cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A decade of combustion research

Abstract The Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center (ACERC) at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, in cooperation with other universities, 37 industrial members and six governmental members, has marked a decade of combustion research. This review emphasizes the contributions of ACERC over this past decade. While the state-of-the-art relating to fossil fuel combustion is discussed, the paper does not treat the substantial contributions of other researchers to recent advances in combustion science and technology. The mission of ACERC has been to develop advanced combustion technology through fundamental engineering and scientific research and educational programs aimed at the solution of critical national combustion problems. These programs have been designed to contribute to the center's focus on the clean and efficient use of fossil fuels and waste materials, particularly coal and other low-quality fuels. The average annual ACERC budget over this decade has been about $4 million, with about 40% from NSF (ERC), 25% from industry, 20% from other federal and state grants, and 15% from participating universities. ACERC has 38,000 square feet of administrative, computational and laboratory space at the two universities. Research equipment exceeds a value of $16 million. The team of about 140 researchers typically includes 30 faculty and professionals from nine academic departments, 10 post-doctoral associates, and 100 students at doctoral, masters and bachelor levels. Since ACERC was initiated in May of 1986, five books and over 700 journal and conference manuscripts have been published. Basic experimental research has provided insights, parameters and submodels toward development of comprehensive combustion models for industrial use. Eight software products from ACERC have been licensed to industries. Six new companies can trace their origins, in part, to ACERC. New NOx control concepts have been developed under an advanced, pulverized coal system development program of the Department of Energy. New work in coal structure, coal reaction processes and rates, methods of acid rain control, turbulent reacting flows, fuel minerals behavior, and fuel and waste conversion processes has given new insights into complex combustion processes, while new combustion modeling software products for large furnaces, gasifiers and rotary kilns are being used by industry. ACERC has also built a unique set of small, highly-instrumented, pilot-scale test-bed facilities which allow industrial and academic researchers to characterize the combustion of fuels and wastes in high-temperature furnaces, rotary kilns, fixed beds, fluidized beds (both bubbling and circulating), stokers and gasifiers. Many of the Center's significant accomplishments can be categorized into five areas: (1) comprehensive combustion model development, (2) combustion submodel development, (3) pollutant emissions, (4) air toxics and (5) advanced combustion system testing. This overview highlights selected research accomplishments of ACERC during this past decade.
A dynamical connectionist model of idea generation

In this paper, we present a model for the generation of ideas within a creative thinking/brainstorming context. In the model, ideas emerge as conceptual combinations from the interaction of complex dynamics at several semantic levels: Features, concepts, categories, and previously generated ideas. This dynamics is shaped by external information on task context, constraints and goals, and is modulated by evaluative feedback from an internal critic working through reinforcement. While the model is abstract, it attempts to capture the interplay between semantic representations in the temporal, frontal and parietal cortices, working memory in the prefrontal cortex, attentional selection by the basal ganglia, and modulation from the dopaminergic reward system. We show that a context-specific itinerant search for novel but meaningful conceptual combinations (ideas) emerges naturally from the dynamics of this system. We also briefly describe a computational model for ideation in groups using a multi-agent formalism. The initial focus of this model is on studying the potential benefits of cognitive diversity in agent groups, e.g., the presence of convergent and divergent thinkers, or agents with different semantic organizations.
Software measurements and their influence upon machine language design

At present, software development is responsible for a large part of the total cost of computer systems. A segment of this cost is traceable to the development of programming language (e.g., FORTRAN, ALGOL, PL/I) translators which constitute major components of any software package.
Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids stimulate glucagon and insulin release from isolated rat pancreatic islets

Metapyrone and eicosatetraynoic acid but not indomethacin are effective inhibitors of the secretory response of isolated rat pancreatic islets to arginine and glucose. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, products of the cytochrome P-450-NADPH dependent arachidonic acid epoxygenase activity, are potent and selective mediators for the in vitro release of either insulin or glucagon from preparations of isolated rat pancreatic islets.
Can levoglucosan be used to characterize and quantify char/charcoal black carbon in environmental media?

