cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Redo Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Reconstruction

As more patients with congenital heart disease survive the definitive surgical repair, more attention has paid to their residual defects or late sequela which required surgical re-intervention. Redo-right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction is the most frequent reoperation, mostly indicated for pulmonary regurgitation after tetralogy of Fallot repair, or conduit stenosis in post-Rastelli patients. For patients with significant chronic pulmonary regurgitation, reoperation should be considered before right ventricular geometry and function becomes irreversible. In Japan, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) valved conduit with bulging sinus has been widely used and has showed excellent long-term results. However, careful monitoring must be continued for right ventricular outflow tract function in order to maintain good quality of life of these patients.
Citations of Most Often Cited Economists: Do Scholarly Books Matter More than Quality Journals?

This paper empirically investigates the determinants of citations based on the publication of the top 100 most often cited economists. The effects of publication age and author fame on subsequent citations are found to be positive and significant. Citations are also significantly affected by popular subfields in economics. H owever, journal quality measures, such as impact factors, download statistics and top-4 elite journals, have insignificant effects on citations. In contrast, the citation effect of scholarly books is positive and significant, and its impact is even greater than those of journal quality measures.
Study on organe juice, orange juice concentrate, and orange peel oil in infants and children

Summary Three hundred ninety-two normal infants and children (from 2 weeks to 6 years of age) and fourteen eczematous infants (a total of 406) have been given orange juice for periods varying from 2 to 12 months, in amounts from 1/4 ounce at 2 weeks of age to 8 ounces daily before meals. Seventy-five per cent of the infants were observed on orange juice for eight to twelve months. pH studies of frozen orange juice concentrate, fresh orange juice (extracted by two different means), and orange peel oil have been made. One hundred sixty-seven normal infants and children and fourteen eczematous infants have been skin tested with orange juice extract and with orange peel oil extract. Only 1.8 per cent of the normal cases were positive to orange juice; 5.3 per cent were positive to orange peel oil. The eczematous cases (as was to be expected) showed a higher positive reaction. There was no disturbance of bowel function (diarrhea or constipation) that could be attributed to the orange juice. The incidence of regurgitation was minimal, as was also the development of rashes which could be specifically traced to orange juice ingestion. Five and three-tenths per cent of infants showed positive reactions. It would thus appear that the method of preparation of the orange juice (i.e., maximal reduction of peel oil) is important. In young infants, graduated doses were administered for best results.
The International Conference on Harmonization of Pharmaceutical Regulations, the European Medicines Evaluation Agency, and the FDA: Who's Zooming Who?

In the early 1990s the pharmaceutical industry underwent a worldwide period of stagnation due to cost-containment pressures from governments and insurance companies.1 Pressure from the government ?ame in the form of many small and some not-so-small regulatory reforms. Variations and inconsistencies in the regulatory schemes of the major drug markets resulted in slower drug development, higher prices, and unfair competition. For at least the past fifteen years, the dominant force behind the regulatory reforms in the United States has been the idea of globalization.2 Many people in the government, the pharmaceutical industry, and the public firmly believe that international harmonization of regulatory standards would remedy the situation.3 The industry probably began thinking and acting globally before governments did. For many years, large multinational corporations have been the rule rather than the exception in the drug business.4 The governments of the United States, Japan, and Europe5 could not effectively act globally until
Using Word Mining to Investigate Examination Malpractice: A Preliminary Study

This paper is coined based on students’ hidden fast track to obtain high scores during examination. The concept strictly depends on matrix algebra and regression model to detect similarities/frequency of word usage. In conventional sitting pattern, the students are sited on a row comprising of three students per sit. Ironically, one of the students was restless; this prompted the invigilator’s attention, after thorough scrutiny a squeezed paper was picked on the floor and the students were interrogated and none accepted responsibility. The investigating panel based their investigation on frequency of words by comparing the exhibit (copied material) and answers in their respective answer booklets. In attempt to investigate further, the concept of matrix algebra, mean approach, singular value decomposition was applied. Relying on matrix algebra, words are translated into numerical values using frequency of word to develop the word by document matrix, respectively. The results based on mean comparison, singular value decomposition and regression model revealed the same result and hence the real culprit.
Using an electronic activity monitor system as an intervention modality: A systematic review.

