cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prediagnostic Smoking Is Associated with Binary and Quantitative Measures of ER Protein and ESR1 mRNA Expression in Breast Tumors

Background: Smoking is a possible risk factor for breast cancer and has been linked to increased risk of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) disease in some epidemiologic studies. It is unknown whether smoking has quantitative effects on ER expression.Methods: We examined relationships between smoking and ER expression from tumors of 1,888 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer from a population-based study in North Carolina. ER expression was characterized using binary (±) and continuous measures for ER protein, ESR1 mRNA, and a multigene luminal score (LS) that serves as a measure of estrogen signaling in breast tumors. We used logistic and linear regression models to estimate temporal and dose-dependent associations between smoking and ER measures.Results: The odds of ER+, ESR1+, and LS+ tumors among current smokers (at the time of diagnosis), those who smoked 20 or more years, and those who smoked within 5 years of diagnosis were nearly double those of nonsmokers. Quantitative levels of ESR1 were highest among current smokers compared with never smokers overall [mean (log2) = 9.2 vs. 8.7, P < 0.05] and among ER+ cases; however, we did not observe associations between smoking measures and continuous ER protein expression.Conclusions: In relationship to breast cancer diagnosis, recent smoking was associated with higher odds of the ER+, ESR1+, and LS+ subtype. Current smoking was associated with elevated ESR1 mRNA levels and an elevated LS, but not with altered ER protein.Impact: A multigene LS and single-gene ESR1 mRNA may capture tumor changes associated with smoking. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(1); 67-74. ©2017 AACR.
GBA1 deficiency negatively affects physiological α-synuclein tetramers and related multimers.

Accumulating evidence suggests that α-synuclein (α-syn) occurs physiologically as a helically folded tetramer that resists aggregation. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of formation of α-syn tetramers are still mostly unknown. Cellular membrane lipids are thought to play an important role in the regulation of α-syn tetramer formation. Since glucocerebrosidase 1 (GBA1) deficiency contributes to the aggregation of α-syn and leads to changes in neuronal glycosphingolipids (GSLs) including gangliosides, we hypothesized that GBA1 deficiency may affect the formation of α-syn tetramers. Here, we show that accumulation of GSLs due to GBA1 deficiency decreases α-syn tetramers and related multimers and increases α-syn monomers in CRISPR-GBA1 knockout (KO) SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, α-syn tetramers and related multimers are decreased in N370S GBA1 Parkinson’s disease (PD) induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human dopaminergic (hDA) neurons and murine neurons carrying the heterozygous L444P GBA1 mutation. Treatment with miglustat to reduce GSL accumulation and overexpression of GBA1 to augment GBA1 activity reverse the destabilization of α-syn tetramers and protect against α-syn preformed fibril-induced toxicity in hDA neurons. Taken together, these studies provide mechanistic insights into how GBA1 regulates the transition from monomeric α-syn to α-syn tetramers and multimers and suggest unique therapeutic opportunities for PD and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Automation of Air Traffic Management Using Fuzzy Logic Algorithm to Integrate Unmanned Aerial Systems into the National Airspace

Unmaned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been increasing in popularity in personal, commercial, and military applications. The increase of the use of UAS poses a significant risk to general air travel, and will burden an already overburdened Air Traffic Control (ATC) network if the Air Traffic Management (ATM) system does not undergo a revolutionary change. Already there have been many near misses reported in the news with personal hobbyist UAS flying in controlled airspace near airports almost colliding with manned aircraft. The expected increase in the use of UAS over the upcoming years will exacerbate this problem, leading to a catastrophic incident involving substantial damage to property or loss of life. ATC professionals are already overwhelmed with the air traffic that exists today with only manned aircraft. With UAS expected to perform many tasks in the near future, the number of UAS will greatly outnumber the manned aircraft and overwhelm the ATC network in short order to the point where the current system will be rendered extremely dangerous, if not useless. This paper seeks to explore the possibility of using the artificial intelligence concept of fuzzy logic to automate the ATC system in order to handle the increased traffic due to UAS safely and efficiently. Automation would involve an algorithm to perform arbitration between aircraft based on signal input to ATC ground stations from aircraft, as well as signal output from the ATC ground stations to the aircraft. Fuzzy logic would be used to assign weights to the many different variables involved in ATM to find the best solution, which keeps aircraft on schedule while avoiding other aircraft, whether they are manned or unmanned. The fuzzy logic approach would find the weighted values for the available variables by running a simulation of air traffic patterns assigning different weights per simulation run, over many different runs of the simulation, until the best values are found that keep aircraft on schedule and maintain the required separation of aircraft
Models and Experimental Results Concerning the Detection of Operator Failures in Display Monitoring

