cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fire history from three species on a central Appalachian ridgetop

The impact of settlement era fires on Appalachian forests was substantial, but whether these fires affected the ex- tent of fire-adapted ridgetop plant communities is poorly understood. Here we present fire history and stand structure of an Appalachian ridgetop (Pike Knob, West Virginia) based on fire scars from three species (Pinus pungens Lamb., Pinus resin- osa Soland., and Quercus rubra L.) and stand structure from two species (P. pungens and P. resinosa). Our research objec- tives are to determine (i) the degree to which the fire frequency on Pike Knob was affected by European American settlement (~1780-1900) and (ii) how the history of fire on Pike Knob shaped the current age structure of P. resinosa and P. pungens. All three species documented fire activity beginning in the mid- to late 1800s and continuing into the middle of the 20th century, when pasture lands were most active. The majority of P. pungens and P. resinosa established during or shortly after the ~85-year period of fires (1868-1953), suggesting a strong influence of past land use on current forest com- position. Ridgetop pine communities have been resilient to both the absence of fire and frequent fire, indicating that pine communities will also be resilient to modern fire management, whether fire is excluded or re-introduced. Resume : L'impact des feux a l'epoque de la colonisation sur les forets appalachiennes a ete important mais on ne sait pas si ces feux ont influence l'etendue des communautes vegetales adaptees au feu sur le sommet des montagnes. Nous presen- tons ici l'historique actuel des feux et la structure du peuplement situe sur un sommet des Appalaches (Pike Knob en Virgi- nie-Occidentale) en se basant sur les cicatrices de feu presentes sur trois especes (Pinus pungens Lamb., Pinus resinosa Soland. et Quercus rubra L.) et sur deux especes (P. pungens et P. resinosa) dans le cas de la structure du peuplement. Nos objectifs consistaient a determiner (i) dans quelle mesure la frequence des feux a Pike Knob a ete influencee par la colonisa- tion de l'Amerique par les europeens (~1780-1900) et (ii) comment l'historique du feu a Pike Knob a modele la structure d'âge actuelle de P. resinosa et P. pungens). Les trois especes temoignaient de l'activite du feu a partir du milieu a la fin des annees 1800 jusqu'au milieu du 20e siecle, lorsqu'il y avait le plus de pâturages. La majorite des P. pungens et P. resi- nosa se sont etablis durant ou peu de temps apres la periode des feux qui a dure 85 ans (1868-1953), ce qui indique que l'utilisation passee des terres a fortement influence la composition actuelle de la foret. Les communautes de pin situees sur les sommets ont resiste tant a l'absence du feu qu'au passage frequent du feu, ce qui indique que les communautes de pin resisteront aussi a la gestion moderne du feu, que le feu soit exclu ou reintroduit. (Traduit par la Redaction)
Synthesis and antifungal properties of 6‐halothymols

The compounds 6‐bromothymol and 6‐iodothymol were prepared and their antifungal activities were compared with those of thymol and chlorothymol by in vitro test. Ten organisms, including six species of trichophyton, two species of microsporum, Candida albicans, and staphylococcus aureus, were used in these tests. The tests indicate that at a level of 0.05% compound in propylene glycol solution, 6‐iodothymol was the most effective agent, followed by 6‐bromothymol, 6‐chlorothymol, and thymol, in that order.
New Strategies in Ovarian Cancer: Translating the Molecular Complexity of Ovarian Cancer into Treatment Advances

An improved understanding of the genomics of ovarian cancer and the separation of ovarian cancer into histologically and molecularly defined subgroups have affected drug development and clinical trial design in ovarian cancer. Active therapies that have been tested in ovarian cancer include agents that inhibit angiogenesis and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi). However, no FDA drug approvals for ovarian cancer have been granted since 2006, and overall survival improvements have been difficult to achieve with new agents. The genomic complexity of ovarian cancer and modest single-agent activity of many biologic agents in this disease have led to testing of biologic agent combinations. In this article, we review recent advances in the understanding of the molecular diversity of ovarian cancer as well as emerging therapeutic strategies such as new agents and biologic combinations that attempt to target multiple aberrant pathways in this cancer.
The Use of Bone Marrow in the Study of Postmortem Redistribution of Nortriptyline

Thirty-two New Zealand Albino rabbits (1.5-2.0 kg) were dosed on a daily basis with 20 mg/kg nortriptyline (NT) prior to feeding for a period of five days. On the fifth day of dosing, the animals were sacrificed approximately 1.5 h after the final dose. A comparison was made of nortriptyline concentrations in the blood and bone marrow at the time of sacrifice, and between bone marrow collected at the time of sacrifice and bone marrow collected at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after sacrifice. The results indicate that a linear relationship exists between blood and bone marrow NT concentrations, with an average marrow-to-blood ratio of 29.98 +/- 3.91 and a correlation coefficient of 0.956. Additionally, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) observed between NT concentrations in bone marrow at the time of sacrifice and its concentration up to 24 h after sacrifice. The results indicate that bone marrow may be used to predict blood concentrations of NT up to 24 h after death when a suitable blood sample is not available.
Chromosomal polymorphism and speciation in the genusEunemobius (Orthoptera: Grylloidea)

