cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myeloproliferation and hematopoietic stem cell dysfunction due to defective Notch receptor modification by O-fucose glycans

O-fucosylglycans on Notch extracellular domain epidermal growth factor (EGF) repeats are critical in modulating Notch signaling by altering the sensitivity of Notch receptors to activation by Notch ligands. Mice lacking Notch O-fucosylglycans display granulo-monocytic myeloproliferation, hematopoietic stem cell dysfunction and aberrant stem cell niche occupancy. The inability of the stem cells/progenitors that lack Notch O-fucosylglycans to transcribe Notch signaling activation is attributed by a loss of effective Notch–ligand interaction. These findings, in conjunction with myeloproliferation identified in mouse models with defective Notch cleavage or ligand endocytosis, reveal emerging new roles of Notch in hematopoietic stem cell biology and myeloid homeostasis.
Modified transfer matrix model for Bragg grating strain sensors

Optical fiber Bragg gratings are unique among strain sensors due to their potential to measure strain distributions over gage lengths of a few centimeters with a spatial resolution of a few nanometers. The application of these sensors requires modeling of the grating output spectrum due to an applied axial strain profile. The most computationally efficient method for this calculation is the transfer-matrix model (T-matrix) derived originally for chirped gratings. This approach models a grating with varying properties as a series of smaller grating segments with constant parameters. Huang and colleagues first applied the T-matrix approach to model the inverse problem of a grating subjected to non-uniform strain by varying the period of each segment. The current work shows that, in the presence of strain gradients, this approach does not converge to the numerical solution of the grating coupled mode equations in the limit of a large number of segments. A modified T-matrix representation is then derived for the sensor problem and is shown to approach the coupled mode solutions for a large number of segments. Finally, the application of the modified T-matrix model to Bragg grating sensors is outlined, including inversion of the grating spectrum via a genetic algorithm.
Dynamics of Multifunctional Dehaloperoxidase Hemoglobin

Multi-functional dehaloperoxidase-hemoglobin (DHP) is a versatile protein that functions as an oxygen transporter, but also has functions related to detoxification of a range of substrates including brominated phenols and indoles. It is ironic that the inhibitor binding site has been known for 15 years, but the substrate binding sites remain elusive. Two recent X-ray crystallographic studies reveal internal substrate binding sites. However, since there are at least three binding sites for 2,4,6-trihalophenols alone, the functional location of substrate binding remains unresolved. Moreover, recent kinetic data show that a number of indoles are excellent substrates for DHP and the isotope data indicate that some of these are oxidized directly by bound H2O2 (peroxygenase function) or O2 (monooxygenase function). Clearly the internal binding requires a large binding cavity and protein dynamics that permit the entrance of these large molecules into the distal pocket. Time-resolved X-ray crystallography reveals ballistic motion of carbon monoxide to the only internal Xe-binding site and rapid escape from the protein, both features that are consistent with the open architecture of the distal pocket. Preliminary NMR dynamic studies show that this method can be used to complement X-ray crystallography to provide information on the location of substrate binding. Resonance Raman studies complement these methods as well providing a means to study how ligand binding to the heme Fe interacts with the internally bound inhibitors and substrates. This combination of methods has the potential to reveal functional differences in the binding of different substrates and the role played by protein dynamics in controlling the functional switching of DHP.
Onset of diabetes in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats leads to improved recovery of function after ischemia in the isolated perfused heart

The aim of this study was to determine whether the transition from insulin resistance to hyperglycemia in a model of type 2 diabetes leads to intrinsic changes in the myocardium that increase the sensitivity to ischemic injury. Hearts from 6-, 12-, and 24-wk-old lean (Control) and obese Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were isolated, perfused, and subjected to 30 min of low-flow ischemia (LFI) and 60 min of reperfusion. At 6 wk, ZDF animals were insulin resistant but not hyperglycemic. By 12 wk, the ZDF group was hyperglycemic and became progressively worse by 24 wk. In spontaneously beating hearts rate-pressure product (RPP) was depressed in the ZDF groups compared with age-matched Controls, primarily due to lower heart rate. Pacing significantly increased RPP in all ZDF groups; however, this was accompanied by a significant decrease in left ventricular developed pressure. There was also greater contracture during LFI in the ZDF groups compared with the Control group; surprisingly, however, functional recovery upon reperfusion was significantly higher in the diabetic 12- and 24-wk ZDF groups compared with age-matched Control groups and the 6-wk ZDF group. This improvement in recovery in the ZDF diabetic groups was independent of substrate availability, severity of ischemia, and duration of diabetes. These data demonstrate that, although the development of type 2 diabetes leads to progressive contractile and metabolic abnormalities during normoxia and LFI, it was not associated with increased susceptibility to ischemic injury.
Identification of Small-Molecule Agonists of Human Relaxin Family Receptor 1 (RXFP1) by Using a Homogenous Cell-Based cAMP Assay

