cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hyperdynamic left ventricle on radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (RNMPI): A marker of diastolic dysfunction in patients presenting with dyspnea on exertion.

Abstract Background We hypothesized that among patients presenting with dyspnea on exertion (DOE), those who were found to have hyperdynamic left ventricle (i.e. LVEF ≥ 70%) on stress radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (RNMPI), are more likely to have features of diastolic dysfunction on transthoracic echocardiography. Methods Medical records of 1892 consecutive patients who presented between February 2011 and September 2012 with the chief complaint of DOE and were referred to stress RNMPI were reviewed. Among these, patients who had no evidence of reversible ischemia and had hyperdynamic left ventricle on perfusion imaging, were selected and their recent echocardiograms were reviewed for evidence of diastolic dysfunction. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop an equation to predict diastolic dysfunction with the ejection fraction as the predictor. A two-way analysis of variance model was used to detect differential patterns of ejection fraction across diastolic dysfunction and gender. Results A hyperdynamic left ventricle identified on stress RNMPI was found to be a significant predictor of diastolic dysfunction on echocardiography in logistic regression analysis (odds ratio = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.13–1.35, p Conclusion In patients presenting with DOE who have no evidence of reversible ischemia on radionuclide stress testing but have hyperdynamic left ventricle, a search should be made for alternate cardiac etiology for this complaint such as diastolic dysfunction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Comparing MOBILE6.2 and Emfac2007 Emission Factors

At the top of the list of tools needed to forecast reliably any potential adverse health outcomes from proposed highway projects are, predictably, models of mobile source emission factors. A comparison of the two current regulatory models is provided: Emfac2007, developed by the California Air Resources Board for applications in California, and MOBILE6.2, developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for regulatory applications elsewhere in the United States. Pollutant emission factors computed by the models are evaluated. Although the two models share the same fundamental principle—that is, emissions from motor vehicles are based on testing with correction factors utilized to account for on-road vehicle use-the models produce strikingly divergent results. MOBILE6.2 tends to predict higher emission factors for carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and benzene compared with Emfac2007. In contrast, Emfac2007 predicts higher emission factors for particulate matter (PM) of size...
779-4 Biphasic Alterations in Plasma Nitric Oxide in Experimental Progressive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF), a syndrome which progresses from a compensated to a decompensated state, is characterized by maintenance of sodium excretion without activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) to a state of sodium retention with an activated RAS. While a role for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in maintaining this initial state of compensation has been advanced, controversy persists with regard to the activity of the endogenous nitric oxide (NO) system in CHF. Such controversy may reflect temporal changes in the endogenous NO system not previously observed. Like ANP, NO also possesses important vasodilatory, natriuretic and renininhibiting actions via activation of cGMP. The objective of the current study was to determine the temporal changes in plasma nitric oxide as determined by chemiluminescence and associated changes in plasma ANP, cGMP, plasma renin activity and sodium excretion. We defined these parameters in a unique canine model of progressive CHF produced by incremental rapid ventricular pacing (180 bpm to 240 bpm, n = 51 over a 30 day period. Pre-CHF Day 10-CHF Day 25-CHF Day 30-CHF EF 53 ± 2 30 ± 4 * 24 ± 2 *† 21 ± l * † MAP 106 ± 2 110 ± 5 101 ± 4 94 ± 6 * † NO 6.8 ± 0.04 96 ± 1.1 10.6 ± 1.4 * 6.2 ± 0.2 Δ ANP 37 ± 5 257 ± 85 * 574 ± 35 * † 572 ± 83 * † cGMP 4.1 ± 0.3 12.5 ± 09 * 20.1 ± 2.5 * † 19.3 ± 2.4 * † PRA 0.98 ± 0.4 1.7 ± 0.7 1.7 ± 08 7.2 ± 2.2 * † Δ UNaV 44 ± 4 42 ± 2 24 ± 6 16 ± 9 * † * p l 0.05 Vs Pre-CHF. Δ p l 0.05 vs Day 25-CHF. † p l 0.05 vs Day 10-CHF. EF, ejection fraction (%); MAP, mean arterial pressure (mmHg); NO, nitrate Inmol/mL); ANp, (pg/mL); cGMP, plasma cGMP(pmol/mL); PRA, plasma renin activity (ng/mL/hrl: UNaV, urinary sodium excretion (mEq/24 hr). These studies demonstrate a unique biphasic response in plasma NO as characterized by an increase in NO during the initial compensated phase of CHF, followed by a decrease with the onset of avid sodium retention and activation of the RAS. These studies provide evidence for NO as a participant in the adaptive changes in the cardiorenal and humoral systems with progressive heart failure.
Markedly Impaired Fibrinolytic Balance Contributes to Cardiovascular Risk in Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency

