cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 50: Small molecule Ring1B-Bmi1 inhibitor attenuates PRC1 E3 ligase activity and targets leukemia stem cells self-renewal

Polycomb group proteins, Ring1B and Bmi1 constitute catalytic component of Poly-comb Repressive Complex 1(PRC1) and execute gene silencing through histone H2A lysine119 ubiquitination (H2AK119ub). Bmi1 is overexpressed in a wide range of human cancers and has been implicated in regulation of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) self-renewal capacity. LSCs are refractory to the conventional therapies and eventually lead to the disease relapse. Small-molecule inhibitors of the Ring1B-Bmi1 E3 ligase activity have not been reported to date, but are highly desired as potential therapeutic agents to target LSCs. In the present study, employing fragment-based screening and extensive medicinal chemistry optimization, we developed WY332 that binds to Ring1B-Bmi1 with low micromolar affinity. Extensive characterization of the WY332 demonstrated selective reduction in Ring1B-Bmi1 mediated H2AK119ub levels in vitro and in leukemic cells whereas structurally similar and less potent compound displayed similar effect at much higher concentrations. Treatment of model cell lines, TEX and M9:ENL1, enriched in leukemia initiating cells show that the reduction in H2AK119ub levels is associated with induction of cellular differentiation and altered colony-forming potential. Further, gene expression analysis of TEX cells treated with WY332 indicated reprogramming of CD34+ cells and revealed significant increase in expression of genes suppressed in LSCs. In addition, WY332 treatment led to a marked increase in CD11b expression and significantly decreased CD34 expression in TEX cells. Evaluation of WY332 in patients9 derived primary AML cells further revealed reprogramming of gene expression profile and phenotypic markers associated with LSCs self-renewal property. Overall, these compounds represent the novel small-molecule inhibitors of Ring1B-Bmi1 which inhibit E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and impair leukemic stem cell self-renewal capacity. Citation Format: Shirish Shukla, Felicia Gray, Weijiang Ying, Hyoje Cho, Qingjie Zhao, Hongzhi Miao, Hongzhi Miao, Trupta Purohit, Monica Guzman, Jolanta Grembecka, Tomasz Cierpicki. Small molecule Ring1B-Bmi1 inhibitor attenuates PRC1 E3 ligase activity and targets leukemia stem cells self-renewal [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR Conference on Hematologic Malignancies: Translating Discoveries to Novel Therapies; May 6-9, 2017; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(24_Suppl):Abstract nr 50.
PHENIX Measurements of dNch/dη in small systems

Abstract The PHENIX experiment has excellent data for small systems including p+Au, d+Au, 3He+Au at 200 GeV as well as the d+Au beam energy scan down to 19.6 GeV. We present new measurements of d N c h / d η for all of these systems over a broad range in pseudorapidity − 3 η + 3 and event multiplicity. These measurements provide key constraints of baryon stopping models and are compared with various theoretical calculations. The measurements are also compared with flow observables as a function of pseudorapidity to explore scaling relations. In particular measurements as a function of collision energy provide key inputs for calculations for the upcoming A+A beam energy scan at RHIC in terms of particle production and baryon rapidity shifts.
Pell Grant Versus Income Data in Postsecondary Research

Given growing disparities in college enrollment by household income, policymakers and researchers often are interested in understanding whether policies expand access for low-income students. In th...
Implementing an Opioid Risk Reduction Program in the Acute Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting.

Abstract Objective To describe the implementation and evaluation of an interdisciplinary quality improvement (QI) project to increase prescription of take-home naloxone (THN) to reduce risks associated with opioids for patients admitted to an acute inpatient rehabilitation unit. Design Prospective cohort quality improvement project. Setting Eighteen-bed acute comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation (ACIR) unit at a large academic institution. Participants Patients admitted to ACIR between December 2015-November 2016 (N=788). Interventions An interdisciplinary QI model comprised of planning, education, implementation, and maintenance was used to implement a THN and opioid risk-reduction program involving provider and patient education. Analyses consisted of comparisons between baseline, early, and late phases of the project. Main Outcome Measures (1) The proportion of eligible patients who received a prescription for naloxone upon discharge from ACIR; (2) the proportion of patients originally admitted to ACIR on opioids that were weaned off upon discharge. Results The adjusted odds of eligible patients being discharged from ACIR with a naloxone prescription during the late QI period were 7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3-21) times higher than during the early QI period (late QI period: 43%, 95% CI: 25%-63%; early QI period: 10%, 95% CI: 3%-28%; P Conclusions Implementation of a THN and opioid risk reduction QI project in an inpatient rehabilitation setting led to significantly more eligible patients receiving naloxone and more patients weaned off schedule II opioids.
Adaptive tuning of basal and bolus insulin to reduce postprandial hypoglycemia in a hybrid artificial pancreas

