cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Searching for Understanding With the Cellular Lining of Life

See related articles, pages 1613–1623 Stem cell therapy for the prevention and treatment of myocardial dysfunction in response to ischemic injury has progressed from preclinical models to clinical populations in relatively rapid fashion. Whereas some have argued the progress is too rapid because of the lack of a defined mechanism and the identification of an optimal cell type, others have suggested that the potential efficacy, combined with the apparent safety and increasing prevalence of chronic heart disease, requires that we move forward in clinical populations.1 In general, adult stem cell populations have lacked the ability to differentiate into cardiac myocytes that beat spontaneously, suggesting that the improvements seen in preclinical and clinical studies using these stem cell populations, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs),2,3 bone marrow mononuclear stem cells,4,5 multipotent adult progenitor cells,6 hematopoietic stem cells,7 and others, are not attributable to replacement of damaged myocardium with new contractile tissue but rather to the release of paracrine factors that induce myocardial repair. With that said, how these paracrine factors lead to improved cardiac function, especially at time remote from acute ischemic injury, remains unclear. Finally, whether there is the potential for an “off-the-shelf” cell product that can be implemented in an allogeneic strategy that will allow for the availability of therapy at any time and, in particular, when the patient presents with an acute ischemic event is still an open question. Two cell populations, MSCs and multipotent adult progenitor cells, are currently undergoing clinical study in allogeneic strategies; however, the mechanism associated with the immunoprivileged state of these cells and whether this immunoprivilege with extend to cardiac differentiation remain important unknowns. In this issue of the Circulation Research , Tsuji et al present interesting data that address many of these questions.8 In this report, …
Should prophylactic antibiotics be used for patients having removal of erupted teeth

Generally, antibiotics should not be required before the removal of erupted carious or periodontally involved teeth unless a significant risk of postoperative infection is present. The decision to use prophylactic antibiotics in noninfected cases should also be based on whether patients have any significant medical risk factors that could adversely affect their humoral and cellular defense mechanisms, and whether any systemic risks are associated with the bacteremia that accompanies tooth extraction. This article discusses the various indications for using prophylactic antibiotics in patients having erupted teeth extracted based on a consideration of these factors.
Multiple RF channels bi-directional UHF amplifiers one radiating RF transmission line

This paper describes the design parameters of a six (6) channel UHF radio communication system consisting of a single, 12 mile radiating RF transmission line network and 45 bi-directional RF amplifiers. The amplifiers will boost the UHF RF channels, in both directions, and provide the necessary transmit-receive RF isolation to permit the use of standard 5 MHz RF separation between Transmit and Receive UHF RF frequencies. The UHF RF channels will be used for hand held portable radio communications, for point-to-point data circuits (computer terminals) and for alarms on critical devices (fans, conveyor belts, elevators, etc.). This system is presently being installed and tested in an underground coal mine that is 650 feet below the surface. The design parameters were based on previous tests of a prototype system (two bi-directional RF amplifiers and 5000 feet of radiating RF transmission line) in the same coal mine.
Adding Radar Rainfall and Calibration to the TR-20 Watershed Model to Improve Dam Removal Flood Analysis

In communities where flood frequency data are unavailable, rainfall-runoff-routing models can estimate flood impacts of dam removal. We used the federal TR-20 model with PEST calibration software and NEXRAD radar rainfall data to study dam removal in the 186 km2 section of New York’s Onondaga Creek. The NEXRAD calibrated TR-20 simulated dam controlled flow for 100-year frequency 24-h duration rainfall, and the predicted peak discharge of 97 m3 s−1 was within 1% of flood frequency estimates. TR-20 predicted a peak discharge of 270 m3 s−1 for the same 100-year, 24-h rainfall with the dam removed, which was 4% higher than regional regression estimated peaks for an unregulated watershed. HEC river analysis system analysis of TR-20 floods showed naturalized flood peaks for events of 10 years or greater would leave the channel. This note reports on how radar rainfall and automated calibration are incorporated into TR-20 by managers and planners to enhance watershed restoration analysis.
Non-linear electroencephalogram dynamics induced by magnetic stimulation

Non-linear electroencephalogram dynamics induced by magnetic stimulation (MS) were demonstrated using the brain potential map (BPM). The early evoked cortical activity was recorded at the right anterior scalp areas after MS of left hand muscle. Then, the activity shifted with time from the right anterior scalp areas to the right posterior scalp areas, to the left anterior scalp areas, to the left posterior scalp areas, respectively. The changes of evoked cortical activities lasted two periods, and during the interval between two periods negative evoked potentials were observed over the scalp. These results could show the spatio-temporal pattern in that information of the stimulus encoding could be processed in cortex
Adolescent Sociometric Status and Social Support

A sample of 247 early adolescents, classified into the sociometric statuses of popular, neglected, rejected controversial, and average, described their attempts to mobilize social support for help ...
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Cold Start Performance of a Single PEM Fuel Cell

