cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
One World, Two Realities: Perception Differences between Software Developers and Testers

Strong working relations between software developers and testers are critical to the efficient and effective development of high-quality software. Smooth collaboration must occur as testers find pr...
A variational regularization of Abel transform for GPS radio occultation

Abstract. In the Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation (RO) technique, the inverse Abel transform of measured bending angle (Abel inversion, hereafter AI) is the standard means of deriving the refractivity. While concise and straightforward to apply, the AI accumulates and propagates the measurement error downward. The measurement error propagation is detrimental to the refractivity in lower altitudes. In particular, it builds up negative refractivity bias in the tropical lower troposphere. An alternative to AI is the numerical inversion of the forward Abel transform, which does not incur the integration of error-possessing measurement and thus precludes the error propagation. The variational regularization (VR) proposed in this study approximates the inversion of the forward Abel transform by an optimization problem in which the regularized solution describes the measurement as closely as possible within the measurement's considered accuracy. The optimization problem is then solved iteratively by means of the adjoint technique. VR is formulated with error covariance matrices, which permit a rigorous incorporation of prior information on measurement error characteristics and the solution's desired behavior into the regularization. VR holds the control variable in the measurement space to take advantage of the posterior height determination and to negate the measurement error due to the mismodeling of the refractional radius. The advantages of having the solution and the measurement in the same space are elaborated using a purposely corrupted synthetic sounding with a known true solution. The competency of VR relative to AI is validated with a large number of actual RO soundings. The comparison to nearby radiosonde observations shows that VR attains considerably smaller random and systematic errors compared to AI. A noteworthy finding is that in the heights and areas that the measurement bias is supposedly small, VR follows AI very closely in the mean refractivity deserting the first guess. In the lowest few kilometers that AI produces large negative refractivity bias, VR reduces the refractivity bias substantially with the aid of the background, which in this study is the operational forecasts of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). It is concluded based on the results presented in this study that VR offers a definite advantage over AI in the quality of refractivity.
Electrothermal studies of GaN-based high electron mobility transistors with improved thermal designs

Abstract In recent years, tremendous efforts have been dedicated to GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) for high-power and high-frequency applications. In general, the performance of these HEMTs is largely restricted by the significant overheating within the device, which would dramatically reduce the charge carrier mobility and thus lower the output current. To solve this problem, different thermal management strategies have been proposed and electrothermal simulations may play an important role here to save tremendous amounts of experimental efforts. However, existing electrothermal simulations are often oversimplified and do not include the details of electron and phonon transport. The large inaccuracies in temperature predictions can be misleading for the thermal improvement of these devices. In this aspect, coupled electron and phonon Monte Carlo (MC) simulations provide the most accurate temperature predictions of the transistor region. To further take into account the heat spreading across the whole sub-millimeter device, the phonon MC simulations can be coupled with conventional Fourier’s law analysis for regions away from the transistor. This hybrid electrothermal simulation minimizes the heavy computational load of MC simulations but still incorporates the detailed energy transport processes at different length scales. In this work, this new hybrid simulation technique is used to re-evaluate one widely studied thermal management strategy that coats a high-thermal-conductivity layer on top of a device to spread out the heat. Defined as the maximum temperature rise divided by the total heating power, the device thermal resistance is also computed using the temperature rise of acoustic phonons. Difference is found from calculations based on the Fourier’s law. The results provide important guidance for the future development of GaN HEMTs.
Monitoring and modeling tailings impoundment settlement near Great Salt Lake (UTAH) using multi-platform time-series InSAR observations

Tailings impoundment failures may lead to catastrophically fatal, environmental and financial consequences. However, field investigation and geotechnical analysis are limited by sparse instrumentation and high cost. Here we use time-series Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) method to map out the settlement over the entire tailings impoundment area in the vicinity of Great Salt Lake (Utah) using multiple SAR data. We show that the south pond is experiencing quasi-linear settlements with the largest rate of 200+ mm/yr at the northeast corner. InSAR observations can be well-explained by geotechnical consolidation model, which reveals and predicts the gradually decelerated settlement process. InSAR-derived displacement maps also highlight active motions of surrounding infrastructures, such as some highway segments. Nevertheless, there is no clear evidence that the fluctuating deformation at those locations and seasonal varied water level are correlated.
Genetic Control of Regeneration was Altered During One-Week Ripening of Immature Melon Cotyledons on Liquid/Membrane System

