cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract A29: Interrogating therapeutic response for advanced prostate cancer in vivo using cross-species regulatory models

While most men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer now have favorable outcomes, those with advanced disease often undergo androgen deprivation therapy, which initially leads to tumor regression but ultimately results in the emergence of a castration-resistant form of the disease that is highly metastatic and ultimately fatal. Our research is focused on generating mouse models of advanced prostate cancer to evaluate new therapeutic approaches for its treatment. Toward this end, we have generated state-of the-art genetically-engineered mouse (GEM) models, which are based on biologically-relevant signaling pathways and recapitulate prostate cancer from its earliest to most advanced stages. Indeed these mice recapitulate lethal prostate cancer as they display distant metastases with 100% penetrance as well as disseminated cells in the bone marrow. By pursuing preclinical studies in these GEM mice we have found that combinational targeted of key signaling pathways is significantly more effective than standard of care (i.e., chemotherapy) for blocking cancer progression, improving survival and inhibiting metastases in vivo. However, one of the main obstacles for effectively translating results from preclinical studies in genetically-engineered mouse models is difficulties in overcoming inherent species differences that may preclude direct comparisons from mice to man. To overcome this limitation, we have assembled regulatory networks (called interactomes) for both mouse and human prostate cancer to enable cross-species analyses for identification of master regulators (driver genes) that underlie the therapeutic response. In particular, using these computational resources we have interrogated gene expression profiles from preclinical studies in our genetically-engineered mice, and have identified molecular regulators that predict therapeutic response in the mice and are conserved in human prostate cancer. Our approach highlights the value of cross-species analyses of preclinical studies in mice and human clinical data for predicting drug response. Citation Format: Antonina Mitrofanova, Nicolas Floch, Alvaro Aytes, Michael Shen, Cory Abate-Shen, Andrea Califano. Interrogating therapeutic response for advanced prostate cancer in vivo using cross-species regulatory models. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: The Translational Impact of Model Organisms in Cancer; Nov 5-8, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2014;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A29.
Regulatory Effects of Arsenic on Cellular Signaling Pathways: Biological Effects and Therapeutic Implications

Arsenic compounds exert important biological effects and arsenic trioxide has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Much of arsenic’s actions in cells reflect its ability to bind thiol groups in cellular proteins or to affect the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to the engagement and regulation of several cellular signaling pathways. Arsenic has been also shown to degrade abnormal fusion proteins found in myeloid leukemias. It has also been shown to effect NFκB, MAPK, mTOR and Hedgehog pathways which can modulate the viability of cancer cells. Many clinical trials have been performed to examine the clinical efficacy of arsenic trioxide alone or in combination with other agents in the treatment of various hematological malignancies. The continuous advances in basic and translational research and the better understanding of the mechanisms of action of arsenic should lead to more effective combinations with other agents that could result in better clinical outcomes.
Determination of Solid/Melt Interface Shape and Growth Rate during Gradient Freeze Solidification on a Centrifuge Using Current Interface Demarcation

Since the experiments conducted by Regel and Rodot1 on the Star City and Nantes centrifuges, several attempts have been made to explain their surprising results. A few numerical models of Bridgman growth on a centrifuge have been developed, the most notable being those of Arnold2 and of Friedrich et a1. 3 Arnold2 developed a non-linear, three-dimensional model for convection in the melt during crystal growth by the “thermally stable” gradient freeze technique on a centrifuge. The parameters used were those of the Ag-doped PbTe experiments on the Star City centrifuge in Reference 1. The effects of the average resultant acceleration, the acceleration gradient and the Coriolis force were studied separately and together. Arnold predicted that thermal stability (no convection) would occur when the acceleration is orthogonal to the isotherms and the density increases in the direction of the acceleration. From numerical simulations, he found that the rotation rate for uniform impurity doping is strongly influenced by the interface shape and the growth rate. A higher concave curvature of the interface corresponds to a larger radial temperature gradient, and requires a higher rotation rate to induce thermal stability. A lower growth velocity leads to a longer diffusive length and causes the impurity segregation to be more sensitive to convection near the interface. From computer simulation, Arnold also found that the temperature gradient along the axis of the charge in the PbTe experiment was only ~20% of that measured on the steel cartridge holding the ampoule and so the freezing rate was about 5 times larger than previously thought.
Long-range interactions of hydrogen atoms in excited states. III. n S − 1 S interactions for n ≥ 3

