cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Function of Agricultural Training

Abstract FOR what purpose are we training agricultural college students? Is not the purpose to prepare students who later shall become prosperous farmers, efficient extension specialists, scientific research workers, devoted teachers, successful business men, and leaders in city and urban life? If so, how may these specific fields be thoroughly covered in the same curriculum in a four year undergraduate collegiate course? This is a problem with which every agricultural college is confronted and a solution must be found if we are to keep faith with the principles under which our agricultural colleges were established. Education in the sciences is new. Previous to the middle of the nineteenth century, universities and colleges in this country and in Europe provided instruction not in the sciences but in the classics, and not for the masses but for the few. With the growth of the natural sciences and their applications in Europe, there developed . . .
Potential drug-drug interactions in elderly patients presenting with syncope

Adverse drug reactions and interactions are a common cause of iatrogenic disease. Although there are resources available that have been developed for assessing potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs), one must first consider the possibility in order to apply these tools. This cross-sectional analysis of elderly patients evaluates Emergency Physician documentation of potential DDIs and assesses the utility of computer software recognition of interactions that can lead to syncope. In this study, lack of documentation of a patient's past medical history and medications suggests that Emergency Physicians are not evaluating DDIs as a possible source of their patient's symptoms. The computer resources evaluated were found to be easy to use and reliable. Rectifying and preventing potential DDIs can be an indispensible service provided by the Emergency Physician.
Goserelin Acetate (Zoladex) ∗ with or without Hormone Replacement Therapy for the Treatment of Endometriosis

Abstract Objective: To determine whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) plus goserelin (Zoladex) is as effective as goserelin alone for the relief of pelvic symptoms of endometriosis and to determine whether it reduces both the loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and the physiologic side effects associated with goserelin therapy. Design: Prospective, placebo-controlled study, open label for goserelin therapy and double-blind for HRT. Setting: Forty-two teaching or community hospitals. Patient(s): Premenopausal women with symptomatic endometriosis. Result(s): Statistically significant mean decreases from baseline in the total pelvic symptom score and total subjective score were observed by week 24 for all three groups. There were no statistically significant treatment differences for change in total symptom score. Some degree of BMD loss occurred in the three groups; however, the percentage loss was consistently greater in the HRT0 group than in the HRT1 or HRT2 groups. When analyzed separately, no overall age effect on BMD change was seen in women >30 years of age versus women ≤30 years. The HRT1 and HRT2 groups had fewer occurrences of hot flushes and vaginal dryness than did the HRT0 group. Conclusion(s): Goserelin plus HRT is as effective as goserelin alone in relieving pelvic symptoms of endometriosis and attenuates both the loss of BMD and the physiologic side effects of hot flushes and vaginal dryness associated with goserelin therapy.
The DIEGO Lab Graph Based Gene Normalization System

Gene entity normalization, the mapping of a gene mention in free text to a unique identifier, is one of the primary subtasks in the biomedical information extraction pipeline. Gene entity normalization provides many challenges, specifically with the high ambiguity of gene names and the many-to-many relationship between gene names and identifiers. Drawing inspiration from recent work in word sense disambiguation, this paper presents a gene entity normalization system based on entity relationship graphs. This system creates a concept graph from the possible entities and their relationships within a full-text document, and takes advantage of a node ranking algorithm to rank and score each potential candidate entity. This system is a prototype to represent a specific approach to gene normalization, and the results reflect this. However, this system demonstrates that the relationship graph-based approach, an approach grounded in a theoretical basis, can potentially be useful for gene normalization and possibly for the normalization of various biomedical entities.
Gravitational stresses in anisotropic rock masses with inclined strata

Abstract This paper presents closed-form solutions for the stress field induced by gravity in generally anisotropic, orthotropic and transversely isotropic rock masses. These rocks are assumed to be homogeneous and linearly elastic continua with strata inclined with respect to a horizontal ground surface. It is found that the stress field is multiaxial. The vertical stress is always a principal stress and is equal to the weight of the overlying material. The horizontal stresses are strongly correlated to the rock mass fabric. The expressions for the gravity-induced horizontal stresses are different for rock masses deforming under conditions of no lateral strain and no lateral displacement (uniaxial strain). The gravity-induced horizontal stresses depend on several parameters such as the type, degree and orientation of the rock anisotropy with respect to the ground surface. It is found that depending on the value of those parameters, and constrained by the thermodynamic requirement that the strain energy of the rock must always be positive-definite, the gravity induced horizontal stresses can be larger, equal or less than the vertical stress. Furthermore, for a certain range of elastic properties of a transversely isotropic rock mass with inclined strata only, it is thermodynamically admissible for the horizontal stress parallel to the dip direction of the strata to be tensile.
Synergistic Activities of Moxifloxacin Combined with Piperacillin-Tazobactam or Cefepime against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates

The bactericidal activity of moxifloxacin alone and in combination with cefepime or piperacillin-tazobactam against clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Acinetobacter baumannii was evaluated by using time-kill methods and antimicrobial concentrations of one-half and one times the MIC. Synergy was observed in 58 to 88% of the strains and resulted in bactericidal activity against 60 to 100% of the strains. Combinations including moxifloxacin demonstrated enhanced bactericidal activity compared with that of either agent tested alone.
Using Reed–Muller ${\hbox{RM}}\,(1, m)$ Codes Over Channels With Synchronization and Substitution Errors

We analyze the performance of a Reed-Muller RM(1,m) code over a channel that, in addition to substitution errors, permits either the repetition of a single bit or the deletion of a single bit; the latter feature is used to model synchronization errors. We first analyze the run-length structure of this code. We enumerate all pairs of codewords that can result in the same sequence after the deletion of a single bit, and propose a simple way to prune the code by dropping one information bit such that the resulting linear subcode has good post-deletion and post-repetition minimum distance. A bounded distance decoding algorithm is provided for the use of this pruned code over the channel. This algorithm has the same order of complexity as the usual fast Hadamard transform based decoder for the RM(1,m) code
Suppression of the Ornamental Invasive Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex) by Native Species

Mexican petunia ( Ruellia simplex ) is a commonly planted herbaceous ornamental known for densely invading floodplain forests in the southeastern United States. While the use of herbicides is a typical management approach, revegetation strategies are needed not only to restore the native plant community, but also to limit reinvasion. We identified four native species appropriate for floodplain revegetation in Florida, US: bushy bluestem ( Andropogon glomeratus ), common rush ( Juncus effusus ), redtop panicgrass ( Coleataenia longifolia sp. longifolia ), and pinebarren goldenrod ( Solidago fistulosa ). In a controlled greenhouse container study, we investigated competition between Mexican petunia and native species compositions grown from seeds under varying hydrologic conditions and seeding densities. Results showed that number of Mexican petunia individuals and biomass decreased when seeded together with either pinebarren goldenrod or a mix of four native species (bushy bluestem, common rush, redtop panicgrass, and pinebarren goldenrod). Pinebarren goldenrod and bushy bluestem had a short establishment period (2–4 weeks), similar to Mexican petunia (2–5 weeks). Data from this container study suggests that revegetation with these native species could effectively compete with and suppress Mexican petunia in field conditions.
Parent and Teacher Autonomy-Support in Russian and U.S. Adolescents: Common Effects on Well-Being and Academic Motivation

The proposition, derived from self-determination theory (SDT), that autonomy-support has a positive effect on self-motivation and well-being, is examined in two distinct cultural settings. Participants were 264 high school students from Russia and the United States who completed measures of perceived parental- and teacher-autonomy-support, academic motivation, and well-being. Means and covariance structure analyses were used to examine the cultural comparability of measured constructs. Results supported the hypotheses that Russian adolescents would perceive parents and teachers as more controlling than U.S. students; and in both samples, perceived autonomy-support would predict greater academic self-motivation and well-being. Results are discussed in terms of SDT’s postulate of a basic human need for autonomy in the context of cultural variations.
Impact of levels of simulation fidelity on training of interns in ACLS.

AbstractAim: Identifying the modality and fidelity of simulation that offers the greatest benefit to the learner is critical to Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training. Our hypothesis is that participants who receive ACLS training on high-fidelity mannequins will perform better than those trained on low-fidelity mannequins. Methods: The study was performed in the context of an ACLS Initial Provider course for new postgraduate year 1 residents and involved 3 training arms: (1) low-fidelity, (2) mid-fidelity, and (3) high-fidelity. Educational outcomes were evaluated by written scores, student evaluations of the course, and expert rater reviews of megacode performance. Results: A convenience sample of 54 subjects was randomized to 1 of the 3 training arms. All 3 groups significantly improved based on written posttest scores (P < 0.0001); however, pretest to posttest improvement among the 3 training arms was not significantly different: low-fidelity = 42.3 (95% CI, 35.7–48.9); mid-fidelity = 41.3 (95% ...
Linear markers for robot navigation with panoramic vision

A vision based navigation system is presented for determining a mobile robot's position and orientation using panoramic imagery. An omni-directional image sensor mounted on the robot is useful in obtaining a 360 field of view, permitting navigational markers from all sides to be viewed simultaneously. A robust marker-based system is presented using vertically positioned linear markers as landmarks. The markers consist of linearly encoded digital patterns, similar to a barcode but distinguishable with less pixels. A set of patterns are orthogonal from one another and are readily recognized with any continous section visible. With a vertically posed panoramic image sensor, these vertically mounted linear markers appear along radial lines. The panoramic image is pre-processed according to edge directions to find candidate regions which are spatially sampled into digital symbols. This extracted binary sequence is examined to determine if it belongs in the marker pattern set. This system is shown to be robust even with the low resolution of a panoramic sensor with 800x800 active pixels. Experiments are shown with synthetic imagery and with three real prototype systems.i
Stigler–Becker versus Myers–Briggs: why preference-based explanations are scientifically meaningful and empirically important