A combined experimental and analytical investigation of single proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, during cold start, has been conducted. The temperature influence on the performance of a single PEM fuel cell and the cold start failure of the PEM fuel cell was evaluated experimentally to determine the failure mechanisms and performance. The voltage, current, and power characteristics were investigated as a function of the load, the hydrogen fuel flow rate, and the cell temperature. The characteristics of cold start for a single PEM fuel cell were analyzed, and the various failure mechanisms were explored and characterized. In an effort to better understand the operational behavior and failure modes, a numerical simulation was also developed. The results of this analysis were then compared with the previously obtained experimental results and confirmed the accuracy of the failure mechanisms identified.
Quantitative Genetics and Mouse Behavior

Quantitative differences are observed for most complex behavioral and pharmacological traits within any population. Both environmental and genetic influences regulate such individual differences. The mouse has proven to be a superb model in which to investigate the genetic basis for quantitative differences in complex behaviors. Genetically defined populations of mice, including inbred strains, heterogeneous stocks, and selected lines, have been used effectively to document these genetic differences. Recently, quantitative trait loci methods have been applied to map the chromosomal regions that regulate variation with the goal of eventually identifying the gene polymorphisms that reside in these regions.
Overview of Adult Muscular Dystrophies

The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of genetic disorders causing deterioration of normal muscle structure. Although MD principally affect skeletal muscles, many forms of MD also affect the heart, smooth muscle, brain, eye, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive and endocrine systems. The heterogeneity between and within different subtypes of muscular dystrophy causes challenges in genetic diagnosis and prognosis. Many genetic phenomena, such as anticipation, germline mosaicism, and pleiotropy, can be seen in these conditions. This section discusses the clinical presentation, genetics, and genetic counseling issues of several forms of adult muscular dystrophy.
Inner complexity of molecular adhesion bonds

Weak noncovalent interactions between large molecules sustain most of cell structure and interfacial adhesion in biology. Because of thermal activation, these bonds have modest lifetimes and the lifetimes are progressively shortened under application of force. Theory shows that the dynamic spectrum of most frequent force versus log(loading rate) from bond breakage tests images the prominent energy barriers traversed along the molecular unbinding pathway, which establishes a direct link between measurements of force and bond chemistry. Applied to bioadhesion bonds and membrane cohesion, dynamic force spectroscopy provides a new level of insight into the complexity of macromolecular interactions and exposes the unexpected impact of force on biochemical kinetics.
Testing the abstinence violation effect construct with marijuana cessation

It has been proposed that internal, stable, and global attributions for the cause of a lapse following a period of abstinence and concomitant feelings of guilt and loss of control increased the probability of a return to regular substance use. The Abstinence Violation Effect (AVE) hypotheses were tested in a sample of 75 adult marijuana users who reported a lapse into marijuana use following completion of either a relapse prevention (RP) or social support group treatment aimed at abstinence. Results showed that more internal, stable, and global attributions for the cause of the lapse and perceived loss of control were related significantly to concurrently reported relapse. Further, internal and global attributions predicted marijuana use during the subsequent 6 months. Results are discussed in terms of support for the AVE construct, treatment implications, and the failure of the RP treatment to modify reactions to a lapse.
Infectivity and effectivity of indigenous vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from contiguous soils in southwestern Wyoming, USA

summary In a greenhouse experiment, the degree of infectivity as well as effects on shoot hiomass, phosphorus concentration, and drought response in Agropyron smithii Rydb. were compared for species assemblages of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungi. Assemblages were collected from dissimilar soils across a 55 m elevational gradient in the xeric sagebrush-steppe of southwestern Wyoming. Collection sites and soils were designated as ridgetop (RT), midslope (MS), and base (B|. All assemblages of mycorrhizal fungi were tested in their parent soils as well as the other two soils. In the phosphorus (P)-deficient (10 mg kg −1) RT soil, the indigenous mycorrhizal fungi produced significantly greater concentrations of P in the shoot of the host ((0-335 °) than did the fungi from the B site (0-250%). In the non-mycorrhizal plants the concentration of P in the shoot was 0.185%. The RT fungi also generated the highest levels of infection, plus greatest arbuscule and vesicle production in both the RT and MS soils. The B soil had the highest available 1’content (51 mg kg -1) and mean shoot P concentrations were not significantly different among plants of the different treatments grown in this soil. Inefectivity was also reduced in the B soil. This reduction in mycorrhizal activity was attributed to the high-P availability in the H soil. Although shoot dry weight was either unaffected or possibly reduced by mycorrhizas in all soils, stomatal response to drought was not affected by mycorrhizas m any of the soils. The greater effectiveness of the RT inoculum for increasing P concentration in the shoot of A. smithii when grown in the RT soil, as well as the greater infectivity of this inoculum, may indicate adaptation in these mycorrhizal fungi to low-P soil conditions. The relatively low infectivity and effectivity of the B fungi in the RT soil also suggests that these fungi may be less adapted to low-P soil conditions. Thus, differences in ineffectivity and effectivity may occur among native VA mycorrhizal fungi when the parent soils are dissimilar yet contiguous.
Exclusionary Land-use Regulations within Suburban Communities: A Review of the Evidence and Policy Prescriptions

