cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Precision Oncology Decision Support: Current Approaches and Strategies for the Future.

With the increasing availability of genomics, routine analysis of advanced cancers is now feasible. Treatment selection is frequently guided by the molecular characteristics of a patient9s tumor, and an increasing number of trials are genomically selected. Furthermore, multiple studies have demonstrated the benefit of therapies that are chosen based upon the molecular profile of a tumor. However, the rapid evolution of genomic testing platforms and emergence of new technologies make interpreting molecular testing reports more challenging. More sophisticated precision oncology decision support services are essential. This review outlines existing tools available for health care providers and precision oncology teams and highlights strategies for optimizing decision support. Specific attention is given to the assays currently available for molecular testing, as well as considerations for interpreting alteration information. This article also discusses strategies for identifying and matching patients to clinical trials, current challenges, and proposals for future development of precision oncology decision support. Clin Cancer Res; 24(12); 2719–31. ©2018 AACR.
“When I Came Home — I did Not Come Home.” The Antinomies of the Experience of German and Austrian Exiles 1933–1945 and Beyond

The National Socialist regime drove many Germans and Austrians into exile. Almost half a million Jews, communists, social democrats, and other opponents of Nazism emigrated from their homeland since 1933 leaving their material belongings, their work, their country behind. For most the experience of exile was a traumatic and painful one since many of the refugees were in their fifties, sixties or even older, i.e. they were at an age not suited to a sudden uprooting and the lifestyle of a displaced person. Not only did they have to cope with their own plight but they became helpless witnesses as the new rulers of Germany and their followers brought shame and disgrace upon a land in which the exiles had spent their lives and in which they were deeply rooted. Their love for their fatherland often turned into bitterness and hatred because Germany was now a country which unleashed a war and in which many of their fellow citizens were brutally murdered for racial or political reasons.
An Example-Based Learning Approach to Multi-Objective Programming

In real-world optimization problems involving multiple objectives, the weights of the objectives may not be specified, whereas example solutions, i.e., the solutions for real instances prepared by human experts, are usually available. This paper proposes a method for determining the objective weights by using example solutions as the training set so that a search algorithm can find reasonably good solutions for all the instances. Our proposed method generates neighborhood solutions defined by the search algorithm for each example solution, and determines the weight settings. The method was successfully applied to a scheduling problem in the steel manufacturing industry.
Inhibition of the K+-stimulated ATPase of maize root microsomes by Helminthosporiummaydis Race T pathotoxin

Abstract The microsomes obtained by centrifugation between 12,000 g and 80,000 g of an homogenate of maize root tips contain K + -stimulated ATPase activity. Pre-incubation of the microsomes from roots of cytoplasmic male sterile (cmsT) plants with partially purified pathotoxin from Helminthosporium maydis Race T strongly inhibits the K + stimulation; the same treatment of microsomes from normal roots has no effect. We suggest this inhibition is closely related to the mode of action of H . maydis Race T pathotoxin.
Effect of host feeding on life history traits of Tamarixia radiata , parasitoid of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri

The parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is being used for the biological control of the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae). The parasitoid is strongly synovigenic, as it is born with very few mature eggs. Synovigenic insects need to feed on host haemolymph to mature additional eggs, and are able to resorb mature eggs to allocate resources toward maintenance. We investigated the effect of host feeding on parasitism, longevity and egg load dynamics, and estimated egg maturation and resorption rates. Although host feeding does not increase survival or longevity, it results in increased parasitization rates when parasitoids are seven days old, and that a single host meal leads to an average gain of three eggs. We discuss the importance of these data to predict the foraging and parasitization behavior of T. radiata in the field, and to potentially improve current efforts to control ACP.
Cineradiographic Observations of Ureteral Functions in Man and Dog

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses cineradiographic observations of ureteral functions in man and dog. The first observations of ureteral function were made by Galen when he experimentally produced obstruction of the ureter in animals. In cine studies, ureteral contractions probably originate in the renal pelvis and move down the ureter to the bladder. In case of ureteropelvic (UP) juncture obstruction, there is a churning action of the pelvis, involving the infundibula and the calyces; it is as if waves are going down toward the UP juncture and then by reflux returning back toward the calyces, hence, producing both dilatation and a churning pattern. Similarly, it can be shown that in ureteral reflux, urine going up the ureter will be sent into the renal pelvis and can be manifested as a jet stream. Further down the ureter, the contractions vary in both length and degree, and, of course, this bears a relationship to different degrees of obstruction.
Comparative experimental investigation of micro-channel fabrication in Ti alloys by laser ablation and laser-induced plasma micro-machining

