cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prioritization of cancer antigens: keeping the target in sight.

Evaluation of: Cheever MA, Allison JP, Ferris AS et al. The prioritization of cancer antigens: a National Cancer Institute pilot project for the acceleration of translational research. Clin. Cancer Res. 15(17), 5323–5337 (2009).Amid an evolving landscape of anticancer agents, numerous approaches to elicit tumor-specific immune responses are under active investigation. In broad terms, these approaches have traditionally included passive and active immunotherapies, whereby cells, antibodies or cytokines with antitumor activity are delivered to the recipient, or are used to elicit antitumor immunity in the host. More recently, immune-modulatory approaches, including the use of T-cell checkpoint inhibitors or agents that can affect T-cell or antigen-presenting cell function, have been studied. Most clinical trials with individual immune agents, and vaccines in particular, have demonstrated limited success despite demonstrations of biological activity. It has thus become apparent that successful immunotherapy ...
Statistical mechanical description and modelling of turbulent collision of inertial particles

The collision rate of monodisperse solid particles in a turbulent gas is governed by a wide range of scales of motion in the flow. Recent studies have shown that large-scale energetic eddies are the dominant factor contributing to the relative velocity between two colliding particles (the turbulent transport effect), whereas small-scale dissipative eddies can enhance the collision rate significantly by inducing local non-uniform particle distribution (the accumulation effect). The turbulent transport effect is most noticeable when the particle inertial response time τp is of the order of the flow integral timescale and the accumulation effect is most pronounced when τp is comparable to the flow Kolmogorov time.We study these two contributions separately through direct numerical simulations. The two effects are quantified carefully with a numerical procedure that is independent of the computation of average collision rate. This facilitates the study of not only the statistical description of the collision kernel, but also the relative contributions and modelling of the two physical effects. Simulations at several flow Reynolds numbers were performed to suggest a model for the accumulation effect. The data show that the accumulation effect scales linearly with flow Taylor microscale Reynolds number Rλ, while the theory for fully developed turbulence indicates that the maximum level of the turbulent transport effect scales with R1/2λ. Finally, an integrated model has been developed to predict the collision rate at arbitrary flow Reynolds numbers and particle inertia.
Ventilatory responses to hind limb exercise in anesthetized cats and dogs

Abstract In six cats and two dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital, graded electrical stimulation of intact sciatic nerves resulted in increases in total body oxygen consumption which were distributed over a range of values from the resting level to twice that amount. For the two cats and two dogs studied before spinal cord transection, ventilatory responses to increases in metabolism were such that no significant changes were observed in the arterial PCO 2 , pH or P O 2 from values seen at rest. In these four animals and in the four additional cats all studied after lumbar spinal cord transection, sciatic nerve stimulation was again associated with increases in metabolism and constancy of the arterial PCO 2 . When oxygen consumption was analyzed with regard to arterial P CO 2 homeostasis, these relatively small changes in metabolism were found to be sufficient to quantitate the influence of limb receptors. Although the present study gives no information about transients, it suggests that during continuing exercise, limb receptors play a small role or one which can be fulfilled by other factors.
Contour of Electrically Induced Premature Ventricular Beats Before and After Experimental Myocardial Infarction in Dog

Ventricular premature beats were produced by stimulating electrodes inserted into the anterolateral right ventricular and into the midlateral left ventricular wall of 13 openchest anesthetized dogs. In 9 of the 13, acute myocardial infarction deformed the final deflection of the experimentally induced ventricular extrasystoles so that they mimicked the diagnostic pattern present in the beats of sinus origin. In 4 of the 13, no changes occurred in either the extrasystoles or in the beats of sinus origin until the infarcted region was brought into contact with the thoracic wall, at which time diagnostic patterns of infarction appeared in both types of ventricular complexes. Reinfarction produced by ligating an additional coronary branch produced comparable changes in the final deflection of the premature and sinus-propagated beat. These findings suggest that the inscription of the terminal deflections of premature ventricular beats is dominated by events within the infarcted region. They support the clinical concept that the configuration of ventricular extrasystoles may be of value in the recognition of acute myocardial infarction. The findings do not explain, however, the occasional absence of diagnostic findings in ventricular premature beats in electrocardiograms otherwise diagnostic of human myocardial infarction.
Protease Cleavage Leads to Formation of Mature Trimer Interface in HIV-1 Capsid

