cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application Study on Detection Technology of Switchgear Partial Discharge

The discharge characteristics of typical partial discharge source were analyzed for commercial switchgear. Transient Earth Voltage(TEV)and ultrasonic Partial Discharge(PD)detection technology were used to detect and analysis on the typical partial discharge source, and integrated compliance tested effectiveness of(TEV) and ultrasonic PD detection technology. Experimental results showed that different typical defects of discharge pulse have different phase distribution characteristics. The same typical defects of discharge pulse have different phase distribution characteristics with the different discharge energy. Ultrasonic detected signal spectrum was mainly concentrated in the fundamental and harmonic components of 40 kHz due to the sensor frequency range, and the discharge more intense, the more harmonic component frequency. For insulation cavity discharge, the effectiveness of ultrasonic detection was poor. Ultrasonic detected signal spectrum was mainly concentrated between 3~80 MHz, high frequency component was less(above 150 MHz). The spectrum of TEV detection partial discharge sources were different, and there were a large number of spectrum component in suspended electrode defect.
Experience with Live Donor Nephrectomy

AbstractWe studied 100 patients undergoing nephrectomy for living related renal transplantation. After completion of tissue typing preoperative studies included urinalysis and culture, creatinine clearance determination, excretory urography and renal arteriography. Patient characteristics, preoperative tests, surgical approach, complications, long-term followup and cost factors were reviewed. There was no mortality and morbidity was minimal except for wound complications. Renal function generally remained normal. Donor nephrectomy is a worthwhile and safe procedure with an acceptably low incidence of postoperative complications.
Cracking Windsor's Code: The Unusual Judicial Review Standard of United States v. Windsor and Its Potential Impact on Future Plaintiffs

The Supreme Court’s opinion in U.S. v. Windsor, which struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), has been criticized by many. These shortsighted characterizations misread Windsor. In fact, the Court’s analysis is based on long-established, if somewhat antiquated, equal protection jurisprudence: “careful consideration” triggered by the “unusual character” of a statute. With this standard’s reemergence, the possibility arises that future equal protection plaintiffs may be able to take advantage of it.
Abstract LB-232: Nano-CaCO3 as a novel pH-sensitive nanoparticle platform for cancer therapy

Introduction: The acidic extracellular environment of tumors potentiates their aggressiveness and metastasis, but few methods exist to selectively modulate the extracellular pH (pHe) environment of tumors. Transient flushing of biological systems with alkaline fluids or proton pump inhibitors is impractical and nonselective. Here we report a nanoparticles-based strategy to intentionally modulate the pHe in tumors and restricts it growth. Methods: We developed two independent facile methods to synthesize monodisperse non-doped vaterite nano-CaCO3 with distinct size range between 20 and 300 nm. Biochemical simulations were used to simulate pH changes in vivo using the particle. In vitro and in vivo assays were used to determine pH changes. IV injections of the nanoparticles were implemented in a xenograft model of fibrosarcoma to determine growth changes. Results: Biochemical simulations indicate that the dissolution of calcium carbonate nanoparticles (nano-CaCO3) dissolution in vivo increases pH asymptotically to 7.4. Using murine models of cancer, we demonstrate that the selective accumulation of nano-CaCO3 in tumors increases tumor pHe over time. The persistent neutralization of tumor pHe from nano-CaCO3 induces tumor growth stasis. Conclusions: We have been able to create a novel nanoparticle based on widely existing in vivo components (Calcium and CO3) that safely equilibrates acidic pH of tumors up to normal physiological pH. As expected, this modulation restricts growth of implanted tumors in vivo. Future studies will study the effect of these particles on metastasis, and synergy with other therapeutic modalities. Citation Format: Avik Som, Ramesh Raliya, Walter Akers, Joseph Ippolito, Srikanth Singamaneni, Pratim Biswas, Samuel Achilefu. Nano-CaCO3 as a novel pH-sensitive nanoparticle platform for cancer therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-232.
AFM and Raman Spectroscopy, Applications in Cellular Imaging and Assays

By taking advantage of their respective technical capabilities, the combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy offers new instrument tools that have the ability of conducting high-resolution imaging and chemical analysis of cellular samples. This combined approach opens a new horizon for cellular and molecular imaging at a single-cell level. In this article, some examples of Raman–AFM applications were illustrated, including embryonic stem cell differentiation monitoring, cellular composition changes of fatty acid-responsive cells, and cellular assay in microfluidic device.
Small animal PET with a clinical PET/CT: Optimizing image quality with MAP reconstruction and super-resolution

