cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Organelle remodeling at membrane contact sites

Cellular organelles must execute sophisticated biological processes to persist, and often communicate with one another to exchange metabolites and information. Recent studies suggest inter-organelle membrane contact sites (MCSs) are hubs for this cellular cross-talk. MCSs also govern membrane remodeling, thus controlling aspects of organelle shape, identity, and function. Here, we summarize three emerging phenomena that MCSs appear to govern: 1) organelle identity via the non-vesicular exchange of lipids, 2) mitochondrial shape and division, and 3) endosomal migration in response to sterol trafficking. We also discuss the role for ER-endolysosomal contact sites in cholesterol metabolism, and the potential biomedical importance this holds. Indeed, the emerging field inter-organellar cross-talk promises substantial advances in the fields of lipid metabolism and cell signaling.
Some Aspects of Electrical Properties of Metal Oxides

Earlier reviews concerning electrical properties of highly conducting metal oxides (RuO2, ReO3, and NbO) and of oxides that undergo a metal-insulator transition (Ti2O3 and V2O3) have been brought up to date. An attempt has been made to correlate the known physical properties of these materials with their respective band structures.
Lasing in blood

Indocyanine green (ICG) is the only near-infrared dye approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for clinical use. When injected in blood, ICG binds primarily to plasma proteins and lipoproteins, resulting in enhanced fluorescence. Recently, the optofluidic laser has emerged as a novel tool in bio-analysis. Laser emission has advantages over fluorescence in signal amplification, narrow linewidth, and strong intensity, leading to orders of magnitude increase in detection sensitivity and imaging contrast. Here we successfully demonstrate, to the best of our knowledge, the first ICG lasing in human serum and whole blood with the clinical ICG concentrations and the pump intensity far below the clinically permissible level. Furthermore, we systematically study ICG laser emission within each major serological component (albumins, globulins, and lipoproteins) and reveal the critical elements and conditions responsible for lasing. Our work marks a critical step toward eventual clinical and biomedical applications of optofluidic lasers using FDA approved fluorophores, which may complement or even supersede conventional fluorescence-based sensing and imaging.
The Case of the Missing Detectives; or, Reassessing the American Contribution to Detective Fiction

In the 1920s, many New Magnet Library reprints of Nick Carter detective novels included marketing copy that evokes several of the issues central to the exploration of American contributions to detective fiction: In the old days, anything between paper covers was a Dirne novel and, therefore, to be avoided as cheap and contaminating.
Strategic human resource management: high performance people system as core competencies

In the past two decades scholars have dedicated a tremendous amount of effort to studying the relationship between a firm’s performance and its human resource management (HRM) practices. What has emerged from these studies is empirical evidence that demonstrate a linkage between a firm’s HRM practices (core competencies) and performance that can give it a competitive advantage. However, what has also become equally clear is that human resource (HR) practices do not operate independently from each other or from the firm’s overall strategy. HR practices operate in a complex system of interrelated parts. This system has become known as high performance work practices (HPWP) in the area of strategic human resource management (SHRM). In the hospitality and tourism management field this system is known as a high performance people system (HPPS), which characterizes the unique nature of the hospitality industry.
Adaptive Robust Motion Control of Electra-Hydraulic Servo Systems Driven by Single-Rod Actuators

Abstract This paper studies the high performance robust motion control of electro-hydraulic servo systems driven by single-rod actuators. In contrast to the double-rod hydraulic actuators studied previously, the two chambers of a single-rod hydraulic actuator have different areas. As a result, the dynamic equations describing the pressure changes in the two chambers cannot be combined into a single load pressure equation. This complicates the controller design since it not only increases the dimension of the system to be dealt with but also brings in the stability issue of the added internal dynamics. An adaptive robust controller based on discontinuous projection method is constructed. The resulting controller is able to take into account not only the effect of parametric uncertainties coming from the inertia load and various hydraulic parameters but also the effect of uncertain nonlinearities such as uncompensated friction forces and external disturbances. Non-differentiability of the inherent nonlinearities associated with hydraulic dynamics is carefully examined and addressing strategies are provided. The controller guarantees a prescribed transient performance and final tracking accuracy in the presence of both parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities while achieving asymptotic tracking in the presence of parametric uncertainties.
GG-12 Altered expression of long noncoding RNA is associated with a lupus-associated variant in complement receptor 2

