cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Progenitor Cells The Revolution Continues

See related article, pages 1090–1092 In the last few years we have witnessed one of most extraordinary revolutions in cardiovascular medicine, namely, an explosion of basic and clinical studies that support the notion that the diseased heart can be repaired by administration of stem cells, resulting in formation of functional new myocytes and vessels. Although the mechanism by which cell therapy improves cardiac function and anatomy remains uncertain, translation of basic findings to the clinical setting is proceeding at a feverish pace.1 A multitude of small, mostly nonrandomized clinical studies have reported improvement in cardiac perfusion and function after therapy with various cell types in patients with acute myocardial infarction or chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy.1 Larger, randomized, double-blinded studies will be reported soon; if they confirm the salubrious effects of cell-based therapies observed in the initial trials, our management of acute myocardial infarction and heart failure will change dramatically. One of the most important and unresolved issues in this scenario is the identity of the ideal cell for myocardial reconstitution. Although most of the clinical studies reported to date have used bone marrow– or skeletal muscle–derived cells, a host of other cells are being investigated in the experimental laboratory. Among these, resident cardiac stem cells (CSCs), discovered by Anversa’s group in 2003,2 hold great promise. In their initial report,2 Beltrami et al identified a lin−/c-kit+ population of primitive cells that can be clonally expanded, differentiates into cardiac myocytes, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells in vitro, and is able to reconstitute infarcted myocardium in vivo. It is of translational interest that these cells can effect cardiac repair when delivered via the intravascular route.3 CSCs have also been shown to be present in the human heart, where they give rise to new myocytes in patients with …
Dealing with downside risk in a multi-commodity setting: A case for a “Texas hedge”?

This study analyzes the problem of multi-commodity hedging from the downside risk perspective. The lower partial moments (LPM2)-minimizing hedge ratios for the stylized hedging problem of a typical Texas panhandle feedlot operator are calculated and compared with hedge ratios implied by the conventional minimum-variance (MV) criterion. A kernel copula is used to model the joint distributions of cash and futures prices for commodities included in the model. The results are consistent with the findings in the single-commodity case in that the MV approach leads to over-hedging relative to the LPM2-based hedge. An interesting and somewhat unexpected result is that minimization of a downside risk criterion in a multi-commodity setting may lead to a “Texas hedge” (i.e. speculation) being an optimal strategy for at least one commodity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 30:290–304, 2010
Investigation of some of the principal geometric effects on planetary polarization

Three major geometric factors which are likely to influence theoretical interpretation of planetary polarization measurements, viz., observer—planet distance, horizontal inhomogeneity of planetary disk, and deviation from a spherical body, are investigated. The distance effect is examined for regional as well as global polarizations. For convenience of analysis, the expressions for zenith and azimuth angles of incident and emergent light appropriate for a snap-shot observation are derived as explicit functions of distance between observer and planet. Sample computations for Venus indicate that regional polarization near the planetary limb is significantly affected by the observer's distance. This effect should be particularly noticeable when an observation is made at a phase angle around which the single scattering polarization of atmospheric scattering agents exhibits a steep variation. The global polarization at large phase angles (measured at disk-center) is gradually moved toward smaller phase angles, as the observer approaches the planet. Any narrow polarization features such as rainbow and glory at small phase angles are heavily smoothed out. The effects of horizontal inhomogeneity are investigated with a planetary disk having highly polarizing regions at high latitudes. Comparison of theoretical global polarization computed for such a disk with the Pioneer Venus OCPP measurements shows a possible change in cloud-haze stratification approximately at 50° latitude, consistent with other imaging observations. An approximate analytical representation of residual polarization at zero phase angle is then derived to compare to the numerical results for Venus. An attempt is also made to explain the relatively large magnitude of residual polarization observed on Jupiter. Finally, to study the effects of nonsphericity of planetary body, the global polarizations are computed for a spheroidal planet. The global polarization tends to increase as the planet's oblateness increases. However, for Jupiter and Saturn, such effect may be of secondary importance.
Consequences and causes of geographic variation in the body size of a keystone predator,Notophthalmus viridescens.

