cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bullying victimization in typically developing and clinical high risk (CHR) adolescents: A multimodal imaging study.

Abstract Background Bullying has been shown to increase the risk of developing a psychotic disorder. To date, no studies have examined brain behavior relationships within the context of bullying victimization in clinical high-risk (CHR) youth, a group characterized by both gray and white matter abnormalities. The present study employed multimodal neuroimaging to examine possible neural mechanisms associated with bullying victimization. Methods CHR and healthy volunteers underwent clinical interviews, parent reports and MRI scans. Regions of interest (ROIs) were picked based on sensitivity to environmental stress, including hippocampal, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) structural ROIs, and uncinate fasciculus white matter integrity. Results CHR individuals were more exposed to bullying victimization than healthy volunteers, and bullying was associated with depressive symptoms across the whole sample. CHR individuals exhibited smaller volumes in OFC, but not in other ROIs. Increased bullying exposure was associated with lower medial OFC volumes in CHR and HV groups independently. Results ought to be interpreted as preliminary, as they did not survive correction at the whole brain level. Discussion Bullying victimization may affect or be affected by volumetric OFC differences in both healthy and CHR individuals. However, given CHR showed greater exposure to bullying as well as underlying vulnerability (e.g. lower volumes), results also point to etiological clues and novel intervention targets, though future replication is needed in better powered samples.
An Analysis of Middle School Mathematics Pre-Service Teachers' Development of Teaching Goals.

This longitudinal study analyzes middle school mathematics pre-service teachers‟ development of teaching goals. The Teaching Goals Inventory (TGI) (Angelo & Cross, 1993) was administered on four occasions: preand posttest summer 1, end posttest end of spring, and posttest end of summer 2. The data were analyzed for consistency and changes from one administration to another. The participants were part of a teacher preparation and master‟s degree program. Most selected the higher order thinking skills as their essential goal cluster, and demonstrated some changes in their goal selection from one administration to the other. Implications for pre-service teacher preparation programs were included.
Implementation of a pharmacy technician residency program in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Purpose Leveraging pharmacy technicians to take on advanced roles can enable pharmacists to practice at the highest level of their license. Technicians trained through traditional venues may not have the necessary knowledge and skills to adequately take on these roles. To meet this need, a technician residency program was developed and implemented in a health-system pharmacy. Summary The technician residency program was designed to develop competency in the medication use process as assessed through achievement of 30 objectives based on successful completion of rotations, projects, and didactic examination. The program duration was 50 weeks with rotations which included compounding, technician-check-technician cart fill and floor stock replenishment, investigational drug services, regulatory compliance, and other functions. The resident also completed several projects to improve data analytics, communication, and leadership skills. By the end of the program, the residency program director and preceptors determined that the resident achieved 83% (25/30) of objectives and had developed competency in the medication use process superior to technicians with several years of experience. The resident was ultimately hired in a specialty technician position and was found to perform effectively in that role. Conclusion The program allowed the technician resident to gain a comprehensive understanding of health-system pharmacy practice and continue to develop skills and abilities that would typically take several years of work experience to be achieved.
Fifth graders learn math by observation faster when they observe peers receive corrections

ABSTRACTWe compared the rate and efficiency of fifth-graders learning math objectives through observation of their peers receiving feedback under two conditions: (a) reinforcement for correct respo...
A note on Bianchi-Donà's proof to the variance formula of von Neumann entropy

Bianchi and Dona [1] have recently reported a proof to the variance formula of von Neumann entropy, which was conjectured in [2] and firstly proved in [3]. The purpose of this short note is to show that, despite having a different starting point, the subsequent calculations (omitted in [1]) leading to the result are essentially the same as in [3].
Lotteries, Possible Worlds, and Probability

A necessary criterion of Duncan Pritchard’s Anti-luck Virtue Epistemology is his safety condition. A believer cannot know p unless her belief is safe. Her belief is safe only if p could not have easily been false. But “easily” is not to be understood probabilistically. The chance that p is false might be extremely low and yet p remains unsafe. This is what happens, Pritchard argues, in lottery examples and explains why knowledge is not a function of the probabilistic strength of one’s evidence. This paper argues that, contra Pritchard, modality holds no epistemic advantage over this type of “probabilistic evidentialism” that he criticizes. I begin with a review of Pritchard’s argument supporting modality over probability; second, I explain the problems with this argument, and third, I offer an alternative explanation of the lottery example (which purportedly shows modality is superior to probability). At the completion of the paper, modality and probability are on equal epistemic footing.
The Effect of Planck-Scale Spacetime Fluctuations on Lorentz Invariance at Extreme Speeds

