cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-time analysis of the effects of toxic, therapeutic and sub-therapeutic concentrations of digitoxin on lung cancer cells

Digitoxin belongs to a naturally occurring class of cardiac glycosides (CG); digitoxin is clinically approved for heart failure and known for its anti-cancer effects against non-small lung cancer cells (NSCLC). However, concerns associated with its narrow therapeutic index and its concentration-dependent mechanism of action are rising. Thus, before digitoxin implementation in designing and developing safer and more effective CG-based anti-cancer therapies, its pharmacological and safety profiles need to be fully elucidated. In this research we used a combinatorial approach to evaluate the anti-cancer mechanisms of digitoxin in real-time. Our approach employed a non-invasive electric cell impedance sensing technique as a proxy to monitor NSCLC behavior post-exposure to toxic, therapeutic and sub-therapeutic concentrations of the drug. By developing structure-function combinatorial relations we showed that digitoxin targets cancer cells in a time and dose-dependant manner by activating pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative signaling cascades that results in strengthening cellular adhesion and sequestration of key regulatory proliferation protein from the nucleus.
Emerging therapies for gout.

Introduction: Gout is the commonest inflammatory arthritis in adults that affects 4% of the US population. Gout is symptomatic, leading to joint pain and inflammation, frequent acute flares associated with disability, pain and suffering. When not treated optimally, chronic inflammation can lead to chronic pain, joint destruction and deformities and decrements in function and quality of life. Areas covered: Different therapeutic strategies that are being developed in preclinical and clinical settings are discussed. Expert opinion: Multiple new treatment approaches have emerged for gout. Several target acute inflammation of gout flares by inhibiting interleukin-1, either with an antibody or with a molecule that traps interleukin-1. Two drugs in this category are rilonacept and canakinumab. Similarly, new approaches targeting and increasing urate excretion by the kidney are emerging. One such promising drug is lesinurad that decreases serum urate through inhibition of the uric acid transporter (URAT1) in the...
Reflection and diffraction corrections for nonlinear materials characterization by quasi-static pulse measurement

A harmonic acoustic tone burst propagating through an elastic solid with quadratic nonlinearity produces not only a parallel burst of second harmonic but also an often neglected quasi-static pulse associated with the acoustic radiation-induced eigenstrain. Although initial analytical and experimental studies by Yost and Cantrell suggested that the pulse might have a right-angled triangular shape with the peak displacement at the leading edge being proportional to the length of the tone burst, more recent theoretical, analytical, numerical, and experimental studies proved that the pulse has a flat-top shape and the peak displacement is proportional to the propagation length. In this paper, analytical and numerical simulation results are presented to illustrate two types of finite-size effects. First, the finite axial dimension of the specimen cannot be simply accounted for by a linear reflection coefficient that neglects the nonlinear interaction between the combined incident and reflected fields. Second, the quasistatic pulse generated by a transducer of finite aperture suffers more severe divergence than both the fundamental and second harmonic pulses generated by the same transducer. These finite-size effects can make the top of the quasi-static pulse sloped rather than flat and therefore must be taken into consideration in the interpretation of experimental data.
Inhibition of Respiratory syncytial, parainfluenza 3 and measles viruses by 2-deoxy-D-glucose.

Abstract 2-Deoxy- d -glucose was found to inhibit the replication and cytopathic effects of respiratory syncytial, parainfluenza 3 and measles viruses. The effects of the drug were completely reversible and appeared directed against viral functions occurring in the second half of the viral growth cycle. At least some viral functions appeared to be unaffected by the agent. Electron microscopic studies with a temperature-sensitive mutant of respiratory syncytial virus indicated that 2-deoxy- d -glucose produced a morphological change. Surface projections were greatly reduced in virions grown in the presence of the drug.
Off-Campus Credit Programs in Two-Year Colleges: A Broad View across All 50 States.

Many public two‐year colleges have established off‐campus programs in the past decade to serve the changing educational needs of their constituencies. Because existing literature lacks descriptive data about such expansions, this study was undertaken to provide a broad view of off‐campus programs across the country. Questionnaires were returned by 439 institutions representing all 50 states. Data were supplied about student characteristics, program locations, types of curricula, funding support, and locus of program administration. Colleges supplying enrollment figures served nearly 700,000 off‐campus students in 1981‐82. Most state legislatures endorse and, to varying degrees, fund off‐campus programs. Community college administrators are urged to monitor such responses. Further data collection and research are recommended.
Longitudinal jumps in Kondo systems

The side jump is known to make important contributions to the extraordinary Hall effect in Kondo systems. We show that as a corollary to this, the longitudinal jump also makes important contributions to the resistivity.
Treatment of Holocaust Denial Literature in Association of Research Libraries

