cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IL1RAPL1 is associated with mental retardation in patients with complex glycerol kinase deficiency who have deletions extending telomeric of DAX1.

IL1RAPL1 (interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein-like, gene 1) has recently been shown to be mutated in patients with X-linked mental retardation. Clinical experience has suggested that patients with the contiguous gene syndrome, complex glycerol kinase deficiency (cGKD), will have mental retardation (MR) if they have deletions extending from the GK gene into the DMD gene and/or involving a significant extension telomeric from DAX1. We examined cell lines from patients with cGKD whose clinical features would be informative and would allow us to determine if IL1RAPL1 deletions can help to explain the MR in patients with deletions extending telomeric from DAX1. Our results showed that nearly all patients with deletions involving DAX1, but not DMD, had MR if IL1RAPL1 was deleted. If ILIRAPLI and DMD were intact, the patients with DAX1 deletions only rarely had normal development. Deletions in DNA from patients with cGKD who exhibited MR and had normal IL1RAPL1 all involved the GK and DMD genes. Our data are consistent with the association of IL1RAPL1 gene deletion and MR in the majority of patients with cGKD and deletions extending telomeric from DAX1. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Artificial limb for treadmill locomotor training with partial body weight support

Treadmill locomotor training with partial body weight support has shown promise for patients with neurological deficits that prevent them from walking. Although some successes have been seen, the procedure when performed by three physical therapists lacks quantitative data. This project involves creating an artificial leg to be hung from a frame over a treadmill as a simulation tool to collect meaningful data in an effort to understand how the procedure can best benefit patients and how physical therapists can be trained to perform the procedure uniformly.
A New Elastic Registration Algorithm of Medical Image Based on Markov-Gibbs Random Field Model and B-Spline Wavelet

A new elastic registration algorithm is proposed in this paper, which applies Markov-Gibbs random fields (MGRF) model to the elastic registration field of medical images. The algorithm is constructed by integrating the elastic registration algorithm based on B-spline wavelet and the priori knowledge of the maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation into a MGRF model. In the MGRF model, the reference and test images are the known conditions and B-spline wavelet is the basis function constructing the elastic deformation function. The coefficients of B-spline wavelet in the deformation function are the parameters to be evaluated. Various medical images are selected to verify the algorithm, which show that the new algorithm is superior to the elastic registration one without priori knowledge.
Effective volume of specimens in diametral compression

A calculation was performed to find the effective tensile volume for diametral compression tests of brittle materials. Both disc and spherical geometries were investigated. The effective volume equation for disc specimens separates into materials-dependent and geometry-dependent functions, which are separately solved. The effective volume equation for spherical specimens is mathematically more difficult and less enlightening.
A Review of Study Designs and Outcomes of Phase I Clinical Studies of Nanoparticle Agents Compared with Small-Molecule Anticancer Agents

Purpose: Nanoparticles or carrier-mediated agents have been designed to prolong drug circulation time, increase tumor delivery, and improve therapeutic index compared to their small-molecule counterparts. The starting dose for phase I studies of small molecules and nanoparticles anticancer agents is based on the toxicity profile of the most sensitive species (e.g., rat or canine), but the optimal animal model for these studies of nanoparticles is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the design, progression, and outcomes of phase I studies of nanoparticles compared with small-molecule anticancer agents. Experimental design: In preclinical studies, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in rats and dogs was evaluated for nanoparticles and their respective small molecules. In phase I clinical trials in patients with advanced solid tumors, the basis for starting dose, the number of dose escalations, number of patients enrolled, and the ratio of MTD to starting dose was determined for nanoparticles and small molecules. Results: The mean ratio of MTD to starting dose in clinical phase I studies was significantly greater for nanoparticles (13.9 ± 10.8) compared with small molecules (2.1 ± 1.1; P = 0.005). The number of dose levels in a clinical phase I study was also significantly greater for nanoparticles (7.3 ± 2.9) compared with small molecules (4.1 ± 1.5; P = 0.008). Conclusions: The degree of dose escalation from starting dose to MTD was significantly greater for nanoparticles as compared with small-molecule anticancer drugs. These findings necessitate the need to identify the most appropriate preclinical animal model to use when evaluating nanoparticles toxicity. Clin Cancer Res; 19(12); 3309–15. ©2013 AACR .
The illusion of independent agency: Do adult fiction writers experience their characters as having minds of their own?

