cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
More Than Just Wait Time? Regional Differences in Liver Transplant Outcomes for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND Regional allocation of deceased donor livers has led to variable wait times for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients on the liver transplant list. The purpose of our study was to evaluate how regional differences in wait time affect outcomes for HCC patients. METHODS A retrospective, observational study was performed using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database from February 27, 2002, to September 25, 2015. The cumulative incidences of transplant and waitlist death as well as intention-to-treat and posttransplant survival were evaluated for patients 18 years or older listed for deceased donor liver transplantation with stage II HCC exception points in each United Network for Organ Sharing region. A multivariable analysis of predictive factors for posttransplant survival was performed. RESULTS Cumulative incidence of transplant decreased and cumulative incidence of waitlist death increased as regional wait time increased. Intention-to-treat survival decreased with increased regional wait time with long wait time regions 1, 5, and 9 having significantly lower intention-to-treat survival compared with many of the shorter wait time regions (P < 0.05). Wait time did not predict posttransplant survival. Significant predictive factors of posttransplant survival included alpha-fetoprotein, size of the largest tumor, number of tumors, age of the recipient, laboratory model for end-stage liver disease, donor risk index, period of transplantation, and region (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Wait time inequality affects waitlist mortality and intention-to-treat survival but does not affect posttransplant survival. Posttransplant survival is predicted by tumor biology, graft quality, recipient age, underlying liver function, and region. Regional environments of HCC care seem to drive posttransplant survival.
My second coming out

I told my dad using a “rip off the Band-Aid” strategy. I took a deep breath, dialed his cellphone, and said, “Hey Dad, it's Carly, I just, um, wanted to tell you that I'm, um, dating a woman. OK, talk to you later!” And just like that, I had both hung up on and come out to my dad. Fast
Fan-out wafer-level packaging for 3D IC heterogeneous integration

Two 3D IC heterogeneous integrations by fan-out wafer-level packaging (FOWLP) technology are investigated in this study. The emphasis of the first such method is on the design, and of the other method, the emphasis is on the manufacturing process.
Patterns of Use of Science in Ethics

It is commonly recognised that the question of the relation of science to ethics has been a troubled one, especially in the 20th century. There is an interesting history to the question. Scientists have occasionally attempted to legislate for ethics. They thought to determine morality from their biological results — for example, their conclusions about human evolution. Or else, they offered lists of instincts or needs out of which they expected a conception of the good to be constructed. They framed concepts of mental health to serve as a basis for morals, or attempted to apply to moral inquiry the latest model from the latest science. Philosophers reacted with emphasis, often with impatience. They attempted to establish and maintain a concept of moral autonomy which would free them from an incipiently authoritarian science as it had freed them from an authoritarian religion. Sometimes they fell instead into the clutches of an authoritarian linguistics, and they confused autonomy with isolation. Many philosophers felt that the whole question had really been settled when G. E. Moore worked out the idea of the naturalistic fallacy in his Principia Ethica at the beginning of the century, and separated the moral sphere from the natural sphere; in one form or another, it has won assent in the analytic world. In more popular vein, and among perhaps most scientists, it has seemed enough to say ‘Science can give us only means, not ends.’
3-D virtual worlds and higher education

Conducting education in three-dimensional (3-D) virtual worlds is an emerging phenomenon in the educational arena. The objective of this research is to investigate the factors influencing students’ intention to adopt the 3-D virtual worlds for delivery of education. Drawing on existing technology acceptance models as well as studies in traditional and distance education, we developed a model to study students’ acceptance of using a 3-D virtual world for education and propose to test the model empirically using survey data collected from college students. We also study the use of two instructional methods in the 3-D virtual world. This study contributes to both academic research and practice. Studies on the use of this new, emerging technology for education can help to increase our understanding on the use of 3-D virtual world environment for delivery of higher education.
Evidence for plasmid coding of the ability to utilize hydrogen gas by Pseudomonas facilis.

Abstract Growth of Pseudomonas facilis in the presence of sublethal concentrations of rifampin, ethidium bromide, and mitomycin C and at a sublethal temperature, 37 C, results in a high percentage of cells unable to utilize hydrogen gas as an energy source. This high rate of curing indicates an extrachromosomal location for the hydrogenase. This is further substantiated by lack of reversion of this characteristic upon repeated transfer or back mutation.
Red state, blue state: Neoliberalism, politics and public sector union membership in the US states

Theories of Neoliberalism have acknowledged cross-national variations in Neoliberal trajectories but have been remiss in identifying subnational variations in the Neoliberal agenda. To explore this subnational variation, we examine the multifaceted Neoliberal attack on public sector unions in the 50 US states during the Tea Party era. We undertake a qualitative case study of four states as well as a quantitative historical study of all 50 states and find substantial regional variation between Southern and non-Southern states. In the non-South where public sector unionism is strong, we find that states that experience a transition from either Republican-to-Democratic or Democratic-to-Republican party control of state government experience declines in public sector union membership, but no such effect is found among Southern states where public sector unionism is already weak. Thus, despite variable events, circumstances and policy agendas in different states, Tea Party forces constrain state budgetary options and undermine public sector union membership.
Delivery of IL-35 by Lactococcus lactis Ameliorates Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice

