Emergent dynamics of extremes in a population driven by common information sources and new social media algorithms

We quantify how and when extreme subpopulations emerge in a model society despite everyone having the same information and available resources – and show that counterintuitively these extremes will likely be enhanced over time by new social media algorithms designed to reduce division. We verify our analysis mathematically, and show it reproduces (a) the time-dependent behavior observed in controlled experiments on humans, (b) the findings of a recent study of online behavior by Facebook concerning the impact of ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ news, (c) the observed temporal emergence of extremes in U.S. House of Representatives voting, and (d) the real-time emergence of a division in national opinion during the ongoing peace process in Colombia. We uncover a novel societal tipping point which is a ‘ghost’ of a nearby saddle-node bifurcation from dynamical systems theory, and which provides a novel policy opportunity for preventing extremes from emerging.

[Comparison between hybrid surgery and transabdominal preperitoneal surgery in treatment of irreducible inguinal hernia: A case-control study]

Objective: To compare the effects between hybrid surgery and transabdominal preperitoneal surgery in treatment of irreducible inguinal hernia. Methods: A total of 60 patients who underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair between June 2011 and December 2017 were included in the study. Patients were divided into two group: hybrid surgery group (observation group, n=30) and transabdominal preperitoneal group (control group, n=30). The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay, hospital cost and complications were analyzed. Results: The operative time of observation group and control group was 45 (35-65) minutes and 50(35-70) minutes, respectively. Intraoperative blood loss of two groups was 10(5-15) ml and 5(2-10) ml. The length of postoperative hospital stay was 2(1-4) days and 2(1-3) days in the two groups, respectively. And the hospitalization cost of two groups was 9 646 (9 066-11 560) yuan and 9 494(8 989-10 660) yuan, respectively. The intraoperative complications occurred in 4 cases in control group, including 1 case of vas deferens injury, 2 cases of spermatic vessel injury and 1 case of inferior epigastric artery injury. No intraoperative complications occurred in observation group. Perioperative complications in observation group and control group included dysuria (6.7% vs 10.0%), scrotum hematoma (3.4% vs 0%), wound pain (46.7% vs 6.7%) and fever (16.7% vs 20.0%). Twelve months of follow-up was completed in all the patients, and no recurrence or infections occurred in the two groups. The incidence of seroma in observation group and control group was 26.7%, 33.3%, respectively. One case of foreign body sensation and one case of chronic pain occurred in control group. The incidence of perioperative wound pain in patients undergoing hybrid surgery was higher than those undergoing transabdominal preperitoneal surgery (P<0.05), but no statistical differences were observed for other variables between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Hybrid surgery is safe and feasible for the treatment of irreducible inguinal hernia. Though with a higher incidence of postoperative acute pain, it may have advantages of avoiding injuries of the vas deferens and spermatic vessels.

Upgrading Plan Towards Multi-messenger Observation with LHAASO

LHAASO is planning to enhance its sensitivity at energies around 100 GeV by utilize MCP staffed 20” PMT in the Water Cherekove Detector Array. The effective area for gamma ray detection will reach to 1800 m2 and differential sensitivity to 0.2 CU at 50 GeV. It will be the very useful survey detection for transient phenomena at 50 GeV in the northern sky. LHAASO is expected to play an important role in the multimessenger observation with the upgrading.

MicroRNA-1285 inhibits malignant biological behaviors of human pancreatic cancer cells by negative regulation of YAP1