Genotypic variation is a large factor affecting the success of regeneration systems in many species, including melon (Cucumis melo L.). Genotypic variation obviously has a genetic component, but regeneration response is a phenotype with strong interactive environmental factors. Recently we observed heterosis and cytoplasmic factors combine with Mendelian genetics to create the interactive environmental component for genotypic variation in regeneration of melon (Adelberg et al. 1998). We have followed that work with observations of regeneration following a one-week in vitro “ripening” treatment of immature cotyledons. Regeneration was quantified to describe differences in genotypic expression of regeneration under the influence of explant conditioning from the same three inbreds and cross combinations.
Concepts and Methods in Teaching Oppression Courses

Abstract Because the topic of oppression is value laden, the teaching of this topic requires integration of didactic and experiential methods. While course ideas provide the framework for analysis, the strong affect generated on this topic requires thoughtful structuring and modeling in the very first meeting. The article discusses course concepts and issues related to faculty disclosure, contracting with the class, and experiential exercises.
Three Lectures on String Theory

Three lectures on string theory are clearly too few, because string theory is already an enormous field involving new concepts and advanced mathematical techniques. In three lectures it is only possible to skim the surface of this rapidly developing theory, pointing out the main features and explaining, at a pedestrian level, some of the important ideas. In the first lecture, Section 1,1 give a “pep-talk,” a broad review of string theory: why it is interesting, where it stands, and where it is going. In the subsequent lectures, Sections 2 and 3, I discuss a few specialized topics in more detail.
Long-term characterization of the marine soundscape in Kona, Hawaii

Soundscape analysis of marine environments is still a new field of inquiry, with the majority of studies focusing on individual species or acoustic functional groups. Additionally, the challenges of making long term acoustic recordings in marine habitats, particularly in deep water, have limited the duration of many analyses. The Pacific Islands Fishery Science Center has been collecting passive acoustic data at a depth of 630 m off the Kona coast of the Island of Hawaii since 2007, and has recently begun a soundscape analysis effort to characterize the contributors to the local acoustic environment. This project seeks to examine not only low frequency noise patterns, below 1 kHz, but also higher frequency sounds that may overlap in frequency with the signals of many cetacean species. We have begun by identifying the relative contribution of odontocete echolocation, and also close approaches of boats and the presence of echosounders. The temporal patterns in these signals reveal daily and seasonal cycles in biological and anthropogenic sounds, which provide both detailed insight into the interactions between humans, animals and their environment, and long term trends in activity of those sound sources.Soundscape analysis of marine environments is still a new field of inquiry, with the majority of studies focusing on individual species or acoustic functional groups. Additionally, the challenges of making long term acoustic recordings in marine habitats, particularly in deep water, have limited the duration of many analyses. The Pacific Islands Fishery Science Center has been collecting passive acoustic data at a depth of 630 m off the Kona coast of the Island of Hawaii since 2007, and has recently begun a soundscape analysis effort to characterize the contributors to the local acoustic environment. This project seeks to examine not only low frequency noise patterns, below 1 kHz, but also higher frequency sounds that may overlap in frequency with the signals of many cetacean species. We have begun by identifying the relative contribution of odontocete echolocation, and also close approaches of boats and the presence of echosounders. The temporal patterns in these signals reveal daily and seasonal cycles ...
Universal influenza vaccines: from viruses to nanoparticles.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The current seasonal influenza vaccine confers only limited protection due to waning antibodies or the antigenic shift and drift of major influenza surface antigens. A univers...
Adaptive sparse tiling for sparse matrix multiplication

Tiling is a key technique for data locality optimization and is widely used in high-performance implementations of dense matrix-matrix multiplication for multicore/manycore CPUs and GPUs. However, the irregular and matrix-dependent data access pattern of sparse matrix multiplication makes it challenging to use tiling to enhance data reuse. In this paper, we devise an adaptive tiling strategy and apply it to enhance the performance of two primitives: SpMM (product of sparse matrix and dense matrix) and SDDMM (sampled dense-dense matrix multiplication). In contrast to studies that have resorted to non-standard sparse-matrix representations to enhance performance, we use the standard Compressed Sparse Row (CSR) representation, within which intra-row reordering is performed to enable adaptive tiling. Experimental evaluation using an extensive set of matrices from the Sparse Suite collection demonstrates significant performance improvement over currently available state-of-the-art alternatives.
Kafka, the Caribbean, and the Holocaust

