cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase: A Promising Target for Molecular Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

// Shanmugasundaram Ganapathy-Kanniappan 1 , Rani Kunjithapatham 1 , Jean-Francois Geschwind 1 1 Department of Radiology & Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA Correspondence: Jean-Francois Geschwind, email: // Keywords : 3-bromopyruvate, GAPDH, Glycolysis, HCC, Iodoacetate, Koningic acid, Methylglyoxal, Saframycin A Received : August 15, 2012, Accepted : September 06, 2012, Published : September 07, 2012 Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most highly lethal malignancies ranking as the third leading-cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Although surgical resection and transplantation are effective curative therapies, very few patients qualify for such treatments due to the advanced stage of the disease at diagnosis. In this context, loco-regional therapies provide a viable therapeutic alternative with minimal systemic toxicity. However, as chemoresistance and tumor recurrence negatively impact the success of therapy resulting in poorer patient outcomes it is imperative to identify new molecular target(s) in cancer cells that could be effectively targeted by novel agents. Recent research has demonstrated that proliferation in HCC is associated with increased glucose metabolism. The glycolytic enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a multifunctional protein primarily recognized for its role in glucose metabolism, has already been shown to affect the proliferative potential of cancer cells. In human HCC, the increased expression of GAPDH is invariably associated with enhanced glycolytic capacity facilitating tumor progression. Though it is not yet known whether GAPDH up-regulation contributes to tumorigenesis sensu stricto , emerging evidence points to the existence of a link between GAPDH up-regulation and the promotion of survival mechanisms in cancer cells as well as chemoresistance. The involvement of GAPDH in several hepatocarcinogenic mechanisms (e.g. viral hepatitis, metabolic alterations) and its sensitivity to a new class of prospective anticancer agents prompted us to review the current understanding of the therapeutic potential of targeting GAPDH in HCC.
Impaired consciousness in epilepsy

Summary Consciousness is essential to normal human life. In epileptic seizures consciousness is often transiently lost, which makes it impossible for the individual to experience or respond. These effects have huge consequences for safety, productivity, emotional health, and quality of life. To prevent impaired consciousness in epilepsy, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms that lead to brain dysfunction during seizures. Normally the consciousness system—a specialised set of cortical-subcortical structures—maintains alertness, attention, and awareness. Advances in neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and prospective behavioural testing have shed light on how epileptic seizures disrupt the consciousness system. Diverse seizure types, including absence, generalised tonic-clonic, and complex partial seizures, converge on the same set of anatomical structures through different mechanisms to disrupt consciousness. Understanding of these mechanisms could lead to improved treatment strategies to prevent impairment of consciousness and improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy.
Generation of correlated Rayleigh fading envelopes for accurate performance analysis of diversity systems

The generation of correlated Rayleigh fading envelopes based on mobile radio channel characteristics for realistic simulation of diversity systems was formally introduced and documented in 1974 by Jakes [W.C. Jakes, 1974]. Recently, several algorithms which draw upon Jakes' work have been introduced. In this paper a brief survey of these algorithms is given, as well as an illustration of their shortcomings. A straightforward and systematic procedure will be given for the generation of N /spl ges/ 2 equal power correlated Rayleigh fading envelopes with desired covariance matrix chosen to model channel conditions under the general assumption of isotropic scattering. This procedure will enable the accurate investigation and simulation of the effect of correlation on diversity schemes.
The Stokes force on a droplet in an unbounded fluid medium due to capillary effects

The Stokes force on a fluid droplet is obtained when the droplet is placed in an unbounded fluid medium and motion ensues due to an arbitrary interfacial-tension gradient on the droplet surface. The force, derived here for a spherical droplet, is proportional to the integral of the interfacial-tension gradient over the droplet surface. When the interfacial-tension gradients are caused by temperature or concentration variations, the result for the force may be further specialized when convective transport effects are negligible. In this case, it is possible to express the force in terms of the gradient of the undisturbed temperature (or concentration) field evaluated at the location of the droplet center in a form analogous to Faxen's force law.
The potential of urban tree plantings to be cost effective in carbon credit markets

Emission trading is considered to be an economically sensitive method for reducing the concentrations of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. There has been debate about the viability of using urban tree plantings in these markets. The main concern is whether or not urban planting projects can be cost effective options for investors. We compared the cost efficiency of four case studies located in Colorado, and used a model sensitivity analysis to determine what variables most influence cost effectiveness. We believe that some urban tree planting projects in specific locations may be cost effective investments. Our modeling results suggest that carbon assimilation rate, which is mainly a function of growing season length, has the largest influence on cost effectiveness, however resource managers can create more effective projects by minimizing costs, planting large-stature trees, and manipulating a host of other variables that affect energy usage. r 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
A Genetic Dissection of Aip1p's Interactions Leads to a Model for Aip1p-Cofilin Cooperative Activities

