cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Potential of Mobile Technologies to Connect Teaching and Learning Inside and Outside of the Classroom

Wireless mobile technologies are integrated parts of our lives, except in the area of formal education. However, portable and connected digital tools provide opportunities to connect learning in the classroom with learning beyond the spatial and temporal boundaries of educational institutions. This chapter provides examples of how this connection can be made and what changes schools should consider to make learning a truly boundary-free experience.
Predicting the Tolerance of Extreme Electromagnetic Interference on MOSFETs

Extreme Electromagnetic Interference (EEMI) can cause device malfunction due to reparable upsets before any permanent hardware damage occurs to electronic devices. In this paper, a predictive model is developed to characterize the impact of EEMI on Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) prior to any such permanent damage. The predictive model determines the onset of tolerance limits of EEMI on the Ion/Ioff ratio of a MOSFET for a given technology node, using only the most fundamental device parameters - such as the threshold voltage and power supply. The developed model is successfully compared against measurement data from a device fabricated using 350nm standard CMOS process through TSMC. Based on the predictive model the tolerance of the EEMI injected power in a MOSFET reduces due to technology scaling, starting from 9.7dBm at 350nm, and down to -1.7dBm at 65nm technology node.
Activismo, literatura y cambio social en el Caribe hispano: aproximación en tres movimientos

Este ensayo convoca a la reflexion de los vinculos entre literatura, activismo y cambio social en el Caribe hispano privilegiando ciertas intervenciones lideradas por mujeres, las cuales han contribuido a la defensa de mejores condiciones de vida y a un pacto social mas equitativo. Teniendo en cuenta la diversidad y movilidad que caracteriza a la region caribena, esta reflexion comienza examinando las organizaciones feministas autonomas que surgieron en la decada del 70 en Puerto Rico para luego desplazarse hacia el trabajo de cuestionamiento a la historia planteado por la poesia de Aida Cartagena Portalatin en Republica Dominicana, concluyendo con una breve revision del trabajo de critica feminista desarrollado en Cuba en la decada del 90. Examinar los movimientos que lograron renovar y vigorizar la lucha por mejoras sociales y reflexionar sobre la obra de escritoras que nos invitaron a imaginar una sociedad mas justa, contribuye a establecer una lectura de la historia cultural del Caribe hispano desde las dinamicas de genero. Tambien, esta reflexion convoca al reexamen critico de las premisas y estandares desde los que interpretamos la participacion ciudadana y el activismo, con el objetivo de que pueda servirnos de inspiracion a la hora de crear estrategias que nos dirijan hacia nuevos logros. This essay calls for a reflection on the links between literature, activism, and social change in the Hispanic Caribbean, privileging certain interventions led by women, who have contributed to the defense of better living conditions and a more equitable social pact. Taking into account the diversity and mobility that characterizes the Caribbean region, this reflection begins by examining the autonomous feminist organizations that emerged in the 70s in Puerto Rico and then moves towards the work of questioning history posed by the poetry of Aida Cartagena Portalatin in the Dominican Republic, concluding with a brief review of the work done by feminist criticism developed in Cuba in the 90s. Examining the movements that managed to renew and invigorate the struggle for social improvements and reflecting on the work of writers who invited us to imagine a fairer society contribute to establishing a reading of the cultural history of the Hispanic Caribbean from the dynamics of gender. Also, this reflection calls for a critical re-examination of the premises and standards from which we interpret as citizen participation and activism, with the aim that it can serve as inspiration when creating strategies that might lead us to new achievements.
A Garden of Disorder: “Digital Unhu” from the Global South at the 2015 Venice Biennale

This article analyzes the 2015 Venice Biennale titled, All the World’s Futures, an exhibition that consciously centralized nations outside of the West. In contrast to the desire to produce order in...
Practical emitters for thermophotovoltaics: a review

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems are promising for harnessing solar energy, waste heat, and heat from radioisotope decay or fuel combustion. TPV systems work by heating an emitter that emits light that is converted to electricity. One of the key challenges is designing an emitter that not only preferentially emits light in certain wavelength ranges but also simultaneously satisfies other engineering constraints. To elucidate these engineering constraints, we first provide an overview of the state of the art, by classifying emitters into three categories based on whether they have been used in prototype system demonstrations, fabricated and measured, or simulated. We then present a systematic approach for assessing emitters. This consists of five metrics: optical performance, ability to scale to large areas, stability at high temperatures, ability to integrate into the system, and cost. Using these metrics, we evaluate and discuss the reported results of emitters used in system demonstrations. Although there are many emitters with good optical performance, more studies on their practical attributes are required, especially for those that are not yet used in prototype systems. This framework can serve as a guide for the development of emitters for long-lasting, high-performance TPV systems.
Paternal stimulation and father-infant attachment.