This paper reviews the literature related to five questions that we would like to have answered about local land-use regulations that exclude lower-income households from suburban communities. Also...
Non‐buoyant puff and plume dispersion modeling issues

This workshop was organized as a discussion group for a panel of dispersion modeling experts aimed at identifying and resolving (to whatever extent possible) the major debatable issues involved in the appropriate application and interpretation of dense gas dispersion models to real and potential scenarios.
Effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on central arterial stiffness and arterial wave reflections in young and older healthy adults

Increased central arterial stiffness and enhanced arterial wave reflections may contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease development with advancing age. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3) ingestion may reduce cardiovascular risk via favorable effects exerted on arterial structure and function. We determined the effects of n-3 supplementation (4 g/day for 12 weeks) on important measures of central arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity; PWV) and arterial wave reflection (central augmentation index) in young (n = 12; 25 ± 1-year-old, mean ± SE) and older (n = 12; 66 ± 2) healthy adults. We hypothesized that n-3 supplementation would decrease carotid-femoral PWV and central augmentation index in older adults. Our results indicate that carotid-femoral PWV and central augmentation index were greater in older (988 ± 65 cm/sec and 33 ± 2%) than in young adults (656 ± 16 cm/sec and 3 ± 4%: both P < 0.05 compared to older) before the intervention (Pre). N-3 supplementation decreased carotid-femoral PWV in older (∆-9 ± 2% Precompared to Post; P < 0.05), but not young adults (∆2 ± 3%). Central augmentation index was unchanged by n-3 supplementation in young (3 ± 4 vs. 0 ± 4% for Pre and Post, respectively) and older adults (33 ± 2 vs. 35 ± 3%). Arterial blood pressure at rest, although increased with age, was not altered by n-3 supplementation in young or older adults. Collectively, these data indicate that 12 weeks of daily n-3 supplementation decreases an important measure of central arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral PWV) in older, but not young healthy adults. The mechanism underlying decreased central arterial stiffness with n-3 supplementation is unknown, but appears to be independent of effects on arterial blood pressure or arterial wave reflections.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals a Mechanism for a Prefibrotic Phenotype in STAT1 Knockout Mice during Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection can cause the development of severe end-stage lung disease characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary fibrosis. The mechanisms by which pulmonary lesions and fibrosis are generated during SARS-CoV infection are not known. Using high-throughput mRNA profiling, we examined the transcriptional response of wild-type (WT), type I interferon receptor knockout (IFNAR1-/-), and STAT1 knockout (STAT1-/-) mice infected with a recombinant mouse-adapted SARS-CoV (rMA15) to better understand the contribution of specific gene expression changes to disease progression. Despite a deletion of the type I interferon receptor, strong expression of interferon-stimulated genes was observed in the lungs of IFNAR1-/- mice, contributing to clearance of the virus. In contrast, STAT1-/- mice exhibited a defect in the expression of interferon-stimulated genes and were unable to clear the infection, resulting in a lethal outcome. STAT1-/- mice exhibited dysregulation of T-cell and macrophage differentiation, leading to a TH2-biased immune response and the development of alternatively activated macrophages that mediate a profibrotic environment within the lung. We propose that a combination of impaired viral clearance and T-cell/macrophage dysregulation causes the formation of prefibrotic lesions in the lungs of rMA15-infected STAT1-/- mice.
COEXTRUSION OF CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO) AND RICE FLOUR

Rice flour and varying amounts (10–35%) of deboned minced carp were coextruded resulting in a precooked blend that developed no detectable offodors after being stored at room temperature for up to six months. In addition, the extrudates, along with nonextruded rice flour, were made into pakodas, a fried Indian snack food. Sensory triangle test data showed that up to 25% carp could be added before a statistical difference was noted. Hedonic sensory data demonstrated that consumer acceptable products relative to pakodas appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and overall acceptability can be made even at carp addition levels of up to 35%.
The role of the intrinsic zinc oxide layers on the performance of wide-bandgap (AgCu)(InGa)Se2 thin-film solar cells

Fundamental optoelectronic characterization of thin film (AgCu)(InGa)Se2 solar cell structures to investigate the role of the high resistance (HR) ZnO is presented. Experiments were conducted varying the thickness and the resistivity of the HR ZnO. Deposited films and fabricated devices were characterized by a number of techniques including current-voltage and quantum efficiency. It was found that thickness between 10–100 nm had negligible impact on device performance but reducing the thickness to 0 nm resulted in huge variability in all device parameters. There was a weak improvement in all solar cell parameters with increasing the HR layer resistivity by 3 orders of magnitude from 4×10−3 to 1×101 Ω-cm. This is due to reduced free carrier absorption (Jsc) and reduced lateral spread of the impact of local inhomogeneity and shunts (Voc and FF).
Research Note—When Do Consumers Value Positive vs. Negative Reviews? An Empirical Investigation of Confirmation Bias in Online Word of Mouth

