cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Viral Vector-Based Vascular Gene Delivery: Basic Studies and Therapeutic Applications

The field of cardiovascular gene transfer has developed rapidly over the past five years. Due to contributions of many investigators, the field has evolved from initial studies demonstrating the feasibility of cell mediated and direct gene transfer into blood vessels to studies examining the pathophysiology of vascular diseases and therapeutic applications. Despite these advances, technical challenges persist related to optimization of vectors, enhancement of in vivo delivery and gene expression, characterization of animal models, and definition of therapeutic targets. Continued investigations in these areas over the ensuing five to ten years will likely lead to improvement in gene transfer and its therapeutic applications.
Developmental Contextualism and the Developmental Systems Perspective

Developmental contextualism (Lerner, 1986, 1991, 1995, 1998b) is an instance of a theoretical orientation to human development termed “developmental systems theory” (Ford & Lerner, 1992; Sameroff, 1983; Thelen & Smith, 1998). Developmental contextualism has its roots in the multidisciplinary and multiprofessional field of home economics (Lerner & Miller, 1993; Miller & Lerner, 1994), a field now labeled family and consumer sciences. In addition, developmental systems theory, generally, and developmental contextualism, more specifically, have emerged within the current study of human development as representing important, and arguably key, theoretical orientations within the field because of their “co-evolution” with the life-span view of human development (Baltes, 1987; Baltes, Lindenberger, & Staudinger, 1998), the life-course study of human development (Elder, 1974, 1980, 1998), and the ecological view of human development (Bronfenbrenner, 1979; Bronfenbrenner & Crouter, 1983; Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 1998).
On Maximal \( \mathbb{R} \)-split Tori Invariant under an Involution

Symmetric k-varieties have been a topic of interest in several fields of mathematics and physics since the 1980’s. For \( k\, =\,\mathbb{R} \), symmetric \( \mathbb{R} \)-varieties are commonly called real symmetric spaces; however, the generalization over other fields play a role in the study of arithmetic subgroups, geometry, singularity theory, Harish Chandra modules and most importantly representation theory of Lie groups.
Exploring the Adaptation-mitigation Relationship: Does Information on the Costs of Adapting to Climate Change Influence Support for Mitigation?

Can information about adaptation costs influence citizens’ willingness to support climate change mitigation? Some scholars are concerned that policy discussions on adaptation might present climate ...
GPU Accelerated Implementation for Sunday String Pattern Matching Algorithm

In recent days, Graphics Processing Units (GPU's) have some specialized optimizations that have led to outperform traditional CPU's. General Purpose computing on Graphics Processor Units (GPGPU) brings massively parallel computing (hundreds of compute cores) to the desktop at a reasonable cost, but requires that algorithms be carefully designed to take advantage of this power. The present work explores the possibilities of using GPU's along with CUDA Streams to improve the performance of a string matching algorithm. String matching plays an important role in today's computer applications. Strings are an integral part of almost every data structure we manage. Boyer-Moore and Knuth-Morris-Pratt algorithms are the most famous string matching algorithms that have been proved efficient to some extent using CPU's and GPU's. Sunday string matching algorithm is another version of Boyer-Moore algorithm. In this paper, we have used GPU's to accelerate the performance of the Sunday string matching algorithm. We have conducted experiments to measure the performance of the GPU implementation with respect to the serial CPU implementation. Our results show a speedup of up to 20 times compared to the sequential implementation on the CPU.
Livelihood Dynamics Across a Variable Flooding Regime

Variability in environmental phenomena such as fire, flooding, and weather-related events can have significant impacts for social and environmental systems and their coupled interactions. Livelihoods systems reliant on the natural environment can be disrupted or eliminated, while associated governance regimes require negotiation to ensure equitable and sustainable management responses. These patterns can be particularly pronounced within areas prone to flooding, as these sites can experience variability in the location, timing, amount, and duration of flooding events. While research within the social and natural sciences has evaluated these dynamics within flooding regimes, the coupled interactions can be underemphasized even though they are integral in producing livelihood systems and possibilities for environmental management. This paper details research conducted from 2011 to 2016 in five villages located in different locations within the Okavango Delta of Botswana. We report the findings from qualitative interviewing and livelihood mapping activities that are integrated with remote sensing analysis to provide concrete empirical detail on the variability of flooding and resulting variations in perception and livelihood responses. The paper demonstrates that flooding dynamics vary at discrete locations and produce diverse perceptions that are tied to livelihood adjustments in place-specific ways. These patterns are also embedded in regional and global processes that have significant implications for household vulnerability within socio-ecological systems strongly impacted by local and distant climatic and hydrological drivers of change.
Impact of erythrocytapheresis on natural anticoagulant levels in children with sickle cell disease: A pilot study

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is being increasingly recognized in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). In a retrospective cohort study, we identified bilateral central venous catheter (CVC) placement as an independent risk factor for VTE. At our institution, the only indication for bilateral CVC placement in children with SCD is erythrocytapheresis. To investigate the impact of erythrocytapheresis on coagulation, we measured levels of natural anticoagulants in 11 patients with SCD on chronic erythrocytapheresis, immediately before and after apheresis. We demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in most parameters. Additional studies are needed to further investigate the exact etiology and clinical impact of this acute decrease.
A Comparison in Outcomes of Preoperative Single-shot versus Continuous Catheter Fascia Iliaca Regional Anesthesia in Geriatric Hip Fracture Patients.