Abstract Reliable and improved micro-fabrication processes for high-strength alloys are needed due to their increasing use in micro-scale applications. Laser-Induced Plasma Micro-Machining (LIPMM) has been shown to have several advantages over conventional direct laser ablation. In this study micro-channels are fabricated in Ti-6Al-4V, one of the difficult-to-machine materials, to compare the micro-manufacturing capabilities of direct laser ablation to LIPMM. It has been shown that LIPMM results in much deeper channels and higher aspect ratios and better machining consistency than direct laser ablation.
Endoscopic sinus surgery improves aspirin treatment response in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease patients

BACKGROUND Aspirin desensitization and treatment benefits most patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), although some patients fail therapy. Our objective was to assess whether recent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) improved aspirin treatment outcomes in AERD patients who initially failed aspirin therapy. METHODS Outcomes of aspirin desensitization and treatment in AERD patients prospectively enrolled were assessed preoperatively and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after ESS by determining changes in Asthma Control Test (ACT) and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores and respiratory function. Biomarkers, including fractional excretion of nitric oxide (FeNO), spirometry, nasal inspiratory peak flow (NPF), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and eosinophil count, were measured. RESULTS Nineteen patients who benefited (responders) and 21 patients who failed (nonresponders) preoperative aspirin treatment with a distant history of ESS (mean, 48 months) were identified. Nonresponders were more likely to be African American (71%, p < 0.01) and have higher baseline IgE levels (252 kU/L vs 87 kU/L in responders, p < 0.01). 24 of the 40 patients (nine responders and 15 non-responders) required subsequent ESS and underwent another aspirin desensitization 3-4 weeks after ESS. All 24 patients tolerated a second round of aspirin desensitization and treatment. The primary aspirin therapy was associated with a significant increase in IgE in nonresponders, but there was no significant increase in IgE after the second aspirin desensitization and treatment. CONCLUSION Antecedent ESS enhances aspirin treatment responses in AERD patients and may convert patients who failed aspirin treatment before surgery to a more responsive phenotype after ESS. Patients with higher baseline serum IgE levels may benefit from ESS performed shortly before aspirin desensitization and therapy.
Electron and radical cation of sulfur-substituted thymine derivatives produced near photoionization threshold can alter and distort double-helix DNA structure

Abstract Results from DFT calculations show that the aqueous adiabatic ionization energies for thymine, 2-thiothymine, 2,4-dithiothymine, and 4-thiothymine are 4.95, 4.99 eV, 4.94 eV and 4.81 eV, respectively. The calculated absorption spectra for the radical cations of thymine and 4-thiothymine exhibit significant red-shift and show characteristics of noncanonical structures. The calculated large aqueous adiabatic electron affinity for 2,4-dithiothymine (AEA 2.67 eV) suggests that it can be a potent radio chemotherapeutic agent in cancer treatment.
Pressure-Thresholded Response in Cylindrically Shocked Cyclotrimethylene Trinitramine (RDX).

We demonstrate a strongly thresholded response in cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) when it is cylindrically shocked using a novel waveguide geometry. Using ultrafast single-shot multi-frame ima...
Parathyroid Gland and Musculoskeletal Signs

The discovery of the parathyroid glands was credited to a medical student who reported this “last anatomic discovery” in a paper published in 1880. The devastating effects of autonomous parathyroid hormone secretion such as osteoporosis, osteitis fibrosa cystica, and kidney injury are less common in modern times. Inactivating PTH/PTHrp signaling disorders (iPPSD) is a new umbrella term for endocrine conditions like pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism. The genetic basis for the clinical manifestations of these disorders will be explored in this chapter.
Solutions of Problems: Circuit Components, Methods of Circuit Analysis, and Circuit Theorems

In this chapter, the problems of the first chapter are fully solved, in detail, step-by-step, and with multiple methods, by using mesh analysis, nodal analysis, and heuristic techniques. In all the problems’ solutions, Kirchhoff current law (KCL) and Kirchhoff voltage law (KVL) as well as the concepts of mesh current, node voltage, supermesh, and supernode are clearly described. Moreover, in the application of circuit theorems, the concepts of open circuit voltage, short-circuit current, Thevenin voltage, Thevenin resistance, Norton current, and Norton resistance are explained. In addition, this chapter shows how to deal with circuit components like resistors, dependent current and voltage sources, and independent current and voltage sources.
Perceptions of support by nursing faculty of color.

