cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Artemisinin Dimers on Rat Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Artemisinin has been shown to be an effective antimalarial and anticancer compound. Dimers of artemisinin have been synthesized and shown to be potent antimalarials compared with monomers. In the present study, we investigated the effect of two artemisinin dimers (dimer-alcohol and dimer-hydrazone) on rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells (MTLn3) in vitro and in vivo compared with that of the artemisinin monomer dihydroartemisinin (DHA). We found that the dimers are considerably more potent than DHA in killing MTLn3 cells in vitro and suppressing the growth of MTLn3 breast tumors in vivo.
The Welfare Economics of a Biofuel Tax Credit and the Interaction Effects with Price Contingent Farm Subsidies

A framework is developed to analyze the effects of a biofuel consumer tax exemption and the interaction effects with a price contingent farm subsidy. Ethanol prices rise above the gasoline price by the amount of the tax credit. Corn farmers gain directly while gasoline consumers only gain from any reduction in world oil prices due to the extra ethanol production. Domestic oil producers lose. Historically, the intercept of the ethanol supply curve is above the gasoline price. Hence, part of the tax credit is redundant and represents “rectangular” deadweight costs that dwarf triangular deadweight cost measures of traditional farm subsidies. Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.
The Estimation of Reliability in Longitudinal Models

Despite the increasing attention devoted to the study and analysis of longitudinal data, relatively little consideration has been directed toward understanding the issues of reliability and measurement error. Perhaps one reason for this neglect has been that traditional methods of estimation (e.g. generalisability theory) require assumptions that are often not tenable in longitudinal designs. This paper first examines applications of generalisability theory to the estimation of measurement error and reliability in longitudinal research, and notes how factors such as missing data, correlated errors, and true score instability prohibit traditional variance component estimation. Next, we discuss how estimation methods using restricted maximum likelihood can account for these factors, thereby providing many advantages over traditional estimation methods. Finally, we provide a substantive example illustrating these advantages, and include brief discussions of programming and software considerations.
The influences of patch shape and boundary contrast on insect response to fragmentation in California grasslands

Landscape ecologists typically identify boundaries to demarcate habitatpatches. The boundary between two habitat types may be abrupt, such as thetransition between a grassland and a parking lot, or more gradual, such as theshift between successional forest stages. Two key aspects of landscapeboundaries, their shape and contrast, are predicted to influence movement ofmaterials, plants, and animals. Ecological theory suggests that a patch’sperimeter-to-area ratio should strongly influence animal emigration when patchboundaries are relatively permeable, but not when boundaries are more severe.Weinvestigated the interactive effects of patch shape and boundary contrast onmovement of ground-dwelling beetles (Carabidae and Tenebrionidae) in nativegrassland habitat at Jepson Prairie, Solano County, California, USA. Weconducted a field experiment with two patch shape treatments, square andrectangle, that held patch area constant, and two boundary contrast treatmentscreated by mowing grass surrounding each plot at two different heights. Wemonitored the number of beetles leaving each patch over a three-week periodfollowing treatment establishment. We observed a significant effect of boundarycontrast on net movement of beetles, with low contrast boundaries exhibitingnetimmigration and high contrast boundaries experiencing net emigration. Moreover,the importance of patch shape appeared to be greater for low contrast versushigh contrast boundaries, consistent with theoretical expectations. Ourcombinedobservations indicate that these ground-dwelling beetles were more likely tomove into patches that were rectangular and surrounded by a low contrast matrixthan patches that were square or surrounded by a high contrast matrix. Weconclude that net movement of beetles across patch boundaries is stronglyinfluenced by boundary contrast and may be affected by patch shape whenboundarycontrast is low.
Hot electron pump: a plasmonic rectifying antenna (Presentation Recording)

Plasmonic nanostructures have been widely explored to improve absorption efficiency of conventional solar cells, either by employing them as a light scatterer, or as a source of local field enhancement. Unavoidable ohmic loss associated with the plasmonic metal nanostructures in visible spectrum, limits the efficiency improvement of photovoltaic devices by employing this local photon density of states (LDOS) engineering approach. Instead of using plasmonic structures as efficiency improving layer, recently, there has been a growing interest in exploring plasmoinc nanoparticle as the active medium for photovoltaic device. By extracting hot electrons that are created in metallic nanoparticles in a non-radiative Landau decay of surface plasmons, many novel plasmonic photovoltaic devices have been proposed. Moreover, these hot electrons in metal nanoparticles promises high efficiency with a spectral response that is not limited by the band gap of the semiconductors (active material of conventional solar cell). In this work, we will show a novel photovoltaic configuration of plasmonic nanoparticle that acts as an antenna by capturing free space ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic wave and rectify them through an ultrafast hot electron pump and eventually inject DC current in the contact of the device. We will introduce a bottom-up quantum mechanical approach model to explain fundamental physical processes involved in this hot electron pump rectifying antenna and it’s ultrafast dynamics. Our model is based on non-equilibrium Green’s function formalism, a robust theoretical framework to investigate transport and design nanoscale electronic devices. We will demonstrate some fundamental limitations that go the very foundations of quantum mechanics.
The thermal expansion behavior of YbZn2 and other KHg2-type intermetallic compounds

