cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary Diversity and Potential Recombinogenic Role of Integration Targets of Non-LTR Retrotransposons

Short interspersed elements (SINEs) make up a significant fraction of total DNA in mammalian genomes, providing a rich substrate for chromosomal rearrangements by SINE-SINE recombinations. Proliferation of mammalian SINEs is mediated primarily by LINE1 (L1) non-LTR retrotransposons that preferentially integrate at DNA sequence targets with average length ~15 bp and containing conserved endonucleolytic nicking signals at both ends. We report that sequence variations in the first of the two nicking signals, represented by a 5′TT-AAAA consensus sequence, affect the position of the second signal thus leading to target site duplications (TSDs) of different lengths. The length distribution of TSDs appears to be affected also by L1-encoded enzyme variants, since targets with the same 5′ nicking site can be of different average length in different mammalian species. Taking this into account, we re-analyzed the second nicking site and found that it is larger and includes more conserved sites than previously appreciated, with a consensus of 5′ANTNTN-AA. We also studied potential involvement of the nicking sites in stimulating recombinations between SINE elements. We determined that SINE elements retaining TSDs with perfect 5′TT-AAAA nicking sites appear to be lost relatively rapidly from the human and rat genomes, and less rapidly from dog. We speculate that the introduction of single-strand DNA breaks induced by recurring endonucleolytic attacks at these sites, combined with the ubiquitousness of SINEs, may significantly promote recombination between repetitive elements, leading to the observed losses. At the same time new L1 subfamilies may be selected for “incompatibility” with pre-existing targets. This provides a possible driving force for the continual emergence of new L1 subfamilies which, in turn, may affect selection of L1-dependent SINE subfamilies.
Regulation of Selenium Metabolism and Transport

Selenium is regulated in the body to maintain vital selenoproteins and to avoid toxicity. When selenium is limiting, cells utilize it to synthesize the selenoproteins most important to them, creating a selenoprotein hierarchy in the cell. The liver is the central organ for selenium regulation and produces excretory selenium forms to regulate whole-body selenium. It responds to selenium deficiency by curtailing excretion and secreting selenoprotein P (Sepp1) into the plasma at the expense of its intracellular selenoproteins. Plasma Sepp1 is distributed to tissues in relation to their expression of the Sepp1 receptor apolipoprotein E receptor-2, creating a tissue selenium hierarchy. N-terminal Sepp1 forms are taken up in the renal proximal tubule by another receptor, megalin. Thus, the regulated whole-body pool of selenium is shifted to needy cells and then to vital selenoproteins in them to supply selenium where it is needed, creating a whole-body selenoprotein hierarchy.
Biofilm conductivity is a decisive variable for high-current-density Geobacter sulfurreducens microbial fuel cells

Current outputs of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are too low for most perceived practical applications. Most efforts for further optimization have focused on modifications of fuel cell architecture or electrode materials, with little investigation into the properties of microorganisms that are most essential for maximal current production. Geobacter sulfurreducens produces the highest current densities of any known pure culture; is closely related to the Geobacter species that often predominate in anode biofilms harvesting electricity from organic wastes; and produces highly conductive anode biofilms. Comparison of biofilm conductivities and current production in different strains of G. sulfurreducens revealed a direct correlation between biofilm conductivity and current density. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements demonstrated that higher biofilm conductivity not only reduced resistance to electron flow through the biofilm, but also lowered the activation energy barrier for electron transfer between the biofilm and the anode. These results demonstrate the crucial role of biofilm conductivity in achieving high current density in MFCs and suggest that increasing biofilm conductivity can boost MFC performance.
MicroRNA-mediated mRNA Translation Activation in Quiescent Cells and Oocytes Involves Recruitment of a Nuclear microRNP

MicroRNAs can promote translation of specific mRNAs in quiescent (G0) mammalian cells and immature Xenopus laevis oocytes. We report that microRNA-mediated upregulation of target mRNAs in oocytes is dependent on nuclear entry of the microRNA; cytoplasmically-injected microRNA repress target mRNAs. Components of the activation microRNP, AGO, FXR1 (FXR1-iso-a) and miR16 are present in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Importantly, microRNA target mRNAs for upregulation, Myt1, TNFα and a reporter bearing the TNFα AU-rich, microRNA target sequence, are associated with AGO in immature oocyte nuclei and AGO2 in G0 human nuclei, respectively. mRNAs that are repressed or lack target sites are not associated with nuclear AGO. Crosslinking-coupled immunopurification revealed greater association of AGO2 with FXR1 in the nucleus compared to cytoplasm. Consistently, overexpression of FXR1-iso-a rescues activation of cytoplasmically-injected RNAs and in low density, proliferating cells. These data indicate the importance of a compartmentalized AGO2-FXR1-iso-a complex for selective recruitment for microRNA-mediated upregulation.
Rotations about nonorthogonal axes.

