cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biosynthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones by human adrenal carcinomas

Over a 15-year period, our university-based laboratory obtained 125 adrenal tumors, of which 15 (12%) were adrenal cortical carcinomas. Of these, 6 (40% of the carcinomas) occurred in patients with clear clinical manifestations of steroid hormone excess. Adrenal cortical carcinoma cells derived from the surgically resected tumors in 4 of these patients were isolated and established in primary culture. Radiotracer steroid interconversion studies were carried out with these cultures and also on mitochondria isolated from homogenized tissues. Large tumors had the lowest steroidogenic activities per weight, whereas small tumors had more moderately depressed enzyme activities relative to cells from normal glands. In incubations with pregnenolone as substrate, 1 mM metyrapone blocked the synthesis of corticosterone and cortisol and also the formation of aldosterone. Metyrapone inhibition was associated with a concomitant increase in the formation of androgens (androstenedione and testosterone) from pregnenolone. Administration of metyrapone in vivo before surgery in one patient resulted in a similar increase in plasma androstenedione, though plasma testosterone levels were not significantly affected. In cultures of two of four tumors examined, dibutyryl cAMP stimulated 11ss-hydroxylase activity modestly; ACTH also had a significant stimulatory effect in one of these tumors. Unlike results obtained with normal or adenomatous adrenal cortical tissues, mitochondria from carcinomatous cells showed a lack of support of either cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme complex or steroid 11ss-hydroxylase activity by Krebs cycle intermediates (10 mM isocitrate, succinate or malate). This finding is consistent with the concept that these carcinomas may tend to function predominantly in an anaerobic manner, rather than through the oxidation of Krebs cycle intermediates.
Malformations and deformations in abdominal pregnancy.

Abdominal gestation is a relatively uncommon complication of pregnancy. Previous reports describe a high incidence of fetal deformations and mortality as well as maternal mortality. A case of twin abdominal gestation is presented and the literature concerning abdominal pregnancy since 1809 is reviewed. The survival rate of liveborn infants of 30 or more weeks gestation was 63%. The maternal mortality rate since 1809 was 18.2%, but this has decreased to 4.5% during the last 20 years. The combined rate of malformations and deformations in the infants was 21.4%. The most common deformations observed were facial and/or cranial asymmetry and various joint abnormalities. Among the most common malformations were limb deficiency and central nervous system malformations. Proposed mechanisms of compression and vascular disruption are discussed. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Role of Liquidity in Futures Market Innovations

I characterize the optimal design of a new futures market (an innovation) by an exchange in the presence of market frictions. Futures markets am characterized by both the contract and the level of trader participation both can be determined by an exchange. A game in which exchanges simultaneously design markets is c onsidered, and a particular equilibrium (not necessarily unique) is constructed. A game in which exchanges sequentially design markets (and incur design costs) is also considered and the (generically unique) equilibrium is constructed. The nature of equilibrium with multiple exchanges is discussed in these simultaneous and sequential settings, illustrating the role played by liquidity considerations both in market design and in the nature of competition between exchanges.
Does Variation in Cranial Morphology of Myotis occultus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) Reflect a Greater Reliance on Certain Prey Types?

Few studies have investigated the relationship between morphological variation and local feeding habits of bats in the United States. We used discriminant function analysis (DFA) to compare cranial morphology of Myotis occultus from southern Colorado, and central, and southern New Mexico. We analyzed guano collected from maternity colonies in southern Colorado and central New Mexico to compare food habits. Bats from southern Colorado had the smallest values on the first canonical variate (CV1) that also reflected the smallest measurements of key cranial and dental variables, including height of coronoid process, width of molar, and dentary thickness. Bats from central and southern New Mexico had intermediate and large CV1 values, respectively. Overall, CV1 discriminated individuals occurring in southern Colorado and central New Mexico from those in southern New Mexico. CV2 served best at discriminating bats of southern Colorado from those of central New Mexico. Comparison of food habits revealed that individuals from southern Colorado ate more soft-bodied prey items (e.g., flies) whereas bats from central New Mexico ate more hard-bodied prey items (e.g., beetles). As shown in earlier studies that investigated relationships between morphology and diet of insectivorous bats, we found differences in skull morphology of M. occultus that were correlated with differences in food habits.
Stable imposition of stiff constraints in explicit dynamics for embedded finite element methods

