cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoactivated antimicrobial activity of carbon nanotube-porphyrin conjugates.

We report the design of antimicrobial nanocomposite films based on conjugates of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) that are highly effective against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) upon irradiation with visible light. S. aureus infections can lead to life-threatening situations, especially when caused by antibiotic-resistant strains. While the light-activated antimicrobial activity of porphyrins against such pathogens is well-known, a facile way to incorporate porphyrins into coatings may lead to their more effective use. To that end, we decided to synthesize and characterize MWNT−PPIX conjugates which combine the biocidal capacity of porphyrins with the mechanical strength of MWNTs. The conjugates could effectively deactivate S. aureus cells in solution upon irradiation with visible light. We also designed large area nanocomposite films comprised of the MWNT−PPIX conjugates that showed potent antimicrobial activity. These MWNT−PPIX conjugates represent a facile strategy f...
Disorders of Aldosterone Biosynthesis and Action

Patients with Addison's disease excrete excessive amounts of sodium in the urine but retain potassium, thus becoming hyponatremic and hyperkalemic. Early studies demonstrated that the problems could be ameliorated in humans and animals by administering extracts from adrenal glands1,2. These extracts were presumed to contain hormones with sodium-retaining, or mineralocorticoid, properties. The existence of distinct mineralocorticoids was, however, not proved until a novel steroid with potent mineralocorticoid activity was isolated3. This hormone was named aldosterone to acknowledge its unique structural feature, an aldehyde group at C18. This article reviews conditions of mineralocorticoid deficiency or excess, concentrating on . . .
Same-Sex Marriage Revisited – Taking a Critical Look at Baehr v. Lewin

On May 5, 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court took an unprecedented step when it held in Baehr v. Lewin that, absent a compelling state interest, the State of Hawaii could not constitutionally prohibit people of the same sex from entering into a civil marriage as that institution has been constructed by the State. At first glance, the Baehr decision seems to be a landmark victory for the gay rights movement because it specifically held that Hawaii’s ban on same-sex marriage constituted impermissible sex discrimination. Upon closer inspection, however, Baehr is much less a gay rights case than is widely perceived given that the Court’s decision in favor of the plaintiffs was made in spite of, rather than because of, their homosexuality. In other words, adopting a very literal sex discrimination analysis enabled the Hawaii Supreme Court to render the fact that plaintiffs were lesbians and gay men invisible; their sexuality ostensibly made no difference whatsoever in the court's decision. By rendering plaintiffs’ homosexuality invisible, the Baehr case ends up re-instantiating what Francisco Valdes calls hetero-patriarchy, the prevailing ideology in Euro-American society that privileges male/masculinity over female/femininity and which adversely affects all of us, but is particularly detrimental to women and sexual minorities. Using Valdes’ conflationary account of sex, gender and sexual orientation, this Article therefore attempts to refocus the same-sex marriage debate on sexual orientation discrimination as a form of sex discrimination. The goal is to provide legislatures, courts and advocates of same-sex marriage with a workable framework to talk about and address the same-sex marriage issue in favor of lesbians and gay men and in a way in that makes clear that homosexuals qua homosexuals and their relationships are entitled in and of themselves to legal recognition and protection.
Introduction to Special Issue of Survey Practice on Interviewer-Respondent Interaction

Although survey research has witnessed a surge in the use of self-administered web and mail surveys over the past decades, interviewer-administered surveys continue to be an important part of the data collection landscape, particularly when high response rates are critical, samples are complex, and measurement is demanding. Thus, there is continued need for research concerning the interviewer’s role in both measurement and recruitment. This special issue of Survey Practice features several articles that highlight some current issues and recent findings about interviewer-respondent interaction coding (often referred to as “behavior coding”) that have immediate and practical recommendations for writing and evaluating survey questions, training interviewers, and recruiting sample members.
Key Technologies in LTE MBMS

Multicast technology can be used to simultaneously transfer data from one source to many targets.This enables network resource sharing and improves efficiency in the air interface.In this paper,enhanced multicast technology is proposed as the key component of IMT-Advanced.The ITU-R has confirmed that,as a 4G technology,LTE-A can meet the requirements of IMT-Advanced.Key technologies and progress of LTE/LTE-A MBMS in 3GPP are also discussed and some corresponding solutions are proposed.
Effects of High-Pressure Treatment on Spores of Clostridium Species

