cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Small Envelope Protein E Is Not Essential for Murine Coronavirus Replication

The importance of the small envelope (E) protein in the assembly of coronaviruses has been demonstrated in several studies. While its precise function is not clearly defined, E is a pivotal player in the morphogenesis of the virion envelope. Expression of the E protein alone results in its incorporation into vesicles that are released from cells, and the coexpression of the E protein with the membrane protein M leads to the assembly of coronavirus-like particles. We have previously generated E gene mutants of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) that had marked defects in viral growth and produced virions that were aberrantly assembled in comparison to wild-type virions. We have now been able to obtain a viable MHV mutant in which the entire E gene, as well as the nonessential upstream genes 4 and 5a, has been deleted. This mutant (Delta E) was obtained by a targeted RNA recombination method that makes use of a powerful host range-based selection system. The Delta E mutant produces tiny plaques with an unusual morphology compared to plaques formed by wild-type MHV. Despite its low growth rate and low infectious titer, the Delta E mutant is genetically stable, showing no detectable phenotypic changes after several passages. The properties of this mutant provide further support for the importance of E protein in MHV replication, but surprisingly, they also show that E protein is not essential.
Taxes and Investment Choice

Taxes have a first-order effect on investors' trading decisions and portfolio choices and on the equilibrium pricing of assets. In this review, we investigate how certain features of the tax code impact investors and asset markets. We begin by considering how tax heterogeneity across investors and across securities can lead to market segmentation and discuss the nature of equilibrium prices and allocations with tax clienteles. We then turn our attention to the optimal trading of assets when the tax on capital gains and losses is deferred until the asset is sold. In the absence of portfolio considerations, the optimal trading policies are driven entirely by the desire of investors to minimize the tax cost of owning assets. We next focus on an investor's lifetime portfolio choice problem with capital gains taxes and discuss how the investor's optimal trading decisions and portfolio choices are influenced by both tax and diversification motives. Our discussion includes consideration of nonfinancial income, t...
Approximating the stability region for binary mixed-integer programs

The stability region of a solution is the polyhedral set of objective coefficients for which the solution is optimal. It provides valuable information for sensitivity analysis and re-optimization. An exact description of it may require an exponential number of inequalities. We develop polyhedral inner and outer approximations of linear size.
Social programming using functional swarm optimization

The development of mathematical neural networks was based on an analogy with biological neural networks found in nature. Recently there has been a resurgence in research and understanding in self-organizing networks that are based on other metaphors: genetics, immune systems etc. In this paper a new methodology is presented for creating complex adaptive functional networks (CAFN) that are based on the particle swarm social-psychological metaphor. The proposed social programming methodology is based on combining the particle swarm methodology with the group method of data handling and Cartesian programming.
Psychiatric Morbidity in Pediatric Critical Illness Survivors: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Objectives To review the prevalence of psychiatric syndromes in pediatric critical illness survivors as well as to summarize data on vulnerabilities and pediatric intensive care unit exposures that may increase risk of developing these syndromes. Data Sources MEDLINE (1966-2009), the Cochrane Library (2009, issue 3), and PsycINFO (1967-2009) as of August 9, 2009. Study Selection Case-control, cross-sectional, prospective cohort and retrospective cohort studies as well as randomized controlled trials. Main Exposures Hospitalization for the treatment of a critical illness. Main Outcome Measures Assessments of psychiatric symptoms/disorders at least once after discharge. Results Seventeen studies were eligible. The most commonly assessed psychiatric disorders were posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression. The point prevalence of clinically significant posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms ranged from 10% to 28% (5 studies). The point prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms ranged from 7% to 13% (2 studies). Preillness psychiatric and/or developmental problems and parental psychopathology were associated with vulnerability to psychiatric morbidity. Neither age nor sex of a child consistently increased vulnerability to postillness psychopathology. Exposure to increased severity of medical illness and pediatric intensive care unit service-delivery characteristics (eg, invasive procedures) were predictors of psychiatric illness in some but not all studies. Early postillness psychiatric symptoms were predictors of later psychiatric morbidity. Conclusions Psychiatric morbidity appears to be a substantial problem for pediatric critical illness survivors. Future research should include more in-depth assessment of post–critical illness depressive, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms, validate existing psychiatric instruments, and clarify how vulnerability factors, pediatric intensive care unit service-delivery characteristics, and severity of critical illnesses are associated with subsequent psychopathology.
State and disturbance estimation for nonlinear systems affine in the unmeasured variables

Abstract The problem of estimating unmeasured state and disturbance variables for nonlinear process control applications is considered. We assume that the process model is affine with respect to the unmeasured disturbances and any unmeasured state variables. The disturbances are considered as additional state variables, and a nonlinear observer is designed for the augmented state-space system. The observability of the augmented system is analyzed, and a constructive procedure for calculating the nonlinear observer gains is proposed. Full-order and reduced-order observers are constructed for both the full-state and partial-state feedback cases. Stability results for the nonlinear observer are presented. An output feedback controller is obtained by combining the nonlinear observer with an input–output linearizing controller. The proposed estimation strategy is compared to linear estimation techniques using a fluidized bed reactor model.
Whose Homeland? Territoriality and Religious Nationalism in Pre-Partition Bengal

