cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monotonic Maximin: A Robust Stackelberg Solution against Boundedly Rational Followers

There has been recent interest in applying Stackelberg games to infrastructure security, in which a defender must protect targets from attack by an adaptive adversary. In real-world security settings the adversaries are humans and are thus boundedly rational. Most existing approaches for computing defender strategies against boundedly rational adversaries try to optimize against specific behavioral models of adversaries, and provide no quality guarantee when the estimated model is inaccurate. We propose a new solution concept, monotonic maximin, which provides guarantees against all adversary behavior models satisfying monotonicity, including all in the family of Regular Quantal Response functions. We propose a mixed-integer linear program formulation for computing monotonic maximin. We also consider top-monotonic maximin, a related solution concept that is more conservative, and propose a polynomial-time algorithm for top-monotonic maximin.
Persistent infection with neurotropic herpes viruses and cognitive impairment

Background Herpes virus infections can cause cognitive impairment during and after acute encephalitis. Although chronic, latent/persistent infection is considered to be relatively benign, some studies have documented cognitive impairment in exposed persons that is untraceable to encephalitis. These studies were conducted among schizophrenia (SZ) patients or older community dwellers, among whom it is difficult to control for the effects of co-morbid illness and medications. To determine whether the associations can be generalized to other groups, we examined a large sample of younger control individuals, SZ patients and their non-psychotic relatives (n=1852). Method Using multivariate models, cognitive performance was evaluated in relation to exposures to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and cytomegalovirus (CMV), controlling for familial and diagnostic status and sociodemographic variables, including occupation and educational status. Composite cognitive measures were derived from nine cognitive domains using principal components of heritability (PCH). Exposure was indexed by antibodies to viral antigens. Results PCH1, the most heritable component of cognitive performance, declines with exposure to CMV or HSV-1 regardless of case/relative/control group status (p = 1.09 × 10-5 and 0.01 respectively), with stronger association with exposure to multiple herpes viruses (β = -0.25, p = 7.28 × 10-10). There were no significant interactions between exposure and group status. Conclusions Latent/persistent herpes virus infections can be associated with cognitive impairments regardless of other health status.
Epidemiology of Gestational Weight Gain and Body Weight Changes After Pregnancy

Women are universally concerned about whether pregnancy will have a lasting impact on their body weight. Anecdotal reports and studies of severely obese women have pointed to pregnancy as a cause of their obesity. In a Stockholm obesity clinic, 40-50 percent of women (mean age 47.8 ± 10.7 years) attributed the onset of their obesity to childbearing, and 73 percent reported a retention of 10 kg after pregnancy (1, 2). However, most of the evidence from observational studies about the influence of pregnancy on postpartum body weight does not support these perceptions. For the majority of women, body weight at 6-18 months postpartum is no more than 1-2 kg greater than preconceptional weight (3-9). Yet, at least 14-20 percent of women in national surveys were more than 5 kg heavier by 6-18 months postpartum (3, 4, 6-8). This evidence suggests that pregnancy may substantially increase postpartum body weight for subgroups of women, such as those with high gestational weight gain (6). A more recent study found an increased risk of becoming overweight among women who had a single pregnancy compared with nongravid women (10). Thus, estimates of average body weight change do not reflect the excess weight increases experienced by a sizable number of women; this may be further compounded over subsequent pregnancies and contribute to the development of obesity. Factors suspected of influencing postpartum body weight include gestational weight gain, pregravid weight, race/ethnicity, parity, and lactation. Body weight at conception may be particularly important among race/ethnic groups in which the prevalence of obesity is high (8). Both mean gestational weight gain and prevalence of overweight women in the US population have increased over the past two decades (8, 11-13). It has not been established whether increased gestational weight gain is responsible for part of the increasing
Making Rules about Rulemaking: A Comparison of Presidential and Parliamentary Systems

The authors examine the administrative procedures acts (APAs) of separation of powers and parliamentary systems. They examine sixteen national APAs (thirteen parliamentary and three presidential) and forty-eight APAs from the U.S. states that have institutional structures analogous to the presidential systems. They identify a very stark difference between the parliamentary and presidential APAs. While all of the presidential system APAs place constraints on both adjudicative and rulemaking activities, only two of the parliamentary APAs make any reference to rulemaking at all. The authors present an institutional explanation for this observation based on recent work on veto players and delegated discretion to administrative agents. They argue that the presence of partisan veto players discourages focus on rulemaking in APAs.
A Game Theoretic Approach to Strategy Determination for Dynamic Platform Defenses