Abstract Background Fascia iliaca nerve blocks relieve pain in geriatric hip fracture patients and can be administered via a single-shot or continuous catheter. We compared perioperative opioid consumption and pain scores between these two blocks. Methods We performed a prospective, observational cohort study, including geriatric hip fracture patients who received a preoperative block. We compared morphine milligram equivalent (MME) consumption and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores between single-shot and continuous fascia iliaca blocks at multiple time points: preoperative and on postoperative (POD) day 0, 1, and 2. We compared the change in preoperative total and hourly opioid consumption before and after block placement within and between groups. Secondary outcomes included opioid related adverse events, length of stay, and readmission rates. Results 107 patients were analyzed, 66 received a single-shot and 41 a continuous block. No significant differences were found between both blocks at any time point for median MME consumption or pain scores. MME [IQR]: preoperative 20.5 [6.0,48.8] vs. 24.0 [8.8,48.0], p=0.95; POD0 6.0 [0.0,18.6] vs. 10.0 [0.0,14.0], p=0.52; POD1 12.0 [0.0,30.0] vs. 18.0 [5.0,24.0], p=0.69; POD2 6.0 [0.0,21.2] vs. 12.0 [0.0,24.0], p=0.54. VAS [IQR]: preoperative 4.0 [2.2,5.3] vs. 4.6 [3.2,5.3], p=0.34; POD0 1.3 [0.0,3.7] vs. 2.5 [0.0,3.6], p=0.73; POD1 2.9 [1.7,4.4] vs. 3.7 [1.5,4.7], p=0.59; POD2 2.4 [1.0,4.4] vs. 3.3 [1.9,4.2], p=0.18. Preoperative MME/hr significantly decreased after the block for both groups: 1.05 [0.0,2.2] to 0.0 [0.0,0.0], p Conclusions We report no differences in opioid use and pain scores between single-shot and continuous catheter fascia iliaca nerve blocks. Both blocks similarly reduce preoperative opioid consumption.
Checkpoint inhibitor-associated immune-related adverse events as harbinger of favorable clinical outcome: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

e15129Background: Recent studies have observed an association between immune-related adverse events (irAE) and favorable clinical outcomes in the setting of cancer treatment with immune checkpoint ...
Printed, Wireless, Soft Bioelectronics and Deep Learning Algorithm for Smart Human–Machine Interfaces

Recent advances in flexible materials and wearable electronics offer a noninvasive, high-fidelity recording of biopotentials for portable healthcare, disease diagnosis, and machine interfaces. Current device-manufacturing methods, however, still heavily rely on the conventional cleanroom microfabrication that requires expensive, time-consuming, and complicated processes. Here, we introduce an additive nanomanufacturing technology that explores a contactless direct printing of aerosol nanomaterials and polymers to fabricate stretchable sensors and multilayered wearable electronics. Computational and experimental studies prove the mechanical flexibility and reliability of soft electronics, considering direct mounting to the deformable human skin with a curvilinear surface. The dry, skin-conformal graphene biosensor, without the use of conductive gels and aggressive tapes, offers an enhanced biopotential recording on the skin and multiple uses (over ten times) with consistent measurement of electromyograms. The combination of soft bioelectronics and deep learning algorithm allows classifying six classes of muscle activities with an accuracy of over 97%, which enables wireless, real-time, continuous control of external machines such as a robotic hand and a robotic arm. Collectively, the comprehensive study of nanomaterials, flexible mechanics, system integration, and machine learning shows the potential of the printed bioelectronics for portable, smart, and persistent human-machine interfaces.
Nanoscale Mapping of Morphology of Organic Thin Films.