The long-range interaction of excited neutral atoms has a number of interesting and surprising properties such as the prevalence of long-range oscillatory tails and the emergence of numerically large van der Waals ${C}_{6}$ coefficients. Furthermore, the energetically quasidegenerate $nP$ states require special attention and lead to mathematical subtleties. Here we analyze the interaction of excited hydrogen atoms in $nS$ states ($3\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}12$) with ground-state hydrogen atoms and find that the ${C}_{6}$ coefficients roughly grow with the fourth power of the principal quantum number and can reach values in excess of $240\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}000$ (in atomic units) for states with $n=12$. The nonretarded van der Waals result is relevant to the distance range $R\ensuremath{\ll}{a}_{0}/\ensuremath{\alpha}$, where ${a}_{0}$ is the Bohr radius and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ is the fine-structure constant. The Casimir-Polder range encompasses the interatomic distance range ${a}_{0}/\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\ll}R\ensuremath{\ll}\ensuremath{\hbar}c/\mathcal{L}$, where $\mathcal{L}$ is the Lamb shift energy. In this range, the contribution of quasidegenerate excited $nP$ states remains nonretarded and competes with the $1/{R}^{2}$ and $1/{R}^{4}$ tails of the pole terms, which are generated by lower-lying $mP$ states with $2\ensuremath{\le}m\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{-}1$, due to virtual resonant emission. The dominant pole terms are also analyzed in the Lamb shift range $R\ensuremath{\gg}\ensuremath{\hbar}c/\mathcal{L}$. The familiar $1/{R}^{7}$ asymptotics from the usual Casimir-Polder theory is found to be completely irrelevant for the analysis of excited-state interactions. The calculations are carried out to high precision using computer algebra in order to handle a large number of terms in intermediate steps of the calculation for highly excited states.
Identification of barriers and research opportunities to improve the effective and efficient application of adjunct UVC surface disinfection in healthcare

Healthcare associated infections (HAI) affect approximately 1 of every 25 hospitalized patients, lead to substantial morbidity and mortality, degrade patient experience and are costly. Risks for HAI are multifactorial and it is known that microbial contamination of the healthcare environment increases risk for HAI. Portable ultraviolet-C (UVC) surface disinfection as an adjunct to standard hospital disinfection has been shown to decrease both surface microbial contamination and HAI. However, there remain significant gaps in the understanding of the efficient and effective application of UVC in healthcare. Specific barriers identified are: 1) the variability in size, shape, and surface materials of hospital rooms as well as the presence of medical devices and furniture, which impacts the amount of UVC energy delivered to surfaces and its disinfection efficiency; 2) the significant resources needed to acquire and efficiently use UVC equipment and achieve the desired patient benefits- a particular challenge for complex healthcare facilities with limited operating margins; and 3) the lack of implementation guidance and industry standard methods for measuring the UVC output and antimicrobial effects from the multiple commercial UVC options available. An improved understanding of the efficient and effective use of UVC surface disinfection in healthcare and the implementation of standard device industry metrics may lead to increased use and decrease the burden of HAI.
Hip preservation surgery—Can we change the natural history of osteoarthritis?

Abstract Structural abnormalities of the hip including developmental dysplasia (DDH) and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) are a predominant cause of primary osteoarthritis. While affected patients may have significant pain and functional limitations, many may remain asymptomatic and will likely incur intra-articular damage over time. The objective of this review is to explore the natural history of DDH, FAI, and the current outcomes of hip preservation surgery including peri-acetabular osteotomy, hip arthroscopy, and surgical hip dislocation.
Links between depression and openness and its facets

Most studies on depression and personality have focused on the role of Neuroticism and Extraversion. Openness is a much less studied trait in this literature, as past studies investigating Openness and depression often have found non-significant correlations between them. However, past studies mostly have investigated Openness and depression at the domain level and used non-clinical samples. In the present study, the relationship between depression and Openness at the domain and facet levels was examined in a sample of 266 participants recruited from outpatient psychiatric settings. Findings showed that although the Openness domain was significantly related to depression, it did not account for a significant proportion of unique variance for depression. However, Openness did account for a significant proportion of unique variance for depression at the facet level, even after accounting for sex, age, Neuroticism and Extraversion. Specifically, unique effects emerged for the facets of Aesthetics positively predicting Depression and Values negatively predicting Depression and Anhedonia. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lagrangian observations of the along-slope path of the California undercurrent

Abstract The flow of the California Undercurrent (CUC) along the continental slope and its interaction with deeper offshore waters is studied using trajectories of 53 isobaric RAFOS. The floats were launched off central California and data collected between 1993 and 2009. The mean pressure for the float measurements was 382 dbar. The trajectories were broken into 126 segments of continuous alongshore drift over the continental slope. Poleward drift occurred 88% of the time. The mean length of the poleward (equatorward) drift segments was 262 km (98 km) and the exit time for these distances was 32.3 ± 2.3 days (16.1 ± 2.2 days). Five poleward drift segments exceeded 500 km in length; the longest segment stretched from Central California to Central Oregon, a distance of 966 km. Locations where floats left or joined the along-slope flow occurred at most latitudes between 35.5°N to 42.5°N; here the mean rate at which floats left (joined) along-slope drift was 5.3 (3.5) per 50 km of coastline each year. Locations favored for leaving the Undercurrent included the northern edge of the Gulf of the Farallones (37.5°N) and between Cape Mendocino and Cape Blanco (41.5–42°N). A location favored for joining the Undercurrent was the northern edge of the Santa Lucia Bank (35.5°N). No floats were observed to join the alongshore flow immediately north of Cape Mendocino (40.5–41°N). Longer (> 290 day) float missions often included offshore excursions into the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. Thirty-one westward excursions of the Undercurrent were observed with a mean duration of 88 days and a mean offshore distance of 199 km. The character of the excursions varied but included offshore and onshore transport in jets, cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies, and interaction with cold filaments. The longest excursion lasted 587 days and extended 1007 km to the west.
Inflight modifications of content: who are the culprits?

