cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of nesiritide on renal function in patients admitted for decompensated heart failure

Background: Studies addressing the effect of nesiritide on renal function in patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure (HF) are limited, with conflicting results. Aim: To study the effect of nesiritide on renal function in patients admitted for acute decompensated HF. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients admitted with decompensated HF, comparing those who received nesiritide along with conventional therapy vs. those who received conventional therapy alone. Serum creatinine levels and body weight were measured on admission, and were compared with levels at day 3 to estimate deterioration in renal function. Worsening renal function (WRF) was defined as a rise in serum creatinine of ⩾0.3 mg/dl from baseline, with final creatinine level >1.5 mg/dl. Results: We reviewed 206 charts (116 controls, 90 nesiritide group). WRF developed in 28/90 (31.1%) in the nesiritide group and 37/116 (31.9%) controls ( p = 1.0). Mean change in creatinine in the nesiritide group was 0.15 ± 0.37 mg/dl, compared to 0.17 ± 0.25 mg/dl in controls ( p = 0.75). Using an alternative cut-off increase in serum creatinine of ⩾0.5 mg/dl, 16/90 (17.7%) patients in the nesiritide group developed WRF compared to 18/116 (15.5%) controls ( p = 0.80). If WRF was defined as elevation in serum creatinine levels by ⩾0.3 mg/dl anytime during hospitalization, the incidence of WRF in the nesiritide group remained similar to that of controls (42.2% vs. 41.3%, p = 0.90). On multivariate analysis, nesiritide therapy was not associated with WRF (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.4–1.6, p = 0.48). Discussion: We failed to detect any significant risk of WRF in patients treated with nesiritide compared to conventional therapy in patients with decompensated HF during index hospitalization. Larger randomized, placebo-controlled trials are required to further elucidate the effect of nesiritide on renal function in these patients.
Women's Knowledge of Pap Smears, Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer, and Cervical Cancer

Objective To review the literature on women's knowledge of Pap smears, risk factors for cervical cancer, and cervical cancer. Data Sources The review was based on a search of the relevant literature over a 10-year period using MEDLINE and CINAHL. Data Extraction Articles from relevant, indexed journals and textbooks published within the past decade were included. Seminal articles were included as appropriate. Data Synthesis Risk factors for the development of cervical cancer have been reevaluated. The case for human papillomavirus as the cause of cervical neoplasms has been strengthened. Conclusions Cervical cancer is associated with early sexual debut, number of lifetime sexual partners, nonuse of condoms, and infection with human papillomavirus. Cigarette smoking facilitates development of cervical cancer.
For Rich and Poor, the Message Is Still “Dial 9-1-1” But Is It Getting Through?

The mantra for public service announcements on stroke has included 911/Emergency Medical System (EMS) use as the first point of contact for patients with stroke symptoms for over 10 years. The rationale behind this is clear. As with chest pain and acute myocardial infarction, 911/EMS use by patients with symptoms of stroke represents an early component in the Chain of Recovery.1 Furthermore, a single message links the urgency of “heart attack” and “brain attack”: reinforcing and directing action by the lay public. Though the benefits of 911/EMS use accrue in both the prehospital and in-hospital settings, it is unclear whether this message is getting through. In the prehospital arena, stroke patients using 911/EMS arrive to the emergency department faster in comparison to those calling their primary physician or driving to a hospital or primary care site directly. There is also a strong association between EMS use and shorter time periods from symptom onset to hospital arrival—though this likely reflects a greater sense of urgency on the patient’s or bystander’s part rather than reduced transport times. Additionally, almost 20% of patients with stroke symptoms have acute medical conditions requiring paramedic-level interventions in the field, including emergent airway management.2 …
The Effects of Teacher Facilitation on the Social Interactions of Young Children During Computer Activities

This group study investigated the impact of teacher facilitation on the social interactions of young children during computer activities. The study compared 18 dyads comprised of children with and without disabilities who received teacher facilitation during computer activities to a group of children who did not receive teacher facilitation. The sessions were videotaped for the purpose of analyzing the social interactions and behaviors of the children. Pre-and postmeasures of the children's social skills with the Teacher Impression Scales and systematic observations of their social interactions using the Social Interaction Observation System were analyzed. Results indicated that children in the study exhibited few negative social interactions regardless of their age, disability status, or intervention group assignment. The children with and without disabilities in the teacher-facilitated computer group had more positive social interactions and demonstrated more effective social behaviors than the children...
GROWTH OF HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN PRIMARY MACROPHAGES

