cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dysregulation of potentially pathogenic self reactivity is crucial for the manifestation of clinical autoimmunity

During the evolution of the autoimmune response to myelin basic protein (MBP), at least two distinct lymphocyte populations arise, one that is specific for determinants within the protein antigen and another that is specific for the receptors displayed by the antigen-specific lymphocytes themselves. The T-cell receptor (TCR)-specific lymphocytes appear to oppose the action of the pathogenic effector cells, which predominantly utilize the TCR V beta 8.2 gene segment. We will discuss our work suggesting that both CD4 and CD8 cells specific for different TCR determinants on the V beta 8.2 chain are involved in the regulation of MBP-specific CD4 T cells mediating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. We suggest that a crucial balance between the effectors and regulators is decisive for the clinical manifestation of autoimmunity.
Biological and Clinical Features of Trisomy 21 Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background: Midostaurin (PKC412) is a FLT3 kinase inhibitor with activity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Hypomethylating agents play an important role in the treatment of AML and MDS. We investigated the safety (phase I) and clinical activity (phase II) of combination of 5-azacytidine (AZA) and PKC412 in pts with R/R AML and MDS. Method: Pts 18 years with MDS, CMML or AML, who failed prior therapies with performance status 2, adequate liver (bilirubin 2x ULN, ALT 2.5x ULN) and renal (creatinine 2x ULN) functions were eligible. Pts received AZA 75 mg/m subcutaneously or intravenously for 7 days of each cycle (Days 1-7) and PKC412 at 25 mg (cohort 1) and 50 mg (cohort 2; target dose) orally twice daily for 14 days (Days 8-21). Pts planned to receive up to 12 cycles if benefit from treatment. Supportive care was standard. Results: 14 pts included in phase I. 1 pt was inevaluable for DLT (withdrawal before completing cycle#1). 6 pts treated in cohort 1 and 7 in cohort 2. 1 pt in cohort 2 received PKC412 dose as per cohort 1 dose by pt error. Pt characteristics and responses are summarized in table 1. The overall response rate (ORR) was 3/13(21%) 2 with CRi, 1 pt dropped BM blasts form 27% to 7% after 2 cycles and went to transplant. 1/4 with FLT3-ITD achieved CRi, 2 of the non-responders received prior FLT3 inhibitors (1 had developed FLT3 D835). All toxicities were grade 1 (nausea 1 pt, vomiting 1 pt, dry skin 1 pt, and rash 1 pt) with no difference between the 2 groups. No DLT was identified. Conclusion: PKC412+AZA is safe and well tolerated at the intended doses with good ORR in high risk pts with R/R AML. Phase II study is enrolling pts with FLT3-ITD. Updated result will be presented. Table 1 Patients Characteristics and Responses
Convergent regulation by ciliary neurotrophic factor and dopamine of tyrosine hydroxylase expression in cultures of rat substantia nigra

Abstract Ciliary neurotrophic factor and dopamine were found to enhance the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in cultured neurons from the substantia nigra of 16-day-old rat fetuses. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells decreased progressively to ~ 30% by 96 h. Treatment with 5 μM dopamine maintained the tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons at 60% for 48 h, but not for longer. Concurrent treatment with 5 μM dopamine and 20 trophic units/ml ciliary neurotrophic factor had a greater impact on tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells, resulting in the maintenance of 70% of the initial number for up to 72 h, but not beyond that time. When dopamine or dopamine/ciliary neurotrophic factor treatments were applied for 24 h after a 48-h delay, the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells was restored to 60 and 80%, respectively, but no restoration was observed with 96-h delayed treatments. These results suggest that dopamine and ciliary neurotrophic factor, alone or in combination, are not able to support the survival of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons, but reduce their apparent numerical loss by enhancing the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase. The effects of dopamine, alone or in combination with ciliary neurotrophic factor, were predominantly mediated by D 2 receptors, since they were blocked by selective D 2 receptor antagonists and since the D 2 receptor agonist quinpirole was able to substitute for dopamine. The effects of dopamine and ciliary neurotrophic factor were similar in astroblast-rich and in astroblast-depleted cultures, suggesting that they were not mediated through glial cells. These results extend our previous observations on locus coeruleus cultures, in which the concurrent treatment with ciliary neurotrophic factor and norepinephrine was shown to enhance tyrosine hydroxylase expression (but not survival) of noradrenergic neurons. They also consolidate the view that ciliary neurotrophic factor and the neuron's own transmitter act in convergence and in an autocrine/paracrine mode as regulators of the corresponding neurotransmitter phenotype.
Rare-gas electron-energy spectra produced by collision-free multiquantum processes.

