cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Public Health Action Plan Is Needed for Chronic Kidney Disease

In 2005, chronic kidney disease (CKD) meets all criteria for classification as a public health problem in the United States. It imposes a large burden on society that is increasing despite ongoing efforts to control the disease. The burden is unevenly distributed by race and economic status, whereas evidence suggests that preventive strategies could substantially reduce the burden. Finally, there are indications that such strategies are not yet in place. A broad and coordinated public health approach to the burgeoning health, economic, and societal challenges of CKD is needed to complement present clinical approaches, increase awareness, promote early detection, and facilitate prevention and treatment.
`In every civilized community': Hume on belief and the demise of religion

This paper considers the claim that Hume washostile to religion and religious belief, andhoped for their demise. Part one examines hisapproach to belief, showing how commentatorstake him to see religious belief asnon-natural. Part two challenges thisconclusion by arguing, first, that Hume'sdistinction between natural and artificialvirtue allows the term ``natural'' to coverreligious belief as well; second, that Humehimself never denies religious belief isnatural, and, third, that he takes religion tobe a necessary part of any flourishing society. The target of Hume's critical remarks onreligion, it is then emphasized, are forms of``false'' religion, which arise from thecorrupting influence of passion, hypocrisy,bigotry, enthusiasm, and superstition. Atbest, it is concluded, the claim that Hume washostile to religion requires qualification,while the view that he was in favor of itsactual demise is largely unwarranted.
Electrical transport properties of the aluminum-ruthenium icosahedral phase

We have measured the electrical resistivity of single-phase icosahedral aluminum-ruthenium thin films and of a primarily amorphous film at the same composition. The magnitude and temperature coefficient of resistivity between 4.2 K and room temperature are characteristic of disordered metals, and are nearly the same for both the primarily amorphous and icosahedral samples. We have examined icosahedral phase samples with grain sizes that differ by an order of magnitude, but see little difference in the electrical transport properties. We find that these results are consistent with recently proposed theories of electron transport in the icoshedral phase.
Intrinsic Regression Models for Positive-Definite Matrices With Applications to Diffusion Tensor Imaging

The aim of this paper is to develop an intrinsic regression model for the analysis of positive-definite matrices as responses in a Riemannian manifold and their association with a set of covariates, such as age and gender, in a Euclidean space. The primary motivation and application of the proposed methodology is in medical imaging. Because the set of positive-definite matrices do not form a vector space, directly applying classical multivariate regression may be inadequate in establishing the relationship between positive-definite matrices and covariates of interest, such as age and gender, in real applications. Our intrinsic regression model, which is a semiparametric model, uses a link function to map from the Euclidean space of covariates to the Riemannian manifold of positive-definite matrices. We develop an estimation procedure to calculate parameter estimates and establish their limiting distributions. We develop score statistics to test linear hypotheses on unknown parameters and develop a test procedure based on a resampling method to simultaneously assess the statistical significance of linear hypotheses across a large region of interest. Simulation studies are used to demonstrate the methodology and examine the finite sample performance of the test procedure for controlling the family-wise error rate. We apply our methods to the detection of statistical significance of diagnostic effects on the integrity of white matter in a diffusion tensor study of human immunodeficiency virus. Supplemental materials for this article are available online.
Caspase Activity and a Specific Cytochrome C Are Required for Sperm Differentiation in Drosophila

The final stage of spermatid terminal differentiation involves the removal of their bulk cytoplasm in a process known as spermatid individualization. Here we show that apoptotic proteins play an essential role during spermatid individualization in Drosophila melanogaster. Several aspects of sperm terminal differentiation, including the activation of caspases, are reminiscent of apoptosis. Notably, caspase inhibitors prevent the removal of bulk cytoplasm in spermatids and block sperm maturation in vivo, causing male sterility. We further identified loss-of-function mutations in one of the two Drosophila cyt-c genes, cyt-c-d, which block caspase activation and subsequent spermatid terminal differentiation. Finally, a giant ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, dBruce, is required to protect the sperm nucleus against hypercondensation and degeneration. These observations suggest that an apoptosis-like mechanism is required for spermatid differentiation in Drosophila.
The Corporate Acquisition Policy of Financially Distressed Firms

The paper examines a unique motive for corporate acquisitions among distressed firms: the desire to enhance creditworthiness by both the acquirer and the acquired firms. I develop a theoretical model of the creditworthiness conditions necessary for corporate acquisitions and identify the optimal policy in searching for an acquirer. I distinguish between strategic and nonstrategic acquisitions and find the necessary conditions and most favorable policy for a strategic acquisition to evolve. I demonstrate the importance of the cost of finding an acquirer, the impact of sharing bargaining leverage, and the economic significance of credit quality for the success of the accord.
Mobltz: a mobile multimedia tool for informal learning