Given a desired three-axis reorientation, it is well known that there are, in general, twelve possible sequences of three successive rotations about orthogonal axes which will perform the reorientation. The present paper determines whether the maneuver can or cannot be accomplished with three successive rotations aobut arbitrary (not necessarily orthogonal) axes. This result is then employed to derive conditions on the axes which insure that every rotation may be so generated. The associated angles of all the possible three-legged slews are exhibited by a closed analytical procedure which requires no assumptions concerning the degree of nonorthogonality nor any approximations. The classical orthogonal case (Euler angles) is then an immediate consequence as a special case of the generalized solution.
What is a digital library? The social impact of information artifacts

The term 'digital library" is used as a generic name for many kinds of digital collections, making it difficult to build a cumulative understanding of what has been learned from different kinds of technical projects to digitize, organize, search and preserve digital documents. This paper classifies digital libraries by looking at the social impact of information artifacts, using data on the amount of information produced annually in different storage formats, as well as concepts derived from the sociology of innovation. At least four types of digital libraries can be derived by this method: (1) digitized documents from analog media; (2) "born digital" documents; (3) digital data; and (4) archives of network communications.
GPCR agonist binding revealed by modeling and crystallography

Despite recent progress in structural coverage of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family, high plasticity of these membrane proteins poses additional challenges for crystallographic studies of their complexes with different classes of ligands, especially agonists. The ability to predict computationally the binding of natural and clinically relevant agonists and corresponding changes in the receptor pocket, starting from inactive GPCR structures, is therefore of great interest for understanding GPCR biology and drug action. Comparison of computational models published in 2009 and 2010 with recently determined agonist-bound structures of β-adrenergic and adenosine A(2A) receptors reveals high accuracy of the predicted agonist binding poses (0.8 A and 1.7 A respectively) and receptor interactions. In the case of the β(2)AR, energy-based models with limited backbone flexibility have also allowed characterization of side-chain rotations and a finite backbone shift in the pocket region as determinants of full, partial or inverse agonism. Development of accurate models of agonist binding for other GPCRs will be instrumental for functional and pharmacological studies, complementing biochemical and crystallographic techniques.
One-step, continuous synthesis of a spherical Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /graphene composite as an ultra-long cycle life lithium-ion battery anode

We report, for the first time, a one-step, continuous synthesis of spherical lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12, LTO)/graphene composites through direct aerosolization of a graphene oxide (GO) suspension mixed with Li and Ti precursors. The resulting crumpled graphene-sphere-supported LTO nanocrystals has a three-dimensional structure with a high electrical conductivity, a high surface area and good stability in electrolyte. The LTO/CG composite, as an anode in LIBs, exhibited excellent rate capability (for example, at a high current density of 5000 mA g−1 it delivered 60% of the capacity obtained at 12.5 mA g−1) and an outstanding cycling performance (a capacity retention of 88% after 5000 cycles at 1,250 mA g−1). The one-step, continuous synthesis of the LTO/graphene composite offers a high-producing efficiency compared with conventional multi-step preparations, and can be generally applied for synthesizing lithium metal oxides/graphene (cathode or anode) materials for lithium-ion batteries. Researchers have used ‘crumpled’ graphene spheres dotted with nanocrystals to boost the safety and performance of Li-ion batteries. Lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12 or LTO) is a promising alternative to conventional Li-ion battery anodes that is less prone to dangerous short-circuit reactions, but it suffers from poor conductivity. Junhong Chen and co-workers from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have developed a one-step synthetic technique to remedy this situation. By passing aerosolized graphene oxide and LTO precursors through a high-temperature furnace, normally flat graphene sheets transformed into crumpled spheres covered with LTO nanocrystals. The hollow, three-dimensional structure of this anode significantly improved LTO conductivity by shortening distances needed for charge transfer. Furthermore, the integrated composite prevents premature nanocrystal aggregation, giving rise to long device lifespans — prototype batteries retained 88% of their capacity after 5,000 recharge cycles. A one-step and continuous method to produce a spherical Li4Ti5O12/graphene composite for the lithium-ion battery anode is reported. The high conductivity and hollow structure of the crumpled graphene sphere greatly enhance the rate capability and cycling performance of the Li4Ti5O12 anode. This method provides a new and exciting approach for high-performance anode material design and fabrication.
Comparison of effective linewidth and FMR linewidth at 10 GHz in Ho substituted YIG

The effective linewidth and FMR (ferromagnetic resonance) linewidth techniques were applied at 10 GHz and room temperature to rare-earth holmium-substituted yttrium-iron-garnet (HoYIG) spheres. Linewidths were determined for HoYIG spheres with varying amounts of substituted Ho. The FMR linewidth and effective linewidth measured for the HoYIG samples ranged from 4 to 240 Oe. The measured linewidths from the different techniques were compared to determine the sensitivity of the effective linewidth technique to various loss mechanisms over a wide field range. It is found that the linewidths determined from the different techniques track closely. The high field effective linewidth agrees with the measured FMR linewidth for all but the smallest Ho substitution. >
nxn Stimulator and Reader Design for Retinal Prosthesis using Multiplexing Technique and CMOS Technology