During retrovirus particle maturation, the assembled Gag polyprotein is cleaved by the viral protease into matrix (MA), capsid (CA), and nucleocapsid (NC) proteins. To form the mature viral capsid, CA rearranges, resulting in a lattice composed of hexameric and pentameric CA units. Recent structural studies of assembled HIV-1 CA revealed several inter-subunit interfaces in the capsid lattice, including a three-fold interhexamer interface that is critical for proper capsid stability. Although a general architecture of immature particles has been provided by cryo-electron tomographic studies, the structural details of the immature particle and the maturation pathway remain unknown. Here, we used cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) to determine the structure of tubular assemblies of the HIV-1 CA-SP1-NC protein. Relative to the mature assembled CA structure, we observed a marked conformational difference in the position of the CA-CTD relative to the NTD in the CA-SP1-NC assembly, involving the flexible hinge connecting the two domains. This difference was verified via engineered disulfide crosslinking, revealing that inter-hexamer contacts, in particular those at the pseudo three-fold axis, are altered in the CA-SP1-NC assemblies compared to the CA assemblies. Results from crosslinking analyses of mature and immature HIV-1 particles containing the same Cys substitutions in the Gag protein are consistent with these findings. We further show that cleavage of preassembled CA-SP1-NC by HIV-1 protease in vitro leads to release of SP1 and NC without disassembly of the lattice. Collectively, our results indicate that the proteolytic cleavage of Gag leads to a structural reorganization of the polypeptide and creates the three-fold interhexamer interface, important for the formation of infectious HIV-1 particles.
The application of a supercritical antisolvent process for sustained drug delivery

Abstract Supercritical processes for drug delivery system design have attracted considerable attention recently. This present work investigates the application of a supercritical antisolvent coating process for controlled drug release design. Hydrocortisone as the host drug particles and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as the polymer carrier were selected as the model system for this purpose. In this research the drug particles were suspended in a polymer solution of dichloromethane. The suspension was then sprayed into supercritical CO2 as an antisolvent. A parallel study of co-precipitation of the drug and polymer using the same supercritical antisolvent process at the same operating conditions was performed for comparison with the coating process. SEM images were used to characterize the drug particles before and after and the assay analysis was carried out using HPLC. The coated particles and co-precipitated particles were evaluated in terms of encapsulation efficiency and drug release profiles. The major advantage of this new approach is the ability to physically coat very fine (
Excitation of octupole vibrational states in heavy deformed nuclei by inelastic proton scattering

Abstract Inelastic proton scattering is investigated by magnetic analysis, at E p = 12 MeV, θ = 133°. Known states up to E x = 1.2 – 1.5 MeV, are excited in 158 Gd, 160 Dy and 164 Dy. By analogy, J π assignments are given to new states in 160 Gd.
High-power, high-linearity photodiodes

This talk will describe modified uni-traveling carrier photodiodes (MUTCs) that have achieved high RF output power and high saturation current. Discrete photodiodes, 4×1 phase matched arrays, and balanced detectors will be discussed.
Kierkegaard and Socrates: A Study in Philosophy and Faith

Introduction 1. Johannes Climacus, Socratic philosopher 2. Climacus's thought-project 3. Platonic interlude: Eros and the God 4. Climacus's poetical venture 5. The paradox and the passion of thought 6. Self-love and offense 7. Faith and the contemporary follower 8. Climacan interlude: on historical necessity 9. The follower at second hand and the moral 10. Socrates in postscript 11. Kierkegaard on Christ and Socrates.
Integration of lidar and Landsat ETM+ data for estimating and mapping forest canopy height

Light detection and ranging (lidar) data provide accurate measurements of forest canopy structure in the vertical plane; however, current lidar sensors have limited coverage in the horizontal plane. Landsat data provide extensive coverage of generalized forest structural classes in the horizontal plane but are relatively insensitive to variation in forest canopy height. It would, therefore, be desirable to integrate lidar and Landsat data to improve the measurement, mapping, and monitoring of forest structural attributes. We tested five aspatial and spatial methods for predicting canopy height, using an airborne lidar system (Aeroscan) and Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) data: regression, kriging, cokriging, and kriging and cokriging of regression residuals. Our 200-km 2 study area in western Oregon encompassed Oregon State University’s McDonald–Dunn Research Forest, which is broadly representative of the age and structural classes common in the region. We sampled a spatially continuous lidar coverage in eight systematic patterns to determine which lidar sampling strategy would optimize lidar– Landsat integration in western Oregon forests: transects sampled at 2000, 1000, 500, and 250 m frequencies, and points sampled at these same spatial frequencies. The aspatial regression model results, regardless of sampling strategy, preserved actual vegetation pattern, but underestimated taller canopies and overestimated shorter canopies. The spatial models, kriging and cokriging, produced less biased results than regression but poorly reproduced vegetation pattern, especially at the sparser (2000 and 1000 m) sampling frequencies. The spatial model predictions were more accurate than the regression model predictions at locations <200 m from sample locations. Cokriging, using the ETM+ panchromatic band as the secondary variable, proved slightly more accurate than kriging. The integrated models that kriged or cokriged regression residuals were preferable to either the aspatial or spatial models alone because they preserved the vegetation pattern like regression yet improved estimation accuracies above those predicted from the regression models alone. The 250-m point sampling strategy proved most optimal because it oversampled the landscape relative to the geostatistical range of actual spatial variation, as indicated by the sample semivariograms, while making the sample data volume more manageable. We concluded that an integrated modeling strategy is most suitable for estimating and mapping canopy height at locations unsampled by lidar, and that a 250-m discrete point sampling strategy most efficiently samples an intensively managed forested landscape in western Oregon. D 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
Als top-off simulation studies for radiation safety

