cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An examination of community members', researchers' and health professionals' perceptions of barriers to minority participation in medical research: an application of concept mapping.

Objective. Some of the most promising medical treatments are currently being developed and used in clinical trials. In the US, rates of chronic disease among racial/ethnic minorities are disproportionately high. Unfortunately, the rates of minority participation in medical research are low, and the reasons are unclear. This study seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge that is currently available relating to the specific barriers to racial/ethnic minority participation in medical research through the conceptualization and measurement of these barriers. Design. Study participants included a convenience sample obtained from the National Cancer Institute's Special Populations Networks, and consisted of practitioners, researchers and community members who specialize in research related to the treatment and prevention of cancer. A structured form of concept mapping (Trochim 1989) was the methodology used in this study. The concept mapping process has three specific phases: (1) project planning—development...
Aggregate consumer expectation indexes as indicators of future consumer expenditures

Abstract Multivariate vector autoregression analyses were undertaken to investigate whether or not aggregate consumer attitude and expectation measures such as the University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment and Consumer Expectations and the Conference Board Index of Consumer Confidence and Consumer Expectations possessed a priori information not contained in certain economic variables which might be useful in anticipating changes in future aggregate consumer expenditures. The multivariate vector autoregression analyses indicated that the aggregate consumer expectation measures led the aggregate consumer expenditure measures more often than did the economic indicators. Thus, the aggregate consumer expectation measures appeared to provide predictive power not possessed by the economic indicators in the analyses. PsycINFO classification: SC 11470; SC 18460; SC 15915
In vitro response of human leukocytes to anti-human-thymocyte globulin

La faculte qu'ont le serum (ALS) antithymocyte du cheval et son derive IgG (ALG) de stimuler la synthese du DNA avec les leukocytes peripheriques humains a ete controlee in vitro. Sauf deviation meme faible de dosage, l'ALS et l'ALG stimulent la synthese du DNA. Une forte concentration de ALG inhibe l'effet stimulant de la phytohemagglutinine. Cela peut contribuer en partie a la mort de la cellule ou a sa degradation a cause de la grande concentration de l'ALS ou de l'ALG.
An Overview of Synchrotron Radiation Applications to Low Temperature Geochemistry and Environmental Science

The availability of synchrotron radiation (SR) to the scientific community has literally revolutionized the way X-ray science is done in many disciplines, including low temperature geochemistry and environmental science. The key reason is that SR provides continuum vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and X-ray radiation five to ten orders of magnitude brighter than that from standard sealed or rotating anode X-ray tubes (Winick 1987; Altarelli et al. 1998). Although SR was first observed indirectly by John Blewitt in 1945 (Blewitt 1946) and directly by Floyd Haber in 1946 at the General Electric 100-MeV Betatron in Schenectady, NY (see Elder et al. 1947; Baldwin 1975), it took 10 to 15 years before the first systematic applications of SR, which involved spectroscopic studies of the VUV absorption of selected elements (Tomboulian and Hartman 1956) using the 300-MeV synchrotron at Cornell University and of rare gases (Madden and Codling 1963) using the National Bureau of Standards SURF I synchrotron. As of September 2002, there are about 75 storage ring-based SR sources in operation, in construction, funded, or in advanced planning in 23 countries, with 10 fully dedicated SR storage ring facilities in the U.S.. A listing of these sources can be obtained at the following web site: http://www-ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/sr_sources.html . The first SR experiments relevant to low temperature geochemistry and environmental science, although not performed on earth or environmental materials, were X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy measurements on amorphous and crystalline germanium oxide conducted on the SPEAR storage ring at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Project in 1971 by Dale Sayers, Farrel Lytle, and Edward Stern (Sayers et al. 1971). Prior to the availability of SR in the hard X-ray energy range (> 5 keV), XAFS spectroscopy measurements were impractical because of the high X-ray flux required and the need for a continuously tunable …
Goodness-of-Fit Tests for the Logistic Regression Model for Matched Case-Control Studies

A number of statistics have recently been proposed to asssess the fit of the multiple logistic regression model in both prospective and retrospective studies involving two independent samples as well as in cross sectional studies. These statistics are not appropriate for assessing fit with matched case-control studies. This paper presents methods for assessing fit for matched case-control studies. Both parametric and nonparametric approaches are suggested even though none are directly analogous to the statistics proposed in the unmatched situation. Several examples are included to illustrate the methods.
Sirt1 Deficiency Attenuates Spermatogenesis and Germ Cell Function