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a most deadly malignancy, with a 5-year survival rate of ~7%. Chemotherapy is the main treatment strategy of this disease. However, the high rate of resistance to chemotherapeutic agent contributes to poor prognosis. MicroRNAs are essential for the initiation, progression and chemoresistance of human malignancies. Previous studies have shown that miRNA-1285 participates in renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, its roles in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma are poorly understood. In this study, we confirmed that miR-1285 was significantly down-regulated in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cell lines by qRT-PCR. We found that miR-1285 suppressed cell proliferation as well as increased the sensitivity of PDAC cells to gemcitabine by CCK8 assays in vitro. Results from transwell assay indicated that miR-1285 inhibited pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion. Experiments using different cell lines got identical results. All those results demonstrated that miR-1285 act as tumor suppressor of pancreatic cancer. To our knowledge, this study is the first to elucidate the function of miR-1285 in pancreatic cancer. Western blotting analysis verified that miR-1285 negatively regulated YAP1 protein level, together with EGFR and β-catenin. YAP1 is a known oncoprotein of pancreatic cancer. As silencing of YAP1 activity might be beneficial in cancer prevention and treatment, our results suggest that miR-1285 might serve as a novel therapeutic target for miRNA-based therapy in pancreatic cancer. Further research elucidating the exact mechanisms of miRNA-1285 function and the correlation between miR-1285 levels in tissues or serum and clinical characteristics of pancreatic cancer is needed later.

Mid-infrared laser heterodyne radiometer (LHR) based on a 3.53 μm room-temperature interband cascade laser

The performance of an interband cascade laser based laser heterodyne radiometer (LHR) is demonstrated in ground-based solar occultation mode. High-resolution (0.0033 cm^-1) transmission spectra near 3.53 μm were obtained for simultaneous atmospheric observations of H₂O and CH₄. Combined with the preprocessed measurement data (acquired at Hefei, China, on June 21th 2016), an optimal estimation method based retrieval algorithm is developed for data retrieval and error analysis. By considering the corrected atmospheric parameters, vertical profiles of H₂O and CH₄ are retrieved. Finally, the measured total column abundance and XCH4 were calculated to be 1.87 ± 0.02 ppm and 1.88 ± 0.02 ppm, respectively. The interband cascade laser-based laser heterodyne radiometer that is demonstrated in this manuscript has high potential for use in the development of compact, robust, and unattended LHR for spacecraft, airborne or ground-based atmospheric sensing.

Measurement of knees of the spectra of heavy nuclei above 10 PeV with LHAASO

Measuring the knees of the cosmic ray spectra for individual species is a very important approach to solve the problem of the origin of ultra high energy galactic cosmic rays. The knee of the iron spectrum is implied to be above 10 PeV from previous experiments, such as ARGO-YBJ and LHAASO-WFCTA. LHAASO is a suitable size for measurements with the required precision. The key is to separate iron nuclei from all cosmic ray samples. In this paper, we identify a couple of variables that are sensitive to the composition of showers recorded by the detector arrays in LHAASO. A multi variate analysis is proposed for the separation. The efficiency and purity of the selection for demanded species are optimized by well configuring the LHAASO array using the LHAASO simulation tools.

Abstract LB-127: From bench to bedside: Exploring OX40 receptor modulation in a phase 1/2a study of the OX40 costimulatory agonist BMS-986178 ± nivolumab (NIVO) or ipilimumab (IPI) in patients with advanced solid tumors

Background: Activation of OX40, a costimulatory protein in the tumor necrosis factor receptor super family, enhances T effector cell activation and inhibits T regulatory (Treg) cell-mediated suppression. Preclinical data showed that combination of an OX40 agonist with checkpoint blockade (anti-PD-1 or anti-CTLA-4) enhanced antitumor activity vs checkpoint blockade alone. BMS-986178 is a fully human IgG1 agonist monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity to OX40 and was well tolerated ± NIVO (anti-PD-1; Olszanski AJ, et al. J Immunother Cancer 2017;5(suppl2) [abstract O17]). The relationship between receptor modulation and the activity of agonist OX40 agents in the clinic is not clear. Here we present findings on the regulation of OX40 receptor expression and T-cell activation by BMS-986178 ± NIVO or IPI (anti–CTLA-4) from the phase 1/2a study in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT02737475).