Context: Adults with GH deficiency (GHD) have multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including an unfavorable lipid profile and body composition as well as impairments in endothelial function and cardiac performance. We hypothesized that GHD is associated with elevated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the major inhibitor of plasminogen activation in the circulation. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the fibrinolytic profile of adults with GHD in comparison with controls. Study Design and Participants: This was a prospective, observational study including 12 adults with GHD. Twelve gender-, age-, and body mass index-matched adults served as controls. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures were circadian plasma PAI-1 antigen with corresponding tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) activity values. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation and fibrinolytic potential by venous occlusion test. Results: Adults with GHD exhibited an unfavorable 24-h fibrinolytic profile characterized by a mean 62% elevation in PAI-1 antigen (2.77 ng/ml after adjustment for baseline PAI-1; P 0.049) in the setting of a mean 24% reduction in tPA activity (0.17 IU/ml after adjustment for baseline tPA; P 0.003). Fibrinolytic response was defective in GHD, as demonstrated by a sustained elevation in PAI-1 activity greater than 4 IU/ml after venous occlusion [7.2 IU/ml (interquartile range 0.8–17.4); P 0.018]. Endothelial function was impaired in GHD, as quantified by percent flow-mediated vasodilation over 120 sec [area under the curve 3.8 (interquartile range 2.4 to 7.9) vs. 12.8 (interquartile range 2.1–19.4); P 0.043]. Conclusions: Adults with GHD demonstrate alterations in plasma fibrinolytic balance, including elevated levels of PAI-1 antigen with decreased tPA activity. These changes may contribute to the increased cardiovascular morbidity within this population. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 92: 3633–3639, 2007)
Dynamic similarity approach for more robust structural health monitoring in nonlinear, nonstationary, and stochastic systems

Environmental and operational variability due to changes in the excitation or any other variable can mimic or altogether obscure evidence of structural defects in measured data leading to false positive/negative diagnoses of damage and conservative/tolerant predictions of remaining useful life in structural health monitoring system. Diagnostic and prognostic errors like these in many types of commercial and defense-related applications must be eliminated if health monitoring is to be widely implemented in these applications. A theoretical framework of "dynamic similiarity" in which two sets of mathematical operators are utilized in one system/data model to distinguish damage from nonlinear, time-varying and stochastic events in the measured data is discussed in this paper. Because structural damage initiation, evolution and accumulation are nonlinear processes, the challenge here is to distinguish damage from nonlinear, time-varying and stochastic events in the measured data is discussed in this paper. Because structural damage initiation, evolution and accumulation are nonlinear processes, the challenge here is to distinguish abnormal from normal nonlinear dynamics, which are accentuated by physically or statistically non-stationary events in the operating environment. After discussing several examples of structural diagnosis and prognosis involving dynamic similarity, a simplifeid numerical finite element model of a helicopter blade with time-varying flexural stiffness on a nonlinear aerodynamic elastic foundation that is subjected to a stochastic base excitation is utilized to introduce and examine the effects of dynamic similarity on health monitoring systems. It is shown that environmental variability can be distinguished from structural damage using a physics-based model in conjunction with the dynamic similarity operators to develop more robust damage detection algorithms, which may prove to be more accurate and precise when operating conditions fluctuate.
Direct TLR2 Signaling Is Critical for NK Cell Activation and Function in Response to Vaccinia Viral Infection

Natural killer (NK) cells play an essential role in innate immune control of poxviral infections in vivo. However, the mechanism(s) underlying NK cell activation and function in response to poxviruses remains poorly understood. In a mouse model of infection with vaccinia virus (VV), the most studied member of the poxvirus family, we identified that the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2-myeloid differentiating factor 88 (MyD88) pathway was critical for the activation of NK cells and the control of VV infection in vivo. We further showed that TLR2 signaling on NK cells, but not on accessory cells such as dendritic cells (DCs), was necessary for NK cell activation and that this intrinsic TLR2-MyD88 signaling pathway was required for NK cell activation and played a critical role in the control of VV infection in vivo. In addition, we showed that the activating receptor NKG2D was also important for efficient NK activation and function, as well as recognition of VV-infected targets. We further demonstrated that VV could directly activate NK cells via TLR2 in the presence of cytokines in vitro and TLR2-MyD88-dependent activation of NK cells by VV was mediated through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Taken together, these results represent the first evidence that intrinsic TLR signaling is critical for NK cell activation and function in the control of a viral infection in vivo, indicate that multiple pathways are required for efficient NK cell activation and function in response to VV infection, and may provide important insights into the design of effective strategies to combat poxviral infections.
Interaction Between Solid Rocket Motor Internal Flow and Structure During Flight

Measurements of solid rocket motor head end pressure and structural acceleration recorded during flights of a heavy lift launch vehicle are used to investigate if an interaction between the motor internal flow and structural motion exists. These data reveal that a locking of frequency and phase occurs over a 34-s period towards the end of the motor burn. A feedback relationship involving the motor pressure oscillations and structural accelerations, therefore, exists for this launch vehicle. The observed interaction significantly increases the pressure oscillation amplitudes relative to those measured in ground tests at the same burn time. This finding highlights a limitation of motor stability analysis methodology, in which structural motion is traditionally neglected. It appears that the potential for coupling between the motor pressure oscillations and structural response should be accounted for in predictions of solid rocket motor stability. The observed interaction also has implications for the prediction of loads induced by solid rocket motor pressure oscillations. Under some conditions the use of forcing functions based solely on ground test pressure measurements may underpredict flight loads.
Vitamin K status of lactating mothers and their infants.

