cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimal area merger of finite state machine controllers

The authors present techniques for merging a pair of finite state machines (FSMs) that control the data-path circuitry on a chip. In particular, these techniques can be used to merge FSMs that control the functional and test circuitry in the data path. An A* algorithm is used to obtain the state transition table of the merged controller, and then standard synthesis tools are used for state assignment and logic minimization. The procedure targets either two-level or multilevel logic implementation. Compared to implementing the functional and test controllers separately, it is shown that merging the controllers leads to significant savings in logic area. For multilevel implementation, the technique produces merged machines that have on average 20% less factored form literals than the machines produced by an existing state minimizer. >
Body size plasticity and local variation of relative head and body size sexual dimorphism in garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis)

For snakes, prey size and sex are two possible determinants of head and body size. In garter snakes Thamnophis sirtalis, females are generally longer and have greater body weights than males, and also have larger relative head sizes, which may facilitate foraging success. The selective pressures that account for sexual size dimorphism in garter snakes have not been unequivocally demonstrated. In this study, the body (length and mass) and head (head length, head width, jaw length, inter-ocular distance) sizes of garter snakes inhabiting two nearby but ecologically dissimilar sites with different types of available prey were compared. Overall, the adult female snakes were larger and had greater relative head sizes than males. Males from the two sites did not differ significantly in body or head sizes. However, the mean body length and mass of females from a site where vertebrates are included in the diet were greater than that of females feeding almost exclusively on earthworms. There were also significant site differences in all four head measurements in females, although the direction of the difference varied by site. Diet-induced morphological plasticity is well documented and was evident in this study, although the relative roles of genotype, ontogeny, and competing selective forces in the expression of such plasticity can only be ascertained through future experimental studies.
Development of Milk Synthesis

Summary The specific event(s) responsible for initiation of lactation have not been identified and may be species variable. Considerable progress has been made in description and characterization of changes often associated with initiation of lactation and a number of these have been discussed. Data are presented which suggest that regulatory mechanisms affecting secretory cell differentiation, secretory cell development, and the expression of metabolic capacity may fulfill prominent roles in development of milk synthesis.
Interleukin 1 Upregulates Ovarian Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase-2 Expression: Evidence for Prostaglandin-Dependent/Ceramide-Independent Transcriptional Stimulation and for Message Stabilization

Abstract We have recently documented a marked dependence of ovarian prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGS)-2 transcripts, proteins, and activity on interleukin (IL) 1, a putative intermediary in the ovulatory cascade. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the ability of IL-1β to upregulate the steady-state levels of ovarian transcripts corresponding to PGS-2. Results of studies designed to enrich or deplete nitric oxide strongly suggest that the stimulatory effect of IL-1β on ovarian PGS-2 expression is independent of nitric oxide. Utilization of a series of agents designed to simulate or enhance transduction via the sphingomyelin ceramide cycle suggests that the long-term stimulatory effect of IL-1β on ovarian PGS-2 gene expression is independent of ceramide. In contrast, inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis with a series of distinct inhibitors suggests that the ability of IL-1β to upregulate ovarian PGS-2 transcripts is due, if only ...
Effects of intra-articular hyaluronic acid on ex vivo responses by third carpal bone cartilage from horses with experimentally induced synovitis

We studied the extent to which intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) administered to horses with experimentally induced synovitis in the third middle carpal joint altered cartilage proteoglycans (PGs) and the biomechanical properties of the third carpal bone. Intra-articular HA (Hylartin-V®) was administered to the middle carpal joints of healthy horses before and after the induction of synovitis by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Two groups of horses received intra-articular HA only, with evaluation 2 and 6 weeks later (group 2 and group 4). Two other groups (group 1 and group 3) received LPS followed by intra-articular HA and evaluation 2 and 6 weeks later. Ex vivo third carpal bone cartilage PG synthesis was measured by 35SO4 incorporation and third carpal bone cartilage PG content was determined by an assay for glucuronic acid. Biomechanical properties were measured by indentation testing. At the 2-week evaluation, HA did not ablate the quantitative reduction in PG synthesis and PG content in animals with experimental synovitis. However, by 6 weeks, there was a significant rebound effect in that PG synthesis and PG content were elevated in horses with experimental synovitis that had received intra-articular HA, compared with horses that had received HA only for that period of time. There were also alterations in the gel filtration profiles of newly synthesized PGs on Sepharose CL-2B among the groups. However, there were no de novo PG species associated with any of the treatments. Furthermore, we found that the biomechanical properties of third carpal bone cartilage were not altered in any of the groups. These studies showed that intra-articular HA administered to horses with experimentally induced synovitis did not provide short-term (i.e. 2-week) benefit to third carpal bone cartilage PG synthesis. However, a long-term benefit of intra-articular HA may occur after the acute effects of synovitis on PG synthesis and PG content subside.
Tracking Online Collaborative Work as Representational Practice: Analysis and Tool

Online communities of practice are social entities comprised of users who have overlapping or shared goals and interests. Technology that supports activity within an online community of practice takes several forms, ranging from alternate channels of communication, to the virtual meeting rooms, to wiki-based methods for sharing documents. The evaluation of the role of technology, and its design, in the productivity of online communities of practice is a significant and necessary step to engineering better environments for online collaboration.
The low ionic strength crystal structure of horse cytochrome c at 2.1 A resolution and comparison with its high ionic strength counterpart.