The energy spectra of electrons generated by collision-free multiphoton ionization of Xe, Kr, Ar, Ne, and He irradiated at intensities up to \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{15}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ with picosecond 193-nm (6.41-eV) radiation have been studied with an energy resolution of \ensuremath{\sim}50 meV. The formation of multiply charged ions by a sequential process of ionization has been directly detected in the electron spectra by the observation of a characteristic pattern of interwoven above-threshold-ionization ladder line series. The appearance and relative intensity of specific electron lines depends strongly on the presence of near-resonances and features of the interaction involving the laser pulse shape, saturation, and the shift of the ionization threshold arising from the influence of the ponderomotive potential. The experimental results are compared qualitatively with data from ion time-of-flight experiments and with differing models of multiphoton ionization.
Modulation of the host innate immune and inflammatory response by translocated bacterial proteins.

Bacterial secretion systems play a central role in interfering with host inflammatory responses to promote replication in tissue sites. Many intracellular bacteria utilize secretion systems to promote their uptake and survival within host cells. An intracellular niche can help bacteria avoid killing by phagocytic cells, and may limit host sensing of bacterial components. Secretion systems can also play an important role in limiting host sensing of bacteria, by translocating proteins that disrupt host immune signaling pathways. Extracellular bacteria, on the other hand, utilize secretion systems to prevent uptake by host cells and maintain an extracellular niche. Secretion systems, in this case, limit sensing and inflammatory signaling which can occur as bacteria replicate and release bacterial products in the extracellular space. In this review, we will cover the common mechanisms used by intracellular and extracellular bacteria to modulate innate immune and inflammatory signaling pathways, with a focus on translocated proteins of the type III and type IV secretion systems.
The applicability of the perturbation based privacy preserving data mining for real-world data

Abstract The perturbation method has been extensively studied for privacy preserving data mining. In this method, random noise from a known distribution is added to the privacy sensitive data before the data is sent to the data miner. Subsequently, the data miner reconstructs an approximation to the original data distribution from the perturbed data and uses the reconstructed distribution for data mining purposes. Due to the addition of noise, loss of information versus preservation of privacy is always a trade off in the perturbation based approaches. The question is, to what extent are the users willing to compromise their privacy? This is a choice that changes from individual to individual. Different individuals may have different attitudes towards privacy based on customs and cultures. Unfortunately, current perturbation based privacy preserving data mining techniques do not allow the individuals to choose their desired privacy levels. This is a drawback as privacy is a personal choice. In this paper, we propose an individually adaptable perturbation model, which enables the individuals to choose their own privacy levels. The effectiveness of our new approach is demonstrated by various experiments conducted on both synthetic and real-world data sets. Based on our experiments, we suggest a simple but effective and yet efficient technique to build data mining models from perturbed data.
Barometric Pressure Oscillations in Houston Caused by the 1964 Alaska Earthquake

The ground motion due to Rayleigh waves of the 1964 Alaska earthquake was recorded by a microbarograph in Houston. This appears to be the only known instance when such waves have been thus recorded; consequently some information about it is hereby given to add to the ample documentation about this earthquake ( e.g. , Anonymous-1, 1968–1973; Wood, 1969). Brief mentions of this observation are made in Donn (1964), McGarr (1965, 1968), and an article in Time magazine (Anonymous-2, 1964). I regret the delay in the present publication. At the time of the earthquake (27 March 1964) the seismographic station at Rice University in Houston, Texas (29°43′N, 95°24′W) was equipped with a three-component modified Press-Ewing seismographic system (De Bremaecker et al. , 1963). A microbarograph had been added to record the thermonuclear tests then being conducted by the Soviet Union. The latter purpose was not accomplished, however, since these tests had ended by the time this last instrument started operating. The microbarograph consisted essentially of two chambers separated by a thin metal diaphragm. One of the chambers was open to the outside air; it was connected to the other chamber through a metal tube equipped with a vane, the opening of which could be adjusted. This arrangement reduced the instrumental response to periods greater …
A new prototype, 1-channel 4-way tip control pediatric upper gastrointestinal fiberscope.

The prototype of a new, single channel, 4-way tip control peroral fiberscope (GIF-P 2 ) was used in 41 pediatric patients. In 14 of 16 patients younger than 2 years and in 24 of 25 of the older patients, the esophagus, entire stomach, pylorus, duodenal bulb, and post bulbar areas were visualized. Retrograde examination of the fundus and esophagogastric junction was accomplished in 39 of 41 patients. The GIF-P 2 is judged superior to the GIF-P 1 for routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination and for removal of impacted foreign bodies in infants and children.
The Role of Heterogeneity in the Persistence and Prevalence of Sin Nombre Virus in Deer Mice

