cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advancement of Structure-Activity Relationship of Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 2 Interactions

Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2/ABCC2) is mainly expressed in the apical phase of barrier membranes. It functions as a critical efflux pump in the biliary excretion of endogenous substances, such as conjugated bilirubin and bile salts, as well as many structurally diverse xenobiotics and their metabolites. Due to its important role in defining ADME/Tox properties, efforts have emerged to build the structure–activity relationship (SAR) for MRP2/ABCC2 at early stages of drug discovery process. MRP2/ABCC2 is a member of the integral membrane protein family whose high-resolution crystal structure has not been described. To overcome the obstacle of lacking detailed structural depiction, various molecular modeling approaches have been applied to derive the structural requirements for binding interactions with MRP2/ABCC2 protein, including two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) quantitative SAR (QSAR) analysis, pharmacophore models, and homology modeling of the transporter. Here we summarize recent progresses in understanding the SAR of MRP2/ABCC2 recognition of substrates and/or inhibitors, and describe some of the useful in vitro tools for characterizing the interactions with the transporter.
Modern Institutions, Phenomenal Dissociations, and Destructiveness Toward Humans and the Environment

Environmental theorists frequently argue that human—nature alienations are to blame for the increasingly severe global environmental crisis. This article offers empirical evidence that supports such claims. Data and theory presented here show that phenomenal dissociation— defined as the lack of immediate, sensual engagement with the consequences of our everyday actions and with the human and nonhuman others that we affect with our actions—increases destructive tendency and that awareness is not enough to curb destructiveness. This study begins to reveal some of the psychodynamics by which phenomenal dissociations lead to destructive tendency; discusses how modern institutions, organizational structures, and technologies propagate harms by mediating between actor and consequences; and argues that environmental psychology, which commonly focuses on attitudinal variables such as awareness and concern, must expand its reach to account for the pervasive phenomenal dissociations of contemporary life.
An IEEE 1394 - FireWire - based embedded video system for surveillance applications

In order to address the need for portable inexpensive systems for video surveillance, we built a computer vision system that provides digital video data transfer from a CCD camera using embedded software/hardware via the IEEE 1394 protocol, also known as FireWire or i.Link, and Ethernet TCP/IP interfaces. Controlled by an extended version of the IEEE 1394-based digital camera specification (DCAM), the system is made up of entirely open interfaces that provide many image resolutions and frame rates, and digital signal processing and compression capabilities. We present the design of the system and its performance on running a digital signal processing application. We also give details about the software and hardware architecture, as well as our directions for future research and development.
Brain reward systems and compulsive drug use

Compulsive drug intake is a hallmark of addiction, yet a mechanistic understanding of this process has been elusive. Drug use is initiated primarily to obtain the excitatory actions of addictive drugs on brain reward systems. Paradoxically, excessive drug intake can decrease the activity of reward systems, reflected in elevated intracranial self-stimulation thresholds in rats, probably by engaging compensatory mechanisms to counter drug effects. Recent evidence suggests that compulsive drug intake might develop in response to such adaptive decreases in brain reward systems. Further, the actions of addictive drugs on reward systems are susceptible to classical conditioning processes, providing a potential mechanism by which drug-paired stimuli can induce powerful cravings and precipitate relapse in abstinent drug users. These findings provide a conceptual framework for improving our understanding of compulsive drug use, and might facilitate the development of novel therapeutics for substance abuse disorders.
EOG controlled mobile robot using Radial Basis Function Networks

Controlling a mobile robot using human biopotential signals has been a common problem in the field of assistive robotics. Not only it is enough to analyze the biosignal characteristics and interpret motion commands from the raw signal, but also an efficient learning algorithm may help to overcome varying characteristics of the biosignal for the sake of robust control of the mobile robot. In this work, an efficient learning algorithm utilizing Radial Basis Function Networks have been studied and applied to EOG signals in order to control a mobile robot. Obtained results show that RBF network is successful in learning the biosignal characteristics and producing sufficient control signals to control a mobile robot.
Hepatic encephalopathy: Suspect it early in patients with cirrhosis

As viral hepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease continue to increase in prevalence, we will see more cases of hepatic encephalopathy. Primary care physicians are often the first to suspect it, as they are familiar with the patient's usual mental and physical status. This serious complication typically occurs in patients with severe comorbidities and requires multidisciplinary evaluation and care.
Toxic and morphological effects of Bacillus thuringiensis preparations on larval stages of the oriental rat flea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae)

