cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 976: Hypoxic microenvironment promotes breast cancer stem cells through regulation of Polycomb protein expression

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The microenvironment of solid tumors contains regions of poor oxygenation as a result of hypoxia, which is associated with high grade breast cancer and poor prognosis. However, critical regulatory mechanism linking tumor microenvironment to cancer progression remains unclear. Cancer stem cells (tumor initiating cells) are suggested to be responsible for initiation and aggressive progression of cancer. It is recently proposed that an aggressive secondary cancer stem cell population arises from a primary cancer stem cell population through acquisition of additional genomic/genetic mutations and drives cancer progression. Additionally, high expression of a Polycomb protein EZH2, essential in stem cell self-renewal, has been linked to aggressive progression of breast cancer. Here, we discovered that hypoxic microenvironment upregulates HIF1α-mediated transcriptional activation of EZH2 in CD44+CD24−/low breast tumor initiating cells (BTICs) isolated from several human primary tumor samples. Enhanced EZH2 expression was required for the hypoxia-promoted BTICs, where hypoxia significantly increased BTIC abundance, tumor sphere formation and tumor growth in mammary fat pads implanted with less than 500 primary BTICs. Using cDNA expression array and genome wide SNP array analysis, we further identified a novel mechanism in which enhanced expression of EZH2 by hypoxia downregulates DNA damage repair proteins through H3K27 methylation and thereby allows the acquisition of recurrent genomic abnormalities such as RAF1 gene amplification in BTICs. Using proteomic analysis, we demonstrated that RAF1 amplification highly activates its downstream ERK-β-catenin signaling, which leads to enhanced survival and proliferation of the BTICs. Furthermore, using immunohistochemistry analysis in a cohort of breast tumor samples, we found that EZH2 expression is positively correlated with RAF1, p-ERK and β-catenin expression in the high grade, poorly-differentiated tumors but not in the low grade, well-differentiated tumors, suggesting EZH2-amplified RAF1-ERK-β-catenin signaling may contribute significantly to promote BTICs and aggravate breast cancer malignancy. Our data also reveal that AZD6244, a clinical trial drug that inhibits RAF1-ERK signaling, can significantly suppress EZH2-promoted BTICs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides evidences linking a specific genomic aberration mediated by EZH2-impaired DNA damage response to expansion of BTICs. Together, this study elucidates a previously unidentified therapeutic effect of RAF1-ERK signaling inhibitors to prevent breast cancer progression by eliminating BTICs. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 976. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-976
A brief office intervention is associated with increased days per week of exercise

Abstract Objective We hypothesized that a cardiologist-initiated motivational discussion during a routine general cardiology clinic visit that included an exercise ‘contract' signed by the patient, physician and a witness, would increase self-reported days per week of exercise. Methods A short-term pilot intervention was provided to forty consecutive general cardiology clinic patients who were enrolled in 2005. They were asked to answer the question "How many days each week do you exercise" prior to the motivational discussion and at routine follow-up. Each participant signed an exercise ‘contract' and agreed to exercise for at least 15 min everyday. Results Participants had an average follow-up of 3.2 (1.7) months. The initial visit mean days of exercise per week were 3.1 (1.9). At follow-up, mean days of exercise per week were 4.0 (1.8), ( p =0.04). Conclusion This simple rapid intervention was associated with increased self-reported days per week of exercise.
Observation of an electromagnetically induced change of absorption in multilevel rubidium atoms

A 64.4% reduction in absorption at the rubidium D2 line is observed when a pumping field at 775.8 nm is tuned on resonance to the transition between the excited states 5${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$ and 5${\mathit{D}}_{5/2}$. As the pumping field is tuned off resonance, an absorption peak appears at the side of the Doppler-broadened D2 line. This modification in absorption is related to pumping-induced atomic coherence in this three-level ladder-type system. This experiment is done in a Rb vapor cell at room temperature and with cw diode lasers for both pumping and probe beams in a Doppler-free configuration.
Mechanism of transforming growth factor-β1 signaling: Role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase

Mechanism of transforming growth factor-β1 signaling: Role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) regulates diverse biologic activities including cell growth, cell death or apoptosis, cell differentiation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. TGF-β1 is believed to be a key mediator of tissue fibrosis as a consequence of ECM accumulation in pathologic states such as progressive renal diseases including diabetic nephropathy. TGF-β1 actions are mediated by the heteromeric interactions of types I and II serine/threonine kinase receptors. Initiation of signaling requires binding of TGF-β1 to TGF-β type II receptor (TβR-II), a constitutively active serine/threonine kinase, which subsequently transphosphorylates TGF-β type I receptor (TβR-I). However, the signaling pathway following the initial receptor interaction with ligand remains poorly understood. Much of current investigation, including in our laboratory, is now focused on the elucidation of the intracellular signaling components that mediate TGF-β1 signals downstream of the cell-surface receptors. An emerging body of evidence implicates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) as an important TGF-β1 signaling pathway.
Systemic therapy options in BRCA mutation-associated breast cancer

