cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 5342: Role of microRNAs in the development of prostate cancer.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Prostate Cancer (CaP) is the most common non-cutaneous form of cancer in men. It is also the second leading cause of cancer mortality in men in the USA. Oncogenic activation of the ETS Related Gene (ERG) as a result of gene fusions is the most common genomic alteration in prostate cancer reported to date. ERG has a milieu of transcriptional targets that regulate genes involved in various cellular processes including oncogenesis, inflammation, cell invasion, and DNA damage. Moreover, knockdown (KD) of ERG in TMPRSS2-ERG expressing CaP cells (VCaP) suppresses the growth and invasiveness of VCaP cells and in xenograft models. ERG protein has been implicated as a key player in the progression from pre-invasive to invasive disease status of CaP. Therefore, understanding mechanisms by which ERG promotes CaP progression is essential for developing novel prognostic/therapeutic targets for CaP. Our analyses of miRNA expressions in the human TMPRSS2-ERG fusion harboring VCaP cells compared to ERG-suppressed (with siRNA against ERG) VCaP controls indicate altered expression of miRNAs. Interestingly, we find that ERG suppresses the expression of miR-449a, which has been shown to regulate proliferation of CaP cells. In silico analyses (IPA and Genomatix) of cellular pathways targeted by these miRs focus on regulatory networks that are indicative of EMT and include molecules like DES (desmin), PDGFRA (platelet-derived growth factor receptor, alpha polypeptide) and TGFBR1 (transforming growth factor beta receptor 1). These pathways are potential candidate therapeutic targets. These data form the basis of new insights into the miRNA alterations in the context of major oncogenic activation in prostate cancer. Moreover, these miRNAs will provide novel prognostic marker and therapeutic targets for prostate cancer and will ultimately define CaP associated miRNAs in the context of ERG positive and ERG negative prostate cancers. Supported by: United States Military Cancer Institute [RB] and [SS]. Citation Format: Parameet Kumar, Albert Dobi, George Petrovics, Ahmed Mohamed, Shiv Srivastava, Roopa Biswas. Role of microRNAs in the development of prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5342. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5342
Comparative thermoregulatory capabilities of neonatal ground squirrels.

Postnatal growth and development of thermoregulation were studied in young from nine litters of Belding ground squirrels, Spermophilus beldingi beldingi , a hibernator, and five litters of antelope ground squirrels, Ammospermophilus leucurus leucurus , a nonhibernator. Morphological measurements, physical appearances, and notable developmental events were recorded until the squirrels were 45 days of age. The development of homeothermy was studied by subjecting young squirrels to ambient temperatures of 10°C and 15°C for specific time intervals, measuring their body temperature, and recording behavioral responses. Full thermoregulatory capabilities appeared by day 25 in S. b. beldingi and day 45 in A. l. leucurus . At this time the young squirrels had attained 30 percent ( S. b. beldingi ) and 36 percent ( A. l. leucurus ) of adult body weight, possessed a pelage resembling that of the adult, and were weaned. Early growth and development of thermoregulation of S. b. beldingi is accelerated and adaptive in that it enables early emergence from the natal burrow and attainment of body size and fat reserves necessary for survival during hibernation.
Too low to measure, infectious nonetheless

In this issue of Blood , Busch and colleagues examine the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission by plasma collected before HCV is detectable by licensed clinical assays. 1
Translational machinery of mitochondrial mRNA is promoted by physical activity in Western diet‐induced obese mice

Aim Mitochondria-encoded proteins are necessary for oxidative phosphorylation; however, no report has examined how physical activity (PA) and obesity affect mitochondrial mRNA translation machinery. Our purpose was to determine whether Western diet (WD)-induced obesity and voluntary wheel running (VWR) impact mitochondrial mRNA translation machinery and whether expression of this machinery is dictated by oxidative phenotype. Methods Obesity was induced with 8-wk WD feeding, and in the final 4 wks, half of mice were allowed VWR. Mitochondrial mRNA translation machinery including initiation factors (mtIF2/3), elongation factor Tu (TUFM) and translational activator (TACO1), and mitochondria-encoded proteins (CytB and ND4) was assessed by immunoblotting. The relation of mitochondrial mRNA translation to muscle oxidative phenotype was assessed using PGC-1α transgenic overexpression (MCK-PGC-1α vs. wild-type mice) and comparing across muscle groups in wild-type mice. Results mtIF3 and TACO1 proteins were ~45% greater in VWR than sedentary (SED), and TACO1 and mtIF2 proteins were ~60% and 125% greater in WD than normal chow (NC). TUFM protein was ~50% lower in WD-SED than NC-SED, but ~50% greater in WD-VWR compared to NC-SED. CytB and ND4 were ~40% greater in VWR and ND4 was twofold greater with WD. TUFM, TACO1, ND4 and CytB were greater in MCK-PGC-1α compared to wild-type, and mtIF2/3 contents were not different. In oxidative muscle (soleus), mitochondrial translation machinery was elevated compared to mixed (gastrocnemius) or glycolytic (extensor digitorum longus) muscles. Conclusion These data suggest a novel mechanism promoting mitochondrial function by translation of mitochondrial protein following PA. This may act to promote muscle health by PA in obesity.
1H Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Based on an Endogenous Radical