Abstract Holocaust denial literature has been treated inconsistently in library collections. At one time Holocaust denial literature was classed and subject headings assigned with Holocaust literature. After specific Library of Congress classification numbers and subject headings for Holocaust denial and Holocaust denial literature became available in the 1990s, works of Holocaust denial and Holocaust denial literature became split in library collections, both in online catalogs and on the shelves. A review of the classification and subject treatment for five well-known works of Holocaust denial was conducted in the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member catalogs. Collocation of material on the shelves is a popular discovery tool of library users. Works classed together are assumed to be about the same topic. When works of Holocaust denial are classed with works about the Jewish Holocaust, it may inadvertently lend them credibility. Librarians have an ethical duty to reclassify works that have been misidentified in their collections. Most libraries do not collect heavily in this subject area and it would not create an undue burden to reclassify and remark these titles. It would provide a valuable service to the library user.
A Kinase-Independent Function of Cks1 and Cdk1 in Regulation of Transcription

We describe a function in transcription for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle regulatory cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc28 (Cdk1) and its interacting protein, Cks1. The Cks1/Cdc28 complex is recruited to multiple coding regions in the genome and is necessary for efficient expression of a significant subset of genes. This transcriptional role is mediated through a requirement of Cdc28/Cks1 for recruiting proteasomes to coding regions. However, it is independent of the protein kinase activity of Cdc28. In the absence of Cks1, neither Cdc28 nor the proteasome can be recruited. Consequently, there is a failure to maintain efficient transcription.
Increased glomerular filtration rate as a predictor of diabetic nephropathy : an 8-year prospective study

The objective was to study the natural history and the predictive value of glomerular filtration rate, albumin excretion rate, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c for diabetic nephropathy. A cohort of 75 type-1 diabetic adolescents with a diabetes duration of 8 years was studied. Thirty-one females, 33 males, mean age 16.9 +/- 0.3 (SEM) participated in the follow-up study. Glomerular filtration rate, albumin excretion rate, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c were measured every second year during 8 years to determine the predictive value of glomerular filtration rate for future nephropathy. Initial differences and patterns of changes in glomerular filtration rate, albumin excretion rate, and hemoglobin A1c were examined in patients who did (group 1) and did not (group 2) develop incipient or overt nephropathy. Five of 64 patients developed overt nephropathy. They had an initial glomerular filtration rate of greater than 125 ml/min/1.73 m2. Fifteen of 53 initially normoalbuminuric patients developed incipient and three of 53 overt nephropathy. Age, age at onset, diabetes duration, initial albumin excretion rate, initial blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c were similar in groups 1 and 2. Glomerular filtration rate was initially higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P = 0.01). The positive predictive value for combined incipient and overt nephropathy of an initial glomerular filtration rate greater than 125 ml/min was 53%. The negative predictive value of glomerular filtration rate less than 125 ml/min was 95%. In initially normoalbuminuric patients multiple regression revealed initial glomerular filtration rate as the only significant independent predictor for nephropathy when also corrected for hemoglobin A1c (P = 0.04).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ventilatory air pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance

Abstract The effects of various inspiratory air pressures on the pulmonary vascular resistance of 15 dogs which had undergone thoracotomy were examined in 116 experiments by simultaneous measurement of pulmonary arterial flows and pressures. Inspiration was produced by positive-pressure insufflation; expiration was produced by the passive fall of air pressure toward ambient levels. In some experiments, variations in the inflation pressures of the two lungs were tested. As inspiratory air pressure was raised from 8 to 30 mm. Hg, the blood flow through the lungs decreased, and the pulmonary arterial pressure increased, which indicates an enhanced pulmonary vascular resistance. The site of this increase is considered to be at the pulmonary capillary. The implications of these findings in the physiologic regulation of the pulmonary circulation are discussed.
Stress state and limiting equilibrium of a spherical shell nonuniform across the thickness and containing two surface cracks

We consider a spherical shell nonuniform across the thickness made from a functionally graded material and containing two surface cracks. An approach of reducing a problem of the elastoplastic state of this shell to a system of singular integral equations is proposed. An algorithm of the numerical solution of the obtained system of singular integral equations simultaneously with conditions of plasticity, boundedness of forces and moments, and single-valuedness of displacements is proposed. The influence of load, mechanical and geometric parameters on the opening displacement of the crack front is investigated.
Isolation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP by thin-layer chromatography. Application to assay of adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase, and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase.

