cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Re-thinking polynomial optimization: Efficient programming of reconfigurable radio frequency (RF) systems by convexification

Reconfigurable radio frequency (RF) system has emerged as a promising avenue to achieve high communication performance while adapting to versatile commercial wireless environment. In this paper, we propose a novel technique to optimally program a reconfigurable RF system in order to achieve maximum performance and/or minimum power. Our key idea is to adopt an equation-based optimization method that relies on general-purpose, non-convex polynomial performance models to determine the optimal configurations of all tunable circuit blocks. Most importantly, our proposed approach guarantees to find the globally optimal solution of the non-convex polynomial programming problem by solving a sequence of convex semi-definite programming (SDP) problems based on convexification. A reconfigurable RF front-end example designed for WLAN 802.11g demonstrates that the proposed method successfully finds the globally optimal configuration, while other traditional techniques often converge to local optima.
Black Phosphorus Flexible Thin Film Transistors at Gighertz Frequencies.

Black phosphorus (BP) has attracted rapidly growing attention for high speed and low power nanoelectronics owing to its compelling combination of tunable bandgap (0.3 to 2 eV) and high carrier mobility (up to ∼1000 cm2/V·s) at room temperature. In this work, we report the first radio frequency (RF) flexible top-gated (TG) BP thin-film transistors on highly bendable polyimide substrate for GHz nanoelectronic applications. Enhanced p-type charge transport with low-field mobility ∼233 cm2/V·s and current density of ∼100 μA/μm at VDS = −2 V were obtained from flexible BP transistor at a channel length L = 0.5 μm. Importantly, with optimized dielectric coating for air-stability during microfabrication, flexible BP RF transistors afforded intrinsic maximum oscillation frequency fMAX ∼ 14.5 GHz and unity current gain cutoff frequency fT ∼ 17.5 GHz at a channel length of 0.5 μm. Notably, the experimental fT achieved here is at least 45% higher than prior results on rigid substrate, which is attributed to the impr...
High Frequency and Solid State NMR Techniques for the Study of Ionically Conductive Glasses

The synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of sulfide-based lithiumglasses are briefly reviewed. Of the many probes that have been used to study these materials two will be discussed in more detail, namely solid state NMR and conductivity measurements at high frequency (106-109 Hz). Solid state NMR is particularly useful in understanding the network structure of these glasses and the role coformers play in modifying the glass network. Electrochemical measurements, including impedance at high frequency, give information concerning dynamic processes, and show that someof these glasses are potentially useful in miniature and thin-film solid state batteries.
Abstract 5531: Preparation and cellular delivery of doxorubicin nanoemulsion for cancer therapy

Purpose: The aim of this study is to formulate a novel nanoemulsion of doxorubicin to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the drug. Method: Four different multiple emulsions (W 1 /O/W 2 ) were prepared (A, B, C, and D) by homogenization of a mixture of aqueous and oil phases. The resultant primary emulsions were later pass through a high pressure homogenization to further reduce the globules size to nanometer range. The formulation A is a control nanoemulsion, consisted of only deionized water as W 1 phase. The W 1 phase of the other three formulations (B, C, and D) consisted of aqueous solution of BSA (as an emulsion stabilizer), doxorubicin, and a mixture of BSA and doxorubicin, respectively. For all four formulations, the oil phase (O) consisted of a 2:1 mixture of soyabean oil and Span 80, and the outer aqueous phase (W 2 ) consisted of prolaxamer P-85 and Vitamin E TPGS. The nanoemulsions were evaluated for stability, polydispersity index, size, and viscosity. Anticancer efficacy of these formulations was evaluated by Alamar Blue Assay and Colony Forming Assay using MCF-7 cells as a model malignant breast cancer cell line. Results: The stability of nanoemulsions was found to be significantly better for the formulations containing BSA. Presence of BSA or doxorubicin resulted in a significant increase in viscosity from 2.09 to 10.6 cP. Cell culture studies showed that doxorubicin nanoemulsions had higher localization in cytoplasm as compared to the nucleus. In regard to cellular uptake (intracellular quantification of doxorubicin), the following results were obtained at 2h, 24h, 48h, and 120h post-incubation, respectively: 42%, 30%, 37%, and 22% with doxorubicin solution; 12%, 19%, 21%, 33% with formulation C; and 0.25%, 6%, 10%, 19% with formulation D. The results of Alamar Blue Assay showed IC 50 values of 0.97μM (solution), 1.62μM (formulation C) and 1.91μM (formulation D). The results of Colony Forming Assay (12days-post-treatment with equivalent to 0.86 μM doxorubicin) showed 74% (solution), 86% (formulation C) and 92.6% (formulation D) growth inhibitions. Conclusions: The presence of BSA within the aqueous phase enhances the stability of nanoemulsions. In comparison to doxorubicin solution, the nanoemulsions produce higher anticancer efficacy. This exploratory study will be followed by more detailed studies to confirm this preliminary finding. Acknowledgements: This work was funded in part by the NASA grant # NCC3-946-S4, Louisiana Board of Regents RC/EEP (2007-10), NIH grant# 5P20CA118768-02, and Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium. We are thankful to Dr. Thomas Wiese of the College of Pharmacy, XULA, for providing the Cell culture lab facilities. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5531.
Two Decades of Near‐Surface Seismology Progress