We determine precise nanoscale information about the morphologies of several organic thin film structures using Fourier plane imaging microscopy (FIM). We used FIM microscopy to detect the orientation of molecular transition dipole moments from an extremely low density of luminescent dye molecules, which we call "morphology sensors". The orientation of the sensor molecules is driven by the local film structure and thus can be used to determine details of the host morphology without influencing it. We use symmetric planar phosphorescent dye molecules as the sensors that are deposited into the bulk of organic film hosts during the growth. We demonstrate morphological mapping with a depth resolution to a few Angstroms that is limited by the ability to determine thickness during deposition, along with an in-plane resolution limited by optical diffraction. Furthermore, we monitor morphological changes arising from thermal annealing of metastable organic films that are commonly employed in photonic devices.
Uncovering the information literacy skills of first-generation and provisionally admitted students

Abstract Librarians have experimented with a variety of instructional models, from one-shots to tutorials to semester-long information literacy courses, to increase the impact of information literacy instruction. This study assessed the information literacy gains of students who participated in the pilot of a new instructional model, in which librarians developed and taught a first-year composition course aimed at first-generation, provisionally-admitted college students. This project demonstrated that this model improved students' performance on a standardized information literacy assessment in comparison with students who received instruction in the form of a one-shot instruction session. The study also explored the information literacy knowledge and skills of students targeted by this approach, including first-year students, first-generation students, and provisionally-admitted students.
Short term neonatal outcomes of colocating and breastfeeding infants of mothers who tested positive for SARS-COV-2

Background: There is a paucity of data on the neonatal outcomes of maternal SARS-COV2 infection which has emerged as a pandemic spreading rapidly across the world Further, conflicts in current guidelines exist on whether to routinely separate infants from infected mothers in the hospital, to utilize shared decision-making to regulate care or to encourage exclusive breastfeeding and standard feeding guidelines for these infants At our hospital in New York City which has been the epicenter of the infection in the US, shared decision-making between the mother and clinical team was utilized Mothers who elected to room-in were encouraged to initiate skin-to-skin care and follow routine breast-feeding practices while following strict hand washing and use of masks Infected mothers who were restricted from NICU and mothers of isolated infants were encouraged to provide pumped breastmilk We aimed to elucidate the outcomes of the infants born to mothers with COVID-19 infection following these practices Methods: We identified all neonates born to mothers who were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from March 19 to April 22, 2020 at Elmhurst Hospital (Table Presented) Center All infants were tested by nasopharyngeal PCR swabs Data regarding demographic, epidemiologic, clinical features, breastfeeding practices and short-term outcomes including outpatient follow up through telemedicine or in-person visits were obtained by retrospective chart review of medical records Results: Among 118 mothers tested during the study period, 45 (38%) of mothers tested positive of which 18(40%) were asymptomatic All the infants were screened for SARS-CoV-2 and none were positive 3 infants initially tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on a screen at <24 hours of age, but tested negative on 2 repeated screens and were considered false positives All the infants were asymptomatic for COVID-19 in the hospital Demographic characteristics are described in Table 1 33 babies were roomed with the mother while 7 required NICU admission 5 newborns were isolated from the mother at birth due to maternal request 31 infants were breastfed directly, 9 received expressed breastmilk and 5 did not receive any breastmilk 41 babies were discharged to the same household as mother, one is still in the hospital and 3 were discharged to a different household (Table 2) During follow up, there was a 93% adherence to the initial in-person newborn visit while there was a 100 % compliance to the tele-medicine visit around 14 days All infants were asymptomatic at follow up visits and none had COVID-19 related emergency department visits or subsequent hospital admissions Conclusion: We report no short term adverse neonatal outcomes to skin-to-skin care, rooming-in or breastfeeding in infants of SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers in our population Although this data is preliminary, it could help decide best practices for these infants
Magnetoplasmons for Ultrasensitive Label-Free Biosensing

Early detection of immunoglobin G (IgG), a glycoprotein antibody produced in the serum due to various infections, is of paramount importance that will enable effective treatment, immunity assessmen...
ACE: the Advanced Cohort Engine for searching longitudinal patient records

Objective To propose a paradigm for a scalable time-aware clinical data search, and to describe the design, implementation and use of a search engine realizing this paradigm. Materials and methods The Advanced Cohort Engine (ACE) uses a temporal query language and in-memory datastore of patient objects to provide a fast, scalable, and expressive time-aware search. ACE accepts data in the Observational Medicine Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model, and is configurable to balance performance with compute cost. ACE's temporal query language supports automatic query expansion using clinical knowledge graphs. The ACE API can be used with R, Python, Java, HTTP, and a Web UI. Results ACE offers an expressive query language for complex temporal search across many clinical data types with multiple output options. ACE enables electronic phenotyping and cohort-building with subsecond response times in searching the data of millions of patients for a variety of use cases. Discussion ACE enables fast, time-aware search using a patient object-centric datastore, thereby overcoming many technical and design shortcomings of relational algebra-based querying. Integrating electronic phenotype development with cohort-building enables a variety of high-value uses for a learning health system. Tradeoffs include the need to learn a new query language and the technical setup burden. Conclusion ACE is a tool that combines a unique query language for time-aware search of longitudinal patient records with a patient object datastore for rapid electronic phenotyping, cohort extraction, and exploratory data analyses.
FALL VELOCITY OF IRREGULAR SHAPED PARTICLES

