cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endogenous Semaphorin-7A Impedes Human Lung Fibroblast Differentiation

Semaphorin-7A is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, initially characterized as an axon guidance protein. Semaphorin-7A also contributes to immune cell regulation and may be an essential pro-fibrotic factor when expressed by non-fibroblast cell types (exogenous). In mouse models, semaphorin-7A was shown to be important for TGF-s1-induced pulmonary fibrosis characterized by myofibroblast accumulation and extracellular matrix deposition, but the cell-specific role of semaphorin-7A was not examined in fibroblasts. The purpose of this study is to determine semaphorin-7A expression by fibroblasts and to investigate the function of endogenously expressed semaphorin-7A in primary human lung fibroblasts (HLF). Herein, we show that non-fibrotic HLF expressed high levels of cell surface semaphorin-7A with little dependence on the percentage of serum or recombinant TGF-s1. Semaphorin-7A siRNA strongly decreased semaphorin-7A mRNA expression and reduced cell surface semaphorin-7A. Reduction of semaphorin-7A induced increased proliferation and migration of non-fibrotic HLF. Also, independent of the presence of TGF-s1, the decline of semaphorin-7A by siRNA was associated with increased α-smooth muscle actin production and gene expression of periostin, fibronectin, laminin, and serum response factor (SRF), indicating differentiation into a myofibroblast. Conversely, overexpression of semaphorin-7A in the NIH3T3 fibroblast cell line reduced the production of pro-fibrotic markers. The inverse association between semaphorin-7A and pro-fibrotic fibroblast markers was further analyzed using HLF from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (n = 6) and non-fibrotic (n = 7) lungs. Using these 13 fibroblast lines, we observed that semaphorin-7A and periostin expression were inversely correlated. In conclusion, our study indicates that endogenous semaphorin-7A in HLF plays a role in maintaining fibroblast homeostasis by preventing up-regulation of pro-fibrotic genes. Therefore, endogenous and exogenous semaphorin-7A may have opposite effects on the fibroblast phenotype.
Design of a wavelength-tunable optical fiber tweezer (Conference Presentation)

We present for the first time a wavelength tunable fiber-based optical tweezer using a graded index multimode optical fiber (GIMF). Optical fiber tweezer is a viable replacement for the bulky objective-based tweezers because of the low-cost and user-friendly operation and maneuverability. The proposed optical fiber tweezer consists of a GIMF spliced to a single mode fiber into which a wavelength tunable laser is launched. The exit field at the end-facet of the GIMF is used for tweezing. The GIMF setup is capable of generating a tunable-distance optical trap over a hundred microns by just tuning the laser wavelength. The position of the optical trap can also be customized with the proper design of the GIMF and straining the fiber. The length of the GIMF also plays an important role in the operation of the device. This length needs to be fined-tuned only over less than 500 microns due to the self-imaging properties of the beam propagating in a GIMF; therefore, the necessary length adjustments can be easily done by polishing the end-facet of the fiber. The numerical results also show that as the optical trap moves farther away from the GIMF tip, the optical trap gets weaker. The results also show that the minimum input power to meet the stability conditions for a particle with a radius of 0.1 micron is around 400 mW.
The Great Outdoors: An ArcGIS Approach Integrating Geographic Knowledge and Environmental Education in Florida

The outdoors provides opportunities to experience nature first-hand, serving as a critical alternative to traditional educational facilities for community members and stakeholders to acquire a more intimate understanding of what natural resources are, while becoming increasingly aware of their interconnectedness with those resources. It is used as a tool by researchers, educators, resource managers, and government officials in demonstrating “hands-on” methods that vastly enhance any curriculum by simply moving outdoors. The outdoors as a classroom can radically enrich an educator’s prospects to diversify concepts and teach skills, objectives, models, and results introduced in either Powerpoints, research articles, or textbooks. In this study, we identify where public schools intersect with government parks within a five-mile radius and aquatic preserves within a one-mile radius. According to the 2014 census in the state of Florida, there are currently 7,423 K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. We report that of those schools, only 536 schools are within a five-mile radius of a government park and 524 are within a one-mile radius of an aquatic preserve. As a result of this study, we make the case that these protected areas should be integrated into institutional curricula for the aforementioned benefits. Moreover, this will facilitate the passing of cultural knowledge to the emergent generation of environmental stewards and Floridians, enhancing both the stakeholders’ worth and the environments’ intrinsic value. We conclude that incorporating these habitats and natural resources into institutional and community-wide activities can be economical and sustainable.
FQC Dashboard: integrates FastQC results into a web-based, interactive, and extensible FASTQ quality control tool.