Scholarly inquiries into communalism in South Asia have often exclusively focused on politically constructed religious and ethnic identity categories. This article challenges these assumptions by arguing that territoriality and the designation of homelands played an important, but largely unrecognized, role in developing social and political boundaries in the region. By analyzing the writings of Bipin Chandra Pal during the Swadeshi period, this article points to the territorialization of a Hindu-based version of the national homeland as a key process in the development of communal difference in Bengal and South Asia more generally. It is concluded that the Hindu-dominated rhetoric of the early nationalist movement implicitly marked Hindus as the only true members of the nation. By implicitly excluding all other forms of social affiliations from the narrative of the homeland, it is argued that the stage was set for the contestation of territorial identity categories that played out through the 20th centur...
Lysophosphatidic acid stimulates proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

PURPOSE. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) can arise from an exaggerated wound-healing response by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a simple phospholipid, which is secreted by cells, activates G protein-coupled receptors, and appears to contribute to wound healing in other tissues. The present study examined the effects of LPA on three aspects of the behavior of cultured human RPE cells that are important in the pathogenesis of PVR: proliferation, chemotaxis, and contraction. METHODS. Human RPE cells were harvested from donor eyes and cultured using standard culture techniques. Proliferation was assessed by counting cells, cell migration with a modified Boyden chamber, and contraction by seeding RPE cells in a collagen gel. RESULTS. LPA (10 µM) induced RPE cell proliferation and weak chemotaxis, but no gel contraction. RPE cell proliferation increased in a dose-dependent manner from 0.1–100 µM LPA. Consistent with LPA actions at a receptor, an LPA analogue, lysoph...
A Holocene history of dune-mediated landscape change along the southeastern shore of Lake Superior

Abstract Causal links that connect Holocene high stands of Lake Superior with dune building, stream damming and diversion and reservoir impoundment and infilling are inferred from a multidisciplinary investigation of a small watershed along the SE shore of Lake Superior. Radiocarbon ages of wood fragments from in-place stumps and soil O horizons, recovered from the bottom of 300-ha Grand Sable Lake, suggest that the near-shore inland lake was formed during multiple episodes of late Holocene dune damming of ancestral Sable Creek. Forest drownings at ∼3000, 1530, and 300 cal. years BP are highly correlated with local soil burial events that occurred during high stands of Lake Superior. During these and earlier events, Sable Creek was diverted onto eastward-graded late Pleistocene meltwater terraces. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) reveals the early Holocene valley of Sable Creek (now filled) and its constituent sedimentary structures. Near-planar paleosols, identified with GPR, suggest two repeating modes of landscape evolution mediated by levels of Lake Superior. High lake stands drove stream damming, reservoir impoundment, and eolian infilling of impoundments. Falling Lake Superior levels brought decreased sand supply to dune dams and lowered stream base level. These latter factors promoted stream piracy, breaching of dune dams, and aerial exposure and forestation of infilled lakebeds. The bathymetry of Grand Sable Lake suggests that its shoreline configuration and depth varied in response to events of dune damming and subsequent dam breaching. The interrelated late Holocene events apparent in this study area suggest that variations in lake level have imposed complex hydrologic and geomorphic signatures on upper Great Lakes coasts.
A note on the monotonicity of mixed Ramsey numbers

For two graphs, G and H, an edge coloring of a complete graph is (G,H)-good if there is no monochromatic subgraph isomorphic to G and no rainbow subgraph isomorphic to H in this coloring. The set of numbers of colors used by (G,H)-good colorings of K"n is called a mixed Ramsey spectrum. This note addresses a fundamental question of whether the spectrum is an interval. It is shown that the answer is ''yes'' if G is not a star and H does not contain a pendant edge.
Modification of a direct perfusion bioreactor for evaluation of SaOS-2 cell response to multiple ceramic bone graft substitutes in vitro

Researchers use bioreactors in an attempt to greater simulate in vivo conditions in an in vitro environment. However, there is no commercially available bioreactor that allows for adjustable flow rates, simultaneous testing of multiple types of samples, and flow-induced fluid shear stress on the cells [1,2,3]. The proposed design is a perfusion bioreactor that allows testing of client-specific scaffolds. The setup must include chambers to accommodate multiple samples. The flow rate of the media through the system must be conducive to osteoblast proliferation. This media flow must also induce physiologically-relevant shear stresses on the seeded cells. Finally, the environment must be similar to biological conditions and maintain proper nutrient delivery, waste disposal, pH balance, and gas exchange. The projected design will utilize two peristaltic pumps to move media from the reservoir through the scaffolds in the growth chambers. Media will re-circulate through the closed-loop system, and a bleed port will allow for media sampling. Waste media will also be analyzed for glucose consumption and expression of several osteoblastic cell markers will be analyzed with the use of biochemical assays. The bioreactor must support the scaffolds and their relative physical dimensions. The environment must support the preferred SaOS-2 cell line and remain sterile for the duration of the experiment.
Influence of the crystalline electrical field on the magnetocaloric effect of DyAl 2 , ErAl 2 , and DyNi 2

