cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Routine Urinalysis in Asymptomatic Pediatric Patients

This study was done to evaluate the spectrum of diagnoses and identify risk factors for significant kidney disease in asymptomatic children with proteinuria and/or microhematuria detected by routine urinalysis. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained by retrospective chart review of 239 patients referred to a tertiary care center. The predominant diagnosis in children with isolated microhematuria was hypercalciuria and with isolated proteinuria, orthostatic proteinuria. When microhematuria and proteinuria were present in combination, kidney disease was the predominant diagnosis. Urinalysis is a valuable tool to identify patients with kidney disease. The combination of microhematuria and proteinuria increases the risk of having significant kidney disease.
Juvenile and adult hardhead Mylopharodon conocephalus oxygen consumption rates: effects of temperature and swimming velocity

California’s populations of hardhead Mylopharodon conocephalus, a species of special concern, have declined, possibly due to dam construction with consequent temperature and water-velocity changes, and the introduction of non-native species. Environmental temperature effects on this large (to 60 cm SL) cyprinid, and its swimming abilities, are not well known. To address these deficiencies and to assist conservation efforts, we measured resting and swimming metabolic rates of adult and juvenile hardhead acclimated to four temperatures (11, 16, 21, or 25 °C). Resting metabolic rates (RMR, mg O2 kg−0.79 h−1) generally increased with acclimation temperature, in adults and juveniles, with low to moderate thermal sensitivity (Q10 range: 1.33–2.04). Swimming metabolic rates, in Brett-style respirometers, of adults ranged from 209 to 1342 mg O2 kg−1 h−1 at velocities from 30 to 90 cm s−1, and juveniles ranged from 393 to 769 mg O2 kg−1 h−1 from 10 to 50 cm s−1. Adults were lethargic at 11 °C and juveniles frequently refused to swim at 11 and 16 °C, but all fish swam well at 21 and 25 °C. These results suggest that hardhead are well-suited for sustained aerobic activity over a range of flow velocities, at moderate temperatures (ca. 16 to 21 °C). However, juveniles, emerging in spring, may not be able to perform in cold water and/or high flow velocities, providing a caution to dam managers and regulators to avoid spring and summer operations whereby juveniles experience conditions outside of those occurring in unregulated rivers.
Role of Oxygen Motion in the Temperature Dependence of ΔE in Oxyhemoglobin and Model Compounds

Hemoglobin is the most intensively studied of the biological macromolecules; it has served and continues to serve as the proving ground for techniques and ideas which are leading toward a detailed understanding of life processes in general. In view of the fact that reversible combination with oxygen is the primary function of this molecule, it is a sobering thought to realize that the nature of the attachment of the oxygen is only poorly understood. There is no general agreement on the disposition of bonding electrons. General agreement as to the geometric arrangement of the oxygen and the iron atom of the binding site has been achieved only recently. The oxygenated form of hemoglobin, having spin-paired electrons, is EPR-silent. Fortunately, however, a site-specific probe is available in the form of 57Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy.
Behavior of Ions in Soils and Plant Responses

The chemical elements that function in ecosystems appear as neutral atoms, molecules, and electrically charged ions.
Terrorism, Bargaining, and Credible Commitments

What explains the variation in terrorism within and across political regimes? We contend that terrorism is most likely to occur in contexts in which governments cannot credibly restrain themselves from abusing their power in the future. We consider a specific institutional arrangement, whether a state has an independent judiciary, and hypothesize that independent judiciaries make government commitments more credible, thereby providing less incentive for the use of terrorism. Using a recently released database that includes transnational and domestic terrorist events from 1970-1997, we estimate a set of statistical analyses appropriate for the challenges of terrorism data and then examine the robustness of the results. The results provide support for the credible commitment logic and offer insights into the different ways that political institutions increase or decrease terrorism.
Domain wall in a quantum anomalous Hall insulator as a magnetoelectric piston

We theoretically study the magnetoelectric coupling in a quantum anomalous Hall insulator state induced by interfacing a dynamic magnetization texture to a topological insulator. In particular, we propose that the quantum anomalous Hall insulator with a magnetic configuration of a domain wall, when contacted by electrical reservoirs, acts as a magnetoelectric piston. A moving domain wall pumps charge current between electrical leads in a closed circuit, while applying an electrical bias induces reciprocal domain-wall motion. This pistonlike action is enabled by a finite reflection of charge carriers via chiral modes imprinted by the domain wall. Moreover, we find that, when compared with the recently discovered spin-orbit torque-induced domain-wall motion in heavy metals, the reflection coefficient plays the role of an effective spin-Hall angle governing the efficiency of the proposed electrical control of domain walls. Quantitatively, this effective spin-Hall angle is found to approach a universal value of 2, providing an efficient scheme to reconfigure the domain-wall chiral interconnects for possible memory and logic applications.
Learning models of relational stochastic processes

