cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
P3: iNOS/NO upregulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling through dickkopf-1 (DKK1) inhibition

Background Wnt signaling contributes to carcinogenesis and tumor progression but the detailed mechanism of constitutive activation or silencing of Wnt signaling is not well-established. We have shown that human iNOS (hiNOS) gene is a target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates hiNOS by inhibiting NF-κB activity in cancer cells. DKK1 is a potent secreted Wnt antagonist that plays a key role in the negative regulation of the canonical Wnt system, by interacting with Wnt co-receptor proteins in the LRP family to inhibit Wnt signaling. However, the relationship between induced NO synthesis and DKK1-mediated inhibition of Wnt signaling has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to determine if iNOS expression and NO influence Wnt/β-catenin activity, and if so whether this was mediated by an effect on DKK1 expression. Methods Stable cell lines transfected with human iNOS (hiNOS) or DKK-1genes were established in the SW480 colon cancer cell line. Stable cell lines transfected with shRNA-iNOS were established in SW480 colon and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines. A Wnt signaling pathway microarray analysis (SuperArray) was employed to study the global transcriptional response to hiNOS gene expression. The Greiss reaction was used for the detection of NO production. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used for gene expression analysis. Banked cancer tissues were examined for hiNOS and DKK1 expression. Results Human iNOS (hiNOS) gene expression was inversely correlated with DKK1 expression in human colon and breast cancer tumor samples and intestinal adenoma tumors from Min (APCmin/+) mice. HiNOS gene expression promoted canonical Wnt signaling in cancer cells. HiNOS expression transcriptionally downregulated DKK1 gene expression in the Wnt-related gene superarray, and in cancer cell lines stably expressing hiNOS. Cytokines that induced iNOS expression in cancer cells and primary human hepatocytes decreased constitutive DKK1 protein levels. Knocking down hiNOS gene by shRNA restored DKK1 expression and inhibitory effect on Wnt signaling. These findings demonstrate that iNOS/NO down-regulate DKK1 gene expression at the transcriptional level in vitro, and are consistent with the in vivo findings in cancer tissues where iNOS and DKK1 expression are inversely correlated. Conclusion These data identify a previously unrecognized mechanism by which the iNOS/NO pathway promotes cancer by inhibiting DKK1 which unleashes Wnt/β-catenin signaling leading to enhanced β-catenin target gene activation. The findings provide new insight into the complex control mechanisms of iNOS/NO, DKK1, and Wnt/β-catenin during carcinogenesis. Disclosure Nothing to disclose.
Birth weight and Legg-Perthes disease.

Histories of seventy-four single-born white children with Legg-Perthes disease in Massachusetts in 1964 were compared with histories of a matched series of children without the disease selected from birth certificates. Sources of information included birth certificates, records of the hospitals of birth, and interviews with parents. No differences between the case and comparison children were found in parental characteristics, frequency of complications of pregnancy and delivery, or frequency of injuries or illnesses in childhood. The case children differed significantly from the comparison children in having a lower mean birth weight. The proportion of smokers among the mothers of case children was higher than among the mothers of the comparison children. A second series of 168 cases of Legg-Perthes disease diagnosed in other years, together with a series of matched comparison births, was used to supplement the data on birth weight. Some unexplained inconsistencies in the comparison groups in the two series were found. However, in the data from the two series combined, there was a highly significant excess of children of low birth weight among those with Legg-Perthes disease. The data indicate that male infants of birth weight under five and a half pounds are five times as liable to the disease as male infants weighing eight and a half pounds or more at birth.
Influence of Adjuvant Therapy in Cancer Survivors on Endothelial Function and Skeletal Muscle Deoxygenation.

The cardiotoxic effects of adjuvant cancer treatments (i.e., chemotherapy and radiation treatment) have been well documented, but the effects on peripheral cardiovascular function are still unclear. We hypothesized that cancer survivors i) would have decreased resting endothelial function; and ii) altered muscle deoxygenation response during moderate intensity cycling exercise compared to cancer-free controls. A total of 8 cancer survivors (~70 months post-treatment) and 9 healthy controls completed a brachial artery FMD test, an index of endothelial-dependent dilation, followed by an incremental exercise test up to the ventilatory threshold (VT) on a cycle ergometer during which pulmonary V˙O2 and changes in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived microvascular tissue oxygenation (TOI), total hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]total), and muscle deoxygenation ([HHb] ≈ fractional O2 extraction) were measured. There were no significant differences in age, height, weight, and resting blood pressure between cancer survivors and control participants. Brachial artery FMD was similar between groups (P = 0.98). During exercise at the VT, TOI was similar between groups, but [Hb]total and [HHb] were significantly decreased in cancer survivors compared to controls (P < 0.01) The rate of change for TOI (ΔTOIΔ/V˙O2) and [HHb] (Δ[HHb]/ΔV˙O2) relative to ΔV˙O2 were decreased in cancer survivors compared to controls (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03 respectively). In cancer survivors, a decreased skeletal muscle microvascular function was observed during moderate intensity cycling exercise. These data suggest that adjuvant cancer therapies have an effect on the integrated relationship between O2 extraction, V˙O2 and O2 delivery during exercise.
Human Milk Components Modulate Toll-Like Receptor–Mediated Inflammation

Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is central to innate immunity. Aberrant expression of TLRs is found in neonatal inflammatory diseases. Several bioactive components of human milk modulate TLR expression and signaling pathways, including soluble toll-like receptors (sTLRs), soluble cluster of differentiation (sCD) 14, glycoproteins, small peptides, and oligosaccharides. Some milk components, such as sialyl (α2,3) lactose and lacto-N-fucopentaose III, are reported to increase TLR signaling; under some circumstances this might contribute toward immunologic balance. Human milk on the whole is strongly anti-inflammatory, and contains abundant components that depress TLR signaling pathways: sTLR2 and sCD14 inhibit TLR2 signaling; sCD14, lactadherin, lactoferrin, and 2'-fucosyllactose attenuate TLR4 signaling; 3'-galactosyllactose inhibits TLR3 signaling, and β-defensin 2 inhibits TLR7 signaling. Feeding human milk to neonates decreases their risk of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis. Thus, the TLR regulatory components found in human milk hold promise as benign oral prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for the many gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders mediated by abnormal TLR signaling.
RICP—An Experience in Virgin Entomology

In April 1951, the U. S. Government responded to a cry for help from Iran and helped change a way of life for a major portion of the world's population.
Orthogonality via Transforms

Soit e(x,t)=Σp u (x)t n la fonction generatrice d'une suite polynomiale, et x^ la transformee de la multiplication par x relativement a e(x,t). On montre que la suite p n (x) est orthogonale precisement quand x^ est une t-variable
Analysis of Transmitter's EMI Generation and Suppression

In this paper, we analyze the mechanism of EMI in transmitters and propose corresponding suppression method.According to the field-test graph, we present improvement measures and discuss the key problems in EMC design.
Electrochemical synthesis of molybdenum oxide thin films: Deposition mechanism and template-directed assembly of nanostructured materials and components

We describe the electrochemical deposition of molybdenum oxide thin films prepared from aqueous solutions containing peroxo-poly and oxometallate complexes of molybdenum(VI). Electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry (EQCM) was used to establish corresponding reaction mechanisms for films grown at different deposition potentials. Electrodeposition from acidified sodium molybdate solutions proceeds by the reduction of molybdic acid; whilst deposition from aqueous peroxo-based solutions involves the graded reduction of several solution components, primarily comprising molybdic acid and peroxopolymolybdates. Films grown from acidified sodium molybdate solutions are weakly adherent and easily rinsed off, while those grown from peroxo-polymolybdate solutions are strongly attached and stable. Careful regulation of the deposition potential allows for controlled growth of distinct molybdenum oxide compositions to produce films with varied water content and valency. Electrochemical deposition through sacrificial colloidal-crystal templates is also demonstrated to prepare macroporous thin films comprising hexagonally close-packed arrays of spherical pores.
Behaviorist Thinking in Judgments of Wrongness, Punishment, and Blame.

Moral judgment depends upon inferences about agents’ beliefs, desires, and intentions. Here, we argue that in addition to these factors, people take into account the moral optimality of an action. Three experiments show that even agents who are ignorant about the nature of their moral decisions are held accountable for the quality of their decision—a kind of behaviorist thinking, in that such reasoning bypasses the agent’s mental states. In particular, whereas optimal choices are seen as more praiseworthy than suboptimal choices, decision quality has no further effect on moral judgments—a highly suboptimal choice is seen as no worse than a marginally suboptimal choice. These effects held up for judgments of wrongness and punishment (Experiment 1), positive and negative outcomes (Experiment 2), and agents with positive and negative intentions (Experiment 3). We argue that these results reflect a broader tendency to irresistibly apply the Efficiency Principle when explaining behavior.
Sustainable Withdrawal Rates from Retirement Portfolios: The Historical Evidence on Buffer Zone Strategies

This paper evaluates the performance of portfolios that dynamically adjust one’s mix of risky and risk-free assets during retirement based on the performance of risky assets. We analyze these “buffer zone” portfolio decumulation strategies over various time periods from 1926 to 2009. We find that they are generally inferior to a simpler static asset allocation at minimizing longevity risk.
Abstract IA07: Systemic regulation of breast cancer progression