We demonstrate a 15-fold enhancement of solid-state NMR signals via dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) based on a stable, naturally occurring radical in a protein: the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) semiquinone of flavodoxin. The line width of flavodoxin’s EPR signal suggests that the dominant DNP mechanism is the solid effect, consistent with the field-dependent DNP enhancement profile. The magnitude of the enhancement as well as the bulk-polarization build-up time constant (τB) with which it develops are dependent on the isotopic composition of the protein. Deuteration of the protein to 85% increased the nuclear longitudinal relaxation time T1n and τB by factors of five and seven, respectively. Slowed dissipation of polarization can explain the 2-fold higher maximal enhancement than that obtained in proteated protein, based on the endogenous semiquinone. In contrast, the long τB of TOTAPOL-based DNP in nonglassy samples was not accompanied by a similarly important long T1n, and in this case the enhancement...
CRT-200.27 Retrospective Analysis of Intracoronary Brachytherapy for Treatment of Drug Eluting In-Stent Restenosis

Intracoronary brachytherapy (ICBT) is an effective treatment for restenosis (ISR) of bare metal stents, but its utilization has waned due to the advent of drug eluting stents (DES). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the predictors of ICBT in preventing ISR in DES. A retrospective analysis
Use of Plasma and Egg Yolk Biotin of White Leghorn Hens to Assess Biotin Availability from Feedstuffs

A linear relationship (r greater than .98) was found between the level of dietary biotin and plasma and egg-yolk biotin in White Leghorn hens after feeding the experimental diets for 2 weeks. This shows high reliability of these parameters as indicators of biotin availability. When plasma and egg yolk biotin were used to assess biotin availability in feedstuffs, they indicated low values for wheat (0%) and sorghum (10 to 20%) and high values for corn (75 to 100%), soybean meal (100%), and meat and bone meal (85%). When these parameters were used to assess commercial poultry diets, they indicated values for a "layer" diet of 75 to 100% and for a "broiler" diet of 81 to 92%. Pelleting gave an increase in biotin availability of 10% over the mash diet. This method for assessing biotin availability promises to be simple, economic, rapid, and reliable.
Designing capsule, an input device to support the manipulation of biological datasets

In this paper we present the design process of Capsule, an inertial input device to support 3D manipulation of biological datasets. Our motivation is to improve the scientist's workflow during the analysis of 3D biological data such as proteins, CT scans or neuron fibers. We discuss the design process and possibilities for this device.
6 IDENTIFICATION OF PROTEINS IN THE LUNG POTENTIALLY INTERACTING WITH HUMAN TIMAP.

We have previously shown that myosin light chain phosphatase (MLC PPase) is a key determinant in the regulation of endothelial cell (EC) permeability. Most of the functional characteristics of MLC PPase are determined by its regulatory subunit-MYPT1 and include binding to the catalytic subunit and targeting it to MLC insuring substrate specifity. In addition, it was recently discovered that MLC PPase activity can be regulated by several endogenous inhibitory proteins. The inhibitory subunits/proteins include MYPT3, protein inhibitor CPI-17, and a recently discovered TIMAP (TGF-b-inhibited membrane-associated protein). Hence regulation of EC MLC PPase may involve several targeting subunits and endogenous inhibitory proteins, as well as other cytoskeletal proteins. TIMAP shares significant domain homology with MYPT3, which specifically inhibits PPase activity toward MLC and myosin in vitro. TIMAP is highly expressed in EC and may be involved in endothelial cytoskeletal and barrier regulation. However, the exact role of TIMAP in regulation of MLC PPase activity has not been yet reported. BacterioMatch Two-Hybrid System (Stratagene) was applied for screening of human lung cDNA library in order to identify potential human TIMAP interaction proteins in the lung. Seven potential TIMAP interacting partner proteins were identified. Four of identified proteins, cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 1, eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2, U5 snRNP-specific protein 116 kD, and solute carrier family 3 member 2, are involved in actin cytoskeleton organization, cell adhesion or translation, and transcriptional regulation. However, the exact role of these regulatory proteins in endothelial cytoskeletal and barrier regulation is yet to be found. Collectively, these data suggest involvement of TIMAP in the regulation of EC cytoskeleton.
Survey on the sensitivity and resistance of Culex pipiens pallens larva to seven kinds of insecticide

