cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the herbivore defense and competitive ability of ancestral and modern genotypes of an invasive plant, Lespedeza cuneata

Th e evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA) hypothesis provides a compelling explanation for the success of invasive species. It contends that because alien plants have escaped their coevolved natural enemies, selection pressures favor a diversion of resources from herbivore defense to traits that confer increased competitive ability. Here, we provide evidence for EICA in the noxious grassland invader Lespedeza cuneata , by comparing the ancestral genotype introduced to North America in 1930 with modern-day invasive (North American) and native (Japanese) genotypes. We found that the invasive genotype was a better competitor than either the native or the ancestral genotype. Further, the invasive genotype exhibited greater induced resistance but lower constitutive resistance than the ancestral and native genotypes. Our results suggest that selection has played a pivotal role in shaping this invasive plant species into a more aggressive, but less constitutively defended competitor. Th e rapid population growth and high densities reached by invasive species provides scientists with many opportunities to investigate the mechanisms that regulate the abundance and distribution of organisms. Such research is a conservation priority since invasive species cause signifi cant environmental and economic damage, and pinpointing the mechanisms that allow invasive species to achieve community dominance
Algorithms for MDC-based multi-locus phylogeny inference

One of the criteria for inferring a species tree from a collection of gene trees, when gene tree incongruence is assumed to be due to incomplete lineage sorting (ILS), is minimize deep coalescence, or MDC. Exact algorithms for inferring the species tree from rooted, binary trees under MDC were recently introduced. Nevertheless, in phylogenetic analyses of biological data sets, estimated gene trees may differ from true gene trees, be incompletely resolved, and not necessarily rooted. In this paper, we propose new MDC formulations for the cases where the gene trees are unrooted/binary, rooted/non-binary, and unrooted/nonbinary. Further, we prove structural theorems that allow us to extend the algorithms for the rooted/binary gene tree case to these cases in a straightforward manner. Finally, we study the performance of these methods in coalescent-based computer simulations.
Anomalous origins of pulmonary arteries from pulmonary frunk (“crossed pulmonary arteries”)

Abstract The case of a newborn infant with the 18 trisomy syndrome having the characteristic external features of micrognathia, small palpebral fissures, high arched palate, low-set malformed ears, limited adduction of hips, and bilateral overlapping of the third and fourth fingers by the index and little fingers is presented. There were two significant cardiovascular malformations. The first was represented by an atrial septal defect lying superiorly to the fossa ovalis associated with anomalous connection of the right upper pulmonary veins to the right atrium. The second anomaly, which is the basis for this report, was represented by malposition of the origins of the two pulmonary arteries from the pulmonary trunk, in that the left pulmonary arterial ostium lay to the right of, and somewhat superior to, the ostium of the right pulmonary artery. From the anomalous site of origin, each pulmonary artery coursed to its respective lung, and in this course the two vessels crossed each other. It is suggested that the condition be called “crossed pulmonary arteries.” The developmental explanation for the malposition of the ostia of the two pulmonary arteries is not certain, but it is suggested that the phenomenon may result from faulty differential growth within the pulmonary trunk causing the two branches to lose normal relationships with respect to each other.
Recent advances in the management of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice, with over 3 million cases in the USA and 4.5 million in Europe. Its incidence is rising rapidly, and the number of individuals with AF is expected to triple or even quadruple between now and 2050. Most patients with AF are over 65 years of age and present many co-morbidities, in particular, hypertension (37%), heart failure (23%), coronary artery disease (18%), and diabetes (15%). The majority of patients with AF are elderly and 83% are aged over 65 years. This subset of patients is likely to continue to increase in number. AF is a major source of morbidity and mortality, being associated with reduced left ventricular function, exercise tolerance and quality of life, as well as a two-fold increase in cardiac mortality. In particular, the risk of stroke is increased five-fold in the presence of AF. Furthermore, patients with AF may experience symptoms adversely affecting their daily life. For all these reasons, restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with AF is clearly an important therapeutic goal. The articles comprising this Supplement, in which newer aspects of AF management are discussed in depth by leaders in the field, reflect the debates on these controversial topics at the second CREATE Annual Advisory Meeting held in Berlin on 5 October 2007. Dr Stefan Hohnloser and colleagues, in their article ‘Prevention of Stroke in Patients with AF: Current Strategies and Future Directions’, address the issue of stroke triggered by the thrombo-embolic complications of AF. Owing …
Infantile cardiomyopathy caused by a mutation in the overlapping region of mitochondrial ATPase 6 and 8 genes