This essay reexamines the figure of Franz Kafka (1883–1924) in light of his largely ignored, recursive links to circum-Caribbean and Black Atlantic processes of racialized exploitation and corporal...
Abstract 618: A prospective evaluation of waist circumference over time and incidence of postmenopausal breast cancer in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background: Body mass index (BMI) has been consistently associated with development of postmenopausal breast cancer (BC). There is accumulating evidence that waist circumference (WC) is a measure of visceral fat and thus may more accurately reflect the biological sequelae of adiposity on BC carcinogenesis. WC has been associated with development of BC, but its added value to BMI as a risk factor over time is less clear. This study leverages repeated in-person measurements to examine the association between WC, BMI and BC incidence in a diverse cohort of women. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 7626 (BC=564) postmenopausal women (29% Black, 71% white) in the ARIC Study who were 44-65 years old and cancer-free at baseline (1987-89). Women were categorized by time-varying WC (low Results: Compared to low WC, women with high WC had an increased risk for BC (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.12, 1.73) that was slightly attenuated after adjustment for BMI (HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.97, 1.68). Stratification by BMI among normal and overweight women showed WC was associated with BC in normal weight (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06, 2.03) but not overweight women (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.60, 1.50) (Pinteraction=0.12). In the subset that we analyzed change over time, the HRs for a 1% annual increase in WC and BMI were 1.12 (95% CI 0.99, 1.28) and 1.07 (95% CI 0.95, 1.21), respectively. For the slope change analyses, the HRs for a 1 cm annual increase in WC and 1 kg/m2 annual increase in BMI were 1.11 (95% CI 0.97, 1.27) and 1.22 (95% CI 0.81, 1.85). Results were similar among Black and white women. Conclusion: In-person measured WC was associated with postmenopausal BC risk even after adjustment for BMI. Even in normal weight women, having a high WC increased risk of BC by 47%. Independent of baseline WC, increasing WC over time was associated with BC. This study highlights the importance of monitoring WC for risk of postmenopausal BC associated with adiposity. Citation Format: Maneet Kaur, Avonne E. Connor, Elizabeth A. Platz, Kala Visvanathan, Corinne E. Joshu, for ARIC Cancer Investigators. A prospective evaluation of waist circumference over time and incidence of postmenopausal breast cancer in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 618.
Metabolic alterations in the erythrocyte during blood-stage development of the malaria parasite

Human blood cells (erythrocytes) serve as hosts for the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum during its 48-h intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC). Established in vitro protocols allow for the study of host–parasite interactions during this phase and, in particular, high-resolution metabolomics can provide a window into host–parasite interactions that support parasite development. Uninfected and parasite-infected erythrocyte cultures were maintained at 2% haematocrit for the duration of the IDC, while parasitaemia was maintained at 7% in the infected cultures. The parasite-infected cultures were synchronized to obtain stage-dependent information of parasite development during the IDC. Samples were collected in quadruplicate at six time points from the uninfected and parasite-infected cultures and global metabolomics was used to analyse cell fractions of these cultures. In uninfected and parasite-infected cultures during the IDC, 501 intracellular metabolites, including 223 lipid metabolites, were successfully quantified. Of these, 19 distinct metabolites were present only in the parasite-infected culture, 10 of which increased to twofold in abundance during the IDC. This work quantified approximately five times the metabolites measured in previous studies of similar research scope, which allowed for more detailed analyses. Enrichment in lipid metabolism pathways exhibited a time-dependent association with different classes of lipids during the IDC. Specifically, enrichment occurred in sphingolipids at the earlier stages, and subsequently in lysophospholipid and phospholipid metabolites at the intermediate and end stages of the IDC, respectively. In addition, there was an accumulation of 18-, 20-, and 22-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids, which produce eicosanoids and promote gametocytogenesis in infected erythrocyte cultures. The current study revealed a number of heretofore unidentified metabolic components of the host–parasite system, which the parasite may exploit in a time-dependent manner to grow over the course of its development in the blood stage. Notably, the analyses identified components, such as precursors of immunomodulatory molecules, stage-dependent lipid dynamics, and metabolites, unique to parasite-infected cultures. These conclusions are reinforced by the metabolic alterations that were characterized during the IDC, which were in close agreement with those known from previous studies of blood-stage infection.
Relative abundance of derelict fishing gear in the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery grounds as estimated from fishery observer data

Derelict fishing gear (DFG) is abundant across the remote North Pacific Ocean, accumulating in convergence zones that coincide with the fishing grounds of the Hawai’i-based pelagic longline fishery. Longlines are prone to snagging DFG, providing an opportunistic, yet regular, reporting mechanism by longline fishery observers (fishery-dependent data). We apply a zero-inflated negative binomial model previously used to standardize catch per unit effort (CPUE) for bycatch and incidentally caught species in this fishery to estimate DFG relative abundance and qualitative trends within the longline fishing grounds. During 2008–2016, observers reported 1326 marine debris items intercepted by longlines, dominated by DFG at nearly 90%. Modeling results suggest that the relative abundance of DFG has declined ~66% from 2008–2016. DFG standardized CPUE was higher for longlines fished inside the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone (versus outside) and increased moving eastward and northward toward the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Despite substantially less effort in the shallow-set sector of the fishery (∼60 m depth), DFG standardized CPUE was four-fold greater than that of the deep-set sector (∼250 m) suggesting that marine debris observer reporting focused in this sector may be most effective. Some fishermen voluntarily stow snagged debris; incentivizing at-sea removal may elicit further cooperation.
Disciplinary literacy in mathematics: One mathematician’s reading practices

