cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Explosive-driven moving magnet generators

Summary form only given. Moving magnet generators are compact pulsed power systems that are one of a type of explosive-driven pulsed power devices for production of initial energy. The generation of high current and high voltage pulses is the result of the motion of the ferromagnetic projectile inside of pulse generating coils. The results are presented of experimental studies of moving magnet generators and detailed computer simulation of the devices. The experimental study was performed with the use of high explosives and propellant charge. The projectiles used were NdFeB cylinders with D = 25 mm. and L = 19 mm. Data are given for amplitude of high voltage and high current pulses for different designs of the devices. Results are presented of detailed simulations of all aspects of pulse power generation in an explosive-driven moving magnet system.
CHOP-Dependent stress-inducible expression of a novel form of carbonic anhydrase VI

CHOP (also called GADD153) is a stress-inducible nuclear protein that dimerizes with members of the C/EBP family of transcription factors and was initially identified as an inhibitor of C/EBP binding to classic C/EBP target genes. Subsequent experiments suggested a role for CHOP-C/EBP heterodimers in positively regulating gene expression; however, direct evidence that this is the case has so far not been uncovered. Here we describe the identification of a positively regulated direct CHOP-C/EBP target gene, that encoding murine carbonic anhydrase VI (CA-VI). The stress-inducible form of the gene is expressed from an internal promoter and encodes a novel intracellular form of what is normally a secreted protein. Stress-induced expression of CA-VI is both CHOP and C/EBPβ dependent in that it does not occur in cells deficient in either gene. A CHOP-responsive element was mapped to the inducible CA-VI promoter, and in vitro footprinting revealed binding of CHOP-C/EBP heterodimers to that site. Rescue of CA-VI expression in c/ebpβ−/− cells by exogenous C/EBPβ and a shorter, normally inhibitory isoform of the protein known as LIP suggests that the role of the C/EBP partner is limited to targeting the CHOP-containing heterodimer to the response element and points to a preeminent role for CHOP in CA-VI induction during stress.
Effectively and Noneffectively Nowhere Simple Sets

R. Shore proved that every recursively enumerable (r. e.) set can be split into two (disjoint) nowhere simple sets. Splitting theorems play an important role in recursion theory since they provide information about the lattice ϵ of all r. e. sets. Nowhere simple sets were further studied by D. Miller and J. Remmel, and we generalize some of their results. We characterize r. e. sets which can be split into two (non) effectively nowhere simple sets, and r. e. sets which can be split into two r. e. non-nowhere simple sets. We show that every r. e. set is either the disjoint union of two effectively nowhere simple sets or two noneffectively nowhere simple sets. We characterize r. e. sets whose every nontrivial splitting is into nowhere simple sets, and r. e. sets whose every nontrivial splitting is into effectively nowhere simple sets. R. Shore proved that for every effectively nowhere simple set A, the lattice L* (A) is effectively isomorphic to ϵ*, and that there is a nowhere simple set A such that L*(A) is not effectively isomorphic to ϵ*. We prove that every nonzero r. e. Turing degree contains a noneffectively nowhere simple set A with the lattice L*(A) effectively isomorphic to ϵ*. Mathematics Subject Classification: 03D25, 03D10.
Influence of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture on Childhood Obesity: Implications for Prevention and Treatment: A consensus statement of Shaping America's Health and the Obesity Society

Obesity may be thought of as a body weight that conveys significant risk for adverse health outcomes. In children, obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex, based on population data from the 1970s (1,2). The prevalence of obesity has increased markedly in U.S. children and adolescents in the past 30 years. Obesity-related risk factors and diseases formerly seen only in adults are increasingly being recognized in obese adolescents and even younger children. Race and ethnicity are terms used to categorize populations on the basis of shared characteristics. Race has traditionally been used to categorize populations on the basis of shared biological characteristics such as genes, skin color, and other observable features. Ethnicity is used to categorize on the basis of cultural characteristics such as shared language, ancestry, religious traditions, dietary preferences, and history. Although ethnic groups can share a range of phenotypic characteristics due to their shared ancestry, the term is typically used to highlight cultural and social characteristics instead of biological ones (3). Both race and ethnicity are, in fact, social constructs. The assumption that race reflects only biological distinctions is inaccurate. Categories based on race account for only 3–7% of total human genetic diversity, are not reliably measured, and are not always biologically meaningful (3,4). Furthermore, both race and ethnicity are constantly evolving concepts, making the task of comparing groups or following the same group over time quite challenging. For instance, the increasing proportion of the U.S. population describing their race as “mixed” or “other,” as well as changes in ethnic self-identification across generations and occasionally even within the same generation, makes it difficult to assign individuals to invariant categories of race or ethnicity. Nevertheless, the social importance given to these constructs to describe …
OXER1, a G protein-coupled oxoeicosatetraenoid receptor, mediates the survival-promoting effects of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase in prostate cancer cells

