cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Astrocytes Contribute to the Brain-metastatic Specificity of Melanoma Cells by Producing Heparanase

Neurotrophins (NTs) modulate the brain invasion of melanoma cells and the activity of an extracellular matrix degradative enzyme, heparanase, that has been recently cloned. Heparanase degrades the heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and is a critical mediator of tumor metastasis and angiogenesis. Because astrocytes are among the first brain cells encountered by extravasating melanoma cells, they may play important roles in the development of brain metastases. To test this hypothesis, we used purified in vitro astrocyte cultures and found that they express heparanase transcript and functional enzyme that were up-regulated by the prototypic NT, nerve growth factor. Coincubation of astrocytes (or their conditioned medium) with brain-metastatic cells resulted in a superadditive effect on heparanase activity and up to an 8-fold increase of in vitro chemoinvasion using purified HSPGs. These observations indicate that astrocytes significantly contribute to the brain colonization of melanoma cells via heparanase-driven modalities.
STABILIZATION OF SPIDER CRAB NERVE MEMBRANES BY ALKALINE EARTHS, AS MANIFESTED IN RESTING POTENTIAL MEASUREMENTS

1. The alkaline earths, Ba, Sr, Ca, and Mg, in isotonic solutions of their chlorides, have, in general, no effect upon the resting potential of non-medullated spider crab nerve. 2. Ba, Sr, and Ca can, however, prevent the depressing action of K upon the resting potential. The order of effectiveness of these ions in this regard is the following: Ba > Sr > Ca. 3. Ba, Sr, Ca, and Mg oppose the depressing action of veratrine sulfate upon the resting potential. The order of effectiveness is Ba > Sr > Ca > Mg. The relation between drop in potential caused by veratrine sulfate and the logarithm of the veratrine sulfate concentration is a linear one. 4. The action of various other organic ions and molecules which depress the resting potential: saponin, amyl urethane, chloral hydrate, and Na salicylate is neutralized by Ba. 5. Hypertonic sea water solutions do not affect the resting potential. Also, preliminary experiments indicate that the nerves do not shrink in hypertonic solutions although they swell in hypotonic sea water. 6. The alkaline earths depress excitability reversibly. The various organic agents which depress the resting potential also depress excitability, in most cases, reversibly, but the concentrations necessary to depress excitability are much smaller than those necessary to depress the resting potential. 7. The relation of these findings to theories put forward as possible explanations of resting potential phenomena is considered.
Equal BER power distribution control for multicode MC-CDMA with MMSE successive interference cancellation

Multicode multi-carrier CDMA (MC-CDMA) is a promising candidate for supporting multimedia services in future wireless communications. However, the performance of this system is limited by self-interference (SI) of user's multicodes and multi-user interference (MUI). In this paper, to mitigate this problem, a minimum mean square error successive interference cancellation (MMSE-SIC) receiver is applied in the multicode MC-CDMA. Furthermore, to increase the efficiency of SIC, a simple power distribution control (PDC) algorithm, based on equal BER criterion, is investigated under a short-term constraint of average transmit power. In correlated Rayleigh fading channels, the MMSE-SIC receiver integrated with the equal BER PDC can suppress interference effectively, resulting in a performance close to the single user bound (SUB).
A suboptimum linear receiver based on a parametric channel model

A suboptimum, linear, minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) data communication receiver that is based on a parametric model for a linear, time-invariant, or slowly time-varying channel is shown to perform well at reasonable input signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and for short training periods. The receiver makes use of a fractionally spaced equalizer (FSE) design whose time span is a single symbol period. It is assumed that a parametric model, with parameter estimates that are obtainable from a training sequence prior to data acquisition, is adequate for representing the impulse response of the equivalent baseband channel. >
ESTIMATING CHANGES IN MARKET EXPECTATIONS OF INFLATION IN RESPONSE TO FEDERAL RESERVE RATE CUTS IN JANUARY 2008

The calculation of forward rates implied in Treasury spot rates is well known. A simple extension that uses yields on TIPS and similar-maturity conventional Treasury securities to estimate changes in the market’s expectation of inflation is less well known. One interesting opportunity to apply this method arose in January 2008 around the time of two substantial federal funds target rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Near-term and longer-term inflation expectations appear to have responded differently to the first and second interest rate cuts, which were only ten days apart. After reporting our results, we discuss potential limitations of this method.
Probes in Scanning Microscopies

