cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anonymizing Data for Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning.

Federated learning enables training a global machine learning model from data distributed across multiple sites, without having to move the data. This is particularly relevant in healthcare applications, where data is rife with personal, highly-sensitive information, and data analysis methods must provably comply with regulatory guidelines. Although federated learning prevents sharing raw data, it is still possible to launch privacy attacks on the model parameters that are exposed during the training process, or on the generated machine learning model. In this paper, we propose the first syntactic approach for offering privacy in the context of federated learning. Unlike the state-of-the-art differential privacy-based frameworks, our approach aims to maximize utility or model performance, while supporting a defensible level of privacy, as demanded by GDPR and HIPAA. We perform a comprehensive empirical evaluation on two important problems in the healthcare domain, using real-world electronic health data of 1 million patients. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in achieving high model performance, while offering the desired level of privacy. Through comparative studies, we also show that, for varying datasets, experimental setups, and privacy budgets, our approach offers higher model performance than differential privacy-based techniques in federated learning.
Gambling Problems in US Military Veterans

Gambling disorder (GD) is a debilitating mental illness characterized by persistent patterns of dysregulated gambling behaviors. Recent evidence suggests that US military veterans are a high-risk population vulnerable to the development of problem gambling. This systemic review examined the published literature on the rates, correlates, comorbidities, treatment, and genetic contributions to US veterans’ gambling behaviors in 39 studies. Overall, we found that US military veterans have higher rates of GD (including subthreshold problem gambling/at-risk problem gambling) compared with civilian populations. Further, we found that GD often co-occurred with trauma-related conditions, substance use, and suicidality, which may complicate treatment outcomes. We also noted a lack of published interventions tested among US veterans and standardized screening for gambling problems among veterans across US federal agencies (i.e., Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs) is lacking and remains a significant gap for ongoing prevention and treatment efforts. Despite growing evidence that individuals from military backgrounds (active-duty personnel, retired military veterans) are vulnerable to developing problem gambling, limited research has been centered on developing prevention and treatment interventions for affected individuals and their families. The lack of standardized screening for problem gambling among healthcare providers that work directly with US military populations remains a significant barrier to care for problem gamblers.
A study of system execution of performance appraisal

Dissatisfaction with traditional performance appraisal (PA) has led some organizations to eliminate formal reviews entirely and to substitute alternative methods of performance feedback, while other firms search for ways to improve the formal process. This study attempts to contribute to the ongoing debate about the future of PA by investigating the effects of an understudied aspect of the PA process: how well the PA system is executed by the supervisor. Our results indicate that system execution explains a significant amount of variance in intention to improve over and above a host of variables studied in previous PA studies, and that these effect sizes suggest clear practical significance.
Stem Cells: The State of Cellular Therapy in Treatment of Fecal Incontinence

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can be delivered directly to the site of injury or via the bloodstream. However, the numbers that ultimately reach the desired site after systemic delivery may be low due to entrapment in the lungs and spleen. In very few studies have MSC been shown to engraft and regenerate new muscle leading to the theory of paracrine effects of MSC. Paracrine effects imply that the stem cells affect the local tissues to aid in regeneration by secretion of certain cytokines that cause differentiation of satellite cells into muscle and aid in the development of blood vessels and nerve endings to make the new muscle functional.
Combination effects of gefitinib (‘Iressa’, ZD1839) with other anticancer agents on non-small-cell lung cancer cells

4538 Gefitinib (‘Iressa’, ZD1839) is an orally active EGFR-TKI (epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor), which inhibits EGFR downstream signaling, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), and Akt pathways. Since the Akt signaling pathway mediates anti-apoptotic signaling, it is expected that gefitinib should enhance the cytotoxic effects of other anticancer drugs. In an attempt to establish new combination chemotherapy regimens using gefitinib, we evaluated combination effects between gefitinib and standard anticancer drugs on human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines in vitro. We used two NSCLC cell lines, PC-9, highly gefitinib sensitive (IC50: 17 nM), and PC-14, intrinsic gefitinib resistant (IC50: 20 μM). We examined the combination effects of gefitinib with vinorelbine (VNR), vincristine (VCR), paclitaxel (TAX), mitomycin C (MMC), irinotecan (CPT-11), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), etoposide (VP-16), or cisplatin (CDDP). Cytotoxicity of the two drug combinations was determined simultaneously by MTT assay, using continuous drug exposure for 4 to 5 days. The combination effects were analyzed by an improved isobologram analysis. Drug-mediated apoptotic cell death was measured by fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, using propidium iodide staining and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) methods. Caspase-3 activity was measured by cleavage of the colorimetric substrate DEVD-pNA. In PC-9 cells, the combined effect of gefitinib with VCR was evaluated as supra-additive, and the effects with VNR, CPT-11, TAX, MMC, and 5-FU were evaluated as additive in isobologram analysis. Combinations of gefitinib with VP-16/CDDP were evaluated as a weak additive effect. All of these validated combinations in isobologram analysis induced apoptotic cell death synergistically in FACS analysis. When 10 nM gefitinib was combined with IC50 concentrations of VNR, VCR, CPT-11, TAX, and 5-FU drug-mediated apoptosis was 3 to 12-fold higher than that caused by monotherapy in PC-9 cells. The drug-mediated caspase-3 activation was measured at 24 hours after drug exposure. When 10 nM gefitinib was combined with VNR, VCR, CPT-11, and 5-FU (this concentration of gefitinib did not activate caspase-3 within this time course in PC-9 cells), drug-mediated caspase-3 activity was significantly enhanced by gefitinib (1.5 to 2-fold higher than that caused by monotherapy). Gefitinib did not enhance CDDP-mediated caspase-3 activation. In PC-14 cells, gefitinib did not enhance any drug-mediated apoptosis or caspase-3 activation. Combination therapy of gefitinib with VNR, VCR, CPT-11, TAX, MMC, and 5-FU may be effective in patients with NSCLC, especially in tumors that have gefitinib sensitivity. ‘Iressa’ is a trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
Height Loss in Old Age and Fracture Risk Among Men in Late Life: A Prospective Cohort Study.

