cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
C-terminally truncated form of αB-crystallin is associated with IDH1 R132H mutation in anaplastic astrocytoma

Malignant gliomas are the most common human primary brain tumors. Point mutation of amino acid arginine 132 to histidine (R132H) in the IDH1 protein leads to an enzymatic gain-of-function and is thought to promote gliomagenesis. Little is known about the downstream effects of the IDH1 mutation on protein expression and how and whether changes in protein expression are involved in tumor formation or propagation. In the current study, we used 2D DIGE (difference gel electrophoresis) and mass spectrometry to analyze differences in protein expression between IDH1(R132H) mutant and wild type anaplastic (grade III) astrocytoma from human brain cancer tissues. We show that expression levels of many proteins are altered in IDH1(R132H) mutant anaplastic astrocytoma. Some of the most over-expressed proteins in the mutants include several forms of αB-crystallin, a small heat-shock and anti-apoptotic protein. αB-crystallin proteins are elevated up to 22-fold in IDH1(R132H) mutant tumors, and αB-crystallin expression appears to be controlled at the post-translational level. We identified the most abundant form of αB-crystallin as a low molecular weight species that is C-terminally truncated. We also found that overexpression of αB-crystallin can be induced by transfecting U251 human glioblastoma cell lines with the IDH1(R132H) mutation. In conclusion, the association of a C-terminally truncated form of αB-crystallin protein with the IDH1(R132H) mutation is a novel finding that could impact apoptosis and stress response in IDH1 mutant glioma.
Topiramate for Migraine Prophylaxis in Pediatric Patients

Objective: To evaluate the currently published data pertaining to the efficacy and safety of topiramate for prophylaxis of classic and common migraine in pediatric patients. Data Sources: The literature was identified via PubMed (through April 2013) and Iowa Drug Information System (through April 2013). References from identified articles were also reviewed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Data were included from studies of efficacy and safety in pediatric patients experiencing migraine (with or without aura), as defined by the International Headache Society. Studies including patients with more specific types of migraine, such as basilar migraine, were excluded. Data Synthesis: Eight publicatons were identified, including 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), a subgroup analysis, and 4 observational studies. These studies reported a decrease in headache frequency ranging from 63% to 100% for doses of 100 mg/d and 65% for 200 mg/d. Response to therapy, defined as ≥50% reduction in migraine rate, was...
The Dynatron: A Vacuum Tube Possessing Negative Electric Resistance

A new, hot cathode, three electrode vacuum tube, the dynatron, is described. A constant, positive voltage is applied between the hot cathode and the perforated rugged anode. A supplementary anode is placed beyond the main anode, and is maintained at a lower positive potential than the main anode. Because of secondary electronic emission from the supplementary anode, thru a certain range of applied voltages, the supplementary anode-to-filament circuit acts as a true negative resistance. Consequently the dynatron can be used as an oscillator at almost any desired audio or radio frequency or as a voltage or current amplifier. The theory of oscillation therefor is given, and experimentally verified. The effect of magnetic fields on the value of the negative resistance is studied. The effect of inserting a true grid (thus producing a pliodynatron) is also considered. The latter device is not only an amplifier, but can readily be used as a controlled oscillator for radio telephony. In this connection, experiments are described. The use of the dynatron as an amplifying detector and as a means for neutralizing circuit resistance is explained, as well as the similar employment of the pliodynatron. All receiver circuit losses can be compensated and selectivity retained at close coupling.
The Rise and Fall of It All: The Hemlines and Hiplines of the 1920s

That the hemline of women's daytime costume became increasingly elevated during the 1920s, and that this costume often evidenced stylistic emphasis around the anatomical hipline, are two traditiona...
A multiple look-up table torque controller for improved performance of IPM machines

This paper proposes a multiple lookup table based controller for operation in the complete torque and speed range of an IPM machine. A complete characterization is carried out to determine the machine fluxes for any given current. The fluxes are then used to calculate the nominal controller. A controller is then calculated for each of four sets of flux linkage data with a small flux error introduced; this is to account for small parametric error. An algorithm using airgap power and voltage is used to select a lookup table which reduces error in developed torque. Sensitivity is then used to determine the effectiveness of the proposed controller. From this, the proposed controller leads to reduced torque error and reduced sensitivity of the torque to flux error. Actual characterization data from a 10kW IPM machine is used to develop all controllers and simulations. The nominal and proposed controller is then applied to the actual IPM machine to validate the proposed controller.
Efficient, low parasitics 1.3 mu m InGaAsP electroabsorption waveguide modulators on semi-insulating substrate

