cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stability of Permanent Transvenous Dual‐Chamber Pacing Electrodes During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

For long-term dual-chamber permanent pacing, atrial and ventricular lead stability is essential. In our overall experience with such pacing systems, four patients suffered cardiac arrest at a time distant from their pacemaker implantation. Since all four patients received prolonged closed chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation, we analyzed these events to determine whether dual-chamber endocardial electrodes would remain stable in such traumatic conditions. Reliable atrial and ventricular lead position was confirmed at autopsy in the three patients whose resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and, in the fourth patient, by continued normal lead position and pacing function post-resuscitation. The keys to this stability include the use of tined atrial and ventricular endocardial leads and specific maneuvers at the time of implantation to verify fixation. Long-term stability of presently available endocardial leads in dual-chamber pacing systems can thus be anticipated.
In vitro flow dynamics of four prosthetic aortic valves: a comparative analysis.

Abstract The velocity fields downstream of four prosthetic heart valves were mapped in vitro over the entire cross-section of a model aortic root using laser Doppler anemometry. The Bjork-Shiley 60° convexo-concave tilting disc valve, the Smeloff-Cutter caged ball valve, the St. Jude Medical bileaflet valve, and the Ionescu-Shiley standard bioprosthesis were examined under both steady and pulsatile flows. Velocity profiles under steady flow conditions were a good approximation for pulsatile profiles only during midsystole. The pulsatile flow characteristics of the four valves showed variation in large scale flow structures. Comparison of the valves according to pressure drop, shear stress and maximum velocities are also provided.
Kinetics of M1 muscarinic receptor and G protein signaling to phospholipase C in living cells

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate responses to external stimuli in various cell types. Early events, such as the binding of ligand and G proteins to the receptor, nucleotide exchange (NX), and GTPase activity at the Gα subunit, are common for many different GPCRs. For Gq-coupled M1 muscarinic (acetylcholine) receptors (M1Rs), we recently measured time courses of intermediate steps in the signaling cascade using Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The expression of FRET probes changes the density of signaling molecules. To provide a full quantitative description of M1R signaling that includes a simulation of kinetics in native (tsA201) cells, we now determine the density of FRET probes and construct a kinetic model of M1R signaling through Gq to activation of phospholipase C (PLC). Downstream effects on the trace membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and PIP2-dependent KCNQ2/3 current are considered in our companion paper in this issue (Falkenburger et al. 2010. J. Gen. Physiol. doi:10.1085/jgp.200910345). By calibrating their fluorescence intensity, we found that we selected transfected cells for our experiments with ∼3,000 fluorescently labeled receptors, G proteins, or PLC molecules per µm2 of plasma membrane. Endogenous levels are much lower, 1–40 per µm2. Our kinetic model reproduces the time courses and concentration–response relationships measured by FRET and explains observed delays. It predicts affinities and rate constants that align well with literature values. In native tsA201 cells, much of the delay between ligand binding and PLC activation reflects slow binding of G proteins to receptors. With M1R and Gβ FRET probes overexpressed, 10% of receptors have G proteins bound at rest, rising to 73% in the presence of agonist. In agreement with previous work, the model suggests that binding of PLC to Gαq greatly speeds up NX and GTPase activity, and that PLC is maintained in the active state by cycles of rapid GTP hydrolysis and NX on Gαq subunits bound to PLC.
SU-FF-T-101: Clinical Feasibility of “jaws-Only” IMRT Using Direct Aperture Optimization

Purpose: To demonstrate the clinical feasibility of delivering IMRT treatment plans using only independent collimators.Method and Materials: The Direct Aperture Optimization (DAO) technique is used to optimize the jaw positions and the relative weights assigned to each aperture. Since all of the delivery constraints imposed by the jaws are incorporated into the optimization, the need for leaf sequencing is eliminated. This allows for “jaws‐only” IMRT plans with a significantly reduced number of segments as compared with “jaws‐only” plans produced with the traditional two‐step IMRT approach. We applied the DAO “jaws‐only” technique to three clinical cases: an abdomen, a prostate, and a head and neck. For each case, “jaws‐only” DAO (JODAO) plans were produced with 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 apertures. For comparison, a DAO plan was created that utilized an MLC (MLCDAO). The resulting JODAO and MLCDAO plans were delivered to a phantom using an Elekta Precise linear accelerator.Results: The results demonstrate that between 15 and 25 “jaws‐only” apertures are required per beam direction to obtain conformal IMRT treatment plans that are comparable to the MLCDAO plans. The delivery times for the JODAO plans were between 15 and 20 minutes. This compares to the delivery times of 7 to 12 minutes for the MLCDAO plans. Conclusion: Using DAO, it is possible to create IMRT treatment plans that utilize only independent collimators. In addition, these “jaws‐only” plans can be delivered in a reasonable amount of time. This can make IMRT feasible in clinics which have linear accelerators not equipped with an MLC.
Phases of helium adsorbed on graphite: A Feynman path-integral Monte Carlo study.

