cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interfacial manipulations: controlling nanoscale assembly in bulk, thin film, and solution block copolymer systems.

Nanostructured soft materials from self-assembled block copolymers (BCP)s and polymer blends can enable the reliable, high-throughput, and cost-effective generation of nanoscale structural motifs for many emerging technologies. Our research group has studied the phase behavior of BCPs in bulk, thin film, and solution environments with a particular focus on using interfacial manipulations to control self-assembly and to access a vast array of nanoscale morphologies and orientations. These interfacial manipulations can be synthetic alterations that are directly incorporated into the BCP chain to modify polymer–polymer interactions, post-polymerization and non-synthetic modifications that affect block interactions, or changes to the polymer specimen’s external surroundings to control self-assembly in a confining environment. Herein, we describe methods that we have employed to manipulate BCP self-assembly for various application targets, and we discuss the key effects of such manipulations on the resulting n...
3544 Randomized double blind study of efficacy and safety of ethanolamine-alcohol mixtures or morrhuate for hemostasis of bleeding canine gastric varices.

Gastric variceal (GV) bleeding is a difficult problem, but endoscopic sclerotherapy is not commonly used for hemostasis. Our purpose was to compare the safety and efficacy of ethanolamine (ET) and alcohol (AL) mixtures with morrhuate in a double blind study for hemostasis of bleeding GV. Methods: 10 prehepatic portal hypertension adult mongrel dogs with 4-5 moderate sized GV were heparinized. After bleeding was induced with a 16G needle, each bleeding GV was randomized to Rx with one of 5 solutions (in coded fashion, see table) in 1-1.5 cc injections until complete hemostasis or a maximum of 10 cc's was injected. The endoscopist was blinded to the solutions and the code was broken after the statistical analysis. A suction test was performed at 5 minutes after hemostasis to judge early rebleeding and stability. Endoscopies were performed at 7 days to assess GV grade changes (Δ) in size, secondary ulcers, and stigmata. See the table. Conclusions: 1) This animal model of GV's was useful for testing the safety and efficacy of different sclerosants prior to human use. 2) Morrhuate had a low hemostasis rate, high rates of large ulcerations, and frequent stigmata. It cannot be recommended for GV hemostasis in patients. 3) 3.3% ET/33% AL had the highest primary hemostasis rate & shortest treatment time. It was safer than morrhuate and is recommended for GV hemostasis in patients. Partial research funding was from Cypros Pharmaceutical Corp. and by CURE grant NIH 41301.
Lawyers and the Secret Welfare State

The United States assists its less fortunate citizens through a wide variety of federal and state programs.1 However, public assistance is far more extensive in other developed countries.2 To receive welfare benefits, U.S. citizens must meet stringent eligibility requirements3 and work thirty hours a week or engage in community service.4 Despite the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act5 (PPACA or “the Affordable Care Act”), Americans do not have national health insurance.6 Few Americans
History and legend in the Jāmi` al-tawārikh: Abraham, Alexander, and Oghuz Khan

This article explores the historical writings of Rashid al-Din Tabib (d. 1318) as part of a programme of political legitimisation for the Mongol Ilkhans of Iran. By considering both volumes of the Jami` al-tawārikh alongside one another and in their political context, it reveals aspects of the text that get lost when the dynastic and world history are treated in isolation. Rashid al-Din's presentation of legendary figures of communal identity from Perso-Islamic and Turko-Mongol traditions responds to immediate political conflicts between his patrons and their neighbours, the Jochid Mongols of the Volga region and the Mamluks of Egypt. In the relative absence of documentary evidence, court-sponsored narrative chronicles can in this way inform our understanding of ruling ideology during the period.
Immunoassay of insulin using a two-antibody system.

SummaryTracer amounts of I131-insulin are precipitated by specific antibodies. The change in percent precipitated, as increasing amounts of unlabeled insulin are added, forms the basis of this assay. The method is sensitive to less than one microunit.
Multi-model heterogeneous verification of cyber-physical systems

Complex systems are designed using the model-based design paradigm in which mathematical models of systems are created and checked against specifications. Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are complex systems in which the physical environment is sensed and controlled by computational or cyber elements possibly distributed over communication networks. Various aspects of CPS design such as physical dynamics, software, control, and communication networking must interoperate correctly for correct functioning of the systems. Modeling formalisms, analysis techniques and tools for designing these different aspects have evolved ind ependently, and remain dissimilar and disparate. There is no unifying formalism in which one can model all these aspects equally well. Therefore, model-based design of CPS must make use of a collection of models in several different formalisms and use respective analysis methods and tools together to ensure correct system design. To enable doing this in a formal manner, this thesis develops a framework for multi-model verification of cyber-physical systems based on behavioral semantics. Heterogeneity arising from the different interacting aspects of CPS design must be addressed in order to enable system-level verification. In current practice, there is no principled approach that deals with this modeling heterogeneity within a formal framework. We develop behavioral semantics to address heterogeneity in a general yet formal manner. Our framework makes no assumptions about the specifics of any particular formalism, therefore it readily supports various formalisms, techniques and tools. Models can be analyzed independently in isolation, supporting separation of concerns. Mappings across heterogeneous semantic domains enable associations between analysis results. Interdependencies across different models and specifications can be formally represented as constraints over parameters and verification can be carried out in a semantically consistent manner. Composition of analysis results is supported both hierarchically across different levels of abstraction and structurally into interacting component models at a given level of abstraction. The theoretical concepts developed in the thesis are illustrated using a case study on the hierarchical heterogeneous verification of an automotive intersection collision avoidance system.
PRIVATE CONSERVATION IN TURF-MANAGED FISHERIES