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major human pathogen that causes considerable disease among immunocompromised individuals. A primary infection results in life-long persistence of the virus in a latent form. HCMV is known to be transferred by blood products, bone marrow, and solid organs, but the cell type that carries the latent infection has been difficult to identify. We have recently demonstrated reactivation of latent HCMV in allogeneically stimulated monocyte-derived macrophages (Allo-MDM). Reactivation occurred only in macrophages produced by allogeneic but not mitogenic stimulation. The presence of dendritic cell markers on some Allo-MDM cells suggested that these macrophages were related to dendritic cells. However, dendritic cells obtained by stimulation of monocytes with interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were not permissive for HCMV infection. The cellular and cytokine components which are essential for HCMV replication and reactivation of virus were also examined in Allo-MDM. The importance of both CD4- or CD8-positive T cells in the generation of HCMV permissive Allo-MDM was demonstrated by negative selection or blocking experiments using antibodies directed against both HLA class I and HLA class II molecules. Examination of the cytokines essential for the generation of HCMV permissive Allo-MDM identified gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma, but not IL-1, IL-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, or GM-CSF as critical components in the generation of these macrophages. However, addition of IFN-gamma to unstimulated macrophage cultures was insufficient to reactivate virus. These results indicate the importance of a specific moncyte stimulus in the generation of a unique HCMV permissive macrophage phenotype as well as why virus is commonly reactivated in transplant patients.
How well do the NSF Funded Elementary Mathematics Curricula Align with the GAISE Report Recommendations

Statistics and probability have become an integral part of mathematics education. Therefore it is important to understand whether curricular materials adequately represent statistical ideas. The Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) report (Franklin, Kader, Mewborn, Moreno, Peck, Perry, & Scheaffer, 2007), endorsed by the American Statistical Association, provides a two-dimensional (process and level) framework for statistical learning. This paper examines whether the statistics content contained in the NSF funded elementary curricula Investigations in Number, Data, and Space, Math Trailblazers, and Everyday Mathematics aligns with the GAISE recommendations. Results indicate that there are differences in the approaches used as well as the GAISE components emphasized among the curricula. In light of the fact that the new Common Core State Standards have placed little emphasis in statistics in the elementary grades, it is important to ensure that the minimal amount of statistics that is presented aligns well with the recommendations put forth by the statistics community. The results in this paper provide insight as to the type of statistical preparation students receive when using the NSF funded elementary curricula. As the Common Core places great emphasis on statistics in the middle grades, these results can be used to inform whether students will be prepared for the middle school Common Core goals.
ANG II receptor antagonists as modulators of macrophages polarization

the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is well recognized for its key role in blood pressure, fluid homeostasis, vasoconstriction, hormone secretion, kidney function, and cellular growth. However, new roles for ANG II are being discovered, especially as it relates to how the RAS modulates immune cells.
A comparison of the properties of two structurally equivalent but regiochemically different mono‐alkylated polybithiophenes prepared through AABB‐type stille polycondensation

Previous routes to polymers with mono-alkylated bithiophenes have proceeded through polymerization of monoalkyl-2,2′-bithiophene monomers through oxidative or AB-type cross-coupling polymerizations. The resulting polymer regiochemistry affects both the location and orientation of the polymer side-chains. In contrast, AABB-type cross-coupling polymerizations can control the location and in some cases the orientation of the side-chains. To study how this control can impact polymer properties, two poly(monodecyl-2,2′-bithiophene) polymers have been synthesized through Stille AABB-type polycondensations of 2,5-bis(trimethylstannyl)thiophene with different monomers. The alkyl side-chains are located on every other thiophene, but polymer 1 consists of both head-to-tail and head-to-head dyads, whereas polymer 2 is made up of only head-to-head dyads. 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and heteronuclear single quantum correlation spectroscopy are used to confirm and contrast the polymer regiochemistries. The physical properties of the two polymers are analyzed using UV–vis spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction. Polymer 2 is found to display significantly more aggregation in solution than 1, and it displays different thermal properties. The film properties of polymers 1 and 2, however, are very similar, with nearly identical UV–vis profiles and d-spacing values as determined by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
The Glycine Transporter Type 1 Inhibitor N-[3-(4′-Fluorophenyl)-3-(4′-Phenylphenoxy)Propyl]Sarcosine Potentiates NMDA Receptor-Mediated Responses In Vivo and Produces an Antipsychotic Profile in Rodent Behavior