When a user requests content from a cloud service provider, sometimes the content sent by the provider is modified inflight by third-party entities. To our knowledge, there is no comprehensive study that examines the extent and primary root causes of the content modification problem. We design a lightweight experiment and instrument a vast number of clients in the wild to make two additional DNS queries every day. We identify candidate rogue servers and develop a measurement methodology to determine, for each candidate rogue server, whether the server is performing inflight modifications or not. In total, we discover 349 servers as malicious, that is, as modifying content inflight, and more than 1.9% of all US clients are affected by these malicious servers. We investigate the root causes of the problem. We identify 9 ISPs, whose clients are predominately affected. We find that the root cause is not sophisticated transparent in-network services, but instead local DNS servers in the problematic ISPs.
Judging the J pouch: a pictorial review

Restorative total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgery of choice for patients with medically refractory ulcerative colitis, ulcerative colitis with high-grade dysplasia or multi-focal low-grade dysplasia, and for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. The natural history of the surgery is favorable, and patients generally experience improved quality of life and acceptable long-term functional outcome. However, some patients experience significant long-term morbidity from early and/or late pouch-related complications. When complications arise, radiologists must understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various imaging modalities that can be used to assess the pouch. Radiologist familiarity with the surgical technique, pouch anatomy, and imaging appearance of the various potential early and late complications will help facilitate appropriate clinical and surgical decision-making. This review provides an anatomic-based imaging review of the pouch and pouch-related complications, including numerous illustrative fluoroscopic and cross-sectional imaging examples.
Examining the impact on mortality arising from climate change: important findings for the insurance industry

In this paper, we analyze the impact on overall mortality rates for the general US population arising from climate change and the weather events resulting in property damages for the period 1968–2013. We develop a fixed effects panel data model for the impact of climate change on property damage, with precipitation having a more pronounced effect than extreme temperatures. Using the Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel data causality test, we found that property damages Granger cause an increase in mortality rates for the middle age and old age population. Therefore, property damage can further be used to improve the prediction of future mortality rates in the US. Our findings are important for the insurance industry, which is currently seeking ways to incorporate the impact of climate change. The industry is developing the Actuaries Climate Index and the Actuaries Climate Risk Index which have the objective of informing the insurance industry about the impact of extreme weather and its associated risks.
Impact of clinicopathologic factors on survival in patients with sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid - a population-based analysis.

ABSTRACTPurpose: To evaluate prognostic factors and survival of patients with sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid through a population-based analysis.Methods: A total of 940 patients with primary seb...
Experimental studies on acoustics of corrugated tubes

Corrugated tubes offer greater global flexibility combined with local rigidity. They are used in numerous engineering applications such as HVAC ducts and offshore gas flexible riser pipelines. In recent years, there are renewed research interests to understand a tone generation (whistling) when air flow through a corrugated tube. The whistling is interesting because airflow through a smooth tube of similar dimensions will not generate whistling. Study of whistling in corrugated tubes is important as it not only causes an undesirable noise but also will result in significant structural vibrations due to flow-acoustic-structure interaction. In this study, the experimental work carried out on the corrugated tubes to measure the whistling frequencies, sound pressure levels and input acoustic impedances are presented. Influences of various geometrical parameters such as total length of the tube, number of corrugations, and inlet and exit conditions on the whistling are studied. The effect of rigid and flexible wall on the whistling is also studied. It is observed that the measured whistling frequency values are in good agreement with the values obtained from theoretical models. It is noted that the measured input acoustic impedance values of corrugated tubes are about 7% to 10% less than the corresponding straight tubes.
Becoming Mindful of Measurement: an Experimental-Experiential Analogue Study of State Mindfulness Measures