Inhibition of 5-Lox induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells by inactivating PKCe which is prevented by 5-oxoETE, and activators of PKCe prevent 5-Lox inhibition-induced apoptosis, suggesting that 5-Lox metabolites exert survival signaling via PKCe. However, mechanisms by which 5-Lox metabolites activate PKCe are not understood yet. We found that prostate cancer cells express high levels of OXER1, a G protein-coupled 5-oxoETE receptor, which delivers signal by generating diacyl-glycerol through phospholipase C-beta. Interestingly, we found that U73122, an inhibitor of PLC-beta, interrupts the apoptosis-preventing effect of 5-oxoETE, and exogenous diacyl-glycerol effectively prevents 5-Lox inhibition-induced apoptosis, suggesting that 5-oxoETE signals via OXER1 to promote prostate cancer cell survival.
The (in) auspicious role of mesenchymal stromal cells in cancer: be it friend or foe

Recent progress in the research of mesenchymal stromal cells/multipotent stromal cells (MSC) has revealed numerous beneficial innate characteristics, suggesting potential value in an array of cellular therapies. MSC are easily isolated from bone marrow (BM), fat and other tissues, and are readily propagated in vitro. Transplanted/injected MSC have been shown to migrate to a variety of organs and tissues; however, sites of inflammation and pathology elicit enhanced MSC homing for tissue remodeling and repair. Tumors utilize many of the same inflammatory mediators uncovered in wound healing and likewise provide a site for preferential MSC homing. Although incorporation into the tumor microenvironment is apparent, the role of recruited MSC in the tumor microenvironment remains unclear. Some published studies have shown enhancement of tumor growth and development, perhaps through immunomodulatory and pro-angiogenic properties, while others have shown no apparent effect or have demonstrated inhibition of tumor growth and extended survival. This controversy remains at the forefront as clinical applications of MSC commence in anti-tumor therapies as well as as adjuncts to stem cell transplantation and in ameliorating graft-versus-host disease. Careful analysis of past studies and thoughtful design of future experiments will help to resolve the discrepancies in the field and lead to clinical utility of MSC in disease treatment. This review highlights the current theories of the role of MSC in tumors and explores current controversies.
Determination of Evapotranspiration and Crop Coefficients for a Chardonnay Vineyard Located in a Cool Climate

A study was conducted in a Chardonnay vineyard located in the Carneros district of Napa Valley to derive vineyard evapotranspiration (ET c ) and seasonal crop coefficients (K c ) values. The vineyard was planted on 2.13 m rows, using a vertical shoot-positioned trellis. Vineyard ET c was measured using the soil water balance method. Soil water content (SWC) was measured in one-fourth of an individual vine’s soil profile (six access tubes per site) to a depth of 2.75 m. In addition, vines were irrigated with applied water amounts at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 of estimated vineyard ET c . Vineyard ET c the first year of the study was ~400 mm. Thereafter calculated vineyard ET c (the product of reference ET [ET o ] and the K c ) ranged from 346 to 503 mm per season. Midday leaf water potential (Ψ l ), leaf net CO 2 assimilation rate (A), and stomatal conductance (g s ) were used to indirectly validate estimated ET c (to determine that vines were not stressed for water) and the derived K c values. Midday Ψ l , A, and g s were linearly related with applied water amounts and SWC across irrigation treatments and years. The diurnal measurements of A and g s resulted in differences among irrigation treatments, from early morning until late afternoon, with significant differences among treatments dependent upon actual applied water amounts. The results from this study are the first in which vineyard ET c has been measured on vines grown at a cool vineyard site in California. Estimates of ET c from this study would be valid for a vineyard with a row spacing of 2.13 m and a canopy vertically positioned using a maximum K c of 0.74.
The Fermilab Timeline Generation System

In this paper the technique used to control the relative timing and synchronization of the major accelerator systems at Fermilab is described.
Radiation risks: what is to be done?

OBJECTIVE. What is currently known about radiologic risks is reviewed, policies that should be adopted based on our current knowledge are proposed, and how these policies can be applied to adequately protect patients in everyday clinical practice is described. CONCLUSION. All activities in life (e.g., driving automobiles) are associated with risks, and medical imaging is no different, so the most important message to convey to patients is whether a proposed examination is worthwhile. Our collective goal should be ensuring that all radiologic examinations are justified and are as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), which maximizes the benefits of medical imaging for our patients.
Fiscal Institutions and the Relation between Central and Sub-National Government Fiscal Balances

Skeptics of fiscal decentralization argue that it can complicate fiscal stabilization policies at the level of the central government because of uncoordinated fiscal actions by the national and sub-national tiers of government. However, panel data estimates for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development economies suggest that this danger has been overstated in that changes in the fiscal balances of central and sub-national governments are highly positively correlated. This result partly reflects the success of institutional arrangements that govern intergovernmental fiscal relations and appears unrelated to the extent of fiscal decentralization.
Assay of somatomedin C by cartridge extraction prior to radioimmunoassay with antiserum developed against synthetic somatomedin C

