cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Twelve tips for writing educational research grant proposals

Background: The need to promote educational research and faculty development grants and assist medical educators with grant writing is well documented in the medical education literature. Aims: To assist medical educators with writing educational research grant proposals, we propose a set of 12 tips for writing competitive grant proposals. Methods: We distilled challenges and effective strategies and approaches from our experience in writing and assisting with education research grant proposals. We presented these challenges and approaches at faculty development workshops on writing educational research grant proposals conducted over the past 3 years and evaluated the outcomes of these presentations and the participant’s experiences with educational research grant writing. Results: Approximately 100 participating faculty provided feedback, affirming that these sessions were very useful for developing grant proposals and for reaching out to funding agencies and that these faculty development efforts in grant writing are much needed. Conclusions: Based on our experiences with education grants and workshop efforts, we propose a set of strategies for faculty to seek grant sources and write promising education research grant proposals.
Serum response factor is alternatively spliced in human colon cancer

Abstract Introduction: Serum response factor (SRF) is a transcription factor important in cellular differentiation and cell cycle regulation. SRF function is regulated in part by alternative splicing. Little is known about the expression or role of these alternatively spliced forms during tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that there is a change in expression of splice variants during intestinal tumorigenesis, and that this change in splice variant expression promotes the tumor phenotype. Methods: The expression of SRF was determined by western blotting of normal intestinal cells and human colon cancer cell lines. To determine the effect of alternatively spliced forms of SRF on intestinal growth and proliferation, the major alternatively spliced isoform of SRF (SRF▵5) seen in cancer cells was transfected into IEC-6 cells. IEC-6 and IEC-6SRF▵5 cells were plated on matrigel on day 0. Cell numbers were determined at four timepoints. Results: Western blotting demonstrates that full length SRF is the predominant form of SRF in IEC-6 cells and the well-differentiated human colon cancer cell line HT-29. In poorly differentiated human colon cancer cells (WiDr, HCT 116, LoVo, and SW480) SRF▵5 is the dominant form expressed (Figure 1). There was a marked increase in cell growth kinetics in IEC-6 cells transfected with SRF▵5 compared to the parental cells (Figure 2). Conclusion: This data demonstrates that an alternatively spliced form of SRF, SRF▵5 is expressed in human colon cancer cell lines. Additionally, this data demonstrates that expression of SRF▵5 may contribute to the tumor phenotype by affecting cell growth. This is the first study to document a change in alternative splicing of SRF in human malignancy. Download : Download high-res image (77KB) Download : Download full-size image
A Program which Computes a Multivariate Analog of Omega Squared

The paper presents an overview of an effect size estimate which can be useful in interpreting multivariate statistical results. The estimate is not typically provided by program packages. A program which calculates the corrected version of the estimate is discussed, and an illustrative example of some of the program's output is presented.
Distribution and severity of weakness among patients with polymyositis, dermatomyositis and juvenile dermatomyositis

Objective. To describe the distribution and severity of muscle weakness using manual muscle testing (MMT) in 172 patients with PM, DM and juvenile DM (JDM). The secondary objectives included characterizing individual muscle group weakness and determining associations of weakness with functional status and myositis characteristics in this large cohort of patients with myositis. Methods. Strength was assessed for 13 muscle groups using the 10-point MMT and expressed as a total score, subscores based on functional and anatomical regions, and grades for individual muscle groups. Patient characteristics and secondary outcomes, such as clinical course, muscle enzymes, corticosteroid dosage and functional status were evaluated for association with strength using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results. A gradient of proximal weakness was seen, with PM weakest, DM intermediate and JDM strongest among the three myositis clinical groups (P ≤ 0.05). Hip flexors, hip extensors, hip abductors, neck flexors and shoulder abductors were the muscle groups with the greatest weakness among all three clinical groups. Muscle groups were affected symmetrically. Conclusions. Axial and proximal muscle impairment was reflected in the five weakest muscles shared by our cohort of myositis patients. However, differences in the pattern of weakness were observed among all three clinical groups. Our findings suggest a greater severity of proximal weakness in PM in comparison with DM.
Cryogenic gas disconnect joints used in cryogenic accelerator cold-gas distribution systems

Demountable gas disconnect joints are the preferred choice for assembly of cryogenic (20 K) helium gas manifolding systems used with linear accelerators being developed at Los Alamos. The joints, which are used to distribute helium refrigerant gas at pressures as high as 450 psi, must also be capable of passing helium leak tests with a maximum leak rate of 5*10/sup -7/ std-cc/s at operating conditions. For this application, the authors have evaluated several forms of stainless-steel-to-stainless-steel and aluminum-to-stainless-steel flanged joints from several commercial manufacturers. They discuss using some of the joints in a linear accelerator. It was found that great care in assembly of the joints is necessary to assure that the joints will perform as expected. The identification of an acceptable aluminum-to-stainless-steel flange system, the Hakudo/ALFLAT, is very important for its application to the high-performance lightweight accelerators now being designed. >
A Theory of Production Competence

