cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The reliability of non-invasive measurement of arterial pressure of oscillate module in infants at low blood pressure state

Objective To investigate the reliability of non-invasive measurement of arterial pressure in infants at low blood pressure state.Methods 24 infants needed to undergo intravenous and inhaled anesthesia and trachea intubation during operation were selected. Blood pressure was reduced beyond 30% baseline value by inhaled isoflurane. To compare the results of blood pressure by non-invasive measurement of arterial pressure of oscillate module or by stethoscopy. Results There is no significant difference between the results of non-invasive measurement of arterial pressure of oscillate module and of stethoscopy. Mean error of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure is -0.11 and 4.57 respectively, Standard deviation of systolic pressure and diastolic pressure is 5.11 and 5.98 respectively. Conclusion Non-invasive measurement of arterial pressure of oscillate module could reflect precisely blood pressure level of infants at low blood pressure state.
Bandit-based planning and learning in continuous-action Markov decision processes

Recent research leverages results from the continuous-armed bandit literature to create a reinforcement-learning algorithm for continuous state and action spaces. Initially proposed in a theoretical setting, we provide the first examination of the empirical properties of the algorithm. Through experimentation, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this planning method when coupled with exploration and model learning and show that, in addition to its formal guarantees, the approach is very competitive with other continuous-action reinforcement learners.
Correction: From FOX-7 to H-FOX to insensitive energetic materials with hypergolic properties.

Correction for ‘From FOX-7 to H-FOX to insensitive energetic materials with hypergolic properties’ by Dharavath Srinivas et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 7668–7671.
Broadband reflection traveling-wave LINbO3 modulator

One of the primary driving requirements for optical modulators is low drive voltage. At the same time the development of velocity-matched traveling-wave modulators in LiNbO3 and other materials has provided large available bandwidth.1,2
Immunocytochemical localization of the vacuolar H+-ATPase pump in the kidney

In this article we review immunocytochemical localization studies using a monoclonal antibody raised against the 31 kD subunit of bovine H(+)-ATPase, and indirect immunofluorescent staining. In the proximal tubules there is intense H(+)-ATPase staining along the brush borders of S1 and S2, and linear subvillar invagination staining in S1, S2, and S3 segments. In the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle there is a mild to moderate degree apical cytoplasmic vesicular staining. In distal convoluted tubule there is mild to moderate degree of H(+)-ATPase staining which is sharply delineated along the luminal plasma membrane. In the connecting tubule, the connecting tubule cells show mild to moderate luminal membrane and apical cytoplasmic vesicular staining, and the intercalated cells demonstrate prominent H(+)-ATPase staining which is polarized to either apical or basolateral pole or distributed diffusely throughout the cell. In the cortical collecting duct the principal cells show minimal or no staining while the intercalated cells show very bright H(+)-ATPase staining with 6 identifiable morphologic subtypes based on polarization of the pump to apical or basolateral poles, and the degree of polarization (well polarized or poorly polarized). In the medullary collecting duct the principal cells show no staining and the intercalated cells show prominent H(+)-ATPase staining only in the apical pole. We also describe adaptive responses to different physiologic manipulations e.g., chronic oral acid loads, chronic respiratory acidosis, remnant kidney model, chronic desoxycorticosterone (DOCA) administration, and chronic potassium depletion diet. Moreover, we compare the immunocytochemical localization of the H(+)-ATPase pump of rabbit and kidneys.
High blood pressure in older women.

In many older women the life history and course of essential hypertension is a benign and long drawn-out affair. There is no specific treatment as far as drugs, diet or surgery is concerned. The physician should be very optimistic in his attitude toward each individual female patient in the older age group. The natural history of this disorder confirms this point of view.
Thermal stability of azurite and malachite

The apparent temperature of decomposition of azurite and malachite from the Dixie mine, Utah, was established by thermogravimetric analysis using a heating rate of 1.25, 0.15, and 0. 01°C per minute. Using a heating rate of 1.25°C per minute, azurite begins to decompose at about 300°C and reaches a maximuin rate of decomposition at 400°C. All of the volatiles are lost below 500°C. Malachite shows some weight loss at 275°C; however, the maximum rate of decomposition for malachite is not reached until 440°C. Decomposition of malachite continued to a temperature greater than 600°C. In contrast, finely divided malachite begins to lose weight at less than 100°C and at 300° its weight loss is more than 5 times that of coarse mesh azurite and malachite. At slower heating rates both minerals decompose at lower temperatures. The minimum possible heating rate should always be used for determinations of decomposition temperatures of any material. -- AATA
Treatment of Coagulopathy Related to Hepatic Insufficiency.