The heterogeneous nature of pyrogenic carbon, also known as black carbon (BC), still stands in the way of comprehensive determination of the total proportion of combustion derived carbon in environmental mixtures. Char and charcoal occur mostly in the low temperature region of the BC continuum and as such are characterized using specific chemical and physical properties that set them apart from the more condensed forms of high temperature BC species (i.e., soot). This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using the molecular marker levoglucosan, exclusively produced from hemicellulose/cellulose combustion, to characterize and quantify char BC in the environment. A second objective was to compare the results from the molecular analysis with those from acid dichromate oxidation in terms of char BC characterization. First, we examined levoglucosan levels in a suite of BC materials derived from biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion, as well as non-BC materials (coal and melanoidin). The results confirm that levoglucosan is exclusively in the char BC materials, derived from biomass combustion. However, a large variability in levoglucosan yield was observed among the different char BC materials. To understand the causes of such variability, we analyzed levoglucosan in three series of laboratory-produced char samples (n = 23) made from honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.), cordgrass (Spartina spartinae) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) under controlled combustion conditions (150–1050 C, 0.5–5 h). The results show that temperature is the most influential factor affecting levoglucosan yield in char. Combustion duration, on the other hand, had no influence on yield. Notably, levoglucosan was only detectable in low temperature char samples (150–350 C), with maximum yield obtained from samples produced at 250 C, regardless of plant species. Large differences in levoglucosan yield were also observed across species. This taxonomic difference could not be corrected simply on the basis of hemicellulose and cellulose content, indicating that the relationship between combustion and levoglucosan formation is a complex function of many factors. Our observations also demonstrate that levoglucosan can hardly be used quantitatively for the determination of char BC in environmental samples since such samples often represent mixtures of different chars characterized by variable levoglucosan yield. Acid dichromate oxidation, as opposed to the levoglucosan method, detected mid- to high temperature char BC (P350 C) but not low temperature char (6 250 C). Our results indicate that the overlap in the analytical windows of the two methods is limited to the upper limit of the latter. The study demonstrates that levoglucosan can serve as a good qualitative indicator for the presence of char produced under low temperature conditions in soil, sediments, and ultrafine aerosols. Although levoglucosan is not a proper quantitative proxy for char BC
A Century of Avian Community Turnover in an Urban Green Space in Northern California

Abstract. Over long time periods, urbanization is expected to have a negative effect on species diversity. Predicted effects generally follow one of three competing paradigms: diversity decay, homogenization, or community-composition turnover. However, it has been hypothesized that urban green spaces may provide a means by which urban areas can maintain or increase their species diversity over time. We used surveys conducted in 1913–18,1938– 39, and 2006–07 on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, to evaluate how an avian community has changed over time in the context of urban growth. In each of the three periods the community differed greatly, yet we found no evidence for a decline in species or functional diversity. Despite the birds of the 1913–18 community having a greater affinity for native habitats than birds of later periods, we found no further evidence that specialists were being replaced by generalists. Of the three paradigms, our results strongly supported community-composition...
'Equality, I Spoke that Word/As If a Wedding Vow': Mental Disability Law and How We Treat Marginalized Persons

This article introduces a Symposium on Perspectives on Mental Disability Law that appears in the most recent issue of the New York Law School Law Review. The articles deal with a variety of perspectives on mental disability law - the status of sex offenders, the role of advocacy organizations, assisted outpatient treatment, institutional rights - but each explores the tensions present when the question is raised as to whether institutionalized persons are being treated "as human beings" (Falter v. Veterans Administration, 502 F.Supp. 1178, 1185 (D.N.J. 1980) (Ackerman, J.). All share a constant leitmotif: the ways that we as a society, simply put, do not take seriously the impact of institutionalization on persons with mental disabilities, and the ways that we continue to marginalize and dehumanize such individuals, sometimes under the guide of public protection, sometimes under the guise of benevolence.We come to these conclusions when looking at this cohort of articles:1. Our "ordinary common sense" about persons who are institutionalized is usually wrong. 2. Sanism and pretextuality continue to dominate our social policies.3. Issues of mental disability cannot be meaningfully uncoupled from other social issues such as race or class discrimination4. Therapeutic jurisprudence is a necessary palliative to remediate the factors just discussed..The individuals written about in the essays here are all marginalized. Their marginalization has led to their being treated as somehow less worthy of legal protection than others. For nearly three decades, we have continued to ignore Judge Ackerman's cautionary advice - to treat them "like human beings."
Maintenance Therapy/Necessary for Long-Term Success

The accumulation of bacterial plaque, food debris, and eventually calculus on the non-shedding surfaces of the human dentition has long been recognized, since the time of Pierre Fauchard in the eighteenth century, as the most fundamental factor responsible for the initiation of dental caries and periodontal diseases. This quintessential insight, recognized by so many astute clinicians, should not be ignored when treating patients with periodontal diseases. Whether the therapy is for gingivitis, periodontitis, pericoronitis, acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), peri-implant mucositis, or peri-implantitis, the individual patient’s level of cooperation in the therapy is crucial for achieving immediate- and long-term successful results. Patients need to be empowered so they can reverse the ravages of neglect and move forward towards the new direction of clinical health and comfort. The decision for this change in direction must come from the individual patient, but dental health professionals must be willing to accept their responsibility to guide and motivate each patient.
WASTE DISPOSAL IN MARINE WATERS

Waste disposal in marine waters is of importance to coastal engineers because of the ever-increasing requirements for an effective means of dilution of both municipal and industrial wastes. There are many considerations that enter into a satisfactory waste disposal method by dilution, but to the engineer two major considerations must be made. These are, first, the rate of diffusion and, second, the level of dilution necessary to effect disposal. These considerations become quite involved because of the varying conditions which influence dilution or diffusion processes and the uses of the water, which determines the criteria for a satisfactory dilution level. Thus, the dilution levels necessary will be dependent on the nature of the material and the area of dispersal.
Cholesterogenesis during acute infection in chronically hypercholesterolemic rhesus monkeys.