The relaxin hormone is involved in a variety of biological functions, including female reproduction and parturition, as well as regulation of cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, and hepatic functions. It regulates extracellular matrix remodeling, cell invasiveness, proliferation, differentiation, and overall tissue homeostasis. The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) relaxin family receptor 1 (RXFP1) is a cognate relaxin receptor that mainly signals through cyclic AMP second messenger. Although agonists of the receptor could have a wide range of pharmacologic utility, until now there have been no reported small-molecule agonists for relaxin receptors. Here, we report the development of a quantitative high-throughput platform for an RXFP1 agonist screen based on homogenous cell-based HTRF cyclic AMP (cAMP) assay technology. Two small molecules of similar structure were independently identified from a screen of more than 365 677 compounds. Neither compound showed activity in a counterscreen with HEK293T cells transfected with an unrelated GPCR vasopressin 1b receptor. These small-molecule agonists also demonstrated selectivity against the RXFP2 receptor, providing a basis for future medicinal chemistry optimization of selective relaxin receptor agonists.
A distinct RNA polymerase activity, synthesizing 5-5 s, 5 s and 4 s RNA in nuclei from adenovirus 2-infected HeLa cells.

A distinct RNA polymerase activity which synthesizes low molecular-weight RNA has been identified in the nuclei of HeLa cells. The products of the polymerase activity are RNA molecules of discrete size. In nuclei from adenovirus 2-infected cells, RNA, which co-migrates in gel electrophoresis with host cell 5 s RNA and 5.5 s virus-associated RNA, is labeled. The activity also labels RNA with the properties of precursor to transfer RNA. The kinetics of labeling and the results of chase experiments suggest that the polymerase activity is initiating the synthesis of new molecules. Consistent with this hypothesis is the observation that the 5.5 s virus-associated RNA molecules contain radioactive pppGp and uridine, which are presumed to arrive from the 5′- and 3′-ends, respectively. The polymerase activity is completely insensitive to inhibition by α-amanitine, and it is comparatively active when Mn2+ is substituted for Mg2+. These properties are in contrast to those of the polymerase activity transcribing high molecular-weight heterogeneous RNA from either the host cell or the adenovirus genome. Thus, it appears that the adenovirus genome is transcribed by two distinct polymerase activities: one resembles closely the host cell polymerase transcribing high molecular-weight RNA, and the other is similar to the host cell activity forming low molecular-weight RNA species.
Host Status and Fruit Odor Response of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) to Figs and Mulberries

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is an agricultural pest with a wide host range. It is known to infest fruit that are still ripening on the plant, as well as rotting and damaged fruit. Our study sought to determine whether D. suzukii use mulberries (Morus spp.) and figs (Ficus carica (L.)) as hosts, as their host status was ambiguous. Accordingly, we collected 25 field-infested fruit and counted the numbers of D. suzukii emerging from them. We also sought to determine whether female D. suzukii would respond to olfactory cues from ripe figs and mulberries. As the host population has been known to impact host odor response, flies from mulberry, fig, and cherry origins were tested in "one-choice" olfactometry studies. Our results show that mulberries and figs can serve as hosts for D. suzukii and that female flies will respond to their odors. The host population did affect response to fruit odors, although further studies are necessary to determine habitat fidelity. This has implications for management of this pest, especially in backyard and mixed fruit orchard situations, which commonly occur in the current range of D. suzukii, and fig and mulberry may serve as a pest reservoir for other hosts and cultivated crops.
Preliminary study on bolstered error estimation in high-dimensional spaces

Error estimation is fundamental in GSP applications, such as the discovery of biomarkers to classify disease, or the construction of genetic regulatory networks, especially in small sample settings. Braga-Neto and Dougherty proposed a kernel-based technique of error estimation, called bolstered error estimation, which was shown empirically to work well in low-dimensional spaces (Braga-Neto and Dougherty, 2004). We present in this paper preliminary results of a simulation study on how bolstering performs in high-dimensional spaces.
Accurate speech segmentation by mimicking human auditory processing

This paper addresses the problem of locating phone boundaries without prior knowledge of the text of an utterance. A biomimetic model of human auditory processing is used to calculate the neural features of frequency synchrony and average signal level. Frequency synchrony and average signal level are used as input to a two-layered support vector machine (SVM)-based system to detect phone boundaries. Phone boundaries are detected with 87.0% precision and 84.8% recall when the automatic segmentation system has no prior knowledge of the phone sequence in the utterance.
Fault Tree Analysis of Schoharie Creek Bridge Collapse

