cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract LB-168: MicroRNA-31 initiates lung tumorigenesis and promotes mutant KRAS-driven lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths and yet the genes that drive this malignancy are not entirely known. MicroRNA (miRNA) are important regulators of gene expression and aberrant miRNA expression has been linked to lung oncogenesis; however, little known about their contribution in tumor initiation. We’ve determined that miR-31 is overexpressed in human lung adenocarcinoma and this overexpression independently correlates with decreased patient survival. miR-31 promotes lung cell proliferation and adenocarcinoma growth in vivo. We also developed a transgenic mouse model that allows for lung-specific expression of miR-31 to test the oncogenic potential of miR-31 in the lung. Using this model, we observed that miR-31 induction results in lung hyperplasia, followed by adenoma formation and later adenocarcinoma development. We identified 6 negative regulators of RAS/MAPK signaling (RASA1, SPRED1, SPRED2, SPRY1, SPRY3, SPRY4) as direct targets of miR-31. Analysis of human lung adenocarcinoma revealed that high miR-31 expression correlated to decreased target mRNA expression. miR-31 overexpression in lung cells results in increased RAS signaling and pharmacologic inhibition of MEK ablates miR-31 induced lung cell proliferation. Induced expression of miR-31 in mice cooperated with mutant KRAS to accelerate lung tumorigenesis. Our study demonstrates for the first time that a miRNA can drive an epithelial cancer. Specifically we identified miR-31 as a driver of lung tumorigenesis that promotes mutant KRAS-mediated oncogenesis and demonstrate that miR-31 directly targets and reduces expression of negative regulators of RAS/MAPK signaling. Citation Format: Mick D. Edmonds, Kelli L. Boyd, Tamara K. Moyo, Ramkrishna Mitra, Robert J. Duszynski, Maria P. Arrate, Xi Chen, Zhongming Zhao, Timothy S. Blackwell, Christine M. Eischen. MicroRNA-31 initiates lung tumorigenesis and promotes mutant KRAS-driven lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-168.
Dietary ecology of fossil Theropithecus: Inferences from dental microwear textures of extant geladas from ecologically diverse sites.

As the only extant graminivorous primate, gelada monkeys (Theropithecus gelada) offer unique insights into how hominins and other extinct primates with strong C4 isotopic signatures may have subsisted on graminoid-rich diets. Fossil Theropithecus species sharing a strong C4 signal (i.e., Theropithecus brumpti, Theropithecus darti, and Theropithecus oswaldi) have been reconstructed as predominantly graminivorous and potentially in ecological competition with contemporaneous hominins. However, inferring the breadth and variation of diet in these species (and therefore hominins) has proven problematic. Understanding how ecological variation within extant geladas impacts microwear and isotopic signatures may contribute to reconstructions of diet in fossil Theropithecus. Here, we build on a recent study at an ecologically intact tall grass ecosystem (Guassa, Ethiopia) that expanded the known diversity of gelada diets by demonstrating lower reliance on graminoids, greater consumption of forbs, and greater dietary species richness than previously described at disturbed sites. We used dental microwear texture analysis to explore how dietary variation among extant geladas may inform our understanding of the diets of fossil Theropithecus. First, we compared the dental microwear textures of geladas at Guassa to those of geladas from other sites. The microwear textures of geladas at Guassa exhibited more complexity, less anisotropy, and more variance in anisotropy and heterogeneity, reflecting the greater dietary diversity of Guassa geladas. Comparing microwear texture variables among this expanded gelada sample to those for T. brumpti, T. oswaldi, and T. darti yielded no significant differences. These results raise the intriguing possibility that data on how ecological variation and diet impact dental microwear and (possibly) isotopic signatures in extant geladas can be used to reconstruct the diets of extinct theropiths and, more broadly, hominins with strong C4 isotopic signatures. We conclude that extant gelada populations offer a powerful analog for inferring dietary variation among predominantly graminivorous fossil primates.
Association Between a Pro-Inflammatory Axis Comprised By TSP1-TGFβ-CTGF with Three microRNAs, Mir-19a, miR122 and Mir-133a in the Pathophysiology of Diabetic Retinopathy: A Therapeutic Novel Modality

Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a severe ocular complication of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Our laboratory has been studying the role of a pro-inflammatory axis comprised by TSP1-TGFb and CTGF in T2DM. The axis is differentially expressed in patients with T2DM and non-proliferative DR (NPDR) when compared with patients with T2DM and proliferative DR (PDR). The differential expression of such axis is accompanied by interesting cytokine profiles as well. The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential microRNAs associated with the above changes in order to understand better the pathophysiology of T2DM. Recent studies indicate that miRNAs transported to exosomes or HDL can be transferred in an active form to recipients cells potentially involving them in cell-to-cell communication. Methods: Institutional approved IRB and informed consent allowed this prospective study to recruit a total of 40 individuals afflicted by T2DM (n=20 NPDR and n=20 PDR) from the Ophthalmology Department Diabetes Clinic at Temple Hospital, normal controls (n=20) were recruited from the Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center at Temple. Western-blotting technique was utilized to document the presence of fragments from CTGF in plasma, which have been documented in vitreous fluid to be angiogenic. Multiplexed protein profiling on microarrays by rolling-circle amplification was employed to determine IL-4 and MIP-1b. Commercially available ELISA was the method to determine the plasma concentration of TSP1, TGFb and CTGF. Total RNA was extracted from human plasma using the miRCURY TM RNA isolation kit by Exiqon at their facility in Denmark. Results and Discussion: TSP1, TGFb, CTGF, IL4, MIP-1b were significantly elevated in NPDR patients when compared to PDR patients. Fragments of CTGF were identified more abundant in patients with PDR when compared to NPDR. Only three microRNAs were differentially expressed in the normal group when compared with either NPDR (decreased), namely miR-133a (p<0.005), miR-19a (p<0.008), miR-122 (p<0.02) or PDR (decreased), miR-19a p<0.000096) and miR-122 (p<0.005). miR19a has been implicated with expression of TSP1 and CTGF, glucose levels, insulin resistance and diabetes-associated pancreatic cancer. miR-133a has been associated with cardiac hyperthrophy, fibrosis and heart failure in diabetes. miR-122 has been identified as a potential biomarker for non-alcoholic fatty liver. In summary our results link for the first time in the literature three circulating microRNAs with a the above axis in the pathophysiology of NPDR and PDR. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Outpatient Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: An Analysis of Readmissions from the New Jersey State Ambulatory Services Database.

Background Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) performed as an outpatient has become increasingly common for treating cervical spine pathology. Few reports have attempted to assess readmissions following outpatient ACDF. This study was performed to address this issue using population-based databases. Methods The State Ambulatory Services Database (SASD) for New Jersey (NJ) from 2003-2012 was used for analysis. Patients receiving ACDF (defined as anterior cervical fusion (ICD-0 code=81.02) + excision of intervertebral disc (80.51)) were extracted; those with three or more levels fused (ICD-9 codes 81.63-81.64), cancer (ICD-9 codes 140-239), or trauma (ICD-9 codes=805.0-806.9) were excluded. A series of perioperative complications including durotomy, red blood cell transfusion, acute posthemorrhagic anemia, paraplegia (weakness), and mortality were examined. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust the analysis for patient age, race, sex, primary payer for care, and number of diagnoses. The NJ SASD defined readmission as admission to the same facility within seven days of initial discharge. Results Two thousand sixteen (2,016) patients were found, 1,528 of whom had readmission data. Of these 1,528 patients, 83 (5.4%) required readmission. PSM was performed prior to comparing readmission versus non-readmission. While there was no difference in perioperative complications between the two groups, the small sample size of the readmission cohort prevented this analysis from having sufficient power. No patient requiring readmission had an initial length of stay greater than one day. Conclusion Based on a 10-year outpatient analysis, fewer than 6% of outpatient 1-2 level ACDFs require readmission. Future studies involving outpatients from several states will be necessary to determine whether these results of outpatient ACDF are applicable nationwide.
C For Engineers & Scientists, An Interpretive Approach with Companion CD

C for Engineers and Scientists is a complete and authoritative introduction to computer programming in C, with introductions to object-oriented programming in C++, and graphical plotting and numerical computing in C/C++ interpreter Ch® and MATLAB® for applications in engineering and science. This book is designed to teach students how to solve engineering and science problems using C. It teaches beginners with no previous programming experience the underlying working principles of scientific computing and a disciplined approach for software development. All the major features of C89 and C99 are presented with numerous engineering application examples derived from production code. The book reveals the coding techniques used by the best C programmers and shows how experts solve problems in C. It is also an invaluable resource and reference book for seasoned programmers. C for Engineers and Scientists focuses on systematic software design approach in C for applications in engineering and science following the C99, the latest standard developed by the ANSI and ISO C Standard Committees which resolved many deficiencies of C89 for applications in engineering and science. The book includes a companion CD which contains the C/C++ interpreter Ch for use as an instructional tool as well as Visual C++ and gcc/g++ compilers to help teaching and learning of C and C++. Ch presents a pedagogically effective user-friendly interactive computing environment for the simplest possible teaching/learning computer programming in C so that the students can focus on improving their program design and problem solving skills. Table of contents Part I: Structured Programming in CChapter 1 IntroductionChapter 2 Getting StartedChapter 3 Number Systems, Scalar Types, and Input/OutputChapter 4 Operators and ExpressionsChapter 5 Statements and Control FlowChapter 6 FunctionsChapter 7 Processing DirectivesChapter 8 Storage Classes and Program StructureChapter 9 Formatted Input and OutputChapter 10 ArraysChapter 11 PointersChapter 12 Characters and StringsChapter 13 Structures, Enumerations, Unions, and Bit FieldsChapter 14 File ProcessingChapter 15 Dynamic Data Structures and Cross-Platform Software DevelopmentChapter 16 Scientific Computing in the Entire Real Domain in C99Chapter 17 Programming with Complex Numbers in C99 and C++Part II: Object-Based Programming in C++Chapter 18 Introduction to C++Chapter 19 Classes and Object-Based Programming in C++Chapter 20 Two-and Three-Dimensional Plotting in C++Part III: Numerical Computing in ChChapter 21 Computational Arrays and Matrix Computations in ChChapter 22 Advanced Numerical Analysis in ChPart IV: Numerical Computing in MATLABChapter 23 Introduction to MATLAB and Comparision Study with C/ChAppendicesA KeywordsB C99 Features Supported in ChC C++ Features Supported in ChD The ASCII Character Set
Statistical disclosure control via sufficiency under the multiple linear regression model