Shallow seismic methods have matured noticeably over the two decades since the first SAGEEP was held in 1988. At that time, the world’s scientific literature contained no more than a dozen refereed papers on shallow (less then 30 meters deep) reflection, but now there are hundreds of such examples. Analysis of surface waves was done with two-channel seismic systems in the 1980’s, whereas seismographs with dozens of recording channels are used today. Even refraction, the shallow-seismic method in use for nearly three quarters of a century, has undergone evolutionary change over the past two decades as tomographic methods have become available for near-surface geophysical applications. Much of the improvement in shallow seismic methods is related to the revolution in microelectronics and the associated several orders of magnitude decrease in computational costs, while developments in sources, seismographs, computers, and methods have all played a role to differing degrees. In many cases, the concepts and methods have been around for decades, but only recently has the computing power been available to put these into play in a cost-effective way. Clearly, advances in microprocessorbased technology have been the primary catalyst for growth in number and diversity of shallow seismic applications as well as the significant improvements in overall data quality.
X-Ray Study of Strained and Strain Balanced Superlattice Materials

Nano-scale superlattice (SL) based devices, such as quantum cascade lasers QCLs, have recently become very important due to their capability to identify toxic and explosive chemicals. In manufacturing these Mid-IR photonic devices, atomic-level scanning tunneling microscopes (STM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM) have been used to characterize the growth quality of superlattice wafers. However, these methods yield observations that are localized and cannot view the entire structure and even now we have not been able to correlate these measured crystal lattice images with device performance. The x-ray scanning technique has greater likelihood of success given that it can observe not only the localized, but also the entire superlattice structure. By extracting special features and key parameters in x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, the epitaxial quality of QCL superlattices can be evaluated and correlated to the performance of fabricated QCL devices. We can then differentiate and classify different grades of wafers before starting device fabrication and testing. Such an example of the usefulness of XRD can be found with strain-balanced superlattices, such as InGaAs/InAlAs, where there is notable decrease in laser performance after relaxation. It can also be found with type-II InAs/GaSb strained layer superlattice, which is currently the best candidate for room temperature mid-IR detectors and focal plane arrays. Experimentally measured x-ray patterns are compared to simulation results and problem sources are identified.
Fitting the Community Development Block Grant Program to Local Politics: Who is the Tailor?

This article examines the CDBG decentralization experiment in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Casa Grande, Arizona through the first eight years of the Community Development Block Grant (FY 1976-FY 1983). These settings shared certain general political/legal characteristics, but difered greatly along important dimensions, including jurisdiction size, economic conditions, experience in HUD programs, staff interest and experience, and form of interaction between HUD and local officials. CDBG resulted in a distinctive set of local community development activities in these three jurisdictions. Yet despite HCDA's billing as an act of decentralization, these specific local activities were not the result of pure local determination. Rather, CDBG outcomes in the three communities were found to be the end product of a series of choices and responses made following substantial interaction among federal and local staffs and local elected officials.
Deterioration of Three-Way Catalysts

The deterioration of the activity of three-way catalysts during use is an important characteristic because the Federal emission standards require that performance be maintained for 80,000 km, as described earlier. Three-way catalysts lose activity both due to thermal effects and due to poisoning by contaminants in exhaust, namely phosphorus, lead, and sulfur. Combined poisoning and thermal effects and interaction among poison species complicate deterioration studies. A considerable incentive exists to minimize catalyst deterioration. If deterioration were eliminated, catalysts could have lower noble metal loadings and vehicles might be calibrated for greater fuel economy.
Integrating Process Scouting Devices (PSDs) With Bench-Scale Devices: Challenges and Opportunities for Mammalian Cell Culture

