cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Informatics analysis of capillary electropherograms of autologously doped and undoped blood

An ‘Autologous Blood Transfusion’ (ABT) is the reinjection of blood previously taken from an athlete to increase its oxygen transport capabilities. Despite the World Anti-Doping Agency's ban on such practices, ABT abuse continues. Autologous blood doping (ABD) is challenging to detect because of the similarities between an individual's doped and undoped blood. Recently, Harrison et al. reported that high-speed capillary electrophoresis may identify ABD. In their work, first order derivatives of the electropherograms were used to identify doping. However, this method suffered from false negatives due to the subjective nature of the analysis. Here, we provide an informatics analysis of the data from this study, contrasting the results of traditional statistical methods and less traditional mathematical techniques. First, three well-known multivariate statistical tools: cluster analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and partial least squares (PLS) are applied to develop calibrations and/or group electropherograms of undoped (0%) and doped (5% and 10%) blood samples. (These doping levels were chosen due to the low physiological effect of doping below 5%, with 10% corresponding to the approximate ‘gain’ derived from the transfusion of a single unit of blood into an adult.) Different preprocessing and variable selection methods were considered. Due to variation in the electropherograms and the limited sample size, these methods were inadequate. We next considered four less commonly used mathematical/informatics tools: pattern recognition entropy (PRE), the Euclidean distance between vectors, a peak fitting/integration method, and the second moment (SM). Each of these techniques showed some ability to differentiate between the 0, 5, and 10% doped samples. We then evaluated the prediction capabilities of inverse least squares (ILS) models based on these summary statistics. An ILS calibration based on PRE, the Euclidean distance, and peak fitting/integration proved more successful than the PLS model at predicting levels of blood doping from the corresponding electropherograms; the ILS model distinguished between doped (5% and 10%) and undoped (0%) blood. This methodology may be applicable to other challenging informatics problems like determining risk factors for genetically linked diseases, robust pattern finding in peak-like data such as ChIP-seq, or other genomic sequencing for understanding the 3D genome.
A longitudinal investigation of perceived weight status as a mediator of sexual orientation disparities in maladaptive eating behaviors.

Abstract Sexual minority adolescents are more likely than heterosexual peers to engage in maladaptive eating behaviors such as restrictive dieting. However, prior studies relied on cross-sectional data and did not test potential mechanisms. This study examined longitudinal associations between adolescent sexual minority status and three maladaptive eating behaviors (restrictive dieting, diet pill use, and drug-related dieting) in young adulthood and tested higher perceived weight status as a mediator of observed disparities. Data were drawn from Waves 2 (11th grade in 2010/2011) to 7 (4 years post high school in 2015/2016) of the NEXT Generation Health Study, a U.S. national longitudinal cohort of adolescents ( n = 1925). Logistic regression analyses revealed that, relative to heterosexual females, sexual minority females were more likely to report any restrictive dieting (extreme food intake restriction) in the past year (62.9% vs. 37.0%; Adjusted Odds Ratio = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.07, 4.76). Associations between sexual minority status and diet pills use or drug-related dieting were not found. Results from structural equation modeling indicated that higher perceived weight status was a significant mediator of the association between sexual minority status and restrictive dieting among females. These findings highlight higher perceived weight status as an important cognitive mechanism explaining why sexual minority females are at heightened risk for restrictive dieting in young adulthood. To optimally inform prevention efforts, additional research is needed to test the extent to which minority stressors may shape weight perceptions and their contribution to maladaptive and disordered eating behaviors among sexual minority adolescents.
Insider or outsider? The separate and joint effects of firm performance and diversification on CEO recruitment

This study aims to investigate the effects of firm performance and diversification on the insider/outsider CEO hiring. Using a sample of 2204 CEO succession events occurred between 1979 and 2014 in the U.S., we find that the effect of firm performance on the likelihood of hiring insider CEOs is positive and significant, which is consistent with Datta and Guthrie (1994). Moreover, the impact of the level of firm diversification on the likelihood of hiring insider CEOs is also positive and significant. However, the level of firm diversification appears to have a strong moderating effect on the relationship between firm performance and the insider/outsider CEO hiring. More focused firms are more likely to hire outsider CEOs when firm performance is low, but hire insider CEOs as firm performance increases. By contrast, highly diversified firms are more likely to hire insider CEOs regardless of firm performance. The empirical results imply that both well-performing focused firms and highly diversified firms should implement a formal CEO succession plan by designating the internal candidates and grooming them to ensure that they are knowledgeable and ready to take over when the current CEO steps aside.
From Generalist Approach to Evidence-Based Practice:

The generalist approach subscribes to the eclectic methodology for what Social Workers do. The application of the generalist approach is by nature nebulous. In an advanced technological society, practice technology is less forthcoming in the absence of technologically based skill. Evidence-Based Practiced entails a series of scientific research procedures. It is intended for the application of rigorous expertise to arrive at the most effective intervention based upon objective research findings. Subsequently Evidence-Based Practice is then critical to accommodate social services in the 21st century.
On the formation of complex organic molecules in the interstellar medium: untangling the chemical complexity of carbon monoxide-hydrocarbon containing ice analogues exposed to ionizing radiation via a combined infrared and reflectron time-of-flight analysis.

