cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analogous Reactivity of Pd+ and ZrO+: Comparing the Reactivity with Small Hydrocarbons

Although early transition metals are too reactive to serve as effective combustion catalysts, it has been proposed that combining them with nonmetallic elements may moderate the reactivity and allow them to replace more expensive catalysts. To test this hypothesis, we use ZrO+ as our replacement and compare the reactivity with Pd+, in a synergistic study employing gas-phase guided-ion-beam mass spectroscopy in conjunction with theoretical investigations. The findings reveal similar reactivity patterns for both ethane and propane with the scission of a C–C bond being the primary reaction mechanism for the interaction of both gases with ZrO+ and Pd+. Hydrogen abstraction is also observed with similar branching ratios for both ions. It is proposed that the similar reactivity is due to ZrO+ having molecular orbitals with 4d components that participate in the reaction in a similar way as the 4d orbitals of Pd+.
Perspectives in Cancer Prevention

This issue of the Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine presents a forum that assesses the status of cancer prevention via 18 critical reviews of the elements that impact on carcinogenesis. Each article is written by a leading authority in the field of cancer prevention. Contributors were also selected with the goal of providing a broad-based view of the many facets of cancer prevention. We believe that, in addition to presenting the current state of knowledge in cancer prevention, the reviews also facilitate an appraisal of where current research in carcinogenesis is likely to lead in the coming years. Thus, we hope this issue of the Proceedings will prove to be a valuable reference for readers now and in the future, as the various ideas presented begin to unfold.The reviews emphasize that effective use of chemopreventive agents, whether naturally occurring or synthetic, will be realized only in the context of a fundamental understanding of the processes of carcinogenesis and t...
Targeting ovarian cancer-initiating cells.

Evidence supports that a variety of cancers are sparked by the growth of cells that exhibit characteristics of stem cells. Such cancer-initiating cells are capable of populating a tumor with a heterogeneous group of daughter cells while still maintaining the ability to self-renew. Several groups have recently reported the identification of cancer-initiating cells in ovarian cancer, the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Epithelial ovarian cancer comprises 90% of cancers of the ovary and consists of four major histologic types, each bearing some resemblance to tissues in the peritoneal cavity. Although epithelial ovarian cancer has traditionally been thought to originate from the single layer of cells surrounding each ovary, new findings suggest that many of these cancers derive from Mullerian epithelium. This raises questions about the origin of ovarian cancer-initiating cells, and if there may be more than one source. Despite the initial effectiveness of primary therapy against advanced stage ovarian cancer, most of these cases recur, months to years following diagnosis. The cause of disease recurrence is unknown, but may involve cancer-initiating cells that survive chemotherapy and enter a period of dormancy while residing in as-yet undefined niches within the body before being triggered to initiate renewed growth. Herein the nature of these cells is explored as well as novel approaches for therapeutic targeting.
Acute type B aortic dissection and coarctation: open stent-graft elephant trunk

We describe a case of acute type B dissection associated with coarctation of the aorta. An intimal tear was located just distal to the coarctation. Aortic dilatation started below the coarctation and extended to the level of the diaphragm. We performed descending aorta replacement from the distal aortic arch to the level of the 9(th) intercostal arteries, and implanted a stent-graft elephant trunk through a left posterior lateral thoracotomy in the 5(th) intercostal space off-pump.
TRANSITION TO STAGE D HEART FAILURE AMONG STABLE OUTPATIENTS WITH SYSTOLIC HEART FAILURE

Incidence rates and risk factors for transition to Stage D heart failure (HF) among patients with stable, Stage C HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) have not been reported. We evaluated 3-year transition to clinically determined Stage D HF, after accounting for competing mortality, in 919
Evaluation of Control Effect on Occupational Hazards of a Circuit Board-making Factory

[Objective]To understand the occupational hazards in a circuit board-making factory,carry out the evaluation of control effect on occupational hazards,and perfect the occupational protection measures. [Methods]On the basis of related information,the evaluation of control effect on occupational hazards was conducted by field investigation,checklist method and examination. [Results]There were various occupational hazards in this factory,which mainly included soluble nickel compounds,hydrogen peroxide,cyanide,sulphuric acid,benzene,toluene,xylene,ammonia,sodium hydroxide,formaldehyde,hydrochloric acid,tin dioxide,other dust,noise,high temperature,power frequency electric field and X-rays.All results of field monitoring were in accordance with national occupational health standard. [Conclusion]The control effect on occupational hazards in a circuit board-making factory was basically qualified,and the field acceptance of occupational protective facilities can be carried out.
Small Molecule Antagonists of the Nuclear Androgen Receptor for the Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