Vitamin K deficiency remains a world-wide problem in the newborn. Vitamin K traverses the placenta from mother to infant very poorly and is present only in very low concentrations in human milk. Thus it is not surprising that the newborn infant has undetectable vitamin K serum levels with abnormal amounts of the coagulation proteins and undercarboxylated prothrombin. Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn secondary to vitamin K deficiency remains largely a disease of breastfed infants. Lactating mothers easily achieve the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin K (1 µg kg/-1 d-1) and the breast milk concentration is readily increased by increasing maternal vitamin K intake. Breastfed infants do not receive the recommended vitamin K intake via human milk. To prevent vitamin K deficiency in the newborn intramuscular or oral vitamin K prophylaxis is necessary. (authors)
Bar press and bar release as avoidance responses

Four rats were conditioned on a continuous avoidance schedule in which either a bar press or bar release postponed shock for 20 sec. A response produced stimulus was presented while the bar was held down. Mean response duration (RD) was longer than mean interresponse time (IRT) for all four Ss. There was also evidence of temporal discrimination in RD but not in the IRTs.
Fear and loathing in the pain clinic.

The piece by Jung and Reidenberg presents updated information on U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) activities against physicians that we have heard reported on multiple occasions over years as pain professionals, both attending and speaking at conferences. Often presented by active or retired members of law enforcement, such data were nearly believable enough to be taken at face value during the Hutchinson years at the DEA, when balance and collaboration were the stated goals of the agency in its interactions with pain professionals. “The DEA is not after you; the DEA does not want to tell you how to practice medicine” was often the theme. Never mind the fact that at every advisory board or meeting there was always at least one physician in attendance who had been the subject of an investigation, their life, reputation, and practice disrupted or ruined, pointing out the platitudes inherent in such comments. Always there appeared to be an undertow of fear related to the suggested disconnect between the preaching in Washington at the top of the agency and what was “really happening in the field,” where agents and prosecutors often see things differently. In recent years, reassurances related to data suggesting a miniscule number of investigations, arrests, and sanctions ring hollow. These numbers seem particularly tiny when the “denominator” utilized is the total number of physician-registrants in the United States, all 936,385 of them. It makes any fear of DEA action appear to be nothing more than a collective neurosis shared by physicians who treat pain and/or prescribe controlled substances. However, the presentation of these data begs the question: what is …
Pulsatile patterns of gonadotropins and testosterone in man: the effects of clomiphene, with and without testosterone added.

Unstable patterns of serum LH, FSH, and T concentration were demonstrated during frequent interval sampling in 4 normal men. No consistent relationship of T levels to the onset of LH rises could be seen. However, onethird of the LH peaks was followed by a rise in T levels and each T elevation was preceded by an LH peak. The frequency of release and half-times of disappearance for LH and FSH did not change during clomiphene treatment in 2 of these normal subjects (100 mg/day); elevated serum gonadotropins resulted from an increased magnitude of release per pulse. A similar exaggeration of T secretion was seen. Testosterone propionate injection (25 mg) on day 4 of clomiphene treatment further elevated circulating T levels without lowering serum gonadotropins.
Competitive hydrogenations on platinum

The results of the competitive hydrogenation of 14 pair combinations of 10 cycloalkenes from solution in cycloalkane solvents on alumina-supported platinum catalysts at 25.0° and 1 atm are reported. The results are found to be in accord with both equilibrium and rate-controlled chemisorption models. The latter is preferred. The stereochemical problems represented by the formation of trans -dimethylcyclohexanes from the xylenes and the pressure-variable cis/trans product ratio from dialkylcycloalkenes are discussed in terms of these results. Some of the factors which influence chemisorption of cycloalkenes on platinum surfaces are considered.
Further studies on chromium(II)-mediated homoallylic alcohol syntheses

Abstract The stereochemical outcome of chromium(II)-mediated syntheses of homoallylic alcohols has been examined on 11 aldehydes, 3a – 13a .
Necrotizing anorectal lesions associated with Pseudomonas infection in leukemia.

Five cases of acute leukemia with complicating anorectal necrotizing ulceration are reported. In all five, the ulcer was due toPseudomonas infection, and was associated with death from septicemia. The distinctive characteristics of the ulcers are discussed in terms of the causal organism.
Career-related correlates of self-discipline.