Two subspecies of the predatory aquatic salamanderNotophthalmus, N. viridescens viridescens andN. v. dorsalis, differ in adult body size and geographic distribution. We tested whether experimental populations of the two predator subspecies differed in their effects on prey populations ofB. americanus, and whether observed differences in predator body size were genetic and/or environmentally induced. We compared the effects of predation by bothNotophthalmus subspecies on larvalBufo americanus by experimentally manipulating the densities (0, 2, or 4 newts/m3) and subspecies ofNotophthalmus (N. v. viridescens orN. v. dorsalis) added to artificial ponds. BothNotophthalmus subspecies significantly reducedB. americanus survival, but differed significantly in this effect. FewerBufo survived with the larger subspecies,N. v. viridescens, than with the smallerNotophthalmus subspecies,N. v. dorsalis. TheNotophthalmus subspecies differed in their patterns of adult and larval growth. Adults of the smaller subspecies,N. v. dorsalis, had a significantly higher growth rate than the larger subspecies,N. v. viridescens, under common environmental conditions, suggesting that differences in predator size were partly genetic, rather than entirely environmentally induced. LarvalN. v. dorsalis metamorphosed significantly later in the season than larvae ofN. v. viridescens, suggesting that larvalN. v. dorsalis had a lower growth rate than larvalN. v. viridescens. Differences in adult and larval growth, together with differences in the minimum adult size observed in natural populations, suggest that differences in the rate or duration of pre-adult growth may contribute substantially to observed differences in size.
Analysis of gene coexpression by B-spline based CoD estimation

The gene coexpression study has emerged as a novel holistic approach for microarray data analysis. Different indices have been used in exploring coexpression relationship, but each is associated with certain pitfalls. The Pearson's correlation coefficient, for example, is not capable of uncovering nonlinear pattern and directionality of coexpression. Mutual information can detect non-linearity but fails to show directionality. The coefficient of determination (CoD) is unique in exploring different patterns of gene coexpression, but so far only applied to discrete data and the conversion of continuous microarray data to the discrete format could lead to information loss. Here, we proposed an effective algorithm, CoexPro, for gene coexpression analysis. The new algorithm is based on B-spline approximation of coexpression between a pair of genes, followed by CoD estimation. The algorithm was justified by simulation studies and by functional semantic similarity analysis. The proposed algorithm is capable of uncovering both linear and a specific class of nonlinear relationships from continuous microarray data. It can also provide suggestions for possible directionality of coexpression to the researchers. The new algorithm presents a novel model for gene coexpression and will be a valuable tool for a variety of gene expression and network studies. The application of the algorithm was demonstrated by an analysis on ligand-receptor coexpression in cancerous and noncancerous cells. The software implementing the algorithm is available upon request to the authors.
Some Flemish Sources of Baroque Painting in Spain

ITALIAN artists, particularly Michelangelo, the Venetians, and Caravaggio, exerted a strong influence on the Baroque painters of Spain. This fact is generally recognized—to the disregard of Flemish...
Pulmonary Hemodynamics in Obstructive Lung Disease

SUMMARY Various aspects of pulmonary hemodynamics were studied in 34 emphysema patients: (a) when the cardiac output was interpreted on the basis of each patient's age, the majority (85 per cent) showed either normal or high output, while the remainder (15 per cent) had a definitely low output. The published data in the literature was also confirmatory of the above finding when due regard was given to the age factor; (b) the cardiac output showed a positive correlation with the pulmonary arterial pressure, but no correlation with the pulmonary resistance; (c) during exercise, the rate of increase in the cardiac output in the emphysema patients was essentially the same as that in the normal subjects; (d) the respiratory oscillation of the intrathoracic pressure was directly transmitted to the pulmonary capillary. The pulmonary arterial pressure was also greatly influenced by respiration; (e) the CO 2 inhalation (5-8 per cent) caused a significant increase in the total pulmonary resistance.
Epigenetic sources of behavioral differences in mice.

Inbred mouse strains are classically used to search for the genes associated with behavioral traits, including emotionality. To distinguish genetic and environmental contributions to the expression of adult behavior in mice, we investigated the effects of prenatal (embryo transfer) and postnatal (cross-fostering) environments in two strains of inbred mice with profound and reliable differences in behavior1. Here we report that strain-related behavioral differences may result from environmental factors during development rather than genetic differences between the offspring.
Clothing and exercise. I: Biophysics of heat transfer between the individual, clothing and environment

Despite large environmental variations, the human body maintains a tightly regulated core temperature. Effective thermoregulation must balance the interaction between skin surface, clothing and ambient air. Indices of thermal stress (wet bulb globe temperature, heat stress index, maximum evaporation rate, required evaporative rate and wind chill) provide valuable information concerning the heat exchange between the individual and the environment, and serve as protective guidelines while working in environmental extremes. The role of clothing, as an interactive barrier, greatly affects thermal balance. Clothing is varied according to prevailing environmental conditions, metabolic heat production, gender and age differences, fabric thermal properties, garment design and intended use. Models (static, dynamic and human) have investigated the biophysical transfer of heat between the skin surface area, clothing and ambient air. Additionally, the role of metabolic heat production during exercise can greatly influence tolerance to thermal stress during a variety of environmental conditions.
Description of the NASA IRTF instrumentation software

