cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Propagation of a gravity current in a two‐layer stratified environment

[1] Gravity currents are created by a continuous release of dense fluid along a 6° inclined ramp. The surrounding fluid is composed of a two-layer stably stratified environment. A chemical (phenolphthalein) reaction technique and Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) are used to measure the entrainment rate of lower fluid into the gravity current. The change of volume in the head of the gravity current quantifies the entrainment and mixing. Their dependence on the Richardson number, based on the gravity current head size and velocity and the initial density difference between the current and bottom layer fluids, is determined using chemically reacting PLIF. To further understand the entrainment process and to quantify the effect of the interface on the internal structure of the gravity current, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements are performed. Both instantaneous velocity and vorticity fields are quantified. In addition, vertical profiles of velocity and vorticity are computed at two different locations, upstream and downstream of the impingement region. The vortical structure of the gravity current is clearly affected by the presence of the stratified interface. The level of restructuring depends on the Richardson number, based on the density difference across the interface. At low Ri, vorticity increases following the impingement, whereas at higher Ri, a decrease in vorticity is observed as well as a significant change in the head structure of the gravity current.
The potential for antitumor vaccination in acute myelogenous leukemia

While many advances have been made in the treatment of patients with cancer, significant challenges that remain include tumor cell resistance and the toxicity associated with currently used intensive chemotherapeutic regimens. This is particularly true for patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Most patients with AML usually are able to achieve complete remission, but only a minority obtain long-term survival. In addition, much of the success achieved has been due to escalation of chemotherapeutic dosing and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. There is thus a great need for improved therapies which would ideally be able to circumvent drug resistance and more specifically target leukemic cells. Advances in immunobiology over the past century have led to new hope for the development of immune-mediated vaccine therapies for patients with cancer. This review focuses on the development of vaccine approaches for treatment of AML and some of the potential advantages and problems.
SODmap and SODmap Mobile: Two Tools to Monitor the Spread of Sudden Oak Death

Sudden oak death (SOD) is caused by Phytophthora ramorum , an exotic pathogen introduced multiple times in California, Oregon and Washington. The pathogen has been spreading in California and Oregon forests at relatively modest rates from the initial introduction points, covering mostly distances in the range of hundreds of meters, and only occasionally spreading 3-5 km away from established infestations. In California, oak ( Quercus spp.) and tanoak ( Notholithocarpus densiflorus ) are infected only when infected California bay laurel ( Umbellularia californica ) trees are within tens of meters, hence, a fine-scale knowledge of infected bays is important to assess the risk for oak infection at any given location. Since 2008, the University of California-Berkeley Forest Pathology Laboratory has been enlisting and training volunteers to survey woodlands for the presence of SOD. Symptomatic leaves are collected by volunteers and tested at U.C. Berkeley. Since 2012, results of these citizen-science efforts have been combined with results of surveys by researchers and government agencies and displayed jointly in the web-based SODmap. In 2013, a mobile app was launched to view SOD distribution in the field and to determine the risk for oak infection at any given location. This is one of the first large-scale joint efforts between volunteers, government agencies and academia resulting in valuable management tools for a forest disease.
Acousto-optic laser scanning for multi-site photo-stimulation of single neurons in vitro

To study the complex synaptic interactions underpinning dendritic information processing in single neurons, experimenters require methods to mimic presynaptic neurotransmitter release at multiple sites with no physiological damage. We show that laser scanning systems built around large-aperture acousto-optic deflectors and high numerical aperture objective lenses provide the sub-millisecond, sub-micron precision necessary to achieve physiological, exogenous synaptic stimulation. Our laser scanning systems can produce the sophisticated spatio-temporal patterns of synaptic input that are necessary to investigate single-neuron dendritic physiology.
On relations between Schmidt pairs arising in robust control

We present here some generalizations and some simpler derivations of results appeared in Fuhrmann [4] and Fuhrmann and Ober [5]. The main result is that the singular values and Schmidt vectors of the Hankel operator with symbol a normalized coprime factorization of a plant can be given an explicit representation in terms of the plant, of its optimally robust controller and of the Schmidt pairs of another scalar Hankel operator. This enables a simple connection between the original plant and what is called ”caracteristic function” 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification: 93B36, 93B28
Population structure of Symbiodinium sp. associated with the common sea fan, Gorgonia ventalina, in the Florida Keys across distance, depth, and time

Numerous marine invertebrates form endosymbiotic relationships with dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodinium. However, few studies have examined the fine-scale population structure of these symbionts. Here, we describe the genetic structure of Symbiodinium type “B1/B184” inhabiting the gorgonian Gorgonia ventalina along the Florida Keys. Six polymorphic microsatellite loci were utilized to examine 16 populations along the Upper, Middle, and Lower Keys spanning a range of ~200 km. Multiple statistical tests detected significant differentiation in 54–92% of the 120 possible pairwise comparisons between localities, suggesting low levels of gene flow in these dinoflagellates. In general, populations clustered by geographic region and/or reefs in close proximity. Some of the sharpest population differentiation was detected between Symbiodinium from deep and shallow sites on the same reef. In spite of the high degree of population structure, alleles and genotypes were shared among localities, indicating some connectivity between Symbiodinium populations associated with G. ventalina.
Laboratory evaluation of a prospective remediation method for PCB-contaminated paint