In this article we show, under the normal multiple linear regression model, how synthetic data can be generated using the principle of sufficiency. An advantage of this approach is that if the regression model assumed by the synthetic data producer is correctly specified, then the synthetic data have the same joint distribution as the original data, and therefore one can use standard regression methodology and software to analyze the synthetic data. If the same regression model used to generate the synthetic data is also used for data analysis, and the data are analyzed using standard regression methodology, then the synthetic data yield identical inference to that of the original data. We also study the effects of overfitting or under-fitting the linear regression model. We show that even if the data producer overspecifies the regression model when creating the synthetic data, the synthetic data will still have the same distribution as the original data, and hence valid inference can be obtained. However, if the data producer underspecifies the linear regression model, then one cannot expect to obtain valid inference from the synthetic data. The disclosure risk of the proposed method relative to a standard synthetic data method is also examined.
Association between community socioeconomic characteristics and access to youth flag football

Background The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that opportunities for non-tackling American football (e.g., flag football) be expanded, given concerns about the risks of brain trauma from tackle football. This study tested the hypothesis that flag football would be more accessible in communities characterised by higher socioeconomic status residents. Methods In July 2017, the locations of community-based organisations offering youth flag and tackle football for youth between the ages of 6 and 13 in two US states (Georgia and Washington) were aggregated (n=440). Organisations were coded in terms of the availability of tackle and/or flag football teams for youth at each year of age between 6 and 13. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the odds of a community-based football organisation offering flag football, by community socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Results In both states, communities with more educated residents were more likely to offer flag football for youth aged 6–12. For example, among 6 year-olds every 10% increase in the number of adult residents with a college education was associated with 1.51 times the odds of flag football availability (95% CI 1.22 to 1.86, P Conclusion These results suggest that youth living in communities characterised by low educational attainment are less likely than other youth to have the option of a lower contact alternative to tackle football. Relying on voluntary community-level adoption of lower contact alternatives to tackle football may result in inequitable access to such sport options. This may contribute to an inequitable burden of brain trauma from youth sport.
Actions, Knowledge, and Information

From the time of Isaac Newton until about 1925 science relegated consciousness to the role of passive viewer: our thoughts, ideas, and feelings were treated as impotent bystanders to a march of events wholly controlled by microscopically describable interactions between mechanically behaving microscopic basic elements. The founders of quantum mechanics made the revolutionary move of bringing conscious human experiences into basic physical theory in a fundamental way. After two hundred years of neglect, our thoughts were suddenly thrust into the limelight. This was an astonishing reversal of precedent because the enormous successes of the prior physics were due in large measure to the policy of excluding all mention of idea-like qualities from the formulation of the physical laws.
Heart rate fragmentation: using cardiac pacemaker dynamics to probe the pace of biological aging.

This perspectives article discusses the use of a novel set of dynamical biomarkers in the assessment of biological versus chronological age. The basis for this development is a recently delineated ...
Use of Dermaflage®, a silicone-based skin camouflage product, for treatment of medial canthal fistula

Medial canthal fistulas present a therapeutic challenge, given that the risk factors for development of this and similar complications also contribute to their difficulty to treat. Following surgical, chemotherapy and radiation treatment of a poorly differentiated sinonasal carcinoma, a 61 year old man failed internal and external rotational flap repair and declined further operative procedures; he was satisfied with a novel conservative treatment. This report describes use of Dermaflage®, a silicone-based skin camouflage and topical cutaneous filler product, to both resolve the symptoms of tearing and discharge through the fistula and mask the defect from the casual observer.
Transitioning Hospitalized Patients with Opioid Use Disorder from Methadone to Buprenorphine without a Period of Opioid Abstinence Using a Microdosing Protocol