Recently, over 200 molecules have been detected in the interstellar medium (ISM), with about one third being complex organic molecules (COMs), molecules containing six or more atoms. Over the last few decades, astrophysical laboratory experiments have shown that several COMs are formed via interaction of ionizing radiation within ices deposited on interstellar dust particles at 10 K (H2O, CH3OH, CO, CO2, CH4, NH3). However, there is still a lack of understanding of the chemical complexity that is available through individual ice constituents. The present research investigates experimentally the synthesis of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen bearing COMs from interstellar ice analogues containing carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), ethylene (C2H4), or acetylene (C2H2) exposed to ionizing radiation. Utilizing online and in situ techniques, such as infrared spectroscopy and tunable photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReTOF-MS), specific isomers produced could be characterized. A total of 12 chemically different groups were detected corresponding to C2HnO (n = 2, 4, 6), C3HnO (n = 2, 4, 6, 8), C4HnO (n = 4, 6, 8, 10), C5HnO (n = 4, 6, 8, 10), C6HnO (n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14), C2HnO2 (n = 2, 4), C3HnO2 (n = 4, 6, 8), C4HnO2 (n = 4, 6, 8, 10), C5HnO2 (n = 6, 8), C6HnO2 (n = 8, 10, 12), C4HnO3 (n = 4, 6, 8), and C5HnO3 (n = 6, 8). More than half of these isomer specifically identified molecules have been identified in the ISM, and the remaining COMs detected here can be utilized to guide future astronomical observations. Of these isomers, three groups – alcohols, aldehydes, and molecules containing two of these functional groups – displayed varying degrees of unsaturation. Also, the detection of 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanal, and 2-methyl-propanal has significant implications as the propyl and isopropyl moieties (C3H7), which have already been detected in the ISM via propyl cyanide and isopropyl cyanide, could be detected in our laboratory studies. General reaction mechanisms for their formation are also proposed, with distinct follow-up studies being imperative to elucidate the complexity of COMs synthesized in these ices.
Implementation of compressive sampling for wireless sensor network applications

Since mid-20th century, Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem is accepted as we need to sample a signal at twice the max frequency component in order to reconstruct it. Compressive sampling (CS) offers a possible solution of sampling sub-Nyquist and reconstructing using convex programming techniques. There has been significant advancements in CS research and development (more notably since mid-2000s in theory and proofs), but still nothing to the advantage of everyday use. There has been little work on hardware in finding realistic constraints of a working CS system used for digital signal processing (DSP) applications. Parameters used in a system are usually assumed based on stochastic models, but not optimised towards a specific application. This paper aims to address a minimal viable platform to implement compressive sensing if applied to a wireless sensor network (WSN), as well as addressing key parameters of CS algorithms to be determined depending on application requirements and constraints.
Vaccinia Virus Vectors Targeting Peptides for MHC Class II Presentation to CD4+ T Cells

CD4+ helper T cells play important roles in providing help to B cells, macrophages, and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, but also exhibit direct effector functions against a variety of different pathogens. In contrast to CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells typically exhibit broader specificities and undergo less clonal expansion during many types of viral infections, which often makes the identification of virus-specific CD4+ T cells technically challenging. In this study, we have generated recombinant vaccinia virus (VacV) vectors that target I-Ab-restricted peptides for MHC class II (MHC-II) presentation to activate CD4+ T cells in mice. Conjugating the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus immunodominant epitope GP61-80 to either LAMP1 to facilitate lysosomal targeting or to the MHC-II invariant chain (Ii) significantly increased the activation of Ag-specific CD4+ T cells in vivo. Immunization with VacV-Ii-GP61-80 activated endogenous Ag-specific CD4+ T cells that formed memory and rapidly re-expanded following heterologous challenge. Notably, immunization of mice with VacV expressing an MHC-II-restricted peptide from Leishmania species (PEPCK335-351) conjugated to either LAMP1 or Ii also generated Ag-specific memory CD4+ T cells that underwent robust secondary expansion following a visceral leishmaniasis infection, suggesting this approach could be used to generate Ag-specific memory CD4+ T cells against a variety of different pathogens. Overall, our data show that VacV vectors targeting peptides for MHC-II presentation is an effective strategy to activate Ag-specific CD4+ T cells in vivo and could be used to study Ag-specific effector and memory CD4+ T cell responses against a variety of viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections.
Specific Growth Rate as a Predictor of Survival in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Multi-institutional Study from the United States Neuroendocrine Study Group

