cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A role for PVRL4-driven cell–cell interactions in tumorigenesis

Epithelial tissue is one of the four major types of tissue found in animals, and is the only type of tissue that is able to form and maintain layers of cells that are just one cell thick. These layers provide inner linings to various cavities and hollow organs throughout the body—including the lungs and glandular organs such as mammary glands. A single-cell layer of epithelium is separated from the tissues beneath it by a supporting substance called the extracellular matrix. The individual cells within a single-cell layer are physically attached to the matrix, and when displaced from it, they promptly undergo programmed cell death. This mechanism preserves the single-cell layer pattern throughout the body and prevents epithelial cells from growing in inappropriate locations. It is estimated that up to 90% of cancers in humans originate in epithelial tissue, and the cells within such tumors are known to survive and divide even when they are no longer attached to the extracellular matrix. Understanding how cancerous cells gain this ability may lead to new approaches to stopping tumor cells from dividing and colonizing tissues around the body. To address this problem, Pavlova et al. explored which genes enable epithelial cells from the human mammary gland to grow without being attached to the extracellular matrix. They found that the gene that codes for a protein called poliovirus receptor-like 4 (PVRL4) allows attachment-free cell growth and also makes cells cluster together once detached from the matrix. Normally, the PVRL4 gene is not active in breast epithelial cells, but its activity is detected in many breast, lung, and ovarian tumors. Moreover, cancerous cells tend to cluster together when they are detached from the extracellular matrix. This behavior is particularly evident in the cells that divide aggressively to form tumors that subsequently migrate and colonize other tissues around the body. When Pavlova et al. used genetic techniques to silence PVRL4 in cells from breast tumors, they found that it reduced the formation of clusters by the cancer cells and also reduced their ability to grow in the absence of attachment. Pavlova et al. also showed that interactions between the PVRL4 in one cell and a related protein called PVRL1 in a neighboring cell were responsible for holding the cells together in clusters. Moreover, PVRL4 triggers a form of signaling between the cells called integrin β4 signaling that allows them to survive without being anchored to the extracellular matrix. Finally, Pavlova et al. found that injecting anti-PVRL4 antibodies (mouse proteins that attach to PVRL4 and prevent the formation of clusters) slows down the growth of breast tumors in mice. These findings suggest that inhibiting PVRL4 action with antibodies can be used as a new approach to the treatment of breast, lung, and ovarian cancers in humans.
24,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D supplementation corrects hyperparathyroidism and improves skeletal abnormalities in X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets--a clinical research center study

Therapy for X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) only partially corrects skeletal lesions and is often complicated by hyperparathyroidism. 24,25(OH)2 D3 improves skeletal lesions in a murine model of XLH and suppresses PTH secretion in animals. Therefore, we undertook a placebo-controlled trial of 24,25(OH)2 D3 supplementation to standard treatment in patients with XLH to improve bone disease and reduce hyperparathyroid complications. Fifteen subjects with XLH receiving standard treatment [1,25(OH)2 D3 or dihydrotachysterol plus phosphate] were evaluated, supplemented with placebo, and reevaluated one yr later. 24,25(OH)2 D3 supplementation was then begun and studies repeated after another year. Each patient underwent a detailed evaluation of calcium homeostasis over a 24-h period. Rachitic abnormalities were assessed radiographically in children. Adults underwent bone biopsies. 24,25(OH)2 D3 normalized PTH values in nine subjects (peak PTH was 46.5 +/- 6.6 pmol/L at entry, 42.3 +/- 5.9 pmol/L after placebo, a...
Thyroid Microcarcinoma: Fine-Needle Aspiration Diagnosis and Histologic Follow-up

The increased sensitivity of many imaging modalities (ultrasound, computed to mography scan, magnetic resonance imaging) has resulted in the identification of thyroid nodules, measuring 1 cm or less. Usually these small lesions are regarded as incidental and are not sampled by fine-needle aspiration (FNA). However, some of these lesionsundergo FNA because of suspicious radiology findings (multifocality, calcification, etc) or in patients with a history of radiation to the head and neck region. We present FNA findings and histologic follow-up of 39 thyrold nodules that measured 1.0 cm or less. All FNAs were performed under ultrasound guidance. The lesions ranged in size from 0.2 to 1.0 cm. Twenty-two lesions were diagnosed as papillary carcinoma (PTC), 4 as medullary carcinoma (MC), and 13 as suspicious for PTC on FNA. Histologic follow-up showed PTC in 3 5 and MCin 4cases; 11 PTC were multifocal (31%) and lymph node metastases were present in 8 (16%) cases. Ultrasound-guided FNA is effective in thesamplin...
Book-Review: Mastering Rhinoplasty