Study objective Buprenorphine, a partial μ-opioid agonist, is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder that conventionally requires symptoms of withdrawal before initiation to avoid precipitating withdrawal. Our institution implemented a microdosing approach to transition patients from full μ-opioid agonists to buprenorphine without requiring patients to undergo a period of opioid abstinence. Little has been published about this strategy in the inpatient setting in the United States, and even less has been published dealing with the transition from methadone to buprenorphine. Our objective was to demonstrate that a microdosing protocol to transition patients from methadone to buprenorphine can be feasibly implemented in a U.S. hospital setting. Design Case series. Patients Three hospitalized adults with opioid use disorder who received a 1-week buprenorphine microdosing protocol. Measurements and main results In January 2019, we implemented a 1-week buprenorphine microdosing protocol for hospitalized adult patients with opioid use disorder who were initially stabilized on methadone and wished to start buprenorphine. We gave low-dose buprenorphine concurrently with each patient's full dose of methadone, and the buprenorphine dose was gradually titrated up over 7 days. On day 8, methadone was abruptly discontinued. The buprenorphine dose was further increased based on clinical judgment. All three patients were successfully transitioned from methadone 40-100 mg/day to buprenorphine 12-16 mg/day with minimal symptoms of opioid withdrawal. One patient relapsed and was lost to follow-up; two remained in treatment. Conclusion A protocol using microdosing of buprenorphine can successfully transition patients receiving full μ-opioid agonist therapy, including methadone, to buprenorphine without the need for a period of opioid abstinence.
Microbiology of Pediatric Sinusitis

In pediatric patients, viral upper respiratory infection is common. Approximately 10% of these patients will develop acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. The most common bacteria associated with acute rhinosinusitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Haemophilus influenzae. In chronic rhinosinusitis, defined as symptoms for greater than 3 months, bacteria interact with other factors including anatomic abnormalities, allergy, and immunodeficiencies. Polymicrobial infection is more common in chronic rhinosinusitis. Both acute and chronic sinusitis can have intracranial or extracranial complications. In these cases, there is an increasing role of staphylococci and anaerobes. An understanding of the microbiology of sinusitis guides proper antimicrobial selection. This chapter highlights the current concepts in the microbiology of acute, chronic, and complicated pediatric sinusitis.
Directional diffusion of surface gravity wave action by ocean macroturbulence

We use a multiple-scale expansion to average the wave action balance equation over an ensemble of sea-surface velocity fields characteristic of the ocean mesoscale and submesoscale. Assuming that the statistical properties of the flow are stationary and homogeneous, we derive an expression for a diffusivity tensor of surface-wave action density. The small parameter in this expansion is the ratio of surface current speed to gravity wave group speed. For isotropic currents, the action diffusivity is expressed in terms of the kinetic energy spectrum of the flow. A Helmholtz decomposition of the sea-surface currents into solenoidal (vortical) and potential (divergent) components shows that, to leading order, the potential component of the surface velocity field has no effect on the diffusivity of wave action: only the vortical component of the sea-surface velocity results in diffusion of surface-wave action. We validate our analytic results for the action diffusivity by Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulations through an ensemble of stochastic velocity fields.
Taking digital soil mapping to the field: Lessons learned from the Water Smart Agriculture soil mapping project in Central America

Abstract The goal of the Water Smart Agriculture (WSA) program is to improve food security in Central America through changes in policies, programs, and practices in water use efficiency. The Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) project is a component of WSA that aims to create human capital with knowledge and skills in sustainable soil and water management through the production of informative soil maps, under the guiding principle of “managing soils to manage water”. DSM provides a platform for producing detailed maps of soil types, properties and functions. However, the transition of DSM from research to operational levels brings a new set of challenges related to input, data processing and outputs. Training based on pilot projects was conducted to build local DSM capacity and infrastructure and incorporate tacit knowledge. The major challenges identified during the pilot stage of the DSM project were: (i) soil data availability, quality and compatibility; (ii) lack of DSM skills; and (iii) lack of product delivery platforms. Country teams comprised of members from public institutions and professional organizations were established. The multi-institutional and interdisciplinary country team adopted a participatory DSM approach and produced functional soil maps capable of supporting decisions at multiple levels.
Resilience protects against depression in people affected by stroke.