Recurrent disease affects approximately 30% of breast cancer patients but, unfortunately, by the time overt metastases are detected, it is no longer possible to treat breast cancer patients with curative intent. Clinical evidence indicates that in women who are diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, tumor cells disseminate from the primary tumor prior to surgical resection but can remain indolent for varying periods of time before the patient becomes symptomatic. The reasons why certain disseminated cells remain indolent while others erupt into malignant tumors remain unknown; it is therefore currently difficult to predict with any degree of accuracy which patients will experience disease relapse. Our lab uses various mouse and xenograft models of breast cancer progression to study the early phases of metastatic disease when patients harbor indolent disseminated tumor cells in the periphery at the time of their primary diagnosis. Using triple-negative models, we previously showed that certain tumor systemically support the outgrowth of distant, otherwise indolent disseminated tumors, doing so by secreting cytokines into the host circulation and activating bone marrow hematopoietic cells to become pro-tumorigenic (McAllister, et al., Cell, 2008; Elkabets, et al., JCI, 2011; Castano, et al, Ca Disc, 2013). Using models of luminal breast cancer, we discovered that certain tumors promote the outgrowth of distant tumors by supporting angiogenesis (Kuznetsov, et al., Ca Disc, 2012). More recently, we have begun to identify the properties of disseminated tumor cells that are poised to respond to systemic factors and importantly, the phenotype of those that do not respond to systemic regulation. We have learned that certain systemic factors (cytokines and hematopoietic cells) elicited by primary breast tumors can sustain tumor-initiating properties of disseminated cells. Our findings highlight the systemic environment as an important component of disease progression that can be exploited to more accurately identify patients who would benefit from neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. Moreover, we hope that this work will pave the way to designing new therapies that can be delivered at a time when what has previously been an inexorable progression to terminal metastatic disease may be prevented. Citation Format: Sandra S. McAllister. Systemic regulation of breast cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Metastasis; 2015 Nov 30-Dec 3; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(7 Suppl):Abstract nr IA07.
Traveling through the decades: a special relationship between a pediatric nephrology nurse and a young adult.

The young adult that M.K. has become is in part of a result of the supportive relationship that I established with M.K. and her family over a decade ago. Viewing M.K. as a part of a family unit and not just as an isolated patient enabled the entire nephrology team to assist the family in dealing with the monumental medical problems that they have confronted. I am proud of the young woman that M.K. has become, and I am gratified by the relationship that we have shared for the past 16 years. It is this type of relationship that reminds me of why I decided to become a nurse many years ago.
Miller’s Indices and Consumer-Choice Profiles

A major area of research in archaeology is concerned with the connections between artifact patterns and sociocultural behavior patterns. Since Binford considered “the study and establishment of correlations between types of social structure classified on the basis of behavioral attributes and structural types of material elements as one of the major areas of anthropological research yet to be developed” (Binford 1962:219), archaeologists have increasingly studied relationships between social and economic stratification and artifact attribute patterns (Flannery and Coe 1968; Hill 1968; Hoffman 1974; Sanders and Webster 1978; Watson 1978). A growing body of research in historical archaeology has contributed analyses of artifact attributes that have been related to social and economic status of site residents (Deagan 1982:164–165, 1983; Drucker 1981; Geismar 1982; Mudar 1978; Otto 1984; Poe 1979; Singer 1985; Schulz and Gust 1983). Miller (1980) recently developed ceramic price scaling indices to measure the mean value of whiteware decorative types in a site ceramic assemblage. Because the attribute of decoration affected whiteware prices, it was hypothesized to be related to socioeconomic status. This research is concerned with the effects of alternative methods for testing the hypothesized relationship between Miller’s indices and household participation in consumer behaviors of socioeconomic groups. Perhaps most importantly, a refinement in the use of Miller’s indices is proposed, called a consumer choice profile, that involves the analysis of archaeological patterns of whiteware decorative type values in an archaeological assemblage.
Rates and risk factors associated with unplanned hospital readmission after fusion for pediatric spinal deformity.

Abstract Background Context Short-term readmission rates are becoming widely used as a quality and performance metric for hospitals. Data on unplanned short-term readmission after spine fusion for deformity in pediatric patients are limited. Purpose To characterize the rate and risk factors for short-term readmission after spine fusion for deformity in pediatric patients. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study. Patient Sample Data were obtained from the State Inpatient Database from New York, Utah, Nebraska, Florida, North Carolina (years 2006–2010), and California (years 2006–2011). Outcome Measures Outcome measures included 30- and 90-day readmission rates. Materials and Methods Inclusion criteria were patients aged 0–21 years, a primary diagnosis of spine deformity, and a primary 3+-level lumbar or thoracic fusion. Exclusion criteria included revision surgery at index admission and cervical fusion. Readmission rates were calculated and logistic analyses were used to identify independent predictors of readmission. Results There were a total of 13,287 patients with a median age of 14 years. Sixty-seven percent were girls. The overall 30- and 90-day readmission rates were 4.7% and 6.1%. The most common reasons for readmission were infection (38% at 30 days and 33% at 90 days), wound dehiscence (19% and 17%), and pulmonary complications (12% and 13%). On multivariate analysis, predictors of 30-day readmission included male sex (p=.008), neuromuscular (p 80 operations/year was associated with a 34% reduced risk of 30-day readmission (95% confidence interval 12%-50%, p=.005) compared with hospitals performing Conclusions The short-term readmission rate for pediatric spine deformity surgery is driven by patient-related factors, as well as several risk factors that may be modified to reduce this rate.
A novel perspective on emulsion stabilization in steam crackers