Objective To investigate the resistance of Culex pipiens pallens larva to insecticides in Jiangsu Province and provide scientific evidence for control.Methods Larva immersion method.Results The lab population was the most susceptive with LC50 of 0.001 3 mg/L to deltamethrin,0.003 8 mg/L to beta-cypermethrin,0.027 7 mg/L to permethrin,0.181 3 mg/L to esbiothrin,0.018 3 mg/L to DDVP,0.096 8 mg/L to propoxur and 0.000 4 mg/L to temephos.The highest resistance ratio of insecticide was 200 in Nanjing,Xuzhou,Lianyungang and Wuxi.Conclusion In Jiangsu Province C.pipens pallens have developed different resistance to DDVP,temephos,deltamethrin,beta-cypermethrin and propoxur.It is necessary to use the result of survey to prevent the resistance from developing.
Towards translingual and transcultural practice: explorations in a white-majority, rural, Midwestern elementary classroom

ABSTRACTNew Literacy Studies and related scholarship on the use of digital tools in classrooms support the argument that literacy practices can be understood as translingual and transcultural practices within the context of an otherwise monocultural and monolingual setting. Pushing for broader conceptions of ‘mono’ settings and arguing for homing in on the unit of study as a means by which to unpack literacy practices, this paper makes the case conceptually as well as by offering insights from a recent classroom ethnography in a white-majority, English-only, high-poverty, rural sixth-grade classroom in the Midwestern United States. The paper considers the challenges of rural poverty and the complexities of using digital tools by examining the role digital tools, placed resources [Prinsloo, M. 2005. “The New Literacies as Placed Resources.” Perspectives in Education 4 (23): 87–98], play in marginalised settings. The data highlighted offer insights about how researchers and teachers might support and approa...
Bacterial meningitis in the newborn infant.

This article, devoted to a discussion of bacterial meningitis in the newborn infant, delineates those factors which may be responsible for the continuing high morbidity and mortality rate which has been associated with this disease in the neonate.
Scalable MIMO dual band Wi-Fi antenna

A novel, planar dipole antenna with a small form factor for wireless local area network (WLAN) operation in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz band is presented. The antenna has a small structure measuring 32.6mm × 5.5mm consisting of two folded monopole patterns printed on a 0.8mm thick FR4 substrate. The antenna was designed in CST Microwave Studio ® and was fed using a 50Ω discrete port model. The results show acceptable input matching across 2.4GHz and 5GHz band when placed in tablet, 2-in-1 and laptop mock chassis. Two similar antennas were placed in the device chassis to simulate a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) setup configuration.
Aggregation and Disaggregation Modelling

Stochastic models that simultaneously treat a time series at several time scales have become popular for both research and practical applications. This paper covers two multilevel hydrological time series methods. Aggregation begins with models for the smaller time increment and infers the appropriate models and parameters for the aggregated time series. These models show promise for improved time series model choices and more reliable parameter estimates. Disaggregation is stochastic generation that starts with a previously generated aggregate series and subdivides or disaggregates that series into a finer scale time series. Disaggregation modelling has proven to be a very practical approach, especially for multisite and multivariate analysis.
The Shadow Nemesis: Inference Attacks on Efficiently Deployable, Efficiently Searchable Encryption

Encrypting Internet communications has been the subject of renewed focus in recent years. In order to add end-to-end encryption to legacy applications without losing the convenience of full-text search, ShadowCrypt and Mimesis Aegis use a new cryptographic technique called "efficiently deployable efficiently searchable encryption" (EDESE) that allows a standard full-text search system to perform searches on encrypted data. Compared to other recent techniques for searching on encrypted data, EDESE schemes leak a great deal of statistical information about the encrypted messages and the keywords they contain. Until now, the practical impact of this leakage has been difficult to quantify. In this paper, we show that the adversary's task of matching plaintext keywords to the opaque cryptographic identifiers used in EDESE can be reduced to the well-known combinatorial optimization problem of weighted graph matching (WGM). Using real email and chat data, we show how off-the-shelf WGM solvers can be used to accurately and efficiently recover hundreds of the most common plaintext keywords from a set of EDESE-encrypted messages. We show how to recover the tags from Bloom filters so that the WGM solver can be used with the set of encrypted messages that utilizes a Bloom filter to encode its search tags. We also show that the attack can be mitigated by carefully configuring Bloom filter parameters.
Inflammation Improves Glucose Homeostasis through IKKβ-XBP1s Interaction

It is widely believed that inflammation associated with obesity has an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes. IκB kinase beta (IKKβ) is a crucial kinase that responds to inflammatory stimuli such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) by initiating a variety of intracellular signaling cascades and is considered to be a key element in the inflammation-mediated development of insulin resistance. We show here, contrary to expectation, that IKKβ-mediated inflammation is a positive regulator of hepatic glucose homeostasis. IKKβ phosphorylates the spliced form of X-Box Binding Protein 1 (XBP1s) and increases the activity of XBP1s. We have used three experimental approaches to enhance the IKKβ activity in the liver of obese mice and observed increased XBP1s activity, reduced ER stress, and a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity and consequently in glucose homeostasis. Our results reveal a beneficial role of IKKβ-mediated hepatic inflammation in glucose homeostasis.
Enhanced psuedo-random phase modulation for high power fiber amplifiers