We plan to commission top-off injection[1,2] at the advanced light source (ALS[3]) in the near future. In order to guarantee radiation safety, we need to exclude the possibility of injecting electrons into the users' photon beam lines because of the very high radiation doses involved in case of such an event. This issue must carefully investigated and experimental tests cannot be easily performed. The only reliable way is through simulation. We have developed a scheme based in exhaustive simulations that accounts for all possible dangerous scenarios and that at the same time requires a reasonable amount of computing time. This paper describes such a method and presents a summary of the studies performed for the ALS at the present time.
Morphology of the prometamorphic larva of the spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus intermontanus (Anura: Pelobatidae), with an emphasis on the lateral line system and mouthparts

We provide a detailed description of the larval morphology of the Great Basin spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus intermontanus), a species with documented morphological variability in larval structures associated with feeding. We based our findings on laboratory-raised individuals fed a herbivorous diet. We characterized the morphology of the prometamorphic larva (limited to developmental stages 37 and 38) and then related our findings to the larval ecology of the species. Based on its morphology, such as slightly depressed body, dorsally positioned eyes, anteroventrally oriented oral disc, intermediate tail fin height and slightly attenuated tail tip, relative lack of ventral neuromasts (compared to Xenopus laevis), and pigmentation banding patterns, and habits, such as selection of breeding sites by adults and larval foraging behavior, S. intermontanus can be characterized best as belonging to a (lentic-) benthic guild of anuran larvae. Nevertheless, the larvae are capable of occupying a broader array of ecological niches. Because we characterized individuals raised on a herbivorous diet, our morphological descriptions apply only to the herbivorous S. intermontanus larva (and perhaps to those larvae that are dietary generalists and may feed carnivorously only infrequently). Our findings can serve as a baseline for future morphological and developmental comparisons with the carnivorous morphological variant of this species. J. Morphol. 252:114–130, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Critical Reflectance Derived from MODIS: Application for the Retrieval of Aerosol Absorption over Desert Regions

Aerosols are tiny suspended particles in the atmosphere that scatter and absorb sunlight. Smoke particles are aerosols, as are sea salt, particulate pollution and airborne dust. When you look down at the earth from space sometimes you can see vast palls of whitish smoke or brownish dust being transported by winds. The reason that you can see these aerosols is because they are reflecting incoming sunlight back to the view in space. The reason for the difference in color between the different types of aerosol is that the particles arc also absorbing sunlight at different wavelengths. Dust appears brownish or reddish because it absorbs light in the blue wavelengths and scatters more reddish light to space, Knowing how much light is scattered versus how much is absorbed, and knowin~ that as a function of wavelength is essential to being able to quantify the role aerosols play in the energy balance of the earth and in climate change. It is not easy measuring the absorption properties of aerosols when they are suspended in the atmosphere. People have been doing this one substance at a time in the laboratory, but substances mix when they are in the atmosphere and the net absorption effect of all the particles in a column of air is a goal of remote sensing that has not yet been completely successful. In this paper we use a technique based on observing the point at which aerosols change from brightening the surface beneath to darkening it. If aerosols brighten a surface. they must scatter more light to space. If they darken the surface. they must be absorbing more. That cross over point is called the critical reflectance and in this paper we show that critical reflectance is a monotonic function of the intrinsic absorption properties of the particles. This parameter we call the single scattering albedo. We apply the technique to MODIS imagery over the Sahara and Sahel regions to retrieve the single scattering albedo in seven wavelengths, compare these retrievals to ground-based retrievals from AERONET instruments and compute error bars on each retrieval. The results show that we can retrieve single scattering albedo for pure dust to within +/-0.02 and mixtures of dust and smoke to within +/-0.03. No other space based instrument has achieved a retrieval of single scattering albedo that spans the spectrum from 0.47 microns to 2.13 microns and produces regional maps of aerosol absorption showing gradients and changes. Applied in a more operational fashion, such information will narrow uncertainties in estimating aerosol forcing on climate.
Constraints on the strength of a primordial magnetic field from big bang nucleosynthesis