Objectives:To provide a concise review of the medical management of coagulopathy related to hepatic insufficiency. This review will focus on prevention and management of bleeding episodes in patients with hepatic insufficiency. The treatment and prevention of thromboembolic complications will also b
Resistance and Rebellion: Lithuania, 1940–1941

Lithuania experienced three successive occupations during the 1940s. The study of each case over the next four chapters generates opportunities for productive comparison by providing differences among individuals and regions, changes over time, and dissimilarities across the three Baltic states. In each chapter, the sequence of mechanisms outlined in the previous chapter is employed as a guide for analysis. The Lithuanian cases also provide some intriguing puzzles. Perhaps the most puzzling aspect of Lithuanian rebellion behavior is described in minute detail in Chapter 7's review of the second Soviet occupation. In the latter half of the 1940s, a battle between Lithuanian partisans and Soviet NKVD troops devastated the Lithuanian countryside. It was a classic confrontation in many ways. The Soviets controlled the villages in the day, threatening the local population with the wrath of Soviet power if they were caught aiding the partisans. At night, partisans made their own appeals to the local citizens. Despite the mismatch in power, the partisans' hopeless rebellion continued for years largely because many Lithuanian communities developed organizations (+2) that aided the partisans. The costs to these village-based supporters were extremely high: the Soviets “pacified” these uncooperative people by deporting tens of thousands of them to Siberia. Whole villages were removed from the face of the earth; only one in eight Lithuanian deportees would ever return to his or her native land. This postwar resistance had its roots in the first Soviet occupation of 1940–1941. This case presents a particularly clear illustration of the community dynamics of rebellion.
Abstract 1127: Small molecule SIRT3 inhibitor 4′-bromo-resveratrol inhibits proliferation, promotes apoptosis and causes metabolic reprograming of human melanoma cells

Sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) is an important mitochondria NAD+-dependent deacetylase that is known to target mitochondrial proteins for deacetylation and regulates a variety of cellular functions. We have previously shown that SIRT3 was overexpressed in human melanoma cells and tissues and its genetic knockdown resulted in a significant antiproliferative response in human melanoma cells (In: AACR Annual Meeting: Proceedings; 2014 April 5-April 9, San Diego; CA, Abstract # 3516). Our data suggested that small molecule inhibitors of SIRT3 may be developed for the management of melanoma. In this study, we determined the anti-proliferative efficacy of a newly identified small molecule SIRT3 inhibitor, 4′-bromo-resveratrol, in human melanoma cell lines (G361, SK-MEL-28 and SK-MEL-2). Treatment of melanoma cells with 4-bromoresveratrol (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 × 10-3 mM; for 24, 48 and 72 hrs) resulted in a significant decrease in cell proliferation in a dose- and time- dependent manner. In addition, 4′-bromo-resveratrol treatment also resulted in a marked decrease in the growth, viability, clonogenic survival and migration of melanoma cells. Further, the anti-proliferative effects of 4′-bromo-resveratrol were accompanied by a marked downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein as well as SIRT3 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, 4′-bromo-resveratrol treatment to melanoma cells resulted in 1) significant induction of apoptosis in melanoma cells, as evident from increase in PARP cleavage, decrease in pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-8; and 2) G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. We also observed a marked increase in WAF-1/p21 protein levels and decreases in cyclin D1 and cdk2 protein levels as a result of 4′-bromo-resveratrol treatment in melanoma cells. Finally, we also found that 4′-bromo-resveratrol caused a metabolic reprograming in human melanoma cells as shown by decreases in the levels of lactate production, glucose uptake, NAD+/NADH ratio, which were accompanied by downregulation in protein levels of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) in melanoma cells. Collectively, our data suggest that the small molecule SIRT3 inhibitors, including 4′-bromo-resveratrol, may be developed for melanoma management. However, detailed mechanistic studies as well as in vivo validation studies in appropriate animal model(s) are needed to ascertain the clinical potential of 4′-bromo-resveratrol and/or other SIRT3 inhibitors. Citation Format: Jasmine George, Minakshi Nihal, Chandra K. Singh, Nihal Ahmad. Small molecule SIRT3 inhibitor 4′-bromo-resveratrol inhibits proliferation, promotes apoptosis and causes metabolic reprograming of human melanoma cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1127. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1127
Conspecific Attraction Drives Intraspecific Aggregations by Nephila clavipes Spiders

Aggregation behavior is common throughout the animal world, although it is rare in spiders (Araneae). Nephila clavipes spiders are frequently found both in solitary webs and in aggregations of conspecifics. N. clavipes aggregations are not considered social, because these spiders do not engage in food sharing or group parental care. The currently accepted explanation for N. clavipes aggregations is that they form passively, as spiders aggregate in response to the patchy distribution of food resources in the environment. Here, we show instead that N. clavipes females actively seek out conspecifics and, therefore, that aggregations arise from conspecific attraction. We experimentally established that (1) N. clavipes females actively follow the trails left by conspecifics and (2) aggregations are formed independently of prey density in a particular area. These results suggest that while aggregations in high food patches increase encounter rates of conspecific spiders and support the nutritional needs of multiple large spiders, this potential benefit is not the proximate mechanism for aggregation. Thus, we hypothesize that N. clavipes females likely acquire fitness benefits from aggregating with conspecifics.
The Medical Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies

