cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beem and UHV-Tem Studies of PtSi/Si(001)

Recent work using ballistic electron emission microscopy (BEEM) and ultra-high vacuum transmission electron microscopy (UHV-TEM) to study structure-property correlations of PtSi/Si(001) contacts is described. The spatial uniformity of the Schottky barrier height (SBH) for diodes grown at room temperature and 350°C was compared with the interface microstructure using TEM. Narrow SBH distributions with standard deviations of 7–12 meV were obtained independent of the deposition system and temperature. Analysis of the distributions compared well with standard current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements on the same diode. These low temperature depositions produced fine grained PtSi films (10–20 nm) with an interface roughness dependent on the cleaning process. Probable orientation effects on the SBH distribution were apparently screened out because of the low doping of the substrates that were used. As the deposition temperature is increased the PtSi tends towards polycrystalline epitaxy with island growth beginning at 700°C. Grains are rectangular and develop a large shape anisotropy of great interest for future investigations.
Parthenogenetic Aspidoscelis neomexicana (Sauria: Teiidae) and Syntopic Congeners in Presidio County, Texas

Abstract Studies of distributional ecology of whiptail lizards near the Rio Grande in Presidio County, Texas, have resulted in discovery of Aspidoscelis neomexicana at three of >20 sites investigated. Records of A. neomexicana in Presidio County are >225 km southeast of sites inhabited by the species in El Paso, El Paso County. Observations made during 1988–2008 indicate that A. neomexicana in Presidio County inhabits only a few areas of floodplain where there is intermingling of several microhabitats characterized by loamy, gravelly alluvium with various combinations of trees, shrubs, Russian thistle (Salsola kali), Spanish dagger (Yucca torreyi), cacti, grasses, and forbs. Each species of whiptail lizard (i.e., A. exsanguis, A. tesselata, and A. tigris) that is syntopic with A. neomexicana is widely distributed in Presidio County and elsewhere in the United States and Mexico. Despite range maps to the contrary, A. neomexicana has not been recorded in Mexico; forays in 1993 to San Antonio, Chihuahua, acr...
Stability of aggressive behaviors and children's peer relationships

The present research longitudinally evaluated the association of group and dyadic peer relation factors to the stability of aggression. Beginning in grades 2 through 5, children (N = 212) completed peer nominations for aggressive behaviors, sociometric ratings, sociometric nominations (like most and like least), and friendship nominations for 2 successive years. Children were classified into four Stability of Aggression Groups: Never Aggressive, Stable Aggressive, Discontinued Aggression, Became Aggressive. Aggressive children were evaluated as more disliked at each time of testing (i.e., Stable Aggressive and Discontinued Aggression at Time 1; Stable Aggressive and Became Aggressive at Time 2). Furthermore, sociometric ratings of children at Time 1 who became aggressive by Time 2 foreshadowed this transition. Children who discontinued aggressive behaviors were friends with children who were evaluated by peers as significantly less aggressive than the friends of children who continued aggressive behaviors. These findings suggest that early identification of children at risk for developing aggressive behavior may be possible through group-level peer evaluations, and identification of those at risk for continuing aggressive behavior may be possible through the evaluation of special dyadic friendships.
Optimal resource allocation for video transmission over DS-CDMA channels with multirate detection

In this paper, we consider the transmission of video over multirate wireless direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DS-CDMA) channels. The performance of transmitting scalable video over a multipath Rayleigh fading channel via a combination of multi-code multirate CDMA and variable sequence length multirate CDMA channel system is considered. At the other end, the signal is collected by an antenna array front and despreading is done using adaptive space-time auxiliary-vector (AV) filters. AV filter configurations suitable for multirate detection are designed and the rate-distortion optimization is carried out for each configuration. The experimental results show a comparison of the performance of such multirate DS-CDMA systems for wireless video transmission.
Implementing time-frequency representations for non-Cohen classes

Time-frequency representations (TFRs) of Cohen's class are not always the best TFRs for analyzing a given signal. Using algorithms to find Cohen's-class TFRs, it is possible to find TFRs of an infinite number of classes, including the hyperbolic class. Optimal TFRs of various signals illustrate that for many signals, certain optimum TFRs outside of Cohen's class outperform optimal Cohen's-class TFRs in analysing these signals. >
Perceptions of communicative control strategies in mother‐daughter dyads across the life span

Young, middle-aged, and older adult participants evaluated conversation scenarios that presented a middle-aged woman confronting either her young adult daughter or her older adult mother about a problem behavior. In all scenarios, the competence of the younger or older adult was salient, and the middle-aged woman used 1 of 3 control strategies: indirect, direct, or no control. As predicted, participants evaluated the direct control strategy more negatively than the other 2 strategies, and rated the indirect control strategy as more nurturing than the other 2 strategies. In addition, participants who were considering mothers in their 70s viewed the direct control strategy as more appropriate and the no control strategy as less appropriate than did those considering daughters in their 20s. Contrary to expectations, however, participant and target age did not interact to affect perceptions of the strategies, nor did a clear preference for the no control strategy over indirect control emerge. Results are interpreted within the framework of politeness theory (Brown & Levinson, 1987), notions of autonomy and paternalism (Cicirelli, 1992), and the communication predicament of aging model (Ryan, Giles, Bartolucci, & Henwood, 1986).
High redshift radio galaxies

