cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P311: Differential Changes in Caveolin Levels in Lung and Heart from Ozone-Exposed Adult Healthy Rats

Acute exposure to ozone (O 3 ) has been reported to possess beneficial effects in the injured myocardium. We have demonstrated that chronic O 3 exposure elicits cardiac dysfunction in rats. These results suggest that acute and chronic exposures to O 3 have different effects on myocardial function. On the contrary exposure to acute ozone levels has shown to cause lung injury. Although effects of chronic exposure to ozone on the lung has not been determined, it is reasonable to suggest that ozone mediated toxicity may be tissue specific. It appears that in chronic cardiac injury subsequent to an ischemic insult, lipid raft proteins such as caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 play vital roles in the generation of death and survival signaling in the heart. In lung injury subsequent to acute O 3 exposure, dramatic reductions in caveolin-1 levels were associated with increases in lung TNF-α. Our previous studies showed increased expressions of myocardial TNF-α after chronic O 3 exposure. In the present study we wanted to determine the regulatory role of caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 in hearts and lungs from rats exposed to chronic O 3 levels. Sprague Dawley rats were exposed 8 hrs/day for 28 and 56 days to filtered air or 0.8 ppm O 3 . In order to assess the chronic effects to O 3 , levels of caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 in the lung and heart tissue were measured 24 hrs after termination of the O 3 exposure. Caveolin-1 levels in hearts from the ozone exposed groups were significantly decreased compared to air exposed rats; while caveolin-1 levels in lungs from the same animals were not different from the air exposed group. On the other hand caveolin-3 levels in hearts from the ozone exposed groups increased and decreased after 4 and 8 week of ozone exposure compared to air exposed rats; while caveolin-3 levels in lungs from the same animals were not different from the air exposed group. These novel findings suggest the interesting possibility that caveolin expressions subsequent to chronic ozone exposure may be tissue specific.
Packaging and Miniaturization of a 2–18 GHz UWB Radar for Measurements of Snow and Ice: Initial Results

Abstract We report recent progress towards miniaturizing and packaging an ultra wideband (UWB) radar developed for measurements of ice and snow over the 2–18 GHz range. The initial objective of this work is the close integration of the radar's RF section (composed of a receiver and a low-power transmitter) while maintaining or enhancing its electrical performance. First, we describe a connectorized reference system developed to serve as a performance benchmark for transmit and receive signal chains. Next, we discuss the use of drop-in modules to achieve a significant size reduction of the RF front-end. These modules are based on packaged chips and arranged in a planar configuration. We present system-level performance metrics of the reference system justifying the need for further integration. We briefly discuss other potential applications of the miniaturized radar and the direction of future packaging efforts as we work toward our future goal of integrating the complete radar “from antenna to bits” by u...
STRESS GRADIENTS AND ANISOTROPY IN THIN FILMS

Indications that steep through-thickness strain gradients occur in vapour-deposited chromium films stemming from previous observations of film curling during spontaneous delamination from substrates, have been substantiated by analysis and simulation of Bragg X-Ray diffraction peaks. The presence of large through-thickness compressive strains, that increase quadratically with distance from the substrate from about zero at the interface to around 0.8% at the film surface, was deduced by empirical computer matching of diffraction peak shapes.
Activation of STAT3 in Gastric Cancer Development

The transcription factor STAT3 important for regulating factors that involve in the modulation of gene expression. The factors such as growth factors and cytokines regulate homeostasis of both epithelial and stromal cells. Deregulation of STAT3 activation is important in the initiation of transformation of various cancers that are epithelial in origin. This chapter mainly focuses on STAT3 activation in gastric cancer and its progression with the activation of cytokines; it also discusses how STAT3 associated with progression of gastric cancer. The studies have shown the association of deregulated JAK/STAT in the development of solid cancers especially in gastric cancer. Therapeutic use of STAT3 may prevent the development of gastric cancer. Inhibitors of STAT3 are emerging as a potent drug in treatment options. STAT3 inhibitors are under evaluation in various clinical trials, showing promising results for the treatment.
Integrating Radiosensitivity and Immune Gene Signatures for Predicting Benefit of Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer

Purpose: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and not all patients respond equally to adjuvant radiotherapy. Predictive biomarkers are needed to select patients who will benefit from the treatment and spare others the toxicity and burden of radiation. Experimental Design: We first trained and tested an intrinsic radiosensitivity gene signature to predict local recurrence after radiotherapy in three cohorts of 948 patients. Next, we developed an antigen processing and presentation-based immune signature by maximizing the treatment interaction effect in 129 patients. To test their predictive value, we matched patients treated with or without radiotherapy in an independent validation cohort for clinicopathologic factors including age, ER status, HER2 status, stage, hormone-therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Disease-specific survival (DSS) was the primary endpoint. Results: Our validation cohort consisted of 1,439 patients. After matching and stratification by the radiosensitivity signature, patients who received radiotherapy had better DSS than patients who did not in the radiation-sensitive group [hazard ratio (HR), 0.68; P = 0.059; n = 322], whereas a reverse trend was observed in the radiation-resistant group (HR, 1.53; P = 0.059; n = 202). Similarly, patients treated with radiotherapy had significantly better DSS in the immune-effective group (HR, 0.46; P = 0.0076; n = 180), with no difference in DSS in the immune-defective group (HR, 1.27; P = 0.16; n = 348). Both signatures were predictive of radiotherapy benefit (Pinteraction = 0.007 and 0.005). Integration of radiosensitivity and immune signatures further stratified patients into three groups with differential outcomes for those treated with or without radiotherapy (Pinteraction = 0.003). Conclusions: The proposed signatures have the potential to select patients who are most likely to benefit from radiotherapy. Clin Cancer Res; 24(19); 4754–62. ©2018 AACR.
Regulatory Control of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor has been shown to posses an intrinsic tyrosine protein kinase activity that is stimulated by the binding of EGF [1]. In addition, two other ligands for the EGF receptor can stimulate the tyrosine protein kinase activity in intact cells: TGF-α (transforming growth factor α) and a soluble biosynthetic precursor of TGF-α [2, 3]. Analysis of the kinetics of autophosphorylation and of the activity of the receptor to phosphorylate exogenous substrates indicates that the autophosphorylation of the receptor causes an increase in its tyrosine protein kinase activity [4]. This increase in the tyrosine protein kinase activity of the receptor caused by phosphorylation represents a mechanism by which amplification of the signaling mechanism of the EGF receptor can occur subsequent to the binding of EGF to the receptor.
Deployment of TCP University of Bridgeport (UB) to Control Law Enforcement Department over Wireless Mesh Network

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is the most reliable protocol. That was previously introduced for wired networks only. Lately the TCP started to act poorly for several factors due to the advent of wireless network. The represented factors which need to be addressed are recovery mechanism, backup mechanism, mobility, congestion window and maximum packet size. Based on existing variants, new were introduced. The most two debated variants are Vegas and Westwood which motivated many researches. However, the number of studies proved that Vegas could perform more efficiency than other variants during the congested network whereas Westwood could consume less bandwidth. Hence, in our previous publications, we already proved by integrating some features of Vegas and Westwood to get better and more stable variant even in high congested network. It is called TCP University of Bridgeport (TCP-UB).Based on a previous simulation, TCP-UB proved a high efficiency, less bandwidth consumption and stability from static and mobility point of view. Therefore, in this paper we are using NS2 simulator to perform TCP-UB over wireless mesh network supported with manhattan mobility model. It provides robust and faster transmission service among several police stations in Connecticut, USA.Furthermore, we are comparing TCP-UB with Vegas and Westwood from a static and mobility point of view based on bandwidth consumption and congestion window scenario. On the basis of findings, we validate that TCP-UB is also better performer even over wireless mesh network.
Mechanics of Sand Transport

The character of an aeolian landform must depend on how the sand moves. This, of course, depends on the interaction of the particles with the fluid: where can particles start moving, how far do they move, how fast do they hit the ground again. These all depend on the forces acting on the grains, and thus in turn on the physical environment—gravity and the properties of the fluid. The study of this problem has traditionally been addressed somewhat separately of underwater particles, and for particles in air, in fluvial/marine and aeolian geomorphology respectively. However, we can see these cases as merely two points in a continuous space of environmental parameters.
Abstract 2386: Identification of SIK1 as a potential therapeutic target for desmoplastic small round cell tumor

Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and aggressive malignant cancer caused by the chromosomal translocation of t(11;22)(p13;q12) that produces a novel, aberrant transcription factor, EWS-WT1. EWS-WT1 is essential in the formation of DSRCT as well as for maintaining DSRCT cell growth. However, current research has not elucidated how EWS-WT1 leads to the oncogenesis of DSRCT. Through our integrative gene expression data, we identified Salt Inducible Kinase 1 (SIK1) as one of direct target genes of EWS-WT1 in JN-DSRCT-1 cell line. SIK1 is a member of the AMPK related kinases and is involved in gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis regulation, skeletal myocytes development, p53 dependent anoikis, and cell cycle regulation. Through our ChIP analysis, we showed that EWS-WT1 directly binds to a 2kb proximal promoter region of SIK1. Following SIK1 depletion, JN-DSRCT-1 cell proliferation sharply decreased, similar to the growth inhibition observed when EWS-WT1 is depleted. We further showed that cells do not transit to S phase when SIK1 is depleted, suggesting a critical role of SIK1 in cell cycle regulation in DSRCT. Taken together, we have established that EWS-WT1 directly activates SIK1 expression and promotes cell proliferation through SIK1. Therefore, our work identified SIK1 as a new potential therapeutic target in DSRCT. Citation Format: Alifiani B. Hartono, Sean B. Lee. Identification of SIK1 as a potential therapeutic target for desmoplastic small round cell tumor [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 2386.
News publishing across platforms: Gatekeeping for print, web, Facebook and Twitter:

The minimal research on how news outlets are currently publishing across different platforms is limited in scope and has conflicting conclusions. Based on gatekeeping theory, this quantitative stud...
What is National Internet Governance? A Multistakeholder Model in Context

This work examines the multistakeholder model of the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br), a pioneering experience of national Internet Governance, since 1995. It assumes that building a multistakeholder institution is defining what multistakeholder governance is, and analyzes CGI.br based on latent questions of the multistakeholderism scholarship related to the role of government, the mechanisms of participation and the institutional design and procedural rules of a multistakeholder initiative. The paper argues that although legally sponsored by government, other sources of legitimation, aspects of design and the business model can be counterweights to the power of the government at a national multistakeholder institution. The article also identifies and problematizes different multistakeholder models that may coexist within an organization—participatory and representative—and proposes recommendations to leverage multistakeholder initiatives in terms of its participation structure and the diversity of interests within them. This study is informed by documentary research and ethnography at the executive office of CGI.br and at events supported by it.
A Proposed Technique for Discrimination between Saturation Phenomenon and Short-Circuit Faults in Induction Motor

This paper proposes a new technique of discrimination between the two signatures related to the magnetic saturation phenomenon (MSP) and the inter-turn short-circuit (ITSC) fault in a three-phase induction motor (IM). This technique is based on the exploitation of the amplitude and the phase angle of a new harmonic characterizing both phenomenons obtained from the characteristics of the Hilbert transform. In addition, and in order to simplify the interpretation and analysis of the various modes of operation covered in this paper, a new graphical tool based on a triangular representation is proposed. This graphical representation depending on the position and the orientation of the triangle makes it possible to display in a simple and clear manner the existence of the ITSC fault and its discrimination with respect to the MSP phenomenon. To assess the performance of this new technique, some simulation works are performed on signals obtained from a mathematical model of the IM based on the calculation of the inductances by the modified winding function approach (MWFA).
A Case of Unintentional Opioid (U-47700) Overdose in a Young Adult After Counterfeit Xanax Use.

ABSTRACT We report the case of a young adult who became unresponsive after insufflating what he believed to be "crushed Xanax." Naloxone was administered, reversing his altered mental status and respiratory depression. Clinicians suspected opioid toxicity; however, the patient adamantly denied opioid use. Because of unclear etiology of his symptoms, blood and urine specimens were obtained. A urine specimen was split and then submitted for a clinical comprehensive drug screen using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The blood specimen and the remaining urine specimen were sent to a reference laboratory for analysis using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The standard, clinical gas chromatography-mass spectrometry urine drug testing procedure only detected caffeine; however, analysis by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of U-47700 (a high-potency clandestine opioid) and its metabolites in the urine and blood. These findings implicate U-47700 as the agent responsible for the patient's signs of opioid toxicity. In this case, a young adult intending to use alprazolam encountered U-47700 with life-threatening effect. Clinicians must remain vigilant for symptoms consistent with opioid overdose, especially with increasing prevalence of counterfeit drugs containing clandestine opioids. Clinicians must also consider obtaining specimens for appropriate analytical testing to improve surveillance and facilitate public health interventions.
Glyphosate Excretion is Associated With Steatohepatitis and Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries.1 Patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are considered to be at a higher risk of fibrosis progression and development to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Enabling Public Safety Priority Use of Commercial Wireless Networks

By providing public safety users with roaming access to commercial broadband networks on a priority basis, it’s possible to increase the capacity, coverage, and reliability beyond what’s possible with dedicated public safety networks alone. This article quantifies the advantages with respect to capacity, showing that by establishing multiple arrangements with commercial carriers in every locality, public safety can access an amount of capacity that has been projected for very serious emergencies w ithout s eriously compromising quality of service for commercial customers. However, this article also demonstrates some of the issues that must be addressed when crafting roaming agreements between public safety and commercial carriers. LTE technology provides a wide range of capabilities to support priority and roaming, but these must be used in accordance with policies and governance structures that have yet to emerge. It must be decided whether priority and resource allocation decisions are made in an automated way or with human intervention, and if the latter, the locus of control. Moreover, agreements must find ways to accommodate significant technical differences in commercial networks, even though they all comply with a common (LTE) standard, and to support changes in technology and needs over the coming years. This will require a single entity with the expertise and authority to bridge public safety stakeholders, commercial carriers, and technical standards bodies.
Quartz crystal microbalance study of precursor diffusion during molecular layer deposition using cyclic azasilane, maleic anhydride, and water