Background: Obesity is a growing global health concern that may lead to cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and cancer. Several systematic reviews have shown that technology is successful in combating obesity through increased physical activity, but there is no known review on interventions that use an electronic activity monitor system (EAMS). EAMSs are defined as a wearable device that objectively measures lifestyle physical activity and can provide feedback, beyond the display of basic activity count information, via the monitor display or through a partnering application to elicit continual self-monitoring of activity behavior. These devices improve upon standard pedometers because they have the ability to provide visual feedback on activity progression, verbal encouragement, and social comparison. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the efficacy and feasibility results of EAMSs within published physical activity interventions. Methods: Electronic databases and journal references were searched for relevant articles. Data sources included CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Medline Ovid, PsycINFO, and clinicaltrials.gov. Out of the 1,574 retrieved, 11 articles met the inclusion criteria. These articles were reviewed for quality and content based on a risk of bias tool and intervention components. Results: Most articles were determined to be of medium quality while two were of low quality, and one of high quality. Significant pre-post improvements in the EAMS group were found in five of nine studies for physical activity and in four of five studies for weight. One found a significant increase in physical activity and two studies found significant weight loss in the intervention group compared with the comparator group. The EAMS interventions appear to be feasible with most studies reporting continual wear of the device during waking hours and a higher retention rate of participants in the EAMS groups. Conclusion: These studies provide preliminary evidence suggesting that EAMS can increase physical activity and decrease weight significantly, but their efficacy compared to other interventions has not yet been demonstrated. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the overall effect of EAMS, examine which EAMS features are most effective, and determine which populations are most receptive to an EAMS.
The discriminant validity of the Leader Reward and Punishment Questionnaire (LRPQ) and satisfaction with supervision: A two‐sample, factor analytic investigation

The conceptualization of leaders as reinforcement mediators is a relatively recent development, which has generated substantial interest in leadership research. Accompanying this new approach has been the development and use of perceived leader reinforcement questionnaires; a rapidly growing literature has developed as a result. This article reports a factor analytic investigation of what is probably the most commonly used and reliable measure in this domain - the Leader Reward and Punishment Questionnaire (LRPQ: Podsakoff, Todor, Grover & Huber, 1984). Using samples of hospital employees (N = 375) and bankers (N = 297), with principal axes factor extraction and varimax rotation, the results show relatively good discriminant validity when the LRPQ is factored with the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire's ‘satisfaction with supervision’ items (MSQ: Weiss, Dawis, England & Lofquist, 1967). A consistent pattern of weak to moderate cross-loadings does exist, however, suggesting that research which employs affective dependent variables may need to interpret cautiously some of the relationships obtained. Avenues for future research are briefly discussed.
Outcomes after off-pump reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting.

ObjectiveApplication of off-pump techniques to reoperative coronary artery bypass (redo CABG) has been limited by technical difficulty and potential for embolism of atheromatous debris from disease...
Functional Chimeras of the Human α7 Acetylcholine Receptor Provide Insights into Allosteric Modulation

The human α7 neuronal acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) is a promising drug target for treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. A group of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) specific to α7nAChR are thought to act through the transmembrane domain (TMD), but the structural basis of functional modulation remains unclear. In this study, we constructed multiple chimeras between the TMD of human α7nAChR and the extracellular domain (ECD) of a bacterial homolog, ELIC, for which a high-resolution structure has been determined. Functions of the chimeras were evaluated in Xenopus oocytes by two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology. Functional ELIC-α7nAChR chimeras were obtained when their ECD-TMD interfaces were modified to resemble either the ELIC or α7nAChR interface, but only the latter chimera with the entirely native α7nAChR TMD retained the unique pharmacology of α7nAChR evoked by the modulators, including insensitivity to the anesthetic propofol, potentiation by the PAMs ivermectin, PNU-120596, and TQS, as well as activation by 4BP-TQS. None of the ELIC-α7nAChR chimeras exhibited the fast desensitization characteristic of α7nAChR. Functional analysis of a series of chimeras indicated that efficient coupling at loop 7, in addition to efficient coupling at loop 2 or loop 9, was essential for a channel to be functional. The most efficient coupling at the ECD-TMD interface required optimization of all three loops. Altogether, the study suggests the interdependent of the TMD on the ECD-TMD interface for channel gating, desensitization, and allosteric modulation. (Funded in part by grants from the NIH: R01GM069766, R01GM057257, and R37GM049202)
A magnetic fluid laboratory model of the global buoyancy and wind-driven ocean circulation: Analysis

Experiments using ferrofluid, magnetically attached to a horizontal cylinder rotating about a vertical axis through its center-point, demonstrate that this system is capable of simulating important aspects of ocean basin circulations. In this note, westward intensification and the generation of thermal wind jets are illustrated, and examples with both thermal and mechanical forcing are given. Axially periodic anomalies in the magnetic field are reflected in the observations, in qualitative agreement with theory, and this suggests further refinement of the parameters of the experiment, such as increasing the magnetic fluid's saturation magnetization. As is, the experiment shows promise as an effective demonstration of some of the basic ideas of physical oceanography.
Numerical investigation of coastal circulation dynamics near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, in January 2005