This paper deals with the human operator’s ability to monitor visual displays. We shall discuss operator failures to detect specified signals or changes in display information. This is indeed a limited topic since the mere detection of a signal is always followed by some operator action. If an operator could perform as a perfect detector but failed to initiate corrective action there would be no practical benefit from this ideal detection. Yet, it is also clear that detection per se is a necessary prerequisite for operator action. An operator who fails to detect a deviation from some controlled process will never be able to control effectively. It is our hope that a partitioning of life into detection versus later stages of information processing will allow the ultimate emergence of a detailed model of all of operator perception, cognition and action. The research discussed here will be only the “front end” of the more complete model.
The role of physical therapy in patients with metastatic disease to bone.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 1991 over seven million Americans were alive despite a diagnosis of cancer.1 As the medical community becomes more successful in prolonging the lives of cancer patients, a significant number will experience the resultant disability of cancer and its treatment. Those with advanced disease may find the quality of their lives to be profoundly compromised. The role of rehabilitation with the latter population is to maximize the patients' functional capabilities and to conserve their limited energy reserves. Clearly, quality of life is an overriding issue fix this population.The development of bony metastases is devastating for the cancer patient and presents a considerable challenge for the physical therapist. Approximately 50% of patients with breast, lung, or prostate cancer will develop bony metastases. Less common, though equally problematic, are bone metastases in patients with carcinoma of the kidney, pancreas, bladder, thyroid, and cervix.Patients with advanced disease present a complex clinical picture. It is imperative that the physical therapist consult and confer regularly with the oncologist, physiatrist, and/or orthopedist to remain abreast of the patient's changing clinical picture. Information vital to safe and effective rehabilitation includes the presence, location, and extent of bony metastases, involvement of bone marrow potentiating refractory pancytopenia, infection, and hypercalcemia secondary to prolonged immobility.In patients with metastatic disease to bone, it is not sufficient to rely solely on plain X-ray findings. Plain radiographs will not detect bone lesions unless a sufficient amount of matrix is destroyed (30-50% of bone matrix must be involved to be visualized). Bone scan results should be assessed prior to establishing a rehabilitation program for most cancer patients. Patients with advanced disease frequently present with pain, neurologic deficits, impending or pathologic fractures, and generalized weakness associated with prolonged immobility. Any new complaints of pain, or findings of progressive weakness should be discussed with the patient's physician in order to initiate an appropriate work-up.
Loss of fenamate-activated K+ current from epithelial cells during corneal wound healing.

PURPOSE. The corneal epithelium provides a barrier between the external environment and the cornea. It also serves as an ion transporting epithelium. Because of its proximity with the external environment, the corneal epithelium is frequently injured through physical or chemical insult. The purpose of this study was to determine whether corneal epithelial cell whole-cell currents change during corneal wound healing as the author of the present study has previously reported for corneal keratocytes and endothelial cells. METHODS. Rabbit corneal epithelial cells were injured by scraping, heptanol exposure, or freezing. The epithelium was allowed to heal for 12 to 74 hours. Cells were dissociated from corneas, and whole-cell currents were examined using the amphotericin-perforated-patch technique. RESULTS. Cells from the wounded corneal groups had significantly increased capacitance values, indicating increased surface area compared with that of control cells. As previously reported, the primary control whole-cell current was a fenamate-activated K + current. An inwardly rectifying K + current and a Cl - current were also observed. In epithelial cells from heptanol-wounded corneas, these conductances were generally unchanged. In cells from scrape- and freeze-wounded corneas, however, the fenamate-activated current was absent or significantly attenuated. CONCLUSIONS. As they do in corneal keratocytes and endothelial cells, K + channels disappear during some models of corneal epithelial wound healing. In addition, cell capacitance, a measurement of cell surface area, increases. These results suggest that substantial K + channel activity is not required for in vivo epithelial cell proliferation during corneal wound healing.
Characterization of Heterophase Transformation Interfaces by High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope Techniques

This paper describes the application of several high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) techniques to determine the structure, composition and dynamics of heterophase transformation interfaces at the atomic level. Emphasis is placed on the use of: 1) HRTEM to determine the atomic structure of heterophase interfaces, 2) energy-filtering TEM (EFTEM) to determine the composition at heterophase interfaces, and 3) in situ HRTEM to determine the atomic mechanisms and dynamics of interface motion. The importance of image simulation in the analysis of experimental HRTEM images and many practical aspects concerning specimen and microscope conditions during imaging are discussed.
Non-invasive spinal electro-magnetic stimulation (SEMS): a tool for evaluation and modulation of lower limb spinal-muscular transmission in healthy adults

