cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association between body mass index and health outcomes among adolescents: the mediating role of traditional and cyber bullying victimization

It is well-documented that obese children and adolescents tend to experience a variety of negative physical and psychological health consequences. Despite the association between obesity and physical and psychological well-being, few studies have examined the role of off-line and on-line forms of bullying victimization in this link. The main objective of the current study is to investigate the direct and mediating effects of traditional and cyber bullying victimization in explaining the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and physical/psychological distress. A nationally representative sample of 10,160 school children (mean age = 12.95 ± 1.75) were collected from the 2009 Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Data were collected on body mass index, physical and psychological health, bullying victimization experience, and demographic information. A seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) was employed to assess and compare the indirect effects in multiple mediation models. While a significant direct association was found between BMI and both physical and psychological health, the indirect effect of BMI on physical distress was significant only via traditional bullying victimization. Both forms of bullying victimization had a mediating impact between BMI and psychological distress. However, the indirect effect on psychological distress was manifested through a negative mediating role of cyberbullying victimization. The negative relation between cyberbullying victimization and psychological distress warrants further exploration. Obesity represents a serious risk to adolescent health and well-being, both physically and psychologically. If becoming a victim of traditional bullying mediates (specifically exacerbates) the level of physical and psychological distress among obese and overweight adolescents, health professionals need to focus on raising awareness of the importance of weight-based victimization for children and adolescents with obesity. School administrators and teachers could increase the efforts to identify school-age children who are stigmatized for their weight and recommend coping strategies for distressed victims of traditional and cyberbullying.
Algorithms for Weighted Finite Automata with Failure Transitions

In this paper we extend several weighted finite automata (WFA) algorithms to automata with failure transitions (\(\varphi \)-WFAs). Failure transitions, which are taken only when no immediate match is possible at a given state, are used to compactly represent automata and have many applications. Efficient algorithms to intersect two \(\varphi \)-WFAs, to remove failure transitions, to trim, and to compute (over \(\mathbb {R}_+\)) the shortest distance in a \(\varphi \)-WFA are presented.
Piezoelectric Superlattices and Shunted Periodic Arrays as Tunable Periodic Structures and Metamaterials

Two examples of internally resonating metamaterials with behavior based on multi-field coupling are illustrated. The first example consists in a 1D waveguide with a periodic array of shunted piezoelectric patches. Each patch is shunted through a passive circuit which induces resonance in the equivalent mechanical impedance of the waveguide. Analytical, numerical and experimental studies illustrate the characteristics of the system and quantify such resonant mechanical properties due to electro-mechanical coupling. Piezoelectric superlattices are presented as additional examples of internally resonant metamaterials. Multi-field coupling is identified as the enabler mechanism for the generation of the internal resonance. Numerical studies for 1D and 2D piezoelectric superlattices and analytical studies developed on the basis of the long wavelength approximation support the interpretation of the coupling as an internally resonant mechanism.
Premalignant Lesions of the Stomach

Dysplasia is the precursor lesion for the development of carcinoma throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Certain conditions, which may lead to the occurrence of dysplasia, are labeled precursor conditions. The most readily identified such condition is Barrett’s esophagus. All esophageal adenocarcinoma follows the sequence of intestinalized Barrett’s epithelium progressing to dysplasia and subsequently to adenocarcinoma with relatively measurable frequencies. Gastric dysplasia, however, is usually found in the setting of chronic atrophic gastritis. Unlike the Barrett’s lesion, there are no gross endoscopic features or a demarcated anatomic location. Furthermore, patients with Barrett’s esophagus are at about the same risk for progression to cancer irrespective of ethnicity, environment, and socioeconomic status. However, these are all important factors contributing to gastric cancer risk in patients with atrophic gastritis. Finally, the symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux characterize the population at risk for Barrett’s, but there are no symptoms attributable to the development of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). This chapter reviews the premalignant gastric lesions and their management.
Exposure to Breast Milk in Infancy and Risk of Adult Breast Cancer: A Summary of the Evidence

There has been considerable interest in the health-related benefits of breastfeeding for the infant. While there are many established short-term benefits of breastfeeding for infant nutrition and health [1], the potential long-term benefits regarding chronic disease and cancer morbidity in adulthood, including risk of breast cancer, are still unclear. In this chapter, we review the epidemiologic evidence regarding the association between being breastfed in infancy and risk of short-term and long-term health outcomes, focusing specifically on adult breast cancer. We also present the results of a meta-analysis of published studies on breastfeeding in infancy and risk of adult breast cancer, updating a 2005 meta-analysis on this topic [2]. Finally, we make recommendations for improving future epidemiologic studies that investigate the effects of exposure to breast milk in infancy on longer-term health.
Camus’ Struggle with the Absurd: Rebellion as a Response to Nihilism

