cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3314: Targeting Hsp90 affects stem cell signaling in triple negative breast cancer

Background: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) exhibit dismal survival rates due to their propensity to develop distant metastases. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone that aids in the folding and maturation of various proteins involved in breast cancer progression and resistance to therapy. Many studies have also suggested that breast cancer9s ability to proliferate, progress, and spread is due to the presence of a rare subpopulation of cancer stem cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of HSP90 inhibitors celastrol and triptolide (from the Chinese herb “Thunder God of Vine” (Tripterygium wilfordii) on stem cells as a novel therapy for TNBC. Methods: We performed in vitro studies using the TNBC cell lines BT20 and MDA-MB-231. We performed mammosphere assays to determine self-renewal capacity. For in vivo, we injected BT20 cells into flanks of athymic nude mice and treated with celastrol and triptolide at 3 mg/Kg bw and 0.25 mg/Kg bw, respectively. Results: Both celastrol and triptolide significantly suppressed mammosphere size and number. Furthermore, expression of breast cancer stem cell markers DCLK1, ALDH1 and CD133 were significantly reduced in the two cell lines following treatment. Flow cytometry also suggested a significant reduction in DCLK1+, ALDH+ and CD133+ cells. Recently, Notch signaling has been shown to be critical for self-renewal of cancer stem cells. In cells treated with either celastrol or triptolide, there was a significant reduction in activated Notch intracellullar domain (NICD), and its downstream target Hes-1. However, in cells where we ectopically overexpressed NICD, neither compound was as potent as control, vector transfected cells in reducing 2D cell proliferation or 3D mammosphere formation, suggesting the direct role for inhibiting Notch activation as a mechanism of action for the two compounds. Furthermore, inhibition of Notch signaling pathway by using Υ-secretase inhibitor DAPT shows further reduction in mammosphere formation and Notch and its downstream target gene. We confirmed these finding in vivo using BT20 tumor xenografts grown in athymic nude mice. There was a reduction in the size and weight of tumors in mice treated with celastrol or triptolide. Western blot data showed that there is a decrease in activated Notch-1 protein and stem cell marker, DCLK1+ and ALDH+ in celastrol and triptolide treated xenograft tissue. Conclusion: Taken together these data suggest that both celastrol and triptolide affect cancer stem cells in TNBC, in part through inhibition of Notch signaling. Citation Format: Prabhu Ramamoorthy, Parthasarathy Rangarajan, Roy Jensen, Shrikant Anant. Targeting Hsp90 affects stem cell signaling in triple negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3314.
The Management of the Alaskan Economy

The title of this paper carries definite ironies. Many of Alaska’s urban, non-Native residents perceive themselves as the last representatives of the American frontier spirit, a spirit independent of government, relying solely on individual effort and the discipline of the free market. The idea of a ‘managed’ economy, or anything that sounds like centralized control, is anathema.
In vivo endoscopic Doppler optical coherence tomography imaging of the colon

National Cancer Institute [R01CA109385]; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health [T32HL007955]; American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Student Research; Arizona TRIF Imaging Initiative
Timing of surgical treatment for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: association between treatment delay and reduced short-term benefit

OBJECTIVE A growing body of evidence suggests that longer durations of preoperative symptoms may correlate with worse postoperative outcomes following cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion for treatment of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). The aim of this study is to determine whether the duration of preoperative symptoms alters postoperative outcomes in patients treated for iNPH. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective review of 393 cases of iNPH involving patients treated with ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting. The duration of symptoms prior to the operative intervention was recorded. The following outcome variables were assessed at baseline, 6 months postoperatively, and at last follow-up: gait performance, urinary continence, and cognition. RESULTS The patients' median age at shunt placement was 74 years. Increased symptom duration was significantly associated with worse gait outcomes (relative risk (RR) 1.055 per year of symptoms, p = 0.037), and an overall absence of improvement in any of the classic triad symptomology (RR 1.053 per year of symptoms, p = 0.033) at 6 months postoperatively. Additionally, there were trends toward significance for symptom duration increasing the risk of having no 6-month postoperative improvement in urinary incontinence (RR 1.049 per year of symptoms, p = 0.069) or cognitive symptoms (RR 1.051 per year of symptoms, p = 0.069). However, no statistically significant differences were noted in these outcomes at last follow-up (median 31 months). Age stratification by decade revealed that prolonging symptom duration was significantly associated with lower Mini-Mental Status Examination scores in patients aged 60-70 years, and lack of cognitive improvement in patients aged 70-80 years. CONCLUSIONS Patients with iNPH with longer duration of preoperative symptoms may not receive the same short-term benefits of surgical intervention as patients with shorter duration of preoperative symptoms. However, with longer follow-up, the patients generally reached the same end point. Therefore, when managing patients with iNPH, it may take longer to see the benefits of CSF shunting when patients present with a longer duration of preoperative symptoms.
Definition of Design Spaces Using Mechanistic Models and Geometric Projections of Probability Maps