BRCA mutation-associated breast cancers are characterized by deficient homologous recombination of DNA, and 80 % of BRCA1-associated breast cancers dis- play the basal-like molecular subtype. Traditionally, BRCA carriers have received conventional systemic chemotherapy based on their baseline tumor characteristics, and it is gen- erally accepted that after the appropriate treatment the prognosis of a mutation carrier is equivalent to that of a patient with sporadic breast cancer. However, with the growing understanding of the functions of BRCA1/2 pro- teins in homologous DNA repair, it is recognized that BRCA-associated breast cancer tumors may have distinct biochemical characteristics and thus require tailored treat- ment strategies. Tumors arising in patients with BRCA mutations were shown to be particularly sensitive to plati- num compounds or inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) poly- merase. In addition, BRCA1-mutation carriers seem to benefit from anthracycline-taxane-containing regimens as much as sporadic triple-negative breast cancers do. In this article, we review the functions of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and their differential chemosensitivity in both the preclinical and clinical settings. The optimal chemotherapy regimen for this subset of patients still remains to be determined.
Understanding and limiting observer variability: Lessons from liver scans

Two specialists in nuclear medicine and two trainees independently read 106 liver scans for abnormalities suggestive of metastases. The four observers made a positive diagnosis with a significantly different frequency. The overall agreement between pairs of observers was 0.83–0.87. After adjusting for the expected chance agreement, K-values between 0.66 and 0.74 were obtained. No difference was found in the level of agreement between the two specialists or between the two trainees. After a consensus conference where the observers tried to unify their diagnostic interpretation, another 106 scans were read for abnormalities suggestive of metastases. The conference did not increase the level of agreement. Scintigraphic lesions that especially imply a risk of disagreement are pointed out.
Hemoglobin ionographic properties of Peromyscus and other mammals.

Abstract 1. 1. Ten species of Peromyscus collected at various sites from Arizona to Pennsylvania show multiple hemoglobins in eight species and single hemoglobins in two. 2. 2. Eighteen Peromyscus hemoglobins from nine different species show only three different electrophoretic mobilities, and molecular hydridization data suggest that these similarities of charge may extend to subunits of these specific hemoglobins. 3. 3. Ionographic patterns that are characteristic for one species may occur as uncommon genetic variants in another. 4. 4. Electrophoretic mobility and numbers of separable hemoglobins are quite variable among eight additional mammalian species collected while trapping Peromyscus . 5. 5. The five microtine species studied show single hemoglobins of similar mobilities.
Association of food environment and food retailers with obesity in US adults

The food environment has been shown to be a factor affecting the obesity rate. We studied the association of density of food retailer type with obesity rate in U.S. adults in local regions controlling for socioeconomic factors. Parametric nonlinear regression was used on publically available data (year=2009) at the county level. We used the results of this association to estimate the impact of the addition of a new food retailer type in a geographic region. Obesity rate increased in supercenters (0.25-0.28%) and convenience stores (0.05%) and decreased in grocery stores (0.08%) and specialized food stores (0.27-0.36%). The marginal measures estimated in this work could be useful in identifying regions where interventions based on food retailer type would be most effective.
Financial Markets and Financial Institutions in 2011

This paper deals with the Russian financial markets and financial institutions. The author focuses on post crisis recovery, Russian equity market. The issue of capital outflow and operating risks of the stock market were analyzed by the author.
Measuring prejudice against homosexuality (homosexism) among college students: a new scale.

Summary A new scale was developed for measuring prejudicial attitudes towards homosexuals (homosexism). Scale item analysis was based upon questionnaire responses from 143 college students and results in the development of both a long-form and a short-form scale. Both forms were highly reliable and yielded nearly identical results. Validity was assessed by administering the short-form scale to an additional 112 Ss and testing previously supported relationships. Results indicate that the scale is valid and should facilitate research in this area.
Sensor and network technology for intelligent transportation systems

The current state of the art advancements in sensors, computation, and wireless communication technologies has made possible a vast range of emerging applications in large number of fields such as in civil and military transportation systems, personal communications, health care, industrial automation, smart grids, smart homes, etc. Even though the automobile does not seem to have changed much its mechanical image since its first introduction, the industry is currently adapting itself in response to the information technology revolution. Thus, today it is not uncommon to see GPS assisted navigation systems, driver assist technology for parallel parking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Technology is also making way into the transportation infrastructure such as in electronic toll collection, traffic monitoring, accident alert systems, etc. This paper reviews the current state of the technology deployed to support intelligent transportation systems and looks into the potential of wireless sensor network technology with the aim to reduce cost and power consumption, while at the same time enhancing flexibility as well as efficiency of service.
The Lockset Method of Sequential Programming Applied to Routing Delivery and Pickup Trucks