Previous work has shown that super-resolution (SR) can significantly improve image quality of small animal images acquired on a clinical PET/CT. Another approach is to utilize an optimized image reconstruction algorithm that is better suited for small animal imaging. We investigate improvements in the quality of phantom and animal images using maximum a posteriori (MAP) iterative reconstruction and SR compared to the scanner workstation's native reconstruction. Significant gains in image quality were obtained with MAP reconstruction and were attributed to a finer voxel size and a more accurate projector model. SR offered similar improvement when applied to native reconstruction. Additional gain in image quality was obtained when combining the two techniques (applying SR to MAP-reconstructed images). In phantom scans, combined MAP+SR enabled 2.4mm hot rods and cold rods to be visualized.
Naturalistic flying study as a method of collecting pilot communication behavior data

For the interaction with communication systems, human-in-the-loop simulation tests and theoretical modeling methods have limitations in implementing all potential incidents that may encounter in real flight operations, during a sufficient test time. To design cognitive communication systems in the cockpit based on more accurate pilot performance prediction, acquisition of all pilots' behavior data through a full operation time in the cockpit may help identifying more reliable behavioral factors. The surface transportation field has already exploited huge driver behavior data collected by camera, audio, or pupil capturing sensors for their naturalistic driving studies. To apply this research paradigm to the aerospace field for successful collection of both predicted and unpredicted pilot behavior data during flight operations, this paper suggests recommendations for the research design of naturalistic flying study.
Regulation of insulin-like growth factor receptors by ubiquilin1

Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that mediates growth, proliferation and survival. Dysregulation of IGF pathway contributes to initiation, progression and metastasis of cancer and is also involved in diseases of glucose metabolism, such as Diabetes. We have identified Ubiquilin1 (UBQLN1) as a novel interaction partner of IGF1R, IGF2R and Insulin Receptor. UBQLN family of proteins have been studied primarily in the context of protein quality control and in the field of neurodegenerative disorders. Our laboratory discovered a link between UBQLN1 function and tumorigenesis, such that UBQLN1 is lost and under-expressed in 50% of human lung adenocarcinoma cases. We demonstrate here that UBQLN1 regulates expression and activity of IGF1R. Following loss of UBQLN1 in lung adenocarcinoma cells, there is accelerated loss of IGF1R. Despite decreased levels of total receptors, the ratio of active:total receptors is higher in cells that lack UBQLN1. UBQLN1 also regulates Insulin Receptor (INSR) and IGF2R post-stimulation with ligand. We conclude that UBQLN1 is essential for normal regulation of IGF receptors. UBQLN1 deficient cells demonstrate increased cell viability compared to control when serum starved and stimulation of IGF pathway in these cells increased their migratory potential by 3-fold. As the IGF pathway is involved in processes of normal growth, development, metabolism and cancer progression, understanding its regulation by Ubiquilin1 can be of tremendous value to many disciplines.
Utilizing desirable difficulties for sterile compounding training in a skills-based laboratory course.

Abstract Background and purpose Sterile compounding skills are essential components of a professional pharmacy curriculum. The theory of desirable difficulties has been used to facilitate deeper learning of material in other disciplines, but has not been described in pharmacy sterile compounding instruction. The purpose of this work was to evaluate whether challenges introduced in sterile compounding would act as desirable difficulties and result in greater student confidence in their sterile compounding competency. Educational activity and setting Students in the fourth semester of Pharmacy Skills and Applications, a laboratory-based skills course, were presented with challenges in sterile compounding and were asked to complete a questionnaire rating their confidence and describing their experience. Findings The majority (92.8%) of students reported that the activity increased their confidence in their sterile compounding skills. Students’ open-ended responses suggested that most of the knowledge gained was strategic in nature. Discussion The results of this activity met the instructors’ initial goals by positively impacting students’ confidence in their ability to overcome challenges with sterile products compounding. Course instructors may explore additional skills in which to introduce desirable difficulties in order to build student confidence. Summary Course instructors were pleased with the implementation and results of this desirable difficulties activity and plan to continue its use again in future semesters. Incorporating more real-world challenges throughout the skills-lab course may be beneficial to student learning and confidence. With thoughtful planning, faculty at other institutions can readily incorporate similar activities within their own courses.
The Role of EEG/Video/Polygraphic Monitoring in the Diagnosis and Management of Epilepsy

ABSTRACT.The diagnosis and management of seizure disorders is the area in which routine EEG has been of greatest clinical value. The episodic nature of epilepsy, however, renders routine EEGs inadequate to evaluate all seizure disorders because of sampling error. This problem has been partially solved by the development of EEG/video/polygraphic monitoring, which facilitates recording of ictal events. Intensive monitoring must be accurate and precise if it is to be cost effective. Good data are obtained by technologists who are present and in communication with comfortable patients who are on-camera throughout the recording.
The Influence of Mountains on Airflow, Clouds, and Precipitation

Abstract Chapter 11 focuses on wintertime clouds and cloud systems that are forced at least in part by orography, but excluding deep convective clouds. It includes examining air motions over mountainous terrain that are conducive to the formation and special distribution of precipitation. Also considered is the interaction between flow over mountains and larger scale weather systems such as extratropical cyclones.
What are patients doing with their mosaic embryos? Decision making after genetic counseling.

