cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Networks under Stress: Specialized Team Roles and Their Communication Structure

Social network research has begun to take advantage of fine-grained communications regarding coordination, decision-making, and knowledge sharing. These studies, however, have not generally analyzed how external events are associated with a social network’s structure and communicative properties. Here, we study how external events are associated with a network’s change in structure and communications. Analyzing a complete dataset of millions of instant messages among the decision-makers with different roles in a large hedge fund and their network of outside contacts, we investigate the link between price shocks, network structure, and change in the affect and cognition of decision-makers embedded in the network. We also analyze the communication dynamics among specialized teams in the organization. When price shocks occur the communication network tends not to display structural changes associated with adaptiveness such as the activation of weak ties to obtain novel information. Rather, the network “turtles up.” It displays a propensity for higher clustering, strong tie interaction, and an intensification of insider vs. outsider and within-role vs. between-role communication. Further, we find changes in network structure predict shifts in cognitive and affective processes, execution of new transactions, and local optimality of transactions better than prices, revealing the important predictive relationship between network structure and collective behavior within a social network.
8th IAEA Technical Meeting on Control, Data Acquisition and Remote Participation for Fusion Research

Abstract The 8th Technical Meeting on Control, Data Acquisition, and Remote Participation for Fusion Research was held June 20–24 2011. It was hosted this year by the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This biennial conference has been a venue for sharing ideas and results since 1997. This year's conference focused on new developments and perspectives in the areas of control, data acquisition, and remote participation for nuclear fusion research around the world.
Probabilistic disassembly

Disassembling stripped binaries is a prominent challenge for binary analysis, due to the interleaving of code segments and data, and the difficulties of resolving control transfer targets of indirect calls and jumps. As a result, most existing disassemblers have both false positives (FP) and false negatives (FN). We observe that uncertainty is inevitable in disassembly due to the information loss during compilation and code generation. Therefore, we propose to model such uncertainty using probabilities and propose a novel disassembly technique, which computes a probability for each address in the code space, indicating its likelihood of being a true positive instruction. The probability is computed from a set of features that are reachable to an address, including control flow and data flow features. Our experiments with more than two thousands binaries show that our technique does not have any FN and has only 3.7% FP. In comparison, a state-of-the-art superset disassembly technique has 85% FP. A rewriter built on our disassembly can generate binaries that are only half of the size of those by superset disassembly and run 3% faster. While many widely-used disassemblers such as IDA and BAP suffer from missing function entries, our experiment also shows that even without any function entry information, our disassembler can still achieve 0 FN and 6.8% FP.
Pulmonary Hypertension: A Contraindication for Lung Volume Reduction Surgery?

Background Historically, pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been considered as one of the contraindications for lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). Newer studies have shown that LVRS is successful in select emphysema patients with PH. Methods In-hospital and 1-year functional and quality of life (QOL) outcomes were studied in patients with PH post-LVRS. PH was defined as pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) exceeding 35 mm Hg by right heart catheterization (RHC), where available, or else exceeding 35 mm Hg by echocardiogram. Results Of 124 patients who underwent LVRS, 56 (45%) had PH (mean PAP, 41 mm Hg) with 48 mild to moderate and 8 severe PH. In-hospital outcomes were similar between patients with and without PH: hours of artificial ventilation (1.8 vs 0.06, P = .882), days in intensive care (4 vs 6, P = .263), prolonged air leak (12% vs 19%, P = .402), and days of hospital stay (13 vs 16, P = .072). Lung function improved significantly at the 1-year follow-up in patients with PH: forced expiratory volume in 1 second % predicted (26 vs 38, P = .001), forced vital capacity % (62 vs 90, P = .001), residual volume % predicted (224 vs 174, P = .001), diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide % predicted (36 vs 43, P = .001), 6-minute walk distance test (1104 vs 1232 feet, P = .001), and QOL utility scores (0.67 vs 0.77, P = .001). There were no differences in in-hospital, baseline, and follow-up functional and QOL outcomes between patients with and without PH. Conclusions In this small, single-institution cohort, outcomes of patients undergoing LVRS for emphysema with PH were similar to those of patients without PH. LVRS may be a potential option for select emphysema patients with PH.
Comparative genomics of eight Lactobacillus buchneri strains isolated from food spoilage

