cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resveratrol enhances mitomycin C-mediated suppression of human colorectal cancer cell proliferation by up-regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1.

BACKGROUND/AIM Studies have shown that natural products could potentially be employed in combination therapies to decrease toxicity to healthy tissues by chemotherapy drugs. No studies however, have investigated the potential modulatory role of resveratrol (RV) on mitomycin C (MMC)-mediated effects on colorectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of RV on MMC-mediated inhibition of colorectal cancer cell proliferation and to assess the potential mechanisms for such effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Primary cell lines generated from resected colorectal tumor specimens were treated with RV, MMC or RV+MMC and cell proliferation and gene expression analyses were performed. RESULTS Suppression of cell proliferation by RV+MMC was significantly greater than individual treatments. RV+MMC synergistically modulated several genes but the up-regulation of p21(WAF1/CIP1) was several-fold greater. CONCLUSION The up-regulation of p21(WAF1/CIP1), which inhibits the cell cycle at G0/G1 and G2/M phases, may represent the predominant mechanism for enhancement of MMC-mediated anti-cancer effects by resveratrol.
Perspectives on: conformational coupling in ion channels.

The purpose of the Perspectives in General Physiology is to provide a forum where scientific uncertainties or controversies, or important problems, are discussed in an authoritative, yet open manner. The Perspectives are solicited by the editors—often based on recommendations by members of the
Buffer overrun detection using linear programming and static analysis

This paper addresses the issue of identifying buffer overrun vulnerabilities by statically analyzing C source code. We demonstrate a light-weight analysis based on modeling C string manipulations as a linear program. We also present fast, scalable solvers based on linear programming, and demonstrate techniques to make the program analysis context sensitive. Based on these techniques, we built a prototype and used it to identify several vulnerabilities in popular security critical applications.
Simultaneous Detection of EGFP and Cell Surface Markers by Fluorescence Microscopy in Lymphoid Tissues

Enhanced GFP (EGFP) is a powerful tool for the visualization of tagged proteins and transfected cells and is easily detected by fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry in living cells. However, soluble EGFP molecules can be lost if cell integrity is disrupted by freezing, sectioning, or permeablization. Furthermore, the fluorescence of EGFP is dependent on its conformation. Therefore, fixation protocols that immobilize EGFP may also destroy its usefulness as a fluorescent reporter. Here we determined which methods of preparing murine lymphoid tissues immobilized soluble EGFP protein and retained its fluorescence while simultaneously maintaining the antigenicity of various immunologically important molecules and best preserving the overall morphology of the tissues. We found that EGFP could not be visualized in frozen sections of spleen that had not been fixed before freezing. However, robust EGFP fluorescence could be observed in frozen sections of tissues fixed under various conditions. Fixation was important to immobilize EGFP rather than to maintain conformation, because only minimal EGFP could be detected by immunofluorescence in unfixed frozen sections. Although it had little effect on EGFP fluorescence, the inclusion of sucrose during fixation better preserved the morphology of fixed tissues. These methods also preserved the antigenicity of a wide variety of molecules used to identify cell types in lymphoid tissues.
A comparative study of the simulated-annealing and Monte Carlo-with-minimization approaches to the minimum-energy structures of polypeptides: (Met)-enkephalin

A comparison of two methods for surmounting the multiple-minima problem, Simulated Annealing (SA) and Monte Carlo with Minimization (MCM), is presented with applications to [Met]-enkephalin in the absence and in the presence of water. SA explores a continuous space of internal variables, while MCM explores a discrete space consisting of the local energy minima on that space. Starting from random conformations chosen from the whole conformational space in both cases, it is found that, while SA converges to low-energy structures significantly faster than MCM, the former does not converge to a unique minimum whereas the latter does. Furthermore, the behavior of the RMS deviations with respect to the apparent global minimum (for enkephalin in the absence of water) shows no correlation with the observed overall energy decrease in the case of SA, whereas such a correlation is quite evident with MCM; this implies that, even though the potential energy decreases in the annealing process, the Monte Carlo SA trajectory does not proceed towards the global minimum. Possible reasons for these differences between the two methods are discussed. It is concluded that, while SA presents attractive prospects for possibly improving or refining given structures, it must be considered inferior to MCM, at least in problems where little or no structural information is available for the molecule of interest.
A comparative study of spatio-temporal hotspot analysis techniques in security informatics

Security informatics is an emerging field of study focusing on the development and evaluation of advanced information technologies and systems for national and homeland security-related applications. Spatio-temporal hotspot analysis is an important component of security informatics since location and time are two critical aspects of most security-related events. The outputs of such analyses can provide useful information to guide the activities aimed at preventing, detecting, and responding to security problems. This paper reports a computational study carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of two prominent spatio-temporal hotspot analysis techniques, i.e., scan statistics and risk-adjusted clustering, in two selected security-related applications including infectious disease informatics and crime analysis. This paper also proposes a new technique based on support vector machines. Preliminary experiments have demonstrated positively that this new approach can be a viable analysis alternative in security informatics.
Droplet drag in an accelerating and decelerating flow