Bioprocess information generated at the process scouting devices (PSDs) scale constitutes the initial building blocks upon which a bioprocess is developed. Despite the key role they play in bioprocess development (e.g., scale-up and scale-down), PSDs often lack monitoring of both critical cell culture process parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, substrate consumption, product formation) and engineering physical characteristics (e.g., k L a, P/V , mixing time). In the integration of PSDs with bench-scale devices within the perspective of bioprocess development, three major challenges have been identified: (1) mimicking large-scale process conditions, (2) monitoring critical cell culture process parameters, and (3) understanding how process operational parameters correlate between PSDs and lab-scale devices. In this review article, the latest developments (i.e., PSDs design, bioprocess monitoring, and scale-up strategy) to meet the above challenges are presented, and in addition, the challenges and opportunities to meet those challenges in the context of bioprocess development are also presented.
An experimental analysis of the affect regulation model of binge eating

Abstract There is research suggesting that binge eating may serve an affect regulation function. However, experimental evidence supporting this model in adults is sparse and studies have been mixed regarding whether negative affect impacts objective energy intake. This study examined the impact of a real-time interpersonal stressor on laboratory test meal intake between individuals endorsing recent objective binge eating (≥1×/week) and those denying disordered eating. Generalized linear modeling was used to compare individuals with recent binge eating (BE group; n = 52) to those denying recent eating pathology (HC group; n = 51) on test meal intake following a stressor (stressful condition) or neutral stimulus (non-stressful condition). Moderated mediation analyses were used to examine whether negative affect mediated the impact of condition on intake differently between BE and HC groups. The BE group did not have significantly higher energy intake than the HC group in the stressful verses non-stressful condition. However, the BE group was more likely to engage in extreme intake (i.e., over- or under-consumption) than the HC group in the stressful versus non-stressful condition (p = 0.02). Changes in negative affect did not significantly mediate the relationship between condition and intake extremes for the BE group. The results indicate that both over- and under-consumption are triggered by stress among individuals with recent binge eating. Continued research investigating both binge eating and restriction as a means of affect regulation in binge-eating samples is encouraged.
Erratum to: Migrating from a legacy fixed-format measure to CAT administration: calibrating the PHQ-9 to the PROMIS depression measures

1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things. 2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. 3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much. 4. Feeling tired or having little energy. 5. Poor appetite or overeating. 6. Feeling bad about yourself—or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down. 7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television. 8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or the opposite—being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual. 9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way.
Expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Patients Treated With Multimodal Therapy: Results From a Retrospective Study.

Context Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is rare and a highly fatal malignancy. The role of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) as prognostic and/or predictive markers in ATC is unknown. Objective Multimodal therapy offers the best chance at tumor control. The objective of this study was to detect potential associations of PD-1/PD-L1 axis variables with outcome data in ATC. Design Retrospective study of a uniformly treated cohort. Setting Single institution retrospective cohort study. Patients or other participants Sixteen patients who received intensity-modulated radiation therapy (15 had preceding surgery) were studied. Main outcome measure Patients treated with multimodal therapy were followed and assessed for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results All samples demonstrated PD-1 expression in inflammatory cells whereas tumor cells were primarily negative. PD-L1 was expressed on ATC tumor cells in most samples and showed mainly membranous staining. High PD-1 expression (>40% staining) in inflammatory cells was associated with worse overall survival (OS; hazard ratio, 3.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 12.96; P 33% staining) trended toward worse PFS and OS. Conclusion PD-1/PD-L1 pathway proteins are highly expressed in ATC tumor samples and appear to represent predictive markers of PFS and OS in multimodality-treated ATC patients.
In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging of Nuclear Factor kappaB Activation: A Valuable Model for Studying Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress in Live Mice

The nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) is a redox-sensitive transcription factor that plays a critical role in inflammation among other biological functions. This ROS Protocol article describes an in vivo bioluminescence imaging assay for assessing NF-κB activation using the commercially available transgenic mice carrying NF-κB response element-luciferase reporter gene (NF-κB-RE-Luc). Using the highly sensitive Berthold NightOwl LB981 in vivo bioluminescence imaging system, we are able to visualize the NF-κB activation in live mice under basal conditions, suggesting constitutive activation of NF-κB as a part of its fundamental biology. Treatment of mice with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) results in a drastic increase in bioluminescence, proving the validity of the model in assessing inflammatory stress. Treatment of mice with 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T), an activator of nuclear factor E-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), led to a significant reduction in both basal and LPS-induced activation of NF-κB in the live mice, suggesting a value of this model in assessing drug efficacy in suppressing NF-κB activation and inflammatory stress. The protocols of this valuable model are detailed in this article along with a discussion of its potential use in studying disease conditions involving inflammatory and oxidative stress mechanisms and in assessing therapeutic modalities targeting the NF-κB signaling for disease intervention.
EFEITO DE INSETICIDAS SOBRE A JOANINHA CYCLONEDA SANGUINEA L. (COLEOPTERA, COCCINELLIDAE) E SOBRE O PULGÃO APHIS GOSSYPII GLOVER (HEMIPTERA, APHIDIDAE) EM ALGODOEIRO