Objective To assess patient decisions regarding mosaic embryos and their impact on clinical outcomes. Design Review of patients who had genetic counseling regarding mosaic embryos. Setting Academic department. Patient(s) Ninety-eight patients who had mosaic embryos but no euploid embryos. Intervention(s) Genetic counseling to discuss mosaic-embryo transfer (MET) after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. Main Outcome Measure(s) Patient decisions regarding MET. Outcomes for patients who pursued MET were compared with those for patients who pursued additional in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination cycles. Decisions regarding prenatal testing after MET were assessed. Result(s) Initially, 29.6% of patients pursued MET and 41.8% attempted a new treatment cycle. Only 6.1% of patients discarded their mosaic embryos without further treatment. Of the remaining patients, 2.0% transported their mosaic embryos to a different facility and 20.5% had not taken further action while their embryos remain stored. Patients who pursued additional cycles were more likely to have an ongoing pregnancy compared with those who pursued MET (51.2% vs. 27.6%; P Conclusion(s) MET is desired by a substantial proportion of patients who do not have euploid embryos. Patients who opt for additional treatment cycles have a greater chance of achieving an ongoing pregnancy compared with those who pursue MET; however, future studies are needed to compare the cost-effectiveness for both options.
Occupant comfort and behavior: High-resolution data from a 6-month field study of personal comfort systems with 37 real office workers

Abstract Personal Comfort Systems (PCS) provide individual occupants local heating and cooling to meet their comfort needs without affecting others in the same space. It saves energy by relaxing ambient temperature requirements for the HVAC system. Aside from these benefits, PCS offers a wealth of data that can describe how individuals interact with heating/cooling devices in their own environment. Recently developed Internet-connected PCS chairs have unlocked this opportunity by generating continuous streams of heating and cooling usage data, along with occupancy status and environmental measurements via embedded sensors. The data allow individuals' comfort and behavior to be learned, and can inform centralized systems to provide ‘just the right’ amount of conditioning to meet occupant needs. In summer 2016, we carried out a study with PCS chairs involving 37 occupants in an office building in California. During the study period, we collected >5 million chair usage data-points and 4500 occupant survey responses, as well as continuous measurements of environmental and HVAC system conditions. The data analysis shows that (1) local temperatures experienced by individual occupants vary quite widely across different parts of the building, even within the same thermal zone; (2) occupants often have different thermal preferences even under the same thermal conditions; (3) PCS control behavior can dynamically describe individuals' thermal preferences; (4) PCS chairs produce much higher comfort satisfaction (96%) than typically achieved in buildings. We conclude that PCS not only provide personalized comfort solutions but also offer individualized feedback that can improve comfort analytics and control decisions in buildings.
Photocatalyzed thiol–alkene coupling: Mechanistic study and polymer synthesis

Due to the “click” chemistry characteristics of the thiol–ene reaction, these transformations have been gaining an increasing amount of attention in current chemical research. The high efficiency and selectivity of these transformations have been useful for many areas of study, from small molecule organic synthesis, to polymer synthesis and functionalization, to bio‐conjugation reactions. In this work, a study of a novel method of photochemical thiol–ene reactions using alkyl halides and an tris[2‐phenylpyridinato‐C2,N]iridium(III) (Ir(ppy)₃) photocatalyst is investigated. This process is shown to progress rapidly and has the benefit of low catalyst and initiator concentrations relative to reagents as well as mild conditions associated with photochemical processes. To understand the mechanism of this process, catalyst and initiator concentrations and other reaction conditions are varied. To demonstrate the utility of this process, a step‐growth thiol–ene polymer is synthesized using dithiol and diene monomers and a crosslinked polymer network is synthesized as well. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1931–1937
IgG4-related disease: Association with a rare gene variant expressed in cytotoxic T cells.

