cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frequency response of the face fly, Musca autumnalis (Diptera: Muscidae), to lighting-schedule shifts at varied intervals.

Separate groups of face flies, Musca autumnalis De Geer, were subjected throughout a life span to shifts of a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D). These shifts were repeated as a 6-h lengthening of the dark span at intervals ranging from 2 to 11 days. Mortality was highest in groups of face flies shifted every 2 or 9 days. This response summarized at ca. 50% overall mortality suggests the operation of a rhythmic component with a period of ca. 7 days, a so-called circaseptan rhythm. Analysis of survival data shows longest survival times for the groups shifted every 5 to 6 days, a result agreeing with that on mortality.
The Occurrence of a Soluble Lipase in Broth Cultures of Tubercle Bacilli and Other Acid-Fast Bacteria. Studies in Acid-Fast Bacteria. VI

The growth of two rapidly growing strains of human tubercle bacilli in media of varied composition showed consistently two distinct phases in their metabolism: an initial phase characterized by rapid vegetative activity and progressive proteolysis, as indicated by a steady increase in ammonia formation; and a second phase marked by a progressive decrease in vegetative activity, and by recessive changes in metabolism, during which the ammonia accumulated during the initial phase gradually disappeared from the culture media (These Studies, I-V). This second phase, which appears to begin rather regularly after three weeks' growth in ordinary media with the organisms studied, is of unknown causation. It is quite probable that the accumulation of waste products plays a prominent part in restricting the activity of the organisms, but the simple restriction of bacterial growth per se does not explain the associated phenomenon of the recession of the ammonia which has been produced during the period of rapid development. Furthermore, attempts to correlate the recession of ammonia with the presence of certain substances in the media, in which these observations were made, were unsuccessful, for even in a culture solution as simple in composition as (NH,),HPO, NaC1, and dextrose, the same phenomenon was observed, suggesting strongly that the explanation of the recession is to be sought for in the organisms themselves. This at once focuses attention on the possibility of ferments, exoor endo-cellular, being concerned, the entire process, perhaps, being one in which autolysis plays a prominent part. The tubercle bacillus and other acid-fast bacteria are notoriously resistant to solvents which will promptly destroy other organisms not acid-fast. In the animal body, similarly, these bacteria are resistant to
Is Marketing the Answer to the Crisis in Performing Arts? Another Viewpoint and Model

This paper reviews the literature on marketing the performing arts while contrasting the viewpoints of performing artists and marketing management. Various aspects of adapting marketing principles to the arts without sacrificing quality or spontaneity are examined. An explanatory model is introduced as a guide to arts administrators.
Neglected Texts, Trajectories, and Communities: Reshaping World Literature and East Asia

ABSTRACTThis article first calls attention to the contrast between, on the one hand, East Asia's global prominence and the region's long intertwined literary history, and on the other hand, the failure of the field of world literature to integrate fully East Asian literatures. I then probe two case studies of world literature from East Asia: the thirteenth-century Mongolian Secret History of the Mongols (Mong. Mongγol-un niγuca tobciyan, Chn. Yuanchao mishi, M元朝秘史, c. 1228); and the twentieth-century Korean writer Yi Ch’ŏngjun's (이청준) novel Your Paradise (Tangsindǔl ǔi ch’ŏn'guk, 당신들의 천국, 1976) on the Sorokdo leprosarium. These two narratives have circulated extensively within East Asia as well as globally, yet neither has been included in discourse on world literature nor, in the case of Yi Ch’ǒngjun's novel, in discourse on medical humanities.
Biomarkers of Key Biological Pathways in CVD

This review provides background on the laboratory design for MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) as well as the approach used in MESA to select biomarkers for measurement. The research related to the multitude of circulating and urinary biomarkers of inflammation and other novel and emerging biological pathways in MESA is summarized by domain, or pathway, represented by the biomarker. The contributions of MESA biomarkers to our knowledge of these key pathways in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and pulmonary disease are highlighted, as are the contributions of MESA to recommendations for clinical use of several of these biomarkers. In addition, contributions of MESA to multicohort genomics consortia and current collaborations in transomics and metabolomics are noted.
Update on Lupus Nephritis

SLE is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the kidneys in about 50% of patients. Lupus nephritis is a major risk factor for overall morbidity and mortality in SLE, and despite potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies still ends in CKD or ESRD for too many patients. This review highlights recent updates in our understanding of disease epidemiology, genetics, pathogenesis, and treatment in an effort to establish a framework for lupus nephritis management that is patient-specific and oriented toward maintaining long-term kidney function in patients with lupus.
Vascular Disrupting Combretastatins Impair Bone Marrow Endothelial Cells by Depolymerizing the Microtubule Cytoskeleton.