The determination of the free-fall velocity of irregularly shaped particles in viscous fluids is presented. A shape parameter is proposed which correlates Reynolds number with drag coefficient to describe the motion of irregular shapes. This shape parameter results in a useful Reynolds number-drag coefficient relation. Data for analysis were collected from tests of natural gravel-sized particles of various shapes and sizes supplemented by larger regular geometric shapes. The basic motions of a particle in free-fall are classified and analyzed considering causes such as flow separation and vortex formation.
Debts, Disasters, and Delinquencies: The Case for a Mandatory Force Majeure Provision in Consumer Credit Agreements, and for a Consumer Credit Insurance Fund

This article addresses inequities in the apportionment of losses which arise when traditional consumer finance rules are applied to enforce consumer payment obligations which accrue during and after catastrophes. Disasters lead inevitably to job losses, to property destruction, and to inhibited access to homes and workplaces. In the wake of devastation, consumer fees and interest charges mount, and payment defaults increase. It is argued here that the resulting individual hardships and social distress could be mitigated by mandating the inclusion of force majeure provisions in consumer finance agreements and by creating a national consumer credit insurance fund.
A Review of “What Really Matters for Middle School Readers: From Research to Practice”

Many years ago when I first had the opportunity to hear Dick Allington speak at a conference, I was amazed at his simple, yet profound, message about reading. At the time I was just learning about ...
The Efficiency and Welfare Foundations of Freezeout Laws in Takeovers

We provide an economic basis for permitting freezeouts of non-tendering shareholders following successful takeovers. We describe a specific freezeout mechanism that is based on easily verifiable information, making it simple to implement in practice. We show that this mechanism induces desirable efficiency and welfare properties in models of both corporations with widely-dispersed shareholdings (as in Grossman and Hart, 1980) and corporations with large pivotal shareholders (as in Bagnoli and Lipman, 1988), and that it strictly dominates previous proposals along some important dimensions. The mechanism we describe is very closely related to the practice of takeover law in the US.
Reverse Phalen's maneuver as an aid in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract A reverse Phalen's maneuver involves wrist and finger extension held for 1 minute. We showed that this maneuver results in a significantly higher intracarpal canal hydrostatic pressure as compared to a traditional Phalen's or a modified Phalen's maneuver. Additionally, 31 individuals with complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms and 20 normal controls were evaluated to see what effect the reverse Phalen's maneuver would have on median sensory latency and amplitude. Both groups demonstrated a prolongation of the median sensory revoked response after 1 minute of this maneuver. The control group had a prolongation of 0.05ms compared to 0.13ms in the carpal tunnel syndrome group. The difference between the two groups was significant at a p = 0.05 level. This may add to the sensitivity of conventional screening methods.
The entropy formula for SRB-measures of lattice dynamical systems

We give a detailed proof of the entropy formula for SRB-measures of coupled hyperbolic attractors over integer lattices. We show that the topological pressure for the potential function of the SRB-measure is zero.
Network viruses: their working principles and marriages with hacking programs

We coin the name "network viruses", which refer to those viruses spreading through networks. Security attacks can come from both viruses and hacking programs. A network virus makes use of networking protocols and/or applications to spread. We surveyed several hundreds of computer viruses and classified them based on their spreading and infecting mechanisms. Virus intelligence is introduced to describe the various levels of implementing complexity and infecting abilities of network viruses. Network viruses make uses of system network mechanisms, search local and remote system information, monitor network traffic, take advantage of system and network vulnerabilities, and build network connections. Intensive network hacking techniques could be borrowed in network virus implementations and both system and network vulnerabilities could be taken advantage of. There are advantages to incorporate hacking abilities into viruses over hacking directly.
Correlation effects and spin-orbit interactions in two-dimensional hexagonal 5d transition metal carbides, Tan+1Cn (n = 1,2,3)

Density functional calculations are used to investigate the electronic structure of two-dimensional 5d tantalum carbides with honeycomb-like lattice structures. We focus on changes in the low-energy bands near the Fermi level with dimensionality. We find that the Ta 5d states dominate, and the extended nature of the wave functions makes them weakly correlated. The carbide sheets are prone to long-range magnetic order and we evaluate their stability to enhanced electron-electron interactions through a Hubbard U correction. Lastly, we find that the splitting of the bands near the Fermi level caused by spin-orbit interaction decreases with increasing dimensionality. In the lowest-dimensionality (n = 1) case, the band splitting pushes a conduction band above the Fermi level and leads to a semi-metallic state.
Immunomodulation of prostate cancer cells after low energy focused ultrasound