SUMMARY We investigate various strategies to enforce the kinematics at an embedded interface for transient problems within the extended finite element method. In particular, we focus on explicit time integration of the semi-discrete equations of motion and extend both dual and primal variational frameworks for constraint enforcement to a transient regime. We reiterate the incompatibility of the dual formulation with purely explicit time integration and the severe restrictions placed by the Courant–Friedrichs–Levy condition on primal formulations. We propose an alternate, consistent formulation for the primal method and derive an estimate for the stabilization parameter, which is more amenable in an explicit dynamics framework. Importantly, the use of the new estimate circumvents the need for any tolerances as an interface approaches an element boundary. We also show that with interfacial constraints, existing mass lumping schemes can lead to prohibitively small critical time steps. Accordingly, we propose a mass lumping procedure, which provides a more favorable estimate. These techniques are then demonstrated on several benchmark numerical examples, where we compare and contrast the accuracy of the primal methods against the dual methods in enforcing the constraints. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultra-dense monolithic integration of optical and electrical functions on silicon for optical interconnects

CMOS Integrated Nanophotonics which allows dense monolithic integration of optical and electrical functions on the same chip can enable future Exaflops supercomputers by connecting racks, modules, and chips together with ultra-low power massively parallel optical interconnects.
The Time Course of Interpretation in Speech Comprehension

Determining how language comprehension proceeds over time has been central to theories of human language use. Early research on the comprehension of speech in real time put special emphasis on the sequential property of speech, by assuming that the interpretation of what is said proceeds at the same rate that information in the speech signal reaches the senses. The picture that is emerging from recent work suggests a more complex process, one in which information from speech has an immediate influence while enabling later-arriving information to modulate initial hypotheses. “Right-context” effects, in which the later portion of a spoken stimulus can affect the interpretation of an earlier portion, are pervasive and can span several syllables or words. Thus, the interpretation of a segment of speech appears to result from the accumulation of information and integration of linguistic constraints over a larger temporal window than the duration of the speech segment itself. This helps explain how human listen...
Proteomic profiling and pathway analysis of the response of rat renal proximal convoluted tubules to metabolic acidosis

Metabolic acidosis is a relatively common pathological condition that is defined as a decrease in blood pH and bicarbonate concentration. The renal proximal convoluted tubule responds to this condition by increasing the extraction of plasma glutamine and activating ammoniagenesis and gluconeogenesis. The combined processes increase the excretion of acid and produce bicarbonate ions that are added to the blood to partially restore acid-base homeostasis. Only a few cytosolic proteins, such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, have been determined to play a role in the renal response to metabolic acidosis. Therefore, further analysis was performed to better characterize the response of the cytosolic proteome. Proximal convoluted tubule cells were isolated from rat kidney cortex at various times after onset of acidosis and fractionated to separate the soluble cytosolic proteins from the remainder of the cellular components. The cytosolic proteins were analyzed using two-dimensional liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Spectral counting along with average MS/MS total ion current were used to quantify temporal changes in relative protein abundance. In all, 461 proteins were confidently identified, of which 24 exhibited statistically significant changes in abundance. To validate these techniques, several of the observed abundance changes were confirmed by Western blotting. Data from the cytosolic fractions were then combined with previous proteomic data, and pathway analyses were performed to identify the primary pathways that are activated or inhibited in the proximal convoluted tubule during the onset of metabolic acidosis.
Human Cytomegalovirus Infections in Cells and Tissues

In this section we shall discuss practical approaches to the virological diagnosis of CMV. Practical knowledge is emphasized. The scientific background of this material is found in other sections, especially Chapters 2, 4, and 6. Technical details are not presented fully but may be found in other texts (Reynolds et al., 1979b).
Is It Finally Time for a Personalized Medicine Approach for Fluorouracil-Based Therapies?

At present, implementation of pretreatment genotypic tests to individualize fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy is limited despite a wealth of evidence demonstrating that individuals who carry certain variants of the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) gene (DPYD) are at significantly greater risk of experiencing severe and potentially lethal adverse toxicity (grade $ 3) when receiving treatment with standard dosages of 5-FU. The DPYD *2A variant—also known as rs3918290, NM_000110.3:c.190511G.A, and DPYD: IVS14_1G.A—has been reproducibly shown to result in a catalytic inactive form of DPD using a variety of methods, including the study of patient-derived clinical specimens 1 and through direct invitro study of the variant form of the protein. 2 Despite strong evidence linking this varianttotoxicity,andthemountingevidencelinkingadditionalDPYD variants to toxicity, the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency do not currently require pharmacogenomics testing before 5-FU administration. 3 Both agencies, however, do recommend the use of alternative drugs in individuals with known DPD deficiency. Scientific groups, such as the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium and the Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group, provide regularly updated gene and drug clinical practice guidelines to help to translate research results into actionable treatment decisions for various drugs, including 5-FU, on the basis of peer-reviewed pharmacogenetic information. 4-6 Much of the information from these groups is disseminated by the Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase, an actively updated, online resource for dosing guidelines, drug labels, and potentially actionable gene-drug and genotype-phenotype relationships. 7 However, it should be noted that the goal of these groups and online tools is not to direct which tests should be ordered, but, rather, to assist with the integration of test results into the decision-making process.
Local and regional government in remote and unincorporated Australia: Sui Generis?