Lactobacillus buchneri is a lactic acid bacterium frequently associated with food bioprocessing and fermentation and has been found to be either beneficial or detrimental to industrial food processes depending on the application. The ability to metabolize lactic acid into acetic acid and 1,2-propandiol makes L. buchneri invaluable to the ensiling process, however, this metabolic activity leads to spoilage in other applications, and is especially damaging to the cucumber fermentation industry. This study aims to augment our genomic understanding of L. buchneri in order to make better use of the species in a wide range of applicable industrial settings. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on seven phenotypically diverse strains isolated from spoiled, fermented cucumber and the ATCC type strain for L. buchneri, ATCC 4005. Here, we present our findings from the comparison of eight newly-sequenced and assembled genomes against two publicly available closed reference genomes, L. buchneri CD034 and NRRL B-30929. Overall, we see ~ 50% of all coding sequences are conserved across these ten strains. When these coding sequences are clustered by functional description, the strains appear to be enriched in mobile genetic elements, namely transposons. All isolates harbor at least one CRISPR-Cas system, and many contain putative prophage regions, some of which are targeted by the host’s own DNA-encoded spacer sequences. Our findings provide new insights into the genomics of L. buchneri through whole genome sequencing and subsequent characterization of genomic features, building a platform for future studies and identifying elements for potential strain manipulation or engineering.
Prolongation of rat-to-mouse islets xenograft survival by co-transplantation of autologous IL-10 differentiated murine tolerogenic dendritic cells.

Background Tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) represent a promising approach to promote transplantation tolerance. In this study, the potential of autologous bone marrow (BM)-derived murine DC to protect rat-to-mouse islets xenografts was analyzed. Methods Tolerogenic DCs were generated by differentiating BM cells in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 10 (IL-10, IL-10 DC). The phenotype of IL-10 DC was characterized in vitro by expression of costimulatory/inhibitory molecules (flow cytometry) and cytokines (Luminex and ELISA), their function by phagocytosis and T-cell stimulation assays. To study transplant tolerance in vivo, rat islets were transplanted alone or in combination with autologous murine IL-10 DC under the kidney capsule of streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Xenograft survival was evaluated by monitoring glycemia, cellular infiltration of xenografts by microscopy and flow cytometry 10 days post-transplantation. Results Compared with control DC, IL-10 DC exhibited lower levels of major histocompatibility complex class II, costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD86, CD205), lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12p70, TNF, IL-6), and higher production of IL-10. Phagocytosis of xenogeneic rat splenocytes was not impaired in IL-10 DC, whereas stimulation of T-cell proliferation was reduced in the presence of IL-10 DC. Xenograft survival of rat islets in diabetic mice co-transplanted with autologous murine IL-10 DC was significantly prolonged from 12 to 21 days, without additional immunosuppressive treatment. Overall, infiltration of xenografts by T cells and myeloid cells was not different in IL-10 DC recipient mice, but enriched for CD8+ T cells and myeloid cells with suppressor-associated phenotype. Conclusions Autologous IL-10-differentiated DC with tolerogenic properties prolong rat-to-mouse islets xenograft survival, potentially by locally inducing immune regulatory cells, indicating their potential for regulatory immune cell therapy in xenotransplantation.
Shedding and stability of CWD prion seeding activity in cervid feces

CWD is an emergent prion disease that now affects cervid species on three continents. CWD is efficiently spread in wild and captive populations, likely through both direct animal contact and environmental contamination. Here, by longitudinally assaying in feces of CWD-exposed white-tailed deer by RT-QuIC, we demonstrate fecal shedding of prion seeding activity months before onset of clinical symptoms and continuing throughout the disease course. We also examine the impact of simulated environmental conditions such as repeated freeze-thaw cycles and desiccation on fecal prion seeding activity. We found that while multiple (n = 7) freeze-thaw cycles substantially decreased fecal seeding activity, desiccation had little to no effect on seeding activity. Finally, we examined whether RT-QuIC testing of landscape fecal deposits could distinguish two premises with substantial known CWD prevalence from one in which no CWD-infected animals had been detected. In the above pilot study, this distinction was possible. We conclude that fecal shedding of CWD prions occurs over much of the disease course, that environmental factors influence prion seeding activity, and that it is feasible to detect fecal prion contamination using RT-QuIC.
FEVER AND A MURMUR: A COMMON CONSTELLATION WITH AN UNCOMMON DIAGNOSIS

A sinus of Valsalva (SoV) aneurysm is a rare condition with the feared complication of rupture, which can leads to intracardiac shunts. A healthy 30-year-old man was transferred to our hospital with suspected infective endocarditis (IE). Two weeks prior, he presented with fever and was treated for
Chapter I – Electrical Properties