An experimental study of the motion of small water droplets in both accelerating and decelerating conditions is presented. Droplets with diameters in the range 115-187μm were exposed to propagating N-waves having strengths smaller than 0.03. Droplet-displacement data were obtained by single-frame stroboscopic photography, at an equivalent framing rate of 4000 pictures per second. The data were fitted by means of best-fit polynomials in time, which were used to obtain drag coefficients in accelerating and decelerating flow conditions. In addition to providing drag data for impulsive-type motions, these data show that the unsteady drag follows two entirely distinct trends. In one, applicable to decelerating relative flows, the unsteady drag is always larger than the steady drag at the same Reynolds number. In the other, applicable to accelerating relative flows, the unsteady drag is always smaller than the corresponding steady value. These trends have not been previously known. They give some support to a mechanism recently proposed (see Temkin & Kim 1980) to explain departures of the drag coefficient for a sphere from its steady value; namely, the changes in size of the recirculating region behind the sphere, relative to its steady counterpart at the same Reynolds number.
In-situ study of CIGS dielectric function as a function of copper content

High efficiency CuIn 1-x Ga x Se 2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells are produced by two-stage or three-stage co-evaporation processes. Both of these methods involve a Cu-rich to Cu-poor transition. One way to control the Cu-rich to Cu-poor transition is the so-called end point detection (EPD), which monitors the change of emissivity of the film as it changes from Cu-rich to Cu-poor. This method, however, depends on the thermal response of the substrate and the location of the corresponding thermocouple, which can lead to delays in observing the phase transitions. Presented here is a novel, nondestructive way to detect the presence of such phase changes from Cu-rich to Cu-poor or vice-versa. In this study we have relied on the high sensitivity of real time spectroscopic ellipsometry (RTSE) to simultaneously measure multiple structural and electronic properties of the absorber layer by extracting dielectric functions throughout the deposition.
The American Isolates: The Little Races

In order to bring the study of bi- and tri-mixed racial groups in America and elsewhere into the general body of racial theory, it is suggested that such groups be considered “little races” From this point of view, considerations having to do with “racialization” and “de-racialization” may find a place in a larger frame of reference along with tribalization, detribalization, and processes leading to group differentiation generally. The little races are marginal groups, but not necessarily aggregations of marginal men. They are made aware of themselves as marginal groups as they become objects of scurrilous epithets thrown at them by larger neighboring racial groups. This leads to a search for a name of dignity, a name inherited from “pure” and honorable ancestors. A number of such origin myths are mentioned. Modern ecological, economic, political, and social changes threaten the future of the little races.
Phase II trial of uracil and tegafur plus oral leucovorin: an effective oral regimen in the treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

PURPOSETo determine the activity and evaluate the toxicity of uracil and tegafur in a 4:1 molar concentration (UFT; Taiho Pharmaceutical Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) plus oral calcium leucovorin in the treatment of patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma.PATIENTS AND METHODSForty-five patients with advanced, bidimensionally measurable metastatic colorectal carcinoma were enrolled onto the trial. None of the patients had received prior chemotherapy or biologic therapy for advanced disease. Patients received either 350 or 300 mg/m2/d UFT plus 150 mg/d leucovorin administered orally in divided daily doses every 8 hours for 28 days followed by a 7-day rest period. Response was evaluated after two courses of therapy.RESULTSEighteen patients (three treated at 350 mg/m2/d and 15 at 300 mg/m2/d) had partial responses, and one patient had a complete response (response rate, 42.2%; 95% confidence interval, 28% to 58%). Responses were observed in sites that included liver (n = 18), lung (n = 6), and bone (n = 1). Of seven...
Going After the Phrasal Verb: An Alternative Approach to Classification

This article critiques past approaches to identifying phrasal verbs and proposes an alternative approach. Instead of requiring verb + particle combinations to demonstrate specific features in order to be identified as phrasal verbs, the new approach calls for researchers and teachers to consider all verb + particle combinations to be potential phrasal verbs until they can be proven otherwise. This approach clarifies the process of classifying phrasal verbs and eliminates curriculum-based problems encountered by students.
Grid Interaction Operation of a Telecommunications Power System With a Novel Topology for Multiple-Input Buck-Boost Converter

Typically, telecom power systems are connected to the grid and diesel generator. This paper represents a new telecom power system using local microsources (fuel cell and microturbine). Some benefits of this system are effectively eliminating batteries, diesel generator, and automatic transfer switch. In this study, a new multiple input buck-boost converter is utilized as an interface between the microsources and the dc bus. The peak current-mode control is used to control the current of fuel cell while the voltage-mode control is used to regulate the output voltage. A model for the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM FC) and microturbine (MT) along with their subcomponents and internal controls are presented. Furthermore, the parallel operation of FC and MT by using the proposed multiple-input dc/dc converter is investigated. In addition, the dynamic response of the system to the dynamic behavior of the load is analyzed. Using an inverter, the common bus of the system also connected to the distribution network in order to supply the excess power to the grid. For grid interconnection, an LC filter, double-tuned filters, and a C-type high-pass filter are developed for eliminating high-frequency switching oscillations, selected harmonics, and high-order harmonics, respectively.
Automated, non-metallic measurement facility for testing and development of electromagnetic induction sensors for landmine detection