The phases of $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ adsorbed on graphite are simulated by use of the Feynman path-integral Monte Carlo method. The fluid, commensurate solid, incommensurate solid, and reentrant fluid phases are found and are in agreement with the experimental phase diagram. The microscopic structure of the reentrant fluid is observed to be a striped domain-wall liquid and is consistent with a recent experimental interpretation and theoretical model. Larger-size systems are required for further quantitative analysis of the domain-wall liquid.
TV Formats Worldwide: Localizing Global Programs

Moran, A. (2010). TV formats worldwide: Localizing global programs. Chicago, IL: Intellect. 332 pages. Albert Moran at Griffith University, in Australia, established himself as a scholar on the sub...
Untersuchungen über die Einwirkung verschiedener Hämodiluentien auf das Blut bei der extrakorporalen Perfusion

Die Prufung des Blutverdunnungsmittels bei der extrakorporalen Zirkulation im experimentellen Leerversuch ergab eine unterschiedliche Einwirkung auf die korpuskularen Blutbestandteile. Die Hamolysewerte waren bei einem sauer pH-Wert des Hamodiluens hoch. Ist der pH-Wert des Hamodiluens dem des Blutes ahnlich, sind die Hamolysewerte niedrig. Hamodiluentien mit einem sauren pH-Wert verandern die Erythrozytenoberflachenpotentiale erheblich. Auch die Bestimmungen der Erythrozytendurchmesser und der Erythrozytenvolumina ergeben differente Verhaltnisse.
Wavelet Spatial Energy Spectrums Studies on Drag Reduction by Microbubble Injection

In this study, continuous wavelet transforms and spatial correlation techniques are employed to determine the space-localized wavenumber energy spectrum of the velocity signals in turbulent channel flow. The flow conditions correspond to single phase flow and microbubbles injected two phase flow. The wavelet energy spectrums demonstrate that the wavenumber (eddy size) content of the velocity signals is not only space-dependent but also microbubbles can impact the eddy size content. Visual observations of the wavelet energy spectrum spatial distribution was realized by using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurement technique. The two phase flow condition corresponds to a drag reduction of 38.4% with void fraction of 4.9%. The present results provide evidence that microbubbles in the boundary layer of a turbulent channel flow can help adjust the eddy size distributions near the wall. This can assist in explaining that microbubbles are performing as buffers to keep the energy of fluid particles going in streamwise direction and reducing the energy of fluid particles going in normal direction.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Biological monitoring and standard setting in the USA: a critical appraisal

Occupational exposure limits (OELs) issued in the US by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) require measurements of toxic substances in air rather than in biological samples. Most of OSHA's limits were adopted from the 1968 list of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). Although there are no formal requirements to monitor exposures to these substances, it is implicit in the standards that air sampling will be performed. Of the 13 OELs which OSHA has set de novo, 2 (i.e., those for lead and cadmium) require biomonitoring after air sampling has identified the heavily exposed workers. OSHA appears to value biomonitoring in some circumstances but has apparently not found a consistent rationale for using biomarkers to set and enforce its standards. This paper discusses 2 valuable features of biomarkers which should be exploited by OSHA to further its regulatory agenda. The first relates to controversies associated with dose rate which have come into play in setting short-term exposure limits (STELs) when acute effects do not provide the necessary justification. OSHA has not provided evidence that its STELs are needed to reduce the risks of disease (as in the cases of benzene and ethylene oxide). By investigating the exposure-biomarker relationship, it is possible to determine whether the rate of exposure has any influence on the uptake and elimination of toxic substances and, therefore, whether STELs is needed. This is illustrated with data from 2 studies on styrene exposure. The second feature concerns biomonitoring as the primary means of exposure assessment in situations where the biomarker is accumulated over months or years (as in the cases of lead and cadmium). Using data from the lead-battery industry, it is shown that 'correct' compliance decisions are more likely to arise from evaluation of blood lead measurements than from traditional air monitoring.
Reversible Nature of Atropine Blockade of Acetylcholine in Vascular Beds

SummaryData are presented which demonstrate that atropine blockade of cholinergic effects in vascular beds is reversible. The reversibility of the blockade is evident in the vasodilatation and blood pressure fall which result from postatropine injections of ACh. It appears to be related not to time, size of dose, or interval between doses, but to the number of times ACh is allowed to compete for the receptor site.
Tyrosinase in the presumptive pigment cells of ascidian embryos: tyrosine accessibility may initiate melanin synthesis.