Objective: Our earlier electrophysiological recordings using animal models revealed diminished transmission through spared fibers to motoneurons and leg muscles after incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Administration of spinal electro-magnetic stimulation (SEMS) at specific parameters induced transient improvement of transmission at neuro-muscular circuitry in SCI animals. In the current human study, we sought translate this knowledge to establish optimal parameters of SEMS for (i) neurophysiological evaluation via Compound Motor Action Potential (CMAP); and (ii) modulation at neuro-muscular circuitry via H-reflex and M-wave response in 12 healthy adults. Methods: SEMS application was with a coil positioned over T12-S1 spinal levels. SEMS-evoked CMAP-responses were wirelessly measured simultaneously from biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (ST), vastus lateralis (VL), soleus (SOL), medial gastrocnemius (MG) and lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscles. We also examined effects of SEMS trains on H-reflex and M-wave responses. H-reflexes and M-waves were measured simultaneously from SOL, MG and LG muscles and evoked by peripheral electrical stimulation of tibial nerves before and after each SEMS session. Results: Spinal levels for SEMS application to evoke CMAP-responses in corresponding muscles and amplitude/latency of these responses have been established. SEMS applied over L4-S1 spinal levels at 0.2 Hz rate for 30 min induced facilitation of H-reflexes and M-responses. Facilitation lasted for at least 1 hour after stopping SEMS and was associated with a decrease in threshold intensity and leftward shift of recruitment curve for H-reflex and M-wave. SEMS did not alter TMS-evoked responses in hand muscles. Conclusion: SEMS is a novel, non-invasive approach for sustained neuromodulation of H-reflex and M-wave responses in triceps surae muscle group. The parameters of SEMS application established in this study for evaluation and neuromodulation of neural pathways innervating leg muscles in healthy individuals may be used as a reference for neurophysiological evaluation and long-lasting plasticity of the lower limb spino-neuromuscular circuitry in individuals with SCI.
The Role of Social Representations in Shaping Tourist Responses to Potential Climate Change Impacts: An Analysis of Florida’s Coastal Destinations:

Beside the physical impacts of climate change, society’s perceptions of climate change and its reactions at different stages of decision-making levels have become critical issues. This study presen...
Complications avec l’anneau de Fallope

This article reports on 900 cases of laparoscopic sterilization by tubal ligation with a silastic band. There were no major complications and laparotomy had to be performed only in a very few cases for bleeding. There were no pregnancies; the only real major problem was serious pain in 22% of patients. There were 4 cases of mesosalpinx hematoma a minor complication not requiring surgical intervention. Although it has been reported that the silastic ring can be lost in the abdomen such a problem did not happen in this series. There were a few misapplications of the ring immediately corrected. There were no problems with the ring itself and no cases of infection. The operator should be very skilled and well acquainted with the equipment and with every part of the procedure. More time will be required to determine the effectiveness of this method of sterilization. (Summaries in FRE ENG)
Pushing people to their tipping point: Phenomenal tipping point is predicted by phenomenal vertical and intuitive beliefs.

Previous work has shown that people overestimate their own body tilt by a factor of about 1.5, the same factor by which people overestimate geographical and man-made slopes. In Experiment 1 we investigated whether people can accurately identify their own and others’ tipping points (TPs) – the point at which they are tilted backward and would no longer be able to return to upright – as well as their own and others’ center of mass (COM) – the relative position of which is used to determine actual TP. We found that people overestimate their own and others’ TP when tilted backward, estimate their own and others’ COM higher than actual, and that COM estimation is unrelated to TP. In Experiment 2, we investigated people’s intuitive beliefs about the TP. We also investigated the relationship between phenomenal TP and perceived vertical. Whether verbally (conceptually) estimating the TP, drawing the TP, or demonstrating the position of the TP, people believe that the TP is close to 45°. In Experiment 3, we found that anchoring influences phenomenal TP and vertical. When accounting for starting position, the TP seems to be best predicted by an intuitive belief that it is close to 45°. In Experiment 4, we show that there is no difference in phenomenal TP and vertical when being tilted about the feet or waist/hips. We discuss the findings in terms of action-perception differences found in other domains and practical implications.
Strategic Professional Development for Busy Teachers: Profile of a High-Impact Instructional Design