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) provides nanometer-scale mapping of numerous sample properties in essentially any environment. This unique combination of high resolution and broad applicability has lead to the application of SPM to many areas of science and technology, especially those interested in the structure and properties of materials at the nanometer scale. SPM images are generated through measurements of a tip-sample interaction. A well-characterized tip is the key element to data interpretation and is typically the limiting factor. Commercially available atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips, integrated with force sensing cantilevers, are microfabricated from silicon and silicon nitride by lithographic and anisotropic etching techniques. The performance of these tips can be characterized by imaging nanometer-scale standards of known dimension, and the resolution is found to roughly correspond to the tip radius of curvature, the tip aspect ratio, and the sample height. Although silicon and silicon nitride tips have a somewhat large radius of curvature, low aspect ratio, and limited lifetime due to wear, the widespread use of AFM today is due in large part to the broad availability of these tips. In some special cases, small asperities on the tip can provide resolution much higher than the tip radius of curvature for low-Z samples such as crystal surfaces and ordered protein arrays. Several strategies have been developed to improve AFM tip performance. Oxide sharpening improves tip sharpness and enhances tip asperities. For high-aspect-ratio samples such as integrated circuits, silicon AFM tips can be modified by focused ion beam (FIB) milling. FIB tips reach 3 degree cone angles over lengths of several microns and can be fabricated at arbitrary angles. Other high resolution and high-aspect-ratio tips are produced by electron beam deposition (EBD) in which a carbon spike is deposited onto the tip apex from the background gases in an electron microscope. Finally, carbon nanotubes have been employed as AFM tips. Their nanometer-scale diameter, long length, high stiffness, and elastic buckling properties make carbon nanotubes possibly the ultimate tip material for AFM. Nanotubes can be manually attached to silicon or silicon nitride AFM tips or "grown" onto tips by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which should soon make them widely available. In scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), the electron tunneling signal decays exponentially with tip-sample separation, so that in principle only the last few atoms contribute to the signal. STM tips are, therefore, not as sensitive to the nanoscale tip geometry and can be made by simple mechanical cutting or electrochemical etching of metal wires. In choosing tip materials, one prefers hard, stiff metals that will not oxidize or corrode in the imaging environment.
On Assignments and Learning

Sometimes a student says something so enlightened, so unexpected, and so significant that the comment has the potential to change the way that we as instructors view teaching. Or perhaps I am just speaking from my own recent experience. Here is my story: In preparation for attending an address by the author and educator Ken Bains on our campus, my Graduate Seminar students read and responded to the introduction to his book, What the Best College Teachers Do. Responses during Grad Seminar often come in different forms (e-mail, essay, Facebook post, etc.) but are all designed to lead to the discussion of ideas. One popular way to respond to the weekly reading is to cite a passage from the readings and then react personally to the author’s words. One student (one of our brightest and most thoughtful) cited the Bains excerpt I’ve placed at the head of this essay. I found it interesting that she had chosen this quote because it seemed to me (and you experienced educators might agree) that most teachers and students know that the purpose of educational activities, including assignments, is to learn something. Even the idea of “to learn something” implies some sort of change in the learner. But this student went on to specify just how new this idea was to her:
Social Support Throughout the Deployment Cycle for Women Veterans Returning From Iraq and Afghanistan

Social support throughout the deployment cycle and the challenges of readjustment to civilian life for veterans returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom were explored. Eighteen participants from the New England and Indiana Veterans Administration catchment area were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. All participants identified perceptions of social support but their utilization of these supports was compromised due to the need to protect family and friends from the strain of war, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and depressive symptoms. Resilience, fortitude, and commitment to their military mission were evidenced by all the women of this study. Implications for future service delivery are identified.
Agreement Between Measurements of Shrub Cover Using Ground-Based Methods and Very Large Scale Aerial Imagery

Abstract Very large scale aerial (VLSA) photography is a remote sensing method, which is collected and analyzed more efficiently than ground-based measurement methods, but agreement with ground-based measurements needs to be quantified. In this study, agreement between ground- and image-measured cover and precision, and accuracy of image locations and scale, were assessed. True image locations were determined by georeferencing images and conducting a ground search. Accuracy and precision of planned, aircraft, and georeferenced locations were evaluated by comparison with true image locations. Shrub cover was measured at true image locations using ground-based line-intercept and on the image using point-intercept. Sagebrush ( Artemisia spp. L.), antelope bitterbrush ( Purshia tridentata lPursh] DC.), and spineless horsebrush ( Tetradymia canescens DC.) were distinguished in the imagery. Agreement between ground- and image-based measurements was quantified using limit-of-agreement analysis. True ground locations of the VLSA images were within a 41-m radius of the aircraft location at the time of image acquisition, with 95% confidence. Using a panchromatic image from the QuickBird satellite (0.6-m pixel resolution) as a base map, 90% of true ground locations were within a 5-m radius of the location estimated from georeferencing the VLSA image to the base map. VLSA image-measured cover was, in general, unbiased with mean absolute differences between VLSA- and ground-based methods less than 1.3%. The degree of agreement and absence of bias between VLSA image–measured and ground-measured cover is sufficient to recommend using VLSA imagery to measure shrub cover.
Identification of a fatty acid Δ6-desaturase deficiency in human skin fibroblasts