Abstract Recent scholarship on disciplinary literacy calls for an emphasis on teaching discipline-specific language/literacy practices. An understanding of these practices is, therefore, essential to literacy instruction in secondary content areas such as mathematics. This case study examined one mathematician’s reading practices, with a focus on the strategies he used in text comprehension. Data collected include the mathematician’s think-alouds during reading, discussion of his reading think-alouds, and semi-structured interviews. These data were analyzed qualitatively through an iterative process involving multiple readings and identification and refinement of codes. The analysis revealed that the mathematician engaged in extensive reading and employed an array of strategies—rereading, close reading, monitoring and questioning, summarizing and paraphrasing, storying, drawing on prior knowledge and experience, evaluating and verifying, and note-taking and visualizing—to help him make sense of what he read. These findings provide important insights that can inform mathematics teachers’ efforts to support students’ mathematics reading/learning.
Increased Patient Safety-Related Incidents Following the Transition into Daylight Savings Time.

“Spring forward,” the start of daylight savings time (DST), reduces sleep opportunity by an hour. Insufficient sleep in healthcare workers resulting from the spring forward time change could potentially result in an increase in medical errors. We examined the change in reported patient safety-related incidents (SRIs), in the week following the transition into and out of DST over a period of 8 years. Observational study A US-based large healthcare organization with sites across multiple states Voluntarily reported SRIs that occurred 7 days prior to and following the spring and fall time changes for years 2010–2017 were ascertained. SRIs likely resulting from human error were identified separately. The changes in the number of SRIs (either all SRIs or SRIs restricted to those likely resulting from human error) from the week before and after the time change (either spring or fall) were modeled using a negative binomial mixed model with a random effect to correct for non-independent observations in consecutive weeks. Over the 8-year period, we observed 4.2% (95% CI: − 1.1 to 9.7%; p = 0.12) and 8.8% (95% CI: − 2.5 to 21.5%; p = 0.13) increases in overall SRIs in the 7 days following DST when compared with 7 days prior for spring and fall, respectively. By restricting to SRIs likely resulting from human errors, we observed 18.7% (95% CI: 5.6 to 33.6%; p = 0.004) and 4.9% (95% CI: − 1.3 to 11.5%; p = 0.12) increases for spring and fall, respectively. Policy makers and healthcare organizations should evaluate delayed start of shifts or other contingency measures to mitigate the increased risk of SRIs during transition to DST in spring.
Understanding thoracic surgeons' perceptions of administrative database analyses and guidelines in clinical decision-making.

Abstract Objectives This study explored cardiothoracic surgeons' perceptions of health services research and practice guidelines, particularly how both influence providers' clinical decision-making. Methods A trained interviewer conducted open-ended, semistructured phone interviews with cardiothoracic surgeons across the United States. The interviews explored surgeons' experiences with lung cancer treatment and their perceptions of health services research and guidelines. Researchers coded the transcribed interviews using conventional content analysis. Interviews continued until thematic saturation was reached. Results The 27 surgeons interviewed mostly were general thoracic surgeons (23/27) who attend tumor board weekly (21/27). Five themes relating to physician perceptions of health services research and guidelines emerged. Databases analyses' inherent selection bias and perceived deficit of pertinent clinical variables made providers skeptical of using these studies as primary decision drivers; however, providers thought that database analyses are useful to supplement other data and drive future research. Likewise, providers generally felt that although guidelines provide a useful framework, they often have difficulty applying guidelines to individual patients. An analysis of provider characteristics revealed that younger physicians in practice for fewer years appeared more likely to report using guidelines, and physicians who were aged 50 years or more and not purely academic surgeons appeared to find database analyses less impactful. Conclusions Health services research, including database analyses, comprise much of the surgical literature; however, this study suggests that perceptions of database analyses and guidelines are mixed and questions whether thoracic surgeons routinely use either to inform their decisions. Researchers must address how to present compelling data to influence clinical practice.
Metformin derived carbon dots: Highly biocompatible fluorescent nanomaterials as mitochondrial targeting and blood-brain barrier penetrating biomarkers.