Paint laden with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) often acts as a point source for environmental contamination. It is advantageous to address contaminated paint before the PCBs transport to surrounding media; however, current disposal methods of painted material introduce a variety of complications. Previous work demonstrates that PCBs can be broken down at ambient temperatures and pressures through a degradation process involving magnesium metal and acidified ethanol. This report is an extension of that work by describing the development of a delivery system for said reaction in preparation for a field test. Two treatment options including the Activated Metal Treatment System (AMTS) and the Non-Metal Treatment System (NMTS) remove and degrade PCBs from painted surfaces. AMTS decreased the Aroclor® concentration of a solution by more than 97% within 120 minutes and the Aroclor® concentration of industrial paint chips by up to 98% over three weeks. After removing up to 76% of PCBs on a painted surface after seven days, NMTS also removed trace amounts of PCBs in the paint’s concrete substrate. The evaporation rate of the solvent (ethanol) from the treatment system was reduced when the application area was increased. The solvent system’s ability to remove more than 90% of PCBs was maintained after losing 36% of its mass to solvent evaporation. The delivery systems, AMTS and NMTS, are able to support the hydrodechlorination reaction necessary for PCB degradation and are therefore attractive options for further studies regarding the remediation of contaminated painted surfaces.
Preclinical evidence that activation of mesolimbic alpha 6 subunit containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors supports nicotine addiction phenotype.

Introduction: Nicotine is a major psychoactive ingredient in tobacco yet very few individuals quit smoking with the aid of nicotine replacement therapy. Targeted therapies with more selective action at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) that contain a β2 subunit (β2*nAChRs; *denotes assembly with other subunits) have enjoyed significantly greater success, but exhibit potential for unwanted cardiac, gastrointestinal, and emotive side effects.
Cortical activation patterns evoked by afferent axons stimuli at different frequencies: an in vitro voltage-sensitive dye imaging study

Voltage-sensitive dye imaging (VDI) of cortical activation patterns generated by electrical stimulation of thalamocortical afferents axons at different frequencies was studied, in vitro, using mouse brain slices. The study demonstrated that thalamocortical afferent axons stimulation could follow frequencies as high as 120 Hz without marked reduction. By contrast the power spectral density amplitude ratio in cortical layer 4 demonstrated a rapidly sigmoidal reduction at frequencies above 60 Hz. Similar findings were obtained with direct cortical afferent axons stimulation that obviated possible interactions at thalamic level. As pre-synaptic afferent field potentials, simultaneously recorded with the VDI at cortical level, followed higher stimulation frequency, it is concluded that cortical activity reduction is secondary to synaptic transmission failure. This interpretation agrees with the result from deep-brain stimulation (DBS) in humans in which high-frequency stimulation produces comparable therapeutic results, as does stereotaxic brain lesioning.
Bronchodilator responsiveness following a negative methacholine challenge test.

Asthma is a complex disease of airway inflammation, which results in airway remodeling and hyper-responsiveness.[1][1] Because asthma-related symptoms are not specific to asthma, diagnosis requires objective data from pulmonary function tests (PFT). Bronchodilator responsiveness and airway
The effect of relative humidity on egg-laying, hatching, and survival in various spider mites

Abstract Mites ovipositing in a dry atmosphere lay more eggs at a higher rate and live longer than do mites ovipositing in a near saturated atmosphere. Hatching of eggs is apparently not greatly affected by extremes of humidity. Newly hatched mites survive poorly in a moist atmosphere. The results are explained on the basis of the ability to ingest larger amounts of, and to utilize more, food in a dry atmosphere through the elimination of body moisture by evaporation from the cuticle. It is suggested that spider mites may be more easily controlled in greenhouses if a high relative humidity is maintained.
Identifying unmet therapeutic domains in schizophrenia patients: the early contributions of Wayne Fenton from Chestnut Lodge

Wayne Fenton, MD, died on September 3, 2006, while giving emergency clinical care. His leadership at National Institute of Mental Health provided a framework for therapeutic discovery. He crafted a new approach to psychosis based on poor functional outcomes and the psychopathology domains underlying long-term morbidity. His research and clinical observations during his career at the Chestnut Lodge clarified the unmet therapeutic needs in schizophrenia and provided the foundation for his vision. The results have radically changed the paradigm for discovery with emphasis on impaired cognition and negative symptom psychopathology.
Effect of Media Training On Inmate Interpersonal Relationship Skills