Moving target defenses based on dynamic platforms have been proposed as a way to make systems more resistant to attacks by changing the properties of the deployed platforms. Unfortunately, little work has been done on discerning effective strategies for the utilization of these systems, instead relying on two generally false premises: simple randomization leads to diversity and platforms are independent. In this paper, we study the strategic considerations of deploying a dynamic platform system by specifying a relevant threat model and applying game theory and statistical analysis to discover optimal usage strategies. We show that preferential selection of platforms based on optimizing platform diversity approaches the statistically optimal solution and significantly outperforms simple randomization strategies. Counter to popular belief, this deterministic strategy leverages fewer platforms than may be generally available, which increases system security.
An Efficient Hardware Architecture for Multimedia Encryption and Authentication Using the Discrete Wavelet Transform

This paper introduces a zero-overhead encryption and authentication scheme for real-time embedded multimedia systems. The parametrized construction of the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) compression block is used to introduce a free parameter in the design. It allows building a keyspace for lightweight multimedia encryption. The parametrization yields rational coefficients leading to an efficient fixed point hardware implementation. A clock speed of over 240 MHz was achieved on a Xilinx Virtex 5 FPGA. Comparison with existing approaches was performed to indicate the high throughput and low hardware overhead in adding the security feature to the DWT architecture.
Operator in-the-loop control of rotary cranes

An open-loop control method is presented for reducing the oscillatory motion of rotary crane payloads during operator commanded maneuvers. A typical rotary crane consists of a multiple degree-of-freedom platform for positioning a spherical pendulum with an attached payload. The crane operator positions the Payload by issuing a combination of translational and rotational commands to the platform as well as load-line length changes. Frequently, these pendulum modes are time-varying and exhibit low natural frequencies. Maneuvers are therefore performed at rates sufficiently slow so as not to excite oscillation. The strategy presented here generates crane commands which suppress vibration of the payload without a priori knowledge of the desired maneuver. Results are presented for operator in-the-loop positioning using a real-time dynamics simulation of a three-axis rotary crane where the residual sway magnitude is reduced in excess of 4OdB.
Characterization of transcriptomes from sexual and asexual lineages of a New Zealand snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum).

Understanding the evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction is one of the central challenges of evolutionary biology, yet we know very little about how sex influences molecular evolution. The New Zealand freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum is ideally suited to address this knowledge gap because obligately sexual individuals often coexist with multiple independently derived obligately asexual lineages. This unusual situation allows direct comparisons both between sexual and asexual P. antipodarum and across populations that differ in the relative frequency of sexual individuals. As such, P. antipodarum has received a great deal of attention as a model system for the maintenance of sex in nature and is also used as a model for environmental toxicology and biological invasions. Molecular genetic resources for P. antipodarum will thus be useful to investigators in a variety of biological fields. We used 454 sequencing of cDNA libraries to generate transcriptomes from two sexual and two asexual P. antipodarum lineages. A de novo assembly of 116.7 Mb of sequence reads produced 41 396 contigs, and sequence similarity-based Gene Ontology annotations were obtained for 3740 contigs. We detected 408 315 SNP loci and 7315 microsatellite loci, which together represent the first genome-scale resource available for P. antipodarum. Raw 454 read sequences, contig sequences, annotation data and polymorphism data are publicly available in a searchable online database and for download at http://www.biology.uiowa.edu/neiman/transcriptome.php.
Cervical cancer risk perception and Pap-smear screening

Objective This study assesses whether cervical cancer screening is influenced by self-perceived risk of developing the disease.Design Analyses are based on 3221 women respondents, aged 18 years and older, to the 1996 Utah Health Status Survey, a cross-sectional randomtelephone survey. Religion and church activity are used as surrogate markers for cervical cancer risk.Setting Interviews were carried out across 12 local health districts in Utah.Methods Religion was classified as member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint (LDS), non-LDS, and no religious preference. Church activity was divided into attends church weekly and attends church less than weekly. Data were assessed using cross-tabulations and multiple logistic regression.Results The relation between religious preference, church activity, and Pap smear screening was dependent on marital status. Among married women, religious preference and church activity was not significantly related to Pap smear screening. On the other hand, for unma...
The effect of delaying nephrectomy on oncologic outcomes in patients with renal tumors greater than 4cm.

Abstract Objectives Delaying nephrectomy 3 months affects treatment outcome for large renal masses has not been well studied. We aimed to evaluate if SWT is associated with treatment outcome of renal masses >4 cm and identify patients who are more likely to experience prolonged SWT. Materials and methods Data from 1,484 patients undergoing radical or partial nephrectomy at a single institution for a nonmetastatic renal mass>4 cm between 1995 and 2013 were reviewed. Patients with benign tumors and incomplete preoperative data were excluded. The association between SWT and disease upstaging at the time of surgery and recurrence at 2 and 5 years was assessed using logistic regression. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival were assessed with landmark survival analyses and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. All analyses were adjusted for patient and tumor characteristics. Results Of the final cohort of 1,278 patients, 267 (21%) had SWT>3 months. Patients with larger, symptomatic tumors had shorter SWT. Median follow-up for survivors was 3.8 years (interquartile range: 1.5-7.4). On multivariable analysis, SWT was not associated with disease upstaging, recurrence, or CSS. Longer SWT was associated with decreased overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08–1.27; P = 0.0002). Sex and tumor size, histology, and presentation were associated with disease upstaging, recurrence, and CSS. The most common cause for surgical delay>3 months was evaluation and treatment of comorbidities. Conclusion Patient and tumor characteristics, rather than SWT, were associated with disease upstaging, recurrence, and CSS, and should guide the decision to delay surgery when treating nonmetastatic renal tumors>4 cm.
Venous Outflow Obstruction in Myocutaneous Flaps: Changes in Microcirculation Detected by the Perfusion Fluorometer and Laser Doppler