Many diseases persist at a relatively low prevalence, seemingly close to extinction. For a chronic disease in a homogeneous population, reducing the transmission rate by a fraction proportional to the prevalence would be sufficient to eradicate the disease. This study examines how higher prevalence of the Sin Nombre virus in male deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) might contribute to disease persistence. Analyzing data from over 2,000 individual mice captured in 19 sites over 4 years, we found prevalences of 18.5% in males and 8.8% in females. By examining recaptures, we determined that males are more likely to contract the infection because of higher susceptibility or higher encounter rates. Comparing across 86 sampling periods, we found a higher proportion of males when population densities were low. A capture-recapture analysis indicates that males live longer than females. A mathematical model based on the measured parameters and population size trajectories suggests that the combined heterogeneity in encounters, susceptibility, and mortality may buffer the disease from extinction by concentrating disease in the subgroup most likely to transmit the disease. This buffering effect is not significantly stronger in a fluctuating population, indicating that these forms of heterogeneity might not be the key for disease persistence through host population bottlenecks.
Cyclical Group Development and Interaction-based Leadership Emergence in Autonomous Teams: An Integrated Model

Cyclical models of group development may be integrated with an interactive model of leadership emergence in autonomous teams. This paper contextualizes the interaction of leader traits and situational factors in the cycling of an autonomous team within and between the storming, norming and performing phases of group development.
Test structures and analysis techniques for estimation of the impact of layout on MOSFET performance and variability

The performance and variability of transistors with nanometer-scale feature sizes is sensitive to their layout style and environment. This paper describes the use of an enhanced MOS array test structure to provide accurate and precise estimates of the impact of layout on transistor characteristics for an advanced 130nm CMOS technology. Enhanced MOS arrays, combined with statistical analysis of the measurements, provide reliable information on the impact of layout on the transistor characteristics. This can then form the basis for technology development, design rule development and modeling.
Genomics, bioinformatics, and plant systematics

Genomics and bioinformatics are emerging disciplines that have the potential to fundamentally alter current approaches to molecular systematics. The sequencing of eukaryotic genomes has demonstrated the ability to obtain and interpret nucleotide sequences at a scale and efficiency that was unimaginable just a few years ago. The immense amount of sequence information generated by genome projects has spurred the development of new analytical and data management tools. How can plant systematists take full advantage of these advances? Comparison of plant nuclear genomes will allow the identification of conserved nonrecombining and single copy loci that can serve as robust phylogenetic markers. The growth of molecular phylogenetic studies is dramatically altering organismal classification. The successful integration of these changes will require innovations in the communication of taxonomic information. Reductions in the cost of obtaining and analyzing nucleotide sequences should result in more time and resources being directed to the essential activities of systematists—the documentation and organization of biological diversity, and the interpretation of this diversity in the context of organismal evolution.
Intervention and Exchange Rate Stabilization Policy in Developing Countries

Recent evidence based on event studies demonstrates the short-run effectiveness of sterilized (non-monetary) intervention to stabilize exchange rates. This role is especially important for developing economies where currency volatility is frequently tied to unstable market expectations, herding behaviour and contagion, rather than ‘fundamental’ macroeconomic imbalances. Intervention coordinated with several governments is more likely to succeed in moving exchange rates in the desired direction. The Chiang Mai Initiative (CMI) is a step towards greater cooperation on exchange rate management in Asia, but its main component is a limited US dollar swap agreement between Japan and developing economies and is conditional on an IMF financial package. A much stronger political, as well as economic, commitment to intervene in exchange markets than currently embodied in the CMI would be needed to reduce exchange rate volatility in the region and to ward off future speculative attacks. Greater currency stability, in turn, would give developing economies more flexibility to use monetary and fiscal policy to pursue domestic stabilization policy objectives.
On Metre in the Rondo of Brahms's Op. 25

The rondo from Brahms's Piano Quartet Op. 25 projects a number of different metres which may be organised into various metric spaces modelled on those of David Lewin and Richard Cohn. Although this organisation does not yield the multiple pitch-time analogical mappings proposed by Lewin and Cohn, it may be fruitfully applied to many works of Brahms and other composers. I argue that a
Validation of Estrogen Status as an Independent Predictor of Coronary Artery Disease Presence and Extent in Women

OBJECTIVE: To validate the independent nature and incremental value of estrogen status concerning the diagnostic evaluation of women with suspected coronary artery disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study comprised a total of 1,168 patients, the first 915 of whom served as a training or derivation population. Data from the subsequent 253 patients were prospectively collected and used to validate observations from the derivation group. We performed logistic regression analysis of age, sex, symptoms, smoking habits, diabetes, hypertension, and other variables with and without estrogen status (defined according to menopausal and estrogen replacement status). Diagnostic outcomes were assessed by receiver-operating characteristic curve area analysis. RESULTS: Within the derivation group, estrogen status was an independent predictor of both significant (> or = 1 lesion > or = 50% stenosis) and serve (at least two vessels with > or = 70% stenosis) coronary disease on angiography. Receiver-operating characteristic curve areas for models applied to the validation group were as follows: women without estrogen status, 77 +/- 4 for significant disease and 76 +/- 5 for severe disease; women with estrogen status, 80 +/- 4 for significant disease and 80 +/- 5 for severe disease; men, 72 +/- 4 for significant disease and 74 +/- 4 for severe disease (women with versus women without estrogen status; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Estrogen status has significant incremental value for enhancing the diagnostic discrimination of significant and severe coronary disease in women. Estrogen status, as defined in this study, is an important and independent diagnostic clinical variable in women with suspected coronary disease.
Mexican and Latino Media Behavior in Los Angeles : The 1996 Election Example

