cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy in preoperatively high-risk patients is safe and efficacious

Abstract Objective Given the higher likelihood of extraprostatic extension in high-risk patients, many urologists will sacrifice the neurovascular bundles in such patients in an attempt to decrease the risk of positive surgical margins. In contrast, we frequently perform nerve-sparing in high-risk patients. We analyzed our outcomes in patients with preoperatively high-risk prostate cancer according to the D'Amico risk group classification, and stratified by nerve-sparing status. Materials and methods An institutional database of 1,503 robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomies (RALP) was queried for patients presenting with PSA > 20 ng/ml, Gleason 8 or higher on biopsy, or clinical stage T2c or higher. Interfascial nerve-sparing was performed whenever oncologically feasible. Validated questionnaires were used to assess baseline and postoperative functional outcomes. Results Adequate follow-up was available in 123 high-risk patients. Mean serum PSA was 10.8. Bilateral, unilateral, and non-nerve-sparing was performed on 58%, 15%, and 27%, respectively. On final histopathology, 42% were organ confined; 55 patients had extraprostatic extension, and 35 had seminal vesicle invasion. Positive surgical margins occurred in 31%: 15% focal and 16% extensive. Favorable pathologic outcomes (organ-confined and negative surgical margins) were observed in 40%. Biochemical recurrence occurred in 20%. Nerve-sparing was associated with more favorable pathologic features, possibly due to selection bias. When controlling for adverse pathologic features, nerve-sparing was not associated with higher rates of positive surgical margins or biochemical recurrence. At a median follow-up of 13 months, 78% were continent and 56% were potent. The “trifecta” of continence, potency, and freedom from recurrence was achieved in 28 patients (23%). Conclusions Nerve-sparing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy can be safely performed in patients with preoperatively high risk prostate cancer. Histopathologic and short-term oncologic outcomes at 13-month median follow-up are comparable to those in open surgical series from similar cohorts.
Ovariopexy: Clinical and radiologic correlation

Abstract Computerized tomography (CT) scans and sonograms of the pelvis were performed in 17 young female patients (13 postpubertal and 4 prepubertal), whose ovaries had been fixed either to the uterus or the pelvic wall to move them away from the field of radiation. These patients were given radiation therapy for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease ( n = 15) or rhabdomyosarcoma ( n = 2). The mean age of the postpubertal girls was 16.5 years (range 12–21) and the CT scans were done 2–7 years following radiation therapy. Ovarian function was determined based upon the patient reporting normal menstrual function and normal levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH levels in the postpubertal girls were elevated in 5 patients and normal in 8. The ovaries could not be seen on CT scans of the 9 patients with elevated FSH and clinical signs of estrogen deficiency, while of the 8 patients with normal FSH levels, 7 had ovaries visualized by CT. Thus, visualization of the ovaries of adolescent girls correlated with the preservation of ovarian function in the majority of patients. Lack of detectable ovarian function correlated with lack of ability to visualize ovarian tissue on the sonograms or CT radiographs. Estrogen replacement is recommended to limit the consequences of therapy-induced ovarian failure.
Weekly cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II as induction chemotherapy in recurrent carcinoma of the cervix

Twenty-four evaluable patients with recurrent carcinoma of the cervix after previous pelvic irradiation were treated with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (cis-DDP). Of the 14 patients who received low-dose (1 mg/kg) weekly induction cis-DDP, 10 (71%) responded, 6 (43%) of which were complete responses. Four (40%) of the ten patients who received high-dose (100 mg/m2) monthly cis-DDP responded, two of which were complete responses. Maintenance of these responses by combination chemotherapy which includes cis-DDP remains a significant problem.
Periodic Orbits for Planar Piecewise Smooth Systems with a Line of Discontinuity

In this work we examine the existence of periodic orbits for planar piecewise smooth dynamical systems with a line of discontinuity. Unlike existing works, we consider the case where the line does not contain the equilibrium point. Most of the analysis is for a family of piecewise linear systems, and we discover new phenomena which produce the birth of periodic orbits, as well as new bifurcation phenomena of the periodic orbits themselves. A model nonlinear piecewise smooth systems is examined as well.
1,4‐Dibromobutane

[110-52-1] C4H8Br2 (MW 215.92) InChI = 1S/C4H8Br2/c5-3-1-2-4-6/h1-4H2 InChIKey = ULTHEAFYOOPTTB-UHFFFAOYSA-N (useful for annulation as bis-electrophile1 or as precursor to organobis(metallics)2) Alternate Name: tetramethylene dibromide. Physical Data: bp 194–196 °C, 63–65 °C/6 mmHg; d 1.808 g cm−3. Solubility: sol THF, toluene, HMPA, benzene, DMF, Et2O. Form Supplied in: colorless liquid, 99%. Analysis of Reagent Purity: 1H NMR: δ 3.48 (m), 2.05 (m). Handling, Storage, and Precautions: store in a cool dry place. Lachrymator; this reagent should be handled in a fume hood.
A low power smart vision system based on active pixel sensor integrated with programmable neural processor