Abstract Background Racial and ethnic minority faculty members within nursing academia are critical to the recruitment and training of a diverse health care workforce. Effective strategies and opportunities for the success of minorities within nursing faculty must be identified and explored. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify strategies for support being utilized by nursing faculty of color, and support systems that practicing faculty of color believe would aid their success in academia. Method This descriptive survey used an 18-item online survey distributed to faculty of color in nursing academic institutions throughout the United States. Of the completed surveys, 116 responses met inclusion criteria. Results Common themes from faculty of color emerged regarding the importance of mentorship, faculty development, networking and acknowledgement. Conclusion Respondents noted their experience with successful support systems and strategies and support systems they found to be lacking. Strategies were recommended for promoting faculty of color in schools and colleges of nursing.
The Network of Neighborhoods and Geographic Space: Implications for Joblessness While on Parole

Few studies have examined the consequences of neighborhoods for job prospects for people on parole. Specifically, networks between neighborhoods in where people commute to work and their spatial distributions may provide insight into patterns of joblessness because they represent the economic structure between neighborhoods. We argue that the network of neighborhoods provides insight into the competition people on parole face in the labor market, their spatial mismatch from jobs, as well as their structural support. We use data from people on parole released in Texas from 2006 to 2010 and create a network between all census tracts in Texas based on commuting ties from home to work. We estimate a series of multilevel models examining how network structures are related to joblessness. The findings indicate that the structural position of neighborhoods has consequences for people on parole’s joblessness. Higher outdegree, reflecting neighborhoods with more outgoing ties to other neighborhoods, was consistently associated with less joblessness, while higher indegree, reflecting neighborhoods with more incoming ties into the neighborhood, was associated with more joblessness, particularly for Black and Latino people on parole. There was also some evidence of differences depending on geographic scale. Structural neighborhood-to-neighborhood networks are another component to understanding joblessness while people are on parole. The most consistent support was shown for the competition and structural support mechanisms, rather than spatial mismatch.
Queues with path-dependent arrival processes

We study the transient and limiting behavior of a queue with a Polya arrival process. The Polya process is interesting because it exhibits path-dependent behavior, e.g. it satisfies a non-ergodic law of large numbers: the average number of arrivals over time [0, t] converges almost surely to a nondegenerate limit as queue, with arrivals occurring exogenously according to the superposition of n independent and identically distributed Polya point processes. That limit yields a tractable approximation for the transient queue-length distribution, because the limiting net input process is a Gaussian Markov process with stationary increments. We also provide insight into the long-run performance of queues with path-dependent arrival processes. We show how Little’s law can be stated in this context, and we provide conditions under which there is stability for a queue with a Polya arrival process.
A design of the housekeeping robot and its control strategies

This paper presents a design of a housekeeping robot that can automatically navigate in a room while both vacuum cleaning floors and picking up garbage. First, the background and history of housekeeping robots are summarized. Then, current housekeeping robot products and research are presented. Next, the mechanical structure and components design of the robot is discussed. The feasibility of expected functions is verified through mathematical calculation. The software and control system of the robot is described in terms of environment sensing, objecting identification, and motion control.
Advances in acute myeloid leukemia

ABSTRACT Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic diagnosis with historically high mortality rates. The standard of care treatment remained unchanged for decades; however, recent discoveries of molecular drivers of leukemogenesis and disease progression have led to novel therapies for AML. Ongoing research and clinical trials are actively seeking to personalize therapy by identifying molecular targets, discovering patient specific and disease specific risk factors, and identifying effective combinations of modalities and drugs. This review focuses on important updates in diagnostic and disease classifications that reflect new understanding of the biology of AML, its mutational heterogeneity, some important genetic and environmental risk factors, and new treatment options including cytotoxic chemotherapy, novel targeted agents, and cellular therapies.
The importance of RNA modifications: From cells to muscle physiology

Naturally occurring post-transcriptional chemical modifications serve critical roles in impacting RNA structure and function. More directly, modifications may affect RNA stability, intracellular transport, translational efficiency, and fidelity. The combination of effects caused by modifications are ultimately linked to gene expression regulation at a genome-wide scale. The latter is especially true in systems that undergo rapid metabolic and or translational remodeling in response to external stimuli, such as the presence of stressors, but beyond that, modifications may also affect cell homeostasis. Although examples of the importance of RNA modifications in translation are accumulating rapidly, still what these contribute to the function of complex physiological systems such as muscle is only recently emerging. In the present review, we will introduce key information on various modifications and highlight connections between those and cellular malfunctions. In passing, we will describe well-documented roles for modifications in the nervous system and use this information as a stepping stone to emphasize a glaring paucity of knowledge on the role of RNA modifications in heart and skeletal muscle, with particular emphasis on mitochondrial function in those systems. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification.
Chapter 2 Components involved in bacterial protein translocation