Infantile cardiomyopathy is a genetically heterogeneous disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. We report four unrelated patients presenting as infants with isolated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in whom a novel mitochondrial m.8528T>C mutation was identified. This results in a change of the initiation codon in ATPase6 to threonine and a concurrent change from a highly conserved hydrophobic amino acid, tryptophan, at position 55 of ATPase8 to a highly basic arginine. This is the first report of a mutation affecting both mitochondrial genome encoded Complex V subunit proteins. Testing of family members of one patient indicates that the mutation is heteroplasmic and correlated with disease. Mitochondrial genome sequencing should be considered in patients with infantile hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Neuroplasticity: Biological Evolution’s Contribution to Cultural Evolution

The increase in brain size in humans relative to other primates is due to an increase in the number of cells and their interconnections. These increases exponentially increase the number of possible combinations of cells. Brain functions, including behavior and cognition, are based on functional systems that integrate widely distributed brain areas and millions of individual cells. The connections among neurons that constitute these functional systems are shaped by neuronal activity induced by stimulation from the environment. The powerful post-natal shaping of brain structure and function by environmental input during childhood continues much longer in humans than in other animals. Moreover, humans are the only animal that shapes the environment that shapes its brain. Today, most children are raised in largely human-made environments. This process of creating different neural structures through transgenerational alterations in the rearing environment is cultural evolution. By young adulthood, established neurocognitive structures are self-maintaining and the biological processes that support change in neuronal connections become less powerful. As a result, the homology between internal neurocognitive structures and the external environment achieved in childhood by the brain shaping itself to the environment is maintained in adulthood by acting on the environment to make it match established internal structures.
A Study of the Edman Degradation in the Assessment of the Purity of Synthetic Peptides

The level of amino acid omission in the chain assembly of peptides synthesized by the solid phase method can be determined by quantitating “preview” in the Edman degradation of the peptide, while it is still attached to the resin (Ref. 1). Previous reports indicated a minimum level of 0.3 to 0.5% preview per step(Refs. 2,3). The improved synthetic methodology for solid phase peptide synthesis recently developed in this laboratory (Refs. 4–6) had been shown, by direct analysis of the crude products after cleavage from the resin, to give rise to less than 0.05% amino acid omission per step in the assembly of simple model peptides (Ref. 5).
Hunting Associations between Badgers (Taxidea taxus) and Coyotes (Canis latrans)

Coyotes ( Canis latrans ) associating with badgers ( Taxidea taxus ) appeared to hunt Uinta ground squirrels ( Spermophilus armatus ) more effectively than lone coyotes. Coyotes with badgers consumed prey at higher rates ( P = 0.09) and had an expanded habitat base and lower locomotion costs. Badgers with coyotes spent more time below ground and active ( P = 0.02), and probably had decreased locomotion and excavation costs. Overall, prey vulnerability appeared to increase when both carnivores hunted in partnership. Complementary morphological adaptations and predatory strategies, interspecific tolerance, and behavioral flexibility allowed them to form temporary hunting associations. The following ecological circumstances may have increased the likelihood of this interaction in our study area: relatively high densities of predators and prey; relatively long-lived predator populations; a vegetative structure that impeded solitary hunting by coyotes; a high connectivity of prey burrows that decreased hunting success of badgers; an absence of interaction with humans; a stressful physical environment.
Boll Weevil: Ability to Fly Affected by Acetone, Irradiation, and Diflubenzuron

Observations in the field indicated that a large percentage of sterilized Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman were unable to fly from the soil surface to nearby cotton plants. In laboratory tests, dipping in acetone or in an acetone solution of diflubenzuron reduced flight ability by ca. 40%. Irradiation alone did not affect flight, but joint treatment with irradiation plus acetone reduced the number of flights by ca. 72%. Diflubenzuron reduced flight when fed to newly-emerged adults on 4 consecutive days but not when fed on the 4th day only. This delayed dietary treatment with diflubenzuron, combined with irradiation with 10 krad in nitrogen, effectively suppressed female fertility and had a minimal effect on the flight ability and mating capability of males.
Gene Therapy for Human Hemoglobinopathies

Gene transfer of human globin genes into human pluripotent stem cells via viral vectors may soon be realized. The high level of globin gene expression believed to be required for the treatment of severe hemoglobinopathies necessitated the inclusion of cis-acting sequences (LCR). Retroviral vectors containing the LCR elements are prone to rearrangement, low titer, and poor expression. Inclusion of a "minilocus" containing four HS sites linked to a globin gene resulted in higher expression in transplanted mice, but rearrangement of the provirus still occurs, and it is unclear what significance these experiments have with regard to human marrow stem cell transduction. Recombinant AAV is among the newest of genetic transfer vectors. This once obscure virus possesses unique properties that distinguish it from all other vectors. Its major advantage is the lack of pathogenicity in humans. Wild-type AAV has the unusual ability to selectively integrate into the mammalian genome at a specific region, thus reducing the concern for genomic disruption and insertional mutagenesis. The ability of AAV to carry regulatory elements without interference from the viral template may enable greater control of transferred gene expression. Disadvantages currently include the inferior packaging systems which yield low numbers of recombinant virions which are contaminated with wild-type adenovirus. The small AAV genome that can be packaged (approximately 5 kb) rules out its use for transfer of larger genes. Recombinant AAV viruses do not appear to demonstrate the same site-specific genomic integration as wild-type viruses. Elucidation of the mechanism of site-specific integration should prove useful in the development of safe vectors for gene transfer as well as provide insight into the nature of DNA recombination in humans.
Refractive Index of Natural Rubber for Different Wave Lengths