After a high-throughput screening campaign identified thioether 1 as an antagonist of the nuclear androgen receptor, a zone model was developed for structure–activity relationship (SAR) purposes and analogues were synthesized and evaluated in a cell-based luciferase assay. A novel thioether isostere, cyclopropane (1S,2R)-27, showed the desired increased potency and structural properties (stereospecific SAR response, absence of a readily oxidized sulfur atom, low molecular weight, reduced number of flexible bonds and polar surface area, and drug-likeness score) in the prostate-specific antigen luciferase assay in C4-2-PSA-rl cells to qualify as a new lead structure for prostate cancer drug development.
Donor cerebral tissue pulmonary emboli in a functioning transplanted lung

Cerebral tissue pulmonary embolus (CTPE) is a rare event following severe blunt or penetrating head trauma and is often complicated by coagulation disturbances and hemorrhage. Donor cerebral tissue pulmonary embolism has been reported to cause lethal, early graft dysfunction in lung transplant recipients. We report a case of donor cerebral tissue pulmonary embolism in a 41-year-old female single lung transplant recipient with excellent post-operative graft function.
Natural Biomaterials for Skin Tissue Engineering

This chapter discusses the most important natural biomaterials and their use in skin tissue engineering (STE). It describes the physical, chemical, and biological properties of biomaterials such as collagen, fibronectin, elastin, and others. It discusses the general context and the challenges of STE specifically in having adequate porosity and ligand density in order to promote integration and avoid contraction. It provides a classification of biomaterials along with advantages, disadvantages, and current stage of development. We emphasize the importance of collagens and their primary role in regenerative medicine, giving clinical examples.
Algorithms by design: Issues and new perspectives for computational dynamics

Publisher Summary This chapter describes new avenues for designing dynamic computational algorithms based on the desired algorithmic properties encompassing linear multistep methods (LMS) methods. A particular sub-class of algorithms, which only involves a single equation system with no more than a single system solve at each time step pertaining to the Type 3 k 1 (where k is the number of unknowns participating in the algorithms and the subscript 1 indicates a single solve) and termed as generalized integration operators. An optimal numerical dissipation and dispersion (U1-V0) algorithm is derived to illustrate the approach of algorithm by design. Most of the existing time integration algorithms over the past several years are part of the overall framework, however, issues that have not been addressed to-date and new perspectives for designing computational dynamics are also discussed in the chapter.
Word-conditioned HMM supervectors for speaker recognition.

We improve upon the current Hidden Markov Model (HMM) techniques for speaker recognition by using the means of Gaussian mixture components of keyword HMM states in a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. We achieve an 11% improvement over the traditional keyword HMM approach on SRE06 for the 8 conversation task, using the original set of keywords. Using an expanded set of keywords, we achieve a 4.3% EER standalone on SRE06, and a 2.6% EER in combination with a word-conditioned phone N-grams system, a GMM-based system, and the traditional keyword HMM system on SRE05+06. The latter result improves on our previous best.
Why Is there a Limit to the Changes in Myofilament Ca2+-Sensitivity Associated with Myopathy Causing Mutations?

Mutations in striated muscle contractile proteins have been found to be the cause of a number of inherited muscle diseases; in most cases the mechanism proposed for causing the disease is derangement of the thin filament-based Ca2+- regulatory system of the muscle. When considering the results of experiments reported over the last 15 years , one feature has been frequently noted, but rarely discussed. The magnitude of changes in myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity due to myopathy- causing mutations in skeletal or heart muscle seems to be always in the range 1.5-3x EC50. Such consistency suggests it may be related to a fundamental property of muscle regulation; in this article we will investigate whether this observation is true and consider why this should be so. A literature search found 71 independent measurements of HCM mutation-induced change of EC50 ranging from 1.15 to 3.8-fold with a mean of 1.87±0.07 (sem) . We also found 11 independent measurements of increased Ca2+-sensitivity due to mutations in skeletal muscle proteins ranging from 1.19 to 2.7 fold with a mean of 2.00±0.16 Investigation of dilated cardiomyopathy-related mutations found 42 independent determinations show a range of EC50 wt/mutant from 0.3 to 2.3. In addition we found 14 measurements of Ca2+-sensitivity changes due skeletal muscle myopathy mutations ranging from 0.39 to 0.63. Thus our extensive literature search, although not necessarily complete, found that, indeed, the changes in myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity due to disease-causing mutations have a bimodal distribution and that the overall changes in Ca2+-sensitivity are quite small and do not extend beyond a 3 fold increase or decrease in Ca2+-sensitivity. We discuss two mechanism that are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Firstly, it could be that the limit is set by the capabilities of the Excitation-contraction machinery that supplies activating Ca2+ and that striated muscle cannot work in a way compatible with life outside these limits; or it may be due to a fundamental property of the troponin system and the permitted conformational transitions compatible with efficient regulation.
Using Facebook ads with traditional paper mailings to recruit adolescent girls for a clinical trial

