cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Near infrared photoimmunotherapy with avelumab, an anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody.

// Tadanobu Nagaya 1 , Yuko Nakamura 1 , Kazuhide Sato 1 , Toshiko Harada 1 , Peter L. Choyke 1 , James W. Hodge 2 , Jeffrey Schlom 2 , Hisataka Kobayashi 1 1 Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States of America 2 Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States of America Correspondence to: Hisataka Kobayashi, email: kobayash@mail.nih.gov Keywords: near infrared photoimmunotherapy, PD-L1, lung cancer Received: July 30, 2016 Accepted: September 20, 2016 Published: October 03, 2016 ABSTRACT Near Infrared-Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a highly selective tumor treatment that employs an antibody-photo-absorber conjugate (APC). Programmed cell death protein-1 ligand (PD-L1) is emerging as a molecular target. Here, we describe the efficacy of NIR-PIT, using fully human IgG 1 anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), avelumab, conjugated to the photo-absorber, IR700DX, in a PD-L1 expressing H441 cell line, papillary adenocarcinoma of lung. Avelumab-IR700 showed specific binding and cell-specific killing was observed after exposure of the cells to NIR in vitro . In the in vivo study, avelumab-IR700 showed high tumor accumulation and high tumor-background ratio. Tumor-bearing mice were separated into 4 groups: (1) no treatment; (2) 100 μg of avelumab-IR700 i.v.; (3) NIR light exposure only, NIR light was administered; (4) 100 μg of avelumab-IR700 i.v., NIR light was administered. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited by NIR-PIT treatment compared with the other groups ( p < 0.001), and significantly prolonged survival was achieved ( p < 0.01 vs other groups). In conclusion, the anti-PD-L1 antibody, avelumab, is suitable as an APC for NIR-PIT. Furthermore, NIR-PIT with avelumab-IR700 is a promising candidate of the treatment of PD-L1-expressing tumors that could be readily translated to humans.
Sympathetic cooling of molecular ions with ultracold atoms

Sympathetic cooling of molecular ions with ultracold gases is enabling a new era of research in chemistry and physics. There has been much progress in this new field in the last several years and many unanticipated challenges have been overcome. The aim of the present manuscript is to provide a concise review of this work and discuss the way forward for the field.
Heart Transplant Candidates: A Neuropsychological Descriptive Database

Clinical psychologists working in medical settings are increasingly broadening their services to include consultation to cardiac transplant programs. These services may include the neuropsychological assessment of end-stage cardiac patients, who as a group are at risk for neuropsychological impairment. This paper provides descriptive neuropsychological data partitioned by age, race, and educational level from a sample of 760 end-stage cardiac patients who underwent neuropsychological testing as a routine part of a comprehensive heart transplant candidacy evaluation. Between one-fourth and one-third of the sample obtained scores that fell two standard deviations or greater below the expected performance (using available norms) on 11 of the 19 test variables. Performance difficulties were most commonly found on tests of manual speed, psychomotor speed, mental speed, and verbal learning and memory. This descriptive report improves upon previously published papers that were limited by relatively small sample size and failure to partition test results across important demographic characteristics.
The impact of religiosity on dietary habits and physical activity in minority women participating in the Health is Power (HIP) study.

African American (AA) and Hispanic/Latina (HL) women report lower rates of physical activity (PA) and poorer dietary habits compared to their white counterparts. Religiosity can act as a protective factor for health; however, the relationship between religiosity, PA, and diet is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of religiosity on PA and fruit and vegetable (FV) and fat consumption in minority women. Health is Power (HIP) was a 6-month intervention where participants (AA: 63%; HL: 37%) were randomized to a PA or FV group. Questionnaires assessed religiosity at baseline and PA, FV and fat consumption at baseline and post-intervention. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to investigate religiosity as a predictor of change in PA, FV and fat, while controlling for demographics. AA women had significantly higher religiosity scores (M = 44.15, SD = 10.66) compared to H/L women (M = 35.11, SD = 12.82; t(251) = 5.86, p < 0.001). Across both groups, PA increased by 15%, FV intake increased by 27%, and consumption of calories by fat decreased by 5%. Religiosity was not a significant predictor of PA or diet (p < 0.05). The results of this study found no association between religiosity and change in PA and diet. More longitudinal studies are needed to explore the role of religiosity in the health of minority women.
Class III malocclusion: an argument for early orthodontic treatment

