cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental and Finite Element Simulation Study of Thermal Relaxation of Residual Stresses in Laser Shock Peened IN718 SPF Superalloy

An integrated experimental and modeling/simulation approach was developed to investigate and secure a quantified knowledge of the impact of high temperature exposures on the stability of residual stresses in a laser shock peened (LSP) high temperature aero-engine alloy, IN718 SPF (super-plastically formed). Single dimple LSP and overlap LSP treatments were carried out utilizing a Nd:Glass laser (λ = 1.052 μm), and subsequent heat treatments on the LSP-treated coupons were conducted at different temperatures between 550 and 700 °C. A 3-D nonlinear finite element (FE) computational model and the rate-dependent Johnson-Cook material model were calibrated using the experimental results of residual stress from the single dimple LSP and thermal relaxation treatments, and were further extended to the overlap LSP treatment case. Both experimental and FE simulations show that: a) a high level of compressive residual stress (~700 MPa at surface) and residual stress depth (~0.4–0.6 mm) were achieved following LSP, and b) the overlap LSP treatment gave higher residual stress and greater depth. The magnitudes of the initial residual stress (and plastic strain), heating temperature and exposure time were identified as the key parameters controlling the thermal relaxation behavior. The stress relaxation mainly occurs initially before 20 min exposure and the extent of relaxation increases with an increase in temperature and a higher magnitude of the initial as-peened residual stress. In addition, in regions deeper than ~300 μm or after initial thermal exposure where the residual stress was lower than ~300 MPa, stress relaxation was found to be negligible. Kinetic analysis of the experimental thermal relaxation data based on Zener-Wert-Avrami model gave an activation enthalpy of 2.87 to 3.77 eV, which is near that reported in the literatures for volume and/or substitutional solute diffusion in Nickel. These results suggest that thermal relaxation of the LSP-induced residual stress occurs by a creep-like mechanism involving recovery, rearrangement and annihilation of dislocations by climb.
Electrical Studies of Living Tissue

Electrical studies of living frog and human tissues emphasize the fact that data obtained from electrophysiological studies of frogs cannot be applied directly to human beings. These studies show that frog tissue is practically equivalent to a pure resistance and that human tissue is equivalent to a resistance with relatively high shunt capacitance. These characteristics are believed to influence the response to minimal shocks.
n → π* Interaction and n)(π Pauli Repulsion Are Antagonistic for Protein Stability

In many common protein secondary structures, such as α-, 310, and polyproline II helices, an n → π* interaction places the adjacent backbone amide carbonyl groups in close proximity to each other. This interaction, which is reminiscent of the Burgi−Dunitz trajectory, involves delocalization of the lone pairs (n) of the oxygen (Oi−1) of a peptide bond over the antibonding orbital (π*) of Ci═Oi of the subsequent peptide bond. Such a proximal arrangement of the amide carbonyl groups should be opposed by the Pauli repulsion between the lone pairs (n) of Oi−1 and the bonding orbital (π) of Ci═Oi. We explored the conformational effects of this Pauli repulsion by employing common peptidomimetics, wherein the n → π* interaction is attenuated while the Pauli repulsion is retained. Our results indicate that this Pauli repulsion prevents the attainment of such proximal arrangement of the carbonyl groups in the absence of the n → π* interaction. This finding indicates that the poor mimicry of the amide bond by many p...
Wide range quantitative photoacoustic spectroscopy to measure non-linear optical absorption of hemoglobin

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) has been shown to be a valuable tool for quantifying hemoglobin oxygenation within single vessels. Recently, optical-resolution PAM was developed to achieve higher resolution by reducing the laser beam diameter, which increased the light intensity. As intensity increases, saturation of the optical absorption and multiphoton/ multi-step absorption can occur, which, together with the temperature dependence of thermal expansion, result in a non-linear dependence of the photoacoustic signal on the excitation pulse fluence. For hemoglobin, the major absorber in tissue for photoacoustic imaging, these non-linear phenomena have strong wavelength dependence. To enable quantitative photoacoustic measurements at different wavelengths in the presence of nonlinearity, a careful wide range analysis of the intensity-dependent absorption is required. Here, we built a photoacoustic spectrometer, using a tunable nanosecond optical parametric oscillator that operates between 410 nm and 2400 nm as our light source. To reduce uncertainty in our measurements due to inhomogeneous spatial distribution of the optical fluence, we used a flat-top beam illumination and a flat transducer which was mounted in reflection mode, effectively reducing quantitative measurements to a one dimensional problem. Intensity-dependent non-linear spectra of the photoacoustic signals of oxyand deoxy-hemoglobin were obtained. These measurements have the potential to contribute significantly to quantitative functional PAM.
Regulated Vesicular Trafficking of Specific PCDH15 and VLGR1 Variants in Auditory Hair Cells