Calculations of the magnetic entropy change $\ensuremath{\Delta}{S}_{\mathrm{mag}}$ and the magnetocaloric effect (i.e., the adiabatic temperature change) $\ensuremath{\Delta}{T}_{\mathrm{ad}}$ in ${\mathrm{DyAl}}_{2},{\mathrm{ErAl}}_{2},$ and ${\mathrm{DyNi}}_{2}$ using a Hamiltonian that takes into account the effects of crystalline electrical field and exchange interaction have been carried out. Good agreement between the theory and the experiment was obtained using the crystal-field parameters from inelastic neutron scattering for ${\mathrm{DyAl}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{ErAl}}_{2}.$ The crystal-field parameters for ${\mathrm{DyNi}}_{2},$ which were reported from magnetization measurements, did not give good agreement between the theory and the experiment. Using the experimental $\ensuremath{\Delta}{S}_{\mathrm{mag}}$ versus T, and ${C}_{\mathrm{mag}}$ versus T (where ${C}_{\mathrm{mag}}$ is the magnetic heat capacity) we made an estimate of the crystal-field parameters for ${\mathrm{DyNi}}_{2},$ which yield a satisfactory agreement between the theory and the experiment with regard to $\ensuremath{\Delta}{S}_{\mathrm{mag}}$ and $\ensuremath{\Delta}{T}_{\mathrm{ad}}.$ The appearance of a hump in the theoretical $\ensuremath{\Delta}{S}_{\mathrm{mag}}(T)$ below the Curie temperature is discussed.
The Effects of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs on Neurocognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia: A Review and Meta-analysis

Cognitive deficits are a fundamental feature of the psychopathology of schizophrenia . Yet the effect of treatment on this dimension of the illness has been unclear. Atypical antipsychotic medications have been reported to reduce the neurocognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. However, studies of the pattern and degree of cognitive improvement with these compounds have been methodologically limited and have produced variable results, and few findings have been replicated. To clarify our understanding of the effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs on neurocognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia, we have (1) reported on newly established standards for research design in studies of treatment effects on cognitive function in schizophrenia, (2) reviewed the literature on this topic and determined the extent to which 15 studies on the effect of atypical antipsychotics met these standards, (3) performed a meta-analysis of the 15 studies, which suggested general cognitive enhancement with atypical antipsychotics, and (4) described the pharmacological profile of these agents and considered the pharmacological basis for their effects on neurocognition. Finally, we suggest directions for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Establishing and maintaining gene expression patterns: insights from sensory receptor patterning

In visual and olfactory sensory systems with high discriminatory power, each sensory neuron typically expresses one, or very few, sensory receptor genes, excluding all others. Recent studies have provided insights into the mechanisms that generate and maintain sensory receptor expression patterns. Here, we review how this is achieved in the fly retina and compare it with the mechanisms controlling sensory receptor expression patterns in the mouse retina and in the mouse and fly olfactory systems.
How much does a shared name make things similar? Linguistic labels, similarity, and the development of inductive inference.

This article examines the development of inductive generalization, and presents a model of young children's induction and two experiments testing the model. The model specifies contribution of linguistic labels and perceptual similarity to young children's induction and predicts a correspondence between similarity judgment and induction of young children. In Experiment 1, 4- to 5-year-olds, 7- to 8-year-olds, and 11- to 12-year-olds were presented with triads of schematic faces (a Target and two Test stimuli), which varied in perceptual similarity, with one of the Test stimuli sharing a linguistic label with the Target, and another having a different label. Participants were taught an unobservable biological property about the Target and asked to generalize the property to one of the Test stimuli. Although 4- to 5-year-olds' proportions of label-based inductive generalizations varied with the degree of perceptual similarity among the compared stimuli, 11- to 12-year-olds relied exclusively on labels, and 7- to 8-year-olds appeared to be a transitional group. In Experiment 2 these findings were replicated using naturalistic stimuli (i.e., photographs of animals), with perceptual similarity manipulated by "morphing" naturalistic pictures into each other in a fixed number of steps. Overall results support predictions of the model and point to a developmental shift from treating linguistic labels as an attribute contributing to similarity to treating them as markers of a common category-a shift that appears to occur between 8 and 11 years of age.
Net-Sensitivity-Based Optimization of Large-Scale Field-Programmable Analog Array (FPAA) Placement and Routing