Abstract The refractive index of natural rubber and its variation with temperature and wave length are those which would be predicted for a similar hydrocarbon of low molecular weight. A two-constant equation of the Cauchy or Sellmeier type is inadequate to express the relation between refractive index and wave length for rubber. For convenient reference the best values resulting from the present investigation are recapitulated in Table VI.
Mapping Miles and Huberman's Within-Case and Cross-Case Analysis Methods onto the Literature Review Process

Recently, several authors have attempted to make the literature review process more transparent by providing a step-by-step guide to conducting literature reviews. However, although these works are very informative, none of them delineate how to display information extracted from literature reviews in a reader-friendly and visually appealing manner. Thus, the purpose of this article was to provide a framework for visually displaying information extracted for literature reviews via Miles and Huberman’s (1994) within- and cross-case displays. As part of our demonstration of the utility of visual displays, we use an actual body of published works that were subjected to some of these displays. Finally, we illustrate how to use a qualitative data analysis software program to facilitate these visual displays.
Resting and pentagastrin-stimulated gastroesophageal sphincter pressure in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Gastroesophageal sphincter pressure was studied in the resting state and after graded doses of intravenous pentagastrin in 6 patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and in 8 control subjects. The resting gastroesophageal sphincter pressure was significantly (P
Spatiotemporal mapping of a large mountain glacier from CryoSat-2 altimeter data: surface elevation and elevation change of Bering Glacier during surge 2011–2014

CryoSat-2 radar altimeter data have been applied to map surface elevations of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, and of Arctic icecaps. In this article we investigate the feasibility of using CryoSat-2 data for spatiotemporal analysis of surface elevation of a large mountain glacier. Bering Glacier, Alaska which is 8–20 km wide and approximately 80 km long is selected as a study area because it surges and hence shows short-term elevation changes. The approach includes a correction method, geostatistical analysis, and several methods for error assessment. A time series of digital elevation models DEMs is derived for six-month increments from Summer 2011 to Winter 2013/2014. DEMs have, on average, numerical Kriging errors of 1.65 + 3.19 m and Kriging estimation standard deviations of 11.32 + 1.01 m. A crossover analysis with airborne laser altimeter data from the fall months of 2011, 2012, and 2013 produced differences of 5.03 + 13.67 m compared to respective CryoSat-2 data sets. Difference maps are derived from the DEMs and are used to infer dynamical changes associated with the recent surge. In conclusion, CryoSat-2 data can be employed for spatiotemporal mapping of the evolution of surface elevation in Bering Glacier and other mountain glaciers of similar width, while providing key insight into large-scale elevation change over relatively short time periods.
Chapter 5 – Principles of Nanotoxicology

Humans and animals are exposed to toxins via dermal, inhalation and ingestion modes. For bulk particles (>500 nm), lipophilicity and the dose in terms of mass per unit body weight (e.g., mg/kg) determine their toxicity. For nanoparticles (<100 nm), size, shape, dose in terms of diameter, reactivity and mass, surface functionalization, aggregation, and protein corona determine their physicochemical properties and toxicity. The dose in terms of mass per unit body weight may not determine nanoparticle toxicity. The goals of this chapter are to discuss the principles of nanoparticle toxicity, including bioavailability and biodistribution. The similarities and differences between nanoparticle and bulk particle toxicity are also discussed. Toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics are discussed in Chapter 6 and mechanisms of toxicology are discussed in Chapter 7.
Sunscreens - A Photochemical Perspective

I would like to thank Dr. Gesarini for asking me to address the issue of sunscreen photoreactivity. By design, sunscreens are strong absorbers of ultraviolet radiation. The absorption of UV leads to the population of excited states. The question of sunscreen safely revolves around how the excited state energy is dissipated. If collisional deactivation occurs, the molecules return to the ground state of releasing energy in the form of heat. Alternatively, emissive processes may occur. Each of these of courses is harmless. However, if a molecule is an excited state were to react with a biological moiety, then biochemical consequences ar possible. In 1985 we showed that PABA, a phototypical sunscreen, underwent a photodimerization after exposure to UVB (Gasparro 1985). Other workers have shown that photoactivated PABA reacts with proteins (Folwks, unpublished results) and more recently in our laboratory we found that PABA reacted with DNA bases after exposure to UVB radiation (Carney, et al., unpublished results). The only other sunscreen to be studied for photo-mediated effects are cinnamate derivatives (Shimoi, et al., 1985). In this case it was found that the excision of thymine dimers had been inhibited. These studies may represent only the tip of an iceberg.
‘Yes to Football, No to Torture!’ The politics of the 1978 Football World Cup in West Germany