This chapter focuses on Albert Camus’ struggle with the absurd as portrayed in a number of his works such as The Myth of Sisyphus, The Rebel, The Stanger, and The Plague. I begin my analysis by demonstrating that Camus was heavily influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche’s conception of nihilism. In the next part, I show how Camus advocated rebellion as a response to nihilism and vehemently opposed the tendency to resort to cynicism and despair. I then move to explore the type of humor that is rebellious by analyzing three short comedic texts that are both defiant and liberating. The final part of this chapter examines the educational value of rebellious humor and shows how it can assist us in the struggle against nihilism.
Toward an Integrated Neuropsychological Framework of Attention

This final chapter contains a synthesis of the material presented earlier. Conclusions can now be drawn regarding the cognitive, behavioral, and neural bases of attention. The constructs, models, and theories of attention that have been described are supported by the large quantity of empirical and factual evidence that has been presented earlier. In this chapter, I attempt to pull together this evidence, and to formalize current thinking about what attention is and how it is controlled by the brain.
Effects of Technology-Enhanced Practice on Scoring Accuracy of Oral Reading Fluency

Two types of independent practice activities to improve accuracy of pre-service teachers' measurement of oral reading fluency (ORF) were contrasted. Forty pre-service teachers, enrolled in an intro...
Economic Education in Post-Soviet Russia: Measuring the Effectiveness of Native Russian Educators

This paper examines the effectiveness of the National Council on Economic Education's Cooperative Education Exchange Program (CEEP) by evaluating teacher and student learning. This study employs a randomization of teachers across treatment and control groups at two separate stages of the research design. We find that participation in the workshop delivered by native Russian trainers improved teachers' pre-course TEL scores by approximately ten percent, holding all else constant. After controlling for students dropping out of the sample, we also find that student economic literacy was significantly higher for students taught by teachers trained through the program, ceteris paribus. When the impacts of the workshop are further examined, we find that pedagogy and materials have a significant impact on student learning.
Experimental microbial dysbiosis does not promote disease progression in SIV-infected macaques

Intestinal microbial dysbiosis has been described in individuals with an HIV-1 infection and may underlie persistent inflammation in chronic infection, thereby contributing to disease progression. Herein, we induced an HIV-1-like intestinal dysbiosis in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with vancomycin treatment and assessed the contribution of dysbiosis to SIV disease progression. Dysbiotic and control animals had similar disease progression, indicating that intestinal microbial dysbiosis similar to that observed in individuals with HIV is not sufficient to accelerate untreated lentiviral disease progression.
Visiting an old foe: distant recurrence following R0 lobectomy for pathological N0 lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with estimated 5-year survival rates for patients with pathological N0 (pN0) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as low as 56% (1,2). Although these staggering low survival rates could be attributed to a multitude of patient-related and tumor-related factors, recent evidence suggests that these outcomes are most likely related to tumor recurrence and metastasis (1,3-5). In this regard, identification of clinically relevant predictors for tumor recurrence is an integral step towards improving patient prognosis, with a goal of defining a relevant patient cohort that would benefit from possible additional therapies (either induction or adjuvant therapy).
Update on Pediatric Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the USA, affecting over 7 million children. In this article, we provide an update on pediatric NAFLD by briefly reviewing the recent publications in diagnosis, screening, therapy, and follow-up. NAFLD remains a diagnosis of exclusion and liver biopsy is the most accurate test to assess severity of the disease in children. There is a growing collection of studies testing noninvasive tests for hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, several of which have become available in more recent years, such as fibrosis scores, imaging and serum biomarkers. The mainstay of NAFLD treatment remains weight loss through dietary modifications and exercise. There is substantial interest in pharmacological therapies for NAFLD given the frequent failure of lifestyle and behavior modification to resolve the disease. Certain medications of interest target mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD such as insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and dyslipidemia. Research within the field of NAFLD has advanced substantially, yet critical gaps remain including lack of accurate noninvasive tests for NAFLD, effective prevention, and treatment.
Dopaminergic gene methylation is associated with cognitive performance in a childhood monozygotic twin study

Individual differences in cognitive function are due to a combination of heritable and non-heritable factors. A large body of evidence from clinical, cognitive, and pharmacological neuroscience implicates dopaminergic gene variants as modulators of cognitive functions. Neuroepigenetic studies demonstrate environmental factors also influence complex phenotypes by affecting gene expression regulation. To evaluate the mechanism of environmental influence on cognitive abilities, we examined if epigenetic regulation of dopaminergic genes plays a role in cognition. Using a DNA methylation profiling microarray, we used a monozygotic (MZ) twin difference design to evaluate if co-twin differences in methylation of CpG sites near six dopaminergic genes predicted differences in response inhibition and memory performance. Studying MZ twins allows us to assess if environmentally driven differences in methylation affect differences in phenotype while controlling for the influence of genotype and shared family environment. Response inhibition was assessed with the flanker task and short-term and working memory were assessed with digit span recall. We found MZ co-twin differences in DRD4 gene methylation predicted differences in short-term memory. MZ differences in COMT, DBH, DAT1, DRD1, and DRD2 gene methylation predicted differences in response inhibition. Taken together, findings suggest methylation status of dopaminergic genes may influence cognitive functions in a dissociable manner. Our results highlight the importance of the epigenome and environment, over and above the influence of genotype, in supporting complex cognitive functions.
Efficacy of bromide tracers for evaluating the hydraulics of denitrification beds treating agricultural drainage water