The United States has witnessed several bridge collapses that have resulted in human fatalities. One such failure was the Schoharie Creek Bridge (1987), which motivated the improvement of bridge management policies and procedures. This paper offers a detailed review of the events that resulted in this bridge failure through the use of fault tree analysis. A fault tree is a graphical depiction of the various failure paths that lead to an undesirable outcome. The tree presented considers a host of catastrophic events ranging from vessel collision to fire. Fault trees also provide quantitative assessment and comparison of different failure mechanisms. The results of this analysis present scour as the source of the collapse of this bridge, which was in reality the root cause. Knowledge of the vulnerabilities particular to a bridge aids in the management of similar bridge types, allowing focus upon critical aspects. Recognition of historical bridge failures offers awareness to current bridge engineers and managers that aids in the decision making that promotes public safety and structure preservation. Lessons learned will help avoid similar catastrophic failures in the future.
Are microRNAs suitable biomarkers of immunity to tuberculosis

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of human immunity e.g. against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Against the background of still alarming high mortality of tuberculosis effective biomarkers to improve diagnosis of M. tuberculosis infection and successful treatment are of major importance. Conclusions: This review summarizes recent surrogate tissue studies for identification of miRNA biomarker candidates in human tuberculosis with a special focus on reproducibility and conformance. In addition we provide assistance for the design of biomarker studies to circumvent major pitfalls.
Reinstituting Oral Feedings in Children Fed by Gastrostomy Tube

Children with gastrostomies may return to oral feedings provided the health problem which led to its placement has resolved, stabilized, or been corrected. However, attempts to accomplish this are likely to be met with resistance from the child, including gagging, choking, biting, and vomiting. Aspiration and even fatal airway obstruction are possible. Seventeen children with gastrostomies were evaluated to determine appropriateness for oral feedings. Only 10 of this group were deemed acceptable candidates. Five were managed successfully as outpatients and four as inpatients. One patient with dysphagia aspirated, and oral feedings were discontinued. Selection criteria and management methods are described.
Energy-Efficient Continuous Isoline Queries in Sensor Networks

Environmental monitoring is a promising application for sensor networks. Many scenarios produce geographically correlated readings, making them visually interesting and good targets for the isoline query. This query depicts boundaries showing how values change in the network. Temporal and spatial suppression provide opportunities for reducing the cost of maintaining the query result. We combine both techniques for maximal benefit by monitoring node and edge constraints. A monitored node triggers a report if its value changes. A monitored edge triggers a report if the difference between its nodes values changes. The root collects reports and derives all node values, from which the query result is generated. We fully exploit this strategy in our algorithm, CONCH, which maintains the set of node and edge constraints that minimizes message traffic.
FDG PET of the Brain in Pediatric Patients: Imaging Spectrum with MR Imaging Correlation

Positron emission tomography (PET) of the brain is an important problem-solving tool in pediatric neuroimaging, neurology, and neurosurgery. Fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET or dual-modality PET and computed tomographic (CT) imaging (PET/CT), with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging correlation, can be used to evaluate childhood epilepsy and pediatric brain tumors, areas in which PET adds value in patient management. FDG PET has been widely used in pediatric temporal lobe epilepsy, most commonly manifesting as mesial temporal sclerosis, which demonstrates hypometabolism at interictal PET and hypermetabolism during seizures. Recently, FDG PET has shown added value for patients with extratemporal epilepsy, in whom FDG PET can help identify cortical foci of interictal hypometabolism that are undetectable or difficult to detect with MR imaging. These findings can then guide additional investigations and surgery. FDG PET also enhances medical decision making in children with brain tumors, in whom FDG PET can be used to (a) improve the diagnostic yield of stereotactic biopsies by detecting metabolically active areas of tumor, (b) help guide the surgeon in achieving total tumor resection, and (c) increase detection of residual or recurrent tumor. Technologic advances in the past decade have allowed fusion of PET and MR images, combining the high resolution of MR imaging with the low-resolution functional capability of PET. As dual-modality integrated PET/MR imaging systems become available, CT coregistration for PET can be eliminated, thus reducing patient radiation exposure. Increasing familiarity with normal and abnormal appearances of FDG PET brain images correlated with MR images can enhance diagnostic yield and improve the care of children with epilepsy and brain tumors.
Fast matrix-multiplication algorithms on message-based systolic arrays

The author introduces a parallel structure termed a message-based systolic attached processor (MSAP) for the efficient implementation of matrix product algorithms. The architecture consists of a set of systolic nodes of fixed size and dimension connected by a global network, called the system interconnection network. The systolic nodes have their own local memory and can access a common global one. Communication protocols among the nodes are message-based and are similar to the ones used in the n-cube. The new architecture represents a family of algorithm-specific structures that can be custom-designed to solve a particular problem more efficiently. The author also describes a graph-theoretic technique for expressing the evolution of partial results in the structure as a function of the compute cycles in the form of a timing graph. Appropriate procedures for analyzing the timing graph are introduced. Analysis of the timing graph allows the modification of the array operation so that it could implement structured sparse matrix multiplication in reduced time. >
Positive crosstalk between ERK and p38 in melanoma stimulates migration and in vivo proliferation

