cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Skeletal accumulation of bisphosphonates: implications for osteoporosis treatment.

Background: Bisphosphonates (BPs), the gold-standard pharmacological treatment for osteoporosis, are unique in that they become physically bound to the bone matrix and therefore accumulate over time. This skeletal accumulation has important physiological implications that are not completely understood. Objective: To review concepts related to the biological effects of BP accumulation in the skeleton. Methods: Articles concerning skeletal accumulation of BP treatment were identified. Results/conclusions: Skeletal accumulation of BP, dictated by both chemical and biological factors, is dose-dependent, differs among skeletal sites and likely differs among the various BPs. Bisphosphonate embedded within the skeletal matrix has lasting biological effects, the results of which have both positive and negative implications for bone remodeling. As alternative anti-remodeling agents gain approval for treatment of osteoporosis, the property of skeletal accumulation will likely be unique to BPs and therefore may be t...
Ramp-Up-Phase Current-Profile Control of Tokamak Plasmas via Nonlinear Programming

The achievement of suitable toroidal-current-density profiles in tokamak plasmas plays an important role in enabling high fusion gain and noninductive sustainment of the plasma current for steady-state operation with improved magnetohydrodynamic stability. The evolution in time of the current profile is related to the evolution of the poloidal magnetic flux, which is modeled in normalized cylindrical coordinates using a partial differential equation (PDE) usually referred to as the magnetic flux diffusion equation. The dynamics of the plasma current density profile can be modified by the total plasma current and the power of the noninductive current drive. These two actuators, which are constrained not only in value and rate but also in their initial and final values, are used to drive the current profile as close as possible to a desired target profile at a specific final time. To solve this constrained finite-time open-loop PDE optimal control problem, model reduction based on proper orthogonal decomposition is combined with sequential quadratic programming in an iterative fashion. The use of a low-dimensional dynamical model dramatically reduces the computational effort and, therefore, the time required to solve the optimization problem, which is critical for a potential implementation of a real-time receding-horizon control strategy.
A new formulation of breakdown model for high-к/SiO 2 stack dielectrics

Unlike previously accepted notions, we present the experimental evidence that the first BD events (TBD) follows a single-Weibull distribution (2-parameters) for high-κ/SiO2 stack dielectrics using large-sample size experiments and fast-time measurements. It is found that neglecting the initial failure mode can lead to a false bending at low percentiles. In contrast, a bimodality with strong bending in residual time (TRES=TFAIL-TBD) distributions is commonly observed in all cases, suggesting a universal bimodal progressive BD (PBD) distribution which plays a fundamental role in circuit reliability. Using a general Monte Carlo simulator including the multiple-spot competing PBD mode with a 5-parameter model [1] for PBD distribution, we have obtained an excellent agreement by simultaneously fitting three distributions: TBD, TRES, and TFAIL(IFAIL), thus resolving a wide range of conflicting observations in recent publications in a coherent framework.
Sleep EEG, depression and gender

Despite clear evidence of an intimate connection between sleep, major depressive disorders (MDD) and gender, few studies have explored gender differences in either sleep or in wakefulness in patients as a means of better understanding the psychogenic components of MDD. Indeed, few sleep studies focus on characterising gender differences in any population. This paper will present a review of the literature on gender differences in sleep and depression. The theoretical and clinical implications of the findings will also be discussed. The premise of the present review is that there is an inherent increased vulnerability to depression in women that arises out of basic gender differences in brain organisation and state regulation, particularly in response to a "biological challenge" during sleep. It is argued that the inherent properties of organisation and regulation of sleep EEG in healthy men and women, elicited under challenge conditions, show gender-specific vulnerability to organisational abnormalities that model homeostatic abnormalities in depressed men and women and contribute to the genesis of depression. 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd
ŒSTROGEN FRACTIONS DURING EARLY REPRODUCTIVE LIFE IN THE ÆTIOLOGY OF BREAST CANCER

Abstract Experimental studies have shown that, when combinations of the oestrogen fractions are administered, the net effect is influenced by the relative amounts of the several fractions as well as by the total dose. Specifically, it appears that the non-carcinogenic, impeded fraction (œstriol) partly inhibits the action of the carcinogenic, unimpeded fractions (oestrone, œstradiol). However, attempts to demonstrate differences in the ratio of impeded to unimpeded oestrogens between breast cancer cases and controls have been inconclusive. Epidemiological evidence suggests that early reproductive life is a time when events of significance to future breast-cancer risk occur. In particular, pregnancy at a young age is associated with both favourable oestrogen fraction ratios and decreased breast-cancer risk. We therefore suggest that the relative levels of the individual oestrogen fractions produced in the first decade or so after puberty are important determinants of a woman's life-time breast-cancer risk. This hypothesis allows reconciliation of several sets of observations which have previously seemed inconsistent, including the varied results of case-control studies. While a direct test of this hypothesis is not likely to be forthcoming in the next decade, several investigations could be undertaken immediately to provide persuasive evidence for or against it.
Assimilating Surface Data to Improve the Accuracy of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Simulations