We describe the design of a mobile media application for informal learning. Mobltz supports multimedia conversations and digital storytelling using mobile phones. Designed to be accessible in places in which a mobile phone may be the only Internet access, it facilitates shared understanding by privileging the "telling" of the story over the final story itself. Stories can be remixed and retold. The application is a work in progress; in the poster session at CSCL we will report on patterns of use from three informal learning situations.
Referencing skills in children with autism and specific language impairment

This study presents the data on the referencing strategies used in dialogue by 10 young autistic children, eight with specific language impairment, and eight with normal language development. The three groups of children were matched for language age (including mean length of utterance (MLU), receptive vocabulary, and syntax). Correct and erroneous use of pronominal, demonstrative, and comparative cohesive ties of reference were examined by use of Halliday and Hasan's (1976) method of discourse cohension analysis. The study found that autistic children were able to use all of the above cohesive ties of reference, but their use was less successful than that of the other two groups of children. The autistic children also differed qualitatively in the types of errors that they made. Findings were discussed in relation to various developmental, linguistic, and social factors that may underlie the successful usage of different cohesive ties and subtypes of ties.
Polymer optical waveguide-based bi-directional optical bus architecture for high-speed optical backplane

With the technology trend of using optical interconnects as an alternative to traditional copper interconnects, basic elements such as waveguides and waveguide bus structure are studied worldwide. A novel 3-node bi-directional 50μm optical waveguide bus architecture with embedded mirrors is proposed and fabricated on flexible substrate. The fabrication is achieved by lithography-free molding. Different from other replicating methods, the mold demonstrated here is a nickel metal mold achieved by low cost electroplating and can be used repeatedly. The data transmission test up to 10Gbps using vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) has been performed to evaluate the device. The results show that the device is capable of emitting and receiving high speed data. Thus it can serve as a high performance optical backplane. Such mold fabrication technology can also be applied to smaller features size structure. The molds of 5μm wide waveguides and photonic crystal waveguide structures with 250nm hole size are fabricated and the molded structure profiles are shown.
Therapeutic Strategies in Heart Failure

Clyde W. Yancy and James B. Young, eds 256 pages. Oxford, UK: Clinical Publishing; 2008. $77.00. ISBN 1–904392–40–7 The sobering statistics on heart failure in the United States are often repeated: the incidence approaches 10 per 1000 population after 65 years of age; the lifetime risk for both men and women over age 40 is 1 in 5; 1.1 million hospital discharges occur per year, with estimated costs of $35 billion.1 To address this major health problem and optimize patient care, the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association have published extensive evidenced-based guidelines that are readily available to cardiologists and primary care providers.2 In addition, these guidelines have been abbreviated in executive statements, major textbooks, and online support tools for rapid clinical application.3 So is there really a need for another textbook on heart failure? The answer, according to the editors of Therapeutic Strategies in Heart Failure , is definitely yes but with an acknowledgement of what their book is and what it is not. As noted in the preface, Therapeutic Strategies is not meant to be an in-depth review of heart failure pathophysiology or a recapitulation of published guidelines; rather, the aim of the textbook is to provide “topical, contemporary and relevant reviews” of selected treatments. Toward this end, Therapeutic Strategies succeeds in providing clinicians with renewed and practical perspectives on current and emerging therapies …
Suppression of pyrite oxidation in acidic aqueous environments using lipids having two hydrophobic tails

Abstract Acid mine drainage (AMD) resulting from the oxidation of metal-sulfides, primarily pyrite, is a significant environmental problem. This environmental impact includes acidification of rivers and streams as well as leaching of toxic metals from the metal-sulfide material. This study shows that the rate of pyrite oxidation under low pH conditions can be reduced by as much as 80% by treating pyrite with lipids having two hydrocarbon tails per polar head group. The formation of a passivating layer on the pyrite surface after exposure to the lipid presumably suppresses pyrite oxidation by either interrupting the advection of aqueous oxidants or the electron transfer between oxidants and the pyrite. The results presented here may form the basis for a new AMD suppression strategy.
Stall protection of large induction motors

Large induction motors driving high inertia loads, such as fans, blowers, and reciprocating compressors, may take a longer time to accelerate to full speed than their allowable (safe) stall time. This paper discusses the available types of stall protection for motors whose starting time exceeds their allowable stall time. >
Bioclimatic analysis in a region of southern Italy (Calabria)

In this study, an analysis of precipitation and temperature data has been performed over 67 series observed in a region of southern Italy (Calabria). At first, to detect possible trends in the time series, an analysis was performed with the Mann–Kendall non-parametric test applied at monthly and seasonal scale. An additional investigation, useful for checking the climate change effects on vegetation, has also been included analysing bioclimatic indicators. In particular, Emberger, Rivas-Martinez and De Martonne indices were calculated by using monthly temperature and precipitation data in the period 1916–2010. The spatial pattern of the indices has been evaluated and, in order to link the vegetation and the indices, different indices maps have been intersected with the land cover data, given by the Corine Land Cover map. Moreover, the temporal evolution of the indices and of the vegetation has been analysed. Results suggest that climate change may be responsible for the forest cover change, but, given als...
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of DNA, RNA, and Hybrid Duplex Formation