Karyotypes are described for the three species of ground crickets belonging to the North American genusEunemobius. All species possess three pairs of metacentric autosomes and a submetacentric X-chromosome. The sex-determination mechanism is XX-XO with 2n=7 in males and 2n=8 in females. There is no evidence that chromosomal rearrangements have been involved in speciation in the group.
Finite Element Analysis of Self-Pierce Riveting in Magnesium Alloys Sheets

Conventional fusion joining methods such as resistance spot welding have been demonstrated to not be effective for magnesium alloys. Therefore, self-pierce riveting (SPR) has been presented as an attractive joining technique for these lightweight metals. However, SPR must be performed at elevated temperatures because of the low ductility of magnesium alloys at room temperature. Even though the SPR joining process has been established on magnesium alloys, this joining process is not optimized. As such, this study establishes the first attempt at simulating the SPR of magnesium alloys through the use of the finite element method. An internal state variable (ISV) plasticity and damage material model was employed with results in good agreement to experimental data. The results of this study show that the ISV material model is ideally suited for modeling the SPR process in magnesium alloys.
Toward the Acquisition of Linguistic Competence: From Contrived to Controlled Materials

T HIS article summarizes various statements I have made concerning contrived and controlled materials1 and adds clarification through numerous examples. In 1959,2 nearly ten years before the current lively interest in language universals, we stated in our first version of the Manual and Anthology of Applied Linguistics that the sentences of any language could probably be derived from three basic frames such as Robert speaks (Frame A), Robert speaks English (Frame B),3 Robert is English (Frame C). Thus, in French we have Robert parle, Robert parle franqais, Robert est franqais; in Italian Roberto parla, Roberto parla italiano,
Medicare immunosuppressant coverage and access to kidney transplantation: a retrospective national cohort study.

Background: In December 2000, Medicare eliminated time limitations in immunosuppressant coverage after kidney transplant for beneficiaries age ≥65 and those who were disabled. This change did not apply to younger nondisabled beneficiaries who qualified for Medicare only because of their end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We sought to examine access to waitlisting for kidney transplantation in a cohort spanning this policy change. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of 241,150 Medicare beneficiaries in the United States Renal Data System who initiated chronic dialysis between 1/1/96 and 11/30/03. We fit interrupted time series Cox proportional hazard models to compare access to kidney transplant waitlist within 12 months of initiating chronic dialysis by age/disability status, accounting for secular trends. Results: Beneficiaries age <65 who were not disabled were less likely to be waitlisted after the policy change (hazard ratio (HR) for the later vs. earlier period, 0.93, p=0.002), after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, co-morbid conditions, income, and ESRD network. There was no evidence of secular trend in this group (HR per year, 1.00, p=0.989). Likelihood of being waitlisted among those age ≥65 or disabled increased steadily throughout the study period (HR per year, 1.04, p<0.001), but was not clearly affected by the policy change (HR for the immediate effect of policy change, 0.93, p=0.135). Conclusions: The most recent extension in Medicare immunosuppressant coverage appears to have had little impact on the already increasing access to waitlisting among ≥65/ disabled beneficiaries eligible for the benefit but may have decreased access for younger, non-disabled beneficiaries who were not. The potential ramifications of policies on candidacy appeal for access to kidney transplantation should be considered.
Restoration of Waterbird Habitats in Chesapeake Bay: Great Expectations or Sisyphus Revisited?