ABSTRACT This work analyzes the high-pressure (HP) germination of spores of the food-borne pathogen Clostridium perfringens (with inner membrane [IM] germinant receptors [GRs]) and the opportunistic pathogen Clostridium difficile (with no IM GRs), which has growing implications as an emerging food safety threat. In contrast to those of spores of Bacillus species, mechanisms of HP germination of clostridial spores have not been well studied. HP treatments trigger Bacillus spore germination through spores9 IM GRs at ∼150 MPa or through SpoVA channels for release of spores9 dipicolinic acid (DPA) at ≥400 MPa, and DPA-less spores have lower wet heat resistance than dormant spores. We found that C. difficile spores exhibited no germination events upon 150-MPa treatment and were not heat sensitized. In contrast, 150-MPa-treated unactivated C. perfringens spores released DPA and became heat sensitive, although most spores did not complete germination by fully rehydrating the spore core, but this treatment of heat-activated spores led to almost complete germination and greater heat sensitization. Spores of both clostridial organisms released DPA during 550-MPa treatment, but C. difficile spores did not complete germination and remained heat resistant. Heat-activated 550-MPa-HP-treated C. perfringens spores germinated almost completely and became heat sensitive. However, unactivated 550-MPa-treated C. perfringens spores did not germinate completely and were less heat sensitive than spores that completed germination. Since C. difficile and C. perfringens spores use different mechanisms for sensing germinants, our results may allow refinement of HP methods for their inactivation in foods and other applications and may guide the development of commercially sterile low-acid foods. IMPORTANCE Spores of various clostridial organisms cause human disease, sometimes due to food contamination by spores. Because of these spores9 resistance to normal decontamination regimens, there is continued interest in ways to kill spores without compromising food quality. High hydrostatic pressure (HP) under appropriate conditions can inactivate bacterial spores. With growing use of HP for food pasteurization, advancement of HP for commercial production of sterile low-acid foods requires understanding of mechanisms of spores9 interactions with HP. While much is known about HP germination and inactivation of spores of Bacillus species, how HP germinates and inactivates clostridial spores is less well understood. In this work we have tried to remedy this information deficit by examining germination of spores of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens by several HP and temperature levels. The results may give insight that could facilitate more efficient methods for spore eradication in food sterilization or pasteurization, biodecontamination, and health care.
Modulating transcallosal and intra-hemispheric brain connectivity with tDCS: Implications for interventions in Aphasia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance or diminish cortical excitability levels depending on the polarity of the stimulation. One application of non-invasive brain-stimulation has been to modulate a possible inter-hemispheric disinhibition after a stroke. This disinhibition model has been developed mainly for the upper extremity motor system, but it is not known whether the language/speech-motor system shows a similar inter-hemispheric interaction. We aimed to examine physiological evidence of inter- and intra-hemispheric connectivity changes induced by tDCS of the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) using arterial-spin labeling (ASL) MRI. METHODS Using an MR-compatible DC-Stimulator, we applied anodal stimulation to the right IFG region of nine healthy adults while undergoing non-invasive cerebral blood flow imaging with arterial-spin labeling (ASL) before, during, and after the stimulation. All ASL images were then normalized and timecourses were extracted in regions of interest (ROIs), which were the left and right IFG regions, and the right supramarginal gyrus (SMG) in the inferior parietal lobule. Two additional ROIs (the right occipital lobe and the left fronto-orbital region) were taken as control regions. RESULTS Using regional correlation coefficients as a surrogate marker of connectivity, we could show that inter-hemispheric connectivity (right IFG with left IFG) decreased significantly (p < 0.05; r-scores from 0.67 to 0.53) between baseline and post-stimulation, while the intra-hemispheric connectivity (right IFG with right SMG) increased significantly (p < 0.05;r-scores from 0.74 to 0.81). A 2 × 2 ANOVA found a significant main effect of HEMISPHERE (F(8) = 6.83, p < 0.01) and a significant HEMISPHERE-by-TIME interaction (F(8) = 4.24, p < 0.05) in connectivity changes. The correlation scores did not change significantly in the control region pairs (right IFG with right occipital and right IFG with left fronto-orbital) over time. CONCLUSION Using an MR-compatible DC stimulator we showed that ASL-MRI can detect tDCS-induced modulation of brain connectivity within and between hemispheres. These findings might affect trial designs focusing on modulating the non-dominant hemisphere to enhance language/speech-motor functions.
Linear Algebra Review

The preceding three Chapters complete our discussion of elementary network theory. At this point the reader might legitimately expect to begin the electric circuit theory as advertised in the title of this book. However, in our formal presentation, electric circuit theory will be offered as a combination of the preceding network theory with linear algebra. Thus, before starting the electric circuit theory we must establish some preliminary material dealing with linear algebra. This Chapter is devoted to an exposition of the linear algebra needed in the remainder of the book.
Comparison of Outcomes of Resident-performed Ahmed Valve Implantation vs Trabeculectomy.