Author(s): Newman, John H; Shaver, Aaron; Sheehan, Jonathan H; Mallal, Simon; Stone, John H; Pillai, Shiv; Bastarache, Lisa; Riebau, Derek; Allard-Chamard, Hugues; Stone, William M; Perugino, Cory; Pilkinton, Mark; Smith, Scott A; McDonnell, Wyatt J; Capra, John A; Meiler, Jens; Cogan, Joy; Xing, Kelly; Mahajan, Vinay S; Mattoo, Hamid; Hamid, Rizwan; Phillips, John A; Undiagnosed Disease Network | Abstract: BackgroundFamily screening of a 48-year-old male with recently diagnosed IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) revealed unanticipated elevations in plasma IgG4 in his two healthy teenaged sons.MethodsWe performed gene sequencing, immune cell studies, HLA typing, and analyses of circulating cytotoxic CD4+ T lymphocytes and plasmablasts to seek clues to pathogenesis. DNA from a separate cohort of 99 patients with known IgG4-RD was also sequenced for the presence of genetic variants in a specific gene, FGFBP2.ResultsThe three share a previously unreported heterozygous single base deletion in fibroblast growth factor binding protein type 2 (FGFBP2), which causes a frameshift in the coding sequence. The FGFBP2 protein is secreted by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and binds fibroblast growth factor. The variant sequence in the FGFBP2 protein is predicted to form a disordered random coil rather than a helical-turn-helix structure, unable to adopt a stable conformation. The proband and the two sons had 5-10-fold higher numbers of circulating cytotoxic CD4n+nT cells and plasmablasts compared to matched controls. The three members also share a homozygous missense common variant in FGFBP2 found in heterozygous form in ~40% of the population. This common variant was found in 73% of an independent, well characterized IgG4-RD cohort, showing enrichment in idiopathic IgG4-RD.ConclusionsThe presence of a shared deleterious variant and homozygous common variant in FGFBP2 in the proband and sons strongly implicates this cytotoxic T cell product in the pathophysiology of IgG4-RD. The high prevalence of a common FGFBP2 variant in sporadic IgG4-RD supports the likelihood of participation in disease.
Dysregulated TCA Cycle Pathway in Endometrial Cancer

Background : Numerous questions regarding metabolism alterations in endometrial cancer remain unanswered. Methods : We used the Mann-Whitney test to identify significantly downregulated genes in Cluster II, which were then subject to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. We next compared the expression levels of several key enzymes between the CTNNB1 mutant and wide-type patients to correlate “TCA Cycle” alterations with CTNNB1 mutation status. Finally, we performed a Spearman correlation between the TCA Cycle genes and the immune checkpoint molecule to understand the relationship between TCA Cycle dysfunction and immune response. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results : A total of 603 genes were significantly downregulated in Cluster II. Pathway analysis showed that metabolic pathways were frequently dysregulated, and GO analysis demonstrated that metabolic processes were commonly retarded. In particular, TCA Cycle is the most significantly altered metabolic pathway ( P = 1.45 x 10 -07 ), with one-third of the enzymes altered. The TCA Cycle pathway activity and the expression levels of several key enzymes were significantly lower in CTNNB1 mutant patients, compared to CTNNB1 wide-type patients. In addition, the TCA Cycle pathway activity and the expression levels of pathway genes were significantly and positively correlated with PD-L1 gene expression. Conclusion : This study systematically characterizes a subset of endometrioid endometrial cancer patients with dysregulated TCA Cycle pathway, which may contribute to immune resistance in endometrial cancer.
Rational Irrationality and the Micro Foundations of Reform

Bryan Caplan’s book The Myth of the Rational Voter (2007) supports the idea that voters indulge in holding irrational beliefs about economic policy because the cost of doing so to the individual is negligible. As a consequences, socially and economically destructive policies receive widespread public support. Furthermore, because there is no private benefit of learning from experience, such policies can persist over time. Voters are biased and do not face sufficient incentives to choose rationally, instead they vote for various private reasons, which Caplan labels biases. We argue here that despite this otherwise dismal outlook on public policy, Caplan's theory leaves two avenues for economically sensible reform: First, when the ex post costs of irrationality are higher than expected, rationally irrational voters will reduce their consumption of irrationality and demand more rational policies. Second, rationally irrational voters can be convinced to rationally update their policy preferences through the use of appealing rhetoric and persuasion by experts (Caplan 2010). We discuss these two avenues for reform using the example of the repeal of the 18th amendment, which as we will show relied on both updating as well as persuasive campaigning.
Cancer-associated mutations in human pyruvate kinase M2 impair enzyme activity.

Mammalian pyruvate kinase catalyzes the final step of glycolysis, and its M2 isoform (PKM2) is widely expressed in proliferative tissues. Mutations in PKM2 are found in some human cancers; however, the effects of these mutations on enzyme activity and regulation are unknown. Here, we characterized five cancer-associated PKM2 mutations, occurring at various locations on the enzyme, with respect to substrate kinetics and activation by the allosteric activator fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP). The mutants exhibit reduced maximal velocity, reduced substrate affinity, and/or altered activation by FBP. The kinetic parameters of five additional PKM2 mutants that have been used to study enzyme function or regulation also demonstrate the deleterious effects of mutations on PKM2 function. Our findings indicate that PKM2 is sensitive to many amino acid changes and support the hypothesis that decreased PKM2 activity is selected for in rapidly proliferating cells.
Mapping the Energy Landscape