Abstract Economists typically object to preference-based explanations of human behavior; differences in preferences “explain everything and therefore nothing”. But this argument is only correct assuming that no empirical evidence exists to discipline preference-based explanations. In fact, over the past decade, personality psychologists have produced a robust collection of stylized facts about human preferences. While preferences are, empirically, quite stable , they are far from identical and have proven predictive power for economically interesting variables. The empirical challenge for future research is to jointly estimate the impact of preferences and constraints to obtain unbiased measures of their relative importance.
The Outcome of Epilepsy and Its Measurement

Epilepsy outcome data should be concerned not only with seizure frequency, but should also assess present potential as a function of preexisting capabilities. Reported findings on outcome are not consistent, although view of epilepsy outcome since the 1970's is much more optimistic. The founding of an Institute of Epileptology can stimulate concerted action to provide the scientific community with improved information on measurement and analysis of the ways in which epilepsy changes the lives of the patient and those immediately involved.
The Reflow Attachment and Reliability Testing of Ceramic Chip Carriers

The results of an extensive program for the solder reflow attachment and reliability testiny of ceramic chip carriers for use in space satellites, implantable biomedical electronics, and underwater instrumentation are discussed in detail. The program was divided in three major parts; 1) the packaging of integrated circuit chips in ceramic carriers; 2) the selection and qualification of solders, reflow methods and cleaning processes; and 3) the validation of the chip carrier-substrate system for high reliability applications. Military Standard environmental testing of ceramic chip carriers alone and carriers attached to thin film and thick film (multilayer) ceramic substrates, glass, sapphire, and various printed wire circuit boards has been conducted. Test results are presented for various carrier-substrate-solder combinations along with discussions of associated failure modes and fabrication problem areas.
Metallothionein Protects Against Severe Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis of Human Trophoblastic Cells

Oxidative stress induces cellular apoptosis. Many agents producing intracellular oxidative stress, including H2O2 and steroid hormones, have also been found to induce metallothionein (MT) expression. Recently, MT has been recognized as potentially having antioxidant activity. This action may be essential for survival of terminally differentiated cells subject to oxidative stress, such as syncytiotrophoblasts, placental cells producing pregnancy hormones and forming the maternal-fetal barrier. We previously demonstrated an inverse relationship between basal MT expression and apoptotic incidence in the trophoblastic cell line, JEG-3. Using JEG-3 cells transfected with MT in sense or antisense orientation, we have examined here the effect of altered basal MT levels on trophoblastic function and apoptosis following treatment with H2O2 or diethylstilbestrol (DES). Induction of MT mRNA was observed in control and transfected JEG-3 cells following exposure to severe oxidative stress. Changes in the localization ...
Regulation of CDKs by phosphorylation.

The key transitions of the cell cycle are controlled via the sequential activation and inactivation of members of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) subfamily of protein kinases. The activities of these enzymes are regulated by multiple mechanisms including both activating and inactivating phosphorylations, binding to regulatory subunits termed cyclins, subcellular localization, and association with inhibitory proteins (CKIs). There are two broad classes of regulatory inputs. Regulation in response to intrinsic signals ensures the proper timing of the basic cell cycle and coordinates various cell cycle events via checkpoints that monitor the completion of each step. This regulation is responsible for the abrupt transitions between cell cycle phases as well as for the fidelity of the cell division process. Phosphorylation of CDKs is very important for such intrinsic regulation, although other mechanisms participate as well. In contrast, extrinsic signals impinge on the cell, resulting in stimulation or inhibition of the cell cycle. These signals typically affect the levels of CDK inhibitors.
Coupling of Carbon Dioxide Stretch and Bend Vibrations Reveals Thermal Population Dynamics in an Ionic Liquid

The population relaxation of carbon dioxide dissolved in the room temperature ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EmimNTf2) was investigated using polarization-selective ultrafast infrared pump-probe spectroscopy and two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy. Due to the coupling of the bend with the asymmetric stretch, excitation of the asymmetric stretch of a molecule with a thermally populated bend leads to an additional peak, a hot band, which is red-shifted from the main asymmetric absorption band by the combination band shift. This hot band peak exchanges population with the main peak through the gain and loss of bend excitation quanta. The isotropic pump-probe signal originating from the unexcited bend state displays a fast, relatively small amplitude, initial growth followed by a longer time scale exponential decay. The signal is analyzed over its full time range using a kinetic model to determine both the vibrational lifetime (the final decay) and rate constant for the loss of the bend energy. This bend relaxation manifests as the fast initial growth of the stretch/no bend signal because the hot band (stretch with bend) is "over pumped" relative to the ground state equilibrium. The nonequilibrium pumping occurs because the hot band has a larger transition dipole moment than the stretch/no bend peak. The system is then prepared, utilizing an acousto-optic mid-infrared pulse shaper to cut a hole in the excitation pulse spectrum, such that the hot band is not pumped. The isotropic pump-probe signal from the stretch/no bend state is altered because the initial excited state population ratio has changed. Instead of a growth due to relaxation of bend quanta, a fast initial decay is observed because of thermal excitation of the bend. Fitting this curve gives the rate constant for thermal excitation of the bend and the lifetime, which agree with those determined in the pump-probe experiments without frequency-selective pumping.
Market Rewards Associated with Increasing Earnings Patterns