Large errors in atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) simulations can be caused by inaccuracies in the specification of surface characteristics in addition to assumptions and simplifications made in boundary layer formulations or other model deficiencies. For certain applications, such as air quality studies, these errors can have significant effects. To reduce such errors, a continuous surface data assimilation technique is developed. In this technique, surface-layer temperature and water vapor mixing ratio are directly assimilated by using the analyzed surface data. Then, the difference between the observations and model results is used to calculate adjustments to the surface fluxes of sensible and latent heat. These adjustments are then used to calculate a new estimate of the ground temperature, thereby affecting the simulated surface fluxes on the subsequent time step. This indirect data assimilation is applied simultaneously with the direct assimilation of surface data in the model’s lowest layer, thereby maintaining greater consistency between the ground temperature and the surface-layer mass-field variables. A one-dimensional model was used to study the improvements that result from applying this technique for ABL simulations in two cases. It was found that application of the new technique led to significant reductions in ABL modeling errors.
Multiple Types of Movement-Related Information Encoded in Hindlimb/Trunk Cortex in Rats and Potentially Available for Brain–Machine Interface Controls

Brain-machine interface (BMI) systems hold the potential to return lost functions to patients with motor disorders. To date, most efforts in BMI have concentrated on decoding neural activity from forearm areas of cortex to operate a robotic arm or perform other manipulation tasks. Efforts have neglected the locomotion functions of hindlimb/trunk cortex. However, the role of cortex in hindlimb locomotion of intact rats, which are often model systems for BMI testing, is usually considered to be small. Thus, the quality of representations of locomotion available in this area was uncertain. We designed a new rodent BMI system, and tested decoding of the kinematics of trunk and hindlimbs during locomotion using linear regression. Recordings were made from the motor cortex of the hindlimb/trunk area in rats using arrays of six tetrodes (24 channels total). We found that multiple movement-related variables could be decoded simultaneously during locomotion, ranging from the proximal robot/pelvis attachment point, and the distal toe position, through hindlimb joint angles and limb endpoint in a polar coordinate system. Remarkably, the best reconstructed motion parameters were the more proximal kinematics, which might relate to global task variables. The pelvis motion was significantly better reconstructed than any other motion features.
Changes in Psychosocial Factors and Physical Activity Frequency among Third- to Eighth-Grade Girls Who Participated in a Developmentally Focused Youth Sport Program: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the numerous physiological, psychological, and academic benefits of physical activity (PA), declines in PA levels among girls have been observed over the last decade. The purpose of this preliminary study was to assess the short-term changes pertaining to Girls on the Run and Girls on Track developmentally focused youth sport programs (DYS) on global self-esteem, body image, commitment to PA, and PA frequency. METHODS: This preliminary study employed a nonexperimental, one-group, pre- and postintervention study design using a 29-item paper-and-pencil assessment tool (n = 1034). RESULTS: Paired sample t-tests from pre- to postintervention revealed statistically significant differences in self-esteem (p < .001), body size satisfaction (p < .001), and vigorous PA frequency (p < .001). Stratification by the number of times participating in the intervention revealed the greatest changes at first participation followed with continued improvements in self-esteem (p = .013) and body size satisfaction (p < .001) for those participating in a second time. Age differences were also observed between participants ≤10 years old and 11–15 years; in that significant improvements in commitment to PA (p = .003) were observed for the older girls. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest DYS programs Girls on the Run and Girls on Track may produce beneficial changes in self-esteem, body size satisfaction, PA commitment, and PA frequency. Although the findings from the current report are preliminary, they suggest that DYS programs designed exclusively for girls may provide the necessary framework to promote PA to achieve the numerous associated benefits.
An existence theorem of harmonic functions with polynomial growth

We prove the existence of nonconstant harmonic functions with polynomial growth on manifolds with nonnegative Ricci curvature, Euclidean volume growth and unique tangent cone at infinity.
Lexicographically first reduced words

Abstract In this paper we investigate properties of a certain equivalence relation on reduced words in Sn called C1-equivalence. We combinatorially characterize the class of the lexicographically first reduced word of a permutation. We further show how this class is related to reduced words that are lattice words.
Rate your plate: An eating pattern assessment and educational tool used at cholesterol screening and education programs