Abstract One biotechnology that can reduce nitrate concentration in subsurface drainage water is called a denitrification bed. Bromide tracer testing has been used to determine the hydraulic properties of these systems to be used in design and modeling, but efficacy of bromide tracers has not been investigated. One important hydraulic property of woodchip beds is its in-situ effective porosity. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine if bromide is a suitable tracer for evaluating the hydraulics of woodchip beds based on laboratory sorption experiments and field tracer testing, and (2) to determine the in-situ effective porosity of denitrification beds. To achieve this goal, we conducted bromide sorption experiments in the laboratory, and conducted bromide tracer testing in seven denitrification beds near Willmar, Minnesota, USA. We did not find sorption (neither adsorption nor absorption) of bromide to woodchips in our laboratory sorption experiments. In contrast, bromide tracer tests showed an average bromide recovery of 82%, revealing that bromide was retarded in the woodchip denitrification beds. To the best of our knowledge, our experiment is the first study to estimate the in-situ effective porosity (average of 0.61) of a typical field-scale denitrification bed using a tracer test. A more accurate estimate of the actual hydraulic retention time ( HRT ) can be obtained by using the in-situ effective porosity rather than total porosity. Our laboratory experiment did not show any sorption of bromide to woodchips, but in contrast and for unclear reasons, our field tracer testing showed bromide retardation.
New benefits of public school pre-kindergarten programs: Early school stability, grade promotion, and exit from ELL services

Abstract This study explores the short-run effects of state-funded, public school-based pre-kindergarten (pre-K) programs on the early educational outcomes of students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Using data on all kindergarten students enrolled in the public schools in years 2006 and 2007, we examine differences in outcomes from pre-K to the early grades – promotion to first grade, school mobility, and exit from English language learner (ELL) status – for students who were enrolled in public school pre-K in the previous year as compared to students who entered the public school system at kindergarten. We find that children who participated in a public school pre-K program had higher rates of promotion to the first grade and higher rates of school stability between kindergarten and first grade. ELL children who enrolled in public school pre-K also had higher exit rates from ELL status by first grade compared to students who entered at kindergarten. Analyses explore the role of kindergarten schools and classrooms as well as school stability between pre-K and kindergarten as possible mediators.
Mutually Beneficial Coercion: A Critique of the Coercive Approach to Distributive Justice

According to the coercive approach to distributive justice, the coercive nature of the political state requires justification in the form of distributive benefits owed only to members of the state (e.g., citizens). In this paper I analyze and dismiss traditional objections to the coercive approach, and I proceed to raise two novel objections. First, according to my equivocation objection, I contend that the coercive approach’s leap from coercive burdens to certain distributive benefits is based on an equivocation. When this equivocation is clarified, the conclusion of the coercive approach is undermined. Attempts to circumvent the equivocation inevitably lead to my second objection, the coercion as cooperation objection. Through this objection it becomes clear that the coercive approach collapses into the cooperative approach, an approach to distributive justice that may change the scope of distributional obligations beyond that of the political state.
Volatile Contents in Olivine-Hosted Melt Inclusions from Primitive Magmas in the Northern Cascade Arc

iv Acknowledgements v List of Tables viii List of Figures ix Introduction 1 Geologic Setting 6 Sampling and Analytical Methods 10 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy 10 Electron Microprobe 11 LA-ICP-MS 12 Melt Inclusions and Data Treatment 13 Results 15 Measured values, melt inclusions and olivine 15 Volatile concentrations 19 Discussion 21 Volatiles 21 Volatile Variability at Glacier Peak 22 Whitechuck 23 Indian Pass 24 Volatile Variability at Mount Baker 24 Parental Magmas 25 vii Temperature and Pressure 26 Melting Processes 28 Conclusions 35 Works Cited 36 Appendix A: Uncorrected Compositions 50 Appendix B: Extended Methods 52 Appendix C: Partition Coefficients 56
Power Over Ethernet Daisy Chained Acoustic Emission System for Structure Health Monitoring

It is not uncommon that structure health monitoring is carried out on big infrastructures, e.g., bridges, building, tunnels and pipelines, etc. Traditional acoustic emission systems built up on either standard computer bus or proprietary instrument bus are usually in parallel structure, i.e., all channels are connected to an AE system in parallel cable, and it requires very long cables and needs to provide power in convenient locations for structure health monitoring. However, powering and cabling are common issues that affect cost and efficiency of structure health monitoring of big structures. This paper introduces a new generation of acoustic emission (AE) system based on the Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology. It is a daisy chained AE system that connects all AE channels in a chain. The PoE chain does not only provide signal path but also provide power for preamplifiers and sensors. Channel synchronization is also carried out by the PoE cable. Considerable amount of cables and onsite cable layout time are reduced so that it increases project efficiency and reduces cost and maintenance work of structure health monitoring.
An In Vitro Acoustic Experiment for Auscultation Signal Diagnosis

The contemporary practice of lung auscultation as an essential part of physical examination can be traced back to the time of Hippocrates [1].
Suicide Risk Screening in the Hospital Setting: A Review of Brief Validated Tools.