Summary FQC is software that facilitates quality control of FASTQ files by carrying out a QC protocol using FastQC, parsing results, and aggregating quality metrics into an interactive dashboard designed to richly summarize individual sequencing runs. The dashboard groups samples in dropdowns for navigation among the data sets, utilizes human-readable configuration files to manipulate the pages and tabs, and is extensible with CSV data. Availability and implementation FQC is implemented in Python 3 and Javascript, and is maintained under an MIT license. Documentation and source code is available at: https://github.com/pnnl/fqc . Contact joseph.brown@pnnl.gov.
Impact of early discharge after coronary artery bypass graft surgery on rates of hospital readmission and death

Abstract Objectives. This study examined the impact of early hospital discharge on short-term clinical outcomes of elderly patients treated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in the United States in 1992. Background. Protocols that encourage earlier discharge of patients who have had CABG have been implemented across the country. Although delivery of efficient care benefits both patients and providers, premature discharge can adversely affect clinical outcomes, resulting in increased hospital readmissions and higher long-term costs. Methods. We examined the prevalence of early discharge (postoperative length of stay ≤5 days) among 83,347 non–health maintenance organization (HMO) Medicare patients who underwent CABG in the United States in 1992. Using logistic regression models, we identified patient characteristics associated with early discharge and obtained risk-adjusted rates of death and readmission or death for postoperative lengths of stay between 4 and 14 days. Results. In 1992, 6% of Medicare patients undergoing CABG were discharged within 5 days of the operation. The prevalence of early discharge varied considerably among states, ranging from 1% to 21%. Patients discharged early tended to be younger and male and have fewer comorbid illnesses. Risk-adjusted rates of death and death or cardiovascular readmission were lowest among patients discharged early. Conclusions. As of 1992, early discharge of elderly patients treated with CABG in non-HMO settings was not associated with higher 60-day rates of death or readmission. This suggests that physicians were able to identify low risk candidates for early discharge. Variation across the nation in early discharge rates, along with the percentage of patients without major risk factors for adverse outcomes, suggests that higher rates of early discharge might be safely achieved.
Structure and Diversity of the Rhesus Macaque Immunoglobulin Loci through Multiple De Novo Genome Assemblies

The rhesus macaque is a critically important animal model in biomedical research, most recently playing a key role in the development of vaccines against human immunodeficiency virus-1. Nevertheless, the immunoglobulin (Ig) loci of macaques are as yet incompletely determined and our understanding of differences between human and macaque humoral immunity remains deficient. We completed a high-coverage, high-quality whole genome sequencing and assembly project with a single rhesus macaque of Indian origin, and partial genome assemblies using genomic molecular targeting of the Ig loci in nine other rhesus macaques of Indian origin. These data indicate that the macaque Ig loci are substantially more diverse than those in humans, including greater sequence diversity and copy-number variation between individuals. It appears likely that such copy-number variation even occurs between allelic loci within individuals. Different Ig gene families in the macaque show distinct relationships to the corresponding human gene families and appear to evolve under different mechanisms. These results raise intriguing questions about the evolution of antigen receptors in primates but also have important practical implications for the design and interpretation of biomedical studies.
Regression Discontinuity and Beyond: Options for Studying External Validity in an Internally Valid Design

Treatment effect estimates from a regression discontinuity design (RDD) have high internal validity. However, the arguments that support the design apply to a subpopulation that is narrower and usu...
Using citizen science data in integrated population models to inform conservation decision-making

Analysis of animal population status and change are core elements of ecological research and critical for prioritizing conservation actions. Traditionally, count-based data from structured surveys have been the main source of information used to estimate trends and changes in populations. In the past decade, advances in integrated population models (IPMs) have allowed these data to be combined with other data sources (e.g., observations of marked individuals). IPMs have allowed researchers to determine the direction and magnitude of a species9 population trajectory and to test underlying mechanisms. For many species, life-history characteristics (e.g., low site-fidelity), low abundance and/or low detection probability make it difficult to collect sufficient data; thus, IPMs for these species are difficult to employ. We used count data from eBird to estimate population trends for one such species, the tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor). We combined estimates of relative abundance with banding and nesting data. Our joint estimation of demographic rates allowed us to evaluate their individual contributions to the population growth rate. We suggest that investments in increasing reproductive success and recruitment are the most likely conservation strategies to increase the population. The extensive survey efforts of citizen scientists aided the employment of IPMs to inform conservation efforts.
Interleukin-1β activation of the central nervous system

