cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Naltrexone for Heavy-Drinking Smokers Seeking Smoking Cessation Treatment.

Background Post hoc analyses of 2 randomized controlled trials suggest naltrexone may reduce alcohol use and improve smoking cessation outcomes among heavy drinkers receiving smoking cessation treatment. However, no studies have been conducted specifically to examine naltrexone for this purpose or to test whether naltrexone has benefit when added to smoking cessation counseling that explicitly addresses heavy drinking. Methods We recruited heavy-drinking smokers from the community and randomized them to receive 10 weeks of either (i) 50 mg naltrexone (n = 75) or (ii) placebo (n = 75) daily. Participants received 6 weeks of transdermal nicotine patch and 6 sessions of counseling that addressed both heavy drinking and smoking. Participants were followed for 26 weeks after their target quit smoking date. Results Across medication conditions, there were substantial reductions at follow-up in percent heavy drinking days (primary outcome) and average drinks per week (secondary outcome). However, participants receiving naltrexone did not differ significantly from those receiving placebo on percent heavy drinking days (effect size d = -0.04, 95% CI [-0.30, 0.22], p = 0.76) or average drinks per week (d = -0.09, 95% CI [-0.35, 0.18], p = 0.54) during follow-up. Naltrexone compared to placebo was not associated with a significant increase in smoking abstinence rates during follow-up, odds ratio = 0.93, 95% CI [0.46, 1.86], p = 0.83. The effect of naltrexone on these outcomes was not significantly moderated by current alcohol dependence or gender. Conclusions Results indicate that heavy-drinking smokers, including those with current alcohol dependence, can make substantial reductions in drinking in the context of smoking cessation treatment. However, this study provided no evidence that naltrexone is efficacious for enhancing reductions in drinking or improving smoking cessation in this population. Limitations of this study included lower-than-desired sample size and modest adherence to study medication.
Dual Specificity Phosphatase (DUSP) activity regulates ERK activation and positive selection of thymocytes (87.16)

Regulation of MAP Kinase phosphorylation is thought to be important for proper translation of TCR signals into thymocyte cell fates. However, the role of phosphatase activity in thymic development has not been extensively characterized. DUSP-6, also known as Map Kinase Phosphatase-3 (MKP-3), is expressed in the thymus and can bind and dephosphorylate ERK. To explore the role of MKP in thymocytes, we expressed MKP-3 or a catalytically inactive form of MKP-3 (DM-MKP3) in an immature thymocyte cell line, 16610 D9. Lower amounts of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) were found in D9 cells that over express MKP-3, while D9 cells that over express DM-MKP3 exhibited higher amounts of p-ERK after TCR stimulation in comparison to vector control cells. Thus, over expression of a catalytically inactive ERK phosphatase results in inhibition of all ERK specific MKP activity, and acts as a dominant negative MKP. Utilizing real time PCR, we also observed elevated Egr-1 mRNA levels after TCR stimulation in D9 cells expressing DM-MKP3 compared to control D9 cells. Egr-1 is an ERK dependent immediate early gene known to support positive selection of thymocytes. Finally, we over expressed DM-MKP3 in vivo , and observed enhanced positive selection. Together these results indicate that MKP control of ERK activation after TCR stimulation is critical in regulation of thymocyte cell fate decisions. This work is funded by grants from the NIH and the ACS.
The Neuropharmacology of Ca2+ Channels

Ion channels that allow the influx of Ca2+ into neurons or other cells have been traditionally divided into two groups: voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels (VSCC) and receptor-operated channels (ROC). Ca2+ influx via these and other pathways is one method by which an increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, can be achieved. The second method is through release of Ca2+ from intracellular bound stores. Such increases in [Ca2+]i act as signals that trigger a large number of important neuronal responses. These include the release of neurotransmitters, the regulation of certain ion channels, modification of the cytoskeleton, and the production of long-term changes in the efficacy of synaptic transmission such as those associated with long-term potentiation (LTP). The division of ion channels into VSCC and ROC is somewhat artificial, however, as VSCC can certainly be modulated by receptor mediated events and some ROC can function in a voltage-dependent fashion under physiological conditions. In this chapter we shall focus on two examples. The first concerns the inhibitory modulation of VSCC in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons by a variety of neurotransmitters such as neuropeptide Y (NPY). The second concerns the regulation of Ca2+ entry into central neurons by the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter glutamate. This latter process involves the activation of a number of glutamate receptor subtypes and a number of ion channels.
A high speed soft robot based on dielectric elastomer actuators