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the understanding of how proteins are translocated across the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli . The convergence of biochemical and genetic approaches in demonstrating the involvement of the products of secA, secB, secE (also known as prlG) and secY (also known asprlA) in protein translocation has been an important development and has underscored the advantage of microbial systems for studying a physiological process. The soluble protein SecB affects the export of a subset of proteins in vivo. The involvement of these Sec proteins in protein export has been demonstrated in the in vitro translocation system. The SecY/PrlA (and perhaps SecE/PrlG) is now believed to be the translocator, or part of it, where peptides are translocated. SecA is essential and is related to the requirement of ATP hydrolysis in protein translocation, while SecB is involved in the maintenance of the translocation-competent conformation of precursor molecules, and perhaps in targeting to membrane translocation sites. This chapter describes some of the recent work on determining the sequence constraints upon the signal peptide and N(m) element, and on the biochemical characterization of some components involved in protein translocation. The objectives of this chapter are to determine the minimal length of the signal peptide, to characterize further the nature of N(m) element mutations, to provide biochemical evidence on whether SecY/PrlA membrane protein is essential, and to examine how SecD and SecF may function in protein translocation.
THE LAW AND ECONOMICS OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGAINST MARITIME PIRACY

THE LAW AND ECONOMICS OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGAINST MARITIME PIRACY by Paul Hallwood* and Thomas J. Miceli** Abstract: Article 100 of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea requires signatories to “cooperate” against maritime piracy, but “cooperate ” is undefined. Enforcement is a public good – creating uncompensated benefits for others, so suffering from free-rider problems. Our analysis readily explains why more pirates captured are released than prosecuted; why the U.N. and International Maritime Organization are seeking to reduce enforcement costs; why some in the shipping industry want to apply the 1988 Convention against terrorism at sea; and why still others want to move prosecution of pirates out of national courts to an international court. Key words: International law, law enforcement, maritime piracy JEL codes: K14, K33 June 2011 *Professor, Department of Economics, Storrs, CT 06269-1063; Ph: (860) 434-1064, email: Paul.Hallwood@UConn.edu **Professor, Department of Economics, Storrs, CT 06269-1063; Ph: (860) 486-5810; Fax: (860) 486-4463; e-mail: Thomas.Miceli@UConn.edu
A Linear Programming Approach for Synthesis of Mixed-Signal Interface Elements

This paper presents a novel methodology to perform component selection and constraint transformation of analog-digital interface elements of mixed-signal systems. Sharing techniques are used to minimize area while meeting system constraints. The methodology selects components from a pre-defined library using a linear programming approach. The selection process is guided by a knowledge-based performance estimator. With the estimated parameters, linear models are generated helping the constraint transformation process and speeding up the component selection process. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the methodology in relatively short execution times.
“WE SAW IT FIRSTHAND, NOT IN A TEXTBOOK!” INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING IN HISTORY MUSEUMS: A CASE OF A HIGH SCHOOL WIKI

Little research documents teachers facilitating follow-up activities after museum trips. Moreover, few studies show the potential of linking history to other subjects. This study fills this gap by investigating a post-museum activity—an interdisciplinary online wiki that students co-created to document their trip. As they created the wiki, students used skills from social studies, English, and technology. Experiential learning and history museum education are areas through which two questions are analyzed: (a) What do engaged teenagers learn during an interdisciplinary museum trip? (b) Building on this case, how can teachers design assessments to facilitate robust learning of history from museums? Through qualitative analysis, the researcher found three factors motivating adolescents to learn: choice, wonder, and social interaction. Building on these factors, the wiki was evaluated in order to recommend improving this type of assessment, including aligning it with the College, Career, and Civil Life (C3) Framework (National Council for the Social Studies [NCSS], 2013), using more virtual resources, and promoting critical thinking.
Everything in Moderation: The Effects of Adult Moderators in Online Youth Communities

There is considerable debate over the appropriate role for adults in youth online communities. Although many within the mass media argue for adult supervision of youth online, our research suggests that many young people are using the Internet to communicate productively with peers, to solve problems and learn collaboratively online. However, without studies that explicitly explore the positive aspects of youth online community involvement and the actual effects of adult intervention and oversight, only misguided and chilling stories may hit the news. In this study, we examine the 1998 Junior Summit, a well-studied, early example of a large-scale international community for youth, in order to look at the effects of moderator involvement on several measures of positive youth involvement. Children who participated in the Junior Summit were asked to identify and write white-papers about the ways in which technology could help young people. We have selected the Junior Summit as our community of focus because we have access to data that is mostly otherwise unavailable to researchers — the content of all of the community’s posts as well as information about each participant, follow-up interviews five year’s after the community’s launch, and questionnaire data about self-efficacy and wellbeing. In this study, we compare the content of three different sub-forums, with different adult moderators and different involvement levels, in order to evaluate the impact of adult moderation on the community.
A Review of Patterned Organic Bioelectronic Materials and their Biomedical Applications