Abstract Tyrosinase activity appears in the presumptive pigment cells of ascidian embryos ( Ciona intestinalis ) several hours before the cells begin to synthesize melanin. These presumptive pigment cells develop into the otolith and ocellus pigment cells of the larval brain. Tyrosinase was identified by histochemical tests for tyrosine oxidase and dopa oxidase; both reactions were sensitive to tyrosinase inhibitors. Studies with puromycin suggested that tyrosinase was synthesized at the time it was first detected histochemically and that it was stable during the time interval before melanin synthesis. Supernumerary tyrosinase-containing cells were found adjacent to the presumptive pigment cells in three ascidian species examined ( C. intestinalis, Styela partita, and Molgula manhattensis ). Tyrosinase disappeared from the supernumerary pigment cells during larval development and these cells did not synthesize melanin. Tyrosinase in the presumptive and supernumerary pigment cells is apparently a functional enzyme which does not interact with substrate. External substrates ( l -tyrosine and l -dopa) did not react with enzyme in the living cells before the normal time of pigment synthesis, but gentle disruption of the cells (by freezing-and-thawing or osmotic shock) released active tyrosinase. Progessive enlargement of nonpigmented vesicles in the otolith cells of embryos exposed to phenylthiourea, an inhibitor of tyrosinase activity, suggested that tyrosinase vesicles actively accumulate tyrosine at the beginning of melanin synthesis. This tyrosine accumulation probably initiates melanin synthesis.
“A Home away from Home”: The World of the High School Music Classroom:

The purpose of the study was to investigate the world of the high school music classroom. Motivation to join music ensembles and to remain, perception of the musical groups by their members and by the school community as a whole, the meaning and value that music ensembles engender for their participants, and the social climate of the music classroom were explored. Structured interviews were conducted with 60 students—20 each from band, choir, and orchestra. Students joined ensembles for musical, social, academic, and family reasons. Insider views highlighted the importance of labels and identifiers and changing perceptions throughout one's school career, whereas outsider views included the opinion that musicians are talented, intelligent, and underappreciated. Ensemble participation yielded musical, academic, psychological, and social benefits. The social climate emerged as a pervasive element in the study as students noted the importance of relationships for their well-being and growth.
Artificial neural networks as adjuncts for assessing medical students' problem solving performances on computer-based simulations

Artificial neural networks were trained by supervised learning to recognize the test selection patterns associated with students' successful solutions to seven immunology computer-based simulations. New test selection patterns evaluated by the trained neural network were correctly classified as successful or unsuccessful solutions to the problem > 90% of the time. The examination of the neural networks output weights after each test selection revealed a progressive and selective increase for the relevant problem suggesting that a successful solution is represented by the neural network as the accumulation of relevant tests. Unsuccessful problem solutions were classified by the neural network software into two patterns of students performance. The first pattern was characterized by low neural network output weights for all seven problems reflecting extensive searching and lack of recognition of relevant information. In the second pattern, the output weights from the neural network were biased toward one of the remaining six incorrect problems suggesting that the student misrepresented the current problem as an instance of a previous problem. Finally, neural network analysis could detect cases where the students switched hypotheses during the problem solving exercises.
Old Eyes Take a New Look at Bradac's Favorite Variables:

A reexamination and reevaluation of an earlier theory proposed by Bradac, Bowers, and Courtright contributes to Bradac's reputation and development as a researcher and theorist. The reexamination suggests that a paradigm different from the strictly scientific one applied in the earlier work may lead to additional insights.
How does God answer back

Abstract A central question in the study of prayer is how people determine God's response. Much of the literature in cognition and religion answers this question by using a particular understanding of the divine agent (God), as superhuman, agentic, transcendent, and anthropomorphic. But not all religious traditions articulate the divine in this way, and religious people do not pray to abstractions or general ideas. This paper takes seriously the consideration that people pray to divine interlocutors whom they understand and experience as having specific capacities and interests, which are shaped both in practice and in theological traditions. Different types of divinities demand different kinds of listening on the part of those who pray, and religious traditions are active producers of different religious schema that shape cognitive possibilities for hearing the divine. This essay explores how some modern Americans are taught to listen for and hear the response of an immanent, non-anthropomorphic God. It explores the practices and techniques through which individuals learn to hear God, and considers the implications for cognitive studies of religion. It argues that scholars concerned about religion and cognitions should pay more attention to the specific practices that emanate from and reproduce dissimilar theological understandings of God.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor augments peristalsis by augmenting 5-HT and calcitonin gene-related peptide release.