The rates of duplex formation for two octamers of DNA (5' d-CACGGCTC/5' d-GAGCCGTG and 5' d-CACAGCAC/5' d-GTGCTGTG), the homologous RNA, and both sets of hybrids in 1 M NaCl buffer have been measured using stopped-flow spectroscopy. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters, ΔH° and ΔS°, have been determined for the same sequences under the same buffer conditions using optical melting techniques. These data reveal a linear free energy relationship between the free energy of activation for denaturation and the change in free energy for formation of the duplexes. This relationship indicates that these duplex formation reactions occur through a common unstructured transition state that is more similar to the single strands in solution than to the ensuing duplex. In addition, these data confirm that the greater stability of RNA duplexes relative to that of homologous DNA and hybrid duplexes is controlled by the denaturation rate and not the duplex formation rate.
Perceived Family Influence on Undergraduate Adult Female Students.

Abstract Adult women's decisions to attend college and persist toward degree attainment are likely influenced by family members from both family of origin and current family. This study was designed to examine (a) rated support of family members within the family of origin and current family to attend and persist in college, (b) specific attitudes of both families and their relationship to perceived support and grade point average, and (c) emotional and behavioral support of current family. Fifty-four female undergraduate students age 25 and older completed an online survey. Mothers were rated as most supportive of the decision to attend and support to persist. Other family members were reported as most supportive in the current family. While familial support was not related to grade point average, reported level of support to attend and persist in college was related with the family placing importance on academic achievement, relationships in the educational arena, and future goals. Differences between f...
RF voltage breakdown in coaxial transmission lines

Data have been obtained for RF voltage breakdown in air for the 50 Ω coaxial transmission line configuration and are presented in a unified, concise, and practical plot.
Intra-hippocampal lidocaine injections impair acquisition of a place task and facilitate acquisition of a response task in rats

While hippocampal lesions impair learning and memory in many tasks, such lesions also enhance learning and memory in other tasks. The present experiment examines the effects of inactivation of the hippocampus with lidocaine prior to learning, to find food in a place or response version of a four-arm plus-shaped maze. Rats received lidocaine injections 6 min prior to training. Rats were trained in a single session to a criterion of 9/10 correct responses. Compared to artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF)-injected controls, rats with intra-hippocampal injections of lidocaine exhibited significantly retarded acquisition of place learning. In marked contrast, rats with intra-hippocampal injections of lidocaine exhibited significantly enhanced acquisition of response learning compared to their controls. In addition to showing that the hippocampus is important for learning the place task, these findings suggest that processing of information by the hippocampus interferes with learning a task dependent on a different neural system.
Elastic properties of crosslinked resorcinol-formaldehyde gels and aerogels

Abstract Resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) gels with different monomer concentrations were characterized before and after supercritical drying from carbon dioxide in order to determine the influence of the drying process on elastic moduli and structure. Wet gel shear modulus, Young's modulus and Poisson ratio were determined using the beam-bending method. In addition, acoustic shear waves were used to measure the shear modulus of wet gels. The two methods are shown to agree well. During supercritical extraction of the pore liquid the elastic moduli typically increase by a factor of 1.5 to 5 depending on density. Although in general the elastic moduli do not exhibit power-law dependence on density, in the limited density range covered by our experiments scaling exponents of 6.2 for the wet gels and 4.8 for the aerogels are derived. Aging in acetic acid is shown to have no significant impact on gel elastic properties. Wet and dry gels were analyzed for their structural efficiency and the fraction of elastically effective mass increases with density from 8 to 70%.
How has DISC1 enabled drug discovery

Growing genetic and clinical evidence has shown that disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is one of the most compelling risk genes for schizophrenia and other major mental disorders. The understanding of the role that DISC1 plays in neuronal development and cell signaling has been greatly enhanced by the identification of DISC1 binding partners, an appreciation of its expression during development and functional studies using RNA interference. But what is the impact of this explosion of data for psychiatric drug discovery? Though we are at a very early stage of our understanding of DISC1 biology, it is an important time to review what has already been achieved and to discuss its impact. DISC1 biology has enabled the identification of new therapeutic targets in the form of DISC1 binding partners and other molecules found within a large DISC1 interaction network, the so-called 'DISC1 interactome'. We will review the better characterized of these interactions and also emphasize the richness of potential targets in the more poorly studied areas of the interactome. Furthermore, DISC1 has encouraged the development of new animal models for psychiatric disorders, which is critical for the study of disease biology. Thus, DISC1 may have the potential to not only point us in the direction of novel drug targets but also provide more relevant animal models for compound testing.
Quantitation of 1,1- and 1,2-dichloroethylene in body tissues by purge-and-trap gas chromatography.