A realistic regional ocean model is used to hindcast and diagnose coastal circulation variability near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, in January 2005. Strong extratropical winter storms passed through the area during the second half of the month (January 15–31), leading to significantly different circulation conditions compared to those during the first half of the month (January 1–14). Model results were validated against sea level, temperature, salinity, and velocity observations. Analyses of along-shelf and cross-shelf transport, momentum, and kinetic energy balances were further performed to investigate circulation dynamics near Cape Hatteras. Our results show that during the strong winter storm period, both along-shelf (southward) and cross-shelf (seaward) transport increased significantly, mainly due to increases in geostrophic velocity associated with coastal sea level setup. In terms of momentum balance, the wind stress was mainly balanced by bottom friction. During the first half of month, the dominant kinetic energy (KE) balance on the shelf was between the time rate of KE change and the pressure work, whereas during the stormy second half of month, the main shelf KE balance was achieved between wind stress work and dissipation.
Altered expression of pro-inflammatory and developmental genes in the fetal brain in a mouse model of maternal infection

Human studies of unexplained cerebral palsy (CP) suggest an association with maternal infection. We used an established model of maternal infection, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, to investigate the molecular changes in the fetal brain that may link maternal infection and CP. We compared gene expression in brains from mouse pups exposed to LPS in utero to those from saline-treated controls. Dams were injected with 50 microg LPS or saline on E18 with surgical delivery from 0.5 to 6h later. Differential gene expression was analyzed in the whole mouse brain using RT-PCR. When compared to control mice, pups exposed to LPS showed increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), as well as VEGF, a regulator of vascular development and permeability, the anti-apoptotic protein Y-box-binding protein-1 (YB-1), and the neuronal differentiation factor necdin. LPS-exposed mice also showed downregulation of semaphorin 5b and groucho, involved in axon guidance and neurogenesis, respectively, providing evidence that LPS may disrupt normal developmental pathways. These data suggest possible mechanisms for adverse neurological outcomes following maternal infection involving elevated cytokine levels and altered expression of developmental genes in the fetal brain.
Nutrient and oceanographic changes in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific from the last full Glacial to the Present

Abstract Stable isotope measurements of the planktonic foraminiferal species Neogloboquadrina dutertrei and Globigerinoides sacculifer in multiple size fractions were used to examine surface ocean circulation and thermocline nutrient supply in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific (EEP) during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Oxygen isotope values for N. dutertrei in a suite of surface sediment samples are in equilibrium with waters at a consistent position on the temperature gradient from the surface to 100-m water depth. This corresponds to habitats between 40 and 80-m depth, depending on location. The N. dutertrei carbon isotope values follow regional nutrient gradients below 50-m water depth. Combination of oxygen and carbon isotope data for surface sediment samples demonstrates that N. dutertrei maintains a consistent habitat within the lower part of the temperature profile from the surface to 100-m water depth. Mapping isotope values for this species during the LGM in 12 cores across the EEP shows significant changes in regional isotopic gradients. Oxygen isotope values show a regional anomaly, after correction for ice mass change, whose extent depends on corrections made for the temperature shift between the LGM and the Present. Whatever temperature correction used, however, there was a regional change in surface water oxygen isotope values resulting from either dilution of surface waters in the Panama Basin [Mix et al., 1999a] or shifts in eastern boundary current circulation (Mix et al., 1999b). Carbon isotope values for N. dutertrei indicate that regional nutrient gradients seen today were absent during the last full Glacial. The data reveal that thermocline nutrient concentrations decreased during the ice age, in conjunction with the development of a stronger density gradient within the upper water column. This latter change is suggested by relative abundances of selected planktonic foraminifera. In addition, carbon isotope records for G. sacculifer and benthic foraminifera, which carry the global standard signal, differ from that of N. dutertrei, indicating that this species is responding to a local nutrient/circulation change in the thermocline. The timing of carbon isotope shifts during the deglaciation suggests that climate changes in the Antarctic forced oceanic change in the equatorial Pacific.
Arginine methylation facilitates the recruitment of TOP3B to chromatin to prevent R-loop accumulation

Tudor domain-containing protein 3 (TDRD3) is a major methylarginine effector molecule that reads methyl-histone marks and facilitates gene transcription. However, the underlying mechanism by which TDRD3 functions as a transcriptional coactivator is unknown. We identified topoisomerase IIIB (TOP3B) as a component of the TDRD3 complex. TDRD3 serves as a molecular bridge between TOP3B and arginine-methylated histones. The TDRD3-TOP3B complex is recruited to the c-MYC gene promoter primarily by the H4R3me2a mark, and the complex promotes c-MYC gene expression. TOP3B relaxes negative supercoiled DNA and reduces transcription-generated R loops in vitro. TDRD3 knockdown in cells increases R loop formation at the c-MYC locus, and Tdrd3 null mice exhibit elevated R loop formation at this locus in B cells. Tdrd3 null mice show significantly increased c-Myc/Igh translocation, a process driven by R loop structures. By reducing negative supercoiling and resolving R loops, TOP3B promotes transcription, protects against DNA damage, and reduces the frequency of chromosomal translocations.
Blind deconvolution of multichannel recordings by linearized inversion in the spectral domain