Abstract Fouling issues in steam crackers may arise due to a number of reasons, including emulsion formation in the quench water tower. Freeze-drying according to a protocol developed in-house was used to extract species potentially capable of stabilizing emulsions from process water sampled from a quench tower. Such species were subsequently fractionated into solubility classes: water soluble, and soluble in organic solvents (polar and apolar). Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses indicated differences in the chemical composition of these fractions, with molecules bigger and richer in oxygen in the fraction soluble in polar organic solvents compared to those detected in the water soluble fraction. Bottle tests demonstrated that the interfacial material soluble in polar organic solvents was the most effective in stabilizing water-in-gasoline and gasoline-in-water emulsions. When the water soluble fraction was added to these stable emulsions it acted as demulsifier, with the most marked effects observed at low pH. In the absence of the water soluble fraction emulsion stability was largely pH-independent. The role of electrostatic forces in emulsion stabilization was investigated by conducting zeta potential measurements. With the organic soluble fraction only added to the oil phase and at pH 5.5, emulsions were stable and the zeta potential was close to zero, proving that electrostatic forces did not play a role in stabilizing this system. With the water soluble fraction added to the water phase and at alkaline pH, emulsions were stable and the zeta potential was negative, suggesting that electrostatic stabilization mechanisms cannot be discounted in the presence of the water soluble fraction. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX) were used to probe the morphology and elemental composition of the Langmuir-Blodgett films extracted from the gasoline-water interface. SEM images highlighted the presence of particles at the gasoline-water interface, suggesting Pickering stabilization mechanisms. Dynamic interfacial tension measurements showed that the decrease of the interfacial tension measured for gasoline-water interfaces upon addition of interfacial material was relatively low and similar for all fractions, supporting this hypothesis. SEM/EDX data further reveal the strong correlation between interfacial film composition and emulsion stability, with high densities of particles containing sulfur and iron associated with significant emulsion stability. The compressional visco-elastic moduli of interfacial films were determined using a pulsating drop rheometer. Measurements were done at pH 5.5 and 8.5, with the individual solubility fractions added. Film rigidity was similar with all fractions, indicating that it did not dictate the differences in their stabilizing properties.
Multiple Myeloma Stem Cells and Plasma Cells Display Distinct Drug Sensitivities.

We recently demonstrated that multiple myeloma (MM) is organized in a hierarchical manner in which clonogenic MM progenitors or stem cells resembling post-germinal B cells give rise to MM plasma cells (PC). To study the potential biologic differences between MM stem cells and MM PC, we examined each cellular subset for characteristics found in normal stem cells as well as their responses to various antitumor agents. The human MM cell lines RPMI 8226 and NCI-H929 were initially studied as we previously found that they recapitulate clinical MM specimens and consist of distinct cell populations based on the expression of the PC surface antigen CD138; CD138 + cells resemble typical MM PC, whereas CD138 neg cells express B cell surface antigens and have greater clonogenic capacity. Examination of these cellular subpopulations by flow cytometry demonstrated that CD138 neg cells were smaller and less granular by light scatter than CD138 + PC and expressed higher levels of the intracellular enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase that is present in normal hematopoietic progenitors with self-renewal potential. Furthermore, cells expressing the side population phenotype after staining with the DNA binding dye Hoechst 33342 were exclusively CD138 neg . We also investigated the effects of different clinically applicable agents on CD138 + and CD138 neg cells. CD138 + and CD138 neg cells isolated from RPMI 8226 and NCI-H929 cells by fluorescence activated cell sorting were treated with dexamethasone (dex, 100nM), bortezomib (velcade, 10nM), CC5013 (revlimid, 1μM), rituximab (10μg/ml) or alemtuzumab (campath,10μg/ml) for 72 hours followed by plating in methylcellulose to assess clonogenic capacity. CD138 + PC were significantly inhibited by dex (27 ± 11% recovery compared to untreated control cells), velcade (14 ± 6%) and revlimid (44 ± 27%), whereas rituximab (92 ± 25%) and campath (97 ± 18%) had little activity. In contrast, clonogenic growth of CD138 neg cells was not significantly inhibited by dex (82 ± 19%), velcade (88 ± 29%), or revlimid (91 ± 14%), but was significantly decreased by rituximab (63 ± 22%) and campath (47 ± 27%). Similarly, clonogenic MM growth of CD138 neg cells from 4 clinical MM samples was not affected by dex (84 ± 9%), velcade (82 ± 24%), or revlimid (93 ± 11%), but was significantly inhibited by rituximab (19 ± 7%) or campath (15 ± 11%). Clonogenic MM precursors may be distinguished from MM PC by a variety of biological parameters typically expressed by normal stem cells. Furthermore, these cellular subsets have different susceptibilities to a variety of clinical agents, and agents with activity against MM PC may be ineffective against MM stem cells. Moreover, agents without activity agasint MM PC may have major activity against MM stem cells. The divergent sensitivities of MM stem cells and PC may explain the dramatic, but transient, responses seen with many agents. Therapeutic strategies that result in long-term remissions may require the inhibition of both MM PC to reduce clinical symptoms and MM stem cells responsible for relapse.
Hope and adjustment to college in the context of collective trauma.