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) utilization was investigated in skin fibroblasts cultured from a female patient with an inherited abnormality in lipid metabolism. These deficient human skin fibroblasts (DF) converted 85;-95% less [1-14C]linoleic acid (18:2n-6) to arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), 95% less [3-14C]tetracosatetraenoic acid (24:4n-6) to docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-6), and 95% less [1-14C]-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) and [3-14C]tetracosapentaenoic acid (24:5n-3) to docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) than did normal human skin fibroblasts (NF). The only product formed by the DF cultures from [1-14C]tetradecadienoic acid (14:2n-6) was 18:2n-6. However, they produced 50;-90% as much 20:4n-6 as the NF cultures from [1-14C]hexadecatrienoic acid (16:3n-6), [1-14C]gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n-6), and [1-14C]dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (20:3n-6), PUFA substrates that contain Delta6 double bonds. DF also contained 80% more 18:2n-6 and 25% less 20:4n-6. These results suggested that DF are deficient in Delta6 desaturation. This was confirmed by Northern blots demonstrating an 81;-94% decrease in Delta6-desaturase mRNA content in the DF cultures, whereas the Delta5-desaturase mRNA content was reduced by only 14%. This is the first inherited abnormality in human PUFA metabolism shown to be associated with a Delta6-desaturase deficiency. Furthermore, the finding that the 18- and 24-carbon substrates are equally affected suggests that a single enzyme carries out both Delta6 desaturation reactions in human PUFA metabolism.
Unlocking tumor vascular barriers with CXCR3: Implications for cancer immunotherapy

Promising cancer immunotherapeutics depend on mobilization of cytotoxic T cells across tumor vascular barriers through mechanisms that are poorly understood. Recently, we discovered that the CXCR3 chemokine receptor uniquely functions as the master-regulator of cytotoxic CD8(+) T cell extravasation and tumor control despite the multiplicity of chemokines available in the tumor landscape.
Intermediate-risk endometrial cancer : A management approach

In the United States, endometrial cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed tumor of the female genital tract. The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) has previously included patients with disease confined to the uterus and moderately or poorly differentiated tumors that invade at least half the myometrium in protocols designed for "intermediate levels of risk". Although such patients are ideally staged surgically, the role of adjuvant therapies such as postoperative pelvic irradiation remains unclear. This report offers a management approach for these women based on opportunities for enhanced local control with an acceptable level of morbidity according to supportive data from the available literature.
Abstract B22: Molecular oncogenesis of NANOG in castration-resistant prostate cancer

Regardless of the cell-of-origin, self-renewing tumor cells may be a driving force in cancer progression to lethal disease. An important outstanding question in the field of oncology is by what molecular mechanisms do tumor cells acquire stem cell (SC) biological properties? The embryonic stem cell pluripotency molecule NANOG appears to be among the important SC-related self-renewal genes underlying molecular oncogenesis. We have previously reported that NANOG attenuation inhibited prostate cancer cell clonogenic growth and in vivo tumorigenicity. Subsequently, we have found that NANOG overexpression in LNCaP prostate cancer cells promoted clonogenicity and tumor development particularly in androgen-deprived conditions. Furthermore, NANOG knockdown in relatively undifferentiated PSA- prostate cancer cells significantly reduced tumor regeneration in castrated hosts implicating NANOG in the emergence of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). To understand the molecular underpinnings of NANOG-mediated CRPC, we have performed ChIP-Seq analysis of NANOG occupancy in LNCaP cells overexpressing NANOGP8 or NANOG1. These non-biased and global studies have revealed downstream genes and signaling pathways that may potentially be regulated by NANOG in cancer cells and shed light on the NANOG castration-resistance phenotype. ∼60% of the promoter occupied sites are shared between NANOGP8 and NANOG1, representing 806 genes. Among these are many developmental-associated genes, chromatin remodeling and epigenetic regulators and molecules implicated in prostate cancer. In addition, motif analysis of NANOG occupied regions has revealed a novel candidate NANOG-interacting protein in prostate cancer cells. Integration of ChIP-Seq data with RNA-Seq is currently underway and integrative analysis is anticipated to further discriminate the direct and indirect molecular architecture responding to NANOG expression in prostate cancer. Citation Format: Collene R. Jeter, Yue Lu, Bigang Liu, Sally Gaddis, Shoudan Liang, Dean G. Tang. Molecular oncogenesis of NANOG in castration-resistant prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B22.
Direct Photochemical Functionalization of Si(111) with Undecenol

Direct UV photochemical functionalization of H-terminated Si(111) with bifunctional 10-undecen-1-ol was achieved with selective attachment via its vinyl end, resulting in the formation of a compact monolayer with free terminal alcohol groups. This is due to the faster radical propagation mechanism in hydrosilylation with alkene compared to the nucleophilic attack mechanism of alcohol, which is impeded by intermolecular hydrogen bonding present at room temperature. Evidence from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and resistance to fluoride etching shows that Si―C is the interfacial bond, and atomic force microscopy shows the presence of a smooth, uniform monolayer conforming to the atomic terraces of the Si(111) surface. The application of such a hydroxyl-terminated monolayer was demonstrated by tethering a bromoinitiator through surface esterification and thereafter subjecting the surface to the surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization of butyl methacrylate. The poly(butyl methacrylate) brushes formed were found to be smooth (R a < 0.3 nm) and uniform even for a thin film of 4.0 nm.
Examination of factors associated with use rates after transition from a universal to partial motorcycle helmet use law