This study examined the longitudinal associations between fathers’ observed parenting behaviors and father-infant attachment (n = 58 father-infant dyads). Fathers were observed playing with their i...
Evidence of Nicotine Dependence in Adolescents Who Use Juul and Similar Pod Devices

Background: The use of high-nicotine content e-cigarettes (so-called pods, such as Juul) among adolescents raises concerns about early onset of nicotine addiction. Methods: In this analysis of adolescents surveyed from April 2017–April 2018, we compare survey responses and urinary cotinine of pod vs. non-pod using past-week e-cigarette users aged 12–21. Results: More pod users categorized themselves as daily users compared to non-pod users (63.0% vs. 11.0%; p = 0.001); more pod than non-pod users had used e-cigarettes within the past day (76.2% vs. 29.6%; p = 0.001). More pod users responded affirmatively to nicotine dependence questions (21.4% vs. 7.1%; p = 0.04). Urinary cotinine levels were compared among those responding positively and negatively to dependence questions: those with positive responses had significantly higher urinary cotinine levels than those responding negatively. Conclusions: Adolescents who used pod products showed more signs of nicotine dependence than non-pod users. Pediatricians should be vigilant in identifying dependence symptoms in their patients who use e-cigarettes, particularly in those using pod devices.
Abstract #1683: mTOR pathway inhibition via folate receptor specific delivery of the folate-everolimus conjugate EC0565

The discovery that expression of the membrane-bound, high affinity folate receptor (FR) occurs in a significant number of human malignancies has led to the development of many folate-targeted therapeutic agents. Studies in FR-positive tumor models have demonstrated remarkable anti-tumor activity of various folate-drug conjugates under conditions that do not appreciably cause toxicity. The ability to chemically link a variety of drugs to folate offers an array of choices for targeting different proteins and biochemical pathways within the FR-positive cell. For example, it is known that aberrations in mTOR pathway signaling can lead to the development and progression of many cancers and inflammatory diseases. Likewise, mTOR inhibitors, such as rapamycin and everolimus, have been studied extensively and have been clinically shown to exhibit immunosuppressive and anti-neoplastic effects. Here, we have investigated the ability of a novel folate-everolimus conjugate, named EC0565, to reduce the levels of phospho-ribosomal protein S6 (p-RPS6, a translation-regulating protein downstream of mTOR) in a panel of cell lines. The results of our studies demonstrated that EC0565 potently inhibited p-RPS6 (EC50 = 8.2 nM) in the high FR-expressing KB cell line; further, the activity of EC0565 was completely blocked at each dose level with a co-incubated excess of a benign folate analog, thus indicating that EC0565\#8217;s activity was FR-specific. We also observed a strong correlation between the level of FR expression and the ability of EC0565 to inhibit p-RPS6. For example, whereas 100 nM EC0565 caused near complete abrogation of p-RPS6 in KB cells, and substantial or measurable activity in IGROV and SKOV3 cell lines, levels of p-RPS6 were unaffected in the FR-negative A549 cell line. Importantly, when A549 cells were treated with untargeted everolimus, p-RPS6 was completely inhibited indicating that lack of activity with EC0565 was not due to lack of base drug activity against A549 cells. Kinetically, EC0565 activity lagged behind that of everolimus (t1/2 = 1.3 h and 0.48 h, respectively), which is in concordance with a FR-mediated, endocytic delivery mechanism. Despite the significant FR-specific activity observed at the molecular level, proliferative activity of KB cells was unaffected by either EC0565 or everolimus in vitro. However, some modest anti-tumor activity (i.e. tumor growth delay) was observed with a 3 \#956;mol/kg qdx5 dosing regimen against the KB xenograft tumor model in nude mice. Collectively, these data demonstrate that EC0565 blocks mTOR pathway activity by a FR-dependent mechanism, and they support further study with other FR-expressing cell/tumor models, especially in those that are proliferation-sensitive towards mTOR inhibition. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 1683.
Anticipated HIV-Related Stigma and HIV Treatment Adherence: The Indirect Effect of Medication Concerns

Although anticipated HIV-related stigma-the expectation that one will experience prejudice and discrimination in the future as a result of others learning his or her HIV positive status-is theorized to be a robust predictor of antiretroviral therapy (ART) non-adherence, the association between anticipated stigma and ART non-adherence has been inconsistent. It may be, however, that anticipated stigma reliably, but indirectly, contributes to poor ART adherence through other psychosocial mechanisms. In the current study, we examine whether anticipated stigma indirectly contributes to treatment non-adherence through increased medication concerns. In a cross-sectional study, 585 people living with HIV in Atlanta and Macon, Georgia completed measures of anticipated HIV-related stigma, HIV-medication concerns, and HIV-treatment adherence. A latent variable mediation analysis revealed that anticipated stigma was positively associated with increased medication concerns, which consequently contributed to treatment non-adherence. Results reveal a psychosocial mechanism by which anticipated stigma contributes to ART non-adherence.
Variation in C-reactive protein at 1 month post-partum by etiology of preterm birth: selective identification of those at risk for both poor pregnancy outcome and future health complications