A low-pass filter is used to suppress the high-frequency components of a PRBS signal and is used to modulate a fiber amplifier. Notably, the coherence length and SBS threshold of a kilowatt-class amplifier are increased.
Simulation of Human Balance Control Using an Inverted Pendulum Model

Human balance control is a complex feedback system that must be adaptable and robust in an infinitely varying external environment. It is probable that there are many concurrent control loops occurring in the central nervous system that achieve stability for a variety of postural perturbations. Though many engineering models of human balance control have been tested, no models of how these controllers might operate within the nervous system have yet been developed. We have created a synthetic nervous system that provides Proportional-Derivative (PD) control to a single jointed inverted pendulum model of human balance. In this model, angular position is measured at the ankle and corrective torque is applied about the joint to maintain a vertical orientation. The neural network computes the derivative of the angular position error, which allows the system to maintain an unstable equilibrium position and provide corrections at perturbations. This controller demonstrates the most basic components of human balance control, and will be used as the basis for more complex controllers and neuromechanical models in future work.
Collaborative Care in Melanoma: The Essential Role of the Nurse

This article provides perspective from medical oncologists on the importance of this supplement from the Melanoma Nursing Initiative. The authors (a) delineate the challenges inherent in addressing adverse event (AE) management with newer melanoma therapies, particularly in the community setting; (b) illustrate how advanced practice providers with extensive clinical trial experience in melanoma are in a key position to set the agenda and educate colleagues on best practices in AE management; and
The effect of bias on the guesswork of hash functions

In this work we analyze the average guesswork for the problem of hashed password cracking (i.e., finding a password that has the same hash value as the actual password), when averaging over all hash functions whose effective distribution is i.i.d. Bernoulli(p) for any strategy of guessing passwords one by one (i.e., the fractions of passwords that are hashed to any bin, correspond to a probability mass function, which is i.i.d. Bernoulli(p)). We analyze the average guesswork under both online and offline attacks by deriving upper and lower bounds on the average guesswork as a function of the bins to which passwords are hashed, along with the most likely average guesswork, that is, the average guesswork of the most likely set of bins. Furthermore, we provide a concentration result that shows for this problem, that the probability mass function of guesswork is concentrated around its mean value. These results give quantifiable bounds for the effect of bias as well as the number of users on the average guesswork of a hash function, and show that increasing the number of users has a far worse effect than bias in terms of the average guesswork. However, when there exists a backdoor mechanism that enables “beamforming” certain passwords to the least likely bins, bias can in fact increase the average guesswork.
Mortality of the corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on sorghum panicles in Georgia

The mortality of the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), on sorghum panicles in Georgia was determined in a 2-yr study. Percent total real mortality (rx) of H. zea exceeded 99% for each year an...
Management of Warm- and Cool-Season Grasses for Biomass on Marginal Lands: I. Yield and Soil Fertility Status

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.)], and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) are known for high biomass productivity and for various traits that make these species more suitable for marginal environmental growing conditions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of organic vs. inorganic fertilizer application on grass biomass production and soil nutrient status. Switchgrass, tall fescue, and reed canarygrass were established on a sandy soil and a clay soil at the Cornell University Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro, NY. The experiment was a split-split plot randomized block design with six replicates. Sites were whole plots, grass species were subplots, and fertility treatments were sub-subplots. The six treatments were (1) 168 kg ha−1 of N fertilizer for cool-season grasses, 84 kg ha−1 for switchgrass; (2) 56 kg ha−1 of 0-46-0 P fertilizer plus N (#1); (3) 112 kg ha−1 of 0-0-60 K fertilizer plus N (#1); (4) 89.6 Mg dairy manure ha−1; (5) 44.8 Mg dairy manure compost ha−1; and (6) no fertilizer applied (control plots). Switchgrass with a single harvest per season yielded on average 13.0 Mg ha−1, while tall fescue and reed canarygrass averaged 8.4 and 7.7 Mg ha−1, respectively, under two-cut systems. Switchgrass with no fertilization produced 84% of maximum yield of fertilized treatments. Application of a similar amount of organic N with fresh and composted dairy manure resulted in greater yields for fresh dairy manure. Organic fertilizers strongly impacted the P and K status of soils. Switchgrass is capable of high yields in marginal environments and can provide a land base for environmentally acceptable application of animal manure, although from a yield standpoint it is not very responsive to fertilizer applications.
On the influence of optimization algorithm and initial design on wing aerodynamic shape optimization