The lockset method of sequential programming was used in this study to route feed delivery trucks and indicated potential distance savings of as much as 20 percent in comparison to the actual routes used by the business concerns. It was also found that in some cases the number of trucks required to make the deliveries could have been reduced from the number actually used, without changing the day of delivery. Feed manufacturing firms from New England to California supplied information on actual deliveries. An ex post routing of the same trucks to deliver the same quantities to the same receivers was made and the distance and number of trucks needed were compared with the distance and number of trucks actually used. Typical distance reductions were from 8 percent to 12 percent. In no case did the actual routing show fewer miles than the routes discovered by use of the lockset method. The system is computerized to enable a dispatcher to design delivery routes and issue loading instructions for each truck as soon as orders for a given day are known. D ELIVERY and pickup by truck is an important activity of many firms which deal with farmers. Practically all manufactured feed and commercial fertilizer are hauled by truck during some phase of distribution. Milk and produce are picked up at the farm and after processing are delivered to the store or to the consumer by truck. Often trips involve servicing two or more stops where the sequence of stops is important in determining the length of the route. A principal factor affecting the cost of delivery is the distance traveled per unit of product delivered.' Thus, any procedure which will result in driving a shorter distance or spending less time en route while providing the same services can contribute to lower costs and improved marketing efficiency. The lockset method of truck route selection offers considerable promise of
Seismology, the plate tectonics revolution, and making it happen again

Abstract In keeping with the nature of the symposium, part I is a brief summary of the author's recollection of research activities in earthquake seismology at the Lamont Geological Observatory that contributed to the development of the concept of plate tectonics in the 1960's. As the productive and euphoric period of the late 1960's that marked the advent of plate tectonics waned, it was followed in the 1970's and 1980's by various efforts to cause yet another major advance in earth science. One focus of such efforts was, and is, the continental crust. A new paradigm has not yet appeared, but part II describes how the earth scientist's perspective of the continents is changing as a consequence of those efforts. Surface geology can now sometimes be extrapolated to the base of the crust. Comprehensive global exploration of the entire volume of the continental crust has become a reasonable and achievable goal. The Moho, the traditional crust-mantle boundary, is recognized as a dynamic feature and no longer is considered the lower bound of the continent. Fluids propagating for long distances horizontally in the crust may link a variety of geologic phenomena with the large-scale geodynamic processes of the interior. The story of the earth's slowly evolving continents is rapidly evolving.
Atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure: risk factors, mechanisms, and treatment.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure (CHF) are commonly encountered together, and either condition predisposes to the other. Risk factors for AF and CHF include age, hypertension, valve disease, and myocardial infarction, as well as a variety of medical conditions and genetic variants. Congestive heart failure and AF share common mechanisms, including myocardial fibrosis and dysregulation of intracellular calcium and neuroendocrine function. Pharmacological treatments including β-blockers, digoxin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can be useful in treating both of these conditions. Antiarrhythmic medications intended to achieve and maintain sinus rhythm may be beneficial in some patients with AF and CHF. Advances in pacemaker and defibrillator therapy, including cardiac resynchronization therapy, may also benefit patients with AF and CHF. Surgical and catheter-based ablation therapy can restore sinus rhythm in patients with AF, with proven benefit in patients with concommitant CHF. Investigational biologic therapy, including cell and gene based therapy, offers promise for the future of reversing the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie AF and CHF.
Liposomal Formulation Increases Local Delivery of Amphotericin from Bone Cement: A Pilot Study

Background Amphotericin is a highly toxic hydrophobic antifungal. Delivery of amphotericin from antifungal-loaded bone cement (ALBC) is much lower than would be expected for an equivalent load of water-soluble antibacterials. Lipid formulations have been developed to decrease amphotericin toxicity. It is unknown how lipid formulations affect amphotericin release and compressive strength of amphotericin ALBC.
Utility of immediate on-site cytopathological procurement and evaluation in fine needle aspiration biopsy of head and neck masses.