Objective To assess post-partum inflammation for patients delivering prior to 34 6/7 weeks by birth etiology. Methods This was an observational study of early preterm birth (PTB) occurring between 20 0/7 and 34 6/7 weeks of gestation. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured 1 month post-partum. CRP measurements were compared by birth etiology. Results A total of 399 women were analyzed. Distribution of birth etiology was 35% (n = 138) preterm labor (PTL), 28% (n = 115) preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM), and 37% (n = 141) indicated preterm birth (IPTB). Serum CRP varied by birth etiology (P = 0.036). Women with pPROM had elevated median CRP levels compared to women with PTL (P = 0.037). IPTB demonstrated elevated CRP levels when compared to PTL (P = 0.019). Pre-eclamptic/eclamptic subjects exhibited increased median CRP levels compared to PTL (P = 0.04). Conclusion Post-partum inflammation varies by birth etiology. Such variation may serve as identification of subjects whose future pregnancies and, ultimately, overall health status may benefit from inter-pregnancy interventions aimed at reducing inflammatory-associated risk factors.
Mental Health, Sexual Orientation, and Perceived Social Network Support in Relation to Hazardous Alcohol Consumption Among Active Duty Military Men

Knowledge surrounding perceived network support and alcohol consumption among active duty U.S. military personnel is limited, particularly among sexual minorities.We sought to determine the correlates of hazardous alcohol consumption and whether perceived network support moderated the relationship between sexual orientation and Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT-C) score.The sample comprised cisgender men currently serving in the U.S. military (N = 292). Participants were recruited through respondent-driven sampling and completed an online survey. Logistic regression analysis evaluated associations between positive AUDIT-C with sociodemographic characteristics (including sexual orientation), military service, mental health, and perceived social network support. Interaction analysis assessed the moderating effect of perceived network support on sexual orientation and AUDIT-C.Among study participants, 52.7% (154/292) had positive AUDIT-C, while 65.4% (191/292) self-identified as heterosexual/straight and 34.6% (101/292) identified as gay or bisexual. In adjusted analysis, positive AUDIT-C was associated with increased post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR] 1.03; 95% CI [1.00, 1.06]; p = .019) and high perceived network support (adjOR 1.85; 95% CI [1.04, 3.29]; p = .036), while mental health service utilization had reduced odds of positive AUDIT-C (adjOR 0.40; 95% CI [0.20, 0.78]; p = .007). In interaction analysis, high perceived network support was associated with increased odds of positive AUDIT-C among sexual minority men (adjOR 3.09; 95% CI [1.21, 7.93]; p = .019) but not heterosexual men (adjOR 1.38; 95% CI [0.68, 2.81]; p = .37).Hazardous alcohol use was prevalent among all men in our sample. Perceived social network support may influence hazardous alcohol consumption, particularly among sexual minority servicemen. These findings suggest the potential role of tailored social network-based interventions to decrease hazardous alcohol use among military personnel.
Validating the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form v1.0-Anxiety 8a in a sample of young adult cancer survivors: Comparison with a structured clinical diagnostic interview.

Background The objective of this study was to validate the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form v1.0-Anxiety 8a (PROMIS-A-SF) against a structured diagnostic interview in order to determine its accuracy and the most appropriate cutoff score for identifying anxiety disorders in young adult cancer survivors (YACSs). Methods Two hundred forty-nine YACSs aged 18 to 40 years (50% male) completed the PROMIS-A-SF and the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (SCID). The SCID was used to determine whether participants met the criteria for an anxiety diagnosis. Receiving operator characteristic analyses were performed to determine the concordance of the PROMIS-A-SF and the SCID as well as cutoff scores with sensitivity (≥0.85) and specificity (≥0.75) appropriate for an anxiety screening measure. Results The PROMIS-A-SF was determined to have good overall discrimination in comparison with the SCID (area under the curve, 0.84). A PROMIS-A-SF t-score cutoff ≥ 53.2 (total predictive value, 67.9%) came closest to meeting the study criteria with a sensitivity of 88%, but the specificity was only 65%. In a hypothetical screening example, this cutoff led to moderate levels of missed cases (14%) and a significant proportion of clinical referrals that were unnecessary by SCID criteria (35%). Of the survivors referred for services according to these criteria, less than one-third (29%) would have a SCID anxiety diagnosis. Conclusions The PROMIS-A-SF demonstrated moderately strong concordance with anxiety disorders measured by the SCID, but cutoff scores did not meet study criteria for clinical screening. Although it may not be appropriate as a standalone screener, the PROMIS-A-SF may be useful for assessing anxiety in YACSs when it is incorporated into clinical practice or when it is combined with other measures.
Coping Strategies and Sensemaking for Microaggressions

