cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life Skills Training Effects for High and Low Risk Rural Junior High School Females

This study assessed Life Skills Training effects for rural middle school females classified at low or high risk for initiation or increased use of substances. Risk domains included socioeconomic status, family relations and functioning, psychological health, and academic performance. The program does not address these risk variables directly, attempting instead to improve protective factors for participants. The strongest effects were found for the high-risk group, with some continuing treatment effects after two years, in substance use and protective skills competencies. Early effects for low risk subjects were lost by the end of second year programming. The findings underscore the need to choose prevention programs and protective skills components more selectively based on risk variables affecting the target population. Editors’ Strategic Implications: This article includes the following strategy that shows promise. School and community administrators should consider the academic and SES risk status of students in order to select appropriate prevention program components for their local settings. The authors examine the degree to which an evidence-based Life Skills Training program can be “infused” into the ongoing routine of the school. This is a timely issue, and the authors address substance abuse prevention in rural areas with a strong experimental, longitudinal design, a validated curriculum and measures, and a clear focus on the impact of high versus low risk status for female participants.
Optical Characterization of a Bimorph Deformable Mirror

This paper reports the results of interferometric characterization of a bimorph deformable mirror (DM) designed for use in an adaptive optics (AO) system. The natural frequencies of this DM were measured up to 20 kHz using both a custom stroboscopic phase-shifting interferometer as well as a commercial Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV). Interferometric measurements of the DM surface profile were analyzed by fitting the surface with mode-shapes predicted using classical plate theory for an elastically-supported disk. The measured natural frequencies were found to be in good agreement with the predictions of the theoretical model.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Development and transfer of automatic processing.

Two studies were performed to examine the role of consistency in the development and transfer of automatic processing. Ss performed a rule-based memory search task in which they compared multidimensional probes to 1, 2, or 3 memory set rules. Results indicated that learning occurred in the absence of consistency at lower levels of task description (e.g., mapping of individual task components to responses) as long as higher level consistencies existed in the task (e.g., consistent) mapping of task components to a conceptual framework). However, the asymptotic level of this learning was modulated by the consistency with which conjunctions of task components were mapped to decisions. High positive transfer was obtained despite replacement of the exemplars of the memory set rules, suggesting that learning was not specific to the items encountered during training. On the other hand, the magnitude of positive transfer was reduced when the rules were replaced, suggesting that most of the learning took place at the level of specific rules. Some evidence was also obtained for more general process-based learning. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for models of learning and transfer.
A power analysis of a model of an irreversible chronic disease

Abstract Some clinical investigations of irreversible chronic diseases begin with a sample of healthy subjects and follow them through the process of disease onset and death. Researchers often ask if the presence of the disease diminishes a person's life expectancy. When parametric models are used for the analysis, hypotheses about the death rates for those people with and without the disease are usually tested by means of standard normal tests on the difference in the parameter estimates or by likelihood-ratio chi-square tests. This paper uses Monte Carlo simulation techniques to examine the precision of parameter estimates and the power of these tests for a model used for a previous study of senile dementia, Alzheimer's type.
An Improved Sample Packing Device for Rapid Freeze-Trap Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Kinetic Measurements☆☆☆

A new method has been developed for sample packing in rapid freeze-quench electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) kinetic experiments. Sample particles freeze-quenched in chilled isopentane are filtered under pressure through a stainless steel funnel attached to an EPR tube fitted with a porous disk at its bottom. Isopentane exits through the porous disk and the sample particles can be transferred essentially quantitatively into the receiving EPR tube. This device provides a more predictable, reproducible, and time-saving method for sample packing, enables use of a wider range of flow velocity, and allows efficient use of valuable reactants.
Increased Incidence of PTLD in Adult Lung Transplant Recipients with Cystic Fibrosis: Analysis of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry

Purpose Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation. Recipients with cystic fibrosis (CF) may have an increased incidence of PTLD although the literature is limited to single center cohort studies. Our primary aim was to examine the rate of PTLD in an adult population with CF by utilizing the ISHLT Registry. Methods and Materials We studied 30,549 adult recipients of lung transplants performed between 1999-2011. The primary outcome was development of PTLD. In addition to indication for transplant, other variables examined included: EBV serostatus, gender, age, and CMV status. Statistical analyses performed included chi-square, independent t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression model to obtain odds ratios (OR). Results 17.4% of the cohort had a diagnosis of CF. PTLD developed in 1.8% of CF recipients compared to 1.0% for non-CF recipients (p Conclusions There is a higher rate of PTLD in CF recipients compared to non-CF recipients; this association held when controlling for other variables associated with PTLD. Additional factors that may impact the association between CF and PTLD need to be examined, including induction and maintenance immunosuppression, rejection, and donor EBV status.
The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity and Eating Expectancy in Maladaptive Eating Behavior