Although our own timekeeping devices have finite precision, we often question whether this must mean the flow of time in nature is continuous at all scales. The starting point of this work is the axiomatic existence of an ultimate limit, or smallest measurable interval tP = (G/c5)1/2 (the Planck time), set by quantum fluctuations in the vacuum metric tensor. By the relativity principle, this same limit must then apply to the accuracy of all clocks that register time of events in their own frames. Furthermore, it implies that the ordinary meaning of distance also ceases in the same way beyond a scale lP = ctP. Owing to the smallness of tP and lP, their roles have hitherto been considered only in the context of the early universe. Here we demonstrate that quantum spacetime, if real, may be made manifest not only by probing very fine scales or large masses but also by observing very energetic collisions, defined as interactions that occurred with the center-of-mass frame Σ' (of the participating bodies) moving at a high speed v relative to our laboratory frame Σ. In such situations, the initial conditions of the interaction are determined from direct measurements of the ultraenergetic particles or photons by instruments aboard Σ: they gather a raw data set that is subject to the limiting uncertainties ~(tP, lP). Yet a meaningful (i.e., experimentally verified) version of the interaction is one where the interaction is viewed from frame Σ'. Since no instruments aboard Σ' have taken any data, the way we proceeded is by a Lorentz transformation of from Σ to Σ'. Beware, however, that the resulting ' no longer consists of raw data, i.e., Lorentz distortions of probability distributions render the uncertainties non-Planckian—in fact, it will be shown that as v → c they are much greater than (tP, lP) and are no longer negligible. Examples are given to indicate how a proper understanding of existing high-energy cosmic- and gamma-ray data necessitates incorporation of the said effect.
Studies on the influence of industrial pollution on soil animals in pine stands, aims and methods of the soil-block model experiment

During previous studies (Gorny, 1971, 1972) it was inferred that industrial air pollution exerts a marked influence on soil animal populations in pine stands. It was also stated that an initially slight positive influence of pollution marked by a greater reproduction of some species of soil animals, changed into a distinctly negative influence and might have lead to the death of some populations. The intensity of the negative influence was being reduced with the distance from the source of pollution, in this case nitrate industry. This fact enabled to distinguish zones of different soil animals communities, similar to those of plant communities.
The effect of Zoledronate treatment timing on lumbar and caudal vertebrae in ovariectomized rats

Introduction: While there have been numerous studies demonstrating the effect of bisphosphonates in rats as either a preventative treatment or recovering treatment for osteoporosis, few have directly compared the two treatment alternatives with respect to their effects on bone microstructure and strength. This paper, then, investigates the effects of treatment timing using Zoledronate [ZOL], a potent bisphosphonate, on the lumbar and caudal vertebrae in ovariectomized [OVX], female Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty nine rats were divided into four groups according to their treatment: OVX at week 0 (n=5), OVX+earlyZOL (20 gg/kg s.c. week 0, n=8), OVX+late ZOL (20 gg/kg s.c. week 8, n=7), and SHAM-OVX (n=9). Results: Micro-computed tomography (gCT) evaluation of six parameters characterizing bone morphology [BV/TV, ConnD, SMI, TbTh, TbNr, and TbSp] showed slightly favorable effects with early ZOL treatment in the fourth lumbar [L4] vertebrae. Compared to SHAM-OVX, OVX has a significantly (p<0.05) lower BV/TV, higher SMI, and TbSp. OVX+earlyZOL had a significantly higher BV/TV than OVX and SHAMOVX and a lower TbSp than OVX. Decreasing trends but no statistically significant differences were reached in the cortical thickness with treatment, nor were there any differences in bone morphology between the groups in the sixth caudal vertebrae [CD6]. A two-way ANOVA revealed an interaction between the vertebral site and treatment group for BV/TV and TbSp. jCT and static compression tests on the L3 and L4 of rats in a secondary study revealed significant correlations in architectural parameters and biomechanical properties between the two vertebrae. L4 had a higher BV/TV, SMI, and minimum area [minA] and a lower TbNr and TbSp than L3, but L4 had lower values for stiffness, energy to failure [energy], and ultimate load. Regression analysis also showed statistically significant correlations between ultimate load [Uload] and total bone volume [BV], energy and BV, Uload and minA, stiffness and minA, and energy and minA. Conclusion: Results showed slightly favorable trends on bone microstructure for early treatment and demonstrated the potential for clinical advantages using preventative therapy. Upon further research in understanding the vertebrae's response to ZOL at different time points after OVX, treatment for osteoporosis may be better directed. Thesis Supervisor: Kimberly Hamad-Schifferli Title: Esther and Harold E. Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering M OVX Jý.Irrwtaryt 200-77 MaiCllill Ztflllril 2 sSUr. i~l:` ?3 i
Use of Focus Groups in Survey Item Development

Focus groups are rapidly gaining popularity as a field research tool. This technique can be particularly effective in survey item development, as illustrated here via development of the Volunteer Work Behaviors Questionnaire. The steps involved in this process, ranging from item generation to finalizing logistics, are outlined. Implications for further research are proposed
Tight junction formation in the establishment of intramembranous particle polarity in aggregating MDCK cells. Effect of drug treatment.