This NASA-funded professional development project offered Nevada middle school and high school teachers training to support the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the secondary STEM curriculum. The project took place during the academic school year and - due to time constraints among teacher-participants - challenged organizers to design a professional development experience that would provide essential preliminary safety information and encourage participant-collaboration while making the most of a limited number of hours available for in-person training. In an effort to extend the benefits of the project, teachers completing the training took part in a lesson planning competition, leading to prizes and publication of the top UAS/STEM lesson plans. The training provided opportunities for teachers to master essential safety information, connect with one another, explore flight simulation activities, fly drones, plan lessons, and deliver new curriculum and experiences to students in middle and high school settings. The design of the project was unique in its inclusion of strategic design elements that ranged from an online course site with FAA/safety content and quiz to a keynote/dinner presentation, hands-on workshops, a lesson plan competition, webinars, and a circulating curriculum kit that provided lesson plans and instructional materials to secondary STEM teachers requesting the kit. With limited funds and a total of ten hours of in-person instructional time, this thoughtfully constructed training leveraged online resources, received high ratings from participating teachers, and exceeded its goal of reaching over 1000 students at the middle school and high school level. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.18.10.14
Insights for Curriculum Development: Identifying Emerging Data Science Topics through Analysis of Q&A Communities

Updating curricula in new computer science domains is a critical challenge faced by many instructors and programs. In this paper we present an approach for identifying emerging topics and issues in Data Science by using Question and Answer (Q&A) sites as a resource. Q&A sites provide a useful online platform for discussion of topics and through the sharing of information they become a valuable corpus of knowledge. We applied latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), a statistical topic modeling technique, to analyze data science related threads from from two popular Q&A communities "Stack Exchange and Reddit". We uncovered both important topics as well as useful examples that can be incorporated into teaching. In addition to technical topics, our analysis also identified topics related to professional development. We believe that approaches such as these are critical in order to update curriculum and bridge the workplace-school divide in teaching of newer topics such as data science. Given the pace of technical development and frequent changes in the field, this is an inventive and effective method to keep teaching up to date. We also discuss the limitations of this approach whereby topics of importance such as data ethics are largely missing from online discussions.
[WC310] The Leadership Skills Series: Utilizing Videos to Address Leadership Skills

This initial publication in the Leaders Skills Series provides Extension professionals with a brief introduction on how to utilize short leadership videos available on the internet to develop specific skills in large or small group settings. The publication also provides an overview of the Leadership Skills Series in Appendix A.
UniCaP-2: Phase-Locked Adaptive Clocking with Rapid Clock Cycle Recovery in 65nm CMOS

A new and improved Unified Clock and Power (UniCaP) architecture relies on dual-path feedback to further reduce supply-voltage (V dd ) margins in an ARM Cortex M0 processor while minimizing both peak cycle loss (Δϕ max ) and cycle-loss recovery time (T recovery ) associated with adaptive clocking. Measurements on a 65nm test chip demonstrate 91–99% V dd margin reduction and 38X T recovery improvement over [3]. We also report measurements that quantify the impact of clock distribution delay (τ dist ) and V dd sensitivity on V dd margin reduction.
Role of geotextiles pore size distribution in dewatering tests

For geotextile tube dewatering applications, several researchers have used one-dimensional dewatering tests to estimate soil piping and sediment retention by correlating geotextile pore openings (A...
Optimizing Transformers with Approximate Computing for Faster, Smaller and more Accurate NLP Models

Transformer models have garnered a lot of interest in recent years by delivering state-of-the-art performance in a range of Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks. However, these models can have over a hundred billion parameters, presenting very high computational and memory requirements. We address this challenge through Approximate Computing, specifically targeting the use of Transformers in NLP tasks. Transformers are typically pre-trained and subsequently specialized for specific tasks through transfer learning. We observe that pre-trained Transformers are often over-parameterized for several downstream NLP tasks and propose a framework to create smaller and faster models with comparable accuracy. The key cornerstones of the framework are a Significance Analysis (SA) method to identify important components in a pre-trained Transformer for a given task, and techniques to approximate the less significant components. Our framework can be adapted to produce models that are faster, smaller and/or more accurate, depending on the user's constraints. We apply our framework to multiple Transformer models and different downstream tasks, including previously proposed optimized models like DistilBERT and Q8BERT. We demonstrate that our framework produces models that are up to 4× faster and up to 14× smaller (with less than 0.5% relative accuracy degradation), or up to 5.5% more accurate with simultaneous model size and speed improvements of up to 9.8× and 2.9×, respectively.
Attachment, rumination, and disordered eating among adolescent girls: The moderating role of stress.