Preliminary research and anecdotal accounts suggest individuals often hold preconceived notions, misconceptions, and misinformation about the theory and practice of mindfulness and mindfulness meditation. Still, no experimental research examines how these ideas about mindfulness and mindfulness meditation influence responses to state mindfulness instruments designed to measure related outcomes. The current study implemented an experimental-experiential design to examine how the presentation of mindfulness via mindfulness theory-consistent(TC) and theory-inconsistent(TI) treatment rationales and subsequent mindfulness meditation practices (consistent with respective rationales) affected participants’ (n = 114) state mindfulness scores and perceptions of mindfulness. Self-reported trait mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, MAAS), state mindfulness (Toronto Mindfulness Scale, TMS; State Mindfulness Scale, SMS), and qualitative measurements (participant open entry) were utilized. Despite vastly different presentations of mindfulness being utilized by participants (successful experimental manipulation; significant between-group differences in number of qualitative mindfulness misconceptions coded [TI > TC]), there were no significant differences between the two experimental groups on state mindfulness measures directly following TC and TI rationales and practices. No significant differences were observed between the TC and TI conditions for usability or perceived accuracy of the rationales and practices, and self-reported previous mindfulness experience did not predict one’s likelihood of providing qualitative misconceptions. When taught TI mindfulness meditation material, participants were more likely to respond with TI information even though state mindfulness measures after practice did not differ from the TC condition. Results and limitations are discussed, along with suggestions for future research directions and practice implications.
Experimental Study of Reaction Kinetics for Para-Orthohydrogen at 20° to 80°K

This paper presents studies of the conversion of parahydrogen to orthohydrogen over a temperature range of 20° to 80°K and a pressure range of 20 to 1000 psig. The reaction was a catalyzed reaction using a standard ferric oxide gel catalyst of size 30–50 mesh. The purpose of the investigation was a detailed study of the mechanism of the reaction, with the immediate goal of providing accurate design information and an ultimate goal of developing more active catalysts. The data from such a study are more easily interpreted for isothermal reactor conditions. Steady-state temperature and pressure conditions are also required. The design and construction of an apparatus which was devised to meet the specifications listed above is outlined and the data obtained from the system are presented.
Treatment of Growth Retardation in a Child with CKD.

Growth failure in children with CKD is a common and important problem. Short stature at the time of dialysis initiation is an independent predictor of poor outcomes, including increased hospitalization and mortality rates ([1][1]). In addition, children with CKD rank growth as a high priority,
Preventing Dental Surgical Fires: Characterizing Nasal-Cannulated Supplemental Oxygen Pooling in an In Situ Dental Procedure.

OBJECTIVES Surgical operatory fires continue to occur in the United States, often with devastating consequences. Because more than 21% concentrations of oxygen are necessary for the onset of such combustion, this study examined fluctuations of surgical site oxygen levels. Better understanding how these more than 21% concentrations occur will not only add to surgical fire prevention efforts generally but also potentially reduce patient or staff harm and practitioner liability as well. METHODS Performing an in situ dental procedure with supplemental nasal-cannulated oxygen and a dental dam, we measured oxygen pooling, defined as any fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) greater than the 21% FIO2 of air, on top of and behind a dental dam, and during the application of high-volume intraoral suction. RESULTS Findings indicated statistically significantly higher concentrations (as much as twice the <30% recommended safe level) behind the dental dam compared with on top of it. During real-time measurements of FIO2 for four 120-second trials per participant, oxygen levels exhibited significant fluctuation above and below a more stringent 24.9% safety threshold established in prior research. Application of high-speed intraoral dental suction reduced FIO2 to near atmospheric levels in 30 (96.7%) of 31 of the cases by 60 seconds. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the elevated risk associated with above-safe levels of oxygen pooling during a simple dental procedure. Although future research is needed to still more exactly characterize conditions leading to the onset of surgical fires, this study also demonstrates the ability of high-speed intraoral suction to dramatically and rapidly decrease that risk.
Sea surface temperature anomalies in the Kuroshio region and temperature anomalies over North America

Correlations were established between Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies in the Kuroshio region east of the Philippines and Japan, and surface air temperatures over the eastern United States. These correlations reach statistically significant values during February, especially when air temperatures are lagged against SST by one month.
A technology-enhanced model of care for transitional palliative care versus attention control for adult family caregivers in rural or medically underserved areas: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Transitioning care from hospital to home is associated with risks of adverse events and poor continuity of care. These transitions are even more challenging when new approaches to care, such as palliative care, are introduced before discharge. Family caregivers (FCGs) are expected to navigate these transitions while also managing care. In addition to extensive caregiving responsibilities, FCGs often have their own health needs that can inhibit their ability to provide care. Those living in rural areas have even fewer resources to meet their self-care and caregiving needs. The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an intervention to improve FCGs’ health and well-being. The intervention uses video visits to teach, guide, and counsel FCGs in rural areas during hospital-to-home transitions. The intervention is based on evidence of transitional and palliative care principles, which are individualized to improve continuity of care, provide caregiver support, enhance knowledge and skills, and attend to caregivers’ health needs. It aims to test whether usual care practices are similar to this technology-enhanced intervention in (1) caregiving skills (e.g., caregiving preparedness, communication with clinicians, and satisfaction with care), (2) FCG health outcomes (e.g., quality of life, burden, coping skills, depression), and (3) cost. We describe the rationale for targeting rural caregivers, the methods for the study and intervention, and the analysis plan to test the intervention’s effect. The study uses a randomized controlled trial design, with FCGs assigned to the control condition or the caregiver intervention by computer-generated lists. The intervention period continues for 8 weeks after care recipients are discharged from the hospital. Data are collected at baseline, 2 weeks, 8 weeks, and 6 months. Time and monetary costs from a societal perspective are captured monthly. This study addresses 2 independent yet interrelated health care foci—transitional care and palliative care—by testing an intervention to extend palliative care practice and improve transition management for caregivers of seriously ill patients in rural areas. The comprehensive cost assessment will quantify the commitment and financial burden of FCGs. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03339271 . Registered on 13 November 2017. Protocol version: 11.
First Calorimetric Measurement of Electron Capture in $${}^{193}$$ 193 Pt with a Transition-Edge Sensor