Abstract Carbon dots (CDs) have been intensively studied since their discovery in 2004 because of their unique properties such as low toxicity, excellent biocompatibility, high photoluminescence (PL) and good water dispersibility. In this study metformin derived carbon dots (Met-CDs) were synthesized using a microwave assisted method. Met-CDs were meticulously characterized using ultra-violet spectroscopy (UV–vis), photoluminescence (PL), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force (AFM) and transmission electron (TEM) microscopies. According to results of cytotoxicity studies, Met-CDs possess low-toxicity and excellent biocompatibility towards both non-tumor and tumor cell lines indicating that Met-CDs are outstanding candidates for living cell bioimaging studies. Furthermore, bioimaging studies have displayed that Met-CDs can penetrate the cell membrane and disperse throughout the cell structure including the nucleus and mitochondria. More specifically, Met-CDs tend to start localizing selectively inside the mitochondria of cancer cells, but not of non-tumor cells after 1 h of incubation. Finally, a zebrafish study confirmed that Met-CDs cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) without the need of any other ligands. In summary, this study presents synthesis of Met-CDs which feature abilities such as mitochondrial and nucleus localizations along with BBB penetration.
Epigenetic Regulation of m6A Modifications in Obesity

Obesity is a serious health issue in the world and is related to a higher risk of suffering metabolic diseases. Understanding the molecular basis of obesity is critical to identify new targets to treat obesity and obesity-associated metabolic diseases. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most common form of ribonucleic acid modification, which has attracted increasing interest of researchers in recent years, as it is reported that m6A has vital functions in diseases and everyday life activities. Recent studies showed that m6A modification was decreased in obese adipose tissue, and appeared to play a regulatory role in many obesity-associated biological processes, including adipogenesis, lipid metabolism and insulin resistance. In this review, we discussed the emerging advances in m6A modification in obesity to provide a novel therapeutic strategy for fighting against obesity.
The Self-Determination Theory: Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease.

The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual-theoretical-empirical model addressing variables associated with self-management of care and adherence to treatment and its relationship to heal...
Language ideologies among Japanese foreign language teachers: Keigo and L2 speakers

This study reports findings of a survey about keigo, Japanese honorifics, and L2-Japanese speakers; survey respondents were teachers of Japanese as a foreign language (JFL). Researchers have studied keigo ideologies within Japanese society and documented approaches to keigo instruction and learners' efforts to master or resist keigo. However, researchers have not studied teachers' beliefs about keigo and neither the impact of keigo ideologies on classroom practice nor teachers' views of students as legitimate Japanese speakers have been studied. The survey examines JFL teachers' beliefs about keigo, approaches to teaching keigo, and beliefs about keigo's relevance for L2 speakers. Conducted within a qualitative framework, analysis of thematic coding and descriptive statistics demonstrate that respondents report different standards for L2 speakers that convey implicit native-speaker bias. Findings underscore the importance of foreign language teachers reflecting on language ideologies that affect classroom practices and advocating for L2 speaker legitimacy.
Metastatic Disease of the Lower Extremity: Management and Minimally Invasive Techniques

Abstract Metastatic bone disease is becoming more frequent as new systemic therapies are allowing patients with carcinoma to live longer. Orthopaedic Surgeons will encounter impending and pathologic fractures related to bone metastases and be relied on to provide surgical options to improve pain and function. The lower extremity is the most common appendicular site involved, is weightbearing, and provides many unique anatomic regions and joints that demand a knowledge of different surgical techniques. The surgical goals are to provide immediate stability for weightbearing and improved pain control and function, and it is optimal to address impending fractures before they complete. In general, hip or knee Arthroplasty procedures are best when the tumor is uncontained and involves the articular surface or much of the weightbearing portion of the epiphysis in that region. When the joint and epiphysis are largely uninvolved and the metaphysis bears the burden of disease, internal fixation with locking plates with or without cement augmentation are best around the knee, while loading sharing cephalomedullary nails are better in the proximal femur. Diaphyseal metastases should be addresses with reamed and locked, intramedullary nails with or without cement.
3D shape and texture morphing using 2D projection and reconstruction

We present an algorithm for morphing shape and view-dependent texture that utilizes an unstructured lumigraph representation to (1) gracefully handle topological changes, (2) create plausible appearance transformations, and (3) provide user control independent from the underlying mesh structure. It works by reducing the otherwise complex problem of a 3D shape and material morph into multiple simpler 2D morphs. The shape morph operates on 2D depth maps and then reconstructs a conventional mesh, making it insensitive to the input geometry quality. Our morphing algorithm robustly handles topology changes and outputs complete meshes and lumigraphs for later use. We show how 2D image morphs can be computed from 3D correspondences, while eliminating ambiguities that might result in the projected 2D morphs. Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted HighlightsWe present an algorithm for morphing shape and view-dependent texture.The 3D shape morph is implicit and therefore immune to topological constraints.Complex problem of 3D shape+material morphing is converted to multiple 2D morphs.Morph stages are unstructured lumigraphs with realistic simulation of appearance.
Protection and Delivery of Anthelmintic Protein Cry5B to Nematodes Using Mesoporous Silicon Particles