RESUMO As joaninhas sao reconhecidas como importantes inimigos naturais de pragas, como pulgoes e cochonilhas, apresentando excelente capacidade de dispersao no campo e podem ser favorecidas com ambientes para refugio e seletividade dos defensivos agricolas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de inseticidas sobre a joaninha Cycloneda sanguinea e sobre sua presa, o pulgao Aphis gossypii, na cultura do algodao. Foram estudados os seguintes tratamentos (expressos em quantidade de produto comercial por hectare – p.c./ha): flonicamida 500 WG a 50, 80 e 150 g, thiamethoxam 250 WG a 200 g, acetamiprido 200 PS a 150 g, imidacloprido 200 SC a 250 mL e testemunha sem aplicacao. A avaliacao da seletividade fisiologica a C. sanguinea foi observada em laboratorio e campo, avaliando-se o efeito dos inseticidas aplicados diretamente e indiretamente sobre C. sanguinea. Avaliou-se o numero de joaninhas e pulgoes sobreviventes apos a aplicacao. Com base nos resultados pode-se concluir que o inseticida flonicamida apresentou maior seletividade a C. sanguinea em relacao aos demais inseticidas. Verificou-se que todos os tratamentos foram eficientes no controle do pulgao e nao diferiram estatisticamente entre si.
The Influence of Cross-Border Cooperation on Equity Market Liquidity

This paper examines how cooperation between national securities regulators affects equity market liquidity, using the International Organization of Securities Commissions’ (IOSCO’s) Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU) as a shock to cooperation. The MMoU was set up to protect investors by fostering cooperation between regulators, and fill gaps in cross-border regulatory capacities that historically exposed investors to information asymmetry, agency costs, and expropriation risks. Consistent with a deterrent effect, I find that when a regulator enters the MMoU network, the markets it supervises experience enhanced liquidity, as indicated by narrower quoted bid-ask spreads. Incremental to this effect, I find larger liquidity improvements in when linkages are formed between the precise regulators that co-supervise a firm affiliated with both markets. Cross-sectional tests show that legal, cultural, economic, and firm-level attributes condition the effect; these results shed light on how cooperation works and what makes it effective. Coordination is one way that regulators who are grappling with the interjurisdictional complexities of increasingly interconnected markets can protect investors and enhance liquidity.
Gypsum scale formation on graphene oxide modified reverse osmosis membrane

Abstract Graphene oxide (GO) coatings on membranes can improve antifouling performance against a variety of microorganisms and organics. However, the effects of GO coatings on mineral scaling were not investigated. Here gypsum scaling on bare (ESPA2) and GO-modified thin-film polyamide membranes (ESPA2-GO) followed by cleaning with deionized (DI) water were investigated with a bench-scale reverse osmosis setup. The flux decline caused by gypsum scaling on ESPA2-GO was slightly reduced than on ESPA2. This is because the ESPA2-GO membrane is more hydrophilic than ESPA2, indicating a higher energy barrier for heterogeneous nucleation and/or the deposition of gypsum on it. Moreover, the more negatively charged ESPA2-GO membrane lead to stronger electrostatic repulsive forces between the membrane and the negatively charged gypsum particles and thus further inhibiting gypsum deposition onto membranes. Interestingly, during the cleaning process, smaller flux recovery was observed for ESPA2-GO. This is because ESPA2-GO surfaces have higher densities of carboxyl (–COOH) groups, which form complexes with Ca2+, building strong bonds between GO coatings and gypsum. This study provided unique insights on the physicochemical interactions among membrane, the scaling mineral, and aqueous species, which can help the rational design of coatings for better simultaneous anti-scaling and anti-fouling performances.
Nutritional support for the patient with diabetes.

This article addresses some of the difficult problems encountered in caring for patients with diabetes mellitus who are receiving nutritional support. Risk factors related to critically ill patients with diabetes are identified. Guidelines to the management of some specific problems are suggested.
Network sensitivity to intradomain routing changes

