cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tailored Polyurea-Glass Interfaces and the Characterization by the Single-Fiber Fragmentation

Polyurea is an elastomer that has been intensively researched due to its excellent thermal and mechanical properties. Polyurea based composite material has recently become a research interest to further explore what this polymer has to offer. In order to better understand the overall static or dynamic mechanical properties of the polyurea based composites, how to tailor and characterize the polyurea-filler interface has become a crucial problem. This study focuses on one of the filler materials, glass. Three types of polyurea-glass interfaces are studied by using silane reagents that have similar molecular structures but with different end functional groups to modify the glass surfaces. Accordingly, bonds with different strengths are formed between the glass and the polyurea through the different chemical character of the reagent molecules. The polyurea-glass interfacial properties are tested by the single-fiber fragmentation, which is a widely used method to test the shear properties of the interface between the fiber and the polymer. Single-fiber fragmentation samples are fabricated by casting a single glass fiber along the axial direction of the dogbone-shaped polyurea tension test sample. Tension tests are conducted and the continuous photoelastic videos are taken to observe the single fiber fragmentation process until the fragmentation reaches its saturation state. Meanwhile, stress-strain data are recorded. By analyzing the single-fiber fragmentation data, the polyurea-glass interfacial shear strengths are calculated. The observation of the debonding zones at the interface is used to find the approximate models for the interfacial shear adhesion of polyurea-glass interfaces for different reagents, hence proving the potential for tailoring of the interfacial strength using surface treatment.© 2013 ASME
Performance of Large Breed-and-Burn Core

A sodium-cooled fast reactor breed-and-burn (B&B) core and fuel cycle concept are proposed to achieve uranium utilization in the vicinity of 50% without separation of most of the fission products f...
Instanton-dyon ensembles with quarks with modified boundary conditions

We modify the quark periodicity condition on the thermal circle by the introduction of some phases---known also as ``flavor holonomies''--- different quark flavors. These phases provide a valuable tool, to be used for better understanding of deconfinement and chiral restoration phase transitions: by changing them, one can dramatically modify both phase transitions. In the language of instanton constituents---instanton-dyons or monopoles---changing the quark periodicity condition has a very direct explanation: the interplay of flavor and color holonomies can switch topological zero modes between various dyon types. The model we will study in detail, the so-called ${Z}_{{N}_{c}}$-symmetric QCD model with equal number of colors and flavors ${N}_{c}={N}_{f}=2$ and special arrangement of flavor and color holonomies, ensures the ``most democratic'' setting, in which each quark flavor and each dyon type are in one-to-one correspondence. The usual QCD has the opposite ``most exclusive'' arrangement: all quarks are antiperiodic and, thus, all zero modes fall on only one---twisted or $L$---dyon type. As we show by ensemble simulation, deconfinement and chiral restoration phase transitions in these two models are dramatically different. In the usual QCD, both are smooth crossovers: but in the case of the ${Z}_{2}$-symmetric model, deconfinement becomes a strong first-order transition, while chiral symmetry remains broken for all dyon densities studied. These results are in good correspondence with those from recent lattice simulations.
Evaluating the neurotherapeutic potential of a water-soluble progesterone analog after traumatic brain injury in rats.

Abstract The poor aqueous solubility of progesterone (PROG) limits its potential use as a therapeutic agent. We designed and tested EIDD-1723, a novel water-soluble analog of PROG with >100-fold higher solubility than that of native PROG, as candidate for development as a field-ready treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI). The pharmacokinetic effects of EIDD-1723 on morphological and functional outcomes in rats with bilateral cortical impact injury were evaluated. Following TBI, 10-mg/kg doses of EIDD-1723 or PROG were given intramuscularly (i.m.) at 1, 6 and 24 h post-injury, then daily for the next 6 days, with tapering of the last 2 treatments. Rats were tested pre-injury to establish baseline performance on grip strength and sensory neglect, and then retested at 4, 9 and 21 days post-TBI. Spatial learning was evaluated from days 11–17 post-TBI. At 22 days post-injury, rats were perfused and brains extracted and processed for lesion size. For the edema assay the animals were killed and brains removed at 24 h post-injury. EIDD-1723 significantly reduced cerebral edema and improved recovery from motor, sensory and spatial learning deficits as well as, or better than, native PROG. Pharmacokinetic investigation after a single i.m. injection in rats revealed that EIDD-1723 was rapidly converted to the active metabolite EIDD-036, demonstrating first-order elimination kinetics and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Our results suggest that EIDD-1723 represents a substantial advantage over current PROG formulations because it overcomes storage, formulation and delivery limitations of PROG and can thereby reduce the time between injury and treatment.
Comparative Structural and Computational Analysis Supports Eighteen Cellulose Synthases in the Plant Cellulose Synthesis Complex