In mammals, Sirt1, a member of the sirtuin family of proteins, functions as a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent protein deactylase, and has important physiological roles, including the regulation of glucose metabolism, cell survival, and mitochondrial respiration. The initial investigations of Sirt1 deficient mice have revealed a phenotype that includes a reduced lifespan, small size, and an increased frequency of abnormal sperm. We have now performed a detailed analysis of the molecular and functional effects of Sirt1 deficiency in the germ line of Sirt1 knock-out (-/-) mice. We find that Sirt1 deficiency markedly attenuates spermatogenesis, but not oogenesis. Numbers of mature sperm and spermatogenic precursors, as early as d15.5 of development, are significantly reduced ( approximately 2-10-fold less; P</=0.004) in numbers in Sirt1-/- mice, whereas Sirt1 deficiency did not effect the efficiency oocyte production following superovulation of female mice. Furthermore, the proportion of mature sperm with elevated DNA damage ( approximately 7.5% of total epididymal sperm; P = 0.02) was significantly increased in adult Sirt1-/- males. Analysis of global gene expression by microarray analysis in Sirt1 deficient testis revealed dysregulated expression of 85 genes, which were enriched (P<0.05) for genes involved in spermatogenesis and protein sumoylation. To assess the function of Sirt1 deficient germ cells, we compared the efficiency of generating embryos and viable offspring in in vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments using gametes from Sirt1-/- and sibling Sirt1+/- mice. While viable animals were derived in both Sirt1-/- X wild type and Sirt1-/- X Sirt1-/- crosses, the efficiency of producing both 2-cell zygotes and viable offspring was diminished when IVF was performed with Sirt1-/- sperm and/or oocytes. Together, these data support an important role for Sirt1 in spermatogenesis, including spermatogenic stem cells, as well as germ cell function.
Reflections on Private Water Supply: Agency and Equity Issues

In the second of the two articles, the authors reflect on and extend their earlier work by describing recent trends in water privatization, drawing important lessons from cases where privatization efforts have failed, offering suggestions about the way privatized firms can be successfully monitored, and addressing the popular argument that “fairness” demands that water be distributed by public firms at a zero (or heavily subsidized) price.
Heparin Therapy: regimens and management.

Heparin remains the most effective antithrombotic drug. It acts by combining with plasma antithrombin, thereby accelerating the neutralisation of thrombin and other activated coagulation factors. Full-dose intravenous heparin is indicated in all cases of pulmonary embolism and established deep venous thrombosis, unless there exist compelling contraindications. Continuous intravenous infusion of heparin appears to be safer than intermittent injection.
Intraperitoneal immunity and pneumoperitoneum.

Background: Carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum has been implicated as a possible factor in depressed intraperitoneal immunity. Using in vitro functional assays, CO2 has been shown to decrease the function of peritoneal macrophages harvested from insufflated mice. However, an effective in vivo assessment is lacking. Listeria monocytogenes (LM), an intracellular pathogen, has served as a well-established in vivo model to study cell-mediated immune responses in mice. This study examines the immune competence of mice based on their ability to clear intraperitoneally administered LM following CO2 vs helium (He) insufflation.
On the optimal currency peg for developing countries

Abstract This paper suggests that while crawling peg exchange rates, whether active or passive, can be a valuable device for maintaining external balance in an inflationary environment, they may be inferior to a common currency area in a number of ways, particularly with respect to monetary stability and monetary integration. Evidence is presented on the stability of the French franc zone in West Africa and on the now defunct dollar zone in Latin America. When such zones exist without restrictive exchange controls, they should be preserved and strengthened. When they exist only de jure with strict exchange controls, adopting John Williamson's crawling peg solution is superior since it can accommodate the levying of the inflationary tax without causing external imbalance due to a failure to adjust the exchange rate.
Airborne-Particle Deposition in the Respiratory Tract of Chickens

Abstract Thirty anesthetized, male White Leghorn chickens, approximately six months old (average body weight, 2.030 ± 0.048 kg.), individually inhaled radioactively labeled (I-128) monodispersed latex particles. Six birds each were exposed to one of five particle sizes (0.091, 0.176, 0.312, 1.1, and 3.7 to 7 microns). During exposure, the respiratory rate and tidal volume were monitored by a whole-body plethysmograph. Inhaled aerosol was detected externally for each of seven, equal-length sections along the axis of the body. Percentages of deposition for each section were calculated from the corrected time-decay activity. Significant differences (P
AlloDerm tympanoplasty of tympanic membrane perforations