In the online word-of-mouth literature, research has consistently shown that negative reviews have a greater impact on product sales than positive reviews. Although this negativity effect is well documented at the product level, there is less consensus on whether negative or positive reviews are perceived to be more helpful by consumers. A limited number of studies document a higher perceived helpfulness for negative reviews under certain conditions, but accumulating empirical evidence suggests the opposite. To reconcile these contradictory findings, we propose that consumers can form initial beliefs about a product on the basis of the product’s summary rating statistics (such as the average and dispersion of the product’s ratings) and that these initial beliefs play a vital role in their subsequent evaluation of individual reviews. Using a unique panel data set collected from Apple’s App Store, we empirically demonstrate confirmation bias—that consumers have a tendency to perceive reviews that confirm (v...
Enhanced Trapped Energy Mode Array Transducer Using Thickness Overtones

A trapped energy mode of thickness-extensional (TE) vibrations is shown to exist at certain overtones in various materials. Utilization of such a mode, which results in improved isolation between elements in a transducer array, is demonstrated. Knowledge of the dispersion curves (frequency vs. lateral wave number) for unelectroded and fully electroded plates, along with an understanding of the manner in which they determine trapped energy modes, is essential in order to choose a suitable overtone: one which, first, will exhibit TE energy trapping, and second, will allow for large imaginary wave numbers in the unelectroded region of the plate. Dispersion curves for PZT-7A and Z-cut lithium tantalate are examined and found to possess suitable overtones. Improved trapped energy mode spatial confinement is confirmed.
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and the first amendment: why a substantial interest in protecting public health won't save some new restrictions on tobacco advertising.

Congress passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act in 2009 with the aim of reducing tobacco-related illnesses and deaths by curbing tobacco's appeal to and use by children and adolescents. Legislators considered provisions of the FSPTCA restricting tobacco advertising and labeling key to realizing the law's intended health benefits. But a lawsuit now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit challenges the tobacco marketing restrictions as impermissible restraints on tobacco companies' commercial speech rights under the First Amendment. This article analyzes the constitutionality of each FSPTCA tobacco advertising and labeling restriction in light of U.S. Supreme Court decisions defining the extent of First Amendment protection for commercial speech, prior efforts to restrict tobacco marketing, and the outcomes of legal challenges to some of the prior marketing restrictions. Several of the FSPTCA tobacco advertising and labeling restrictions were drafted with insufficient accommodations for tobacco companies' First Amendment right to convey and consumers' First Amendment right to receive truthful information about lawful tobacco products and are therefore unconstitutional as currently written.
Dust bag treatments in improved pastures to control horn flies and cattle grubs.

Summer dust bag applications of insecticides to cattle on a free-choice basis were tested in improved pastures in south Florida for effectiveness against the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.), and the common cattle grub. Hypoderma lineatum (de Villers). A 3-year study included various combinations of treatments of 1 and 5% coumaphos, 5 and 10% Prolate® ( O, O -dimethyl phosphorodithioate S -ester with N -(mercaptomethyl) phthalimide)), and 10% methoxychlor. When compared with untreated checks, all were effective ( P < 0.01) in controlling the horn fly on Brahman-Angus or Brahman-Hereford crossbred steers. No difference was found between 4.5- and 11.3-kg dust bags containing 1% coumaphos. With the exception of 10% methoxychlor, all insecticides were effective ( P < 0.05) in reducing the number of grubs.
Ambulatory Care Sensitive Hospitalizations among Medicaid Beneficiaries with Chronic Conditions.

ABSTRACTObjectives: This study examined the relationship between ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations (ACSH) and patient-level and county-level variables. Methods: Utilizing a retrospective cohort approach, multi-state Medicaid claims data from 2007-2008 was used to examine ACSH at baseline and follow-up periods. The study cohort consisted of adult, non-elderly Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic physical conditions, who were continuously enrolled in fee-for-service programs, not enrolled in Medicare, and did not die during the study period (N=7,021). The dependent variable, ACSH, was calculated in the follow-up year using an algorithm from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality algorithm. Patient-level (demographic, health status, continuity of care) and county-level (density of healthcare providers and facilities, socio-economic characteristics, local economic conditions) factors were included as independent variables. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relat...
Local Vibrational Mode (LVM) Spectroscopy of Semiconductors

Impurities and defects with masses smaller than the masses of the host semiconductor crystal atoms typically exhibit vibrational frequencies well above the phonon frequency spectrum. These vibrational modes produce sharp spectral absorption features in the infrared. Because of their strong spatial localization these modes are not affected by neighboring impurities and/or defects with concentrations up to 1019 cm−3. This insensitivity is especially advantageous when the free carrier concentration must be reduced through the introduction of electron irradiation defects or when highly doped thin layers must be investigated. LVM spectroscopy with perturbations such as polarization of the probe light, uniaxial and hydrostatic stress, and isotope substitution has been highly successful in identifying the structure and composition of a large number of defect complexes. Hydrogen, in particular, forming a wide variety of complexes in elemental and compound semiconductors has been extensively studied with LVM spectroscopy. For example, it has been shown recently that nitrogen acceptors are hydrogen passivated in MOCVD grown ZnSe. Carbon and oxygen have been investigated in all major semiconductors with LVM spectroscopy. The extreme simplification of the spectrum of bond centered oxygen through isotope enrichment of several Ge crystals has been demonstrated. Additional recent investigations of importance to the currently much studied semiconductors will be reviewed.
Preoperative Evaluation of Pulmonary Function