Research has shown that anxiety sensitivity (AS), or the fear of somatic arousal, predicts distress and maladaptive coping in a range of psychiatric conditions. More recently, the role of AS has been examined in pathological eating. In the current investigation, a two- study design was employed to examine the role of AS and eating expectancies in both self-reported and actual eating behavior. For Study 1, 42 overweight/obese participants completed questionnaires assessing AS, as well as eating behaviors and attitudes. In Study 2, 60 participants repre- senting all weight ranges completed the same questionnaire battery and underwent a negative mood induction task followed by food exposure. Results of this study revealed a 3-way interaction between Anxiety Sensitivity Index- mental concerns subscale, Eating Expectancy Inventory— eating leads to feeling out of control subscale, and BMI suggesting that those elevated on all 3 constructs consumed the most calories. Results are discussed in relation to better understanding the role of AS and eating expectancy and its utility in identifying a subset of overweight/obese indi- viduals at risk for maladaptive eating behavior.
Diophantine approximation and self-conformal measures

Abstract It is proved that the Hausdorff measure on the limit set of a finite conformal iterated function system is strongly extremal, meaning that almost all points with respect to this measure are not multiplicatively very well approximable. This proves Conjecture 10.6 from (on fractal measures and Diophantine approximation, preprint, 2003). The strong extremality of all ( S , P ) -invariant measures is established, where S is a finite conformal iterated function system and P is a probability vector. Both above results are consequences of the much more general Theorem 1.5 concerning Gibbs states of Holder families of functions.
Thy-1-Integrin αvβ5 Interactions Inhibit Lung Fibroblast Contraction-induced Latent Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Activation and Myofibroblast Differentiation

Myofibroblasts, key effector cells in tissue fibrosis, are specialized contractile cells. Lung myofibroblast contraction induces integrin αvβ5-dependent latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 activation suggests that myofibroblast contractility may be a driving force for the persistent myofibroblast differentiation observed in fibrotic lungs. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate fibroblast contraction and mechanotransduction will add new insights into the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis and may lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating fibrotic lung diseases. We and others previously demonstrated that lung fibroblast expression of Thy-1 prevents lung fibrosis. The mechanisms underlying the anti-fibrotic effect of Thy-1 are not well understood. In this study, we showed that Thy-1 interacts with integrin αvβ5, both in a cell-free system and on the cell surface of rat lung fibroblasts. Thy-1-integrin αvβ5 interactions are RLD-dependent because mutated Thy-1, in which RLD is replaced by RLE, loses the ability to bind the integrin. Furthermore, Thy-1 expression prevents fibroblast contraction-induced, integrin αvβ5-dependent latent TGF-β1 activation and TGF-β1-dependent lung myofibroblast differentiation. In contrast, lack of Thy-1 expression or disruption of Thy-1-αvβ5 interactions renders lung fibroblasts susceptible to contraction-induced latent TGF-β1 activation and myofibroblast differentiation. These data suggest that Thy-1-integrin αvβ5 interactions inhibit contraction-induced latent TGF-β1 activation, presumably by blocking the binding of extracellular matrix-bound latent TGF-β1 with integrin αvβ5. Our studies suggest that targeting key mechanotransducers to inhibit mechanotransduction might be an effective approach to inhibit the deleterious effects of myofibroblast contraction on lung fibrogenesis.
Position of Endogenous Radioactive Fatty Acids in Mammary Triglycerides

Abstract The position of the various fatty acids synthesized from radioactive acetate by cultured bovine mammary cells was studied with pancreatic lipase. Triglycerides were the only cell lipids which contained shortchain (C4–C8) fatty acids. Hydrolysis with lipase showed that the labeled short-chain acids were located in the primary positions of the glyceride glycerol and that medium- and long-chain fatty acids were located on both primary and secondary positions of the glycerol moiety. Diglycerides and phospholipids, which had similar radioactive fatty acid patterns, and the unesterified fatty acids lacked short-chain fatty acids.
Determination of oxygen/metal ratios for uranium, plutonium, and (U, Pu) mixed oxides

Abstract A technique has been developed for determining the oxygen-to-metal ratio of nonstoichiometric uranium, plutonium, and mixed uranium-plutonium oxides. This technique is based on determining the weight change which occurs when the nonstoichiometric oxide is heated at 800 °C for six hours in an atmosphere in which the oxygen potential is maintained at approximately −101 kcal/mole O 2 . An atmosphere of this composition results in an O/M ratio of 2.00 regardless of whether the starting oxide is hyper- or hypostoichiometric and is applicable from 0–100% PuO 2 in UO 2 . Results for a series of measurements on identical samples indicates a precision of ± 0.001 O/M units. The accuracy was evaluated by a series of oxidations on high purity uranium and plutonium metals and found to be better than ± 0.005 O/M units.
Bioengineered internal anal sphincter derived from isolated human internal anal sphincter smooth muscle cells.