In the run-up to the 1978 World Cup, the West German section of Amnesty International launched a campaign called ‘Yes to Football, No to Torture!’ which sought to raise awareness of human rights vi...
Ethanol induced skeletal muscle degeneration — role of calcium

Summary The ethanol induced skeletal muscle degeneration is multi-factorial. The morphological changes of the skeletal muscle are more pronounced in the mitochondria. The excessive concentration of calcium in the mitochondria, as shown by the electron-probe micro-analysis, within the first week of ethanol intoxication, even before the appearance of ultrastructural changes suggests that the calcium influx provokes the mitochondrial degeneration.
Spatial and Temporal Evaluation of Hydrological Response to Climate and Land Use Change in Three South Dakota Watersheds

This study analyzed changes in hydrology between two recent decades (1980s and 2010s) with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in three representative watersheds in South Dakota: Bad River, Skunk Creek, and Upper Big Sioux River watersheds. Two SWAT models were created over two discrete time periods (1981-1990 and 2005-2014) for each watershed. National Land Cover Datasets 1992 and 2011 were, respectively, ingested into 1981-1990 and 2005-2014 models, along with corresponding weather data, to enable comparison of annual and seasonal runoff, soil water content, evapotranspiration (ET), water yield, and percolation between these two decades. Simulation results based on the calibrated models showed that surface runoff, soil water content, water yield, and percolation increased in all three watersheds. Elevated ET was also apparent, except in Skunk Creek watershed. Differences in annual water balance components appeared to follow changes in land use more closely than variation in precipitation amounts, although seasonal variation in precipitation was reflected in seasonal surface runoff. Subbasin-scale spatial analyses revealed noticeable increases in water balance components mostly in downstream parts of Bad River and Skunk Creek watersheds, and the western part of Upper Big Sioux River watershed. Results presented in this study provide some insight into recent changes in hydrological processes in South Dakota watersheds. Editor's note: This paper is part of the featured series on SWAT Applications for Emerging Hydrologic and Water Quality Challenges. See the February 2017 issue for the introduction and background to the series.
English language learners’ strategies for reading online texts: Influential factors and patterns of use at home and in school

Abstract We investigate five fourth and fifth-grade English language learners’ (ELLs) strategy use when they read online texts at home and in school. We also identify factors that play a role when these learners read online texts, as well as similar and different patterns in reading strategies at home and in school. The findings show that three factors influence the ELLs’ selection of online texts and use of reading strategies. In addition, the ELLs used nine reading strategies to enhance their reading online texts. Based on these findings, we discuss (a) the ELLs’ online reading strategies in different contexts, (b) the multidimensional zone of proximal development, and (c) collaboration between parents and teachers.
Redefining the Role of Admixture and Genomics in Species Conservation

The generation of genome-wide sequence data has brought with it both exciting opportunities for conservation and challenges for determining appropriate management practices in the face of complex evolutionary histories. Genomic data can provide deep insight into taxa with complex evolutionary origins, and is a powerful tool for biologists to obtain a more complete view of ancestry. Many policy decisions are encumbered by patterns of gene flow between species that reveal complex evolutionary histories. Here, we review conservation decisions in admixed species and highlight genomics research that demonstrates the commonality of hybridization in wildlife. We encourage a shift towards a web-of-life framework with emphasis on the need to incorporate flexibility in conservation practices by establishing a policy for lineages of admixed ancestry. In particular, we promote a conceptual framework under which hybridization, even extensive hybridization, no longer disqualifies a species from protection; instead, we encourage customized case-by-case management to protect evolutionary potential and maintain processes that sustain ecosystems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Extended High-Gain Observers as Disturbance Estimators

This paper reviews recent results on the use of extended high-gain observers as disturbance estimators. It shows how the use of these observers enables recovering the performance of feedback linear...
Clinical significance of PD-L1 levels in plasma-derived exosomes in head and neck cancer.

117Background: Despite the broad spectrum of available therapies, HNSCC patients have poor outcome due to locoregional recurrence. Mechanisms responsible for immune suppression include activities of checkpoint receptors/ligands. HNSCCs with high expression levels of PD-L1 have especially poor outcome. Thus, PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors show potential as anticancer strategies. However, many patients with PD-L1+ HNSCC don’t benefit from checkpoint inhibitor therapy, suggesting that PDL-1 expression on tumors is not the only factor predictive of response. Tumor derived exosomes carry numerous immunosuppressive molecules and deliver them to recipient immune cells. We have demonstrated that elevated levels of circulating immunosuppressive exosomes play a key role in immune suppression and disease progression. Here, we show that surface PD-L1 on exosomes is responsible for these effects. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from plasma of 40 HNSCC patients by mini size exclusion chromatography, captured on beads using ...
Interest Groups: Advocacy and Opposition