Abstract The thermal expansion coefficients of YbZn2, from high-temperature X-ray diffraction studies, were found to be (25 °–3O5 °C). αa = 1.56 × 10−5/ °C, αb = 1.90 × 10−5/ °C, αc = 2.78 × 10−5/ °C. These results are similar to those previously obtained for HoZn2. A structural interpretation of the thermal expansion behavior of these compounds is presented. Crystallographic evidence for a phase transformation in YbZn2 is also given.
Genome Content and Phylogenomics Reveal both Ancestral and Lateral Evolutionary Pathways in Plant-Pathogenic Streptomyces Species

Streptomyces spp. are highly differentiated actinomycetes with large, linear chromosomes that encode an arsenal of biologically active molecules and catabolic enzymes. Members of this genus are well equipped for life in nutrient-limited environments and are common soil saprophytes. Out of the hundreds of species in the genus Streptomyces, a small group has evolved the ability to infect plants. The recent availability of Streptomyces genome sequences, including four genomes of pathogenic species, provided an opportunity to characterize the gene content specific to these pathogens and to study phylogenetic relationships among them. Genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and phylogenetic analysis enabled us to discriminate pathogenic from saprophytic Streptomyces strains; moreover, we calculated that the pathogen-specific genome contains 4,662 orthologs. Phylogenetic reconstruction suggested that Streptomyces scabies and S. ipomoeae share an ancestor but that their biosynthetic clusters encoding the required virulence factor thaxtomin have diverged. In contrast, S. turgidiscabies and S. acidiscabies, two relatively unrelated pathogens, possess highly similar thaxtomin biosynthesis clusters, which suggests that the acquisition of these genes was through lateral gene transfer.
From ADA to ZUSE: a European travel-study course on technology

We describe a novel course offered as part of a one semester travel-study program. The course, taught by a computer science faculty member and entitled Technology and European Society, serves to introduce general students to social, historical and ethical issues in technology. The goals for the students included gaining a larger appreciation for technology, its historical development and its impact on society; examining ethical issues in technology; gaining insight into technology and social issues such as gender; and examining the global impact of technology. One key location was Bletchley Park in England, where Alan Turing and others worked to break Enigma and other Axis codes during World War II. We provide details on the curriculum and give results from course evaluations. The end result was an experience that was extremely rewarding and enriching for students and faculty alike.
Conversations with Web Site Users: Using Focus Groups to Open Discussion and Improve User Experience

ABSTRACTUser feedback on Web site design can be vital to understanding what issues library users may encounter when visiting a Web site, but obtaining this feedback can be time consuming, difficult to structure, and expensive. In past years, staff working on the Cal Poly Pomona University Library Web site collected user feedback from surveys and usability testing. This team was interested in acquiring a more basic understanding of how users interact with the Web in general, whether for research or other purposes, and how such experiences could inform design decisions. This article will discuss what focus groups are, why libraries should consider conducting focus groups for Web site testing and development, how focus groups can complement usability testing, and if focus groups are worth the time and effort. Results from focus group sessions will also be shared and discussed including information that fueled design decisions and benefits that participants gained from the experience.
Nature of the metal-insulator transition in Nb O 2

We report a theoretical study of the structural phase transition and associated metal-to-insulator transition in $\mathrm{Nb}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ within density functional theory using the transition state theory as formulated in the generalized solid-state nudged elastic band method. Consistent with prior experimental work, we demonstrate that niobium dimerization is primarily driven by soft modes at the P point of the rutile Brillouin zone. In light of our results, it appears that the metal-to-insulator transition in $\mathrm{Nb}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ is driven by a second-order structural transition of the Peierls type.
The Influence of Ethnic Identification in Digital Advertising: How Hispanic Americans' Response To Pop-Up, E-Mail, and Banner Advertising Affects Online Purchase Intentions

ABSTRACT Hispanic Americans9 purchasing power and Internet usage are on the rise, but published research on the influence of Web advertising on their purchase intentions online is still scarce. This study explores Hispanic-American attitudes toward banner, e-mail, pop-up advertising, and purchase intentions and accounts for ethnic identification (i.e., strength of association to the Hispanic culture) and selected demographics. The results vary among the three types of online advertising and indicate that attitudes toward online advertising and purchase intentions online are significantly related to ethnic identification⋯ but not in the expected direction. The major findings and their implications are discussed.
Ecology of Paternal Behavior in the Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata): An Evolutionary Interpretation