ABSTRACTObjectives: Motorcycle riders account for a disproportionately high number of traffic injuries and fatalities compared to occupants of other vehicle types. Though research has demonstrated the benefits of helmet use in preventing serious and fatal injuries in the event of a crash, helmet use has remained relatively stable in the United States, where the most recent national estimates show a 64% use rate. Use rates have been markedly lower among those states that do not have a universal helmet law for all riders. In 2012, the state of Michigan repealed its longstanding mandatory helmet use law. In order to gain insights as to the effects of this legislative change, a study was conducted to examine short-term changes in helmet use and identify factors associated with use rates.Methods: A statewide direct observation survey was conducted 1 year after the transition from a universal helmet law to a partial helmet law. A random parameters logistic regression model was estimated to identify motorcyclist...
[(18)F]Fluoroethyl Triazole Substituted PSMA Inhibitor Exhibiting Rapid Normal Organ Clearance

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in the epithelium of prostate cancer and nonprostate solid tumor neovasculature. PSMA is increasingly utilized as a target for cancer imaging and therapy. Here, we report the synthesis and in vivo biodistribution of a low-molecular-weight PSMA-based imaging agent, 2-[3-(1-carboxy-5-{3-[1-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-yl]propanamido}pentyl)ureido]pentanedioic acid ([(18)F]YC-88), containing an [(18)F]fluoroethyl triazole moiety. [(18)F]YC-88 was synthesized from 2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl azide and the corresponding alkyne precursor in two steps using either a one- or two-pot procedure. Biodistribution and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging were performed in immunocompromised mice using isogenic PSMA(+) PC3 PIP and PSMA(-) PC3 flu xenografts. YC-88 exhibited high affinity for PSMA as evidenced by a Ki value of 12.9 nM. The non-decay corrected radiochemical yields of [(18)F]YC-88 averaged 14 ± 1% (n = 5). Specific radioactivities ranged from 320 to 2,460 Ci/mmol (12-91 GBq/μmol) with an average of 940 Ci/mmol (35 GBq/μmol, n = 5). In an immunocompromised mouse model, [(18)F]YC-88 clearly delineated PSMA(+) PC3 PIP prostate tumor xenografts on imaging with PET. At 1 h postinjection, 47.58 ± 5.19% injected dose per gram of tissue (% ID/g) was evident within the PSMA(+) PC3 PIP tumor, with a ratio of 170:1 of uptake within PSMA(+) PC3 PIP to PSMA(-) PC3 flu tumor placed in the opposite flank. The tumor-to-kidney ratio at 2 h postinjection was 4:1. At or after 30 min postinjection, minimal nontarget tissue uptake of [(18)F]YC-88 was observed. Compared to [(18)F]DCFPyL, which is currently in clinical trials, the uptake of [(18)F]YC-88 within the kidney, liver, and spleen was significantly lower at all time-points studied. At 30 min and 1 h postinjection, salivary gland uptake of [(18)F]YC-88 was significantly less than that of [(18)F]DCFPyL. [(18)F]YC-88 is a new PSMA-targeted PET agent synthesized utilizing click chemistry that demonstrates high PSMA(+) tumor uptake in a xenograft model. Because of its low uptake in the kidney, rapid clearance from nontarget organs, and relatively simple one-pot, two-step radiosynthesis, [(18)F]YC-88 is a viable new PET radiotracer for imaging PSMA-expressing lesions.
Vitamin D Deficiency: Historical Perspectives

In the last few decades, we have witnessed the resurgence of rickets (clinical vitamin D deficiency disorder) in vulnerable populations of infants. Recent National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys also show high rates of biochemical vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in representative samples of healthy adolescents and adults in the USA. Scientific advances in the vitamin D field have emphasized the relevance of optimal vitamin D status for skeletal and nonskeletal health outcomes. In this context of refocused attention on vitamin D, we have reviewed the history of vitamin D and rickets, and the historical perspectives on vitamin D metabolism.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase: A Novel Signal Transduction Pathway?

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the existence of newly described polyphosphoinositides that are responsive to mitogen stimulation or oncogenic transformation in cultured mammalian cells. The time course of production of novel polyphosphoinositides suggests that they are important signaling molecules in the signal transduction pathway for mitogenic protein tyrosine kinases. The structures of polyphosphoinositides, PtdIns-3,4-P2 and PtdIns-3,4,5-P3, provide evidence that they are not direct precursors for the well-characterized second messenger Ins-1,4,5-P3. Because the purified Ptdlns 3-kinase can utilize Ptdlns, PtdIns-4-P, and PtdIns-4,5-P2 as substrates in vitro, it seems likely that activation of Ptdlns 3-kinase may result in the generation of multiple signals that branch off from the conventional polyphosphoinositide pathway. Polyphosphoinositides have been extensively studied because of their involvement in intracellular signaling. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidyHnositol 4-phosphate are precursors of the second messenger pathway involving inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol.
Natural Killer Cell Evasion Is Essential for Infection by Rhesus Cytomegalovirus.

