cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neglect is more common and severe at extreme hemoglobin levels in right-hemispheric stroke

Background and Purpose— Anemia is 1 potential mechanism by which the brain receives inadequate oxygenation. The purpose of this study was to determine in acute stroke patients whether lower hemoglobin values were associated with worse hemispatial neglect. Methods— In 203 subjects, neglect testing batteries were administered within 24 hours of admission for acute right hemispheric stroke. We analyzed the error rate on each test as well as “any neglect” (z score ≥2 on any of 3 selected tests compared with normal controls), as predicted by hemoglobin level, with adjustment for infarct size, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, age, and sex. Results— The association between hemoglobin and neglect varied on the basis of hemoglobin level. At lower hemoglobin levels ( 14 g/dL, each 1-point higher hemoglobin value was associated wit...
Dietary and genetic effects on LDL size measures in baboons

Genetic and dietary effects on LDL phenotypes, including predominant LDL particle diameter, LDL size distribution, and non–HDL cholesterol and apoB concentrations, were investigated in 150 pedigreed baboons that are members of 19 sire groups. Baboons were fed a sequence of three defined diets differing in levels of fat and cholesterol. Increasing dietary fat had relatively little effect on two measures of LDL particle size. However, increasing the level of cholesterol in the diet resulted in larger increases of the predominant LDL particle diameters and in the proportion of stain on LDLs >28 nm. As expected, apoB and non–HDL cholesterol concentrations significantly increased when levels of dietary fat and cholesterol were increased. Correlations among the LDL phenotypes suggested that several different aspects of the LDL phenotype were captured by the four LDL measures across the three diets. Genetic effects indicated by sire group membership were significant both for expression of the LDL phenotypes and for response to changes in diet.
APEX: access pattern based memory architecture exploration

Memory accesses represent a major bottleneck in embedded systems power and performance. Traditionally, designers tried to alleviate this problem by relying on a simple cache hierarchy, or a limited use of special purpose memory modules such as stream buffers. Although real-life applications contain a large number of memory references to a diverse set of data structures, a significant percentage of all memory accesses in the application are generated from a few memory instructions that exhibit predictable, well known access patterns; this creates an opportunity for memory customization, targeting the needs of these access patterns. We present APEX, an approach that extracts, analyzes and clusters the most active access patterns in the application, and aggressively customizes the memory architecture to match the needs of the application, exploring a wide range of cost, performance and power designs. We use a heuristic to prune the design space, guiding the exploration towards the best cost/gain ratios. We present experiments on a set of large real-life benchmarks, showing significant performance improvements for varied cost and power characteristics, allowing the designer to best target the system goals.
Ecological and Lyapunov Stability

Ecologists have proposed several incompatible definitions of ecological stability. Emulating physicists, mathematical ecologists commonly define it as Lyapunov stability. This formalizes the problematic concept by integrating it into a well‐developed mathematical theory. The formalization also seems to capture the intuition that ecological stability depends on how ecological systems respond to perturbation. Despite these advantages, this definition is flawed. Although Lyapunov stability adequately characterizes perturbation responses of many systems studied in physics, it does not for ecological systems. This failure reveals a limitation of its underlying mathematical theory, and an important difference between dynamic systems modeling in physics and ecology.
Interleukin-23–Expressing Bone Marrow–Derived Neural Stem-Like Cells Exhibit Antitumor Activity against Intracranial Glioma

Neural progenitor-like cells have been isolated from bone marrow and the cells have the ability of tracking intracranial tumor. However, the capacity of the cells to deliver molecules for activating immune response against intracranial tumor and the identity of cellular and molecular factors that are involved in such immune responses have yet to be elucidated. Here, we isolated neural stem-like cells from the bone marrow of adult mice. The isolated cells were capable of producing progenies of three lineages, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, in vitro and tracking glioma in vivo. By genetically manipulating bone marrow-derived neural stem-like cells (BM-NSC) to express a recently discovered cytokine, interleukin (IL)-23, the cells showed protective effects in intracranial tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice. Depletion of subpopulation lymphocytes showed that CD8(+) T cells were critical for the antitumor immunity of IL-23-expressing BM-NSCs and that CD4(+) T cells and natural killer (NK) cells participated in the activity. Furthermore, the IL-23-expressing BM-NSC-treated survivors were resistant to the same tumor rechallenge associated with enhanced IFN-gamma, but not IL-17, expression in the brain tissue. Taken together, these data suggest that IL-23-expressing BM-NSCs can effectively induce antitumor immunity against intracranial gliomas. CD8(+) T cells are critical for such antitumor activity; in addition, CD4(+) T cells and NK cells are also involved.
Disturbance attenuation in classes of uncertain linear hybrid systems