Abstract Purpose: To study the effectiveness of AlloDerm (LifeCell Corporation, Branchburg, NJ) as a graft material in underlay tympanoplasty by comparison to autologous fascia in a chronic tympanic membrane perforation animal model. Materials and Methods: Seventeen chinchillas underwent creation of bilateral chronic tympanic membrane perforations over a 6-week period. Twenty-two stable perforations were divided equally between the experimental AlloDerm and control fascia graft groups. The grafts were surgically placed through a postauricular tympanomeatal flap. The tympanic membranes were examined at 4 and 10 weeks and then harvested for histopathological analysis. Tympanoplasty operative times, perforation closure rates, and gross and histological analyses were compared between the AlloDerm and fascia grafts. Results: A statistically significant difference in mean surgical time was recorded between the AlloDerm (47 minutes) and fascia (68 minutes) grafting procedures ( t test, P =.001). Perforation closure was achieved in 90% of the AlloDerm and 100% of the fascia treated tympanic membranes. Gross and histopathologic inspections revealed no significant differences. Microscopically, AlloDerm and fascia grafts had similar inflammatory responses, but AlloDerm showed increased fibroblast infiltration and neovascularization. Conclusion: The avoidance of donor site morbidity, reduction of surgical time, and excellent gross and histologic outcomes in this animal model reveal that AlloDerm could be a safe, cost-effective alternative to autologous fascia. Further study would be necessary in human clinical trials. (Am J Otolaryngol 2003;24:6-13. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.)
Family members' report on speech-language pathology and community services for persons with aphasia in Hong Kong.

Purpose. This study investigates (a) the provision of speech-language pathology (SLP) services and community resources in Hong Kong for persons with aphasia (PWA) and their families and (b) family members' perception of the service quality.Methods. A self-administered 42-item questionnaire was distributed in two community support groups. The questions included information on the demography data of the PWAs, details of the SLP services and family members' perception of PWAs' satisfaction with the hospital-based services and resources in community support groups.Results. Results from 37 completed questionnaires indicated most inpatient and outpatient SLP sessions were delivered weekly and monthly, respectively, in fewer than 30 min. The primary foci of these sessions were assessment and treatment of aphasia. While professional SLP services were unavailable in support groups, the activities attended most frequently by the PWAs and their families were communication groups and social gatherings, respectively. ...
Service Fault Localization Using Probing Technology

We describe the Proactive Probing and Probing on Demand algorithms that are used to monitor the health of a serviceable component system proactively and to localize faulty components intelligently. This application-level performance monitoring mechanism can greatly reduce the overhead of satisfying service-level objectives. When abnormal events occur, we are able to follow relevant dependent paths to localize possible faulty serviceable components based on the outcomes of incremental on demand probing. In this paper, we continue analyzing the impact of the algorithms in the process of probing and diagnosis.
µZ: an efficient engine for fixed points with constraints

The µZ tool is a scalable, efficient engine for fixed points with constraints. It supports high-level declarative fixed point constraints over a combination of built-in and plugin domains. The built-in domains include formulas presented to the SMT solver Z3 and domains known from abstract interpretation. We present the interface to µZ, a number of the domains, and a set of examples illustrating the use of µZ.
Finite difference approximations for fractional advection-dispersion flow equations

Fractional advection-dispersion equations are used in groundwater hydrology to model the transport of passive tracers carried by fluid flow in a porous medium. In this paper we develop practical numerical methods to solve one dimensional fractional advection-dispersion equations with variable coefficients on a finite domain. The practical application of these results is illustrated by modeling a radial flow problem. Use of the fractional derivative allows the model equations to capture the early arrival of tracer observed at a field site.
On multi-threaded list-processing and garbage collection

The authors discuss the problem of parallel list-processing and garbage collection in an environment based on lightweight processes (threads). Their main insight is that the threads paradigm suggests a heap memory layout and garbage collection technique which is quite different from existing Lisp and Prolog systems. They introduce a hierarchy of fork constructs and a memory structure which support new garbage collection schemes which are local to threads. For example, the new technique of preventive garbage collection can recover all intermediate list memory used by a function at the small expense of copying its output parameters. >
False Positive Cardiac Troponin Results in Patients Without Acute Myocardial Infarction

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and T (cTnT) are highly sensitive and specific biochemical markers for myocardial necrosis and are generally not elevated in cases other than acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, if the patient’s clinical picture for AMI or ACS do not match an elevated troponin result, the laboratory should suspect a false positive troponin value caused by analytical interferences with this assay. These analytic interferences include fibrin clots, microparticles in sample, hetereophile and human anti-animal antibodies, rheumatoid factor, interference by bilirubin, hemolysis, lipemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase activity, macro immunocomplex formation, and analyzer malfunction. In general, analytical interferences resulting in false positive troponin results are associated with a specific manufacturer’s troponin assay and are not encountered in all troponin assays. This review discusses steps which the laboratory should consider taking in the investigation of suspected analytical interference with the troponin assay. Awareness of the possibility of a false positive troponin result may assist the physician in the management of the patient without AMI or ACS and may spare the patient additional diagnostic procedures especially if the troponin result is not consistent with these diagnoses. A false positive troponin result is a reminder that although troponin plays an important role in the diagnosis of AMI and ACS , it should not be the only criterion for establishing these diagnoses.
On Control System Described by a Class of Nonlinear Differential-Algebraic Equations: State Realization and Local Control