Abstract Background: Cytochrome c is an integral part of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. It is confined to the intermembrane space of mitochondria, and has the function of transferring electrons between its redox partners. Solution studies of cytochrome c indicate that the conformation of the molecule is sensitive to the ionic strength of the medium. Results The crystal structures of cytochromes c from several species have been solved at extremely high ionic strengths of near-saturated solutions of ammonium sulfate. Here we present the first crystal structure of ferricytochrome c at low ionic strength refined at 2.1 a resolution. In general, the structure has the same features as those determined earlier. However, there are some differences in both backbone and side-chain conformations in several areas. These areas coincide with those observed by NMR and resonance Raman spectroscopy to be sensitive to ionic strength. Conclusion Neither ionic strength nor crystal-packing interactions have much influence on the conformation of horse cytochrome c. Nevertheless, some differences in the side-chain conformations at high and low ionic strengths may be important for understanding how the protein functions. Close examination of the γ -turn (residues 27–29) conserved in cytochromes c leads us to propose the ‘negative classical' γ -turn to describe this unusual feature.
SPONTANEOUS SPINAL EPIDURAL HEMATOMA: A CASE REPORT

A 59-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) the day after a minor motor vehicle crash for evaluation of bilateral shoulder pain. He underwent ED evaluation for his back pain two more times before it was found that he had a spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH). On the third visit, the patient had waxing and waning neurologic symptoms including lower extremity weakness and urinary retention. The diagnosis was made by MRI, and the patient was successfully treated with cervical hemilaminectomy at the cervicothoracic junction for evacuation of the epidural hematoma 5 days after the onset of back pain.
The Impact of Inter-Kernel Movement in the Evolution of Resistance to Dual-Toxin Bt-Corn Varieties in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Seeds or kernels on hybrid plants are primarily F(2) tissue and will segregate for heterozygous alleles present in the parental F(1) hybrids. In the case of plants expressing Bt-toxins, the F(2) tissue in the kernels will express toxins as they would segregate in any F(2) tissue. In the case of plants expressing two unlinked toxins, the kernels on a Bt plant fertilized by another Bt plant would express anywhere from 0 to 2 toxins. Larvae of corn earworm [Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)] feed on a number of kernels during development and would therefore be exposed to local habitats (kernels) that varied in their toxin expression. Three models were developed for plants expressing two Bt-toxins, one where the traits are unlinked, a second where the traits were linked and a third model assuming that maternal traits were expressed in all kernels as well as paternally inherited traits. Results suggest that increasing larval movement rates off of expressing kernels tended to increase durability while increasing movement rates off of nonexpressing kernels always decreased durability. An ideal block refuge (no pollen flow between blocks and refuges) was more durable than a seed blend because the refuge expressed no toxins, while pollen contamination from plants expressing toxins in a seed blend reduced durability. A linked-trait model in an ideal refuge model predicted the longest durability. The results suggest that using a seed-blend strategy for a kernel feeding insect on a hybrid crop could dramatically reduce durability through the loss of refuge due to extensive cross-pollination.
Nicotine Reduces Survival via Augmentation of Paracrine HGF–MET Signaling in the Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment

Purpose: The relationship between smoking and pancreatic cancer biology, particularly in the context of the heterogeneous microenvironment, remains incompletely defined. We hypothesized that nicotine exposure would lead to the augmentation of paracrine growth factor signaling between tumor-associated stroma (TAS) and pancreatic cancer cells, ultimately resulting in accelerated tumor growth and metastasis. Experimental Design: The effect of tobacco use on overall survival was analyzed using a prospectively maintained database of surgically resected patients with pancreatic cancer. Nicotine exposure was evaluated in vitro using primary patient–derived TAS and pancreatic cancer cells independently and in coculture. Nicotine administration was then assessed in vivo using a patient-derived pancreatic cancer xenograft model. Results: Continued smoking was associated with reduced overall survival after surgical resection. In culture, nicotine-stimulated hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) secretion in primary patient-derived TAS and nicotine stimulation was required for persistent pancreatic cancer cell c-Met activation in a coculture model. c-Met activation in this manner led to the induction of inhibitor of differentiation-1 (Id1) in pancreatic cancer cells, previously established as a mediator of growth, invasion and chemoresistance. HGF-induced Id1 expression was abrogated by both epigenetic and pharmacologic c-Met inhibition. In patient-derived pancreatic cancer xenografts, nicotine treatment augmented tumor growth and metastasis; tumor lysates from nicotine-treated mice demonstrated elevated HGF expression by qRT-PCR and phospho-Met levels by ELISA. Similarly, elevated levels of phospho-Met in surgically resected pancreatic cancer specimens correlated with reduced overall survival. Conclusions: Taken together, these data demonstrate a novel, microenvironment-dependent paracrine signaling mechanism by which nicotine exposure promotes the growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 22(7); 1787–99. ©2015 AACR .
Prediction of Structure for Cytochrome B from Sequence Data: What Information is Available from Sequence Comparison