A six-lobed membrane spanning cellulose synthesis complex (CSC) containing multiple cellulose synthase (CESA) glycosyltransferases mediates cellulose microfibril formation. The number of CESAs in the CSC has been debated for decades in light of changing estimates of the diameter of the smallest microfibril formed from the β-1,4 glucan chains synthesized by one CSC. We obtained more direct evidence through generating improved transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and image averages of the rosette-type CSC, revealing the frequent triangularity and average cross-sectional area in the plasma membrane of its individual lobes. Trimeric oligomers of two alternative CESA computational models corresponded well with individual lobe geometry. A six-fold assembly of the trimeric computational oligomer had the lowest potential energy per monomer and was consistent with rosette CSC morphology. Negative stain TEM and image averaging showed the triangularity of a recombinant CESA cytosolic domain, consistent with previous modeling of its trimeric nature from small angle scattering (SAXS) data. Six trimeric SAXS models nearly filled the space below an average FF-TEM image of the rosette CSC. In summary, the multifaceted data support a rosette CSC with 18 CESAs that mediates the synthesis of a fundamental microfibril composed of 18 glucan chains.
Using locally produced millet as a feed ingredient for poultry production in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Using locally produced feedstuffs for poultry production in developing countries can greatly lower production costs. Pearl millet is a drought-resistant plant that produces a nutritious grain. Its cultivation in Mali spans thousands of years, but the suitability of the millet grain currently produced in Mali for poultry production is unknown. Therefore, the nutrient composition of 7 different, widely available varieties of pearl millet grown in Mali was assessed before completing experiments in which laying hens or broilers were fed diets containing 0, 14, 28, or 43% whole pearl millet. The 7 varieties of pearl millet grown in different regions of Mali all had protein concentrations that were better than corn and had apparent digestible amino acid coefficients similar to corn. The nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy values ranged from 3,395 to 3,738 Kcal/kg on an as-is basis. Egg production and egg weight did not differ between the hens fed the different levels of millet through out a 16-wk experiment. Broilers fed the highest level of pearl millet from 1 to 42 d of age gained less (3.088 versus 2.949 kg) body weight than those fed the control diet. However, body weight gains did not differ between the broilers fed the control diet and the diets containing 14 or 28% whole millet. The results indicate that Malian-grown pearl millet would be an effective feed ingredient for poultry production and that this small seed could be added in whole form into laying hen and broiler diets.
Assessment of Visually Handicapped Preschoolers

Education of preschool visually impaired children has quite a long history because it was one of the first special services to be provided at the preschool level. In spite of this, there is still not a battery of tests that is recognized as optimal that can be used to assess the children. Thus, assessment information must come from many individuals, with some material of greater use than others.
Three-dimensional ultrasound of the neonatal brain: technical approach and spectrum of disease

Brain pathology is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates, especially in the premature population. While conventional two-dimensional neurosonography is traditionally used for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of brain disorders such as germinal matrix hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia and hydrocephalus, three-dimensional ultrasonography has gained popularity in a variety of clinical applications in recent years. Three-dimensional ultrasonography is not yet widely utilized in pediatric imaging but is a potentially powerful tool for evaluating the neonatal brain. Three-dimensional neurosonography allows imaging of the entire brain in a single volumetric sweep and offers the capability of reconstructing images in the axial plane and performing volumetric analyses that are unavailable in conventional two-dimensional neurosonography. The purpose of this article is two-fold: (1) to present the technical aspects of three-dimensional neurosonography and (2) to illustrate the potential applications of three-dimensional neurosonography in the context of commonly encountered neonatal neuropathology.
Two Letters to Lady Welby

The two letters in this chapter are written by the US philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce. They form an essential part of Lady Welby’s own intellectual and philosophical development, and are of greatest importance for those who study semiotics and in Peircean philosophy in general, with its emphasis on meaning, significance and the categories of Firstness, Secondness and Thirdness. The letters are a great dialogue, and add powerful autobiographical lines to their profile.
Performance analysis of orthogonal coded M-ary QAM modulation technique

This paper presents a bandwidth efficient coded modulation scheme based on orthogonal M-ary QAM (OMQAM) modulation. Orthogonal M-ary QAM is a coded multi-quadrature amplitude modulation that utilizes a block of bi-orthogonal code to map a block of data. In this scheme, information data blocks are coded using a block of orthogonal codes which are then modulated by using M-ary QAM. At the receiver the demodulated data are decoded using code-correlation technique. The detailed designs, transmission bandwidths, and simulated error performances using additive white Gaussian noise channel are presented to elucidate the concept.
Assessing the Role of Preoperative Embolization in the Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