A theoretical framework for the study of control systems defined by a class of nonlinear differential-algebraic equations is established. We first introduce the class of nonlinear control system considered, which is represented by a special but important class of nonlinear differential-algebraic equations. Assumptions are given for which the defining nonlinear differential-algebraic equations are well posed, in the sense that for given input and given consistent initial data, in a specified smooth manifold, there exists a unique smooth solution. A procedure for obtaining a local nonlinear state realization is developed; this realization can thus form the basis for control of the original differential-algebraic system. An approach for design of a linear feedback controller which achieves local regulation near an equilibrium solution is suggested. The framework established in this paper generalizes recent developments for control of mechanical systems with holonomic constraints and for control of mechanical systems with classical nonholonomic constraints.
Contributions of entertainment television to adolescents’ sexual attitudes and expectations: The role of viewing amount versus viewer involvement

This project examines several ways in which television viewing might relate to adolescents ‘ sexual attitudes and expectations. Although previous findings have indicated significant associations between viewing amounts and various sexual outcomes, contributions of viewer involvement in this equation have been underemphasized. Drawing on the premises of several theoretical approaches, viewer involvement was defined to include viewing motivation, active viewing, perceived realism, perceived relevance, and identification. Associations were then examined between eight dimensions of TV viewing and seven sexual outcome variables for a multiethnic sample of 314 students aged 18–20. Both viewing amount and viewer involvement emerged as significant correlates of participants’ sexual attitudes, expectations, and behavior. In particular, greater exposure and greater involvement with TV's sexual content were associated with stronger endorsement of recreational attitudes toward sex, higher expectations of the sexual a...
Archaeal histone selection of nucleosome positioning sequences and the procaryotic origin of histone-dependent genome evolution.

Archaeal histones and the eucaryal (eucaryotic) nucleosome core histones have almost identical histone folds. Here, we show that DNA molecules selectively incorporated by rHMfB (recombinant archaeal histone B from Methanothermus fervidus) into archaeal nucleosomes from a mixture of approximately 10(14) random sequence molecules contain sequence motifs shown previously to direct eucaryal nucleosome positioning. The dinucleotides GC, AA (=TT) and TA are repeated at approximately 10 bp intervals, with the GC harmonic displaced approximately 5 bp from the AA and TA harmonics [(GCN(3)AA or TA)(n)]. AT and CG were not strongly selected, indicating that TA not equalAT and GC not equalCG in terms of facilitating archaeal nucleosome assembly. The selected molecules have affinities for rHMfB ranging from approximately 9 to 18-fold higher than the level of affinity of the starting population, and direct the positioned assembly of archaeal nucleosomes. Fourier-transform analyses have revealed that AA dinucleotides are much enriched at approximately 10. 1 bp intervals, the helical repeat of DNA wrapped around a nucleosome, in the genomes of Eucarya and the histone-containing Euryarchaeota, but not in the genomes of Bacteria and Crenarchaeota, procaryotes that do not have histones. Facilitating histone packaging of genomic DNA has apparently therefore imposed constraints on genome sequence evolution, and since archaeal histones have no structure in addition to the histone fold, these constraints must result predominantly from histone fold-DNA contacts. Based on the three-domain universal phylogeny, histones and histone-dependent genome sequence evolution most likely evolved after the bacterial-archaeal divergence but before the archaeal-eucaryal divergence, and were subsequently lost in the Crenarchaeota. However, with lateral gene transfer, the first histone fold could alternatively have evolved after the archaeal-eucaryal divergence, early in either the euryarchaeal or eucaryal lineages.
The New Community College Business and Finance Model.

The term “community college business and finance model” is unlikely to evoke a positive response from educators who resist labeling students as “customers,” do not want to call the college's offerings “products,” and don't like to hear the college referred to as a “business.” Faculty and staff tend to be conservative and risk-averse when confronted with major institutional changes that they feel diminish the distinctiveness of the college, its academic freedom, their special relationship with students, and obligation to the public good. These are all valid concerns. But they should guide rather than deter the necessary transformation of business and finance operations to become leaner, smarter, more efficient, more creative, and more focused in response to new financial constraints and changing demographic, economic, technological, and social realities.
Great Excavations: Tales of Early Southwestern Archaeology, 1888-1939, School of American Research Press, 1995

Great Excavations: Tales of Early Southwestern Archaeology, 1 888-1939, is an "intentionally selective" account of eight major archaeological expeditions to the Southwest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It succeeds in achieving the goals set forth in the prologue. The reader is taken on an "armchair tour" ￼ of early Southwestern excavations in the hope that the resulting "basic understanding of what the early archae­ologists did" will stimulate a desire to "learn more about the intriguing prehistory of the Southwest" (pp. xiii). As a student of the history of North American archaeology, I would be amiss to speak for Elion's "layperson" audience, but my suspicion is that her presentation will indeed stimulate those readers. As an archaeologist, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it may well be that Elliott's journalistic approach makes this book more enjoyable because she is able to remain above the level of detail that often burden archaeolo­gists' accounts of these expeditions. I must temper this statement by noting that Elliott's journalistic hyper­ bole and tendency to oversimplify complex research and analysis are at times discomforting.
Effect of matrices on affinity purification of protein C