Abstract Aerodynamic shape optimization is a useful tool in wing design, but the impact of the choice of optimization algorithm and the multimodality of the design space in wing design optimization is still poorly understood. To address this, we benchmark both gradient-based and gradient-free optimization algorithms for computational fluid dynamics based aerodynamic shape optimization problems based on the Common Research Model wing geometry. The aerodynamic model solves the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations with a Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model. The drag coefficient is minimized subject to lift, pitching moment, and geometry constraints, with up to 720 shape variables and 11 twist variables for two mesh sizes. We benchmark six gradient-based and three gradient-free algorithms by comparing both the accuracy of the optima and the computational cost. Most of the optimizers reach similar optima, but the gradient-based methods converge to more accurate solutions at a much lower computational cost. Since multimodality and nonsmoothness of the design space are common arguments for the use of gradient-free methods, we investigate these issues by solving the same optimization problem starting from a series of randomly generated initial geometries, as well as a wing based on the NACA 0012 airfoil with zero twist and constant thickness-to-chord ratio. All the optimizations consistently converge to practically identical results, where the differences in drag are within 0.05%, and the shapes and pressure distributions are very similar. Our overall conclusion is that the design space for wing design optimization with a fixed planform is largely convex, with a very small flat region that is multimodal because of numerical errors. However, this region is so small, and the differences in drag so minor, that the design space can be considered unimodal for all practical purposes.
Shedding some blue light on alternative promoter usage in plants.

The sessile nature of plants forces them to adopt a variety of mechanisms for regulating gene expression in response to numerous environmental factors and stresses. Light is one of the most important environmental factors that plants must respond to for initiation and maintenance of proper growth, photosynthesis, and metabolism. Because of this importance, plants have evolved several signal transduction pathways that effect downstream gene regulation in response to numerous wavelengths of light within the visible spectrum, including far-red, red, and blue light. Currently, much more is known about the physiological and molecular effects of red/far-red light signals on plants, as well as the downstream regulatory pathways induced by the plant’s response to these wavelengths of light (1). Conversely, there is a gap in our understanding of the gene-regulatory effects during the response to blue light. In PNAS, Kurihara et al. (2) explore gene-regulatory mechanisms that function during the plant blue-light response. Gene expression is regulated at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels in eukaryotic transcriptomes. Interestingly, several mechanisms involved in transcriptional regulation can directly affect subsequent posttranscriptional gene regulation. For instance, one mechanism of transcriptional regulation uses differential transcription start sites (TSSs) to express several transcripts of varying lengths from the same gene by changing where the very 5′-end of the RNA molecules begin. Thus, this mechanism can result in mRNA molecules encoded by the same protein-coding gene that have longer or shorter 5′-untranslated regions (UTRs), depending on which TSS is selected. This variation in 5′UTR length can have dramatic effects on posttranscriptional regulatory processes, including translation of the mRNA into the encoded protein, by inclusion/exclusion of various regulatory sequence elements (3). One such 5′UTR-localized sequence element … [↵][1]1Email: bdgregor{at}sas.upenn.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Effect of steroids on Acanthamoeba cysts and trophozoites.

PURPOSE. Topical steroids are frequently used to control corneal inflammation and uveitis or is administered after surgery, to prevent corneal graft rejection. This study was undertaken to determine whether steroids could affect the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba castellanii. METHODS. The effect of dexamethasone phosphate on excystment, proliferation, and encystment of trophozoites and cysts of A. castellanii was examined in vitro. Cytolysis capacity of steroid-treated Acanthamoeba was quantified by a spectrophotometric assay and plasminogen activators were measured by a fibrinolysis assay. The influence of steroid treatment on corneal infection in a Chinese hamster model of Acanthamoeba keratitis was examined in vivo. RESULTS. Treatment of Acanthamoeba cysts with dexamethasone induced 4- to 10-fold increases in the number of trophozoites compared with untreated control cultures. Acceleration of trophozoite proliferation was observed when trophozoites were treated with dexamethasone. However, dexamethasone treatment did not affect encystment of Acanthamoeba trophozoites. Dexamethasone-treated trophozoites or cysts induced a significant cytopathic effect on corneal epithelial cells compared with untreated organisms. Supernatants collected from either dexamethasone-treated or untreated organisms failed to lyse corneal epithelial cells. Treatment of organisms with dexamethasone had no effect on production of plasminogen activators by Acanthamoeba trophozoites. Intramuscular injection of dexamethasone had a profound effect on the incidence, severity, and chronicity of keratitis. Keratitis in dexamethasone-treated hamsters was significantly more severe at all time points than in untreated animals (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS. These findings indicate that exposure of Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts to dexamethasone increases the pathogenicity of the organisms. The results emphasize the importance of maintaining adequate amebicidal therapy if a topical steroid is used in the management of Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Latinx rhetoric and intersectionality in racial rhetorical criticism

Lisa Flores’s call for racial rhetorical criticism is compelling because it names race as foundational to rhetorical criticism, warning “that any criticism void of this consideration is incomplete,...
Surface modified fluorescent silica nanoparticles and their applications (Conference Presentation)