Methods: Patients with ≥ 1 prior therapy were treated in this open-label, dose-escalation and -expansion study. During escalation, patients received BMS-986178 monotherapy 20-320 mg IV Q2W, BMS-986178 20-320 mg + NIVO 240 mg IV Q2W, or BMS-986178 20-320 mg + IPI 1 mg/kg IV Q3W. Pharmacokinetics (PK) and systemic pharmacodynamics (PD) were evaluated, including analysis of OX40 receptor occupancy (RO), CD4+ T cell- and Treg-cell surface OX40 expression, soluble OX40 (sOX40) levels, cytokines, and proliferation of effector memory T cells in circulation.

Results: BMS-986178 PK was linear from 20 to 320 mg when administered as monotherapy (n = 20), + NIVO (n = 38), or + IPI (n = 32). Moreover, BMS-986178 ± NIVO or IPI stimulated the production of IFN-γ and increased proliferating (Ki-67+) effector memory T cells. Concomitant downregulation of OX40 expression on the cell surface of CD4+ T cells and Tregs was observed as OX40 RO approached saturation at BMS-986178 doses of ≥ 40 mg. Furthermore, BMS-986178 doses of 20-160 mg ± NIVO or IPI increased sOX40 levels, while BMS-986178 doses of ≥ 160 mg ± NIVO or IPI led to sOX40 plateau.

Conclusions: Clinical PK/PD findings showed efficient BMS-986178 target engagement and confirmed preclinical observations that BMS-986178 can modulate RO and OX40/sOX40 expression. Furthermore, peripheral T-cell activation was observed in patients treated with BMS-986178 ± NIVO or IPI. Coupled with our preclinical observations, these findings highlight a complex dose-response relationship between BMS-986178 receptor saturation, receptor modulation, and induction of soluble receptor. These data support further clinical investigation of a broader dose range and optimal schedules for BMS-986178 ± NIVO or IPI.

Citation Format: Rui Wang, Yan Feng, Ed Hilt, Xiling Yuan, Chan Gao, Xiao Shao, Yongliang Sun, Michael D'silva, Katherine Yang, Becky Penhallow, Goce Bogdanoski, Rajesh Anand, Irene Pak, Danielle Greenawalt, Anke Klippel, Nataly Manjarrez-Orduno, Robert Neely, Michael Quigley, Michael Hedrick, Praveen Aanur, Z Cao. From bench to bedside: Exploring OX40 receptor modulation in a phase 1/2a study of the OX40 costimulatory agonist BMS-986178 ± nivolumab (NIVO) or ipilimumab (IPI) in patients with advanced solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-127.

Gradient cross-correlation algorithm for scene-based Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensing

Scene-based wavefront sensing currently uses the periodic-correlation algorithm based on fast Fourier transforms. However, when the object scene contains features at the field edges, the performance of the algorithm is poor due to the periodicity of fast Fourier transforms, called wraparound effect. In this paper, we propose an algorithm based on the gradient cross-correlation. Both simulation and experiment results show its dramatic effectiveness against the wraparound effect, and a considerable improvement is obtained in image resolution with closed loop adaptive optics correction.

Universality and correlations in individuals wandering through an online extremist space

The "out of the blue" nature of recent terror attacks and the diversity of apparent motives highlight the importance of understanding the online trajectories that individuals follow prior to developing high levels of extremist support. Here we show that the physics of stochastic walks, with and without temporal correlation, provides a unifying description of these online trajectories. Our unique data set comprising all users of a global social media site reveals universal characteristics in individuals' online lifetimes. Our accompanying theory generates analytical and numerical solutions that describe the characteristics shown by individuals that go on to develop high levels of extremist support and those that do not. Going forward, it is conceivable that a deeper understanding of these temporal and many-body correlations may eventually contribute to the important task of better countering the spread of radical propaganda online.