Abstract A procedure is described for isolation of cAMP and cGMP by thin-layer chromatography on polyethylenimine cellulose. Chromatographs are developed (descending) twice in the same direction with two different solvents. This procedure separates cAMP and cGMP from other radioactive metatolites of [3H] or [14C] ATP or GTP. Application of this isolation method to assay of adenylate cyclase, (EC 4.6.1.1), guanylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.2), and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) has proven convenient and provides results of unusual quality.
A DECISION THEORETIC APPROACH TO PRICING

The problem of price determination and revision is considered as a case of decision making under uncertainty in which profit is to be maximized. Typically price is a simple function of cost which in turn determines the quantity which will be demanded. This paper proposes that maximum profits could be realized in the long run, if a quantity corresponding to the lowest cost per unit of product under the attendant circumstances was fixed and a price established at which demand would exactly equal the fixed quantity. It further suggests a theoretical approach to the determination of this price based on decision theory. The decision theoretic approach considers the set of possible price levels at which demand will equal the fixed quantity of product as the state of nature. The set of acts consist of the establishment of the product price at each of the possible levels. After an initial price is established, empirical information can then be utilized according to some optimal decision rule for subsequent price revisions.
Comment: Concerns in the Analysis of Focus Group Data

The most frequent concern in qualitative research is an inadequate description of the analysis process, and the consequent limitation on credibility and usefulness of the results. Of all the aspects of using the focus group technique—advantages and limitations, logistics, implementation, and interpreting and reporting of results—the process of analysis is the least agreed on and the least well developed. There is little guidance for researchers, journal editors and reviewers, graduate students and their advisors. A frequent question is "how to do" analysis of focus group data, especially analysis worthy of federal-level funding or acceptable at the level of an academic dissertation. Definitive, mutually agreed on technique does not exist. Decisions in analysis depend on many factors, and this article will discuss considerations in planning and implementing analyses of focus group data.
An analysis of a reconfigurable binary tree architecture based on multiple-level redundancy

The analysis of a multiple-level redundant tree (MLRT) structure is presented for the design of a reconfigurable tree architecture. The MLRT scheme tolerates the catastrophic failure of several locally redundant modules in the corresponding locally redundant modular tree (LRMT) structure. This analysis and experimental study establishes the advantages of the MLRT structure over the LRMT structure. The switch failures are taken into account for an accurate analysis of the reliability. A new measure, called the marginal-switch-to-processing-element-area ratio (MSR), is introduced to characterize the effect of switch complexity on the reliability of the redundant system. It can be used as an evaluation criterion in the design of practical fault-tolerant multiprocessor architectures. A technique for obtaining the best spare distribution in the MLRT structure is presented. >
Human cytochromes mediating gepirone biotransformation at low substrate concentrations.

Biotransformation of gepirone to 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)-piperazine (1-PP) and 3'-OH-gepirone, as well as two other hydroxylated metabolites, was studied in vitro using a human liver microsomal preparation and heterologously expressed human CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. The focus was on a low range of gepirone concentrations (1000 nM and below). Liver microsomes formed 1-PP and 3'-OH-gepirone with similar reaction velocities. Two other hydroxylated metabolites (2-OH- and 5-OH-gepirone) were also formed, but pure reference standards were not available for purposes of quantitative analysis. The CYP3A inhibitor ketoconazole completely eliminated 1-PP formation, reduced 3'-OH-gepirone formation to less than 20% of control, and reduced 2-OH-gepirone formation to 7% of control. All metabolites were formed by expressed CYP3A4; however, CYP2D6 formed 3'-OH- and 5-OH-gepirone, but not 1-PP or 2-OH-gepirone. Based on estimated relative abundances of the two isoforms in human liver, CYP3A4 was predicted to account for more than 95% of net clearance of gepirone in vivo at low concentrations approaching the therapeutic range. CYP2D6 would account for less than 5% of net clearance. The findings are consistent with previous in vitro studies of gepirone using higher substrate concentrations.
Paternal inheritance of plastids in Medicago sativa

Plastids are plant cellular organelles that are generally inherited from the maternal parent in the angiosperms. Many species exhibit biparental inheritance of plastids, but usually with a predominantly maternal influence. In contrast to this, we report strong paternal inheritance of plastids in reciprocal crosses of alfalfa, Medicago sativa, by following restriction fragment length polymorphisms for plastid DNA in two normal green plastids. Mitochondrial inheritance remained exclusively maternal.
Differential Consequences of Two Distinct AhR Ligands on Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses to Influenza A Virus