Abstract Introduction Clinical trials require sufficient samples recruited within limited time and budget constraints. Trials with minors are additionally burdened by the requirement for youth assent and parental permission. This paper details the use of Facebook ads and traditional paper mailings to enroll 797 adolescent girls for a longitudinal, web-based, drug abuse prevention trial. Data on sample representativeness and retention are also provided. Methods Facebook ads appeared on the pages of females aged 13 or 14 years who reside in the U.S. Ads linked girls to a recruitment website. Girls who wanted more information submitted contact information and were mailed information packets to their homes containing, among other things, youth assent and parent permission forms. Returned forms were verified for accuracy and validity. Results The Facebook ad campaign reached 2,267,848 girls and had a unique click-through rate of 3.0%. The campaign cost $41,202.37 with an average cost of $51.70 per enrolled girl. Information packets were mailed to 1,873 girls. Approximately one-half of girls returned the forms, and 797 girls were enrolled. The Facebook campaign's success varied by ad type, month, and day of the week. Baseline data revealed comparability to national data on demographic and substance use variables. Conclusions Results suggest that Facebook ads provide a useful initial point of access to unparalleled numbers of adolescents. Clinical trials may benefit from a two-fold recruitment strategy that uses online ads to attract interested adolescents followed by traditional recruitment methods to communicate detailed information to adolescents and parents.
Comparison of path integral Monte Carlo simulations of helium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, water, neon, and silicon plasmas

Abstract We have performed all-electron path integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) and density functional theory molecular dynamics (DFT-MD) calculations to explore properties of first- and second-row materials in the liquid, warm dense matter, and plasma regimes. Our simulations have covered a wide density-temperature range of roughly 1–15 g cm − 3 and 104–109 K). We first analyze the ionization behavior of carbon and water plasma. Then we provide a comparative analysis of the pair-correlation functions and Hugoniot curves of He, C, N, O, Ne, and Si plasmas. Pair-correlation functions give insight into the evolution of plasma structure and ionization processes that are driven by changes in temperature and density. Finally, we show that the maximum shock compression of a material is controlled by the ionization of L-shell and K-shell electrons and depends strongly on this as a function of the atomic number of the material.
Revising the Entrepreneur Opportunity Fit Model: Addressing the Moderating Role of Cultural Fit and Prior Start-Up Experience

Entrepreneurial research has paid scant attention to the fit between the entrepreneur and the opportunity. Thus, this paper focuses on addressing the entrepreneur-opportunity match needed to increase the likelihood of success when a specific opportunity is selected. The model proposes that the closer the entrepreneur’s characteristics, such as knowledge, skills, abilities, and opportunity recognition, match those of the opportunity, such as financial capital and market realities, the greater the possibility of attaining a strong fit. In turn, this can lead to venture success. Last, cultural fit and prior start-up experience are proposed to moderate the venture’s success.
Risk and Resilience: A Review of the Health Literature of Veterans Who Identify as LGBT

Service members who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) were an almost invisible population since the dawn of the Continental Army in 1775. The decision to serve in the US Armed Forces despite a ban on their service was not an easy one. The literature shows that LGBT service members experienced harassment and violence and lived in constant fear of being “outed.” Theory suggests that the combination of this strain, along with the daily stress of the military as an occupation, placed LGBT service members at greater risk for adverse health conditions like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A review of recent research suggests that this theory may be true—LGBT veterans report high rates of depression, PTSD, and suicidality. The following chapter explores this important research but also highlights the need to explore experiences of resilience in this population. Because of their dedicated service despite historic bans and institutionalized discrimination, LGBT veterans represent a unique opportunity to explore resilience and posttraumatic growth.
Recent Developments in Computational Chemistry in the U.S.: the NRCC (National Resource for Computation in Chemistry)

The National Resource for Computation in Chemistry (NRCC) officially came into being on October 1, 1977, at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL). The concept of the NRCC evolved over many years and was the subject of many national committee and workshop studies.1 The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)2 joined forces to sponsor the NRCC and to site it at LBL.
Abstract 1452: The receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 promotes glutamine metabolism in tumors by activating the transcriptional coactivators YAP and TAZ

Malignant tumors reprogram cellular metabolism to support cancer cell proliferation and survival. Although most cancers depend on a high rate of aerobic glycolysis, many cancer cells also display addiction to glutamine. Glutamine transporters and glutaminase activity are critical for glutamine metabolism in tumor cells. We found that the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 activated the TEAD family transcriptional coactivators YAP and TAZ (YAP/TAZ), likely in a ligand-independent manner, to promote glutamine metabolism in cells and mouse models of HER2-positive breast cancer. Overexpression of EphA2 induced the nuclear accumulation of YAP and TAZ and increased the expression of YAP/TAZ target genes. Inhibition of the GTPase Rho or the kinase ROCK abolished EphA2-dependent YAP/TAZ nuclear localization. Silencing YAP or TAZ substantially reduced the amount of intracellular glutamate through decreased expression of SLC1A5 and GLS, respectively, genes that encode proteins that promote glutamine uptake and metabolism. The regulatory DNA elements of both SLC1A5 and GLS contain TEAD binding sites and were bound by TEAD4 in an EphA2-dependent manner. In patient breast cancer tissues, EphA2 expression positively correlated with that of YAP and TAZ, as well as that of GLS and SLC1A5. Although high expression or EphA2 predicted enhanced metastatic potential and poor patient survival, it also rendered HER2-positive breast cancer cells more sensitive to glutaminase inhibition. The findings define a previously unknown mechanism of EphA2-mediated glutaminolysis through YAP/TAZ activation in HER2-positive breast cancer and identify therapeutic targets in patients. Citation Format: Deanna N. Edwards, Verra M. Ngwa, Shan Wang, Eileen Shiuan, Dana Brantley-Sieders, Laura Kim, Albert B. Reynolds, Jin Chen. The receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 promotes glutamine metabolism in tumors by activating the transcriptional coactivators YAP and TAZ [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1452.
Ozone pollution and asthma emergency department visits in the Central Valley, California, USA, during June to September of 2015: a time-stratified case-crossover analysis.