Abstract A sensitive and accurate methods for extraction and quantitation of volatile halocarbons, i.e. , 1,1- and 1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE), from body tissues has been developed. The organic volatiles were thermally desorbed from tissues contained within a Tekmar purge device, which was immersed in a stirred water bath at 60°C. In order to avoid foaming, the stream of purging gas (helium) was applied 2 mm above, rather than below the sample surface in the purging device. The purged 1,1- and 1,2- DCE were retained on Tenax-GC (80–100 mesh), then desorbed by heating andvented into a Tractor 560 gas chromatograph. The detection limit of the Hall electrolytic conductivity detector operated in the halogen mode was 50 pg. Recoveries of 1,1- and 1,2-DCE from various animal tissues spiked in vitro were greater than 50%. This purge-and-trap technique appears well suited for studies of the uptake and disposition of volatile organics in body tissues.
Bond graphs of open systems: A water rocket example:

AbstractA model of a small-scale water rocket is developed as an example of open-system modelling by both a bond graph approach and a more classical method. In addition to the formulation and bond graph development, a goal of the research is to determine the benefits of the bond graph approach into affording an insight into the system dynamics. Both modelling approaches yield equivalent differential equations, as they should, while the bond graph approach yields significantly more insight into the system dynamics. If a modelling goal is to simply find the system equations and predict behaviour, the classical approach may be more expeditious. If insight and ease of model modification are desired, the bond graph technique is probably the better choice.
Potential of border tax adjustments to deter free riding in international climate agreements

The objective of this study is to conduct assessment of the hypothesis that trade sanctions in the form of border tax adjustments (BTAs) used by the United States against China, constitute a viable enforcement mechanism to sustain compliance with a range of emissions taxes in the context of agreements to curb global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The performance of BTAs is then compared with those of punitive tariffs on the basis of the range of emission taxes that can be successfully enforced by their implementation. Results show that BTAs are a viable enforcement mechanism for international GHG mitigation agreements. However the maximum level of carbon tax that can be enforced varies dramatically with (1) the marginal damage of pollution perceived by Chinese authorities, and (2) the legal limitations that GATT rules may impose on BTAs. Finally, while BTAs seem a promising enforcement mechanism in the context of climate agreements, punitive tariffs seem to be capable of supporting a much stricter environmental target.
Advanced diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Analysis of prognostic factors by the international index and by lactic dehydrogenase in an intergroup study

Background. Recent data have suggested that there are no differences among various anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens including cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisone (CHOP), methotrexate, calcium leucovorin, bleomycin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (m-BACOD), methotrexate, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin (MACOP-B), and cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, prednisone, cytosine arabinoside, bleomycin, vincristine, methotrexate, and calcium leucovorin (PROMACE-cyta-BOM) in patients with diffuse aggressive lymphomas. Because outcome appears to depend on certain prognostic factors, risk groups can be identified. Therefore, these prognostic factors were examined for their correlations with survival, time-to-treatment failure (TTF), and disease free survival (DFS) in a group of patients with diffuse aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who were treated on a single randomized trial with either CHOP or m-BACOD. Methods. From July 1984 to January 1988, 392 patients with diffuse large cell or diffuse mixed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were enrolled in an Intergroup study and were randomly assigned to treatment with CHOP or m-BACOD chemotherapy. Of these, 325 were eligible for response, toxicity, and survival analysis, and the results were reported. The survival and TTF results now have been updated. The 286 patients who had lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) data available at study entry were analyzed for prognostic features according to the International Index criteria and using Martingale Residuals for proportional hazards regression. Results. There were no differences in survival, TTF, and disease free survival between groups of patients treated with either CHOP or m-BACOD. In addition, analysis using the International Index criteria confirmed that patients in the lower risk groups had better outcome than patients in the higher risk groups (5-year survival was 56 and 58% for low and low/intermediate risk groups, respectively, and 37% and 31% for high/intermediate and high risk groups, respectively). There were, however, no differences in survival, disease free survival, or TTF within any risk group when treatment with CHOP or m-BACOD were compared. In addition, analysis using Martingale residuals for proportional hazards regression identified LDH level (< 3 × normal) as an important prognostic factor that was not captured by the International Index. Thus, 5-year survival was 57% if LDH was normal or below, 42% if LDH was 1-3 × normal, and 21% if LDH was < 3 × normal. Conclusion. In patients with advanced diffuse large cell or diffuse mixed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, there are no differences in outcome that can be attributed to treatment with CHOP vs. m-BACOD; this holds for any prognostic group identified by the International Index. However, the level of LDH at time of study entry is an important prognostic factor that is predictive of survival and may help to identify candidates for future clinical trials. Cancer 1995; 75:865-73.
Structure, Function, and Molecular Control of the Skin Lymphatic System