ABSTRACTObjectives: To understand predictors of first-year college adjustment in the context of collective trauma, including a school shooting. Participants: Two consecutive years of entering freshman (Year 1 (Y1) N = 169, Year 2 (Y2) N = 94) were surveyed over time: Y1 in October 2012 and March 2013, and Y2 in October 2013 and August 2014. During Y2, several collective traumas occurred, impacting the campus community and providing a stark comparison. Methods: Online surveys measuring predictors at the start of each year and adjustment at the end of each year. Results: Hope was the only significant predictor of adjustment when included in a regression model with depression symptoms in Y1, and with depression symptoms, baseline posttraumatic stress symptoms, and traumatic exposure in Y2. Conclusions: Fostering hope may promote college adjustment, regardless of collective traumas that might occur on campus.
Sputtered boron indium oxide thin-film transistors

Abstract Boron indium oxide (BIO) is studied for thin-film transistor (TFT) channel layer applications. Sputtered BIO thin films exhibit an amorphous phase over a wide range of B 2 O 3 /In 2 O 3 ratios and remain amorphous up to 500 °C. The band gap decreases linearly with decreasing boron content, whereas device performance generally improves with decreasing boron content. The best amorphous BIO TFT exhibits a field-effect mobility of 10 cm 2 V −1 s −1 , turn-on voltage of 2.5 V, and sub-threshold swing of 0.72 V/dec. Decreasing the boron content to 12.5% leads to a polycrystalline phase, but further increases the mobility up to 20–40 cm 2 V −1 s −1 . TCAD simulation results suggest that the reason for higher performance after increasing the anneal temperature from 200 to 400 °C is due to a lower defect density in the sub-bandgap region of the BIO channel layer.
Contextualizing the Code: Ethical Support and Professional Interests in the Creation and Institutionalization of the 1974 IEEE Code of Ethics

In many engineering ethics classes, codes of ethics are presented as if they are self-evident yardsticks for gauging ethical decisions in engineering. In this article, we argue that focusing solely...
Economics and Ecology of Open-Access Fisheries

In open-access fisheries, participation and harvest by fishermen are unregulated. Under these conditions, the amount of fishing is greater than the socially optimal level, the economic profits from fishing are dissipated, and fish stocks are depleted and can even be driven to extinction. A large body of theoretical and empirical research has demonstrated the robustness of these results.
Identity Gaps and Jealousy as Predictors of Satisfaction in Polyamorous Relationships

Participants in the present study include individuals in at least one polyamorous relationship. Grounded in the communication theory of identity, this article introduces identity gaps into two hier...
A stochastic model for error correction of kinetochore-microtubule attachments and its coupling to the spindle assembly checkpoint

To divide replicated chromosomes equally between daughter cells kinetochores must attach to microtubules emanating from opposite poles of the mitotic spindle. Two mechanisms, namely, error correction and ‘spindle assembly checkpoint’ work together to facilitate this process. The error correction mechanism recognizes and detaches erroneous kinetochore-microtubule attachments, and the spindle assembly checkpoint delays the onset of anaphase until all the kinetochores are properly attached. Kinases and phosphatases at the kinetochore play a key role in proper functioning of these two mechanisms. Here we present a stochastic model to study how the opposing activities of kinases and phosphatases at the kinetochore affect error correction of kinetochore-microtubule attachments and checkpoint signaling in budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that error correction and biorientation of chromosomes occurs efficiently when the ratio between kinase activity of Ipl1 and the activity of an opposing phosphatase is a constant (balance point), and derive an approximate analytical formula that defines the balance point. Analysis of the coupling of the spindle assembly checkpoint signal to error correction shows that its strength remains high when the Ipl1 activity is equal to (or larger than) the value specified by the balance point, and the activity of another kinase, Mps1, is much larger (approximately 30 times larger) than its opposing phosphatase (PP1). We also find that the geometrical orientation of sister chromatids does not significantly improve the probability of their reaching biorientation, which depends entirely on Ipl1-dependent microtubule detachment.
Editorial: Why Some Authors Make Bad Choices--Peer Review for Hire and Other Sad Stories.

When it is working well, peer review runs quietly in the background of scientific reporting. When the work journals do—or fail to do—hits the mainstream media, the news is seldom good.
CELA2A mutations predispose to early-onset atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome and affect plasma insulin and platelet activation.