We study the disturbance attenuation properties for some classes of discrete-time uncertain piecewise linear hybrid/switched systems, which are affected by both time-variant parameter variations and persistent exterior disturbances. The problem of determining nonconservative bounds on the l/sup /spl infin// induced gain from the disturbance to controlled output for the closed-loop uncertain linear hybrid system is investigated. A procedure is given to determine such minimal l/sup 1/ norm of the uncertain piecewise linear systems. However, the termination of the procedure developed for general uncertain piecewise linear systems is not guaranteed. Therefore, it is important to specify a subclass of piecewise linear systems whose l/sup 1/ norm can be determined in finite number of steps. For such a purpose, we simplify the discrete event dynamics of the uncertain hybrid systems and obtain its subclass called uncertain switched linear systems. It is shown that the uncertain switched linear systems' l/sup 1/ norm can be determined in finite number of steps.
Anxiety: Proximate Processes and Ultimate Functions

Anxiety is a universal feature of human existence. Anxiety is associated with a range of cognitive processes such as attention to threat, appraisals of uncertainty and lack of control, pessimistic judgments, and risk-avoidant decision making. The current paper presents a framework for understanding these processes as a set of domain-specific mechanisms designed to face specific challenges encountered by humans throughout evolutionary history (e.g., avoiding forms of physical harm and contagious disease, maintaining social acceptance and close romantic relationships, and navigating status hierarchies). Anxiety involves a functionally organized constellation of adaptive processes designed to help people face recurrent psychological, social, and physical threats. The integration of psychological and evolutionary perspectives provides a basis for understanding anxiety’s proximate processes, as well as its underlying adaptive functions.
Single component gas transport through 10 nm pores: Experimental data and hydrodynamic prediction

This paper presents experimental measurements of argon and oxygen gas flow through a 10 nm polycarbonate membrane, which are an order of magnitude higher than would be predicted by Knudsen diffusion alone, but may be described as rarified diffusion with slip (Knudsen–Smoluchoski diffusion). We also simulate the Poiseuille gas flow using a finite element based model and find that the hydrodynamic model may successfully predict Knudsen-like diffusion for Knudsen numbers as high as 10, contrary to conventional wisdom about the limitations of continuum models in the rarified regime. With the addition of slip boundary conditions, the model is able to describe the data with a similar tangential momentum accommodation coefficient (TMAC) as predicted by Knudsen–Smoluchoski diffusion. Transient measurements show that the pressure decay can be expressed by two distinct time constants, both of which indicate a faster decay than predicted by the Knudsen–Smoluchoski relations. The fact that the hydrodynamic model can successfully predict measured flow characteristics while conventional Knudsen–Smoluchoski rarified gas transport fails demonstrates that the hydrodynamic model may be extended into the nanoscale regime even at low gas density. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Seasonal changes in depth distribution of salmon sharks (Lamna ditropis) in Alaskan waters: implications for foraging ecology

The salmon shark, Lamna ditropis, is an endothermic, apex predator in the productive waters of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). To understand their role in these productive habitats and to identify and better understand their interactions with commercially important species and fisheries, detailed information regarding the distribution of the salmon shark is required. Archival data records from eight recovered pop-up archival transmitting (PAT) tags were analyzed to examine the geographic and vertical distribution of female salmon sharks and elucidate how their distribution changes in relation to the biotic and abiotic environment. Tagged sharks used the neritic habitats of the GOA for the duration of the PAT deployments. Sharks exhibited a diel periodicity in their dive behavior. Salmon sharks exhibited three different patterns of depth distribution (behavioral modes) that occurred during distinct oceanographic seasons, likely reflecting changes in their foraging ecology in response to seasonal changes in the d...
New Variable Structure Position Control

A new variable structure controller is presented which improves the conventional variable structure. This new scheme extends the sliding mode region which leads to faster response and high accuracy. The implementation of this controller is similar to the conventional variable structure controller.
Deposition and taphonomy of the Hound Island Late Triassic vertebrate fauna: Fossil preservation within subaqueous gravity flows

Late Triassic marine vertebrates occur in the Hound Island Volcanics exposed on the eastern shore of Hound Island, southeastern Alaska. This fossil assemblage derived from slope deposits within an intra-arc basin of a volcanic island arc complex. It is associated with the allochthonous Alexander Terrane prior to its northern translation from tropical latitudes to its current latitude. Fossils occur within a 13-m-thick succession of interbedded calcareous shale and volcaniclastic-rich bioclastic limestone. The limestone layers are skeletal (vertebrate and invertebrate) packstones to wackestones and are interpreted as episodic thin-bedded turbidite and debris flow deposits that resulted from redeposition of slope sediments. Forty-seven vertebrate fossils were collected that consist of complete and fragmented cranial and postcranial elements belonging to Eosauropterygia, Thalattosauria, and Ichthyosauria, including the genus Shonisaurus. Bones are frequently disassociated and show predepositional abrasion and breakage. Another less common taphonomic mode is observed, characterized by several large associated elements, representing a single individual, found parallel to bedding and draped by shale. Rare Osteichthyes and Chondrichthyes teeth are also present. Bivalve and conodont fossils indicate a middle Norian age for the assemblage.
Mosaic trachea in a child with trisomy 9 mosaicism