Usher syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by hearing and balance dysfunction and progressive retinitis pigmentosa. Mouse models carrying mutations for the nine Usher-associated genes have splayed stereocilia, and some show delayed maturation of ribbon synapses suggesting these proteins may play different roles in terminal differentiation of auditory hair cells. The presence of the Usher proteins at the basal and apical aspects of the neurosensory epithelia suggests the existence of regulated trafficking through specific transport proteins and routes. Immature mouse cochleae and UB/OC-1 cells were used in this work to address whether specific variants of PCDH15 and VLGR1 are being selectively transported to opposite poles of the hair cells. Confocal colocalization studies between apical and basal vesicular markers and the different PCDH15 and VLGR1 variants along with sucrose density gradients and the use of vesicle trafficking inhibitors show the existence of Usher protein complexes in at least two vesicular subpools. The apically trafficked pool colocalized with the early endosomal vesicle marker, rab5, while the basally trafficked pool associated with membrane microdomains and SNAP25. Moreover, coimmunoprecipitation experiments between SNAP25 and VLGR1 show a physical interaction of these two proteins in organ of Corti and brain. Collectively, these findings establish the existence of a differential vesicular trafficking mechanism for specific Usher protein variants in mouse cochlear hair cells, with the apical variants playing a potential role in endosomal recycling and stereocilia development/maintenance, and the basolateral variants involved in vesicle docking and/or fusion through SNAP25-mediated interactions.
The fit of graphical displays to patterns of expectations

Graphical displays of multivariate data often clearly exhibit features of the expectations even though the data themselves are poorly fitted by the displays. Thus, it often occurs that ordinations and biplots that poorly fit the sample data still reveal salient characteristics such as clusters of similar individuals and patterns of correlation. This paper provides an explanation of this seemingly paradoxical phenomenon and shows that when many variables are analyzed, the common measure of goodness of fit of a lower rank approximation often seriously underestimates the closeness of the fit to underlying patterns. The paper also provides some guidelines on better estimates of the latter goodness of fit.
Woc gene mutation causes 20E-dependent alpha-tubulin detyrosination in Drosophila melanogaster.

The mutation without childrenrgl (wocrgl) is a newly described ecdysone-deficient Drosophila mutant. The wocrgl mutant larvae show developmental arrestment at the late larval stage and fail to form a puparium due to the failure of the ring gland to secret normal levels of ecdysone. Although a 6.8-kb woc gene transcript encoding a 187-kDa potential transcription factor has been cloned and lack of a specific cholesterol 7,8-dehydrogenease that mediates the first step in the ecdysteroidogenic pathway is likely the cause for ecdysteroid deficiency, the cellular events controlled by the woc gene remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the woc gene mutation on the expression and tyrosination of α-tubulin in the wocrgl mutant. Our results demonstrated that the mutation in the woc gene caused 20E-dependent α-tubulin detyrosination, but had no significant effect on the expression of total α- and β-tubulin in the homozygous wocrgl mutant larvae. Immunocytochemical study revealed that 20E-induced α-tubulin detyrosination led to the diminishing of tyrosinated α-tubulin signals from microtubules, resulting in the disruption of microtubule structure. The composite data suggest that the woc gene may regulate 20E-dependent α-tubulin detyrosination and that microtubules may be involved in sterol transport and sterol utilization in insect. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 60:116–129, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
I'm not there: extending the range of human senses to benefit wildlife corridors

How many experiences do we miss -- either through inattention or our own limitations -- when walking through the woods or diving with scuba mask and flippers? All around us, animals communicate and perceive with senses quite different from our own that have evolved from particular needs. Just as humans have employed technology to overcome limitations of physical strength, dexterity, and distance, so can we imagine technologies that enable us to extend our senses by taking cues from birds, whales, and other animals.
Elastic waves in combinatorial material libraries

Abstract The interaction of elastic waves with piezomagnetic inclusions is studied by considering the magnetic flux generated from two-dimensional magnetostrictive elements embedded within a silicon substrate and excited by an elastic stress wave. The objective of this process is to determine the feasibility of using this method to rapidly determine the strength of piezomagnetic coefficients within a combinatorial material library. A finite element model of the equations of motion, charge, and magnetism are used in combination with the Newmark method in time where the displacements and the electric and magnetic scalar potentials are treated as unknowns. The algorithm was first verified using elastic wave propagation in one-dimensional isotropic material and an anisotropic two-dimensional graphite/epoxy plate. A sequence of buried rectangular magnetostrictive specimens was then considered. For the materials studied, it was found that the coefficient q 31 of the piezomagnetic coefficient was the dominant factor contributing to the generation of the maximum magnetic flux in the z -direction from an elastic plane wave in the x -direction. The relationship between the maximum flux generated corresponding to the varying piezomagnetic coefficient is approximately linear. The variation in magnetic flux caused by a spacing of the library elements from the origin of the wave was also studied, giving some general guidelines for this potential method.
Seasonal Changes of Mineral Content of Southern Forages

