cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Macroscopic properties of a two-phase potential dispersion composed of identical unit cells

Abstract The potential flow solution for flow of fluid past dispersed objects in a “unit cell” is used to derive several macroscopic properties, including the mean pressures in the phases and on the walls, the momentum and kinetic energy density, the force function and mechanical energy flux. These properties are derived from the “resistivity” of the unit cell, which has a tensorial character in general. Various macroscopic forms of Bernoulli's equation relate the properties. Equations of motion for uniform arrays of cells are derived. Various other features, such as minimization of kinetic energy density and forces at concentration jumps, are analyzed.
A Numerical Study of the Impact Response of Laminated Glass Panels

This paper describes a study that was undertaken to simulate impacts on laminated float glass/polycarbonate/float glass panels using the Johnson-Holmquist (JH-2) model for brittle materials and the EPIC explicit finite element code. The simulation results are compared with observed impact results obtained by others. The JH-2 model was originally successfully calibrated to treat impact on thick monolithic glass slabs. In this study recent spall strength data for glass reported in the literature was used to revise the JH-2 model for application to thin laminated glass panels — a system of wide technical interest. The JH-2 coefficients developed were further validated by comparison with an additional independent data set obtained from the literature involving glass rod impact data. A good fit to both data sets considered was produced suggesting that the revised JH-2 coefficients proposed are reasonable.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The mechanical properties and osteoconductivity of hydroxyapatite bone scaffolds with multi-scale porosity.

Abstract The relative osteoconductivity and the change in the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds with multi-scale porosity were compared to scaffolds with a single pore size. Non-microporous (NMP) scaffolds contained only macroporosity (250–350 μm) and microporous (MP) scaffolds contained both macroporosity and microporosity (2–8 μm). Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) was incorporated into all scaffolds via gelatin microspheres prior to implantation into the latissimus dorsi muscle of Yorkshire pigs. After 8 weeks, only the MP scaffolds contained bone. The result demonstrates the efficacy of the MP scaffolds as drug carriers. Implanted and as-fabricated scaffolds were compared using histology, microcomputed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, and compression testing. Implanted scaffolds exhibited a stress–strain response similar to that of cancellous bone with strengths between those of cancellous and cortical bone. The strength and stiffness of implanted NMP scaffolds decreased by 15% and 46%, respectively. Implanted MP scaffolds lost 30% of their strength and 31% of their stiffness. Bone arrested crack propagation effectively in MP scaffolds. The change in mechanical behavior is discussed and the study demonstrates the importance of scaffold microporosity on bone ingrowth and on the mechanical behavior of HA implant materials.
Stochastic modeling and analysis of hybrid mobility in reconfigurable distributed virtual machines

Virtualization provides a vehicle to manage the available resources and enhance their utilization in network computing. System dynamics requires virtual machines be distributed and reconfigurable. To construct reconfigurable distributed virtual machines, service migration moves the runtime services among physical servers when necessary. By incorporating the mobile agent technology, distributed virtual machines can improve their resource utilization and service availability significantly. This paper focuses on finding the optimal migration policies for service and agent migrations for high throughput in reconfigurable distributed virtual machines. We analyze three issues of this decision problem: migration candidate determination, migration timing and destination server selection. The service migration timing and destination server selection are formulated by two optimization models. We derive the optimal migration policy for distributed and heterogenous systems based on stochastic optimization theories. Renewal processes are applied to model the dynamics of migration. We solve the agent migration problem by dynamic programming and extend the optimal service migration decision by considering the interplay of the hybrid mobility. We verify the accuracy of our migration decision policy in simulations.
WEAR KINETICS OF RAIL AND WHEEL STEELS IN THE DRY FRICTION CONDITION

Abstract Wear data, wear surfaces and the particles obtained in unlubricated rolling experiments are analyzed. It is observed that wear is not directly proportional to the number of cycles. Wear particle formation appears to be due to crack generation and propagation in the highly stressed surface layers of the materials. A theoretical analysis is given to predict wear rate and the nature of the wear process.
Efficacy of an early intervention education program for moderately handicapped infants

Abstract This paper focuses on the evaluation of special education services for handicapped infants. The research question posed is whether early intervention programming results in reduced need for specialized services when children are age-eligible for elementary school. The primary focus of the paper is the development of a predictive model which may be useful in assessing the efficacy of early intervention services. The predictive model is applied using longitudinal data from a small sample of moderately handicapped infants. The preliminary findings support the contention that earlier intervention results in a lessened need for special education services in subsequent years. The paper also discusses the benefit-cost issues related to the efficacy question under investigation.
Bayesian analysis of multivariate stochastic volatility with skew return distribution