Glycine acts as a necessary coagonist for glutamate at the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) complex by binding to the strychnine-insensitive glycine-B binding site on the NR1 subunit. The fact that glycine is normally found in the brain and spinal cord at concentrations that exceed those required to saturate this site has led to the speculation that glycine normally saturates NMDAR-containing synapses in vivo. However, additional lines of evidence suggest that synaptic glycine may be efficiently regulated in synaptic areas by the glycine transporter type 1 (GlyT1). The recent description of a potent and selective GlyT1 inhibitor (N-[3-(4'-fluorophenyl)-3-(4'-phenylphenoxy)propyl]sarcosine [NFPS]) provides a tool for evaluation of the hypothesis that inhibition of GlyT1 may increase synaptic glycine and thereby potentiate NMDAR function in vivo. In the present study, we found that (+)-NFPS demonstrated >10-fold greater activity in an in vitro functional glycine reuptake assay relative to the racemic compound. In vivo, (+/-)-NFPS significantly enhanced long-term potentiation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus induced by high-frequency electrical stimulation of the afferent perforant pathway. Furthermore, (+)-NFPS induced a pattern of c-Fos immunoreactivity comparable with the atypical antipsychotic clozapine and enhanced prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response in DBA/2J mice, a strain with low basal levels of prepulse inhibition. Collectively, these data suggest that selective inhibition of GlyT1 can enhance NMDAR-sensitive activity in vivo and also support the idea that GlyT1 may represent a novel target for developing therapeutics to treat disorders associated with NMDAR hypofunction.
Peritoneal dissemination: a pending issue in gastric cancer worth exploring.

Gastric cancer is a peritoneal-borne disease. Although our attention usually first turns to regional lymphatic extension in cases of localized disease, we know that most gastric adenocarcinomas will eventually spread to the peritoneum sooner or later in their natural history, even in the absence of lymph node involvement. Moreover, peritoneal carcinomatosis is a common manifestation of recurrent disease after curative-intent resection, even when the most efficacious adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatments have been used. The adverse prognostic effect of peritoneal dissemination in this disease is well acknowledged, no matter whether it consists of established macroscopic implants or isolated free cancer cells (detected by peritoneal washing cytology) with no overt peritoneal carcinomatosis. In both cases, current treatment guidelines call for palliative therapeutic measures based on systemic chemotherapy.
Effect of Village Midwife Program on Contraceptive Prevalence and Method Choice in Indonesia

Indonesia established its Village Midwife Program in 1989 to combat high rates of maternal mortality. The program's goals were to address gaps in access to reproductive health care for rural women, increase access to and use of family planning services, and broaden the mix of available contraceptive methods. In this study, we use longitudinal data from the Indonesia Family Life Survey to examine the program's effect on contraceptive practice. We find that the program did not affect overall contraceptive prevalence but did affect method choice. Over time, for women using contraceptives, midwives were associated with increased odds of injectable contraceptive use and decreased odds of oral contraceptive and implant use. Although the Indonesian government had hoped that the Village Midwife Program would channel women into using longer-lasting methods, the women's "switching behavior" indicates that the program succeeded in providing additional outlets for and promoting the use of injectable contraceptives.
The effects of septal lesions in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) given septal lesions were deficient in a passive avoidance task (PAR). They persevera ted in running to a drinking tube and could not inhibit a previously reinforced response. This loss of inhibition in a PAR task following septal lesions is apparently constant across the species investigated. Unlike rats, septal gerbils did not display the hyperemotionality following the lesions.
Genetic regulation of bacterial virulence.

In this review, we concentrate on genetic control of bacterial virulence. We limit this review to several systems that illustrate common molecular themes in control of virulence properties rather than presenting a comprehensive review of this extensive literature
Estimated Aerobic Capacity Changes in Adolescents with Obesity Following High Intensity Interval Exercise

Vigorous aerobic exercise may improve aerobic capacity (VO 2max ) and cardiometabolic profiles in adolescents with obesity, independent of changes to weight. Our aim was to assess changes in estimated VO 2max in obese adolescents following a 6-week exercise program of varying intensities. Adolescents with obesity were recruited from an American mid-west children’s hospital and randomized into moderate exercise (MOD) or high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) groups for a 6-week exercise intervention, consisting of cycle ergometry for 40 minutes, 3 days per week. Heart rate was measured every two minutes during each exercise session. Estimated VO 2max measured via Astrand cycle test, body composition, and physical activity (PA) enjoyment evaluated via questionnaire were assessed pre/post-intervention. Twenty-seven adolescents (age 14.7±1.5; 17 female, 10 male) completed the intervention. Estimated VO 2max increased only in the HIIE group (20.0±5.7 to 22.7±6.5 ml/kg/min, p=0.015). The HIIE group also demonstrated increased PA enjoyment, which was correlated with average heart rate achieved during the intervention (r=0.55; p=0.043). Six weeks of HIIE elicited improvements to estimated VO 2max in adolescents with obesity. Furthermore, those exercising at higher heart rates demonstrated greater PA enjoyment, implicating enjoyment as an important determinant of VO 2max , specifically following higher intensity activities.
Mass spectral characteristics of poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene ether)