Humans with mosaic karyotypes may present with milder forms of birth defects than one would see in non-mosaic individuals. Mosaicism may also affect tissues, resulting in different parts of an organ manifesting varied phenotypes. We present the case of a child born with mosaic trisomy 9 and multiple congenital anomalies. Her trachea displays segmental abnormalities that suggest tissue mosaicism. We describe the endoscopic and cytogenetic findings in this child and propose a possible genetic mechanism to account for the unusual malformations.
Confessions of an elderly thyroidologist.

A YEAR ago I had the honor of being your President. I was prevented from attending by unexpected and compulsory enrollment in an involuntary course in subjective medicine. This, I may say, was very instructive, but I deeply regretted that it conflicted with our Toronto meeting. Dr. Crile has been so kind as to ask me to give today the address I had projected for a year ago. It is a belated Presidential address. The title, as you will perceive, is on the whimsical side. I do not really consider myself elderly, although I have been enjoying the thyroid for a relatively long time. Nor by “confessions” do I mean confessions of error only. As I read the dictionary, confessions may apply to confessions of success as well as of failure. I shall merely try to be well balanced and truthful. Finally, if anyone finds the term “thyroidology” offensive, I will plead that it is no worse than cardiology, gastro-enterology, or dozens of other ologies.
Stimulation of canine gastric mucus secretion with intraarterial acetylcholine chloride.

This study was undertaken to develop an easily reproducible gastric mucus secretory model that would elicit maximal mucus secretion without gross mucosal injury. Acetylcholine chloride (50 μg/min) was infused intraarterially into a chambered wedge of exteriorized corpus mucosa via a branch of the gastrosplenic artery for 1 h. An alkaline secretion, pH 8.28 ± 0.48, was produced and consisted of water (40–60 ml/h), electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl−), soluble mucus, and a mucus gel (4–10 mm thick). Mucus was quantitated by monitoring the secretion of newly synthesized glycoproteins, radiolabeled with [3H]glucosamine and sodium [35S]sulfate. A transient increase in deoxyribonucleic acid efflux, and mucosal permeability as measured by albumin movement, occurred, both of which were reversible upon cessation of acetylcholine chloride infusion. The gastric epithelium was normal histologically, except for occasional apical vacuoles present only in interf oveolar mucus cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed diminished numbers of apical mucus granules and greatly enlarged intercellular spaces in some mucus cells. Histochemically, the mucus gel consisted of alternating layers of sulfaterich and sulfate-poor glycoproteins. This model provides a copious amount of mucus that is ideal for biochemical analysis and determination of mucus structure. It allows one to distinguish soluble mucus, gel mucus, and unsecreted granule-bound mucus.
Recent Progress in Gravity Wave Saturation Studies

This paper will present a brief survey of some of the advances made during the last three years in understanding gravity wave saturation as well as their effects and variability in the lower and middle atmosphere. Our emphasis will be on observational results, though theoretical and modeling studies will be discussed where relevant. We will first present recent evidence of the processes contributing to wave saturation. We will also examine the implications of wave saturation and local turbulence production for wave fluxes of energy and momentum, the turbulent diffusion of heat and constituents, and a saturated spectrum of gravity waves throughout the atmosphere. Finally, some of the recent evidence of geographic and temporal variability of the gravity wave field and of the processes that may contribute to this variability will be reviewed.
Hemorrhage and thrombosis as early complications of femoropopliteal bypass grafts: causes, treatment, and prognostic implications.

The experience with 140 cases of early hemorrhage or graft thrombosis after femoropopliteal bypass arterial reconstruction at the Massachusetts General Hospital is reviewed. Postoperative hemorrhage occurred in one of two patterns. The first was bleeding within the first 24 hours secondary to technical aspects of the reconstruction and unrelated to sepsis. Re-exploration and local repair resulted in early patency in 88 percent of patients with an eight percent mortality rate. The second pattern was bleeding within 3 to 28 days. This was always related to sepsis. The only effective treatment was ligation of the involved vessels and grafting through an uninvolved route. All attempts at local repair resulted in recurrent bleeding. Early thrombosis occurred in 98 grafts. Surgically correctable causes were discovered in two thirds. Graft revision was performed on 66 patients with two deaths. At discharge, 48 grafts (73 percent] remained patent. Best long-term patency rates were obtained when correctable problems were discovered at re-exploration. Compared with results of uncomplicated reconstruction, the prognosis is poor for patency of grafts that require re-exploration for acute complications, even when revision is successful. Nevertheless, many limbs may be salvaged with proper management.
Suicide risk and associated demographic and clinical correlates among primary care patients with recent drug use.