Background Suicide is a major public health concern and a leading cause of death both globally and in the United States. Health-care systems and accreditation bodies, such as The Joint Commission (TJC), have placed growing emphasis on the importance of screening for suicide risk in health-care settings. Providers and administrators interested in implementing screening programs must choose from a number of existing validated screening tools. These tools vary in terms of their ease of use, the age range of their target population, as well as the quality of data supporting their use. Objective Here, we review and summarize the properties of brief suicide risk–screening tools described in the literature and discuss the benefits of using these tools for universal screening in the general hospital setting, as well as the significant limitations in their use in the general hospital setting.
Co-encapsulation of ECM proteins to enhance pancreatic islet cell function

Abstract The extra cellular matrix (ECM) is an important component of the pancreatic islet microenvironment that supports β-cell function and survival. During pancreatic islet isolation, the ECM disruption may cause β-cell primary nonfunction and apoptosis. Islet encapsulation with ECM proteins may enhance islet cell engraftment and prevent primary nonfunction. The present chapter highlights the importance of ECM protein components to be included in a pancreatic islet encapsulation platform for delivery in vivo. Each specific matrix component (e.g., fibronectin, laminin, and collagen IV) has a different type of interaction with the pancreatic β-cell via integrins on the β-cell surface. The role of various ECM proteins and their respective integrins are presented. Furthermore the latest developments in bioengineering of encapsulation methodologies that include these protein motifs are discussed.
A Case Report of Clobazam Toxicity Related to Cannabidiol and Clobazam Drug-drug Interaction

The interest in the anti-seizure efficacy of cannabinoids (CBD)has significantly increased over the past decade. Trials have shown a remarkable reduction in the frequency of convulsive seizures in Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes patient population. Studies have shown that CBD reacts with Clobazam leading to a significant increase in the levels of N-desmethylclobazam, the active metabolite of Clobazam. We present a case of a patient with Dravet syndrome who presented to the emergency department with altered mental status secondary to Clobazam toxicity related to CBD and Clobazam drug-drug interaction. We present a case of a patient with Dravet syndrome who presented to the emergency department with altered mental status. Patient was hospitalized and Clobazam was held off. Clobazam level and N-desmethylclobazam levels were obtained and came back elevated at 512 ng/mL and 15020 ng/mL respectively (reference range 30-300 ng/mL and 300 to 3000 ng/mL respectively). Rowida Kheireldin (a) (1) Naeem Mahfooz (b)
PS1 FAD mutants decrease ephrinB2-regulated angiogenic functions, ischemia-induced brain neovascularization and neuronal survival

Microvascular pathology and ischemic lesions contribute substantially to neuronal dysfunction and loss that lead to Alzheimer disease (AD). To facilitate recovery, the brain stimulates neovascularization of damaged tissue via sprouting angiogenesis, a process regulated by endothelial cell (EC) sprouting and the EphB4/ephrinB2 system. Here, we show that in cultures of brain ECs, EphB4 stimulates the VE-cadherin/Rok-α angiogenic complexes known to mediate sprouting angiogenesis. Importantly, brain EC cultures expressing PS1 FAD mutants decrease the EphB4-stimulated γ-secretase cleavage of ephrinB2 and reduce production of the angiogenic peptide ephrinB2/CTF2, the VE-cadherin angiogenic complexes and EC sprouting and tube formation. These data suggest that FAD mutants may attenuate ischemia-induced brain angiogenesis. Supporting this hypothesis, ischemia-induced VE-cadherin angiogenic complexes, levels of neoangiogenesis marker Endoglin, vascular density, and cerebral blood flow recovery, are all decreased in brains of mouse models expressing PS1 FAD mutants. Ischemia-induced brain neuronal death and cognitive deficits also increase in these mice. Furthermore, a small peptide comprising the C-terminal sequence of peptide ephrinB2/CTF2 rescues angiogenic functions of brain ECs expressing PS1 FAD mutants. Together, our data show that PS1 FAD mutations impede the EphB4/ephrinB2-mediated angiogenic functions of ECs and impair brain neovascularization, neuronal survival and cognitive recovery following ischemia. Furthermore, our data reveal a novel brain angiogenic mechanism targeted by PS1 FAD mutants and a potential therapeutic target for ischemia-induced neurodegeneration. Importantly, FAD mutant effects occur in absence of neuropathological hallmarks of AD, supporting that such hallmarks may form downstream of mutant effects on neoangiogenesis and neuronal survival.
Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pain