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are often indolent; however, identifying patients at risk for rapidly progressing variants is critical, particularly for those with small tumors who may be candidates for expectant management. Specific growth rate (SGR) has been predictive of survival in other malignancies but has not been examined in PNETs. A retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent PNET resection from 2000 to 2016 was performed utilizing the multi-institutional United States Neuroendocrine Study Group database. Patients with ≥ 2 preoperative cross-sectional imaging studies at least 30 days apart were included in our analysis (N = 288). Patients were grouped as “high SGR” or “low SGR.” Demographic and clinical factors were compared between the groups. Kaplan–Meier and log-rank analysis were used for survival analysis. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to assess the impact of various clinical factors on overall survival (OS). High SGR was associated with higher T stage at resection, shorter doubling time, and elevated HbA1c (all P ≤ 0.01). Patients with high SGR had significantly decreased 5-year OS (63 vs 80%, P = 0.01) and disease-specific survival (72 vs 91%, P = 0.03) compared to those with low SGR. In patients with small (≤ 2 cm) tumors (N = 106), high SGR predicted lower 5-year OS (79 vs 96%, P = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, high SGR was independently associated with worse OS (hazard ratio 2.67, 95% confidence interval 1.05–6.84, P = 0.04). High SGR is associated with worse survival in PNET patients. Evaluating PNET SGR may enhance clinical decision-making, particularly when weighing expectant management versus surgery in patients with small tumors.
Laryngeal tuberculosis mimicking malignancy: A case report

Laryngeal involvement in tuberculosis is rare and may mimic malignancy. We report the case of a 26-year-old female who presented with sore throat for several months. CT revealed an infiltrative laryngeal mass and upper lobe pulmonary opacities. Laryngoscopic biopsy confirmed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
A Brief History of the Collaboration between Dr Nathan Gillespie and Professor Nick Martin Including Personal Reflections.

This article describes Dr Nathan Gillespie’s PhD training and supervision under Professor Nick Martin and their ongoing collaborations. Drs Gillespie and Martin have collaborated on numerous biometrical genetic analyses applied to cross-sectional and longitudinal twin data, combined molecular and phenotypic modeling, as well as genomewide meta-analyses of psychoactive substance use and misuse. Dr Gillespie remains an active collaborator with Professor Martin, including ongoing data collection, analysis and publications related to the Brisbane Longitudinal Twin Study.
Using cognitive interviews and think-aloud protocols to understand thought processes

Abstract Our situation Cognitive interviews (CIs) and think-aloud protocols (TAPs) are two strategies that offer unique approaches to capture participant thought processes when engaging with instruments and interventions. In this paper, we describe the origins of CIs and TAPs, the types of research questions they can be used to address, and strategies to implement these approaches. Methodological literature review CIs and TAPs are interview methods that make thought processes more explicit. CIs include targeted interview questions that are focused on evaluating participant comprehension during an activity, such as a survey. TAPs request the participant to think-aloud while they solve a problem or complete a task; this is to help understand the problem-solving process. Our recommendations and their applications An understanding of the research aim is critical to identify whether a CI or TAP is preferred. Researchers should ensure that participants are selected based on the needs of the research and that they are appropriately prepared for the selected interview type. Individuals can analyze verbal reports from CIs and TAPs using qualitative and quantitative methods, and researchers are encouraged to disseminate their findings to inform design practices of other researchers. Potential impact CIs and TAPs are methods that help pharmacy education researchers explore thought processes; specifically, these methods are useful to study test response processes, improve survey construction, and map cognitive models of complex thought processes. CIs and TAPs are methodologies that should be in the toolbox of pharmacy education researchers to support design, evaluation, and refinement of instruments and educational interventions.
Cookie Mania: A Serious Game for Teaching Internet Cookies to High School and College Students.

Internet cookies are data storage tools that collect information from a platform’s users to inform various aspects of the platform such as marketing and recommendations systems. Notably, there is a lack of understanding around what internet cookies are and how they work, which spans from adolescents to adults. This can lead to major misunderstandings of how consenting information works in online mediums, and results in negative outcomes and effects for users by default. To help increase understanding of internet cookies and address these issues, we have developed a serious game called Cookie Mania. Our game aims to develop knowledge of internet cookies and related ethical issues through an interactive narrative, as well as foster additional engagement through cookie-focused minigames. In this demonstration paper, we discuss the design and development of Cookie Mania—highlighting how the various design choices target learning objectives for internet cookies and their underlying ethical issues.
Computational Evaluation of Carriers in Facilitated Transport Membranes for Postcombustion Carbon Capture

Incorporating molecular amines as mobile carriers in facilitated transport membranes (FTMs) has been demonstrated to significantly enhance the CO2 permeance and CO2/N2 selectivity of the membrane f...
The experience of uncertainty for patients, families and healthcare providers in post-stroke palliative and end-of-life care: a qualitative meta-synthesis.