Multivariate stochastic volatility models with skew distributions are proposed. Exploiting Cholesky stochastic volatility modeling, univariate stochastic volatility processes with leverage effect and generalized hyperbolic skew t-distributions are embedded to multivariate analysis with time-varying correlations. Bayesian modeling allows this approach to provide parsimonious skew structure and to easily scale up for high-dimensional problem. Analyses of daily stock returns are illustrated. Empirical results show that the time-varying correlations and the sparse skew structure contribute to improved prediction performance and Value-at-Risk forecasts.
Reactivity of the 5-hexenyl radical toward the anion of 2-nitropropane and borohydride anion

Abstract The 5-hexenyl radical adds to the anion of 2-nitropropane with a rate constant of ≈ × 106 L/mol-s at 40°. Hydrogen atom abstraction from BH4− occurs more slowly than abstraction from CH3O− and with a rate constant less than 1 × 104 L/mol-s at 30°. The reaction of Δ5- hexenylmercury chloride with sodium borohydride in MeOH/NaOH proceeds via hydrogen abstraction by the hexenyl radical from RHgH and not from NaBH4.
Of Pastors and Petticoats: Humor and Authority in Puritan New England

Early Puritan humor usually endorsed Puritanism at the expense of non-Puritans, but during the eighteenth century, Puritans made bolder jokes at the expense of their own ministers. This article examines how Puritans used humor to undermine social authority and how changes in New England society led to changes in Puritan humor.
Outcomes after coronary artery calcium and other cardiovascular biomarker testing among asymptomatic medicare beneficiaries.

Background— Biomarkers improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction, but their comparative effectiveness in clinical practice is not known. We sought to compare the use, spending, and clinical outcomes in asymptomatic Medicare beneficiaries evaluated for CVD with coronary artery calcium (CAC) or other cardiovascular risk markers. Methods and Results— We used a 20% sample of 2005 to 2011 Medicare claims to identify fee-for-service beneficiaries aged ≥65.5 years with no CVD claims in the previous 6 months. We matched patients with CAC with patients who received high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP; n=8358) or lipid screening (n=6250) using propensity-score methods. CAC was associated with increased noninvasive cardiac testing within 180 days (hazard ratio, 2.22, 95% confidence interval, 1.68–2.93, P <0.001, versus hs-CRP; hazard ratio, 4.30, 95% confidence interval, 3.04–6.06, P <0.001, versus lipid screening) and increased coronary angiography and revascularization. During 3-year follow-up, CAC was associated with higher CVD-related spending ($6525 versus $4432 for hs-CRP, P <0.001; and $6500 versus $3073 for lipid screening, P <0.001) and fewer CVD-related events when compared with hs-CRP (hazard ratio, 0.74, 95% confidence interval, 0.58–0.94, P =0.017) but not compared with lipid screening (hazard ratio, 0.84, 95% confidence interval, 0.64–1.11, P =0.23). Conclusions— CAC testing among asymptomatic Medicare beneficiaries was associated with increased use of cardiac tests and procedures, higher spending, and slightly improved clinical outcomes when compared with hs-CRP testing.
Dynamic Factor Volatility Modeling: A Bayesian Latent Threshold Approach

We discuss dynamic factor modeling of financial time series using a latent threshold approach to factor volatility. This approach models time-varying patterns of occurrence of zero elements in factor loadings matrices, providing adaptation to changing relationships over time and dynamic model selection. We summarize Bayesian methods for model fitting and discuss analyses of several FX, commodities, and stock price index time series. Empirical results show that the latent threshold approach can define interpretable, data-driven, dynamic sparsity, leading to reduced estimation uncertainties, improved predictions, and portfolio performance in increasingly high-dimensional dynamic factor models. Copyright The Author, 2012. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org, Oxford University Press.
Scheduling the first prenatal visit: office-based delays

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the office-based component of delayed entry into prenatal care. Study Design Phone numbers for all obstetrics offices in a single state were obtained from a commercial list. A research assistant who posed as a newly pregnant, fully insured woman asked each clinic when she should come in for her first prenatal visit. Results Information was provided by 239 of the 279 (86%) offices. The recommended appointment times ranged from immediately (4 weeks of gestation) to 10.6 weeks, which averaged 6.37 weeks. Twenty-five percent of clinics recommended a first appointment at ≥8 weeks. Scheduling calls were not a source of prenatal advice: Conclusion Office-based delays in scheduling the first prenatal visit occur in a substantial proportion of clinics, even for fully insured women. There is a need for a standard source of advice in early pregnancy.
Captives and Voyagers: Black Migrants Across the Eighteenth-Century British Atlantic World – By Alexander X. Byrd

Most people coming to the British colonies during the eighteenth century were from western Africa; the black Atlantic is not just a politically correct figment of the scholarly imagination. The Mid...
Changes in glycoconjugates revealed by lectin staining in the developing airways of Syrian golden hamsters