Abstract Objective We introduce an adaptive learning algorithm to better adjust postprandial basal and pre-meal bolus insulin for reducing postprandial hypoglycemia in a hybrid artificial pancreas (AP). An AP uses a control algorithm and sensed glucose to automate the delivery of insulin to people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A hybrid AP requires the person to dose insulin in advance of a meal. Insulin sensitivity is dynamic in people with T1D, making it challenging for an AP to maintain euglycemia. Adaptive approaches to meal dosing can help prevent postprandial hypoglycemia. Methods An adaptive learning postprandial hypoglycemia-prevention algorithm (ALPHA) is introduced. One implementation of ALPHA adjusts the rate of postprandial insulin (ALPHA-BR) proportionally in response to prior postprandial episodes. This is achieved by an adaptive aggressiveness factor applied to postprandial basal insulin. The second implementation adaptively updates the pre-meal bolus insulin by changing the insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio (ALPHA-ICR), also proportionally in response to prior postprandial hypoglycemia. Both implementations were evaluated within an AP on an in-silico T1D virtual population of 99 subjects with circadian insulin sensitivity variations and 30% errors on meal estimations. Twenty real-world 4-day meal scenarios were given and glycemic outcomes were compared with an AP with no adaptation. Results Out of the 99 in-silico subjects, 23 of them experienced postprandial hypoglycemia leading to greater than 1% overall time in hypoglycemia. Of these 23 subjects, we evaluated the benefit of using ALPHA-BR and ALPHA-ICR to prevent postprandial hypoglycemia. ALPHA-BR yielded substantially fewer percent time in hypoglycemia compared to AP (0.54% vs 1.92%, p Conclusion Incorporating adaptive meal dosing into an AP can help reduce postprandial hypoglycemia, and the reduction is primarily due to changes in postprandial insulin delivery rather than pre-meal bolus. Significance Adapting postprandial insulin can lead to substantial reduction in postprandial hypoglycemia and the adaptive algorithm presented can be used both to tune an algorithm prior to a study and to adapt to individuals during real-time usage.
LDPC Codes for Portable DNA Storage

DNA becomes an attractive storage medium in recent years for its ultra-high density, millennial-long endurance, and efficient replication. In this work we consider DNA storage that uses the affordable and portable nanopore sequencing as the reading mechanics. Unlike traditional data storage systems, errors occur asymmetrically among the four types of nucleotide bases of DNA. Quaternary codes can be employed for error correction, but suffer from high complexity. In this paper, we design binary LDPC codes with a turbo-like decoder for the DNA storage channel. Simulation results show that our binary LDPC codes have a similar bit-error rate but with a speed up by a factor of 4 compared to quaternary codes.
Non-catalytic ash effect on char reactivity.

Abstract This investigation reviews non-catalytic ash effects on char reactivity based on several biomass chars. Biomass ash contents vary substantially among fuel types and are typified by the three fuels compared in this investigation. These fuels have ash-content ratios of about 40:1, which should allow experimental observation of ash effects. In addition, the experiments explore char gasification rates under kinetically controlled conditions that should highlight the effects of ash. By contrast, diffusion controlled burning rates may mask the types of ash effects observed here. The experimental and theoretical results indicate that refractory material such as ash reduces kinetic reaction rates by rendering portions of the surface area inert as char burnout proceeds and ash content increases. Ash also affects particle size in a somewhat compensatory manner. A theoretical model has been developed to quantify the ash effect. This model indicates that all chars from ash-forming fuels should experience similar behavior, which manifests itself as a decrease in the kinetic burning rate in late stages of burnout even though the kinetic reactivity of the char does not change.
Who governs? Religion and order in postcolonial Africa

This article explores how mutually productive intersections between religion and governance constitute international political order in sub-Saharan settings. Asking ‘who governs’, I propose religio...
Oral Immunotherapy for Multiple Foods in a Pediatric Allergy Clinic Setting

AA Eapen, WJ Lavery, JS Siddiqui, MB Lierl. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol . 2019;123(6):573–581.e3 To summarize the clinical experience with multiple-food oral immunotherapy (OIT) in a pediatric allergy clinic. Selected patients had a low likelihood of spontaneous resolution of food allergies and strong family motivation to adhere to the protocol. Those with a history of, or symptoms suggestive of, eosinophilic esophagitis were excluded. Food allergies were diagnosed by a combination of clinical history, positive skin prick test (SPT) and/or sIgE test results and/or reactions to oral food …
Central line placement at ECMO decannulation: A missed opportunity.