Abstract Freeze-fracture electron microscopic investigations of reaggregating epithelial MDCK cells from canine kidney have revealed a close temporal relationship between tight junction formation and the establishment of a differential distribution of intramembranous particles (IMPs) between the luminal and basolateral membranes. In order to dissect these two processes, associating MDCK cells have been treated with cytochalasin B (CB), colcemid and cycloheximide. Cycloheximide (10 μg/ml) treatment prevents tight junction formation within the first 4 1 2 h after cell plating. This effect appears to define a protein synthetic phase of tight junction formation. CB (10 μg/ml) treatment within the first 6 h after plating selectively inhibits tight junction formation. Tight junction assembly observable between the 10th and 18th h in control cultures and its inhibition in CB-treated cultures thus further defines an assembly phase in this process. Lastly, colcemid (0.1 μg/ml) inhibits tight junction formation in a similar schedule as cycloheximide. Since colcemid does not affect de novo protein synthesis in MDCK cells, its inhibitory effect on tight junction formation might be exerted some time between the protein synthetic phase and the assembly phase (i.e. between the 5th and 10th h after plating). This is a time when the synthesized macromolecular components are transported and inserted into the plasma membrane. In all three experimental conditions when tight junction assembly was observed, a differential IMP distribution became established. When tight junction assembly was not observed, the establishment of a differential IMP distribution was never observed. These studies therefore help to define sequential phases in tight junction formation and IMP polarity establishment between aggregating MDCK cells.
Market Forces and Strategic Adaptation: The Influence of Private Scholarships on Planning in Urban School Systems

While the current debate about the effects of vouchers focuses on the effects of private schools on achievement, it is also important to examine how the introduction of need-based scholarships influences change in school systems. This study uses a qualitative method to examine the influence of a privately funded scholarship program on strategic adaptations within urban public and private schools in a major metropolitan area. The study revealed that senior administrators in public and private schools rapidly adapted their strategies to contend with the new program: suburban public schools prevented scholarship students from enrolling; urban public schools increased choices for public school students; and private schools actively recruited students. However, the scholarships had little influence on the ways these administrators viewed school choice.
Oil, Growth, and Health: What Does the Cross-Country Evidence Really Show?*

We show that previous results from the body of literature on the resource curse have primarily been driven by the collapse in oil prices during the mid-1980s. By exploiting cross-country variations in the size of initial oil endowments and the timing of oil discoveries, we find that there is a stable positive relationship between oil abundance and long-run economic growth. Using dynamic panel data methods, we also find that there is no evidence that higher oil rents hinder growth. However, to focus on material gain means that the welfare gain from oil is understated, because oil-rich countries benefit more by the reduction in infant mortality and the gain in longevity. Interestingly, such oil-led health improvements are more pronounced in non-democratic countries, where initial heath conditions were poor and oil wealth is concentrated among the ruling elites.
The Classification of Playground Activities

(1911). The Classification of Playground Activities. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 44-50.
On Ranking Senators by Their Votes

The problem of ranking a set of objects given some measure of similarity is one of the most basic in machine learning. Recently Agarwal [1] proposed a method based on techniques in semi-supervised learning utilizing the graph Laplacian. In this work we consider a novel application of this technique to ranking binary choice data and apply it specifically to ranking US Senators by their ideology.
Laboratory studies on high temperature-short time sterilized evaporated milk. I. Easily constructed eccentric falling ball type bomb microviscometers suitable for containing biological materials during sterilization and storage.

Summary A simple eccentric falling ball type bomb micro viscometer is described. This instrument, which lends itself to easy construction in large numbers, is suitable for containing, sterilizing, and storing of milk, milk concentrates, and other biological liquids. Samples as small as 0.01 ml. may be processed and stored. Viscosity measurements may be made before and after sterilization and during storage. The operational characteristics of these microviscometers have been considered in the light of the empirical and semiempirical relationships which apply to falling ball viscometers of the eccentric type. These relationships have been shown to extend to the very small diameter tubes and spheres employed in the construction of the bomb microviscometers. The effect of the angle of inclination on the instrument constant has been determined and this effect furnishes a basis for the rejection of malfunctioning viscometers.
Semi-automatic tracking of myocardial motion in MR tagged images

