Exchanger Network Research Articles

Simultaneous Optimization of Work and Heat Exchange Networks

This paper introduces a simultaneous optimization approach to synthesizing work and heat exchange networks (WHENs). The proposed work and heat integration (WHI) superstructure enables different thermodynamic paths of pressure and temperature-changing streams. The superstructure is connected to a heat exchanger network (HEN) superstructure, enabling the heat integration of hot and cold streams identified within the WHI superstructure. A two-step solution strategy is proposed, consisting of initialization and design steps. In the first step, a thermodynamic path model based on the WHI superstructure is combined with a model for simultaneous optimization and heat integration. This nonlinear programming (NLP) model aims to minimize operating expenditures and provide an initial solution for the second optimization step. In addition, hot and cold streams are identified, enabling additional model reduction. In the second step of the proposed solution approach, a thermodynamic path model is combined with the modified HEN model to minimize the network’s total annualized cost (TAC). The proposed mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model is validated by several examples, exploring the impact of the equipment costing and annualization factor on the optimal network design. The results from these case studies clearly indicate that the new synthesis approach proposed in this paper produces solutions that are consistently similar to or better than the designs presented in the literature using other methodologies.

Heat integration, simultaneous structure and parameter optimisation, and techno-economic evaluation of waste heat recovery systems for petrochemical industry

Energy conservation in the petrochemical sector holds the key to its financial viability. The pervasive application of Heat Exchanger Networks (HEN) exemplifies the industry's efforts in heat recovery. Yet, despite its widespread adoption, an alarming quantum of low-grade heat remains squandered, underscoring the potential for augmenting energy savings through more effective utilization of this heat. Recognizing the pivotal role of the synergistic interaction between the process and the heat recovery system in maximizing energy retrieval, an innovative approach is proposed. This methodology initially entailed the development of a process model and an enhanced heat recovery system, the latter embodying the integration of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) with HEN. Subsequently, a strategic diagnostic was proposed to incorporate these sub-systems into a cohesive, optimisation framework. Following this, an array of energy, exergy, and economic analyses were conducted to appraise the system's performance. The findings suggest a considerable improvement in heat recovery and an amplification in ORC efficiency from a mere 7.64%–11.38%. The enhanced heat recovery further translated into a reduced need for cold utility, thereby minimizing cooler deployment. Given the substantial exergy destruction associated with coolers, their lesser usage bolstered the system's exergy efficiency. Moreover, the optimised ORC manifested in heightened net power generation, consequently elevating electricity revenues. Despite a nominal surge in equipment costs, the aggregate profit witnessed a substantial hike from 165.19 M$/year to 178.79 M$/year. The proposed system substanitally improved thermodynamic and economic performance. This study offers valuable guidance for the design and operation of petrochemical industries, serving as a roadmap to energy conservation and enhanced profitability.

Anglo–Dutch financial connections and contrasts in the late eighteenth century: The Amsterdam phase of the 1772–3 credit crisis

AbstractWe examine the Amsterdam phase of the 1772–3 financial crisis using the British experience in the same episode as comparative context. We conclude that, notwithstanding some direct exposures by Amsterdam institutions to the principals of the London crisis, the main linkage between the two outbreaks was the requirement for cash margin on loans backed by British East India Company shares. No significant contagion via the bills of exchange network spread from London to Amsterdam in the period separating the two outbreaks, but some feeding back of distress to London is noticeable after the Dutch outbreak. The crisis was rooted in credit expansion, a deterioration in asset risk profiles, and speculation in West Indian mortgage securities and British equity markets. Speculators were enabled by information inefficiencies in the specialized and layered Amsterdam markets, and by the absence of a gatekeeper who could have regulated the provision of credit to them. To contain the outbreak, the Dutch drew on the cohesion of an informal club of insiders who led business and civic affairs. Though the credit markets resumed normal operations relatively quickly, the incurred losses were transformative for their long term prospects by devastating some of their most important firms.