The whole molecule of human somatomedin C (SM-C) prepared by the total synthesis method was used as an antigen to produce an antiserum for a radioimmunoassay. Since plasma proteins that bind SM-C interfere with the assay, a method was developed that uses acid dissociation followed by C-2 cartridge extraction to strip SM-C from its binding proteins before assay. This assay has no cross-reactivity with human proinsulin or insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II). The SM-C values in 339 normal subjects showed age-dependence, increasing from childhood to a peak at age 14 to 16 years and decreasing sharply before adulthood. In adults, the SM-C values decreased gradually with age. All 13 patients with acromegaly who were tested had an increased SM-C value, with no overlap with the normal range. The 12 patients with prolactinoma but non-growth-hormone-producing pituitary tumor had no increase in SM-C. Two children with pituitary deficiency had low SM-C values; one of these children received growth hormone therapy, and his SM-C value increased from undetectable to normal. By three weeks after discontinuation of the therapy, his SM-C value was again undetectable. Of 20 children with short stature and constitutional delay of growth and development, SM-C was below normal in 70 percent and normal in 30 percent. Two patients with malnutrition had below-normal SM-C values.
Complex Constitutive Adhesive Models

A complete approach to modeling adhesives and adhesive joints needs to include considerations for: deformation theories, viscoelasticity, singularity methods, bulk adhesive as composite material, adhesively bonded joint as composite and the concept of the “interphase”, damage models, and the effects of cure and processing conditions on the mechanical behavior. The adherend surfaces have distinct topographies, which result in a collection of miniature joints in micron, and even nano scale when bonded adhesively. The methods of continuum mechanics can be applied to this collection of miniature joints by assuming continuous, or a combination of continuous/discontinuous interphase zones.
Mapping of a postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm–dependent macroreentrant ventricular tachycardia

Activation mapping of ventricular tachycardia (VT) is rarely accomplished due to limited temporal and spatial resolution, unacceptably long mapping time, and hemodynamic instability.1 Entrainment mapping is a reasonable approach to identify targets for ablation in patients with tolerated post-infarction reentrant VTs, however it often does not allow delineation of the entire VT circuit.2, 3 Introduction of newer mapping technologies capable of rapid and high-resolution electroanatomical mapping may allow detailed activation mapping of macroreentrant VTs, enhancing our understanding of macroreentrant circuit’s geometry and electrophysiology to facilitate ablation.4
A sensitivity analysis of nuclear assembly extinction probabilities: Application to reevaluated fission multiplicity data

We implement direct and approximate local sensitivity analysis techniques within the context of stochastic point kinetics neglecting delayed neutrons and external neutron sources. After reviewing the derivation of certain probabilities that the neutron population in a nuclear assembly is exactly zero (probabilities of extinction (POEs)], we consider their dependence on physical data. We subsequently focus on fission number distribution dependence and draw comparisons between two different data sets. As various POEs are dependent upon these data through the solution of a nonlinear ordinary differential equation, local sensitivity analysis provides a useful means through which to assess the effects of data reevaluation. We first conduct this analysis generally (though approximately) using Gâteaux-derivative methodology. Following the generalized developments, exact and approximate results for 235 U are presented with a discussion concerning important consequences related to criticality safety.
A reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome

Background and Methods In some patients who are hospitalized for acute illness, we have noted a reversible syndrome of headache, altered mental functioning, seizures, and loss of vision associated with findings indicating predominantly posterior leukoencephalopathy on imaging studies. To elucidate this syndrome, we searched the log books listing computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies performed at the New England Medical Center in Boston and Hopital Sainte Anne in Paris; we found 15 such patients who were evaluated from 1988 through 1994. Results Of the 15 patients, 7 were receiving immunosuppressive therapy after transplantation or as treatment for aplastic anemia, 1 was receiving interferon for melanoma, 3 had eclampsia, and 4 had acute hypertensive encephalopathy associated with renal disease (2 with lupus nephritis, 1 with acute glomerulonephritis, and 1 with acetaminophen-induced hepatorenal failure). Altogether, 12 patients had abrupt increases in blood pressure, and 8...
MTM expansion cited as savings in Minnesota budget proposal

Abstract Gov. Mark Dayton of Minnesota proposed expanding access to medication therapy management (MTM) services within Medicaid, and the state's Department of Human Services cited the expansion as a savings within the governor's budget for the years ahead.
Decreased brain metabolism in neurologically intact healthy alcoholics.