Following a model-centric strategy in the development of a manufacturing process for a new medicine empowers the simultaneous study of a large number of process parameters, which is large enough to exceed the capability of a graphic representation of the interactions across them. This work presents a discussion regarding the identification, description, and communication of multidimensional design spaces of high order. It introduces the reader to mathematical tools developed by the process systems engineering community that become relevant in the challenge to replace graphics as a means to describe and communicate a design space. Concepts like process flexibility are discussed and illustrated. The paper also introduces geometric projection as a way to capture and describe the shape of the design space in an easier form (than that of the complete mechanistic model) that can be communicated to the regulator. An assessment is presented regarding the key elements communicated by a graphical representation of ...
Harmonic Oscillation: Structures and Abstract Datatypes

An object of mass m is attached to opposite walls of a room with two identical springs, as illustrated in Figure 16.1. Neither spring is under tension when the object is equidistant from the walls. If we move the object x 0 meters toward one wall, the opposing spring will resist by exerting a force of κx 0 newtons. We say that κ is the spring constant of the spring.
Conclusions: The Development and Transformation of the Community College in the Twenty-First Century

This chapter returns to the two intertwined arguments of the book. The first is that higher education organizations are directed and shaped by a neoliberal State and that professional work has been altered to a considerable extent by the State and organizational members’ responses to the State. The second is that the effects of neoliberalism are tempered in higher education through at least two phenomena—professionalism and logics of higher education organizations. Logics include mission, culture, history, and values within individual organizations and the features of the institutional field of community colleges or universities. The chapter concludes with ways to view neoliberalism in the academy and the need or not for organizational members to carry out actions of resistance and insistence.
The harder they fall? Sex and race/ethnic specific suicide rates in the U.S. foreclosure crisis

Previous work shows suicide rates increase during economic recessions, but little research has examined the extent to which the foreclosure crisis—a unique aspect of the Great Recession—has contributed to disparities in rising suicide rates by race and sex. We develop and test two competing hypotheses regarding the association between foreclosures and race by sex specific suicide rates. We link foreclosure data (RealtyTrac) and suicide data (CDC) from 174 metropolitan areas from 2005 to 2010 (1044 MSA-year observations) and find that—net of time invariant unobserved between-metro area differences, national time trends, and time-varying confounders—a rise in the foreclosure rate is associated with a marginal increase in suicide, but this main effect masks considerable heterogeneity across groups. The association is particularly strong for white males, and weaker or non-existent for other race by sex groups.
Fragrance compounds: The wolves in sheep’s clothings

In the past few decades, synthetic fragrance compounds have become ubiquitous components of personal care and household cleaning products. Overwhelming consumerism trends have led to the excess usage of these chemicals. It has been observed that this fragrance-laden unhealthy lifestyle runs parallel with the unprecedented rates of diabetes, cancer, neural ailments, teratogenicity, and transgender instances. The link between fragrances as and the multiplicity of pathogens remained latent for decades. However, now this health hazard and its role in homeostasis breakdown is getting attention. The adverse effects of the fragrance constituents as phthalates, paraben, glutaraldehyde, hydroperoxides, oil of turpentine, metals, nitro musks, and essential oils, among others, are being identified. The endocrine-immune-neural axis perturbation pathways of these chemicals are being proven. Despite the revelations of cause-effect nexus, a majority of the vulnerable populations are unaware and unmotivated to avoid these 'slow poisons'. Hence, the researchers need to further validate the toxicity of fragrance compounds, and raise awareness towards the health risks. In this regard, a number of pathologies triggered by fragrance exposure, yet proven only scantily have been hypothesized. Analysis of the health issues from multiple facets, including the pivotal 'stressors - extracellular acidosis - aromatase upregulation - estrogen hyperproduction - inflammation' link has been proposed. Fragrance compounds share configurational similarity with carcinogenic environmental hydrocarbons and they provoke the expression of cytochrome group monooxygenase enzyme aromatase. This enzyme aromatizes androgens to form estrogen, the powerful signaling hormone, which underlies the majority of morbidities. This holistic review with a repertoire of preliminary evidences and robust hypotheses is expected to usher in deserving extent of research on this pervasive health risk.
Probing the Effects of Gating on the Ion Occupancy of the K + Channel Selectivity Filter Using Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy.