Elevated blood cholesterol has been established as an important risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) (1-3). Currently, approximately 57% of adult Americans have blood cholesterol levels of200 mg/dl or higher, with approximately 27% having high levels of 240 mg/dl and above (4). The development of portable desktop analyzers, which allow for simple, rapid and accurate measurement of cholesterol levels, has permitted widespread screening for blood cholesterol. Public blood cholesterol screenings offer an opportunity for detecting large numbers of individuals with high blood cholesterol levels as a supplement to those identified by traditional physician office testing (6). In October 1988, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) published recommendations regarding public screening for measuring blood cholesterol (7). This report stressed the need to educate participants concerning the relationship of diet to blood cholesterol, the importance of a balanced healthy eating pattern to lower blood cholesterol, and clear information on cholesterollowering dietary alternatives (7). In order for screening staff to provide participants with relevant cholesterol-lowering dietary recommendations, an assessment of their current eating pattern status is necessary. Most generally accepted dietary assessment methods, e.g., food diaries and lengthy food frequency questionnaires, are too expensive and time-consuming for a community screening setting, or do not give an indication of the usual eating pattern, i.e., 24 hour recall (8-16). Brief dietary assessment tools are becoming increasingly popular (17-19), but there is still a need
A mapped, factored-implicit scheme for the computation of duct and far-field acoustics

system that is boundary fitted, with grid points that may be concentrated as desired on the boundary for high resolution. Use of such a general mapping procedure, together with an explicit acoustic algorithm, is described by White 3 for the analysis of noise propagation in a two-dimensional, variablearea duct. A second objective is that the algorithm should not require excessive computer memory, but at the same time should provide an accurate approximation of the acoustic field. In order to satisfy these requirements, a transient finite difference method together with a factored-implicit procedure was chosen. Finally, the procedure should allow the noise calculation to proceed for some distance beyond the duct exit so that an appropriate acoustic boundary condition may be specified. This approach should be more accurate than terminating the calculation at the duct exit where only an approximate boundary condition can be specified. Also, information on the noise levels and radiation patterns emanating from the duct exit will be provided. In the sections that follow, the algorithm is briefly described and the numerical results of a test case are presented.
Characterizations of the Strong Basic Constraint Qualifications

In this paper, we characterize the general difference between strong basic constraint qualification (BCQ) and BCQ. For this purpose, we introduce a new measurement, the extent of a subdifferential, and show that for an inequality defined by a proper convex function f, the strong BCQ at a boundary point x of the solution set is equivalent to the extended BCQ plus the positivity of the extent of subdifferential at x. Applying the above characterization to the case when f is the maximum of finitely many differentiable convex functions, we show that the metric regularity at a boundary point x is equivalent to BCQ at every point in a "boundary-neighborhood" of x. In addition, we provide an answer to the open question proposed by Zheng and Ng [11]. We construct an example to show that BCQ at a boundary point x does not ensure the metric regularity at x.
The relationship between blood and muscle samples to monitor for residues of the antibiotic enrofloxacin in chickens

In 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration withdrew approval for use of enrofloxacin in poultry, thus effectively imposing zero tolerance for residues of this antibiotic in poultry. Conventional residue monitoring for most antibiotics, including enrofloxacin, involves removing poultry carcasses from the processing line and collecting muscle tissues for analysis. Because of the loss of valuable edible products and the difficulties and expense of sampling all the carcasses, only a small portion of carcasses are tested for violative residues. Unlike muscle tissue, blood is readily available from all birds at the beginning of processing and may be used to screen for illegal residues in all poultry carcasses. It is unknown, however, if enrofloxacin concentrations in blood are predictive of muscle concentrations. In an effort to evaluate this relationship, 156 broiler chickens, 5 wk of age, were dosed with either 25 or 50 µg/mL of enrofloxacin for 3 or 7 d, respectively, in the drinking water. Blood and muscle samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h (n = 6 birds/group) during the first dosing day, every 48 h during the dosing period, and every 12 h during the withdrawal period for up to 60 h after withdrawal. Enrofloxacin residues were determined in all blood and tissue samples during the dosing periods and in most of the withdrawal period for both doses. These results support the potential to use blood to screen for illegal enrofloxacin residues in edible poultry tissues in an effort to protect the human food supply.
Rat1p and Xrn1p Are Functionally Interchangeable Exoribonucleases That Are Restricted to and Required in the Nucleus and Cytoplasm, Respectively

XRN1 encodes an abundant cytoplasmic exoribonuclease, Xrn1p, responsible for mRNA turnover in yeast. A screen for bypass suppressors of the inviability of xrn1 ski2 double mutants identified dominant alleles of RAT1, encoding an exoribonuclease homologous with Xrn1p. These RAT1 alleles restored XRN1-like functions, including cytoplasmic RNA turnover, wild-type sensitivity to the microtubule-destabilizing drug benomyl, and sporulation. The mutations were localized to a region of the RAT1 gene encoding a putative bipartite nuclear localization sequence (NLS). Fusions to green fluorescent protein were used to demonstrate that wild-type Rat1p is localized to the nucleus and that the mutant alleles result in mislocalization of Rat1p to the cytoplasm. Conversely, targeting Xrn1p to the nucleus by the addition of the simian virus 40 large-T-antigen NLS resulted in complementation of the temperature sensitivity of a rat1-1 strain. These results indicate that Xrn1p and Rat1p are functionally interchangeable exoribonucleases that function in and are restricted to the cytoplasm and nucleus, respectively. It is likely that the higher eukaryotic homologs of these proteins will function similarly in the cytoplasm and nucleus.
Effect of infliximab on sight-threatening panuveitis in Behcet's disease