In the past half century, many waterbird populations in Chesapeake Bay have declined or shifted ranges, indicating major ecological changes have occurred. While many studies have focused on the problems associated with environmental degradation such as the losses of coastal wetlands and submerged vegetation, a number of restoration efforts have been launched in the past few decades to reverse the “sea of despair.” Most pertinent to waterbirds, restoration of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds, tidal wetland restoration, oyster reef restoration, and island creation/restoration have benefited a number of species. State and federal agencies and non-government agencies have formed partnerships to spawn many projects ranging in size from less than 0.5 ha to ca. 1,000 ha. While most SAV, wetland, and oyster reef projects have struggled to different degrees over the past ten to twenty years with inconsistent methods, irregular monitoring, and unknown reasons for failures, recent improvements in techniques and application of adaptive management have been made. The large dredge-material island projects at Hart-Miller Island near Baltimore, Poplar Island west of Tilghman Island, Maryland, and Craney Island in Portsmouth, Virginia have provided large outdoor “laboratories” for wildlife, fishery, and wetland habitat creation. All three have proven to be important for nesting waterbirds and migrant shorebirds and waterfowl; however nesting populations at all three islands have been compromised to different degrees by predators. Restoration success for waterbirds and other natural resources depends on: (1) establishing realistic, quantifiable objectives and performance criteria, (2) continued monitoring and management (e.g., predator control), (3) targeted research to determine causality, and (4) careful evaluation under an adaptive management regime.
Treatment of macular disease with a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope laser delivery system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Some patients with macular disease, because of physical infirmity or disability, cannot be treated with laser photocoagulation using a typical slit lamp delivery system. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the binocular indirect ophthalmoscope could be used to deliver treatment to the macula when photocoagulation would otherwise be very difficult, if not impossible, to perform. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten eyes of 10 patients who could not sit for slit lamp laser delivery were treated with binocular indirect ophthalmoscope laser photocoagulation over a 36 month period. Eight had subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and 2 patients had clinically significant macular edema (CSME) from diabetes mellitus. Argon laser photocoagulation was delivered to the choroidal neovascular membrane in patients with exudative AMD, and a grid treatment was given to eyes with diabetic macular edema. RESULTS: Six of 8 patients with exudative AMD were successfully treated with eradication of the CNV. Two required retreatment within 6 months of original treatment. Both patients with CSME had resolution of their edema at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Best corrected visual acuity did not change by more than 2 Snellen lines in any patient with CNV and 1 Snellen line in patients with CSME. No complications of treatment were encountered. CONCLUSION: In certain circumstances, laser photocoagulation of the macula using the indirect ophthalmoscope laser delivery system should be considered when more conventional treatment strategies cannot be implemented.
Litigation in the U.S. and in the Civil Law System: What Can We Learn from Each Other?

Discusses the lack of American interest in learning about foreign civil procedure. Considers points where America might benefit from foreign experiences. Suggests significant differences in procedure can be attributed to emphasis on day-in-court thinking over reasoned decision thinking.
A Qualitative Study of Urban, Chinese Middle-Class Mothers’ Parenting for Adolescents:

Through interviews with 22 middle-class mothers and their adolescent children, we explored contemporary approaches to parenting in urban China. The participants provided evidence of authoritative parenting style. We also examined the applicability of Chao’s construct of Chinese parenting guan (管) for adolescence; the participants seemed to support the idea, but viewed the underlying meaning of guan differently than described in earlier studies conducted with mothers of younger children. We thus argue that guanjiao (管教), which means “to govern and to educate/teach,” may be a more appropriate word to use than guan to describe urban, middle-class Chinese mothers’ approach to parenting of adolescents. The findings also suggest that neither Chao’s construct of guan nor Baumrind’s prototypes could fully capture its essence. Additional elements, such as modeling, self-sacrifice, and expression of affection through behavior, also emerged as common themes.
Book Review: The Good Life: Wellbeing and the new science of altruism, selfishness and immorality by Graham Music.

A review of the book, "The Good Life: Wellbeing and the New Science of Altruism, Selfishness and Immorality", by Graham Music. Routledge Press, New York, NY.
Is cascade reinforcement likely when sympatric and allopatric populations exchange migrants

When partially reproductively isolated species come back into secondary contact, these taxa may diverge in mating preferences and sexual cues to avoid maladaptive hybridization, a process known as reinforcement. This phenomenon often leads to reproductive character displacement (RCD) between sympatric and allopatric populations of reinforcing species that differ in their exposure to hybridization. Recent discussions have reinvigorated the idea that RCD may give rise to additional speciation between conspecific sympatric and allopatric populations, dubbing the concept “cascade reinforcement.” Despite some empirical studies supporting cascade reinforcement, we still know very little about the conditions for its evolution. In the present article, we address this question by developing an individual-based population genetic model that explicitly simulates cascade reinforcement when one of the hybridizing species is split into sympatric and allopatric populations. Our results show that when sympatric and allopatric populations reside in the same environment and only differ in their exposure to maladaptive hybridization, migration between them generally inhibits the evolution of cascade by spreading the reinforcement alleles from sympatry into allopatry and erasing RCD. Under these conditions, cascade reinforcement only evolved when migration rate between sympatric and allopatric populations was very low. This indicates that stabilizing sexual selection in allopatry is generally ineffective in preventing the spread of reinforcement alleles. Only when sympatric and allopatric populations experienced divergent ecological selection did cascade reinforcement evolve in the presence of substantial migration. These predictions clarify the conditions for cascade reinforcement and facilitate our understanding of existing cases in nature.
Host-Parasite Relations in the Gibberidea Disease of Helianthus Strumosus

SUMMARYDisease symptoms in Helianthus strumosus L. attacked by Gibberidea heliopsidis (Schw.) Shear are described. Distinctive black lesions occur on leaves and stems. The fungus penetrates host le...
Anomalous Magnetoresistance Effect in Strained Manganite Ultrathin Films