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses electrical properties of thin films that are vital to the efficient functioning of many devices, such as interconnections in integrated circuits, thin-film transistors, and for dielectric films, which require a high breakdown voltage. Deposited films have higher values of resistivity as compared to their corresponding bulk metallic form. When films become thinner than the electron mean free path, it becomes possible to have a surface scattering contribution to the resistivity. Structure affects the magnitude of this contribution and is manifested as an effect of the roughness at the interfaces of the film. The chapter describes the electrical properties of thin films and the way the structure (mostly defect structure) affects them. It discusses the solar efficiency and diffusion length of silicon cells and compound cells. Leakage currents in devices occur either in the active regions of devices in the semiconductor lattice itself or through the thin insulators separating regions of different electric potential. One of the sources of leakage current in the active regions of devices is the presence of extended defects in such regions. The chapter describes the properties of extended defects that lead to enhanced conductivity because of their presence in the active regions of semiconductor devices and the way various point defects act to enhance the leakage current in insulators. High dielectric constant materials also have application as thin film capacitors for dynamic random-access memories (DRAM), non-volatile ferroelectric random-access memories (NVFRAM), and piezoelectric films for MEMS, for tunable microwave components, phase shifters, and resonators.
Fit and Strong! Plus: Twelve and eighteen month follow-up results for a comparative effectiveness trial among overweight/obese older adults with osteoarthritis

This comparative effectiveness trial compared the longer-term effectiveness (12 and 18 months) of the standard Fit & Strong! physical activity program to Fit & Strong! Plus, which combined physical activity and dietary weight loss. Outcomes were weight, diet quality, physical activity, osteoarthritis symptoms, performance measures, and anxiety/depression. In this study, 413 overweight/obese participants with OA, ≥60 years old and primarily African American, were randomly assigned to Fit & Strong! (F&S!) or Fit & Strong! Plus (F&S! Plus), with outcomes assessed at 2, 6, 12, and 18 months. 356 (86%) participants completed the 18-month visit. Compared with participants randomized to standard F&S!, F&S! Plus participants maintained longer-term benefits at 12 months in weight (mean change ± SE: -1.7 ± 0.3 kg for F&S! Plus vs -0.9 ± 0.3 kg for F&S!, p = .049), BMI (-0.6 ± 0.1 vs -0.3 ± 0.1 kg/m2, p = .04), waist circumference (-2.7 ± 0.6 vs -0.4 ± 0.6 cm, p = .004), and lower extremity strength (1.6 ± 0.2 vs 1.0 ± 0.2 chair stands, p = .046). At 18 months, F&S! Plus participants showed improved lower extremity strength (1.4 ± 0.2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2 chair stands, p = .045. African American older adults in the F&S! Plus arm showed sustained modest improvements in weight, waist circumference, and lower extremity strength at 12 months and in lower extremity strength at 18 months compared to F&S!. Implications for the translation of evidence-based programs into community settings to support healthy behaviors in older adults are discussed.
Approach to Hemolytic Anemia

Hemolysis is a common cause of anemia in hospitalized patients. The broad differential and potential for critical outcomes can make it an intimidating condition to evaluate. Fortunately, the more common and urgent etiologies can be promptly established through a systematic approach. This teaching script begins with a quick review of how to distinguish the three causes of anemia—underproduction, blood loss, and hemolysis—based on the reticulocyte index and a few easily obtained laboratory tests. It then progresses through a step-wise approach to differentiating the eight common causes of hemolysis, based simply on the peripheral blood smear, direct antibody test and one unique characteristic of the clinical presentation.
Data-driven learning of process−property−performance relation in laser-induced aqueous manufacturing and integration of ZnO piezoelectric nanogenerator for self-powered nanosensors

Abstract Piezoelectric nanogenerators have attracted intensive interest in harvesting the stray mechanical energy in the environment to power miniaturized electronics and sensors. However, their efficient integration into systems and compatibility with existing technologies for practical applications remains challenging. Here, we report for the first time the systematic, data-driven learning of the process-property-performance relation in ZnO nanowires piezoelectric nanogenerators that are synthesized and integrated through a laser-induced chemical process. An experiment-derived behavioral model was established to reveal the apparent connections between the production parameters and the output performance of the ZnO piezoelectric nanogenerator. We further demonstrated the application of such knowledge for integrating the optimized ZnO nanowires piezoelectric nanogenerator with a photosensor into a self-powered sensor system, exhibiting the potential for future system-level improvements.
Reimagining full wave rf quasilinear theory in a tokamak

The velocity dependent resonant interaction of particles with applied radiofrequency (rf) waves during heating and current drive in the presence of pitch angle scattering collisions gives rise to narrow collisional velocity space boundary layers that dramatically enhance the role of collisions as recently shown by Catto (J. Plasma Phys., vol. 86, 2020, 815860302). The behaviour is a generalization of the narrow collisional boundary layer that forms during Landau damping as found by Johnston (Phys. Fluids, vol. 14, 1971, pp. 2719–2726) and Auerbach (Phys. Fluids, vol. 20, 1977, pp. 1836–1844). For a wave of parallel wave number . The narrow boundary layers that arise because of the diffusive nature of the collisions allow a physically meaningful wave–particle interaction time to be defined that is the inverse of this effective collision frequency. The collisionality implied by the narrow boundary layer results in changes in the standard quasilinear treatment of applied rf fields in tokamaks while remaining consistent with causality. These changes occur because successive poloidal interactions with the rf are correlated in tokamak geometry and because the resonant velocity space dependent interactions are controlled by the spatial and temporal behaviour of the perturbed full wave fields rather than just the spatially local Landau and Doppler shifted cyclotron wave–particle resonance condition associated with unperturbed motion of the particles. The correlation of successive poloidal circuits of the tokamak leads to the appearance in the quasilinear operator of transit averaged resonance conditions localized in velocity space boundary layers that maintain negative definite entropy production.
The Nonoperative Instability Severity Index Score (NISIS): Is It Predictive in a Larger Shoulder Instability Population at Long-term Follow-up?