A multilayer fabrication method has been used to create crawling soft robots based on dielectric elastomer actuators. These actuators are created without the need for pre-stretch, eliminating the need for rigid components. A four-legged, multi-gait capable crawler can be fabricated in a matter of hours and shows promise for future untethered systems. Studies on inchworm robots show them to be the fastest dielectric elastomer actuator-based systems reported to date, capable of traveling faster than 1 body length / second for the best elastomer available. Most importantly, the devices are primarily soft and deformable, with few rigid attachments.
Genetic-Genomic Insights into the Metabolic Determinants of Spontaneous Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complex aging-associated disease with multiple causes and inadequate treatment options. Beyond anticoagulants, the pharmacological treatments for AF have had limited efficacy and a potential for significant side effects. A major challenge in developing new drugs to treat or prevent AF has been the lack of suitable animal models of spontaneous AF.1 Studies from Muller et al2 have shown that overexpression of the cAMP response element modulator (CREM) in mice led to atrial enlargement with atrial and ventricular hypertrophy, leading to spontaneous AF and premature death. In additional studies of this model, changes in calcium cycling that promoted hypertrophy of atrial myocytes and chamber dilatation were shown to precede the development of electrical heterogeneity, conduction slowing, and atrial ectopy.3 Complementary studies in human atrial tissues and in other animal models of AF have led to an improved understanding of the role of abnormal calcium cycling and metabolism in the development of atrial cardiomyopathies as a substrate for AF.4 See Article by Seidl et al In this …
Comparative Education Research: Approaches and Methods (2nd edition): (doi: 10.14425/00.73.64)

Book ReviewComparative Education Research: Approaches and Methods (2nd edition)By Mark Bray, Bob Adamson and Mark Mason (Eds.) (2014), 453p ISBN: 978-988-17852-8-2, Hong Kong: Comparative Education Research Centre and Springer
The Role of Mitochondrial Metabolism in Nitric Oxide-dependent Inhibition of the DNA Damage Response

The DNA damage response (DDR) is a signaling network that is activated by DNA double-strand breaks and participates in β-cell apoptosis during exposure to the cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1). We have recently shown that nitric oxide, produced by β-cells during IL-1 exposure, inhibits DDR signaling and attenuates DDR-mediated apoptosis. In this study, we find that inhibition of the DDR by nitric oxide is associated with an impairment of mitochondrial metabolism. Nitric oxide decreases INS 832/13 cell and islet ATP levels, and the loss of ATP correlates with an inhibition of DDR signaling. Inhibitors of the electron transport chain (e.g., the complex I inhibitor rotenone) decrease ATP and prevent DDR activation in INS 832/13 cells. The inhibition of DDR signaling in response to nitric oxide and rotenone is selective for β-cells, as these inhibitors of mitochondrial metabolism do not inhibit DDR signaling or alter ATP levels in MEFs and HepG2 cells. In β-cells, glycolysis is tightly coupled to mitochondrial oxidation, β-cells are unable to maintain ATP levels via glycolysis alone. This is in contrast to glucose metabolism in many cell types (including MEFs and HepG2 cells), which can meet cellular ATP demands mainly via glycolysis alone. However, when MEFs are forced to rely on mitochondria for ATP generation (by replacement of glucose with galactose in the media), both ATP levels and the DDR signaling now become sensitive to nitric oxide, and much like β-cells, these cells are now protected from DNA damage-induced apoptosis. These findings provide novel evidence that the unique metabolic features of β-cells that allow for the regulation of DDR signaling, and thereby the control of cell fate decisions in response to DNA damage-induced apoptosis, in response to nitric oxide.
Omeprazole Minimally Alters the Fecal Microbial Community in Six Cats: A Pilot Study.

Although they have historically been thought of as safe medications, proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole have been associated with an increased risk of enteric, particularly Clostridium difficile, infections in people. In cats, omeprazole is often the first choice acid suppressant prescribed for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal (GI) ulceration and bleeding. Despite this, no studies to date have explored the effect of omeprazole on the feline fecal microbiome and metabolome. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of prolonged omeprazole administration on the fecal microbiome and metabolome in healthy cats to identify targets for analysis in a larger subset of cats with GI disease. A within-subjects, before and after, pilot study was performed whereby six healthy adult cats received 60 days of placebo (250 mg lactose PO q 12 h) followed by 5 mg (0.83-1.6 mg/kg PO q 12 h) omeprazole. On days 0, 30, and 60 of placebo and omeprazole therapy, the fecal microbiome and metabolome were characterized utilizing 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing by Illumina and untargeted mass spectrometry-based methods, respectively. Omeprazole administration resulted in no significant changes in the global microbiome structure or richness. However, transient changes were noted in select bacterial groups with omeprazole administration resulting in an increased sequence percentage of Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, and Faecalibacterium spp. and a decreased sequence percentage of Bifidobacterium spp. Significance was lost for all of these bacterial groups after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The fecal concentration of O-acetylserine and aminomalonate decreased with omeprazole therapy, but significance was lost after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The results of this pilot study conclude that omeprazole has a mild and transient impact on the fecal microbiome and metabolome when orally administered to healthy cats for 60 days. Based on the findings of this pilot study, evaluation of the effect of omeprazole specifically on Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, Faecalibacterium, and Bifidobacterium spp. is warranted in cats with primary GI disease.
Abstract 3177: Drip and Ship V-code use in the United States - an Analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS)