The effects of magnetic fields on big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) are calculated, and the impact on the abundances of the light elements are investigated numerically. An upper limit on the strength of primordial magnetic fields compatible with observations of light element abundances is thus obtained. In the framework of standard BBN theory, the maximum strength of the primordial magnetic fields, on scales greater than ${10}^{4}$ cm but smaller than the event horizon at the BBN epoch (\ensuremath{\sim}1 min, \ensuremath{\sim}2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{12}$ cm), is \ensuremath{\le}${10}^{11}$ G. This limit is shown to allow magnetic fields at the time of recombination no stronger than \ensuremath{\sim}0.1 G on scales \ensuremath{\ge}${10}^{11}$ cm. Our results also strongly indicate that, at the BBN epoch, and for field strengths $B\ensuremath{\le}{10}^{13}$ G, the effects of magnetic fields on the primordial abundances of light elements are dominated by effects from reaction rates in the presence of primeval magnetic fields rather than by magnetic density effects on the expansion rate.
Advantages and Challenges of Distributing Leadership in Middle-Level Schools

This multiple-site case study examined distributed leadership practices of three middle school principals, using observations, interviews, and document analysis. Findings disclosed that the principals built on the interdisciplinary teaming structure to develop empowering organizational structures that promoted democratic governance. Employing distributed practices, they identified teacher leaders to guide curriculum, professional development, and building management. While utilizing the teaming structure to facilitate building-wide decision making, the principals also found that distributing leadership across several individuals sometimes created challenges for communications accuracy.
Polarization of the microwave background in reionized models

I discuss the physics of polarization in models with early reionization. For sufficiently high optical depth to recombination the polarization is boosted on large scales while it is suppressed on smaller scales. New peaks appear in the polarization power spectrum; their position is proportional to the square root of the redshift at which the reionization occurs while their amplitude is proportional to the optical depth. For standard scenarios the rms degree of linear polarization as measured with a $7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ full width at half maximum (FWHM) antenna (such as the one of the Brown University experiment) is 1.6 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$, 1.2 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$, $4.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$ for an optical depth of $1$, $0.5$, or $0$, respectively. For a $1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ FWHM antenna these same models give 2.7 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$, 1.8 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$, and 0.77 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$. Detailed measurement of polarization on large angular scales could provide an accurate determination of the epoch of reionization, which cannot be obtained from temperature measurements alone.
Urgent Workup for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Each year hundreds of thousands of patients suffer from acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) [1], which by definition arises from a site proximal to the ligament of Treitz. Etiological factors include peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, gastroesophageal varices, and Mallory–Weiss tears. Less common causes are marginal ulcers, esophagitis, gastric cancer, aorto-enteric fistulas, hemobilia, AV malformations (Fig. 1), and Dieulafoy lesions [2,3]. Peptic ulcer disease, including gastric/duodenal ulcers (Fig. 2) and erosive esophagitis/gastritis (Fig. 3), is the source of bleed 50–75% of the time [1,2,4,5]. The incidence of esophageal varices is 10–30%, Mallory–Weiss tears 4–13%, AVMs 2–4%, malignancies 1–5%, and Dieulafoy lesions 1–2% [5].
The ISO-ANSI open systems reference model — A proposal for a systems approach

Abstract The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) architecture and its associated Reference Model is currently the subject of active development by members of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and various national standards bodies. A principal purpose of the Open Systems Interconnection Architecture is to guide the development of standards that will make possible the configuration of a wide variety of useful computer and data processing networks out of strictly compatible nodes supplied by potentially many vendors. An interim ISO working paper (Reference Model of Open Systems Interconnection Architecture, Version 4, June 1979, ISO/TC97/SC16/N227) presents a wide-ranging discussion of the purpose and structure of the OSI architecture. In the following paper the author interprets the OSI Reference Model as discussed in ISO/TC97/SC16/N227 and presents an overview of a formal definition of the Reference Model using a state-oriented system philosophy. Tentative detailed refinements of the Model are discussed and comments on the implications of a formal model are included.
Haptics and physical simulation for virtual bone surgery