The high-speed operation of waveguide modulators is limited by the RC time constant, where the capacitance is primarily due to the parasitics. As part of an effort to reduce the parasitic capacitance, the authors have demonstrated a 1.3 mu m InGaAsP electroabsorption waveguide modulator on semi-insulating InP substrate. A parasitic capacitance smaller than 10 fF was achieved by fabricating the bonding pad on an isolated mesa and by making use of an air bridge. For a 400 mu m long waveguide modulator, an operating voltage as small as 2 V at an on-off ratio of 10 dB was obtained by optimizing InGaAsP bandgap for the operating laser wavelength. The device consists of a five-layer structure on semi-insulating substrate grown by liquid-phase epitaxy. These layers are undoped-InP buffer layer, undoped-InGaAsP waveguide layer, undoped-InP spacer layer, p-InP cladding layer, and p-InGaAsP contact layer. >
β-Blocker Underuse in Secondary Prevention of Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVETo review the clinical benefits of β-blockers as secondary prevention following a myocardial infarction (MI) and to address the reasons that clinicians are reluctant to use β-blockers in specific patient populations.DATA SOURCESMEDLINE was searched for articles published from January 1966 to October 2002. Relevant studies were identified by systematic searches of the literature for all reported studies of associations between β-blocker underuse and secondary prevention of MI. Additional studies were identified by a hand search of references of original or review articles.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTIONEnglish-language human studies were selected and analyzed.DATA SYNTHESISAssociations were observed in studies of β-blocker use as secondary prevention of MI. A lower rate of β-blocker treatment occurred in older patients and in patients with comorbid conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and peripheral arterial disease. In addition, underuse w...
Club Ratios: A Four-Year Trend Analysis

This article is based on research of the United States club industry conducted over the four-year period of 2003-2006. Twenty ratios were reported, covering the five general classes of financial ratios. The ratio results suggested that 2003 was a banner year for the club industry.
A new approach to topological via minimization

A topological via minimization problem in a two-layer routing environment is examined. The problem of minimizing the number of vias needed to route n two-terminal nets in a bounded routing region is shown to be NP-hard. However, in the case of a two-shore routing region, the topological via minimization problem can be solved in O(n/sup 2/ log n) time. As a basis for the algorithm, a two-chain maximum dominance problem, which is of interest in its own right, is considered, and its applications to other very large-scale integration layout problems are shown. >
Review Essay: Six Books Every College Teacher Should Know

This review essay of six classic books (by Bain, Fink, Gross-Davis, Barkley, Angelo and Cross, and Walvoord and Anderson) on college teaching, applies their lessons to teaching music history. All six provide research on how the very best teachers get things wrong, correct mistakes, and try new approaches. Mostly, the research is emphatic that good teaching comes from hard work and thoughtfulness about student needs. A key finding is that high standards alone do not yield good results, but combining challenge with support is almost universally common in the best teachers. Equally important for student success are active engagement during class time, clear grading strategies, and a focus on creating an environment where students can change. Most of us recognize that changing the way our students think is difficult, but the best professors model change by teaching the history of their subject and how knowledge changes.
Some Implications from Technological Developments Affecting the Commercial Banking Business: What Happens When 'Blockers to Business' are Overcome

This paper examines some of the implications that technological innovations have had on the retail side of the commercial banking industry in the recent decade. These innovations enabled financial institutions to overcome previous constraining "blockages" to growth and costs savings, such as geographic distances and volume processing obstacles but at the same time also removed many of the previous "blockages" that prevented competitors from invading their turf. The nature of such constraints (or "blockages") has changed as technology changed, and the financial intermediation delivery has changed with it. Although this paper focuses on the innovations relevant to retail banking, many of the implications can be of interest to other aspects of the financial services industry outside the scope here. While enabling a greater variety of services and improved productivity, technology poses challenges to society since non-banks are often less regulated, compared to depository institutions. As noted in recent studies, despite the free spill-over of information, technology has the potential to increase monopolistic powers of institutions that develop advantages in the use of propriety information and technology. This paper reviews some recent innovations in the financial services industry that have a further potential role in the continuation of the transformation process. One needs to become familiar with them before one can proceed with further contemplation of the challenges that they pose to the banking and non-banking industries. This paper also addresses significant gaps in existing knowledge about the Internet banking landscape. Using information drawn from a survey of national bank examiners, it finds that as early as 5 years ago, while only 20 percent of national banks offered Internet banking in Q3 1999, these transactional Internet banks accounted for 84 percent of the total number of small deposit accounts. Today both numbers are already much higher. An estimated 45 percent of all national banks were offering Internet banking by the beginning of 2001, and today most already do. While most of the growth in new Internet banking was be due to small banks coming online, almost half of all national banks in 2001 had no plans to offer Internet services, while today the majority do. However, Internet was just a step and other products and service are emerging, and Banking institutions are becoming more challenged by those new competitors. The paper's main contribution is its conceptualizing a theory of banking innovations in which technology sensitive assets can enhance and/or substitute non- technology sensitive assets (relationship sensitive assets for example) in way which recognizes the "blocking (constraining) hurdles" which the bank tries to overcomes when applying technology innovations.
Is preterm birth a human-specific syndrome?