Male hoary marmots living in isolated colonies at Mount Rainier National Park demonstrated a significantly greater involvement with their infants than did males living in a larger, more interactive social situation. Paternal behavior correlated inversely with frequencies of extrapaternal social interaction. This pattern is seen as maximizing male fitness in each situation by providing for male defense of his reproductive interests when this is dictated by the proximity of other adults and facilitating direct paternal involvement when relative isolation reduces the advantages of extrapaternal sociality.
Surgical innovation and safety: femoroacetabular impingement and the IDEAL collaborative framework

Operative treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a relatively new, yet rapidly expanding surgical innovation. Although the practice of surgery is inherently innovative, there is no clear distinction between minor technical variation and true modification that warrants testing. This raises important questions about how new procedures should be evaluated before being broadly disseminated. The IDEAL Collaborative is a consortium that promotes safe and responsible translation of research into clinical practice. The collaborative has delineated the typical stages of evolution of new interventional technologies, and the type of study designs appropriate for each stage. This report examines the surgical treatment of FAI as a case study of the IDEAL framework and discusses both missed and future opportunities for critical assessment.
2500-g Low Birth Weight Cutoff: History and Implications for Future Research and Policy

Purpose To research the origins of the 2500 g cutoff for low birth weight and the evolution of indicators to identify newborns at high mortality risk. Description Early research concluded "prematurity", measured mainly through birth weight, was responsible for increased health risks. The World Health Organization's original prematurity definition was birth weight ≤2500 g. 1960s research clarified the difference between gestational age and birth weight leading to questions of the causal role of birth weight for health outcomes. Focus turned to two etiologies of low birth weight, preterm births and intrauterine growth restriction, which were both causally associated with morbidity and mortality but through different pathways; a standard cutoff based on gestational age or customized cutoff was debated. Assessment While low birth weight can be due to preterm or intrauterine growth restriction (or both), the historic 2500 g cutoff remains the standard by which the majority of policy makers define low birth weight and use it to predict perinatal and infant adverse outcomes. Conclusion Current efforts to refocus research on preterm births and poor intrauterine growth are important to understanding the direct causes of mortality rather than low birth weight as a convenient surrogate. Such distinctions also allow researchers and practitioners to test and target interventions outcomes more effectively.
Prepancreatic postduodenal portal vein: a case report and review of the literature

Prepancreatic postduodenal portal vein is extremely rare, with only 13 cases reported in the literature. A 55-year-old white woman presented to our emergency department with abdominal pain. She underwent a computed tomography of her abdomen, which showed a portal vein coursing anterolaterally to her pancreas and posteriorly to the first portion of her duodenum, constituting a prepancreatic postduodenal portal vein. Imaging revealed choledocholithiasis, requiring endoscopic sphincterotomy, but due to a history of a gastric bypass procedure, she was lost to follow-up after being referred to an advanced endoscopist. This represents the 14th reported case of prepancreatic postduodenal portal vein. Awareness of this rare anomaly is paramount, and will help surgeons and interventional radiologists to avoid complications related to inadvertent injury to the portal vein, which could be life-threatening.
Vector Fields and Dynamical Systems

This chapter studies vector fields and the dynamical systems they determine. The ensuing chapters will study the related topics of tensors and differential forms. A basic operation introduced in this chapter is the Lie derivative of a function or a vector field. It is introduced in two different ways, algebraically as a type of directional derivative and dynamically as a rate of change along a flow. The Lie derivative formula asserts the equivalence of these two definitions. The Lie derivative is a basic operation used extensively in differential geometry, general relativity, Hamiltonian mechanics, and continuum mechanics.
Measuring Azimuth Deformation With L-Band ALOS-2 ScanSAR Interferometry

We analyze the methods for measuring azimuth deformation with the L-band Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 (ALOS-2) scanning synthetic aperture radar (ScanSAR) interferometry. To implement the methods, we extract focused bursts from the ALOS-2 full-aperture product, which is the only product available for ScanSAR interferometry at present. The extracted bursts are properly processed to measure azimuth deformation using interferometric phase. We apply the range split-spectrum method to ScanSAR to estimate the differential ionospheric phase of the interferogram, and take the azimuth derivative of the differential ionospheric phase to mitigate the relative azimuth shift caused by ionosphere. For the first time, azimuth deformation of a large earthquake (April 25, 2015 Nepal earthquake) is nearly completely measured by the L-band ScanSAR interferometry with moderate precision. The result is validated by the azimuth deformation measured by incoherent cross correlation using a pair of high-resolution RADARSAT-2 images. In addition to the final azimuth deformation, we show the possibility of processing full-aperture ScanSAR product using a burst-by-burst approach to form regular interferograms. We also show the recent strong large-scale ionospheric effects on the L-band ALOS-2 ScanSAR interferograms. Other possible applications of this paper include measuring the movement of glaciers.
More on the Anthropology of Trump

On November 8, 2016, the American people elected Donald J. Trump the 45th president of the United States. How could it be that a man so seemingly ignorant of foreign affairs or, for that matter, th...
The effects of antioxidants on ocular blood flow in patients with glaucoma