Surgical training has traditionally followed an apprenticeship model: residents observe several procedures, then begin practicing in the operating room. And every time a resident practices his first procedure on a patient, that patient is put at some level of additional risk. Even in specialties where cadaver training is applicable, cadavers are expensive, are available only in limited number, and lack the physiology that guides surgical decision-making. Thus the effectiveness of cadavers in preparing residents for surgical practice is limited. Fortunately, computer-based simulation offers an intermediate between observation and live-patient operation. Virtual environments can allow residents to practice both basic skills and procedural logic at extremely low cost, allowing the presentation of a wide variety of operating room scenarios that cannot be duplicated in cadaver labs. Furthermore, computer-based simulation can offer even experienced surgeons a chance to practice infrequently-performed procedures, to learn new surgical techniques, and to rehearse procedures preoperatively on patient-specific anatomy. An analogy can be made to the highly successful field of flight simulation, which has been routinely used to train and re-educate pilots for decades. However, significant technical challenges stand between today's surgical simulation systems and the virtual operating room that will become a standard part of tomorrow's medical training. Simulators are still limited in rendering quality, immersiveness, intuitiveness, and simulation realism. This thesis addresses some of those challenges, specifically in the context of simulating procedures performed on the temporal bone and mandible. We present an overview of our simulation environment, specifically focusing on how this software delivers the sources of intraoperative feedback that are relevant to training surgical skills. We then discuss a project inspired by this environment, which asks whether haptic feedback can be used to teach motor skills, adding a level of training not available in traditional training labs. We then address one of the most difficult problems in surgical simulation: effectively simulating realistic deformable materials. Specifically, we address the adjustment of an interactive, low-computational-cost deformation model to behave like a more complex model. We then present a series of algorithms and data structures that emerged from this work, and conclude with a discussion on the evaluation of the realism of haptic rendering systems.
Setting the Agenda for New Governance Research

This short article is a sureply to Bradley Karkkainen's article New Governance in Legal Thought and in the World: Some Splitting as Antidote to Overzealous Lumping written in response to my article, The Renew Deal: The Fall of Regulation and the Rise of Governance. The article refines the arguments on law and new governance as a body of literature that crosses regulatory fields.
Virtually Friends: An Exploration of Friendship Claims and Expectations in Immersive Virtual Worlds

Recent scholarship suggests that immersive virtual worlds may be especially well suited for friendship formation on the Internet. Through 65 semi-structured interviews with residents in highly-populated portions of the virtual world Second Life, we explore the nature of friendship within the immersive virtual world, examining friendship claims and expectations and the specific features of the virtual world that enable friendships to emerge. Results reveal that friendships in Second Life are common but not necessarily dependent on features such as co-presence and shared activities that are unique to the virtual world. Instead, frequent, text-based communication facilitates the emergence and maintenance of friendship in Second Life.
Evolution of the NASA Ultra Long Duration Balloon

The development of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Ultra Long Duration Balloon (ULDB) has been an evolutionary process. This paper concentrates on the super-pressure balloon developments that have been, and are currently being planned by the NASA Balloon Program Office at Goddard Space Flight Center’s Wallops Flight Facility. The goal of the NASA ULDB development project is to attempt to extend the potential flight durations for large scientific balloon payloads. Each step in this development project has produced successes and advancement of the state of the art. Each step has also produced challenges and technical issues not seen in the previous steps. Results of the June 2006 ULDB test flight will be presented. The balloon was eased into float at a prescribed differential pressure. The balloon did not fully deploy as the previous test flight did. The balloon was then incrementally pressurized to the maximum extent possible with the available ballast. The balloon reached a differential pressure 10 percent greater than the maximum design pressure, and was then terminated by command. Test flight 555NT has provided direction for subsequent project directions and actions. The development path has pursued some new approaches in the design, analysis, materials characterization, and testing of the balloons. New issues have been identified through both analysis and testing. This paper will give an overview of the evolution of this effort and the development approach pursued for ULDB. A description of the balloon design, including the modifications made as a result of the lessons learned, will be presented. Areas to be presented include the design approach, deployment issues that have been encountered and the proposed solutions, material testing, ground testing, photogrammetry, and an analysis overview. Results of additional model testing will be detailed. Future plans for both ground testing and additional test flights will also be presented.
Explicit Finite Element Analysis of Inflatable Braided Strapped Beams

Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerators and other air inflated structures, such as airbeams, quite often utilize woven or briaded fabrics due to their lightweight and high loading carrying capabilities. An airbeam is a high-strength fabric sleeve with a highly flexible internal bladder that can be used as a load-bearing beam when inflated. Due to their fabric construction, airbeams are inherently thin walled structures that are prone to local buckling. Design optimization of these inflated structures relies on a detailed understanding of the fabric mechanics. In this study, three-dimensional membrane finite element models were used to predict the beam load–deformation response given experimentally obtained moduli. The finite element models successfully predicted localized fabric buckling and softening of load– deflection response. The finite element model and test results indicate that the consideration of work done by pressure under deformation-induced volume changes may increase beam capacity.
Shaping the medical error movement.