PURPOSE recent data show that there is limited evidence and guidance regarding the best practices for the integration of palliative care (PC) and end-of-life (EOL) post-stroke. The purpose of this meta-synthesis is to understand the PC/EOL experiences after a stroke. METHODS a meta-synthesis was conducted to answer the following research question-What are post-stroke PC/EOL experiences from the perspectives of patients, families and healthcare professionals (HCPs)? This approach was completed through two main phases-a systematic search and appraisal of the literature and reciprocal translation with interpretive triangulation of the extracted data. Databases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Joanna Briggs Institute and CINAHL databases (from their inception to April 2020). After data were extracted, a qualitative exploratory design was used to evaluate the PC/EOL in post-stroke experiences. RESULTS the search identified 696 studies. A total of 14 studies were included in this meta-synthesis as they satisfied our eligibility criteria. Uncertainty post-stroke was the overarching main theme that emerged across post-stroke PC/EOL experiences. Within this theme of uncertainty, opportunities to decrease uncertainty emerged from two interdependent themes-presence of cohesive communication and shared dynamic decision process for both families and HCPs. CONCLUSIONS to mitigate the degree of uncertainty post-stroke, HCPs should be present, provide clear direct communication and incorporate the value-based goals of care within their medical treatment plan. These findings suggest that future research is needed to focus on how PC approaches can be integrated into stroke care programmes.
On improving the memorability of system-assigned recognition-based passwords

User-chosen passwords reflecting common strategies and patterns ease memorisation but offer uncertain and often weak security, while system-assigned passwords provide higher security guarantee but ...
Massive Pulmonary Embolism with Cardiac Arrest during Routine Tibial Bypass Surgery

We report the case of a massive pulmonary embolism with intraoperative cardiac arrest in a 48-year-old male during routine surgical tibial bypass successfully managed by catheter-based interventions. Our experience supports the trending shift in pulmonary embolism therapy guidelines to include endovascular approaches and emphasizes the need for vascular surgeons to adapt their training protocols.
Filamentous viruses prevail under pressure.

Enveloped viruses often produce particles with varying shapes. Elongated particles are shown to be crucial for maintaining infectivity under conditions in which viral glycoprotein activity is compromised.
Stability of Protein Pharmaceuticals

Recombinant DNA technology has now made it possible to produce proteins for pharmaceutical applications. Consequently, proteins produced via biotechnology now comprise a significant portion of the drugs currently under development. Isolation, purification, formulation, and delivery of proteins represent significant challenges to pharmaceutical scientists, as proteins possess unique chemical and physical properties. These properties pose difficult stability problems. A summary of both chemical and physical decomposition pathways for proteins is given. Chemical instability can include proteolysis, deamidation, oxidation, racemization, and β-elimination. Physical instability refers to processes such as aggregation, precipitation, denaturation, and adsorption to surfaces. Current methodology to stabilize proteins is presented, including additives, excipients, chemical modification, and the use of site-directed mutagenesis to produce a more stable protein species.
Elimination of the hydroxyl groups in the ribose ring of ATP reduces its ability to phosphorylate the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase

2'-Deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate, 3'-deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate, and 3'-amino-3'-deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate were substituted for ATP in the Ca2+ pumping cycle of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase. The rate of phosphorylation of the enzyme decreased by more than an order of magnitude when either of the hydroxyl groups was eliminated from the ribose ring. This resulted in low rates of hydrolysis and low levels of phosphoenzyme intermediate. In addition, the Km(1) of hydrolysis and the K1/2 of phosphorylation of the derivatives modified in the 3' position were decreased by a factor of 5-10. Otherwise, the 3'-amino-3'-deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate was utilized in a manner equivalent to ATP. Because the observed rates of phosphoenzyme formation with the deoxynucleotides were lowered to the extent that they would be rate-limiting in the enzyme cycle, and the level of phosphoenzyme intermediate remained low when the enzyme was back-inhibited by high Ca2+ concentrations, it was concluded that the majority of the enzyme remained in a preliminary conformation, in which the phosphorylation reaction could not proceed although substrate and Ca2+ were bound. It was then proposed that, following Ca(2+)-induced changes in conformation, the hydroxyl groups are able to form hydrogen bonds with pertinent segments of the phosphorylation domain, helping to stabilize an enzyme-substrate complex, one function of which may be to provide the proper stereochemistry for phosphate transfer.
Consumer-to-store employee and consumer-to-self-service technology (SST) interactions in a retail setting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the underlying mechanism of how consumer-to-store employee and consumer-to-self-service technology (SST) interaction qualities contribute to consumer retail patronage. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 300 surveys for each type of in-store kiosk were used for the data analysis. The proposed model was analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings – This study suggests a direct link from SST usage frequency to perception of SST service quality. Also, retail patronage intentions were positively influenced by both interpersonal service quality and SST service quality, and SST usage intentions were positively affected by retail patronage intentions. Lastly, three causal links were shown to be dissimilar between the two types of in-store kiosk: interpersonal service quality-retail patronage intentions, SST service quality-retail patronage intentions, and SST service quality-SST usage intentions. The remaining links were similar for both types ...
Object-Oriented Programming with Visual Basic.NET: Building a Windows Application