Modern advances in reconfigurable technologies are allowing analog circuit designers to benefit from the computational flexibility provided by large-scale field-programmable analog arrays. With the component density of these devices, small analog circuits, as well as larger analog systems, can be synthesized and tested in a shorter time and at a lower cost, compared with the full design cycle. However, automated development platforms and computer-aided design tools for these devices are far fewer than the physical synthesis tools for their digital counterparts. One of the major reasons for this is the considerably higher impact of interconnect parasitics on circuit functionality in the analog domain; therefore, performance optimization must be recognized as an indispensable step of the analog physical synthesis flow. Our goal in this brief is to present a physical synthesis framework with an optimization core and an integrated simulation environment for verification of the synthesis results. Although SPICE has been used as the simulation tool for our experiments, there is no dependency on a particular circuit simulator. Our synthesis tool currently accepts SPICE netlists as input and gives priority to user-specified metrics when optimizing the synthesized circuit performance. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Dying for romance: Risk taking as purposive behavior

Many approaches have been utilized to understand adolescent risk taking. The current research frames risk taking as a purposive behavior enacted with a specific goal in mind. Rather than assuming adolescent risk taking to be the result of arrogance or perceived invulnerability, adolescent risk taking is interpreted as a means to an end. Stemming from a Tolmanian framework, an alternative explanation for adolescent risk taking is tested: adolescents are willing to take risks to the extent that the risk is associated with a needed outcome - the greater the need for the outcome, the greater the willingness to take risks. To test the proposed hypothesis, 192 participants completed a survey about their need for a romantic relationship and their willingness to endure harm to obtain a romantic relationship. Data were collected at two time points. A hierarchical regression revealed that need for romance is a significant predictor of willingness to endure harm for romance, even after gender and sensation seeking are statistically controlled. Moreover, need for romance at T1 was shown to be predictive of harm for romance at T2. Results are supportive of taking a purposive - that is, Tolmanian - approach, as a means for interpreting adolescent behavior.
AI Support of Teamwork for Coordinated Care of Children with Complex Conditions

Children with complex health conditions require care from a large, diverse set of caregivers that includes parents and community support organizations as well as multiple types of medical professionals. Coordination of their care is essential for good outcomes, and extensive research has shown that the use of integrated, team-based care plans improves care coordination. Care plans, however, are rarely deployed in practice. This paper describes barriers to effective implementation of care plans in complex care revealed by a study of care providers treating such children. It draws on teamwork theories, identifying ways AI capabilities could enhance care plan use; describes the design of GoalKeeper, a system to support providers use of care plans; and describes initial work toward information sharing algorithms for such systems.
Marriage, Family Size, and Inheritance Among Hessian Nobles, 1650-1900:

European nobilities generally relied upon primogeniture to preserve their landholdings and often also developed systems of family controls to limit the number of marriages and the size of families. But what about nobilities that prac ticed neither primogeniture nor strict family controls? Did they quickly fall prey to overpopulation and impoverishment? This study of the landed nobility of Hesse- Kassel examines the interrelationship of marriage patterns, demographic change, and inheritance systems and shows that less rigid systems of inheritance and family controls could also be effective in preserving landholdings while at the same time reducing the danger of family extinction.
Successful Use of Recombinant Factor VIIa for Hemostasis During Total Knee Replacement in a Severe Hemophiliac with High-Titer Factor VIII Inhibitor

A 32-year-old male patient with severe factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency had developed a high-titer FVIII inhibitor at age 13. Recurrent hemarthroses caused bony destruction in both knees, significantly impairing his ability to walk. Knee examination revealed 20 degrees of varus, destruction of the medial joint line, and flexion contracture. Total knee arthroplasty was performed using recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa, NovoSeven) for hemostatic control. rFVIIa (85 μg/kg given intravenously over 3-5 minutes) was given just prior to surgery. The dose was repeated every 2 hours during and for the first 48 hours after surgery. When the tourniquet was removed, rFVIIa had not been infused for 1.5 hours, and significant hemorrhage was noted. The hemorrhage responded promptly to rFVIIa infusion. The infusion interval was extended to every 4 hours for an additional 48 hours, and subsequent doses were given every 6 hours until the patient returned to the clinic 2 days postdischarge. Hemoglobin levels dropped from 16.9 gm/dL on admission to 9.1 gm/dL at discharge. After 2 months, the patient returned to work. We recommend that tourniquet release be performed immediately after rFVIIa administration and that aggressive physical therapy be considered in the early postoperative period when rFVIIa infusions are frequent.
163 EFFECT OF BLOCKING THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE SYSTEM ON REFRACTORY FOCAL SEGMENTAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE AND DECREASE PROTEINURIA TO PRESERVE GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE AND SLOW PROGRESSION TO END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE.