Processes involving change over time, uncertainty, and rich relational structure are common in the real world, but no general algorithms exist for learning models of them. In this paper we show how Markov logic networks (MLNs), a recently developed approach to combining logic and probability, can be applied to time-changing domains. We then show how existing algorithms for parameter and structure learning in MLNs can be extended to this setting. We apply this approach in two domains: modeling the spread of research topics in scientific communities, and modeling faults in factory assembly processes. Our experiments show that it greatly outperforms purely logical (ILP) and purely probabilistic (DBN) learners.
Preparation of Hydroquinone Dimethyl Ether from p-Anisidine.

The synthetic method of hydroquinone dimethyl ether (I) was studied. This method comprises two operations, diazotization of p-anisidine and decomposition of the diazonium salt in methanol.Experiments were carried out in order to study the effects of kinds of acids, catalysts, illumination with UV light, concentration of acid and reaction temperature on diazotizing and decomposition of the diazonium compound in methanol.Sulfuric acid was preferred for the diazotization and the decomposition.No catalysts were effective in our experiments.Under illumination with UV light, decomposition time of the diazonium compound was shortened and the formation of byproducts was decreased and the yield of (I) was increased.The concentration of sulfuric acid in the reaction mixture was suitable in the range of 0.5 to 5%.The temperature suitable for decomposition of the diazonium compound was 40°C.
Mourning, Personality, Display: Ming Literati Commemorate Their Mothers, Sisters, and Daughters

This paper studies the language used by five sixteenth-century men as they mourned their mothers, sisters and daughters. I will look at writings by Wang Jiusi (1468-1551), Li Mengyang (1475-1529), Li Kaixian (1502-68), Gui Youguang (1506-71), and Xu Wei (1521-93). The basic hypothesis of this article is that there was a fairly standard mid-Ming language of mourning for women, but that these tropes could be inflected quite differently depending on the personality and era of the writers. By concluding with an examination of how Ye Shaoyuan (1589-1648) organized the commemoration of his deceased wife and daughters in the compendium Wumeng tang ji (Collected works from the Hall of the Mid-day Dream) the paper attempts to show that by the seventeenth century, the cult of qing (emotion) could have a strong effect on the tropes in which women were mourned. It also discusses the degree to which the language of mourning was also a language of display, in which the writers intended to make their own qualities known to a public of their peers.
Lubrication by Physisorbed Molecules in Equilibrium with Vapor at Ambient Condition: Effects of Molecular Structure and Substrate Chemistry

The effects of physisorbed organic vapor molecules on friction and wear were studied for various materials with different surface chemistries (metals, ceramics, glasses, carbons, polymers) and adsorbed species with distinct functional groups (short linear-chain, branched, and fluorinated alcohols with alkyl chain lengths up to five carbons as well as acetone and n-decane). Friction test results of stainless steel under equilibrium vapor adsorption conditions indicated that the longer chain length of the adsorbed alcohols results in lower friction and that n-pentanol gives the lowest friction and wear among the molecules investigated. The adsorption isotherm measurements revealed that the functional groups of the adsorbed molecules appear to play important roles in lubrication. Friction coefficients that ranged from 0.02 to 0.9 for the various materials in dry and humid environments converged to ∼0.15 for the inorganic solid materials tested in n-pentanol. These findings indicate that the molecular lubrication by the physisorbed species dominates the tribological behaviors of the inorganic solid materials, regardless of bulk mechanical properties. Tribotests using polymeric materials did not show the same lubricating effects for n-pentanol vapor. The failure of n-pentanol to lubricate polymeric materials may be due to vapor ingress into the polymer and the absence of an adsorbed surface layer.
The “induction” of leukocyte and erythrocyte dihydrofolate reductase by methotrexate

A study of the phenomenon of “induction” of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase that occurs in leukocytes and erythrocytes after methotrexate administration has been made with the dog as an experimental model as weU as man. The “induction” has been shown to be specific for 4-amino analogues of folate that are strong inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase. Attempts to block induction with possible end products of dihydrofolate reductase activity and an inhibitor of protein synthesis, actinomycin D, were unsuccessful. Based upon studies of the enzymeinhibitor interaction as a function of pH, the rise in enzyme activity observed is explained by an accumulation of methotrexate-bound enzyme that occurs as a result of protection of the enzyme from normal catabolic processes; free enzyme is observed because of the in vitro conditions employed for enzyme assay.
Evaluation of the stability of the weak layer in the side slope based on geo-electric field numerical simulation