Serially received multiplexed pixels of an image are decoded and scanned on the probes array to stimulate the retina to reproduce the image. This paper presents a retinal stimulator (RS), which needs only six interface wires irrespective of array size. RS decodes the time-multiplexed pixels of the image and scans them on the probes array. RS doesn't need address to route the pixels. It is a bidirectional device that can also retrieve responses from retina as a reader and sends out multiplexed readings through reverse telemetry
A variable-structure fuzzy logic controller with run-time adaptation

The design of a variable structure fuzzy logic controller for minimum-time set-point control is presented. The controller architecture is extended to accommodate runtime adaptation. This innovative approach combines the quick response of bang-bang like control with the stable convergence properties of more conservative linear control to produce a robust high performance controller. The controller is based on a Takagi-Sugeno-Kang format but the controller is warped during each step response to change its structure. The warping is done through scaling of the controller inputs and outputs. An online scheme for finding the best values for the scaling is presented. >
Maximizing throughput at an intersection under constrained maneuvers

This paper considers the problem of determining the maximum throughput of a region of airspace given two intersecting flows of aircraft. Aircraft in each flow are able to execute an instantaneous change in lateral and/or longitudinal position to resolve potential conflicts. By taking into account constraints on the magnitude of deviations, which can be related to limitations in aircraft performance, increased structure is placed on each flow to ensure feasible and safe trajectory solutions. This structure imposes a limit on the maximum admissible throughput of the airspace, thereby defining a measure of airspace capacity under constrained maneuvers at an intersection.
Photoluminescence enhancement in CdSe/ZnS–DNA linked–Au nanoparticle heterodimers probed by single molecule spectroscopy

Photoluminescence enhancement of up to 20 fold is demonstrated at the single molecule level for heterodimers composed of a core/shell CdSe/ZnS semiconductive quantum dot and a gold nanoparticle of 60 nm size separated by a 32 nm-long dsDNA linker when employing optical excitation at wavelengths near the surface plasmon resonance of the gold nanoparticle.
Work-Family Conflict, Gender, and Parenthood, 1977-1997:

Although many observers assume that balancing the often-competing demands of work and family has become increasingly difficult in recent decades, little research has explicitly examined this proposition. This study examines this question by drawing on data from the 1977 Quality of Employment Survey and the 1997 National Study of the Changing Workforce. The author found that work-family conflict has increased during this period, particularly for men. In addition, marital, parental, and spouse’s employment status prove to be consistently important predictors of work-family conflict. Future research focusing on men’s experiences of conflict, examining conflict from the perspective of the family unit, and exploring the effects of workplace policies is suggested.
Action Dynamics Reveal Parallel Competition in Decision Making

When deciding between two alternatives, such as whether toorder the pasta or the chicken, or whether to pursue a career inacademia or industry, a person may feel torn—as if the optionsliterally pull him or her in two directions. This metaphor mayhavesomesurprisingliteraltruth.Ifasked,forexample,whether‘‘murder is sometimes justiﬁed,’’ individuals may be inclined toboth agree and disagree with the statement. Here, we document,for the ﬁrst time, the pull toward contrasting responses duringevaluative thinking, reporting the results of a study examiningthe trajectory of participants’ reaching movements toward dif-ferent response options.Our results suggest that a decision process is not necessarilycompleted inthe brain’scognitivesubsystems before itissharedwith other subsystems, as has been traditionally assumed.Rather,simultaneous‘‘pull’’frommultipleresponsealternativesseemstoinﬂuencetheexecutionofmovementitself.Thisﬁndingsuggests that a dynamic approach to mental processing—anapproach that has already provided descriptions of perception,attention,andcategorization (e.g.,AbramsBGoldSGratton,Coles,Sirevaag,Eriksen,D Hovland & Sears, 1938; McClelland & Rogers, 2003;Spivey, 2007; Tipper, Howard, & Houghton, 1999)—may shednew light on high-level cognition (Roe, Busemeyer, & Town-send, 2001; Townsend & Busemeyer, 1989).
Developmental expression of non-coding RNAs in Chlamydia trachomatis during normal and persistent growth

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that exhibits a unique biphasic developmental cycle that can be disrupted by growth in the presence of IFN-γ and β-lactams, giving rise to an abnormal growth state termed persistence. Here we have examined the expression of a family of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that are differentially expressed during the developmental cycle and the induction of persistence and reactivation. ncRNAs were initially identified using an intergenic tiling microarray and were confirmed by northern blotting. ncRNAs were mapped, characterized and compared with the previously described chlamydial ncRNAs. The 5'- and 3'-ends of the ncRNAs were determined using an RNA circularization procedure. Promoter predictions indicated that all ncRNAs were expressed from σ(66) promoters and eight ncRNAs contained non-templated 3'-poly-A or poly-AG additions. Expression of ncRNAs was studied by northern blotting during (i) the normal developmental cycle, (ii) IFN-γ-induced persistence and (iii) carbenicillin-induced persistence. Differential temporal expression during the developmental cycle was seen for all ncRNAs and distinct differences in expression were seen during IFN-γ and carbenicillin-induced persistence and reactivation. A heterologous co-expression system was used to demonstrate that one of the identified ncRNAs regulated the expression of FtsI by inducing degradation of ftsI mRNA.
Inclusion of Religion and Spirituality in the Special Education Literature