A low power smart vision system based on a large format (currently 1 K/spl times/1 K) active pixel sensor (APS) integrated with a programmable neural processor for fast vision applications is presented. The concept of building a low power smart vision system is demonstrated by a system design which is composed with an APS sensor, a smart image window handler, and a neural processor. The paper also shows that it is feasible to put the whole smart vision system into a single chip in a standard CMOS technology. This smart vision system on-a-chip can take the combined advantages of the optics and electronics to achieve ultra-high-speed smart sensory information processing and analysis at the focal plane. The proposed system will enable many applications including robotics and machine vision, guidance and navigation, automotive applications, and consumer electronics. Future applications will also include scientific sensors such as those suitable for highly integrated imaging systems used in NASA deep space and planetary spacecraft.
Protein recycling pathways in neurodegenerative diseases

Many progressive neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and frontotemporal lobe dementia, are associated with the formation of insoluble intracellular proteinaceous inclusions. It is therefore imperative to understand the factors that regulate normal, as well as abnormal, protein recycling in neurons. Dysfunction of the ubiquitin-proteasome or autophagy pathways might contribute to the pathology of various neurodegenerative diseases. Induction of these pathways may offer a rational therapeutic strategy for a number of these diseases.
Celiac Disease: Dispelling Misconceptions and Myths

Once considered a rare disease among children of northern European decent with classical symptoms of malabsorption, celiac disease (CD) is now known to affect individuals in every decade of life and of many ethnicities and races. The current presentations of CD vary widely from an asymptomatic state to classical symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss, diarrhea, and steatorrhea. They may also present along a spectrum with more subtle gastrointestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms and signs of the disease. High-risk groups include family members of individuals with CD, as well as those with type 1 diabetes and a variety of autoimmune and other diseases. While biopsy remains the gold standard in diagnosis, serological tests are crucial in determining who should undergo endoscopy and biopsy. Currently, a gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only available therapy, and lifelong adherence to this diet is vitally important as continued gluten consumption may predispose patients to complications or associated disorders.
Children Exposed to Abuse in Youth-Serving Organizations: Results From National Sample Surveys.

Importance Protecting children in youth-serving organizations is a national concern. Objective To provide clinicians, policymakers, and parents with estimates of children’s exposure to abuse in youth-serving organizations. Design, Setting, and Participants Telephone survey data from the 3 National Surveys of Children's Exposure to Violence (2008, 2011, and 2014) were combined to create a sample of 13 052 children and youths aged 0 to 17 years. The survey participants included youths aged 10 to 17 years and caregivers of children aged 0 to 9 years. Main Outcomes and Measures Items from the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire. Results In the combined sample of 13 052 children and youths aged 0 to 17 years, the rate of abuse by persons in youth-serving organizations was 0.4% (95% CI, 0.2-0.7) for the past year and 0.8% (95% CI, 0.5-1.1) over the lifetime. Most of the maltreatment (63.2%) was verbal abuse and only 6.4% was any form of sexual violence or assault. Conclusions and Relevance Abuse in youth-serving organizations was a relatively rare form of abuse, dwarfed by abuse by family members and other adults.
Fruit organ cultures.

The culture of fruit tissues as whole organs or isolated tissue sections has been conducted with various species (1). Whole, isolated ovaries have been successfully cultured to give rise to mature fruits (e.g., strawberry). Typically, however, when an isolated portion of the fruit tissue is introduced into a sterile environment, it immediately loses structural integrity and degenerates into a rapidly dividing callus mass (2). Loss of structural integrity is correspondingly associated with an alteration of physiology that is subsequently reflected in the production of an altered metabolism. Therefore, a meaningful study of fruit development using callus derived from fruit tissues is often not possible. Recently, we studied the parameters involved in the maintenance of citrus fruit tissue integrity (2). In this paper, the culture of isolated fruit tissues, as well as half and whole fruit culture, is demonstrated using the lemon fruit (Fig. 1-3).
Abstract 3307: Cell-surface glycoproteomics identifies CUB-domain containing protein 1 to be associated with prostate cancer metastasis

