cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Model-integrated development of embedded software

The paper describes a model-integrated approach for embedded software development that is based on domain-specific, multiple-view models used in all phases of the development process. Models explicitly represent the embedded software and the environment it operates in, and capture the requirements and the design of the application, simultaneously. Models are descriptive , in the sense that they allow the formal analysis, verification, and validation of the embedded system at design time. Models are also generative, in the sense that they carry enough information for automatically generating embedded systems using the techniques of program generators. Because of the widely varying nature of embedded systems, a single modeling language may not be suitable for all domains; thus, modeling languages are often domain-specific. To decrease the cost of defining and integrating domain-specific modeling languages and corresponding analysis and synthesis tools, the model-integrated approach is applied in a metamodeling architecture, where formal models of domain-specific modeling languages-called metamodels-play a key role in customizing and connecting components of tool chains. This paper discusses the principles and techniques of model-integrated embedded software development in detail, as well as the capabilities of the tools supporting the process. Examples in terms of real systems will be given that illustrate how the model-integrated approach addresses the physical nature, the assurance issues, and the dynamic structure of embedded software.
Effects of Oxygen and Heme on the Development of a Microbial Respiratory System

Abstract The effect of adding hemin to anaerobically grown cells of a strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis, which was heme-deficient due to anaerobic growth, has been examined. Cells grown anaerobically in media containing hemin exhibited a marked increase in several oxidative activities as compared with cells grown anaerobically without hemin. The respiratory activity of whole cells and a cyamide-sensitive reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase activity of cell-free extracts were increased fourfold. The content of enzymatically reducible pigments which exhibit difference spectra similar to cytochromes b1 and o was also markedly increased. These pigments are mostly sedimented at 100,000 × g (1 hr). Hemin also caused a marked increase in respiratory activity when added directly to the anaerobic culture after the period of growth, but did not cause a similar increase in respiration when added to washed, resting-cell suspensions. Under the latter conditions, heme pigments were formed which exhibited difference spectra similar to, but not identical with, the spectra of pigments found in anaerobic cells grown in the presence of hemin. When resting suspensions of cells grown anaerobically without hemin were exposed to air, a rapid fourfold increase in respiratory activity and a limited increase in cytochrome-like pigments occurred. The presence of the heme precursor Δ-aminolevulinic acid during this aeration resulted in a rapid and marked increase in heme pigments, but only a slight stimulation of respiratory activity. The possible implications of these results for the roles which heme and oxygen play in the development of the respiratory system of this organism are discussed.
Effect of nano- and micro-scale topological features on alignment of muscle cells and commitment of myogenic differentiation

Skeletal muscle injury can lead to severe motor deficits that adversely affect movement and quality of life. Current surgical treatments for skeletal muscle are hindered by the poor formation of organized myotube bundles at the wound site. Tissue-engineered skeletal muscle constructs to date have been unable to generate high degrees of myotube density and alignment. Generating a suitable in vitro tissue-engineered skeletal muscle construct requires the design of a scaffold that recapitulates the structural combination of nanoscale collagen fibrils and aligned microscale basal lamina tracks present in the native extracellular matrix (ECM). We hypothesized that a 3D aligned tubular porous scaffold containing aligned nanofibers inside the pores can mimic the native muscle tissue environment. We constructed a laminar section of the hypothesized scaffold with aligned chitosan-PCL nanofibers arranged co-axially with the aligned microscale chitosan scaffold bands to mimic the required myogenic environment. A 6-day study of C2C12 mouse myoblast cells cultured on this hybrid scaffold indicated that the nanofibers and scaffold bands in the scaffold played a synergetic role in directing cell orientation, interaction, migration and organization. Our results showed that aligned nanofibers mediated cell alignment and the aligned scaffold bands induced the formation of a more compact assembly of myotube cells as compared to various control substrates including chitosan films, nanofibers, and chitosan bands. The expression levels of both early and late-stage myogenic differentiation genes associated with myogenin and myosin heavy chain, respectively, were higher on the hybrid substrate than on control substrates. Our study suggests that the combination of nano and microscale topological features in the ECM can direct myogenic differentiation, and the hybrid material has the potential to improve the outcome of skeletal tissue engineering.
Using Actuarial Exam Problems to Teach Probability

Summary This article describes how practice problems for the actuarial examination in probability can be used to encourage active, collaborative learning.
Some comments on level sets of fuzzy sets

This paper discusses level sets of functions from a set U into a set C with an order structure, for example a poset or a lattice. Such sets are prevalent in fuzzy set theory. We provide some general facts and then consider the particular case when C is the complete lattice of closed intervals in the unit interval [0,1]; that is, when the function is an interval-valued fuzzy set.
Continuously perfused, non-cross-contaminating microfluidic chamber array for studying cellular responses to orthogonal combinations of matrix and soluble signals.

