cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3984: Neuropilin-1 mediates neutrophil elastase uptake and antigen cross-presentation in breast cancer cells

We previously showed that soluble neutrophil elastase (NE) is rapidly taken up by tumor cells that lack endogenous NE expression, including breast cancer (BrCa). NE uptake led to cross-presentation of PR1, an NE-derived HLA-A2-restricted peptide that is an immunotherapeutic target in hematologic malignancies. The mechanism of NE uptake, however, remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that NE internalization was temperature- and time-sensitive, dose-saturation was observed, and uptake was partially blocked by chlorpromazine (CPZ) and wortmannin, supporting a receptor-mediated process and suggesting a role for clathrin- and PI3K-dependent mechanisms. To identify a candidate NE receptor, we performed mass spectrometry (MS) of proteins after anti-NE co-immunoprecipitation of NE-pulsed MDA-MB-231 BrCa cells and we identified neuropilin-1 (NRP1) as an NE co-associated protein. Binding of NE to NRP1 was confirmed by ELISA, and peptide epitope mapping studies indicated NE bound via it consensus sequence RRXR, which is also known to bind the b1b2 domain of NRP1. NE bound to NRP1 with high affinity (Kd=38.7 nM) as measured with biolayer interferometry. To confirm the role of NRP1 in cellular uptake of NE, we transfected MDA-MB-231 BrCa cells with siRNA or shRNA against NRP1 and showed that NRP1 knockdown resulted in a 2-fold decrease in NE uptake as determined with flow cytometry. Similarly, blocking with an NRP1-neutralizing antibody decreased NE uptake by 60% vs. isotype control antibody, an effect that was also observed in other breast cancer cell lines that expressed NRP1. Conversely, transient expression of NRP1 in the NRP1-deficient T47D BrCa cell line was sufficient to induce uptake of NE. Importantly, knockdown of NRP1 expression in MDA-231 cells also prevented PR1 cross-presentation as determined with the anti-PR1/HLA-A2 monoclonal antibody 8F4. This was confirmed by the loss of susceptibility of NE-pulsed MDA-MB-231 cells to lysis by PR1-specific cytotoxic T cells following knockdown of NRP1 expression. Our data support a novel function of NRP1 in the uptake and cross-presentation of neutrophil-derived proteins by non-hematopoietic cancer cells. Because 8F4 mediates killing of PR1/HLA-A2+ leukemia and NRP1 is broadly expressed on many tumors, our results suggest a role for immunotherapy strategies that target NE-derived peptides on NRP1+ tumors. Citation Format: Celine Kerros, Satyendra C. Tripathi, Dongxing Zha, Sergeeva Anna, Haley L. Peters, Hiroyuki Katayama, Pariya Sukhumalchandra, Kathryn R. Cox, Alexander A. Perakis, Lisa S. St John, Gheath Alatrash, Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, Karen C. Dwyer, Samir M. Hanash, Jeffrey J. Molldrem. Neuropilin-1 mediates neutrophil elastase uptake and antigen cross-presentation in breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3984. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3984
Permanency analysis on human electroencephalogram signals for pervasive Brain-Computer Interface systems

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems use some permanent features of brain signals to recognize their corresponding cognitive states with high accuracy. However, these features are not perfectly permanent, and BCI system should be continuously trained over time, which is tedious and time consuming. Thus, analyzing the permanency of signal features is essential in determining how often to repeat training. In this paper, we monitor electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, and analyze their behavior through continuous and relatively long period of time. In our experiment, we record EEG signals corresponding to rest state (eyes open and closed) from one subject everyday, for three and a half months. The results show that signal features such as auto-regression coefficients remain permanent through time, while others such as power spectral density specifically in 5–7 Hz frequency band are not permanent. In addition, eyes open EEG data shows more permanency than eyes closed data.
Compressive Sensing for Power System Data Analysis

Chapter Overview Within this chapter, we will introduce the applications of a state-of-the-art theorem in signal processing and system identification, named as compressive sensing-sparse recovery (CS-SR), in smart power networks monitoring, data analysis, security, and reliability. The sparse nature of the electrical power grids as well as electrical signals is exploited to introduce alternative mathematical formulations to address some of the most famous system modeling problems in power engineering through a compressive signal processing or a sparse system identification framework. First, a short background on CS-SR theorems and techniques is presented. Next, the state of the art in CS-SR applications in smart grid technology is discussed, and finally, the following three data analyses and power network control problems are specifically addressed in detail. The CS-SR techniques are exploited to propose novel methods for distribution system state estimation (DSSE), single and simultaneous fault location in smart distribution and transmission networks, and partial discharge pattern recognition.
Acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome after adjuvant chemotherapy: A population-based study among older breast cancer patients