ABSTRACTIn seismology, blind deconvolution aims to recover the source wavelet and the Green’s function, or parts of it (e.g., reflectivity series), from a recorded seismic trace. A multitude of algorithms exist that tackle this ill-posed problem by different approaches. Making assumptions on the phase spectra of the source wavelet and/or the statistical distribution of the reflectivity series is useful for single trace. The nature of closely spaced multichannel recordings enables a better estimation of a common source wavelet and thus increases the confidence of the results. This approach has been exploited in the past, although different types of assumptions are used for a variety of algorithms. We introduced a new method for simultaneous reconstruction of arbitrary source wavelets and local vertical reflectivity series from teleseismic earthquakes. Closely spaced receivers record vertically incident earthquake body waves and their surface-related multiples, which comprise the unknown reflectivity series...
ArchimedeanL-factors onGL(n) ×GL(n) and generalized Barnes integrals

The Rankin-Selberg method associates, to each local factorL(s, π v × π ′ ) of an automorphicL-function onGL(n) ×GL(n), a certain local integral of Whittaker functions for π v and ′ . In this paper we show that, if ν is archimedean, and π v and ′ are spherical principal series representations with trivial central character, then the localL-factor and local integral are, in fact, equal. This result verifies a conjecture of Bump, which predicts that the archimedean situation should, in the present context, parallel the nonarchimedean one. We also derive, as prerequisite to the above result, some identities for generalized Barnes integrals. In particular, we deduce a new transformation formula for certain single Barnes integrals, and a multiple-integral analog of the classical Barnes’ Lemma.
Personal space smoking restrictions among African Americans.

Objectives This paper investigates the association between implementing a personal space smoking restriction for the home or automobile, and various sociodemographic, social, behavioral, and attitudinal variables. Methods Approximately 1000 African-American adults (aged >18 years) residing in non-institutionalized settings were randomly selected using a cross-sectional stratified cluster sample of ten U.S. congressional districts represented by African Americans. Results A 62.0% and 70.4% ban was found, respectively, on smoking in homes and cars. Multivariate analysis revealed that region, marital status, number of friends who smoked, beliefs about environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and smoking status predicted home smoking bans, while age, number of children in household, number of friends who smoked, and beliefs about ETS and smoking status predicted car smoking bans. Conclusions Results suggest that a substantial segment of African Americans have accepted and translated public policy concerns about ETS into practice and reveal other variables that could be targeted in future interventions to increase implementation of personal space smoking restrictions.
High-temperature deformation of MnO

Abstract Steady-state flow stresses have been measured for {100}-oriented MnO single crystals for temperatures from 900 to 1400°C and strain rates from 2 × 10−6to 2 × 10−3s−1. The crystals were equilibrated in oxygen partial pressures ranging from 1011 to 102Pa, which induced deviations from stoichiometry of 4 × 10−4to 9 × 10−2. Deformation rates are controlled by oxygen diffusion. Pipe diffusion along dislocation cores is predominant for T ≤ 1000°C; volume diffusion is predominant for T ≥ 1200dgC. In general, the primary diffusing oxygen species are singly charged vacancies for low Po2 and neutral interstitials for high Po2. At 1400°C, ionization states decrease for the oxygen point defects.
Induced and Spontaneous Emission in a Coherent Field. II

In the previous articles of this series, dealing with the interaction between a number of molecules and the electromagnetic field in a resonant cavity, both the molecules and the field were treated by perturbation theory. The perturbation restriction on the field is removed in the present article, allowing large changes in the field, but the molecules are still assumed to undergo a small change during the time under consideration. The justification for this type of analysis, involving the generalization of the conventional concepts of induced and spontaneous emission, the applicability to a molecular amplifier during the buildup period, and the re-examination of a calculation by Serber and Townes concerning the fundamental limits of molecular amplification, is discussed.
Paget's disease of the vulva: prevalence of associated vulvar adenocarcinoma, invasive Paget's disease, and recurrence after surgical excision.

Abstract Objective: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of associated vulvar adenocarcinoma, invasive Paget's disease, and recurrence of Paget's disease of the vulva. Study Design: A retrospective review of tumor and pathology registries at 8 institutions is presented. Patients with recurrent disease were excluded. Histologic slide review was performed. Results: The median age of the 100 patients was 70 years. The median duration of pruritus before surgery was 2 years. Thirty-four percent of patients experienced a recurrence at a median of 3 years. There was a 12% prevalence of invasive vulvar Paget's disease and a 4% prevalence of associated vulvar adenocarcinoma. One patient died of Paget's disease with associated vulvar adenocarcinoma. Conclusions: Paget's disease of the vulva is rarely associated with an underlying vulvar adenocarcinoma or invasive Paget's disease, but there is a high recurrence rate. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:24-7.)
Nanoscratch study of hard HfB2 thin films using experimental and finite element techniques

