cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differentially private distributed logistic regression using private and public data

Privacy protecting is an important issue in medical informatics and differential privacy is a state-of-the-art framework for data privacy research. Differential privacy offers provable privacy against attackers who have auxiliary information, and can be applied to data mining models (for example, logistic regression). However, differentially private methods sometimes introduce too much noise and make outputs less useful. Given available public data in medical research (e.g. from patients who sign open-consent agreements), we can design algorithms that use both public and private data sets to decrease the amount of noise that is introduced. In this paper, we modify the update step in Newton-Raphson method to propose a differentially private distributed logistic regression model based on both public and private data. We try our algorithm on three different data sets, and show its advantage over: (1) a logistic regression model based solely on public data, and (2) a differentially private distributed logistic regression model based on private data under various scenarios. Logistic regression models built with our new algorithm based on both private and public datasets demonstrate better utility than models that trained on private or public datasets alone without sacrificing the rigorous privacy guarantee.
Introduction of Active Video Gaming Into the Middle School Curriculum as a School-Based Childhood Obesity Intervention

Abstract School-based physical education (PE) interventions are encouraged as a recommendation to support an increase in moderate to vigorous physical therapy by modifying curricula to allow for more active time in PE class. Based on these recommendations, the goal of this project was to incorporate a video gaming system as a fitness activity into a traditional PE class to enhance the curriculum and increase student participation and active time. The sample consisted of 86 sixth-grade students at a pilot middle school. A paired samples t test was conducted to evaluate whether students ( n = 82) increased their participation in PE class after the intervention. The results indicated that the postintervention students ( M = 4.37, SD = .80) were significantly more active in PE class than before the intervention ( M = 4.16, SD = .88, t (81) = −2.27, p = .026). Significant findings included an increase in the percentage of students using the software options of Just Dance and Dance Dance Revolution before and after the intervention. Prior to implementation, the use of Just Dance was reported at 11.6%; the percentage more than doubled to 25.6% after the intervention. Similar findings were noted for Dance Dance Revolution , as pre-implementation use was reported to be 10.5% and postintervention usage was reported to be 19.8%. This project has proved to be an effective intervention to meet state and national PE standards while increasing adolescent activity as a measure to decrease the childhood obesity epidemic. The intervention also suggests that positive modeling behaviors proposed in school can encourage positive behaviors at home. Long-term efficacy and continued usage within this school and expansion to other schools and to alternate age groups warrants further investigation.
Morphology of Single Geniculocortical Afferents and Functional Recovery of the Visual Cortex after Reverse Monocular Deprivation in the Kitten

To investigate the possible anatomical basis for the functional recovery of visual cortical responses after reverse monocular deprivation, we have studied the morphology of single geniculocortical afferents to area 17. In kittens reverse-sutured for 10 d after an initial week of monocular deprivation, single-unit and intrinsic signal optical recordings confirmed that the effects of the initial deprivation were largely reversed. Responses through the originally nondeprived (OND) eye were drastically diminished, but remained much more selective for orientation than after an initial monocular deprivation (Crair et al., 1997). Responses through the originally deprived (OD) eye recovered completely. Geniculocortical afferent arbors in layer IV of area 17 were filled by iontophoresis of Phaseolus lectin into lamina A of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and were serially reconstructed. Arbors serving both the OD and the OND eye were analyzed. The plastic changes of both OD and OND arbors were evaluated by comparison with arbors reconstructed in normal animals and in animals studied after an equivalent initial period of deprivation (Antonini and Stryker, 1996). These analyses demonstrate that closure of the OND eye caused a substantial shrinkage of the arbors serving that eye. Moreover, reopening the OD eye induced regrowth only in some arbors, whereas others appeared to be largely unaffected and continued to have the characteristics of deprived arbors. Quantitatively, the initial and the second deprivation caused similar proportional changes in total arbor length and numbers of branches, whereas several other features were more severely affected by the initial deprivation.
Altered Dendritic Cell Phenotype in Response to Leishmania amazonensis Amastigote Infection Is Mediated by MAP Kinase, ERK

Initiation of productive immune responses against Leishmania depends on the successful transition of dendritic cells (DC) from an immature to a mature phenotype. This process is characterized by high CD40 surface expression as well as interleukin-12 production, which are frequently seen in response to L. major infection. In vivo footpad infection of C3HeB/FeJ mice for 7 days with L. amazonensis promoted an immature CD11c+ DC phenotype characterized by both significantly low CD40 surface expression and significantly decreased interleukin-12p40 production compared with L. major infection of these same mice. In vitro infection of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells with L. amazonensis amastigotes resulted in rapid and significant phosphorylation of the mitogen activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, observed within minutes of exposure to the parasite. Infection with L. amazonensis promastigotes led to increased 1/2 phosphorylation after 4 hours of infection compared with L. major infection, which correlated with promastigote transformation into amastigotes. Treatment of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells with a mitogen activated protein kinase kinase-specific inhibitor, PD98059, led to regained surface CD40 expression and interleukin-12p40 production following L. amazonensis amastigote infection compared with non-treated, infected DC. Treatment of L. amazonensis-infected mice with the highly-specific mitogen activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor, CI-1040, enhanced surface CD40 expression on CD11c+ DC obtained from the draining lymph node. L. amazonensis amastigotes, through activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, inhibit the ability of DC to undergo proper maturation both in vitro and in vivo.
Actinomycin Analogues Containing Pipecolic Acid: Relationship of Structure to Biological Activity