The mass spectral characteristics of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether), its monomer (2,6-xylenol), and its dimer (3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl 2,6-xylyl ether) have been determined. The monomer and dimer show peaks for the molecular ions (122; 242 amu) and degradation patterns similar to those of o-methylaryl ethers. Loss of methyl and cleavage of the ether with transfer of an o-methyl hydrogen are observed. Metastable transitions are recorded corresponding to a loss of 15 from 122 and 56 from 107 amu (xylenol) and of 151 from 242 and 40 from 104 amu (ether). The polymer volatilizes readily at 380–400°C. (TGA shows rapid weight loss at 400°C) and gives sets of peaks at (N × 120) ± 14 up to 1080 (N = 9). The principal peak is at (N × 120) + 2, calibrated against PFA, and this is attributed to an ion of a volatilized oligomer. The oligomer is either present as such, is formed in a degradation process involving an ether redistribution, or is formed in a hydrogen transfer process in the ether cleavage reaction.
Transcranial MRI-guided focused ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening in rats

The use of cavitation-enhanced MRI-guided focused ultrasound (FUS) to disrupt the blood-brain barrier (BBB) locally and enhance drug delivery to the brain was investigated in rats with an intact skull. Contrast-enhanced MR images of 50 rat brains exposed in multiple locations to FUS in the presence of microbubbles were analyzed to determine the minimum focal pressure amplitude needed to achieve BBB opening, The images indicated that localized BBB opening was consistently achieved by applying FUS at estimated peak focal pressure amplitudes of 1.2 MPa or greater. In addition, the uptake of liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin in the brain tissue of six rats with and without exposure to FUS was quantified by fluorometry. Preliminary results indicated that FUS-enhanced drug delivery increased the uptake of liposomal doxorubicin by 53% compared to unexposed tissue. The successful delivery of molecules as large as 100 nm in diameter across the BBB indicates the clinical potential of FUS-enhanced drug delivery in the treatment of brain tumors.
The Structure and Properties of Ni Films Grown By Ion Beam Assisted Deposition

Electron-beam evaporated nickel was deposited onto sapphire or rocksalt substrates at room temperature with and without simultaneous argon ion bombardment. The ion energies were 100, 500, or 1500 eV, with ion-to-atom arrival ratios, R, ranging from 0.01 to 0.1. For each film, the microstructure, density, resistivity, and amount of retained argon was measured. It was determined that 100 eV bombardment produced an increase in density with little change in resistivity, whereas 1500 eV bombardment decreased the density and increased the resistivity monotonically with R. The reduction in density was correlated with decreasing microstructural feature size and decreased preferred orientation which suggested that the ions induced an increase in the volume fraction of boundaries.
Biomarkers in the selection of maintenance therapy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Long gone are the days where identification of lung cancer as either non-small cell lung or small cell is sufficient to initiate therapy. Today, the optimal treatment of lung cancer hinges not only on accurate histopathologic diagnosis but further tumor description through molecular characterization (1). The importance of molecular testing prior to initiation of therapy is best highlighted by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutational analyses. There have been a number of trials that have identified patients who gleaned a greater benefit from EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy on the basis of EGFR mutation positivity in first, second and third line treatment regimens.
Breaking the Back of Segregation: Why Sweatt Matters

In this article the author argues that Sweatt v. Painter (1950) deserves greater prominence in legal history and the history of integration. Sweatt is the first case in which the Supreme Court articulated that under some circumstances "separate but equal" could never pass constitutional muster because the institution created for blacks could never be equal to the institution for whites. Here the Court held that no matter what the State of Texas create for blacks, it could never create an law school that was "equal" to the law school at the University of Texas at Austin. Significantly, the unanimous Court that decided this case include a graduate of the University of Texas Law School, Justice Tom Clark. Thus, this article argues that Sweatt set the stage for Brown v. Board of Education by sending a clear message to the South that in important ways segregation could never create equal institutions.
Feedback stabilization of a thermal fluid system with mixed boundary control

We consider the problem of local exponential stabilization of the nonlinear Boussinesq equations with control acting on portion of the boundary. In particular, given a steady state solution on an bounded and connected domain ź ź R 2 , we show that a finite number of controls acting on a part of the boundary through Neumann/Robin boundary conditions is sufficient to stabilize the full nonlinear equations in a neighborhood of this steady state solution. Dirichlet boundary conditions are imposed on the rest of the boundary. We prove that a stabilizing feedback control law can be obtained by solving a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) problem for the linearized Boussinesq equations. Numerical result are provided for a 2D problem to illustrate the ideas.
Computational Aspects for Random Vibration Analysis

Computational aspects of the eigenfunction associated with the envelope of the nonstationary random response of a lightly damped linear oscillator are examined. Analytic formulas are given which may be used for an easily mechanized numerical computation of the probability density function and the moments of the response envelope. Formulas are also given facilitating the numerical determination, based on a perturbation type approach, of the statistics of the response envelope of a broad class of nonlinear oscillators. Specific computational problems are examined in the context of a Duffing oscillator.
Life cycle assessment of vehicle lightweighting: a physics-based model of mass-induced fuel consumption.

