cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Functional Proteomics Screen of Proteases In Colorectal Carcinoma

Proteases facilitate several steps in cancer progression. To identify proteases most suitable for drug targeting, actual enzyme activity and not messenger RNA levels or immunoassay of protein is the ideal assay readout. An automated microtiter plate assay format was modified to allow detection of all four major classes of proteases in tissue samples. Fifteen sets of colorectal carcinoma biopsies representing primary tumor, adjacent normal colon, and liver metastases were screened for protease activity. The major proteases detected were matrix metalloproteases (MMP9, MMP2, and MMP1), ca-thepsin B, cathepsin D, and the mast cell serine proteases, tryptase and chymase. Matrix metallopro-teases were expressed at higher levels in the primary tumor than in adjacent normal tissue. The mast cell proteases, in contrast, were at very high levels in adjacent normal tissue, and not detectable in the metastases. Cathepsin B activity was significantly higher in the primary tumor, and highest in the metastases. The major proteases detected by activity assays were then localized in biopsy sections by im-munohistochemistry. Mast cell proteases were abundant in adjacent normal tissue, because of infiltration of the lamina propria by mast cells. Matrix metalloproteases were localized to the tumor cells themselves; whereas, cathepsin B was predominantly expressed by macrophages at the leading edge of invading tumors. Although only low levels of urinary plasminogen activator were detected by direct enzyme assay, immunohistochemistry showed abundant protein within the tumor. This analysis, surveying all major classes of proteases by assays of activity rather than immunolocalization or in situ hybridization alone, serves to identify proteases whose activity is not completely balanced by endogenous inhibitors and which may be essential for tumor progression. These proteases are logical targets for initial efforts to produce low molecular weight protease inhibitors as potential chemotherapy.
When It Breaks, It Breaks: How Ecosystem Developers Reason about the Stability of Dependencies

Dependencies among software projects and libraries are an indicator of the often implicit collaboration among many developers in software ecosystems. Negotiating change can be tricky: changes to one module may cause ripple effects to many other modules that depend on it, yet insisting on only backward-compatible changes may incur significant opportunity cost and stifle change. We argue that awareness mechanisms based on various notions of stability can enable developers to make decisions that are independent yet wise and provide stewardship rather than disruption to the ecosystem. In ongoing interviews with developers in two software ecosystems (CRAN and Node.js), we are finding that developers in fact struggle with change, that they often use adhoc mechanisms to negotiate change, and that existing awareness mechanisms like Github notification feeds are rarely used due to information overload. We study the state of the art and current information needs and outline a vision toward a change-based awareness system.
Microbiological Controls on Geochemical Kinetics 1: Fundamentals and Case Study on Microbial Fe(III) Oxide Reduction

The pervasive influence of microorganisms (abbreviated hereafter as “morgs”; see Table 8.1 for a list of abbreviations) on the geochemistry of low-temperature environments is well-recognized and has been the subject of voluminous experimental and observational research (Banfield and Nealson, 1997; Brezonik, 1994; Canfield et al., 2005; Chapelle, 2001; Ehrlich, 2002; Lovley, 2000b). Many of the foundational insights into the role of morgs as agents of geochemical reaction can be traced to basic discoveries in microbiology which took place in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Perhaps the most important contribution of all was Louis Pasteur’s definitive demonstration that decomposition of OM does not proceed in the absence of living morgs (Pasteur, 1860). Though not made in the context of geochemistry, his decisive defeat of the theory of spontaneous generation was a key step toward recognizing the role of microbial life as a direct agent of chemical transformation in natural, medical, and industrial settings. A long series of discoveries followed in which the participation of morgs in various aspects of elemental cycling and mineral transformation was revealed, many in the context of soil and aquatic microbiology (Clarke, 1985; Ehrlich, 2002; Gorham, 1991). These early discoveries, together with developments in the fields of general microbiology and biochemistry (e.g., as embodied in Kluyver (1957)’s synthesis of unity and diversity in microbial metabolism) laid the groundwork for our current understanding of microbial metabolism based on principles of biochemical energetics (thermodynamics) and enzymatic reaction kinetics. Interest in the participation of morgs in geochemical and geological phenomena has accelerated greatly in the past several years (Banfield et al., 2005a; Nealson et al., 2001; Newman and Banfield, 2002). This burgeoning interest in geomicrobiology has been sparked in part by the rapid increase in our knowledge of the diversity and ubiquity of morgs in all kinds of natural systems, including extremely
The Archaeology of the Longue Durée: Temporal and Spatial Scale in the Evolution of Social Complexity on the Southern Northwest Coast

The emphasis on temporal and geographic scale of the French Annales school of history (cf. Braudel 1980; Baker 1984; Lewthwaite 1988) is the inspiration for this paper. Braudel (1980) divides time into three durations: short term events (days, weeks, months, a few years), medium length conjunctures (years, decades, even major portions of centuries), and longterm structures (which may last centuries, even millennia). This last duration is the longue duree. Basic to Annales’ thought – and the longue duree – is the idea that to understand historical developments, to explain their causes and dynamics, one must know their temporal and their geographic scale; one must know what happened at their edges and their centre, why they developed and why they passed away; and how they changed during their span. To do this, since we cannot assume we know the scales relevant to the phenomena which interest us (Braudel 1980), we must continually play different temporal and geographic scales off against each other.
Formation and destruction of internal membranes in L cells infected with Chlamydia psittaci.