Class III malocclusion is a complex multifactorial condition with many genetic and environmental influences. Most often the condition is inherited in a Mendelian autosomal dominant pattern. Early referral and treatment can lead to better outcomes in orthodontic therapy. The subject presented for an early orthodontic referral at age 5.5 and showed signs of future Class III malocclusion. A rapid maxillary expander was given as interventional treatment for one year. At age 11.5 the subject was treated with braces for 2 years. The outcome was a normal Class I occlusion. The subject’s mother had Class III malocclusion but was not evaluated early and was only able to establish an edge-to-edge Class III malocclusion as the best treatment outcome without orthognathic surgery. The subject’s grandmother was also Class III, establishing an autosomal dominance pattern of inheritance in the family. This case demonstrates the importance of the general dentist educating families about malocclusion and making orthodontic referrals as early as possible so the best treatment outcomes can be reached through orthodontic therapy.
Methodology of a Cross-Sectional Nation-Wide Growth Study

By now, it has been well established that growth standards are an essential tool in the study of growth. National growth standards serve a multiple purpose. First of all, they are essential in curative medicine, as well as in child health and school health services, in order to evaluate the growth of individual children. They are not only useful in tracking down in time deviations from the normal growth pattern, but they also may offer a quantitative indication to give the parents the reassuring information that their child’s growth follows an acceptable pattern.
Factors affecting the application of ultrafiltration membranes in the dairy food industry.

During the past decade, ultrafiltration and diafiltration have become accepted industrial processes in the dairy industry. (Bresleau and Kilcullen, 1977; Cotton and English, 1975; Delaney and Donnelly, 1977; Kosikowski, 1979; McKenna, 1978; Maubois, 1978 and Van et al., 1979.) Initially utilized for the processing of whey and skimmilk, more recent uses have included whole milk and churned buttermilk. Application in current pilot plant or commercial use includes: 1. Production of whey protein concentrates from both acid and sweet whey. 2. Preparation of concentrates for cheese manufacture including soft cheese, cottage cheese, hard cheeses and processed cheese. 3. Protein enrichment for fluid products and in the manufacture of cultured products. 4. Concentration of raw milk on the farm to reduce transport costs. 5. Preparation of specialty products for geriatric feeding. 6. Manufacture of calf replacers. 7. Enzyme recovery from lactose syrup preparation. 8. Recovery of cleaning compounds for reuse.
An assessment of performance measures in child nutrition programs

School Child Nutrition Program (CNP) directors are expected to operate efficient, productive, and effective meals programs (Boehrer, 1993; Decker, et al. 1992; USDA, 2008). A variety of performance measures can be used to assess CNPs’ operational effectiveness. The purposes of this research were to investigate management and financial attributes perceived by foodservice directors of medium-size public school districts in the United States to impact performance measures for CNPs and investigate whether widely used standards for these performance measures, based on previous research, were relevant due to a variety of changes that had occurred in CNPs. Two electronic questionnaires were sent to the population of 2,534 foodservice directors in medium-sized school districts (enrollments between 2,500 and 10,000). Respondents (n = 740) assessed attitudes about and use of productivity measures in their programs, use of convenience foods and disposable student-use items, factors that affect meals per labor hour (MPLH), director’s demographic information, and district characteristics. A convenience sample (n = 34) of foodservice directors provided detailed information about revenues, expenses, participation, and staffing. This information was used to calculate current MPLH for onsite kitchens, production kitchens serving more than one site, and satellite sites and revenue per dollar expense (RPDE). Study results indicate increased usage of convenience foods and student-use disposable items. This is consistent with findings from previous studies that also indicated increased usage of convenience foods and disposables. Using a 5-point Likert-type scale, foodservice directors rated importance of 32 performance measures in evaluating their programs. These performance measures were grouped into nine factors: financial data (M =
Seismic Effectiveness of Tuned Mass Dampers

Time history analysis of 1DOF systems with and without a tuned mass damper, subjected to a set of historical earthquakes, shows that the peak response ratio (ratio between the peak responses with and without damper) depends primarily on damping constants and on earthquake duration. The same analysis reveals that response ratio values are widely scattered and that the mean response ratio in underestimated by conventional stationary random vibration calculations. Improvement is obtained by considering response movement and broadening of the response spectral density function caused by the damper. Based on these considerations, a probabilistic model is developed that gives the distribution of peak response of buildings modified by addition of a tuned mass damper in terms of the same distribution for the unmodified structures. For elastic systems tuned mass dampers have small antiseismic effectiveness.
A Comparison of Strategies for Recruiting Teachers Into Survey Panels.