Lightweighting is a key strategy used to improve vehicle fuel economy. Replacing conventional materials (e.g., steel) with lighter alternatives (e.g., aluminum, magnesium, and composites) decreases...
Characterization of materials’ elasticity and yield strength through micro-/nano-indentation testing with a cylindrical flat-tip indenter

Material property measurements at the micro-/nanoscale are required for within many materials systems, such as thin-films, coatings, nanostructured materials, and interface/interphase. An innovative approach through micro-/nano-indentation testing with a cylindrical flat-tip indenter and coupled with computer modeling was proposed to characterize the material’s elastic–plastic properties. A mechanical model proposed for directly extracting the yield strength of the tested materials, based on the hemi-spherical stress–strain distribution assumption, was analytically derived and numerically validated. Specimens being tested are aluminum alloy, low carbon steel, and alloy steel. A micro-/nano-indentation solid model was constructed and computer modeling was conducted. The load point in the indentation load–depth curve and the modifier for extracting the yield strength were identified through computer modeling and validated by indentation tests. The material properties measured by indentation were compared with tensile tests. The indentation testing errors induced by residual stresses in specimens were investigated by a residual stress measurement system.
Pyrolysis of Alucone Molecular Layer Deposition Films Studied Using In Situ Transmission Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

The pyrolysis of alucone molecular layer deposition (MLD) films was studied in vacuum using in situ transmission Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The initial alucone MLD films were grown using trimethylaluminum (TMA) and either ethylene glycol (EG) (HO–(CH2)2–OH) or hydroquinone (HQ) (HO–C6H4–OH) at 150 °C. The alucone MLD films were then pyrolyzed in vacuum at temperatures ranging from 400 to 750 °C. The absorbance features for the C–H, C–C, and C–O stretching vibrations were observed to be lost at pyrolysis temperatures from 350 to 500 °C. For the alucone films grown using TMA and EG, the loss of these absorbance features was coupled to an increase in carboxylate (R-COO–) absorbance features. The carboxylate absorbance features reached their peak at a pyrolysis temperature of 450 °C and then decreased slowly with higher pyrolysis temperatures. The carboxylate absorbance features are consistent with an Al2O3/carbon composite material with Al3+/COO– species at the interface. In addition, the prese...
Hyphal Wall Chemistry of Leptomitus Lacteus

Isolated hyphal walls of the oomycete, Leptomitus lacteus, contain approximately 74% 3B-glucans, the major portion of which is apparently composed of (1-->3)and (1 -> 6)-linked glucosyl residues. Cellulose occurs as cellulose I of relatively low crystallinity and constitutes approximately 6.2-7.5% of wall weight. Hexosamine polymers account for 14.5% of wall weight. The major portion of the hexosamine fraction (13.8%) is insoluble and assumed to be present as chitin. The qualitative presence of chitin was demonstrated by X-ray diffraction analysis. The protein content of 3.6% is made up of a broad assortment of the common amino acids plus low levels of hydroxyproline. Additionally, small amounts of readily extracted and bound lipids (1.8% total) and ash (0.3%) are present. In general, the wall composition of L. lacteus is quite similar to that of the related fungus, Apodachlya sp. and this work supports the assertion that walls of leptomitaceous species are chitinous in contrast with walls of rhipidiaceous species which apparently are not.
Correlative infrared nanospectroscopic and nanomechanical imaging of block copolymer microdomains.

Intermolecular interactions and nanoscale phase separation govern the properties of many molecular soft-matter systems. Here, we combine infrared vibrational scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (IR s-SNOM) with force–distance spectroscopy for simultaneous characterization of both nanoscale optical and nanomechanical molecular properties through hybrid imaging. The resulting multichannel images and correlative analysis of chemical composition, spectral IR line shape, modulus, adhesion, deformation, and dissipation acquired for a thin film of a nanophase separated block copolymer (PS-b-PMMA) reveal complex structural variations, in particular at domain interfaces, not resolved in any individual signal channel alone. These variations suggest that regions of multicomponent chemical composition, such as the interfacial mixing regions between microdomains, are correlated with high spatial heterogeneity in nanoscale material properties.
A Probabilistic Approach for Transient Stability Analysis of Power Systems with Solar Photovoltaic Energy Sources

Overcoming the impacts of multiple contingencies on electric power systems with renewable resources is a significant research topic for electric utilities. Evaluating system responses under transient conditions reveals which factors impact the stability of power systems, especially with existing solar photovoltaic energy sources in those systems. This work focuses on analyzing the effects of solar photovoltaic (PV) penetration on the severity of double fault conditions. Also, the effect of variable time between contingencies is evaluated in this paper to make a comparison for distinguishing how PV resources could affect system stability. Outcomes of particular cases of a test system explain the relationship between fault occurrence and PV generation in terms of system stability.
Unsupervised Detection of Abnormal Moments for Usability Testing of Mobile Apps