Abstract 2183 Background: The vascular disrupting combretastatins CA1P (OXi4503) and CA4P (Zybrestat) are known to target solid tumor neovasculature by altering endothelial cell morphology and occluding cancer neovessels. In prior work, we and others have demonstrated that combretastatins target acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells by generating reactive oxygen species within the malignant myeloid cells. We are currently conducting a phase 1 clinical trial of OXi4503 in patients with AML (NCT01085656). However, the vascular targeting mechanisms by which combretastatins regress AML are ill defined. We hypothesized that combretastatins also target bone marrow endothelial cells (BMECs). Methods: BMECs were isolated and cultured from bone marrow of healthy subjects and patients with AML. The cells were treated with various doses of the combretastatins CA1 and CA4 for 24 and 48 hours. Cell viability was measured by XTT assay. BMEC function in response to combretastatin treatments was quantified using a modified in vitro scratch assay and 2D capillary formation using Matrigel. Analysis of microtubule cytoskeleton was performed by staining treated BMECs with anti-β-tubulin antibodies and fluorescence microscopy. To ascertain the effects of combretastatin treatment on the ability of BMECs to support and protect AML cells, co-culture experiments were performed. Results: The combretastatins CA1 and CA4 did not decrease BMEC viability or metabolic activity. However, scratch assay showed impaired BMEC migration, with only 15.6% and 7.5% of the wound covered by BMECs after CA1 and CA4 respectively, compared to untreated control (80%) (p=0.0173). Matrigel assay also showed impaired BMEC function after combretastatin treatment, with complete lack of capillary tube formation compared to untreated BMECs which generated an average of 27.3 capillary tubes per 15 BMECs (p Conclusion: Combretastatins directly impair BMEC function and eliminate BMEC protection of AML cells. The dual targeting of combretastatins on BMECs and AML cells leads to enhanced AML regression. These data highlight the role of the leukemia microenvironment as a protective reservoir of disease and provide methods of tracking biologic activity of combretastatins in early phase clinical studies. Disclosures: Cogle:OXiGENE: Research Funding; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.
Comparative Contract Damages and Penalty Provisions

Uniformly foundational to every legal system is the concept of pacta sunt servanda – agreements are binding. But the precise parameters of this concept differ across legal systems based, in part, upon available remedies for contract breach. Many European legal systems, including Georgia’s Civil Code, characterize the breach of a valid obligation as wrongful, and remedies for breach may therefore be punitive. In the American legal system, however, courts and legal scholars have avoided characterizing a contract breach as wrongful, and contract remedies are limited to reimbursement of a non-breaching party’s financial loss. In addition to generally calculating damages in a way that avoids imposing a penalty, courts in the U.S. will even strike down agreed-upon liquidated damages provisions in contracts if they implicitly punish breach.The disparity between U.S. and Georgian legal treatments of breach-penalizing contract provisions discloses an illuminating conceptual distinction. In Georgia, contract breach is considered socially and economically disruptive and costly. Private measures discouraging breach therefore create a public benefit, and the Civil Code mandates that they be generally upheld. In the U.S., alternately, contract breach is viewed as an expression of party autonomy that may even, in appropriate circumstances, create a positive externality. Contract provisions that effectively punish breach are therefore invalidated as imposing a public and private harm.The reality of contract breach is somewhere between these two perspectives. Breach frustrates expectations and can impose costs – both tangible and intangible, and some such costs may not be reimbursed through the American approach to damage calculation. Although the American approach protects party autonomy and allows for changing economic realities, it does so at the expense of the non-breaching party. Contractual uncertainties create social costs. The U.S. legal system should reconsider whether and when contract breach is wrongful and consider expanding enforceability of liquidated damages in cases where parties have truly agreed to such terms.
Christian Martyrdom and Political Violence: A Comparative Theology with Judaism and Islam

In recent years, martyrdom and political violence have been conflated in the public imagination. Ruben Rosario Rodriguez argues that martyr narratives deserve consideration as resources for resisting political violence in contemporary theological reflection. Underlying the three Abrahamic monotheistic traditions is a shared belief that God requires liberation for the oppressed, justice for the victims and, most demanding of all, love for the political enemy. Christian, Jewish and Muslim martyr narratives that condone political violence - whether terrorist or state-sponsored - are examined alongside each religion's canon, in order to evaluate how central or marginalized these discourses are within their respective traditions. Primarily a work of Christian theology in conversation with Judaism and Islam, this book aims to model religious pluralism and cooperation by retrieving distinctly Christian sources that nurture tolerance and facilitate coexistence, while respecting religious difference.
Large-Scale Structural Characterization of Drug and Drug-Like Compounds by High-Throughput Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry.

Ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) can provide orthogonal information, i.e., m/z and collision cross section (CCS), for the identification of drugs and drug metabolites. However, only a small number of CCS values are available for drugs, which limits the use of CCS as an identification parameter and the assessment of structure–function relationships of drugs using IM-MS. Here, we report the development of a rapid workflow for the measurement of CCS values of a large number of drug or drug-like molecules in nitrogen on the widely available traveling wave IM-MS (TWIM-MS) platform. Using a combination of small molecule and polypeptide CCS calibrants, we successfully determined the nitrogen CCS values of 1425 drug or drug-like molecules in the MicroSource Discovery Systems’ Spectrum Collection using flow injection analysis of 384-well plates. Software was developed to streamline data extraction, processing, and calibration. We found that the overall drug collection covers a wide CCS range for the same mas...
An Extended Trajectory Mechanics Approach for Calculating the Path of a Pressure Transient: Derivation and Illustration

Author(s): Vasco, DW | Abstract: Following an approach used in quantum dynamics, an exponential representation of the hydraulic head transforms the diffusion equation governing pressure propagation into an equivalent set of ordinary differential equations. Using a reservoir simulator to determine one set of dependent variables leaves a reduced set of equations for the path of a pressure transient. Unlike the current approach for computing the path of a transient, based on a high-frequency asymptotic solution, the trajectories resulting from this new formulation are valid for arbitrary spatial variations in aquifer properties. For a medium containing interfaces and layers with sharp boundaries, the trajectory mechanics approach produces paths that are compatible with travel time fields produced by a numerical simulator, while the asymptotic solution produces paths that bend too strongly into high permeability regions. The breakdown of the conventional asymptotic solution, due to the presence of sharp boundaries, has implications for model parameter sensitivity calculations and the solution of the inverse problem. For example, near an abrupt boundary, trajectories based on the asymptotic approach deviate significantly from regions of high sensitivity observed in numerical computations. In contrast, paths based on the new trajectory mechanics approach coincide with regions of maximum sensitivity to permeability changes.
Self-Propagating Synthesis Route to High Performance Ceramic Materials

Ceramic materials are being developed for high performance applications because of intrinsic properties that allow a higher probability of survival in increasingly severe environments. However, the same properties that provide advantages can also create disadvantages by requiring high temperatures, pressures and expensive finishing steps to produce an end product. In addition, the reject rate is high, and reliability is low due to the many processing variables which affect the resultant finished product properties. The extreme synthesis and processing requirements, in addition to the number of rejects, contribute to a high manufacturing cost which has prevented the development, and thus use, of many structural refractory ceramics except in specialty applications.
On Nonparametric Tests for Ordered Alternatives in Two-Way Layouts

Nonparametric tests for ordered alternatives in two-way layouts are briefly surveyed. An asymptotically distributionfree test is proposed for unequally spaced ordered alternatives in two-way layouts when the ratios of the alternative values of the parameters are known. The test criterion is a linear function of the ranks of the deviates from the estimates of the nuisance parameters. The asymptotic efficiency comparisons relative to the likelihood derivative test and other nonparametric tests for randomized (complete) blocks show that our procedure is generally more powerful.
Ventricular Assist Device for Patient with End Stage Heart Failure — A Malaysian Experience

Heart failure is a common cardiac condition with high mortality and morbidity. When conventional medical treatment failed, heart transplant may be the best option for the patient. Due to severe shortage of donor, many patient died waiting for heart transplant. While waiting, some of these patients may need to be placed on ventricular assist device to keep them alive with a reasonable quality of life. The mass media plays an important role to create public awareness and increase the number of organ donor. This paper describes the first two such procedures done in Malaysia. With heart transplant, patient can have a near normal life after the surgery.
Making the Anomalous Even More Anomalous: On Hosanna-Tabor, the Ministerial Exception, and the Constitution

In Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Court held that the First Amendment incorporates the ministerial exception and, further, found that the plaintiff fell within that exception and so could not press her claim. However, courts and commentators hoping for clarification of Religion Clauses jurisprudence more generally or even for a firm constitutional grounding of the ministerial exception may well be disappointed. The Court has raised more questions than it has answered, and has provided such little helpful guidance to the lower courts that Hosanna-Tabor is likely to lead to greater confusion in the lower courts and to greater inconsistency in the judgments issued when religious employees have allegedly been subjected to prohibited discriminatory practices. Further, by mischaracterizing the past jurisprudence, the Hosanna-Tabor Court has muddled what was previously fairly clear, and thus will not only have put a wide range of religious employees at risk but will have made the Religion Clauses jurisprudence more generally even less understandable.
Vision: Microcircuits Rage against the Dimming of the Light