A preliminary model for the structure of the cytochrome b subunit of the UQH2:cyt c2 oxidoreductase of R. sphaeroides has been predicted (1,2) using a combination of methods; Chou-Fasman (3), Robson-Garnier (4) and Rao-Argos (5) prediction, hydrophobic analysis (6–8) using several hydrophobic indices, and amphipathic analysis (9). Further refinement has relied on comparison of subunits from mitochondria, chloroplast and bacteria by homologous alignment, mutability analysis, and comparative prediction. The model has eight transmembrane helices (1), and three amphipathic helices, which are strongly conserved. The main difference from previously accepted models (10,11) is in the removal of one transmembrane helix (helix IV) to an amphipathic situation. The most obvious structural consequence is that the sidedness of the sequence to the C-terminal end of helix IV has been reset, so that the liganding helices (II and V) are parallel in the new model. We have suggested (2) a new nomenclature in which the eight trans-membrane helices are lettered A-H, and the amphipathic helices are ab, cd (helix IV of refs. 10,11), and ef.
Slip casting of Al2O3 and Al2O3/ZrO2 composites

Al2O3 and Al2O3/ZrO2 composites have been fabricated by slip casting from aqueous suspensions. The physical and structural characteristics of the starting powders, composition of the suspensions, casting behaviour, microstructure of the green and fired bodies and the mechanical properties of the products were investigated. The addition of ZrO2 to Al2O3 leads to a significant increase in fracture toughness when ZrO2 particles are retained in the tetragonal form (transformation-toughening mechanism) but when microcracking (due to the spontaneous transformation of ZrO2 from the tetragonal phase to the monoclinic one) is dominant, an excellent toughness value is accompanied by a drastic drop in strength and hardness.
Detection of adenovirus type 12 neoantigen (s) in a continuous human amnion cell line (FL) by immunofluorescence.

SummaryNeoantigens produced in FL cells by infection with oncogenic types of adenoviruses were stained by the indirect FA technic using serum from hamsters bearing tumors induced by adenovirus type 12 as the intermediate serum. The neoantigen of adenovirus type 12 first appeared at 6 hours postinfection, and thereafter the amount within the cell (nucleus) increased until 12 hours. The number of cells in which the antigen was demonstrable also increased until at 12 hours post-infection the majority of the cells contained the antigen. Formation of neoantigen preceded the formation of new infectious virus, as was shown by growth curve experiments and by staining with fluorescein-labeled antibody against the virus.
Induction of Heritable New Type in Type Specific Strains of H. influenzae.

Summary1. Normal strains of types b and d H. influenzae have been directly transformed to new types of H. influenzae; type b was changed to types a, c and d, and type d into types a, b and c. 2. The rate of occurrence in type d populations of cells susceptible of transformation has been shown to be not significantly different from that found earlier in R cell populations derived from type d. Comparisons in the presence of more potent anti d antibody have been made subsequently between populations of Rd and type d for frequency of cells susceptible (initially or during growth for 24 hours) to transformation to type c. No real differences could be demonstrated when this more efficient selective agent was used.
Intrabronchial Valve Treatment for Prolonged Air Leak: Can We Justify the Cost?

Background. Prolonged air leak is defined as an ongoing air leak for more than 5 days. Intrabronchial valve (IBV) treatment is approved for the treatment of air leaks. Objective. To analyze our experience with IBV and valuate its cost-effectiveness. Methods. Retrospective analysis of IBV from June 2013 to October 2014. We analyzed direct costs based on hospital and operating room charges. We used average costs in US dollars for the analysis not individual patient data. Results. We treated 13 patients (9 M/4 F), median age of 60 years (38 to 90). Median time from diagnosis to IBV placement was 9.8 days, time from IBV placement to chest tube removal was 3 days, and time from IBV placement to hospital discharge was 4 days. Average room and board costs were $14,605 including all levels of care. IBV cost is $2750 per valve. The average number of valves used was 4. Total cost of procedure, valves, and hospital stay until discharge was $13,900. Conclusion. In our limited experience, the use of IBV to treat prolonged air leaks is safe and appears cost-effective. In pure financial terms, the cost seems justified for any air leak predicted to last greater than 8 days.
CHEMICAL PERITONITIS DUE TO INTRAPERITONEAL VANCOMYCIN (VANCOLED)