Immune modulation by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has been primarily studied using 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Recent reports suggest another AhR ligand, 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), exhibits distinct immunomodulatory properties, but side-by-side comparisons of these 2 structurally distinct, high-affinity ligands are limited. In this study, the effects of in vivo AhR activation with TCDD and FICZ were directly compared in a mouse model of influenza virus infection using 3 key measures of the host response to infection: pulmonary neutrophilia, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels, and the virus-specific CD8(+) T-cell response. By this approach, the consequences of AhR activation on innate and adaptive immune responses to the same antigenic challenge were compared. A single dose of TCDD elicited AhR activation that is sustained for the duration of the host's response to infection and modulated all 3 responses to infection. In contrast, a single dose of FICZ induced transient AhR activation and had no effect on the immune response to infection. Micro-osmotic pumps and Cyp1a1-deficient mice were utilized to augment FICZ-mediated AhR activation in vivo, in order to assess the effect of transient versus prolonged AhR activation. Prolonged AhR activation with FICZ did not affect neutrophil recruitment or pulmonary iNOS levels. However, FICZ-mediated AhR activation diminished the CD8(+) T-cell response in Cyp1a1-deficient mice in a similar manner to TCDD. These results demonstrate that immunomodulatory differences in the action of these 2 ligands are likely due to not only the duration of AhR activation but also the cell types in which the receptor is activated.
Inverse correlation of serum paraoxonase and homocysteine thiolactonase activities and antioxidant capacity of high-density lipoprotein with the severity of cardiovascular disease in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Atherosclerotic risk is increased in diabetes partly because of increased plasma levels of the oxidized low-density lipoprotein and homocysteine, 2 independent and important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Paraoxonase (PON) is a multifunctional antioxidant enzyme component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which can protect against low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. It also exhibits homocysteine thiolactonase (HCTL) activity that detoxifies homocysteine thiolactone, which can damage proteins by homocysteinylation of the lysine residues, thus leading to atherosclerosis. We conducted a cross-sectional study to correlate PON-1, HCTL activities, and the lag time of LDL oxidation in 15 healthy control subjects and in 55 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus with different degrees of CVD. Compared with healthy controls and diabetic subjects without evidence of overt CVD, we not only found 47% (P < .005) decrease in PON-1 activity, but also for the first time, 30% (P = .019) decrease in HCTL activity in subjects with a prior coronary artery bypass surgery. There was corresponding decreased effectiveness of HDLs from diabetic groups (with and without CVD) in protecting against LDL oxidation. Moreover, the PON-1 activity was significantly inversely correlated to the extent of intracoronary lesions determined at catheterization (ie, a high Gensini score). These decreases in PON-1 and HCTL activity were not due to any bias in preferential distribution of low-activity QQ homozygotes in the diabetic groups compared with the control group because QQ allele was equally distributed in all the experimental groups, whereas RR allele tended to increase in the diabetic subjects with coronary artery bypass surgery compared with the other groups. Therefore, clinical intervention to restore the impaired antiatherogenic activities of HDL should be considered an important goal in the treatment of persons with diabetes.
Flat-top microwave photonic filter based on optical frequency comb shaping

We present flat-top microwave photonic filters through amplitude and phase shaping of optical frequency combs. Flat-topped filters with greater than 27-dB stopband loss are demonstrated using 32 taps with both positive and negative tap coefficients.
Sudden death after radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular node in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Abstract Objectives We evaluated the incidence and predictors of sudden death after atrioventricular (AV) node ablation and pacemaker implantation. Background Sudden death may occur after radiofrequency catheter ablation of the AV node and pacemaker implantation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Whether it is related to the procedure or to pre-existing heart disease remains unclear. Methods All patients who had radiofrequency catheter ablation of the AV node and pacemaker implantation for rate control of medically refractory AF were identified retrospectively and observed prospectively. All patients with sudden death after ablation were identified. The relationship between the procedure and sudden death was defined on the basis of the time between the two as “likely,” “possibly” or “unlikely.” Results Of 334 consecutive patients with AF who underwent AV node ablation, nine had sudden death after the ablation. Four patients (1.2%) had sudden death likely related to the procedure: in 3 patients, arrest occurred within 48 h after the procedure; in one patient, arrest occurred four days after the procedure. In three other patients (0.9%), sudden death was possibly related to the procedure because the event occurred within three months afterward. The remaining two deaths were unrelated to the procedure. Diabetes, New York Heart Association functional class (≥II), preprocedure ventricular arrhythmia, mitral or aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were independent predictors for sudden death. Conclusions Sudden death likely or possibly related to catheter ablation occurred in 7 of 334 patients (2.1%). Risk of sudden death is highest within two days after the procedure.
An expansion theory for non-self-adjoint boundary-value problems

On considere des problemes a 2 points limites pour des equations differentielles et les operateurs qu'ils induisent dans l'espace de Hilbert approprie
Revision of Platte River Alluvial Facies Model Through Observations of Extant Channels and Barforms, and Subsurface Alluvial Valley Fills