At sundown when light levels fall, rod photoreceptors take the night shift from the daylight-sensitive cones and a specialized mammalian microcircuit 'wires' the rods into the ancestral cone pathway. A recent study combines serial electron microscopy and simultaneous patch clamp recordings to shed light on this microcircuit in unprecedented detail.
Two diverging paths toward a common destination: The dialogism of Vygotsky and Bakhtin:

A search for a distinctive human trait was a common intellectual quest during the beginning of the 20th century. Consciousness was often discussed as the unique feature of humanness and Vygotsky an...
Budgeting in the United States: From Theory to Practice Using Higher Education

The purpose of this chapter is to review the literature pertaining to the evolution of budgeting in the United States and to deliver a case study of Higher Education to test empirically the implementation of the Performance-Based Budgeting (PBB). This review comprises the theory of budgeting with its historical background including PBB. The case appraises the specificity of budgeting for higher education along with the issue of the efficiency and productivity definitions including the issue of measurement (Salerno 2003). It addresses the question: Does the use of performance measurement (PM) as a rational approach to resource allocation in performance-based budgeting (PBB) alter the efficiency of higher education institutions in the United States? This study found that the level of implementation of PBB was associated with a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in the efficiency of higher education institutions. Over the years, states that use PM in their budget decisions, as opposed to those that do not, had greater efficiency in higher education.
Language interventions taught to caregivers in homes and classrooms: A review of intervention and implementation fidelity

Abstract The Bridging the Word Gap Research Network conducted a review of literature to identify effective interventions to facilitate the communication development of young children in hopes of identifying ways to reduce the well-documented word gap among children associated with socio-economic class. As part of this effort, we focused on the ways in which caregivers (teachers, parents, and others) were taught to implement evidence-based practices for facilitating language learning and use. Our goal was to characterize (a) the implementation fidelity, to describe the teaching functions and implementation procedures for teaching those language intervention strategies and (b) the intervention fidelity with which caregivers used strategies for facilitating their children’s language development. Because training procedures are not well described in the implementation and professional development literature, a new framework was developed and its feasibility was assessed in an attempt to characterize the teaching functions and specific implementation procedures used across studies. Among the 270 intervention studies reviewed, there were 124 in which caregivers were taught to implement language intervention strategies. Teaching functions included a variety of implementation procedures, with 95% of studies sharing information, 80% incorporating modeling, 65% providing feedback, and only 18% using prompting/guiding/scaffolding. Seventy-two of these studies (58%) reported intervention fidelity, with an increasing proportion reporting fidelity in recent years. Of these 72 studies, 81% were rated as having a ‘moderate to strong’ description of fidelity measures, and 50% reported high levels of intervention fidelity (i.e., >70% fidelity). These analyses demonstrate the need for reporting more detailed and precise information on intervention fidelity and the teaching functions and procedures used to teach caregivers to implement language interventions.
Braiding topology and the energy landscape of chromosome organization proteins.

Assemblies of structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) proteins and kleisin subunits are essential to chromosome organization and segregation across all kingdoms of life. While structural data exist for parts of the SMC−kleisin complexes, complete structures of the entire complexes have yet to be determined, making mechanistic studies difficult. Using an integrative approach that combines crystallographic structural information about the globular subdomains, along with coevolutionary information and an energy landscape optimized force field (AWSEM), we predict atomic-scale structures for several tripartite SMC−kleisin complexes, including prokaryotic condensin, eukaryotic cohesin, and eukaryotic condensin. The molecular dynamics simulations of the SMC−kleisin protein complexes suggest that these complexes exist as a broad conformational ensemble that is made up of different topological isomers. The simulations suggest a critical role for the SMC coiled-coil regions, where the coils intertwine with various linking numbers. The twist and writhe of these braided coils are coupled with the motion of the SMC head domains, suggesting that the complexes may function as topological motors. Opening, closing, and translation along the DNA of the SMC−kleisin protein complexes would allow these motors to couple to the topology of DNA when DNA is entwined with the braided coils.
A Globally Convergent Newton Method for Polynomials

Newton's method for polynomial root finding is one of mathematics' most well-known algorithms. The method also has its shortcomings: it is undefined at critical points, it could exhibit chaotic behavior and is only guaranteed to converge locally. Based on the {\it Geometric Modulus Principle} for a complex polynomial $p(z)$, together with a {\it Modulus Reduction Theorem} proved here, we develop the {\it Robust Newton's method} (RNM), defined everywhere with a step-size that guarantees an {\it a priori} reduction in polynomial modulus in each iteration. Furthermore, we prove RNM iterates converge globally, either to a root or a critical point. Specifically, given $\varepsilon $ and any seed $z_0$, in $t=O(1/\varepsilon^{2})$ iterations of RNM, independent of degree of $p(z)$, either $|p(z_t)| \leq \varepsilon$ or $|p(z_t) p'(z_t)| \leq \varepsilon$. By adjusting the iterates at {\it near-critical points}, we describe a {\it modified} RNM that necessarily convergence to a root. In combination with Smale's point estimation, RNM results in a globally convergent Newton's method having a locally quadratic rate. We present sample polynomiographs that demonstrate how in contrast with Newton's method RNM smooths out the fractal boundaries of basins of attraction of roots. RNM also finds potentials in computing all roots of arbitrary degree polynomials. A particular consequence of RNM is a simple algorithm for solving cubic equations.
Correlation of Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Polarization and Charge Transport in Blended Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskites on Macro- and Nanoscales.