Preparations containing beta-exotoxin or spore-crystal complexes of Bacillus Thuringiensis varieties israelensis (serotype 14, strain HD522, and Bactimos commercial preparation) and kurstaki (serotype 3a, b, strain KBt4) were used in laboratory trials to determine their potential as control agents for larvae of oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild). Results indicated that beta-exotoxin was larvicidal. LC50’s for beta-exotoxin were 15.8, 159.9, and 226.6 μg per gram of food medium for first, second, and third instars, respectively. Several pathological changes in developmental morphology were observed following treatment with beta-exotoxin, including larval-pupal intermediates, adultoids, and adults with deformities (e.g., distortions of the legs, deformed or missing spermatheca, underdeveloped male genitalia). Spore-crystal complexes of B. thuringiensis were not toxic to X. cheopis larvae at the concentrations tested.
Precipitin Reactions with Bone and Teeth

It was suggested by Professor A. E. Jenks of this University that immunological reactions might be used to determine the origin of archaeologic relics composed of bone or ivory. To test the feasibility of this project, the following experiment was undertaken.A fox's skull was roughly cleaned of meat, and the brain was washed out. It was placed on a roof and exposed to the weather for 2 weeks. During this time it became covered with maggots which dried up and dropped off. The skull was then thoroughly scrubbed, rid of practically all adherent soft tissue. Nearly all the teeth dropped out during this operation, and the remainder were extracted. The skull and teeth were again exposed to the weather for 3 weeks, after which they were kept indoors for an additional 2 months.Four rabbits were injected with fox-serum twice weekly for 12 weeks. The pooled serums precipitated with fox-serum in dilutions up to 1:500,000.The skull was wrapped in a towel and crushed. The crushed bone was ground to a rather coarse powd...
Ethylene Propylene Rubber Telephone Drop Wire

Abstract Initially the development of a third distinct variety of telephone drop wire was undertaken to combine the complexities of the reinforced neoprene array with the simplicities of a PVC drop wire construction. In addition, at no time could the excellent properties be sacrificed for manufacturing convenience. In the final analysis, however, the resultant EPDM insulated drop wire, yielded characteristics which placed it above the other constructions in the market. Since its introduction, about 100 million feet have been installed under a myriad of installation and service conditions within the United States.
Measurement of the Magnetic Moment of the Λ 0 Hyperon

A measurement of the magnetic moment of the ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}$ hyperon has been done by the spin precession technique in a 200-kG pulsed magnetic field. The result is that ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}=0.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6$ nuclear magneton.
Cultural Transition and Socio-Cultural Taxonomy of Consumers in BRICS Countries

BRICS countries (Brazil–Russia–India–China–South Africa), represent a collective market of 3 billion consumers with quickly growing purchasing power (O’Neil 2011). Unlike slow changes in developed countries, BRICS markets experience a comprehensive transformation resulting in socio-economic processes, affecting life status of consumers, and challenging their present and future behavior (Wong and Ahuvia 1998).
Constructive or Counterproductive? Benefits and Challenges of Integrating Mental Health Professionals into Asylum Representation

Within the field of refugee law, collaboration between lawyers and mental health professionals is increasingly prevalent, particularly in the context of law school clinics and legal services organizations. This trend has the power to transform the experiences of asylum seekers and the professionals who represent them, both improving case outcomes and enhancing the advocacy skills of lawyers and law students. An interdisciplinary approach is also critical to empowering asylum seekers, many of whom have fled serious human rights abuses and are as much in need of medical and mental health care, food, shelter and other basic necessities, as legal representation. Yet, until recently, little attention has been paid to tensions that may arise given the differing mandates and ethical obligations of each set of professionals. This Article seeks to address and reconcile these tensions. The Article first identifies the impetus for, and the benefits of, increased interdisciplinary collaboration in asylum representation. It then highlights obstacles to collaboration, including conflicts between the ethical codes of conduct of lawyers and mental health clinicians. The Article concludes with an analysis of different models of interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting recent legal and policy developments that support an integrated team approach to asylum representation.
Determination of p-anisidine in workplace air by high performance liquid chromatography

Objective:To establish a high performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of p-anisidine in workplace air.Methods:The air sample was absorbed by XAD-2 solid sorbent tube and extracted by methanol,p-anisidine in the solution was separated with a C18 column at 30℃ and acetonitrile-water(25+75,V/V) was used as mobile phase with flow rate of 0.4 ml/min.Results:The calibration curve showed good linearity in the range of 0 μg/ml～1000 μg/ml.The detection limit was 1.30 μg/ml and the relative standard derivations(RSD) were 0.79%～2.01% at different levels.The average desorption efficiencies were 90.0%～95.2%.Absorption efficiencies were 99.3%～100%.The Breakthrough volume of 150mg XAD-2 resin was 15 mg.Conclusion:This method could meet the requirement of "standardization of methods for determination of toxic substances in workplace air".It is feasible for determination of p-anisidine in workplace air.
Mechanism for the gastrokinetic action of domperidone. In vitro studies in guinea pigs.