Background Chemotherapy for early breast cancer is associated with a small risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and/or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The aim of this study was to determine the risk of developing AML or MDS after modern adjuvant chemotherapy in older breast cancer patients and to further define the risk of individual chemotherapy regimens. Methods Patients diagnosed with stage I to III breast cancer from 2003 to 2009 were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare and Texas Cancer Registry-Medicare linked databases. The development of AML/MDS, chemotherapy use, and comorbidities were identified with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes. Analyses included descriptive statistics, cumulative incidences, and Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the hazard of AML/MDS after adjustments for clinically relevant covariates. Results In all, 92,110 patients were included; after a median follow-up of 85 months, the overall rates per 1000 person-years were 0.65 for AML and 1.56 for MDS. Patients who received an anthracycline (A) or anthracycline and taxane (A+T) regimen were more likely to develop AML (hazard ratio [HR] for A, 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-2.50; HR for A+T, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.22-2.30) or MDS (HR for A, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.70-2.80; HR for A+T, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.29-2.03) than patients who did not receive chemotherapy. Patients using docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) were not at increased risk for AML or MDS. Conclusions Adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with a small but significant increase in the risk of AML and MDS, especially with regimens that include A. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm that risk is not increased with the recently adopted TC regimen. Cancer 2018;124:899-906. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Neuromarketing 101: Branding Empathy

Not infrequently the most convincing testimony to the veracity and potential power of new scientific discoveries is when they’re embraced—for profit-driven motives—by corporate America. Today the incandescent mantra in business and advertising circles is “empathy marketing” or more broadly, neuromarketing (NM). Market researchers and advertising experts are attempting to stand shoulder to shoulder with “the better angels of our nature” in hopes this pose will increase sales. In short, putting oneself in another’s shoes is a technique for selling them another pair. (Some commentators trace neuromarketing research to Harvard marketing professor Gerald Zaltman in 1995. He patented his technique as the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique or ZMET.) We can define marketing in two ways: first, the traditional and more disingenuous textbook notion, something on the order of “responding to and satisfying the needs desires of the customer,” and the second, closer to an honest description, “how to manipulate consumer behavior on behalf of increased sales and revenue.” Advertising executive and neuromarketer Adam Koval asserts that his field will cause “… customers to behave in ways [clients] want them to behave.”1
Bin weather data for five climatic zones of Morocco

The Bin method is one of the well-known and accurate steady-state approach to predict heating and cooling energy consumption of buildings. The application of this method requires detailed ambient t...
Dune habitat trends of an endangered species, Penstemon haydenii Wats. (blowout penstemon), in Carbon County, Wyoming

Penstemon haydenii Wats. (blowout penstemon, blowout beardtongue) is an early-succession plant species that is adapted to the dynamic habitats found in sand dunes. Following widespread habitat loss, the species was thought to be extinct from 1940 until it was rediscovered in 1968. It was listed as endangered in 1987 under the Endangered Species Act. At the time, it was only known from the Nebraska Sandhills, where its low numbers were ascribed to habitat loss. It was first discovered in Wyoming in 1996, in the Ferris Dunes of Carbon County. To develop a proxy for historic Wyoming habitat trends and a context for current conditions, we reconstructed the history of dunes where P. haydenii is presently located. Twelve georeferenced aerial photograph sets and digital imagery from 1946 to 2015 were analyzed to trace currently occupied dune areas back over the 70-year period. All currently occupied dunes were continuously present as areas of active sand over the 70-year timespan. Dune migration averaged 2.9 m/year. Dune extent declined 16.1% (2015 compared to the average). The continuity of active sand dune habitat and asynchronous trends in migration and in aerial extent between dunes and over time indicate a dynamic dune system maintained by wind erosion. These results provide critical context for population and habitat data of P. haydenii in Wyoming.
Quantifying Intertidal Zone Species Using Semantic Segmentation

As anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems accelerates (e.g. warming, acidification, eutrophication, etc), it is essential to build robust datasets that establish biological baseline data and capture long-term trends in shifting species abundance and diversity. This data has traditionally been collected through continual revisits by skilled ecologists and taxonomists to long-term ecological monitoring sites. One novel technique developed by an intertidal ecology research group at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) builds 1m-wide photo-transects for the length of the tidal zone (20m from splash to low zone) at two sites on Santa Rosa Island. These photos are stitched together using software and offer high-resolution swaths of information at the island, taken twice a year. A machine learning technique, semantic segmentation, has been employed to automate the analysis of these large images, focusing first on a dominant algal species of rockweed Silvetia compressa. This automation will greatly reduce the time needed and human error involved in scoring and quantifying these transects. The study involves developing a convolutional neural network using transfer learning on a publicly available network.
Relationship between Root Morphological Characteristics and Yield Components of Major Commercial Indica Rice in South China