High redshift galaxies that host powerful radio sources are examined. An overview is presented of the content of radio surveys: 3CR and 3CRR, 4C and 4C/USS, B2/1 Jy, MG, MRC/1Jy, Parkes/PSR, B3, and ESO Key-Project. Narrow-line radio galaxies in the visible and UV, the source of ionization and excitation of the emission lines, emission-line luminosities, morphology of the line-emitting gas, physical properties and energetics, kinematics of the line-emitting gas, and implications from the emission lines are discussed. The morphologies and environments of the host galaxies, the alignment effect, and spectral energy distributions and ages are also examined.
Electrochromic devices based on soluble and processable dioxythiophene polymers

Reflective and absorptive/transmissive polymer electrochromic devices (ECDs) composed of spray-coated films of poly(3,3-bis(octadecyloxymethyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine) (PProDOT(CH2OC18H37)2) and poly(3,3-bis(2-ethylhexyloxymethyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxepine) (PProDOT(CH2OEtHx)2) layers as cathodically coloring polymers and poly(3,6-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-9-methyl-9H-carbazole) (PBEDOT-NMeCz) as the anodically coloring polymer have been constructed and evaluated. These devices exhibit low switching voltages (±1.2 V), high visible contrast values, sub-second switching times, and high switching stability in atmospheric conditions. The reflective ECD comprising PProDOT(CH2OEtHx)2 as the active layer demonstrates an unusual electrochromic behavior. By regulating the applied voltage, a high reflectance contrast of greater than 70% ΔT was achieved in the NIR region (2 µm) without any noticeable color change of the device.
CaV3.2 T-type Ca2+ channels mediate the augmented calcium influx in carotid body glomus cells by chronic intermittent hypoxia

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is a hallmark manifestation of sleep apnea. A heightened carotid body activity and the resulting chemosensory reflex mediate increased sympathetic nerve activity by CIH. However, the mechanisms underlying heightened carotid body activity by CIH are not known. An elevation of intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in glomus cells, the primary oxygen-sensing cells, is an essential step for carotid body activation by hypoxia. In the present study, we examined the effects of CIH on the glomus cell [Ca(2+)]i response to hypoxia and assessed the underlying mechanisms. Glomus cells were harvested from adult rats or wild-type mice treated with 10 days of either room air (control) or CIH (alternating cycles of 15 s of hypoxia and 5 min of room air; 9 episodes/h; 8 h/day). CIH-treated glomus cells exhibited an enhanced [Ca(2+)]i response to hypoxia, and this effect was absent in the presence of 2-(4-cyclopropylphenyl)-N-((1R)-1-[5-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)oxo]-pyridin-2-yl]ethyl)acetamide (TTA-A2), a specific inhibitor of T-type Ca(2+) channels, and in voltage-gated calcium channel, type 3.2 (CaV3.2), null glomus cells. CaV3.2 knockout mice exhibited an absence of CIH-induced hypersensitivity of the carotid body. CIH increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in glomus cells. A ROS scavenger prevented the exaggerated TTA-A2-sensitive [Ca(2+)]i response to hypoxia. CIH had no effect on CaV3.2 mRNA levels. CIH augmented Ca(2+) currents and increased CaV3.2 protein in plasma membrane fractions of human embryonic kidney-293 cells stably expressing CaV3.2, and either a ROS scavenger or brefeldin-A, an inhibitor of protein trafficking, prevented these effects. These findings suggest that CIH leads to an augmented Ca(2+) influx via ROS-dependent facilitation of CaV3.2 protein trafficking to the plasma membrane.
Risk Factors Associated with Severity and Outcomes in Pediatric Patients with Hemorrhagic Cystitis

Purpose: Hemorrhagic cystitis is a complication of treatment of pediatric cancer with considerable variation in severity and morbidity. This study presents an analysis of hemorrhagic cystitis severity and treatment outcomes in a large pediatric population.Materials and Methods: Patients with hemorrhagic cystitis treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® were identified from 1990 to 2010. Demographic data were gathered along with information pertaining to initial primary diagnosis, hemorrhagic cystitis diagnosis and treatment, and mortality. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate associations between risk factors and severity of hemorrhagic cystitis as well as treatment outcomes.Results: Of the 285 patients who met inclusion criteria 54% were male. Mean age was 11.41 years. Mean time from initial primary diagnosis to hemorrhagic cystitis onset was 29 months. Noninvasive treatment was performed in 246 patients (86%) and operative intervention was required in 14 (4.9%). Bivariate analysis de...
936 Prevalence and Manifestations of Infectious Mononucleosis-Like Syndrome in a Children’s Hospital in Greece