In this paper, we explore the idea of mining unexpected user interactions with mobile apps, as a way to detect usability problems through an unsupervised learning approach. We consider an interaction (or UI event) during task execution as the detection target, and derive novel features from the perspectives of transition probabilities, dwell time distribution, and context-related statistics. We propose an unsupervised learning approach to differentiate between normal and abnormal interactions through clustering on these features. Experimental results validate that the proposed method is effective in detecting different types of abnormal interactions and identifying usability issues.
Differential Induction of IL-12 by IFN-β and IFN-γ in Human Macrophages

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a proinflammatory cytokine secreted by antigen-presenting cells (APC) in response to microbial antigens and mitogens. IL-12 induces interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and enhances cellular immune responses. Conversely, IFN-gamma does not induce IL-12 but can prime its production by phagocytic cells in response to antigenic stimuli. In this study, we examined the effect of IFN-beta on IL-12 production in human macrophages, as IFN-beta is a natural protein produced by virus-infected cells. We demonstrate that, unlike IFN-gamma, IFN-beta is able to induce IL-12 production in macrophages. However, IFN-gamma can enhance IFN-beta-induced IL-12 in these cells. These findings suggest that IFN-beta could influence the immune response to virus infection indirectly through IL-12.
Manipulating the Immune System With Checkpoint Inhibitors for Patients With Metastatic Sarcoma

Sarcomas are a rare group of malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin that comprise 1% of all adult cancers. Despite initial surgery, distant metastatic disease will develop in approximately 25% of patients, and standard chemotherapy has limited durable efficacy. There is a dire need for more effective and less toxic therapies for the treatment of metastatic sarcoma. The immune system plays a major role in cancer control and progression. There have been tremendous breakthroughs in other malignancies by manipulating the immune system with checkpoint inhibitors. These agents, either alone or in combination with other approaches such as radiation, chemotherapy, targeted agents, or immunotherapeutics, have generally led to improved efficacy in selected malignancies thus far. Although promising, these drugs can cause specific immune-related adverse events that require prompt recognition and treatment. In addition, characterizing response and progression radiographically has become somewhat more challenging. Identifying predictive biomarkers of benefit will be essential. There remains optimism and hope that the strides made in other cancers will be emulated in sarcoma.
Hydraulic Method to Evaluate the Performance of Ditch Check Practices and Products

AbstractErosion and sediment control products have become an integral part of the construction industry as manufacturers now provide innovative alternatives to traditional practices. Ditch checks are used on construction sites to intercept channelized stormwater runoff to reduce flow velocity, minimize channel erosion, and promote sedimentation. A standardized metric is needed to evaluate the performance of various ditch check practices. Comparative analyses are difficult in the field and in large-scale testing environments because conditions can vary greatly. A hydraulic-based metric to evaluate performance was developed by researchers at the Auburn University-Erosion and Sediment Control Testing Facility (AU-ESCTF). This metric is based on hydraulic conditions created by a ditch check to slow flow velocity and transform kinetic energy to potential energy. Using the ratio of water depth (y) to specific energy (E), the average performance can be quantified and compared with counterparts and traditional pr...
Wind and Solar Energy

A large amount of power is contained in the movement of air in the form of wind. The mechanical devices that are used to convert kinetic energy in the wind into useful shaft power are known as windmills, wind machines, or wind turbines. The advantages of using wind energy are: it does not deplete natural resources; it is nonpolluting, making no demands upon the environment beyond the comparatively modest use of land area; and it uses cost-free fuel. These advantages must be weighed against the disadvantages: wind is an intermittent source of energy and the total system costs are high when an energy storage system is included. The cost of wind generated electricity is now comparable to the average cost of generation from conventional sources. Wind-electric system (WES) is a wind machine and an electric generator.
Minocycline, a putative neuroprotectant, co-administered with doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide chemotherapy in a xenograft model of triple-negative breast cancer