Kalba: research on trade networks of a prehistoric coastal community on the Gulf of Oman, United Arab Emirates

AbstractThis project investigates the prehistoric coastal site of Kalba on the Gulf of Oman in the context of exchange networks between maritime waterways and land-based caravan routes on the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula. In addition to favourable environmental conditions, raw-material procurement strategies were important for the economy of this multi-crafting community.

Research progress on the relationship between traumatic brain injury and brain‐gut‐microbial axis

AbstractTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common disease with a high rate of death and disability, which poses a serious threat to human health; thus, the effective treatment of TBI has been a high priority. The brain‐gut‐microbial (BGM) axis, as a bidirectional communication network for information exchange between the brain and gut, plays a crucial role in neurological diseases. This article comprehensively explores the interrelationship between the BGM axis and TBI, including its physiological effects, basic pathophysiology, and potential therapeutic strategies. It highlights how the bidirectional regulatory pathways of the BGM axis could provide new insights into clinical TBI treatment and underscores the necessity for advanced research and development of innovative clinical treatments for TBI.

Event-triggered resilient recovery learning control protocol for interconnected DC microgrids with distributed attack detection

The distributed control-based DC microgrid relies on communication networks for information exchange, rendering it susceptible to cyber-attacks and intrusions. Attack detection is crucial to ensure the safety of microgrids. However, it remains a challenge for existing detection methods to distinguish state changes caused by load changes or attacks. To address the issue, this paper proposes a distributed attack detection method that combines consistency and stationarity features to assist a resilient recovery strategy. Firstly, the layered architecture of an interconnected DC microgrid is introduced, and the impact of false data injection attacks on microgrids is analyzed. Then, the attack detection is decomposed into two phases, anomaly detection and attack identification. In the first phase, consistency and stationarity features are extracted to indicate whether the microgrid is abnormal. In the second phase, the correlation between voltage and current characteristics is analyzed to determine the attack types. Furthermore, an event-triggered resilient recovery learning control protocol is proposed, which estimates the normal states and reconstructs normal control inputs through two trained neural networks to ensure the operation safety of the DC microgrid. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed attack detection and resilient recovery strategy.

Assessment of onion farming practices and purple blotch disease knowledge among farmers in varied agro-ecological zones of Nyeri County, Kenya

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is the second most produced vegetable globally, following tomato and plays a vital role in both cuisines and daily diets. However, the threat of diseases, such as purple blotch caused by Alternaria porri, poses a substantial risk to onion production, particularly in Nyeri County, Kenya. Despite its critical impact on farming, there is a lack of information on farmers' knowledge of purple blotch in this region. This study aimed to assess the onion farming practices and farmers' understanding of purple blotch disease across various agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in Nyeri County. Specifically, the study examines farmers' demographics, cultivated onion varieties, and their knowledge of purple blotch disease. Farms were selected using cluster random sampling. Data were collected from 100 onion farmers through semi-structured questionnaires, and statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test in Scientific Analysis System (SAS) version 9.4 at α=0.05. The findings revealed that while the Rucet F1 onion variety was popular among the farmers (52%), there is no significant association (X2 (6, 100) = 11.947, p = 0.063) between the choice of variety and AEZs. Similarly, the preferred source of onion seeds, mainly Agroshop (84%), showed insignificant association (X2 (9, 100) = 7.153, p = 0.621) with AEZs. Despite 65% of farmers reporting knowledge about onion diseases, there is no significant association (p > 0.05) between their awareness of purple blotch and AEZs. In conclusion, the study highlights a significant gap in farmers' understanding of purple blotch disease, emphasizing the need for training programs to enhance disease identification skills. Early detection can empower farmers to implement proactive measures, ultimately improving onion productivity. This study recommends diversifying onion varieties for disease resilience, promoting awareness and training on purple blotch identification, engaging women and youths in farming, and fostering collaborative networks for ongoing knowledge exchange and improvement in onion cultivation in Nyeri County.