Organic electronic materials are rapidly emerging as superior replacements for a number of conventional electronic materials, such as metals and semiconductors. Conducting polymers, carbon nanotubes, graphenes, organic light-emitting diodes, and diamond films fabricated via chemical vapor deposition are the most popular organic bioelectronic materials that are currently under active research and development. Besides the capability to translate biological signals to electrical signals or vice versa, organic bioelectronic materials entail greater biocompatibility and biodegradability compared to conventional electronic materials, which makes them more suitable for biomedical applications. When patterned, these materials bring about numerous capabilities to perform various tasks in a more-sophisticated and high-throughput manner. Here, we provide an overview of the unique properties of organic bioelectronic materials, different strategies applied to pattern these materials, and finally their applications in the field of biomedical engineering, particularly biosensing, cell and tissue engineering, actuators, and drug delivery.
Desmoplastic Spitz Nevi

We have reviewed sixteen patients with the diagnosis of desmoplastic Spitz nevus. The age of our patients ranged between seven years and fifty-four years. We noted a predominance of twelve female patients and four male patients. Histologically, ten of the sixteen cases were well circumscribed and symmetric. In six cases we were unable to ascertain the overall architectural features because of the biopsy technique. Only three cases showed significant junctional melanocytic nesting. In five cases there were rare nests of melanocytes at the dermo-epidermal junction and in eight cases there was no evidence of melanocytic nesting at the dermo-epidermal junction. Dermal mitotic figures were rare, with five cases showing a single dermal mitotic figure. The lesions did not arise in sun damaged skin as evidenced by the rarity of actinic elastosis within our specimens. Additional clinical and histologic findings and follow up will be reported.
Action of estrogens on lactic dehydrogenase-DPNH oxidase system of rat uterus.

THE vital role of the enzyme system which catalyzes the oxidation of lactate and reduction of pyruvate in the final reductive phase of glycolysis has made an investigation of this enzyme system in the uterus seem worthwhile from the point of view of the possible influences which steroid hormones may have upon it. Recent investigations of Telfer (1952) and Longwell and Reif (1954) have shown an increase in uterine succinoxidase and cytochrome oxidase in ovariectomized rats following estrogen injections. Hagerman and Villee (1953) have reported estradiol to increase the oxygen consumption of human endometrium in vitro and to shift the metabolism of glucose and pyruvic acid to more complete oxidation. In more recent reports, Villee, Loring and Wellington (1954) and Villee (1954), (1955) have indicated an in vitro site of action in the Krebs tricarboxylic acid cycle localized between citrate utilization and a-ketoglutarate production. Although other enzymes may be involved, they were able to show a direct in ...
Inhibition of the Hepatitis C Virus Helicase-associated ATPase Activity by the Combination of ADP, NaF, MgCl2, and Poly(rU) TWO ADP BINDING SITES ON THE ENZYME-NUCLEIC ACID COMPLEX

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) helicase has an intrinsic ATPase activity and a nucleic acid (poly(rU))-stimulated ATPase activity. The poly(rU)-stimulated ATPase activity was inhibited by F− in a time-dependent manner during ATP hydrolysis. Inhibition was the result of trapping an enzyme-bound ADP-poly(rU) ternary complex generated during the catalytic cycle and was not the result of generating enzyme-free ADP that subsequently inhibited the enzyme. However, catalysis was not required for efficient inhibition by F−. The stimulated and the intrinsic ATPase activities were also inhibited by treatment of the enzyme with F−, ADP, and poly(rU). The inhibited enzyme slowly recovered (t½ = 23 min) ATPase activity after a 2000-fold dilution into assay buffer. The onset of inhibition by 500 μm ADP and 15 mm F− in the absence of nucleic acid was very slow (t½ > 40 min). However, the sequence of addition of poly(rU) to a diluted solution of ADP/NaF-treated enzyme had a profound effect on the extent of inhibition. If the ADP/NaF-treated enzyme was diluted into an assay that lacked poly(rU) and the assay was subsequently initiated with poly(rU), the treated enzyme was not inhibited. Alternatively, if the treated enzyme was diluted into an assay containing poly(rU), the enzyme was inhibited. ATP protected the enzyme from inhibition by ADP/NaF. The stoichiometry between ADP and enzyme monomer in the inhibited enzyme complex was 2, as determined from titration of the ATPase activity ([ADP]/[E] = 2.2) and from the number of radiolabeled ADP bound to the inhibited enzyme ([ADP]/[E] = 1.7) in the presence of excess NaF, MgCl2, and poly(rU). The Hill coefficient for titration of ATPase activity with F− (n = 2.8) or MgCl2 (n = 2.1) in the presence of excess ADP and poly(rU) suggested that multiple F− and Mg2+ were involved in forming the inhibited enzyme complex. The stoichiometry between (dU)18, a defined oligomeric nucleic acid substituting for poly(rU), and enzyme monomer in the inhibited enzyme complex was estimated to be 1 ([(dU)18/[E] = 1.2) from titration of the ATPase activity in the presence of excess ADP, MgCl2, and NaF.
Penetration of an Organophosphorous Compound into Squid Axon and Its Effects on Metabolism and Function