Microaggressions can have damaging health impacts on minorities experiencing exclusion through such forms of discrimination and bias (Nadal, Griffin, Wong, Davidoff, & Davis, 2017; Sue, Capodilupo,...
Polyaniline: New Physics in an Old Polymer

The study of conducting polymers began as a new field with the introduction of doped polyacetylene in 1977 [1], Polyacetylene (Fig. 1a) has a backbone consisting of carbon atoms with alternating single and double bonds. The pz wave function of each carbon atom overlaps to form the π-band, which is split into the filled valence (π) band and empty conducting (π*) band, due to the dimerization of the chain. Extensive studies of undoped, and p and n-doping of polyacetylene, have shown the important excitations to be neutral and charged solitons [2,3]. Because motion of a soliton distortion of the bond dimerization involves small excursions of the carbon atoms, the effective mass of solitons is small, of order the electron mass [4].
Computer Analysis of Protein Sequencing Data

The concept of a Microcbemical facility, in which sophisticated instruments for the analysis and synthesis of genes and proteins of biological significance are centralized in one laboratory and are available to principal investigators on a service basis, serves as a powerful, effective method of interfacing the highly efficient and complex chemistries utilized by these machines with fundamental problems in biology (1). The cornerstone of such a facility is the gas-phase sequenator service which is used by investigators who are cognizant of the fundamental importance and clinical relevance of their proteins, but who are often not familiar with the techniques of protein purification or protein sequencing. In order to assist these investigators in interpretation of their results we have developed a computer program for the analysis of protein-sequencing data. This program plots peak area for each PTH amiho acid for every cycle in the sequencing run. From such plots, one can readily establish the sequences of pure proteins by inspection; in addition, one can; analyse minor species and monitor the technical performance of the sequenator and autosampler, for example. This system is likely to be but a primitive prototype of one in which a protein, after being loaded on the sequenator, will be automatically analyzed and the sequence(s) directly printed out by computer.
Armenian varkaparazi and its Iranian Background

The paper discusses critically the etymology of classical Armenian varkaparazi (“at random, by chance, in a disorderly manner”) proposed by the late Anahit Perikhanian in 2002, and offer an alternative etymology. It is thanks to Dr. Perikhanian’s calling attention to varkaparazi, and her providing a partial starting direction toward its etymology that, albeit with the rejection of her overall interpretation, we have gained a lost Iranian compound whose members are of noteworthy interest for the history of the Iranian vocabulary.
Gaseous and particulate emissions from gasoline- and diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks

Gaseous and particulate emission rates from seven class 2B, one class 5 and six class 6 heavy-duty gasoline- and diesel-powered trucks were determined using transient chassis dynamometer test procedures. All vehicles were tested at approximately 70% of their rated gross vehicle weight over the Heavy-Duty Transient Cycle and the Durham Road Route driving-cycles. The sensitivity of emission rates to vehicle configuration, engine design, and driving cycle characteristics was examined. Emissions characterization included total hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, fuel economy, total particulate matter, particulate organics, inert material, particle size less than 2 micrometers, and lead, bromine, and chlorine analyses. All class 2B truck emission rates were less than class 5 or 6 truck emission rates. Hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions and fuel consumption were significantly higher with the gasoline trucks than with the diesel trucks. Total particulate, particulate organics, and inert material emissions were significantly greater with the diesel trucks. Hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, total particulate emissions, and fuel consumption were sensitive to the characteristics of the transient driving cycles.
DYNAmic Multi-coIl TEchnique (DYNAMITE) shimming of the rat brain at 11.7 T

The in vivo rat model is a workhorse in neuroscience research, preclinical studies and drug development. A repertoire of MR tools has been developed for its investigation; however, high levels of B0 magnetic field homogeneity are required for meaningful results. The homogenization of magnetic fields in the rat brain, i.e. shimming, is a difficult task because of a multitude of complex, susceptibility-induced field distortions. Conventional shimming with spherical harmonic (SH) functions is capable of compensating for shallow field distortions in limited areas, e.g. in the cortex, but performs poorly in difficult-to-shim subcortical structures or for the entire brain. Based on the recently introduced multi-coil approach for magnetic field modeling, the DYNAmic Multi-coIl TEchnique (DYNAMITE) is introduced for magnetic field shimming of the in vivo rat brain and its benefits for gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) are demonstrated. An integrated multi-coil/radiofrequency (MC/RF) system comprising 48 individual localized DC coils for B0 shimming and a surface transceive RF coil has been developed that allows MR investigations of the anesthetized rat brain in vivo. DYNAMITE shimming with this MC/RF set-up is shown to reduce the B0 standard deviation to a third of that achieved with current shim technology employing static first- through third-order SH shapes. The EPI signal over the rat brain increased by 31%, and a 24% gain in usable EPI voxels could be realized. DYNAMITE shimming is expected to critically benefit a wide range of preclinical and neuroscientific MR research. Improved magnetic field homogeneity, together with the achievable large brain coverage of this method, will be crucial when signal pathways, cortical circuitry or the brain's default network are studied. Together with the efficiency gains of MC-based shimming compared with SH approaches demonstrated recently, DYNAMITE shimming has the potential to replace conventional SH shim systems in small-bore animal scanners.
Community over the Individual: An Egalitarian Thomas Paine