Abstract Introduction ECMO is a support modality for refractory critical illness. This study reviews the incidence and utility of central venous line (CVL) placement at pediatric ECMO decannulation. Methods A single-institution retrospective study of patients undergoing open neck decannulation from 2015 to 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: ≤ 28-days and > 28-days. Results Of 65 patients, 31% had a CVL placed at decannulation. Sepsis and pneumonia were the most common indications for ECMO in the older-group compared to CDH in neonates. The most common indications for CVL were hemodialysis (45%), monitoring (25%), and access (25%). 89% of neonates had an access line placed, whereas 73% of the older group received hemodialysis catheters. Median CRRT requirement was 20 days. 85% of lines were functional at time of removal or death. None were removed for infection. 40% of the patients not receiving a CVL at decannulation required one within 30 days. Conclusion 69% of patients did not have a CVL placed at decannulation, however 40% required a CVL within 30 days. Most lines placed at decannulation remained functional and none were removed for infection. Decannulation removes the circuit as a route for vascular access, but it also presents an opportunity to safely place an essential CVL.
Erythropoietin is not a risk factor for severe retinopathy of prematurity among high risk preterm infants

Abstract Background Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a developmental retinal vaso-proliferative disease and a leading cause of blindness in children. Early gestational age, low birth weight and unregulated oxygen exposure are the main risk factors for the development of ROP. There are conflicting reports of a possible association between recombinant Erythropoietin (rhEPO) use and an increased risk for the development of ROP. Objective To determine whether rhEPO is an independent risk factor for the development of severe ROP among preterm infants with a gestational age of 23 to 32 weeks and a birth weight 1500 grams. Methods We performed a retrospective study of risk factors for ROP on a cohort of 1762 premature infants born between 2009 and 2014, half of whom received rhEPO. To examine the association between treated ROP and rhEPO, a propensity score (PS) analysis was performed using the inverse probability of treatment weighted (IPTW) approach. Results The incidence of treated ROP was 7.3 % (129/1762). PS analysis did not show an association between rhEPO and severe ROP needing treatment or ROP stage 2 or higher, in either the whole population or in the subgroup of babies born at 23 to 28 weeks gestation, in whom the incidence of severe ROP was the highest. Of 117 patients treated for Type 1 or worsening stage 3 ROP, 17 were first diagnosed after NICU discharge. Conclusion Our study showed no association between Erythropoietin use and severe ROP and highlights the importance of Ophthalmology follow up after hospital discharge.
MDS-090: Phase II Study of the IDH2 Inhibitor Enasidenib in Patients with High-Risk IDH2-Mutated Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Context: Isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) mutations occur in 5% of patients (pts) with MDS. Enasidenib (ENA) is a selective oral mutant-IDH2 inhibitor with single-agent activity in relapsed/refractory AML. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of ENA, as monotherapy or in combination with azacitidine (AZA), in pts with higher-risk IDH2-mutated MDS (NCT03383575). Design and Setting: Multi-institutional, open-label, two-arm, non-randomized, phase II study. Patients and Interventions: Pts with higher-risk (R-IPSS > 3, or high-molecular-risk MDS/CMML, or RAEB-T MDS) enrolled in Arm A and received ENA100 mg orally daily for 14 or 28 d of each 28-d cycle + AZA 75 mg/m2 IV or SC on d 1–7 of each cycle (ENA+AZA). ENA duration was decreased to 14 d of each cycle, per amendment, to mitigate cytopenias. Pts with refractory or progressive MDS prior to HMA therapy enrolled in Arm B and received ENA alone (ENA), continuously, in 28-d cycles. Main Outcome Measures: The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) [complete remission (CR), marrow CR (mCR), partial remission (PR), and hematologic improvement (HI)]. Other endpoints include safety and survival outcomes. Results: 48 pts received ENA+AZA (n = 26) or ENA (n = 22). The median age was 73 yrs (range, 46–83). Most pts (72%) had HMR: ASXL1 (39%) and RUNX1 (17%). Common Tx-related grade 3–4 AEs in the ENA+AZA arm were neutropenia (64%), thrombocytopenia (28%), and anemia (8%); these occurred in 10%, 0%, and 5%, in the ENA arm, respectively. IDH differentiation syndrome occurred in 3 pts (12%) in the ENA+AZA and 5 pts (24%) in the ENA arm. In response-evaluable pts (n = 46), ORR was 84% (n = 21/25; 24% CR + 8% PR+44% mCR+ 8% HI] in the treatment-naive Arm A and 43% (n = 9/21; 24% CR+5%PR+5% mCR+10% HI) in the HMA failure ENA arm B. After a median follow-up of 12.6 mo, median OS was 32.2 mo in the ENA+AZA arm and 21.3 mo in the ENA arm. Conclusions: ENA is well-tolerated and shows promising efficacy in IDH2-mutated higher-risk MDS. Follow-up and accrual are ongoing.
Are 'Legal' Marijuana Contracts 'Illegal'?