An overview of the IRTF's instrumentation software will be presented. We have developed an array data acquisition system based on a PC/AT using 96002 DSPs to clock and readout the array electronics. This PC, commonly known as the Instrument Control (IC) runs LynxOS, a real-time UNIX. Other components of the system include an X User's Interface which provides a friendly GUI interface to the IC, and View FITS (VF) which is the IRTF's quick look data viewer. These components execute remotely on a SUN workstation. The communications between each application is based on ethernet.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Key issues in sphincter of Oddi dysfunction

SOD is a challenging condition that is difficult to diagnose and treat. The high failure rate of endoscopic and surgical treatment reflects the difficulties in establishing accurate diagnosis and the lack of specific objective criteria by which appropriate therapy could be determined. In general, sphincter ablation should be offered for type I patients. An initial trial of medical therapy is appropriate for type II patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms and for all type III patients. SOM is highly recommended for type II patients and is mandatory for all type III patients if sphincter ablation is contemplated. Other causes of abdominal pain such as chronic pancreatitis or functional disorders should be considered in patients not benefiting from sphincter ablation. All procedures on the sphincter should be undertaken with caution after meticulous investigation, and patient selection should be based on strict objective criteria.
A spirulina-enhanced diet provides neuroprotection in an α-synuclein model of Parkinson's disease

Inflammation in the brain plays a major role in neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, microglial cell activation is believed to be associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). An increase in microglia activation has been shown in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of PD models when there has been a decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells. This may be a sign of neurotoxicity due to prolonged activation of microglia in both early and late stages of disease progression. Natural products, such as spirulina, derived from blue green algae, are believed to help reverse this effect due to its anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant properties. An adeno-associated virus vector (AAV9) for α-synuclein was injected in the substantia nigra of rats to model Parkinson's disease and to study the effects of spirulina on the inflammatory response. One month prior to surgeries, rats were fed either a diet enhanced with spirulina or a control diet. Immunohistochemistry was analyzed with unbiased stereological methods to quantify lesion size and microglial activation. As hypothesized, spirulina was neuroprotective in this α-synuclein model of PD as more TH+ and NeuN+ cells were observed; spirulina concomitantly decreased the numbers of activated microglial cells as determined by MHCII expression. This decrease in microglia activation may have been due, in part, to the effect of spirulina to increase expression of the fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) on microglia. With this study we hypothesize that α-synuclein neurotoxicity is mediated, at least in part, via an interaction with microglia. We observed a decrease in activated microglia in the rats that received a spirulina- enhanced diet concomitant to neuroprotection. The increase in CX3CR1 in the groups that received spirulina, suggests a potential mechanism of action.
Variables Associated With Communicative Participation in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Regression Analysis

Purpose To explore variables associated with self-reported communicative participation in a sample (n = 498) of community-dwelling adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method A battery of questionn...
The Application of Health Care Surrogate Laws to Older Populations: How Good a Match?

OBJECTIVE: The Health Care Surrogate Act (HCSA) in Illinois has been proposed as a model for state laws naming surrogate medical decision-makers for those without advance directives (ADs). Our objective was to determine if the HCSA identifies the same surrogate as older persons would choose for themselves. If not, is the discrepancy between legally identified surrogate and preferred surrogate troublesome to respondents? Because it is documented that black Americans have a variety of family structures, some of which may not be reflected in the HCSA list, we also wished to determine if discrepancies between surrogates named by the law and those desired by patients are associated with black or white race. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 144 patients aged 65 and older, without cognitive impairment, was interviewed at the geriatrics clinic of an academic medical center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Respondents without ADs who had a different stated choice for surrogate medical decision-maker than the surrogate defined by the Illinois HCSA, based on their existing family. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent of respondents without ADs chose a surrogate that differed from the surrogate defined by the HCSA. However, 67% of those with a different choice for surrogate than defined by law were not troubled by the discrepancy. The proportion of black subjects (25%) and white subjects (31%) who had surrogate discrepancies was not significantly different (P = .6). CONCLUSION: Because the Illinois HCSA named surrogates who would be agreeable to the majority of our respondents, it appears that it may be a useful model for state surrogacy laws. J Am Geriatr Soc 44:185–188, 1996.
Mirror surface autocovariance functions and their associated visible scattering.

Visible scattering is measured and compared with predictions based upon surface roughness measurements. The results indicate two scales of roughness, a short scale of the order of 1 microm and a long scale ranging from 30 to 150 microm. A study of the relative amount of scattering from the two scales shows that the short scale accounts for all the scattering for scattering angles larger than 3 degrees . Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates the importance of spatial frequency bandwidth limits in optical scattering and finish measurements for a particular class of highly polished mirror surfaces.
Expression of granzyme a in salivary gland biopsies from patients with primary sjögren's syndrome