Tissue tagging using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has enabled quantitative noninvasive analysis of motion and deformation in vivo. One method for MR tissue tagging is Spatial Modulation of Magnetization (SPAMM). Manual detection and tracking of tissue tags by visual inspection remains a time-consuming and tedious process. The authors have developed an interactively guided semi-automated method of detecting and tracking tag intersections in cardiac MR images. A template matching approach combined with a novel adaptation of active contour modeling permits rapid analysis of MR images. The authors have validated their technique using MR SPAMM images of a silicone gel phantom with controlled deformations. Average discrepancy between theoretically predicted and semi-automatically selected tag intersections was 0.30 mm/spl plusmn/0.17 [mean/spl plusmn/SD, NS (P >
HIV-1 Gag mutants can dominantly interfere with the replication of the wild-type virus

The products of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gag gene exist in a highly multimerized state in the mature virion. For that reason, they may represent a particularly suitable target for the generation of dominant negative mutants. A number of HIV site-directed Gag mutants did show interference with the production of infectious viral particles from cells in which they were cotransfected with a wild-type proviral DNA. Furthermore, cells constitutively expressing such HIV Gag mutants had an impaired ability to support HIV replication when infected with wild-type virus. The block was localized to the late stages of the virus life cycle. Such Gag variants could constitute prototypes for the development of anti-HIV intracellular immunization.
Time series analysis of the causal relationships between U.S. energy and employment

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present new evidence obtained by applying several alternative time-series techniques to identify causality or lack of causality between the U.S. energy and employment series for an extended sample covering the period January 1973 to June 1984. The techniques used to analyze the dynamic relationships between the two economic series include cross-correlation functions based on both the double-filter and single-filter, the Haugh test of independence, the Sim's test of causality and the generalized Box-Jenkins procedure of multiple time series modeling. Our major finding supports the neutrality hypothesis of energy consumption with respect to total employment. Stated differently, energy conservation would not lead to an increase or decrease in total employment.
Network Virtualization: Breaking the Performance Barrier: Shared I/O in virtualization platforms has come a long way, but performance concerns remain.

The recent resurgence in popularity of virtualization has led to its use in a growing number of contexts, many of which require high-performance networking. Consider server consolidation, for example. The efficiency of network virtualization directly impacts the number of network servers that can effectively be consolidated onto a single physical machine. Unfortunately, modern network virtualization techniques incur significant overhead, which limits the achievable network performance. We need new network virtualization techniques to realize the full benefits of virtualization in network-intensive domains.
Matrix Protein Mutant of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Stimulates Maturation of Myeloid Dendritic Cells

Matrix (M) protein mutants of vesicular stomatitis virus have recently been used as oncolytic viruses for tumor therapies and are being developed as vaccine vectors for heterologous antigens. Because dendritic cell (DC) maturation is an important correlate of tumor immunosurveillance and vaccine efficacy, we sought to determine the ability of a recombinant M protein mutant virus (rM51R-M virus) to mature DC in vitro. We have previously shown that rM51R-M virus is defective at inhibiting host gene expression in several cell lines compared to its recombinant wild-type counterpart, rwt virus. Therefore, rM51R-M virus allows the expression of genes involved in antiviral responses, such as the type I interferon (IFN) gene. Our results demonstrate that, in contrast to the rwt virus, rM51R-M virus induced the maturation of myeloid DC (mDC) populations, as indicated by an increase in the surface expression of CD40, CD80, and CD86 as well as the secretion of interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-6, and type I IFN. In addition, mDC infected with rM51R-M virus effectively activated naive T cells in vitro, whereas rwt virus-infected mDC were defective in antigen presentation. The inability of rwt virus to induce mDC maturation was correlated with the inhibition of host gene expression in rwt virus-infected cells. Our studies also indicated that the production of costimulatory molecules on mDC by rM51R-M virus was dependent on the type I IFN receptor, while maturation induced by this virus was largely independent of MyD88. These data indicate that rM51R-M virus effectively stimulates the maturation of mDC and has the potential to promote effective T-cell responses to vector-expressed antigens, activate DC at tumor sites during therapy, and aid in tumor immunosurveillance and destruction.
The association of current stimulant use with demographic, substance use, violence-related, social and intrapersonal variables among high risk youth

This paper reports the association of current stimulant use with demographic, other substance use, violence-related, social and intrapersonal variables among a large sample of high risk adolescents. A total of 21.4% of the sample reported using stimulants in the last 30 days. In a final, multivariable model, nonredundant concurrent predictors of current stimulant use were reports that friends use stimulants, reports that stimulants were likely to be used again in the next 12 months, use of alcohol, hallucinogens, or cocaine in the last 30 days, use of alcohol or other drugs to feel more safe, and reports of depression in the last week. Being above the median on 0 to all 7 of these correlates predicted from 0% to 85% of those who were above the median on current stimulant use. One may speculate that programming for these stimulant-using youth should include treatment of multiple substances, depression, and correction of social-cognitive misperceptions.
Design and Development of a Computer-Controlled Interactive Cooling System