Introduction Infectious Mononucleosis Syndrome (IMS), is characterized by fever, lymphadenopathy, tonsillitis, hepatomegaly, spleenomegaly. Also peripheral lymphocytosis with >10% atypical lymphocytes is present. It is attributed mostly to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), less to Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and rarely to Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and others. Occasionally, atypical manifestations and serious complications might occur. Objective Estimating the prevalence of the disease, the responsible infectious agents and of the typical and atypical manifestations in pediatric populations. Material and Methods Within 12months, 700 serum samples were examined, from children 1–15 years old. Specimens’ laboratory investigation included: 1) indirect immunofluorescence, detecting IgG-IgM antibodies against EBV’s Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA), 2) Immuno Chemistry luminescence determination of CMV’s IgG-IgM antibodies, 3) EIA, identifying HSV’s IgG-IgM antibodies. Results Typical clinical findings were: prolonged fever (89%), lymphadenopathy (82%), tonsillitis (57%), hepato-spleenomegaly (40%), cough (20%) and skin eruption (10%). Atypical manifestations were: menimgoencephalitis in 2 children, 22months and 7 years old (caused by EBV and HSV1 respectively), haemophagocytic lymphoistiocytosis in an 8 year old (by EBV), Gianotti-Crosti syndrome in an 18 months old (by EBV) and pneumonia in a 22months old (by EBV). In meningoencephalitis, viral DNA was detected using PCR in cerebrospinal fluid while in the remaining cases, positive IgM antibodies were found. Of the 700 children examined, 56 (8%) had positive serology for EBV, 29 (4.14%) for CMV and 1 for HSV 1. Conclusions IMS is often amongst Greek children. 65% of the cases are attributed to EBV and 35% to CMV which is in accordance to the international literature.
Surface Structure and Electrochemical Polymerization of Mixed, Thiophene-Capped Monolayers

We have investigated the growth of polythiophene from self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) that contain pendant thiophene groups using electrochemistry and atomic force microscopy. The SAMs are formed on indium tin-oxide (ITO) by coadsorption of 11-(3-thienyl)undecyltrichlorosilane (3TUTS) and undecyltrichlorosilane (UTS). By altering the composition of the underlying monolayers we can manipulate the onset of electrochemical polymerization and affect the surface topography of the resultant polythiophene layer. Films made on SAMs that have high loadings of 3TUTS have small, distinct grains, but as the monolayers become enriched in UTS, the grain size increases; however, these films are neither as rough nor as diffuse as films formed on ITO without an underlying SAM. These experiments suggest that the electrochemical growth and structure of the polythiophene layer can be manipulated by tuning the underlying SAM.
Synchrotron X-Ray Study of the Structure of Silicon During Pulsed Laser Processing *

Synchrotron x-ray pulses have been used to make nanosecond resolution time-resolved x-ray diffraction measurements on silicon during pulsed laser annealing. Thermal expansion analysis of near-surface strains during annealing has provided depth dependent temperature profiles indicating >1100°C temperatures and diffraction from boron implanted silicon has shown evidence for near-surface melting. These results are in qualitative agreement with the thermal melting model of laser annealing.
Chromosome evolution in the genus Dipodomys and its taxonomic and phylogenetic implications.

The mitotic chromosomes of 18 species of kangaroo rats, Dipodomys , are evaluated as indicators of relationships between species and species-groups Five major species groups, similar to those based on morphological data (Lidicker, 1960), are indicated from karyotypic studies. However, some important rearrangements in these groups both in content and linear order seem necessary as D. microps and D. deserti are placed in the Heermanni Group. The origins and phylogenetic relationships of the species-groups and lines of sibling species are discussed.
Supercritical vaporization of two droplets in tandem in convective environments

The interactions with two droplets moving in tandem in supercritical convective environments have been investigated. The numerical solution is based on a unified treatment of real fluid thermodynamics. A preconditioning scheme with the dual time-stepping integration technique is implemented to render the numerical algorithm capable of treating fluid flows at low Mach numbers with strong numerical stiffness. Results indicate that the droplet dynamics exhibits characteristics distinct from that of an isolated droplet. No droplet collision was observed for all the cases studied herein. A forward bag breakup of the leading droplet, however, was found when the two droplets were initially positioned closely with a small H/R ratio (the ratio of the initial droplet spacing to droplet radius). The presence of the trailing droplet slightly affects the lifetime and trajectory of the leading droplet. The lifetime of the trailing droplet is, however, substantially increased. Forward movement was observed for the trailing droplet at a small H/R ratio. Increase in pressure weakens droplet interactions.
Avoidance and Management of Complications in Soft Tissue Facial Reconstruction

Complications in nasal soft tissue reconstruction are inevitable, and all reconstructive surgeons should be comfortable with their management. Patient and surgical complications can be minimized with appropriate preoperative planning and coordination with the anesthesiologist. When managing undesirable results, it is important to realize that most results will improve over time with appropriate wound care and dermabrasion. Patience and attentiveness to the patient are the most-effective strategies for dealing with poor results.
Abstract C174: RAF kinase dimerization mediates clinical acquired resistance to RAF/EGFR inhibition in BRAF V600E colorectal cancer