We present a microfluidic cell culture array with unique versatility and parallelization for experimental trials requiring perfusion cultures. Specifically, we realize a rectangular chamber array in a PDMS device with three attributes: (i) continuous perfusion; (ii) flow paths that forbid cross-chamber contamination; and (iii) chamber shielding from direct perfusion to minimize shear-induced cell behaviour. These attributes are made possible by a bridge-and-underpass architecture, where flow streams travel vertically to pass over (or under) channels and on-chip valves. The array is also designed for considerable versatility, providing subarray, row, column, or single chamber addressing. It allows for incubation with adsorbed molecules, perfusion of differing media, seeding or extraction of cells, and assay staining. We use the device to characterize different phenotypes of alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells, particularly the extent of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a highly suspected pathway in tissue regeneration and fibrosis. Cells are cultured on combinations of matrix proteins (fibronectin or laminin by row) and soluble signals (with or without transforming growth factor-β1 by column) with two repeats per chip. Fluorescent assays are performed in the array to assess viability, cytoskeletal organization, and cell–cell junction formation. Assay and morphological data are used to tease-out effects of cues driving each phenotype, confirming this as an effective and versatile combinatorial screening platform.
The environmental estrogen bisphenol A stimulates prolactin release in vitro and in vivo

Environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens) are a diverse group of chemicals that mimic estrogenic actions. Bisphenol A (BPA), a monomer of plastics used in many consumer products, has estrogenic activity in vitro. The pituitary lactotroph is a well established estrogen-responsive cell. The overall objective was to examine the effects of BPA on PRL release and explore its mechanism of action. The specific aims were to: 1) compare the potency of estradiol and BPA in stimulating PRL gene expression and release in vitro; 2) determine whether BPA increases PRL release in vivo; 3) examine if the in vivo estrogenic effects are mediated by PRL regulating factor from the posterior pituitary; and 4) examine if BPA regulates transcription through the estrogen response element (ERE). BPA increased PRL gene expression, release, and cell proliferation in anterior pituitary cells albeit at a 1000- to 5000-fold lower potency than estradiol. On the other hand, BPA had similar efficacy to estradiol in inducing hyperprolactinemia in estrogen-sensitive Fischer 344 (F344) rats; Sprague Dawley (SD) rats did not respond to BPA. Posterior pituitary cells from estradiol- or BPA-treated F344 rats strongly increased PRL gene expression upon coculture with GH3 cells stably transfected with a reporter gene. Similar to estradiol, BPA induced ERE activation in transiently transfected anterior and posterior pituitary cells. We conclude that: a) BPA mimics estradiol in inducing hyperprolactinemia in genetically predisposed rats; b) the in vivo action of estradiol and BPA in F344 rats is mediated, at least in part, by increasing PRL regulating factor activity in the posterior pituitary; c) BPA appears to regulate transcription through an ERE, suggesting that it binds to estrogen receptors in both the anterior and posterior pituitaries. The possibility that BPA and other xenoestrogens have adverse effects on the neuroendocrine axis in susceptible human subpopulations is discussed.
An Ethinyl Estradiol-Levonorgestrel Containing Oral Contraceptive Does Not Alter Cytochrome P4502C9 In Vivo Activity

Oral contraceptives have been in wide use for more than 50 years. Levonorgestrel, a commonly employed progestin component of combined oral contraceptives, was implicated in drug–drug interactions mediated via CYP2C9. Although in vitro studies refuted this interaction, there are no confirmatory in vivo studies. In the current study, we examined the phenotypic status of CYP2C9 using low-dose (125 mg) tolbutamide before and after oral contraceptive use in reproductive age women. Blood was collected 24 hours after the tolbutamide oral dose was administered, plasma was isolated, and tolbutamide concentration (C24) was measured using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The natural logarithm of tolbutamide C24, a metric for CYP2C9 phenotype, was found to be equivalent (within 80%–125% equivalency boundaries) before and after oral contraceptive use. In conclusion, levonorgestrel-containing oral contraceptives, the most commonly used form of oral contraception, do not affect the status of the CYP2C9 enzyme. This suggests that it is safe to coadminister levonorgestrel-containing oral contraceptives and CYP2C9 substrates, which include a wide array of drugs.
Biomedical Applications of Polycations

Biomedical applications of polycation follow from their electrostatic attraction to negatively charged surfaces in silicosis therapy, immunochemistry, and as immune adjuvant. Polycation treated mouse tumor cells show a reduction in negative charge, increased cell aggregation, and increased cell lysis. Injecting polycations into tumor-bearing mice at dosages non-lethal to the host inhibits the growth of several types of tumor. Injecting polycations before challenging mice with tumor cells also increases their survival.
Changes in PKC isoforms in human alveolar macrophages compared with blood monocytes