Human preterm birth (PTB), a multifactorial syndrome affecting offspring born before 37 completed weeks of gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death worldwide. Remarkably, the degree to which early parturition contributes to mortality in other placental mammals remains unclear. To gain insights on whether PTB is a human-specific syndrome, we examined within- and between-species variation in gestation length across placental mammals and the impact of early parturition on offspring fitness. Within species, gestation length is normally distributed, and all species appear to occasionally give birth before the ‘optimal’ time. Furthermore, human gestation length, like that of many mammalian species, scales proportionally to body mass, suggesting that this trait, like many others, is constrained by body size. Premature humans suffer from numerous cognitive impairments, but little is known of cognitive impairments in other placental mammals. Human gestation differs in the timing of the ‘brain growth spurt’, where unlike many mammals, including closely related primates, the trajectory of human brain growth directly overlaps with the parturition time window. Thus, although all mammals experience early parturition, the fitness costs imposed by the cognitive impairments may be unique to our species. Describing PTB broadly in mammals opens avenues for comparative studies on the physiological and genetic regulators of birth timing as well as the development of new mammalian models of the disease.
The Chain-Independent Controversy

MY ORIGINAL PLAN of presentation of this rejoinder to the criticism' of my Journal article2 was frankly to admit of certain derelictions at the outset and subsequently to point out the several important errors of fact and interpretation made by Mr. Lazo. This plan, however, was not as practicable as it first appeared to be since even in places where I was inclined to cry "Touch(e!", errors appeared in the criticism which required clarification. For example, my use of the Goodyear-Sears price data perhaps was unfortunate because of the charge of discriminatory treatment by Goodyear of Sears over the former's own dealers. But some qualifications should accompany Mr. Lazo's statement that discriminations were so pronounced that the F.T.C. took action under its general powers. For one thing, the discriminations which he claims "ranged from 32 to 53%" in a number of lines were of much smaller magnitude when differences in selling costs were taken into account; even less when computed for the total of all lines on an adjusted net profit basis.3 For another, we should bear in mind that when tried on its merits in the courts, the case went against the Commission on the grounds that the discriminations which existed were not unreasonable in the light of the then existing law.4
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance of Mn 2 + in KTa O 3

The electron paramagnetic resonance of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ in KTa${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ was measured over a temperature range 4-110 K. At 77 K, the spin-Hamiltonian constants are ${g}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}=2.000\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001$, ${g}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=2.000\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001$, $D=+0.147\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, ${A}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}=\ensuremath{-}(86.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, ${A}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=\ensuremath{-}(84\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The results indicate that the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ is substitutional at a ${\mathrm{Ta}}^{5+}$ site with an adjacent oxygen vacancy. The temperature dependence of $D$ is correlated with the soft-mode frequency of the host. The quadrupole splitting ${Q}^{\ensuremath{'}}=+(0.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ was determined from the forbidden hyperfine transitions.
Characterization of Precast UHPC Pile Drivability

Engineering Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011. E-mail: tomvv@iastate.edu Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 321 Acopian Engineering Center, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, 18042. E-mail:suleimam@lafayette.edu Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, 406 Town Engineering Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011. E-mail: sri@iastate.edu Characterization of Precast UHPC Pile Driveability
Measurement of Phase Boundary Dynamics During Scanned Laser Crystallization of Amorphous Ge Films

Two techniques have been used to measure the velocity of the amorphous-crystalline boundary during scanned laser crystallization of amorphous Ge films on fused-silica substrates. Values in the vicinity of 200 cm sec−1 have been measured by both methods. The results obtained by the first technique, an optical transmission method, confirm our theoretical model for the periodic motion of the boundary. The measurements made by the second technique, which is based on an examination of the structural features obtained at laser scanning rates up to about 600 cm sec−1, show the boundary velocity to be rather insensitive to film thickness and background temperature. Controlled crystallization is expected to require stability of the laser beam power.
New Species of Eriophyid Mites from Western North America, with a Discussion of Eriophyid Mites on Populus

Eriophyes inaequalis , E . burtsi , E . quercichrysolepis , Aceria atriplicis , A . neocondaliae , A . franseriae , A . douglasiana , and Heterotergum schlingeri are described and illustrated, as also is a variant referred to Aceria parapopuli Keifer. Lists are given of the eriophyid species known from Populus in North America and Europe.
Influence of Cable and Twist Pitch Interactions on Eddy Currents In Multifilamentary Strands Calculated Using an Anisotropic Continuum Model

We have calculated the eddy current loss in multifilamentary strands wound into helical geometries (round cable geometry) as a function of the cable pitch (Lcab) twist pitch (Lp), and cable radius (Rc). Previous calculations of this interaction concentrated on modifications of the mutual inductance, finding a loss minimum at Lcab = Lp. However, our calculations show that the effective coupling lengths will be enhanced near Lp = Leff (≈ Lcab for Lcab > 2πRc, the loss maximum occurs for Lp ≈ Lcab, only if Lp and Lcab are of opposite helicity.
Lessons from the journey : developing and applying an actor's process through embodying "Uncle Peck" in How I learned to drive.