For development of electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors for landmine detection, a testing facility has been established for automated measurements of typical targets with both individual sensors and arrays of sensors. A sixdegree of freedom positioner has been built with five automated axes (three translational stages and two rotational stages) and one manual axis for target characterizations with no metal within the measurement volume. Translational stages utilize commercially-available linear positioner hardware. Rotational stages have been customized using nonmetallic components to position the targets within the measurement volume. EMI sensors are held fixed in one location while the positioner orients the targets and moves them along a prescribed path through the region surrounding the sensor. The automated movement is computer-controlled and data are acquired continuously. Data are presented from three-dimensional scans of targets at various orientations. Typical targets include shell casings, wire loops, ball bearings, and landmines.
Lipoprotein secretion and triglyceride stores in the heart.

The genes for apolipoprotein B and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein are expressed in mouse and human heart tissue. Why the heart would express these "lipoprotein assembly" genes has been unclear. Here we demonstrate that the beating mouse heart actually secretes spherical lipoproteins. Moreover, increased cardiac production of lipoproteins (e.g., in mice that express a human apolipoprotein B transgene) was associated with increased triglyceride secretion from the heart and decreased stores of triglycerides within the heart. Increased cardiac production of lipoproteins also reduced the pathological accumulation of triglycerides that occurs in the hearts of mice lacking long-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase. In contrast, blocking heart lipoprotein secretion (e.g., in heart-specific microsomal triglyceride transfer protein knockout mice) increased cardiac triglyceride stores. Thus, heart lipoprotein secretion helps regulate cardiac triglyceride stores and may protect the heart from the detrimental effects of surplus lipids.
Differential Treatment of Female Defendants Does Criminal History Moderate the Effect of Gender on Sentence Length in Federal Narcotics Cases

Past research indicates that men and women are treated differently at the sentencing phase, but the specifics of this relationship have not been fully explicated. The current study draws on the chi...
Hypertonic saline for treating raised intracranial pressure: literature review with meta-analysis

Object Currently, mannitol is the recommended first choice for a hyperosmolar agent for use in patients with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Some authors have argued that hypertonic saline (HTS) might be a more effective agent; however, there is no consensus as to appropriate indications for use, the best concentration, and the best method of delivery. To answer these questions better, the authors performed a review of the literature regarding the use of HTS for ICP reduction. Methods A PubMed search was performed to locate all papers pertaining to HTS use. This search was then narrowed to locate only those clinical studies relating to the use of HTS for ICP reduction. Results A total of 36 articles were selected for review. Ten were prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 1 was prospective and nonrandomized, 15 were prospective observational trials, and 10 were retrospective trials. The authors did not distinguish between retrospective observational studies and retrospective comparison tri...
SCD-Biochip: A Functional Assay for Red Cell Adhesion in Sickle Cell Disease

Vaso-occlusion, a hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD), is caused by abnormal adhesion of blood cells to the endothelium. Analyses of RBC-endothelial interactions are technically challenging, which has limited the widespread use of these evaluations clinically or as a research tool. Here, we present a microfluidic device (SCD-Biochip) that allows serial quantitative and qualitative examination of RBC adhesion and deformability to endothelium associated protein-immobilized microchannels (fibronectin, FN, and laminin, LN), in a closed preprocessing-free system (Fig. 1A). 15 µL of surplus blood, after clinical lab tests had been completed, was taken from subjects with HbSS (transfused, non-transfused, and with high or low levels of HbF), HbSC, HbSBeta-thalassemia and from control subjects (HbAA). Samples were injected, without processing, on to FN- and LN-immobilized microchannels. This was followed by wash steps at or above the physiological flow velocities of post-capillary venules (0-10 mm/s). Adhered RBCs were then quantified. We observed a statistically significant difference in RBC adherence per unit area to FN (Fig. 1B), after 0.8 mm/s flow velocity (low wash), amongst RBCs from subjects with HbSS (90±84.0, n=26), with compound heterozygous HbSC or Sβthalassemia (21±6.8, n=4), or with normal hemoglobin (HbAA, 4±3, n=10, Mann-Whitney , p Qualitatively, HbSS-containing RBCs showed decreased adherence to FN at increased flow rates; adhered RBCs decreased from 90±84 (n=25) at low flow wash to 69±52 (n=13) at 3.3 mm/s (intermediate flow) and 36±48.2 (n=11) at 41.7 mm/s (high flow). Analyses revealed deformable HbAA- and HbSS-containing RBCs, but only HbSS-containing samples also had a significant population of non-deformable RBCs. We analyzed single cell deformation and detachment in the presence of physiological fluid flow. Deformable HbAA- and HbSS-containing RBCs detached at relatively low flow rates (6.11±0.48 n=3, and 9.3±1.44 n=6, respectively), compared to non-deformable HbSS-containing RBCs (40±6.97 n=5). Deformable HbAA- or HbSS-containing RBCs displayed a single adhesion pivot point, compared to non-deformable HbSS-containing RBCs, which showed multiple adhesion sites. At highest flow (41.7mm/s), 75±17% (n=9) of adhered RBCs were non-deformable on FN. Of note, flow evaluations revealed two characteristic RBC profiles in HbSS subjects: either one in which adherent non-deformable cells predominated at all flow rates or one in which less adherent deformable cells comprised >50% of the RBC population. The SCD-Biochip evaluates, simply and with small blood sample volumes, complex biophysical properties of adhesion and deformability, which reflect clinical phenotypes, including hemoglobin composition. This adaptable technology may give important biophysical insights into disease pathophysiology when widely applied in SCD. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Retrospective Analysis on the ADR Reports of 2 424 Cases