Most of Australia's geographical area is remote or very remote. Many parts of remote Australia are not incorporated into the area of a local government. For people in these areas, democratically elected and accountable local representation does not exist. How then are the local views of these people heard without bias and acted upon? This paper reviews the various institutional arrangements governing remote and unincorporated areas to reveal that while weak forms of representation exist they are far from being democratic, accountable and representative at the local level. As a second best solution to local and democratically elected government, this paper reviews available approaches for assessing the social, economic and environmental values held by people with a view to identifying those methods that may best work in remote and unincorporated Australia. The paper concludes that new methods are required based on a combination of remote sensing, participatory and integrated assessment approaches. The development of these new methods is area for future research.
The immunoproteasome as a novel target for cancer therapy

C72 The immunoproteasome is a unique proteasomal variant found in cells derived from hematologic precursers with distinct catalytic subunits termed low molecular weight proteins (LMPs) and differs from the constitutive proteasome found in most other cells. Targeting the proteasome as an anti-cancer therapy was first realized with bortezomib (VELCADE®), now one of the standards used in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. The overall safety profile of bortezomib is manageable, but toxicities, such as peripheral neuropathy, can be dose-limiting and most likely related to proteasome inhibition at these sites. Given the limited expression of immunoproteasomes, immunoproteasome-specific inhibitors (IPSIs) could be used to target blood cancers thus sparing other tissues. An examination of a panel of cell lines revealed that cell lines of hematopoietic origin have a higher expression of proteins associated with the immunoproteasome than do solid tumor cell lines. Semi-quantitative rt-PCR reveals that patient samples from a variety of hematologic cancers generally have higher mRNA transcript levels of immunoproteasome subunit LMP-7 than the corresponding constitutive β5 subunit. The incorporation of LMP-7 is favored over the constitutive β5 subunit during proteasome biogenesis, thus increased LMP-7 mRNA should correlate with increased immunoproteasome assembly. IPSI-001, our lead compound, preferentially targets the chymotrypsin-like activity, or rate-limiting step of degradation, in a dose-dependent manner in cell lines of hematologic origin and this inhibition leads to apoptotic cell death. The molecular changes associated with IPSI-001-induced apoptosis include activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, accumulation of pro-apoptotic Bax as well as other ubiquitinated substrates, and cleavage of the apoptotic marker poly-(ADP) ribose polymerase. This apoptotic effect was specific towards lymphoid-derived cells as treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and neuroblastoma SK-N-MC cells with IPSI-001 induced little cell death and minimal caspase-3 activity, respectively. However, IPSI-001 induced dose-dependent cell death in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. IPSI-001 is also a potent inducer of cell death samples acquired from patients with myeloma and other hematologic malignancies. Lastly, IPSI-001 has potent cell death inducing activity in bortezomib-, doxorubicin-, and melphalan-resistant cell lines that is comparable to their wild type counterparts. These results indicate that IPSIs may lead to reduced dose-limiting toxicities by inhibiting solely the immunoproteasome, thus leading to longer therapy duration and increased quality of life for the patient.
Acute effects of ethanol on cardiac output and its derivatives in spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats.

This study investigated the influence of small to moderate doses of ethanol on arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) of anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and two age-matched normotensive strains, Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Compared with WKY values, the significantly higher MAP of SHRs (175 +/- 4 vs. 118 +/- 4 mm Hg) was the result of a significantly elevated TPR (6.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.2 mm Hg/ml/min/100 g; P < .05), because Cl was significantly lower (31 +/- 1.6 vs. 41 +/- 2.5 ml/min/100 g; P < .05). A lower SV (261 +/- 13 vs. 394 +/- 20 microliters/min; P < .05) accounted for the reduced Cl in SHRs, because HR was similar (318 +/- 4 vs. 328 +/- 11 beats/min). In spite of similar MAP (114 +/- 3.9 vs. 118 +/- 4 mm Hg) of SD and WKY rats, Cl was significantly higher (33 +/- 2 vs. 41 +/- 2.5 ml/min/100 g; P < .05) due to a higher SV (339 +/- 19 vs. 394 +/- 20 microliters/min; P < .05) and TPR was significantly lower (3.7 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.2 mm Hg/ml/min/100 g; P < .05) in the latter strain. Low dose ethanol (0.1-0.25 g/kg) had no effect, whereas a moderate dose of 0.5 g/kg elicited strain-dependent hemodynamic responses which comprised significant increases in Cl and SV in normotensive rats, but not in SHRs. However, because of a reduction in TPR, MAP did not change.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nomenclature of Polymeric Materials