The natural killer cell receptor NKG2D activates NK cells by engaging one of several ligands (NKG2DLs) belonging to either the MIC or ULBP families. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL16 and UL142 counteract this activation by retaining NKG2DLs and US18 and US20 act via lysomal degradation but the importance of NK cell evasion for infection is unknown. Since NKG2DLs are highly conserved in rhesus macaques, we characterized how NKG2DL interception by rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) impacts infection in vivo. Interestingly, RhCMV lacks homologs of UL16 and UL142 but instead employs Rh159, the homolog of UL148, to prevent NKG2DL surface expression. Rh159 resides in the endoplasmic reticulum and retains several NKG2DLs whereas UL148 does not interfere with NKG2DL expression. Deletion of Rh159 releases human and rhesus MIC proteins, but not ULBPs, from retention while increasing NK cell stimulation by infected cells. Importantly, RhCMV lacking Rh159 cannot infect CMV-naive animals unless CD8+ cells, including NK cells, are depleted. However, infection can be rescued by replacing Rh159 with HCMV UL16 suggesting that Rh159 and UL16 perform similar functions in vivo. We therefore conclude that cytomegaloviral interference with NK cell activation is essential to establish but not to maintain chronic infection.
Oral Cavity Cancers

Patients should undergo a comprehensive oral examination, biopsy, and imaging studies for staging and treatment planning. Computed tomography (CT) scan is commonly used to evaluate the local extent of the tumor and regional spread to cervical lymph nodes.
ATPase and GTPase Tangos Drive Intracellular Protein Transport.

The GTPase superfamily of proteins provides molecular switches to regulate numerous cellular processes. The ‘GTPase switch’ paradigm, in which external regulatory factors control the switch of a GTPase between ‘on’ and ‘off’ states, has been used to interpret the regulatory mechanism of many GTPases. However, recent work unveiled a class of nucleotide hydrolases that do not adhere to this classical paradigm. Instead, they use nucleotide-dependent dimerization cycles to regulate key cellular processes. In this review article, recent studies of dimeric GTPases and ATPases involved in intracellular protein targeting are summarized. It is suggested that these proteins can use the conformational plasticity at their dimer interface to generate multiple points of regulation, thereby providing the driving force and spatiotemporal coordination of complex cellular pathways.
Robotic retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy: useful modifications of the described posterior approach.

Herein we describe a technique modification of the robotic posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (RPRA). Three patients presented to our clinic with adrenal lesions. The average BMI and tumor size was 29.3 kg/m2 and 4.6 cm, respectively. All had prior major abdominal procedures. Long robotic trocars were used. A 5-mm assistant port was added and the number of robotic instrument use was minimized. The average total operation time was 136 min, average docking time was 14.7 min and the average console time was 108.7 min. Blood loss was minimal and there were no complications. In patients with prior history of extensive abdominal procedures, RPRA is safe and effective when performed by surgeons with PRA and robotic experience. Long robotic trocars effectively minimized external robotic arm collisions. Adding a 5-mm assistant trocar maximized the first assistant and console surgeon abilities. Limiting the number of robotic instruments and energy devices contained cost.
Cost Analysis of Calcium in Store Brand versus National Brand Grocery Products

Objective: This study was to determine if calcium fortification yields a higher price per serving in grocery store products. Researchers compared store brand to national brand grocery products in r...
Posttraumatic stress disorder due to acute cardiac events and aversive cognitions towards cardiovascular medications

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after acute medical events is associated with medication nonadherence. The mechanisms of PTSD-related nonadherence are poorly understood. We tested whether patients with elevated PTSD symptoms induced by suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were more likely to have aversive cognitions towards cardiovascular medications. We enrolled a consecutive cohort of patients who presented to the emergency department with suspected ACS. One month after discharge, ACS-induced PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist (PCL-S), and patients were asked “how often did” (1) “you miss your heart medication because you did not want to be reminded about your heart problem”; (2) “thinking about your heart medication make you feel nervous or anxious”; and (3) “thinking about your heart medication make you think about your risk for future heart problems.” Logistic regression was used to determine the association between elevated PTSD symptoms and each aversive cognition, adjusting for age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, depression, and ACS status. Of 424 patients included, 15.8% had elevated PTSD symptoms (PCL-S ≥ 34). In adjusted analyses, higher PCL-S scores were associated with missing medications to avoid reminders of heart disease (OR 1.22 per 5-point PCL-S increase, 95%CI 1.07–1.40), as well as anxiety (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.19–1.51) and thoughts of future risk (OR 1.19, 95%CI 1.08–1.32) when thinking about cardiovascular medications. We concluded that patients with elevated PTSD symptoms following suspected ACS were more likely to report aversive cognitions about their cardiovascular medications, suggesting that medications can act as traumatic reminders of the cardiac event and ongoing risk in this group.
Fine-grained Algorithms and Complexity.

