cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF SUSCEPTIBILITY TESTING ON THE IMPACT OF NOSOCOMIAL VARICELLA EXPOSURE

A pregnant woman with a rash initially diagnosed as scabies delivered a healthy infant in the hospital. When varicella (V) was diagnosed, she was isolated, but she had already esposed 55 patients (35 women, 20 newborns) and 118 hospital staff. Forty-three/153 (28%) of adults, including the mothers of six exposed newborns had no history of V. These 43 adults were tested for susceptibility to V by ELISA, FAMA (fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen), and an intradermal V skin test (ST). The number of susceptibles was 7/43 by ELISA; with 5 additional subjects having equivocal ELISA results, 7/43 by FAMA, and 2/25 by ST (both FAMA susceptible). Susceptible staff were furloughed when potentially communicable. High risk susceptible patients were given VZIG. No secondary cases of V were identified. Institution of control measures consumed 154 hours of staff time. The cost of staff furlough ($12,000), VZIG ($675), and serologic testing ($1,200) was lower than it would have been if staff were furloughed based only on history ($80,000) or if based on the cost of closing the obstetric and newborn services for the period of risk ($303,000). The ability to establish immune status dramatically reduced the financial impact of this occurrence and enabled us to continue the delivery of health care. Experience in 82 adults has shown agreement between ST and FAMA in all but 3 (r=0.90). ST is easy and potentially widely available. ST's value as a predictor of immunity deserves further study.
Perspectives on specialization in school psychology training and practice

School psychology is a professional practice specialty in the broader field of the profession of psychology. As such, the discipline of school psychology must meet certain standards and criteria to retain its identity and official designation as a professional specialty. Likewise, practitioners of school psychology are professionals themselves and must meet standards and criteria of preparation and continuing education to maintain their professional status. The growth of knowledge and the demands being made on school psychologists to acquire a broad range of knowledge and skills in sufficient depth to allow competent practice is outstripping the reasonableness of training in the field, which assumes that school psychologists should be competent to practice in all areas of practice demand. Specialization within the field of school psychology, a de facto but officially unrecognized occurrence in many areas for at least several decades, offers a solution to this dilemma of training and practice and should be formally recognized and promoted by the profession. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A symmetric structural model for Acid sensing ion channel-1: Transmembrane domain dynamics and Implications to Gating

Acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) are cation-selective neuronal membrane channels, activated by H+ binding upon decrease in extracellular pH. The mechanistic and structural details of channel activation and ion permeation in ASICs are only partially understood. The only known crystal structure for ASICs is in the desensitized, non-conducting state, and the open and closed structures remain unsolved. The crystal structure reveals ASIC1 to be a trimer with 3-fold symmetry, but reports significant asymmetry in the transmembrane (TM) region, suggested to be induced by crystal lattice contacts, hence restricting further hypotheses about TM behavior. In order to enable a study of TM domain dynamics, we sought to derive models from the crystal structure, where this asymmetry was corrected using a simulation based approach. We designed a model target based on normal mode analysis, and employed targeted molecular dynamics to generate the initial model from the crystal structure followed by a series of simulations to equilibrate the structure. The resulting model, though starting with nearly straight TM helices, exhibits kinks as the simulations proceed, suggesting dynamic hinges in the TM pore, which could be participants in gating. Observations about channel behavior from these models show consistence with experimental data. An interesting revelation from the model is the identification of a possible gating region near the cytoplasmic end of the TM pore constituted of highly hydrophobic residues. Overall the study reveals several details about the putative cation permeation pathway in ASICs and also provides a symmetric structural model to test further hypotheses on ASIC channel function.
Flame fronts with complex chemical networks

Abstract For laminar flame fronts with general complex chemistry networks, we present a systematic method to reduce the detailed chemistry in the limit of high activation energy asymptotics. We detail the method on a global multistep hydrocarbon model. Generic flame profile structures are discussed, and extensions to networks with zero activation energies are outlined.
Cutaneous Immunoglobulin Deposition in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

• We studied the skin of six patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) to determine if there is cutaneous deposition of complement and immunoglobulins in PBC. We also investigated serum samples from these patients for the presence of circulating antibodies against nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. Three of five patients demonstrated immunoglobulins (IgM or IgG) or complement (C3) deposition at the dermoepidermal junction (DEJ) in clinically normal, light-protected skin. Two of six patients had 2- to 5-mm papular-pustular skin lesions as a manifestation of PBC. Serological studies in these patients disclosed low antinuclear antibody titers in three patients and anti—single-stranded DNA antibody titers in the two patients with skin lesions. These histological, immunofluorescent, and serological findings offer further evidence of the occurrence of circulating immune complexes in at least some patients with PBC. (Arch Dermatol1982;118:634-637)
The structure of temperament questionnaire (STQ): results from a U.S. sample

Abstract An English language version of the Structure of Temperament Questionnaire (STQ) has recently been proposed by Rusalov (1989; Personality and Individual Differences, 10, 817–827). This version was administered to a U.S. sample. The U.S. data demonstrate that the English language translation of STQ has a factor structure similar to the Russian language version and possesses satisfactory reliability.
Dynamic compression of chondrocyte-seeded fibrin gels: effects on matrix accumulation and mechanical stiffness.