An investigation was made of the relationship between scores on the Self-discipline Questionnaire and self-ratings on four career-related variables among a sample of 325 working adults. The Self-di...
Multiphase materials with lignin. IV: Blends of hydroxypropyl cellulose with lignin

Polymer blends of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and organosolv lignin (OSL) were prepared by mixing in solutions of both pyridine and dioxane, and casting as films, and by mixing in the melt followed by extrusion. All preparations exhibited partial miscibility as evidenced by a single Tg up to a composition of 40 wt % lignin above which phase separation was detected. Dioxane-cast and injection-molded blends were distinguished from the pyridine-cast materials by a positive Tg deviation from additivity, an approximation which adequately described the latter. This positive deviation in Tg is attributed to the formation of a liquid-crystal mesophase with a resultant reduction of amorphous HPC available for interaction with the lignin component. This explanation is supported by a rapid rise in modulus (∼150%) and tensile strength with very low lignin content, and by an associated sharp decline in ultimate elongation. The development of morphological features, as observed by scanning electron microscopy provide further substantiation of this hypothesis.
Successful function of autologous iPSC-derived dopamine neurons following transplantation in a non-human primate model of Parkinson's disease.

Autologous transplantation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons is a potential clinical approach for treatment of neurological disease. Preclinical demonstration of long-term efficacy, feasibility, and safety of iPSC-derived dopamine neurons in non-human primate models will be an important step in clinical development of cell therapy. Here, we analyzed cynomolgus monkey (CM) iPSC-derived midbrain dopamine neurons for up to 2 years following autologous transplantation in a Parkinson’s disease (PD) model. In one animal, with the most successful protocol, we found that unilateral engraftment of CM-iPSCs could provide a gradual onset of functional motor improvement contralateral to the side of dopamine neuron transplantation, and increased motor activity, without a need for immunosuppression. Postmortem analyses demonstrated robust survival of midbrain-like dopaminergic neurons and extensive outgrowth into the transplanted putamen. Our proof of concept findings support further development of autologous iPSC-derived cell transplantation for treatment of PD.
Membrane potential shifts caused by diffusible guidance signals direct growth-cone turning.

Diffusible axon guidance molecules can modulate membrane potential shifts in the growth cone, producing either attraction or repulsion. This is accomplished through the manipulation of Na+ or Cl− currents by cGMP-based signaling mechanisms, producing a differential change in the Ca2+ influx into the growth cone. Plasma membrane potentials gate the ion channel conductance that controls external signal–induced neuronal functions. We found that diffusible guidance molecules caused membrane potential shifts that resulted in repulsion or attraction of Xenopus laevis spinal neuron growth cones. The repellents Sema3A and Slit2 caused hyperpolarization, and the attractants netrin-1 and BDNF caused depolarization. Clamping the growth-cone potential at the resting state prevented Sema3A-induced repulsion; depolarizing potentials converted the repulsion to attraction, whereas hyperpolarizing potentials had no effect. Sema3A increased the intracellular concentration of guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate ([cGMP]i) by soluble guanylyl cyclase, resulting in fast onset and long-lasting hyperpolarization. Pharmacological increase of [cGMP]i caused protein kinase G (PKG)-mediated depolarization, switching Sema3A-induced repulsion to attraction. This bimodal switch required activation of either Cl− or Na+ channels, which, in turn, regulated the differential intracellular Ca2+ concentration increase across the growth cone. Thus, the polarity of growth-cone potential shifts imposes either attraction or repulsion, and Sema3A achieves this through cGMP signaling.
A nonstandard finite difference scheme for a Fisher PDE having nonlinear diffusion

Abstract A number of important phenomena in ecology can be modeled by one-dimensional, nonlinear reaction-diffusion PDEs. This paper considers a modified Fisher PDE for which the diffusion term is nonlinear. A nonstandard finite difference scheme is constructed using methods generated by the previous work of Mickens. As a check on the mathematical properties of this scheme, a linear stability analysis is carried out for the two fixed-points appearing in the differential and difference equations. The finite difference scheme is shown to have solutions which satisfy a positivity condition as well as the requirement of boundedness. Further, the scheme is explicit and a functional relationship is obtained between the space and time step-sizes. A numerical test of the scheme is done for a particular initial/boundary value problem. A brief discussion of how the work can be extended and/or generalized is also given.
Cyclic energy harvesting from pyroelectric materials

A method of continuously harvesting energy from pyroelectric materials is demonstrated using an innovative cyclic heating scheme. In traditional pyroelectric energy harvesting methods, static heating sources are used, and most of the available energy has to be harvested at once. A cyclic heating system is developed such that the temperature varies between hot and cold regions. Although the energy harvested during each period of the heating cycle is small, the accumulated total energy over time may exceed traditional methods. Three materials are studied: a commonly available soft lead zirconate titanate (PZT), a pre-stressed PZT composite, and single-crystal PMN-30PT. Radiation heating and natural cooling are used such that, at smaller cyclic frequencies, the temporal rate of change in temperature is large enough to produce high power densities. The maximum power density of 8.64 μW/cm3 is generated with a PMN-30PT single crystal at an angular velocity of 0.64 rad/s with a rate of 8.5°C/s. The pre-stressed PZT composite generated a power density of 6.31 μW/cm3, which is 40% larger than the density of 4.48 μW/cm3 obtained from standard PZT.
Treatment and outcomes of treating of hepatocellular carcinoma among Medicare recipients in the United States: a population-based study.