Objective. To determine whether the destruction of salivary gland epithelial cells in Sjogren's syndrome (SS) could be mediated by granzyme A, a serine protease that is contained in the granules of activated lymphocytes. Methods. We used in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction amplification to determine the expression of granzyme A messenger RNA (mRNA) in salivary gland biopsy samples. Results. Granzyme A mRNA expression was detected in salivary glands from SS patients, but not in those from normal controls. Granzyme A mRNA content was significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with the size of lymphocytic infiltrates in the salivary glands and with the clinical activity of the disease. Conclusion. Cells that express granzyme A mRNA may play a role in the destruction of the target organ (i.e., the salivary gland) in patients with SS. The strong association of granzyme A mRNA expression and larger lymphoid infiltrates in the patients' salivary glands suggests that granzyme A mRNA is expressed at a relatively late stage of the local inflammatory process. Therapies designed to modulate or block granzyme A induction and action should be investigated in SS patients.
Rapid semiquantitative testing of antibiotic susceptibility: use of a multicell disk elution system.

Abstract Semiquantitative data regarding antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria were obtained by measuring the growth of bacteria in several different compartments (“cells”) of a plastic module. Each compartment contained an inoculum of the organism and various concentrations of antibiotics in broth, achieved by elution of antibiotic from paper disks placed into the individual cells. Growth of the organisms was measured using an automated monitor to detect the scattering of light. Susceptibility of 300 strains of gram-negative bacilli to multiple concentrations of nine antibiotics was determined by this disk elution system, and the results (expressed in terms of four clinical susceptibility groupings) were compared with those obtained by a quantitative agar dilution method. Results obtained by the two methods agreed completely in 78% of the 2,700 determinations. In evaluating whether individual strains would be susceptible to systemic therapy or not, results obtained by the two systems agreed in all except 149 of the tests. Results of testing by the disk elution method were available on the same day that testing was begun. A system of this type may prove useful, for it provides information of a semiquantitative nature and decreases the time between isolation of a bacterial pathogen and availability of susceptibility data to the clinician.
Influence of Signal Duration on the Masking-Level Difference

The effect of signal duration on the 500-Hz masking-level difference was studied in 4 subjects using an adaptive, two-interval, forced-choice method. SoNo, SπNo, and SoNπ thresholds for 13 signal d...
Morphology of Western larch arabinogalactan

A molecular modeling study has revealed that (1 --> 3)-beta-D-galactan can not only adopt a triple helical structure similar to that of the corresponding glucan but can also accommodate a highly flexible beta-D-Gal-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-Gal disaccharide moiety as a side group 6-linked to every galactosyl unit in the main chain. The resulting triple helix, applicable to Western larch arabinogalactan, can assume quite different morphologies since the side group has access to several allowed conformational states. Some of the preferred modes of association between these helices have been visualized using preliminary X-ray fiber diffraction data.
Core Journal Lists: Classic Tool, New Relevance.

Reviews the historical context of core journal lists, current uses in collection assessment, and existing methodologies for creating lists. Outlines two next generation core list projects developing new methodologies and integrating novel information/data sources to improve precision: a national-level core psychology list and the other a local institutional core list for the interdisciplinary field of urban studies and planning. The paper is based on the authors’ panel presentation at the 2009 ACRL National Conference (Seattle, Washington) titled “Core Journal Lists Re-viewed and Re-imagined.”
Gastrojejunal stoma diameter predicts weight regain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background & Aims Weight regain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is associated with reductions in health status and quality of life. We evaluated whether gastrojejunal stoma diameter is a risk factor for weight regain after RYGB. Methods We examined data collected over 4 years from consecutive patients referred to a tertiary care bariatric center for upper endoscopy after RYGB. We used linear regression analysis to determine the association between the gastrojejunal stoma diameter and weight regain. We applied a logistic regression model using clinical and endoscopic parameters to develop a prediction rule for weight gain after RYGB. Results Among 165 patients included in our study, 59% had significant weight regain (≥20% of maximum weight lost after the RYGB) and 41% did not. The mean percentage of maximal weight lost after RYGB that was regained in the entire cohort was 30% ± 22%. Gastrojejunal stoma diameter was associated significantly with weight regain after RYGB surgery in univariate analysis (β = .31, P P = .003). We developed a simple prediction rule for weight regain after RYGB using a 7-point scoring system that includes the gastrojejunal stoma diameter, race, and percentage of maximal body weight lost after RYGB; a cut-off score of 4 or more points had an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 and a positive predictive value of 75%. Conclusions Increased gastrojejunal stoma diameter is a risk factor for weight regain after RYGB and can be incorporated in a novel prediction rule.
Cell aggregation and neurite growth in gels of extracellular matrix molecules