Minocycline is purported to have neuroprotective properties in experimental models of some human neurologic diseases, and has therefore been identified as a putative neuroprotectant for chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) in breast cancer patients. However, because its mechanism of action is believed to be mediated through anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-oxidant pathways, co-administration of minocycline with chemotherapeutic agents has the potential to reduce the efficacy of anticancer drugs. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of minocycline on the activity of the AC chemotherapeutic regimen (Adriamycin [doxorubicin], Cytoxan [cyclophosphamide]) in in vitro and in vivo models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Clonogenic and methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assays were used to assess survival and viability in two TNBC cell lines treated with increasing concentrations of AC in the presence or absence of minocycline. Biomarkers of apoptosis, cell stress, and DNA damage were evaluated by western blot. The in vivo effects of AC and minocycline, each alone and in combination, were assessed in a xenograft model of TNBC in female athymic nude mice by weekly tumor volume measurement, body and organ weight measurement, and histopathology. Apoptosis and proliferation were characterized by immunohistochemistry in the xenografts tumors. Brains from tumor-bearing mice were evaluated for microglial activation, glial scars, and the proportion of neural progenitor cells. Data from these in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that minocycline does not diminish the cytotoxic and tumor-suppressive effects of this chemotherapeutic drug combination in TNBC cells. Moreover, minocycline appeared to prevent the reduction in doublecortin-positive neural progenitor cells observed in AC-treated mice. We posit that minocycline may be useful clinically for its reported neuroprotective activity in breast cancer patients receiving AC without loss of chemotherapeutic efficacy.
The Human Nature of Infectious Disease

Infectious disease raises questions about humans’ abilities to eliminate harm through the control of nature. People work to understand microbial life in order to manage the ways microbes mutate, adapt, and evolve, even while recognizing organisms’ essential nature. Public health practices from the past and present exemplify this ongoing quest to “solve” disease. Eradicating pathogens persists as a public health objective, even as new microbes emerge in the human environment. “Superbugs” and antibiotic resistance exemplify the problem-solution-problem cycle of disease. Moving from solutions-based thinking enables new imaginings of the microbial world in which humans reside.
AT1 Receptor Antagonist Combats Oxidative Stress in the JGA of the SHR

24 The tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) responses of the SHR are under exaggerated regulation by angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptors (AT 1 -R). Since AT 1 -R enhance oxygen radical (O 2 - ) generation, we tested the hypothesis that the exaggerated TGF was due to a diminished blunting by macula densa (MD)-derived nitric oxide (NO) because of excessive AT 1 -R-dependent generation of O 2 - . Groups (n=6-9) of SHR and control WKY rats received vehicle (Veh), the AT 1 -R antagonist candesartan (Cand; 3 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ) or non-specific therapy with hydralazine + hydrochlorothiazide + reserpine (HHR) for two weeks. Compared to WKY, the elevated mean arterial pressure of SHR (WKY: 125±2 vs. SHR: 163±9 mmHg; p 2 - , tempol (a membrane-permeable superoxide dismutase mimetic) was perfused into the efferent arteriole. During tempol, SHR given vehicle or HHR had a much increased response to blockade of nNOS with 7-NI (ΔTGF with 7-NI during tempol: Veh, +6.3±1.0 and HHR, +4.5±0.8 mmHg; p 2 - . In contrast, the TGF response to 7-NI in SHR given Cand was unaffected by tempol (ΔTGF with 7-NI during tempol: +2.9±0.9; ns compared to no tempol). In conclusion, TGF responses of SHR are exaggerated due to effects of hypertension and AT 1 -R. AT 1 -R blockade specifically diminishes oxidative stress and restores NO signaling in the JGA of the SHR.
Ultrastructural studies of the nervous system after mercury intoxication. I. Pathological changes in the nerve cell bodies.

Mercury was first detected histochemically in the Schwann cells between 12 and 24 h after the administration of organic or inorganic mercury compound. After 4 days of intoxication, mercury could be observed in the axoplasm. Pathological changes in the dorsal root fibers were observed 1 week after CH3HgCl and 2 weeks after HgCl2 intoxication.
Rewritable multi-event analog recording in bacterial and mammalian cells

We present two CRISPR-mediated analog multi-event recording apparatus (CAMERA) systems that use base editors and Cas9 nucleases to record cellular events in bacteria and mammalian cells. The devices record signal amplitude or duration as changes in the ratio of mutually exclusive DNA sequences (CAMERA 1), or as single-base modifications (CAMERA 2). We achieved recording of multiple stimuli in bacteria or mammalian cells, including exposure to antibiotics, nutrients, viruses, light, and changes in Wnt signaling. When recording to multi-copy plasmids, reliable readout requires as few as 10-100 cells. The order of stimuli can be recorded through an overlapping guide RNA design and memories can be erased and re-recorded over multiple cycles. CAMERA systems serve as “cell data recorders” that write a history of endogenous or exogenous signaling events into permanent DNA sequence modifications in living cells.
The Striatum Organizes 3D Behavior via Moment-to-Moment Action Selection

Many naturalistic behaviors are built from modular components that are expressed sequentially. Although striatal circuits have been implicated in action selection and implementation, the neural mechanisms that compose behavior in unrestrained animals are not well understood. Here, we record bulk and cellular neural activity in the direct and indirect pathways of dorsolateral striatum (DLS) as mice spontaneously express action sequences. These experiments reveal that DLS neurons systematically encode information about the identity and ordering of sub-second 3D behavioral motifs; this encoding is facilitated by fast-timescale decorrelations between the direct and indirect pathways. Furthermore, lesioning the DLS prevents appropriate sequence assembly during exploratory or odor-evoked behaviors. By characterizing naturalistic behavior at neural timescales, these experiments identify a code for elemental 3D pose dynamics built from complementary pathway dynamics, support a role for DLS in constructing meaningful behavioral sequences, and suggest models for how actions are sculpted over time.
Current efficiency for soybean oil hydrogenation in a solid polymer electrolyte reactor