Streptomyces antibioticus synthesizes a mixture of actinomycins which differ at the “imino acid” site of the peptide chains. In the presence of exogenous pipecolic acid, several new actinomycins were synthesized and 70% of the proline in the antibiotic mixture was replaced by the analogue. Three new antibiotics (designated Pip 1α, Pip 1β, and Pip 2) were isolated from culture filtrates, purified, and crystallized. The molar ratio of pipecolic acid to proline was: Pip 1α, 1:0; Pip 1β, 1:1; Pip 2, 2:0. These compounds inhibited the growth and cell division of gram-positive, but not gram-negative, bacteria. The relative inhibitory activity against bacteria, Escherichia coli deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-dependent ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase in vitro, and RNA synthesis in Bacillus subtilis and mouse L-929 cells was: actinomycin IV = Pip 1β > Pip 2 > Pip 1α. Protein synthesis in B. subtilis was less affected, and DNA synthesis was inhibited only at higher concentrations of antibiotic tested. In L cells, DNA formation was reduced less than RNA synthesis, whereas protein synthesis was not blocked under the experimental conditions employed. Kinetic studies with B. subtilis revealed that RNA synthesis was inhibited rapidly followed by an inhibition of protein synthesis. All four antibiotics markedly inhibited the replication of vaccinia virus and reovirus in tissue culture cells, but the production of poliovirus was resistant to the antibiotics. These actinomycins bind to DNA, resulting in an elevation of its Tm and a decrease in the peak extinction of the actinomycins. The mode of action, as well as the structure-activity relationships among the actinomycins, are discussed relative to a previously proposed model of binding.
FLOW DIRECTIONS WITH A SPREADSHEET

. Direction of flow is determined by a least-squares fitting of plane surfaces to measured water levels. The calculated coefficients yield the corresponding components of the gradient vector. The method can be implemented for two- or three-dimensional flow using a spreadsheet program More than the minimum three or four measurements for two- or three-dimensional flow can be included in the calculation. The method is flexible and easily tailored to particular field applications.
A Review of the Fourth International Bioerosion Workshop

The Fourth International Bioerosion Workshop was held in autumn 2004 in Prague, Czech Republic. More than two dozen participants presented their research and visited local outcrops during the four-day event. Presentations at the workshop highlighted the ever-increasing significance of bioerosion research in addressing scientific problems in a wide range of biological and geological topics.
Interdistrict Variation in the Implementation of the Crack Retroactivity Policy by U.S. District Courts

In 2007, after years of dissatisfaction with the 100-to-1 disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine, the U.S. Sentencing Commission amended the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, reducing by two ...
Changes to the articular cartilage thickness profile of the tibia following anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Summary Objectives We sought to determine if anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured subjects demonstrated side-to-side differences in tibial cartilage thickness soon after injury, and if uninjured-control subjects displayed side-to-side symmetry in cartilage thickness. Second, we aimed to investigate associations between body mass index (BMI), cross-sectional area (CSA) of the proximal tibia, and articular cartilage thickness differences. Methods Bilateral Magnetic Resonance Images (MRIs) were obtained on 88 ACL-injured subjects (27 male; 61 female) a mean 27 days post-injury, and 88 matched uninjured control subjects. Within ACL-injured and uninjured control subjects, side-to-side differences in medial and lateral tibial articular cartilage thickness were analyzed with adjustment for tibial position relative to the femur during MRI acquisition. Associations between tibial CSA and cartilage thickness differences were tested within high and low BMI groups. Results Within the medial tibial compartment, ACL-injured females displayed significant increases: mean (confidence interval (CI)) = +0.18 mm (0.17, 0.19) and decreases: mean (CI) = −0.14 mm (−0.13, −0.15) in tibial cartilage thickness within the central and posterior cartilage regions respectively. Adjustment for tibial position revealed a decreased area of significant cartilage thickness differences, though 46% of points maintained significance. In the lateral compartment anterior region, there was a significantly different relationship between cartilage thickness differences and CSA, within high and low BMI groups (BMI group*CSA interaction, P = 0.007). Within the low BMI group, a significant negative correlation between cartilage thickness and CSA was identified ( P = 0.03). Conclusions ACL-injured females displayed cartilage thickness differences in the central, and posterior medial tibial cartilage regions. Tibial position effected thickness differences, but did not account for all significant differences.
A survey for nymphs of host-seeking Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) on tree trunks in deciduous forests.