LESSONS FROM THE JOURNEY: DEVELOPING AND APPLYING AN ACTOR'S PROCESS THROUGH EMBODYING "UNCLE PECK" IN HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE K. Obadiah Ewing-Roush March 29,2011 This personal narrative briefly describes my past in the performing arts and outlines my training as an actor and my development of an actor's process through various class and performance experiences at the University of Louisville. Through the use of character notes, physical and vocal warm ups, and research into the mindset and vocal patterns of another person I found pathway for exploring, discovering, and embodying the character of Uncle Peck. I further discuss how I can apply this process to other theatre projects and offer my own insights into theatre and why I have chosen this art form as my life's work and vocation.
Design of Hybrid Electrochromic Materials with Large Electrical Modulation of Plasmonic Resonances

We present a rational approach to fabricating plasmonically active hybrid polymer-metal nanomaterials with electrochemical tunability of the localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) of noble metal nanostructures embedded in an electroactive polymer matrix. The key requirement for being able to significantly modulate the LSPR band position is a close overlap between the refractive index change [Δn(λ)] of a stimuli-responsive polymeric matrix and the intrinsic LSPR bands. For this purpose, gold nanorods with a controlled aspect ratio, synthesized to provide high refractive index sensitivity while maintaining good oxidative stability, were combined with a solution-processable electroactive and electrochromic polymer (ECP): alkoxy-substituted poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) [PProDOT(CH2OEtHx)2]. Spectral characteristics of the ECP, in particular the Δn(λ) variation, were evaluated as the material was switched between oxidized and reduced states. We fabricated ultrathin plasmonic electrochromic hybrid films consisting of gold nanorods and ECP that exhibited a large, stable, and reversible LSPR modulation of up to 25-30 nm with an applied electrical potential. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations confirm a good match between the experimentally measured refractive index change in the ECP and the plasmonic response during electrochemical modulations.
Overshoot control of the electromagnetic torque during fault recovery for an SCIG with a STATCOM

Squirrel cage induction generators (SCIG) are one of the widely used generators in the wind turbines. The popularity of the SCIG is because of their relatively low price. However, speed and torque control in SCIGs is not as well studied as doubly fed induction generators (DFIG). This leads to more stress in the mechanical parts and more fatigue in the gearbox. In this paper a control method is proposed for limiting the electromagnetic torque overshoot during the recovery process subsequent to a fault. The idea behind the proposed method is to utilize the set point automatic adjustment with correction enabled (SPAACE) method to modify the voltage control loop of the static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) installed at the terminal of the SCIG to limit the torque overshoot.
Occupancy and abundance of predator and prey: implications of the fire‐cheatgrass cycle in sagebrush ecosystems

Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) ecosystems are declining due to biological invasions and changes in fire regimes. Understanding how ecosystem changes influence functionally important animals such as ecosystem engineers is essential to conserve ecological functions. American badgers (Taxidea taxus) are an apex predator and ecosystem engineer in that they redistribute large amounts of soil within sagebrush ecosystems. Piute ground squirrels (Urocitellus mollis) are also an ecosystem engineer as well as an essential prey resource for many predators, including badgers. Our research objective was to evaluate the relative importance of biological invasions and fire, abiotic factors, and biotic factors on badgers and ground squirrels. We sampled 163 1-ha plots during April-June across a gradient of burn histories within a 1962 km2 study area in southern Idaho, USA. At each plot, we characterized occupancy of ground squirrels and badgers and relative abundance of ground squirrels. Additionally, we characterized soil texture, climate, connectivity and dispersal potential, fire frequency, grazing, and cover of many plant species including a highly invasive exotic annual grass (cheatgrass; Bromus tectorum). We used an integrated approach to evaluate competing hypotheses concerning factors influencing occupancy and abundance. Results suggested that occupancy of ground squirrels was positively associated with long-term precipitation, dispersal potential, and fine-grained soil. Abundance of ground squirrels was positively associated with fine-grained soil, but negatively associated with cheatgrass, fire frequency, agriculture, and shrub cover. Badger occupancy was positively associated with ground squirrel occupancy and agriculture, which indicated affinity to prey. Our results provide insight into the relative influence of abiotic and biotic factors on predator and prey, and highlight how effects change across different population parameters. Our research suggests that widespread environmental change within sagebrush ecosystems, especially the fire-cheatgrass cycle (e.g., invasion of cheatgrass and increased fire frequency) and human land disturbances, are directly and indirectly influencing ground squirrels and badgers. However, we also found evidence that efforts to mitigate these stressors, for example, establishing bunchgrasses postfire, may provide targeted conservation strategies that promote these species and thus preserve the burrowing and trophic functions they provide.
Tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin/pp125FAK and microvascular endothelial barrier function