Spatial property rights in the ocean, such as territorial user right fisheries (TURFs), are increasingly used to overcome the tragedy of the commons. TURFs engender vastly different fishing incentives than in a common pool race; while this likely enhances conservation beyond an open access setting, conservation organizations may desire even greater protection. We argue that because TURFs are property rights, their implementation opens the door for “private conservation,” for example, where a conservation organization would purchase a set of TURFs to create an un-fished marine reserve network. This possibility has interesting implications for biodiversity conservation, fishery management, and economic incentives, yet has received almost no attention in the literature. We examine this issue in a numerical spatial-dynamic bioeconomic fishery model. Among other novel findings, we show: (i) Private acquisition of TURFs is likely to be a relatively inexpensive marine conservation strategy, particularly if the conservationist can capture some of the “conservation rents” that accrue due to spillover; (ii) Accounting for the strategic response of remaining fishermen can significantly reduce the cost of conservation; and (iii) The degree of fishing cooperation across TURFs plays a pivotal role in the costs of conservation; more-cooperative TURF owners engage in more “free” conservation, dramatically reducing the overall costs of achieving a particular conservation target.
How Do Nuclear Reactors Work

An understanding of the basics of nuclear fission is needed to fully understand the processes that have led to the world’s three major commercial nuclear accidents. Nuclear power plants use heat generated in the atomic fission to generate steam and produce electrical power. The fuels for reactors are usually radioactive isotopes of uranium and plutonium. When these materials undergo fission, they break down into smaller elements and release energy and subatomic particles. Importantly, neutrons released by fission are used to generate the fission of additional atoms and give rise to atomic chain reactions. The trick for power plant operators is to ensure that the number of neutrons generated by fission equals the number used to continue fission and those lost from the system. In addition, the neutrons must be significantly slowed so that they can cause the fission of other atoms. To do this, nuclear reactors use moderators such as graphite, water, and heavy water.
Faculty Perceptions of Student Recruitment and Retention in STEM Fields

According to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST, 2012), there is a need to produce one million more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates in the U.S. over the next decade. Thus, more students must be recruited into and retained in STEM degrees of study. Because faculty are considered influential in students' choices to pursue and remain in STEM disciplines, we interviewed university STEM faculty in order to identify their perceptions of student recruitment and retention in STEM fields. Our data indicate that faculty are generally unaware of or not worried about the need to produce additional STEM graduates. Additionally, faculty seem to be unaware of the actions they might take to positively influence STEM recruitment and retention at the post-secondary level. Here, we specifically discuss faculty perceptions of (1) the gap between the number of STEM graduates and the number of STEM workers available for STEM-related jobs, (2) why students may not be going into or remaining in STEM fields, and (3) their own roles in recruiting and retaining students in STEM fields.
Complex Antitrust Harm in Platform Markets

Should the FTC have allowed Zillow to acquire its foremost rival, Trulia? It is increasingly well-accepted that digital platforms tend toward dominance in their immediately adjacent relevant-product markets. Google, for example, has long held a majority share of the markets for general-search results and advertising, prompting antitrust and competition-law scrutiny of its conduct. But some digital platforms also possess the ability and incentive to increase concentration in seemingly removed, though related, markets. Complex platforms can harness the power of reputational mechanisms to steer their users toward favored third-party suppliers. A search engine, for example, might (under certain conditions identified by this article) rationally steer its users toward particular sellers of real-world products like restaurant meals, home goods, etc. This type of steering forecloses competition in markets not immediately adjacent to the platform itself. Current antitrust analyses focus solely on harm in "relevant markets," overlooking potential harm in "related markets." The Zillow-Trulia merger illustrates how related-market harm might occur. Post-deal statements by company executives indicate that the FTC's clearance of the merger may have constituted a false negative, and that the merged firm may be increasing concentration in local real-estate agent markets. Related-market harm is inefficient and reduces consumer welfare. This article contends that future merger and conduct analyses should take seriously the possibility of such harm.
Useful Video Editing Applications

There are a large number of basic editing tools that come standard with most VEPs. The applications for these devices are limitless. Identifying your favorites editing tools and practicing them is part of learning how to use VEPs. This chapter jump-starts this learning process. There are a number of more common and practical applications for producing specific results. It makes sense to take the mystery out of how to make them happen. We begin with the insertion of photos into a film, progress to simple animations, and end on methods for piecing together interviews to build a complete story. Knowing how to apply a sequence of techniques for explicit outcomes will save you time and headaches. The individual tools for executing these measures, such as fade transitions, have many more uses than is described. Hopefully, the telling of these applications will provide you with seeds for building more personalized effects.
Health and Fitness Apps for Hands-Free Voice-Activated Assistants: Content Analysis.