Commentary on : Zhou X, Liu Z, Zhang W, et al. Resilience is associated with post-stroke depression in Chinese stroke survivors: a longitudinal study. J Affect Disord 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) acknowledged that after a stroke patients might present with long-term or lifelong disabilities that can take weeks, months or even years to develop.1 One of the long-term conditions associated with stroke is depression.1 Patients may need treatment, therapy and care poststroke depression (PSD) …
Vessel-on-a-chip models for studying microvascular physiology, transport, and function in vitro

To understand how the microvasculature grows and remodels, researchers require reproducible systems that emulate the function of living tissue. Innovative contributions toward fulfilling this important need have been made by engineered microvessels assembled in vitro with microfabrication techniques. Microfabricated vessels, commonly referred to as "vessels-on-a-chip," are from a class of cell culture technologies that uniquely integrate microscale flow phenomena, tissue-level biomolecular transport, cell-cell interactions, and proper three-dimensional (3-D) extracellular matrix environments under well-defined culture conditions. Here, we discuss the enabling attributes of microfabricated vessels that make these models more physiological compared with established cell culture techniques and the potential of these models for advancing microvascular research. This review highlights the key features of microvascular transport and physiology, critically discusses the strengths and limitations of different microfabrication strategies for studying the microvasculature, and provides a perspective on current challenges and future opportunities for vessel-on-a-chip models.
Value Added Reporting Under Price Change Models

This paper illustrates the derivation of a value added statement under price change models. Consideration of both value added reporting and accounting for inflation provide better measures of profit and changes in wealth.
China's Homegrown Free-Speech Tradition: Imperial Past and Modern Present. And Post-Modern Future?

Freedom of speech, or the right to publicly criticize government officials and policies without being criminally prosecuted or otherwise deprived of personal liberty, is the most important right citizens have in nations claiming to be democratic, respect human rights, and follow the rule of law. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) Constitution grants citizens this right. But those exercising it in the political sphere have met grave problems since the PRC’s founding in 1949. Tension and conflict over free speech in China, however, are not only recent phenomena. They have existed for millennia. A recounting of six important free-speech cases throughout Chinese history shows why the ruling Communist Party should give ordinary citizens a greater say in public affairs to help fix the nation’s chronic legal and political problems and sustain breathtaking economic reforms begun in 1978. Albeit hard, this is the best way for the Party to save itself and avert full-blown social unrest in the short term as well as transform the PRC into more than the world’s sweatshop by century’s end.
Associations between domains of health-related quality of life and co-occurring emotional and behavioral problems in youth with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Background Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) can be used as a measure of the impact of a particular disorder on one’s daily functioning. Previous studies have found that comorbid psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are associated with poorer HRQoL than ASD alone. Less is known about potential associations between specific symptoms of co-occurring psychopathology (i.e., emotional and behavioral problems) and domains of functioning or HRQoL in youth with ASD. Method Participants were 470 children with ASD 2–14 years old recruited from one of three sites. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted with Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL; Varni, Seid, & Kurtin, 2001 ) HRQoL domains of physical functioning, emotional functioning, school functioning, and social functioning as the dependent variables. Covariates were entered at step 1, followed by the independent variables of interest at step 2: irritability, social withdrawal, stereotypic behavior, hyperactivity/noncompliance, and inappropriate speech. Results The study found that increased irritability was associated with poorer emotional and physical functioning and that greater social withdrawal was associated with worse social functioning. Furthermore, findings showed that more hyperactivity/noncompliance was associated with worse school functioning. Conclusions Results demonstrated that certain emotional and behavioral symptoms are differentially associated with domains of HRQoL. This indicates that emotional and behavioral problems should be considered when measuring HRQoL in children with ASD. It also suggests that treating co-occurring emotional/behavioral problems could improve HRQoL and functioning in certain domains for this population.
Threespine Stickleback: A Model System For Evolutionary Genomics.

The repeated adaptation of oceanic threespine sticklebacks to fresh water has made it a premier organism to study parallel evolution. These small fish have multiple distinct ecotypes that display a...
Black hole magnetic fields and their imprint on circular polarization images

The circular polarization of black hole accretion flows can encode properties of the underlying magnetic field structure. Using general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD) simulations, we study the imprint of magnetic field geometry on circular polarization images potentially observable by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). We decompose images into the different mechanisms that generate circular polarization in these models, which are sensitive to both the line of sight direction and twist of the magnetic field. In these models, a stable sign of the circular polarization over time, as observed for several sources, can be attributed to a stability of these properties. We illustrate how different aspects of a generic helical magnetic field geometry become imprinted on a circular polarization image. We also identify novel effects of light bending that affect the circular polarization image on event horizon scales. One consequence is the sign flipping of successive photon rings in face-on systems, which if observable and uncorrupted by Faraday rotation, can directly encode the handedness of the approaching magnetic field.
From "Homegrown" to Research-Ready: Converting an Existing Practitioner-Developed Violence Prevention Intervention Into an Evaluable Intervention.

There is an increased call for research on promising prevention programs already embedded in communities (“homegrown interventions”). Unfortunately, there is limited guidance to help researchers pr...
Ten Fraction Ultra-Central Thoracic Hypofractionated Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (hfSBRT): An Analysis of Outcomes, Dosimetry, and Toxicity.