Components of the extracellular matrix are believed to guide both nerve cells and neurites to their targets during embryogenesis and, therefore, might be useful for controlling regeneration of nervous tissue in adults. To study the influence of extracellular conditions on neurite outgrowth and cell motility, PC12 cells were suspended in three-dimensional gels containing (i) collagen (0.4 to 2 mg/mL), (ii) collagen (1 mg/mL) with added fibronectin or laminin (1 to 100 mug/mL), and (iii) agarose (7 mg/mL) with added collagen (0.001 to 1 mg/mL). Neurite outgrwoth was stimulated with nerve growth factor (NGF) and both the extent of neurite outgrowth ad cell aggregation were quantitated over 10 to 12 days in culture. The extent of neurite outgrowth was greatest at the lowest collagen concentration tested (0.4 mg/mL) and decreased with increasing concentration. The addition of laminin or fibronectin altered the extent of neurite outgrowth in collagen gels, but the differences were small. Although no neurite growth was observed in pure agarose gels, considerable neurite outgrowth occurred with the addition of small amounts (>/=0.01 mg/mL) of collagen. Mean aggregate size increased more quickly in gels with lower concentrations of collagen. For cells in 1.0 mg/mL collagen, a four- to fivefold increase in aggregate volume was seen between days 2 and 10 o the culture period, whereas the increase in DNA content during this same period was less than twofold, suggesting that the cells were aggregating, not multiplying. These results suggest that the composition of the matrix supporting nerve cells has a significant effect on both neurite outgrowth and cell motility. (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Proton beam irradiation of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose To assess the safety and potential toxicity of proton beam radiation in the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) due to age-related manner degeneration (ARMD) in a prospective, non-randomised study. Methods Forty-eight eyes of 46 consecutive patients with subfoveal CNVM due to ARMD, not amenable to laser photocoagulation, were treated prospectively with a single proton beam exposure. Two dose regimens were evaluated: 8 CGE (Cobalt Gray Equivalent) and 14 CGE. Patients were followed for an average of 22.1 months after proton beam treatment. Results At the 12 month follow-up, 44% of eyes in the 8 CGE group and 75% of the eyes in the 14 CGE group had stabilised or improved visual acuity. Complex size in the 8 CGE group as measured on standard fluorescein angiography (FA), decreased or had no change initially but showed less effect over time, while the eyes treated with 14 CGE maintained decreased leakage over the follow-up period of 12 months. However, 11 eyes in the 14 CGE group experienced radiation retinopathy, with the onset between 3 and 30 months. Seven of these 11 eyes have demonstrated some visual loss but only 1 eye developed severe visual loss at 15 months after proton treatment. Conclusions To date, 14 CGE has suggested a favourable influence on visual function and growth inhibition of CNVM. Proton beam irradiation appears to inhibit CNVM growth. The 14 CGE dose regimen appears to have a longer effect of CNVM growth than does 8 CGE, with overall stabilisation of visual function and growth inhibition. Radiation retinopathy has developed over time, but severe visual loss has been limited. On the basis of the incidence of radiation retinopathy, adjustments in the total radiation dosage and/ or fractionation of the dosage should be considered.
Optical disks and demand printing research at the Library of Congress

Afin d'evaluer la faisabilite de l'introduction du disque optique pour stocker et recherche l'information au sein de ses collections, la Library of Congress a lance un projet experimental de 3 annees. La nature de l'experience est presentee, a savoir les composantes techniques de l'introduction du disque optique. Les implications pour les divers services de la bibliotheque sont synthetisees
Constraints On the Seismotectonics of the Central Mediterranean From Very Long Baseline Interferometry

SUMMARY Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) determined site velocities from seven stations in western Europe reveal a stable continental platform north of the Alps. Deformations between Sweden, Germany and Spain can not exceed 2 mm yr-'. South of the Alps, significant motions are occurring with respect to stable Europe. Two sites east of the Apennine mountains on peninsular Italy have north-easttrending velocities which increase from 2 mm yr-l in the north at Medicina to 6 mm yr-l in the south at Matera. In contrast, the VLBI site in the south-eastern corner of Sicily is moving 7 mm yr-I to the north-north-west. These velocities are largely explained if southern Sicily is attached to a north-westerly moving African Plate and the eastern portion of the Italian peninsula forms part of a hypothesized Adriatic Sea crustal block which is rotating counter-clockwise with respect to Europe about a pole near the Alps. Such an explanation is consistent with the styles of the larger historical earthquakes of the region, which show NE-SW extension across the Apennines, north-south convergence across the Alps, and NE-SW compression in coastal Yugoslavia. The Adria plate model generates 1.5-2.2 X 10l8 Nm yr-l of potential earthquake moment along the northern and central Apennines. Historical records suggest that 30-60 per cent of this moment is released seismically. Based on a direct-strain-rate measurement, recurrence intervals for Italian earthquakes south of Medicina are estimated to be 12-46 yr for M6.5+ quakes and 35-143 years for M7.0+ quakes.
Aerobic Fitness, Not Energy Expenditure, Influences Subsequent Increase in Adiposity in Black and White Children