Lectin binding was studied in the developing airways of Syrian golden hamsters on gestational days 11-16 (day 16 is the day of birth). The trachea and lungs were fixed in 4% formaldehyde-1% glutaraldehyde, 6% mercuric chloride-1% sodium acetate-0.1% glutaraldehyde, and 95% ethanol; embedded in paraffin; and stained with eight lectin-horseradish peroxidase conjugates: Triticum vulgare (WGA), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Helix pomatia (HPA), Maclura pomifera (MPA), Griffonia simplicifolia I-B4 (GSA I-B4), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), Ulex europeus I (UEA I), and Limulus polyphemus (LPA). Each lectin yielded a characteristic staining pattern, which modulated throughout development. In general, changes in staining characteristics of the tracheal epithelium preceded similar changes in the lobar bronchus, bronchiole, and alveolus. In the case of UEA I, MPA, WGA, and HPA, staining increased with time uniformly over the luminal surface of all epithelial cells. However, in the case of PNA, GSA I-B4, and LPA, after the differentiation of ciliated and secretory cells, the apical surfaces of the ciliated cells stained more intensely than the apical surfaces of the secretory cells. Neuraminidase pretreatment enhanced PNA and GSA I-B4 staining in both cell types. In the case of PNA, these light microscopic observations were confirmed by ultrastructural study. Unlike the other lectins, the pattern of staining with DBA was unusual. Staining was moderate at first, then decreased (days 13 and 14), then increased at all airway levels. This study shows that different glycoconjugates modulate in airway epithelial cells throughout fetal development.
The pursuit of authenticity on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast

One new technology, the podcast, has been especially instrumental as a site of expression for stand-up comics. One of the most popular of these podcasts is Marc Maron's WTF, which has over 350 episodes. Maron's podcast has vaulted the once-struggling comedian to popular culture prominence while allowing him to experience perceptions of a more authentic sense of self. Through an analysis of four episodes of Maron's podcast, I demonstrate that WTF allows Maron and his guests to resolve interpersonal disputes, explain away controversy, participate in communal reflection and provide the place from which a more authentic presentation of oneself emerges. The field of media studies is under constant revision as the parameters of the discipline mirror the identic fluidity of the actors pushing those parameters. Podcasts like WTF, I argue, provide a vehicle through which the agent exercises more freedom of control over how they perceive themselves and perceive others. Participatory, do-it-yourself media, such as W...
New Directions in Reading Instruction for Adolescents With Significant Cognitive Disabilities

This article reports findings from a literature review on literacy instruction for adolescents with significant cognitive disabilities. Nineteen empirical studies published between 1975 and 2011 were included in the review and analyzed based on characteristics of interventions. The results were examined to determine whether the state of research in this area indicates a comprehensive approach to literacy for adolescents with significant cognitive disabilities. Results indicate that vocabulary instruction through sight word acquisition is still prevalent, instruction is not comprehensive, and instruction does not address recommendations from the field for adolescent literacy. However, innovative approaches to literacy instruction for this population are beginning to be explored. The current state of research on reading practices for adolescents with significant cognitive disabilities, implications for practice, and suggestions for new directions in research are discussed.
Feedback enhances the positive effects and reduces the negative effects of multiple-choice testing

Multiple-choice tests are used frequently in higher education without much consideration of the impact this form of assessment has on learning. Multiple-choice testing enhances retention of the material tested (the testing effect); however, unlike other tests, multiple-choice can also be detrimental because it exposes students to misinformation in the form of lures. The selection of lures can lead students to acquire false knowledge (Roediger & Marsh, 2005). The present research investigated whether feedback could be used to boost the positive effects and reduce the negative effects of multiple-choice testing. Subjects studied passages and then received a multiplechoice test with immediate feedback, delayed feedback, or no feedback. In comparison with the no-feedback condition, both immediate and delayed feedback increased the proportion of correct responses and reduced the proportion of intrusions (i.e., lure responses from the initial multiple-choice test) on a delayed cued recall test. Educators should provide feedback when using multiple-choice tests.
Games, deception, and Jones' Lemma

Deception is pervasive in adversarial situations. Here we present a formulation of deception using a two-player game setting. One of the two players deploys a sensor network to gather information on the opponent who in turn can employ deception tactics. We solve the resulting general game using linear programs. We pose an illustrative example and develop closed form solutions for special cases. Finally, we show how our solutions capture the well-known “Jones' Lemma” from the deception literature.
General non linear perturbation model for flicker noise in LC oscillator

We present a circuit based LC oscillator phase noise model for flicker noise using non linear perturbation techniques. Closed form equations for obtaining phase and amplitude spectra have been developed which then lead to the final expression of voltage noise density across the oscillator terminal. Since flicker noise occurs at very low frequencies, we propose that any perturbation in oscillation due to this noise is equivalent to perturbation in the dc bias of the devices present in the oscillator and develop the closed form analytic expressions on the basis of this assumption. A trap level model of flicker noise is used for that analysis. Expressions are obtained for a single trap, which are then scaled up for all traps. Doing so enables us to work around the problem of "blow up" of flicker noise at low frequencies. The derivations take into account the correlation existing between amplitude and phase deviations due to noise which has previously not been documented and new parameters are introduced which account for this correlation. The noise spectrum shows a 1/f3 distribution as has been shown in other literature. The proposed model is applied on a practical differential oscillator for comparison. We introduce a novel method of analysis by splitting the noise contribution of the various transistors into modes. The modes that contribute the most to flicker noise are picked. Further the tail noise contribution is analyzed and shown to be mostly upconverted noise. The proposed model which is compared with simulation results and agreement of within 1.5 dB with simulation results was obtained
Angoff and Nedelsky Standard Setting Procedures: Implications for the Validity of Proficiency Test Score Interpretation:

The Angoff and Nedelsky standard setting procedures are currently in use in many educational proficiency testing situations. This study has examined how local content specialists performed when applying these procedures to objective-referenced instruments in reading and mathematics. Research questions addressed several issues related to the validity of test score interpretation, such as the effects of judges' demographic characteristics on ratings, the consistency of cut scores for different groups of judges applying the same method, the cut score differences between the two methods, and the pattern of interrater correlations among item ratings. The results revealed several differences between the standard setting procedures in terms of both level and consistency of the cut scores generated. Also, a possible content-related interaction with the standard setting method was observed.
Meteoritical position problems

Meteoritical position problems are defined and described in the order of increasing difficulty. A more critical approach to the determination of position data and to the identification of meteorites which have obviously been transported from their places of fall is urged.
Cellular Fate of a Modular DNA Delivery System Mediated by Silica Nanoparticles

Development of efficient molecular medicines, including gene therapeutics, RNA therapeutics, and DNA vaccines, depends on efficient means of transfer of DNA or RNA into the cell. Potential problems, including toxicity and immunogenicity, surrounding viral methods of DNA delivery have necessitated the use of nonviral, synthetic carriers. To better design synthetic carriers, or transfection reagents, the modular design of viruses has inspired a modular approach to DNA and RNA delivery. Each modular component can be designed to circumvent each of the many barriers. The modular approach will allow modification of individual components for a specific application. By utilizing a dense silica nanoparticle to form a ternary complex, transfection efficiency of a DNA-transfection reagent complex was increased by a factor of approximately 10 by concentrating the DNA at the surface of cells. Surface modification of the silica nanoparticles allowed determination of the cellular uptake mechanism with only minor alteration of transfection efficiency. Nanoparticles are internalized by an endosome-lysosomal route followed by perinuclear accumulation. The modification mechanism confirms that surface modification of the modular system can allow specific moieties to be incorporated into the modular system without significant alteration of the transfection efficiency. By showing that the modular system based upon concentration of DNA at the level of the cell can be used to increase transfection efficiency, we have shown that further modification of the system may better target DNA delivery and overcome other barriers of DNA expression.
An empirical phase diagram approach to investigate conformational stability of “second‐generation” functional mutants of acidic fibroblast growth factor‐1

Acidic fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) is an angiogenic protein which requires binding to a polyanion such as heparin for its mitogenic activity and physicochemical stability. To evaluate the extent to which this heparin dependence on solution stability could be reduced or eliminated, the structural integrity and conformational stability of 10 selected FGF-1 mutants were examined as a function of solution pH and temperature by a series of spectroscopic methods including circular dichroism, intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy and static light scattering. The biophysical data were summarized in the form of colored empirical phase diagrams (EPDs). FGF-1 mutants were identified with stability profiles in the absence of heparin comparable to that of wild-type FGF-1 in the presence of heparin while still retaining their biological activity. In addition, a revised version of the EPD methodology was found to provide an information rich, high throughput approach to compare the effects of mutations on the overall conformational stability of proteins in terms of their response to environmental stresses such as pH and temperature.
EFFECTS OF TAGGING ON BEHAVIOR, PROVISIONING, AND REPRODUCTION IN THE COMMON MURRE (URIA AALGE), A DIVING SEABIRD

Abstract Telemetry devices used on seabirds have been shown to affect their behavior, reproduction, and survival. However, studies have primarily been limited to larger species, and results are occasionally equivocal. We quantified tag retention time and effects of attaching subcutaneous anchor radiotransmitters on behavior, provisioning, and reproduction in the Common Murre (Uria aalge), a medium-bodied seabird. Between 1999 and 2001, we tagged 48 Common Murres on Tatoosh Island, Washington. Subsequently, 46 birds were detected during colony observation, radiotracking, or both. Activity budgets and time spent at the nest site did not differ between tagged birds and their untagged mates. However, tagged birds made fewer but longer trips away from the nest and provisioned their chicks significantly less than their mates did (0.07 ± 0.02 fish h−1 and 0.18 ± 0.02 fish h−1, respectively). Prey size and energy content did not differ. Despite the disparity in provisioning rates at the individual level, tagged p...
Exploring mathematics with image processing

Thanks to the ubiquity of powerful personal computers with high quality displays mathematics is being taught with a variety of exciting new visual approaches. One of these has particular interest in educating students of ages 12–20 where there is often a loss of interest in mathematics. Digital images are simultaneously visual and mathematical objects, and provide a natural vehicle for exploring arithmetic, number systems, functions, geometry, statistics and programming. A novel interactive learning environment is presented which supports a diverse group of student exercises, explorations and projects. This environment has been used on an experimental basis by a number of students in the Seattle area.
Factors in cardiac risk stratification of candidates for renal transplant.