To assess the association of height loss in old age with subsequent risk of hip and any clinical fracture in men late in life while accounting for the competing risk of mortality, we used data from 3491 community-dwelling men (mean age 79.2 years). Height loss between baseline and follow-up (mean 7.0 years between examinations) was categorized as <1 cm (referent group), ≥1 to <2 cm, ≥2 to <3 cm, and ≥3 cm. Men were contacted every 4 months after the follow-up examination to ask about fractures (confirmed by radiographic reports) and ascertain vital status (deaths verified by death certificates). Competing risk methods were used to estimate absolute probabilities of fracture outcomes by height loss category and calculate adjusted risks of fracture outcomes by height loss. During an average of 7.8 years, 158 (4.5%) men experienced a hip fracture and 1414 (40.5%) died before experiencing this event. The absolute 10-year probability of fracture events accounting for the competing risk of death increased with greater height loss. For example, the hip fracture probability was 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-3.8%) among men with height loss <1 cm increasing to 11.6% (95% CI 8.0-16.0%) among men with height loss ≥3 cm. After adjustment for demographics, fall history, multimorbidity, baseline height, weight change, and femoral neck bone mineral density and considering competing mortality risk, men with height loss ≥3 cm versus <1 cm had a nearly twofold (subdistribution hazard ratio [HR] = 1.94, 95% CI 1.06-3.55) higher risk of hip fracture and a 1.4-fold (subdistribution HR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.05-1.91) increased risk of any clinical fracture. Height loss ≥3 cm in men during old age was associated with higher subsequent risk of clinical fractures, especially hip fractures, even after accounting for the competing risk of death and traditional skeletal and non-skeletal risk factors. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
The utility of supine radiographs in the assessment of thoracic flexibility and risk of proximal junctional kyphosis

Objective Supine radiographs have successfully been used for preoperative planning of lumbar deformity corrections. However, they have not been used to assess thoracic flexibility, which has recently garnered attention as a potential contributor to proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK). The purpose of this study was to compare supine to standing radiographs to assess thoracic flexibility and to determine whether thoracic flexibility is associated with PJK. Methods A retrospective study was conducted of a single-institution database of patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Sagittal alignment parameters were compared between standing and supine and between pre- and postoperative radiographs. Thoracic flexibility was determined as the change between preoperative standing thoracic kyphosis (TK) and preoperative supine TK, and these changes were measured over the overall thoracic spine and the fused portion of the thoracic spine (i.e., TK fused). A case-control analysis was performed to compare thoracic flexibility between patients with PJK and those without (no PJK). The cohort was also stratified into three groups based on thoracic flexibility: kyphotic change (increased TK), lordotic change (decreased TK), and no change. The PJK rate was compared between the cohorts. Results A total of 101 patients (mean 63 years old, 82.2% female, mean BMI 27.4 kg/m2) were included. Preoperative Scoliosis Research Society-Schwab ASD classification showed moderate preoperative deformity (pelvic tilt 27.7% [score ++]; pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch 44.6% [score ++]; sagittal vertical axis 42.6% [score ++]). Postoperatively, the average offset from age-adjusted alignment goals demonstrated slight overcorrection in the study sample (-8.5° ± 15.6° pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch, -29.2 ± 53.1 mm sagittal vertical axis, -5.4 ± 10.8 pelvic tilt, and -7.6 ± 11.7 T1 pelvic angle). TK decreased between standing and supine radiographs and increased postoperatively (TK fused: -25.3° vs -19.6° vs -29.9°; all p 0.05 for all). There was a significant difference in the PJK rate when stratified by thoracic flexibility cohorts (kyphotic: 0.0% vs no change: 18.4% vs lordotic: 35.0%; p = 0.049). Logistic regression revealed thoracic flexibility (p = 0.045) as the only independent correlate of PJK. Conclusions Half of patients with ASD experienced significant changes in TK during supine positioning, a quality that may influence surgical strategy. Increased thoracic flexibility is associated with PJK, possibly secondary to fusing the patient's spine in a flattened position intraoperatively.
Some Aspects of Non-Stationary Airfoil Theory and Its Practical Application