A Windows application is by necessity written in an object-oriented manner. This chapter discusses the code generated by VS. NET when a Windows application is built. We'll examine both the code generated by VS. NET and the code created when a programmer builds an application. We will also examine how to use object-oriented principles in the code the programmer adds to the application. As the noted computer scientist and education theorist Seymour Paper once stated, “You can't think about thinking without thinking about thinking about something.” Likewise, you can't examine building a Windows application without having a Windows application to build. To that end, the application we'll use to illustrate how object-oriented principles aid the creation of a Windows application is a basic calculator, similar to the one found in Windows. By picking a rather simple application that uses many widely employed Windows features (e.g., textboxes, buttons, and labels), we can focus on how taking an object-oriented approach makes the development easier and more efficient. We should also mention that this chapter is not designed to teach a novice how to create a Windows application; rather it teaches how to create a Windows application in an object-oriented way. We assume the reader already knows how to place controls on a form and already knows the basics of writing event-driven code.
African-American Socialization Experiences by Family Structure:

In our society, a two-parent family is considered the norm. Therefore, it is expected to have certain advantages over a one-parent family, especially one headed by a female, the most common of the one-parent type. The expected advantages include the areas of child rearing, economic stability, provision of both male and female role models, and lower rates of juvenile delinquency. Since there is a greater proportion of Black than of white families headed by females, the negative characteristics of one-parent families have most often been assigned Black families. Despite this, Black families have managed to survive and have demonstrated many positive outcomes (Stack, 1974; Hill, 1972; Billingsley, 1968). Therefore, it appears rather obvious that socialization outcomes are contingent on more than family structure. The type of family structure alone cannot determine the nature of the outcome of socialization. Every family, regardless of its structure, must develop its own pattern of interaction. Therefore, it seems plausible that some combination of family structure and in-
Activity‐ and age‐dependent modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission by System A‐mediated glutamine uptake

GABAergic neurotransmission adapts to maintain normal brain function in a wide range of activity states through multiple mechanisms; pre-synaptic control of quantal size has only recently gained recognition as one of those mechanisms. GABA synthesis from glutamate is coupled with vesicular packaging, and therefore the supply of glutamate can affect inhibitory synaptic strength. Because System A transporters supply glutamine to neurons, where it is converted to glutamate, we hypothesized that regulation of the activity of these transporters could alter glutamine uptake and provide a mechanism to link supply to demand for neurotransmitter GABA. In immature and mature rat hippocampus, after a period of hyperexcitability, we observed a System A-dependent enhancement of inhibitory synaptic strength along with an increase in System A activity in synaptosomes under the same conditions. Under resting conditions, System A's contribution of glutamine to synaptic GABA diminished with age, correlating with reduced SNAT1/SAT1 expression and, even more so, with its activity on synaptic membranes. We conclude that System A activity is highly regulated, by depolarization and developmental cues, to dynamically modulate GABAergic transmission. Our evidence suggests that SNAT1/SAT1 is the transporter that plays a critical role in dynamically modulating inhibition in response to metabolic demands.
Testing the IZZI protocol of geomagnetic field intensity determination

[1] A new paleointensity determination protocol (the IZZI method) was recently proposed. The IZZI technique combines the Aitken (in-field, zero-field; IZ) and Coe (zero-field, in-field; ZI) methods. The IZZI protocol of paleointensity method was experimentally tested, showing a strong angular dependence resulting from the undemagnetized portions of partial thermoremanent magnetization (pTRM) tails. The IZZI method is better than the conventional techniques (Aitken, Coe, and Thellier) in three respects: (1) it can easily detect the angular dependence; (2) it provides a quantitative estimate for the consistency of the outcome between IZ and ZI step; and (3) it is quicker because the extra pTRM tail check step is unnecessary.
Economics of the import of factors of production: Comparative advantage and commercial policy☆

Abstract A sector specific factors model is considered in a two-commodity, three factor setting that allows import of a factor which is specific to the import competing sector. The inflow of foreign factor is endogenously determined. It is shown that a relatively abundant supply of generic factor strengthens the comparative advantage of the import competing sector, whereas a relatively abundant supply of sector specific factor strengthens the comparative advantage of the other sector. It is also shown that if the economy under consideration is commodity tariff distorted then there exists a necessary and sufficient condition under which a tax on the imported factor improves country's welfare.
N-Cadherin Expression in Human Prostate Carcinoma Cell Lines : An Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transformation Mediating Adhesion with Stromal Cells