A central goal of algorithmic research is to determine how fast computational problems can be solved in the worst case. Theorems from complexity theory state that there are problems that, on inputs of size n, can be solved in t(n) time but not in O(t(n)^{1-epsilon}) time for epsilon>0. The main challenge is to determine where in this hierarchy various natural and important problems lie. Throughout the years, many ingenious algorithmic techniques have been developed and applied to obtain blazingly fast algorithms for many problems. Nevertheless, for many other central problems, the best known running times are essentially those of their classical algorithms from the 1950s and 1960s. Unconditional lower bounds seem very difficult to obtain, and so practically all known time lower bounds are conditional. For years, the main tool for proving hardness of computational problems have been NP-hardness reductions, basing hardness on P neq NP. However, when we care about the exact running time (as opposed to merely polynomial vs non-polynomial), NP-hardness is not applicable, especially if the problem is already solvable in polynomial time. In recent years, a new theory has been developed, based on "fine-grained reductions" that focus on exact running times. Mimicking NP-hardness, the approach is to (1) select a key problem X that is conjectured to require essentially t(n) time for some t, and (2) reduce X in a fine-grained way to many important problems. This approach has led to the discovery of many meaningful relationships between problems, and even sometimes to equivalence classes. The main key problems used to base hardness on have been: the 3SUM problem, the CNF-SAT problem (based on the Strong Exponential Time Hypothesis (SETH)) and the All Pairs Shortest Paths Problem. Research on SETH-based lower bounds has flourished in particular in recent years showing that the classical algorithms are optimal for problems such as Approximate Diameter, Edit Distance, Frechet Distance, Longest Common Subsequence etc. In this talk I will give an overview of the current progress in this area of study, and will highlight some exciting new developments and their relationship to database theory.
Zero-Mode Waveguide Nanophotonic Structures for Single Molecule Characterization.

Single-molecule characterization has become a crucial research tool in the chemical and life sciences, but limitations, such as limited concentration range, inability to control molecular distributions in space, and intrinsic phenomena, such as photobleaching, present significant challenges. Recent developments in non-classical optics and nanophotonics offer promising routes to mitigating these restrictions, such that even low affinity (K D ~ mM) biomolecular interactions can be studied. Here we introduce and review specific nanophotonic devices used to support single molecule studies. Optical nanostructures, such as zero-mode waveguides (ZMWs), are usually fabricated in thin gold or aluminum films and serve to confine the observation volume of optical microspectroscopy to attoliter to zeptoliter volumes. These simple nanostructures allow individual molecules to be isolated for optical and electrochemical analysis, even when the molecules of interest are present at high concentration (μM - mM) in bulk solution. Arrays of ZMWs may be combined with optical probes such as single molecule fluorescence, single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET), and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) for distributed analysis of large numbers of single-molecule reactions or binding events in parallel. Furthermore, ZMWs may be used as multifunctional devices, for example by combining optical and electrochemical functions in a single discrete architecture to achieve electrochemical ZMWs (E-ZMW). In this review, we will describe the optical properties, fabrication, and applications of ZMWs for single-molecule studies, as well as the integration of ZMWs into systems for chemical and biochemical analysis.
Behavior Change of Participants in Group vs. Individual DPP Weight Loss Interventions—The SHINE Study

Objective: To compare change in physical activity (PA) and dietary fat intake (DFI) in the SHINE (Support, Health Information, Nutrition and Exercise) Study. SHINE was a randomized, controlled weight loss trial (n=257) of 2 telephone (to increase reach) translations of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle change intervention, delivered at 5 diverse healthcare sites. Methods: Participants (metabolic syndrome, no diabetes) were randomized to the DPP lifestyle change program, participating individually (solo; n=129) or in a group conference call (group; n=128). The 16-session DPP curriculum was delivered in year-1 by trained primary care staff and coaches, with continued contact in year-2. Participants: mean age= 51.8 years, 74.3% female, 85.6% white, 44.1% employed, 36.9% annual income Results: Compared to baseline, the group arm increased PA at 6, 12 and 24 mos. (71.0, 139.5, 255.0 mets/week), the solo arm only improved at 24 mos. (102.0 mets/week). Compared to baseline, the group arm showed decreased DFI at 6, 12 and 24 mos. (1.4%, 1.4%, 1.4%); the solo arm improved at 6 and 12 mos. (2.6%, 2.9%) but not at 24 mos. There were no differences between arms in means for PA or DFI. Conclusions: Primary care staff can be trained to deliver a telephonic DPP translation that is effective to achieve significant PA and DFI behavior change. Despite anecdotal concerns that group contact may be less tailored to individuals and thus less effective, we found that group may be more effective than solo contact in achieving activity and diet changes associated with weight loss. Disclosure P.M. Trief: Research Support; Self; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. L.M. Delahanty: Consultant; Self; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Akcea Therapeutics, Nutrisystem, Inc.. Advisory Panel; Self; Jana Care Inc., Omada Health, Inc.. D.A. Cibula: None. R.S. Weinstock: Research Support; Self; Medtronic MiniMed, Inc., Mylan, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Diasome Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Calibra Medical, Dexcom, Inc., Ultradian Diagnostics LLC., JAEB Center For Health Research, JDRF, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Die primale-duale Methode bei Transportproblemen