The effects of venous occlusion on the perfusion of porcine myocutaneous groin flaps were studied by means of the laser Doppler and the dermofluorometer. A consistent decrease in fluorometer readings following venous clamping with rebound to original or greater levels after unclamping was noted. A similar pattern was noted in laser Doppler studies. However, flow as measured by the Doppler remained significant (greater than 100 mV) even with venous outflow occlusion. It is hypothesized that the Doppler is more prone than the dermofluorometer to reflect non-nutritive flow in the flap during the early period following flap construction and, therefore, may be less accurate in the evaluation of actual flap microperfusion. The fluorometer was determined to be the more desirable instrument in monitoring the microcirculatory status of myocutaneous flaps during the immediate period after flap elevation and transposition.
In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy Modulation of Transport in Graphene Nanoribbons

In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) electronic transport measurements in nanoscale systems have been previously confined to two-electrode configurations. Here, we use the focused electron beam of a TEM to fabricate a three-electrode geometry from a continuous 2D material where the third electrode operates as side gate in a field-effect transistor configuration. Specifically, we demonstrate TEM nanosculpting of freestanding graphene sheets into graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with proximal graphene side gates, together with in situ TEM transport measurements of the resulting GNRs, whose conductance is modulated by the side-gate potential. The TEM electron beam displaces carbon atoms from the graphene sheet, and its position is controlled with nanometer precision, allowing the fabrication of GNRs of desired width immediately prior to each transport measurement. We also model the corresponding electric field profile in this three-terminal geometry. The implementation of an in situ TEM three-terminal platform shown here further extends the use of a TEM for device characterization. This approach can be easily generalized for the investigation of other nanoscale systems (2D materials, nanowires, and single molecules) requiring the correlation of transport and atomic structure.
Milk: directed by Gus Van Sant, with screenplay by Dustin Lance Black. Universal City, CA: Focus Features, 2008

Director Gus Van Sant's Milk gives us an inside look at gay rights activist Harvey Milk's life from his 40th birthday in 1970 to his death in 1978. After a black and white film reel of historical f...
Infection of mice with G variants (micro-colonies) of Brucella abortus.

SummaryThe foregoing data show that pure cultures of micro-colonies can be isolated readily from smooth strains of Br. abortus. These G cultures can be maintained for several generations if subcultures are incubated aerobically. When fresh transplants are incubated in an atmosphere of 10% CO2 reversion to the large colonial form occurs. Mice can also be easily infected with G colonies and the small forms can be recovered from the tissues, though the infection is of low pathogenicity and of relatively brief duration. The practical significance of these observations in animal and in human brucellosis under natural conditions cannot be ascertained at this time. Huddleson and Baltzer (2) did report the presence of G colonies of Br. abortus in a culture of stomach contents of an aborted bovine fetus, and Hall and Spink(1) isolated Br. abortus G colonies from a human patient. On several occasions we observed the presence of small colonies in cultures of Br. melitensis isolated from tissues of mice. It is sugges...
Hyperhomocysteinemia: Pathogenesis, Clinical Significance, Laboratory Assessment, and Treatment

With the emergence of increased plasma homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia) as a potential independent risk factor for thrombosis and peripheral or cardiovascular disease (or both), the medical community now has a better appreciation of its possible role, and thus its clinical significance in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Hyperhomocysteinemia can be caused by disruption in the metabolism of homocysteine or its related cofactors by pharmaceutical agents, a lack of nutrition, and inherited or acquired disorders associated with homocysteine metabolism. Since homocysteine assays have become available in formats familiar to most laboratory professionals, the role of the clinical laboratory in the diagnosis of hyperhomocysteinemia has become more significant. Preanalytical factors such as specimen collection and storage are also important considerations to accurately detect and monitor patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.
Cluster ensembles

Cluster ensembles combine multiple clusterings of a set of objects into a single consolidated clustering, often referred to as the consensus solution. Consensus clustering can be used to generate more robust and stable clustering results compared to a single clustering approach, perform distributed computing under privacy or sharing constraints, or reuse existing knowledge. This paper describes a variety of algorithms that have been proposed to address the cluster ensemble problem, organizing them in conceptual categories that bring out the common threads and lessons learnt while simultaneously highlighting unique features of individual approaches. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2011 1 305–315 DOI: 10.1002/widm.32
Establishment of a mouse infection model of human seasonal H1N1 influenza virus