In many statistical learning problems, optimization is performed on a target function that is highly non-convex. A large body of research has been devoted to either approximating the target function by a related convex function, such as replacing the L0 norm with the L1 norm in regression models, or designing algorithms to find a good local optimum, such as the Expectation-Maximization algorithm for clustering. The task of analyzing the non-convex structure of a target function has received much less attention. In this chapter, inspired by successful visualization of landscapes for molecular systems [2] and spin-glass models [40], we compute Energy Landscape Maps (ELMs) in the high-dimensional spaces. The first half of the chapter explores and visualizes the model space (i.e. the hypothesis spaces in the machine learning literature) for clustering, bi-clustering, and grammar learning. The second half of the chapter introduces a novel MCMC method for identifying macroscopic structures in locally noisy energy landscapes. The technique is applied to explore the formation of stable concepts in deep network models of images.
“A Place Belongs Forever”: Telling Stories for the Personal Place Project

Stories people tell about places reflect identities of both, and it is suggested here that any understanding of their constitutive links should begin with personal accounts. The purpose of this art...
Dekolonialisasi pendidikan agama Kristen di Indonesia

This article explores the importance of decolonizing Christian religious education in Indonesia, especially in churches that were established during Dutch colonialism, by engaging in an expressly postcolonial and decolonial approach. After briefly tracing and criticizing the long history of Western colonialism concerning educational practice, this paper presents a variegated rationale connecting the content, relations, and methods within education in the present moment with those of the past—such that education today be seen as reflecting traces of the oppressive and colonizing education of yesteryear. The alternative to this is decolonization, by which a decolonial imagination attends that relational space of teaching-learning in order to transform and liberate Christian religious education in the postcolonial context of Indonesia. In this imagination, there is no body/mind dualism nor sacred/profane binary, and God is present to meet all as Liberator.
Private Contracting and Citizen Attitudes Toward Local Government

Lawmakers use privatized service delivery to simultaneously maintain low taxes while also satisfying citizen demands for high-quality public goods and services. However, what effect does private co...
Smart Learning Analytics: Student Academic Performance Data Representation, Processing and Prediction

Smart education requires design, development, implementation and active use of innovative systems, technologies, teaching and learning strategies and approaches that are based on various data sources in academia, modern mathematical methods in data statistics and data analytics, and state-of-the-art data-driven approaches and technologies. The availability of tools that measure, collect, clean, organize, analyze, process, store, visualize and report data about student academic performance in an academic course and/or student overall academic progress in the selected program of study has given rise to the field of learning analytics for student academic success. Student data representation, processing and prediction, as a central part of learning analytics system, are crucial topics for researchers and practitioners in academia. Our vision for the engineering of smart learning analytics—the next generation of learning analytics—is based on the concept that this technology should strongly support (a) various “smartness” levels of smart education such as adaptivity, sensing, inferring, anticipation, self-learning and self-organization, and (b) main types of data analytics of smart education such as descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive analytics. This paper presents the up-to-date findings and outcomes of the research, design and development project at the InterLabs Research Institute at Bradley University (USA) aimed at application of a quantitative approach to student academic performance data representation, hierarchical levels of data processing, multiple quality evaluation criteria to be selected and used, and high-quality student academic performance data prediction in smart learning analytics systems.
EPSDT has stood test of time, but its future is in jeopardy

Forty years ago, the U.S. Congress enacted the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program. The program was a follow-up to the Medicaid program, which had been enacted two years earlier, in order to“ assure” children funded by Medicaid were fully protected. ![Figure][1
From the leader’s lips, to the public’s ears: The state of exception, administrative evil, and the enemy in President Trump’s rhetoric during COVID-19

In the throes of COVID-19, heads of state like President Donald J. Trump have the power to declare a state of exception and use their moment in the limelight to help the public make sense of the pa...
Changes in health insurance coverage, access to care, and health services utilization by sexual minority status in the United States, 2013-2018

OBJECTIVE To examine the changes in health insurance coverage, access to care, and health services utilization among nonelderly sexual minority and heterosexual adults between pooled years 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. DATA SOURCES Data on 3223 sexual minorities (lesbians, gay men, bisexual individuals, and other nonheterosexual populations) and 86 181 heterosexuals aged 18-64 years were obtained from the 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018 National Health Interview Surveys. STUDY DESIGN Unadjusted and regression-adjusted estimates compared changes in health insurance status, access to care, and health services utilization for nonelderly adults by sexual minority status. Regression-adjusted changes were obtained from logistic regression models controlling for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Uninsurance declined for both sexual minority adults (5 percentage points, P < .05) and heterosexual adults (2.5 percentage points, P < .001) between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. Reductions in uninsurance for sexual minority and heterosexual adults were associated with increases in Medicaid coverage. Sexual minority and heterosexual adults were also less likely to report unmet medical care in 2017-2018 compared with 2013-2014. Low-income adults (regardless of sexual minority status) experienced relatively large increases in Medicaid coverage and substantial improvements in access to care over the study period. The gains in coverage and access to care across the study period were generally similar for heterosexual and sexual minority adults. CONCLUSIONS Sexual minority and heterosexual adults have experienced improvements in health insurance coverage and access to care in recent years. Ongoing health equity research and public health initiatives should continue to monitor health care access and the potential benefits of recent health insurance expansions by sexual orientation and sexual minority status when possible.
An integrated self-powered 3D printed sample concentrator for highly sensitive molecular detection of HIV in whole blood at the point of care