Six consecutive patients treated with intraperitoneal vancomycin for catheter infections developed cloudy dialysate in the exchange to which the drug was added. In all six patients, the dialysate w...
Stare Decisis is Cognitive Error

For hundreds of years, the practice of stare decisis - a court's adherence to prior decisions in similar cases - has guided the common law. However, recent behavioral evidence suggests that stare decisis, far from enacting society's true preferences with regard to law and policy, may reflect - and exacerbate - our cognitive biases.The data show that humans are subconsciously primed (among other things) to prefer the status quo, to overvalue existing defaults, to follow others' decisions, and to stick to the well-worn path. We have strong motives to justify existing legal, political, and social systems; to come up with simple explanations for observed phenomena; and to construct coherent narratives for the world around us. Taken together, these and other characteristics suggest that we value precedent not because it is desirable but merely because it exists. Three case studies - analyzing federal district court cases, U.S. Supreme Court cases, and development of American policy on torture - suggest that the theory of stare decisis as a heuristic has substantial explanatory power. In its strongest form, this hypothesis challenges the foundation of common law systems.
Abstract 4094: Exosomes secreted from the noncancerous microenvironment promote proliferation, migration, and invasion in breast cancer cells

Introduction: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive forms of five major types of breast cancer. Because TNBC mortality disproportionately affects premenopausal African American women, a health disparity exists within this group. Our research has provided insight on how the noncancerous microenvironment plays a role in TNBC proliferation, migration, and invasion. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles (30-300 nm) produced ubiquitously by mammalian cells, are secreted by noncancerous breast epithelial cells, and have been noted to enhance proliferation, migration and invasion in TNBC. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine if exosome-free conditioned media (EFCM), which contains noncancerous MCF10A exosomes, enhances proliferation, migration and invasion in TNBC. Methods: MDA-MB-231 and MCF10A breast epithelial cells were used as cell line models. Proliferation was measured by the alamar blue proliferation assay. The transwell migration assay was used to assess migration, and the Matrigel invasion assay was used to measure migration. ExoELISA assays were also used to detect exosomes in exosome-free conditioned media (EFCM) from MCF10A cells. MCF10A cells were serum-starved for 24 hours, using DMEM/F-12 with 0.5% standard or exosome-depleted FBS (edFBS), to produce exosomal conditioned media (CM) and EFCM. This media was harvested and sterile filtered before use. MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with EFCM in each of the bioassays, and RPMI-1640 was used as a control. Results: MCF10A exosomes introduced via EFCM enhanced proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings demonstrate that secreted factors from noncancerous MCF10A cells that have been stressed as a direct result of serum starvation are exosomes. These exosomes recruit TNBC cells to increase proliferation, migration, and invasion. The role of these exosomes in the noncancerous microenvironment is poorly understood, but these data suggest that exosomes from the noncancerous microenvironment have potential to be used in targeted therapies against triple negative breast disease. Citation Format: Letitia A. Yearby, Terri Cunningham, Jacenta Matthews, KiTani Parker Lemieux. Exosomes secreted from the noncancerous microenvironment promote proliferation, migration, and invasion in breast cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4094.
Aircraft Automatic Control

In the previous chapters, the nonlinear equations of motion of an aircraft have been derived and thoroughly analyzed. In this this chapter, we present several control techniques that are commonly applied in the design of flight controls. Specifically, the proportional-integral-derivative control scheme, the linear-quadratic regulator, the optimal state-feedback \(\mathcal {H}_{\infty }\) control, and the adaptive control are discussed in detail. These techniques are illustrated through several meaningful numerical examples.
Ambiguity, parsing, and the evaluation measure

An evaluation measure (EM) guides a learner’s choice of grammar when more than one is compatible with available input. EM must be universal, so children receiving comparable input acquire comparabl...
Impacts of the aerodynamic force representation on the stability and performance of a galloping-based energy harvester

Abstract One of the challenging tasks in the analytical modeling of galloping systems is the representation of the galloping force. In this study, the impacts of using different aerodynamic load representations on the dynamics of galloping oscillations are investigated. A distributed-parameter model is considered to determine the response of a galloping energy harvester subjected to a uniform wind speed. For the same experimental data and conditions, various polynomial expressions for the galloping force are proposed in order to determine the possible differences in the variations of the harvester's outputs as well as the type of instability. For the same experimental data of the galloping force, it is demonstrated that the choice of the coefficients of the polynomial approximation may result in a change in the type of bifurcation, the tip displacement and harvested power amplitudes. A parametric study is then performed to investigate the effects of the electrical load resistance on the harvester's performance when considering different possible representations of the aerodynamic force. It is indicated that for low and high values of the electrical resistance, there is an increase in the range of wind speeds where the response of the energy harvester is not affected. The performed analysis shows the importance of accurately representing the galloping force in order to efficiently design piezoelectric energy harvesters.
Negative Authentication Systems