Seven inbred and hybrid indica rice cultivars widely planted in recent years in South China were used in pot experiment in 2010–2011,and the root traits including root number,root length,root volume and root dry weight per plant,stem and single adventitious root were investigated at active tillering,heading and maturity stages,meanwhile,characteristics of root branching at heading stage was investigated by WinRhizo system.Furthermore,the correlation between root traits and yield was analyzed.Results were as follows:(1)The number of adventitious roots per plant(NARP),total length of adventitious roots per plant(TLRP),total length of adventitious roots per stem(TLRS)and length per adventitious root(LPAR)of the hybrid rice were significantly larger than those of the inbred rice at each stage.Volume of roots per plant(VRPP),volume of roots per stem(VRPS),dry weight of roots per plant(DWRP)and dry weight of roots per stem(DWRS)showed no significant difference between hybrid rice and inbred rice.However,the root quality such as volume per adventitious root(VPAR),dry weight per adventitious root(DWAR)and dry weight per unit length of root(DWPL)of inbred rice was better than that of hybrid rice.(2)The total surface area and volume of branched roots at heading stage were adventitious root coarse branched root fine branched root with significant difference.Total root length of hybrid rice was coarse branched roots adventitious roots fine branched roots,and that of inbred rice was adventitious roots coarse branched roots fine branched roots.Moreover,the total length of branched roots,total length,surface area,volume of coarse branched roots and fine branched roots of hybrid rice were very significantly higher than those of inbred rice.But the average root diameter of inbred rice was very significantly higher than that of hybrid rice.(3)The difference of root characteristics between hybrid rice and inbred rice was mainly come from number of adventitious roots per plant and root length,which was caused by the difference of tiller number and single root length between hybrid rice and inbred rice.(4)Twelve root traits showed a significantly positive correlation with yield per plant.Number of adventitious roots per plant(NARP)and total surface area of branched roots(SABR)were major factor influencing the yield.The results above provide some informations for genetic improvement of rice roots and super rice breeding and cultivation.
How post-Newtonian dynamics shape the distribution of stationary binary black hole LISA sources in nearby globular clusters

We derive the observable gravitational wave (GW) peak frequency ($f$) distribution of binary black holes (BBHs) that currently reside inside their globular clusters (GCs), with and without 2.5 post-Newtonian (2.5 PN) effects included in the dynamical evolution of the BBHs. Recent Newtonian studies have reported that a notable number of nearby nonmerging BBHs, i.e., those BBHs that are expected to undergo further dynamical interactions before merger, in GCs are likely to be observable by LISA. However, our 2.5 PN calculations show that the distribution of $\mathrm{log}f$ for the nonmerging BBH population above $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3.5}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{Hz}$ scales as ${f}^{\ensuremath{-}34/9}$ instead of the ${f}^{\ensuremath{-}2/3}$ scaling found in the Newtonian case. This leads to a reduction of approximately 2 orders of magnitude in the expected number of GW sources at $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{Hz}$, which leads us to conclude that observing nearby BBHs with LISA is not as likely as has been claimed in the recent literature. In fact, our results suggest that it might be more likely that LISA detects the population of BBHs that will merge before undergoing further interactions. This interestingly suggests that the BBH merger rate derived from LIGO can be used to forecast the number of nearby LISA sources, as well as providing insight into the fraction of BBH mergers forming in GCs.
Supramolecular Assembly of Geometrically Unstable Hybrid Organic–Inorganic Uranyl Peroxide Cage Clusters and Their Transformations

An aromatic ligand was introduced into the synthesis of a uranyl peroxide polyoxometalate formulated as K32(UO2)19(O2)26(OH)2(C6H4P2O6)4·65H2O that consists of a unique “open oyster” shaped structu...
Early Life Exposure to Air Pollution and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings from a Multisite Case-Control Study.

Background:Epidemiologic studies have reported associations between prenatal and early postnatal air pollution exposure and autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, findings differ by pollutant and developmental window.Objectives:We examined associations between early life exposure to particulate ma
Quantifying tension and deflection in pre-tensioned speedlines carrying a load

Abstract Arborists use speedlines to move debris; efficiently between the tree from which the debris is generated and the landing. To maintain vertical clearance over obstacles, speedlines are pretensioned, but there are no rigorous empirical data to quantify the tension in a pretensioned speedline when it carries a load. Neither has its deflection under load been quantified. We measured the mid-span deflection and tension at both anchors of a speedline under three added loads and three pretensions. Tension at both anchors increased with pretension and added loads up-line tension consistently exceeded down-line tension; and even for the greatest pretension and least added weight, mid-span deflection was substantial. Despite the increased tension in the speedline, bending stress at the anchors was comparatively low. Our results were largely consistent with analyses of logging skylines, despite the differences between components of each system.
Academic Achievement: Cultural and Social Influences

Rather than concentrating on results of tests revealing differences in level of academic achievement, attention increasingly is directed to ways of interpreting these differences. The importance of carefully conducted research rather than personal experience is emphasized. Research methods are described as well as hypotheses concerning the interpretation of differences in results obtained for participants from different cultural backgrounds. Illustrative examples of alternative interpretations of the data are included.
Predicting Project Performance in the Construction Industry