Abstract Trunks of 83 trees in a mixed deciduous forests in Maryland were sampled for the presence of nymphs of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say, and the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.). Although one or more nymphs of either I. scapularis or A. americanum was found in leaf litter and substrate ≤1 m from the bases of 47% of the trees sampled, a total of 6 I. scapularis nymphs was found on the trunks of only five trees. No nymphs were found on the trunks of 12 dead trees. No A. americanum nymphs were found on any tree trunks. The trunks were sampled to 2.5 m above the soil, but the nymphs were found ≤1 m from the ground. More than 50% of I. scapularis nymphs found in the leaf litter ≤1 m from bases of living trees were north of the trees sampled, whereas few I. scapularis were found west of trees. These findings suggest that the I. scapularis nymphs’ presence on tree trunks is of little ecological consequence, unless nymphs were being removed from tree trunks by acquiring hosts at such ...
Bile acids. XXXV. Metabolism of 5α-cholestan-3β-ol in the Mongolian gerbil

The principal bile acid of Mongolian gerbil bile is cholic acid, although small amounts of chenodeoxycholic and lesser amounts of deoxycholic acids are identified. Muricholic acids were not found in gerbil bile. The ratio of trihydroxy to dihydroxy bile acids in gerbil bile is approximately 11:1. After administration of [4-14C]5α-cholestan-3β-ol to gerbils with bile fistulas, 4–7% of the administered 14C was recovered in bile and 16% in urine on the first 6 days. Alkaline hydrolysis of the bile afforded the biliary acids which were separated by partition chromatography. The 14C ratio of trihydroxy to dihydroxy bile acids was 11:1. Allocholic acid was identified as the major acidic biliary metabolite. From analysis of 14C retained in selected tissues, the adrenal gland appears to be an important site for retention of cholestanol or its metabolites.
An Event-Based Service Framework for Learning, Querying and Monitoring Multivariate Time Series

We propose an event-based service framework for Multivariate Time Series Analytics (MTSA) that supports model definition, querying, parameter learning, model evaluation, monitoring, and decision recommendation on events. Our approach combines the strengths of both domain-knowledge-based and formal-learning-based approaches for maximizing utility on events over multivariate time series. More specifically, we identify multivariate time series parametric estimation problems, in which the objective function is dependent on the time points from which the parameters are learned. We propose an algorithm that guarantees to find the optimal time point(s), and we show that our approach produces results that are superior to those of the domain-knowledge-based approach and the logit regression model. We also develop MTSA data model and query language for the services of parameter learning, querying, and monitoring.
Trees: A remarkable biochemical bounty

Our enormous dependence on the biochemical bounty from trees is seldom fully appreciated. Yet, the evolution of the woody plant cell wall eventually provided humanity with the means for pulp/paper, wood and lumber, musical instruments, nanocomposites, structural dwellings, sailing vessels, and so forth that we often take for granted. However, in addition, woody plants provide us with an enormous array of medicinals, commodity chemicals (gums, rubbers, resins, essential oils), spices, specialty chemicals, fruits, nuts, cork and bark products, etc. through their formation and deposition in highly compartmentalized phytochemical factories within various anatomical structures. This chapter addresses the importance of the woody plant habitat to our lives, with an initial emphasis on how the woody plant forms in trees evolved. A major emphasis is then placed upon the types of anatomical structures that store the different plant phytochemicals, and the paucity of knowledge that we have about how the latter are produced. The various types of phytochemical classes, and our current knowledge of their biochemical pathways, are discussed. It should be emphasized though that humanity’s dependence on these life forms must be tempered by the unsatisfactory paucity of knowledge as to how both these substances, and the anatomical structures that contain them, are generated.
Anti-tumor Effect of Novel Cationic Biomaterials in Prostate Cancer

Background: Tumor cells expressing excessive anionic-charged sialic acid can be potentially targeted by cationic polymers which may inhibit tumor growth. In the present study, three new families of cationic polymers were synthesized to assess their effects on prostate cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Cationic polymers effects on PC3 prostate cancer cells and normal prostate epithelial cell (RWPE-1) were assessed using cell viability, DNA fragmentation, apoptosis assays and confocal microscopy. Results: The dextran-based polymer (Dex- PA-3X) (40 μg/ml) and the vinyl-based PolyAETA (5 μg/ml) induced a significant reduction in cell viability in PC3 cells (85% and 50%, respectively; p<0.05) in comparison to RWPE- 1 cells. Furthermore, Dex-PA-3X induced a 50%, and PolyAETA induced a 35% increase in cell death in PC3 cells compared to RWPE-1 cells measured by DNA fragmentation assay. Lower concentrations of both polymers induced apoptosis while higher concentrations induced both apoptosis and necrosis by immunostaining. Confocal microscopy indicated the localization of Dex-PA in the cytoplasm of PC3 but not RWPE-1 cells, while PolyAETA was seen in both PC3 and RWPE-1 cells, but at lower intensity in RWPE-1 cells. Conclusion: The newly-synthesized cationic polymers Dex- PA-3X and PolyAETA selectively bind to, reduce viability and induce cell apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, suggesting that targeting negatively-charged tumor cells could be a novel strategy to treat prostate cancer. Several studies suggest that malignant cells are more negatively-charged compared with normal cells due to the overexpression of sialic acid on their cell surface (1-4).
Formal Assessment and Measurement of Data Utilization and Value for Mines