The ability of nano- and microparticles of partially oxidized mesoporous silicon (pSi) to sequester, protect, and deliver the anthelmintic pore-forming protein Cry5B to nematodes is assessed in vitro and in vivo. Thermally oxidized pSi particles are stable under gastric conditions and show relatively low toxicity to nematodes. Fluorescence images of rhodamine-labeled pSi particles within the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Ancylostoma ceylanicum show that ingestion is dependent on particle size: particles of a 0.4 ± 0.2 μm size are noticeably ingested by both species within 2 h of introduction in vitro, whereas 5 ± 2 μm particles are excluded from C. elegans but enter the pharynx region of A. ceylanicum after 24 h. The anthelmintic protein Cry5B, a pore-forming crystal (Cry) protein derived from Bacillus thuringiensis, is incorporated into the pSi particles by aqueous infiltration. Feeding of Cry5B-loaded pSi particles to C. elegans leads to significant intoxication of the nematode. Protein-loaded particles of size 0.4 μm display the highest level of in vitro toxicity toward C. elegans on a drug-mass basis. The porous nanostructure protects Cry5B from hydrolytic and enzymatic (pepsin) degradation in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) for time periods up to 2 h. In vivo experiments with hookworm-infected hamsters show no significant reduction in worm burden with the Cry5B-loaded particles, which is attributed to slow release of the protein from the particles and/or short residence time of the particles in the duodenum of the animal.
Legionella pneumophila and Interleukin-12 Production: In Vitro Infection Model

Interleukin-12 (IL-12), one of the key cytokines in regulating the development of Th1 response, is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of two disulfide-linked p35 and p40 subunits. Both subunits have to be expressed within the same cell to produce biologically active p70 heterodimer. The production of IL-12 by monocytes/macrophages is induced by exposing responsive cells to a variety of microbial products such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The suppression of IL-12 by Legionella pneumophila infection may be occurring at the level of gene transcription. The analysis of the steady-state levels of IL-12 p35 and IL-12 p40 mRNA determined by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) showed that L. pneumophila infection induced the suppression of mRNA accumulation for the IL-12 p40 gene in response to LPS stimulation, but not the IL-12 p35 gene, which was constitutive in all macrophages treated. L. pneumophila infection induced production of MCP-1 protein and up-regulated the LPS-induced production of MCP-1 protein regardless of the virulence of L. pneumophila and its viability in the macrophages. The experimental mouse infection with L. pneumophila resulted in certain levels of IL-12. Since IL-12 production is regulated by multiple mechanisms, including cytokines produced by other cells, it can be speculated that the suppressed IL-12 by infection may be overcome by other systems in vivo, such as the host defense system.
HOW TO RESPOND TO ANTIDUMPING DUTIES? KOREA, UNITED STATES, AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.

This study examines the response of Korean steel firms after being assessed antidumping duties in the United States. The U.S. market represents the second largest export market for Korea (after China), but increased liberalization in the Korean economy since the 1997 financial crisis has strengthened the independence and competitiveness of certain industries and the economy as a whole. Multinational Korean steel firms have encountered highly politicized protection in the U.S. and have had to adjust their strategies accordingly. This study examines traditional alternatives to counter antidumping and other forms of protectionism before reviewing export trade data in affected product groups. The data suggests that there is a positive, yet insignificant, relationship between U.S. antidumping duties and Korean steel exports to an alternative, major export market (notably China) in the year of the affirmative antidumping determination.
A test of iso-scalar quadrupole renormalization in the {3}/{2} - → {1}/{2} - (E x = 0.478 MeV) transition in 7 Li

Abstract Electromagnetic studies have established that the 3 2 − , 1 2 − ground state doublet in 7 Li is well described by the LS coupling shell model, provided quadrupole effective charge is introduced. The results of microscopic calculations for the excitation of the 1 2 − level in inelastic proton scattering shown within indicate that an equivalent renormalization of the 7 Li quadrupole neutron transition densities is also necessary. This verifies the assumption which was made in a previous calculation of the cross section for the excitation of the 3 2 − level in the 7 Li+ 24 Mg reaction.
The passive voice

In a passive construction the subject of the sentence undergoes the action of the verb. Dutch expresses this relationship by the use of the verb worden, the independent meaning of which is ‘to become’, plus the past participle of the verb. The agent is indicated by door ‘by’
Cell biology: the micronucleus gets its big break.