America is currently in the midst of a “legal” marijuana business boom. In states which have legalized marijuana thousands of businesses have been created and are being openly operated despite the continued prohibition on their main product by the federal Controlled Substances Abuse Act. As a regular part of their business, these companies enter into contracts which violate the CSA, for example, every time they sell their main product. These businesses, and their stakeholders, rely upon the enforceability of these contracts in order to regulate their relationships. However, under the “illegality” or public policy defense to the enforcement of contracts these contracts are arguably all void and unenforceable. Under the traditional understanding of this defense not only will an illegal contract not be enforced but any consideration paid will not even be returned. This defense is grounded in the public policy against encouraging illegal behavior and is a product of state law. Should courts apply it to the marijuana industry which has been legalized also under state law when it clearly is not against the public policy of states which have legalized marijuana to allow for the sale of marijuana? This article explores the effects of the conflict between federal and state marijuana laws on these businesses’ ability to enter into legally enforceable contracts. This article argues that marijuana contracts do not in fact violate public policy and therefore should be enforced despite their illegality. Nevertheless, courts should exercise restraint in enforcing these agreements, particularly in applying equitable remedies such as specific performance, so as to avoid forcing individuals to violate federal law.
Pasture Supplementation of Distillers Dried Grains to Growing Heifers in Southern Iowa

Introduction The rapid growth of the ethanol industry in the upper Midwest is well documented. This growth affects the Iowa cattle industry on several levels. Increased demand for corn puts pressure on feed and pasture costs and availability. However, increased production of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) may provide an economical supplement to provide nutrients and stretch pasture supplies. DDGS have many benefits for forage based beef production. Relatively high levels of undegraded protein, can be needed early in the grazing season. Low levels of starch and high levels of phosphorous complement forage based systems. Convenient and cost effective systems of feed delivery may limit the successful application of supplementation programs incorporating DDGS. Also lower levels of supplements may simply stimulate feed intake rather than substitute for forage intake. This study was designed to evaluate two levels of DDGS supplementation with grazing heifers under Southern Iowa grazing conditions.
Substance Abuse in Patients With Comorbid Anxiety Disorder A Comparative Study

The nature of substance-related disorder (SRD) inpatients with comorbid anxiety disorder (AD) is not well understood. Sucb patients may be “self-medicating,” in which case we would expect greater abuse of antianxiety or sedating substances. To address these issues, the authors compared 36 patients with comorbid SRD-AD with 308 SRD-only patients. Relatively more women were in the SRD-AD group, but other demographic characteristics did not differ between the two groups. Several childhood variables (related to problematic behavior and academic problems) did distinguish the two groups. Unexpectedly, the SRD-AD patients met fewer diagnostic criteria for cannabis and opiate diagnoses (P < 0.01). Family history revealed less maternal SRD in the SRD-AD group. Numerous indices of course and severity failed to reveal many differences between the two groups. These data suggest that SRD type and severity among comorbid SRD-AD patients closely resembles those among SRD-only patients. These data have implications for t...
Small label classes in 2-distinguishing labelings

A graph G is said to be 2 -distinguishable if there is a labeling of the vertices with two labels so that only the trivial automorphism preserves the labels. Call the minimum size of a label class in such a labeling of G the cost of 2 -distinguishing G and denote it by ρ ( G ). This paper shows that for n ≥ 5, ⌈log 2 n ⌉ + 1 ≤ ρ ( Q n ) ≤ 2⌈log 2 n ⌉ − 1, where Q n is the hypercube of dimension n .
Effects of castration and sex hormones on immune clearance and autoimmune disease in MRLMp-lprlpr and MRLMp-+/+ mice

Abstract The clearance of erythrocytes sensitized with IgG was studied in MRL Mp - lpr lpr (MRL-lpr) and MRL Mp -+/+ (MRL-+/+) mice, which spontaneously develop autoimmune disease. In both strains, an age-dependent decline in clearance of IgG-sensitized erythrocytes was found. Impaired clearance occurred at an earlier age in MRL-lpr mice than in MRL-+/+ mice, correlating with the relative severity of autoimmune disease in these strains. Androgen treatment improved clearance in MRL-+/+ mice but not in MRL-lpr mice, even though autoantibody levels, renal function, and survival were improved. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of androgen on autoimmune disease are not due solely to improved clearance of immune complexes. Castration followed by estrogen administration did not influence immune clearance or autoimmune disease in MRL-lpr mice. These results indicate that impaired immune clearance is a common feature in several autoimmune mouse strains. However, the effects of sex hormones on immune clearance and autoimmune disease may be dissociated in some strains.
Analysis of Superoxide Dismutase Activity

Measuring the activity of superoxide dismutases (SODs), the enzymes responsible for maintaining the steady state level of hydrogen peroxide, is challenging because the substrate is unstable at physiological pH and it reacts with itself. Fortunately the rate of reaction with dismutase is far greater than the rate of self reaction. As described in this unit, this activity can be measured indirectly based on competition between SOD and an indicator molecule that reacts avidly with superoxide to produce a measurable change in absorption, thus it is possible to measure total SOD activity or that of CuZn-SOD and MnSOD. The activity can also be measured by an activity stain applied to thin-film agarose or native polyacrylamide gels.
Source of energy for the Escherichia coli galactose transport systems induced by galactose.