L cells (mouse fibroblasts), uninfected and infected with Chlamydia psittaci (meningopneumonitis strain), were labeled with 14C-amino acids, and their membranous organelles were separated by isopycnic equilibrium centrifugation of whole cell homogenates on discontinuous sucrose density gradients. Incorporation of labeled amino acids into host and parasitic proteins was differentiated on the basis of susceptibility to cycloheximide. Twenty hours after infection with C. psittaci, incorporation of newly synthesized proteins into the internal membranes of L cells was almost completely inhibited, and internal membranes made prior to infection were altered or destroyed. The unit membrane that at all times surrounds the cytoplasmic vacuole containing the multiplying chlamydiae was made by the host from membranes or membrane precursors present before infection. No proteins synthesized by C. psittaci became associated with host cell membranes. Destruction or modification of the internal membranes of the host cell may be an integral part of the chlamydial developmental cycle.
Nonlinear adaptive control on elastic multi-link manipulators

In this paper a nonlinear adaptive control scheme is applied to structurally elastic multi-link manipulators. The research begins with the general dynamics of structurally elastic manipulators. Then a modified MRAC controller with a prescribed Lyapunov's stable reference model is introduced. Based on the difference between the defined outputs of the reference model and the outputs of the control, the feedback coefficient matrices of the controller are determined and adapted. Theoretical analysis and computer simulations are done to show the effectiveness of the design.
Promoting Student Inquiry Using "Zea Mays" (Corn) Cultivars for Hypothesis-Driven Experimentation in a Majors Introductory Biology Course.

The AAAS Vision and Change report (2011) recommends incorporating student research experiences into the biology curriculum at the undergraduate level. This article describes, in detail, how Zea mays (corn) cultivars were used as a model for a hypothesis-driven short-term research project in an introductory biology course at a small Midwestern university. During the course of this project, student groups generated a research question and hypothesis, designed an experiment, collected data, and reported their findings in a paper modeled after the primary literature. Throughout the project, students experienced first hand the obstacles and accomplishments associated with the process of scientific research and gained a greater understanding of plant biology. By demonstrating biology as a dynamic field centered around hypothesis generation and experimentation, the authors observed an increase in student dedication, interest, and enthusiasm for the course.
Hip implant infection: Treatment with resection arthroplasty and late total hip arthroplasty

In 131 patients with an infected hip implant, treatment was surgical excision of the implant (resection arthroplasty) and delayed reconstruction with a total hip arthroplasty. Most of the patients had low-grade infections: only 5 percent had a temperature of 37.8 degrees C or higher and only 20 percent had wound drainage. Hip pain was the primary symptom of a deep infection in 90 percent. Staphylococci were the most frequently isolated causal organisms, recovered from deep tissue specimens in 84 patients. The hip was reconstructed six days to 32 years (mode, 429 days) after resection arthroplasty. At follow-up two to nine years after reconstruction, 88 percent of the 131 patients were free of infection. Recurrent sepsis was more common (p less than 0.05) in patients with incomplete acrylic cement removal or patients in whom reconstruction was performed less than 429 days after resection arthroplasty. Risk of recurrent sepsis was increased when gram-negative bacilli in pure or mixed cultures were found, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Separating the effects of Ti3Al and silicide precipitates on the tensile and crack growth behavior at room temperature and 593 °C in a near-alpha titanium alloy

Aging of silicon-bearing, near-alpha titanium alloys produces two types of precipitate, Ti3Al and (TiZr6Si3 (silicide). A postaging heat treatment that relies on the phenomenon of the critical ordering temperature is used to remove the Ti3Al precipitate while leaving the silicide intact. Three materials—unaged (precipitate free), overaged (Ti3Al plus silicide), and post aging heat treated (silicide only)— are compared. The objective is to identify the separate effects of the Ti3Al and silicide precipitates on tensile and fatigue crack growth behavior at room temperature and 593 °C. The Ti3Al precipitate is largely responsible for the increase in yield stress and for the decrease in ductility at both test temperatures. In contrast, the increase in room temperature fatigue crack growth rate associated with aging is attributed to the silicide, with Ti3Al playing only a minor role. Aging produces a slight improvement in fatigue crack resistance at 593 °C, which also appears to be due to the presence of the silicide precipitate.
Influence of cutting fluids on surface finish of holes drilled into aluminium 390

The primary objective of this research was to compare the surface finish resulting when using a semi-synthetic cutting fluid to that of a premium soluble oil. The secondary objective was to determine the effects of drill diameter, cutting speed, and fluid concentration on surface finish. The surface measurements were made on the walls of 6.350 and 9.525 mm lind holes drilled 25.4 mm into aluminium 390. Each cutting fluid was introduced using a flood application. Additional factors in the experimental design for each cutting fluid included two levels of cutting speed and two levels of fluid concentration. Variations in drill diameter, cutting speed, and the interaction between these factors were significant with respect to surface finish for both the semi-synthetic fluid and the soluble oil. Fluid concentration for the semi-synthetic fluid also had a significant effect on the surface finish. The surface finish produced while using the semi-synthetic fluid was approximately the same as that with the soluble oil.
Gallium-67 localization in rat and mouse tumors.