The tertiary analogute of phospholine, namely, (C 2 H 5 O) 2 P(O)SCH 2 CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , is a potent, irreversible inhibitor of cholinesterase which, when externally applied to the sqluid giant axon, readily penetrates in its inhibitory form into the axoplasm. However, even a 10 -2 molar solution of this compound does not block axonal conduction unless the axon is first treated with a low concentration of venom from the cottonmouth moccasin. The question of the activity of acetylcholinesterase in these axons is considered, and the possibility of subcellular permeability barriers for indivisual components of the excitable membrane is discussed.
A Study of Engineering Students' Intercultural Competence and Its Implications for Teaching

Research problem: The purpose of this study is to examine US engineering students' intercultural competence and its pedagogical implications. Three research questions are addressed: (1) What are engineering students' levels of awareness and sensitivity toward intercultural communication? (2) What are their perceived needs in learning intercultural communication? (3) Given these findings, what are some useful approaches and methods to teach intercultural communication in the engineering communication service class? Literature review: The literature review examines current studies on US engineering students' intercultural competence and establishes the scope of the study: intercultural awareness and sensitivity. The researcher consulted literature in intercultural studies, international education, and engineering education. Methodology: The researcher conducted a mixed method study, using surveys, textual analysis, and interviews. Two-hundred seventy-two engineering undergraduates at a Midwestern public university participated in the study. Participants were recruited from an engineering communication class. Data were collected through survey instruments, written responses to cross-cultural dialogs and critical incidents, and interviews. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Results and discussion: Participants exhibited vague and passive awareness of intercultural communication, average to high intercultural sensitivity (subject to self-assessment and social desirability bias), and partial acceptance of intercultural communication education. Based on these findings, the researcher suggests a cultural-general approach to teaching intercultural competence in engineering communication service classes. The study is limited to research participants at one institution and two aspects of intercultural competence. Future studies can involve diverse research participants, address more aspects of intercultural competence, and examine the use of cultural-general teaching methods in the classroom.
Preparation and properties of polyimide nanocomposites with negative thermal expansion nanoparticle filler

Abstract Nanocomposites with tunable coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) were prepared by incorporating cubic zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8) nanoparticles at various volume percentages in a polyimide (PI). Rod-shaped nanoparticles of cubic ZrW2O8, which has isotropic negative thermal expansion, were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. The interfacial interaction between the PI and ZrW2O8 was enhanced by covalently bonding different organic moieties, including a short aliphatic silane and PI oligomer, to the surface of ZrW2O8. Structure–property relationships for the PI–ZrW2O8 nanocomposites were investigated for thermal degradation, glass transition, tensile and thermal expansion properties. Addition of ZrW2O8 nanoparticles did not alter the thermal degradation and glass transition temperature of the base PI. The addition of ZrW2O8 nanoparticles increased the Young's modulus of the polymer, indicating stiffening of the polyimide matrix. The increase was higher for nanocomposites with engineered interfaces due to the efficient load transfer achieved through the presence of linker groups. The addition of ZrW2O8 reduced the in-plane CTE of the base PI at all loadings studied. The CTE of the base PI was reduced by around 22% with the addition of ZrW2O8 at 15 volume% loading.
The electrocardiographic recognition of right atrial abnormality in children