Background. Low levels of energy expenditure and aerobic fitness have been hypothesized to be risk factors for obesity. Longitudinal studies to determine whether energy expenditure influences weight gain in whites have provided conflicting results. To date, no studies have examined this relationship in blacks or whether aerobic fitness influences weight gain in white or black children. Methods. One hundred fifteen children, 72 white (55 girls and 17 boys) and 43 black (24 girls and 19 boys) were recruited for this study. Aerobic fitness, resting, total, and activity-related energy expenditure and body composition were measured at baseline. The children returned annually for 3 to 5 repeated measures of body composition. The influence of the initial measures of energy expenditure and fitness on the subsequent rate of increase in adiposity was examined, adjusting for initial body composition, age, ethnicity, gender, and Tanner stage. Because 20 children did not attain maximum oxygen consumption, the sample size for the combined analysis was 95. Results. Initial fat mass was the main predictor of increasing adiposity in this cohort of children, with greater initial fat predicting a higher rate of increase of adiposity. There was also a significant negative relationship between aerobic fitness and the rate of increasing adiposity ( F 1,82 = 3.92). With every increase of .1 L/minute of fitness, there was a decrease of .081 kg fat per kg of lean mass gained. None of the measures of energy expenditure significantly predicted increasing adiposity in white or black children. Conclusions. Initial fat mass was the dominant factor influencing increasing adiposity; however, aerobic fitness was also a significant independent predictor of increasing adiposity in this cohort of children. Resting, total, or activity-related energy expenditure did not predict increasing adiposity. It seems that aerobic fitness may be more important than absolute energy expenditure in the development of obesity in white or black children. energy expenditure, fitness, longitudinal, obesity.
Systematic review of postural control and lateral ankle instability, part I: can deficits be detected with instrumented testing.

with the Cohen d and associated 95% confidence intervals for comparisons of postural control performance between healthy and injured groups, or healthy and injured limbs, respectively. Data Synthesis: Poor postural control is most likely associated with an increased risk of sustaining an acute ankle sprain. Postural control is impaired after acute lateral ankle sprain, with deficits identified in both the injured and uninjured sides compared with controls. Although chronic ankle instability has been purported to be associated with altered postural control, these impairments have not been detected consistently with the use of traditional instrumented measures. Conclusions: Instrumented postural control testing on stable force plates is better at identifying deficits that are associated with an increased risk of ankle sprain and that occur after acute ankle sprains than at detecting deficits related to chronic ankle instability.
Distinct cAMP signaling pathways differentially regulate α2C-adrenoceptor expression: role in serum induction in human arteriolar smooth muscle cells

The physiological role of α2-adrenoceptors (α2-ARs) in cutaneous, arteriolar, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMs) is to mediate cold-induced constriction. In VSMs cultured from human cutaneous arte...
Student Grade Motivation As A Determinant Of Performance On The Business Major Field ETS Exam

This paper examines the determinants of performance on the business major field achievement ETS exam with a focus on the impact of applying ETS exam scores to part of the capstone course grade as a performance incentive. The sample consists of 150 students at a midsized regional institution located in the Southwestern region of the United States. The empirical model employed controls for grade point average, standardized test scores ( SAT /ACT), junior college transfer students, and gender . The results indicate that students are motivated to put forth significantly more effort when capstone course grade is impacted by ETS performance.
Nontargeted urinary metabolite profiling of a chronic mouse model of multiple sclerosis (THER3P.884)

In search of metabolites signature as biomarkers during EAE disease, we profiled urine from B6 EAE using global untargeted metabolomics. Evaluation of metabolomic profiling of urine from EAE and healthy B6 group by using a combination of high-throughput liquid-and-gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, we found that 132 out of 322 (41%) metabolites were differentially altered (P<0.05) indicating robust alteration in the urine metabolomics profile during disease. Among the perturbed metabolites, 11 were up regulated in EAE urine whereas 121 were down regulated. We conducted pathway analysis of the biochemical pathways of the KEGG and considered both concerted changes in metabolite intensity within the pathway (GlobalTest) and alterations of high impact, and found that a number of pathways were significantly altered including glyoxylate and dicarboxylate, phenylanine metabolism, porphyrin & chlorophyll metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, cysteine & methione metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, glycine, serine & threonine metabolism, and beta-alanine metabolism. Alteration in these pathways during EAE disease suggesting that perturbation of certain central metabolites could have impact on multiple metabolic pathways. While some of these metabolite changes could easily be developed as biomarkers, the key to translating metabolomics into therapeutics would require figuring out the central altered metabolic pathway(s), once studied in detail.
INTEGRATED RECONFIGURABLE CONTROL ALLOCATION