Objective To establish a mouse infection model of human seasonal influenza virus(H1N1),and make preparations for the study on influenza viral pathogenicity and new antiviral drugs.Methods Mice were inoculated with influenza virus(H1N1) by the nasal cavity.After 4 days,mice with serious infectious signs were killed.A pneumonic homogenate that was confirmed with influenza virus infection by real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(FQ-PCR) was injected into the chick embryo allantoic cavity.Allantoic fluid was inoculated in to the next generation of mice.When infected mice presented obvious infectious signs,the 50% lethal dose(LD50) was calculated.The virus of 10LD50 was inoculated into mice to establish the infection model.Then,general condition,weight,lung index,and pathological sections were observed and viral RNA was detected by FQ-PCR.Results After 4 times of passage,the mouse infection model of human seasonal influenza virus(H1N1) was established,with LD50 of 10-2.41/0.05 mL.The mouse infection model had serious infectious signs,poor general condition,decreased weight, increased lung index,positive results by FQ-PCR and mortality of 70%.Conclusion The mouse infection model of human seasonal influenza virus(H1N1) has been successfully established.
Identification of a novel K-channel gene (KC22) that is highly expressed in distal tubule of rabbit kidney

The Shaker gene family encodes voltage-gated K channels. Five partial-length Shaker-like cDNAs (KC2, 4, 10, 19, and 22) were previously isolated from rabbit kidney using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) [G. V. Desir, E. Hamlin, A.H. Puente, R.F. Reilly, F. Hiledebrandt, and P. Igarashi. Am. J. Physiol. 262 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 31): F151-F157, 1992]. We now report the cloning of another Shaker-like cDNA (KC6) from rabbit kidney and the identification of one isoform that is highly expressed in rabbit distal tubule cells grown in culture. A partial-length cDNA (859 bp) for KC6 was isolated by PCR amplification of rabbit kidney cDNA using Shaker-specific degenerate primers. KC6 was most similar to the rat brain clone RBK2 (77% amino acid identity) and to the rabbit clone KC19 (78% amino acid identity). Transcript levels for KC2, 4, 6, 10, 19, and 22 were quantified using the ribonuclease protection assay. Transcripts for all six isoforms were detected in renal tissues. KC22 was the most abundant isoform in kidney cortex and medulla (20- to 40-fold greater than the other isoforms). Furthermore, KC22 expression levels were fivefold higher in primary cultures of rabbit distal convoluted tubules and connecting tubules than in whole kidney cortex. Although the partial-length sequence for KC22 represents the most conserved regions in the Shaker gene family it only has 35-88% amino acid identity with other Shaker channels, suggesting that KC22 represents a novel isoform. In contrast, KC4 and KC19 (less abundant in kidney than KC22) are highly homologous to the rat brain clones RBK1 and RBK2, respectively (97% amino acid identity).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Treatment of Malignant Tumors of the Spermatic Cord: A Study of 10 Cases and a Review of the Literature

AbstractTen patients with sarcoma of the spermatic cord were treated at our hospital between 1940 and 1977. Although there are 191 reported cases in the literature controversy remains concerning optimal treatment. In our series of 10 patients 5 of 7 (71 per cent) followed for more than 5 years postoperatively have suffered local recurrence. Thus, we believe that this treatment is inadequate and recommend postoperative radiation therapy to the scrotum and pelvis. Of our patients 2 suffered recurrence in the retroperitoneal lymphatics and we favor dissection of these nodes as part of the initial treatment.
Fear and Missing Out: Youth Anxiety and Functional Outcomes

Anxiety disorders are prevalent and associated with functional impairments. Outcome research has focused on symptom reduction, rather than positive factors such as life satisfaction and improved functioning. We review the impact of youth anxiety disorders and elevated anxiety symptoms on academic, occupational, family, social, and legal functioning. Emphasis is placed on the degree to which developmental trajectories differ for youth with and without anxiety disorders. In some areas, psychopathology generally, rather than anxiety specifically, is associated with functional impairment. Other studies support youth anxiety as a unique predictor of functional impairment. In particular, social anxiety is associated with impairments in social functioning throughout development. The short- and long-term impacts of anxiety treatment in youth are discussed. Last, research directions are suggested.
Gene Editing and Genetic Lung Disease. Basic Research Meets Therapeutic Application