Background & Aims: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) acts rapidly to modulate synaptic neurotransmission in the brain. Although present in neurons, glial cells, and mucosal cells of the colon, and in higher concentrations than in brain, the action of BDNF in gut have not been characterized. The aim of this study was to identify the role of BDNF in mediating the peristaltic reflex. Methods: BDNF and a specific antiserum were examined for their effects on the peristaltic reflex and release of the sensory mediators serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide in rat colon. The peristaltic reflex and release of serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide were also examined in genetically modified mice (BDNF +/− ) with reduced levels of BDNF. Results: Endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor was released into the sensory compartment in a stimulus-dependent manner during the peristaltic reflex induced by mucosal stimulation but not muscle stretch. BDNF stimulated and immunoneutralization of endogenous BDNF reduced ascending contraction and descending relaxation of circular muscle and release of serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide during the peristaltic reflex induced by mucosal stimulation but not muscle stretch. The peristaltic reflex and release of serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide during the peristaltic reflex induced by mucosal stimulation but not muscle stretch were significantly reduced in BDNF +/− mice. Conclusions: Endogenous BDNF enhances the peristaltic reflex by augmenting the release of serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide that mediate the sensory limb of the reflex induced by mucosal stimulation.
Inhibition of caspases protects cerebellar granule cells of the weaver mouse from apoptosis and improves behavioral phenotype

The homozygous mouse mutant weaver exhibits a massive loss of cerebellar granule neurons postnatally. The death of these cells is associated with a single amino acid mutation in the G protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium channel, Girk2. Evidence suggests that both the mutated Girk2 channel and the calcium channel-associated N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor play important roles in the apoptotic death of weaver cerebellar granule cells, but the downstream events associated with this process are unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that the consequences of the mutation result in caspase activation. In addition, our results show that caspase inhibition in vivo decreases caspase activation and granule cell apoptosis and significantly improves behavioral deficits associated with the weaver's phenotype.
The WELMED database management system: a case study in system design and applications

The long‐term goal for integrated information management at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions is the creation of a knowledge management environment—a network of databases that an individual would tap as one would one's own memory. An important library component in this emerging environment is WELMED, a general purpose bibliographic database management system that permits the library to distribute its databases and related services to its users through common, customizable interfaces. The characteristics and components of the WELMED system are detailed.
Development of quantitative imaging in frequency-domain diffuse optical tomography for breast cancer detection

An automated system for near-infrared tomographic reconstruction imaging has been developed and is under investigation on phantoms and tissues. Calibration of measured data with the model-based image reconstruction approach is found to be critical but readily accomplished through automated parameter estimation using data collected in a homogenous reference medium. Results from phantom experiments also illustrate the importance of employing iterative (nonlinear) image reconstruction methods if quantitative values of the absorption coefficient are to be recovered. Initial studies on imaging human tissues will be discussed in this report.
A STUDY OF THE NATURE OF THE INTERFERING MATERIAL IN PREPARATIONS OF POLIOVIRUS RIBONUCLEIC ACID.

A procedure for titrating the capacity of poliovirus RNA preparations to interfere with plaque initiation by another poliovirus RNA was developed. Treatment of extractive poliovirus RNA preparations with deoxyribonuclease, trypsin, or chymotrypsin did not affect their interfering capacity; the previously reported decrease in interfering capacity effected by ribonuclease was confirmed and further studied.
Using Artificial Neural Networks as a Forward Approach to Backcalculation

In recent years, artificial neural networks have successfully been trained to backcalculate pavement layer moduli from the results of falling weight deflectometer (FWD) tests. These neural networks provide the same solutions as existing programs, only thousands of times faster. Unfortunately, their use is constrained to the test conditions assumed during network training. These limitations arise from practical aspects of neural network training and cannot be circumvented easily. The goal of this research was to develop a backcalculation program combining the speed of neural networks and the flexibility of conventional programs to produce the same solutions as existing programs. This was accomplished by forgoing neural network backcalculation in favor of neural network forward-calculation, that is, using neural networks in place of complex numerical models for computing the forward-problem solutions used by the conventional backcalculation programs. A suite of neural networks, covering a range of flexible pavement structures, was trained using data generated by WESLEA, the forward-problem solver used in the WESDEF backcalculation program. When tested on 110 experimental FWD results, a version of WESDEF augmented by the neural networks provided statistically identical answers 42 times faster, on average, than the original. Provisions have been made for periodic upgrades as additional networks are trained for other pavement types and test conditions. Meanwhile, the original WESLEA can still be used when an appropriate network is unavailable. This preserves the flexibility of the original program while taking maximum advantage of the speed gains afforded by the neural networks.
Photoinduced Free Radicals of Visual Pigments in Solutions mobile at −196° C

IN rigid solutions of visual pigments stabilized for studies of electron spin resonance (ESR) at the temperature of liquid nitrogen white irradiation creates free radicals with resonance patterns consisting of broad singlets1. We have obtained more refined information by providing solvents mobile at these low temperatures and by irradiation of the visual pigments with selected monochromatic beams rather than with white light.
Femoral revision hip arthroplasty: Modular versus nonmodular femoral component for severe femoral deficiency