Objective: The extent to which cerebral dysfunction in alcoholics is related to the direct effects of alcohol in the brain rather than to indirect mechanisms and/or alcohol withdrawal remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether healthy alcoholics with no evidence ofalcohol-associated complications showed changes in brain glucose metabolism. Method: Positron emission tomography and [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose were used to measure regional brain metabolism. The study group consisted of 22 normal, healthy, right-handed volunteers and 22 neurologically intact, healthy, right-handed alcoholics tested 6 to 32 days after alcohol discontinuation. Results: Alcoholics showed significantly lower whole brain metabolism than normal control subjects. Normalization of regional metabolic values to the whole brain metabolic rate revealed that the left parietal and right frontal cortices were the most affected regions. Although the whole brain metabolic rate was correlated with the amount of time since alcohol discontinuation, the “normalized” decreases in left parietal and right f rontal glucose metabolism were not. Conclusions: These findings support the contribution of the direct effect of alcohol as well as alcohol withdrawal on the changes in regional brain metabolism seen in alcoholics. They also provide evidence of cerebral changes in neurologically intact healthy alcoholics.
Detection of age-related macular degeneration via deep learning

Age-related macular generation (AMD) — when left untreated — is the main cause of blindness for individuals over the age of 50. With the US population now counting over 100 million individuals over 50, it is imperative to develop methods that can effectively determine which individuals with an earlier, often asymptomatic stage, are at risk of developing the advanced stage that can cause severe vision loss. This paper studies the appropriateness of the transfer of image features computed from pre-trained deep neural networks to the problem in AMD detection. Tests using over 5600 images from the NIH AREDS dataset (the largest dataset used thus far for AMD image analysis studies) show good preliminary results (between nearly 92% and 95% accuracy).
Pulmonary zygomycosis in a diabetic patient: treated with pneumonectomy and antifungal agents.

A 47-year-old woman with diabetes type II, asthma, managed with albuterol and inhaled steroids, and a history of laparoscopic gastric bypass six years ago, presented to her primary care provider with cough and gray-colored sputum for one week, and was initiated on azithromycin and prednisone. One week later she presented to the Emergency Department with progressive cough, shortness of breath, thirst, increased urinary frequency, and altered mental status. She was found to be in a hyperglycemic, hyperosmolar state. A chest radiograph showed left upper-lobe opacity and computed tomography of her chest revealed a large left upper-lobe cavitary lesion. Sputum cultures were positive for Rhizopus species. Treatment with AmBisome was initiated and the patient underwent left-sided pneumonectomy. Pathological evaluation of the lobe revealed a 7.5 x 6.8 x 3.3 cm sharply demarcated necrotic cavity involving the majority of the left upper lobe with little surrounding uninvolved lung parenchyma (Figure 1). The cavity was surrounded by an erythematous rim, and within contained discohesive black-brown necrotic debris. Microscopic examination was significant for necrosis and acute inflammation, both surrounding and within the cavitation. Innumerable broad hyphae with rare septations were identified. The hyphae were irregularly branched at 90-degree angles, consistent with Rhizopus sp. (Figure 2). A Periodic acid-Schiff stain confirmed the presence of these organisms. The patient tolerated pneumonectomy well, and her clinical condition improved. Eventually she was discharged and scheduled for routine follow-up.
Understanding Stress and Life Satisfaction for Children of Clergy: A Retrospective Study

Because clergy children live within a unique family context, the goal of this study was to examine the individual and family stressors that adult clergy children experience while growing up and how individual and family coping resources, along with the adult clergy children’s perceptions of their experiences or sense of coherence, have affected the perceived life satisfaction. The present study examined the life satisfaction of clergy and non-clergy children, both retrospectively as adolescents and currently as adults, to determine the stability of their perceived life satisfaction over time. Compared to a sample of adult non-clergy children, adult clergy children experienced greater levels of individual and family stress along with a lower sense of coherence and less life satisfaction as adolescents. A path analysis of the model based on family stress theory indicates that sense of coherence provided the greatest total effect on participants’ life satisfaction as adolescents, whereas life satisfaction as adolescents provided the greatest total effect on life satisfaction as adults. These findings provide several implications for research and practice.
Fault-Tolerant Multi-Agent Optimization: Optimal Iterative Distributed Algorithms

This paper addresses the problem of distributed multi-agent optimization in which each agent i has a local cost function hi(x), and the goal is to optimize a global cost function that aggregates the local cost functions. Such optimization problems are of interest in many contexts, including distributed machine learning, distributed resource allocation, and distributed robotics.We consider the distributed optimization problem in the presence of faulty agents. We focus primarily on Byzantine failures, but also briey discuss some results for crash failures. For the Byzantine fault-tolerant optimization problem, the ideal goal is to optimize the average of local cost functions of the non-faulty agents. However, this goal also cannot be achieved. Therefore, we consider a relaxed version of the fault-tolerant optimization problem.The goal for the relaxed problem is to generate an output that is an optimum of a global cost function formed as a convex combination of local cost functions of the non-faulty agents. More precisely, there must exist weights αi for i∈N such that αi ≥ 0 and ∑i≥ Nαi=1, and the output is an optimum of the cost function ∑i≥ N αihi(x). Ideally, we would like αi=1/|N| for all i≥ N, however, this cannot be guaranteed due to the presence of faulty agents. In fact, the maximum number of nonzero weights (αi's) that can be guaranteed is |N|-f, where f is the maximum number of Byzantine faulty agents.We present an iterative distributed algorithm that achieves optimal fault-tolerance. Specifically, it ensures that at least |N|-f agents have weights that are bounded away from 0 (in particular, lower bounded by 1/2|N|-f}). The proposed distributed algorithm has a simple iterative structure, with each agent maintaining only a small amount of local state. We show that the iterative algorithm ensures two properties as time goes to ∞: consensus (i.e., output of non-faulty agents becomes identical in the time limit), and optimality (in the sense that the output is the optimum of a suitably defined global cost function).
Ab initio modeling of quasielastic neutron scattering of hydrogen pipe diffusion in palladium