Although antibodies have had many uses in research and medicine, the difficulties of producing high-titer specific antisera have often limited the role of serological reagents. Recently, a technique for fusing cultured myeloma cells to primary immune lymphocytes has made it possible to generate continuous cell lines secreting antibodies of predefined specificity. Because of the immortality and clonal nature of these hybridoma lines, the monoclonal antibodies they produce represent a homogeneous and well-defined re­agent that is available indefinitely and in unlimited amounts. Monoclonal antibodies can be generated to a wider range of antigens than can conventional antisera and are uniquely suited to a number of clinical as well as scientific purposes. Because of their interaction with phagocytic cells and components of normal immunoregulatory circuits, however, the use of monoclonal antibodies in vivo could have undesired effects. We have approached this problem by investigating the possibility of generating variant hybrldoma lines secreting antibodies with mutations in the constant region domains responsible for immunoglobulin effector functions. We have generated several such lines with a number of potentially useful functional alterations.
Verb second and its deviations: An argument for feature scattering in the left periphery

This article focuses on the analysis of verb-second (V2) requirements in light of evidence that the clausal left periphery contains a series of functional projections in a fixed hierarchy (Rizzi 1997; Beninca & Poletto 2004; among many others). I discuss previous approaches to V2, the bottleneck effect and stacked head theories, and argue that they are generally unable to account for a variety of “relaxed” V2 systems that allow V3 or V4 in some contexts. I propose a new analysis of variation in the strictness of V2 in terms of the feature scattering hypothesis (Giorgi & Pianesi 1996); languages can vary in the number of functional category features that are bundled on individual heads. This allows a straightforward account for the attested typology of relaxed V2 systems, and a new explanation for cross-linguistic variation in the instantiation of functional projections.
Geographic variability in gestational weight gain: a multilevel population-based study of women having term births in Florida (2005-2012).

Abstract Purpose We examined the extent of geographic variability in gestational weight gain (GWG), identified areas where women have suboptimal GWG, and evaluated whether individual- and area-level factors account for such variability. Methods We conducted a population-based cohort study including 1,385,574 women delivering term, singleton, and live births in Florida. We used a Bayesian, structured additive regression with a spatial function to analyze data from Florida's birth certificates (2005–2012) and ZIP code tabulation areas (ZCTAs; 2010 Census). Results The prevalence of insufficient (7.7%–42.9%) and excessive (17.1%–82.4%) GWG varied widely within Florida. Geographic variability was not explained by risk factors under study. Clusters in Orlando, Tampa, and Miami exhibited increased likelihood of insufficient GWG, whereas clusters in the Northwest of Florida exhibited increased likelihood of excessive GWG. Conclusions We identified areas in Florida with high likelihood of suboptimal GWG that policy-makers should prioritize in the implementation of programs for optimizing GWG.
Development of an Integrated Immunology and Vaccines Pharmacy Elective

Objective: To describe an elective course on immunology and vaccines for pharmacy students that extends beyond basic immunization training. Design: A three credit-hour Immunology and Vaccines elective was developed and taught by an immunologist, policy research expert, and pharmacist. The learning objectives of the course included: understanding how the immune system works with vaccines to provide protection against infectious diseases, the history and policies involved in immunization practice, and how to counsel the vaccine hesitant individual. Classes were conducted using a variety of formats; group projects, lectures, films, literature reviews and guest speakers. An end-of-course evaluation was used to gauge student opinion on course value. Students were evaluated by four exams and a final group presentation. Conclusion: Students indicated that this course was valuable to their future pharmacy careers and provided insight into why people choose not to vaccinate and how they could use the course insight to properly educate such individuals. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties Type: Note
Podocyte Growing Pains in Adaptive FSGS.

FSGS is a pattern of glomerular injury caused by diverse podocyte insults. Etiologies include circulating permeability factors, genetic defects, viruses, drugs, and adaptation to elevated glomerular capillary pressures and flow rates (glomerular hypertension).[1][1] The clinically common adaptive
Using the hierarchy of biological ontologies to identify mechanisms in flat networks

Systems biology has provided new resources for discovering and reasoning about mechanisms. In addition to generating databases of large bodies of data, systems biologists have introduced platforms such as Cytoscape to represent protein–protein interactions, gene interactions, and other data in networks. Networks are inherently flat structures. One can identify clusters of highly connected nodes, but network representations do not represent these clusters as at a higher level than their constituents. Mechanisms, however, are hierarchically organized: they can be decomposed into their parts and their activities can be decomposed into component operations. A potent bridge between flat networks and hierarchical mechanisms is provided by biological ontologies, both those curated by hand such as Gene Ontology (GO) and those extracted directly from databases such as Network Extracted Ontology (NeXO). I examine several examples in which by applying ontologies to networks, systems biologists generate new hypotheses about mechanisms and characterize these novel strategies for developing mechanistic explanations.
Shallow semantics for coreference resolution