Background Preoperative embolization is established as an advantageous adjunct in multimodality treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). However, the benefit of preoperative embolization in AVMs with favorable surgical risk profile is debatable, because it has yet to be supported by evidence in comparative studies. In this study, we assessed outcome of surgically treated patients in a comparative setting. Methods Our institutional AVM database of retrospectively and prospectively collected data between 1990 and 2015 was reviewed. Patients with complete clinical data who underwent surgical resection for AVMs were included. We performed a 1:1 ratio propensity score match for baseline variables that differed between patients with or without preoperative embolization. Differences in surgical risk and outcomes were evaluated between these 2 groups. Results AVM size, eloquence, deep drainage, middle cerebral artery feeder, and ruptured presentation differed significantly between the 2 groups. Forty-eight patients without preoperative embolization were matched to 48 with embolization, with no significant differences in baseline variables or AVM characteristics between the 2 groups. We found no significant differences in AVM obliteration and postoperative modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score between embolized and nonembolized patients, respectively. Change in mRS score from preoperative score was also not significant, although more embolized patients had a decline in mRS score. Secondary outcome measures including duration of surgery ( P = 0.172), intraoperative bleeding ( P = 0.280), duration of hospitalization ( P = 0.368), and postoperative symptoms were also similar between both groups. Conclusions Our data do not support substantial benefit of preoperative embolization for patients with a favorable surgical risk profile. Because of risks and costs with this intervention, the prudent use of preoperative embolization should be individually considered.
Acute myocardial infarction in a city hospital. IV. Clinical-pathologic correlations.

Abstract 1. 1. A correlation of the clinical and pathologic features of sixty-four patients with acute myocardial infarction who came to autopsy in a city hospital during a one-year period is presented. 2. 2. The absence of cardiac hypertrophy in coronary artery disease without heart failure or hypertension is reaffirmed. 3. 3. The anterior wall was involved three times as often as the posterior wall, reflecting the poorer prognosis of patients with infarction of the anterior wall. 4. 4. Acute coronary thrombosis was observed forty-one times in thirty-seven patients, an incidence of 58 per cent. 5. 5. The acute thrombi were located principally in the anterior descending and right main coronary arteries and were associated with coronary sclerosis in all but one patient. 6. 6. Myocardial rupture was demonstrated in 4.7 per cent, despite administration of vitamin C but without anticoagulant therapy. The established clinical background of myocardial rupture was observed. 7. 7. Pulmonary thromboembolism was observed in 14 per cent, and was associated with (a) pulmonary infarction in only two of the nine patients, (b) the larger myocardial infarcts, and (c) a correct antemortem diagnosis in one patient. 8. 8. Encephalomalacia was noted in eleven of the fifteen patients whose brain was examined and was associated with cerebral thromboernbolism in two and with congestive heart failure and cerebral sclerosis in the others. 9. 9. The size of the infarct was small in 10 per cent, medium in 29 per cent and large in 61 per cent, and had positive correlation with the occurrence of pain in the chest. 10. 10. Mural thrombosis occurred twenty-five times in twenty-one patients, was predominantly left ventricular and was associated with large myocardial infarcts. Only a minority of these patients received anticoagulation therapy. 11. 11. Death was sudden in 60 per cent, being due to ventricular arrhythmia, myocardial rupture or pulmonary thromboembolism, and non-sudden in 40 per cent, being explained principally by shock and congestive heart failure. 12. 12. Electrocardiographic diagnosis of the acuteness of infarction was correct in 72 per cent, but in no case was a tracing completely normal. 13. 13. Accuracy of the clinical localization of the individual infarct was 71 per cent.
Using Multi-component Consultation to Increase the Integrity with Which Teachers Implement Behavioral Classroom Interventions: A Pilot Study

The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-component consultation package in improving teachers’ classroom management skills, particularly among teachers with lower baseline levels of knowledge, skills, and intervention-supportive beliefs. Participants were 58 elementary school teachers (93% female; 50% non-Hispanic White) who received up to eight biweekly consultation sessions focused on general classroom management strategies and implementation of a daily report card intervention with one target student with or at risk of ADHD. Teachers were randomly assigned to either a comparison consultation condition designed to mirror current best practices (Frank & Kratochwill, in: Erchul, Sheridan (eds) Handbook of research in school consultation, Routledge, New York, 2014; Noell & Gansle, in: Erchul, Sheridan (eds) Handbook of research in school consultation, Routledge, New York, 2014) or a multi-component condition designed to simultaneously address teacher knowledge, skills, and beliefs as possible barriers to implementation of classroom interventions. Teachers in both conditions showed significant improvements in labeled praise, appropriate response to student rule violations, and general competence in classroom management. In support of the hypotheses, teachers with lower baseline levels of knowledge, skills, and intervention-supportive beliefs demonstrated more improvement in key outcomes in response to multi-component consultation, as compared to the comparison consultation (Cohen’s d ranged from 0.33 to 1.12). Implications for research and practice in school consultation are discussed.
Forecasting the (Un)Productivity of the 2014 M 6.0 South Napa Aftershock Sequence