Abstract Objective: Various strategies have been tested to direct and control matrix synthesis in tissue engineered cartilage, including mechanical stimulation of the construct both before and after implantation. This study examined the effects of oscillatory compression on chondrocytes in a fibrin-based tissue engineered cartilage. Design: Chondrocyte-seeded fibrin gels were cultured under unconfined mechanical compression for 10 or 20 days (free-swelling, 10% static, or 10±4% at 0.1 or 1Hz). During the culture period, accumulation of nitrite, sGAG, and proteolytic enzymes in the culture media were monitored. Following culture, the mechanical stiffness and biochemical content of the gels (DNA, sGAG, and hydroxyproline content and GAG Δ-disaccharide composition) were assessed. Results: Compared to free-swelling conditions, static compression had little effect on the mechanical stiffness or biochemical content of the gels. Compared to static compression, oscillatory compression produced softer gels, inhibited sGAG and hydroxyproline accumulation in the gels, and stimulated accumulation of nitrite and sGAG in the culture media. Minimal differences were observed in DNA content and Δ-disaccharide composition across treatment conditions. Conclusions: In this study, oscillatory compression inhibited formation of cartilage-like tissues by chondrocytes in fibrin gels. These results suggest that the effects of mechanical stimuli on tissue engineered cartilage may vary substantially between different scaffold systems.
A study of street heroin lots for the presence of the hepatitis B surface antigen

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) of subtype ay predominates among narcotic addicts infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Europe, Australia and the United States. However, the ad subtype predominates among the non-addict carriers of HBsAg. We investigated the possibility that heroin lots were contaminated with HBV at a source of opium production, the Middle East, a geographical region where HBsAg/ay predominates in the general population. One hundred and nine lots of street heroin were assayed for HBsAg by radioimmunoassay. None of the lots tested was reproduceably HBsAg positive. These results suggest that the heroin itself is not responsible for the high incidence of HBV infection or for the predominance of HBsAg/ay in the addict population. The predominance of HBsAg/ay among addicts in Europe and Australia as well as the United States might be due to extensive needle sharing among a mobile population of drug abusers, although such worldwide dissemination of one subtype by these means is unlikely.
Protein chemistry comes of age. Again.

Abstract Techniques in Protein Chemistry VIII edited by Daniel R. Marshak, Academic Press, 1997. US$130.00 hbk (xxi+908 pages) ISBN 0 12 473557 6
275 EFFECT OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES DURING IN VITRO MATURATION ON PORCINE OOCYTE NUCLEAR MATURATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL COMPETENCE

The generation of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the decreased competence of in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes. However, ROS are also generated in normal cellular metabolism and can be important regulators of cellular functions. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of ROS during IVM on porcine oocyte nuclear maturation and subsequent embryonic development. Oocytes were matured in different redox environments for 40 h in 7% CO2 in air at 38.7°C. The basic maturation medium was defined PPM supplemented with 1 mM hypoxanthine. Reactive oxygen species were generated by the hypoxanthine–xanthine oxidase (XOD) system at 3 different concentrations: XOD0 (0 mU), XOD1 (1 mU), and XOD10 (10 mU). In each XOD treatment, 2 different concentrations of cysteine (Cys) were added as an antioxidant: Cys1 (0.57 mM) and Cys2 (1.14 mM). This resulted in 6 experimental treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial design; XOD0-Cys1 was considered the control. For fertilization, gametes were co-incubated in modified Tween medium B with milk powder for 5 h and then cultured in NCSU-23 medium in 5% CO2, 10% O2 for 6 days, at which point cleavage, blastocyst development, and blastocyst cell number were determined (30–50 per treatment per replicate; 4 replicates). Data were analysed by two-way ANOVA, and differences were determined by Fisher’s least significant difference multiple-comparison test; percentage data were arcsin transformed (significance, P 0.05). In conclusion, 10-mU XOD during IVM resulted in decreased nuclear maturation, embryonic cleavage, and blastocyst development, possibly due to excessive ROS generated by XOD. The negative effect of high levels of XOD on blastocyst formation could be reversed by adding additional antioxidant capacity to the environment (Cys2). This result suggests that adequate ROS balance is important for oocyte quality. Interestingly, adding extra antioxidant capacity alone (XOD0-Cys2) was detrimental to blastocyst formation, possibly due to the creation of an environment that was too reduced. These results demonstrate the importance of keeping the redox environment balanced during oocyte maturation. Excessive oxidative or reducing environments both appear to be detrimental to oocyte developmental competence. Table 1.Nuclear maturation and developmental competence of oocytes matured in different redox environments
Gender differences in systemic inflammation and atheroma formation following Porphyromonas gingivalis infection in heterozygous apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Background and Objective: Men are at higher risk for periodontal and cardiovascular diseases compared with women, although they have lower serum levels of risk markers, including lipids and acute phase proteins. In this study, we investigated whether infection with a major periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis, affected the inflammatory and atherosclerotic response of male and female mice differently. Material and Methods: Forty-eight heterozygous apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (24 males and 24 females), maintained on normal diet, were infected twice by intrasubcutaneous chamber injections of P. gingivalis or vehicle at weeks 11 and 14 of age. Serum samples were collected before the first infection and bi-weekly thereafter, to quantify levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the murine acute phase protein, serum amyloid A (SAA). Mice were killed at week 17 to evaluate aortic atheroma lesion score. Results: Males had significantly higher baseline HDL cholesterol levels (p < 0.01, factorial ANOVA). Following P. gingivalis infection, HDL cholesterol levels decreased over time in infected males only [p < 0.05, generalized estimating equation (GEE)], whereas SAA levels increased and remained elevated over time in both male and female infected mice (p < 0.01, GEE). Lesion scores were significantly higher in infected mice (3-fold, p < 0.01, factorial ANOVA), and lesion scores of all mice were positively correlated with SAA levels at the time of killing (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.40, p < 0.01). Conclusion: In these young mice, P. gingivalis infection induced sex-specific changes in serum lipids but no gender differences in acute phase proteins and atheroma lesion score.
Effect of Long-Chain Fatty Acids on Triglyceride Accumulation, Gluconeogenesis, and Ureagenesis in Bovine Hepatocytes