Magnetotransport properties of strained epitaxial Pr2/3Sr1/3MnOz (PSMO) ultrathin films have been studied. The strains are controlled by growing PSMO films on different lattice-mismatched substrates which impose biaxial compressive-, tensile-, and very little strain in the films, respectively. Distinctive magnetoresistance effects in low magnetic field (LFMR) have been observed in films with different types of strain. The films with compressive strain show very large negative LFMR (> 1000 % at 2500 Oe) and significant magnetoresistance hysteresis when a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the film plane. In a parallel field, the LFMR is much smaller with almost no hysteresis. In contrast, the tensile-strained ultrathin films show positive LFMR at low temperatures in a perpendicular field and a negative LFMR in a parallel field. In comparison, the almost strain-free ultrathin films show very small LFMR (< 2 %) as in single crystal samples at similar temperatures and magnetic fields. In the compressive-strained samples, the large LFMR decreases rapidly with increasing film thickness. These results are interpreted based on spin dependent scattering at the domain walls and domain-rotation.
Where Regionalism and Sectionalism Meet

Such priority schedules must assume, of course, an important administrative set-up to comprehend a national advisory planning council with essential corresponding units of state and regional councils so clearly articulate as to insure co6rdinate functioning and so constituted as to be nonpartisan and satisfactory to the people as well as to provide the facts and skills necessary for the national and state legislatures. Necessary also would be such referendum to the people as would provide some sort of satisfactory sanction in which might inhere also the principle of an acceptable moratorium on action and conflict policies within an acceptable frame of agreements pending the development of planning policies, procedures, personnel. It seems clear, however, that the minimum essential for any such development is first to make the case for regional national social planning as the only orderly "way on" in the present crisis. The indications are that, in the present state of confusion and mood of the people, as well as of political leaders and social scientists, a great deal may happen before the case shall have been made. Not much is being done toward making clear the case; a great deal is happening to contribute to one or more of the other alternatives so subversive to American culture.
A Cecal Enterogenous Cyst Lined by Ciliated Epithelium: Report of a Case

The case of an enterogenous cyst of the cecum in a newborn is presented. The cyst was lined by ciliated epithelium. The development of the alimentary tract and the concept of heterotopia is reviewed. The authors conclude that there is no satisfactory developmental explanation for the presence of ciliated epithelium within a cyst at this site.
The ever-expanding role of HIF in tumour and stromal biology

Low oxygen tension (hypoxia) is a hallmark of cancer that influences cancer cell function, but is also an important component of the tumour microenvironment as it alters the extracellular matrix, modulates the tumour immune response and increases angiogenesis. Here we discuss the regulation and role of hypoxia and its key transcriptional mediators, the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) family of transcription factors, in the tumour microenvironment and stromal compartments.
Excited state electronic structures of 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate determined by Stark spectroscopy.

Folates are ubiquitous cofactors that participate in a wide variety of critical biological processes. 5,10-Methenyltetrahydrofolate and its photodegradation product 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate are both associated with the light-driven DNA repair protein DNA photolyase and its homologues (e.g., cryptochromes). The excited state electronic properties of these folate molecules have been studied here using Stark spectroscopy and complementary quantum calculations. The tetrahydrofolates have relatively large difference dipole moments (ca. 6–8 Debye) and difference polarizabilities (ca. 100 A3). This extensive excited state charge redistribution appears to be due largely to the pendant p-aminobenzoic acid group, which helps shuttle charge over the entirety of the molecule. Simple calculations based on the experimental difference dipole moments suggest that tetrahydrofolates should have large two photon cross sections sufficient to enable two photon microscopy to selectively detect and follow folate-containin...
Wavefront shaping for single fiber fluorescence endoscopy

Recent advances in wavefront control, spatial light modulators, and computational power enable the use of a single multimode fiber as a fluorescence scanning microscope. We explore multimode fibers with different characteristics (diameter, index profile, etc.) and compare their performance regarding robustness against external perturbations and quality of the scanning focus.
Studies on Establishment of Suspension Cell System for Mirabilis jalapa L.

In order to establish suspension cell system of Mirabilis jalapa L., the calli induced from leaves of aseptic seedlings of M. jalapa were used as material, the optimum suspension culture system was studied. The results showed that the stable suspension cell system could be obtained after calli were subcultured 3 – 4 times on MS medium with 2,4-D 1 mg L–1and KT 0.5 mg L–1. The optimum pH was 5.5 – 5.9 with 30 g L–1sucrose. The growth curve of suspension cells of M. jalapa was S-type, and subculture time was about 10 days. The optimum inoculum was 7.5 mL in 40 mL medium. Secretory protein was(0.42 ± 0.15) g extracted from 1 L medium. These were useful for studying secretory protein extracted from suspension system.
Comparison of cone-beam computed tomography with multislice computed tomography in detection of small osseous condylar defects.