Production competence is an enigmatic functional phenomenon. What is it? Can it be measured? Does it affect business performance? The literature barely touches on these issues. If competence is defined as a variable rather than a fixed attribute, it can be measured by how well manufacturing's strengths and weaknesses complement the priorities of the business strategy. Since performance is a measure of how well that strategy works, there should be a definable relationship between competence and performance. This study proposes just such a relationship and promotes production competence as the theoretical link between production process and business strategy.
Effective Leadership Education: Developing a Core Curriculum for Leadership Studies

Educators must develop leadership studies programs that prepare students to deal with the reality of a diverse world so they are able to handle constant change as they lead in the 21 st century. The purpose of this paper is to consider a variety of questions that need to be answered when developing core curricula for college and university leadership studies programs. The discussion is based many years of researching, developing, and teaching in this area at state universities as well as at private liberal arts and Christian colleges. This paper offers a review of the importance of leadership education, a review of Hosford’s (1973) curriculum development model, and an examination of three case histories. Hosford (1973) has developed a model of instructional design that suggests a strong interrelationship exists between any given curriculum program and the subsequent teaching involved in the program. Hosford’s model challenges the educator to ask a variety of questions concerning issues affecting professional, practical, political, package (i.e., program), organizational, interrelated dynamics, teaching/learning, and implementation. As illustrated by the three case histories, with attention to each dimension of curriculum development it is possible to develop meaningful and successful leadership studies courses and programs at the college and university levels.
Role for CD4+ CD25+ Regulatory T Cells in Reactivation of Persistent Leishmaniasis and Control of Concomitant Immunity

Reactivation of dormant infections causes an immense burden of morbidity and mortality in the world at large. Reactivation can occur as a result of immunosuppression, environmental insult, or aging; however, the cause of reactivation of such infections is often not clear. We have previously shown that persistence of the parasite Leishmania major is controlled by endogenous CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T (T reg) cells. In this report, we show that despite efficient parasite clearance at secondary sites of infection, Leishmania superinfection can cause disease reactivation at the primary site. Our results strongly suggest that T reg cells, whose numbers increase in sites of reactivation, are directly responsible for such reactivation. Depletion of CD25+ cells at the time of secondary challenge prevented disease reactivation at the site of persistent infection while strengthening the expression of immunity at the site of secondary challenge. Finally, transfer of T reg cells purified from infected mice into chronically infected mice was sufficient to trigger disease reactivation and prevent the expression of an effector memory response. Our results demonstrate that after persistence is achieved, an equilibrium between T reg cells and effector lymphocytes, which can be disturbed by superinfection, controls the efficiency of recall immune responses and disease reactivation.
Direct Observation of Heterogeneous Chemistry in the Atmosphere

The heterogeneous replacement of chloride by nitrate in individual sea-salt particles was monitored continuously over time in the troposphere with the use of aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Modeling calculations show that the observed chloride displacement process is consistent with a heterogeneous chemical reaction between sea-salt particles and gas-phase nitric acid, leading to sodium nitrate production in the particle phase accompanied by liberation of gaseous HCl from the particles. Such single-particle measurements, combined with a single-particle model, make it possible to monitor and explain heterogeneous gas/particle chemistry as it occurs in the atmosphere.
Supporting volunteer activities with mobile social software

Many community organizations rely extensively on volunteer work. However, people who wish to help often have difficulties finding the time to volunteer. We are developing mobile social software that is intended to motivate users to volunteer and to help users find volunteering opportunities. In order to understand how technology might support volunteering, we interviewed 9 recent volunteers about their volunteer work. We report on their motivations to volunteer, obstacles to volunteering, and strategies they use to manage the demands of volunteering. We discuss how these factors are shaping the design of a mobile social application to support volunteering.
Distinct requirements for extra-embryonic and embryonic bone morphogenetic protein 4 in the formation of the node and primitive streak and coordination of left-right asymmetry in the mouse

In the mouse and chick embryo, the node plays a central role in generating left-right (LR) positional information. Using several different strategies, we provide evidence in the mouse that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (Bmp4) is required independently in two different sites for node morphogenesis and for LR patterning. Bmp4 expression in the trophoblast-derived extra-embryonic ectoderm is essential for the normal formation of the node and primitive streak. However, tetraploid chimera analysis demonstrates that Bmp4 made in epiblast-derived tissues is required for robust LR patterning, even when normal node morphology is restored. In the absence of embryonic Bmp4, the expression of left-side determinants such as Nodal and Lefty2 is absent in the left lateral plate mesoderm (LPM). Noggin-mediated inhibition of Bmp activity in cultured wild-type embryos results in suppression of Nodal expression in the LPM. Thus, unlike previous models proposed in the chick embryo in which Bmp4 suppresses left-sided gene expression, our results suggest that Bmp acts as a positive facilitator of the left-sided molecular cascade and is required for Nodal induction and maintenance in the left LPM.
High aspect ratio metal-polymer composite structures for nano interconnects

