Expansion of radio galaxies in a cosmologically evolving medium: Possible implications for the cosmic star-formation history

We compare earlier estimates of the volumes filled by lobes of radio galaxies during the quasar era based upon non-evolving ambient media with new ones assuming a strong cosmological evolution of the ambient medium. If the sources remain active for over 10^8 years the volumes filled by them are found to be comparable for the two scenarios. This strengthens our earlier inference that much of the cosmic web of gaseous filaments, the site of galaxy formation, was probably permeated by radio lobes during the quasar era and this could have triggered extensive star formation and made large contributions to the spread of magnetic fields and metals through the universe by z ~ 2.Comment: To appear in Bull. Astron. Soc. India; 10 pages, 3 Figures, basi.sty LaTex fil

Observation of condensed phases of quasi-planar core-softened colloids

We experimentally study the condensed phases of repelling core-softened spheres in two dimensions. The dipolar pair repulsion between superparamagnetic spheres trapped in a thin cell is induced by a transverse magnetic field and softened by suitably adjusting the cell thickness. We scan a broad density range and we materialize a large part of the theoretically predicted phases in systems of core-softened particles, including expanded and close-packed hexagonal, square, chain-like, stripe/labyrinthine, and honeycomb phase. Further insight into their structure is provided by Monte Carlo simulations

Curcumin: A Multi-dimensional Approach to Pancreatic Cancer Targeting Cell Death and Exosomes

Pancreatic cancer is currently one of the most difficult diseases to treat due to difficulty of detection and the aggressive nature of the disease. In addition, pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rates compared to other cancer types. These mortality rates are attributable in part to increasing resistance to cancer therapy. Cancer therapy resistance is caused by adaptations that favor survival within cancer cells and their environment, termed the tumor microenvironment. Intracellular adaptations include the overexpression of resistance-linked genes, such as the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins and overall resistance to cell death. Adaptations in the tumor microenvironment include altered intercellular vesicular signaling through exosomes, resulting in tumor growth and progression. However, recent studies have shown that exosomes can also be used as a delivery mechanism for drugs with poor bioavailability, thus providing a therapeutic advantage for these compounds. Currently, researchers are moving toward a multi-dimensional approach to pancreatic cancer therapy that incorporates compounds that target crucial players in chemotherapy resistance and in the tumor microenvironment, such as exosomes. Our studies are centered on the anti-cancer properties of curcumin, a turmeric derivative, on these intracellular and intercellular resistance mechanisms. The long term goal of this research is to determine the mechanisms by which curcumin modulates intracellular pathways related to pancreatic cancer survival and therapy resistance and exosome composition and release to improve the understanding of pancreatic cancer pathology and support the development of novel therapeutic approaches for pancreatic cancer patients. The specific objective of this research was to determine curcumin’s role in modulating intracellular proteins imperative for pancreatic cancer chemotherapy resistance such as the IAP proteins. Moreover, this research addressed the effects of curcumin on exosome release and function, specifically in the context of delivery to recipient pancreatic cancer cells. We have established that curcumin reduces expression of the IAPs in pancreatic cancer cells, inhibiting their survival and growth. Furthermore, curcumin not only attenuates pro-survival signaling through exosomes, but also itself carried within the nanovesicles and delivered to recipient pancreatic cancer cells, resulting in pancreatic cancer cell death