This paper intends to solve the hidden risks in the open pit of the iron mine likely to be caused by the presence of the weak interlayers in the slope rock mass,which may result in a slope failure and lead to serious dangerous security problems. It is just for this reason that we would like to make a discussion of the methods on how to evaluate the stability of the weak interlayers by taking an open iron mine in Anshan-Benxi area as a case sample. On the basis of the analysis of the basic principles of the geo-electric field theory,the detection system of the high-density resistivity method and the progressive and retrogressive theory,we have determined the electric resistivity values of the main rocks and ores in the area under study by using the small quadrupole method. According to the spatial relationship and the electrical feature of the said ore,the supporting wall rock and the weak interlayers,we have developed a model based on the numerical simulation of the geo-electric field in evaluating the stability of such weak interlayers in the side slope. The model we have developed can be used to work with the winner and dipole devices. The calculation results gained by using the said progressive and retrogressive model show that the geo-electric features of the weak layer tend to function quite differently in a stable state and unstable state. The abnormal region in the resistivity based on the results of geo-electric field numerical simulation proves to be consistent with the region settled likely in the geo-electric models,reflecting the electrical features of such weak layers in different states accurately. Thus,it can be concluded that the stability of the weak layers tends to be in accord with their resistivity features. And,in turn,the above models we have worked out in evaluating the stability of slope inter-layers in one open pit of iron mine in the Anshan-Benxi area proves of great practical and common value. What is more,the drilling practice verification has also demonstrated that the above models can also be used to evaluate the stability of weak interlayers accurately for the similar cases. Thus,the result of the stability evaluation can help to enrich the reliable basis for slope mining treatment.
On the Establishment of the Dominant Position of Agriculture

Agriculture has been the problem plagued China's economic growth.The main problems in rural areas,farmers abandoned farming disgust,when the farmers are not farmers,the situation,not only the development of modern agriculture should be the basis of lost,but also the severe shortage of management talent of rural society,to deepen the imbalance in urban and rural development contradictions,in particular,to the formation of national food security,huge potential crisis that will form during the economic downturn explosive social unrest.The main way to solve this problem is also the dominant position of agriculture,agricultural needs of industry but not industrialization,cities and towns of rural needs but can not be commercialized,farmers can leave their homes but can not quit farming.The ultimate goal of rural reform should be to build it into a paradise,so that farmers live and work in order to achieve economic and social comprehensive,coordinated,stable and sustainable development.
Theoretical prediction of shape-resonance-enhanced nuclear motion effects in molecular photionization

Shape resonances in molecular photoionization are predicted to induce strong non-Franck-Condon effects over a spectral range several times broader than the resonance half-width. This is manifested by large deviations from Franck-Condon vibrational intensity distributions and strong dependence of photoelectron angular distributions on the vibrational state of the residual ion. These effects are illustrated for the 3σg photoionization channel of N₂ in Figures 1 and 2 using the multiple-scattering model and the adiabatic nuclei approximation.
Iodine and Thyroid Hormone Synthesis, Metabolism, and Action

Abstract Iodine is a crucial micronutrient for thyroid hormone synthesis and the only source is dietary. Iodide (I−) is absorbed in the stomach and small intestine, and is concentrated from the blood stream into the thyroid follicular cell through the action of the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS). Iodide is incorporated into thyroglobulin, a process referred to as organification. Thyroid hormone is secreted from the thyroid predominantly as the prohormone thyroxine (T4) and must be activated in tissues to the active form, triiodothyronine (T3), through the action of the 5′-deiodinase enzymes, type 1 (D1) and type 2 (D2), both of which require the trace element selenium. Thyroid hormone acts predominantly through nuclear thyroid hormone receptors (TR), α and β, and is required for normal fetal growth and maturation, and regulation of metabolism in the adult. In conditions of low iodine and resulting reduced thyroid hormone production, compensation occurs through an increase in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion from the pituitary, increased D2 activity, and resulting increase in T4 to T3 conversion. If selenium deficiency coexists with iodine deficiency, this reduces D2 activity and impairs this mechanism to compensate for low iodine. Inadequate dietary intake of iodine in pregnancy is of special concern and can be associated with both maternal and fetal hypothyroidism, with retarded psychomotor development and irreversible mental retardation in the offspring. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis and must be provided through dietary sources. Thyroid hormone is required for normal growth and development. The regulation of thyroid hormone production and metabolism allows for adequate thyroid hormone action in tissues, despite significant fluctuations in iodine supply. In some situations, such as pregnancy, however, these mechanisms may not be sufficient to compensate and sustain normal fetal development.
Comparative study of isolation, expansion and characterization of epithelial cells