Introduction Previous studies have indicated that orthodontic-grade cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images are limited when displaying small defects at the mandibular condyles for diagnosis. In this study, we investigated whether this limitation was inherent to CBCT by comparing CBCT with multislice computed tomography (CT), and whether image segmentation and color mapping could overcome this limitation. Methods Nine fresh pig heads (18 condyles, 36 medial and lateral condylar regions) were used. Small osseous defects (diameter and depth, 1.5 mm) were created at the medial and lateral regions of the condyles shown by gutta percha markers. After the overlying soft tissues were restored, the pig heads underwent orthodontic-grade CBCT scans (0.4-mm voxel size; i-CAT; Imaging Sciences International, Hatfield, Pa) and medical-grade CT scans (0.625-mm voxel size; LightSpeed; GE, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom). Subsequently, 2 calibrated and blinded raters diagnosed the defect numbers in each condylar region from CBCT and CT images using Dolphin 3D software (Patterson Supply, St Paul, Minn) without image segmentation, and then 1 week later with the proprietary image segmentation and color mapping tools of Dolphin 3D. Condylar polyvinyl siloxane impressions were collected and evaluated by the same raters to obtain physical diagnoses. Rediagnoses were made on randomly selected subsamples to assess reliability. Using the physical diagnoses as references, the accuracy of imaging diagnosis was assessed and statistically compared among the varied imaging and analysis methods. Results Image diagnoses of all imaging and analysis methods showed good or excellent intrarater and interrater reliability values, except for those of the segmented CBCT images, which were substantially lower. The numbers of overdiagnoses and underdiagnoses per condylar region were not significantly different among the varied imaging and analysis methods (Wilcoxon tests, P >0.05), but classification functions demonstrated substantially lower sensitivity and accuracy with CBCT than with CT. Logistic regression also showed that CT had a significantly higher probability (odds ratio, 2.4) than CBCT in reaching the correct diagnosis, whereas use of the image segmentation and color mapping tool proprietary to Dolphin 3D did not improve the diagnostic accuracy from CBCT images. Conclusions Even at a lower voxel size than medical CT images, orthodontic-grade CBCT images of mandibular condyles may be inherently less reliable and less accurate for the diagnosis of small condylar defects.
Motivation: Approaching the General Theory Historically

This is a book about a book. It takes as its task the exploration of the development of the economic ideas that came to fruition in John Maynard Keynes’s General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, published in 1936. My purpose is to suggest some novel ways in which that book can be seen as a development of Keynes’s intellectual history and context. I take as a starting point, the object of my analysis, the text of the General Theory along with the original supporting documents assembled by the editors of Keynes’s Collected Works. Of particular importance in the Collected Works are the supporting documents that surround the General Theory — drafts, correspondences and related publications from Keynes’s papers. They are organized into three volumes. The first two (CW 13 and 14) correspond to Keynes’s pre-publication “Preparation,” and his post-publication (but pre-World War II) “Defense and Development,” of the General Theory. The last (CW 29), the contents of the now famous laundry basket later found in Keynes’s country home, supplement the earlier volumes with private papers from both periods. The form and novelty of the theoretical interpretation of the General Theory that emerges from my study is the result of historical research into the origins and development of the ideas found in these materials.
Levels of SysML Compatibility for Collaborative Human System Development

Developing human centered systems across multiple design and development teams requires a common framework to ensure seamless transition of models between collaborators. It is not sufficient to simply exchange data that is syntactically correct, it is also important to ensure that the information exchanged has shared meaning among team members. A current design project that included human architecting, human performance modeling and system engineering teams provided the foundation for a level of compatibility framework for Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) using the System Modeling Language (SysML). This framework provides descriptions of four different levels of model maturity that can be used for collaborative development. At each stage, the benefits of the model are described as well as its limitations. The Levels of SysML Compatibility can be used to integrate the Human Views, Soldier System library models and IMPRINT simulations to produce a comprehensive human system modeling approach.
AdvoCaring: A Cocurricular Program to Provide Advocacy and Caring to Underserved Populations in Baltimore

Objective. To incorporate direct patient care and service components throughout a 4-year pharmacy program to enable students to apply knowledge learned in the classroom and develop the human and caring dimensions of Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning.Design. Groups of 10-12 students and a faculty advisor partnered with a local agency serving an underserved population of the greater Baltimore area to provide seven hours of service per student each semester. Activities were determined based on students’ skills and agency needs.Assessment. Over 10 000 hours of care were provided from fall 2009 through spring 2014 for clients at 12 partner agencies. Student feedback was favorable.Conclusion. Cocurricular learning enables students to use their skills to benefit local communities. Through an ongoing partnership, students are able to build on experiences and sustain meaningful care initiatives.
Analysis of shear strain imaging for classifying breast masses