Disordered eating behaviors are prevalent and problematic in adolescent girls. Given that disordered eating has been linked to attachment insecurity and emotion dysregulation, the current study used an emotion regulation model of attachment theory to investigate pathways to disordered eating among adolescent girls. While past research has examined attachment and eating, an emotion regulation perspective is rarely used. Additionally, limited studies have investigated specific types of eating or mediators or moderators. To address these research gaps, this study examined whether rumination mediates the relationship between attachment anxiety and avoidance and three types of disordered eating and whether stress moderates this mediation. 100 adolescent girls (Mage = 14.35 years, SD = 2.29) completed online surveys including the Relationship Structures Questionnaire, Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, Rumination Questionnaire, and Perceived Stress Scale. The interaction between stress and attachment anxiety on rumination was significant (b = .09, SE = .04, p < .05), and stress and attachment anxiety predicted emotional eating through rumination (b = .50, SE = .15, p < .05). Rumination also predicted external eating (b = .32, SE = .11, p < .05). The mediation was not significant for restrained eating. Attachment avoidance did not significantly predict eating behaviors. The emotion regulation model of attachment theory provides a suitable framework for studying disordered eating in adolescent girls. Future research may continue the use of this framework to examine related topics. Clinicians treating girls experiencing disordered eating may use interventions to promote healthy emotion regulation strategies. Level V: cross-sectional descriptive study.
Lacuna publics: advancing a typology of disinformation-susceptible publics using the motivation-attitude-knowledge framework

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, this study sought to validate the conceptualization and operationalization of lacuna publics, conceptulized as knowledge-deficient, extreme pro- and/or...
A Distributed Scheme for Stability Assessment in Large Scale Structure-Preserving Models via Singular Perturbation

Assessing small-signal stability of power systems composed of thousands of interacting generators is a computationally challenging task. To reduce the computational burden, this paper introduces a novel condition to assess and certify small-signal stability. Using this certificate, we can see the impact of network topology and system parameters (generators' damping and inertia) on the eigenvalues of the system. The proposed certificate is derived from rigorous analysis of the classical structure-preserving swing equation model and has a physically insightful interpretation related to the generators' parameters and reactive power. To develop the certificate, we use singular perturbation techniques, and in the process, we establish the relationship between the structure-preserving model and its singular perturbation counterpart. As the proposed method is fully distributed and uses only local measurements, its computational cost does not increase with the size of the system. The effectiveness of the scheme is numerically illustrated on the WSCC system.
Simple Moment–Rotation Methodology for Predicting the Capacity of Concrete-Filled Steel Pipe Piles to Concrete Cap Connections

Abstract This study focuses on the development of an analysis methodology for predicting the ultimate seismic capacity of a concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) to reinforced concrete pile cap connect...
Unified power flow controller operational limit improvement

Increasing the electric power demand and restrictions in the power system expansion due to the high cost and environmental issues urge the utility companies to deploy the devices which will increase the level of the power to be transmitted on the existing transmission lines. Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) is the most versatile Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices which can be used in the transmission level to increase the power transfer capability, operational functionality, and power flow controllability of the power system. This paper analyses a specific type of the UPFC in which the DC-link voltage is not constant but regulated over a range of the values. Many of the existing UPFC installations around the world are of this kind. A new control structure has been proposed to increase the controllability range of this kind of the UPFC. Proposed solution has been validated by the precise PSCAD simulation results.
Sexuality Among the Aging

This paper addresses the problems and solutions of human sexuality and aging within a social work context. Prior to any serious consideration of this undertaking, it is imperative to examine the literature on the physiology of aging and the sexual apparatus. Psychological and social phenomena do not occur in isolation. In the area of human sexuality, it is particularly important to consider the relationship between the physical and the non-physical. The major portion of this paper deals with the psychosocial aspect of human sexuality and aging. All the literature suggests that this psychosocial aspect is the dominant issue. Unfortunatelv, the published literature offers little organization in examining the psychosocial actions to the effects of aging on sexuality. As a result, this review attempts to categorize the human problems related to sexuality and the elderly. Traditional perspectives on aging are used in explaining and for providing solutions to the problems of aging and sexuality.
Biodegradation of o-Benzyl-p-Chlorophenol

The extent of biodegradation of o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol, marketed as a germicide under the name Santophen® 1 (Monsanto Co.), in river water, sewage, and activated sludge was determined. Biodegradation was assessed by use of a colorimetric procedure for phenolic materials, carbon analysis, and CO2 evolution. In unacclimated river water, 0.1 mg of Santophen 1 per liter was degraded within 6 days. In sewage, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/liter levels of Santophen 1 were degraded in 1 day. Acclimated activated sludge achieved 80% biodegradation of 1.0 mg/liter Santophen 1 in 8 h and 100% in 24 h. When effluent from a semicontinuous activated sludge unit, acclimated to 20 mg of Santophen 1 per liter was used as the inoculum for the CO2 evolution procedure, 60% of the total theoretical CO2 was evolved from Santophen 1. Based on the results of these studies, indicating Santophen 1 to be readily biodegraded in at least four biological systems, the continued use of present levels of Santophen 1 should present no significant environmental problems.
DO LOCATION‐BASED TAX INCENTIVES IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE AND QUALITY OF BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT?