Introduction Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) leads to rapidly progressive scarring or sclerosing of capillaries, deterioration of kidney function and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and dialysis/transplantation. FSGS causes proteinuria from asymptomatic microalbuminuria to large symptomatic nephrotic syndrome, > 3,500 mg/24 h and hypertension. Methods We treated eight patients 3 to 5 years with kidney biopsy-proven FSGS. Serial studies included proteinuria, BP, electrolytes, serum creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in response to combination therapy interfering with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Medications were in four categories: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE I), angiotensin receptor blockers, and selective aldosterone receptor antagonists or aldosterone receptor antagonist plus immunosuppressives, corticosteroids, and mycophenolate. Poor response to corticosteroids defined refractory. Mycophenolate was used as a last resort. Results As medications were added, a decrease in proteinuria occurred in six of eight patients. Treatment with three drugs blocking the RAAS caused progressive reduction of BP and proteinuria, preventing rapid deterioration of GFR in all eight patients while adhering to the therapeutic regimen. In six long-term compliant patients, proteinuria and BP were reduced progressively. Two of eight patients became delinquent and noncompliant, leading to rapid reduction of GFR and subsequent hemodialysis within 6 to 9 months. Conclusion FSGS prognosis correlates with BP and proteinuria reduction, preventing ESRD. Anti-RAAS treatment effectively reduced proteinuria and BP in eight of eight patients while compliant, slowing down the loss of GFR. Two anti-RAAS noncompliant patients had rapid deterioration of kidney function requiring hemodialysis. Patients with FSGS should be treated early and continuously with combinations of anti-RAAS medications. Frequent testing of potassium and creatinine are required. Future larger trials are in design.
Oh rats! Fever, rash and arthritis in a young woman

A 17-year-old girl presented with worsening right-sided hip and low back pain for 2 days. She had also experienced intermittent fevers and a recurring maculopapular rash over the past 2 weeks. Social history revealed the presence of three domestic rats living in the girl's home. Blood cultures returned positive for Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative agent of rat-bite fever. Rat-bite fever often goes undiagnosed, as the clinical presentation is non-specific. Untreated, the infection can result in death due to sepsis or endocarditis. The bacterium is generally susceptible to penicillin antibiotics with full clinical recovery when treated in a timely and appropriate manner. After 4 weeks of intravenous antibiotics, our patient fully recovered without long-term sequelae.
Abstract C64: Iroquois homeobox gene 3 is temporally regulated in response to vascular endothelial growth factor and modulates endothelial cell migration

Purpose: Differences in tumor-induced angiogenesis contributes to cancer-related health disparities. Understanding the transcriptional regulation of angiogenesis within endothelial cells (ECs) is essential to the development of anti-angiogenic therapies, and decreasing the health disparity gap in terms of cancer treatment. Here we report that the homeobox gene, irx3 is expressed in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) and modulates their migration and ability to form networks during angiogenesis. Methods: To test the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on irx3 expression, HMECs were treated with VEGF for 0 to 48 hours followed by extraction of total RNA and protein. irx3 mRNA and protein expression were determined using qRT-PCR and western immunoblot respectively. Wound-healing and transwell migration assays were performed to investigate the role of irx3 on EC migration in response to VEGF. For migration experiments, HMECs were transduced with adenoviral vectors resulting in the loss-of (Ad.mirIrx3-GFP) or gain-of (Ad.Irx3-V5) irx3 function. We conducted a 672 transcription factor (TF) siRNA screen to identify transcriptional regulators of irx3 expression in response to VEGF. HMECs were reverse-transfected with siRNAs and treated with VEGF for 12 hours. Total RNA was extracted for RT-PCR to determine irx3 expression. Finally, we performed in vitro endothelial cell tubulogenesis assays using HMECs transduced with Ad.Irx3-V5,Ad.mirIrx3-GFP and their respective controls to study changes in endothelial tube formation as a result of differential irx3 expression. Results: VEGF treatment increases irx3 expression at the mRNA and protein levels, with peak expression at 12 hours. HMECs transduced with Ad.mirIrx3-GFP exhibited decreased migration at 12 hours compared to HMECs transduced with Ad.Irx3-V5. Furthermore, when HMECs are transduced with Ad.Irx3-V5, they exhibit increased migration and invasiveness in transwell migration assays and form more complex networks during tube formation. The siRNA screen suggests that irx3 is regulated by HEY1, a known transcriptional regulator of angiogenesis. Conclusion: Our results provide compelling evidence that the homeobox gene irx3 regulates EC migration, and is directly regulated by TFs known to govern transcriptional signaling during angiogenesis. Citation Format: Kisha Scarlett, Pattabiraman Vaishnavi, Leonard Anderson. Iroquois homeobox gene 3 is temporally regulated in response to vascular endothelial growth factor and modulates endothelial cell migration. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C64. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-C64
Reconsidering Focus Groups and Rasch Model Item Response Theory in Instrument Development