Neural networks taking probability distributions as input: A framework for analyzing exchangeable networks

In recent years, exchangeable network structures that take datasets as input have been widely used to obtain representations of various datasets. Although they perform well, analyzing exchangeable network with a dataset as input is challenging. Given that this type of network can be viewed as a function acting on probability measures since datasets are drawn from various distributions, this paper theoretically analyzes exchangeable network structures from a probabilistic perspective. This paper proposes a probabilistic analytical framework that neural networks acting on probability measures, which is an extension of Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLP). When only samples from each distribution are available, in this new analytical framework, neural networks acting on probability measures correspond to the traditional exchangeable structure defined on datasets. Using this new analytical framework, we can demonstrate the ability of exchangeable network structures to capture complex patterns, as it provides the universal approximation property of exchangeable network structures. Furthermore, we derive a consistency result that shows the parameter estimation of exchangeable network structures is consistent statistically under certain conditions.

Does Formal Interorganizational Relationship Shape Interpersonal Knowledge Exchange in Multiteam Construction Projects? A Multi-Level Network Analysis

This study investigates the differences in structural patterns of intra-and inter-team knowledge exchange networks in multiteam construction projects and explores the cross-levelinteraction between knowledge exchange networks and interorganizational formal networks, as represented by networks of contractual and task interdependence relationships. An empirical study is developed by using multiple exponential random graph models. The findings show that a discrepancy between intra- and inter-team knowledge exchange structural patterns arises with respect to reciprocity. Interorganizational task interdependencies are found to align with cross-team knowledge exchange. Significant homophily in work experience is found in cross-team knowledge exchange. Interorganizational task interdependence promotes cross-team knowledge exchange among project members with heterogeneous expertise. This study expands the research on project-based multiteam system knowledge exchange networks from a multi-level network analysis perspective.

Abstract 3886: Analysis of clonal heterogeneity within paired primary and metastatic tumor samples of patients with solid tumors and implications for neoantigen-based personalized cancer vaccines

Abstract Background: Neoantigen-based personalized cancer vaccines carry significant promise in treating solid malignancies. However, there are uncertainties regarding the choice between the primary or the metastatic tumor for neoantigen prediction in individual patients. Here, we conducted a thorough examination of somatic variations in 676 patients who had paired primary and metastatic solid tumors. Methods: Patients were enrolled in the Total Cancer Care protocol (NCT03977402) to which patients provided an IRB-approved written informed consent within the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN). Whole-exome sequencing of 756 primary and metastatic tumor pairs was performed (N = 676 patients). These included Genitourinary (n=83), Gynecological (n=97), Gastrointestinal (n=213), Thoracic (n=33), Cutaneous (n=24), Breast (n=108), Endometrial (n=49), Sarcoma (n=35), Head-and-Neck (n=106) and others (n=8). The data was analyzed through the ORIEN AVATAR Molecular Analysis Pipeline for somatic mutation variant detection and variant annotation. In this analysis, we focused on somatic events that result in an in-frame alteration (such as missense, in-frame deletion and in-frame insertion) and out-of-frame protein-altering mutations (such as frameshifts, de novo start, out-of-frame, and nonstop gain). Clonal population structure was determined based on pyclone-vi. Results: For in-frame events, bladder cancer, melanoma, and gynecological cancers shared close to 75% of the mutations between paired primary and metastatic cases. In contrast, sarcoma and thyroid cancer had a low overlap (~ 25%) of variants. For out-of-frame events, these events tend to have a lower proportion of shared somatic variants between primary and metastasis than in-frame variants. Oncogenic drivers (e.g., BRAF V600E, KRAS G12A, and TP53 loss-of-function) were highly likely to be present in both paired primary and metastatic tumors. Next, we performed additional analysis on evolutionary selection of protein-coding variants via dN/dS calculation. We found no significant global shift in dN/dS ratio between paired primary and metastatic tumors across malignancies. However, we found increased selection of protein-coding variants in brain and liver metastatic sites, which correlated with increased homologous recombination deficiency within these sites. Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates genetic variations that exist when comparing paired primary and metastatic tumors that appear to vary by histology. Variants are potentially undergoing negative selection supported by the preferential loss of out-of-frame events in metastatic tumors and positive selection in specific metastatic sites. Overall, understanding the clonal structure will be key to neoantigen prediction for effective neoantigen-based vaccines. Citation Format: Alyssa Obermayer, Timothy Shaw, Darwin Chang, Joshua Davis, Jamie K. Teer, Xiaoqing Yu, Xuefeng Wang, Dale Hedges, Aik Choon Tan, Robert Rounbehler, Abdul Rafeh Naqash, Margaret Gatti-Mays, Aakrosh Ratan, Martin McCarter, Howard Colman, Igor Puzanov, Susanne Arnold, Michelle Churchman, Patrick Hwu, William Dalton, George Weiner, Jose Conejo-Garcia, Paulo C. Rodriguez, Bodour Salhia, Ahmad A. Tarhini. Analysis of clonal heterogeneity within paired primary and metastatic tumor samples of patients with solid tumors and implications for neoantigen-based personalized cancer vaccines [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3886.