Background: Hands-free voice-activated assistants and their associated devices have recently gained popularity with the release of commercial products, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Voice-activated assistants have many potential use cases in healthcare including education, health tracking and monitoring, and assistance with locating health providers. However, little is known about the types of health and fitness apps available for voice-activated assistants as it is an emerging market. Objective: This review aimed to examine the characteristics of health and fitness apps for commercially available, hands-free voice-activated assistants, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Methods: Amazon Alexa Skills Store and Google Assistant app were searched to find voice-activated assistant apps designated by vendors as health and fitness apps. Information was extracted for each app including name, description, vendor, vendor rating, user reviews and ratings, cost, developer and security policies, and the ability to pair with a smartphone app and website and device. Using a codebook, two reviewers independently coded each app using the vendor’s descriptions and the app name into one or more health and fitness, intended age group, and target audience categories. A third reviewer adjudicated coding disagreements until consensus was reached. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize app characteristics. Results: Overall, 309 apps were reviewed; health education apps (87) were the most commonly occurring, followed by fitness and training (72), nutrition (33), brain training and games (31), and health monitoring (25). Diet and calorie tracking apps were infrequent. Apps were mostly targeted towards adults and general audiences with few specifically geared towards patients, caregivers, or medical professionals. Most apps were free to enable or use and 18.1% (56/309) could be paired with a smartphone app and website and device; 30.7% (95/309) of vendors provided privacy policies; and 22.3% (69/309) provided terms of use. The majority (36/42, 85.7%) of Amazon Alexa apps were rated by the vendor as mature or guidance suggested, which were geared towards adults only. When there was a user rating available, apps had a wide range of ratings from 1 to 5 stars with a mean of 2.97. Google Assistant apps did not have user reviews available, whereas most of Amazon Alexa apps had at least 1-9 reviews available. Conclusions: The emerging market of health and fitness apps for voice-activated assistants is still nascent and mainly focused on health education and fitness. Voice-activated assistant apps had a wide range of content areas but many published in the health and fitness categories did not actually have a clear health or fitness focus. This may, in part, be due to Amazon and Google policies, which place restrictions on the delivery of care or direct recording of health data. As in the mobile app market, the content and functionalities may evolve to meet growing demands for self-monitoring and disease management.
The iCRISPR Platform for Rapid Genome Editing in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have the potential to generate all adult cell types, including rare or inaccessible human cell populations, thus providing a unique platform for disease studies. To realize this promise, it is essential to develop methods for efficient genetic manipulations in hPSCs. Established using TALEN (transcription activator-like effector nuclease) and CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas (CRISPR-associated) systems, the iCRISPR platform supports a variety of genome-engineering approaches with high efficiencies. Here, we first describe the establishment of the iCRISPR platform through TALEN-mediated targeting of inducible Cas9 expression cassettes into the AAVS1 locus. Next, we provide a series of technical procedures for using iCRISPR to achieve one-step knockout of one or multiple gene(s), "scarless" introduction of precise nucleotide alterations, as well as inducible knockout during hPSC differentiation. We present an optimized workflow, as well as guidelines for the selection of CRISPR targeting sequences and the design of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) homology-directed DNA repair templates for the introduction of specific nucleotide alterations. We have successfully used these protocols in four different hPSC lines, including human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Once the iCRISPR platform is established, clonal lines with desired genetic modifications can be established in as little as 1 month. The methods described here enable a wide range of genome-engineering applications in hPSCs, thus providing a valuable resource for the creation of diverse hPSC-based disease models with superior speed and ease.
Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty: A Surgical Option for the Management of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a well-known urologic disease that can be treated by different surgical approaches. Although open dismembered pyeloplasty has been the gold standard, less invasive techniques have recently been developed, including antegrade and retrograde incision of the narrowed UPJ. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty combines the benefits of minimally invasive surgery with the success rates of open dismembered pyeloplasty, but remains technically challenging. It may be particularly suitable for patients with crossing renal vessels or high-grade hydronephrosis.
Evaluation of the ELOVL4 gene in patients with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis.