Background & Aims The internal anal sphincter (IAS) is a specialized circular smooth muscle that maintains rectoanal continence. In vitro models are needed to study the pathophysiology of human IAS disorders. We bioengineered sphincteric rings from human IAS smooth muscle cells (SMC) and investigated their response to cholinergic stimulation as well as investigated whether protein kinase C (PKC) and Rho kinase signaling pathways remain functional. Methods 3-Dimensional bioengineered ring (3DBR) model of the human IAS was constructed from isolated human IAS SMC obtained from surgery. Contractile properties and force generation in response to acetylcholine, PKC inhibitor calphostin-C, Rho/ROCK inhibitor Y-27632, permeable Rho/ROCK inhibitor c3-exoenzyme, and PKC activator PdBU was measured. Results The human IAS 3DBR has the essential characteristics of physiologically functional IAS; it generated a spontaneous myogenic basal tone, and the constructs were able to relax in response to relaxants and contract in response to contractile agents. The constructs generated dose-dependent force in response to acetylcholine. Basal tone was significantly reduced by calphostin-C but not with Y-27632. Acetylcholine-induced force generation was also significantly reduced by calphostin-C but not with Y-27632. PdBU generated force that was equal in magnitude to acetylcholine. Thus, calphostin-C inhibited PdBU-induced force generation, whereas Y-27632 and c3 exoenzyme did not. Conclusions These data indicate that basal tone and acetylcholine-induced force generation depend on signaling through the PKC pathway in human IAS; PKC-mediated force generation is independent of the Rho/ROCK pathway. This human IAS 3DBR model can be used to study the pathophysiology associated with IAS malfunctions.
Airborne lidar and satellite comparison of atmospheric aerosols

An airborne aerosol lidar was flown over the CA. Central Valley to obtain aerosol profiles that were compared to Aqua satellite optical depth measurements. Such measurements provide both high vertical resolution and large spatial coverage.
Conversion and Attachment Insecurity Among Orthodox Jews

Radical conversion, which entails a sweeping transformation of existing meaning systems, is often precipitated by emotional distress. Nevertheless, although many individuals turn toward religion when distressed, few undertake total and radical conversions. Previous research suggests that insecurely attached individuals—who resemble James's disillusioned, doubting, and divided sick souls—may be particularly prone to radical conversions. Thus, the present research examined insecure parental attachment history and convert status among 122 Orthodox and 31 non-Orthodox Jews, hypothesizing that converts to and from Orthodox Judaism, who undertake an all-encompassing transformation of beliefs, behaviors, values, and life's purpose, would report greater insecurity in parental attachment history than nonconverts. Results indicate that converts report greater maternal and paternal insecurity, as compared to both nonconverts and those with intra-Orthodox religious change. Thus, further research examining insecure at...
Pacific decadal oscillation and sea level in the Japan/East sea

Satellite altimetric data from September 1992 to January 2002 and hydrographic data from 1927 to 1999 reveal the presence of low-frequency variability of sea surface height (SSH) within the Japan/East Sea (JES). SSH interannual variability amounting to approximately 15 cm is in phase with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), with higher SSH, warmer, fresher surface (upper 200 dbar) layer during negative phases of the PDO; and lower SSH, cooler, saltier surface layer during a positive PDO. The JES SSH correlation with PDO appears to be related to changes in the geostrophic transport of the Kuroshio, which is weaker during a negative PDO (stronger during positive PDO). The transport of the Tsushima Current, which feeds the JES, is reported to be out of phase with the Kuroshio transport, thus delivering more buoyant subtropical water to the JES when the Kuroshio is weak. Part of the JES baroclinic PDOrelated variability may also be due to changes in the freshwater inflow from the East China Sea, which is closely associated with the discharge of the Yangtze River. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Targeted Recovery of Mutations in Drosophila

Reverse genetic techniques will be necessary to take full advantage of the genomic sequence data for Drosophila and other experimental organisms. To develop a method for the targeted recovery of mutations, we combined an EMS chemical mutagenesis regimen with mutation detection by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). We recovered mutant strains at the high rate of approximately 4.8 mutations/kb for every 1000 mutagenized chromosomes from a screen for new mutations in the Drosophila awd gene. Furthermore, we observed that the EMS mutational spectrum in Drosophila germ cells shows a strong preference for 5'-PuG-3' sites, and for G/C within a stretch of three or more G/C base pairs. Our method should prove useful for targeted mutagenesis screens in Drosophila and other genetically tractable organisms and for more precise studies of mutagenesis and DNA repair mechanisms.
Hispanic charitable giving: An opportunity for nonprofit development