Abstract P waves of normal children and of patients with either atrial septal defect (ASD), pulmonary stenosis (PS), or Fallot's tetralogy (TET) were analyzed and compared relative to right atrial abnormality (RAA). In the normal group P amplitude was consistently greater in infants. Normal P waves 2.5 mm. were rarely (0.05 per cent) found, but only in neonates. Maximal P amplitude (P max ) in 61 per cent of patients exceeded the ninetieth percentile, age-related, normal values, but in only 19 per cent was P > 2.5 mm., the conventional criterion of RAA. The initial-P-V 1 -index (IPI), a new measure of RAA obtained by multiplying positive P-V 1 amplitude by duration, exceeded ninetieth percentile values in 59 per cent of patients and was abnormal in 22 per cent of those with a normal P max . A formula in which IPI and P max are combined was derived for assessment of RAA. By its use, 78 per cent of the patient group had evidence of RAA when diagnostic specificity was 90 per cent. In about 90 per cent of patients with TET, either P max or IPI was abnormal. In patients with PS, P abnormality was found to be related to right ventricular systolic pressure; P waves in about 90 per cent of those with right ventricular pressure systemic pressure were abnormal. P-V 1 was diphasic in the majority of those with TET, but infrequently so in those with PS. Features useful in distinguishing sometimes prominent, terminal negative P-V 1 deflections of patients with RAA from those of patients with left atrial enlargement were found. In about three quarters of those with ASD either P max or IPI was abnormal, but P abnormality could not be related to either size of left-to-right shunt or height of right ventricular pressure. It is concluded that sensitivity in the diagnosis of right atrial abnormality, whatever its cause, can be improved by use of criteria developed in this study while still maintaining acceptable diagnostic specificity.
Oxidation of furans II. Use of furans as masked dienophiles in the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction

Abstract Chemoselective oxidation of alkadienylfurans using m -chloroperoxy-benzoic acid gave trienes which underwent intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition to hydrindenones.
Optimal design of periodic antireflective structures for the Helmholtz equation

We study the problem of designing a periodic interface between two homogeneous materials with different impedance properties, in such a way that time-harmonic waves incident on the interface over a given range of angles have minimal total reflected energy. It is shown that the problem can be ‘relaxed’ to include continuously varying profiles. A simple gradient descent minimization scheme is proposed and examples from several numerical calculations are given.
Fusion for Space Propulsion

The possible role of a controlled thermonuclear reactor in space missions is discussed. Although such a reactor is many years from reality, some of its properties are understood well enough to indicate problems which will appear and which are peculiar to space flight. It appears that it will have to deliver electric power or thrust at a weight of about one pound per kw in order to represent significant improvement over other systems, notably the fission-electric one. One attractive feature of a fusion reactor, as now envisioned, is that it may lend itself to the direct production of electricity or even thrust, without an intermediate heat cycle. It is essential to avoid such a cycle if the weight is to be kept low.
PMCNOC: A Pipelining Multi-Channel Central Caching Network-on-Chip Communication Architecture Design

As technology scales toward deep submicron, the integration of a large number of IP blocks on the same silicon die is becoming realistic. Network-on-chip (NOC) architectures have been recently proposed as a promising solution for the increasing complex on-chip communication problems. This paper presents a new NOC switch architecture, Pipelining Multi-channel Central Caching NOC (PMCNOC) to offer an efficient way to increase the system throughput and reduce communication latencies. The problem of head-of-lines and deadlocks has been significantly alleviated. We have shown through experimentation that the new proposed architecture not only exhibits hardware simplicity, but also significantly increases overall system performance.
Comparison of pigments in carpophores and saprophytic cultures of paxillus panuoides and paxillus atrotomentosus.

Abstract Chromatographic studies, using several solvent systems with thin‐layer polyamide and silica gel G plates, indicated that Paxillus panuoides (Fr.) Fr. and P. atrotomentosus (Batsch) Fr. contain several common pigments in both carpophores and surface cultures. Atromentin was isolated and identified from the carpophores of P. panuoides , and atromentic and xerocomic acids were recovered and identified from the cultures of this species. These pigments were reported previously from the corresponding growth forms of P. atrotomentosus . Identification of the pigments was based on comparisons of chromatographic properties and spectral data (IR, UV, and high‐resolution mass spectra) with authentic materials. Preliminary interpretation of the complex mass spectrum of atromentin suggested the involvement of at least three basic fragmentation pathways. The pKa values and fluorescent spectra (before and after exposure to radiant energy) of atromentic, pulvinic, and xerocomic acids were determined, and the response of xerocomic acid to thermal energy during sublimation was clarified.
First principles analysis of the terahertz spectrum of PETN

This paper focuses on the establishment of methodologies for the successful application of first principles theoretical analyses in the understanding of the terahertz spectroscopy of molecular solids, particularly high-energy materials. A solid-state density functional theoretical study has been performed on the high explosive pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) in order to address the relationships between the choice of computational parameters and the predictions of molecular and solid-state properties, such as molecular geometries, intermolecular interactions within the crystal cell, charge distributions, and solid-state vibrations in the terahertz (3 to 200 cm -1 ) region. This investigation has lead to the conclusion that the BP functional has the best overall performance and the choice of basis set is the most critical theoretical variable. Varying other parameters such as grid size, orbital cut-off, and convergence criteria lead to negligible differences among the calculations.
Complexity and modularity of intracellular networks: a systematic approach for modelling and simulation