We examine a range of options for recruiting teachers into a nationally representative survey panel. Recruitment strategies considered include a telephone-based approach and the use of promised inc...
Injection of in-situ generated CO2 microbubbles into deep saline aquifers for enhanced carbon sequestration

Abstract Carbon sequestration into deep saline aquifers has been considered a promising technology for mitigating heavy atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration. When gaseous CO2 is continuously injected into these aquifers, resident brine near a wellbore area is rapidly evaporated while precipitating significant amounts of salt at pores, thereby damaging the aquifer media unfavorable for subsequent CO2 injection. In addition, the continuous injection of CO2 at a large volume significantly hinders dissolution of CO2 into brine. In this study, we propose a new method of sequential water injection with gaseous CO2 for in-situ generation of micro-sized CO2 bubbles that minimizes the brine drying-out and simultaneously accelerates CO2 dissolution. We observed that, with this method, a partial volume of CO2 dissolves effectively into the co-injected water during pumping, thereby decreasing the rate of brine drying-out at pores. Another benefit of sequential injection is the significantly increased rate of CO2 hydration induced by the large surface-to-volume ratio of tiny bubbles at micro to nanoscale. To further accelerate CO2 hydration, we investigated reactive dynamics of bubble-driven CO2 hydration at different frequencies of sequential injection and pH levels of the solution. Operation at a higher frequency with higher basicity proved to be the most effective in decreasing the bubble size and therefore accelerating CO2 hydration into brine, which is a more feasible CO2 storage plan.
Development of a rapid, room-temperature dynamic kinetic resolution for efficient asymmetric synthesis of alpha-aryl amino acids.

A rapid, highly efficient and general dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of racemic α-aryl UNCAs with the dual-function catalysis of modified cinchona alkaloid was accomplished at room temperature. This DKR led to the development of a highly enantioselective catalytic method for the practical synthesis of a wide range of α-aryl and α-heteroaryl amino acids in 89−92% ee and 86−95% yield from racemic UNCAs.
Abstract 2835: Breast tumor microbiota populations are modulated by chemotherapy and may be indicative of outcome

Breast tumors were identified to have their own microbiota population distinct from mammary gland tissue. Breast cancer patients that present in the clinic with larger tumors often undergo neo-adjuvant chemotherapy to reduce tumor burden before surgery. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether chemotherapy can modulate the tumor microbiome and the potential impact of microbes in the development of distant metastases. Using snap-frozen aseptically collected breast tumor tissue from women that underwent neo-adjuvant chemotherapy or women with no prior therapy at time of surgery, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing to identify tumoral bacterial populations. We also stained breast tumor microarrays (normal breast tissue, primary breast tumor, and lymph node metastases) to confirm presence of identified microbiota. Our data indicates that chemotherapy administration significantly increased breast tumor Pseudomonas and reduced the proportional abundance of Streptococcus. Primary breast tumors from patients that developed distant metastases later on in life (regardless of therapy) displayed increased tumoral abundance of Acinetobacter, Brevundimonas, and Staphylococcus. Stratifying patients based upon BMI indicates that obesity modulates breast tumor microbiota populations and needs to be considered in analyses. Furthermore, we confirm presence of Pseudomonas in breast tumor tissue by immunohistochemical staining. Our results indicate breast tumor microbiota populations can be modified by chemotherapy and specific microbes correlate with tumor recurrence. Further studies with a larger patient cohort may provide greater insights into the role of microbiota in therapeutic outcome and for the development of novel bacterial biomarkers that could predict distant metastases. Citation Format: Akiko Chiba, Alaa Bawaneh, Christine Velazquez, Edward Levine, Katherine L. Cook. Breast tumor microbiota populations are modulated by chemotherapy and may be indicative of outcome [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2835.
Interview with Nimat Hafez Barazangi: The Inner Jihad (Der Innere Dschihad)

English Abstract: What were your first experiences in reading the Qur'an like? First of all, every Muslim is required to read the Quran. Unfortunately, the tradition made it that reading the Quran is seen more as a religious ritual than a knowledge based ritual. When I started to study Islamic philosophy and ethics at Damascus University, I realized that there was a certain disharmony between the daily practice on one side and the words of the Quran and the Islamic philosophy on the other. That made me more curious during my inquiries. When I went to the United States in 1967, I could do this only as an addition to my main subject which was educational science. I noticed that I really didn’t know much about my religion. So I began to read the Quran systematically by themes instead of reading it by verses. I focused on what mattered to me in my daily life and started to search for it using a Qur'anic concordance.German Abstract: Ein Gesprach mit der Wissenschaftlerin und Korangelehrten Nimat Hafez Barazangi uber den Islam als Vernunftreligion und die Selbsterziehung als Grundlage gesellschaftlicher Veranderung.
Obesity Increases the Risk of Loss of Reduction After Casting for Displaced Pediatric Both Bone Forearm Fractures

Purpose Obesity is known to increase complication rates associated with various medical interventions including cast treatment for pediatric distal radius fractures. We theorize that higher body mass index (BMI) increases the risk of loss of reduction (LOR) following successful closed reduction (CR) and casting for displaced pediatric both bone forearm fractures (BBFFs). Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of children aged 2 to 18 years with closed BBFFs treated at our tertiary care children’s hospital. Potential subjects treated between 2012 and 2015 were identified using ICD-9 codes. Only encounters where radiographic review showed ipsilateral ulnar …
The effects of time framing on compliance to hypothetical social-distancing policies related to covid-19