This paper presents a novel low-temperature process that combines high-aspect-ratio polymer structures with electroless copper plating to create laterally compliant MEMS structures. These structures are evaluated as IC-package interconnects that can lead to reliable, low-cost and high-performance nano wafer-level packaging. High-aspect-ratio low CTE polyimide structures with low stress, high toughness and strength were fabricated using plasma etching, This dry etching process was tuned to yield a wall angle above 80 degrees leading to an aspect ratio higher than 4. The etching process also leads to roughened sidewalls for selective electroless plating on the sidewalls of the polymer structures. Simulations of these fabricated structures show tremendous reduction in the stresses at the interfaces and superior reliability as IC-package nano interconnects. Metal-coated polymer structures from MEMS fabrication techniques can provide low-cost high-performance solutions for wafer-level-packaging.
Two-dimensional spatiotemporal coding of linear acceleration in vestibular nuclei neurons

Response properties of vertical (VC) and horizontal (HC) canal/otolith-convergent vestibular nuclei neurons were studied in decerebrate rats during stimulation with sinusoidal linear accelerations (0.2-1.4 Hz) along different directions in the head horizontal plane. A novel characteristic of the majority of tested neurons was the nonzero response often elicited during stimulation along the "null" direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the maximum sensitivity vector, Smax). The tuning ratio (Smin gain/Smax gain), a measure of the two-dimensional spatial sensitivity, depended on stimulus frequency. For most vestibular nuclei neurons, the tuning ratio was small at the lowest stimulus frequencies and progressively increased with frequency. Specifically, HC neurons were characterized by a flat Smax gain and an approximately 10-fold increase of Smin gain per frequency decade. Thus, these neurons encode linear acceleration when stimulated along their maximum sensitivity direction, and the rate of change of linear acceleration (jerk) when stimulated along their minimum sensitivity direction. While the Smax vectors were distributed throughout the horizontal plane, the Smin vectors were concentrated mainly ipsilaterally with respect to head acceleration and clustered around the naso-occipital head axis. The properties of VC neurons were distinctly different from those of HC cells. The majority of VC cells showed decreasing Smax gains and small, relatively flat, Smin gains as a function of frequency. The Smax vectors were distributed ipsilaterally relative to the induced (apparent) head tilt. In type I anterior or posterior VC neurons, Smax vectors were clustered around the projection of the respective ipsilateral canal plane onto the horizontal head plane. These distinct spatial and temporal properties of HC and VC neurons during linear acceleration are compatible with the spatiotemporal organization of the horizontal and the vertical/torsional ocular responses, respectively, elicited in the rat during linear translation in the horizontal head plane. In addition, the data suggest a spatially and temporally specific and selective otolith/canal convergence. We propose that the central otolith system is organized in canal coordinates such that there is a close alignment between the plane of angular acceleration (canal) sensitivity and the plane of linear acceleration (otolith) sensitivity in otolith/canal-convergent vestibular nuclei neurons.
Subthreshold characteristics of fully depleted submicrometer SOI MOSFET's

In this paper, an analytic current-voltage model in the subthreshold regime for submicrometer fully depleted (FD) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFET's is presented. This model takes into account the dependence of the effective depleted charge on the drain bias and the voltage drop in the substrate region underneath the buried oxide. In addition to predicting accurate subthreshold current-voltage characteristics and subthreshold slope, this model can be used to predict important Short Channel Effects (SCE) such as the threshold voltage roll-off and Drain-Induced Barrier Lowering (DIBL). This model is verified by comparison to a two-dimensional device simulator, MEDICI. Good agreement is obtained for SOI channel lengths down to 0.25 /spl mu/m. >
Wnt2b/β-catenin-mediated canonical Wnt signaling determines the peripheral fates of the chick eye

Wnt signaling orchestrates multiple aspects of central nervous system development, including cell proliferation and cell fate choices. In this study, we used gene transfer to activate or inhibit canonical Wnt signaling in vivo in the developing eye. We found that the expression of Wnt2b or constitutively active (CA) beta-catenin inhibited retinal progenitor gene (RPG) expression and the differentiation of retinal neurons. In addition, Wnt signal activation in the central retina was sufficient to induce the expression of markers of the ciliary body and iris, two tissues derived from the peripheral optic cup (OC). The expression of a dominant-negative (DN) allele of Lef1, or of a Lef1-engrailed fusion protein, led to the inhibition of expression of peripheral genes and iris hypoplasia, suggesting that canonical Wnt signaling is required for peripheral eye development. We propose that canonical Wnt signaling in the developing optic vesicle (OV) and OC plays a crucial role in determining the identity of the ciliary body and iris. Because wingless (wg) plays a similar role in the induction of peripheral eye tissues of Drosophila, these findings indicate a possible conservation of the process that patterns the photoreceptive and support structures of the eye.
Full wave analysis of microwave monolithic circuit devices using a generalized Yee-algorithm based on an unstructured grid