Publisher Summary Mediators released from host cells are responsible for the acute-phase response, which is the term referred to as the collective changes in metabolic, immunologic, and hematologic parameters that occur in response to infectious or inflammatory disease. In addition to fever, several cytokines stimulate a second component of the acute-phase response that is mediated via the central nervous system (CNS). In vivo, cytokines stimulate the release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal gland. This chapter discusses cytokines that are the key mediators and orchestrators of many growth and differentiation events that occur during an immune response. The suppression of cytokine production by glucocorticoids seems to be a common phenomenon, both within and outside the realm of the hematopoietic system. Glucocorticoid inhibits the production of several cytokines that are secreted mainly from mononuclear phagocytes, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production, and IL-1-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion. Glucocorticoids inhibit the immune response at several levels that are critical to cell-mediated functions. It seems reasonable to postulate that glucocorticoids may be important for either preventing overshooting of an immune response or turning off an immune response.
Rapid Mixing Resonance-Raman Spectroscopy of Unstable π-Cation Radical Intermediates in Heme Containing Peroxidases

The catalytic sequences of the heme containing peroxidases involve two high valent intermediates known as compounds I and II [1]. Compound I is two oxidation equivalents above the resting ferric enzyme, and contains an Fe(IV) porphyrin π-radical cation, though cytochrome c peroxidase is a notable exception [2]. Compound II is the one electron reduction product of compound I, with the electron restored to the porphyrin ring, and contains an Fe(IV) heme. Our laboratory has been involved in resonance Raman studies of these intermediates formed by rapid mixing and using laser excitation in the violet and near ultraviolet [3]. Although intermediates similar to compounds I and II are considered to occur in other physiologically important heme enzymes such as cytochrome oxidase and cytochrome P-450, their existence in the catalytic cycles of these enzymes has not been as well documented as for the peroxidases and catalases. The catalases are heme enzymes similar to the peroxidases, which disproportionate hydrogen peroxide. In this account we describe some of our work in progress on the intermediates of horseradish peroxidase and chloroperoxidase. Of the peroxidases, horseradish peroxidase is among the best known because of its commercial availability as a common biochemical reagent. Chloroperoxidase possesses important spectroscopic and structural similarities to cytochro P-450 [4].
The Pathology of Lymphomas: A Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Classification

Better understanding of the immune system and the availability of new diagnostic techniques have improved our ability to recognize clinically distinct disorders among the malignant lymphomas. The surgeon is often the first physician to see a patient with lymphoma, and must be prepared to provide adequate tissue in an appropriate condition for state-of-the-art diagnosis so that optimal treatment can be administered. This article covers the principles of lymphoma diagnosis and classification, and discusses the distinctive clinical behavior of some of the important lymphoma subtypes. Specific recommendations for handling of biopsy tissues are included.
Progression of Student Reasoning about Concurrency

In computing, concurrency refers to the notion that different parts or units of a program or algorithm may be executed out-of-order or in partial order, without affecting the final outcome. I seek to study how students conceptualize concurrency concepts and how these conceptualizations mature over the course of their undergraduate education. Thus far, I have designed an assessment that comprises two natural language problems and administered it to 110 undergraduate students at all four levels of the undergraduate program. I employed a grounded theory analysis to identify the emerging strategies and conceptions, performed open coding of student responses and abstracted emergent categories about student conceptions and problem-solving strategies. I compared these strategies and conceptions across grade levels to explore how student thinking around concurrency changes over the course of a CS education. This analysis will guide the design of a protocol for task-based interviews to further explore student reasoning.Longer term, the goal of my work is to inform the development of educational tools and strategies intended to promote the growth of student conceptions about concurrency.
The Discipline-Autonomy Paradox: How U.S. Journalism Textbooks Construct Reporters’ Freedom Just to Tear it Down

ABSTRACTThis study foregrounds the paradox in U.S. journalism culture whereby journalists are taught both that they have substantial freedom of judgment and that they must constrain such judgment t...
EFFECT OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION ON OUTCOMES AFTER COMPLEX PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Inflammation and procedural complexity have been shown to individually affect outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to characterize the relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and outcomes according to PCI complexity. We included all
Clinical-Pathologic Correlation and Guideline Concordance in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background Accurate staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is critical for identifying patients who will benefit from multimodality therapy. This study evaluated clinical-pathologic correlation and its effects on receipt of guideline-concordant therapy in a national cohort. Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients with surgically resected NSCLC in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) between 2004 and 2014 was conducted. Primary tumor and nodal staging information was analyzed in patients who underwent upfront surgery and neoadjuvant therapy to calculate correlation between clinical and pathologic stages and estimate downstaging rate. Staging accuracy and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated. Multivariable Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between receipt of guideline-concordant therapy and overall risk of death. Results Among 82,999 patients, correlation between clinical and pathologic stages was strong (r = 0.69). Correlation of primary tumor staging was high (71.2%-84.5%). The positive predictive value of nodal staging was 78.2%. Neoadjuvant therapy was associated with downstaging in tumor stage (T1, 1.5%; T2, 22.6%; T3, 28%; T4, 42%) and 17.3% of positive nodes. Patients with stage I disease had high rates of guideline-concordant treatment (IA, 97.4%; and IB, 97.9%). Patients with stage IIA to IIIA disease had lower rates of guideline concordance. Receipt of guideline-concordant care was associated with a significantly lower risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.87). Conclusions Clinical staging modalities are reasonably accurate. However, less than one half of patients with stage IIA to IIIA NSCLC receive guideline-concordant therapy, and this deficiency is associated with inferior survival. Identifying factors contributing to these differences is crucial to improve outcomes.
The Efficacy of Neurofeedback for Pediatric Epilepsy.