Ulnar-sided wrist pain has often been equated with low back pain because of its insidious onset, vague and chronic nature, intermittent symptoms, and frustration that it induces in patients. Chronic ulnar-sided wrist pain may be accompanied by a history of Workers' Compensation claims and unrelenting and irresolvable pain, and it may occur in patients with difficult personalities. Despite these issues, many patients with ulnar-sided wrist pain do have pathologic lesions that may be amenable to surgical treatment. The anatomy of the ulnar side of the wrist is complex, with many overlapping areas that may be a cause of pain. A clear understanding of the normal anatomy of the ulnar side of the wrist in addition to a systematic evaluation with both physical examination and radiographic imaging can often elucidate the etiology, and thus the treatment, of ulnar-sided wrist pain. The differential diagnosis of ulnar-sided wrist pain can be divided into six elements: osseous, ligamentous, tendinous, vascular, neurologic, and miscellaneous. Osseous injuries include the sequelae of fractures (i.e., nonunion or malunion) and degenerative processes. Fracture nonunions of the hamate1-4, pisiform5-10, triquetrum11-13, base of the fifth metacarpal14-17, ulnar styloid process, and distal part of the ulna or radius have been reported to cause ulnar-sided wrist pain. Degenerative processes at the pisotriquetral joint18, midcarpal (triquetrohamate) articulation, fifth carpometacarpal joint14-17, or distal radioulnar joint can also result in substantial ulnar-sided wrist pain. Ulnar impaction or abutment into the radius or carpus has been reported as well19-21. Ligamentous injuries can occur in any of the ulnar-sided intrinsic (lunotriquetral or capitohamate) or extrinsic (ulnolunate, triquetrocapitate, or triquetrohamate) ligaments as well as the triangular fibrocartilage complex1,18,19 …
Discussion of “Disclosure Processing Costs, Investors’ Information Choice, and Equity Market Outcomes: A Review”

Abstract In their review of investor processing costs, Blankespoor, deHaan, and Marinovic (2020) encourage researchers to consider “rational inattention” as a way to explain stock market underreaction to public information. We formalize their argument and propose alternatives using a set of formal models. To distinguish between the various drivers of underreaction, we encourage future researchers to consider the opportunity cost of being inattentive, the historical evolution of underreaction, and the difference between information-based and return-based underreaction.
Patient and Family Member Violent Situations in a Pediatric Hospital: A Descriptive Study.

Abstract Purpose The intent of this study is to report on violent situations involving the pediatric patient and/or the patient's family member in the inpatient hospital setting. Design and methods This descriptive study used two independent samples: Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) recipients and surveyed pediatric healthcare staff at a pediatric hospital within a large urban Midwestern academic hospital in the United States. Results Per BERT recipients (N = 26) and staff survey respondents (N = 91), common physical patient behaviors were, respectively, hitting (60%, 77%) and kicking (53%, 82%). Fifteen (75%) patient BERT responses were for violent situations. The most common mental health condition among patients in violent situations was behavior dyscontrol (n = 8, 53%), which was absent among calls for non-violent situations (n = 5). Seizures, which was the most common medical condition among patients in BERT violent situations (n = 6, 40%), was proportionately slightly greater than among non-violent situations (n = 1, 20%). Staff who reported experience with violent situations (n = 64, 73%) were from general medical units (n = 48, 75%), and registered nurses (n = 53, 79%). Conclusions This study helped illuminate demographic, medical and mental health clues about violent situations with patients and family members on pediatric inpatient hospital units. Practice implications Pediatric patients and families may struggle to cope during hospitalization. Healthcare providers' knowledge about co-occurring conditions, stress related to hospitalization and use of BERT as a resource may help prevent violent situations.
Integrating Cultural Humility into the Medical Education Curriculum: Strategies for Educators

The framework of cultural humility, which emphasizes curiosity and self-reflection over mastery, was identified over 20 years ago as a way to address implicit bias in health care, an important fact...
Decreased STAT1 Expression by Promoter Methylation in Squamous Cell Carcinogenesis

Background : Dysregulation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) is associated with many cancers, but no role of STAT1 in human tumor progression has been demonstrated. Methods : We compared STAT1 protein expre ssion in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) tumors (n = 28) and normal oropharyngeal mucosa samples (n = 10) from patients without cancer as assessed by immunoblotting. Stable clones were established from SCCHN 1483 cells that were transfected with a STAT1 expression construct; cell growth and cisplatin-induced apoptosis of the clones and vector control – transfected 1483 cells were compared using trypan blue exclusion and Annexin V staining and expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 was assayed by immunoblotting. The growth of STAT1overexpressing SCCHN 1483 xenograft tumors was compared with that of xenograft tumors derived from cells transfected with vector control DNA. DNA from SCCHN tumors (n = 16) and paired peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed for STAT1 mutations and promoter methylation using methylation-specifi c polymerase chain reaction and bisulfi te sequencing. SCCHN cell lines (PCI-15b, 1483, and UM-22B) were treated with the demethylating agent azacytidine alone or in combination with the cytotoxic drug cisplatin, and expression of STAT1 and p21 were monitored by immunoblotting. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results : STAT1 levels were statistically signifi cantly lower in the SCCHN tumors than normal mucosa (median = 0.8 relative units versus 2.4, difference = 1.6, 95% confi dence interval [CI] = 1.3 to 2.0, P <.001). Overexpression of STAT1 abrogated the growth of SCCHN cells and xenograft tumors and increased p21 expression. STAT1 expression levels of the tumors with STAT1 promoter methylation (n = 12) were lower than those of tumors (n = 4) without promoter meth ylation of STAT1 ( P = .008). Azacytidine treatment increased expression of STAT1 and p21 in SCCHN cell lines and increased apoptosis in cisplatintreated 1483 cells compared with cisplatin treatment alone (mean = 61.3% versus 25.8%, difference = 35.5%, 95% CI = 24.5% to 43.4%; P = .028). Conclusion : STAT1 can function as a tumor suppressor in SCCHN cells. Silencing of the STAT1 gene via promoter methylation may contribute to SCCHN tumor cell growth. [J Natl Cancer Inst 2006;98:181 –9 ]
Simulation of 12-bed vacuum pressure-swing adsorption for hydrogen separation from methanol-steam reforming off-gas