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of the Nonoperative Instability Severity Index Score (NISIS) criteria on an established US-geographic population-based cohort of patients with anterior shoulder instability. METHODS An established geographically based medical record system was used to identify patients 15 years), bone loss, type of instability (dislocation vs subluxation), type of sport (collision vs noncollision), male sex, and dominant arm involvement. High risk was considered a score of ≥7 points and low risk as <7 points. Failure was defined as either progression to surgery or recurrent instability diagnosed by a consulting physician at any point after initial consultation. RESULTS The study population consisted of 405 patients with a mean follow-up time of 9.6 ± 5.9 years. Failure was defined as recurrent instability or progression to surgery, and the overall failure rate was 52.8% (214/405). The rate of recurrent instability after initial consultation was 34.6% (140/405), and the rate of conversion to surgery was 37.8% (153/405). A total of 264 (65.2%) patients were considered low risk (NISIS < 7), and 141 (34.8%) patients were considered high risk (NISIS ≥ 7). Patients in the high-risk group were more likely to fail nonoperative management than those in the low-risk group (60.3% vs 48.9%; P = .028). CONCLUSIONS The NISIS has been proposed as a potentially useful tool in clinical decision-making regarding the appropriate use of nonoperative treatment in scholastic athletes. When applied to an established US-geographic population-based cohort consisting of competitive and recreational athletes under the age of 40 with longer-term follow-up, the NISIS high-risk cutoff was able to predict overall failure with 60.3% accuracy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III, retrospective observation trial.
Modeling the contagion of bank runs with a Markov model

Abstract In this study, we develop a generic Markov model that tracks in real-time and forecasts the potential contagion of bank runs during severe contractionary economic cycles. The proposed model aims to assist regulatory bodies that supervise heterogeneous banking systems by offering an adaptable monitoring scheme. The model calibrates a few input variables including initial cash withdrawals, bank idiosyncratic initial failure rates, allocated proportions of cash withdrawals, and a contagion market factor of bank runs, and it concludes with designated measures for the overall strength of a banking system and for the expected time until a banking system failure, as predefined by policymakers. We also illustrate the functionality of the model along three hypothetical banking systems and further deploy numerical examples and sensitivity analyses, which reveal that initial bank failure rates play a bigger role in the propagation of bank runs than the contagion market factor.
COVID-19 vaccination and immune thrombocytopenia.

A prospective cohort analysis finds a link between the ChAdOx1 vaccine and an autoimmune disorder known as immune thrombocytopenia—but questions remain and causality is yet to be established.
Sex-dependent resource defense in a nectar-feeding bat

Aggressive resource defense spans from the transient monopolization of a resource up to the long-term maintenance of a territory. While such interference competition is common in nectar-feeding birds, reports in nectar-feeding bats are rare. Glossophaga bats have been observed to temporarily defend flowers but the extent of this monopolization, its effects on nectar intake, and underlying sexual differences remain unknown. We investigated resource defense behavior of Glossophaga mutica in the laboratory. We presented bats with two patches of computer-controlled artificial flowers and tracked individual nectar intake. Furthermore, we established an automated method for detecting aggressive interactions at the artificial flowers. Theoretical models of interference competition predict more aggressive interactions when resources are spatially more clumped. To test this, we varied resource distribution across two patches from clumped to distributed and monitored bats interactions in one male, one female, and four mixed-sex groups. Males engaged in aggressive interactions more often than females and in each group some individuals defended clumped artificial flowers against others. Subordinate males experienced a substantial decrease in nectar intake, while females were only marginally affected by male aggression. These results suggest that aggressive interactions and their effect on nectar intake are sex-dependent in G. mutica. Furthermore, aggressive interactions were more frequent and resource defense was only successful when resources were clumped. Our experimental set-up allowed us to perform an automated test of models of interference competition with a mammal under controlled laboratory conditions. This approach may pave the way for similar studies with other animals. Lay summaryMales bully other males to get more food, but only when food is easy to defend. When flowers are spread out nectar-feeding bats rarely engage in fights. However, when there are rich flowers in one spot and no flowers elsewhere, some males start attacking others, denying them access to the nectar. Females do not seem bothered by such male bullies, but when there are no males around, some females become bullies themselves.
Comparison of Autistic Individuals Who Engage in Self-Injurious Behavior, Aggression, and Both Behaviors.