Melanoma is one of the most therapy-resistant cancers. Activating mutations in BRAF and NRAS are the source of extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway activation. We show that melanoma cell lines, originating in different metastatic sites, with BRAF or NRAS mutations, in addition to active mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)-ERK, also have highly activated stress activated protein kinase (SAPK)-p38. This is in direct contrast to carcinoma cells in which the activity of the two kinases appears to be mutually exclusive; high level of p38 activity inhibits, through a negative feedback, ERK activity and prevents tumorigenesis. Melanomas are insensitive to ERK inhibition by p38 and utilize p38-signaling pathway for migration and growth in vivo. We found a positive functional loop linking the high ERK activity to surface expression of alphaVbeta3-integrin. This integrin, by interacting with vitronectin, induces p38 activity and increases IL-8 production, enhancing cell migration. Because the negative loop from p38 to ERK is lost, the two kinases can remain simultaneously activated. Inhibition of ERK and p38 activities is more effective in blocking in vivo growth than inhibition of each kinase individually. Future therapies might have to consider targeting of both pathways.
A justification for reporting the majority-rule consensus tree in Bayesian phylogenetics.

This is an electronic version of an article published in Systematic Biology [Holder, Mark T., Jeet Sukumaran, and Paul O. Lewis. A justification for reporting majority-rule consensus tree in Bayesian phylogenetics. Systematic Biology, 57(5):814{821, 2008.] Systematic Biology is available online at informaworld http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10635150802422308
High Mutation Frequencies Among Escherichia coli and Salmonella Pathogens

Here it is reported that the incidence of mutators among isolates of pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica is high (over 1 percent). These findings counter the theory, founded on studies with laboratory-attenuated strains, that suggests mutators are rare among bacterial populations. Defects in methyl-directed mismatch repair underlie all mutator phenotypes described here. Of nine independently derived hypermutable strains, seven contained a defective mutS allele. Because these mutant alleles increase the mutation rate and enhance recombination among diverse species, these studies may help explain both the rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance and the penetrance of virulence genes within the prokaryotic community.
Mechanisms of Anion and Cation Permeations in the Resting Membrane of a Barnacle Muscle Fiber

The resting membrane of a barnacle muscle fiber is mostly permeable to cations in a solution of pH 7.7 whereas it becomes primarily permeable to anions if the pH is below 4.0. Mechanisms of ion permeation for various monovalent cations and anions were investigated at pH 7.7 and 3.9, respectively. Permeability ratios were obtained from the relationship between the membrane potential and the concentration of the test ions, and ionic conductances from current-voltage relations of the membrane. The permeability sequence for anions (SCN > I > NO3 > Br > ClO3 > Cl > BrO3 > IO3) was different from the conductance sequence for anions (Br, Cl > ClO3, NO3 > SCN). In contrast, the permeability and conductance sequences were identical for cations (K > Rb > Cs > Na > Li). The results suggest that anion permeation is governed by membrane charges while cation permeation is via some electrically neutral mechanism.
Elected versus Appointed Boards: Arguments and Evidence:

In this paper the authors argue that the political actors who are responsible for electing or appointing members of a state board of education regard the office as one of low salience and, as a consequence, engage in political behavior which is ill-suited to securing highly qualified state board members. Voting data and interview data are presented as evidence in support of their arguments.
Far Field Diffraction Patterns of Circular Gratings

The fine structure of the annular images of circular gratings is analyzed in terms of diffraction patterns of axicon pairs. Each image arises substantially from only one converging and one diverging axicon of equal deflection angle. Single main lobe, symmetric double main lobe, and various intermediate asymmetric double lobe structures are obtained depending on the phase relationship and strengths of the two axicon beams, which in turn depend on the design of the circular grating. Approximate expressions are derived for the intensity distribution and energy content of the symmetric single and double lobe images.
Interactive effects of seed availability, water depth, and phosphorus enrichment on cattail colonization in an Everglades wetland

The relative importance of seed availability, waterdepth, and soil phosphorus (P) concentrations oncattail (Typha domingensis pers.) earlyestablishment in an Everglades wetland area wasexamined using seed bank analysis and controlledexperiments. The experiments measured seed germinationand seedling growth in tanks with cattail seedaddition subjected to two P concentrations(un-enriched vs. enriched) and water depth (saturatedvs. flooded soils). A limited seed bank (223 ± 69m2) of cattail was found in the surface soil ofthe area studied. The germination of added seeds wasinhibited under flooded conditions, and only 0.6% ofthe germination was found. In contrast,under-saturated soil conditions, a maximum of 6% and15% germination was observed in P-un-enriched andP-enriched treatments, respectively. High mortality ofseedlings occurred regardless of P treatments followinga cold spell. However, P enrichment resulted inincreased seedling growth and asexual propagation.These results suggested the importance of theconcurrence of appropriate hydrologic regimes, Penrichment, and air temperature on the recruitment ofplant species.
Task allocation for optimized system reliability