The 1999 Institute of Medicine's report, “To Err is Human,” shifted government and public focus to medical errors. Read how errors occur and what's being done to stop them, then check your answers at http://www.nursingmanagement.com.
Feeding and oviposition preferences of adult cottonwood leaf beetles (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae) among populus clones and leaf age classes

Feeding and oviposition preferences of adult cottonwood leaf beetles, Chrysomela scripta F., were evaluated among leaf age classes by leaf plastochron index (LPI) for six Populus clones (IS-31, NC-5260, NC-5263, NC-5264, NC-5322, NC-5334) under controlled greenhouse conditions. Significant differences among clones and leaf age classes in feeding and oviposition in both multiple-choice and no-choice tests were found. Clones NC-5264 and NC-5334 were the most preferred for both behaviors in the multiple-choice tests. The most-preferred leaf age class for feeding was LPI 3 for both the multiple-choice and no-choice trials. In the multiple-choice oviposition tests, LPIs 3 and 4 were preferred and LPI 3 was most highly preferred in the no-choice tests. Quadratic relationships between leaf consumption and percentage of leaf consumed and leaf age class are suggested by the data from both types of tests. Direct correlations were found between leaf consumption and percentage of leaf consumed and the distribution of egg masses among the leaf age classes.
Endoscopic endonasal surgery for recurrent pituitary tumors: technical challenges to the surgical approach.

Pituitary adenoma resection is achieved from various approaches, the most common being microscopic, speculum-based transnasal or sublabial transsphenoidal resection. Rates of tumor recurrence following this technique range from 30%–40%. Two-surgeon, purely endoscopic endonasal techniques, with the option of expanded exposure, offer the potential advantage of increased visibility of the supra- and parasellar regions, allowing more complete tumor resection, even for cases of recurrent pituitary tumors. However, the scarring and altered anatomy that result from the previous dissection make revision surgery a technically challenging endeavor. We review our experience in a series of patients who underwent revision endoscopic pituitary surgery following previous microscopic, speculum-based transnasal or sublabial approaches. Records were reviewed of 151 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery between February 2008 and August 2010. Of these, 26 patients had previous microscopic-speculum-based approaches. Speculum-based approaches are nearly always done through the right nostril. As a result, there was increased scarring and loss of anatomical landmarks in the right posterior nasal cavity and sphenoid region. Our most frequent form of skull base reconstruction is the nasoseptal flap, elevated from the right septum. However, in one patient a septal perforation did not allow a nasoseptal flap elevation. In another patient, the pedicle of the right-sided flap became detached due to the previous dissection of the right anterior clival wall. Because of the right-sided posterior nasal scarring encountered, a left-sided nasoseptal flap was successfully utilized in six patients. Image guidance was used in 22 patients. There were 13 intraoperative CSF leaks, which were repaired using a combination of techniques. There was only one delayed CSF leak on postoperative day 23, requiring operative repair with an abdominal fat graft. In conclusion, revision endoscopic pituitary surgery following microscopic, speculum-based approaches is technically challenging. Because the previous approach was likely through the right nostril, we have found it advantageous to elevate the nasoseptal flap from the left side. Intraoperative CSF leaks are frequent and should be addressed with appropriate reconstructive techniques. The use of image guidance should be considered because of the altered anatomic landmarks.
A Retrospective Consideration of Recreational Family Storytelling Among Parents and Their Adult Children

The aim of this study was to determine the purpose and function of recreational family storytelling across the life span from the perspective of parents and their adult children. Twelve individuals were interviewed (six parents paired with one of their adult children). Questions focused on ascertaining the purpose and function of storytelling from the perspectives of parents and children in the same family unit. In these families storytelling created opportunities for family bonding. Storytelling accomplished its purpose of creating family bonds through five functions: being fun, dealing with difficult topics or situations, transferring beliefs and values as well as giving listeners role models to emulate, offering the opportunity to take new perspectives, and purposefully initiating closeness between family members. The purpose and function of storytelling in the family appeared to change across the life span.
Telling Lies in Scarce Environments

Scarcity of basic needs, such as food, time, or money, has a gripping psychological impact on those without. Environments characterized by scarcity of objects, color, and texture, too, appear to af...
Approach to Leukocoria

Leukocoria (Greek “leucos” meaning white and “kore” meaning pupil), or white pupillary reflex, which can occur due to various ocular conditions.
Inflammation and the Intestinal Barrier: Leukocyte–Epithelial Cell Interactions, Cell Junction Remodeling, and Mucosal Repair