After an overview of preoperative evaluation of pulmonary function, an approach based on spirometry and arterial blood gas analysis is outlined, similar to that used in many hospitals. A discussion follows of additional tests which, although infrequently used, may aid the evaluation of risk before pneumonectomy.
Alcohol Related Psychiatric Emergencies: A Two Year Controlled Study

Alcohol related disabilities constitute, today, a major social problem in several industrial societies (Moser1).
Evidence and Inference in Conversation Analysis

(1988). Evidence and Inference in Conversation Analysis. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 11, Communication Yearbook 11, pp. 433-443.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Study of VA Population.

Abstract Background: Epidemiology and outcome of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the United States is not well recognized. MDS became reportable to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (SEER) in 2001. Only one study is published examining the SEER data between 2001–2003 on MDS incidence, epidemiology and outcome. We report first study of MDS among large population in the Veteran Affair system. Methods: There are approximately 127 VA Medical Centers diagnosing and/or treating Cancer patients. The data collected by the medical centers cancer registries is aggregated as the VA Central Cancer Registry (VACCR) and is maintained by the Chief Program Office for Oncology at VA in Washington DC. We used the VACCR to analyze VA patients with MDS diagnosed between 1995 and 2005. The data was downloaded from the database using ICD-03 histology codes for MDS. Data was entered and analyzed using bio-statistical software SPSS. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for estimates of overall survival, chi square for comparison of categorical variables and t-test for continuous variables. Results: Between 1995 and 2005, 1411 MDS cases were registered in the VACCR database. The median age was 75 years. Among those 1379 (97.7%) were males and 1196 (84.4%) were white patients, 171 (12.1%) black, and 44 (3.5%) other race. Majority of cases were reported as MDS, NOS 935 (66.3%), Refractory anemia (RA) 180 (12.8%), Refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts (RARS) 105 (7.4%), Refractory anemia with multilineage dysplasia (RCMD) 22 (1.6%), 5 q syndrome 13 (0.9%), Refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB) 105 (7.4%), Refractory anemia with excess blast in transformation 17 (1.2%), and therapy related MDS (t-MDS) 34 (2.4%). No IPSS data were available. The median overall survival (OS) was 1.8 year (95% CI 1.5–2.1). The 3 year and 5 year overall survival was 30% and 22% respectively. The median OS for RA patients was 3.7 year, RARS 4.9 year and for RAEB was 0.8 year. No difference was observed in OS between whites and black (median OS 1.73 versus 2.65, p value 0.28). Their was a non statistically significant trend for improvement of OS in patients diagnosed in 2004–2005 compared to 1995–2003 (time where azacitidine and lenalidomide were approved) median OS of 3.2 versus 1.8 (p value 0.64). Conclusion: This is the first report of MDS case series in the VA system. Outcome is similar to what is described in literature and SEER data (3 Year OS was 30% in our VA population study compared to 35% in recently published SEER data). No racial disparities are observed in outcome. A trend towards better overall survival is noted in the last 2 years since approval of new treatment options. Coding for WHO subtypes, IPSS and treatment options should be considered in all large MDS registries.
The Economic Crisis and the Rise of MOOCs

When the major MOOC platforms were established in 2012, the economy and higher education were in crisis as a result of the 2008 financial collapse. Also, due to the long-term shift from industrial to information society, the nature of work, the skill base and organization of the labor force, and the production and utilization of knowledge were all changing. Middle-class jobs were disappearing and middle-class wages were no better than stagnant, while college tuition and student debt skyrocketed. Students found themselves paying more in tuition for fewer benefits in expected pay-offs. Thus, starting in 2011 American college enrollments began to decline, and some colleges were driven to insolvency. MOOCs gained rapid visibility by promising to resolve the high education crisis by making free, ‘world class’ higher education available for all.
Using Popular Science in a Mathematical Modeling Course

A student-driven approach to a mathematical modeling course is presented. Students choose their topic based on an article from a popular science medium, spend time researching the background information of the article, constructing a mathematical model, solving it, and either writing a report or giving a brief presentation before a critical audience. Through this experience, students learn the underlying techniques of formulating relevant mathematical models.
Spatial frequency domain imaging for monitoring palpable breast lesions