The authors report the detailed growth characterization of a molecular layer deposition chemistry that utilizes a cyclic azasilane, maleic anhydride, and water in a sequential reaction sequence. They observe a three stage growth for this chemistry during which the growth rate per cycle (GPC) is initially small and increases to large steady state values. Using a quartz crystal microbalance, they observe significant diffusion of maleic anhydride and cyclic azasilane into the film that causes the large GPC. They also observe that longer purge times between precursor exposures result in a smaller GPC and an increased number of cycles required to reach steady state and large GPCs. At higher substrate temperatures, growth is suppressed due to precursor desorption. Furthermore, after long inert gas purging after film growth, significant film mass loss occurs accompanied by a loss of porosity indicated by the lack of film absorption of maleic anhydride and cyclic azasilane precursors after restarting growth. They conclude that growth using this specific chemistry is largely dominated by precursor absorption and diffusion within the film, resulting in CVD-like reactions, rather than sequential, self-limiting surface reactions.The authors report the detailed growth characterization of a molecular layer deposition chemistry that utilizes a cyclic azasilane, maleic anhydride, and water in a sequential reaction sequence. They observe a three stage growth for this chemistry during which the growth rate per cycle (GPC) is initially small and increases to large steady state values. Using a quartz crystal microbalance, they observe significant diffusion of maleic anhydride and cyclic azasilane into the film that causes the large GPC. They also observe that longer purge times between precursor exposures result in a smaller GPC and an increased number of cycles required to reach steady state and large GPCs. At higher substrate temperatures, growth is suppressed due to precursor desorption. Furthermore, after long inert gas purging after film growth, significant film mass loss occurs accompanied by a loss of porosity indicated by the lack of film absorption of maleic anhydride and cyclic azasilane precursors after restarting growth. They...
Problem-based learning beyond borders: Impact and potential for university-level human rights education

AbstractThis article outlines a cutting-edge pedagogy I have branded problem-based learning beyond borders, which I have employed in a wide variety of human rights courses and in developing curricu...
Surgical Procedures among Those ≥90 Years of Age: A Population-based Study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1975–1985

Persons greater than or equal to 90 years of age represent a rapidly growing subset of the population, but little data exist on their utilization of the health care system. Population-based data capabilities of the Rochester/Olmsted County Epidemiology Project were used to study the performance of surgery among persons greater than or equal to 90 years of age for the 11-year period, 1975-1985. During this time, 224 residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota underwent 301 separate operations. The annual operation rate increased over the course of the study (trend test, p less than 0.001), reaching a plateau of 89.0 per 1000 person-years. This suggests a potential for nearly 91,000 operations annually in this age group based on 1987 U.S. Census estimates. Ninety-two per cent were discharged from the hospital alive, and 5-year survival was consistent with that expected (23% vs. 17%). Increased longevity of the general population, combined with increased performance of surgery in this rapidly growing segment of the population, may have significant implications for health care planning.
Realtime kinetics of the light driven steps of photosynthetic water oxidation in living organisms by "stroboscopic" fluorometry.

Abstract We develop a rapid “stroboscopic” fluorescence induction method, using the fast repetition rate fluorometry (FRRF) technique, to measure changes in the quantum yield of light emission from chlorophyll in oxygenic photosynthesis arising from competition with primary photochemical charge separation (P680* ➔ P680+QA−). This method determines the transit times of electrons that pass through PSII during the successive steps in the catalytic cycle of water oxidation/O2 formation (S states) and plastoquinone reduction in any oxygenic phototroph (in vivo or in vitro). We report the first measurements from intact living cells, illustrated by a eukaryotic alga (Nannochloropsis oceanica). We demonstrate that S state transition times depend strongly on the redox state of the PSII acceptor side, at both QB and the plastoquinone pool which serve as the major locus of regulation of PSII electron flux. We provide evidence for a kinetic intermediate S3′ state (lifetime 220 μs) following formation of S3 and prior to the release of O2. We compare the FRRF-detected kinetics to other previous spectroscopic methods (optical absorbance, EPR, and XES) that are applicable only to in vitro samples.
Intercomparison of Simulated Arctic Snow on Sea Ice and Estimation of Snow-Related Feedbacks on Sea Ice

Abstract : Long-term Goals: The overarching goal of this project is to understand the impacts of climate change on Arctic sea ice related to the snow cover and to evaluate climate model projections of snow on Arctic sea ice. Objectives: 1) Evaluate the climatology of snow on Arctic sea ice among integrations submitted to the Fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) that are evaluated for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment. Compare models with observations from a snow atlas derived from Russian drifting stations and the IceBridge project measurements. 2) Evaluate trends in the 20th century integrations and evaluate the strength of the snow-related sea ice loss mechanisms in the past from models. 3) Evaluate the snow depth in future scenarios in terms of the pattern, local-scale snow distribution, and trends. 4) Contribute writing and figures about sea ice projections to the Fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5).
Quantum dot/polymer nanocomposite monolith for radiation detection