Objective: The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) exceeds the state and national standards for ozone (O3). This study investigates whether short-term exposure to O3 is associated with asthma emergency depart...
Evaluation and Treatment of Auditory Deficits in Adult Brain-Damaged Patients

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a historical perspective of the interest in auditory processing deficits associated with brain damage and discusses the considerations applicable to the assessment of such disorders. It also presents a description of treatment planning based upon assessment results. Auditory processing problems are amenable to treatment, and improved abilities following such treatment are demonstrable and/or measurable. There is no single treatment applicable to all patients with such disturbances because there is no single auditory disturbance. Clinicians must apply a behavioral approach to testing and treatment of patients with auditory processing deficits. While tests have been utilized primarily to identify the presence or absence of deficit or for the classification of groups, they have not been useful for planning remedial treatment for the most part. Adequate psychometric test construction methods allow for treatment planning and suggest possible underlying mechanisms for existing auditory processing problems. Testing based on such principles allows for the construction of hypotheses regarding the nature of the deficit and for the testing of these hypotheses. This method of approach is useful for clinicians faced with the need to develop remedial programs for their patients with auditory processing deficits
Experimental fracture mechanics through digital image analysis

Experimental stress intensity factors (SIFs) are evaluated for single, straight near edge cracks in a plate of finite width. The cracks are positioned at various angles and distances with respect to the edge of the plate. The far field stress is uniform tension parallel to the edge. On-line digital image analysis procedures are used to extract photoelastic data from the whole field isochromatic fringe patterns. Two different techniques are used to obtain information on the near crack tip stress field: (1) Half fringe photoelasticity (HEP), which requires adjusting the load to keep the maximum fringe order less than 0.5 in the data extraction zone, and (2) Trace, a digital fringe sharpening procedure, which accurately produces traces of all halfand full-order fringes. The load is adjusted to yield multiple fringes in the field of data extraction. Experimental SIFs from HFP and Trace are compared to each other and to the numerical results that are determined by the boundary integral equation method.
Is first-line pembrolizumab appropriate for all patients with metastatic non-squamous histology non-small cell lung cancer patients?

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as a new frontier of modern cancer treatment. Prior to recent research in oncogenesis and the immune system, lung cancer treatment was mostly limited to platinum-based chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical resection. Platinum-based chemotherapy has remained the standard of care for stage IV or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients since a landmark meta-analysis in 1995, despite a relatively poor increase in median overall survival (OS) of 1.5 months (1). Incremental progress was seen with the addition of maintenance pemetrexed, but since 2009 the outcomes for patients with metastatic NSCLC without targetable driver mutations had stalled (2).
Adhesion of two-dimensional titanium carbides (MXenes) and graphene to silicon.

Two-dimensional transition metal carbides (MXenes) have attracted a great interest of the research community as a relatively recently discovered large class of materials with unique electronic and optical properties. Understanding of adhesion between MXenes and various substrates is critically important for MXene device fabrication and performance. We report results of direct atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements of adhesion of two MXenes (Ti3C2Tx and Ti2CTx) with a SiO2 coated Si spherical tip. The Maugis-Dugdale theory was applied to convert the AFM measured adhesion force to adhesion energy, while taking into account surface roughness. The obtained adhesion energies were compared with those for mono-, bi-, and tri-layer graphene, as well as SiO2 substrates. The average adhesion energies for the MXenes are 0.90 ± 0.03 J m−2 and 0.40 ± 0.02 J m−2 for thicker Ti3C2Tx and thinner Ti2CTx, respectively, which is of the same order of magnitude as that between graphene and silica tip. The adhesion of two-dimensional transition metal carbides (MXenes) is important for potential MXene device fabrication and performance. Here, the authors show that adhesion of MXenes depends on their monolayer thickness and, in contrast to graphene, does not show number-of-monolayers dependency.
Role of 5S ribosomal RNA in polypeptide synthesis. II. Dissociation of 5S ribosomal RNA from 50S ribosomes in Escherichiacoli