Objective: Non-stroke center hospitals often utilize a “drip-and-ship” (DS) method in which the acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients are emergently transferred to stroke centers after treatment with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA). In October 2008, a new ICD-9 ″V-code″ was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to identify these patients. We analyzed the use of this V-code in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) in order to characterize rates of use, regional differences, and safety among AIS patients in the United States (US). Methods: We searched the NIS, a database representative of 20% of inpatient admissions in the US, to identify patients with primary diagnosis of stroke using ICD-9 codes (430, 431, 433.01, 433.11, 433.21, 433.31, 433.81, 433.91, 434.01, 434.11, 434.91, or 436) in the last quarter of 2008 and all of 2009. We searched for “drip and ship” coding using the V-code (v45.88) among any of the 15 listed diagnostic codes and for secondary diagnoses of brain hemorrhage (430 or 431) complicating ischemic stroke. We included primary diagnoses of hemorrhage (430 or 431) only if ischemic stroke treatment was provided (DS, thrombolysis on day 0, or any mechanical embolectomy by procedure codes: v45.88, 99.10, and 39.72). We compared demographics, hospital characteristics, and outcomes in DS vs. non-DS thrombolysis patients using univariable statistics. Results: Of the 140,698 AIS discharges from October 2008 to December 2009, 4314 (3.1%) received intravenous thrombolysis and 929 (0.66%) were DS patients based on V-code reporting. V-code reporting increased in each quarter (0.5 to 0.8%, p Conclusion: In our analysis, we found that the “drip-and-ship” method is not uncommon and appropriate coding is increasing in the US. The practice is most prevalent in the Midwest and most patients are transferred to teaching hospitals. The safety of this method appears similar to non-DS tPA use for ischemic stroke. Further studies are needed to validate our findings.
Chapter 1 – A Perspective on the Application of Physical Methods to Peptide Conformational–Biological Activity Studies

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the application of physical methods to peptide conformational-biological activity studies. Biological functions as diverse as sexual maturation and reproduction, enzyme inhibition, blood pressure regulation, glucose metabolism and storage, thermal control, satiety, analgesia, and learning and memory are now thought to be regulated and modulated by peptides. A major problem to be confronted is the fact that many peptide hormones and peptide neurotransmitters are small, conformational flexible molecules with conformations that are highly environment dependent. Most small, biologically important peptides appear to serve as regulators of biological action or as molecular switches. Thus, they act as hormones, ionophores, neurotransmitters, etc. Perhaps the earliest efforts to determine the conformational properties of peptides involved the use of X-ray crystallography, though only a few small crystalline peptides were available. A problem evident from the beginning in many of these studies was the fact that most of the peptide hormones and neurotransmitters were conformationally flexible, and the question arose as to which of the multitude of conformations found in solution were of biological significance. To overcome these difficulties, the use of various kinds of conformational restriction compatible with high agonist or antagonist activities has emerged as a promising approach.
Pharmacokinetic Parameter Estimation with Stochastic Dynamic Models

The pharmacokinetic parameter estimation problem is reexamined within the framework of stochastic dynamic systems. Using this formalism, two sources of uncertainty are incorporated into the parameter estimation procedure: measurement error and process or model error. Consideration is given to linear dynamic models, with both model and measurement error terms modeled as Gaussian random processes. The maximum likelihood estimate of the parameters is obtained by using the Kaiman filter formulation of the model to compute the likelihood function which is then maximized by direct nonlinear optimization. This approach to maximum likelihood estimation, given process or model error as well as output error, is evaluated using several simulated pharmacokinetic parameter estimation problems.
Molecular features of class II MHC-restricted T-cell recognition of protein and peptide antigens: the importance of amphipathic structures.

Much work has been done on the use of peptides as immunogens, but most has concentrated on antibody production (reviewed in LERNER 1984; ARNON 1984) rather than T-cell responses. There are certain potential problems with their use for antibody production that do not apply to T cells. Antibodies raised against peptides as immunogens generally cross-react with the native protein from which the peptides were derived with affinities several Orders of magnitude lower than those for the peptide (reviewed in BERZOFSKY 1985 a). Conversely, antibodies raised against the native protein generally cross-react with peptides derived from it with a lower affinity, although exceptions have been noted (LANDO and REICHLIN 1982). In both directions, cross-reactions seem to be most easily measured when the peptide corresponds to a more mobile portion of the protein (TAINER et al. 1984, 1985; WESTHOF et al. 1984); perhaps such portions are better able to share some conformational states with the peptide so that one can achieve an induced fit with antibodies made against the other (BERZOFSKY 1985 a). In addition, there are antibodies made against the native protein that react with assembled topographic determinants consisting of amino acid residues far apart in the primary sequence that are brought together on the surface of the native molecule as it folds in its native conformation (BENJAMIN et al. 1984; BERZOFSKY 1985a). Such antigenic sites exist only on the surface topography of the native protein, and thus do not exist in any peptide segment of the protein.
Correction to: Do Words Matter? Stigmatizing Language and the Transmission of Bias in the Medical Record