A relationship between increased lipid concentration in the liver and reduced hepatic function has been suggested; however, there is little direct evidence of change in specific hepatic functions. Hepatocytes were obtained from ruminating calves and were incubated as monolayers for 36 h. The media contained a mixture of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mM NEFA with molar proportions of 0.435 oleate, 0.319 palmitate, 0.144 stearate, 0.049 linoleate, and 0.053 palmitoleate. Ureagenesis or gluconeogenesis was measured from 48 to 51 h after plating using hepatocytes that had only previous (12 to 48 h), only concurrent (48 to 51 h), or previous and concurrent (12 to 51 h) exposure to NEFA. A previous 36-h exposure to NEFA caused cell triglyceride accumulation, yielding triglyceride concentrations that corresponded with liver that is clinically described as normal to moderately fatty. Previous, prolonged exposure to NEFA reduced ureagenesis and increased gluconeogenesis. Concurrent exposure to NEFA did not significantly affect gluconeogenesis or ureagenesis and did not alter the residual effect of prolonged incubation with NEFA. Reduced ureagenesis was related to increased cell triglyceride accumulation independently of other direct NEFA effects. Decreased ureagenic capacity may play a role in the morbidity associated with periparturient fatty liver in dairy cows.
How Good Can Monolayer MoS2 Transistors Be

Monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), unlike its bulk form, is a direct band gap semiconductor with a band gap of 1.8 eV. Recently, field-effect transistors have been demonstrated experimentally using a mechanically exfoliated MoS2 monolayer, showing promising potential for next generation electronics. Here we project the ultimate performance limit of MoS2 transistors by using nonequilibrium Green’s function based quantum transport simulations. Our simulation results show that the strength of MoS2 transistors lies in large ON–OFF current ratio (>1010), immunity to short channel effects (drain-induced barrier lowering ∼10 mV/V), and abrupt switching (subthreshold swing as low as 60 mV/decade). Our comparison of monolayer MoS2 transistors to the state-of-the-art III–V materials based transistors, reveals that while MoS2 transistors may not be ideal for high-performance applications due to heavier electron effective mass (m* = 0.45m0) and a lower mobility, they can be an attractive alternative for low power...
Durability evaluations of bridge deck high-performance concrete

Although several information are available on various aspects of durability of high-performance concrete (HPC), no systematic information is available on durability of HPC used for bridge decks. In this study, 12 HPC mixtures were prepared with different combinations of fly ash, slag, and silica fume with three different w/cm ratios: 0.40, 0.35, 0.30 to study the durability primarily concerning bridge deck. Results show that at higher w/cm ratio, both rapid chloride penetration and chloride diffusion depend mostly on supplementary cementitious materials. A combined freezing and thawing/salt-scaling test for a properly made test specimen is representative of real-life situation for bridge deck slab. The physical sulphate attack is minimal for HPC with low w/cm ratios. The present experimental study serves to establish a basis for the future optimisation of HPC mixture proportions as well as test methods through critical durability evaluations.
Altered visceral yolk sac function produced by a low-molecular-weight somatomedin inhibitor.