The interplay between the intracellular gate and the selectivity filter underlies the structural basis for gating in potassium ion channels. Using a combination of protein semisynthesis, two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we probe the ion occupancy at the S1 binding site in the constricted state of the selectivity filter of the KcsA channel when the intracellular gate is open and closed. The 2D IR spectra resolve two features, whose relative intensities depend on the state of the intracellular gate. By matching the experiment to calculated 2D IR spectra of structures predicted by MD simulations, we identify the two features as corresponding to states with S1 occupied or unoccupied by K+. We learn that S1 is >70% occupied when the intracellular gate is closed and <15% occupied when the gate is open. Comparison of MD trajectories show that opening of the intracellular gate causes a structural change in the selectivity filter, which leads to a change in th...
Modeling super-resolution SERS using a T-matrix method to elucidate molecule-nanoparticle coupling and the origins of localization errors.

A computational method to model diffraction-limited images from super-resolution surface-enhanced Raman scattering microscopy is introduced. Despite significant experimental progress in plasmon-based super-resolution imaging, theoretical predictions of the diffraction limited images remain a challenge. The method is used to calculate localization errors and image intensities for a single spherical gold nanoparticle-molecule system. The light scattering is calculated using a modification of generalized Mie (T-matrix) theory with a point dipole source and diffraction limited images are calculated using vectorial diffraction theory. The calculation produces the multipole expansion for each emitter and the coherent superposition of all fields. Imaging the constituent fields in addition to the total field provides new insight into the strong coupling between the molecule and the nanoparticle. Regardless of whether the molecular dipole moment is oriented parallel or perpendicular to the nanoparticle surface, th...
Enhancing catalytic activity of lanthanide oxysulfate (La2O2SO4/Pr2O2SO4) via facile manipulation of nanoscale catalyst synthesis process and reactor configuration

Abstract We recently reported that a facile colloidal synthesis approach can be used to synthesize nanoscale Eu 2 O 2 S to significantly enhance activity of rare-earth based catalysts. While extending this method to synthesize other coordinated lanthanide complexes (La and Pr), we discovered that mixed phases of lanthanide monosulfide (LnS) and lanthanide oxysulfate (Ln 2 O 2 SO 4 ) (Ln = La, Pr) co-existed in the product, instead of the desired single-phase complex. Utilizing the high oxophilicity of sulfur and Ln elements, we successfully converted LnS impurity to Ln 2 O 2 SO 4 nanoparticles with unique morphologies by simply heating them in air. By impregnating the resultant nanocatalysts onto a commercial tubular oxide support (referred to as CCR), CO conversion of nanoscale La 2 O 2 SO 4 for high temperature water-gas-shift (HTS) reaction increased from nearly zero in fixed-bed reactor (FBR) to 35% in CCR module at 500 °C. Reactivity comparison among different catalyst size, morphology and type suggests that the enhanced catalytic activity of La 2 O 2 SO 4 /Pr 2 O 2 SO 4 nanocatalysts in CCR derives from the increased surface area and minimized aggregation.
Designing air traffic concepts of operation for thin-haul aviation at small airports

Thin-haul aviation offers the potential for transforming mobility. The thin-haul commuter concept envisions four to nine passenger aircraft operating very short flights for scheduled and/or on-demand air services from smaller airports. However, achieving safe, cost-effective, and high-volume operations will require novel air traffic management concepts integrating these thin-haul aircraft into existing operations, particularly at small airports. This paper describes a process to design such air traffic concepts of operations. The process is demonstrated by designing concept of operations applying helical descents at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the site of the EAA AirVenture air show. The process includes both the design of the geometric airspace structures and the actions that represent the work that needs to be done in the concept of operations.
The development of cryo-EM and how it has advanced microbiology

The 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Jacques Dubochet, Richard Henderson and Joachim Frank for the development of cryo-electron microscopy, a technique for high-resolution structural determination of biomolecules in solution that has provided unprecedented insight into the biology of microorganisms.
Molecular Targets Underlying Ethanol-Mediated Reduction of Hormone Release from Neurohypophysial Nerve Terminals

In developing a model system in which to study the molecular basis for the acute and chronic actions of ethanol in the nervous system, our basic philosophy has been: 1) to work with a relevant molecular target (i.e., a mediator of a behavioral or physiological consequence of ethanol ingestion), which is 2) amenable to analysis at the molecular level, and in which 3) we can identify the biophysical parameters responsible for acute modulation by the drug. It will also be possible to follow alterations in the function and ethanol response of this target during chronic exposure of the animal to ethanol, and the development of various forms of tolerance in those systems or behaviors subserved by the target molecule.
Coping Skills among Highly Gifted Adolescents.