Although traditionally not an area of service delivered by special educators, the area of religion and spirituality for persons with disabilities is receiving more attention as a quality-of-life outcome. This literature review examined the special education literature to determine the extent to which special educators are exposed to literature concerned with these issues. The results indicated that information is found in the literature but occurs most often as embedded references in articles on other topics. Information was most often included in articles focusing on diversity, and the majority of references to religion and spirituality were descriptions of religions. Religion and spirituality are linked to the overarching goals of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and quality-of-life outcomes. Future research and roles for professionals are discussed.
Electromagnetic Time-Reversal Source Localization in Changing Media: Experiment and Analysis

An experimental study is performed on electromagnetic time reversal in highly scattering environments, with a particular focus on performance when environmental conditions change. In particular, we consider the case for which there is a mismatch between the Green's function used on the forward measurement and that used for time-reversal inversion. We examine the degradation in the time-reversal image with increasing media mismatch, and consider techniques that mitigate such degradation. The experimental results are also compared with theoretical predictions for time reversal in changing media, with good agreement observed
Sequential ofatumumab and lenalidomide for the treatment of relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma

Ofatumumab is a fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody with enhanced antibody dependent and complement dependent cytotoxicity. Lenalidomide induces T cell and natural killer (NK) cell activation and in vitro enhances clearance of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells by monoclonal antibodies. We performed a multi-center, phase 2 trial of sequential treatment with ofatumumab and lenalidomide in patients with advanced, relapsed and refractory (R/R) CLL, consisting of ofatumumab 2000 mg intravenously on day 1 and lenalidomide 10 mg on days 8-28, for up to six cycles. Twenty-one subjects were included with median age of 63 years and two prior lines of therapy. The overall response rate was 47.6% and 23.8% had stable disease. Median overall survival was 21.5 months. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were the most frequent adverse events. Tumor flare reaction occurred in 43% of subjects. Intracycle sequential ofatumumab plus lenalidomide is active in high-risk R/R CLL and well tolerated except for frequent cytopenias.
Experimental Study of Measurement-based Admission Control for Wireless Mesh Networks

The increased deployment of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) should be complemented by a robust resource management scheme that can provide performance guarantees to mission-critical applications. Several admission control schemes have been presented for wireless LANs and wireless ad-hoc networks. However, wireless mesh networks, with static wireless back-bone and multi-hop communication, pose new design challenges. Evaluation of existing admission control schemes has been done primarily via simulations, which often do not have accurate models for capturing interference between adjacent wireless links and nodes. In this paper, we develop light-weight monitoring modules to measure current network/traffic conditions and estimate end-to-end path delay, which is then incorporated in our admission control decision. We utilize a novel layer-2 packet forwarding mechanism, based on the wireless distribution system (WDS) for WMNs. We evaluate our scheme via experiments conducted on a test-bed consisting of IEEE 802.11a-based nodes that form a wireless mesh. Results show that our proposed scheme can provide performance assurance without incurring too much control overhead.
InSAR bias and uncertainty due to the systematic and stochastic tropospheric delay

We quantify the bias and uncertainty of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) displacement time series and their derivatives, the displacement velocities, by analyzing the systematic and stochastic components of the temporal variation of the tropospheric delay. The biases due to the systematic seasonal delay depend on the SAR acquisition times, whereas the uncertainties depend on the standard deviation of the random delay, the number of acquisitions, the total time span covered, and the covariance of the time series of the stochastic delay between a pixel and the reference. We study the contribution of the wet delay to the InSAR observations along the western India plate boundary using (i) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer precipitable water vapor, (ii) stratified tropospheric delay estimated from the ERA-I global atmospheric model, and (iii) seven Envisat InSAR swaths. Our analysis indicates that the amplitudes of the annual delay vary by up to ~10 cm in this region equivalent to a maximum displacement bias of ~24 cm in InSAR line of sight direction between two epochs (assuming Envisat IS6 beam mode). The stratified tropospheric delay correction mitigates this bias and reduces the scatter due to the stochastic delay. For ~7 years of Envisat acquisitions along the western India plate boundary, the uncertainty of the InSAR velocity field due to the residual stochastic wet delay after stratified tropospheric delay correction using the ERA-I model is in the order of ~2 mm/yr over 100 km and ~4 mm/yr over 400 km. We discuss the implication of the derived uncertainties on the full variance-covariance matrix of the InSAR data.
Effects of Simulation-Based Practice on Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma (FAST) Window Identification, Acquisition, and Diagnosis