The illusion of independent agency (IIA) occurs when a fictional character is experienced by the person who created it as having independent thoughts, words, and/or actions. Children often report this sort of independence in their descriptions of imaginary companions. This study investigated the extent that adult writers experience IIA with the characters they create for their works of fiction. Fifty fiction writers were interviewed about the development of their characters and their memories for childhood imaginary companions. Ninety-two percent of the writers reported at least some experience of IIA. The writers who had published their work had more frequent and detailed reports of IIA, suggesting that the illusion could be related to expertise. As a group, the writers scored higher than population norms in empathy, dissociation, and memories for childhood imaginary companions.
Species traits and environmental conditions govern the relationship between biodiversity effects across trophic levels

Changing environments can have divergent effects on biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships at alternating trophic levels. Freshwater mussels fertilize stream foodwebs through nutrient excretion, and mussel species-specific excretion rates depend on environmental conditions. We asked how differences in mussel diversity in varying environments influence the dynamics between primary producers and consumers. We conducted field experiments manipulating mussel richness under summer (low flow, high temperature) and fall (moderate flow and temperature) conditions, measured nutrient limitation, algal biomass and grazing chironomid abundance, and analyzed the data with non-transgressive overyielding and tripartite biodiversity partitioning analyses. Algal biomass and chironomid abundance were best explained by trait-independent complementarity among mussel species, but the relationship between biodiversity effects across trophic levels (algae and grazers) depended on seasonal differences in mussel species’ trait expression (nutrient excretion and activity level). Both species identity and overall diversity effects were related to the magnitude of nutrient limitation. Our results demonstrate that biodiversity of a resource-provisioning (nutrients and habitat) group of species influences foodweb dynamics and that understanding species traits and environmental context are important for interpreting biodiversity experiments.
Intraosseous infusions through non‐styletted needles

This pilot study investigated the potential use of non-styletted needles for intraosseous infusion using a cadaver model. The results suggested that, in emergency situations, fluids may be successfully infused intraosseously using non-styletted needles.
A-pattern strabismus with overdepression in adduction: a special type of bilateral skew deviation?

Background Skew deviation is an acquired vertical ocular misalignment caused by damage to the prenuclear vestibular inputs to the ocular motor nuclei. A-pattern strabismus often has bilaterally symmetric vertical incomitance and overdepression in adduction (superior oblique overaction) and can be associated with developmental delay, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, spina bifida, or posterior fossa or other brainstem disease. The purpose of this study is to describe the ocular motility and torsion findings in patients with A-pattern strabismus and bilateral overdepression in adduction (superior oblique muscle overaction) and to propose a possible brainstem mechanism underlying these observations. Results Most of the 13 patients identified had other neurologic abnormalities, including spina bifida, hydrocephalus, perinatal stroke, or global delay. Only 2 patients had vertical ocular misalignment in primary gaze. Of the 13, 7 had incomitant vertical tropias during lateral gaze, and 12 had bilateral incyclotorsion documented on fundus examination. Despite having bilateral overdepression in adduction (superior oblique overaction), 11 of the 13 had no difference in vertical ocular misalignment with alternating head tilt rather than reversing hypotropias as would be expected from primary oblique dysfunction. The findings are consistent with damage to the utricular pathways corresponding to the anterior semicircular canal and a resulting posterior canal predominance to the extraocular muscle subnuclei that creates increased tonus to the depressors, bilaterally. Conclusions A-pattern strabismus may, in some cases, represent a special form of skew deviation. The ocular motility and clinical findings are consistent with bilateral damage to the utricular pathways corresponding to the anterior semicircular canals rather than bilateral primary superior oblique muscle overaction.
Identification of Murine B-Cell and T-Cell Epitopes of Escherichia coli Outer Membrane Protein F with Synthetic Polypeptides

The major pore-forming outer membrane proteins (Omps) of gram-negative bacteria demonstrate numerous immunomodulating properties and are involved in the virulence of pathogenic strains. Because Escherichia coli OmpF is the best-characterized porin in terms of structural and functional characteristics, in vitro B-cell and T-cell responses to this porin in six different strains of mice were analyzed. Mice were immunized with purified OmpF trimers or overlapping synthetic polypeptides (20-mers) spanning the entire 340-amino-acid sequence of the OmpF monomer. T-cell proliferative responses and immunoglobulin G antibody responses to native OmpF and the peptide analogues were determined. For each strain, patterns of T-cell proliferation were similar regardless of whether native OmpF or synthetic peptides were inoculated, although all strains recognized one or more cryptic determinants. Mice exhibited several haplotype-specific responses, but genetically permissive epitopes were also identified. Four peptides (75-94, 265-284, 295-314, and 305-324) elicited strong T-cell proliferative responses from all strains of mice when mice were presensitized with native OmpF or a homologous peptide. In general, 10 or fewer peptides were recognized by sera from mice immunized with native OmpF or synthetic peptides, and most sera from peptide-immunized mice reacted poorly with the native protein. Four peptides spanning amino acids 45 to 64, 95 to 114, 115 to 134, and 275 to 294 were recognized by sera from all strains immunized with native OmpF but not by sera from peptide-immunized mice. Peptides 245-264 and 305-324 were universally recognized by sera from peptide-immunized mice, but these sera reacted weakly or were negative when tested against the native protein. Based on the pattern of cytokine secretion by proliferating T cells, immunization with native OmpF polarizes T helper cells toward development of a TH1 response. T-cell and B-cell responses have been investigated based on the assumption that differences in epitope specificity could influence protective or pathologic host reactions. Because of the high level of structural homology of OmpF to porins isolated from other enteric pathogens, the identification of T- and B-cell-stimulatory determinants of E. coli OmpF may have broader application.
Neuronal activity within the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray during simulated hemorrhage in conscious rabbits