Modularity of the femoral component has certain theoretical advantages for replacement of a severely deficient or deformed femur. Independent sizing and fitting of the proximal and distal femur may allow for secure fixation. However, it is unproved whether the clinical results of these cases are improved with a modular stem. This study evaluated the overall results of femoral revision in a severely bone deficient femur using modular and nonmodular versions of an otherwise identical calcar-bearing, cementless femoral component. Thirty-four femoral revision hip arthroplasties using a nonmodular design and 30 femoral revision hip arthroplasties using a modular design of an otherwise identical calcar-bearing, cementless, porous-coated femoral component were evaluated at follow-up of 3.8 and 3.0 years, respectively. All hips showed severe type III bone changes according to Mallory's classification system. Strut allograft or proximal femoral allografts were used in all cases for reconstruction. In the nonmodular revision group, the Harris Hip Score increased modestly from a preoperative mean of 34 to a postoperative mean of 79. An intraoperative femoral split occurred in 12% of these cases, at the time of implantation. In addition, 30% of the patients developed thigh pain, 9% showed evidence of aseptic loosening, and 6% required additional revision surgery for aseptic loosening. With the modular femoral prosthesis, the Harris Hip Score increased from a preoperative mean of 42 to a postoperative mean of 89. An intraoperative femoral split occurred in 6% of these procedures and 6% developed thigh pain. There were no cases of aseptic loosening or rerevision with the modular components. In cases of type III femoral bone loss, a modular femoral component has advantages over its nonmodular counterpart. This study compared two virtually identical femoral component designs and demonstrated superior clinical results using a modular femoral component for severe femoral defects. Therefore, we recommend using modular femoral components in these difficult revision situations.
Capacitated Multiple Item Ordering with Incremental Quantity Discounts

This paper presents a heuristic algorithm for determining order quantities for multiple items given incremental quantity discounts and a single resourse constraint. The heuristic is based on Lagrangian relaxation. The performance of the heuristic is compared, for small problems, with a procedure that generates optimal solutions. Results from computational experiments are given that demonstrate the quality and computational efficiency of the heuristic algorithm.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Is a Critical Stimulus for Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic macular edema (DME) was tested with ranibizumab, a specific antagonist of VEGF. Design A nonrandomized clinical trial. Methods Ten patients with chronic DME received intraocular injections of 0.5 mg of ranibizumab at baseline and at one, two, four, and six months. The primary outcome was change in foveal thickness between baseline and seven months, and the secondary outcome measures were changes from baseline in visual acuity and macular volume. Results Mean values at baseline were 503 μm for foveal thickness, 9.22 mm 3 for macular volume, and 28.1 letters (20/80) read on an Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity chart. At seven months (one month after the fifth injection), the mean foveal thickness was 257 μm, which was a reduction of 246 μm (85% of the excess foveal thickness present at baseline; P = .005 by Wilcoxon signed-rank test for likelihood that this change is due to ranibizumab rather than chance). The macular volume was 7.47 mm 3 , which was a reduction of 1.75 mm 3 (77% of the excess macular volume at baseline; P = .009). Mean visual acuity was 40.4 letters (20/40), which was an improvement of 12.3 letters ( P = .005). The injections were well-tolerated with no ocular or systemic adverse events. Conclusion Intraocular injections of ranibizumab significantly reduced foveal thickness and improved visual acuity in 10 patients with DME, which demonstrated that VEGF is an important therapeutic target for DME. A randomized, controlled, double-masked trial is needed to test whether intraocular injections of ranibizumab provide long-term benefit to patients with DME.
Physical Activity and Functional Limitations in Older Adults: The Influence of Self-Efficacy and Functional Performance

Method. Interviews were conducted within homes and senior centers in 4 geographic regions across the United States. Participants were 884 older adults (M age = 74.8; 77% female; 35% minority status) who completed measures of walking behavior, way-finding self-efficacy, walking self-efficacy, functional performance, functional limitations, and demographic characteristics. Results. Path analysis within a covariance modeling framework revealed significant direct effects of walking on selfefficacy constructs, functional performance on functional limitations, and efficacy on limitations. Additionally, signifi cant indirect effects were also found, including walking on limitations via walking self-efficacy and performance and walking self-efficacy on limitations via performance. Furthermore, we found support for invariance of the model across geographical grouping.
GaAs PIN electro-optic travelling-wave modulator at 1.3 μm

A GaAs PIN travelling-wave modulator operated at 1.3 μm has been fabricated from material grown by organometallic vapour phase epitaxy (OMVPE) on an n + (100) GaAs substrate. The device has a constant V π of 8 V from DC to 10 GHz and an optical extinction ratio of 13 dB. The optical insertion loss of the device is 3.5 dB, and the 3 dB frequency bandwidth is measured to be 4.1 GHz, which is limited by the microwave slowing induced by the n + substrate.
The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor methazolamide prevents amyloid beta-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation protecting neuronal and glial cells in vitro and in the mouse brain