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Prostate cancer is still the most common and second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States and is overwhelmingly lethal when metastatic. Evidence from histochemical analysis and experimental tumor models indicates alterations in cell-surface sialylation as a general observation associated with the metastatic potential of tumor cells. Our preliminary data from lectin staining also demonstrates changes of cell-surface sialylation in a syngeneic prostate cancer cell model, which includes two PC3 sublines, N2 (non-metastatic) and ML2 (highly metastatic). Characterization of cell-surface sialylated glycoproteins in this model system could provide new information related to the metastatic phenotype in prostate cancer. Thus, cell-surface sialoglycoproteins in the N2 and ML2 cell lines were metabolicly labeled with with an unnatural mannose analogue (AC4ManNAz); This was followed by chemoselective conjugation of the azido sugars with a biotinylated alkyne capture reagent via Cu (I) catalyzed click chemistry and affinity detection and enrichment by streptavidin-conjugated beads (or fluorescein). Captured glycoproteins were separated by 1D gel electrophoresis, in-gel proteolytic digestion, and protein identification by means of tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The expression of the targeted sialoglycoproteins was verified in our prostate cancer cell lines and clinical samples by means of Western blot, confocal microscopy and fluorescent immunohistochemistry. Forty three cell-surface N-linked glycoproteins were identified as differentially expressed between the PC3 metastasis variants, including CUB-domain containing protein 1 (CDCP1). Western blot analysis of the cell-surface glycoprotein enriched fractions and total cell lysate confirmed that CDCP1 was over-expressed in the metastatic ML2 cells. Expression of CDCP1 is dysregulated in prostate cancer tissues, with malignant glands showing a more intense cell surface staining pattern, whereas normal glands demonstrated weak membrane and intracellular granular staining on the basal side. We conclude that glycan metabolic labeling technology combined with mass spectrometry analysis provides a powerful tool for the identification of specific cell-surface glycoproteins that may contribute to prostate cancer metastasis, like CDCP1. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the clinical value of CDCP1 and to understand its function in prostate cancer progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3307.
Results Analysis of HIV VCT in Xinyang City during 2008-2009

[Objective] To understand the population characteristics and reasons for seeking consultation of 8649 cases with voluntary counseling and testing(VCT) in Xinyang City of Henan Province, to analyze the HIV transmission route and HIV antibody detection status in different VCT service points, and provide reference for effectively implementation of AIDS prevention and control. [Methods]Based on the VCT case registration form during 2008-2009, the data of cases were analyzed.[Results]The major of 8649 cases with VCT were male, aged 20~45 years; 7777 cases received HIV antibody testing, with 223 positive cases (2.58%). HIV antibody detection rate was significant between genders and ages(P0.01).[Conclusion]VCT is one of the key for AIDS prevention and control. Therefore, VCT related information should be publicized comprehensively, and VCT service should be carried out in-depth.
Analysis on the Epidemiological Characteristics of Viral Hepatitis B in Binyang County in Guangxi from 1992 to 2008

OBJECTIVE To understand the epidemic characteristics of hepatitis B in Binyang County form 1992 to 2008,and to provide the scientific evidence for prevention and control of hepatitis B.METHODS To analyze the hepatitis B statistics from epidemic reporting system by descriptively epidemiological method.RESULTS There were 7120 cases who suffered from hepatitis B in Binyang county form 1992 to 2008,during these years the incidence of hepatitis B were 25.36/105～74.97/105 per year,and the average incidence was 43.97/105 per year.All towns of the county had cases reported,the 5 towns such as Litang,Wangling,etc.in the eastern and northeastern part of the county had the highest incidence,The cases of these towns accounted for 44.47% of the total.The ratios of male to female was 2.51:1.The aged group was focus on 15～34 years old,accounted for 59.24%.Most of the patients were peasants,students and workers,accounted for 59.99 %,13.71% and 6.67%,respectively.There was not morbidity peak season.CONCLUSIONS During these 17 years,the incidence of hepatitis B in Binyang County fluctuated wildly,epidemic situation is still serious.It show that in order to decline the incidence of hepatitis B,the routine immunization service should be strengthened,and the health education should be developped.It is necessary to implement an immunization programme of HBV vaccines for adult population.
ARSGOS Algorithm for Imbalanced Data Sets

There widely exists the class imbalanced data in the real world and the classification of the class imbalance become a hot research topic in the field of data mining. We propose a method named ARSGOS,which is an over-sampling algorithm based on the distribution of Gaussian mixture model( GMM) combined with adaptive random subspace ensemble. The algorithm is based on the idea of random subspace,and estimates the distribution of the minority class with GMM in different subspaces. Then the artificial data of minority class is generated according to the probability function estimated,so that the new instances are more accurate and real,avoiding generating noisy instances. The proposed algorithm increases the diversity in the procedure of the sampling and learning with the overlapping rate of the subsets,and improves the identification ability of the minority class in the imbalance data. We compare ARSGOS with the existing re-sampling methods based on different base classifiers on the UCI data sets. The experimental results show that ARSGOS improves the accuracy of the minority class and the overall classi? cation performance effectively.
Mid-Infrared Features of Kaolinite-Dickite