One of the critical problems in scale-up of affinity chromatography is the mechanical strength of the support matrix against pressure. Because the costs of both the gel matrix and the ligand for the affinity chromatography are very high, the reusability of gel matrices is directly related to the total production cost. In certain cases, where the source material is viscous (e.g., blood plasma), irreversible deformation of gel matrices can readily occur, necessitating severe constraints in the flow rate. Consequently, productivity is low. We have characterized the system parameters and investigated the performance of various matrices that are commercially available. The experimental system used for this study was the immunoaffinity purification of protein C (an anticoagulant protein) from human blood plasma. The support matrices studied were cross-linked agarose, polymethyl acrylic, cellulose, and polyvinyl alcohol polymers. The major system parameters studied were pressure tolerance, coupling efficiency, adsorption efficiency, and batch adsorption/desorption kinetics of protein C to/from the monoclonal antibody (MAb)-Matrix complex. In addition, the apparent equilibrium constant and bandwidth of the product concentration profile in the eluate were characterized by performing pulse tests. A methodology was developed for evaluating the immunoaffinity colum performance for the separation of protein C. By utilizing the experimentally measured parameters, the flow rate limitation for each purification step was computed. Then, the purification performance of the matrices were evaluated in terms of productivity per unit time. Among the matrices tested, cellulose was superior in overall performance for the immunoaffinity purification of protein C using a 10 cm × 10 cm column.
Dynamics Based Trajectory Segmentation for UAV videos

A novel representation of vehicle trajectories is proposedfor applications in trajectory analysis and activity detection.Specifically, a piecewise arc fitting based smoothingalgorithm is proposed for denoising the trajectories. A dynamicprogram is used to find the optimal arc fit to a giventrajectory. We motivate the usage of dynamic primitivesto parametrize common vehicular activities, and proposea dynamics based trajectory segmentation algorithm. Eachprimitive is modeled using a second order Auto-Regressivemodel, and form useful descriptors for a given vehiculartrajectory. We evaluate both our trajectory smoothing anddynamic trajectory segmentation algorithm on a real UAVvideo dataset, and show performance improvements whichclearly motivate its wide applicability in a general trajectoryanalysis system.
p53-Mediated Regulation of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Expression in Cells Exposed to Ionizing Radiation

The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a highly conserved cellular protein that functions both in DNA replication and in DNA repair. Exposure of a rat embryo fibroblast cell line (CREF cells) to gamma radiation induced simultaneous expression of PCNA with the p53 tumor suppressor protein and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF1/Cip1). PCNA mRNA levels transiently increased in serum-starved cells exposed to ionizing radiation, an observation suggesting that the radiation-associated increase in PCNA expression could be dissociated from cell cycle progression. Irradiation of CREF cells activated a transiently expressed PCNA promoter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase construct through p53 binding sequences via a mechanism blocked by a dominant negative mutant p53. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with nuclear extracts prepared from irradiated CREF cells produced four p53-specific DNA-protein complexes with the PCNA p53 binding site. Addition of monoclonal antibody PAb421 (p53-specific) or AC238 (specific to the transcriptional coactivator p300/CREB binding protein) to the mobility shift assay distinguished different forms of p53 that changed in relative abundance with time after irradiation. These findings suggest a complex cellular response to DNA damage in which p53 transiently activates expression of PCNA for the purpose of limited DNA repair. In a population of nongrowing cells with diminished PCNA levels, this pathway may be crucial to survival following DNA damage.
Detection and Visualization of Anomalous Structures in Molecular Dynamics Simulation Data

In this article we explore techniques to detect and visualize features in data from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Although the techniques proposed are general, we focus on silicon (Si) atomic systems. The first set of methods use 3D location of atoms. Defects are detected and categorized using local operators and statistical modeling. Our second set of exploratory techniques employ electron density data. This data is visualized to glean the defects. We describe techniques to automatically detect the salient iso-values for iso-surface extraction and designing transfer functions.We compare and contrast the results obtained from both sources of data. Essentially, we find that the methods of defect (feature) detection are at least as robust as those based on the exploration of electron density for Si systems.
Calcineurin Promotes Protein Kinase C and c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase Activation in the Heart CROSS-TALK BETWEEN CARDIAC HYPERTROPHIC SIGNALING PATHWAYS