Abstract Forage samples were collected at 2-wk intervals during the grazing season from bermudagrass, bahiagrass, millet, and mixed oats and ryegrass pastures. Immature stands of the summer grasses were maintained by rotational grazing and clipping. Corn silage, sorghum silage, and concentrate samples were collected bi-weekly at feeding. Forages and silages were grown on a Providence silt loam soil and fertilized according to results of soil analyses. Sorghum silage was higher in magnesium (.34 versus .21%) and potassium (1.47 versus 1.11%) than corn silage. Both silages were low in copper, zinc, and selenium and averaged 5.6, 21.8, and .056 μ g/g. Bermudagrass and bahiagrass contained less calcium and potassium than millet or oats and ryegrass. Differences existed among the grasses in manganese, copper, zinc, and selenium. Concentrations in bermudagrass, bahiagrass, oats and ryegrass, and millet were 111.1, 139.9, 84.6, and 90.0 μ g/g for manganese; 8.0, 8.5, 5.8, and 15.3 μ g/g for copper; 35.0, 29.4, 23.0, and 43.3 μ g/g for zinc; and .164, .086, .082, and .076 μ g/g for selenium. For bahiagrass, changes occurred in concentration of all minerals during April through October. For oats and ryegrass, all minerals except zinc varied during November through May. For bermudagrass, copper and phosphorus exhibited significant changes of concentration during the grazing season.
From authoritarianism to political democracy in Grenada: Questions for U.S. policy

Beginning as early as 1498 when Grenada had its initial contact with metropolitan forces, this island state has experienced little of the political democracy U.S. President Reagan pledged to restore to the country as part of the 1983 intervention. Yet, for the 1984 elections that followed the toppling of the remaining vestiges of the 1979–83 revolution, the United States and selected Caribbean allies attempted to amalgamate a party as an alternative to the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) and the remaining revolutionary forces. The resulting New National Party (NNP) was electorally successful in 1984 but by 1987 defections from the Party had produced a base for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In 1989 the NNP again divided. It was thus predictable that the 1990 elections would not return either wing of the National Party and instead would result in a coalition government led by the NDC. Chances for real political democracy in Grenada are improved but will not be easily realized in the face of severe economic crisis and a potentially weak government. The economic crisis could well promote current movements toward increased regional integration. It is important that the 1983–1984 pledge of the United States to promote democratization in Grenada be honored.
CDK 4/6 Inhibitor Palbociclib (PD0332991) in Rb+ Advanced Breast Cancer: Phase II Activity, Safety and Predictive Biomarker Assessment

Purpose: The G 1 –S checkpoint of the cell cycle is frequently dysregulated in breast cancer. Palbociclib (PD0332991) is an oral inhibitor of CDK4/6. Based upon preclinical/phase I activity, we performed a phase II, single-arm trial of palbociclib in advanced breast cancer. Experimental Design: Eligible patients had histologically confirmed, metastatic breast cancer positive for retinoblastoma (Rb) protein and measureable disease. Palbociclib was given at 125 mg orally on days 1 to 21 of a 28-day cycle. Primary objectives were tumor response and tolerability. Secondary objectives included progression-free survival (PFS) and assessment of Rb expression/localization, KI-67, p16 loss, and CCND1 amplification. Results: Thirty-seven patients were enrolled; 84% hormone-receptor (HR) + /Her2 − , 5% HR + /Her2 + , and 11% HR − /Her2 − , with a median of 2 prior cytotoxic regimens. Two patients had partial response (PR) and 5 had stable disease ≥ 6 months for a clinical benefit rate (CBR = PR + 6moSD) of 19% overall, 21% in HR + , and 29% in HR + /Her2 − who had progressed through ≥2 prior lines of hormonal therapy. Median PFS overall was 3.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.9–5.1], but significantly longer for those with HR + versus HR − disease ( P = 0.03) and those who had previously progressed through endocrine therapy for advanced disease ( P = 0.02). Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (51%), anemia (5%), and thrombocytopenia (22%). Twenty-four percent had treatment interruption and 51% had dose reduction, all for cytopenias. No biomarker identified a sensitive tumor population. Conclusions: Single-agent palbociclib is well tolerated and active in patients with endocrine-resistant, HR + , Rb-positive breast cancer. Cytopenias were uncomplicated and easily managed with dose reduction. Clin Cancer Res; 21(5); 995–1001. ©2014 AACR .
The Pot Liquor Principle: Developing a Black Music Criticism in American Music Studies:

This essay reflects on Black musical culture in the United States and its criticism with an eye toward how these ideas implicate new directions and areas of potential growth in the burgeoning field of American music studies writ large. We cannot fully understand American music and its study without intensely engaging the parts that comprise its sum. The relationship of African American musical studies to American musical studies remains a symbiotic and dynamic one and, therefore, we should keep in mind that any discussion of either should recognize that they simply would not exist in their present forms without one another. Yet one of the first orders of business in this exercise is a difficult
Localised authentication for inter-network roaming across wireless LANs