We examine how location-based tax incentives affect quality of life and business environment through changes in property values and equilibrium wages. Using the federal Empowerment Zone program, we determine whether offering tax incentives to firms improves the welfare of the citizens and attractiveness to firms. We demonstrate that quality of life methodologies can be applied using small geographically aggregated data, such as census block groups. We find that the tax incentives offered by the program notably enhances the quality of business environment for firms in the area while modestly improving the quality of life for the individuals living in the area.
Analytical techniques for cell fractions: XII. A multiple-cuvet rotor for a new microanalytical system☆

Abstract A new microanalytical system has been developed that employs a rotor containing 15 cuvets spinning past a beam of light. The signal is displayed on an oscilloscope, and a peak is observed continuously for each cuvet. Standards, samples, and reagents are placed in a central loading disc, and all solutions moved out into the cuvets by centrifugal force. Minimum volume to fill the cuvets is 200 λ. By using the Weichselbaum biuret reagent for proteins, 15 analyses may be completed in as little as 30 sec after the rotor is started. The data are obtained photographically.
A German Generation: An Experiential History of the Twentieth Century. By Thomas A. Kohut. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012. Pp. xii, 335. $38.00.)

It has become commonplace in the United States to highlight the virtues and achievements of its “greatest generation”—a generation that overcame remarkable challenges posed during the first half of...
Heart Specific Deletion of RNA Binding Protein Rbfox1 Sensitizes Mice to Pressure Overload Induced Cardiac Dysfunction

Alternative splicing increases the ability to respond to stress. One of the most important alternative splicing regulators is the family of Rbfox proteins. Rbfox1 is specifically expressed in brain...
piwi encodes a nucleoplasmic factor whose activity modulates the number and division rate of germline stem cells

piwi represents the first class of genes known to be required for stem cell self-renewal in diverse organisms. In the Drosophila ovary, piwi is required in somatic signaling cells to maintain germline stem cells. Here we show that piwi encodes a novel nucleoplasmic protein present in both somatic and germline cells, with the highly conserved C-terminal region essential for its function. Removing PIWI protein from single germline stem cells significantly decreases the rate of their division. This suggests that PIWI has a second role as a cell-autonomous promoter of germline stem cell division. Consistent with its dual function, over-expression of piwi in somatic cells causes an increase both in the number of germline stem cells and the rate of their division. Thus, PIWI is a key regulator of stem cell division - its somatic expression modulates the number of germline stem cells and the rate of their division, while its germline expression also contributes to promoting stem cell division in a cell-autonomous manner.
Space Distribution of Quasars Based on Optically Selected Samples

Even though the number of known quasars is approaching 2000, relatively few belong to well defined complete samples which are needed to derive their space distribution. For many years, the Braccesi survey (Braccesi, Formiggini, and Gandolfi 1970) was the only published one — its limited spectroscopic coverage allowed construction of only a small complete sample of 19 quasars brighter than B = 18, over an area of 36 sq. deg.
Developmental protein changes in normal and chromatolytic facial nerve nuclear regions

Facial neurons were severed at the stylomastoid foramen in immature (15- and 20-day-old) and adult hamsters. Four days later animals were killed under Nembutal, in accordance with either of two approaches. In one series, after perfusion with physiological saline, the medullas were immediately removed, quickfrozen in liquid nitrogen, and sectioned in a cryostat. Facial nerve nuclear regions from the experimental and control sides were dissected free from the dehydrated sections and analyzed for protein differences by micro disc electrophoresis. In another series, 3H-leucine was injected intraperitoneally 24 hr before killing by perfusion-fixation. Isotope uptake in experimental and control facial neurons was determined by autoradiography. The pattern of protein changes and the uptake of the amino acid on the chromatolytic side became progressively more dissimilar from the normal, the more mature the neurons were at the time of operation. This involved an increase in both the number of separated proteins and the uptake of labeled leucine on the experimental side. We suggest that these reactive differences may reflect two different types of metabolism, present, respectively, in immature and mature nuclear regions. The first type, present in immature and chromatolytic regions, may be concerned with the synthesis of structural proteins. The second type, present in adult normal nuclear regions, may be concerned with the synthesis of proteins for cell maintenance and function.
Vascular endothelial growth factor is increased in ascites from metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Abstract Introduction. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor that increases vascular permeability. VEGF stimulates capillary formation and has mitogenic effects on vascular endothelial cells. The development of malignant ascites causes significant morbidity. We hypothesized that increased levels of VEGF play a role in the development of malignant ascites in patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods. Athymic mice underwent orthotopic implantation of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tumors (250,000 cells) into the body of the pancreas. Tumors were allowed to grow for 12 weeks, at which time ascites develops in 50% of mice. Paracentesis was performed on mice with noticeable ascites. Saline lavage was performed in mice with equivalent pancreatic tumor masses without ascites and served as control. Both ascites and tumor masses were harvested for VEGF protein quantitation by ELISA. Results. VEGF protein levels were elevated in malignant ascites by 15-fold compared to control mice with equivalent tumors ( N = 6, P t test). VEGF levels were slightly higher in the primary tumor masses harvested from mice without ascites. Mice with ascites also had metastatic nodules throughout the abdominal cavity. Conclusions. We are reporting for the first time that VEGF levels are increased in the ascites of nude mice with orthotopically transplanted human pancreatic cancers. VEGF increases vascular permeability and allows for extrapancreatic seeding of tumors. Irrespective of primary tumor size, intraperitoneal VEGF levels are increased when ascites and extrapancreatic nodules are present, while a paradoxical decrease is observed in VEGF levels of primary tumors.
Infinite-Component Wave Equations with Hydrogenlike Mass Spectra