The transendothelial movement of solutes is a dynamic process controlled by a complex interaction between the cytoskeleton and adhesion proteins. The aim of this study was to examine whether protei...
Studies on the substrate specificity of an Escherichia coli peptidase

Abstract The initial rates of hydrolysis of 32 small peptides catalyzed by an enzyme prepared from Escherichia coli are reported. The dipeptides tested as substrates were of the following general types: methionyl-X, alanyl-X, glycyl-X and X-alanine where X represents any one of several amino acids. The other compounds examined were tri-, tetra-, and pentapeptides which contained N-terminal methionine. Methionylglycine, methionylalanine, methionylserine and methionylmethionine were more rapidly cleaved than any of the other substrates tested. A possible role for this peptidase in the removal of N-terminal methionine from certain proteins after initiation by N-formylmethionyl-tRNA is discussed.
Analysis of K0sK0s and π+π–π0 final states in two photon collisions at LEP

The K0 s K0 s and π+ π– π0 final states in two-photon collisions are studied with the L3 detector at LEP. A full energy dependent partial wave analysis demonstrates that the two-photon mass spectra are dominated by the formation of tensor mesons. Their masses, widths and two-photon partial widths are determined.
The Journal Article as a Means to Share Data: a Content Analysis of Supplementary Materials from Two Disciplines

INTRODUCTION The practice of publishing supplementary materials with journal articles is becoming increasingly prevalent across the sciences. We sought to understand better the content of these materials by investigating the differences between the supplementary materials published by authors in the geosciences and plant sciences. METHODS We conducted a random stratified sampling of four articles from each of 30 journals published in 2013. In total, we examined 297 supplementary data files for a range of different factors. RESULTS We identified many similarities between the practices of authors in the two fields, including the formats used (Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PDFs) and the small size of the files. There were differences identified in the content of the supplementary materials: the geology materials contained more maps and machine-readable data; the plant science materials included much more tabular data and multimedia content. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that the data shared through supplementary files in these fields may not lend itself to reuse. Code and related scripts are not often shared, nor is much ‘raw’ data. Instead, the files often contain summary data, modified for human reading and use. CONCLUSION Given these and other differences, our results suggest implications for publishers, librarians, and authors, and may require shifts in behavior if effective data sharing is to be realized. External Data or Supplements: Kenyon, Jeremy; Sprague, Nancy; Flathers, Edward, 2016, "Data from: The journal article as a means to share data: a content analysis of supplementary materials from two disciplines", http://dx.doi.org/10.7910/DVN/DCSMGP , Harvard Dataverse.
The Excitotoxic Concept

This chapter presents an overview of the excitotoxic concept and its putative involvement in hypoxic–ischemic brain damage. Excitotoxicity refers to the central neuronal injury or death induced by glutamate or related excitatory amino acids. Most excitotoxicity is mediated by glutamate receptors, although prolonged exposure to very high concentrations of glutamate can cause injury by interfering with cysteine uptake, thereby causing depletion of cellular glutathione stores responsible for protecting against oxidative stress. Overactivation of other neurotransmitter pathways, or excessive Ca 2+ or Na + influx mediated by channels other than those activated by glutamate receptors, can also promote neuronal injury by mechanisms convergent with those underlying glutamate-induced injury, but are best considered distinct from excitotoxicity. The strongest evidence implicating excitotoxicity in the pathogenesis of hypoxic–ischemic neuronal death is provided by studies from many laboratories showing that drugs capable of attenuating excitotoxicity can reduce this death, either in vitro or in animal models of stroke or cardiac arrest. Effective antiexcitotoxic strategies, pharmacological or otherwise (for example, hypothermia), can reduce excitotoxicity in different ways, including the reduction of glutamate release, the blockade of NMDA or AMPA/kainate receptors, or the amelioration of downstream cytotoxic events.
Subjective alcohol responses in a cross-sectional, field-based study of adolescents and young adults: Effects of age, drinking level, and dependence/consequences.

Background Adolescents are physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally different than adults in ways that may partially explain why alcohol misuse typically develops during this period. Ample animal-science evidence and nascent ecological evidence points toward developmentally limited differences in sensitivity to alcohol’s stimulatory and sedative effects. Field-based research methods were used to test for such age-related differences in a sample of adolescents through young adults. Potential moderating influences of estimated blood alcohol content (eBAC), as well as typical consumption and level of dependence/consequences were explored.
Quantitative Measurements of HIV-1 and Dextran Capture by Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells (MDDCs).