A recent quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) study of hydrogen in heavily deformed fcc palladium provided the first direct measurement of hydrogen pipe diffusion, which has a significantly higher diffusivity and lower activation barrier than in bulk. While ab initio estimates of hydrogen diffusion near a dislocation corroborated the experimental values, open questions remain from the Chudley-Elliott analysis of the QENS spectra, including significant nonmonotonic changes in jump distance with temperature. We calculate the spherically averaged incoherent scattering function at different temperatures using our ab initio data for the network of site energies, jump rates, and jump vectors to directly compare to experiment. Diffusivities and jump distances are sensitive to how a single Lorentzian is fit to the scattering function. Using a logarithmic least squares fit over the range of experimentally measured energies, our diffusivities and jump distances agree well with those measured by experiment. However, these calculated quantities do not reflect barriers or distances in our dislocation geometry. This computational approach allows for validation against experiment, along with a more detailed understanding of the QENS results.
From Conic Sections to Projectile Motion

On the final day of Galileo’s Dialogues, Salviati, Sagredo and Simplicio draw upon their previous work on uniform motion and naturally accelerated motion in order to better understand the motion of projectiles. What, they ask, is the trajectory of a cannonball which has been fired horizontally? And how can one compute its speed at any point along its trajectory? Before answering these questions, they must recall the work of the ancient geometer Apollonius.
Maternal History of Child Abuse and Obesity Risk in Offspring: Mediation by Weight in Pregnancy

Abstract Background: Women's experience of childhood adversity may contribute to their children's risk of obesity. Possible causal pathways include higher maternal weight and gestational weight gain, which have been associated with both maternal childhood adversity and obesity in offspring. Methods: This study included 6718 mother–child pairs from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 in the United States (1979–2012). We applied multiple log-binomial regression models to estimate associations between three markers of childhood adversity (physical abuse, household alcoholism, and household mental illness) and offspring obesity in childhood. We estimated natural direct effects to evaluate mediation by prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain. Results: Among every 100 mothers who reported physical abuse in childhood, there were 3.7 (95% confidence interval: −0.1 to 7.5) excess cases of obesity in 2- to 5-year olds compared with mothers who did not report physical abuse. Differences in prepregnan...
Recent Advances in the Photochemistry of Heterocyclic N -Oxides and Their Derivatives

The photochemistry of the heteroarene N-oxides and their derivatives is complex and multifaceted. This review discusses the photochemistry of heteroarene N-oxides in light of new studies of these species, as well as recent studies of nitrene intermediates that have been proposed as potential photochemical intermediates. Recent developments in the photochemistry of N-alkoxyheteroarenium salts are also discussed, as well as the photochemistry of the N-hydroxypyridone and N-hydroxypyrithione systems, which may be thought of as tautomeric forms of the N-oxides.
Patient Responses to Guanfacine in Cocaine Addiction

Abstract Cocaine dependence is a chronic stress state characterized by compulsive and uncontrollable drug seeking and drug use despite negative consequences. Moreover, compared with many other drugs of abuse, there are few efficacious medications that address the high rates of craving and cocaine use. Notably, the chronic use of cocaine is associated with robust adaptations to core neural stress systems that mediate stress sensitivity, anxiety pathophysiology and prefrontal regulatory function. As an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, guanfacine’s ability to target such overlapping stress, reward, and anxiety pathophysiology suggests that it may be a useful long-term agent for attenuating the stress and cue-induced craving state in both women and men. This is supported by recent research findings from our own laboratory. Additionally, guanfacine’s improvement of regulatory mechanisms that are key to exerting cognitive and emotional control over drug-seeking behavior also suggests that guanfacine may be effective in reducing craving and relapse vulnerability in many drugs of abuse.
Effect of Antioxidant Therapy on Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) Expression in Hypertensive Rats

P66 Earlier studies have demonstrated evidence for increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhanced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and NO production in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Given the negative feedback regulation of NOS by NO, we hypothesized that enhanced NO inactivation by ROS may contribute to compensatory upregulation of NOS in SHR. The present study was designed to test this hypothesis. Eight-week old male SHR were treated for three weeks with either a placebo or the potent antioxidant, lazaroid (des-methyltirilazad, 10 mg/kg/day by gastric gavage). A group of age-matched male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats served as controls. Tail arterial blood pressure and urinary excretion of NO metabolites (i.e. nitrate and nitrite, NO x ) were measured. In addition, immunodetectable NOS isotype proteins in the vascular, renal, cardiac and cerebral tissues were measured by Western blot. Compared to the WKY group, the placebo-treated SHR group showed a marked elevation of blood pressure (129±6 vs 198±8 mmHg, P
Capacitated Selfish Replication Game