We describe a novel approach for monitoring breast lesions, utilizing spatial frequency domain imaging, a diffuse optical imaging method to detect hemoglobin contrast, in combination with mechanical compression of the tissue. The project is motivated by the growing rate of unnecessary breast biopsies, caused by uncertainty in X-ray mammographic diagnoses. We believe there is a need for an alternate means of tracking the progression palpable lesions exhibiting probably benign features, that can be performed non-invasively and hence frequently: at home or in the clinic. The proposed approach capitalizes on two distinguishing properties of cancerous lesions, namely the relative stiffness with respect to surrounding tissue and the optical absorption due to the greater vascularization, hence hemoglobin concentration. The current research project is a pilot study to evaluate the principle on soft, breast tissue-mimicking phantoms containing stiffer, more highly absorbing inclusions. Spatial frequency domain imaging was performed by projecting onto the phantom a series of wide-field patterns at multiple spatial frequencies. Image analysis then was performed to map absorption and scattering properties. The results of the study demonstrate that compression significantly increases the optical contrast observed for inclusions located 10 and 15 mm beneath the surface. In the latter case, the inclusion was not detectable without compression.
The risk of level IB nodal involvement in oropharynx cancer: Guidance for submandibular gland sparing irradiation

Abstract Purpose Xerostomia remains a common side effect of head and neck irradiation. Conflicting data exist regarding the likelihood of level IB involvement for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC), and data are limited on this risk in patients with human papillomavirus–positive disease. This study examined surgically treated OPSCC to determine the risk of pathologic level IB nodal involvement and to identify a cohort of patients in whom ipsilateral level IB radiation therapy may be safely omitted. Methods and materials A total of 102 submandibular nodal dissections were identified (92 ipsilateral and 10 contralateral) in 92 patients from 2010 to 2016 in those undergoing primary surgical treatment and dissection of ipsilateral level IB lymph nodes. Radiographically positive cases were excluded. Retrospective chart review was used for data collection, and the rate of pathologic level IB involvement was determined. Results The ipsilateral level IB nodal station had negative imaging and pathologically positive nodes at rates of 4.3% in OPSCC and 5.3% in human papillomavirus–positive OPSCC. Positive node burden in the ipsilateral neck at stations other than IB appeared to correlate with the risk of pathologic positive IB (pIB+) nodes: 50% of pathologically IB-negative patients had 2 or more positive nodes versus 75% of pIB+ patients who had 4 or more positive nodes. Conclusions Our data indicate a low risk of pathologic level IB involvement in early-stage OPSCC. High positive node burden in stations near level IB may be associated with a higher chance of pathologic level IB involvement.
A Public Health of Consequence: Review of the November 2016 Issue of AJPH.

An introduction is presented in which the authors discusses various reports within the issue on topics including U.S. public health, the blood lead levels of children living is housing assisted by America's Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a link between rent and healthy eating.
Photoluminescent (PL) or electroluminescent (EL) quantum dots for display, lighting, and photomedicine (Conference Presentation)

Quantum dots (QDs) have gone through a long journey before finding their ways into the display field. This talk will briefly touch on the history before trying to answer several key questions related to QDs applications in display: What are QDs? How are they made? What properties do they have and Why? How can these properties be used to improve color and efficiency of display, in either photoluminescence (PL) or electroluminescence (EL) mode? And what are the remaining challenges for QDs wide adoption in display industry? Lastly, some most recent progresses in our UCF lab at both PL and EL fronts will be highlighted. For PL, a cadmium-free perovskite-polymer composite films with exceptionally narrow emission green peaks (FWHM ~20 nm) and good water and thermal stability will be reported. Together with red quantum dots or PFS/KSF phosphors as down-converters for blue LEDs, a white-light source with 95% Rec. 2020 color gamut was demonstrated [1]. For EL, red quantum dot light emitting devices (QLEDs) with record luminance of 165,000 Cd/m2 has been obtained at a current density of 1000 mA/cm2 with a low driving voltage of 5.8 V and CIE coordinates of (0.69, 0.31). [2] The potential of using these QLEDs for light sources for integrated sensing platform [3] or high efficiency, high color quality hybrid white OLED [4] will be discussed. [1] Y. N. Wang, J. He, H. Chen, J. S. Chen, R. D. Zhu, P. Ma, A. Towers, Y. Lin, A. J. Gesquiere, S. T. Wu, Y. J. Dong. Ultrastable, Highly Luminescent Organic-Inorganic Perovskite - Polymer Composite Films, Advanced Materials, accepted, (2016). [2] Y. J. Dong, J.M. Caruge, Z. Q. Zhou, C. Hamilton, Z. Popovic, J. Ho, M. Stevenson, G. Liu, V. Bulovic, M. Bawendi, P. T. Kazlas, S. Coe-Sullivan, and J. Steckel Ultra-bright, Highly Efficient, Low Roll-off Inverted Quantum-Dot Light Emitting Devices (QLEDs). SID Symp. Dig. Tech. Pap. 46, 270-273 (2015). [3] J. He, H. Chen, S. T. Wu, and Y. J. Dong, Integrated Sensing Platform Based on Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diodes. SID Symp. Dig. Tech. Pap. 47, 344-346 (2016). [4] H. Chen, J. He, J. S. Chen, S. T. Wu and Y. J. Dong, High Efficacy, High Color Quality Hybrid White OLEDs Incorporating Red Quantum Dots with Narrow Emission Bands. SID Symp. Dig. Tech. Pap. 47, 50-52 (2016).
Can Social Norm Activation Improve Audit Quality? Evidence from an Experimental Audit Market