In this rejoinder, we focus on five important themes derived from the valuable comments of Harvey; Wang, Hogge, and Sahai; and Whittaker and Worthington. Specifically, we reflect on (a) methodological and conceptual issues associated with the use of focus groups in developing an initial item pool, (b) the debate about the use of Rasch versus other item response theory (IRT) models, (c) response scale functioning and the use of item parcels, (d) bandwidth and scale sensitivity, and (e) multicultural considerations. We reconsider the strengths and limitations of the approaches that we have endorsed in light of the comments of our colleagues. We conclude with the hope that dialogue on the use of focus groups and IRT in measurement development and on multicultural assessment continues.
The Williams Cemetery: Biological Variation and Affinity with three Glacial Kame Groups:

Comparisons of cranial and postcranial metrics and discrete triats among the Late Archaic, Western Basin Williams site and three Glacial Kame sites, Stratton-Wallace, Clifford Williams, and Muzzey Lake, show that these groups are indistinguishable with respect to shape variation but cluster according to cultural affiliation with respect to size variation. Because size variation corresponds to the geographical distribution of these sites a north (larger)—south (smaller) clinal distribution of size variation is hypothesized for Late Archaic populations in Ohio. The overall pattern of variability suggests these four samples were drawn from large interacting, related populations. This hypothesis is similar to that suggested for the spread and maintenance of burial ceremonialism seen in Late Archaic groups in general.
On the Microstructure of the Epoxy/Adherend Interphase

It is now recognized that there is a region at the epoxy/adherend interface known as the interphase whose chemistry and structure are different from those of bulk epoxy. There is, however, no adequate understanding of its microstructure. This paper describes differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of the interphase between an aromatic amine cured epoxy and alumina/oxidized-aluminum surfaces. DSC results show dramatic differences in resin-cure behavior in the presence of particulate alumina. TEM results on microtomed cross-sectional specimens of anodized aluminum wire embedded in epoxy show regions of incomplete epoxy infiltration and interfacial stress. RuO4 staining combined with high-angle annular-dark-field STEM imaging indicates that there are structural variations within the bulk epoxy at lengths of ∼10–30nm. The magnitude of these fluctuations decreases in the near the adherend interface, and there is a simultaneous variation in the average epoxy structure. A plausible interpretation of these observations is that the interphase region suffers a variation in curing-agent concentration of unknown magnitude and there is a higher concentration of homopolymerized epoxy there relative to the bulk.
Applications of Capillary Supercritical Fluid Chromatography-Supercritical Fluid Extraction to Natural Products

Capillary supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) is uniquely suited for the separation of complex mixtures of natural products having non-polar to moderately polar components with a mol. wt. range of 100-1000 Da. This study describes several generic separation problems where SFC, or SFC coupled with micro-supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), can be utilized to the analyst's advantage. For example, capillary SFC can be used to separate the analytes of interest from a relatively non-volatile sample matrix without resorting to sample preparation prior to chromatography. Other applications of capillary SFC include the separation of reaction products from higher mol. wt. starting materials and the deformulation of commercial products. Capillary SFC, when coupled with micro-scale SFE also permits characterization of small samples, such as portions of single seeds and extractables from single, live insects. [Examples of the various types of application are presented, including capillary SFC detn. of cholesterol in fish oil capsules, capillary SFC separation of fatty acids and alcohols from saponification of jojoba oil and SFE-SFC characterization of triglyceride and fatty acid compositions of cottonseed kernels.]
The concept of death in Being and Time

L'A. analyse les contradictions du concept heideggerien de la mort dans « Sein und Zeit ». Afin de les resoudre, il distingue les differentes significations du Dasein
Propulsion Systems Modeling with Vehicle Sketch Pad

The design of advanced aircraft that simultaneously meet increasingly strict noise, emissions, and fuel burn requirements will require accurate analysis of propulsion-airframe integration effects even at the conceptual design level. To meet this requirement, there is a need for new, easy-to-use parametric-based geometry and modeling analysis methodologies. This paper presents a research strategy for integrating various levels of analytical fidelity for conceptual level engine design and integration and presents geometric parameterizations for engine components at the conceptual level. The parameterizations and design strategy are intended to be used with standard MDAO tools and include parameterizations of 3D geometry in order to facilitate more detailed analyses of the engine cycle and flow-path design for highly integrated propulsion-vehicle concepts. The primary tools utilized in this research include the NASA-developed programs Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS), Weight Analysis for Turbine Engines (WATE++), and Vehicle Sketch Pad (VSP).
The Active Acoustic Characteristic Model of the Bubble in the Ship Wake and Finite-Element Analysis

It is primary important to obtain the active acoustic characteristic of the bubble before studying the active acoustic detection and the sound wave transmits in the ship wake.The reflection and the refraction of the sound wave at the boundary of the air and the water together with the scattering characteristic of the bubble under the forced vibration were studied,and the active acoustic characteristic model of the bubble in the ship wake was created then.The finite-element analysis was applied to the model of the bubble to obtain the accurate resonant frequency of it,the result of which was used to prove the correction of the model of the bubble when compared to the theoretical frequency of it.
Extraordinary intelligence and the care of infants

We present evidence that pressures for early childcare may have been one of the driving factors of human evolution. We show through an evolutionary model that runaway selection for high intelligence may occur when (i) altricial neonates require intelligent parents, (ii) intelligent parents must have large brains, and (iii) large brains necessitate having even more altricial offspring. We test a prediction of this account by showing across primate genera that the helplessness of infants is a particularly strong predictor of the adults' intelligence. We discuss related implications, including this account's ability to explain why human-level intelligence evolved specifically in mammals. This theory complements prior hypotheses that link human intelligence to social reasoning and reproductive pressures and explains how human intelligence may have become so distinctive compared with our closest evolutionary relatives.
Internal Mammary Node Irradiation: Does One Treatment Fit All?