A fraction from diabetic rat serum containing a low-molecular-weight (800-1000) somatomedin inhibitor (SI) alters growth and development in both neurulation and early limb bud staged mouse embryos in vitro. Previous studies suggested that an accumulation of serum proteins and morphological changes of the visceral yolk sac (VYS) were produced following exposure to the SI in early limb bud staged conceptuses. The morphological changes, characterized by the presence of large endosomes in the endodermal cells, suggested that the SI altered histiotrophic nutrition, whereby proteins are pinocytosed by the endodermal VYS cells and degraded to constituent amino acids. Therefore, the effects of the SI on pinocytosis and protein degradation by the VYS were evaluated using the whole embryo culture system. Results showed that the SI reduced fluid phase pinocytosis as determined by the uptake of [U-14C]sucrose, but that accumulation of [3H]leucine-labeled hemoglobin ([3H]Hb) by the VYS was greater following exposure to the SI than in controls. In contrast, the accumulation of 3H-labeled amino acids in the embryo (produced from the degradation of [3H]Hb by the VYS) was reduced by the SI. The extent of amino acid reduction in embryonic accumulation is dependent upon the concentration of SI in the culture medium and correlates with the incidence of malformations produced by the SI, i.e., high rates of malformations occur with large reductions in embryonic 3H-labeled amino acid accumulation. The apparent paradox of high [3H]Hb accumulation in the presence of decreased pinocytosis appears to be the result of altered processing of the [3H]Hb in the endodermal cells. The altered processing decreases the "elimination" of the proteins from the VYS and results in the decrease in 3H-labeled amino acid present in the embryo proper. Therefore, the SI appears to alter two processes of VYS histiotrophic function. (1) decreased pinocytosis and (2) altered protein processing, ultimately resulting in a decreased availability of substrates for the embryo. During the early stages of embryogenesis in the human, the trophoblast cells of the placenta are responsible for the transport of nutrients from the maternal to embryonic systems. Since these cells show high phagocytic and pinocytotic activities, the SI may also disrupt these processes in the chorioallantoic placenta and contribute to diabetes-induced embryopathies.
Are rectoceles the cause or the result of obstructed defaecation syndrome? A prospective anorectal physiology study.

Aim To determine the relationship between obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS) and rectoceles. Method From December 2007 to November 2011, all female patients with ODS were prospectively evaluated with full interview, clinical examination and anorectal physiology testing. The characteristics of patients with and without rectoceles were compared, and logistic regression was utilized to identify factors predictive of patients having a rectocele beyond the introitus. Results Of 239 patients with ODS, 90 (mean age: 52.3 ± 1.7 years) had a rectocele. Patients with rectoceles (R+) had a similar prevalence of incomplete emptying compared with patients with no rectocele (R−) (P ≥ 0.21), but only R+ patients reported splinting with defaecation (36.7% vs 0%; P < 0.0001). Anorectal manometry measurements, including mean resting pressure, maximum resting pressure and maximum squeeze pressure, were similar between groups (P ≥ 0.12). There were also no significant differences in rectal compliance (maximum tolerated volume) or rectal sensitivity (volume of first sensation) (P ≥ 0.65). R+ patients had greater difficulty expelling a 60 cm3 balloon (70.1% R+ patients vs 57.5% R− patients; P = 0.05), but the prevalence of pelvic floor dyssynergia, as quantified by nonrelaxation on electromyography (EMG) testing, was similar to that of R− patients (P = 0.49). Logistic regression suggested that only difficulty with balloon expulsion was associated with higher odds of having a rectocele (OR = 3.00; P = 0.002), whereas mean resting pressure, EMG nonrelaxation and symptoms of incomplete emptying were not (P ≥ 0.12). Conclusion Rectoceles are not associated with an increased severity of ODS-type symptoms, anorectal abnormalities or pelvic floor dyssynergia in patients with ODS. This suggests that rectoceles may be the result, rather than the cause, of ODS.
Cognitive Ability and Psychopathic Traits: Independent and Interactive Associations with Youth Conduct Problems

Although average or high IQ was central to initial conceptualizations of psychopathy, IQ is typically negatively associated with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). Few studies have simultaneously considered narcissism and callous-unemotional (CU) traits with respect to ODD and CD symptoms, including potential interactive associations with IQ. Participants were 221 ethnically-diverse (45 % non-White) 6–9 year-old children with (n = 114) and without (n = 107) attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with separate parent and teacher ratings of narcissism, CU traits, ODD, and CD. To minimize shared method variance, we conservatively examined the association of parent-rated psychopathic traits with teacher-rated ODD and CD as well as the association of teacher-rated psychopathic traits with parent-rated ODD and CD. Controlling for age, sex, and the number of child ADHD symptoms, narcissism, but not CU traits, uniquely and positively predicted parent- and teacher-rated ODD and CD symptoms. We also observed a significant IQ × narcissism interaction where narcissism was more strongly associated with ODD and CD among children with high IQ relative to average and low IQ youth. Whereas studies of youth psychopathic traits focus almost exclusively on CU traits, narcissism independently predicted separate parent and teacher ratings of ODD and CD, particularly among children with high IQ. These preliminary data persuasively suggest that early narcissism is a critical facet of psychopathy and in conjunction with IQ, may suggest a unique profile associated with emergent conduct problems.
A Two-Dimensional Theory for Rotor Blade Flutter in Forward Flight

