cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Privacy Paradox: Does Stated Privacy Concerns Translate into the Valuation of Personal Information?

Information privacy paradox is of great interest to IS researchers and firms gathering personal information. This paradox has been found by IS researchers from social, behavioral, and economic aspects independently. However, there is a lack of study that examines the degrees of influence that different factors contribute to the privacy paradox problem. We combine both economic and social perspectives in our study of the privacy paradox with an economic valuation of personal information through an auction experiment in first market exchange combined with a behavioral study on general privacy concerns and specific disclosure behaviors. Our goal is to reveal more insights on the paradox through a privacy auction on personal information. Results indicate that individuals’ privacy concerns do not have a significant influence on their valuations of personal information. Instead, their prior disclosure behaviors in specific situations, like with health-care providers or social networks, are better indicators of their valuations.
Nightguard vital bleaching: How safe is it?

The conservative technique for bleaching vital teeth using a nightguard and a 10% carbamide peroxide solution has captured the esthetic interests of the dental profession. The purpose of this article is to assess the safety of the products used in this bleaching technique based on results from past related research and current research. Ten percent carbamide peroxide solutions used in numerous studies have demonstrated tissue-healing properties as well as a propensity for the reduction of plaque and gingivitis. None of these clinical studies revealed any untoward or detrimental side effects, and all demonstrated beneficial effects. Although some concern exists regarding the potentiating effects of peroxide solutions in the presence of known carcinogens, concerns of toxicity or damage to hard and soft tissues appear unfounded. The majority of current and past research and literature indicates that the current use of a 10% carbamide peroxide solution in the method advocated for bleaching vital teeth is apparently safe when administered properly under the supervision of a dentist.
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy of Quasi One-Dimensional Organic Conductors

High resolution images and spectroscopy of different quasi one-dimensional organic conductors and superconductors have been obtained with the scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Single crystals of TTF-TCNQ and related molecular compounds have been studied in air and in ultra high vacuum (UHV) covering a temperature range from 300K to 10K. The images reveal the position and orientation of the molecules that constitute the solid and can be directly related to the structure of the material. The corrugations appearing in the images are in excellent agreement with the crystallographic information. The normalized tunneling conductance of three anion substitutes show similarities in the bands for energies below the Fermi level and differences for energies above the Fermi level. At temperatures below ∼80K images on TTF-TCNQ reveal corrugations with wavelength of double the interchain lattice parameter. This modulation is commensurate with the underlying lattice and can be attributed to a direct observation of the charge density wave (CDW) on this type of material. Low temperature tunneling spectroscopy data show a energy gap between 40–50mV, which confirms the metal-semiconductor transition.
The Effect of Social Status on Decision-Making and Prices in Financial Networks

In this chapter, we examine the impact of status-seeking considerations on investors’ portfolio choices and asset prices in a general equilibrium setting. The economy we study consists of traditional (“Markowitz”) investors as well as status-seekers who are concerned about relative wealth. The model highlights the strategic and interdependent nature of portfolio selection in such a setting: low-status investors look for portfolio choices that maximize their chances of moving up the ladder, while high-status investors look to maintain the status quo and hedge against these choices of the low-status investors. In equilibrium, asset returns obey a novel two-factor model in which one factor is the traditional market factor and the other is a particular “high-volatility factor” that does not appear to have been identified so far in the theoretical or empirical literature. We test this two-factor model using stock market data and find significant support for it. Of particular interest is the fact that the model and the empirical results attribute the low returns on idiosyncratic volatility stocks documented by Ang et al. (2006) to their covariance with the portfolio of highly volatile stocks held by investors with relatively low status.
Effects of a 1-Time Nurse-Led Telephone Call After Pediatric Discharge: The H2O II Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Families often struggle after discharge of a child from the hospital. Postdischarge challenges can lead to increased use of urgent health care services. Objective To determine whether a single nurse-led telephone call after pediatric discharge decreased the 30-day reutilization rate for urgent care services and enhanced overall transition success. Design, Setting, and Participants This Hospital-to-Home Outcomes (H2O) randomized clinical trial included 966 children and adolescents younger than 18 years (hereinafter referred to as children) admitted to general medicine services at a free-standing tertiary care children’s hospital from May 11 through October 31, 2016. Data were analyzed as intention to treat and per protocol. Interventions A postdischarge telephone call within 4 days of discharge compared with standard discharge. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the 30-day reutilization rate for urgent health care services (ie, unplanned readmission, emergency department visit, or urgent care visit). Secondary outcomes included additional utilization measures, as well as parent coping, return to normalcy, and understanding of clinical warning signs measured at 14 days. Results A total of 966 children were enrolled and randomized (52.3% boys; median age [interquartile range], 2.4 years [0.5-7.8 years]). Of 483 children randomized to the intervention, the nurse telephone call was completed for 442 (91.5%). Children in the intervention and control arms had similar reutilization rates for 30-day urgent health care services (intervention group, 77 [15.9%]; control group, 63 [13.1%];P = .21). Parents of children in the intervention group recalled more clinical warning signs at 14 days (mean, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.7-2.0] in the intervention group; 1.5 [95% CI, 1.4-1.6] in the control group; ratio of intervention to control, 1.2 [95% CI, 1.1-1.3]). Conclusions and Relevance Although postdischarge nurse contact did not decrease the reutilization rate of postdischarge urgent health care services, this method shows promise to bolster postdischarge education. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT02081846
A simulation-based platform for assessing the impact of cyber-threats on smart manufacturing systems