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a promising non-invasive treatment for localized solid tumors. While patients treated with HIFU show symptomatic improvement, the majority die from local recurrence and metastases due to incomplete tumor ablation and inability to control spread outside the primary tumor site. Therefore, improved local control and a concomitant systemic therapeutic effect would be valuable for successful tumor control by HIFU. Low intensity focused ultrasound (LOFU) induces sonic stress by raising the temperature without killing the cells. We demonstrated that tumor pre-treatment with LOFU prior to HIFU results in tumor growth retardation (Figure ​(Figure1A)1A) and induces a Th1 predominant immune response (Figure ​(Figure1B).1B). To further validate the immunological consequences of LOFU pre-treatment, we investigated the immunomodulation of prostate cancer caused by LOFU. We previously demonstrated that LOFU induced expression of genes related to the unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We hypothesize that LOFU increases immunomodulatory surface signals, such as heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and calreticulin. HSP70 is an endogenous “danger” signal, which can activate dendritic cells. Calreticulin is an “eat me” signal, which encourages phagocytosis and thus antigen processing for presentation on cell surface MHC for T cell recognition. Thus, sequential administration of LOFU and HIFU provides a source of tumor antigens and endogenous “danger” signals for dendritic cell (DC) activation, thereby inducing a tumor-specific systemic immune response that augments the efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound to control both local and systemic disease. Figure 1 A. Tumor Growth Retardation. B. LOFU+HIFU induced tumor-specific T cell response. C. Flow cytometry of HSP70 and calreticulin of LOFU-treated prostate cancer cells. D. IF of RM-1 and PC3 cells stained for HSP70 Methods LOFU treatment was performed on the Philips Therapy and Imaging Probe System (TIPS, Philips Research Briarcliff, USA) using 3W, 100% duty cycle, 1.5 seconds, 1 mm spacing. For IF analysis, LOFU-treated cells were cytospined and fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and stained with rabbit ant-HSP70 overnight, followed by incubation with a secondary goat anti-rabbit PE conjugated and anti-phalloidin antibodies for 1 hour at room temperature. DAPI was included in the mounting medium and slides were analyzed using an Inverted Olympus IX81. Flow cytometry staining included a live/dead cell marker to isolate only living cells expressing HSP70 on the cell surface.
Characterization of the major histocompatibility complex genes and their products

Since the independent discoveries by Gorer and Snell of the murine major hist6compatibility complex (MHC), H2, monumental strides have been taken in defining both the structure and function of MHC genes and their products. First incorrectly regarded as a blood group locus (12), the H-2 was later observed as a locus controlling allogeneic organ grafts (14). The MHC is currently ascribed the crucial role of orchestrating cell-cell interactions of the immune response. Although the MHC encompasses class I, II, and III genes, as well as several enzyme-encoding genes (16), the class I and II genes and their products are the focus of this paper. It is in the context of these latter MHC gen e products that immunocompetent cells discriminate self from non-self. Initially examined in murine models, the MHC was found to have multiple loci, many of which are polymorphic. The murine MHC genetic map was recently condensed from its previous 5 division H-21 region (class II), omitting the subregions l-B, l-C, and l-J (18). The H-2 presently contains the class I loci of K, D, L, Qa, and Tla and the class II loci of IAs, I-AI3, I-Ea, I-EI31, and I-El32. Following the abovementioned work, the human MHC (Fig. 1) received recognition when Dausset described the first human leukocyte antigen (HLA) in the early 1950s (8). The 9th International Histocompatibility Testing Workshop convened this year and the HLA nomenclature committee is currently composing a final draft of HLA nomenclature revisions for 1984 (13). Their changes include formal recognition of three polymorphic class I loci A, B, and C, and an expansion of the HLA-D/DR region to include DR, DQ, and DP, formerly known as DR, DC (MB or DS), and SB, respectively (Table 1). All class I and some class II gene products are defined serologically using various HLA-A, B, C, and DRand DQ-specific antisera, while Dw region specificities are defined solely by mixed leukocyte culture (MLC). These MLC-defined determinants are as yet considered distinct from the DR determinants, yet their loci are probably genetically linked. A secondary MLC technique, termed primed lymphocyte typing (PLT), is used to detect the elusive specificities of the DP (SB) locus (10, 1 I, 19). These assays are now approaching worldwide standardization in histocompatibility testing laboratories. The gene products of the class I and II genes have been biochemically characterized and compared by numerous methods, such as: (a) extraction from membranes via papain and detergent In T h i s I s s u e
Factors affecting coping of adolescents and infants on a reverse isolation unit.

The treatment of such life-threatening diseases as leukemia, aplastic anemia, and severe combined immunodeficiency disease has greatly increased at least the short-term survival of many patients. The medical treatments used, however, are replete with extraordinary stress to patients, their families, and the medical and nursing staff. Bone marrow transplantation performed with in the milieu of a reverse isolation unit is a treatment of this dimension.
Coumestrol from the national cancer Institute's natural product library is a novel inhibitor of protein kinase CK2.