Summary Permanent loss of vision resulting from relapsing ocular inflammation occurs frequently in patients with Behcet's disease, despite intensive, chronic immunosuppressive therapy. Since tumour necrosis factor (TNF) might have an important pathogenetic role in Behcet's disease, we decided to give a single infusion of infliximab—a monoclonal antibody against TNF—to five patients with relapsing panuveitis, at the immediate onset of last relapse. Remission of ocular inflammation was evident within the first 24 h, and complete suppression was seen 7 days after treatment in all patients. No side-effects were noted. We suggest that infliximab is a rapid and effective new therapy for sight-threatening ocular inflammation in Behcet's disease.
Huntingtin Phosphorylation Sites Mapped by Mass Spectrometry MODULATION OF CLEAVAGE AND TOXICITY

Huntingtin (Htt) is a large protein of 3144 amino acids, whose function and regulation have not been well defined. Polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the N terminus of Htt causes the neurodegenerative disorder Huntington disease (HD). The cytotoxicity of mutant Htt is modulated by proteolytic cleavage with caspases and calpains generating N-terminal polyQ-containing fragments. We hypothesized that phosphorylation of Htt may modulate cleavage and cytotoxicity. In the present study, we have mapped the major phosphorylation sites of Htt using cell culture models (293T and PC12 cells) expressing full-length myc-tagged Htt constructs containing 23Q or 148Q repeats. Purified myc-tagged Htt was subjected to mass spectrometric analysis including matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and nano-HPLC tandem mass spectrometry, used in conjunction with on-target alkaline phosphatase and protease digestions. We have identified more than six novel serine phosphorylation sites within Htt, one of which lies in the proteolytic susceptibility domain. Three of the sites have the consensus sequence for ERK1 phosphorylation, and addition of ERK1 inhibitor blocks phosphorylation at those sites. Other observed phosphorylation sites are possibly substrates for CDK5/CDC2 kinases. Mutation of amino acid Ser-536, which is located in the proteolytic susceptibility domain, to aspartic acid, inhibited calpain cleavage and reduced mutant Htt toxicity. The results presented here represent the first detailed mapping of the phosphorylation sites in full-length Htt. Dissection of phosphorylation modifications in Htt may provide clues to Huntington disease pathogenesis and targets for therapeutic development.
Women with Cervicovaginal Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity Have Lower Genital HIV-1 RNA Loads

Antibodies that mediate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) are present in the cervical fluid of many HIV-positive women; however, the role that these antibodies play in host defense against HIV is not known. To understand the contribution of ADCC in cervical secretions as a protective mechanism against HIV, we evaluated ADCC titers in paired serum and cervical-lavage (CVL) samples from >300 HIV-1-positive women who participated in the multicenter Division of AIDS Treatment Research Initiative Study 009. The present study demonstrates that women with CVL ADCC activity had lower genital viral loads than did women with serum ADCC activity only. Women with CVL ADCC activity were likely to have HIV-1 gp120-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G, but not IgA, in their cervical fluid. This finding suggests that specific IgG in cervical fluid can mediate ADCC activity that inversely correlates with genital viral load.
Note on the geometry of the nonlinear σ model in two dimensions

It is pointed out that, in two space-time dimensions, the classical nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model may be studied as the embedding of a two-dimensional surface in a three-dimensional sphere which is itself embedded in four-dimensional Euclidean space. The Gauss-Weingarten equations provide then a natural way of associating a linear eigenvalue problem in terms of representations of O(4) with a set of nonlinear evolution equations having solitary wave solutions.
Effective School Teams: Benefits, Barriers, and Best Practices

As a result of federal mandates such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) as well as the increasing use of methods such as Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) and Response to Intervention (RtI) for providing necessary school services to students, interdisciplinary teams have become the norm rather than the exception in schools (Algozzine, Newton, Horner, Todd, & Algozzine, 2012; Nellis, 2012). School-based teams operate under a variety of names (student assistance teams, pre-referral teams, peer intervention teams, instructional consultation teams, teacher assistance teams, school improvement teams) and have an array of functions, including student referral and evaluation, planning service delivery, implementing evidence-based practices, and achieving systems change (Bahr & Kovaleski, 2006; Bahr, Whitten, & Dieker, 1999; Nellis, 2012).
Exploiting Block Structure to Improve Resource-Constrained Project Schedules