Various nonosseous tumors in mice and rats concentrate gallium-67—ESR-586 preputial gland carcinoma, P-1798 lymphosarcoma, C3H/ HeJ mammary tumor, AKR/J thymic lymphoma, R-3259 giant cell sarcoma, Walker-256 carcinosarcoma, and a new transplantable neoplasm of rats. This last tumor showed the greatest affinity for galliun. Viable tumor cells are mainly responsible for uptake of gallium-67; autoradiographic studies indicate it is chiefly located in tumor cytoplasm.
Role of arginine-43 and arginine-69 of the Hin recombinase catalytic domain in the binding of Hin to the hix DNA recombination sites.

The Hin recombinase mediates the site-specific inversion of a segment of the Salmonella chromosome between two flanking 26 bp hix DNA recombination sites. Mutations in two amino acid residues, R43 and R69 of the catalytic domain of the Hin recombinase, were identified that can compensate for loss of binding resulting from elimination of certain major and minor groove contacts within the hix recombination sites. With one exception, the R43 and R69 mutants were also able to bind a hix sequence with an additional 4 bp added to the centre of the site, unlike wild-type Hin. Purified Hin mutants R43H and R69C had both partial cleavage and inversion activities in vitro while mutants R43L, R43C, R69S, and R69P had no detectable cleavage and inversion activities. These data support a model in which the catalytic domain plays a role in DNA-binding specificity, and suggest that the arginine residues at positions 43 and 69 function to position the Hin recombinase on the DNA for a step in the recombination reaction which occurs either at and/or prior to DNA cleavage.
Ethical accountability in the cyberspace

Conformance with ethical behavior consists of adherence to the standards of conduct for any given group. When standards are not formalized, there can exist ethical disparity from which many diverse problems can result. These problems are especially evident in the cyberspace. Within the cyberspace, the “given group” is culturally and ethnically diverse. As such, it is difficult to hold the individuals to a nonformalized set of standards. Several important issues need to be addressed in order to balance each individual's dual needs for freedom of expression and protection in the cyberspace. These issues include development of formalized standards, a general protocol for cross-cultural interaction, and ethical accountability.
Erythropoietin-Induced Phosphorylation/Degradation of BIM Contributes to Survival of Erythroid Cells

Objective A proapoptotic BH3-only protein BIM (BCL-2 interacting mediator of cell death) can link cytokine receptor signaling with the apoptotic machinery in hematopoietic cells. We investigated here the role of BIM in erythropoietin (EPO)-mediated survival in erythroid cells. Materials and Methods We downregulated BIM in EPO-dependent HCD57 erythroid cells with short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and used real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blots, and flow cytometry to characterize BIM expression and apoptosis. Hematologic analyses of BIM-deficient ( Bim –/– ) mice were conducted. Results BIM expression increases in primary murine erythroid cells and HCD57 cells deprived of EPO. Whereas Bim mRNA increased less than twofold, BIM protein increased more than 10-fold after EPO withdrawal, suggesting posttranscriptional regulation of BIM. EPO treatment resulted in rapid phosphorylation of BIM at Serine 65 and phosphorylation correlated with degradation of BIM. Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) by a MEK/ERK inhibitor, U0126, blocked both phosphorylation and degradation of BIM, resulting in apoptosis. Treatment with a proteasome inhibitor, MG-132, also blocked degradation of phosphorylated BIM. Downregulation of BIM with the shRNA resulted in HCD57 cells more resistant to apoptosis induced by either EPO withdrawal or ERK inhibition. Although we observed no significant changes in the number of erythrocytes or reticulocytes in the circulation of Bim –/– mice, erythroid progenitors from bone marrow in Bim –/– mice were reduced in number and more resistant to apoptosis induced by U0126 MEK/ERK inhibitor. Conclusion EPO protects erythroid cells from apoptosis in part through ERK-mediated phosphorylation followed by proteasomal degradation of BIM.
The chemical processing of gas-phase carbonyl compounds by sulfuric acid aerosols: 2,4-pentanedione