Most contemporary mines have considerable amounts of data. Structured and unstructured large data sets are colloquially named big data. Much of the data in mining operations come from a variety of systems, each with different databases and reporting environments. Standard technology deployments create a “silo-ification” of data leading to poor system benefit. Through modern server monitoring and systematic approach, data utilization and value can quantifiably be measured. The Data Utilization and Value Index (DUVI) can quantify business intelligence best practices and user interaction. This study seeks to provide a data management tool to measure data utilization across the process of converting data into action.
Laser Hair Removal

A 45 year-old Hispanic female with skin phototype 4 presented with a chief complaint of unwanted hair on her legs. Her current depilatory methods included waxing and shaving without adverse events. She denied previous laser hair removal treatments.
The Response of Peromyscus to Forest Opening Size in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

Small mammal population responses were determined during early succession in different sizes of forest openings (0.08–10.0 ha) in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Two ecologically similar Peromyscus species partitioned habitats in and around different sizes of forest openings. Response of each species was dependent on opening size. Peromyscus leucopus nove-boracensis was present in all openings at densities much greater than in control forest. Densities were highest in 0.08 ha openings and gradually decreased with increasing size of opening. Peromyscus maniculatus nubiterrae was virtually absent within 0.08 ha openings, but densities increased with increasing size of opening. Discriminant function analysis indicated that a combination of variables representing forest-like structural features was most able to predict species occurrence. Large forest openings have enhanced vegetation growth due to greater resource release than small openings. We conclude that as openings increase in size they become structurally more forest-like and colonization by P. maniculatus increases. In contrast, P. leucopus readily enters openings of all sizes. Availability of suitable refuges may reduce P. maniculatus colonization of small forest openings.
Joining of NiAl to Nickel-Base Alloys by Transient Liquid Phase Bonding

A transmission and scanning electron microscope investigation is undertaken to study microstructural development during transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding of NiA1 to Ni-base substrates. The bonds were produced through a conventional technique employing a Cu foil interlayer or a widegap technique using a composite preform containing powders of NiAl and Cu. The time required for completion of isothermal solidification was greatly reduced in wide-gap bonds as compared to conventional bonds. Microstructural features of conventional TLP bonds of polycrystalline-NiAl/Ni were controlled by the ratio of Al: Cu across the joint. The precipitation of the a phase encountered in polycrystalline- NiAl/Martin Marietta 247 superalloy (MM247) bonds was suppressed in wide-gap bonds of single crystal-NiAl(Hf) and MM247. In general, the extent of second phase precipitation, in the asbonded condition, was greatly reduced by the use of the wide-gap technique. However, extensive precipitation of HfC and W-rich phases was observed after post-bond heat treatments.
Reactivities of hydroxylamine and sodium bisulphite with carbonyl-containing haems with the prosthetic groups of the erythrocyte green haemoproteins

Abstract The reactivities of alkaline NH2OH and neutral NaHSO3 with carbonyl and olefinic groups conjugated with the tetrapyrrole nucleus of haems were studied. The reactions were carried out with 2–3nmol of haem a, spirographis haem, isospirographis haem, 2,4-diacetyldeuterohaem and protohaem. Vinyl side chains were found to be insensitive to the chemical action of both alkaline NH2OH and neutral NaHSO3. The formyl-containing haems reacted rapidly with both reagents at room temperature, as evidenced by sizable hypsochromic shifts of the reduced pyridine haemochrome spectrum. In less alkaline solution, the reactions of these formyl-containing haems with NH2OH were much slower. 2,4-Diacetyldeuterohaem reacted with alkaline NH2OH, but not with neutral NaHSO3. These rapid, simple and straightforward tests are readily usable in differentiating among formyl, acetyl and other electron-withdrawing side chains conjugated with the tetrapyrrole ring of haems. We applied these observations to an investigation of the two unique prosthetic groups of the bovine erythrocyte green haemoproteins. The prosthetic groups of these two proteins were isolated and spectrally characterized. Under the conditions used, the haems did not react with either NH2OH or NaHSO3, but were altered by dithionite, suggesting that the previous interpretation that a formyl group was present [Hultquist, Dean & Reed (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 3927–3932] may have been premature. These studies also provide evidence that the α-hydroxyfarnesylethyl side chain of haem a affects the α-band maximum, but not the β- or Soret bands of the reduced pyridine haemochrome spectrum of haem a.
Abstract P5-02-03: Incidental radiographic findings at the time of breast cancer diagnosis