Background/Aims There are several treatment alternatives available for patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Yet, neither the extent to which potentially curative or palliative therapy is used to treat HCC, nor the determinants of using such therapies are known. Further, it is unclear how effective different modalities are for treating HCC. Methods We used the linked SEER-Medicare dataset to identify patients diagnosed with HCC between 1992 and 1999.We identified 2963 patients with continuous Medicare enrollment who were not enrolled in a Medicare-HMO. HCC treatments were categorized as potentially curative therapy (resection, transplant, local ablation), or palliative (trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE), chemotherapy), and no therapy. Demographic (age, sex, race, geographic region), clinical (comorbidity, risk factors and severity of liver disease) and tumor factors (tumor size, extent of disease) were examined as potential determinants of therapy, as well as survival in univariate and multivariable analyses. Survival curves were also generated and compared among the different treatment modalities. Results The median age at diagnosis was 74 years (range: 32–105), and most patients (91%) were older than 65 years. Approximately 68% were White, 10% Black, 4% Hispanic, 8% Asian, and 9% were of other race. Thirteen percent of the patients received potentially curative therapy (transplant 0.9%, resection 8.2%, local ablation 4.1%), 4% received TACE, 57% received other palliative therapy, and 26% received no specific therapy. Only 34% of 513 patients with single lesions, and 34% of 143 patients with lesions 10.0cm) received such therapy. Among patients who received potentially curative therapy ( n =392), resection was the most common procedure ( n =243, 62%) followed by local ablation ( n =122, 31%) and finally transplantation ( n =27, 7%). In regression analyses, geographic variations in the extent and type of curative therapy persisted after adjusting for demographic, clinical, and tumor features. Median overall survival was 104 days following HCC diagnosis with the longest survival in the transplant group (852 days) and the shortest survival in the group with no treatment (58 days). In the survival analysis, transplantation led to the longest survival, followed by resection. Neither ablation nor TACE yielded prolonged survival (3 year survival was less than 10%). Conclusions In this predominantly 65 years and older Medicare population, there are marked geographic variations in the management of HCC that seem to be at least as important as clinical and tumor-related features in determining the extent and type of HCC therapy. There is underutilization of potentially curative therapy, even among those with favorable tumor features.
X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy of the Multiphase Interstellar Medium: Oxygen and Neon Abundances

X-ray absorption spectroscopy provides a powerful tool in determining the metal abundances in various phases of the interstellar medium (ISM). We present a case study of the sight line toward 4U 1820-303, based on Chandra grating observations. The detection of O I, O II, O III, O VII, O VIII, and Ne IX K? absorption lines allows us to measure the atomic column densities of the neutral, warm ionized, and hot phases of the ISM through much of the Galactic disk. By comparing these measurements with the 21 cm hydrogen emission and with the pulsar dispersion measure, we estimate the mean oxygen abundances in the neutral and total ionized phases as 0.3(0.2, 0.6) and 2.2(1.1, 3.5) in units of Anders & Greversse's solar value (90% confidence intervals). This significant oxygen abundance difference is apparently a result of molecule/dust grain destruction and recent metal enrichment in the warm ionized and hot phases. We also measure the column density of neon from its absorption edge and obtain a solar value of the Ne/O ratio accounting for the expected oxygen contained in molecules and dust grains. From a joint analysis of the O VII, O VIII, and Ne IX lines, we obtain the Ne/O abundance ratio of the hot phase as 1.4(0.9, 2.1) solar, which is not sensitive to the exact hot gas temperature distribution assumed. These comparable ISM Ne/O ratios for the different phases are thus considerably less than the value recently inferred from corona emission of solar-like stars.
Gene therapy vectors based on adeno-associated virus type 1

The complete sequence of adeno-associated virus type 1 (AAV-1) was defined. Its genome of 4,718 nucleotides demonstrates high homology with those of other AAV serotypes, including AAV-6, which appears to have arisen from homologous recombination between AAV-1 and AAV-2. Analysis of sera from nonhuman and human primates for neutralizing antibodies (NAB) against AAV-1 and AAV-2 revealed the following. (i) NAB to AAV-1 are more common than NAB to AAV-2 in nonhuman primates, while the reverse is true in humans; and (ii) sera from 36% of nonhuman primates neutralized AAV-1 but not AAV-2, while sera from 8% of humans neutralized AAV-2 but not AAV-1. An infectious clone of AAV-1 was isolated from a replicated monomer form, and vectors were created with AAV-2 inverted terminal repeats and AAV-1 Rep and Cap functions. Both AAV-1- and AAV-2-based vectors transduced murine liver and muscle in vivo; AAV-1 was more efficient for muscle, while AAV-2 transduced liver more efficiently. Strong NAB responses were detected for each vector administered to murine skeletal muscle; these responses prevented readministration of the same serotype but did not substantially cross-neutralize the other serotype. Similar results were observed in the context of liver-directed gene transfer, except for a significant, but incomplete, neutralization of AAV-1 from a previous treatment with AAV-2. Vectors based on AAV-1 may be preferred in some applications of human gene therapy.
The Contribution of Constraint Negotiation to the Leisure Satisfaction of College Students in Campus Recreational Sports

