cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gait kinematics for a serpentine robot

This paper considers the problem of serpentine, or snake-like, locomotion from the perspective of geometric mechanics. A particular model based on Hirose's active cord mechanism is analyzed. Using the kinematic constraints, we develop a connection, which describes the net motion of the machine as a function of variations in the mechanism's shape variables. We present simulation results demonstrating three types of locomotive gaits, one of which bears an obvious resemblance to the serpentine motion of a snake. We also discuss how these algorithms can be used to optimize certain inputs given the particular choice of physical parameters for a snake robot.
Scalable clustering and keyword suggestion for online advertisements

We present an efficient Bayesian online learning algorithm for clustering vectors of binary values based on a well known model, the mixture of Bernoulli profiles. The model includes conjugate Beta priors over the success probabilities and maintains discrete probability distributions for cluster assignments. Clustering is then formulated as inference in a factor graph which is solved efficiently using online approximate message passing. The resulting algorithm has three key features: a) it requires only a single pass across the data and can hence be used on data streams, b) it maintains the uncertainty of parameters and cluster assignments, and c) it implements an automatic step size adaptation based on the current model uncertainty. The model is tested on an artificially generated toy dataset and applied to a large scale real-world data set from online advertising, the data being online ads characterized by the set of keywords to which they have been subscribed. The proposed approach scales well for large datasets, and compares favorably to other clustering algorithms on the ads dataset. As a concrete application to online advertising we show how the learnt model can be used to recommend new keywords for given ads.
Physiological Profile of Caged Layers During One Production Year, Molt, and Postmolt: Egg Production, Egg Shell Quality, Liver, Femur, and Blood Parameters,

A longitudinal study of a flock of Single Comb White Leghorn pullets was initiated at 19 weeks of age (preproduction) and continued through a production year, a forced molt, and for 4 months of postmolt production. A representative sample of hens was obtained at 12-week intervals during the first year and at subsequent selected times. Liver lipid, femur weight, femur volume, femur density, egg weight, shell weight, percent shell, milligrams shell/square centimeter of shell surface area, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, and serum alkaline phosphatase were determined. Percent hen-day production peaked at 90% and then declined by .6 to .7% each week during the first production year. After molting, percent hen-day egg production peaked at 80% and declined .9% per week over the subsequent 20 weeks. Egg weight increased continually during the first production year. Shell weight was greatest immediately postmolt; thereafter it declined. Shell thickness was greatest at 31 weeks of age and declined throughout the first year. After molting, the shell thickness of 83-week-old hens was similar to values of hens about 37 weeks of age. Serum calcium and phosphorus of laying hens were influenced by age, feed intake and environmental temperature. The lowest values occurred during hot weather. Liver lipid was lowest in nonlaying hens (17 to 20%) and was approximately 42% of dry weight in laying hens. Femur density was greater in laying than nonlaying hens.
Salivary glands of heteromyid rodents, with a summary of the literature on rodent submandibular gland morphology.

The principal parenchymal elements of the submandibular glands of the heteromyid rodents Dipodomys merriami, Perognathus longimembris, Perognathus fallax, Perognathus penicillatus and Perognathus baileyi consist of acini, granular tubules and striated ducts. Acinar cells of the four species of Perognathus are aniline blue, PAS (magenta) and Alcian blue (pH 2.5) positive and metachromatic with toluidine blue and safranin. The granules of the tubule cells are orthochromatic and react with aniline blue, orange G, the PAS reagent (deep pink) and the tryptophan indicator, xanthydrol. Acinar and tubule cells of D. merriami exhibit similar reactions except for the Alcian blue stain. Acinar cells of D. merriami do not react with Alcian blue. Submandibular glands of D. merriami exhibit a sexual dimorphism of the granular tubules. There is little observable difference between the sexes in the species of Perognathus but the ratio of granular tubules to acinar elements, the degree of hypertrophy of the tubules, and the amount of mucosubstance and protein (granules) contained in their cells are different in the four species studied. Since these desert rodents have similar habitats and habits, the differences observed between the two heteromyid subfamilies studied, as well as among the four members of a single subfamily, suggest that these are inherent species variations rather than variations of adaptation to environment.
Aerodynamic Effects on Wind Turbulence Measurements with Research Aircraft