Assembly of quantitative models of large complex networks brings about several challenges. One of them is the combinatorial complexity, where relatively few signalling molecules can combine to form thousands or millions of distinct chemical species. A receptor that has several separate phosphorylation sites can exist in hundreds of different states, many of which must be accounted for individually when simulating the time course of signalling. When assembly of protein complexes is being included, the number of distinct molecular species can easily increase by a few orders of magnitude. Validation, visualisation and understanding the network can become intractable. Another challenge appears when the modeller needs to recast or grow a model. Keeping track of changes and adding new elements present a significant difficulty. An approach to solve these challenges within the virtual cell (VCell) is described. Using (i) automatic extraction from pathway databases of model components (http://vcell.org/biopax) and (ii) rules of interactions that serve as reaction network generators (http://vcell.org/bionetgen), a way is provided for semi-automatic generation of quantitative mathematical models that also facilitates the reuse of model elements. In this approach, kinetic models of large, complex networks can be assembled from separately constructed modules, either directly or via rules. To implement this approach, the strength of several related technologies is combined: the BioPAX ontology, the BioNetGen rule-based description of molecular interactions and the VCell modelling and simulation framework.
Chemokines in Cancer

Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that control the migration of cells between tissues and the positioning and interactions of cells within tissue. The chemokine superfamily consists of approximately 50 endogenous chemokine ligands and 20 G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane spanning signaling receptors. Chemokines mediate the host response to cancer by directing the trafficking of leukocytes into the tumor microenvironment. This migratory response is complex and consists of diverse leukocyte subsets with both antitumor and protumor activities. Although chemokines were initially appreciated as important mediators of immune cell migration, we now know that they also play important roles in the biology of nonimmune cells important for tumor growth and progression. Chemokines can directly modulate the growth of tumors by inducing the proliferation of cancer cells and preventing their apoptosis. They also direct tumor cell movement required for metastasis. Chemokines can also indirectly modulate tumor growth through their effects on tumor stromal cells and by inducing the release of growth and angiogenic factors from cells in the tumor microenvironment. In this Masters of Immunology primer, we focus on recent advances in understanding the complex nature of the chemokine system in tumor biology with a focus on how the chemokine system could be used to augment cancer immunotherapeutic strategies to elicit a more robust and long-lasting host antitumor immune response.
A nested iterative scheme for computation of incompressible flows in long domains

We present an effective preconditioning technique for solving the nonsymmetric linear systems encountered in computation of incompressible flows in long domains. The application category we focus on is arterial fluid mechanics. These linear systems are solved using a nested iterative scheme with an outer Richardson scheme and an inner iteration that is handled via a Krylov subspace method. Test computations that demonstrate the robustness of our nested scheme are presented.
Quasiclassical trajectory state-to-state cross sections for energy transfer in Ar+ OH(υ = 9,J = 0,4, and 8) collisions

State-to-state energy transfer cross sections have been computed for Ar + OH(υ1 = 9; Ji = 0,4, and 8) at initial relative translational energy 0.2 eV using quasiclassical trajectories. The results show that a relatively small amount of initial rotational excitation has a significant effect on the energy transfer. The energy transfer for Ji = 8 is dominated by transitions for which the vibrational and rotational energy changes are such that the translational energy changes are minimized.
Lactic dehydrogenase activity in neuron-free spinal cord tissue obtained by a new method

Abstract Neuron-free spinal cord tissue was obtained by severing all nerve fibers going to, coming from, and coursing within the spinal cord of the cat. Stains for myelin, neurons, neuroglia, and neutral fat revealed, 60 days later, a tissue devoid of neurons, nerve fibers, and myelin. This tissue consisted mainly of neuroglia, but other non-neural spinal cord elements were also present. Tissue extracts from neuron-free spinal cord from ten operated animals, and normal cerebral cortex from 11 were analyzed by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and by zone electrophoresis on starch gel to determine the different components of lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH). Four components were found in each type of tissue, three anionic and one cationic. The elution patterns from DEAE-cellulose were similar to the two tissues, with slight movement to the left on the sequence in which the components of neuron-free spinal cord were eluted. The total LDH activity in homogenates of cerebral cortex was five times greater than in that of the neuron-free spinal cord. Michaelis constants ( Km ) for lactate, and analogs of DPN ratios showed that the two cationic components were similar. The Km of neuron-free spinal cord homogenates was twice that of a cortex homogenate.