The Early Entrance Program at California State University, Los Angeles has been providing the opportunity for full-time college study to young adolescents for the past four years. This paper outlines some of the most consistent problems these children present, and the kinds of coping skills they have learned in the effort to adjust to the college setting. Suggestions are made for the use of these case studies by others who are counseling the highly gifted young student.
A Physically-Based Compact Model for LDMOS Transistors

This paper presents a physically based model for LDMOS transistors. The model advances the state-of-the-art by using a formulation applicable across a wide voltage range, by accounting for the distributed parasitic metal effects, and by properly modeling the bias dependence of parasitic capacitances. The model is implemented in Motorola’s internal simulator MCSPICE.
Two cases of severe opiate toxicity after ingestion of poppy seed tea

The opioid epidemic continues to grow as users expand into novel opioid agents, many of which can be purchased legally. Poppy seed tea is a popular opiate alternative, containing both morphine and ...
Incentivized Social Sharing: Characteristics and Optimization

Many modern digital platforms provide features for social sharing, thus increasing the reach of their products and services through person-to-person recommendations. Meanwhile, the question how monetary incentives for social sharing affect the behavior of users remains largely unexplored. The effectiveness of incentives is often hard to optimize due to the large space of incentive parameters and the inherent tradeoff between the incentive attractiveness for the customer and the return on investment for the company. Here, we present a case study in which we show how incentives can change the structural properties of social networks and shift the power-law curve of sharing. We distinguish between altruistic and incentivized shares, and we look at the impact of different incentive amounts on the sharing behavior of users. We propose a novel graph evolution model, Me+N model, which provides flexibility in exploring the effect of different incentive parameters on company’s profits by capturing the probabilistic nature of customer behavior over time. We look at a specific family of incentives in which customers get a reward if they convince a minimum, pre-specified number of friends to purchase a given product. Our analysis shows that simple monetary incentives can be surprisingly effective in social media strategies.
Hydration of Guanidinium Ions: An Experimental Search for Like-Charged Ion Pairs

Guanidinium ions (GdmH+) are reported to form stable complexes (GdmH+/GdmH+) in aqueous solution despite strong repulsive interactions between the like-charged centers. These complexes are thought to play important roles in protein folding, membrane penetration, and formation of protein dimers. Although GdmH+ ions are weakly hydrated, semiempirical calculations provide evidence that these like-charged complexes are stabilized by water molecules, which serve important structural and energetic roles. Specifically, water molecules bridge between the GdmH+ ions of GdmH+/GdmH+ complexes as well as complexes involving the guanidinium side chains of arginine. Potential biological significances of like-charged complexes have been largely confirmed by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and indirect experimental evidence. We report cryo-ion mobility–mass spectrometry results for the GdmH+/GdmH+ ion pair confined in a nanodroplet—the first direct experimental observation of this like-charged complex. A second ...
Solutions to homogeneous Monge–Ampère equations of homothetic functions and their applications to production models in economics

In economics, homothetic functions are production functions whose marginal technical rate of substitution is homogeneous of degree zero. Mathematically, a homothetic function is a function of the form f(x)=F(h(x1,…,xn)), where F is a monotonically increasing function and h is a homogeneous function of any degree d≠0. In this paper, we classify homothetic functions satisfying the homogeneous Monge–Ampere equation. Several applications to production models in economics will also be given.
Seeking to Prevent Suicide at the Edge of the Ledge.

This issue includes new clinical practice guidelines for management of patients at risk for suicide from the VA and the DoD. The editorialist discusses how these recommendations reflect the state o...
Family, school, and peer support are associated with rates of violence victimization and self-harm among gender minority and cisgender youth

Abstract Purpose Gender minority (GM) youth experience high rates of violence, and research on protective factors to reduce violence victimization and self-harm is lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine how family, school, peer, and community support influenced rates of violence victimization and self-harm among GM and cisgender adolescents. Methods This research uses data from the 2017 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (N = 18,451). The main independent variable was gender, dichotomized into GM and cisgender, and the secondary independent variables were family, school, community, and peer support. Dependent variables were sexual and dating violence, suicide attempts, and nonsuicidal self-injury. Logistic regression models were built for the four dependent variables, including demographics, support scores, and interaction terms between gender and support. Results Six percent of high school students in New Mexico identified as GM are unsure of their gender. GM students experienced higher rates of violence and self-harm and lower levels of support than cisgender students. Among all students, family support was associated with lower odds of sexual violence and self-harm, while school support was associated with lower odds of dating violence and nonsuicidal self-injury. There were significant interactions between gender, violence, and support. The protective effects of support were less pronounced for GM students than for cisgender students. Conclusions Family and school support are associated with lower rates of some forms of violence and self-harm among adolescents. Additional support may be necessary to reduce harm among GM adolescents, who are at higher risk for violence and its sequelae.
Pediatric Thoracic Oncology Disorders