Concerning himself not with the individual case but with the entire plague of misery he sees in society, Paine proposes the inheritance tax in order to close the gap between classes, saving society from revolution. Putting the community first indicates that Paine is an egalitarian. This article is available in Res Publica Journal of Undergraduate Research: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol4/iss1/7
The Relationship Between Law and Politics

This article examines some basic characteristics of the relationship between national and international law and politics. The law functions in relation to politics in three basic aspects, namely as a goal, a means, or an obstacle. First, politics can define certain predominantly legal values or institutions as its goal. In this case the political understanding of these values or institutions becomes almost identical to an authentic legal understanding of the same values or institutions. Second, politics can comprehend the law merely as a means for the fulfillment of certain political interests. In this case politics is neutral in its attitude toward the law. Finally, politics can interpret law as an obstacle on the way toward the realization of certain political goals. In this situation either politics prevails over law, or vice versa. In the first case politics effectuates its solutions at the expense of the rule of law, while in the second case the autonomy of law is preserved through the decisions of the highest courts or by other actions taken by lawyers, intellectuals, associations, organizations, and the public in order to stop illicit acts of political actors. Law and politics create their own particular pictures of reality. Sometimes those pictures overlap, sometimes they differ. Yet, there is something that the law should never include in its sphere; namely, the differentiation of adversaries according to a purely political criterion. This leads to a strict separation between "ours" and "yours", or, in its most radical expression, to a strict separation between friend and enemy. When the latter occurs, politics inevitably prevails over the law, and reduces or damages the autonomy of the rule of law. * Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
No-Fault Divorce and Child Custody: Chilling out the Gender Wars

It is a special delight for me to contribute a paper to this symposium issue in honor of Professor Robert J. Levy. I feel as though I have known Bob Levy forever, but I suppose our formal collaboration did not begin until 1967 when I joined him as co-reporter for the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act (UMDA). By that time, he had been the reporter for the act since 1965 and had already laid the intellectual framework for the project. With his customary warmth and generosity, he welcomed me to the task and allowed me to help him make family law history. From that day to this, Levy and I have shared ideas, ex changed drafts of papers and legislation, worked together as advisers to the American Law Institute's Principles of the Law of Family Dis solution, and enjoyed an extraordinary professional relationship that soon became a treasured personal friendship between us and our fam ilies. I look forward to many more opportunities to draw upon his wealth of knowledge and to continue to learn from his insights about the inner workings of a legal system that attempts to shape family life in all its richness and complexity.
The process modeling hierarchy: connecting atomistic calculations to nanoscale behavior

In this work, we review efforts to make effective use of atomistic calculations for the advancement of VLSI process simulation.
Harmonic frequency analysis of SAW resonator chemical sensors: application to the detection of carbon dioxide and humidity

Abstract We have investigated the possibility of increasing surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas sensor sensitivity and detection limit by operating a SAW device at its fundamental frequency (250 MHz for the devices used in this paper), while monitoring frequency changes at a higher harmonic. In particular we have compared frequency changes at the third harmonic with that of the fundamental mode, using carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor as our test gases. The results showed that sensitivity is increased by a factor of three and the detection limit is improved by a factor of two. Three different polymers were used in our investigations. Of the three polymer coatings studied—BMBT, PEI and Versamid 900—PEI gave the greatest frequency change per unit change in humidity, followed by Versamid 900 and BMBT, in that order. The frequency change yielded by PEI (5.7 kHz per percent change in humidity) was about a factor of ten increase compared with the other two polymers. PEI was also found to be relatively more sensitive to CO2 compared with the other polymers. A frequency shift of about 1 kHz was measured for 240 ppm of CO2 in nitrogen. This was comparable to the frequency shift obtained for Versamid 900. The corresponding frequency shift for BMBT was about 700 Hz.
A causal reasoning-based approach for analog circuit verification

This paper proposes a novel analog circuit verification approach using causal reasoning. To verify analog circuits, the flow begins with mining the causal reasoning steps (design plan) that produced the circuit, including starting ideas, design step sequence, and their justification [1]. Then, topological structures corresponding to the starting ideas and design step sequences are verified individually by replacing the related devices with ideal amplifier model. Circuit performance is evaluated through Spectre simulation. Comparing simulation results reveals incorrect functional issues and/or performance drawbacks (negative causes) of certain starting ideas or design steps, which might have been omitted during the design process. The paper discusses three operational amplifier designs realized in 0.2-µm CMOS technology to illustrate the verification approach.
In vivo immune responses to Candida albicans modified by treatment with recombinant murine gamma interferon.