During the recent years fluorescence spectroscopy applications focused on using longer wavelength fluorophores and new classes of vehicles delivering fluorophores such as nanoparticles. Silica nanoparticles synthesis is relatively straight forward using any of the well established methods (Strober, Reverse Emulsion, etc.,). The basis of these methods is the use of TEOS to form the silica nanoparticle. In addition to TEOS a wide range of modified TEOS is available commercially or can be synthesized using published synthetic schemes. Many different moieties, molecules can be used as substitution in the TEOS molecules and subsequently using these substituted analogs during the polymerization process of the silica nanoparticle. Following this process virtually any new property can be introduced in the silica nanoparticle. One of these is fluorescence using a wide range of fluorophores including visible or near-infrared dyes due to the wide availability of modified TEOS reactive analogues and reactive dyes. Silica nanoparticles containing copolymerized molecules can be utilized as fluorescence sensors if the copolymerized dye has sensing moieties, such as –COOH for pH measurements. One drawback of the direct facile synthesis using one or more modified TEOS in the same reaction is that the whole silica nanoparticle will have the property as determined by the modified TEOS. For example in the case of dyes containing functional moieties that can complex metal ions dye molecules will be located on the surface and the inner structure as well. For many biomedical and bioanalytical applications it may be desired the silica nanoparticle to have different surface and inner core properties. This can be achieved by using surface re-growth technique. For example the surface of the silica nanoparticle can be made very hydrophobic or hydrophilic opposite of the inner core; two different dyes can be present in these regions or make the silica nanoparticle surface to contain optically active enantiomers. This presentation compares the use of longer wavelength fluorophores to shorter wavelength counterparts. Surface properties can be modified by utilizing molecules that are themselves fluorescent, such as modifying surface hydrophobicity using hydrophobic surface dyes or non-hydrophobic dyes in the core with adding surface hydrophobicity with non-fluorescent hydrophobic molecules. Several additional surface modification moieties will be discussed along with their applications.
Case Studies in Neuroscience: The electrophysiology of a human obsession in nucleus accumbens

Surgical implantation of deep brain stimulating electrodes (DBS) to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an option for patients who have not fully responded to medical intervention or cogni...
Asian American Identity Development: A Bicultural Model for Youth

This article focuses on the development of a four-week group counseling intervention, East West Connection (EWC), designed to foster bicultural identity development among East Asian American (EAA) ...
Economics is for everyone

Economics is for everyone. That is the argument made by economists Joe Earle, Cahal Moran, and Zach Ward-Perkins in The Econocracy: The Perils of Leaving Economics to the Experts. It is also the ti...
Historical-qualitative analysis of breastfeeding trends in three OECD countries

Breastfeeding rates among high income, western countries vary considerably. This research examines three countries, Sweden, Ireland, and the United States, with respect to both public health initiatives and policy initiatives. This article uses a historical qualitative analysis of breastfeeding rates over time. It uses the welfare state structure as a framework for understanding the variation in breastfeeding outcomes among these three countries. With its strong family policies and early adherence to international public health recommendations, Sweden was able to build high rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration. However, Sweden’s breastfeeding rates have been declining, which may be a result of increasing encouragement for fathers to take equal leave, and because Sweden is no longer prioritizing breastfeeding in its public health goals. Ireland has experienced rapid growth of both breastfeeding initiation and participation in the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, though its rates still lag behind much of the Western world. The United States has seen increases in participation with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, but lacks state support in public health and labor policies. This analysis suggests that in a country with a strong welfare state and early adoption of internationally recommended public policy, breastfeeding is able to flourish. It also suggests that the Baby-Friendly hospital Initiative is a predictor of breastfeeding success.
Repetitive finger movement and circle drawing in persons with Parkinson’s disease

Little is known regarding how repetitive finger movement performance impacts other fine motor control tasks, such as circle drawing, in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous research has shown that impairments in repetitive finger movements emerge at rates near to and above 2 Hz in most persons with PD. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare circle drawing performance in persons with PD that demonstrate impairment in repetitive finger movement and those that do not. Twenty-two participants with PD and twelve healthy older adults completed the study. Only participants with PD completed the repetitive finger movement task. From the kinematic data for the repetitive finger movement task, participants were grouped into Hasteners and Non-Hasteners. Participants with PD and the healthy older adults completed a series of circle drawing tasks at two different target sizes (1 cm and 2 cm) and three pacing conditions (Self-paced, 1.25 Hz, and 2.5 Hz). Kinematic and electromyography data were recorded and compared between groups. Results revealed that, in general, persons with PD demonstrate impairments in circle drawing and associated electromyography activity compared to healthy older adults. Moreover, persons with PD that hasten during repetitive finger movements demonstrate significantly increased movement rate during circle drawing, while those persons with PD that do not hasten demonstrate a significant increase in width variability. This suggests that differing motor control mechanisms may play a role in the performance of fine motor tasks in persons with PD. Continued research is needed to better understand differences in circle drawing performance among persons with PD to inform future development of patient-centered treatments.
A PUF Hub Drives Self-Renewal in Caenorhabditis elegans Germline Stem Cells