Flow distortion is a major issue in the measurement of wind turbulence with gust probes mounted on a nose boom, at the radome, or under the wing of research aircraft. In this paper, the effects both of the propellers of a turboprop aircraft and of the aircraft vortex system on the pressure and wind velocity measurements near the nose of the aircraft are examined. It is shown that, for a turboprop aircraft, the sensors mounted near the nose are affected directly (slipstream) or indirectly (lift increase) by the propellers. The propeller effects are more significant for pressure sensors located ahead of the propellers on the fuselage and are less significant for the small local flow angles measured at the nose of the aircraft. The first case is clearly realized during in-flight calibration maneuvers performed by a turboprop aircraft. A major flow distortion, which seriously affects the vertical wind velocity measurements near the nose of an aircraft, is the upwash induced mainly by the wingbound vortex. Also, low energy of the vertical wind component in the inertial subrange for scales larger than the fuselage diameter is usually observed in aircraft measurements. This is shown to be the result of not taking into account the decrease of the upwash correction with eddy frequency (or no need for such a correction in the inertial subrange) caused by the aerodynamic delay and the response of the wing vortex to turbulence. The level of energy in the inertial subrange of the vertical wind component is significant because it is commonly used for the estimation of the dissipation rate of turbulence kinetic energy. A method to estimate this frequency variable correction and correct the spectra or the time series of the estimated vertical wind component is described. Data from low-level flight legs with a Twin Otter aircraft show that this correction may result in about a 20% correction of the variance of the vertical wind component and a 5% correction of the vertical turbulent fluxes.
Border Approaches: Anthropological Perspectives on Frontiers

Border Approaches: Anthropological Permanages spectives on Frontiers. Hastings Donna and Thomas M. Wilson, eds. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1994. vi + 128 pp., notes, references, Index, contributors.
Distributed receding horizon control of spatially invariant systems

We present a rigorous framework for the study of distributed spatially invariant systems with input and state constraints. The proposed approach is based on blending tools from operator theory and Fourier analysis of spatially invariant systems with receding horizon control and multi parametric quadratic programming (MPQP). Our contributions are twofold: on one hand, we extend the recent results of Bamieh et al. on infinite-horizon optimal control of spatially invariant systems to finite receding horizon control with input and state constraints. On the other hand, our results can be interpreted as an extension of the finite dimensional MPQP-based analysis of receding horizon control to distributed, spatially invariant systems. It is assumed that the dynamics of each subsystem is uncoupled to the others, but the coupling appears through the finite horizon cost function. Specifically, we prove that for spatially invariant systems with constraints, optimal receding horizon controllers are piecewise affine (represented as a convolution sum plus an offset). Moreover, the kernel of each convolution sum decays exponentially in the spatial domain mirroring the unconstrained infinite-horizon case. Simulation results are provided for a simple example with 5 identical systems coupled in a loop.
Immune system activation affects male sexual signal and reproductive potential in crickets

Parasite-mediated sexual selection theory posits that individuals (usually females) choose mates by assessing the expression of costly secondary sexual signals, which provide reliable indications of parasite resistance. If these signals are indeed reliable, then immune-compromised males are predicted to exhibit changes in the sexual signal that are discernable by the female. Moreover, the mating pair is predicted to exhibit some reduction in reproductive fitness if the male is immune compromised. Here, we addressed these predictions in the ground cricket, Allonemobius socius, by injecting juvenile males with lipopolysaccarides, which allowed us to activate the immune system without the introduction of a metabolically active pathogen. As a consequence, we were able to disentangle the cost of immune system activation from the cost of infection. We found that immune activation had a long-term effect on male calling song and the males' ability to provide paternal resources, which can constrain male and female reproductive potential. We also found that song interpulse interval varied significantly with the male's immune treatment and may therefore provide choosy females with a way to avoid mating with immune-compromised males. In short, our data support the parasite-mediated theory of sexual selection, suggesting that female's gain direct benefits by mating with males who are immune competent. Copyright 2007.
Parsing Depression From Fatigue in Patients with Cancer Using the Fatigue Symptom Inventory

Abstract Context A central aim in the management of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is to identify treatable causes, such as depression. However, CRF and depression symptoms overlap and frequently co-occur, complicating diagnostic assessment. Objectives As cancer-related symptoms have been associated with more functional impairment among patients who are depressed, this study tested the ratio of fatigue interference to fatigue severity as a method for identifying depression cases. Patients who reported that interference was greater than severity were expected to show higher rates of depression as measured by self-report instrument or structured interview. Methods A secondary analysis was conducted using data from patients who were attending a hospital thoracic oncology clinic and who completed the Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Sample 1, n=86). Analyses were then replicated in a sample of diverse cancer patients who completed the FSI and a structured clinical interview for depression on presentation to a CRF clinic at the same hospital (Sample 2, n=39). Results Receiver operating curve analyses supported use of the FSI interference/severity ratio in distinguishing depression cases and noncases (area under the curve: Sample 1=0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74–0.94; Sample 2=0.87, 95% CI 0.76–0.99). With sensitivity and specificity weighted equally, the optimal cutoff was ≥1.0 in Sample 1 (sensitivity=62.5%, specificity=91.4%) and Sample 2 (sensitivity=90.9%, specificity=85.7%). Conclusion A fatigue score pattern in which interference was greater than or equal to severity predicted depression in two patient samples. This ratio may be useful for brief initial screening of depression in the context of fatigue.
PERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE PROLONGED Q-T INTERVAL SYNDROME

This report describes the anaesthetic management of a ventricular arrhythmia-prone patient with a prolonged Q-T interval for closed reduction and wiring of a mandibular fracture. The patient was premedicated with propranolol and anaesthetized with isoflurane (inhalation). Documentation of heart rate v. Q-T interval revealed the benefit of this technique.
MicroRNA-1 negatively regulates expression of the hypertrophy-associated calmodulin and Mef2a genes.