Background. Two of the most challenging behaviors exhibited by individuals on the autism spectrum are self-injurious behavior (SIB) and aggression. The aim of this study was to identify co-occurring symptoms, behaviors, and medical comorbidities that may provide insight into understanding and treating these behaviors. Method. A large-scale online survey was used to collect data on symptoms, behaviors, and medically related comorbidities commonly reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Based on responses from 2327 participants, individuals with ASD were divided into four categories: individuals who engaged in SIB only, individuals who engaged in aggression only, individuals who engaged in both behaviors, and individuals who engaged in neither behavior. Results. There were several characteristics and comorbidities associated with those who engaged in SIB only and in aggression only, in addition to those who engaged in both behaviors. Conclusion. The findings in this study provide evidence to support at least two underlying causes of these behaviors (insensitivity to pain and reactions to food) as well as implications for treating them. Furthermore, several behaviors often observed during early childhood may be considered early predictors of these challenging behaviors.
Untangling the associations between generalized anxiety and body dissatisfaction: The mediating effects of social physique anxiety among collegiate men and women

Abstract Researchers disagree on which types of anxiety influence body dissatisfaction and how gender (cisgender men vs. cisgender women) may impact these associations. Specifically, little is known about how generalized anxiety and social physique anxiety combine to predict body dissatisfaction in men and women. The purpose of the present study was to explore a moderated mediation model in which the relationships between generalized anxiety and body dissatisfaction (drive for thinness and drive for muscularity) were mediated by social physique anxiety and moderated by gender. Data from 423 U.S. college students (n = 259 women) were analyzed using multigroup structural equation modeling. Generalized anxiety was positively associated with social physique anxiety, and this association was significantly stronger for men than for women. Neither social physique anxiety nor generalized anxiety were associated with drive for muscularity. Social physique anxiety was positively and significantly associated with drive for thinness equally for men and women and emerged as a significant mediator. These results highlight gender differences/similarities in body image and suggest drive for thinness and social physique anxiety may have a common factor of generalized anxiety. When helping clients who suffer with body dissatisfaction, clinicians and researchers may wish to focus on generalized anxiety (and not just social physique anxiety).
Attenuation of Salmonella by Auxotrophy

It seems obvious that for pathogenic bacteria which cause disease by extensive multiplication in the tissues of the infected animal (host) the bacteria must acquire from the host all the nutrients they need for growth and consequently that mutations causing new requirements, that is new auxotrophic characters, will interfere with multiplication in host tissues, and so cause reduced virulence or non-virulence, if the required metabolite or metabolites are not present in the relevant “compartment” of the host or are present but only at concentrations insufficient for growth of the auxotrophic organism. Most Salmonella serotypes had been shown to be prototrophic by the mid 1940’s, at which time methods for inducing bacterial mutations and for the detection and isolation of auxotrophic mutants from mutagen-treated cultures first became available. Not much later three reports (Bacon, Burrows and Yates, 1950 a, b, 1951) described a very thorough and extensive investigation of the effect on virulence (for the mouse) of mutations causing auxotrophy in a strain of S. typhi. These reports are, I think, the earliest study of the effect of auxotrophy on bacterial virulence; they revealed a large fraction of what we now know, more than 40 years later, on this subject, in particular that most mutations causing requirement for a single amino acid or for a single vitamin have little or no effect on virulence. The success of this investigation is the more striking in that the infection model used, that is the interaction of S. typhi and mice, is a highly artificial one.
Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Abdominal Wall Caused by Serratia Marcescens

In this article, we present the first case of necrotizing fasciitis affecting the abdominal wall caused by Serratia marcescens and share results of a focused review of S. marcescens induced necrotizing fasciitis. Our patient underwent aorto-femoral bypass grafting for advanced peripheral vascular disease and presented 3 weeks postoperatively with pain, erythema and discharge from the incision site in the left lower abdominal wall and underwent multiple debridement of the affected area. Pathology of debrided tissue indicated extensive necrosis involving the adipose tissue, fascia and skeletal muscle. Wound cultures were positive for Serratia marcescens. She was successfully treated with antibiotics and multiple surgical debridements. Since necrotizing fasciitis is a medical and surgical emergency, it is critical to examine infectivity trends, clinical characteristics in its causative spectrum. Using PubMed we found 17 published cases of necrotizing fasciitis caused by Serratia marcescens, and then analyzed patterns among those cases. Serratia marcescens is prominent in the community and hospital settings, and information on infection presentations, risk factors, characteristics, treatment, course, and complications as provided through this study can help identify cases earlier and mitigate poor outcomes. Patients with positive blood cultures and those patients where surgical intervention was not provided or delayed had a higher mortality. Surgical intervention is a definite way to establish the diagnosis of necrotizing infection and differentiate it from other entities.
Sediment transport due to extreme events: The Hudson River estuary after tropical storms Irene and Lee