The utility of on-site microscopic evaluation of fine needle aspirates (FNAs) of the head and neck was assessed by comparing the diagnostic yield in 336 specimens obtained with immediate on-site cytopathological procurement and evaluation to that achieved in 548 cases performed without immediate on-site evaluation. Three hundred six (91%) of 336 immediate evaluation specimens were adequate for cytopathologic diagnosis, compared to 391 (71%) of 548 specimens not evaluated immediately (P < .001, chi-squared test). The higher satisfactory rate in immediate evaluation cases was related primarily to 1. immediate reaspiration of the masses until sufficient cytopathologic material was obtained for diagnosis; and 2. optimal specimen preparation. It is concluded that immediate on-site cytopathological procurement and evaluation of fine needle aspirates of head and neck masses is a valuable practice which assures a higher yield of adequate specimens compared to biopsies taken without immediate evaluation. The technique of immediate on-site evaluation of FNAs is discussed and a cost-benefit analysis of immediate on-site evaluation of FNAs is presented.
Selected Neurobiological Arousal Issues as Manifested in a Clinical Case Illustration

Attachment patterns and defense mechanisms are profoundly affected by arousal systems within the brain and body to express in-born emotional circuits. Disordered personality functioning and the use and abuse of substances may augment or substitute for a compromised arousal system, leading to meeting criteria for psychiatric diagnoses. These arousal management and regulation issues are illustrated by a case history and session notes, including many of the neurobiological functions described in the introductory article of this journal issue.
6.1.3 A Value-Based Theory of Systems Engineering

The INCOSE definition of “systems engineering” is “an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems.” The Value-Based Theory of Systems Engineering presents necessary and sufficient conditions for realizing a successful system and elaborates them into an executable process. The theory and process are illustrated on a supply-chain system example, and evaluated with respect to criteria for a good theory.
Evidence for differential control of tibial position in perturbed unilateral stance after acute ACL rupture

Functional outcomes in anterior cruciate ligament-deficient "potential copers" and "non-copers" may be related to their knee stabilization strategies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to differentiate dynamic knee stabilization strategies of potential copers and non-copers through analysis of sagittal plane knee angle and tibia position during disturbed and undisturbed unilateral standing. Ten uninjured potential coper and non-coper subjects stood in unilateral stance on a platform that translated anteriorly, posteriorly and laterally. Knee angle and tibia position with reference to the femur were calculated before and after platform movement. During perturbation trials, potential copers maintained kinematics that were similar to uninjured subjects across conditions. Conversely, non-copers stood with greater knee flexion than uninjured subjects and a tibia position that was more posterior than the other groups. Both non-copers and potential copers demonstrated small changes in tibia position following platform movement, but direction of movement was not similar. The similarities between the knee kinematics of potential copers and uninjured subjects suggest that potential copers compensated well from their injury by utilizing analogous dynamic knee stabilization strategies. In comparison to the other groups, by keeping the knee in greater flexion and the tibia in a more posterior position, non-copers appear to constrain the tibia in response to a challenging task, which is consistent with a "stiffening strategy". Based on the poor functional outcomes of non-copers, a stiffening strategy does not lead to dynamic knee stability, and the strategy may increase compressive forces which could contribute to or exacerbate articular cartilage degeneration.
Monolithic integration of MQW wavelength tunable DBR lasers with external cavity electroabsorption modulators by selective-area MOCVD

The design and operation of multiple-quantum well (MQW) wavelength tunable distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers with nonabsorbing gratings and monolithically integrated external cavity electroabsorption modulators fabricated by selective-area metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are presented. Uncoated devices exhibit cw threshold currents as low as 10.5 mA with slope efficiencies of 0.21 W/A from the laser facet and 0.06 W/A from the modulator facet. After the application of facet coatings, slope efficiencies from the modulator facet increase to 0.14 W/A. Wavelength tuning of 7 nm is obtained by injection current heating of the DBR section. These devices exhibit extinction ratios of 18 dB from the modulator facet at a low modulator bias of 1 V, when measured with a broad-area detector. When coupled to a singlemode fiber, these devices exhibit high extinction ratios of 40 dB at a modulator bias of 1.25 V. Photo-generated current versus optical power plots indicate that the extinction ratios are not limited by carrier build- up in the modulator quantum wells.
The Incidence of Seizures after Rehydration of Hypernatremic Rabbits with Intravenous or ad Libitum Oral Fluids

Summary: Hypernatremic dehydration (mean plasma sodium, 184 mEq/ L) was produced over a 3-5 d period in 71 rabbits. The dehydrated animals were divided into groups and rehydrated by intravenous (4, 6, and 8 h duration) or oral (4 and 24 h duration) solutions in amounts calculated to return plasma Na to 140 mEq/ L. Plasma was obtained serially from each animal for electrolyte and osmolality determinations during dehydration and rehydration. Samples of brain hemisphere and cortex were obtained for chemical analysis from every animal immediately after death. The incidence of seizures was significantly less (P < 0.025) in rabbits rehydrated orally when compared with rabbits rehydrated by the intravenous route. Brain water content was significantly greater in rabbits rehydrated intravenously when compared with normal rabbits and rabbits rehydrated orally. In addition, the amount of brain water was greater in rabbits with seizures when compared with those which did not have seizure manifestations.The mechanism underlying the significant reduction in seizures when the animals were rehydrated orally may relate to an integration of drinking behavior with rehydration status. Administration of oral fluids may provide an effective method of therapy for some patients with hypernatremic dehydration.
Metabolic and stereoselective formations of non-K-region benz[a]anthracene 8,9- and 10,11-epoxides