IL-35, a relatively newly discovered cytokine belonging to the larger IL-12 family, shows unique anti-inflammatory properties, believed to be associated with dedicated receptors and signaling pathways. IL-35 plays a pivotal role in the development and the function of both regulatory B (Bregs) and T cells (Tregs). In order to further its therapeutic potential, a dairy Lactococcus lactis strain was engineered to express murine IL-35 (LL-IL35), and this recombinant strain was applied to suppress collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Oral administration of LL-IL35 effectively reduced the incidence and disease severity of CIA. When administered therapeutically, LL-IL35 abruptly halted CIA progression with no increase in disease severity by reducing neutrophil influx into the joints. LL-IL35 treatment reduced IFN-γ and IL-17 3.7- and 8.5-fold, respectively, and increased IL-10 production compared to diseased mice. Foxp3+ and Foxp3- CD39+ CD4+ T cells were previously shown to be the Tregs responsible for conferring protection against CIA. Inquiry into their induction revealed that both CCR6+ and CCR6- Foxp3+or- CD39+ CD4+ T cells act as the source of the IL-10 induced by LL-IL35. Thus, this study demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of engineered probiotics for treating autoimmune diseases.
Ameloblastin Binds to Phospholipid Bilayers via a Helix-Forming Motif within the Sequence Encoded by Exon 5

Ameloblastin (Ambn), the most abundant non-amelogenin enamel protein, is intrinsically disordered and has the potential to interact with other enamel proteins and with cell membranes. Here, through...
PhishFarm: A Scalable Framework for Measuring the Effectiveness of Evasion Techniques against Browser Phishing Blacklists

Phishing attacks have reached record volumes in recent years. Simultaneously, modern phishing websites are growing in sophistication by employing diverse cloaking techniques to avoid detection by security infrastructure. In this paper, we present PhishFarm: a scalable framework for methodically testing the resilience of anti-phishing entities and browser blacklists to attackers' evasion efforts. We use PhishFarm to deploy 2,380 live phishing sites (on new, unique, and previously-unseen .com domains) each using one of six different HTTP request filters based on real phishing kits. We reported subsets of these sites to 10 distinct anti-phishing entities and measured both the occurrence and timeliness of native blacklisting in major web browsers to gauge the effectiveness of protection ultimately extended to victim users and organizations. Our experiments revealed shortcomings in current infrastructure, which allows some phishing sites to go unnoticed by the security community while remaining accessible to victims. We found that simple cloaking techniques representative of real-world attacks— including those based on geolocation, device type, or JavaScript— were effective in reducing the likelihood of blacklisting by over 55% on average. We also discovered that blacklisting did not function as intended in popular mobile browsers (Chrome, Safari, and Firefox), which left users of these browsers particularly vulnerable to phishing attacks. Following disclosure of our findings, anti-phishing entities are now better able to detect and mitigate several cloaking techniques (including those that target mobile users), and blacklisting has also become more consistent between desktop and mobile platforms— but work remains to be done by anti-phishing entities to ensure users are adequately protected. Our PhishFarm framework is designed for continuous monitoring of the ecosystem and can be extended to test future state-of-the-art evasion techniques used by malicious websites.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Cognitive Impairment

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the most common types of poisoning in the USA and can be either acute or chronic. CO poisoning is diagnosed through examination of the patients’ history and is confirmed by an elevated carboxyhemoglobin level. The symptoms of CO poisoning are often nonspecific including headache, nausea, vomiting, or other flu-like symptoms which are often misdiagnosed. Many patients with CO poisoning develop new cognitive impairments that can occur immediately after the poisoning or can appear within 40 days of the CO poisoning known as delayed neurologic sequelae. Individuals with CO poisoning develop new morbidities including cognitive impairments and psychological disorders (depression and anxiety). Cognitive impairments occur in a variety of cognitive domains and vary in severity. This chapter will describe the cognitive impairments following CO poisoning, mechanism of injury including the role of hypoxia, and treatment for cognitive impairments.
Optimizing Military Human-Robot Teaming: An Evaluation of Task Load and Modality Switch Cost:

The effect of task switching on performance has been examined in many different fields and contexts. Sudden changes in task load can significantly impair performance, which can have detrimental con...
Equity Considerations in Addressing English Learner Segregation

ABSTRACTThis commentary outlines the promises and pitfalls of dual-language programs in confronting EL segregation.
Inkjet-Printed Graphene-Based 1 × 2 Phased Array Antenna