ABSTRACTWe compared the effects of simulator-based virtual ultrasound scanning practice with classroom-based ultrasound scanning practice on participants' knowledge of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) window quadrants and interpretation, and on participants' performance on live patient FAST examinations. Novices with little or no ultrasound training experience received simulation-based practice (n = 24) or classroom-based practice (n = 24). Participants who received simulation-based practice scored significantly higher on interpreting static images of FAST windows. On live patient examinations where participants scanned the right upper quadrant (RUQ), left upper quadrant (LUQ), and suprapubic quadrant of a normal patient and an ascites-positive patient, the classroom-based practice condition had a shorter scan time for the LUQ and a higher number of participants attaining high-quality window on the RUQ (normal patient only) and suprapubic quadrant (positive patient only) and correct wi...
Effects and Consequences of Transverse Isotropy in the Seafloor

Transverse isotropy, a form of anisotropy with a single vertical axis of symmetry, is extremely widespread in marine sediments, but its effects on seismic interpretations have been inadequately quantified. This anisotropy increases with depth, just as propagation velocities themselves increase. Indeed, it is impossible to separate the effects of velocity gradients and anisotropy. Using elastic parameters appropriate for a carbonate sequence, we have used ray-tracing and wavefield modeling codes to investigate the consequences of ignoring anisotropy. If isotropy is erroneously assumed, sound-speed gradients will be underestimated, the thickness of the sedimentary sequence overestimated (often seriously) and the shear velocity overestimated (hence estimates of Poisson’s ratio will also be incorrect). Transverse isotropy may also affect the bottom reflection loss, but from our preliminary studies such effects appear to be minimal. From compressional-wave traveltime data alone the identification of transverse isotropy appears almost impossible. Shear-wave information is vital if the phenomenon is to be adequately characterized.
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Undergraduate Research

Energy is a continuous driving force for the social and technological prospective developments and a vital and essential ingredient for all human transactions. The world is facing an energy “crisis”, due to limited fossil fuel resources, growing energy demand and population. All these facts led to and increased interests in renewable energy sources and green manufacturing. Equipping engineering students with the skills and knowledge required to be successful global engineers in the 21st century is one of the primary objectives of academic educators. Enabling students to practice self-directed learning, find design solutions that are sustainable, and helping them recognize that they are part of a global community are just of few of our educational goals. Project-based learning provides the contextual environment making learning exciting and relevant, providing opportunities to explore technical problems from systems-level perspectives, with an appreciation for the inter-connectedness of science principles. The quest for knowledge is the driving force behind education no matter what field is being studied. This means a lot of reading from textbooks, completion of assignments, exams, lectures but quite little of this work involves original research. Active research experience is one of the most effective ways to attract and retain talented undergraduates in science and engineering. At our institutions, we are regularly modifying curriculum content to embrace sustainability and green energy concepts in learning outcomes. However this crosses over between a numbers of multi-disciplinary, multidimensional study areas that include philosophy and ethics. Consequently a major challenge for us is to encourage engineering students whose primary focus is purely technical to include sustainability and renewable energy topics in their designs. To join into this effort of equipping the future engineers and technologists with renewable energy background, we developed a set of project-based courses related to these topics and include them also in our senior project design course sequence. The main objectives of these curricula changes are to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge reinforced by hands-on experience. These projects are also good examples of multi-disciplinary cooperation of different engineering disciplines as well as providing valuable hands-on and research experience. This paper presents the changes in the course structure, sample of projects, student survey of the course, as well as plans and expectations for future success. We are also discussing here the project team structure, plan and management, component selection, system simulation, and experimental result.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
AT-23A PHASE II STUDY OF LAPATINIB AND DOSE-DENSE TEMOZOLOMIDE (TMZ) FOR ADULTS WITH RECURRENT EPENDYMOMA: A CERN CLINICAL TRIAL