Extensive chromosomal rearrangement – chromothripsis – is seen in several cancers. Imaging and sequencing of single cells shows that this phenomenon can occur inside cellular anomalies known as micronuclei. See Article p.179 Chromothripsis, a dramatic chromosomal event involving massive chromosome breakage and rearrangement, typically restricted to one or a few of a cell's chromosomes, has been observed in various cancers and congenital diseases. A new study uses a combination of live-cell imaging and single-cell genome sequencing to recreate chromothripsis-like rearrangements. The results show that after single chromosomes are missegregated into so-called micronuclei, they can shatter. After cell division, these fragments can be incorporated back into the genome, generating rearrangements that in some cases bear all the hallmark features of chromothripsis. Chromosome shattering in micronuclei can also lead to the formation of small circular chromosome fragments, the initial step in forming 'double minute chromosomes', which carry amplified oncogenes in cancer. This study thus provides the first experimental demonstration of a molecular mechanism underlying chromothripsis.
A Natural Norm for Color Processing

We show that the geometrical framework, in which color images are considered as surfaces, results in a meaningful operator for enhancing color images. The area functional, or “norm”, captures the way we would like the smoothing process to act on the different color channels while exploring the coupling between them. Next, the steepest descent flow associated with the first variation of this functional is shown to be a natural selective smoothing filter for the color case. Here we justify the usage of the area norm and the Beltrami steepest descent flow in the color case. We list the requirements, compare to other recent norms, relate to line element methods in color, and conclude with simulation results.
Fates of Human B-cell Precursors

Development of mammalian B-lineage cells is characterized by progression through a series of checkpoints defined primarily by rearrangement and expression of immunoglobulin genes. Progression through these checkpoints is also influenced by stromal cells in the microenvironment of the primary tissues wherein B-cell development occurs, ie, fetal liver and bone marrow and adult bone marrow. This review focuses on the developmental biology of human bone marrow B-lineage cells, including perturbations that contribute to the origin and evolution of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia and primary immunodeficiency diseases characterized by agammaglobulinemia. Recently described in vitro and in vivo models that support development and expansion of human B-lineage cells through multiple checkpoints provide new tools for identifying the bone marrow stromal cell-derived molecules necessary for survival and proliferation. Mutations in genes encoding subunits of the pre-B cell receptor and molecules involved in pre-B cell receptor signaling culminate in X-linked and non-X-linked agammaglobulinemia. A cardinal feature of these immunodeficiencies is an apparent apoptotic sensitivity of B-lineage cells at the pro-B to pre-B transition. On the other end of the spectrum is the apoptotic resistance that accompanies the development of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia, potentially a reflection of genetic abnormalities that subvert normal apoptotic programs. The triad of laboratory models that mimic the bone marrow microenvironment, immunodeficiency diseases with specific defects in B-cell development, and B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia can now be integrated to deepen our understanding of human B-cell development.
Regression to the Mean

When a person is selected for having an extreme measurement (e.g., high blood pressure), a second measure of the variable will, on average, be closer to the mean of the population distribution. This function is called regression to the mean. It is used as a justification for a randomized control group in clinical trials. It may also affect recruitment in clinical trials in which potential participants are selected because they hold an extreme value on some variable. Keywords: regression; selection; within person variability
Abstract 1907: Wnt pathway antagonist OMP-54F28 (FZD8-Fc) inhibits tumor growth and reduces tumor-initiating cell frequency in patient-derived hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian cancer xenograft models

The Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, which signals through the Frizzled (FZD) receptor family and several co-receptors, has long been implicated in cancer. We have developed OMP-54F28, a recombinant fusion protein consisting of the ligand-binding domain of FZD8 and a human IgG1 Fc fragment. OMP-54F28 acts as a decoy receptor in sequestering Wnts and preventing them from binding to FZD receptors and thereby inhibiting Wnt signaling. The Wnt pathway is important for stem cell self renewal, differentiation, tumorigenicity, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Using minimally passaged human patient-derived xenograft tumors, we demonstrate that OMP-54F28 is efficacious as a single agent and in combination with standard of care in four hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and two ovarian cancer models. In the HCC models, OMP-54F28 shows tumor growth inhibition (TGI) as a single agent (average of 46%, p Citation Format: Pete Yeung, Lucia Beviglia, Belinda Cancilla, Cristina Dee-Hoskins, James W. Evans, Marcus M. Fischer, Wan-Ching Yen, Austin Gurney, John Lewicki, Timothy Hoey, Ann M. Kapoun. Wnt pathway antagonist OMP-54F28 (FZD8-Fc) inhibits tumor growth and reduces tumor-initiating cell frequency in patient-derived hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian cancer xenograft models. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1907. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1907
The Praxis of Grassroots Diplomacy For Social Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurs design and implement innovative, sustainable, and scalable solutions to pressing social challenges across the world. While the success of their ventures is impacted by numerous factors, their long-term viability and endurance depends on the relationships built with diverse stakeholders. The praxis of grassroots diplomacy facilitates the development of harmonious and effective relationships that catalyze social change. This art and science of pro-active conflict avoidance and resolution helps navigate multifaceted social dynamics and develop successful entrepreneurial alliances and ecosystems. With the help of several examples and mini case-studies, this article articulates the meaning and importance of grassroots diplomacy. A conceptual framework based on six core competencies of proactive scenario planning, empathy, trust-based relationship building, equitable collaboration, conflict resolution, and ethical reflection is presented. Finally, a practical methodology that animates these core competences into a structured process that strengthens partnerships and ventures is presented. These concepts, competencies and methodologies are built upon the central tenets of systems thinking and self-determination that leads to systemic self-determined improvement of lives and livelihoods.
Presynaptic Regulation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Activity in Rat Striatal Synaptosomes by Dopamine Analogs