Abstract Plastic scintillators have received strong interest as an important type of radiation sensing material due to their relatively high light output, fast decay time, low fabrication cost, excellent durability, and most importantly, the capability to be shaped into desired forms through the use of molds or other approaches. However, the interior sensitivity and energy resolution of traditional plastic scintillators limit their competitiveness when compared with their inorganic counterparts. The doping of quantum dots (QDs) with high-Z element into plastic scintillators has recently been demonstrated as an effective way to improve gamma stopping power and scintillation efficiency. In this regard, a series of research activities have been conducted to address the aggregation and self-absorption problem of QDs to achieve high-performance transparent plastic scintillators with a high concentration of QDs load. Here we present a comprehensive review to offer a timely reference source to accelerate the development of this exciting research area. This review covers the description of basic theory, the summary of recent experimental progress, and the discussion of future trends of QD-doped nanocomposite plastic scintillators.
Roles for Health Sciences Librarians at College and University Libraries

ABSTRACT Objectives: To meet the changing priorities of researchers and funding agencies, U.S. college and university libraries (C&ULs) that are not Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) members may want to hire librarians capable of supporting interdisciplinary health sciences research. This study sought to identify whether such roles are emerging by examining advertised position descriptions. Methods: We collected position advertisements posted to job boards and mailing lists between September 1 2018 and March 1 2019. Positions that included one of these terms in the title, qualifications, or responsibilities were eligible for inclusion: medic*, health, life, nursing, veterinary, bio*, pharma*. We categorized postings by institution type, geographic region, and position type. We used grounded theory to identify themes within the data, and NVivo to quantify how often each theme appeared within the data. Results: 104 job postings met our inclusion criteria: 60 at AAHSL institutions and 44 at C&UL institutions. Despite some minor variations among specific roles and responsibilities, we found substantial overlap in the qualifications listed for positions at both types of institution. Qualifications more often prioritized traditional librarian competencies rather than emerging areas, such as data science, grant support, and research impact. Conclusions: Both AAHSL and C&UL institutions show an interest in hiring librarians capable of supporting health and life sciences teaching and research. Competition for a similar pool of applicants may create challenges for hiring officials, and librarians interested in these positions will likely seek out professional development opportunities in emerging areas of practice.
Factors that influence flow through intravascular catheters: the clinical relevance of Poiseuille's law

Background The physics of ideal fluid flow is well characterized. However, the effect of catheter size, tubing types, injection port adjuncts, and viscosity on flow is not well described. We used a simulated environment to determine how various permutations of common elements affect fluid flow. Study design and methods We tested 16 peripheral and central venous catheters to assess flow through several standard infusion sets and a rapid infuser set; tested flow through standard and blood infusion sets with the addition of intravenous extension tubing, stopcocks, and a needleless connector; and compared the relative viscosity of commonly used blood products and colloids to that of normal saline. Results The maximal flow rate was 200 mL/min for the standard infusion set but 800 mL/min for the rapid infusion set. Choice of infusion tubing was the rate-limiting component for many larger catheters. A 14-gauge, single-lumen central venous catheter (CVC) and 18-gauge peripheral intravenous catheter (PIV) had equivalent flow rates with all infusion sets. A 16-gauge single-lumen CVC allowed a flow rate that was slower than that of a 20-gauge PIV, and faster than that of a 22-gauge PIV. The addition of adjuncts slowed flow rate. Needleless connectors had the greatest impact, reducing flow by 75% for the blood infusion set. Packed red blood cells had a viscosity 4.5 times that of normal saline and thereby reduced flow. Conclusion Catheter and tubing choice, adjuncts, and fluid viscosity influence flow rates. Our results will help inform adequate vascular access planning in the perioperative environment.
Tracking Single Cells Motility on Different Substrates

Motility is a key property of a cell, required for several physiological processes, including embryonic development, axon guidance, tissue regeneration, gastrulation, immune response, and cancer metastasis. Therefore, the ability to examine cell motility, especially at a single cell level, is important for understanding various biological processes. Several different assays are currently available to examine cell motility. However, studying cell motility at a single cell level can be costly and/or challenging. Here, we describe a method of tracking random cell motility on different substrates such as glass, tissue-culture polystyrene, and type I collagen hydrogels, which can be modified to generate different collagen network microstructures. In this study we tracked MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells using The CytoSMARTTM System (Lonza Group, Basel, Switzerland) for live cell imaging and assessed the average cell migration speed using ImageJ and wrMTrck plugin. Our cost-effective and easy-to-use method allows studying cell motility at a single cell level on different substrates with varying degrees of stiffness and varied compositions. This procedure can be successfully performed in a highly accessible manner with a simple setup.
Effect of Low-Intensity Vibration on Bone Strength, Microstructure, and Adiposity in Pre-Osteoporotic Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