This paper examines the association between patterns of increasing earnings and incremental firm value as reflected by earnings multiples, holding level of income constant. As predicted, we find firms exhibiting patterns of increasing earnings have larger earnings multiples than other firms and the incremental earnings multiple is reduced significantly when an increasing earnings pattern is broken. The findings are robust to controlling for growth, risk, earnings variability, measurement error in permanent earnings, persistence, dividend yield, and industry membership, using proxies identified in previous research. An extension of the Lang [1991] model indicates increasing earnings patterns can affect firm valuation by permitting market participants to update their prior beliefs about the firm. We conclude earnings patterns are a proxy for value-relevant firm characteristics such as growth that are not reflected fully in proxies identified in prior research.
Rate of increase of lung-to-head ratio over the course of gestation is predictive of survival in left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Abstract Purpose Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with high postnatal mortality because of pulmonary hypoplasia. The prognostic utility of serial lung-to-head circumference measurements as a marker of lung growth has not been described. Our objective was to examine the relationship between the rate of interval increase of LHR and postnatal survival in left-sided CDH. Methods We retrospectively reviewed charts of all left-sided CDH patients from January 2004 to July 2014. All ultrasound studies performed at our institution (n=473) were reviewed. Categorical and continuous data were analyzed by chi-square and Mann–Whitney t-test, respectively, and slope analysis was performed by linear regression analysis (p Results A total of 226 patients were studied, with 154 long-term survivors and 72 non-survivors. Established markers of CDH severity, including intrathoracic liver position and requirement for patch repair, were significantly increased in non-survivors (p Conclusions Our findings indicate that the interval increase in LHR levels over the course of gestation correlate with survival in left-sided CDH patients. Regular ultrasonographic re-evaluation of LHR throughout gestation following diagnosis of CDH may provide prognostic insight and help guide patient management.
Prognostic Indicators for Salvage Surgery of Recurrent Sinonasal Malignancy

ObjectiveIdentify prognostic factors after salvage surgery for recurrent sinonasal malignancy (SNM).Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center.SubjectsForty-two patients who underwent curative surgery for locally recurrent SNM ± adjuvant therapy from June 5, 2000, to December 19, 2012. Patients without follow-up were excluded.MethodsChart review with established prognostic indicators for primary malignancies. Statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier log-rank test, Fisher’s exact test, Student’s t test, and Cox regression.ResultsForty-two patients met inclusion criteria: 38.5% developed a second recurrence, and 21.4% had metastases following treatment. The average disease-free interval (DFI) was 26.9 months (range, 2-90 months). DFI was significantly affected by ethmoid versus nonethmoid site (P = .049), histology (P = .012), carotid artery involvement (P = .008), perineural extension (P = .006), and clival invasion (P = .015). The overall survival rates at 6...
Cooked carrot volatiles. AEDA and odor activity comparisons. Identification of linden ether as an important aroma component

MS with GC-RI evidence was found for the presence of linden ether in cooked carrot (Daucus carota). Evaluation of the GC effluent from cooked carrot volatiles using aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) found linden ether with the highest flavor dilution (FD) factor. Others with 10-fold lower FD factors were β-ionone, eugenol, the previously unidentified β-damascenone, (E)-2-nonenal, octanal (+ myrcene), and heptanal. All other previously identified volatiles showed lower FD factors. Odor thresholds, concentrations, and odor activity values of previously identified compounds are reviewed. This indicated that at least 20 compounds occur in cooked carrots above their odor thresholds (in water). Compounds showing the highest odor activity values included β-damascenone, (E)-2-nonenal, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, β-ionone, octanal, (E)-2-decenal, eugenol, and p-vinylguaiacol.
Neglected Stories and the Sweet Mystery of Liberty

Professor Davis explains that the Supreme Court majority’s recognition, in Planned Parenthood v. Casey of un-enumerated rights of dignity and self-definition are well supported by the neglected, antislavery history of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
University fire safety assessment and the study on dormitory fire precaution

Fires occured in the universities often cause a chain reaction.Based on the analysis of the current situation of university fire control,this paper provides an overall evaluation of university fire control.As for early control of the dormitory fire accident,the author uses Accident Tree Analysis to make qualitative analysis of fire hazards and proposes that the electricity and fire management should be strict and students' smoking should be supervised.Besides,fire prevention and fighting knowledge should be obtained by the students and the setup and management measures of fire fighting device should be made to improve the fire-resistant ability of dormitories.
Clinical, biopsy, and mass spectrometry characteristics of renal apolipoprotein A-IV amyloidosis