We assert that audit quality can be improved to the extent that social norms for honesty and responsibility are activated in the auditor. To test this assertion, we use an experimental audit market setting found in the literature and manipulate factors expected to activate honesty and responsibility norms in the auditor. We find that auditor misreporting is reduced when the investor is another participant in the experiment rather than computer simulated, and thus, the interests of third-party investors are salient to the auditor. We also find that auditor misreporting is reduced when the auditor is required to sign-off on the audit report, but only when the investor is another participant in the experiment. Consistent with our underlying theory, we find that pre-experimental measures of sensitivity to honesty and responsibility norms help explain the effects of our manipulated variables. Finally, we find that these measures of social norm sensitivity are associated with the moral judgment that auditor misreporting is unethical. Our study helps explain previous anomalous findings in the literature and answers the call in Blay et al. (J Bus Ethics 2017. doi: 10.1007/s10551-016-3286-4 ) for empirical researchers to use social norm theory to develop stronger tests of moral reasoning in the market for auditing services.
Connecting Cultural and Biological Diversity in Restoring Northwest Salmon

Abstract Salmon problems in the Pacific Northwest have an important cultural as well as biological dimension. Economic growth is a dominating cultural goal. Social and political units do not match well with ecosystems. Authority is fragmented, and local, state, and federal agencies have conflicting mandates. To achieve biological diversity, a suggestion is to use adaptive management, taking major subbasins as bio-regions. Using cooperative management a planning unit in each subbasin would determine the qualities of a long-term experiment that best assures biological and cultural diversity. An organization overseeing the whole region would coordinate activities among subbasins.
Phosphodiesterase 10A is overexpressed in lung tumor cells and inhibitors selectively suppress growth by blocking β-catenin and MAPK signaling

// Bing Zhu 1 , Ashley Lindsey 1 , Nan Li 2 , Kevin Lee 1 , Veronica Ramirez-Alcantara 1 , Joshua C. Canzoneri 1 , Alexandra Fajardo 1 , Luciana Madeira da Silva 1 , Meagan Thomas 1 , John T. Piazza 1 , Larry Yet 3 , Brian T. Eberhardt 3 , Evrim Gurpinar 4 , Dennis Otali 5 , William Grizzle 5 , Jacob Valiyaveettil 1 , Xi Chen 1 , Adam B. Keeton 1 and Gary A. Piazza 1 1 Drug Discovery Research Center, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA 3 Department of Chemistry, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA 4 Department of Pharmacology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA 5 Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA Correspondence to: Gary A. Piazza, email: // Bing Zhu, email: // Keywords : lung cancer, PDE10, PKG, cGMP, PQ10 Received : June 30, 2017 Accepted : August 04, 2017 Published : August 27, 2017 Abstract Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10) is a cyclic nucleotide (e.g. cGMP) degrading enzyme highly expressed in the brain striatum where it plays an important role in dopaminergic neurotransmission, but has limited expression and no known physiological function outside the central nervous system. Here we report that PDE10 mRNA and protein levels are strongly elevated in human non-small cell lung cancer cells and lung tumors compared with normal human airway epithelial cells and lung tissue, respectively. Genetic silencing of PDE10 or inhibition by small molecules such as PQ10 was found to selectively inhibit the growth and colony formation of lung tumor cells. PQ10 treatment of lung tumor cells rapidly increased intracellular cGMP levels and activated cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) at concentrations that inhibit lung tumor cell growth. PQ10 also increased the phosphorylation of β-catenin and reduced its levels, which paralleled the suppression of cyclin D1 and survivin but preceded the activation of PARP and caspase cleavage. PQ10 also suppressed RAS-activated RAF/MAPK signaling within the same concentration range and treatment period as required for cGMP elevation and PKG activation. These results show that PDE10 is overexpressed during lung cancer development and essential for lung tumor cell growth in which inhibitors can selectively induce apoptosis by increasing intracellular cGMP levels and activating PKG to suppress oncogenic β-catenin and MAPK signaling.
Modeling competing hydraulic fracture propagation with the extended finite element method

We present an extended finite element framework to numerically study competing hydraulic fracture propagation. The framework is capable of modeling fully coupled hydraulic fracturing processes including fracture propagation, elastoplastic bulk deformation and fluid flow inside both fractures and the wellbore. In particular, the framework incorporates the classical orifice equation to capture fluid pressure loss across perforation clusters linking the wellbore with fractures. Dynamic fluid partitioning among fractures during propagation is solved together with other coupled factors, such as wellbore pressure loss ( $$\Delta p_w$$ ), perforation pressure loss ( $$\Delta p$$ ), interaction stress ( $$\sigma _\mathrm{int}$$ ) and fracture propagation. By numerical examples, we study the effects of perforation pressure loss and wellbore pressure loss on competing fracture propagation under plane-strain conditions. Two dimensionless parameters $$\Gamma = \sigma _\mathrm{int}/\Delta p$$ and $$\Lambda = \Delta p_w/\Delta p$$ are used to describe the transition from uniform fracture propagation to preferential fracture propagation. The numerical examples demonstrate the dimensionless parameter $$\Gamma $$ also works in the elastoplastic media.
The application of crowdsourcing approaches to cancer research: a systematic review.