Although our understanding of the genetics and pathology of congenital lung diseases such as surfactant protein deficiency, cystic fibrosis, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is extensive, treatment options are lacking. Because the lung is a barrier organ in direct communication with the external environment, targeted delivery of gene corrective technologies to the respiratory system via intratracheal or intranasal routes is an attractive option for therapy. CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology is a promising approach to repairing or inactivating disease-causing mutations. Recent reports have provided proof of concept by using CRISPR/Cas9 to successfully repair or inactivate mutations in animal models of monogenic human diseases. Potential pulmonary applications of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing include gene correction of monogenic diseases in pre- or postnatal lungs and ex vivo gene editing of patient-specific airway stem cells followed by autologous cell transplant. Strategies to enhance gene-editing efficiency and eliminate off-target effects by targeting pulmonary stem/progenitor cells and the assessment of short-term and long-term effects of gene editing are important considerations as the field advances. If methods continue to advance rapidly, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing may provide a novel opportunity to correct monogenic diseases of the respiratory system.
Low-power catalytic gas sensing using highly stable silicon carbide microheaters

A robust silicon carbide (SiC) microheater is used for stable low-power catalytic gas sensing at high operating temperatures, where previously developed low-power polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) microheaters are unstable. The silicon carbide microheater has low power consumption (20 mW to reach 500 °C) and exhibits an order of magnitude lower resistance drift than the polysilicon microheater after continuously heating at 500 °C for 100 h and during temperature increases up to 650 °C. With the deposition of platinum nanoparticle-loaded boron nitride aerogel, the SiC microheater-based catalytic gas sensor detects propane with excellent long-term stability while exhibiting fast response and recovery time (~1 s). The sensitivity is not affected by humidity, nor during 10% duty cycling, which yields a power consumption of only 2 mW with frequent data collection (every 2 s). With a simple change of heater material from silicon to SiC, the microheater and resulting catalytic gas sensor element show significant performance improvement.
Colonic transcriptional response to 1α,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in African- and European-Americans.

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health burden especially among African Americans (AA). Epidemiological studies have correlated low serum vitamin D with CRC risk, and, while hypovitaminosis D is more common and more severe in AA, the mechanisms by which vitamin D modulates CRC risk and how these differ by race are not well understood. Active vitamin D (1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 ) has chemoprotective effects primarily through transcriptional regulation of target genes in the colon. We hypothesized that transcriptional response to 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 differs between AA and European Americans (EA) irrespective of serum vitamin D and that regulatory variants could impact transcriptional response. We treated ex vivo colon cultures from 34 healthy subjects (16 AA and 18 EA) with 0.1 μM 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 or vehicle control for 6 h and performed genome-wide transcriptional profiling. We found 8 genes with significant differences in transcriptional response to 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 between AA and EA with definitive replication of inter-ethnic differences for uridine phosphorylase 1 ( UPP1 ) and zinc finger-SWIM containing 4 ( ZSWIM4 ). We performed expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) mapping and identified response cis- eQTLs for ZSWIM4 as well as for histone deacetylase 3 ( HDAC3 ), the latter of which showed a trend toward significant inter-ethnic differences in transcriptional response. Allele frequency differences of eQTLs for ZSWIM4 and HDAC3 accounted for observed transcriptional differences between populations. Taken together, our results demonstrate that transcriptional response to 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 differs between AA and EA independent of serum 25(OH)D levels. We provide evidence in support of a genetic regulatory mechanism underlying transcriptional differences between populations for ZSWIM4 and HDAC3 . Further work is needed to elucidate how response eQTLs modify vitamin D response and whether genotype and/or transcriptional response correlate with chemopreventive effects. Relevant biomarkers, such as tissue-specific 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 transcriptional response, could identify individuals likely to benefit from vitamin D for CRC prevention as well as elucidate basic mechanisms underlying CRC disparities.
Earthquake prediction: What we have learned and what we should do now

abstract Adopting out of necessity a definition of “earthquake prediction” which stresses short-term warnings (months, weeks, day, and hours), I must conclude that either we are doing the wrong things or such predictions may be impossible. Assuming the former, I recommend major emphasis on direct or nearly direct measurements of stress/strain change in or across fault zones in the immediate vicinity of strong points or “asperities” (how do you find asperities?). This recommendation presupposes essentially total emphasis of the United States9 program in California. Even if this recommendation is unpalatable, it is certain that resources now available require a total reanalysis of the present program and a consequent reallocation of funds.
Extracellular Matrix Receptor Expression in Subtypes of Lung Adenocarcinoma Potentiates Outgrowth of Micrometastases

Mechanisms underlying the propensity of latent lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) to relapse are poorly understood. In this study, we show how differential expression of a network of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and their interacting proteins contributes to risk of relapse in distinct LUAD subtypes. Overexpression of the hyaluronan receptor HMMR in primary LUAD was associated with an inflammatory molecular signature and poor prognosis. Attenuating HMMR in LUAD cells diminished their ability to initiate lung tumors and distant metastases. HMMR upregulation was not required for dissemination in vivo , but enhanced ECM-mediated signaling, LUAD cell survival, and micrometastasis expansion in hyaluronan-rich microenvironments in the lung and brain metastatic niches. Our findings reveal an important mechanism by which disseminated cancer cells can coopt the inflammatory ECM to persist, leading to brain metastatic outgrowths. Cancer Res; 77(8); 1905–17. ©2017 AACR .
P053 : DISTRIBUTION OF KIR HLA LIGANDS IN TRANSPLANT PATIENTS AND THEIR CORD BLOOD UNIT (CBU) DONORS