In this chapter we introduce the class of capacitated selfish replication games as was introduced in [1]; for simplicity we will refer to them as CSR games.
Visual Communication of Climate Change: Local Framing and Place Attachment

ABSTRACTTo examine the effects of local versus global message framing concerning climate change, data were gathered from 114 undergraduate students at a Southern US coastal university. The experiment accounted for participants' perceived attachment to their environments (place attachment) to observe whether it related to increased engagement and risk perceptions. Messages were most effective in eliciting environmental action when local effects of climate change were emphasized. Those reporting more connection to their local environments perceived more risks and intended more mitigating actions. The results may assist practitioners, researchers, and decision makers in developing more effective approaches to climate change mitigation.
Adenovirus-mediated human interferon-beta gene therapy suppresses growth and metastasis of human prostate cancer in nude mice

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 6041 Abstract Interferon (IFN)-β is a natural glycoprotein that may suppress tumor growth by multiple mechanisms. Extensive clinical trials, however, demonstrated that IFN-β, used either alone or in combination with other anticancer agents, was ineffective in treating most solid tumors. It has been suggested the failures were caused by a lack of accumulation of biologically active IFN-β in tumor lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of interferon-β gene therapy on the growth of PC-3MM2 human prostate cancer cells in nude mice. PC-3MM2 human prostate cancer cells (1X105) were inoculated into the prostates of nude mice. Intralesional injection of an adenoviral vector-encoding human IFN-β (AdhIFN-β) but not control vector AdE/1 suppressed growth of PC-3MM2 tumors with a maximal reduction of tumor weight by 90%. The progression of PC-3MM2 tumors was suppressed by 90, 70, and 36% in mice treated with 2 x 109, 1 x 109, and 0.5 x 109 plaque-forming units (PFU) of AdhIFN-β, respectively. Regional lymph node metastases, identified on H&E-stained slides, were observed in 100% of mice treated with PBS or AdE/1, and none of mice treated with of AdhIFN-β. In addition, AdhIFN-β therapy significantly prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice as compared with mice treated with PBS or AdE/1: 50% of survival for mice receiving PBS, AdE/1, and AdhIFN-β were 37, 38, and 70 days, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining showed that prostate tumors injected with PBS or AdE/1 contained many proliferating cells (PCNA+) and few apoptotic cells (TUNEL+). In contrast, AdhIFN-β treated tumors contained fewer proliferating cells, and more apoptotic cells. Compared with controls, tumors injected with AdhIFN-β expressed lower levels of interleukin-8, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These data suggest that intratumoral delivery of the IFN-β gene with adenoviral vectors could be an effective therapy for prostate cancer and that tumor suppression by AdhIFN-β correlated with downregulation of angiogenesis.
Prevalence of Rare Hemoglobin Variants Identified During Measurements of Hb A1c by Capillary Electrophoresis.

To the Editor: Hemoglobin (Hb)1 variants represent a challenge to the validity of measurements of Hb A1c. Hb variants can falsely increase or decrease reported Hb A1c results, depending on the measurement procedure used (1, 2). Moreover, Hb A1c results in patients who harbor an Hb variant can be clinically misleading if the variant alters the lifespan of erythrocytes. The effects of common hemoglobin variants (Hbs C, D, E, F, and S) on some measurement procedures for Hb A1c have been documented (2, 3), including a recent study in Clinical Chemistry (4). More than 1000 other, rarer hemoglobin variants have been identified, however, and little is known about the effects of most of these variants on measurement procedures …
Prediction of mortality and morbidity in head and neck cancer patients 80 years of age and older undergoing surgery.

Objectives To determine postoperative complications and mortality rates in octogenarian and older head and neck cancer patients undergoing ablative surgical resections and to identify factors associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. Methods Retrospective cohort study investigating risk factors for 30-day serious complication risk and 90-day mortality risk for patients aged 80 years and older who underwent ablative head and neck oncologic surgical procedures at an academic tertiary care center between 2005 and 2015. Results Of the 219 patients who underwent 241 surgeries, 74 patients experienced serious complications within 30 days and 25 died within 90 days of surgery. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 4 or greater, and operating room (OR) time ≥6 hours were independently associated with serious complications, whereas age ≥90 years, overall severe comorbidity score, presence of preoperative dysphagia, and large extent of resection were associated with increased risk of death in 90 days. Models to predict risk of 30-day serious complications and 90-day mortality were then developed. Conclusion Patient and surgical treatment factors predict risk of serious complications and mortality in patients aged 80 years and older undergoing ablative head and neck surgery. Predictive models may guide preoperative discussion with patients. Level of Evidence 2b. Laryngoscope, 2017
Managing Uncertainty in Security Risk Model Forecasts with RAPSA/MC