A generalized Yee-algorithm is presented for the temporal full-wave analysis of microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) devices. This algorithm has the significant advantage over the traditional Yee-algorithm in that it is based on unstructured and irregular grids. Thus, using the generalized Yee-algorithm, MMIC devices that contain curved conductors or complex geometries can be more accurately and conveniently modeled using standard automatic grid generation techniques. The generalized Yee-algorithm is based on the time-marching solution of the discrete form of Maxwell's equations in their integral form. A correction scheme is introduced that is stable, maintains second-order accuracy, and maintains the divergenceless nature of the flux densities. Furthermore, by structuring the algorithm as a series of sparse matrix-vector multiplications, the generalized Yee-algorithm can be efficiently implemented on vector or parallel high performance computers.
The thermal management of IBM's ES/9000 advanced thermal conduction module

The Advanced Thermal Conduction Module (ATCM) used in the IBM ES/9000 mainframe models 820 and 900 represents a major step forward in high end thermal management. Advanced design, sophisticated modeling, application of new materials, thorough testing, and joint development with manufacturing have resulted in a threefold increase in cooling capability over the TCM in the 3090. The use of a composite heat transfer coefficient is introduced and used to compare several thermal designs. The authors describe the ATCM technology, design process, and qualification activity that led to the introduction of the ATCM. >
Four Tools for Critical Inquiry in History, Social Studies, and Civic Education

The promotion of critical thinking is an important but elusive goal in history, social studies, and civic education. Teachers often struggle to translate general definitions of critical thinking into specific pedagogical tools to plan learning activities and to observe and interpret student work in these subjects. They also struggle to distinguish between “teaching critical content” and “teaching students to think critically.” In this paper, I draw upon scholarship on critical thinking, history education, moral education, and critical pedagogy to propose four tools for critical inquiry in the social domain: Problem-posing, Reflective skepticism, Multi-perspectivity and Systemic thinking. I describe how each tool works, discussing how they integrate the epistemic purpose of fostering good understanding with the social purpose of cultivating thoughtful, responsible, pluralist and non-violent citizens.
Bad is a BH3 domain-containing protein that forms an inactivating dimer with Bcl-XL

The Bcl-2 related protein Bad is a promoter of apoptosis and has been shown to dimerize with the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL. Overexpression of Bad in murine FL5.12 cells demonstrated that the protein not only could abrogate the protective capacity of coexpressed Bcl-XL but could accelerate the apoptotic response to a death signal when it was expressed in the absence of exogenous Bcl-XL. Using deletion analysis, we have identified the minimal domain in the murine Bad protein that can dimerize with Bcl-xL. A 26-amino-acid peptide within this domain, which showed significant homology to the alpha-helical BH3 domains of related apoptotic proteins like Bak and Bax, was found to be necessary and sufficient to bind Bcl-xL. To determine the role of dimerization in regulating the death-promoting activity of Bad and the death-inhibiting activity of Bcl-xL, mutations within the hydrophobic BH3-binding pocket in Bcl-xL that eliminated the ability of Bcl-xL to form a heterodimer with Bad were tested for the ability to promote cell survival in the presence of Bad. Several of these mutants retained the ability to impart protection against cell death regardless of the level of coexpressed Bad protein. These results suggest that BH3-containing proteins like Bad promote cell death by binding to antiapoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family and thus inhibiting their survival promoting functions.
Incorporating PSP into a traditional software engineering course: an experience report

This paper presents an approach to incorporate PSP (Personal Software Process) into a traditional software engineering course that is typically contained within a computer science curriculum. Advantages and disadvantages of similar approaches are discussed. The approach has been implemented twice in an undergraduate course at the University of Memphis. This successful experience is described and gives support that the proposed approach is beneficial to both students and educators.
Technologies for Continuous Glucose Monitoring: Current Problems and Future Promises

Devices for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) are currently a major focus of research in the area of diabetes management. It is envisioned that such devices will have the ability to alert a diabetes patient (or the parent or medical care giver of a diabetes patient) of impending hypoglycemic/hyperglycemic events and thereby enable the patient to avoid extreme hypoglycemic/hyperglycemic excursions as well as minimize deviations outside the normal glucose range, thus preventing both life-threatening events and the debilitating complications associated with diabetes. It is anticipated that CGM devices will utilize constant feedback of analytical information from a glucose sensor to activate an insulin delivery pump, thereby ultimately realizing the concept of an artificial pancreas. Depending on whether the CGM device penetrates/breaks the skin and/or the sample is measured extracorporeally, these devices can be categorized as totally invasive, minimally invasive, and noninvasive. In addition, CGM devices are further classified according to the transduction mechanisms used for glucose sensing (i.e., electrochemical, optical, and piezoelectric). However, at present, most of these technologies are plagued by a variety of issues that affect their accuracy and long-term performance. This article presents a critical comparison of existing CGM technologies, highlighting critical issues of device accuracy, foreign body response, calibration, and miniaturization. An outlook on future developments with an emphasis on long-term reliability and performance is also presented.
Leveraging conductive inkjet technology to build a scalable and versatile surface for ubiquitous sensing