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystemic autoimmune disease characterised by the production of autoantibodies to nuclear antigens. We have identified a variant in intron 1 of complement receptor 2 (CR2/CD21) that is associated with decreased risk of lupus (rs1876453; Pmeta = 4.2 × 10–4, OR = 0.85). Its effect is strongest in subjects with anti-dsDNA antibodies (case-control Pmeta = 7.6 × 10–7, OR = 0.71; case-only Pmeta1.9 × 10–4, OR = 0.75), suggesting a preferential association with this endophenotype. rs1876453, located 97 nucleotides from the 5’ end of CR2 intron 1, alters the binding of multiple protein complexes, including one containing CTCF, and is associated with increased B cell-specific expression of the adjacent gene, complement receptor 1 (CR1/CD35). The transcriptional mechanism connecting these observations remains unclear, and we hypothesised that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) play a role. Materials and methods cDNA was generated by reverse transcription from RNA purified from the Raji B cell line as well as from human tonsil and spleen, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and purified primary B cells. PCR was performed using 5’ and 3’ primers that targeted spliced exons from known lncRNA sequences in the intergenic region 5’ of CR2, in the CR2 gene, and in CR1 intron 1. Quantitative PCR of primary B cell transcripts was performed using cDNA transcribed using random primers and MultiScribe reverse transcriptase (Applied Biosystems), customised lncRNA primers and probe that targeted spliced exons, Taqman assays for U6 snRNA and b-actin mRNA, and the Applied Biosystems 7500 Real-Time PCR System. Relative expression levels of lncRNA, normalised to either U6 snRNA (A) or b-actin (B), were calculated using the comparative CT method. P values were determined using a two-tailed Student t test and a p value of Results We confirmed the presence of annotated lncRNAs in the CR2-CR1 genomic region in various cell types. One annotated lncRNA located downstream of rs1876453 in CR2 intron 1 was readily detected in B cells. We determined the allele-specific expression of this lncRNA by quantitative RT-PCR and found that it was ∼3-fold increase in individuals with the minor protective allele at rs1876453 (p = 0.0025 normalised to U6 snRNA and p = 0.0054 normalised to beta-actin). Conclusions Our data suggest that the generation of pathogenic autoantibodies associated with early, active, and severe lupus is modified by expression of a CR2 lncRNA that appears to have long-range effects. Examination of its mechanism and effects may therefore reveal a novel target for the treatment of lupus. Acknowledgements This study was approved by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board (Protocol 06–0501). Funding for this work was provided by: NIH R01 AI070983 NIH K24 AI078004 NIH T32 AR007534 University of Colorado School of Medicine University of Colorado Department of Medicine Charley J. Smyth Endowed Chair for Rheumatology Research
Prevalence of Renal and Cervical Vertebral Anomalies in Patients With Isolated Microtia and/or Aural Atresia.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with isolated microtia or aural atresia have an increased prevalence of renal or cervical vertebral anomalies. Design: The study design was a retrospective medical record review. Setting: The setting was the following four distinct institutions: an urban tertiary care children's hospital, two urban academic medical centers, and a staff-model health maintenance organization. Participants: Patients diagnosed with microtia, aural atresia, or oculoauriculovertebral spectrum were identified. Patients with facial asymmetry, craniofacial microsomia, and other craniofacial abnormalities or syndromes were excluded. Main Outcome Measures: Main outcome measures were the number of patients with isolated microtia or aural atresia who underwent a renal ultrasound or cervical spine X-ray, the results of those studies, and further evaluation or treatment for any abnormalities found. Statistical Analysis: A binomial analysis using a one-sided 9...
Minimum Selenium Requirements Increase When Repleting Second-Generation Selenium-Deficient Rats but Are Not Further Altered by Vitamin E Deficiency

Second-generation selenium-deficient weanling rats fed graded levels of dietary Se were used (a) to study the impact of initial Se deficiency on dietary Se requirements; (b) to determine if further decreases in selenoperoxidase expression, especially glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4), affect growth or gross disease; and (c) to examine the impact of vitamin E deficiency on biochemical and molecular biomarkers of Se status. Rats were fed a vitamin E-deficient and Se-deficient crystalline amino acid diet (3 ng Se/g diet) or that diet supplemented with 100 μg/g all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate and/or 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, or 0.2 μg Se/g diet as Na2SeO3 for 28 days. Se-supplemented rats grew 6.91 g/day as compared to 2.17 and 3.87 g/day for vitamin E-deficient/Se-deficient and vitamin E-supplemented/Se-deficient groups, respectively. In Se-deficient rats, liver Se, plasma Gpx3, red blood cell Gpx1, liver Gpx1 and Gpx4 activities, and liver Gpx1 mRNA levels decreased to 50 % higher than in previous studies that started with Se-adequate rats, demonstrating that dietary Se requirements determined using initially Se-deficient animals can result in overestimation of Se requirements.
Hospital Ownership of Physicians: Hospital Versus Physician Perspectives:

Although there has been significant interest from health services researchers and policy makers about recent trends in hospitals' ownership of physician practices, few studies have investigated the strengths and weaknesses of available data sources. In this article, we compare results from two national surveys that have been used to assess ownership patterns, one of hospitals (the American Hospital Association survey) and one of physicians (the SK&A survey). We find some areas of agreement, but also some disagreement, between the two surveys. We conclude that full understanding of the causes and consequences of hospital ownership of physicians requires data collected at the both the hospital and the physician level. The appropriate measure of integration depends on the research question being investigated.
Modeling the large scale transmission loss in underwater acoustic channels

Pre-deployment calculations of the received signal strength in an underwater acoustic channel typically rely on beam tracing of a single-frequency signal for a given (frozen) ocean geometry. The results of such modeling provide an accurate but limited view of transmission loss since acoustic communication systems are necessarily wideband (a typical system might operate between 5 and 15 kHz), and have to be designed for a variety of surface conditions, deployment locations and transmitter/receiver distances. In this paper, we offer a statistical model for the acoustic transmission loss calculated for a wide band of frequencies. The model incorporates the physical laws of acoustic propagation (frequency-dependent attenuation, bottom/surface reflection), as well as the effects of inevitable random local displacements. Our focus is on large-scale phenomena that affect locally-averaged received power and occur due to path-length variation caused by the surface and system displacements (small-scale effects, such as scattering, are responsible for faster variations of the instantaneous signal strength). We argue for a log-normal model, whose mean follows a log-distance dependence with frequency-dependent path loss exponent, and whose variance depends on the signal bandwidth. Assuming a Gauss-Markov auto-regressive (AR) model for the path length variation, we also investigate the possibility to model the large-scale transmission loss as an AR process itself. We illustrate the results through numerical simulation and show experimental data that support our theory.
Effect of dietary electrolyte balance on performance and blood parameters of growing-finishing swine fed in high ambient temperatures.

A growing-finishing trial using 96 crossbred pigs (21.8 kg initially) was conducted to determine the effect of dietary electrolyte balance (EB = Na + K - Cl, meq/kg of feed) on rate and efficiency of weight gain, blood gases and whole blood Na and K concentration during high ambient temperatures. Dietary EB (25, 100, 175, 250, 325 or 400 meq/kg) was altered by the substitution of CaCl2 for CaCO3 or NaHCO3 for corn and soybean meal. Increasing EB during the grower phase (21 to 50 kg) increased feed intake and average daily gain linearly (P less than .03). Efficiency of feed utilization was unaffected (P greater than .70). During the finisher phase (50 to 105 kg), live weight gain was 7% higher for pigs receiving the 250 meq EB diet compared with the average of all other EB levels. Feed intake during the finisher period increased linearly (P less than .03) as dietary EB increased from 25 to 400 meq/kg of diet. Live weight gain and daily feed intake measured over the entire growing-finishing period (21 to 105 kg) improved linearly (P less than .03) with increasing dietary EB. Blood pH, HCO3, total CO2, Na concentration, and base excess increased linearly (P less than .05) as dietary EB increased. We interpret the data to indicate that feed intake and weight gain of growing-finishing swine may be enhanced by dietary electrolyte modification during periods of high ambient temperature. This improvement probably is due to increased blood buffering capacity.
Direct Inhibition of p107WEE1 by the Nim 1/CDR 1 Kinase

The G2 to M phase transition in eukaryotes is regulated by the synergistic and opposing activities of a cascade of distinct protein kinases and phosphatases. This cascade converges on p34cdc2, a serine/threonine protein kinase that regulates entry into mitosis (reviewed in 1). The kinase activity of p34cdc2 is stimulated both by its association with cyclin B and by its phosphorylation on threonine 161 2–11. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, inactivation of the p34cdc2/cyelin B complex occurs by phosphorylation of tyrosine 15 by pl07wee1 8, 12. In human cells, p34cdc2/cyelin B kinase activity is negatively regulated by phosphorylation on tyrosine 15 (by p49WEEIHu, the human homolog of pl07weel 13) and on threonine 14 14, 15. The action of the wee 1 kinase is opposed by the action of the cdc25 phosphatase. Cdc25 dephosphorylates p34cdc2 on tyrosine 15 and on threonine 14 resulting in the activation of the p34cdc2/cyclin Bcomplex 16–21.
Effect of receptor potential on mechanical oscillations in a model of sensory hair cell

Hair cells mediating the senses of hearing and balance rely on active mechanisms for amplification of mechanical signals. In amphibians, hair cells exhibit spontaneous self-sustained mechanical oscillations of their hair bundles. We study the response of the mechanical oscillations to perturbation of the cell’s membrane potential in a model for hair bundle of bullfrog saccular hair cells. We identify bifurcation mechanism leading to mechanical oscillations using the membrane potential and the strength of fast adaptation as control parameters and then compute static and dynamic sensitivity of mechanical oscillations to voltage variations. We show that fast adaptation results in the static sensitivity of oscillating hair bundles in the range 0.1–0.2 nm/mV, consistent with recent experimental work. Predicted dynamic response of oscillating hair bundle to voltage variations is characterized by the values of sensitivity of up to 2 nm/mV, enhanced by the presence of fast adaptation.
Early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma outcomes after combined modality therapy according to the post-chemotherapy 5-point score: can residual pet-positive disease be cured with radiotherapy alone?