Background: RAF and EGFR inhibitor combinations have shown promising clinical activity in patients with BRAF V600E colorectal cancer, but resistance invariably develops. Methods: To define mechanisms of resistance to RAF/EGFR inhibition, we analyzed pre-treatment and disease progression samples from patients with BRAF mutant colorectal cancer using our custom next-generation sequencing platform, MSK-IMPACT (Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets). Cell line and patient derived xenograft models were generated to investigate the effects of the genetic alterations identified at disease progression. Results: We identified alterations predicted to result in RAF dimerization and re-activation of ERK signaling in seven of eight post-progression tumors. These alterations included an intragenic deletion in BRAF encompassing the RAS binding domain, KRAS and NRAS mutations, and KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF amplifications. Notably, these alterations were rapidly enriched in the presence of drug treatment but selected against in the absence of drug exposure. A novel RAF inhibitor, that equipotently inhibits RAF mutant monomers and dimers, effectively suppressed ERK signaling in the RAF/EGFR resistant colorectal tumors at drug doses that did not inhibit ERK signaling in RAS/RAF wild-type cells. Treatment with this novel RAF inhibitor was able to overcome resistance in cell line and patient derived xenograft models. Conclusions: Our data suggest that alterations that promote RAF dimers, which are resistant to first generation RAF inhibitors, are a unifying mechanism of RAF/EGFR inhibitor resistance in patients with BRAF mutant colorectal cancer. These results support the testing of RAF dimer inhibitors in combination with EGFR inhibitors in patients with BRAF V600E colorectal cancer. Citation Format: Rona Yaeger, Zhan Yao, David M. Hyman, Jaclyn F. Hechtman, Efsevia Vakiani, Andrea Cercek, Jose Baselga, Elisa DeStanchina, Leonard Saltz, Michael F. Berger, David B. Solit, Neal Rosen. RAF kinase dimerization mediates clinical acquired resistance to RAF/EGFR inhibition in BRAF V600E colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr C174.
Endocrine Abnormalities Associated with Deprivational Dwarfism and Anorexia Nervosa

The endocrine disorders that characterize deprivational dwarfism and anorexia nervosa closely parallel those associated with childhood malnutrition. Further research is required, however, to determine whether the hormonal changes accompanying these conditions are purely adaptive, or whether emotional and psychological abnormalities may have a bearing on the severity and successful treahnent of these disorders.
Using a Computerized Sign-Out System to Improve Physician–Nurse Communication

Abstract Background Communication problems among health care workers are a common, preventable source of hospital-related morbidity and mortality. Internal medicine residents at Jacobi Medical Center (Bronx, NY) began using an electronic sign-out program that had been incorporated into the computerized medical record. This new system had been developed to improve the quality of information transfer between cross-covering residents. Eighteen months later, a pilot study was initiated to explore the potential benefits of offering inpatient nurses access to this sign-out data. Methods Nursing staff members were provided electronic access to the residents' sign-out information. Nurses received printouts of the computerized sign-outs at the start of each shift and were asked to use the sign-out program as a basis for their care plans and nursing change-of-shift "report." Results The 19 (of 20) nurses who completed the survey agreed that using the resident sign-out program positively affected their ability to care for their patients. In addition, the intervention improved nurses' understanding of the patients' reason for admission, helped to improve communication between physicians and nurses, and raised nursing morale. Discussion Incorporation of a housestaff electronic sign-out system into nursing daily workflow demonstrated multiple benefits and facilitated the transfer of valuable patient information from housestaff to nurses.
Institutional Change and Institutional Formation: the Case of Trade Unions

Imagine a job as a trade union leader, given to you by the Party. The parameters of your job are to ensure Plan fulfillment, to ensure maximum worker productivity, to distribute bonuses, to oversee distribution of social funds, and to be faithful to the Party. A new General Secretary is elected after you have been doing this job “successfully” for 15 years. Within three years, everything has changed rhetorically at the system level and within the trade union. By the fourth year, the changes become real. Job security wanes as work habits come under attack. Slowly, Plan fulfillment becomes less important, Party loyalty becomes less important and you begin to be judged on your ability to make a profit. The membership of the trade union becomes embold- ened to make new demands as glasnost’ takes hold. They make further demands as perestroika yields changes in work rules, norms, and bonuses. The worker is being asked to work more and work harder without additional worthwhile compensation (money is not a worth- while incentive as there is still nothing in the stores to buy). He becomes highly demanding of trade union leaders. He has seen television reports of how Western trade unions operate, courtesy of glas- nost, and has met Western union organizers who take advantage of eased travel restrictions to encourage “new” unions to form. By 1989, the coal miners explode into a nationwide strike which gets maximum publicity from the media because it occurs during the first meeting of the new legislature.
Introduction: The geoeconomics and geopolitics of Chinese development and investment in Asia

China’s “Going Out” (zou chuqu) strategy, officially launched in 2000 to promote globally competitive enterprises and encourage foreign investment, has had a profound impact on China’s influence ab...
Adhesion G-protein coupled receptors and extracellular matrix proteins: Roles in myelination and glial cell development.