Abstract This work investigates the interactions between gas-phase carbonyl compounds and sulfuric acid aerosols. It focuses on understanding the chemical processes, giving a first estimate of their importance in the atmosphere, and suggesting directions for further investigations. The solubility and reactivity of a compound with a large enolization constant, 2,4-pentanedione, in water/sulfuric acid solutions 0–96 wt% have been investigated at room temperature using the bubble column/GC-FID technique. 2,4-pentanedione was found to undergo aldol condensation at acidities as low as 20 wt% H2SO4, that is, well in the tropospheric range of aerosol composition. In agreement with well-established organic chemical knowledge, this reaction resulted in changes of color of the solutions of potential importance for the optical properties of the aerosols. 2,4-pentanedione was also found to undergo retroaldol reaction, specific to dicarbonyl compounds, producing acetone and acetaldehyde. The Henry's law coefficient for 2,4-pentanedione was found to be a factor 5 larger than the one of acetone over the whole range of acidity, with a value in water of H (297 K)=(155±27) M atm−1. A chemical system is proposed to describe the transformations of carbonyl compounds in sulfuric acid aerosols. Aldol condensation is likely to be the most common reaction for these compounds, probably involving a large number of the ones present in the atmosphere and a wide range of aerosol compositions. The enolization constant contributes as a proportional factor to the rate constant for aldol condensation, and is shown in this work to contribute as an additive constant to the Henry's law coefficient. In addition to the many important aspects of these reactions illustrated in this work, the rate of aldol condensation was estimated to be potentially fast enough for the losses of some compounds in acidic aerosols to compete with their gas-phase chemistry in the atmosphere.
Venturing into social software

IBM's new Center for Social Software is built around Venture Research - design and deployment of scaling social systems in businesses and on the web. It's a spin on testing software “in the wild” that has resulted in new products and insights into organizational impacts. In this presentation, I will give examples of successes and challenges, demonstrate some of our of crowd-gathering software, and invite participation.
Functional lateralization of the human premotor cortex during sequential movements.

A neurological truism is that each side of the brain controls movements on the opposite side of the body. Yet some left hemisphere brain lesions cause bilateral impairment of complex motor function and/or ideomotor apraxia. We report that the left dorsal premotor cortex of normal right-handed people plays a fundamental role in sequential movement of both right and left hands. Subjects performed sequential finger movements during functional magnetic resonance imaging of the motor cortices. In right-handed subjects, the volume of activated dorsal premotor cortex showed a left hemispheric predominance during hand movements. We suggest that the observed left premotor dominance contributes to the lateralization found in lesion studies.
Distributed programming languages: design and implementation

Considerable discussion has appeared in recent literature about 'distributed programming'. One area of discussion concerns the design of programming languages which support distributed algorithms. This paper examines the important issues in programming language design for distributed computing, and presents an example of a language philosophy which supports program development for a distributed environment. It also discusses experiences with the STARMOD distributed programming language.
Matrix interpolation and H ∞ performance bounds

This paper introduces a methodology for obtaining bounds on the achievable performance of a multivariable control system involving tradeoffs between potentially conflicting performance requirements.
Evidence of Positive Selection in Mitochondrial Complexes I and V of the African Elephant

As species evolve, they become adapted to their local environments. Detecting the genetic signature of selection and connecting that to the phenotype of the organism, however, is challenging. Here we report using an integrative approach that combines DNA sequencing with structural biology analyses to assess the effect of selection on residues in the mitochondrial DNA of the two species of African elephants. We detected evidence of positive selection acting on residues in complexes I and V, and we used homology protein structure modeling to assess the effect of the biochemical properties of the selected residues on the enzyme structure. Given the role these enzymes play in oxidative phosphorylation, we propose that the selected residues may contribute to the metabolic adaptation of forest and savanna elephants to their unique habitats.
Rational approaches to the design of antiviral agents based on S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase as a molecular target

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet)-dependent transmethylations play an important role in regulating various biochemical and physiological processes (Borchardt, 1980; Borchardt et al., 1986). A specific biochemical process of interest to our laboratory is the formation of the 'capped methylated structure' at the Y-terminus of viral mRNA (Keller and Borchardt, 1986). Most viral mRNAs have been found to contain this novel 5'-terminal capped structure, which is essential for viral mRNA translation and thus viral replication in eukaryotic cells (Banerjee, 1980). All capped methylated structures consist of a N-7-methyl guanosine residue linked at the 5'-hydroxyl group to the Y-end of the mRNA strand by a triphosphate linkage. Most capped methylated structures also contain a methyl group on the 2'-hydroxyl group of the penultimate nucleotide (Fig. la). Methylations at the 5'-terminus of mRNA are catalyzed by AdoMet-dependent guanosine 7-N-methyltransferase and nucleoside 2'-methyltransferase, which are both cellular and viral encoded enzymes (Fig. lb). S-Adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), the product of these AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases, has been shown to be a potent competitive product
One- versus Two-Incision Technique for Distal Biceps Tendon Repair:

There are several techniques that have been described for distal biceps tendon repair but there is still controversy regarding the optimal technique. Our hypothesis is that the single-incision technique will have a similar complication rate and functionally equivalent restoration of function compared with the two-incision approach. A retrospective review of consecutive biceps tendon repairs was performed at one institution over a 5-year period. Thirty-six patients met the inclusion criteria and 26 were available for follow-up including subjective assessment, physical examination, and strength testing. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical approach utilized: 12 patients underwent single-incision repair and 14 had a two-incision repair. The average follow-up was 33 months (minimum 13; maximum 75). There were no statistically significant differences in regards to flexion strength or endurance, supination strength or endurance, or complication rates between the two techniques. In conclusion, both surgical techniques led to adequate restoration of strength with a low complication rate. Both techniques are safe to perform and should be guided by surgeon comfort with the approach.
Population aging and social work practice with older adults: Demographic and policy challenges

Living into older ages is changing from an exceptional to an expected part of the life course experience worldwide. Improvement in health and longevity across the lifespan also brings challenges for social work practice. At the same time, these changes are part of population aging trends that are not universal or inevitable. In addition, population aging discourse often reduces the complex dynamics of population aging to a problematic rise in older adults characterized as unproductive and dependent. Social workers can challenge the ageist construction of older adults by using our contextualized knowledge of how people age in their social environments.
Morbidity and mortality in type B Niemann–Pick disease

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic evaluation of morbidity and mortality in type B Niemann–Pick ­disease. A total of 103 patients with Niemann–Pick disease (49 males, 54 females, age range: 1–72 years) participated in natural history studies through Mount Sinai’s International Center for Types A and B Niemann–Pick Disease between 1992 and 2012. Serious morbidities included significant neurological, hepatic, and cardiac disease. Thirteen patients had some degree of neurological impairment. Nine patients had cirrhosis or liver failure requiring transplantation. Coronary artery and valvular heart disease were present in nine patients. Of note, only four patients were oxygen dependent, although progressive pulmonary disease is a well-described feature of Niemann–Pick disease. During the ­follow-up period, 18 deaths occurred. The median age of death was 15.5 years (range 1–72). Causes of death included pneumonia, liver failure, and hemorrhage. The majority of deaths (12 of 18) occurred in patients <21 years, yielding a mortality rate of 19% in the pediatric ­population. This study demonstrates that Niemann–Pick disease is a life-threatening disorder with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in the pediatric population. The information collected in this series highlights the need for safe, effective therapy for ­Niemann–Pick disease. Genet Med 2013:15(8):618–623
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in the management of osteoarthritis. Commentary.

Practice PearlThis article demonstrates the safety and effi cacy of the nutritional supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate used in combination in the management of osteoarthritis.
Lie generators for computing steerable functions

Abstract We present a computational, group-theoretic approach to steerable functions. The approach is group-theoretic in that the treatment involves continuous transformation groups for which elementary Lie group theory may be applied. The approach is computational in that the theory is constructive and leads directly to a procedural implementation. For functions that are steerable with n basis functions under a k -parameter group, the procedure is efficient in that at most nk +1 iterations of the procedure are needed to compute all the basis functions. Furthermore, the procedure is guaranteed to return the minimum number of basis functions. If the function is not steerable, a numerical implementation of the procedure could be used to compute basis functions that approximately steer the function over a range of transformation parameters. Examples of both applications are described.
Editorial: Mechanotransduction and development of cardiovascular form and function.

The factors that affect cardiovascular development (molecular, function, and structural changes) are often studied as having a linear relationship with molecular changes being the primary cause of the cascades. It is more likely that these factors are interacting continuously throughout development requiring a more balanced understanding of each factor. We now know substantially about the molecular and structural changes using several different approaches and advanced technology. The same cannot be said for the functional changes. This is because function is difficult to access in the small and fragile cardiovascular system that is also highly sensitive to any kind of perturbation. So what we know about functional changes at these stages is proportionately small. The articles in this issue exhibit a range of creative approaches in investigating the function of the developing cardiovascular system that is highly influential to the development of the embryo and placenta. The wider use of these and other methods to assay function may open up a new age of discovery to explain the etiology of the molecular and structural changes of cardiovascular development.
Über die Separation komplexer Wurzeln algebraischer Gleichungen

Zur Trennung der komplexen Wurzeln einer algebraischen Gleichung kann man, wie wir zeigen wollen, in einfacher Weise die Argumente der Koeffizienten systematisch heranziehen. Als praktisch wichtigen Fall schliest dies ein, das fur Gleichungen mit reellen Koeffizienten bereits die Vorzeichen in gewissem Umfange Aussagen uber die Verteilung der komplexen Wurzeln zu machen gestatten.
A Virtual Operating Room for Context-Relevant Training

A fully immersive virtual environment simulating an operating room is described. The Virtual Operating Room (VOR) is a platform that integrates procedural medical simulators into a coherent, context-relevant training environment. Trainees interact with a surgical team comprised of real and/or virtual team members (e.g., attending surgeon, anesthesiologist, scrub technician, and circulating nurse). All characters are defined by their procedural knowledge and personality. The interface capitalizes on natural interactions and is largely driven by voice recognition and text-to-speech software. A custom designed controller manages the VOR functionality, rendering platform, speech recognition, and text-to-speech generation modules. The VOR allows instructors and researchers to simulate the physical and social context in which surgical procedures are performed. The VOR can be used to train surgical teams and address issues in judgment, decision making, team dynamics, and interpersonal skills. Most importantly, the VOR allows medical teams to train the way they operate without putting patients at risk.
A preliminary study of achievement, attitudes toward success in mathematics, and mathematics anxiety with technology-based instruction in brief calculus.