Rollin K. Daniel, MD Mastering Rhinoplasty. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010. ISBN: 978-3-642-01401-7 I still remember, as a young surgeon, nervously paging through Sheen’s texts, trying to find a patient who vaguely resembled my rhinoplasty patient scheduled for the next morning.1-2 Dr. Rollin Daniel’s text, Mastering Rhinoplasty , would have been a perfect reference, had it been available at the time. Thanks to its logical organization—down to the molecular level—the reader will instantly find his or her target case, supported by photos and a DVD menu detailing the adjacent intraoperative maneuvers. In all, this text offers 259 color figures and intraoperative photos, in 1408 parts within 12 chapters. It should be noted that Mastering Rhinoplasty is a second edition in name only. Ninety percent of the text and case studies are new; only the basic anatomy and aesthetic drawings remain the same from the previous edition. According to Dr. Daniel, this text is an attempt to relay the fundamentals of a standardized rhinoplasty operation, while allowing for the human face’s endless anatomical variants and their requisite interventions. Even though the text is aimed at the average, well-trained nasal surgeon, the budding resident surgeon and the sage nasal surgeon alike will also greatly benefit from the lessons therein. To this end, the cases are divided into three levels, from easiest to more difficult. Fundamental operations are presented in a step-by-step fashion, with progressive adaptations for the three levels of deformity. The commentary in the text is insightful and enlightening, and there is a candid question-and-answer section. The questions are similar to …
Tin, Niobium and Vanadium mixed oxide thin films based gas sensors for chemical warfare agent attacks prevention

In this work we have studied the synthesis and characterization SnO2 thin films with varying Nb and V content for Sarin detection. As target molecule we used dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a Sarin nerve agent simulant. Nb and V oxides have been used because of their well-known catalytic properties. Results highlight that the proposed approach is suitable to develop sensors of DMMP at ppb level needed for security applications. Gas sensing performances have been investigated and the optimal Nb and V content for DMMP detection has been determined.
Ethnic and Gender Variations in the Sources of Information Used to Evaluate Performance in the Exercise Setting1

The purpose of this study was to identify ethnic and gender differences in the types of information Anglo and Hispanic exercisers use in self-evaluation. University students in exercise classes rated the importance of norm-referenced and self-referenced sources used in self-evaluation of performance. Results showed that males rated norm-referenced sources as more important to self-evaluation, while females rated self-referenced sources as most important. A gender by ethnicity interaction showed that Anglos, especially Anglo males, preferred norm-referenced sources, while Hispanics preferred self-referenced sources. Provided with this information, instructors could more effectively motivate exercise participants.
Failed Upward Influence Attempts Predicting the Nature of Subordinate Persistence in Pursuit of Organizational Goals

Research on upward influence in organizations has often proposed that such influence is an episodic process, yet rarely does such research examine the use of influence after the employee has met with initial resistance. Based on the upward influence model of Porter, Allen, and Angle (1981), this study examined several predictors of subordinates' decisions to cease or persist in attempts to obtain work-related resources after an initial failure. ALISRE Lmodel indicated that upward influence actions following a failed influence attempt can be predicted with variables related to goal importance, influence agent characteristics (i.e., Machiavellianism and work experience), and aspects of the agent-target relationship (i.e., leader-member exchange and costs associated with influence). The implications of these findings are discussed.
Effects of Sequencing of Information and Interstimulus Interval in Metered-Memory Search:

The effects of information sequencing and variations in interstimulus interval were investigated in a metered-memory-search paradigm where S responded with a rule-defined letter belonging to a memo...
Overexpression of cystathionine-γ-synthase enhances selenium volatilization in Brassica juncea

Selenium (Se) can be assimilated and volatil- ized via the sulfate assimilation pathway. Cystathio- nine-c-synthase (CGS) is thought to catalyze the synthesis of Se-cystathionine from Se-cysteine, the first step in the conversion of Se-cysteine to volatile dim- ethylselenide. Here the hypothesis was tested that CGS is a rate-limiting enzyme for Se volatilization. Cysta- thionine-c-synthase from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. was overexpressed in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss), and five transgenic CGS lines with up to 10-fold enhanced CGS levels were compared with wild-type Indian mustard with respect to Se volatilization, tolerance and accumulation. The CGS transgenics showed 2- to 3-fold higher Se volati- lization rates than wild-type plants when supplied with selenate or selenite. Transgenic CGS plants contained 20-40% lower shoot Se levels and 50-70% lower root Se levels than the wild type when supplied with selenite. Furthermore, CGS seedlings were more tolerant to selenite than the wild type. There were no differences in Se accumulation or tolerance from selenate, in agree- ment with the earlier finding that selenate-to-selenite reduction is rate-limiting for selenate tolerance and accumulation. In conclusion, CGS appears to be a rate- limiting enzyme for Se volatilization. Overexpression of CGS offers a promising approach for the creation of plants with enhanced capacity to remove Se from contaminated sites in the form of low-toxic volatile dimethylselenide.
Control of field uniformity for a large superconducting storage ring magnet