In the HTML version of this paper, Ms. Goddu was incorrectly listed. The correct citation should be AP Goddu. Exposure to the stigmatizing language note was associated with more negative attitudes towards the patient (20.3 stigmatizing vs. 25.1 neutral, p < 0.001). Reading the stigmatizing language note was associated with less aggressive management of the patient's pain (4.7 stigmatizing vs. 5.3 neutral, p < 0.001).
Gene Family Evolution in the Pea Aphid Based on Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly

Genome structural variations, including duplications, deletions, insertions, and inversions, are central in the evolution of eukaryotic genomes. However, structural variations present challenges for high-quality genome assembly, hampering efforts to understand the evolution of gene families and genome architecture. An example is the genome of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) for which the current assembly is composed of thousands of short scaffolds, many of which are known to be misassembled. Here, we present an improved version of the A. pisum genome based on the use of two long-range proximity ligation methods. The new assembly contains four long scaffolds (40-170 Mb), corresponding to the three autosomes and the X chromosome of A. pisum, and encompassing 86% of the new assembly. Assembly accuracy is supported by several quality assessments. Using this assembly, we identify the chromosomal locations and relative ages of duplication events, and the locations of horizontally acquired genes. The improved assembly illuminates the mode of gene family evolution by providing proximity information between paralogs. By estimating nucleotide polymorphism and coverage depth from resequencing data, we determined that many short scaffolds not assembling to chromosomes represent hemizygous regions, which are especially frequent on the highly repetitive X chromosome. Aligning the X-linked aphicarus region, responsible for male wing dimorphism, to the new assembly revealed a 50-kb deletion that cosegregates with the winged male phenotype in some clones. These results show that long-range scaffolding methods can substantially improve assemblies of repetitive genomes and facilitate study of gene family evolution and structural variation.
Undergraduate Statistics Education and the National Science Foundation

This paper describes 25 National Science Foundation supported projects that have innovations designed to improve education for students majoring or minoring in statistics. The characteristics of these projects and the common themes which emerge are compared with the American Statistical Association's (ASA) guidelines for developing statistics education curricula for majors and minors and for teaching the corresponding statistics courses. Through this analysis, we are able to see how the last decade of NSF supported projects in statistics education exemplify these ASA guidelines.
Organization Alumni Endorsement of Their Former Employer: “I Like You. Do You (Still) Like Me?”

This study investigates the quality of social exchange relationships of former employees, or organizational alumni (OA), with their former employer. An OA’s willingness to endorse is examined as pr...
Training Special Education Teachers in Rural Areas: A Viable Model.

In 1983, the Program for Exceptional Children, College of Education, University of South Carolina, received funds from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services to design, develop...
Nearest Neighbor Dirichlet Process

There is a rich literature on Bayesian nonparametric methods for unknown densities. The most popular approach relies on Dirichlet process mixture models. These models characterize the unknown density as a kernel convolution with an unknown almost surely discrete mixing measure, which is given a Dirichlet process prior. Such models are very flexible and have good performance in many settings, but posterior computation typically relies on Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms that can be complex and inefficient. As a simple alternative, we propose a class of nearest neighbor-Dirichlet processes. The approach starts by grouping the data into neighborhoods based on standard algorithms. Within each neighborhood, the density is characterized via a Bayesian parametric model, such as a Gaussian with unknown parameters. Assigning a Dirichlet prior to the weights on these local kernels, we obtain a simple pseudo-posterior for the weights and kernel parameters. A simple and embarrassingly parallel Monte Carlo algorithm is proposed to sample from the resulting pseudo-posterior for the unknown density. Desirable asymptotic properties are shown, and the methods are evaluated in simulation studies and applied to a motivating data set in the context of classification.
Composite System Reliability Evaluation With Essential Reliability Services Assessment of Wind Power Integrated Power Systems

With the increasing penetration of renewable resources and the retirements of conventional coal-fired generation units, power systems are undergoing significant transformation with the instantaneous renewable generation penetration sometimes approaching over 50 percent of the demand. This transformation makes the need for comprehensive reliability assessment critical to properly account for the composite system adequacy and the sufficiency of essential reliability services (ERSs). This paper introduces a probabilistic approach to evaluate the reliability of wind power integrated power systems considering ERSs including frequency and voltage support, in conjunction with resource adequacy. To consider stochasticity in system operating conditions, the proposed approach utilizes sequential Monte-Carlo Simulation (SMCS) as the probabilistic analysis methodology and formulates probabilistic reliability metrics representing the composite system adequacy and the ERSs. The proposed approach and metrics are demonstrated on a synthetic test system. Simulation results illustrate the efficacy of the proposed approach and its importance in analyzing the impact of increasing wind power penetration as well as wind turbine generators (WTGs) providing ERSs on system reliability.
Main Trends and Conclusions of Socioeconomic Development of Russia for June 2019