The authors deal with the task allocation problem in distributed software design, with the goal of maximizing the system reliability. A quantitative problem model, algorithms for optimal and suboptimal solutions, and simulation results are provided and discussed. Because the authors use a new allocation goal-to maximize system reliability-this paper complements the existing body of knowledge in task allocation. >
Dynamic Properties of Supercritical C14TEMPO Monolayers at the Air/Water Interface

Monolayers of 4-tetradecaneamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (C14TEMPO) were investigated at the air/water interface. Pressure−area diagrams and Brewster angle microscopy provided evidence of supercritical state of this monolayer at temperatures as low as 2 °C. The supercritical character of C14TEMPO Langmuir monolayers allowed the 2-D voltammetric measurements of its lateral diffusion constant, D, to be extended into a previously inaccessible region of low surface densities with mean molecular areas A ∼ 600 A2/molecule. At A > 250 A2/molecule, D becomes independent of the C14TEMPO surface concentration and depends solely on the hydrodynamic coupling of the polar headgroup to the aqueous subphase. These measurements and the supercritical state of C14TEMPO monolayer open a possibility to probe the viscoelastic properties of the water liquid−vapor interfacial region.
Children in despair: the Latin American experience.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean states that while Latin America has undergone a significant process of economic growth and social transformation during the post-war period differences and segmentation of of society have nevertheless been accentuated and unemployment and poverty persist. Latin American countries have 2 main demographic and geographic characteristics: 1) the population is characterized by an ever-increasing proportion of young people and 2) the population is becoming increasingly urbanized. The resolution of the social and economic problems at regional national and international levels obviously requires the support of the juridical system. The need for specialized skills and training as well as for the establishment of a policy for minors families and youth within the inter-sectoral context of national development plans has produced new challenges for international regional and sub-regional cooperation. The Argentina family today is a complex mixture of cultural traditions elements and beliefs which are a product of the old cultural heritage of the Spanish colonial period European ideas imported into the legal structure and newer ideas brought into the country by immigrant populations. During the 16th Panamerican Congress of the Child many important recommendations were approved concerning the situation of children and families in the Americas; the Declaration of the Rights of the Family is among them.
Empty Sella Syndrome

An empty sella refers to a condition in which an arachnoid diverticulum extends into the sella, often causing reshaping and flattening of the pituitary gland and stalk.
CONCEPTUAL AND NONCONCEPTUAL MODES OF MUSIC PERCEPTION

The philosophical study of perception, language, concepts, and intentionality can help to refine and enrich our music-theoretical conceptions of hearing and our understanding of what music theory tells us about it. Conversely, an examination of musical phenomena can challenge received philosophical precepts about the nature of perception and its relation to concepts and language, and broaden our understanding. What I shall do in this article is, first, to sketch a certain widely-held view about the nature of perception, which I shall call the ‘cognitivist’ view, on which perception essentially involves beliefs and concepts; then I shall argue that a certain level of music perception—specifically, that described by the ‘scale-degree hypothesis’ in the cognitive psychology of music—is nonconceptual in two distinct senses, which I shall call weak and strong, respectively. Nonconceptuality in each of these senses forces departure from, or revision of, the cognitivist view as sketched here. I shall then, briefly, contrast nonconceptual hearing with conceptual.
Quantitative comparison of ligament formulation and pre-strain in finite element analysis of the human lumbar spine

Data has been published that quantifies the nonlinear, anisotropic material behaviour and pre-strain behaviour of the anterior longitudinal, supraspinous (SSL), and interspinous ligaments of the human lumbar spine. Additionally, data has been published on localized material properties of the SSL. These results have been incrementally incorporated into a previously validated finite element model of the human lumbar spine. Results suggest that the effects of increased ligament model fidelity on bone strain energy were moderate and the effects on disc pressure were slight, and do not justify a change in modelling strategy for most clinical applications. There were significant effects on the ligament stresses of the ligaments that were directly modified, suggesting that these phenomena should be included in FE models where ligament stresses are the desired metric.
Dactylella oviparasitica, a New Fungal Parasite of Meloidogyne Eggs

Dactylella oviparasitica is described as a new species. The species is distinctive in that fusiform, multiseptate conidia are borne on single sporogenous cells which function as short conidiophores. Relatively complex media are required for growth and sporulation of D. oviparasitica, and the fungus also requires light for sporulation. Dactylella oviparasitica was isolated from root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne sp.) egg masses and is capable of actively parasitizing eggs of the nematode.
Renal cell carcinoma with solitary contralateral adrenal metastasis: experience with 2 cases.