Transformation of kaolinite to dickite is a common diagenetic reaction. The present report is part of a wider study to investigate the pathways of this polytype change. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to attempt quantification of the relative proportions of kaolinite and dickite, validated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) results, in order to link mineral and structural features during the mineralogical changes. A group of kaolinite and dickite samples was investigated: 13 samples from the Froy and Rind oil fields (North Sea), three kaolinite specimens with different crystal order and particle size (KGa-2, kaolinite API 17, Keokuk kaolinite), and two dickite-rich samples (Natural History Museum collection). Six FTIR spectral features were analyzed: (1) intensity ratio of the minima at 3675 and 3635 cm−1; (2) position of the band at ~1115 cm−1; (3) difference between the frequency of the bands at ~1030 and ~1000 cm−1; (4) intensity ratio of the bands generating shoulders at ~922 and ~900 cm−1; (5) position of the band at ~370 cm−1; and (6) intensity of the band at ~268 cm−1. Correlation of the features above with polytype relative proportions derived from XRD showed non-linear behavior, with maximum curvature at the dickite end, which precludes kaolinite-dickite quantification. Increasing kaolin particle size is known to cause decreased intensity of the FTIR spectra. A model was developed to test whether this effect is consistent with the non-linear progression of the IR features. The relative intensity of kaolinite and dickite IR features were calculated in a series of kaolinite-to-dickite transformations, where the size of particles increases with dickite proportion, and where dickite-dominated particles reach a larger size than kaolinite-dominated particles. The results indicated that the differential particle size increase is possibly the cause of the lack of linearity between IR- and XRD-measured dickite proportions.
Microbial recovery from clot-activating Vacutainers®

Biological specimens for microbiological analysis are often collected in BD Vacutainers®, which are not specifically designed for microbial recovery. Bacterial and fungal recovery was analyzed for glass and plastic tubes with or without clot-activating silica. No significant impact was found for the recovery of most bacteria and yeasts tested, however, Haemophilus influenzae recovery from cerebrospinal fluid was significantly reduced in both glass and plastic clot activator tubes.
Renal Allograft Salvage After Prolonged Early Post-Transplant Renal Artery Occlusion

Abstract We report a case of postoperative prolonged intrarenal segmental thrombosis in a transplanted kidney. Re-exploration, and immediate intrarenal arterial and continuous systemic heparinization after 5½ hours of absent arterial flow resulted in a prolonged period of acute tubular necrosis, followed by return of nearly normal renal function 110 days after operation. The solitary denervated kidney seems to have the ability to recover from an excessively prolonged ischemic injury. The timely administration of drugs, such as methylprednisolone, mannitol and furosemide, in sufficient dosages may ameliorate ischemic damage. In our case early re-exploration with local and systemic heparinization salvaged the kidney.
Phase contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging: normal cerebrospinal fluid oscillation and applications to hydrocephalus

Two-dimensional cine phase contrast (2D-cine PC) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an imaging technique that sensitizes MR images to velocity changes in a specific direction while cancelling signals from stationary protons and from motion in other directions. This article reviews the technique, conventions, and applications of this imaging technique to hydrocephalus. 2D-Cine PC and additional more rapid MR imaging methods now in development will allow clinicians to measure CSF velocity, pulsation, and bulk flow noninvasively in normal individuals and in patients with a variety of pathologic conditions. It is hoped that these measurements may be correlated with intracranial pressures to develop clinical tests of brain compliance and improved management of patients with hydrocephalus.
Virginia Woolf and Psychological Realism

Virginia Woolf was born a Stephen and the Stephens, like the Stracheys, were a literary family related to a large portion of literary England. Further, like the Stracheys, they gave England lawyers, colonial administrators, members of parliament, journalists and scientists. James Stephen — Virginia’s great-grandfather — became the trusted friend and ally of Wilberforce in his fight against slavery. His son continued to fight for emancipation which he advocated from a high post in the Colonial Office.
Somalia 1992’1995

Unlike its operations in Angola, Cambodia and Mozambique, the UN’s disarmament processes in Somalia were not designed as part of a comprehensive peace agreement negotiated between former warring parties. Rather, they were conducted as part of a humanitarian intervention undertaken to prevent the mass starvation of ordinary Somalis who were unable to gain access to food and water due to the extensive devastation wrought by years of drought and civil war. As this chapter will show, disarming the warring parties and controlling the armed bandits that had proliferated in the anarchic conditions of the civil war was perceived by the UN as essential to both the secure delivery of humanitarian aid and the restoration of the Somali state. Despite its recognized importance this disarmament was never achieved.
Association of T Cell and Macrophage Activation with Arterial Vascular Health in HIV

Abstract HIV-infected individuals are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the arterial vascular functions affected by persistent innate and cellular immune activation are not well described. We assessed the relationship between immunologic and vascular parameters in 70 HIV-infected adults on efavirenz, tenofovir, and emtricitabine with more than 2 years of virologic suppression and no history of CVD. We measured brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) using ultrasound and circulating intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) by multiple immunoassay. We also measured circulating naive (CD45RO−CCR7+CD27+), activated (CD38+ and CD38+DR+), exhausted (PD1+), senescent (CD57+), and memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets by flow cytometry, and macrophage activation markers by ELISA and multiple immunoassay. Regression models were adjusted for age, sex, smoking, duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and body mass index. Median age ...
The Impact of Contraceptive Use and Abortion on Fertility in sub-Saharan Africa: Estimates for 2003–2014