Actin interacting protein 1 (Aip1p) and cofilin cooperate to disassemble actin filaments in vitro and are thought to promote rapid turnover of actin networks in vivo. The precise method by which Aip1p participates in these activities has not been defined, although severing and barbed-end capping of actin filaments have been proposed. To better describe the mechanisms and biological consequences of Aip1p activities, we undertook an extensive mutagenesis of AIP1 aimed at disrupting and mapping Aip1p interactions. Site-directed mutagenesis suggested that Aip1p has two actin binding sites, the primary actin binding site lies on the edge of its N-terminal beta-propeller and a secondary actin binding site lies in a comparable location on its C-terminal beta-propeller. Random mutagenesis followed by screening for separation of function mutants led to the identification of several mutants specifically defective for interacting with cofilin but still able to interact with actin. These mutants suggested that cofilin binds across the cleft between the two propeller domains, leaving the actin binding sites exposed and flanking the cofilin binding site. Biochemical, genetic, and cell biological analyses confirmed that the actin binding- and cofilin binding-specific mutants are functionally defective, whereas the genetic analyses further suggested a role for Aip1p in an early, internalization step of endocytosis. A complementary, unbiased molecular modeling approach was used to derive putative structures for the Aip1p-cofilin complex, the most stable of which is completely consistent with the mutagenesis data. We theorize that Aip1p-severing activity may involve simultaneous binding to two actin subunits with cofilin wedged between the two actin binding sites of the N- and C-terminal propeller domains.
Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implant After Enucleation—Experience With 200 Cases

The recently introduced hydroxyapatite orbital implant was designed to provide improved motility of the prosthesis in patients who have undergone enucleation. To date, little has been written about the use of the hydroxyapatite orbital implant in eyes that harbored malignant neoplasms. We have performed hydroxyapatite orbital implantation in approximately 200 patients, including children as young as 1 month of age, who underwent enucleation primarily for malignant intraocular tumors. During a median follow-up of 24 months, no cases of orbital hemorrhage, orbital infection, implant extrusion, or implant migration have occurred. Three patients have had conjunctival erosion, which was successfully repaired. Motility of the socket and fornices has been excellent, and all patients have cosmetically satisfactory motility of the prosthesis. Use of the hydroxyapatite implant has had no adverse effect on the clinical course of the intraocular neoplasms, and it has not hindered postoperative evaluation for recurrent orbital tumor. Overall, the hydroxyapatite orbital implant seems to be well tolerated, provides improved motility of the prosthesis, and is associated with few complications.
Dissociation energy of the molecule GeCl

Abstract Mass spectrometry was used to identify the gaseous species GeCl, CuCl, Ge, and Cu in a molecular beam issuing from an effusive source, and to evaluate the equilibrium constant for the monochloride exchange reaction in the range 1543–1776 K. From the derived reaction enthalpy, the dissociation energy, D 0 o , of GeCl was evaluated as 92.5 ± 2.3 kcal mol −1 . The thermochemical value is lower than a spectroscopic value derived from a short extrapolation of vibrational levels in the 4 Σ − state, indicating a potential maximum of about 7 kcal mol −1 in that state.
Importance of Apolipoprotein A-I in Multiple Sclerosis.

Jean-Martin Charcot has first described multiple sclerosis (MS) as a disease of the central nervous system (CNS) over a century ago. MS remains incurable today, and treatment options are limited to disease modifying drugs. Over the years, significant advances in understanding disease pathology have been made in autoimmune and neurodegenerative components. Despite the fact that brain is the most lipid rich organ in human body, the importance of lipid metabolism has not been extensively studied in this disorder. In MS, the CNS is under attack by a person’s own immune system. Autoantigens and autoantibodies are known to cause devastation of myelin through up regulation of T-cells and cytokines, which penetrate through the blood brain barrier to cause inflammation and myelin destruction. The anti-inflammatory role of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) has been implicated in a plethora of biological processes: vasodilation, immunity to infection, oxidation, inflammation, and apoptosis. However it is not known what role HDL plays in neurological function and myelin repair in MS. Understanding of lipid metabolism in the CNS and in the periphery might unveil new therapeutic targets and explain the partial success of some existing MS therapies.
Insights into defibrillator shocks: what OPTION teaches us.

The mortality benefits of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) are well established and accepted [(1,2)][1]. It is equally well accepted that inappropriate therapy due to arrhythmia misclassification is associated with increased morbidity and mortality [(3)][2]. It is intuitive to think
Increased High-Temperature Reliability and Package Hardening of Commercial Integrated Circuits (Through Die Extraction, Electroless Nickel/Gold Pad Reconditioning, and Ceramic Re-Assembly)

There is an ever-increasing demand for electronics in higher temperature applications, both in variety and volume. In many cases, the actual integrated circuit within the plastic packaging can supp...
Synthesis and Characterization of Energetic Plasticizer AMDNNM

The synthesis of room temperature liquid azidomethyl-dinitroxydimethyl-nitromethane (AMDNNM, 5) in 57% overall yield and its formulation with nitrocellulose (AMDNNM/NC) are described. The small-scale explosive sensitivity of neat AMDNNM was determined to be slightly more sensitive than PETN, whereas AMDNNM/NC is significantly less sensitive. Both neat AMDNNM and AMDNNM/NC have thermal stabilities similar to that of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). The explosive and chemical properties of this novel material make it a good candidate for an energetic plasticizer.
Matrix isolation study of the ozonolysis of 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexadiene: identification of novel reaction pathways.