Factors that underlie the clustering of metabolic syndrome traits are not fully known. We performed whole-exome sequence analysis in kindreds with extreme phenotypes of early-onset atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome, and identified novel loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the pancreatic elastase chymotrypsin-like elastase family member 2A (CELA2A). We further show that CELA2A is a circulating enzyme that reduces platelet hyperactivation, triggers both insulin secretion and degradation, and increases insulin sensitivity. CELA2A plasma levels rise postprandially and parallel insulin levels in humans. Loss of these functions by the mutant proteins provides insight into disease mechanisms and suggests that CELA2A could be an attractive therapeutic target. Exome sequencing identifies loss-of-function CELA2A mutations in families with early-onset atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome. Functional studies show that CELA2A is a circulating enzyme that reduces platelet activation, triggers insulin secretion and degradation, and increases insulin sensitivity.
Review of Machine Learning in Power System

The trend of decentralisation and decarbonisation have been developed over the years. This has brought certain challenges to the prediction and control of the energy system using conventional method. There are some recent technology breakthrough in Machine Learning which has made some of the objectives achievable in many different aspects especially for the non-linear tasks. This paper has focused on reviewing the available machine learning technologies applied on the fault forecasting and load forecasting in power system.
AutoMine: harmonizing high-level abstraction and high performance for graph mining

Graph mining algorithms that aim at identifying structural patterns of graphs are typically more complex than graph computation algorithms such as breadth first search. Researchers have implemented several systems with high-level and flexible interfaces customized for tackling graph mining problems. However, we find that for triangle counting, one of the simplest graph mining problems, such systems can be several times slower than a single-threaded implementation of a straightforward algorithm. In this paper, we reveal the root causes of the severe inefficiencies of state-of-the-art graph mining systems and the challenges to address the performance problems. We build AutoMine, a single-machine system to provide both high-level interfaces and high performance for large-scale graph mining applications. The novelty of AutoMine comes from 1) a new representation of subgraph patterns and 2) compilation techniques that automatically generate efficient mining code with minimized memory consumption from a high-level abstraction. We have extensively evaluated AutoMine against 3 graph mining systems on 8 real-world graphs of different scales. Our experimental results show that AutoMine often produces several orders of magnitude better performance and can process very large graphs existing systems cannot handle.
Clinical efficacy of laparoscopic Soave's surgery for the treatment of congenital Hirschsprung's disease in infants

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic Soave's surgery for the treatment of congenital Hirschsprung's disease in infants (age ＜ 2 months).Methods The clinical data of 368 infants with congenital Hirschsprung's disease who received laparoscopic Soave's surgery at the Children's Hospital of Xuzhou City from June 2005 to June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.Three Trocars with diameter of 0.5 cm were used.The colic ligament was freed and the mesentery was ligated laparoscopically,then the rectal mucosa was stripped for 5-7 cm in length,and was pulled out through the rectal muscle sheath.Patients were followed up via out-patient examination at postoperative month 1,3,6,12 to learn the frequency of defecation,constipation and anal stenosis.The follow-up was ended in June of 2013.Results Two patients were converted to open surgery,and the remaining 366 patients received laparoscopic surgery successfully,with no incidence of wound infection.The operation time,volume of blood loss and duration of hospital stay were (100 ±20)minutes,(5.4 ± 1.5) mL and (7.3 ± 1.5) days,respectively.The average time for antibiotics usage was (3.5 ± 1.6) days and the time for infusion was (3.8 ± 1.4) days.All the infants were followed up,and the mean time for postoperative follow-up was 4.5 years (range,1.0-8.0 years).Eleven patients were complicated with Hirschsprung's disease associated enteritis,7 patients with constipation,5 with anal stenosis,4 with fecal pollution.The condition of the infants was improved after conservative treatment.Conclusion Laparoscopic Soave's surgery is suitable for the treatment of congenital Hirschsprung's diseases in infants aged under 2 months,it has the advantages of small trauma,quick recovery,better cosmetic effects and few complications. Key words: Congenital Hirschsprung's diseases ; Laparoscopy ; Infant
Poly-D-lysine coated nanoparticles to identify pro-inflammatory macrophages

Identifying pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1) is of immense importance to diagnose, monitor, and treat various pathologies. In addition, adoptive cell therapies, where harvested cells are isolated, modified to express an M1-like phenotype, then re-implanted to the patient, are also becoming more prevalent to treat diseases such as cancer. In a step toward identifying, labeling, and monitoring macrophage phenotype for adoptive cell therapies, we developed a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive, gold nanoparticle (AuNP) that fluorescently labels M1 macrophages. AuNPs are electrostatically coated with a proteolysis resistant, fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated, poly-D-lysine (PDL-FITC) that is susceptible to backbone cleavage by ROS. When PDL-FITC is bound to AuNPs, fluorescence is quenched via a combination of nanoparticle surface (NSET) and Forster resonance (FRET) energy transfer mechanisms. Upon ROS-induced cleavage of PDL-FITC, up to a 7-fold change in fluorescence is demonstrated. PDL-FITC AuNPs were loaded into RAW 264.7 macrophages (RAWs) and primary bone marrow- derived macrophages (BMDMs) prior to in vitro polarization. For both cell types, detectable differences in intracellular fluorescence were observed between M1 polarized and non-stimulated (M0) control groups after 24 h using both confocal imaging and flow cytometry. PDL-FITC AuNPs can potentially be useful in identifying M1 macrophages within diverse cell populations and provide longitudinal macrophage response data to external cues.
Degradable Polyphosphoramidate via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