Approximately 470,000 children (birth to 18 years old) are affected by Epilepsy (CDC in Epilepsy. https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/index.html, 2018). Since the initial findings in the 1970s, Sensorimotor Rhythm (SMR) has been continuously utilized for the treatment of seizures. Studies have consistently demonstrated that SMR reduces the frequency and severity of seizure activity. Although a mix of pediatric cases, adolescents and adults have been sampled in previous studies, no age effects have been reported. There continues to be a lack of research in the area of neurofeedback for the treatment of epilepsy in the pediatric population. To date, no randomized control trial specific to pediatric epilepsy has been published. The existing research regarding the use of neurofeedback in the treatment of epilepsy provides strong evidence that neurofeedback training might be an effective treatment for pediatric epilepsy. However, existing studies are not specific to the pediatric population. Moreover, there is a lack of rigor in the studies in which the effects of neurofeedback in children and adolescents with epilepsy are documented. Therefore, based on the current literature, there is not enough evidence to state that neurofeedback is efficacious for the treatment of pediatric epilepsy. However, the APBB criteria for evidence-based practices indicate that neurofeedback for pediatric epilepsy is Possibly Efficacious (Level 2). Future research in which a randomized controlled trial approach is utilized will greatly help to increase support for the use of neurofeedback as an efficacious treatment for epilepsy.
C-H Amination of Arenes with Hydroxylamine.

This Letter describes the development of a TiIII-mediated reaction for the C–H amination of arenes with hydroxylamine. This reaction is applied to a variety of electron-rich (hetero)arene substrate...
Rhetorical Decipherment and the Recovery of Women in the History of Ancient Rhetoric: A Note on the Bronze Age Women of Linear B Scripts

Over the last two decades, historians of ancient rhetoric have enriched and improved traditional research by extending the borders of rhetoric’s history chronologically, topically, and theoreticall...
Harvis: an interactive virtual reality tool for hemodynamic modification and simulation

Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects more than 90 million adults in the United States. In recent years, computational hemodynamic models have helped improve our understanding of CVD progression; however, such research workflows can be challenging and unintuitive to operate. We thus developed Harvis, a software platform with a flexible GUI for performing vascular simulations and a VR-capable interface for geometry modification and flow visualization. The aim of Harvis is to streamline and integrate this process for research use and future clinical applications. We also present a user study (n=26) that evaluates interaction with vascular modeling on 2D and VR displays.
Improving Persistence of STEM Majors at a Liberal Arts College: Evaluation of the Scots Science Scholars Program: Evaluation of the STEM Retention Program at Maryville College

Consistent with national trends, only about Â½ of students who intend to major in STEM disciplines at Maryville College (MC) complete bachelorâ€™s degrees in these fields. The Scots Science Scholars (S3) program was funded through the National Science Foundationâ€™s STEM Talent Extension Program to increase the number of students graduating with STEM degrees from MC. The S3 program enrolls college freshmen who have an interest in STEM majors and math ACT scores between 21 and 27, with emphasis on students from groups underrepresented in STEM and first-generation college students. The program consists of a summer bridge, a living-learning community, early engagement in STEM research, a seminar series that exposes students to STEM careers and research fields, academic support through a first-year seminar class, peer tutoring, and time-management counseling. The program has enrolled 6 cohorts of students (n = 97) since 2013, (54% female, 22% underrepresented minorities and 35% first-generation college students). From 2013-2017, S3 compared favorably to the general college population: 96% of all S3 completed the first year of college, 69% declared STEM majors, and 85% returned to the college for a second year (compared to 71%, p < 0.001). Overall, S 3 students persist at the college longer than non-S3 students (P<0.01). Compared to a matched control group, S 3 had significantly higher STEM major declaration rates (68% vs. 38%), higher rates of STEM retention through the junior year (41% vs. 20%), and improved overall college persistence (P< 0.01). Students report high levels of satisfaction with the summer program. At the end of the summer program, students report gains in skills and attitudes that are important for success in STEM. They also perform significantly better on math and chemistry assessments after completing the program. College-wide, the number of students enrolled in STEM majors at Maryville has increased by 52% since the inception of S3 , and STEM undergraduate research productivity has increased markedly. Our data suggest the S3 program is an important component of institutional changes that are increasing the STEM population and building a robust and productive STEM culture at a liberal arts college.
1.7-micron optical coherence tomography angiography for characterization of skin cancer