Background: Perioperative staging imaging to evaluate for distant metastases is frequently performed in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer, despite clinical guidelines recommending against their routine use in stage I and II disease. In addition, recent technological advances in imaging have led to increased sensitivity for findings, many of which are unrelated to breast cancer. We assessed whether the presence of incidental findings on staging imaging is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of staging imaging for distant metastases was performed in 340 patients with stage II or III invasive breast cancer diagnosed in 2008-2009 at a large academic medical center. Data related to patient demographics, pathology, treatment, and recurrence were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Kaplan Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between the presence of incidental findings and time to disease recurrence. Results: A total of 169 of 340 patients (49.7%) underwent staging evaluation for distant metastases (CT chest, CT abdomen/pelvis, bone scan, and/or PET-CT). Of these, 146 (86.4%) had at least one suspicious or indeterminate radiographic finding. To clarify these findings, 73 (43.2%) patients underwent follow-up imaging or procedures. Nineteen patients were diagnosed with metastatic disease, 18 of whom were initially thought to have stage III disease and one was thought to have stage II disease. In the 127 patients without definite evidence of metastatic disease who underwent staging imaging, 32 were diagnosed with disease recurrence. With median follow-up of 4.9 years, the presence of indeterminate or suspicious findings at diagnosis was not associated with a significant difference in time to disease recurrence, adjusted for stage, hormone receptor status, and HER2 status (HR 1.44, 95% CI 0.51-6.03, p=0.55). Conclusions: Staging imaging for distant metastases frequently reveals indeterminate findings, whose presence was not associated with a significant risk of disease recurrence in this analysis. Due to low yield for the diagnosis of metastases, staging imaging should not routinely be performed in stage II breast cancer patients. Citation Format: Brothers JM, Kidwell KM, Brown RK, Henry NL. Incidental radiographic findings at the time of breast cancer diagnosis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-02-03.
The Immune System of Amphibians

Amphibians, which phylogenetically link aquatic vertebrates to land tetrapods, exhibit an immune system fundamentally similar to that of mammals including leukocytes involved in innate immunity as well as B and T lymphocytes expressing a wide repertoire of somatically generated receptors. Notable differences from birds and mammals include: the relatively poor T cell and B cell response of urodeles; the absence of true lymph nodes; the differentiation of a functional immune system a few days after fertilization; and the drastic remodeling of the immune system involving renewed T cell education during anuran metamorphosis.
Peptide Bond Modification for Metal Coordination: 3. Metal-Binding Properties of Phosphorus-Based Pseudo-peptides

Phosphorus-based peptidomimetics have been attractive target compounds during research and development of metalloproteinase inhibitors [1]. Their inhibiting activities are thought to be associated with mimicry of the metal-mediated transition state or tet-rahedral-intermediate of the amide hydrolysis [2]. Because of the important roles of metal ions in the structures and functions of metalloproteinases, we envision that systematic investigation of the metal binding properties of phosphorus-based peptidomimetics should provide better understanding of their mechanism of action and assist the rational design of potent and specific inhibitors.
Thukydides von Athen

Aus adliger Familie mit Beziehungen zu und Besitzungen in Thrakien; 430 Erkrankung; 424 als athenischer Stratege im Nord-Agais-Raum tatig; aufgrund seines Misserfolges verbannt; weitere Aufenthalte unbekannt (vielleicht: Thrakien).
Capsule Commentary on Raghavan et al., Incident Type 2 Diabetes Risk is Influenced by Obesity and Diabetes in Social Contacts: A Social Network Analysis

S ocial relationships are established correlates of health behavior, physical and mental health, and mortality. In this issue of JGIM, Raghavan et al. report an association between having a social contact with diabetes or with obesity and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus during 37 years of follow-up of a subgroup from the Framingham Offspring Study. The study includes baseline and follow-up data from 4797 participants and 692 incident type 2 diabetes cases. A strength of this study is the ability to test the temporal association between the independent variable and the outcome variable at multiple times. While studies have shown that obesity and type 2 diabetes clusters in social networks, the current study uses longitudinal data to delineate associations between specific types of social contacts and incident type 2 diabetes. The main finding was that incident diabetes in Framingham participants was associated with diabetes (but not obesity) in participants’ siblings and obesity (but not diabetes) in participants’ spouses. Their finding that the association differed depending on whether the social contact was a spouse or a sibling generates hypotheses about how behaviors may spread over time and influence type 2 diabetes risk. For example, a spouse may facilitate or inhibit daily health behaviors that influence diabetes risk, whereas siblings share genetic risk and early life exposures. This study raises an important question, BWhere do we begin to engage social relationships in type 2 diabetes prevention?^ For clinicians, this study reaffirms the importance of asking patients about health risks of spouses, siblings and others who may be important. This information may help identify patients at particularly high risk and lead to discussions about who influences the patient’s health behaviors. It remains unknown, however, if interventions that leverage social ties can improve health. Research is needed to identify the mechanistic links between social relationships and health outcomes and to answer key questions including: who in a person’s social network is most influential for behavior change; how do contextual factors affect the influence of social relationships on health; and how is social influence transmitted? For now, social relationships remain an untapped resource for improving health.
Temporal Assessment of Molting in Workers of Formosan Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

