bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A model academic ethics and integrity policy for computer science departments
Authors: Riedesel Charles P. , Manley Eric D. , Poser Susan , Deogun Jitender S.
Published: May 2009

For decades, US universities and colleges have had policies pertaining to the conduct of their students at the institutional level. These policies are referred to as
Academic Integrity Policies
or
Codes of Conduct
.
The Code of Ethics
, instituted by Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) has been the standard for the computing sciences profession for over 15 years. However, the traditional institution-wide academic integrity policies have not adapted to the complexities that arose from rapid progress in information technology (IT) and thus either fail to address or are in conflict with the nature of problems in computer science education. In this paper, we propose a model for development and implementation of an academic
ethics
policy (ethics is a broader concept that includes integrity) that addresses the challenges imposed by information technology vis-á-vis the best modern teaching practices in computer sciences and engineering. Implementing policies that are more in line with the methods of industry and compatible with newer educational pedagogies should make the whole educational environment more engaging to students.
Analyzing programming projects
Authors: Hansen Stuart A.
Published: May 2009

Retaining students in Computer Science may be improved by engaging them in the learning process while preventing them from becoming overly frustrated. While engaging students during lecture is certainly important, most students spend a significant amount of time working on programming projects outside of class. Gaining a deep understanding of student engagement in programming is difficult, since the instructor is seldom present during the process. This paper presents the results of student surveys administered after each programming project for multiple sections of two courses: CS2, and Data Structures and Algorithms. We analyze the data in terms of engagement, frustration and niftiness.
Understanding student performance on an algorithm simulation task
Authors: Philpott Anne , Clear Tony , Whalley Jacqueline
Published: May 2009

This paper extends the work of the BRACElet project [17] by assessing the program comprehension skills of intermediate level students. Student performance on a pathfinder algorithm simulation task is reviewed to assess the students' comprehension levels, as categorized according to the SOLO educational taxonomy. The paper describes the nature of student responses, and the variety of representations provided, illustrating the role of discovery in effective student learning.
Abstraction and extensibility in digital logic simulation software
Authors: Salter Richard M. , Donaldson John L.
Published: May 2009

Students of Computer Organization should be able to "learn by doing" at all levels of computer design. Digital logic circuitry is frequently taught using simulation software, however such platforms are often limited to exposing only a narrow range of design levels. This paper describes how, in the new multilevel simulation system
DLSim 3
, we are able to incorporate abstraction and extensibility to present the many levels of complex circuit designs in a single environment: from low level combinational and sequential circuits, through models of complete CPUs. Among other features, DLSim 3 is able to accomplish this by providing three different types of circuit abstraction:
cards, chips
, and
plug-ins
. Using DLSim 3, students recognize the uniformity of system structure, as well as the principles of abstraction that link the various levels of design.
An inexpensive hand-eye system for undergraduate robotics instruction
Authors: Nickens Glenn V. , Tira-Thompson Ethan J. , Humphries Thorna , Touretzky David S.
Published: May 2009

Hand-eye systems combine computer vision with kinematics and dynamics calculations to achieve dexterous manipulation. These versatile platforms for teaching robotics principles have not been widely used in undergraduate laboratories due to cost. We describe a new hand-eye system constructed from Robotis Dynamixel servos, a USB interface module, and a webcam, that can be built for under $500 and run by a PC using the Tekkotsu open source software framework. A suggested curriculum is outlined.
The pintos instructional operating system kernel
Authors: Pfaff Ben , Romano Anthony , Back Godmar
Published: May 2009

Pintos is an instructional operating system, complete with documentation and ready-made, modular projects that introduce students to the principles of multi-programming, scheduling, virtual memory, and filesystems. By allowing students to run their work product on actual hardware, while simultaneously benefiting from debugging and dynamic analysis tools provided in simulated and emulated environments, Pintos increases student engagement. Unlike tailored versions of commercial or open source OS such as Linux, Pintos is designed from the ground up from an educational perspective. It has been used by multiple institutions for a number of years and is available for wider use.
A history of computing course with a technical focus
Authors: Draper Geoffrey M. , Kessler Robert R. , Riesenfeld Richard F.
Published: May 2009

Many courses on the history of computing are designed for a general student audience, and as such, include fewer technical details than one might find in a typical CS course. While this approach is appropriate in some contexts, it risks losing the interest of the students who could perhaps benefit most from the subject-namely, future computer scientists. This paper describes a technically-oriented History of Computing course which we taught at the University of Utah in 2008. Like other History of Computing courses, ours included a significant amount of writing and discussion. However, inasmuch as our course was created specifically for CS students, we also incorporated several "hands-on" programming exercises and demonstrations, giving students actual experience with the computing environments of the past. Students and faculty alike have responded enthusiastically to this dual-faceted approach.
Two in the middle
Authors: van Langeveld Mark Christensen , Kessler Robert
Published: May 2009