AbstractRegardless of the different project characteristics in the construction industry, cost and schedule overruns are always regarded as being of paramount importance in the project controls are...
Wide State-Level Variation In Commercial Health Care Prices Suggests Uneven Impact Of Price Regulation

Prices charged for health care services in the commercial insurance market are high and vary widely within and between market areas. As a result, prices have been the focus of much policy debate. W...
Separate sensible and latent cooling: Carnot limits and system taxonomy

Abstract Energy efficiency and thermal comfort can be improved by independent control of temperature and humidity. In recent work, an emerging class of cooling systems known as separate sensible and latent cooling (SSLC) systems have demonstrated 14 to 47% energy savings, while simultaneously providing better comfort control than conventional air conditioning. In this work, SSLC is defined as using two or more cooling processes with unequal sensible heat ratio (SHR) to control temperature and humidity independently and dynamically. Fundamental efficiency limits of SSLC systems are developed for the first time, demonstrating that the Carnot efficiency for SSLC is higher than that of conventional systems. It is revealed that SSLC has particularly high potential for moderate outdoor temperatures, high sensible building loads, and drier indoor conditions. In addition, this work proposes a classification scheme for SSLC systems, revealing an enormous number of feasible cycle permutations. This provides a framework for the important research task of developing SSLC systems that will save energy, be practical to construct, and be controllable.
Cost-effectiveness of transcarotid artery revascularization versus carotid endarterectomy.

ABSTRACT Objectives Recent studies have demonstrated that TransCarotid Artery Stenting (TCAR) has comparable outcomes to the surgical gold standard, carotid endarterectomy (CEA). However, few studies have analyzed the cost of TCAR and no study has evaluated its cost-effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing TCAR to CEA for carotid artery stenosis. Methods We built a Markov microsimulation using transition probabilities and utilities from existing literature for symptomatic patients undergoing TCAR or CEA. Costs were derived from literature then converted to 2019 dollars. The model included six health states with monthly cycle lengths: surgery, death, alive after surgery, alive after myocardial infarction, alive after stroke, and alive after stroke and death. Quality adjusted life years (QALYs), costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were analyzed over a five-year period. One-way sensitivity and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to study the impact of parameter variability on cost effectiveness. Results For symptomatic patients, CEA cost $7821 for 2.85 QALYs while TCAR cost $19154 for 2. 92 QALYs, leading to an ICER of $152,229 per QALY gained in the TCAR arm Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that our model was most sensitive to probability of restenosis, costs of TCAR and costs of CEA. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis demonstrated TCAR would be considered cost effective 49% of iterations. Conclusions This study found that while five-year costs for TCAR were greater than CEA, TCAR afforded greater QALYs than CEA. TCAR became cost-effective at six-years follow-up.
Disparities in childhood abuse between transgender and cisgender adolescents

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Transgender adolescents (TGAs) exhibit disproportionate levels of mental health problems compared with cisgender adolescents (CGAs), but psychosocial processes underlying mental health disparities among TGAs remain understudied. We examined self-reported childhood abuse among TGAs compared with CGAs and risk for abuse within subgroups of TGAs in a nationwide sample of US adolescents. METHODS Adolescents aged 14 to 18 completed a cross-sectional online survey (n = 1836, including 1055 TGAs, 340 heterosexual CGAs, and 433 sexual minority CGAs). Participants reported gender assigned at birth and current gender identity (categorized as the following: cisgender males, cisgender females, transgender males, transgender females, nonbinary adolescents assigned female at birth, nonbinary adolescents assigned male at birth, and questioning gender identity). Lifetime reports of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse were measured. RESULTS Seventy-three percent of TGAs reported psychological abuse, 39% reported physical abuse, and 19% reported sexual abuse. Compared with heterosexual CGAs, TGAs had higher odds of psychological abuse (odds ratio [OR] = 1.84), physical abuse (OR = 1.61), and sexual abuse (OR = 2.04). Within separate subgroup analyses, transgender males and nonbinary adolescents assigned female at birth had higher odds of reporting psychological abuse than CGAs. CONCLUSIONS In a nationwide online sample of US adolescents, TGAs had elevated rates of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse compared with heterosexual CGAs. Risk for psychological abuse was highest among TGAs assigned female at birth. In the future, researchers should examine how more frequent experiences of abuse during childhood could contribute to disproportionate mental health problems observed within this population.
Basic characteristics of fishing in the European Union

This paper analyzes one of the most profitable agricultural sectors, fishing and aquaculture, in the European Union (EU). A special focus is given to production, common fishery policy, fishing fleets, fishing areas, income in the agricultural branches, and employment in the aquaculture. The key figure in the management of fishing in the EU is the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Ensuring the preservation of fish stocks is the main objective of the reform of the EU fisheries sector. This paper aims to give both theoretical and practical contributions and guidelines for solving problems and adopting appropriate actions, in the countries of the EU and those in an process of transition, towards improving production and consumption of fish and fish-based products.
Influence of Loading Kinetics on the Shock Response of Polycrystalline Copper