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive diagnostic method that offers real-time visualization of the layered architecture of the skin in vivo. The 1.7-micron OCT system has been applied in cardiology, gynecology and dermatology, demonstrating an improved penetration depth in contrast to conventional 1.3-micron OCT. To further extend the capability, we developed a 1.7-micron OCT/OCT angiography (OCTA) system that allows for a visualization of both morphology and microvasculature in the deeper layers of the skin. Using this imaging system, we imaged human skin with different benign lesions and described the corresponding features of both structure and vasculature. The significantly improved imaging depth and additional functional information suggest that the 1.7-micron OCTA system has great potential to advance both dermatological clinical and research settings for characterization of benign and cancerous skin lesions.
Benefits provided by four ectomycorrhizal fungi to Pinus taeda under different external potassium availabilities

Ectomycorrhizal fungi contribute to the nutrition of many woody plants, including those in the Pinaceae family. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.), a native species of the Southeastern USA, can be colonized by multiple species of ectomycorrhizal fungi. The role of these symbionts in P. taeda potassium (K+) nutrition has not been previously investigated. Here, we assessed the contribution of four ectomycorrhizal fungi, Hebeloma cylindrosporum, Paxillus ammoniavirescens, Laccaria bicolor, and Suillus cothurnatus, in P. taeda K+ acquisition under different external K+ availabilities. Using a custom-made two-compartment system, P. taeda seedlings were inoculated with one of the four fungi, or kept non-colonized, and grown under K+-limited or -sufficient conditions for 8 weeks. Only the fungi had access to separate compartments in which rubidium, an analog tracer for K+, was supplied before harvest. Resulting effects of the fungi were recorded, including root colonization, biomass, and nutrient concentrations. We also analyzed the fungal performance in axenic conditions under varying supply of K+ and sodium. Our study revealed that these four ectomycorrhizal fungi are differentially affected by external K+ and sodium variations, that they are not able to provide similar benefits to the host P. taeda in our growing conditions, and that rubidium may be used with some limitations to estimate K+ transport from ectomycorrhizal fungi to colonized plants.
Pregnancy Counseling in a Young Woman With Left Ventricular Non-Compaction:

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is an uncommon form of cardiomyopathy. Its prevalence in adults is 1:5000. In the differential diagnosis of congestive heart failure, it is rarely the etiology...
Inside the Body of a Green Apple Tree

BILLIE HOLIDAY WAS SIN GIN G "Full Moon and Empty Arms" and then Nathaniel Witherspoon was beginning to hear inside of Lady Day's sterling coloration, the dolorous wounds, the switchback humor and back into his mother's echoing voice, somersaulting through out his heart. Madeline Witherspoon, Nathaniel's mother, was hanging up her back-porch laundry; his back was turned. Then Nathaniel was knocked down onto his knees, where he and Maxwell Blackball Saltport had been shooting marbles in the 6x6-inch, spoon-dug ring?before the lightning cord and the showers?as he now saw amid the vivid rainbow, in the late-afternoon spring sky, inside the body of a huge green apple tree: the skeleton form of a woman, in a green silk gown; draped over by a flinging, sheer, golden cape. Now the vision of the lady expanded suddenly into a flapping wingspread, and became one with the rainbow. There was a bejewelled band about her forehead. A necklace with a quarter-moon-shaped sap phire stone, shone at her throat. A golden crown appeared upon her head. A picnic basket of fruit trembled upon her right arm; and golden earrings, fashioned as vessels, glowed at her earlobes. Then Nathaniel saw lodged inside the ribcage of the skeleton form, a protruding abdomen: with a full-moon-shaped, contorted, bloody, yolky-robed shell, encaged in a coiled net of pumpkin vines. The substance of the rainbow crackled, bled into four rivers, vaulted out to a blood-red sea, where a host of luminous lobsters dipped and dived, then disintegrated into the images of statues, the faces of wither ing idols and mermaids; and the water grew grayish green. Nathaniel saw an eagle (with a greyhound in its mouth and a fish in the greyhound's mouth) go flying across a shawl-covered altar in a shower of changing colors; shifting forms into that of a rabbit, a wolf, and a dove . . . Then a bear, a raven, and a whale.. .. Now Nathaniel was seeing the beautiful body of Lily-Beth Michael son floating toward Aunt Bella-Lenore Boltwood's sewing machine, just past that wooden panel, where the seamstress placed wisps of her own silver, fallen hair into the crocheted bag each night... as if in her phantasy world of many colors she hoped to conjure the fiercely
Headache and Craniofacial Pain

Common complaint; possibly as many as 50% of all patients have headache symptoms; headaches are basically divisible into to broad categories: A. Chronic recurring headaches — causes include vascular (migraine) headaches, muscular contraction (tension) headaches, or combination of these two types of headache B. Headache due to intracranial disease, systemic illness, or local cranial, orbital, or nasopharyngeal disease
Going Public: Collaborative Systems Design for Multidisciplinary Conversations