We report the synthesis of a degradable polyphosphoramidate via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with the Grubbs initiator (IMesH2)(C5H5N)2(Cl)2Ru═CHPh. Controlled ROMP of a low ring s...
A Distributionally-Robust Service Center Location Problem with Decision Dependent Demand Induced from a Maximum Attraction Principle

We establish and analyze a service center location model with a simple but novel decision-dependent demand induced from a maximum attraction principle. The model formulations are investigated in the distributionally-robust optimization framework. A statistical model that is based on the maximum attraction principle for estimating customer demand and utility gain from service is established and analyzed. Combinatorial properties such as the submodularity and novel valid (facet defining) inequalities for the deterministic problem are investigated. The numerical experiments show that the model admits high computational efficiency in solving mid-size instances.
An Investigation of Plant-based Dietary Motives Among Vegetarians and Omnivores

The three most common motives for plant-based diets in western populations are health, the environment, and animal rights. This study compares the structure, endorsement rates, and personality correlates of these motives among vegetarian and omnivorous (i.e., non-vegetarian) respondents. We found evidence for configural, metric, and scalar equivalence in the measurement of these motives across vegetarians and omnivores, suggesting that vegetarian diet motives function similarly whether or not the respondent identifies as vegetarian. Vegetarians, notably, reported being more motivated by the environment and animal rights than omnivores; health motivations were similarly high across groups. Several significant effects emerged linking vegetarian motives to personality traits, with patterns of correlations between motives and traits being highly similar across vegetarians and omnivores. Overall, these findings suggest that vegetarian eating motives are similar in terms of structure and personality correlates, but differ in endorsement rates, between vegetarian and omnivorous individuals.
Impact of type of health care provider on long term asthma control.

Asthma prevalence is high and adherence to asthma guidelines is still less than adequate. The main objective of this study was to determine if there were significant differences in outcome measures...
Building Plannable Representations with Mixed Reality

We propose Action-Oriented Semantic Maps (AOSMs), a representation that enables a robot to acquire object manipulation behaviors and semantic information about the environment from a human teacher with a Mixed Reality Head-Mounted Display (MR-HMD). AOSMs are a representation that captures both: a) high-level object manipulation actions in an object class’s local frame, and b) semantic representations of objects in the robot’s global map that are grounded for navigation. Humans can use a MR-HMD to teach the agent the information necessary for planning object manipulation and navigation actions by interacting with virtual 3D meshes overlaid on the physical workspace. We demonstrate that our system enables users to quickly and accurately teach a robot the knowledge required to autonomously plan and execute three household tasks: picking up a bottle and throwing it in the trash, closing a sink faucet, and flipping a light switch off.
How Effective Are Concrete and Abstract Climate Change Images? The Moderating Role of Construal Level in Climate Change Visual Communication:

Relying on construal-level theory, we experimentally test how the level of concreteness and abstraction of climate change imagery affects climate change responses among a diverse sample of U.S. adu...
“Supreme in Ruin”: Empire’s Afterlife in Romantic Encounters with Imperial Ruins

Registered in Romantic depictions of imperial ruins is the endurance of empire in its immateriality: the imageries of empire’s ruination announce a future where imperial sovereignty maintains its p...
A Favorable Path to Domain Separation in the Orange Carotenoid Protein

The Orange Carotenoid Protein (OCP) is responsible for nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) in cyanobacteria, a defense mechanism against potentially damaging effects of excess light conditions. This soluble two-domain protein undergoes profound conformational changes upon photoactivation, involving translocation of the ketocarotenoid inside the cavity followed by domain separation. Domain separation is a critical step in the photocycle of OCP because it exposes the N-terminal domain (NTD) to perform quenching of the phycobilisomes. Many details regarding the mechanism and energetics of OCP domain separation remain unknown. In this work, we apply metadynamics to elucidate the protein rearrangements that lead to the active, domain-separated, form of OCP. We find that translocation of the ketocarotenoid canthaxanthin has a profound effect on the energetic landscape and that domain separation only becomes favorable following translocation. We further explore, characterize, and validate the free energy surface (FES) using equilibrium simulations initiated from different states on the FES. Through pathway optimization methods, we characterize the most probable path to domain separation and reveal the barriers along that pathway. We find that the free energy barriers are relatively small ( 1 ms). Overall, our results provide detailed information on the requirement for canthaxanthin translocation to precede domain separation and an energetically feasible pathway to dissociation.
Joining AA7099 to Ni-Cr-Mo Steel Using Single Pass Friction Stir Dovetailing and AA6061 Butter Layer