Password-based authentication systems are the oldest and most popular among all authentication methods.
Why Political Science Is an Ethical Issue

Many advocates of interpretive approaches to the study of politics emphasize that what is at stake is a conflict between “quantitative” versus “qualitative” methods. By contrast, we begin by sugges...
Fluid-structural dynamics of ground-based and microgravity caloric tests

Microgravity caloric tests aboard the 1983 SpaceLab1 mission produced nystagmus results with an intensity comparable to those elicited during post- and pre- flight tests, thus contradicting the basic premise of Barany's convection hypothesis for caloric stimulation. In this work, we present a dynamic fluid structural analysis of the caloric stimulation of the lateral semicircular canal based on two simultaneous driving forces for the endolymphatic flow: natural convection driven by the temperature-dependent density variation in the bulk fluid and expansive convection caused by direct volumetric displacement of the endolymph during the thermal irrigation. Direct numerical simulations indicate that on earth, the natural convection mechanism is dominant. But in the microgravity environment of orbiting spacecraft, where buoyancy effects are mitigated, expansive convection becomes the sole mechanism for producing cupular displacement. A series of transient 1 g and microgravity case studies are presented to delineate the differences between the dynamics of the 1 g and microgravity endolymphatic flows. The impact of these different flow dynamics on the endolymph-cupula fluid-structural interactions is also analyzed based on the time evolutions of cupular displacement and velocity and the transcupular pressure differences.
Cardiotoxicity From Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2) Targeted Therapies.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second‐leading cause of death among women with cancer.[1][1] Whereas outcomes for many breast cancers are favorable, human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 (HER2)‐positive breast cancers may have an aggressive clinical
Students' Perceptions of Their First Accounting Class: Implications for Instructors.

The purpose of this action research study is to learn directly from undergraduate students, through focus groups, about their experiences in their first accounting class, especially about the stude...
Scarless Genome Editing of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells via Transient Puromycin Selection

Summary Genome-edited human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have broad applications in disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. We present and characterize a robust method for rapid, scarless introduction or correction of disease-associated variants in hPSCs using CRISPR/Cas9. Utilizing non-integrated plasmid vectors that express a puromycin N-acetyl-transferase (PAC) gene, whose expression and translation is linked to that of Cas9, we transiently select for cells based on their early levels of Cas9 protein. Under optimized conditions, co-delivery with single-stranded donor DNA enabled isolation of clonal cell populations containing both heterozygous and homozygous precise genome edits in as little as 2 weeks without requiring cell sorting or high-throughput sequencing. Edited cells isolated using this method did not contain any detectable off-target mutations and displayed expected functional phenotypes after directed differentiation. We apply the approach to a variety of genomic loci in five hPSC lines cultured using both feeder and feeder-free conditions.
Should Private Discrimination Constitute an Act Discreditable to the Profession? A Philosophical Look at a Practical Ethical Question

Rule 501 of the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct prohibits acts that are discreditable to the profession. Discrimination in employment practices is considered to be an act that is discreditable to the profession. This article looks at the philosophical and practical questions that arise when one digs beneath the surface of Rule 501 in an attempt to determine whether private discrimination should be classified as an act that is discreditable to the profession. The author also explores the general concept of what might be considered an act that is discreditable to the profession and questions whether there should be such a rule that prohibits personal conduct that does not violate rights.
Optimized Determination of Elastic Constants of Anisotropic Solids from Wavespeed Measurements

Ultrasonic measurements have been used for a long time to quantitatively determine the elastic properties of solids from wavespeed measurements. The determination is based on measuring the speeds of propagation of various wave modes, propagating in specific directions of the solid. Various methods have been developed for these measurements including both continuous wave and pulsed or burst techniques. A traditional distinction can be done in the way the transducer(s) interact with the solid to be characterized. Contact techniques [1,2] have been supplemented by immersion systems [3,4] which often yield more reproducible results and which permit measurements to be easily made along different directions in the test specimen. For instance, an advanced immersion system using the principle of digital interferometry with the help of a cross-correlation technique and normal mode tracking algorithms was recently designed [51. By using the mode conversion process at a liquid-solid interface, quasi-longitudinal and quasi-transverse bulk modes can be generated in numerous directions in the interior of the solid. The design and implementation of specialized optimization algorithms [6] permit a precise determination of the elastic constants for various synthetic and natural composite materials [7,8]. Nevertheless, a principal limitation of the existing optimization procedures for recovering a material’s elastic constants has been the requirement of wavespeed data measured in principal planes, where some analytical expressions, providing the slowness curves, generally exist [9].
The Development of a Role Strain Index for Stepparents

The stepparent role has been identified with chronic strain throughout the literature. Although various aspects of role strain have been anecdotally reported, its specific nature and most problematic aspects for stepparents have not been examined empirically. This article reports the initial phases in the development of an instrument that measures the strain thought to be integral to the stepparent role. Descriptive findings point to the importance of role strain in informing our knowledge of and service to stepfamilies.
Regulation of interleukin-1 beta secretion from macrophages via modulation of potassium ion (K+ ) channel activity.