The almost concurrent deterioration of both the official and expert forecasts of Russia’s economic growth in 2019 coincided with the deepening pessimism about the prospects for the world economy. As regards the former, analysts were disillusioned by the puny results of the year beginning, while as regards the latter, they became increasingly convinced that contradictions between the USA and China would intensify, no matter what the outcome of US-China trade talks might be.
A combined molecular dynamics/Monte Carlo simulation of Cu thin film growth on TiN substrates: Illustration of growth mechanisms and comparison with experiments

Abstract Using a sequential molecular dynamics (MD)/time-stamped force-bias Monte Carlo (tfMC) algorithm to simulate the deposition of Cu species onto a TiN(001) substrate at 600 K, it is shown for the first time that at the very early stage of growth, BCC-Cu grows pseudomorphically on the TiN(001) substrate as a very thin continuous film with the BCC-Cu[001]//TiN[001] growth direction. By increasing the thickness of the Cu thin film, however, the film transforms through the Nishiyama-Wasserman mechanism from BCC into predominantly FCC-Cu with abundant nanotwins, which is the same type of structure obtained in the experiment conducted here via a dc magnetron sputter deposition technique to grow Cu on TiN(001) at 105 °C. In agreement with the experimental observations in the literature, the devised MD/tfMC is employed further to reveal that on the N-terminated TiN(111), Cu shows a very poor wettability, and FCC-Cu(111) grows vertically in the form of tall 3D islands. On Ti-terminated TiN(111) surface, however, FCC-Cu(111) initially grows in the form of 2D islands with high wettability. With additional Cu deposition, a triangular misfit dislocation network is generated at the Cu(111)//Ti-terminated TiN(111) interface with subsequent formation of a two-layer nanotwin with its twinning plane parallel to the surface substrate.
The Man-Machine Combination for Computer-Assisted Copy Editing

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the present state of computer-based automation in the publishing industry. Particular emphasis is placed on the relation of the editor to the computer in the production process. Computerized line justification, computerized hyphenation programs, advantages claimed for computerized typesetting, and editing and Proofreading in existing systems and experimental systems is discussed. It is clear that some of the tasks that the editor now performs with a pencil, scissors, and paste pot on hard copy could also be performed electronically by an appropriately instructed computer. Although there is little reason to develop such systems now, they can become important as the publishing industry moves towards more complete automation. Experimentation is proceeding along two lines-toward the development of editing systems that depend primarily upon current general purpose machines and rather elaborate programs and toward the development of editing systems, which depend primarily upon new special purpose subsidiary machines and associated programs.
Exclusive Measurements in B to D^* N Nbar X

We report the first observation of exclusive decays of the type B to D^* N Nbar X, where N is a nucleon. Using a sample of 9.7 x 10^6 BBbar pairs collected with the CLEO detector operating at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we measure the branching fractions B(B^0 to D^*-p pbar pi^+) = (6.5+1.3-1.2 +-1.0) x 10^-4, and B(B^0 to D^*- p nbar) = (14.5+3.4-3.0 +-2.7) x 10^-4. The charge conjugate process is implied in the reconstruction of B^0 to D^*- p nbar, only the mode with the antineutron is used in our measurement because neutrons do not have a distinctive annihilation signature. Antineutrons are used for the first time in the exclusive reconstruction of a B meson. By finding conclusive evidence for the existence of decay modes of the type B to D N Nbar X, we challenge the assumption that the B to Baryons rate is dominated by decays to charmed mesons.
A synthetic agent for mentoring novice programmers within a desktop computer environment

This research proposes the hypothesis that a synthetic animated agent can provide effective mentoring support for the novice in overcoming problems and pitfalls when learning a programming language for the very first time. Computer programming is a skills-based activity that involves problem solving within the constraints imposed by a computer environment. Numerous authorities have observed that novice programmers make the same mistakes and encounter the same problems when first programming language. The learner errors are usually from a fixed set of misconceptions that are easily corrected by experience and with simple guidance. This research investigates the viability of a synthetic animated agent to provide effective guidance to mentor novice programmers.The primary pedagogical model that the mentor agent will use is based on the Scaffolding model, where a tutor provides temporary support to the learner and removes the support as it is no longer needed. The support will take many forms e.g. explanations, examples, direction, etc. but requires the learner to be active participants in producing work of their own. For the agent mentoring systems it is planned that the learner will continue to be lectured and tutored as normal with the mentoring agent to provide support in the practical, skills based activity of writing code. The agent will monitor the learner's development environment as they proceed with writing code, the animated agent would then impart guidance when the learner generates errors or unexpected results.An innovative agent architecture is then proposed based on an analysis of the problem domain that will consist of a Beliefs-Desires-Intentions agent model, to control the animated agent interaction and interface with the programming environment, combined with a Case-Based Reasoning engine to process deep domain knowledge and guide the overall mentoring strategy.The mentoring agent will operate alongside the development environment for the programming language, for this research Visual Basic and within the Microsoft Windows environment. Experimentation with a working agent system is planned to begin in the autumn of 2005 with cohorts of undergraduate programming novices.
Psychosocial Adaptation to Disability Within the Context of Positive Psychology: Findings from the Literature