Abstract Smart manufacturing systems can be considered within the Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) domain, where currently, there is a major concern regarding cybersecurity. This paper introduces a simulation-based model to assess the repercussions on manufacturing systems’ performance under the potential presence of cyber-threats. The applicability of the assessment model has been validated through the implementation of a case study for the manufacturing sector. Different scenarios have been developed in order to apply an experimental design analysis, where several factors on the model will permit to elucidate the combination of controllable defense policies and uncontrollable security-based parameters that will reduce the negative impact on the manufacturing system’s performance. Results have revealed that the impact of cyber-attacks on manufacturing physical operations can be reduced by different defense policies such as increasing capacity of resources at the shop floor and applying more conservative reorder policies for certain situations. Levels among recovery times did not yield the same magnitude of effect. As far as the uncontrollable factors for companies are concerned, it was revealed that the mean time between attacks and the number of potential threat sources have a significant influence on the performance metrics of the system.
Transient electrical behavior of glass membranes

Summary A fixed anionic site ion exchange model has been used to derive long-lived transient potential-distance-time profiles of ideal (surface film-free) glass membranes. The current-voltage-time curve applicable at short times for two mobile species has also been derived, and serves as a basis for the theory of membrane impedance. The potential of zero current is time-independent, while the remainder of the currentvoltage curve is time-dependent. Under a voltage pulse, the membrane current shows an initial double-layer charging spike, a decay following a t −1/2 law, and finally, establishment of a slowly varying pseudo steady state characterized by the initial d.c. resistance of the membrane modified by the mobilities of encroaching ions. The membrane steady state is not reached in a typical experiment using membranes of 30–50 μ thickness. The decomposed silica gel layer on real glass membranes is treated as a separate medium without fixed sites through which ions move by diffusion-migration to the intact glass. The current-voltage-time curve has been derived exactly by Laplace transform methods. The potential-time response at zero current after step changes in solution activity follows an exponential law in agreement with experimental data.
Shieldmaidens of Whiteness: (Alt) Maternalism and Women Recruiting for the Far/Alt-Right

In this paper, I outline the narrative frameworks that Far/Alt-Right women use to negotiate their place within extremist ideologies. My analysis focuses on videos made by Lana Lokteff, who has been called the most prominent woman in the Alt-Right. Lokteff produces propaganda spanning the European and US contexts through her marriage and media partnership with Henrik Palmgren via their online outlets 3Fourteen Radio and Red Ice TV. Lokteff has produced hundreds of media products, many with hundreds of thousands of views. As such, her claims and arguments represent current strands of discourse used by women to support and participate in Far/Alt-Right ideology and groups as well as to recruit other women. In her talks and shows, Lokteff must simultaneously articulate women’s proper role – their unsuitability as “leaders” – and her call for women to rise in support of Far/Alt-Right defenses of White culture. To navigate between these two dictates, she returns to the figure of the Viking shieldmaiden to interconnect discursive strands that include: 1) women’s power rooted in gendered complementarity; 2) women’s roles as “life givers” of the Euro/White future, what I refer to as “alt-maternalism”; and 3) white men’s ultimate romantic gesture to white women, the building and defense of Western Civilization. I show how this set of women’s narratives connects to non-extremist women’s movements online to suggest sources of recruitment, to highlight populations available for radicalization, and to show how extremist ideologies using gendered stereotypes can be normalized into more mainstream cultures.
Investigating Measurement Variation of Modified Low-Cost Particle Sensors.