Authentication for inter-network roaming across wireless LANs is an important issue for achieving the goal of pervasive access and computing. The technical challenge lies in the fact that a visited network does not initially have the authentication credentials of a roaming user. Previous proposals have suggested that a visited network obtain the credentials of a roaming user and then forward them to the user's home network for authentication. A public key certificate structure is proposed, tailored to the business model of wireless Internet service providers (ISPs). In this manner, the mutual authentication between a visited network and a roaming user can be performed locally without any contact with user's home network. As a result, the time overhead incurred by communication between the ISPs' authentication, authorisation and accounting (AAA) servers can be avoided. A concrete protocol is proposed for the initial roaming authentication, which modifies the secure socket layer (SSL) v3.0 handshake protocol in order to encrypt a roaming user's identity, thus preventing any leaks in the wireless medium. A visited network can a posteriori use a portion of the protocol execution transcript as evidence to obtain revenue from a roaming user's home network. As demonstrated, the proposed solution provides a high level of security and is computationally efficient.
Microcircuitry of posterior cingulate cortex in vitro: electrophysiology and laminar analysis using the current source density method

Abstract We used current source density (CSD) analysis of a laminar profile of subicular stimulus-evoked field potentials recorded in cortical slices in vitro to characterize the interlaminar microcircuitry of posterior cingulate cortex. Neuroanatomic and electrophysiologic data indicate that subiculocingulate tract (SCT) afferents monosynaptically excite apical dendrites of deep laminae (V–VI) neurons, evoking pure EPSPs, while superficial laminae (II/III–IV) neurons are driven polysynaptically, evoking a mixture of longer latency EPSPs and IPSPs. Consistent with this model, CSD analysis of field potential laminar profiles supports the conclusion that activation of excitatory subicular afferent terminal fields in superfical laminae of cingulate cortex elicits primary monosynaptic activation of apical dendrites of deep lamina (V–VI) pyramids. Subsequent EPSP propagation to the somata of these pyramids generated synchronous action potential discharges which appeared to elicit delayed polysynaptic activation of superficial laminae pyramids and interneurons. Latency differences between SCT-stimulus-evoked EPSPs and action potentials in superficial and deep laminae were minimized by stimulus train frequencies of 5–8 Hz, indicating that the proposed microcircuitry can show functional tuning at frequencies characteristic of hippocampal neuronal activity (theta). Such tuning suggests that hippocampal output activity frequency and phase locked to theta rhythm will be preferentially gated through cingulate cortex.
Separation of grain boundary effects and intrinsic properties in perovskite-like Gd 0.6 Y 0.4 BaCo 2 O 5.5 using high-frequency dielectric spectroscopy

The dielectric response of ${\mathrm{Gd}}_{0.6}{\mathrm{Y}}_{0.4}{\mathrm{BaCo}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{5.5},$ which undergoes a sequence of magnetic and electronic phase transitions, has been investigated in the radio-frequency range from 1 MHz to 1.8 GHz in order to separate the intrinsic properties from grain boundary and sample-electrode interface effects. Analysis of the measured response, showing the characteristics of a damped resonator, reveals the intrinsic dc resistivity, which cannot be detected using the standard four-point measurement method. From the skin-effect-governed dielectric response the temperature dependence of the magnetic permeability was determined.
Cone beam volume CT image artifacts caused by defective cells in x-ray flat panel imagers and the artifact removal using a wavelet-analysis-based algorithm.

The application of x-ray flat panel imagers (FPIs) in cone beam volume CT (CBVCT) has attracted increasing attention. However, due to a deficient semiconductor array manufacturing process, defective cells unavoidably exist in x-ray FPIs. These defective cells cause their corresponding image pixels in a projection image to behave abnormally in signal gray level, and result in severe streak and ring artifacts in a CBVCT imagereconstructed from the projection images. Since a three-dimensional (3-D) back-projection is involved in CBVCT, the formation of the streak and ring artifacts is different from that in the two-dimensional (2-D) fan beam CT. In this paper, a geometric analysis of the abnormality propagation in the 3D back-projection is presented, and the morphology of the streak and ring artifacts caused by the abnormality propagation is investigated through both computer simulation and phantom studies. In order to calibrate those artifacts, a 2D wavelet-analysis-based statistical approach to correct the abnormal pixels is proposed. The approach consists of three steps: (1) the location-invariant defective cells in an x-ray FPI are recognized by applying 2-D wavelet analysis on flat-field images, and a comprehensive defective cell template is acquired; (2) based upon the template, the abnormal signal gray level of the projection image pixels corresponding to the location-invariant defective cells is replaced with the interpolation of that of their normal neighbor pixels; (3) that corresponding to the isolated location-variant defective cells are corrected using a narrow-windowed median filter. The CBVCT images of a CT low-contrast phantom are employed to evaluate this proposed approach, showing that the streak and ring artifacts can be reliably eliminated. The novelty and merit of the approach are the incorporation of the wavelet analysis whose intrinsic multi-resolution analysis and localizability make the recognition algorithm robust under variable x-ray exposure levels between 30% and 70% of the dynamic range of an x-ray FPI.
Abstract 3316: An alpha-secretase inhibitor decreases glioma stem cell growth by inhibiting the Notch pathway and LMW Cyclin E