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been recognized as an early event in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, preceding and inducing neurodegeneration and memory loss. The presence of cytochrome c (CytC) released from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm is often detected after acute or chronic neurodegenerative insults, including AD. The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) methazolamide (MTZ) was identified among a library of drugs as an inhibitor of CytC release and proved to be neuroprotective in Huntington's disease and stroke models. Here, using neuronal and glial cell cultures, in addition to an acute model of amyloid beta (Aβ) toxicity, which replicates by intra-hippocampal injection the consequences of interstitial and cellular accumulation of Aβ, we analyzed the effects of MTZ on neuronal and glial degeneration induced by the Alzheimer's amyloid. MTZ prevented DNA fragmentation, CytC release and activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 induced by Aβ in neuronal and glial cells in culture through the inhibition of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of MTZ prevented neurodegeneration induced by intra-hippocampal Aβ injection in the mouse brain and was effective at reducing caspase 3 activation in neurons and microglia in the area surrounding the injection site. Our results, delineating the molecular mechanism of action of MTZ against Aβ-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation, and demonstrating its efficiency in a model of acute amyloid-mediated toxicity, provide the first combined in vitro and in vivo evidence supporting the potential of a new therapy employing FDA-approved CAIs in AD.
Transformations in learning and teaching through Initial Teacher Education

In England, little research has been carried out into how pre-service secondary English teachers transform what they know as they learn to teach. They are seldom asked to reflect explicitly on the connections between the pedagogy of their undergraduate studies and their pedagogical experiences as student teachers. The initial teacher education committee of the National Association for the Teaching of English decided to explore these connections by asking student teachers on English Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses in five different university departments of education to respond to a series of questions at the start and end of the academic year 2004–2005. The questions fall into four broad areas: student teachers' experiences as learners at undergraduate level and developing ideas about teaching; the nature of the subject English; tensions encountered during the PGCE course; new learning about teaching. The purpose of this article is to discuss some patterns emerging from the research. The most prominent of these is student teachers' realisation that good teaching comes from teachers seeing themselves as learners. We argue that ‘reflexivity’ (Moore, 2004) is a valuable way to help student teachers begin to understand this transformation from learner into learning teacher.
Developing Quick Writing Skills of Middle School Students With Disabilities

Two multiple-baseline, across-participants design studies were used to examine persuasive quick write (10-minute writing responses) performance of seventh-grade students with disabilities. In the first study, 6 students were taught by a graduate research assistant; in the second study, 10 students were taught by their special education teacher. In both studies, students’ written responses were evaluated before, during, and after self-regulated strategy development instruction for the POW + TREE planning strategy (POW: pick my idea, organize my notes, write and say more; TREE: topic sentence, reasons—three or more, explain, ending). All study participants improved in the number of persuasive parts included and the quality of the written response immediately after and weeks following instruction.
Zinc Deficiency in Adult Rats Reduces the Relative Abundance of Testis-Specific Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme mRNA

Zinc deficiency results in reduced testicular angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and reduced amounts of ACE protein in the testes of young rats. In the present study, we examined the effect of zinc deficiency on the relative abundance of testicular ACE mRNA and its relationship to ACE activity over time. Forty-five male rats at 7 wk of age were placed on one of three feeding regimens: 1) a diet adequate in zinc, 2) a diet deficient in zinc and 3) a diet adequate in zinc that was fed in an amount equal to that consumed by a paired mate fed the zinc-deficient diet. Rats were killed after 3, 5 and 7 wk. Rats fed the zinc-deficient diet had significantly lower (P < 0.01) body weight gain and testis weight at each week sampled than the other groups. They also showed compromised zinc status as evidenced by significantly lower (P < 0.01) serum and testis zinc concentrations. At each period, rats fed the zinc-deficient diet had significantly lower (P < 0.01) testicular ACE activity than rats fed either of the zinc-adequate diets. Coinciding with low ACE activity, there was a lower (P < 0.01) relative abundance of ACE mRNA in the group for the zinc-deficient diet than in either of the zinc-adequate groups. The results suggest that much of the low ACE activity in the testis of rats in the latter stages of zinc deficiency is attributable to a reduction in ACE gene transcription. However, an effect of the deficiency on ACE mRNA turnover is not ruled out.
Historical Changes in Pneumococcal Serogroup Distribution: Implications for the Era of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines

Of the 90 pneumococcal serotypes, the 7 in the licensed pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar) currently account for >80% of invasive pneumococcal infections among children in the United States. Our objective was to document and explain the changes in pneumococcal serogroup distribution in the United States during the last century. We evaluated temporal trends in the serogroup distribution, using linear regression. Between 1928 and 1998, the proportion of pneumococcal infections caused by the 7 serogroups in the conjugate vaccine increased significantly, from 15% to 59%, in 13 adult studies, and from 53% to 87%, in 19 pediatric studies. The proportion of infections caused by the "epidemic" serogroups (1-3 and 5) decreased significantly, from 71% to 7%, in the adult studies, and from 18% to 2%, in the studies of children. These historical trends in serogroup distribution may be explained by changes in antibiotic use, socioeconomic conditions, the immunocompromised status of populations, and blood-culturing practices.
Measuring Speech-Sound Learning Using Visual Analog Scaling