ABSTRACTBackground: There is an increased need to prepare primary care clinicians to effectively gauge the risk of suicidal behavior occurring within primary care patients who may abuse drugs, especially those served in safety-net settings. Objectives: The objectives of this paper were to explore suicide risk in a population of individuals endorsing recent drug use, and to describe patient demographic, medical, psychiatric, social, and substance use characteristics across different levels of suicide risk. Methods: A total of 867 primary care patients with reported drug use in the previous 90 days were studied. Based upon their responses to two Addiction Severity Index questions, four suicide risk categories were constructed: (1) low risk; (2) moderate-low (suicidal ideation in the past 30 days); (3) moderate-high (history of a lifetime suicide attempt); and (4) high risk (history of a lifetime suicide attempt and suicidal ideation in the past 30 days). The association between suicide risk groups and demog...
Oribatid (Acari) Pteromorphs, Pterogasterine Phylogeny, and Evolution of Wings

Ceratozetes cisalpinus Berlese, Scheloribates laevigatus Koch, and Galumna climinatus louisianae Jacot were sectioned to observe pteromorph structure and musculature. Only G. climinatus has hinged pteromorphs containing veins. The venation differs with individuals, and even in a single individual according to its age. The lateral notogastric (pteromorphic) muscles of G. eliminatus are large and compact, and all insert on a small area of the ventral surface of the pteromorph. The lateral notogastral muscles of C. cisalpinus and S. laevigatus are smaller, and are segmentally grouped into several distinct units. A brief discussion of familial evolution among the Pterogasterina (Oribatei) is presented. It is postulated that in the evolution from a nonwinged insect a form with hinged notal extensions, with associated musculature, must have preceded any gliding form; and G. eliminatus is postulated as being an arthropod that, through convergent evolution, has come to resemble on a more diminutive scale the hypothetical primitive insect with hinged, lateral, notal extensions.
Cost and Mass Optimization for Crashworthiness Design of Shell-based Structure using Hybrid Cellular Automata

The hybrid cellular automaton (HCA) method has been successfully applied to nonlinear transient topology sizing optimization for crashworthiness design. This method utilizes the cellular automata (CA) computing paradigm and nonlinear transient nite element analyses (FEA). In earlier eorts, the HCA algorithm has been used to develop an ecien t methodology for synthesizing sheet metal structures with optimal material thickness distribution under a dynamic loading event using a thickness based topology sizing optimization. In thickness based topology optimization, the objective is to redistribute element thickness to meet the desired performance constraints. The objective in crashworthiness design is to generate energy absorbing structures which can be obtained by uniformly distributing internal energy density (IED). In this paper, the HCA algorithm is utilized to do simultaneous thickness and cost optimization for structures suitable to be manufactured by the tailor welded blank (TWB) technology for signican t mass savings. The sheet metal structure can have dieren t material parts, and the optimum distribution of the material and thickness is obtained to meet the desired performance using nonlinear transient analysis. This methodology is used to tackle complicated problems that involve dynamic events, such as impacts and collisions. The existing commercial thickness optimization tools utilize models under static loading conditions because of the complexities associated with dynamic/impact loading and they are not suitable for design with multiple material and thickness distribution simultaneously. The HCA based thickness optimization algorithm employs nonlinear transient analysis (via LS-Dyna) to capture material and geometric nonlinearities that occur during a dynamic crash event. Therefore by applying this method to impact problems, the resulting structure will account for all phenomena involved. The eectiv eness of the algorithm is demonstrated using a at plate and C-section rail example problem subjected to single or multiple dynamic impact loading. The structures synthesized by the HCA algorithm are able to meet the manufacturing as well as performance constraints.
Laser Plasmas for Spectrochemistry

A single laser pulse can ablate any sample into an optical plasma that revels the chemical constituents of that material. Spectral interrogation of the plasma light provides real-time elemental, isotopic and molecular classification. Article not available.
Abstract 4469: S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and colorectal adenoma risk