Low-cost and conformal phased array antennas (PAAs) on flexible substrates are of particular interest in many applications. The major deterrents to developing flexible PAA systems are the difficulty in integrating antenna and electronics circuits on the flexible surface, as well as the bendability and oxidation rate of radiating elements and electronics circuits. In this research, graphene ink was developed from graphene flakes and used to inkjet print the radiating element and the active channel of field effect transistors (FETs). Bending and oxidation tests were carried out to validate the application of printed flexible graphene thin films in flexible electronics. An inkjet-printed graphene-based 1 × 2 element phased array antenna was designed and fabricated. Graphene-based field effect transistors were used as switches in the true-time delay line of the phased array antenna. The graphene phased array antenna was 100% inkjet printed on top of a 5 mil flexible Kapton® substrate, at room temperature. Four possible azimuth steering angles were designed for −26.7°, 0°, 13°, and 42.4°. Measured far-field patterns show good agreement with simulation results.
SMARCB1/INI1-deficient pancreatic undifferentiated rhabdoid carcinoma mimicking solid pseudopapillary neoplasm: A case report and review of the literature.

Background SMARCB1/INI1-deficient pancreatic undifferentiated rhabdoid carcinoma is a very aggressive tumor that is rarely reported in the literature. The tumor has a predominant rhabdoid cell component and different patterns of growth have been reported. Case summary A 59-year-old woman presented with diffuse abdominal pain, increasing in severity and accompanied by weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. Imaging showed a pancreatic head mass. Fine needle aspiration demonstrated atypical epithelioid cells with a pseudopapillary growth pattern suggestive of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm. The excised neoplasm showed monotonous epithelioid and focally spindle cells with pseudopapillary structures, rhabdoid features, and loss of SMARCB1 protein expression with wild-type KRAS, consistent with a SMARCB1/INI1-deficient undifferentiated rhabdoid carcinoma. The patient's condition deteriorated rapidly following surgery and she expired 3 mo post operation. Conclusion In this article, we report the first case of SMARCB1/INI1-deficient undifferentiated pancreatic rhabdoid carcinoma mimicking solid pseudopapillary neoplasm.
Impact of DC bias on weak optical-field-driven electron emission in nano-vacuum-gap detectors

In this work, we investigate multiphoton and optical field tunneling emission from metallic surfaces with nanoscale vacuum gaps. Using time-dependent Schrodinger equation (TDSE) simulations, we find that the properties of the emitted photocurrent in such systems can be greatly altered by the application of only a few-volt direct current (DC) bias. We find that when coupled with expected plasmonic enhancements within the nanometer-scale metallic gaps, the application of this DC bias significantly reduces the threshold for the transition to optical-field-driven tunneling from the metal surface, and could sufficiently enhance the emitted photocurrents, to make it feasible to electronically tag fJ ultrafast pulses at room temperature. Given the petahertz-scale instantaneous response of the photocurrents, and the low effective capacitance of thin-film nanoantenna devices that enables <1fs response time, detectors that exploit this bias-enhanced surface emission from nanoscale vacuum gaps could prove to be useful for communication, petahertz electronics, and ultrafast optical-field-resolved metrology.
Unlocking Tissue Regenerative Potential by Epigenetic Reprogramming.

Summary The regeneration potential of axons projecting from retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is lost shortly after birth. In Nature, Lu et al. (2020) demonstrate that epigenetic reprogramming of RGCs by overexpression of Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 leads to axon regeneration and restoration of vision in a glaucoma model and aged mice.
Hypoglossal and Masseteric Nerve Transfer for Facial Reanimation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Hypoglossal and masseteric nerve transfer are currently the most popular cranial nerve transfer techniques for patients with facial paralysis. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare functional outcomes and adverse effects of these procedures. Methods: A review of online databases was performed to include studies with four or more patients undergoing hypoglossal or masseter nerve transfer without muscle transfer or other cranial nerve transposition. Facial nerve outcomes, time to reinnervation, and adverse events were pooled and studied. Results: A total of 71 studies were included: 15 studies included 220 masseteric-facial transfers, and 60 studies included 1312 hypoglossal-facial transfers. Oral commissure symmetry at rest was better for hypoglossal transfer (2.22 ± 1.6 mm vs. 3.62 ± 2.7 mm, p = 0.047). The composite Sunnybrook Facial Nerve Grading Scale was better for masseteric transfer (47.7 ± 7.4 vs. 33.0 ± 6.4, p < 0.001). Time to first movement (in months) was significantly faster in masseteric transfer (4.6 ± 2.6 vs. 6.3 ± 1.3, p < 0.001). Adverse effects were rare (<5%) for both procedures. Conclusions: Both nerve transfer techniques are effective for facial reanimation, and the surgeon should consider the nuanced differences in selecting the correct procedure for each patient.
Invasive modalities for the diagnosis of peripheral lung nodules.