Satisfaction experienced during leisure activity plays an important role in continued leisure participation. Leisure participation is also affected by leisure constraints. In recent years, the idea of negotiating leisure constraints has emerged as an important area of research. The concept of constraint negotiation suggests that individuals use various methods to overcome constraints and participate in leisure activities. Although research has been done examining the leisure satisfaction of college students, as well as constraint negotiation strategies used by college students, little research has examined the role of negotiation in creating satisfying leisure experiences. The purpose of this study was to examine which type of constraint negotiation strategies contributed to satisfying leisure experiences for college students. The sample of this study consisted of college students at two midwestern universities (N = 363). Results from this study indicate that college students commonly use interpersonal re...
WAP5: black-box performance debugging for wide-area systems

Wide-area distributed applications are challenging to debug, optimize, and maintain. We present Wide-Area Project 5 (WAP5), which aims to make these tasks easier by exposing the causal structure of communication within an application and by exposing delays that imply bottlenecks. These bottlenecks might not otherwise be obvious, with or without the application's source code. Previous research projects have presented algorithms to reconstruct application structure and the corresponding timing information from black-box message traces of local-area systems. In this paper we present (1) a new algorithm for reconstructing application structure in both local- and wide-area distributed systems, (2) an infrastructure for gathering application traces in PlanetLab, and (3) our experiences tracing and analyzing three systems: CoDeeN and Coral, two content-distribution networks in PlanetLab; and Slurpee, an enterprise-scale incident-monitoring system.
Notch1 phenotype and clinical stage progression in non-small cell lung cancer

Notch1 transmembrane receptor is activated through ligand-binding- triggered proteolytic cleavages and, upon release, the intracellular domain (N1-ICD) translocates into the nucleus and modulates target gene transcriptions. Notch activation has been implicated in tumorigenesis in an increasing number of human malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, Notch1 in distinct expression patterns and activation status with tumor progression remains to be defined in NSCLC. Notch1 and activated Notch1, N1-ICD, were examined by immunohistochemistry in 58 cases of stage I to IV NSCLC tumors. Association between Notch1 or N1-ICD expression and clinicopathological factors was assessed via correlation coefficient r statistics. P-values are two-sided. Detectable tumor Notch1, predominantly localized to the membrane and cytoplasm, was observed in 29 cases (50%, 95% Blyth-Still-Casella confidence interval 37 – 63%). It was negatively associated with stage (r = - 0.43, P < 0.001) and nodal status (r = - 0.33, P = 0.01), but not tumor size. In contrast, nuclear N1-ICD expression level was low and found in 12% of NSCLC patients, neither significantly associated with stage nor nodal status. Upon Notch1 activation in vitro, a mostly extra-nuclear staining was substantially turned into the nuclear signal in cancer cells. Notch1 in the largely inactivated phenotype is inversely associated with clinical stage progression in NSCLC. Notch1, rather than activated N1-ICD, may be a context-dependent restrictive factor to nodal metastasis.
Measuring readiness and motivation to quit smoking among women in public health clinics: predictive validity

We conducted an independent pilot test of the internal consistency, stability, and predictive validity of the instrument presented by Crittenden, Manfredi, Lacey, Warnecke, and Parsons (1994) using a two-wave panel of female smokers in 12 public health clinics. This instrument subdivides the precontemplation stage proposed by Prochaska and DiClemente into three more distinct stages: not contemplating quitting or cutting down, not contemplating quitting, and not contemplating quitting within 6 months. Findings confirm that the instrument is useful for evaluating movement toward quitting for populations that are largely concentrated in the precontemplative stage. The concurrent and predictive validity of the elaborated stages and the reliability and stability of smoking motivation and confidence indicate that the instrument is sensitive enough to track changes in readiness and motivation across the full readiness continuum.
Vacuum arc ion charge-state distributions

Vacuum arc ion charge-state spectra have been measured for a wide range of metallic cathode materials. The charge-state distributions were measured using a time-of-flight diagnostic to monitor the energetic ion beam produced by a metal vapor vacuum arc ion source. Data were obtained for 48 metallic cathode elements: Li, C, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er Yb, Hf, Ta, W, Ir, Pt, Au Pb, Bi, Th, and U. The arc was operated in a pulsed mode with pulse length 0.25 ms: arc current was 100 A throughout. The measured distributions are cataloged and compared with earlier results. Some observations about the performance of the various elements as suitable vacuum arc cathode materials are also presented. >
Localized Radon transform-based detection of ship wakes in SAR images