Primary thoracic neoplasms in children can arise within the lung, central airway, chest wall, or mediastinum. Malignant lesions are much more common than benign processes. However, metastatic tumors account for up to 80% of all lung tumors in children and more than 95% of the malignant ones. Due to the rarity and nonspecific presenting clinical symptoms of thoracic neoplasms in the pediatric population, a substantial delay in the diagnosis often occurs. Therefore, a high index of suspicion coupled with optimal imaging evaluation is of paramount importance in early and correct diagnosis. Early management can, in turn, result in decreased morbidity and mortality associated with the lung, central airway, chest wall, and mediastinal neoplasms in pediatric patients. The prognosis of thoracic tumors in children varies depending on the malignant nature of the tumor, evidence of metastasis, and amenability to surgical excision. In this chapter, we discuss pediatric lung, central airway, chest wall, and mediastinal neoplasms including (1) clinical presentation, (2) practical approach to diagnosis, (3) radiological imaging findings, and (4) patient outcome.
Abstract 290: Lpp3 Deficiency Impairs Mitochondrial Function And Enhances Myocardial Lpa Mediated Signaling

The bioactive lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) plays a well-known role in atherosclerotic disease, whereas, its role in myocardial function remains virtually unexplored. Following acute myocardial infar...
Programmable and portable CRISPR-Cas transcriptional activation in bacteria

ABSTRACT Programmable gene activation enables fine-tuned regulation of endogenous and synthetic gene circuits to control cellular behavior. While CRISPR-Cas-mediated gene activation have been extensively developed for eukaryotic systems, similar strategies have been difficult to implement in bacteria. Here, we present a generalizable platform for screening and selection of functional bacterial CRISPR-Cas transcription activators. Using this platform, we identified a novel CRISPR activator, dCas9-AsiA, that could activate gene expression by up to 200-fold across genomic and plasmid targets with diverse promoters after directed evolution. The evolved dCas9-AsiA can simultaneously mediate activation and repression of bacterial regulons in E. coli. We further identified hundreds of promoters with varying basal expression that could be induced by dCas9-AsiA, which provides a rich resource of genetic parts for inducible gene activation. Finally, we show that dCas9-AsiA can be ported to other bacteria of clinical and bioindustrial relevance, thus enabling bacterial CRISPRa in more application areas. This work expands the toolbox for programmable gene regulation in bacteria and provides a useful resource for future engineering of other bacterial CRISPR-based gene regulators.
Integrated optical time-domain reflectometer with low overhead

This paper introduces an integrated optical time-domain reflectometry (iOTDR) design with low overhead based on several innovations, such as analog-to-probability conversion and probability density modulation, as well as well-known techniques. Due to the small form factor, low overhead, and CMOS compatibility of the proposed system, it holds the promise to be integrated with any optical communication transceiver. The prototyping system clearly demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed instrumentation by comparing its performance to a conventional OTDR setup that is based on an analog-to-digital converter. In addition, the system is integrated onto a custom printed circuit board to demonstrate the promise of future integration into optical transceivers. The experimental results demonstrate a spatial resolution of 23 cm, a sensitivity of −60dB, and a dynamic range of 24.15 dB.
Epidemiology and cost of Lyme disease-related hospitalizations among patients with employer-sponsored health insurance-United States, 2005-2014.

An estimated 300,000 cases of Lyme disease occur in the United States annually. Disseminated Lyme disease may result in carditis, arthritis, facial palsy or meningitis, sometimes requiring hospitalization. We describe the epidemiology and cost of Lyme disease-related hospitalizations. We analysed 2005-2014 data from the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Databases to identify inpatient records associated with Lyme disease based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. We estimated the annual number and median cost of Lyme disease-related hospitalizations in the United States in persons under 65 years of age. Costs were adjusted to reflect 2016 dollars. Of 20,983,165 admission records contained in the inpatient databases during the study period, 2,823 (0.01%) met inclusion criteria for Lyme disease-related hospitalizations. Over half of the identified records contained an ICD-9-CM code for meningitis (n = 614), carditis (n = 429), facial palsy (n = 400) or arthritis (n = 377). Nearly 60% of hospitalized patients were male. The median cost per Lyme disease-related hospitalization was $11,688 (range: $140-$323,613). The manifestation with the highest median cost per stay was carditis ($17,461), followed by meningitis ($15,177), arthritis ($13,012) and facial palsy ($10,491). Median cost was highest among the 15- to 19-year-old age group ($12,991). Admissions occurring in January had the highest median cost ($13,777) for all study years. Based on extrapolation to the U.S. population, we estimate that 2,196 Lyme disease-related hospitalizations in persons under 65 years of age occur annually with an estimated annual cost of $25,826,237. Lyme disease is usually treated in an outpatient setting; however, some patients with Lyme disease require hospitalization, underscoring the need for effective prevention methods to mitigate these serious cases. Information from this analysis can aid economic evaluations of interventions that prevent infection and advances in disease detection.
Glasdegib in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive blood cancer that proves fatal for the majority of affected individuals. Older patients are particularly vulnerable due to more unfavorable disease bio...
Too Big and Too Interconnected to Fail: Historical and Ethical Analysis of Sustainability Risk to the U.S. Financial System