Lung nodules are being increasingly discovered either incidentally or through lung cancer screening chest CT scans. Some of these will turn out to be malignant and therefore it is important to obta...
CUB domain containing protein 1 (CDPC1) is a target for radioligand therapy in castration resistant prostate cancer

Abstract Purpose Radioligand therapy (RLT) is relatively unexplored in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), with much of the focus having been on bone seeking radionuclides and PSMA-directed RLT. Herein, we evaluated if CUB domain containing protein 1 (CDCP1) can be exploited to treat mCRPC with RLT, particularly for subsets like small cell neuroendocrine prostate cancer (SCNC) that would not be expected to respond to current options. Experimental Design CDCP1 mRNA levels were evaluated in the RNA-seq data from 119 recent mCRPC biopsies. Protein expression was assessed in twelve SCNC and adenocarcinoma patient derived xenografts. Saturation binding assays were performed with 4A06, a recombinant human antibody that targets the CDCP1 ectodomain. The feasibility of imaging and treating mCRPC in vivo was tested with 89Zr-4A06 and 177Lu-4A06. Results CDCP1 mRNA expression was observed in over 90% of mCRPC biopsies, including SCNC and in adenocarcinoma with low FOLH1 (PSMA) levels. A modest anticorrelation was observed between CDCP1 and PTEN. Overall survival was not significantly different based on CDCP1 mRNA levels, regardless of PTEN status. Full length and/or cleaved CDCP1 was expressed in ten of twelve PDX samples. Bmax values of ~22,000 and ~6,200 fmol/mg were calculated for two human prostate cancer cell lines. Five prostate cancer models were readily detected in vivo with 89Zr-4A06. 177Lu-4A06 significantly suppressed the growth of DU145 tumors compared to control. Conclusions The antitumor data and the overexpression of CDCP1 reported herein provide the first evidence promoting CDCP1 directed RLT as a treatment strategy for mCRPC. Statement of Translational Relevance New targets for RLT are needed to address the subset of mCRPC that cannot be treated with bone seeking radionuclides or PSMA directed RLT. We report herein the first data credentialing CDCP1 as a target for mCRPC, in both adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine subtypes. Combined with low expression in normal human tissues, these data provide a compelling scientific rationale for testing CDCP1 directed RLT clinically in mCRPC patients alone or in combination with other systemic therapies.
Aeromonas schubertii, a new mannitol-negative species found in human clinical specimens.

In 1983 the vernacular name Enteric Group 501 was coined for a group of strains that had been referred to our laboratory as "possible Vibrio damsela that does not require NaCl for growth." By DNA-DNA hybridization (hydroxyapatite method, 32P, 60 and 75 degrees C), six strains of Enteric Group 501 were closely related to the labeled strain 2446-81 (70 to 95% at 60 degrees C and 71 to 93% at 75 degrees C; 0 to 1% divergence). Type strains of all Aeromonas species and reference strains of six other Aeromonas DNA hybridization groups were 26 to 42% related (60 degrees C) to strain 2446-81, but type strains of 27 Vibrio and Photobacterium species, including V. damsela, were 0 to 1% (75 degrees C) related. We propose the name Aeromonas schubertii for the highly related group of seven strains formerly known as Enteric Group 501. The type strain is designated as ATCC 43700 (CDC 2446-81). Strains of A. schubertii grew well at 36 degrees C and had positive reactions at this temperature for methyl red, Voges-Proskauer (1% NaCl, Coblentz method), lysine decarboxylase, arginine dihydrolase, motility, lipase, DNase, nitrate reduction to nitrite, oxidase, and growth in nutrient broth with 0 and 1% NaCl. There was no growth in 6% NaCl or on thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose agar. The following sugars were fermented: D-glucose, D-galactose, maltose, D-mannose, and trehalose. The following sugars were not fermented: adonitol, L-arabinose, D-arabitol, cellobiose, dulcitol, erythritol, myo-inositol, lactose, D-mannitol, melibiose, alpha-CH3-D-glucoside, raffinose, L-rhamnose, salicin, D-sorbitol, sucrose, and D-xylose. Esculin was not hydrolyzed, and the string test was negative. The mannitol-negative reaction differtiates A. schubertii from other Aeromonas species. The antibiogram of this organism is typical of other Aeromonas strains (resistance to ampicillin and carbenicillin and susceptibility to most other agents). A. schubertii strains have been isolated from abscesses (two strains), wound (one), skin (one), pleural fluid (one), and blood (two). The two blood isolates suggest clinical significance typical of other Aeromonas species , but further information is needed on this group.
IFN-γ from CD4 T Cells Is Essential for Host Survival and Enhances CD8 T Cell Function during Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