Continuing a previous work, various models of relativistic wave equations are considered which have an infinite number of components. By combining a unitary representation of $SO(4, 2)$ and the ordinary finite (Dirac) representation of the Lorentz group, it is possible to construct equations which produce hydrogenlike mass spectra. However, they are also accompanied by redundant, or unphysical, solutions. In the nonrelativistic limit, on the other hand, the equations obtained can be shown to be mathematically equivalent to the Schr\"odinger equation for the hydrogen atom. This suggests that the method of infinite-component wave equations may be a useful tool in exploring the physics of strong interactions. A general discussion is made about the principles and problems that will be relevant in pursuing such a program.
Molecular Pathways: Osteoclast-Dependent and Osteoclast-Independent Roles of the RANKL/RANK/OPG Pathway in Tumorigenesis and Metastasis

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) is a TNF ligand superfamily member that is essential for the formation, activation, and function of osteoclasts. RANKL functions via its cognate receptor RANK, and it is inhibited by the soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG). In skeletal metastases, the ratio of RANKL to OPG is upregulated, which leads to increased osteoclast-mediated bone destruction. These changes in the bone microenvironment not only compromise the structural integrity of bone, leading to severe clinical morbidities, but have also been implicated in establishment of de novo bone metastasis and the progression of existing skeletal tumors. Evaluation of RANKL inhibitors, including the fully human anti-RANKL antibody denosumab, in patients with cancer has shown reductions in tumor-induced bone resorption activity and successful management of skeletal complications of bone metastases. RANKL also functions as a major paracrine effector of the mitogenic action of progesterone in mouse mammary epithelium, and it has a role in ovarian hormone-dependent expansion and regenerative potential of mammary stem cells. RANKL inhibition attenuates mammary tumorigenesis and pulmonary metastases in mouse models. These data suggest that the contribution of progesterone to increased mammary cancer incidence is mediated, at least in part, by RANKL-dependent changes in the mammary epithelium; RANKL also directly promotes distant metastases. In summary, the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of RANKL inhibition can occur by at least 2 distinct mechanisms, one in the bone via osteoclast-dependent effects, and the second via direct effects on the tumor cells of various origins and/or mammary epithelium.
Chemotaxis: Old and New

After describing briefly the work of Engelmann and Pfeffer about 100 years ago, the author presents the early history of bacterial chemotaxis in his laboratory since 1960. Then the report is brought up to the present by review of research in many laboratories including the author's.
Migraine and childhood periodic syndromes in children and adolescents.

Purpose of review This review covers recent advances in our understanding of migraine and childhood periodic syndromes in children and adolescents, as well as the treatment of these disorders. Recent findings The childhood periodic syndromes include benign paroxysmal torticollis, benign paroxysmal vertigo, abdominal migraine, and cyclic vomiting syndrome. Recent research suggests infant colic may also fit into this category. Migraine headache is common in children and adolescents, and chronic migraine effects 0.8-1.8% of adolescents and 0.6% of children. Two triptans are now FDA-approved for the acute treatment of migraine in pediatric patients. For preventive therapy, a number of medications have been studied and a major national trial is ongoing. Summary Childhood periodic syndromes are thought to be early life expressions of those genes that later in life are expressed as migraine headache. Future research into mechanisms of identifying children with these disorders prior to extensive and often invasive testing would be of benefit to these families and children. Migraine-specific therapies are now approved for the acute treatment of migraine in pediatric patients. Preventive migraine therapy is indicated in appropriate patients, although which medications are most effective in children is an area of active research.
Structural style of the Turkana Rift, Kenya