An educational interactive cooling system (ICS) was designed, developed and constructed for instructional and demonstrative purposes. This ICS's experimental apparatus is capable of demonstrating thermodynamics and heat transfer concepts and principles. This experimental apparatus has an intuitive user interface, and it is reliable, safe for student use and portable. The interface is capable of allowing data acquisition by a computer. The unit demonstrates change phase as a refrigerant passes through a cold plate. The two-phase process is visible and can be observed through the glass cover of the cold plate. The ICS is capable of cooling heat loads between 100W and 1000W and maintains the heated surface at a temperature of less than 100°C. The unit has been used in thermodynamics classes as a demonstration unit.
Interaction of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol with rat B103 neuroblastoma cells.

The effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) on the growth kinetics and morphology of rat B103 neuroblastoma cells was assessed. Delta-9-THC in doses ranging from 10−4 to 10−7 M inhibited cellular growth in a dose-dependent fashion as evidenced by delay in doubling time, decrease in saturation density, and decrease in efficiency of plating. The inhibition in cellular growth was paralleled by dose-related alterations in cell morphology. Modifications included rounding of cells, retraction of neurites, blebbing of the cell surface, and exfoliation of the plasma membrane. Cytoplasmic alterations included distension of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and perinuclear space, and macrovacuolization. Intracytoplasmic laminated inclusions and vesicular clusters were suggestive of membrane repair in drug-treated cells. These morphological changes were accompanied by cytoskeletal rearrangement in the absence of significant alteration in the concentration of total cytoskeletal protein. Autoradiographic examination of the intracellular fate of 3H-delta-9-THC demonstrated that the drug was confined to the cytoplasmic compartment and often associated with macrovacuoles. These results suggest that delta-9-THC interacts with cellular membranes, thereby altering neuroblastoma cell growth and behavior.
Interpreting the near edges of O2 and O2- in alkali-metal superoxides

Depositing alkali metal into a molecular oxygen layer dispersed on a Kr film produces alkali-metal superoxides containing the ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ species for photoemission and near-edge study. The O K-edge spectrum of ${\mathrm{LiO}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{KO}}_{2}$, and ${\mathrm{CsO}}_{2}$ is in good agreement with theoretical calculations for the free ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ ion. The O K edge for the superoxide strongly resembles that observed for ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, which is nondissociatively adsorbed on a metal surface.
Management of heat in laser tissue welding using NIR cover window material.

Background Laser tissue welding (LTW) is a novel method of surgical wound closure by the use of laser radiation to induce fusion of the biological tissues. Molecular dynamics associated with LTW is a result of thermal and non-thermal mechanisms. Objectives This research focuses exclusively on better heat management to reduce thermal damage of tissues in LTW using a near infrared laser radiation. Methods An infrared continuous-wave (CW) laser radiation at 1,450 nm wavelength corresponding to the absorption band from combination vibrational modes of water is used to weld together ex vivo porcine aorta. Results In these studies we measured the optimal laser power and scan speed, for better tensile strength of the weld and lesser tissue dehydration. Significant amount of water loss from the welded tissue results in cellular death and tissue buckling. Various thermally conductive optical cover windows were used as heat sinks to reduce thermal effects during LTW for the dissipation of the heat. The optimal use of the method prevents tissue buckling and minimizes the water loss. Diamond, sapphire, BK7, fused silica, and IR quartz transparent optical cover windows were tested. Conclusions The data from this study suggests that IR-quartz as the material with optimal thermal conductivity is ideal for laser welding of the porcine aorta. Lasers Surg. Med. 43:991–997, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dynamics of inflationary phase transition

Abstract We elaborate on the nonequilibrium nature of the dynamical inflationary phase transition in the early universe. Introducing a coarse-grained scalar field, we derive its effective equation of motion, and its associated density distribution functional. It is shown that they give the correct one-loop field theoretic results of 〈 φ n ( t )〉. Using a path integral formulation, we evaluate the density distribution functional analytically for all time scales. Nongaussian structure and its implications are discussed. The average tunneling time via quantum fluctuation agrees with Hawking-Moss instanton results.
Structures and activities of archaeal members of the LigD 3'-phosphoesterase DNA repair enzyme superfamily.

