation is performed during signal transmission. This could alleviate signal transmission delay penalties in some applications. The time domain theory underlying this approach is presented. The concepts of static and dynamic computation are proposed. The computing function is specified in a truth table. Linear least square (LLS) and heuristic algorithms are used to construct transmission line structures that perform the desired computational tasks.