The current study analyzed the effects of two frames for durations of time—calendar unit and calendar date—on measures of compliance to hypothetical social-distancing policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants reported the extent to which they would comply with hypothetical social-distancing policies lasting different durations of time. Durations of time were framed as calendar units (e.g., days, weeks, months, years) and calendar dates (i.e., specific dates the policies would extent to). Levels of compliance across durations of time were used to calculate the area under the curve (AuC) for each condition. Social-distancing policies framed in calendar dates yielded significantly greater AuC values compared to social-distancing policies framed in calendar units. Participants’ self-reported political affiliation yielded a significant main effect: Conservative participants’ AuC values were significantly lower than liberal participants’ AuC values. The framing of the duration of time was a significant variable in controlling rates of compliance to hypothetical social-distancing policies.
An efficient and direct method for trajectory optimization of robots constrained by contact kinematics and forces

In this work, we propose a trajectory generation method for robotic systems with contact kinematics and force constraints based on optimal control and reachability analysis tools. Normally, the dynamics and constraints of a contact-constrained robot are nonlinear and coupled to each other. Instead of linearizing the model and constraints, we solve the optimal control problem directly to obtain feasible state trajectories and their corresponding control inputs. A tractable optimal control problem is formulated and subsequently addressed by dual approaches, which rely on sampling-based dynamic programming and rigorous reachability analysis tools. In particular, a sampling-based method together with a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process solution approach are used to break down the end-to-end trajectory generation problem by generating a sequence of subregions that the system’s trajectory will have to pass through to reach its final destination. The distinctive characteristic of the proposed trajectory optimization algorithm is its ability to handle the intricate contact constraints, coupled with the system dynamics, in a computationally efficient way. We validate our method using extensive numerical simulations with two legged robots.
Sex Differences in Mortality and 90-day Readmission Rates after Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): A Nationwide Analysis from the United States.

AIM To assess gender differences in in-hospital mortality and 90-day readmission rates among patients undergoing Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the United States. METHODS AND RESULTS Hospitalizations for TAVR were retrospectively identified in the National readmissions database (NRD) from 2012-2017. Gender based differences in in-hospital mortality and 90-day readmissions were explored using multivariable logistic regression models. During the study period, an estimated 171,361 hospitalizations for TAVR were identified, including 79,722 (46.5%) procedures in women and 91,639 (53.5%) in men. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality and 90-day all-cause readmissions were significantly higher for women compared to men (2.7% vs. 2.3%, p = .002; 25.1% vs. 24.1%; p = .012 respectively). After adjusting for baseline characteristics, women had 13% greater adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality (aOR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02-1.26, p = .017), and 9% greater adjusted odds of 90-day readmission compared to men (aOR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05-1.14, p < .001). During the study period, there was a steady decrease in hospital mortality (5.3% in 2012 to 1.6% in 2017; ptrend < .001) and 90-day (29.9% in 2012 to 21.7% in 2017; ptrend < .001) readmission rate in both genders. CONCLUSION In-hospital mortality and readmission rates for TAVR hospitalizations have decreased over time across both genders. Despite these improvements, women undergoing TAVR continue to have a modestly higher in-hospital mortality, and 90-day readmission rates compared to men. Given the expanding indications and use of TAVR, further research is necessary to identify the reasons for this persistent gap and design appropriate interventions.
Optimizing a GPU-accelerated genetic algorithm for the vehicle routing problem

The capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP) is an NP-hard optimization problem with many applications. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are often used to solve CVRPs but require many parameters and operators to tune. Incorrect settings can result in poor solutions. In this work, a design of experiments (DOE) approach is used to determine the best settings for GA parameters. The GA runs entirely on an NVIDIA RTX 3090 GPU. The GPU execution for a 200-node benchmark shows a speed by a factor of 1700 compared to that on an octa-core i7 CPU with 64 GB RAM. The tuned GA achieved a solution for a 400-node benchmark that is 72% better than that of an arbitrarily tuned GA after only 263 generations. New best-known values for several benchmarks are also obtained. A comparison between the performance of the algorithm with different hardware and tuning sets is also reported.
Efficient model for electronic transport in high energy-density matter

A wide-ranging effective Boltzmann approach, originally intended for ionic transport, is applied to the computation of electronic transport coefficients without modification. Comparisons with datasets that resulted from a recent transport coefficient workshop and molecular dynamics simulations are made. While this model contains correlation information through its effective potential and strong scattering through its use of cross sections, it misses details of attractive, possibly quantum, interactions; comparisons with that dataset reveal the relative importance of these physics inputs. Through comparisons of data for electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, temperature relaxation, and stopping power (including a new formula for the energy split due to alpha stopping), we find that the sensitivity to the missing physics is minor and often negligible. Thus, we have a single transport model that self-consistently provides all ionic and electronic transport properties in a form with negligible computational cost.
On the Mathematical Aspects of Benedikt’s Representation of the Equations of Epihydrodynamics