LigD 3'-phosphoesterase (PE) is a component of the bacterial NHEJ apparatus that performs 3'-end-healing reactions at DNA breaks. The tertiary structure, active site and substrate specificity of bacterial PE are unique vis-a-vis other end-healing enzymes. PE homologs are present in archaea, but their properties are uncharted. Here, we demonstrate the end-healing activities of two archaeal PEs - Candidatus Korarchaeum cryptofilum PE (CkoPE; 117 amino acids) and Methanosarcina barkeri PE (MbaPE; 151 amino acids) - and we report their atomic structures at 1.1 and 2.1 {angstrom}, respectively. Archaeal PEs are minimized versions of bacterial PE, consisting of an eight-stranded {beta} barrel and a 3{sub 10} helix. Their active sites are located in a crescent-shaped groove on the barrel's outer surface, wherein two histidines and an aspartate coordinate manganese in an octahedral complex that includes two waters and a phosphate anion. The phosphate is in turn coordinated by arginine and histidine side chains. The conservation of active site architecture in bacterial and archaeal PEs, and the concordant effects of active site mutations, underscore a common catalytic mechanism, entailing transition state stabilization by manganese and the phosphate-binding arginine and histidine. Our results fortify the proposal that PEs comprise a DNA repair superfamily distributedmore » widely among taxa.« less
Substrate specificity of lipoprotein lipase and endothelial lipase: studies of lid chimeras.

The triglyceride (TG) lipase gene subfamily, consisting of LPL, HL, and endothelial lipase (EL), plays a central role in plasma lipoprotein metabolism. Compared with LPL and HL, EL is relatively more active as a phospholipase than as a TG lipase. The amino acid loop or "lid" covering the catalytic site has been implicated as the basis for the difference in substrate specificity between HL and LPL. To determine the role of the lid in the substrate specificity of EL, we studied EL in comparison with LPL by mutating specific residues of the EL lid and exchanging their lids. Mutation studies showed that amphipathic properties of the lid contribute to substrate specificity. Exchanging lids between LPL and EL only partially shifted the substrate specificity of the enzymes. Studies of a double chimera possessing both the lid and the C-terminal domain (C-domain) of EL in the LPL backbone showed that the role of the lid in determining substrate specificity does not depend on the nature of the C-domain of the lipase.jr Using a kinetic assay, we showed an additive effect of the EL lid on the apparent affinity for HDL 3 in the presence of the EL C-domain.
Vascular access blood flow monitoring reduces access morbidity and costs

Vascular access blood flow monitoring reduces access morbidity and costs. Background Vascular access morbidity results in suboptimal patient outcomes and costs more than $8000 per patient-year at risk, representing approximately 15% of total Medicare expenditures for ESRD patients annually. In recent years, the rate of access thrombosis has improved following the advent of vascular access blood flow monitoring (VABFM) programs to identify and treat stenosis prior to thrombosis. To define further both the clinical and financial impact of such programs, we used the ultrasound dilution method to study the effects of VABFM on thrombosis-related morbid events and associated costs, compared with both dynamic venous pressure monitoring (DVPM) and no monitoring (NM) in arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) and grafts. Methods A total of 132 chronic hemodialysis patients were followed prospectively for three consecutive study phases (I, 11 months of NM; II, 12 months of DVPM; III, 10 months of VABFM). All vascular access-related information (thrombosis rate, hospitalization, angiogram, angioplasty, access surgery, thrombectomy, catheter placement, missed treatments) was collected during the three study periods. Results During the three study phases, graft thrombosis rate was reduced from 0.71 (phase I), to 0.67 (phase II), to 0.16 (phase III) events per patient-year at risk (P Conclusions VABFM for early detection of vascular access malfunction coupled with preventive intervention reduces thrombosis rates in both polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts and native AVFs. While there was a significant increase in the number of angioplasties done during the flow monitoring phase, the comprehensive cost is markedly reduced due to the decreased number of hospitalizations, catheters placed, missed treatments, and surgical interventions. Vascular access blood flow monitoring along with preventive interventions should be the standard of care in chronic hemodialysis patients.
Simulation in International Studies.

Social scientists have long worked to replicate real-world phenomena in their research and teaching environments. Unlike our biophysical science colleagues, we are faced with an area of study that ...
Book Clubs as Professional Development Opportunities for Preservice Teacher Candidates and Practicing Teachers: An Exploratory Study

The issue of professional development is receiving increased attention, as educators and policy makers are realizing the centrality of teachers to school reform and improvement. This paper describes research on book clubs as a mechanism for professional development and discusses how different study group configurations (i.e., preservice teacher candidates and practicing teachers) utilized book club activities as a central component of their professional development activities. While participation in professional book clubs provides opportunities to examine educational issues, the process is complex and should be examined carefully.
Blockade of adrenal catecholamine release by chlordimeform and its metabolites.