Purpose To investigate the effects of an antioxidant dietary supplement that includes Ginkgo biloba, on retinal and retrobulbar blood flow in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Methods Forty-five patients with confirmed OAG were enroled in a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Baseline and postadministration measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), retrobulbar blood flow, and retinal capillary blood flow were non-invasively measured (ultrasound and laser Doppler modalities, respectively) before and one month after antioxidant nutraceuticals and placebo administration. Changes in measurements between the active supplement and placebo arms were evaluated using paired t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results Antioxidant supplementation produced a statistically significant increase in peak systolic and/or end diastolic blood flow velocities in all retrobulbar blood vessels compared to placebo. Vascular resistance was also reduced in central retinal and nasal short posterior ciliary arteries following antioxidant administration. Additionally, antioxidant supplementation increased superior and inferior temporal retinal capillary mean blood flow and the ratio of active to non-active retina capillaries compared to placebo. Conclusion One-month oral administration of antioxidants produced increases in biomarkers of ocular blood flow within retinal and retrobulbar vascular beds in patients with OAG.
General Computer Program for Limit Analysis

The computer program provided for limit analysis of rigid frames involves a succession of elastic analysis for a load system by the displacement method. Output consists of the location and sequence formation of all plastic hinges up to collapse, and the deflections and moments at all nodal points at tie time of formation of each plastic hinge.
How not to network a nation: the uneasy history of the Soviet Internet, by Benjamin Peters: The MIT Press (March 25, 2016), Cambridge, MA and London, England, US$38.00 (hardcover), US$25.00 (paperback), US$18.00 (ebook)

What is the value of writing a history of a technology that never came into being? And is there a particular poignancy to writing such a story for a country that has now, at least geopolitically, l...
A fourth-order accurate finite volume method for ideal MHD via upwind constrained transport

Abstract We present a fourth-order accurate finite volume method for the solution of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). The numerical method combines high-order quadrature rules in the solution of semi-discrete formulations of hyperbolic conservation laws with the upwind constrained transport (UCT) framework to ensure that the divergence-free constraint of the magnetic field is satisfied. A novel implementation of UCT that uses the piecewise parabolic method (PPM) for the reconstruction of magnetic fields at cell corners in 2D is introduced. The resulting scheme can be expressed as the extension of the second-order accurate constrained transport (CT) Godunov-type scheme that is currently used in the Athena astrophysics code. After validating the base algorithm on a series of hydrodynamics test problems, we present the results of multidimensional MHD test problems which demonstrate formal fourth-order convergence for smooth problems, robustness for discontinuous problems, and improved accuracy relative to the second-order scheme.
Monitoring and Acting on the Winds of Change

In the inaugural issue of the Journal of Science Teacher Education (JSTE), editor David L. Haury made an analogy between forecasting the weather and teaching science. Both tasks involve collecting ...
Health consciousness and health behavior: the application of a new health consciousness scale.

Self-consciousness has been an important trait in personality research. It seems logical to investigate whether health consciousness, involving a similar self-focusing, might operate in a parallel manner. To this end, I developed the Health Consciousness Scale (HCS), primarily by modifying items of the Self-Consciousness Scale, and also tested it for reliability and validity. My study found the HCS to contain four first-order factors: (1) Health Self-Consciousness, (2) Health Alertness, (3) Health Self-Monitoring, and (4) Health Involvement. I found these four firstorder factors, along with the overall HCS second-order factor, to relate to a number of self-reported, health-associated behavioral variables. The study also included comparisons with the Health Locus-of-Control Scale and other measures.
Localization in the Anderson Model with Long Range Hopping

proof of localization to random Hamiltonians of the form given in eq. (1.1). (Our methods also extend the original von ~reifus-~~encer( '~~~~) proof of decay of Green's functions). If p satisfy certain regularities conditions, localization for such operators at high dis- order or low energy has been proved by Aizenman and ~olchanov('~~. The proof we give here, as other proofs based on a multiscale ana~~sis(~~~~), do not require regu- larity of p, it only uses certain a pn'ori probabilistic es- timates about Green's functions in finite volumes. This has the advantage of allowing the treatment of poten- tials with singular probability distrib~tions(''~'~). They can also be used to prove localization inside spectral gaps for small di~order(~~).
Select gamma-Secretase Inhibitors Induce Apoptosis in Pre-B ALL Cells and Disrupt the Balance Between Constitutive Notch Signaling and Repression.