In this paper we describe the design and implementation of a new versatile, scalable and cost-effective sensate surface. The system is based on a new conductive inkjet technology, which allows capacitive sensor electrodes and different types of RF antennas to be cheaply printed onto a roll of flexible substrate that may be many meters long. By deploying this surface on (or under) a floor it is possible to detect the presence and whereabouts of users through both passive and active capacitive coupling schemes. We have also incorporated GSM and NFC electromagnetic radiation sensing and piezoelectric pressure and vibration detection. We report on a number of experiments which evaluate sensing performance based on a 2.5m x 0.3m hardware test-bed. We describe some potential applications for this technology and highlight a number of improvements we have in mind.
Investigation of multistage linear region drain current degradation and gate-oxide breakdown under hot-carrier stress in BCD HV PMOS

Hot-carrier injection (HCI) at maximum gate current (I G ) stress condition for BCD HVPMOS has been studied. It is found that HCI not only causes linear region drain current degradation and minimizes the operation window, but also degrades the gate oxide (GOX) and may result in GOX breakdown. A multistage I Dlin degradation behavior has been observed during HCI stress, which is associated with two competing mechanisms, i.e., interface-state (N it ) generation and electron trapping caused by hot electrons originated from impact ionization. HCI leads to the gate oxide breakdown even at very low e-field of ∼1.5MV/cm across the GOX. TCAD simulation results by placing N it and negative charges at different location of the device also support a multistage I Dlin degradation. It is found that both initial I G and bulk current (I B ) are well correlated with GOX time-dependent-dielectric-breakdown (TDDB). In addition, better TDDB has been observed at higher temperature compared to lower temperature, which verifies that GOX breakdown is associated with HCI.
Yet another approach to statistical circuit design-stochastic minimax

A formulation of the statistical design centering (SDC) problem of electronic circuits is presented. The income index optimization problem formulation, introduced by L.J. Opalski and M.A. Styblinski (1986), is slightly generalized and shown to result in a stochastic minimax formulation (SMM) of the SDC problem under some assumptions. A formula for the gradient of the objective function which uses circuit-sensitivity information is developed. The formula makes it possible to calculate the stochastic gradient under much weaker assumptions about the probability density function of the circuit parameter values than before. Two solution techniques for the SMM problem are briefly presented and compared. They are direct and indirect. Using circuit-sensitivity information is shown to lead to a development of new circuit-optimization algorithms. Some implementation details of the algorithms and results of preliminary tests are also presented. >
Abstract 20347: Does Electrophysiological Toxicity Limit the Therapeutic Window of Serca2a Gene Therapy?

Rescue of SERCA2a expression by gene transfer to the endstage failing heart improves its mechanical and electrophysiological (EP) function. However the safety profile of SERCA2a gene therapy as a preventive measure in patients at early stages of remodeling prior to SERCA2a downregulation is unknown. Examination of the EP consequences of SERCA2a gene therapy in non-failing hearts is imperative in determining its potential EP toxicity. Hypothesis: SERCA2a upregulation using high titer adeno associated virus type 9 (AAV9) mediated gene transfer to normal rats may promote arrhythmogenic triggers, thereby limiting the therapeutic window for this approach. Methods: Using high resolution optical action potential (AP) imaging, we investigated the EP substrate 6 weeks post gene transfer of 5E11 AAV9.SERCA2a (N=13) or AAV9.GFP (N=6) to normal rats. Arrhythmia susceptibility was determined under conditions that promoted Ca overload by burst pacing & ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. Results: AAV9.SERCA2a hearts exhibited a 50% increase in SERCA2a expression at the mRNA and protein levels compared to AAV9.GFP. No differences in heart weight to body weight were found between groups (3.85 vs 3.74 mg/g). During baseline perfusion, AAV9.GFP hearts exhibited significantly prolonged (by 30%, p<0.05) AP durations (APD) and a strong trend (p=0.07) towards greater APD heterogeneity. Challenge with rapid pacing resulted in the onset of sustained VF in 4/6 AAV9.GFP and 0/13 AAV9.SERCA2a hearts (p=0.004). Despite significant SERCA2a upregulation, APD and conduction velocity were identical in AAV9.SERCA2a compared to normal hearts indicating lack of EP toxicity. During prolonged low flow ischemia, AAV9.SERCA2a hearts exhibited a trend towards higher incidence of arrhythmias compared to normal hearts, but differences were not statistically significant (p=0.08). Finally, all AAV9.SERCA2a hearts exhibited rapid recovery of APD and excitability upon reperfusion following 10 min of no flow ischemia. Conclusions: High titer gene transfer of AAV9.GFP but not AAV9.SERCA2a elicits adverse EP remodeling in normal rat myocardium. The lack of an EP phenotype of AAV9.SERCA2a despite 50% upregulation in SERCA2a levels is consistent with a wide safety margin for this therapy.
Michael Gilek & Kristine Kern (eds), Governing Europe’s marine environment