Objective: To study the characteristics and regularities of adverse drug reaction (ADR) occurred in our hospital. Methods: 2 424 ADR cases collected from 2006 to 2007 in our hospital were analyzed statistically. Results: 2 424 ADR cases refered to 17 categories and 383 kinds of drugs. Of which anti-infective agents occupied the first place which had 728 cases (30.03%). Followed by antineoplastic agents which had 312 cases (12.87%) and blood system agents which had 224 cases (9.24%). 1 848 cases (76.24%) were given intravenously. 205 cases were severe, of which anti-infective agents occupied the first place (23 kinds), followed by antineoplastic agents (20 kinds). The clinical manifestations predominantly were hyperpyrexia, shivering, leukocytopenia and so on. ADRs occurred systemically and were characterized predominantly by alimentary system (810 cases), followed by skin lesion (587 cases). Conclusion: Clinic should attach great importance to the monitoring and reporting of ADRs to reduce or avoid the occurrence of ADRs.
Flow dynamics of peripheral venous catheters during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a centrifugal pump

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation uses peripherally placed cannulas and a streamlined circuit without a venous reservoir. This study tests the flow dynamics of venous catheters connected without a reservoir directly to a centrifugal pump. During in vitro testing, a 30 cm segment of collapsible tubing interposed between the reservoir and pump simulates the vein. In five sheep, flow was measured between catheters placed in the right atrium and inferior vena cava from peripheral sites. Catheter tip design (four types) does not affect flow within a simulated vein in vitro. Maximum pump flow is independent of filling pressures (6 to 21 mm Hg) in vitro and in vivo when the catheter tip is in a tank reservoir or the right atrium. However, when the catheter tip is within a collapsible segment or in the inferior vena cava, maximal flow is significantly influenced by filling pressure (6 to 18 mm Hg) and by the ratio of catheter outer diameter to venous diameter. At all filling pressures, maximal flow in vivo is significantly reduced when this ratio is greater than 0.5. During extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, central venous pressure and catheter/vein ratio, not catheter size alone, control flow through peripheral venous catheters.
Alpha 1b-adrenoceptor-mediated stimulation of Na-K pump current in adult rat ventricular myocytes

The purpose of this study was to determine if myocardial alpha 1a-and/or alpha 1b-adrenoceptors are involved in the increase in Na-K pump current (Ip) elicited by alpha 1-adrenergic agonists. Single rat ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzymatic disaggregation. The whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to examine dose-dependent effects of phenylephrine (PE) on holding current (Ih) and to determine whether observed actions were mediated via alpha 1a-or alpha 1b-adrenergic receptors. To minimize the contribution of transsar-colemmal currents other than Ip to Ih, membrane voltage was held constant -40 mV, and cells were maintained in a Ca-free perfusate containing 1 mM Ba and 0.1 mM Cd. All experiments were conducted in the presence of 3 microM nadolol. PE elicited dose-dependent increases in Ih, with a peak effect of 0.57 +/- 0.03 pA/pF observed at 30 microM. The response to PE was dose dependently inhibited by prazosin and chloroethylclonidine and was totally eliminated by 1 mM ouabain. When used at doses selective for the alpha 1a-subtype, WB4101 failed to significantly antagonize the action of PE. These data suggest that the observed alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated increase in Ih in isolated rat ventricular myocytes is the result of an increase in Ip effected via stimulation of alpha 1b-adrenergic receptors.
TQM as a Managerial Innovation: Research Issues and Implications