Purpose/Objective(s) Treatment of ultra-central thoracic tumors, defined as tumors in which direct tumor abutment or planning target volume (PTV) overlap with the primary bronchial tree, great vessels or esophagus exists, remains challenging due to concern for treatment related toxicity and relative lack of dosimetric data to organs at risk (OARs). We report clinical outcomes, toxicity and dosimetric data for ultra-centrally located tumors. Materials/Methods Sixty-one ultra-centrally located lung tumors treated at a single institution between November 2009 and March 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and local control (LC) were calculated. Incidence and grade of treatment related toxicity were evaluated. Treatment dosimetry was analyzed. Results Median age at time of treatment was 70 years (38 to 96 years). Median follow up time was 14 months (1 to 102 months). Individuals underwent hfSBRT for primary (n = 21, 34%), limited metastatic (n = 17, 28%), or recurrent (n = 23, 38%) disease. Median treatment dose was 65 Gy (40 to 70 Gy), corresponding to a biologically effective dose (BED) of 107.25 Gy (56 to 119 Gy). Median PTV was 66cc (4 to 592cc). One- and three-year OS, PFS, and LC were 60%/24%, 37%/19%, and 84%/62% respectively. On univariate analysis, only treatment of locally recurrent disease was negatively correlated with LC (P = 0.026). This did not translate to inferior PFS or OS (P = 0.34 and 0.49 respectively). Median esophageal, maximum dose (Dmax) was 35 Gy, with a median V40 of 0cc. Median primary bronchial tree Dmax was 60 Gy, with a median V52 of 1.05cc. Median great vessel Dmax was 71 Gy, with a median V55.7 of 0.42cc. Grade 2 or higher pneumonitis was reported in 12 individuals (20%). This corresponded to 13% of individuals undergoing initial hfSBRT, and 30% of individuals undergoing re-irradiation (P = 0.09). Grade 3 or higher toxicity was reported in seven individuals (11%). This correlated to two grade 3 incidences of pneumonitis (one re-irradiation, one initial hfSBRT), one grade 3 esophagitis during re-irradiation (Dmax of 57.8 and V40 of 6.3cc), one grade 3 bronchial/tracheal fistula during initial hfSBRT (Dmax of 79.1 and V52 of 3.68cc), and three grade 5 hemoptysis events (all during re-irradiation). One hemoptysis event was categorized as “possibly” related to treatment, while the remaining two events were categorized as “unlikely” related to treatment with clear bronchoscopic or radiographic evidence of disease progression identified. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that 10-fraction ultra-central thoracic SBRT can be effectively administered with high rates of LC, favorable dosimetry, and acceptable rates of toxicity. Caution with re-treatment of ultracentral disease must be taken as this may be associated with increased toxicity, and inferior tumor control.
Development of a surrogate model for elemental analysis using a natural gamma ray spectroscopy tool

A systematic computational method for obtaining accurate elemental standards efficiently for varying borehole conditions was developed based on Monte Carlo simulations, surrogate modeling, and data assimilation. Elemental standards are essential for spectral unfolding in formation evaluation applications commonly used for nuclear well logging tools. Typically, elemental standards are obtained by standardized measurements, but these experiments are expensive and lack the flexibility to address different logging conditions. In contrast, computer-based Monte Carlo simulations provide an accurate and more flexible approach to obtaining elemental standards for formation evaluation. The presented computational method recognizes that in contrast to typical neutron-photon simulations, where the source is typically artificial and well characterized (Galford, 2009), an accurate knowledge of the source is essential for matching the obtained Monte Carlo elemental standards with their experimental counterparts. Therefore, source distributions are adjusted to minimize the L2 difference of the Monte Carlo computed and experimental standards. Subsequently, an accurate surrogate model is developed accounting for different casing and cement thicknesses, and tool positions within the borehole. The adjusted source distributions are then utilized to generate and validate spectra for varying borehole conditions: tool position, casing and cement thickness. The effect of these conditions on the spectra are investigated and discussed in this work. Given that Monte Carlo modeling provides much lower cost and more flexibility, employing Monte Carlo could enhance the processing of nuclear tool logging data computed standards.
The Center Manifold Theorem

In this section we will start to carry out the program outlined in Section 1 by proving the center manifold theorem. The general invariant manifold theorem is given in Hirsch-Pugh-Shub [1]. Most of the essential ideas are also in Kelley [1] and a treatment with additional references is contained in Hartman [1]. However, we shall follow a proof given by Lanford [1] which is adapted to the case at hand, and is direct and complete. We thank Professor Lanford for allowing us to reproduce his proof.
Proteome Characterization of Leaves in Common Bean