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Introduction: Methionine and its metabolic derivatives regulate activity of most methyltransferases and activity of several enzymes involved in one-carbon metabolism. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the direct metabolite of methionine, is the methyl donor for nearly all methylation reactions in the body. SAM is irreversibly converted to S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), the metabolic precursor of homocysteine. SAH is a potent inhibitor of all methyltransferases. Very few studies have evaluated biological measures of methionine and its metabolites with colorectal cancer. Recently, a large cross-sectional study found plasma methionine was associated with a reduced risk of distal colorectal adenoma. To our best knowledge, no study has evaluated SAM or SAH with colorectal cancer or adenoma. Methods: In this study, we evaluated plasma levels of these markers with risk for colorectal adenoma using a colonoscopy-based matched case-control design. Participants were part of a large case-control study of colorectal adenoma. A subset of cases were individually matched to polyp-free controls in a 1:1 ratio on age, sex, race, study site and date of sample collection. Included in the analysis were 220 pairs of adenoma cases and polyp-free controls. SAM and SAH were measured in a single assay by high-performance liquid chromatography. Sex-specific quantile cutpoints were derived using the distributions among controls. Conditional logistic regression models were used to derive odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the associations with colorectal adenoma risk after adjusting for age, and other potential confounders. All of the reported P values were two-tailed, and statistical significance was set at 0.05. Result: A statistically significant interaction between sex, SAH or SAM, and adenoma risk was observed. Among women, high SAH was associated with a borderline statistically significant increased risk of adenoma (p for trend=0.08). Among men, both high SAH (OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.16-0.78, p for trend=0.009) and high SAM (OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.19-0.88, p for trend=0.02) were associated with decreased risks of adenoma. The joint association of SAM and SAH was also evaluated among men. In comparison to men with low SAH and low SAM, men with high SAM and high SAH had a reduced risk of colorectal adenoma. Conclusion: The findings reported in this study are new, suggesting SAH and SAM may be involved in the development of colorectal adenoma. Further studies are warranted. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4469. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4469
Management of insulin allergy and resistance

The pathophysiologic basis and therapy of insulin insensitivity and insulin allergy are discussed. Topics covered include primary and secondary causes of insulin insensitivity, management of insulin resistance (elimination of diabetogenic factors; use of less antigenic insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, immunosuppression, or nonmammalian insulin), and insulin allergy and its treatment. A pharmacist's knowledge of insulin products and the pharmacologic activity of the oral hypoglycemic and immunosuppressive agents may aid in the care of patients who are allergic or resistant to insulin.
Risk of anastomotic leak after laparoscopic versus open colectomy

Anastomotic leak following colorectal surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. With the widespread adoption of laparoscopy, data from initial clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of laparoscopic when compared to open surgery may not currently be generalizable. We assess the risk of anastomotic leak after laparoscopic versus open colorectal resection using a nationwide database with standardized definitions. The 2012–2013 ACS-NSQIP targeted colectomy data were queried for all elective colorectal resections. Characteristics were compared for those patients undergoing laparoscopic versus open operations. Univariable and multivariable analyses, followed by a propensity score-matched analysis, were performed to assess the impact of laparoscopy on the development of an anastomotic leak. Of 23,568 patients, 3.4 % developed an anastomotic leak. Laparoscopic surgery was associated with a leak rate of 2.8 % (n = 425) and open surgery, 4.5 % (n = 378, p < 0.0001). Patients who developed a leak were more likely to die within 30 days of surgery (5.7 vs. 0.6 %, p < 0.0001). Patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery compared to open were younger (61 vs. 63 years, p = 0, p = 0.045) and with fewer comorbidities. On univariable analysis laparoscopic surgery was associated with reduced odds of developing an anastomotic leak (OR 0.60, p < 0.0001), and this remained after adjusting for all significant preoperative and disease-related confounders (OR 0.69, 95 % CI 0.58–0.82). A propensity score-matched analysis confirmed benefit of laparoscopic surgery over open surgery for anastomotic leak. Laparoscopic colectomy is safe and associated with reduced odds of developing an anastomotic leak following colectomy when controlling for patient-, disease- and procedure-related factors.
Progress of radionuclide imaging in the detection of vulnerable plaques

More recently it has become clear that the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques responsible for the majority of life-threatening syndromes are characterized by high numbersof inflammatory cells and proteins. This has highlighted the urgent need for suitable imaging techniques that can identify and quantify levels of inflammation within atheromatous lesions. Positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography imaging hold promise in this regard. Tracer compounds capable of assessing macrophage recruitment, foam cell generation, matrix metalloproteinase production, macrophage apoptosis, and macrophage metabolism have been developed and tested in the carotid and peripheral circulation. The identification of inflamed lesions within the coronary circulation, however, remains elusive owing to small plaque size, cardiac and respiratory motion, and lack of a suitable specific nuclear tracer.
Current Research and Development of the On-line Abrasion Monitoring Technique Based on Oil Analysis

The on-line oil monitoring method is compared with the traditional off-line moni- toring method.The current research state and development of the oil monitoring technique in the world are summarized.According to the problems of the current on-line oil monitoring technique,the future development of basic research and applied research in the oil monitoring technique is put forward.
Abstract PR06: Metastatic latency and immune evasion mediated by autocrine WNT inhibition

Metastasis frequently develops years after the removal of a primary tumor, from a minority of disseminated cancer cells that survived as latent entities through unknown mechanisms. We isolated latency competent cancer (LCC) cells from early-stage human lung and breast carcinomas and defined the mechanisms that prevent the outgrowth, support the long-term survival, and maintain the tumor-initiating potential of these cells during the latent metastasis stage. LCC cells show stem cell-like characteristics and express Sox transcription factors, which are essential for their survival in host organs under restrictive conditions and for metastatic outgrowth under permissive conditions. Through WNT inhibition, LCC cells self-impose a slow cycling state and evade immune clearance. By expressing a Sox-dependent stem-like state and actively silencing WNT signaling, LCC cells can enter quiescence and evade innate immunity to remain latent for extended periods. Citation Format: Srinivas Malladi, Danilo G. Macalinao, Xin Jin, Lan He, Joan Massague. Metastatic latency and immune evasion mediated by autocrine WNT inhibition. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Metastasis; 2015 Nov 30-Dec 3; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(7 Suppl):Abstract nr PR06.
Involving immigrant religious organizations in HIV/AIDS prevention: The role of bonding and bridging social capital.