Many Universities and Colleges are building interdisciplinary programs between engineering and fine arts that focus on games, special effects, animation and other areas that require interdisciplinary efforts. This is in response to the needs of the entertainment industries. The video game and 3D animation businesses fundamentally involve computer scientists and artists working closely together. The Entertainment Arts and Engineering (EAE) program (founded in 2007) is an undergraduate interdisciplinary program at the University of Utah (UofU). Students pursuing an animation or computer science degree may enroll in the program as a means of focusing their education on digital arts and entertainment. Two courses taught at the UofU with curriculum in the middle of the continuum between the two departments are the courses: Digital Character Production and Machinima. These courses provide an extraordinary applied learning experience for students to combine learning concepts that are not commonly taught together. The curriculums are designed to teach students to breakdown extremely complex problems, requiring understanding from both disciplines, into manageable segments that allow easy understanding of diverse concepts from computer graphics principles to sculptural ideology and from graphic algorithms to film/storytelling. It is a process that provides a direct view of the correlations of the critical concepts from each of the disciplines. This paper presents our insights from teaching and reviewing these two classes.
Linking computer science, art, and practice through digital sound
Authors: Burg Jennifer , Romney Jason
Published: May 2009

This paper reports on an NSF-grant supported summer workshop that brought music and computer science students together for eight weeks to explore creative projects in digital sound production. The dynamics of the students' collaborations were observed as they crafted experimental projects weaving together music, theatre production, sampled digital audio, and MIDI. Moving among various levels of abstraction, the students found practical and artistic motivations to learn the science of digital sound. The projects they produced suggest ways to revitalize computer science courses by linking science, art, and practice through digital sound, a subject naturally interesting to students.
Music performamatics
Authors: Heines Jesse M. , Greher Gena R. , Kuhn Sarah
Published: May 2009

This paper describes how a graphical user interface (GUI) programming course offered by the Dept. of Computer Science (CS) was paired with a general teaching methods course offered by the Dept. of Music in an attempt to revitalize undergraduate CS education and to enrich the experiences of both sets of students. The paper provides details on the joint project done in these classes and the evaluation that assessed its effect on the curriculum, students, and professors.
Nifty assignments
Authors: Parlante Nick , Murtagh Thomas P. , Sahami Mehran , Astrachan Owen , Reed David , Stone Christopher A. , Heeringa Brent , Reid Karen
Published: May 2009

Assignments determine much of what students actually take away from a course. Sadly, creating successful assignments is difficult and error prone. With that in mind, the Nifty Assignments session is about promoting and sharing successful assignment ideas, and more importantly, making the assignment materials available for others to adopt.
ACM education board and masters level programs
Authors: Davies Gordon , Cassel Lillian N. , Pyster Arthur , Caspersen Michael , Topi Heikki
Published: May 2009

This special session will proved information about the status of work related to Masters programs in Computing. Specifically, the session will describe work completed in the following areas: the categorization of masters programs in computing, the development of curriculum recommendations for masters programs in software engineering, the collaborative work with the Association for Information Systems on the Masters program in Information Systems
Introducing PyLighter
Authors: Boland Michael G. , Clifton Curtis
Published: May 2009

Like a screenplay, a program is both a static artifact and instructions for a dynamic performance. This duality can keep laypeople from appreciating the complexity of software systems and can be a stumbling block for novice programmers. PyLighter lets laypeople and novice programmers perceive the relationship between static Python code and its execution. PyLighter works with everything from simple console applications to arcade-style games, and because PyLighter is easy to adopt and use, instructors can integrate it into any Python-based introductory course without changing the rest of their syllabus.
On preparing students for distributed software development with a synchronous, collaborative development platform
Authors: Meneely Andrew , Williams Laurie
Published: May 2009

Working remotely is becoming the norm for both professionals and students alike. Software development has become a global industry due to outsourcing, teleworking, flex time, and companies' desire to use the best and/or most economical talent regardless of where that talent is located. Professionals are not alone because students usually work from home despite having sufficient resources on campus. In this paper we share our experiences from using Jazz, a synchronous, collaborative development platform, with our inevitably distributed software engineering students. Eleven students optionally used the tool while working on a five-week team project. Students primarily used the version control, chat, and work item features in Jazz. We collected their reactions in retrospective essays and found that all Jazz students supported using Jazz in future semesters of the course. We also examined grade differences and found that the students who used Jazz were more successful than those who did not use Jazz.
Entertainment arts and engineering(or how to fast track a new interdisciplinary program)
Authors: Kessler Robert , van Langeveld Mark , Altizer Roger
Published: May 2009