The non-K-region benz[a]anthracene (BA) 8,9- and 10,11-epoxides were isolated by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography as rat liver microsomal metabolites of BA. The identities of these epoxides were established by ultraviolet and mass spectral analyses and were further validated by the microsomal epoxide hydrolase catalyzed conversion to BA trans-8,9-dihydrodiol and trans-10,11-dihydrodiol, respectively. Circular dichroism spectral analyses of the metabolically formed non-K-region epoxides and dihydrodiols and mass spectral analyses of metabolically formed 18O-labeled non-K-region dihydrodiols and their acid-catalyzed dehydration products indicated that BA (8R,9S)-epoxide and (10S,11R)-epoxide were the predominant enantiomers formed in the metabolism at the 8,9- and 10,11- aromatic double bonds of BA, respectively, by rat liver microsomes. This is the first example demonstrating the direct detection and stereoselective metabolic formation of non-K-region epoxides of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.
POPcorn: An Online Resource Providing Access to Distributed and Diverse Maize Project Data

The purpose of the online resource presented here, POPcorn (Project Portal for corn), is to enhance accessibility of maize genetic and genomic resources for plant biologists. Currently, many online locations are difficult to find, some are best searched independently, and individual project websites often degrade over time—sometimes disappearing entirely. The POPcorn site makes available (1) a centralized, web-accessible resource to search and browse descriptions of ongoing maize genomics projects, (2) a single, stand-alone tool that uses web Services and minimal data warehousing to search for sequence matches in online resources of diverse offsite projects, and (3) a set of tools that enables researchers to migrate their data to the long-term model organism database for maize genetic and genomic information: MaizeGDB. Examples demonstrating POPcorn’s utility are provided herein.
Some typical microstructures in deformed rocks

Abstract The deformation of rocks at a specified pressure and temperature is governed by mechanical characteristics of individual constituent minerals (often highly anisotropic), by differences in properties between minerals, and by chemical processes involving minerals and fluids. Major processes in deforming rocks include intracrystalline slip, recovery, recrystallization, grain boundary sliding, brittle fracture, pressure solution, and growth of new minerals. Intracrystalline slip and recovery are generally similar to those in metals. Dynamic and annealing recrystallization both occur. Recrystallization in polymineralic rocks is complicated by the inability of grain boundaries to migrate between phases. Grain boundary sliding can occur in fine-grained materials, allowing homogeneous deformation to large strains without failure. Brittle fracture can occur in strong mineral grains even when the rock as a whole deforms in a ductile manner. Pressure solution takes place when minerals preferentially dissolve in high stress areas and reprecipitate in low stress ones. Chemical reactions can lead to growth of new mineral grains before, during, or after deformation. This paper provides a list of pertinent references. Geologists try to understand the thermal and mechanical history of the earth by studying the microstructures of deformed rocks. This can be extremely difficult, particularly when the rocks have been deformed more than once. Nonetheless, microstructures visible with an optical microscope can be used to identify deformation mechanisms in rocks, and sometimes also to infer strain fields. The figures in this paper illustrate characteristic microstructures as they appear with a transmitted-light microscope.
Measurement of the Magnetic Moment of the 279-kev State in Tl 203 Using Resonance Fluorescence

Using an ultracentrifuge, nuclear resonance fluorescence was observed by detecting the scattered gamma radiation from the 279-kev level in ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{203}$. The rotation of the large anisotropic resonance-scattering pattern from this level was measured when a thallium scatterer was placed in an external field perpendicular to the plane of the scattering. The measured precession angle corresponds to a magnetic moment of the 279-kev state in ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{203}$, ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{279}=+0.35\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.26$ nm. The result agrees with two recent theoretical predictions of ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{279}$: the single-particle model prediction of Kisslinger and the (${\mathrm{Hg}}^{202}$ core+odd particle) model calculation of de-Shalit.
Endothelial Function and Soluble Endoglin in Smokers With Heart Failure

Background: Although cigarette smoking is a risk factor for heart failure (HF), smokers with HF have lower mortality rates during/following hospitalization compared to nonsmokers. We examined vascular endothelial function in chronic smokers and nonsmokers with HF as it relates to this smoker's paradox. Hypothesis: Smokers with HF will have attenuated endothelial dysfunction compared to non-smokers with HF. Methods: Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of conduit vessel endothelial function, was measured in 33 smoking and nonsmoking patients with HF vs controls. In addition, soluble endoglin (sEng), a circulating mediator of endothelial function, was measured in a separate group of 36 smoking and nonsmoking patients with HF vs controls. Results: FMD was significantly lower in smokers without HF compared to the nonsmokers without HF (P 0.05). There were no differences in sEng between smokers and nonsmokers without HF (P > 0.05). sEng was lower in smokers with HF vs nonsmokers with HF (P 0.05). Conclusions: Smokers with HF had higher brachial FMD and lower sEng than nonsmokers with HF, and values were comparable to nonsmokers without HF. These findings offer novel insight into the smoker's paradox and suggest that improved short-term outcome in patients hospitalized with HF may in part be mediated by preservation of vascular endothelial function in this setting. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
The patient is the most important member of the team