The β-methyl-galactoside- and galactose-specific transport systems of Escherichia coli were shown by experiments involving inhibitors and the use of an adenosine triphosphatase mutant strain to utilize adenosine 5′-triphosphate or a related compound to drive active transport. These systems were shown to be unable to use the activated-membrane state. The galactose-specific transport system was shown to behave most like a member of the binding-protein class of transport systems by its response to osmotic shock and vesicle formation. These results extended to two sugar transport systems: the correlation between the source of energy and class of transport system found by Berger (1973) for amino acid transport systems. That is, binding-protein systems utilized adenosine 5′-triphosphate whereas membrane-bound systems utilized the activated-membrane state to drive active transport.
Primary Stenting for Acute Ischemic Stroke Using the Enterprise Intracranial Stent: 2-Year Results of a Phase-I Trial

BACKGROUND:The preliminary results of a prospective consecutive series of 20 patients whounderwent Enterprise-assisted recanalization for acute ischemic stroke wererecently reported. Recanalization to Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)grade 2 (n=6) or 3 (n=12) flow was achieved in 18 patients (90%revascularization rate). Good outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score of ≤2)was obtained in 10 patients (50%) at 30 days. Here we report the 2-yearclinical follow–up data for patients enrolled in that prospective study.METHODS:Study patients were scheduled for examinations 2 years postprocedure at whichtime mRS and Barthel indices were obtained.RESULTS:Among 12 survivors at 2 years, 11 of the 20 (55%) study patients improved tomRS score <2 and 1 (5%) patient was disabled with an mRS 4. Of the 11patients with mRS 0-2 scores, 10 patients had a Barthel index of 100 and theeleventh had a Barthel index of 95. One patient improved from mRS 3 to 2 duringthe interval between the 6 and 12-month postintervention evaluations afterintervention. Eight of 13 (62%) survivors underwent follow-up imaging at 6months without evidence of instent stenosis or thrombosis.CONCLUSION: At 2 years of follow-up, improvementin quality of life after acute stroke intervention was sustained; and 11 of 12(92%) survivors had an excellent functional outcome. Improvement in functionalstatus can occur even up to 1 year after stroke intervention. These results 2years after acute stroke intervention demonstrate sustained benefit from acute intervention.
Clinical Protein and Immunofixation Electrophoresis

Electrophoresis is a laboratory method fundamental to the diagnosis and management of plasma cell disorders. Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) is commonly used to detect the presence of circulating monoclonal proteins. Urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) is used to detect the presence of monoclonal proteins (usually free immunoglobulin light chains) in the urine. In conjunction with total protein measurement and scanning densitometry, both methods can be used to quantify the amount of abnormal protein present. Immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE), a related technique, is used to confirm that the restricted bands observed by protein electrophoresis are monoclonal, as well as to characterize the types of monoclonal antibody present. Information gathered from SPEP, UPEP, and IFE is used in the assessment of disease categorization, severity, and prognosis.
THE NUCLEAR MATRIZ OF THE PROSTATE CONTAINS ACCEPTOR SITES FOR ANDROGEN RECEPTORS

In cell-free binding experiments, androgen receptors of rat ventral prostate cytosol bound with high affinity (Kd = 10−10 M) to a saturable number of sites (acceptors) associated with the nuclear matrix of the prostate. This binding was dependent on the presence of an activated androgen-receptor complex. In addition, the binding was tissue-specific, since liver nuclear matrix, in contrast, contained only 15–20% as many acceptors for androgen receptors as the prostate nuclear matrix. The prostate nuclear matrix contained approximately 75% of the number of total nuclear acceptor sites. Matrix-associated acceptor sites appear to be associated with the internal RNA-protein network of the nuclear matrix since the peripheral lamina component of the matrix bound only 30% as many receptors as the intact nuclear matrix.
Economic Approaches To the Evaluation of Research

This article reviews the principal methods economists and benefitlcost analysts use in evaluating research. These methods usually involve computing impacts using market information, mone tizing the impacts, and then comparing the value of the impacts with the cost of research. Two principal measures are common in the literature: surplus measures (consumers' surplus, producers'surplus, and combinations thereof) and productivity measures (average or marginal contributions of research and development [R&D] at firm, industry, national, or international levels). Given known time streams of benefits and costs, internal rates of return to R&D investments are then computed The article notes both the standard technical difficulties with these approaches and the political and organizational difficulties in using them.
Using the Skindex-16 and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events to assess rash symptoms: results of a pooled-analysis (N0993)