SOS ribosomes obtained from E. coli were dissociated into 5s rRNA and -44s particles in which at least one of the protein components was missing. Dissociation was produced by dialysis vs. 0.5 M NH4Cl in Mg++-free medium and the resulting 44s particles were isolated by centrifugation through Mg’+-free sucrose solution. A pronounced sensitivity of the 44s particles to RNase was noted, suggesting that the particles had a partially uncoiled structure. MATERIALS AND METHODS 5. coli 413 was obtained from Dr. W. Gilbert, Harvard University, through Dr. M. Nomura, University of Wisconsin and used in most of the experiments. Methods for sucrose gradients, CsCl centrifugation and preparation of 32 P-labeled and 35 S-labeled (5. coli B) ribosome were described previously (1917)) Unlabeled and 32 P-labeled 5s rRNA were separated (3) from the RNA phenol-extra.cted from total cells by Sephadex columns (3,9). MAK columns were made according to Mandell and Hershey (4) and the chromatography was described previously (5). The method of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was modified (6) from that reported by Reisfield, Lewis and Williams (7). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In E. coli SOS ribosomes contain approximately one molecule -of 5s rRNA per mole particle (Fig. 1), but 55 rRNA
Abstract 566: Branched Chain Ketoacid Dehydrogenase Kinase Inhibition Alters Substrate Utilization and Gene Expression in Myocytes

Circulating increases in branched chain amino acid (BCAA) levels have long been associated with type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Emerging data also suggest that impaired BCAA catabolism may...
Formal modeling and analysis of cassandra in maude

Distributed key-value stores are quickly becoming a key component of cloud computing systems. In order to improve read/write latency, distributed key-value stores offer weak notions of consistency to clients by using many complex design decisions. However, it is challenging to formally analyze consistency behaviors of such systems, both because there are few formal models, and because different consistency level combinations render understanding hard, particularly under communication latency. This paper presents for the first time a formal executable model in Maude of Cassandra, a popular key-value store. We formally models Cassandra’s main components and design strategies. We formally specify various consistency properties and model check them against our model under various communication latency and consistency combinations.
What makes a fang? Phylogenetic and ecological controls on tooth evolution in rear-fanged snakes

Fangs are a putative key innovation that revolutionized prey capture and feeding in snakes, and – along with their associated venom phenotypes – have made snakes perhaps the most medically-significant vertebrate animals. Three snake clades are known for their forward-positioned fangs, and these clades (Elapidae, Viperidae, and Atractaspidinae) contain the majority of snakes that are traditionally considered venomous. However, many other snakes are “rear-fanged”: they possess potentially venom-delivering teeth situated at the rear end of the upper jaw. Quantification of fang phenotypes – and especially those of rear-fanged species – has proved challenging or impossible owing to the small size and relative rarity of many such snakes. Consequently, it has been difficult to understand the evolutionary history of both venom and prey-capture strategies across extant snakes. We quantified variation in the dentition of 145 colubriform (“advanced”) snake species using microCT scanning and compared dental characters with ecological data on species’ diet and prey capture method(s) to understand broader patterns in snake fang evolution. Dental traits such as maxilla length, tooth number, and fang size show strong phylogenetic signal across Colubriformes. We find extreme heterogeneity and evolutionary lability in the rear-fanged phenotype in colubrid (colubrine, dipsadine, and natricine lineages) and lamprophiid snakes, in contrast to relative uniformity in the front fanged phenotypes of other groups (vipers and, to a lesser extent, elapids). Fang size and position are correlated with venom-use in vipers, elapids, and colubrid snakes, with the latter group shifting fangs anteriorly by shortening the entire maxillary bone. We find that maxilla length and tooth number may also be correlated with the evolution of dietary specialization. Finally, an ancestral state reconstruction suggests that fang loss is a recurring phenomenon in colubrid snakes, likely accompanied by shifts in diet and prey capture mode. Our study provides a framework for quantifying the complex morphologies associated with venom use in snakes. Our results suggest that fang phenotypes, and particularly the rear-fanged phenotype, in snakes are both diverse and labile, facilitating a wide range of ecological strategies and contributing to spectacular radiations of these organisms in tropical and subtropical biomes worldwide.
Revolution and disenchantment: Arab Marxism and the binds of emancipation: by Fadi A. Bardawil, Durham, NC, Duke University Press, 2020, 280 pp. $29.95 US (pb). ISBN 978-1-4780-0675-6.