SummaryThe presence of chronic, experimentally induced hypercholesterolemia in rhesus monkeys led to atypical patterns of lipid response during acute pneumococcal infection. When compared to infection in previously normal monkeys, hypercholesterolemic monkeys showed an impaired synthesis of cholesterol with accumulation of squalene in the plasma, an increased conversion of newly formed cholesterol to an esterified form, and an impaired utilization of triglycerides.
A Space Solar Power Industry for $2 Billion or Your Money Back

A system of prizes to develop space solar power (SSP) is proposed. If successful, a two bill ion dollar investment could kick-start a vigorous SSP industry, which in turn could provide humanity with essentially unlimited quantities of clean electrical energy. If unsuccessful, the money is returned to its source. The prize is structured to subsidize the construction of nine SSP satell ites by at least three different entrants using different designs. The prize is aimed at developing small SSP systems delivering a few tens of megawatts to util ities on the ground. Under some reasonable assumptions, the prize money is sufficient to make one or perhaps two of the satell ites profitable and provide a significant subsidy to the other seven. Once small SSP systems have been successfully developed, producing large systems that can make a real difference to global energy production will be much easier. While $2 bill ion is a great deal of money, should this effort be successful, it is reasonable to hope that Earth’s energy and greenhouse gas problems could be solved.
The Costs of Democracy

This book has investigated macroeconomic policymaking in order to make inferences about the nature of democratic institutions, to get a grasp on problems that may be inherent in them, and to understand how alternative formulations of these institutions might affect performance. It has focused on recent experience in the United States. The concentration on macroeconomic issues has facilitated the evaluation of performance. The concentration on one nation has facilitated an understanding of the importance of process in democracy, and it has permitted an assessment of the consequences of institutional changes over time in that country. However, economic performance is only one of the many values that may be facilitated or hindered by democratic institutions, and a focus on one country obscures an understanding of the ways in which alternative institutions that vary across countries can affect performance. In this final chapter, we shall consider some ways in which the single country focus may be complemented by further investigation, though without speculating beyond macroeconomic issues. But first a reflection on some of the implications of the methodological approach used in much of the analysis. DEMOCRATIC POLITICS AND ECONOMIC METHOD The book has used economic analysis in a sense that goes beyond the obvious character of the subject matter. A fundamental characteristic of economics is the method of constrained optimization. Economics is about how to identify the choices that will maximize welfare functions or minimize loss functions, subject to the constraints of possibility.
Predicting the Correlation between Analog Behavioral Models and SPICE Circuits for robust SoC Verification

Behavioral modeling of analog circuits is widely advocated and accepted means to speedup mixed-signal SoC level simulations. The validity of these simulation results is contingent on the quality of behavioral models used. This paper presents a verification methodology to establish equivalence of analog behavioral model and the SPICE circuit being modeled. The proposed methodology employs SPICE-on-top co-simulation environment to simulate the behavioral model in the same SPICE testbench that is used for circuit characterization using SPICE simulations. Circuit characteristics/metrics of interest are defined and checkers are developed to measure them. Results from SPICE and co-simulation runs are compared using automated checkers in a regression environment. A dashboard is generated showing PASS/FAIL status for every metric giving an accurate measure of correlation between the SPICE circuit and the behavioral model. These models are leveraged to run thousands of simulations to predict system performance which is not possible using SPICE circuits. This methodology is currently being used at Texas Instruments, Inc. to accurately predict system performance of complex mixed signal products.
Giant Anterior Tibial Artery Pseudoaneurysm Successfully Treated on the USNS Mercy

The need for an experienced vascular surgeon in the combat setting is not questioned; however, there is a paucity of literature exploring the utility of vascular surgery during an elective humanitarian mission. We herein present a case of a post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery treated in the context of a humanitarian mission during Pacific Partnership 2015 aboard the United States Naval Ship Mercy. This case report demonstrates the necessity and unique opportunities for vascular surgeons to participate in humanitarian surgery.
Automated Parameterization of Predictive Kinetic Metabolic Models from Sparse Datasets for Efficient Optimization of Many-Enzyme Heterologous Pathways