Calcium signaling is a central regulator of cardiomyocyte growth and function. Calmodulin is a critical mediator of calcium signals. Because the amount of calmodulin within cardiomyocytes is limiting, the precise control of calmodulin expression is important for the regulation of calcium signaling. In this study, we show for the first time that calmodulin levels are regulated posttranscriptionally in heart failure. The cardiomyocyterestricted microRNA miR-1 inhibited the translation of calmodulin-encoding mRNAs via highly conserved target sites within their 3 untranslated regions. In keeping with its effect on calmodulin expression, miR-1 downregulated calcium-calmodulin signaling through calcineurin to NFAT. miR-1 also negatively regulated the expression of Mef2a and Gata4, key transcription factors that mediate calcium-dependent changes in gene expression. Consistent with the downregulation of these hypertrophy-associated genes, miR-1 attenuated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and in the intact adult heart. Our data indicate that miR-1 regulates cardiomyocyte growth responses by negatively regulating the calcium signaling components calmodulin, Mef2a, and Gata4. In the face of biomechanical stress, the heart develops compensatory hypertrophy, the hallmark of which is an increase in the size of cardiomyocytes. Over time, these hypertrophic changes become maladaptive, resulting in decreased contractile performance, cardiomyocyte loss, and, ultimately, heart failure (16). These changes in cardiomyocyte phenotype are linked to pathological changes in cardiomyocyte gene expression (24). Calcium, in conjunction with the calcium-binding protein calmodulin (CaM), is a critical mediator of hypertrophy signaling. Ca/CaM activates the phosphatase calcineurin (CN), leading to nuclear accumulation and the activation of
The reproductive risk potential of prolonged gestation.

This paper divides, reviews, and describes the relationships among the important issues involved in prolonged gestation and the inherent potential for reproductive risk. The prevalence and significance of the problem is illustrated through comparison of recent reports. Possible physiologic and psychologic contributing factors are discussed including hypothesized etiology as well as recognized associated events. The relationship of prolonged gestation to fetal postmaturity is discussed in pathophysiologic detail. The effects of postmaturity on the developing child with implications for follow‐up are also presented. Assessment of fetal and neonatal status for the purpose of risk identification develops the theme of reduction of reproductive casualties during this period. Finally, the nursing implications are discussed at the primary and secondary perinatal settings, with emphasis on maintaining psychologic and physiologic equilibrium.
A functional equation which characterizes polynomial operators with applications to uniqueness

A functional equation related to Taylor's theorem in normed spaces is considered, and its most general solutions are characterized. As a byproduct, some simple local and global uniqueness results for solutions of polynomial operator equations are obtained and illustrated by problems from generalized inverses
Diet-Induced Obesity Causes Severe but Reversible Leptin Resistance in Arcuate Melanocortin Neurons

Summary Despite high leptin levels, most obese humans and rodents lack responsiveness to its appetite-suppressing effects. We demonstrate that leptin modulates NPY/AgRP and α-MSH secretion from the ARH of lean mice. High-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) mice have normal ObRb levels and increased SOCS-3 levels, but leptin fails to modulate peptide secretion and any element of the leptin signaling cascade. Despite this leptin resistance, the melanocortin system downstream of the ARH in DIO mice is over-responsive to melanocortin agonists, probably due to upregulation of MC4R. Lastly, we show that by decreasing the fat content of the mouse's diet, leptin responsiveness of NPY/AgRP and POMC neurons recovered simultaneously, with mice regaining normal leptin sensitivity and glycemic control. These results highlight the physiological importance of leptin sensing in the melanocortin circuits and show that their loss of leptin sensing likely contributes to the pathology of leptin resistance.
A hyperspectral reflectance data based model inversion methodology to detect reniform nematodes in cotton

Rotylenchulus reniformis is a newly emerging nematode species affecting the cotton crop and quickly spreading throughout the southeastern United States. Effective use of nematicides at a variable rate is the only economic counter measure. It requires the nematode population in the field to be known, which in turn depends on the collection of soil samples from the field and analyzing them in the laboratory. This process is economically prohibitive. Hence there is a need to develop alternative methods through which the actual numbers of reniform nematode present in the field can be determined. In this paper we propose a methodology in which a canopy reflectance model (PROSAIL) is inverted using machine learning approaches to retrieve the biophysical parameters, and relate the key variables to the nematode levels, so that it is possible to quantify at all multi-temporal intervals the nematode infestation at geographically distributed fields. A Support Vector Machine (SVM) Regression method is used for the inversion and retrieval of key biophysical parameters which help to understand and quantify the nature of the nematode infested vegetation. The performance of this approach is analyzed by the accuracy measures of RMSE and N-fold cross validation average on a considerable data set. Finally, a graphical web portal is being developed to facilitate the end users to use their field collected data to determine the extent of the nematode infestation in their crop and retrieve other spatio-temporal statistics.
Survey of Smartphone-Based Police Monitoring Apps

This study investigated several smartphone-based applications designed for citizens to record encounters with law enforcement officers. The study aimed to analyze the different applications based on their initialization speed, ease of recording, upload speed and robustness. The study also sought to provide the developers of future applications with insight into what attributes are most important to this type of applications. We found that in general, applications of this kind do not always function consistently. The design features that proved the most beneficial were uploading in a broadcast style, providing ample information regarding the status of an upload, and saving a local copies of videos recorded in the app.
Numbers of host "helper" T cells and proliferating cells predict survival in diffuse small-cell lymphomas.