Abstract The Platte River of Nebraska, central USA, has been used by sedimentologists as a type example of a sandy, braided river system for some forty years. Despite this designation, however, the details of the river’s subsurface stratigraphy have never been evaluated, and so the extant facies model for the Platte River remains unvalidated. This paper analyzes the Holocene stratigraphy of the central and lower Platte River. It utilizes newly acquired data from wireline logs, sediment cores, aerial photography, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) traverses to characterize subsurface geology, in addition to surface sediment and geomorphic mapping, sampling, and analysis of serial aerial imagery. Cores and GPR profiles show that the lithosome of the active Platte is 6–8 m in thickness and consists predominantly of medium sand. Although macroform features are common on the surface of the modern (active) central and lower Platte River in Nebraska, the shallow subsurface stratigraphy is dominated by mesoform cross-bedding and planar stratification overlying channel scour fills. This differs markedly from the vertical succession predicted by the Platte River facies model of Miall (1977). Data from inactive portions of the central and lower Platte River, however, show macroform cross-bedding indicative of the downstream and cross-stream migration of linguoid and transverse bars, which would be predicted by the published model. The typical architecture of the Holocene channel-belt sand body in the areas studied thus comprises a lower unit dominated by macroform-scale cross-bedding, overlain by an upper unit dominated by mesoform-scale cross-bedding and scour fills. Furthermore, time-series analysis of aerial photography of the river in the vicinity of Grand Island, Nebraska, shows that: (1) the river has become dominated by aggressively vegetated subaerially exposed channel-bed domains (termed “vegetated channel islands”) that superficially resemble bars; and (2) that this stretch is no longer dominated by downstream-accreting macroform bars, which were abundant in the 1960s and 1970s. Contraction of the active channel in this region has accompanied these changes, somewhat independently of discharge variation. New vertical sequence facies models are presented to account for these differences. Our data show the futility of seeking to characterize a fluvial system by means of a single vertical sequence model, and furthermore indicate that the Holocene facies architecture of the sandy, braided Platte River varies both in space and in time. The dominance of mesoform-scale structure in the shallow subsurface of the central and lower Platte River likely reflects the ongoing process of gradual abandonment of the system. It further highlights the need for caution in interpreting subsurface structure from surface geomorphology in fluvial systems.
Wind stress forcing of the Oregon coastal ocean during the 1999 upwelling season

[1] The wind stress forcing of the Oregon coastal ocean during June–August 1999 is estimated from a regional mesoscale atmospheric model and from satellite scatterometer observations, supplemented by moored and coastal surface data and by a land-based wind profiler. Both the mean and variable components of model alongshore wind stress increase by factors of 3–4 from north to south along the Oregon coast. There is evidence of orographic intensification near Cape Blanco, which is supported by previous aircraft and ship observations during August 1995. The systematic southward increase of southward stress will drive enhanced ocean upwelling along the southern Oregon coast and suggests the new hypothesis that systematic variations in local wind stress may contribute to the observed offshore displacement of the coastal upwelling jet in this region. It is inferred from an analysis of the model and surface data that ocean upwelling modifies coastal surface air temperatures by 1–5°C over timescales of 12–24 hours.
Rare B-decays: Experimental prospects and problems

We discuss the future prospects and experimental requirements for generic b-physics, with an emphasis on hadroproduction and on observation of CP violation.
Wrinkles in the rare biosphere: pyrosequencing errors can lead to artificial inflation of diversity estimates

Massively parallel pyrosequencing of the small subunit (16S) ribosomal RNA gene has revealed that the extent of rare microbial populations in several environments, the 'rare biosphere', is orders of magnitude higher than previously thought. One important caveat with this method is that sequencing error could artificially inflate diversity estimates. Although the per-base error of 16S rDNA amplicon pyrosequencing has been shown to be as good as or lower than Sanger sequencing, no direct assessments of pyrosequencing errors on diversity estimates have been reported. Using only Escherichia coli MG1655 as a reference template, we find that 16S rDNA diversity is grossly overestimated unless relatively stringent read quality filtering and low clustering thresholds are applied. In particular, the common practice of removing reads with unresolved bases and anomalous read lengths is insufficient to ensure accurate estimates of microbial diversity. Furthermore, common and reproducible homopolymer length errors can result in relatively abundant spurious phylotypes further confounding data interpretation. We suggest that stringent quality-based trimming of 16S pyrotags and clustering thresholds no greater than 97% identity should be used to avoid overestimates of the rare biosphere.
Tumor regrowth between surgery and initiation of adjuvant therapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma

To assess incidence and degree of regrowth in glioblastoma between surgery and radiation therapy (RT) and to correlate regrowth with presurgical imaging and survival, we examined images of 32 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma who underwent MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI), perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) prior to surgery, after surgery, and prior to RT/temozolomide. Contrast enhancement (CE) in the pre-RT MR image was compared with postsurgical DWI to differentiate tumor growth from postsurgical infarct. MRSI and PWI parameters were analyzed prior to surgery and pre-RT. Postsurgical MRI indicated that 18 patients had gross total and 14 subtotal resections. Twenty-one patients showed reduced diffusion, and 25 patients showed new or increased CE. In eight patients (25%), the new CE was confined to areas of postsurgical reduced diffusion. In the other 17 patients (53%), new CE was found to be indicative of tumor growth or a combination of tumor growth and surgical injury. Higher perfusion and creatine within nonenhancing tumor in the presurgery MR were associated with subsequent tumor growth. High levels of choline and reduced diffusion in pre-RT CE suggested active metabolism and tumor cell proliferation. Median survival was 14.6 months in patients with interim tumor growth and 24 months in patients with no growth. Increased volume or new onset of CE between surgery and RT was attributed to tumor growth in 53% of patients and was associated with shorter survival. This suggests that reducing the time between surgery and adjuvant therapy may be important. The acquisition of metabolic and physiologic imaging data prior to adjuvant therapy may also be valuable in assessing regions of new CE and nonenhancing tumor.
Blockage of arginine vasopressin receptor 2 prevents vascular leakage and reduces increase in pulmonary vascular resistance in ovine sepsis