[1] Tropical Storms Irene and Lee in 2011 produced intense precipitation and flooding in the U.S. Northeast, including the Hudson River watershed. Sediment input to the Hudson River was approximately 2.7 megaton, about 5 times the long-term annual average. Rather than the common assumption that sediment is predominantly trapped in the estuary, observations and model results indicate that approximately two thirds of the new sediment remained trapped in the tidal freshwater river more than 1 month after the storms and only about one fifth of the new sediment reached the saline estuary. High sediment concentrations were observed in the estuary, but the model results suggest that this was predominantly due to remobilization of bed sediment. Spatially localized deposits of new and remobilized sediment were consistent with longer term depositional records. The results indicate that tidal rivers can intercept (at least temporarily) delivery of terrigenous sediment to the marine environment during major flow events.
Ser352 and Ser354 in the carboxyl terminus of the human P2Y1 receptor are required for agonist-promoted phosphorylation and internalization in MDCK cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The P2Y1 receptor promotes chloride secretion in epithelial cells, a process critical for regulation of extracellular ion and fluid levels. Here we have examined the role of phosphorylation in agonist-induced internalization of P2Y1 receptors. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH A high-affinity radiolabelled antagonist, MRS2500, was used to quantify cell surface-binding sites of P2Y1 receptors in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells, following exposure to agonists. The regions in the carboxyl terminus involved in both agonist-induced internalization of the receptor and its phosphorylation were identified by mutational analysis. KEY RESULTS Endogenous and stably expressed recombinant P2Y1 receptors rapidly internalized with similar time courses in response to agonist in MDCK cells, ensuring that the levels of recombinant receptor achieved by retroviral infection did not adversely affect function of the internalization machinery. Four protein kinase C inhibitors of varying specificity did not affect internalization of recombinant receptors. Agonist-promoted internalization of a series of truncated P2Y1 receptors identified a region between residues 349 and 359 in the carboxyl terminus as critical for regulation. Two amino acids within this region, Ser352 and Ser354, were shown to be both necessary and sufficient for agonist-promoted receptor phosphorylation and internalization. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results firmly establish Ser352 and Ser354 in the carboxyl terminus of P2Y1 receptors as critical residues for agonist-induced receptor internalization in MDCK cells. As the mechanism mediating this regulation requires phosphorylation of these key residues, the relevant receptor-regulated protein kinase can now be identified.
Unifying robustness analysis and system ID

A unified systems analysis framework is presented, which includes conventional robustness analysis, model validation, and system identification as special cases and thus shows them to be instances of the same fundamental problem. A concrete version of this framework is developed for the linear case, based on a generalized structured singular value. This unification forms the basis for the use of common computational tools and and a more natural interplay between modeling, identification, and robustness analysis. >
[5] Microcolumn liquid chromatography in biochemical analysis

Publisher Summary Biochemical methodologies based on various forms of liquid chromatography (LC) have been extremely important to progress in both structural investigations and physicochemical measurements performed on biological macromolecules. The high-performance LC (HPLC) instruments, featuring analytical-scale (4.6-mm i.d.), and preparative columns have now become the standard equipment in biochemical laboratories. While such instrumentation performs admirably in the day-to-day tasks of a biochemist (ranging from isolation work to routine sequencing methods to various other determinations), there is an increasing need to work at the microscale and nanoscale. Miniaturization of chromatographic separations and the associated small-scale manipulations is certainly one way of dealing with the problem of analyzing minute quantities of important biomolecules isolated from complex biological materials. Increasing sophistication of chromatographic detectors, in terms of sensitivity and structural information, provides further incentive for the development of microcolumn separation methods. This chapter discusses the microcolumn LC and its related techniques to provide a perspective on its value in biochemical research. Whereas much developmental work in micro-LC employed separation of small molecules, the primary emphasis of the discussion is on biological macromolecules and their degradation products. After a brief discussion of the microcolumn types and their technology, the instrumental aspects pertinent to the field of biomolecular analysis are described in the chapter. Selected applications further demonstrate certain unique capabilities of microcolumn separation systems.
MIG2 is overexpressed in human breast carcinomas and plays a role in cancer cell invasion