Aims To compare outcomes of resident-performed Ahmed valve surgery vs trabeculectomy in a Veteran Affairs medical facility. Materials and methods A retrospective cohort of 103 eyes in 91 patients receiving Ahmed valve (valve) or trabeculectomy (trab) performed at a Veterans Administration Medical Center by residents in their third year of training. The primary outcomes included intraocular pressure (IOP), treatment failure, and complications over 1 year. Results Of 103 eyes, 44 received valve and 59 received trab. Primary open-angle glaucoma was primary diagnosis more often in trab, while neovascular glaucoma predominated in the valve group (p 21 mm Hg vs only 4.3% of trab (p = 0.02). Complications were infrequent. There were no intraoperative complications for valve, whereas five for trab. Most common immediate complication for valve was hyphema. Both groups had low rates of choroidal effusions and reoperation. Conclusion Ahmed valve implantation and trabeculectomy produce significant reductions in IOP when performed by residents-in-training. Valves tend to be used more frequently in patients with secondary glaucoma. Although complication profiles differ between procedures, both are safe and well tolerated when performed by resident physicians. Clinical significance This study provides support for evidence-based patient counseling that supervised, resident-performed Ahmed valve implantation and trabeculectomy are indeed safe and effective. How to cite this article: Sharpe RA, Kammerdiener LL, Wannamaker KW, Fan J, Sharpe ED. Comparison of Outcomes of Resident-performed Ahmed Valve Implantation vs Trabeculectomy. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2016;10(2):60-67.
M-CSF Drives Human Cord Blood Monocyte Differentiation along an Alternative Pathway into Suppressive CXCR4 high IL-10 high IL-12 absent TNF-a defective Dendritic Cells.

M-CSF Drives Human Cord Blood Monocyte Differentiation along an Alternative Pathway into Suppressive CXCR4 high IL-10 high IL-12 absent TNF-α defective Dendritic cells Geling Li and Hal E. Broxmeyer. Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Walther Oncology Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Walther Cancer Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in cooperation with TGF-β1 induces CD34 + hematopoietic progenitor cells to differentiate into Langerhans cells, a subset of immature dendritic cells (DCs) specifically localized in the epidermis. M-CSF levels are dramatically elevated in immunosuppressive conditions and M-CSF deficient mice are osteopetrotic. Therefore, we hypothesized that M-CSF might be involved in the generation of a novel subtype of suppressive DCs which may be located primary in bone marrow where large amounts of SDF-1 are constitutively produced. We also speculated that M-CSF-induced DCs might express the only known ligand of SDF-1, CXCR4 and migrate towards SDF-1. Highly purified umbilical cord blood monocytes (> 98% purity) cultured in the presence of M-CSF, IL-4 and TGF-β1 differentiated into a highly homologous population of cells with typical dendrites and acquired a langerhan cell (LC) phenotype by up-regulated expression of CD1a and E-cadherin. We termed these cells M-LC to distinguish them from regular LCs cultured in the presence of GM-CSF, IL-4 and TGF-β1. In comparison with LC, M-LCs produced a much higher level of IL-10, no IL-12 (detection limit, 4 pg/ml) and a minimal level of TNF-α (21.6 ± 37.5 pg/ml) upon LPS stimulation. LPS-activated M-LCs induced lower allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) than LPS-activated LCs. Furthermore, exposure to LPS-activated M-LCs rendered a state of low-responsiveness in cord blood naive CD4 + T cells to further re-stimulation with alloantigens in secondary MLR. M-LCs expressed much higher surface levels of CXCR4 than LCs regardless of their maturation status. M-LCs started to migrate towards SDF-1 at a lower concentration (≥10 fold lower than that required for LCs) and displayed enhanced responsiveness to SDF-1-induced chemotaxis. Our results demonstrate that M-CSF drives monocyte differentiation along an alternative pathway into suppressive CXCR4 high IL-10 high IL-12 absent TNF-α defective DCs. These novel DCs may be of use to suppress unwanted immune responses in vivo.
SUBCELLULAR DISTRIBUTION OF SV40 T ANTIGEN SPECIES IN VARIOUS CELL LINES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the subcellular distribution of SV40 T antigen species in various cell lines. It describes the presence of various SV40 virus transformed cell lines of the SV40 T antigen (TA) on the plasma membrane and the subcellular size distribution of TA species. The cells were labeled with 35 S methionine, suspended in hypotonic solution, dounced, and the nuclei, membranes, and cytoplasm fractionated in a two-phase system. TA was immunoprecipitated with anti TA serum in the presence of Sepharose linked to protein A of Staph, aureus, and analyzed by electrophoresis on SDS-polyacrylamide gels and fluorography. SV40 transformed cells were examined from normal rat kidney, Balb/c and AL/N mice, cloned and mass cultures. Both 94 K and 56 K molecular weight (MW) species were found in the nuclei of the four cell lines examined, while the membrane fractions contained the 94 K dalton species and only low levels of the 56 K species. The cytoplasm fractions contained little radioactive label specifically immunoprecipitated by the anti TA serum. Detection of the small TA species was variable,and rendered more difficult by generally containing least label. The chapter also describes control mixing experiments carried out to clarify the nature and purity of the cell fractions.
Zika virus from a neonatologist’s perspective