Purpose This purpose of this article is to review of the trends of research that examined positive psychology constructs in the context of adapting to chronic illness and disability (CID). This article examines the empirical findings on the relationships between six selected positive psychology-associated constructs (optimism, hope, resilience, benefit-finding, meaning-making, and post-traumatic growth) and adaptation to disability. Methods Six positive psychology constructs were selected to represent the trends found in recent literature published on CID. The process of choosing these six variables included reviewing chapters on positive psychology and CID, reviewing the top rehabilitation journals that typically publish articles on psychosocial adaptation to CID, using search engines to find relevant journal articles published since the year 2000, and selecting the most important constructs based on the authors’ professional judgment. Conclusion The available evidence supports the unique benefits of these six positive psychology constructs in predicting successful adaptation to a range of disabling conditions. Based on the available findings, the authors offer four suggestions for occupational rehabilitation researchers.
IL-9 inhibits HTB-72 melanoma cell growth through upregulation of p21 and TRAIL.

Background IL-9 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced mainly by Th9 cells. IL-9 may have an anti-proliferative role in murine melanoma, however, its effect on human melanoma is unknown. Methods We examined the effects of IL-9 on proliferation and apoptosis in four human melanoma cell lines, HTB-65, HTB-72, CRL-11147, and SK-Mel-5. Clonogenic assay, PCNA staining, Quick Cell Proliferation assay, TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activity assay were used to assess proliferation and apoptosis, as appropriate. Results We found that IL-9 decreased the percentage of colonies of HTB-72 and SK-Mel-5 cells but not that of HTB-65 or CRL-11147 cells. PCNA mRNA, PCNA+ cells, PCNA staining intensity, and the OD value of HTB-72 melanoma cells were consistently decreased in the present of IL-9. IL-9 also increased TUNEL+ cells and the relative caspase-3 activity in HTB-72 melanoma cells. We further investigated the possible molecular mechanisms using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The anti-proliferative effect of IL-9 on HTB-72 cells correlated with higher expression of anti-proliferative molecule p21. Its pro-apoptotic effect on HTB-72 cells correlated with higher expression of the pro-apoptotic molecule TRAIL. Conclusions IL-9 inhibits melanoma HTB-72 cell growth by upregulation of p21 and TRAIL. Understanding the interactions between IL-9 and melanoma may help direct strategies for cytokine-based immunotherapy development. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:969–974. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fluid sources and pathways of the Costa Rica erosional convergent margin

[1] The margins community has only relatively recently begun to examine the tectonics and associated hydrologic systems of erosive convergent margins, which are substantially different as compared with accretionary margins. In this respect, the type example erosive margin is the Costa Rica system, which has been the subject of numerous recent large-scale investigations. Here pore fluids expelled at the wedge toe and at midslope mounds and mud volcanoes have been interpreted to have a common deep source of dehydrating clays, analogous to that at accretionary margins. However, we report unusually high B/Li molar ratios in pore fluids from a recent mudflow on Mound 11, offshore Costa Rica, which, together with unusually low B/Li ratios previously reported at the wedge toe, reveal that alternative fluid sources and/or processes must be operating at the Costa Rica margin. As serpentine formation is the only subduction zone process that significantly fractionates B and Li, we propose that the difference in fluid chemical composition is the result of erosion of upper plate serpentinites, ongoing serpentinization, and serpentine mineral phase transitions in the subduction channel. These processes provide both a source of fluids and fluid pathways that lead to the unique geochemical signature observed at this erosional margin. This conclusion is compatible with, and supported by, the current view of the tectonics, geology, and hydrogeology of the Costa Rica margin and the similarity of the pore fluid to that of two other convergent margins, both with known fluid/serpentinite interactions.
Perceptions of Massage Therapists Participating in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Clinical practice and randomized trials often have disparate aims, despite involving similar interventions. Attitudes and expectancies of practitioners influence patient outcomes, and there is growing emphasis on optimizing provider–patient relationships. In this study, we evaluated the experiences of licensed massage therapists involved in a randomized controlled clinical trial using qualitative methodology. Methods: Seven massage therapists who were interventionists in a randomized controlled trial participated in structured interviews approximately 30 minutes in length. Interviews focused on their experiences and perceptions regarding aspects of the clinical trial, as well as recommendations for future trials. Transcribed interviews were analyzed for emergent topics and themes using standard qualitative methods. Results: Six themes emerged. Therapists discussed 1) promoting the profession of massage therapy through research, 2) mixed views on using standardized protocols, 3) challenges of sham interventions, 4) participant response to the sham intervention, 5) views on scheduling and compensation, and 6) unanticipated benefits of participating in research. Conclusions: Therapists largely appreciated the opportunity to promote massage through research. They demonstrated insight and understanding of the rationale for a clinical trial adhering to a standardized protocol. Evaluating the experiences and ideas of complementary and alternative medicine practitioners provides valuable insight that is relevant for the implementation and design of randomized trials.
Influence of time of gene microinjection on development and DNA detection frequency in bovine embryos