Abstract Particulate matter (PM) has demonstrably increased rates of cardiovascular and respiratory related disease; thus, a low-cost sensor that accurately measures PM is desirable including for smaller and more private environments such as residential homes. The low-cost Dylos and the Utah Modified Dylos Sensor (UMDS) have been shown to be highly correlated with references instruments for measuring particle counts and aerosol concentrations, which makes them useful tools for air quality studies. An analytical calibration equation (calibration) is used to describe the linear relationship between the UMDS and a reference instrument, providing the best estimate of PM concentrations when the UMDS is operated. In this study, an investigation of measurement variation of a UMDS was performed using a low-cost calibration technique to determine differences between the brand new UMDS pre-calibration equation (Prec), a contaminated UMDS post-calibration equation (Postc), and a cleaned UMDS clean calibration equation (CC). The UMDS were calibrated against a high-grade aerosol spectrometer (Grimm model 1.109) as a reference instrument. Calibrations took place in a home or office environment. Counts per volume units from the UMDS were matched to the Grimm's for comparison. The investigation of the UMDS for measurement variation was performed for the approximate estimates of PM2.5 by using the small bin (i.e. ≥0.50 μm) subtracted from the large bin (i.e. ≥2.5 μm), and for total particulates by using the large bin. Linear regressions were performed between the UMDS and the Grimm per calibration event, which produced R2 values and slopes that were indicative of measurement variation. Data exceeding the upper limit of quantification (ULOQ) of 106,000 particles/liter and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 4 particles/liter were excluded from statistical comparison. R2 values greater or equal to 0.70 were used to assess measurement variation as a quality control standard for valid comparisons. A rank sum statistical test between calibration comparisons was performed. Prec/Postc and Prec/CC had significant differences indicating measurement variation. Postc/CC did not have any significant differences; cleaning the UMDS had no effect and did not demonstrate measurement variation. Reasons for measurement variation may include instrument contamination (dust/dirt), hardware degradation, altered fan flow rates, and potentially inadequate cleaning of the UMDS. Future work may investigate the rate of measurement variation in order to develop a recommended re-calibration schedule in order to maintain the most accurate estimates of PM for UMDS in long-term operation.
Psoriasis and mortality in the United States: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background Psoriasis is a multifactorial disease that has been associated with multiple systemic disorders. Despite its role in mediating cardiovascular, metabolic, and pulmonary disorders, few studies have examined the independent mortality risk associated with psoriasis. Objective To determine the independent relationship between psoriasis and all-cause mortality in a nationally representative sample of the US population. Methods Retrospective population-based cohort study of adults and adolescents older than 10 years (N = 13 031) who participated in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2003-2006 and 2009-2010). Psoriasis status was determined from a self-reported medical history questionnaire. Mortality data are linked from national databases. Results Psoriasis was present in 2.7% of the study population. Over an average median follow-up of 52.3 months, psoriasis was significantly associated with increased mortality risk (HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.01-3.93; P = .047) with adjustment for demographics, smoking, and comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, chronic kidney disease, and stroke. These comorbidities mediated 15.5%, 5.9%, 8.7%, 11.7%, 4.2%, and 4.7% of the association between psoriasis and mortality, respectively. Conclusion Psoriasis is independently associated with an increased risk of mortality. This relationship is partially mediated by an increased prevalence of the cardiovascular, infectious, and neoplastic disorders seen among patients with psoriasis.
Genetic Variants on SCN5A, KCNQ1, and KCNH2 in Patients with Ventricular Arrhythmias during Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Chinese Population.

OBJECTIVE Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. About half of sudden deaths from AMI are mainly because of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VA) after AMI. The sodium channel gene SCN5A and potassium channel genes KCNQ1 and KCNH2 have been widely reported to be genetic risk factors for arrhythmia including Brugada syndrome and long QT syndrome (LQTS). A few studies reported the association of SCN5A variant with ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF) complicating AMI. However, little is known about the role of KCNQ1 and KCNH2 in AMI with VA (AMI_VA). This study focuses on investigating the potential variants on SCN5A, KCNQ1, and KCNH2 contributing to AMI with VA in a Chinese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS In total, 139 patients with AMI_VA, and 337 patients with AMI only, were included. Thirty exonic sites were selected to be screened. Sanger sequencing was used to detect variants. A subsequent association study was also performed between AMI_VA and AMI. RESULTS Twelve variants [5 on KCNH2(NM_000238.3), 3 on KCNQ1(NM_000218.2), and 4 on SCN5A(NM_198056.2)] were identified in AMI_VA patients. Only 5 (KCNH2: c.2690A>C; KCNQ1: c.1927G>A, c.1343delC; SCN5A: c.1673A>G, c.3578G>A) of them are missense variants. Two (KCNQ1: c.1343delC and SCN5A: c.3578G>A) of the missense variants were predicted to be clinically pathogenic. All these variants were further genotyped in an AMI without VA group. The association study identified a statistically significant difference in genotype frequency of KCNH2: c.1539C>T and KCNH2: c.1467C>T between the AMI and AMI_VA groups. Moreover, 2 rare variants (KCNQ1: c.1944C>T and SCN5A: c.3621C>T) showed an elevated allelic frequency (more than 1.5-fold) in the AMI_VA group when compared to the AMI group. CONCLUSION Twelve variants (predicting from benign/VUS to pathogenic) were identified on KCNH2, KCNQ1, and SCN5A in patients with AMI_VA. Genotype frequency comparison between AMI_VA and AMI identified 2 significant common variants on KCNH2. Meanwhile, the allelic frequency of 2 rare variants on KCNQ1 and SCN5A, respectively, were identified to be enriched in AMI_VA, although there was no statistical significance. The present study suggests that the ion-channel genes KCNH2, KCNQ1, and SCN5A may contribute to the pathogenesis of VA during AMI.
Multi-dimensional Workload in Two Types of Nuclear Power Plant Simulators:

Analog, full-scope, full-scale simulators with the fidelity to simulate all of the physical and underlying thermodynamics in the real system are representative of training simulators used by curren...
Weekly (QW) epoetin alfa (EPO) in prostate cancer (PC) patients (pts) with anemia not receiving chemotherapy (CT) or radiation therapy (RT)

14634 Background: While EPO is widely used in the management of CT-related anemia, anemia in cancer pts may stem from causes other than CT. Tumor invasion of the bone marrow and cytokine-mediated i...
Micromagnetic Sensor Utilizing Single SAW IDT Shunt-Loaded with GMI Wire

A miniaturized magnetic sensor design utilizing a GMI microwire and a single SAW IDT is presented. One possible application for this sensor design is to detect the small changes in magnetic susceptibility in lithium-ion batteries associated with changes in the internal state of the battery. This design is selected to take advantage of the coupling of the impedance characteristics of the GMI microwire to the IDT transduction process. As a result, high sensitivity in the low magnetic field ( $\sim \mu \mathrm{T}$ ) region can be achieved. Field-induced changes in frequency dependent complex permeability of the GMI microwire are measured through the IDT insertion loss due to the resulting impedance mismatch. Initial results indicate that optimizing sensor parameters enables high sensitivity in weak magnetic field detection as required for direct measurement of the internal state of batteries.
Active prevention of snow accumulation on cameras of autonomous vehicles

Accumulation of atmospheric icing, particularly wet snow, on the visual sensors/navigators of autonomous vehicles (AVs) increases the possibility of accidents by obstructing the lenses of the sensors. Here, two navigator designs were suggested that use airflow across the lens surfaces of the AVs to prevent snow accumulation on them. The impact of airflow intensity across the lens, wind velocity (relative velocity of wind with respect to vehicle), and liquid water content of snow on prevention of snow accumulation on the lenses of the AVs was explored experimentally. Here, artificial snow grains were formed using a novel snow gun and their average sizes at low liquid water content (LWC of ≈ 8%) and high liquid water content (LWC of ≈ 28%) were measured to study the impact of grain sizes on snow accumulation on camera lenses. The effects of wind velocity, snow density, and diameter of the snow grains on their trajectory in the testing section were also studied numerically. The results indicated that the snow grains with higher velocity, density, or diameter possessed higher inertia forces and were more prone to collide with the navigator, increasing collision efficiency of snow grains. We realized that the airflow across the lens effectively prevented snow accumulation on the lens at vehicle/wind velocities of up to 20 mph. The proposed designs actively reduced the snow accumulation on the camera lens, promising to be applied in future AVs.
RESTORATIVE IMPLICATIONS FOR OPTIMAL IMPLANT PLACEMENT

SUMMARY The best predictors of treatment success are the patient's smile line and the existing quantity and quality of hard and soft tissue. The current trend of implant restorative dentistry, in which the restoration dictates ideal implant location, is a result of innovations and confidence gained in bone grafting procedures. Surgical stent design should limit implant placement strictly to the ideal location. When compared with posterior regions, esthetic areas are more predictably grafted due to a lack of anatomic interferences. When bone grafting is anticipated for ideal placement in the anterior region, complicated CT imaging is less important and often not indicated. Custom abutments are the best solution for maximizing esthetics when implants are malposi- tioned; however, technical laboratory support becomes even more demanding. Further im- provement in soft-tissue augmentation procedures is needed to continue the progress in esthetic implant-supported restorations. With careful patient selection, careful surgery, and thoughtful treatment planning, restoration of partially edentulous patients with implant-supported restorations is a viable alternative to traditional prosthodontic therapy.” As with any other treatment that depends on multiple specialties, success is maximized by a thorough understanding of the entire surgical and prosthetic procedures by all parties involved. Communication between the oral surgeon and the restorative dentist is crucial. The statement “meticulous attention to the finest detail is required to achieve the level of success that has been documented in the literature”2 rises to a new level when planning treatment for optimal implant placement in esthetic applications (Color Plate 5, Figs. 19A and B and 20A and B).
An Equity-Minded Approach to Faculty Development in a Community of Practice

Communities of Practice (CoPs) have been identified as successful models of innovation in higher education institutional change efforts, particularly geared toward faculty. Accordingly, this multi-method qualitative study examined how participation in one equity-minded CoP contributed to participants’ understanding and mobilization of equity in their work at a public university in the Northeast United States. Through grounded theory, the authors investigated how participants critiqued current educational inequities, supported one another, shared knowledge and resources, and championed social change, while situated within oppressive academic structures. Although all participants aimed to contribute to equitable practices, findings showcased evidence of accomplice behavior given the nature of academia. However, the CoP provided a unique and supportive space for faculty to critique perceived inequities and systems of power and actively advocate for social justice change in their educational environments.
Passivity Analysis of Nonlinear Impulsive Multi-Dimensional Switched Systems