Purpose To determine whether pathogenic mutations exist in the ELOVL4 gene in patients with inherited retinal degenerations other than Stargardt-like macular dystrophy or other hereditary macular degenerations. Methods All six exons comprising the open reading frame of the ELOVL4 gene were evaluated by single-strand conformation analysis, direct nucleotide sequencing, or both methods. Results No pathogenic mutations were found among 84 patients with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa or among 51 patients with Leber congenital amaurosis (congenital retinal blindness). Conclusions These data support the conclusion that recessive retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis are rarely if ever associated with changes in the ELOVL4 gene.
Multiple Influences on Cognitive Function Among Urban-Dwelling African Americans.

This study examined multiple influences on cognitive function among African Americans, including education, literacy, poverty status, substance use, depressive symptoms, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Baseline data were analyzed from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study. Participants were 987 African Americans (mean age 48.5 years, SD = 9.17) who completed cognitive measures assessing verbal learning and memory, nonverbal memory, working memory, verbal fluency, perceptuo-motor speed, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Using preplanned hierarchical regression, cognitive performance was regressed on the following: (1) age, sex, education, poverty status; (2) literacy; (3) cigarette smoking, illicit substance use; (4) depressive symptoms; and (5) number of CVD risk factors. Results indicated that literacy eliminated the influence of education and poverty status in select instances, but added predictive utility in others. In fully adjusted models, results showed that literacy was the most important influence on cognitive performance across all cognitive domains (p < .001); however, education and poverty status were related to attention and cognitive flexibility. Depressive symptoms and substance use were significant predictors of multiple cognitive outcomes, and CVD risk factors were not associated with cognitive performance. Overall, findings underscore the need to develop cognitive supports for individuals with low literacy, educational attainment, and income, and the importance of treating depressive symptoms and thoroughly examining the role of substance use in this population.
Molecular geometry and the vapor pressures of the isotopic ethylenes : chemical and structural isomers

The theory of isotope effects on vapor pressures for systems with large quantum effects, as manifested by the cross-over phenomenon and deviation from the rule of the mean, is illustrated by the large body of experimental data on the isotopic ethylenes which has recently become available. An effect of molecular geometry was found, viz. a difference in vapor pressures of cis-, trans- . and gemdideuteroethylenes. This was shown to be related to the hindered rotation about the C =C axis in the liquid. A further consequence of the hindered rotation was established, namely a perturbation of the out of plane molecular vibrations. This is a new effect for which a one to one correspondence with the molecular symmetry was established. Quantitative calculations show that this rotation-vibration coupling further enhances the effect of the hindered rotation. A theoretical calculation of the vapor pressure differences of the isotopic ethylenes from molecular data is made through statistical mechanical theory and the calculation of the energy states of the isotopic ethylenes. The agreement with the experimental data, which encompasses a significant number of different parameters, is quantitative. (auth)
FGFR2 fusions and its effect of patient (pt) outcomes in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA)

Abstract Background iCCA is a genomically diverse disease where various genomic alterations have been identified. FGFR2 fusions are present in up to 15% of iCCA tumors and are drivers that result in activation of the FGFR pathway. While early studies implicate their potential as a therapeutic target, thier impact on the natural course of the disease is unknown. Herein, we describe the natural history iCCA FGFR2 fusions, its prognostic role and utility for FGFR-targeted therapy. Methods A multi-center, retrospective analysis was performed, where we identified pts with advanced iCCA. FGFR2 fusions were detected by using a CLIA certified next generation sequencing panel or fluorescence in situ hybridization. We assessed pt outcomes with advanced iCCA whose tumors were identified as having FGFR2 fusions compared to those that did not exhibit FGFR2 fusions. Univariate Cox regression model was used to determine the association between gene alterations with progression free survival (PFS) and (OS). Results One hundred thirty-five pts with advanced iCCA were identified, with forty-five having FGFR2 fusions. In patients with iCCA, FGF2R fusions appeared to occur at a younger age (55 v 58 yrs; p = 0.1919) compared to the control but was not signficant. Ethnicity (p = 0.5162), gender (p = 0.4967), differentiation (p = 0.7754) were evaluated and were not significantly different between groups iCCA FGFR2 fusions pts were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease, stage IIIB or greater (p = 0.0016). No significant differences in PFS were observed from gemcitabine-platinum based chemotherapy in pts whose tumors exhibited FGFR2 fusions (0.5 v 0.5 yrs, HR 1.19, P = 0.36). An significant median OS was observed in pts whose tumors exhibited FGFR2 fusions compared to those that were WT for FGFR2 fusions (2.7 vs 1.3 yrs, HR 0.44, p = 0.002). Conclusions Somatic FGFR2 fusions were associated with a significant survival advantage in pts with advanced iCCA. FGFR2 fusions may also be prognostic to chemotherapy response. FGFR is a therapeutic target of interest, where future prospective studies will be necessary to validate the predictive, prognostic utility and its relevance in pt outcomes in iCCA. Legal entity responsible for the study Daniel Ahn. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Drs. Deane and Demoruelle reply.