Early-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients are evaluated by an end-of-chemotherapy positron emission tomography-computed tomography (eoc-PET-CT) after doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (ABVD) and before radiation therapy (RT). We determined freedom from progression (FFP) in patients treated with ABVD and RT according to the eoc-PET-CT 5-point score (5PS). Secondarily, we assessed whether patients with a positive eoc-PET-CT (5PS of 4-5) can be cured with RT alone. The cohort comprised 174 patients treated for stage I-II HL with ABVD and RT alone. ABVD was given with a median of four cycles and RT with a median dose of 30·6 Gy. Five-year FFP was 97%. Five-year FFP was 100% (0 relapses/98 patients) for patients with a 5PS of 1-2, 97% (2/65) for a 5PS of 3, 83% (1/8) for a 5PS of 4, and 67% (1/3) for a 5PS of 5 (P < 0·001). Patients with positive eoc-PET-CT scans who were selected for salvage RT alone had experienced a very good partial response to ABVD. Risk factors for recurrence in this subgroup included a small reduction in tumour size and a 'bounce' in ≥1 PET-CT parameter (reduction then rise from interim to final scan). Thus, a positive eoc-PET-CT is associated with inferior FFP; however, appropriately selected patients can be cured with RT alone.
Effect of plastic anisotropy on the deformation behavior of bicrystalline aluminum films – Experiments and modeling

Abstract We investigated the effect of texture-induced plastic anisotropy on the deformation behavior of ultrafine-grained aluminum films with a bicrystalline texture (two grain variants). The films were uniaxially loaded along two different directions such that the heterogeneity in the plastic behavior of the two grain variants due to plastic anisotropy was minimized along one direction and maximized along the other. The bicrystalline films show smaller strain rate sensitivity and hysteresis of stress-strain response when they are deformed along the direction that minimizes plastic heterogeneity compared to the direction that maximizes it. Notable differences in flow stress and residual hardening were also found for the two loading directions. To quantitatively understand the effect of plastic anisotropy, we simulated the response of the films using three-dimensional finite elements with a microstructurally explicit model built from TEM automated crystal orientation mapping of the samples that includes a grain boundary region, along with crystal plasticity and anisotropic elasticity. The simulations reveal markedly different distribution of stresses and strains in the two grain variants when loading is performed along the two directions, which can be directly related to the ratio of Schmid factors of their most active slip systems.
Ammonia production in poultry houses can affect health of humans, birds, and the environment—techniques for its reduction during poultry production

Due to greater consumption of poultry products and an increase in exports, more poultry houses will be needed. Therefore, it is important to investigate ways that poultry facilities can coexist in close proximity to residential areas without odors and environmental challenges. Ammonia (NH3) is the greatest concern for environmental pollution from poultry production. When birds consume protein, they produce uric acid, ultimately converted to NH3 under favorable conditions. Factors that increase production include pH, temperature, moisture content, litter type, bird age, manure age, relative humidity, and ventilation rate (VR). NH3 concentration and emissions in poultry houses depend on VR; seasons also have effects on NH3 production. Modern ventilation systems can minimize NH3 in enclosed production spaces quickly but increase its emissions to the environment. NH3 adversely affects the ecosystem, environment, and health of birds and people. Less than 10 ppm is the ideal limit for exposure, but up to 25 ppm is also not harmful. NH3 can be minimized by housing type, aerobic and anaerobic conditions, manure handling practices, litter amendment, and diet manipulation without affecting performance and production. Antibiotics can minimize NH3, but consumers have concerns about health effects. Administration of probiotics seems to be a useful replacement for antibiotics. More studies have been conducted on broilers, necessitating the need to evaluate the effect of probiotics on NH3 production in conjunction with laying hen performance and egg quality. This comprehensive review focuses on research from 1950 to 2018.
A Model for the Expression of Different Glutamate Transporter Proteins from a Rat Astrocyte-Type Glutamate Transporter Gene