The driving idea behind our work has been the concept of going public with the goal of supporting the emerging work practices of multidisciplinary teams. In this chapter, we outline the theoretical basis for going public, describe the underlying architecture of a public collaborative system and introduce two embodiments, the Design Conference RoomTM and the Collaborative ClassroomTM. The underlying architecture of a public collaborative system, overlaid with lines of view, sight, and control, provides system-sharing functionality via the Reconfigurable Collaboration NetworkTM, supporting fully collaborative conversations, with their trajectory of work processes from private, to public, and back again. Innovations are described in the disciplinary domains of architecture, computer science, and communication.
Quantum Gravity in 2+1 Dimensions

1. Why (2+1)-dimensional gravity? 2. Classical general relativity in 2+1 dimensions 3. A field guide to the (2+1)-dimensional spacetimes 4. Geometric structures and Chern-Simons theory 5. Canonical quantization in reduced phase space 6. The connection representation 7. Operator algebras and loops 8. The Wheeler-DeWitt equation 9. Lorentzian path integrals 10. Euclidian path integrals and quantum cosmology 11. Lattice methods 12. The (2+1)-dimensional black hole 13. Next steps Appendix A. The topology of manifolds Appendix B. Lorentzian metrics and causal structure Appendix C. Differential geometry and fiber bundles References Index.
Control of time variable, nonlinear multivariable systems using Liapunov's direct method.

Liapunov method synthesis of time variable nonlinear multivariable systems, deriving simplified control law for tracking of linear noninteracting model
Multispot Array Technologies

Multispot arrays are known by a number of names depending on reporter-type arrayed or analytical application (e.g. gene chip, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) chip, DNA array, protein chip, etc.) and provide a convenient means of testing a sample or simultaneously comparing test and control samples for tens to hundreds of thousands of analytes (labelled extracts). Herein we review the technologies and techniques behind why multispot arrays have become an important analytical tool in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. Generally, these arrays are composed of a set of immobilised material termed probes or reporters (complimentary DNAs (cDNAs), oligonucleotides and proteins) localised by deposition or synthesis into discrete test zones (spots or registers) on the surface of a solid substrate. The size and complexity of arrays varies considerably. Spots range in size from a few millimetres to a few micrometres or nanometres, and, a single array can contain up to a million spots of different reporters. Key Concepts Multispot arrays provide a simple means of performing tens to hundreds of thousands of analytical reactions using a relatively small test device. As multispot arrays become a mainstay in molecular biology, the acquisition and analysis of data acquired from microarray experiments is increasingly important. Keywords: multispot arrays; gene chip; hybridisation-based genetic analysis; single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP); sequencing-by-hybridisation (SBH); comparative genome hybridisation (CGH); microRNAs; genetic linkage analysis; gene mapping; genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
DNA Repair and Chromatin Structure in Genetic Diseases

Interaction of DNA repair proteins with damaged DNA in eukaryotic cells is influenced by the packaging of DNA into chromatin. The basic repeating unit of chromatin, the nucleosome, plays an important role in regulating accessibility of repair proteins to sites of damage in DNA. There are a number of different pathways fundamental to the DNA repair process. Elucidation of the proteins involved in these pathways and the mechanisms they utilize for interacting with damaged nucleosomal and nonnucleosomal DNA has been aided by studies of genetic diseases where there are defects in the DNA repair process. Two of these diseases are xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) and Fanconi anemia (FA). Cells from patients with these disorders are similar in that they have defects in the initial steps of the repair process. However, there are a number of important differences in the nature of these defects. One of these is in the ability of repair proteins from XP and FA cells to interact with damaged nucleosomal DNA. In XP complementation group A (XPA) cells, for example, endonucleases present in a chromatin-associated protein complex involved in the initial steps in the repair process are defective in their ability to incise damaged nucleosomal DNA, but, like the normal complexes, can incise damaged naked DNA. In contrast, in FA complementation group A (FA-A) cells, these complexes are equally deficient in their ability to incise damaged naked and similarly damaged nucleosomal DNA. This ability to interact with damaged nucleosomal DNA correlates with the mechanism of action these endonucleases use for locating sites of damage. Whereas the FA-A and normal endonucleases act by a processive mechanism of action, the XPA endonucleases locate sites of damage distributively. Thus the mechanism of action utilized by a DNA repair enzyme may be of critical importance in its ability to interact with damaged nucleosomal DNA.
A Profile of Hospitality Program Characteristics and the Gender Composition of Students and Faculty