There has been evidence that cyclical mechanical stimulation may be osteogenic, thus providing opportunities for nonpharmacological treatment of degenerative bone disease. Here, we applied this technology to a cohort of postmenopausal women with varying bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores at the total hip (-0.524 ± 0.843) and spine (-0.795 ± 1.03) to examine the response to intervention after 1 year of daily treatment with 10 minutes of vibration therapy in a randomized double-blinded trial. The device operates either in an active mode (30 Hz and 0.3 g) or placebo. Primary endpoints were changes in bone stiffness at the distal tibia and marrow adiposity of the vertebrae, based on 3 Tesla high-resolution MRI and spectroscopic imaging, respectively. Secondary outcome variables included distal tibial trabecular microstructural parameters and vertebral deformity determined by MRI, volumetric and areal bone densities derived using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) of the tibia, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-based BMD of the hip and spine. Device adherence was 83% in the active group (n = 42) and 86% in the placebo group (n = 38) and did not differ between groups (p = .7). The mean 12-month changes in tibial stiffness in the treatment group and placebo group were +1.31 ± 6.05% and -2.55 ± 3.90%, respectively (group difference 3.86%, p = .0096). In the active group, marrow fat fraction significantly decreased after 12 months of intervention (p = .0003), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group (p = .7; group difference -1.59%, p = .029). Mean differences of the changes in trabecular bone volume fraction (p = .048) and erosion index (p = .044) were also significant, as was pQCT-derived trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD; p = .016) at the tibia. The data are commensurate with the hypothesis that vibration therapy is protective against loss in mechanical strength and, further, that the intervention minimizes the shift from the osteoblastic to the adipocytic lineage of mesenchymal stem cells. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type

Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, is a lymphoma thought to arise from either NK or T-cells with cytotoxic immunophenotype and infected by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). These neoplasms are usually extranodal and are commonly associated with necrosis and angioinvasion.
Does Public Housing Increase the Risk of Child Health Problems? Evidence From Linked Survey-Administrative Data

Research on the effects of federal housing assistance programs on children’s outcomes has produced mixed results. Although housing assistance programs provide a rare source of affordable and stable...
(Invited) Silicon Nanosheets as Candidates for Silicon-Based Optoelectronics

The growth in computational ability over the past decades has positively impacted global development, the economy, healthcare, and science. As on-chip components are approaching the atomic scale, alternative paradigms are needed to address the thermal and electronic issues that impose bottlenecks for computing. One approach to address this is with optoelectronics. However, silicon—the backbone of microelectronics—is a poor choice due to its indirect bandgap, while existing optoelectronic materials are incompatible with CMOS infrastructure. Monolayer silicon nanosheets (SiNSs) are an intriguing material that exhibit photoluminescence, and are compositionally-compatible with the CMOS process. Here, we synthesize and characterize monolayer SiNSs, and show spectroscopic evidence that they exhibit a quasi-direct bandgap, which is corroborated by DFT calculations. We probe their thermal stability, demonstrating their structure and photoluminescence are stable beyond the required operating temperatures for computing applications. These optoelectronic properties, CMOS-compatibility, and stability make SiNSs a viable candidate for silicon-based photonics.
The Effect of the Great Recession on Interpersonal and Political Trust in Europe

Many individuals, from pundits to the Secretary of the UN General Assembly, have asserted that the world is experiencing a crisis of trust and conjecture a primary cause is the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. Using the European Social Survey, and data across fifteen countries from 2002 to 2016, I analyze the response of trust to financial crisis with an emphasis on how it varied across countries. First, I find that the purported “crisis of trust” is exaggerated. Second, I conclude that changes in the macro-economic environment have a non-linear effect on trust; small changes in GDP effect trust levels very little and it takes a major recession to have a significant effect on trust. Third, I find that the effect of financial crisis on rates of political trust differs across countries. Likewise, other determinants of trust exhibit considerable cross-country variation. Fourth, I find that demographic variables might help explain peculiarities in the relationship between changes in the macro-economy and levels of trust.
Exercise 28: Induction of Apoptosis in T Lymphocytes and Detection of Apoptotic Markers

Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process that occurs in response to extrinsic and intrinsic signals that leads to cell death. Binding of Fas (CD95) to Fas ligand (CD95L) on host cells such as cytotoxic T cells results in activation of the death pathway. Perforin and granzyme release from cytotoxic T cells into target cells leads to release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Cysteine proteases that cleave after aspartic acid residues, known as caspases become activated and participate in the initiation and completion of the death process. Cells undergoing apoptosis display characteristic features that serve as markers for different stages of apoptosis. Proapoptotic molecules of the Bcl-2 family such as Bid, act on the mitochondria resulting in cytochrome c release. Procaspase 3 is cleaved and activated to caspase-3 which is required for apoptosis to occur. The first objective of this exercise is to induce apoptosis using staurosporine and anti-Fas antibody. The second objective is to detect apoptotic markers of different stages of apoptosis.
Active and Passive Destabilization of G-Quadruplex DNA by the Telomere POT1-TPP1 Complex