The ozonolysis reactions of 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexadiene have been studied using a combination of matrix isolation, infrared spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that these reactions predominantly do not follow the long-accepted Criegee mechanism. Rather, the reaction of O3 with 1,4-cyclohexadiene leads to the essentially barrierless formation of benzene, C6H6, and H2O3. These two species are then trapped in the same argon matrix cage and weakly interact to form a molecular complex. There is also evidence for the formation of a small amount of the primary ozonide as a minor product, formed through a transition state that is slightly higher in energy. The reaction of O3 with 1,3-cyclohexadiene follows two pathways, one of which is the Criegee mechanism through a low energy transition state leading to formation of the primary ozonide. In addition, with a similar barrier, ozone abstracts a single hydrogen from C5 while adding to C1, forming a hydroperoxy...
IN HOSPITAL USE OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTS IN PATIENTS WITH A PRINCIPAL DIAGNOSIS OF HEART FAILURE IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED LENGTH OF STAY AND 30-DAY READMISSION RATE

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with increased risk of worsening heart failure. The objective of this study was to estimate the frequency and clinical consequences of in-hospital NSAIDs use among patients admitted with a principal diagnosis of heart failure.
HIV and Hepatitis C–Coinfected Patients Have Lower Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Despite Higher Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin 9 (PCSK9): An Apparent “PCSK9–Lipid Paradox”

Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors reduce low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and improve outcomes in the general population. HIV‐infected individuals are at increased risk for cardiovascular events and have high rates of dyslipidemia and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection, making PCSK9 inhibition a potentially attractive therapy. Methods and Results We studied 567 participants from a clinic‐based cohort to compare PCSK9 levels in patients with HIV/HCV coinfection (n=110) with those with HIV infection alone (n=385) and with uninfected controls (n=72). The mean age was 49 years, and the median LDL‐C level was 100 mg/dL (IQR 77–124 mg/dL); 21% were taking statins. The 3 groups had similar rates of traditional risk factors. Total cholesterol, LDL‐C, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in coinfected patients compared with controls ( P <0.001). PCSK9 was 21% higher in HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients versus controls (95% CI 9–34%, P <0.001) and 11% higher in coinfected individuals versus those with HIV infection alone (95% CI 3–20%, P =0.008). After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, HIV/HCV coinfection remained significantly associated with 20% higher PCSK9 levels versus controls (95% CI 8–33%, P =0.001). Interleukin‐6 levels increased in a stepwise fashion from controls (lowest) to HIV‐infected to HIV/HCV‐coinfected individuals (highest) and correlated with PCSK9 ( r =0.11, P =0.018). Conclusions Despite having lower LDL‐C, circulating PCSK9 levels were increased in patients coinfected with HIV and HCV in parallel with elevations in the inflammatory, proatherogenic cytokine interleukin‐6. Clinical trials should be conducted to determine the efficacy of targeted PCSK9 inhibition in the setting of HIV/HCV coinfection.
Storage Management and Application of Tree Structure Data in Digital Mine

In the process of mine informatization construction,it is necessary to establish efficient and convenient system of data management and updating,among which the open-pit mine organization management structure is a typical tree graph structure. In order to realize more difficult problems in relational database of optimized storage management and interactive operation of tree structure data,design a simplified single relational database table structure and adopt the common table expression statements of the high performance nested query,put forward a data management mode of tree structure with recursive data binding,finally realize the efficient management of tree structure data,which is verified by the application of mining task management system combined with Treeview control of C # and the practical situation of mining organization and management agencies in digital mine.
Parameter Design of PGZX—1 Pipe Climbing Robot

PGZX—1 pipe is specific reference the straight pipe which pipe diameter is from 50 mm to 90 mm,and its tube spacing is 30 mm.The design mainly aims at detect the thickness of carburized layer in the factory boiler pipeline.One kind robot is proposed that can climb up the tube column,and it can climb the tube does not on the limit of column material and the variational caliber and the variational spacing of tubes.The robot will reduce the size and weight of the new robot.In the design,surrounds the organization by the chain machinery to complete organism and the tube column pastes attaches,and also uses the caterpillar band to march forward,realizes the velocity of movement to be even,the probe head installment by the guide screw and the meniscus joint,may realize the small angle rotation,and expand the survey area.The design feasibility is very high,might complete the fabrication technology under the present stage,begin to the operation and the application.
Predictors of Functional Outcome After Subdural Hematoma: A Prospective Study