The mechanisms of angiogenesis have been studied extensively over the past years. The focus, however, has been almost exclusively on blood vessels, whereas little effort has been directed toward understanding lymphangiogenesis and the role of lymphatic vessels in physiology and pathology. The lymphatic system, acting in concert with the blood vascular system, is of fundamental importance in maintaining tissue homeostasis, and disorders of the lymphatic system are common, often resulting in chronic, disabling conditions. This overview summarizes the most important aspects of the structure and function of the lymphatic system with emphasis on the skin lymphatic vasculature and the differences between blood and lymphatic vessels. Special attention has been given to the methods employed in research of the lymphatic system. Finally, we describe molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of lymphangiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor-C, expressed by distinct skin cell populations, play an important role in the molecular control of skin angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
Creating Scanning Pattern Maps of Driver Fixations During Hazards

Previous research has shown that drivers only look for a train about 33% of the time at railroad crossings. With driver inattention composing a large proportion of reported accidents, there exists a need to be able to quantify exactly what a driver fixates on over the course of a drive. This paper presents a method using simulated railroad situations as a hazard-medium to create driving scan pattern maps over the course of a long drive.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Model/full scale comparison of pressures on the roof of the TTU experimental building

Pressure coefficients from several different simulation experiments of scaled models of the Texas Tech experimental building are compared with full scale results. Specifically, the large suction pressures observed near roof corners and along the leading edges are investigated. The comparison study shows that flow simulation for the purpose of predicting wind loads on roofs should be based primarily on the duplication of the turbulence intensities of the horizontal velocity components and their small-scale content.
Phytoplankton pigment concentrations in the Middle Atlantic Bight: comparison of ship determinations and CZCS estimates

The processing algorithms used for relating the apparent color of the ocean observed with the Coastal-Zone Color Scanner on Nimbus-7 to the concentration of phytoplankton pigments (principally the pigment responsible for photosynthesis, chlorophyll-a) are developed and discussed in detail. These algorithms are applied to the shelf and slope waters of the Middle Atlantic Bight and also to Sargasso Sea waters. In all, four images are examined, and the resulting pigment concentrations are compared to continuous measurements made along ship tracks. The results suggest that over the 0.08-1.5 mg/cu m range, the error in the retrieved pigment concentration is of the order of 30-40% for a variety of atmospheric turbidities. In three direct comparisons between ship-measured and satellite-retrieved values of the water-leaving radiance, the atmospheric correction algorithm retrieved the water-leaving radiance with an average error of about 10%. This atmospheric correction algorithm does not require any surface measurements for its application.
Centrosome reorientation in wound-edge cells is cell type specific

The reorientation of the microtubule organizing center during cell migration into a wound in the monolayer was directly observed in living wound-edge cells expressing γ-tubulin tagged with green fluorescent protein. Our results demonstrate that in CHO cells, the centrosome reorients to a position in front of the nucleus, toward the wound edge, whereas in PtK cells, the centrosome lags behind the nucleus during migration into the wound. In CHO cells, the average rate of centrosome motion was faster than that of the nucleus; the converse was true in PtK cells. In both cell lines, centrosome motion was stochastic, with periods of rapid motion interspersed with periods of slower motion. Centrosome reorientation in CHO cells required dynamic microtubules and cytoplasmic dynein/dynactin activity and could be prevented by altering cell-to-cell or cell-to-substrate adhesion. Microtubule marking experiments using photoactivation of caged tubulin demonstrate that microtubules are transported in the direction of cell motility in both cell lines but that in PtK cells, microtubules move individually, whereas their movement is more coherent in CHO cells. Our data demonstrate that centrosome reorientation is not required for directed migration and that diverse cells use distinct mechanisms for remodeling the microtubule array during directed migration.
Conversion factor instability in international comparisons of health care expenditure: some econometric comments.

In a recent issue of this Journal, Gerdtham and Jonsson (1991), in their empirical attempt to confront the findings of Parkin, McGuire and Yule (1987) (hereafter, PMY) reported some econometric results concerning the conversion factor instability of per capita health care expenditure (HEPC) on real per capita GDP, using the most recent available data on an international cross-section sample consisting of 22 OECD countries (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) for 1985. Contrary to the empirical findings of PMY (1987) Gerdtham and Jiinsson, in their empirical article (1991), find no perceptible conversion factor instability (using exchange rates, GDP PPPs, and health PPPs to deflate per capita health care expenditure) with respect to the magnitude of the health care income elasticity and the coefficient of determination (R2). This note attempts to serve two purposes. First, since the nature of the sample used by Gerdtham and Jonsson is such that the possibilities of the presence of heteroscedasticity and outliers are common, an attempt is made to estimate their eqs. (1) through (3) [see Gerdtham and Jonsson (1991, p. 231)], by employing the White’s heteroscedasticity consistent covariance matrix estimator [White (1980)] and a further attempt is made to use several regression diagnostic measures to check for the presence of outliers in their data [see Belsley, Kuh and Welsch (1980)]. Using the data reported by Gerdtham and Jonsson, the estimation of their eqs. (1) through (3) by the White’s heteroscedasticity consistent covariance matrix estimator, which makes it possible to conduct statistical
RNA editing enters the limelight in cancer.