This paper presents the development of an integrated reconfigurable control allocation approach. This integrated approach combines frequencyapportioned control allocation with actuator failure detection and isolation. Frequency-apportioned control allocation integrates innovative control effectors with conventional aerodynamic controls and considers both the steady-state performance and frequency response of the individual control effectors. The actuator failure detection and isolation algorithm is a modelbased approach that uses a model of the actuator to predict actuator behavior and an adaptive decision threshold to achieve acceptable false alarm/missed detection rates. This integrated approach provides control reconfiguration when an aircraft is subjected to actuator failure, thereby improving maneuverability and survivability of the degraded aircraft. This paper also addresses system implementation issues. This method is demonstrated on a Lockheed-Martin Innovative Control Effector simulation that has been modified to include a new control effector based on passive porosity. Desktop and real-time piloted simulation results demonstrate the performance of this integrated reconfigurable control allocation approach.
Loss of Uch-L1 and Uch-L3 leads to neurodegeneration, posterior paralysis and dysphagia

Altered function of the ubiquitin pathway has been implicated in the etiology of neurodegeneration. For example, gracile axonal dystrophy (gad) mutant mice, which harbor a deletion within the gene encoding ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (Uch-L1), display sensory ataxia followed by posterior paralysis and lethality. We previously showed that mice homozygous for a targeted deletion of the related Uch-L3 gene are indistinguishable from wild-type. To assess whether the two hydrolases have redundant function, we generated mice homozygous for both Uch-L1 gad and Uch-L3 ∆3–7 . The double homozygotes weigh 30% less than single homozygotes and display an earlier onset of lethality, possibly due to dysphagia, a progressive loss in the ability to swallow food. This is consistent with histological analysis that revealed axonal degeneration of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and area postrema (AP) of the medulla. The NTS is essential for central nervous system control of swallowing. The double homozygotes also display a more severe axonal degeneration of the gracile tract of the medulla and spinal cord than had been observed in Uch-L1 gad single homozygotes. In addition, degeneration of dorsal root ganglia cell bodies was detected in both the double homozygotes and Uch-L3 ∆3–7 single homozygotes. Given that both Uch-L1 gad and Uch-L3 ∆3–7 single homozygotes display distinct degenerative defects that are exacerbated in the double homozygotes, we conclude that Uch-L1 and Uch-L3 have both separate and overlapping functions in the maintenance of neurons of the gracile tract, NTS and AP. This study is the first to successfully document dysphagia in the mouse and is a potentially valuable resource for understanding human neurodegenerative disorders that cause swallowing defects.
High hematocrit resulting from administration of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents is not fully predictive of mortality or toxicities in preclinical species

We conducted a retrospective analysis of publicly available preclinical toxicology studies with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to examine common adverse events in rats, Beagle dogs, and cynomolgus monkeys. Mortality and/or thrombotic events were reported sporadically in a subset of studies and attributed to the high hematocrit (HCT) achieved in the animals. However, similarly high HCT was achieved in both high-dose and low-dose groups, but there were no reported adverse events in the low-dose group suggesting HCT was not the sole contributing factor leading to toxicity. Our analysis indicated that increased dose, dose frequency, and dosing duration in addition to high HCT contributed to mortality and thrombosis. To further evaluate this relationship, the incidence of toxicities was compared in rats administered an experimental hyperglycosylated analog of recombinant human erythropoietin (AMG 114) at varying dosing schedules in 1-month toxicity studies. The incidence of mortality and thrombotic events increased in higher dose groups and when dosed more frequently, despite a similarly high HCT in all animals. The results from the investigative study and retrospective analysis demonstrate that ESA-related toxicities in preclinical species are associated with dose level, dose frequency, and dosing duration, and not solely dependent upon a high HCT.
Effect of dissipation and dispersion on slowly varying wavetrains

A kinematic model for disturbance wave motions slowly modulated in space and time is developed, which describes the effects of amplitude and frequency dispersion, modal dependence, flow inhomogeneities, dissipation, and high-order wave dispersion and diffusion. The results, based on general variational principles, apply to waves in arbitrary continuous media, but are discussed primarily in the fluid-dynamic context. The more complete theory presented here reduces to several known wave models in various limits and reconciles, within the framework of a broader unifying approach, a number of differences found among existing, although more specialized, formulations. These latter models are surveyed and, in particular, we emphasize how their domains of applicability may be limited by different kinds of dominant high-order dispersive or diffusive wave mechanisms. **;
1H and 13C NMR analyses of amiodarone, desethylamiodarone and desoxoamiodarone

The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of amiodarone, a potent cardiac antiarrhythmic agent, desethylamiodarone, the main metabolite of amiodarone and desoxoamiodarone, a less toxic form of amiodarone, were assigned using a combination of NMR techniques. Methods applied include 1H-1H COSY, homonuclear Hartmann–Hahn relayed spectroscopy (HOHAHA), broadband decoupled 1H–13C chemical shift correlation, long-range 1H–13C chemical shift correlation and selective INEPT. This combination of NMR experiments has completed a molecular walk along the covalent framework of the cardiac drug molecules, and removed ambiguities in their 1H and 13C NMR assignments.
Interfacial polycondensation. IX. Polysulfonamides