ABSTRACT The 24 August 2014 M w 6.0 South Napa mainshock produced fewer aftershocks than expected for a California earthquake of its magnitude. In the first 4.5 days, only 59 M ≥1.8 aftershocks occurred, the largest of which was an M 3.9 that happened a little over two days after the mainshock. We investigate the aftershock productivity of the South Napa sequence and compare it with other M ≥5.5 California strike‐slip mainshock–aftershock sequences. While the productivity of the South Napa sequence is among the lowest, northern California mainshocks generally have fewer aftershocks than mainshocks further south, although the productivities vary widely in both regions. An epidemic‐type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model (Ogata, 1988) fit to Napa seismicity from 1980 to 23 August 2014 fits the sequence well and suggests that low‐productivity sequences are typical of this area. Utilizing regional variations in productivity could improve operational earthquake forecasting (OEF) by improving the model used immediately after the mainshock. We show this by comparing the daily rate of M ≥2 aftershocks to forecasts made with the generic California model (Reasenberg and Jones, 1989; hereafter, RJ89), RJ89 models with productivity updated daily, a generic California ETAS model, an ETAS model based on premainshock seismicity, and ETAS models updated daily following the mainshock. RJ89 models for which only the productivity is updated provide better forecasts than the generic RJ89 California model, and the Napa‐specific ETAS models forecast the aftershock rates more accurately than either generic model. Therefore, forecasts that use localized initial parameters and that rapidly update the productivity may be better for OEF than using a generic model and/or updating all parameters.
Abstract 018: Rat Ckit+ Cardiac Progenitor Cells Release Pro-survival Micrornas In Exosomes Following Hypoxic Stimulation.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among developed nations, and acute myocardial infarction is the major subgroup. The need exists for cardiac therapeutic systems that mitigate tissue damage and induce regeneration within and around the infarcted region. Cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) and other stem cell types have been attractive candidates for therapies. However, results suggest that regenerative or protective effects may occur through paracrine mechanisms. One such way may be through cell-cell transfer of microRNA (miR) via cell-secreted exosomes, which contain protein, mRNA, and miR. Cell-based therapies face substantial limitations, and therapies avoid these limitations and mimic paracrine efforts—such as delivery of harvested exosomes—have yet to be developed due in part to lack of characterization. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that in response to hypoxic conditions, CPCs secrete a pro-regenerative miRnome within exosomes. Methods: We used an Affymetrix MicroRNA GeneChip microarray to identify the miR populations that were present in CPC-conditioned media after hypoxic and normoxic treatments. Exosomes were isolated via ultracentrifugation (100,000xG) and validated by anti-CD9 immunohistochemistry and dynamic light scattering. We used RT-qPCR to quantify levels of miR upregulation in secreted exosomes. Results: We found seven miRs upregulated (1.3- to 7.9-fold) due to hypoxia stimulation. Within that miRnome, two miRs ([[Unable to Display Character: ‐]]20a, [[Unable to Display Character: ‐]]210) are known to exert cardioprotection in infarct models, providing evidence of a potential beneficial paracrine effect from CPCs. Four of the remaining miRs (-15b, -17, -103, -199a) have been shown to regulate angiogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, and fibrosis in various cell and tissue types. One miR ([[Unable to Display Character: ‐]]292) has been largely unexplored, but predicted mRNA targets include CTGF, which is involved in cell adhesion and fibrosis. Conclusions: The strong evidence of anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic potential of this miRnome indicates that the cocktail may serve as a powerful modulator of cardiac remodeling. Future work will investigate applying miR-containing exosomes from hypoxia-stimulated CPCs as a therapy to rescue the infarcted heart.
Military Service, Childhood Socio-Economic Status, and Late-Life Lung Function: Korean War Era Military Service Associated with Smaller Disparities.

BACKGROUND Military service is associated with smoking initiation, but U.S. veterans are also eligible for special social, financial, and healthcare benefits, which are associated with smoking cessation. A key public health question is how these offsetting pathways affect health disparities; we assessed the net effects of military service on later life pulmonary function among Korean War era veterans by childhood socio-economic status (cSES). METHODS Data came from U.S.-born male Korean War era veteran (service: 1950-1954) and non-veteran participants in the observational U.S. Health and Retirement Study who were alive in 2010 (average age = 78). Veterans (N = 203) and non-veterans (N = 195) were exactly matched using coarsened exact matching on birth year, race, coarsened height, birthplace, childhood health, and parental and childhood smoking. Results were evaluated by cSES (defined as maternal education <8 yr/unknown or ≥8 yr), in predicting lung function, as assessed by peak expiratory flow (PEF), measured in 2008 or 2010. FINDINGS While there was little overall association between veterans and PEF [β = 12.8 L/min; 95% confidence interval (CI): (-12.1, 37.7); p = 0.314; average non-veteran PEF = 379 L/min], low-cSES veterans had higher PEF than similar non-veterans [β = 81.9 L/min; 95% CI: (25.2, 138.5); p = 0.005], resulting in smaller socio-economic disparities among veterans compared to non-veterans [difference in disparities: β = -85.0 L/min; 95% CI: (-147.9, -22.2); p = 0.008]. DISCUSSION Korean War era military service appears to disproportionately benefit low-cSES veteran lung functioning, resulting in smaller socio-economic disparities among veterans compared with non-veterans.
Sub-Laplacians and hypoelliptic operators on totally geodesic Riemannian foliations