The Internet's routing architecture was designed to have a clean separation between the intradomain and interdomain routing protocols. However, the appropriate “division of labor” between these two tiers becomes unclear when an Autonomous System (AS) has interdomain routes to a destination through multiple border routers—a situation that is extremely common today because neighboring domains often connect in several locations. Unfortunately, this evolution in Internet structure has made it increasingly susceptible to unforeseen interactions between the two routing protocols. We believe that the current mechanism of early-exit or hot potato routing—where each router in an AS directs traffic to the “closest” border router based on the intradomain distances—is convoluted, restrictive, and sometimes quite disruptive. This thesis improves the robustness of IP networks by revisiting the interaction between intradomain and interdomain routing protocols. First, it analyzes the influence of intradomain routing changes on BGP routing (the interdomain routing in the Internet today). We found that some intradomain routing changes trigger a significant number of BGP updates. In fact, these BGP routing changes are responsible for the largest traffic variations. Applications such as voice over IP, streaming, and gaming are particularly sensitive to these instabilities. As a result, the development of guidelines and tools for the design and configuration of networks that minimize the impact on BGP are important tasks for achieving network robustness. We address these challenges using an analytic model of routing interaction that incorporates metrics to evaluate network sensitivity to intradomain changes. Our model identifies vulnerabilities in the network and can be used by network administrators to engineer more robust networks. Finally, we propose a simple change to router's BGP decision logic to implement a flexible mechanism for selecting egress points for traffic. This mechanism allows network administrators to satisfy diverse goals, such as traffic engineering and robustness to equipment failures. We present two example optimization problems that use integer-programming and multicommodity-flow techniques, respectively, to tune our mechanism to satisfy network-wide objectives. Experiments with traffic, topology, and routing data from two backbone networks demonstrate that our solution is both simple (for the routers) and expressive (for the network administrators).
Strategies in Synthesizing Short-Lived Radiopharmaceuticals for Positron Emission Tomography

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is one of the most exciting medical imaging modalities and it provides quantitative three dimensional images of specific biochemical, physiological and pathophysiological processes in living organs like brain, heart, liver, pancreas etc1. PET uses radiopharmaceuticals that are labeled with short-lived isotopes. The majority of these short-lived radioisotopes are elements of the chemical compounds of biological systems (11C., 13N, 15O, etc.). 18F is used to substitute a hydrogen atom of an organic molecule of interest with the assumption that the biological activity is not significantly altered. Over the years PET has proved to be an effective diagnostic modality and the demand for clinical PET has increased considerably. Clinical utility of PET has been useful for the evaluation of myocardial viability and for the differentiation of radiation necrosis from tumor recurrence2,3,4. Evaluation of brain disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Stroke etc. can be achieved by measuring the regional brain function5,6,7. Therefore, synthesis of the radiopharmaceuticals labeled with positron emitting radioisotopes is the key to the success of this state of the art diagnostic modality.
Examining the impact of emergency care settings on suicidal patients: A call to action.

Abstract Objective The emergency department (ED) offers a critical and unique opportunity to assess and intervene on suicide risk. Despite its potential benefits, the ED setting presents several potential sources of stress. The present paper calls attention to how suicidal patients may be especially vulnerable to stressful ED experiences. Method This research synthesis cites the growing literature on ED-related stressors, as they have been shown to affect both psychiatric and nonpsychiatric patient populations. Results We identified specific interpersonal, physical, and temporal features of the ED that have been shown to affect multiple patient populations, including suicidal individuals. Beyond this, there appears to be broad underutilization of therapeutic care in ED settings. Conclusions It is important to consider how the ED setting may be both helpful and harmful toward suicidal patients. We conclude with recommended domains of study and methodological considerations when pursuing these future directions. The proposed research agenda would help address this known high risk period around hospitalization and discharge, and ultimately optimize suicide prevention efforts.
Translanguaging as pedagogy: developing learner scientific discursive practices in a bilingual middle school science classroom

This article investigates translanguaging as pedagogy in an English/Spanish dual language middle school science classroom as teacher and students engage in scientific argumentation about issues of ...
An investigation of Fe incorporation on the activity and stability of homogeneous (FexNi1-x)2P solid solutions as electrocatalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution

Abstract Ni2P has been intensively investigated for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in recent years since the HER activity of Ni2P (001) is theoretically superior to Pt. Most of these works have focused on acid system as Ni2P is unstable in alkaline media. However, alkaline water splitting is more practical for industry due to the lack of suitable acidic oxygen evolution catalyst. Thus, providing an efficient alkaline HER catalyst by enhancing the stability and activity of Ni2P is needed. Herein, we have grown mesoporous (FexNi1-x)2P nanosheets on Ni foam (NF) as HER catalyst with activities being related to Fe/Ni ratio. FeNiP/NF with Fe/Ni ratio of 5/5 and high-density exposure of (001) surface shows much better stability and HER activity in alkaline than Ni2P. Our experimental results reveal that the homogeneous lattice substitution of Fe modified the electronic structure of Ni2P, enhanced the intrinsic activity and the number of active sites. Density functional theory calculation reveals that the Fe incorporation improves the HER activity of the highly exposed FeNiP (001) surface by reducing the energy barriers of HER reactants (H and H2O) adsorption compared with Ni2P. This work provides an effective pathway for the future development of HER catalyst in alkaline conditions by introducing hetero-atom into the host lattice.
Pathway Association Studies Tool