In this paper, we extend the classic passivity theory for a class of nonlinear impulsive multi-dimensional switched systems with both (exponentially) passive and nonpassive subsystems, where the state changes (i.e., state dimensional variations and/or state jumps) may occur at the switching moments. The passivity conditions of such systems are studied by adopting the transition-dependent average dwell time (TDADT) and multiple Lyapunov functions (MLFs). The state changes of such systems are taken into account by introducing the switching time threshold and the switching rate conditions. The proposed methods prove that, with a relaxed quasi-alternative switching signal, nonlinear impulsive multi-dimensional switched systems with both exponentially passive and nonpassive subsystems are (weakly) exponentially passive, and systems with both passive and nonpassive subsystems are (weakly) passive. The main results are demonstrated by a numerical example.
Race, Ethnicity, Education, Poverty, and First Cigarette Flavor

IntroductionResearch shows that Blacks and Hispanics with high socioeconomic status (SES) remain at high risk of cigarette smoking, a pattern called Minorities’ Diminished Returns (MDRs) of SES. In a national sample of American adult smokers, we tested (1) the effects of race, ethnicity, educational attainment, and poverty status on first cigarette flavor in a national sample of American adult smokers, and (2) whether racial and ethnic differences exist in the effects of educational attainment and poverty status on first cigarette flavor.MethodsThis cross-sectional entered 22,144 ever smoker adults who had participated in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH; 2013), a nationally representative study in the US. Independent variables were race, ethnicity, educational attainment, and poverty status.ResultsIndividuals with higher education had lower odds of initiating smoking using menthol/mint flavored cigarettes (OR = 0.94) but higher odds of candy/fruit flavored cigarettes (OR = 1.35). Living out of poverty did not associate with initiating smoking using flavored cigarettes. Education showed a weaker (OR = 1.08) protective effect on reducing the odds of initiating smoking using menthol/mint-flavored cigarettes for Hispanics, and living out of poverty had a larger protective effect for Whites than Blacks on the odds of initiating smoking using any flavored cigarettes (OR=1.19). Education had a larger protective effect for Blacks against initiating their smoking using any (OR = 0.88) or menthol/mint (OR = 0.90) flavored cigarettes and education better protected Hispanics than non-Hispanics against initiating smoking using candy/fruit-flavored cigarettes (OR = 0.82).
3D ICEPIC Simulation of a Relativistic Backward Wave Oscillator with Resonant Reflector

We present results of 3D ICEPIC simulations of a relativistic backward wave oscillator with resonant reflector (RBWO-RR). The slow wave structure and resonant reflector cavity used in our simulations are based on a design reported in the literature1. Hot test simulations were made with an annular beam with outer radius 19.5 mm and inner radius 19 mm. We find from ICEPIC simulations of the RBWO-RR with a beam voltage of 285 kV and current 7.5 kA that the output RF pulse is shortened to 20 nanoseconds due to an instability in the electron beam. The average output power over the duration of the RF pulse is 0.58 GW. We are exploring strategies for mitigating the beam instability so that we can increase the output RF pulse length and increase output power.
A novel method for producing functionalized vesicles that efficiently deliver oligonucleotides in vitro in cancer cells and in vivo in mice

Nano-based delivery systems have enhanced our ability to administer and target drugs and macromolecules to their targets. Oligonucleotide drugs have great therapeutic potential but often have off-target effects and stability issues. Therefore, they are often encapsulated in vesicles with targeting ligands such as antibodies (Ab) to deliver their cargo. Herein, we describe a novel, scalable and straightforward approach to produce functionalized vesicles called the Functionalized Lipid Insertion Method. This method differs from an older approach called the Detergent-Dialysis Method. The older method required excess detergent and extensive dialysis over many hours to produce the functionalized vesicles. With our method, only the functionalized lipid is detergent-solubilized during the engineering of the vesicle. The approach reduces the dialysis time, keeps the vesicles intact while orienting the targeting moieties of the functionalized lipid toward the outside of the vesicle. Pilot in vitro and in vivo experiments was performed to show the feasibility of the Functionalized Lipid Insertion Method. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique suggests that the original vesicular structure was unperturbed. Changes in vesicle size by our method were consistent with the lipid inserted externally into the vesicle. Our approach efficiently delivered oligonucleotides and affected the function of HepG2 cells. Functionalized vesicles achieve targeted delivery of oligonucleotides in mice without inducing a significant immune response through cytokine production or physical signs of the immune response such as inflammation. The industrial and therapeutic significance and implications of functionalized vesicles produced by our method are also discussed.
Base Editing of Somatic Cells Using CRISPR-Cas9 in Drosophila.