The neutrino mass can be extracted from a high statistics, high resolution calorimetric spectrum of electron capture in $${}^{163}$$ Ho. In order to better understand the shape of the calorimetric electron capture spectrum, a second isotope was measured with a close to ideal absorber-source configuration. $${}^{193}$$ Pt was created by irradiating a $${}^{192}$$ Pt-enriched platinum foil in a nuclear reactor. This Pt-in-Pt absorber was designed to have a nearly ideal absorber-source configuration. The measured $${}^{193}$$ Pt calorimetric electron capture spectrum provides an independent check on the corresponding theoretical calculations, which have thus far been compared only for $${}^{163}$$ Ho. The first experimental and theoretically calculated spectra from this $${}^{193}$$ Pt-in-Pt absorber are presented and overlaid for preliminary comparison of theory with experiment.
The Political Geography of Nationalist Protest in China: Cities and the 2012 Anti-Japanese Protests *

Why do some Chinese cities take part in waves of nationalist protest but not others? Nationalist protest remains an important but understudied topic within the study of contentious politics in China, particularly at the subnational level. Relative to other protests, nationalist mobilization is more clustered in time and geographically widespread, uniting citizens in different cities against a common target. Although the literature has debated the degree of state-led and grassroots influence on Chinese nationalism, we argue that it is important to consider both the propensity of citizens to mobilize and local government fears of instability. Analysing an original dataset of 377 anti-Japanese protests across 208 of 287 Chinese prefectural cities, we find that both state-led patriotism and the availability of collective action resources were positively associated with nationalist protest, particularly “biographically available” populations of students and migrants. In addition, the government's role was not monolithically facilitative. Fears of social unrest shaped the local political opportunity structure, with anti-Japanese protests less likely in cities with larger populations of unemployed college graduates and ethnic minorities and more likely in cities with established leaders.
Leveraging the electronic health record to evaluate the validity of the current RVU system for radiologists.

Abstract Background Relative value units (RVUs) are utilized to evaluate physician productivity in many fields, including radiology. The goal of this paper is to use the electronic medical record (EMR) to evaluate whether the current RVU system allows for fair comparison between radiologists' time effort. Materials and methods The study was approved by the local Institutional Review Board (IRB). Over 600,000 radiology studies with unique current procedural terminology (CPT) codes were evaluated, and after exclusion of studies interpreted in conjunction with trainees or interpreted using other software systems, a total of 241,627 studies remained. The median 25%ile, 50%ile, 65%ile, 75%ile and modal study ascribable times (SATs) for each CPT code was calculated across all radiologists. To evaluate the potential bias incurred using the current RVU system, the number of days required to achieve the Association of Administrators in Academic Radiology AAARAD 65%ile were calculated. Results RVU values were positively correlated with SATs (r = 0.69–0.71, p Conclusion The current RVU system is not strongly correlated with radiologist effort measured by radiologists' time. A time-based metric is more representative of radiologist work. However, there is no perfect method to measure radiologists' work.
Resident Physicians Can Collaborate with Health Teachers to Play a Role in Sti and Contraception Education

BACKGROUND: At many well-adolescent primary care visits, middle and high school students have been noted to demonstrate significantly limited knowledge regarding STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and the importance of protection and contraception. While the school health curriculum for grades 7 through 12 typically includes sexual health, many students either do not retain or do not receive information regarding sexual practices, methods and practices of contraception and STI types, complications, methods of transmission/prevention and common symptoms. Furthermore, studies have shown that even a single-session …
Two Wavelet-based Algorithms for Chemical Recognition Using Transmission Terahertz Spectral Imaging Through Turbid Media

Dielectric heterogeneity in addition to wavelength-scale air voids and granular particles lead to significant electromagnetic scattering in the transmission-mode THz-TDS. These scattering processes result in the distorted or obscured resonant signatures, a frequency-dependent extinction loss, and the appearance of anomalous spectral artifacts, imposing severe challenges on the real-world automatic material characterization schemes. In this work, we use a combination of the wavelet multiresolution analysis, the principal component analysis, and the bimodality coefficient to simultaneously identify all the resonant frequencies of a heterogeneous sample embedded beneath a highly scattering turbid medium.
Imaging and Tracking of Viruses Using Quantum Dots