The news coverage in the daily Latino and mainstream newspapers in Los Angeles, the top U.S. Latino market, was intense for 3 days immediately following the 1996 U.S. presidential election. Points of study in this article include (a) an exploratory content analysis of the front-page news articles in each paper, (b) a framing analysis of the election news for the 3 days after the election, and (c) how the newspaper addressed the growing importance of the Latino vote in U.S. national elections. As the Hispanic media expand in the United States, the study of the attitudes adopted by Mexican-American journalists assumes greater importance.
The art of accompaniment

Pope Francis’s recent document on evangelization, Evangelii Gaudium, emphasizes option for the poor and solidarity as key components of our mission outreach. He suggests that this outreach move bey...
State Supported Mass Genetic Screening Programs

This presentation is to briefly survey the development of laws which mandated (1) neonatal screening for human genetic disease and (2) adult screening for genetic traits. Extended discussion of the genesis of the phenylketonuria (1) (PKU) and sickle cell trait (2–4) screening laws are available. I will also discuss in more detail recent expansion of government supported mass genetic screening in the United States. Much of this information was obtained through a mail survey of the state public health departments that I made during February of 1975. My purpose here is to be descriptive; I leave analysis of the important constitutional questions raised by mass genetic screening for another time (5,6).
Further Results on the Optimality of the Likelihood-Ratio Test for Local Sensor Decision Rules in the Presence of Nonideal Channels

In this paper, we consider the design of local decision rules for distributed detection systems where decisions from peripheral detectors are transmitted over dependent nonideal channels. Under the conditional independence assumption among multiple sensor observations, we show that the optimal detection performance can be achieved by employing likelihood-ratio quantizers (LRQ) as local decision rules under both the Bayesian criterion and Neyman-Pearson (NP) criterion even for the cases where the channels between the fusion center and local sensors are dependent and noisy. This work generalizes the previous work where independence among such channels was assumed. A person-by-person optimization (PBPO) procedure to obtain the solution is presented along with an illustrative example.
Information Dual Mode Transportation

Dual Mode Transit has been suggested as a possible solution to some of the problems associated with transportation in the world today. This paper summarizes the program developed by the Urban Mass Transportation Administration in order to develop and test the Dual Mode concept from the viewpoint of GM, one of the contractors participating in the Concept Design phase of the program. The baseline system design proposed by the contractor and the general scenario which Dual Mode Transit is intended to satisfy are also covered in some detail.
Step-rate cut-points for physical activity intensity in patients with multiple sclerosis: The effect of disability status

Abstract Background Evaluating the relationship between step-rate and rate of oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) may allow for practical physical activity assessment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) of differing disability levels. Aims To examine whether the VO 2 to step-rate relationship during over-ground walking differs across varying disability levels among patients with MS and to develop step-rate thresholds for moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity. Materials and methods Adults with MS ( N = 58; age: 51 ± 9 years; 48 women) completed one over-ground walking trial at comfortable speed, one at 0.22 m·s − 1 slower, and one at 0.22 m·s − 1 faster. Each trial lasted 6 min. VO 2 was measured with portable spirometry and steps with hand-tally. Disability status was classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on Expanded Disability Status Scale scores. Results Multi-level regression indicated that step-rate, disability status, and height significantly predicted VO 2 (p Conclusion The VO 2 during over-ground walking differs among ambulatory patients with MS based on disability level and height, yielding different step-rate thresholds for physical activity intensity.
Normal Return Gaps

Despite ever more sophisticated risk management and measurement, investment professionals have generally overlooked a simple but powerful metric of relative risk and portfolio diversification -- the normal return gap. We develop a generalized specification of the expected difference in returns between two investments based on the normal distribution. We then demonstrate its applicability to capital market forecasts, manager selection, performance evaluation, style tilts, manager combinations, and rebalancing.
4.11 – Deep Earthquakes