3523 Cell invasion and metastasis are hallmarks of the cancer phenotype and account for 90% of cancer deaths; therefore, proteins that govern these processes provide attractive drug targets. We used a novel variant of the human MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, termed TMX2-28, as a model to identify new therapeutic targets for breast cancer. TMX2-28 cells have lost expression of the estrogen receptor and have a mixed basal/luminal-like gene expression signature. TMX2-28 cells are highly invasive compared to MCF-7 cells as demonstrated by their ability to invade through a reconstituted basement membrane (matrigel). TMX2-28 cells display an appearance distinct from MCF-7; yet they maintain a rounded-epithelial cell morphology suggesting an amoeboid mode of cell invasion. cDNA microarray comparison of MCF-7 and TMX2-28 cells identified 1402 differentially expressed transcripts. Screening of selected genes in both human breast carcinomas and reductive mammoplasties identified the novel expression of mitogen-inducible gene-2 (MIG2) in human breast carcinomas. MIG2 controls the localization of the protein migfilin by recruiting it from cell-cell junctions to cell-ECM adhesion sites where migfilin interacts with filamin regulating actin dynamics. MIG2 mRNA is overexpressed in TMX2-28 compared to MCF-7 (17-fold) as determined by real time RT-PCR. MIG2 mRNA levels show little expression in non-tumorigenic human mammary epithelial cell lines 184, 184A1, MCF-10A, and epithelial cells isolated from human breast milk. MIG2 gene expression was evaluated in thirty frozen human breast carcinoma specimens in which 13 of 30 showed high mRNA levels. MIG2 protein was highly expressed in 12 of 27 breast tumors and MIG2 protein showed little to no expression in most normal breast tissues from reduction mammoplasty determined by immunohistochemistry. Using siRNA to suppress the expression of MIG2 mRNA levels in TMX2-28 cells it was determined that MIG2 plays a role in cancer cell invasion and multicellular spheroid formation in 3D-matrigel cultures. TMX2-28 cell invasion was reduced by 68% when transiently transfected with siRNAs targeting MIG2 compared to cells transfected with siRNAs against GAPDH. siRNAs against MIG2 inhibited spheroid formation of TMX2-28 cells, whereas cells treated with siRNAs against GAPDH formed solid spheroids after 48 hours. Using immunofluorescence we found that MIG2 was highly localized with F-actin identified by phalloidin staining in the aggressive TMX2-28 breast cancer cells compared to nonaggressive MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, dual-immunofluorescence with the focal adhesion markers FAK and talin revealed that migfilin is highly concentrated at focal adhesion sites in TMX2-28 cells compared to MCF-7. Data from these studies suggest that targeting either MIG2 or other interacting proteins at focal adhesions may provide beneficial therapies for a subset of breast cancers.
A Comparative Study of Different Methods of Correcting Combined Cycle Thermal Performance

The power output and heat rate (or efficiency) of a combined cycle power plant are expressed in the Power Industry at a specified set of “reference conditions”. Some of these reference conditions pertain to the test boundary (eg. ambient air temperature, barometric pressure etc.) while some others pertain to the operating condition (eg. baseload, evaporative cooler status, etc.) within the plant boundary. The process of measuring the actual thermal performance of a combined cycle plant involves conducting a test wherein the plant is operated at the pre-determined set of operating conditions that enable minimizing deviations from the “reference conditions”. It is a well-known fact that despite all efforts made during such a test, the actual boundary and operating conditions that prevail at the time of the test will not necessarily be identical to the pre-defined set of “reference conditions”. Hence, in order to evaluate the performance levels of the plant, one of the essential steps in the testing process is to “correct” the measured power output and heat consumption (or heat rate) for differences that persist between the actual test conditions and the corresponding set of “reference conditions”. This “correction” can be performed by using either a correction curve-based approach or a model-based approach.When a correction curve-based approach is used, the effects of the boundary conditions on the relevant performance parameter (output, heat consumption or heat rate) can be depicted as an additive correction term or as a multiplicative correction term. As such, the corrections to the boundary conditions can be applied as either a) additive or b) multiplicative or c) a combination of additive and multiplicative referred to as “hybrid”. The prevailing industry code for testing combined cycle power plants, ASME PTC 46, has adopted the “hybrid” method while the codes for testing individual equipment (such as PTC 22, PTC 6.2, PTC 6) have adopted either the additive philosophy or the multiplicative philosophy or a “hybrid” philosophy similar to PTC 46.The purpose of this paper is to present the outcome of a study that compares the three different correction methods utilizing the correction curve approach for a combined cycle power plant. The studies were based on thermodynamic simulations performed on different plant configurations. A key result will be the quantification of the errors associated with the different methods, which are primarily a function of the ability of the different methods to inherently capture the interactions between the various boundary parameters in the correction process and are a representation of the uncertainty associated with the particular correction method. Furthermore, the paper will introduce a new calculation method and provide recommendations that will help improve the accuracies of test results.© 2015 ASME
Systemic Autoimmune Disease