BACKGROUND: Ependymoma is an uncommon adult primary CNS tumor. Initial treatment includes extensive resection often followed by but there is no standard treatment for recurrent disease. Molecular studies show most tumors have ErbB2 overexpression and unmethylated MGMT promoter status. We developed a clinical trial combining lapatinib(targets ErbB1, ErbB2) with dose-dense temozolomide. METHODS: Eligibility criteria included adults(≥18), KPS ≥ 70, with centrally confirmed ependymoma (grades I, II, or III). Treatment plan: TMZ(125mg-150mg/m2/d, 7on/7off) plus lapatinib(1250 mg po/qd) continuous dosing. Cycle = 4wks; imaging and patient reported outcomes measures(PRO:MDASI-BT/MDASI-Spine) every 2 cycles, maximum 24 cycles. The primary endpoint was median progression free survival(PFS); secondary objectives: 6-month PFS, 12-month PFS, response rate, overall survival, and change in symptom burden. A Bayesian design sequentially monitored treatment efficacy based on posterior probabilities. RESULTS: Fifty patients enrolled. Median age 47(20-81), women = 28(56%), median KPS = 90. Tumor grade: anaplastic (III) = 18; ependymoma (II) = 24; myxopapillary(I) = 8. Tumor location: supratentorial (ST) = 14; infratentorial(IT) = 5; spinal cord(SC) = 25; multifocal (MF) = 6. Median PFS: overall = 36 wks. By grade: I = 96 wks; II = 45 wks; III= 25.3 wks. By location: ST = 24 wks; IT = 21 wks; SC= 96 wks. PFS rates(6-month,12-month): Grade I(88%,75%), Grade II(63%,46%), Grade III(50%,28%); ST(43%,29%), IT(40%,20%), SC(80%,64%), MF(50%,17%). Best response: CR = 1(Gr III), PR = 4(Gr II = 2,III = 1), SD = 33, PD = 12. Treatment was well tolerated with only modest myelotoxicity and rash. No cardiotoxity. All patients completed the MDASI-BT/SP(reported separately). Preliminary gene expression analysis (23 tumors) correlated response with higher ErbB2 mRNA expression(p =.03). CONCLUSION: Daily lapatinib with dose-dense TMZ was well tolerated and demonstrated activity in the spectrum of ependymoma defined by location and tumor grade. Ongoing molecular profiling will determine whether there is a potential predictive marker for response, given the preliminary correlation of response with ErbB2 expression. This is the first prospective clinical trial in adult ependymoma and demonstrates feasibility of accrual, tumor and PRO collection and efficacy with a possible predictive marker requiring validation in a subsequent clinical trial.
Aphid Host Preference Used to Detect a Previously Unrecognized Birch in California

Betula pendula Roth is a popular ornamental tree in northern California, which frequently hosts populations of four leaf-feeding aphid species. Differential aphid species distribution on occasional birch trees led to the identification of Betula pubescens Ehrhart, a closely related species, planted among B. pendula. Spring sampling demonstrated that Calaphis flava Mordvilko occurred predominantly on B. pubescens while Betulaphis brevipilosa Borner, Callipterinella calliptera (Hartig), and Euceraphis betulae (Koch) were more abundant on B. pendula. C. calliptera and E. betulae were rarely found on B. pubescens , whereas C. flava populations constituted 22% of the aphid fauna on B. pendula when trees of the two species were adjacent. B. pubescens hosted a larger total aphid population as well as abundant leafhoppers. Honeydew presence on lower canopy leaves of both tree species was positively related with aphid density.
The Baby is Sick/The Baby is Well: A Test of Environmental Communication Appeals

Abstract The “sick baby” appeal is a common basis for communications in social marketing. The sick baby appeal focuses on the importance of the issue and the severity of the need for help. Ellen et al. (1991) and Fine (1990) proposed that, when concern is already high, a sick baby appeal may reduce perceived consumer effectiveness. They suggested an alternative approach, a “well baby” appeal, which would stress the significance of individual action. Two experiments supported the hypothesis that the effectiveness of these appeals depends on the relative salience of the issue. Further, the results generally supported the proposed processes by which the appeals operate—mediation of perceived concern and perceived consumer effectiveness.
A Visual Interface for Querying Heterogeneous Phylogenetic Databases

Despite the recent growth in the number of phylogenetic databases, access to these wealth of resources remain largely tool or form-based interface driven. It is our thesis that the flexibility afforded by declarative query languages may offer the opportunity to access these repositories in a better way, and to use such a language to pose truly powerful queries in unprecedented ways. In this paper, we propose a substantially enhanced closed visual query language, called PhyQL, that can be used to query phylogenetic databases represented in a canonical form. The canonical representation presented helps capture most phylogenetic tree formats in a convenient way, and is used as the storage model for our PhyloBase database for which PhyQL serves as the query language. We have implemented a visual interface for the end users to pose PhyQL queries using visual icons, and drag and drop operations defined over them. Once a query is posed, the interface translates the visual query into a Datalog query for execution over the canonical database. Responses are returned as hyperlinks to phylogenies that can be viewed in several formats using the tree viewers supported by PhyloBase. Results cached in PhyQL buffer allows secondary querying on the computed results making it a truly powerful querying architecture.
Analysis of cubitus interruptus regulation in Drosophila embryos and imaginal disks

The cubitus interruptus (ci) gene of Drosophila is expressed in all anterior compartment cells in both embryos and imaginal disks where it encodes a putative zinc-finger protein related to the vertebrate Gli and C. elegans Tra-1 proteins. Using ci/lacZ fusions, we located regulatory sequences responsible for the normal pattern of ci expression, and obtained evidence that separate elements regulate its expression in embryos and imaginal disks. Mutants that delete a portion of this regulatory region express ci ectopically in the posterior compartments of their wing imaginal disks and have wings with malformed posterior compartments. Similar deletions of ci/lacZ fusion constructs also result in ectopic posterior compartment expression. Evidence that the engrailed protein normally represses ci in posterior compartments includes the expansion of ci expression into posterior compartment cells that lack engrailed function, diminution of ci expression upon overexpression of engrailed protein in anterior compartment cells, and the ability of engrailed protein to bind to the ci regulatory region in vivo and in vitro. We suggest that engrailed protein directly represses ci expression in posterior compartment cells.
Reinforcement of an end-to-end tracheal resection anastomosis with fibrin glue: a case report.