A 1.45 Tesla, 14.2 meter diameter "superferric" magnet is in an advanced stage of construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This magnet will be used to store muons for a planned ultra-precise measurement of their anomalous magnetic moment g-2. This measurement requires a magnetic field uniformity of 1 PPM with a knowledge of the field over the muon orbits to 0.1 PPM. The methods built into the design to produce ultra-high field uniformity are described. Large deviations from the ideal circularly symmetric uniform shape of the iron flux path are required to accommodate transfer lines and superconducting current leads, as well as apparatus for beam injection. Shimming methods to correct for the perturbations due to these large holes are presented. The pole pieces consist of 36 closely fitting 10/spl deg/ arc sections butted together to produce a very good approximation to a continuous 360/spl deg/ ring magnet. However, in the case of a possible quench of the superconducting coils, significant eddy currents will be induced which will circulate within the confines of each 10/spl deg/ pole piece. At the great precision required, these eddy currents may leave very small but significant aberrations in the field even after they decay away, because of slight changes in the orientation of the magnetization. Surface coil possibilities to correct for this effect are described. >
El Niño periods increase growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) in the Southern California Bight

Studies of the impact of El Nino periods on marine species have usually focused on negative, highly visible effects, e.g., decreasing growth rates or increasing mortality due to a decline in primary productivity in typically nutrient rich upwelling zones; but positive effects related to elevated water temperature are also known. This study examined how the growth rate of juvenile white seabass, Atractoscion nobilis, responded to changes in ocean temperature in an El Nino period (1997–1998) in the northern portion of the Southern California Bight, USA. Growth rates of juvenile white seabass during their first 4 years of life were estimated as the slopes of linear relationships between body mass and age (from otoliths) of 800 fish collected at 11 stations throughout the bight. Growth rates differed significantly among cohorts hatched in 1996–2001. Specifically, white seabass that hatched in 1996 and 1997 grew significantly faster than those that hatched in 1998, 1999, and 2001. These differences in growth rates of cohorts appeared to be driven by variation in sea-surface temperature (SST). Growth rates averaged over the first three or 4 years of life were significantly positively correlated to average daily SST during the first 1–4 years of life. Increased growth of juvenile white seabass during the warm El Nino period likely provided a number of benefits to this warm-temperate species. This study demonstrated that some species will benefit from these warm-water periods despite reduced system-wide primary production.
Shemp: secure hardware enhanced myproxy

In 1976, Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman demonstrated how public key cryptography could enable secure information exchange between parties that do not share secrets. In order for public key cryptography to work in modern distributed environments, we need an infrastructure for finding and trusting other parties' public keys, i.e., a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). While PKI applications differ in how they use keys, all applications share one assumption: users have keypairs. This thesis begins by examining the security aspects of some of the standard keystores and their interaction with the Operating System. We establish that desktop keystores are not safe places to store private keys, and our experiments demonstrate the permeability of such keystores. Additionally, desktop keystores are immobile, difficult to use, and make it hard or impossible for relying parties to make reasonable trust judgments. We show that these problems stem from the fact that the Trusted Computing Base (TCB) of modern desktops is too large and ill-defined, which makes standard desktops suboptimal PKI clients. Since we would like to use desktops as PKI clients and cannot realistically expect to redesign the entire desktop, this thesis presents a system that works within the confines of modern desktops to shrink the TCB needed for PKI applications. Our system is called Secure Hardware Enhanced MyProxy (SHEMP), and combines a number of techniques and technologies to shrink the TCB in space and allow the TCB's size to vary over time. In addition, the SHEMP system addresses the problems of immobility and usability, and allows relying parties to make reasonable trust judgments. Using analysis, experiments, and formal methods, we conclude that SHEMP makes standard desktops suitable for use as PKI clients. The contributions of this thesis include the discovery of techniques used to identify weaknesses in modern desktops; a prototype, analysis, and correctness proof of a system which makes desktops usable as PKI clients (SHEMP); a novel approach for reasoning about TCBs; and a formal framework for proving properties of PKI systems such as SHEMP.
Native Hawaiians and physical activity.

Edited by Jacquelyn H. Flaskerud, RN, PhD, FAANUniversity of California—Los Angeles, School of Nursing, Los Angeles, California, USAThe benefits of physical activity on healthy aging and increased ...
Size dependence in mechanical properties of gold at the micron scale in the absence of strain gradients

Classical laws of mechanics hold that mechanical properties are independent of sample size; however, results of experiments and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that crystals exhibit strong size effects at the sub-micron scale. In experimental studies, the size effect can be explained by strain gradients. Atomistic simulations suggest that the yield strength depends on the size even without strain gradients and scales with the sample size through a power relationship. We address these different approaches to the size dependence of mechanical properties. Results of uniaxial compression experiments on gold at the sub-micron scale, without stress/strain gradients, are presented here. Freestanding Au cylinders are created by two unique fabrication processes and subsequently compressed in the Nanoindenter with a flat punch. Compressive stress, strain, and stiffness of the pillars are determined. Test results indicate a significant flow stress increase, up to several GPa. These high strengths appear to be controlled by dislocation starvation, unique to small crystals.
Sepsis increases the plasma membrane content of α1 and α2 isoforms of Na+-K+ adenosine triphosphatase in rat skeletal muscle