Abstract The purpose of this brief review is to aquaint the authors and readers of Rubber Chemistry and Technology with the essentials of polymer nomenclature. To ensure quality communication, it is important that a common language be utilized that is understood, not only by those in the rubber and elastomers field, but by anyone in related areas of polymer science and technology as well. Traditional and trade names of polymeric materials often have time-honored meanings but are obscure or incomplete and frequently fail to convey reasonably accurate information. Many polymer and chemical names are at best ambiguous, but are easily correctable. The methods outlined here have been adopted by the Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC); their use in Rubber Chemistry and Technology is strongly recommended. Additional details will be found in the appropriate IUPAC publications. Note that for the purposes of this paper italics are generally used...
Poverty Knowledge: Social Science, Social Policy, and the Poor in Twentieth-Century U.S. History

Acknowledgments ix Introduction 3 PART ONE 23 Chapter 1. Origins: Poverty and Social Science in The Era of Progressive Reform 25 Chapter 2. Poverty Knowledge as Cultural Critique: The Great Depression 55 Chapter 3. From the Deep South to the Dark Ghetto: Poverty Knowledge, Racial Liberalism, and Cultural "Pathology" 74 Chapter 4. Giving Birth to a "Culture of Poverty": Poverty Knowledge in Postwar Behavioral Science, Culture, and Ideology 99 Chapter 5. Community Action 124 PART TWO 137 Chapter 6. In the Midst of Plenty: The Political Economy of Poverty in the Affluent Society 139 Chapter 7. Fighting Poverty with Knowledge: The Office of Economic Opportunity and the Analytic Revolution in Government 166 Chapter 8. Poverty's Culture Wars 196 PART THREE 211 Chapter 9. The Poverty Research Industry 213 Chapter 10. Dependency, the "Underclass," and a New Welfare "Consensus": Poverty Knowledge for a Post-Liberal, Postindustrial Era 242 Chapter 11. The End of Welfare and the Case for a New Poverty Knowledge 284 Notes 297 Index 359
The use of social networking sites: a risk factor for using alcohol, marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoids?

BACKGROUND: The use of social networking sites (SNS) has become a central aspect of youth culture allowing individuals to explore and assert their identities. A commonly portrayed online identity is an "alcohol identity," and past research suggests such identities may contribute to one's risk of using alcohol. The present study builds on past research by examining the relationship between alcohol, marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoid use (e.g., Spice, K2) and time spent on SNS in a sample of college students. METHODS: Six hundred ninety nine undergraduates (62.4% female; Mage=21.0, SD=8.56) were recruited from a university on the U.S./Mexico border for an online study. Participants completed measures assessing demographics, substance use history, and amount of time spent on SNS. RESULTS: Participants reported spending 46h per month on SNS. Seventy-one percent, 14%, and 3% of the sample reported past month use of alcohol, marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoids, respectively. Regression analyses revealed that hours spent on SNS in the past month were significantly associated with frequency of alcohol (pCONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that assessment of time spent on SNS is warranted in studies investigating drug use among college students.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Language: en
Controlled alloying of the core-shell interface in CdSe/CdS quantum dots for suppression of Auger recombination.

The influence of a CdSexS1-x interfacial alloyed layer on the photophysical properties of core/shell CdSe/CdS nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) is investigated by comparing reference QDs with a sharp core/shell interface to alloyed structures with an intermediate CdSexS1-x layer at the core/shell interface. To fully realize the structural contrast, we have developed two novel synthetic approaches: a method for fast CdS-shell growth, which results in an abrupt core/shell boundary (no intentional or unintentional alloying), and a method for depositing a CdSexS1-x alloy layer of controlled composition onto the CdSe core prior to the growth of the CdS shell. Both types of QDs possess similar size-dependent single-exciton properties (photoluminescence energy, quantum yield, and decay lifetime). However the alloyed QDs show a significantly longer biexciton lifetime and up to a 3-fold increase in the biexciton emission efficiency compared to the reference samples. These results provide direct evidence that the stru...
WIND POLLINATION IN THE ANGIOSPERMS: EVOLUTIONARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS.