Nicotine inhibits osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells under cyclic tensile stress through canonical Wnt pathway and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Nicotine, the main psychoactive component of tobacco, affects cell metabolism, proliferation, adhesion and, importantly, the osteogenic differentiation of fibroblasts. Approximately 15% of all orthodontic patients are adults among who one-fifth are smokers. Hence, it is necessary to have insight into the effects of nicotine on the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs during orthodontic tooth movement. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of nicotine on the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) under the application of cyclic tensile stress.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

hPDLCs were obtained from donor third molars. The hPDLCs were treated with nicotine and/or cyclic tensile stress that was applied with a cell stress plus unit. The effect of nicotine on cell viability was analyzed using the MTT assay. The osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs was detected by alkaline phosphatase staining, Alizarin Red S staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.

RESULTS

In combination with cyclic tensile stress, nicotine prevented the tensile stress-induced increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, formation of mineralization nodules and the upregulation of mRNA and protein expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2, transcription factor Sp7 and collagen type I; however, canonical Wnt pathway was activated. Furthermore, the addition of Dickkopf-related protein 1 and α-bungarotoxin counteracted the negative effect of nicotine and rescued the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that nicotine prevents the increased osteogenic potential of hPDLCs induced by cyclic tensile stress by binding to an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and activating the canonical Wnt pathway.

Multiscale dynamical network mechanisms underlying aging of an online organism from birth to death

We present the continuous-time evolution of an online organism network from birth to death which crosses all organizational and temporal scales, from individual components through to the mesoscopic and entire system scale. These continuous-time data reveal a lifespan driven by punctuated, real-time co-evolution of the structural and functional networks. Aging sees these structural and functional networks gradually diverge in terms of their small-worldness and eventually their connectivity. Dying emerges as an extended process associated with the formation of large but disjoint functional sub-networks together with an increasingly detached core. Our mathematical model quantifies the very different impacts that interventions will have on the overall lifetime, period of initial growth, peak of potency, and duration of old age, depending on when and how they are administered. In addition to their direct relevance to online extremism, our findings may offer insight into aging in other network systems of comparable complexity for which extensive in vivo data is not yet available.

Assessment of serum Golgi protein 73 as a biomarker for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection

Transient elastography (TE) is accurate in staging fibrosis noninvasively. However, a reliable serum biomarker with comparable accuracy is also important, especially when TE is unreliable/unavailable. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum Golgi protein 73 (GP73) for significant fibrosis in patients with chronic HBV infection. A total of 801 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD; 492 chronic HBV infection and 309 non-HBV liver disease) with liver biopsy performance were enrolled. Healthy controls (n = 180) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients (n = 85) were included for comparisons. Liver biopsy was used as the reference method for fibrosis staging. Serum GP73 level was measured in duplicate in double-blind fashion. Serum GP73 was highest in HCC but also significantly higher in chronic hepatitis B than in healthy controls. The elevation of serum GP73 in non-HCC patients was significantly associated with the presence of significant fibrosis independently of ALT level, liver stiffness (LS) value, inflammation grade and other confounding factors. The diagnostic performance of serum GP73 was accurate in antiviral-naïve HBV patients (area under the receiver operating curve [AUROC], 0.76 95% CI: 0.72-0.81) but not in patients with ongoing antiviral treatment (AUROC, 0.60). The utility of serum GP73 was also confirmed in non-HBV CLD (AUROC, 0.80 95% CI: 0.75-0.85). Serum GP73 was comparable to LS (AUROC, 0.78 95% CI: 0.73-0.82) and significantly better than AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) (AUROC, 0.67 95% CI: 0.62-0.72) and FIB-4 (AUROC, 0.68 95% CI: 0.63-0.73). In conclusion, serum GP73 is an accurate serum marker for significant fibrosis in chronic HBV infection, with higher accuracy than APRI and FIB-4. Serum GP73 is potentially a complementary tool for TE when evaluating the necessity of antiviral treatment, particularly in patients without definite antiviral indication.