IFN-γ is necessary in both humans and mice for control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. CD4 T cells are a significant source of IFN-γ during acute infection in mice and are required for control of bacterial growth and host survival. However, several other types of cells can and do produce IFN-γ during the course of the infection. We sought to determine whether IFN-γ from sources other than CD4 T cells was sufficient to control M. tuberculosis infection and whether CD4 T cells had a role in addition to IFN-γ production. To investigate the role of IFN-γ from CD4 T cells, a murine adoptive transfer model was developed in which all cells were capable of producing IFN-γ, with the exception of CD4 T cells. Our data in this system support that CD4 T cells are essential for control of infection, but also that IFN-γ from CD4 T cells is necessary for host survival and optimal long-term control of bacterial burden. In addition, IFN-γ from CD4 T cells was required for a robust CD8 T cell response. IFN-γ from T cells inhibited intracellular replication of M. tuberculosis in macrophages, suggesting IFN-γ may be necessary for intracellular bactericidal activity. Thus, although CD4 T cells play additional roles in the control of M. tuberculosis infection, IFN-γ is a major function by which these cells participate in resistance to tuberculosis.
Metal–Organic Frameworks: Gas Storage

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a significant class of porous materials renowned for their well-defined structures and various applications in the last few decades. As a novel category of solid adsorbents, MOFs have overshadowed many traditional porous materials owing to their chemically tunable structures, extraordinarily large porosity, and convenient functionalization procedures. Focused on the gas storage aspect of MOFs, this chapter elaborates the storage of some important gases (hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and others) and features their applications in the areas of renewable energy conservation, environmental protection, and prospective biomedicines. Keywords: metal-organic frameworks; porous materials; gas storage; gas separation; hydrogen storage; carbon dioxide capture; methane storage
Wear and Microstructure of SiC Ceramics

Etude de l'influence des facteurs microstructuraux sur l'usure par frottement de materiaux a base de SiC prepares selon differents processus
Towards predicting robot team performance

In this paper we develop a method for predicting the performance of human-robot teams consisting of a single user and multiple robots. To predict the performance of a team, we first measure the neglect tolerance and interface efficiency of the interaction schemes employed by the team. We then describe a method that shows how these measurements can be used to estimate the team's performance. We validate the performance prediction algorithm by comparing predictions to actual results when a user guides three robots in an exploration and goal-finding mission; comparisons are made for various system configurations.
Multipactoring at a single electrode

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Design of DIII-D Advanced Divertor

The Advanced Divertor is a modification being designed for the plasma chamber of the DIII-D tokamak in order to optimize the divertor configuration and allow a broader range of experiments to be carried out. The design of the Advanced Divertor is described. It will enable two classes of physics experiments to be run in the DIII-D: divertor biasing and divertor baffling. The Advanced Divertor's two principal components are a toroidally symmetric baffle and a continuous ring electrode. The tokamak can be run in baffle, bias, or standard DIII-D divertor modes by accurately positioning the outer divertor strike point with the DIII-D plasma control system. The baffle will provide approximately 50000 L/s pumping for particle removal in the outer bottom corner of the vacuum vessel. The strike point will be positioned at the entrance aperture for the baffle mode. The aperture geometry is designed to facilitate a large particle influx plus a high probability that backstreaming particles will be reionized and redirected to the aperture. Where the baffling plates meet, gas sealing is required to prevent recycling of neutrals back into the plasma. The supports for the ring are radially flexible to handle the differential thermal growth between the ring and the vessel wall, but are stiff in the vertical direction to restrain the ring against large disruption forces. Tests of insulators, performed in the DIII-D during plasma operations prior to deciding on the final design, and other testing and analyses performed to evaluate insulating materials and concepts are described. >
Interpolation and Sampling Hypersurfaces for weighted Bergman spaces on the unit ball

We present sufficient conditions on a smooth uniformly flat hypersurface W in the unit ball to be an interpolation hypersurface or a sampling hypersurface for generalized Bergman spaces associated to the unit ball with its Bergman metric. The conditions are phrased in terms of a geometric Beurling-type densities, similar to the densities defined for hypersurfaces in C^n by Ortega-Cerda, Schuster and the second author. For the case of sampling, our proofs are different than those in the C^n case; we use an approach closer in spirit to the work of Berndtsson and Ortega-Cerda in the 1-dimensional case. For the case of interpolation we use a modified version of the Ohsawa-Takegoshi method to carry out the interpolation in the situation where the density of W is a little less than optimal. For the general case, we use the same approach as in the C^n case, except that we use an improved dbar theorem, due to Ohsawa, to solve our Cousin problem with L^2 bounds. As in the case of C^n, it is expected that our sufficient conditions are also necessary.
A novel T-type current underlies prolonged Ca(2+)-dependent burst firing in GABAergic neurons of rat thalamic reticular nucleus