The mammalian brain uses the largest variety of mechanisms of gene expression of any organ to generate many different proteins from a single gene. Nowhere is this phenomenon more obvious and relevant than in the families of genes encoding the ionotropic glutamate (Glu) receptors (iGluRs)1. The differences introduced usually affect the physiologic role of the variant protein. For example, the gene encoding the NMDAR1 iGluR makes nine splice variants2 that display distinct properties when expressed in exogenous systems2,3. A second example involves RNA editing of the GluR2 primary transcript that results in the incorporation of the amino acid (AA) arginine (R) instead of glutamine (Q) at the R/Q site in the putative intramembranous4 domain of the iGluRs. This alteration abolishes the calcium permeability of the edited GluR2 subunit.
On Contact Points of Convex Bodies

We show that for every convex body K in \({\mathbb{R}}^{n}\), there is a convex body H such that $$H \subset K \subset c \cdot H\qquad \qquad \text{ with}\ c = 2.24$$ and H has at most O(n) contact points with the minimal volume ellipsoid that contains it. When K is symmetric, we can obtain the same conclusion for every constant c > 1. We build on work of Rudelson [Israel J. Math. 101(1), 92–124 (1997)], who showed the existence of H with \(O(n\log n)\) contact points. The approximating body H is constructed using the “barrier” method of Batson, Spielman, and the author, which allows one to extract a small set of vectors with desirable spectral properties from any John’s decomposition of the identity. The main technical contribution of this paper is a way of controlling the mean of the vectors produced by that method, which is necessary in the application to John’s decompositions of nonsymmetric bodies.
Characterization of interfacial and mechanical properties of green composites with soy protein isolate and ramie fiber

Environment-friendly fiber-reinforced composites were fabricated using ramie fibers and soy protein isolate (SPI) and were characterized for their interfacial and mechanical properties. Ramie fibers were characterized for their tensile properties and the parameters for the Weibull distribution were estimated. Effect of glycerol content on the tensile properties of SPI was studied. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) was determined using the microbond technique. Based on the IFSS results and fiber strength distribution, three different fiber lengths and fiber weight contents (FWC) were chosen to fabricate short fiber-reinforced composites. The results indicate that the fracture stress increases with increase in fiber length and fiber weight content. Glycerol was found to increase the fracture strain and reduce the resin fracture stress and modulus as a result of plasticization. For 10% (w/w) of 5 mm long fibers, no significant reinforcement effect was observed. In fact the short fibers acted as flaws and led to reduction in the tensile properties. On further increasing the fiber length and FWC, a significant increase in the Young's modulus and fracture stress and decrease in fracture strain was observed as the fibers started to control the tensile properties of the composites. The experimental data were compared to the theoretical predictions made using Zweben's model. The experimental results are lower than the predicted values for a variety of reasons. However, the two values get closer with increasing fiber length and FWC.
Evaluation of a Start-Up Demonstration Test

An equipment acceptance procedure requires c consecutive successful start-ups of the equipment. Procedures are given for finding the statistical distribution of the total number of attempted start-ups to achieve acceptance, assuming that the start-ups a..
Sequential chemical separations and multiple ion counting ICP-MS for 241Pu–241Am–237Np dating of environmental collections on a single aliquot

We have developed a combined sequential chemical separation procedure and multiple ion counting ICP-MS measurement method for isotopic measurements of Am in environmental samples. This, in conjunction with established resin bead TIMS measurements for Pu and Np, allows us to measure long-lived Pu–Np–Am nuclides in environmental samples on a single solution aliquot. This single aliquot method reduces time lines and maximizes sample utility for the measurements, improving sensitivity, precision, and accuracy over prior methods. We have evaluated this new method with environmental reference materials and have obtained accurate results on samples with > 3E6 atoms 241Am.
Depth of invasion as a predictor of nodal disease and survival in patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Background Depth of invasion (DOI) in oral cavity cancer is important in determining prognosis. This study aims to determine optimal cut-points of DOI for detection of occult disease and survival. Methods A retrospective cohort study was completed of previously untreated early stage lateral oral tongue cancer. DOI cut-points were computed. Multiple logistic regression and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess predictors of occult nodal disease and overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Results Occult nodal disease was found in 55 (26%) of the 212 patients. DOI of 7.25 mm was most predictive for occult nodal disease and 8 mm for OS and DSS. DOI was an independent predictor of OS and DSS. Conclusion The optimal DOI cut-point for detection of occult nodal metastasis was 7.25 and 8 mm for OS and DSS at 5 years. DOI is an independent predictor of OS and DSS.
A Generalization of the Submartingale Property: Maximal Inequality and Applications to Various Stochastic Processes

We generalize the notion of the submartingale property and Doob’s inequality. Furthermore, we show how the latter leads to new inequalities for several stochastic processes: certain time series, Levy processes, random walks, processes with independent increments, branching processes and continuous state branching processes, branching diffusions and superdiffusions, as well as some Markov processes, including geometric Brownian motion.
The Role of Opioid Use in Distinguishing between Suicidal Ideation and Attempts.