Benedikt2 assumes the following configuration: the liquid systems occupy a finite region of space. The geometry of the surfaces bounding the region in question can be identified by some number of parameters, which can be used as generalized coordinates. The dynamics of the liquid system is treated by the Lagrangian method. Application of this method requires the knowledge of the potential energy in the case under consideration, of the surface (free) energy, proportional to the area of the surfaces bounding the liquid, of the gravitational energy as well as of the kinetic energy. In order to obtain the latter, the potential of the flow, which is regarded as laminar, can be represented as a linear function of the generalized velocities. The coefficients of this expression are certain functions of the configuration which can in principle be determined by the standard procedures of potential theory.
Integrating Optical Force Sensing with Visual Servoing for Microassembly

For microassembly tasks uncertainty exists at many levels. Single static sensing configurations are therefore unable to provide feedback with the necessary range and resolution for accomplishing many desired tasks. In this paper we present experimental results that investigate the integration of two disparate sensing modalities, force and vision, for sensor-based microassembly. By integrating these sensing modes, we are able to provide feedback in a task-oriented frame of reference over a broad range of motion with an extremely high precision. An optical microscope is used to provide visual feedback down to micron resolutions, while an optical beam deflection technique (based on a modified atomic force microscope) is used to provide nanonewton level force feedback or nanometric level position feedback. Visually servoed motion at speeds of up to 2 mm/s with a repeatability of 0.17 mm are achieved with vision alone. The optical beam deflection sensor complements the visual feedback by providing positional feedback with a repeatability of a few nanometers. Based on the principles of optical beam deflection, this is equivalent to force measurements on the order of a nanonewton. The value of integrating these two disparate sensing modalities is demonstrated during controlled micropart impact experiments. These results demonstrate micropart approach velocities of 80 mm/s with impact forces of 9 nN and final contact forces of 2 nN. Within our microassembly system this level of performance cannot be achieved using either sensing modality alone. This research will aid in the development of complex hybrid MEMS devices in two ways; by enabling the microassembly of more complex MEMS prototypes; and in the development of automatic assembly machines for assembling and packaging future MEMS devices that require increasingly complex assembly strategies.
Consciousness and self-consciousness

This interdisciplinary work contains the most sustained attempt at developing and defending one of the few genuine theories of consciousness. Following the lead of David Rosenthal, the author argues for the so-called 'higher-order thought theory of consciousness'. This theory holds that what makes a mental state conscious is the presence of a suitable higher-order thought directed at the mental state. In addition, the somewhat controversial claim that “consciousness entails self-consciousness” is vigorously defended. The approach is mostly 'analytic' in style and draws on important recent work in cognitive science, perception, artificial intelligence, neuropsychology and psychopathology. However, the book also makes extensive use of numerous Kantian insights in arguing for its main theses and, in turn, sheds historical light on Kant's theory of mind. A detailed analysis of the relationships between (self-)consciousness, behavior, memory, intentionality, and de se attitudes are examples of the central topics to be found in this work. (Series A)
Constraint-Based Student Modeling

A new approach to the student modeling problem is based on the idea of representing subject matter knowledge in sets of constraints. Constraint violations on the part of the student indicate incomplete or incorrect knowledge and can therefore be used to guide the response of an intelligent tutoring system. This approach promises to eliminate the need for runnable models of either the expert or the student and to reduce the computations required for student modeling to pattern matching. An application in the domain of subtraction illustrates the feasibility of the concept.
Abstract 134: CCN5 down regulates HER2/ neu expression in HER2 positive breast cancer cells

Breast cancers are broadly classified into four different subtypes which are Luminal A, Luminal B, Basal type and Her2 positive cancers. The cells in Her2 positive tumor lesions overexpress the tyrosine kinase receptor ErbB2 or Her2 which serve as the major oncoprotein and drives the unrestrained proliferation of the cells which is one of the major hallmarks of cancer. About 25% of the breast cancer overexpress Her2 (ErbB2) proto-oncogene resulting in aggressive tumor phenotype and is associated in poor prognosis in patients. Though Her2 targeted therapies are being used hugely in clinical practice, a significant fraction of the Her2 positive tumors develop mechanisms to evade the targeted therapies of Her2 inhibition. CCN5 or Wisp2 is a matricellular protein which is now considered as an ‘anti-invasive gene’. It has been already that established from multiple evidences that CCN5 protein inhibits progression of triple negative breast cancer. The goal of the study is to investigate if CCN5 can regulate Her2 in Her2 positive breast cancer. We have found that CCN5 treatment also negatively regulates expression and activity of Her2 receptor in Her2 overexpressed breast cancer cells. It has been indicated from Her2 promoter assays that Wisp2/CCN5 negatively regulates the expression of Her2 in a transcriptional level. Wisp2 /CCN5 treatment of Her2 overexpressed breast cancer cell lines, SKBR3 and Bt474, exerts a negative impact on the migration and proliferative properties of the cancer cells. Thus it can be concluded that our initial studies on effect of CCN5 on Her2 positive cells can pave the way for a novel approach of therapy to control Her2 overexpressed tumor cell growth. Citation Format: Sandipto Sarkar, Gargi Maity, Amlan Das, Monami Majumder, Snigdha Banerjee, Sushanta Banerjee. CCN5 down regulates HER2/ neu expression in HER2 positive breast cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 134. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-134
Practical Approach to Detection and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease for the Primary Care Clinician