Alveolar macrophages play an important role in host defense and in other types of inflammatory processes in the lung. These cells exhibit many alterations in function compared with their precursor ...
Effect of Palladium Surface Structure on the Hydrodeoxygenation of Propanoic Acid: Identification of Active Sites

The effect of palladium surface structure on the hydrodeoxygenation of propanoic acid has been investigated by studying the mechanism over Pd(111) and Pd(211) model surfaces. We developed a microkinetic model based on parameters obtained from density functional theory and harmonic transition state theory and studied the reaction mechanism at a characteristic experimental reaction temperature of 473 K. The activity of active sites on flat surface models was found to be 3–8 times higher than the activity of stepped surface models, suggesting that the hydrodeoxygenation of propanoic acid over a palladium catalyst is not very sensitive to surface structure. Very good agreement between computations and experiments could be obtained for our Pd(111) model if we include dispersion interactions between the gas species and the metal surface approximately by using the PBE-D3 functional for adsorption/desorption processes. Our model calculations predict that on both stepped and flat surfaces, the dominant deoxygenati...
Leach Behavior of SRL TDS-131 Defense Waste Glass in Water at High&Low Flow Rates

Leach tests carried out on SRL TDS-131 Defense Waste Class indicate that at high flow rates the controlling mechanism is simple corrosion. The matrix elements (Si, Al) are leached out at rates similar to those of the leaching of the alkalis and of boron, and the leaching process is nearly linear with time. At slow flow rates (below 1 m/yr) leaching becomes controlled by the build-up of a protective layer. Al and most of the Si remain in the leached surface layer. The leach rates decrease in the course of the test before leveling off at constant values which are almost inversely proportional to the contact time, indicating that leachate concentrations have become solubility-limited. The low concentrations observed at this stage indicate the formation of alteration products.
Using GIS to Assist in Social Impact Assessments at Military Installations

Social Impact Assessments, evolving from NEPA Environmental Impact Assessments, can be used to address societal impacts resulting from large-scale human activities. GIS is a new tool that can be used to assess the spatial distribution of social impacts. This study used GIS and a Dust Impact Index model to identify the populations at risk to dust exposure from a military installation in Hawaii (Pohakuloa Training Area). This analysis is needed due to an Army Stryker brigade transformation that requires more vehicle training, which is resulting in an increase of dust generation. Factors used to determine the Dust Impact Index were wind speed and direction, elevation, and distance from the military installation. The results identified a population to the southwest of the military installation at the highest risk of dust exposure. This project demonstrates the application of geospatial technology as a means to evaluate issues pertaining to environmental anthropology.
TFEB and TFE3 cooperate in the regulation of the innate immune response in activated macrophages

The activation of transcription factors is critical to ensure an effective defense against pathogens. In this study we identify a critical and complementary role of the transcription factors TFEB and TFE3 in innate immune response. By using a combination of chromatin immunoprecipitation, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome-editing technology, and in vivo models, we determined that TFEB and TFE3 collaborate with each other in activated macrophages and microglia to promote efficient autophagy induction, increased lysosomal biogenesis, and transcriptional upregulation of numerous proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, secretion of key mediators of the inflammatory response (CSF2, IL1B, IL2, and IL27), macrophage differentiation (CSF1), and macrophage infiltration and migration to sites of inflammation (CCL2) was significantly reduced in TFEB and TFE3 deficient cells. These new insights provide us with a deeper understanding of the transcriptional regulation of the innate immune response.
Project-Based Learning Putting Theory Into Practice

In the previous issue of Business and Professional Communication, we focused on flipped classrooms and discovery learning. We continue that broad stream of research with our articles in this issue, most of which engage students in projects designed to facilitate learning in business and professional communication. Implementing projectbased learning can be challenging, and case studies can reveal issues that may be unanticipated in textbooks. Our lead article reports on the role of a commissioned research project in bridging the gap between theory and practice. At the authors’ research site, organizations representing different sectors of the corporate and nonprofit workplace commission teams of students in business and professional communication to act as their communication experts. The specific case discussed in this article is based on a study carried out by a team of five master’s-level students to promote corporate social responsibility in a professional association of a pharmaceutical industry. The authors analyze the student researchers’ perspectives, as well as the practitioners’ view of the collaboration, and the pitfalls involved in helping put theory into practice in a real-world situation. Our second article presents the results of an actual employee program evaluation as a case study of soft skills training at a large hospital. The authors posit four hypotheses, that greater reported willingness to learn will result in both a higher degree of course comprehension and a higher degree of behavioral change and that the method of delivery will affect trainees’ degree of comprehension and degree of behavioral change. The authors conclude that face-to-face or blended instruction is likely to be more effective than a purely online format. The authors of our third article examine the factors needed for success in group assignments. In a study of cooperativeness, assertiveness, group satisfaction, leader grade, and leadership negotiation, the authors find that group satisfaction is positively related to both leader assertiveness and leader cooperativeness. This research emphasizes the importance of the leader’s role to group outcomes and suggests that assertiveness is a critical component to success. 651428 BCQXXX10.1177/2329490616651428Business and Professional Communication QuarterlyKnight editorial2016
Etiology of bladder dysfunction secondary to partial outlet obstruction. Calcium disregulation in bladder power generation and the ability to perform work