This paper consists of three notes on the theory of two-dimensional thin airfoils in non-uniform motion: 1. In the first note expressions for the lift and moment of an oscillating airfoil are collected from an earlier paper and are presented in convenient forms for practical application. 2. * In the second note the lift and moment are calculated for a rigid airfoil passing through a vertical-gust pattern having a sinusoidal distribution of intensity. The lift is determined as a function of the reduced frequency (which in this case is proportional to the ratio of the airfoil chord and the wave length of the gust pattern) and is presented in the form of a vector diagram. I t is shown that the lift acts at the quarter-chord point of the airfoil at all times. 3. In the third note the results of 1 and 2 are applied to the calculation of the amplitude of torsional oscillation of a fan blade operating in the wake of a set of pre-rotation vanes. In a numerical example the amplitude is found to be small even when the vanes are spaced so tha t the exciting frequency coincides with the natural frequency of the fan blade. 1. T H E FORCES ON AN OSCILLATING AIRFOIL T SECTION consists of a summary of the results obtained by von Karman and Sears and their application to the general case of translatory and torsional oscillations about an arbitrary axis on the chord line. The principal assumptions are that the flow can be considered two-dimensional and that the airfoil thickness and the amplitude of oscillation are small compared to the chord. In the original paper, two fundamental types of oscillatory motion were considered: ''translatory" and "rotational." These are characterized by different expressions for the vertical velocity w(x) of the points along the chord of the airfoil. In the translatory oscillation this velocity is constant for all points of the chord; Received September 6, 1940.
Rapid accumulation of Akt in mitochondria following phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation.

We describe here a new component of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway that directly impacts mitochondria. Akt (protein kinase B) was shown for the first time to be localized in mitochondria, where it was found to reside in the matrix and the inner and outer membranes, and the level of mitochondrial Akt was very dynamically regulated. Stimulation of a variety of cell types with insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin, or stress (induced by heat shock), induced translocation of Akt to the mitochondria within only several minutes of stimulation, causing increases of nearly eight- to 12-fold, and the mitochondrial Akt was in its phosphorylated, active state. Two mitochondrial proteins were identified to be phosphorylated following stimulation of mitochondrial Akt, the β-subunit of ATP synthase and glycogen synthase kinase-3β. The finding that mitochondrial glycogen synthase kinase-3β was rapidly and substantially modified by Ser9 phosphorylation, which inhibits its activity, following translocation of Akt to the mitochondria is the first evidence for a regulatory mechanism affecting mitochondrial glycogen synthase kinase-3β. These results demonstrate that signals emanating from plasma membrane receptors or generated by stress rapidly modulate Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3β in mitochondria.
Matter and Consciousness

In Matter and Consciousness, Paul Churchland presents a concise and contemporary overview of the philosophical issues surrounding the mind and explains the main theories and philosophical positions that have been proposed to solve them. Making the case for the relevance of theoretical and experimental results in neuroscience, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence for the philosophy of mind, Churchland reviews current developments in the cognitive sciences and offers a clear and accessible account of the connections to philosophy of mind. For this third edition, the text has been updated and revised throughout. The changes range from references to the iPhone's "Siri" to expanded discussions of the work of such contemporary philosophers as David Chalmers, John Searle, and Thomas Nagel. Churchland describes new research in evolution, genetics, and visual neuroscience, among other areas, arguing that the philosophical significance of these new findings lies in the support they tend to give to the reductive and eliminative versions of materialism. Matter and Consciousness, written by the most distinguished theorist and commentator in the field, offers an authoritative summary and sourcebook for issues in philosophy of mind. It is suitable for use as an introductory undergraduate text.
A Multilevel Approach to Model Obesity and Overweight in the United States

We use a multilevel multinomial econometric approach to model the categories of body mass index as functions of both lifestyle components and external environment. Among state level variables, higher per-capita sales of restaurants and higher Gini coefficient are associated with higher rates of obesity and overweight. Higher state unemployment rate is associated with higher prevalence of obesity and overweight among women. At the individual level, gain in income increase likelihood of women being healthier, but men being more likely to be overweight. Higher education, regular exercise and sufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables are beneficial to curb obesity.
IRFM control with application to HDD servo system