Zika virus has been known for more than half a century. Its clinical significance was just recently discovered, after the epidemic of Zika virus emerged in South and Central America. A task force established in 2015 by the Brazil Ministry of Health investigated the possible association between congenital Zika infection and microcephaly in fetuses and newborns. Since then more and more evidence emerged, supporting this hypothesis. The objective of this article is to review and summarize the currently available literature regarding Zika virus from a neonatologist’s standpoint and provide some guidance to medical providers who may have to care for potentially exposed pregnant patients and their newborns.
Evaluating the Microsoft HoloLens through an augmented reality assembly application

Industry and academia have repeatedly demonstrated the transformative potential of Augmented Reality (AR) guided assembly instructions. In the past, however, computational and hardware limitations often dictated that these systems were deployed on tablets or other cumbersome devices. Often, tablets impede worker progress by diverting a user's hands and attention, forcing them to alternate between the instructions and the assembly process. Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) overcome those diversions by allowing users to view the instructions in a hands-free manner while simultaneously performing an assembly operation. Thanks to rapid technological advances, wireless commodity AR HMDs are becoming commercially available. Specifically, the pioneering Microsoft HoloLens, provides an opportunity to explore a hands-free HMD’s ability to deliver AR assembly instructions and what a user interface looks like for such an application. Such an exploration is necessary because it is not certain how previous research on user interfaces will transfer to the HoloLens or other new commodity HMDs. In addition, while new HMD technology is promising, its ability to deliver a robust AR assembly experience is still unknown. To assess the HoloLens’ potential for delivering AR assembly instructions, the cross-platform Unity 3D game engine was used to build a proof of concept application. Features focused upon when building the prototype were: user interfaces, dynamic 3D assembly instructions, and spatially registered content placement. The research showed that while the HoloLens is a promising system, there are still areas that require improvement, such as tracking accuracy, before the device is ready for deployment in a factory assembly setting.
Classification for esophagogastric junction (EGJ) complex based on physiology.

We propose a new classification for esophagogastric junction (EGJ) incorporating both physiologic and morphologic characteristics. Additionally, we contrast it with the Chicago v 3.0 EGJ classification. With Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, prospectively maintained database was queried to identify patients who underwent high-resolution manometry (HRM) and pH-study between October 2011 and October 2015. Patients with prior foregut intervention, pH study on acid suppression, esophageal dysmotility, or lower esophageal sphincter-crural diaphragm separation of >5 cm were excluded. We classified patients into three groups-Type-A: Complete overlap of lower esophageal sphincter-crural diaphragm (single high-pressure zone); Type-B: Double high-pressure zone with pressure inversion point (PIP) at or above lower esophageal sphincter; Type-C: Double high-pressure zone with PIP below lower esophageal sphincter. A total of 214 included patients were divided into Type-A (n = 101), Type-B (n = 32), and Type-C (n = 81). Abdominal lower esophageal sphincter length (AL), lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), and lower esophageal sphincter pressure integral (LESPI) were significantly lower in Type-C than both Type-A and Type-B [AL(cm): 0.2 vs. 2(P 14.7) than Type-A and Type-B [72% vs. 47% (P < 0.05) vs. 41% (P < 0.001)]. In Type-C morphology, there is both anatomical and physiological deterioration, weakest lower esophageal sphincter function (abdominal length, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and lower esophageal sphincter pressure integral) and is most likely to be associated with pathological reflux. This proposed classification incorporates both physiological and morphological derangements in a graded fashion.
Thomas Jefferson Had Girls (a)

The A and B cases are intended for undergraduate, MBA, executive education, and MBAExec audiences. They were used as an exam case for “Data Analysis and Optimization,” which is both a first- and second-year MBA elective. They were also used as the first class of an undergraduate business statistics class. The A case begins by explaining that Thomas Jefferson fathered five girls (and one stillborn son) and Randolph Jefferson (Thomas's brother) fathered six boys (and no girls). An author of a 2009 book used these facts to argue that Randolph is more likely the father of Eston Hemings (a boy born to Sally Hemings, who was one of Jefferson's slaves) because “some men have boys and others have girls.” Although 1998 DNA evidence suggested that a Jefferson had fathered Eston, the question remained as to which Jefferson. In the B case, data are provided on the gender and birth order of children from 700,030 Danish families. Students use those data to test the idea that “some men have boys and others have girls.”There is a supplemental Excel file for students (UVA-QA-0797X) that accompanies the B case. Excerpt UVA-QA-0752 Rev. Jul. 9, 2012 Thomas Jefferson Had Girls (A) Thomas Jefferson designed the tombstone that marked his grave at Monticello and left instructions that only the following and “not a word more” be inscribed thereon: HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE . . .
Isotropic conductive adhesives in electronics

Abstract: Isotropic conductive adhesives are metal/epoxy composites with high loading beyond the percolation threshold for electrical conduction. The primary reliability issues are impact resistance and galvanic corrosion of the contacts, among others. Nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes are beginning to be incorporated into the materials, for improved performance.
Reflexive Abstraction and Education