This paper focuses on the linguistic aspect of noun phrase coreference, investigating the knowledge sources that can potentially improve a learning-based coreference resolution system. Unlike traditional, knowledge-lean coreference resolvers, which rely almost exclusively on morpho-syntactic cues, we show how to induce features that encode semantic knowledge from labeled and unlabeled corpora. Experiments on the ACE data sets indicate that the addition of these new semantic features to a coreference system employing a fairly standard feature set significantly improves its performance.
In Vitro Assessment of Nanoparticle Effects on Blood Coagulation

Blood clotting is a complex process which involves both cellular and biochemical components. The key cellular players in the blood clotting process are thrombocytes or platelets. Other cells, including leukocytes and endothelial cells, contribute to clotting by expressing the so-called pro-coagulant activity (PCA) complex on their surface. The biochemical component of blood clotting is represented by the plasma coagulation cascade, which includes plasma proteins also known as coagulation factors. The coordinated interaction between platelets, leukocytes, endothelial cells, and plasma coagulation factors is necessary for maintaining hemostasis and for preventing excessive bleeding. Undesirable activation of all or some of these components may lead to pathological blood coagulation and life-threatening conditions such as consumptive coagulopathy or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In contrast, unintended inhibition of the coagulation pathways may lead to hemorrhage. Thrombogenicity is the property of a test material to induce blood coagulation by affecting one or more elements of the clotting process. Anticoagulant activity refers to the property of a test material to inhibit coagulation. The tendency to cause platelet aggregation, perturb plasma coagulation, and induce leukocyte PCA can serve as an in vitro measure of a nanomaterial's likelihood to be pro- or anticoagulant in vivo. This chapter describes three procedures for in vitro analyses of platelet aggregation, plasma coagulation time, and activation of leukocyte PCA. Platelet aggregation and plasma coagulation procedures have been described earlier. The revision here includes updated details about nanoparticle sample preparation, selection of nanoparticle concentration for the in vitro study, and updated details about assay controls. The chapter is expanded to describe a method for the leukocyte PCA analysis and case studies demonstrating the performance of these in vitro assays.
Friendship Within Entrepreneurial Teams and its Association with Team and Venture Performance

This article explores friendship within the entrepreneurial team with particular attention to its association with the team's behavior and the performance of the venture. Building on a foundation i...
Value of routine timed barium esophagram follow-up in achalasia after myotomy

Abstract Objectives The value of routine timed barium esophagram (TBE) in longitudinal follow-up of achalasia after Heller myotomy is unknown. We prospectively prescribed a yearly follow-up TBE. Purposes were to characterize esophageal emptying over time after myotomy, identify preoperative TBE measures associated with follow-up TBE, and characterize follow-up TBE over time in relationship to reintervention. Methods From March 1995 to April 2013, 635 patients underwent Heller myotomy for achalasia; 559 had at least 1 follow-up TBE. Temporal trends of 1335 follow-up TBEs in all nonreintervention and reintervention patients were assessed. Multivariable longitudinal analysis identified preoperative TBE measures associated with follow-up TBE. Results On average, TBE height and width at 1 and 5 minutes decreased approximately 50% and 60%, respectively, at first postoperative follow-up, and remained stable or slightly decreased for up to 5 years. Wider TBE width at 5 minutes was associated with greater follow-up TBE height and width at 1 minute. Of 118 patients undergoing reintervention, 64 (57%) had only 1 reintervention, with follow-up TBE returning to that of nonreintervention patients. Patients whose follow-up TBE remained abnormal underwent a further reintervention, some normalizing on subsequent TBE, and some not. Conclusions Follow-up TBE is valuable postmyotomy, particularly if there is substantial esophageal dilatation preoperatively. Follow-up TBE reassures patients with stable or decreasing TBE measures, permitting decreased follow-up intensity. Reintervention should not be considered a myotomy failure, because a successful, single, nonsurgical reintervention often results in long-term successful palliation. More than 1 reintervention requires intensification of TBE follow-up, facilitating treatment planning.
Population Dynamics: Momentum of Population Growth