These notes are the basis of a course given at the Institut Henri Poincare in September 2014. We survey some recent results related to the geometric analysis of hypoelliptic diffusion operators on totally geodesic Riemannian foliations. We also give new applications to the study of hypocoercive estimates for Kolmogorov type operators.
Response Rates and Survival in Primary Systemic Amyloidosis

There were 153 patients with biopsy-proven primary systemic amyloidosis (AL) evaluated for their response to alkylating agent based chemotherapy. There were 27 patients (18 percent) who responded. The serum creatinine had an adverse effect on response rate (p = 0.05). In patients with nephrotic syndrome, a normal serum creatinine value, and no echocardiographic evidence of cardiac amyloidosis, the response rate was 39 percent (12 of 31). 0f 34 patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy, 5 responded. Two of these five are alive ten years after diagnosis. None of the 18 patients with amyloid peripheral neuropathy showed regression of disease. The median survival of the 27 patients was 89.4 months and 21 of 27 survived five years (78 percent). Eight patients remain alive with a minimum follow-up of 90 months. In the group of 126 patients who showed no response to therapy, the median survival was 14.7 months and 9 (7 percent) survived >5 years. All 126 patients have died. Alkylating agent based chemotherapy for AL is beneficial in a subset of patients.
Sparse Bayesian Learning for DOA Estimation Using Co-Prime and Nested Arrays

Sparse Bayesian learning (SBL) has been used to obtain source direction-of-arrivals (DoAs) from uniform linear array (ULA) data. The maximum number of sources that can be resolved using a ULA is limited by the number of sensors in the array. It is known that sparse linear arrays such as co-prime and nested arrays can resolve more sources than the number of sensors. In this paper we demonstrate this using SBL. We compute the mean squared error in source power estimation as various parameters are varied.
Nanosecond transient absorption studies of the pH-dependent hydrated electron quenching by HSO3−

The large standard reduction potential of an aqueous solvated electron (eaq−, E° = −2.9 V) makes it an attractive candidate for reductive treatment of wastewater contaminants. Using transient absorption spectroscopy, the nanosecond to microsecond dynamics of eaq− generated from 10 mM solutions of Na2SO3 at pH 4 to 11 in H2O and D2O are characterized, resulting in the determination that between pH 4 and 9 it is the HSO3–, and not H+ as previously postulated by others, that effectively quenches eaq−. The observed bimolecular quenching rate constant (k = 1.2 × 108 M−1 s−1) for eaq− deactivation by HSO3− is found to be consistent with a Bronsted acid catalysis mechanism resulting in formation of H˙ and SO32–. A large solvent isotope effect is observed from the lifetimes of the eaq− in H2O compared to D2O (kH2O/kD2O = 4.4). In addition, the bimolecular rate constant for eaq− deactivation by DSO3− (k = 2.7 × 107 M−1 s−1) is found to be an order of magnitude lower than by HSO3−. These results highlight the role of acids, such as HSO3–, in competition with organic contaminant targets for eaq− and, by extension, that knowledge of the pKa of eaq− sources can be a predictive measure of the effective pH range for the treatment of wastewater contaminants.
Acupuncture prevents the postpartum reduction in matrix metalloproteinase type-2 immunoexpression, tissue concentration and enzyme activity in bovine caruncles.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of acupuncture in dairy cows (Bos taurus) on caruncular matrix metalloproteinase type-2 (MMP2) at 0, 2 and 4 hr after calving. Acupuncture (n = 6) was applied at 0 and 2 hr after calving to 6 points that relax the cervix and stimulate uterine contractions. Controls (n = 9) were kept in a stanchion for 15 min without acupuncture. All of the cows in the study delivered their placenta in <4 hr. Formalin-fixed caruncles were paraffin-embedded and subjected to routine immunohistochemistry to determine MMP2 expression, which was scored by a single observer. Flash frozen caruncles were homogenized, and protein concentration was determined. MMP2 concentrations were calculated using commercial bovine ELISAs. MMP2 enzyme activity was determined using zymography. The mean value for each time point for each cow was used to calculate the mean ± SEM for each treatment group. MMP2 was predominantly localized to the epithelial and subepithelial stromal cells of the caruncles in both treatment groups. MMP2 immunoexpression was lower 4 hr after calving in the control cows (p = 0.012) but not in the acupuncture treated cows indicating that acupuncture treatment maintained MMP expression. MMP2 tissue concentration was lower 2 hr after calving in the control cows (p = 0.048) but not in the acupuncture treated cows. MMP2 enzyme activity decreased from 0 to 2 hr after calving in control cows (p = 0.046) but not in acupuncture treated cows. This study provides physiologic evidence for the effects of acupuncture on the bovine reproductive tract and substantiates the use of this treatment in cases of placental retention.
Transforming Mission Theology

Charles Van Engen’s book Transforming Mission Theology is reviewed, highlighting the integration of biblical, theological, contextual, and personal domains in the development of mission theology. T...
Abstract 4052: Cytokines and chemokines production after radiosphere treatment for uveal melanoma patients with hepatic metastases