The inhibitory GABAergic projection of thalamic nucleus reticularis (nRt) neurons onto thalamocortical relay cells (TCs) is important in generating the normal thalamocortical rhythmicity of slow wave sleep, and may be a key element in the production of abnormal rhythms associated with absence epilepsy. Both TCs and nRt cells can generate prominent Ca(2+)-dependent low-threshold spikes, which evoke bursts of Na(+)-dependent fast spikes, and are influential in rhythm generation. Substantial differences in the pattern of burst firing in TCs versus nRt neurons led us to hypothesize that there are distinct forms of transient Ca2+ current (I(T)) underlying burst discharges in these two cell types. Using whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings, we analyzed I(T) in acutely isolated TCs and nRt neurons and found three key differences in biophysical properties. (1) The transient Ca2+ current in nRt neurons inactivated much more slowly than I(T) in TCs. This slow current is thus termed I(Ts). (2) The rate of inactivation for I(Ts) was nearly voltage independent. (3) Whole-cell I(Ts) amplitude was increased when Ba2+ was substituted for Ca2+ as the charge carrier. In addition, activation kinetics were slower for I(Ts) and the activation range was depolarized compared to that for I(T). Other properties of I(Ts) and I(T) were similar, including steady-state inactivation and sensitivities to blockade by divalent cations, amiloride, and antiepileptic drugs. Our findings demonstrate that subtypes of transient Ca2+ current are present in two different classes of thalamic neurons. The properties of I(Ts) lead to generation of long-duration calcium-dependent spike bursts in nRt cells. The resultant prolonged periods of GABA release onto TCs would play a critical role in maintaining rhythmicity by inducing TC hyperpolarization and promoting generation of low-threshold calcium spikes within relay nuclei.
Abstract 2690: The role of musashi-1 in tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer.

We have previously developed an in vivo mouse model of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma by combining a mutant p53 allele (p53R175HΔG) with a KrasG12D allele (KrasLA1). From the tumors arising in KrasLA1/+; p53R172HΔG/+ mice, we have established lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (KP cells) with high (344SQ) or low (393P) metastatic potential. The metastatic potential of KP cells is governed by Zeb-1 and the microRNA-200 family, which interact through a double-negative feedback loop. Given that metastatic KP cells exhibit the capacity to form polarized epithelial spheres in Matrigel and undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in response to extracellular cues, we hypothesized that stem cell factors serve as drivers of tumor cell invasion and metastasis in this model. We examined the expression of 13 stem cell factors in metastatic and non-metastatic KP cell lines using qPCR and found that Musashi-1 (Msi-1) was more highly expressed in metastatic KP cells, which was confirmed by western analysis. Msi1 is an RNA-binding protein that plays a central role during nervous system development, stem cell maintenance, and tumorigenesis. High levels of Msi1 have been reported in several malignancies including brain tumors, colon and breast cancer, and associate with poor survival in patients with breast and colon cancer. We have used a panel of human lung cancer cell lines and found Msi-1 protein to be expressed in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma cell lines. Further analysis revealed that Msi-1 expression is up-regulated by Zeb-1 and down-regulated by miR-200, raising the possibility that Msi-1 functions as a downstream mediator of the Zeb-1/miR-200 axis, which we are currently investigating by carrying out Msi-1 loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments and by analyzing human tissue microarrays to determine whether Msi-1 has prognostic value in patients. Our data suggests that Msi-1 is a candidate driver of tumor progression in NSCLC. Citation Format: Yanis Boumber, Alexander Kudinov, Xin Liu, Young-Ho Ahn, Jaime Rodriguez, Ignacio Wistuba, Don Gibbons, Jonathan Kurie. The role of musashi-1 in tumor progression in non-small cell lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2690. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2690
Synthesis of meso-arylsulfanyl- and alkylsulfanyl-substituted porphyrins via palladium-mediated C-S bond formation.

A family of new meso-arylsulfanyl- and alkylsulfanyl-substituted porphyrins were efficiently synthesized from direct reactions of meso-brominated porphyrins with thiols via palladium-mediated C−S bond formation. The catalytic method can be performed under mild conditions with both mono- and bis-substituted meso-bromoporphyrins as well as their zinc complexes and is suitable for different types of thiols. With the use of selenols, meso-seleno-substituted porphyrins can also be prepared similarly.
Activation of Thionitrites and Isoamyl Nitrite by Group 8 Metalloporphyrins and the Subsequent Generation of Nitrosyl Thiolates and Alkoxides of Ruthenium and Osmium Porphyrins

Ruthenium and osmium porphyrins of the form (por)M(CO) (por = octaethylporphyrinato dianion (OEP), tetratolylporphyrinato dianion (TTP)) react with thionitrites (RSNO) and isoamyl nitrite (RONO) to give the (por)M(NO)(SR) and (por)M(NO)(OR) addition products. Reaction of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-l-cysteine methyl ester with (TPP)Fe(THF)2 (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrinato dianion) gives (TPP)Fe(NO) in high yield. The related reaction of isoamyl nitrite with [(TPP)Fe(THF)2]+ gives the nitrosyl alcohol product [(TPP)Fe(NO)(HO-i-C5H11)]+. The solid state structures of (OEP)Ru(NO)(NACysMe-S) (NACysMe = N-acetyl-l-cysteinate methyl ester), (TTP)Os(NO)(S-i-C5H11), and [(TPP)Fe(NO)(HO-i-C5H11)]+ have been determined by X-ray diffraction.
A metabolite of halothane covalently binds to an endoplasmic reticulum protein that is highly homologous to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-α but has no activity

Abstract When the inhalation anesthetic halothane was administered to rats, a 58 kDa protein in the liver became covalently labeled by the trifluoroacetyl chloride metabolite of halothane. The amino acid sequences of the N-terminal and of several internal peptide fragments of the protein were 99% homologous to that of the deduced amino acid sequence of a cDNA reported to correspond to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-α. The purified trifluoroacetylated 58 kDa protein or native 58 kDa protein, however, did not have phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity. We conclude that the reported cDNA of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-α may encode for a microsomal protein of unknown function.
Implications of prion adaptation and evolution paradigm for human neurodegenerative diseases.