Below the Earth’s crust, earthquakes delineate subducting lithosphere down to nearly 700 km depth. Many properties of deep earthquakes are similar to those of shallow events, for example, their primarily double-couple nature and frequency–magnitude statistics. The most obvious difference lies in the much lower rates of seismicity and aftershock occurrence for earthquakes deeper than 70 km. As with shallow earthquakes, the rupture process is highly variable. Stress drops and rupture velocities differ subtly, rather than markedly, from those of shallow events. Some properties, including aftershock productivity, rupture duration and complexity, although highly variable, appear to change systematically with depth, undergoing abrupt changes near 550 km depth. The inferred thermal state of subducting slabs suggests that temperature controls the location of seismicity in different ways above and below about 350 km depth. A consideration of stress in subducting slabs points toward multiple sources of stress heterogeneity, and indicates that the stress drops of most deep earthquakes are incomplete. Spatial structures delineated by earthquakes in subducting slabs include double seismic zones, large shear zones, repeating earthquakes, outboard earthquakes, and remnant slabs. A number of physical mechanisms to generate deep earthquakes have been proposed, including dehydration embrittlement, transformational faulting, and thermal shear instability. Above about 350 km, accumulating evidence supports dehydration embrittlement on both reactivated and new faults as a plausible mechanism to generate intermediate-depth seismicity. Below 350 km it is not clear how earthquakes are generated. There is some evidence that more than one mechanism operates to generate seismicity below ∼350 km.
TEL and KIP1 define the smallest region of deletions on 12p13 in hematopoietic malignancies

Unbalanced translocations as well as interstitial deletions of the short arm of chromosome 12 [del(12p)] are found as recurring chromosomal changes in a broad spectrum of hematopoietic malignancies. These changes result in the hemizygous deletion of genetic material from 12p. We mapped a yeast artificial chromosome containing the TEL gene, a cosmid contig containing part of TEL and a P1 contig containing the KIP1 gene to 12p13. These probes were used for fluorescence in situ hybridization to analyze samples from 47 patients with various hematologic malignancies who had unbalanced translocations (25 patients) leading to loss of 12p or deletions (22 patients) involving 12p13. The patients had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (8 cases), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS; 11 cases), acute myeloid leukemia (AML; 10 cases), myeloproliferative disorders (4 cases), therapy-related MDS or AML (7 cases), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (2 cases), and other hematopoietic malignancies (5 cases). All three probes were hemizygously detected in 26 cases and were completely retained in only 9 cases. In 12 cases probes for one of the two genes were deleted, allowing us to map the smallest region of overlap of these deletions to a small genomic region that is bordered on the telomeric side by the TEL gene and on the centromeric side by KIP1. The genomic distance between TEL and KIP1 is estimated to be about 1 to 2 Mbp.
Examining Botnet Behaviors for Propaganda Dissemination: A Case Study of ISIL's Beheading Videos-Based Propaganda

Since the dissemination of the first beheading video by the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) of its hostage James Foley (an American journalist), this practice has become increasingly common. Videos of ISIL beheading their hostages in orange jumpsuits swarmed over social media as they swept across Iraq. By showing such shocking videos and images, ISIL is able to spread their opinions and create emotional attitudes for their followers. Through a sophisticated social media strategy and strategic use of botnets, ISIL is succeeding in its propaganda dissemination. ISIL is using social media as a tool to conduct recruitment and radicalization campaigns and raise funds. In this study, we examine the reasons for creating such videos grounded in the literature from cultural anthropology, transnationalism and religious identity, and media & communication. Toward this direction, we collect data from Twitter for the beheadings done by ISIL, especially the Egyptian Copts, the Arab-Israeli "Spy", and the Ethiopian Christians. The study provides insights into the way ISIL uses social media (especially Twitter) to disseminate propaganda and develop a framework to identify sociotechnical behavioral patterns from social and computational science perspective.
Global patterns and predictors of stem CO2 efflux in forest ecosystems.

Stem CO2 efflux (ES) plays an important role in the carbon balance of forest ecosystems. However, its primary controls at the global scale are poorly understood and observation-based global estimates are lacking. We synthesized data from 121 published studies across global forest ecosystems and examined the relationships between annual ES and biotic and abiotic factors at individual, biome, and global scales, and developed a global gridded estimate of annual ES. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) Leaf area index (LAI) will be highly correlated with annual ES at biome and global scales; (2) there will be parallel patterns in stem and root CO2 effluxes (RA) in all forests; (3) annual ES will decline with forest age; and (4) LAI coupled with mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP) will be sufficient to predict annual ES across forests in different regions. Positive linear relationships were found between ES and LAI, as well as gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP), wood NPP, soil CO2 efflux (RS), and RA. Annual ES was correlated with RA in temperate forests after controlling for GPP and MAT, suggesting other additional factors contributed to the relationship. Annual ES tended to decrease with stand age. Leaf area index, MAT and MAP, predicted 74% of variation in ES at global scales. Our statistical model estimated a global annual ES of 6.7 � 1.1 Pg C yr � 1 over the period of 2000–2012 with little interannual variability. Modeled mean annual ES was 71 � 43, 270 � 103, and 420 � 134 g C m 2 yr � 1 for boreal, temperate, and tropical forests, respectively. We recommend that future studies report ES at a standardized constant temperature, incorporate more manipulative treatments, such as fertilization and drought, and whenever possible, simultaneously measure both aboveground and belowground CO2 fluxes.
A phase I trial of recombinant human interleukin-1β (OCT-43) following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation

A phase I trial of recombinant human interleukin-1 β (OCT-43) following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation
Effect of chlorpromazine on excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in a patient with malignant carcinoid.