Multiple intracellular signaling pathways have been shown to regulate the hypertrophic growth of cardiomyocytes. Both necessary and sufficient roles have been described for the mitogen activated protein kinase(1) (MAPK) signaling pathway, specific protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, and calcineurin. Here we investigate the interdependence between calcineurin, MAPK, and PKC isoforms in regulating cardiomyocyte hypertrophy using three separate approaches. Hearts from hypertrophic calcineurin transgenic mice were characterized for PKC and MAPK activation. Transgenic hearts demonstrated activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), but not p38 MAPK factors. Calcineurin transgenic hearts demonstrated increased activation of PKCalpha, beta(1), and theta, but not of epsilon, beta(2), or lambda. In a second approach, cultured cardiomyocytes were infected with a calcineurin adenovirus to induce hypertrophy and the effects of pharmacologic inhibitors or co-infection with a dominant negative adenovirus were examined. Calcineurin-mediated hypertrophy was prevented with PKC inhibitors, Ca(2+) chelation, and attenuated with a dominant negative SEK-1 (MKK4) adenovirus, but inhibitors of ERK or p38 activation had no effect. In a third approach, we examined the activation of MAPK factors and PKC isoforms during the progression of load-induced hypertrophy in aortic banded rats with or without cyclosporine. We determined that inhibition of calcineurin activity with cyclosporine prevented PKCalpha, theta, and JNK activation, but did not affect PKCepsilon, beta, lambda, ERK1/2, or p38 activation. Collectively, these data indicate that calcineurin hypertrophic signaling is interconnected with PKCalpha, theta, and JNK in the heart, while PKCepsilon, beta, lambda, p38, and ERK1/2 are not involved in calcineurin-mediated hypertrophy.
The Molecular Control of Corpus Luteum Formation, Function, and Regression

The corpus luteum (CL) is one of the few endocrine glands that forms from the remains of another organ and whose function and survival are limited in scope and time. The CL is the site of rapid remodeling, growth, differentiation, and death of cells originating from granulosa, theca, capillaries, and fibroblasts. The apparent raison d'etre of the CL is the production of progesterone, and all the structural and functional features of this gland are geared toward this end. Because of its unique importance for successful pregnancies, the mammals have evolved a complex series of checks and balances that maintains progesterone at appropriate levels throughout gestation. The formation, maintenance, regression, and steroidogenesis of the CL are among the most significant and closely regulated events in mammalian reproduction. During pregnancy, the fate of the CL depends on the interplay of ovarian, pituitary, and placental regulators. At the end of its life span, the CL undergoes a process of regression leading to its disappearance from the ovary and allowing the initiation of a new cycle. The generation of transgenic, knockout and knockin mice and the development of innovative technologies have revealed a novel role of several molecules in the reprogramming of granulosa cells into luteal cells and in the hormonal and molecular control of the function and demise of the CL. The current review highlights our knowledge on these key molecular events in rodents.
A Molecular Dynamics Study of Short Nanoparticle Chains under Mechanical Strain: Linear and Kinked Configurations

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that individual nanoparticle chain aggregates (NCA) exhibit remarkable mechanical behavior when under strain inside the transmission electron microscope. NCA made of various materials (e.g. carbon, metal oxides, metals, etc.) were strained by as much as 100% when tension was applied to them. After breaking, the NCA rapidly contracted to form more compact structures. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulations are employed to investigate, at the atomic scale, the behavior of short nanoparticle chains under strain and to obtain quantitative information of the forces involved in chain straining and fracturing. The interaction potential used is that of copper obtained with the embedded atom method (EAM). Although the methodology is generally applicable, copper was selected as a test material because reliable interatomic potentials are available. Seven single- crystal nanoparticles, each 2.452 nm in diameter, are placed in contact in two chain configurations, linear and kinked. The structures are initially relaxed adiabatically with MD steps for 225 ps, at a starting temperature of 300 K. The bonding energy between any two nanoparticles in contact ranges from about 20 eV to 30 eV at 0 K. The two relaxed chain configurations are strained along their longest dimension, to the breaking point, at strain rates spanning from 0.3 m/s to 10 m/s. We identify mechanisms of stress accommodation that lead to plastic deformation and eventually fracture for both chain configurations, linear and kinked, and we construct the corresponding stress-strain curves. The two chain configurations exhibit different mechanical behavior. Applications of our experimental and simulation studies on NCA are to the behavior of nanocomposite materials, including carbon black reinforced rubber, sampling of aggregates by high speed impactors and the formation of flexible coatings of nanoparticles.
THE VALIDITY OF IPS CRIBRICOLLIS (EICH.) (COLEOPTERA: SCOLYTIDAE) AS DISTINCT FROM I . GRANDICOLLIS (EICH.) AND THE OCCURRENCE OF BOTH SPECIES IN CENTRAL AMERICA

Comparison of type material and series of Ips cribricollis (Eich.) and I. grandicollis (Eich.) showed that the species are readily separated by external morphology, the pars stridens of the females, and, especially, the genitalia of the males. Earlier work showed that representatives of the two species were not able to interbreed and that their chromosomes were different. These data and the discovery of the two species at the same locality in Central America are compelling reasons for recognition of these entities as separate species.
A Self-Regulatory Model of Behavioral Disinhibition in Late Adolescence: Integrating Personality Traits, Externalizing Psychopathology, and Cognitive Capacity