Seed plants have evolved a vast array of pollination mechanisms, some involving fascinating interactions between animal vectors and highly specialized flowers, others essentially abiotic, utilizing either wind or water as a dispersal agent. Among the gymnosperms wind pollination is primary, although biotic systems have evolved in a number of groups. In contrast, anemophily has evolved secondarily in the angiosperms; the primitive angiosperms and their immediate ancestors were zoogamous, possibly beetle pollinated (van der Pijl, 1960). Many of the evolutionary changes leading to the angiosperm flower increased the probability of pollination by various animal vectors while at the same time decreasing the efficiency of abiotic pollination (e.g., enclosure of ovule, shortening of floral axis, enclosure of androecium and gynoecium by perianth). Anemophily is thus a derived condition in the angiosperms. Yet, despite its essentially random and inefficient nature, depending upon large numbers of pollen grains and the vagaries of atmospheric circulation, it has arisen independently in several angiosperm families. In fact, in some families (e.g., Gramineae) and in some environments (northern deciduous forests) it is the dominant means of pollination. The occurrence of wind pollination appears to be related to certain environmental parameters; for example: latitude, species diversity, vegetational structure, the deciduous habit, and insular environments. It is notoriously infrequent in the tropical rain forest and becomes progressively more significant with increasing latitude. Similarly, it appears to be more common in areas that are less diverse floristically, and it is often dominant in vegetation characterized by open structure (e.g., savanna) or seasonal loss of leaves (northern temperate forests). The frequency of wind-pollinated species is high in island floras (e.g., Hawaii, Carlquist, 1966). The purpose of the present paper is to review certain aspects of wind dissemination, to reflect on the factors governing the present geographical distribution of anemophily, and to speculate on its probable evolution within the angiosperms. Much insight can be provided by an analysis of theoretical aspects of dispersal and capture of pollen-sized particles. In fact, the distribution and evolution of the anemophilous condition can best be understood if aspects of pollen release, transfer, and capture are first considered.
“Great Reckonings in Little Rooms,” or Children’s Playtime: Shakespeare and Performing Object Theatre of Toys

For a generation raised on action figures, from Star Wars and Star Trek to G.I. Joe and Transformers, a principle means of play is to use figures from pop culture narratives to create new, original, self-generated narratives. Beyond reenacting the original narrative, action figures mean one can create one’s own fun with characters one knows well from other media, oftentimes blending two completely separate narratives into one. In such child’s play, Luke Sky walker fights Captain Kirk while Princess Leia makes out with Spock. While such play is emblematic of what Richard Burt calls “American kiddie culture,” especially with its asexual sexuality, such play is also inherently inter-textual.1 It involves the referencing of many texts beyond the original narrative that inspired the figures.
Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Associated with Three Major Inflammatory Dermatologic Diseases: A Propensity-Matched Case Control Study

Inflammation is an established component of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and an underlying factor of several dermatologic conditions including rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Identifying potential associations between these dermatologic and cardiovascular diseases can better inform holistic healthcare approaches. The objective of this study was to determine whether rosacea, psoriasis or atopic dermatitis are independent risk factors for CVD 1 year following diagnosis. Using a large commercial claims database of 21,801,147 lives, we employed a propensity-matched logistic regression to evaluate the association between diagnoses of rosacea, psoriasis, or atopic dermatitis and a 1-year risk of being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Control patients were matched based on health-care utilization, age and overall health status as defined by a modified Deyo–Charlson comorbidity index. The analysis included 2105 rosacea, 622 atopic dermatitis, 1536 psoriasis, and 4263 control patients. Compared to propensity-matched controls, the adjusted odds of cardiovascular disease were not higher in patients with rosacea (odds ratio: 0.894, p = 0.2713), atopic dermatitis (OR 1.032, p = 0.8489), or psoriasis (OR 1.087, p = 0.4210). In univariate analysis, the unadjusted odds of cardiovascular disease was higher in patients with psoriasis (OR 1.223, p = 0.0347). Limitations of this study include the short follow-up period and inclusion of only commercially insured patients limit the generalizability of these findings. In this large study of patients with rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis, we did not detect an increased 1-year risk of cardiovascular disease after adjusting for confounders.
The timing of elective ascending aortic aneurysm replacement for non-syndromic patients and the implication of bicuspid aortic valve-related aortopathy.

The outcome of patients with acute type A aortic dissection, or rupture, remains bleak. Based upon a recent report from International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD), the early mortality for patients undergoing surgical repair is 18% in experienced aortic centers (1). This represent a drop of only 7% over a 17-year span despite significant improvements in surgical techniques, perioperative care and pharmacotherapy (1,2).
Large Scale Copy Number Variation Upregulates the Expression of MYB in Human T-ALL.

Abstract Using comparative genome hybridization (array CGH), we have discovered a small area of increased copy number on the long arm of chromosome 6 in 8 out of 20 (40%) T-ALL cell lines. The region of increased copy number is very small, containing only one gene, MYB, the cellular homolog of the avian oncogene v-myb. By performing fiber-FISH on these cell lines, we have shown that the increased copy number results from a discrete tandem duplication of the MYB gene on one allele. Although myb is a frequent target of retroviral insertional activation in screens for oncogenes whose overexpression accelerates the onset of murine T-ALL, its overexpression and increased copy number has not previously been implicated in human T-ALL. Using gene expression profiling and Western blotting, we have demonstrated that the duplication in human T-ALL results in increased levels of MYB expression. Furthermore, using quantitative PCR we have confirmed that this tandem duplication occurs in primary human T-ALL samples. In our studies to date, MYB tandem duplication and overexpression appears to occur as part of the major multistep molecular pathway in T-ALL that affects a majority of cases, in which the leukemic cells also have TAL1/SCL and LMO1/2 overexpression, and NOTCH1 gene activating mutations, together with homozygous deletion of the INK4A/ARF locus. We are currently determining the mechanism through which MYB overexpression contributes to the pathogenesis of T-ALL by siRNA knockdown in T-ALL cell lines. Our finding of MYB tandem gene duplication differs from classic forms of oncogene amplification involving double minutes or homogenously staining regions. It is possible that MYB copy number is increased through a novel somatic mechanism of allele-specific, tandem duplication of a small genomic region during the process of malignant transformation. Another possibility is suggested by recent studies documenting that inherited large-scale copy number variation (CNV) accounts for much of the phenotypic diversity within human populations. Further studies will be needed to determine whether MYB tandem duplication is present in the germline DNA of T-ALL patients, which if identified, would provide the first example of an inherited CNV functioning as a mechanism of cancer susceptibility.
Low Rates of Toxicity, GVHD, and Relapse Using Sirolimus (SRL)-Based GVHD Prophylaxis in Pediatric Related and Unrelated Transplant Recipients with High-Risk ALL.