Apolipoprotein A-IV associated amyloidosis (AApoAIV amyloidosis) is a rare cause of amyloidosis with only a single reported case. Here we describe the clinical, biopsy, and mass spectrometry characteristics of 11 cases of renal AApoAIV amyloidosis encompassing 9 men and 2 women with a mean age at diagnosis of 63.5 years. Progressive chronic kidney disease (mean serum creatinine 2.9 mg/dl) was the most common cause for biopsy with proteinuria absent or minimal in all except one. Hematological and serological evaluation was negative in 9 patients, while 2 had a monoclonal gammopathy. The renal biopsy findings were striking and showed large amounts of eosinophilic Congo–red positive amyloid deposits restricted to the renal medulla with sparing of the renal cortex. In 6 cases, peritubular amyloid was noted in addition to the interstitial involvement. Immunofluorescence studies were negative for immunoglobulins. Electron microscopy showed nonbranching fibrils measuring 7 to 10 nm in diameter. Laser microdissection of the amyloid deposits followed by mass spectrometry showed large spectra number (a semiquantitative measure of abundance) for AApoAIV protein ranging from 49 to 169 (average 85), serum amyloid protein (average 19), and apolipoprotein E (average 48). Importantly, no peptides were detected for any other forms of known amyloidogenic precursor proteins. Thus, renal AApoAIV amyloidosis typically presents with progressive chronic kidney disease and histologically exhibits extensive medullary involvement with sparing of the cortex. The diagnosis is best established by mass spectrometry. Hence, a high degree of suspicion and examination of the renal medulla is required to make the diagnosis.
Can Empathy Improve Concern for Secondary Group Members? Testing an Emotionally Engaging Video Intervention

Media presentations that attempt to improve intergroup relations often portray stigmatized group members in a sympathetic light in order to induce empathy. Emotion priming research suggests that induced empathy may not only affect reactions to those portrayed, but also to a wide range of secondary others. In order to test this possible secondary or transfer effect, the present study assessed whether empathy induced by a video of a boy with cancer could also increase caring for an unrelated stigmatized group member. Although the video was not found to have a direct effect, it did have a significant indirect effect on caring for the stigmatized group member, mediated by concern for the boy. In addition, this indirect effect was also moderated by both age and gender.
Biomass and Humus

Starting with rock, water, and air, only the blue-green algae and the purple bacteria are able to put together a viable combination of C, H, O, and N atoms in the form of biomass. The higher plants assimilate carbon dioxide of the air but depend on microbes to supply available nitrogen. All soil organisms respire and consume plant materials, directly or indirectly. During metabolic conversion dark humus substances appear and accumulate in the soil. The path from greenery to blackness is reconnoitered in ensuing sections.
Reexamining cancer metabolism: lactate production for carcinogenesis could be the purpose and explanation of the Warburg Effect

Herein, we use lessons learned in exercise physiology and metabolism to propose that augmented lactate production ('lactagenesis'), initiated by gene mutations, is the reason and purpose of the Warburg Effect and that dysregulated lactate metabolism and signaling are the key elements in carcinogenesis. Lactate-producing ('lactagenic') cancer cells are characterized by increased aerobic glycolysis and excessive lactate formation, a phenomenon described by Otto Warburg 93 years ago, which still remains unexplained. After a hiatus of several decades, interest in lactate as a player in cancer has been renewed. In normal physiology, lactate, the obligatory product of glycolysis, is an important metabolic fuel energy source, the most important gluconeogenic precursor, and a signaling molecule (i.e. a 'lactormone') with major regulatory properties. In lactagenic cancers, oncogenes and tumor suppressor mutations behave in a highly orchestrated manner, apparently with the purpose of increasing glucose utilization for lactagenesis purposes and lactate exchange between, within and among cells. Five main steps are identified (i) increased glucose uptake, (ii) increased glycolytic enzyme expression and activity, (iii) decreased mitochondrial function, (iv) increased lactate production, accumulation and release and (v) upregulation of monocarboxylate transporters MTC1 and MCT4 for lactate exchange. Lactate is probably the only metabolic compound involved and necessary in all main sequela for carcinogenesis, specifically: angiogenesis, immune escape, cell migration, metastasis and self-sufficient metabolism. We hypothesize that lactagenesis for carcinogenesis is the explanation and purpose of the Warburg Effect. Accordingly, therapies to limit lactate exchange and signaling within and among cancer cells should be priorities for discovery.
A Quiescent Bcl11b High Stem Cell Population Is Required for Maintenance of the Mammary Gland