AbstractWe report 2 cases of renal cell carcinoma with solitary contralateral adrenal metastasis. Such a presentation of hypernephroma is rare, with only 3 such cases having been found in the literature, none of which was diagnosed correctly preoperatively. Our 2 patients are alive with no evidence of disease 20 and 24 months, respectively, after radical nephrectomy and contralateral adrenalectomy.
Multiple Mechanisms of Notch-Mediated B-ALL Growth Arrest Via HES1 and PLK1: KIF11, CyclinB and p53

Abstract 3137 Notch signaling inhibits B-ALL growth and survival, while it promotes T-ALL, revealing contrasting cell-specific consequences of Notch signaling in ALL subtypes. We previously reported that HES1 (Hairy and Enhancer of split1) is a Notch pathway member which is sufficient to reproduce these effects in B-ALL. We have found distinct HES1 protein complexes in B-ALL versus T-ALL, with significantly higher molecular weight complexes found in B-ALL. Through characterization of these complexes, multiple novel HES1 interacting proteins have been identified which regulate HES1 function as well as provide growth inhibiting and pro-apoptotic effects. We previously reported the novel role of HES1:PARP1 complexes in inducing B-ALL apoptosis. This study reports Polo-like kinase1 (PLK1) and Kinesin Family member 11 (KIF11, also known as Eg5) as novel HES1 interacting proteins in B-ALL. PLK1 is highly expressed in B cell leukemias and drives multiple proliferative pathways including activation of KIF11, induction of cyclinB and degradation of p53. KIF11 is also highly expressed in B-ALL and promotes cell cycle progression through enhanced spindle formation, while cyclinB promotes accelerated mitosis. Through HES1 immunoprecipitation and MALDI-TOF peptide analysis, we identified KIF11 as a potential HES1 interacting protein. Low flow size exclusion chromatography revealed that HES1 and KIF11 co-migrate in high molecular weight complexes. Reciprocal immunoprecipitation (IP) with HES1 and KIF11 antibodies reveal a strong protein-protein interaction in B-ALL cells. PLK1 was also identified in these complexes, revealing a novel interaction of HES1, KIF11 and PLK1. Importantly, induction of Notch signaling via HES1 in B-ALL decreases both PLK1 and KIF11 levels, associated with G1 cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, HES1 expression decreased cyclinB protein levels, but not cyclin A/E, consistent with inhibition of PLK1. Finally, in the same model we observe increased p53 and p21WAF1 protein levels, also contributing to growth arrest. These data reveal that multiple mechanisms of Notch/HES1-mediated growth arrest may occur via PLK1 in B-ALL. The novel interaction of HES1 with PLK1 and KIF11 and resulting effects on KIF11, cyclinB and p53/p21 pathways may represent important mechanisms of Notch-mediated growth inhibition in B-ALL. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Excision and Primary Closure of Pilonidal Sinus

Excision and primary closure for pilonidal cyst/sinus is performed when there is no sign of infection or secondary tracts. This chapter describes indications, essential steps, variations, and complications of this procedure. It provides a detailed template operative note for the procedure.
A Vision for Zero-Hop Networking (ZeN)

It has become increasingly important for content providers (CPs) to reach consumers with low latency. Peering links that connect CPs directly to access Internet service providers (access ISPs) have been used for this purpose thus providing one-hop AS paths from CPs to users. While providing improved latency, these peering links still do not give CPs control over the entire end-to-end path to their users. This has made it difficult for CPs to completely manage user experience. Motivated by this, we propose the deployment of Zero-Hop Networks (ZeN), where a CP’s entire end-to-end path to users is under its control. We believe it is important to respond to the compelling demand for ZeN and enable its provision over the shared Internet infrastructure so that all may continue to reap its benefits. In this paper we lay out the vision for ZeN, describing its goals and challenges. We propose to deploy ZeN by allowing CPs to extend their network’s control over the access ISP substrate in a way that allows the CP to control the entire end-to-end path. We develop two strawman architectures based on Software-Defined Networking ideas: one based on resource reservation and the other based on network virtualization. We also discuss some elements of a research agenda that is needed to bring ZeN deployments to realization.
Study of residual stresses in Ti-7Al using theory and experiments

Abstract Finite element simulations are carried out to follow the evolution of residual stresses in Ti-7Al ( α -hcp) alloy, as developed under an applied stress gradient. A model built upon phenomenological mesoscopic field dislocation mechanics is employed to simulate the deformation behavior. Model predictions are validated with results generated from high energy X-ray diffraction experiments using synchrotron radiation. These experiments provide for important simulation input, viz. grain positions and orientations, and strain rate sensitivities of the prismatic and basal slip systems of Ti-7Al. X-ray diffraction data obtained from individual grains enabled calculation of strain rate sensitivities of the prismatic and basal slip systems and the values are estimated as ∼ 0.04 and ∼ 0.02 respectively. Residual stresses at the length scale of individual grains and subgrains are successfully predicted and validated against experimental data. A key achievement of the present work is the measurement and simulation of residual stress gradients within individual grains. Conclusions from this work are that grains deform mainly via prismatic slip, and accurate characterization of rate-sensitivity is needed to model the development of grain-level residual stresses.
A national survey: use of the National Board of Medical Examiners® basic science subject exams and Customized Assessment Services exams in US medical schools