The question of how to understand the relationship between theory and practice, between ideas and their context, has long plagued intellectual historians. In his book on the Lebanese New Left in th...
Dopamine D2 receptor signaling on iMSNs is required for initiation and vigor of learned actions

Striatal dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) are important for motor output. Selective deletion of D2Rs from indirect pathway-projecting medium spiny neurons (iMSNs) impairs locomotor activities in a task-specific manner. However, the role of D2Rs in the initiation of motor actions in reward seeking and taking is not fully understood, and there is little information about how receptors contribute under different task demands and with different outcome types. The iMSN-D2Rs modulate neuronal activity and synaptic transmission, exerting control on circuit functions that may play distinct roles in action learning and performance. Selective deletion of D2Rs on iMSNs resulted in slower action initiation and response rate in an instrumental conditioning task, but only when performance demand was increased. The iMSN-Drd2KO mice were also slower to initiate swimming in a T-maze procedural learning task but were unimpaired in cognitive function and behavioral flexibility. In contrast, in a Pavlovian discrimination learning task, iMSN-Drd2KO mice exhibited normal acquisition and extinction of rewarded responding. The iMSN-Drd2KO mice showed performance deficits at all phases of rotarod skill learning. These findings reveal that dopamine modulation through iMSN-D2Rs influences the ability to self-initiate actions, as well as the willingness and/or vigor with which these responses are performed. However, these receptors seem to have little influence on simple associative learning or on stimulus-driven responding. The loss of normal D2R roles may contribute to disorders in which impaired dopamine signaling leads to hypokinesia or impaired initiation of specific voluntary actions.
Abstract 1500: Understanding tumor cell community and its evolution by single cell analysis in liver cancer

Tumor cell biodiversity is a major contributing factor to therapeutic failures and lethal outcomes of solid malignancies. Primary liver cancer, comprising mainly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), is the second most lethal malignancy worldwide. To understand the biodiversity of tumor cell community in liver cancer, we performed single-cell transcriptome profiling of primary HCC and iCCA from 19 patients, who were enrolled at the NIH Clinical Center for immune checkpoint inhibition clinical trials. We found malignant cells differed within and between tumors, indicating both intratumor and intertumor heterogeneity. We developed a method to measure intratumor heterogeneity. Strikingly, the degree of intratumor diversity was associated with patient outcome where tumors with high diversity was associated with poor prognosis while tumors with low diversity was linked to good prognosis. The link between intratumor diversity and patient prognosis was also observed in bulk genomic and transcriptomic profiles for hundreds of HCC as well as iCCA patients. We found a polarization of the diverse landscapes of tumor microenvironment (TME) from low diversity and high diversity tumors. By searching upstream regulators of TME, we found an increased VEGF expression in high diversity tumors linked to diversity-related polarization of stromal and immune cells. Additionally, tumor evolutionary trajectory was uncovered by single-cell transcriptomic profiles generated from tumor biopsies collected from patients at baseline and after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Our results offer insight into the diverse ecosystem of HCC and iCCA and determine an impact of tumor cell biodiversity on patient prognosis, which may further benefit the prediction of clinical response to immune therapy. Citation Format: Lichun Ma, Maria O. Hernandez, Yongmei Zhao, Monika Mehta, Bao Tran, Michael Kelly, Zachary Rae, Jonathan M. Hernandez, Jeremy L. Davis, Sean P. Martin, David E. Kleiner, Stephen M. Hewitt, Kris Ylaya, Bradford J. Wood, Tim F. Greten, Xin Wei Wang. Understanding tumor cell community and its evolution by single cell analysis in liver cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1500.
Surgical Approaches in Parathyroid Pathology and Operative Techniques

Parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism can most often be accomplished through a cervical incision using a minimally invasive or focused approach. There are rare cases of mediastinal ectopic parathyroid adenomas that require a thoracic approach for complete excision. With preoperative localization on multiple imaging modalities, the thoracic surgeon is able to assist in planning an appropriate surgical strategy.
IRFM T_eff calibrations for cluster and field giants in the Vilnius, Geneva, RI(C) and DDO photometric systems

Based on a large sample of disk and halo giant stars, for which accurate effective temperatures derived through the InfraRed Flux Method (IRFM) exist, a calibration of the temperature scale in the Vilnius, Geneva, RI(C) and DDO photometric systems is performed. We provide calibration formulae for the metallicity dependent T_eff vs color relations as well as grids of intrinsic colors and compare them with other calibrations. Photometry, atmospheric parameters and reddening corrections for the stars of the sample have been updated with respect to the original sources in order to reduce the dispersion of the fits. Application of our results to Arcturus leads to an effective temperature in excellent agreement with the value derived from its angular diameter and integrated flux. The effects of gravity on these T_eff vs color relations are also explored by taking into account our previous results for dwarf stars.
Hematopoietic Growth Factors

A number of high quality abstracts were received for the Hematopoietic Growth Factor Workshop at the 5th International Lymphokine Workshop. From the submitted poster presentations 14 studies were selected for a brief 10 minute oral presentation and discussion at the convened workshop. Selections were based on work consistent with the central theme of the Lymphokine Meeting, “Molecular Mechanisms of Lymphokine Action”. The workshop was divided into specific areas of interest; i) identification of “new” hematopoietic growth factors or/newly described activities, ii) molecular characterization of colony stimulating factors (CSFs), and structure-function analyses; iii) intracellular mechanism(s) and gene expression and iv) molecular relationships of CSFs to myeloid leukemia.
A T-rojan horse strategy for cancer immunotherapy.