Engineered heterologous metabolic pathways can convert low-cost feedstock into high-value products, though it remains a significant challenge to reliably and efficiently maximize end-product biosynthesis, particularly when many enzymes must be co-expressed together. When current approaches are applied to many-enzyme pathways, the construction and characterization process is highly iterative and laborious, while generating high-dimensional datasets that remain difficult to analyze for forward engineering efforts. To overcome these challenges, we developed a new algorithm that determines the highly non-linear and high-dimensional relationship between a pathway's enzyme expression levels and its end-product productivity from common characterization of a small number of heterologous pathway variants. We combined kinetic metabolic modeling, elementary mode analysis, model reduction, de-dimensionalization, and genetic algorithm optimization into an automated procedure that parameterizes accurate kinetic metabolic models from sparsely characterized pathway variant libraries with varied enzyme expression levels. The resulting Pathway Maps are used to determine rate-limiting steps, predict optimal expression levels, identify allosteric interactions, rank-order enzyme kinetics, and prioritize protein engineering efforts. We demonstrate the Pathway Map Calculator algorithm on two experimental datasets, a 3-enzyme carotenoid biosynthesis pathway and a 9-enzyme limonene biosynthesis pathway, as well as a series of in silico pathway examples to rigorously demonstrate the algorithm's accuracy, linear scaling, and high tolerance to measurement noise. By greatly reducing experimental efforts and providing quantitative forward engineering predictions, the Pathway Map Calculator has the potential to dramatically accelerate the engineering of many-enzyme heterologous metabolic pathways.
Addressing barriers to maternal nutrition in low- and middle-income countries: A review of the evidence and programme implications.

Adequate maternal nutrition during the “first 1,000 days” window is critical from conception through the first 6 months of life to improve nutritional status and reduce the risk of poor birth outcomes, such as low birthweight and preterm birth. Unfortunately, many programmes have targeted implementation and monitoring of nutrition interventions to infants and young children, rather than to women during pregnancy or post-partum. A literature review was conducted to identify barriers to food choice and consumption during pregnancy and lactation and to examine how low- and middle-income countries have addressed maternal nutrition in programmes. A literature review of peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted, and titles and abstracts reviewed by authors. Twenty-three studies were included in this review. Barriers to adequate nutrition during pregnancy included cultural beliefs related to knowledge of quantity of food to eat during pregnancy, amount of weight to gain during pregnancy, and “eating down” during pregnancy for fear of delivering a large baby. Foods considered inappropriate for consumption during pregnancy or lactation contributed to food restriction. Drivers of food choice were influenced by food aversions, economic constraints, and household food availability. Counselling on maternal diet and weight gain during pregnancy was seldom carried out. Programming to support healthy maternal diet and gestational weight gain during pregnancy is scant. Tailored, culturally resonant nutrition education and counselling on diet during pregnancy and lactation and weight gain during pregnancy, as well as monitoring of progress in maternal nutrition, are areas of needed attention.
Development and characterization of cholangioids from normal and diseased human cholangiocytes as an in vitro model to study primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an incurable, fibroinflammatory biliary disease for which there is no effective pharmacotherapy. We recently reported cholangiocyte senescence as an important phenotype in PSC while others showed that portal macrophages accumulate in PSC. Unfortunately, our ability to explore cholangiocyte senescence and macrophage accumulation has been hampered by limited in vitro models. Thus, our aim was to develop and characterize a three-dimensional (3D) model of normal and diseased bile ducts (cholangioids) starting with normal human cholangiocytes (NHC), senescent NHC (NHC-sen), and cholangiocytes from PSC patients. In 3D culture, NHCs formed spheroids of ~5000 cells with a central lumen of ~150 μm. By confocal microscopy and western blot, cholangioids retained expression of cholangiocyte proteins (cytokeratin 7/19) and markers of epithelial polarity (secretin receptor and GM130). Cholangioids are functionally active, and upon secretin stimulation, luminal size increased by ~80%. Cholangioids exposed to hydrogen peroxide exhibited cellular senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP; increased IL-6, p21, SA‐β-Gal, yH2A.x and p16 expression). Furthermore, cholangioids derived from NHC-sen or PSC patients were smaller and had slower growth than the controls. When co-cultured with THP-1 macrophages, the number of macrophages associated with NHC-sen or PSC cholangioids was five- to seven-fold greater compared to co-culture with non-senescent NHC. We observed that NHC-sen and PSC cholangioids release greater number of extracellular vesicles (EVs) compared to controls. Moreover, conditioned media from NHC-sen cholangioids resulted in an ~2-fold increase in macrophage migration. In summary, we developed a method to generate normal and diseased cholangioids, characterized them morphologically and functionally, showed that they can be induced to senescence and SASP, and demonstrated both EV release and macrophage attraction. This novel model mimics several features of PSC, and thus will be useful for studying the pathogenesis of PSC and potentially identifying new therapeutic targets.
Photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory studies of (FeS)mH− (m = 2–4) cluster anions: effects of the single hydrogen