In 2003, the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that Hispanics had become the largest U.S. minority group. Representing 14 percent of the population, more than forty million Hispanics currently live in the United States and are a growing source of charitable giving. This study uses a national probability sample (n = 3,261) to examine variables that may influence Hispanic charitable giving in the United States to private nonprofit organizations. Logistic regression analyses indicated that Hispanics were eight times more likely to donate to human service organizations when using payroll deduction. In addition, Hispanics who were solicited for a donation by telephone were twice as likely to make a donation to educational organizations as Hispanic donors not solicited by phone. Volunteerism was also a predictor of Hispanic charitable giving. U.S. demographic trends and this study's findings suggest that nonprofit leaders, including those responsible for fundraising in private nonprofit organizations, need to be aware of the opportunities for Hispanic charitable support.
β1-subunit of the Ca2+-activated K+ channel regulates contractile activity of mouse urinary bladder smooth muscle

1. The large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channel plays an important role in controlling membrane potential and contractility of urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM). These channels are composed of a pore-forming alpha-subunit and an accessory, smooth muscle-specific, beta1-subunit. 2. Our aim was to determine the functional role of the beta1-subunit of the BK channel in controlling the contractions of UBSM by using BK channel beta1-subunit 'knock-out' (KO) mice. 3. The beta-galactosidase reporter (lacZ gene) was targeted to the beta1 locus, which provided the opportunity to examine the expression of the beta1-subunit in UBSM. Based on this approach, the beta1-subunit is highly expressed in UBSM. 4. BK channels lacking beta1-subunits have reduced activity, consistent with a shift in BK channel voltage/Ca2+ sensitivity. 5. Iberiotoxin, an inhibitor of BK channels, increased the amplitude and decreased the frequency of phasic contractions of UBSM strips from control mice. 6. The effects of the beta1-subunit deletion on contractions were similar to the effect of iberiotoxin on control mice. The UBSM strips from beta1-subunit KO mice had elevated phasic contraction amplitude and decreased frequency when compared to control UBSM strips. 7. Iberiotoxin increased the amplitude and frequency of phasic contractions, and UBSM tone of UBSM strips from beta1-subunit KO mice, suggesting that BK channels still regulate contractions in the absence of the beta1-subunit. 8. The results indicate that the beta1-subunit, by modulating BK channel activity, plays a significant role in the regulation of phasic contractions of the urinary bladder.
Recent progress in exact and reduced-order modeling of light-scattering properties of complex structures

An emerging research area in biophotonics with potentially near-term clinical applications in early stage cancer detection involves the investigation of possible correlations of the elastic light scattering properties of tissues with alterations in their cellular composition and nanostructure. Until recently, exploring these correlations has been impeded by a lack of robust and accurate mathematical models of the light scattering properties of complex structures. In this paper, we review recent progress in this area. Topics include: 1) development of accurate reduced-order expressions for the total scattering cross section spectra of a wide range of nonspherical and inhomogeneous particles; 2) rigorous finite-difference time-domain modeling results showing how the backscattering of light can be sensitive to nanometer scale features embedded within micrometer-scale particles; and 3) development of accurate reduced-order expressions for the backscattering depolarization properties of a wide range of inhomogeneous particles. These advances provide an improved science base for cellular level biophotonics, and have promise to accelerate the development of novel corresponding clinical technologies.
Conformational and functional significance of the α140 side-chain in HbA: a UV and visible resonance Raman study of three α140 mutants

Continuous wave UV resonance Raman (UVRR) and nanosecond time-resolved visible resonance Raman spectra were generated from the deoxy and CO derivatives of three α-chain mutants of human adult hemoglobin (HbA): Yα140F, Yα140G and Yα140A. The UVRR results show that an aromatic side-chain in the α140 site is needed for achieving the wild-type tertiary conformation in the allosterically important α1β2 interface for both the deoxy T state and the liganded R state. The wavenumbers of ν(Fe–His), the iron-proximal histidine stretching mode, seen in the VRR spectra from the deoxy derivatives show that the hydrogen bond between α140 tyrosine and the carbonyl of α93 valine is necessary to obtain the full quaternary constraint associated with the deoxy T state even when the α1β2 interface is seemingly intact. A model is presented that describes the relationship between the packing of a cluster of residues linked to both Wβ37 and Yα140 and the extent of proximal strain/quaternary constraint at the α-chain heme. The visible resonance Raman (VRR) spectra of the 8 ns photoproduct of the CO derivatives of the three mutants in the presence and absence of allosteric effectors show that all three mutants can access the R state but they show enhanced sensitivity to added IHP. The CO derivative of the Hb(Yα140F) mutant in the presence of IHP exhibits properties consistent with the high-affinity T state observed both for non-equilibrium populations of HbA isolated using sol–gel matrices and for β37 mutants where the hinge region of the α1β2 interface is disrupted. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Large-volume integrated capillary electrophoresis stage fabricated using micromachining of plastics on silicon substrates