The immunologic effects of in vivo administration of recombinant murine gamma interferon (rMuIFN-gamma) were determined in a murine model of candidiasis. Naive mice were given graded doses of rMuIFN-gamma and then challenged intravenously with Candida albicans. Increased morbidity and mortality were noted in four different strains of mice, viz., BALB/c, A/J, Swiss Webster, and CBA/J, providing the mice had not been immunized with C. albicans before challenge. Quantitative culture of selected organs of Swiss Webster and CBA/J mice surviving treatment with rMuIFN-gamma revealed elevated numbers of C. albicans cells, particularly in the kidneys, but also in the liver, lungs, and spleen. The lungs, livers, and spleen of female CBA/J mice were more protected from increased multiplication of the fungus than were those of males of the same species or female Swiss Webster mice. On the basis of these initial findings, the effect of treatment with 5,000 U of rMuIFN-gamma on immune responses in a gastrointestinal model of candidiasis was determined. CBA/J mice that had been colonized with C. albicans as infants were boosted with a cutaneous inoculation of the fungus when 6 to 10 weeks old; development of delayed hypersensitivity (DH), antibodies, and protective responses was assayed at intervals thereafter. Daily treatment with rMuIFN-gamma (beginning 1 day before cutaneous inoculation) suppressed weak immune responses but had little effect on responses which were strong. For example, DH and anti-C. albicans antibody production were suppressed in animals colonized with C. albicans but not boosted by cutaneous inoculation, and DH was suppressed in uncolonized animals that had been inoculated once cutaneously with the fungus as well. There was no rMuIFN-gamma-induced suppressive effect of DH in mice which had been stimulated maximally with C. albicans, i.e., colonized animals that had been boosted cutaneously with the organisms. Collectively, these data indicate that naive mice or mice with minimal levels of anti-C. albicans sensitivity, females somewhat more so than males, were sensitive to suppressive effects of in vivo treatment with rMuIFN-gamma when challenged with C. albicans. In contrast, under conditions similar to those of humans, in whom underlying immunity to C. albicans is usually present, suppression of host responses to C. albicans was not observed in immunized mice in response to treatment with rMuIFN-gamma.
The endogenous ecotropic murine retroviruses Emv-16 and Emv-17 are both capable of producing new proviral insertions in the mouse genome.

Abstract New germ line proviral insertions are acquired at a high frequency by the progeny of SWR/J-RF/J hybrid female mice that carry the endogenous ecotropic murine leukemia proviruses Emv-16 and Emv-17. The tight linkage of these RF/J strain proviral loci has prevented genetic segregation of the retroviral genomes. Hence, it is not known whether both of these proviruses are capable of giving rise to new proviral insertions. We have molecularly cloned Emv-16 and Emv-17 and have characterized them in vitro and in vivo. Restriction enzyme analysis of the recombinant clones revealed that the proviral genomes are very similar to each other and closely resemble the wild-type AKR virus. A comparison of the flanking cellular DNA suggests that the Emv-16 and Emv-17 loci did not arise by simple duplication of a viral insertion site within the RF/J genome but most likely are independent integration events. Both proviruses produce infectious virus when transfected into NIH 3T3 cells, indicating that they are nondefective retroviruses. Exogenous infection of SWR/J mice with either Emv-16 or Emv-17 leads to viremia in the host animals, and in both cases, progeny of viremic females acquire new proviral insertions. The ability of these retroviruses to generate novel retroviral integration sites in the mouse genome provides a simple method for inducing insertional mutations in mice.
Clinical and pharmacokinetic considerations of novel formulations of fentanyl for breakthrough cancer pain

SUMMARY This review will provide an overview of pharmacokinetics and clinical practice considerations of the novel formulations of fentanyl for the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain. First, we provide a brief description of the physicochemical properties of fentanyl. Second, we describe the basic pharmacokinetics of fentanyl, the specifics of various formulations and how they affect pharmacokinetics of fentanyl. Finally, we offer the perspectives on clinical practices in the proper uses of these products. Advancements in the formulations and delivery of fentanyl have provided a safer and more effective treatment for breakthrough cancer pain. These dosage forms offer overlapping yet distinct pharmacokinetic advantages to allow more choices for physicians and patients in the management of breakthrough cancer pain.
Fermionic and bosonic stabilizing effects for type I and type II dimension bubbles

We consider two types of "dimension bubbles", which are viewed as 4d nontopological solitons that emerge from a 5d theory with a compact extra dimension. The size of the extra dimension varies rapidly within the domain wall of the soliton. We consider the cases of type I (II) bubbles where the size of the extra dimension inside the bubble is much larger (smaller) than outside. Type I bubbles with thin domain walls can be stabilized by the entrapment of various particle modes whose masses become much smaller inside than outside the bubble. This is demonstrated here for the cases of scalar bosons, fermions, and massive vector bosons, including both Kaluza-Klein zero modes and Kaluza-Klein excitation modes. Type II bubbles expel massive particle modes but both types can be stabilized by photons. Plasma filled bubbles containing a variety of massless or nearly massless radiation modes may exist as long-lived metastable states. Furthermore, in contrast to the case with a "gravitational bag", the metric for a fluid-filled dimension bubble does not exhibit a naked singularity at the bubble's center.
Substrate-Dependent Conformational Changes of a Glutamate Transporter Homologue