Blockage of arginine vasopressin receptor 2 prevents vascular leakage and reduces increase in pulmonary vascular resistance in ovine sepsis Ernesto Lopez, Osamu Fujiwara, Baigalmaa Enkhtaivan, Satoshi Fukuda, Koji Ihara, David N. Herndon, Donald S. Prough, Perenlei Enkhbaatar University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA Shriners Hospital for Children, Galveston, TX, USA Background/Purpose: Vascular hyperpermeability and subsequent tissue edema are deleterious complications in sepsis. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) causes vasoconstriction via its V1a receptor agonist effect. However, the role of its V2 receptor (V2R) during sepsis has been poorly studied.We hypothesized that V2R activation during pneumonia sepsis augments vascular leakage, thus promoting cardiopulmonary collapse. We used our well-characterized highly translational ovine methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sepsis model. Methods: Sepsis was induced in 19 surgically instrumented sheep by insufflation of cooled cotton smoke (48 breaths) and instillation of MRSA (3.5 × 10 CFU) into the lungs under anesthesia and analgesia. Grouping: V2R agonist desmopressin (DDAVP, 832.1 ng/kg; n = 6), V2R antagonist tolvaptan (TLVP, 10 mg/kg; n = 6), or saline (control, n= 7), and additional 6 uninjured/untreated sheep (sham, n= 6). All sheep were placed on mechanical ventilation, fluid resuscitated, and monitored for 24 hours in a conscious state. Results: TLVP significantly attenuated systemic fluid accumulation compared to control, while desmopressin tended to augment the MRSA-induced fluid accumulation. Fluid resuscitation to hematocrit was comparable in all groups. TLVP significantly inhibited circulating brain natriuretic peptide and reduced increases in left atrium, pulmonary artery, and lung capillary pressures, suggesting that TLVP attenuatedpulmonary circulation overload and resistance by improving heart performance. DDAVP did not affect these changes. Lung water content (wet-to-dry ratio) was significantly increased in control and DDAVP vs sham. No difference was found between TLVP and sham. Conclusions: Our data strongly suggest that modulation of AVP V2R activation should be considered for treatment of septic patients as an adjunct therapy to various vasopressors. Support: GM097480, SHC84050.
Reconstruction of major fibers using 7T multi-shell Hybrid Diffusion Imaging in mice

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) can reveal the orientation of the underlying fiber populations in the brain. High angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) is increasingly used to better resolve the orientation and mixing of fibers. Here, we assessed the added value of multi-shell q-space sampling on the reconstruction of major fibers using mathematical frameworks from q-ball imaging (QBI) and generalized q-sampling imaging (GQI), as compared to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We scanned a healthy mouse brain using 7-Tesla 5-shell HARDI (b=1000, 3000, 4000, 8000, 12000 s/mm2), also known as hybrid diffusion imaging (HYDI). We found that QBI may provide greater reconstruction accuracy for major fibers, which improves with the addition of higher b-value shells, unlike GQI or DTI (as expected). Although QBI is a special case of GQI, the major fiber orientation in QBI was more closely related to the orientation in DTI, rather than GQI. HYDI can aid the clinical outcomes of research and especially – more advanced human and animal connectomics projects to map the brain’s neural pathways and networks.
Great-Aunt Whoever’s Funeral A Lesbian Woman’s Newfound Strength

The facade of idyllic rural life can be misleading, particularly with respect to persons who are representative of diverse groups, including lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals...
Methodology for Calculating the Volume of Condensate Droplets on Topographically Modified, Microgrooved Surfaces

Liquid droplets on micropatterned surfaces consisting of parallel grooves tens of micrometers in width and depth are considered, and a method for calculating the droplet volume on these surfaces is...
Cardiac Toxicity of Triclosan in Developing Zebrafish