Cas9 and a guide RNA (gRNA) function to target specific genomic loci for generation of a double-stranded break. Catalytic dead versions of Cas9 (dCas9) no longer cause double-stranded breaks and instead can serve as molecular scaffolds to target additional enzymatic proteins to specific genomic loci. To generate mutations in selected genomic residues, dCas9 can be used for genomic base editing by fusing a cytidine deaminase (CD) to induce C > T (or G>A) mutations at targeted sites. In this study, we test base editing in Drosophila by expressing a transgenic Drosophila base editor (based on the mammalian BE2) that consists of a fusion protein of CD, dCas9, and uracil glycosylase inhibitor. We utilized transgenic lines expressing gRNAs along with pan-tissue expression of the Drosophila base editor (Actin5C-BE2) and found high rates of base editing at multiple targeted loci in the 20 bp target sequence. Highest rates of conversion of C > T were found in positions 3-9 of the gRNA-targeted site, with conversion reaching ∼100% of targeted DNA in somatic tissues. Surprisingly, the simultaneous use of two gRNAs targeting a genomic region spaced ∼50 bp apart led to mutations between the two gRNA targets, implicating a method to broaden the available sites accessible to targeting. These results indicate base editing is efficient in Drosophila, and could be used to induce point mutations at select loci.
The New Kingdom and Power Politics

The lowlands which lie around the lower courses and the estuaries of the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt Rivers throughout the middle ages were divided into a number of feudal states which in the course of the fifteenth century came under the control of the Dukes of Burgundy and became known as the Burgundian Netherlands. These lands were inherited by Charles V and later by Philip II of Spain when they became known as the Spanish Netherlands. The arbitrary rule of Philip, in violation of his solemn oath not to infringe on the ancient rights, privileges and customs of the seventeen provinces which composed this dominion, led to rebellion. The Duke of Alva, by means of military successes and his skillful fiplomacy, recovered the allegiance of the southern provinces for his sovereign and brought them back to the Catholic faith, but he was unable to subdue the northern provinces. They persevered until they won their independence.
Gating Domain of Calcium‐Activated Potassium Channel with Calcium and Calmodulin

Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK channels) are voltage-independent and gated solely by increases in intracellular Ca2+ such as that occurs during an action potential. SK channels are heteromeric complexes and consist of pore-forming α-subunits and calmodulin (CaM). CaM is constitutively associated with an intracellular region of the α-subunit immediately C-terminal to the pore, the CaM binding domain (CaMBD). In order to trigger channel opening, Ca2+ must only bind the EF hands in the CaM N-lobe. The 1.60-A crystal structure of the SK channel Ca2+/CaM/CaMBD complex reveals that the CaMBD forms an elongated dimer with a CaM bound at each end and each CaM wraps around three α-helices, two from one CaMBD subunit and one from the other. The structure also provides a view of both Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent protein interactions; only the CaM N-lobe is calcified while the noncalcified C-lobe is responsible for the CaM/CaMBD constitutive interaction. This structure combined with biochemical data suggests a possible gating mechanism in which Ca2+ binding to each CaM N-lobe exposes its hydrophobic patch, thus allowing it to interact with an adjacent CaMBD monomer. As each N-lobe on adjacent monomers interacts with the other CaMBD C-terminal region, a rotary force would be created between them and transmitted to the attached S6 pore helices in the gate region. In this chemo-mechanical model, two CaMBD dimers would serve as mechanical levers to drive open the channel. 3D Structure Keywords: K+ channel; SK channel; Ca2+-activated gating; calmodulin; EF hand; functional bipartism
YouTube Fridays: Engaging the Net Generation in 5 Minutes a Week

YouTube Fridays is a teaching tool that devotes the first five minutes of class each Friday to a YouTube video related to the course. Students select the videos, which expand the class’s educational content in courses such as thermodynamics and material and energy balances. From assessments of two pilot studies using YouTube Fridays in Chemical Engineering courses, it is clear that the tech-savvy students of the net generation enjoy finding and sharing the videos. The pedagogical value of the activity is obvious, as determined from evaluation of the written reports submitted by the students. Several examples of advanced chemical engineering topics (e.g., the CSTR) have been introduced to sophomore students taking their first chemical engineering course as part of this activity. Overall, this use of technology in the classroom clearly engages the technology-centric students that encompass the majority of college campuses today.
Open source software development: a case study of FreeBSD

A common claim is that open source software development produces higher quality software at lower cost than traditional commercial development To validate such claims, researchers have conducted case studies of "successful" open source development projects. This case study of the FreeBSD project provides further understanding of open source development. The FreeBSD development process is fairly well-defined with proscribed methods for determining developer responsibilities, dealing with enhancements and defects, and for managing releases. Compared to the Apache project, FreeBSD uses a smaller set of core developers that implement a smaller portion of the system, and uses a more well-defined testing process. FreeBSD and Apache have a similar ratio of core developers to (1) people involved in adapting and debugging the system, and (2) people who report problems. Both systems have similar defect densities, and the developers are also users in both systems.
Abstract 4567: Demonstration of pharmacodynamic effects of Notch and PI3Kinase inhibitors using robust immunohistochemical assays on human skin explant models