Abstract To test the hypothesis that domperidone stimulates gastric muscle contraction by antagonizing the inhibitory effects of dopamine on postsynaptic cholinergic neurons in the myenteric plexus, the effects of dopamine on circular muscle from the body of the guinea pig stomach were examined. Dopamine inhibited circular muscle contraction evoked by electric field stimulation in a dose-related manner. The threshold dose was 10 −6 mol/L and half-maximal inhibition occurred at 10 −5 mol/L. Preincubation of muscle contraction with atropine or tetrodotoxin abolished the contractile response to electric field stimulation, indicating mediation via a cholinergic pathway. The adrenergic antagonists phentolamine and propranolol and the DA 1 antagonist SCH 23390 were ineffective in antagonizing the action of dopamine. In contrast, the DA 2 antagonist domperidone blocked the inhibitory effect of dopamine on electric field stimulation-mediated contractions. Schild analysis showed a K i of 3 × 10 −8 mol/L and a slope of unity. In addition, it was shown that dopamine inhibited veratridine-evoked release of [ 3 H]acetylcholine from the gastric myenteric plexus in a doserelated manner (median effective dose, 5.2 × 10 −5 mol/L). Tetrodotoxin abolished [ 3 H]acetylcholine release evoked by veratridine, but hexamethonium had no effect. Domperidone, but not SCH 23390, antagonized the inhibitory action of dopamine. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin blocked the action of dopamine to inhibit evoked release of [ 3 H]acetylcholine. These observations indicate that dopamine inhibits gastric muscle contraction evoked by electric field stimulation by inhibiting cholinergic transmission. This is mediated by DA 2 receptors located on the postganglionic cholinergic neurons, and the pathway involves a pertussis toxin—sensitive G protein. The DA 2 -receptor antagonist domperidone antagonizes the inhibitory effect of dopamine, resulting in stimulation of gastric muscle contraction. This provides a mechanism for the gastrokinetic effect of domperidone.
JBT Special Issue on Core Management.

Progress in biomedical research is largely driven by improvements, innovations, and breakthroughs in technology, an increasingly complex collaboration among basic, preclinical, and clinical science. Unfortunately, this increasing sophistication correlates with both growing research costs and a shrinking federal research budget. Taken together, it makes a strong argument for investing in core facilities. Cores are not new, having been a part of the research landscape for decades. Cores leverage expertise and state-of-the-art technology in centralized facilities and support institutional research in a cost-effective and efficient manner. There is a growing recognition that centralized administration of cores ensures best practices for institutional investment, financial and resource management, and core scientist professional and career development. Centralization maximizes institutional research capabilities by providing state-of-the-art instrumentation and multidisciplinary expertise for the entire research community, establishing a culture of collaboration integrated and aligned with institutional strategic goals and success in a highly competitive playground. However, to be successful, cores requires funding agencies and partners who identify opportunities and provide financial support, scientists who embrace team science, core scientists who personify the ethos of collaborative sharing, and committed institutions and policies that make it happen.
Hypoxia inhibits abdominal expiratory nerve activity.

Our purpose was to examine the influence of steady-state changes in chemical stimuli, as well as discrete peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation, on abdominal expiratory motor activity. In decerebrat...
Paleopathology of cardiovascular diseases in South American mummies.

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease has emerged as the world's leading cause of death in the last century. An epidemiological focus of this disease that extends not only beyond the developed world but also far back into antiquity asks new questions about associated risk factors. Ancient mummies found in the Atacama desert are well preserved and show signs of cardiovascular disease as early as 1000B.C. in Peru and Chile. Method and results Gross and histopathological examination of specimens shows atherosclerosis, cardiomegaly, endocarditis, and myocardial fibrosis. Conclusion In comparison to other ancient populations, less atherosclerosis has been noted in South American mummies. The chewing of coca leaves, a habitual cultural practice unique to the region, supports evidence of reduced cardiovascular risk among ancient people living in South America.
Asymmetrical fault ride through capacity augmentation of DFIG based wind farms by parallel resonance fault current limiter

Doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) based wind farms faces challenge to maintain fault ride through (FRT) as they are vulnerable to the grid faults. The asymmetrical faults are also problematic like the symmetrical faults, as the asymmetrical faults introduce electromechanical stress on turbine generator systems and may cause grid code violation. To augment the asymmetrical FRT capacity and handle the asymmetrical faults, a parallel resonance fault current limiter (PRFCL) is proposed. To check the effectiveness of the proposed PRFCL, double-line-to-ground (2LG), line-to-line (2L) and single-line-to-ground (1LG) faults were applied to the multi-machine power system where the DFIG based wind farm is connected. Performance of the PRFCL is compared with that of the bridge-type fault current limiter (BFCL). Simulations executed in Matlab/Simulink show that the PRFCL is a very effective auxiliary device to augment the asymmetrical FRT capacity and outperforms the BFCL.
Constructing minzu: the representation of minzu and Zhonghua Minzu in Chinese elementary textbooks