Diffuse small-cell lymphomas of B-lineage comprise a group of immunophenotypically related lymphoid malignancies that display variable clinical aggressiveness. We compared a variety of clinical, pathologic, and immunologic characteristics of 64 B-lineage diffuse small-cell lymphomas to patient survival in an effort to define prognostically relevant subtypes of these neoplasms. Neither clinical parameters nor histological subclassification correlated with patient outcome. In contrast, three immunologic features of these lymphomas showed a statistically significant relationship with actuarial survival. Neoplasms that manifested greater than or equal to 25% Ki-67+ cells (proliferation-associated antigen), less than 25% Leu 4+ cells (pan-T antigen), or less than 15% Leu 3+ cells (helper/inducer T-subset antigen) were associated with significantly decreased patient survival as compared to neoplasms with the reverse phenotype (P = .02, P = .003, P = .0005, respectively). Leu 3 findings were of particular import...
Accomplishing Profession through Self‐Mockery

One influential sociological approach to profession has it that a profession is something constructed by social actors themselves and that this work is performed through the swapping of atrocity stories. While atrocity stories are an important resource for constructing profession, they are not the only ones available to social actors. In this article, I draw on field work in an academic engineering research laboratory to document how social actors use self-mockery to construct profession. They do this in five ways, including through the use of background knowledge to interpret self-mockery, by reserving self-mockery for specific conditions separate from conditions where engineering knowledge is put on display, by maintaining a preference for self-presentations that exclude self-mockery toward the speaker's self during presentations in lab meetings and lectures in courses, through the selection of locally insignificant selves for mockery, and by assembling their own accounts of self-mockery.
Contesting gender quotas: dynamics of resistance

Gender quotas have diffused rapidly around the globe in recent decades, suggesting widespread and dramatic transformations in women's access to political power. Yet, quotas often face serious challenges following their introduction, resulting in a gap between quota requirements and electoral outcomes. To explore these dynamics, this article develops a theoretical account of how and why political elites resist the changes called for by quota reforms. It argues that three tools predicated upon women's exclusion from the political sphere – false universalism and political principles, male power and political survival, and gender and leadership norms – are often mobilized to render quotas illegitimate, making resistance understandable and, indeed, even desirable on a host of grounds. The article then catalogues trends in resistance at different stages of the electoral process, integrating materials from case studies around the world – and exposing a wide range of strategies, often creative, to subvert the imp...
Nasal Bone 3 Dimentional Computer Tomography Guided Tailored Osteotomy of the Bony Deviated Nose

외비의 비배부가 얼굴의 정중앙에서 벗어난 경우를 사비 (deviated, crooked, scoliotic nose)라 부른다. 사비는 크게 골 성 사비(bony deviation)와 연골성 사비(cartilaginous deviation)로 나눈다. 그중 골성 사비는 상위 1/3에 위치한 골부의 만곡을 지칭하고, 연골성 사비는 하위 2/3에 해당하는 부위의 만곡이다. 이 중 골성 사비를 교정하기 위해 절골술을 시행 하여야 한다. 절골술은 침습적, 비가역적인 술식이다. 하지만, 골성 사비 환자의 비골 상태는 매우 다양하나 절골술은 한정 되어 있기 때문에 술 전 계획이 중요한데, 보이는 외형만을 근 거로 정확한 절골을 계획하기는 어려움이 있다. 특히 외상이 나 코성형수술 이후 재수술인 경우는 더욱 그렇다. 또한 동일 한 내측 절골이라도 시행부위가 골성 사비의 형태에 따라 다 를 수 있다. 그래서 여러 저자들이 사비 환자를 분류하고 그 분류에 따른 알고리즘을 만들어 사비를 교정하려는 시도가 있었다. 그러나 다양한 비골의 상태를 분석하여 어떤 기준 으로 절골을 시행하는지에 대한 연구는 없었다. 이에 저자들은 골성 사비 환자에 수술 전 절골 계획에 있어 비골 3차원 전산화단층촬영(Nasal bone 3 dimensional computer tomography, Nasal bone 3D CT) 영상을 분석하여 골 성 사비 환자를 5가지 type으로 분류하였으며, 이를 토대로 서로 다른 절골술을 시행하였다. 이에 좋은 결과를 얻었기에 비골 3D CT를 통해 환자를 분류하는 방법과 수술 술기를 증 Rhinology Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2016;59(1):19-27 / pISSN 2092-5859 / eISSN 2092-6529 http://dx.doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.1.19
Activity-dependent structural plasticity after aversive experiences in amygdala and auditory cortex pyramidal neurons