Summary form only given. In Moore et al (Automatica, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 941-951, 1993), by changing the control input N times faster than the system output is sampled, it was shown that both the closed loop poles and zeros can be arbitrarily assigned. However, the multirate strategy produces a degradation in the intersample behavior, namely, intersample ripples appear. In Chen et al (Proc. IECON, pp. 1171-1176, 1999), a multirate control scheme was proposed to attack the intersample chattering. However, the method is only applicable to a control plant which has at least one integrator in its model. Here we present a new intersample ripple free multirate (IRFM) control scheme for general LTI systems. A constraint on the controller parameters is introduced in the scheme to force the multirate control inputs to converge to the same constant level in order to eliminate the intersample ripple.
Integrating security across the computer science curriculum

Although the ACM CC-2001 has not listed computer security as one of the bodies of knowledge, with today's current security situation, it is important that security be part of an undergraduate education. Some institutions offer a specific course on security; however, many of us are not afforded that luxury. Yet another approach is to integrate security into both lower level introductory courses as well as upper division capstone courses. This can be rather complicated, as most instructors lack the necessary knowledge in the rapidly-changing field of security to feel comfortable discussing security topics in their classes. We therefore propose a comprehensive means for integrating security across the curriculum that does not require security proficiency. This approach is derived from a workshop given at SIGCSE in 2002 and has been successful at our university.
Validation of the installation of CTD sensors on an AUV

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) will allow oceanographers to collect more data, at lower cost, than traditional means. To achieve widespread acceptance within the oceanographic community, AUVs must deliver data of comparable quality to that collected by conventional means. The fundamental measurements for physical oceanography are the pressure, temperature and electrical conductivity of water over a range of locations and depths, measurements that are usually referred to as "CTD" for conductivity, temperature, and depth. This paper discusses the accuracies required for measuring water conductivity, temperature, and pressure for physical oceanographic applications and describes the method used to validate the CTD package on a specific AUV. Temperature measurements made in the deep ocean with the Odyssey-II AUV agreed to within 0.001 degrees Celsius to those made with a standard oceanographic CTD package. This work represents a first step in the process of defining protocols for validating CTD in an AUV. The approach used allow us to place a quantitative upper bound in the perturbation of the CTD measurements by the Odyssey II AUV.
Imaging of 4-AP–Induced, GABAA-Dependent Spontaneous Synchronized Activity Mediated by the Hippocampal Interneuron Network

Under conditions of increased excitability, such as application of the K+channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 100 μM), interneurons in the hippocampal slice show an additional form of synchronize...
Numeracy as a Predictor of Adaptive Risky Decision Making

Numeracy or one's ability to appropriately process and use numerical information has been shown to be an important individual difference factor in decision making. The current study utilized a risky decision-making task (called the “cups task”) in which choices are made to both earn and avoid losing hypothetical money. Critically, this design allowed investigators to examine numeracy-related differences in adaptive decision-making as measured by sensitivity to expected value (EV) differences over 54 paired-choice trials—some in which it was advantageous to take a risk and some in which it was not. Results showed that in an undergraduate sample of 114 individuals, the less numerate took more risks and were less sensitive to varying EV levels than the more numerate, especially when it was disadvantageous to take a risk and when the choice involved a potential loss (rather than a gain). These results are consistent with a dual processing account in which the more numerate are much better than the less numerate at extracting the precise affective “gist” of the numerical information, which is then used to determine the goodness or badness of a particular choice. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toggling in the spliceosome

Two structural variants of the RNaseH-like domain of the highly conserved spliceosomal protein Prp8 are correlated with Prp8 mutants that stabilize either the first- or second-step active sites of the spliceosome.
The effect of volume and quenching on estimation of counting efficiencies in liquid scintillation counting

Abstract The effect of volume on the liquid scintillation counting performance of 14C-samples has been investigated. A decrease in counting efficiency was observed for samples with volumes below about 6 ml and those above about 18 ml when unquenched samples were assayed. Two quench-correction methods, sample channels ratio and external standard channels ratio, and three different liquid scintillation counters, were used in an investigation to determine the magnitude of the error in predicting counting efficiencies when small volume samples (2 ml) with different levels of quenching were assayed. The 2 ml samples exhibited slightly greater standard deviations of the difference between predicted and determined counting efficiencies than did 15 ml samples. Nevertheless, the magnitude of the errors indicate that if the sample channels ratio method of quench correction is employed, 2 ml samples may be counted in conventional counting vials with little loss in counting precision.
The synthesis and chemistry of a bis-pyrazolinylketone and the structure determination

The synthesis and spectral characteristics of a bis-spiro compound: 2,6-bis(4-phenyl-3-δ1-pyrazolinyl)cyclo-hexanone are reported. Unlike literature reports, this particular δ1-pyrazoline does not readily rearrange to the 2 isomer on heating. Pyrolysis gives 2,6-bis(α-methylbenzylidene)cyclohexanone. A monopyrazolinylket-one was also isolated which is most likely an intermediate in the bis-denitrogenation. A mechanism for the denitrogenation-rearrangement is proposed.
Forging the link between nuclear reactions and nuclear structure.