Two samples with heterogeneous prevalence of externalizing psychopathology were used to investigate the structure of self-regulatory models of behavioral disinhibition and cognitive capacity. Consistent with expectations, structural equation modeling in the first sample (N=541) showed a hierarchical model with 3 lower order factors of impulsive sensation seeking, antisociality/unconventionality, and lifetime externalizing problem counts, with a behavioral disinhibition superfactor best accounted for the pattern of covariation among 6 disinhibited personality trait indicators and 4 externalizing problem indicators. The structure was replicated in a second sample (N=463) and showed that the behavioral disinhibition superfactor, and not the lower order impulsive sensation seeking, antisociality/unconventionality, and externalizing problem factors, was associated with lower IQ, reduced short-term memory capacity, and reduced working memory capacity. The results provide a systemic and meaningful integration of major self-regulatory influences during a developmentally important stage of life.
Strategies in visuospatial working memory for learning virtual shapes

This study investigated visuospatial working memory (WM) strategies people use to remember unfamiliar randomly generated shapes in the context of an interactive computer-based visuospatial WM task. In a three-phase experiment with random shapes, participants (n = 94) first interactively determined if two equivalent shapes were rotated or reflected; second, memorized the shape; and third, determined if an imprint in a profile view of the ground was a rotated, reflected imprint of the shape, or an imprint not matching the original shape. Participants self-reported these strategies: Key feature, shape interaction, association/elaboration, holistic/perspective, divide and conquer, mental rotation/reflection and others. Participants reporting key features strategy were significantly more accurate on the computer-based visuospatial WM task. These results highlight the importance of strategy in visuospatial WM. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Utility of in vivo, intracardiac two-dimensional echocardiography in the assessment of myocardial risk area and myocardial dyssynergy during coronary occlusion and reperfusion.

We have previously reported the potential use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in a variety of clinical settings, including detection of pericardial effusion, intracardiac masses, congenital cardiac defects, and during simulated balloon valvuloplasty. The utility of intracardiac ultrasound imaging of the left ventricle (LV) inpatients with coronary disease needs to be further explored. We performed this study with the purpose of evaluating risk area and regional wall-motion abnormalities produced by ischemia using ICE. Ten episodes of ischemia were produced by transiently occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery in five dogs. ICE was performed with a modified 5-MHz transesophageal echocardiographic probe placed in the right atrium. Continuous short-axis images of the LV were obtained before, during, and after coronary occlusion. Risk area was defined using myocardial contrast echocardiography. In all cases, ICE provided high resolution images of the LV. Risk area and regional wall-motion abnormalities were readily detected. There was good correlation between the risk area (x) and extent of dyssynergy (y), defined by the equation y = 0.76x + 6.38 (r = 0.80, P < 0.01). We conclude that ICE provides potentially useful information concerning regional LV dysfunction, and, when combined with myocardial contrast echocardiography, area at risk. This technique may be useful during interventional procedures once a catheter-based ultrasound transducer with adequate depth of field to provide images of the entire LV can be developed. intracardiac echocardiography, intravascular ultrasound, ischemia, coronary artery disease
On test and characterization of analog linear time-invariant circuits using neural networks

Testing and characterization of analog circuits is a very important task in the VLSI manufacturing process. However, no efficient methodology exists on how to effectively model and characterize the various faults, and even how to detect their existence. Neural networks have been successfully applied to various pattern recognition problems. In this paper, the amplitude and temporal characteristics of the good circuit response are used to train a neural network, so that it is able to distinguish between different faulty circuit responses. A Time-Delay Neural Network (TDNN) is proposed as a possible vehicle for performing the test and diagnosis.
Model reference adaptive control of heart rate during wheelchair ergometry

This study used parametric methods to identify a model of the wheelchair user's heart rate response to changes in physical workload while on a wheelchair dynamometer. A model reference adaptive control (MRAC) algorithm was developed based upon the results of the system identification process. Based upon subject's maximum speed, ten random levels from zero to maximal speed were selected to form a tracking input vector. Two autoregressive models with exogenous inputs were developed using a stepwise regression-based algorithm. Analysis of variance results imply that the model development and model validation groups were different. Linear regression was used to compare the model predicted heart rates with recorded heart rates for the validation group. The application of indirect MRAC appears to be feasible for controlling heart rate kinetics of people with paraplegia or lower limb impairments during wheelchair propulsion on a computer-controlled wheelchair dynamometer.
Surgical Management of Rhinosinusitis with and Without Polyps in Adults