This report describes an information security risk assessment process that accommodates uncertainty and can be applied to deployed systems as well as systems under development. An example is given for a critical infrastructure but the technique is applicable to other networks. RAPSA/MC extends the Risk Analysis and Probabilistic Survivability Assessment (RAPSA) systems-level process model with a Monte-Carlo (MC) technique capturing the uncertainty in expert estimates and illustrating its resulting impact on the model’s forecast. The forecast is presented as a probability density function enabling the security analyst to more effectively communicate security risks to financial decision makers. This approach may be particularly useful for visualizing the risk of an extreme event such as an unlikely but catastrophic exploit.
Intravenous radiographic contrast administered prior to high-dose methotrexate and subsequent toxicity requiring the use of glucarpidase:

Methotrexate is a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor that interferes with DNA synthesis, DNA repair, and cellular replication. We present the first adult case of a patient who received intravenous contrast prior to administration of high-dose methotrexate, who subsequently experienced delayed methotrexate clearance and renal impairment necessitating the use of glucarpidase. This case displays a possible correlation between intravenous radiographic contrast administration and resulting toxicity due to delayed methotrexate clearance.
Abstract 1084: TRAF4-mediated NGF receptor TrkA ubiquitination regulates prostate cancer metastasis

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are important drivers of cancers. In addition to genomic alterations, aberrant activation of wild type RTKs play an important role in driving cancer progression. However, the underlying mechanisms of how RTKs drive prostate cancer remains incompletely characterized. Here we show that non-proteolytic ubiquitination of RTK regulates its kinase activity and contributes to RTK-mediated prostate cancer metastasis. TRAF4, a RING domain E3 ubiquitin ligase, is highly expressed in metastatic prostate cancer. We demonstrated here that it is a key player in regulating RTK mediated prostate cancer metastasis. We further identified TrkA, a neurotrophin receptor tyrosine kinase, as a TRAF4-targeted ubiquitination substrate that promotes cancer cell invasion and genetic ablation of TrkA abolished TRAF4-dependent cell invasion. TRAF4 promoted atypical K27 and K29-linked ubiquitination at the TrkA kinase domain and increased its kinase activity. Mutation of TRAF4-targeted ubiquitination sites abolished TrkA tyrosine auto-phosphorylation and its interaction with downstream effector proteins. TRAF4 knockdown also suppressed nerve growth factor-stimulated TrkA downstream p38 MAPK activation and subsequent invasion-associated gene expression. Furthermore, elevated TRAF4 levels significantly correlated with increased NGF-stimulated invasion-associated gene expression in prostate cancer patients, indicating this signaling axis is significantly activated during oncogenesis. Our results revealed a post-translational modification mechanism contributing to aberrant non-mutated receptor tyrosine kinase activation in cancer cells. Citation Format: Ramesh Singh, Dileep Karri, Jiangyong Shao, Subhamoy Dasgupta, Shixia Huang, Dean P. Edwards, Bert W. O9Malley, Ping Yi. TRAF4-mediated NGF receptor TrkA ubiquitination regulates prostate cancer metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1084.
Cemented Femoral Revision: Lest We Forget

Cemented femoral revisions can provide durable fixation when used for specific indications. These indications include elderly patients with minimal bone loss or large femoral canals and the cement-within-cement technique where a new femoral component is cemented into an intact cement mantle.
Prosocial Behavior in the Preschool Years

In the past few years interest in the development of prosocial behavior has increased dramatically. Numerous researchers have examined the socialization antecedents and situational determinants of prosocial behaviors, as well as the personality characteristics of those most likely to engage in prosocial action (Bar-Tal, 1976; Mussen & Eisenberg-Berg, 1977; Rushton, 1976, 1980; Staub, 1978, 1979). As this research has accumulated, it has become increasingly clear that the prosocial domain of behavior (as any other domain of social behavior) can be best understood from an interactional perspective, that is, with an approach that neglects neither the role of the individual’s personal characteristics nor situational determinants.
EXTRATERRESTRIAL CAUSE FOR THE CRETACEOUS-TERTIARY EXTINCTION: EXPERIMENT AND THEORY

ABSTRACT Platinum metals are depleted in the earth's crust relative to their cosmic abundance; concentrations of these elements in deep-sea sediments may thus indicate influxes of extraterrestrial material. Deep-sea limestones exposed in Italy, Denmark, and New Zealand show iridium increases of about 30, 160, and 20 times, respectively, above the background level at precisely the time of the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinctions, 65 m.y. ago. Reasons are given to indicate that this iridium is of extraterrestrial origin, but did not come from a nearby supernova. We suggest a hypothesis which accounts for the extinctions and the iridium observations. Impact of a large earth-crossing asteroid would inject about 60 times the object's mass into the atmosphere as pulverized rock; a fraction of this dust would stay in the stratosphere for several years and be distributed worldwide. The resulting darkness would suppress photosynthesis, and the expected biological consequences match quite closely the extinctions observed in the paleontological record. One prediction of this hypothesis has been verified: the chemical composition of the boundary clay, which is thought to come from the stratospheric dust, is markedly different from that of clay mixed with the Cretaceous and Tertiary limestones, which are chemically similar to each other. Four different and quite independent estimates of the diameter of the asteroid give values that lie in the range 10 ± 4 km.
A Low-Rate Video Approach to Hyperspectral Imaging of Dynamic Scenes