It is no exaggeration to state that misinterpretations of the concept of activity in Piagetian theory have been the stumbling block to effective application of that theory to educational practice. The purpose of this chapter is to clarify the meaning of activity in relation to reflexive abstraction and to provide some new directions to interpretation and application.
Interplay of Thermochemistry and Structural Chemistry , the Journal and the Discipline, Part 2: Volume 12, 2001

As practiced disciplines, structural chemistry and thermochemistry need not be related. In the current study they are: the entire contents of the journal “Structural Chemistry” (Vol. 12) for the year 2001 has been reviewed and then each and every article that appeared therein was given a thermochemical commentary, “spin” or “slant.”
Force-Time Differences between Ballistic and Non-Ballistic Half-Squats

The purpose of this study was to examine the force-time differences between concentric-only half-squats (COHS) performed with ballistic (BAL) or non-ballistic (NBAL) intent across a range of loads. Eighteen resistance-trained men performed either BAL or NBAL COHS at 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% of their one repetition maximum (1RM) COHS. Relative peak force (PF) and relative impulse from 0–50 ms (Imp50), 0–90 ms (Imp90), 0–200 ms (Imp200), and 0–250 ms (Imp250) were compared using a series of 2 × 4 (intent × load) repeated measures ANOVAs with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated to provide measures of practical significance between the BAL and NBAL COHS and each load. BAL COHS produced statistically greater PF than NBAL COHS at 30% (d = 3.37), 50% (d = 2.88), 70% (d = 2.29), and 90% 1RM (d = 1.19) (all p < 0.001). Statistically significant main effect differences were found between load-averaged BAL and NBAL COHS for Imp90 (p = 0.006, d = 0.25), Imp200 (p = 0.001, d = 0.36), and Imp250 (p < 0.001, d = 0.41), but not for Imp50 (p = 0.018, d = 0.21). Considering the greater PF and impulse observed during the BAL condition, performing COHS with BAL intent may provide a favorable training stimulus compared to COHS performed with NBAL intent.
Keratinocyte-specific deletion of STAT3 promotes elevated serum IgE in response to Staphylococcus aureus exposure: relevance to hyper-IgE syndrome

Autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome is caused by STAT3 loss-of-function mutations, which results in a constellation of clinical features, including highly elevated serum IgE levels, a severe eczema-like skin eruption, and an increased susceptibility to Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus skin infections. However, the mechanism by which these individuals have elevated IgE levels is not well understood. To evaluate the role of defective STAT3 signaling in contributing to IgE production, we used a mouse model of atopic dermatitis-like skin inflammation induced by epicutaneous exposure to S. aureus in cre/lox mice with cell specific deletion of STAT3. Unexpectedly, STAT3 deletion in keratinocytes (K5-cre ERT2 × STAT3 fl/fl mice) but not in T cells (CD4-cre ERT2 × STAT3 fl/fl mice) resulted in a substantial elevation of serum IgE levels. The increase in serum IgE involved concomitant increase in IgG and IgA levels that were also significantly higher in the keratinocyte-specific STAT3-deficient mice compared with wildtype mice. CD4 + T cells were required for the IgE production, since CD4 + T cell depletion resulted in significantly reduced level of serum IgE in the K5-cre ERT2 × STAT3 fl/fl mice. Taken together, these results indicate that keratinocytes can modulate serum antibody levels, especially in the absence of STAT3 signaling. These results provide an explanation of the increased serum IgE levels in autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome and more broadly into the mechanisms that promote antibody production in response to epicutaneous exposure to microbes and inflammation.
How Does Human Capital Affect Investing? Evidence from University Endowments

We examine the links between human capital and endowment investing. Harnessing detailed information on university endowments, we find that higher asset allocations to alternative assets accompany higher levels of human capital in the endowment’s investment process. Moreover, high levels of human capital are linked to larger returns, even on a risk-adjusted basis. The improved investment outcomes arise because endowments capture higher returns that can accompany alternative assets, select or have access to high performing managers, and minimize fees by accessing funds directly rather than through funds of funds. Our measures of human capital include expertise in alternatives on governing bodies, the presence of a chief investment officer and the size of the investment staff. We also find that a university board’s professional networks are linked to higher allocations to private equity. Finally, we conduct a novel survey of endowments and confirm that human capital is central in facilitating alternative investments.
Supportive care in cancer: Impact of marital status on outcome of end-stage head and neck cancer.