Hypothesis Increased Na + -K + adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity in skeletal muscle during sepsis is caused by transient increases in enzyme content within the plasma membrane. Design Randomized controlled study. Setting University laboratory. Intervention Eighty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to undergo cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham operation. Main Outcome Measures Gastrocnemius muscles were harvested 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after operation and Na + -K + ATPase activities were measured spectrofluorimetrically. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for the α1 and α2 isoforms of Na + -K + ATPase were determined by Northern blot analysis. Crude membranes, internal membranes, and purified plasma membranes were isolated from gastrocnemius muscles and protein levels of α1 and α2 isoforms were determined by Western blot analysis. Results Na + -K + ATPase activity in the CLP group was significantly higher compared with the sham group 24 hours after operation ( P + -K + ATPase α1 and α2 isoforms. Western blot analysis revealed that the plasma membrane (but not internal membrane or crude membrane) content of α2 and α1 isoforms from the CLP group was significantly increased compared with the sham group 24 hours after operation ( P Conclusions Na + -K + ATPase activity increases 24 hours after CLP in gastrocnemius muscle and then declines. This increase is caused by increased Na + -K + ATPase protein levels in the plasma membrane.
Effects of mutual inductance between inductors and capacitors on LC filter performance

Mutual couplings between inductors and capacitors have significant effects on EMI filterpsilas performance. This paper will discuss their effects on inductorpsilas performance at high frequencies. It is found that due to the large current difference on inductors and capacitors, even small mutual couplings may have detrimental effects on inductorpsilas performance. As a result, the EMI filterpsilas performance is greatly degraded at high frequencies.
Machine learning approaches for the investigation of features beyond seed matches affecting miRNA binding

MicroRNAs are one type of noncoding RNA that regulate their target mRNAs before mRNAs are translated into proteins. Although it has been demonstrated that the regulation is through partial binding of the seed region of a miRNA and its targets, the mechanism of this process is not fully discovered. Some biological experiments have shown that even perfect base pairing in the seed region does not always guarantee the down-regulation of the targets. It has been suspected that some other characteristics of mRNAs may facilitate the regulation. An earlier study (1) has identified five additional features beyond seed matching that seem to significantly affect repressions. However, the observation that evolutionally conserved targets have shown significantly more destabilization comparing to nonconserved targets with the same score using these five features leads to the suspicion that additional features remain to be discovered. This motivates our study to identify additional features that may differentiate down-regulated mRNAs (positive set) from those not down-regulated ones (negative set) provided both sets have perfect seed matches with miRNAs. Our first attempt to search for different sequence motifs around seed site regions in the two different sets is not successful. We further construct a set of 18 sequence/structure features based on domain knowledge and evaluate them individually and jointly. By employing feature selection techniques in combination with several classification methods, we have been able to identify a subset of features that may facilitate the down-regulation of mRNAs. Our results can be incorporated into target prediction algorithms to further improve target specificities.
Nurse Effects of Alpine Willows (Salix) Enhance Over-winter Survival at the Upper Range Limit of Fireweed, Chamerion Angustifolium

ABSTRACT Shrubs may act as nurse plants by facilitating the establishment and/or survival of under-story herbaceous plants under stressful conditions. Such interactions may promote the movement of montane species into alpine plant communities. We studied potential nurse effects of alpine willow shrubs (Salix spp.) on fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) at three life history stages: seed, established seedling, and adult. Mechanisms for nurse effects were assessed at each stage by placing transplants into modified microsites containing shade and wind protection, as well as into unmanipulated microsites in open meadow and willow under-story habitats. Seedling establishment occurred only under the willow canopy and even there was extremely rare. Willows and experimental microcosms that simultaneously increased shade and reduced wind velocity strongly promoted over-winter survival of established seedlings and adults. All adult transplants surviving over the winter persisted over the subsequent growing season. F...
Differential Regulation of Ubiquitin ligases Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 in Angiotensin II-Mediated Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

Advanced congestive heart failure is associated with activation of the renin-angiotensin system and skeletal muscle atrophy. Angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion in mice produces cachexia secondarily t...
Beta Adrenergic Receptor Binding in Membrane Preparations from Mammalian Brain