ABSTRACTThis article examines the role of school textbooks on nation-building in China by examining how the Chinese concepts of minzu and Zhonghua Minzu are constructed in elementary language and social studies textbooks. This study draws on the relationships between ideology and school curriculum as its theoretical framework and adopts a combination of content analysis and critical discourse analysis to critically examine content about minzu in these textbooks. The findings of this study reveal the ambiguous meanings of the word minzu in the examined textbooks and the process through which its semantic ambiguity is contributing to the discursive construction of the Zhonghua Minzu ideology, which is important for China to position itself as a unified, multiethnic country. The use of metaphoric languages and strategic rendering of two key narratives, humiliation and civilization in Chinese history, also help to solidify the Zhonghua Minzu identity.
The aggressive variant prostate carcinoma (AVPC) molecular signature (-MS) and platinum-sensitivity in castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

5013Background: The AVPC are a subset of prostate cancers that share the clinical, therapy response and molecular profiles of the small cell prostate carcinomas, a histological variant of the disea...
Rheumatoid Arthritis in Sickle-Cell Population: Pathophysiologic Insights, Clinical Evaluation and Management.

The advent of hydroxyurea and advanced medical care, including immunizations has led to improved survival, among patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). This prolonged survival however introduces, a chronic inflammatory disorder, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), which presents at a relatively older age and is rarely reported among SCD patients. In this review, we highlight the epidemiological association of SCD-RA and discuss the underlying common pathogenetic mechanisms, such as endothelial dysfunction, the role of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. We also point to the difficulties in ascertaining the clinical diagnosis of RA in SCD patients. Finally, we provide rationale for therapeutic options available for RA and the challenges in the management of these patients with agents that are known to increase the risk of infection and immunosuppression such as steroids, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biologics.
O13 Examining y-balance test scores and risk of subsequent ankle sprains in a cohort of collegiate athletes

Study Design Research report- retrospective cohort. Objectives To determine if differences in Y-Balance Test (YBT) scores exist between those that have sustained an ankle sprain (AS) and those that have not (C). Background Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries occurring in an athletic population. Many factors may contribute to the occurrence of an ankle sprain, including poor movement strategies and deficits in dynamic postural control. Methods and Measures Thirty-six (30 male, 6 female) university student-athletes (age=18.4±0.7 years., height=178.2±6.8 cm, mass=88.6±20.8 kg); with AS (n=18) and C (n=18) participated. Single-limb reach distance was tested using the YBT in three reach directions; anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL). Differences between limbs in each direction (ANTdiff, PMdiff, PLdiff) and the composite scores (COMPdiff), relative to limb length, were calculated. Our independent variable was group (AS vs. C) and the dependent variables included ANTdiff, PMdiff, PLdiff, and COMPdiff. Separate independent T-test analyses were performed to determine differences between means. Results There was a significant difference in COMPdiff between AS (3.67%±2.51%) and C (2.35%±1.11%, p=0.05, t=3.57) and a moderate effect size (Cohen’s d=0.68). There were no significant differences in ANTdiff, PMdiff, or PLdiff. Conclusions The difference in percentages between the two groups demonstrates the asymmetry present between the limbs. We can conclude that student-athletes with larger asymmetries in composite YBT scores may have sensorimotor impairments prior to an ankle sprain, leading to a difference in dynamic balance between their limbs. Unequal dynamic balance during activity may lead to the potential of further injury. This finding has a meaningful impact to clinicians that may implement this easy-to-use tool to determine the potential of developing a subsequent ankle sprain.
“I'd Recommend …” How to Incorporate Your Recommendation Into Shared Decision Making for Patients With Serious Illness

Patients and families facing serious illness often want and need their clinicians to help guide medical decision making by offering a recommendation. Yet clinicians worry that recommendations are not compatible with shared decision making and feel reluctant to offer them. We describe an expert approach to formulating a recommendation using a shared decision-making framework. We offer three steps to formulating a recommendation: 1) evaluate the prognosis and treatment options; 2) understand the range of priorities that are important to your patient given the prognosis; and 3) base your recommendation on the patient's priorities most compatible with the likely prognosis and available treatment options.
Ecological Assembly of Chemical Mixtures

Human-environment interactions have a significant role in the formation of chemical mixtures in the environment and by extension in human tissues and fluids. These interactions, which include decisions to purchase and use products containing chemicals as well as behaviors and activities that explain the uptake and absorption of chemicals, may be viewed as an ecological relationship between humans and their environments. Methods with origins in community ecology for evaluating structure in assemblages of flora and fauna are applied to investigate the nonrandom assembly of chemical species. Presence-absence matrix-based techniques are used to elaborate co-occurrence patterns with the aim of identifying the principal chemicals which tend to co-occur. This ecological premise is expanded by drawing on consumer market basket analysis techniques to show how this approach may help identify robust co-occurrence patterns.
Conventional MRI scan and DTI imaging show more severe brain injury in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and seizures.