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is involved in various cellular events such as proliferation, apoptosis, and the cell cycle. CK2 overexpression is associated with multiple human cancers and may therefore be a promising target for cancer therapy. To identity novel classes of inhibitors for CK2, we screened a natural product library obtained from National Cancer Institute. The quantitative luminescent kinase assay ADP-Glo™ was used to screen CK2 inhibitors from the natural product library. The same assay was used to determine cell-free dose-dependent response of CK2 inhibitors and conduct a kinetic study. Docking was performed to predict the binding patterns of selected CK2 inhibitors. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate Akt phosphorylation specific to CK2 and apoptosis effect. The cell viability assay CellTiter-Glo® was used to evaluate the inhibition effects of CK2 inhibitors on cancer cells. We identified coumestrol as a novel reversible ATP competitive CK2 inhibitor with an IC50 value of 228 nM. Coumestrol is a plant-derived compound that belongs to the class of phytoestrogens, natural compounds that mimic the biological activity of estrogens. In our study, coumestrol showed high selectivity among 13 kinases. The hydrogen bonds formed between coumestrol and the amino acids in the ATP binding site were first reviewed by a molecular docking study that suggested a possible interaction of coumestrol with the hinge region of ATP site of CK2. In addition, coumestrol inhibited cancer cell growth partially through down-regulation of CK2-specific Akt phosphorylation. Finally, coumestrol exerted strong inhibition effects on the growth of three cancer cell lines. Our study shows that coumestrol, a novel ATP competitive and cell permeable CK2 inhibitor with submicromolar IC50, had inhibition effects on the growth of three cancer cell lines and may represent a promising class of CK2 inhibitors.
The US Bureau of the Census in the nineteenth century.

The work of the U.S. Bureau of the Census over the course of the nineteenth century is described. The author notes that the bureaus role was heavily influenced by the federal constitution of 1787 which decreed that representation in Congress should be proportional to population size. The bureaus efforts to provide such data through the development of a census program are noted as is its failure to develop a vital statistics system. (ANNOTATION)
Current pharmacotherapy options for labor induction.

Introduction: Labor induction is now reported to occur in up to 30 – 40% of obstetrical patients. There are a number of pharmacological options available to facilitate labor induction, including oxytocin and analogues of prostaglandins E1 and E2, which have particular utility when labor induction necessitates cervical ripening, as when labor induction occurs in the context of an unfavorable cervix. Areas covered: This paper reviews acceptable pharmacological options for labor induction, especially when cervical ripening is required. These options include oxytocin and a number of prostaglandin formulations using dinoprostone and misoprostol. It also covers several analyses of published clinical trials (Phase-III) describing evidence of effectiveness. Expert opinion: Oxytocin is best used when labor needs to be induced in the context of a favorable cervix. When the cervix is not favorable, cervical ripening using prostaglandins should precede labor induction. Either dinoprostone or misoprostol are superior ...
3-0-Methyldopa uptake and inhibition of L-dopa at the blood-brain barrier

Abstract Regional rates of blood-brain barrier penetration of L-(U-14C)3-0-Methyldopa, a metabolite of L-DOPA, from plasma were similar for the cortical, striatal, hypothalamic, and midbrain regions of the rat brain. Total 3-0-Methyldopa uptake was composed of a nonsaturable component (Kd, 0.014) and a saturable component (Kt, 0.13 mM; Vmax, 37 nmoles/g/min) as is L-DOPA. For L-(3-14c) DOPA, 3-0-Methyldopa inhibited DOPA blood-brain barrier penetration. Our observation of competition between the neutral amino acids, L-3-0-Methyldopa and L-DOPA, for the same mediated transport system, the L system, suggests a factor that may limit the amount of DOPA entering the brain during therapy for Parkin-son's disease.
Optical Stimulator, Microelectrode Advancer, and Associated Equipment for Intraretinal Neurophysiology in Closed Mammalian Eyes

An optical stimulator is described to meet the special requirements of retinal neurophysiology. It is compact and convenient to use, and modular construction confers flexibility of problems to which it may be applied. The maximum stimulus intensity from a Zeiss tungsten light source gives 4.19 log m–c of illuminance at the cat retina. An electromagnetic shutter provides light pulses which rise or fall to within 1/e of the final value in 0.3–0.4 msec. Controls are included for stimulus intensity, color, duration, and frequency. Both spot and annular stimuli of variable size are provided. The stimulus may be positioned anywhere on the retina by a combination of coarse and micrometer controls. Interchangeable stimulus light sources are used for special problems, and a simple attachment permits studying the Stiles-Crawford effect. A background beam is also provided with controls for intensity and color. A direct ophthalmoscopic view of the fundus gives high resolution of retinal details.A modified eye holder provides three needle channels into the fundus of the eye. An improved hydraulic advancer controls microelectrode depth in the retina. A simple head holder is used to position the cat or monkey eye in the stimulator.
Abnormalities of NBR1, a novel autophagy-associated protein, in muscle fibers of sporadic inclusion-body myositis