The Entertainment Arts and Engineering (EAE) program is a unique, new undergraduate interdisciplinary program at the University of Utah bringing together the School of Computing and the Division of Film Studies in an effort to teach both video game development and computer animation. Students pursuing a film or computer science degree may enroll in the program as a means of focusing their education on digital arts and entertainment. The key characteristic of the program is the shared classes where students from both Computer Science and Fine Arts study together and cooperate on game and animation projects. The program is highlighted by a yearlong capstone course in which the students work together to make a video game or animated short from scratch. This paper chronicles our efforts starting the EAE program and demonstrates how to create an interdisciplinary program that not only attracts students to CS, but also equips them for careers or research in video games and animation.
Learning to improve area-under-FROC for imbalanced medical data classification using an ensemble method
Authors: Lo Hung-Yi , Chang Chun-Min , Chiang Tsung-Hsien , Hsiao Cho-Yi , Huang Anta , Kuo Tsung-Ting , Lai Wei-Chi , Yang Ming-Han , Yeh Jung-Jung , Yen Chun-Chao , Lin Shou-De
Published: May 2009

This paper presents our solution for KDD Cup 2008 competition that aims at optimizing the area under ROC for breast cancer detection. We exploited weighted-based classification mechanism to improve the accuracy of patient classification (each patient is represented by a collection of data points). Final predictions for challenge 1 are generated by combining outputs from weighted SVM and AdaBoost; whereas we integrate SVM, AdaBoost, and GA to produce the results for challenge 2. We have also tried location-based classification and model adaptation to add the testing data into training. Our results outperform other participants given the same set of features, and was selected as the joint winner in KDD Cup 2008.
Algorithmic and statistical challenges in modern largescale data analysis are the focus of MMDS 2008
Authors: Mahoney Michael W. , Lim LekHeng , Carlsson Gunnar E.
Published: May 2009

We provide a report for the ACM SIGKDD community about the 2008 Workshop on Algorithms for Modern Massive Data Sets (MMDS 2008), its origin in MMDS 2006, and future directions for this interdisciplinary research area.
WebKDD 2008
Authors: Nasraoui Olfa , Spiliopoulou Myra , Zaïane Osmar R. , Srivastava Jaideep , Mobasher Bamshad
Published: May 2009

WebKDD was held in conjunction with the 14th ACM SIGKDD International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD 2008), August 24, 2008, in Henderson/Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2008, WebKDD was held for the tenth time. We report on the contents and outcomes of this anniversary workshop and include a small retrospection on 10 years of knowledge discovery on the Web.
Retail sales prediction and item recommendations using customer demographics at store level
Authors: Giering Michael
Published: May 2009

This paper outlines a retail sales prediction and product recommendation system that was implemented for a chain of retail stores. The relative importance of consumer demographic characteristics for accurately modeling the sales of each customer type are derived and implemented in the model. Data consisted of daily sales information for 600 products at the store level, broken out over a set of non-overlapping customer types. A recommender system was built based on a fast online thin Singular Value Decomposition. It is shown that modeling data at a finer level of detail by clustering across customer types and demographics yields improved performance compared to a single aggregate model built for the entire dataset. Details of the system implementation are described and practical issues that arise in such real-world applications are discussed. Preliminary results from test stores over a one-year period indicate that the system resulted in significantly increased sales and improved efficiencies. A brief overview of how the primary methods discussed here were extended to a much larger data set is given to confirm and illustrate the scalability of this approach.
Learning preferences of new users in recommender systems
Authors: Rashid Al Mamunur , Karypis George , Riedl John
Published: May 2009

Recommender systems are an effective tool to help find items of interest from an overwhelming number of available items. Collaborative Filtering (CF), the best known technology for recommender systems, is based on the idea that a set of like-minded users can help each other find useful information. A new user poses a challenge to CF recommenders, since the system has no knowledge about the preferences of the new user, and therefore cannot provide personalized recommendations. A new user preference elicitation strategy needs to ensure that the user does not a) abandon a lengthy signup process, and b) lose interest in returning to the site due to the low quality of initial recommendations. We extend the work of [23] in this paper by incrementally developing a set of information theoretic strategies for the new user problem. We propose an offline simulation framework, and evaluate the strategies through extensive offline simulations and an online experiment with real users of a live recommender system.
The Genetics of Crohn's Disease
Authors: Van Limbergen Johan , Wilson David C. , Satsangi Jack
Published: May 2009

From epidemiological data, based on concordance data in family studies, via linkage analysis to genome-wide association studies, we and others have accumulated robust evidence implicating more than 30 distinct genomic loci involved in the genetic susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD). These loci encode genes involved in a number of homeostatic mechanisms: innate pattern recognition receptors (NOD2/CARD15, TLR4, CARD9), the differentiation of Th17-lymphocytes (IL-23R, JAK2, STAT3, CCR6, ICOSLG), autophagy (ATG16L1, IRGM, LRRK2), maintenance of epithelial barrier integrity (IBD5, DLG5, PTGER4, ITLN1, DMBT1, XBP1), and the orchestration of the secondary immune response (HLA-region, TNFSF15/TL1A, IRF5, PTPN2, PTPN22, NKX2-3, IL-12B, IL-18RAP, MST1). While many of these loci also predispose to pediatric CD, an additional number of childhood-onset loci have been identified recently (e.g., TNFRSF6B). Not only has the identification of these loci improved our understanding of the pathophysiology of CD, this knowledge also holds real promise for clinical practice.
Strain: A Solution for Higher Carrier Mobility in Nanoscale MOSFETs
Authors: Chu Min , Sun Yongke , Aghoram Umamaheswari , Thompson Scott E.
Published: May 2009

Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) have shown impressive performance improvements over the past 10 years by incorporating strained silicon (Si) technology. This review gives an overview of the impact of strain on carrier mobility in Si n- and pMOSFETs by considering strain-induced band splitting, band warping and consequent carrier repopulation, and altered conductivity effective mass and scattering rate. Different surface orientations, channel directions, and gate electric fields are included for a fully theoretical understanding. The results are used to predict strain-enhanced silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and multigate device performance, mainly focusing on potential 22-nm and beyond device options such as double-gate and trigate fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) structures. Insights into strain-enhanced potential future channel materials (SiGe, Ge, and GaAs) are also summarized. Finally, recent technology nodes with strain engineering are reviewed, and the future developing trend is given.
Genetic Testing in Israel: An Overview
Authors: Rosner Guy , Rosner Serena , Orr-Urtreger Avi
Published: May 2009

In Israel, genetic screening and testing are widespread and are on the rise. The socialized medical system, the governmental National Program for the Detection and Prevention of Birth Defects, the central registry of genetic disorders, and the availability of medical genetic units influence the extensive utilization of genetic services. Israeli society is a complex one—ethnically, religiously, and culturally diverse, comprised of Jews of many ethnic backgrounds, as well as Christian and Moslem Arabs, Druze, and Bedouins. Multiple founder mutations have been documented in these various ethnic populations, often down to the level of specific villages or tribes. Although carrier screening and prenatal diagnostic testing are well established in the general population, the rejection of pregnancy termination by many religious communities often prevents participation in testing. Culturally appropriate genetic programs have been initiated in religious Jewish and non-Jewish communities in an attempt to overcome cultural barriers and reduce the frequency of severe genetic diseases nationwide.
The Scientific Life of John Bahcall
Authors: Haxton Wick
Published: May 2009

This article follows the scientific life of John Norris Bahcall, including his tenacious pursuit of the solar neutrino problem, his contributions to our understanding of galaxies, quasars, and their emissions, and his leadership of and advocacy for astronomy and astrophysics.
The Life of Raymond Davis, Jr. and the Beginning of Neutrino Astronomy
Authors: Lande Kenneth
Published: May 2009

Neutrino astronomy, the observation of neutrinos from extraterrestrial sources, began in 1966, when Raymond Davis, Jr. turned on his deep-underground chlorine-based neutrino detector. Over the next three decades, the lower-than-predicted solar neutrino flux that Davis observed confused the scientific community. Was our understanding of energy generation in the core of stars flawed? Was there an unforeseen experimental error? Or were neutrinos more mysterious than we had anticipated? The scientific career of the remarkable scientist Raymond Davis played an integral role in unraveling the complex nature of neutrinos and in confirming our nuclear fusion model of energy generation in the core of the Sun.
Yoji Totsuka (1942–2008) and the Discovery of Neutrino Mass
Authors: Sobel Henry W. , Suzuki Yoichiro
Published: May 2009

Yoji Totsuka, a leading figure in the discovery of neutrino mass, died in 2008. His leadership of the Super-Kamiokande experiment and subsequent leadership of the High Energy Physics Laboratory (KEK) in Japan helped to lay the foundation for the current worldwide experimental and theoretical program in neutrinos.
Clinical Commentary: Obstetric and Respiratory Management of Pregnancy with Severe Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Flunt Daniel , Andreadis Natasha , Menadue Collette , Welsh Alec W.
Published: May 2009

We present a combined obstetric and respiratory perspective on two pregnancies for a woman with severe Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Our patient had the lowest prepregnancy weight (20 kg) and vital capacity of 0.34 L (VC 11% predicted) yet to be reported in the sparse literature on pregnancy with SMA. She delivered two live healthy infants via planned caesarean section without pregnancy or neonatal complication. We describe the respiratory and obstetric management techniques used for a pregnancy with this degree of respiratory compromise.
Weakly Nonlinear Hydrodynamic Stability of the Thin Newtonian Fluid Flowing on a Rotating Circular Disk
Authors: Chen Cha′o-Kuang , Lin Ming-Che
Published: May 2009

The main object of this paper is to study the weakly nonlinear hydrodynamic stability of the thin Newtonian fluid flowing on a rotating circular disk. A long‐wave perturbation method is used to derive the nonlinear evolution equation for the film flow. The linear behaviors of the spreading wave are investigated by normal mode approach, and its weakly nonlinear behaviors are explored by the method of multiple scales. The Ginzburg‐Landau equation is determined to discuss the necessary condition for the existence of such flow pattern. The results indicate that the superctitical instability region increases, and the subcritical stability region decreases with the increase of the rotation number or the radius of circular disk. It is found that the rotation number and the radius of circular disk not only play the significant roles in destabilizing the flow in the linear stability analysis but also shrink the area of supercritical stability region at high Reynolds number in the weakly nonlinear stability analysis.
Erlotinib and Bevacizumab Have Synergistic Activity against Melanoma
Authors: Schicher Nikolaus , Paulitschke Verena , Swoboda Alexander , Kunstfeld Rainer , Loewe Robert , Pilarski Peter , Pehamberger Hubert , Hoeller Christoph
Published: May 2009