Different features derived from shear strain images of breast masses have been utilized to differentiate between benign and malignant breast masses. In particular the normalized axial-shear strain area feature has been utilized to provide improved discrimination performance under in-vivo imaging conditions. In this study we compare the shear strain patterns exhibited by both the full-shear and the axial-shear strain component. We examine different breast mass characteristics such as tumor shape, asymmetric location of masses, stiffness variations, and mass bonding characteristics to the background to assess the impact on shear strain imaging in differentiating benign from malignant tumors. Our results indicate that the normalized axial-shear strain and full-shear strain area features are larger for firmly bonded masses when compared to loosely bonded ones. A higher stiffness ratio or contrast between the inclusion and background also improves differentiation. Larger applied deformations reduce the discrimination performance for friction coefficients lower than 0.4. Potential errors with the use of this feature would occur for loosely bound inclusions at larger applied deformations and for asymmetric masses.
Bortezomib Synergizes with a Novel Jak2 Inhibitor, WP-1130, To Inhibit Cell Growth and Induce Apoptosis in “Classic” and “Blastoid-Variant” Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

Abstract Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma B cells (NHL-B), a lymphoma with increasing incidence over the last few decades. MCLs are classified into at least two subgroups, “classic” type of MCL and “blastoid-variant”- an even more aggressive type of MCL. Both subgroups are incurable, unusually refractory to standard chemotherapy combinations and associated with poor prognosis. New therapeutic agents with greater efficacy and less toxicity are necessary in MCL. We have shown previously that in MCL cells, the key transcription factor NF-kB, is constitutively active and maintains lymphoma cells survival. We also demonstrated that treating the MCL cells with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade) inhibits constitutive NF-kB activation, leading to G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Recently, a novel small molecular weight compound called WP-1066, a derivative of AG490, was synthesized by screening a synthetic library for agents that block stat3 activation. WP-1066 has shown to have anti-tumor activity in MCL cells through the inhibition of IL-6 mediated stat3 activation and NF-kB inhibition. A more effective compound called WP-1130, a derivative of WP-1066, was synthesized and is shown to be more potent than WP-1066 in MCL cell lines. Single agents are rarely effective in treating a disease like MCL; therefore, we hypothesized that the combination of bortezomib and WP-1130 would likely be more effective in MCL. We showed that MCL cells, both “classic” and “blastoid-variant”, treated in-vitro with bortezomib in conjunction with WP-1130 resulted in a synergistic growth inhibition and apoptosis induction. The drug concentrations use for bortezomib and WP-1130 that produce the synergistic effects were in the low nanomolar (nM) and micromolar (uM) ranges, respectively. Bortezomib at a concentration of 10 nM induces approximately 15% MCL apoptosis after 48 hr treatment when compare to untreated controls, while WP-1130 at a concentration of 1 uM induces 5% apoptosis. The combination of bortezomib and WP-1130 at the same concentrations induces 60% of MCL cell apoptosis. Bortezomib and WP-1130 showed efficacy in both classic and blastoid-variant MCL cell lines. The apoptotic effects in these cells were correlated with the down-regulation of bcl-2 and the up-regulation of bax proteins. The status of constitutive NF-kB was also examined after drug treatments. While a single agent treatment with low drug concentrations had only minimal effect on NF-kB inhibition, the combination of the two drugs dramatically inhibits NF-kB activation. These two drugs also synergize to inhibit cyclin D1 (a molecular signature of MCL), and c-myc (an oncogene commonly over-expressed in lymphoma B cells). Agents such as bortezomib and WP-1130, that can pharmacologically modulate key intracellular targets such as constitutively expressed NF-kB and cyclin D1 in MCL cells, may be more effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of MCL.
Tiling by numbers

Chemists often rely on theoretical structures to help determine the crystal structures of new materials, such as zeolites. Previous attempts to predict new structural types have been empirical and intuitive. But a systematic enumeration of the main classes of such structures has now been achieved, making rational synthesis much easier.
Exploring the experiences of high performance Canadian athletes with mood and/or anxiety disorders

Background: Until recently, it was widely assumed that mood and anxiety disorders were not common medical problems for high performance athletes (e.g., Dean & Rowan, 2013; Markser, 2011; Reardon & Factor, 2010). However, as athletes come forward to share their struggles with mental illness, this assumption has been brought into question. Very little research has focused on mood and anxiety disorders in high performance athletes; what is known comes primarily from mass media and popular culture (e.g., Hughes, 2015; Marino, 2013). The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of high performance Canadian athletes with mood and/or anxiety disorders. Methods: Three athletes were recruited via purposeful sampling. Athletes currently or recently competed for places on Canadian national sports teams. Athletes participated in semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions related to their sporting careers and how they coped with being a high performance athlete and having a mood/anxiety disorder Results: Participants described dealing with stigma related to their diagnoses. Initially, treatment took a back seat to training and competition; ultimately, participants required a break from sport in order to effectively manage their illness. Participants expressed a need for education in the sport community regarding mood/anxiety disorders as well as greater access to psychologists for high performance athletes. Discussion: Findings are discussed within the context of existing research on high performance sport and mood/anxiety disorders. Preliminary implications include the development and evaluation of education programs to decrease stigma, coupled with increases in funding for available resources for mood and anxiety disorders in the sport community.
Deletion and mutation of IL10RA gene on chromosome 11q23 to avert CpG-B oligodeoxynucleotides-induced apoptosis of human chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells.