BACKGROUND Renal transplant candidates are at high risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiac events. METHODS This study evaluated five clinical risk factors--age at least 50 years, insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus, angina, congestive heart failure and an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) (excluding left ventricular hypertrophy)--that had been used in the first tier of a two-tiered prospectively applied risk stratification algorithm. RESULTS Using multiple logistic regression analysis, age at least 50 years, abnormal ECG, and diabetes mellitus were independently predictive of cardiac death. Of the two remaining clinical risk factors, the presence of angina had independent predictive value for nonfatal cardiac events (myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty, bypass surgery, and unstable angina). The independent predictive value of congestive heart failure approached statistical significance. CONCLUSION Clinical risk-factor analysis is helpful in identifying renal transplant candidates at high risk for fatal or nonfatal cardiac events.
Case Report: Combined Escherichia Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus Thyroid Abscess in an Asymptomatic Man

Patients with acute suppurative thyroiditis usually have pain or tenderness in the anterior part of the neck associated with erythema and dysphagia. An elderly man with none of these symptoms presented with fever and a urinary tract infection. When his systemic infection failed to respond to antibiotics, a search for an occult abscess was undertaken. An 111Indium leukocyte scan indicated a localized abscess in the right lobe of his thyroid from which Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positive were isolated. This case demonstrates that a thyroid abscess can occur in a completely asymptomatic patient without a clinically enlarged thyroid.
A review: Quasistatic thermal stresses in anisotropic elastic bodies, with applications to composite materials

Following a brief review of the governing equations of classical thermoelasticity, several commonly used methods of solutions are discussed, and a survey is made of thermoelastic boundary value problems which appear in the literature. References are also given to investigations concerned with the prediction of effective thermo-elastic coefficients for composites, and to studies of the average and local thermal stresses in reinforced structures. Finally, a few recently developed continuum theories which take into account the microstructure of composite materials are cited.
The Road to Pearl Harbor: A Reexamination of American Far Eastern Policy, July 1937–December 1938

AMERICAN Far Eastern policy during the months following the Marco Polo Bridge incident has proved perplexing to historians. Some scholars believe that the United States confined itself primarily to verbal opposition to the Japanese until the beginning in 1940 of the trade embargo with Japan.' Paul Schroeder argues that, even at this point, American policy in the Far East was motivated largely by considerations in Europe and not by a realistic evaluation of the situation in the Orient.2 Other historians note that the American attitude toward Japan stiffened in late 1938, but downplay the significance of this change and maintain that the important policy transformations came at a later date.3
Acute bleeding emergencies.

The successful management of acute bleeding defends on the ability to make a rapid diagnosis so that specific hemostatic therapy can be used whenever possible. Three kinds of manifestations – acute hemorrhage in a child with a known or suspected hereditary bleeding disorder; the bleeding tendency that occurs secondary to a specific disease process; and an unexpected and isolated episode in an otherwise well child – are discussed.
Anomalous spectral response and propagationl instability for pump-probe propagation in a two-level medium

We investigated the sideband instability by numerical integration of the Maxwell-Bloch equations for propagation of a nearly resonant pump laser and a weak probe laser in a system of two-level atoms. In an optically thick medium, the probe gain (absorption) spectrum becomes a function of propagation distance. We find that the well-known gain resonance at the generalized Rabi frequency Ω' is suppressed and a broad asymmetric gain region forms on each side of the laser frequency. For probe-pump detunings inside these gain regions, the field envelope breaks up into periodic traveling waves that are compared to the polycnoidal solutions of the sine-Gordon equation with periodic boundary conditions.
The Eurocurrency Market

Probably the most discussed money market of the 1960s and 1970s is the Eurocurrency market. This market is regarded by some as a safe haven for expatriate funds, by others as a much-needed cement for solidifying the international money markets, by others as an international money market in itself, and by still others as a leak in the circuits through which central bankers attempt to enforce their monetary policies.1
Collaborative task execution with originator data security for weak devices

This paper presents a secure framework for dispatching and completing tasks in a network of weak embedded devices, such as sensors. The framework allows a device to dispatch tasks to other remote devices so that the remote devices can utilise their idle resources to help the execution of the tasks. The framework also ensures that the secure data of the originating devices will not be disclosed with the tasks that are dispatched to the helping devices. The framework is implemented with TinyOS and MICAz motes for evaluation. The results show that the framework achieves the desired security with little overhead and is feasible to weak devices.
Reaction of 4-Iodo-3-(2-iodoaryl)sydnones with Sodium Sulfite and Sodium Borohydride