A micromachined capillary electrophoresis separation stage has been fabricated on top of a silicon substrate that contains sample reservoirs, platinum electrodes, and a passivated diode designed for the detection of migrating DNA fluorescing fragments. The 20 /spl mu/m-high separation stage channels were constructed using a low-temperature, three polymer process that produces optically transparent, hermetic fluidic systems over topologically structured, non-flat substrates. Successful separation of DNA fragments was achieved in 0.46 cm with fragment mobilities between 1.2-1.05 /spl mu/m/spl middot/cm/V/spl middot/s using a bias of 12.8 V/cm in approximately 5 minutes.
BIST diagnostics. I. Simulation models

An efficient method is described for using fault simulation as a solution to the diagnostic problem created by the presence of embedded memories in BIST designs. The idea is to create simulation models that only use combinational logic (i.e., the memory is removed).
Structure and Sequence of the Human Sulphamidase Gene

Sanfilippo A syndrome (MPS-IIIA) is a mucopolysaccharide lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme, sulphamidase (EC 3.10.1.1), which is required for the degradation of heparan sulphate. A genomic clone containing the entire sulphamidase gene was isolated from a chromosome 17-specific gridded cosmid library. The structure of the gene and the sequence of the exon/intron boundaries and the 5' promoter region were determined. The sulphamidase gene is split into 8 exons spanning approximately 11 kb.
Cardiac Contusion with Early Ventricular Rupture—A Case Report

Myocardial contusion is a common concomitant of high-speed deceleration injuries in our modern society. Despite increasing awareness of this entity among health care professionals, in many cases the diagnosis remains a difficult one to make because of a scarcity of physical signs. The diagnosis is, however, extremely important because of the possible complications, which include low cardiac output state, conduction defects, atrial and ventricular dysrhythmias, and, rarely, even cardiac rupture. Much less common, but also clinically impor tant, is rupture of the free cardiac wall from blunt trauma.A case of cardiac contusion caused by blunt trauma sustained in a motor vehicle accident complicated by early ventricular rupture is presented. Ten hours after arrival at the hospital, this patient abruptly became hypotensive and sustained a cardiopulmonary arrest, which did not respond to the usual medical measures. Upon open thoracotomy the patient was found to have suffered a right ventricular rupture, which w...
Control of antioxidative response by the tumor suppressor protein PML through regulating Nrf2 activity.

b Comprehensive Cancer Center of Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH 44106 ABSTRACT Oxidative stress is a consequence of an imbalance between reactive oxygen spe- cies (ROS) production and the ability of the cytoprotective system to detoxify the reactive intermediates. The tumor suppressor promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) functions as a stress sensor. Loss of PML results in impaired mitochondrial complex II activity, increased ROS, and subsequent activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxi- dative pathway. We also demonstrate that sulforaphane (SFN), an antioxidant, regulates Nrf2 activity by controlling abundance and subcellular distribution of PML and that PML is essen- tial for SFN-mediated ROS increase, Nrf2 activation, antiproliferation, antimigration, and an- tiangiogenesis. Taking the results together, we have uncovered a novel antioxidative mecha- nism by which PML regulates cellular oxidant homeostasis by controlling complex II integrity and Nrf2 activity and identified PML as an indispensable mediator of SFN activity.
A MEMS differential scanning calorimeter for thermodynamic characterization of biomolecules

We present a MEMS-based differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) device combining highly sensitive thermoelectric sensing, on-chip self-calibration, and microfluidic regulation for thermodynamic characterization of biomolecular samples on a minimized scale. The device integrates well-defined microfluidic reaction chambers and utilizes a three-dimensional structure in which a layer of resistive microheaters and temperature sensors are precisely aligned to these chambers to provide uniform heating, in-situ temperature sensing, and convenient self-calibration. Notably, this device exploits the novel use of an antimony-bismuth (Sb-Bi) thermopile with high thermoelectric performance to significantly enhance device sensitivity and thus allow for DSC detection with minimized sample consumption. We demonstrate the utility of this MEMS DSC device by characterizing the unfolding of proteins in a minimized volume (1 µL), and at low protein concentrations approaching practically useful levels (1 mg/mL). Quantitative thermodynamic properties including the total enthalpy change (ΔH) and melting temperature (T m ) during this conformational transition are determined and found to agree with published data.
Getting Right with Women's Suffrage

My title is a gloss from Everett Dirksen, the long-time, now-deceased U.S. senator from Illinois who encouraged his party “to get right with Abraham Lincoln.” As Republicans drifted away from acknowledging their partisan connection to the sixteenth president, Dirksen appreciated how Lincoln could serve as an invigorating, unifying theme for Republicans in the post-Civil Rights Era. The analogy, of course, is that suffrage history has been similarly marginalized, submerged even within the limited space given to women's history by attention to Progressive Era associations and service groups such as the General Federation of Women's Clubs, the PTA, women's literary clubs, as well as the settlement house movement and the Women's National Republican Club.
Photodynamic Therapy Synergizes with Irinotecan to Overcome Compensatory Mechanisms and Improve Treatment Outcomes in Pancreatic Cancer