The ultimate goal for speech-language pathologists is to align the linguistic behaviors of the clients whom we serve with those of the ambient language of the community. In light of this goal, it i...
Current Emotion Research in Developmental Psychology

Emotion theories based on research with adults must be able to accommodate developmental data if they are to be deemed satisfactory accounts of human emotion. Inspired in part by theory and research on adult emotion, developmentalists have investigated emotion-related processes including affect elicitation, internal and overtly observable emotion responding, emotion regulation, and understanding emotion in others. Many developmental studies parallel investigations conducted with adults. In this article, we review current theories of emotional development as well as research related to the several aspects of emotion designated above. Beyond providing an overview of the field, we hope to encourage greater cross-fertilization and research collaboration between developmental psychologists and scholars who focus on adult emotion.
Laboratory studies of the condensation and properties of amorphous silicate smokes

The results of experiments intended for defining the vapor phase condensation of refractory materials are reported, and the usefulness of applying laboratory data to astrophysical conditions is assessed. The testing apparatus used produced Mg-SiO smokes by boiling powders in an evaporator. Critical temperatures for the onset of nucleation were measured for SiO-H2 and Mg-SiO-H2 systems. Spectroscopic examination of the grains produced were determined to be similar to the spectra obtained from both carbonaceous chondrites and several stratospheric micrometeorites. The experiments demonstrated that direct nucleation of refractory silicates from the vapor phase yielded amorphous, metastable particles, resembling more circumstellar grains than a chondritic matrix. It is suggested that the formation of SiO(x) may control nucleation in oxygen-rich stars.
Dependent Failures in Data Communication Systems

Although almost all published analyses of the reliability of communication systems assume failures of different lines are independent, such failures are actually highly correlated. A description of why this is true is given. This is followed by an approximate theoretical analysis of some measurement data. Both approaches yield the inescapable conclusion that assuming failures of different communications lines serving one location are independent can lead to dangerously inaccurate reliability predictions. The significance of these results for the designer of highly reliable systems involving data communications is discussed.
Incidence and Prognostic Value of the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Organ Dysfunctions in Ward Patients.

Rationale: Tools that screen inpatients for sepsis use the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and organ dysfunctions, but most studies of these criteria were performed in intensive care unit or emergency room populations.Objectives: To determine the incidence and prognostic value of SIRS and organ dysfunctions in a multicenter dataset of hospitalized ward patients.Methods: Hospitalized ward patients at five hospitals from November 2008 to January 2013 were included. SIRS and organ system dysfunctions were defined using 2001 International Consensus criteria. Patient characteristics and in-hospital mortality were compared among patients meeting two or more SIRS criteria and by the presence or absence of organ system dysfunction.Measurements and Main Results: A total of 269,951 patients were included in the study, after excluding 48 patients with missing discharge status. Forty-seven percent (n = 125,841) of the included patients met two or more SIRS criteria at least once during their w...
A novel lamin A/C mutation in a family with dilated cardiomyopathy, prominent conduction system disease, and need for permanent pacemaker implantation

Abstract Background The LMNA gene, which encodes the nuclear envelope protein lamin A/C, is thought to be the most common of 8 autosomal disease genes implicated in familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDC). Each family reported to date has a unique mutation and variable degrees of cardiac conduction system, dilated cardiomyopathy, or skeletal muscle disease. Methods and Results Coding regions of the LMNA gene were screened in 12 biological members of a family with dilated cardiomyopathy and conduction system disease. A novel missense mutation (Leu215Pro) in exon 4 was identified in 8 subjects. Disease was manifested as brady- and tachyarrhythmias, often necessitating permanent pacemaker implantation, and later onset of dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. No features of skeletal muscle disease were noted. The high percentage of affected individuals who needed pacemaker therapy (88%) was a unique characteristic of this family compared with other FDC families with LMNA mutations. Conclusions Careful examination of clinical data in families with FDC and LMNA mutations may reveal subtle genotype-phenotype correlations. Knowledge of such correlations may help to further define the mechanisms of disease in LMNA -associated FDC and can assist in the monitoring of disease for at-risk family members. (Am Heart J 2002;144:1081-6.)
Soil–structure reliability of offshore wind turbine monopile foundations

An overview of offshore wind turbine (OWT) foundations is presented, focusing primarily on the monopile foundation. The uncertainty in offshore soil conditions as well as random wind and wave loading is currently treated with a deterministic design procedure, though some standards allow engineers to use a probability-based approach. Laterally loaded monopile foundations are typically designed using the American Petroleum Institute p-y method, which is problematic for large OWT pile diameters. Probabilistic methods are used to examine the reliability of OWT pile foundations under serviceability limit states using Euler‐Bernoulli beam elements in a two-dimensional pile‐spring model, non-linear with respect to the soil springs. The effects of soil property variation, pile design parameters, loading and large diameters on OWT pile reliability are presented. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance Analysis and Code Design for Cooperative Relay Channels