Clinical Onocology. 1 In this study, a cohort of patients with rightsided axillary node-positive breast cancer who received IMNI was compared with a similar cohort of patients with left-sided breast cancer who did not receive IMNI. The results revealed a statistically significant improved overall survival rate (hazard ratio, 0.86) and a lower rate of breast cancer–related mortality in patients with right-sided breast cancer who received IMNI. The reason for avoiding IMNI in the patients with left-sided breast cancer was to lower the cardiac toxicity attributed to the combination of IMNI and anthracyclines. The effect of IMNI was more pronounced in patients at high risk of internal mammary node metastasis (hazard ratio, 0.76; P 5 .001). In the days of sentinel node biopsies and lymphoscintigraphies, we believe that these impressive results could be improved even more if IMNI were administered only to patients with proven metastatic internal mammary nodes. For that reason, we routinely perform internal mammary sentinel node biopsies for patients with lymphatic drainage to the internal mammary chain, thereby selecting the specific subgroup for which additional IMNI should be added and minimizing morbidity associated with the treatment. We have demonstrated 2 that this tailored approach to the internal mammary chain can reverse the worse prognosis associated with lymphatic drainage to those nodes. 3
The role of ‘diplomatic lobbying’ in shaping US foreign policy and its effects on the Australia–US relationship

ABSTRACTLobbying as a form of engagement with the US Congress has long been studied from a domestic perspective. Lobbying, however, is not a practice confined to actors with domestic interests—it is also used as a form of diplomacy by many foreign governments, including Australia. Diplomatic lobbying is a vastly understudied phenomenon and its impact on US foreign relations is rarely examined. Unlike most Westminster-based democracies, the USA has two branches directly involved with foreign affairs—the Executive and Congress—each of which is important for different aspects of foreign policy development. Australia has found lobbying the US Congress to be a powerful tool for diplomatic engagement. This article looks at the role of the US Congress in foreign affairs, the effects of lobbying, and the ways in which diplomats engage with and lobby Congress. Australia’s specific lobbying efforts and their effects on the US–Australia relationship are then examined.
Similarities and differences between porcine mandibular and limb bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract Objective Research has shown promise of using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for craniofacial bone regeneration; yet little is known about the differences of BMSCs from limb and craniofacial bones. This study compared pig mandibular and tibia BMSCs for their in vitro proliferation, osteogenic differentiation properties and gene expression. Design Bone marrow was aspirated from the tibia and mandible of 3–4 month-old pigs (n = 4), followed by BMSC isolation, culture-expansion and characterization by flow cytometry. Proliferation rates were assessed using population doubling times. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity. Affymetrix porcine microarray was used to compare gene expressions of tibial and mandibular BMSCs, followed by real-time RT-PCR evaluation of certain genes. Results Our results showed that BMSCs from both locations expressed MSC markers but not hematopoietic markers. The proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potential of mandibular BMSCs were significantly stronger than those of tibial BMSCs. Microarray analysis identified 404 highly abundant genes, out of which 334 genes were matched between the two locations and annotated into the same functional groups including osteogenesis and angiogenesis, while 70 genes were mismatched and annotated into different functional groups. In addition, 48 genes were differentially expressed by at least 1.5-fold difference between the two locations, including higher expression of cranial neural crest-related gene BMP-4 in mandibular BMSCs, which was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR. Conclusions Altogether, these data indicate that despite strong similarities in gene expression between mandibular and tibial BMSCs, mandibular BMSCs express some genes differently than tibial BMSCs and have a phenotypic profile that may make them advantageous for craniofacial bone regeneration.
A Qualitative Study of the Context of Child and Adolescent Substance Use Initiation and Patterns of Use in the First Year for Early and Later Initiators.