Abstract Background In recent years, a bioinformatics method for interpreting GWAS data using metabolic pathway analysis has been developed and successfully used to find significant pathways and mechanisms explaining phenotypic traits of interest in plants. However, the many scripts implementing this method were not straightforward to use, had to be customized for each project, required user supervision, and took more than 24 hours to process data. PAST (Pathway Association Study Tool), a new implementation of this method, has been developed to address these concerns. Results PAST is implemented as a package for the R language. Two user-interfaces are provided; PAST can be run by loading the package in R and calling its methods, or by using an R Shiny guided user interface. In testing, PAST completed analyses in approximately one hour by processing data in parallel. PAST has many user-specified options for maximum customization. PAST produces the same results as the previously developed method. Conclusions In order to promote a powerful new method of pathway analysis that interprets GWAS data to find biological mechanisms associated with traits of interest, we developed a more accessible and user friendly tool. This tool is more efficient and requires less knowledge of programming languages to use than previous methods. Moreover, it produces similar results in significantly less time. These attributes make PAST accessible to researchers interested in associating metabolic pathways with GWAS datasets to better understand the genetic architecture and mechanisms affecting phenotype.
Alignment of surface water ontologies: a comparison of manual and automated approaches

Studying the surface water systems of the earth is important for many fields, from biology to agriculture to tourism. Much of the data relevant to surface water systems are stored in isolated repositories that interface with different ontologies, such as the US Geological Survey’s Surface Water Ontology or the Environment Ontology (ENVO). Effectively using these data requires integrating the ontologies so that the data can be seamlessly queried and analyzed. Automated alignment algorithms exist to facilitate this data integration challenge. In this paper we examine the utility of two leading automated alignment systems to integrate four pairs of ontologies from the surface water domain. We show that the performance of such systems in this domain lags behind their results on popular benchmarks, and therefore incorporate the alignment task described here into the set of benchmarks used by the alignment community. We also show that with minor modifications, existing alignment algorithms can be used effectively within a semi-automated system for the surface water domain. In addition, we analyze the unique challenges of this domain with respect to data integration and discuss possible solutions to pursue in order to address these challenges.
Regulation of epithelial cell surface polarity reversal by beta 1 integrins

The role of extracellular matrix in the regulation of epithelial cell surface polarity development was studied using MDCK cells. Previous work has demonstrated that MDCK cells cultured in suspension form epithelial cysts having polarized cell surface distributions of several membrane proteins. When MDCK suspension cysts are incubated within collagen gel, a dynamic epithelial membrane remodeling occurs that is accompanied by the reversal of cell surface polarity (Wang et al., 1990b, J. Cell Sci. 95, 153-165), suggesting that extracellular matrix is important in the modulation of epithelial polarity development. To determine if members of the integrin receptor family were involved, MDCK cyst binding studies were done utilizing antifunctional monoclonal antibodies (AIIB2 and AJ2) against the beta 1 integrin subunit. These antibodies inhibited cyst binding to type I collagen, type IV collagen and laminin, providing evidence that functional beta 1 integrin heterodimers were present on the cyst outer membrane. Integrin localization on suspension cysts demonstrated that the alpha 2, alpha 3 and alpha 6 integrin subunits had a non-polarized cell surface distribution and were localized to both the apical and basolateral membranes. Interestingly, immunofluorescence microscopy determined that the beta 1 subunit had a polarized, basolateral membrane distribution although cyst binding studies using inhibitory monoclonal antibodies suggested that functional beta 1 subunits were present on the cyst outer membrane. After incubation of suspension cysts in collagen gel for 8 hours, the beta 1 integrin subunit was detected on the outer membrane, suggesting that the formation of additional integrin alpha/beta heterodimers could be involved in epithelial remodeling. To establish the role of beta 1 integrins in polarity reversal, experiments were done on cysts incubated in collagen gel. After 6 hours in collagen gel, considerable membrane remodeling had occurred as determined by a reduction in outer membrane microvilli. However, the presence of monoclonal antibody AIIB2 inhibited membrane remodeling by preventing both microvillar loss and the endocytosis of the apical membrane glycoprotein gp135. These results provide strong evidence that members of the beta 1 integrin family are involved in the regulation of epithelial polarity reversal, and demonstrate that MDCK cysts constitute an excellent model system for studying the role of cell-extracellular matrix interactions in the regulation of epithelial plasticity and cell surface polarity development.
Light-segment: Crosstalk-and Modulation-Aware Spectrum Allocation with Segmentation in SDM-EON