The pesticide chlordimeform and certain of its metabolites inhibit acetylcholine-evoked catecholamine release from isolated bovine adrenals. Effectiveness in isolated adrenals parallels toxicity in rats and mice. Since local anesthetics block adrenomedullary secretion and since a systemic local anesthetic effect has been implicated in the toxicity of chlordimeform, the results of this study support the hypothesis that a local anesthetic action is important in the systemic toxicity of chlordimeform and certain of its metabolites.
Late-Onset Seizures in Alcohol Withdrawal

Purpose: To describe the clinical characteristics of alcohol withdrawal seizures in patients treated with a standardized protocol of short-acting benzodiazepines. Methods: Grand ma1 seizures were prospectively identified in a cohort of 1044 patients consecutively admitted to an inpatient alcohol detoxification unit at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. All patients received a 72-hr structured taper of oxazepam with additional oxazepam given without limit in amount and duration in response to alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Results: Eleven seizures occurred for an overall rate of 1.1%. All were single grand ma1 seizures. Seizures occurred from 52 to 306 hr after admission, with a mean of 122 hr (5 days). A consistent relationship between the seizures and the cessation of oxazepam was noted, with peak incidence occurring 12–48 hr after the last oxazepam dose. In no case did recurrent withdrawal symptoms or delirium tremens develop after the seizure. Patients with seizures were slightly older, more likely to have had withdrawal seizures before (50% vs. 13%, p = 0.03), and had a more severe withdrawal course than controls. Conclusions: Seizures continued to occur at a low but measurable rate in alcohol withdrawal treated with a short-acting benzodiazepine. Clinical characteristics of the seizures are different from that classically described in untreated patients, with the seizures being closely related to the cessation of oxazepam rather than the cessation of alcohol.
Three-dimensional nanoscale molecular imaging by extreme ultraviolet laser ablation mass spectrometry

Mass spectral analysis is used to map the composition of materials and surfaces in numerous fields. Here, the authors report a mass spectral technique based on extreme ultraviolet laser ablation that allows three-dimensional imaging of chemical composition in addition to giving highly sensitive nanoscale resolution.
Tonic activation of locus coeruleus neurons by systemic or intracoerulear microinjection of an irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor: Increased discharge rate and induction of c-fos

Recent studies in this laboratory have demonstrated that intramuscular injection of the irreversible acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, soman (pinacolylmethylphosphonofluoridate), produces a rapid (1-2 h) and profound depletion (70% of control) of norepinephrine (NE) in the olfactory bulb and forebrain. NE is decreased only in convulsing animals. As NE-containing locus coeruleus (LC) neurons provide the only NE input to the olfactory bulb and the major NE innervation of the forebrain, the reduction of NE suggests that soman may cause tonic activation of LC neurons leading to rapid depletion of NE. Activation of LC may result from: (i) facilitation of cholinergic transmission in LC; (ii) soman-induced activation of excitatory inputs to LC; or (iii) generalized activation of LC neurons due to seizures. The present experiments were designed to assess these alternatives. We examined whether LC neuronal activity, c-fos expression, and AChE staining are altered after peripheral (systemic) or direct intracoerulear injection of soman in anesthetized rats. Both modes of soman administration rapidly and potently increase the spontaneous discharge rate of LC neurons. This activation was associated with a desynchronization of the electroencephalogram, but not with seizures. The discharge of LC neurons remained elevated at all postsoman intervals examined (up to 2 h) and was rapidly and completely reversed by systemic injection of the muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine hydrochloride, but not by the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine. Both systemic and intracoerulear soman administration completely inhibited AChE staining in LC and rapidly induced the expression of c-fos in LC neurons. These results demonstrate that soman potently and tonically activates LC neurons. This effect appears to be mediated by direct inhibition of AChE in LC leading to a rapid accumulation of ACh. Unhydrolyzed ACh tonically activates LC neurons via muscarinic receptors. Soman-induced activation of LC neurons does not require seizures. We conclude that depletion of forebrain and olfactory bulb NE after systemic administration of soman results from tonic hypercholinergic stimulation of LC.
Mechanical Properties of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon Attachment

The current study was performed to determine the strength and rigidity of the intact flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon attachment and compare the rigidity at the attachment site to the rigidity within a more proximal part of the tendon. Eight cadaveric index fingers were tested to failure of the FDP tendon. Lines were drawn on each tendon with India ink stain at the position of the attachment to bone and 5 mm and 10 mm proximally. Each test was recorded using a high resolution video camera. A minimum of six images per test were used for analysis of tissue deformation. The centroid of each line was computationally identified to characterize the deformation of the tendon between the lines. Force vs. deformation curves were generated for the 5 mm region representing the tendon attachment and the 5 mm region adjacent to the attachment. Stiffness measurements were generated for each curve, and normalized by the initial length to determine the rigidity. The failure strength ranged from 263 N to 548 N, with rigidity values ranging from 2201 N/(mm/mm) to 8714 N/(mm/mm) and from 3459 N/(mm/mm) to 6414 N/(mm/mm) for the attachment and the tendon proximal to the attachment, respectively. The rigidity did not vary significantly between the attachment and proximal tendon based on a Wilcoxon signed rank test (p = 0.2). The measured strength and rigidity establish biomechanical properties for the FDP tendon attachment to bone.
The design of a flexible real time simulation of terminal area air traffic