Purpose The National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®) offers basic science subject exams and exams developed using the Customized Assessment Services (CAS) program. The scope and utilization of these exams by US medical schools has not been reported. Therefore, this survey aimed to measure US medical school usage of NBME® basic science subject exams and exams administered using the CAS program. Methods In May 2016 a survey was sent to 139 US medical schools with provisional or full accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education®. Schools were asked if they administered NBME® basic science subject exams or exams developed using the NBME® CAS program. Follow-up questions were asked if the school responded "Yes" to administering the exams. Results Responses were received from 46-48 schools (33%-35% response rate). Of the schools responding, 7-13 schools (15%-28%) administer an NBME® basic science subject exam and 14 schools (30%) administer an exam developed using the CAS program. Of the schools that administer an NBME® basic science exam, 7-12 (83%-100%) use the exam for summative assessment for a course and 6-11 (77%-100%) use the exam results for curricular revision. Twelve schools (86%) that administer an NBME® exam developed using the CAS program use the exam for summative assessment for a course. Time of administration within the curriculum for NBME® basic science subject exams varied between 1 month prior to >6 months prior to students taking the United States Medical Licensing Examination® Step 1. Conclusion According to our data, most US medical schools responding to the survey do not administer NBME® basic science subject exams or exams developed using the NBME® CAS program. Schools that do administer NBME® basic science subject exams use the exams for summative assessment for a course and curricular revision, while exams administered using the CAS program are used predominately for summative assessment for a course.
The Sex-specific Effects of LPS on Depressive-like Behavior and Oxidative Stress in the Hippocampus of the Mouse.

Abstract Many human and animal studies have implicated inflammation as a mediator of oxidative stress and a possible contributor to hippocampal atrophy in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder. We aimed to examine the effect of peripheral, systemic inflammation on oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hippocampi of male and female mice. We hypothesized that (1) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) would induce depressive-like behavior and hippocampal oxidative stress after 1 day in males, and (2) that a single LPS exposure would result in hippocampal apoptosis at 28 days. Further, we predicted that female sex would confer protection from the molecular and behavioral deleterious effects of LPS. Males exhibited depressive-like behavior 24 h after LPS administration compared to the males given saline. Female mice did not exhibit depressive-like behavior after LPS compared to females in the saline group. Males given LPS also had increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) I in the hippocampus by 24 h compared to the saline group. At 28 days, we found decreased levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein in males given LPS compared to males given saline. Moreover, males given LPS showed increased apoptosis. Our work will provide insight into the underlying biology in males and females with MDD, and potentially underlying differences between the sexes. Also, our work will hopefully inform optimal clinical treatments that may indeed differ between the sexes.
Evaluation of the Impact of Asphalt Mix Segregation on Pavement Performance

A full-scale experiment was conducted at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)’s accelerated pavement testing (APT) facility to evaluate the impact of segregation on hot mix asphalt (HMA)...
The Familial and the Familiar: Constancy and Variation in Chinese Culture with Reference to the HSU Attributes*

This paper analyzes the structures and functions of social organizations in thirteen mainland, offshore, and overseas Chinese communities. Based on the principle of recruitment, five structural typ...
Multivariate temporal modeling of crime with dynamic linear models

Interest in modeling contemporary crime trends, a task that has historically been considered valuable to the public, researchers, and policymakers, is resurging. Advancements in criminology have made it clear that understanding crime trends necessarily involves understanding trends in how likely individuals are to report crimes to the police, as well as how likely the police are to accurately record those crimes. In this paper, we use dynamic linear models to simultaneously model the time series for several crime types in order to gain insight into trends in crime and crime reporting. We analyze crime data from Chicago spanning 2007 through 2016 and show how correlations in the way crime trends evolve may contain information about drivers of crime and crime reporting. We provide evidence of substantial differences in the relationships between the trends of crimes of different types depending on whether crimes are violent or nonviolent and whether or not crimes are tracked in the FBI's Uniform Crime Report.
Extension of the Optimality Conditions for Unconstrained Parameter Optimization Problems Where the Standard Conditions Fail

The standard optimality conditions for an unconstrained minimal point in parameter optimization have been derived using admissible comparison points that lie on straight lines through the minimal point. While these conditions hold for most problems, there are problems where the second- and higher-order conditions give incorrect results. For these problems, some admissible comparison points must lie on curves through the minimal point. Then, the equations of the curves must be considered as constraints in the formation of the Taylor series. Two examples are presented: a problem with a curve minimum and the historical problem due to Peano.
The effects of mechanical constriction on the operation of sulfide based solid-state batteries