The increased sensitivity of modern hyperspectral line-scanning systems has led to the development of imaging systems that can acquire each line of hyperspectral pixels at very high data rates (in the 200–400 Hz range). These data acquisition rates present an opportunity to acquire full hyperspectral scenes at rapid rates, enabling the use of traditional push-broom imaging systems as low-rate video hyperspectral imaging systems. This paper provides an overview of the design of an integrated system that produces low-rate video hyperspectral image sequences by merging a hyperspectral line scanner, operating in the visible and near infra-red, with a high-speed pan-tilt system and an integrated IMU-GPS that provides system pointing. The integrated unit is operated from atop a telescopic mast, which also allows imaging of the same surface area or objects from multiple view zenith directions, useful for bi-directional reflectance data acquisition and analysis. The telescopic mast platform also enables stereo hyperspectral image acquisition, and therefore, the ability to construct a digital elevation model of the surface. Imaging near the shoreline in a coastal setting, we provide an example of hyperspectral imagery time series acquired during a field experiment in July 2017 with our integrated system, which produced hyperspectral image sequences with 371 spectral bands, spatial dimensions of 1600 × 212, and 16 bits per pixel, every 0.67 s. A second example times series acquired during a rooftop experiment conducted on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus in August 2017 illustrates a second application, moving vehicle imaging, with 371 spectral bands, 16 bit dynamic range, and 1600 × 300 spatial dimensions every second.
Kidney disease risk factors associate with urine biomarkers concentrations in HIV-positive persons; a cross-sectional study

HIV-positive persons bear an excess burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, conventional methods to assess kidney health are insensitive and non-specific for detecting early kidney injury. Urinary biomarkers can detect early kidney injury, and may help mitigate the risk of overt CKD. Cross-sectional study of HIV-positive persons in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study and the Women’s Interagency HIV Study. We measured levels of 14 biomarkers, capturing multiple dimensions of kidney injury. We then evaluated associations of known CKD risk factors with urine biomarkers using separate multivariable adjusted models for each biomarker. Of the 198 participants, one third were on HAART and virally suppressed. The vast majority (95%) had preserved kidney function as assessed by serum creatinine, with a median eGFR of 103 ml/min/1.73 m2 (interquartile range (IQR): 88, 116). In our multivariable analyses, the associations of each CKD risk factor with urinary biomarker levels varied in magnitude. For example, HIV viral load was predominantly associated with elevations in interleukin(IL)-18, and albuminuria, while higher CD4 levels were associated with lower monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and β2-microglobulin. In contrast, older age was significantly associated with elevations in α1-microglobulin, kidney injury marker-1, clusterin, MCP-1, and chitinase-3-like protein-1 levels, as well as lower epidermal growth factor, and uromodulin levels. Among HIV-positive persons, CKD risk factors are associated with unique and heterogeneous patterns of changes in urine biomarkers levels. Additional work is needed to develop parsimonious algorithms that integrate multiple biomarkers and clinical data to discern the risk of overt CKD and its progression.
Fast Secret Key Generation in Static Environments Using Induced Randomness

Secret key agreement in distributed low-power networks, such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks, is a major requirement for deploying cryptographic protocols to protect the security of sensitive data. However, due to the distributed nature of such networks, the devices need to be able to generate secret keys locally from some common source of randomness. The randomness in the characteristics of the physical layer channel provides such sources, however, this can be quite limited if the devices operate in a static environment and experience static or very slow fading channel. Therefore, fast secret key generation in such environments while keeping a low complexity architecture for the network nodes, such as IoT devices, remains a challenging task. We design a low- complexity protocol for fast secret key generation in static environments. To this end, we propose to use a limited number of random bits independently generated by the legitimate parties, referred to as Alice and Bob, in combination with the fading parameter to create a common source of randomness. In the proposed protocol, Alice and Bob share their random bits over the public channel, assumed to be a fading channel, and then construct a common random sequence. Then they perform several steps for recovery from errors in the shared sequence, privacy amplification to limit the chances of a successful attack, and consistency checking by exploiting universal hash functions. We characterize the reliability of the proposed protocol and provide an upper bound on the probability of accepting a mismatched key by Alice and Bob. The eavesdropper Eve is assumed to be passive and a successful attack by her is the event of guessing the key right based on her observations. We provide an analytical upper bound, that can be numerically evaluated, on the probability of a successful attack by Eve using the cryptographic notion of semantic security. In the simulations, the proposed protocol achieves a bit generation rate of 64-96 bits&#x002F;packet, bit mismatch rate of 11-24\%, bit error rate of 0.005\%, 50\% randomness efficiency, the probability of successful attack of at most $2^{-31}$, and the probability of consistency checking failure of at most $2^{-16}$.