[3H]Dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) binding sites in membrane preparations of rat and monkey brain appear to involve beta adrenergic receptors. [3H]DHA binding is saturable, with high affinity and an apparent dissociation constant of about 1 nM. Determination of the dissociation constant by kinetic studies measuring rate constants for association and dissociation provided KD values similar to those obtained in equilibrium experiments. [3H]DHA binding is stereospecific for adrenergic agonists and antagonists. The relative potencies of numerous drugs in competing for [3H]DHA binding sites parallel their pharmacological activity at beta receptors, and suggest that the receptors are of the beta1 type. Subcellular fractionation studies show an enrichment of [3H]DHA binding sites in "synaptic membrane" fractions. Regional distribution studies reveal fairly low densities of binding sites in the hypothalamus, which contains the highest norepinephrine concentration, suggesting that norepinephrine receptors in the hypothalamus are predominantly of the alpha variety. The relatively high levels of [3H]DHA binding in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum suggest that synaptic actions of norepinephrine in these regions may involve beta receptors.
Evaluations complémentaires de la sûreté nucléaire (ECS) des sites d’AREVA

Cet article presente les specificites de la demarche d’analyse du retour d’experience de l’accident survenu sur le site de Fukushima Daiichi appliquee aux installations du cycle du combustible, la demarche methodologique, ainsi que les principales conclusions issues des evaluations complementaires de surete menees sur les sites AREVA de La Hague, du Tricastin, de Romans-sur-Isere et de MELOX.
Selenium and tellurium in mice. Effects on growth, survival, and tumors.

In order to ascertain innate toxicities of selenium and tellurium, 427 mice were given selenite, selenate, tellurite, and tellurate in drinking water for life, at 3 ppm selenium and 2 ppm tellurium, in an environment controlled as to contaminating trace elements. There were 209 controls. No signs of toxic effects in terms of growth, survival, or longevity appeared in males. Selenite-fed males were heavier and females were lighter than their controls at various ages, and female longevity was decreased. No toxic effects were observed in the groups fed tellurate, but in females fed tellurite longevity was decreased. Selenium level was increased in tissues when selenium was fed. None of the four compounds affected the incidence of spontaneous tumors significantly. Amyloidosis occurred more frequently in mice fed selenium than in controls or those fed tellurium.
EFFECT OF THYMECTOMY ON HEMATOPOIETIC ORGANS OF THE OPOSSUM "EMBRYO".

SummaryOpossums were thymectomized when lymphatic tissue had developed in some lymph nodes but not in the spleen. They were sacrificed 2 weeks later. Lymph nodes were grossly deficient in small and medium lymphocytes and lymphatic tissue did not appear in the spleen. Myeloid tissue not only persisted but was found greatly increased in amount at a time when it would have normally decreased. Maturation and proliferation of this tissue was abnormal, being characterized by maturation arrest and ineffective erythropoiesis. These findings indicate that the thymus influences the origin of lymphatic tissue, at least in the spleen, maintenance of lymphatic tissue in lymph nodes, and suppression of myeloid tissue in lymph nodes and spleen.
Optimization for Exhaust System of Mini Van Engine——Research and Application of Flow Numerical Simulation

In order to take a good comprehension on the role of exhaust manifold design in improving the powertrain performance in terms of acceleration,economy and emission,the exhaust interference brought by present exhaust manifold is analyzed by means of 1D/3D numerical simulation,and the performance comparison between exhaust manifold concept of present and new status is made by 1D simulation.The thermal and stress distribution on exhaust manifold under maximum power condition is calculated by means of CFD/FEM coupling.Also the flow characteristics around O2 sensor position and front end of catalyst converter are analyzed by 3D CFD simulation.Physical component of new exhaust system is made and put on rig-test,coming up with remarkable improvement in torque and economy performance.
Understanding adaptive processes in a developmental context : a reappraisal of Hartmann's problem of adaptation

Hartmann's theory of adaptation introduced the metapsychology of ego as an agent of adaptation to external reality as well as a defense against internal conflict. His notions of autonomous ego functions serving adaptation and of the child's biological preparedness for adaptation made a significant contribution to psychoanalytic developmental theory. However, the study of children developing in the midst of environmental discord and violence who enter such environments with or without an adequate endowment encourages a reappraisal of three issues in Hartmann's view of adaptation: (1) the developmental vicissitudes of adaptation, (2) the notion of an average expectable environment; and (3) the distinction between adaptation as state and as process. These issues are reviewed to outline factors that may preserve and foster adaptation for children in the face of adversity and chronic trauma. It is suggested that adaptation is better understood as the individual's reaching a relative state of autonomy vis-a-vis deviations from average expectable endowment, experience, or environment and as one that occurs not in spite of but in the context of adversity.
Abstract 1410: PI3K inhibitors reduce breast cancer tumor growth and enhance anti-tumor leukocyte activity