Recent years have seen an explosion in the amount of literature focused on sulfide solid electrolytes for use in solid-state batteries. Successful battery performances based on sulfide solid electrolytes have been reported, while the electrochemical bulk stability of sulfide electrolyte materials and their interfacial stabilities with different high voltage cathode materials remain the current focus of research. Recent studies have suggested that mechanical constriction can introduce energy barriers opposing bulk and interfacial decompositions in sulfide solid-state batteries. These energy barriers have been shown to have the effect of expanding the operating window for sulfide based solid-state batteries. Moreover, the consideration of such mechanical constriction as a design principle introduces a largely neglected degree-of-freedom for next-generation energy storage systems. That is, to design mechanically constrained electrolytes for the purpose of expanding the operational voltage window of solid-state batteries. This review will focus on both the studies leading to and detailing these new understandings as well as exploring, retroactively, the impact of these understandings on this field's previously made conclusions. In particular, the differences in the determined operating window between multiple experimental methods will be evaluated against the mechanical nature of the methods themselves.
Photoswitching Dielectric Properties using Plasmonic Core-Shell Hybrid of 3D C 60 -Conformers at GHz Frequency

3D-configurated donor-acceptor stereoisomers cis-cup-tris[C 60 >(DPAF-C 9 )] were found to exhibit photoswitchable dielectric amplification phenomena using white LED light excitation at GHz frequency. The observation was correlated to the photoactivation of the Au-layer resulting in plasmonic energy to enhance photoinduced intramolecular e−-transfer from DPAF to a C 60 > moiety. Accumulated plasmonic resonance energy at the near-field surface was effective to distribute negative charges along the outer (C 60 >)-derived fullerosome shell layer of the trilayered NPs.
The importance of being honest? Evidence that deception may not pollute social science subject pools after all

Deceiving participants about the goals or content of a study is permitted in psychological research but is largely banned in economics journals and subject pools. This ban is intended to protect a public good: If experiencing deception causes participants to be suspicious in future studies, and suspicion meaningfully influences their behavior, then the entire field suffers. We report a survey of psychologists' and economists' attitudes toward deception (N = 568) and a large, nondeceptive multisite study in which we measured participants' histories, suspicion levels, and behavior in four common economic tasks (N = 636). Economists reported more negative attitudes toward deceptive methods and greater support for the deception ban than did psychologists. The results of the behavioral study, however, do not support the "public good" argument for banning deception about the goals or content of a research study: Participants' present suspicion was not clearly related to past experiences of deception, and there were no consistent behavioral differences between suspicious and credulous participants. We discuss the implications of these results for the ongoing debate regarding the acceptability of deceptive research methods.
Off-label and compendia use of chemotherapy in patients with metastatic cancer.

6509 Background: In 2012, ASCO Identified opportunities to improve the quality and value of cancer care by reducing inappropriate and/or prolonged use of chemotherapy The NCCN compendium is recogni...
Introduction: We Make Our Own Monsters

The special issues editors, devote this special issue of JCT to the theme of monsters— vampires, ghosts, aliens, and anything that identifies as more-than-human, less-than-human, post-human, sub-human, or non-human. In other words, it is the turning of what “is” human sideways, burying, killing, or transforming our Westernized dominant mythos of “humanism” in favor of something… otherwise .
Keeping the end in mind: Preliminary brain and behavioral evidence for broad attention to endpoints in pre-linguistic infants.

Abstract Infants must learn to carve events at their joints to best understand who is doing what to whom or whether an object or agent has reached its intended goal. Recent behavioral research demonstrates that infants do not see the world as a movie devoid of meaning, but rather as a series of sub-events that include agents moving in different manners along paths from sources to goals. This research uses behavioral and electrophysiological methods to investigate infants’ (10–14 months) attention to disruptions within relatively unfamiliar human action that does not rely on goal-objects to signal attainment (i.e., Olympic figure skating). Infants’ visual (Study 1, N = 48) and neurophysiological (Study 2, N = 21) responses to pauses at starting points, endpoints, and within-action locations were recorded. Both measures revealed differential responses to pauses at endpoints relative to pauses elsewhere in the action (i.e., starting point; within-action). Eye-tracking data indicated that infants’ visual attention was greater for events containing pauses at endpoints relative to events with pauses at starting points or within-actions. ERP activity reflecting perceptual processes in early-latency windows (
Chapter 5 – Learning

Learning is a change in behavior that results from experience. Although genetic change allows populations to adapt to their environments across generations, behavioral change allows individual animals to adapt to their environments within a lifetime; learning plays a strong role in this individual adaptation, especially for animals that have long lives and therefore the time to learn. Learning occurs as a result of many types of interactions between animals and their environments. Animals must learn to filter out stimuli that have no important consequences (habituation), while enhancing their responses to highly relevant, often dangerous, stimuli (sensitization). They must learn what behaviors are likely to produce desirable and undesirable consequences (operant conditioning) and what stimuli might be associated with certain conditions or events (classical conditioning). Learning can support very practical activities, such as finding stored food, migrating, and recognizing suitable mates. In social settings, behavioral change can spread throughout a group as a result of observational learning much more quickly than it can as a result of natural selection. Finally, when animals play, they may be engaging in the most far-flung and intriguing type of learning.