The ability of tumor cells to adapt to therapeutic regimens by activating alternative survival and growth pathways remains a major challenge in cancer therapy. Therefore, the most effective treatments will involve interactive strategies that target multiple nonoverlapping pathways while eliciting synergistic outcomes and minimizing systemic toxicities. Nanoliposomal irinotecan is approved by the FDA for gemcitabine-refractory metastatic pancreatic cancer. However, the full potential of irinotecan treatment is hindered by several cancer cell survival mechanisms, including ATP-binding cassette G2 (ABCG2) transporter-mediated irinotecan efflux from cells. Here, we demonstrate that benzoporphyrin derivative-based photodynamic therapy (PDT), a photochemical cytotoxic modality that activates the apoptotic pathway, reduced ABCG2 expression to increase intracellular irinotecan levels in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, we show that PDT inhibited survivin expression. Although PDT potentiated irinotecan treatment, we also demonstrate that irinotecan reduced the tumoral expression of monocarboxylate transporter 4, which was upregulated by PDT. Notably, using orthotopic xenograft models, we demonstrate that combination of single low-dose PDT and a subclinical dose of nanoliposomal irinotecan synergistically inhibited tumor growth by 70% for 3 weeks compared with 25% reduction after either monotherapies. Our findings offer new opportunities for the clinical translation of PDT and irinotecan combination therapy for effective pancreatic cancer treatment.
Involvement in Fashion Advertising: The Role of Images

This exploratory study used the concept of involvement to explore the effectiveness of image versus copy in an advertisement for an apparel item. Level of involvement with the advertisement was measured using three variations of the advertisement: copy and image, copy-only, and image-only. Fashion involvement was used to test the personal relevance of fashion.The analysis revealed no significant differences among respondents with respect to their involvement with the variations of the advertisement because of the different treatments. Findings indicated that fashion involvement was related to involvement with the advertisement. Results also showed how fashion involvement could be used to predict the level of involvement with the advertisement. Contrary to previous involvement research, the presence or absence of text produced no significant differences in viewer involvement with the advertisement.
Poly(A)-Attached RNA as Activator in Embryonic Differentiation

SummaryPoly(A)-attached RNA (mRNA) was isolated from chicken and calf hearts. Both mRNAs were found to induce the development of explanted postnodal pieces (PNP) of stage 4 chick blastoderm into beating tubes and/or tissues. Heart formation is specific and the frequency was found to depend entirely upon the concentration of mRNA used. In contrast, the concentration had no influence on other tissue formation e.g., neural tube, tubules, myoblasts, and/or notochord.The uptake of heart [3H]RNA by PNP cells was analyzed using high-resolution autoradiography. Silver grains were localized more in nucleus than in cytoplasm. The effect of heart mRNA on PNP was sensitive to actinomycin D and bromodeoxyuridine. It appears, therefore, that exogenous mRNA plays an important role in nuclear function. This RNA may affect the nuclei of intact cells in two ways: (1) as a derepressor, and (2) as a primer of new DNA synthesis. These alternatives were tested experimentally using the isozyme, lactate dehydrogenase, as marker....
The Spectral Difference Method for the 2D Euler Equations on Unstructured Grids

An efficient, high-order, conservative method named the spectral difference method has been developed recently for conservation laws on unstructured grids. It combines the best features of structured and unstructured grid methods to achieve high computational efficiency and geometric flexibility; it utilizes the concept of discontinuous and high-order local representations to achieve conservation and high accuracy; and it is based on the finite- difference formulation for simplicity. The method is easy to implement since it does not involve surface or volume integrals. Universal reconstructions are obtained by distributing solution and flux points in a geometrically similar manner for simplex cells. In this paper, the method is further extended to nonlinear systems of conservation laws, the Euler equations. Accuracy studies are performed to numerically verify the order of accuracy. In order to capture both smooth feature and discontinuities, a monotonicity limiter is implemented, and tested for a double Mach reflection problem. The method is more efficient than the discontinuous Galerkin and spectral volume methods for unstructured grids.
Clustering Days with Similar Airport Weather Conditions