Abstract Immigrant religious organizations in the United States are uniquely positioned to address critical issues beyond religion because of their moral, social and cultural prominence in community life. Increasingly, religious organizations have taken on a leadership role around health issues such as decreasing HIV/AIDS stigma and misinformation. However, there are barriers for some religious leaders and organizations in adopting new health programs, especially if the issue is seen as controversial. Our study examines how social network structures among religious members influence organizational acceptance of new information or controversial ideas, like HIV/AIDS. Using social network analysis methods on data from 2841 contacts in 20 immigrant Chinese Buddhist temples and Christian churches in New York City, we tested whether an immigrant religious organization’s likelihood of being involved in HIV/AIDS activities was associated with the presence of bonding or bridging social capital. These two forms of social capital have been found to mediate the levels of exposure and openness to new ideas. We found HIV/AIDS-involved religious organizations were more likely to have lower levels of bonding social capital as indicated by members having fewer ties and fewer demographic attributes in common. We also found HIV/AIDS-involved religious organizations were more likely to have higher levels of bridging social capital as indicated by members having significantly more ties to people outside of their organization. Our study highlights the importance of looking beyond religion type and leadership attributes to social network structures among members in order to better explain organization-level receptiveness to HIV/AIDS involvement.
Mechanisms and Outcome of Febrile Seizures: What Have We Learned from Basic Science Approaches, and What Needs Studying?

Publisher Summary Febrile seizures are the most common of all seizures in the developing child. They affect individuals and families throughout the world, causing fear and anxiety. The human data strongly support the notion that simple febrile seizures bear no relationship to temporal lobe epilepsy. Prospective epidemiological studies have not shown a progression of febrile seizures to temporal lobe epilepsy, whereas retrospective analyses of adults with this seizure type have demonstrated a high prevalence of a history of prolonged febrile seizures during early childhood. Models based on individual animals of a rather homogeneous genetic makeup are valid only if the occurrence and consequences of febrile seizures do not depend exclusively on specific genetic predisposition. This chapter demonstrates that neuronal death is not required for the induction of persistent and profound changes in the function of neurons in the hippocampus and related brain regions. The ultimate goal of experimental approaches to febrile seizures should be to delineate targets for specific and selective therapies that will either prevent these seizures or interfere with early and specific mechanisms resulting from them, thus leading to a more excitable, epilepsy-prone brain.
Tuning the Physical Properties of Liposomes to Understand Hydrophobic Drug Delivery Mechanisms

Targeted therapeutics are the future of personalized medicine. Paclitaxel (PTXL), a member of the taxane family of mitotic inhibitors, is a widely used cancer drug. PTXL is known to enter cells and bind to the hydrophobic pocket of β-tubulin subunits; this halts microtubule dynamics and leads cancer cells into apoptosis. The first PTXL clinical incarnation (Taxol®) employs the non-ionic surfactant, Cremophor® EL—which causes hypersensitivity reactions—to solubilize very hydrophobic PTXL. Second generation alternatives include Abraxane® and EndoTAG® (a liposomal formulation), which achieve limited passive tumor targeting and are still associated with typical chemotherapy side effects. In order to make a substantial therapeutic improvement, delivery vehicles must carry more PTXL and have better targeting specificity. Lipid nanoparticles have many advantages as drug delivery agents including a diverse set of lipid building blocks to tune physical properties and ease of modular fabrication. Here, we present a quaternary system of neutral lipid, cationic lipid, PEG-lipid, and PTXL to study drug loading/retention/release and intracellular pathways that lead to successful PTXL-β-tubulin binding. We alter the drug-loading capacity and nanoparticle-cell interactions by changing variables, which include lipid charge, membrane charge density, use of a condensing agent, targeting peptides on PEG-lipid, and lipid shape (which determines liquid crystal structure and consequent delivery mechanism). In order to develop a strong tenet of design principles, a systematic understanding of how liposome formulation dictates the nanoparticle's subsequent path in vitro and in vivo is essential. Initial work uses X-ray scattering, microscopy, DLS, and zeta-potential to correlate physical properties of nanoparticles with outcomes observed through cell viability assays, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy experiments. Novel liposome formulations achieve outcomes equal to and better than the stage III formula EndoTAG®.
Dose-response effect of smoking status on quality-adjusted life years among U.S. adults aged 65 years and older.