Rapid and efficient biological sample preparation and pretreatment are crucial for highly sensitive, reliable and reproducible molecular detection of infectious diseases. Herein, we report a self-powered, integrated sample concentrator (SPISC) for rapid plasma separation, pathogen lysis, nucleic acid trapping and enrichment at the point of care. The proposed sample concentrator uses a combination of gravitational sedimentation of blood cells and capillary force for rapid, self-powered plasma separation. The pathogens (e.g., HIV virus) in separated plasma were directly lysed and pathogen nucleic acid was enriched by an integrated, flow-through FTA® membrane in the concentrator, enabling highly efficient nucleic acid preparation. The FTA® membrane of the SPISC is easy to store and transport at room temperature without need for uninterrupted cold chain, which is crucial for point of care sampling in resource-limited settings. The platform has been successfully applied to detect HIV virus in blood samples. Our experiments show that the sample concentrator can achieve a plasma separation efficiency as high as 95% and a detection sensitivity as low as 10 copies per 200 μL blood (∼100 copies per mL plasma) with variability less than 7%. The sample concentrator described is fully compatible with downstream nucleic acid detection and has great potential for early diagnostics, monitoring and management of infectious diseases at the point of care.
Introduction: “Check Yo’ Stuff” Allies: A Forum on the Personal/Political Challenges of Coalition-Building in Precarious Times

Allyship, solidarity, and coalition-building continue to be contentious areas of debate and discussion in social movements, activism, and academia. In the spring and summer of 2020, the racial just...
MEHP induces alteration of mitochondrial function and inhibition of steroid biosynthesis in MA-10 mouse tumor Leydig cells

Abstract Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer that is widely used in manufacturing. Previous studies have shown that mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), the active metabolite of DEHP, has inhibitory effects on luteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulated steroid biosynthesis by Leydig cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying its effects, however, remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of MEHP on changes in mitochondrial function in relationship to reduced progesterone formation by MA-10 mouse tumor Leydig cells. Treatment of MA-10 cells with MEHP (0–300 μM for 24 h) resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of LH-stimulated progesterone biosynthesis. Biochemical analysis data revealed that the levels of the mature steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), a protein that works at the outer mitochondrial membrane to facilitate the translocation of cholesterol for steroid formation, was significantly reduced in response to MEHP exposures. MEHP also caused reductions in MA-10 cell mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and mitochondrial respiration as evidenced by decreases in the ability of the mitochondria to consume molecular oxygen. Additionally, significant increases in the generation of mitochondrial superoxide were observed. Taken together, these results indicate that MEHP inhibits steroid formation in MA-10 cells at least in part by its effects on mitochondrial function.
Pandemic promises: Interrogating espoused data-informed decision-making

Abstract The depths of the impact of COVID-19 on nearly every aspect of our personal and professional lives was becoming painfully clear in May and June of 2020. While institutions of higher education had implemented crisis/emergency plans in the immediate onset of the pandemic, and largely extended those efforts into summer terms, the fall 2020 term loomed large. Institutional researchers were asked for myriad kinds of data and reports, ostensibly to inform executive leaders? decision-making regarding how to operate for the fall term. On its face, this fits with the current conceptualization of IR's work largely as decision support. Despite these requests, however, the question remains as to what was really driving decision-making about the fall. This research examined a random, representative sample of public statements regarding fall operations, often released in the name of a president or chancellor, to determine what factors these leaders espoused publicly as informing their fall plans.
Metolazone and Furosemide Therapy for Edema

In Reply.— Drs Garin and Richard have presented data that confirm our finding that a combination of furosemide and metolazone is efficacious in inducing a diuresis and natriuresis in children with edema resistant to furosemide alone. They echo valid concerns regarding the safety of combination diuretic therapy. The increased incidence of complications noted in their experience may have been due to their higher doses of furosemide (5 mg/kg/d). We limited furosemide to 2 to 4 mg/kg/d.
Near-threshold CNTFET SRAM cell design with removed metallic CNT tolerance

We report a study of power supply reduction to near-threshold for an 8-transistor CNTFET SRAM cell. Voltage at near-threshold has an impact on delays, energy, energy-delay product, leakage current, and static noise margin. In addition, we have incorporated a removed metallic CNT approach to deal with non-semiconductor CNTs. In this study we investigate how to enhance SRAM performance by means of two techniques: Gated Power Supply and Word-line Boosting. Using the gated power supply technique, power saving is over 5X, while the average delay is increased by 3.5X as compared to 0.9V Vdd. On the other hand, word-line boosting technique (where Read and write word lines are boosted with additional 100mV) helps to improve write and read delays that are faster by 3.8X and 1.7X, respectively at Vdd=0.4V. Lowest Energy delay product (EDP) for gated power supply and word-line boosting is at 0.5V and 0.4V, respectively. EDP compared to nominal Vdd of 0.9V is lowered by 38% and 56.9% respectively for the mentioned techniques.
Limits Be Damned