Sydnones (e. g. 1) are members of the class of compounds known as mesoionic1 and they have been studied extensively.2 Previous results from our group demonstrated that the debromination of 4-bromo-...
Abstract 149: Overexpression of the long non-coding RNA PVT1 and its role in cervical carcinogenesis

Although it is becoming increasingly clear that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are intricately involved in numerous cancer types, the mechanisms by which they influence carcinogenesis remain poorly understood. The plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 gene (PVT1) is a lncRNA that has been designated as an oncogene due to its contribution to the phenotype of multiple cancers. Further, our lab has recently demonstrated that human papillomavirus (HPV) integration, a hallmark of invasive cervical cancer (ICC), into the PVT1 locus occurs in multiple cervical tumors. The present study was designed to investigate the role of PVT1 in cervical carcinogenesis. PVT1 expression was measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in 41 ICC samples, 20 normal cervix samples, and four cervical cell lines (SiHa, HeLa, DoTc2, and E6/E7-transformed ectocervical epithelial cells). Further, we used siRNA-targeted knockdown in conjunction with functional assays to examine PVT19s effects on cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion, apoptosis, and cisplatin-resistance. Our results demonstrate that PVT1 expression is significantly increased in ICC tissue versus normal cervix. PVT1 knockdown in cervical cancer cell lines resulted in significantly decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Further, apoptosis and cisplatin cytotoxicity were significantly increased in PVT1 siRNA-transfected cells. Collectively, our data suggest that PVT1 may play a crucial role in cervical carcinogenesis. Future work will focus on determining the mechanism(s) by which this lncRNA exerts its multiple effects on cancer-related processes. Citation Format: Marissa Iden, Samantha Fye, Ramani Ramchandran, Janet S. Rader. Overexpression of the long non-coding RNA PVT1 and its role in cervical carcinogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 149. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-149
Design of porphyrin-based ligands for the assembly of [d-block metal : calcium] bimetallic centers

The association of different metals in stable, well-defined molecular assemblies remains a great challenge of supramolecular chemistry. In such constructs, the emergence of synergism, or cooperative effects between the different metal centers is particularly intriguing. These effects can lead to uncommon reactivity or remarkable physico-chemical properties that are not otherwise achievable. For example, the association of alkaline or alkaline-earth cations and transition metals is pivotal for the activity of several biomolecules and human-made catalysts that carry out fundamental redox transformations (water oxidation, nitrogen reduction, water–gas shift reaction, etc.). In many cases the precise nature of the interactions between the alkaline-earth cations and the redox-active transition metals remains elusive due to the difficulty of building stable molecular heterometallic assemblies that associate transition metals and alkaline or alkaline-earth cations in a controlled way. In this work we present the rational design of porphyrin-based ligands possessing a second binding site for alkaline-earth cations above the porphyrin macrocycle primary complexation site. We demonstrate that by using a combination of crown ether and carboxylic acid substituents suitably positioned on the periphery of the porphyrin, bitopic ligands can be obtained. The binding of calcium, a typical alkaline-earth cation, by the newly prepared ligands has been studied in detail and we show that a moderately large binding constant can be achieved in protic media using ligands that possess some degree of structural flexibility. The formation of Zn–Ca assemblies discussed in this work is viewed as a stepping stone towards the assembly of well defined molecular transition metal-alkaline earth bimetallic centers using a versatile organic scaffold.
Short note: Hamiltonian for a particle with position-dependent mass

An approach for obtaining a Schrodinger equation for a spinless nonrelativistic particle with a position-dependent mass is proposed. Rather than starting with the nonrelativistic hamiltonian for a free particle, we begin with its relativistic completion in the form of a Klein–Gordon equation and then reduce it to obtain the nonrelativistic limit. This type of procedure avoids the usual ordering ambiguities that commonly arise in obtaining a Schrodinger equation for a particle with position-dependent mass.
“Live in Israel. Live the Dream”: Identity, Belonging, and Contemporary American Jewish Migration to Israel

Most current sociological literature on migration examines international moves to the United States and internal migration. Scant research addresses religious migration out of the United States. Ut...
How (Not) to Teach: “Parroting” vs “Proximity” in Cinematic Representations of Literary Pedagogy

Contemporary French popular culture is another arena in which the value of literature as general education is debated. On one side are nostalgic cinematic representations that promote literary pedagogy as a kind of benign national cult, with the school as its temple, such as Le Petit Nicolas, and the documentary Etre et avoir. On the other side, some recent films give a much more critical depiction of literary general education, such as L’Esquive and Entre les murs. Not only are these films evidence of the fascination with literary pedagogy among members of the general public, they also provide new avenues of discussion by challenging entrenched polemical positions.
Avoiding Unwarranted Segregation of Students With Behavioral Needs: Lessons Learned:

Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that state and local agencies refrain from the discrimination of individuals with disabilities by providing them with services in th...
The prohibitin protein complex promotes mitochondrial stabilization and cell survival in hematologic malignancies

Prohibitins (PHB1 and PHB2) have been proposed to play important roles in cancer development and progression, however their oncogenic mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. Previously, we showed that the PHB1 and PHB2 protein complex is required for mitochondrial homeostasis and survival of normal human lymphocytes. In this study, novel evidence is provided that indicates mitochondrial prohibitins are overexpressed in hematologic tumor cells and promote cell survival under conditions of oxidative stress. Immunofluorescent confocal microscopy revealed both proteins to be primarily confined to mitochondria in primary patient lymphoid and myeloid tumor cells and tumor cell lines, including Kit225 cells. Subsequently, siRNA-mediated knockdown of PHB1 and PHB2 in Kit225 cells significantly enhanced sensitivity to H2O2-induced cell death, suggesting a protective or anti-apoptotic function in hematologic malignancies. Indeed, PHB1 and PHB2 protein levels were significantly higher in tumor cells isolated from leukemia and lymphoma patients compared to PBMCs from healthy donors. These findings suggest that PHB1 and PHB2 are upregulated during tumorigenesis to maintain mitochondrial integrity and therefore may serve as novel biomarkers and molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in certain types of hematologic malignancies.
A First-Principles Study of Hydrogen Diffusivity and Dissociation on δ-Pu (100) and (111) Surfaces

The diffusivity and chemical reactivity of hydrogen on the δ-Pu (100) and (111) surfaces has been studied with density functional theory using both spin-polarization and spin–orbit coupling calculations. Comparison of the total electronic density of states and atomic hydrogen diffusion energies indicates that spin-polarization yields accurate results, with spin–orbit coupling yielding slightly smaller barriers to hopping between adsorption sites. On the (100) surface, both sets of calculations indicate that the dissociation reaction for molecular hydrogen is highly active at ambient conditions and results in the hydrogen ions bonded within the Pu surface, similar to hydride formation. In contrast, calculations on the (111) surface indicate a lower barrier for dissociation without the formation of the hydride-like end product. Our results help quantify the effect of spin–orbit coupling on hydrogen surface chemistry on δ-Pu. In addition, we observe that the degree of resulting corrosion could depend on the ...
An optimal assessment of natural language student input using word-to-word similarity metrics

We address in this paper the important task of assessing natural language student input in dialogue-based intelligent tutoring systems. Student input, in the form of dialogue turns called contributions must be understood in order to build an accurate student model which in turn is important for providing adequate feedback and scaffolding. We present a novel, optimal semantic similarity approach based on word-to-word similarity metrics and compare it with a greedy method as well as with a baseline method on one data set from the intelligent tutoring system, AutoTutor.
Monoclonal antibodies to rat plasma kininogen.

Spleen cells from Balb/c mice immunized with purified rat plasma kininogen were fused to P-3 mouse myeloma cells. Positive clones were identified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), cloned successively two times with limiting dilution and expanded as ascites tumors. Five hybridomas were developed that produced monoclonal antibodies against plasma kininogen. Two of the secreted antibodies were of the IgG1(k) isotype and the remaining three were of the IgG1(λ), IgG2A(k) and IgM(k) isotypes respectively. The specificity of the monoclonal antibodies was confirmed by the immunoprecipitation of kininogen with the antibodies coupled to Sepharose-4B followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These monoclonal antibodies recognize at least two distinct epitopes on rat plasma kininogen.
Reclaiming Community As We Rethink Assessment

This book embodies the vision of a group of concerned science educators, scientists, and cultural studies scholars who initiate a conversation with policymakers and other stakeholders in the educational process about what schools are for. We are calling for serious attention to generations of youth who accept responsibility: responsibility for cultural and community integrity, environment, and the ways in which they will become part of the cultural norms. We are calling for youth who demonstrate that they are responsible without equating responsibility to “grades,” intelligence quotient, or socioeconomic status. Responsibility will be embodied by the community differently depending on where we live; however, the idea of accepting responsibility with and for is a profound notion.
FLEC-TEM: Using Microscopy to Correlate Ultrastructure with Life Position of Infaunal Foraminifera

To allow observation of cellular ultrastructure in foraminifers (or other meiofauna) preserved in their life position within sediments, modifications of the Fluorescently Labeled Embedded Core (FLEC) method are described. Such an approach will allow determinations of both fine-scale (sub-millimeter scale) distributional data and cell biological data on the same specimen.
Protonation Reactions of Alkylidyne (Carbaborane) Complexes of the Group 6 Metals