There has been much focus on DNA mutations in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, but now a new study highlights a role for post-transcriptional changes in RNA in cancer. The authors show increased RNA editing of antizyme inhibitor 1 (AZIN1) in tumor tissues from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and characterize a mechanism through which the expression of edited AZIN1 protein leads to increased cell proliferation (pages 209–216).
A study of optimal coordinate theory with application to several physical problems

Abstract A brief development of optimal coordinates for singular perturbation problems is presented in this paper, and several specific examples are then used to illustrate the application of the theory presented. In each of the examples discussed, sets of optimal coordinates are determined analytically in a systematic way.
Interactions between Naloxone and Chlorpromazine on behavior under schedule control.

A multiple fixed-ratio, fixed-interval schedule of food presentation was used to study interactions between naloxone and chlorpromazine in the pigeon. Inactive doses of both drugs could combine to decrease the rate of responding under both schedule components. Inactive doses of naloxone could enhance the rate-decreasing effects of chlorpromazine and inactive doses of chlorpromazine could enhance the rate-decreasing effects of naloxone. When both drugs decreased the rate, the combined effects of the drugs was greater than the sum of the rate-decreasing effects of the individual drugs. These data suggest that the rate-decreasing effects of naloxone and chlorpromazine are synergistic.
Assignment of J π = 3 2 − for the 8.11-MeV Level of C 11

A study of the $^{10}\mathrm{B}(^{3}\mathrm{He},d)^{11}\mathrm{C}$ and $^{12}\mathrm{C}(^{3}\mathrm{He},\ensuremath{\alpha})^{11}\mathrm{C}$ reactions leading to the 8.11-MeV state in $^{11}\mathrm{C}$ yields an unambiguous assignment of ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={\frac{3}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ for that state.
Is Adolescents’ Religious Coping with Cystic Fibrosis Associated with the Rate of Decline in Pulmonary Function?—A Preliminary Study

Religious coping is associated with health outcomes in adolescents with chronic disease. Identifying potentially modifiable spiritual factors is important for improving health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine if associations exist between rate of change in pulmonary function and subsequent religious coping by adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF). Retrospective cohort design employing the Brief R-COPE and calculated decline in lung function over a three-year period were utilized. Data were obtained for 28 adolescents; median age 13.5 years. Use of pleading or negative religious coping was associated with a worse clinical trajectory. Pleading may be ineffective as disease progression is modifiable through adherence to evidence-based treatments. Given established relationships of religious coping with general coping, the effects of declining pulmonary function may be broader. Changes in pulmonary function suggest opportunities for chaplains to explore options to cognitively reframe negat...
Comparison of B-mode and echo tracking methods of assessing flow-mediated dilation

The aim of this study was to compare B-mode and echo tracking methods to assess endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Baseline brachial artery diameter, 60-s post cuff release diameter and FMD percent were assessed in 17 normal, healthy individuals using both techniques. Mean values for baseline diameter, 60-s diameter and FMD for M-mode were 3.83 +/- 0.69 mm, 4.06 +/- 0.66 mm and 6.35 +/- 3.98%, respectively. Mean values for baseline diameter, 60-s diameter and FMD for B-mode were 3.75 +/- 0.65 mm, 4.00 +/- 0.63 mm and 6.91 +/- 2.85%, respectively. Results, as displayed by Bland-Altman graphs, indicate a strong agreement between B-mode and echo tracking methods of assessing brachial artery diameter changes via FMD.
Issues in mechanical engineering design management

The Virtual Parts Engineering Research Center (VPERC), funded by the Army Research Office, focuses on building frameworks, tools, and technologies for making engineered systems sustainable and maintainable thanks to a virtual engineering environment intended to transform the engineering process, thus supporting extremely fast turnaround times for urgent part supply needs. One of its key research thrusts is data management targeted for the design process. The invitational VPERC workshop held at Arizona State University in June 2003, involved 38 participants from academia, governmental institutions and industry who discussed legacy systems engineering. This paper presents the data management needs to support mechanical engineering design as they were discussed at the meeting.
Effective masses and sum rules in strained Si/Ge structures.