This work examined the effect of shock loading kinetics on the early stages of damage evolution in Cu samples. The tensile loading characteristics were tailored by controlling the geometry and material used for the flyer plates in the plate impact experiments. All the Cu specimens used in this study had similar microstructures with an average grain size of 100μm. This work has shown that the interplay of the energy supplied by the shock impulse and the time spent in its dissipation seem to be responsible for the characteristics of the resultant damage fields. For an increasing value in the coupled parameter of energy*time, the damage fields appear to evolve from the early stages of damage, in the form of void nucleation and initial void growth, to the void coalescence stage. In this regard, a damage field consisting of well-coalesced voids, which created a nearly complete fracture surface, was observed for the highest value of energy*time. Additionally, a framework is postulated in which damage development can be predicted from the real-time, continuum level response measurements, i.e. free surface velocity. Under this framework, good agreement between the characteristics of the free surface velocities and the predicted, as well as the experimentally observed, damage fields is found.
Stabilizing monopedal robot running: reduction-by-feedback and compliant hybrid zero dynamics

As an alternative to traditional wheeled and tracked ground vehicles, biologically-inspired legged systems are becoming increasingly common. On a macroscopic level, locomotion on land can be understood through the introduction of archetypical reductive models, capable of capturing the salient characteristics of the task-level behavior, e.g., walking or running. Unfortunately, these reductive models provide no information of the control mechanisms, through which the multiple joints and limbs of the high-degree-of-freedom-plant are coordinated to produce the observed behavior. The coordinated recruitment of the plant into a low-degree-of-freedom target model constitutes the central problem addressed in this dissertation, which aims at offering a mathematically precise feedback control solution to this problem for the particular setting of monopedal robot running. The robotic monopod Thumper, recently constructed in a collaborative effort between the University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon University, offers a unique platform for exploring advanced feedback control strategies for running on compliant monopedal robots. The control law proposed for Thumper grows out of rigorous nonlinear controller synthesis ideas, and it coordinates the actuated degrees of freedom of the robot so that a lower-dimensional hybrid subsystem, i.e., a reductive model that encodes running, emerges from the closed-loop dynamics. This subsystem effectively governs the behavior of the robot.
Isolation and Characterization of a Glucosamine-Requiring Mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 Defective in Glucosamine-6-Phosphate Synthetase

A mutant was isolated from Escherichia coli K-12 which requires glucosamine or N-acetylglucosamine for growth. Depriving the mutant of glucosamine resulted in a rapid loss of viability of the cells, followed by a decrease in the turbidity of the culture. When the mutant cells were resuspended in broth media containing 10% sucrose, the rod-shaped cells became spheroplasts. However, the presence of sucrose in the media did not prevent the cells from losing their viability. This mutant was shown to be deficient in the activity of l-glutamine:d-fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.16). The activity of the deaminating enzyme, 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose-6-phosphate ketol-isomerase (EC 5.3.1.10), appeared to be normal in this mutant. The position of the mutation has been determined to be at the 74th min of the Taylor and Trotter map, as shown by cotransduction with phoS (90%) and ilv (25%) by using bacteriophage P1.
Linking Biological Databases Semantically for Knowledge Discovery

Many important life sciences questions are aimed at studying the relationships and interactions between biological functions/processes and biological entities such as genes. The answers may be found by examining diverse types of biological/genomic databases. Finding these answers, however, requires accessing, and retrieving data, from diverse biological data sources. More importantly, sophisticated knowledge discovery processes involve traversing through large numbers of inherent links among various data sources. Currently, the links among data are either implemented as hyperlinks without explicitly indicating their meanings and labels, or hidden in a seemingly simple text format. Consequently, biologists spend numerous hours identifying potentially useful links and following each lead manually, which is time-consuming and error-prone. Our research is aimed at constructing semantic relationships among all biological entities. We have designed a semantic model to categorize and formally define the links. By incorporating ontologies such as Gene or Sequence ontology, we propose techniques to analyze the links embedded within and among data records, to explicitly label their semantics, and to facilitate link traversal, querying, and data sharing. Users may then ask complicated and ad hoc questions and even design their own workflow to support their knowledge discovery processes. In addition, we have performed an empirical analysis to demonstrate that our method can not only improve the efficiency of querying multiple databases, but also yield more useful information.
Peak Distribution of Random Wave-Current Force

When waves encounter current, characteristics of waves, wave field kinematics, and fluid force undergo changes. Evaluation of fatigue damage of marine structures in random fluid field requires knowledge of peak distribution of fluid force. This paper examines the influence of wave-current interactions on peak distribution of fluid force on an element of a cylinder in a random, Gaussian, zero mean, stationary deep-water gravity wave field under the influence of a steady current. The influence of Gaussian assumption of fluid force on its peak distribution is also studied. Results are obtained and presented graphically for a 40 mph wind for current speeds U = O (no current), U = 3 fps (concurring current), and U = –3 fps (adverse current). When current is present, comparisons are made between the cases when wave-current interactions are considered and ignored. It is shown that interactions have pronounced effects on the peak distribution of fluid force especially in adverse current. Furthermore, Gaussian assumption of fluid force is decisively unsatisfactory.
Recent developments in large-scale and parallel matrix computations and their applications to linear control problems