Tracheal resection and primary anastomosis is the treatment of choice for a short-segment stenosis. However, the procedure does carry the risk of two potentially fatal complications: anastomosis breakdown and leak. We describe the case of a 67-year-old man who was treated for a 3-cm tracheal stenosis secondary to a prolonged intubation and multiple tracheostomies. The patient underwent a tracheal resection and primary anastomosis, The anastomosis was reinforced with fibrin sealant, which created an airtight seal. The patient was extubated postoperatively, and he healed without complication. Fibrin sealant is a convenient, safe, and effective material for reinforcing anastomotic suture lines.
The cell as a biomaterial

For materials scientists, the cell is evidently a biomaterial - rich with polymers, surface forces, solvent-solute interactions, liquid-crystalline structures, etc. Yet, the language of the materials scientist is as foreign to the biological world as French is to Chinese. Little of the materials scientists' perspective has been brought to bear on the question of biological function. This review aims to begin bridging the gap between the two disciplines-to show that a materials-oriented approach has power to bring fresh insights into an otherwise impenetrably complex maze. In this approach the cell is treated as a polymer gel. If the cell is a gel, then a logical approach to the understanding of cell function is through an understanding of gel function. Great strides have been made recently in understanding the principles of polymer-gel dynamics. It has become clear that a central mechanism is the phase-transition - a major structural change prompted by a subtle change of environment. Phase-transitions are capable of doing work and such work could be responsible for much of the work of the cell. Here, we pursue this approach. We set up a polymer-gel-based foundation for cell behavior, and explore the extent to which this foundation explains how the cell achieves its everyday tasks.
K 0 ↔ K ¯ 0 transition amplitude in the MIT bag model

Estimates of the ${K}^{0}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}{\overline{K}}^{0}$ transition amplitude and the resulting ${K}_{L}{K}_{S}$ mass difference are often based on an effective-Lagrangian treatment, where ${\mathrm{L}}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ is taken to be the four-quark operator extracted from a lowest-order calculation of the free-quark $\overline{s}+d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}s+\overline{d}$ scattering amplitude. For conventional SU(2) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} U(1) models this effective Lagrangian has the form of a ($V\ensuremath{-}A$) current-current interaction ${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{JJ}}$, with coefficient $C$ parametrized by quark masses and mixing angles. An important question has to do with gluonic and other corrections to the coefficient, but, independent of this, it is also necessary to estimate the matrix element of ${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{JJ}}$ between physical ${K}^{0}$ and ${\overline{K}}^{0}$ states. We focus on this aspect of the problem. Earlier treatments have relied on a "vacuum-insertion" approximation. For an alternative approach, we employ the static MIT bag model. With the standard values for the bag parameters the matrix element is smaller than that obtained with vacuum insertion by about a factor of 2. This result is reasonably stable for small variations of the bag parameters.
Waveform design for dispersive SAR

Electromagnetic pulses that travel through dispersive and lossy material may change their shape and lose a significant amount of energy. This distortion complicates imaging through dispersive and lossy material. Waveform design is one aspect to consider when trying to improve imaging capabilities. In this paper, an analytic expression for a precursor waveform is derived for SAR imaging. Precursor waveforms have been proposed as those waveforms that experience minimal decay and hence, are ideal for imaging in dispersive media. This precursor waveform is compared to the optimal waveform of Varslot, et al. obtained by numerical methods.
Joint Compound/Reaction Storage and Retrieval and Possibilities of a Hyperstructure-Based Solution

Reaction retrieval systems are usually built without due connection with systems built earlier for the retrieval of compounds. This paper discusses options for a file organisation for a unified structural database of compounds and their reactions. Such a database has a potential for improved retrieval capabilities and high browsability.
Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium that is frequently found in the flora of the mouth, skin and intestines as well as in natural environments. K. pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe hospital-acquired infections such as septicaemia, pneumonia, urinary tract infection and soft tissue infection in debilitated individuals. This species is well-known for its ability to accumulate and transfer drug-resistance determinants such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). Treatment of serious infection with ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae is extremely difficult because the organisms are increasingly resistant to multiple antibiotics, which may be caused by very complex mechanisms. The pathogenicity of K. pneumoniae is multifactorial including LPS, capsule, urease, adhesins, outer-membrane proteins and biofilms. Vaccines have been tested but no effective products are in use.
Analysis of volatile organics by supercritical fluid extraction coupled to gas chromatography: I. Optimization of chromatographic parameters