Objective Opioid use disorders are associated with heightened suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide death. This study aimed to examine the extent to which opioid differentiates between those with suicide attempts from those with lifetime suicidal ideation but no history of attempt. Methods Participants were drawn from the US National Guard and a residential substance use treatment facility. Multinomial logistic regression was utilized to determine the extent to which a lifetime history of nonmedical opioid use differentiated between (1) individuals with no lifetime history of suicidal ideation or attempt, (2) individuals with a history of suicidal ideation but no attempt, and (3) individuals with a history of at least one suicide attempt. Results History of opioid use among National Guard personnel and opioid use disorders among substance-dependent patients were associated with an increased likelihood of having at least one suicide attempt relative to both a history of suicidal ideation but no attempts and no history of ideation or attempts. Findings held when accounting for lifetime nonmedical use of other substances and the presence of other lifetime substance use disorders. Conclusions Results highlight the importance of assessing for suicide risk among opioid users.
Polymer-Supported (Salen)Mn Catalysts for Asymmetric Epoxidation: A Comparison between Soluble and Insoluble Matrices

This paper describes the synthesis of both soluble and insoluble polymer-supported chiral (salen)Mn complexes and their use in asymmetric epoxidation reactions. These studies were undertaken to establish whether high enantioselectivities could be achieved with a polymer-bound catalyst and if the complexes could be recovered and reused for multiple cycles. Poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (MeO-PEG) and non-cross-linked polystyrene (NCPS) were used as soluble supports while JandaJel and Merrifield resins served as insoluble supports. Each polymer was linked to the salen catalyst through a glutarate spacer. The soluble catalysts were recovered by precipitation with a suitable solvent while the insoluble catalysts were simply filtered from the reaction mixture. Three olefins were utilized as epoxidation substrates: styrene, cis-β-methylstyrene, and dihydronaphthalene. Best results were obtained with cis-β-methylstyrene as the enantioselectivity obtained with each polymer-bound catalyst (86−90%) was equ...
Predicting Drug Responses by Propagating Interactions through Text-Enhanced Drug-Gene Networks.

Personalized drug response has received public awareness in recent years. How to combine gene test result and drug sensitivity records is regarded as essential in the real-world implementation. Research articles are good sources to train machine predicting, inference, reasoning, etc. In this project, we combine the patterns mined from biological research articles and categorical data to construct a drug-gene interaction network. Then we use the cell line experimental records on gene and drug sensitivity to estimate the edge embeddings in the network. Our model provides white-box explainable predictions of drug response based on gene records, which achieves 94.74% accuracy in binary drug sensitivity prediction task.
Integrating the inputs that shape pancreatic islet hormone release

The pancreatic islet is a complex mini organ composed of a variety of endocrine cells and their support cells, which together tightly control blood glucose homeostasis. Changes in glucose concentration are commonly regarded as the chief signal controlling insulin-secreting beta cells, glucagon-secreting alpha cells and somatostatin-secreting delta cells. However, each of these cell types is highly responsive to a multitude of endocrine, paracrine, nutritional and neural inputs, which collectively shape the final endocrine output of the islet. Here, we review the principal inputs for each islet-cell type and the physiological circumstances in which these signals arise, through the prism of the insights generated by the transcriptomes of each of the major endocrine-cell types. A comprehensive integration of the factors that influence blood glucose homeostasis is essential to successfully improve therapeutic strategies for better diabetes management.
Uterine evacuation in the setting of transabdominal cerclage.

Abstract Objective Patients with transabdominal cerclage in place present a management challenge in the setting of undesired pregnancy, pregnancy failure, or pre-viable pregnancy complications. Literature that guides safe surgical technique for uterine evacuation is sparse. This study sought to describe the management and safety profile of dilation and curettage (D&C) and dilation and evacuation (D&E) in patients with transabdominal cerclage. Study design We used hospital billing records to identify patients with history of transabdominal cerclage placed between January 1998 and August 2019. We subsequently described the patient characteristics and surgical techniques of the procedures among those who underwent uterine evacuation. Results Of the 142 patients with an abdominal cerclage placed at our institution, fourteen had subsequent uterine aspiration for a total of 19 procedures over the study period. We describe fifteen D&C procedures in 11 patients between 5- and 12-weeks gestation, and four D&E procedures in three patients between 17- and 19-weeks gestation. Surgeons used osmotic dilators for cervical preparation and standard surgical techniques. There was one minor complication and no major complications. Three patients had procedures other than uterine evacuation. Conclusions Dilation and curettage and D&E are reasonable potential methods of uterine evacuation in women with transabdominal cerclage. Implications statement This chart review suggests D&C and D&E are reasonable management options in the setting of transabdominal cerclage. Current practice guidelines should reflect the utilization of these procedures as potentially less invasive means of uterine evacuation.
Abstract P2-10-14: Racial differences in no-show rate for screening mammogram