On any given day, traffic flow managers must often rely on past experience and intuition when developing traffic flow management initiatives that mitigate imbalances between the aircraft demand and the weather impacted airport capacity. The goal of this study was to build on recent efforts to apply data mining classification and clustering algorithms to vast archives of historical weather and air traffic data to identify patterns and past decisions that can ultimately inform day-of-operations decision-making. More specifically, this study identified similar weather impacted days at select U.S. airports, and analyzed the traffic management initiatives implemented on these representative days. The identification of the similar days was accomplished by applying a decision tree algorithm to the hourly Localized Aviation Model Output Statistics Program observations and the arrival delays for Newark Liberty International Airport. The branches from the trained decision tree were subsequently pruned to identify four weather conditions that resulted in medium to high delays for the arrivals scheduled to Newark in 2012. Using these weather conditions, four, daily airport-level Weather Impacted Traffic Index values were calculated using the Localized Aviation Model Output Statistics Program observations and the 2012 scheduled arrival counts from the FAAs Aviation System Performance Metric system. The four, daily Weather Impacted Traffic Index values for 2012 were subsequently clustered using an Expectation Maximization clustering algorithm, and nine unique types of weather days at Newark were identified. By far the most prominent type of day at Newark was a day associated with relatively good weather conditions, where there was little convective activity, winds were low, ceilings and visibility were high and there was little precipitation. Moderate levels of convective activity characterized the next most prominent type of day. Days with persistently high winds or low ceiling and visibility levels were relatively rare in 2012. Lastly, the frequency at which Ground Delay Programs, Ground Stops and Miles-in-Trail restrictions were implemented on each of the typical types of days at Newark were analyzed. Based on the results, it does appear as if the usage of Miles-in-Trail, Ground Delay Program and Ground Stop restrictions correlates well with the severity of the weather associated with each unique type of weather impacted day at Newark. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that it is feasible to use historical weather and air traffic archives to provide guidance on the types of traffic management restrictions to implement in response to the weather conditions impacting an airport.
Dispersive Electron-Transfer Kinetics of Rhodamines on TiO2: Impact of Structure and Driving Force on Single-Molecule Photophysics

The effects of dye structure, driving force of photoinduced electron transfer, and adsorption affinity on the dispersive electron-transfer dynamics of rhodamines on TiO2 films are investigated using single-molecule microscopy. The time-dependent emission (i.e., blinking dynamics) of rhodamine-sensitized TiO2 films are quantified using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and quantitative goodness-of-fit tests based on the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) statistic to determine the best fit to the photophysical data. Although the observation of significant p-values (i.e., ranging from 0.16 to 0.53) seems to support the power-law model for the on-time distributions, only a minor subset of the data are actually represented by power laws (i.e., ∼15–20% of events). Instead, the MLE/KS analysis reveals that log-normal distributions, not power laws, most closely represent the entire on-time and off-time distributions for RB, R6G, R123, and 5-ROX on TiO2. Monte Carlo simulations based on the Albery model for dispersive ele...
A Study on Argument Structure of "V + Event NP-Obj" Construction in Chinese from A Multi-Lingual Perspective

In some Chinese "V + Event NP-Obj" constructions,the verb,which is the predicate of a sentence,is semantically "light" and fails to be the event center of that sentence.While the noun,which denotes an event,is the event center which anchors the event structure that a sentence presents.Such constructions bring difficulties to the argument structure annotation for the enclosed sentences.There is a similar phenomenon referred to as light verb construction(LVC) in studies on other languages.This article tries to respond to these questions within the scope of LVCs studies:Are the constructions we found in Chinese completely equal to LVC? Are the predicative verbs semantically bleached in the constructions equally? How to annotate argument structure for the constructions? Our study on such constructions illustrates that they cannot be treated as the equivalent to LVC,given the facts that not all the predicative verbs match the definition of LVC and the "lightness" of their senses is not the same.
Monitoring and delinquency.

This study examined the effects of parental monitoring in order to discover specific ways that their relationships with their parents affect adolescents’ delinquent behaviour. Data were taken from the National Survey of Youth 1972, a survey of a representative sample of 1395 Americans in the age range 11-18 years. Conditions such as the age and sex of the respondents, their affectional relationships with their parents, the composition of their families and their estimates of the delinquency of their friends all qualified the relationship between parental monitoring and their self-reported delinquency. In one condition, the generally negative relationship was reversed.
SENCER âDo-Nowâ KQED Social Media in the Classroom

By developing opportunities for students to learn through compelling current events, learning environments are improved. Inspired students discover relevance to their lives, create dialogue and gain confidence in their ability to expand civic capacity. Social media has been used to provide an experimental venue for this enhanced learning in selected courses nationally through project SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagement and Reform), an NSF sponsored national education reform initiative. In the fall of 2015, the New Century College course Mysteries of Migration was one of six courses selected nationally for the inaugural SENCER collaboration with KQED in San Francisco, where social media blogs called âDo Nowâ are flourishing. In this session, I will discuss the implementation of âDo Nowâ blogs into Mystery of Migrationâs semesterâlong case study assignment. This course is interdisciplinary in scope, integrating the biology and ecology of migratory organisms with public policy. In this session I will discuss the student reactions and evidence of learning through the use of âDo Nowâ and the merits of implementing social media into existing courses.
Compliance With and Enforcement of Graduated Driver Licensing Restrictions.