Background To estimate the impact of smoking on quality-adjusted life years (QALY) for US adults aged 65 years and older. Methods Using the 2003-08 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Linked Mortality File, we estimated the mean QALY throughout the remaining lifetime by participants' smoking status as well as smoking intensity and time since cessation. Results Never, former and current smokers had a mean QALY of 16.1, 12.7 and 7.3 years, respectively. Among current smokers, those who started smoking before age 18 had fewer QALYs than those who started at or after age 18 (6.0 and 8.5 years, respectively) and those smoking ≥20 cigarettes per day had fewer QALYs than those smoking <20 cigarettes per day (6.6 and 8.1 years, respectively). QALYs also declined with a longer duration of smoking and a shorter time since cessation. The potential gains if a person quit smoking would be 5.4 QALYs, and the gains would increase with a longer time since quitting as well as quitting at a younger age. Conclusions This study demonstrated the dose-response effect of smoking status on QALY. The results indicate the health benefits of tobacco cessation at any age and sizeable losses for former or current smokers.
The Priority of a Lis Pendens in a Fraudulent Conveyance Action

Analysis of a decision giving priority to a later filed action because of a previously recorded lis pendens.
A Retrospective Analysis of Neurocognitive Impairment in Older Patients With Burn Injuries.

Background Older adults comprise a growing proportion of the United States population that is at risk for burns. However, few studies have examined cognitive function in this patient population. Objective The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence and incidence of dementia and delirium in older adults admitted for burn injuries. Methods This was an Institutional Review Board-approved, retrospective study of all patients 65 years and older admitted to the University of North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center from 2005–2015. Data extracted from the medical records included patient demographics, characteristics of the burn injury, incidence of delirium, incidence of psychiatric consultation, diagnosis of dementia, disposition, and mortality. The primary outcomes of interest were the prevalence and incidence of dementia and delirium. Secondary outcomes included length of stay and cost of hospitalization. Results A total of 392 patients were included. These patients had a median age of 74 years and a median total body surface area burn of 7%. On admission, 44 patients (11%) had a diagnosis of dementia. An additional 28 patients were diagnosed with dementia during hospitalization for a total of 72 patients (18%); 154 patients (39%) were diagnosed with delirium. After controlling for burn severity, dementia and delirium were significantly associated with length of stay, incidence of psychiatry consultation, and discharge to a skilled nursing facility. Conclusions Physicians should have high suspicion for dementia and delirium in older patients admitted for burn injuries. Dementia and delirium are associated with morbidity in older patients with burn injuries.
Association Between Acute Kidney Disease and Intravenous Dye Administration in Patients With Acute Stroke: A Population-Based Study.

Background and Purpose—Computed tomographic angiography and conventional angiography provide timely vascular anatomic information in patients with stroke. However, iodinated contrast dye may cause ...
Neuroprotectants: Cell-Death Based

Abstract In the 1990s, the genetic control of programmed cell death, apoptosis, during development in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was elucidated. Among the cell death–related genes, ced-3 and ced-4 are death-promoting genes and ced-9 is death inhibiting. The identification of their mammalian homologues highly elevated interest in translating the knowledge to human disease conditions, including cerebrovascular diseases. Proteases called caspase are homologous to the ced-3 gene product. Apaf-1 and Bcl-2 family members are mammalian homologues of the ced-4 and ced-9 gene products, respectively. Caspase-dependent cell death mechanism is mainly induced by the mitochondrial pathway in which cytochrome c release from the mitochondria plays a pivotal role in initiation. In some cell types, the death receptor activation leads to caspase activation via the extrinsic pathway. Caspase-independent pathways, either by the tumor necrosis factor receptor–receptor interacting protein axis or the poly-ADP-ribose polymerase-1–apoptosis-inducing factor axis, lead to energy crisis and DNA break, resulting in programmed-type necrosis, necroptosis. Developing a clinically testable neuroprotectant targeting these cell death pathways remains a high challenge.
Visualization analysis of the capability of weapon system of systems for multi-dimensional indicators

In the field of weapon system of systems (WSOS) simulation, various indicators are widely used to describe the capability of WSOS, but it is always difficult to describe the comprehensive capability of WSOS quickly and intuitively by visualization of multi-dimensional indicators. A method of machine learning and visualization is proposed, which can display and analyze the capabilities of different WSOS in a two-dimensional plane. The analysis and comparison of the comprehensive capability of different components of WSOS is realized by the method, which consists of six parts: multiple simulations, key indicators mining, three spatial distance calculation, fusion project calculation, calculation of individual capability density, and calculation of multiple capability ranges overlay. Binding a simulation experiment, the collaborative analysis of six indicators and 100 possible kinds of red WSOS are achieved. The experimental results show that this method can effectively improve the quality and speed of capabilities analysis, reveal a large number of potential information, and provide a visual support for the qualitative and quantitative analysis model.
Single-stick tunneled central venous access using the jugular veins in infants weighing less than 5 kg