Crowdsourcing is “the practice of obtaining participants, services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, especially via the Internet.” (Ranard et al. J. Gen. Intern. Med. 29:187, 2014) Although crowdsourcing has been adopted in healthcare research and its potential for analyzing large datasets and obtaining rapid feedback has recently been recognized, no systematic reviews of crowdsourcing in cancer research have been conducted. Therefore, we sought to identify applications of and explore potential uses for crowdsourcing in cancer research. We conducted a systematic review of articles published between January 2005 and June 2016 on crowdsourcing in cancer research, using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsychINFO, and Embase. Data from the 12 identified articles were summarized but not combined statistically. The studies addressed a range of cancers (e.g., breast, skin, gynecologic, colorectal, prostate). Eleven studies collected data on the Internet using web-based platforms; one recruited participants in a shopping mall using paper-and-pen data collection. Four studies used Amazon Mechanical Turk for recruiting and/or data collection. Study objectives comprised categorizing biopsy images (n = 6), assessing cancer knowledge (n = 3), refining a decision support system (n = 1), standardizing survivorship care-planning (n = 1), and designing a clinical trial (n = 1). Although one study demonstrated that “the wisdom of the crowd” (NCI Budget Fact Book, 2017) could not replace trained experts, five studies suggest that distributed human intelligence could approximate or support the work of trained experts. Despite limitations, crowdsourcing has the potential to improve the quality and speed of research while reducing costs. Longitudinal studies should confirm and refine these findings.
Detectability of Stellar Companions by Imaging

The increasing use of CCD’s and IRCCD’s to detect stellar companions, either by direct imaging or speckle techniques, raises the issue of the fraction of companions whose instantaneous, projected separations lie in the range corresponding to the geometric limits of the detector. The issue is of especial importance to recent surveys employing IRCCD detectors of relatively very small area (projected onto the sky). The distribution of observed separations reflects not only that of orbital semi-major axes, but also distributions of distances to binary systems, orbital eccentricities, tilt of orbital planes with respect to the plane of the sky, and of arguments of periastron. Proper inference of, e.g., binary multiplicity requires estimates of completeness that should incorporate contributions from all these factors.
Quality Measures in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Quality improvement in healthcare has emerged as an increasingly central focus of public discourse. The death of Libby Zion in 1984 introduced the fallibility of healthcare providers and potential for error inherent in the practice of medicine into the public consciousness. The Institute of Medicine’s 1999 landmark report “To Err is Human” crystallized awareness of the widespread prevalence of medical errors, capturing the attention of lawmakers and the general public with its estimate of up to 98,000 deaths attributable to medical errors annually (Kohn LT, Corrigan J, Donaldson MS. To err is human: building a safer health system. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 2000.) and serving as a call to action to advance the cause of patient safety. The report prompted legislation such as the “Healthcare Research and Quality Act of 1999”, which renamed the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and funded agency projects to address these new priorities. The Institute of Medicine followed up with its 2001 report “Crossing the Quality Chasm” which expanded its focus from error and patient safety to the health system organization and more explicitly emphasized aligning payment methods with quality improvement goals and empowerment of consumers and payers (Institute of Medicine. Crossing the quality chasm: a new health system for the 21st century. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 2001). The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act in 2003 enacted these recommendations and linked hospital payment to quality. The combined forces of public interest, regulatory emphasis, and financial inducements have contributed to the burgeoning attention to quality improvement.
Akkermansia muciniphila is permissive to arthritis in the K/BxN mouse model of arthritis.

Studies have identified abnormalities in the microbiota of patients with arthritis. To evaluate the pathogenicity of human microbiota, we performed fecal microbial transplantation from children with spondyloarthritis and controls to germ-free KRN/B6xNOD mice. Ankle swelling was equivalent in those that received patient vs. control microbiota. Principal coordinates analysis revealed incomplete uptake of the human microbiota with over-representation of two genera (Bacteroides and Akkermansia) among the transplanted mice. The microbiota predicted the extent of ankle swelling (R2 = 0.185, p = 0.018). The abundances of Bacteroides (r = −0.510, p = 0.010) inversely and Akkermansia (r = 0.367, p = 0.078) directly correlated with ankle swelling. Addition of Akkermansia muciniphila to Altered Schaedler’s Flora (ASF) resulted in small but statistically significant increased ankle swelling as compared to mice that received ASF alone (4.0 mm, 3.9–4.1 vs. 3.9 mm, IQR 3.6–4.0, p = 0.041), as did addition of A. muciniphila cultures to transplanted human microbiota as compared to mice that received transplanted human microbiota alone (4.5 mm, IQR 4.3–5.5 vs. 4.1 mm, IQR 3.9–4.3, p = 0.019). This study supports previous findings of an association between A. muciniphila and arthritis.