Purpose: Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of cancer with currently no chance of cure once the disease has spread to distant sites. Therapeutic options for advanced stage III and IV are very limited, mainly palliative, and show response in only ∼20% of all cases. The presented preclinical study was done to investigate the influence of a combined treatment of the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib and the vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody bevacizumab in melanoma.

Experimental Design and Results: The epidermal growth factor receptor was expressed in all cell lines tested, and treatment with erlotinib did inhibit the activation of the MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase and AKT signaling pathways. Whereas in vitro no influence on tumor cell proliferation was seen with erlotinib or bevacizumab monotherapy, a decreased invasive potential on erlotinib treatment in a three-dimensional Matrigel assay was observed. Furthermore, both drugs inhibited proliferation and sprouting of endothelial cells. In vivo, in a severe combined immunodeficient mouse xenotransplantation model, reduction in tumor volume under combined treatment with erlotinib and bevacizumab was superior to the additive effect of both single agents. This was associated with reduced cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and a reduction in tumor angiogenesis compared with control or single treatment groups. Likewise, the reduction in the extent of lymph node and lung metastasis was most pronounced in animals treated with both drugs.

Conclusion: The presented data strongly support the use of a combination of erlotinib and bevacizumab as a novel treatment regimen for metastatic melanoma.
Cinaciguat (BAY 58–2667) Improves Cardiopulmonary Hemodynamics in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure
Authors: Lapp Harald , Mitrovic Veselin , Franz Norbert , Heuer Hubertus , Buerke Michael , Wolfertz Judith , Mueck Wolfgang , Unger Sigrun , Wensing Georg , Frey Reiner
Published: May 2009

Background—

Cinaciguat (BAY 58–2667) is the first of a new class of soluble guanylate cyclase activators in clinical development for acute decompensated heart failure. We aimed to assess the hemodynamic effects, safety, and tolerability of intravenous cinaciguat in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ≥18 mm Hg).

Methods and Results—

After initial dose finding (part A; n=27), cinaciguat was evaluated in the nonrandomized, uncontrolled proof-of-concept part of the study (part B; n=33) using a starting dose of 100 μg/h, which could be titrated depending on hemodynamic response. Patients were categorized as responders if their pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased by ≥4 mm Hg compared with baseline. Final doses of cinaciguat after 6 hours of infusion in part B were 50 μg/h (n=2), 200 μg/h (n=12), and 400 μg/h (n=16). Compared with baseline, a 6-hour infusion of cinaciguat led to significant reductions in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (−7.9 mm Hg), mean right atrial pressure (−2.9 mm Hg), mean pulmonary artery pressure (−6.5 mm Hg), pulmonary vascular resistance (−43.4 dynes · s · cm
−5
), and systemic vascular resistance (−597 dynes · s · cm
−5
), while increasing heart rate by 4.4 bpm and cardiac output by 1.68 L/min. The responder rate was 53% after 2 hours, 83% after 4 hours, and 90% after 6 hours. Cinaciguat was well tolerated, with 13 of 60 patients reporting 14 drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events of mild to moderate intensity, most commonly hypotension.

Conclusions—

Cinaciguat has potent preload- and afterload-reducing effects, increasing cardiac output. Further investigation of cinaciguat for acute decompensated heart failure is warranted.
In Vivo Plaque Composition and Morphology in Coronary Artery Lesions in Adolescents and Young Adults Long After Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Mitani Yoshihide , Ohashi Hiroyuki , Sawada Hirofumi , Ikeyama Yukiko , Hayakawa Hidetoshi , Takabayashi Shin , Maruyama Kazuo , Shimpo Hideto , Komada Yoshihiro
Published: May 2009

Background—

Coronary artery lesions (CALs) late after Kawasaki disease were characterized by endothelial dysfunction and low-grade inflammation, surrogate markers for atherosclerosis. We tested the hypothesis that CALs in patients long after Kawasaki disease are accompanied by atheroma-like features, as assessed by virtual histology–intravascular ultrasound, a new method to assess coronary plaque composition and morphology in vivo.