Chromosome ends are protected by guanosine-rich telomere DNA that forms stable G-quadruplex (G4) structures. The heterodimeric POT1-TPP1 complex interacts specifically with telomere DNA to shield it from illicit DNA damage repair and to resolve secondary structure that impedes telomere extension. The mechanism by which POT1-TPP1 accomplishes these tasks is poorly understood. Here, we establish the kinetic framework for POT1-TPP1 binding and unfolding of telomere G4 DNA. Our data identify two modes of POT1-TPP1 destabilization of G4 DNA that are governed by protein concentration. At low concentrations, POT1-TPP1 passively captures transiently unfolded G4s. At higher concentrations, POT1-TPP1 proteins bind to G4s to actively destabilize the DNA structures. Cancer-associated POT1-TPP1 mutations impair multiple reaction steps in this process, resulting in less efficient destabilization of G4 structures. The mechanistic insight highlights the importance of cell cycle dependent expression and localization of the POT1-TPP1 complex and distinguishes diverse functions of this complex in telomere maintenance.
Predictive Capability and Dynamic Characteristic of Tumor Voxel Dose-Response Assessed Using 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging Feedback.

Purpose/Objective(s) To effectively implement FDG-PET/CT imaging feedback for tumor voxel treatment response assessment and treatment adaptation, this study investigated the predictive capability and the dynamic characteristic of tumor voxel treatment response with respect to the timing of imaging feedback. Materials/Methods Serial FDG-PET/CT images were obtained at pretreatment and weekly during the standard chemoradiotherapy with treatment dose of 2Gy × 35 from 33 head and neck cancer patients. Reference of tumor voxel dose-response matrix (DRMref) was constructed for each patient using the average slope of tumor voxel PET intensity change ratio obtained from the first 4 weekly PET feedback images following deformable PET/CT image registration. The predictive capability of tumor voxel DRM assessed using 1 or 2 PET feedback images obtained during the first 4 treatment weeks was evaluated. The evaluation included the tumor voxel DRM correlation and the voxel DRM discrepancy between the predictions and the reference. The dynamic characteristics of DRM were studied by comparing the DRM assessed at different treatment weeks. The dynamic characteristics were also correlated to the tumor volume and tumor voxel location with respect to the human papillomavirus (HPV) status. Results The correlation coefficient between the DRMref and the DRMs predicted using a single feedback image increased from 0.82±0.2 for DRM2 at the 2nd treatment week to 0.95±0.03 for DRM4 at the 4th treatment week. The deviation between the tumor voxel DRMref and the predicted DRMs was (4.7±53.9)% for DRM2, (-7.3±21.1)% for DRM3, and (6.2±15.6)% for DRM4. The deviation reduced to (4.4±8.4)% or (1.1±7.8)% when using the week 2&4 or 3&4 feedback images. Tumor voxel improved its response significantly after 2nd treatment week in both HPV+ and HPV- tumors. In HPV- tumors, the magnitude of tumor voxel DRM reduction was correlated with the distance from the tumor surface to the voxels with a Spearman correlation coefficient = 1, P = 0.017. Conclusion Tumor voxel treatment response showed large improvement after the 2nd treatment week with the delivered dose of 2Gy × 10 and got relatively stabilized after 2Gy × 15. FDG-PET/CT imaging acquired in the 3rd treatment week is recommended if single image feedback is selected. Feedback images obtained in the 2nd and 4th treatment weeks will additionally improve predictive capability and provide guidance for early treatment dose adjustment.
Erratum to: Biceps Detachment Decreases Joint Damage in a Rotator Cuff Tear Rat Model.

The online version of the original article can be found under doi:10.1007/s11999-013-3422-8.
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders/Somatoform Disorders

The DSM-5 somatic symptom and related disorders category refers to a spectrum of psychological conditions, which primarily manifest with physical symptoms that are associated with abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In previous editions of the DSM, analogous conditions were referred to as somatoform disorders and required that associated physical symptoms could not be entirely accounted for by an underlying medical condition, another psychiatric condition, or the effects of a substance. Prior to the publication of the DSM-5, the psychiatric diagnostic classification system listed seven somatoform disorders, which were somatization disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, conversion disorder, pain disorder, hypochondriasis, body dysmorphic disorder, and somatoform disorder, not otherwise specified. Somatization disorder was the flagship diagnosis in this category. With the advent of DSM-5, somatization disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, most of pain disorder, and hypochondriasis were combined and redefined as somatic symptom disorder, and the focus of the diagnostic criteria was changed. Keywords: health psychology; medically unexplained symptoms; somatic symptom disorder; somatization disorder; somatoform disorders; undifferentiated somatoform disorder; pain; psychiatry
Cyclic AMP only partially mediates the actions of serotonin at lobster neuromuscular junctions