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Despite successful treatments for primary UM, up to 50% of patients subsequently develop systemic metastasis, often in the liver. Treatment options are limited after development of hepatic metastasis, and the median survival of patients is reported to be 6 to 12 months. Immune-checkpoint blockades have not proved effective in the management of metastatic UM. We have conducted a phase 2 clinical trial using 90Y resin microspheres (radiosphere) (SIR-Spheres, Sirtex Medical) for uveal melanoma patients with liver-dominant metastasis [NCT NCT01473004]. In this clinical trial, patients with liver dominant metastasis were enrolled to arm A (n=24): no previously liver-direct treatment, and arm B (n=23): second line treatment after failing immunoembolization (IE). Blood samples were collected and processed before therapy (baseline), 1 hour after completion of therapy, at 1 month, and 3 months after therapy. Serum levels of cytokines and chemokines were analyzed by Bead-based Multiplex assay using the Luminex technology (MilliporeSigma). All of the samples were tested using a panel of 11 cytokines: interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1, CXCL9, HMGB-1, and HGF by Luminex FLEXMAP 3D. IL-8 levels were increased at 1 and 3 months after radiosphere (RE) treatment in both arms compared to baseline (paired T-test, P Citation Format: Mizue Terai, Emma Link, Carin F. Gonsalves, David J. Eschelman, Rober D. Adamo, Meggie Danielson, Marlana M. Orloff, Takami Sato. Cytokines and chemokines production after radiosphere treatment for uveal melanoma patients with hepatic metastases [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4052.
The Role of Social Support in HIV Testing and PrEP Awareness among Young Black Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men or Transgender Women

Young black men and transgender women (transwomen) who have sex with men or transwomen are most vulnerable in terms of risk for HIV infection, also reflected in their extremely high incidence rates. As testing rates and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake remain suboptimal among these groups, primarily due to unique structural barriers, the present analyses draw on data from an online survey, administered October 2014 to August 2015, to explore social support-related predictors of knowledge and behavior around HIV prevention.Participants were 169 biological men who identified as black, with a mean age of 24 (SD = 2.97, range 17-29); 8% identified as transwomen. Logistic regression models assessed whether HIV-related social support predicted HIV testing patterns, PrEP awareness, and use. Those with higher HIV-related social support reported having been more likely to have ever tested (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.48; p < 0.001) and tested in the past 6 months (aOR = 1.22; p < 0.01). They were also more likely to intend to test in the next 6 months (aOR = 1.16; p < 0.001), including at a medical office or community-based organization (aOR = 1.20; p < 0.001), yet less likely to intend to self-test (aOR = 0.81; p < 0.001). Lastly, higher social support was significantly associated with prior knowledge of self-testing (aOR = 1.19; p < 0.05), couples testing (aOR = 1.26; p < 0.001), and PrEP (aOR = 1.22; p < 0.01), as well as prevention self-efficacy (aOR = 1.30; p < 0.001), but inversely associated with prior self-testing (aOR = 0.80; p < 0.05). For young black men and transwomen who have sex with men or transwomen, HIV-related social support, which likely has a strong peer component, appears to be a facilitator of optimal testing and intentions to test, as well as awareness of novel prevention strategies (like self-testing or PrEP). However, community resourcefulness needs to be bolstered by other mechanisms, such as changes within healthcare settings, to increase actual use of novel prevention modalities.
Friends or foes? The knowns and unknowns of natural killer cell biology in COVID-19 and other coronaviruses in July 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 575,000 deaths worldwide as of mid-July 2020 and still continues globally unabated. Immune dysfunction and cytokine storm complicate the disease, which in turn leads to the question of whether stimulation or suppression of the immune system would curb the disease. Given the varied antiviral and regulatory functions of natural killer (NK) cells, they could be potent and powerful immune allies in this global fight against COVID-19. Unfortunately, there is somewhat limited knowledge of the role of NK cells in SARS-CoV-2 infections and even in the related SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV infections. Several NK cell therapeutic options already exist in the treatment of tumor and other viral diseases and could be repurposed against COVID-19. In this review, we describe the current understanding and potential roles of NK cells and other Fc receptor (FcR) effector cells in SARS-CoV-2 infection, advantages of using animals to model COVID-19, and NK cell–based therapeutics that are being investigated for COVID-19 therapy.
Congenital hepatic hemangioma presenting with neonatal intestinal obstruction: A case report

Background: Congenital hepatic hemangioma usually presents with abdominal distension. Rarely it may cause intestinal obstruction. We present a case of congenital hepatic hemangioma causing neonatal intestinal obstruction. Case Presentation: A 4-day-old neonate presented with clinical and radiological features of neonatal intestinal obstruction. On exploration, a loop of jejunum was found adherent with a hepatic mass, arising from the left lobe of the liver. The hepatic mass profusely bled in an attempt of removing the adherent jejunal loop. Thus, the adherent portion was isolated and jejunojejunal end to end anastomosis was done. The hepatic mass along with an adherent small piece of jejunum was also excised. Histopathology showed hepatic hemangioma. The patient is doing fine on the 10-month follow-up. Conclusion: We report a rare presentation of congenital hepatic hemangioma with neonatal intestinal obstruction. Although the optimum therapy for hepatic hemangioma is medical management, at times, surgical resection becomes a necessary option.
Growth mindset and academic outcomes: a comparison of US and Chinese students.