The momentum of population growth refers to the extent of built-in long-term growth of a population if its fertility were suddenly to drop to replacement level. This growth is often attributed to an increased number of births produced by the large number of women in childbearing ages in the initial population. However, the basis of population growth is the large number of young people already born, not the babies they produce in the future. As the large cohorts of young people survive to older ages, their numbers are significantly larger than those of the older people in the initial population, and this is the ‘cause’ of population growth. Thus population momentum and population aging are two sides of the same phenomenon. The magnitude of the growth is well approximated by the square root of the initial net reproduction rate; for example, an initial population with net reproduction rate of R 0 =3 experiences approximately 70 percent growth (i.e., =1.7). Furthermore, if fertility declines gradually over time, there is an additional growth. The extra momentum increases exponentially as the duration of the fertility transition increases. Thus the eventual population growth in the world's developing countries can be substantial, resulting from the combination of high fertility and a prolonged time to reach replacement-level fertility.
Mitigating the adverse effects of response deadline on recognition memory: Differential effects of semantic memory support on item and associative memory

Abstract Prior research indicates that the effects of response deadline on episodic memory retrieval may be selective. Accordingly, this paper examines whether response deadline causes differential impairments in item and associative memory. Further, it investigates and contrasts the role of two types of semantic memory support– item memory support (in the form of meaningfulness of items, Experiment 1) and associative memory support (in the form of relatedness between items, Experiment 2), in potentially alleviating these episodic memory impairments. Across two experiments, participants studied pairs composed of pictures (presented as brand logo graphics) and words (presented as brand names), and later were tested on the components (item recognition) or the association between the components (associative recognition) under either long or short response deadlines. The results demonstrate the differential effects of response deadline on recognition memory, with larger detriments caused in associative memory versus item memory. Furthermore, while meaningfulness of items attenuates the negative effects of response deadline on item (versus associative) recognition (Experiment 1), relatedness between items alleviates the adverse effects of response deadline on associative (versus item) recognition (Experiment 2), though this was not the case in a boundary condition in which related pairs were used as foils, posing greater demand on recollection processes. The results are interpreted to indicate that the attenuation of the negative effects of response deadline on recognition memory occurs in the type of episodic memory that receives greater semantic memory support.
Origin and Radial Distribution of Faint Blue Horizontal-Branch Stars

We report the identification of 23 faint blue horizontal branch stars in Omega Centauri similar to those discussed by Buonanno et al. (1985) in M15. We find that these stars are significantly concentrated towards the center of the cluster with respect to other giants. We suggest that they may have formed from the collision of a main sequence star and a white dwarf.
SIMPLE QUARTZ MERCURY-VAPOR LAMPS FOR BIOLOGICAL AND PHOTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS

The quartz mercury-vapor lamps described below were made by the writer for use in connection with some experiments on the biological and chemical effects of ultraviolet light. At the time the lamps were made there were no quartz mercury-vapor lamps on the market in this country. The lamps gave, and are still giving, after four years’ use, excellent results. They are less expensive than any of the commercial lamps known to the writer; and, furthermore, as will be seen, the design of these “home-made” lamps can be altered to suit particular requirements. These lamps are not difficult to make. The quartz must be worked in an oxyhydrogen flame, and the burner must be ad- justed so as to give the highest temperature possible; but the technique required for shaping the lamps is simpler than that required to make an ordinary T-joint in, glass tubing, since the quartz joints do not have to be annealed. A good vacuum pump is required for exhausting the lamp. The greatest difficulty is found in making the seals at the points where the electrodes enter. The literature contains a number of more or less complicated and impractical methods, but the seals described below are easily made and are efficient. It may be cheaper at present to have all the quartz parts of the lamp made at the factory. As stated above, these lamps were made before quartz tubing was being manufactured in this country. Figure 1 shows a simple form which the lamp may take.’ A is a quartz tube 1 cm. in diameter. One end is bent downward
Advances in Glioblastoma Operative Techniques

Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of gross total resection in improving patient survival in glioblastoma (GBM). Advances in surgical tools and techniques such as intra-operative imaging, fluorescent agents, and functional imaging sequences are allowing for better identification of tumor borders and vital eloquent cortex in order to safely achieve higher rates of complete resections. Furthermore, due to the limits of surgical resection alone, new minimally invasive techniques for treatment of GBM are under development. These advances are crucial for improving neurosurgical care and outcomes in this difficult patient population.
Abstract 4709: Cell-specific gene program-based small-molecule immunomodulators targeting solid-tumor microenvironments