Abstract Background aims The human epithelial cells (EPCs) have been identified as the essential element for the regeneration of skin construct for burns, wounds and various tissue engineer–based products. Methods In this study, the isolation, expansion and characterization of EPCs from various sources such as juvenile foreskin (JSK), buccal mucosa (BM), penile skin (PS) and urothelium (UR) in serum-free and xeno-free EpiLife media were evaluated. Results The growth kinetics study revealed that EPCs from JSK and BM had notably higher growth rates compared with the others. Overall, the EPCs from all sources retained basic morphological characteristics and the functional characteristics such as Pan Cytokeratin (AE1/AE3). In addition, the cryopreservation stability of EPCs was accessed for post-thaw viability and found to be greater than 80% at 1 year of storage, but demonstrated reduced cell recovery (51%) at the second year in fetal bovine serum–free cryopreservation media. Conclusions Our result suggests that the EPCs from four cell sources can be grown in feeder-free, serum-free and xeno-free systems using commercially available EpiLife medium without losing epithelial cell characteristics even after passage 4. However, its suitability for clinical application must be accessed by preclinical and clinical studies.
Substituting poly- and mono-unsaturated fat for dietary carbohydrate reduces hyperinsulinemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: Hyperinsulinemia is a prevalent feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), contributing to metabolic and reproductive manifestations of the syndrome. Weight loss reduces hyperinsulinem...
Challenges of Antibiotic Discovery: Antibiotic resistance and tolerance plus troubles with discovery platforms complicate efforts to identify useful antibacterial drug candidates

It is hard to discover new antibiotics. The field of antiinfectives has a unique history which does not follow the expected path of knowledge leading to cures. We now know incomparably more than we did during the golden era of antibiotic discovery from the 1940s to 1960s, but seem no longer capable of developing novel therapeutics for infectious diseases. Why this anomaly? What approaches can revive antibiotic discovery?
Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Detects Recurrent Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Setting of Chronic Renal Insufficiency.

In managing patients with chronic renal impairment and a history of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the question arises – when is a contrast cross-sectional study truly needed? Use of contrast computed tomography (CCT) poses not only additional radiation exposure but also a well-established risk of nephrotoxicity.1 Although contrast magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) with gadolinium is an alternative, it is expensive, uncomfortable for patients, and imparts the potential risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.2 Especially for patients with renal insufficiency, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) represents a low cost, zero-radiation alternative that can help to determine when it is necessary to perform traditional cross-sectional contrast imaging.
Catalysis in Transamination of 6-chloro-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-1H-benz[de]isoquinoline-1,3-(2H)-dione and its Implications in Laser Tissue Welding

The transamination of 6-chloro-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-1H-benz[de]isoquinoline-1,3-(2H)-dione with primary alkylamines under pseudo-first-order conditions is shown to be unimolecular in both reagents as well as unimolecular in methanol (in methanol solution). The reaction is subject to both general acid and general base catalysis. A termolecular, solvated transition state model and a putative model for the early steps of laser tissue welding with aminonaphthalimide dyes are proposed.
First Wall Thermal-Mechanical Analyses of the Reference Theta-Pinch Reactor

The thermal-mechanical response of the Reference Theta-Pinch Reactor (RTPR) first wall was analyzed. The first wall problems anticipated for a pulsed, high-..beta.. fusion power plant can be ameliorated by either alterations in the physics operating point, materials reengineering, or blanket/first wall reconfiguration. Within the latter ''configuration'' scenario, a two-fold approach has been adopted for the thermal-mechanical portion of the RTPR first wall technology assessment. First, a number of new first wall configurations (bonded or unbonded laminated composites, all-ceramic structures, protective and/or sacrificial ''bumpers'') were considered. Second, a more quantitative failure criterion, based on the developing theories of fracture mechanics, was identified. For each first wall configuration, transient heat transfer and thermoelastic stress calculations have been made. Two-dimensional finite element structural analyses have been made for a variety of mechanical boundary conditions. Only the Al/sub 2/O/sub 3//Nb - 1 Zr system has been considered. The results of this study indicated a wide range of design solutions to the pulsed thermal stress problem anticipated for the RTPR.
Feature Representation Learning in Deep Neural Networks