Similar to all smooth muscle, contraction of urinary bladder smooth muscle depends upon a rise in intracellular free calcium, which results from both calcium influx from extracellular spaces and calcium release from intracellular stores (calcium-induced calcium release [CICR]). Recent studies from our laboratory demonstrate that one of the major dysfunctions induced by partial outlet obstruction is a marked reduction in the participation of CICR (from IP3-sensitive and IP3-insensitive sites on the sarcoplasmic reticulum [SR]) during stimulation by both field stimulation (neurotransmitter release) and by direct muscarinic stimulation (bethanechol). Experimentally, rabbit urinary bladder function can be evaluated using an isolated whole bladder model. The current study utilizes the isolated whole bladder model to compare the effects of partial outlet obstruction on the responses to field stimulation and bethanechol with the responses of normal bladders following inhibition of CICR with the combination of thapsigargin+ryanodine. The parameters measured include the magnitude of pressure generation, rate of pressure generation, time to maximal pressure generation, percent volume emptied, rate of emptying, power generation, and work performed (both total work and work per ml emptied). Partial outlet obstruction resulted in virtually identical alterations in the responses of the bladder to stimulation (field stimulation and bethanechol) to that of inhibition of CICR by thapsigargin+ryanodine. Thus, these studies provide strong support for our hypothesis that the contractile dysfunctions secondary to partial outlet obstruction are directly related to a marked inhibition of the CICR component of the response to both field stimulation and bethanechol.
Anesthesia and the liver.

Recent advances in understanding the hepatic effects of anesthesia have influenced surgical thinking. This article will examine three pertinent areas: anesthetic effects on hepatic function, anesthetic problems presented by the patient with liver disease, and anesthetic hepatoxicity.
Global Sourcing: An Overview of Offshore Investment Strategies

Global sourcing has emerged as a major challenge for companies–small and large-in recent years. A multitude of factors make off-shore sourcing an attractive alternative to domestic procurement and internalized production. This paper discusses the trends underlying global sourcing practices and it presents a conceptual presentation of internal versus external sourcing decisions.
Security Analytics for AMI and SCADA

The correct functioning of a smart grid stands on consistent and secure execution of tasks in time. The safe security configuration depends not only on the local device parameters but also on the secure interactions and flows of these parameters across the network. There is a significant number of logical constraints on configuration parameters of many smart grid devices, which need to be satisfied to ensure safe and secure communications among smart grid components. NIST has developed security guidelines (e.g., NISTIR 7628 and NIST SP 800-82 [4, 10]) consisting of hundreds of security controls for ensuring trusted path, resource availability, boundary security protection, etc., toward controlling different security threats on smart grids. Implementing these security controls in a scalable manner is one of the major challenges for analyzing smart grid security and resiliency.
Plasmacytoma—Current Approach to Diagnosis and Management

About 3–5 % of patients with plasma cell dyscrasias present with either a single bone lesion, or less commonly, a soft tissue mass made up of monoclonal plasma cells without evidence of bone marrow involvement or end-organ damage known as a solitary plasmacytoma (SP). SP of bone mostly occurs in axial skeleton, while it most often affects the head and neck region in case of extramedullary tumors. Their median age is 55 years and mostly present with bony pain, spinal cord, or nerve root compression. A whole body (WB) or spine and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or WB fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (FDG–PET) scan should be included in staging of these patients. The standard of care for SP is radiotherapy (RT) given with curative intent. Surgery may be required for patients with retropulsed bone, structural instability of the bone, or rapidly progressive neurological symptoms from spinal cord compression. The role of adjuvant RT after complete surgical resection, adjuvant chemotherapy, or adjuvant bisphosphonates is not well defined and hence not recommended.
Assessment of Depression and Mood Disorders