Individuals who initiate substance use before high school are at higher risk of negative outcomes. Eighty-six young adults between the ages of 18 and 28 participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews focused on the circumstances surrounding participants’ first use of substances and their pattern of use in the year following initiation in order to investigate similarities and differences between early versus later initiators. Initiation and use among early initiators were more likely to be encouraged by poor parental monitoring or active facilitation of use by parents. Early initiators were more likely to report risky patterns of use such as daily use and using alone. The data suggest that interventions targeting this population should focus on improving parental monitoring and decreasing positive parental attitudes toward adolescent substance use and efforts to increase identification and intervention by middle school staff to reach youth from high-risk families.
Stress waves in model kidney stones exposed to burst wave lithotripsy

Burst wave lithotripsy (BWL) is an experimental method to noninvasively fragment urinary calculi using low-frequency focused bursts of ultrasound. To optimize many of the acoustic parameters for this technology, it is necessary to understand the physical interactions between ultrasound bursts and stones. In this study, the interaction of elastic waves with model stones was simulated and experimentally visualized by photoelastography, a technique using polarized light to spatially and temporally visualize stress patterns.
A generalized quadrature free discontinuous Galerkin method

Publisher Summary This chapter introduces a quadrature free discontinuous Galerkin method using a general polynomial basis set. The generalized method allows one to use a basis set made up of any polynomial function, without the use of quadrature to evaluate the integrals of the discontinuous Galerkin formulation. This allows the use of polynomials— such as Lagrange, Jacobi or similar polynomials whose properties considerably reduce the computation time required for boundary integrals. With the use of a Lagrange polynomial basis set, the nonlinear flux terms are shown to be expanded easily. The discontinuous Galerkin method (DG method) has been extensively developed over the past decade to seek solutions in many fields such as computational aeroacoustics, compressible fluid dynamics, and electromagnetics.
An enhanced anti-tumor effect of apoptin-cecropin B on human hepatoma cells by using bacterial magnetic particle gene delivery system.

Abstract The gene therapy of cancer, due to the limit of its efficiency and safety, has not been widely used in clinical. Recently, bacterial magnetic particles (BMPs), which are membrane-bound nanocrystals found in magnetotactic bacteria, have been exploited as a new gene delivery system. However, its application on gene therapy remains to be explored. In our previous study, we found that a combination of cecropin B (ABPs) and apoptin (VP3) could serve as an effective gene therapeutic agent. Thus, in this study, we used BMPs to deliver the co-expression plasmid of these two gene, namely pVAX1-VA, and evaluated its therapeutic effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). Our results showed that BMPs significantly improved the efficiency of gene transfection (almost 3-fold than Lipofectamine 2000 at 48 h, P
Tumor suppressor aberrations and outcomes in localized and metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (PrCa).

184Background: Aberrations of tumor suppressors (TS) TP53, PTEN and RB1 are recurrent genomic events in PrCa and associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Preclinical data suggest that cooperative functional loss of these genes drives development of even more aggressive disease phenotypes. Methods: We identified a retrospective cohort of men with PrCa who underwent DFCI Oncopanel targeted sequencing (NGS) on prostate gland (n = 230) or metastatic tissue (n = 7) for TP53, PTEN and RB1. Biomarker(BM)-positive was defined as copy number loss or likely deleterious mutation of ≥1 TS. For pts presenting with localized disease, Kaplan-Meier method estimated time from biopsy preceding local therapy to PSA relapse/metastasis/death (EFS), castration resistance (CRPC) and death (OS). Cox model assessed association of BM status and outcomes, adjusted for age, clinical stage and Gleason score in multivariate analyses (MVA). For M1 disease, time from ADT start to CRPC and death was estimated. We explored the associati...
THE ROLE OF MATRIX CRACKING IN THE CONTINUUM CONSTITUTIVE BEHAVIOR OF A DAMAGED COMPOSITE PLY

ABSTRACT Modeling of damage growth in composite materials has proceeded primarily at the micro-mechanics level. Although adding considerably to our understanding of the phenomena, it is difficult to directly include these models in predictions of performance and ultimate failure of composite material structures because of the enormous complexity involved. Thus, a continuum theory of damaged ply constitutive behavior has been introduced (Nuismer, 1978) as a vehicle for including micro-damage effects in a tractable way. As originally formulated, this continuum theory was basically phenomenological in nature, although predicated on simple physical models of damage in composite plies. In the present paper, the first in a series of steps is taken to directly include more realistic physical models of micro-damage into the continuum theory. Specifically, a new micro-mechanics model is introduced to describe the initiation and growth of matrix cracking in a ply subjected to transverse tension. The implications of this development to the continuum theory of damaged ply constitutive behavior are discussed and the need for future work is outlined.
Two-Dimensional Discrete Ordinates Calculations of Prompt Radiation Responses in the 1.75 m CIT

Two-dimensional calculations of the prompt radiation responses in the 1.75 m Compact Ignition Tokamak (CIT) have been carried out with a discrete ordinates model using the DOT 5.1 code. Of primary interest in the calculations was the nuclear heating rates in major tokamak structures such as the first wall, vacuum vessel and TF coils, which are required for the thermal and structural analyses. Comparisons were made with the results obtained with one-dimensional discrete ordinates models. Efforts were made to arrive at a simple algorithm that will provide the approximate two-dimensional distributions without the need to run a multi-dimensional model.