Aim Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes are receptors expressed on the surface of natural killer cells. KIR genes recognize polymorphic epitopes of HLA class I-A, B & C, called KIR HLA ligands (HLA-L). After binding specific ligands the KIR may transmit inhibitory or activating signals. NKC sense & kill target cells missing MHC class I molecules. Studies showed that hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) transplant patients may benefit from NK alloreactivity of the donor or HLA-C alleles (C1/x) of the recipients. Previously we reported the diversification of KIR HLA-L in CBU from MD Anderson Cord Bank. The goal of this study was to further explore the frequency (Freq) of HLA-L in selected CBU from the bank and their transplant recipients aimed at providing information for finding the best donor and improving graft outcome. Methods 640 CBU selected from MD Anderson Cord Bank and 589 recipients were included. HLA typing of class I & II loci were obtained using PCR/probe based methods & sequence-based typing as needed. Freq of Bw4, C1, and C2 group of HLA-C alleles were examined. Results KIR3DL1 recognizes allotypes with HLA-Bw4 motif; KIR2DL1 recognizes HLA-C epitope with lysine at codon 80 (group 2-C2); while KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 recognize C alleles with asparagine at residue 80 (group 1-C1). Among the 640 CBU and 589 recipients, 70.0% and 72.0%, respectively, carry Bw4 bearing phenotypes. HLA-C1 bearing phenotypes (C1/x) were found to be predominated in both CBU (85.2%) and their transplant recipients(81.5%). Missing HLA-C1 was lower (C2/C2, 18.5%) than missing C2 (C1/C1, 33.1%) in recipients (Table 1). Conclusion Here we show that CBU can be classified based on their KIR repertoire (licensed versus unlicensed) and the presence of KIR-ligand mismatch with the recipient. Analysis of graft outcome in these HSC transplant recipients is underway. The ultimate goal of our study is to develop algorithms based on the KIR profile of CB units to select the units with maximum antileukemic activity to improve the outcome of CBU transplant.
Quadruple adaptive redundancy with fault detection estimator

As a result of advances in technology, systems have grown more and more complex, leading to greater opportunities for failure. System fault has become an increasingly significant threat to the reliability and fault tolerance of automation systems. Redundancy of components within the system is one popular method for enhancing fault tolerance. One of the simple and effective methods for fault tolerance that has stood the test of time is Triple Modular Redundancy, which provides not one redundant copy of a critical system component, but two extra copies for a total of three. Ironically, providing three copies of a sensor, for example, only provides tolerance to one failure. It takes four copies to provide resilience to a double-point failure, but this can be expensive in terms of the cost of sensors and installation, wiring, and interface circuitry. We propose Quadruple Adaptive Redundancy, a new method that adds software-based estimation techniques, rather than additional hardware components, to achieve higher levels of robustness with virtually no incremental cost. In this paper, the performance of Quadruple Adaptive Redundancy is verified through computer simulations and compared to Triple Modular Redundancy with one and two induced sensor failures.
Scalable fabrication of perovskite solar cells

Perovskite materials use earth-abundant elements, have low formation energies for deposition and are compatible with roll-to-roll and other high-volume manufacturing techniques. These features make perovskite solar cells (PSCs) suitable for terawatt-scale energy production with low production costs and low capital expenditure. Demonstrations of performance comparable to that of other thin-film photovoltaics (PVs) and improvements in laboratory-scale cell stability have recently made scale up of this PV technology an intense area of research focus. Here, we review recent progress and challenges in scaling up PSCs and related efforts to enable the terawatt-scale manufacturing and deployment of this PV technology. We discuss common device and module architectures, scalable deposition methods and progress in the scalable deposition of perovskite and charge-transport layers. We also provide an overview of device and module stability, module-level characterization techniques and techno-economic analyses of perovskite PV modules. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a revolutionary class of photovoltaic technology. Here, we review recent progress and challenges in scaling up PSCs towards commercialization. We discuss several areas, including device architectures, deposition methods, scalable deposition of perovskite and charge transport layers, device stability, module-level characterization and techno-economic analyses.
Effects of Naferelin in Precocious Puberty

Pubertal development in children results from an activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis so that gonadal secretions produce secondary sexual development. The current concept of normal pubertal development is that tonic inhibition from an unknown neural pathway prevents activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis during the prepubertal years [1]. Pubertal development then results from a gradual diminishment of this inhibitory control. Several investigators have suggested that the pineal gland may be involved in the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis throughout childhood [2,3]. A recent report suggested that the inhibitory substance might be melatonin [4,5]. The onset of physica1 signs of secondary sexual development may be the sequel of numerous other subtle biochemical alterations such as changes in biological potency of gonadotropins, nocturnal release of gonadotropins, and increase in amplitude and frequency of gonadotropin release [1,6,7]. The subsequent activation of the gonad by peripheral LH and FSH is thought to proceed through membrane receptors at the target organ. Adrenarche and pubarche in children are activated in a manner similar to that of the pituitary release of gonadotropins [1].
Death of scientific journals after 350 years