The sections in this article are Introduction Quantum Dot–Biomolecule Hybrids Optical Properties of QDs Functionalized QDs Conjugated with Biomolecules Formation of Virus–QD Networks Decoration of Discretely Immobilized Virus with QDs QD Encapsulation in Viral Capsids Quantum Dots for Single Virus Tracking in Living Cells Conventional Labeling for Single-Virus Tracking in Live Cells Problems Encountered in Single-Virus Tracking Use of QDs for Labeling Enveloped Viruses Use of QDs for Labeling Nonenveloped Viruses Quantum Dots for the Sensitive Detection of Virus and Infection Monitoring the Progression of Viral Infection with Fluorescent QD Probes The Use of Two-Color QDs for the Real-Time Detection of Viral Particles and Viral Protein Expression Viral Detection with pH-Sensitive QDs in a Biological Motor Conclusions Acknowledgments Keywords: quantum dot; virus labeling; single virus tracking; nanobiotechnology; adenoassociated virus; retrovirus
Trace decategorification of the Hecke category

We compute the trace decategorification of the Hecke category for an arbitrary Coxeter group. More generally, we introduce the notion of a strictly object-adapted cellular category and calculate the trace for such categories.
Community Pharmacies, the Future of Healthcare in the U.S.

In response to the Affordable Care Act, innovations are taking place in the healthcare industry to improve patient healthcare and reduce costs. Over the past twenty years, the pharmacy profession has transformed into a position of offering innovative solutions for the nation’s most critical healthcare issues (Johnsen, 2015). Neighborhood pharmacies are becoming the new face of healthcare, with one-on-one consulting, medication dispensing and management, and vaccinations. Remote healthcare monitoring devices (telemedicine), such as the Dyno, can allow patients to take charge of their personal healthcare at home, reducing or eliminating trips to the physician’s office or the hospital. These innovations are leading to more efficiency in healthcare and reductions in healthcare costs, and can provide healthcare to underserved communities.
Detection of endometrial pinopodes by light microscopy

Abstract Objective: To study the value of light microscopy (LM) in the assessment of endometrial pinopodes. Design: Comparative histologic study. Setting: Outpatient infertility clinic in an academic teaching institution. Patient(s): Eighteen oocyte donors undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Intervention(s): Endometrial biopsies on days 14–24 of the cycle. Main Outcome Measure(s): Assessment of pinopodes by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and of endometrial surface projections by LM. Result(s): The luminal surface was identified by LM in 36 of 38 endometrial specimens obtained. Although apical projections could be recognized in all, they were few, moderate, and abundant in 20, 12, and 4 cases, respectively. Pinopodes were detected by SEM in all 4 samples with abundant projections, but in only 14 of 32 samples with lesser quantities of these surface features. No predictive value could be ascribed to apical projections viewed by LM for the developmental stage of pinopodes as defined by SEM. Conclusion(s): The LM of routine endometrial specimens can serve as a preliminary tool in the evaluation of surface morphology. Although abundant apical projections by LM are compatible with the presence of pinopodes by SEM, the latter modality remains as the definitive method in cases with few or moderate projections and for the evaluation of the stage of pinopode development.
Long Term Persistence of IgE Anti-Varicella Zoster Virus in Pediatric and Adult Serum Post Chicken Pox Infection and after Vaccination with Varicella Virus Vaccine.

The production of IgE specific to different viruses (HIV-1, Parvovirus B19, RSV), and the ability for IgE anti-HIV-1 to suppress HIV-1 production in vitro, strongly suggest an important role for IgE and/or anti viral specific IgE in viral pathogenesis. Previous studies in our laboratory were the first to report the presence of IgE anti-varicella zoster virus (VZV) in an adolescent patient with shingles. However, the presence and long term persistence of IgE anti VZV antibodies has not been studied in adults. The presence of serum IgE in addition to IgE and IgG anti-VZV antibody in sera were studied in children (N=12) (0–16 y/o) and adults (N=9) (32–76 y/o) with either a past history of (wild type) chicken pox (N=7 children, 9 adults) or 5 years after vaccination with varicella zoster (N=2 children) (Varicella virus vaccine live, Oka/Merck), as well as in non-infected subjects (N=3 children). Of the patients who had a positive history of chicken pox 13 of 16 (81%) contained IgE anti-VZV antibodies; they were both serum IgEHi (>100 IU/ml) and IgELo (<100 IU/ml). Of the patients who were vaccinated, IgE anti-VZV antibodies were undetected. In contrast, serum from the patients without a history of chicken pox or vaccination did not make either IgE or IgG anti-VZV antibodies. This is the first demonstration of the existence of IgE anti-VZV antibodies, and its long-term persistence in serum of previously infected subjects. Future studies regarding the functional role of anti-viral IgE and its relationship to VZV are warranted.
Psychological, interpersonal, and behavioral correlates of chronic self-destructiveness: an exploratory study.