Abstract A solid-based calibration standard (consisting of several n-alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons spiked onto Tenax-TA) was successfully used to optimize the chromatographic parameters for coupled supercritical fluid extraction-gas chromatography (SFE-GC). A simple and reliable split SFE-GC system was developed utilizing a commercially septumless injector installed on a split/splitless injection port. The high gaseous flow-rate generated inside the injection port during the SFE step was accommodated for by using the correct split ratio, so that high (1 ml min liquid CO2) SFE flow-rates could be used. The use of thick-film columns (5 μm film thickness) and cryogenic trapping temperatures in the GC oven as low as −50°C allowed efficient trapping of species as volatile as n-butane, acetone and methylene chloride. The chromatograms obtained using the optimized SFE-GC technique showed good peak shapes (comparable to those obtained using a conventional split injection) and peak area reproducibilities typically
Prospective Study of Routine Heparin Avoidance Hemodialysis in a Tertiary Acute Care Inpatient Practice

Introduction Extracorporeal circuit (EC) anticoagulation with heparin is a key advance in hemodialysis (HD), but anticoagulation is problematic in inpatients at risk of bleeding. We prospectively evaluated a heparin-avoidance HD protocol, clotting of the EC circuit (CEC), impact on dialysis efficiency, and associated risk factors in our acute care inpatients who required HD (January 17, 2014 to May 31, 2015). Methods HD sessions without routine EC heparin were performed using airless dialysis tubing. Patients received systemic anticoagulation therapy and/or antiplatelets for non-HD indications. We observed patients for indications of CEC (interrupted HD session, circuit loss, or inability to return blood). The primary outcome was CEC. Logistic regression with generalized estimating equations assessed associations between CEC and other variables. Results HD sessions (n = 1200) were performed in 338 patients (204 with end-stage renal disease; 134 with acute kidney injury); a median session was 211 minutes (interquartile range [IQR]: 183−240 minutes); delivered dialysis dose measured by Kt/V was 1.4 (IQR: 1.2 Kt/V 1.7). Heparin in the EC was prescribed in only 4.5% of sessions; EC clotting rate was 5.2%. Determinants for CEC were temporary catheters (odds ratio [OR]: 2.8; P Discussion We successfully adopted heparin avoidance using airless HD tubing as our standard inpatient protocol. This protocol is feasible and safe in acute care inpatient HD. CEC rates were low and were associated with temporary HD catheters and transfusions. Antiplatelet agents and systemic anticoagulation were protective. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02086682 .
Can Individual Investors Use Option Strategies andthe Tax Code to Their Advantage

This article tests whether high-income earners can earn excess risk-adjusted returns by annually exploiting the asymmetric U.S. tax treatment of long-term capital gains and losses using at-the-money (ATM) options. In this article, we run an initial analysis that tests the returns of the previous 50 years, from 1966 through 2015, that buys $3,000 of one-year ATM call options on the S&P 500 (SPY) to determine excess risk-adjusted returns for individuals of various taxable income levels. Additionally, we run a Monte Carlo simulation, based on long-term historical returns, standard deviations, and correlations, to test the robustness of the initial results for a risk-neutral investor. We find that call options can provide increased annual performance returns for all income levels. Furthermore, we conclude that these strategies also provide excess risk-adjusted returns for high-income earners in the 28% and higher income tax brackets.
Symmetry-protected dissipative preparation of matrix product states

We propose and analyze a method for efficient dissipative preparation of matrix product states that exploits their symmetry properties. Specifically, we construct an explicit protocol that makes use of driven-dissipative dynamics to prepare a many-body quantum state that features symmetry-protected topological order and nontrivial edge excitations. The preparation protocol is protected from errors that respect the symmetry, allowing for robust experimental implementation without fine-tuned control. Numerical simulations show that the preparation time scales polynomially in system size $n$. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this scaling can be improved to $O({log}^{2}n)$ by using parallel preparation of individual segments and fusing them via quantum feedback. A concrete scheme using excitation of trapped neutral atoms into the Rydberg state via electromagnetically induced transparency is proposed and generalizations to a broader class of matrix product states are discussed.
Pharmacomechanical Thrombolysis for Deep Vein Thrombosis in May-Thurner Syndrome.

ObjectivePatients with May-Thurner syndrome presenting with acute deep vein thrombosis benefit from early lysis of clot and endovascular treatment. We evaluated the outcome of patients with May-Thu...
Impact of United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations on prostate biopsy characteristics and disease presentation at a tertiary-care medical center.

Abstract Background To evaluate early consequences of 2012 United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for decreased prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening on prostate biopsy characteristics and prostate cancer presentation. Materials and methods A single tertiary-care institution, multisurgeon, prospectively maintained database was queried for patients undergoing prostate biopsy from October 2005 to September 2016. Patient demographics, biopsy characteristics, and extent of disease were reported. Patient cohorts before and after USPSTF recommendations were compared using two-sample t test, Chi-square test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test with significance at P Results A total of 2,000 patients were analyzed, including 1,440 patients before and 560 patients after USPSTF recommendations. Following the recommendations, patients had higher prebiopsy PSA (5.90 vs. 6.70, P Conclusions After 2012 USPSTF guidelines, patients presented with higher PSA with prostate cancer were detected more frequently. More adverse, pathologic prostate cancer features were found on biopsy with the extent of disease implicating locally advanced/metastatic disease. These findings should be considered when counseling patients about prostate cancer screening importance.