Progress in flexible organic electronics necessitates a full understanding of how local inhomogeneities impact electronic and ionic conduction pathways and underlie macroscopic device characteristics. We used frequency- and time-resolved macro- and nanoprobe measurements to study spatiotemporal characteristics of multiscale charge transport dynamics in a series of ternary-blended hybrid organic inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) (MA0.95-xFAxCs0.05PbI3). We show that A-site cation composition defines charge transport mechanisms across broad temporal (102-10-6 s) and spatial (millimeters-picometers) scales. Ab initio molecular dynamic simulations suggest that insertion of FA results in a dynamic lattice, improved ion transport, and dipole screening. We demonstrate that correlations between macro- and nanoscale measurements provide a pathway for accessing distribution of relaxation in nanoscale polarization and charge transport dynamics of ionically conductive functional perovskites.
In Pursuit of Design Vision Through Design Practice

This article is about the designer’s journey in design research where the designer has developed a body of work. The development of each project’s design process, method, technique, and practice-le...
10 – FISCAL POLICY

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights fiscal policy. While the arguments for balancing the budget leave many uncertainties, this is also true of the arguments against balance. Full employment cannot be achieved without a deficit. The ability to run a deficit of the proper size on the proper occasions increases the government's ability to stabilize the economy. Unavoidable fluctuations in economic activity affect revenues and expenditures in such a way that even if the government plans to balance the budget a deficit may result. Balancing the budget will require that people spend less and/or tax more than they would otherwise have done. A requirement that the budget be balanced would be easily and widely evaded. However, one cannot draw strong conclusions from these weak arguments. Probably the strongest conclusion one can find is to make no irrevocable commitments. Another conclusion is that one cannot hope to achieve all desirable goals for the federal budget by operating on whether the budget is balanced. Even if the budget were continuously in balance, one would have to attack the problems of the expenditure level and the taxation level, and there is much room for improving policy and procedures in that regard.
7 – Analog Interfacing

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses transducers and analog devices, A-to-D and D-to-A converters, and data acquisition systems. A good designer must be aware of the analog devices and circuits, and must be aware of the advantages of the different ways to implement some functions in analog or digital hardware, or in software. Analog circuits are commonly used to interconnect the I/O device and the outside world. Two kinds of analog signals are important, which correspond to AM and FM radio. The chapter considers analog signals whose amplitude carries the value, whether the signal is direct current or alternating current, as AM radios carry the sound. Amplitude analog signals are more pervasive in interface design. A basic theme of this chapter is that many functions can be done using digital or analog hardware, or using software. The smart designer determines the best technique from among many alternatives to implement a particular function. Thus, the designer should know a little about analog circuitry. On the one hand, a basic understanding of the operation and use of analog circuits is essential in making intelligent hardware/software trade-offs and is quite useful even for programmers who write code to interface to such devices.
Spinal Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Metastatic Tumors

Spinal laser interstitial thermal therapy (sLITT) is a novel minimally invasive therapeutic modality for the treatment of metastatic epidural spinal cord tumors. When used in conjunction to spinal stereotactic radiosurgery (SSRS), it can provide effective and durable local control with minimal morbidity. This approach is ideally suited for patients who are poor candidates for large-scale oncologic spinal surgery and can act synergistically with SSRS, maximize local control, and palliate pain.
Emergency Resuscitative Thoracotomy: A Nationwide Analysis of Outcomes and Predictors of Futility

Abstract Background Most studies on emergency resuscitative thoracotomy (ERT) suffer from either small sample size or unclear inclusion criteria. We sought to assess ERT outcomes and predictors of futility using a nationwide database. Methods Using a novel and comprehensive algorithm of combinations of specific International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision procedure codes denoting the multiple steps of an ERT (e.g., thoracotomy, pericardiotomy, cardiac massage) performed within the first 60 min of patient arrival, we identified ERT patients in the 2010-2016 Trauma Quality Improvement Program database. We defined the primary outcome as survival to discharge and the secondary outcomes as hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, number of complications, and discharge destination. Univariate then backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess independent predictors of mortality. Multiple imputations by chained equations were performed when appropriate, as additional sensitivity analyses. Results Of 1,403,470 patients, 2012 patients were included. The median age was 32, 84.0% were males, 66.7% had penetrating trauma, the median Injury Severity Score was 26, and 87.5% presented with signs of life (SOL). Of the 1343 patients with penetrating injury, 72.9% had gunshot wounds and 27.1% had stab wounds. The overall survival rate was 19.9%: 26.0% in penetrating trauma (stab wound 45.6% versus gunshot wound 18.7%; P Conclusions The survival rates of patients after ERT in recent years are higher than classically reported, even in the patient with blunt trauma. However, ERT remains futile in patients with a blunt trauma presenting with no SOL.
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast.