Background: PI3K inhibitors have shown anti-tumor activity in breast cancer and are currently being investigated in multiple clinical trials. Despite the number of trials studying treatment efficacy, tolerability, and survival, little attention has been given to how these agents affect the anti-tumor capacity of leukocytes. However, one potential reason for diminished success of these therapies could be that systemic inhibition of this kinase results in a loss of ‘entrainment’ of leukocytes such that they fail to appropriately kill tumor cells. Therefore, the goal of this research was to evaluate the effects of PI3K inhibitors on leukocyte function in breast cancer. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from patients enrolled in the VICCBRE1320 clinical trial aimed to evaluate GDC0032 and docetaxel. Entrainment properties of circulating leukocyte cells were compared from Day 0 to on treatment samples for multiple cycles of therapy. Blood samples were drawn before administration of the treatment. Peripheral blood leukocytes were isolated and analyzed by FACS. Neutrophils as well as CD4+/8+ cells were also isolated from these blood samples to measure their ability to kill breast cancer tumor cells in vitro. We also examined the effects of PI3K inhibitors on human breast cancer tumors and leukocytes using humanized mouse models. For these models, tumors were implanted into the mammary fat pad of NSG mice engrafted with the patient9s CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells and infused with the patient9s in vitro expanded CD4+/8+ T cells. Results: In two of the clinical trial patients studied we observed a decrease CD4+ T cells and DCs over the first two cycles of therapy (p Conclusions & Future Directions: Our findings suggest that pan-Class I PI3K inhibitors possess anti-tumor activity, but are also capable of enhancing anti-tumor immune cell function. The latter could improve treatment outcomes as well as prevent metastasis. Hence, our preliminary data demonstrate that PI3K inhibitors can serve as effective therapies in breast cancer regimens to reduce tumor growth and progression. As part of a combination, these agents may also effectively treat metastatic patients. Citation Format: Nicole Lavender, Jinming Yang, Jiqing Sai, Sergey Novitskiy, Linda Horton, Andrew Johnson, Vandana Abramson, Ingrid Mayer, Ingrid Meszoely, Mark Kelley, Ann Richmond. PI3K inhibitors reduce breast cancer tumor growth and enhance anti-tumor leukocyte activity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1410.
Spectrum Signature Modeling and Data Reduction Techniques Applicable to Airborne Antennas

This paper presents information on a modeling technique and on data reduction techniques applicable to obtaining the spectrum signatures of low-gain. low-frequency airborne antennas. The modeling technique shows the degree of simplicity permissible in the fabrication of a scale model of the vehicle on which the test antennas are mounted. It is shown that simple geometric shapes employed to represent an aerodynamically shaped aircraft will yield sufficiently accurate information for antenna signature evaluation. thus allowing far field antenna characteristics to be obtained at a relatively small cost.
The paradox of power-sharing: stability and fragility in postwar Lebanon

This article examines the consequences of civil war and power-sharing settlements for the development of sectarian networks of mobilization. While power-sharing presents a viable mechanism for endi...
Improved Detection of the First-Order Region for Direction-Finding HF Radars Using Image Processing Techniques

AbstractFor direction-finding high-frequency (HF) radar systems, the correct separation of backscattered spectral energy due to Bragg resonant waves from that due to more complex double-scattering represents a critical first step toward attaining accurate estimates of surface currents from the range-dependent radar backscatter. Existing methods to identify this “first order” region of the spectra, generally sufficient for lower-frequency radars and low-velocity or low-surface gravity wave conditions, are more likely to fail in higher-frequency systems or locations with more variable current, wave, or noise regimes, leading to elevated velocity errors. An alternative methodology is presented that uses a single and globally relevant smoothing length scale, careful pretreatment of the spectra, and marker-controlled watershed segmentation, an image processing technique, to separate areas of spectral energy due to surface currents from areas of spectral energy due to more complex scattering by the wave field o...
A Crowdsourced System for Creating Practice Questions in a Clinical Presentation Medical Curriculum

Medical students must learn a large amount of information in their first 2 years of medical school. Question banks such as UWorld and COMBANK are a popular method of preparation for national board exams, but it is difficult to have a similar uniform resource to prepare for exams administered by individual medical schools because the curriculum varies from school to school. In order to help prepare for course exams, students from the Class of 2017 at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) collaborated to create crowdsourced practice quizzes based on the specific material taught at their school. Google Drive was used to manage sign-up sheets and collect questions, and Blackboard was used to create automatically graded practice quizzes. Participants were given a survey at the end of their second year of medical school to assess their opinions of the project’s effectiveness. Students indicated that participation in the project helped them feel more confident on exams, improved their ability to write higher-order, clinically based questions, and improved their ability to predict what types of questions would be used on school-administered exams. Participants ranked the crowdsourced practice quizzes as more useful than textbook practice questions and as useful as faculty-written practice quizzes, board question banks, and verbal quizzing in study groups in preparing for school-administered exams. Comparison of study participant course grades and medical-school grade point average suggested the practice quizzes may benefit lower-performing students more than higher-performing students.
The use of intranasal analgesia for acute pain control in the emergency department: A literature review.