Molt frequency of workers in laboratory-reared juvenile colonies and foraging population from field colonies of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki was determined using planar arenas in laboratory. Given that, chitin synthesis inhibitor (CSI)-incorporated baits disrupt the molting process of workers that comprises the major population of a termite colony, temporal assessment of molting frequency in workers can give insights into potential methods of reducing the time to eliminate a CSI-baited colony. In our study the 10-d observation of juvenile colonies of C. formosanus suggested average daily molting incidence of workers in a colony is 1.7 ± 0.3% (mean ± SD). The results from a time lapse study on foraging population of workers showed that on average there is a 44-d intermolt period for second-instar workers molting to third instar and 45 d for third-instar workers molting to fourth instar. At low temperature (21 °C), molting frequency of workers (0.6% per day) was significantly lower than that of workers at 27 °C (2.2% per day). Information from this study suggests that time to molt is an important component of total time for eliminating colonies treated with CSI baits and reduction in time lapse between two consecutive molts may reduce the time required for colony elimination.
History of Soil Studies

The word “Wisconsin” originates from the name given to the Wisconsin River by one of the Algonquin -speaking American Indian groups living in the region at the time of European contact (Wisconsin Historical Society 2014). The Algonquin word for Wisconsin and its original meaning have grown obscure. Interpretations vary, but most implicate the river and the red sandstone that lines its banks. One leading theory is that the name originated from the Miami word Meskonsing, meaning “it lies red,” a reference to the setting of the Wisconsin River as it flows through the reddish sandstone of the Wisconsin Dells (Fig. 2.1). French explorer Jacques Marquette was the first European to reach the Wisconsin River, arriving in 1673, and calling the River Meskousing in his journal. This spelling was later changed to Ouisconsin by other French explorers, and over time this became the French name for both the Wisconsin River and the surrounding lands. English speakers changed the spelling to its current form when they began to arrive during the early nineteenth century. The current spelling was made official by the legislature of Wisconsin Territory in 1845.
Cystic Vestibular Schwannomas Respond Best to Radiosurgery.

Background Vestibular schwannomas (VS) have a well-documented response to Gamma Knife® (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). However, there are limited data available regarding the volumetric response of cystic tumors. Objective This report correlates the radiographic appearance of VS before radiosurgery with the delayed volumetric response. Methods This study reviewed our SRS experience with 219 VS patients between 2003 and 2013. Patients were treatment naive and had a significant extracanalicular tumor volume. Magnetic resonance imaging at the time of SRS identified 42 contrast-enhancing macrocystic tumors, 45 contrast-enhancing microcystic tumors, and 132 homogeneously enhancing tumors with no intratumoral cyst formation. The median follow-up was 49.1 months. The median tumor volume was 2.6 cm 3 (0.70-16.1 cm 3 ) and the median dose was 12.5 Gy (11-13 Gy). Results The actuarial tumor control rate was 99.4% at 2 years and 96.4% at 5 years. A volumetric reduction of >20% occurred in 85.4% of macrocystic tumors, 76.1% of microcystic tumors, and 62.8% of homogeneously enhancing VS. The median volume decrease per year for macrocystic, microcystic, and homogenous tumors was 17.2%, 7.5%, and 7.9% per year respectively ( P Conclusion SRS provided VS tumor control in >95% of patients, regardless of radiographic characteristics. Tumor volume regression was most evident in patients with cystic tumors.
Accelerating Community College Graduation Rates: A Benefit–Cost Analysis

This article reports a benefit–cost evaluation of the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) of the City University of New York (CUNY). ASAP was designed to accelerate associate degree comp...
Low-volume resuscitation with normal saline is associated with microvascular endothelial dysfunction after hemorrhage in rats, compared to colloids and balanced crystalloids.