Several γ secretase inhibitors (GSIs) were tested for the ability to induce apoptosis in precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) cells. Of five GSI’s tested, treatment with two compounds resulted in effective killing of both pre-B lymphoblasts and cells from multiple pre-B ALL lines. Since Notch receptors represent an important group of γ secretase targets, we evaluated expression and activation status of Notch receptors in CD19+ lymphoblasts from pediatric pre-B ALL patients, as well as cultured pre-B ALL cells. We found that, unlike T-ALL where activating mutations are common, pre-B ALL cells appear to drive constitutive Notch signaling through autocrine signals. Blasts from 11 patients expressed 3 Notch receptors and multiple Notch counter-ligands. Expression of Notch pathway genes was also confirmed by microarray analysis of genes expressed in 207 children with high risk B precursor ALL. GSI treatment of pre-B ALL cells led to dephosphorylation of AKT and Foxo3, Bim expression and caspase activation. GSI treatment also blocked cleavage of Notch 1 and 2 to their active forms and inhibited expression of Notch targets, Hey2 and Myc. In contrast, increased expression of Hes1 and Hey1 was correlated with GSI-induced loss of the co-repressor, SMRT. GSI treatment appears to induce precursor B cell death by disrupting the balance between constitutive Notch signaling and repression.
Effects of Fumonisin B1and (Hydrolyzed) Fumonisin Backbone AP1on Membranes: A Spin-Label Study

Abstract Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and spin label techniques have been used to study the effects of fumonisin B1(FB1) and hydrolyzed fumonisin backbone (AP1) on the structural and dynamic properties of phosphatidylcholine membranes at the molecular level. Multilamellar liposomes consisting of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) were used. Six different nitroxide spin labels were used to determine what effects FB1may impart on the ordering and mobility of lipids in membranes. The experimental results disclose the following: (1) In the fluid phase membrane, FB1significantly increases the fluidities ofn-doxylstearic acid (SA) spin labels (SL) attached to carbons 5 and 7, which disorders the alkyl chains and perturbs the surface region of the bilayer; by comparison, minimal effects were detected near the center of the bilayer. (2) In the gel phase, FB1and AP1imparts marked rigidifying effects on membrane fluidity, which enlarges the change in ordering on the phase transition even further. (3) FB1also restricts the mobility of the (rigid) cholestane spin label. (4) A reduction in mobility of the tempo-stearate spin label suggests that the tricarballylic acid (TCA) moieties of FB1might mimic the structure of polar headgroups in phospholipids. The present results may provide additional mechanisms to elucidate the toxicological activities of the fumonisins.
Loss of biotic resistance and high propagule pressure promote invasive grass-fire cycles

The spread of invasive grasses across Earth are modifying fire cycles resulting in state changes in arid ecosystems. Disturbance, biotic resistance of native biological communities and propagule pressure, are likely the important factors influencing the spread of invasive grasses and their influence on changing fire regimes. Over a 5‐year period (2011–2016), we tested how the potential loss of biotic resistance of native plant and native rodent communities related to fire and rodent exclusion treatments, in concert with increased propagule pressure affected the establishment of Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass) and the spread of secondary fires. Our study results suggest that native plant and native rodent communities contribute to biotic resistance against cheatgrass invasion and that fire and high propagule pressure act to diminish biotic resistance by native communities. Five years into the study, cheatgrass establishment was 11‐fold greater in burned plots than in unburned plots (with native plant communities still intact), 2.4‐fold greater in rodent exclusion plots than rodent access plots and 1.8‐fold greater with increased propagule pressure. At the start of the experiment in 2011 cheatgrass was present in the experimental blocks but at very low density (<1 plant/m²). However, by 2016, burned‐rodent excluded plots were fully invaded (1625 stems/m²). High propagule pressure released cheatgrass from biotic resistance of rodent communities in post‐fire conditions but had minimal effects on the biotic resistance of native plant communities in unburned plots. Fire in combination with either rodent exclusion or high cheatgrass propagule pressure produced higher density cheatgrass stands that were positively correlated with the spread of secondary fires that are characteristic of invasive grass‐fire cycles. Synthesis. Loss of native plant cover or reduction in rodent populations due to fire, extreme climatic events or disease outbreaks, which are increasing with human activity, may provide windows of opportunity for invasive grasses to escape biotic resistance and reinforce invasive grass‐fire cycles.
Synthesis and evaluation of non-isocyanate polyurethane polyols for heat-cured thermoset coatings

Abstract A series of novel polyurethane polyols was successfully synthesized using cyclic carbonate/polyamine chemistry. By harnessing the potential of this environmentally friendly synthetic route, non-isocyanate polyurethane polyols with varying hydroxyl content and molecular weights were prepared for thermosetting coating applications. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the formation of expected functional groups. By curing with an amino resin crosslinker in varying amounts, coatings with significantly different mechanical properties -from highly flexible to very hard- were obtained. The study showed that coatings designed with higher urethane content in the backbone show improved adhesion to the substrate. Results also revealed that the flexibility of the backbone structure of the polyol and the amount of crosslinker used have a significant influence on the flexibility, impact resistance, and chemical resistance of cured thermoset coatings.
Hemostatic Activation and Glycocalyx Shedding during Pregnancy