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Assessment of pharmacodynamic (PD) effect of novel therapeutic compounds in human tissues is used to demonstrate target engagement and to rationalize dosing strategy decisions for emerging targeted therapeutics in clinical trials. Often, human skin biopsies, a readily accessible surrogate tissue, are used for these purposes. Aberrant signaling in the Notch cell surface receptor and the PI3K signal transduction pathways are increasingly implicated in human cancers. In order to test the utility of immunohistochemical (IHC) PD biomarker assays developed in our laboratory for Notch and PI3K inhibitor development programs, we developed ex vivo PD models using respective inhibitors on human skin biopsy explants. Fresh human skin samples were obtained in the Operating-Room from reduction mammoplasty specimens, serially sliced (1-2 mm) and incubated at 37°C in Williams E. media containing 1 µM Notch (gamma-secretase) inhibitor (15 h); and 50 µM PI3K inhibitor (LY294002, 4 h). Specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for 24 hours, and processed into FFPE blocks. Sections were stained for Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD, rabbit monoclonal, D3B8) using DAB and for phospho-S6 (S240/S244, rabbit polyclonal) using an alkaline phosphatase-based detection system. N1ICD and phospho-S6 immunoreactivity in cells of the epidermis was analyzed using positive pixel counting. Viability of epidermal cells throughout ex vivo incubation was verified by Ki67 and histomorphologic assessments of the epidermis. Nuclear N1ICD immunoreactivity, a marker of Notch pathway activation, was decreased by 76% when treated with gamma-secretase inhibitor. Similarly, treatment with PI3K inhibitor decreased cytoplasmic phospho-S6 immunoreactivity by 98%. These ex vivo models of human skin provide scientific evidence to support: 1) The N1ICD and phospho-S6 IHC assays developed in our laboratory can demonstrate ex vivo inhibition of these two pathways in human skin; and 2) Feasibility to translate human skin explant findings to patient skin samples from clinical trials. Our explant model systems are closer to real life PD assessments on patient skin samples from clinical trials and can further substantiate the PD data generated in animal models. In some cases, the ex vivo model could replace animal models. Citation Format: Timothy R. Holzer, Leslie A. O'Neill, Angie D. Fulford, Janet M. Grondin, Bradley L. Ackermann, Robert J. Konrad, Kelly M. Credille, Aejaz Nasir. Demonstration of pharmacodynamic effects of Notch and PI3Kinase inhibitors using robust immunohistochemical assays on human skin explant models. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4567. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4567
The Dornbusch-Frankel Exchange Rate Model and Cointegration: Evidence from the Yen-Dollar

The Dornbusch-Frankel monetary model is used to estimate the out-of-sample forecasting performance for the Japanese yen/U.S. dollar exchange rate. By using Johansen’s multivariate cointegration, up to three cointegrating vectors were found between the exchange rate and macroeconomic fundamentals. This means that there is a long-run relationship between exchange rate and economic fundamentals. Based on error-correction models, the random-walk model outperforms the Dornbusch-Frankel model at every forecasting horizon. However, the Dornbusch Frankel model with the modified money demand function dominates the random-walk model at every forecasting horizon except twelve month. As a result, the stock price variable can improve the accuracy of forecasts of exchange rates at short-run horizons.
Concrete Filled Structural Plastic Columns

A theoretical analysis and experimental tests were conducted on commercially available plastic pipe (PVC and ABS) filled with a concrete core. The theoretical analysis implied an interaction between the concrete core and plastic pipe and a corresponding increase in strength of the concrete core. Under a column loading, the structural behavior of the plastic pipe was similar to the behavior of spiral reinforcement. The plastic pipe increased the strength of the concrete core approximately 3.2 times the pipe burst pressure. Slenderness ratio effects reduced the column capacity once they reached a value of 20. Test results show that concrete filled plastic pipe columns show considerable promise for structural applications.
Health and developmental outcomes of a surfactant controlled trial: follow-up at 2 years.