The brain is highly plastic and undergoes changes in response to many experiences. Learning especially can induce structural remodeling of dendritic spines, which is thought to relate to memory formation. Classical Pavlovian fear conditioning (FC) traditionally pairs an auditory cue with an aversive footshock, and has been widely used to study neural processes underlying associative learning and memory. Past research has found dendritic spine changes after FC in several structures. But, due to heterogeneity of cells within brain structures and limitations of traditional neuroanatomical techniques, it is unclear if all cells included in analyses were actually active during learning processes, even if known circuits are isolated. In this study, we employed a novel approach to analyze structural plasticity explicitly in neurons activated by exposure to either cued or uncued footshocks. We used male and female Arc-dVenus transgenic mice, which express the Venus fluorophore driven by the activity-related Arc promoter, to identify neurons that were active during either scenario. We then targeted fluorescent microinjections to Arc+ and neighboring Arc− neurons in the basolateral area of the amygdala (BLA) and auditory association cortex (TeA). In both BLA and TeA, Arc+ neurons had reduced thin and mushroom spine densities compared to Arc− neurons. This effect was present in males and females alike and also in both cued and uncued shock groups. Overall, this study adds to our understanding of how neuronal activity affects structural plasticity, and represents a methodological advance in the ways we can directly relate structural changes to experience-related neural activity.
How the public understands genetics: non-deterministic and non-discriminatory interpretations of the “blueprint” metaphor:

Critics have worried that recent mass media coverage of genetics encourages genetic determinism and discriminatory attitudes in the public. They have identified the “blueprint” metaphor as one major component of public discourse that encourages such undesirable public opinions. To assess public interpretations of popular discourse about genetics, this audience study exposed 137 college students to sample genetics news articles and asked for their interpretations of the “blueprint” metaphor and of genetics in general. A larger group, the plurality, offered non-deterministic interpretations and perspectives on genetics. A small minority offered discriminatory interpretations, whereas a plurality offered explicit antidiscriminatory interpretations and opinions. Non-deterministic views were based on interpretations of the blueprint metaphor that understood genes as operating in a partial and probabilistic fashion, and that interpreted genes as malleable through individual will or technological intervention.
Upgrade of the detector in the integral field spectrograph OSIRIS at the W. M. Keck Observatory

We present the results of the upgrade of the spectrograph detector in the integral field spectrograph, OSIRIS. OSIRIS is a near-infrared (1 to 2.5 microns) integral field spectrograph on the Keck I telescope. This instrument produces up to 3,000 spectra simultaneously over a contiguous rectangular field of view with a spectral resolution of ~3,800. OSIRIS works with the Keck Adaptive Optics system to achieve diffraction-limited spatial resolution and has four plate scales ranging from 0.02 to 0.10 arcseconds. At first light in 2005, the spectrograph portion of the instrument was equipped with a Rockwell Hawaii-2 detector. We have now upgraded this to a Teledyne Hawaii-2RG (H2RG) with lower read noise, lower dark current, and higher quantum efficiency. In addition to the upgraded detector, we also mounted the detector head on a linear stage, allowing the position of the detector to be accurately adjusted along the optical path when the instrument is at cryogenic temperatures (~80 K). This reduced the number of cool downs required to put the detector image plane at the spectrograph camera focus and adjust any residual tip/tilt of the detector image plane. We present the results of commissioning the new detector and the improved sensitivities of the OSIRIS instrument due to this upgrade.
Asking Hypothetical Questions About Stories Using QUEST

Many computational models of narrative include representations of possible worlds—events that never actually occur in the story but that are planned or perceived by the story’s characters. Psychological tools such as QUEST are often used to validate computational models of narrative, but they only represent events which are explicitly narrated in the story. In this paper, we demonstrate that audiences can and do reason about other possible worlds when experiencing a narrative, and that the QKSs for each possible world can be treated as a single data structure. Participants read a short text story and were asked hypothetical questions that prompted them to consider alternative endings. When asked about events that needed to change as a result of the hypothetical, they produced answers that were consistent with answers generated by QUEST from a different version of the story. When asked about unrelated events, their answers matched those generated by QUEST from the version of the story they read.
Peptide redesign for inhibition of the complement system: Targeting age-related macular degeneration.