A comprehensive description of all single-particle properties associated with the nucleus $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$ is generated by employing a nonlocal dispersive optical potential capable of simultaneously reproducing all relevant data above and below the Fermi energy. The introduction of nonlocality in the absorptive potentials yields equivalent elastic differential cross sections as compared to local versions but changes the absorption profile as a function of angular momentum suggesting important consequences for the analysis of nuclear reactions. Below the Fermi energy, nonlocality is essential to allow for an accurate representation of particle number and the nuclear charge density. Spectral properties implied by ($e$, ${e}^{\ensuremath{'}}p$) and ($p$, $2p$) reactions are correctly incorporated, including the energy distribution of about 10% high-momentum nucleons, as experimentally determined by data from Jefferson Lab. These high-momentum nucleons provide a substantial contribution to the energy of the ground state, indicating a residual attractive contribution from higher-body interactions for $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$ of about $0.64\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}/\mathrm{A}$.
Superluminal speed of information? (reply)

Stenner et al. reply — It was most natural to present our findings1 in the time domain, although there is an equivalent explanation in the frequency domain if Fourier analysis is used. Nimtz2 uses a frequency-domain argument to assert that our data with gaussian pulses (Fig. 1b in ref. 1) are consistent with the group-velocity approximation, whereas the data we used to measure the information velocity (Fig. 2 in ref. 1) are not; however, we disagree with his analysis.
Toughness of plastically-deforming asymmetric joints

Owing to current trends towards light-weight energy-efficient vehicles, the use of adhesives as a replacement for traditional joining techniques has many advantages for the automotive industry. In a previous paper, a testing geometry for adhesive joints in which steady-state crack propagation occurred in the presence of gross plastic deformation was described. An analysis based on a steady-state energy balance was presented that described the conditions required for crack propagation. This analysis was used to compute the toughness of symmetrical adhesive joints; and it was shown that the resulting value of toughness was independent of the thickness of the plastically-deforming substrate material. In the present paper, it is demonstrated that the previous result can also be derived from Hutchinson`s I-integral. The results of additional experiments are presented to show that the geometry-independence of the technique applies also for asymmetrical joints.
Theoretical studies of low-energy electron-silane scattering with an ab initio description of target response

Theoretical studies of low-energy electron-silane scattering are reported in which target polarization is included by using an ab initio optical potential. These calculations employ the complex Kohn scattering method and were undertaken both at the static-exchange level and with target polarization. A polarized virtual-orbital method, which was introduced in our earlier study of electron-methane scattering, was also employed in this study to generate a compact description of the closed channels included in the optical potential. Differential, integral, and momentum-transfer cross sections are reported at incident energies ranging from 0.2 to 20 eV. The computed total cross section shows a Ramsauer-Townsend minimum at 0.3 eV and a broad d-wave shape resonance at 3.0 eV. Excellent agreement is found between our polarized Kohn results and the recent experimental results of Wan, Moore, and Tossell [J. Chem. Phys. 91, 7340 (1989)].
A practical method for screening psychiatric disorder in children with speech and language disorders.

Children with speech and language disorders have been found to have a prevalence rate of psychiatric disorder of 50%. The authors sought to develop an efficient screening procedure to distinguish such children who have psychiatric disorder and those who do not. Cutoff scores for easily administered parent and teacher behavior rating questionnaires were investigated in a population of 256 children with speech and language disorders and known presence or absence of psychiatric disorder. It was learned that when the questionnaires are used together, a cutoff score of 31 or greater on either questionnaire has a positive predictive value of 74.1 % and a negative predictive value of 76.1%. This screening method shows promise in assisting speech pathologists in comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning for children with speech and language disorders.
Drug‐eluting bead therapy in primary and metastatic disease of the liver