TQM is a managerial innovation that is likely to have profound consequences on the delivery of health services. As an innovation, it is important that attention be given to the fundamental research issues associated with implementation and impact. Using a variance and process perspective, selected research issues are identified within organizations and among work units within these organizations. The variance perspective at both the organizational and work unit level considers the explanation of impact and adoption at a particular point in time. The process perspective considers the particular steps or events in the overall adoption process. The managerial implications for each perspective are discussed.
Assessing the relative effects of emissions, climate means, and variability on large water supply systems

Some of the greatest societal risks of climate change rise from the potential impacts to water supply. Yet prescribing adaptation policies in the near term is made difficult by the uncertainty in climate projections at relevant spatial scales and the conflating effects of uncertainties in emissions, model error, and internal variability. In this work, a new framework is implemented to explore the vulnerability of reservoir systems in the northeastern U.S. to climate change and attribute vulnerabilities to changes in mean climate, natural variability or emission scenarios. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to explore the contributions of uncertainties to system performance. Diagnosing the relative risks to water supply will help water resource engineers better adapt to uncertain future conditions. The results indicate that uncertainty in water supply system performance can be attributed mostly to uncertainty in internal variability over policy-relevant planning horizons and thus adaptation efforts should focus on managing variability.
Perspective: Kohn-Sham density functional theory descending a staircase

This article presents a perspective on Kohn-Sham density functional theory (KS-DFT) for electronic structure calculations in chemical physics. This theory is in widespread use for applications to both molecules and solids. We pay special attention to several aspects where there are both concerns and progress toward solutions. These include: 1. The treatment of open-shell and inherently multiconfigurational systems (the latter are often called multireference systems and are variously classified as having strong correlation, near-degeneracy correlation, or high static correlation; KS-DFT must treat these systems with broken-symmetry determinants). 2. The treatment of noncovalent interactions. 3. The choice between developing new functionals by parametrization, by theoretical constraints, or by a combination. 4. The ingredients of the exchange-correlation functionals used by KS-DFT, including spin densities, the magnitudes of their gradients, spin-specific kinetic energy densities, nonlocal exchange (Hartree-Fock exchange), nonlocal correlation, and subshell-dependent corrections (DFT+U). 5. The quest for a universal functional, where we summarize some of the success of the latest Minnesota functionals, namely MN15-L and MN15, which were obtained by optimization against diverse databases. 6. Time-dependent density functional theory, which is an extension of DFT to treat time-dependent problems and excited states. The review is a snapshot of a rapidly moving field, and—like Marcel Duchamp—we hope to convey progress in a stimulating way.
Neuromodulation with subthreshold electrical stimulation: Mechanisms, safety, and seeking proof of effectiveness

Most of the information integration in the central nervous system involves subthreshold events that involve biochemical changes that result in electrical changes. This information through electrical modulation is integrated temporally and spatially to cause or alter the rate of nerve impulses (action potentials). The talk by Dr. Krauthamer will be in three parts. The first will outline some of the physiological mechanisms used by devices to modulate neural function with electrical stimulation from DC to kilohertz. The second will discuss some of the research on assessing safety. The third will discuss the quest to demonstrate efficacy.
Abstract 2326: Sox10 promotes both stem-like and EMT properties in mammary cells

Molecular pathways that guide cell proliferation and programming events during embryonic development may be aberrantly re-activated in the cancer state to drive tumor progression. To identify mechanisms that drive progression of aggressive breast cancers, we identified molecules that are present in the fetal mammary stem cells (fMaSCs) that drive early development of the mammary gland. These analyses revealed that Sox10 is one of the most highly expressed transcription factors within fMaSCs, and prompted us to investigate the function of Sox10 in the mammary gland and in subtypes of cancer originating from it. Our studies described here indicate that Sox10 is specifically expressed in mammary cells that exhibit higher levels of stem or progenitor cell functions using in vitro or in vivo assays. This includes fetal and adult mammary cells in vivo, as well as mammary cells cultured in vitro as organoids, and for the first time, male fetal mammary stem cells. Sox10 appears to contribute to these stem/progenitor behaviors, as the genetic deletion of Sox10 limits stem/progenitor activities, while the overexpression of Sox10 significantly expands clonogenic behavior. Intriguingly, ectopic Sox10 expression is also able to elicit an EMT-like response in mammary organoids. Sox10 thus represents a single molecule capable of directly mediating both stem-like and EMT-like properties in mammary cells. Furthermore, by modulating Sox10 levels in 3D mammary organoids, we are able to induce cells into sequential motile and stem/progenitor states. This provides a striking in vitro surrogate for metastatic behavior. Consistent with these findings, we find that Sox10 is highly expressed in basal-like and claudin-low subtypes of breast cancer, which are the most stem-like and EMT-like manifestations of the disease, respectively. Finally, we show that Sox10 expression is regulated through a feedback loop involving FGF signaling, and that inhibition of FGF signaling can block EMT-like cell behaviors mediated by Sox10. These findings have important implications in how stem-like and metastatic properties may be specified in mammary cells. Citation Format: Christopher Dravis, Geoffrey M. Wahl. Sox10 promotes both stem-like and EMT properties in mammary cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2326. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2326
Time-varying vs. time-invariant compensation for rejection of persistent bounded disturbances and robust stabilization