Abstract Background Neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and seizures have poorer outcome for undetermined reasons. Aims Our aim was to determine if brain imaging was more abnormal in neonates with HIE and electrographically confirmed seizures and whether this was impacted by seizure burden. Study design Single center retrospective review. Subjects Forty-eight term neonates with HIE (with and without seizures) underwent MRI brain scans before age 14 days between the years 2008 and 2013. Outcome measures Images were rated using a MRI injury score and fractional anisotropy (FA) values were extracted from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Results The seizure group (n = 25) had significantly more injury within white matter, basal ganglia, posterior limb of internal capsule, and watershed areas compared to the group without seizures (n = 23). The severity of injury in all measured areas increased with increasing seizure severity. The seizure group also had lower FA values in posterior limb of the internal capsule and the splenium of corpus callosum. Conclusions Neonates with HIE and seizures had more brain injury that occurred in areas typically affected by HIE and was greater with higher seizure burden. Seizures may be a marker of more severe brain injury or seizures themselves may amplify brain damage from HIE.
Sacubitril/valsartan: a cardiovascular drug with pluripotential actions.

Sacubitril/valsartan is a first-in-class dual action molecule of the neprilysin (NEP) inhibitor sacubitril (AHU-377) and the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan.
Six Industrial Case Studies: Internal and External Flexibilization and Technological Change

After a brief examination of Brazilian industrial history and women’s role in that history, this chapter provides detailed analysis of six industrial plants – all near the communities I studied – where I interviewed industrial managers. The industries examined include a chocolate factory owned by a multinational, a international subsidiary of an electronics firm making products such as elevator control boards, a drill bits industry that was part of a multinational conglomerate, a small local screw factory, a cosmetics firm, and a cosmetics packaging firm that makes products for large multinational cosmetics companies. This chapter focuses on the variety of forms of industrial production and “flexibilization” in Sao Paulo with a focus on “internal” flexibilization within industry such as relocation and layoffs, technological change, educational demands, and the use of temporary workers. I examine eight issues for each industry: the global links, competition and the effects of trade liberalization, overall effects of the economic crisis, relocation, restructuring of technical production processes including the use of Japanese production methods, employment, training and education, and salaries and benefits.
Pain Syndromes and Disorders of Sensation

Although routine clinical neurological examination generally does not reveal any abnormality of sensation in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD), subjective sensory symptoms are quite frequently present, and objective abnormalities of proprioceptive function and sensorimotor integration have been demonstrated with sophisticated testing. Primary sensory symptoms of PD may include paresthesias of varied descriptions (numbness, tingling, and burning).
Increasing the Power Production of Vertical-Axis Wind-Turbine Farms Using Synergistic Clustering

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are being reconsidered as a complementary technology to the more widely used horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) due to their unique suitability for offshore deployments. In addition, field experiments have confirmed that vertical-axis wind turbines can interact synergistically to enhance the total power production when placed in close proximity. Here, we use an actuator line model in a large-eddy simulation to test novel VAWT farm configurations that exploit these synergistic interactions. We first design clusters with three turbines each that preserve the omni-directionality of vertical-axis wind turbines, and optimize the distance between the clustered turbines. We then configure farms based on clusters, rather than individual turbines. The simulations confirm that vertical-axis wind turbines have a positive influence on each other when packed in well-designed clusters: such configurations increase the power generation of a single turbine by about 10 percent. In addition, the cluster designs allow for closer turbine spacing resulting in about three times the number of turbines for a given land area compared to conventional configurations. Therefore, both the turbine and wind-farm efficiencies are improved, leading to a significant increase in the density of power production per unit land area.
26 The Dehydrogenation of Butenes on Semiconducting Oxide Catalysts

The conductivity of the oxides of zinc, iron, and nickel is known to be highly sensitive to small amounts (≤1 mole %) of oxides of similar cation radius, but different valency (e. g., Li + , Al 3+ , Ga 3+ , Cr 3+ , and Ti 4+ ). The activity and selectivity of such promoted catalyst pellets have been measured for the dehydrogenation of butene-1 to butadiene at temperatures between 500 and 650° in the presence of 10-20 vol. of steam as a diluent gas. The decomposition of butadiene has been studied as a separate reaction. The investigated oxide catalysts may be divided into those that are reducible in the bulk under these conditions and those that are not. In the former (NiO, Fe 2 O 3 ), the additives appear to affect the catalysis not through alteration of surface states, but through the retardation of bulk reduction. In ZnO the added oxides have a large effect on the B. E. T. surface area; in addition they appear to cause a considerable change in the rate of reaction and a smaller one on the selectivity to butadiene. Thus, the addition of Li 2 O to ZnO inhibits the reaction by reducing the excess electron concentration, while the trivalent ions cause a distinct improvement in selectivity.
How Theological is Political Theology? The Case of Twentieth-Century American Protestantism