Relapse after allogeneic SCT remains a significant risk for children with ALL. In-Vitro and NOD-SCID xenogeneic models have shown significant activity of sirolimus (SRL) against human ALL blasts, resulting in apoptosis and cell death at serum levels commonly used for immune suppression. We hypothesized that SRL would decrease relapse after allogeneic transplantation for ALL, as well as contribute to prevention of GVHD. We conducted a pilot trial at four pediatric centers designed to assess the feasibility and toxicity of SRL-based GVHD prophylaxis using multiple stem cell sources. After a preparative regimen of TBI (1200cGy in 6 fractions over 3d), Thiotepa (5mg/kg/d x 2), and cyclophosphamide (60mg/kg/d x 2), recipients received continuous infusion tacrolimus starting on day -2 (target level 5–10ng/mL), PO sirolimus starting on day 0 (2.5mg/m 2 , max 4mg daily, target level 3–12ng/mL), and IV methotrexate (5mg/m 2 , d+1, +3, and +6 for all recipients, d+11 for recipients of UD BM/PBSC). Tacrolimus was given orally when tolerated, and tapered between d+42–96 for MSD and d+100–180 for mismatched related, UD or UCB. Sirolimus was tapered at 6 months after transplant over 1 month. Thirty patients were enrolled, with median age of 9 yrs (1–18). Immunophenotypes included pre-B 23, T-cell 6, and MLL 1. Five patients were in CR1 (Ph+ 2, failed remission 2, 2° ALL 1), 16 were in CR2 (9 CR1
Changes in hip abductor moment 3 or more years after femoral derotation osteotomy among individuals with cerebral palsy

Aim To examine the effect of femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO) on dimensionless hip abductor moment during gait in children with cerebral palsy. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from independent ambulators within our database. Postoperative visits 1 year (short-term) and at least 3 years (mid-term) were analyzed. We estimated the coronal plane hip abductor moment arm based on musculoskeletal modeling that accounted for anteversion and hip rotation. Results There were 140 individuals with a short-term analysis (77 males, 63 females; age at surgery 9y 11mo [range 4y 5mo-17y 5mo]) and 29 with mid-term analysis (15 males, 14 females; age at surgery 8y 7mo [range 4y 5mo-13y 1mo]). At short-term, anteversion and internal hip rotation decreased 35° and 13° respectively, which increased median (IQR) moment arms from 20 (23) per cent below normal to 2 (12) per cent above normal. Dimensionless mean hip abductor moment remained unchanged at short-term. Mid-term anteversion did not change but hip rotation increased 8° and hip abductor moment increased to 0.040 (0.029). There was no change in pelvic and trunk obliquity, although hip abductor strength increased and walking velocity decreased at mid-term. Interpretation The unexpected lack of improvement in hip abductor moment from pre- to short-term may be caused by gait compensations that unload the hip. The increase in hip abductor moment beyond 3 years postoperatively underscores the benefits of an FDO into adolescence for independent ambulating individuals with cerebral palsy.
Immediate Effects of Thai Herbal Hot Pack Treatment on Pain and Lower Back Flexibility: A Pilot Study

Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to investigate immediate effects of Thai herbal hot pack on pain and muscle flexibility in person with chronic low back pain. Material and Method: Twenty-two subjects with low back pain received the Thai herbal hot pack treatment which was heated by microwave oven on lower back for 30 minutes. Subjects were assessed pain and flexibility using visual analog scale and sit and reach test, respectively. Both parameters were measured at baseline and immediately after treatment. Results: The results showed that there were statistically significant difference in pain and flexibility immediately after 30 minutes of using Thai herbal hot pack (p-value<0.001 and p-value<0.050, respectively). The microwave oven-heated Thai herbal hot pack showed positive effect on pain and flexibility. Heat conduction and herbal ingredients of Thai herbal hot pack may be the main reasons that effects on parameters. Conclusion: Thai herbal hot pack may be considered as an alternative treatment for pain relieving and flexibility improving in low back pain patients.
Bladder Symptoms in the Early Menopausal Transition.