We identify a block structure, typically found in resource-constrained project schedules, that yields a natural decomposition of the original problem into a series of smaller subproblems. Reducing the makespan of any subproblem has the effect of reducing the total makespan by an equivalent amount. Since these subproblems can be independently reoptimized, this block structure provides a way of improving schedules generated by heuristic methods. We report computational results of applying this technique to problems containing up to five resources and on the order of 200 activities, and speculate as to its applicability to more powerful local search based heuristics.
The incidence of self-employment by sexual orientation

This study uses data from the American Community Survey to address three questions concerning the relationships between sexual orientation and self-employment. First, does the propensity of self-employment vary with sexual orientation? The study found that the individuals most likely to be self-employed were heterosexual men, followed by gay men, then lesbians, and lastly heterosexual women. Second, do the impacts of explanatory variables on the odds of being self-employed differ with sexual orientation? Multinomial logit estimation revealed that, in particular, the effects of married and unmarried partners’ income varied with the gender/sexual orientation group. Third, among employed individuals, does incidence of self-employment across occupations differ with sexual orientation? According to the analysis, heterosexual men showed a significantly higher incidence of self-employment than gay men in three occupation categories, while gay men had higher rates in two occupation groups. Lesbians had higher incidences of self-employment in all four occupation categories that exhibited significant sexual orientation differences among the women.
The Interpretation of Article I of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees by the European Union: Toward Harmonization

At the time when the European Community is perfecting the internal common market and facilitating circulation between the member states, the need arises for a common immigration and asylum policy. Each EU country is a signatory of the 1951 Refugee Convention but the application of its provision and particularly the interpretation of the Article 1 definition differ significantly from state to state. The Commission Proposal for a Directive "on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals and stateless persons as refugees" presents a comprehensive project to harmonize substantive law on the definition of refugees within the E.U. The text raises a series of issues pertaining to its substantive provisions and to how the harmonization mechanism connects with existing domestic frameworks for the evaluation of refugee claims. In the latter category, a question of particular concern is the compatibility of the Proposed Directive with precedents under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms regarding refugee protection. Because the relatively new Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union is strongly inspired by the European Convention on Human Rights, the refugee issue highlights the importance of the linkage between both instruments.Part I of the Article examines the genesis of the E.U. harmonization process; it presents a comparative summary of the law of several western European countries (particularly England, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark), demonstrating the need for harmonization of substantive law. Part II analyzes the Proposed Directive and its connection with international law and member states' laws. It argues that several provisions of the Proposed Directive are not in conformity with international law and suggests avenues for reform. Part III reflects on the interaction between the E.U. regime and the European human rights instruments that are, or may be, used by refugees to seek protection. The Conclusion seeks to assess whether the Directive can achieve its harmonization goals in conformity with international refugee law.
Spatial trajectories and reaction times of aimed movements: effects of practice, uncertainty, and change in target location.

1. The spatial and temporal characteristics of arm movements in two (X-Y) dimensions were studied in three rhesus monkeys a) during the acquisition of an aiming motor skill, b) under conditions of spatial and temporal uncertainty, and c) when the location of the target changed during the reaction or movement time, from 50 to 400 ms after the presentation of the target. 2. The acquisition of the aiming skill was marked by an exponential reduction in the spatial variability of the movement trajectories. The reaction time remained virtually unchanged, whereas the peak velocity increased by a small amount. The skill was transferred appreciably to the other hand within a short period of training. 3. Handpath variability increased under conditions of spatial uncertainty. Temporal uncertainty in target presentation had no effect. Reaction time did not change significantly in either condition. 4. Change of target location during the reaction or movement time elicited a graded movement toward the first target, followed by reversal of direction and movement to the second target. The duration of the movement toward the first target was a linear function of the time that elapsed from the presentation of the first target to the change of targets (interstimulus interval, ISI): the later the change occurred, the longer the movement toward the first target. In contrast to the gradation of hand movement with change in target location, the eyes always fully made a saccade to the first or second target. 5. The trajectory of the initial hand movement deviated occasionally toward the second of the two targets when the interstimulus interval was short and the targets were adjacent. 6. No marked delays were observed, beyond the reaction time, when responding to the first or the second target. A large increase in peak velocity was attained after reversing the movement, i.e., on the way to the second target. 7. The results of this study indicate that the process that generates the aimed movement becomes less variable with practice and is influenced by the uncertainty of the subject about the location of the target but not by the time of its appearance. 8. The orderly modification of the movement produced by change in target location suggests that the aimed motor command is emitted in a continuous, ongoing fashion as a real-time process that can be interrupted at any time by the substitution of the original target by a new one. The effects of this change on the ensuing movement appear promptly, without delays beyond the usual reaction time. No appreciable “psychological refractory period” is observed under these conditions, and the second stimulus has continual and effective access to the process generating the aimed arm movement,
High Efficiency White Organic Light Emitting Device Using A Single Emitter