Methods and Results—

Virtual histology–intravascular ultrasound was performed in 13 Japanese Kawasaki disease patients (median age, 18.3 years; interquartile range, 16.9 to 23.3 years) an interval after Kawasaki disease (median, 15.9 years; interquartile range, 14.3 to 21.9 years). We investigated 6 sites with localized stenosis, 15 sites with an aneurysm, 29 sites with a regressed aneurysm, and 50 sites with a normal coronary segment. Plaque components were categorized into 4 parts: fibrous, fibrofatty, necrotic core, and dense calcium areas. Qualitatively, the normal segment had no or trivial intravascular ultrasound–visible plaque area, whereas the CAL exhibited a heterogeneous plaque area with the 4 components in different amounts and proportions. Quantitatively, a combined group of CALs had a higher absolute value of fibrous, dense calcium, and necrotic core areas than the normal segment. In further analyses of 3 subtypes of CALs, localized stenosis, an advanced lesion, exhibited higher absolute and relative values of dense calcium and necrotic core areas and a lower relative value of the fibrous area than regressed and persistent aneurysms.

Conclusion—

The present limited but initial virtual histology–intravascular ultrasound findings give new insight into the potential role of atherogenesis in the evolution of CALs in adolescents and young adults long after Kawasaki disease and therefore warrant further investigation.
Overexpression of Catalase Targeted to Mitochondria Attenuates Murine Cardiac Aging
Authors: Dai Dao-Fu , Santana Luis F. , Vermulst Marc , Tomazela Daniela M. , Emond Mary J. , MacCoss Michael J. , Gollahon Katherine , Martin George M. , Loeb Lawrence A. , Ladiges Warren C. , Rabinovitch Peter S.
Published: May 2009

Background—

Age is a major risk for cardiovascular diseases. Although mitochondrial reactive oxygen species have been proposed as one of the causes of aging, their role in cardiac aging remains unclear. We have previously shown that overexpression of catalase targeted to mitochondria (mCAT) prolongs murine median lifespan by 17% to 21%.

Methods and Results—

We used echocardiography to study cardiac function in aging cohorts of wild-type and mCAT mice. Changes found in wild-type mice recapitulate human aging: age-dependent increases in left ventricular mass index and left atrial dimension, worsening of the myocardial performance index, and a decline in diastolic function. Cardiac aging in mice is accompanied by accumulation of mitochondrial protein oxidation, increased mitochondrial DNA mutations and deletions and mitochondrial biogenesis, increased ventricular fibrosis, enlarged myocardial fiber size, decreased cardiac SERCA2 protein, and activation of the calcineurin–nuclear factor of activated T-cell pathway. All of these age-related changes were significantly attenuated in mCAT mice. Analysis of survival of 130 mice demonstrated that echocardiographic cardiac aging risk scores were significant predictors of mortality. The estimated attributable risk to mortality for these 2 parameters was 55%.

Conclusions—

This study shows that cardiac aging in the mouse closely recapitulates human aging and demonstrates the critical role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in cardiac aging and the impact of cardiac aging on survival. These findings also support the potential application of mitochondrial antioxidants in reactive oxygen species–related cardiovascular diseases.
Increased Glucose Uptake and Oxidation in Mouse Hearts Prevent High Fatty Acid Oxidation but Cause Cardiac Dysfunction in Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Yan Jie , Young Martin E. , Cui Lei , Lopaschuk Gary D. , Liao Ronglih , Tian Rong
Published: May 2009

Background—

Shift of myocardial substrate preference has been observed in many chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart failure. This study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the chronic substrate switch in adult hearts and to determine the functional consequences of the switch.

Methods and Results—

Transgenic mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of the insulin-independent glucose transporter GLUT1 (TG) were used to increase intracellular glucose in cardiac myocytes. A high-fat diet was used to increase the fatty acid supply to the heart. High-fat diet induced a 40% increase in fatty acid oxidation in wild-type hearts, whereas glucose oxidation was decreased to 30% of the control. In contrast, glucose oxidation was >2-fold higher in TG hearts, and the high-fat diet failed to upregulate fatty acid oxidation in these hearts. Glucose induced changes in the expression of multiple metabolic genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (decreased by 51%), 3-oxoacid CoA transferase (decreased by 67%), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (increased by 4-fold), resulting in a remodeling of the metabolic network to favor a shift of substrate preference toward glucose. Although TG mice on a normal diet maintained normal cardiac energetics and function, the inability to upregulate myocardial fatty acid oxidation in TG mice fed a high-fat diet resulted in increased oxidative stress in the heart, activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and contractile dysfunction.

Conclusions—

We have demonstrated that chronic increases in myocardial glucose uptake and oxidation reduce the metabolic flexibility and render the heart susceptible to contractile dysfunction.
Effect of the Novel Thienopyridine Prasugrel Compared With Clopidogrel on Spontaneous and Procedural Myocardial Infarction in the Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition With Prasugrel–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 38
Authors: Morrow David A. , Wiviott Stephen D. , White Harvey D. , Nicolau Jose C. , Bramucci Ezio , Murphy Sabina A. , Bonaca Marc P. , Ruff Christian T. , Scirica Benjamin M. , McCabe Carolyn H. , Antman Elliott M. , Braunwald Eugene
Published: May 2009

Background—

Prasugrel is a novel thienopyridine that reduces new or recurrent myocardial infarctions (MIs) compared with clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. This effect must be balanced against an increased bleeding risk. We aimed to characterize the effect of prasugrel with respect to the type, size, and timing of MI using the universal classification of MI.