18Background: The impact of marital status on cancer survival, including head and neck cancer (HNC), has been previously described. However, no previous study has shown whether being married impacts head and neck cancer patients with end-stage disease. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of marital status on survival of patients with stage IVc HNC. Methods: Patients ≥18 years from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database diagnosed with end-stage (AJCC stage IVc) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from 2007-2015 (n=2,886) were included. Kaplan-Meier survival estimated crude survival differences stratified by marital status (married/partnered, never married, divorced/separated, widowed) using log-rank test, and in-between differences were determined using Bonferroni adjustments. Competing risks proportional hazards model determined the effect of marital status on death from HNC while controlling for covariates (age, year of diagnosis, county-level poverty percen...
Optimizing Ensemble Weights for Machine Learning Models: A Case Study for Housing Price Prediction

Designing ensemble learners has been recognized as one of the significant trends in the field of data knowledge, especially, in data science competitions. Building models that are able to outperform all individual models in terms of bias, which is the error due to the difference in the average model predictions and actual values, and variance, which is the variability of model predictions, has been the main goal of the studies in this area. An optimization model has been proposed in this paper to design ensembles that try to minimize bias and variance of predictions. Focusing on service sciences, two well-known housing datasets have been selected as case studies: Boston housing and Ames housing. The results demonstrate that our designed ensembles can be very competitive in predicting the house prices in both Boston and Ames datasets.
Automated sensing and splitting of stem cell colonies on microraft arrays

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are widely used for disease modeling, tissue engineering, and clinical applications. Although the development of new disease-relevant or customized hiPSC lines is of high importance, current automated hiPSC isolation technologies rely largely on the fluorescent labeling of cells, thus limiting the cell line development from many applications. The objective of this research was to develop a platform for high-throughput hiPSC cytometry and splitting that utilized a label-free cell sensing approach. An image analysis pipeline utilizing background subtraction and standard deviation projections was implemented to detect hiPSC colonies from bright-field microscopy data. The pipeline was incorporated into an automated microscopy system coupling quad microraft cell-isolation arrays, computer-based vision, and algorithms for smart decision making and cell sorting. The pipeline exhibited a hiPSC detection specificity of 98% and a sensitivity of 88%, allowing for the successful tracking of growth for hundreds of microcolonies over 7 days. The automated platform split 170 mother colonies from a microarray within 80 min, and the harvested daughter biopsies were expanded into viable hiPSC colonies suitable for downstream assays, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or continued culture. Transmitted light microscopy offers an alternative, label-free modality for isolating hiPSCs, yet its low contrast and specificity for adherent cells remain a challenge for automation. This novel approach to label-free sensing and microcolony subsampling with the preservation of the mother colony holds the potential for hiPSC colony screening based on a wide range of properties including those measurable only by a cell destructive assay.
Going Green in American Professional Sports: Why Marijuana Usage Should Be Allowed and What Policy Changes Should Ensue

In America, professional sports carry significant importance. This billion-dollar industry is largely controlled by four professional leagues - the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), and the National Hockey League (NHL) - together known as “the big four.” Currently, each league has player conduct rules aimed at preventing the use of marijuana. This paper analyzes the marijuana-related policies of each league and goes on to suggest that these regulations must be revised to allow for marijuana usage. I argue that the historical misconceptions of marijuana; the outdated, illogical reasons for its initial and continued prohibition in sports; the prevalence and positive public sentiment of marijuana in society today; the ineffectiveness of the leagues’ current policies; and the widespread use of life-threatening, team-prescribed drugs in every league require that these policies be updated. Subsequently, I discuss the potential medical benefits of marijuana for athletes. Lastly, based on my analysis, this paper predicts the immediate future of marijuana in the big four and details what I believe should happen in the future.
Tunable graphene-based hyperbolic metamaterials: experimental demonstration and outlook (Conference Presentation)

Tuning the macroscopic dielectric response on demand holds potential for actively tunable metaphotonics and optical devices. In recent years, graphene has been extensively investigated as a tunable element in nanophotonics. Significant theoretical work has been devoted on the tuning the hyperbolic properties of graphene/dielectric heterostructures, however, until now, such a motif has not been demonstrated experimentally. Here we focus on a graphene/polaritonic dielectric metamaterial, with strong optical resonances arising from the polar response of the dielectric, which are, in general, difficult to actively control. By controlling the doping level of graphene via external bias we experimentally demonstrate a wide range of tunability from a Fermi level of EF = 0 eV to EF = 0.5 eV, which yields an effective epsilon-near-zero crossing and tunable dielect.
Prosocial Behavior during Adolescence

Prosocial behaviors are an aspect of adolescents' positive development that has gained greater attention in the developmental literature since the 1990s. In this article, the authors review the literature pertaining to prosocial behaviors during adolescence. The authors begin by defining prosocial behaviors as prior theory and empirical studies have done. They describe antecedents to adolescents' prosocial behaviors with a focus on two primary factors: socialization and cultural orientations . Accordingly, the authors review prior literature on prosocial behaviors among different ethnic/cultural groups throughout this article. As limited studies have examined prosocial behaviors among some specific ethnic groups, the authors conclude with recommendations for future research.
Gene Assembly in Agrobacterium via Nucleic Acid Transfer Using Recombinase Technology (GA A NTRY)