This exploratory study established the gender composition of hospitality programs and compared program characteristics to provide a foundation for future research in various areas. A nationwide assessment of 136 hospitality programs throughout the United States was undertaken, with more than 65% of directors and chairs contributing specific information about their undergraduate gender populations. Results from this exploratory study highlight the current gender composition of undergraduate students (66.7% female) and faculty (39.6% female) and provide a comparison of key program characteristics, including credit hours and work experience requirements. Specific suggestions are made that could support planning efforts and foster educationally based or related research ideas in the future.
Comparative Short-term Safety of Sodium Ferric Gluconate Versus Iron Sucrose in Hemodialysis Patients

Background Despite different pharmacologic properties, little is known about the comparative safety of sodium ferric gluconate versus iron sucrose in hemodialysis patients. Study Design Retrospective cohort study using the clinical database of a large dialysis provider (2004-2005) merged with administrative data from the US Renal Data System. Setting & Participants 66,207 patients with Medicare coverage who received center-based hemodialysis. Predictors Iron formulation use assessed during repeated 1-month exposure periods (n=278,357). Outcomes All-cause mortality, infection-related hospitalizations and mortality, and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations and mortality occurring during a 3-month follow-up period. Measurements For all outcomes, we estimated 90-day risk differences between the formulations using propensity score weighting of Kaplan-Meier functions, which controlled for a wide range of demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables. Risk differences were also estimated within various clinically important subgroups. Results Ferric gluconate was administered in 11.4%; iron sucrose, in 48.9%; and no iron in 39.7% of the periods. Risks for most study outcomes did not differ between ferric gluconate and iron sucrose; however, among patients with a hemodialysis catheter, use of ferric gluconate was associated with a slightly decreased risk for both infection-related death (risk difference, −0.3%; 95% CI, −0.5% to 0.0%) and infection-related hospitalization (risk difference, −1.5%; 95% CI, −2.3% to −0.6%). Bolus dosing was associated with an increase in infection-related events among both ferric gluconate and iron sucrose users. Limitations Residual confounding and outcome measurement error. Conclusions Overall, the 2 iron formulations studied exhibited similar safety profiles; however, ferric gluconate was associated with a slightly decreased risk for infection-related outcomes compared to iron sucrose among patients with a hemodialysis catheter. These associations should be explored further using other data or study designs.
A fatigue study of electrical discharge machine (EDM) strain-gage balance materials

A fatigue study was undertaken to determine how much the electrical discharge machine (EDM) process affected the fatigue life of balance materials by comparing EDM and regular milling machine samples. Simulation of a typical balance stress configuration was devised for the fatigue testing in order to obtain results more closely related to balance situations. The fatigue testing of the EDM and regular milling machine specimens to date has indicated that the EDM technique does reduce the fatigue life of the balance material 15-5PH steel, the first balance material tested. This conclusion was based on comparisons of the specimens' fatigue lives with theoretical and manufacturer's data. Hence, the EDM surface effects are detrimental to the fatigue life of this balance material. Future research areas and approaches are discussed. >
A highly efficient X band BWO with an inhomogeneous slow wave structure

We present a novel, 3 stage inhomogeneous slow wave structure (SWS) to enhance the efficiency of a high power backward wave oscillator. The design features 3 sections of SWSs, each with different periods combined to form a single SWS. A new technique for increasing both the interaction impedance and phase velocity of the TM 01 mode in each section is introduced. An eigen mode analysis of a single SWS cell is carried out to establish the optimum operating point for an X band BWO. Finally we present simulation results of an X band BWO generating 6.44 MW of power at 8.47 GHz with 70% peak power efficiency.
Historical Perspectives of the Causation of Lung Cancer: Nursing as a Bystander.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Less-known forces are involved in the etiology of lung cancer and have relevant implications for providers in ameliorating care. The purpose of this article is to discuss theories of causation of lung cancer using historical analyses of the evolution of the disease and incorporating related explanations integrating the relationships of science, nursing, medicine, and society. Literature from 160 years was searched and Thagard’s model of causation networks was used to exhibit how nursing and medicine were significant influences in lung cancer causation theory. Disease causation interfaces with sociological norms of behavior to form habits and rates of health behavior. Historically, nursing was detrimentally manipulated by the tobacco industry, engaging in harmful smoking behaviors, thus negatively affecting patient care. Understanding the underlying history behind lung cancer causation may empower nurses to play an active role in a patient’s health.
Analysis of 2136 genetic amniocenteses: experience of a single physician.