In this study, we selected individuals high and low on a measure of chronic self-destructiveness—the tendency to perform behaviors that later reduce positive consequences and increase the probabili...
MBNL3/CHCR prevents myogenic differentiation by inhibiting MyoD-dependent gene transcription

Muscle differentiation is controlled by positive and negative signals. While much attention has been placed on proteins that promote muscle formation, the importance of negative regulators has been underemphasized. MBNL3/CHCR belongs to the muscleblind family of Cys3His zinc finger proteins implicated in myotonic dystrophy. MBNL3 is expressed in myoblasts, muscle precursor cells, and during the early stages of myogenesis, but is detected at very low levels in terminally differentiated myotubes. Constitutive expression of MBNL3 inhibits myotube formation and antagonizes myogenin and myosin heavy chain expression. To identify MBNL3 target genes, we compared the expression profile of C2C12 mouse myoblasts that constitutively express MBNL3 with control cells. From the 15,247 genes represented on the DNA microarray, classification by biological function indicated that genes involved in muscle development/contraction and cell adhesion were down-regulated by MBNL3 expression. mRNA and protein levels for the muscle transcription factor MyoD and E-box regulated transcription were reduced in C2C12-MBNL3 expressing cells. We hypothesize that MBNL3 serves to antagonize muscle differentiation by suppressing MyoD expression levels to prevent unwanted myogenic gene transcription. These findings are the first indication that a mammalian muscleblind-like (MBNL) protein plays a regulatory role in muscle differentiation under nonpathogenic conditions.
Interactions of the G quartet forming semaphorin 3F RNA with the RGG box domain of the fragile X protein family

Fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited mental retardation, is caused by the transcriptional silencing of the fmr1 gene due to an unstable expansion of a CGG trinucleotide repeat and its subsequent hypermethylation in its 5' UTR. This gene encodes for the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein that has been shown to use its RGG box domain to bind to G quartet-forming RNA. In this study, we performed a detailed analysis of the interactions between the FMRP RGG box domain and one of its proposed RNA targets, human semaphorin 3F (S3F) RNA by using biophysical methods such as fluorescence, UV and circular dichroism spectroscopy. We show that this RNA forms a G quartet-containing structure, which is recognized with high affinity and specificity by the FMRP RGG box. In addition, we analyzed the interactions of human S3F RNA with the RGG box and RG cluster of the two FMRP autosomal paralogs, the FXR1P and FXR2P. We found that this RNA is bound with high affinity and specificity only by the FXR1P RGG box, but not by the FXR2P RG cluster. Both FMRP and FXR1P RGG box are able to unwind the G quartet structure of S3F RNA, however, the peptide concentrations required in this process are very different: a ratio of 1:6 RNA:FMRP RGG box versus 1:2 RNA:FXR1P RGG box.
Intertidal beach profile estimation using video images

Abstract In this paper, we present a technique suitable for measurement of intertidal bathymetry over a broad range of length scales (101 to 103 m) and time scales (days to decades). A series of time-averaged images of the swash zone are used to map contour lines of the beach surface. In each image, contours are identified using bands of maximum brightness associated with breaking waves at the shoreline. By mapping the location of these bands in a sequence of images collected over one tidal cycle, contour maps of the intertidal bathymetry are generated. We expect this technique to work best (smallest absolute error) under waves which are nearly reflective at the shoreline, but break enough to be observed visually. This is typical of a barred beach since the wave height at the shoreline is limited by wave breaking over the bar crest. The ability of the measurements made with this technique to resolve actual beach elevation variation depends on the ratio of the measurement error variance to the true beach elevation variance. Thus, large measurement errors may be compensated by either large tidal ranges or large temporal changes of the beach itself. In a comparison to bathymetry surveyed using a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) during the Duck94 experiment, in Duck, N.C., the image-based elevation estimates were well correlated with the actual bathymetry. The deviations (imagebased vs. DGPS measurements) may be partially attributed to effects scaled by wave height at the shoreline, wave-induced setup, and wave height saturation over the sand bar. In particular, setup was important during dissipative conditions. The rms deviation (vertical) between the DGPS and image-based bathymetry was reduced from 0.24 m to 0.06 m by correcting for the systematic deviations due to variations in setup and wave height saturation. Further improvement of the elevation estimates resulted from parameterizing the actual bathymetry with a simple plane beach surface, which reduced random (or unresolvable) measurement errors. This led to estimates of the beach slope that were accurate to within 10% of the actual slope and estimates of the cross-shore location of the mean sea level line accurate to about 0.50 m.
If only I had taken my usual route…: age-related differences in counter-factual thinking.