Author(s): Mohan, Rohith R; Cabrera, Andrea P; Harrison, Reed ES; Gorham, Ronald D; Johnson, Lincoln V; Ghosh, Kaustabh; Morikis, Dimitrios | Abstract: PurposeTo redesign a complement-inhibiting peptide with the potential to become a therapeutic for dry and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsWe present a new potent peptide (Peptide 2) of the compstatin family. The peptide is developed by rational design, based on a mechanistic binding hypothesis, and structural and physicochemical properties derived from molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The inhibitory activity, efficacy, and solubility of Peptide 2 are evaluated using a hemolytic assay, a human RPE cell-based assay, and ultraviolet (UV) absorption properties, respectively, and compared to the respective properties of its parent peptide (Peptide 1).ResultsThe sequence of Peptide 2 contains an arginine-serine N-terminal extension (a characteristic of parent Peptide 1) and a novel 8-polyethylene glycol (PEG) block C-terminal extension. Peptide 2 has significantly improved aqueous solubility compared to Peptide 1 and comparable complement inhibitory activity. In addition, Peptide 2 is more efficacious in inhibiting complement activation in a cell-based model that mimics the pathobiology of dry AMD.ConclusionsWe have designed a new peptide analog of compstatin that combines N-terminal polar amino acid extensions and C-terminal PEGylation extensions. This peptide demonstrates significantly improved aqueous solubility and complement inhibitory efficacy, compared to the parent peptide. The new peptide overcomes the aggregation limitation for clinical translation of previous compstatin analogs and is a candidate to become a therapeutic for the treatment of AMD.
Phase I/II Study of Rituxan (R) in Combination with Doxil (D) in Patients (pts) with Relapsing or Refractory B-Cell Lymphoma: Clinical Efficacy without Cardiac Toxicity.

In the past, the most common initial combination chemotherapy regimen used by most oncologists to treat B-cell lymphoma was the CHOP regimen. Although doxorubicin (DOX) is a major component of CHOP, it is associated with myelosuppression, alopecia, and potential cardiotoxicity. In vitro data has demonstrated synergistic activity between rituximab and certain drugs, including DOX. Because of D’s unique liposomal encapsulation, delivery, and toxicity profile, it may prove to be a more effective, less toxic anthracycline to combine with R. A formal Phase I/II trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of R+D in pts with relapsing B-cell lymphoma was undertaken. R (375 mg/m2/dose) was given on day 1 and D (30 mg/m2/dose) on day 3 on q 21 day cycles for 6 cycles. Thirty-six of 42 pts have been enrolled to date. Four pts (n=3 with aggressive histologies) progressed while on treatment and did not complete the planned 6 cycles of therapy; 1 pt has not completed therapy, but is a PR mid-treatment. Demographics: 19M:17F; Median age = 63 (range 35–83); Follicular lymphoma (FL) grade 1 or 2 (n=14); FL, grade 3 (n=7); SLL (n=5); de novo DLBCL (n=3); Transformed NHL (n=6); Mantle cell lymphoma (n=1); Median number of prior treatments = 2 (range 1–8); prior anthracycline exposure (n=24; 67%). Overall, R + D was very well-tolerated. Reversible grade 3 (n=8) or grade 4 (n=4) neutropenia was seen and responded to growth factor support. Reversible grade 3 thrombocytopenia was seen in 2 pts. Of note, grade 3 palmar/plantar erythrodysesthesia occurred only in 3 pts whom were non-compliant with instructions given to avoid this side-effect associated with D therapy. Overall response rate (ITT) = 64% (42% CR, 22% PR); responses were equally distributed between both indolent and aggressive histologies. Median time-to-progression (TTP) = 12 months (range 1M to 57+M); mean TTP = 17 months. Median TTP in CRs = 14 months (range 4M to 57+M); Median TTP in PRs = 5 months (range 1M to 17M). Fifteen of 24 (63%) pts with prior anthracycline exposure demonstrated objective responses (9 CR; 6 PR). No clinical cardiac toxicity has been seen and comparison of pre-Rx to post-Rx LVEF remained >50% in all pts completing therapy. D + R immunochemotherapy is a unique, well-tolerated, non-cardiotoxic and effective salvage therapy for pts with either indolent or aggressive relapsed B-cell lymphoma. An update of the completed database will be presented at the annual ASH meeting.
TCP, Neighborhood Formation, Reliable Transport, and Simulators for WSNs

TCP is the widely used transport protocol and most of the IP-based technologies already well known and proven to be working. The pervasive nature of IP networks allows use of an existing infrastructure. But, TCP needs to distinguish between the natures of errors.
B cell contribution of the CD4+ T cell inflammatory phenotypes in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease in which the effector molecules responsible for tissue damage are antibodies directed against a large number of self-antigens, among which nucl...
Abstract 175: Doxorubicin and Acute Exercise Training Impair Diastolic Before Systolic Function in a Murine Model of Cancer