Chinese students are more likely than US students to hold a malleable view of success in school, yet are more likely to hold fixed mindsets about intelligence. We demonstrate that this apparently contradictory pattern of cross-cultural differences holds true across multiple samples and is related to how students conceptualize intelligence and its relationship with academic achievement. Study 1 (N > 15,000) confirmed that US students endorsed more growth mindsets than Chinese students. Importantly, US students’ mathematics grades were positively related to growth mindsets with a medium-to-large effect, but for Chinese students, this association was slightly negative. Study 2 conceptually replicated Study 1 findings with US and Chinese college samples, and further discovered that cross-cultural differences in intelligence mindset beliefs corresponded to how students defined intelligence. Together, these studies demonstrated systematic cross-cultural differences in intelligence mindset and suggest that intelligence mindsets are not necessarily associated with academic motivation or success in the same way across cultures.
Ceramic Bearing Surfaces in Total Hip Arthroplasty

The major long-term complication of modern total hip arthroplasty is osteolysis secondary to polyethylene wear debris. Ceramic articulations have the potential of decreasing the generation of particulates by improved adhesive, abrasive, and fatigue wear properties. High loosening rates and fracture of the ceramic material complicated early systems. Modern component designs, in addition to ceramic manufacturing processes, have addressed these issues. Laboratory wear data have shown significant improvements compared to metal-on-polyethylene. Wear results from clinical studies have been less dramatic and are dependent on technique as well as component positioning. Osteolysis has been reported infrequently. A successful outcome can be achieved when current ceramic total hip systems are used with appropriate attention to surgical technique.
Law without Force

It would be hard to overestimate the influence of Hans Kelsen's legal positivism on the jurisprudence of a large part of the world during the past half century. It is true that in common law countries many of his doctrines had already been anticipated in the prevailing analytical jurisprudence-an Anglo-American view of the nature of law that became authoritative at Blackstone's time and remained so until the massive encroachments of sociological jurisprudence and the New Realism of the twenties and thirties of the present century. Even so, Kelsen's doctrines have always received a warm welcome in this country from political science and sociology of law.
Elementary Properties of the Zeta Function and L-series

We recall the formula for summation by parts. If \(\left\{ {a_n } \right\}\) and \(\left\{ {b_n } \right\}\) are sequences of complex numbers, and if we let $$A_n \, = \,a_{1\,} \, + \, \cdots \, + \,a_n$$ $$B_n \, = \,b_{1\,} \, + \, \cdots \, + \,b_n$$ be the partial sums, then $$\sum\limits_{n = 1}^N {a_n b_n } = A_N b_N + \sum\limits_{n = 1}^{N - 1} {A_n (b_n - b_{n + 1} ).}$$
Associative path orderings

In this paper we introduce a new class of orderings — associative path orderings — for proving termination of associative commutative term rewriting systems. These orderings are based on the concept of simplification orderings and extend the well-known recursive path orderings to E-congruence classes, where E is an equational theory consisting of associativity and commutativity axioms. The associative path ordering is similar to another termination ordering for proving AC termination, described in Dershowitz, et al. (83), which is also based on the idea of transforming terms. Our ordering is conceptually simpler, however, since any term is transformed into a single term, whereas in Dershowitz, et al. (83) the transform of a term is a multiset of terms. More important yet, we show how to lift our ordering to non-ground terms, which is essential for applications of the Knuth-Bendix completion method but was not possible with the previous ordering.
A fusion system for real-time forward collision warning in automobiles

We describe a fusion system that combines vision-data from a single forward-looking camera with forward-looking radar data for real-time forward collision warning in automobiles. Our approach employs computer vision techniques to primarily perform the detection and tracking of vehicles and overhead structure. These detections are then fused using a probabilistic framework with co-registered radar data to reliably obtain vehicle azimuth and depth by minimizing false alarms. The resulting detections can then be used as input to any forward collision warning system. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the performance of the algorithm.
Extended survival of Pyk2 or FAK deficient orthotopic glioma xenografts is associated with loss of adhesion molecule and pro-invasive ECM species transcripts