Abstract Background Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) is a novel therapy for the treatment of hypervascuarized tumours. Through the intra-arterial delivery of microspheres, DEB-TACE allows for embolization as well as local release of chemotherapy in the treatment of hepatic malignancy, providing an alternative therapeutic option in unresectable tumours. Its role as an adjunct to surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is less clear. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent studies investigating DEB-TACE in order to better define safety, efficacy and outcomes associated with its use. Methods A systematic review of all published articles and trials identified nine clinical trials and 23 abstracts. These were reviewed for tumour histology, stage of treatment, delivery technique, outcome at follow-up, complications and mortality rates. Results Publications involved treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), metastatic colorectal carcinoma (MCRC), metastatic neuroendocrine (MNE) disease and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) or European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) criteria, studies treating HCC reported complete response (CR) rates of 5% (5/101) at 1 month, 9% (8/91) at 4 months, 14% (19/138) at 6 months and 25% (2/8) at 10 months. Partial response (PR) was reported as 58% (76/131) at 1 month, 50% (67/119) at 4 months, 57% (62/108) at 6–7 months and 63% (5/8) at 10 months. Studies involving MCRC, CCA and MNE disease were less valuable in terms of response rate because there is a lack of comparative data. The most common procedure-associated complications included fever (46–72%), nausea and vomiting (42–47%), abdominal pain (44–80%) and liver abscess (2–3%). Rather than reporting individual symptoms, two studies reported rates of post-embolic syndrome (PES), consisting of fever, abdominal pain, and nausea and vomiting, at 82% (75/91). Six of eight studies reported length of hospital stay, which averaged 2.3 days per procedure. Mortality was reported as occurring in 10 of 456 (2%) procedures, or 10 of 214 (5%) patients. Conclusions Drug-eluting bead TACE is becoming more widely utilized in primary and liver-dominant metastatic disease of the liver. Outcomes of success must be expanded beyond response rates because these are not a reliable surrogate for progression-free survival or overall survival. Ongoing clinical trials will further clarify the optimal timing and strategy of this technology.
Abstract 4891: Dormancy and growth of metastatic breast cancer cells in a bone-like microenvironment

We have developed a three dimensional cell culture model (bioreactor) in which cancer cells are cultured in a bone-like microenvironment. When co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts and the resulting bone-like matrix, MDA-MB-231 (231) human metastatic breast cancer cells attach, form “single cell files”, develop invadapodia, infiltrate and partially degrade the thick matrix. Eventually, the cells form large colonies. By contrast, the metastasis-suppressed variant, MDA-MB-231BRMS1, (231BRMS1) demonstrates a dormant phenotype in the same system. They loosely attach, and are slow to proliferate. This pattern of growth is also observed in femurs of mice inoculated with these cells. We hypothesized that changes in the cytokine microenvironment or the matrix structure would either cause the 231 cells to become dormant or the 231BRMS1 cells to proliferate. Because of anecdotal evidence that bone trauma or breakage is associated with latent metastasis, we added either a cocktail of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, VEGF, GROα ) or bone remodeling cytokines (IL-6, TNFα, IL-1β, PGE-2 ). The inflammatory cytokines had little effect on the morphology or proliferation of either cell type. In contrast, bone remodeling cytokines stimulated the 231BRMS1 cells to grow vigorously. Of the remodeling cytokines, we determined that TNFα and IL-1β were sufficient to cause the change in growth. However, we were able to block the response of the 231BRMS1 cells with indomethecin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor or with an inhibitor to the receptor for PGE2. These data suggest that the additional cytokines lead to prostaglandin production. We also modulated the matrix by growing the osteoblasts with charcoal-stripped serum to reduced estradiol. The osteoblasts differentiated under these conditions (alkaline phosphatase positive) but did not fully mineralize the matrix (minimal von Kossa staining ). In the presence of the modified matrix, both the 231(ER-) and the 231BRMS1(ER-) cells showed increased proliferation. In contrast, MCF-7 cells (ER+) maintained a dormant phenotype and did not grow. In conclusion, our data highlight the importance of a bone-like microenvironment in maintaining breast cancer dormancy. Disrupting the microenvironment could result in dormant cells re-entering the cell cycle. We are currently determining the role of the cytokine microenvironment and the matrix alteration in the modulation of the cancer cells dormancy or growth in the bone. This work was supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command under W81XWH-12-1-0127, and by the Metavivor Research Foundation. Citation Format: Yu-Chi Chen, Andrea M. Mastro, Donna M. Sosnoski, Robert J. Norgard, Cassidy D. Grove, Erwin A. Vogler. Dormancy and growth of metastatic breast cancer cells in a bone-like microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4891. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4891
The influence of family religiosity on adolescent substance use according to religious preference

In this research we aimed to identify whether or not family religiosity is protective against adolescent substance use (tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs) according to selected religious preferences. A cross-sectional survey of students aged 17-35 years in college undergraduate general education classes at 3 large schools in Utah, May-July, 2003 revealed that the highest use of tobacco smoking and marijuana or other illicit drug use was among those with no religious preference. Catholics had the highest level of alcohol drinking during adolescence. The lowest use of tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs was among Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons). Family church attendance and religiosity among parents during the participants’ adolescent years were both significantly protective against substance use in LDS but not among those of other religions or in those with no religious preference. LDS were most likely to agree that they chose to abstain or quit using tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs during their adolescent years because such behavior was inconsistent with their religious beliefs. LDS were also more likely to agree that current substance use was inconsistent with their religion, thus family weekly church attendance and parental religiosity during the participants’ adolescent years were associated with lower substance use among LDS.
Generation of ultrashort pulses in synchronous pumping of near-millimeter wave lasers