There is a growing body of evidence indicating that number of human neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, fronto-temporal dementias, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, propagate in the brain via prion-like intercellular induction of protein misfolding. Prions cause lethal neurodegenerative diseases in humans, the most prevalent being sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD); they self-replicate and spread by converting the cellular form of prion protein (PrPC) to a misfolded pathogenic conformer (PrPSc). The extensive phenotypic heterogeneity of human prion diseases is determined by polymorphisms in the prion protein gene, and by prion strain-specific conformation of PrPSc. Remarkably, even though informative nucleic acid is absent, prions may undergo rapid adaptation and evolution in cloned cells and upon crossing the species barrier. In the course of our investigation of this process, we isolated distinct populations of PrPSc particles that frequently co-exist in s...
Augmentation of the expression of proangiogenic genes in cardiomyocytes with low dose laser irradiation in vitro.

Abstract Background and Objective. Several reports suggest that low power red laser light (LPRLL) is capable of affecting cellular processes in the absence of significant thermal effect. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of LPRLL on proliferation of fetal cardiomyocytes in vitro and on the expression of proangiogenic genes, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Study Design/Materials and Methods. All cell cultures were irradiated with single-dose LPRLL using a He-Ne continuous wave laser (632 nm) with different doses. The effect of LPRLL on new DNA synthesis was studied by 3H thymidine-incorporation assay. VEGF and TGF-β expression by cardiomyocytes was studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results. We observed that a dose-dependent increase in cardiomyocytes proliferation can be obtained with LPRLL and that there is a significant increase in VEGF and TGF-β mRNA expression by cardiomyocytes. Conclusions. These data may have significant importance leading to the establishment of new methods for myocardial photoangiogenesis and photoregeneration as well as in vitro proliferation of cardiac myocytes.
Relationships Between Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Ascendance

(1960). Relationships Between Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Ascendance. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 279-285.
Dopamine D1/D2 agonists injected into nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum differentially affect locomotor activity depending on site.

Abstract Ventral pallidal dopamine has been recently shown to play an important role in psychostimulant reward and locomotor activation. The aim of the present study was to compare the roles of ventral pallidal D1 and D2 receptors in evoking locomotor activity with those in the nucleus accumbens. The D1 agonist SKF 38393 and the D2 agonist quinpirole hydrochloride (0.3–3 μg/0.5 μl) were bilaterally injected into ventral pallidum or nucleus accumbens through pre-implanted cannulae. In the ventral pallidum, 0.3–1 μg SKF 38393 increased locomotor activity while 3 μg had no effect; 3 μg quinpirole suppressed locomotion while 0.3–1 μg had no effect. Locomotor activity induced by an equigram (0.3 μg) mixture of SKF 38393 and quinpirole, while significantly higher than that induced by 0.3 μg quinpirole was not significantly higher than that induced by 0.3 μg SKF 38393 alone. At the 3 μg dose, SKF 38393 injections into anterior ventral pallidum increased activity; injections into posterior ventral pallidum decreased activity. In the nucleus accumbens, 0.3–3 μg SKF 38393 dramatically increased locomotor activity while quinpirole moderately increased locomotion. In the group that had previously received the full quinpirole dose range, injection of the equigram (0.3 μg) mixture of SKF 38393 and quinpirole induced locomotor activation which was higher than that induced by either drug alone or by the addition of the effect of each drug alone, i.e. synergy occurred. Moreover, rats that had previously received SKF 38393 developed a sensitized locomotor response to subsequent SKF 38393, quinpirole or the mixture of these two drugs. The difference in locomotor response to dopamine agonists between the ventral pallidum and nucleus accumbens is consistent with electrophysiological evidence collected at these two sites. These findings suggest that, unlike the nucleus accumbens, where D1 and D2 receptor activation may facilitate each other to induce a synergistic effect on locomotor activity, ventral pallidal D1 and D2 receptors may be located on different neurons and coupled with different, if not opposite, behavioral output.
GEOGRAPHIC AND HOST RANGE OF THE NEMATODE SOBOLIPHYME BATURINI ACROSS BERINGIA