In human prostate adenocarcinoma, an association between loss of E-cadherin, increased Gleason score, and extracapsular dissemination has been observed. Further characterization of the E-cadherin/catenin phenotype of human prostate carcinoma cell lines showed loss of E-cadherin and expression of N-cadherin in poorly differentiated prostate carcinoma cell lines (PC-3N derived from PC-3, PC-3, and JCA1). We showed that N-cadherin is concentrated at sites of cell-cell contact in PC-3N cellular extensions. N-cadherin was also expressed in prostate stromal fibroblasts both in vitro and in prostate tissue. Co-cultures of prostate stromal fibroblasts and PC-3N cells showed the immunolocalization of N-cadherin in intercellular contacts. In addition, the isoform expression of the cadherin binding protein p120ctn differed in relation to the expression of E- versus N-cadherin by the prostate carcinoma cell lines. The p100 isoform was more highly expressed in E-cadherin-positive carcinoma cell lines, whereas p120 was predominantly expressed only in N-cadherin-positive prostate carcinoma cell lines and prostate stromal fibroblasts. The N-cadherin-positive carcinoma cell line, PC-3N, displayed aggressive invasion into the surface of the diaphragm muscle after intraperitoneal injection of SCID mice. The gain of N-cadherin and loss of E-cadherin by invasive prostate carcinoma cell lines suggests a progression from an epithelial to a mesenchymal phenotype, which may allow for their interaction with surrounding stromal fibroblasts and facilitate metastasis.
Melancholic Judaism, Ec-static Ethics, Uncertain Politics

There is nothing new about the claim that dominant and dominating identities are sustained by the demonized other they construct and become dependent upon for their very existence. James Baldwin ma...
Gas-phase studies of AunOm+ interacting with carbon monoxide

Abstract The results of reactions between preformed cationic gold oxide clusters and carbon monoxide have been investigated utilizing a fast-flow reactor mass spectrometer. From these studies, it was found that all AunOm+ produced in the cluster source disappeared with CO addition at the reactant gas inlet. Furthermore, with CO addition, intermediate peaks of the form AunOm(CO)x+ (n=1–2, m=0–3, x=0–2) were produced, with some of the species continuing to react at higher CO flows.
The Investment Horizon Issue in User-Owned Organizations - Executive Summary

Collective entrepreneurship is an emerging field in the study of collective action. Drawing on recent advances in organizational economics, this research investigates an important investment constraint in collective entrepreneurship-the horizon problem. Empirical data generated by research case studies and member surveys conducted between January 2003 and May 2005 tests to what degree the investment horizon problem exists in user-owned organizations. Contrary to previous hypotheses, results suggest that more than one type of horizon problem exists in patron-owned or user-owned organizations. Empirical results identify five variants of the horizon problem in user-owned organizations that face the newly defined horizon constraints.
Analytic extension of the modified minimal subtraction renormalization scheme

The conventional definition of the running coupling (Formula presented) in quantum chromodynamics is based on a solution to the renormalization group equations which treats quarks as either completely massless at a renormalization scale μ above their thresholds or infinitely massive at a scale below them. The coupling is thus nonanalytic at these thresholds. In this paper we present an analytic extension of (Formula presented) which incorporates the finite-mass quark threshold effects into the running of the coupling. This is achieved by using a commensurate scale relation to connect (Formula presented) to the physical (Formula presented) scheme at specific scales, thus naturally including finite quark masses. The analytic extension inherits the exact analyticity of the (Formula presented) scheme and matches the conventional (Formula presented) scheme far above and below mass thresholds. Furthermore just as in the (Formula presented) scheme, there is no renormalization scale ambiguity, since the position of the physical mass thresholds is unambiguous.
A system for characterizing cellular and molecular events in programmed neuronal cell death

A model system has been established in which PC12 cells are converted to neuronal-like cells that undergo transcription-dependent cell death following removal of NGF. Nineteen sublines of PC12 cells were tested to establish parameters for making cells dependent on NGF for survival. In most sublines, a relatively small percentage of cells become dependent on NGF for survival, and following removal of NGF, most of the cells begin proliferating in serum-containing medium. In several sublines, however, a significant percentage of cells die following removal of NGF. One of these sublines, PC6–3, can be grown under conditions in which 90% of the cells undergo transcription-dependent cell death following removal of NGF in either serum-free or serum- containing medium. Fourteen hours after removing NGF, 50% of the cells are committed to die, while initial morphological signs of cell death as determined by time-lapse videomicroscopy occur 2–6 hr later and include loss of neurites followed by a 1–3 hr period of active membrane “blebbing” and protrusions. Cell death can be blocked by the RNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D, the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, KCl, basic fibroblast growth factor, or dibutryl-cAMP, but not by epidermal growth factor, leupeptin, or the endonuclease inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA). Removal of NGF activates an endonuclease that causes nucleosomal laddering of the DNA; however, endonuclease activity does not appear to be required for cell death. In agreement with previous studies (Batistatou and Greene, 1991; Rukenstein et al., 1991) demonstrating that naive PC12 cells undergo transcription-independent cell death when shifted into serum-free medium in the absence of growth factors, all cell lines tested except for one die when cultured in RPMI medium lacking growth factors. DNA fragmentation is a prominent feature of transcription-independent cell death, and death can be blocked with NGF, ATA, and dibutryl-cAMP but not with actinomycin D or KCl. The PC12 model system described here should be useful for identifying cell death genes and for characterizing cellular and molecular events in programmed neuronal cell death.
Anticipation of Personal Genomics Data Enhances Interest and Learning Environment in Genomics and Molecular Biology Undergraduate Courses