Put most simply, economic changes and policy interventions generate political responses from those who see either threats to their interests or new opportunities to attain benefits (Acemoglu 2010). Because transportation mega-projects belong to that class of projects inciting intense changes, especially at the metropolitan and regional levels, it should not be surprising that they face various forms of opposition coming from multiple sources, ranging from vocal criticism to organized resistance. But mega-projects likewise benefit from vigorous support. In the USA, lobbying for earmarked projects was a common practice at the national (or federal) level until earmarking was prohibited by Congress in 2011. The proliferation of earmarked projects had persuaded advocacy groups to seek additional projects at the price of foregoing the benefits of more worthy projects. In addition, national advocacy organizations (or lobbyists) continue to try to persuade decision-makers by applying sometimes devious tactics but also their professional expertise.
Towards Predicting Physiology from Speech During Stressful Conversations: Heart Rate and Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia

Being affected by mental stress during conversations might have a direct or indirect effect on our speech acoustics as well as on our physiological responses. This paper presents a study on finding the relationship between these two modalities, speech acoustics and physiology, during stressful conversations between humans. Heart rate and respiratory sinus arrhythmia have been considered as physiological variables in the present study. Two datasets, one from stress induction sessions and the other one from in-lab discussions of relationship conflicts between couples, have been analyzed. A series of experiments have been performed separately on the two datasets, as well as on the combined dataset. The research finds acoustic features that are significantly correlated with the physiological variables during stressful conversations. It also predicts the physiological signals from speech features through a nonlinear regression analysis. The results take us one step forward towards building an extremely non-intrusive and relatively inexpensive method of predicting physiological responses from speech, and thus detecting the presence and quantifying the intensity of stress during stressful conversations.
Abstract 4440: Differential regulation of p63 isoforms by alternative polyadenylation

p63, a transcription factor belonging to the p53 family, plays vital roles in epidermal development and tumorigenesis. p63 expresses from two different promoters generating two classes of proteins, TAp63 and ΔNp63 that differ in their N-terminus. Moreover, alternative splicing of the TA and ΔN isoforms in the C-terminus creates additional isoforms (α-e); thus generating five TA and five ΔN p63 isoforms. The factors that give rise to this repertoire of p63 isoforms are not very well understood. Alternative polyadenylation (APA) can generate multiple isoforms of a gene with alternative 39 ends based on the polyadenylation site selection during cleavage and polyadenylation of mRNA. APA can give rise to isoforms that differ in the coding region (CDS APA) or that have varying lengths of 39 UTR (39 UTR APA). Recently, PABPN1 protein that binds the 39 poly(A) tail of mRNAs has emerged as a key regulator of APA. Here, we show that PABPN1 differentially regulates p63α and p63γ isoforms by alternative polyadenylation. Specifically, knockdown of PABPN1 increases the levels of p63γ mRNA as well as protein by regulating CDS APA of p63 gene. Moreover, knockdown of PABPN1 also generates p63α mRNAs with varying 39 UTR lengths. Although the mRNA levels of p63α remain unchanged upon PABPN1 KD, p63α protein is significantly decreased, suggesting that PABPN1 also regulates p63α protein translation. Interestingly, we also show that PABPN1 is a p63α target and that p63 transcriptionally regulates PABPN1 by binding to its promoter forming a negative feedback loop. Taken together, our study identifies PABPN1 as a novel regulator of various p63 isoforms by APA and that p63 in turn regulates PABPN1 transcriptionally. Citation Format: Shakur Mohibi, Jin Zhang, Xinbin Chen. Differential regulation of p63 isoforms by alternative polyadenylation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4440.
PO-277 Single-cell RNA-seq analysis of human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Introduction Pancreatic Ductal Adenomcarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal forms of cancer with a five-year survival rate of 8%. Genetic alterations such as activating mutations in KRAS and inactivating mutations in CDKN2A and TP53, accompanied with changes in surrounding stroma, are involved in progression of pancreatic cancer. However, since these alterations are not well understood at the single cell level, we have been performing single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of PDAC. Material and methods We performed scRNA-seq and histological analysis of a resected human PDAC tumour specimen using the 10X platform and single cell cDNA library construction kit followed by sequencing on a HiSeq4000 (3,640 cells; over 10^5 reads per cell). Bioinformatic analysis included both standard pipelines and custom analysis of TCGA PDAC signatures as first described in (Raphael BJ, 2017; Cancer Cell 32, 2185). Results and discussions Nine distinct cell types were identified by K-means clustering and differential expression analysis. In agreement with histological evidence, slightly less than 10% of the cells were actual ductal carcinoma cells, and the rest were either normal epithelial cells or stromal cells. The TCGA signature identified these ductal carcinoma cells as belonging to the basal subtype of PDAC. Individual clusters included normal pancreatic islet cells, B-lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells, cells that resemble schwann cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and normal fibroblasts. Bioinformatic analysis suggested two subtypes of CAFs with different functions: extracellular matrix production, and immunomodulatory, in agreement with a prior report (Ohlund D, Journal of Experimental Medicine, 2017;214(3):579). Histological analysis confirmed presence of the major cell types. Additionally, an epithelial-like cell cluster was observed and further histological analysis is underway to confirm the identity of the same. Conclusion sc-RNAseq of a resected tumour specimen from a PDAC patient revealed the presence of diverse cell types in addition to tumour cells such as different immune cells, different types of fibroblasts, and a previously undescribed pancreatic cell type. Further application of this technology should yield additional insights and lead to the discovery of novel biomarkers for analysis of pancreatic cancer.
Recommendation for reliable evaluation of diffusion coefficients from diffusion profiles with steep concentration gradients