Restoration of endothelial glycocalyx (EG) barrier may be an essential therapeutic target for successful resuscitation. The aim of this study was to compare in vivo the effects of resuscitation with normal saline (NS) to lactated Ringer’s solution (LR), 5% albumin and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) on their ability to maintain EG and barrier function integrity, mitigate endothelial injury and inflammation, and restore vascular homeostasis after hemorrhagic shock. Anesthetized rats (N = 36) were subjected to hemorrhagic shock (bled 40% of total blood volume), followed by resuscitation with 45 ml/kg NS or LR, or 15 ml/kg 5% albumin or FFP. Microhemodynamics, EG thickness, permeability, leukocyte rolling and adhesion were assessed in >180 vessels from cremaster muscle, as well as systemic measures. After hypotensive resuscitation, arterial pressure was 25% lower than baseline in all cohorts. Unlike FFP, resuscitation with crystalloids failed to restore EG thickness to baseline post shock and shedding of glycocalyx proteoglycan was significantly higher after NS. NS decreased blood flow and shear, and markedly increased permeability and leukocyte rolling/adhesion. In contrast, LR had lesser effects on increased permeability and leukocyte rolling. Albumin stabilized permeability and white blood cell (WBC) rolling/adhesion post shock, comparable to FFP. Resuscitation with NS failed to inhibit syndecan-1 shedding and to repair the EG, which led to loss of endothelial barrier function (edema), decline in tissue perfusion and pronounced leukocyte rolling and adhesion. Detrimental effects of NS on endothelial and microvascular stabilization post shock may provide a pathophysiological basis to understand and prevent morbidity associated with iatrogenic resuscitation after hemorrhagic shock.
The key components of survivorship care plans: Results from an ASCO multidisciplinary consensus conference.

e20604 Background: In response to the Institute of Medicine cancer survivorship report, ASCO and others developed survivorship care plan (SCP) templates, incorporating treatment summaries and follo...
Abstract 3055: A permanent lung imaging window reveals, for the first time, the steps of extravasation, seeding and growth of early metastatic dissemination

Metastatic disease is the major cause of cancer mortality and is responsible for over 1/2 million deaths each year in the U.S. alone. Of the three most common sites of metastasis observed clinically (bone, lung and liver), the most difficult to study using intravital microscopy is the lung; a delicate organ in perpetual motion. We have recently developed and validated an implantable, permanent, lung imaging window which allows high-resolution multiphoton imaging of the intact, breathing (without ventilation), murine lung over days to weeks of repeated imaging. This window does not use vacuum to immobilize the lung tissue thereby avoiding well know artifacts associated with vacuum lung windows. Using our new window, we have been able to visualize, with single cell resolution, the steps of metastasis in a clinically relevant, spontaneously-metastasizing murine breast cancer model. We present the first direct visualization of tumor cell arrival, extravasation, and progression to micro-metastases. Further, we have observed, for the first time, the activity of the tripartite structure called Tumor MicroEnvironment of Metastasis (TMEM) in metastatic lung lesions directly demonstrating the mechanism of dissemination from metastatic lung tumors. Using this approach to imaging live lung tissue serially, within a single animal, we are investigating the mechanisms underlying the fate of tumor cells arriving in the lung with the ultimate goal of directly identifying signals behind seeding and survival of metastatic tumor cells and their responses to interventions in real time. Citation Format: Sonia E. Voiculescu, Yarong Wang, Maja Oktay, John Condeelis, David Entenberg. A permanent lung imaging window reveals, for the first time, the steps of extravasation, seeding and growth of early metastatic dissemination [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3055. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3055
Development of a complete set of wheat–barley group-7 Robertsonian translocation chromosomes conferring an increased content of β-glucan

A complete set of six compensating Robertsonian translocation chromosomes involving barley chromosome 7H and three chromosomes of hexaploid wheat was produced. Grain β-glucan content increased in lines containing 7HL. Many valuable genes for agronomic performance, disease resistance and increased yield have been transferred from relative species to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through whole-arm Robertsonian translocations (RobT). Although of a great value, the sets of available translocations from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) are limited. Here, we present the production of a complete set of six compensating RobT chromosomes involving barley chromosome 7H and three group-7 chromosomes of wheat. The barley group-7 long-arm RobTs had a higher grain β-glucan content compared to the wheat control. The β-glucan levels varied depending on the temperature and were higher under hot conditions. Implicated in this increase, the barley cellulose synthase-like F6 gene (CslF6) responsible for β-glucan synthesis was physically mapped near the centromere in the long arm of barley chromosome 7H. Likewise, wheat CslF6 homoeologs were mapped near the centromere in the long arms of all group-7 wheat chromosomes. With the set of novel wheat–barley translocations, we demonstrate a valuable increase of β-glucan, along with a resource of genetic stocks that are likely to carry many other important genes from barley into wheat.
Analysis of the Impact of AGC on Cyclic Prefix Length for OFDM Systems