A panel of internists and nephrologists developed this practical approach for the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative to guide assessment and care of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by primary care clinicians. Chronic kidney disease is defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and/or markers of kidney damage for at least 3 months. In clinical practice the most common tests for CKD include GFR estimated from the serum creatinine concentration (eGFR) and albuminuria from the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio. Assessment of eGFR and albuminuria should be performed for persons with diabetes and/or hypertension but is not recommended for the general population. Management of CKD includes reducing the patient's risk of CKD progression and risk of associated complications, such as acute kidney injury and cardiovascular disease, anemia, and metabolic acidosis, as well as mineral and bone disorder. Prevention of CKD progression requires blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers for patients with albuminuria and hypertension, hemoglobin A1c ≤7% for patients with diabetes, and correction of CKD-associated metabolic acidosis. To reduce patient safety hazards from medications, the level of eGFR should be considered when prescribing, and nephrotoxins should be avoided, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The main reasons to refer to nephrology specialists are eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2), severe albuminuria, and acute kidney injury. The ultimate goal of CKD management is to prevent disease progression, minimize complications, and promote quality of life.
AKT-independent, PDK1-dependent signaling by oncogenic PIK3CA mutations

A44 As we enter into the era of individualized approaches to anti-cancer therapies, an improved understanding of the consequences of oncogenic mutations on signal transduction pathways will improve the development of effective therapeutic approaches. We employed reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA) to quantitatively assess the status of components of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in panels of human cells lines and tumors with naturally-occurring PTEN and PIK3CA mutations. PTEN loss was consistently associated with high levels of AKT activation. Cell lines and tumors with PIK3CA kinase domain mutations demonstrated variable levels of AKT activation, but samples with PIK3CA helical domain mutations consistently failed to demonstrate evidence of AKT activation. Consistent with these results, anchorage-independent growth of PTEN-null cell lines was inhibited by knockdown of AKT. The anchorage-independent growth of cell lines with PIK3CA kinase domain mutations with evidence of AKT activation was also inhibited by AKT knockdown, but anchorage-independent growth in cell lines with PIK3CA helical domain mutations was AKT-independent. Anchorage-independent growth of PIK3CA kinase and helical mutants was dependent upon expression of PIK3CA, so alternate signaling pathways downstream of PI3K were examined. We found that PIK3CA mutant cell lines and tumors demonstrate significant increases in PDK1 activation, and are dependent upon PDK1 for anchorage-independent growth. These findings identify PDK1 as a critical effector of oncogenic PIK3CA mutations, and suggest that different therapeutic approaches may be necessary for tumors with PIK3CA helical mutations as compared to PIK3CA kinase or PTEN mutations.
Origin of Water‐Induced Toughening in MgO Crystals

The toughening effect of water on MgO, as measured by the increase in apparent surface energy of a double cantilever beam specimen, is shown to derive directly from the increased roughness of the fracture surfaces when a crack propagates in water. Dimethyl formamide, a medium reported to produce a larger Rebinder effect (surface softening) in MgO than water, has no effect on the fracture surface or fracture toughness of MgO.
Investigation of some features of the single-electron-loss process of H-

We have measured the electron energy spectrum from 0.5-MeV ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$-He collisions at ${\mathrm{theta}}_{L}$=0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for single-electron detachment. This process selection was made by requiring a time correlation between the detection of an electron and the detection of a neutral H atom. It was found that this time-correlated electron spectrum was, within experimental error, the same as the electron spectrum taken without any time-correlation requirement. We have also investigated the ``very sharp peak'' seen in previous experiments near ${\mathrm{theta}}_{L}$=0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and extracted the angular distributions of these electrons in the projectile frame. The angular distributions were found to be isotropic in the projectile frame. Previous comparisons between theory and experiment are discussed.
A CACCC Box-like cis-Regulatory Element of the Epstein-Barr Virus ED-L2 Promoter Interacts with a Novel Transcriptional Factor in Tissue-specific Squamous Epithelia