The effect of DNA microinjection at various times afterin vitro insemination on DNA detection and survival rates of bovine embryos was investigated. Oocytes were inseminated 24 h after maturation with frozen/thawed semen prepared with a Percoll separation procedure. At 11, 15 and 19 h after insemination, embryos were centrifuged to visualize pronuclei and microinjected with a murine whey acidic protein-human protein C genomic DNA construct. After culture for 7 days on Buffalo Rat Liver cells, embryos were assessed for stage of development and assayed for the presence of the transgene by polymerase chain reaction. Of zygotes in the 11h after insemination treatment, 16% (25/152) of non-injected and 7% (11/161) of injected embryos developed to the morula or blastocyst stage. Comparable development of non-injected and injected embryos treated at 15h after insemination was 15% (23/158) and 4% (6/159) and treated at 19 h after insemination was 14% (23/162) and 1% (1/165), respectively. Development of injected embryos was greater (p<0.05) when injection was performed at 11 h after insemination compared to 19 h after insemination. Development of non-injected embryos was greater (p<0.01) than that of injected embryos. There was no difference in transgene detection frequency in embryos of all developmental states between treatments (53% at 11; 50% at 15; 48% at 19h after insemination). Injected embryos testing positive for the presence of the transgene exhibited increased development over negative embryos (p<0.01). Greater development efficiencies can be obtained in microinjected bovine embryos when injection is performed early in pronuclear formation.
Review and evaluation of microcosms for assessing effects of stress in marine ecosystems

Abstract Representative estuarine-marine microcosms were reviewed and evaluated to provide recommendations and guidance for use in assessing effects of perturbations on coastal zone ecosystems. Properly designed marine microcosms can be effective assessment tools for evaluating the effects of stresses on coastal ecosystems. Critical design considerations include scaling of important physical factors, such as turnover rate and circulation, inclusion of appropriate trophic groups, minimization of side growth, and maintenance of realistic nutrient regimes. Selection of communities or major components to be included in design of microcosms should be based on the experimental hypothesis, ecologically and economically important organisms, ability to interpret test results, difficulties involved in scaling, and sensitivity of the community to the stress being investigated. In selection of response parameters, emphasis should be placed on key ecological components, particle size distribution, and those variables that reflect aggregate responses at the population or community level.
Full Range Scattering Estimates and Their Application to Cloaking

We establish very precise estimates for the time harmonic scattering effects of an inhomogeneity. Our estimates are valid at all frequencies, and are independent of the contents of the inhomogeneity. The involved constants are independent of the frequency. We use these estimates to assess the effectivity of approximate electromagnetic cloaks constructed by so called “mapping techniques”.
Changes in endoplasmic reticulum stress proteins and aldolase A in cells exposed to dopamine

In Parkinson's disease, oxidative stress is implicated in protein misfolding and aggregation, which may activate the unfolded protein response by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Dopamine (DA) can initiate oxidative stress via H(2)O(2) formation by DA metabolism and by oxidation into DA quinone. We have previously shown that DA quinone induces oxidative protein modification, mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro, and dopaminergic cell toxicity in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we used cysteine- and lysine-reactive fluorescent dyes with 2D difference in-gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and peptide mass fingerprint analysis to identify proteins in PC12 cell mitochondrial-enriched fractions that were altered in abundance following DA exposure (150 muM, 16 h). Quantitative changes in proteins labeled with fluorescent dyes indicated increases in a subset of proteins after DA exposure: calreticulin, ERp29, ERp99, Grp58, Grp78, Grp94 and Orp150 (149-260%), and decreased levels of aldolase A (39-42%). Changes in levels of several proteins detected by 2D difference in-gel electrophoresis were confirmed by western blot. Using this unbiased proteomics approach, our findings demonstrated that in PC12 cells, DA exposure leads to a cellular response indicative of ER stress prior to the onset of cell death, providing a potential link between DA and the unfolded protein response in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
Innovation Diffusion in a Dynamic Potential Adopter Population

Existing single-adoption diffusion models assume a static constant ceiling on the number of adopters, that is, a constant population of potential adopters, over the entire time frame of the diffusion process. However, for most innovations this assumption is tenuous. Rather, the ceiling, or the potential adopter population is more likely to be dynamic. The present paper relaxes this assumption and presents a dynamic diffusion model. To illustrate the application of this model, data from two innovations are analyzed.
Effectiveness of centrally acting drugs and diuretics in adolescent hypertension.