The ventrolateral (vl) periaqueductal gray (PAG) has been proposed as a site responsible for the active process triggering the onset of hypotension (i.e., phase 2) during blood loss in conscious an...
Multiple Culprit Arteries in Patients With ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Referred for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

In most cases of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, only 1 epicardial artery contains an occluding thrombus, commonly referred to as the “culprit” artery. Rarely, however, patients present with >1 acutely thrombosed coronary artery (i.e., “multiple culprits”). The investigators present their experience with 18 patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions and angiographically documented multiple culprit arteries, provide a detailed review of an additional 29 patients previously reported, and summarize baseline characteristics, pertinent electrocardiographic and angiographic findings, laboratory values, and clinical outcomes for all 47 patients. In this case series, most patients were men (85%) with histories of tobacco use (49%). Although nearly 1/3 of the patients had isolated inferior ST-segment elevation on initial 12-lead electrocardiography, 50% of them had simultaneous thrombotic occlusions of the right coronary and the left anterior descending coronary arteries documented on coronary angiography. These patients were hemodynamically unstable on presentation, with >1/3 in cardiogenic shock. In most cases, no other potential predisposing factors were identified. In conclusion, patients with multiple culprit arteries in the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions represent a unique population with high rates of cardiogenic shock and no clear cause.
Vertical Velocity Structures in an Axisymmetric, Nonhydrostatic Tropical Cyclone Model

Abstract A statistical analysis of several experiments with different microphysical parameterizations in an axisymmetric, nonhydrostatic tropical cyclone model illustrates the impact of icc-phase microphysics on model vertical velocity structure. The parameterizations are designed to illustrate the effects of 1) thermodynamic input through latent heating, 2) vertical sorting of microphysical species by fallspeed, and 3) different rates of the parameterized microphysical conversion processes. The results confirm previous studies on the thermodynamic effect of melting, but they also show that the other factors, namely, fallspeed and microphysical conversion rates, are important in determining model vertical velocity structure and evolution. Statistical summaries of updrafts and downdrafts show distinct increases in the intensity and horizontal scale of downdrafts near the melting level when parameterized snow is included. Model storms without snow show a greater percentage of convective-scale updrafts and d...
Avidin, a Potential Biopesticide and Synergist to Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins Against Field Crop Insects

A meridic diet was supplemented with avidin at various concentrations to determine its effects on growth and mortality of three lepidopteran insects: Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), and Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hubner). All insects were placed on diet immediately after hatching and observed until death or pupation occurred. At a concentration of 10 ppm, avidin had little or no effect on growth and mortality compared with the control. However at a concentration of 100 ppm almost all tested insects were killed. H. zea was further tested by adding sublethal concentrations of Bt (Cry1Ac) in the diet containing avidin. The synergistic effect was significant, with mortality increasing to 44.4% over additive mortality (21.6%) of Bt and avidin.
The Geometrical Theory of a Special Majority

There is nothing I wish to add to the arithmetical treatment of a committee using a special majority, given in Chapter XII of my Theory of Committees and Elections (1958). The geometrical theory of a special majority is difficult, because of a certain asymmetry which exists, by contrast with the symmetrical relationships, for the case in which a simple majority is in use. The following pages seek to improve on the geometrical treatment given in the work. My aim has been to convey the broad nature of the way in which a special majority works, providing proofs for the main cases that arise, and indicating the other cases for which proofs could be constructed, but are not given in this paper.
What's Race Got to Do with It: Black Presidents and Democracy?

Using the 2008 and 2010 American National Election Studies, and drawing and building upon the work of Katherine Tate, this paper investigates the influence of an Obama presidency on American political attitudes, looking specifically at those of White and Black Americans. While much of the extant literature relevant to this topic, and discussed in this paper, focuses on the ability of legislators to represent African Americans and what political representation means to presidents, this research goes beyond previous work to explore what it means to have a Black president. More importantly, it asks and seeks to help answer the question of why a Black president is important for Black people. The findings are expected to shed light on what impact an Obama presidency may have on American political attitudes across racial lines.
Angry characters and frightened souls: Patients and family explanatory models of bipolar disorder in Taiwan.