A constantly evolving real time computer simulation of air traffic in a terminal area has been developed at the Research Triangle Institute. The model is a flexible simulation of airborne, navaide, ground control, and communications aspects of the terminal area environment which is, with input data changes, adaptable to existing terminal areas and which can be and is being expanded to incorporate advanced concepts of instrumentation and control techniques. This talk describes the basic computer program and input data organization of the model and deals with programming techniques, such as program overlaying, data packing and threaded lists, used to resolve problems created by its requirements of versatility and flexibility, by constraints and advantages of a real time simulation, and by limitations on available core storage. The basic philosophy behind its design was to isolate the various functions performed within the terminal environment such that these functions could be called into use as needed by a particular data set and expansion of the capabilities of the model could be accomplished through unit additions to the program.
Spin Filter Culture: The Propagation of Mammalian Cells in Suspension

A spin filter device has been used for the propagation in vitro of cells of mnouse leukemia L1210 to densities approaching 108 cells per milliliter. By manipulation of flow rates, cells may be exposed to exponentially declining, drug concentrations with half-times of 1.5 hours or less, providing a more realistic parallel to in vivo drug treatment than is obtained by other culture methods.
The importance of soluble microbial products (SMPs) in biological drinking water treatment

Abstract The formation of soluble microbial products (SMPs) during a drinking water ozone-biofiltration process was estimated using two approaches. First, a model was developed that related the assimilation of biodegradable organic matter (BOM) to the accumulation of biomass on filter media. The model was calibrated with data from a regularly backwashed, pilot scale biofilter that approximated a steady-state plug flow reactor. The second approach was a direct measurement of SMP concentrations, accomplished by applying a synthetic water comprised of known compounds to a bio-acclimated filter. The SMP concentration was estimated by determining the difference between known-compound removal (on a carbon basis) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal. Comparable results were obtained from both approaches. SMPs were found to be important relative to the carbon removal that is typically measured (DOC), indicating that this measurement can significantly underestimate the actual BOM removal (17–33% in this research). The concentration of SMPs was negligible relative to the filter effluent DOC pool.
Impact of optimized illumination upon simple lambda-based design rules for low-K1 lithography

The use of low K1 lithography to extend Moore's Law has been shown to have large implications for random logic design rules. In this work we are continuing the analysis of process control and design rule implications of low K1 lithographic systems to include highly optimized illumination and reticle enhancement conditions. Recent 248nm and 193nm lithography results have shown considerable improvements in two-dimensional pattern transfer linearity from optimized off-axis illumination. Due to the public unavailability of leading-edge layout rules (because of their extremely proprietary nature), we are applying our analysis to the simple lambda based design rule system of Mead and Conway. We analyze the impact of K1 and optimization method by comparing the (normalized) area of a typical SRAM bitcell redesigned according to these lambda based rules. The area of the bitcell strongly depends upon the design rules required for each enhancement technique and K1 factor to achieve a manufacturable cell. These area comparisons allow for easy viewing of the cost of pursuing different low K1 strategies. The results of this work are mainly generated from simulation but are backed by experimental verification from recent 193nm tool and process developments.
CYTOLOGICAL STUDIES IN SAINTPAULIA WENDL. (GESNERIACEAE)

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Multiple Scattering of Fast Protons in Photographic Emulsions

Measurements have been made of the multiple Coulomb scattering of protons with energies of 337\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 Mev and 218\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 Mev in Ilford G-5 emulsions. A total of 261 tracks with a combined length of 130.4 cm were analyzed by the determination of the lateral multiple scattering deflections according to the "coordinate method." The results are summarized in terms of the customary scattering factors which, for a given cell length, indicate the proportionality of the average multiple scattering deflection to the quantity "charge/momentum\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}velocity" of the scattered particle. Scattering factors are given for cell lengths of 250, 500, 750, and 1000 microns. These results are compared with the predictions of various theories of multiple scattering, including those of Moliere, Snyder, and Scott, as well as a proposed extension of the theory of Goudsmit and Saunderson, which has the advantage of being directly and conveniently applicable to the analysis of lateral multiple scattering deflections. The predicted theoretical scattering factors in fair agreement with the experimental values, but slightly larger; the discrepancies are either within, or just outside of, the limits of the experimental error (3-6 percent).