Upon protonation, salts of the anionic complexes [closo-1,2-R’2-3-(≡CR)-3,3-(CO)2-3/l,2-MC2B9H9]≡ (1) and [closo-1,6-R’2-4-(≡CR)-4,4-(CO)2-4,1, 6-MC2B10H10]− (2) (M = W or Mo, R = alkyl, aryl or alkynyl; R’ = H or Me) afford a remarkable variety of unusual mono-or di-metal complexes, resulting from the juxtaposition of M≡CR and B-H groups on the surface of the respective metallacarbaborane cages. The nature of the products isolated depends on many factors including: (i) whether one or one-half of a molar equivalent of acid is used, (ii) whether the anion of the acid employed has ligating properties, e.g. HBF4 versus HC1 or HI, (iii) whether Lewis bases (L = CO, PPh3, CNBut, Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2 or PhC≡CPh) or donor molecules [M(≡CR)(CO)2(η-C5H5)] are present, (iv) whether the carbaborane cages contain CH or CMe vertices, and (v) whether the substituent R in the ≡CR fragment contains a functional group.
Quantitative Ultra-Widefield Angiography and Diabetic Retinopathy Severity: An Assessment of Panretinal Leakage Index, Ischemic Index and Microaneurysm Count.

Purpose To investigate the relationship between the diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity and quantitative ultra-widefield angiographic metrics, including leakage index, ischemic index, and microaneurysm count. Design Retrospective image analysis study. Methods Eyes with DR that had undergone ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFA) with associated color photography were identified. All eyes were laser-naive and had not received any intravitreal pharmacotherapy within 6 months of UWFA. Each eye was graded for DR severity. Quantitative angiographic parameters were evaluated with a semiautomated analysis platform with expert reader correction, as needed. Angiographic parameters included panretinal leakage index, ischemic index, and microaneurysm count. Clinical characteristics analyzed included age, gender, race, hemoglobin A1C level, hypertension, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and smoking history. Main Outcome Measures Association of DR severity with panretinal leakage index, ischemic index, and microaneurysm count. Results Three hundred thirty-nine eyes were included with mean age of 62±13 years. Forty-two percent of eyes were from women and 57.5% were from men. Distribution of DR severity was as follows: mild NPDR in 11.2%, moderate NPDR in 23.9%, severe NPDR in 40.1%, and PDR with 24.8%. Panretinal leakage index [mild NPDR (mean = 0.51%), moderate NPDR mean = 1.20%, severe NPDR (mean = 2.75%), and PDR (mean = 5.84%); P Conclusions Panretinal leakage index, panretinal ischemic index, and panretinal microaneurysm count are associated with DR severity. Additional research is needed to understand the clinical implications of these parameters related to progression risk, prognosis, and implications for therapeutic response.
Population context matters: Predicting the effects of metabolic stress mediated by food availability and predation with an agent- and energy budget-based model

Abstract Population effects of stressors, such as toxic chemicals or increased temperatures, affecting the energy budgets of organisms are mediated by predation pressure and food availability. However, these two population contexts have mostly been considered separately. Moreover, because the sensitivity of the different pathways of energy to stress may differ, it is difficult to predict combined stressor effects. We used an agent-based model of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to infer the population-level impacts of a hypothetical, sublethal stressor that affects an individual's metabolism (growth, reproduction, maintenance, or assimilation) in systems in which population size is controlled by different combinations of food availability and predation. We found that population-level effects are rarely directly proportional to individual-level effects, and were greater when the stressor impacted assimilation and populations were predation-controlled. Our results suggest that individual-level measurements alone are insufficient for inferring population-level impacts of stressors and that accurate inference hinges on insight into how populations are regulated. We suggest incorporating individual-level data into mechanistic models that take into account both the energy budgets of individuals and the population-level context.
Complex Litigation: The

This paper is a commentary and analysis of the problems engendered by the Supreme Court’s decision in Zahn v. Int’l Paper Co., 414 U.S. 291 (1973). In Zahn, the Supreme Court held that in diversity-based class actions in federal court, each individual member of the class had to satisfy the $75,00 amount-in-controversy. If each class member did not have a claim exceeding this amount, then the class could not satisfy the threshold requirement for federal jurisdiction. In addition, the Zahn rule prohibited the aggregation of class members; damages to exceed the jurisdictional amount. However, with the enactment of the supplemental jurisdiction statute in 1990, (28 U.S.C. § 1367), federal courts have issued a number of conflicting decisions concerning whether that statute allows a federal court to assert supplemental jurisdiction over all class members’ claims, as long as the class representatives’ claims exceed $75,000. The majority of federal circuits (4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th) have determined that the supplemental jurisdiction statute overrules Zahn. The leading case to this effect is In re Abbott Labs., 51 F.3d 524 (5th Cir. 1995). This article discusses the Sixth Circuit’s decision in Olden v. LaFarge Corp., (6th Cir. Sept. 7, 2004), joining the other federal circuit courts in overruling Zahn. The article also discusses those courts that have held to the contrary, and the need for the Supreme Court to resolve this lingering conflict on the circuits with regard to supplemental jurisdiction over damage claims in diversity-based class actions.