Twenty five years after he had type 1 diabetes diagnosed, Dominick Frosch finds health professionals still fail to treat him as an equal in managing his disease
Muscle proteinases and meat aging.

The purpose of this manuscript is to review and summarize the results of experiments conducted in our laboratory regarding the mechanism of meat tenderization during post mortem storage of carcasses at refrigerated temperatures. Clearly, the conversion of muscle to meat and the subsequent tenderization process are complex phenomena and much remains to be learned. However, current experimental data suggest that proteolysis of key myofibrillar proteins is the principal reason for improvement in meat tenderness during post mortem storage. Speculatively, the weakening and/or degradation of Z-disks and degradation of desmin (and probably degradation of titin) are responsible for the increased fragility of myofibrils during post mortem storage. There is substantial experimental evidence suggesting that the calpain proteolytic system is resposible for post mortem proteolysis that results in meat tenderization. Calpain is the only proteolytic system that has all of the characteristics that are necessary for bringing about post mortem changes that result in meat tenderization. Undoubtedly, other factors (such as rate pH and temperature decline during rigor development, ionic strength and others) influence the process. However, we believe that the rate and extent of post mortem proteolysis best explain the observed variation in tenderness at a constant age. Therefore, research efforts should be direct toward understanding the regulation of the calpain proteolytic system in post mortem muscle.
Formation of sarcomeres in the embryonic heart of the lobster.

Cardiomyoblasts in the myocardium of embryonic lobsters at 3–4 weeks and 6 months of development were examined with the transmission electron microscope in order to describe the events in the formation of sarcomeres in a neurogenic cardiac system. Thick and thin myofilaments appear first in the cell periphery near the sarcolemma. They align in parallel in a sequential fashion to form consecutive sarcomeric units. Well-defined A and I bands appear before any semblance of a Z line is present. The initial sarcomere is anchored to the sarcolemma by the insertion of thin myofilaments into a region of electron dense material associated intimately with the sarcolemma. Myofibrils grow outward in several planes away from the electron-dense regions of membrane that serve as focal points for myofibril formation.
A re-examination of religious fundamentalism: positive implications for coping

The majority of the research on religious fundamentalism explores its negative implications. Religious coping theory provides an opportunity to examine both positive and negative implications of fundamentalism. The present study incorporated various advanced methodologies utilised in the religious coping literature (mediation analyses, hierarchical regression procedures, and longitudinal design) to assess the relationship between religious fundamentalism and religious coping in 723 American college students. Religious fundamentalism was associated with a number of religious coping strategies that have positive implications and inversely related to religious coping with negative associations. Fundamentalism predicted religious coping over and above right-wing authoritarianism and religious orthodoxy. The religious coping methods mediated the relationship between religious fundamentalism and adjustment to stress both concurrently and over time. Limitations of the current study and suggestions for future res...
Feasibility and parent satisfaction of a physical therapy intervention program for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the first 6 months of medical treatment.

Background Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk for developing musculoskeletal complications during and after their medical treatment. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of an in-hospital physical therapy- and home exercise program during the first four phases of medical treatment, for children with newly diagnosed ALL. Procedure Nine patients, between the ages of 2–14 years old were enrolled within 2 weeks of diagnosis in the study. Each patient was evaluated at study entry, after each of the first four phases of therapy and each time patients were re-admitted to the hospital. Following the initial physical therapy evaluation an individualized home exercise program was developed, consisting of stretching, strengthening, and aerobic exercises. The following end points were measured at each evaluation: gross motor assessment as measured by gross motor function measure (GMFM), health-related quality of life as measured by the PedsQL and parent satisfaction questionnaire. Results This study was feasible with 98% of the evaluation sessions completed. The GMFM and PedsQL improved steadily throughout the study; however, the PedsQL slightly decreased from interim maintenance to delayed intensification. The parents reported being satisfied with the physical therapy program. Conclusion We demonstrated that an in-hospital- and home exercise physical therapy program during the first four phases of medical treatments is feasible for children with ALL. Future randomized studies are needed to confirm whether an initial physical therapy program at diagnosis in children with ALL will limit functional impairments, improve overall fitness and increase health-related quality of life. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:799–804. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
African-American Constituents and Supreme Court Nominees: An Examination of the Senate Confirmation of Thurgood Marshall