Stem cells in many tissues sustain themselves by entering a quiescent state to avoid genomic insults and to prevent exhaustion caused by excessive proliferation. In the mammary gland, the identity and characteristics of quiescent epithelial stem cells are not clear. Here, we identify a quiescent mammary epithelial cell population expressing high levels of Bcl11b and located at the interface between luminal and basal cells. Bcl11bhigh cells are enriched for cells that can regenerate mammary glands in secondary transplants. Loss of Bcl11b leads to a Cdkn2a-dependent exhaustion of ductal epithelium and loss of epithelial cell regenerative capacity. Gain- and loss-of-function studies show that Bcl11b induces cells to enter the G0 phase of the cell cycle and become quiescent. Taken together, these results suggest that Bcl11b acts as a central intrinsic regulator of mammary epithelial stem cell quiescence and exhaustion and is necessary for long-term maintenance of the mammary gland.
EZH2 Mediates DNA Methylation-Independent Epigenetic Silencing of a Germinal Center Specific Transcriptional Program That Contributes to Cellular Proliferation and Lymphomagenesis.

Abstract Abstract 3465 Poster Board III-353 EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of the PRC2 Polycomb complex and mediates transcriptional repression through its histone methyltransferase activity. It is over-expressed in many types of aggressive tumors, e.g., prostate and breast cancer and this over-expression is generally associated with poor patient prognosis. It is also over-expressed in certain lymphomas, e.g., follicular lymphoma; however its exact role and importance in normal and malignant B-cells remains unclear. Most B-cell lymphomas arise from germinal center (GC) B-cells. We thus first set out to investigate the function and activity of EZH2 in normal B-cells. We confirmed a previously published observation that expression of EZH2 protein is greatly elevated during developmental transition from resting Naive B-cells to rapidly proliferating GC B-lymphocytes. Using ChIP-on-chip, we then determined the genome-wide pattern of EZH2 binding in GC B cells and found that EZH2 targets ∼1,800 promoters in these cells (at FDR 30% of GC B cells targets are also bound in hESCs, p 1,000 genes. Seeking to extrapolate our binding data to GC-derived Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), we found that the expression profile of many EZH2 target genes is anti-correlated with EZH2 mRNA levels in expression profiles of primary DLBCL tumors. Surprisingly, we found that this anti-correlation was most pronounced among GC B cell-specific EZH2 targets (p Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Genomic profiling and efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy in appendiceal adenocarcinoma.

574 Background: Metastatic appendiceal adenocarcinoma (AAC) is a heterogenous disease and the majority of patients present with diffuse metastases in the peritoneal cavity. Cytotoxic and targeted therapies are typically extrapolated from colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC), however, it is not known whether this is effective or not. Herein we investigated the genetic profiles of these tumors in an effort to identify molecular characteristics and potentially actionable mutations, as well as the response to anti-EGFR therapy in RAS/BRAF wild type (wt) AAC. Methods: We identified patients (pts) with ACC treated at MSKCC who had tumor who had undergone molecular profiling, either by next generation sequencing using our MSK-IMPACT platform, or by MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy genotyping (Sequenom). MSK-IMPACT tumors and matched normal samples were analyzed either on 410 gene panel. Sequenom (provided an 8 gene panel including KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA). Via an IRB approved waiver, we collected tumor histology and ...
Leveraging blood serotonin as an endophenotype to identify de novo and rare variants involved in autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most highly heritable neuropsychiatric disorders, but underlying molecular mechanisms are still unresolved due to extreme locus heterogeneity. Leveraging meaningful endophenotypes or biomarkers may be an effective strategy to reduce heterogeneity to identify novel ASD genes. Numerous lines of evidence suggest a link between hyperserotonemia, i.e., elevated serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) in whole blood, and ASD. However, the genetic determinants of blood 5-HT level and their relationship to ASD are largely unknown. In this study, pursuing the hypothesis that de novo variants (DNVs) and rare risk alleles acting in a recessive mode may play an important role in predisposition of hyperserotonemia in people with ASD, we carried out whole exome sequencing (WES) in 116 ASD parent-proband trios with most (107) probands having 5-HT measurements. Combined with published ASD DNVs, we identified USP15 as having recurrent de novo loss of function mutations and discovered evidence supporting two other known genes with recurrent DNVs (FOXP1 and KDM5B). Genes harboring functional DNVs significantly overlap with functional/disease gene sets known to be involved in ASD etiology, including FMRP targets and synaptic formation and transcriptional regulation genes. We grouped the probands into High-5HT and Normal-5HT groups based on normalized serotonin levels, and used network-based gene set enrichment analysis (NGSEA) to identify novel hyperserotonemia-related ASD genes based on LoF and missense DNVs. We found enrichment in the High-5HT group for a gene network module (DAWN-1) previously implicated in ASD, and this points to the TGF-β pathway and cell junction processes. Through analysis of rare recessively acting variants (RAVs), we also found that rare compound heterozygotes (CHs) in the High-5HT group were enriched for loci in an ASD-associated gene set. Finally, we carried out rare variant group-wise transmission disequilibrium tests (gTDT) and observed significant association of rare variants in genes encoding a subset of the serotonin pathway with ASD. Our study identified USP15 as a novel gene implicated in ASD based on recurrent DNVs. It also demonstrates the potential value of 5-HT as an effective endophenotype for gene discovery in ASD, and the effectiveness of this strategy needs to be further explored in studies of larger sample sizes.
PREVALENCE AND TYPES OF GENDER-AFFIRMING SURGERY AMONG A SAMPLE OF TRANSGENDER ENDOCRINOLOGY PATIENTS PRIOR TO STATE EXPANSION OF INSURANCE COVERAGE