Soybean oil has been hydrogenated electrocatalytically in a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) reactor, similar to that in H2/O2 fuel cells, with water as the anode feed and source of hydrogen. The key component of the reactor was a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), composed of a precious metal-black cathode, a RuO2 powder anode, and a Nafion® 117 cation-exchange membrane. The SPE reactor was operated in a batch recycle mode at 60°C and one atmosphere pressure using a commercial-grade soybean oil as the cathode feed. Various factors that might affect the oil hydrogenation current efficiency were investigated, including the type of cathode catalyst, catalyst loading, the cathode catalyst binder loading, current density, and reactant flow rate. The current efficiency ordering of different cathode catalysts was found to be Pd>Pt>Rh>Ru>Ir. Oil hydrogenation current efficiencies with a Pd-black cathode decreased with increasing current density and ranged from about 70% at 0.050Acm−2 to 25% at 0.490Acm−2. Current pulsing for frequencies in the range of 0.25–60Hz had no effect on current efficiencies. The optimum cathode catalyst loading for both Pd and Pt was 2.0mgcm−2. Soybean oil hydrogenation current efficiencies were unaffected by Nafion® and PTFE cathode catalyst binders, as long as the total binder content was ≤30wt% (based on the dry catalyst weight). When the oil feed flow rate was increased from 80to 300mlmin−1, the oil hydrogenation current efficiency at 0.100Acm−2 increased from 60% to 70%. A high (70%) current efficiency was achieved at 80mlmin−1 by inserting a nickel screen turbulence promoter into the oil stream.
Modification of Host Cells Produced by Intracellular Protozoa

Obligate intracellular parasites depend on the integrity of their host cell. They do not damage the host cell so severly as to cause its death before they have completed their development within it. Many kinds of intracellular parasites actually stimulate growth or multiplication or both of their host cells. They may cause extensive hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Some have been shown to have a distinct mitogenic effect.
Pulling Teeth: The State of Mandatory Immigration Detention

This article reviews the current condition, history, and jurisprudence of immigration detention alongside a case study of one immigrant who was held in detention for three years. It argues that a detention system designed for a predominately short-term population is likely to always be problematic for the significant population of detainees who are held, pursuant to mandatory detention provisions, for years while they pursue complicated immigration cases. The article offers various solutions involving regulatory or statutory amendments or new administrative guidance.
Discovery and Chemistry of Naturally-Occurring Anticancer Agents

Recent advances in the discovery of novel anticancer agents from higher plants are reported. These compounds are uncovered based on bioassay-directed fractionation and tandem MS analysis to detect analogs of significant lead compounds. The evolution and current status of the screening program of the U.S. National Cancer Institute is reviewed.
The Role of Affect in Interpersonal Marketing Encounters: Alternative Conceptualizations

Negative affect is a problem in many initial selling encounters due to widespread dislike of sellers, in general. By discussing two important conceptualizations of affect and its role in judgments, this paper contributes to a better understanding of the nature of affect in interpersonal marketing encounters.
Are Risk Factors for Growth of Choroidal Nevi Associated With Malignant Transformation? Assessment With a Validated Genomic Biomarker.

Purpose To test the hypothesis that widely used clinical risk factors for growth of choroidal nevi are associated with malignant transformation. Methods Fine needle biopsy for assignment of gene expression profile (class 1 or class 2) was performed in 207 choroidal melanocytic tumors Results Clinical features associated with the class 2 profile included patient age > 60 years and tumor thickness > 2.25 mm (Fisher exact test, P = .002 for both). Documented growth was not associated with the class 2 profile (P = .5). The odds ratio of a tumor having the class 2 profile was 2.8 (95% confidence interval 1.3–5.9) for patient age > 60 years and 3.5 (95% confidence interval 1.4–8.8) for tumor thickness > 2.25 mm. For patients with both risk factors, the “number needed to treat” to identify 1 patient with a class 2 tumor was 4.3 (P = .0002). No other clinical feature or combination of features was associated with the class 2 profile. Conclusions None of the widely used choroidal nevus risk factors for tumor growth, nor documented growth itself, is pathognomonic of malignant transformation as defined by class 2 gene expression profile. Patient age and tumor thickness may be helpful for identifying small choroidal melanocytic tumors that are more likely to have the class 2 profile. Observation for growth prior to treatment continues to be reasonable for most patients with suspicious choroidal nevi. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.