Cancer immunotherapy includes promising strategies based on immune checkpoint blockade (e.g., anti-PD-1/PD-L1, anti-CTLA-4). A limitation of such therapies for solid tumors stems from other immune-suppressive mechanisms mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and tumor-associated macrophages. We hypothesize that molecules that target specific suppressive immune cells in the tumor microenvironment can reprogram the pro-tumor microenvironment towards antitumor immunity. Using our proteome-scale target/antitarget network-based lead optimization method (CANDESIGN), we designed and synthesized cell-specific nontoxic chemical libraries with modular functions for anticancer potency and immunomodulation. We used machine learning iteratively on experimental data to identify cell-specific target/anti-target networks (gene programs) as well as designed and synthesized compound libraries targeting cell-specific programs for desired cancer and immune cell function ex vivo. Specifically, we altered suppressive function of MDSCs by targeting upregulated genes in activated monocytic MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment compared to cells in spleen. We synthesized a potent nontoxic compound that specifically modulates activated MDSC function and corresponding changes in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activity in a mouse bladder cancer model. We observed a significant reduction in tumor mass following treatment by oral gavage. Interestingly, the bladder cancer cells used in our mouse model (as well as human and dog bladder cancer cells) are insensitive to our lead compound in vitro, suggesting in vivo antitumor activity via immunomodulation. Our lead decreased frequency of monocytic and granulocytic MDSCs in the ascites and the tumor. Moreover, a decreased frequency of MDSC expressing suppressive functional markers (e.g., Arg1, iNOS, PD-L1) and increased IFNγ+CD8+ T cells were observed in the tumor microenvironment after compound treatment. Finally, we performed a small clinical trial on pet dogs with bladder tumors treated with our compound tablets for 4-5 weeks that resulted in ~50% reduction in tumor volume. We conclude that designing cell-specific compounds perturbing the tumor microenvironment to combat immune suppression gives a selective advantage to the immune system to combat solid tumors via single and combination drug/cell therapies. Citation Format: Erin Kischuk, Joydeb Majumder, Jonathan A. Fine, Travis C. Lantz, Deepika Dhawan, Deborah W. Knapp, Timothy L. Ratliff, Gaurav Chopra. Cell-specific gene program-based small-molecule immunomodulators targeting solid-tumor microenvironments [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4709.
Impact of venous thromboembolism during admission for meningioma surgery on hospital charges and postoperative complications.

Abstract Surgical resection of meningiomas has been associated with high rates of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) as compared with all other intracranial tumors. There is a paucity of data regarding the clinical complications and comorbidities associated with this cohort yet the underlying pathophysiological mechanism for this tumor-specific finding remains unclear. Our goal was to determine the various impacts of VTE on meningioma surgery in a large cohort of inpatient admissions. This retrospective analysis utilized discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2002 to 2010. Patient demographics, comorbidities, length of stay, hospital charges, and postoperative complications were compared between patients with and without VTE. Of 20,259 patients, 426 (2.1%) experienced a VTE. Compared to the non-VTE cohort, patients that experienced a VTE were older (62.7 ± 13.7 vs. 57.2 ± 14.7; p
Latinx Bilingual Students' Perseverance on a Mathematical Task: A Rehumanizing Perspective.

We draw on a rehumanizing perspective that covets a student-centered viewpoint around the discipline of mathematics. For Latinx bilinguals, we posit that a translanguaging practice is a vital option by which collective perseverance during problem solving can be sustained and leveraged for meaningful learning. This study explores and examines the collaborative efforts of a group of Latinx twelfth-grade students persevering to make meaning of an exponential relationship. We employed a discursive thematic analysis of this groups’ ongoing engagement with a challenging mathematical task, paying specific attention to the ways in which these bilingual students encountered and overcame mathematical obstacles and setbacks. Our findings suggest that Latinx bilingual students can spontaneously and dialogically leverage communicative resources to help persevere with in-the-moment obstacles and build mathematical understandings. We argue for the development of more explicit translanguaging support systems in mathematics classrooms to privilege the viewpoint and experiences of the student, and the ways in which they develop mathematical understandings.
Effect of angiotensin system inhibitors on survival in patients receiving chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

8069 Background: Several retrospective studies have identified an association between angiotensin system inhibitors (ASI) and improved survival for patients with advanced stage malignancies includi...
A Mechanistic Understanding of Polysorbate 80 Oxidation in Histidine and Citrate Buffer Systems—Part 2

In our previous published work, we reported rapid Polysorbate80 (PS80) oxidation in histidine buffer after brief stainless steel exposure and the ability of citrate and EDTA to prevent this oxidation. The focus of our current study was to mechanistically understand PS80 oxidation by studying the impact of temperature, light, stainless steel and the role of citrate and EDTA. Additionally, PS80 oxidation was studied in three different buffer sytems: histidine, citrate, and phosphate. When the PS80 containing buffers were exposed to elevated temperature of 50 °C in glass containers, no PS80 oxidation was observed in either histidine and citrate buffer systems after 30 days; however, PS80 oxidation was observed in phosphate buffer within 14 days. This study demonstrated that temperature does not initiate PS80 oxidation in histidine or citrate buffer systems, but may be a factor in phosphate buffer. When the 3 buffer systems containing PS80 were exposed to 20, 50, and 100 % ICH Q1B light conditions and subsequently incubated at 50°C (dark), the PS80 in phosphate buffer underwent oxidation within 7 days, whereas the PS80 in histidine and citrate buffer systems showed oxidation products only after 14 and 35 days, respectively. While PS80 in phosphate buffer seemed to be most vulnerable to light, PS80 in both histidine and citrate buffers underwent oxidation to a lesser extent, with the histidine buffer showing rapid oxidation compared to citrate buffer. Finally, the ability of citrate and EDTA to act not only as chelators, but also as a radical quencher/scavengers was demonstrated when metal ions such as Fe (2+) were spiked into histidine buffer containing PS80. While radicals could not be unambiguously identified by NMR or EPR, the observation of PS80 oxidation products indicate their presence.
The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia increases reproductive investment and accelerates the life cycle of ant colonies