The nematode Soboliphyme baturini Petrov, 1930, was found to represent a single species with a relatively broad geographic range across Beringia and northwestern North America on the basis of the assessment of molecular sequence data for adult and juvenile parasites. Refuted are hypotheses suggesting that several cryptic species could be partitioned either among an array of mustelid definitive hosts or across the vast region that links North America and Eurasia. Host specificity for this species is examined on the basis of a comprehensive list for definitive hosts, derived from new field surveys and existing literature for S. baturini. Only 5 mustelids (Gulo gulo, Martes americana, M. caurina, M. zibellina, and Neovison vison) appear to have significant roles in the life history, persistence, and transmission of this nematode. Soboliphyme baturini readily switches among M. americana, M. caurina, Mustela erminea ,o rN. vison at any particular locality throughout its geographic range in North America, although Martes spp. could represent the source for nematodes in a broader array of mustelids. Molecular analyses (243 base pairs of mitochondrial gene nicotinamide dehydrogenase (ND4)) suggest that hypotheses for host specificity across an array of mustelid definitive hosts are not supported. The life cycle of S. baturini is explored through a review of diet literature for 2 marten species, M. americana and M. caurina, and other mustelids across the Holarctic. Shrews (Soricomorpha: Soricidae) comprise 8% of prey for these species of Martes, suggesting their putative role as paratenic hosts. Juvenile nematodes found in the diaphragms of soricids are genetically identical to adult S. baturini found in the stomachs of mustelids at the same locations in both Asia and North America, corroborating a role in transmission for species of Sorex. Establishing the roles for each participant in a parasite's life cycle is essential to interpreting ecology, epidemiology, distri- bution, and phylogeographic history. Hosts that are components of the life cycle can be defined as definitive (parasite achieves sexual maturity), intermediate (parasite develops, but does not reach sexual maturity), and paratenic (parasite undergoes no development stages, but might be transported from one trophic level to another) (Roberts and Janovy, 2005). Hosts can also be defined as incidental, when the parasite fails to reach sexual maturity. In this case, the host is unnecessary to the parasite
The radiobiology of radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy

Radiation therapy has evolved into a complex amalgamation of treatment techniques that differ significantly according to the way the radiation is delivered to the patient and coincidentally according to the biologic effects that are observed with each technique. Although there are concepts within radiobiology that unify the field, it is not apparent that the biologic effects with one methodology of treatment resemble those of another. Radiosurgery, although initially developed in the 1950s, has become more commonly used in recent years. This treatment involves high-dose, single-fraction treatments with sharp dose gradients to small volumes of tissue. This contrasts with conventional external-beam radiotherapy which involves small-dose, multiple-fraction, broad-dose-gradient treatment to relatively large volumes of tissue. Stereotactic radiotherapy generally delivers small-dose, multiple-fraction treatments to small or intermediate volumes of tissue with a sharp dose gradient compared with conventional external-beam treatment. A discussion of these technique differences with reference to the radiobiologic implications may help elucidate the potential utility of the techniques in clinical radiotherapy.
Grandmother and parent influences on child self-esteem.

OBJECTIVES. This study tests a model of intergenerational influences on childhood self-esteem that proposes paths from grandmothers9 drug problems to grandchildren9s self-esteem via parents9 drug problems and parental adaptive child rearing and from grandmothers9 maternal acceptance to grandchildren9s self-esteem via parents9 unconventionality and adaptive child rearing. METHODS. This longitudinal study uses data obtained from interviews with a New York City sample of black and Puerto Rican children ( N = 149) and 1 of their parents and from mailed questionnaires or comparable interviews with those parents9 mothers. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model. RESULTS. The LISREL analysis found that, with 3 exceptions, all of the hypothesized paths were significant. The total effects analysis indicated that parents9 adaptive child rearing was the strongest latent construct, a finding that was consistent with this construct9s proximal position in the model. CONCLUSIONS. This study suggests that mothers9 drug problems are not just near-term risks for their children, but also pose long-term risks for their children9s future functioning as parents and thereby for their grandchildren. The relative strength of parents9 adaptive child rearing in this intergenerational model indicates that this area should be the focus of therapeutic intervention efforts, but addressing future grandmothers9 drug problems may have positive effects on multiple generations.
Enhanced TABS-MDS model for simulating large-scale free surface flows

Modeling flows, be it from surface water or ground water, often require using (legacy) serial application codes that have been formulated, strengthened and tested by various audiences over a span of a few years. A limitation in using these serial codes for modeling large-scale transient flows lies in the order of required computational time for completing the simulation. Strategies aimed at addressing this limitation without extensive modifications to the code can further enhance their application without losing any of their current users. In this study, we take an existing popular three-dimensional finite-element hydrodynamic code (TABS-MDS), a product of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and integrate it under the umbrella of an advanced software library: PETSc. The advantage of using the powerful solvers and preconditioners from the software library for solving the end system of equations is illustrated. The results indicate that the choice of the solver combination can have a significant effect on the end computational time. The target audience of this paper are the numerical modelers from a multitude of disciplines who are interested in enhancing the performance of their serial codes.