Dry edible bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a globally relevant food crop. The bean genome was recently sequenced and annotated allowing for proteomics investigations aimed at characterization of leaf phenotypes important to agriculture. The objective of this study was to utilize a shotgun proteomics approach to characterize the leaf proteome and to identify protein abundance differences between two bean lines with known variation in their physiological resistance to biotic stresses. Overall, 640 proteins were confidently identified. Among these are proteins known to be involved in a variety of molecular functions including oxidoreductase activity, binding peroxidase activity, and hydrolase activity. Twenty nine proteins were found to significantly vary in abundance (p-value < 0.05) between the two bean lines, including proteins associated with biotic stress. To our knowledge, this work represents the first large scale shotgun proteomic analysis of beans and our results lay the groundwork for future studies designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in pathogen resistance.
Hungry for Information: Public Attitudes Toward Food Nanotechnology and Labeling

What people think about food nanotechnology (nanofood) is under-explored in the United States, especially outside of quantitative surveys. As such, we set out to examine public attitudes toward food nanotechnology in conversational, focus group settings in order to identify policy options for nanofood governance, and in particular, options for labeling. Through analysis of focus groups in six U.S. locations, we found that the vast majority of the participants wanted nanotechnology labels for all types of food products, and most were willing to pay a premium for labeling. Participants cited abilities to choose and avoid potential risk as the main purposes of nanofood labels. However, they recognized that labels alone do not provide much meaning and that information concerning food nanotechnology products needs to be sought and supplied beyond the label to enable informed choices. Additionally, willingness-to-use and risk–benefit perceptions varied according to the position and intended functions of the nanomaterials in food products.
A peripheral giant cell granuloma with extensive osseous metaplasia or a hybrid peripheral giant cell granuloma-peripheral ossifying fibroma: a case report

Peripheral giant cell granuloma and peripheral ossifying fibroma are clinicopathologically distinct gingival lesions. Both are included in clinical differential diagnoses of common benign and reactive gingival epulides in humans. It is often impossible to make a clinical distinction between the two entities, thereby making definitive diagnosis dependent on histopathologic features. While our search of the English literature revealed several reports of peripheral giant cell granuloma with ‘bone formation’, we were unable to identify any reports of hybrid peripheral ossifying fibroma-peripheral giant cell granulomas. We report a case of a 44-year-old Caucasian man presenting with a three-month history of swelling of his right posterior mandible, related to an area of previous dental implant restoration. A clinical examination revealed modest extraoral facial swelling of his right posterior mandible, while an intraoral examination showed a 45×25×15mm sessile, lobular soft tissue mass of the right posterior mandibular gingiva. The mucosal covering of the lesion exhibited focal surface ulceration. A panoramic radiograph showed two implants at the vicinity of the lesion with no other significant findings. An excisional biopsy of the lesion followed by histopathologic examination of the biopsy specimen revealed salient and distinctive features of peripheral giant cell granuloma and of peripheral ossifying fibroma, estimated at near equal proportions. This raises the possibility of a hybrid odontogenic lesion. The presentation of this lesion, with areas of peripheral giant cell granuloma along with a distinct area of extensive osseous formation and stroma reminiscent of a peripheral ossifying fibroma, justifies consideration of this as a possible hybrid lesion. Although the biologic behavior of a combined lesion is not anticipated to deviate significantly from that of either of the single entities, this case resurrects an enduring debate as to whether peripheral giant cell granuloma and peripheral ossifying fibroma are simply parts of a disease spectrum, or whether some of these lesions represent true hybrid lesions. It is therefore recommended that more cases with histopathologic features similar to the lesion in our case be reported in the literature to further elucidate the histogenesis of these lesions.
Theories of Truth

A theory of truth is supposed to tell us what it is for something to be true or false. But what kind of “something” is at issue here? What are the bearers of truth and falsehood? Philosophical discussions of truth tend to revolve around four broad categories of truth bearers: sentences (utterances), statements (assertions), beliefs (judgments, thoughts), and propositions. The significant differences among these four categories are responsible for a considerable amount of complexity in the theory of truth. It seems unlikely that a single feature could account for ‘x is true’ with ‘x’ ranging over truth bearers of arbitrary type. Instead, a general theory of truth will have to take the form of a disjunction: x is true just in case x is either a true sentence or a true statement or a true belief or a true proposition. Here the general notion of truth is partitioned into four subnotions, sentence-truth, statement-truth, belief-truth, and proposition-truth, each of which will have to be given its own account. Still, the over-all theory will aim to show that the general notion of truth is not just a bare disjunction; it will aim to show that the subnotions are all tied (each in its own manner) to a single explanatory ground. One way to achieve this is by selecting a category of basic truth bearers and taking the associated subnotion of truth as primary, while treating the others as derived. The primary notion has to be explained in terms of some feature that does not itself contain any notion of truth. The derived notions have to be explained in terms of the primary notion together with certain relations that hold between the basic truth bearers, on the one hand, and the non-basic truth bearers on the other. A theory with this structure will give at least some unity to the general notion of truth.
Study of “Adsorption/Desorption” Phenomena on Friction Debris of Aircraft Brakes