Abstract Background Traditional routes for administration of pain medications include oral (PO), intravenous (IV), or intramuscular routes (IM). When these routes are not feasible, the intranasal (IN) route may be considered. The objectives of this evidence-based review were: to review the literature which compared the safety and efficacy of IN analgesia to traditional routes and to determine if IN analgesia should be considered over traditional routes for acute pain control in the ED. Methods The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from July 1970 to July 2017 were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) that evaluated the use of IN analgesia for acute pain in the ED were included. Methodological quality of the trials was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria. Results Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCT) met the inclusion criteria. Four trials found significant reductions in pain scores, favoring IN analgesia. However, in all of the trials, pain relief was not sustained. Three trials reported superior pain reduction with comparators and three trials reported no statistical significance. One trial described effective pain relief with IN analgesia but did not provide data on statistical analysis. Conclusion Eleven randomized controlled trials with various methodological flaws revealed conflicting conclusions. There is limited evidence to support the use of the IN analgesia over traditional routes for acute pain in the ED. The IN route may be a good alternative in scenarios where IV access is not feasible, patients are refusing injectable medications, or a fast onset of pain relief is needed.
The Fractal Geometry of Nature. By Benoit B. Mandelbrot

(1984). The Fractal Geometry of Nature. By Benoit B. Mandelbrot. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 91, No. 9, pp. 594-598.
Transoceanic Stepping-stones between Cretaceous waterfalls? The enigmatic biogeography of pantropical Oocyclus cascade beetles.

Abstract Beetles have colonized freshwater habitats multiple times throughout their evolutionary history. Some of these aquatic lineages are associated exclusively with waterfall–like habitats, often with modified morphologies to cope with their unusual way of life. The historical biogeography of such cascade beetle lineages has been shown to strongly reflect ancient tectonic events. We focus on the pantropical genus Oocyclus of which species dwell in waterfalls and associated habitats. We infer the first molecular phylogeny of Oocyclus using a dataset of seven gene fragments. We recover a well resolved phylogenetic hypothesis, with a monophyletic Oocyclus divided in three genetically well–differentiated subclades which correspond to geography. Comparative dating analyses across Hydrophilidae based on ten fossil calibrations recover a Cretaceous origin for the genus. Based on a comprehensive suite of ancestral range analyses, we suggest a unique pattern with an origin in Southeast Asia followed by the successive colonization of India and the Neotropics via transoceanic stepping–stone dispersal. Diversification rate analyses support a scenario in which old Oocyclus lineages diversified slowly with a homogeneous rate regime. Waterfall beetle radiations are ancient and remarkably track Earth’s paleogeological history, shedding light on intricate patterns of macroevolution.
Toward Improving Medication Adherence: The Suppression of Bitter Taste in Edible Taste Films

Bitter taste is aversive to humans, and many oral medications exhibit a bitter taste. Bitter taste can be suppressed by the use of inhibitors or by masking agents such as sucralose. Another approach is to encapsulate bitter tasting compounds in order to delay their release. This delayed release can permit the prior release of bitter masking agents. Suppression of bitter taste was accomplished by encapsulating a bitter taste stimulus in erodible stearic acid microspheres, and embedding these 5 µmeter diameter microspheres in pullulan films that contain sucralose and peppermint oil as masking agents, along with an encapsulated masking agent (sucralose). Psychophysical tests demonstrated that films which encapsulated both quinine and sucralose produced a significant and continuous sweet percept when compared to films without sucralose microspheres. Films with both quinine and sucralose microspheres also produced positive hedonic scores that did not differ from control films that contained only sucralose microspheres or only empty (blank) microspheres. The encapsulation of bitter taste stimuli in lipid microspheres, and embedding these microspheres in rapidly dissolving edible taste films that contain masking agents in both the film base and in microspheres, is a promising approach for diminishing the bitter taste of drugs and related compounds.
An Individual Growth Model Analysis of Childhood Spanking on Change in Externalizing Behaviors During Adolescence: A Comparison of Whites and African Americans Over a 12-Year Period:

This study examines the long-term effect of corporal punishment on children’s externalizing behaviors, and race differences in this relationship, using 12 years of prospective data from 1,075 high-...
On Jammer Power Allocation Against OFDM Signals in Fading Channels

Jamming behavior in fading channels is not well understood when compared to additive white Gaussian noise channels. Specifically, it is not clear how or if a jammer should perform power control in the presence of a time or frequency-selective fading channel between itself and the victim receiver. Such a problem is relevant in the context of a) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based signaling systems, where the jammer must optimize its power allocation across a frequency-selective channel and b) single-carrier systems where the jammer must optimize its power allocation across a time varying fading channel in order to optimally attack the victim receiver. In this paper, we address this problem by studying jammer power allocation across a fading channel in order to maximize the error probability of a victim receiver that uses orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based signaling. We propose an iterative algorithm to determine a jammer power allocation that performs up to 4 dB better, in terms of the victim signal power required to attain the same error rates, than other commonly used power allocation strategies. We also show that as the jammer's knowledge about the victim decreases, the gains obtained by using the proposed jamming strategy reduce but still performs better than the commonly used jamming strategies.
Old age increases microglial senescence, exacerbates secondary neuroinflammation, and worsens neurological outcomes after acute traumatic brain injury in mice.