Although the incidence of subdural hematoma (SDH) has increased in the US in the last decade, limited prospective data exist examining risk factors for poor outcome. A prospective, observational study of consecutive SDH patients was conducted from 7/2008 to 11/2011. Baseline clinical data, hospital and surgical course, complications, and imaging data were compared between those with good versus poor 3-month outcomes (modified Rankin Scores [mRS] 0–3 vs. 4–6). A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to identify independent predictors of poor outcome. 116 SDH patients (18 acute, 56 mixed acute/subacute/chronic, 42 subacute/chronic) were included. At 3 months, 61 (53 %) patients had good outcomes (mRS 0–3) while 55 (47 %) were severely disabled or dead (mRS 4–6). Of those who underwent surgical evacuation, 54/94 (57 %) had good outcomes compared to 7/22 (32 %) who did not (p = 0.030). Patients with mixed acuity or subacute/chronic SDH had significantly better 3-month mRS with surgery (median mRS 1 versus 5 without surgery, p = 0.002) compared to those with only acute SDH (p = 0.494). In multivariable analysis, premorbid mRS, age, admission Glasgow Coma Score, history of smoking, and fever were independent predictors of poor 3-month outcome (all p < 0.05; area under the curve 0.90), while SDH evacuation tended to improve outcomes (adjusted OR 3.90, 95 % CI 0.96–18.9, p = 0.057). Nearly 50 % of SDH patients were dead or moderate-severely disabled at 3 months. Older age, poor baseline, poor admission neurological status, history of smoking, and fever during hospitalization predicted poor outcomes, while surgical evacuation was associated with improved outcomes among those with mixed acuity or chronic/subacute SDH.
NET = T.O.E.?

We suggest a picture where all of physical reality is restricted to one connected net consisting of a huge number of points, links, and gauge fluxes on the latter. [Editors note: for a video of the talk given by Prof. Nussinov at the Aharonov-80 conference in 2012 at Chapman University, see quantum.chapman.edu/talk-24.]
LIFE SPAN OF RETICULOCYTES IN PAROXYSMAL NOCTURNAL HEMOGLOBINURIA.

Two patients with PNH were transfused with young and old Cr 51 -labeled red cells. The young red cells (reticulocytes) were destroyed more rapidly than the older red cells. In vitro studies also revealed that the reticulocyte was more susceptible to acid hemolysis in acidified serum. In contrast the Cr 51 -labeled reticulocytes in 3 patients with pernicious anemia responding to cyanocobalamin showed a normal life span. In the patients with PNH and pernicious anemia, no sequestration of Cr 51 -labeled reticulocytes was noted in the liver or spleen by surface scanning.
Some new and known species of Hatschekia Poche, 1902 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Hatschekiidae) parasitic on the branchial lamellae of Japanese actinopterygian fishes belonging to Perciformes (2)

Twelve species of Hatschekia Poche, 1902 are (re-)described based on specimens recovered from the branchial lamellae of Japanese actinopterygian fishes belonging to Perciformes. They are H. aigoi sp. nov., H. aulacocephalis Izawa, 2016, H. cepolae Yamaguti, 1939, H. crenata Hewitt, 1969, H. gymnocranii sp. nov., H. iniisticola sp. nov., H. japonica Jones, 1985, H. leptoscari Yamaguti, 1939, H. novaculopsi sp. nov., H. rhombocephalis sp. nov., H. rotundigenitalis Yamaguti, 1939, and H. thyrsitoidesi sp. nov., in addition to H. priacanthis nom. nov. (= H. jonesi Izawa, 2016a).
Development of Mg-Al-Sn-Si Alloys Using a Calphad Approach

Following the previous development of Mg-Al-Sn alloys, the influence of Si on the microstructure and properties of Mg-Al-Sn alloys is investigated. Thermodynamic modeling of the Mg-Al-Sn-Si system based on the CALPHAD (CALculation of Phase Diagrams) approach was used to predict the microstructure and design the heat treatment schedules. Mg-Al-Sn-Si alloys were prepared by gravity casting using a cylindrical steel mold. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the as-cast and heat-treated samples were characterized and compared with those of Mg-Al-Sn alloys and against the predictions from thermodynamic calculations.
Design Formulas for Planar Fabry–Pérot Cavity Antennas Formed by Thick Partially Reflective Surfaces