How theological is political theology? Twentieth century American Protestantism illustrates that the answer depends on more than the extent to which a political theology is theological. For example...
USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT: THE CASE OF EMBODIED CONVERSATIONAL AGENTS

The emergence of new digital technologies has led to novel approaches to address social isolation and provide companionship for older adults considering the clinical workforce shortage and a frequent lack of social-supportive networks. Embodied conversation agents (ECAs) are interactive applications (digital avatars or three dimensional characters that may be anthropomorphic or resemble a pet or cartoon) utilizing various computational methods including artificial intelligence and machine learning, that engage in conversation in order to provide companionship or even coaching for health. In this presentation we highlight a review of published studies examining the use of ECAs for older adults and report on our pilot study of an ECA system with 10 older adults with mild cognitive impairment who interacted with a digital pet in their home over 3 months. We discuss related opportunities and challenges including issues of autonomy, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, attachment and potential impact on human relationships.
An Android Application Controlled Video Surveillance Vehicle

This paper emphasizes on developing a surveillance vehicle which can be used to monitor inaccessible or hazardous areas. In this project, a vehicle is controlled and monitored using a tailored Android Application. The user can give directional inputs to the vehicle through a mobile application and can monitor its surroundings via video streaming. Arduino Uno, Crowtail Wi-Fi module and a Motor Base shield is used at the heart of the system. Wi-Fi module is used to establish a connection between the mobile application and the vehicle. The Wi-Fi module receives the directional inputs from the user and delivers it serially to Arduino. This module is also responsible for transmitting the video signal to an Android device. In addition to live video streaming, a GPS module is added on the vehicle for location tracking. The co-ordinates of the vehicle are sent to the android app using ESP8266 Wifi module. The location of the vehicle and the user is then displayed on the application using Google maps API.
History and Physical Examination of the Dizzy Patient

The evaluation of patients presenting with vestibular complaints begins with a thorough and structured history and physical examination, which is then augmented by audiologic, vestibular, and radiologic testing. While these ancillary tests are important in establishing a definitive diagnosis, a complete and accurate history and physical exam is critical to narrowing down the differential diagnosis and results in cost-effective use of testing.
Testing the Involvement Profile (IP) scale in the context of selected recreational and touristic activities.

Involvement has become one of the most researched constructs in consumer behavior. It is now receiving considerable coverage in the leisure literature. Recent breakthroughs have provided researcher...
Stochastic 3D microstructure reconstruction and mechanical modeling of anisotropic battery separators

Abstract This paper presents a 3D microstructure model to predict mechanical behaviors of the anisotropic battery separator. A statistical characterization and stochastic reconstruction method is established to enable 3D microstructure modeling based on 2D microscopic images. Statistics of the key microstructure characteristics, such as porosity and the shape of the voids, are quantified by image-based characterization. Furthermore, a stochastic reconstruction algorithm is proposed to generate random but statistically equivalent 3D microstructure models for mechanical property analysis and uncertainty quantification. The proposed method is demonstrated on a commercial separator. Uniaxial tensile simulations are conducted with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and the results are validated by experimental data. The 3D microstructure model captures anisotropic properties of the separator, and gives insights about the microstructure features under tensile load.
Social Media, Sustainability, and Organizations

Abstract Communication is a social process affecting human behavior, including both in-person and virtual interaction made possible by advances in technology. Social media communication allows users world-wide to connect with each other, engaging with shared content ranging from personal messages to news to entertainment. Anyone with a device and Internet access may engage with social media, and individuals, businesses, and public organizations are active users. Social media communication is utilized in the important domain of sustainability: Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainability activities are broad and include environmental, economic, and social initiatives at multiple levels. This article discusses key elements of social media, its use in organizations, its application within sustainability communication, and future challenges.
Cardiorespiratory fitness, sleep, and physiological responses to stress in women.

Epidemiological studies suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness (CRfitness) is associated with reduced risk of depression and anxiety in women, however, the mechanisms by which CRfitness may be prot...
Commodity Consistent Meta-Analysis of Wetland Values: An Illustration for Coastal Marsh Habitat

Prior meta-regression models (MRMs) of wetland values pool value estimates associated with diverse commodity types—for example recreation, flood control, nutrient cycling, habitat provision, nonuse value, and carbon sequestration. Neither theory nor economic intuition justify the inclusion of such dissimilar commodities within a single meta-analytic value function, leading to validity concerns. This article seeks to advance methods for commodity and welfare consistent MRMs, applied to a particular category of wetland values. We develop a wetland value MRM restricted to a specific wetland type (coastal marshes), general location (US and Canada), commodity type (habitat provision and services), and valuation approach (stated preference methods). Results indicate that willingness to pay per household for marsh habitat changes is responsive to scope, spatial scale, market extent, the type of habitat change, household characteristics, and other factors suggested by theory and intuition. Results supersede those of prior wetland value MRMs in terms of statistical performance, estimation of anticipated value surface patterns, and capacity to support conceptually valid benefit transfers. Comparison with an otherwise identical but less commodity consistent MRM demonstrates that commodity consistency leads to improved statistical and benefit transfer performance.
Arteriovenous Malformation MAP2K1 Mutation Causes Local Cartilage Overgrowth by a Cell-Non Autonomous Mechanism.

Extracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is most commonly caused by MAP2K1 mutations in the endothelial cell. The purpose of this study was to determine if local tissue overgrowth associated with AVM is caused by direct or indirect effects of the MAP2K1 mutation (i.e., cell-autonomous or cell-non autonomous). Because cartilage does not have blood vessels, we studied ear AVMs to determine if overgrown cartilage contained AVM-causing mutations. Cartilage was separated from its surrounding tissue and isolated by laser capture microdissection. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used to identify MAP2K1 mutations. MAP2K1 (p.K57N) variants were present in the tissue adjacent to the cartilage [mutant allele frequency (MAF) 6–8%], and were enriched in endothelial cells (MAF 51%) compared to non-endothelial cells (MAF 0%). MAP2K1 mutations were not identified in the overgrown cartilage, and thus local cartilage overgrowth likely results from the effects of adjacent mutant blood vessels (i.e., cell-non autonomous).
Elastodynamic-reciprocity-based analysis of guided wave motion due to finite-length through-thickness tensile and shear cracks in plates

This paper presents solutions for guided wave motion (Lamb and shear horizontal) due to tensile and shear cracks in an isotropic plate using elastodynamic reciprocity. Finite-length through-thickness cracks are considered via Huygens’ principle by representing them as a superposition of point cracks. Far-field solutions are then derived in order to simplify the results and facilitate a direct comparison of guided mode excitability due to various cracking modes. Relatively short- and long-length line cracking are compared to point cracking for the fundamental modes S0, A0, and SH0. It is shown that the A0 modal response is the most sensitive to crack length, with S0 and SH0 being relatively insensitive. Additionally, the radiation patterns of S0, A0, and SH0 are relatively insensitive to crack length. The results have applications in acoustic emission monitoring of plate-like structures, where modal responses may be used to characterize crack growth.
Association of lymphocyte to monocyte ratio with clinical response and survival in patients with relapsed, aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel CAR-T.

3028Background: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy induces complete remission (CR) in 30-40% of patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). However, for patients who do not achieve CR a...
A Mechanism-Based Targeted Screen To Identify Epstein-Barr Virus-Directed Antiviral Agents.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of nine human herpesviruses that persist latently to establish permanent residence in their hosts. Periodic activation into the lytic/replicative phase allows such viruses to propagate and spread, but can also cause disease in the host. This lytic phase is also essential for EBV to cause infectious mononucleosis and cancers including B lymphocyte-derived Burkitt lymphoma and immunocompromise-associated lymphoproliferative diseases/lymphomas as well as epithelial cell-derived nasopharyngeal-cell carcinoma. In the absence of anti-EBV agents, however, therapeutic options for EBV-related diseases are limited. In earlier work, we discovered that, through the activities of the viral protein kinase that is conserved across herpesviruses and two cellular proteins ATM and KAP1, a lytic cycle amplification loop is established - and that disruption of this loop disables the EBV lytic cascade. We therefore devised a high throughput screening assay, screened a small molecule compound library, and identified seventeen candidates that impair the release of lytically-replicated EBV. The identified compounds will i) serve as lead compounds or may be modified to inhibit EBV and potentially other herpesviruses and ii) be developed into anti-cancer agents as functions of KAP1 and ATM are tightly linked to cancer. Importantly, our screening strategy may also be used to screen additional compound libraries for anti-herpesviral and anti-cancer drugs.IMPORTANCE Epstein-Barr virus, which is nearly ubiquitous in humans, is causal to infectious mononucleosis, chronic active EBV infection, and lymphoid and epithelial cancers. However, EBV-specific antiviral agents are not yet available. To aid in the identification of compounds that may be developed as antivirals, we pursued a mechanism-based approach. Since many of these diseases rely on EBV's lytic phase, we developed a high-throughput assay that is able to measure a key step that is essential for successful completion of EBV's lytic cascade. We used this assay to screen a library of small molecule compounds and identified inhibitors that may be pursued for their anti-EBV and possibly even anti-herpesviral potential as this key mechanism appears to be common to several human herpesviruses. Given the prominent role of this mechanism in both herpesvirus biology and cancer, our screening assay may be used as a platform to identify both anti-herpesviral and anti-cancer drugs.
Perceptions About the Impact of Cigarette Filters on the Environment and Smoking-Related Behaviors.