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disease of multifactorial etiology and has been broadly differentiated into either CRS with or without nasal polyps or eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic CRS. Ostiomeatal complex obstruction is the most common final common pathway for the development of CRS. The primary indication for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is CRS refractory to maximal medical therapy. Other indications include recurrent acute sinusitis, tumors, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, dysthyroid ophthalmopathy, and acute sinusitis with threatened complications. Computed tomography (CT) evaluation is reserved for patients who are considered surgical candidates based on their clinical course and nasal endoscopic findings. The surgeon should thoroughly and carefully examine the patient’s CT scan and know the 3-D anatomy prior to surgical intervention. The goal of FESS is to remove the areas involved in sinus disease while maximally preserving mucosa and restoring normal physiology to the sinonasal tract. Meticulous postoperative care is critical for surgical success of FESS for CRS, because persistent inflammation following surgery is the rule, even though it is frequently asymptomatic. The need for long-term endoscopic follow-up cannot be overemphasized. A combination of a thorough surgical intervention and aggressive postoperative care can have profound long-term benefits on CRS, with mucosal inflammation and reactivity slowly settling down over time.
Advance care planning paves way for geriatrics nurses to support person-centered care for older adults.

This past summer was a season of rules for geriatrics healthcare professionalsdand while that might not strike excitement in the heart of kids who are less-than-thrilled to be headed backto school, it’s something we’ve met with tremendous enthusiasm at the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and across geriatrics. Here’s one reason why. With the release earlier this year of the 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Ruleda tool that impacts advanced practice nurses, geriatricians, and all providers eligible to bill on the fee scheduledan important service, Advance Care Planning (ACP), has moved that much closer to recognition long championed by the AGS and a cadre of other stakeholders. ACP is a comprehensive, ongoing, person-centered approach to communication about future healthcare choices. As already implemented by health practitioners and coordinated care teams across the U.S., ACP involves ongoing discussions between healthcare professionals and patients regarding end-of-life preferences and expectations. Often, these voluntary consultations also include family members and caregivers who may serve as proxy decision makers when someone is no longer able to make personal healthcare choices. And in studyafter study, ACP also is increasingly seen as a staple service for frail and aging patients: In a prospective randomized clinical trial of a coordinated approach to ACP in Australia, family members of nearly 90% of participants who received ACP services reported that their loved one’s end-of-life wishes were known and followed. 1 In
Managing Central Hardwood Forests Within the Context of the Historic Range of Variability (HRV): Challenges and Opportunities

The historical range of variability (HRV) has been an especially effective tool for guiding the implementation of ecosystem management in the western forests for which it was developed. HRV analyses typically focus on ecosystem components such as composition (species, cover types, lifeforms), structure (tree size classes, age classes, structural stages), and processes/ functions (regeneration, growth, mortality), and the spatio-temporal interactions of these with each other, the disturbance regime, and climate. In central hardwood forests, the most important contribution of HRV has been an increased appreciation for the importance of natural disturbances in maintaining the developmental processes responsible for critical habitat structures. HRV analyses can improve our understanding of the causes and consequences of historic variability in ecosystem components. HRV time series are particularly useful as a reference condition to assess, plan, evaluate, design, and implement ecosystem-restoration treatments, but are not intended to dictate or justify narrow management targets. Application of HRV in this region in the future will be challenged by the complexity of the small-scale gap dynamics disturbance regime, an onslaught of exotic species invasions, and uncertainty pertaining to climate change. However, as a framework for approaching these challenges, the HRV approach provides opportunities for understanding the processes that will be responsible for shaping forests into the future.
From Biconvex to General Twice Differentiable NLPs

In this chapter we present an important theoretical development (Liu and Floudas, 1993) that allows us to extend the GOP global optimization approach from biconvex and bilinear problems into general constrained twice-differentiable nonlinear optimization problems. This theoretical development provides the link between the GOP algorithm and the αBB global optimization approach, which is our focus on Part III of this book. Section 10.1 presents the theoretical developments that lead from the GOP to the αBB global optimization approach. Section 10.2 presents a brief introduction to the calculation of the a parameters and one alternative for obtaining rigorous bounds on the a parameters for general constrained twice differentiable nonlinear optimization problems. The material presented in this chapter is based on the work of Liu and Floudas (1993) and Maranas and Floudas (1994b).
Angular Distribution of Protons from the Ca 42 (d, p)Ca 43 Reaction

The broad-range magnetic spectrograph was employed in conjunction with a 7-Mev deuteron beam from the MIT-ONR electrostatic generator to obtain angular distributions and relative cross sections for the twelve most intense proton groups corresponding to ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{43}$ levels up to 3.6-Mev excitation. The angular momenta of the captured neutrons were determined by application of deuteron stripping theory.
Glucagon stimulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis in neonatal pigs.

SummaryThe effect of an infusion of glucagon on gluconeogenesis was studied in 5-day-old piglets. Glucagon stimulated hepatic new glucose formation from lactate, but did not significantly change blood glucose or plasma free fatty acid levels. The data suggest that glucagon enhances substrate flow in the gluconeogenic pathway in neonatal animals.