In this chapter, we show that deep neural networks jointly learn the feature representation and the classifier. Through many layers of nonlinear processing, DNNs transform the raw input feature to a more invariant and discriminative representation that can be better classified by the log-linear model. In addition, DNNs learn a hierarchy of features. The lower-level features typically catch local patterns. These patterns are very sensitive to changes in the raw feature. The higher-level features, however, are built upon the low-level features and are more abstract and invariant to the variations in the raw feature. We demonstrate that the learned high-level features are robust to speaker and environment variations.
Higher-Order Linear Differential Equations

Linear differential equations of higher order have useful and interesting applications, just as first-order differential equations do. We study linear differential equations of higher order in this chapter. The word linear in the chapter title should suggest that techniques for solving linear equations will be important. What is somewhat unexpected is that we have to appeal to the theory of solving polynomial equations in one variable. Though the solution technique for first-order equations gave us a complete solution in essentially one step, this is not the case here. For the first time we have to solve the homogeneous and nonhomogeneous equations separately and by different methods.
Vaccination Against Malaria Parasites: Paradigms, Perils, and Progress

Malaria, caused by infection of humans with Plasmodium spp., remains a global health emergency with >200 million new cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. Although naturally acquired resistance against severe malarial disease can develop with age and following repeated exposures to the parasite, current control of Plasmodium infection still relies heavily on the use of anti-malaria chemotherapies. However, the continued selection of drug-resistant parasites continues to confound efforts to effectively manage the incidence and prevalence of the disease caused by this major human pathogen.
Conclusions: Summary of Findings and the Way Forward

Important variations are observed with regard to Chinese NOCs’ CSR records in the five South American countries, even though it is not possible to derive more definitive, quantitative comparisons given the limited amount of cases and a qualitative nature of the case inquiries. This study constructs the causal mechanisms connecting the two major independent variables, host country regulatory frameworks and host civil society capacity, to CSR commitments and performance. The other two independent variables international CSR standard/initiative and bottom-line considerations are examined in the Peru case (Chap. 4) and the Venezuela case (Chap. 6), respectively. Subsequently, these two factors are dismissed because they hold insufficient explanatory power. The findings show the intersectionality and contingency of key explanatory factors, evidencing a conjunctive route to CSR.
Linear Static Seismic Lateral Force Procedures

The purpose of this chapter is to review and compare the sections of current seismic design provisions,which deal with the specification of seismic design forces. Emphasis will be on the equivalent static force procedures as contaned in the 2000 edition of the International Building Code and the 1997 Edition of the Uniform Building Code. There are two commonly used procedures for specifying seismic design forces: The “Equivalent Static Force Procedure” and “Dynamic Analysis”. In the equivalent static force procedure, the inertial forces are specified as static forces using empirical formulas. The empirical formulas do not explicitly account for the “dynamic characteristics” of the particular structure being designed or analyzed. The formulas were, however, developed to adequately represent the dynamic behavior of what are called “regular” structures, which have a reasonably uniform distribution of mass and stiffness. For such structures, the equivalent static force procedure is most often adequate. Structures that do not fit into this category are termed “irregular”. Common irregularities include large floor-to-floor variation in mass or center of mass and soft stories. Such structures violate the assumptions on which the empirical formulas, used in the equivalent static force procedure, are based. Therefore, its use may lead to erroneous results. In these cases, a dynamic analysis should be used to specify and distribute the seismic design forces. Principles and procedures for dynamic analysis of structures were presented in Chapter 4.
Kinetics of Solid State Polymerization of 2,4-Hexadiyne-1,6-Diol-Bis (P-Toluene Sulfonate)

Diacetylene molecular crystals have long been known to react in the solid state tofbrm high molecule weight polymers. The first polymer structure proposed by Seher1, and by Bohlman and Inhoffen2 was a linear, ladder-type polymer. The 1,4-addition reaction in Figure 1 leading to a fully conjugated linear chain structure was demonstrated by Wegner3 using general arguments from other solid state reactions and related crystallographic data.
Endovascular Treatment of Aneurysms

The ideal treatment regimen for intracranial aneurysms remains controversial. The location and type of aneurysm, the surgeon's experience, and the patient's medical condition influence the decision to treat aneurysms by an endovascular or microsurgical approach. The details of the natural history and epidemiology of intracranial cerebral aneurysms are discussed elsewhere in this encyclopedia. This section explores endovascular treatment options for the management of these aneurysms.
Runtime Certification