A causal relationship exists between macrophage cholesterol levels and inflammation, for example, Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secretion. A decrease in intracellular K+ is essential for inflammasome activation/IL-1β secretion and, herein, we examined the hypothesis that cellular cholesterol affects K+ -channel activity and K+ -efflux using mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) and human/THP1 macrophages. An increase in cellular cholesterol led to a significant increase in K+ currents (> 350% in both MPM and THP1). Enhancing cholesterol efflux returned K+ currents back to basal levels with corresponding increase in intracellular K+ (11.2-14.5%) and reduced IL-1β secretion (32-62%). These data demonstrate a novel mechanism by which cellular cholesterol modulates inflammation/inflammasome via regulation of K+ -channel activity and intracellular K+ levels. Attenuation of IL-1β secretion by Nateglinide/Repaglinide further suggests involvement of Kir6 channels.
People of Puerto Rican Heritage

The Island of Puerto Rico has a population of over 3.5 million. Approximately three million Puerto Ricans live in the mainland US; more than half live in the northeastern US. They self-identify as Puertorri-quenos or Boricua (the Taino Indian word for Puerto Rican) or Niuyoricans for those born in New York. Diversity among Puerto Ricans includes assimilation, individuality, and the variant characteristics of culture as presented in Chap. 1.
Abstract 368: Next generation DNA aptamers with prolonged stability and antitumor activity

Aberrations in Gas6/AXL signaling is associated with many human diseases including ovarian cancer, where in patients expressing high levels of AXL have shorter overall survival than patients expressing low levels. Aptamers are short synthetic oligonucleotides (DNA or RNA) that can bind with highest specificity to various other macromolecules such as peptides, proteins and carbohydrates, based on their tertiary structures. Aptamers are similar in their functionality to antibodies in their specificity; easier to manufacture than antibodies; have minimal side effects; and thus hold a high promise as therapeutics. The typical issues with the use of aptamers as therapeutic agents are their selectivity, stability, and bioavailability. We present the development of the next generation DNA aptamers, targeting p-AXL specifically to as a therapeutic in ovarian cancer (OC) by chemical modifications to their primary sequence. Improved bioavailability and stability, based on the comparative analysis the library of 17 DNA aptamers that differed in the position and number of fluoro- and thio- modifications on their nucleotide sequence, were used as the criteria for the selection and characterization of the best aptamer candidates to target p-AXL. Two of the best candidates, GLB-G25 and GLB-A04 thus chosen with the highest bioavailability and stability, when tested in ovarian cancer cell lines, decreased the migration and invasion of cells in vitro. Treatment of ovarian cancer orthotopic murine model animals with modified DNA aptamer candidates chosen above significantly reduced tumor growth and the number of metastases. The candidates, GLB-G25 and GLB-A04 show highest potential to be developed into therapeutics to target p-AXL that is elevated in several cancers including ovarian cancer. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Paola AMERO, Cristian Rodriguez-Aguayo, Rajan R. Chaudhari, Shuxing Zhang, Anil K. Sood, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein. Next generation DNA aptamers with prolonged stability and antitumor activity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 368.
Orientational phase behavior of polymer-grafted nanocubes.

Surface functionalization of nanoparticles with polymer grafts was recently shown to be a viable strategy for controlling the relative orientation of shaped nanoparticles in their higher-order assemblies. In this study, we investigated in silico the orientational phase behavior of coplanar polymer-grafted nanocubes confined in a thin film. We first used Monte Carlo simulations to compute the two-particle interaction free-energy landscape of the nanocubes and identify their globally stable configurations. The nanocubes were found to exhibit four stable phases: those with edge–edge and face–face orientations, and those exhibiting partially overlapped slanted and parallel faces previously assumed to be metastable. Moreover, the edge–edge configuration originally thought to involve kissing edges instead displayed partly overlapping edges, where the extent of the overlap depends on the attachment positions of the grafts. We next formulated analytical scaling expressions for the free energies of the identified configurations, which were used for constructing a comprehensive phase diagram of nanocube orientation in a multidimensional parameter space comprising of the size and interaction strength of the nanocubes and the Kuhn length and surface density of the grafts. The morphology of the phase diagram was shown to arise from an interplay between polymer- and surface-mediated interactions, especially differences in their scalings with respect to nanocube size and grafting density across the four phases. The phase diagram provided insights into tuning these interactions through the various parameters of the system for achieving target configurations. Overall, this work provides a framework for predicting and engineering interparticle configurations, with possible applications in plasmonic nanocomposites where control over particle orientation is critical.
Electron capture collisions between /sup 7/Li/sup +/ and H/sub 2/ over the energy range 0. 2--3. 0 keV. [charge-transfer cross sections, semiclassical coupled-harmonic oscillator model]