Simple closed-form formulas are proposed to estimate the broadside radiation performance of planar Fabry–Perot-cavity (FPC) antennas formed by an arbitrary thick partially reflective-surface (PRS). The new formulas also estimate the attenuation and propagation constant of the leaky waves excited in the FPC when covered by such a thick PRS. When the PRS thickness vanishes the derived formulas reduce to those previously derived for FPC formed by infinitesimally thin PRS. Notably, we demonstrate that the same fundamental limit for the figure of merit defined as the pattern bandwidth-directivity product holds, as that for FPC with thin PRS, under the approximation that the phase variation of the PRS scattering parameters is not too rapid. The accuracy of the proposed formulas is verified with comparisons to numerical full-wave simulations.
Other Biomarkers in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Biomarkers play an important role in the early detection and diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). While troponin is essential to the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, other markers have demonstrated utility in the setting of acute chest pain and ACS. CK-MB and myoglobin are two traditional markers that are frequently used in combination with troponin. More recently, novel markers such as pro-ADP, copeptin, and pro-ANP have shown promise in chest pain and may add to the clinical picture. This chapter will discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and supporting data for each of these traditional and novel chest pain biomarkers.
Deus Migrator—God the Migrant: Migration of Theology and Theology of Migration:

Our time, which has been dubbed “The Age of Migration,” demands a new way of doing theology (“Migration Theology”) and a new conceptualization of basic Christian beliefs (“Theology of Migration”). This essay begins with a survey of the American Catholic Church and eight migrations in the history of Christianity to show that without migration there would have been neither a US Catholic Church nor the emergence of Christianity as a world religion. “Migrantness” is therefore a mark of the church and of Christianity itself. The construction of a theology of migration, then, requires a method composed of three mediations: analytic, hermeneutic, and practical. Using this method, the author sketches a theology of God, Christ, Holy Spirit, eschatology, and Christian existence from the perspective of migration.
Sport, fiction, and the stories they tell

AbstractThe article is intended to reveal important similarities between fiction and sport. I build on Jonathan Gottschall’s discussion in The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by celebrating the significance of stories and their ‘witchy power’ and by examining factors that demonstrate similarities between fiction and sport. I suggest that an unmistakable semantic, structural, and cultural kinship exists between the two. This argument requires a discussion of play theory, play resources and constitutive rules, the semantic power of problems and the uncertainty they produce, and the role of ‘frames’ in bringing problems to life. I conclude by noting the unique frame capabilities of ‘the big game’ and zero-sum dichotomous sporting motifs.
In vitro Assay to Measure DNA Polymerase β Nucleotide Insertion Coupled with the DNA Ligation Reaction during Base Excision Repair

We previously reported that oxidized nucleotide insertion by DNA polymerase β (pol β) can confound the DNA ligation step during base excision repair (BER) (Caglayan et al., 2017). Here, we describe a method to investigate pol β nucleotide insertion coupled with DNA ligation, in the same reaction mixture including dGTP or 8-oxo-dGTP, pol β and DNA ligase l. This in vitro assay enables us to measure the products for correct vs. oxidized nucleotide insertion, DNA ligation, and ligation failure, i.e., abortive ligation products, as a function of reaction time. This protocol complements our previous publication and describes an efficient way to analyze activities of BER enzymes and the functional interaction between pol β and DNA ligase I in vitro.
Identification of Genetic Diversity among Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum Introductions

Abstract Loropetalum chinense (R.Br.) Olivo is an Asiatic evergreen shrub with many desirable landscape characteristics. It is fast-growing, tolerant to disease and insects, and produces an abundance of attractive flowers. Recently, the horticultural community has shown an increased interest in the species since several pink-flowering selections (L. chinense var. rubrum) have become available. Due to the relatively rapid introduction and commercialization of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum, there has been some confusion concerning the identity and distinctness of cultivars. This research used Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) to examine the genetic diversity of 14 L. chinense var. rubrum accessions, and 2 accessions of L. chinense. Results indicate the presence of 4 groupings among the introductions, with many ofthe introductions having at least 1 or 2 other closely related selections. Most named introductions were closely related to other unnamed introductions.
Association Between Mental Health Burden and Coronary Artery Disease in U.S. Women Veterans Over 45: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract Background: The women Veteran population accessing Veterans Health Administration (VA) care has grown rapidly. Women Veterans exhibit high rates of mental health conditions that increase coronary artery disease (CAD) risk; however, the relationship between specific conditions and increasing mental health burden to CAD in this population is unknown. Materials and Methods: Using VA National Patient Care Data for 2009, we identified women Veterans over 45 (N = 157,195). Logistic regression models examined different mental health diagnoses and increasing mental health burden (number of diagnostic clusters) as predictors of CAD. Results: CAD prevalence was 4.16%, and 36% of women Veterans were current smokers. Depression exhibited the strongest association with CAD (odds ratio [OR] 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.50–1.71]), similar to that of current smoking (OR 1.68 [1.58–1.78]). Controlling for demographic variables, smoking, diabetes, and obesity, each additional mental health diagnosis incre...
Transcriptional differences between smokers and non-smokers and variance by obesity as a risk factor for human sensitivity to environmental exposures.