Software often must be certified for safety, security, or other critical properties. Traditional approaches to certification require the software, its systems context, and all their associated assurance artifacts to be available for scrutiny in their final, completed forms. But modern development practices often postpone the determination of final system configuration from design time to integration time, load time, or even runtime. Adaptive systems go beyond this and modify or synthesize functions at runtime. Developments such as these require an overhaul to the basic framework for certification, so that some of its responsibilities also may be discharged at integration-, load- or runtime. We outline a suitable framework, in which the basis for certification is changed from compliance with standards to the construction of explicit goals, evidence, and arguments (generally called an "assurance case"). We describe how runtime verification can be used within this framework, thereby allowing certification partially to be performed at runtime or, more provocatively, enabling "runtime certification."
The importance of non-spectral intensity measures on the risk-based structural responses

Abstract This study examines the impact of neglecting non-spectral parameters of ground motions (GMs), particularly GM duration, on the structural responses using a risk-based seismic assessment framework, which measures the annual rates of exceedance for a specified amplitude of structural response. This study gives a special attention to the role of the primary intensity measure (IM) that used to characterize the severity of GM (i.e., known as the conditioning IM) on the degree to which GM duration affects the risk-based structural responses. For this purpose, the responses of three steel moment resisting frame buildings are compared when subjected to different ensembles of GMs selected based on the generalized conditional intensity measure (GCIM). The GCIM framework can include different features of GMs in the GM selection process through constructing their conditional distributions given a specified conditioning IM. However, the conditional distributions of GM features change as the conditioning IM changes. The results demonstrate that for all considered conditioning IMs in this study, except spectrum intensity (SI), it is nearly impossible to select a set of as-recorded GMs with the unbiased distributions for all considered IMs, particularly over rare hazard levels. In addition, the results indicate that neglecting non-spectral IMs, when the conditioning IM is SI, could overestimate (up to 50% over rare earthquake intensity levels) the MIDR risk-based structural responses with respect to a reference structural response, which resulted from a set of GMs with the unbiased distributions for all considered IMs, for the considered buildings and site. Furthermore, the findings confirm that GM duration in terms of significant duration even in case of shallow events could be an important parameter to be incorporated in GM selection. For the present case study structures and considered site, the induced bias in structural responses due to neglecting GM duration could vary up to about 40% over the rare hazard levels depending on the applied conditioning IM.
Abstract A213: Exploit the zebrafish to study lymphocyte infiltration in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common pediatric solid tumors that derives from sympathetic nerve ganglia. Children with MYCN-amplified tumors have a very poor prognosis. MYCN amplification is associated with impaired inflammatory profiles and reduced numbers of tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). However, it remains elusive how MYCN blocks the trafficking of T-cells to tumors and protects tumor cells escaping from CTL-mediated cytotoxicity. Elucidation of the mechanism by which MYCN suppresses immune surveillance in the neuroblastoma microenvironment could lead to improved treatment outcomes through immunotherapy. We generated a zebrafish model, in which lymphocytes and tumor cells were differentially labeled with red and green fluorochromes. We monitored these fish for trafficking of mCherry-labeled lymphocytes to EGFP-positive MYCN-overexpressing premalignant neural crests on 5, 14, and 21 days post fertilization (dpf). We found that MYCN-overexpressing premalignant neural crests could attract lymphocytes in living fish. To observe lymphocyte infiltration in different stages of tumor development, we will perform cryosection and quantify lymphocyte infiltration in each stage of tumor development. While this zebrafish model is useful in studying the behaviors of immune cells at different stages of tumor development, it can be further exploited to understand how MYCN regulates immune escape and how immune cell infiltration can be enhanced in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma to suppress tumor onset and progression. This knowledge is critical for development of more efficient immunotherapies in treating children with neuroblastoma. Citation Format: Xiaodan Qin, Andrew Lam, Hui Feng. Exploit the zebrafish to study lymphocyte infiltration in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; Sept 30-Oct 3, 2018; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2019;7(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A213.
Objective Comparison of Speech Enhancement Algorithms with Hearing Loss Simulation

Many speech enhancement algorithms have been proposed over the years and it has been shown that deep neural networks can lead to significant improvements. These algorithms, however, have not been validated for hearing-impaired listeners. Additionally, these algorithms are often evaluated under a limited range of signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). Here, we construct a diverse speech dataset with a broad range of SNRs and noises. Several enhancement algorithms are compared under both normal-hearing and simulated hearing-impaired conditions, where the perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) and hearing-aid speech quality index (HASQI) are used as objective metrics. The impact of the data’s frequency scale (Mel versus linear) on performance is also evaluated. Results show that a long short-term memory (LSTM) network with data in the Mel-frequency domain yields the best performance for PESQ, and a Bidirectional LSTM network with data in the linear frequency scale performs the best in hearing-impaired settings. The Mel-frequency scale results in improved PESQ scores, but reduced HASQI scores.
First-principles study of transport in WO 3