Abstract This study focuses on analysis of a 12-bed vacuum pressure-swing adsorption (VPSA) process capable of purifying hydrogen from a ternary mixture (H2/CO2/CO 75/24/1 mol%) derived from methanol-steam reforming. The process produces 9 kmol H2/h with less than 2 ppm and 0.2 ppm of CO2 and CO, respectively, to supply a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. The process model is developed in Aspen Adsorption® using the “uni-bed” approach. A parametric study of H2 purity and recovery with respect to adsorption pressure, adsorbent height, activated carbon:zeolite ratio, feed composition, and number of beds is performed. Results show 12-bed VPSA can meet the H2 purity goals, with H2 recovery as high as 75.75%. Adsorption occurs at 7 bar, the column height is 1.2 m, and the adsorbent ratio is 70%:30%. A 4-bed VPSA can achieve the same purity goals as the 12-bed process, but H2 recovery decreases to 61.34%.
FACT maintains pluripotency factor expression through gene-distal regulation in embryonic stem cells

Abstract The mammalian FACT complex is a highly conserved histone chaperone with essential roles in transcription elongation, histone deposition, and maintenance of stem cell state. FACT is essential for viability in pluripotent cells and cancer cells, but otherwise dispensable for most mammalian cell types. FACT deletion or inhibition can block reprogramming of fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells, yet the molecular mechanisms through which FACT regulates cell fate decisions remain unclear. To determine the mechanism by which FACT regulates stem cell identity, we used the auxin-inducible degron systems to deplete murine embryonic stem cells of FACT subunit SPT16 and subjected depleted cells to genome-wide factor localization, nascent transcription analyses, and genome-wide nucleosome profiling. Inducible depletion of SPT16 reveals a critical role in regulating targets of the master regulators of pluripotency: OCT4, KLF4, MYC, NANOG, and SOX2. Depletion of SPT16 leads to increased nucleosome occupancy at genomic loci occupied by these transcription factors, as well as gene-distal regulatory sites defined by DNaseI hypersensitivity. This heightened occupancy suggests a mechanism of nucleosome filling, wherein the sites typically maintained in an accessible state by FACT are occluded through loss of FACT-regulated nucleosome spacing. 20% of transcription arising from gene-distal regions bound by these factors is directly dependent on FACT, and putative gene targets of these non-coding RNAs are highly enriched for pluripotency in pathway analyses. Upon FACT depletion, transcription of Pou5f1 (OCT4), Sox2, and Nanog are downregulated, suggesting that FACT not only co-regulates expression of the encoded proteins’ targets, but also the pluripotency factors themselves. We find that FACT maintains cellular pluripotency through a complex regulatory network of both coding and non-coding transcription.
E-cigarette aerosol exacerbates cardiovascular oxidative stress in mice with an inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 enzyme

Aims: E-cigarette aerosol containing aldehydes, including acetaldehyde, are metabolized by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). However, little is known how aldehyde exposure from e-cigarettes, when coupled with an inactivating ALDH2 genetic variant, ALDH2*2 (present in 8% of the world population), affects cardiovascular oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine how e-cigarette aerosol exposure, when coupled with genetics, impacts cardiovascular oxidative stress in wild type ALDH2 and ALDH2*2 knock-in mice. Methods and Results: Using selective ion flow mass spectrometry, we determined that e-cigarette aerosol contains acetaldehyde that are 10-fold higher than formaldehyde or acrolein. Next, using wild type ALDH2 and ALDH2*2 knock-in rodents, we identified organ-specific differences in ALDH2 with the heart having 1.5-fold less ALDH2 enzyme activity relative to the liver and lung. In isolated cardiac myocytes, acetaldehyde exposure (30seconds, 0.1-1μM) caused a 4-fold greater peak in calcium levels for ALDH2*2 relative to ALDH2 cardiomyocytes. ALDH2*2 cardiomyocytes exposed to acetaldehyde also demonstrated a 2-fold increase in ROS production and 2.5-fold increase in 4HNE protein adducts relative to ALDH2 cardiomyocytes. For intact rodents, ALDH2*2 knock-in mice exposed to e-cigarette aerosol had an increased heart rate beginning 5 days after exposure compared to wild type ALDH2 mice (775±30bpm versus 679±33bpm, respectively, *p
Imitation: A catalyst for innovation and endogenous growth ☆