An overview of some of the existing important Krylov subspace methods that have been developed in the last few years for large-scale solutions of control problems, is given. These algorithms are suitable for large and sparse problems. Also included is a statement of a parallel-block algorithm for the Sylvester-observer matrix equation, suitable for high-performance computing. This is an emerging area of research. A need for an urgent and expanded research in the area of large-scale and parallel computations in control has been outlined in the NSF panel report (1988). >
Evaluation of OwnHealth®: a telephone based care management service for long-term conditions in the West Midlands

OwnHealth is a proactive telephone based self care programme for people with long-term conditions. The service, operating continuously since 2006, promotes self efficacy through education and supporting health related behaviour changes has resulted in reductions in unscheduled secondary care and associated costs, high levels of user satisfactions and improved clinical outcomes. The service has been delivered to 17,569 members in the West Midlands since it started with 8486 people enrolled and receiving care as of 1st October 2011. It is the largest proactive long-term condition telephone based care management service in the UK. Cost effectiveness: A retrospective study conducted in 2011 asked if the OwnHealth programme had any effect on reducing costs by preventing spells of unscheduled secondary care. A data mining model based on cluster technique was used to select patients from the intervention and the matched control group. This resulted in the selection of 8400 cases: 4200 in the OwnHealth intervention and 4200 cases in control group. These patients all met the inclusion criteria for enrolment in the service and were matched based on demographic data and baseline clinical metrics. Data were collected on the number of ‘spells’ each patient had in hospital from the Commissioning Data Sets (CDS), which cover in-patient activity, out-patient appointments and AE this high-level of satisfaction and the impact on an individual’s ability to self care has been maintained throughout the term of the service. Clinical effectiveness: The self management of long-term conditions which is facilitated by the programme has also resulted in improved clinical outcomes. An independent comparison study involving patients enrolled in the programme with poorly controlled diabetes, showed that the OwnHealth intervention significantly improved clinical measures of disease progression compared to the matched control group sourced from patients on the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Summary: The Birmingham OwnHealth programme demonstrates cost savings, very high levels of customer satisfaction and sustained clinical and behavioural changes.
Inhaled tobramycin for the prevention of airway stenosis after lung transplantation: A pilot study

Purpose: Airway stenosis post lung transplantation (LT) continues to be a significant problem with anastamotic strictures occurring in up to 40% of cases. Despite this data, there is a gap in the literature pertaining to preventative therapies. In this pilot study we examined if inhaled Tobramycin (TOBI) in the postoperative period will decrease the incidence of post transplant airway stenosis. Methods and materials: All LT performed between 9/05 and 5/10 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital by a single surgeon were reviewed retrospectively. Using this cohort, patients with and without airway complications were matched for age, gender, diagnosis lead to transplant and use of inhaled TOBI in the immediate post operative period. Patients in the treatment arm received TOBI (2×80mg) for the first 7 days post transplant. Results: 98 patients underwent LT (86 bilateral, 7 left, 5 right). TOBI was administered to 22 (22.4%) Of the 98 patients, 35 (35.7%) developed airway stenosis at a median of 16 weeks (range 1 to 164 weeks following surgery). Of the 22 patients who received inhaled TOBI, 31.8% developed airway complications, 68% of the patients in this cohort who did not receive TOBI developed airway stenosis (p=0.034). Conclusions: The use of TOBI appears to show a decrease in the development of post operative stenosis in this cohort. Prospective, randomized studies are needed to determine the full efficacy of this therapy.
Bound-state problem in the light-front Tamm-Dancoff approximation: Numerical study in 1+1 dimensions.

Numerical solutions to the two-fermion bound-state problem in the (1 + 1)-dimensional Yukawa model are presented within the lowest-order light-front Tamm-Dancoff approximation (i.e., keeping only two-fermion and two-fermion-one-boson sectors). Our motivation is twofold. First, we want to understand the dynamics of the model from the very-weak-coupling domain, where the system is governed by nonrelativistic dynamics, to moderate and strong-coupling domains where retardation and self-energy effects become important. Second, we want to develop techniques for solving coupled Tamm-Dancoff integral equations, in particular, methods that can be generalized to higher-order Tamm-Dancoff approximations. To achieve the first goal we first simplify the problem considerably (from a numerical point of view) by the explicit elimination of the higher Fock-space sector. The resulting integral equation, whose kernel depends upon the invariant mass of the state, is solved for the coupling constant, for a given set of the invariant mass and fermion and boson mass parameters. To achieve the second goal we solve the coupled set of equations using both basis functions and direct-discretization techniques. Results from these more general techniques are compared with the explicit-elimination method.
Sport New Media