An important discussion at colleges is centered on determining more effective models for teaching undergraduates. As personalized genomics has become more common, we hypothesized it could be a valuable tool to make science education more hands on, personal, and engaging for college undergraduates. We hypothesized that providing students with personal genome testing kits would enhance the learning experience of students in two undergraduate courses at Brigham Young University: Advanced Molecular Biology and Genomics. These courses have an emphasis on personal genomics the last two weeks of the semester. Students taking these courses were given the option to receive personal genomics kits in 2014, whereas in 2015 they were not. Students sent their personal genomics samples in on their own and received the data after the course ended. We surveyed students in these courses before and after the two-week emphasis on personal genomics to collect data on whether anticipation of obtaining their own personal genomic data impacted undergraduate student learning. We also tested to see if specific personal genomic assignments improved the learning experience by analyzing the data from the undergraduate students who completed both the pre- and post-course surveys. Anticipation of personal genomic data significantly enhanced student interest and the learning environment based on the time students spent researching personal genomic material and their self-reported attitudes compared to those who did not anticipate getting their own data. Personal genomics homework assignments significantly enhanced the undergraduate student interest and learning based on the same criteria and a personal genomics quiz. We found that for the undergraduate students in both molecular biology and genomics courses, incorporation of personal genomic testing can be an effective educational tool in undergraduate science education.
The extracellular protein regulator (xpr) affects exoprotein and agr mRNA levels in Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract xpr, a regulatory element of exoprotein synthesis in Staphylococcus aureus, defined by an insertion of Tn551 into the chromosome of strain S6C, affects the expression of several exoproteins at the mRNA level. Drastic reduction in transcript levels for staphylococcal enterotoxin B (seb), lipase (geh), alpha-toxin (hla), and delta-toxin (hld) were detected, while mRNA levels for coagulase (coa) and protein A (spa) were elevated. Because the delta-toxin gene resides within the RNAIII transcript of the exoprotein regulator, agr, the reduction in hld message in the mutant strain of S6C is indicative of additional regulatory events in exoprotein gene expression. Northern (RNA) analysis of total cellular RNA hybridized with probes specific for RNAII and RNAIII (the two major transcripts of the agr operon) showed that both transcripts were reduced 16- to 32-fold at 3 h (late exponential phase) and 8- to 16-fold at 12 h (postexponential phase). These data confirm our original findings (M. S. Smeltzer, M. E. Hart, and J. J. Iandolo, Infect. Immun. 61:919-925, 1993) that two regulatory loci, agr and xpr, are interactive at the genotypic level.
We Are an International Community

When I was working on launching this journal, one important goal for me was to have an opportunity to engage in dialogue with occupational therapy colleagues around the world. Thus, this has become...
N-[1-(2-Benzo[b]Thiophenyl)Cyclohexyl]- Piperidine (BTCP) Exerts Cocaine-Like Actions on Drug-Maintained Responding in Rats

The effects of N-[1-(2-benzo[b]thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]- piperidine (BTCP), a phencyclidine derivative that acts as a potent dopamine reuptake inhibitor, were examined on cocaine self-administration in rats. The effects of BTCP (0, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mg/kg, i.p.) on cocaine self-administration were tested against cocaine doses on both the ascending (0.0625 mg/infusion) and descending (0.25 mg/infusion) limb of the dose-response function. BTCP decreased self-administration of the 0.25-mg cocaine dose in a dose-dependent manner. A 16-mg/kg dose of BTCP that strongly suppressed self-administration of the 0.25-mg cocaine dose increased the intake at the 0.0625-mg dose of cocaine. Moreover, cocaine and BTCP pretreatments produced similar patterns of decreases in self-administration of cocaine on the descending limb of the dose-response function. The results suggest that BTCP has cocaine-like actions and produces a leftward shift of the dose-response curve for cocaine self-administration, indicating that the phencyclidine analog may substitute under certain conditions for the reinforcing effects of cocaine in self-administering rats.
Invisible axions in supersymmetric SU(N)

Strong CP problem and possible Peccei-Quinn symmetry is discussed in a natural supersymmetric SU(N) for N = 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Grain Markets, Free Trade and the Bourbon Reforms: The Real Pragmática of 1765 in New Spain