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial agent found in personal care products that has become prevalent in surface waters. TCS readily bioaccumulates within aquatic organisms, and has been found to be toxic to fish. In larval fishes, exposure to TCS disrupts a variety of developmental processes, impairs hatching success, and causes pericardial edema. In mammals, TCS exposure disrupts excitation-contraction-coupling in cardiac cells, which is associated with reductions in cardiac output. Here, we examine the impacts of TCS on heart function to better understand potential risks that TCS may pose to wild fish. Zebrafish were exposed to 0, 0.4, 40, and 400 μg TCS/L from 8 to 120 h postfertilization via static waterborne exposure with daily renewal. We examined the incidence of pericardial edema, and the impacts on heart structure and heart function. While incidence of pericardial edema increased following exposure to ≥40 μg TCS/L and the structure of the heart was altered, cardiac output was only reduced following exposure to 400 μg TCS/L. A small but significant proportion of embryos showed increased incidence of regurgitation following exposure to ≥0.4 μg TCS/L. Our findings suggest that acute exposure to TCS has the potential to cause subtle cardiac toxicity in developing fish, and further evaluation of the risks TCS pose to wild fish and human health is needed.
Extracting alpha from the CP asymmetry in B0 ---> pi+ pi- decays

The extraction of the CKM angle {alpha} from the asymmetry in {ital B}{sup 0}{r_arrow}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup {minus}} versus {bar {ital B}}{sup 0}{r_arrow}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup {minus}} suffers from a currently unknown penguin contribution. Experimentally, one can determine the magnitude and phase of the {ital CP} asymmetry from a time-dependent analysis of tagged events, and the average rate for {ital B}{sup 0} and {bar {ital B}}{sup 0} decays to {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup {minus}} from untagged events. These measurements, together with the magnitudes and relative phase of the tree and penguin diagrams, can in principle completely determine {alpha}, free of discrete ambiguities. We perform an error analysis on {alpha} given assumptions on the values and uncertainties of both the measurements and theoretical inputs. {copyright}{ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Gamification of incentives and mechanism design in systems engineering

In this paper, gamification is examined as a possible training and education tool for internal and external organization communication. A review of gamification is conducted, with a focus on its use in teaching, as well as its relationship to various systems engineering research areas. Simple games related to Systems Engineering are introduced to demonstrate how mathematical principles associated with decision analysis can be incorporated. Finally, an outline for a game is proposed that incorporates the essence of the mathematically rigorous methods of mechanism design and value-driven design. Future work is discussed including a path towards human studies.
Abstract 1352: High-throughput matrix screening reveals synergistic chemotherapeutic combinations with blockade of CD47 to enhance cytotoxicity in breast cancer

CD47 is a widely expressed cell surface receptor that serves as a counter-receptor for SIRPα in recognition of self by the innate immune system. On the other hand CD47 also serves as a signaling receptor for the matricellular protein thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), regulating cell growth and survival. Clinical studies consistently show that increased expression of CD47 is an independent poor prognosis factor in several types of cancer, including breast cancer. Moreover elevated expression of CD47 is associated with development of resistance to chemotherapy by inhibiting cell death pathways. Therefore, agents targeting CD47 are attractive to overcome therapeutic resistance in breast cancer. Using a high-throughput assay in a 1536-well microplate format we screened a comprehensive set of approved and late stage development oncology drugs in combination with an anti-CD47 morpholino to find combinatorial strategies that are more cytotoxic against breast cancer cells. Potency and efficacy measurements during the primary screen identified compounds that synergized with anti-CD47 to augment their cytotoxicity effect. One of the compound groups that demonstrated increased synergism with CD47 were the anthracycline family of drugs. We further validated these results in a syngeneic model of breast cancer and demonstrated that blockade of CD47 in combination with doxorubicin improves chemotherapeutic response when compared to mice administered doxorubicin alone. Furthermore the anti-tumor response with anti-CD47 combination is associated with a reduction in glycolytic flux and a selective up regulation of mitophagy. Overall this indicates that blockade of CD47 in the clinic may synergize with chemotherapeutic strategies to improve patient curative responses. Citation Format: David D. Roberts, Ashley Smith, John M. Sipes, Adam Wilson, Lesley Mathews-Griner, Rajarshi Guha, Craig J. Thomas, Marc Ferrer, David R. Soto-Pantoja. High-throughput matrix screening reveals synergistic chemotherapeutic combinations with blockade of CD47 to enhance cytotoxicity in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1352.
The Shoulders of Giants: A Case for Non-veritism about Expert Authority

Among social epistemologists, having a certain proportion of reliably formed beliefs in a subject matter is widely regarded as a necessary condition for cognitive expertise. This condition is motivated by the idea that expert testimony puts subjects in a better position than non-expert testimony to obtain knowledge about a subject matter. I offer three arguments showing that veritism is an inadequate account of expert authority because the reliable access condition renders expertise incapable of performing its social role. I then develop an alternative explanation of expert authority that I call the epistemic facility account, arguing that having a certain type of competence in a subject matter or domain of subject matters is sufficient for explaining expert authority while avoiding the problems with veritistic accounts.
Polymorphisms in Cytokine Genes Are Associated With Higher Levels of Fatigue and Lower Levels of Energy in Women After Breast Cancer Surgery.