Abstract After traumatic brain injury (TBI), individuals aged over 65 years show increased mortality and worse functional outcomes compared with younger persons. As neuroinflammation is a key pathobiological mechanism of secondary injury after TBI, we examined how aging affects post-traumatic microglial responses and functional outcomes. Young (3-month-old) and aged (18-month-old) male C57Bl/6 mice were subjected to moderate-level controlled cortical impact or sham surgery, and neurological function was evaluated. At 72 hours after injury, brain, blood, and spleen leukocyte counts were assessed ex vivo using flow cytometry. Aged mice demonstrated more severe deficits in forelimb grip strength, balance and motor coordination, spontaneous locomotor activity, and anxiety-like behavior. These animals also exhibited more robust microglial proliferation and significantly higher numbers of brain-infiltrating leukocytes. Microglia in aged mice showed impairments in phagocytic activity and higher production of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Infiltrating myeloid cells in aged TBI mice also had deficits in phagocytosis but showed diminished proinflammatory cytokine production and greater reactive oxygen species production. Expression of several senescence markers (Bcl-2, p16ink4a, p21cip1a, lipofuscin, and H2AX [pS139]) was increased with age and/or TBI in both microglia and injured cortex. Although there was no difference in the number of circulating blood neutrophils as a function of age, young mice exhibited more pronounced TBI-induced splenomegaly and splenic myeloid cell expansion. Thus, worse post-traumatic behavioral outcomes in aged animals are associated with exaggerated microglial responses, increased leukocyte invasion, and upregulation of senescence markers.
DNA-scaffolded biomaterials enable modular and tunable control of cell-based cancer immunotherapies

Advanced biomaterials provide versatile ways to spatially and temporally control immune cell activity, potentially enhancing their therapeutic potency and safety. Precise cell modulation demands multi-modal display of functional proteins with controlled densities on biomaterials. Here, we develop an artificial immune cell engager (AICE) platform – biodegradable particles onto which multiple proteins are densely loaded with ratiometric control via short nucleic acid tethers. We demonstrate the impact of AICE with varying ratios of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies on ex vivo expansion of human primary T cells. We also show that AICE can be used to control the activity of engineered T cells in vivo. AICE injected intratumorally can provide a local priming signal for systemically administered AND-gate chimeric antigen receptor T cells, driving local tumor clearance while sparing uninjected tumors that model potentially cross-reactive healthy tissues. This modularly functionalized biomaterial thus provides a flexible platform to achieve sophisticated control over cell-based immunotherapies.
A hybrid data mining approach for identifying the temporal effects of variables associated with breast cancer survival

Abstract Predicting breast cancer survival is crucial for practitioners to determine possible outcomes and make better treatment plans for the patients. In this study, a hybrid data mining based methodology was constructed to differentiate the variables whose importance for survival change over time. Therefore, the importance of variables was determined for three different time periods (i.e. one, five, and ten years). To conduct such an analysis, the most parsimonious models were constructed by employing one regression analysis method—Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), and one metaheuristic optimization method, namely a Genetic Algorithm (GA). Due to the high imbalance between the number of survivals and deaths, two well-known resampling procedures—Random Under-sampling (RUS) and Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE)—were applied to increase the performance of the classification models. In the final stage, two data mining models, namely Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Logistic Regression (LR), were utilized along with 10-fold cross-validation. Sensitivity analysis (SA) was conducted for each model to identify the importance of each variable for a certain model and time period. The obtained results revealed that certain variables lose their importance over time, while others gain importance. This information can assist medical practitioners in identifying specific subsets of variables to focus on in different periods, which will in turn lead to a more effective and efficient cancer care. Moreover, the study findings indicate that extremely parsimonious models can be developed by adopting a purely data-driven approach, rather than eliminating the variables manually. Such methodology can also be applied in treating other types of cancer.
Thrombin as an Agent

The proteolytic enzyme thrombin (factor IIa) plays a critical role in hemostasis (blood clotting) by converting the inactive plasma protein fibrinogen (factor I) into biologically active fibrin (factor Ia). Thrombin also stimulates platelet aggregation and activates clotting factors V, VIII, XI, and XII I. Clinically, thrombin is used topically for the control of bleeding from capillaries and small venules.
Forecasting Foreign Exchange Markets Using Google Trends: Prediction Performance of Competing Models

Foreign exchange markets affect a variety of humans and businesses worldwide and there is a wide array of literature aimed at providing more accurate forecasts of their movement. In an attempt to q...
Ultrafast Spectroscopy of [Mn(CO)3] Complexes: Tuning the Kinetics of Light-Driven CO Release and Solvent Binding.

Manganese tricarbonyl complexes are promising catalysts for CO2 reduction, but complexes in this family are often photosensitive and decompose rapidly upon exposure to visible light. In this report...