The white organic light emitting diodes (WOLEDs) with high power efficiency (>100 lm/W) are considered as strong candidates for next generation illumination devices. Especially, WOLEDs use environmentally benign organic materials and their fabrication cost can be significantly reduced with potential roll-to-roll processing technology. To date, however, the white electroluminescent (EL) spectrum is generated using multiple emitters embedded in a comparably complex device structure. In this presentation, we will discuss some of our efforts towards the development of efficient WOLEDs using a single emitter, which include our progress on 1) excimer-based WOLEDs, and 2) the design and the synthesis of broadband phosphorescent emitters for lighting applications. Article not available.
Plastic reality: special effects, technology, and the emergence of 1970s blockbuster aesthetics

Plastic Reality is a reorganized and very lightly updated version of the author’s 2008 dissertation, in which she maps the pre-CGI world of special effects before and after the release of Star Wars...
Involving Latino Families in Schools: Raising Student Achievement Through Home–School Partnerships

Concha Delgado-Gaitan, Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2004, 141 pages, $28.95 (paperback). The history of Latino students in education has been marked by the discrimination of the linguistic and ...
Transcriptional Regulation with CRISPR/Cas9 Effectors in Mammalian Cells

CRISPR/Cas9-based regulation of gene expression provides the scientific community with a new high-throughput tool to dissect the role of genes in molecular processes and cellular functions. Single-guide RNAs allow for recruitment of a nuclease-dead Cas9 protein and transcriptional Cas9-effector fusion proteins to specific genomic loci, thereby modulating gene expression. We describe the application of a CRISPR-Cas9 effector system from Streptococcus pyogenes for transcriptional regulation in mammalian cells resulting in activation or repression of transcription. We present methods for appropriate target site selection, sgRNA design, and delivery of dCas9 and dCas9-effector system components into cells through lentiviral transgenesis to modulate transcription.
Feeding and Eating Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder

It is well known that feeding and eating problems, such as atypical eating behaviors at mealtime, are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Moreover, it is widely described that girls with a diagnosis of ASD are at greater risk of developing a feeding and eating disorder (FED). Studies published so far have reported highly variable prevalence rates of co-occurring FEDs and ASD ranging from 4 to 37 %. Indeed, a new line of research has supported the assumption of similar behavioral and cognitive features in FEDs and ASD. In clinical practice, several issues make difficult the distinction between these conditions (i.e., the characteristics of the female autistic phenotype are difficult to be recognized, the starvation itself can produce a condition that can be misinterpreted as autism, or the strong preferences of autistic children for repetition that may interfere with eating are difficult to distinguish from a more structured eating disorder). For these reasons, practical information for clinicians on the prevalence, phenomenology and clinical features, diagnostic process, neurobiological and genetic bases, and treatment of FEDs in ASD will be described in the present chapter.
Joropo v venezuelski glasbeni moderni: kulturni kapital v skladbi Sonata Venezolana Joséja Clementeja Laye

The Venezuelan Escuela Nacional Moderna (1930s–40s) considered the joropo folk dance an inherently rich musical expression that demanded the spotlight of artistic autonomy. Jose Clemente Laya’s Sonata venezolana (1946) demonstrates how these composers transformed the framework of sonata form with the joropo’s musical presence.
Physiology of rate-responsive pacing.

In the search for a more ‘physiologic’ pacing mode, rate responsiveness and atrioventricular synchronic pacing became the most important developments of modern pacemaker technology. Progress in biosensor technology improved the quality of these devices. This article reviews the hemodynamic assessment of rate responsive and atrioventricular pacing and its clinical implications.
Virgil in the Renaissance: Virgil’s Iliad

Know’st thou not there is but one theme for ever-enduring bards? And that is the theme of War, the fortune of battles, The making of perfect soldiers. Walt Whitman, “As I Ponder’d in Silence” From antiquity onward, the Aeneid was divided into two parts: an Odyssean half, of wanderings, and an Iliadic half, of wars. Interpretation of Books 1 through 6 followed the outlines established by ancient commentaries on Homer’s Odyssey , in which the journey of the hero was allegorized as the soul’s progress from sensuality to wisdom. The main difference was that commentaries on the Aeneid gave far more attention to the underworld. Commentary on the second half of the Aeneid was less focused, in that no one episode dominated interpretation. There is a contrast here, not only with the first six books, but with much of recent scholarship. More than anything, the episode that has occupied critics in our own time is the death of Turnus in Book 12. In deference to this, we shall begin there, with the ending. But that is a concession: as we shall see, the death of Turnus was important in the Renaissance, but it was not the defining moment of the whole poem.
Sociology and Social Justice: Confronting Challenges of the Twentieth-first Century

This article addresses the relationship between the discipline of sociology and social change. It argues that sociology, and its professional associations, are challenged to choose between being a progressive force for change or a legitmator of the status quo. The core focus of the article is the argument that the Association of Applied and Clinical Sociology has a responsibility to assist in the liberation of the oppressed because of its mission to serve the applied and clinical needs of its constituency.
Epigenetic Regulation of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase 67 in a Hippocampal Circuit.