Despite the demonstrated feasibility of the single-stick technique in the femoral vein, its use in neonates and infants for placing central lines in internal and external jugular veins has not been reported. Describe and assess the safety and efficacy of tunneled jugular central venous catheter placement performed under ultrasound (US) and fluoroscopic guidance in neonates and infants weighing <5 kg using the single-stick technique at three tertiary pediatric hospitals. Thirty-three children weighing less than 5 kg received tunneled central venous access in either internal or external jugular veins using the single-stick technique. Patient history, procedural records and clinical follow-up documents were retrospectively reviewed. Complication rates were compared to those of 41 patients receiving single-stick femoral central lines. Technical complications occurred during one (3.0%) jugular placement with the patient having a failed right-side attempt with subsequent successful left-side placement. The catheters did not last the entire course of treatment in three (9.1%) patients with jugular lines. One patient had the catheter removed due to concern for infection, one catheter was accidentally removed during dressing changes, and one catheter was displaced and subsequently exchanged. Of patients receiving femoral central lines, 1 (2.4%) had a technical complication and 5 catheters (12.2%) did not last the entire course of treatment. The placement of tunneled central venous catheters in neonates/infants <5 kg is safe and technically feasible using the internal/external jugular vein via the single-stick technique. By theoretically reducing the risks of catheter infection by avoiding the diaper area and thrombosis by using larger veins, it may be preferable in certain patient populations.
Wages, Health Insurance and Pension Plans: The Relationship Between Employee Compensation and Small Business Owner Income

Small business owners claim that their ability to provide higher wages and more frequent employee health insurance and pension benefits is severely constrained by the profitability of their firms. This paper examines the proposition that employee wage levels, provision of employee health insurance, and sponsorship of an employee pension plan are associated with small business owner income. A large trade-association survey supplies the data for the inquiry. Regression analysis (OLS and logistic) demonstrates that all three forms of employee compensation are tied to business owner income. Further, the business owner income variable "washes out" the generally accepted relationship between size of business and wages, though not the relationships between size of the business and the presence of health insurance nor between the size of business and the presence of pension benefits. The regressions also indicate that unit costs of health insurance and pension benefits are higher for those employing 10 or fewer and 20 or fewer respectively compared the other small businesses.
Diagonal Component Expansion for Flow-Layer Placement of Flow-Based Microfluidic Biochips

Continuous flow-based microfluidic devices have seen a huge increase in interest because of their ability to automate and miniaturize biochemistry and biological processes, as well as their promise of creating a programmable platform for chemical and biological experimentation. The major hurdle in the adoption of these types of devices is in the design, which is largely done by hand using tools such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks, which require immense domain knowledge and are hard to scale. This paper investigates the problem of automated physical design for continuous flow-based microfluidic very large scale integration (mVLSI) biochips, starting from a netlist specification of the flow layer. After an initial planar graph embedding, vertices in the netlist are expanded into two-dimensional components, followed by fluid channel routing. A new heuristic, DIagonal Component Expansion (DICE) is introduced for the component expansion step. Compared to a baseline expansion method, DICE improves area utilization by a factor of 8.90x and reduces average fluid routing channel length by 47.4%.
Cornelis van Poelenburch 1594/5–1667: the paintings

In this magisterial monograph by Dr Nicolette Sluijter-Seijffert, the paintings of Cornelis van Poelenburch receive welcome – and overdue – scholarly attention. Cornelis van Poelenburch was one of ...
Truths of the Dictatorship: Chile’s Rettig and Valech Commissions as State-Sponsored History

This chapter investigates the sources of variation in truth commissions’ historical narratives. Contrasting Chile’s 1990 National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation and 2003 National Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture, it examines the social and political determinants of writing history through truth commissions. Chile’s 2003 commission has been much more daring in its portrayal of the military coup as a morally and politically questionable act. Whereas the 1990 Commission blends in sensitivity towards human rights with a right-leaning historiography that blamed the coup’s onset on the political crisis during the socialist Allende government (1970–1973), the latter Commission refuses to make rhetorical concessions to the right-wing narrative. What explains this fundamental difference in historiography? Pinochet’s 1998 arrest in London weakened the conservative grip on Chile’s politics and state-sponsored historiography, however, other forces were also at play: long-standing activism on the part of left-wing historians, the intergenerational transformation of memory struggles, and the election of a socialist-dominated government in 2000 were all crucial causal factors.
Prevention of Infection With Endogenous Organisms

Infection is a major cause of organ failure and death in patients after radiation injury. Because most infections result from invasion by endogenous organisms from the gut and respiratory tract, in this chapter I discuss state-of-the-art methods for minimizing infections from these two sites.