Abstract The response of HfB 2 films to nanoindentation and nanoscratch was studied using both experimental and the finite element techniques. The material properties of HfB 2 (elastic modulus, yield strength and Poisson's ratio) were derived by curve-fitting the simulated load–displacement ( F – d ) nanoindentation data with the experimental F – d data using a parametric analysis. Experimental results pertaining to both in situ and residual displacements were in good agreement with corresponding finite element results. As-deposited HfB 2 films show significant plastic deformation, especially under high contact pressures (22.5 GPa), resulting in pile-up around the scratch area while annealed HfB 2 shows appreciable elastic recovery. Annealing improves the propensity of the material to resist crack propagation (Mode 1) after scratch since annealed HfB 2 shows appreciable reduction of residual tensile stresses as well as significant increase in residual compressive stresses compared to as-deposited HfB 2 . However, no such improvement is expected during scratch since in situ stresses do not differ significantly between as-deposited and annealed HfB 2 . The approach proposed and applied in this work to HfB 2 films, is general and can readily be applied to other thin film materials. The proposed finite element model of nanoscratch could be valuable in predicting thin solid film performance.
Escalation of i.v. cocaine intake in peri-adolescent vs. adult rats selectively bred for high (HiS) vs. low (LoS) saccharin intake

Rationale Adolescence marks a period of increased vulnerability to the development of substance use disorders. High sweet preference is a genetically mediated behavioral trait that also predicts vulnerability to substances of abuse. Previous research has shown that while adolescent rats selectively bred for high (HiS) saccharin intake acquire cocaine self-administration at the same rate as adult HiS rats, adolescent rats bred for low saccharin intake (LoS) acquire cocaine self-administration faster than adult LoS rats.
Differential expression of three Chlamydia trachomatis hsp60-encoding genes in active vs. persistent infections.

Abstract Real time RT-PCR was used to assess expression of the three Chlamydia trachomatis hsp60-encoding genes (Ct110, Ct604, Ct755) over time in in vitro systems of active vs. persistent infection, and in synovial samples from patients with Chlamydia-induced arthritis. In HEp-2 cells actively infected with C. trachomatis (serovar K), mRNA from Ct110 (groEL) was apparent by 8 h post-infection (p.i.) and increased more than 10-fold through 48 h p.i.; mRNA from Ct604 followed a similar pattern. Transcripts from Ct755 were abundant at 8 h p.i. and remained 2–3-fold higher than those from Ct110 at all times. In persistently infected human monocytes in culture, expression of Ct110 and Ct755 was low from 1 to 7 d p.i., while mRNA from Ct604 was abundant at 1 d p.i. and increased more than 3-fold from 1 to 3 d p.i., as the organism transited to the persistent state. Those mRNA levels remained high through 7 d p.i. Real time analyses of RNA/cDNA from synovial tissue of patients with Chlamydia-associated arthritis showed high Ct604 mRNA levels, consistent with results from the in vitro monocyte system of persistence. These data demonstrate that each chlamydial hsp60-encoding gene is expressed independently, and that the three genes are expressed differentially in active vs. persistent infection. The results further suggest that the Ct604 gene product may function importantly during chlamydial persistence.
The art of war: beyond memory-one strategies in population games.

We show that the history of play in a population game contains exploitable information that can be successfully used by sophisticated strategies to defeat memory-one opponents, including zero determinant strategies. The history allows a player to label opponents by their strategies, enabling a player to determine the population distribution and to act differentially based on the opponent’s strategy in each pairwise interaction. For the Prisoner’s Dilemma, these advantages lead to the natural formation of cooperative coalitions among similarly behaving players and eventually to unilateral defection against opposing player types. We show analytically and empirically that optimal play in population games depends strongly on the population distribution. For example, the optimal strategy for a minority player type against a resident TFT population is ALLC, while for a majority player type the optimal strategy versus TFT players is ALLD. Such behaviors are not accessible to memory-one strategies. Drawing inspiration from Sun Tzu’s the Art of War, we implemented a non-memory-one strategy for population games based on techniques from machine learning and statistical inference that can exploit the history of play in this manner. Via simulation we find that this strategy is essentially uninvadable and can successfully invade (significantly more likely than a neutral mutant) essentially all known memory-one strategies for the Prisoner’s Dilemma, including ALLC (always cooperate), ALLD (always defect), tit-for-tat (TFT), win-stay-lose-shift (WSLS), and zero determinant (ZD) strategies, including extortionate and generous strategies.
Pseudo-Poles in the Theory of Emden's Equation