The Notch pathway is deregulated in glioblastoma. Previous work suggests the inhibition of this pathway will have therapeutic benefits. The only inhibitors of Notch available block the gamma-secretase enzymatic complex necessary for processing Notch into the active form. However, Notch is also cleaved by alpha-secretase outside the plasma membrane, with the sheddases ADAM10 and 17. INCB3619 is a potent inhibitor of both ADAM10 and 17, and has been shown to inhibit growth of MCF-7 breast tumor cells when used with lapatinib. In this work, INCB3619 was used to inhibit endogenous Notch cleavage and downstream CBF-1 reporter activity in 0308 and 0822 human glioma stem cell lines. A microarray analysis of INCB3619 vs. DMSO treatment of 0308 cells identified many downregulated Notch pathway targets, but also identified new targets of INCB3619, such as CHI3L1/YKL40, an important prognostic indicator of many inflammatory diseases. Treatment of 0308 and 0822 glioma stem lines with INCB3619 inhibited their growth in culture due to a cell cycle arrest in G1 and a decrease in S phase cells. Growth inhibition by INCB3619 can be rescued with transfection of the active form of two Notch family members, NICD1 and 2. The growth inhibition of INCB3619 treated glioma stem cells is also stems from a shift in Cyclin E expression from a hyperactive low-molecular-weight form to the usual high-molecular-weight form. Also, INCB3619 induces higher expression of both p53 and p21, which can inhibit Cyclin E. Unlike with INCB3619, The treatment of glioma stem cells with DAPT, a well-known and potent gamma secretase inhibitor that cleaves Notch downstream of ADAM10 and 17, does not have a noticeable effect on Cyclin E processing or p21/p53 expression. INCB3619 therefore decreases glioma stem cell growth partly through a mechanism of Notch inhibition and also through inhibition of production of the hyperactive low-molecular-weight form of Cyclin E. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3316. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3316
Optimization of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for rapid geochemical analysis

Abstract Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is demonstrated as a quantitative technique for geochemical analysis. This study demonstrates the applicability of LIBS to bulk elemental analysis of igneous rock powders. LIBS spectra of 100 igneous rocks with highly varying compositions were acquired at 9 m standoff distance under Mars atmospheric conditions. LIBS spectra were modeled using partial least squares regressions to predict major element compositions. A series of comparative tests determined the most effective methodologies for pre-processing of spectral and compositional data, and choice of calibration set. In the best cases, calculated 1− σ errors are 1.6 wt.% SiO 2 , 1.5 wt.% Al 2 O 3 , 0.4 wt.% TiO 2 , 1.2 wt.% Fe 2 O 3 T, 1.6 wt.% MgO, 0.02 wt.% MnO, 1.1 wt.% CaO, 0.5 wt.% Na 2 O, 0.2 wt.% P 2 O 5 , and 0.4 wt.% K 2 O, with totals near 100%. The largest improvement came as a result of scaling the elemental distributions to equalize the ranges of variability. Optimal predictions for this data set were produced with calibration set compositions input as weight % oxides and not atomic fractions. Predictions were also improved when calibration sets represented the smallest range of compositional variability possible, and completely encompassed the compositional range encountered. Multiple calibration sets relevant to different rock types are preferred over a single all-encompassing calibration set. Baseline removal and transforming spectral data by their first derivative do not improve predictions and can even have negative effects. These results are directly applicable to spectra that will be acquired by the ChemCam experiment on Mars Science Laboratory, but also apply more broadly to terrestrial LIBS applications.
Seed Contamination Thresholds for Development of Carrot Bacterial Blight Caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. carotae.

The relationship between levels of carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) seed contamination with Xanthomonas campestris pv. carotae and (i) establishment of populations of X. campestris pv. carotae on carrot leaves and (ii) the incidence and severity of carrot bacterial blight was determined in field plots in Davis, California, in 1995 and 1996. Levels of seed contamination ranged from 0 to 1.5 × 105 CFU/g in 1995 and from 0 to 1.5 × 107 CFU/g in 1996. Seed contamination levels were positively correlated with X. campestris pv. carotae populations detected on leaves and with the incidence and severity of carrot bacterial blight. The size of X. campestris pv. carotae populations on leaves was also directly related to disease incidence. In 1996, yields were significantly reduced in plots established with seed lots having the highest levels of X. campestris pv. carotae contamination. Under the conditions of this study (i.e., a location having low rainfall and relative humidity), the threshold of seed contamination for the establishment of X. campestris pv. carotae populations on leaves and for the development of carrot bacterial blight was unexpectedly high: 104 to 105 CFU/g of seed.
Abstract 1661: Fine-mapping of GWAS variants in BMP4, GREM1, CDH1, and RHPN2 in African American colorectal cancer patients