In this chapter we focus on two proximate determinants of fertility--contraception and induced abortion--and their effect on fertility levels. We focus on use of modern methods because of the high failure rates of traditional methods (Ali Cleland and Shah 2012; Trussell 2011)and because while some women using traditional methods may choose to use these methods such choices often imply that women perceive other options to be unavailable or are not fully informed of contraceptive options (Wang et al. 2012). Accessible quality information and services would likely alter the choices available enabling women to choose from the full range of methods modern and traditional to most effectively avoid pregnancy. It is important to note however that some of our estimates incorporate the contribution of traditional method use in preventing unintended pregnancy. (excerpt)
Metafabrics for Thermoregulation and Energy-Harvesting Applications

Metafabrics are textiles with engineered constituent elements, possessing peculiar properties, which cannot be achieved with conventional fabrics. Fabric structures are formed of fibers bundled up and twisted into yarns. Yarns are then intertwined or bond closely together to shape the fabric structure. Engineering the textiles can be performed by utilizing novel materials for constitutive fibers and also manipulating the size and structure of fibers and yarns. In this paper, we employ a powerful and realistic model to design and investigate metafabrics for unique applications in personal thermal cooling, thermal insulation, and thermoregualation by means of engineering fabric building blocks. We provide physical insights into the behavior of the so-called infrared-transparent visible-opaque fabrics (ITVOFs), study the effect of using metallic-coated fibers on the thermal insulation functionality of a breathable textile, and also propose an alternative form for phase-change fabrics (PCFs) consisting of cor...
Adipose Tissue and Insulin Resistance

Adiposity, especially visceral adiposity, is an important risk factor for the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In addition to its role in storing energy, adipose tissue also secretes into the circulation a number of hormones and other factors that can alter the response to insulin in distant tissues, such as liver and muscle. Many of these factors are cytokines, which have been associated with the immune system.
High Temperature Neutron Diffraction Studies of YBa2-xSrxCu3O7-δ

In situ,high-temperature neutron diffraction experiments have been performed on the nonstoichiometric, Sr-doped, 123 superconducting material YBa2-xSrXCu307-δ using a unique, restricted-angle, high temperature furnace constructed for use with time-of-flight scattering techniques. The furnace provides a completely isolated specimen chamber in the temperature range of 20 < T < 1400C, and the oxygen partial pressure can be controlled in the range of 10-20 < P02 < 1 atm (105 Pa). For x = 0.33 (in YBa2-xSrXCu307-δ) and PO2 = 1 atm, an order-disorder transition is observed at T = 650 C. The crystal symmetry changes from orthorhombic (Pmmm) below the transition to tetragonal (P4/mmm) above. The mechanism of the phase transition involves the redistribution of anions on the 0(1) and 0(5) lattice sites; these sites become equivalent in the high temperature tetragonal phase. With P02. = 1 atm the nonstoichiometric state of the specimen changes with temperature, hence the experimental results must be mapped onto the (T, δ) plane. The transition temperature, Tot decreases with increasing Sr concentration. Under isothermal conditions with T = 490C, the transition occurs at PO2 2 = 3 x 10-3 atm.
Combination Therapy with c-Met and Src Inhibitors Induces Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis of Merlin-Deficient Schwann Cells and Suppresses Growth of Schwannoma Cells

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a nervous system tumor disorder caused by inactivation of the merlin tumor suppressor encoded by the NF2 gene. Bilateral vestibular schwannomas are a diagnostic hallmark of NF2. Mainstream treatment options for NF2-associated tumors have been limited to surgery and radiotherapy; however, off-label uses of targeted molecular therapies are becoming increasingly common. Here, we investigated drugs targeting two kinases activated in NF2-associated schwannomas, c-Met and Src. We demonstrated that merlin-deficient mouse Schwann cells (MD-MSC) treated with the c-Met inhibitor, cabozantinib, or the Src kinase inhibitors, dasatinib and saracatinib, underwent a G1 cell-cycle arrest. However, when MD-MSCs were treated with a combination of cabozantinib and saracatinib, they exhibited caspase-dependent apoptosis. The combination therapy also significantly reduced growth of MD-MSCs in an orthotopic allograft mouse model by greater than 80% of vehicle. Moreover, human vestibular schwannoma cells with NF2 mutations had a 40% decrease in cell viability when treated with cabozantinib and saracatinib together compared with the vehicle control. This study demonstrates that simultaneous inhibition of c-Met and Src signaling in MD-MSCs triggers apoptosis and reveals vulnerable pathways that could be exploited to develop NF2 therapies. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(11); 2387-98. ©2017 AACR.
Drp1 phosphorylation by MAPK1 causes mitochondrial dysfunction in cell culture model of Huntington's disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major cytopathology in Huntington's disease (HD), a fatal and inherited neurodegenerative disease. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the disease-causing gene, mutant Huntingtin (mtHtt), affects mitochondrial function remains elusive. This study aims to determine the role that Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) plays in the over-activation of Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), the mitochondrial fission protein, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration seen in HD. We show that MAPK1 binds to and phosphorylates Drp1 in vitro. Drp1 phosphorylation at serine 616 is increased in HD knock-in mouse derived striatal cells, which is abolished by treatment with U0126, a potent inhibitor of MEK1/2. A phosphorylation-deficient mutant of Drp1, Drp1S616A, corrects mitochondrial fragmentation associated with HD. Treatment with U0126 also reduces mitochondrial fragmentation, but has no additional effect in correcting aberrant mitochondrial morphology in cells expressing Drp1S616A. Finally, treatment with U0126 reduces mitochondrial depolarization and mitochondrial superoxide production in HD mutant striatal cells when compared to wildtype cells. This study suggests that in HD, MAPK1 activation leads to the aberrant mitochondrial fission and mitochondrial function by phosphorylating Drp1. Therefore, inhibition of Drp1-mediated excessive mitochondrial fission might be a strategy for development of therapy for treating HD.
Life Span Developmental Approach: Implications for Practice:

The life span developmental approach indicates that individuals can change and grow even in adulthood. The characteristics and tasks of each psychosocial stage are presented and implications for th...
Secure and Automated Enterprise Revenue Forecasting

Revenue forecasting is required by most enterprises for strategic business planning and for providing expected future results to investors. However, revenue forecasting processes in most companies are time-consuming and error-prone as they are performed manually by hundreds of financial analysts. In this paper, we present a novel machine learning based revenue forecasting solution that we developed to forecast 100% of Microsoft's revenue (around $85 Billion in 2016), and is now deployed into production as an end-to-end automated and secure pipeline in Azure. Our solution combines historical trend and seasonal patterns with additional information, e.g., sales pipeline data, within a unified modeling framework. In this paper, we describe our framework including the features, method for hyperparameters tuning of ML models using time series cross-validation, and generation of prediction intervals. We also describe how we architected an end-to-end secure and automated revenue forecasting solution on Azure using Cortana Intelligence Suite. Over consecutive quarters, our machine learning models have continuously produced forecasts with an average accuracy of 98-99 percent for various divisions within Microsoft's Finance organization. As a result, our models have been widely adopted by them and are now an integral part of Microsoft's most important forecasting processes, from providing Wall Street guidance to managing global sales performance.
TACTIC: Tag-Based Access ConTrol Framework for the Information-Centric Wireless Edge Networks

Pervasive content caching is one of the information-centric networking (ICN) fundamentals. Although advantageous, pervasive caching introduces new challenges. In particular, the high possibility of content providers losing control over their published contents, which clients can access without authenticating themselves. The approaches that constitute the state-of-the-art in access control either have high computation overhead or require an always-online authentication server, thus suffering in terms of scalability for large number of end devices. In this paper, we propose TACTIC, a lightweight access control mechanism for the ICN wireless edge, which allows legitimate clients to utilize the cached content without per-request authentication at the providers. TACTIC delegates the authentication and authorization tasks to the (semi-trusted) routers in an ISP's network to eliminate the need for an always-online authentication server. It prevents delivery of the encrypted content to unauthorized users; a bandwidth-wasteful practice, which may lead to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. Experimental results demonstrate the scalability and effectiveness of TACTIC in providing low-overhead access to legitimate clients while preventing malicious users' access.
Power Package Electrical and Multiple Physics Simulation

The electrical performance (such as electrical resistance, inductance, and fusing current capability) is a key factor for a power electronic product. Many studies, such as the electrical performance of different devices, effect of assembly reflow process on electrical properties and the resistance of a solder joint, have been done to improve a product’s electrical performance (Modeling for defects impact on electrical performance of power packages, 2010; A comparison of electrical performance between a wire bonded and a flip chip CSP package, 2003; Intermetallics 14:1375–1378, 2006; Microelectron Eng 63:363–372, 2002). In recent years, the investigation has been started for the electrical conductivity under the mechanical deformation of a device (Microelectron Reliab 46:589–599, 2006). Package design optimization for electrical performance of a power module by using finite element analysis (FEA) (Package design optimization for electrical performance of a power module using finite element analysis, 2008) has also been presented. Studying the impact of the defect on package electrical performance, especially for the parasitic effect, is very important. It can help to understand the potential root causes and failure mechanisms, as well as to ensure that the electrical performance meets the requirement of product by optimizing the package design and assembly process.
Clinical analysis of sampatrilat, a combined renal endopeptidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor: I: assay in plasma of human volunteers by atmospheric-pressure ionisation mass-spectrometry following derivatisation with BF3–methanol