Intra-muscle fiber accumulation of ubiquitinated protein aggregates containing several conformationally modified proteins, including amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau, is characteristic of the pathologic phenotype of sporadic inclusion-body myositis (s-IBM), the most common progressive degenerative myopathy of older persons. Abnormalities of protein-degradation, involving both the 26S proteasome and autophagic-lysosomal pathways, were previously demonstrated in s-IBM muscle. NBR1 is a ubiquitin-binding scaffold protein importantly participating in autophagic degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. Whereas abnormalities of p62, a ubiquitin-binding protein, were previously described in s-IBM, abnormalities of NBR1 have not been reported in s-IBM. We have now identified in s-IBM muscle biopsies that NBR1, by: (a) immunohistochemistry, was strongly accumulated within s-IBM muscle-fiber aggregates, where it closely co-localized with p62, ubiquitin, and phosphorylated tau; (b) immunoblots, was increased threefold (p < 0.001); and (c) immunoprecipitation, was associated with p62 and LC3. By real-time PCR, NBR1 mRNA was increased twofold (p < 0.01). None of the various disease- and normal-control muscle biopsies had any NBR1 abnormality. In cultured human muscle fibers, NBR1 also physically associated with both p62 and LC3, and experimental inhibition of either the 26S proteasome or the lysosomal activity resulted in NBR1 increase. Our demonstration of NBR1 abnormalities in s-IBM provides further evidence that altered protein degradation pathways may be critically involved in the s-IBM pathogenesis. Accordingly, attempts to unblock defective protein degradation might be a therapeutic strategy for s-IBM patients.
The Importance of Writing Across the Hospitality and Tourism Curriculum

Future managers and leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry must be able to communicate in written form. Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) programs exist in many institutions of higher education, secondary schools, and elementary schools, but are not often emphasized in the hospitality and tourism curriculum. This paper discusses the need for Writing Across the Curriculum programs in hospitality and tourism education and suggests a planning outline and creative assignments for the implementation of writing in a hospitality and tourism curriculum.
A new version of the fast multipole method for screened Coulomb interactions in three dimensions

We present a new version of the fast multipole method (FMM) for screened Coulomb interactions in three dimensions. Existing schemes can compute such interactions in O(N) time, where N denotes the number of particles. The constant implicit in the O(N) notation, however, is dominated by the expense of translating far-field spherical harmonic expansions to local ones. For each box in the FMM data structure, this requires 189p4 operations per box, where p is the order of the expansions used, The new formulation relies on an expansion in evanescent plane waves, with which the amount of work can be reduced to 40p2 + 6p3 operations per box.
Determination of organic substances by standard chromous chloride solution

Abstract The reducibility of a number of organic compounds by a standard chromous chloride solution, prepared determinately from potassium dichromate, has been studied. Orange II, tartrazine, and azoxybenzene (after rearrangement in sulfuric acid medium to the corresponding azo compound) were quantitatively cleaved to the corresponding amines, while azobenzene was reduced only to hydrazobenzene (extent of reduction uncertain). Also quantitatively reduced were: propiolic acid to propenoic acid, diacetyl to acetoin, and benzil to benzoin. Hydrazobenzene, diphenylacetylene, 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol, 1-ethynyl-cyclohexanol-1, 2,5-dimethyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol, 2,5-diphenyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol, and acetylacetone were not reduced even at elevated temperatures.
A probabilistic approach to Martin boundaries for manifolds with ends

We use martingale methods and coupling arguments to prove results of Li and Tam (1987) and Donnelly (1986) characterizing positive and bounded harmonic functions, respectively, on certain manifolds with ends.
Whiting events in SW Florida coastal waters: a case study using MODIS medium-resolution data

Whitings, floating patches of calcium carbonate mud, have been found in both shallow carbonate banks and freshwater environments around the world. Although these events have been studied for many decades, much of their characteristics remain unknown. Recent sightings of whitings near Ten Thousand Islands, Florida suggest a phenomenon that has not previously been documented in this area. Using medium-resolution (250-m) data collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) from December 2010 to November 2013, we documented whiting events and their spatial and temporal patterns in this region. Classification rules were first established, and then applied to all 474 cloud-free and sun glint-free MODIS images. Whiting occurrences were found between 25°46′N and 25°20′N and less than 40 km from the southwest Florida coastline. Over the 3-year period, whiting occurrence peaked in spring and autumn and reached a minimum during the winter and summer months. Further field and laboratory researc...
Teaching residents to consider costs in medical decision making.