The Epstein-Barr (EBV) virus induces a lytic state after infecting epithelial cells. Subsequently, there is infection of B lymphocytes with two types of cycles, latent and lytic. Apart from linkage of the EBV latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) with benign and malignant conditions of squamous epithelial cells, little is known about other EBV gene products that may be important in these processes as well as cellular transcriptional factors that regulate EBV gene expression in these epithelial cells. The EBV ED-L2 promoter, an early lytic cycle promoter, is located upstream of a transcription start site for a short open reading frame designated BNLF2 and just downstream of the BNLF1 (LMP-1) open reading frame. We have previously used the EBV ED-L2 promoter to target oncogenes in transgenic mice, resulting in tissue-specific expression in the tongue, esophagus, forestomach, and skin, all sharing stratifying squamous epithelia, alternatively called keratinocytes. In the present study, we have functionally dissected the ED-L2 promoter by making deletion constructs fused to the luciferase reporter gene with transient transfections into squamous and nonsquamous epithelial cell lines as well as B lymphocytes. A CACCC box-like cis-regulatory element has been identified that is located between −218 and −187 base pairs of the ED-L2 promoter that confers significant promoter activity only in squamous epithelial cells. This cis-regulatory element is active in a heterologous minimal herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter reporter gene construct when transfected into squamous epithelial cells but not in nonsquamous epithelial cells. DNA gel mobility shift assays have led to the identification of DNA-protein complexes that bind the CACCC box-like element. One of these proteins is a novel transcriptional factor that is uniquely active in stratified squamous epithelial cells, designated as keratinocyte specific factor (KSF). KSF may be related to Sp1 but appears to be distinct from Sp1. In addition, KSF may interact with related or identicalcis-regulatory elements found in human papillomavirus-11 E6 and cytokeratin K3 promoters that are active in keratinocytes. In aggregate, KSF may be important in the transcriptional regulation of viral and eukaryotic genes in keratinocytes.
Retention and Spectral Characteristics of Copper-Natural Ligand Complexes in Reversed Phase C18-HPLC with UV-PDA and Fluorescence Detection

Abstract Copper complexes with fulvic (FA), caffeic (CFCA), vanillic (VA) and salicylic (SA) acids were investigated by reversed-phase HPLC with dual uv-vis photodiode array (PDA) and fluorescence (fl) detection using retention enrichment (RE) and direct complex introduction (DCI) methods. In the RE method VA and FA formed a hydrophobic Cu(II)-complex with measurable shift in retention time (tR). Whether or not there was a shift in tR, the uv-vis spectral characteristics of all complexed ligands in the RE method were of reduced absorption intensities but with the same characteristic absorption bands. In the DCI method only CFCA formed a more hydrophobic Cu(II)-complex with a measurable shift in tR and a distinguishable uv-vis spectrum. Free FA was resolved into seven uv-vis absorbing and fluorescing peaks (binding sites). At molar ratio M:L of 1:1 and pH 7, Cu-FA complex was resolved into the same peaks but with less uv and fluorescence intensities. The complexed peaks contained 69% of the added Cu(II) an...
The sex ratio and fruit production of laboratory-germinated seedlings of Halophila engelmannii Aschers. (Hydrocharitaceae) from Redfish Bay, Texas

Abstract Approximately equal numbers of staminate and pistillate plants were produced within a seedling population of Halophila engelmannii Aschers. Among 61 seedlings that produced flowers under laboratory conditions, 33 were male and 28 were female, indicating a probable 50:50 ratio. Under controlled conditions, staminate flowers released pollen during the daylight hours and the moniliform strands of pollen grains floated on the water surface. After artificial pollination, fruits and seeds developed in the laboratory cultures. Although flowering in the natural beds of Redfish Bay was not extensive in 1988, the ratio of staminate to pistillate shoots was recorded as 42:58.
Cluster formation versus isolated-site adsorption. A study of Mn(II) and Mg(II) adsorption on boehmite and goethite

Abstract The experiments measured the extent of adsorption of Mn(II) and Mg(II) on goethite [α-FeOOH] and boehmite [γ-AlOOH] from pH ≅ 4 to pH ≅ 11 and the resulting changes in surface charge. The electron spin resonance spectra for the Mn(II)/AIOOH system to monitor changes in the local environment of Mn(II), were also measured as adsorption occurred. The results indicate that Mg(II) adsorbs at relatively few, isolated sites on the goethite surface. When Mn(II) adsorbs on boehmite it forms magnetically ordered arrays, which are referred to as surface “clusters.” On the basis of the negligible effect of adsorption on surface charge, it was concluded that there is a high probability of “cluster” formation when Mn(II) adsorbs on goethite and Mg(II) adsorbs on boehmite. The mechanism of adsorption and the tendency to either form “clusters” or adsorb at isolated sites is strongly dependent on the nature of the oxide surface.
Hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation and insulin resistance