A novel single pass friction stir dovetailing (FSD) method was developed to join thick-plate Al-8Zn-2Mg-1.8Cu alloy (AA7099) to Ni-Cr-Mo steel in a lap configuration through the use of an Al-1Mg-0.6Si-0.25Cu alloy (AA6061) butter layer that significantly reduces interfacial failures by inhibiting the formation of brittle Fe–Al intermetallic compounds (IMC). This study evaluates the strength and microstructural evolution of the aluminum/steel joint interface between single pass FSD of AA7099/AA6061(butter)/steel fabricated using three different FSD tool configurations (full thread, half smooth/half thread, no thread), of which the half smooth/half thread tool produced the strongest weld joint due to the absence of a Zn-rich IMC layer. The strength was tested using lap shear tensile testing, and the microstructure was examined using analytical electron microscopy. A discussion of the new FSD technique, joint configurations, and process parameters is provided along with joint microstructural analyses and mechanical performance.
Longitudinal Stability of Work-Family Enrichment and its Association with Well-Being and Personality Traits.

Are higher levels of work–family enrichment a consequence or manifestation of certain personality traits and individuals’ psychological functioning? Using random intercept cross-lagged panel models...
All-to-All gradecast using coding with byzantine failures

This paper presents a method that uses forward error correction codes to minimize the message bit complexity when acquiring consistent global information in the presence of faulty processes. We show a modification to the gradecast algorithm that implements our method. Gradecast, first proposed by Feldman and Micali, is a broadcast algorithm for distributed systems that can handle Byzantine failures. It can be used as a basic building block to solve many important problems in distributed computing in the presence of Byzantine failures, such as agreement, clock synchronization, and approximate agreement. Many of these problems require a step where all processes need to send information to all other processes. We refer to the version of gradecast where all processes broadcast to all other processes as all-to-all gradecast. In a distributed system with n processes, n instances of the original gradecast algorithm to perform all-to-all gradecast has a message bit complexity of O(mn3), where m is the length of the message. In this paper, we present an all-to-all gradecast algorithm that takes O(mtn2) message bits, where t is the maximum number of faulty processes. This is a significant reduction in message bit complexity in real systems where t<<n. Our all-to-all gradecast algorithm uses coding theory to mask Byzantine failures and has wide applicability in distributed systems. For example, by replacing the original gradecast in the byzantine agreement algorithm proposed by Ben-Or, Dolev and Hoch with O(mtn3) message bit complexity, we get a new byzantine agreement algorithm with O(mt2n2) message bit complexity. Also, this algorithm can be used with their approximate agreement algorithm to get O(kn2t) instead of O(kn3) message bit complexity.
Startup Tribes: Social Network Ties that Support Success in New Firms

To answer the question how networking plays a role in entrepreneurial success, we have shown through the lens of social network analysis that online social network structure could be considered as efficient indicators to predict startups overall performance. Social network analysis techniques are applied on a big network, which is generated according the following and followers structure on Twitter.com for 644 ICT operating startup companies. A set of network structure related measures are developed to link with overall company performance. The main findings include the better the startups are connected within the startup community “tribe” and occupying the better “position” within the community, the more successful they are. In addition, no matter within or outside the community, the structure of one’s friends is closely related to the business success also.
Die Organisation von Rechnungsmodellen

Unter „Organisation“ kann man einmal den organisatorischen Zustand eines Systems und zum andern die Tatigkeit, ein System zu gestalten, verstehen.
Plant sterols in soybean hulls.

Using gas chromatography techniques after lipid extraction, soybean hulls were analyzed for their plant sterol components. Soybean hulls contained 7.46% and 2.02% moisture and lipid components, respectively. Three plant sterols, campestrol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol, were quantified in the ratios of 1: 1.5: 2. The use of soybean hulls as food ingredients was discussed for their potential serum cholesterol reducing effects.
Phase equilibria of associating fluids

As a continuation of our work on spherical associating molecules, we have derived expressions for changes in the thermodynamic properties due to association in mixtures of molecules with multiple bonding sites. The equations are written in terms of a hard-core reference whose pair distribution function is known. In practise, the hard-sphere reference mixture is the easiest to use. A reference system of homonuclear chains is examined in order to account for asymmetries in molecular shape; chains are constructed by bonding equal-sized spheres together. An equation of state for hard-sphere chains is obtained which is in good agreement with recent simulation data. Expressions for mixtures of homonuclear chains of different sizes are also presented. The approach is extended to examine associating chain molecules with multiple bonding sites. The phase equilibria of non-associating chains, and of associating chains with one or two bonding sites are determined. In this study, the separate effects of molecular ass...
Direct and Stereoselective Synthesis of α-Linked 2-Deoxyglycosides

α-Linked 2-deoxyglycosides were conveniently obtained by employing a glycosyl donor having a participating (S)-(phenylthiomethyl)benzyl moiety at C-6, whereas 2,6-dideoxy-α-glycosides could be prepared by BF3·Et2O-promoted activation of allyl glycosyl donors.