Single hydrogen containing iron hydrosulfide cluster anions (FeS)mH− (m = 2–4) are studied by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) at 3.492 eV (355 nm) and 4.661 eV (266 nm) photon energies, and by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The structural properties, relative energies of different spin states and isomers, and the first calculated vertical detachment energies (VDEs) of different spin states for these (FeS)mH− (m = 2–4) cluster anions are investigated at various reasonable theory levels. Two types of structural isomers are found for these (FeS)mH− (m = 2–4) clusters: (1) the single hydrogen atom bonds to a sulfur site (SH-type); and (2) the single hydrogen atom bonds to an iron site (FeH-type). Experimental and theoretical results suggest such available different SH- and FeH-type structural isomers should be considered when evaluating the properties and behavior of these single hydrogen containing iron sulfide clusters in real chemical and biological systems. Compared to their related, respective pure iron sulfur (FeS)m− clusters, the first VDE trend of the diverse type (FeS)mH0,1− (m = 1–4) clusters can be understood through (1) the different electron distribution properties of their highest singly occupied molecular orbital employing natural bond orbital analysis (NBO/HSOMO), and (2) the partial charge distribution on the NBO/HSOMO localized sites of each cluster anion. Generally, the properties of the NBO/HSOMOs play the principal role with regard to the physical and chemical properties of all the anions. The change of cluster VDE from low to high is associated with the change in nature of their NBO/HSOMO from a dipole bound and valence electron mixed character, to a valence p orbital on S, to a valence d orbital on Fe, and to a valence p orbital on Fe or an Fe–Fe delocalized valence bonding orbital. For clusters having the same properties for NBO/HSOMOs, the partial charge distributions at the NBO/HSOMO localized sites additionally affect their VDEs: a more negative or less positive localized charge distribution is correlated with a lower first VDE. The single hydrogen in these (FeS)mH− (m = 2–4) cluster anions is suggested to affect their first VDEs through the different structure types (SH- or FeH-), the nature of the NBO/HSOMOs at the local site, and the value of partial charge number at the local site of the NBO/HSOMO.
Integrating campus operations decision support models at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

At the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a federal agency supporting basic biomedical research, decision makers are faced with the challenge of identifying ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research support services and challenges of doing “more with less” resources. The Office of Research Services (ORS), Office of Quality Management (OQM) provides support in solving these challenges through development of the Campus Operations Decision Support (CODS) simulation model. The model consists of a variety of software tools and techniques to model a campus 3D “virtual world” that can be used in a variety of applications to better understand and enhance the delivery of services to support the research mission at NIH. The project includes sub-models that aid in analyzing pedestrian and traffic movement onto and within the campus, visitor screening, the NIH shuttle bus network, and provides for future extensibility to additional research support activities.
Mouse IgG2c Fc loop residues promote greater receptor-binding affinity than mouse IgG2b or human IgG1.

The structures of non-human antibodies are largely unstudied despite the potential for the identification of alternative structural motifs and physical properties that will benefit a basic understanding of protein and immune system evolution as well as highlight unexplored motifs to improve therapeutic monoclonal antibody. Here we probe the structure and receptor-binding properties of the mouse IgG2c crystallizable fragment (Fc) to compare to mouse IgG2b and human IgG1 Fcs. Models of mIgG2c Fc determined by x-ray crystallography with a complex-type biantennary (to 2.05 A) or a truncated (1)GlcNAc asparagine-linked (N)-glycan attached (to 2.04 A) show differences in key regions related to mouse Fc γ receptor IV (mFcγRIV) binding. Mouse IgG2c forms different non-bonded interactions between the BC, DE and FG loops than the highly-conserved mIgG2b and binds to FcγRIV with 4.7-fold greater affinity in the complex-type glycoform. Secondary structural elements surrounding the Asn297 site of glycosylation form longer beta strands in the truncated mIgG2c Fc glycoform when compared to mIgG2c with the complex-type N-glycan. Solution NMR spectroscopy of the N-linked (1)GlcNAc residues show differences between mIgG2b, 2c and hIgG1 Fc that correlate to receptor binding affinity. Mutations targeting differences in mIgG2 DE and FG loops decreased affinity of mIgG2c for FcγRIV and increased affinity of mIgG2b. Changes in NMR spectra of the mutant Fc proteins mirrored these changes in affinity. Our studies identified structural and functional differences in highly conserved molecules that were not predicted from primary sequence comparison.
Isoform-selective activity-based profiling of ERK signaling