Abstract Purpose Examine adolescents’ and young adults’ (AYAs) knowledge and perceptions about the composition and environmental harms of cigarette filters and determine how perceptions are associated with support for policy interventions. Methods Cross-sectional, convenience sample from 10 California schools. AYAs (N = 429; 70% Results Most agreed that filters are harmful to the environment and not biodegradable (89%, n = 383 respectively); fewer knew filters are made of plastic (43%, n = 185). AYAs who agreed that filters are harmful to the environment were more supportive of cigarette sales bans (OR = 2.78 [95% CI: 1.18, 6.58]). Conclusions Knowledge of the environmental harms of cigarettes among AYAs may strengthen support for tobacco control. More research is needed to further understand the knowledge and attitudes about the environmental impact of tobacco and to clarify how this might add support for tobacco-related policies.
Social Media Based, Data-mining Driven Social Network Analysis (SNA) of Printing Technologies in Fashion Industry

The dynamic supply of online information with millions of social media messages derived from human activities is difficult to analyze using conventional methodologies. This study demonstrates application of data-mining driven Social Network Analysis to generate a model of four predominant printing terms (i.e., screen printing, heat transfer, sublimation, and digital printing) that emerged from earlier network analyses. A total of 3,000 random tweets related to four printing terms were captured using Crimson Hexagon. Python and Gephi were applied to convert, calculate and visualize the network. Based on graph theory, degree centrality and betweenness centrality indices guide interpretation of the outcome network. The findings reveal insights into different printing technologies through identification of interrelated indicators and enable us to build a foundational understanding of the opaque fashion printing market. Simultaneously, the study demonstrates a process for examining un-defined, emerging technology that is not understood among brands or consumers.
When does inequality demobilize? New evidence from the American states

Abstract Income inequality has been rising throughout the industrialized world, particularly in the United States. This long been thought to depress turnout, but extant research has yielded mixed findings. Here, I argue that the inequality-turnout relationship is conditional, depending crucially on election salience. I test this by using three decades (1984–2014) of panel data from the U.S. states and by leveraging the fixed and exogenous occurrence of presidential (higher-salience) and midterm (lower-salience) elections. Overall, I find a negative and statistically significant relationship between income inequality and voter turnout in midterm election years, but a substantively small and non-significant relationship in presidential election years. I attribute this to the ability of presidential contests, relative to midterms, to counteract the demobilizing influence of high inequality, by piquing voters’ interest and activating citizens who would otherwise abstain. Overall, these findings help us to better understand of the politics of electoral participation in an era of high, and rising economic inequality.
Book Review Essay: 'Restoring Voice to People with Cognitive Disabilities: Realizing the Right to Equal Recognition Before the Law'

In Restoring Voice to People with Cognitive Disabilities, Anna Arstein-Kerslake carefully dissects the text of a United Nations treaty that itself is the product of ardent advocates and activists. The author is keen on translating the terms of Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into practical implications for people with cognitive disabilities. Her goal is to examine the elusive juridical concept of “legal capacity” and give real meaning to “supported decision-making” (SDM). The latter is cherished in the disability community as the antidote to guardianship and other antiquated frameworks for governing the lives of people with mental health, psycho-social and intellectual disabilities. In ten chapters, rich in detail and footnoted to a fault, the Melbourne Law School scholar weaves an amalgam of political theory, international human rights doctrine, comparative law and jurisprudence, philosophy and psychology. The book also includes a chapter examining cases decided by the European Court of Human Rights and various domestic courts. The author’s insistence that the right to support is “narrow” and “only applies to situations in which an individual is acting as a legal agent” may underestimate the difficulty in its ope-rationalization and overestimate a realization of the exercise of legal capacity without “all types of support.” This definition also does little to bridge the factions on whether substituted decision-making should be eradicated in its entirety for persons with a cognitive disability. Her analysis points to promising developments in the case law, and disappointments, but could expound more on the benefits and costs of strategic litigation as a means for furthering Article 12 rights. A discussion of the elements of diverse jurisdictions’ support systems would also be useful to readers and how those elements might be incorporated in a model law. And, while the fiscal implications of Article 12 may go beyond the scope of this treatise, one is left wanting some answers about cost and effectiveness. In her last chapter, the author poses questions for future research and is earnest in her proposition for “rights-based research” in which the voice of disabled people is included at all levels. However, to ensure that “nothing about us without us” is more than a mantra, advocates and policy makers need to conscientiously design and execute an appropriately tailored research or self-advocacy vehicle for persons with cognitive disabilities. Article 12 is “so contentious,” Arstein-Kerslake reminds us, because “it requires real changes to existing legal systems and challenges the popular notion that people with disabilities lack decision-making skills."