Absolute charge-transfer cross sections for the production of 10 excited levels of the lithium atom produced in the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ + ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ \ensuremath{\rightarrow} ${\mathrm{Li}}^{*}$ + $\mathrm{H}_{2}^{}{}_{}{}^{+}$ reaction have been determined as a function of the lithium ion energy over the 0.2-3.0-keV energy range. These cross sections are observed to follow the functional form $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\nu},\ensuremath{\Delta}E)=K\mathrm{exp}(\frac{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Delta}\mathrm{Ea}}{\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\nu}})$, where $\ensuremath{\nu}$ is the ion velocity and $\ensuremath{\Delta}E(n,l)$ is the "energy defect" for the charge transfer into the $n$, $l$ excited level of lithium. This functional dependence can be rationalized in terms of a semiclassical coupled-harmonicoscillator model. We find that at constant $\ensuremath{\nu}$ the relative magnitudes of the capture cross section are governed by the energy defect and the angular momentum quantum number of the final state. Specifically, we observe that ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{CT}}(\mathrm{nd})g{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{CT}}(\mathrm{np})g{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{CT}}(\mathrm{ns})$, where ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{CT}}$ is the charge-transfer cross section.
Synthesis of highly selective lysosomal markers by coupling 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (HBT) with benzothiazolium cyanine (Cy): the impact of substituents on selectivity and optical properties

HBT-Cy 1 has been previously reported as a highly selective fluorescent probe for lysosome visualization in live cells. To further investigate the role of the structural components of HBT-Cy in lysosome selectivity, cyanine based fluorescent probe series (2–5) have been synthesized in good yields by connecting benzothiazolium cyanine (Cy) with 2-hydroxyphenylbenzothiazole (HBT) via a meta phenylene ring. Probes 2–5 exhibited exceptional photophysical properties including bright red-emission (λem ≈ 630–650 nm), a large Stokes shift (Δλ > 130 nm) and high fluorescence quantum yields (ϕfl ≈ 0.1–0.5). Probes 2, 3, and 5 exhibited exceptional selectivity towards cellular lysosomes in NHLF and MO3.13 cells. Our further study revealed that the phenyl benzothiazolium cyanine component (6) was the lysosome directing group in the HBT-Cy probe structure. The attachment of the hydroxyphenyl benzothiazole (HBT) component to the HBT-Cy probe structure has significantly improved its photophysical properties. Lysosome probes 2, 3 and 5 exhibited excellent biocompatibility, quick staining, bright red fluorescence, and wash-free application for live cell imaging. These probes further exhibited excellent characteristics for bioimaging experiments including a non-alkalinizing nature, high biocompatibility, high photostability and long-term imaging ability (>4 hours).
Quickly Finding the Best Linear Model in High Dimensions via Projected Gradient Descent

We study the problem of finding the best linear model that can minimize least-squares loss given a dataset. While this problem is trivial in the low-dimensional regime, it becomes more interesting in high-dimensions where the population minimizer is assumed to lie on a manifold such as sparse vectors. We propose projected gradient descent (PGD) algorithm to estimate the population minimizer in the finite sample regime. We establish linear convergence rate and data-dependent estimation error bounds for PGD. Our contributions include: 1) The results are established for heavier tailed subexponential distributions besides subgaussian and allows for an intercept term. 2) We directly analyze the empirical risk minimization and do not require a realizable model that connects input data and labels. The numerical experiments validate our theoretical results.
Caudal Lumbar Disc Herniations Are More Likely to Require Surgery for Symptom Resolution

Study Design:Retrospective study.Objectives:We examined the impact that location of a lumbar disc herniation has on the likelihood that a patient will require surgery after at least 6 weeks of nono...
Stimulated Raman imaging with chemical probes for subcellular bioanalysis (Conference Presentation)

Innovations in optical spectroscopy and microscopy have revolutionized our understanding in biological systems at sub-cellular levels. In this talk, I will discuss about our recent development by coupling stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy with chemical probes that could allow new subcellular bioanalysis in live cells. The introduced tags offer additional SRS contrast channel for quantification of biological contents that were previously difficult. Both physical and chemical principles underlying the optical microscopy will be presented, as well as our efforts in biomedical applications including cancer- and neuronal- metabolism.
Government Intervention Induced Structural Crises: Exploratory Notes on the Patterns of Evolution and Response

This chapter examines long-term crises which are induced by the government’s intervention in the structure of the economy when a certain set of structural changes in the economy sets into motion a series of developments that sooner or later lead to what the technical literature has called the “economy of shortage” or shortage economy. This chapter discusses the particular case of Venezuela and several examples of bottom-up responses in Venezuela, as reflected in mass media, in an attempt to get a better sense of the nature and dynamics of the bottom-up responses to structural, shortage economy crises induced by the state.
Multiply Resonant Coherent Multidimensional Spectroscopy