Methods and Results—

We studied 13 608 patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention randomized to prasugrel or clopidogrel and treated for 6 to 15 months in the Trial to Assess Improvement in Therapeutic Outcomes by Optimizing Platelet Inhibition With Prasugrel–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TRITON-TIMI 38). Each MI underwent supplemental classification as spontaneous, secondary, or sudden cardiac death (types 1, 2, and 3) or procedure related (Types 4 and 5) and examined events occurring early and after 30 days. Prasugrel significantly reduced the overall risk of MI (7.4% versus 9.7%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67 to 0.85;
P
<0.0001). This benefit was present for procedure-related MIs (4.9% versus 6.4%; HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.88;
P
=0.0002) and nonprocedural (type 1, 2, or 3) MIs (2.8% versus 3.7%; HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.88;
P
=0.0013) and consistently across MI size, including MIs with a biomarker peak ≥5 times the reference limit (HR. 0.74; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.86;
P
=0.0001). In landmark analyses starting at 30 days, patients treated with prasugrel had a lower risk of any MI (2.9% versus 3.7%; HR, 0.77;
P
=0.014), including nonprocedural MI (2.3% versus 3.1%; HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.92;
P
=0.0069).

Conclusion—

Treatment with prasugrel compared with clopidogrel for up to 15 months in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention significantly reduces the risk of MIs that are procedure related and spontaneous and those that are small and large, including new MIs occurring during maintenance therapy.
The Public Safety Impact of Community Notification Laws
Authors: Freeman Naomi J.
Published: May 2009

Sex offender management is one of the highest-profile issues in public safety today. Although states have enacted community notification laws as a means to protect communities from sexual offending, limited research has been conducted to examine the impact of these laws on public safety. As such, this study used a quasi-experimental design to examine the relationship, if any, between community notification legislation and sex offender rearrest. Sex offenders who were subject to community notification ( n = 10,592, 61.7%) were compared to sex offenders who were not subject to community notification requirements ( n = 6,573, 38.3%). Results indicate that sex offenders subject to community notification were rearrested twice as quickly (for a sexual offense) and 47% more quickly (for a nonsexual offense) than those not subject to community notification. The findings yield implications for sex offender interventions and public policies and suggest that notification may not be an effective strategy for significantly reducing sexual offenses.
Putin's Legacy and the State of Democracy in Russia
Authors: Kumar Rajan
Published: May 2009

Two terms of Putin's presidency set in motion a dichotomous trend of growth and stability, on the one hand, and stifling of political and civil liberties, on the other. This was an inevitable outcome of Putin's policies, which laid more emphasis on growth and stability than democratisation of Russia. This imbalance has led to a divergence of assessments and interpretations by the experts. While most of the Russian scholars consider Putin to be a remarkable president, their counterparts from the West condemn him as an authoritarian ruler who derailed the progress of democracy in Russia. Against this backdrop, this article argues that some of the centralization measures of Putin were necessary to keep Russia united and growing. But his attempts at consolidation of the hold of a single party over the legislature militate against one of the fundamental democratic principles of separation of powers between the legislature and the executive. While this has provided unbridled powers to the president, the process of the growth of a strong opposition party in Russia has suffered a definite setback. As a powerful president, Putin emerged as the chief architect of a nation-in-the-making. Under him, national-ism triumphed but democracy staggered.
Why Are Perceptions of Change in the “Eye of the Beholder”?
Authors: Caldwell Steven , Liu Yi , Fedor Donald B. , Herold David M.
Published: May 2009

This study investigates main effects of differences in workers (age, sex, and tenure) in conjunction with relevant contextual factors that moderate these main effects on individuals’ procedural justice judgments. Studying 820 employees who underwent change in their respective organizations, the authors found that the positive relationship between unit-level justice context and individual-level judgment of justice is stronger when workers’ personal jobs have low impact and when individuals are similar in age to others in the work unit. Men are more likely than women to view change-related management actions as just, but this relationship is not significant if the organization has undergone shifts in power structures concurrent with the focal change. Tenure relates positively with personal procedural justice judgment but only when the organization has recently changed the types of people it hires. The results have implications for organizations by informing managers that their change-related actions will not necessarily be translated similarly by all individuals participating in the change.
A Structured Educational Program Improves Metabolic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Scain Suzana Fiore , Friedman Rogério , Gross Jorge Luiz
Published: May 2009

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured education group program in metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a public teaching hospital and tertiary care center. Participants were 104 patients with type 2 diabetes not using insulin (aged 59 ± 9.5 years, diabetes duration of 10.5 ± 6.70 years, 53% women) randomized to attend an 8-hour structured group education program (delivered in 4 sessions, for 4 weeks, by a trained nurse educator) or to usual care. A pretest and posttest assessed the patients' knowledge before and after the course. The main outcome measures were A1C, weight, blood pressure, and lipids at 4-month intervals, up to 12 months.