The intestinal tract is lined by a single layer of columnar epithelial cells that forms a dynamic, permeable barrier allowing for selective absorption of nutrients, while restricting access to pathogens and food-borne antigens. Precise regulation of epithelial barrier function is therefore required for maintaining mucosal homeostasis and depends, in part, on barrier-forming elements within the epithelium and a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory factors in the mucosa. Pathologic states, such as inflammatory bowel disease, are associated with a leaky epithelial barrier, resulting in excessive exposure to microbial antigens, recruitment of leukocytes, release of soluble mediators, and ultimately mucosal damage. An inflammatory microenvironment affects epithelial barrier properties and mucosal homeostasis by altering the structure and function of epithelial intercellular junctions through direct and indirect mechanisms. We review our current understanding of complex interactions between the intestinal epithelium and immune cells, with a focus on pathologic mucosal inflammation and mechanisms of epithelial repair. We discuss leukocyte−epithelial interactions, as well as inflammatory mediators that affect the epithelial barrier and mucosal repair. Increased knowledge of communication networks between the epithelium and immune system will lead to tissue-specific strategies for treating pathologic intestinal inflammation.
Tricuspid Atresia with Non-compaction: An Early Experience with Implications for Surgical Palliation

Left ventricle non-compaction (LVNC) has worse outcomes when associated with congenital heart defects (CHD). The co-occurrence and outcomes of LVNC with tricuspid atresia (TA) are not well described. Our study aims to determine the prevalence of LVNC with functionally single ventricle due to TA, and to describe the early outcomes of surgical palliation. A retrospective database search for patients (n = 167,566) and echocardiograms (n = 44,053) was performed in order to collect clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic data of pediatric patients with TA and LVNC at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Missouri, USA, from January 1, 2008, to August 31, 2013. The prevalence of TA and LVNC was 0.015 and 0.08%, respectively. Eight patients with TA had LVNC (32%, group 1). Seventeen patients had only TA (68%, group 2). Five patients from group 1 and 8 patients from group 2 were surgically palliated with the Fontan procedure. They exhibited similar remodeling indices, and hemodynamics (median LV end-diastolic pressure ≤10 mmHg; median mean pulmonary artery pressure ≤15 mmHg) that allowed for completion of the Fontan procedure. All Fontan patients were in New York Heart Association class I after a 3-year (median) follow-up period. Our data show that TA with LVNC patients, who have acceptable cardiac remodeling indices, LV systolic function, and hemodynamics (LVEDP ≤ 10 mmHg, mean pulmonary artery pressure ≤ 15 mmHg) can have successful completion of the Fontan procedure and positive early outcomes.
Miniature Dielectric Barrier Discharge Nonthermal Plasma Induces Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells and Inhibits Cell Migration

Traditional cancer treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy have drawbacks and are not selective for killing only cancer cells. Nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasmas with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) can be applied to living cells and tissues and have emerged as novel tools for localized cancer therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the different effects caused by miniature DBD (mDBD) plasma to A549 lung cancer cells. In this study, A549 lung cancer cells cultured in 12 well plates were treated with mDBD plasma for specified treatment times to assess the changes in the size of the area of cell detachment, the viability of attached or detached cells, and cell migration. Furthermore, we investigated an innovative mDBD plasma-based therapy for localized treatment of lung cancer cells through apoptotic induction. Our results indicate that plasma treatment for 120 sec causes apoptotic cell death in 35.8% of cells, while mDBD plasma treatment for 60 sec, 30 sec, or 15 sec causes apoptotic cell death in 20.5%, 14.1%, and 6.3% of the cell population, respectively. Additionally, we observed reduced A549 cell migration in response to mDBD plasma treatment. Thus, mDBD plasma system can be a viable platform for localized lung cancer therapy.
Stimulation of RNA Polymerase II ubiquitination and degradation by yeast mRNA 3′-end processing factors is a conserved DNA damage response in eukaryotes

The quality and retrieval of genetic information is imperative to the survival and reproduction of all living cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light induces lesions that obstruct DNA access during transcription, replication, and repair. Failure to remove UV-induced lesions can abrogate gene expression and cell division, resulting in permanent DNA mutations. To defend against UV damage, cells utilize transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) to quickly target lesions within active genes. In cases of long-term genotoxic stress, a slower alternative pathway promotes degradation of RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) to allow for global genomic nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER). The crosstalk between TC-NER and GG-NER pathways and the extent of their coordination with other nuclear events has remained elusive. We aimed to identify functional links between the DNA damage response (DDR) and the mRNA 3'-end processing complex. Our labs have previously shown that UV-induced inhibition of mRNA processing is a conserved DDR between yeast and mammalian cells. Here we have identified mutations in the yeast mRNA 3'-end processing cleavage factor IA (CFIA) and cleavage and polyadenylation factor (CPF) that confer sensitivity to UV-type DNA damage. In the absence of TC-NER, CFIA and CPF mutants show reduced UV tolerance and an increased frequency of UV-induced genomic mutations, consistent with a role for RNA processing factors in an alternative DNA repair pathway. CFIA and CPF mutants impaired the ubiquitination and degradation of Pol II following DNA damage, but the co-transcriptional recruitment of Pol II degradation factors Elc1 and Def1 was undiminished. Overall these data are consistent with yeast 3'-end processing factors contributing to the removal of Pol II stalled at UV-type DNA lesions, a functional interaction that is conserved between homologous factors in yeast and human cells.
Standardizing the Crowdsourcing of Healthcare Data Using Modular Ontologies