Abstract Sampatrilat is a dual inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) under development for the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. In order to support the early clinical development (with oral administration and an expected low bioavailability), a sensitive and selective assay was required. A method for plasma was developed and validated employing HPLC–APCI–MS–MS. The plasma samples were extracted on solid-phase extraction cartridges, derivatised with BF 3 –methanol, diluted, extracted again and then subjected to HPLC–APCI–MS–MS. Derivatisation was necessary because the two carboxyl group in the molecule prevented efficient ionisation in the heated nebuliser source. The calibration range was from 0.5 to 20 ng ml −1 and the lower limit of quantification was 0.5 ng ml −1 . Imprecision and inaccuracy were determined on three separate occasions at three concentrations (0.5, 5 and 20 ng ml −1 ) and shown to be lower than 10% in every case.
Measurement of Distances Between Electron Spins Using Pulsed EPR

Distances between unpaired electrons ranging from ca. 15 A to > 50 A measured by pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. Techniques are available to measure distances between two slowly relaxing centers or between a rapidly relaxing center and a slowly relaxing center. An overview of these methods is provided with an emphasis on recent examples that demonstrate the power of these techniques.
Session IV. Prevalence and variability of disease; Culture, morbidity, and the effects of drugs

In the evaluation of drug efficacy, despite the customary device of randomization, regional differences of prevalence of a given disease, unique culturally determined practices in treatment, and differential tolerances to side effects are complicating factors in transcultural pharmacology that must be taken into account in the interpretation of efficacy and toxicity. This thesis is documented by illustrations from psychiatric practice, e.g., prevalence and morbidity of alcoholism, cultural differences as to prevalence, diagnosis, and symptomatology of schizophrenia, even to the point of widely discrepant diagnosis of a given patient, depending upon whether the examination was done by an American or British psychiatrist. Similar differences concerning the existence of disease entities other than psychiatric are cited, e.g., hepatic insufficiently considered common in some Latin populations; low blood pressure a recognized and treatable condition in Eastern Europe. The incidence of side effects from the same drug may also vary in different cultures, making the interpretation of their significance difficult, and cross-cultural comparisons hazardous. To avoid some of these pitfalls, it is essential to recognize (1) the many complexities inherent in trials involving differing cultures and (2) to design the studies insofar as possible to include measurement of population variables.
An engineered pathway for N-hydroxy-pipecolic acid synthesis enhances systemic acquired resistance in tomato.

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a powerful immune response that triggers broad-spectrum disease resistance throughout a plant. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, long-distance signaling and SAR activation in uninfected tissues occur without circulating immune cells and instead rely on the metabolite N-hydroxy-pipecolic acid (NHP). Engineering SAR in crop plants would enable external control of a plant’s ability to mount a global defense response upon sudden changes in the environment. Such a metabolite-engineering approach would require the molecular machinery for producing and responding to NHP in the crop plant. Here, we used heterologous expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves to identify a minimal set of Arabidopsis genes necessary for the biosynthesis of NHP. Local expression of these genes in tomato leaves triggered SAR in distal tissues in the absence of a pathogen, suggesting that the SAR trait can be engineered to enhance a plant’s endogenous ability to respond to pathogens. We also showed tomato produces endogenous NHP in response to a bacterial pathogen and that NHP is present across the plant kingdom, raising the possibility that an engineering strategy to enhance NHP-induced defenses could be possible in many crop plants.
Students’ Activities in Learning with Problem Based Learning Based Module to Enhance Students’ HOTS on the Subject of Straight Line Equations

This research begins with the observation of researchers of the activities of students who are still passive when participating in learning in accordance with the 2013 curriculum and do not prioritize students' high order thinking skills. Passive student activities are seen in the core activities of learning because in the core activities students are required to develop existing knowledge in themselves. Thus, the purpose of this study is to produce learning that makes students active. The solution to this problem is the implementation Problem Based Learning (PBL) based module covering Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions. The research method used was descriptive qualitative research. The technique used to collect data is a non-test technique, namely the observation sheet of student activities. Observation material consists of 4 aspects, namely observation on preliminary activities, core activities, closing activities and time management. The results obtained are active students during the learning of the subject of straight line equationswith module based on PBL obtained from 7 meetings is 82%, which means that student activities during learning with the problem based learning mathematics learning module on the subject of straight line equations are in the very good category
An Amyloidogenic Hexapeptide Derived from Amylin Attenuates Inflammation and Acute Lung Injury in Murine Sepsis

Although the accumulation of amyloidogenic proteins in neuroinflammatory conditions is generally considered pathologic, in a murine model of multiple sclerosis, amyloidforming fibrils, comprised of hexapeptides, are anti-inflammatory. Whether these molecules modulate systemic inflammatory conditions remains unknown. We hypothesized that an amylin hexapeptide that forms fibrils can attenuate the systemic inflammatory response in a murine model of sepsis. To test this hypothesis, mice were pre-treated with either vehicle or amylin hexapeptide (20μg) at 12 hours and 6 hours prior to intraperitoneal (i.p.) lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 20 mg/kg) administration. Illness severity and survival were monitored every 6 …
The Darker Side of Helping