Abstract It is known that Emden's equation y″ = x1-mym has movable singularities where the solution becomes infinite for one-sided approach. If m = (p + 2)/p, p positive integer, the singularities look like poles of order p. In this note expansions in terms of powers and logarithms are obtained from which the nonpolar nature of these “pseudo-poles” becomes evident. Various extensions are considered. Convergence proofs are deferred to a more detailed publication.
Organizational and activational effects of sex steroids on brain and behavior: A reanalysis

The actions of sex steroids on brain and behavior traditionally have been divided into organizational and activational effects. Organizational effects are permanent and occur early in development; activational effects are transient and occur throughout life. Over the past decade, experimental results have accumulated which do not fit such a simple two-process theory. Specifically, the characteristics said to distinguish organizational and activational effects on behavior are sometimes mixed, as when permanent effects occur in adulthood. Attempts to determine whether specific cellular processes are uniquely associated with either organizational or activational effects are unsuccessful. These considerations blur the organizational-activational distinction sufficiently to suggest that a rigid dichotomy is no longer tenable.
Beagle puppy model of perinatal asphyxia: Alterations in cerebral blood flow and metabolism

Perinatal asphyxia remains a major cause of neurodevelopmental handicap. The neuropathologic and clinical sequelae of perinatal asphyxia are likely attributable to alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) to the developing brain with uncoupling of CBF and metabolism. The newborn beagle puppy model was used to study the control of CBF in physiologic and pathologic conditions in the developing brain. Pups, 2-10 days of age, were randomized to asphyxial insult (i.e., ventilator lines clamped for 5 min) or no insult. In the first series, pups underwent radioactive microsphere determinations of CBF immediately prior to insult (t = 0), at the end of insult (t = 5), and after 60 min of observation (t = 65). In the second series, utilizing a 2.0 tesla superconducting magnet, pups underwent continuous serial in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis of cerebral hemispheric metabolic state. Animals exposed to insult had significant alterations in PO2, PCO2, pH, and mean arterial pressure at the end of insult compared to control pups (all pups: p less than 0.001). Serial CBF data demonstrated decreases in flow in cortical gray and white matter regions during insult and return to baseline 1 hour later; brainstem structures were hyperemic during insult. Analysis of phosphorylated metabolites inorganic phosphorus (Pi), phosphocreatine (PCr), and ATP demonstrated that during insult both the PCr/Pi and ATP/Pi ratios were depressed but by 20-30 min following insult, these ratios of cerebral phosphorylated metabolites had almost returned to baseline values. These data demonstrate that even after a severe asphyxial episode which results in electrocerebral silence, CBF and metabolism may return to normal.
Split-cell discrete ordinates transport on an unstructured grid of triangular cells

Abstract Discrete ordinates radiation transport problems in two-dimensional geometry that have curvilinear (or inclined) surfaces are not accurately represented with rectangular cells. Some such problems do not have the symmetry necessary for cylindrical (r,θ) geometry. We have developed various spatial quadratures for arbitrarily-shaped triangular cells, and an algorithm for tracking the flow from cell to cell through an unstructured grid of such cells. Such a grid can accurately approximate curved or inclined surfaces. Furthermore, unstructured grids can increase efficiency by providing mesh refinement only where needed. By splitting each cell along the streaming direction, into two triangular subcells, each of which has only one inflow edge and one outflow edge, a wide variety of spatial quadratures can be readily adapted to these grids. We present split-cell versions of the step, step characteristic, diamond difference, and linear characteristic spatial quadratures and necessary details of implementat...
Value of a negative colonoscopy in patients with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms.

Background: The yield of colonoscopy for neoplasia among patients aged <50 years with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms is very low. However, a negative colonoscopy may benefit these patients by decreasing anxiety and thereby reducing subsequent health resource utilization. This study sought to characterize the effect of a negative colonoscopy in terms of: (i) reassurance value; and (ii) decreasing health resource utilization, in patients under 50 years of age with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation). Methods: Consecutive patients, aged 18-49 years, undergoing their first colonoscopy for evaluation of non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation) were prospectively enrolled. Health-related anxiety was evaluated before and immediately after disclosure of the negative result of colonoscopy using a validated questionnaire and at 1-, 2- and 6-month intervals postcolonoscopy by telephone follow-up. Symptom scores and health resource utilization were assessed prior to colonoscopy and at 2 and 6 months postcolonoscopy. Results: Fifty-nine patients were prospectively enrolled. Mean health anxiety score declined immediately after colonoscopy from 20.6 to 17.8. Sustained improvement was seen in anxiety scores at 1, 2 and 6 months. Symptom scores also decreased at 6 months for abdominal pain (2.3 to 1.5), diarrhea (2.3 to 1.6) and constipation (1.9 to 1.6). There was a significant decrease in all four measures of health resource utilization at 6 months postcolonoscopy. Conclusions: Despite minimal diagnostic yield, colonoscopy for non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms in patients <50 years of age is associated with a decline in health-related anxiety and symptom scores. These effects appear to translate into reductions in health resource utilization.
Abstract 3840: Rap1 GTPase activating protein (Rap1GAP) is downregulated in DCIS and invasive ductal carcinoma