The financial crisis which manifested in the United States in 2008, revealed the extent to which the largest and most interconnected financial institutions in the U.S. had become "too big to fail", i.e., so systematically and significantly interwoven with each other and the entire U.S. and global financial and economic system that their very survival was seen as essential to the sustainability of the entire financial system and to public welfare. We argue that it is essential to understand the financial crisis that began in 2008 in historical and ethical perspective. We conclude that, in light of individual and collective moral hazards, the overall governance framework that protects the sustainability of the financial system should explicitly adopt as a moral imperative the principle that any financial institution should be able to fail without such failure threatening the entire financial system.
On-Site, On-Demand 3D-Printed Nasopharyngeal Swabs to Improve the Access of Coronavirus Disease-19 Testing

Diagnostic testing that facilitates containment, surveillance, and treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or future respiratory viruses, depends on a sample collection device that efficiently collects nasopharyngeal tissue and that can be manufactured on site when an outbreak or public health emergency is declared by a government. Here two novel stereolithography-based three-dimensional (3D)-printed nasopharyngeal swabs are reported which are made using a biocompatible and sterilizable photoresist. Such swabs are readily manufactured on-site and on-demand to ensure availability, if supply chain shortages emerge. Additionally, the 3D-printed swabs easily adapt to current workflow and testing procedures in hospital clinical laboratories to allow for effortless scaling up of test kits. Finally, the 3D-printed nasopharyngeal swabs demonstrate concordant SARS-CoV-2 testing results between the 3D-printed swabs and the COPAN commercial swabs, and enable detection of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples obtained from autopsies.
“I Do Not Speak as Freely”: Gendered Views on Campus Carry at a Research University:

As campus carry policies are implemented at colleges and universities across the country, the concern for the safety of students, faculty members, and campus community members has heightened. In th...
A programmable temperature trigger circuit

A programmable temperature trigger circuit with thermal hysteresis that is suitable for on-chip thermal management applications is proposed. The circuit utilizes a simple Schmitt Trigger structure. Both the location and the width of the hysteresis window are programmable. The temperature trigger circuit is designed in a 0.13um IBM CMOS process and operates with a supply voltage of 1.2V. Both the power dissipation and the silicon area are very small.
Modeling and Analysis of Workflows Using Petri Nets

A workflow system, in its general form, is basically a heterogeneous and distributed information system where the tasks are performed using autonomous systems. Resources, such as databases, labor, etc. are typically required to process these tasks. Prerequisite to the execution of a task is a set of constraints that reflect the applicable business rules and user requirements. In this paper we present a Petri Net (PN) based framework that (1) facilitates specification of workflow applications, (2) serves as a powerful tool for modeling the system under study at a conceptual level, (3) allows for a smooth transition from the conceptual level to a testbed implementation and (4) enables the analysis, simulation and validation of the system under study before proceeding to implementation. Specifically, we consider three categories of task dependencies: control flow, value and external (temporal). We identify several structural properties of PN and demonstrate their use for conducting the following type of analyses: (1) identify inconsistent dependency specifications among tasks; (2) test for workflow safety, i.e. test whether the workflow terminates in an acceptable state; (3) for a given starting time, test whether it is feasible to execute a workflow with the specified temporal constraints. We also provide an implementation for conducting the above analyses.
Elliptic Yang–Mills equation

We discuss some recent progress on the regularity theory of the elliptic Yang–Mills equation. We start with some basic properties of the elliptic Yang–Mills equation, such as Coulomb gauges, monotonicity, and curvature estimates. Next we discuss singularity of stationary Yang–Mills connections and compactness theorems on Yang–Mills connections with bounded L2 norm of curvature. We also discuss in some detail self-dual solutions of the Yang–Mills equation and describe a compactification of their moduli space.
Modeling valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) incidence on the basis of climate conditions

Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a disease endemic to arid regions within the Western Hemisphere, and is caused by a soil-dwelling fungus, Coccidioides immitis. Incidence data for Pima County, reported to the Arizona Department of Health Services as new cases of valley fever, were used to conduct exploratory analyses and develop monthly multivariate models of relationships between valley fever incidence and climate conditions and variability in Pima County, Arizona, USA. Bivariate and compositing analyses conducted during the exploratory portion of the study revealed that antecedent temperature and precipitation in different seasons are important predictors of incidence. These results were used in the selection of candidate variables for multivariate predictive modeling, which was designed to predict deviation from mean incidence on the basis of past, current, and forecast climate conditions. The models were specified using a backward stepwise procedure, and were most sensitive to key predictor variables in the winter season and variables that were time-lagged 1 year or more prior to the month being predicted. Model accuracy was generally moderate (r 2 values for the monthly models, tested on independent data, ranged from 0.15 to 0.50), and months with high incidence can be predicted more accurately than months with low incidence.
Media Representation of the European Union: Comparing Newspaper Coverage in France, Spain, and the United Kingdom