3023 Background: Targeting TLR9 expressed on human CLL cells with CpG-B oligodeoxynucleotides leads to IL-10-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STATs and apoptosis of B-CLL cells. However, B-CLL c...
Association between breast cancer and the risk of colorectal cancer.

Background The literature to date has suggested a potential increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) among patients with breast cancer. Methods We performed a systematic review of the literature and included 37 retrospective cohort studies and 8 case-control studies. The primary aim was to determine the prevalence of CRC. Secondary aims included analysis of adenomatous polyps and analysis of CRC prevalence by age. We calculated pooled prevalence rates and odds ratios (ORs) using random effects models with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results We identified 1,055,917 individuals with breast cancer among whom 9097 cases of CRC were detected. The pooled event rate for CRC was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.6%-0.9%; I 2 =97%). Four case-control studies reported prevalence of CRC (N=17,873 patients with breast cancer and 70,366 controls), including 46 cases of CRC in the patients with breast cancer, and 272 CRC in the controls (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.4%-3.7%; P = .7). Six studies reported prevalence of advanced adenomas in patients with breast cancer (N=1087) compared with controls (N=1356) with 62 cases of advanced adenomas in patients compared with 47 in the controls (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.97-2.2; P = .07). In patients with breast cancer P =.001). In 3 studies of women P Conclusions Patients with breast cancer should not undergo CRC screening at intervals different from the general population. In patients with breast cancer
Increased ethanol-inducible cytochrome P450-2E1 and cytochrome P450 isoforms in exosomes of alcohol-exposed rodents and patients with alcoholism through oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

This study investigated the role of ethanol-inducible cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1) in enhancing CYP2E1 and other P450 proteins in extracellular vesicles (EVs) from alcohol-exposed rodents and human patients with alcoholism and their effects on oxidative hepatocyte injury. Female Fischer rats and wild-type or Cyp2e1-null mice were exposed to three oral doses of binge ethanol or dextrose control at 12-hour intervals. Plasma EV and hepatic proteins from alcohol-exposed rodents, patients with alcoholism, and their respective controls were isolated and characterized. The number of EVs and the amounts of EV CYP2E1, CYP2A, CYP1A1/2, and CYP4B proteins were markedly elevated in both patients with alcoholism and alcohol-exposed rats and mice. The number of EVs and EV P450 proteins were significantly reduced in ethanol-exposed rats fed a diet containing polyunsaturated fatty acids. The increased number of EVs and EV CYP2E1 and other P450 isoforms in alcohol-exposed wild types were significantly reduced in the corresponding Cyp2e1-null mice. EV CYP2E1 amounts depended on increased oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress because their levels were decreased by cotreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine or the CYP2E1 inhibitor chlormethiazole but increased by ER stress-inducer thapsigargin, which was blocked by 4-phenylbutyric acid. Furthermore, cell death rates were elevated when primary hepatocytes or human hepatoma cells were exposed to EVs from alcohol-exposed rodents and patients with alcoholism, demonstrating that EVs from alcohol-exposed rats and patients with alcoholism are functional and can promote cell death by activating the apoptosis signaling pathway, including phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, proapoptotic Bax, and activated caspase-3. Conclusion: CYP2E1 has an important role in elevating EV CYP2E1 and other P450 isoforms through increased oxidative and ER stress. Elevated EV-CYP2E1 detected after withdrawal from alcohol or exposure to the CYP2E1 inducer pyrazole can be a potential biomarker for liver injury. (Hepatology Communications 2017)
Treatment of Type-1 Hepatorenal Syndrome with Pentoxifylline: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial.

Abstract Introduction. Type-1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS-1) portends a poor prognosis in patients with cirrhosis. Currently available medical therapies are largely ineffective, save for liver transplantation. We aimed to determine if pentoxifylline (PTX) therapy in addition to the standard of care of volume expansion with albumin and vasoconstriction with midodrine and octreotide (AMO) is safe and efficacious compared to AMO in HRS-1 treatment. Material and methods. Hospitalized subjects with decompensated cirrhosis and HRS-1 were enrolled. PTX or placebo was administered with AMO therapy for up to 14 days. The primary endpoint was HRS-1 resolution (serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 g/dL for > 24 h). Secondary endpoints were change in creatinine and MELD score, partial treatment response, 30-and 180-day overall and transplant free survival. Results. Twelve subjects with mean age 58.9 ± 6.2 years were enrolled and randomized. Mean MELD score was 26.5 ± 7.4 and 58.3% were male. Overall cohort 30- and 180-day survival was 58.3% and 33.3% respectively. Two subjects underwent liver transplantation. HRS-1 resolution (16.7% vs. 16.7%, p = 1.000), partial treatment response (33.3% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.505), change in creatinine (+0.48 g/dL, 95% CI -0.49-1.46 vs. +0.03 g/dL, 95% CI -0.640.70, p = 0.427), 30-day survival (66.6% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.558) and 180-day survival (50.0% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.221) were similar between the two groups. Serious adverse events necessitating treatment discontinuation were rare (n = 1, PTX). Discussion. The addition of PTX to AMO in the treatment of HRS-1 is safe when compared to the current standard of care. Future large-scale prospective study to validate the efficacy of this treatment seems warranted.
Cropping-Resilient Segmented Multiple Watermarking