Forty-five inmates in a federal correctional facility drug abuse program were assigned to roles of communicator or listener in a media training procedure or to a control group. Subjects who viewed themselves role-playing appropriate and inappropriate listening behaviors increased their use of reflection of feeling in an interview with a coached client. Subjects who viewed a peer role-playing appropriate and inappropriate listening behaviors increased their use of reflection of feeling and a minimal verbal response.
Diet patterns and risk of sepsis in community-dwelling adults: a cohort study

Sepsis is the syndrome of body-wide inflammation triggered by infection and is a major public health problem. Diet plays a vital role in immune health but its association with sepsis in humans is unclear. We examined 21,404 participants with available dietary data from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a national cohort of 30,239 black and white adults ≥45 years of age living in the US. The primary exposures of interest were five empirically derived diet patterns identified via factor analysis within REGARDS participants: “Convenience” (Chinese and Mexican foods, pasta, pizza, other mixed dishes), “Plant-based” (fruits, vegetables), “Southern” (added fats, fried foods, organ meats, sugar-sweetened beverages), “Sweets/Fats” (sugary foods) and “Alcohol/Salads” (alcohol, green-leafy vegetables, salad dressing). The main outcome of interest was investigator-adjudicated first hospitalized sepsis events. A total of 970 first sepsis events were observed over ~6 years of follow-up. In unadjusted analyses, greater adherence to Sweets/Fats and Southern patterns was associated with higher cumulative incidence of sepsis, whereas greater adherence to the Plant-based pattern was associated with lower incidence. After adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical factors, greater adherence to the Southern pattern remained associated with higher risk of sepsis (hazard ratio [HR] comparing the fourth to first quartile, HR 1.39, 95 % CI 1.11,1.73). Race modified the association of the Southern diet pattern with sepsis (Pinteraction = 0.01), with the Southern pattern being associated with modestly higher adjusted risk of sepsis in black as compared to white participants (HR comparing fourth vs. first quartile HR 1.42, 95 % CI 0.75,2.67 vs. 1.21, 95 % CI 0.93,1.57, respectively). A Southern pattern of eating was associated with higher risk of sepsis, particularly among black participants. Determining reasons for these findings may help to devise strategies to reduce sepsis risk.
The effect of an additional phosphite stabilizer on the properties of radiation cross-linked vitamin E blends of UHMWPE

Antioxidant stabilization of radiation cross-linked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been introduced to improve the oxidative stability of total joint implant bearing surfaces. Blending of an antioxidant with UHMWPE resin powder followed by consolidation and radiation cross-linking has been cleared by the FDA for use in both total hips and total knees for designs incorporating two antioxidants, namely vitamin E and Covernox™ (a medical grade version of Irganox™ 1010). The antioxidants in the polymer are expected to protect the polymer during consolidation, during radiation cross-linking, on the shelf before implantation, and in vivo after implantation. To maximize the protection of the polymer afforded by the antioxidant in vivo, a novel approach may be the use of multiple antioxidants, especially to protect the primary antioxidant for a longer period of time. We hypothesized that the addition of a phosphite stabilizer (Irgafos 168™) commonly used in conjunction with hindered phenolic antioxidants in polymer processing could improve the oxidative stability of radiation cross-linked blends of vitamin E. To test our hypothesis, we prepared UHMWPE blends with 0.05 wt% Irgafos and 0.05 wt% vitamin E and compared its cross-link density, wear resistance, tensile properties, and impact strength to control blends containing only vitamin E. Our hypothesis was not supported; the cross-link density of UHMWPE was significantly decreased by the additive without additional benefit to oxidative stability. To our knowledge, this was the first attempt at using multiple stabilizers in medical grade UHMWPE.
N-Thiolated β-Lactam Antibacterials: Defining the Role of Unsaturation in the C4 Side Chain

N-Methylthio b-lactams represent a novel family of antibacterial agents for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The structure-activity functions and mechanism of action of these compounds, although still largely undefined, differ dramatically from those of all previously reported b-lactam antibiotics. Prior work has established that the N-alkylthio moiety is required for antibacterial activity, and that a variety of unsaturated groups can be tolerated at C4 of the lactam ring. This report describes the effect that unsaturation within the C4 substituent has on antibacterial activity of these interesting new N-thiolated b-lactams.
The work of writing: Lessons from literary engineers

As engineers and former engineers, eight creative writers - novelists, poets, and short story writers - were asked what they would tell young engineering students about the importance of writing to their futures in engineering. Also, as successful literary writers, the eight were asked what they would tell those same students to help them improve their writing. The results provide writing and engineering educators with several suggestions as to how they might help students see the importance of learning solid writing skills. The responses also offer several approaches that can be used in technical writing and engineering classes to help develop and hone students' writing prowess.
Technology Advancements in Hearing Protection: Active Noise Reduction, Frequency/Amplitude-Sensitivity, and Uniform Attenuation:

Conventional hearing protection devices have often been implicated in compromised auditory perception, degraded signal detection, and reduced speech communication abilities. Recent technological developments have been used to augment hearing protectors in an attempt to alleviate these problems for the user, while at the same time providing adequate attenuation. Operational characteristics, design features, performance data, and applications for active noise reduction, sound transmission, frequency-selective, adjustable attenuation, amplitude-sensitive, and uniform attenuation devices are discussed.
Potential-aware imperfect-recall abstraction with earth mover's distance in imperfect-information games

There is often a large disparity between the size of a game we wish to solve and the size of the largest instances solvable by the best algorithms; for example, a popular variant of poker has about 10165 nodes in its game tree, while the currently best approximate equilibrium-finding algorithms scale to games with around 1012 nodes. In order to approximate equilibrium strategies in these games, the leading approach is to create a sufficiently small strategic approximation of the full game, called an abstraction, and to solve that smaller game instead. The leading abstraction algorithm for imperfect-information games generates abstractions that have imperfect recall and are distribution aware, using k-means with the earth mover's distance metric to cluster similar states together. A distribution-aware abstraction groups states together at a given round if their full distributions over future strength are similar (as opposed to, for example, just the expectation of their strength). The leading algorithm considers distributions over future strength at the final round of the game. However, one might benefit by considering the trajectory of distributions over strength in all future rounds, not just the final round. An abstraction algorithm that takes all future rounds into account is called potential aware. We present the first algorithm for computing potential-aware imperfect-recall abstractions using earth mover's distance. Experiments on no-limit Texas Hold'em show that our algorithm improves performance over the previously best approach.
Risk factors associated with the transmission of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae via contaminated duodenoscopes

Background and Aims The duodenoscopes used to perform ERCP have been implicated in several outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infection. The risk factors for CRE transmission via contaminated duodenoscopes remain unclear. Methods In this retrospective, single-center, case-control study, all patients who underwent ERCP with either 1 of 2 contaminated duodenoscopes were evaluated. We compared the patients who acquired CRE (active infection or colonization) with those who did not. Results Between October 3, 2014, and January 28, 2015, a total of 125 procedures were performed on 115 patients by using either of the contaminated duodenoscopes. Culture data were available for 104 of the 115 exposed patients (90.4%). Among these patients, 15 (14.4%) became actively infected (n = 8, 7.7%) or colonized (n = 7, 6.7%) with CRE. On univariate analysis, recent antibiotic exposure (66.7% vs 37.1%; P = .046), active inpatient status (60.0% vs 28.1%; P = .034), and a history of cholangiocarcinoma (26.7% vs 3.4%; P = .008) were patient characteristics associated with an increased risk of CRE infection. Biliary stent placement (53.3% vs 22.5%; P = .024) during ERCP was a significant procedure-related risk factor. After adjusting for cholangiocarcinoma, biliary stent placement (odds ratio 3.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-11.67), and active inpatient status (odds ratio 3.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-12.12) remained independent risk factors for CRE transmission. Conclusions In patients undergoing ERCP with a contaminated duodenoscope, biliary stent placement, a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, and active inpatient status are associated with an increased risk of CRE transmission.
“Making it” in America A Social Evaluation of the Ethics of Immigrant Entrepreneurship

This article takes the concept of “making it” in America as the central thrust behind immigrant entrepreneurship. The social values behind “making it” are dissected, and closely linked to the capit...
FIELD AND LABORATORY STUDIES; NAVIGATION CHANNELS OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER ESTUARY

A model of the estuary of the Columbia River was built and tested at the University of California, Berkeley, during the years 1932 to 1936, to study the effects of proposed changes in the navigation channels on the currents and sediment movement. The project was sponsored by the North Pacific Division of the Corps of Engineers, and the engineering results were reported at that time in internal memoranda. The basis for the selection of the scale ratios and other factors affecting the design of the model were reported in some detail (O'Brien, 1935), but only a brief note was published regarding the operation and the accuracy of the model (Johnson, 1948). In some respects this model is still unique, and a description of it may be of interest to the coastal engineers. This paper deals primarily with the model itself and not with the practical problems of channel maintenance and improvement, but some information regarding the regimen of the Columbia is necessary background for understanding the problems which were to be studied in the model. Figure 1 shows the configuration of the estuary, the jetties, and the ship channel. The river was then unregulated; the freshwater discharge exhibited an annual cycle with an average annual flow of 235,000 second feet, an average summer freshet discharge of 660,000 second-feet, and an average low-water flow of 70,000 second-feet. The tide shows a diurnal inequality, with the long run-out following higher high water; the diurnal range of tide is 8.5 feet, and the average range is 6.5 feet. Freshet flows affect the range and lag of tide in the river section above the estuary to such a degree that the published USC and GS Tide Tables were valid only for the months September through May and not for the freshet season. The range of tide is approximately constant from the ends of the jetties to Harrington Point; the lag over this reach is approximately two hours. At low river stages the tide is evident as far as Bonneville, 140 miles from the mouth; the tide wave progresses with steadily decreasing amplitude and there are no nodal points. The tidal prism varies both with range of tide and river stage; at low river stages, the prism corresponding to an 8 foot range is between 600,000 and 700,000 acre feet.
RESEARCH NOTE Numbering Formats for Hierarchic Lists