One of the dominant strategies currently used to address increased complexity in competitive business environments is to adopt technology at all levels of the enterprise. New media is a dimension of technology that is being adopted almost universally by sport enterprises worldwide. The purpose of this paper which is based on meta-analysis, secondary sources, technical reports and interviews, is to build on current knowledge related to sport new media to discuss: (1) new media technologies relevant to the sport industry and (2) considerations for developing and implementing sport new media projects. Within the complex global business environment, sport managers should be prepared to identify: (1) sport new media resources and technologies relevant to and appropriate for their enterprise and (2) benefits and potential opportunities offered by new media adoption.
SU‐GG‐T‐296: A Method for Removing An Artifact in Time‐Dependent Dose Rate Data Obtained with An Ionization Chamber

Purpose: To develop an algorithm to remove the RC‐like artifact with time‐dependent dose‐rate measurements using an ionization chamber and electrometer system. Method and Materials: A 0.07‐cc Farmer‐type ionization chamber, Capintec Model PR05‐P, was used for dose measurements. The electrometer was Standard Imaging MAX‐4000, which was connected to a laptop computer. Electrometer control software, a special version of the MAXcomm program, was used to sample the electric current readings every 100 msec. We formulated a rate equation for the number of electrons in the cavity by hypothesizing that the RC‐like artifact is caused by the finite time needed for electrons to recombine with ions in the cavity of the ionization chamber. The rate equation includes terms for the ionization, the loss of electrons due to two‐body recombination, and the loss of electrons due to the electrons flowing out from the chamber cavity to the electrometer. The unknown parameters in the equation were obtained by iteratively adjusting the values until we achieved the best fit of the corrected ionization current data with the ideal time‐dependent ionization current curve. For the parameter estimation, we used the data of one 100MU irradiation of a linacphoton beam. Next, the correction algorithm with the estimated parameter values was applied to the time‐dependent dose‐rate data obtained for a test case of Gamma Knife irradiation. Results: By iteratively adjusting the values of the two parameters in the rate equation, we could recover the ideal rectangular shaped beam pulse of the linacphoton beam. Using these parameters, the temporal variation of the ionization current for the Gamma Knife experiment was successfully corrected by removing the RC‐like artifact. Conclusion: The proposed method is capable to eliminate the artifact in the time‐dependent dose‐rate measurements.
In vitro activation of the promutagens 2-acetamidofluorene, cyclophosphamide and 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene by constitutive ferret and rat hepatic S-9 fractions.

The ability of the ferret to metabolically activate promutagenic compounds was compared with that of the rat, using the Salmonella/microsome assay. Three compounds which require biotransformation to mutagenic metabolites, 2-acetamidofluorene (2-AAF), cyclophosphamide (CPA), and 7, 12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), were studied. Metabolic activation was provided by ferret or rat hepatic S-9 fractions at 5 levels for each chemical, and optimal S-9 levels as well as dose-response curves were obtained. Interspecies mutagenic activity was quantitated on the basis of mg liver, mg S-9 protein, and nmoles P-450. The slopes of the dose-response curves and the lowest chemical dose required for a significant response were also compared. Although constitutive levels of rat hepatic cytochrome P-450 were shown to be higher than those of the ferret, in vitro mutagenic activation by ferret S-9, at S-9 levels which caused activation in both species, was greater than or equivalent to activation by rat S-9 for these chemicals, based on all parameters studied. The results showed that the equilibrium between activation and detoxification reactions is dependent upon the chemical dose and S-9 level present.
Fluorescence-enhanced Robotic Radical Cystectomy Using Unconjugated Indocyanine Green for Pelvic Lymphangiography, Tumor Marking, and Mesenteric Angiography: The Initial Clinical Experience

Objective To describe the initial feasibility of fluorescence-enhanced robotic radical cystectomy (FERRC) using real-time cystoscopic injection of unconjugated indocyanine green (ICG) for tumor marking and identification of sentinel lymphatic drainage with additional intravenous injection for mesenteric angiography. Methods Ten patients with clinically localized high-grade bladder cancer underwent FERRC. Before robot docking, rigid cystoscopy was performed, during which a 2.5-mg/mL ICG solution was injected in the bladder submucosa and detrusor circumferentially around the tumor. After robot docking, parameters describing the time course of tissue fluorescence and pelvic lymphangiography were systematically recorded. Lymphatic packets containing fluorescent lymph nodes were considered the sentinel drainage. Eight patients underwent intracorporeal ileal conduit urinary diversion, during which an additional 2-mL ICG solution was given intravenously for mesenteric angiography, allowing maximal preservation of bowel vascularity to the conduit and remaining bowel segments. Results Bladder tumor marking and identification of sentinel drainage were achieved in 9 of 10 (90%) patients. The area of bladder tumor was identified at a median of 15 minutes after injection, whereas sentinel drainage was visualized at a median of 30 minutes. Mesenteric angiography was successful in 8 of 8 (100%) patients at a median time of Conclusion FERRC using combined cystoscopic and intravenous injection of ICG is safe and feasible. FERRC allows for reliable bladder tumor marking, identification of sentinel lymphatic drainage, and identification of mesenteric vasculature in most patients.
Computational Simulations of DNA Distortions by a cis,syn-Cyclobutane Thymine Dimer Lesion†