GABAergic dysfunction in hippocampus, a key feature of schizophrenia (SZ), may contribute to cognitive impairment in this disorder. In stratum oriens (SO) of sector CA3/2 of the human hippocampus, a network of genes involved in the regulation of glutamic acid decarboxylase GAD67 has been identified. Several of the genes in this network including epigenetic factors histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and death-associated protein 6 (DAXX), the GABAergic enzyme GAD65 as well as the kainate receptor (KAR) subunits GluR6 and 7 show significant changes in expression in this area in SZ. We have tested whether HDAC1 and DAXX regulate GAD67, GAD65, or GluR in the intact rodent hippocampus. Stereotaxic injections of lentiviral vectors bearing shRNAi sequences for HDAC1 and DAXX were delivered into the SO of CA3/2, followed by laser microdissection of individual transduced GABA neurons. Quantitative PCR (QPCR) analyses demonstrated that inhibition of HDAC1 and DAXX increased expression of GAD67, GAD65, and GluR6 mRNA. Inhibition of DAXX, but not HDAC1 resulted in a significant increase in GluR7 mRNA. Our data support the hypothesis that HDAC1 and DAXX play a central role in coordinating the expression of genes in the GAD67 regulatory pathway in the SO of CA3/2.
Inverse relationship between nonadherence to original GOLD treatment guidelines and exacerbations of COPD

Background Prescriber disagreement is among the reasons for poor adherence to COPD treatment guidelines; it is yet not clear whether this leads to adverse outcomes. We tested whether undertreatment according to the original Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines led to increased exacerbations. Methods Records of 878 patients with spirometrically confirmed COPD who were followed from 2005 to 2010 at one Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center were analyzed. Analysis of variance was performed to assess differences in exacerbation rates between severity groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between noncompliance with guidelines and exacerbation rates. Findings About 19% were appropriately treated by guidelines; 14% overtreated, 44% under-treated, and in 23% treatment did not follow any guideline. Logistic regression revealed a strong inverse relationship between undertreatment and exacerbation rate when severity of obstruction was held constant. Exacerbations per year by GOLD stage were significantly different from each other: mild 0.15, moderate 0.27, severe 0.38, very severe 0.72, and substantially fewer than previously reported. Interpretation The guidelines were largely not followed. Undertreatment predominated but, contrary to expectations, was associated with fewer exacerbations. Thus, clinicians were likely advancing therapy primarily based upon exacerbation rates as was subsequently recommended in revised GOLD and other more recent guidelines. In retrospect, a substantial lack of prescriber adherence to treatment guidelines may have been a signal that they required re-evaluation. This is likely to be a general principle regarding therapeutic guidelines. The identification of fewer exacerbations in this cohort than has been generally reported probably reflects the comprehensive nature of the VA system, which is more likely to identify relatively asymptomatic (ie, nonexacerbating) COPD patients. Accordingly, these rates may better reflect those in the general population. In addition, the lower rates may reflect the more complete preventive care provided by the VA.
Energy band offsets of dielectrics on InGaZnO4

Thin-film transistors (TFTs) with channels made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) are used extensively in the display industry. Amorphous silicon continues to dominate large-format display technology, but a-Si:H has a low electron mobility, μ ∼ 1 cm2/V s. Transparent, conducting metal-oxide materials such as Indium-Gallium-Zinc Oxide (IGZO) have demonstrated electron mobilities of 10–50 cm2/V s and are candidates to replace a-Si:H for TFT backplane technologies. The device performance depends strongly on the type of band alignment of the gate dielectric with the semiconductor channel material and on the band offsets. The factors that determine the conduction and valence band offsets for a given material system are not well understood. Predictions based on various models have historically been unreliable and band offset values must be determined experimentally. This paper provides experimental band offset values for a number of gate dielectrics on IGZO for nex...
Can adjunctive therapies augment the efficacy of endovascular thrombolysis? A potential role for activated protein C