I have always looked forward to discussing the literature on helping behavior in my social psychology classes. Students’ attention can be captivated instantly and tears brought to their eyes by recounting examples such as the Kitty Genovese case where help was needed but was not forthcoming. This introduction increases the students’ receptiveness to examining the theories and research in the area. Then the coup de grace is usually supplied by the students who clamor for additional work on helping behavior, reasoning that if “we” knew the factors that motivate such behavior, “we” could increase its frequency and thereby make the world better.
Post-detonation fireball thermometry via femtosecond-picosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS)

Abstract Accurate knowledge of post-detonation fireball temperatures is important for understanding device performance and for validation of numerical models. Such measurements are difficult to make even under controlled laboratory conditions. In this work temperature measurements were performed in the fireball of a commercial detonator (RP-80, Teledyne RISI). The explosion and fragments were contained in a plastic enclosure with glass windows for optical access. A hybrid femtosecond-picosecond (fs-ps) rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) instrument was used to perform gas-phase thermometry along a one-dimensional measurement volume in a single laser shot. The 13-mm-thick windows on the explosive-containment housing introduced significant nonlinear chirp on the fs lasers pulses, which reduced the Raman excitation bandwidth and did not allow for efficient excitation of high-J Raman transitions populated at flame temperatures. To overcome this, distinct pump and Stokes pulses were used in conjunction with spectral focusing, achieved by varying the relative timing between the pump and Stokes pulses to preferentially excite Raman transitions relevant to flame thermometry. Light scattering from particulate matter and solid fragments was a significant challenge and was mitigated using a new polarization scheme to isolate the CARS signal. Fireball temperatures were measured 35–40 mm above the detonator, 12–25 mm radially outward from the detonator centerline, and at 18 and 28 µs after initiation. At these locations and times, significant mixing between the detonation products and ambient air had occurred thus increasing the nitrogen-based CARS thermometry signal. Initial measurements show a distribution of fireball temperatures in the range 300–2000 K with higher temperatures occurring 28 µs after detonation.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis to Anterior Orbit.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a rare malignancy that often metastasizes to the lung, bones, liver, and brain. Only a few cases of RCC metastasis in periocular areas have been reported in the literature. This case report describes a 70-year-old male who was presented to the University of Florida, Gainesville ophthalmology clinic with two-day symptoms of diplopia, decreased vision, and mechanical ptosis of the left eye with superior temporal mass. The patient had a history of both prostate and RCC that were in remission for five years leading to his presentation. Excisional biopsy confirmed the metastasis of RCC to the eye. The patient reported no systemic symptoms. This report also reviews existing literature on RCC metastasis to the eye and orbit. Ultimately, RCC metastasis to the eye in patients with a history of known RCC should be considered in the differential diagnosis in those presenting with an atypical mass in periocular regions.
The Original Meaning of Bailable in the Utah Constitution

This short article analyzes the original meaning of the term "bailable" in the Utah Constitution. There are two potential senses: that bailable means bail is required as long as one can meet its requirements, such as "sufficient sureties," or that bailable means the judge is authorized in his or her discretion to allow bail. By looking at contemporanous dictionaries and the interpretation of identical or similar language in other state constitutions in the late 1800s, the article finds that the former sense was the likely meaning of the Utah Constitution in 1895.
Can Resident Auditory-Perceptual Voice Assessments Predict Medical Urgency of Voice Disorders?

Abstract Background/Objectives Growing reliance on telemedicine has created new triaging challenges. This study investigated how effectively otolaryngology resident auditory-perceptual voice assessments performed via telemedicine determined the need for urgent in-person clinic visits. Methods Twelve otolaryngology resident physicians (PGY1–PGY5) performed auditory-perceptual assessments on 25 voice samples recorded during initial voice evaluations. Voice samples were balanced in severity and taken in equal numbers from patients with the following diagnoses: benign laryngeal lesions, laryngeal cancer, functional voice disorders, laryngeal edema (associated with LPR), and laryngeal paralysis/paresis. Urgent diagnoses were defined as laryngeal cancer and severe unilateral laryngeal paralysis. For each voice sample, residents were initially blinded to patient medical history. Residents rated severity of voice disorder, predicted patient diagnosis, and determined the urgency of seeing the patient in clinic. Residents then reviewed information from the patient's medical history and again rated urgency of voice disorder. Results On average, residents identified urgent voice disorders in 56% of cases. After reviewing medical history, this number significantly increased to 77% (P = 0.001). Voice severity, smoking history, time since onset, and course of symptoms were considered most influential when determining medical urgency of voice patients. Year in residency program had no effect on rating accuracy. As expected, diagnostic accuracy of auditory-perceptual assessments was low, ranging from 40% for laryngeal paralysis/paresis to 5% for laryngeal edema. Conclusion Auditory-perceptual voice assessment, combined with medical history, predicted most medically urgent voice disorders. Further work should investigate if task-specific training might improve these results and which medical history items are most critical. Until accuracy of auditory-perceptual assessment of medical urgency is improved, these data underscore the importance of laryngeal examination in identifying medical urgency and etiology of dysphonia.