To the Editor: In the letter by Alpizar-Rodriguez and Finckh1, they describe their prior work in which they found, similar to our current report, an association between older age and anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) positivity in first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)2,3. In contrast to our findings, their data suggest that the strongest association between ACPA positivity and age is in women aged 45–55 years, and they did not find an association between ACPA positivity and age in men. They also found that being postmenopausal was strongly associated with ACPA positivity in women. However, … Address correspondence to Dr. M.K. Demoruelle, 1775 Aurora Court, Mail Stop B-115, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA. E-mail: Kristen.Demoruelle{at}cuanschutz.edu
Probing the Mechanism of Bubble Nucleation in and the Effect of Atmospheric Pressure on the Candy-Cola Soda Geyser.

The so-called Diet Coke and Mentos experiment is initiated by dropping Mentos candies into a bottle of Diet Coke or other carbonated beverage. This causes the beverage to rapidly degas, causing foam to stream out of the bottle. Simple application of the gas laws leads to the straightforward prediction that ejection of greater foam volume is expected at lower atmospheric pressure. This hypothesis is bolstered when principles of bubble physics are taken into account. This hypothesis was tested and confirmed by monitoring the foam produced during the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment at various altitudes above sea level. Upon further application of the aforementioned principles, a relationship between degassing kinetics, beverage CO2 concentration, and the size of pores on the candy surface that serve as nucleation sites can be derived. Using this relationship and experimental measurements of degassing kinetics, students estimated that the nucleation sites on Mentos candies are on the order of 2–7 μm in dimension. Students in Physical Chemistry, General Chemistry, and nonmajors’ courses have found these experiments to be of great interest.
Diagnostic value of three-dimensional ultrasonography to fetal limb skeletal dysplasia

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of three-dimensional ultrasonography to fetal limb skeletal dysplasia. Methods From December 2005 to December 2009, the fetus with pregnancy of 14 to 40 weeks after routine ultrasound screening were given two dimensional prenatal ultrasound screening, and we found fetal limb skeletal growth abnormalities retained images, meanwhile we used three-dimensional ultrasound surface imaging mode and transparent imaging mode techniques, the location and types of malformations observed by these two kinds of methods were compared. Results Among the 38 974 cases, 70 cases of abnormalities detected by two-dimensional method, while 78 ones detected by three-dimensional ultrasound method, during postpartum follow-up study, 14 cases of miss diagnosis were found, including 4 cases of polydactylism, 2 cases of polydactyly, 2 cases of toe absence, 4 cases of syndactyly, and 2 cases of abnormal finger posture; while in those with three-dimensional ultrasound method, there were only 6 cases found as miss diagnosis, including polydactylism, polydactyly and syndactyly,2 cases for each. The detectable rate for fetal limb deformities of three-dimensional ultrasound was significantly higher than that of two-dimensional ultrasound method. The methods were mainly used to increase diagnostic accuracy for fetal fingers and toes deformities.Conclusions There is no obvious difference in fetal long bone deformity diagnosis between the methods of two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound, but in the fetal fingers, toes and other details, the results of the three-dimensional ultrasound diagnosis is better than that of two-dimensional one. The three-dimensionul ultrasound diagnosis image is intuitive which provides convenience for communicating with pregnant women. Key words: Real-time three-dimensional uhrasonography; Fetus; The fetal four limbs growth malformations; Diagnosis
Abstract B12: Potential neoantigen release and increased lymphocyte activity is facilitated by matrix metalloproteinase-dependent cleavage of mutant matrisome peptides in cutaneous melanoma

Introduction: Proteases in the cancer microenvironment have been studied for decades, with a general conclusion that such proteases facilitate the spread of cancer, although there is some controversy regrading that conclusion in later stages of cancer development. More recently, a very large collection of data regarding mutant amino acids in the potential substrates of the cancer microenvironment has become available. Methods: To better understand the potential impact of these mutant amino acids on protease function and cancer progression, we established a bioinformatics approach to assessing the impact of melanoma mutants, among a previously defined set of ECM structural proteins, on MMP2, a protease extensively associated with melanoma in terms of both protease sensitivity and MHC class I binding using original software. Additionally, T-cell receptor TRα and TRβ recombinations were bioinformatically obtained using whole-exome sequencing data from 479 melanoma tumor samples. Results: Tumor samples with mutant amino acids adjacent to ECM structural protein, MMP2-cleavage sites represented a better survival rate and a larger proportion of mutant peptides with high HLA class I binding affinities, particularly in comparison to melanoma samples lacking a T-cell infiltrate. Furthermore, even better MHC class I binders, as a group, were identified among the sample representing ECM structural proteins mutants not adjacent to MMP2 sensitive sites and evincing a relatively poor survival rate. Conclusion: Overall, this analysis suggested that MMP2 has the capacity of freeing mutant peptides that could facilitate an antitumor response and a better survival rate, and this analysis has the potential of resolving some of the controversy surrounding the role of cancer proteases in cancer progression. Citation Format: Saif Zaman, Boris I. Chobrutskiy, Jay S. Patel, Blake M. Callahan, Moody Mihyu, Andrea Diviney, Wei Lue Tong, George Blanck. Potential neoantigen release and increased lymphocyte activity is facilitated by matrix metalloproteinase-dependent cleavage of mutant matrisome peptides in cutaneous melanoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Melanoma: From Biology to Target; 2019 Jan 15-18; Houston, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(19 Suppl):Abstract nr B12.
Rapid multi-physics simulation for electro-thermal origami systems