Introduction: Cardiotoxicity often occurs in cancer patients treated with doxorubicin (DOX). DOX induces cardiomyocyte death, due in part to DOX-mediated DNA damage, myofiber degeneration, ischemia-related metabolic alterations, and activation of apoptotic pathways. While exercise is often recommended for cancer patients, it remains unclear whether the metabolic stress of exercise with DOX treatment benefits or impairs cardiac performance. Purpose: To test the hypothesis that acute exercise training performed with DOX therapy offsets cardiotoxicity. Methods: B16F10 melanoma cells (3x10 5 ) were injected into 6-8 week old male C57BL/6 mice (n= 48). A 4 mg/kg cumulative dose of DOX (IP) was administered over 2 weeks and exercise (EX) consisted of treadmill walking (45 min/d, 10 m/min, 5 days/week, 2 weeks). Four groups were tested: 1) Sedentary (SED) +Vehicle, 2) SED +DOX, 3) EX+Vehicle, 4) EX+DOX. Echocardiography [LV systolic (EF, %) and diastolic (E/A ratio) function] and tissue harvest were performed 48 hours after EX. Results: Tumor volume was attenuated in DOX and lowest in EX+DOX (p Conclusion: While the addition of EX to DOX treatment more effectively inhibited tumor growth, EX did not alleviate DOX mediated LV diastolic impairment, and actually increased LV fibrosis. Acute, short term exercise appears to impair LV function in DOX-treated mice. Exercise-induced reductions in insulin secretion may underlie this effect.
Death Certificate Surveillance: A Component of Death Investigation:

IntroductionMedical examiners/coroners serve various functions beyond the medicolegal framework, including making contributions to public safety and health. In order to effectively fulfill this rol...
Smarter pervasive computing

The pervasive computing discipline has evolved substantially since its inception. A lot of progress has been made in scaling pervasive computing, which has led to new, societal-scale capabilities such as mobile crowdsensing and the Internet of Things. Pervasive computing applications have also expanded from smart appliances and smart environments in the early days to systems of much broader scope such as smart cities and smart transportation. Going forward, an important direction is to enable a significantly heightened level of smartness in pervasive computing systems, by leveraging developments in big data and cognitive computing. Specifically, with its exponentially increasing volume, velocity and variety, big data is hailed as the world's new natural resource, and is driving fundamental changes in technology, business, and society. The biggest value of big data lies in the deep, actionable insights that can be derived from integrating all sources and modalities of data, across pervasive sensors and enterprise information systems. Such insights can then be exploited for business innovations and competitive advantages. Cognitive computing is a key enabling technology for turning big data into insights. Different from traditional programmable systems, cognitive systems are able to understand human knowledge, reason with a purpose, and learn and improve over time. Pervasive applications that integrate big data across the board and are cognitive are thus more insightful and can offer an unprecedented level of intelligence. In this talk, I will discuss the implications of big data and cognitive computing on pervasive computing. I will draw upon our experience at IBM Watson Health, and discuss how big data and cognitive computing can come together with pervasive computing to enable innovative health solutions that address many clinical, societal, and economic issues. I will present use cases, highlight the challenges, describe our approaches, and relate to client experiences.
Detection of circular DNA from mitochondria of Neurosporacrassa

Abstract Mitochondria from a slime mutant of Neurospora crassa were prepared by standard procedures and DNA was isolated by the cesium chloride-ethidium bromide technique. Electron microscope examination of the DNA banding at a position expected for closed circular DNA detected a population of circular DNA with a contour length of 20 ± 1.6 microns.
Cohesive Technology Applied to the Modeling and Simulation of Fatigue Failure

Estimation of fatigue and fracture properties of materials is essential for the safe life estimation of aging structural components. Standard ASTM testing procedures being time consuming and costly, computational methods that can reliably predict fatigue properties of the material will be very useful. Toward this end, we present a computational model that can capture the entire Paris curve for a material. The model is based on a damage-dependent irreversible cohesive failure formulation. The model relies on a combination of a bilinear cohesive failure law and an evolution law relating the cohesive stiffness, the rate of crack opening displacement, and number of cycles since the onset of failure. Threshold behavior of the fatigue crack propagation is determined by the initial value of the damage parameter of the cohesive failure law, while the accelerated region is the natural outcome of the cohesive formulation. The Paris region can be readily calibrated with the two parameters of the proposed cohesive model. We compare the simulation results with the NASGRO material database, and show that the threshold region is adequately captured by the proposed model. We summarize a semi-implicit implementation of the proposed model into a cohesive-volumetric finite element framework, allowing for the simulation of a wide range of fatigue problems.
Elephant infrasounds: long-range communication

Abstract Infrasound in the range of 1 to 20 Hz may be generated and/or detected by elephants over distances in excess of 10 km. Complex sounds generated by conspecifics can be interpreted over ranges of kilometers to aid in social cohesion, definition of territory, reproduction, resource utilization and avoidance of predators. Abiotic sounds may be detected over distances of a few hundred kilometers, further aiding in the animals survival. Physical conditions at the surface and in the atmosphere can inhibit or enhance these processes, and evidence is presented to suggest that elephants respond, if not directly, then indirectly to these physical constraints.
Noninfectious Pulmonary Involvement in Hematopoietic Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients

About 50% of blood and marrow stem cell transplant (BMT) recipients develop pulmonary complications following transplant. Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), peri-engraftment respiratory distress syndrome (PERDS), bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS), delayed pulmonary toxic syndrome (DPTS), pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD), and pulmonary cytolytic thrombi (PCT) are among the non-infectious pulmonary complications that have been documented with varying frequency. The pathogenesis of these complications has not been clearly defined, and treatment is derived from anecdotal reports rather than from randomized clinical trials. BO affects exclusively allogeneic transplant recipients, is thought possibly to be a manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and is associated with a high case fatality rate due to the absence of effective therapy. BOOP is less common than BO and affects both autologous and allogeneic transplant recipients. BOOP responds favorably to steroid therapy. DPTS develops in the majority of autologous BMT recipients who have received high-dose chemotherapy for breast cancer prior to transplant. It usually responds to corticosteroid treatment and has not been reported to cause death. All 16 reported cases of BMT recipients with PCT had allogeneic grafts, and most had active GVHD at the time of presentation. BMT recipients with PCT present with fever and pulmonary nodules. Despite the absence of specific therapy, BMT recipients with PCT usually improve. In the majority of the reported cases of BMT recipients with PVOD, the patients have received allogeneic transplants. Since most cases of PVOD in BMT recipients are diagnosed post-mortem, the natural course is not known. Despite anecdotal reports of favorable response to steroid therapy, the prognosis of PVOD is poor.
Carboxymethylation of DNA Induced by N-Nitroso Compounds and Its Biological Implications

Abstract Chemical modifications of DNA are of interest in toxicology and in evaluating human health risks associated with exposure to chemical carcinogens. In this chapter, focus was placed on a specific type of DNA modification, namely DNA carboxymethylation, where a carboxymethyl moiety is covalently bonded to an oxygen or nitrogen atom at various positions of nucleobases. This modification is induced mainly upon exposure to endogenous and exogenous sources of N -nitroso compounds. We also described various carboxymethylated DNA lesions and diverse carboxymethylating agents that have been uncovered since the 1980s. In addition, we reviewed analytical methods for detecting carboxymethylated DNA lesions and synthetic strategies for the preparation of authentic carboxymethylated DNA lesions and their incorporation into oligodeoxyribonucleotides. Further, we discussed the cytotoxic and mutagenic properties of the carboxymethylated DNA lesions and the implications of these DNA lesions in the early stage of gastrointestinal cancer development.
Lenalidomide in Combination with Standard R-CHOP Overcomes the Negative Prognostic Value of Peripheral Blood Absolute Lymphocyte/Monocyte Ratio at Diagnosis and during Treatment in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Introduction. The peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte (ALC)/monocyte (AMC) ratio (ALC/AMC), as a surrogate of host immunity (i.e. ALC) and tumor microenvironment (i.e. AMC), is a predictive biomarker for clinical outcomes in diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) patients. An ALC/AMC ratio ≥ 1.1 has been shown to be predictive of better survival both at baseline and during each therapy cycle in patients treated with R-CHOP [Porrata et al, 2014]. Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug, effective in DLBCL patients, with various mechanisms of actions on the tumor microenvironment and the host immune response. In this study we analyze the prognostic value of ALC/AMC ratio in a cohort of newly diagnosed DLBCL patients treated with Lenalidomide plus R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, R2-CHOP) in a phase II trial (MC078E trial, [Nowakowski et al, 2015]). Methods. All patients with de-novo DLBCL enrolled in the phase II trial MC078E and treated at diagnosis with R2-CHOP regimen were included in the analysis. We investigated the ALC/AMC ratio at baseline and each R2-CHOP cycle as predictor of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The ALC/AMC ratio was obtained by dividing the ALC by the AMC from the automated white blood cell differential obtained from the complete blood cell count on day 0 of each treatment cycle (range from day -3 to day 0 of each course). Patients were then divided in 4 groups on the basis of pattern of ALC/AMC ratio during treatment: group A: patients with ALC/AMC ratio ≥ 1.1 throughout all cycles; group B: patients with ALC/AMC ratio ≥ 1.1 at baseline, but then obtained an ALC/AMC Results. A total of 63 patients with de-novo DLBCL treated with R2CHOP regimen at diagnosis were included in the analysis. Clinical characteristics were: median age 67 years (22-87), male sex 61.9%, III-IV advance stage 87.3%, elevated LDH serum levels 66.7%, intermediate-high/high International Prognostic index (IPI) score in 54% cases. No differences in 3y-PFS and 3y-OS in patients with ALC/AMC ratio ≥ 1.1 vs ALC/AMC Conclusions. Lenalidomide in combination with standard R-CHOP (R2-CHOP), in previously untreated DLBCL patients, appears to overcome the negative prognostic value of ALC/AMC ratio observed in patients treated with R-CHOP alone. This could reflect the additional effect of lenalidomide to standard therapy on tumor microenvironment and on host immunity response. Figure 1: Landmark Analysis for Progression Free Survival and Overall Survival by ALC/AMC groups within R2CHOP (1.A) and R-CHOP (1.B). Group A: ALC/AMC >=1.1 for all cycles; Group B: ALC/AMC >=1.1 at baseline and obtained =1.1 during treatment; Group D: ALC/AMC Disclosures Witzig:Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.