Summary form only given, as follows. Consideration is given to time-varying compensation for linear time-invariant discrete-time plants subject to persistent bounded disturbances. In the context of certain feedback objectives, it is shown that time-varying compensation offers no advantage over time-invariant compensation. These results complement similar results for feedback systems subject to finite-energy disturbances. It is shown that time-varying compensation does not improve the optimal rejection of persistent bounded disturbances. This result is obtained by exploiting a key observation that any time-varying compensator which yields a given degree of disturbance rejection must do so uniformly over time, thereby removing any advantage of time-variation. This key observation was used to show that time-varying compensation does not improve the optimal rejection of disturbances, regardless of the norm used to measure the disturbances. Thus, absolutely summable, finite-energy, or persistent bounded disturbances can be treated in the same manner. It is shown that time-varying compensation does not help in the bounded-input-bounded-output robust stabilization of time-invariant plants with unstructured uncertainty. It is thus also shown that the small-gain theorem is both necessary and sufficient for the bounded-input-bounded-output stability of certain linear time-varying plants subject to unstructured linear time-varying perturbations. >
Open Technique for Calcified Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

Patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy have pain at the bone-tendon interface, limited dorsiflexion, pain with active plantar flexion, pain with passive dorsiflexion, and prominence of the bone-tendon junction. Patients may also have retrocalcaneal bursitis, and in severe cases, the Achilles tendon proximal to the junction may have palpable thickening, warmth, and tenderness.
Relations of Liver Fat With Prevalent and Incident Atrial Fibrillation in the Framingham Heart Study.

BackgroundObesity is an important risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and atrial fibrillation (AF). Less is known about the relations between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and AF. W...
Evaluating Twitter and its impact on student learning in principles of economics courses

ABSTRACTEver since Becker and Watts (1996) found that economic educators rely heavily on “chalk and talk” as a primary teaching method, economic educators have been seeking new ways to engage students and improve learning outcomes. Recently, the use of social media as a pedagogical tool in economics has received increasing interest. The authors assess students across three different institutions to see if the use of Twitter improves learning outcomes relative to a traditional Learning Management System. Using an experimental design, they find no evidence that the use of Twitter improves students' learning.
A common pathogen in an uncommon site: coronary artery stent meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection

Introduction. Coronary artery stents are an uncommon site for infection. Only a handful of case reports describe this condition, and Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent pathogen. Although rare, coronary stent infections are associated with a high mortality rate. Case presentation. We describe the case of a 50-year-old man with a past medical history of seven prior meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections over the previous 12 months, who presented with fever and was found to have persistent MRSA bacteraemia. During his hospital course, he developed chest pain and underwent coronary angiography, which revealed a left circumflex coronary to left atrium fistula, presumably due to endarteritis/sent infection. He was treated with combination parenteral antibiotics that were succeeded by oral suppressive therapy. Six months after his diagnosis of coronary stent infection, he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Conclusion. Coronary artery stents are an infrequent source of infection; when they occur, they are typically due to S. aureus, have a high mortality and ideally are treated with surgical intervention.
Ruthenium(II) complexes of pyridinol and N-heterocyclic carbene derived pincers as robust catalysts for selective carbon dioxide reduction

A new pincer ligand with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and 4-pyridinol-derived rings supports ruthenium complexes for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The methoxy group on the pyridine ring offers unique catalysis advantages not seen with the unsubstituted analog. Our best catalyst offers selective CO formation, ∼250 turnover cycles, and a 40 h lifetime.
Work and play take school time away? The impact of extracurricular and work time on educational time for live-at-home college students

We use data from the 2003–2014 American Time Use Survey to estimate the effects of time allocated to work and extracurriculars on time spent in educational activities (class and homework) for live-...
Constitutive phosphorylation of Chk1 at serine 317 in a medulloblastoma cell line is sensitive to the inhibition of the phosphatidyalinositol-3-kinase-related kinase (PIKK) pathway