Abstract This paper analyzes how imitation can be a catalyst for innovation—a benefit that is often overlooked in the literature. My research shows that a process of learning to innovate occurs as technology diffuses from a more advanced country to a less developed country; therefore, increasing the recipient country's ability to innovate. I find that the efficiency of labor in the R&D sector of the economy determines whether a country learns how to innovate or not. My research predicts that developing countries that have a healthier and more educated workforce can benefit the most from technology diffusion and are more likely to transition from imitating to innovating. On the other hand, countries that have less efficient R&D workers will continue to imitate products from more developed countries instead of inventing new products. Both the level and growth rate of output and TFP increase if a country manages to transition from imitation to innovation. Examining the dynamics that exist between imitation, innovation, and economic growth is important because it can lead to more effective industrial policy. As the results from this paper show, imitation is beneficial and should be supported and encouraged until it becomes feasible and makes sense economically for a country to switch to innovation. Countries that are dependent on technology diffusion should focus on improving the efficiency of their R&D workers if they want to learn how to invent new products. All of the theoretical results of the model are substantiated by empirical evidence.
Kinetic studies of the reaction NH2 + H2S

Abstract Amidogen (NH 2 ) radicals were generated by pulsed laser photolysis of ammonia precursor at 193 nm, and monitored by laser-induced fluorescence excited at 570.3 nm. Experiments were conducted in argon bath gas with traces of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) at pressures of 9–25 mbar and temperatures of 294–820 K. The NH 2 + H 2 S rate constant was found to be (4.30 ± 0.25) × 10 −13 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 independent of temperature. The rate constant for removal of vibrationally-excited NH 2 (0, 1, 0) by H 2 S was estimated as (1.5 ± 0.2) × 10 −11 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 , which includes both physical quenching and chemical reaction.
Cocaine-induced sensitization of metabolic activity in extrapyramidal circuits involves prior dopamine D1-like receptor stimulation.

Chronic cocaine treatment leads to the development of behavioral sensitization in experimental animals. The neural circuitry underlying sensitization was studied using the quantitative 2-deoxyglucose technique, with a modification of a rapid procedure that produces locomotor and neurochemical sensitization. Acute cocaine treatment, administered by i.p. injection, increased the regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMRglc) in various extrapyramidal regions, compared with saline vehicle treatment, as previously reported. Repeated cocaine treatment further increased rCMRglc in the entopeduncular nucleus and the substantia nigra pars reticulata, producing a sensitized metabolic response only in regions innervated by direct striatonigral neurons. Repeated cocaine treatment also increased rCMRglc in the nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, dentate gyrus and laterodorsal thalamus, as well as sensory and motor cortices, compared with saline vehicle treatment. The pharmacology underlying this sensitized metabolic response to cocaine was investigated by administering either dopamine D1- or D2-like receptor agonists on the first treatment day, followed by cocaine on the final day. Prior treatment with quinpirole (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.), a D2-like receptor agonist, produced metabolic responses that were significantly lower than those produced by repeated cocaine treatment in the entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra pars reticulata, similar to those of acute cocaine treatment. In contrast, prior treatment with SKF 38393 (2.0 mg/kg, l.p.), a partial D1-like receptor agonist, increased rCMRglc in the entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra pars reticulata, although not as much as did repeated cocaine treatment. These data suggest that the development of metabolic sensitization in striatonigral circuits involves prior D1-like receptor activation.
The expanding role of cell cycle regulators

The cell cycle is a complex series of protein interactions and enzymatic alterations that governs the orderly division of cells. Jacks and Weinberg summarize new evidence--some of which is presented by [ Di Cunto et al .][1] in this issue--that the proteins that make up the cell cycle machinery can also have other functions, often in directing the differentiation of cells. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/280/5366/1069
Chapter 107 Rare earth pyrochlores

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of rare earth pyrochlores. The occurrence of the pyrochlore structure is very common, because the vast majority of the elements in the periodic table are found in this structure. The ideal pyrochlore formula is A 2 M 2 X 7 , where A and M are cations and X is an anion, such as oxygen or fluorine. Some rare earth pyrochlores are electrical insulators; others are low-activation-energy semiconductors. Superconductivity might be expected to occur in the pyrochlore structure considering the wide variety of compositions and properties found for compounds with this structure. An interesting aspect of the pyrochlore structure is the unique coordination found for the rare earth at the A cation site. Two different descriptions of the pyrochlore structure are useful. One description views the structure as derived from the fluorite structure, and the other views the pyrochlore structure as a network structure. The network description of the pyrochlore structure has become more popular, because it leads to a natural description of defect pyrochlores, such as A 2 M 2 O 6 and AM 2 O 6 .
Long-Term Outcome from Tricyclic Antidepressant Treatment of Functional Chest Pain