This study was designed to compare achievement, attitudes toward success in mathematics, and mathematics anxiety of college students taught brief calculus using a graphic calculator, with the achievement and attitudes and anxiety of students taught using the computer algebra system Maple, using a technology-based text book. 50 men and 50 women, students in three classes at a large public university in the southwestern United States, participated. Students' achievement in brief calculus was measured by performance on a teacher-made achievement test given at the end of the study. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference in achievement between the groups. To measure change in attitudes and anxiety, responses to paper-and-pencil inventories indicated significant differences in favor of students using the computer.
Gene therapy approaches to ventricular tachyarrhythmias

Ventricular tachycardia arising from a healed myocardial infarction scar continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Drug therapy has been inadequate to meet this challenge, and implantable devices are limited by expense and technical problems. We have proposed the use of gene therapy for cardiac arrhythmias. In this review, we present a model of postinfarct ventricular tachycardia, a method for gene delivery to this area, and results of KCNH2-G628S gene transfer to manipulate cellular refractory properties in the arrhythmia model.
727-6 In Vivo Noninvasive Assessment of Left Ventricular Function in Transgenic Mice with Phospholamban Deficiency and Over-expression

Recent data suggest that phospholamban (PLB) modulates basal and beta agonist-stimulated myocardial contractility in the isolated heart. To determine the physiological role of PLB in vivo,anesthetized wild type mice (WT, n = 5) and transgenic mice with PLB gene targeted ablation (PLB-KO, n = 4) and overexpression (PLB-DEF, n = 5) were studied with 2D-guided M-mode and Doppler echo using a 9 MHz imaging and 5–7,5 MHz Doppler transducer (Interspec CX 200). Data were acquired in the baseline state (BASE) and after isoproterenol (ISO) injection (1 μg/mg i.p.). Shortening fraction (SF) was calculated from M-mode. The peak early transmitral (Ev) and aortic (Aov) velocities and ejection times were measured using Doppler and the heart ratecorrected velocity of circumferential shortening (Vcfc) was calculated. CON PLB-DEF PLB-OE BASE ISO BASE ISO BASE ISO HR (bpm) 282 ± 49 349 ± 55 * 322 ± 143 424 ± 43 217 ± 34 355 ± 51 * SF (%) 41 ± 3 64 ± 3 * 46 ± 4 62 ± 3 * 41 ± 4 65 ± 4 * Vcfc(circ/s) 10 ± 3 22 ± 3 * 18 ± 7 27 ± 7 7 ± 1 # 20 ± 4 * Ev (cm/s) 40 ± 12 50 ± 3 82 ± l0 † 89 ± 16 † 44 ± 9 # 62 ± 10 *# Aov (cm/s) 65 ± 4 75 ± 17 109 ± 15 † 108 ± 7 † 68 ± 6 # 89 ± 7 * mean ± SD * p l 0.05 vs BASE † p l 0.05 vs CON # vs DEF, ANOVA We conclude: 1) Phospholamban regulates basal left ventricular function in vivoand modulates the sensitivity to βadrenergic stimulation; 2) Assessment of left ventricular function under varying physiological conditions in mice can be performed noninvasively.
The effect of humorous instructional materials on interest in a math task

Two studies tested the effect of humor, embedded in learning materials, on task interest. College student participants (N Study 1 = 359, N Study 2 = 172) learned a new math technique with the presence or absence of humor in the learning program and/or test instructions. Individual interest in math was measured initially and also tested as a factor. The results showed that the effect of humor in the learning program depended on individual interest in math. Humor raised task interest for those with low individual interest in math but slightly lowered task interest for those with high individual interest in math. Mediating variables of this effect were tested across both studies. Although the mediating variables showed inconsistency, humor may affect task interest through affective responses immediately following the instruction, rather than in subsequent interaction with the task.
Bayesian estimation and model selection for spatial Durbin error model with finite distributed lags

Abstract In this paper we investigate a spatial Durbin error model with finite distributed lags and consider the Bayesian MCMC estimation of the model with a smoothness prior. We study also the corresponding Bayesian model selection procedure for the spatial Durbin error model, the spatial autoregressive model and the matrix exponential spatial specification model. We derive expressions of the marginal likelihood of the three models, which greatly simplify the model selection procedure. Simulation results suggest that the Bayesian estimates of high order spatial distributed lag coefficients are more precise than the maximum likelihood estimates. When the data is generated with a general declining pattern or a unimodal pattern for lag coefficients, the spatial Durbin error model can better capture the pattern than the SAR and the MESS models in most cases. We apply the procedure to study the effect of right to work (RTW) laws on manufacturing employment.
Recent Maximum Temperature Anomalies at Albany, New York: Fact or Fiction.