Background: Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) are a large family of transmembrane proteins that play important roles in many processes during development, primarily through cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions. In the nervous system, they have been linked to the complex process of myelination, both in the central and peripheral nervous system. Results: GPR126 is essential in Schwann cell-mediated myelination in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), while GPR56 is involved in oligodendrocyte development central nervous system (CNS) myelination. VLGR1 is another aGPCR that is associated with the expression of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) which has inhibitory effects on the process of nerve repair. The ECM is composed of a vast array of structural proteins, three of which interact specifically with aGPCRs: collagen III/GPR56, collagen IV/GPR126, and laminin-211/GPR126. Conclusions: As druggable targets, aGPCRs are valuable in their ability to unlock treatment for a wide variety of currently debilitating myelin disorders. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Nanoindentation of compliant materials using Berkovich tips and flat tips

Nanoindentation testing of compliant materials has recently attracted substantial attention. However, nanoindentation is not readily applicable to softer materials, as numerous challenges remain to be overcome. One key concern is the significant effect of adhesion between the indenter tip and the sample, leading to larger contact areas and higher contact stiffness for a given applied force relative to the Hertz model. Although the nano-Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR) force curve method has demonstrated its capabilities to correct for errors due to adhesion, it has not been widely adopted, mainly because it works only with perfectly spherical tips. In this paper, we successfully extend the nano-JKR force curve method to include Berkovich and flat indenter tips by conducting numerical simulations in which the adhesive interactions are represented by an interaction potential and the surface deformations are coupled by using half-space Green’s functions discretized on the surface.
Peripheral Blood CD34+ Specific Donor Chimerism Analysis As an Early Indicator of Disease Relapse After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.

Abstract Abstract 3074 Background: Disease relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) remains a major obstacle to treatment success and cure for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Early identification of patients at a high risk for disease relapse has significant practical implications allowing early therapeutic interventions. We evaluated a novel approach for an early identification of a post-transplant relapse in patients with MDS and AML. Methods: CD34+ specific donor chimerism analysis was obtained in 6 HCT recipients with CD34+ AML and MDS. Starting at day +30 post HCT CD34+ cells from peripheral blood were positively selected by immunomagnetic isolation and then underwent fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Purified CD34+ cells were subsequently evaluated for percentage of donor DNA contribution by short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. CD34+ specific donor chimerism analysis was repeated monthly until hematologic relapse or death occurred. Simultaneously, conventional donor chimerism analysis was measured in the subpopulations of peripheral blood cells. Results: CD34+ cells were isolated from peripheral blood with a very high purity >95% and in sufficient quantity for reliable STR analysis in all study patients. Out of 6 evaluated patients, 3 developed hematologic relapse confirmed by bone marrow evaluation. In each relapsed patient CD34+ specific chimerism dropped to 80% ( Figure 1 ). Moreover, obvious and steady decline in CD34+ specific donor chimerism significantly preceded the time of hematologic relapse. In contrast, no decline in CD34+ chimerism was identified in 3 patients without hematologic relapse. ( Figure 1 ). Conclusion: Though this is a preliminary study, the results suggest that CD34+ specific donor chimerism analysis is a useful technique for timely identification of hematologic relapse in MDS and AML patients after HCT and may provide significantly earlier relapse detection than conventional chimerism analysis. Download : Download high-res image (42KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Conventional and CD34+ donor chimerism monitoring in patients with (left column) and without (right column) hematologic relapse Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
MLL Rearranged Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Is Characterized by Silencing of the Putative Tumor Suppressor Gene FHIT.

Abstract MLL gene rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia (MLL) is an aggressive type of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with a relatively poor response to treatment, predominantly occurring in infants ( 50% of these patients, identification of novel therapeutic targets to direct therapy against is demanded. For this, understanding this disease and finding biological and molecular features characterizing MLL may be crucial. Here we report that infant MLL is characterized by silencing of the putative tumor suppressor fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene. Gene expression profiling showed that FHIT expression is significantly reduced in MLL patients (n=20) as compared to patients diagnosed with conventional ALL (n=24) bearing germ line MLL genes. Using quantitative real-time PCR we confirmed FHIT mRNA expression to be low in MLL gene rearranged infant ALL (infant MLL) as compared to both infants and older children (non-infants) not carrying chromosomal abnormalities involving the MLL gene. Infant MLL patients (n=35) significantly (p Methylation specific PCR (MSP) analysis demonstrated that the FHIT promoter region is hypermethylated in all of the 36 infant MLL cases tested, resulting in strongly reduced FHIT mRNA as well as FHIT protein expression. In contrast, the incidence of FHIT promoter methylation in both infant and non-infant ALL patients carrying germ line MLL genes was markedly lower, with a frequency of 63% (5/8) and 56% (24/43) respectively. Suppression of FHIT expression could be reversed by exposing leukemia cells bearing MLL gene rearrangements to the demethylating drug 5′-aza-2′-deoxycytidine. These findings imply that MLL rearranged ALL is characterized by FHIT promoter hypermethylation. Currently experiments are being conducted to determine the biological significance of FHIT silencing in this type of cancer.
Heat transfer enhancement for spent nuclear fuel assembly disposal packages using metallic void fillers: A prevention technique for solidification shrinkage-induced interfacial gaps