Polysulfonamides may be prepared readily in high molecular weight by interfacial polycondensation. They are formed rapidly at room temperature when a disulfonyl chloride in an organic solvent is emulsified with a diamine in water containing an acid acceptor. The highest polymers have been obtained from aliphatic diamines and aromatic disulfonyl chlorides. Aromatic diamines have given only low molecular weight materials. Reaction conditions for preparing poly(hexamethylene-1,3-benzenedisulfonamide) are briefly described. Reactants must be very pure. Dichloromethane and chloroform have been the most useful organic solvents and must be pure and dry. The best concentrations are about 0.1M. The pH and the ionic strength of the aqueous phase exert a power ful effect on the desired partition of diamines between the two phases and the undesired hydrolysis of the sulfonyl chloride. Thus, sodium carbonate works better than sodium hydroxide as an acid acceptor and, in some cases, bicarbonate has been used to avoid imide formation and consequent branching.
A portable implementation framework for intrusion-resilient database management systems

An intrusion-resilient database management system is the one that is capable of restoring its consistency after being compromised by a malicious attack or a human error. More specifically, an intrusion-resilient mechanism helps to quickly repair a database by nullifying the damage caused by malicious or erroneous transactions, while preserving the effects of unaffected legitimate transactions that take place between intrusions/errors and their detection. The goal of this project is to develop a portable implementation framework that can augment a commercial database management system with intrusion resilience without requiring any modifications to its internals. The intrusion resilience mechanism described in this paper significantly improves the availability of modern DBMSs by facilitating and sometimes even automating the post-intrusion damage repair process. In addition, it can be embodied in a reusable implementation framework, whose portability is demonstrated by its successful application to three different DBMSs: PostgreSQL, Oracle, and Sybase. Performance measurements on the fully operational prototypes under the TPC-C benchmark show that the run-time overhead of the intrusion-resilience mechanism is between 6% and 13%.
Sacramental Aspects of Drug Usage

(1969). Sacramental Aspects of Drug Usage. Clinical Toxicology: Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 171-192.
Phylogenetic Signal, Evolutionary Process, and Rate

Ar ecent advance in the phylogenetic comparative analysis of continuous traits has been explicit, model-based measurement of "phylogenetic signal" in data sets composed of observations collected from species related by a phylogenetic tree. Phylogenetic signal is a measure of the statistical dependence among species' trait values due to their phylogenetic relationships. Although phylogenetic signal is a measure of pattern (statistical dependence), there has nonetheless been a widespread propensity in the literature to attribute this pattern to aspects of the evolutionary process or rate. This may be due, in part, to the perception that high evolutionary rate necessarily results in low phylogenetic signal; and, conversely, that low evolutionary rate or stabilizing selection results in high phylogenetic signal (due to the resulting high resemblance between related species). In this study, we use individual-based numerical simulations on stochastic phylogenetic trees to clarify the relationship between phylogenetic signal, rate, and evolutionary process. Under the simplest model for quantitative trait evolution, homogeneous rate genetic drift, there is no relation between evolutionary rate and phylogenetic signal. For other circumstances, such as functional constraint, fluctuating selection, niche conservatism, and evolutionary heterogeneity, the relationship between process, rate, and phylogenetic signal is complex. For these reasons, we recommend against interpretations of evolutionary process or rate based on estimates of phylogenetic signal. (Comparative method; evolutionary lability; functional constraint; genetic drift; niche conservatism; quantitative characters; phylogenetics.)
Fabrication of Novel Porous Chitosan Matrices as Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

Three dimensional (3-D) scaffolds with appropriate mechanical properties play a significant role in scaffold-based tissue engineering. Chitosan, a natural polymer obtained from chitin, which forms a major component of crustacean exoskeleton, is a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering due to its excellent osteocompatibility and biodegradability. The aim of the present study is to develop 3-D porous chitosan scaffolds with mechanical properties in the range of trabecular bone as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Three dimensional scaffolds were prepared by sintering chitosan microspheres. Chitosan microspheres were prepared by ionotropic gelation of chitosan solution using sodium tripolyphosphate. It has been found that the microsphere size increased significantly with the increase of the concentration of chitosan solution. The microspheres were then sintered together using the synergetic effect of solvent and temperature. The compressive moduli of the 3-D sintered matrices were found to be in the mid range of trabecular bone. The osteocompatibility and osteoconductivity of the 3-D matrices were demonstrated by adhesion and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast like cells on the matrices after 14 days in culture.