In this study we extend previous research on the impact of constituency preferences on the roll-call behavior of senators during Supreme Court con firmations by examining the 1967 vote on Thurgood Marshall. In contrast to the later case of Clarence Thomas, we find that constituent racial characteristics (as measured by African-American percentage of state popula tion) had a significant negative impact in the Marshall case. We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical implications of these findings, and what they illuminate about the changing nature of the Southern Democratic coalition.
Kramers-Kronig analysis applied to reflection-absorption spectroscopy

Abstract Kramers-Kronig analysis is developed for reflection-absorption spectroscopy which removes prior thin film approximations and includes interference effects. The interference effect is shown to be present even in reflection-absorption spectra of thin films less than 10 nm. The errors in the complex refractive index obtained from the simulated reflectivity by Kramers-Kronig analysis have been examined for ordinary reflection-absorption spectroscopy as well as metal overlayer attenuated total reflection spectroscopy. The complex refractive index normal to the surface of a thin film on a metal can be obtained, although knowledge of the refractive index for the material at a frequency with no dispersion and the thickness of the thin film are necessary for properly discriminating the interference effects. This new method may be applied to other cases such as thin films on an absorbing substrate as well as on a transparent medium.
Effect of culture in a rotating wall bioreactor on the physiology of differentiated neuron‐like PC12 and SH‐SY5Y cells

A variety of evidence suggests that nervous system function is altered during microgravity, however, assessing changes in neuronal physiology during space flight is a non-trivial task. We have used a rotating wall bioreactor with a high aspect ratio vessel (HARV), which simulates the microgravity environment, to investigate the how the viability, neurite extension, and signaling of differentiated neuron-like cells changes in different culture environments. We show that culture of differentiated PC12 and SH-SY5Y cells in the simulated microgravity HARV bioreactor resulted in high cell viability, moderate neurite extension, and cell aggregation accompanied by NO production. Neurite extension was less than that seen in static cultures, suggesting that less than optimal differentiation occurs in simulated microgravity relative to normal gravity. Cells grown in a mixed vessel under normal gravity (a spinner flask) had low viability, low neurite extension, and high glutamate release. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using a rotating wall bioreactor to explore the effects of simulated microgravity on differentiation and physiology of neuron-like cells.
The h-p adaptive finite element method for the numerical simulation of compressible flow

An h-p adaptive finite element method is presented for the numerical simulation of compressible fluid flow. In addition to refining the mesh in regions where the estimated error is large, the polynomial degree of the elements is increased. It is shown that by using high-order polynomials highly accurate approximations are obtained to a regularized form of the equations governing viscous compressible flow.
Reactions of 2-acyl-1,3-indandiones with monosubstituted hydrazines and hydrazides

Methyl- and phenylhydrazines react with 2-(diphenylacetyl)-1,3-indandione (1) to yield respectively the 1-(methylhydrazone) and the 1-(phenylhydrazone) of 2-(diphenylacetyl)-1,3-indandione (2a and 2b). In comparison, acetic and benzoic acid hydrazides react with 1 to give respectively the α-(acetylhydrazone) and the α-(benzoylhydrazone) of 2-(diphenylacetyl)-1,3-indandione (3a and 3b). Cyclization of 2a and 2b gives 2,3-disubstituted indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-4(2H)-ones (7a and 7b). Cyclization of 3a and 3b, followed by methylation, gives 1-methyl- and 2-methyl-3-(diphenylmethyl)indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-4(1 and 2H)-ones (9a and 9b). 2-Isovaleryl-1,3-indandione reacts with phenylhydrazine to give directly 3-isobutyl-1-phenylindeno[1,2-c]-pyrazol-4(1H)-one (10).
Software agents for knowledge management: coordination in multi-agent supply chains and auctions

Abstract A fundamental question that must be addressed in software agents for knowledge management is coordination in multi-agent systems. The coordination problem is ubiquitous in knowledge management, such as in manufacturing, supply chains, negotiation, and agent-mediated auctions. This paper summarizes several multi-agent systems for knowledge management that have been developed recently by the author and his collaborators to highlight new research directions for multi-agent knowledge management systems. In particular, the paper focuses on three areas of research: • Coordination mechanisms in agent-based supply chains. How do we design mechanisms for coordination, information and knowledge sharing in supply chains with self-interested agents? What would be a good coordination mechanism when we have a non-linear structure of the supply chain, such as a pyramid structure? What are the desirable properties for the optimal structure of efficient supply chains in terms of information and knowledge sharing? Will DNA computing be a viable tool for the analysis of agent-based supply chains? • Coordination mechanisms in agent-mediated auctions. How do we induce cooperation and coordination among various self-interested agents in agent-mediated auctions? What are the fundamental principles to promote agent cooperation behavior? How do we train agents to learn to cooperate rather than program agents to cooperate? What are the principles of trust building in agent systems? • Multi-agent enterprise knowledge management, performance impact and human aspects. Will people use agent-based systems? If so, how do we coordinate agent-based systems with human beings? What would be the impact of agent systems in knowledge management in an information economy?
Neural coding in the sense of touch: human sensations of skin indentation compared with the responses of slowly adapting mechanoreceptive afferents innvervating the hairy skin of monkeys.