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 3032 Disease progression of high grade glioma involves a complex interplay between tumor cells and the peri-tumor microenvironment. Predilection of glioma cells to invade locally is problematic in that dispersing cells are less sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapeutics. Focal adhesion kinases (FAK and Pyk2) are important functional modifiers of glioma; Pyk2 exerts pro-migratory and FAK pro-proliferative influences in vitro . Selective targeting of Pyk2 may be a therapeutic strategy to control invasion. We now report on the transcriptional consequences of Pyk2 or FAK knockdown (lentiviral shRNA infection) and correlate selective elimination of these focal adhesion kinases with disease progression in an orthotopic xenograft model. Cohorts of 8 mice were orthotopically grafted with either SF767 wild type (WT), SF767 Pyk2 knockdown cells (Pyki), or SF767 FAK knockdown (FAKi) cells. The primary outcome measure was the time to morbidity (Kaplan-Meier analysis) with between-groups statistical comparisons calculated by log-rank tests with confidence intervals (bootstrap method). The median time to morbidity for WT mice was 19 days (95% CI= 18-25) compared to Pyki (37d [30-41], p <0.001), and FAKi (39d [39-41], p<0.001). Global gene expression analysis (Affymetrix U133A 2.0) comparing the profiles of WT cells with Pyki or FAKi cells yielded 19 transcripts that were either up- or down-regulated in both knockdown cells. Among the 8 down-regulated transcripts there were 3 pro-invasive matrix components (LPXN, LAMC2, and LAMA3), 1 ECM receptor (ITGA2), 1 cell adhesion receptor (CYR61), 1 protein tyrosine phosphatase-interacting protein (PPRIBP1), 1 Rho-GDP dissociation inhibitory protein (ARHGDIB), and 1 proliferation factor (TGFBI). Intriguingly, the GBM relevant phosphatase PTEN is substantially up-regulated in both Pyki and FAKi cells. In vitro functional studies confirmed a reduction in the adhesiveness of Pyki and FAKi cells to ECM relative to SF767 WT. In conclusion, extended in vivo survival of mice bearing Pyk2 or FAK knockdown glioma xenografts appears to involve, in part, reduced expression of molecules involved in matrix adhesion and pro-invasiveness. The findings support therapeutic targeting of glioma invasion signaling as a means to extend survival. (Supported by R01CA103956 and 1R01NS42262).
Exchange Transfusion for Hyperbilirubinemia in Premature Infants

Dr. Gerald H. Holman9s conclusions as presented in his article (Studies on physiologic hyperbilirubinemia of Negro and white premature infants. Pediatrics, 22: 1115, 1958) should not go unchallenged. I am referring specifically to his statement: "routine exchange transfusions for elevated concentrations of bilirubin (in premature infants) does not seem warranted." Failure to be strongly critical of such a notion in the light of current knowledge might well result in the loss of ground gained in our efforts to prevent kernicterus, with resultant death and cerebral palsy. It is unfortunate that through publication in Pediatrics this idea gains some measure of sanction and support.
Test-Retest Stability and Concurrent Validity of Two Reading Tests With a Drug-Abusing Population:

The Wide Range Achievement Test—Revised (WRAT-R) and Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests—Revised (WRMT-R) were administered twice to 269 current drug abusers over an average time interval of 204.20 days. Stability coefficients were very strong, ranging from .84 to .94. Correlations between the two instruments, ranging between .72 and .90, demonstrated strong concurrent validity. Average reading scores and grade equivalent scores were significantly higher at the second test. Exploratory data analyses revealed no demographic or drug-taking variables related to this increase. No relationship between length of interval and difference scores was found. Overall, this study demonstrated that the two instruments have strong psychometric properties and that the results obtained from current drug abusers are reliable.
Split tibialis posterior transfer for equinovarus deformity in cerebral palsy. Long-term results of a new surgical procedure

We report the results of a new surgical procedure for spastic equinovarus deformity due to cerebral palsy. This is the transfer of the anterior half of the split tibialis posterior to the dorsum of the foot through the interosseous membrane. We performed the operation on 23 feet in 18 children. All patients were assessed before operation and at follow-up at a mean of 8.4 years postoperatively. Using the criteria of Kling et al (1985), excellent results were obtained in 14 feet, good results in eight, and a poor result in only one.
El paradigma ético de la escritura martiana : desbordes de la modernidad

OF THE DISSERTATION EL PARAGIDMA ETICO DE LA ESCRITURA MARTIANA: DESBORDES DE LA MODERNIDAD
Space Station transition through Spacelab

It is appropriate that NASA's Office of Space Science and Application's science management structures and processes that have proven successful on Spacelab be applied and extrapolated to Space Station utilization, wherever practical. Spacelab has many similarities and complementary aspects to Space Station Freedom. An understanding of the similarities and differences between Spacelab and Space Station is necessary in order to understand how to transition from Spacelab to Space Station. These relationships are discussed herein as well as issues which must be dealt with and approaches for transition and evolution from Spacelab to Space Station.
The amino acid nutrition of respiration deficient and respiration competent Saccharomyces.

Respiration deficient variants and normal, respiration competent strains ofSaccharomyces require an exogenous supply of arginine, glutamic acid, leucine, lysine and valine to attain optimal growth. The growth of variant cells, however, is stimulated by these compounds to a far greater proportionate extent than that of normal cells. The petite condition, therefore, exaggerates the limitations in amino acid biosyntheses existent in normal yeasts but does not create new ones. The relative respiratory limitations characteristic of petite and normal cells during growth will account for the qualitative and quantitative aspects of their amino acid requirements.