Abstract An analysis has been conducted of a suspected daily maximum temperature (DMT) bias introduced by the replacement of the National Weather Service (NWS) HO-63 bygrothermograph with a modernized HO-83 instrument at Albany, New York, on 6 February 1985. The analysis involves an assessment of the bias before and after the changeover and has four components: 1) a bias comparison with seven surrounding NWS Cooperative Observer Network (COOP) stations; 2) a comparison of the DMT with the highest reported hourly temperature during the summer; 3) a comparison of 1800 and 2100 UTC model output statistics (MOS) operational temperature forecasts from the 0000 UTC forecast cycle during the summer with the observed temperatures; and 4) a comparison of the reported maximum surface temperature with the observed 850-mb temperature at the time of the surface maximum temperature in July for days with at least 75% of possible sunshine. The results show that the reported DMT at Albany has increased by ∼0.5°C relative ...
An exploration of religion and spirituality among young, HIV-infected gay and bisexual men in the USA.

Although religion and spirituality can promote healthy behaviours and mental well-being, negative religious experiences may harm sexual minority men’s health. Despite increasing vulnerability to HIV infection among young gay and bisexual men, few studies examine how religion and spirituality might affect them. To this end, we interviewed young gay and bisexual men who were diagnosed with HIV infection during January 2006–June 2009. Questionnaires assessed religious service attendance, disclosure of sexuality within religious communities, and beliefs about homosexuality being sinful. A subset described religious and spiritual experiences in qualitative interviews. We calculated the prevalence of religion- and spirituality-related factors and identified themes within qualitative interviews. Among men completing questionnaires, 66% currently attended religious services, 16% believed they could disclose their sexuality at church, and 37% believed homosexuality was sinful. Participants who completed qualitativ...
Getting Into Ecstasy: Comparing Moderate and Heavy Young Adult Users

Abstract In this article, the authors examine factors associated with initial and present Ecstasy use among young adults. Face-to-face structured interviews were conducted in Atlanta, Georgia among 261 active Ecstasy users. The median age at which respondents first heard of Ecstasy was 16 years, whereas the median age of first Ecstasy use was 18 years. Initial Ecstasy use frequently involved polydrug use, including alcohol (50.4%). In terms of their current use, 47.5% of respondents were considered heavy Ecstasy users (using on 10 or more separate occasions in the last 90 days). White respondents, those who used more than one pill during their initial use, and those who used again within one month after their initial use were more likely to be current heavy Ecstasy users. Women, those who waited a longer time between initial and subsequent Ecstasy use, and those who considered themselves in the upper SES bracket were less likely to be current heavy Ecstasy users. A better understanding of initial and curr...
Uptake of acetaldehyde vapor and aldehyde dehydrogenase levels in the upper respiratory tracts of the mouse, rat, hamster, and guinea pig

Acetaldehyde is a ubiquitous indoor and outdoor air pollutant. This vapor is a respiratory tract irritant and a rodent inhalation carcinogen. The current study was aimed at examining the upper respiratory tract (URT) deposition efficiency for this vapor at inspired concentrations of 1, 10, 100, or 1000 ppm in four rodent species: B6C3F1 mouse, Sprague-Dawley rat, Syrian hamster, and Hartley guinea pig. For measurement of vapor uptake, the URT was isolated in urethane-anesthetized animals via insertion of a polyethylene cannula in the trachea such that its tip lay at the larynx. Uptake was measured under constant velocity unidirectional inspiratory flow at flow rates of approximately 50, 100, 200, and 300% of the predicted minute ventilation of each species and also under pseudo-cyclic flow (sinusoidal flow at 100% of the predicted minute ventilation with a constant 7 ml/min bleed for analysis). In addition, aldehyde dehydrogenase (AldDH) activities were measured in whole nasal tissue homogenates from each species for comparative purposes. In all species a high-affinity (Km 10 mM), high-capacity isozyme was observed; this isozyme was not observed in nasal tissue homogenates of the guinea pig. In all species, URT deposition efficiency was strongly dependent on the inspired concentration, with uptake being two- to three-fold more efficient at inspired concentrations of 1 or 10 ppm than at 1000 ppm. For example, at flows approximating the twice-minute ventilation rate URT uptake efficiency averaged 43, 49, 28, and 43% in the mouse, hamster, rat, and guinea pig, respectively, at an inspired concentration of 10 ppm, compared to 27, 14, 16, and 6% at an inspired concentration of 1000 ppm. Species differences were observed in uptake efficiency. At an inspired concentration of 1000 ppm a two-factor analysis of variance followed by a Newman-Keuls test revealed that uptake was significantly higher in the mouse, rat, and hamster than in the guinea pig. In contrast, at 10 ppm uptake was significantly lower in the rat than in any other species. Thus, the rank order of these species on the basis of ability to scrub acetaldehyde from the airstream differed at high compared to low inspired concentrations. The documentation of greatly differing deposition efficiencies as well as differing relative dosimetric relationships among species at high compared to low exposure concentrations highlights the potential complexities of quantitative extrapolation of high-concentration rodent inhalation toxicity data.
Maintenance Scheduling Under Uncertainty