Abstract Background: Pregnancy has been described as a hypercoagulable state and is characterized by an increased risk of thrombotic events; yet the absolute incidence is low. The glycocalyx is a network of proteoglycans and glycoproteins projecting from the endothelial cell surface that plays a key role in maintaining endothelial integrity. Syndecan-1 is a component of the endothelial glycocalyx and is substituted with heparan sulfate chains which promote its interactions with key anticoagulants such as tissue factor pathway inhibitor and antithrombin. Proteolytic release of components of the glycocalyx (i.e. shedding) has been shown to occur in response to a number of physiologic challenges. Thrombomodulin, another endothelial cell transmembrane protein, is a key component of the primary dynamic anticoagulant mechanism limiting thrombus growth and is also subject to proteolytic release. In this study, we longitudinally evaluate hemostatic activation (D-dimer), glycocalyx shedding (syndecan-1) and thrombomodulin release in healthy women who became pregnant. Methods: Healthy nulliparous women (N=26) were prospectively enrolled in a longitudinal study at the University of Vermont Medical Center in a protocol approved by the Institutional Review Board. Study visits were conducted prior to pregnancy in the follicular phase (Visit 1), at the end of the first trimester (Visit 2), and the mid-third trimester (Visit 3). Blood was collected into citrate, and platelet poor plasma aliquots were prepared. Syndecan-1 and soluble thrombomodulin were measured on all samples by ELISA, and D-dimer was measured at Visits 1 and 3. For analyses, comparisons were made across Visits using a paired Student's t-test. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. Results: D-dimer levels were increased (3-13 fold across all women) significantly at Visit 3 (7.6 ± 3.9 μg/mL) compared to Visit 1 (1.2 ± 0.5 μg/mL), p Conclusions: By Visit 3 (the third trimester) women show significant increases in hemostatic activation, glycocalyx shedding and the release of another endothelial cell membrane protein. Increasing the levels of syndecan-1 in circulation may have a heparin-like effect on antithrombin activity while increasing soluble thrombomodulin levels may increase systemic protein C activation. However, the release of two potent anticoagulants from the endothelial surface can reduce the ability of the endothelial surface to help mediate and restrict thrombus growth at the site of injury. Future studies are needed to address whether there may be a prothrombotic contribution from the degraded endothelial surface that is offset by the release of anticoagulants into the circulatory system. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Response of CsI[Na] to nuclear recoils: Impact on coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering

A new measurement of the quenching factor for low-energy nuclear recoils in CsI[Na] is presented. Past measurements are revisited, identifying and correcting several systematic effects. The resulting global data are well-described by a physics-based model for the generation of scintillation by ions in this material, in agreement with phenomenological considerations. The uncertainty in the new model is reduced by a factor of four with respect to an energy-independent quenching factor initially adopted as a compromise by the COHERENT collaboration. A significantly improved agreement with Standard Model predictions for the first measurement of CE$\nu$NS is generated. We emphasize the critical impact of the quenching factor on the search for new physics via CE$\nu$NS experiments.
DNA Damage by an essential enzyme: A delicate balance act on the tightrope.

Abstract DNA topoisomerases are essential for DNA metabolic processes such as replication and transcription. Since DNA is double stranded, the unwinding needed for these processes results in DNA supercoiling and catenation of replicated molecules. Changing the topology of DNA molecules to relieve supercoiling or resolve catenanes requires that DNA be transiently cut. While topoisomerases carry out these processes in ways that minimize the likelihood of genome instability, there are several ways that topoisomerases may fail. Topoisomerases can be induced to fail by therapeutic small molecules such as by fluoroquinolones that target bacterial topoisomerases, or a variety of anti-cancer agents that target the eukaryotic enzymes. Increasingly, there have been a large number of agents and processes, including natural products and their metabolites, DNA damage, and the intrinsic properties of the enzymes that can lead to long-lasting DNA breaks that subsequently lead to genome instability, cancer, and other diseases. Understanding the processes that can interfere with topoisomerases and how cells respond when topoisomerases fail will be important in minimizing the consequences when enzymes need to transiently interfere with DNA integrity.
Racial/Ethnic Patterns of Young-Onset Noncardia Gastric Cancer