Expanded health data from the new birth certificate, 2006

by Michelle J.K. Osterman, Joyce A. Martin, and Fay Menacker.Objectives: This report presents 2006 data on new checkbox items exclusive to the 2003 U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth. Information is shown for checkboxes in the following categories: "risk factors in this pregnancy," "obstetric procedures," "characteristics of labor and delivery," "method of delivery," "abnormal conditions of the newborn," and "congenital anomalies of the newborn." These categories are included on both the 1989 and the 2003 U.S. Standard Certificates of Live Birth; however, many of the specific checkboxes were modified, or are new to the 2003 certificate. Data on selected new (not modified) checkboxes are presented in this report.Methods: Descriptive statistics are presented on births occurring in 2006 to residents of the 19 states that had implemented the 2003 U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth as of January 1, 2006.Results: There were 2,073,368 births to residents of the 19-state reporting area, representing 49 percent of 2006 U.S. births. The rate of prepregnancy diabetes was 6.8 per 1,000 births and gestational diabetes was 38.7; risk of both types of diabetes rose rapidly with advancing maternal age. Cervical cerclage was reported at a rate of 2.9 per 1,000. External cephalic version was used in 3.2 of every 1,000 births; its success rate decreased with increasing maternal age. Almost all attempts at forceps or vacuum delivery were successful. About 25 percent of women who had a cesarean delivery attempted a trial of labor. Fifteen percent of women received antibiotics during labor. Rates for antenatal steroids (8.4) and surfactant replacement therapy (3.2) decreased with increasing gestational age. Large differences by race and Hispanic origin were generally seen for the receipt of steroids and surfactant replacement therapy regardless of gestational age. Six percent of all infants were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Includes bibliographical references (p. 10-11).2008519

Market Access Analysis of Biologics and Small-Molecule Inhibitors for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Among US Health Insurance Policies.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:Treatment pathways for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are shifting to a more individualized, risk-stratified approach. The perception is that insurance policies may not have implemented this paradigm shift, particularly regarding access to newer agents. We evaluated patient access to advanced therapies by analyzing policy information from the Managed Markets Insight and Technology database. METHODS:Coverage status as of December 2018 for all US lives was queried for adalimumab, infliximab, infliximab-dyyb, tofacitinib, ustekinumab, and vedolizumab by indication (UC and/or CD) and medical or pharmacy coverage benefit. Coverage status was classified by the number of biologic steps before access to specified drug as "No Biologic," "1 Prior Biologic," "2+ Prior Biologics," "Not Covered." Unknown lives were excluded from the analyses. RESULTS:Coverage analysis was available for approximately 302 million lives under each medical and pharmacy benefit. Our analysis indicates that approximately half of covered lives had access to all agents (except tofacitinib) as first-line therapy; two-thirds had access after one biologic exposure. Among newer agents, vedolizumab had the widest coverage. For indications of UC and CD, 81% of known lives had access to vedolizumab with no prior biologic exposure required ("No Biologic"), 95% after "No Biologic" + "1 prior Biologic." Geographic variations were identified for coverage patterns. CONCLUSIONS:This US-based healthcare policy analysis points to an increased access to advanced therapies for UC and CD. An individualized, risk-stratified treatment approach integrating advanced therapies, including those recently approved, into treatment pathways for UC and CD is feasible

PROCRASTINATION, CONSCIENTIOUSNESS, ANXIETY, AND GOALS: EXPLORING THE MEASUREMENT AND CORRELATES OF PROCRASTINATION AMONG SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

We explore the reliability and validity of a self-report measure of procrastination and conscientiousness designed for use with third- to fifth-grade students. The responses of 120 students are compared with teacher and parent ratings of the student. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were also used to examine the structure of the scale. Procrastination and conscientiousness are highly correlated (inversely); evidence suggests that procrastination and conscientiousness are aspects of the same construct. Procrastination and conscientiousness are correlated with the Physiological Anxiety subscale of the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale, and with the Task (Mastery) and Avoidance (Task Aversiveness) subscales of Skaalvik’s (1997) Goal Orientation Scales. Both theoretical implications and implications for interventions are discussed

SHEARING IRRADIATED URANIUM PLATES

Natural U plates that were irradiated to 600 and 1500 Mwd/t were cut under water by a guillotine-iype shear. Irradiation reduced the force required for shearing to 50% of that required for unirradiated U. Measurements were made of radioactivity released to treated and untreated water in which the cut sections were stored. (auth