An autoimmune disorder is the body’s reaction to an unknown stimulus causing the overproduction of antibodies that are directed against body tissue (Wallace, 1995). Although most autoimmune diseases are associated with significant and chronic morbidity and disability, epidemiological studies are generally limited to a few of the more prevalent disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes mellitus. Recent estimates indicate that 1 in 31 individuals in the United States currently are diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, with women at higher risk than men (Jacobson, Gange, Rose, & Graham, 1997).
The sense-think-act paradigm revisited

Approximately 25 years have passed since the "sense-act-think" paradigm was advanced as the operational definition of a robot, and as a broad roadmap for robotics research. With the appearance of mobile robots that do real work in the real world, "communicate" has de facto been added to the list of functionalities that are essential features of robots. In keeping with the theme of the ROSE-2003 Workshop, this paper attempts to articulate and justify a set of intellectual and engineering challenges for 21 st century sensing and perception for robotics. It especially argues for examining the current and re-examining future roles for teleoperation, both as a practical route around the improbability that machine intelligence will equal human intelligence in the foreseeable future, and because it is apparent that sensor improvement is driven in large part by incremental advances in sensor-display design-and-test loops that are in turn driven by human factors governing perception.
Serotonin metabolism in patients with carcinoid tumors: Incidence of 5-hydroxytryptophan-secreting tumors

The urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, tryptamine, and tyramine and the serum serotonin concentration were determined in 38 consecutive patients with metastatic carcinoid tumors. Four of the 23 patients with the carcinoid syndrome (15%) had markedly elevated excretion of 5-hydroxytryptophan. None of the patients had markedly elevated excretion of tryptamine or tyramine; a substantial number of patients had moderately low urinary excretion of these amines. All of the patients with the carcinoid syndrome had elevated urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion; 2 of these patients had normal serum serotonin concentrations, suggesting that quantitative 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion is the most reliable test for the carcinoid syndrome. Although tryptamine secretion by carcinoid tumors is rare, 5-hydroxytryptophan secretion may be more common than is recognized.
NASA technology program for future civil air transports

An assessment is undertaken of the development status of technology, applicable to future civil air transport design, which is currently undergoing conceptual study or testing at NASA facilities. The NASA civil air transport effort emphasizes advanced aerodynamic computational capabilities, fuel-efficient engines, advanced turboprops, composite primary structure materials, advanced aerodynamic concepts in boundary layer laminarization and aircraft configuration, refined control, guidance and flight management systems, and the integration of all these design elements into optimal systems. Attention is given to such novel transport aircraft design concepts as forward swept wings, twin fuselages, sandwich composite structures, and swept blade propfans.
The Real Color of Money: Controlling Black Bodies in the NBA

Amid a backlash against the influence of hip-hop within professional basketball, exacerbated by the 2004 brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills, NBA executives, media pundits, and fans have denounced the influx of Black high school players. This article argues that the establishment of a policy preventing high school players from the NBA is neither a pure business decision nor a hypocritical move by a league that has long profited off the contributions of young Black males and the popularity of hip-hop. Instead, it links this discourse to the larger societal moves to police and put Black male bodies under surveillance. It specifically examines the ways in which calls for an age restriction within the NBA and those efforts to send young men and women of color into America's expanding prison system reflect the same White supremacist logic that necessitates the control, regulation, and punishment of Black and brown bodies.
Resonance Raman spectroscopy as a probe of electrosynthesized materials: principles and selected results

Abstract This paper describes the use of resonance Raman spectroscopy to characterize thin films of the II–VI compound semiconductors electrosynthesized on metal surfaces. In the first part of the paper, we describe how resonance Raman experiments can provide information about both the electronic band structure of a material as well as time-dependent phenomena such as charge carrier trapping. In the second part of the paper, we compare the properties of CdS films grown on Au substrates using chemical bath deposition and electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy. In the former case, we find that the films are composed of spherical particles whose diameters depend on the deposition time. In the case of EC-ALE films, on the other hand, we find that CdS grows in a layer-by-layer fashion and that the crystallites are oriented with respect to the substrate.
Use of 11C as a tracer for studying the synthesis of radiolabelled compounds—II: 2-[11C]-5,5-diphenylhydantoin from [11C]cyanide

Abstract Carbon-11 was used as a tracer to study the various physical and chemical parameters involved in the synthesis of 2-[11C]-5,5-diphenylhydantoin (DPH) starting from high specific activity [11C]urea. To optimize the reaction conditions, the effects of reaction time, temperature as well as various reactant concentrations were studied. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC) were used to determine the reactants and products and to monitor progress of the reactions. The [11C]DPH was isolated within 55–60 min from end of bombardment (EOB) by preparative HPLC in an overall 30–35% yield with a radiochemical purity of 98.2 ± 0.5% and a specific activity as high as 3.2 ± 0.3 Ci/μmol (EOB).