The aim of this protocol is to describe how to measure and quantify the amount of HIV-1 particles and dextran molecules internalized in human monocyte derived dendritic cells (MDDCs), using three different techniques: flow cytometry, quantitative PCR and confocal microscopy. Background This protocol was developed in order to assess the changes of HIV-1 internalization upon disruption of actin nucleation in human monocyte derived dendritic cells. Following a shRNA screen to identify genes important for HIV-1 transfer from dendritic cells to T cells, we observed that a disruption of actin nucleation leads to a switch from actin rich dendrites to blebs, due to an excess of actomyosin contraction. As a consequence, a decrease of HIV-1 transfer and an increase of HIV-1 internalization due to bleb retraction-driven macropinocytosis were observed. We concluded that effectors of actin nucleation and stabilization were key to maintain HIV-1 on actin-rich dendrites and to limit its endocytosis, for efficient transfer to T lymphocytes (Menager and Littman, 2016).
Virtual Commerce (V-Commerce) in Second Life: The Roles of Physical Presence and Brand-Self Connection

Second Life, in a form of advergaming (a portmanteau of “advertising” and “gaming”), can be an innovative venue for marketing communication and brand management in virtual commerce (v-commerce). Virtual shopping malls in threedimensional (3D) environments provide interactive and immersive settings that complement strong offerings of electronic commerce. The ability to offer vivid and engrossing social interactions with spokes-avatars within 3D environments is the key advantage of interactive marketing in Second Life. This study particularly focused on the “physical presence” (i.e., the degree to which consumers feel as if virtual products and retail settings were real) dimension of interactive brand marketing in 3D virtual environments and its impact on brand-self connection and consumers’ evaluation of a spokes-avatar’s credibility. Data analyses show that an increased level of physical presence positively influences consumers’ brand-self connection and evaluation of spokes-avatar credibility (expertise and trustworthiness) in 3D virtual environment-based brand marketing.
Systems analysis of carbon nanotubes: opportunities and challenges for space applications

Recent availability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in quantities and formats amenable to producing macroscale components invites consideration of these materials in space applications where their attractive properties can enable the realization of bold concepts for affordable space exploration. The challenge is to identify relevant systems and quantify the benefits at the systems level. Before significant investment or adoption of CNTs for large aerospace systems can be justified, there must be a plausible path to attain the perceived systems level benefits. This challenging step requires a close collaboration among experts on CNTs and aerospace system communities. This paper provides an overview of a few relevant potential CNTs applications for space systems and the gap that must be overcome for deployment of CNTs. It also provides a simple engineering-level systems analysis approach to quantify the benefits of using CNTs over state of the art material solutions.
Approach to Transfusion in Obstetrics: Maternal and Fetal Considerations

Publisher Summary The increasing demands of the fetus as well as biologic differences between the fetus and the mother significantly affect the management of a patient during pregnancy. The chapter discusses several obstetric considerations including physiologic adaptations to pregnancy, issues related to the assessment of obstetric hemorrhage, and the need for maternal transfusion. It also discusses the diagnosis and treatment of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) and its contribution to the hemolytic disease of the fetus and the newborn, with emphasis on rhesus (Rh) isoimmunization. The physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy are designed to protect the patient from the significant amount of blood loss caused by delivery. After delivery, mothers are screened for FMH by\ the erythrocyte rosette test. The rosette test identifies Rh(D)-positive fetal cells in the maternal circulation. The maternal red blood cell (RBC) sample is first incubated with human anti-D antibody, and then indicator Rh(D)-positive cells are added. The indicator cells form agglutinates (rosettes) around the antibody-bound Rh(D)-positive fetal cells if present. If the rosette test is positive, a Kleihauer–Betke test is used to quantitate the number of fetal cells in the maternal circulation. This technique relies on differences between fetal and adult hemoglobin resistance to acid elution. Alternative methods to quantify FMH include the enzyme-linked antiglobulin test and flow cytometry. Only 1% of deliveries have a greater than 30 cc FMH—in such cases, RhIg doses are increased accordingly to protect against Rh(D) sensitization.
Patient Selection and General Patient Considerations

Colon and rectal surgery has witnessed a vast increase in both the use of and subsequent publications about single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). While single-incision surgery goes by several different names, it is important to keep in mind that when learning any new approach, the operative procedure (with regard to safety and outcomes) should remain the same. Although there is a learning curve that each surgeon must complete and overcome in order to become proficient, the patient should not suffer in the interim. With regard to colon and rectal surgery, special populations such as those with inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, large tumors, and other inflammatory disorders may present technical challenges for open as well as other minimally invasive approaches. Therefore, it is especially important when selecting the operative approach to match it to the individual patient at hand, as well as being realistic about one’s technical expertise and experience with a particular procedure. In this chapter, we will highlight the unique challenges of single-incision surgery, discuss general patient selection and consideration issues, and examine how this approach relates to those particular cohorts such as those with inflammatory bowel disease and obesity.
Capitalizing on the Promise of Ad Prefetching in Real-World Mobile Systems