Bipolar disorder (BD) affects a significant proportion of Taiwanese individuals (Weissman et al., 1996; Yang, Yeh, & Hwu, 2012). Psychotropic medications are typically the mainstay of treatment for...
0225 Do-it-yourself Simulation

Background Delivering courses for advanced practical procedures is one of the main roles of simulation-based education.1,2 This is useful for procedures that doctors do not get the opportunity to routinely practise in the real hospital environment, in order to keep their skills up to date. Each part task trainer can simulate a single procedure, and as they are expensive to purchase, cost-effective issues arise for simulation centres and organisations. We deliver a course for temporary trans-venous pacing for junior doctors. Most of the candidates have not done or seen the procedure in real life and are not familiar with the pacing box. Purchasing a pacing box to demonstrate its use, costs around $2000. Description of innovation We created a temporary pacing box, with the ability to demonstrate all the characteristics and the uses of a real simulator, with the cost effective price of $2. We took advantage of a used box of chocolates, on which we fixed three buttons, that we are able to turn clockwise and anti-clockwise 360 °s. Around the buttons we wrote all the variables that exist on a real box, and the numbers in SI units, as they are in reality. Improvements/outcomes We use the above box during our temporary trans-venous pacing courses, and are able to select rate, output and sensitivity, as we would do exactly with a real box. During the course, we connect it with a simulated monitor and control the pacing changes accordingly. Take home messages Although simulation has been recommended as an important educational tool (3), in order for simulation-based educational courses to be sustainable, they have to be cost effective. “Do-it-Yourself Simulation” is a good start to reduce costs from the onset. We continue thinking of ways to save costs in multiple courses with do-it-yourself simulators. References 1. Aggarwall R, Mytton O, Derbrew M, Hananel D, Heydenburg M, Issenberg B, MacAulay C, Mancini M, Morimoto T, Soper N, Ziv A, Reznick R. (2010). Training and simulation for patient safety. BMJ Quality and Safety . 19 (2), 34–43 2. Wang E, Quinones J, Fitch M, Dooley-Hash S, Griswold-Theodorson S, Medson R, Korley F, Laack T, Robinett A, Clay L. (2008). Developing Technical Expertise in Emergency Medicine—The Role of Simulation in Procedural Skill Acquisition. Academic Emergency Medicine . 15 (11), 1046–1057 3. Donaldson L. (2008). Chief Medical Officer Report. Available: . Last accessed 13 September 2014
The HMO Laboratory: A Preliminary Investigation

The growing emphasis on cost containment along with the advent of prospective payment have had a significant impact on the nature of health care delivery in the United States. Recent trends have included a decentralization of health care services with a trend toward managed outpatient delivery and a subsequent decline in hospital dominance. In the past decade, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) have been established as cost-effective alternatives to traditional hospital-based care. This study represents a collaborative effort involving HMO administration, allied health faculty, and allied health administrators. The investigators carried out a survey of group and staff model HMOs in the United States. The purpose of this initial study was to gather descriptive data regarding the current status of allied health professionals in these settings. It is evident from these data that HMOs provide alternative employment settings for a variety of allied health professionals including clinical laboratory scientists. These laboratories provide less labor and technology-intensive settings with subsequent nontraditional role expectations including a demand for multicompetent professionals.
An Analysis of the Total Parenteral Nutrition Prescriptions in Neonatal Surgery in Our Hospital

Objective:To analyze the usage of the medicine of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in the neonatal surgery in our hospital in order to provide some references for rational use in clinic. Methods:Cases and their TPN prescriptions from March 2007 to October 2008 were collected and analyzed statistically. Results:The usage of TPN helped patients get through the critical course of disease,improved the success rate of operation,reduced complications. But there were some problems in a few prescriptions. It's not conducive to the stability of TPN and the utilization of nutrition for neonates. Conclusions:Rational combined design with early small volume feeding improves clinical safety and efficacy.
Cluster analysis on epidemiological characteristic of hand-foot-mouth disease in Hunan Province(2008-2013)

Objective To describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease in Hunan province from 2008 to 2013,and discuss the priority of its prevention and control. Methods The epidemic data of hand-foot-mouth disease in Hunan province from 2008 to 2013 were clustering analyzed by SPSS13. 0 to describe the epidemiological characteristics. The data of《Hunan statistical yearbook- 2013》were used to analysis the economic and social development level in different regions. Combined with the professional knowledge to assess the relationship between economic and social development levels and incidence between regions. Results Comprehensive evaluation showed that the key areas for control and prevention in Hunan Province were Xiangxi,Changsha,Chenzhou,Yongzhou,Yiyang,Loudi. There was correlation between the key areas where strengthening control was needed with the level of social economic development. Conclusion The epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease in Hunan province had obvious relationship with peak months and prevalent regions,which were associated with local economic and social development situation,targeted strategies should be taken to strengthen the prevention and control of hand-foot-mouth disease.
Scalable Microblogs Data Management

Microblogs, e.g., tweets, reviews, or comments on news websites and social media, have become so popular among web users that many applications are exploiting them for different types of analysis. The distinguishing characteristics of microblogs have motivated a lot of research for managing such data. However, the developed technology for microblogs is still scattered efforts here and there which leads to several data management gaps that limits supporting microblogs-centric applications end-to-end. Our research aims to provide a holistic system approach to manage microblogs data, so that whoever builds new functionality on microblogs can seamlessly exploit a single data management system to power his applications. In this paper, we present a full proposal for Kite; the first holistic system that provides end-to-end management for microblogs data. Kite aims to fill the gap in existing systems to support scalable queries with selective search criteria on data that comes in high velocity and adds up to large volumes (billions of records). To this end, the system is going to exploit and extend the infrastructure of Apache Spark system. Throughout the paper, we represent a roadmap for the accomplished contributions, on-going contributions towards the first cut realization of Kite, and future contributions to iteratively improve the system maturity and capabilities.
Multiplicity Am models