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of colorectal cancer (CRC) have identified risk variants in candidate genes involved in TGF-s signaling including BMP4, GREM1, CDH1, RHPN2 and SMAD7. We previously replicated the association with a 3′-UTR SNP in GREM1 (rs10318) in African Americans but did not find evidence of associations in the other genes. This finding could be explained by different genomic structure in African Americans. Therefore, we sought to fine-map these genes to identify CRC risk variants in African Americans who are at highest risk of CRC in the US. Methods: DNA from cases and controls was obtained from two US institutions. In total, we included DNA from 795 AA cases and 985 AA controls. TagSNPs with minor allele frequencies >5% and pairwise r2 >0.8 were identified in five genes using YRI Hapmap data. A total of 81 SNPs were genotyped in cases and controls using Sequenom MassARRAY. We calculated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using logistic regression controlling for ancestry, age, gender and multiple testing in PLINK. Results: Association analysis was completed for four genes: BMP4, GREM1, CDH1 and RHPN2. The top tagSNP associations for each gene are shown in the Table. None of the SNPs were significant after permutation testing. In GREM1, the strongest SNP associations were found at the 3′ end of the gene. In BMP4, we identified two SNPs (rs1957852 and rs7146040) that are in LD with rs4444235 previously identified in a European GWAS. In CDH1, rs12931189 is located in the same LD block as the strongest association signal (rs7199991) in a recent fine-mapping study in Europeans. Finally, we have no evidence for associations in RHPN2 in African Americans. Conclusion: These results provide preliminary evidence of associations in African American colorectal cancer patients in BMP4, GREM1 and CDH1 identified by GWAS in Europeans. Ongoing work is testing associations in SMAD7 and further fine-mapping by imputation and resequencing in these regions. ![Figure][1] Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1661. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1661 [1]: pending:yes
Neuroanatomical correlates of pleasant and unpleasant emotion

Substantial evidence suggests that a key distinction in the classification of human emotion is that between an appetitive motivational system association with positive or pleasant emotion and an aversive motivational system associated with negative or unpleasant emotion. To explore the neural substrates of these two systems, 12 healthy women viewed sets of pictures previously demonstrated to elicit pleasant, unpleasant and neutral emotion, while positron emission tomographic (PET) measurements of regional cerebral blood flow were obtained. Pleasant and unpleasant emotions were each distinguished from neutral emotion conditions by significantly increased cerebral blood flow in the vicinity of the medial prefrontal cortex (Brodmann's area 9), thalamus, hypothalamus and midbrain (P < 0.005). Unpleasant was distinguished from neutral or pleasant emotion by activation of the bilateral occipito-temporal cortex and cerebellum, and left parahippocampal gyrus, hippocampus and amygdala (P < 0.005). Pleasant was also distinguished from neutral but not unpleasant emotion by activation of the head of the left caudate nucleus (P < 0.005). These findings are consistent with those from other recent PET studies of human emotion and demonstrate that there are both common and unique components of the neural networks mediating pleasant and unpleasant emotion in healthy women.
Discrete Fourier transforms of nonuniformly spaced data

Time series or spatial series of measurements taken with nonuniform spacings have failed to yield fully to analysis using the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT). This is due to the fact that the formal DFT is the convolution of the transform of the signal with the transform of the nonuniform spacings. Two original methods are presented for deconvolving such transforms for signals containing significant noise. The first method solves a set of linear equations relating the observed data to values defined at uniform grid points, and then obtains the desired transform as the DFT of the uniform interpolates. The second method solves a set of linear equations relating the real and imaginary components of the formal DFT directly to those of the desired transform. The results of numerical experiments with noisy data are presented in order to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of the methods.
Transparent optical networks for high-performance distributed computing

Optical time-division multiplexing (OTDM) has been considered as an alternative to wavelength-division multiplexing for future networks operating in excess of 10 Gb/s. Recent advances in device technologies have opened new opportunities for implementing OTDM in very high-speed transmission as well as networking. The potentially multi-terahertz bandwidth made available with the advent of optical fibers can be exploited by eliminating the bottleneck caused by electro-optic conversion. This paper presents an overview of current OTDM networks and their supporting technologies. A novel network architecture is introduced aimed at offering both ultra-high speed and maximum parallelism for future terabit data communications. Each node of the network is composed of several components including low-loss photonic switches, a switch controller, an optical data processing unit, and a user interface. We discuss the performance of each component, and obtain an optimal structure for ultra-fast optical networks.
Return to sports after shoulder arthroplasty: a survey of surgeons' preferences.