Abstract Context Little is known about the phenotypic and molecular characteristics associated with changes over time in fatigue and lack of energy in patients with breast cancer. Objectives The aim of this study was to identify subgroups (i.e., latent classes) of women with distinct fatigue and energy trajectories; evaluate for differences in phenotypic characteristics between the latent classes for fatigue and energy; and evaluate for associations between polymorphisms in genes for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, their receptors, and their transcriptional regulators and latent class membership. Methods Patients were enrolled before and followed for six months after breast cancer surgery. Latent class analyses were done to identify subgroups of patients with distinct fatigue and energy trajectories. Candidate gene analyses were done to identify cytokine genes associated with these two symptoms. Results For both fatigue and lack of energy, two distinct latent classes were identified. Phenotypic characteristics associated with the higher fatigue class were younger age, higher education, lower Karnofsky Performance Status score, higher comorbidity, higher number of lymph nodes removed, and receipt of chemotherapy (CTX). Polymorphisms in interleukin (IL) 1β and IL10 were associated with membership in the higher fatigue class. Phenotypic characteristics associated with the lower energy class included: a lower Karnofsky Performance Status score and a higher comorbidity score. A polymorphism in IL1R1 was associated with membership in the lower energy class. Conclusion Within each latent class, the severity of fatigue and decrements in energy were relatively stable over the first six months after breast cancer surgery. Distinct phenotypic characteristics and genetic polymorphisms were associated with membership in the higher fatigue and lower energy classes.
Impact of minor actinide recycling on sustainable fuel cycle options

Abstract The recent Evaluation and Screening study chartered by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, has identified four fuel cycle options as being the most promising. Among these four options, the two single-stage fuel cycles rely on a fast reactor and are differing in the fact that in one case only uranium and plutonium are recycled while in the other case minor actinides are also recycled. The two other fuel cycles are two-stage and rely on both fast and thermal reactors. They also differ in the fact that in one case only uranium and plutonium are recycled while in the other case minor actinides are also recycled. The current study assesses the impact of recycling minor actinides on the reactor core design, its performance characteristics, and the characteristics of the recycled material and waste material. The recycling of minor actinides is found not to affect the reactor core performance, as long as the same cycle length, core layout and specific power are being used. One notable difference is that the required transuranics (TRU) content is slightly increased when minor actinides are recycled. The mass flows are mostly unchanged given a same specific power and cycle length. Although the material mass flows and reactor performance characteristics are hardly affected by recycling minor actinides, some differences are observed in the waste characteristics between the two fuel cycles considered. The absence of minor actinides in the waste results in a different buildup of decay products, and in somewhat different behaviors depending on the characteristic and time frame considered. Recycling of minor actinides is found to result in a reduction of the waste characteristics ranging from 10% to 90%. These results are consistent with previous studies in this domain and depending on the time frame considered, packaging conditions, repository site, repository strategy, the differences observed in the waste characteristics could be beneficial and help improve the repository performance. On the other hand, recycling minor actinides also results in an increase of the recycled fuel characteristics and therefore of the charged fuel. The radioactivity is slightly increased while the decay heat and radiotoxicities are very significantly increased. Despite these differences, the characteristics of the fuel at time of discharge remain similar whether minor actinides are recycled or not, with the exception of the inhalation radiotoxicity which is significantly larger with minor actinide recycling. After some cooling the characteristics of the discharged fuel become larger when minor actinides are recycled, potentially affecting the reprocessing plant requirements. Recycling minor actinides has a negative impact on the characteristics of the fresh fuel and will make it more challenging to fabricate fuel containing minor actinides.
Does Foreign Direct Investment Promote Development

(2006). Does Foreign Direct Investment Promote Development? Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 1174-1176.
Encapsulation of non-hydrogen atoms by in,in-bis(triarylelement)-containing cyclophanes

Four unusual in,in -cyclophanes have been synthesized—the macrobicyclic in,in -bisphosphine 11 , its Ag(I) complex 12 , the in -hydroxysilane- in -phosphine 16 , and an inseparable mixture of 16 with the in -fluorosilane- in -phosphine 17 —and the in,in geometries have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. In complex 12 , the silver atom is encapsulated in a hydrophobic cavity, and it experiences strong spin-spin coupling to the phosphorus atoms. In the cyclophanes 16 and 17 an inwardly directed hydroxyl group or fluorine atom is pressed against the lone pair of the opposing, inwardly directed phosphine.
Using Video in Urban Elementary Professional Development to Support Digital Media Arts Integration

AbstractUsing ethnographic methods, this article looks closely at how a team of first-grade teachers and digital media artists in an urban elementary school used video in innovative ways during professional development over the course of one year. Extending a body of literature that primarily documents how video can be used as a tool in professional development to develop pedagogical knowledge and support reflective practice, this article documents how teachers in this partnership also consumed, connected through, and created videos to deepen digital media content knowledge and showcase their teaching and learning with a broader audience as part of a school-wide culture that attempted to create a “new ethos” (Lankshear & Knobel, 2007) of digital media arts mindsets.