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) mediate downstream signaling of RAS-RAF-MEK as key regulators of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Activation of ERK signaling is a hallmark of cancer and upstream MAPK proteins have been extensively pursued as drug targets for cancer therapies. However, the rapid rise of resistance to clinical RAF and MEK inhibitors has prompted interest in targeting ERK (ERK1 and ERK2 isoforms) directly for cancer therapy. Current methods for evaluating activity of inhibitors against ERK isoforms are based primarily on analysis of recombinant proteins. Strategies to directly and independently profile native ERK1 and ERK2 activity would greatly complement current cell biological tools used to probe and target ERK function. Here, we present a quantitative chemoproteomic strategy that utilizes active-site directed probes to directly quantify native ERK activity in an isoform-specific fashion. We exploit a single isoleucine/leucine difference in ERK substrate binding sites to enable activity-based profiling of ERK1 versus ERK2 across a variety of cell types, tissues, and species. We used our chemoproteomic strategy to determine potency and selectivity of academic (VX-11e) and clinical (Ulixertinib) ERK inhibitors. Correlation of potency estimates by chemoproteomics with anti-proliferative activity of VX-11e and Ulixertinib revealed that >90% inactivation of both native ERK1 and ERK2 is needed to mediate cellular activity of inhibitors. Our findings introduce one of the first assays capable of independent evaluation of native ERK1 and ERK2 activity to advance drug discovery of oncogenic MAPK pathways.
Establishing Goals of Care for Patients With Stroke and Feeding Problems: An Interdisciplinary Trigger-Based Continuous Quality Improvement Project.

Abstract Background Few patients with dysphagia because of stroke receive early palliative care (PC) to align treatment goals with their values, as called for by practice guidelines, particularly before enteral access procedures for artificial nutrition. Measures To increase documented goals of care (GOC) discussions among acute stroke patients before feeding gastrostomy tube placement. Intervention We undertook a rapid-cycle continuous quality improvement process with interdisciplinary planning, implementation, and performance review to operationalize an upstream trigger for PC referral prompted by the speech and language pathology evaluation. Outcomes During a six-month period, 21 patients underwent gastrostomy tube placement; 52% had preprocedure GOC discussions postintervention, with the rate of compliance increasing steadily from 13% (11/87, preintervention) to 100% (2/2) in the final two months. Conclusions/Lessons Learned We effectively increased documented GOC discussions before feeding gastrostomy tube placement among stroke patients. Systems-based tools and education will enhance this upstream trigger model to ensure early PC for stroke patients.
Reaction of Copper Complexes with Ehrlich Cells

For many years, medicinal chemistry has been largely the province of organic and natural products chemists, with the great majority of all chemotherapeutic agents being metal-free organic or biochemicals. Yet where metal complexes have been used, or the involvement of metals in the mechanism of action of organic compounds recognized, there is ample evidence of the enormous potential that metal complexes have in drug design. Considering cancer chemotherapy, there are several major examples in which metal complexes have been shown to have substantial anti-tumor activity or to be cytotoxic to tumor cells. As shown in Figure 1, bis(thiosemicarbazonato) copper(II) complexes, copper-bleomycin, cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II) complexes, some rhodium(II) carboxylates, and recently, iron and copper complexes of α-N-heterocyclic formyl thiosemicar-bazones fall into this category.(1–5)
Civic Virtues: Rights, Citizenship, and Republican Liberalism

Seemingly there is no political debate which doesn't devolve into an argument over rights. For centuries a cornerstone of liberal theory, rights claims have become so over-used as to blur cases of real abuse. In this original and provocative study, Dagger argues for a republican liberalism that, while celebrating the liberal heritage of autonomy and rights, solidly places these within social relations and obligations, which while ubiquitous, are often obscured and forgotten.
The African Lawyer as Political Insider/Outsider

This paper begins from the assumption that in order to understand political development in sub-Saharan Africa we must locate our analysis at the intersection of the state and civil society. One way to do this is through the lens of a profession. Analyzing the internal dynamics of a profession allows us to cut-across conceptual spaces. One profession that captures the inside-outside state tension particularly well is the law. At the collective level lawyers simultaneously constitute and oppose the state. At the individual level a single lawyer may move back and forth between the state and the private sector several times over the course of his or her career. This paper examines the internal dynamics of the legal profession and lawyers’ engagement with the African state in two southern African countries: Botswana and Malawi. African lawyers have played a central role in building and sustaining the African state since the colonial period. But what role does the contemporary lawyer have in democratizing the African state? How is the African lawyer able to maintain autonomy, engage in collective action, manipulate informal networks and protect civic space while maintaining the sense of apolitical morality so essential to their legal authority? Based on qualitative field research in Botswana and Malawi, this paper finds that historical patterns of elite lawyer movement in and out of the state, law society’s historical paths of activism, and evolving trends in the legal marketplace shape the relationship between African lawyers and the state.
Fault-Tolerant Space Vector Modulation for Modular Multilevel Converters With Bypassed Faulty Submodules