Stem cell regulation relies on extrinsic signaling from a niche plus intrinsic factors that respond and drive self-renewal within stem cells. A priori, loss of niche signaling and loss of the intrinsic self-renewal factors might be expected to have equivalent stem cell defects. Yet this simple prediction has not been borne out for most stem cells, including Caenorhabditis elegans germline stem cells (GSCs). The central regulators of C. elegans GSCs include extrinsically acting GLP-1/Notch signaling from the niche; intrinsically acting RNA-binding proteins in the PUF family, termed FBF-1 and FBF-2 (collectively FBF); and intrinsically acting PUF partner proteins that are direct Notch targets. Abrogation of either GLP-1/Notch signaling or its targets yields an earlier and more severe GSC defect than loss of FBF-1 and FBF-2, suggesting that additional intrinsic regulators must exist. Here, we report that those missing regulators are two additional PUF proteins, PUF-3 and PUF-11. Remarkably, an fbf-1fbf-2; puf-3puf-11 quadruple null mutant has a GSC defect virtually identical to that of a glp-1/Notch null mutant. PUF-3 and PUF-11 both affect GSC maintenance, both are expressed in GSCs, and epistasis experiments place them at the same position as FBF within the network. Therefore, action of PUF-3 and PUF-11 explains the milder GSC defect in fbf-1fbf-2 mutants. We conclude that a “PUF hub,” comprising four PUF proteins and two PUF partners, constitutes the intrinsic self-renewal node of the C. elegans GSC RNA regulatory network. Discovery of this hub underscores the significance of PUF RNA-binding proteins as key regulators of stem cell maintenance.
Factors Influencing Buprenorphine Prescribing among Physicians in New York State.

Background. Increasing access to buprenorphine is an important strategy for curtailing the opioid epidemic. Research is needed to understand what facilitates prescribing among waivered physicians and how to increase the willingness and capacity to prescribe. This study describes prescribing patterns in a sample of buprenorphine-waivered physicians in New York (NY) in 2016 and examines factors influencing prescribing capacity among waivered providers. Methods. Surveys were mailed to a random sample of 300 physicians with DEA waivers to prescribe buprenorphine in NY which assessed demographics, practice characteristics, buprenorphine prescribing patterns, and barriers/facilitators to prescribing buprenorphine. Analyses include simple logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals, and values, respectively, to examine differences in individual predictors among physicians that were actively prescribing buprenorphine and those that were not. Results. 91 physicians responded to the survey, and 65% indicated they were currently prescribing buprenorphine. The mean patient census among physicians waivered to prescribe to 30 patients was 9.6 (SD = 9.7, median = 5), and to 100 patients, it was 60.5 (SD = 38.9, median = 72.5). Common facilitators included access to psychosocial referrals and better reimbursement, while inadequate resources, lack of time, and prior authorizations were the most common barriers. Conclusions. In addition to increasing the number of waivered physicians, policy-makers should provide enhanced training and implementation support for waivered physicians to start prescribing and facilitate continued and expanded prescribing among those already doing so.
COMPARISON OF IN-HOSPITAL OUTCOMES OF VALVE-IN-VALE TAVR VS REDO BIOPROSTHETIC SAVR- A PROPENSITY MATCHED ANALYSIS

This study aimed to compare the outcomes associated with valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR) with the redo bioprosthetic surgical AVR (SAVR). We utilized the data of the years 2012-2016 from the US National Inpatient Sample to identify patients who were hospitalized for
Prognostic role of chemotherapy, radiotherapy dose, and extent of surgical resection in adult medulloblastoma.

Abstract Purpose Adult medulloblastoma is rare, and management is extrapolated from pediatric cases. This investigation evaluated the prognostic role of chemotherapy (and sequencing thereof), the degree of resection, and craniospinal irradiation (CSI) dose. Methods The National Cancer Database was queried for adult (age ≥18) medulloblastoma. Resection was coded as gross (GTR) or subtotal resection (STR) or biopsy only; concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) was defined as receipt within 14 days of each other. Statistics included Kaplan-Meier overall survival (OS) analysis and Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results Of 1144 patients, 613 had coded surgical information; 242 (39%) did not undergo surgery, 277 (45%) underwent STR, and 94 (15%) had GTR. A total of 428 (37.4%) did not receive chemotherapy, 348 (30.4%) received sequential CRT, and 368 (32.2%) underwent concurrent CRT. Of the 711 patients with CSI dose information, 202 (28.4%) received 23–30 Gy CSI and 509 (71.6%) patients received 30–36 Gy. Median follow-up was 56.5 months. Extent of resection did not correlate with 10-year OS (74.2% biopsy only, 72.7% STR, 82.2% GTR, p > 0.05 all comparisons) or on Cox multivariate analysis. Chemotherapy was associated with higher OS (65.6% vs. 51.2%, p = 0.035) and a trend towards significance on multivariate assessment (p = 0.082). Sequencing of chemotherapy and CSI dose were not associated with OS (p > 0.05 for both). Conclusions Although causation cannot be implied, neither the extent of resection nor CSI dose associated with OS in adult medulloblastoma. Chemotherapy could have utility in higher-risk patients; concurrent administration may not be beneficial, especially given therapy-induced neuro-cognitive sequelae.
Social Distance and Delay Exert Multiple Control over Altruistic Choices