Watermarking is a frequently used tool for digital rights management. An example of this is using watermarks to place ownership information into an object. There are many instances where placing multiple watermarks into the same object is desired. One mechanism that has been proposed for doing this is segmenting the data into a grid and placing watermarks into different regions of the grid. This is particularly suited for images and geographic information systems (GIS) databases as they already consist of a fine granularity grid (of pixels, geographic regions, etc.); a grid cell for watermarking is an aggregation of the original fine granularity cells. An attacker may be interested in only a subset of the watermarked data, and it is crucial that the watermarks survive in the subset selected by the attacker. In the kind of data mentioned above (images, GIS, etc.) such an attack typically consists of cropping, e.g. selecting a geographic region between two latitudes and longitudes (in the GIS case) or a rectangular region of pixels (in an image). The contribution of this paper is a set of schemes and their analysis for multiple watermark placement that maximizes resilience to the above mentioned cropping attack. This involves the definition of various performance metrics and their use in evaluating and comparing various placement schemes.
Preventing Injuries in Extreme Sports Athletes

Designing an injury prevention plan for extreme sports participation is a multifaceted task. Essential to any plan is for the participant to possess or otherwise develop the capacity to objectively assess themselves on a number of key physiological, psychological, and behavioral factors as they relate to unique features of the specific extreme sport that they perform. For example, in addition to having endurant grip strength for rock or mountain climbing [1–5], the climber needs to possess a high strength/mass ratio and have sufficient joint flexibility to enable their whole-body center of mass to be positioned close to the climbing surface as forces are applied (Fig. 16.1). This simple characteristic decreases the resistance moment arms developed through their upper and lower extremities, thereby reducing neuromuscular activation demands. Having a sufficient power/weight ratio is similarly important in mountain biking [6]. In addition to evaluating their inherent physical characteristics (including the influence of their current and past medical or injury histories), the extreme sports athlete needs to be able to honestly appraise their actual versus perceived skill level and risk-taking tendencies, the influence of central and peripheral fatigue on activity performance and cognitive decision-making capability [7], and have a thorough understanding of the most likely injury risk factors associated with their sport [8]. For example hang gliding, base jumping, and paragliding are associated with a high frequency of back and lower extremity injuries (often resulting in vertebral fracture and/or spinal cord injury) due to improper landing techniques [9–12]. In contrast, whitewater kayaking is more likely to predispose the extreme sports athlete to glenohumeral joint injuries, particularly anterior-inferior labral and rotator cuff injuries, both from chronic and acute injury mechanisms. Downhill skiing on the other hand often results in knee injuries through sudden improper postural alignment when landing on one lower extremity, peripheral and/or central fatigue that compromises lower extremity neuromuscular shock absorption system function, poor decision-making, or any combination of these factors. Because of the influence of anxiety [13–15], fatigue, and other stressors on performance capability, the extreme sports athlete is advised to always underestimate their skill and expertise levels prior to participation. All too often, the spur-of-the-moment “thrill factor” which can occur at anytime during extreme sports participation supersedes sound judgment resulting in serious injury or death [16–18]. The extreme sports athlete is challenged with avoiding the seduction or rapture of the event, never letting it override sound judgment.
New Sliding Surface Techniques Enable Lagrangian Code to Handle Deep Target Penetration/Perforation Problems

Sliding surface techniques were developed and incorporated into EPIC-21, a Lagrangian finite element impact code to accomplish the dynamic relocation of sliding surfaces and the automatic addition and processing of new sliding surfaces when warranted.
Twelve tips for the introduction of emotional intelligence in medical education

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in yourself and in others. EI has long been recognized as a critical component for individual and organizational success within the business realm, and there is emerging evidence that enhancing EI is equally important in the medical setting. EI can improve interpersonal communications, enable constructive conflict resolution, and promote a culture of professionalism. As healthcare becomes increasingly team-based, proficiency in EI will be required to build consensus among multidisciplinary stakeholders, and effect change in attitudes and behaviors that result in improved patient safety and clinical outcomes. Based on the existing literature and the authors' experiences, these 12 tips provide practical suggestions on how to introduce EI into a medical curriculum. These tips have broad applicability, and can be implemented in courses on topics such as professionalism, leadership development, empathy, patient safety, or wellness.