Background: Screening mammography has been shown to decrease breast cancer mortality, yet adherence to guidelines is far from universal. It has been shown that screening rate are lower in vulnerable populations, such as black women and the uninsured. Increased breast cancer mortality among black women may, in part, be explained by lower screening rates. Prior studies have identified barriers to screening in black women, such as limited access to care, lack of insurance and poor social support. For women who manage to schedule an appointment, and overcome some of these barriers, compliance may still be sub-optimal. The purpose of this case-control study was to determine the no-show rate for scheduled screening mammogram at an urban tertiary care center and determine if racial differences in compliance exist. Methods: Participants were identified from women who scheduled an appointment for screening mammogram at the Joann Knight Breast Imaging Center in Saint Louis, MO between January 2018 and March 2018. Cases were defined as women who did not complete their initial appointment (no-show) and failed to reschedule within six months. Control subjects were defined as women who did complete their appointment and were randomly selected in a 1:1 ratio to cases. Demographic, financial and breast cancer history data was obtained from the electronic medical record. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds-ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: 5,922 appointments for screening mammograms were scheduled during the study period and 1003 (17%) were not completed. A total of 316 women were identified as cases (no-show) and an equal number were randomly selected to serve as controls. Black women were more likely to no-show than non-hispanic white women (OR = 2.64, 95% CI 1.90-3.67). This association was partially explained by several factors, as evidenced by change in the adjusted OR for race greater than 10%. The most notable of these factors were single marital status (adjusted OR for race = 1.87, 95% CI 1.29-2.72), uninsured or Medicaid insurance status (adjusted OR for race = 2.13, 95% CI 1.50-3.026) and residence within five-miles of the imaging center (adjusted OR for race = 2.05, 95% CI 1.43-2.95). Conclusion: We identified a no-show rate of 17% for screening mammograms at our institution. Black women were more likely to no-show than non-hispanic white women. The racial difference in no-show rate was partially explained by marital status, insurance status and distance of residence from the imaging center; suggesting that these factors are significant barriers to compliance with mammogram screening at our institution and these factors identify a particularly vulnerable population of black women. Citation Format: Whitney L Hensing, Steven Poplack, Cheryl Herman, Foluso O Ademuyiwa. Racial differences in no-show rate for screening mammogram [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-10-14.
Build, Buy, or Partner? The Relative Performance of an Acquisitive Strategy

We conceptualize mergers as one of several strategies for creating value and study merger performance by evaluating the performance of firms employing an acquisitive strategy. Relative to other firms, acquisitive firms are valued lower, innovate less, and exhibit lower employee and total factor productivity. These effects are concentrated among firms that are dependent on employee relationship-specific investments or whose workforce is vulnerable to acquisition-related personnel disruptions. We therefore propose that an acquisitive strategy diminishes firm value and performance by fostering disruptive conditions that undermine employee effectiveness, and by weakening employees’ incentive to cultivate relationship-specific investments.
Experimental verification of a crystal plasticity-based simulation framework for predicting microstructure and geometric shape changes: Application to bending and Taylor impact testing of Zr

Abstract This paper is concerned with experimental verification of a recently developed multi-scale simulation framework for plastic deformation of metallic materials from quasi-static to impact deformation conditions. The framework is a visco-plastic self-consistent (VPSC) polycrystalline model embedded in an implicit finite element method (FE-VPSC) to provide a microstructure-sensitive constitutive response at each material point. Each material point of the FEM model is a polycrystalline aggregate with crystallographic deformation mechanisms operating at the single crystal scale with their evolving activity based on a dislocation density-based hardening law and texture. Four beams and three cylinders machined in different orientations from a textured plate of high-purity zirconium are tested quasi-statically in 4-point bending and at speeds of 100 m/s, 170 m/s and 243 m/s during Taylor impact tests, respectively. The variation in dimensional changes resulting from different sample orientations in the plate with respect to loading directions is measured for each sample. Moreover, texture and twinning characterization is performed using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). The deformation processes and underlying evolution of microstructure are successfully simulated using the FE-VPSC framework. In doing so, the model parameters are optimized and validated across a broad range of strain rates and temperatures. Simulation results in terms of geometrical changes and microstructural evolution are compared with the experimental measurements. The model predicts anisotropic material flow resulting from the hard-to-deform crystallographic directions, the development of gradients in texture and twinning through the geometries, tension–compression asymmetry, as well as the extent of plasticity under impact.
The End of Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America