Abstract 5852: Tumor gene expression patterns affecting response to BCl-2 inhibitor venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract Background: Venetoclax (VEN), a B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitor, is an important drug in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment regimens. However, resistance to VEN-based therapy is a common challenge in AML management. Some factors contributing to resistance include dysregulation of BCL-2 family proteins, mutations in the TP53 gene, activating kinase mutations, and oxidative phosphorylation activity. Despite these insights, other mechanisms of resistance remain elusive. We aim to analyze tumor gene expression patterns associated with treatment response in patients who received VEN-based therapy. Methods: Molecular and clinical data of the patients were obtained as part of the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN) Avatar dataset. RNA-Seq data from diagnostic Bone Marrow were processed to remove batch effects, and differential expression analysis was performed using DESeq2, while correcting for age at sample collection and sex of patients. Results: We included 16 individuals treated with VEN-based therapy. Median age at the time of specimen collection was 65 years (interquartile range, 58-69), 9 (56%) male, 11 (69%) had active disease despite treatment with VEN. VEN-based therapy was used as 1st line, 2nd line, 3rd line, 4th line or more in 3, 4, 4, 2, and 3 patients, respectively. We found a total of 332 genes differentially expressed (fdr<0.05 and abs(log2FoldChange)>2.0) among patients having no evidence of active disease and those with no active disease at the time of last contact. Among those genes, we found HOXA7 and PRAME of particular interest. HOXA7 has been previously implicated in Bromodomain and Extraterminal Domain Inhibitors (BETi) inhibitor resistance in AML. This makes HOXA7 a potentially universal mechanism of chemotherapy resistance in AML. PRAME has been associated with leukemia cell survival, and its knockdown has been shown to induce apoptosis in K562 cells, which is only expressed in AML cells but not in normal hematopoietic cells. Pathway analysis found that the top two enriched pathways for the differentially expressed genes were MET activates PTK2 signaling (R-HSA-8874081) and Metabolism of Angiotensinogen to Angiotensins(R-HSA-2022377). Conclusions: This study highlights some molecular mechanisms that give rise to AML resistance to VEN. Our results indicate that HOXA7 may potentially be a universal mechanism of chemotherapy resistance not limited to VEN-based therapy. Similarly, pathways enriched in resistant cells could be targeted to prevent or treat resistance to VEN-based therapy. These and other findings may help us identify resistance mechanisms in all AML cases vs those specific to VEN-based therapy, allowing the development of treatment strategies based on treatment mechanism. Also, analysis of these mechanisms can aid therapeutic decision-making and the development of effective treatment strategies to improve outcomes in AML. Citation Format: Juan Antonio Raygoza Garay, Seongseok Yun, Afaf Osman, Reshma Ramlal, David Feith, Michelle Churchman, Prajwal Dhakal. Tumor gene expression patterns affecting response to BCl-2 inhibitor venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5852.