Scientific journals have virtually disappeared as subscription-based familiar paper copies. These have been replaced by article by article access on internet sites (either subscription based paid for by libraries in multi-journal often million dollar 'Big Deal' packages or by author prepayments of thousand dollars 'article processing fees' (Omary and Lawrence, Dealing with rising publication costs. The Scientist 2017;31:29-31), followed by open access. The result appears to be the death of the traditional scientific journal as a familiar means of communication, after nearly 350 years from the time of Anton van Leeuwenhoek and Robert Hooke (for two early microbiology examples). Rather than journals with page numbers, individual reports are accessed using titles or manuscript file code numbers. This commentary is knowingly provocative, describing the rapidly changing situation in scientific publication at the beginning of the 21st century and predicting a bad future, basically the end of the long-time most-used vehicles for scientific communication, the paper scientific journal with volumes and pages. This view is not particular to this author and appears frequently today (e.g. The Scientist 2012; https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2016/10/26/revisiting-why-hasnt-scientific-publishing-been-disrupted-already/). This negative conclusion offers no better possibilities, as it is concluded that it is already too late and too far along this pathway for any meaningful middle ground. This commentary is intended for a broad group of potential readers, including authors and readers of this journal (who are active microbial scientists who need to adapt to individual manuscript identification numbers replacing page numbers), as well as the larger community interested broadly in scientific communication, and even our institutional librarians (who have experienced the disappearance of paper copies from their shelves, and especially unsustainable rapid increases in money costs at a time of very limited resources).
Human Trust Factors in Image Analysis

Advancements in robotics and machine learning technologies have increased the prevalence of human-machine interactions and collaborations in the workplace. Several studies have identified trust as a major factor in how efficiently human-machine interactions occur and in how errors are recognized and handled. Little work has been done to identify how this human-machine trust compares to human-human trust, and how an individual’s preference for human-sourced information may interfere with their human-machine relationships, and vice versa. Outside the workplace, people consume media that has become saturated by altered and out-of-context imagery. Thus, our ability to evaluate the veracity of graphical information has been compromised. Our experiment seeks to identify factors of implicit bias in how humans analyze information when it comes from a machine (algorithm), or from a human (subject-area expert). Our results highlight the need for developing a cultural computational literacy.
Extracellular Domain of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor: Interaction with Its Ligand and Identification of a Domain in Close Proximity of Ligand-Binding Region

Abstract An extracellular domain of human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor was expressed in and purified from Chinese hamster ovary cells. Complex formation between G-CSF and the receptor was studied by size exclusion chromatography, followed by chemical cross-linking. The receptor–ligand complex contained an equimolar ratio of each protein. Cross-linking experiments using disucciniimide suberate revealed that the native complex contained at least two types of cross-linked complexes; one form contained one or two G-CSF molecules per receptor molecule, whereas another form contained one or two G-CSF per two receptor molecules. The tryptic peptide map of the cross-linked complex provided a unique peptide peak which was not found in a peptide map of the original protein. Sequence analysis and mass spectrometry of the peptide indicated that two peptides were covalently linked by cross-linker, one peptide from G-CSF and the other from the receptor. In the cross-linked peptide, Lys-242 of the receptor cross-linked the amino terminal Met of G-CSF through the cross-linker. It was also shown that the N-terminal Met of G-CSF was readily acetylated in the receptor–ligand complex, indicating that it was not directly involved in receptor binding. The results show that the N-terminal Met of G-CSF is located at a distance of approximately 11 A from a reactive Lys-242 of the receptor in the ligand–receptor complex.
Characterization of Cross-Reactivity Between Cryptococcal Polysaccharides By Use of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays and Monoclonal Antibodies

Cryptococcus neoformans is surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule. Four serotypes of the polysaccharide, serotypes A, B, C, and D, were identified on the basis of agglutination reactions (Wilson, Bennett and Bailey, 1968). Recent studies identified a possible fifth serotype, serotype A-D (Ikeda et al., 1982). Typically, there is extensive cross-reactivity between the various serotypes.
A Vision for Interactive Suggested Examples for Novice Programmers

Many systems aim to support programmers within a programming context, whether they recommend API methods, example code, or hints to help novices solve a task. The recommendations may change based on the user's code context, history, or the source of the recommendation content. They are designed to primarily support users in improving their code or working toward a task solution. The recommendations themselves rarely provide support for a user to interact with them directly, especially in ways that benefit the knowledge or understanding of the user. This poster presents a vision and preliminary designs for three ways a user might learn from interactions with suggested examples: describing examples, providing detailed relevance feedback, and selective visualization and tinkering.
Telecytology implementation: Deployment of telecytology for rapid on-site evaluations at an Academic Medical Center