The paper investigates the generation of high power, subnanosecond near-mm wave pulses, obtained by synchronous pumping with a modelocked TEA CO2 laser of CH3F (496 microns, 193 microns) and D2O (385 microns, 66 microns) and NH3 (151 microns). The dependence of pulse duration on pressure and cavity detuning have been studied, together with the dynamic evolution of the pump and FIR pulses.
On nondeterminism in parallel computation

Abstract Nondeterministic parallel complexity classes are investigated using two different nondeterministic versions of the hardware modification machine model. Differences in the effects of adding nondeterminism to parallel machines can be traced to the amount of nondeterminism available at each time step. Nondeterministic complexity classes defined by simultaneous bounds on both hardware and parallel time are also examined.
On Auctions as the Negotiation Paradigm of Electronic Markets

Until recently, electronic markets were dominated by the combination of static offer schemes and fixed pricing. Static offer schemes such as online catalogues apparently bear the risk of not matching the requirements of all potential buyers. But fixing a price also imposes another risk to the seller - the price might not always reflect the current market balance of supply and demand and the specific valuation of a single buyer. Whereas static offer schemes today are still prevalent, electronic auctions address the risk related to fixed pricing with an easy way of price discovery and differentiation by soliciting a wide range of bids from multiple parties. In this paper reasons for the recent success of the auction paradigm in electronic markets are identified. But we will also illustrate one fundamental limitation: the price-based bidding of today's auctions supports only distributive negotiations and does not provide a model for integrative negotiations where differences in the valuations of consumers an...
Prognostic factors for biologic therapy in kidney cancer.

Renal cell cancer is resistant to most forms of therapy. Cytokine therapy with either interleukin-2 or interferon-α yields the best results, with response rates from 10% to 20%. Therapy is not without toxicity, which means that the majority of patients treated with cytokines suffer toxicity without any therapeutic benefit. Recent endeavors have tried to find new ways to identify responders to cytokine therapy. Prognostic factors, such as good performance status, lack of anemia, normal calcium, normal lactate dehydrogenase, and prior nephrectomy, correlate with an increased likelihood of responding to cytokine therapy. Recent studies have examined whether altered subpopulations of lymphocytes, the presence of eosinophils, or altered levels of cytokines can predict response to cytokine therapy. Although prior nephrectomy does correlate with improved survival while the patient is receiving cytokine therapy, it is unclear if this is due to a significant alteration in the tumor’s response to cytokine or some unrelated benefit from surgery. Further studies are needed to confirm the current immune parameters and disease characteristics that suggest a better response to cytokine therapy.
Adrenal Epinephrine and the Regulation of Pulmonary Surfactant Release in Neonatal Rabbits

Adrenergic mechanisms influence surfactant metabolism; however the nature and importance of catechol-mediated regulation is unclear. We designed experiments to assess the role of endogenous adrenal epinephrine (E) synthesis in neonatal alveolar surfactant release. We administered the experimental adrenal epinephrine synthesis inhibitor SKF 29661 to pregnant rabbits to reduce fetal adrenal E content. Surfactant release was measured as total alveolar phosphatidylcholine (PC) content recovered by a thorough alveolar wash performed on animals sacrificed at birth and at 1 h of age. At a maternal dose of 100 mg/kg/day, SKF 29661 caused a 57% reduction in fetal adrenal E content (p < .01), which was associated with a 40% reduction in alveolar PC at birth and a 23% reduction in alveolar PC at 1 h of age (p < .01). Moreover, adrenal E correlated positively with total alveolar PC content (p < .001). These results suggest that in the neonatal period, the ability of the fetal adrenal gland to synthesize E for secreti...
Race and Resources in Large American Cities: An Examination of Intraurban and Interregional Variations

Information on race, poverty, and socioeconomic variables for an extensive sample of neighborhoods in the 25 largest American cities was factor analyzed to examine underlying relationships. A dominant factor emerged in both central city and sub urban observation sets similar to that documented previously in certain single city ecologies and labeled "race and resources." This factor is comprised of poverty, family (dis)organization, and race variables. Examination of factor loadings and variable parameters indicates a strong association of blacks with poverty in sub urban areas despite the greater association with nucleated family structures, and provides additional support for the position that suburbanization of blacks has not changed the intrametropolitan distribution of minority economic welfare.
Physical scale modeling the millimeter-wave backscattering behavior of ground clutter

The VV-polarized W-band backscattering behavior of homogeneous ground clutter has been investigated by measuring the radar cross section per unit area of 1/16th scale rough surface terrain in a 1.56 THz compact radar range. An array of scale model ground planes was fabricated with the appropriate roughness to model smooth to rough soil terrain. In addition to studying the backscattering behavior as a function of surface roughness, the dependence on soil moisture content was also characterized by tailoring the dielectric constant of the scale models. Radar imagery of the rough surfaces were acquired in a 1.56THz compact radar range by collecting single frequency backscatter data over a solid angle in both azimuth and elevation. The data were Fourier transformed in both the azimuth and elevation directions to produce two-dimensional imagery. The backscattering coefficient per unit illuminated area ((sigma) 0) was calculated as a function of elevation angle between 5 degree(s) and 85 degree(s). The results of this work have been used in the fabrication of scale model ground planes for collection of W-band radar imagery from scaled threat targets in realistic environments. Backscattering data, including clutter statistics, are compared to W-band clutter data found in the literature.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Information in prediction and estimation