Abstract Wolbachia is a widespread group of maternally-transmitted endosymbiotic bacteria that often manipulates the reproductive strategy and life history of its solitary hosts to enhance its own transmission. Wolbachia also commonly infects eusocial insects such as ants, although the effects of infection on social organisms remain largely unknown. We tested the effects of infection on colony-level reproduction and life history traits in the invasive pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis. First we compared the reproductive investment of infected and uninfected colonies with queens of three discrete ages, and we found that infected colonies had increased reproductive investment. Next, we compared the long-term growth and reproduction of infected and uninfected colonies across their life cycle, and we found that infected colonies had increased colony-level growth and early colony reproduction. These colony-level effects of Wolbachia infection seem to result because of a ‘live fast, die young’ life history strategy of infected queens. Such accelerated colony life cycle is likely beneficial for both the host and the symbiont and may have contributed to success of the highly invasive pharaoh ant.
Microneedles coated with tramadol exhibit antinociceptive effect in a rat model of temporomandibular hypernociception

Coated microneedles have emerged as a promising drug delivery system for inflammatory pain treatment. We have previously shown that tramadol injection into the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) induces an antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, microneedles coated with tramadol were investigated as a platform to treat TMJ pain. Male Wistar rats were administered tramadol using an intra-TMJ injection or with microneedles coated with tramadol, followed by 1.5% formalin nociceptive challenge administered 15 minutes later. The nociceptive behavior of rats was evaluated, and their periarticular tissues were removed after euthanasia for analysis. The duration of antinociceptive effect was determined by performing the formalin challenge at different time points extending up to 6 days post tramadol administration. Microneedles coated with tramadol produced an antinociceptive effect similar to injection of tramadol into the rat TMJ. Surprisingly, tramadol delivery using coated microneedles produced a more durable antinociceptive effect lasting as much as 2 days post tramadol delivery as compared with an antinociceptive effect lasting under 2 hours from intra-TMJ injection of tramadol. The proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were found to be reduced, whereas the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was found to be elevated in tramadol-treated groups. In conclusion, microneedles coated with tramadol can offer a therapeutic option for pain control of inflammatory disorders in the TMJ.
Analysis of a Balanced Breech System for the M1A1 Main Gun System Using Finite Element Techniques

Abstract : A DYNA3D finite element (FE) analysis was used to help determine the observed behavior of the M256 gun system during the balanced breech experiment. The experiment was conducted to see if balancing the breech block on the M256 would unprove the overall gun system's performance. The experiment, although partially successful, revealed some unsuspected results. The analysis in this report uses an advanced numerical model of the entire M256 system to deduce a possible explanation of the observed behavior. Results generated during this study also indicate possible modifications that can be made to the recoil which will enhance its performance. M1A1 Main weapon system, Gun accuracy, Finite element analysis, Dynamic analysis, Gun and projectile dynamics.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) filaments three-dimensional (3-D) printer emissions-induced cell toxicity.

Abstract During extrusion of some polymers, fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3-D printers emit billions of particles per minute and numerous organic compounds. The scope of this study was to evaluate FFF 3-D printer emission-induced toxicity in human small airway epithelial cells (SAEC). Emissions were generated from a commercially available 3-D printer inside a chamber, while operating for 1.5 h with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC) filaments, and collected in cell culture medium. Characterization of the culture medium revealed that repeat print runs with an identical filament yield various amounts of particles and organic compounds. Mean particle sizes in cell culture medium were 201 ± 18 nm and 202 ± 8 nm for PC and ABS, respectively. At 24 h post-exposure, both PC and ABS emissions induced a dose dependent significant cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, necrosis, and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in SAEC. Though the emissions may not completely represent all possible exposure scenarios, this study indicate that the FFF could induce toxicological effects. Further studies are needed to quantify the detected chemicals in the emissions and their corresponding toxicological effects.
An Anatomical Feasibility Study for Revascularization of the Ophthalmic Artery. Part II: Intraorbital Segment