People scanned lists of hierarchically numbered items in order to perform various tasks. For tasks involving location of individual items, a list of format with complete numbering resulted in superior performance. For tasks requiring perception of list structure, an alternative format with implicit numbering was equally good if not better.
H2O2 acts on cellular membranes to generate ceramide signaling and initiate apoptosis in tracheobronchial epithelial cells

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an inflammatory oxidant which contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic diseases such as lung injury of the respiratory tract, atherosclerosis and cancer. The mechanisms and target sites of this reactive oxidant are mainly unknown. So far there are opposing reports as to whether reactive oxidants inhibit or promote apoptosis. We activated the death pathway in primary tracheobronchial epithelial (TBE) cells with H2O2 (20-200 microM) and observed the morphological changes, DNA laddering patterns, and DNA fragmentation associated with apoptosis. Elevation of ceramide with exogenous ceramide analogs was sufficient for apoptosis induction with the same characteristics and in the same time frame. H2O2 induced rapid sphingomyelin hydrolysis to ceramide, the elevation of which paralleled the induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, H2O2 acted directly on TBE cells membrane preparations devoid of nuclei, stimulating sphingomyelin hydrolysis through a neutral Mg2+ dependent sphingomyelinase (SMase). These data suggest that the formation of ceramide from sphingomyelin in the plasma membrane is a key event in H2O2-induced apoptosis in tracheobronchial epithelial cells.
Fibronectin. A new nutritional parameter.

Interet du dosage de la fibronectine plasmatique dans la surveillance de l'etat nutritionnel des malades hospitalises, apres interventions ou sous-alimentation parenterale
Synaptic mechanisms regulating cardiovascular afferent inputs to solitary tract nucleus.

This brief review summarizes recent electrophysiological studies concerning the initial processing of cardiovascular afferent inputs within the central nervous system. This work has shown that the site of termination of baroreceptor afferent fibers, the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (nTS), is much more than a simple relay station. Interactions between afferent inputs from different reflexogenic areas and interactions that depend on the timing of the afferent inputs can influence the output of nTS neurons in either an inhibitory or facilitatory manner and thereby determine the signal that these neurons relay to subsequent central nuclei involved in cardiovascular regulation. In addition, descending inputs from more rostral structures (e.g., the hypothalamic defense area and the parabrachial nucleus) can further alter the responsiveness of nTS neurons to baroreceptor inputs. The evidence suggests that the neural substrates exist for a modulation of baroreflex gain at an early stage in the reflex pathway.
Sequence-independent RNA cleavages generate the primers for plus strand DNA synthesis in hepatitis B viruses : implications for other reverse transcribing elements

Reverse transcription of RNA into duplex DNA requires accurate initiation of both minus and plus strand DNA synthesis; this in turn requires the generation of specific primer molecules. We have examined plus strand primer generation in the hepatitis B viruses, small DNA viruses that replicate via reverse transcription. The plus strand primer in these viruses is a short capped RNA derived from the 5' end of the RNA template by cleavage at a specific set of sites. To elucidate the cleavage mechanism we constructed a series of viral mutants bearing alterations in and around the cleavage sites. Our results reveal that the cleavage reaction is sequence-independent and indicate that the cleavage sites are positioned by measurement of the distance from the 5' end of the RNA. Comparison of these findings with what is known about RNase H-mediated primer generation in retroviruses and other retroid elements suggests that, despite many divergent features, some common molecular features are preserved.
The cavernous sinus.

The parasellar region, in particular the cavernous sinus, represents the confluence of critical structures involved in both the afferent and efferent visual pathways. It is not surprising that lesions affecting the area of the cavernous sinus most frequently present with neuro-ophthalmic complaints, which include double vision, decreased vision, pain, and numbness. Neurosurgicai intervention in the area of the cavernous sinus often produces neuro-ophthalmic complications. A rehabilitative effort directed to the neuro-ophthalmic manifestations is essential for patients with skull-base pathology.
Systemic Analgesia in Labor: Still a Viable Option?