Plant biotechnology provides a means for the rapid genetic improvement of crops including the enhancement of complex traits like yield and nutritional quality through the introduction and coordinated expression of multiple genes. GAANTRY (gene assembly in Agrobacterium by nucleic acid transfer using recombinase technology) is a flexible and effective system for stably stacking multiple genes within an Agrobacterium virulence plasmid transfer DNA (T-DNA) region. The system provides a simple and efficient method for assembling and stably maintaining large stacked constructs within the GAANTRY ArPORT1 Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain. The assembly process utilizes unidirectional site-specific recombinases in vivo and an alternating bacterial selection scheme to sequentially assemble multiple genes into a single transformation construct. A detailed description of the procedures used for bacterial transformation, selection, counter selection, and genomic PCR validation with the GAANTRY system are presented. The methods described facilitate the efficient assembly and validation of large GAANTRY T-DNA constructs. This powerful, yet simple to use, technology will be a convenient tool for transgene stacking and plant genetic engineering of rice and other crop plants.
Occupational Immunity and Natural Vaccination

People who work with animals are frequently exposed to dangerous pathogens. Disease and subsequent immunity may result. Alternatively, occupational exposure to animals may lead to natural vaccination: the acquisition of immunity in the absence of overt disease. We use anthrax, Q fever, Campylobacter and influenza to illustrate aspects of dose, route and frequency of exposure that may be particularly favorable to natural vaccination. We then explore how exposure and immunity in those who work with animals provide clues about the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases.
Involuntary Youth Transport (IYT) to Treatment Programs: Best Practices, Research, Ethics, and Future Directions

Involuntary youth transport (IYT) is a controversial practice used to admit adolescents into residential care. Critics point out that IYT is in need of regulation and is best used as a last resort. This article examines the risks and benefits of IYT, especially the longterm effects on the client, in order to ensure that all facets of a client’s treatment are trauma-informed and guided by research-based practices and ethical principles. Practices that re-traumatize youth need to be replaced with informed practices that facilitate positive outcomes. This article utilizes an ethical decision-making framework developed for behavioral health professionals to assess and improve the ethical use of IYT. Based on this ethical framework, a more effective and collaborative model is presented that results in less restrictive approaches, greater levels of willingness by the adolescent to enter treatment, and trauma-informed management of difficult emotional or physical behaviors. This model also guides professionals and caregivers on how to proceed when IYT services are deemed necessary. The article presents past research and addresses ethical guidelines and best practices for IYT. Steps for practitioners and future directions are discussed.
Characteristics of Growth Inhibition of Lactobacillus casei by 4-Nitroquinoline-n-Oxide

The bacteriostatic action of 4-nitroquinoline-n-oxide (4-NQO) for Lactobacillus casei is substantially reversed by d-and l-cysteine, glutathione, and 2,2-dihydroxy-1,4-dithiolbutane (dithioerythritol). The action appears to involve a chemical reaction between carbon atom 4 of 4-NQO and nucleophilic centers, such as -SH groups, located on essential cell constituents. The evidence presented indicates that the protective effect of d- and l-cysteine, glutathione, and dithioerythritol against the action involves reactions between 4-NQO and -SH compounds.
Queuing Model for Taxi-Out Time Estimation

Flights incur a large percentage of their delays on the ground during the departure process between their scheduled departure from the gate and takeoff. Because of the large uncertainties associated with them, these delays are difficult to predict and account for, hindering the ability to effectively manage the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. This paper presents an effort to improve the accuracy of estimating the taxi-out time, which is the duration between pushback and takeoff. The method was to identify the main factors that affect the taxi-out time and build an estimation model that takes the most important ones into account. An analysis conducted at Boston Logan International Airport identified the runway configuration, the airline/terminal, the downstream restrictions and the takeoff queue size as the main causal factors that affect the taxi-out time. Of these factors the takeoff queue size was the most important one, where the queue size that an aircraft experienced was measured as the number of t...
On Materializing Views and On-Line Queries

We consider the problem of traversing a database multiple times treated as solving on-line transitive closure queries. In order to solve such queries more efficiently than with the most basic methods, it is necessary to compute intermediate results that can be shared between queries. However, for on-line queries we assume that the pattern or existence of future queries is unknown which makes the problem of computing the right intermediate results difficult. We show how a technique based on utilizing subtrees of results computed for other queries can be used to solve the problem efficiently.
Key to Unlocking the Power of Small Scale Renewable Energy: Local Land Use Regulation

This article provides an overview of some of the strategies that have been used to increase the use of small-scale renewables, focusing on non-commercial renewable energy systems installed at the home or business level. The article begins in Part II with a discussion of various renewable energy incentives offered by the federal and state governments to promote the use of these alternative sources of electricity, including financial and permitting incentives. Part III continues with a detailed examination of how the land use regulatory system can be used to promote small-scale renewable energy by employing traditional zoning techniques, asserting that without an appropriate local land use regime, the incentives reviewed in Part II cannot be effectively utilized. Part IV concludes with a warning to local governments that if they fail to accommodate the emerging federal and state policies supporting the siting of renewable energy sources, they may face preemptive statutory measures in the area of land use regulation. This creates perhaps the greatest incentive for local governments to plan and regulate responsibly for promoting the appropriate use of small-scale renewable energy.
Mindfulness practices for loss and grief