Calcul des masses effectives de la bande de valence des structures semiconductrices Si/Ge contraintes, en utilisant les pseudopotentiels empiriques avec couplage spin-orbite. En separant les differents termes de la regle de sommes des masses effectives, on montre explicitement que plusieurs couplages, via l'operateur de moment cinetique, entre les composantes orbitales a travers la bande interdite fondamentale, jouent un role crucial dans l'etablissement des masses effectives de la couche contrainte. La negligence de ces effets d'elements de matrice, impliquant les etats de conduction situes a 8 eV a partir du bord de la bande, peut conduire a des erreurs significatives dans la determination des masses effectives de la bande de valence. Ces resultats montrent la necessite de reconsiderer la formulation des modeles de type de masse effective employant un nombre limite de bandes, applique aux heterosystemes a couches contraintes, parce que les couplages importants ne sont pas seulement ceux entre les etats voisins des bords de bande
Dietary antioxidants prevent alcohol-induced ciliary dysfunction

Previously we have shown that chronic alcohol intake causes alcohol-induced ciliary dysfunction (AICD), leading to non-responsive airway cilia. AICD likely occurs through the downregulation of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases, protein kinase G (PKG) and protein kinase A (PKA). Studies by others have shown that dietary supplementation with the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and procysteine prevent other alcohol-induced lung complications. This led us to hypothesize that dietary supplementation with NAC or procysteine prevents AICD. To test this hypothesis, C57BL/6 mice drank an alcohol/water solution (20% w/v) ad libitum for 6 weeks and were concurrently fed dietary supplements of either NAC or procysteine. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was measured in mice tracheas, and PKG/PKA responsiveness to β-agonists and NOx levels were measured from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Long-term alcohol drinking reduced CBF, PKG and PKA responsiveness to β-agonists, and lung NOx levels in BAL fluid. In contrast, alcohol-drinking mice fed NAC or procysteine sustained ciliary function and PKG and PKA responsiveness to β-agonists. However, BAL NO levels remained low despite antioxidant supplementation. We also determined that removal of alcohol from the drinking water for as little as 1 week restored ciliary function, but not PKG and PKA responsiveness to β-agonists. We conclude that dietary supplementation with NAC or procysteine protects against AICD. In addition, alcohol removal for 1 week restores cilia function independent of PKG and PKA activity. Our findings provide a rationale for the use of antioxidants to prevent damage to airway mucociliary functions in chronic alcohol-drinking individuals.
Bilateral Mastectomy Reconstruction in the Previously Augmented Patient

TO THE EDITOR: I was delighted to read the article by Drs. Spear, Clemens, and Dayan on “Considerations of Previous Augmentation in Subsequent Breast Reconstruction” ( Aesthetic Surg J 2008;28:285–293). This is a particularly timely and relevant article, because we have entered into an era in which a large number of women who have undergone breast augmentation have matured into the age group that has a high percentage of breast cancer. Plastic surgeons are increasingly treating those patients with breast cancer who have been previously augmented. The current article is a retrospective review of the senior author's experience in 32 patients undergoing breast reconstruction subsequent to breast augmentation. They suggest that a higher percentage of breast cancer is detected mammographically in those with subpectoral …
TREATMENT OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS WITH A NIGHT SPLINT AND SHOE MODIFICATION CONSISTING OF A STEEL SHANK AND ANTERIOR ROCKER BOTTOM

Seventy-one feet in 57 patients with plantar fasciitis were treated with the combination of a night splint and a shoe modification consisting of a steel shank and anterior rocker bottom. At average follow-up of 16 months, symptoms were resolved in 42 (59%), improved in 13 (18%), not changed in 11 (15%), and worse in 5 (7%) of the feet. No relation was found between outcome and age, gender, duration of symptoms, and bilateral involvement. The method is effective for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
The Acquisition of an Appetite

Unlike older animals, weanling-age rats do not seek water to drink when they are dehydrated, despite the fact that a physiological sensitivity to dehydration is present very soon after birth. We demonstrate here that the appetitive behaviors needed to approach and obtain water become linked to dehydration only as a result of specific postnatal learning experience. Preventing early experience with dehydration retards the developmental emergence of dehydration-induced, water-oriented behavior in young rats. But a single pairing of water with dehydration can establish an appetitive response. These findings reveal a critical role of early learning in the development of goal-oriented behavior. Such a learning process is potentially characteristic of other behavioral systems, from the most basic appetites to complex motives.
Effects of Orientation on Workload during Touch Screen Operation among Individuals With and Without Disabilities