Serotonin (5-HT) has multiple physiological actions at lobster neuromuscular junctions, including facilitation of transmitter release from nerve terminals and an increase in the tone and excitability of muscle fibers. These physiological effects of 5-HT are accompanied by a rise in intracellular levels of cAMP. We have used combined biochemical and physiological approaches to investigate whether cAMP directly mediates the physiological actions of the hormone. Based on the following lines of evidence, we conclude that the postsynaptic increase in muscle tone occurs independently of cAMP and that while the cyclic nucleotide does play a role in the facilitation of transmitter release by 5-HT, there is also a cAMP-independent component to this facilitation. (1) Agents that mimic the action of 5-HT on cAMP levels (forskolin, IBMX, SQ20009, 8-bromo cAMP) fail to mimic the postsynaptic actions of the amine. These agents do facilitate transmitter release, although none of them has as large an effect as does 5-HT. (2) When 5- HT is removed, presynaptic facilitation decays as the sum of 2 exponentials with very different time courses. The rate of the slower process is similar to the rate of breakdown of cAMP, while the faster process and the postsynaptic response decay significantly more rapidly. (3) IBMX retards the breakdown of cAMP and simultaneously retards the decay of the slower presynaptic process, with little or no effect on the other responses. (4) IBMX and forskolin potentiate the effect of 5- HT on cAMP levels and selectively enhance the slowly decaying presynaptic component with little or no effect on the other responses.
Moisture diffusion analysis of microstructure degradation in graphite/expoxy composites

Directional diffusion coefficients, that is, D 1 , D 2 and D 3 , for the principal axis i = 1, 2, 3 of a unidirectional fibrous composite were determined by moisture absorption measurements. It was shown that the initial moisture absorption of a cured dry composite is non-Fickian and may relate to microstructural relaxation of internal stresses. Moisture effusion rates of the specimens were also evaluated. Absorption-desorption kinetics over several cycles showed that there exists a damage mechanism in the composite which enhances moisture uptake from the dry state but does not enhance moisture release from the water-equilibrated state.
Academic Achievement for Fifth-Grade Students in Elementary and Intermediate School Settings: Grade Span Configurations.

Few researchers have addressed student achievement outcomes as a function of grade configurations for older elementary-aged students. Thus, this study was designed to determine differences between studentsâ€™ Grade 5 reading and mathematics achievement in elementary schools (Kâ€“5) as compared to intermediate schools (Grade 5, 5â€“6) for 5 academic years. Using archival statewide data, researchers used a rigorous five-step distance-based formula to match elementary schools to intermediate schools on four demographic/school characteristic variables. Students in K-5 settings attained statistically significantly higher levels of reading and mathematics achievement than did their counterparts, with moderate mean effect sizes of 0.37 and 0.47.
Cell configurations in the olfactory tubercle of the rat.

The rat olfactory tubercle was studied with the rapid Golgi method. Several distinct cell types were identified mainly on the basis of the size of their somata and the structure of their dendrites. The commonest neuron type in the tubercle is the medium sized densely spined cell. The somata of these neurons occur chiefly in the dense cell and multiform layers. They also form the cell bridges that directly link the olfactory tubercle with the nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen. Their dendritic trees exhibit a variety of shapes; some of them are spherical, some are bipolar, and others are asymmetrical. The axons project dorsally, deep into the multiform layer. En route they give off numerous collaterals. A large version of this cell type is the crescent cell. Other medium-sized neurons also have somata in the dense cell and multiform layers. They include the spindle cells, so named because of the shape of their cell bodies, and the medium-sized spine-poor neurons. Neither of these cell types has dendritic trees that are as highly branched as those of the medium-sized densely spined cells. There are three types of small cells; their somata occur primarily in the dense cell and molecular layers. The dwarf cells are near the pial surface, although their somata are included in the dense cell layer, and they have axons that resemble those of medium-sized densely spined cells. The radiate cells have numerous, relatively short, spine-free dendrites that extend out from the rounded somata in all directions. The small spine-rich cells look like miniature versions of the medium-sized densely spined neurons. They are frequently confined to the molecular layer. Large spine-poor neurons, with their cell bodies located in the dense cell and multiform layers, seem to be a heterogeneous cell group since there are subtle variations in the structure of their dendrites and the shape and extent of their dendritic trees. The large, moderately spined neurons are less common than the other large cells; their somata are found in all three layers. The granule cells of the islands of Calleja make up the most homogeneous cell group. They have only a few dendrites, and these are quite thin. Except for the medium-sized densely spined and dwarf cells, the axons of the different cell types were not very well impregnated. The different cell types in the tubercle are compared to cells in the nucleus accumbens, caudate-putamen, and globus pallidus. The remarkable structural similarities that exist between certain cells in the tubercle and some in the basal ganglia and the direct structural continuity that occurs between these structures indicate that the olfactory tubercle, at least in part, represents a ventral extension of the caudate-putamen and globus pallidus.