Introduction: Rap1 and Rap2, both small GTPases of the Ras family, serve as crucial regulators in cell polarity, adhesion, migration, and lumen formation via crosstalk with cytoskeletal proteins. Rap1 GTPase activating protein (Rap1GAP), which negatively regulates Rap1 and Rap2 activity, has found to be downregulated in multiple cancers, including oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma, and colorectal carcinoma but has not yet been studied in breast cancer. In order to determine if Rap1GAP downregulation plays a role in breast cancer formation, we decided to expand our prior work to study its expression in breast cancer tissue. Methods: Twenty-one formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human tissue blocks were selected on the basis that they contained normal breast tissue and either adjacent breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive ductal carcinoma. Using immunohistochemistry, we assessed the expression of Rap1GAP. We also assayed two human breast cancer cell lines with different levels of invasiveness, MCF7 (non-invasive) and MDA-MB-231 (invasive), to determine different levels of Rap1GAP expression and subsequent changes in Rap1 and Rap2 expression and activity. Results: Rap1GAP expression in both DCIS and invasive ductal carcinoma were found to be decreased compared to adjacent normal breast tissue. However, Rap1GAP expression was not statistically different between DCIS and invasive carcinoma lesions. Rap1GAP was found to be expressed highly in MCF7 but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, only MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited high basal Rap2 activity. Activated Rap1 (RAP1-GTP) was not detected in either line. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that loss of Rap1GAP occurs as an early event in breast cancer tumorigenesis with a significant decrease in the transition from normal to DCIS, with a possible further decrement in the DCIS to invasive transition. Interestingly, while Rap1 and Rap2 were expressed in non-invasive and invasive cell lines, loss of Rap1GAP in the invasive cell line was associated with increase in active Rap2, but not active Rap1. These findings suggest that as in other cancers, loss of Rap1GAP may contribute to the invasive phenotype and thus further investigation is warranted. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3840. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3840
Does life satisfaction predict victimization experiences in adolescence

Longitudinal relationships between adolescents' life satisfaction and peer victimization and prosocial experiences were assessed. A total of 417 students in Grades 6–8 completed the Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS: Huebner, 1994) and the Children's Social Experience Questionnaire – Self Report (SEQ-SR: Crick & Grotpeter, 1996) on two occasions (Time 1 and Time 2), 1 year apart. The results revealed that Time 1 life satisfaction scores did not add to the prediction of Time 2 overt victimization scores but did add to the prediction of Time 2 relational victimization scores and prosocial experiences. Additionally, Time 1 overt victimization, relational victimization, and prosocial experiences did not significantly add to the prediction of Time 2 general life satisfaction. However, the predictive equations for Time 1 relational victimization and prosocial experiences approached significance, suggesting the possibility of bidirectional effects between life satisfaction and relational victimization and prosocial peer experiences. Most interestingly, lower levels of life satisfaction appeared to be a newly identified risk factor for two qualitatively distinct types of adverse peer relationships (relational victimization and lack of prosocial experiences). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transmission of Risk-Averse Behavior in Small Firms

Small-sized firms are typically more entrepreneurial and engage in more innovation and risk-taking behavior. For that reason they are considered the engines of future economic growth. One policy for stimulating such activity is to provide government contracts for small firms. However, such contracts as typically written result in increased risk-averse behavior on the part of small firms out of a desire by government officials to shift the risk to the firms. This, in turn results in a reduced level of innovative and entrepreneurial activity. To eliminate the disincentive to engage in innovation and entrepreneurial activity, government needs to bear the risk associated with such contracts. One possible solution, given the natural risk aversion of elected officials, is to engage in a portfolio approach to small firm contracts by which the government can diversify away some of the risk.
Preferences in Nursing Home Design A Comparison of Residents, Administrators, and Designers

This action research project explored discrepancies in design preference among designers and two groups of users: nursing home residents and administrators. Each group was asked to select its preference among a series of design alternatives, several of which were visually illustrated on a questionnaire. Participants were presented two or more alternatives on a series of design issues: lounge design, dining room table design, dining room seating arrangements, overall nursing home design, residents' room furnishings. Significant differences among groups were found on all design choices except table design and overall nursing home design. The major pattern in the results is that although both administrators and designers favored designs that promote social interaction, nursing home residents consistently selected designs that enhance privacy. Implications for the inclusion of resident data in the nursing home design process are discussed.
Shoulder contact and gas shielding in titanium friction stir welds

The effects of inadequate shoulder contact and poor gas shielding were examined in friction stir welds of ATI 425 titanium. Welds with varying oxidation induced surface discolorations due to poor gas shielding and varying amounts of shoulder contact were studied to determine the effects of these parameters on the microstructure, microhardness, and three-point bend test properties of the welds. The effects of these parameters and their effects on the mechanical properties of the resultant weld are discussed.
Equation of state and phase diagram of dense hydrogen