4254 Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children and accounts for approximately one fourth of all childhood brain tumors. The human checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) is a major effector of normal S-phase progression and is involved in G2/M-phase checkpoint signaling in response to genotoxic stress. Following DNA damage, Chk1 is phosphorylated in vivo at serine 317 and 345 by its upstream activator, ATR, which is a member of the phosphatidyalinositol-3-kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family that also includes DNA-PKcs and ATM. In the present study, we identified a constitutively phosphorylated form of Chk1 in D341 MED, a permanent cell line established in our laboratory from a cerebellar medulloblastoma. Immunoblotting studies with phospho-specific anti-Chk1 antibodies showed that Chk1 was phosphorylated at serine 317. Phosphorylation of Chk1 at serine 317 was nearly abolished by treatment of D341 MED with 3 mM caffeine, an inhibitor of PIKKs. However, treatment of D341 MED with 30 μM wortmannin, a concentration that has been shown to completely inhibit the activities of DNA-PKcs and ATM, produced only a slight reduction in phosphorylation of Chk1 at serine 317. Furthermore, treatment with the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor, 17-allylamino, 17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AAG), a derivative of a natural benzoquinone ansamycin antibiotic geldanamycin (GA) from Streptomyces geldanus, demonstrated a selective dose- and time-dependent reduction in the level of total Chk1 in D341 MED. In contrast, the level of the phosphorylated form of Chk1 remained basically unchanged, suggesting that the phosphorylated Chk1 was resistant to 17AAG-induced degradation. In summary, we have provided evidence of the novel finding of a constitutively phosphorylated form of human Chk1 that is sensitive to the inhibition of the PIKK pathway. Currently, we are targeting ATR with siRNA to determine its role in the constitutive phosphorylation of Chk1 in D341 MED and plan to investigate the functional implication of the phosphorylation of Chk1 at serine 317.
Medikamentöse Therapie der asymptomatischen Hyperurikämie

In letzter Zeit haufen sich die Zeichen fur einen Paradigmenwechsel in Bezug auf medikamentose Harnsauresenkung. Gerade bei Patienten mit arterieller Hypertonie, koronarer Herzerkrankung oder renaler Insuffizienz finden sich in Studien zunehmend Hinweise, dass eine medikamentose Intervention bei hohen Harnsaurespiegeln in Betracht gezogen werden sollte.
HIV with Dyslipidemia

A 58-year-old man who had been diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and had been on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for about a year presents to his primary care physician for his yearly follow-up. He currently denies any complaints and states he had been following up closely with his infectious disease doctor who has been monitoring his CD4 counts and viral load for every 3–4 months. His medical history includes type 2 diabetes mellitus and HIV [no acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)]. His ART regimen includes tenofovir/emtricitabine and lopinavir/ritonavir. He is also being treated with glyburide 20 mg daily for his diabetes.
Liquidity Risk During the Great Depression

This paper applies Tian's liquidity risk model to analysis the liquidity shocks to the banking industry during the Great Depression. The weekly change of banks' balance sheet shows banks' liquidity preference was changed significantly during 1920s. Call-loans, functioned as today's shadow banking system, created liquidity among banks and provided external resources forbanks to absorb the deposit shocks. It quickly replaced other liquid assets, such as government bonds and cash, as the safety bu er. Such change improved individual banks' efficiency and provided sufficient credit to support economy boom. However, individual banks did not see market limit. When all banks increased the weight of long term investments, the banking industryas whole held too less liquid assets to absorb the systematic shocks, and the call-loan market was overloaded after 1928. The banking industry as whole lost its safety cushion. The stock market crash in 1929 caused the bank panic in two ways: first, the wealth e ffect created extra deposit shocks to banks; more important, the disappear of the call-loan market ruined banks' abilityto absorb liquidity risk. Banks were forced to re-sale their illiquid assetssimultaneously, which led to bank panic.
Delay Discounting and Performance on the Prisoner’s Dilemma Game

The “cognitive revolution” has produced the “new science” of cognition. The new cognition has profoundly altered our conceptions of the human mind and has had a significant impact in applied areas such as classroom instruction and psychopathology. Corresponding to the rise in influence and dominance of the new cognition has been the demise of the dominance of behaviorism. Behaviorists, such as Skinner, have repeatedly and persistently criticized cognitive psychology for premature neurologizing and speculation about internal processes, for inventing inaccessible explanatory systems, and for being more metaphysical than scientific. With the development of the new connectionist models of the mind and the concept of parallel distributed processing, however, the new cognition seems increasingly able to respond to the criticisms of behaviorism. As such models mature and become more sophisticated, it can only be expected that their influence will increase further.
Some Experiences with Labeling Sugars by Tritium Gas Exposure

Our interest in the Wilzbach direct tritium-labeling procedure [1] was aroused by the possibilities it offered to obtain radioactive counterparts of sugars and sugar analogs for which chemical synthesis from C14-labeled precursors is either very difficult, prohibitively expensive, or both. With few exceptions, it seems, only naturally occurring hexoses are easily labeled with C14, inasmuch as biosynthetic methods may be used. In our older studies with animal tissue hexokinase [2], and in our more recent studies of various aspects of membrane transport of sugars in ascites tumor cells [3], kidney cortex slices [4] and intestinal epithelial cells [5, 6] we have found particularly useful a group of compounds which are analogs of D-glucose but which, unlike glucose, cannot be metabolized by animal tissues. It is this very property, metabolic inertness, so useful to us on the one hand, that is, on the other hand, an effective barrier to easy C14-labeling of these compounds.
Revision of polyethylene acetabular liners with a cemented polyethylene cup: a laboratory study.