The reader of this volume may follow a curious interrelation between the scope of the coastal states cooperation and the study of environmental issues of four main European seas (the Baltic Sea, th...
Abstract 329: Change in Cognitive Status in the Month Following Hospitalization for an Acute Coronary Syndrome: findings from TRACE-CORE

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) during hospitalization is associated with poor long-term outcomes but little is known about changes in cognitive status soon after discharge. Methods: Adults (n=1,545) without dementia or delirium were interviewed during hospitalization for an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and at 1-month post-discharge as part of the ongoing Transitions, Risks and Actions in Coronary Events - Center for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research and Education (TRACE-CORE) study. CI was indicated by a score ≤28 on the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status (TICS; range: 0-41). Patients reported demographic characteristics, anxiety (GAD7), depression (PHQ9), and stress (PSS4). Factors associated with cognitive change categories (consistently impaired, transiently impaired, newly impaired versus not impaired) were examined using adjusted multinomial logistic regression (Table). Results: Participants were 66% male, 83% non-Hispanic white, and aged 62±11 years. Of those with CI during hospitalization (16%; n=245), 53% remediated by 1-month. Among the remaining 1300 patients, with normal cognitive function during hospitalization, 5% (n=67) had developed cognitive impairment by 1-month post discharge. Women had higher odds of becoming newly impaired (Table). Low education, health literacy, and numeracy were associated with persistent, transient, and new impairment. Compared to those who lived with a spouse, patients who lived alone were more likely to be transiently impaired, and those who lived with others were more like to become newly impaired. High stress and low social support were associated with persistent impairment. Conclusions: For many patients with ACS, cognitive status changes during the transition from hospital to home; thus, assessing cognition both in-hospital and post-discharge is important for detecting patients who could benefit from tailored transitional care, because they are at high risk for decline, or early follow-up for booster discharge instructions and secondary prevention, because there is a good chance of their improving. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
“Normal” Business Behavior and the Justice Department:

Antitrust indictments against business firms often appear to businessmen and the community to represent an unfair attack on normal business behavior by an “anti-business” arm of the government.The ...
Novel Si Networks in the Ca/Si Phase Diagram under Pressure

The rich Ca/Si binary phase diagram is explored here theoretically and over a range of pressures, through four stoichiometries: Ca2Si, CaSi, CaSi2, and CaSi3. The calculations are calibrated by recovering the known P = 1 atm structures (even as they suggest metastable alternatives for some) and by predicting correctly the range of pressures at which CaSi3, which has a positive heat of formation at P = 1 atm, can be synthesized. Ca2Si, in accord with its Zintl compound nature, features isolated Si4– ions then chains until decomposition. CaSi, which begins as a Zintl phase (albeit metallic) chain structure evolves to rings and zeolitic-channel structures, while CaSi2 explores a variety of triply connected Si polytypes to Laves phases with increasing pressure. CaSi3 has a calculated narrow range of stability of 8–18 GPa. Interestingly, all the phases studied are calculated to decompose to the elements at P ∼ 250 GPa. This unusual behavior is traced to the special compressibility of elemental Ca and the backw...
Composition of float gases of Physalia physalis.

Summary and conclusionThe float gases of Physalia contain carbon monoxide. The amount varied from 0.21% to 6.07% of the total. It is suggested that variations in carbon monoxide content may reflect differing functional states in the organism. The composition of the gas in the pneumocyst may change qualitatively and quantitatively in 24 hours. When the float was inflated with pure carbon monoxide this gas was diluted approximately 4-fold during the following 66 hours. During this same period the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide increased about the same extent. Concentration of nitrogen in the float gas increased 3-fold during this same period. These changes in composition of float gases could result either from active secretion from the gas gland or from passive diffusion through the wall of the pneumocyst. Structural considerations make this latter possibility considerably more remote than active secretion by the gas gland.
Test Methods for Accurate and Robust Material Property Measurements of Rodent Cortical Bone

Direct measurements of cortical bone material properties are difficult to achieve in rodent long bones due to the inherently small dimensions and difficulties in machining standard test specimen geometries [1]. Bone tissue properties in nearly all rodent studies are thus limited to estimates from flexural tests of long bone diaphyses. In addition to the inaccuracies imposed by the bending stress state itself, these material property estimates are further confounded by the non-uniform geometry of long bones along the diaphyseal length. The goal of this work was to develop a series of techniques to improve the accuracy and precision of material property measurements in rodent long bones, with explicit mathematical correction for geometrical complexity and multiple measurements from individual bones. In combination, these techniques provide a pragmatic serial test routine for collecting multiple direct measurements of cortical tissue elastic modulus and strength, with a potential for improving sensitivity and statistical power in skeletal studies using rodents.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Acute aerobic exercise helps overcome emotion regulation deficits.