This paper develops a modulation based fault-tolerant (FT) strategy for restoring the operation of three-phase modular multilevel converters (MMCs) with faulty switches. This FT strategy is based on a proposed modified space vector modulation (SVM) technique that generates balanced line-to-line (line) voltages even in the case of a fault occurrence. In the postfault operation, the proposed strategy is able to restore the fundamental amplitude of the line to the neutral (load) voltages to that of the normal operation condition with a slightly increased voltage stress over the switches in the faulty phase. In this paper, first a brief background about MMCs and SVM technique is provided. Then, the proposed FT strategy and the modified SVM technique are presented. Finally, several simulation and experimental results are provided to validate operation of the proposed strategy.
4-N-Alkanoyl and 4-N-alkyl gemcitabine analogues with NOTA chelators for 68-gallium labelling.

Abstract The conjugation of 4-N-(3-aminopropanyl)-2′-deoxy-2′,2′-difluorocytidine with 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (SCN-Bn-NOTA) ligand in 0.1 M Na2CO3 buffer (pH 11) at ambient temperature provided 4-N-alkylgemcitabine-NOTA chelator. Incubation of latter with excess of gallium(III) chloride (GaCl3) (0.6 N AcONa/H2O, pH = 9.3) over 15 min gave gallium 4-N-alkylgemcitabine-NOTA complex which was characterized by HRMS. Analogous [68Ga]-complexation of 4-N-alkylgemcitabine-NOTA conjugate proceeded with high labeling efficiency (94%–96%) with the radioligand almost exclusively found in the aqueous layer (∼95%). The high polarity of the gallium 4-N-alkylgemctiabine-NOTA complex resulted in rapid renal clearance of the 68Ga-labelled radioligand in BALB/c mice.
Share2Quit: Facebook Smoker-Smoker Recruitment to an Online Smoking Cessation Intervention

Background: Smoking cessation rates have plateaued in the last 15 years. New methods to engage smokers are needed. Online social networks offer a new opportunity to spread public health interventions, but questions remain on how to do this effectively. Peer-to-peer recruitment has quickly become the method of choice to recruit customers to online commercial systems, but has not been evaluated for public health. Peer recruitment might be particularly suited to recruit smokers as they tend to be networked together. In the Share2Quit study, we developed a set of peer-recruitment tools on Facebook to test whether smokers will recruit other smokers on Facebook to an online smoking cessation intervention (Decide2Quit.org or D2Q). Objectives: To measure predictors of successful peer recruitment (smoker-to-smoker) on Facebook. Methods: The Share2Quit toolset included a Facebook app that allowed smokers to directly recruit their friends and family from D2Q, an online training video, and a recruitment tracker. Smokers were also sent a weekly recruitment report via email. To start the recruitment, an initial set of smokers were directly recruited using Facebook ads (direct recruits). These and subsequent recruits (peer recruits) were given access to the toolset for 30 days to recruit their friends and family current smokers to D2Q. We enforced a quota of 7 recruitment per smoker. We provided smokers with a $15 incentive for each recruitment from their referred network. We compared direct and peer recruits using the CHI2 statistic. Using a negative binomial regression, we assessed predictors of peer recruitment success. Results: 106 smokers were directly recruited; 240 smokers were peer recruited. Compared to direct recruits, more peer recruited smokers were male (56.7 to 37.7), younger between ages 19-24 (50.8 to 17.7), and less motivated to quit (90.4 to 68.9) (all P<.01). We found an interaction between smoking status and proportion of close ties (family/close friends) in the social network. Current smokers were more successful if they reported a higher proportion of close ties, compared with those that reported a lower number of close ties (P for trend across quartiles .017). Inversely, among former smokers, higher close tie proportion was associated with lower rates of successful peer recruitment (P for trend across quartiles .05). Conclusions: Peer recruited smokers were different from direct recruits. Differences in successful peer recruitment by smoking status and close ties may have new and important implications on how role modeling and relatedness influences spread through social networks. []
Before the interests are invested: disputes over asset control and equity market restrictions in Russia

AbstractThis article studies changes in the preferences concerning restrictions on minority foreign ownership of equities among powerful groups of domestic asset holders in Russia. In three episode...
Characterizing fatigue associated with sunitinib (SU) in patients (pts) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

6092 Background: Fatigue is common in cancer pts and associated with use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as SU. Limited data exist on the time pattern of fatigue with TKI therapy. Methods...
Diversification and CXCR4-Dependent Establishment of the Bone Marrow B-1a Cell Pool Governs Atheroprotective IgM Production Linked to Human Coronary Atherosclerosis.

Rationale: B-1 cell-derived natural IgM antibodies against oxidation-specific epitopes on low-density lipoprotein are anti-inflammatory and atheroprotective. Bone marrow (BM) B-1a cells contribute ...
Cell-Derived Microparticles in ITP Patients with vs. without Bleeding Tendency.