Introduction Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) is the most effective strategy to reduce the burden of young driver crashes, but the extent to which young intermediate (newly licensed) drivers comply with, and police enforce, important GDL passenger and night-time restrictions is largely unknown. Population-level rates of intermediate drivers’ compliance were estimated as well as police enforcement among crash-involved drivers who were noncompliant. Methods New Jersey’s statewide driver licensing and crash databases were individually linked. The quasi-induced exposure method’s fundamental assumption—that nonresponsible young intermediate drivers in clean (i.e., only one responsible driver) multivehicle crashes are reasonably representative of young intermediate drivers on the road—was borrowed. Incidence was then estimated among the 9,250 nonresponsible intermediate drivers who were involved in clean multivehicle crashes from July 2010 through June 2012. The proportion of crash-involved noncompliant intermediate drivers who were issued a GDL citation, by crash responsibility, was calculated. Data were collected in 2013 and analyzed in 2015. Results Overall, 8.3% (95% CI=7.8%, 8.9%) of intermediate drivers’ trips were noncompliant with New Jersey’s passenger restriction and 3.1% (95% CI=2.8%, 3.5%) with its night-time restriction; compliance was significantly lower among those residing in low-income and urban areas, among male drivers, on weekends, and in summer months. The proportion of crash-involved noncompliant intermediate drivers who were issued a GDL citation was low (nonresponsible drivers, 10.3%; responsible drivers, 19.0%). Conclusions The vast majority of intermediate driver trips are in compliance with GDL restrictions. Outreach activities should consider focusing on higher-risk situations and groups with higher noncompliance rates.
Exploring Model and Behavior Uncertainty: Temporal Transferability Assessment of Vehicle Ownership Models for Boston, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Area

This paper examines model and behavior uncertainty in vehicle ownership choice models. Temporal transferability tests are used to compare alternative model structures—multinomial logit (MNL), ordered logit (OL), and nested logit (NL)—and different model specifications. Preference stability is also tested. Through the use of data from the Boston, Massachusetts, metropolitan area in 1991 and 2010, it is shown that OL is more temporally transferable than MNL and NL but has a much higher local error. As the model specification becomes more complex, local error and transfer error decrease to a certain degree; the decrease in transfer error is smaller than that of local error. Overall, household vehicle ownership preferences are not stable over time but vary by specific parameter estimates. The relationships between vehicle ownership and local built environment factors and transit access are stable; the relationships related to regional location and most socioeconomic and demographic characteristics have evolve...
Bilirubin Directly Inhibits Proteolytic Cleavage of a Fluorogenic VWF73 Peptide and Plasma Von Willebrand Factor

Bilirubin is a yellow breakdown product of heme catabolism. Increased levels of plasma bilirubin are a condition commonly seen in neonates and adults with hemolysis. The unconjugated bilirubin consists of an open chain of four pyrrole-like rings. Previous studies have shown that bilirubin decreases the cleavage of a commercially available FRETS­­­­­-VWF73 assay, resulting in falsely low plasma ADAMTS13 activity. However, the mechanism underlying such a reduction of ­­­­ADAMTS13 activity is not fully understood. Plasma ADAMTS13 activity is critical for differential diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy in which low ADAMTS13 activity (less than 5-10%) is more consistent with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), while normal to mildly reduced ADAMTS13 activity (greater than 10-20%) is the common findings of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Here, we show that bilirubin directly inhibits the proteolytic cleavage of a fluorogenic VWF73 peptides labeled with fluorescein-5-maleimide (FL485-VWF73) (ext. 485nm/emi.530nm) or DyLight-633-maleimide (DL633-VWF73) (ext.638nm/emi.658 nm) in a concentration-dependent manner ( Fig. 1 ). The IC 50 for inhibiting the cleavage of FL485-VWF73 and DL633-VWF73 was estimated to be 13 micro mol/L and 70 micro mol/L, respectively. To confirm the direct inhibitory activity, bilirubin at various concentrations was incubated with plasma-derived multimeric VWF and recombinant ADAMTS13 in the presence of 1.5 M urea, 5 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0 for four hours. The cleavage of multimeric VWF was determined by 1% agarose and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoreses, followed by Western blotting with rabbit anti-VWF IgG. The results demonstrated that bilirubin also inhibited recombinant ADAMTS13-mediated cleavage of VWF in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC 50 ~0.43 milli mol/L ( Fig. 2 ). The inhibitory activity of bilirubin on the cleavage of a fluorogenic peptide or a multimeric VWF substrate was largely eliminated by addition of bilirubin oxidase that converts bilirubin to biliverdin (not shown). Our results demonstrate for the first time that unconjugated bilirubin directly inhibits plasma and recombinant ADAMTS13 activity in addition to its known interference with certain fluorogenic assays for ADAMTS13 activity. These findings are clinically important concerning diagnosis and differential diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy. Additionally, our findings may shed new light on the mechanism of thrombotic complications pertinent to acute hemolysis and liver diseases. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The MIDI Code

MIDI is a language for digital communication between electronic instruments and computers. It is modeled to imitate the movement of the fingers, staying down, going up and so on. It is a low level language which tells you what to do without any deeper understanding. It is very important for electronic and pop music.