Obwohl die Simplexmethode bei Anwendung auf das Transportschema mit Hilfe der Technik des Kapitels 14 erfolgreich zum Losen groserer Probleme benutzt wurde, die Hunderte von Gleichungen mit Tausenden von Unbekannten enthielten, scheint die in diesem Kapitel beschriebene primale-duale Transportmethode gewisse Vorteile zu haben. In einem zwanglosen Experiment von FORD, FULKERSON und dem Verfasser wurde diese Methode mit der Simplexmethode bei einer Anzahl kleiner Probleme verglichen, und es zeigte sich, das nur halb soviel Aufwand notig war. Z. B. wurde eine optimale (20 X 20)-Zuordnung, fur welche die Simplexmethode mehr als eine Rechenstunde mit Papier und Bleistift erforderte, mit Hilfe der jetzt zu beschreibenden Methode in etwa 30 Minuten gelost. Bei groseren Problemen konnen die Vorteile noch erheblicher sein. Aber die Ergebnisse, die bisher dem Verfasser mitgeteilt wurden, geben noch kein ausschlaggebendes Bild.
Fabrication and Characterization of Poly(L-lactic Acid) Fiber Mats Using Centrifugal Spinning

Polylactic acid (PLA) fine fibers and multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced PLA fine fiber composites were developed utilizing a centrifugal spinning process. Chloroform and chloroform combined with dimethylformamide (DMF) were used to prepare solutions with varying concentrations of PLA and MWCNTs. The optimum spinning conditions to produce PLA fibers and its composites were determined. The morphology of the fibers was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. In addition, X-ray diffraction analysis and thermo-physical characterization was conducted using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. PLA fibers with an average diameter of 481 nanometers and PLA/MWCNT fibers with an average diameter of 358 nanometers were obtained. A decrease in the crystallinity of the fibers was observed when compared to bulk PLA values.
Postoperative Care of the Lung-Transplant Patient

The early postoperative care in the management of the lung-transplant patient has significantly changed over the past two decades. The advances in donor preservation, improved surgical techniques, better understanding of immunosuppression and nosocomial infection along with multidisciplinary care have contributed to these changes. Although management of the lung-transplant patient is similar in many aspects to that of a critically ill postsurgical patient in the immediate postoperative period, the care of these patients is challenging, and a multidisciplinary team familiar with transplant care is important to manage specific issues related to lung transplantation.
Development of a real-time in-core neutron monitoring system for neutron flux variations during neutron activation analysis

The pneumatic NAA facility at The University of Texas at Austin is widely used for the measurement of trace elemental concentrations. It has been shown for extremely short duration NAA irradiations, sample activation measurements can vary by up to 12% from normalized values. The typical university research reactor’s external neutron monitoring instruments are unable to detect small-localized variations in neutron population likely resulting in the observed error. The primary method to reduce this uncertainty is to irradiate traceable flux monitor samples in addition to the experimental samples to be analyzed. This method doubles the required sample prep, measurement, and analysis effort. An in-core neutron monitoring system was designed and installed adjacent to the pneumatic NAA sample system terminus to track these localized fluctuations. This design consists of a miniature in-core fission chamber fitted through the upper grid plate of the reactor core. The system is controlled by a NI LabVIEW data logging application. This system provides the capability of monitoring sample irradiance in real-time. In preliminary testing, the system was able to track short irradiation NAA sample variance to within 3% of normalized values. Thus, a significant reduction in the uncertainty of NAA measurements for trace elemental concentrations is achievable.
Base-free nickel-catalysed decarbonylative Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of acid fluorides

The Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of organoboron nucleophiles with aryl halide electrophiles is one of the most widely used carbon–carbon bond-forming reactions in organic and medicinal chemistry1,2. A key challenge associated with these transformations is that they generally require the addition of an exogenous base, the role of which is to enable transmetallation between the organoboron nucleophile and the metal catalyst3. This requirement limits the substrate scope of the reaction because the added base promotes competitive decomposition of many organoboron substrates3–5. As such, considerable research has focused on strategies for mitigating base-mediated side reactions6–12. Previous efforts have primarily focused either on designing strategically masked organoboron reagents (to slow base-mediated decomposition)6–8 or on developing highly active palladium precatalysts (to accelerate cross-coupling relative to base-mediated decomposition pathways)10–12. An attractive alternative approach involves identifying combinations of catalyst and electrophile that enable Suzuki–Miyaura-type reactions to proceed without an exogenous base12–14. Here we use this approach to develop a nickel-catalysed coupling of aryl boronic acids with acid fluorides15–17, which are formed in situ from readily available carboxylic acids18–22. This combination of catalyst and electrophile enables a mechanistic manifold in which a ‘transmetallation-active’ aryl nickel fluoride intermediate is generated directly in the catalytic cycle13,16. As such, this transformation does not require an exogenous base and is applicable to a wide range of base-sensitive boronic acids and biologically active carboxylic acids. This nickel-catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of aryl boronic acids with in-situ-generated acid fluorides does not require an exogenous base and is applicable to a range of base-sensitive boronic acids and bioactive carboxylic acids.
Performance of photo-curable metal-chelating active packaging coating in complex food matrices