The Real Pragmatica of 1765 of Free Grain Trade was one of the most influential events in eighteenth century Spanish political and economic history? But was it influential in the Americas? Despite the abundant scholarship on the Bourbon reforms, we do not know much about the application of the Pragmatica or more broadly about policies that affected domestic grain trade in the Americas. In this article I argue that the Pragmatica was influential in increasing the participation of the viceroy in matters of wholesale and regional grain trade. Such changes in policies as applied in New Spain involved both pragmatism and a centralization of power, rather than a dogmatic support for free trade policies or a staunch support of traditional doctrines. In this I believe that New Spain did not differ from contemporary Western European countries, in which free trade was constantly being negotiated between different actors and authorities of various levels.
Cold-induced hypertension and diuresis

Abstract Chronic exposure of rats to mild cold (5°C) resulted in a significant elevation of blood pressure (BP) within 4 days. Peripheral administration of losartan (AT 1 receptor antagonist) could decrease the elevated BP to the control level. AT 1 receptor mRNA was significantly increased in resistance arteries by exposure to cold. Chronic exposure to cold was accompanied by diuresis and a decrease in urine osmolality. The circulating level of arginine vasopressin (AVP) was not affected significantly by cold exposure. It is concluded that cold-induced hypertension may be maintained by up-regulation of AT 1 receptors. Cold-induced diuresis may be due to decreased renal responsiveness to AVP rather than inhibition of AVP release.
Leakage control in full adders with selectively stacked inverters

Technology scaling beyond the 65nm regime has resulted in leakage power consumption emerging as a major design constraint. Several methods aiming at mitigating leakage power have been studied and tested. These include power-rail gating, input vector control, transistor body biasing, transistor stacking, etc. This paper extends the idea of transistor stacking but limiting it to the inverters in the given logic circuit or cell in order to obtain leakage savings. Stacking of inverters is effective in leakage current reduction during both the active and standby modes of the circuit. Stacking also has the advantage of not requiring any additional control circuitry. We examine the leakage power and delay variations for this approach and compare it with the method of power-rail gating. The results indicate that selective stacking of inverters can yield considerable leakage savings without causing significant delay penalties. Therefore it is suitable for cells such as full adders which are in the critical path of complex logic modules such as the microprocessor.
Land-Mobile Radio Communication Channel Occupancy, Waiting Time, and Spectrum Saturation

The operational utility of a shared land-mobile radio communication channel to any given user depends upon his waiting time to access the channel and the quality of the channel once it is available. This paper describes a method of obtaining waiting time estimates from measurements of channel occupancy made with a scanning receiver and discusses land mobile spectrum saturation in the context of waiting time. Definitions of terms are presented along with data illustrating the accuracy of waiting time estimates for simplex channels based on scanning receiver measurements.
Computational Modeling of the Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide

Geologic sequestration of CO 2 is a component of C capture and storage (CCS), an emerging technology for reducing CO 2 emissions to the atmosphere, and involves injection of captured CO 2 into deep subsurface formations. Similar to the injection of hazardous wastes, before injection of CO 2 , operators of geologic sequestration projects may need to demonstrate nonendangerment of groundwater resources during the lifetime of the project. Future requirements related to CO 2 accounting and transfer credits may require operators to evaluate and quantify any surface releases. Subsurface fluid flow computational models have been advocated as an integral tool in predicting and tracking the migration of CO 2 or mobilized constituents. Modeling the injection and sequestration of CO 2 poses unique challenges, such as the need to properly characterize CO 2 transport properties across a large range of temperatures and pressures, and the need to couple multiphase flow, reactive transport, and geomechanical processes. In addition, the volumes of CO 2 that may be injected are largely unprecedented, and an appropriate amount of site characterization across the potentially impacted area will be difficult. In the last several years, there have been several research studies specifically modeling the problem of subsurface injection of CO 2 . Existing studies demonstrate the use of modeling in project design, site characterization, assessments of leakage, and site monitoring. Particularly informative components of existing modeling studies include parameter sensitivity analyses, evaluation of numerical artifacts, code comparison, and demonstrations of model calibration to site monitoring data.
On the stochastic nature of resistive switching in metal oxide RRAM: Physical modeling, monte carlo simulation, and experimental characterization

The origin of switching parameter variations in metal oxide resistive switching random access memory (RRAM) is studied. The stochastic formation/rupture of the conductive filaments (CFs) is modeled and incorporated with a trap-assisted-tunneling (TAT) current solver. The experimental DC I–V characteristics and pulse transient waveform featuring the current fluctuation during the reset process are reproduced by Monte Carlo simulations. It is found that the wide spread of high resistance states (HRS) are due to the variation of tunneling gap distances, and the tail bits of the HRS are due to the newly generated traps near the electrode at the end of the reset process. To solve the over-reset and tail bits problems, a device structure with active/buffer bi-layer oxides combined with the reset-verify technique is proposed. Our model is corroborated by measured experimental data of HfO x based RRAM.