Summary and Conclusion Systemic analgesics are still a viable option in labor and delivery. Despite recent ACOG-ASA recommendations that they consolidate, there still are a multitude of small labor and delivery units across the United States wherein access to services of anesthesia personnel capable of providing epidural analgesia for routine labor and delivery cases will be difficult to provide. In these situations systemic analgesia, although not providing as optimal a degree of analgesia as that by epidural block, can be reasonably and safely provided by labor and delivery personnel. They can use the newer drugs, butorphanol and nalbuphine, which provide analgesia with minimal fetal depression. The obvious drawback to this systemic analgesia technique is maternal somnolence, which makes it inferior to the continuous lumbar epidural analgesia technique. Maternal sedation with butorphanol or nalbuphine can also be instituted in an earlier stage of labor, before epidrual block is provided. PCA is a new and growing mode of analgesia administration. It is likely that it will continue to gain in popularity for labor analgesia, especially with the use of drugs such as butorphanol or nalbuphine. It is not likely, however, that anesthesia personnel will be required for PCA administration. Anesthesia personnel involvement in systemic analgesia for labor and delivery will more likely be confined to administration of low-dose ketamine for difficult vaginal delivery in anxious parturients, where regional anesthesia has not been used or is of insufficient quality.
The roles of ras family small GTPases in breast cancer

Publisher Summary Members of the Ras subfamily of small GTPases may represent attractive targets for the treatment of breast cancer, but more research is needed to fully understand the roles these proteins play in breast cancer. Other small GTPases, including members of the Rho and Rab subfamilies, which are implicated in breast cancer, are reviewed. This chapter focuses on these Ras family proteins involved in breast cancer and on possible strategies to correct the cancer related defects in these proteins for breast cancer treatment. Currently, GTPases are not considered promising druggable targets. Since GTPases bind GTP with nanomolar to picomolar affinities, small molecule approaches to block GTP binding are not feasible. Recent work has revealed a mechanism by which H-Ras expression is elevated in breast tumor initiating cells, which may represent breast cancer “stem cells.” There are several other members of the Ras subfamily that have been implicated in breast cancer, but more studies are needed to determine the importance of these proteins in breast cancer. As strategies to therapeutically inhibit small GTPase signaling improve, it will be imperative to understand the contributions of each of these proteins to breast cancer development and progression.
NAGging Hexokinase PEPs up NLRP3.

Recognition of peptidoglycan is integral to detection of gram-positive bacterial pathogens. In a recent issue of Cell, Wolf et al. (2016) report that detection of the N-acetylglucosamine component of peptidoglycan by the glycolytic enzyme hexokinase activates the NLRP3 inflammasome, revealing an intriguing interplay between pathogen detection and metabolism.
Lattice Monte Carlo Simulations in Search of Zeolite Analogues: Effects of Structure Directing Agents

We use parallel tempering Monte Carlo simulations to search for crystalline states of a lattice model of silica polymerization in the presence of structure directing agents (SDAs). Following previous work where we have discretized continuous space into a body-centered cubic (bcc) lattice, we have modeled tetrahedral molecules (T(OH)4) as corner-sharing tetrahedra on a bcc unit cell. The SDAs were represented as quasi-spherical species with diameters of 6.4 and 10.4 A to study the effect of SDA size on the resulting crystal structures. Our parallel tempering Monte Carlo simulations produce fully connected crystalline structures finding the emergence of 3D microporous materials with SDAs occupying the pore spaces and 2D layered materials with SDAs occupying the gallery space in between layers. We have found that the strength of SDA–oxygen attraction plays a significant role in directing final micropore structures. For relatively strong attractions (>1.2 kcal/mol SDA–oxygen contacts) we have found only 2D la...
Predicting High-Impact Pharmacological Targets by Integrating Transcriptome and Text-Mining Features

Purpose: Novel, “outside of the box” approaches are needed for evaluating candidate molecules, especially in oncology. Throughout the years of 2000-2010, the efficiency of drug development fell to barely acceptable levels, and in the second decade of this century, levels have improved only marginally. This dismal condition continues despite unprecedented progress in the development of a variety of high-throughput tools, computational methods, aggregated databases, drug repurposing programs and innovative chemistries. Here we tested a hypothesis that the economic impact of targeting a particular gene product is predictable a priori by employing a combination of transcriptome profiles and quantitative metrics reflecting existing literature. Methods: To extract classification features, the gene expression patterns of a posteriori high-impact and low-impact anti-cancer target sets were compared. To minimize the possible bias of text-mining, the number of manuscripts published prior to the first clinical trial or relevant review paper, as well as its first derivative in this interval, were collected and used as quantitative metrics of public interest. Results: By combining the gene expression and literature mining features, a 4-fold enrichment in high-impact targets was produced, resulting in a favourable ROC curve analysis for the top impact targets. The dataset was enriched by the highest impact anti-cancer targets, while demonstrating drastic differences in economic value between high and low-impact targets. Known anti-cancer products of EGFR, ERBB2, CYP19A1/ aromatase, MTOR, PTGS2, tubulin, VEGFA, BRAF, PGR, PDGFRA, SRC, REN, CSF1R, CTLA4 and HSP90AA1 genes received the highest scores for predicted impact, while microsomal steroid sulfatase, anticoagulant protein C, p53, CDKN2A, c-Jun, and TNSFS11 were highlighted as most promising research-stage targets. Conclusions: A significant cost reduction may be achieved by a priori impact assessment of targets and ligands before their development or repurposing. Expanding a suite of combinational treatments could also decrease the costs, while achieving a higher impact per developed ligand. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW . Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.
Mitigating Aggressive Small Trade at Tourist Destinations Through Cognitive Restructuring

ABSTRACTThe goal of the article was to use established theories of individual, organizational, and community learning to hypothesize ways tourism leaders could facilitate their small independent tr...
Racial/ethnic workplace discrimination: association with tobacco and alcohol use.