Presented is a theoretical method for determining rotor blade flutter in forward flight. The theory accounts for the unsteady aerodynamic contribution of the wake below the rotor. This is made possible due to certain simplifying assumptions of the authors regarding the rotor's wake at the onset of flutter. In particular, it is assumed at the onset of flutter that oscillations begin to build up. prior to the blade reaching a critical azimuth position, then decay as the blade moves beyond this point. Based upon this a wake model is postulated and the theory developed. The resulting lift deficiency function is compared with that of Loewy and Theodorsen. It is shown in limiting cases that the work presented is consistent with earlier flutter theory. The theory is applied to bending-torsion flutter for the tip segment of a rotor blade. Here, beyond a certain value of advance ratio, the influence of advance ratio on flutter speed is found to be essentially constant.
Lipogenesis in Human Skin1

With the Technical Assistance of Ann Spragtje, A.B. and Robert W. Thomas In recent years there has been increasing appreciation of the metabolic activities that occur in the skin. The concept that the skin may manufacture the complex substances necessary to perform its function is gaining increasing support. In the category of lipids it seems possible that the skin itself synthesizes from other substances the fats necessary for the epidermal “barrier,” the protective and emollient surface film and perhaps the precursors of Vitamin D.
Making Experience Count in Policy Creation: Lessons from Appalachian Kentucky

SUMMARY An emphasis on work as the solution to poverty–“work first”–has become the model for public assistance policy since 1996. For poor communities, however, work alone will not solve issues of poverty. In Appalachian Kentucky low-income parents need access to education in order to find living wage employment. Through the strategic use of media and the creation of legislation, activists are able to challenge work first policies and help to craft programs that meet local needs. This paper examines the process by which myths about welfare, work and responsibility are inscribed into policy and discusses efforts by low-income parents and welfare rights advocates to transform those policies. It concludes by arguing that to address the issues of poverty, public assistance policy must take into account the lived experience of low-income parents.
Transformation-associated changes in nuclear-coded mitochondrial proteins in 3T3 cells and SV40-transformed 3T3 cells

Abstract Comparative two-dimensional gel electrophoretic studies were performed on mitochondrial proteins in nontransformed mouse 3T3 cells and in SV40-transformed 3T3 cells, SV-T2. Two polypeptides, of 58 and 40 kDa, were present in increased amounts in SV40-transformed cells. These polypeptides were demonstrated to be nuclear-coded mitochondrial proteins by their absence in mitochondrial preparations, when labeling was performed in the presence of a mitochondrial-specific inhibitor, Rhodamine 6G. Temperature-sensitive mutants for transformation were derived from 3T3 cells by transfection with cloned SV40 DNA containing the ts A58 mutation. Increased amounts of the 58 kDa protein were apparent in these cells at the permissive temperature (33°C) compared to the restrictive temperature (39.5°C).
Controlled release antifouling coatings. II. The effects of controlled release of 2,4‐dinitrophenolate and benzoate on marine biofilm development and metabolic activity

The effects of controlled release of two inhibitors (2,4‐dinitrophenol (DNP) or benzoic acid) from simple vinyl copolymer films on biofilm formation and activity were evaluated using a consortium of marine bacteria in a challenge assay. DNP is an uncoupler of membrane proton gradients. Benzoic acid is a repellant. The batch assays were conduced in vitro. Acriflavine direct cell counts (AFDC), iodonitrophenol (INT) tetrazolium dye reduction activity, presence of division septa, and biofilm DNA were used as response variables. DNP release at high release rates (15 to 70 μg·cm−2d−1) was inhibitory to cell attachment and activity. DNP release at low release rates (0·5 to 40 μg·cm−2 ·d−1) was inhibitory to biofilm activity. Benzoate release inhibited biofilm activity at high release rates (10 to 60 μg cm−2·d−1) and stimulated activity at low release rates (0·5 to 20 μg·cm−2·d−1). INT reduction, presence of division septa, and biofilm DNA content were more sensitive response variables than AFDC in assessing cau...
Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Normal Exercise Echocardiographic Findings

The objective of the present study was to determine whether diastolic dysfunction (DD) is associated with outcomes in the absence of myocardial ischemia. We studied 2,835 patients undergoing exercise echocardiography from January 2006 through December 2006 who had normal systolic function (ejection fraction ≥50%) and an absence of exercise-induced wall motion abnormalities. Diastolic function was graded as normal, mild DD, or moderate to severe DD. Medical records review and patient contact were undertaken to determine mortality, cardiovascular events (i.e., death, myocardial infarction, or stroke), incident heart failure (HF), and hospitalization. The mean ± SD age was 58.9 ± 12.8 years, and 54.0% were women. DD was present in 40.0% of the participants, with mild DD in 28.2% and moderate to severe DD in 11.8%. During a median follow-up of 4.4 years, 81 deaths and 114 cardiovascular events occurred, and DD was associated with greater rates of mortality, cardiovascular events, and HF events or hospitalizations (all p
The DOE/USDA FACE Program: Goal, objectives, and results through 1989