Abstract Purpose: Bladder symptoms are common in women and result in use of healthcare resources and poor quality of life. Bladder symptoms have been linked to age and menopause, but debate exists in the literature. This article examines factors associated with bladder symptoms and compares women in late reproductive stage with those in menopausal transition. Materials and Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from a prospective cohort study of midlife women (mean age, 48; range, 44–54 years) in northern California. The sample consisted of 158 women in late reproductive stage or menopause transition. Assessments included anthropometrics, menstrual cycle lengths and symptoms, urine samples for follicle-stimulating hormone level, and self-reported health perception and depressive symptoms. Analyses included descriptive bivariate statistics, group comparisons, and regression models. Results: The most common bladder symptoms were nocturia (72%) at least once per night and urinary incontinence (50%) at lea...
The West Bank “Alternative Peace Movement” and its transnational infrastructure: a case study in “primordialist universalism”

ABSTRACTThis article provides an overview and theorization of the “Alternative Peace Movement” (APM), a transnational education and advocacy network based in the West Bank. Emerging in the troubled context of current Israel-diaspora relations and US campus politics, the APM promotes a syncretic Jewish identity narrative and boundary-crossing political programme. Drawing on a content and discourse analysis of the movement’s online documentation, as well as interviews with movement leaders, participants, and allies, the article outlines the APM’s infrastructure and discourse, and provides an historical backdrop and set of theoretical tools for rendering comprehensible the movement’s seeming contradictions and incoherencies. It describes the APM as a case study in “primordialist universalism,” a political orientation that aims to pursue civic and human rights of a universal character by inhabiting a “hard” ethnonational subjectivity and discursive frame. The concept of primordialist universalism offers socia...
Spaces of hope? Youth perspectives on health and wellness in indigenous communities.

Abstract This article addresses an apparent paradox between academic and policy depictions of American Indian reservations as “broken” and “unhealthy” places, and Indigenous youth perceptions of reservations as spaces of “health” and “wellness.” Public health literature often frames reservations as damaged, health-denying places, chronicling the extraordinarily high rates of suicide, substance abuse, as well as vast health disparities. Despite these dire statistics, our research with Native youth in San Diego County found that young people chose to primarily emphasize their positive experiences with, and attachments to, their reservations. In this article, we share strength- and desire-based narratives to explore how reservations can serve as spaces of wellness for Indigenous youth, despite ongoing settler colonial harm. We seek to expand the discussion on the unintended consequences of deficit-centered scholarship by arguing that health research should also engage with the narratives of hope and desire that are reflective of the way many Native youth feel about their communities. In this article, we urge scholars and practitioners to rethink how we conduct health research to include methodologies that listen to the narratives and experiences of those who, day in and day out, navigate settler colonial landscapes, while continuing to create spaces of hope and healing.
Self-Resolution of a Draining Sinus Tract in a Patient with Chronic Periprosthetic Hip Infection

We report a novel case of a patient who had a draining sinus soon after a total hip arthroplasty that spontaneously resolved. The patient voluntarily discontinued antibiotic suppressive therapy (AST) after 10 years of treatment and paradoxically experienced full resolution of signs of chronic prosthetic joint infection (PJI), including recovery of his left-sided draining sinus tract. Now 8 years after discontinuing AST, the patient has no pain, good function, and no major or minor criteria of joint infection according to the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) workgroup. The authors have not identified literature describing a similar resolution of draining sinus tracts from around a prosthetic joint after discontinuing AST. Despite the resolution of this patient’s sinus tract, the authors do not advocate for discontinuing AST in patients with a draining sinus tract. However, in spite of the fact that the MSIS consensus statement suggests that a draining sinus is a sure sign of PJI and that the assumption is that the infection will not go away until explant, this case was different.
Hormone Replacement Therapy in Menopause

Vasomotor and vaginal symptoms are the hallmark symptoms of menopause. The reported prevalence of vasomotor symptoms is 50–82% in women who experience natural menopause. The occurrence of symptoms increases during perimenopause and usually peaks at the actual onset of menopause.
Clinical Evaluation of three Types of Continuously Measuring Oxygen Sensors — Their Potential Use for Computer Control of Blood Oxygenation

The authors wish to acknowledge the help of the medical and nursing staff in the Neonatal and Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Units at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York for their patience and help in obtaining the data used to evaluate the sensors, We are indebted to Mrs. Georgia Coar for typing the manuscript and Avron Y. Sweet and Richard W. Krouskop for their helpful suggestions in the preparation of the manuscript.
The Distinction between Clubs and Governments