Multifold seismic reflection and geologic mapping in part of the eastern branch of the East African Rift system of northern Kenya reveal a major rift structure containing at least 3 km of Neogene sediment fill beneath Lake Turkana. This includes a series of half-graben basins, with centrally located quaternary volcanic centers, which are linked end-to-end by structural accommodation zones. Whereas the geometry of rifting is similar to that of the nonvolcanic western branch of the East African Rift system, the Turkana half-grabens are much smaller and may reflect extension of a thinner lithosphere or development of more closely spaced fracture patterns during rift evolution, or both.
Disparate Effects of Deficient Expression of Connexin43 on Atrial and Ventricular Conduction Evidence for Chamber-Specific Molecular Determinants of Conduction

Background—Myocardial conduction depends on intercellular transfer of currrent at gap junctions. Atrial myocytes express three different gap junction channel proteins—connexin43 (Cx43), connexin45 (Cx45), and connexin40 (Cx40)—whereas ventricular myocytes express only Cx43 and Cx45. However, the physiological roles of individual connexins are unknown. We have previously shown that mice heterozygous for a null mutation in the gene encoding Cx43 (Cx43+/− mice) express 50% of the normal amount of Cx43 in ventricular myocardium and exhibit marked slowing of ventricular conduction. Methods and Results—To determine whether atrial conduction is affected in Cx43+/− mice, we measured atrial conduction velocity in isolated hearts, performed detailed ECG and electrophysiological studies in intact animals, and determined the amount of cardiac connexins in atrial and ventricular tissue. Ventricular conduction velocity was reduced by 38% in Cx43+/− mice compared with wild-types, but atrial conduction velocity in the sa...
A relativistic formulation of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox

The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) paradox and the correlated states it introduced comprise one of the central interpretive problems of quantum mechanics. Because of the apparent nonlocal character of this paradox, it should be given a relativistic treatment. The purpose of this paper is to provide such a treatment.
Reoperation in the intensive care unit

From July 1, 1984, through June 30, 1989, after 1,259 open heart operations, 110 patients (8.7%) underwent 162 early reoperations either in the intensive care unit (144 procedures) or in the operating room (26 procedures). Reexploration for bleeding (49 procedures) (3.9%) and intraaortic balloon removal (50 procedures) (4.0%) were the two most common procedures. Ninety percent and 96% of these procedures, respectively, were performed in the intensive care unit. Mediastinal infections occurred in 4 (6.1%) of 66 patients undergoing repeat mediastinal operations for all indications. No infection occurred after reexploration for bleeding nor did mediastinal infection occur after reoperation in the intensive care unit. Postoperative death in these 110 patients was not related to reoperation except possibly in the case of 1 patient (0.9%). Average transit time to and from the operating room for patients returned there for reoperation was 89.7 minutes. Charges for procedures performed in the operating room were at least twice as great as for those performed in the intensive care unit. This experience supports expanded use of reoperation in the intensive care unit, as it is safe, effective, economical, and convenient.
PARAMETRIC MODELING METHOD FOR TRUSS STRUCTURES

This paper presents a parametric modeling method to create truss structures to enhance a part’s mechanical and/or dynamic properties. The main idea behind this method is to replace thick part sections with thinner sections that are reinforced by truss structure. Computational methods are presented to create truss structures that conform to a part’s shape. The methods utilize Bezier surfaces to approximate the part surface and to create the truss structure. Truss topologies can be created for a two-dimensional truss, a three-dimensional truss for single volume and a three-dimensional truss for multiple volumes. The decomposition of the part surfaces, the construction of approximating Bezier surfaces, and solid modeling of the truss structures are also shown. An example is presented to demonstrate the utility of conformal truss structures for a large part from the aerospace industry.
A risk-based evaluation of the free-trader option

According to a New York Times poll, in the prosperous year of 2006 the top structured product and derivative traders were projected to earn in the range of $40 to $50 million (Anderson 2006). There...
The value of platinum compounds in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Abstract The value of platinum compounds has come into question with the advent of newer chemotherapy agents in the management of patients with advanced non—small-cell lung cancer. These newer agents, which include the taxanes, topoisomerase I inhibitors, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine, appear to have higher single-agent response rates and more favorable toxicity profiles when compared to the platinum compounds. However, the toxicity of the platinum compounds is now minimized with the advent of more effective antiemetics. In addition, phase III clinical trials have demonstrated that the strategy of cisplatin dose intensity and prolonged duration of therapy with platinum compounds does not improve overall survival; therefore, moderate doses of cisplatin and a shorter duration of therapy can be given to further decrease toxicity. Furthermore, while phase II trials utilizing nonplatinum-based combination chemotherapy appear to demonstrate superior response rates and survival in comparison to platinum-based doublets, results of phase III trials have demonstrated no improvement in survival. Platinum combination chemotherapy remains the standard approach for stage IV non—small-cell lung cancer. More substantial advances will likely be made with novel molecular targeted therapy, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, which demonstrate synergy with the platinum compounds.