Tyrosine hydroxylase activity in rat striatal synaptosomes was inhibited by four different dopamine agonists: dopamine (DA) (IC50 0.2 µM), apomorphine (APO) (IC50 = 0.1 µM), 6,7-dihydroxy-2-aminotetralin (ADTN) (IC50 0.2 µM), and 7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propyl-2-aminotetralin (7HDPT) (IC50 = 1.3 µM). The inhibitory activities of DA and ADTN were antagonized by the addition of the dopamine uptake inhibitor benztropine but not by the addition of the dopamine receptor antagonist fluphenazine. The inhibitory activity of APO was marginally antagonized by the addition of either benztropine or fluphenazine. The inhibitory activity of 7HDPT was antagonized by fluphenazine and other neuroleptics but not by benztropine. In contrast to the other agonists, 7HDPT did not inhibit soluble tyrosine hydroxylase assayed in the presence of the synthetic cofactor, 6,7-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterine (DMPH4). The inhibition of synaptosomal tyrosine hydroxylase by 7HDPT was also antagonized by DMPH4, dibutyryl cAMP, and FeSO4 in the presence of β-mercaptoethanol but not by ATP, GTP, cAMP, or dibutyryl cGMP or by high concentrations (11 mM) of calcium. Incubation of synaptosomes with concentrations of 7HDPT which inhibited synaptosomal tyrosine hydroxylation by greater than 50% did not cause a significant change in the Vmax of tyrosine hydroxylase or the Km of tyrosine hydroxylase for the synthetic cofactor DMPH4. It is concluded that 7HDPT is a valuable agent for studying presynaptic mechanisms of tyrosine hydroxylase regulation in the rat striatum since its activity appears to be mediated primarily through presynaptic plasma membrane dopamine receptors. The mechanism by which presynaptic dopamine receptors may regulate tyrosine hydroxylase activity is discussed.
Bilingualism and Academic Achievement

Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Cohort, this study examines the role that bilingualism plays in children’s academic developmental trajectories during their early school years, with particular attention on the school environment (N = 16,380). Growth-curve results showed that despite starting with lower math scores in kindergarten, Mixed Bilingual children fully closed the math gap with their White English Monolingual peers by fifth grade. However, because non-English-Dominant Bilinguals and non-English Monolinguals started kindergarten with significantly lower reading and math scores compared to their English Monolingual peers, by fifth grade the former groups still had significantly lower scores. School-level factors explained about one third of the reductions in the differences in children’s academic performance.
An enhanced video driver for the IBM personal computer

The authors present the design and implementation of the enhanced video driver (EVD), a display handler to be used on IBM personal computers equipped with an IBM color graphics adapter (CGA). Once activated, this software resides permanently in memory and, effectively, becomes a part of the operating system. The EVD provides the user with a virtual video buffer which is more than three times larger than the video memory supplied by the CGA. It also contains the handler for a full set of functions that allows the users to access this buffer using interrupt calls in exactly the same way they access the video memory using the ROM-BIOS video services. A high-level language interface is also designed to enable the not-so-technical user to use this driver. >
Direct incorporation of [11C]carbon dioxide for labeling bioactive molecules. An application to [11C] labeled tamoxifen

A one-pot synthesis of [11C] labeled tamoxifen has been developed via reductive carboxylation. In this approach, [11C]CO2 is reacted with the N-trimethylsilyl derivative of desmethyltamoxifen, followed by in situ sodium bis (2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride reduction, to afford impure [11C] labeled tamoxifen, which, on purification over a basic alumina-silica gel column, provided pure [11C] tamoxifen in excellent radiochemical yield (65% to 84%) and radiochemical purity (>99%). The specific activity of [11C]tamoxifen was 250–400 Ci/mmol at the end of bombardment.