Abstract This study considers replacing the externally accessible void spaces inside a disposal package containing a spent nuclear fuel assembly (SNFA) with high heat conducting metal to increase the effective thermal conductivity of the package and simplify the heat transfer mechanism inside the package by reducing it to a conduction dominant problem. The focus of the study is on preventing the gaps adjacent to the walls of the package components, produced by solidification shrinkage of poured liquid metal. We approached the problem by providing a temporary coating layer on the components to avoid direct build-up of thick metal oxides on their surface to promote metallic bonding at the interfaces under a non-inert environment. Laboratory scale experiments without SNFA were performed with Zn coated low carbon steel canisters and Zamak-3 void filler under two different filling temperature conditions – below and above the melting point of Zn (designated BMP and AMP respectively). Gap formation was successfully prevented in both cases while we confirmed an open gap in a control experiment, which used an uncoated canister. Minor growth of Al-Fe intermetallic phases was observed at the canister/filler interface of the sample produced under the BMP condition while their growth was significant and showed irregularly distributed morphology in the sample produced under the AMP condition, which has a potential to mitigate excessive residual stresses caused by shrinkage prevention. A procedure for the full-scale application was specified based on the results.
Identification of novel non-ionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and anionic polyfluoroalkyl substances using UPLC-TOF-MS E high-resolution parent ion search

Abstract Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (poly- and per-PFASs) are a large group of organic compounds that have become the target of investigation due to their widespread occurrence in the environment and biota, coupled with their known or suspected impacts on human health. Recent studies have shown that a significant portion of poly-PFASs remain unidentified. This study presents a time-of-flight mass spectrometry approach based on continuously interleaving scans at low and high collision energies (ToF-MSE) for the rapid identification and characterization of unknown PFASs. The MSE mode allowed for the simultaneous acquisition of full-spectrum accurate mass data of both parent and fragment ions in a single chromatographic run. Specific to PFASs, the hypothesis that PFASs can be selectively detected by the ToF–MSE high-resolution parent-ion search (HRPIS) of their characteristic fragments was confirmed with certified standards of 24 poly- and per-PFAS. After being validated with these certified standards, the innovative HRPIS approach was applied to a group of commercial surfactants, which led to the identification of 47 new and 43 infrequently reported PFASs, including 40 non-ionic, 30 cationic, 15 zwitterionic, and five anionic compounds. It is envisaged that the results, especially the identification of new non-ionic PFASs, may provide important insights into the historical occupational and non-occupational exposure to PFASs from the production and application of these surfactants.
Second Opinion Expert Pathology Review in Bladder Cancer: Implications for Patient Care.

Objectives. To review bladder specimens referred to our facility for secondary review to determine the frequency and degree of changes in pathological diagnoses, which could affect patient care. Me...
Risk factors associated with invasive orthopaedic interventions in males with haemophilia enrolled in the Universal Data Collection program from 2000 to 2010

BACKGROUND Invasive orthopaedic interventions (IOI) are often used to control recurrent haemarthrosis, pain and loss of joint function, in males with haemophilia (Factor VIII and Factor IX deficiency). AIM Identify risk factors associated with IOIs in males with haemophilia enrolled in the Universal Data Collection (UDC) surveillance program from 2000 until 2010. METHODS Data were collected on IOIs performed on patients receiving care in 130 haemophilia treatment centers in the United States annually by health care providers using standardized forms. IOIs included in this study are as follows: 1) synovectomy and 2) arthrodesis or arthroplasty (A/A). Information about potential risk factors was obtained from the preceding UDC visit if available, or from the same visit if not. Patients with no reported IOI at any of their UDC visits were the reference group for the analysis. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors for synovectomies and arthrodesis/arthroplasty. RESULTS Risk factors significantly associated with the two IOI categories were age, student status, haemophilia severity, number of joint bleeds within the last 6 months, HIV or hepatitis C (HCV) status. Multivariate analyses showed patients on continuous prophylaxis were 50% less likely to have had a synovectomy and were 40% less likely to have an A/A. CONCLUSIONS This study shows modifiable risk factors, including management of bleeding episodes with a continuous prophylactic treatment schedule are associated with a decreased likelihood of IOIs in males with haemophilia.
Cytological studies in some aquatic angiosperms

The paper deals with the cytological investigation of eight taxa,viz., Hydrolea zeylanica Vahl (2n=24),Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. (2n=30, 2n=30+1),Ottelia alismoides Pers. (2n=22 and 33),Monochoria vaginalis Presl ex Kunth (2n=52),Eichhornia crassipes Solms (2n=32),Pistia stratiotes L. (2n=28),Limnophyton obtusifolium Miq. (2n=22) andAmmannia salicifolia Monti (2n=28) which were collected from the suburbs of Mysore. Of these, the chromosome numbers forHydrolea zeylanica andAmmannia salicifolia are newly reported. Karyomorphological studies have been made inHydrolea zeylanica, Ammannia salicifolia, Ipomoea aquatica, Ottelia alismoides, Eichhornia crassipes andLymnophyton obtusifolium. Mitotc studies ofOttelia alismoides reveal the occurrence of both diploid and triploid races. Of these, triploid number of 2n=33 is the first report. An extra small chromosome from somatic nuclei is also the first record inIpomoea aquatica. Further,Ottelia alismoides shows the occurrence of univalents, tetravalents and hexavalents, whileLimnophyton obtusifolium reveals the presence of chromatin bridge, fragment chromosome and micronuclei.
The Relationship Between the Glass Transition Temperature and Water Vapor Absorption by Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)