In cellular networks, tail states are designed for a tradeoff between energy efficiency and latency. However, the energy consumed during tail states becomes a huge energy drainer itself. Traditional energy saving techniques by content prefetching cannot be directly applied to mobile ads, due to the deadline requirements of ads, randomness in user behaviors, different usage patterns of mobile apps and system services. In this paper, considering several significant runtime factors, we make a novel use of Markov Decision Process to model the energy minimization problem for ad prefetching (EMAP), and propose an algorithmic solution to the EMAP problem. Further, we implement the first mobile ad prefetching system that is fully compatible with contemporary ad libraries and mobile apps. By replaying real-world user traces on Android devices, we show our proposed solution consistently outperforms existing On-Demand policy on Android by up to 59% in saving ad-related energy, while a simple Fill-Up-Buffer policy can be even 2 times worse than the default On-Demand policy. Such findings provide critical insights regarding the promise of saving energy by ad prefetching in real-world mobile systems.
Beckett’s ‘Marionette Theater’: Psychoanalysis, Ontological Violence, and the Language of Desubjectification in Stories and The Unnamable

This chapter takes up the psychoanalytic theory of Jacques Lacan as a way to work through Beckett’s rejection of the humanist model of language, in which the capacity for speech is used to distinguish the human from the animal or nonhuman. By displacing self-present modes of expression onto the order of the Signifier’s living autonomy, Beckett’s postmodernism presents a paradox in which a life is projected onto and played out technologically through language at the very point that marks the subject’s disappearance into what Lacan calls ‘the Real,’ a radically desubjectified ‘beyond’ of both language and human consciousness.
Altered neural encoding of prediction errors in assault-related posttraumatic stress disorder.

Abstract Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is widely associated with deficits in extinguishing learned fear responses, which relies on mechanisms of reinforcement learning (e.g., updating expectations based on prediction errors). However, the degree to which PTSD is associated with impairments in general reinforcement learning (i.e., outside of the context of fear stimuli) remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate brain and behavioral differences in general reinforcement learning between adult women with and without a current diagnosis of PTSD. 29 adult females (15 PTSD with exposure to assaultive violence, 14 controls) underwent a neutral reinforcement-learning task (i.e., two arm bandit task) during fMRI. We modeled participant behavior using different adaptations of the Rescorla-Wagner (RW) model and used Independent Component Analysis to identify timecourses for large-scale a priori brain networks. We found that an anticorrelated and risk sensitive RW model best fit participant behavior, with no differences in computational parameters between groups. Women in the PTSD group demonstrated significantly less neural encoding of prediction errors in both a ventral striatum/mPFC and anterior insula network compared to healthy controls. Weakened encoding of prediction errors in the ventral striatum/mPFC and anterior insula during a general reinforcement learning task, outside of the context of fear stimuli, suggests the possibility of a broader conceptualization of learning differences in PTSD than currently proposed in current neurocircuitry models of PTSD.
Design and development of a novel waste container from HDPE-layered bins

Abstract It is known that there are many ways to manage food waste, however, no specific work has ever been reported on the easiness and economics of treatment mainly at the source. This study hopes to fulfill the gap by constructing a novel waste bin layered with plastic that can continuously accommodate and decompose food waste produced at the source. After several months of use, the bin has been found to be effective and no foul odor has been detected at least 1 ft away. In addition, produced leachate has been found to be nontoxic and can be used to water plants as evidenced by the pH measurements. Furthermore, introduction of additional features such as covering the bin with a painted cloth and putting a chimney on its top has been observed to enhance the performance.
Boundary Refinement in Delaunay Mesh Generation Using Arbitrarily Ordered Vertex Insertion.

In general, guaranteed-quality Delaunay meshing algorithms are difficult to parallelize because they require strictly ordered updates to the mesh boundary. We show that, by replacing the Delaunay cavity in the Bowyer-Watson algorithm with what we call the circumball intersection set, updates to the mesh can occur in any order, especially at the mesh boundary. To demonstrate this new idea, we describe a 2D constrained Delaunay meshing algorithm that does not enforce strict ordering of vertex insertions near the mesh boundary. We prove that the sequential version of this algorithm generates a mesh in which the circumradius to shortest edge ratio of every triangle is √ 2 or greater, as long as every angle interior to the polygonal input domain is at least 90. We briefly touch upon the parallel version of this algorithm, but we relegate a more complete discussion (with extension to 3D) to a forthcoming paper.
Predicting protein-protein interactions through sequence-based deep learning.