Abstract 3928: Genomic landscape and estimation of immune infiltration of soft tissue sarcoma histology subtypes from the ORIEN network

Abstract Sarcomas encompass a group of malignant diseases arising from mesenchymal origins. Given their rarity and diversity, a fundamental understanding of the genomic underpinnings for many sarcoma subtypes is still lacking. Studies are often limited to one or several of the more common subtypes or a narrow evaluation of a broader sampling. We therefore report on one of the largest comprehensive omics evaluation in sarcomas to date, including whole exome sequencing (WES; n = 1170) and RNA-sequencing (n = 983) of tissues from 29 different sarcoma histologic subtypes collected at 13 institutions in the US as part of the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN). We identified recurrent somatic mutations previously identified in sarcomas (e.g. TP53, KIT) as well as other cancer types (e.g. BRCA1). The burden of putatively pathogenic driver point mutations was higher in metastatic samples (median = 3) as compared to primary tumor samples (median = 2; p < 0.001). We observed frequent copy number alterations including whole genome doubling more commonly in metastatic compared to primary tumors (23.4% vs. 16.9%; p = 0.0.25). Inspection of gene expression dimensionality reduction (UMAP) showed separation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), leiomyosarcomas, myxoid liposarcomas, and well/de-differentiated liposarcomas from the other histologies. Differential expression analysis for these four histologies with gene set enrichment analysis highlights the diversity of disease-specific pathways and need for sarcoma subtype-specific translational focus. Estimation of immune cell abundances based on RNA-seq followed by hierarchical clustering identified five immune subtypes. The subtypes ranged from low (clusters A, B) to high (clusters D, E) immune infiltration with higher abundance of T, B, Natural Killer (NK), and myeloid cells (FDR < 0.01). Intermediate immune group C was predominantly composed by GISTs and marked by an enrichment for NK cells (FDR < 0.01) compared to all groups except the immune “hot” group E; however, this immune group exhibited modest infiltration by other immune cell types. Notably, we observed significant differences in the overall survival of patients with sarcomas in immune enriched (C, D, E) compared to immune depleted clusters (A, B; p = 0.002). In summary, we report the genomic and expressional landscape of over 1000 sarcomas, representing one of the largest comprehensive profiling efforts in this disease. We identify the mutational and copy number variation landscape and observe differences between primary and metastatic samples. We highlight expression pathways that are enriched in histologic subtypes that cluster most distinctly from others, providing a subtype-specific roadmap for further translational efforts. Finally, we define immune enriched or depleted sarcoma subgroupings that carry a prognostic impact. Citation Format: Alex C. Soupir, Oscar E. Ospina, Dale Hedges, Jamie K. Teer, Michael D. Radmacher, David M. McKean, Nathan Seligson, Martin McCarter, Breelyn Wilkey, Greg Riedlinger, John Groundland, Benjamin J. Miller, Bryan Schneider, Reema Patel, Abdul Rafeh-Naqash, Stephen Edge, Bodour Salhia, Chris Moskaluk, Maggy Johns, Michelle L. Churchman, Oliver Hampton, David Liebner, Brooke L. Fridley, Andrew S. Brohl. Genomic landscape and estimation of immune infiltration of soft tissue sarcoma histology subtypes from the ORIEN network [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3928.

Abstract 3932: Multi-omics characterization of molecular features and global-local genomic ancestry analysis of colorectal cancer in Hispanic-Latinos