Background Experiences of discrimination are associated with tobacco and alcohol use, and work is a common setting where individuals experience racial/ethnic discrimination. Few studies have evaluated the association between workplace discrimination and these behaviors, and none have described associations across race/ethnicity. Purpose To examine the association between workplace discrimination and tobacco and alcohol use in a large, multistate sample of U.S. adult respondents to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey Reactions to Race Module (2004−2010). Methods Multivariable logistic regression analyses evaluated cross-sectional associations between self-reported workplace discrimination and tobacco (current and daily smoking) and alcohol use (any and heavy use, and binge drinking) among all participants and stratified by race/ethnicity, adjusting for relevant covariates. Data were analyzed in 2013. Results Among respondents, 70,080 completed the workplace discrimination measure. Discrimination was more common among black non-Hispanic (21%), Hispanic (12%), and other race respondents (11%) than white non-Hispanics (4%) ( p Conclusions Workplace discrimination is common, associated with smoking and alcohol use, and merits further policy attention, given the impact of these behaviors on morbidity and mortality.
Abstract 278: Targeted Anticancer Drug Sorafenib Impairs Vascular Network Formation by Human Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Sorafenib is a novel multikinase inhibitor drug that is approved for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, and is being tested in other common types of cancers. Recent...
Determination of Three-Dimensional Structures of Nucleic Acids by NMR

The chapter reviews the current status of three-dimensional structure determination for nucleic acids, both DNA and RNA, via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The various methods of preparing oligonucleotides, both unlabeled and labeled with stable isotopes, with utility for structure determination are discussed. Different NMR methods required for making nuclear resonance assignments and generation of structural restraints are presented. In particular, techniques to identify hydrogen bonds, use scalar coupling to provide torsion angle restraints, use nuclear Overhauser effect measurements to either estimate or determine internuclear distances, use chemical shifts to discern chemical environments, and enable residual dipolar coupling measurements to ascertain internuclear vector orientation are presented. Various means of structure refinement utilizing the acquired NMR data are also discussed. Assessment of the quality (accuracy and precision) of the structures is presented along with complications such as conformational averaging and possible ways to investigate the dynamic state of nucleic acids in solution.
Evidence For A Non-Androgenic Role of Testis and Epididymis in Androgen-Supported Growth of the Rat Ventral Prostate

Abstract A widely held view is that the role of testis in prostatic growth is through its ability to secrete androgen. Our earlier observation suggested a non-androgenic role for the testis, and perhaps the epididymis, in promoting growth of the ventral prostate in rats. The present study was conducted to evaluate the separate role of the testis and the epididymis in this phenomenon. In the first study, increasing quantities of silastic tubing filled with crystalline testosterone were implanted into adult Sprague-Dawley rats at the time of bilateral epididymo-orchiectomy or sham-operation. Twenty-eight days later, growth of the ventral prostate, as determined by fresh weight, DNA, and protein content, was significantly greater in sham-operated rats than in those receiving combined epididymo-orchiectomy, confirming our previous observation using dihydrotestosterone. In the second and third studies, rats were subjected to selective surgical procedures to evaluate the independent role of the testis and the epididymis. At the same time, 12 cm silastic tubing filled with testosterone or dihydrotestosterone were implanted subcutaneously into each of these animals for 28 days. Results indicated that the ventral prostate was significantly smaller in rats receiving the combined epididymo-orchiectomy than that of sham-operated controls. Simple orchiectomy or simple epididymectomy resulted in an increased weight of the ventral prostate between the two values obtained from the above two groups. Ligation of either the efferent duct or the vas deferens yielded ventral prostatic weights comparable to the androgen-treated, sham-operated controls. These results indicated that in order to achieve a maximal effect on androgen-supported growth of the ventral prostate, the presence of both the testis and the epididymis is required. Accepted for publication February 10, 1992.
The Epigenetic Landscape of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a complex psychiatric disorder that has a multifactorial etiology. Epigenetic mechanisms are uniquely capable of accounting for the multifactorial nature of the disease in that they are highly stable and are affected by environmental factors, including alcohol itself. Chromatin remodeling causes changes in gene expression in specific brain regions contributing to the endophenotypes of alcoholism such as tolerance and dependence. The epigenetic mechanisms that regulate changes in gene expression observed in addictive behaviors respond not only to alcohol exposure but also to comorbid psychopathology such as the presence of anxiety and stress. This review summarizes recent developments in epigenetic research that may play a role in alcoholism. We propose that pharmacologically manipulating epigenetic targets, as demonstrated in various preclinical models, hold great therapeutic potential in the treatment and prevention of alcoholism.
Carcinoma developing on extensive scars