We treat the LDPC code design for relay channels in this paper. The capacity of relay channels has been analyzed in current literature. How to approach such capacity with the aid of good codes is, however, a challenging problem. An efficient structure is proposed in [1] to decouple the factor graph (FG) of a B-block transmission into successive partial FGs, and then, the code design can be performed over the partial FG. Based on this efficient structure, we develop the approaches to find the optimum code ensemble. In particular, we formulate the relay and the destination operations as virtual multiple-antenna channels. Moreover, we develop the approaches based on the binary symmetric channel modelling for the relay and Gaussian approximation to fast estimate the extrinsic mutual information of the destination detector output. Then we can analyze the performance of the relay system using the EXIT technique. Differential evolution is employed to search for the optimum code ensemble. Extensive simulations are further carried out to show the results of the proposed optimum code design.
Elemental balancing of biomass and medium composition enhances growth capacity in high-density Chlorella vulgaris cultures.

The basic requirements for high-density photoautotrophic microalgal cultures in enclosed photobioreactors are a powerful light source and proper distribution of light, efficient gas exchange, and suitable medium composition. This article introduces the concept of balancing the elemental composition of growth medium with biomass composition to obtain high-density cultures. N-8 medium, commonly used for culturing Chlorella vulgaris was evaluated for its capacity to support high-density cultures on the basis of elemental stoichiometric composition of C. vulgaris. This analysis showed that the N-8 medium is deficient in iron, magnesium, sulfur, and nitrogen at high cell densities. N-8 medium was redesigned to contain stoichiometrically balanced quantities of the four deficient elements to support a biomass concentration of 2% (v/v). The redesigned medium, called M-8 medium, resulted in up to three- to fivefold increase in total chlorophyll content per volume of culture as compared to N-8 medium. Further experiments showed that addition of each of the four elements separately to N-8 medium did not improve culture performance and that balanced supplementation of all four deficient elements was required to yield the improved performance. Long-term (24 d) C. vulgaris culture in M-8 medium showed continuous increase in chlorophyll content and biomass throughout the period of cultivation. In contrast, the increase in chlorophyll content and biomass ceased after 7 and 12 d, respectively in N-8 medium, demonstrating the higher capacity of M-8 medium to produce biomass. Thus, the performance of high cell density photobioreactors can be significantly enhanced by proper medium design. The elemental composition of the biomass generated is an appropriate basis for medium design.
Nitric oxide accumulation in Arabidopsis is independent of NOA1 in the presence of sucrose

Nitric oxide signals diverse responses in animals and plants. Whereas nitric oxide synthesis mechanisms in animals are well understood, how nitric oxide is synthesized and regulated in plants remains controversial. NOA1 is a circularly permuted GTPase that is important for chloroplast function and is implicated in nitric oxide synthesis. However, the reported consequences of a null mutation in NOA1 are inconsistent. Whereas some studies indicate that the noa1 mutant has severe reductions in nitric oxide accumulation, others report that nitric oxide levels are indistinguishable between noa1 and the wild type. Here, we identify a correlation between the reported ability of noa1 to accumulate nitric oxide with growth on sucrose-supplemented media. We report that noa1 accumulates both basal and salicylic acid-induced nitric oxide only when grown on media containing sucrose. In contrast, nitric oxide accumulation in wild type is largely insensitive to sucrose supplementation. When grown in the absence of sucrose, noa1 has low fumarate, pale green leaves, slow growth and reduced chlorophyll content. These phenotypes are consistent with a defect in chloroplast-derived photosynthate production and are largely rescued by sucrose supplementation. We conclude that NOA1 has a primary role in chloroplast function and that its effects on the accumulation of nitric oxide are likely to be indirect.
Low immunoreactivity of canine cholecystokinin-58

The immunoreactivity of intact and trypsinized canine cholecystokinin-58 was examined using five C-terminally directed cholecystokinin antisera. Cholecystokinin-58 was nearly as immunoreactive as sulfated, amidated cholecystokinin-8 with one cholecystokinin-specific antiserum and an antiserum with moderate (18%) gastrin cross-reactivity, but two to four times less immunoreactive than the octapeptide with two other cholecystokinin-specific antisera and an antiserum with full cross-reactivity with cholecystokinin and gastrin. The cross-reactivity of cholecystokinin-58 with all antisera was increased by trypsinization, and the magnitude of the increase was related to the degree of trypsinization. These results suggest that it is not possible to measure absolute cholecystokinin levels in tissue and blood with antisera reported to date and that cholecystokinin-58 has a tertiary structure that influences its binding to cholecystokinin antibodies.