Abstract Essentially all diffusion coefficients, except for a tiny fraction from tracer experiments, are evaluated from diffusion concentration profiles that are predominantly measured via wavelength or energy dispersive spectroscopy of characteristic X-rays of the pertinent elements. X-ray generation (interaction) volume simulation and an analysis of experimental profiles show that the extracted diffusion coefficients can be inflated by up to three orders of magnitude in very steep gradient regions due to artificial broadening of the concentration profiles. A recommendation is made to trust only diffusion coefficients from concentration gradients less than 1 at% per micron unless very special corrections are made.
Fantasies Evoked by Cardiac Surgery

“When you have my heart in your hand, could you please take the bitterness out of it?” This remarkable request addressed to a cardiac surgeon epitomizes some of the problems facing the heart patient since his view of surgery can be so different from ours. The request was not a metaphor, and when I asked him about it he looked puzzled and asked, “Where else would my bitterness be?!”
Atrial septal defects and pulmonary arterial hypertension

Atrial septal defects (ASD) are a common congenital heart defect. The majority of patient with ASDs often follow an uncomplicated course of events. However, a proportion of patients with ASDs, may have their condition complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH), with a subsequent significant impact on management, morbidity and mortality. The presence of PH, influences the suitability for defect closure. In this review we describe the different types of ASDs, the classification of PH related to congenital heart disease (CHD), when ASD closure is contraindicated and the management of patients who develop pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), including the most extreme form, Eisenmenger syndrome (ES).
Comprehensive genomic characterization of urothelial carcinomas.

4527Background: While the genetic characteristics of muscle-invasive bladder cancer have been studied in detail, there are few reports using the same genetic analysis platform to investigate differ...
A mindful model of sexual health: A review and implications of the model for the treatment of individuals with compulsive sexual behavior disorder.

Background and aimsMindfulness-based approaches, derived from centuries of eastern philosophy and practice, have been increasingly incorporated into western medicine. For example, data support the ...
Synthesis and characterization of a nematic fully aromatic polyester based on biphenyl 3,4′-dicarboxylic acid

Melt acidolysis polymerization of hydroquinone with a kinked monomer, biphenyl 3,4′-bibenzoate, afforded a novel liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), poly(p-phenylene 3,4′-bibenzoate) (poly(HQ-3,4′BB)). Selection of hydroquinone diacetate (HQa) or hydroquinone dipivilate (HQp) facilitated either a tan or white final polymer, respectively. 1H NMR spectroscopy confirmed consistent polymer backbone structure for polymers synthesized with either derivative of hydroquinone. Poly(HQ-3,4′BB) exhibited the onset of weight loss at about 480 °C, similar to commercially available Vectra® LCP. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 190 °C and an isotropic temperature (Ti) near 330 °C. The observation of a melting temperature (Tm) depended upon the thermal history of the polymer. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and polarized optical microscopy (POM) confirmed the formation of a nematic glass morphology after quench-cooling from the isotropic state. Subsequent annealing at 280 °C or mechanical deformation induced crystallization of the polymer. Rheological studies demonstrated similar shear thinning behavior for poly(HQ-3,4′BB) and Vectra® RD501 in the power law region at 340 °C. Zero-shear viscosity measurements indicated that HQa afforded higher melt viscosities after identical polymerization conditions relative to HQp, suggesting higher molecular weights.
Strength from the Shadows? How Shadow Economies Affect Terrorist Activities

Despite scholarly interest in the existence and consequences of the crime-terror nexus, little research has been done to examine how the presence of an illegal economic area, known as a shadow econ...
The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend? A Clash of Anti-Apartheid Tactics and Targets in the Olympic Movement of the Early 1960s

Tensions between anti-apartheid activists within the Olympic movement are surprisingly overlooked in the large body of literature on the international campaign to isolate South Africa in sport. Ken...
Chapter 23 – Membranes and Human Health