Glutamate transporters tightly control the extracellular concentration of glutamate in the brain, ensuring excitatory neurotransmission and cell integrity. These transporters utilize the energy of pre-existing ionic gradients to pump the transmitter against steep concentration gradients. Active transport is achieved by alternately exposing the ion and substrate binding sites to the extra- and the intracellular milieu and the catalytic cycle includes at least three conformational states: outward-facing, occluded and inward-facing. The crystal structures of a prokaryotic glutamate transporter homologue, GltPh, in complex with an inhibitor and a substrate showed the transporter in the outward-facing and occluded states, respectively, revealing how substrate and ions reach their binding sites from the extracellular medium. However, the conformational changes mediating the release of ligands into the cytoplasm are unknown. To gain insights into this process, we investigated ligand-dependent conformational transitions of the detergent-solubilized purified GltPh. Cysteine cross-linking experiments show that in the absence of ligands, helical hairpin 2 (HP2), which serves as an extracellular gate of the transporter, approaches TM2 bringing together residues that are more than 25 A apart in the GltPh structures. The direction of HP2 movement is opposite of the observed in the outward-facing state, suggesting that the gate remains closed in the novel state of GltPh. We further probed the substrate-dependent solvent accessibility changes of key regions of the transporter by determining the kinetics of the fluorescence increase upon the reaction of fluorescein maleimide with single cysteine mutants. These experiments reveal a striking pattern: cytoplasmic residues become more solvent exposed and extracellular residues become less solvent-exposed upon substrate dissociation. Our results suggest that the ligand-free state is an inward-facing state of the catalytic cycle and demonstrate that the transporter can be conformationally constrained in this state by cysteine cross-linking.
Investigation of equilibrium in an argon plasma

Spectroscopic measurements of the 7635.10 ArI line were made on an argon plasma generated in a free burning arc at 0.1 atm, 0.5 atm, and 1.0 atm. By making absolute line intensity measurements and assuming LTE, the transition probabilities at these three pressures were obtained. They varied from 1.37 × 107 sec-1 at 0.1 atm to 2.3 × 107 sec-1 at 1.0 atm indicating the plasma was not in LTE. Extrapolating the data to higher pressures indicates that LTE occurs at about 3 atm (electron number density ∼ 1018). The transition probability for this line is determined to be 2.7 × 107 sec-1. The plasma is believed to be in “Partial LTE” and the overpopulation of the ground state level of the atoms agrees with the theoretical results for a hydrogen plasma.
Dielectric relaxation of a DNA fragment

Abstract The real part of the dielectric permittivity in the frequency range 4–50 MHz of a monodisperse DNA fragment in aqueous solution at 23°C as a function of concentration is determined by time domain reflectometry. The fragment is short enough to be considered a rigid rod. The data are interpreted in light of a microscopic model based on a forced diffusion equation. The observed dielectric dispersion derives from counterion motion perpendicular to the rod axis. Using parameters derived from analysis of transient electric birefringence using the same model, the model predicts a slower response in the zero concentration limit than the extrapolated experimental data exhibit. The discrepancy presumably lies with the extrapolation that is hindered by lack of data at very low concentrations and the sensitivity of polyelectrolyte solution properties to even small salt concentrations.
Anonymity versus privacy in the dictator game: revealing donor decisions to recipients does not substantially impact donor behavior.

Anonymity is often offered in economic experiments in order to eliminate observer effects and induce behavior that would be exhibited under private circumstances. However, anonymity differs from privacy in that interactants are only unaware of each others' identities, while having full knowledge of each others' actions. Such situations are rare outside the laboratory and anonymity might not meet the requirements of some participants to psychologically engage as if their actions were private. In order to explore the impact of a lack of privacy on prosocial behaviors, I expand on a study reported in Dana et al. (2006) in which recipients were left unaware of the Dictator Game and given donations as “bonuses” to their show-up fees for other tasks. In the current study, I explore whether differences between a private Dictator Game (sensu Dana et al. (2006)) and a standard anonymous one are due to a desire by dictators to avoid shame or to pursue prestige. Participants of a Dictator Game were randomly assigned to one of four categories—one in which the recipient knew of (1) any donation by an anonymous donor (including zero donations), (2) nothing at all, (3) only zero donations, and (4) and only non-zero donations. The results suggest that a lack of privacy increases the shame that selfish-acting participants experience, but that removing such a cost has only minimal effects on actual behavior.
Interpretation of 3‐D permeability measurements for RTM modeling