Various technique parameters for the revision of failed polyethylene acetabular liners using a cemented polyethylene cup were evaluated in this laboratory study. The effects of cement mantle thickness and roughening the inner surface of the shell or outer surface of the cup were determined by measuring cup dissociation strength from the metal shell after cyclic loading of the cup. The use of a cement mantle thickness of 2 to 4 mm provided dissociation strengths 3 to 4 times greater than that of the original, press-fit polyethylene liner. If a failed acetabular liner is revised by a cemented cup within the existing, well-fixed, metal shell, the size of the cup selected should create a cement mantle of <4 mm. Roughening the inside of a smooth shell or one with few screw-holes increases fixation strength approximately 20% but also creates particulate debris.
Evaluation of advanced lung cancer inflammation as potential prognostic markers in patients with colorectal cancer.

e15142Background: The Advanced Lung cancer Inflammation (ALI) prognostic index evaluates the degree of systemic inflammation in cancer patients and has been validated in small cell lung and esophag...
The Role of ATP-dependent Chromatin Remodeling in the Control of Epidermal Differentiation and Skin Stem Cell Activity

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes are involved in chromatin remodeling thereby controlling gene expression. These multi-subunit containing complexes contain an ATPase of the SNF2 family that hydrolyzes ATP in order to modify or reshape histone-DNA interactions within nucleosomes. Several subfamilies of the SNF2 family have been identified in different species based on the status of their catalytic ATPase subunit. All of the SNF2 subfamily members, including SWI2/SNF2 (BRG1/BRM), ISWI and CHD/Mi-2β, play critical roles in the maintenance of epidermal homeostasis. The BRG1 chromatin remodeler is required for maintenance of bulge stem cells, hair cycling, normal skin homeostasis, and repair and regeneration processes. ACTL6a (actin-like 6a) modulates the SWI/SNF complex to suppress differentiation in the epidermis. Realignment of the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) locus, which occurs before activation of EDC genes that drive keratinocyte terminal differentiation, is coordinated by p63 by directly regulating the expression of BRG1. The combined effects of p63 and BRG1 control higher order chromatin remodeling, 3D-genomic organization and efficient expression of EDC genes in epidermal precursor cells during epidermal morphogenesis. BRG1 also suppresses p27kip1, allowing self-renewal of hair follicle bulge cells, and recruits the transcription factor NF-kB, which in turn activates Shh in matrix cells, promoting proliferation. Finally, Shh signaling through Gli activates BRG1 in bulge cells. Hence, BRG1 is necessary for Shh expression in both matrix and bulge compartments, and for hair regeneration and skin repair post-wounding. Mice with deletion of Mi-2β of the SNF2 family in the epidermis die perinatally and display severalphenotypes that differ between dorsal and ventral skin, suggesting spatio-temporal control of gene expression by Mi-2β in the epidermis. Mi-2β is also important for hair follicle morphogenesis and is necessary to reprogram epidermal basal cells to a hair follicle fate. Non-melanoma skin cancers in humans display mutations in the Brm gene following ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and BRM normally protects epidermal cells from UV irradiation-induced hyper-proliferation, even in the presence of a partial loss of p53, thereby establishing its role as a tumor suppressor.
Emergency Department and Primary Care Use in Massachusetts 5 Years After Health Reform

Objective Conceptually, access to primary care (through insurance) should reduce emergency department (ED) visits for primary care sensitive (PCS) conditions. We sought to identify characteristics of insured Massachusetts residents associated with PCS ED use, and compare such use for public versus private insurees. Population and setting People under age 65 in the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Data, 2011-2012. Study design Retrospective, observational analysis of PCS ED use with nonurgent, urgent/primary care treatable, and urgent/potentially avoidable visits being considered PCS. We predicted utilization in 2012 using multivariable regression models and data available in 2011 administrative records. Principal findings Among 2,269,475 nonelderly Massachusetts residents, 40% had public insurance. Among public insurees, PCS ED use was higher than for private (mean, 36.5 vs. 9.0 per 100 persons; adjusted risk ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence limits, 2.49-2.56), while having any primary care visit was less common (70% vs. 83%), as was having any visit to one's own (attributed) primary care provider (38% vs. 44%). Conclusions Public insurance was associated with less access to primary care and more PCS ED use; statewide labor shortages and low reimbursement rates from public insurance may have provided inadequate access to care that might otherwise have helped reduce PCS ED use.
Appreciative inquiry - lessons learned from virtual teams

Technology continues to expand research opportunities and access to information previously constrained by resource limitations. Without effectively utilising technology, researchers and practitioners could be limiting their potential to impact positive change. This paper describes some learnings from a review of the current literature regarding the use of technology in appreciative inquiry (AI), as well as learnings from other fields in which technology has been used to bring people together in a virtual environment, and how technology can be applied to improve the richness of data to effectively impact change. This paper then describes some recommendations for AI researchers and practitioners, and identifies some additional areas for continued research in virtual AI studies.