CDK4/6 inhibitor–treated breast cancer cells recruit T cells via metabolic stress-induced chemokines.
Tee Complex Construction Project

The project was initiated to construct an area that would simulate a golf course tee and green complex. Over fifteen years ago, a south-facing,sloped green was built to USGA specifications that allowed for research under these specific conditions. The trial had been terminated and left fallow for several years.
Blocks world revisited: image understanding using qualitative geometry and mechanics

Since most current scene understanding approaches operate either on the 2D image or using a surface-based representation, they do not allow reasoning about the physical constraints within the 3D scene. Inspired by the "Blocks World" work in the 1960's, we present a qualitative physical representation of an outdoor scene where objects have volume and mass, and relationships describe 3D structure and mechanical configurations. Our representation allows us to apply powerful global geometric constraints between 3D volumes as well as the laws of statics in a qualitative manner. We also present a novel iterative "interpretation-by-synthesis" approach where, starting from an empty ground plane, we progressively "build up" a physically-plausible 3D interpretation of the image. For surface layout estimation, our method demonstrates an improvement in performance over the state-of-the-art [9]. But more importantly, our approach automatically generates 3D parse graphs which describe qualitative geometric and mechanical properties of objects and relationships between objects within an image.
Self-aligned TiSi/sub 2/Si hetero-nanocrystal nonvolatile memory

After the proposal of nanocrystal floating gate memory by Tiwari, tremendous effort has been made to improve the device performance of a memory containing nanocrystal floating gate, including semiconductor nanocrystals (Si, Ge et al.), metal dot (W, Ni, Au, Pt, Ag et al.), dielectric nanocrystals (Al2O3, HfO2 and Si4N3 et al.) and Ge/Si hetero-nanocrystals. In this work, we will report for the first time titanium silicide/Si hetero-nanocrystal floating gate memory
Lessons from the Americas: Guidelines for International Response to Amnesties for Atrocities

The last two decades of the Cold War saw human rights reach a low ebb in Latin America. From Argentina’s Dirty War and Chile’s General Pinochet in the South, to bloodbaths of peasants in El Salvador and indigenous peoples in Guatemala in the North, the continent was overrun by serious violations of human rights. Few countries escaped. Even today the region’s two largest nations, Brazil and Mexico, suffer widespread and systematic patterns of police torture (among other abuses), while massive violence stalks Colombia and
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis Success Stories of X-Plane Design to Flight Test

Examples of the design and flight test of three true X-planes are described, particularly X-plane design techniques that relied heavily on computational fluid dynamics(CFD) analysis. Three examples are presented: the X-36 Tailless Fighter Agility Research Aircraft, the X-45A Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle, and the X-48B Blended Wing Body Demonstrator Aircraft. An overview is presented of the uses of CFD analysis, comparison and contrast with wind tunnel testing, and information derived from CFD analysis that directly related to successful flight test. Lessons learned on the proper and improper application of CFD analysis are presented. Highlights of the flight-test results of the three example X-planes are presented. This report discusses developing an aircraft shape from early concept and three-dimensional modeling through CFD analysis, wind tunnel testing, further refined CFD analysis, and, finally, flight. An overview of the areas in which CFD analysis does and does not perform well during this process is presented. How wind tunnel testing complements, calibrates, and verifies CFD analysis is discussed. Lessons learned revealing circumstances under which CFD analysis results can be misleading are given. Strengths and weaknesses of the various flow solvers, including panel methods, Euler, and Navier-Stokes techniques, are discussed.
Novel response production as a function of variability and amount of practice.

Abstract This study investigated the effects of three different amounts of practice in combination with two types of variable practice conditions upon schema development. Seventy-two subjects were administered either 6, 18, or 36 trials while learning to move to either one- or three-criteria goals on the linear positioning task. Subjects then had 18 no-KR (knowledge of results) trials to produce a novel response. The statistical analysis revealed a significant three-way interaction for absolute error while no significant main or interaction effects existed for constant or variable error. Analysis of the simple main effects showed that the various amounts of practice produced similar performances for the subjects learning to move to only one criterion goal. For the subjects learning to move to three criteria goals during initial practice, the amount of practice provided was a significant factor in the accuracy and strength of the motor schema. Partial support is presented for schema theory.
Spatially resolved methane band photometry of Saturn . I. Absolute reflectivity and center-to-limb variations in the 6190-, 7250-, and 8900-Å bands