The complexity of membrane structure and functions outlined in this book supports a wealth of potential targets to alleviate human afflictions. Indeed, drug companies have taken notice and made membranes a major area for future drug development. A thorough survey of these approaches is far too large to address here. Instead, a few representative examples are discussed.
Protein signal pathway mapping: Screening potential drug targets for Multiple Myeloma

1542 There is an urgent need for novel individualized targeted therapies for Multiple Myeloma. We employed reverse phase protein array (RPPA) technology, to map the activated state of cellular signal pathways following cell culture and ex vivo treatment of myeloma cells, before and after administration of signal pathway inhibitors. We are gathering data to generate a functional MM classifier based on drug target activation and provide a means of testing the hypothesis that cell signaling activation portraits can predict a priori which targeted therapies will most likely cause cell death and apoptosis. We identified major classes of signal pathways that were activated in a population of 195 multiple myeloma bone marrow aspirate samples. We selected pharmacologic pathway inhibitors acting within these pathway classes. Pathway inhibitors found to induce cell death in vitro within 3 days activated the apoptosis pathway within 4 hours of administration. Three multiple myeloma cell lines were selected for inhibitor studies. NCI-H929 cells secrete large amounts of IgA kappa, whereas RPMI-8226 and U266 cells produce IgG lambda and IgE lambda respectively. Cells were treated at recommended IC50 concentrations with inhibitors targeted against IGF1R, EGFR, AKT, COX2, MEK, AMPK, ERK, BCL-2, and mTOR. Cells were treated with DMSO as the vehicle control. To measure cell viability over time, a trypan blue assay was performed. Proteins were extracted at 0 min, 4 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours post treatment. Protein lysates were printed onto RPPAs and subsequently immunostained with antibodies to 111 different phosphorylated, cleaved, or total protein cell signaling proteins. Spot analysis software was used to generate spot intensities, with local area background correction. Net spot intensities were normalized to total protein per spot and mean spot intensity values were obtained. Based on viability data, inhibitor treated cells were categorized into two groups, viable and non-viable. Cells were determined to be viable if
Immune Regulation, Maternal Infection, Vaccination, and Pregnancy Outcome

About 12.5% of all maternal deaths in the United States are due to infectious causes. This proportion, although stable during the past three decades, represents an increase in infectious causes of mortality, as the overall mortality rate in U.S. pregnant women had increased steadily during that same period. During healthy pregnancies, a delicate immunological balance-in which a mother's immune system tolerates the semi-allogeneic fetus yet maintains immune competency against infectious agents-is achieved and maintained. This immunological paradigm, however, results in increased susceptibility to infectious diseases during pregnancy, particularly in later stages and during the early postpartum period. The inflammatory process induced by these infectious insults, as well as some noninfectious insults, occurring during pregnancy can disrupt this carefully achieved balance and, in turn, lead to a state of rampant inflammation, immune activation, and dysregulation with deleterious health outcomes for the mother and fetus. Elucidating mechanisms contributing to the disruption of this immunologic homeostasis, and its disruption by infectious pathogens, might offer opportunities for interventions to reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
COVID–19 and arterial thrombosis: Report of 2 cases

The SARS-CoV-2 infection has been predominately associated with lung disease. However, emerging evidence has associated the COVID-19 infection with a hypercoagulable state. This hypercoagulable state can occur despite the use of anticoagulants and antiplatelets. In fact, it may even be the presenting symptom of COVID-19 in some patients. Thromboembolism associated with COVID-19 carries a worse prognosis and should be identified as early as possible. Therefore, we report 2 patients with arterial thrombosis in the form of limb ischemia in the setting of COVID-19.
An examination of gender differences in spatial skills and math attitudes in relation to mathematics success: A bio-psycho-social model

Abstract There are extensive controversies about: (1) whether any gender differences in math exist, (2) what factors might contribute to any gender differences, and (3) whether gender differences in abilities and attitudes are likely to impact the substantially smaller number of women in math intensive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. We provide a review of gender differences in math, describing the inconsistencies and disagreements in the literature, which we propose can often be tied to the population being studied or to features relating to the math measures being used. Then we address two potential areas of gender differences (spatial skills and math attitudes), which may be critical in influencing gender differences in math within certain populations and types of math skills. Next, this article compares key gender-math theories, analyzing them from a bio-psycho-social framework. These findings are discussed within the context of our bio-psycho-social theory of gender differences in both math skills and STEM fields. In an overview of our bio-psycho-social theory, we propose that it is relative tilt in patterns of brain organization relating to spatial versus verbal abilities (rather than math versus verbal abilities tilt) that leads to gender differences in math behaviors and attitudes. This relative spatial-verbal tilt is likely a key player in influencing math skills/careers. At the end of the article, the educational implications are addressed including implications for interventions.
Mid-Infrared Cross-Comb Spectroscopy using Sum-Frequency Sampling

We introduce the cross-comb spectroscopy scheme by sum-frequency sampling of a mid-infrared frequency comb using a near-IR comb with slightly shifted repetition rate. We experimentally demonstrate a 300-nm instantaneous comb-resolved measurement bandwidth around 4 µm.
Erosion of Brittle Materials by Solid Particle Impact.