Based on content analysis of newspapers and in-depth interviews of journalists, this article analyzes the role of the media in defining the European Union and, therefore, in contributing to the production and reproduction of social representations of the EU in the public. The research concentrated on three EU member countries: France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The study is theoretically informed by news production theory. Results demonstrate that there are major differences among the newspapers analyzed here in terms of how they represented the EU in the news, according to their nationality and political orientation. Furthermore, many of the principles that dominate the production of news undermine information on the EU. The material on the EU tends to reinforce traditional views on economics, politics, and society, including the widespread belief that a national government is better than the EU for solving society's problems.
Processing of the glycoprotein of feline immunodeficiency virus : effect of inhibitors of glycosylation

The processing and transport of the envelope glycoprotein complex of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in the persistently infected Crandell feline kidney (CRFK) cell line were investigated. Pulse-chase analyses revealed that the glycoprotein is synthesized as a precursor with an Mr of 145,000 (gp145) and is quickly trimmed to a molecule with an Mr of 130,000 (gp130). Treatment of gp130 with endoglycosidase H (endo H) resulted in a protein with an Mr of 75,000, indicating that nearly half the weight of the gp130 precursor consists of endo H-sensitive glycans during biosynthesis. Chase periods of up to 8 h revealed intermediates during the further processing of this glycoprotein precursor. Initially, two minor protein species with apparent Mrs of 100,000 and 90,000 were detected along with gp130. At later chase times these two species appeared to migrate as a single dominant species with an Mr of 95,000 (gp95). Concomitant with the appearance of gp95 was another protein with an Mr of approximately 40,000 (gp40). Chase periods of up to 8 h revealed that approximately half of the precursor was processed into the gp95-gp40 complex within 4 h. gp95 was efficiently transported from the cell into the culture medium by 1 to 2 h after labeling, whereas gp40 was not observed to be released from infected CRFK cells. Analysis of the processing in the presence of monensin, castanospermine, and swainsonine also suggests the existence of these intermediates in the processing of this lentivirus glycoprotein. As with human immunodeficiency virus, virus produced in the presence of glucosidase inhibitors and reduced infectivity for T-lymphocyte cultures.
Technique for repair of descemet membrane detachment

Abstract PURPOSE: To demonstrate a successful repair of an intractable Descemet membrane detachment. METHODS: Case report. We used transcorneal mattress sutures to fixate Descemet membrane to the cornea in combination with intracameral air injection. RESULT: This technique resulted in reattachment of Descemet membrane and a substantial visual acuity improvement after complete resolution of corneal edema. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair may be needed in cases of large Descemet membrane detachment. This technique provides an additional surgical alternative to repair intractable Descemet membrane detachment without causing excessive anterior chamber disruption; it may also prevent the need for a penetrating keratoplasty.
Managing the side effects of chemotherapy

More chemotherapy is being administered today than ever before. Megadoses of these drugs are becoming commonplace. Better methods of drug delivery, patient monitoring, and sophisticated support services such as infectious disease specialists, transfusion therapy, intensive care facilities, oncology clinical nurse specialists, and others, enable the physician to treat the patient in a variety of settings, including ambulatory care centers and the home. Just as the nurse needs advanced skills and the knowledge to know the subtle differences between an expected side effect and a toxic reaction, the patient needs to learn preventive health care and which symptoms to report at a time when management strategies can be most effective. Research by Dodd indicates that patients who received information on side-effect management techniques performed more self-care behaviors, and many acted promptly before side effects became persistent or severe. In addition, Stromberg advocates teaching self care to encourage persons with cancer to increase their sense of self-control and lessen feelings of helplessness that often accompany cancer and its treatment. The nurse is further challenged to teach patients to actively participate in their care rather than remaining dependent on the health-care professional. Using skill as a patient educator, the nurse enlists the patient and family members in a partnership to promote self-care. This requires the nurse to use great creativity and flexibility to individualize the approach to patient management problems.
Rectified diode response of a quantum cascade laser integrated terahertz transceiver

We characterized the rectified response of a diode integrated on a terahertz quantum cascade laser transceiver. The diode response is consistent with its I-V characteristics and reflects the complex Fabry-Perot laser cavity mode spectrum.
Relationship between endogenous, natural feeding patterns and body composition in the rat.