As the use of touch screen technology increases in everyday situations for all walks of life, universal design should be taken into account when designing products to be used by a wide range of users. This re-search studies the workload associated with touch screen use from a front and parallel orientation for individuals with and without motor control disabilities. The NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) was used to assess workload. Participants with a motor control disability (+MCD; n=20) and age-matched participants without a motor control disability (-MCD; n=18) completed a four-digit touchscreen number entry task. Results show that the +MCD group had a higher perceived workload than the –MCD group. The workload demands of the parallel vs. front orientation were higher for both groups across most TLX subscales. The magnitude of the difference in workload between parallel and front orientation was greater for the +MCD group. The results from this study suggest that when the parallel orientation is necessar...
The Relationship of Hyperactivity and Sensation Seeking to Delinquency Subtypes

This study separated juvenile delinquents into three personality subtypes and tested the relationship among these three groups with regard to stimulation seeking and a prior history of hyperactivity. It was hypothesized that the psychopathic personality delinquents would score higher on stimulation seeking and hyperactivity than would the socialized-subcultural and neurotic delinquents. Twenty-eight male delinquents incarcerated in two juvenile facilities in north central Florida were classified into personality subtypes based on the Personal Opinion Survey. There was no significant relationship between personality subtypes and stimulation seeking. There was a positive relationship between the raw scores on the Personal Opinion Survey, Psychopathic Scale, and the Hyperactivity Index and the Learning Problems Scale on the Conners Parent Rating Scale. The results are discussed in relation to previous findings and implications for further research.
Germline stem cells: toward the regeneration of spermatogenesis

Improved therapies for cancer and other conditions have resulted in a growing population of long-term survivors. Infertility is an unfortunate side effect of some cancer therapies that impacts the quality of life of survivors who are in their reproductive or prereproductive years. Some of these patients have the opportunity to preserve their fertility using standard technologies that include sperm, egg, or embryo banking, followed by IVF and/or ET. However, these options are not available to all patients, especially the prepubertal patients who are not yet producing mature gametes. For these patients, there are several stem cell technologies in the research pipeline that may give rise to new fertility options and allow infertile patients to have their own biological children. We will review the role of stem cells in normal spermatogenesis as well as experimental stem cell–based techniques that may have potential to generate or regenerate spermatogenesis and sperm. We will present these technologies in the context of the fertility preservation paradigm, but we anticipate that they will have broad implications for the assisted reproduction field.
Postdoctoral Scholars: A Forgotten Library Constituency?

Postdoctoral scholars are highly productive researchers employed by academic institutions, nonprofits, government, and private industry in a variety of fields, particularly in the sciences. Because of the research-focused nature of their positions, they have strong needs for information, search skills, publication support, and other library resources and services. Librarians should consider the needs of postdocs in their institutions and endeavor to match resources, services, and policies to the needs of this productive and possibly underserved group.
UNIFORM BOUNDEDNESS IN VECTOR - VALUED SEQUENCE SPACES

Let µ be a normal scalar sequence space which is a K-space under the family of semi-norms M and let X be a locally convex space whose topology is generated by the family of semi-norms X. The space µ{X} is the space of all X valued sequences c = {ck} such that {q(ck)} Iµ{X} for all q I X. The space µ{X} is given the locally convex topology generated by the semi-norms ðppq(c) = p({q(ck)}), p I X, q I M. We show that if µ satisfies a certain multiplier type of gliding hump property, then pointwise bounded subsets of the â-dual of µ{X} with respect to a locally convex space are uniformly bounded on bounded subsets of µ{X}
Effects of cholate on photosystem II: Selective extraction of a 22 kDa polypeptide and modification of QB-site activity

Abstract A quinone-mediated two-electron gate is shared by Photosystem II (PS II) and the photosystem of purple bacteria. In the bacterial reaction center, electron transfer from the reduced primary quinone acceptor, Q−A, to the secondary quinone, QB, as well as the sensitivity of this electron transfer step to inhibition by terbutryn, are regulated by the H subunit of the reaction center. Sequential removal of three polypeptides (10 and 22, followed by 28 kDa) from O2 evolving PS II reaction center complex preparations impairs QB activity. Removal of the 22 kDa protein does not abolish the herbicide sensitivity of electron transfer mediated by an added p-benzoquinone, but another of these proteins, a species of 28 kDa that binds chlorophyll, appears to regulate the ability of the herbicide DCMU to interfere with PS II electron transfer (Bowlby, N.R. et al. (1990) Curr. Res. Photosynth. I, 539–542). In this communication, we show that exposure of PS II to Na-cholate yields a preparation in which substantial depletion of a 22 kDa intrinsic protein has occurred. In the depleted preparations, a hydrophilic oxidant (Fe(CN)3−6), rather than a lipophilic p-benzoquinone acceptor, supports the highest rates of O2 evolution in a reaction that shows little sensitivity to the QB inhibitor DCMU. Although this observation might indicate a disruption of QB function that is associated with removal of the 22 kDa protein, this is not the case. It is shown here that under some conditions, Na-cholate will modify the response of PS II to Fe(CN)3−6 without release of the 22 kDa protein.