Consistent with the format of Chap. 8, this chapter will emphasize methods and procedures for the assessment of depression and mood disorders. Because there is modest to high comorbidity between anxiety and depression, many interview questions are similar, and the various measures contain comparable, if not virtually identical, items and response formats.
Program Anomaly Detection: Methodology and Practices

This tutorial will present an overview of program anomaly detection, which analyzes normal program behaviors and discovers aberrant executions caused by attacks, misconfigurations, program bugs, and unusual usage patterns. It was first introduced as an analogy between intrusion detection for programs and the immune mechanism in biology. Advanced models have been developed in the last decade and comprehensive techniques have been adopted such as hidden Markov model and machine learning. We will introduce the audience to the problem of program attacks and the anomaly detection approach against threats. We will give a general definition for program anomaly detection and derive model abstractions from the definition. The audience will be walked through the development of program anomaly detection methods from early-age n-gram approaches to complicated pushdown automata and probabilistic models. Some lab tools will be provided to help understand primitive detection models. This procedure will help the audience understand the objectives and challenges in designing program anomaly detection models. We will discuss the attacks that subvert anomaly detection mechanisms. The field map of program anomaly detection will be presented. We will also briefly discuss the applications of program anomaly detection in Internet of Things security. We expect the audience to get an idea of unsolved challenges in the field and develop a sense of future program anomaly detection directions after attending the tutorial.
Modeling metal dishing for interconnect optimization

An analytical dishing model is developed for the damascene process, based on experimental data and physical analysis. A study utilizing this model shows that the impact of dishing on performance can be mitigated at both the process and design stages. More specifically, process improvement is favorable when the dishing radius is less than 50 /spl mu/m. During design, dishing effects can be suppressed by uniformly splitting a wide line into several narrower lines; the most beneficial number of line-splitting is 2-4 from both efficiency and performance considerations.
Child-resistant and tamper-resistant packaging: A systematic review to inform tobacco packaging regulation.

Abstract Objective We aimed to investigate the effects of special packaging (child-resistant, adult-friendly) and tamper-resistant packaging on health and behavioral outcomes in order to identify research gaps and implications for packaging standards for tobacco products. Methods We searched seven databases for keywords related to special and tamper-resistant packaging, consulted experts, and reviewed citations of potentially relevant studies. 733 unique papers were identified. Two coders independently screened each title and abstract for eligibility. They then reviewed the full text of the remaining papers for a second round of eligibility screening. Included studies investigated a causal relationship between type of packaging or packaging regulation and behavioral or health outcomes and had a study population composed of consumers. Studies were excluded on the basis of publication type, if they were not peer-reviewed, and if they had low external validity. Two reviewers independently coded each paper for study and methodological characteristics and limitations. Discrepancies were discussed and resolved. Results The review included eight studies: four assessing people's ability to access the contents of different packaging types and four evaluating the impact of packaging requirements on health-related outcomes. Child-resistant packaging was generally more difficult to open than non-child-resistant packaging. Child-resistant packaging requirements have been associated with reductions in child mortality. Conclusions Child-resistant packaging holds the expectation to reduce tobacco product poisonings among children under six.
A Specialized Silicon Compiler and Programmable Chip for Language Recognition

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the construction of specialized silicon compilers, using a regular expression compiler as an example. To reduce the complexity of custom very large scale integrated (VLSI) design, a design tool is needed that automatically lays out an efficient custom chip from its behavioral specification. Such tools, often called silicon compilers, already exist; however, while they fulfill the requirement of performing automatic layout from a behavioral specification, they fail to produce chips that are efficient. Using these tools, the behavioral specification for a chip can be written in a high level programming language and can be checked and modified before the chip is laid out. The automation of the layout process ensures that the chip and the program have the same behavior. This eases the design of custom chips in two ways: (1) circuit design, layout, and similar low-level design tasks are eliminated and (2) the number of design iterations is reduced as finished chips are likely to meet their behavioral specifications. Specialized silicon compilers can be useful and feasible. The usefulness of the compiler comes from its ability to produce efficient chips automatically, while feasibility is shown by the construction of both the compiler and a programmable layout that serves as a target for the compiler.
Precipitous Labor and Emergency Department Delivery

Precipitous or emergency department (ED) delivery is a stressful event that requires preparation to comfortably approach and safely manage—often including development of ED delivery checklists or kits and appropriate expedited consultant notification (i.e., paging lists). Complications are rare but include shoulder dystocia, prolapsed umbilical cord, and breech presentation. If a shoulder dystocia is encountered, an algorithm of maneuvers can be employed and should start with McRoberts maneuver and application of suprapubic pressure and proceed to include rotational or internal maneuvers. Management of a prolapsed umbilical cord should start with elevation of the presenting fetal part to alleviate pressure on the umbilical cord and expedited obstetric assistance for emergent cesarean section. Breech delivery is best managed by allowing the mother to deliver the fetus with no assistance in delivery until the umbilicus is visualized.
Diet Therapy in the Context of Chronic Pelvic Pain

The synergistic relationship between food and well-being is beyond doubt. With the discovery that vitamins and minerals eradicate deficiency diseases, the role of these essential nutrients in maintaining health and mitigating disease has been confirmed for centuries. Indeed, there is now abundant evidence that comestibles enhance health through complex biological mechanisms [1, 2, 3, 4].
Immunocytochemistry for SOX-11 and TFE3 as diagnostic markers for solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas in FNA biopsies.