Models generalizing the su(2) XX spin-chain were recently introduced. These XXC models also have an underlying su(2) structure. Their construction method is shown to generalize to the chains based on the fundamental representations of the A m Lie algebras. Integrability of the new models is shown in the context of the quantum inverse scattering method. Their R -matrix is found and shown to yield a representation of the Hecke algebra. The diagonalization of the transfer matrices is carried out using the algebraic Bethe Ansatz. I comment on eventual generalizations and possible links to reaction-diffusion processes.
Periodic Ripple Structures on Semiconductors Under Picosecond Pulse Illumination

We can routinely generate spontaneous periodic surface structures or ripples on both semiconductors and metals, using either single or multiple TEM00 Nd:YAG pulses with durations of ≤ 100 ps at 1.06 μm or 80 ps at 532 nm [1]. We believe these ripples evolve through stimulated growth of surface corrugations on molten surfaces, and offer theoretical evidence to this end. Results of two-pulse experiments which test another recently suggested model are also presented.
The Flow of Earnings Information to the Market: Evidence from Analyst Forecasts

Prior to a firm’s earnings announcement, the capital market receives earnings-relevant information from a wide array of sources. While prior research isolates specific incentives that influence the timeliness of particular disclosures, our understanding of how these forces combine to influence the aggregate timeliness of earnings information to the market is limited. In this study, I use daily analyst forecasts to examine the arrival of earnings information to the market and assess how its timeliness varies with the direction and magnitude of the earnings news. Despite managers’ career-driven incentives to leak good news and withhold bad news, I document that the flow of earnings information to the market is significantly more timely for bad news than for good news. This asymmetry, however, is reduced for more extreme earnings news. That is, as the magnitude of the earnings news increases, good news becomes more timely whereas bad news becomes less timely. Collectively, my results are most consistent with a scenario where managers face a tradeoff between current stock price implications and future reporting reputation benefits.
Knee Pain and Activity Outcomes After Femoral Derotation Osteotomy for Excessive Femoral Anteversion.

BACKGROUND Excessive femoral anteversion is a developmental condition that can become symptomatic into adolescence and manifest as anterior knee pain, tripping, and or problems with sports. Femoral derotational osteotomy about an antegrade intramedullary nail (IMN) is an accepted option to treat this condition. This is the first report of the clinical and functional outcomes of treatment of excessive anteversion with femoral derotational osteotomy stabilized with an IMN. METHODS We prospectively enrolled 28 consecutive patients between 2013 and 2014 who underwent derotational osteotomy. Physical examination measures were used to calculate the amount of angular correction with focus on internal and external rotation of the hip, as well as the trochanteric prominence angle test of femoral anteversion. The International Knee Documentation Committee-9, Marx, and Tegner activity scales were 3 patient-reported outcomes recorded. RESULTS After femoral derotation osteotomy over an IMN, femoral anteversion, as measured by the trochanteric prominence angle, improved an average of 29 degrees (P<0.0001). At 1-year minimum follow-up, 22 of 28 subjects (78.5%) demonstrated a mean significant improvement of 13 points for International Knee Documentation Committee-9 (SD=15.4, P=0.0007), which surpassed the level of minimal clinically important change. Furthermore, the Tegner inventory scores for the cohort improved by an average of 1.9 activity levels (SD=2.4, P=0.0012). CONCLUSIONS For adolescents with symptomatic excessive femoral anteversion, derotational osteotomy over an IMN offers a reliable surgical option that provides predictable deformity correction and significant improvements in both function and pain scales. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE Level II-prospective, consecutive, nonrandomized, internally controlled cohort study.
An Evolutionary Game for Efficient Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks

One of the major challenges in a wireless sensor network (WSN) is to extend the network's lifetime by minimizing the energy consumption. One of the ways to do so is to reduce network congestion as it increases delays and introduces additional packet collisions- thus, adversely affecting network performance. In this paper, we analyze this issue in routing and take an evolutionary game theoretic approach to show how sensor nodes in a WSN could evolve their routing strategies to transmit data packets in an efficient and stable manner. We derive the equilibrium state for the routing game and prove that there is no mutant- an individual node that adopts another strategy to invade the evolutionary stable strategy (ESS). In addition, we introduce a replicator dynamic model to show the behavior of nodes with various strategies over time. The proposed equilibrium solution aims to alleviate congestion and thereby improves the network lifetime. Simulation results show that the proposed system is successful in converging strategy choices to ESS even under dynamic network conditions.
Oncogenic H-ras facilitates apoptosis induced by histone deacetylase inhibitors in human urinary bladder cancer cells