Increasing noncardia gastric cancer incidence rates among individuals age younger than 50 years have gained much attention, particularly as causes remain unknown. Using population-based NIH/NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program data from 2007 to 2015, multivariable logistic regression was used to quantify associations between race/ethnicity and clinicodemographic features among young-onset noncardia gastric cancer patients. A total of 2,872 individuals ages 20 to 49 years were diagnosed with primary noncardia gastric cancer. Age at diagnosis, insurance status, anatomic subsite, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) clinical stage, histologic type, tumor grade, surgery, and county-level smoking prevalence differed by race/ethnicity (all P ≤ 0.003). Compared with non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics were more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages [odds ratio (OR) = 0.97; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.95-0.99], on Medicaid/uninsured (OR = 3.83; 95% CI, 2.89-5.08), diagnosed with higher grade tumors (OR = 1.93; 95% CI, 1.32-2.84), and less likely to undergo surgery (OR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44-0.88) or to reside in counties with higher smoking prevalence (OR = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.11-0.21) after adjustment for sex, subsite, and histologic type. Asian/Pacific Islanders were more likely to be female (OR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.04-1.88), and less likely to be diagnosed with metastatic disease (OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37-0.95) or to reside in counties with higher smoking prevalence (OR = 0.13; 95% CI, 0.08-0.19). Approximately two in every five patients with young-onset noncardia gastric cancer are Hispanic. Further investigation into the molecular heterogeneity of young-onset noncardia gastric cancers by race/ethnicity to understand etiologies underlying this rising disease epidemic is warranted. This population-based cohort study sheds light that biological and environmental factors may partly underlie race/ethnicity-related differences in young-onset noncardia gastric cancer susceptibility and outcomes.
Acceptability and Feasibility of a Pharmacist-Led Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Program in the Midwestern United States

Background HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) substantially reduces the risk of HIV acquisition, yet significant barriers exist to its prescription and use. Incorporating pharmacists in the PrEP care process may help increase access to PrEP services. Methods Our pharmacist-led PrEP program (P-PrEP) included pharmacists from a university-based HIV clinic, a community pharmacy, and two community-based clinics. Through a collaborative practice agreement, pharmacists conducted PrEP visits with potential candidates for PrEP, according to the recommended CDC guidelines, and authorized emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate prescriptions. Demographics and retention in care over 12 months were summarized and participant satisfaction and pharmacist acceptability with the P-PrEP program were assessed by Likert-scale questionnaires. Results Sixty patients enrolled in the P-PrEP program between January and June 2017 completing 139 visits. The mean age was 34 years (range 20-61 years) and 88% identified as men who have sex with men, 91.7% were men, 83.3% were white, 80% were commercially insured, and 89.8% had completed some college education or higher. Participant retention at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months was 73%, 58%, 43%, and 28%, respectively. To date, no participant has seroconverted. One hundred percent of the participants who completed the patient satisfaction questionnaire would recommend the P-PrEP program. Pharmacists reported feeling comfortable performing point-of-care testing and rarely reported feeling uncomfortable during PrEP visits (3 occasions - 2.2%) or experiencing workflow disruption (1 occasion - 0.7%). Conclusions Implementation of a pharmacist-led PrEP program is feasible and associated with high rates of patient satisfaction and pharmacist acceptability.
A Case Study of Stratospheric Ozone Transport to the Northern San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento Valley during CABOTS 2016

AbstractThe California Baseline Ozone Transport Study (CABOTS) was a major air quality study that collected ozone measurements aloft between mid-May and mid-August of 2016. Aircraft measurements, g...
Go Places: Examining the Academic Returns to Study Abroad

This is a study of experiential learning of studying abroad during college and how this experience may be linked to gains on student academic achievement. Utilizing data from a national survey, this research aims to accomplish dual goals: (a) to identify the impact of studying abroad on student academic achievement and measure the effect; and (b) investigate how this impact varies by different types of program design (e.g., duration, logistics, curriculum) so as to shed light on best practice. To that end, the author applies quasi-experimental method to quantify the academic returns to study abroad at causal level. Key findings are summarized as follows: (1) studying abroad slightly increased college GPA; (2) Students can gain the same academic benefits from studying abroad, whether they are female or male, white or minority, STEM or non-STEM majors; and (3) For credit programs directly related to a student’s major, with an opportunity to work on a research project, and one semester long experience yields higher returns than other program designs. Homestay with a host family also induces marginal benefit. In this digital era, people may wonder “Is it worthwhile to study abroad when you can learn everything at home?” This research’s answer is yes.
A SMAD4-modulated gene profile predicts disease-free survival in stage II and III colorectal cancer

Abstract Objective Loss of SMAD4 is associated with worse outcomes for colorectal cancer patients. We used gene ontology and bioinformatics to identify an RNA-based SMAD4-modulated profile and test its association with patient outcome. Design Using a discovery dataset of 250 colorectal cancer patients, we analyzed expression of BMP/Wnt target genes for association with SMAD4 expression. Promoters of the BMP/Wnt genes were interrogated for SMAD-binding elements. 15 genes were implicated and three tested for modulation by SMAD4 in patient-derived colorectal cancer tumoroids. Expression of the 15 genes was used for unsupervised hierarchical clustering of a training dataset and two resulting clusters modeled in a centroid model. This model was applied to an independent validation dataset of stage II and III patients. Disease-free survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results In vitro analysis of three genes identified in the SMAD4-modulated profile (JAG1, TCF7, MYC) revealed modulation by SMAD4 consistent with the trend observed in the profile. In the training dataset (n = 553), the profile was not associated with outcome. However, among stage II and III patients (n = 461), distinct clusters were identified by unsupervised hierarchical clustering that were associated with disease-free survival (p = 0.02). The main model was applied to a validation dataset (n = 257) which confirmed the association of clustering with disease-free survival (p = 0.02). Conclusions A SMAD4-modulated RNA-based gene profile identified high-risk stage II and III colorectal cancer patients, can predict disease-free survival, and has prognostic potential for stage II and III colorectal cancer patients.
A robust phase oscillator design for wearable robotic systems