been we11 summarized by Treves and Pack. Extensive, thick, dense scars, which are avascular and poorIy nourished, do not toIerate miId injuries due to pressure, irritation of cIothing, scratching, etc., as we11 as the norma skin. After a period of years, varying from tweIve to twenty, the incompIeteIy deveIoped and poorIy nourished skin overIying the scar Ioses its capacity to repair these minor injuries, and a persistent uIceration develops, which may become malignant. FIG. 2. Case I. Photograph taken two months after Figure I, showing recent pinch grafts, in the center of which the epithelioma (E) recurred.
Primer registro de Palicus alternatus Rathbun, 1897 (Decapoda: Brachyura), para Cuba

Palicus alternatus Rathbun, 1897, is recorded for the first time for Cuban archipelago. This is the eighth species recorded to Cuba of the genus Palicus Philippi, 1838.
The Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Self-Reported Physical and Mental Health Outcomes in Adulthood

The number of physically and mentally unhealthy days as a measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is used to examine the different effects of the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on physical and mental health outcomes. The data, a cross-sectional state-level survey, is obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2012. Multiple regression analyses are conducted for the study. The results indicate that all individual ACE categories are inversely associated with both physical and mental health, as respondents who exposed to any adverse childhood experience are likely to have physically- and mentally-related poor HRQOL in adulthood. The estimated coefficients for individual ACEs in magnitude on the mental health outcome are, in overall, greater than the estimated coefficients on the physical health outcome. The regression results with accumulative ACE scores indicate that higher levels of the ACE score would affect higher negative health outcomes, such as the dosage effects that appear again in this study. The estimated coefficients of accumulative ACE scores on the mental health outcome exceed the coefficients of ACE scores on physical health outcome for an ACE score of 2 and above. The gap in the estimated coefficients of ACE scores between physically and mentally unhealthy days increases as the ACE score rises. The estimated coefficient at the score ACE8 for the mentally unhealthy days becomes almost twice as large as the coefficient for the physically unhealthy days. Importantly, the negative effects of ACEs on mental health outcomes are significantly greater than the negative effects on physical health outcomes.
Museums and Handicapped Students: Guidelines for Educators

(1978). Museums and Handicapped Students: Guidelines for Educators. Roundtable Reports: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 10-11.
From Biological to Computational Arms Races – Studying Cyber Security Dynamics

The design of computational arms races can draw upon the compelling inspiration of biological arms races. To study cyber security attack-defense dynamics, we have abstracted a description of biological adversarial ecosystems to design an adversarial computational system. The system has elements and processes with abstracted biological analogs. It centers on engagements. Engagements feature adversarial actors (predator/attacker, prey/defender) competing with conflicting objectives culminating in a measurable performance-based outcome. Adversarial dynamics are controlled by coevolution, which selects for better adversaries over multiple engagements using aggregate engagement performance as fitness. Altogether, this system abstracted from nature is capable of population-based, arms race dynamics arising from interacting, evolving adversaries.
Long-term Impact of CALGB 9343 on Radiation Utilization.

Abstract Background The results of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 9343 trial showed that radiation therapy (RT) did not improve survival for women older than 70 y with early-stage estrogen receptor + breast cancer treated with breast conserving surgery and adjuvant endocrine therapy. In 2005, guidelines were modified to allow for RT omission; however, minimal change in clinical practice has occurred. The aim of this study was to determine if CALGB long-term follow-up data have affected RT utilization, and to characterize the population still receiving RT after breast conserving surgery. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare database was used to identify women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer from 2004 to 2015 who matched the CALGB 9343 inclusion criteria. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify the factors that affect the receipt of radiation therapy. We also plotted the overall use of RT over time juxtaposed with the temporal trends of CALGB 9343 clinical trial data, guideline recommendations, and publishing of long-term survival data. Results The study cohort included 25,723 Medicare beneficiaries, of whom 20,328 (79%) received RT and 5395 (21%) did not receive RT. In a multivariate model, the frequency of RT omission increased over time, with those diagnosed in year 2015 being 2.72 times more likely to omit RT compared with those diagnosed in 2004 (95% confidence interval 2.31-3.19). Conclusions This study investigated the impact of long-term CALGB 9343 data on clinical practice. The results of this study support results from previous studies, extend the dates of analysis, and indicate that after long-term follow-up of CALGB 9343 data, RT was less used, but overall trends did not dramatically decrease.