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 689 We sought to understand the connection between the selectivity of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs), a new class of anticancer agents shown to induce apoptosis in transformed cancer cells, and the pro-apoptotic ability of oncogenic H-Ras to facilitate that apoptosis. More than 35% of human urinary bladder cancers involve oncogenic H-Ras activation. In addition to tumorigenic ability, oncogenic H-Ras possesses a novel pro-apoptotic potential to facilitate the induction of apoptosis by HDACIs, which are highly toxic to transformed cells. To understand this connection, we introduced oncogenic H-Ras into urinary bladder J82 cancer cells to mimic an acquisition of H-ras gene activation in tumor development. Expression of oncogenic H-Ras promoted J82 cells to acquire tumorigenic ability. Meanwhile, oncogenic H-Ras increased susceptibility and reduced resistance of J82 cells to HDACIs, including FR901228 and Trichostatin A (TSA), for inducing apoptosis. The extrinsic and intrinsic caspase pathways, the B-Raf and extracellular signal regulatory kinase (ERK) pathway, the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathway, the cell cycle dependent kinase inhibitors p21Cip1 and p27Kip1, and core histone contents are regulated differently by FR901228 in oncogenic H-Ras-expressed J82 cells than their counterparts in parental J82 cells, contributing to the increased susceptibility to the induction of selective apoptosis. Our results lead us to a suggestion that HDACIs activate the pro-apoptotic potential of oncogenic H-Ras, indicating a potential therapeutic value of this new class of anticancer agents in the control of human urinary bladder cancer that has acquired oncogenic H-Ras.
Should tsunami simulations include a nonzero initial horizontal velocity

Tsunami propagation in the open ocean is most commonly modeled by solving the shallow water wave equations. These equations require initial conditions on sea surface height and depth-averaged horizontal particle velocity or, equivalently, horizontal momentum. While most modelers assume that initial velocity is zero, Y.T. Song and collaborators have argued for nonzero initial velocity, claiming that horizontal displacement of a sloping seafloor imparts significant horizontal momentum to the ocean. They show examples in which this effect increases the resulting tsunami height by a factor of two or more relative to models in which initial velocity is zero. We test this claim with a “full-physics” integrated dynamic rupture and tsunami model that couples the elastic response of the Earth to the linearized acoustic-gravitational response of a compressible ocean with gravity; the model self-consistently accounts for seismic waves in the solid Earth, acoustic waves in the ocean, and tsunamis (with dispersion at short wavelengths). Full-physics simulations of subduction zone megathrust ruptures and tsunamis in geometries with a sloping seafloor confirm that substantial horizontal momentum is imparted to the ocean. However, almost all of that initial momentum is carried away by ocean acoustic waves, with negligible momentum imparted to the tsunami. We also compare tsunami propagation in each simulation to that predicted by an equivalent shallow water wave simulation with varying assumptions regarding initial velocity. We find that the initial horizontal velocity conditions proposed by Song and collaborators consistently overestimate the tsunami amplitude and predict an inconsistent wave profile. Finally, we determine tsunami initial conditions that are rigorously consistent with our full-physics simulations by isolating the tsunami waves from ocean acoustic and seismic waves at some final time, and backpropagating the tsunami waves to their initial state by solving the adjoint problem. The resulting initial conditions have negligible horizontal velocity.
RACER‐GRASP: Respiratory‐weighted, aortic contrast enhancement‐guided and coil‐unstreaking golden‐angle radial sparse MRI

Purpose To develop and evaluate a novel dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging technique called RACER-GRASP (Respiratory-weighted, Aortic Contrast Enhancement-guided and coil-unstReaking Golden-angle RAdial Sparse Parallel) MRI that extends GRASP to include automatic contrast bolus timing, respiratory motion compensation, and coil-weighted unstreaking for improved imaging performance in liver MRI. Methods In RACER-GRASP, aortic contrast enhancement (ACE) guided k-space sorting and respiratory-weighted sparse reconstruction are performed using aortic contrast enhancement and respiratory motion signals extracted directly from the acquired data. Coil unstreaking aims to weight multicoil k-space according to streaking artifact level calculated for each individual coil during image reconstruction, so that coil elements containing a high level of streaking artifacts contribute less to the final results. Self-calibrating GRAPPA operator gridding was applied as a pre-reconstruction step to reduce computational burden in the subsequent iterative reconstruction. The RACER-GRASP technique was compared with standard GRASP reconstruction in a group of healthy volunteers and patients referred for clinical liver MR examination. Results Compared with standard GRASP, RACER-GRASP significantly improved overall image quality (average score: 3.25 versus 3.85) and hepatic vessel sharpness/clarity (average score: 3.58 versus 4.0), and reduced residual streaking artifact level (average score: 3.23 versus 3.94) in different contrast phases. RACER-GRASP also enabled automatic timing of the arterial phases. Conclusions The aortic contrast enhancement-guided sorting, respiratory motion suppression and coil unstreaking introduced by RACER-GRASP improve upon the imaging performance of standard GRASP for free-breathing dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the liver. Magn Reson Med 80:77-89, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Tensorial Brain Theory in Cerebellar Modelling