We investigate the transport properties of tungsten trioxide $({\mathrm{WO}}_{3})$ from first principles. The full $\mathbf{k}$ dependence of the scattering rate is included, and electron mobilities as a function of doping are calculated using Boltzmann transport theory. Our predicted room-temperature mobility is as high as $485{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ ${\mathrm{V}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at ${10}^{20}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ doping, which makes ${\mathrm{WO}}_{3}$ a promising material for device applications. We elucidate why the mobility is so much higher in ${\mathrm{WO}}_{3}$ compared to the prototype perovskite oxide ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ based on an analysis of the electronic and vibronic structure.
A repressor complex silencing ABA signaling in seeds

Seed dormancy is induced primarily by abscisic acid (ABA) and maintained through elevated levels of ABA sensitivity in seeds. The core mechanisms of ABA-imposed seed dormancy are emerging, but it is still unclear how these blockages in seeds are eliminated during after-ripening, or what molecular events in imbibed seeds are responsible for the initial stages of germination induction. Some pieces of evidence suggest that a repressor complex, which potentially triggers seed germination through the suppression of ABA signaling components, might be present in seeds. The usual suspect, protein phosphatase 2C, which inactivates kinases and shuts down ABA signaling in the major dormancy pathway, is possibly associated with this complex. Other members, such as WD40 proteins and histone deacetylase subunits, homologs of which are found in the flowering repressor complex, perhaps constitute this complex in seeds. The repressor activity could counteract the dormancy mechanisms in an overwhelming manner, through well-coordinated inactivation and turnover of germination-suppressing transcription factors, which is probably accompanied by chromatin silencing and transcriptional repression of the transcription factor target genes. This review provides a perspective on a putative seed germination-inducing repressor complex, including its possible modes of action and upstream regulators.
The role of preoperative upper endoscopy in adolescents undergoing laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

Abstract Background Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) has been associated with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and, in adults, with a development of Barrett’s esophagus. Adults with Barrett’s esophagus identified at baseline before bariatric operation are generally advised against VSG operations. The role of preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in adolescents preparing for bariatric surgery is not clearly defined. Objective The goal of this study was to report the frequency of abnormalities identified on EGD performed at baseline in adolescents undergoing VSG for severe obesity. Setting Free-standing academic children's hospital. United States. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted to describe findings of EGD performed just before VSG in a cohort of 40 adolescents and young adults (age range 14–25 yr) immediately before VSG. Review of findings from gross and histopathological evaluation of the esophagus, resected stomach, and duodenum was performed. Results Five individuals reported preoperative symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Anatomic findings at EGD were normal in 98% of individuals. Histopathology of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum was normal in 88%, 70%, and 95%, respectively. Abnormal findings of gastritis (18%), esophagitis (13%), and/or Helicobacter pylori (10%) infection were most common. Those with evidence of H. pylori in gastric resection specimens were treated appropriately with eradication therapy postoperatively. With the exception of 2 patients with incidentally detected esophageal mucosal eosinophilia, EGD findings did not lead to additional changes in medical or surgical management. There were no complications of the EGD procedure. Conclusions Routine EGD at the time of VSG was safe but resulted in low yield of abnormal findings requiring a change in clinical management.
Playing the China card or yellow perils? China, ‘the Chinese’, and race in South African politics and society

Over the past several years there have been a number of racially-tinged incidents in South Africa involving ‘the Chinese.’ Simultaneously, the love affair between Chinese and South African governme...
Safety and Efficacy of Blood Flow Restriction Therapy after Operative Management of Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy is an emerging addition to rehabilitative programs that allows patients to increase strength at lower loads over shorter time periods. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a rehabilitation program using BFR to a traditional rehabilitation protocol following operative fixation of distal radius fractures. Methods A randomized controlled study was conducted comparing a standardized rehabilitation protocol alone to a combined protocol with the use of BFR therapy in patients treated with volar plate fixation following a displaced distal radius fracture. The same exercises done in the control group were performed by the BFR group with a restrictive tourniquet in place. Patients were followed with serial radiographs to ensure fracture stability. Outcome measures included wrist range of motion, grip strength, pinch strength, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and during activity, patient rated wrist evaluation scores (PRWE), and disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand scores. Results Nine patients were randomized and enrolled within the BFR group (n = 5) and control (n = 4) groups. Patients within the BFR group had a significantly greater reduction in pain with activity over the course of the rehabilitation program. Additionally, the BFR group had a significant improvement in PRWE scores during the 8-week rehabilitation program. There was no difference in radiographic measures after initiation of BFR, and all patients tolerated therapy without noted complications. Conclusion BFR therapy is safe and well tolerated after operatively treated distal radius fractures. The addition of BFR therapy can result in quicker reduction in pain with activity and improvement in patient disability when used early following operative management of a distal radius fracture. Level of Evidence This is a Level 1, prognostic study.
Identification of novel fusion transcripts in meningioma

Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumor. Recent next generation sequencing analyses have elaborated the molecular drivers of this disease. We aimed to identify and characterize novel fusion genes in meningiomas. We performed a secondary analysis of our RNA sequencing data of 145 primary meningioma from 140 patients to detect fusion genes. Semi-quantitative rt-PCR was performed to confirm transcription of the fusion genes in the original tumors. Whole exome sequencing was performed to identify copy number variations within each tumor sample. Comparative RNA seq analysis was performed to assess the clonality of the fusion constructs within the tumor. We detected six fusion events (NOTCH3-SETBP1, NF2-SPATA13, SLC6A3-AGBL3, PHF19-FOXP2 in two patients, and ITPK1-FBP2) in five out of 145 tumor samples. All but one event (NF2-SPATA13) led to extremely short reading frames, making these events de facto null alleles. Three of the five patients had a history of childhood radiation. Four out of six fusion events were detected in expression type C tumors, which represent the most aggressive meningioma. We validated the presence of the RNA transcripts in the tumor tissue by semi-quantitative RT PCR. All but the two PHF19-FOXP2 fusions demonstrated high degrees of clonality. Fusion genes occur infrequently in meningiomas and are more likely to be found in tumors with greater degree of genomic instability (expression type C) or in patients with history of cranial irradiation.
Challenge and Hindrance Stressors and Work Outcomes: the Moderating Role of Day-Level Affect

Our research examined the role of challenge and hindrance stressors, as well as the interactive effects of these stressors with positive and negative affect, in predicting work engagement and exhaustion using experience sampling methodology. In Study 1, university staff completed measures of challenge and hindrance stressors, positive and negative affect, work engagement, and exhaustion before the end of the workday over 5 working days. Results from multilevel regression indicated that challenge stressors were positively related to work engagement but not exhaustion, while hindrance stressors were unrelated to both work engagement and exhaustion. Additionally, positive affect moderated the association between challenge stressors and both work engagement and exhaustion. We partially replicated and extended these findings in our second sample of Amazon’s Mechanical Turk workers, who completed measures of affect in the mornings before starting work and stressors, work engagement, and exhaustion in the evenings before leaving work, over a period of 10 working days. Results suggested that challenge stressors were positively related to work engagement and exhaustion, while hindrance stressors were positively related to exhaustion and negatively related to work engagement. Similar to our results in Study 1, we found that positive affect interacted with challenge stressors in predicting each work outcome. Furthermore, positive affect moderated the hindrance stressor-work outcomes relationship. Lastly, negative affect moderated the association between challenge stressors and exhaustion. The findings of this study can be used to design interventions that enhance employee motivation and engagement in the presence of challenge and hindrance stressors.
In vitro keratinocyte expansion for cell transplantation therapy is associated with differentiation and loss of basal layer derived progenitor population

An alternative approach for traditional clinical mesh grafting in burn wound treatment is the use of expanded autologous keratinocytes in suspension or sheets that are cultured over 2-4 weeks in a remote service facility. While a wound reepithelialization has been described, the functional and aesthetic outcome is under debate. Cell isolation from split-skin donor tissue aims to preserve the valuable stem cell progenitors from the basal epidermal layer and to provide patients with a rapid wound reepithelialization and a satisfying outcome. While the presence of epidermal progenitors in the cell graft is thought to enable an improved epidermal surface post reepithelialization, we investigated a feasible clinical approach involving cultured versus noncultured epidermal cells comparing the α6int(high)/K15(high)/FSC(low)/SSC(low) and α6int(high)/K5(high)/FSC(low)/SSC(low) keratinocyte progenitor subpopulations before and after in vitro culture process. Our results show a significant increase of cell size during in vitro passaging and a decrease of progenitor markers linked to a gradual differentiation. A provision of the regenerative epidermal progenitors, isolated from the split-skin biopsy and applied directly onto the wound in an on-site setting of isolation and cell spray grafting in the operation room, could be of interest when choosing options for skin wound care with autologous cells.