Abstract Introduction: Clinical factors and molecular characteristics play pivotal roles in shaping therapeutic strategies and prognoses in colorectal cancer (CRC), the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Despite an overall decline in mortality, the Hispanic/Latino (H/L) population in the Los Angeles area exhibits mortality rates up to 20% higher than their Caucasian American counterparts, often with diagnoses at a younger age and advanced disease stages. Few studies have utilized substantial H/L sample sizes and integrated comprehensive clinical and multi-omics data to conduct integrative translational analysis of reported genomic alterations and their implications for colorectal tumorigenesis. Methods: We collected clinical, DNA, and RNA sequencing data from 36 primary CRC Tumor/Normal (T/N) samples and 82 primary CRC T/N samples within the H/L population in the Los Angeles area through the Participant Engagement and Cancer Genome Sequencing (PE-CGS) Network and the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN), respectively. Additionally, we retrieved two CRC samples with spatial transcriptomic (ST) data from the 10xGenomics database. This data underwent Whole Exome and RNA sequencing analysis. Furthermore, we conducted global and local genomic ancestry analyses to establish correlations between self-ancestral identification and the five main superpopulations. ST data was analyzed using recently released bioinformatics tools. Clinical and genomic data were integrated. Results: In these studies, distinct age-of-onset, Amerindian (AMR), and survival patterns were observed, with significant mutations identified in key genes, including APC, TP53, KRAS, and PIK3CA. Cancer heterogeneity was evident, influenced by mutation type, microsatellite instability, subsite, and ethnicity. Ancestry analysis indicated genetic diversity, with a predominant AMR heritage and cases showcasing substantial European genetic proportions alongside AMR ancestry. Additionally, RNA sequencing has been conducted, with ongoing transcriptomic analysis in both studies, and the results are set for presentation at the annual meeting. The ST analysis generated initial maps, delineating diverse cellular populations and revealing the samples' distinct immunological and inflammatory signals. Conclusion: Our study has delved into the molecular profiling of CRC tumors among H/L patients, contributing essential insights into the DNA and RNA level characterization of CRC tumors and the multifaceted clinical and genomic heterogeneity within our aimed population. It also provides crucial insights into CRC tumor heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment. These findings serve as the cornerstone for forthcoming sample analyses within our PE-CGS project to potentially lead to the development of personalized treatments. Citation Format: Enrique I. Velazquez Villarreal, Seeta Rajpara, Yuxin Jin, Mackenzie Postel, Brigette Waldrup, Flemming Wu, Donna Loza, Heinz-Josef Lenz, David W. Craig, John D. Carpten. Multi-omics characterization of molecular features and global-local genomic ancestry analysis of colorectal cancer in Hispanic-Latinos [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3932.

Abstract 7615: Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition gene signature changes and poor oncological outcome in Candida-positive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract Candida are commonly found in bile collected during surgery in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. However, their significance in tumor biology and oncological outcome is unclear. PDAC patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy and pancreatectomy with intraoperative bile fungal culture were identified (N=40) in a prospective single-institution cohort. Tumor regression scores (TRS) were abstracted from pathology reports and correlated with bile fungal cultures. Bulk tumor RNASeq data were obtained from the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN). Tumor microbiome data of non-metastatic PDAC patients with upfront surgery were extracted using the {exotic} tool (Hoyd et al. Cancer Res. Commun., 2023). Gene expression profiles were compared between Candida+ and Candida- tumors, defined by a cutoff microbial count of 0. Overall survival (OS) of resected PDAC patients with Candida+ and Candida- tumors was compared using Kaplan Meier survival analysis. From the single-institution PDAC cohort, Candida+ bile was associated with poor pathological response to neoadjuvant therapy (Table 1). Using the ORIEN cohort, Candida were detected in 67% (106/158) of the PDAC tumors. Patients with Candida+ tumors had worse OS (median 28 vs. 56 months, Log-Rank p<0.008). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) using Hallmark gene sets showed an enrichment of epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) gene set and a reduction of metabolic and DNA repair gene sets in Candida+ tumors. GSEA for Immune signature and Tumor Immune Microenvironment Deconvolution (TIMEx) cell types showed an enrichment of Stromal-Fibroblast and EMT signature in Candida+ tumors. Further investigations are underway to determine the causal and metabolic relationship between Candida and this tumor microenvironment with EMT and stromal fibroblasts which is a well-known contributor to poor chemotherapy response and oncological outcome of PDAC. Table 1: Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy for PDAC Bile Culture TRS0/1 TRS2 TRS3 Candida - 5 (25%) 15 (75%) 0 (0%) Candida + 1 (5%) 11 (55%) 8 (40%) TRS: Tumor Regression Score (TRS0: complete response; TRS1: near-complete response; TRS2: partial response; TRS3: no response). Chi-Square Test, P=0.0035. Citation Format: Po Hien Ear, Min Hu, Jonathan S. Shilyansky, Naomi H. Fei, Sam Coleman, Rebecca Hoyd, Caroline E. Wheeler, Kelsey L. Steckly, Michelle L. Churchman, Nicholas Denko, Rebecca D. Dodd, Sheetal Hardikar, Ning Jin, Qin Ma, Martin D. McCarter, Abdul Rafeh Naqash, Afaf E. Osman, Gregory Riedlinger, Lary A. Robinson, Bryan P. Schneider, Eric A. Singer, Ahmad A. Tarhini, Gabriel Tinoco, Cornelia M. Ulrich, Yousef Zakharia, Daniel Spakowicz, Aik Choon Tan, Carlos H. Chan. Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition gene signature changes and poor oncological outcome in Candida-positive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 7615.