Presents a Radon transform-based approach to the detection of ship wakes in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The key element of this technique is a localization of the Radon transform, whereby the intensity integration is performed over short line segments rather than across the entire image. A linear feature detection algorithm, which utilizes this localized Radon transform, is then developed. In this algorithm, referred to as the feature space line detector algorithm, the transform space is subjected to processing which serves to isolate and locate the response of linear features and suppresses the response of false alarms. This algorithm is tested on both synthetic images corrupted by various levels of Weibull multiplicative noise and on actual SAR images of ship wakes. The results of this testing demonstrate the algorithm's robustness in the presence of noise, as well as its ability to detect and localize linear features that are significantly shorter than the image dimensions. >
On optimal TTL sequence-based route discovery in MANETs

In on-demand multi-hop routing protocols for MANETs such as DSR and AODV, a fundamental requirement for peer-to-peer connectivity is to discover routes to a remote node via flooding of route request messages. Historically, such floodings of requests have used a TTL (time-to-live) large enough to reach all nodes in the network to ensure successful route discovery in one round of flooding. Recently (N. Chang et al., 2004), it was shown that the generic minimal cost flooding search problem can be solved via a sequence of floodings with an optimally chosen set of TTLs. The theoretical result, when applied to DSR route discovery, does not take into account optimizations such as route caching and overhearing, which can significantly reduce the frequency and the propagation range of route discovery operations. Equally importantly, the impact of using a sequence of floodings on the packet delivery delay is not clear. In this paper, we study the impact of using the optimal TTL sequence-based route discovery on DSR routing performance. Our results show when caching and overhearing are considered, the route discovery enhanced by an optimal TTL sequence has very similar overhead but higher delay than the basic route discovery mechanism.
Markov decision processes in natural resources management: Observability and uncertainty

The breadth and complexity of stochastic decision processes in natural resources presents a challenge to analysts who need to understand and use these approaches. The objective of this paper is to describe a class of decision processes that are germane to natural resources conservation and management, namely Markov decision processes, and to discuss applications and computing algorithms under different conditions of observability and uncertainty. A number of important similarities are developed in the framing and evaluation of different decision processes, which can be useful in their applications in natural resources management. The challenges attendant to partial observability are highlighted, and possible approaches for dealing with it are discussed.
Return eye movements, saccadic movements, and the quick phase of nystagmus.

Electric stimulation of ampullary nerves in the alert cat and monkey induces active diphasic eye movements. These consist of an initial deviation followed by a movement which returns the eyes toward or past their initial position in the orbit. The second movement has been designated a return eye movement and is a central oculomotor reflex. This reflex appears to provide ocular compensation for head movements induced by strong impulses of angular acceleration. Modulating influences on this reflex include vision, head and eye movements, the initial position of the eyes in the orbit and the head on the neck, and the level of alertness. There is a reciprocal relationship between the amplitude of initial deviations and active return movements which varies linearly with changes in eye position. Characteristics of return movements link them closely to saccadic movements and the quick phase of nystagmus, and differentiate them from other compensatory eye movements which have been previously described.
Hebbian STDP in mushroom bodies facilitates the synchronous flow of olfactory information in locusts

Odour representations in insects undergo progressive transformations and decorrelatio from the receptor array to the presumed site of odour learning, the mushroom body. There, odours are represented by sparse assemblies of Kenyon cells in a large population. Using intracellular recordings in vivo, we examined transmission and plasticity at the synapse made by Kenyon cells onto downstream targets in locusts. We find that these individual synapses are excitatory and undergo hebbian spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP) on a ±25 ms timescale. When placed in the context of odour-evoked Kenyon cell activity (a 20-Hz oscillatory population discharge), this form of STDP enhances the synchronization of the Kenyon cells’ targets and thus helps preserve the propagation of the odour-specific codes through the olfactory system.
Spelling in Parts: A Strategy for Spelling and Decoding Polysyllabic Words

The Spelling in Parts strategy can enhance children's ability to spell and decode multisyllabic words. The strategy, which can be taught in any systematic spelling program, combines phonemic awareness, the study of common orthographic patterns, visualization, and recognition of morphemic units such as roots, prefixes, and suffixes. The authors provide several classroom scenarios to illustrate this teaching and learning technique.
Inhibition by nitric oxide and nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) nerves is preserved in a canine model of extrinsic denervation: implications for small bowel transplantation.

Background Small bowel transplantation (SBT) is complicated by changes in graft motility, especially in the early postoperative period. This dysmotility may be related in part to the extrinsic denervation necessitated by the procedure, but specific neurotransmitter response to SBT is incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of nitric oxide and nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) enteric neural input in the nonimmunologic etiology of the dysmotility seen after SBT. Methods A technique of jejunoileal extrinsic denervation (without disruption of mesenteric vascular supply) was used as a model of canine jejunoileal autotransplantation to avoid potential confounding factors such as ischemia-reperfusion and postallotransplant immunologic effects. Longitudinal smooth muscle strips from ileum and jejunum were studied with in vitro tissue chamber methodology at 0, 2, and 8 weeks after this experimental model to explore early and late effects of denervation. Effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) and electric field stimulation (EFS), which releases native, endogenous enteric neurotransmitters) were evaluated in neurally intact control dogs and those undergoing extrinsic denervation. Results Exogenous NO caused a dose-dependent inhibition of spontaneous contractile activity and in some muscle strips a decrease in basal tone in both groups of dogs. These effects were unchanged by neural blockade with tetrodotoxin and preserved after extrinsic denervation. EFS produced inhibition of spontaneous contractile activity in ileum and a complex, inconsistent response in jejunum. The response to EFS in both ileum and jejunum was unchanged after extrinsic denervation. Conclusions Nitric oxide inhibits contractile activity in canine longitudinal muscle of small bowel. Motility changes seen after this large animal model of extrinsic denervation are not caused by changes in NO or NANC neural function. The variability observed between different segments of intestine is important to consider in the context of SBT.
In the Moment: The Effect of Mindfulness on Ethical Decision Making