ABSTRACT Previous research suggests that young adults can shift between rational and experiential modes of thinking when forming social judgments. The present study examines whether older adults demonstrate this flexibility in thinking. Young and older adults completed an If-only task adapted from Epstein, Lipson, and Huh's (1992, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62, 328) examination of individuals' ability to adopt rational or experiential modes of thought while making a judgment about characters who experience a negative event that could have been avoided. Consistent with our expectations for their judgments of the characters, young adults shifted between experiential and rational modes of thought when instructed to do so. Conversely, regardless of the mode of thought being used or the order with which they adopted the different modes of thought (i.e., shifting from experiential to rational in Study 1 and from rational to experiential in Study 2), older adults consistently offered judgments...
Effects of Adaptation on the Lateral Geniculate Response to Light Increment and Decrement

Response characteristics of two types of cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the squirrel monkey have been examined in experiments in which the luminance of a stimulus is shifted in stepped increments and decrements from an adaptation luminance. These two types of cells are found to show opposite changes in discharge frequency in response to shifts in stimulus luminance: some respond with an increase in firing rate to increases in luminance and show a decrease in response rate when luminance is decreased; others behave in the opposite fashion. The magnitude of change of the response is graded according to the amount of change of the stimulus. For any cell, the direction of change of the response for a given change of stimulus is dependent on the adaptation luminance. The total range of change of luminance over which any cell shows a good differentiation is usually not more than ±1 log unit around the adaptation luminance. An analysis of the discriminatory ability of these units as a function of adaptation luminance and the amount of change of the stimulus is presented.
Selective actions of growth hormone on rat liver estrogen binding proteins

Abstract Levels of hepatic estrogen receptor were 9.0 ± 2.4 fmoles/mg cytosol protein in intact females compared to 3.4 ± 2.2 in hypophysectomized females. Likewise, levels of receptor were 9.8 ± 1.5 fmoles/mg cytosol protein in intact males and 2.7 ± 1.8 in hypophysectomized males. Hypophysectomy abolished the sex differences in a second class of binding sites termed higher capacity lower affinity binding sites by increasing female levels and decreasing male levels. Treatment of hypophysectomized male or female rats with growth hormone (2 units/kg body wt, two times daily) restored normal levels of hepatic estrogen receptor. Administration of growth hormone to hypophysectomized rats did not reverse the effects of hypophysectomy on higher capacity lower affinity binding sites. These studies demonstrate that growth hormone exerts selective actions on different forms of hepatic estrogen binding proteins.
Sorption of sulfur gases by soils

Abstract Gas Chromatographie studies showed that air-dry and moist soils have the capacity to sorb dimethyl sulfide (CH 3 SCH 3 ), dimethyl disulfide (CH 3 SSCH 3 ). carbonyl sulfide (COS) and carbon disulfide (CS 2 ), but do not sorb sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ). Moist soils sorb larger amounts of CH 3 SCH 3 . CH 3 SSCH 3 . COS or CS 2 , than do air-dry soils, but the capacity of moist (or air-dry) soils for Sorption of these gases is much smaller than their capacity for sorption of H 2 S. SO 2 or CH 3 SH. The ability of moist soils to sorb COS is considerably greater than their ability to sorb CH 3 SCH 3 , CH 3 SSCH 3 or CS 2 . and sorption of COS by moist soils is accompanied by release of small amounts of CS 2 . Experiments with sterilized (autoclaved) soils indicated that soil microorganisms are partly responsible for the sorption of CH 3 SCH 3 . CH 3 SSCH 3 . COS and CS 2 by moist soils. Support for this conclusion was obtained from experiments showing that the rate of sorption of these gases by moist soils increases with time. The work reported provides further evidence that soil is an important natural sink for gaseous atmospheric pollutants, but indicates that soils have little, if any, potential value for removal of CH 3 SCH 3 . CH 3 SSCH 3 . COS or CS 2 , from industrial emissions polluted by these gases. The finding that soils have no capacity for sorption of SF 6 is significant in relation to use of this gas as a tracer for atmospheric research and as an internal standard for gas Chromatographie studies of evolution and sorption of gases by soils.
Wrangell Benioff zone, southern Alaska

The first unequivocal evidence for the existence of a Benioff zone that may be related to the Quaternary Wrangell volcanoes comes from a set of 86 well-located hypocenters for earthquakes smaller than about magnitude 4 in the region between lat 61 and 62.5°N and between long 142 and 145.5°W. About half of the earthquakes occur at depths of 25 km or less. Below 40 km a clearly defined north-northeast–dipping zone of seismicity, here termed the “Wrangell Benioff zone,” extends to a depth of about 85 km and continues for about 115 km along strike, subparallel to the volcanic trend. The western end of the zone may be offset from the northern end of the much more active Aleutian Benioff zone. Where the Benioff zone shoals to 30 to 40 km, it becomes nearly horizontal and cannot be clearly distinguished from upper-plate seismicity. It is uncertain whether the subducted plate segment that contains the Wrangell Benioff zone is structurally part of the Pacific plate or the Yakutat block.