BACKGROUND Solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) of the pancreas are rare malignant tumors that can be sampled via endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). Although diagnosing SPNs can be straightforward in cases with a classic morphology and a typical immunoprofile, challenges can occur with morphologic variants or limited specimens. Recently, 2 immunohistochemical stains, SRY-related high-mobility group box 11 (SOX-11) and transcription factor E3 (TFE3), have been demonstrated to be highly sensitive and specific for SPNs in pancreatic resection specimens. The current study evaluates the diagnostic utility of these stains with EUS-FNA. METHODS Thirteen EUS-FNA specimens from SPNs with sufficient material for immunocytochemistry were identified from 2000 to 2016. These cases were compared with 13 EUS-FNA specimens of non-SPN pancreatic neoplasms. Immunocytochemistry for SOX-11, TFE3, and β-catenin was performed on all cell blocks and then was scored independently by 2 pathologists in a masked manner. RESULTS Nuclear reactivity for SOX-11 was detected in 13 of 13 SPNs and in 0 of 13 non-SPNs; this resulted in sensitivity and specificity values of 100%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 1, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 1. Nuclear reactivity for TFE3 was detected in 9 of 13 SPNs and in 0 of 13 non-SPNs; this resulted in a sensitivity of 69.2%, a specificity of 100%, a PPV of 1, and an NPV of 0.765. Nuclear reactivity for β-catenin was detected in 13 of 13 SPNs and in 1 of 13 non-SPNs; this resulted in a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 92.3%, a PPV of 0.929, and an NPV of 1. CONCLUSIONS SOX-11 is a sensitive and specific immunocytochemical stain for SPNs in EUS-FNA specimens, and it may be useful as a diagnostic marker for distinguishing SPNs from its cytologic mimics. Cancer Cytopathol 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Rodent models of genetic contributions to motivation to abuse alcohol.

The distinction between alcohol use (normative) and abuse (unfortunately common) implies dysregulation of motivation directed toward the drug. Genetic contributions to abuse risk are mediated through personality differences, other predispositions to drink excessively, and differences in sensitivity to the acute and chronic consequences of the drug. How to assess motivation in laboratory animals is not straightforward, but risk factors for and consequences of alcohol abuse can be modeled with reasonable fidelity in laboratory rodents. Remarkably, few rodent studies focus on the genetic contributions to alcohol’s reinforcing value: Almost all examine preferential drinking of unflavored alcohol over water. Such studies will likely never avoid the confounding role of taste preferences and most often yield intake levels insufficient to yield a pharmacologically significant blood alcohol level. Genotypes that avoid alcohol probably do so based on preingestive sensory cues; however, postingestive consequences are also important. Thus, the quest for improved measures of reinforcing value continues. We have genetic differences aplenty, but still lack evidence that any genotype will readily self-administer alcohol to the devastating extent that many alcoholics will. Encouraging results that are emerging include improved behavioral methods for elevating alcohol intake and inferring alcohol reinforcement, as well as new genetic animal models. Several ingenious assays to index alcohol’s motivational effects have been used extensively. Alcoholic drinking that attempts to prevent or to alleviate withdrawal symptoms has been modeled. Another characteristic of alcoholic drinking is its persistence despite abundant evidence to the drinker of the damaging effects of the excessive drinking on work, relationships, and/or health. Modeling such persistence in rodents has been uncommon to date. New genetic animal models include lines of mice selectively bred for chronic high drinking and others bred for high binge-like drinking. We have a much more clear idea now about some important experiments remaining to be performed.
Purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency. Measurement of variant protein in four families with enzyme-deficient members by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

By a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, inactive variant nucleoside phosphorylase (NP) protein could be quantitated in red cells and cultured skin fibroblasts from the probands and parents in four families with enzyme-deficient members. Three different mutant alleles could be identified that, in the homozygous state, could lead to T-cell immunodeficiency. The mutant alleles formed proteins that differed from normal NP protein by their stability, catalytic activity, or isoelectric charge. Thus, sensitive biochemical techniques can demonstrate the presence of different mutations for purine NP. Any of the mutations can be responsible for a lack of purine NP and the development of the characteristic T-cell deficiency syndrome.
“Expected” Mixing Angles or Is there Evidence for Horizontal Symmetries?