The economic model of government is based on exchange. Individuals find it in their mutual self-interests to create constitutions that define individual rights and the limits of government power, and to grant governments the means to monitor and enforce the structure of rights defined by the constitution. While based on exchange, the model differs from what has sometimes been referred to as the exchange model of government because threats as well as promises could be used to encourage the observation of rights, so the resulting government could be forced upon some individuals.1 The use of the word force is not unambiguous in this context, however, especially in light of the contractarian model of the state. In what sense might people be said to be in agreement with the constitution under which they are governed? Looked at in another way, clubs might be thought of as institutions that their members voluntarily agree to join, whereas people are forced to abide by the rules of their governments whether or not they agree. What distinguishes a club from a government?
Temporal dynamics of partisan identity fusion and prosociality during the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election

We investigated the dynamics of identity fusion and prosocial behavior within political groups in the four weeks preceding and following the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. The primary questions were whether a negative event (losing) would lead to a more pronounced increase in identity fusion, and whether identity fusion would predict prosocial giving. We found that while fusion gradually increased in the run-up to the election, there was no significant increase after the event for supporters of either party. We also found that identity fusion robustly predicted prosocial ingroup giving, especially before the election, and even when accounting for self-reported identification and previous political commitment behaviors. Implications for theories of identity fusion are discussed.
Commercial vehicle parking duration in New York City and its implications for planning

Abstract Freight vehicle parking has long been an issue in urban areas; however, literature is limited and little attention has been paid to parking duration. Using field-collected freight parking observation data from New York City, this study estimated a parametric survival model to predict parking durations based on several characteristics of a parked freight vehicle. Results indicated that vehicles delivering different types of items parked for differing durations, while vehicles that parked illegally were likely to park for a shorter period of time. The model was then employed to make predictions regarding how parking durations would differ based on vehicle and delivery characteristics. An elasticity analysis was performed on each significant variable, and planning recommendations were made in order to maximize the amount of vehicles parking legally. Recommendations for future research included expanding the dataset to obtain more accurate estimates and applying the duration model to optimize operations at a business or logistics firm.
Social Stigma and Asset Value

Recent attempts by economists to identify and quantify the effect of social stigma on asset value have often been stymied by confounding mechanisms. I use the unique circumstances surrounding the 1999 Columbine Shooting to estimate the effect of social stigma on asset value. Using a difference‐in‐differences model with property fixed effects, I find the immediate effect of stigma from the Columbine Shooting is 5.7% of a property's value after one year. This implies a $13 million loss from property sales in the year 2000 alone. The results are robust to numerous specifications and synthetic control placebo tests. This suggests that social stigma plays a role in consumer preferences.
Demographic and health-related predictors of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage in NHANES population.

Abstract Background Reports of adverse outcomes with use of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and recent associations between PPI use and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) suggest the need to examine PPI use in the general population. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine PPI use in the general U.S. population with a focus on CKD stages. Methods This was a retrospective database study of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for years 2009–2013. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years and having a serum creatinine value. The Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization and previous research were used to identify the independent variables. Dependent variable was self-reported prescription medication use. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with PPI use. Results Overall, the weighted prevalence of PPI use was 8.7%. Only 4.5% of the sample had stage 3 or 4 CKD. PPI use was highest among whites (10.5%) compared to minorities. PPI users were significantly older (mean = 59.8years), with a majority (80%) being 50 years and over. In multivariate analyses, PPI use was associated with having two or more comorbidities (OR = 3.8, CI: 2.85–5.13), and having fair/poor health (OR 4.6 (3.5–5.9). Stage 3 and 4 CKD patients had higher odds of using PPIs (stage 3 OR = 3.8 CI: 2.5–5.8, stage 4 OR = 6.5 CI: 1.6–25.8) compared to stage 1 patients. Conclusion /Relevance: This is the first study to examine both predictors and racial disparities in PPI use in the general US population. While PPI use was low, there were racial disparities in PPI use. Multiple comorbid conditions, lower quality of life, and stage 3/4 CKD were associated with PPI use. Awareness of these predictors will enable clinicians to target key patient groups for tailored education and closer monitoring of PPI use.
Convo: What does conversational programming need? An exploration of machine learning interface design.

Vast improvements in natural language understanding and speech recognition have paved the way for conversational interaction with computers. While conversational agents have often been used for short goal-oriented dialog, we know little about agents for developing computer programs. To explore the utility of natural language for programming, we conducted a study ($n$=45) comparing different input methods to a conversational programming system we developed. Participants completed novice and advanced tasks using voice-based, text-based, and voice-or-text-based systems. We found that users appreciated aspects of each system (e.g., voice-input efficiency, text-input precision) and that novice users were more optimistic about programming using voice-input than advanced users. Our results show that future conversational programming tools should be tailored to users' programming experience and allow users to choose their preferred input mode. To reduce cognitive load, future interfaces can incorporate visualizations and possess custom natural language understanding and speech recognition models for programming.