Summary1. A marked fall in urinary 5-HIAA excretion followed administration of chlorpromazine to a patient with known malignant carcinoid- 2. Intestinal hypermo-tility. one manifestation of the so-called “carcinoid syndrome” was likewise suppressed during administration of the drug.The authors are grateful for the helpful sugges tions of Dr. Jack Leonards, D. Stanley Levey, and Dr. Albert Sjoerdsma.
Efficacy Trials with the Pheromone of the Oriental Fruit Moth and Data on the Lesser Appleworm

Field trials were conducted in 1973 with traps baited with ( Z )-8-dodecenyl acetate, the synthetic sex pheromone of the oriental fruit moth, Grapholitha molesta (Busck), to determine factors influencing captures of male oriental fruit moths and lesser appleworm, G. prunivora (Walsh). Of the 9 trap designs tested, Pherocon 1CP Trap®, with the bottom and top sections closed, caught the most moths. Traps at 3 ft caught significantly more oriental fruit moths and lesser appleworms than at the other 4 heights tested. Enhancement of attraction of the oriental fruit moth and lesser appleworm was increased with addition of a small percentage (2.5–7.5%) of E isomer to the pheromone. Of 9 concentrations of pheromone + synergist/tree, 2 μl of pheromone + 8 μl synergist caught the most moths. A micro-encapsulated formulation of pheromone + synergist suppressed trap catches of male oriental fruit moths for 2 weeks in a peach orchard treated with 2 g of pheromone + 6 g dodecyl alcohol/acre.
Analysis of the Physics of Bilge Keel Vortex Generation

A 2D forced roll oscillation experiment was performed to examine and characterize the physics of vortex generation from ship bilge keels. Measurements included ship model motions, normal force on the bilge keels, and flow field visualizations using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Data was collected for a range of roll oscillation amplitudes, including large amplitudes where the bilge keels interacted with the free surface and for three roll oscillation frequencies.This paper presents analysis and description of the observed phenomena, and examines whether a functional relationship can be established between the force measured on the bilge keel and the flow field generated by the bilge keel. A qualitative discussion of the observed flow characteristics, including the vortex generation at the tip of the bilge keel, detachment, and interaction with the free-surface, is presented. In addition, the circulation in front and behind the bilge keel was calculated, analyzed, and compared to the measured bilge keel force. The analysis conducted was intended to provide improved understanding of the phenomena which occur during bilge keel vortex generation and aid in the development of improved roll damping and bilge keel force models for the prediction of ship motions.© 2012 ASME
Secondary Electron Emission Studies of Diamond and GaN Materials

Secondary electron emission spectroscopy is used to examine the transport and emission of low-energy electrons in several wide bandgap materials. In particular, the secondary emission properties of C(100), C(111), and CVD diamond samples are compared in order to examine the effect of crystallographic orientation on the emission characteristics. Very high yields are obtained from hydrogenated and cesiated negative-electron-affinity surfaces of all three samples, indicating that low-energy electrons are transported and emitted very efficiently in the diamond materials. While the energy distribution of the emitted electrons is found to be sharply peaked at low energy for all three samples, the energy distributions measured from the C(111) surfaces are broader and reveal structure in the energy gap. The different emission processes at the C(100) and C(111) surfaces may account for the energy distributions observed from the polycrystalline CVD diamond. Finally, initial secondary emission measurements are taken from GaN and AlGaN films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The secondary emission is not as strong as from the diamond samples, and the measurements reveal the impact of interface and surface barriers on the emission process.
Safety of Centralized Water Supply in Rural Area of Luzhou,2010

Objective To understand the safety of centralized water supply in rural area in Luzhou,provide evidence for the improvement of water supply in the rural area.Methods The water samples were taken from the centralized water supply systems for laboratory detection.Results The source water of 109 centralized water supply systems were mainly taken from reservoirs,accounting for 33.03% of the total source water.Totally 218 water samples were detected in low water period and in high water period respectively with the qualified rates of 18.35% and 23.85%.The overall qualified rate was 19.95%.The unqualified indicators mainly included microbiological indicators and organ sense indicators.The main unqualified microbiological indicators were total coliform(57.34%) and thermoduric coliform(43.12%) and total numbers of colony(16.51%).The main unqualified organ sense indicator was turbidity(36.24%).Conclusion The quality of drinking water from centralized water supply systems in rural area of Luzhou is poor,which mainly results from microorganism contamination.
Effects of Surface Morphology and Composition Modification on Spectral Emissivity and Thermal Diffusivity Profile at High Temperatures