Background Contrast-enhanced spectral mammogram (CESM) is a modern technique providing additional information to detect or diagnose the breast cancers. Introduction We present a rare ACC of breast on CESM. Methods A 49-year-old woman with surgicopathological proved ACC is reported with features on CESM, sonography and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI). Results Sonography revealed a 1.4 cm × 1.2 cm × 1 cm circumscribe round mass in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast that was diagnosed to fibroadenoma. The mammogram did not show any discernible mass, however the recombined subtracted images displayed a circumscribe mass with thin rim enhancement and enhanced internal patches that were resembling to CE-MRI. Finally, the mass was proved to ACC. Conclusion CESM facilitates detection of an isodense cancer and provides the enhanced features for differential diagnosis. Resembling CE-MRI, CESM displayed rim enhancement and internal enhanced patches as diagnostic clues for this case of ACC.
Abstract IA-005: Base excision repair and cancer

The Base Excision Repair (BER) machinery has evolved to process DNA bases damaged by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as well as base lesions induced by alkylating agents. Deficient repair of damaged bases results in mutagenesis and genomic instability, whereas efficient repair of alkylating agents used to treat tumors leads to drug resistance. Human genome sequencing studies show that there are hundreds of germline variants in BER genes that are likely to encode proteins with altered function. This presentation will focus on the mechanistic insights gained from our characterization of some of these germline BER variants. We have discovered that variants in DNA glycosylase and DNA polymerase genes induce genomic instability and cellular transformation when expressed in non-transformed cells. These phenotypes result from defective or aberrant enzymatic function. Our results suggest that germline variants of BER genes likely increase risk for cancer and other diseases. Citation Format: Joann B. Sweasy. Base excision repair and cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Radiation Science and Medicine; 2021 Mar 2-3. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA-005.
The Soil Habitat and Considerations for Synthetic Biology

Microorganisms serve as agents for synthetic biology. It certain instances, the technology is reliant on survival of the genetically-altered microorganism in the natural environment. This chapter offers insight into the soil system to improve the performance of genetically-altered microorganisms in the natural environment. This chapter covers the soil system, the fitness of genetically altered organisms, and considerations for their survival and proliferation in nature. This chapter does not discuss the ecological consequences of survival in the natural environment or the regulatory considerations to distribute a genetically-altered organism in the environment. In addition to regulatory approval, both considerations should be critically reviewed before a genetically-altered organism is distributed in the environment.
Hyperspectral imaging of ribeye muscle on hanging beef carcasses for tenderness assessment

Hyperspectral images of ribeye muscle on hanging beef carcasses were acquired in packing plants.On an average, hyperspectral beef image acquisition time was twelve seconds.Images acquired at 2-day postmortem predicted the 14-day tenderness classes.Per a third-party validation, the tenderness certification accuracy was 87.6%.Successful implementation of this technology will add value to beef products. A prototype hyperspectral image acquisition system (λ=400-1000nm) was developed to acquire images of exposed ribeye muscle on hanging beef carcasses in commercial beef packing or slaughter plants and to classify beef based on tenderness. Hyperspectral images (n=338) of ribeye muscle on hanging beef carcasses of 2-day postmortem were acquired in two regional beef packing plants in the U.S. After image acquisition, a strip steak was cut from each carcass, vacuum packaged, aged for 14days, cooked, and slice shear force values were collected as a measure of tenderness. Different hyperspectral image features namely descriptive statistical features, wavelet features, gray level co-occurrence matrix features, Gabor features, Laws' texture features, and local binary pattern features, were extracted after reducing the spectral dimension of the images using principal component analysis. The features extracted from the 2-day images were used to develop tenderness classification models for forecasting the 14-day beef tenderness. Evaluation metrics such as tender certification accuracy, overall accuracy, and a custom defined metric called accuracy index were used to compare the tenderness classification models. Based on a third-party true validation with 174 samples, the model developed with the gray level co-occurrence matrix features outperformed the other models and achieved a tenderness certification accuracy of 87.6%, overall accuracy of 59.2%, and an accuracy index of 62.9%. The prototype hyperspectral image acquisition system developed in this study shows promise in classifying beef based on tenderness.
Abstract 4178: Global assessment of the protein tyrosine phosphatome in cancer