Antidepressants are of demonstrated value inshort-term treatment of functional chest pain, butlong-term outcome data are unavailable. Follow-upinformation over a median of 2.7 years (0.8-8.6 years)was systematically obtained from 21 outpatientstreated with tricyclic antidepressants after incompleteresponse to antireflux therapy. Initial treatmentproduced at least moderate symptom reduction orremission in 17 subjects (81.0%). Of these, 7 (41.2%)were successfully treated continuously or for symptomrelapses over an average of 2.6 years; 5 (29.4%)discontinued successful treatment after >0.5 yearswith sustained benefits; and 5 (29.4%) eventuallydiscontinued treatment because of side effects or foruncertain reasons (1 having a sustained remission).Low-dose tricyclic antidepressants were considered the most effective long-term chest paintreatment significantly more often than were antirefluxmedications or calcium-channel blockers in this selectedpatient group (P < 0.05 for each). We conclude from this retrospective review that fully threefourths of subjects with functional chest pain whoinitially respond to open-label treatment with low-dosetricyclic antidepressants will use them continuously or for symptom relapses over at least the nexttwo to three years and consider them the most effectivetreatment for their symptoms.
Modern Trends in Nonlinear Mechanics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the codification of nonlinear mechanics progressed along a definite theoretical pattern. The development of the theory of linear differential equations in the middle of the last century resulted in a tendency to linearize the nonlinear problems so as to bring them within the scope of the linear theory. This trend resulted in the development of the well-known method of small motions, owing to which gained in the uniformity of treatment of the various problems. The drawback of the procedure is, however, in the restriction of problems. This review deals only with the systems with one degree of freedom and is limited to the case when the parameter is a small number. A greater emphasis is laid on the equations of the first approximation as probably the only ones that are of interest in applications. A brief outline of the theory of the approximations of higher orders is also discussed. Generalizations for systems with several degrees of freedom do not present any particular difficulty except in added complications in calculations.
Swarm Attacks against Network-Level Emulation/Analysis

It is always assumed that if the attackers can achieve their goal by exploiting a vulnerability once, they won't exploit it twice. This assumption shapes our view of what attacks look like, and affects the design of many security systems. In this work, we propose the swarm attack, in which the attacker deliberately exploits the same vulnerability multiple times, each intended to carry out only a small part of the attack goal. We have studied eight systems that detect attacks using network-level emulation/analysis, and find them surprisingly vulnerable to attacks based on this strategy.
Prevalence of known mutations in the familial Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) in various carrier screening populations.

Purpose: To determine the carrier frequency of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) mutations of individuals in three different US testing populations: Cystic fibrosis, Factor V Leiden, and Ashkenazi Jews. Methods: DNA samples from 1234 anonymous samples were screened for 12 FMF mutations using a laboratory-developed test. Results: Genotyping revealed carrier frequencies of 1:16, 1:46, and 1:8, respectively. Conclusion: MEFV mutation frequency seems to correlate positively with Mediterranean influence of the tested population and the high overall carrier rate for MEFV mutations in the Factor V Leiden testing population (1:46) suggests that the disease may be under-diagnosed in the US population or that the mutant alleles have a low penetrance.
UNCERTAIN INCOME AND HOUSING PRICE AND LOCATION CHOICE

. In this paper, we adapt recent developments in uncertainty modeling to the location choice paradigm. In particular, we analyze the impact of income and housing price uncertainty on housing demand and location demand characteristics in a partial equilibrium framework. We begin by recognizing that housing consumption cannot readily be altered in response to changes in income and price. We find that income and house price risk affect housing and location demands in different ways. Additionally, the spatial characteristics of price risk also affect consumer housing and location demands. For example, if housing price risk is lower farther from the central city, housing demand can be greater in those locations even with the higher transportation cost. Thus, over some locations, the expected price gradient could be positive.
Land use and ostracod community structure

Ostracods are important members of the benthos and littoral communities of lake ecosystems. Ostracods respond to hydrochemistry (water chemistry) which is influenced by climatic factors such as water balance, temperature, and chemicals in rainfall runoff from the land. Thus, at local scales, environmental preferences of ostracods and characteristics of lakes are used to infer changes in climate, hydrology, and erosion of lake catchments. This study addresses potential drivers of ostracod community structure and biodiversity at multiple spatial scales using NMS, CART®, and multiple regression models. We identified 23 ostracod species from 12 lake sites. Lake area, maximum depth, spring conductivity, chlorophyll a, pH, dissolved oxygen, sedimentary carbonate, and organic matter all influence ostracod community structure based on our NMS. Based on regression analysis, lake depth, chlorophyll a, and total dissolved solids best explained ostracod richness and abundance. Land uses are also important community structuring elements that varied with scale; locally and regionally agriculture, wetlands, and grasslands were important. Nationally, using regression tree analysis of lakes sites in the North American Non-marine ostracod database (NANODe), row-crop agriculture was the most important predictor of biodiversity. Low agriculture corresponded to low species richness but greater landscape heterogeneity produced sites of high ostracod richness.