In some orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, a number of OFDM symbols form one subframe and consecutive subframes may be allocated to different users. The power estimation and the gain adjustment need to be carried out within the cyclic prefix (CP) of the first OFDM symbol in a subframe. After passing through the multipath channel, the CP of the first OFDM symbol in a subframe contains a portion of the power of the last OFDM symbol in the prior subframe. When these two subframes are allocated to distinct users with different received powers, the gain adjustment is inaccurate and the system performance is degraded. To combat the inter-user interference at the boundary of subframes, the CP of the first OFDM symbol in a subframe is proposed to include an adjustment portion (AP). The overhead of the AP is amortized over the OFDM symbols in a subframe and is negligible when the number of OFDM symbols in a subframe is large. A model is given to calculate the optimal length of the AP in this paper. The model uses an information theory to formulate the tradeoff between the accuracy of power measurement and the overhead of the AP.
Spectral Irradiance Standards

The Radiometric Physics Division is one of eight divisions within the Physics Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It conducts research programs and associated activities to fulfill its primary goals, to: (1) Develop, improve, and maintain the national standard and measurement techniques for radiation thermometry, spectroradiometry, photometry, and spectrophotometry (2) Disseminate these standards by providing measurement services to customers requiring calibrations of the highest accuracy, and (3) Develop the scientific and technical basis for future measurement services by conducting fundamental and applied research.
Epigenetic Modification of MicroRNAs

Abstract MicroRNAs are short noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Like DNA methylation and histone modification, miRNA activity epigenetically regulates the expression of various protein-encoding genes. To date over 10,000 miRNAs have been identified, of which 940 are human. It is estimated that more than 60% of human protein-coding genes harbor miRNA target sites and thus are potentially regulated by these molecules. Mounting evidence suggests that miRNAs are involved in cell reprogramming and therefore their aberrant expression is associated with pathophysiological processes such as cancer and other disease states.
Searching for tryptase in the RBL-2H3 mast cell model: Preparation for comparative mast cell toxicology studies with zebrafish.

Mast cells comprise a physiologically and toxicologically important cell type that is ubiquitous among species and tissues. Mast cells undergo degranulation, in which characteristic intracellular granules fuse with the plasma membrane and release many bioactive substances, such as enzymes β-hexosaminidase and tryptase. Activity of mast cells in the toxicology model organism, zebrafish, has been monitored via tryptase release and cleavage of substrate N-α-benzoyl-dl-Arg-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA). An extensively used in vitro mast cell model for studying toxicant mechanisms is the RBL-2H3 cell line. However, instead of tryptase, granule contents such as β-hexosaminidase have usually been employed as RBL-2H3 degranulation markers. To align RBL-2H3 cell toxicological studies to in vivo mast cell studies using zebrafish, we aimed to develop an RBL-2H3 tryptase assay. Unexpectedly, we discovered that tryptase release from RBL-2H3 cells is not detectable, using BAPNA substrate, despite optimized assay that can detect as little as 1 ng tryptase. Additional studies performed with another substrate, tosyl-Gly-Pro-Lys-pNA, and with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, revealed a lack of tryptase protein released from stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, none of the eight rat tryptase genes (Tpsb2, Tpsab1, Tpsg1, Prss34, Gzmk, Gzma, Prss29, Prss41) is expressed in RBL-2H3 cells, even though all are found in RBL-2H3 genomic DNA and even though β-hexosaminidase mRNA is constitutively expressed. Therefore, mast cell researchers should utilize β-hexosaminidase or another reliable marker for RBL-2H3 degranulation studies, not tryptase. Comparative toxicity testing in RBL-2H3 cells in vitro and in zebrafish mast cells in vivo will require use of a degranulation reporter different from tryptase.
Forecasting Data Center Load Using Hidden Markov Model

The number of data centers is increasing at an alarming rate, causing an ever increase in the operating costs. Several works in literature propose the use of data centers as a virtual power plant (VPP) and their participation in the power market. A day-ahead load forecasting is an integral part of the energy management system (EMS) of data centers providing a baseline to schedule energy resources and thus reducing operating costs. Traditional methods of load forecasting are not suitable for a data center load due to its high variability and a difference in service from the utility load. Hidden Markov model (HMM) is a very flexible tool for modeling heterogeneous data, which is especially useful when the response is highly variable. Here, we propose an HMM to forecast the day-ahead load of a data center to assist in scheduling of available resources. A case study on the data center at National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) – Research Support Facility (RSF) resulted in an annual average mean percentage absolute errors (MAPE) of 2.93% and 3.52% for two models proposed.
Physical Layer Security in 5G Hybrid Heterogeneous Networks

Data security has been one of the critical challenges to wireless networks since their inception till date. Researchers around the globe have been gearing up for new technologies of communications, and many sophisticated techniques have been under rigorous research to pave the way for fifth-generation (5G) networks. These include massive multi-antenna systems and the use of millimeter wave (mmW) spectrum to form heterogeneous networks (HetNets) in true sense. However, data security at the physical layer has been a threat for reliable communications as malicious users/devices can intrude the link. This chapter provides a physical layer security perspective of a massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)-enabled HetNet where mmW spectrum is also under utilization. The chapter provides an insight into the secrecy outage and secrecy rates of the users when their security is breached by malicious users around. Toward the end, future works in this area are provided.