Receptor tyrosine kinases and non-receptor tyrosine kinases are an important class of molecules controlling a large number of processes from growth to metabolic regulation. These tyrosine kinases have been well studied and scrutinized for their role in these normal processes as well as abnormal processes, such as cancer. Parallel to these kinases are more that 100 tyrosine phosphatases, which also fall into either receptor or non receptor classifications. While some of these phosphatases antagonize the tyrosine kinases others including many of the receptor bound phosphatases are critical in their own right in signaling processes such as pro survival, proliferation, etc. Although tyrosine kinases have been well studied, the study of tyrosine phosphatases has lagged. Numerous tyrosine phosphatases have been identified that are misregulated and important for cancer growth including PTPRD in breast cancer, and PTPRZ1 in small cell lung cancer as well as many others. However there has been no comprehensive study of all PTPs or the protein tyrosine phosphatome (PTPome), to identify which have a role in cancer. We as a cancer community are fortunate to have access to such a wide array of data types from a number of data sources such as TCGA, where we can determine if the PTPs are mis regulated in more than 20 types of cancers. We used TCGA data for all tumor types and subsetted the data to analyze the PTPome for all data types including expression, methylation, copy number and sequence data where available. Thus far we have identified known PTPs involved in a number of cancers, including PTPRD and PTPRZ1, but have also identified a number of PTPs altered in cancers that were less characterized such as the alteration of PTPRD in melanoma which is predominantly by mutations with much fewer deletions. While many of these mutations are missense and are difficult to characterize there are also a number of non-sense mutations, which would severely alter function as well as a number of splice site mutation of which some severely alter function and others are likely to alter function. The identification of this PTP is but one example to demonstrate the richness of this dataset. This analysis has been extremely useful to identify the PTPs that are altered in cancer and these results will be useful to many in the research community that are interested in PTP involvement in cancer but will also be of even greater use to those researchers who have not appreciated the vast importance of these under studied proteins.
Effects of short-term sitagliptin treatment on immune parameters in healthy individuals, a randomized placebo-controlled study

Sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, improves blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes by blocking cleavage of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). In type 2 diabetes patients sitagliptin use is associated with an increase in minor infections, and in new-onset type 1 diabetes patients the ability of sitagliptin to dampen autoimmunity is currently being tested. DPP-4, also known as CD26, is expressed on leucocytes and can inactivate many chemokines important for leucocyte migration, as well as act as a co-stimulatory molecule on T cells. Therefore, this study was conducted to test whether sitagliptin is immunomodulatory. In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, healthy volunteers were given sitagliptin or placebo daily for 28 days, and blood was drawn for immune assays. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of leucocyte subsets within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), plasma chemokine/cytokine levels or cytokines released by stimulation of PBMCs with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or anti-CD3. Individuals taking sitagliptin displayed increases in the percentage of cells expressing higher levels of CD26 at early time-points compared to placebo controls, but these differences resolved by day 28 of treatment. Therefore, in healthy volunteers, treatment with sitagliptin daily for 28 days does not overtly alter systemic immune function.
Lymphatic absorption of fatty acids and cholesterol in the neonatal rat.

High-fat diets are essential in suckling animals to ensure adequate calories for postnatal growth, but their lymphatic transport of dietary lipids has not been characterized. We established a lymph...
Gender dynamics in the sentencing of white-collar offenders

Theory and empirical research often have agreed that female and white-collar offenders benefit from leniency at the sentencing stage of criminal justice system processing. An untested research question emerging from these distinct bodies of literature is whether the greatest leniency is afforded to female white-collar offenders. We investigate the individual and interactive influences of gender and white-collar conviction on judicial leniency by analyzing Florida sentencing guidelines data from 1994 to 2004 using multinomial logistic regression to model the decision to incarcerate nonviolent economic offenders in jail or prison rather than sentence them to community control. Results indicate that female street offenders sentenced by male judges receive the most lenient sentences, while male offenders are punished the harshest regardless of the gender of the sentencing judge or type of crime. Theoretical and policy implications of the findings are discussed in terms of focal concerns, familial paternalism,...
Sources of variation in haematocrit in birds

The validity of the haematocrit or packed cell volume as an indicator of condition in wild birds has recently been questioned. We reviewed over 300 published papers on haematocrit values for wild birds. These studies show that changes in haematocrit could be caused by a number of different natural factors that include age, sex, geographical elevation, energy expenditure, parasitism, nutrition and genetics. Haematocrit also increased with age from hatching, due to increased erythropoiesis, so that adult birds generally have greater haematocrit values than nestlings or juveniles. Haematocrit values were either independent of elevation or increased with elevation. A meta-analysis of 36 studies showed no difference in haematocrit between the sexes. Relationships between haematocrit value and both energy expenditure and parasitic infection vary between studies. In temperate climates, haematocrit tended to be higher in winter than in summer, which may be due to dehydration or increased oxygen demand caused by thermogenesis, moult or acquisition of reproductive status. Our review indicates that the use of haematocrit as a sole indicator of condition or health could lead to incorrect conclusions if natural factors that can affect haematocrit are not taken into consideration.
Incidence of thyroid cancer surrounding Three Mile Island nuclear facility: the 30-year follow-up.