Background Historically, skin toxicity has been assessed in prospective clinical trials using the clinician-reported National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). The patient-reported Skindex-16 measures symptoms and perceptions of toxicity. This study was designed to compare information provided by these two measures.
The effects of a joint range-of-motion physical fitness training program on the automobile driving skills of older adults☆

Abstract Previous attempts to sustain the automobile driving skills of older adults have centered on modifying the driving environment, improving the design of the vehicle, or introducing comprehensive educational programs. This research represents the first experimental investigation of the effects of a physical fitness training program on the automobile driving performance of older adults. Thirty-two older adults were assigned randomly, stratified by gender, to either an experimental group who participated in an 8 week range-of-motion exercise training program or a control group. A 2 (Experimental group/Control group) × 3 (Testing Session) repeated measures experimental design was used to examine the effects of the 8 week range-of-motion exercise training program on subject range of motion and a field-based assessment of automobile driving skill. The results indicated that the program was successful in improving subject shoulder flexibility and trunk rotation, as well as improving scores on the driving skill measure of observing.
Those who can, Do—Those who can’t...: Marketing professors and the Robinson-Patman act

In the academic world of marketing professors, we like to think we know everything that is “relevant” about marketing. Of course we do not, because the discipline is too broad and diverse for one to be thoroughly knowledgeable in all its aspects. This article examines the understanding of the ROBINSON-PATMAN ACT by university professors. This 1936 law is the most important marketing statute dealing with pricing activities. Marketing students must be exposed to this key legislation during their marketing classes. But do marketing professors understand the law well enough to teach it?
Using computers as contingency managers in self-monitoring interventions: A case study

Abstract A computer program was developed to assist in teaching a child the skills of self-observation and self-recording. The computer served as program manager by setting goals, insuring goal rehearsal by the child, providing feedback, dispensing contingent reinforcement with video games, thinning the schedule of reinforcement, and maintaining records of behavioral change. A reversal experimental design showed that the program was effective in reducing out-of-seat behavior.
Targeted neurosurgical outreach: 5-year follow-up of operative skill transfer and sustainable care in Lima, Peru

Purpose This study evaluates the efficacy of operative skill transfer in the context of targeted pediatric outreach missions. In addition, the ability to implement surgical care improvements that are sustainable is investigated. Methods Three 1-week targeted neurosurgical missions were performed (2004–2006) to teach neuroendoscopy, which included donation of the necessary equipment so newly acquired surgical skills could be performed by local neurosurgeons in between and after the departure of the mission team. After the targeted missions were completed, 5 years of neuroendoscopy case follow-up data were obtained. Results After performing pediatric neurosurgery missions in 2004–2006, with a focus on teaching neuroendoscopy, the host team demonstrated the sustainability of our didactic efforts in the subsequent 5 years by performing cases independently for their citizens. To date, a total of 196 operations have been performed in the past 5 years independent of any visiting team. Conclusions Effective operative skill transfer to host neurosurgeons can be accomplished with limited international team visits utilizing a targeted approach that minimizes expenditures on personnel and capital. With the priority being teaching of an operative technique, as opposed to perennially performing operations by the mission team, sustainable surgical care was achieved after missions officially concluded.
Home range and habitat selection of southern flying squirrels in fragmented forests

We investigated home range and habitat selection behaviors of 44 and 50 southern flying squirrels (Gtaucomys votans), respectively, on 5 study areas during the summers of 1994 through 1996 in the Ouachita National Forest of Arkansas. Study areas consisted of fragmented forests around 15-ha core stands in which squirrels were captured in nest boxes during winter surveys and radiocollared. Three of the core stands were mature pine-hardwood forest, one was a pine-hardwood shelterwood harvest, and the last was a pine-hardwood seedtree harvest. Home ranges of males (x = 16.03 ha, SE = 4.36, n = 18) were larger than those of females at the ∞ = 0.10 level (x = 5.88 ha, SE = 0.74, n = 26) and showed high variability. The largest home ranges of males were associated with fragmented forests in which nesting and foraging areas were widely separated. Females generally demonstrated philopatry in foraging patterns within nesting habitats. Male and female home ranges were relatively small in forests where hard mast was abundant. Where mast resources were limited in favored nesting habitats, home ranges of males were larger and encompassed distant foraging patches. Squirrels used mature forest corridors to travel through plantations and harvested areas. Squirrels selected mature pine-hardwood forest, protected greenbelt riparian zones, and mature hardwood forest during nightly activity periods. Young (<15y old) and immature (15–40 y old) pine plantations were avoided. Snag density was correlated with squirrel density on a subset of 9 stands in which snag abundance was sampled. These results show southern flying squirrels to be selective in habitat use and sensitive to forest disturbance, not forest generalists, as has been previously reported. Forests managed to provide the greatest opportunity for the persistence of southern flying squirrels should retain protected forest along ephemeral streams within harvested areas, forested corridors connecting mature forest patches, and a mature hardwood component within the matrix of seral forests stages. The seedtree harvest regime, imposed in an already fragmented forest, appeared to represent a level of habitat alteration incompatible with successful flying squirrel occupation.
TRACERJD: Generic trace-based dynamic dependence analysis with fine-grained logging