Introduction Distal ophthalmic artery (OpA) aneurysms are a rare subset of vascular lesions with lack of optimal treatment. The management of these aneurysms may require complete occlusion of the parent vessel, carrying a risk of permanent visual impairment due to individual variations of extracranial collateral flow to the intraorbital ophthalmic artery (iOpA). Objective To test the feasibility of a superficial temporal artery (STA) to iOpA bypass to prevent acute ischemic retinal injury. Two different transorbital corridors (superomedial and posterolateral approaches) for this bypass were evaluated. Methods Each approach was carried out in 10 specimens each (n = 20). The corridors were compared to achieve the optimal exposure of the iOpA until the central retinal artery origin was visualized. An end-to-end anastomosis was performed from STA-to-iOpA. The arterial caliber and length at the anastomotic sites, required donor artery length, and intraorbital surgical area were measured. Results STA-iOpA bypasses were performed in all specimens. For the posterolateral transorbital approach, the mean caliber of STA was 1.8 ± 0.2 mm, and that of iOpA was 1.7 ± 0.5 mm. The required STA graft length was 78.3 ± 1 mm with lateral iOpA transposition of 8.2 ± 1.1 mm. For the superomedial approach, the average STA length required for an intraorbital bypass was 130.8 ± 14.0 mm. The mean calibers of iOpA and STA were 1.5 ± 0.1 mm and 1.5 ± 0.1 mm, respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility of a novel revascularization technique of the iOpA using 2 different transorbital approaches. These techniques can be used in the management of intraorbital lesions such as OpA aneurysms, tumoral infiltrations, or intraoperative injuries.
Professional Presentations for an International Audience

Context The opportunity to deliver a professional presentation to an international audience is a privilege. As with all other presentations, preparation and planning are essential components for a ...
THREE THUMBS, BICUSPID AORTIC VALVE, BOVINE AORTIC ARCH AND SPONTANEOUS CORONARY ARTERY DISSECTION (SCAD) ALONG WITH FIBROMUSCULAR DYSPLASIA (FMD) IN A PATIENT WITH PRESUMPTIVE DUANE RADIAL RAY SYNDROME

SCAD most commonly affects women and has been associated with a high prevalence of FMD. Pathogenesis is likely due to coronary intimal tears or spontaneous hemorrhage in the vasa vasorum. A 40-year old woman with no known CAD presented with chest pain. Physical exam was notable for wideset eyes, a
Integrating Human Trafficking Data: A Case Study of Conceptual and Operational Variation in Ohio

This paper describes the process and methods of integrating human trafficking data across agency record sources. This study focuses on the process of collecting and integrating comprehensive human ...
Public Finance, Public Goods Provision, and Government Responsiveness: Evidence from Rural China

Governmental fiscal transfers can be important tools for redistributing resources and enhancing public services in areas with limited local resources. At the same time, politicians can use fiscal transfers to build patronage networks, weaken opposition candidates, or engage in rent-seeking. An understudied feature of governmental transfers is that local governments can become fiscally dependent on higher-level government. This dependence might lead local officials to favor the priorities of higher-level government while compromising responsiveness to local residents. Using panel data from Chinese villages and a two-way fixed effects design, I demonstrate that when villages become more dependent on fiscal transfers from townships, they provide fewer public goods to villagers and more private goods to village elites. The results also suggest that fiscal transfers will not undermine local representation when electoral competition for village leadership positions exists or consent of the villagers is required for the use of funding.
Global ecosystem-scale plant hydraulic traits retrieved using model–data fusion

Abstract. Droughts are expected to become more frequent and severe under climate change, increasing the need for accurate predictions of plant drought response. This response varies substantially, depending on plant properties that regulate water transport and storage within plants, i.e., plant hydraulic traits. It is, therefore, crucial to map plant hydraulic traits at a large scale to better assess drought impacts. Improved understanding of global variations in plant hydraulic traits is also needed for parameterizing the latest generation of land surface models, many of which explicitly simulate plant hydraulic processes for the first time. Here, we use a model–data fusion approach to evaluate the spatial pattern of plant hydraulic traits across the globe. This approach integrates a plant hydraulic model with data sets derived from microwave remote sensing that inform ecosystem-scale plant water regulation. In particular, we use both surface soil moisture and vegetation optical depth (VOD) derived from the X-band Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (EOS; collectively AMSR-E). VOD is proportional to vegetation water content and, therefore, closely related to leaf water potential. In addition, evapotranspiration (ET) from the Atmosphere–Land Exchange Inverse (ALEXI) model is also used as a constraint to derive plant hydraulic traits. The derived traits are compared to independent data sources based on ground measurements. Using the K-means clustering method, we build six hydraulic functional types (HFTs) with distinct trait combinations – mathematically tractable alternatives to the common approach of assigning plant hydraulic values based on plant functional types. Using traits averaged by HFTs rather than by plant functional types (PFTs) improves VOD and ET estimation accuracies in the majority of areas across the globe. The use of HFTs and/or plant hydraulic traits derived from model–data fusion in this study will contribute to improved parameterization of plant hydraulics in large-scale models and the prediction of ecosystem drought response.