Objectives/Hypothesis Original data reported a potential increased incidence of thyroid cancer surrounding the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear facility. A causal link to the accident, however, was indeterminate. Our objective was to determine if data 30 years later will change original conclusions, explore thyroid cancer incidence rates near nuclear power plants, and better understand effects of chronic low level radiation. Study Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods Retrospective data for specific Pennsylvania counties were provided by the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry Dataset for thyroid cancer using the Epidemiological Query and Mapping System search engine. Our study examines thyroid cancer incidence from 1985 through 2009 analyzed by year, county, and age. Results Thirty years after the TMI accident, an increased incidence of thyroid cancer is seen in counties south of TMI and in high-risk age groups. The average incidence rates from 1990 through 2009 were greater than expected in York, Lancaster, Adams, and Chester Counties. Conclusions Thyroid cancer incidence since the TMI accident was greater than expected in the counties analyzed when compared to local and national population growth. This supports a link to chronic low level radiation exposure and thyroid cancer development. Despite these findings, a direct correlation to the accident remains uncertain as incidence rates may coincide with other factors, and original data were limited. Level of Evidence 2b Laryngoscope, 123:2064–2071, 2013
In-Vitro Release of Zinc Pyrithione from A Shampoo Base and the Effects of Various Additives on its Release Rate

AbstractZinc pyrithione has been established as one of the most effective anti-dandruff ingredients for use in shampoo formulations, through various clinical studies. However, the clinical efficacy is dependent upon its release rate from the vehicle and adsorption onto the scalp and hair. In light of these findings, the release of zinc pyrithione from a typical lotion shampoo base was investigated in-vitro. The shampoo formulation consisted of an anionic detergent, an amide and thickening agents commonly used in such products. The additives used included ethanol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), polyethylene glyeol-400, propylene glycol and urea at 5%, 10% and 15% by weight of the formulations.Release experiments were carried out at 37°C, with diffusion cells immersed in beakers containing distilled water adjusted to pH 5.In general, the presence of the additive ingredient increased the release of zinc pyrithione. Among the samples evaluated, the formulations containing ethanol or propylene glycol gave the highe...
Folding dynamics of single GCN-4 peptides by fluorescence resonant energy transfer confocal microscopy

Abstract We have prepared a bichromophoric crosslinked variant of GCN4-P1 for single-molecule fluorescence energy transfer experiments (GCN4-Pf). The folding and unfolding fluctuations of single GCN4-Pf molecules are measured in a two-channel confocal microscope with which donor and acceptor fluorescence trajectories are measured simultaneously. The energy transfer efficiency is thereby determined and its probability distributions as a function of added denaturant [urea] are calculated. The distributions indicate that single molecule GCN4-Pf is in dynamic folding equilibrium with the position of the equilibrium being altered by the concentration of urea.
The influence of inclusion shape on the overall elastoplastic behavior of a two-phase isotropic composite

A mean-field, approximate theory is developed for the determination of the overall stress-strain relation of a two-phase composite, consisting of randomly oriented elastic, spheroidal inclusions and a ductile matrix. The theory is intended for a low-volume concentration of inclusions. It is versatile enough to provide results under any proportionally increasing combined stresses, and yet simple enough to require no iterations. To preserve the virtue of simplicity, the simpler deformation theory is used over the incremental one. More so than the elastic behavior, the elastoplastic response of the composite is found to be extremely sensitive to the inclusion shape, with the discs providing the most remarkable reinforcement. Explicit results of the overall secant moduli are established for the three extreme inclusion shapes of disc, needle (fiber) and sphere. An interesting consequence of this analysis is that while both the particle and fiber-reinforced composites become plastically compressible, the disc-reinforced composite as the ductile matrix itself — remains plastically incompressible. When applied to a silicon-carbide /aluminum system, the theory indicates that within the aspect ratio α < 10, the prolate and oblate inclusions with inversed aspect ratios (i.e. α and 1α) have almost the same effect on the flow stress of the composite, but beyond this the discoriented inclusions begin to show a more superior influence. The theory also compares reasonably with the experimental data when the carbides exist in the form of randomly oriented platelets, with α = ¼.