A new all-spectroscopic method for depth-resolved thermal diffusivity measurement of metallic specimens has been demonstrated. The method entails measurement of the mass entrained into a laser-produced plasma (LPP) plume in such a manner that the plume is representative of the specimen in elemental composition. Both the abundance of matter and its elemental composition are measured by time-resolved spectroscopy for each LPP plume. In order to delineate the morphology versus composition basis of the depth dependence, a new study on a Nichrome ribbon specimen heated by ohmic heating in a vacuum is presented. A set of depth-resolved thermal diffusivity measurements is carried out, while noting the attendant changes in the spectral emissivity and elemental composition at succeeding ablation layers. Additional measurements are carried out after the specimen has been treated under varying heating conditions. Preferential diffusion of chromium at high temperatures has been found to contribute to the dynamics of surface thermophysical properties at high temperatures. Representative LPP ablation is well suited for removal of surface impurities prior to thermophysical property measurements by the pulse heating technique.
A Utility Maximization Framework for Privacy Preservation of User Generated Content

The prodigious amount of user-generated content continues to grow at an enormous rate. While it greatly facilitates the flow of information and ideas among people and communities, it may pose great threat to our individual privacy. In this paper, we demonstrate that the private traits of individuals can be inferred from user-generated content by using text classification techniques. Specifically, we study three private attributes on Twitter users: religion, political leaning, and marital status. The ground truth labels of the private traits can be readily collected from the Twitter bio field. Based on the tweets posted by the users and their corresponding bios, we show that text classification yields a high accuracy of identification of these personal attributes, which poses a great privacy risk on user-generated content.We further propose a constrained utility maximization framework for preserving user privacy. The goal is to maximize the utility of data when modifying the user-generated content, while degrading the prediction performance of the adversary. The KL divergence is minimized between the prior knowledge about the private attribute and the posterior probability after seeing the user-generated data. Based on this proposed framework, we investigate several specific data sanitization operations for privacy preservation: add, delete, or replace words in the tweets. We derive the exact transformation of the data under each operation. The experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Preliminary rain attenuation studies for W/V-band wave propagation experiment

The need to investigate higher frequencies for satellite communication led to the W/V-band Terrestrial Link Experiment (WTLE) project. This project is assessing atmospheric propagation effects at W/V-band frequencies, particularly rain-fade. In this paper, two rain attenuation models (i.e., the ITU-R and the Silva-Mello model) are compared to experimental measurements. The step-by-step comparison, along with all the tools used, is described herein.
Producible design of MIC phase shifters for phased array applications

Microwave integrated circuits require design techniques to minimize circuit characteristic deviations due to normal device parameter variation. This work describes the method of MIC design selection for a five-bit L-band PIN diode phase shifter used in the ESUS phased array radar. Simulated Monte Carlo variations and measured performance are given.
Dr Voya Kondic

(1997). Dr Voya Kondic. International Journal of Cast Metals Research: Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 177-177.
8-Amino-Adenosine Induces Loss of Phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and Akt Kinase: Role in Induction of Apoptosis in Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of monoclonal plasma cell proliferation in the bone marrow, which accounts for 10% of all hematologic cancers. This slow proliferating B-cell malignancy accumulates apoptosis-resistant and replication-quiescent cell populations, posing a challenge for current chemotherapeutics, which target rapidly replicating cells. MM remains an incurable disease in need of new therapeutic approaches. We have previously shown that the nucleoside analog, 8-chloro-adenosine (8-Cl-Ado), has significant activity for MM and that its sister compound, 8-amino-adenosine (8-NH2-Ado), appears to be even more potent, exhibiting greater activity in pre-clinical studies. 8-NH2-Ado is cytotoxic to MM cell lines both sensitive and resistant to conventional chemotherapies. This cytotoxic effect requires phosphorylation of 8-NH2-Ado to its tri-phosphate form, 8-NH2-ATP, and accumulation of 8-NH2-ATP results in a concomitant loss of endogenous ATP levels. 8-NH2-Ado induces apoptosis in MM cells as measured by an increase in Annexin V binding, a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in caspase activity, cleavage of caspase substrates, and an increase in cells with a subG1 DNA content. Here we demonstrate the novel effect of 8-NH2-Ado on the phosphorylation status of key cellular signaling molecules. MM cells treated with 8-NH2-Ado exhibit a dramatic loss of phosphorylation of several important signaling proteins, including ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and Akt kinase, within 30–120 minutes. Cells depleted of ATP by antimycin A or 2-deoxyglucose treatments to mimic 8-NH2-Ado-induced ATP depletion do not exhibit the same decrease in phosphorylation of vital cellular proteins. Therefore, the significant shifts in endogenous ATP pools caused by 8-NH2-Ado treatment cannot account for the changes in phosphorylation levels. Instead, 8-NH2-Ado may be affecting the activity of protein phosphatases involved in the negative regulation of these signaling molecules. Based on studies using the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, it appears that PP2A may play a role in the 8-NH2-Ado-induced decrease in phosphorylation of p38. The distinctive effect of 8-NH2-Ado on the phosphorylation status of cellular proteins is a novel phenomenon for a nucleoside analog drug and appears to be unique to 8-NH2-Ado among this class of drugs. The kinetics of 8-NH2-Ado-mediated changes in phosphorylation levels of critical pro-survival and apoptosis-regulating proteins suggest that the modulation of these proteins by de-phosphorylation at early time-points may be an important mechanistic step in 8-NH2-Ado-induced programmed cell death.
Survival Outcomes in Oropharyngeal Small-Cell Carcinoma Compared With Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Population-Based Study.