In this paper a connection between the problems of prediction, data compression, and statistical estimation is established with the central notion being the information in a string relative to a class of processes. The earlier derived MDL-criterion for estimation of parameters, including their number, is given a fundamental information theoretic justification by showing that its estimators achieve the information in the strings. It is also shown that one cannot do prediction in gaussian ARMA processes below a bound, which is completely determined by the same estimators.
Inhibition of c-Src Tyrosine Kinase Prevents Angiotensin II–Mediated Connexin-43 Remodeling and Sudden Cardiac Death

Objectives The aim of this study was to test whether c-Src tyrosine kinase mediates connexin-43 (Cx43) reduction and sudden cardiac death in a transgenic mouse model of cardiac-restricted overexpression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE8/8 mice). Background Renin-angiotensin system activation is associated with an increased risk for arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, but the mechanism is not well understood. The up-regulation of c-Src by angiotensin II may result in the reduction of Cx43, which impairs gap junction function and provides a substrate for arrhythmia. Methods Wild-type and ACE8/8 mice with and without treatment with the c-Src inhibitor 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine (PP1) were studied. Telemetry monitoring, in vivo electrophysiologic studies, Western blot analyses for total and phosphorylated c-Src and Cx43, immunohistochemistry staining for Cx43, and functional assessment of Cx43 with fluorescent dye diffusion were performed. Results The majority of the arrhythmic deaths resulted from ventricular tachycardia degenerating to ventricular fibrillation (83%). Levels of total and phosphorylated c-Src were increased and Cx43 reduced in ACE8/8 mice. PP1 reduced total and phosphorylated c-Src levels, increased Cx43 level by 2.1-fold (p Conclusions Renin-angiotensin system activation is associated with c-Src up-regulation, Cx43 loss, reduced myocyte coupling, and arrhythmic sudden death, which can be prevented by c-Src inhibition. This suggests that an increase in c-Src activity may help mediate renin-angiotensin system–induced arrhythmias and that c-Src inhibitors might exert antiarrhythmic activity.
Benign chronic neutropenia with abnormalities involving 16q22, affecting mother and daughter

We report a case of familial, chronic, benign neutropenia in a 17-year-old female showing (1) the spontaneous expression of a heritable rare fragile site at 16q22 and (2) a deletion at the same region. The del(16)(q22), which most likely originated from the fragile site, was the main clonal abnormality detected in the patient's bone marrow cells, whereas a few cells with either del(16)(q22) or fra(16)(q22) were seen in the patient's peripheral blood. Interestingly, the del(16q) was also detected in the patient's uncultured cells, as demonstrated by FISH, excluding an in vitro origin of the del(16q) during culture. The bone marrow was hypocellular with decreased neutrophils and their precursors. Absolute neutrophil counts ranged from (0.62 to 1.24) x 10(9)/L with a median value of 1.02 x 10(9)/L. The patient had a more severe neutropenia than her mother, which correlated with the presence of more cells with del(16q) in the marrow. The patient's mother, who was also diagnosed with neutropenia, revealed only a few cells with the rare fra(16)(q22) in her peripheral blood cells, whereas her bone marrow showed cells with both fra(16)(q22) and del(16)(q22), although the del(16q) was present in only 2/20 cells. Some possible candidate genes contributing to the pathogenesis of the neutropenia are discussed. Chromosome abnormalities involving the 16q22 breakpoint have been observed in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this patient, the del(16)(q22) risk factor is unknown for subsequent development of MDS or AML. Another point to consider is the need to determine the origin of a chromosome abnormality, particularly when the clinical picture does not fit the chromosome findings. Although, the observation of a constitutional structural abnormality in a mosaic form is an extremely rare event, it is somewhat different in the case of a fragile site expression, which can, as in this case, be present in some cells and not in others.
Diagnosis of bronchial rupture with MR imaging

Tracheobronchial rupture is a serious injury occurring in approximately 1.5% of cases of major chest trauma. This injury is associated with significant mortality and morbidity and may be difficult to recognize both clinically and radiologically. Radiologic signs are mostly nonspecific, with pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum being the most common. A high level of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) can be helpful; however, it provides only indirect evidence for the diagnosis. This report describes a case of complete transection of the right main bronchus, suspected at plain radiography and CT and clearly shown on magnetic resonance (MR) images. MR imaging, with its multiplanar capabilities, can be helpful in defining the location and extent of injury and in diagnosing injury not suspected or clearly demonstrated with other imaging modalities.