As a Western psychotherapist practicing with individuals, couples and families for nearly 30 years, I have learned that virtually all clients arrive for treatment with unresolved grief over life's ...
Brain expression quantitative trait locus mapping informs genetic studies of psychiatric diseases

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) can be used to identify genes that increase the risk of psychiatric diseases. However, much of the disease heritability is still unexplained, suggesting that there are genes to be discovered. Functional annotation of the genetic variants may increase the power of GWAS to identify disease genes, by providing prior information that can be used in Bayesian analysis or in reducing the number of tests. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) are genomic loci that regulate gene expression. Genetic mapping of eQTLs can help reveal novel functional effects of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The present review mainly focused on the current knowledge on brain eQTL mapping, and discussed some major methodological issues and their possible solutions. The frequently ignored problems of batch effects, covariates, and multiple testing were emphasized, since they can lead to false positives and false negatives. The future application of eQTL data in GWAS analysis was also discussed.
Conservation laws in elasticity

In this paper the basic results involved in the application of Noether's theorem relating symmetry groups and conservation laws to the variational problems of homogeneous elastostatics are outlined. General methods and conditions for the existence of variational and generalized symmetries are presented. Applications will be considered in subsequent papers in this series.
Inflation in nontradables and the macroeconomic policy mix : a model with policy application to transition economies

The author analyzes the macroeconomic effects of inflation in the nontradables sector of a small open economy to suggest how different macroeconomic policies would facilitate structural adjustment after price liberalization in a transition economy. She uses a Mundell-Fleming rational expectations model of a two-sector economy to study how inflation in the nontradables sector affects the exchange rate, relative prices, wages, and, indirectly, the movement of factors of production. She applies the analysis to a cut in producer subsidies in the nontradables sector and assesses how macroeconomic policies involving the management of supply and demand might affect government objectives for the economy and redistribution. She concludes that to alleviate the transitory negative effects of a cut in producer subsidies, targeted household transfers combined with a tax cut, if possible, are superior to expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. Making the tax cut less than the cut in subsidies and financing targeted lump-sum household transfers from government savings reduce the risk of poverty and external imbalances. The potential benefits from exchange rate management depend greatly on the level of wage discipline.
Family-School Connections, Early Learning, and Socioeconomic Inequality in the US.

Policy interest in parental involvement in the U.S. has rapidly grown, necessitating a deeper understanding of how families and schools can partner to promote learning and reduce performance disparities in this country. Matching multidisciplinary theory with growth curve analyses of American children in the Early Childhood Longitudinal StudyKindergarten Cohort, this study found that familyschool engagement (in which school personnel and parents reached out to each other) and familyschool symmetry (in which parents and teachers constructed parallel learning environments) were associated with greater reading gains during the primary grades. Socioeconomically disadvantaged children appeared more at risk from one-sided engagement, and their more advantaged peers appeared to benefit more from symmetry.
T-cell responses to allergens

The allergic response in human beings is engineered by CD4 + T lymphocytes, which secrete T H 2 cytokines in response to activation by allergen-derived peptides. Although T H 2 cells have been well characterized, defining the properties of allergen-specific T cells has proved challenging in human beings because of their low frequency within the T-cell repertoire. However, recent studies have provided insight into the molecular signature of long-lived human memory T H 2 cells, which are allergen-specific. T-cell responses directed against allergens develop in early life and are heavily influenced by the type and dose of allergen, and possibly coexposure to microbial products. These responses are susceptible to suppression by regulatory T cells. This article highlights recent advances in the characterization of allergen-specific memory T H 2 cells and discusses the heterogeneous nature of regulatory T cells and possible mechanisms of action. The relevance of T-cell epitope mapping studies to understanding the unique nature of T-cell responses to different allergens, as well as to peptide vaccine development, is reviewed. Experimental techniques and approaches for analyzing allergen-specific T cells and identifying novel T-cell epitopes are described that may lead to new T-cell–based therapies.
Oncogenic tyrosine kinases and the dna-damage response

Oncogenic tyrosine kinases (OTKs) are involved in the induction of many types of tumour, including haematological malignancies and cancers of the breast, prostate, colon and lung. Neoplastic cells that express OTKs are usually resistant to apoptosis that is induced by DNA-damaging agents, such as cytostatic drugs and irradiation, and they display genomic instability. So, what are the mechanisms involved, and what is the potential for overcoming OTK-mediated resistance in the clinic?
Oxide cathode lifetime improvements at RTNS-II*

Results are reported for an ongoing effort to optimize D+ beam production by the MATS-III ion source used at the RTNS-II. The oxide cathode assembly originally designed for lower power operation has been modified and redesigned for higher electron current yield, longer life and serviceability. A factor of 2.5 has been gained in cathode lifetime due to these changes. The details of the changes and results and benefits in operation and performance are given. In addition, the technique used for manufacture of the filament is described.