Crowdsourcing data is an essential part of information collection in healthcare. Patient data serves as the foundation for creating healthcare policy, creating new pharmaceuticals, and determining treatment. In this paper, we propose a novel conceptual method of standardizing and classifying the crowdsourcing of healthcare data using modular ontologies, authoritative medical ontologies (AMOs) and other sources. A modular ontology can be constructed to guide data collection for specific aspects of an illness. We will examine this conceptual approach for patients of depression. This will be done by finding association rules in a pre-existing National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH)'s study on Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) patient dataset, and standardized medical terminology found in the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities Terminology (MedDRA) ontology. We will also use classification knowledge from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Our conceptual method will ensure that newly crowdsourced data can be used to confirm and improve upon the accuracy of previously known symptom associations.
Inflammation and dimensions of reward processing

Alterations in reward processing are a central feature of depression and may be influenced by inflammation. Indeed, elevated inflammation is associated with dysregulation in reward-related neural circuitry. However, the downstream behavioral manifestations of such impairments are rarely examined in humans. In this study, 42 healthy young adults (age 18–22, 31 female), provided blood samples and completed behavioral measures of two key aspects of reward – reward-related learning (Probabilistic Reward Task) and reward motivation (Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task) - before and one day after receiving an influenza vaccine. The influenza vaccine led to mild but significant increases in circulating IL-6 ( Mpre = 1.16, SD = .94; Mpost = 1.46, SD = 1.21; d = 0.39). Contrary to hypotheses, increases in IL-6 predicted increases in reward learning, b = 0.167, p = 0.005. While change in IL-6 did not predict reward motivation, higher baseline levels of IL-6 predicted increased reward motivation following the vaccine for reward of moderate (versus low and high) magnitude, b = 0.034, p = 0.034. Results were not substantively altered when controlling for current depressive symptoms and sex. These findings suggest that reward-related learning is facilitated by modest increases in circulating inflammation, and that higher levels of IL-6 are also positively associated with reward motivation. While this is contrary to prior findings that inflammation dampens reward reactivity, it is possible that the relatively small increases in inflammation seen here may drive engagement with the environment.
Photonic Switch Fabrics in Computer Communications Systems

□ Photonics offer a new class of switching solutions — … with potential for improved density, efficiency, and cost over known solutions — … and offering a variety of port counts and reconfiguration timescales.
Motivators of and barriers to health-promoting behaviors among culturally diverse middle and high school students.

ABSTRACTBackground: Youth obesity in the United States is a major health concern. Obesity can be reduced by increasing health-promoting behaviors. Purpose: The goals of the present study were to (1) identify the strongest motivators of and barriers to health-promoting behaviors among a culturally diverse group of middle and high school students and (2) determine whether these motivators and barriers differed by age, gender, race, and grade classification. Methods: Subjects were 591 sixth- through 12th-grade students enrolled in a public school. Results: A strong motivator for engaging in health-promoting behaviors is awareness of the health benefits of engaging in these behaviors. Strong barriers to engaging in health-promoting behaviors are preferences for unhealthy drinks and temptation to eat unhealthy foods. Additionally, there are significant differences in association with race/ethnicity and grade classification. Discussion: This study is unique in that youth rather than professional experts were as...
Analyzing national and state opioid abuse treatment completion with multilevel modeling

The misuse of opioids has become a national public health emergency in the United States. Successfully completing a program of treatment at a substance abuse treatment facility is associated with better long-term outcomes, but a significant portion of opioid use patients are discharged without successfully completing treatment. The objective of this study is to evaluate factors associated with treatment success. We used the Treatment Episodes Datasets: Discharges (TEDS-D) dataset, a national sample of discharges from substance abuse treatment centers, and the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS) dataset, an annual survey of all known substance use treatment facilities, for the years 2013 and 2014. A random slope, random intercept multilevel model was used to estimate the effects of patient- and state-level variables on treatment completion. We find that a patient is more likely to complete treatment if that patient is older, employed, has private insurance, waited less time before entering treatment, is not receiving medication-assisted treatment, and is in residential care. In addition, we find that patients living in with states with higher levels of Vivitrol adoption are more likely to complete treatment. Our findings could encourage policymakers and treatment facilities to consider prioritizing Vivitrol adoption. At the same time, our results demonstrate substantial variation of predictors across states and suggest the need for further research into the relationship between state contexts and the predictors of successful opioid use treatment.