We consider the heresy that generation labels may not be quantum numbers. Statistical techniques are used to develop criteria for unusual generation mixings and mass ratios which would signal the existence of quantum numbers of a horizontal symmetry.
Angiogenesis Models Identify Factors Which Regulate Endothelial Cell Differentiation

During development, blood vessels are rapidly formed from angioblasts in the mesoderm. This is followed by extensive branching of the vessels to supply the needs of the growing tissue. In the adult, however, vessels form a complex and stable network providing a transit-way for blood cells, oxygen, growth factors, hormones, etc., to all tissues. Usually changes in the vasculature occur only in response to injury stimulation, or cyclic changes in the female reproductive system. When induced to become angiogenic, the endothelial and smooth muscle cells enter a migratory and proliferative phase resulting in a reorganization of the vessel wall and the formation of new blood vessels. This involves a cascade of sequential events leading to endothelial cell invasion into the underlying stroma, and the formation of new blood vessels leading away from the parent vessel towards the stimulus 1,2 .
A Hardware-in-the-Loop Platform for Testing Networked Controllers for Microgrids

The paper presents a Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) platform for testing and evaluating networked control algorithms for microgrid applications. The developed platform supports the testing of control approaches with high communication bandwidth requirement and includes real-time simulation and emulation of both power and communication grids. The platform operability is demonstrated using a one-zone Medium Voltage DC (MVDC) shipboard power system with a distributed voltage control implemented using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based control platform.
Female-specific risk factors associated with risk of ACO (asthma COPD overlap) in aboriginal people

Objective: Sex differences in incidence, susceptibility and severity of many chronic respiratory diseases have been long recognized. Asthma-COPD Overlap (ACO) is newly recognized disease with its m...
Abstract 1291: Notch2 inhibition as a therapeutic intervention in osteosarcoma

Notch signaling pathway is a mediator of cell differentiation and is critical for normal bone development. Four functional Notch ligands DLL1 and DLL4, and JAG1 and JAG2 showed various levels of affinity for Notch1-4 receptors. Dose dependent Notch signaling activation or blocking is attributed to anchored or soluble form of Notch ligands binding. Interestingly, Notch pathway is shown to play a dual role, either oncogenic or tumor suppressive, depending on signal dose and tissue-context. To understand Notch signaling activities in osteosarcoma (OS), we first studied the cell surface levels of Notch receptor expression in OS cell lines and patient derived xenograft (pdx) models. Cytometry based screening of NOTCH1-4 receptors showed NOTCH2 as a predominant surface expressed protein in most of the samples. Interestingly, the canonical Notch target genes HES1 and DTX1 were higher (~5-fold) in OS cells compared to mesenchymal cells (MSC). Subsequently, we evaluated selected Notch pathway gene expression in 48 patients with recurrent/metastatic OS by RNAseq analysis. High expression of Notch pathway-related genes was seen in a subset of patients. NOTCH2 expression was comparable between primary and metastatic OS specimens, highest as compared to other Notch receptors and was significantly higher than normal tissue. Thus we aimed to elucidate soluble Notch ligands mediated blocking of Notch signaling using immunoglobulin-G bound DLL-1, -3, and -4 and JAG-1, and -2 in in vitro studies using OS cells. Soluble DLL1-Fc treatment increased OS cell death as compared to the other Notch ligands as well as control-Fc cells. Addition of soluble DLL1 resulted in the decreased expression of Notch downstream genes such as HES1, DTX1 and HEY1. Taken together, these findings identify soluble DLL1 as a potent Notch pathway inhibitor in OS in vitro and support further exploration of NOTCH2 as a potential therapeutic target in OS. Citation Format: Sankaranarayanan Kannan, John A. Livingston, Michael Roth, Jonathan Benjamin, Yifei Wang, Zhongting Zhang, Wendong Zhang, Chia-Chin Wu, Hannah Beird, Andrew Futreal, Richard Gorlick. Notch2 inhibition as a therapeutic intervention in osteosarcoma [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 1291.
Chapter 62 – Volcanic Lightning

Volcanic lightning is a manifestation of electrical processes that occur in rising ash columns from explosive eruptions. Recent studies show the existence of three types of lightning: (1) vent discharges (small scale, short duration flashes right at the vent at the time of eruption), (2) near-vent lightning (medium scale, medium duration flashes above the vent in the first few minutes), and (3) plume lightning (sub-kilometer to large scale, long duration flashes beginning several minutes after eruption onset and lasting many minutes as the plume drifts downwind). The plume lightning resembles ordinary thunderstorm lightning, and water and ice play important roles. Lightning has been reported at nearly 400 eruptions at 152 volcanoes. Although detailed studies are in the early stages, lightning has good potential to improve monitoring for explosive eruptions.
Knowing When to Let Go: Lysosomes Regulate Inter-Mitochondrial Tethering.