Although colloquial wisdom and some studies suggest an association between regular aerobic exercise and emotional well-being, the nature of this link remains poorly understood. We hypothesised that...
How the Age of Rights Became the New Gilded Age: From International Antidiscrimination Law to Global Inequality

This Essay takes issue with the recent characterization of "antidiscrimination law as an American invention” by the AALS Workshop on Transnational Perspectives on Equality Law. It begins by pointing out the antidiscrimination provisions included in earlier international and regional human rights instruments and describing the global human rights and anti-colonial movements that inspired American civil rights activists.Recognizing the international roots of antidiscrimination law is not just a matter of giving credit where credit is due. Framing antidiscrimination law as an American invention preempts consideration of the economic inequality that has been at the core of international human rights from the very beginning. Economic rights, such as the right to health and the right to an adequate standard of living, have always been key to international antidiscrimination law. These rights remain anathema to many in the United States. The 2012 Republic Party Platform characterized the Affordable Care Act (ACA), for example, as “an attack on our Constitution.”
Structural Dynamics of the Small Multidrug Transporter EMRE

The small multidrug transporter from E. coli, EmrE, couples the energetically uphill extrusion of hydrophobic cations out of the cell to the transport of two protons down their electrochemical gradient (1-2). While the principal elements of the antiport mechanism have been revealed (3), the structural record is limited to the crystal structure of the substrate-bound state (4). Here we utilize spin labeling and Q-band Double Electron Electron Resonance (DEER; 5) to uncover the conformational changes that are subsequent to protonation of critical acidic residues, a central and missing link in the structure/mechanism relationship. We find that protonation of E14 leads to extensive helix rotation and tilt in conjunction with repacking of loops, conformational changes which alter the orientation of side chains that coordinate substrate binding and modulate substrate access from the lipid bilayer. The model that emerges from our data posits a proton-bound, but occluded, resting state. Substrate binding from the inner leaflet of the bilayer releases the protons and triggers isoenergetic alternating access between inward- and outward facing conformations of the substrate-loaded transporter (6), thus enabling antiport without dissipating the proton gradient.(1) Schuldiner S (2009) Biochim Biophys Acta 1794(5): 748-762.(2) Amadi ST, Koteiche HA, Mishra S, Mchaourab HS (2010) J Biol Chem 285(34): 26710-26718.(3) Yerushalmi H, Schuldiner S (2000) FEBS Lett 476(1-2): 93-97.(4) Chen YJ, et al. (2007) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104(48): 18999-19004.(5) Jeschke G (2012) Annu Rev Phys Chem 63: 419-446.(6) Morrison EA, et al. (2012) Nature 481(7379): 45-50.
Computational Analysis of the Hypothalamic Control of Food Intake.

Abstract Food-intake control is mediated by a heterogeneous network of different neural subtypes, distributed over various hypothalamic nuclei and other brain structures, in which each subtype can release more than one neurotransmitter or neurohormone. The complexity of the interactions of these subtypes poses a challenge to understanding their specific contributions to food-intake control, and apparent consistencies in the dataset can be contradicted by new findings. For example, the growing consensus that arcuate nucleus neurons expressing Agouti-related peptide (AgRP neurons) promote feeding, while those expressing pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC neurons) suppress feeding, is contradicted by findings that low AgRP neuron activity and high POMC neuron activity can be associated with high levels of food intake. Similarly, the growing consensus that GABAergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus suppress feeding is contradicted by findings suggesting the opposite. Yet the complexity of the food-intake control network admits many different network behaviors. It is possible that anomalous associations between the responses of certain neural subtypes and feeding are actually consistent with known interactions, but their effect on feeding depends on the responses of the other neural subtypes in the network. We explored this possibility through computational analysis. We made a computer model of the interactions between the hypothalamic and other neural subtypes known to be involved in food-intake control, and optimized its parameters so that model behavior matched observed behavior over an extensive test battery. We then used specialized computational techniques to search the entire model state space, where each state represents a different configuration of the responses of the units (model neural subtypes) in the network. We found that the anomalous associations between the responses of certain hypothalamic neural subtypes and feeding are actually consistent with the known structure of the food-intake control network, and we could specify the ways in which the anomalous configurations differed from the expected ones. By analyzing the temporal relationships between different states we identified the conditions under which the anomalous associations can occur, and these stand as model predictions.
Strategic Planning in e-Learning

As most in leadership know well, online learning, e-learning and other forms of distributed learning are increasingly important as parts of strategic plans for organizations, higher education, and k-12 schools. This article briefly takes up a few of the critical elements of strong strategic plans including the uses and importance of needs assessment, reflection, identifying organizational e-learning strengths, opportunities, and resources, seeing novel and unique program opportunities, and the importance of a core group of supporters for the programs forwarded in the strategic plan.
Florida nursery best management practices: past, present, and future.