INTRODUCTION There are limited publications that address technical and practical informatics considerations when implementing telecytology for rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). Our aim was to share the experience of deploying telecytology for ROSE at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS Key informatics issues relevant to adopting telecytology for ROSE at our institution were appraised including workflow, information technology (IT), validation, training, and quality assurance (QA). RESULTS A dynamic telemicroscopy solution was selected that required trained cytotechnologists to attend on-site procedures for ROSE. For validation 60 cases were reviewed using the first camera at each facility, but only 20 cases to validate subsequent cameras. A concordance rate of >90% between ROSE interpretation performed digitally to original interpretations was required for clinical validation. After reviewing 440 cases from two comparable time periods before and after implementation, employing telecytology was shown to decrease cytopathologists' work time per ROSE case from an average of 20.95 min per case to 2.91 min per case (86% time savings). The non-diagnostic rate for traditional ROSE was 7.7% compared with 4.1% after the implementation of telecytology, and the deferral rate went from 43.6% for traditional ROSE to 44.1% with telecytology. Traditional ROSE diagnoses correlated with final diagnoses in 91.8% cases, compared to 95.5% with telecytology. CONCLUSIONS Challenges when implementing telecytology for ROSE included technical issues, workflow concerns, and incorporating trainees into daily practice. The end result of our implementation was the adoption of an innovative way to deliver a ROSE service that maximised efficiency for cytopathologists without compromising diagnostic performance.
Outcomes of endoscopic treatment of leaks and fistulae after sleeve gastrectomy: results from a large multicenter U.S. cohort

Abstract Background Sleeve gastrectomy is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery in the United States. Leaks after sleeve gastrectomy (SGL) occur in 1% to 3% of patients. Endoscopic therapies are increasingly used for treatment of SGLs, but few data exist on their outcomes. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess technical success, leak resolution, and reoperation rates of patients undergoing endoscopic therapy for repair SGLs. Setting Eight high-volume academic endoscopy centers. Methods Patients undergoing endoscopic therapy for SGLs from 2007 to 2017 were identified. Patients were excluded if the index endoscopic therapy for SGL was performed elsewhere or if no follow-up data were available. Leaks were classified as acute (≤7 d of SG), early (1–6 wk), late (7–12 wk), and chronic (>12 wk). Leak resolution was defined as lack of extraluminal air, extravasation on oral contrast radiography, cross-sectional imaging, or resolution of percutaneous drain output. Demographic and procedural data were recorded as rates of additional therapy, adverse events, and surgical revision. Results A total of 85 patients met criteria for analysis (70 women, age 42.6 ± 10.8 yr). A total of 295 endoscopic sessions (median 3, range 1–14) were performed across the cohort. SGLs resolved after index endoscopic therapy in 43 (50.1%) patients. The primary outcome of endoscopic resolution of SGL was observed in 62 patients (72.9%). There were 34 (11.5%) PRAE (the majority occurring with self-expandable metal stents), all but 1 of which were managed endoscopically. Surgical revision was required in 23 (21.7%) patients. On univariate analyses independent variables associated with the need for surgical revision included both acute and chronic SGLs (P = .028), loculated subphrenic collections/abscesses (P = .03), and intraabdominal sepsis (P = .03). On multivariable logistic regression using statistically significant predictors from the univariate analyses, acute SGLs were significantly associated with a need for surgical revision (odds ratio 4.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2–18.9, P = .025). Conclusion Endoscopic therapy for SGLs is associated with good clinical success, avoiding the need for surgical revision in 73% of patients, with an acceptable adverse event profile. Patients with acute or chronic SGLs and those with loculated abscesses or intraabdominal sepsis are more likely to undergo surgical revision. Endoscopic therapy is an appropriate first-line modality for the management of SGLs, especially those not classified as acute or chronic.
Why Do Societies Ever Produce Common Goods for Health

The world, and we human beings who live in it, would be better off if we were to invest more resources and attention in producing common goods for health (CGH), such as anti-pollution and safety re...
The Process of Democratic Breakdown: Controlling Information While Evading Term Limits

Politicians often erode democratic institutions to consolidate their personal power through acts like term limit evasions. Violations of fundamental constitutional arrangements, so-called “bright line” institutions, are often expected to result in anti-government opposition. Then how do leaders evading term limits extend the term and keep their office? I argue that political leaders strategically prevent protests after the initiation of term limit evasions by limiting the free flow of information that is imperative for potential dissidents to collectively mobilize against a leader. Using difference-in-differences with matching for TSCS, I show that term limit evasions are followed by a marked decrease in a country’s freedom of expression and it is more salient in autocracies than in democracies. In addition, using Venezuela as an example, I provide micro-evidence of information control by investigating how topics of opposition media change after a term limit evasion.