Regional Engagement, Identity, and Exchange Across an Indigenous Borderland: An Investigation of Ceramic Artifacts in the International Four Corners Area of the American Southwest/Mexican Northwest

Archaeologists traditionally assess the archaeological record of the International Four Corners area through a perspective focused on external cultural traditions and processes. In particular, prior interpretations view the history of this portion of the American Southwest/Mexican Northwest as either the northern periphery of the Casas Grandes culture or the southern extent of the Salado culture. However, there are few systematic investigations of excavated sites and individual site excavation reports that offer competing views of a highly connected frontier or a weakly integrated, independent series of residential sites. To better understand the dynamics of the region, I analyzed ca. 80,000 ceramic artifacts from 11 sites and compared the assemblages. Results demonstrate that sites in the area have dynamic internal histories that do not readily fit within existing models for peripheral zones. I interpret the collective assemblages as indicative of a borderlands zone wherein mixed identities, exchange networks, and ethnicities abounded.

Simultaneously ‘national medicine’ and ‘East Asian medicine’: A cross-boundary network of medical exchange in wartime East Asia

Abstract This article examines a transnational network of advocates for Kampō (traditional) medicine in Japan, occupied China, and Manchukuo during the Sino-Japanese War (1931–1945), shedding new light on collaborationism, Asianism, and the modernization of traditional medicine in East Asia. In the 1930s, despite deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations, the Kampō revival movement in Japan joined forces with the struggle to preserve traditional medicine in China. In 1938, the Association of East Asian Medicine was founded in Japan, gathering together Chinese, Korean, and Japanese advocates under the banner of ‘East Asian medicine’. This article delineates the evolution of what I call ‘medical Asianism’ and how it was institutionalized in different parts of the Japanese empire. Participants in this network differed in their priorities and ideological commitments, yet they tactfully utilized the Japanese imperial infrastructure and wartime circumstances to promote traditional medicine. Their work laid important intellectual and institutional foundations for the postwar development of traditional medicine across East Asia. This study also contributes to a more nuanced understandings of collaborationism. The type of collaboration examined in this article was preceded by a long history of intellectual exchange, based on a shared body of knowledge and morals, motivated by mutual empathy, and for a cause that was much valued in postwar Asia. As a result, unlike most Chinese collaborators who were prosecuted as ‘traitors’, protagonists in this study continued to prosper professionally and became valuable assets in the postwar rebuilding of Sino-Japanese relations.