Due to the modern bandwidth-intensive, ever heterogeneous, and evolving network traffic, exhaustion of network resources under current technologies is foreseeable. In order to provision high quality network services for the next-generation network users, emerging network technologies must be relied on. Elastic optical networks (EON) and space division multiplexing (SDM) are the two preferred emerging optical network architectures to solve the future challenge of network demands. However, the spectrum contiguity constraint introduced by EON may lead to significant fragmentation. Slice-ability is an effective allocation framework that can mitigate spectrum fragmentation by dividing the lightpath into a set of sub-lightpaths, where each sub-lightpath consists of a fraction of the original lightpath bandwidth for the entire duration of the original request. Sliceability is conventionally used to solve routing, modulation, and spectrum assignment (RMSA) problems in EON. In this paper, we propose SDM sliceable framework that is crosstalk-and modulation-aware for solving the routing, modulation, core, and spectrum assignment (RMCSA) problems in SDM-EON. We refer each sub-lightpath as tight-segment. SDM slice-ability framework is compatible with all core and spectrum assignment (CSA) algorithms in literature. We evaluate light-segment based RMCSA algorithms using three existing CSA algorithms: First-Fit, Largest-First, and Best-Fit. Based on extensive performance evaluations, we observe significant improvement of RMCSA algorithms with SDM slice-ability compared to conventional approaches without SDM slice-ability.
Understanding Adverse Effects in Gang-Focused Interventions: A Critical Review

Programs that aim to reduce gang involvement and violence can unintentionally produce adverse outcomes. A recent systematic review identified 41 controlled evaluations of gang-focused interventions, eight of which produced statistically significant adverse effects (i.e., effects that favored control groups). Understanding what caused these effects and whether they indicate that programs actually harmed participants requires careful investigation. In this critical review, we provide an overview of how gang-focused interventions can yield adverse effects and specify when effects are more likely to indicate harmful programs. We then critically review four program evaluations with adverse effects that exemplify different implementation problems (i.e., implementation failure), faulty theories about behavior change (i.e., theory failure), and evaluation methods that did not adequately measure outcomes (i.e., measurement failure). We offer hypotheses about what may have caused these adverse effects and conclude by recommending ways to maximize confidence that measured outcomes reflect real intervention effects, rather than artifacts of research design, using both time-tested methods and new technologies.
Contemporary Research on Creativity, Collaboration, and Mindfulness in Teams and Organizations

This chapter surveys contemporary research on creativity, collaboration, and mindfulness among teams and organizations, including the factors that both support and hinder team creativity and collaboration. It also describes how mindfulness protocols and arts-based programs are currently being implemented in a number of companies and organizations to support well-being, creativity, and collaboration. The research presented here provides a theoretical and scholarly groundwork for the material and exercises discussed in the following chapters.
Repeatability of Peripapillary Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Parameters in Older Adults

Purpose:This work assesses the intrasession repeatability of capillary perfusion density (CPD) and capillary flux index (CFI) measurements on peripapillary optical coherence tomography angiography ...
Paul Brokaw: IEEE Donald O. Peterson Award Winner

Recounts the life and professional achievements of Paul Brokaw. The IEEE Donald O. Peterson Award recognizes "outstanding contributions in the field of solid-state circuits." Paul Brokaw's award citation is "For Leadership in design of voltage references, amplifiers, and power management, and contributions to the principles of analog circuit design." The citation is appropriate for Paul, because it humbly understates his tremendous impact on our field.
A Brand Triangle Model to Avoid Branding Myopia

This paper takes the metaphor of myopia to explain the most limited vision of brand, understood as the identifying sign of a product. As brand is a sign, we turn to semiotics, the science of signs, in order to apply a model which broadens the concept of brand to three dimensions: that of the identity sign itself, the object the sign refers to and the response of the market to the sign.
Analytic Maneuver Sequence for Safety Ellipse Reconfigurations Using Relative Orbital Elements

This paper presents an analytic solution for a three-impulse maneuver sequence that reconfigures safety ellipses. Safety ellipses are relative motion trajectories that do not require thrusting to e...
Discovery of Research Trends in Computer Science Education on Ethics Using Topic Modeling

To evaluate how ethics is addressed in computer science education, unsupervised text mining was performed to identify six salient topics and their trends in educational research publications. The majority of articles focused on the integration of ethics into introductory computer science courses, in particular those targeting non-majors. Models derived from a larger data set of research abstracts on ethics in computing, revealed additional topics in human-computer interaction and artificial intelligence, currently underrepresented in computer science education research. The agreement between automatic and manual topic assignments was 89%. Therefore, our approach provides a time-efficient and reproducible evaluation system to support curricular decision-making.
63 – Animal Models of Sepsis and the Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome

Hundreds of different models of sepsis are there, and new ones are still being developed. Indeed, the sheer number of models is prima facie evidence that no single model is perfect or appropriate for all applications—if a perfect sepsis model existed, all investigators would use it, and other models would be unnecessary. Preclinical studies of new therapeutic agents using an “ideal” animal model of sepsis should accurately predict the results of subsequent clinical trials in patients. However, as yet, no new agent for the adjuvant treatment of sepsis has been shown to be effective in a large-scale clinical trial. Administration of lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) is one of the most commonly employed means for inducing a sepsis like state in experimental animals. The use of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) offers the investigator some important advantages, including convenience, precision in dosing, and reproducibility. For best results, a known quantity of LPS sufficient for all the animals in a given experiment is obtained from a single lot, accurately weighed, and suspended in saline or other physiologic salt solution. Small aliquots are prepared and frozen. The aliquots are thawed for use as needed.
Prolonged Tumor Necrosis Factor α Primes Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes in a Gene-Specific Manner by Altering Chromatin

Objective During the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are chronically exposed to an inflammatory milieu. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that prolonged exposure of FLS to tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) augments inflammatory responses to secondary stimuli (priming effect). Methods FLS obtained from RA patients were exposed to TNFα for 3 days and were then stimulated with interferons (IFNs). Expression of IFN target genes was measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total STAT-1 protein and IFN-mediated STAT-1 activation were evaluated by Western blotting. Total histone levels, histone acetylation, and NF-κB p65 and RNA polymerase II (Pol II) recruitment were measured at the CXCL10 promoter (encodes IFNγ-inducible 10-kd protein [IP-10]) by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Results Prolonged pre-exposure of FLS to TNFα enhanced the magnitude and extended the kinetics of CXCL10/IP-10, CXCL9, and CXCL11 production upon subsequent IFN stimulation. This phenotype was retained over a period of days, even after the removal of TNFα. Prolonged TNFα exposure decreased histone levels, increased acetylation of the remaining histones, and heightened recruitment of NF-κB p65 and Pol II to the CXCL10 promoter. In parallel, an increase in intracellular STAT-1 led to amplification of IFN-induced STAT-1 activation. Conclusion Our study reveals a novel pathogenic function of TNFα, namely, prolonged and gene-specific priming of FLS for enhanced transcription of inflammatory chemokine genes due to the priming of chromatin, the sustained activation of NF-κB, and the amplification of STAT-1 activation downstream of IFNs. These data also suggest that FLS gain an “inflammatory memory” upon prolonged exposure to TNFα.
The Poverty of Sociological Studies of Hong Kong Cinema, on Lisa Odham Stokes and Michael Hoover City on Fire: Hong Kong Cinema

Lisa Odham Stokes and Michael Hoover _City On Fire: Hong Kong Cinema_ London: Verso, 1999 ISBN 1-85984-203-8 372 pp.
Maltreatment, Academic Difficulty, and Systems-Involved Youth: Current Evidence and Opportunities.

Youth involved in child-serving systems of care (e.g., child welfare and juvenile justice) often exhibit specific academic performance problems. The magnitude of academic risk among these students is a serious concern given that school attachment, performance, and attainment closely relate to indicators of well-being across the lifespan. It is also important to consider that the experience of maltreatment is linked to both academic difficulty and formal system involvement. This paper highlights recent research focused on the academic performance of children and adolescents involved with child welfare and juvenile justice systems, with specific emphasis on highlighting prevention and intervention strategies that cut across systems. To meet the complex needs of these populations, school psychologists and other support staff should be cognizant of students’ academic needs and take a leadership role in collaborating within and across systems to meet them.
Choline deficiency decreases proliferation of embryonic neural progenitor cells through inhibiting epidermal growth factor pathway (827.2)

Choline deficiency can alter the development of fetal hippocampus. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is pivotal for neural progenitor cell (NPC) proliferation in the embryonic ventricular and subventricular zones. To address the possibility that EGF signaling pathway plays a functional role in the effect of choline deficiency, we cultured NPCs derived from E14 mouse hippocampus and treated them with low choline (5 µM) or medium choline (70 µM). Low choline significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of EGF receptor (EGFR) and activation of downstream effectors ERK1/2 and Akt after stimulation of NPCs with EGF. Moreover, low choline decreased the EGFR protein expression and half-life in NPCs. There were no changes observed on the EGFR mRNA expression and degradation of EGFR protein. However, low choline remarkably inhibited the EGFR nascent protein synthesis. Our findings reveal that choline deficiency influences NPC proliferation by suppressing EGFR signaling pathway, which might have long-term effects in th...