The resin transfer molding (RTM) technique often utilizes reinforcement with a complex fiber architecture. Several parameters, including the permeability tensor, are necessary to characterize the flow behavior in these intricate fibrous porous media. In this paper, a general procedure for extracting three-dimensional permeability censors from data is presented. A general procedure is warranted if the permeability tensor lies out of the material plane. An approximate solution to Darcy's low was employed to relate the components of the permeability tensor to experimental measurements. The procedure requires inverting six nonlinear equations with a robust binary search algorithm. The accuracy of the approximate solution to Darcy's low was checked and found to be in close agreement with a nearly exact solution to Darcy's low obtained by finite element methods.
Abuse-Deterrent Formulations and the Prescription Opioid Abuse Epidemic in the United States: Lessons Learned From OxyContin

Importance In an effort to reduce wide-scale abuse of the proprietary oxycodone hydrochloride formulation OxyContin, an abuse-deterrent formulation (ADF) was introduced in 2010. Although the reformulation produced an immediate drop in abuse rates, a definite ceiling effect appeared over time, beyond which no further decrease was seen. Objective To examine the factors that led to the initial steep decline in OxyContin abuse and the substantial levels of residual abuse that have remained relatively stable since 2012. Design, Setting, and Participants We used data from the ongoing Survey of Key Informants’ Patients program, part of the Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction-Related Surveillance system that collects and analyzes postmarketing data on misuse and diversion of prescription opioid analgesics and heroin. For our survey study, patients with a DSM-V diagnosis of opioid use disorder and primary drug of abuse consisting of a prescription opioid or heroin (N = 10 784) at entry to 1 of 150 drug treatment programs in 48 states completed an anonymous structured survey of opioid abuse patterns (surveys completed from January 1, 2009, through June 30, 2014). A subset of these patients (n = 244) was interviewed to add context and expand on the structured survey. Main Outcomes and Measures In addition to key demographic measures, past-month abuse of opioids was the primary measure in the structured surveys. In the interviews, the effect of the introduction of the ADF on drug-seeking behavior was examined. Results Reformulated OxyContin was associated with a significant reduction of past-month abuse after its introduction (45.1% [95% CI, 41.2%-49.1%] in January to June 2009 to 26.0% [95% CI, 23.6%-28.4%] in July to December 2012; P 2 = 230.83), apparently owing to a migration to other opioids, particularly heroin. However, this reduction leveled off, such that 25% to 30% of the sample persisted in endorsing past-month abuse from 2012 to 2014 (at study end [January to June 2014], 26.7% [95% CI, 23.7%-29.6%]). Among the 88 participants who indicated experience using pre-ADF and ADF OxyContin, this residual level of abuse reflects the following 3 phenomena: (1) a transition from nonoral routes of administration to oral use (38 participants [43%]); (2) successful efforts to defeat the ADF mechanism leading to a continuation of inhaled or injected use (30 participants [34%]); and (3) exclusive use of the oral route independent of formulation type (20 participants [23%]). Conclusions and Relevance Abuse-deterrent formulations can have the intended purpose of curtailing abuse, but the extent of their effectiveness has clear limits, resulting in a significant level of residual abuse. Consequently, although drug abuse policy should focus on limiting supplies of prescription analgesics for abuse, including ADF technology, efforts to reduce supply alone will not mitigate the opioid abuse problem in this country.
PVTx Measurements for Water + Toluene Mixtures in the Near-Critical and Supercritical Regions

The PVTx relationships of dilute (1 − x) water + x toluene mixtures were measured in the near-critical and supercritical regions, with a constant-volume piezometer immersed in a precision thermostat. The ITS-90 temperature was measured with a 10 Ω platinum resistance thermometer (PRT-10) with an uncertainty of 10 mK. Pressure was measured by means of a dead-weight gauge with an uncertainty of 1.5−2.0 kPa. Uncertainties of the density measurements are estimated to be 0.05−0.15%, depending on the experimental pressure and temperature. The uncertainty in composition measurement is 0.001 mole fraction. Measurements were made on near-critical and supercritical isotherms between 623 and 673 K at pressures from 11 to 46 MPa and densities between 54 and 579 kg·m-3 for three composition mole fractions of toluene (0.0008, 0.0022, and 0.0085). The measured PVTx data for (1 − x) water + x toluene mixtures were compared with values calculated from a recently developed crossover equation of state and published measurem...
AI techniques in uninhabited aerial vehicle flight

This describes the development of an application of artificial intelligence (AI) for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control. The project was part of the requirements for a class in AI at NOVA Southeastern University and a beginning project at NASA Wallops Flight Facility for a resilient, robust, and intelligent UAV flight control system. A method is outlined which allows a base level application for applying an artificial intelligence method, fuzzy logic, to aspects of control logic for UAV flight. One element of UAV flight, automated altitude hold, has been implemented and preliminary results displayed.