Cyrus Mody applauds an examination of the twentieth-century scientists who dreamed of breaking the bounds.
Differences among entrepreneurs

Though often considered a critical factor in predicting venture success, past research into the effects of founder experience has often produced mixed results. What factors influence founders’ decisions to use, or not use, experience they possess? This study examines the role job dissatisfaction might play in a founder's decision to leverage multiple types of experience (sector, entrepreneurial, role model and education) on external (sales performance) and internal (founder intrinsic satisfaction) outcomes. Greater dissatisfaction was associated with decreased likelihood of founders building on sector experience. While dissatisfaction influenced the use of experience, greater experience levels did not consistently account for higher levels of venture sales performance. Moreover, no differences were found in founders’ intrinsic satisfaction, regardless of sales performance. The differing results in the two outcome measures suggest potential differences in the goals and consequent actions of entrepreneurs i...
Imatinib Activates Pathological Hypertrophy by Altering Myocyte Calcium Regulation

Background Imatinib mesylate is a selective tyrosine-kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of multiple cancers, most notably chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). There is evidence that imatinib can induce cardiotoxicity in cancer patients. Our hypothesis is that imatinib alters calcium regulatory mechanisms and can contribute to development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
Divergent responses of Atlantic coastal and oceanic Synechococcus to iron limitation

Marine Synechococcus are some of the most diverse and ubiquitous phytoplankton, and iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient that limits productivity in many parts of the ocean. To investigate how coastal and oceanic Atlantic Synechococcus strains acclimate to Fe availability, we compared the growth, photophysiology, and quantitative proteomics of two Synechococcus strains from different Fe regimes. Synechococcus strain WH8102, from a region in the southern Sargasso Sea that receives substantial dust deposition, showed impaired growth and photophysiology as Fe declined, yet used few acclimation responses. Coastal WH8020, from the dynamic, seasonally variable New England shelf, displayed a multitiered, hierarchical cascade of acclimation responses with different Fe thresholds. The multitiered response included changes in Fe acquisition, storage, and photosynthetic proteins, substitution of flavodoxin for ferredoxin, and modified photophysiology, all while maintaining remarkably stable growth rates over a range of Fe concentrations. Modulation of two distinct ferric uptake regulator (Fur) proteins that coincided with the multitiered proteome response was found, implying the coastal strain has different regulatory threshold responses to low Fe availability. Low nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability in the open ocean may favor the loss of Fe response genes when Fe availability is consistent over time, whereas these genes are retained in dynamic environments where Fe availability fluctuates and N and P are more abundant.
Career satisfaction of Pennsylvanian dentists and dental hygienists and their plans to leave direct patient care.

Objective The aim of this study is to explore a number of practice-related dynamics between dentists and dental hygienists, including their career dissatisfaction, plans to leave direct patient care, hiring difficulties, and full-time work. Methods Data come from the 2013 Pennsylvania Health Workforce Surveys, a sample of 5,771 dentists and 6,023 dental hygienists, and logistic regression is used to estimate the relationships between outcome areas – dissatisfaction, plans to leave patient care, and hiring/job outcomes – and a number of explanatory variables, including demographic and practice characteristics. Results Dentists working in practices that employ hygienists have lower odds of reporting overall dissatisfaction and of leaving patient care in the next 6 years than those that do not employ hygienists. Dental hygienists that work full-time hours across two or more jobs have higher odds of dissatisfaction than those who work full-time in one job only. Part-time work in a single hygienist job is associated with higher odds of leaving the career, relative to having a single, full-time job. Conclusions Results suggest that employment of dental hygienists is associated with lower career dissatisfaction and extended careers for dentists. However, a number of dentist characteristics are associated with difficulty hiring hygienists, including rural practice, nonwhite race, and solo ownership. Only 37.5 percent of hygienists work in a single, full-time job, an outcome related to lower dissatisfaction and extended careers for hygienists. Characteristics associated with this job outcome include having an associate degree, having a local anesthesia permit, and not working for a solo practice.
Effects of albumin on serum protein homeostasis after hypovolemic shock.