Coherent Multidimensional Spectroscopy (CMDS) is a new field that includes both time domain and multiply-resonant frequency domain approaches. Multiply-resonant CMDS has attractive features for fully coherent spectroscopy of the quantum states because it measures the resonance enhancements for different excitation frequencies. It does not require the long-term phase coherence that restricts the coherent pathways and quantum states accessible by time domain methods. This paper shows how multiply-resonant CMDS methods use multiple quantum coherences containing a diverse mixture of electronic and vibrational states to measure quantum state resolved intra-state couplings and their coherent and incoherent dynamics.
CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDROXYUREA(HYU) RESISTANT S49 T LYMPHOMA CELLS: 2

We selected hydroxyurea resistant S49 T lymphoma cells by exposing wild type cells to increasing concentrations of hydroxyurea—an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase that binds to the M2 sub-unit of the enzyme. These 10 to 60 fold resistant cell lines demonstrated increased ribonucleotide reductase activity and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate pools consistent with the hypothesis that the activity of the M2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase is rate limiting for both ribonucleotide reductase activity and deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate production. Assay of partially purified cell extracts containing M1 or M2 demonstrated the increased M2 activity in HYU resistant cells. Two dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrated a single spot of increased intensity(pI=5.5 M.W. 50K daltons) in HYU resistant cells which was proportional to the increased M2 activity. In addition hydroxyurea resistant cells were partially resistant to deoxyadenosine toxicity. Cytoflourimetry of HYU resistant cells showed a normal cell cycle distribution which was unchanged after exposure to dibutyryl cyclic AMP in contrast to wild type S49 cells which accumulate in Gl(>90%). Similarly hydroxyurea resistant cells did not arrest in Gl when exposed to Forskolin as wild type S49 cells do. However, both hydroxyurea resistant and wild type cells were arrested in Gl phase with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor R0-1724. These data suggest that hydroxyurea resistant cells have increased ribonucleotide reductase activity due to increased M2 activity, possibly secondary to amplified genes(s) and exhibit abnormalities in cyclic AMP response.
Left and Right Heart Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization provides valuable diagnostic and therapeutic options to effectively treat various cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary diseases. Left heart catheterization refers to invasive percutaneous techniques that require arterial access, i.e., coronary angiography and/or left ventricular angiography. Right heart catheterization involves the hemodynamic assessment of right-sided (venous) cardiac chambers and pulmonary arterial vasculature using balloon-tipped catheters to measure pressure and obtain blood oximetry samples. Fluoroscopic imaging allows the operator to visualize blood vessels and cardiac chambers with the use of radiopaque, iodinated contrast. Cardiac catherization remains the gold standard for the treatment of clinically significant, obstructive coronary artery disease, but it is rarely performed in isolation. Indications for any cardiac catheterization procedure are supported by complete history and physical, other clinically relevant data, and comprehensive non-invasive testing.
Glutamine deprivation triggers NAGK-dependent hexosamine salvage

Abstract Tumors of many types exhibit aberrant glycosylation, which can impact cancer progression and therapeutic responses. The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) branches from glycolysis at fructose-6-phosphate to synthesize uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), a major substrate for glycosylation in the cell. HBP enzyme gene expression is elevated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), and studies have pointed to the potential significance of the HBP as a therapeutic target. Yet, the PDA tumor microenvironment is nutrient poor, and adaptive nutrient acquisition strategies support tumorigenesis. Here, we identify that pancreatic cancer cells salvage GlcNAc via N-acetylglucosamine kinase (NAGK), particularly under glutamine limitation. Glutamine deprivation suppresses de novo HBP flux and triggers upregulation of NAGK. NAGK expression is elevated in human PDA. NAGK deletion forces PDA cells to rely on de novo UDP-GlcNAc synthesis and impairs tumor growth in mice. Together, these data identify an important role for NAGK-dependent hexosamine salvage in supporting PDA tumor growth.
From Mixed Economy to Entangled Political Economy: A Paretian Social-Theoretic Orientation

This paper compares and contrasts two visions of political economy. These visions aren’t antagonistic, just different. The mixed economy vision associated with Ludwig von Mises and Sanford Ikeda treats politics as intervening into markets. The entangled political economy vision treats politics and markets as overlapping subsystems within a society. Entangled political economy thus descends from a theory of society and social processes. Similarly to quantum entanglement where the state of a particle cannot be described independently of that of other particles, entanglement in political economy means that rational market action cannot be defined independently of rational political action. The focal point of entangled political economy, moreover, is on individual actors and their search for gain within different action environments. Interaction among individuals across those environments generates societal tectonics, thereby adding insights from Vilfredo Pareto about social theory to those of Mises and Ikeda about interventionism.