A graph neural network with negative message passing and uniformity maximization for graph coloring

AbstractGraph neural networks have received increased attention over the past years due to their promising ability to handle graph-structured data, which can be found in many real-world problems such as recommender systems and drug synthesis. Most existing research focuses on using graph neural networks to solve homophilous problems, and not much attention has been paid to heterophily-type problems. In this paper, we propose a graph network model for graph coloring, which is a class of representative heterophilous problems. Different from the message passing in conventional graph networks, we introduce negative message passing into a physics-inspired graph neural network for more effective information exchange in handling graph coloring problems. Moreover, a new term in the objective function taking into account the information entropy of nodes is suggested to increase the uniformity of the color assignment of each node, giving the neural network more chance to choose suitable colors for each node. Therefore, it could avoid the final solution getting stuck into the local optimum. Experimental studies are carried out to compare the proposed graph model with five state-of-the-art algorithms on ten publicly available graph coloring problems and d-regular graphs with up to $$10^4$$ 10 4 nodes, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed graph neural network.

Does Qualitative News Affect Stock Price Crash Risk?

ABSTRACT Stock price crash risk represents a considerable concern due to its potential for extreme volatility and crisis contagion within the stock market, attracting substantial interest from both academia and the industry. This study focuses on A-shares listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from January 2012 to April 2021. We construct qualitative news indicators through text analysis techniques using Python programming to extract news texts from the China Stock Exchange Network. Our objective is to examine the influence of qualitative news on stock price crash risk. The findings reveal a significant correlation between qualitative news and increased stock price crash risk. Further, applying the Sobel test for intermediary effects confirms that differences in opinion act as a conduit for qualitative news to impact stock price crash risk. This research offers a novel perspective on analyzing stock price crash risk, aiding investors in understanding the effects and pathways through which various types of news influence the securities market. It provides valuable insights for mitigating the risk of stock price crashes.

Obsidian Procurement and Exchange at the Apogee of Empire: Wari Political Economy in Arequipa, Peru

Abstract During the Middle Horizon (AD 600–1000), obsidian was transported in greater quantities and distances than ever before identified in the Andes, in part by the expansionary Wari state. Two of the three major obsidian sources used in the south-central Andes are located in the modern department of Arequipa, Peru. Arequipa was a region of intense Wari influence and intrusive presence; however, little is known about regional obsidian use. Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) were used to analyze 383 obsidian artifacts recovered from 10 archaeological sites in Arequipa. Results highlight diachronic and spatial patterning related to obsidian procurement strategies, state versus bottom-up exchange networks, and local participation within the Wari realm. A wide variety of geological obsidian sources, including nonlocal obsidians originating from Wari's Ayacucho heartland, were used. By the late Middle Horizon, the Wari had consolidated regional resources with the sole use of Alca-1 and Alca-4 bedrock obsidians, the largest-sized and highest-quality sources in the area. We assess related models of obsidian procurement and exchange related to state political economy, long-distance caravan activity, and the role of local ceremonial/waystation centers that facilitated the flow of ideas, goods, and people across Arequipa.

Shape‐Editable Transparent Wood Based on In‐Situ Polymerization of Epoxy Vitrimers Embedded with Luminescent BODIPY Molecules for Smart Decoration Materials

AbstractTransparent wood (TW) combining unique anisotropic structure has broad application prospects in the field of advanced building furniture materials. Many efforts have been made to add quantum dots or nanoparticles to TW to endow it with additional functionality, such as luminescent, electrochromic, and thermochromic TW. However, luminous TW with shape‐editable functionality and its new applications have yet to be explored. Benefiting from the excellent luminescence performance in a diluted solution state, BODIPY (4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diazas‐indacene) dyes have been widely used for bio‐sensing and bioimaging. In addition, vitrimers exhibit excellent stimuli‐responsive, shape‐memory, and reprocessing properties thanks to exchangeable dynamic covalent crosslinking networks, which are suitable for fabricating smart TW. Herein, combing these advantages, a dual‐functional transparent wood composite (P‐SEFTW) with photoluminescent and shape editable function was developed by introducing BODIPY dyes and vitrimers into the delignified wood (DW) templates. P‐SEFTW displays good UV luminescence, unique light guiding and directional scattering effects. Meanwhile, it shows excellent shape‐recovery, shape‐programming, shape‐erasing, and re‐programming capability under thermal‐stimulus. These characteristics enable TW to exhibit great prospect as an advanced smart and functional building material.