This paper discusses the influence of humidity and landing energy on the "adsorption/desorption" phenomena of friction debris obtained from carbon-carbon composite brake materials. Debris samples were collected from three discrete C/C materials during subscale dynamometer disc on disc type testing at various energy and humidity conditions (25 % and 100 % of normal landing energy (NLE); 2, 50 and 90 % relative humidity (RH)). Samples have been characterized using Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR), Thermogravimetric Analysis coupled with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (TGA/FTIR) and specific surface area (Brunauer-Emmet-Teller - BET) methods. The amount of physisorbed, chemisorbed and decomposed species strongly depends on the applied testing (brake dynamometer) conditions. Specific surface areas of debris obtained from different samples of materials are ranging from 800 to 1300 m 2 /g. TPR analysis indicates two reaction ranges, the first reaction range between 350 °C and 600 °C, and the second from 450 °C to 800 °C (maximum at 475 °C and 680 °C, respectively). CO 2 and CO peaks detected using TGA/FTIR methods, occur as a result of decomposition of oxygen-containing functional groups that are formed by oxidation of the C/C during braking. The relative amount of these groups indicates the resistance of the brake materials to chemical reactivity.
Brownian Motion on the Figure Eight

In an interval containing the origin we study a Brownian motion which returns to zero as soon as it reaches the boundary. We determine explicitly its transition probability, prove it is ergodic and calculate the decay rate to equilibrium. It is shown that the process solves the martingale problem for certain asymmetric boundary conditions and can be regarded as a diffusion on an eight shaped domain. In the case the origin is situated at a rationally commensurable distance from the two endpoints of the interval we give the complete characterization of the possibility of collapse of distinct paths.
Democratization: Perspectives from Global Citizenries

During the past three decades, democracy has become a truly global phenomenon. This chapter discusses the important characteristics of the third wave of democratization in comparison to the earlier waves. How have the ordinary citizens of new democracies reacted to the process of democratizing their age-old authoritarian rule? How broadly and strongly have they embraced the values and norms of democracy as a political system and as a political process while rejecting those of authoritarian rule? What forces have oriented them toward or away from democracy? This essay addresses these two sets of questions concerning the contours, dynamics, and sources of the current wave of democratization still in progress from the perspectives of ordinary citizens.
Repeatability of gait analysis for measuring knee osteoarthritis pain in patients with severe chronic pain.

Gait measures are receiving increased attention in the evaluation of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Yet, there remains a need to assess variability of gait analysis in patients with knee osteoarthritis over time and how pain affects variation in these gait parameters. The purpose of this study was to determine if important gait parameters, such as the knee adduction moment, knee flexion moment, peak vertical ground reaction force, and speed, were repeatable in patients with mild-to-moderate knee OA over a trial period of 12 weeks. Six patients were enrolled in this cross-over study design after meeting strict inclusion criteria. Gait tests were conducted three times at 4 week intervals and once after the placebo arm of a randomized treatment sequence; each gait test followed a 2-week period of receiving a placebo for a pain modifying drug. Repeatability for each gait variable was found using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with a two-way random model. This study found that the knee adduction moment was repeatable throughout the four gait tests. However, normalized peak vertical ground reaction force and knee flexion moment were not as repeatable, varying with pain. This suggests that these gait outcomes could offer a more objective way to measure a patient's level of pain. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1007–1012, 2013
Synthesis of arbitrary digital transfer functions using allpass-based structures derived via LBR two-pair extraction procedure

The implementation of a digital filter transfer function with all transmission zeros on the unit circle is developed via the synthesis of an appropriate allpass function. The synthesis procedure is based on the “LBR-extraction” approach. The resulting structure is in the form of a doubly terminated cascade of lossless (LBR) two-pairs, with each two-pair realizing a single real or a pair of complex transmission zeros. The Concepts of complete and partial “1” removals, and “1” shifting are introduced and utilized during the synthesis process. The resulting structures have several properties in common with the Gray and Markel lattice filters, but do not require tap coefficients for numerator realization. The building blocks used in this paper are similar to those in certain wave-digital filters and orthogonal filters.
A short route to [11.11]betweenanene: Contrasting behavior in different ring sizes

Abstract Cyclododecanone (3b) was converted to [11.11]betweenanene (1b) in three steps via 1-cyclododecylcyclododecene (11b) and cis -bicyclo[11.11.0]tetracos-1(13)-ene (2b). The key betweenanene precursor 2b is also accessible by acid-catalyzed dehydration of the related C24 spirocyclic alcohol (7b).