Several randomized clinical trials have shown that surfactant therapy improves the pulmonary status of infants with respiratory distress syndrome and has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality in these infants. Relatively little is known, however, about the long-term consequences of surfactant treatment. In this report, the results of health and developmental assessment are described at 1 and 2 years of age of 32 survivors of an initial group of 41 infants enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of bovine surfactant therapy. The frequencies of abnormal findings were comparable in the two groups although there was a trend toward a greater frequency of allergic manifestations in the control group (6 of 16 (38%) vs 1 of 15 (7%), P = .08). Similarly, no differences were seen in the mental and motor scores of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at either 1 or 2 years of age. This study and other recently published reports of follow-up studies of infants treated with surfactant provide encouraging evidence that major long-term side effects do not result from surfactant therapy.
Increased Seizure Susceptibility and Proconvulsant Activity of Anandamide in Mice Lacking Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase

A number of recent in vitro studies have described a role for endogenous cannabinoids ("endocannabinoids") as transsynaptic modulators of neuronal activity in the hippocampus and other brain regions. However, the impact that endocannabinoid signals may have on activity-dependent neural events in vivo remains mostly unknown and technically challenging to address because of the short half-life of these chemical messengers in the brain. Mice lacking the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase [FAAH (-/-) mice] are severely impaired in their ability to degrade the endocannabinoid anandamide and therefore represent a unique animal model in which to examine the function of this signaling lipid in vivo. Here, we show that the administration of anandamide dramatically augments the severity of chemically induced seizures in FAAH (-/-) mice but not in wild-type mice. Anandamide-enhanced seizures in FAAH (-/-) mice resulted in significant neuronal damage in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus for the bicuculline and kainate models, respectively. Notably, in the absence of anandamide treatment, FAAH (-/-) mice exhibited enhanced seizure responses to high doses of kainate that correlated with greatly elevated endogenous levels of anandamide in the hippocampus of these animals. Collectively, these studies suggest that both exogenously administered and endogenously produced anandamide display FAAH-regulated proconvulsant activity and do not support a general neuroprotective role for this endocannabinoid in response to excitotoxic stimuli in vivo. More generally, these findings demonstrate that the disinhibitory actions of endocannabinoids observed in hippocampal slices in vitro may also occur in vivo.
Amino Acid and Protein Metabolism in Bermuda Grass During Water Stress

The ability of Arizona Common and Coastal Bermuda grass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] to synthesize amino acids and proteins during water stress was investigated. Amino acids were continually synthesized during the water stress treatments, but protein synthesis was inhibited and protein levels decreased.Water stress induced a 10- to 100-fold accumulation of free proline in shoots and a 2- to 6-fold accumulation of free asparagine, both of which are characteristic responses of water-stressed plants. Valine levels increased, and glutamic acid and alanine levels decreased.(14)C labeling experiments showed that free proline turns over more slowly than any other free amino acid during water stress. This proline is readily synthesized and accumulated from glutamic acid. It is suggested that during water stress free proline functions as a storage compound.No significant differences were found in the amino acid and protein metabolism of the 2 varieties of Bermuda grass.
Structural alterations within native amyloidogenic immunoglobulin light chains

Amyloid diseases are characterized by the misfolding of a precursor protein that leads to amyloid fibril formation. Despite the fact that there are different precursors, some commonalities in the misfolding mechanism are thought to exist. In light chain amyloidosis (AL), the immunoglobulin light chain forms amyloid fibrils that deposit in the extracellular space of vital organs. AL proteins are thermodynamically destabilized compared to non-amyloidogenic proteins and some studies have linked this instability to increased fibril formation rates. Here we present the crystal structures of two highly homologous AL proteins, AL-12 and AL-103. This structural study shows that these proteins retain the canonical germ line dimer interface. We highlight important structural alterations in two loops flanking the dimer interface and correlate these results with the somatic mutations present in AL-12 and AL-103. We suggest that these alterations are informative structural features that are likely contributing to protein instability that leads to conformational changes involved in the initial events of amyloid formation.
Changing more than the Plumbing: Integrating Women and Gender Differences into Management and Organizational Behavior Courses

Although women will compose almost half of the U.S. work force by the year 2000, universities have made few changes in management and organizational behavior (OB) courses to reflect this increasing...
Substrate Specificity and Inhibitor Sensitivity of Cholinesterases in Homogenates of Western Flower Thrips

Abstract Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in homogenates of KCM strain western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), was chiefly membrane bound, sensitive to eserine, and insensitive to diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP). The rate of substrate hydrolysis decreased in the order acetylthiocholine (ASCh)→ propionylthiocholine→ acetyl-β-methylthiocholine (MeSCh)→ butyrylthiocholine (BuSCh). Inhibition by excess substrate was not observed at concentrations up to 8.0 mM. Inhibition by BW 284C51 indicated the presence of two components with different sensitivity to this compound. Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity, which was considerably higher than AChE activity, was chiefly soluble and sensitive to eserine and DFP and insensitive to BW 284C51. The sulfhydryl reagents p-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid and 5,5′dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid inhibited AChE and BuChE activities. Several organophosphates and carbamates were potent inhibitors of ASCh and BuSCh hydrolysis with the organophosphates being especially active against BuSCh. Substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity of AChE and BuChE from UMC strain thrips were similar but not identical to that of KCM thrips. It was suggested that BuChE in western flower thrips might function as a scavenger enzyme to protect AChE from anticholinesterase insecticides. Similarities between the properties of western flower thrips cholinesterases and those reported previously for aphids were striking.