Review of: The End of Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America by Greg Grandin
Committee jurisdiction, congressional behavior and policy outcomes

The literature on congressional committees has largely overlooked the impact of jurisdictional fights on policy proposals and outcomes. This paper develops a theory of how legislators balance the benefits of expanded committee jurisdiction against preferred policy outcomes. It shows why (a) senior members, and junior members in safe seats, are most likely to challenge a committee’s jurisdiction; (b) policy proposals may be initiated off the proposer’s ideal point for jurisdictional gains; (c) policy outcomes will generally be more moderate with jurisdictional fights than without these turf wars. We empirically investigate these results examining proposed Internet intellectual property protection legislation in the 106th Congress.
Analyzing Long-Term Records of Global Average Sea Level Change Using ARIMA Model

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the role of time series model in predicting process and to pursue analysis of time series data using long-term records of global average sea level change from 1880 to 2013 extracted from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency using data from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, 2015. Following the Box–Jenkins method, ARIMA(0,1,1,) model was the best fitted model in prediction for the data, Global Average Absolute Sea Level Change, 1880-2013, in this study. Forecasting process with ARIMA(0,1,1) model for prediction indicated global average sea level change at a constant increasing rate in the short-term. Understanding past sea level is important for the analysis of current and future sea level changes. In order to sustain these observations, research programs utilizing the resulting data should be able to significantly improve our understanding and narrow projections of future sea level rise and variability.
Population and women's health.

PIP: Explanations of cultural patterns can be found in the economic context (carrying capacity) in which they develop. Population pressure explains the abuse of women throughout history and in modern times because overpopulation leads to devaluation of women's reproductive capacity. A cultural response to overpopulation includes practices that limit the numbers of women of reproductive age. Such practices foster son preference, which results in selective abortion, female infanticide, neglect and overwork of girls, dowry deaths, and discrimination against widows. The results of these practices are manifest in sex ratios that are culturally rather than naturally controlled and in demographic facts such as the calculation that 60 million females are missing in Asia alone (and perhaps more than 100 million worldwide). Women are also removed from a reproductive setting by being kidnapped or sold into prostitution or by being forced to adopt prostitution for economic survival. In cases where survival is threatened by environmental degradation and population growth, the most harsh cultural practices will emerge to adapt the population to the resources at hand. This situation creates an ethical dilemma posed by the problem of imposing Western values on a culture that is undertaking adaptive practices to insure its very survival. Ways to help women in these situation include limiting population growth humanely through family planning, provision of paid work to women, and creation of an environment that supports a small family ideal. Prosperity itself, through modernization, sometimes causes family sizes to increase. The most important intervention appears to be the provision of paid employment outside the home for women. On the other hand, large-scale wealth transfers and liberal immigration policies simply send signals that population pressure is a regional problem that can be alleviated by the international community. Increasing immigration to developed countries will place pressure on the women of those countries by increasing population. The fact that population size in the US is expected to double in 64 years already poses a threat to the status of US women who are not immune from cultural processes.
Mixed Chimerism for Tolerance Induction of Vascularized Composite Allografts

Vascularized composite allograft (VCA) transplantation offers unparalleled restoration of devastating soft tissue and musculoskeletal defects, but the risk-to-benefit ratio of the necessary lifelong immunosuppression in the management of nonlife supporting transplants remains a cause for concern. Induction of transplant tolerance would permit VCA survival free from long-term immunosuppression. Hematopoietic mixed chimerism has been demonstrated to successfully induce tolerance of various donor tissues and organs in both small and large animal models, and has been successfully applied to clinical practice for induction of renal allograft tolerance. Recent research has demonstrated that tolerance of all components of VCAs can also be achieved using these approaches. We review the mechanisms operational in mixed-chimerism-based tolerance, chiefly deletion, regulation, and anergy; implications of peripheral versus central tolerance; discuss the potential differences between protocols achieving transient and stable mixed chimerism; highlight some issues specific to VCA transplantation due to the unique nature of the composite allograft; and finally outline some practical considerations for further progress in translating research findings to clinical protocols for VCA tolerance.
Systolic array architecture for adaptive eigenstructure decomposition of correlation matrices

Eigenstructure decomposition of correlation matrices is an important pre-processing stage in many modern signal processing applications. In an unknown and possibly changing environment, adaptive algorithms that are efficient and numerically stable as well as readily implementable in hardware for eigendecomposition are highly desirable. Most modern real-time signal processing applications involve processing large amounts of input data and require high throughput rates in order to fulfil the needs of tracking and updating. The authors consider the use of a novel systolic array architecture for the high throughput online implementation of the adaptive simultaneous iteration method (SIM) algorithm for the estimation of the p largest eigenvalues and associated eigenvectors of quasi-stationary or slowly varying correlation matrices. >