Background Shoulder arthroplasty has become more prevalent, and patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty are becoming more active. Recommendations for return to athletic activity have not recently been updated and do not consider the newest arthroplasty options. Methods A survey was distributed to 310 members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, inquiring about allowed participation in 28 different athletic activities after 5 types of shoulder arthroplasty options (total shoulder arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, humeral resurfacing, total shoulder resurfacing, and reverse shoulder arthroplasty). Results The response rate to the survey was 30.3%, with 74.1% of respondents allowing some return to athletic activity after shoulder arthroplasty. The 28 athletic activities were grouped into 4 categories based on the load and possible impact to the shoulder. Only 51% of respondents allowed any participation in contact sports, whereas 90% allowed some participation in noncontact low-load sports. Return to sports after humeral resurfacing was highest, at 92.0% of the respondents, whereas the least percentage of surgeons allowed sports after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, at 45.2%. Conclusion The majority of surveyed surgeons allowed some return to sports after shoulder arthroplasty. Surgeons were more likely to recommend return to sports if the activities did not involve significant contact, risk of fall or collision, or application of high loads to the shoulder joint. Surgeons were also more likely to recommend return to sports if the arthroplasty did not involve the glenoid. Clinical relevance The results of this survey may help surgeons counsel patients regarding return to specific athletic activities after various types of shoulder arthroplasty.
Diffusion of polymer molecules into polymer networks: Effect of stresses and contraints

Fine threads of cis-1, 4-polyisoprene, diameter ca. 50 μm, were prepared by drawing from solution and drying. They were crosslinked by reaction with H2S and SO2 and then swollen with linear cis-polyisoprene liquids of varied molecular weight Ms, from 1,000 to 24,000 g/mol. Diffusion coefficients were determined from the initial rate of uptake, for both unrestrained and stretched threads. They were found to be in good agreement for stretches of up to about 300%. On the other hand, the equilibrium uptake increased markedly (> 100%) over this range of strain, similar to the increase in swelling observed with low-molecular-weight liquids. Values of diffusion coefficient were also obtained from the rate of deswelling upon release of swollen threads from tension, and from the rate of uptake of polymer liquids by a thin coating of crosslinked polymer, bonded onto glass fibers. Satisfactory agreement was obtained in all cases. A number of simple experiments thus give similar values for the diffusion coefficient of polymer liquids in lightly crosslinked polymer networks, in the range 10−13−10−16 m2/s, depending upon the molecular weight Ms of the polymer liquid approximately weight as M−2s. The amount of liquid absorbed was strongly dependent on its molecular weight, Ms, the degree of crosslinking of the host material, and applied stresses or constraints.
Purification and Gene Cloning of α-Methylserine Aldolase from Ralstonia sp. Strain AJ110405 and Application of the Enzyme in the Synthesis of α-Methyl-l-Serine

By screening microorganisms that are capable of assimilating α-methyl-dl-serine, we detected α-methylserine aldolase in Ralstonia sp. strain AJ110405, Variovorax paradoxus AJ110406, and Bosea sp. strain AJ110407. A homogeneous form of this enzyme was purified from Ralstonia sp. strain AJ110405, and the gene encoding the enzyme was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The enzyme appeared to be a homodimer consisting of identical subunits, and its molecular mass was found to be 47 kDa. It contained 0.7 to 0.8 mol of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate per mol of subunit and could catalyze the interconversion of α-methyl-l-serine to l-alanine and formaldehyde in the absence of tetrahydrofolate. Formaldehyde was generated from α-methyl-l-serine but not from α-methyl-d-serine, l-serine, or d-serine. α-Methyl-l-serine synthesis activity was detected when l-alanine was used as the substrate. In contrast, no activity was detected when d-alanine was used as the substrate. In the α-methyl-l-serine synthesis reaction, the enzymatic activity was inhibited by an excess amount of formaldehyde, which was one of the substrates. We used cells of E. coli as a whole-cell catalyst to express the gene encoding α-methylserine aldolase and effectively obtained a high yield of optically pure α-methyl-l-serine using l-alanine and formaldehyde.
Preliminary Study of the Work of Health Educators in a Clinical Setting

This study examined the task of health educators working in a clinical setting to better understand their roles. The study was designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional survey using a convenience sample of health educators who worked in clinical settings in Indiana and who had a college degree in health education. Forty health educators were contacted and 62.5% of the subjects participated in the survey. Results indicated most jobs were similar in nature and the health education curriculum studied helped them in the roles they were serving. However, many educators felt there were other content areas of study that would have been helpful to prepare them for working in the clinical setting. A majority of the respondents reported that having Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification was helpful and necessary in their positions.
A Blind Separation Method of Noised Image Based on Neural Network Nonlinear Filtering and Independent Component Analysis

The main objective of this work is to develop a new method for the blind separation of the noised image. A nonlinear neural network and independent component analysis (ICA) algorithm are combined. The neural network filter is used to remove the noise and ICA algorithm is used for the blind separation of the mixed image. But the effect of pre-filter is different from the post-filter. By comparing the experimental results, pre-filter is proved to be more effective. The research work is helpful for the blind source separation of the multidimensional signal.
Power grid simulation via efficient sampling-based sensitivity analysis and hierarchical symbolic relaxation

On-chip supply networks are playing an increasingly important role for modern nanometer-scale designs. However, the ever growing sizes of power grids make the analysis problem extremely difficult thereby introducing severe challenges in design and optimization. The inherent analysis complexity calls for innovations in simulation techniques that must provide appropriate accuracy, efficiency as well as the tradeoff thereof to aid design verification and optimization. In this paper, we first present a sampling-based sensitivity analysis by employing the notation of importance sampling in a Monte Carlo based circuit simulation framework. This technique allows the extraction of multi-parameter sensitivities for the node voltages of interest in the same Monte Carlo runs that are used for computing the nominal voltage values. For more efficient nonstructured whole-grid solution approaches, we further introduce a new direct solution method by embedding symbolic relaxation steps in a hierarchical fashion. As a direct method, the proposed hierarchical symbolic relaxation is suitable to both dc and transient analyses. Circuit examples are included to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed techniques.
Screening for Urinary Tract Infection in Infants in the Emergency Department: Which Test Is Best?