Water associated with amorphous solids is known to affect significantly the physical and chemical properties of dosage form ingredients. An analysis of water vapor absorption isotherms of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) measured in this and other laboratories, over the range −40 to 60°C, along with the measurement of the glass transition temperature of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) as a function of water content is reported. It is observed that the amount of water vapor absorbed at a particular relative humidity increases with decreasing temperature, along with a significant change in the shape of the isotherm. It is also shown that at any temperature the state of the solid changes from a highly viscous glass to a much less viscous rubber in the region where absorbed water appears to enter into a “solvent-like” state. Further, the apparent “tightly bound” state, observed at low relative humidities, appears to exist when the polymer enters into a very viscous glassy state. It is concluded that the apparent states of water and polymer are interrelated in a dynamic manner and, therefore, that they cannot be uncoupled by simple thermodynamic analyses based only on a water-binding model.
Synthesis and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of 2'-fluoro-3'-(substituted phenyl)deschloroepibatidine analogues of 2'-fluoro-3'-(4-nitrophenyl)deschloroepibatidine.

Herein, we report the synthesis and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of 2′-fluoro-3′-(substituted phenyl)deschloroepibatidines 5b–g, analogues of 3′-(4-nitrophenyl) compound 5a. All compounds had high affinity for α4β2-nAChR and low affinity for α7-nAChR. Initial electrophysiological studies showed that all analogues were antagonists at α4β2-, α3β4-, and α7-nAChRs. The 4-carbamoylphenyl analogue 5g was highly selective for α4β2-nAChR over α3β4- and α7-nAChRs. All the analogues were antagonists of nicotine-induced antinociception in the tail-flick test. Molecular modeling docking studies using the agonist-bound form of the X-ray crystal structure of the acetylcholine binding protein suggested several different binding modes for epibatidine, varenicline, and 5a–g. In particular, a unique binding mode for 5g was suggested by these docking simulations. The high binding affinity, in vitro efficacy, and selectivity of 5g for α4β2-nAChR combined with its nA...
Assessing the appropriate utilization of the palliative care service by the Carol and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health.

144Background: The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends initiation of palliative care concurrently with active treatment within 8 weeks of advanced cancer diagnoses. We studied the referral practice in our institution. Methods: We reviewed charts of all outpatients seen between June and November 2017 with a diagnosis of leukemia or breast, thoracic, head and neck, pancreas, and prostate malignancies. Data collection included: diagnosis, stage, age, race, gender, deceased/alive, lines of therapy, referral to palliative care, time to referral, reason for referral, time from referral to death, referring provider, inpatient/outpatient, follow up visits, hospitalizations, time from chemotherapy to death, referral for services, social worker referral, and insurance type. Patients with incomplete records were excluded. Fisher’s exact test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to compare groups. Results: Of the 174 eligible patients, 49 (28%) were referred to Palliative Care. Only 22% of patients were ...
Physiological and Fitness Adaptations after Eight Weeks of High-Intensity Functional Training in Physically Inactive Adults

The purpose of this study was to characterize high-intensity functional training (HIFT) in physically inactive adults. Four men and 10 women who were inexperienced with HIFT and not performing regular physical activity performed HIFT 3 days/week for 8 weeks. Health and fitness measures were assessed before and after the intervention. Resting heart rate (73 ± 12 vs. 68 ± 11 bpm) and resting diastolic blood pressure (71 ± 7 vs. 65 ± 6 mmHg) were reduced, while resting systolic blood pressure remained unchanged. Absolute VO2max (2.53 ± 0.68 vs. 2.69 ± 0.66 L/min) and relative VO2max (32.51 ± 8.84 vs. 34.31 ± 8.63 mL/kg/min) were improved. Lean body mass (48.20 ± 13.37 vs. 49.26 ± 13.81 kg) was increased, but fat mass was unchanged. Performance on the leg press (164.61 ± 54.35 vs. 201.62 ± 67.50 kg), bench press (39.12 ± 20.15 vs. 46.43 ± 21.18 kg), YMCA bench press (26 ± 13 vs. 37 ± 16 reps), one-minute sit-up (25 ± 9 vs. 32 ± 10 reps), and sit-and-reach (30.36 ± 11.36 vs. 32.14 ± 9.66 cm) were all increased. High-intensity functional training may be useful for improving health-related physical fitness parameters in physically inactive adults.
Protein structure-based gene expression signatures