The effects of albumin on serum protein homeostasis were studied prospectively in 52 seriously injured patients who received an average of 15.3 transfusions, 9.7 liters of electrolyte solution, and 1 liter of fresh frozen plasma before and during operation. Based on randomization, 27 patients received an average of 25 g of albumin during operation followed by 150 g/day for 5 days, thereafter; 25 patients received no albumin. The cause of injury, volume needs during resuscitation, and severity of shock were similar for both groups. Sequential serum levels of total protein, albumin, α1-globulin, α2-globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin, and fibrinogen and hourly disappearance of radioactive iodinated serum albumin (RISA) were measured for comparison. Patients given albumin had a significant (P < 0.05) increase in total protein and albumin levels throughout the first 6 days after operation. α1-Globulin levels were similar in both groups. In contrast, α2-globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin, and fibrinogen levels were significantly decreased throughout the postoperative period in those patients receiving albumin. The hourly disappearance of labeled albumin was also increased in patients receiving albumin. These changes probably reflect a redistribution of albumin and globulin fractions in response to shock, although decreased production cannot be ruled out. Altered hemostasis and depressed immune response are two possible effects with clinical significance. Plasma volume and serum albumin concentration describe only the primary effect of albumin supplementation. Additional investigation of secondary homeostatic responses are necessary to more completely evaluate the effects of albumin infusion.
The Effects of Stereotype Consistency and Consensus Information on Predictions of Performance

Abstract The effects of gender stereotypes and consensus information on predictions of task performance were examined. We hypothesized that stereotype-consistent behavior would result in stronger predictions of future similar behavior than stereotype-inconsistent behavior would, and that consensus information would influence predictions only when behavior was stereotype-inconsistent. American undergraduates watched videotapes of female or male targets succeeding or failing at a task, followed by consensus information from a same-gender or other-gender consensus provider. The results indicated that stereotypes influenced predictions for males but not for females, whereas the reverse was true for consensus information. In particular, predictions of future success were higher for successful males than for successful females. Low consensus for success undermined predictions of future success for females but not for males.
Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens): Differential prey digestion and diet

Stomach content data from 798 Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) collected during 1952–1991 were analyzed using a method that evaluates the stage of digestion of prey remains. Non-molluscan prey taxa were not well represented in previous interpretations of walrus diet due to digestion biases. Stomach contents least affected by digestion (fresh stomachs) contained more prey taxa than stomachs of an unknown or more digested state. Bivalves, gastropods, and polychaete worms were the most frequent prey items in both the Bering and Chukchi seas, although bivalves occurred more frequently in stomachs from the Bering Sea and gastropods occurred more frequently in stomachs from the Chukchi Sea. Male and female walruses consumed essentially the same prey when in the same location. Using only fresh stomachs collected between 1975 and 1985, there was no significant difference between the proportion that contained mostly bivalves and the proportion that contained non-bivalve prey items. Earlier interpretations of a change in walrus diet in this period compared to the prior two decades may have been due to digestion as well as sampling biases. Current climatic changes may affect walrus's access to diverse, productive shallow water feeding areas.
Micromechanics of Osteonal Cortical Bone Fracture

Microcracks have been associated with age related bone tissue fragility and fractures. The objective of this study was to develop a simple osteonal cortical bone model and apply linear elastic fracture mechanics theory to understand the micromechanics of the fracture process in osteonal cortical hone and its dependence on material properties. The linear fracture mechanics of our composite model of cortical bone, consisting of an osteon and interstitial bone tissue, was characterized in terms of a stress intensity factor (SIF) near the tip of a microcrack. The interaction between a microcrack and an osteon was studied for different types of osteons and various spacing between the crack and the osteon. The results of the analysis indicate that the fracture mechanics of osteonal cortical bone is dominated by the modulus ratio between the osteon and interstitial bone tissue: A soft osteon promotes microcrack propagation toward the osteon (and element line) while a stiff one repels the microcrack from the osteon (and cement line). These findings suggest that newly formed, low-stiffness osteons may toughen cortical bone tissue by promoting crack propagation toward osteons. A relatively accurate empirical formula also was obtained to provide an easy estimation of the influence of osteons on the stress intensity factor.
Photolabile and paramagnetic reagents for the investigation of transmembrane signaling events.

To investigate the dynamics of membrane processes that may be integral components of specific transmembrane signaling events we have synthesized several novel paramagnetic probes and their photoreactive counterparts. The structure of these probes was designed to (1) restrict “flipping” across the membrane bilayer; (2) contain paramagnetic or photoreactive moieties that could be placed at specific depths within the bilayer; (3) provide information about membrane structure as well as dynamics of protein movement; and (4) in the case of the photoreactive probes, be of high specific radioactivity. The molecules described in this paper consist of amino acid, dipeptide, or carbohydrate groups attached to arylazide- or nitroxide-bearing fatty acids. The synthesis and initial characterization of these membrane probes is described.
Spectral assignability for distributed parameter systems

We study the eigenvalue specification problem for a class of distributed parameter control systems in Hilbert space. We generalize Sun's sufficiency condition to the case where the input element is unbounded but satisfies an admissibility criterion, and generalize this condition further when we allow feedback elements which are unbounded. We then apply these results to a beam equation.