Abstract The feeding patterns of rats were monitored during four 5 day periods from weaning to adulthood and correlated with the composition of the adult carcasses. Feeding patterns, immediately after weaning, had their major impact on carcass protein, while adult feeding patterns had their major impact on carcass fat and water. Gorging (large infrequent meals) was characteristic of heavy animals but not necessarily fat animals. The results suggest that the spontaneous gorging pattern was a function of the volume of intake and that, under natural conditions, nibbling or gorging are not significant factors affecting fat deposition.
Modulatory action of dopamine on acetylcholine-responsive striatal and accumbal neurons in awake, unrestrained rats

In ambulant rats, iontophoresis of low concentrations of dopamine (DA) enhances the response of neurons in striatum and nucleus accumbens to iontophoretic glutamate. In an extension of this line of investigation, we tested the effects of acetylcholine (ACh), a presumed modulator of neuronal function in these same brain regions, and assessed possible DA-ACh interactions. Data were obtained from spontaneously active neurons known to respond to ACh (5-30 nA) when the animals rested quietly with no overt movement. ACh iontophoresis either excited or inhibited striatal and accumbal activity but excitatory effects predominated in both areas. With multiple applications of ACh, especially at the lowest currents tested, either response often was interspersed with instances of no change in firing rate. Responsiveness to ACh also diminished during periods of spontaneous movement when basal firing showed phasic increases in activity. In fact, neurons with the highest rates of basal activity showed the smallest magnitude response to ACh. Prolonged applications (120-180 s) of DA attenuated basal firing as well as the iontophoretic effects of ACh both during the DA application itself and for up to 1 min after DA ejection offset. The result of these inhibitory effects was no net change in the relative magnitude of the ACh response. Thus, although ACh can modulate striatal and accumbal neuronal activity, DA does not regulate this effect in the same way that it regulates the neuronal responsiveness to glutamate.
Lattice dynamics and correlated atomic motion from the atomic pair distribution function

The mean-square relative displacements (MSRD) of atomic pair motions in crystals are studied as a function of pair distance and temperature using the atomic pair distribution function (PDF). The effects of the lattice vibrations on the PDF peak widths are modelled using both a multi-parameter Born--von Karman (BvK) force model and a single-parameter Debye model. These results are compared to experimentally determined PDFs. We find that the near-neighbor atomic motions are strongly correlated, and that the extent of this correlation depends both on the interatomic interactions and crystal structure. These results suggest that proper account of the lattice vibrational effects on the PDF peak width is important in extracting information on static disorder in a disordered system such as an alloy. Good agreement is obtained between the BvK model calculations of PDF peak widths and the experimentally determined peak widths. The Debye model successfully explains the average, though not detailed, natures of the MSRDs of atomic pair motion with just one parameter. Also the temperature dependence of the Debye model largely agrees with the BvK model predictions. Therefore, the Debye model provides a simple description of the effects of lattice vibrations on the PDF peak widths.
Distribution of Phosphorus along the Delaware, an Urbanized Coastal Plain Estuary

The Delaware Estuary is heavily urbanized with elevated concentrations of phosphorus from industrial and municipal inputs. For 24 research cruises during 1986–1988, total phosphorus (TP) concentration was highest near maximum inputs in the tidal river and at low salinity where turbidity was maximal. In these contiguous regions, average TP concentration over the study period was 5.3–6.1 μM. Downstream of the TP peak in the high turbidity zone of the estuary, TP decreased to minimum concentrations (1.3–1.5 μM) near the mouth of Delaware Bay. Distributions of dissolved reactive (DRP), dissolved organic (DOP), and particulate (PP) phosphorus along the estuary reflected spatial and temporal patterns in phosphorus inputs, turbidity, river flow, and biological production. In the river, DRP was 2–4 μM (51–65% of TP) and inversely related to river flow. PP, although enriched in the river (1–3 μM), was highest (>4 μM) in the turbidity maximum at low salinity. In the bay, distributions of DRP, PP, and DOP were all linked, in different ways, to biological production. The dependence of DOP on production was, however, complex and affected by DRP concentrations. During the past 30 yr, there has been a fourfold decrease in TP concentrations in the tidal river of the Delaware Estuary. This dramatic decrease in TP, however, is contrasted by an apparent increase in DRP concentration over the past 12 yr. This apparent increase in DRP may be linked to improved water quality (e.g., higher pH) in the river over the past decade.
Outcomes of Cardiac Transplantation in Highly Sensitized Pediatric Patients

Despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapy, pediatric orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) candidates with elevated pre-transplant panel reactive antibody (PRA) carry an increased risk of rejection and early graft failure following transplantation. This study has aimed to more specifically evaluate the outcomes of transplant candidates stratified by PRA values. Records of pediatric patients listed for OHT between April 2004 and July 2008 were reviewed (n = 101). Survival analysis was performed comparing patients with PRA 25, as well as patients with PRA 80. Patients with PRA > 25 had decreased survival compared with those with PRA 80 and those with PRA 25 and those with PRA 80 compared with PRA < 80 (P = 0.066). Patients with significantly elevated pre-transplant PRAs at the time of listing have a significantly worse outcome compared to those with moderately increased PRA values or non-sensitized patients. Further study is necessary to guide physician and family treatment decisions at the time of listing.