Abstract Gene expression signatures (GES) connect phenotypes to mRNA expression patterns, providing a powerful approach to define cellular identity, function, and the effects of perturbations. However, the use of GES has suffered from vague assessment criteria and limited reproducibility. The structure of proteins defines the functional capability of genes, and hence, we hypothesized that enrichment of structural features could be a generalizable representation of gene sets. We derive structural gene expression signatures (sGES) using features from various levels of protein structure (e.g. domain, fold) encoded by the transcribed genes in GES, to describe cellular phenotypes. Comprehensive analyses of data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx), ARCHS4, and mRNA expression of drug effects on cardiomyocytes show that structural GES (sGES) are useful for identifying robust signatures of biological phenomena. sGES also enables the characterization of signatures across experimental platforms, facilitates the interoperability of expression datasets, and can describe drug action on cells.
Marketing Insights from New Research on Emerging Markets

It is our goal to gain recognition for the Journal of Global Marketing among the top-tier journals and attract the best research papers with a global, cross-cultural, and/or cross-national research...
Introduction: Consequences of Global Warming to Planetary and Human Health

Global warming occurs from anthropogenic fossil-fuel burning, increasing greenhouse gases and causing Earth’s mean surface temperature to rise. The consequences of climate change are now becoming readily apparent: scorching heat waves and extremely hot days, more severe weather events, including hurricanes, storms, floods, and regional deluges or extreme drought, resulting food insecurity, subsequent migrations of people from failing farms, air pollution (especially in Asian cities), coral reef bleaching and mortality, and fishery losses. The global policy response has gathered around the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement with its voluntary Nationally Determined Contributions to reduce CO2 emissions, eliminate hydrofluorocarbons, protect forests, and improve transparency and commitments to ameliorate climate change. Despite opposition by the fossil fuel industry, renewable energies of wind turbines, photovoltaic and concentrated solar plants, and lithium storage batteries have emerged as potent sources of electricity and clean transport. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified the next 12 years as the critical period to begin to halve and then reach zero carbon pollution to stay within 1.5 °C warming and avoid unacceptable severe expense and loss of health and life.
Optimizing the Operation Cost for UAV-Aided Mobile Edge Computing

Mobile edge computing ( MEC ) is leveraged to reduce the latency for the computation-intensive and latency-critical tasks offloaded from wireless devices and Internet of Things Devices ( IoTDs ). Unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAV s) have attracted much attention from both academia and industry attributed to high mobility, high flexibility, and high maneuverability of UAVs. In this article, a novel UAV-assisted MEC architecture is proposed to provision services to IoTDs, where a UAV provides both communication and computing services or works as a relay node. We then formulate the joint c omputation offloading, spectrum resource a llocation, computation resource allocation, and UAV p lacement ( Joint-CAP ) problem in the UAV-MEC network to minimize the operation cost of provisioning IoTDs. Since the Joint-CAP problem is a mixed integer non-linear programming problem and NP-hard, we decompose it into two sub-problems and solve the sub-problems sequentially. Then, we propose a $(1+\epsilon)$ -approximation algorithm, named AA-CAP, to solve the Joint-CAP problem, and the performance of the AA-CAP algorithm is demonstrated to be superior to the baseline algorithms via simulations.
Third Trimester Lower Extremity Lymphorrhea

Introduction. Lower extremity edema is one of the most common complaints among pregnant patients. However, there is no literature mentioning weeping edema (i.e., lymphorrhea) in a pregnant woman who has no concordant underlying renal and/or cardiac pathology. There is also a lack of evidence and recommendations regarding the therapeutic benefit and safety profile of diuretic use to treat profound pregnancy-associated edema. Herein, we present the case of 32-year-old female who presented with a significant lymphorrhea during the third trimester without cardiac or renal comorbidity and was successfully treated with torsemide. Case Report. We report a case of a 32-year-old multigravida patient pregnant with her third child and has two living full-term children (G3P2003). Her pregnancy was complicated by obesity, smoking (vape), and previous history of fetal growth restriction. The patient presented for routine prenatal care at 9-week gestation. She was diagnosed with chronic hypertension at 19 weeks of pregnancy based upon systolic blood . Lifestyle modifications were recommended, but the patient did not comply. At her 31-week office visit, the patient presented with anasarca and clear, slightly viscous fluid seeping through the atraumatic skin of her lower extremities. Preeclampsia, renal, cardiac, vascular, and infectious complications were all ruled out. The patient responded positively to loop diuretic therapy. Torsemide was found to be far more beneficial than furosemide. The patient was induced at 37 weeks secondary to chronic hypertension requiring antihypertensive therapy. Delivery was uncomplicated. The patient gave birth to a healthy male with birth weight of 2,920 g via spontaneous vaginal delivery. Discussion. Pitting edema of lower limbs frequently occurs as a result of fluid overload and chronic venous insufficiency, and pregnancy is one of the known risk factors. Additionally, the blockage of lymphatic channel with the gravida uterus likely was the main contributing factor for her lymphorrhea. In this patient, the capillary hydrostatic pressure was likely accentuated due to hypertension, obesity, and vaping. Furosemide was minimally effective to alleviate her symptoms. Torsemide provided much more effective diuresis and symptom control. However, her symptoms persisted until delivery. Conclusion. Torsemide provided significant therapeutic benefit over furosemide in this patient without adverse maternal, fetal, or neonatal outcomes. Further study is needed to assess the safe use of loop diuretics in the pregnant population who suffers from significant lower extremity edema.