A principal reason for assembling all of the materials presented in this book is to provide a compendium of information about the experimental system developed by Brookhaven National Laboratory, and about the biological studies for which it has been used. The information reported in this book on the responses of cotton to CO{sub 2} enrichment as observed in field experiments at Yazoo City, MS, and Maricopa, AZ, are certainly not intended to be definitive. Rather, these reports are preliminary observations and indicative of the types of observations obtained in FACE experiments through 1989. Since the primary purpose of the book is to present the status of the FACE Program, inclusion of highlights of these biological data, in the context of a few key questions, is of interest here. 11 refs.
Self-assembly of aromatic thiols on Au(111)

We have studied the self-assembly of two aromatic thiols, 4-mercaptopyridine (4MPY ) and 4-hydroxythiophenol (4HTP), on Au(111) from aqueous solutions with in situ scanning tunneling microscopy and ex situ X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopies. Upon adsorption of the molecules, islands of nanometer scale appear immediately on flat Au(111) terraces, which is in sharp contrast to the formation of depressions in the selfassembly of the n-alkanethiol monolayers. The islands increase both in size and number initially, and decrease slowly after reaching maximum values in about 15 min. The formation of the islands can be attributed to the Au atoms on the surface which become highly mobile due to the strong binding to the thiols. The decrease of the islands at the late stage is due to the fact that atoms in small islands diVuse into nearby big islands and surface step edges. Both 4MPY and 4HTP molecules are randomly distributed on the surface immediately after adsorption, but slowly arrange into domains of ordered structures. For 4MPY the ordered structure has lattice constants, a=5.1±0.3 A ˚ , b=
Elemental composition of nanoparticles with the nano aerosol mass spectrometer.

The nano aerosol mass spectrometer (NAMS) irradiates individual, size selected nanoparticles with a high energy laser pulse to generate a mass spectrum consisting of multiply charged atomic ions. The elemental composition of the particle is determined from the ion signal intensities of each element, which requires deconvoluting isobaric ion signals at 4 m/z (O4+ and C3+) and at 8 m/z (O2+ and S4+). A method to deconvolute these ion signals using sucrose and ammonium sulfate as calibrants is presented. The approach is based on the assumption that the charge state distribution of a given element is independent of the chemical form of that element in the particle. Relative to previously reported methodology, the new approach permits accurate and precise determination of sulfur, which is crucial for interpretation of ambient nanoparticle data sets. With this approach, the differences between expected and measured elemental ratios of C, O, N, and S for a variety of test particles were generally much less than ...
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Nonclinical and Nonstudent Sample of Adult Women Sexually Abused as Children

Questionnaires were distributed to 1,500 female nurses to estimate the prevalence and severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a nonclinical and nonstudent sample of women who had been sexually abused as children (age 15 or below). Response to the questionnaire, completed anonymously, yielded a sample of 54 women. Using a cut-off score of 2 on a 0-4 scale (PTSD symptoms experienced “moderately”), it was estimated that only 4% of these formerly sexually abused women might currently meet DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for PTSD while 17% might have met these criteria in the past. When using a cut-off of 1—symptoms experienced “a little bit”—the respective percentages were higher, 20% and 41%; when using a cut-off of 3—symptoms experienced “quite a bit”—the respective percentages were lower, 2% and 7%. The severity of PTSD symptomatology was greatest in cases of father-daughter incest, and if sexual intercourse had taken place or had been attempted. These findings were contrasted with higher estimat...
Teaching NeuroImages: MRI in advanced neuromyelitis optica

A 51-year-old woman was treated with multiple medications for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) over 20 years, including interferons and glatiramer, but continued to have recurrent attacks of optic neuritis and transverse myelitis, leading to bilateral blindness and triplegia. Even with MS-type lesions on MRI, neuromyelitis optica (NMO) was ultimately suspected and confirmed by detection of aquaporin-4 autoantibodies. MRI showed nonenhancing T2 linear hyperintensity around the ventricular system in areas known to highly express aquaporin-4 (figure).1 Profound spinal cord atrophy was evident, consistent with severe, chronic NMO. This case illustrates the lack of effectiveness and potential detriment when MS-directed immunomodulatory medications are aimed at NMO.2
Viscosity-independent velocity of neutrophils rolling on p-selectin in vitro or in vivo.