We evaluated the degree to which delay to reinforcement and social distance concurrently influenced altruistic choices within a discounting paradigm. Forty participants completed two discounting tasks in a repeated measures design. In the SELF task, delay was parametrically imposed on the participant; in the OTHER task, delay was parametrically imposed on the hypothetical other. Results of a multilevel analysis of indifference data supported a hyperbolic discount rate for social distance in both conditions and delay in the OTHER condition. Results also suggested a statistically significant difference in the discount rate between the two discounting tasks (t = -4.53, p < .001 and t = -4.03, p < .001, respectively). Due to a poor fit of the hyperbolic delay discount rate for the SELF task, we compared the hyperbolic fit to a logarithmic model that described an increase in subjective value as a function of delay to reinforcement for the participant. Given support of these models at the individual and group level, we developed multiplicative models for the SELF and OTHER tasks that provided strong fits for the obtained median indifference values. Results are discussed in terms of interpreting human behavior believed to be altruistic as well as potential implications for influencing social policy.
‘Being fair to both sides’: an addendum to J.S. Russell’s and Mitchell Berman’s philosophies of officiating

It is common to hear the claim that referees in sporting events are doing their jobs well so long as they are, quite simply, being fair to both sides in a competitive event. It will be the purpose ...
Deletion of p53 and Hyper-Activation of PIK3CA in Keratin-15+ Stem Cells Lead to the Development of Spontaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second commonest type of skin cancer, and SCCs make up about 90% of head and neck cancers (HNSCCs). HNSCCs harbor two frequent molecular alterations, namely, gain-of-function alterations of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) and loss-of-function mutations of tumor protein p53 (TP53). However, it remains poorly understood whether HNSCCs harboring different genetic alterations exhibit differential immune tumor microenvironments (TME). It also remains unknown whether PIK3CA hyperactivation and TP53 deletion can lead to SCC development spontaneously. Here, we analyzed the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets of HNSCCs and found that patients with both PIK3CA and TP53 alterations exhibited worse survival, significantly lower CD8 tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and higher M0 macrophages than other controls. To better model human tumorigenesis, we deleted TP53 and constitutively activated PIK3CA in mouse keratin-15-expressing stem cells, which leads to the spontaneous development of multilineage tumors including SCCs, termed Keratin-15-p53-PIK3CA (KPPA) tumors. KPPA tumors were heavily infiltrated with myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), with a drastically increased ratio of polymorphonuclear-MDSC (PMN-MDSC) versus monocytic-MDSC (M-MDSC). CD8 TILs expressed more PD-1 and reduced their polyfunctionality. Overall, we established a genetic model to mimic human HNSCC pathogenesis, manifested with an immunosuppressive TME, which may help further elucidate immune evasion mechanisms and develop more effective immunotherapies for HNSCCs.
Sensorless Adaptive Optics for Light Sheet Microscopy

Light Sheet Microscopy has become a popular imaging method for biological research, especially for imaging thick tissue specimens and model organisms. Here, we describe our implementation of adaptive optics with light sheet microscopy and show correction over a hundred microns deep into zebrafish and fruit flies.
Enabling high-res exoplanet spectroscopy at Keck

The Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer develops the Keck II telescope’s adaptive optics and instrument systems to enable infrared imaging and spectroscopy of gas giant exoplanets, explains Principal Investigator Dimitri Mawet.
Adaptations in anesthesiology residency programs amid the COVID-19 pandemic: virtual approaches to applicant recruitment.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted residency recruitment in 2020, posing unique challenges for programs and applicants alike. Anesthesiology programs have adopted alternate methods of recruitment, including virtual open houses and social media, due to limiting personal contact rules implemented by AAMC. This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of virtual events hosted and social media accounts created by programs. Methods Anesthesiology residency programs and departments were examined for social media presence on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Programs' websites and social media posts were reviewed for virtual open house opportunities. Available sub-internships were collected from the Visiting Student Application Service database. Data was collected after 2020-2021 pre-interview recruitment in October 2020. Results Of 153 total anesthesiology residency programs, 96 (63%) had some form of social media presence. The platforms of choice for programs with social media accounts included Twitter (71, or 46%), Instagram (67, or 44%), and Facebook (47, or 31%). Forty of seventy-six residency-affiliated accounts were created after March 1, 2020; Instagram accounts (26 of 40) represented most of these. Most Anesthesiology programs (59%) offered virtual open houses for prospective applicants. Twitter (25%), Instagram (22%), and Facebook (8%) were used by programs to advertise these events. Conclusions Social media presence of anesthesiology residency programs has grown steadily over the past decade, with exponential growth experienced in 2020. This data suggests that anesthesiology residency programs are employing new, mostly virtual, methods to reach prospective applicants during an unprecedented application cycle amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.