In the management of acute ischemic stroke, vessel recanalization correlates with functional status, mortality, cost, and other outcome measures. Thrombolysis with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator has many limitations that restrict its applicability, but recent advances in the development of mechanical thrombectomy devices as well as improved systems of stroke care have resulted in greater likelihood of vessel revascularization. Nonetheless, there remains substantial discrepancy between rates of recanalization and rates of favorable outcome. The poor neurological recovery among some stroke patients despite successful recanalization confirms the need for adjuvant pharmacological therapy for neuroprotection and/or neurorestoration. Prior clinical trials of such drugs may have failed due to the inability of the agent to access the ischemic tissue beyond the occluded artery. A protocol that couples revascularization with concurrent delivery of a neuroprotectant drug offers the potential to enhance the benefit of thrombolysis. Analogs of activated protein C (APC) exert pleiotropic anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, antithrombotic, cytoprotective, and neuroregenerative effects in ischemic stroke and thus appear to be promising candidates for this novel approach. A multicenter, prospective, double-blinded, dose-escalation Phase 2 randomized clinical trial has enrolled 110 patients to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of human recombinant 3K3A-APC following endovascular thrombolysis. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Cerebral Ischemia'.
Outcomes of cataract surgery in eyes with ocular melanoma treated with iodine-125 brachytherapy.

Purpose To evaluate visual and surgical outcomes of cataract surgery in eyes with a history of iodine-125 (I125) brachytherapy for ocular melanoma. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA. Design Retrospective case series. Methods Patients with ocular melanoma treated by I125 brachytherapy who subsequently had cataract surgery were evaluated. The recorded data included tumor size, location, preoperative ocular comorbidities, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), operative complications, and brachytherapy-related maculopathy before and after surgery. Results Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients were included. The mean age at the time of cataract surgery was 66.1 years. The median follow-up was 53.5 months. There were no intraoperative complications. Eighteen eyes (56.3%) had a history of preoperative radiation retinopathy, 10 involving the macula. Between 2 weeks and 4 weeks postoperatively, 22 eyes (68.8%) had an improvement in CDVA (≥2 lines). Seven of 10 eyes that failed to improve had radiation maculopathy. By the last follow-up examination, 13 eyes (40.6%) had improved CDVA, 9 eyes (28.1%) were worse (≥2 lines), and 10 eyes (31.3%) were unchanged (within ±1 line). Of 15 eyes that lost CDVA gains achieved between 2 weeks and 4 weeks postoperatively, 9 eyes had new-onset or worsening maculopathy. Cataract surgery had no effect on local tumor control or distant metastasis. Conclusions Cataract surgery after I125 brachytherapy for ocular melanoma improved CDVA in most eyes during the immediate postoperative period. Gains were often lost with further follow-up. Progression of radiation maculopathy was primarily responsible for subsequent visual decline.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating silica-induced adhesion molecule expression in mice.

Abstract Exposure of mice to silica particles generates an intense inflammatory response characterized by the influx of neutrophils and monocytes into the alveoli with resulting cell activation. These cell trafficking and effector functions are, in part, mediated by different families of adhesion molecules. One such adhesion protein, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), is expressed on a variety of cells including vascular endothelial cells, fibroblasts, types I and II alveolar epithelial cells, some lymphocytes, and monocytes/macrophages. Over the last several years, our laboratory has focused on silica-induced ICAM-1 expression in exposed mice (in vivo) and cells (in vitro) by examining the role and regulation of this adhesion protein on pulmonary cells. We have determined that intratracheal exposure of mice to silica (2 mg per mouse) elicits increased expression of ICAM-1 on pulmonary macrophages and type II epithelial cells within the lung parenchyma, on bronchoalveolar lavage macrophages, and as a soluble protein in lavage fluid. We hypothesize that increased ICAM-1 expression mayparticipate in silica-induced neutrophil influx into the alveoli, as well as in macrophage-derived phlogistic signals responsible for migration of neutrophils. ICAM-1 expression on silica-exposed mouse macrophages is enhanced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and appears to be regulated through specific sequence elements within the ICAM-1 promoter.
Characterization of aziridinylbenzoquinone DNA cross-links by liquid chromatography-infrared multiphoton dissociation-mass spectrometry

DNA cross-linking was evaluated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to determine the relative cross-linking abilities of two aziridinylbenzoquinones. Reactivities of RH1 (2,5-diaziridinyl-3-[hydroxymethyl]-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone), a clinically studied antitumor cross-linking agent, and an analogue containing a phenyl group (2,5-diaziridinyl-3-[hydroxymethyl]-6-phenyl-1,4-benzoquinone, PhRH1) rather than a methyl group were compared. The bulky phenyl substituent was added to determine the impact of steric hindrance on the formation of cross-links within a double helical structure. Cross-links formed by RH1 and PhRH1 were observed at 5'-dGNC sites as well as 5'-dGAAC/dGTTC sites. RH1 was more effective at forming cross-links than PhRH1 for a variety of duplexes. Infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) and collision-induced dissociation results confirmed the presence and the location of the cross-links within the duplexes, and IRMPD was used to identify the dissociation pathways of the cross-linked duplexes.