For the last century and a half, the cerebellum (CB) has been known as the part of the brain that performs the most lucid global function: motor coordination (cf. classical treatises by Flourens, 1842; Sherrington, 1906; Holmes, 1939: Dow and Moruzzi, 1958; or recent review in Towe and Luschei, 1981). Experimentalists have also been enticed by the ”crystalline” elegance of the microarchitecture of this remarkable neuronal circuitry (cf. pioneering studies by Purkinje, 1837; Golgi, 1874; Ramon y Cajal, 1911; and modern analyses by Palkovits et al., 1972; Oscarsson, 1973; Palay and ChanPalay, 1974; Voogd and Bigare, 1980; and Hillman this volume). As a result, the CB has been studied by now in more detail than virtually any other part of the brain (cf. reviews in Eccles et al., 1967; Llinas, 1969a, 1981; Palay and Chan-Palay, 1982). Based on these pillars of general and detailed knowledge, attempts have also been made to erect a structure in order to show how knowledge of the functioning may be built into an understanding of neural function (cf. reviews in Szentagothai, 1968; Pellionisz, 1979a; Llinas and Simpson, 1981; Ito, 1984). Such understanding may ultimately be utilized in medicine (Mann, 1981; Dichgans this volume, Gilman this volume), as well as in novel applications, eg. in the construction of brain-like machines (Albus, 1981; Marr, 1982; Loeb, 1983; Pellionisz, 1983b).
Financialization of work, value, and social organization among transnational soy farmers in the Brazilian Cerrado

This article describes the financialization of work, value, and social organization in a transnational community of soy farmers in the Brazilian Cerrado. This community originally migrated from the US Midwest to the Brazilian Cerrado in search of large tracts of cheap and productive land. While these farmers migrated to Brazil in pursuit of the reproduction of farming livelihoods and values, they adopted new forms of work, new values of farming, and new social organization on the farm. Based on fourteen months of ethnographic research on two transnational soyâ€ farming communities in Brazil, this article analyzes the operations of capital and the emergence of financialized farming. US family farmers purchased massive tracts of Brazilian farmland for soy production, often financed by neighboring farmerâ€ investors, and transitioned from midâ€ scale farmers to largeâ€ scale farm managers. This transition entailed a shift in forms of work from the field to the office and a corporatization of the farm decisionâ€ making process, shifting from family centered to investor centered. Consequently, farmers placed less value on traditional measures of a good farmer, such as yield, and greater value on financialized measures of a good farmer, including return on investment, land acquisition, and accounting practices. This research supports the framework of financialization as a situated process that emerges out of practice and reworks economic and social organization.
Toward Robust Models of Cyber Situation Awareness

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing worldwide concern that provides a novel, multifaceted problem space for Human Factors researchers. Current models of Cyber Situation Awareness (CSA) have begun to identify the foundational elements with respect to individual analysts. We propose that the CSA models can be augmented to include awareness of end user behaviors and favor knowledge of the cyber threat landscape. In this paper, we present a review of current CSA models and definitions. We then expand upon existing models by considering how they apply at the user level or in the incorporation of diverse and distributed participating agents, such as end-users and adversaries.
Excitation Transport Kinetics in Vapor-Deposited Naphthalene

Transport and reactions in heterogeneous, disordered or low-dimensional media are characterized by non-classical kinetic behavior. Spectroscopic and kinetic studies of structurally and energetically disordered naphthalene are presented. The samples, prepared by vapor deposition at low temperatures, are shown to be heterogeneous and to consist of two types of domains: nearly crystalline (type I) and highly disordered (type II). Naphthalene singlet excimers and 1-hydronaphthyl radical are produced in type II regions. The temperature dependence of the steady-state fluorescence spectrum between 5 and 85 K is used to show that thermally-activated singlet exciton transport occurs in regions of both types, as well as from type Ito II. We have analyzed the kinetics of triplet-triplet annihilation in type Il domains through delayed fluorescence decays. The kinetics are shown to be non-classical and described by a time-dependent rate coefficient of the form k(t) ∝ t−h with h ≃ 0.5.
Preeclampsia: a perturbation of the maternal-fetal balance?