Objective: To determine whether selectin-mediated leukocyte-rolling velocity in inflamed venules in vivo is determined by wall shear rate (WSR) or by wall shear stress (WSS). Methods: WSS was manipulated independently of WSR by altering the viscosity of blood plasma in mice with an isovolemic exchange of blood for low- or high-viscosity dextran solutions. Rolling of neutrophils or beads coated with P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) was reconstituted on P-selectin immobilized on the wall of a parallel plate flow chamber at two different viscosities of the perfusion medium. Results: Leukocytes in vivo showed no increase in rolling velocity when shear stress was doubled by doubling viscosity. Neutrophils in the parallel-plate flow chamber in vitro showed the same dependence on WSR as leukocytes in vivo, but bead-rolling velocities correlated best with WSS. Rolling leukocytes, but not beads, deformed significantly in shear flow, and deformation correlated better with WSS. Conclusion: These data suggest leukocyte deformation during rolling offsets increased bond breakage at higher shear stress. The stable rolling velocity allows sufficient surveillance of the endothelial surface, even in venules with high WSS. Microcirculation (2002) 9, 523–536. doi:10.1038/sj.mm.7800165
On the analysis of frequency-selective surfaces using subdomain basis functions

The problem of scattering from frequency-selective surfaces (FSSs) has been investigated by expanding the unknown current distribution with three different sets of basis functions, namely the roof top, surface patch, and triangular patch. The boundary condition on the total electric field on the FSS due to this current distribution is tested either by a line integral or by the Galerkin procedure. This results in an operator equation that can be solved either by a direct matrix inversion method or by an iterative procedure, namely the conjugate gradient method (CGM). The performance of each of these basis and testing functions is evaluated. It is found that the roof-top and the surface-patch basis functions in conjunction with the Galerkin testing are superior in computational efficiency to other combinations of basis and testing functions that have been studied. Comparison of the CPU times on a Cray X-MP/48 supercomputer in solving the operator equation by the direct matrix inversion method and the CGM is provided. Frequency responses of free-standing, periodic arrays of conducting and resistive plates are also presented. >
Ultrafast Electron Crystallography of Surface Structural Dynamics with Atomic‐Scale Resolution

A formidable contender to X-ray diffraction is ultrafast electron crystallography. Whereas the former is more suited to investigate the bulk of the substrate, the time, length, and sensitivity scales of electron crystallography provide powerful and complementary information on atomic-scale structural dynamics at the surface (see diffraction image of GaAs crystal).
Goals and Attitudes Related to Technology Use in a Social Studies Method Course

What technology goals are essential to the preparation of prospective elementary school teachers? The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE, 1994) and the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE, 1996) have recommended fundamental concepts and skills needed by all prospective teachers for applying technology in educational settings. ISTE recommended that all teachers need basic computer/technology operation and concepts, personal and professional use of technology, and specialty content preparation in educational computing and technology literacy. The following are ISTE guidelines related to technology in professional education programs.
A two-step optimization approach for technology selection

An efficient optimization approach for the technology selection problem is described. Technology selection is a crucial step in the aircraft design process, especially when the performance and econo-mic requirements are not fulfilled for any combination of the configuration design variables. In such a case, the designer must search efficiently within a set of technology options for the optimal combination that achieves the required improvements. When the set of available technologies is large, as is usually the case, a difficult combinatorial optimization problem ensues, resulting in significant time and computational expense. The objective of the new approach is to reduce the computational cost of technology selection by decomposing the process into two smaller sub-problems. The new approach attempts to exploit the structure of the technology compatibility matrix to improve the efficiency of the technology selection process. Results from an application problem are presented and valuable insights and obse...
Characteristics Influencing Perceptions of Accounting Pronouncement Quality

Effective capital markets rely on financial information mandated by highquality accounting pronouncements. This study identifies characteristics associated with the quality of pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). We relate pronouncement qualities described in previous literature directly to comments on actual pronouncements made by respondents familiar with pronouncement use. Our review of previous literature suggests that desirable or normative characteristics of accounting pronouncements can be categorized as informational, operational, and formational in nature. We find that informational characteristics tend to dominate FASB constituents' explanations of their rankings of the best and worst accounting pronouncements, with operational and formational characteristics carrying relatively larger weights in the rankings of worst pronouncements.
Limiting science: a biologist's perspective.

Contemporary research in molecular biology has grown up in an era of almost complete permissiveness. Its practitioners have been allowed to decide their own priorities and have met with virtually no restraints on the types of work they can do. Viewed as a whole, the field has not even met with fiscal restraints because, relative to "big science," molecular biology has been a relatively cheap enterprise. Some of the funds that fueled the initial, seminal investigations in molecular biology were granted because of the medical implications of work in basic biol ogy. Most continue to come from agencies concerned with health. Although basic research in biology has yet to have a major impact on the prevention and treatment of human disease, a backlash already seems to be developing in which various groups in our society question whether the freedom that has characteris tically been granted to research biologists by a permissive public requires modi fication. Among the numerous elements prompting this questioning are impatience with the lack of practical results, and fears that direct hazards might result from the experimentation, that basic research may not be an appropriate investment of significant funds, and that dangerous new technologies may flow from discoveries in basic biology. Lay critics as well as a few members of the profession have argued that molecular biologists should concentrate their efforts in certain areas of research, like fertility mechanisms, while other areas, like genetics or aging, are possibly dangerous and certainly not worthy of financial support from the public. These critics believe that they can channel contempo rary biology to fit their own conception of appropriate research. I wish to argue that the traditional pact between society and its scientists in which the scientist is given the responsibility for determining the direction of his work is a necessary relationship if basic science is to be an effective endeavor. This does not mean that society is at the mercy of science, but rather that society, while it must determine the pace of basic scientific innovation, should not attempt to prescribe its directions. What we call molecular biology today had its origins in individual decisions of a small number of scientists during the period from the late 1930s through the early 1950s. These people were trained in diverse fields, among them physics, medicine, microbiology, and crystallography. They created molecular biology out of the realization that the problems posed by genetics were central to under standing the structures of living systems. No one channeled them towards this 37
Pilomatricoma of the cheek: a benign tumor mimicking metastatic squamous cell carcinoma on FDG PET/CT.