Abstract Background Obesity has been shown to alter response to air pollution and smoking but underlying biological mechanisms are largely unknown and few studies have explored mechanisms by which obesity increases human sensitivity to environmental exposures. Objective Overall study goals were to investigate whole blood gene expression in smokers and non-smokers to examine associations between cigarette smoke and changes in gene expression by obesity status and test for effect modification. Methods Relative fold-change in mRNA expression levels of 84 genes were analyzed using a Toxicity and Stress PCR array among 50 21–54 year old adults. Data on smoking status was confirmed using urinary cotinine levels. Adjusted models included age, gender, white blood cell count and body-mass index. Results Models comparing gene expression of smokers vs. non-smokers identified six differentially expressed genes associated with smoking after adjustments for covariates. Obesity was associated with 29 genes differentially expressed compared to non-obese. We also identified 9 genes with significant smoking/obesity interactions influencing mRNA levels in adjusted models comparing expression between smokers vs non-smokers for four DNA damage related genes (GADD45A, DDB2, RAD51 and P53), two oxidative stress genes (FTH1, TXN), two hypoxia response genes (BN1P3lL, ARNT), and one gene associated with unfolded protein response (ATF6B). Conclusions Findings suggest that obesity alters human sensitivity to smoke exposures through several biological pathways by modifying gene expression. Additional studies are needed to fully understand the clinical impact of these effects, but risk assessments should consider underlying phenotypes, such as obesity, that may modulate sensitivity of vulnerable populations to environmental exposures.
Marital Relationships in the Twenty-First Century

Nearly 50 years ago, when the first edition of the Handbook of Marriage and Family was published, family scholars underscored the central importance of marriage in individuals’ lives and accordingly advocated for a better understanding of those factors that predict marital success and positive marital adjustment (Bernard, 1964; Bowerman, 1964). It is unclear whether these pioneering family scholars recognized as early as 1964 that they were on the precipice of significant social changes that would define the latter half of the twentieth century as a period of marital “deinstitutionalization” (Cherlin, 2004) or the “world-historic transformation” of marriage (Coontz, 2004). Prior to the Handbook’s second edition in 1987, however, they certainly knew something was up (see Bernard’s The Future of Marriage, 1972). Evidenced by marriage rate declines, increases in nonmarital cohabitation and childbearing, the postponement of marriage, and elevated divorce rates, marriage has become one of several legitimate options for organizing couple relationships and reproduction in the United States and other Western countries (Amato, 2004; Fincham & Beach, 2010). Whether or not these trends signify declines in the value of marriage or simply reflect societal change has been hotly debated. Religious leaders, politicians, clinicians, and the federal government have all weighed in on the debate and have allocated significant resources to promote marriage as the ideal. Although skepticism remains about the utility of these steps (Huston & Melz, 2004; Karney & Bradbury, 2005), most scholars agree that the current coexistence of marriage with multiple forms of other relationship and childrearing options is unprecedented.
Receptive fields and binaural interactions for virtual-space stimuli in the cat inferior colliculus

Sound localization depends on multiple acoustic cues such as interaural differences in time (ITD) and level (ILD) and spectral features introduced by the pinnae. Although many neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) are sensitive to the direction of sound sources in free field, the acoustic cues underlying this sensitivity are unknown. To approach this question, we recorded the responses of IC cells in anesthetized cats to virtual space (VS) stimuli synthesized by filtering noise through head-related transfer functions measured in one cat. These stimuli not only possess natural combinations of ITD, ILD, and spectral cues as in free field but also allow precise control over each cue. VS receptive fields were measured in the horizontal and median vertical planes. The vast majority of cells were sensitive to the azimuth of VS stimuli in the horizontal plane for low to moderate stimulus levels. Two-thirds showed a "contra-preference" receptive field, with a vigorous response on the contralateral side of an edge azimuth. The other third of receptive fields were tuned around a best azimuth. Although edge azimuths of contra-preference cells had a broad distribution, best azimuths of tuned cells were near the midline. About half the cells tested were sensitive to the elevation of VS stimuli along the median sagittal plane by showing either a peak or a trough at a particular elevation. In general receptive fields for VS stimuli were similar to those found in free-field studies of IC neurons, suggesting that VS stimulation provided the essential cues for sound localization. Binaural interactions for VS stimuli were studied by comparing responses to binaural stimulation with responses to monaural stimulation of the contralateral ear. A majority of cells showed either purely inhibitory (BI) or mixed facilitatory/inhibitory (BF&I) interactions. Others showed purely facilitatory (BF) or no interactions (monaural). Binaural interactions were correlated with azimuth sensitivity: most contra-preference cells had either BI or BF&I interactions, whereas tuned cells were usually BF. These correlations demonstrate the importance of binaural interactions for azimuth sensitivity. Nevertheless most monaural cells were azimuth-sensitive, suggesting that monaural cues also play a role. These results suggest that the azimuth of a high-frequency sound source is coded primarily by edges in azimuth receptive fields of a population of ILD-sensitive cells.
Derivation of Randomized Sorting and Selection Algorithms