INTRODUCTION: In immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), autoantobodies mediate platelet destruction, leading to thrombocytopenia and a hemorrhagic diathesis. Although platelet counts are used to assess risk of bleeding in ITP, this is not dependable since some seldom bleed while others bleed excessively at the same level of thrombocytopenia. Cell-derived microparticles (C-MP) are microvesicles released upon activation or apoptosis from blood cells such as platelets (PMP), leucocytes (LMP) and red cells (RMP) as well as endothelial cells (EMP). Their roles in hemostasis, thrombosis and inflammation are increasingly appreciated. We investigated C-MP in ITP in patients with bleeding tendency vs. those without. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (24 F/13M, mean age 53.8 yr) with chronic ITP (platelet counts history of spontaneous frequent mucosal bleeding (nose, gum etc), episodes of organ bleeding such as GI, GU, CNS bleeding, menorrhagia with recurring anemia, cutaneous bleeding characterized by gross petechiae on >2 sites (leg, arm, trunk etc) or multiple (>5) ecchymosis >3cm sizes or wet purpuras. Patients with similar platelet counts but not meeting any of these criteria were defined as non-bleeders (NBL). The BL group consisted of 17 pt (7M/10F, mean age 53.6 yr) while the NBL group comprised 20 pt (6M/14F, mean age 54.0 yr). The BL group contained 12 with skin bleeding and 5 with mucosal /organ bleeding. Pertinent data are summarized in Table. Coulter XL flowcytometer was employed to identify LMP by anti-CD45, PMP by anti-CD41, RMP by anti-glycophorin, and EMP by the combination CD31+/CD41-. Platelet counts and aPTT were also compared between the groups. RESULTS: Mean platelet count was similar in both groups (27,000/μL). When C-MP were compared between BL vs NBL, there was no significant difference in mean levels of EMP (203 vs 169, p > 0.05) or LMP (1342 vs 1422, p > 0.05). However, RMP were significantly higher in the NBL group (2878 vs 1310, p = 0.01). See Table. PMP were also higher in NBL (3498 vs 1771) but did not reach significance. The aPTT was shorter in the NBL (24.4s vs 26.5s) but not significantly. CONCLUSION / DISCUSSION: These data support the unexpected conclusion that RMP are significantly associated with hemostasis in ITP. PMP were also elevated in NBL compared to BL but did not reach significance in this study. Our previous study documenting elevated PMP in NBL vs BL [Jy et al, JLCM119:334, 1992] employed a different assay system [Coulter EPICS V (2 watt laser) and detection by light scatter with CD42 not CD41]. Other factors implicated in hemostasis in ITP include increased number of larger young platelets and activated platelets. Our data suggest that elevated RMP may be a significant hemostatic factor in thrombocytopenic states. However, we also note a trend of increased PMP, as well as shortened aPTT in NBL. Since RMP are known to express phosphatidylserine (binding sites for coagulation factors), they can promote coagulation to facilitate blood clotting, and thus may aid in prevention of bleeding in thrombocytopenic patients.
Complete Genome Sequence of Terriglobus albidus Strain ORNL, an Acidobacterium Isolated from the Populus deltoides Rhizosphere.

ABSTRACT Terriglobus albidus strain ORNL is a heterotrophic soil acidobacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of an Eastern cottonwood tree (Populus deltoides) in Tennessee. Its 6.4-Mb chromosome was completely sequenced using PacBio long reads, and it encodes 5,010 proteins and 53 RNAs.
Melanoma Skin Self-Examination Education During Mammography: Health Burden of Women Impairs Implementation.

Identification of barriers to seeking health care for a concerning mole found during skin self-examination (SSE) by women educated during screening mammography. In this sequential mixed methods research, interviews with women who found a concerning mole and did not have health-care follow-up were analyzed and a survey was created. One year after SSE education, barriers to having health care for a self-identified concerning mole were assessed. The electronic medical records for all participants, who received education, were reviewed to ascertain who received health care related to a concerning mole or a screening mammogram. Among the 280 women who performed SSE, 85 found a concerning mole. Nine months later 51 women did not receive health care for the mole. Barriers were the burden of other medical concerns, fear of what the doctor will find, feeling like nothing is wrong, and being too busy. A positive screening mammogram (Fisher’s two-sided exact test, p < 0.001) and a history of indoor tanning (Fisher’s two-sided exact test, p = 0.011) were significantly associated with lack of follow-up for a concerning mole. Targeted melanoma self-identification with SSE relies upon participants initiating performance and seeking medical care for a concerning mole. The burden of a positive screening mammogram reported to women at about the same time as they identified the concerning mole was associated with failing to seek care for their concerning mole. Reminders to check moles for change 4 months after identifying a concerning mole may benefit women. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03512457