This study uses SEER data to evaluate the survival outcomes of oropharyngeal small-cell carcinoma, compared with squamous cell carcinoma.
Defining quality and value in a prospective study of an emergency department (ED) febrile neutropenia pathway (FNP).

6632 Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is an oncologic emergency and delays in antibiotic (ABX) administration lead to worse outcomes. We instituted a FNP in the Cleveland Clinic (CC) ED to redu...
Hydriding-Induced Wall Stress Evaluation of a Prototype Four-Inch Short (FISH) Tritium Hydride Bed

AbstractThe hydriding-induced wall stress evaluation of a prototype Four-Inch SHort (FISH) tritium hydride bed revealed that the advanced design features do not result in additional strain on the process vessel walls during simulated operation. The maximum tensile wall stress measured at high hydrogen loadings (H/M > 0.7) was determined to be <40% of the ASME allowable limit for 316L stainless steel. Variation in wall stress with hydride loading was also examined via stepwise protium absorption and desorption. Minimal hydriding-induced wall stress was observed in the optimal operating range of the hydride material. The results described herein are in good agreement with previous studies on similar hydride storage beds without the advanced design features. Completed verification of ASME compliance for the FISH bed is a major milestone in its qualification for tritium service.
Characteristics of the mass media's coverage of nuclear energy and its risk: A literature review

Media coverage of nuclear energy is a crucial source of information about the risk of nuclear energy for the general public. As a result, scholars of communication science are very interested in the media's coverage of the nuclear energy risk. This literature review provides an overview of the state of research in this field. This article will describe the findings of empirical research and focus on how much attention the nuclear energy issue receives from the media, the tone in which it is communicated, how it is framed, and how the media depict the risk of this technology. It also argues that empirical risk-coverage studies would be more informative if they took a broader perspective on risk. Finally, it will discuss areas for future research.
Improved Approach With Subcostal Exchange of the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device: Difference in On and Off Pump?

Background The HeartMate II (St. Jude Medical, Inc, St. Paul, MN [previously Thoratec]) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) exchange has traditionally involved a redo sternotomy. Alternate minimally invasive subcostal approaches have the advantage of avoiding sternal reentry, excessive bleeding, and prolonged recovery. Methods This retrospective review included patients who underwent an exchange from May 2009 to March 2016. The patients were divided into three cohorts: (1) redo sternotomy, (2) subcostal approach involving cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (ON-CPB SC), and (3) subcostal approach off the CPB pump (OFF-CPB SC). Data pertaining to patients' baseline characteristics and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Results From May 1, 2009 to July 31, 2016, 33 HeartMate II LVAD exchanges were performed. There were 11 redo sternotomies and 22 subcostal exchanges, 12 of which were in the OFF-CPB SC group. There was no significant difference among the groups in terms of age ( p = 0.75), sex ( p = 0.95), and indication for exchange ( p = 0.94). There was a higher red blood cell transfusion requirement within the sternotomy cohort ( p Conclusions Exchange of the HeartMate II LVAD can be accomplished with significantly improved recovery time and transfusion requirement through a less invasive subcostal approach when compared with sternotomy. The subcostal approach can be performed safely both on and off cardiopulmonary bypass.
Evacuation Decision-Making during Hurricane Matthew: An Assessment of the Effects of Social Connections

AbstractThis study conducted in Florida examines the relationship between an individual’s social connections and their decision to evacuate during a hurricane warning. Using Hurricane Matthew in 2016 as a case study, a survey was conducted on two groups (those who evacuated and those who did not), assessing one’s social connections considering three dimensions: dependability, density, and diversity. These factors, in addition to socioeconomic variables (e.g., age, race, education), were used to better define a picture for what influences evacuation decision-making. To avoid memory decay, the surveys were completed at the time of the evacuation for those who evacuated and immediately after the passage of Matthew for those who did not evacuate. It was concluded, through statistical analyses, that the perceived dependability of a person’s social connections (i.e., their perceived access to resources and support) played a significant role in the decision to evacuate or not, with non-evacuees having more depen...
Ray-based reconstruction algorithm for multi-monostatic radar in imaging systems

A ray-based reconstruction algorithm for multi-monostatic millimeter-wave radar systems uses time-of-flight data from groups of adjacent transceivers to generate a point cloud representing the target being scanned. Since this reconstruction algorithm uses only the time-of-flight data for specular reflection points, it is less computationally demanding than conventional methods.