The largest discrepancy detected by Goold and Stern (2006) in their study of resident and nonresident physicians' attitudes towards areas of improved focus in residency ethics curriculum lay in the...
Stiffening Effect of Motor Core Webs for Torsional Rotordynamics

Longitudinal webs or spider bars are often placed mid-span of a motor shaft and are primarily used to support the windings or rotor laminations while allowing sufficient space for cooling air flow. When subject to a torque, the radial webs experience a loading configuration that includes bending and torsion while the base shaft experiences pure torsion. A webbed cross-section has a higher torsional stiffness as compared to the torsional stiffness of just the circular portion of the shaft section. This influences the torsional critical speeds and can become important for torsional systems that operate with minimal separation margins from resonance frequencies. This work presents various approaches to calculate the stiffening effect. The approaches include empirical and analytical methods described by Nestorides and API 684. An additional method uses a solid model of the motor core and a commercial Finite Element Analysis (FEA) solver to predict steady-state deflection under a torsional load. This in turn allows for a torsional stiffness calculation. Motor core configurations with various shaft diameters, number of spider bars, and spider bar geometries are considered. Good agreement is shown between the FEA results and the Griffith and Taylor method described by Nestorides. The other methods considered, including the calculation method described in API 684, show generally poor agreement with the FEA torsional stiffness results for the webbed shaft geometries studied.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
On the acquisition and measurement of stimulus control in pigeons

Two experiments were performed to investigate the relationship between excitatory stimulus control (number of responses to a training stimulus) and dimensional stimulus control (generalization gradient slope). In experiment 1, after being trained to peck a green key, pigeons received either 20, 40, or 80 brief (.5, 2, 4, or 8 sec) presentations of a 45-deg line followed by reinforcement (12 groups) or 20, 40, or 80 reinforcements for pecking a continuously presented 45-deg line (3 groups). Number of reinforcements determined the slope (percent of total responses to 45 deg) of a subsequent line-angle generalization gradient, but number of responses to the 45-deg line in the test was controlled by total experience with 45 deg as measured by either total exposure time or total responses to 45 deg in training. In a second experiment, it was shown that increasing the number of days of pretraining to green decreased the slope of the gradient (in subjects given 2-sec presentations), but had no effect on number of responses to 45 deg in the test. Furthermore, continuous presentation yielded flatter gradients but more responding to the 45-deg line in the test than did 2-sec presentations. It was concluded that the measures of dimensional stimulus control and excitatory stimulus control reflect different processes because they vary differentially (sometimes in different directions) in response to the same independent variable manipulations.
The prevalence and nature of violent offending by females

The purpose of the current study was to examine the nature and prevalence of violent offending by females. Using National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data from 1998, this study examined the relationship between cooffending and type of offense as well as the type of weapon(s) used during violent incidents and the race of the perpetrators. The findings suggest that females are more likely to be involved in aggravated assaults compared with robberies and murder or nonnegligent manslaughter. This is particularly true for females who commit their violent crimes alone. When females cooffend with other females or males, however, they are more likely to commit robberies. Overall females are more likely to be involved in violent incidents where either personal weapons or knives are used. When females cooffend with males, however, more likely to be involved in incidents with guns. Finally, the current study found that Black females were more likely to commit violent offenses with other females, whereas White females were more likely to commit violent offenses with males.
Are they listening? Designing online recommendations for today's consumers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the use of online recommendation systems on e‐commerce sites is which becoming more common as marketers recognize their potential to improve their own operations as well as consumers' shopping experiences. Since some consumers question the credibility of these systems, this study compares responses to such systems (classified based on their source into seller and third party systems) with responses to recommendations coming directly from other consumers. The latter may also be better suited for consumers today since many of them utilize direct information from social media on a daily basis. Past research indicates that reactions to such recommendations may depend on the types of goods they describe and therefore this study also tests whether consumer responses vary with types of goods. The study examines consumer reactions to recommendations designed for search, experience, and credence goods. Finally, this study also explores the most desired features of re...
Rapid prototyping of glass microchannels

This paper describes two methods by which we rapidly and economically fabricate microfluidic systems in glass. The first strategy relies on transferring patterns of microchannels in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) onto glass by using PDMS molds that are conformally sealed to glass for confining the etching solution, which then defines the etched pattern. The second strategy uses patterned deposition of surface activators and sensitizers for the electroless and electrolytic plating of nickel, which can then be used as a mask for either wet etching or dry reactive ion etching. We also characterize and compare the morphologies and surface roughness of the glass microchannels fabricated using these two methods.
Active optoelectronics using thin-film organic semiconductors

We review recent results in the emerging area of organic semiconductor materials. Light-emitting devices, thin-film transistors and ultrafast photodetectors are used as examples to show the progress made in our understanding of the fundamental optoelectronic properties of organic thin films, and their application to active electronic devices. Also, a perspective of the potential of these materials for practical application following 50 years of intense research is considered.
Liquid-Crystal Technologies for Optical Networking

In this work, we review several different types of optical signal processors utilizing liquid-crystal technologies. These optical components include optical switches, voltage-controlled variable attenuators and optical harmonic equalizers for WDM (wavelength-division-multiplexing) applications.