Abstract Electro-thermally actuated origami provides a novel method for creating 3-D systems with advanced morphing and functional capabilities. However, it is currently difficult to simulate the multi-physical behavior of such systems because the electro-thermal actuation and large folding deformations are highly interdependent. In this work, we introduce a rapid multi-physics simulation framework for electro-thermally actuated origami systems that can simultaneously capture: thermo-mechancially coupled actuation, inter panel contact, heat transfer, large deformation folding, and other complex loading applied onto the origami. Comparisons with finite element models validate the proposed framework for simulating origami heat transfer with different system geometries, materials, and surrounding environments. Verification of the simulated folding behaviors against physical electro-thermal micro-origami further demonstrates the validity of the proposed model. Simulations of more complex origami patterns and a case study for origami optimization are provided as application examples to show the capability and efficiency of the model. The framework provides a novel simulation tool for analysis, design, control, and optimization of active origami systems, pushing the boundary for feasible shape morphing and functional capability.
Endocrine regulation of cancer stem cell compartments in breast tumors.

Abstract Cancer cells within breast tumors exist within a hierarchy in which only a small and rare subset of cells is able to regenerate growths with the heterogeneity of the original tumor. These highly malignant cancer cells, which behave like stem cells for new cancers and are called “cancer stem cells” or CSCs, have also been shown to possess increased resistance to therapeutics, and represent the root cause underlying therapy failures, persistence of residual disease, and relapse. As >90% of cancer deaths are due to refractory tumors, identification of critical molecular drivers of the CSC-state would reveal vulnerabilities that can be leveraged in designing therapeutics that eradicate advanced disease and improve patient survival outcomes. An expanding and complex body of work has now described the exquisite susceptibility of CSC pools to the regulatory influences of local and systemic hormones. Indeed, breast CSCs express a plethora of hormonal receptors, which funnel hormonal influences over every aspect of breast neoplasia – be it tumor onset, growth, survival, invasion, metastasis, or therapy resistance – via directly impacting CSC behavior. This article is intended to shed light on this active area of investigation by attempting to provide a systematic and comprehensive overview of the available evidence directly linking hormones to breast CSC biology.
The Digital Government Reference Library (DGRL) and its potential formative impact on Digital Government Research (DGR)

Abstract The domain of Digital Government Research (DGR) emerged at the end of the 1990s at the intersection of several traditional academic disciplines such as information studies, information systems research, public administration studies, political science, computer science, and business administration among others. While due to their own boundary definitions none of these traditional disciplines could claim “ownership” to the emerging domain, the disciplines were jointly indispensable to provide their various perspectives. As a consequence, the study domain has evolved as a multi-disciplinary endeavor increasingly fostering interdisciplinary relationships. An important contributor to forming the Digital Government research domain in this way also appears to be attributable to the impact of the Digital Government Reference Library (DGRL), which has regularly recorded, updated, and published bibliographical references to the vast majority of peer-reviewed DG research published in the English language for over a decade and a half. Besides its original curatorial purpose of findability and ease of bibliographic organization of DGR-focused research, over the years the DGRL has increasingly also been used for the purpose of bibliometric studies of some kind and some range. This review captures and analyzes the resulting increasingly formative role of the DGRL in DGR, and it documents its increased uses.
Nanostructured Ruthenium-Titanium Oxides for Highly Active and Stable Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts

Proton-exchange membrane water electrolyzers produce high purity hydrogen from water and electricity and can be powered using renewable energy; however, the high material cost, limited global supply, and overpotential of iridium-based oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts result in high device costs (both up-front catalyst and input electricity costs). Ruthenium-based acidic OER catalysts have among the highest activities reported, which are higher than the activities of iridium-based catalysts. In addition, ruthenium has a significantly lower cost and higher global supply compared to iridium. Despite their advantages, ruthenium-based catalysts (both metallic and oxide forms) show higher degradation and less stability than iridium-based catalysts. Improving corrosion resistance while maintaining ruthenium activity is key to producing catalysts that are both highly active and long-lasting for clean hydrogen production via water electrolysis. To create highly active and stable acidic OER electrocatalysts, we have explored ruthenium-titanium oxide, Ru1-xTixOy, as a model system of the interaction of a highly stable and inactive metal (Ti) with a highly active, unstable metal (Ru) within an oxide structure. We evaluated different synthesis methods and thermal treatments to obtain ruthenium-titanium oxides with varied compositions and structures. The effect of altering the Ti ratio within ruthenium-titanium oxides on the structure and OER activity and stability were determined. Understanding how the interaction of active and inactive elements can influence the oxygen evolution reaction provides a pathway to develop electrocatalysts with higher activity, improved stable and lower cost.
Existence of Functional Connectome Fingerprint During Infancy and Its Stability Over Months

Functional connectome "fingerprint" is a cluster of individualized brain functional connectivity patterns that are capable of distinguishing one individual from others. Although its existence has been demonstrated in adolescents and adults, whether such individualized patterns exist since infancy is barely investigated despite its importance in identifying the origin of the intrinsic connectome patterns that potentially mirror distinct behavioral phenotypes. To fill this knowledge gap, capitalizing on a longitudinal high-resolution structural and resting-state functional MRI dataset (104 human infants (53 females) with 806 longitudinal scans, age=16-876 days) and infant-specific functional parcellation maps, we observe that the brain functional connectome fingerprint may exist since infancy and keeps stable over months during early brain development. Specifically, we achieve about 78% individual identification rate by using around 5% selected functional connections, compared to the best identification rate of 60% without connection selection. The frontoparietal networks recognized as the most contributive networks in adult functional connectome fingerprinting, retain their superiority in infants despite being widely acknowledged as the rapidly developing systems during childhood. The existence and stability of the functional connectome fingerprint are further validated on adjacent age groups. Moreover, we show that the infant frontoparietal networks can reach similar accuracy in predicting individual Early Learning Composite score as the whole brain connectome, again resembling the observations in adults and highlighting the relevance of functional connectome fingerprint to cognitive performance. These results, for the first time, suggest that each individual may retain a unique and stable marker of functional connectome during the early brain development.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTFunctional connectome fingerprinting during infancy featuring the rapid brain development remains barely uninvestigated although it is essential for understanding the early individual-level intrinsic pattern of functional organization and its relationship with distinct behavioral phenotypes. With an infant-tailored functional connection selection and validation strategy, we strive to provide the delineation of infant functional connectome fingerprint by examining its existence, stability, and relationship with early cognitive performance. We observe that the brain functional connectome fingerprint may exist since early infancy and keeps stable over months during the first two years. The identified key contributive functional connections and networks for fingerprinting are also verified to be highly predictive for cognitive score prediction, which unveils the association between infant connectome fingerprint and cognitive performance.
Location of the saccharide binding site of concanavalin A.

Abstract Crystals of the lectin concanavalin A containing the saccharide β-(o-iodophenyl)-d-glucopyranoside have been prepared. Difference electron density projections at 2.8-A resolution have revealed the positions of the iodine atoms, directly within prominent cavities on the surface of the protein. One saccharide is bound to each 27,000 molecular weight subunit, and thus 4 sugar molecules are bound to symmetry equivalent positions on the tetrameric concanavalin A molecule. The iodine atoms of the four bound saccharides are separated by distances of 24.6, 25.1, and 35.1 A.
Time Optimal Self-Stabilizing Spanning Tree Algorithms

In this paper we present time-optimal self-stabilizing algorithms for asynchronous distributed spanning tree computation in networks. We present both a randomized algorithm for anonymous networks as well as a deterministic version for ID-based networks. Our protocols are the first to be time-optimal (i.e. stabilize in time O(diameter)) without any prior knowledge of the network size or diameter, assuming we are allowed messages of size O(ID). Both results are achieved through a new technique of symmetry breaking that may be of independent interest.
The role of calcium in lymphocyte proliferation. (An interpretive review)

A small quantity of extracellular calcium is required for the stimulation of lymphocytes by mitogens such as plant lectins. Lectin binding to the lymphocyte surface and early postbinding events that eventually lead to DNA synthesis are calcium dependent. Mitogenic lectins such as PHA and Con-A rapidly increase the size of an exchangeable pool of cell calcium and cause a smaller rise in intracellular ionized calcium. The increase in ionized calcium is so small (100-200 nM), however, that no increase in total cell calcium is measurable. When lymphocytes are stimulated by a lectin, the rate of calcium entry into the cell increases, but the plasma membrane calcium extrusion pump can prevent the total cell calcium from increasing measurably. The calcium ionophore A23187 is a lymphocyte mitogen and causes an increase in the exchangeable, ionized, and total cell calcium. The former two effects may be causal in mitogenesis; the latter effect is cytotoxic. With A23187 treatment, the rate of calcium influx exceeds the maximum rate of the plasma membrane extrusion pump and cell calcium increases in proportion to the concentration of A23187. The mitochondria, by virtue of their high membrane potential, provide a sink for the buffering of cytoplasmic calcium after A23187 treatment. Thus, the plasma membrane or mitochondria regulate the distribution of lymphocyte calcium when the cell is stimulated by mitogenic lectins or ionophores. The evidence strongly suggests that an alteration in calcium pools or an increase in cytoplasmic ionized calcium plays a role in the initiation of the biochemical reactions that lead to mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation in vitro and, perhaps, to the immune response.
Periodontal disease in the rice rat. II. Methods for the evaluation of the extent of periodontal disease