Abstract The design of a phase-based robust oscillator for wearable robots, that could assist humans performing periodic or repetitive tasks, is presented in this paper. The bounds on perturbations, that guaranteed the stability of the output for the phase oscillator controller, were identified and the Lyapunov redesign method was applied to construct a robust controller using a bounding function. The robust controller produced a bounded control signal to modify the amplitude and frequency of the resulting second-order oscillator to modulate the stiffness and damping properties. In this paper, the focus is on the mathematical modeling of the controller, its dynamic stability and robustness for human–robot application. The proposed approach was verified through a simple pendulum experiment. The results provided evidence that a better limit cycle, with a controlled radial spread of the steady state, was obtained with Lyapunov redesigned phase oscillator. Finally, the potential of the proposed approach for hip assistance in a healthy subject wearing HeSa (Hip Exoskeleton for Superior Assistance) during periodic activities are discussed with preliminary results.
Succinylcholine Administration and Resultant Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia: A Case Report of Communication Breakdown During an Emergent Intubation.

Poor communication continues to be one of the leading root causes of sentinel events in the United States annually. This case report documents a miscommunication that occurred during the management of a patient with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and acute respiratory failure requiring emergent intubation, which resulted in a transient hyperkalemia and subsequent cardiac arrest.
A Survey on Advances in the Theory of Computational Robotics

This paper describes work on the computational complexity of various movement planning problems relevant to robotics. This paper is intended only as a survey of previous and current work in this area. The generalized mover’s problem is to plan a sequence of movements of linked polyhedra through 3-dimensional Euclidean space, avoiding contact with a fixed set of polyhedra obstacles. We discuss our and other researchers’ work showing generalized mover’s problems are polynomial space hard. These results provide strong evidence that robot movement planning is computationally intractable, i.e., any algorithm requires time growing exponentially with the number of degrees of freedom. We also briefly discuss the computational complexity of four other quite different types of movement problems: (1) movement planning in the presence of friction, (2) minimal movement planning, (3) dynamic movement planning with moving obstacles and (4) adaptive movement planning problems.
Theorizing Democracy in a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic raises questions about the future of democracy and civil society Some recent predictions seem to use the suffering to score points in ongoing political arguments As a better example of how to describe the future during a crisis, I cite the prophetic voice of Martin Luther King, Jr King does not merely predict: he calls for action, joins the action, and makes himself responsible for its success or failure With these cautions about prediction in mind, I venture two that may guide immediate responses First, communities may erect or strengthen unjustifiable barriers to outsiders, because boundaries enhance collective action Second, although the pandemic may not directly change civic behavior, an economic recession will bankrupt some organizations through which people engage
Factors Affecting Patient Decision-Making Regarding Midshaft Clavicle Fracture Treatment.

Introduction Midshaft clavicle fractures are a common problem encountered by orthopedic surgeons. There remains debate between non-surgical and surgical treatment options for certain midshaft clavicle fractures. Due to the lack of a clear treatment strategy, this presents an opportunity for shared decision-making, which has been shown to be important to patients. Methods A 19-question survey was created encompassing basic demographic information, then taking respondents through a simulation of a midshaft clavicle fracture patient encounter. Subjects were subsequently asked their preferred treatment choice as well as shared decision-making preferences for the simulated encounter. A pilot study was performed with medical students from our home institution to assess study sample size. The survey was then distributed through an online software platform (Amazon Mechanical Turk). Statistical analysis was performed using STATA, Microsoft Excel, and Qualtrics. Results 253 subjects responded to the online survey. Over 70% of respondents had no to minimal knowledge of clavicle fractures and potential medical interventions/treatments. 67.6% of respondents preferred shared decision-making, over autonomous or paternalistic models. 45.5% of respondents wanted additional time outside the physician-patient consultation before making a treatment decision. A majority of the respondents who selected surgery (44.3%; 43/97) and no surgery (69.9%; 109/156), based their decisions on outcomes data provided in the simulation alone. There was no statistically significant relationship between income, race/ethnicity, education level, work status, sex, or type of visual fracture representation (i.e., radiograph vs. cartoon image) and treatment decision (p>0.05). Younger age (p=0.007) and being married (p=0.001) were associated with increased likelihood to select surgery as the treatment decision. Conclusion Most respondents had no-to-minimal knowledge about clavicle fractures, placed a high value in shared decision-making for midshaft clavicle fractures, and prioritized outcomes data in making treatment decisions. Younger age and marital status may increase the likelihood of a patient selecting to proceed with surgery over non-operative treatment.