ABSTRACT Objective: Transgender individuals now have many options for medical intervention, including gender-affirmation surgeries. However, it is unknown how common it is for transgender individuals to undergo these surgeries. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of gender-affirming surgeries among transgender patients in 2015, which was immediately prior to insurance changes that made gender-affirming surgery more affordable for Massachusetts residents. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 99 transgender patients was performed at the Endocrinology Clinic at Boston Medical Center, an urban safety net hospital. The records for 99 transgender subjects who received treatment between 2004–2015, including 28 transmen and 71 transwomen, were examined. The outcome measures were the types of medical interventions chosen by transgender patients, which included hormone therapy, chest surgery, gonadectomy, genital surgery, and facial surgery. Results: Thirty-five percent of sub...
Determination of thiosulfate concentrations by gravimetric analysis: A desirable experiment for chemical education

An electrochemistry-based gravimetric method of analysis for the determination of thiosulfate concentrations in aqueous solutions and its application in chemical education are introduced. Nine stan...
Improving the efficacy of liposome-mediated vascular gene therapy via lipid surface modifications.

Abstract Background We have previously defined mechanisms of intimal hyperplasia that could be targets for molecular therapeutics aimed at vascular pathology. However, biocompatible nanocarriers are needed for effective delivery. Cationic liposomes (CLPs) have been demonstrated as effective nanocarriers in vitro . However, in vivo success has been hampered by cytotoxicity. Recently, neutral PEGylated liposomes (PLPs) have been modified with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) to enhance cellular uptake. We aim to establish CPP-modified neutral liposomes as viable molecular nanocarriers in vascular smooth muscle cells. Methods CLPs, PLPs, and CPP-modified PLPs (R8-PLPs) were assembled with short interfering RNA (siRNA) via ethanol injection. Characterization studies determined liposomal morphology, size, and charge. siRNA encapsulation efficiency was measured via RiboGreen assay. Vascular smooth muscle cells were exposed to equal lipid/siRNA across all groups. Rhodamine-labeled liposomes were used to quantify cell association via fluorometry, live/dead dual stain was used to measure cytotoxicity, and gene silencing was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results R8-PLPs exhibited increased encapsulation efficiency equivalent to CLPs. PLPs and R8-PLP-5 mol% and R8-PLP-10 mol% had no cytotoxic effect. CLPs demonstrated significant cytotoxicity. R8-PLP-5 mol% and R8-PLP-10 mol% exhibited increased cell association versus PLPs. R8-PLP-10 mol% resulted in significant gene silencing, in a manner dependent on lipid-to-siRNA load capacity. Conclusions The negligible cytotoxicity and enhanced cellular association and gene silencing capacity exhibited by R8-PLPs reveal this class of liposomes as a candidate for future applications. Further modifications for optimizing R8-PLPs are still warranted to improve efficacy, and in vivo studies are needed for translational development. However, this could prove to be an optimal nanocarrier for vascular gene therapeutics.
Whole genome of Klebsiella aerogenes PX01 isolated from San Jacinto River sediment west of Baytown, Texas reveals the presence of multiple antibiotic resistance determinants and mobile genetic elements

Abstract Klebsiella aerogenes is a Gram-negative bacterium of the family Enterobacteriaceae which is widely distributed in water, air and soil. It also forms part of the normal microbiota found in human and animal gastrointestinal tracts. Here we report the draft genome sequence (chromosome and 1 plasmid) of K. aerogenes strain PX01 compiled at the scaffold level from 97 contigs totaling 5,262,952 bp. K. aerogenes PX01 was isolated from sediment along the northern face of Burnet Bay west of Baytown, Texas. The nucleotide sequence of this genome was deposited into NCBI GenBank under the accession NJBB00000000.
Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Cardiovascular Risk-Equivalent to Diabetes Mellitus?