Results are presented which show, that in addition to fracture, plastic deformation occurs and plays an important role in the erosion of brittle materials by solid particle impact. These conclusions are supported by transmission electron microscopy studies of impact damage produced in a wide variety of brittle materials and by erosive wear studies on silicon nitride and alumina. The erosive wear studies also indicate that while erosion resistance is primarily determined by fracture toughness and hardness, the relative importance of these materials parameters depends on the test conditions (e.g. temperature and angle of particle impingement).
How Many Muons Do We Need to Store in a Ring For Neutrino Cross-Section Measurements?

Analytical estimate of the number of muons that must decay in the straight section of a storage ring to produce a neutrino & anti-neutrino beam of sufficient intensity to facilitate cross-section measurements with a statistical precision of 1%. As we move into the era of precision long-baseline {nu}{sub {mu}} {yields} {nu}{sub e} and {bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} {yields} {bar {nu}}{sub e} measurements there is a growing need to precisely determine the {nu}{sub e} and {bar {nu}}{sub e} cross-sections in the relevant energy range, from a fraction of 1 GeV to a few GeV. This will require {nu}{sub e} and {bar {nu}}{sub e} beams with precisely known fluxes and spectra. One way to produce these beams is to use a storage ring with long straight sections in which muon decays ({mu}{sup -} {yields} e{sup -}{nu}{sub {mu}}{bar {nu}}{sub e} if negative muons are stored, and {nu}{sup +} {yields} e{sup +}{nu}{sub e}{bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} if positive muons are stored) produce the desired beam. The challenge is to capture enough muons in the ring to obtain useful neutrino and anti-neutrino fluxes. Early proposals to use a muon storage ring for neutrino oscillation experiments were based upon injecting 'high energy' charged pions into the ring whichmore » then decayed to create stored muons. These proposals were hampered by lack of sufficient intensity to pursue the physics. The Neutrino Factory proposal in 1997 was designed to fix this problem by using a Muon Collider class 'low energy' muon source to capture many more pions at low energy, allow them to decay in an external decay channel, manipulate their phase space to capture as many muons as possible within the acceptance of an accelerator, and then accelerate to the energy of choice before injecting into a specially designed ring with long straight sections. All this technology would do a wonderful job in fixing the intensity problem, but at a price that excludes this solution from being realized in the short term. The question that we are now faced with is whether the older, lower intensity 'parasitic' muon storage ring based on 'high energy' pion decays can, with suitable modification, produce sufficient intensity to measure the desired cross-sections. Fortunately, the intensity requirements for cross-section measurements are less demanding than the corresponding requirements for oscillation measurements, so there is hope. To fuel the discussion, in this note we consider the design goal: how many muons do we need to store?« less
5 Protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses detection and assay of protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I (PGGT-I). The prenyl donor for the protein farnesyltransferase (PFT)-catalyzed reaction is farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), whereas geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) is the prenyl donor for PGGT-I and for Rab geranylgeranyltransferase. PFT and PGGTI transfer the prenyl group to proteins and peptides with a C-terminal CaaX motif. Rab geranylgeranyltransferase operates on Rab proteins with C-terminal CXC, CC, and CCXX motifs but does not geranylgeranylate peptides with these motifs. The most common way to assay PGGT-I is to trap protein substrate on a cellulose paper disk after it has been radiogeranylgeranylated in the presence of radiolabeled GGPP that contains 3H or 14C at carbon-1 and to subject the disk to scintillation counting. This assay is sensitive, simple to execute, and generally gives low levels of counts per minute (cpm) in the minus enzyme and minus peptide/protein substrate controls. The chapter compares PGGT-I with PFT X-ray structure and discusses PGGT-I inhibitors.
GRASS: trimming stragglers in approximation analytics

In big data analytics, timely results, even if based on only part of the data, are often good enough. For this reason, approximation jobs, which have deadline or error bounds and require only a subset of their tasks to complete, are projected to dominate big data workloads. Straggler tasks are an important hurdle when designing approximate data analytic frameworks, and the widely adopted approach to deal with them is speculative execution. In this paper, we present GRASS, which carefully uses speculation to mitigate the impact of stragglers in approximation jobs. GRASS's design is based on first principles analysis of the impact of speculation. GRASS delicately balances immediacy of improving the approximation goal with the long term implications of using extra resources for speculation. Evaluations with production workloads from Facebook and Microsoft Bing in an EC2 cluster of 200 nodes shows that GRASS increases accuracy of deadline-bound jobs by 47% and speeds up error-bound jobs by 38%. GRASS's design also speeds up exact computations (zero error-bound), making it a unified solution for straggler mitigation.