Motivation High-throughput experimental techniques have produced a large amount of protein-protein interaction (PPI) data, but their coverage is still low and the PPI data is also very noisy. Computational prediction of PPIs can be used to discover new PPIs and identify errors in the experimental PPI data. Results We present a novel deep learning framework, DPPI, to model and predict PPIs from sequence information alone. Our model efficiently applies a deep, Siamese-like convolutional neural network combined with random projection and data augmentation to predict PPIs, leveraging existing high-quality experimental PPI data and evolutionary information of a protein pair under prediction. Our experimental results show that DPPI outperforms the state-of-the-art methods on several benchmarks in terms of area under precision-recall curve (auPR), and computationally is more efficient. We also show that DPPI is able to predict homodimeric interactions where other methods fail to work accurately, and the effectiveness of DPPI in specific applications such as predicting cytokine-receptor binding affinities. Availability and implementation Predicting protein-protein interactions through sequence-based deep learning): https://github.com/hashemifar/DPPI/. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Abstract A24: Using single-cell RNA-seq approaches to decipher heterogeneity in autochthonous mouse models of small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of the most aggressive cancer types, and patients in clinic usually (>60% cases) present with metastasis. Current therapies for SCLC have not changed from 1980, and they include a combination therapy of cisplatin and etoposide. Most patients relapse after initial response, and the 5-year survival for extensive stage SCLC is 2%. One possible explanation for the failure of conventional and targeted therapies in cancers is the cellular heterogeneity that exists within tumors. Thus, understanding phenotypic heterogeneity at the single-cell level can be leveraged to predict mechanisms of resistance, which enables the design of effective combination therapies. In this project, we used as a model system an autochthonous mouse model of human SCLC, in which we deleted p53, RB, and p130. We collected multiple primary tumors, circulating tumor cells (CTC), and lymph node (proximal site) and liver (distant site) metastases from the same mouse, and across different mice. These samples were collected at the stage that should correspond to the limited/extensive stage of human SCLC, which is most commonly seen in clinic. Then we used single-cell RNA-seq (sc-RNAseq) methods to define and understand transcriptional heterogeneity in these samples. Furthermore, we aimed to understand the evolutionary relationships between primary tumors, CTCs, lymph node and liver metastases using different computational approaches such as diffusion maps. Further defining and functionally annotating transcriptional heterogeneity will help us better understand the disease, and find the new Achilles heel for targeting. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Nemanja Despot Marjanovic, Sheng Rong Ng, Aviv Regev, Tyler Jacks. Using single-cell RNA-seq approaches to decipher heterogeneity in autochthonous mouse models of small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR-IASLC International Joint Conference: Lung Cancer Translational Science from the Bench to the Clinic; Jan 8-11, 2018; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(17_Suppl):Abstract nr A24.
Trauma and Acute Kidney Injury

Advances in trauma and critical care have enabled patients with more severe injuries to survive the initial traumatic insult. However, these same patients are at risk for organ dysfunction and failure as they recover from their injuries. Acute kidney injury is an independent risk factor for mortality in this patient population, and prevention of renal dysfunction is crucial to improving outcomes. The cause of renal failure in these situations varies anatomically and physiologically. While direct urologic trauma can occur, it rarely results in renal failure. More frequently, intravascular volume loss and hypotension requiring aggressive resuscitation is the predominant risk factor for subsequent renal dysfunction. In addition, specific injury patterns such as crush, electrical, burn, and limb ischemia/reperfusion increase the propensity for renal failure. Early recognition of these entities and timely treatment of hemorrhagic shock, coagulopathy, acidosis, and rhabdomyolysis can minimize the risk of acute kidney injury in the trauma patient.
BRD9 defines a SWI/SNF sub-complex and constitutes a specific vulnerability in malignant rhabdoid tumors

Bromodomain-containing protein 9 (BRD9) is a recently identified subunit of SWI/SNF(BAF) chromatin remodeling complexes, yet its function is poorly understood. Here, using a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen, we show that BRD9 is a specific vulnerability in pediatric malignant rhabdoid tumors (RTs), which are driven by inactivation of the SMARCB1 subunit of SWI/SNF. We find that BRD9 exists in a unique SWI/SNF sub-complex that lacks SMARCB1, which has been considered a core subunit. While SMARCB1-containing SWI/SNF complexes are bound preferentially at enhancers, we show that BRD9-containing complexes exist at both promoters and enhancers. Mechanistically, we show that SMARCB1 loss causes increased BRD9 incorporation into SWI/SNF thus providing insight into BRD9 vulnerability in RTs. Underlying the dependency, while its bromodomain is dispensable, the DUF3512 domain of BRD9 is essential for SWI/SNF integrity in the absence of SMARCB1. Collectively, our results reveal a BRD9-containing SWI/SNF subcomplex is required for the survival of SMARCB1-mutant RTs.
Impending Collision Judgment from an Egocentric Perspective in Real and Virtual Environments: A Review.

The human egocentric perception of approaching objects and the related perceptual processes have been of interest to researchers for several decades. This article gives a literature review on numer...