Objective. Comparison of rapid tests and screening strategies for detecting urinary tract infection (UTI) in infants. Methods. Cross-sectional study conducted in an urban tertiary care children9s hospital emergency department and clinical laboratories of 3873 infants 3 plus Gram stain), Gram stain alone, and dipstick plus microscopic UA (white blood cells and bacteria per high-powered field) compared with urine culture results (positive urine results defined as ≥10 4 colony-forming units per milliliter of urinary tract pathogen) for each sample. Cost comparison of 1) dipstick plus culture of all urine specimens versus 2) cell count ± Gram stain of urine, culture only those with positive results. Results. The enhanced UA was most sensitive at detecting UTI (94%; 95% confidence interval: 83,99), but had more false-positive results (16%) than the urine dipstick or Gram stain (3%). The most cost-effective strategy was to perform cultures on all infants and begin presumptive treatment on those whose dipstick had at least moderate (+2) leukocyte esterase or positive nitrite at a cost of $3.70 per child. With this strategy, all infants with UTI were detected. If the enhanced UA was used to screen for when to send the urine for culture, 82% of cultures would be eliminated, but 4% to 6% of infants with UTI would be missed and the cost would be higher ($6.66 per child). Conclusion. No rapid test can detect all infants with UTI. Physicians should send urine for culture from all infants and begin presumptive treatment only on those with a significantly positive dipstick result. The enhanced UA is most sensitive for detecting UTI, but is less specific and more costly, and should be reserved for the neonate for whom a UTI should not be missed at first visit.
Angular Fourier Mapping; Highlighting lattice structures without destroying original data

A two-dimensional Fourier transformation, FT, is used to isolate two different lattice structures within one scanning probe microscope, SPM, image. The isolated structures are then used to create a two-color map that encodes the presence of these structures within the image. The color map is normalized in brightness and then used to color-code the original black and white SPM data. The distribution of different structures becomes obvious, while all original brightness information is preserved in this combined image.
Reply to Catania

What is selected? Around the turn of the century, Samuel Butler made the point that a hen is only an egg's way of making another egg. He was anticipating the view that the organism is the servant of the gene. But the organism is needed by the gene. Variations occur in genes but must be selected in organisms. If we regard a culture as a social environment that shapes the behavior of new members of a group, then we can say that a culture is simply an individual's way of producing other enculturated individuals. Variations occur in the individual, but it is the culture with its practices that survives. Many practices evolve and survive independently of particular cultures, just as eyes, ears, wings, and legs – the “practices” of species – evolve and survive independently of particular species.
Electrophysiological effects of dynorphin peptides on hippocampal pyramidal cells in rat

Single-unit extracellular recording was carried out in rats to characterize the effects of dynorphin and several structurally related peptides on hippocampal pyramidal cell activity. Dynorphin, applied electrophoretically or by pneumatic pressure, produced a dose-dependent depression of both spontaneous and glutamate-evoked discharge in a majority (63%) of CA1 and CA3 cells tested. In addition, a small number of cells in both cellular fields responded to the peptide with a prolonged elevation in firing. The inhibitory effects of dynorphin were not blocked by naloxone. Moreover, administration of des-tyrosine-dynorphin depressed the firing of pyramidal cells in a manner similar to that of the parent compound. Ethylketocyclazocine produced a mixed pattern of excitatory and inhibitory effects, whereas naloxone-sensitive elevations in firing were most often observed with the application of dynorphin-(1-8). Application of [Leu5]enkephalin produced only facilitations in pyramidal cell firing. The possibility is raised that biologically significant non-opiate actions, in addition to potent opiate-mediated effects, may occur upon release of pro-dynorphin peptides in the hippocampus.
Teaching the Scientific Method to At-Risk Students and Students with Learning Disabilities Through Concept Anchoring and Explicit Instruction:

Increased attention is being devoted to the development of science literacy as repeated findings demonstrate students' lack of scientific understanding. To provide all students an opportunity to become science-literate, significant changes have been proposed in both the content being addressed and the instructional practices being used in teaching science. In this study, we manipulated both of these facets to teach the scientific method to at-risk students and students with learning disabilities. The content was framed with concepts and principles, and instruction was explicit, using rules to guide classroom activities. A combination of classroom observations and problem-solving tasks yielded significant differences between students taught with this enhanced approach over that achieved when instruction simply provided hands-on constructivistic activities not anchored to concepts or not explicitly delivered through rules.