Abstract Studies of periodontal disease in experimental animals are sufficiently recent that no evaluation system has been accepted as uniquely desirable by the various researchers in the field. Three methods of recording have been used to obtain the data discussed in this article. These are modifications of the three most commonly used methods adapted to the situation encountered in the rice rat. A method based solely on soft tissue lesions was insufficiently exacting to detect stages of alveolar bone resorption that occurred prior to soft tissue destruction. However, this method is of potential value when used parallel to an alveolar bone resorption method to evaluate the possible extent of participation of a systemic influence in the disease process. The method for evaluating alveolar bone resorption developed by Keyes and Gold 7 is particularly precise, although tedious and time consuming. The evaluation of the amount of alveolar bone resorption on the basis of an arbitrary grading system from 0 to 4+ appeared to be particularly desirable with an adequate degree of precision, while at the same time quickly and reproducibly applied. Because of the high degree of bilateral symmetry of the lesions, the evaluation of the extent of periodontal disease involvement in the rice rat may be based satisfactorily on the examination of the buccal and lingual aspects of one maxilla and one mandible.
Normales kognitives Altern

Bei der Erfassung »wissensunabhangiger«, kogni tiver Leistungsfahigkeit zeigt sich in der Regel ab 20 Jahren ein deutlicher und kontinuierlicher Altersabbau, dem allerdings relative Leistungsinva rianz in erfahrungsabhangigen Bereichen gegenubersteht. Ein wichtiges und nicht immer leicht zu losendes methodisches Problem bei dem Versuch, negative Altersveranderungen auf der psycholo gischen Ebene zu charakterisieren, besteht darin, zwischen generellen und funktionsspezifischen Altersdefiziten zu unterscheiden. Die dabei entwickelten Analysetechniken (z.B. die »Alt-jung-Funktion«) konnten uber die Altersforschung hinaus fur die Dissoziation von generellen und spezifischen neuropsychologischen Defiziten nutzlich sein. Betrachtet man die psychologische und die neuronale Ebene zusammen, dann ergeben sich wichtige Hinweise auf eine funktionale Ausdifferenzierung neurokognitiven Alterns. Wahrend prafrontale Gerhinregionen (sowie assoziierte subkortikale Regionen) einen besonders starken Altersabbau zeigen, sind posteriore Regionen weniger betroffen. Wie hier vor allem am Beispiel des Gedachtnisses dargstellt wird, zeigen sich je nach Beteiligung von Gehirnregionen an verschiedenen Aufgaben (prafrontaler Kortex, Hippocampus oder posteriorer Kortex) sowie der Art der Informationskodierung (redundant versus nichtredundant) unterschiedliche Altersgradienten.
Open Problems in Euclidean Ramsey Theory

Ramsey theory is the study of structure that must exist in a system, most typically after it has been partitioned.
Critique of the requirement for vitamin E

The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recently published a comprehensive evaluation of antioxidants in human diets that includes dietary reference intakes for vitamin E. The new dietary reference intake is 15 mg (35 μmol)/d for adults, which is 50% greater than the generous allowance in the 10th edition of Recommended Dietary Allowances published in 1989. Much of the data interpreted in these publications came from studies sponsored by the Committee of Nutritional Studies at Elgin State Hospital (Elgin, IL) of an earlier Food and Nutrition Board. The 50% increase in the recommended dietary allowances for vitamin E is not supported by any new data. It is possible that the publication of the Institute of Medicine did not take into consideration the effects of the oxidized lipids in the diets used to promote the development of vitamin E deficiency. If lipids, oxidized to remove tocopherols, had not been a part of the experimental diets, the minimum requirement for vitamin E would have been too small for possible evaluation. Studies on the different effects of saturated and oxidized lipids in the production of encephalomalacia in chicks and muscular dystrophy in rats are reviewed. The tolerable upper intake level of vitamin E supplementation is reported to be 1000 mg/d. It is possible that the universal consumption of aspirin may not have been taken into consideration when this level was determined. Vitamin E plus aspirin may increase the tendency to hemorrhage, which makes a lower upper intake level worth consideration.