The human capacity to scale the intensity of brief mechanical indentations of the hairy skin was measured by the method of subjective magnitude estimation. The afferent discharges evoked by nearly identical stimuli delivered to comparable locations on the hairy skin in monkeys were recorded in a number of types of first-order mechanoreceptive afferents. It was shown that of these only those which adapt slowly to mechanical stimuli possess sufficient dynamic range of response to account for the range of human pressure sensation. Two such afferents innervating the hairy skin, previously identified by others as the Type I and Type II afferents, were studied in detail as regards their responses to brief mechanical stimuli of different intensities. The relation of the human subject's estimate of intensity to stimulus magnitude is described by a power function with an exponent of about 0.4. Using impulse frequency in the “early steady state” as a measure, the responses of both types of slowly adapting mechanoreceptive afferents are related to stimulus magnitudes by power functions with exponents averaging about 0.5. On the assumption that the stimuli used elicit similar patterns of discharge in the first-order afferents innervating the hairy skin of men and monkeys, the results support the general proposition, now shown to hold for a number of senses, that the intensity of human sensation is determined by the functional properties of the first-order sensory fibers, and that the final behavioral output in the form of a subjective estimate of magnitude is a linear function of the frequency of discharge in those first-order fibers.
On growth of epitaxial vanadium oxide thin film on sapphire (0001)

We report the characteristics of epitaxial growth and properties of vanadium oxide (VO2) thin films on sapphire (0001) substrates. Pulsed laser deposition was used to grow (002) oriented VO2 films on sapphire (0001). Transmission electron microscopy studies showed that the orientation relationship between the substrate and the thin film is: (002)f2||(0006)sub3 and [010]f2 [2110]sub. It was also established that VO2 has three different orientations in the film plane which are rotated by 60° from each other. The epitaxial growth of vanadium oxide on sapphire (0001) has been explained in the framework of domain matching epitaxy (DME). Electrical resistivity measurements as a function of temperature showed a sharp transition with a hysteresis width ˜5 °C, and large resistance change (˜1.5 × 104) from the semiconductor phase to the metal phase. It is interesting to note that in spite of large angle twin boundaries in these VO2 films, the SMT characteristics are better than those observed for polycrystalline films. The higher width of thermal hysteresis for the VO2 film on c-sapphire compared to a bulk single VO2 crystal and a single-crystal VO2 film on r-sapphire can be attributed to the existence of these large-angle twin grain boundaries. These findings can provide insight into the phase transformation characteristics of VO2, which has important applications in switching and memory devices.
Ophthalmoparesis in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Purpose To report unusual ocular motility disturbances in the setting of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Design Interventional case series. Methods Two cases with IIH and unusual ophthalmopareses are reported. Results Two patients with confirmed IIH presented with headache, diplopia, and papilledema. The first patient had bilateral sixth nerve palsies and a partial right third nerve palsy, which resolved rapidly after a cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) shunting procedure; the second patient had alternating skew deviation and upbeat nystagmus. Both cases had normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) and normal CSF contents, ruling out a secondary cause of intracranial hypertension. Conclusions These exceptional vertical and horizontal ophthalmopareses in the setting of IIH may be related directly to very elevated CSF pressures and may be secondary to altered CSF flow in the posterior fossa.
Developmental aspects of psychostimulant treatment in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the relationship between age and short-term clinical response to psychostimulant treatment in youths with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to examine whether weight-corrected doses of optimized psychostimulant therapy varied as a function of patient age. Method One hundred seventy-seven patients were treated with either methylphenidate (MPH) or Adderall ® (ADL). Sixty-six youths received ADL and 111 patients were treated with MPH. All youths were evaluated at baseline and after receiving a week of treatment at each blinded, randomized dose level (placebo, 5, 10, or 15 mg). A "best dose" for each patient was assigned before the medication blind was broken. Behavioral ratings by both teachers and parents were examined for dose and medication effects. Results The medications had similar efficacy in children and teenagers. Older youths, however, benefited from a smaller weight-adjusted dose of medication than did the younger children. Similar efficacy was observed between the medications. Conclusions These data suggest that psychostimulants are equally effective in treating children and adolescents with ADHD. Adolescents with ADHD may not necessarily require more medication than younger children to achieve a similar therapeutic response.