Discussion of the risk factors, diagnostic signs, and treatment of preeclampsia and one of the possible hypothesis concerning its pathophysiology. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Measurement and origin of tape edge damage in a linear tape drive

Integrity of the magnetic tape edge is the key to maintaining high performance of modern tape drives. Damage to the tape edge under normal drive operation results in the change in tape dimensions and debris generation, both leading to degradation in the reproduction of the recorded signal. The objective of the present study is to develop a methodology for evaluation of tape edge quality and to apply the methodology to monitor tape edge degradation under normal drive operation. Optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are employed to study and quantify the quality of the tape edge. AFM measure-ments were made on both individual tape layers and the tape reel. An edge quality measurement technique is used to quantify the damage to tape edge. A technique for the tape lateral motion measurement is used to study the effect of continuous sliding on tape guiding. A lateral force measurement technique is developed to measure the force exerted by the tape edge on the guide flange. The effect of normal drive operation on tape edge quality and on tape guiding in a linear tape drive is studied. It is shown that two edges of a factory-slit tape are imperfect and different, with cracking of the magnetic coating occurring at one edge. Under normal drive operation, one edge experiences more wear with larger amount of debris produced. This larger debris generation occurs on the edge with cracks developed during manufacturing. A possible mechanism of tape edge wear under normal drive operation is proposed.
A new access route to dimetal sandwich complexes, including a radical anion.

The amide in Cr[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2 is displaced by equimolar [K(18-crown-6)][naphthalene] to form the dimetal sandwich Cr2(naphthalene)2− as a radical anion paired with [K(18-crown-6)]+. Two Cr atoms in the sandwich do not form any multiple Cr/Cr bonds, and instead each interacts with one naphthalene in an η6 fashion and with the second naphthalene in an η4 connectivity mode. The naphthalene C/C distances show the effect of back donation from two chromium atoms to a greater extent than simply by 1 electron ring reduction, in comparison to the naphthalene radical anion. The SOMO of the product was established by variable temperature EPR spectroscopy, and the atom ratios and elemental purity were supported by XPS. The possible generality of the displacement of N(SiMe3)2− from a low valent metal is discussed.
Mindfulness, Compassion, and Prosocial Behaviour

This chapter reviews the scientific research investigating the impact of mindfulness and related meditation techniques on compassion and prosocial behaviour. Of greatest interest, the neural effects of compassion training predicted increased altruistic behaviour in an economic transaction. Many studies have examined the impact of mindfulness, loving-kindness, or compassion training on self-reported compassion and social connection. A number of studies have employed behavioural measures to indirectly assess compassion and prosocial action resulting from mindfulness training. The review of mindfulness mechanisms raises questions about how they could help overcome social pressures that typically reduce helping in bystander contexts. Classic social psychological theory and research postulated a number of processes that interfere with helping in bystander contexts, which could be modulated by mindfulness-based mechanisms. A number of factors have been conceptualized as mechanisms that explain how mindfulness produces various cognitive and emotional benefits, many of which may be relevant to interpersonal behaviours and one’s readiness to help others in need.
Linked Picolinamide Nickel Complexes as Redox Carriers for Nonaqueous Flow Batteries.

The use of nickel complexes utilizing non-innocent ligands based on picolinamide to function as redox carriers in flow batteries was explored. The picolinamide moiety was linked together with -CH2 CH2 - (bpen), -CH2 CH2 CH2 - (bppn), and -C6 H4 - (bpb) moieties, resulting in two, three, and four quasi-reversible waves, respectively, for the nickel complexes and >3 V difference between the outermost positive and negative waves. The redox events were theoretically modelled for each complex, showing excellent agreement (<0.3 V difference) between the experimental and modelled potentials. Bulk cycling of the most soluble complex, Ni(bppn), indicated only one of the three waves was reversible. Therefore, Ni(bppn) has the ability to act as a negative charge redox carrier in flow cells.
Abstract A19: PD-1 modulation promotes antitumor immunity by improving metabolic fitness of both PD-1+ and PD-1- CD8+ T cells in the tumor

Although PD-1 pathway inhibitors are revolutionizing cancer treatment, the mechanisms by which PD-1 regulates anti-tumor immunity are not fully understood. Following subcutaneous transplantation of MC38 adenocarcinoma tumor cells into mice, we show that complete loss of PD-1 selectively on CD8+ T cells improved metabolic activity and functions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Since clinically PD-1 inhibitors likely act on T cells post-priming, we next deleted PD-1 after initial priming and restricted deletion to roughly 50% of cells. Loss of PD-1 led to T cell-intrinsic boosts in metabolism and CD8+ T cells that lost PD-1 after priming preferentially formed anti-tumor memory cells, suggesting PD-1 antagonizes memory formation. Unexpectedly, there was also a bystander effect that improved functions of PD-1 expressing CD8+ T cells in the TME. These data suggest that complete loss of PD-1 is not necessary for optimal tumor immunity, and that enhancing the functions of a subset of CD8+ T cells can promote an antitumor microenvironment and immunologic memory. Citation Format: Kristen E. Pauken, Vikram R. Juneja, Peter T. Sage, Martin W. LaFleur, Juhi R. Kuchroo, Alison Ringel, Noga Ron-Harel, Seth P. Maleri, Gordon J. Freeman, Nicolas Chevrier, Marcia C. Haigis, Arlene H. Sharpe. PD-1 modulation promotes antitumor immunity by improving metabolic fitness of both PD-1+ and PD-1- CD8+ T cells in the tumor [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2017 Oct 1-4; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2018;6(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A19.