Abstract Background Pilomatricomas are benign skin tumors originating from hair matrix cells in the dermal layer of the skin, especially in the head and neck region. They may mimick malignant lesions on fine-needle aspirate cytology. Methods This is a case report of a pilomatricoma of the cheek which was initially diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma on fine-needle aspirate cytology. As part of the staging work-up, a PET/CT scan was performed, revealing a FDG-avid superficial cheek lesion and also an ipsilateral FDG-avid level II cervical lymph node, giving the impression of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Results The cheek lesion, as well as the cervical lymph node was excised. The final histology showed benign pilomatricoma and reactive lymphadenopathy. Conclusion Pilomatricoma should be considered as an uncommon differential diagnosis for an FDG-avid cutaneous lesion on PET/CT, even in the presence of ipsilateral FDG-avid cervical lymphadenopathy.
Novel phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor NVP-BKM120 induces apoptosis in myeloma cells and shows synergistic anti-myeloma activity with dexamethasone

NVP-BKM120 is a novel phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor and is currently being investigated in phase I clinical trials in solid tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of BKM120 in multiple myeloma (MM). BKM120 induces cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in both MM cell lines and freshly isolated primary MM cells. However, BKM120 only shows limited cytotoxicity toward normal lymphocytes. The presence of MM bone marrow stromal cells, insulin-like growth factor, or interleukin-6 does not affect BKM120-induced tumor cell apoptosis. More importantly, BKM120 treatment significantly inhibits tumor growth in vivo and prolongs the survival of myeloma-bearing mice. In addition, BKM120 shows synergistic cytotoxicity with dexamethasone in dexamethasone-sensitive MM cells. Low doses of BKM120 and dexamethasone, each of which alone has limited cytotoxicity, induce significant cell apoptosis in MM.1S and ARP-1. Mechanistic study shows that BKM120 exposure causes cell cycle arrest by upregulating p27 (Kip1) and downregulating cyclin D1 and induces caspase-dependent apoptosis by downregulating antiapoptotic XIAP and upregulating expression of cytotoxic small isoform of Bim, BimS. In summary, our findings demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo anti-MM activity of BKM120 and suggest that BKM120 alone or together with other MM chemotherapeutics, particularly dexamethasone, may be a promising treatment for MM.
Imaging atrial septal defects by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography: step-by-step approach.

Background There are currently no standardized three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) views of the interatrial septum and atrial septal defects (ASDs). Without a standardized approach, it is difficult to ascertain the important anatomic relationships (such as the location of the aortic rim of an ASD), to perform relevant measurements (such as the size of an ASD or the size of its rims), or to guide the deployment of catheters and devices during atrial septal closure. Methods Using a 3D TEE matrix-array transducer, 706 TEE studies were performed over a 14-month period. The purpose of the study was to develop a standardized protocol for anatomically correct orientation of 3D TEE images of the interatrial septum and ASDs. Results Among 706 TEE studies, there were 23 patients with ASDs, representing 3.3% of the study population. Eighteen patients had secundum ASDs, two had primum ASDs, and three had sinus venosus ASDs of the superior vena cava type. A protocol for properly orienting 3D TEE images of the interatrial septum and ASDs was developed. When the images are acquired at an angle of 0°, the septum is properly oriented by the tilt-up-then-left maneuver. The initial 3D TEE image in first tilted up to reveal the right atrial side of the septum. Then the image is tilted 180° around its vertical axis to reveal the left atrial side of the septum; the aortic rim is on the left, the superior vena cava on the top, and the right-sided pulmonary vein ostia on the right side of the screen. For acquisitions at a higher angle, the rotate-left-in-z-axis maneuver is used. The image is first tilted up to reveal the right atrial side of the septum, as in the tilt-up-then-left maneuver. The image is then rotated counterclockwise in the z axis until the superior vena cave is at 12 o'clock. Finally, the image is tilted 180° around its vertical axis to reveal the left atrial side of the septum. Conclusions The use of standardized tilt-up-then-left and rotate-left-in-z-axis maneuvers enhances the diagnosis of ASDs, ascertains the important anatomic relationships of ASDs to surrounding structures, and facilitates communication between echocardiographers obtaining 3D TEE images and interventional cardiologists or cardiac surgeons performing ASD closures.