This paper introduces an extension of maintenance scheduling concepts to incorporate short-term load forecast uncertainty. Maintenance schedules thus derived are much more realistic for generation expansion planning models because they more accurately reflect decisions made during system operation. The method proposed arranges the maintenance schedule to level the risk exposure under uncertain weather outcomes with only a modest amount of revision of existing maintenance scheduling programs which level risk.
Alpha chemokines regulate direct lung ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Abstract Background Alpha chemokines function predominantly to recruit and activate neutrophils, which are important effectors of acute lung injury. This study evaluated whether blockade of 2 potent alpha chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), is protective against lung ischemia–reperfusion injury in a warm in situ hilar clamp model. Methods Left lungs of Long–Evans rats underwent normothermic ischemia for 90 minutes and reperfusion for up to 4 hours. Treated animals received antibodies to MIP-2 or CINC immediately prior to reperfusion. Lung injury was quantitated by vascular permeability to 125 I-radiolabeled bovine serum albumin, lung tissue neutrophil sequestration (myeloperoxidase [MPO] content), and alveolar leukocyte content in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. CINC and MIP-2 mRNA expression were assessed by northern blot, while ribonuclease protection assays were performed to evaluate mRNA expression for a number of early response cytokines. MIP-2 and CINC protein expression in injured lungs was determined by immunoblotting. Results Treatment with antibodies to CINC or MIP-2 was associated with significant protection against increases in vascular permeability, MPO content and alveolar leukocyte sequestration in injured lungs. Expression of CINC and MIP-2 mRNA peaked after 2 hours of reperfusion in injured lungs, and protein levels were evident on immunoblotting after 3 hours of reperfusion. Neither CINC nor MIP-2 blockade appeared to modulate cytokine mRNA expression. Conclusions CINC and MIP-2 are important mediators involved in direct lung ischemia–reperfusion injury. They appear to function by modulating neutrophil recruitment, but not inflammatory cytokine release.
A catastrophe theory description of stick-slip motion in sliding

Abstract Stick-slip motion is analyzed by studying structural changes in the mathematical model describing sliding friction. The sliding system is assumed to operate in a way which minimizes energy input to the system. For an exponential dependence of friction force on sliding velocity, the system sliding behavior is multivalued for some ranges of values of the system parameters. The effect of different parameter values on system behavior is illustrated and results of this investigation are compared with a published steady sliding criterion.
Biological effects of surfactants, III hydra as a highly sensitive assay animal

Abstract Effects on hydra of five homologous series of surfactants representing nonionic, amphoteric and anionic classes were examined. When concentrations which had no effects were increased tenfold the animal disintegrated within 24 h. Lethal concentrations always coincided with a surface tension of 49 ± 4 dynes/cm. This is probably the level which disrupts the cell membranes. Because the deleterious effects are very rapid and obvious, hydra is a useful organism for monitoring the potential toxicity of detergents in freshwater environments.
Longitudinal study of depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life during pregnancy and after delivery: the Health Status in Pregnancy (HIP) study.

Objective Depressive symptoms are known to affect functioning in early pregnancy. We estimated the effect of a change in depressive symptoms status on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) throughout pregnancy and after delivery. Methods Longitudinal study of 200 women. The independent variable was depressive symptoms, defined as a Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) score of ≥16. The dependent variable was HRQoL from 8 domains of the Medical Outcomes Study (SF-36) Short Form. Women were categorized based on the change in CES-D score: (1) never depressed, (2) became well, (3) became depressed and (4) always depressed. A random effects model was used to (1) estimate the effect of a change in depressive symptomatology from the first to the second trimester on HRQOL in the second trimester and (2) estimate the change in depressive symptomatology from the second to the third trimester on HRQoL in the third trimester and after delivery, adjusting for covariates. Intra-individual correlations were accounted for using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results The proportion of women with depressive symptoms was 15%, 14%, and 30% in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively, and 9% after delivery. Women who became depressed had scores in the social domains that were 10–23 points and 19–31 points lower in the second and third trimesters, respectively, compared to women with no depressive symptoms. Women who became well had scores that were 3–31 points lower, compared to women with no depressive symptoms. Conclusions Alterations in depressive symptomatology have a substantial effect on functioning during pregnancy and after delivery.
Inter-zone convective heat transfer in buildings: a review

Research work on inter-zone convective heat transfer in buildings is reviewed and the parameters that govern this process are discussed. A limited comparison between the heat transfer rates calculated by existing correlations and those obtained in a full-scale test facility is presented. A number of research areas where more work is needed are identified.
A redenção pela arte

Proponho, por meio de uma breve analise do conto “Cantiga de esponsais”, de Machado de Assis, e do romance A Ilustre Casa de Ramires, de Eca de Queiros, refletir sobre o papel que pode desempenhar a arte no imaginario das pessoas e, consequentemente, na sua existencia encarada como uma totalidade