The association of hepatic steatosis with hepatic insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes has prompted investigators to elucidate the underlying mechanism. In this review we focus on pathways of lipid metabolism, and we review recent data, primarily from mouse models, that link lipid intermediates with insulin resistance. Most of the studies that implicate acyl-CoA, lysophosphatidic acid, phosphatidic acid, diacylglycerol, or ceramide rely on indirect associations. Convincing data to support the hypothesis that specific lipid intermediates initiate pathways that alter insulin signaling will require studies in which the concentration of each purported signaling molecule can be manipulated independently.
Generalized likelihood ratios for gross error identification in dynamic processes

Gross error identification in dynamic processes is important in ensuring proper process control. This paper describes the application of a generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) method for identifying gross errors caused by biases in measuring instruments and controllers, process leaks, and failure of controllers. As shown in the application to steady state processes (Narasimhan and Mah, 1987), this method provides a general framework for identifying different types of gross errors whose effect on the process can be modeled. An important feature of the work is the treatment of closed-loop dynamic processes. The formulation of the hypotheses of the GLR method proposed by Willsky and Jones (1974) is extended for this purpose. For estimating the time of occurrence of the gross error, a simple chi-square test on the innovations (measurement residuals) is used, which is computationally more efficient than the method used by Willsky and Jones. Through simulation studies of a level control process the appropriate selection of parameters of the GLR method is investigated.
The Nu Expression for Probabilistic Data Integration

The general problem of data integration is expressed as that of combining probability distributions conditioned to each individual datum or data event into a posterior probability for the unknown conditioned jointly to all data. Any such combination of information requires taking into account data interaction for the specific event being assessed. The nu expression provides an exact analytical representation of such a combination. This representation allows a clear and useful separation of the two components of any data integration algorithm: individual data information content and data interaction, the latter being different from data dependence. Any estimation workflow that fails to address data interaction is not only suboptimal, but may result in severe bias. The nu expression reduces the possibly very complex joint data interaction to a single multiplicative correction parameter ν0, difficult to evaluate but whose exact analytical expression is given; availability of such an expression provides avenues for its determination or approximation. The case ν0=1 is more comprehensive than data conditional independence; it delivers a preliminary robust approximation in presence of actual data interaction. An experiment where the exact results are known allows the results of the ν0=1 approximation to be checked against the traditional estimators based on assumption of data independence.
Organizational Dynamics in University Continuing Professional Education

A recent national study analyzed university based continuing professional education efforts in five fields - medicine, pharmacy, social work, education, and law. Persons who coordinate such efforts were interviewed. The sample of institutions was a small but somewhat representative selection of major universities that contain most or all of the five professional schools, at least one of which was perceived as having an outstanding continuing professional education effort. Case descriptions for each effort were analyzed within and across fields. The efforts varied greatly in their vitality, as reflected in program expansion and innovativeness. Three major characteristics associated with vitality were educational leadership, obtaining support, and involvement of practitioners.
Blind detection of high rate orthogonal space-time block codes

We present a new approach to blind equalization for generalized orthogonal space-time block codes. Our method takes the form of linear programming (LP) and is globally convergent. We exploit the implicit structure of orthogonal space-time block codes to cast the problem as linear programming that can be solved efficiently. Unlike several known methods, the proposed technique is applicable to many full-rate orthogonal space time codes such as the popular Almouti code. Our algorithm allows receiver detection of full diversity codes without channel knowledge with detection performance comparable to the optimum maximum-likelihood (ML) detection.
Electron-Positron Annihilation Above 2-GeV and the New Particles

This paper reviews the experimental and phenomenological aspects of electron-positron annihilation into hadrons at center-of-mass energies above 2 GeV. The behavior of the total cross section for hadron production as a function of energy is described; and the important parameter R - the ratio of this cross section to the muon-pair production cross section - is discussed. Data on charged particle multiplicities, particle production ratios, and single particle inclusive distributions is also summarized. The paper than summarizes our knowledge of the newly discovered ψ particles; and examines the various theories as to their nature and their relation to conventional hadronic physics.
The Type of Collagen made by the Articular Cartilage in Joints of Dogs with Degenerative Joint Disease

The collagen in the degenerated articular cartilage from dysplastic canine hip joints was characterized as to type by examining cartilage directly and also after labeling cartilage slices with 14C-proline in vitro. Collagen analysis was by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 14C-labeled collagen, and of 14C-peptides which had been cleaved by cyanogen bromide. Amino acid analysis was done on hydrolysates of whole cartilage and of purified collagens to quantify the ratio of hydroxyproline to hydroxylysine. Data revealed that type II collagen was the radiolabeled product synthesized in all samples of degenerated cartilage and was the only collagen detected in biochemical tests in the cartilage of joints with degenerative joint disease as well as in disease free hip joints. Results suggested that chondrocytes in degenerated cartilage of canine joints did not switch their collagen phenotype, but continued to synthesize type II collagen. Cartilage degeneration in joints of dogs with hip dysplasia proceeded without a change in collagen phenotype.