Objective The 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cholesterol treatment guidelines recommend statins for patients with diabetes mellitus ages 40-75 years due to their elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We compared the incidence of hospitalized acute myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and coronary revascularization according to whether patients had diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), both, or neither. Methods Using 2006-2010 private and public health plan claims, we identified 4 mutually exclusive retrospective cohorts ages >40 years: patients with RA and diabetes mellitus, RA only, diabetes mellitus only, or neither condition. Patients with prevalent CVD were excluded. Outcomes included acute MI and stroke, identified from inpatient discharge diagnosis codes, and coronary revascularization from procedure codes. Across the 4 cohorts, we calculated incidence rates (IRs) of the outcomes, standardized to the 2010 US census age and sex distribution. Results We identified 920,772 eligible participants. The age- and sex-standardized IRs (per 1,000 person-years) for MI were highest among patients with RA and diabetes mellitus (IR 12.6 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 10.7-14.7]), followed by patients with diabetes mellitus only (IR 10.7 [95% CI 10.3-11.0]), RA only (IR 5.7 [95% CI 5.2-6.3]), and with neither condition (IR 4.2 [95% CI 4.1-4.3]). Conclusion Findings from the present study suggest that while CVD risk in RA is elevated, it is lower in magnitude compared to the CVD risk associated with diabetes mellitus. Therefore, considering RA a diabetes mellitus risk-equivalent with respect to hyperlipidemia management may not be appropriate.
Pharmacokinetic aspects of the disposition of disulfiram and metabolites

The many investigations of the fate of disulfiram as a function of time have resulted in an accumulation of a wealth of information, little of which has been subjected to pharmacokinetic analysis. Continued lack of agreement regarding even such basic questions as whether disulfiram (DSSD) is detectable in the blood of patients or experimental animals dosed with it, may have inhibited a comparative discussion of the findings to date. In the context of this monograph, however, such a discussion is essential and accordingly the relevant pharmacokinetic parameters have been assembled or computed and are listed in Tables 6.1–6.3.
Rodent and ruminant ingestive response to flavonoids in Euphorbia esula.

Euphorbia esula, common name leafy spurge, was chemically evaluated for aversive phytochemicals that appear to minimize herbivory by rodents and cattle. A middle-layer extract elicited food aversions in rats as did the petroleum ether extract of the initial methanol extract. Kaempferol-3-0-β- glucuronic acid and quercetin-3-0-β-glucuronic acid were separated and identified from the middle-layer residue. This study is the first report of quercetin-3-0-β-glucuronic acid in leafy spurge. Together these flavonoidal glucosides were mildly aversive to rats but showed less aversive activity when tested separately. The middle-layer extract produced no aversive response from cattle, while the petroleum ether extract elicited strong aversions in cattle. Flavonoidal compounds from leafy spurge that were aversive to rats, a monogastric mammal, were not aversive to cattle, a ruminant. Microbial degradation of the compounds before they reach the intestines and are absorbed into the bloodstream is likely a key advantage for cattle compared to rats.
Faculty Course Scheduling Optimization

Faculty course scheduling optimization is the second of the three stages of the University Course Timetable Problem optimization. The optimization process was modeled using genetic algorithms, binary integer programming, and linear programming. There are four simple problems and four difficult problems that were used in the study. Linear programming had the highest total rating but infeasible because it produced fractional timetable values. Since the output of both genetic algorithms and binary integer programming were feasible and the total rating of binary integer programming was higher, it was considered as the best model. The binary integer programming model gives the optimal solution for as long as formulation of the needed functions and constraints is possible and the solver can process them. An alternative model is the genetic algorithms that is capable of giving feasible solutions even in very complicated scheduling conditions. The linear programming model is the basis of the correctness of the output provided by the other two models because its optimum value is usually higher than the other models.
Measuring rates of present-day relative sea-level rise in low-elevation coastal zones: a critical evaluation

Abstract. Although tide gauges are the primary source of data used to calculate multi-decadal- to century-scale rates of relative sea-level change, we question the usefulness of tide-gauge data in rapidly subsiding low-elevation coastal zones (LECZs). Tide gauges measure relative sea-level rise (RSLR) with respect to the base of associated benchmarks. Focusing on coastal Louisiana, the largest LECZ in the United States, we find that these benchmarks ( n=35 ) are anchored an average of 21.5 m below the land surface. Because at least 60 % of subsidence occurs in the top 5 m of the sediment column in this area, tide gauges in coastal Louisiana do not capture the primary contributor to RSLR. Similarly, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) stations ( n=10 ) are anchored an average of > 14.3 m below the land surface and therefore also do not capture shallow subsidence. As a result, tide gauges and GNSS stations in coastal Louisiana, and likely in LECZs worldwide, systematically underestimate rates of RSLR as experienced at the land surface. We present an alternative approach that explicitly measures RSLR in LECZs with respect to the land surface and eliminates the need for tide-gauge data in this context. Shallow subsidence is measured by rod surface-elevation table–marker horizons (RSET-MHs) and added to measurements of deep subsidence from GNSS data, plus sea-level rise from satellite altimetry. We show that for an LECZ the size of coastal Louisiana (25 000–30 000 km 2) , about 40 RSET-MH instruments suffice to collect useful data. Rates of RSLR obtained from this approach are substantially higher than rates as inferred from tide-gauge data. We therefore conclude that LECZs may be at higher risk of flooding within a shorter time horizon than previously assumed.