Spatially resolved measurements of Saturn's absolute reflectivity in methane bands at 6190, 7250, and 8900 A and in nearby continuum regions are presented. Images were obtained through narrow-band interference filters with a 500 x 500-pixel charge-coupled device. Band/continuum ratios were measured to high accuracy by referencing to the ring brightness in each image. Several data processing techniques enhanced the quality of the observations. These are the use of the ring symmetry to find center position and orientation, accurate subtraction of ring light, and constrained image deconvolution. Uncertainty in the continuum absolute reflectivity is within 10%. Uncertainties in band/continuum ratios are from one to several percent. The Equatorial Zone was much brighter than any other latitude in the strong 8900 band image. Northern midlatitudes were brighter than southern midlatitudes. The latter observation indicates fewer high-altitude aerosols in the south, a possible result of atmospheric dynamics or seasonal sublimation of NH3 crystals. The data are tabulated and presented in a form suitable for quantitative scattering model analyses.
Reciprocity as a Key Concept for Social Media and Society

The concept of reciprocity, particularly in the pro-social sense of mutually beneficial exchange, presents an opportunity befitting the start of a new journal on social media. Namely, how might a c...
High Hydrogen Content Silicon Nitride For Photovoltaic Applications Deposited By Hot-Wire Chemical Vapor Deposition

Silicon nitride films have been grown by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition and film properties have been characterized as a function of SiH4/NH3 flow ratio. Quadrupole mass spectrometry measurements revealed that NH3 should be present in large excess relative to SiH4 (<10), due to its lower decomposition probability on the wire. Silicon nitride films were produced with refractive indices ranging from 1.8–2.5 and H-content from 9–18 atomic % as the flow ratio increased from 1% to 8%. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy revealed a change from predominantly N-H to Si-H bonding as the flow ratio increases beyond 6%. Subsequent annealing studies showed different kinetics for H release from Si versus N. Films grown with a low SiH4/NH3 ratio were found to oxidize readily (23 atomic %), while larger ratios yielded no oxygen incorporation.
Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1): A novel biomarker for human renal proximal tubule injury

Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1): A novel biomarker for human renal proximal tubule injury. Background Traditional blood and urine markers for the diagnosis of various renal diseases are insensitive and nonspecific. Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) is a type 1 transmembrane protein, with an immunoglobulin and mucin domain, whose expression is markedly up-regulated in the proximal tubule in the post-ischemic rat kidney. The ectodomain of KIM-1 is shed from cells. The current studies were carried out to evaluate whether KIM-1 is present in human acute renal failure and might serve as a urinary marker of acute renal tubular injury. Methods Kidney tissue samples from six patients with biopsy-proven acute tubular necrosis (ATN) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for expression of KIM-1. Urine samples were collected from an additional thirty-two patients with various acute and chronic renal diseases, as well as from eight normal controls. Urinary KIM-1 protein was detected by immunoassay and was quantified by ELISA. Results There was extensive expression of KIM-1 in proximal tubule cells in biopsies from 6 of 6 patients with confirmed ATN. The normalized urinary KIM-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with ischemic ATN (2.92 ± 0.61; N = 7) compared to levels in patients with other forms of acute renal failure (0.63 ± 0.17, P N = 16) or chronic renal disease (0.72 ± 0.37, P N = 9). Adjusted for age, gender, length of time delay between the initial insult and sampling of the urine, a one-unit increase in normalized KIM-1 was associated with a greater than 12-fold (OR 12.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 119) risk for the presence of ATN. Concentrations of other urinary biomarkers, including total protein, γ-glutamyltransferase, and alkaline phosphatase, did not correlate with clinical diagnostic groupings. Conclusions A soluble form of human KIM-1 can be detected in the urine of patients with ATN and may serve as a useful biomarker for renal proximal tubule injury facilitating the early diagnosis of the disease and serving as a diagnostic discriminator.
Effect of state-mandated insurance coverage on accrual to community cancer clinical trials

Thirty-five U.S. states and territories have implemented policies requiring insurers to cover patient care costs in the context of cancer clinical trials; however, evidence of the effectiveness of these policies is limited. This study assesses the impact of state insurance mandates on clinical trial accrual among community-based practices participating in the NCI Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP), which enrolls approximately one-third of all NCI cancer trial participants. We analyzed CCOP clinical trial enrollment over 17 years in 37 states, 14 of which implemented coverage policies, using fixed effects least squares regression to estimate the effect of state policies on trial accrual among community providers, controlling for state and CCOP differences in capacity to recruit. Of 91 CCOPs active during this time, 28 were directly affected by coverage mandates. Average recruitment per CCOP between 1991 and 2007 was 95.1 participants per year (SD = 55.8). CCOPs in states with a mandate recruited similar numbers of participants compared to states without a mandate. In multivariable analysis, treatment trial accrual among CCOPs in states that had implemented a coverage mandate, was not statistically different than accrual among CCOPs in states that did not implement a coverage mandate (β = 2.95, p = 0.681). State mandates did not appear to confer a benefit in terms of CCOP clinical trial accrual. State policies vary in strength, which may have diluted their effect on accrual. Nonetheless, policy mandates alone may not have a meaningful impact on participation in clinical trials in these states.