Many unethical decisions stem from a lack of awareness. In this article, we consider how mindfulness, an individual’s awareness of his or her present experience, impacts ethical decision making. In our first study, we demonstrate that compared to individuals low in mindfulness, individuals high in mindfulness report that they are more likely to act ethically, are more likely to value upholding ethical standards (self-importance of moral identity, SMI), and are more likely to use a principled approach to ethical decision making (formalism). In our second study, we test this relationship with a novel behavioral measure of unethical behavior: the carbonless anagram method (CAM). We find that of participants who cheated, compared to individuals low in mindfulness, individuals high in mindfulness cheated less. Taken together, our results demonstrate important connections between mindfulness and ethical decision making.
ADP-ribosylation factor 1 transiently activates high-affinity adaptor protein complex AP-1 binding sites on Golgi membranes.

Association of the Golgi-specific adaptor protein complex 1 (AP-1) with the membrane is a prerequisite for clathrin coat assembly on the trans-Golgi network (TGN). The AP-1 adaptor is efficiently recruited from cytosol onto the TGN by myristoylated ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) in the presence of the poorly hydrolyzable GTP analog guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS). Substituting GTP for GTPγS, however, results in only poor AP-1 binding. Here we show that both AP-1 and clathrin can be recruited efficiently onto the TGN in the presence of GTP when cytosol is supplemented with ARF1. Optimal recruitment occurs at 4 μM ARF1 and with 1 mM GTP. The AP-1 recruited by ARF1·GTP is released from the Golgi membrane by treatment with 1 M Tris-HCl (pH 7) or upon reincubation at 37°C, whereas AP-1 recruited with GTPγS or by a constitutively active point mutant, ARF1(Q71L), remains membrane bound after either treatment. An incubation performed with added ARF1, GTP, and AlFn, used to block ARF GTPase-activating protein activity, results in membrane-associated AP-1, which is largely insensitive to Tris extraction. Thus, ARF1·GTP hydrolysis results in lower-affinity binding of AP-1 to the TGN. Using two-stage assays in which ARF1·GTP first primes the Golgi membrane at 37°C, followed by AP-1 binding on ice, we find that the high-affinity nucleating sites generated in the priming stage are rapidly lost. In addition, the AP-1 bound to primed Golgi membranes during a second-stage incubation on ice is fully sensitive to Tris extraction, indicating that the priming stage has passed the ARF1·GTP hydrolysis point. Thus, hydrolysis of ARF1·GTP at the priming sites can occur even before AP-1 binding. Our finding that purified clathrin-coated vesicles contain little ARF1 supports the concept that ARF1 functions in the coat assembly process rather than during the vesicle-uncoating step. We conclude that ARF1 is a limiting factor in the GTP-stimulated recruitment of AP-1 in vitro and that it appears to function in a stoichiometric manner to generate high-affinity AP-1 binding sites that have a relatively short half-life.
Biomechanical Comparison of 3 Suture Anchor Configurations for Repair of Type II SLAP Lesions

Purpose: Our purpose was to compare 3 commonly used suture anchor configurations for repair of type II SLAP lesions. Methods: Biomechanical testing was performed on 3 groups of 7 cadaveric shoulders by use of an optical linear strain measurement system. Standardized type II SLAP lesions were created and repaired via 3 suture anchor configurations: (1) a single simple suture anterior to the biceps; (2) two simple sutures, one anterior and one posterior to the biceps; and (3) a single mattress suture through the biceps anchor. Cyclic traction was applied to the biceps tendon, and strain failure (defined as 2 mm of permanent displacement), yield, and pullout loads were measured. Results: The mean load to strain failure was 63 N in group 1, 70 N in group 2, and 106 N in group 3. The mean load to ultimate failure was 140 N in group 1, 194 N in group 2, and 194 N in group 3. Strain failure load was significantly higher in the mattress suture group than in either of the other two groups ( P Conclusions: When type II SLAP lesions were subjected to cyclic traction, the load to strain failure was greater with a single anchor and mattress suture than with one or two anchors with simple sutures around the labrum. Fixation with two simple sutures appears to provide intermediate load to strain failure. Clinical Relevance: The results of this study suggest that a single anchor with a mattress suture may be a biomechanically advantageous construct for the repair of type II SLAP lesions.