Abstract Between 1979 and 1984, 2136 midtrimester genetic amniocenteses were performed by a single physician at the University of California (Davis) Medical Center. The medical records were reviewed for maternal age, amniocentesis indication, ultrasound findings, location of placenta, location of the needle insertion (transplacental versus nontransplacental), color of the amniotic fluid, results of prenatal testing, complications of procedure, and pregnancy outcome. Follow-up data were available for 88% of the pregnancies. There were 38 miscarriages (1.9%),18 stillbirths (0.9%), and four neonatal deaths (0.2%), resulting in a total postprocedural loss rate of 3.1%. Miscarriage within 2 weeks of amniocentesis occurred in only 0.4% of procedures (seven of 1918). No significant difference in pregnancy outcome was noted between transplacental and nontransplacental amniocentesis. Greenish brown discolored amniotic fluid was found in 3.6% of procedures (76 of 2136). In this group there was a 14.5% fetal loss rate with an overall 22.4% adverse outcome.
Auger decay of the C 1 s → 2 π * excitation of CO

Calculations on the Auger decay of CO after the $\mathrm{C}1s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{*}$ excitation have been performed utilizing a multichannel Schwinger approach. The bound orbitals used to expand the multichannel configuration-interaction wave functions of the ion state were the natural orbitals of a single excitation and double excitation configuration-interaction (CI) calculation on the $\mathrm{C}{1s}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ core-hole state of CO. Fixed-nuclei photoionization cross sections were then obtained with target states represented by complete active space CI wave functions. An analysis of the resulting cross sections using Fano's spectral line profile and the lifetime vibrational interference theory has lead to photoabsorption profiles in good agreement with experimental measurements. Additionally, we have found good agreement with experimental data for the resulting photoelectron and photoemission spectra.
Defence spending and economic performance in the United States: A causal analysis

The causal relationship between defence spending and economic performance in the United States from 1943 to 1989 is investigated using vector autoregression. The evidence indicates that there is no substantial relationship, in either causal direction, between defence spending and the price level, the unemployment rate, or the interest rate. Nor does there appear to be any substantial lagged relationship between defence spending and output. There may be a more immediate causal relationship between defence spending and output, i.e., one which operates on a quarterly or monthly basis, but the existence and direction(s) of such a relationship cannot be determined using annual data. In short, those arguments which link defence spending to poor economic performance receive little empirical support.
Connections between the filtered discontinuous Galerkin method and the flux reconstruction approach to high order discretizations

The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights on the connections that exist between the discontinuous Galerkin method (DG), the flux reconstruction method (FR) and the recently identified energy stable flux reconstruction method (ESFR) when solving time dependent conservation laws. All these schemes appear to be quite similar and it is important to understand how they are related. In this paper, we first review results on the stability of the discontinuous Galerkin method and extend it to the filtered discontinuous Galerkin method. We then consider the flux reconstruction approach and show its connections with DG. In particular, we show how the Energy Stable Flux Reconstruction method introduced by Vincent et al. is equivalent to a filtered DG method, hence giving a new proof of its stability. Also, it allows the use of the method without having to know the special form of the flux correction polynomials. Finally, we underline some fundamental differences that exist between FR and DG.
Presentation of antigen by human newborn monocytes to maternal tetanus toxoid-specific T-cell blasts

The requirement for linked HLA-D antigen recognition for the proliferation of antigen-specific T-cell blasts provides a method for testing antigen presentation of human monocytes. We used maternal tetanus toxoid-specific T-cell blasts to show that human newborn monocytes can process and present antigen at least as well as maternal monocytes. These results suggest that human monocytes are relatively more mature at birth than those of newborn rats and mice. A major role for monocyte-macrophage immaturity in limiting the immune responses of human newborns is therefore unlikely.
An oscillation in the global climate system of period 65–70 years

IN addition to the well-known warming of ∼0.5 °C since the middle of the nineteenth century, global-mean surface temperature records1–4display substantial variability on timescales of a century or less. Accurate prediction of future temperature change requires an understanding of the causes of this variability; possibilities include external factors, such as increasing greenhouse-gas concentrations5–7 and anthropogenic sulphate aerosols8–10, and internal factors, both predictable (such as El Nino11) and unpredictable (noise12,13). Here we apply singular spectrum analysis14–20 to four global-mean temperature records1–4, and identify a temperature oscillation with a period of 65–70 years. Singular spectrum analysis of the surface temperature records for 11 geographical regions shows that the 65–70-year oscillation is the statistical result of 50–88-year oscillations for the North Atlantic Ocean and its bounding Northern Hemisphere continents. These oscillations have obscured the greenhouse warming signal in the North Atlantic and North America. Comparison with previous observations and model simulations suggests that the oscillation arises from predictable internal variability of the ocean–atmosphere system.
Superstatistical emission noise

Abstract A model is developed for emission noise in which the mean value itself fluctuates due to modulating processes; the formalism uses compound Poisson statistics. We show that this model is applicable to flicker noise stemming from emission centers, as proposed by Schottky in 1926. Also, the model gives directly the results for cathodoluminescence noise, being in agreement with the results of Fijnaut and Zijlstra. With some modification, the model gives a corpuscular basis for wave interaction noise in quantum optics. Finally, the implications for quantum 1/ f noise are discussed.