The equation of state of hydrogen was calculated for specific volumes ranging from 0.01 to 0.0001 cm3/mole and for temperatures ranging from 200 to 1 million K. Three phases are considered: the molecular solid, the metallic solid and the fluid. Chemical equilibrium between molecules, atoms, ions and electrons is considered in calculating the properties of the fluid phase. Transitions between the three phases will be discussed. The triple point, where the three phases coexist, is calculated to occur at 2.3 Mbar and 1679 K. At higher temperatures and pressures, the molecular solid is unstable.
Structure−Activity Relationship of Heterobase-Modified 2‘-C-Methyl Ribonucleosides as Inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication

Hepatitis C virus infection constitutes a significant health problem in need of more effective therapies. We have recently identified 2‘-C-methyladenosine and 2‘-C-methylguanosine as potent nucleoside inhibitors of HCV RNA replication in vitro. However, both of these compounds suffered from significant limitations. 2‘-C-Methyladenosine was found to be susceptible to enzymatic conversions by adenosine deaminase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase, and it displayed limited oral bioavailability in the rat. 2‘-C-Methylguanosine, on the other hand, was neither efficiently taken up in cells nor phosphorylated well. As part of an attempt to address these limitations, we now report upon the synthesis and evaluation of a series of heterobase-modified 2‘-C-methyl ribonucleosides. The structure−activity relationship within this series of nucleosides reveals 4-amino-7-(2-C-methyl-β-d-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine and 4-amino-5-fluoro-7-(2-C-methyl-β-d-ribofuranosyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine as potent ...
The Effect of Reinforcement or Stimulus Control to Reduce Sedentary Behavior in the Treatment of Pediatric Obesity.

Obese children were randomly assigned to a family-based behavioral treatment that included either stimulus control or reinforcement to reduce sedentary behaviors. Significant and equivalent decreases in sedentary behavior and high energy density foods, increases in physical activity and fruits and vegetables, and decreases in standardized body mass index (z-BMI) were observed. Children who substituted active for sedentary behaviors had significantly greater z-BMI changes at 6 (-1.21 vs. -0.76) and 12 (-1.05 vs. -0.51) months, respectively. Substitution of physically active for sedentary behaviors and changes in activity level predicted 6- and 12-month z-BMI changes. Results suggest stimulus control and reinforcing reduced sedentary behaviors are equivalent ways to decrease sedentary behaviors, and behavioral economic relationships in eating and activity may mediate the effects of treatment.
(MeQn2SiH)Fe[N(SiMe3)2]2 (Qn = 8-quinolyl): an unusual δ-agostic iron complex containing an η1-SiH interaction

Reaction of MeQn2SiH (Qn = 8-quinolyl) (1) with Fe[N(SiMe3)2]2 at room temperature afforded (MeQn2SiH)Fe[N(SiMe3)2]2 (2), which is an unusual example of a δ-agostic iron complex containing an η1-H–Si interaction. Treatment of 2 with excess 3-pentanone at 60 °C produced MeQn2SiOCHEt2 (3) in ca. 80% yield.
It’s Safe to Be Smart Strategies for Creating a Supportive Classroom Environment

Gifted teenagers in middle and high school benefit from classroom environments that support their social and emotional development. Teachers of gifted adolescents may create classroom environments ...
The effect of long-range three-particle forces on the surface energy and physisorption energy of rare gas crystals

Abstract The contribution of the triple-dipole interactions to the surface energy of rare gas crystals is considered. The result is obtained by direct summation of triplet bonds broken by a cleavage process. This non-additive effect proves to be 50% more important in the surface energy problem than in the corresponding bulk cohesive energy problem. In addition, the long-range threebody effect is evaluated for the physisorption energy of rare-gas atoms on rare-gas crystals and is shown to modify the pair binding energies by some 10%. In both problems the three-particle forces are found to be repulsive.
Optimization analysis of the three-level time schemes

A procedure was implemented to determine the optimum values for the two parameters of the Zienkiewicz three-level time schemes which could be utilized for the numerical solution of a system of ordinary differential equations. A multivariable search method was implemented to estimate optimum values for these parameters. The resultant optimum three-level time scheme produced very accurate results, satisfied physical reality, and did not produce any oscillations for the various problems that were investigated. The optimum values for the two parameters β and γ in the three-level scheme were β = 0·50005 and γ = 1·0007. A comparison was made between this optimum scheme and other existing three-level time schemes. The optimum scheme demonstrated superior results for all the problems that were analysed. However, the results of the optimization analysis produced a set of optimum parameters that were identical to the values that would reduce the general three-level time scheme into a central-difference two-level time scheme, i.e. β = 1/2 and γ = 1.