In this issue of Developmental Cell, Wong et al. (2019) show that the lysosomal GTPase Rab7 regulates inter-mitochondrial contacts to control mitochondrial motility and identify dysregulated inter-mitochondrial tethering as a common theme in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type 2 disease.
Demographic Diversity in Teams: The Challenges, Benefits, and Management Strategies

This chapter focuses on the role that demographic diversity plays in team science and identifies potential areas of future research. The growth in collaborative research and diversity within the scientific workforce are distinct yet connected trends. The range of twenty-first century health challenges is increasingly complex, and both collaborative efforts and diverse perspectives will be required to meet these challenges. Successful science teams, particularly those involving scientists from different disciplines and backgrounds, hinge upon effective team integration strategies and approaches (cite other chapters in team science book). The two areas of scholarship overlap and may benefit from a more coordinated approach to integrate both concepts and approaches.
Using Technology to Train Clinicians in Evidence-Based Treatment: A Systematic Review.

Objective:There is a critical shortage of clinicians trained in evidence-based treatments (EBTs). New technologies, such as Internet-based training, video conferences, and mobile applications, can ...
The effects of soil depth on the structure of microbial communities in agricultural soils in Iowa, USA

Abstract The determination of how microbial community structure changes within the soil profile, will be beneficial to understanding the long-term health of agricultural soil ecosystems and will provide a first step towards elucidating how deep soil microbial communities contribute to carbon sequestration. This study aimed to investigate the differences in the microbial community abundance, composition and diversity throughout from the surface layers down to deep soils in corn and soybean fields in Iowa, USA. We used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of soil samples to characterize the change in microbial community structure. Our results revealed decreased richness and diversity in bacterial community structure with increasing soil depth. We also observed distinct distribution patterns of bacterial community composition along soil profiles. Soil and root data at different depths enabled us to demonstrate that the soil organic matter, soil bulk density and plant water availability were all significant factors in explaining the variation in soil microbial community composition. Our findings provide valuable insights in the changes in microbial community structure to depths of 180 cm in one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. This knowledge will be important for future management and productivity of agroecosystems in the face of increasing demand for food and climate change.
Combating Heightened Social Isolation of Nursing Home Elders: The Telephone Outreach in the COVID-19 Outbreak Program.

ABSTRACT Objective Social isolation and loneliness—common concerns in older adults—are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address social isolation in nursing home residents, the Yale School of Medicine Geriatrics Student Interest Group initiated a Telephone Outreach in the COVID-19 Outbreak (TOCO) Program that implements weekly phone calls with student volunteers. Methods Local nursing homes were contacted; recreation directors identified appropriate and interested elderly residents. Student volunteers were paired with elderly residents and provided phone call instructions. Results Three nursing homes opted to participate in the program. Thirty elderly residents were paired with student volunteers. Initial reports from recreation directors and student volunteers were positive: elderly residents look forward to weekly phone calls and express gratitude for social connectedness. Conclusions The TOCO program achieved initial success and promotes the social wellbeing of nursing home residents. We hope to continue this program beyond the COVID-19 pandemic in order to address this persistent need in a notably vulnerable patient population.
Las humanidades, la democracia y la política del conocimiento en la educación superior

Este trabajo esta dividido en tres partes de alguna manera inconexas. Mi intencion no fue crear transiciones artificiales. La primera seccion es una transcripcion editada de solo una parte de lo que realmente sucedio en el estrado, lo orienta la pregunta ?pueden los subalternos hablar ?. La segunda parte se asemeja a un articulo preparado. La tercera parte contiene las respuestas a una serie de preguntas: ?De que manera pueden las humanidades poner de manifiesto las intuiciones de la democracia en el mas amplio sector racial, de diversificacion de clase y de genero de la poblacion? ?Que significa ensenar las Humanidades? ?Que es la aporia integral de la democracia? ?De que manera nos enfrentamos al inevitable corporativismo de todo el sistema educativo? ?Que rol tiene el curriculo? ?Que relacion existe entre clase, raza, y educacion liberal en nuestros paises? ?Que relacion existe entre una voluntad de justicia social y su ejecucion? ?Que significa interpretar una historia de violencia y usarla sin acusacion o excusa dentro de la interpretacion mas amplia por parte de los academicos? ?Por que la liberacion nacional no es una revolucion? ?De que manera combatimos lo antropocentrico?