The effectiveness and tolerance of a centrally acting antihypertensive agent (clonidine) was compared to that of a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) in treatment of adolescents with essential hypertension. After a phase on placebo 29 adolescents with fixed primary hypertension were randomly assigned, double blind, to one of two treatment groups. Active therapy was initiated at a low dose (0.1 mg clonidine b.i.d. or 24 mg hydrochlorothiazide b.i.d.) for 12 wk. In those in whom treatment goals for blood pressure control had not been reached, the dose was increased (clonidine to 0.2 mg and hydrochlorothiazide to 50 mg) for 12 wk. In the clonidine-treated group there was a reduction during low-dose therapy in systolic (P less than 0.05) and diastolic pressure (P less than 0.01) and heart rate (P less than 0.01). With low-dose diuretic therapy there was a reduction in systolic pressure only (P less than 0.05). Linear growth patterns were normal for both groups, but there was a reduction in serum potassium in the diuretic group (P less than 0.001). Of the two drugs investigated the centrally acting clonidine was more effective in blood pressure control (85%) than the diuretic (40%).
Absence of IL-23p19 in donor allogeneic cells reduces mortality from acute GVHD.

The p19 dimer of interleukin 23 (IL-23) has been reported to have a major role in the pathogenesis of many experimental and clinical autoimmune diseases and may also have a prominent role in transplantation. We reasoned that deficiency of p19 in the allogeneic donor transplant might reduce the inflammation caused by acute GVHD (aGVHD). The major histocompatibility complex-2 (H2d) BALB/c mice were subjected to 8.5 Gy TBI, followed by transplantation with 10 × 106 BM and 2.5 × 106 spleen cells from H2d BALB/c, H2b C57Bl/6 (B6) or H2b p19−/− donors. In all, 75% of the p19−/− transplanted mice survived, compared with only 12.5% of the B6 transplanted mice. This superior survival is correlated with significantly less severe aGVHD, absence of p19 after transplantation, less upregulation of mRNA and lower serum levels of IL-17 as compared with the B6 transplants. TBI alone significantly upregulated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), IL-6 and p19 mRNA levels in host BALB/c mice, possibly providing the milieu to induce IL-17 in p19−/− donor cells. IL-22, another cytokine, the induction of which in T-helper 17 (Th17) cells is supported by p19, was upregulated in BALB/c hosts but not in transplanted B6 or p19 donor cells, and may not have had a major role in modifying aGVHD.
The Design of Shock-Free Compressor Cascades Including Viscous Boundary-Layer Effects

Conception d'une grille d'aubes de compresseur sans onde de choc en tenant compte des couches limites visqueuses
Measurement of (1)D(2) ? (1)F(3) microwave transitions in strontium Rydberg states using selective resonance ionization.

A new technique for state-selective detection of highly excited atoms is reported. It is usable over a much wider range of quantum numbers than previously available methods and has excellent time resolution. The high-state selectivity is used to measure the 5s(n + 2)d,(1)D(2) ? 5snf, (1)F(3) microwave transitions in strontium for n = 38-40.
An on-line fault detection and a post-fault strategy to improve the reliability of matrix converters

This paper proposes a new on-line fault detection method to detect open-switch faults in a Matrix Converter (MC). The proposed fault detection method is based on a two-step algorithm. The first step identifies the occurrence of the fault by monitoring the measured load currents. The second step locates the faulty switch by measuring the response of the MC to a set of predefined switching states. The proposed method allows fast detection and isolation of a faulty switch, independent of the modulation strategy, the voltage transfer ratio, or the output frequency, and without any requirement of additional voltage sensors. The paper also presents a Model Predictive Control (MPC)-based post-fault strategy that enables the MC to continue its operation during faulty conditions. Time-domain simulation studies are performed in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment to evaluate the performance of the proposed fault detection method and the effectiveness of the MPC as a post-fault control strategy.
The relationship between self-determination and academic achievement for adolescents with intellectual disabilities

Previous research has demonstrated that for students with intellectual disabilities, improved self-determination skills are positively correlated with productivity and organization during school and quality of life outcomes in adulthood. Despite extensive investigation in these areas, the predictive relationship between self-determination and academic achievement for students with intellectual disabilities has not been fully established. This study utilized the sample from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 of 480 adolescents with intellectual disabilities in the United States in an attempt to provide a possible empirical explanation of the relationship between academic achievement and self-determination, taking into account the covariates of gender, family income and urbanicity. The structural equation model was found to closely fit the data: all path coefficients were statistically significant. The results of this study identify a strong correlation between self-determination and academic achievement for adolescents with intellectual disabilities, indicating a linear relationship of these skills and supporting an increased focus on the teaching of self-determination skills.