Florida container nurseries face the challenge of maintaining profitability while protecting the environment by improving the efficiency of water and fertilizer use. Best management practices (BMPs) provide irrigation and fertilization guidelines for meeting this challenge. BMPs are economically and technologically feasible to implement and they focus on the groundand surface water quality issues of the state. However, increasing nursery participation in the statewide BMP program is crucial as the industry continues to expand and interface with urbanization.
Pseudofamilies, Misconduct, and the Utility of General Strain Theory in a Women's Prison

This study tests general strain theory among a sample of 216 incarcerated women. Incarcerated women cope with many strains in prison. They frequently rely on social support from other inmates as coping mechanisms. Some even form pseudofamilies. Such relationships may impact the level of strain and negative emotions these women experience and the misconduct they engage in. The purpose of this study is to explore what relationship (if any) exists between strain, anger, depression, institutional misconduct, and pseudofamily membership. Findings suggest limited support for general strain theory and highlight the importance of women's past victimizations and impulsivity in predicting their misconduct.
Long-term follow-up in patients receiving emergency revascularization for intermediate coronary syndrome.

From 1969 to 1973, 42 patients were treated with emergency myocardial revascularization for intermediate coronary syndrome (ICS). Clinically, these patients presented with angina pectoris associated with temporary electrocardiographic (ECG) changes (Group I); persistent ECG evidence of subendocardial ischemia (Group 11), or early myocardial infarction (Group III). After a period of 4 to 7 days of conservative management, hemodynamic and cardiac catheterization studies were done because of persistence of chest pain. These studies were followed within a few hours by myocardial revascularization. There were no operative deaths, but 6 patients (14 per cent) developed intraoperative myocardial infarcts. Two other patients had developed transmural infarction after angiography. At restudy, both had a large left ventricular aneurysm in spite of patent coronary grafts. Twenty-four patients had follow-up cardiac catheterization between 1 and 24 months postoperatively, and 95 per cent of them had patent vein grafts. Twenty patients have been followed an average of 3 years (range 2 to 4 years). None has developed myocardial infarcts, and all are asymptomatic, except for 1 patient who was operated 8 hours after an acute infarct. These results indicate favorable early and long-term benefits in patients receiving emergency myocardial revascularization for ICS unresponsive to medical management.
Implicit Equations with Union and Left-Concatenation

We begin our coverage of implicit equations by considering the exact analogue to the classical (explicit) equations solved in Chapter 3. Specifically, the operations are union and left-concatenation and the constants are over an arbitrary alphabet. We first establish that, in contrast to explicit equations, implicit ones need not have any solutions. Furthermore, there exist implicit equations with context-free constants whose only solutions are non-context-free. Then we show a general criterion for the existence of a solution. This criterion is constructive if the constants are regular. Furthermore, the criterion gives rise to a test whether there exist finitely or infinitely many solutions. If the constants are regular, solutions can be constructed effectively; moreover, if there are finitely many solutions, all solutions can be constructed, and if there are infinitely many, an arbitrarily large number of them can be constructed.
The Ubiquitin–Proteasome System

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview on the ubiquitin–proteasome system. The ubiquitin is joined reversibly to proteins by an amide (isopeptide) linkage between the C-terminus of ubiquitin and lysine ɛ-amino groups of the acceptor proteins. The C-terminus of ubiquitin must be activated before it can form isopeptide bonds with other proteins. Initially, ubiquitin is adenylated by the ubiquitin activating enzyme, E1. The activated carbonyl in the ubiquitin ∼AMP intermediate is then attacked by a sulfhydryl group of the same E1 enzyme, yielding an E1-ubiquitin thioester. Ubiquitylated proteins are in a dynamic state, subject to further rounds of ubiquitin addition, or ubiquitin removal by deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs), or degradation by the 26S proteasome. The proteasome specifically recognizes polyubiquitin-protein conjugates, unfolds the substrate moiety and degrades it into small peptides, and releases intact ubiquitin for re-use. Most DUB remains enigmatic in terms of individual physiological functions. DUBs are required first of all to process the precursor forms of ubiquitin insofar as all ubiquitin genes encode either head-to-tail fusions of multiple ubiquitin moieties or ubiquitin sequences fused to other peptides. Because ubiquitin ligation involves intermediates of ubiquitin susceptible to nucleophilic attack, adventitious conjugation to abundant intracellular nucleophiles such as lysine or glutathione is believed to be common, and this must be reversed by DUBs to maintain adequate free ubiquitin pools. Some DUBs or DUB-related enzymes are part of multimeric protein complexes, and are only active when incorporated into the larger complex such as the Rpn11 DUB, a metalloprotease that is an intrinsic subunit of the 26S proteasome.