Many packaged goods undergo transition metal-catalyzed oxidative spoilage. Recently, a nonmigratory photocurable metal-chelating coating was developed as an innovative active packaging approach to control oxidation of foods. In the present study, we investigate the influence of competing ions and increasing viscosity on the iron-chelating capacity and antioxidant efficacy of this coating in a model complex food system. The addition of calcium and magnesium causes a decrease in iron chelating capacity; however, 61% chelating capacity of materials was retained when 0.8 M sodium was present. Materials retained iron-chelating capacity even in solutions of 2700 cP, similar to the viscosity of salad dressing. Additionally, metal-chelating films significantly delayed transition metal-catalyzed ascorbic acid degradation, even in the presence of competing ions and at increased viscosity. These results suggest that metal-chelating active packaging coatings may present a new technological approach to addressing consumer demands for reduced additive use while controlling food spoilage and waste.
Transgenerational genomic effect of chemotherapy exposure in testicular cancer survivors.

1543 Background: Cancer survivors who receive chemotherapy express concern that these exposures may induce germ cell mutations that lead to transmissible genetic damage in post-treatment children. ...
Trends in Hip Arthroscopic Labral Repair: An American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Database Study

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the trends in labral repair in American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Part II candidates performing hip arthroscopy. Methods Candidates who performed arthroscopic hip surgery between 2011 and 2015 during their American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Part II board collection period were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes (29860, 29861, 29862, 29863, 29914, 29915, 29916). The proportion of hip arthroscopy cases including labral repair (Current Procedural Terminology code 29916) were calculated for each year and analyzed by fellowship training experience. Trends in labral repair utilization were calculated using univariate and regression analyses, with significance set at P Results During the study period, 1,606 hip labral repair cases were performed, with a 35% increase in utilization between 2011 and 2015. Overall, labral repair was performed in 64.8% (1,606/2,480) of hip arthroscopy cases, with a significant increase between 2011 and 2015 (47.4% vs 79.2%; P Conclusions Labral repair utilization during hip arthroscopy procedures nearly doubled from 2011 to 2015 for American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Part II candidates, reflecting a significant change in practice. Current data suggest that nearly 80% of hip arthroscopy procedures include labral repair. These trends may reflect the current practice patterns at academic institutions with sports medicine fellowships.
Cultural interaction and child nutrition (toward a curvilinear compromise

Cultural factors can affect dietary intakes in many ways, including the production and use of foods for the feeding of young children and pregnant and lactating women (1). Knowledge of the culture helps to explain the local pattern of nutrition and health, assists in establishing rapport with the community, and facilitates the introduction of nutrition-related programs (2,3). To be able to relate to the culture is a prime requirement for the community worker. A rough system of classifying customs into nutritionally beneficial, harmful, neutral, and uncertain has been suggested (1,4) so that appropriate programs may be chosen.
Engaging care partners in breast cancer care and communication.

11614Background: Family is often overlooked in cancer care. Little is known about the patient preferences for involving family in communication, whether preferences may be elicited and supported at...
Crop rotational diversity impacts soil physical and hydrological properties under long-term no- and conventional-till soils

Diversification of crop species and minimum mechanical soil disturbance are the interlinked principles of conservation agriculture that are beneficial in improving soil physical and hydrological properties, and hence crop productivity. The present study was conducted to assess the long-term impacts of crop rotational diversity and tillage on soil water infiltration (qs), soil water retention (SWR), pore size distribution (PSD), bulk density (ρb) and soil penetration resistance (SPR). The study was established in 1991 at Beresford, South Dakota, and included three crop rotation systems (2-year, maize (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max L.); 3-year, maize–soybean–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.); and 4-year, maize–soybean–wheat–oat (Avena sativa L.)) and two tillage systems (NT, no-tillage; and CT, conventional tillage). Soil samples were collected only under maize and soybean phases of the crop rotations. Our results showed that NT with 4-year rotation had the lowest ρb under maize and soybean phases (1.21 and 1.19 g cm–3 respectively) compared with the CT system. Similarly, NT with 4-year rotation decreased SPR by 20% compared to CT with 4-year rotation in the soybean phase. Soils managed under NT with 4-year rotation in the soybean phase retained 27, 28, 28, 32, 33, 31 and 26% more water compared with CT and 4-year system at 0–7.5 cm depth at 0, –0.4, –1.0, –2.5, –5.0, –10 and –30 kPa matric potentials respectively. A similar trend was observed for qs under the same treatments, in which it was 31% higher under NT than under CT, both with 4-year rotation. Data from this study showed that diversified crop rotation under NT enhanced soil physical and hydrological properties compared with CT with less diverse systems (e.g. maize–soybean).
The utility of wearable fitness trackers and implications for increased engagement: An exploratory, mixed methods observational study.

ObjectiveTo explore which features of wearable fitness trackers are used and deemed helpful.MethodsForty-seven participants took part in an online survey. All participants were over 18 years of age...
Formación de los Sistemas Educativos Nacionales en Hispanoamérica. El caso ecuatoriano, 1895–1912

The gradual centralisation in the funding and management of public primary schools was one of the key processes in the construction of national educational systems in Latin America. In this book, o...