In this paper we systematically derive randomized algorithms (both sequential and parallel) for sorting and selection from basic principles and fundamental techniques like random sampling. We prove several sampling lemmas which will find independent applications. The new algorithms derived here are the most efficient known. From among other results, we have an efficient algorithm for sequential sorting.
Bringing in "The Social" : Resisting and Assisting Social Engagement in Engineering Education

This paper explores how students experience the integration of social knowledge into engineering education. Engineering for peace requires going beyond purely technical engineering towards an integrated social and technical understanding of how engineering can promote community development and societal good. This study focuses on student experiences at two major engineering for community development programs that are actively integrating social and technical knowledge in engineering education, with the goal of training more socially-engaged engineers. We find that knowledge of the social context and implications of engineering creates tensions and conflicts with established technocentric norms of engineering knowledge and practice. This makes the adoption and integration of these concepts challenging for students engaged in these fields. We conclude that integration of "the social" requires more than shifts in educational content and is also reliant on changes in engineering culture and student support both inside and outside of the classroom in order to challenge normative, technocentric conceptions of engineering identity, knowledge, and practice. This has important implications for peace engineering, because understanding how students are integrating knowledge of "the social" in engineering education is key to the development and support of future peace engineers.
Higher functionality of bacterial plasmid DNA in water after peracetic acid disinfection compared with chlorination.

Abstract Peracetic acid (PAA) is an emerging disinfectant with a low disinfection by-product formation potential, but how PAA destroys gene function after killing bacteria remains to be studied. Bacterial plasmid DNA is a mobile genetic element that often harbors undesirable genes encoding antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. Even though PAA efficiently kills bacteria, bacterial plasmids and other mobile genetic elements might still be intact and functional after PAA disinfection, posing potential public health and environmental risks. This study evaluated the impact of PAA disinfection on the functionality of plasmid DNA in vivo and compared the results with those from chlorination. We delivered a plasmid DNA harboring two antibiotic resistance genes to Escherichia coli TOP10 to form an antibiotic-resistant bacterium (ARB). The planktonic ARB was treated with PAA and chlorine to find the minimum doses inhibiting the regrowth of the strain. PAA and chlorine stopped the regrowth at 8 ± 1 mg PAA·L−1 and 20 ± 9 mg Cl2·L−1, respectively. The functionality of the plasmid DNA after PAA and chlorine disinfection was then determined at higher doses in vivo. Neither PAA nor chlorine completely destroyed the plasmid DNA. However, chlorine was more efficient than PAA in eliminating the plasmid DNA. PAA at 25 mg PAA·L−1 reduced the transforming activity of the plasmid DNA by less than 0.3 log10 units, whereas chlorine at 25 mg Cl2·L−1 reduced the transforming activity by approximately 1.7 log10 units. Chlorine had a more pronounced impact on the functionality of the plasmid DNA because it oxidizes or destroys bacterial components including plasmid DNA faster than PAA. In addition, environmental scanning electron microscopy shows that chlorination desiccated the cells resulting in the flat cellular structure and possibly more complete loss of plasmid DNA, whereas PAA disinfection had a less impact on cell structure and morphology. This study demonstrates that more plasmid DNA remains functional in water after PAA disinfection than after chlorination. These functional genetic elements could be acquired by other microorganisms via horizontal gene transfer to pose potential public health and environmental risks.
Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes of Vulnerable Populations With Esophageal Cancer Treated at a Safety-Net Hospital

Social determinants of health (SDH) have been associated with poor outcomes in esophageal cancer. Primary language and immigration status have not been examined in relation to esophageal cancer outcomes. This study aims to investigate the impact of these variables on stage of presentation, treatment and outcomes of esophageal cancer patients at an urban safety-net hospital. Clinical data of patients with esophageal cancer at our institution between 2003 and 2018 was reviewed. Demographic, tumor, and treatment characteristics were obtained. Outcomes included median overall survival, stage-specific survival, and utilization of surgical and perioperative therapy. Statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact tests, Kaplan-Meier method, and logistic regression. There were 266 patients; 77% were male. Mean age was 63.9 years, 23.7% were immigrants, 33.5% were uninsured/Medicaid, and 16.2% were non-English speaking. Adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in 55.3% and squamous cell in 41.0%. More patients of Non-Hispanic received esophagectomies when compared to those of Hispanic origin (64% vs 25%, p=0.012). Immigrants were less likely to undergo esophagectomy compared to US-born patients (42% vs 76%, p=0.001). Patients with adenocarcinoma were more likely than squamous cell carcinoma patients to undergo esophagectomy (OR=4.40, 95% CI [1.61-12.01], p=0.004). More commercially/privately insured patients (75%) received perioperative therapy compared to Medicaid/uninsured (54%) and Medicare (49%) patients (p=0.030). There was no association between demographic factors and the utilization of perioperative chemoradiation for patients with operable disease. Approximately 23% of patients with operable disease were too frail or declined to undergo surgical intervention. In this small single-center study, race and primary language were not associated with median survival for patients treated for esophageal cancer. US-born patients experienced higher surgical utilization and privately insured patients were more likely to receive perioperative therapy. Many patients with operable cancer were too frail to undergo a curative surgery. Studies should expand on the relationships between SDH and non-clinical services on delivery of care and survival of vulnerable populations with esophageal cancer. Ultra Mini Abstract Previously determined sociodemographic risk factors for poor outcomes in esophageal cancer in population based were examined in a safety-net center. Insurance status and immigration status are associated with disparities in delivery of care at an urban, safety-net medical center.
Fake news and the discursive construction of technology companies’ social power:

In the research and commentary around ‘fake news’, there has been growing attention to the way the phrase evidences a growing field of technology industry critique, operating as a shorthand for und...
Wavelet representation of light-front quantum field theory

A formally exact discrete multi-resolution representation of quantum field theory on a light front is presented. The formulation uses an orthonormal basis of compactly supported wavelets to expand the fields restricted to a light front. The representation has a number of useful properties. First, light front preserving Poincare transformations can be computed by transforming the arguments of the basis functions. The discrete field operators, which are defined by integrating the product of the field and the basis functions over the light front, represent localized degrees of freedom on the light-front hyperplane. These discrete fields are irreducible and the vacuum is formally trivial. The light-front Hamiltonian and all of the Poincare generators are linear combinations of normal ordered products of the discrete field operators with analytically computable constant coefficients. The representation is discrete and has natural resolution and volume truncations like lattice formulations. Because it is formally exact it is possible to systematically compute corrections for eliminated degrees of freedom.
Carbohydrate conjugates in vaccine developments

Vaccines are powerful tools that can activate the immune system for protection against various diseases. As carbohydrates can play important roles in immune recognition, they have been widely applied in vaccine development. Carbohydrate antigens have been investigated in vaccines against various pathogenic microbes and cancer. Polysaccharides such as dextran and β-glucan can serve as smart vaccine carriers for efficient antigen delivery to immune cells. Some glycolipids, such as galactosylceramide and monophosphoryl lipid A, are strong immune stimulators, which have been studied as vaccine adjuvants. In this review, we focus on the current advances in applying carbohydrates as vaccine delivery carriers and adjuvants. We will discuss the examples that involve chemical modifications of the carbohydrates for effective antigen delivery, as well as covalent antigen-carbohydrate conjugates for enhanced immune responses.
Efficient Learning of Sparse Ranking Functions

Algorithms for learning to rank can be inefficient when they employ risk functions that use structural information. We describe and analyze a learning algorithm that efficiently learns a ranking function using a domination loss. This loss is designed for problems in which we need to rank a small number of positive examples over a vast number of negative examples. In that context, we propose an efficient coordinate descent approach that scales linearly with the number of examples. We then present an extension that incorporates regularization, thus extending Vapnik’s notion of regularized empirical risk minimization to ranking learning. We also discuss an extension to the case of multi-value feedback. Experiments performed on several benchmark datasets and large-scale Google internal datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the learning algorithm in constructing compact models while retaining the empirical performance accuracy.
Distributing User Code with the CernVM FileSystem

The CernVM FileSystem (CVMFS) is widely used in High Throughput Computing to efficiently distributed experiment code. However, the standard CVMFS publishing tools are designed for a small group of people from each experiment to maintain common software, and the tools are not a good fit for publishing software from numerous users in each experiment. As a result, most user code, such as code to do specific physics analyses, is still sent with every job to the place the job is run. That process is relatively inefficient, especially when the user code is large. To overcome these limitations, we have built a CVMFS user code publication system. This publication system enables users to still submit their code with their jobs but the code is distributed and accessed through the standard CVMFS infrastructure. The user code is automatically deleted from CVMFS after a period of no use. Most of the software for the system is available as a single self-contained open source rpm called cvmfs-user-pub and is available for other deployments.
The INSTITUTION OF THE FAMILY AND THE VIRTUOUS SOCIETY

Ethical societies are composed of virtuous communities, supported by the social whole according to the principle of subsidiarity, and virtuous persons, ruled by just laws. The most important community in any society is the family; the foundation of the family is marriage. In traditional societies, although the institution of the family takes on various forms, it has ethical obligations and promotes the common good of society. Within liberal societies, marriage is transformed into a relationship between contracting individuals, who are free to choose the rules for their marriages. Because the liberal model of marriage is based on emotions, which frequently change, marriages are less stable and their ability to promote the good of society is diminished. Therefore, we should safeguard or recover the understanding and reality of the family as a social institution with ethical obligations. Members of liberal societies are not obligated to accept the liberal redefinition of marriage. Catholics can understand the cultivation of ethical societies as one way of responding to the universal call to holiness.