Results

A1C levels decreased significantly in the intervention group after the 4th month and remained lower than in the control group until the 12th month (multivariate analysis of covariance, with baseline A1C as a covariate). Weight, blood pressure levels, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein levels improved significantly, and similarly, in both groups.

Conclusions

A structured education group program centered in self-management improves the glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, reaching the peak effect at 4 months, and lasting for up to 12 months.
Testing Person Fit in Cognitive Diagnosis
Authors: Liu Ying , Douglas Jeffrey A. , Henson Robert A.
Published: May 2009

In cognitive diagnosis, the test-taking behavior of some examinees may be idiosyncratic so that their test scores may not reflect their true cognitive abilities as much as that of more typical examinees. Statistical tests are developed to recognize the following: (a) nonmasters of the required attributes who correctly answer the item (spuriously high scores) and (b) masters of the attributes who fail to correctly answer the item (spuriously low scores). For a person, nonzero probability of aberrant behavior is tested as the alternative hypothesis, against normal behavior as the null hypothesis. The two generalized likelihood ratio test statistics used, with the null hypothesis parameter on the boundary of the parameter space in each, have asymptotic distributions of a 50:50 mixture of a chi-square distribution with one degree of freedom and a degenerate distribution that is a constant of 0 under the null hypothesis. Simulation results, primarily based on the DINA model (deterministic inputs, noisy ‘‘AND’’ gate), are used to investigate the following: (a) how accurately the statistical tests identify normal/aberrant behaviors, (b) how the power of the tests depends on the length of the cognitive exam and the degree of the inclination toward aberrance, and (c) how sensitive the tests are to inaccurate estimation of model parameters.
Cardiopulmonary bypass and edema: physiology and pathophysiology
Authors: Hirleman E , Larson DF
Published: May 2009

Edema is a common morbidity following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and can result in injury to many organs, including the heart, lungs, and brain. Generalized edema is also common and can lead to increased post-operative hospital stay and other morbidities. Pediatric patients are more susceptible to post-CPB edema and the consequences are more severe for this population. Hemodilution and systemic inflammatory responses are two suspected causes of CPB-related edema; however, the mechanisms involved are far from understood. Also, the common strategies to improve edema have not been completely successful and there is a need for new strategies at maintaining a fluid balance of patients as close to physiological as possible, especially for pediatric patients. An integrative approach to understanding edema is necessary as the forces involved in fluid homeostasis are dynamic and interdependent. Therefore, this review will focus on the physiology of fluid homeostasis and the pathologies of fluid shifts during CPB which lead to general edema as well as tissue-specific edema.
The effect of hemodilution during normothermic cardiac surgery on renal physiology and function: a review
Authors: Vermeer H , Teerenstra S , de Sévaux RGL , van Swieten HA , Weerwind PW
Published: May 2009

Although the definitions of renal dysfunction vary, loss of renal function is a common complication following cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). When postoperative dialysis is required, mortality is approximately 50%. CPB-accompanied hemodilution is a major contributing factor to renal damage as it notably reduces oxygen delivery by reducing the oxygen transport capacity of the blood as well as disturbing the microcirculation. To minimize hypoxemic damage during CPB, lowering of body temperature is applied to reduce the patient’s metabolic rate. At present, however, temperature management during elective adult cardiac surgery is shifting from moderate hypothermia to normothermia. To determine whether the currently accepted levels of hemodilution during CPB can suffice the normothermic patient’s high oxygen demand, we focused this study on renal physiology and postoperative renal function. Hemodilution reduces the capillary density through a diminished capillary viscosity, thereby, redistributing blood from the renal medulla to the renal cortex. As the physiology of the renal medulla makes it a hypoxic environment, this part of the kidney appears to be especially at risk for hypoxic damage caused by a hemodilution-induced lowered oxygen transport and oxygen delivery. In addition, hemodilution is also likely to disturb the hormonal systems regulating renal blood distribution. Clinical studies, mostly of retrospective or observational nature, show that perioperative nadir hematocrit levels lower than approximately 24% are associated with an increased risk to develop postoperative renal failure. A better comprehension of the cause-and-effect relation between low perioperative hematocrits and loss of postoperative renal function may enable more effective renal protective strategies.
How the Internet Shapes Religious Life, or the Medium Is Itself the Message
Authors: van der Laan J.M.
Published: May 2009

The Internet has become a resource for everyone for everything. It is accordingly now also a source of sermons and much more for pastors of churches in the USA. In consequence, the Internet shapes and alters how pastors and parishioners practice their religion. Because “the medium is the message,” as Marshall McLuhan observed, Internet sermons necessarily reflect and convey something of their Internet source. So, too, the nature and content religious life changes and takes on the characteristics of its new source of inspiration, the Internet. As the dominant expression of technology today, the Internet reveals technology ultimately and in the words of Jacques Ellul as “the real religion of our time.”