Results are presented from 500 ps molecular dynamics simulations on the native dodecamer d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 and the lesioned dodecamer containing a cis,syn-thymine cyclobutane dimer at the TT step. The computations, performed with AMBER4.1, included explicitly represented solvent with periodic boundary conditions applied within the constant temperature and pressure algorithm. Electrostatic interactions were calculated with the particle-mesh Ewald method. Distortions to DNA structure produced by the lesion were found to be localized at the dimer site and include mainly a substantial kink in the helical axis, rolled and tilted base pairs, and weakened hydrogen bonding at the 5‘ base pair of the lesion. A slight change in orientation around the glycosyl bond for the 5‘ thymine of the lesion and highly stiffened deoxyribose rings for both thymine bases were also observed. The global curvature of DNA is increased by about 10° by dimer incorporation. Calculations of H(1‘)-H(6)(pyrimidine) and H(1‘)-H(8)(purine) i...
Primary peritoneal neuroblastoma: Computed tomography findings

Primary peritoneal tumors are rare neoplasms. The computed tomography findings in an adult patient with a primary peritoneal neuroblastoma are described. Discussion of these uncommon neoplasms and this unusual presentation of neuroblastoma forms the basis of this report.
The osmium isotopic composition of the continental crust

Osmium isotopic compositions and concentrations have been determined for deltaic and continental shelf sediments from three major rivers (the Amazon, Changjiang, and Mississippi) and for two loesses from the upper Mississippi River Valley. The loesses have heavy mineral and clay compositions characteristic of Mississippi river and delta sediment. Concentrations range from 15 to 120 pg Os/g, and 187Os/186Os ratios range from 8.2 to 10.9. Sediments which are polluted (surface sediment from the Changjiang Estuary) or which have scavenged metals from seawater (Gulf of Mexico slope surface sediment and distal Amazon Shelf sediment) have high osmium concentrations and less radiogenic isotopic compositions. Purely terrigenous sediments have 15–90 pg Os/g, and 187Os/186Os= 10.0–10.9. North American loess and Mississippi Delta sediment osmium isotopic compositions are indistinguishable. We believe that 187Os/186Os= 10–11 is a good average for currently eroding upper continental crust—these sediments have neodymium isotopic compositions close to the global mean for river sediment. Terrigenous 187Os/186Os is significantly more radiogenic than seawater 187Os/186Os(8.6), requiring a nonriverine source of osmium to seawater. Terrigenous osmium is also significantly more radiogenic than bulk pelagic clay osmium. We use the improved estimate of terrigenous 187Os/186Os to recalculate the flux of extraterrestrial osmium to Pacific marine sediment. If the residence age of osmium in an upper crustal region is similar to the neodymium model age of a sediment derived from that region, a model-dependent upper crustal 187Re/186Os ratio can be calculated. For the model ages of the sediments analyzed in this study (Tdm = 1.5–1.7 Ga), model 187Re/186Os ratios are 340–360 and can be used to correct for bias resulting from the preferential erosion of young crust. The 187Os/186Os ratio of 2.2 Ga crust with 187Re/186Os= 400 is 14 ± 2. We have also used the data from this study to estimate upper crustal osmium and rhenium concentrations of 50 pg/g and 390 pg/g, respectively.
Social isolation disrupts autonomic regulation of the heart and influences negative affective behaviors.

Background There is a documented association between affective disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety) and cardiovascular disease in humans. Chronic social stressors may play a mechanistic role in the development of behavioral and cardiac dysregulation. The current study investigated behavioral, cardiac, and autonomic responses to a chronic social stressor in prairie voles, a rodent species that displays social behaviors similar to humans. Methods Female prairie voles were exposed to 4 weeks of social isolation (n = 8) or pairing (control conditions; n = 7). Electrocardiographic parameters were recorded continuously during isolation, and behavioral tests were conducted during and following this period. Results Isolation induced a significant increase in resting heart rate, reduction in heart rate variability (standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals and amplitude of respiratory sinus arrhythmia), and exaggerated cardiac responses during an acute resident-intruder paradigm. Isolation led also to both depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors in validated operational tests. These changes in response to social isolation showed predictable interrelations and were mediated by a disruption of autonomic balance including both sympathetic and parasympathetic (vagal) mechanisms. Conclusions These findings indicate that social isolation induces behavioral, cardiac, and autonomic alterations related to those seen after other stressors and which are relevant to cardiovascular disease and affective disorders. This model may provide insight into the mechanisms that underlie these co-occurring conditions.