We present the design and implementation of TRACERJD, a toolkit devoted to dynamic dependence analysis via fine-grained whole-program dependence tracing. TRACERJD features a generic framework for efficient offline analysis of dynamic dependencies, including those due to exception-driven control flows. Underlying the framework is a hierarchical trace indexing scheme by which TRACERJD maintains the relationships among execution events at multiple levels of granularity while capturing those events at runtime. Built on this framework, several application tools are provided as well, including a dynamic slicer and a performance profiler. These example applications also demonstrate the flexibility and ease with which a variety of client analyses can be built based on the framework. We tested our toolkit on four Java subjects, for which the results suggest promising efficiency of TRACERJD for its practical use in various dependence-based tasks.
Drug excretion in human breast milk: principles, pharmacokinetics and projected consequences.

The excretion of drugs in human breast milk is reviewed with regard to milk production, composition, feeding patterns and mechanisms of drug transfer into milk. Fundamental principles of breast milk excretion are used to construct a pharmacokinetic approach useful for the study of most drugs. An infant-modulated 3-compartment open model is proposed for drug distribution and elimination in the breast feeding woman. Milk/plasma drug concentration ratios are projected on the basis of pH partitioning. While some studies confirm these projections, other studies demonstrate a need to consider additional factors such as lipid solubility and protein binding characteristics of a drug in milk.
Somatic muscle specification during embryonic and post-embryonic development in the nematode C. elegans

Myogenesis has proved to be a powerful paradigm for understanding cell fate specification and differentiation in many model organisms. Studies of somatic bodywall muscle (BWM) development in Caenorhabditis elegans allow us to define, with single cell resolution, the distinct hierarchies of transcriptional regulators needed for myogenesis throughout development. Although all 95 BWM cells appear uniform after differentiation, there are several different regulatory cascades employed embryonically and post-embryonically. These, in turn, are integrated into multiple extrinsic cell signaling events. The convergence of these different pathways on the key nodal point, that is the activation of the core muscle module, commits individual cells to myogenesis. Comparisons of myogenesis between C. elegans and other model systems provide insights into the evolution of contractile cell types, demonstrating the conservation of regulatory schemes for muscles throughout the animal kingdom.
Initial Experience with Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is now increasingly used as an approach for cholecystectomy, based on anecdotal reports of decreased pain, reduced need for hospitalization, and a better cosmetic result. This is a report of a single surgeon's (JKE) initial experience with single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC). Study Design We collected concurrent data on 238 consecutive patients undergoing SILC by 1 surgeon in a community hospital over 12 months. Results From June 2008 to June 2009, 238 consecutive patients underwent an attempted SILC for biliary colic or dyskinesia (75%) or acute cholecystitis (25%) by a single surgeon. Conversion to a standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy was necessary in 6 patients (2.5%) for inflammation or bleeding (n = 4) or short cystic duct (n = 2). Conversion to an open cholecystectomy was necessary in 1 patient (0.42%) for a short cystic duct. No injuries to the common bile duct occurred, the average operative time was 40 minutes, and 95% of patients (n = 226) were discharged home on the day of operation. Postoperative port site hematomas occurred in 3 patients (1.3%), and dehiscence of the umbilical skin incision in 2 (0.8%). No perioperative deaths occurred. Conclusions This initial experience with SILC documents that the results of the procedure are equivalent to those with the standard procedure using 4 widely-spaced ports when performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. Randomized trials will be necessary to document the suggested benefits of decreased pain and shorter hospitalization.
Drug Court Graduation Rates: Implications for Policy Advocacy and Future Research

Drug courts offer treatment as an alternative to incarceration for criminal offenders with a history of substance abuse. This study contributes to the existing literature by using logistic regression analyses to predict graduation outcomes for participants of a drug court located in a major metropolitan area of Texas. The most predictive variables of graduating the drug court were being employed or being a student at the time of admission, having fewer positive drug tests, and being White. Implications for policy advocacy and future research are discussed, focusing specifically on the finding of racial disparities in graduation outcomes.
Photoreactive analog of peptide FN-C/H-V from the carboxy-terminal heparin-binding domains of fibronectin supports endothelial cell adhesion and spreading on biomaterial surfaces.

The extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN) plays an important role in cell adhesion, spreading, and motility. Several cell-adhesion promoting domains exist within fibronectin, and peptide sequences from these domains have been shown to play an important role in cell interactions with fibronectin. Recently, a peptide sequence (FN-C/H-V) from the 33/66 kD carboxy-terminal heparin-binding domains of fibronectin was shown to promote the adhesion and spreading of vascular endothelial cells in vitro. Endothelial cell spreading on this peptide was followed by cytoskeletal reorganization, focal contact formation, and, ultimately, cell migration. In the current study, a photoreactive analog of FN-C/H-V (ASD-V) was generated using a heterobifunctional photoreactive crosslinking agent, sulfosuccinimidyl 2-(pazidosalicylamido) ethyl-1,3'-dithio-propionate. ASD-V was then covalently coupled to polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate film (PET) in order to assess the utility of ASD-V for preparing biomaterial surfaces with endothelial cell-adhesion promoting properties. The effects of pre-adsorption time and initial coating concentration on the efficiency of ASD-V coupling to PS and to PET were examined. Contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize ASD-V-modified surfaces. Finally, the adhesion and spreading of vascular endothelial cells on ASD-V-modified surfaces was assessed. Our results suggest that photoreactive peptides are an effective and convenient means of modifying biomaterial surfaces to impart adhesion-promoting properties and that ASD-V, when coupled to PS and PET, promotes endothelial cell adhesion and spreading and may therefore be useful as a biomaterial surface modification in applications where re-endothelialization is desired (e.g., autologous endothelial seeding of vascular grafts, or transplantation of genetically engineered endothelial cells via polymer-coated stents.
Combining Radiography and Passive Measurements for Radiological Threat Localization in Cargo

Detecting shielded special nuclear material (SNM) in a cargo container is a difficult problem, since shielding reduces the amount of radiation escaping the container. Radiography provides information that is complementary to that provided by passive gamma-ray detection systems: while not directly sensitive to radiological materials, radiography can reveal highly shielded regions that may mask a passive radiological signal. Combining these measurements has the potential to improve SNM detection, either through improved sensitivity or by providing a solution to the inverse problem to estimate source properties (strength and location). We present a data-fusion method that uses a radiograph to provide an estimate of the radiation-transport environment for gamma rays from potential sources. This approach makes quantitative use of radiographic images without relying on image interpretation, and results in a probabilistic description of likely source locations and strengths. We present results for this method for a modeled test case of a cargo container passing through a plastic-scintillator-based radiation portal monitor and a transmission-radiography system. We find that a radiograph-based inversion scheme allows for localization of a low-noise source placed randomly within the test container to within 40 cm, compared to 70 cm for triangulation alone, while strength estimation accuracy is improved by a factor of six. Improvements are seen in regions of both high and low shielding, but are most pronounced in highly shielded regions. The approach proposed here combines transmission and emission data in a manner that has not been explored in the cargo-screening literature, advancing the ability to accurately describe a hidden source based on currently-available instrumentation.
An experimental evaluation of theory-based mother and mother-child programs for children of divorce

This study evaluated the efficacy of 2 theory-based preventive interventions for divorced families: a program for mothers and a dual component mother-child program. The mother program targeted mother-child relationship quality, discipline, interparental conflict, and the father-child relationship. The child program targeted active coping, avoidant coping, appraisals of divorce stressors, and mother-child relationship quality. Families with a 9- to 12-year-old child (N = 240) were randomly assigned to the mother, dual-component, or self-study program. Postintervention comparisons showed significant positive program effects of the mother program versus self-study condition on relationship quality, discipline, attitude toward father-child contact, and adjustment problems. For several outcomes, more positive effects occurred in families with poorer initial functioning. Program effects on externalizing problems were maintained at 6-month follow-up. A few additive effects of the dual-component program occurred for the putative mediators; none occurred for adjustment problems.
A compact, optofluidic system for measuring red blood cell concentration

We developed a compact, single-cell imaging system for measuring red blood cell (RBC) concentration from diluted, whole blood samples. Key element of the design is the integration of a microfabricated lens array with a commercial haemocytometer. To image large areas and therefore a larger number of cells, the field of view (FOV) can be adjusted by simply increasing the thickness of the haemocytometer coverslip. We used a FOV = 200 μm, corresponding to a resolution of 0.53 μm, to demonstrate RBC counting: counts obtained from our system were in excellent agreement with counts obtained from standard microscopy and flow cytometry over a range of dilution factors.
Forgotten histories and (mis)remembered cultures: the Comback party of Curaçao

Through a collective process of forgetting and (mis)remembering, a community's past assumes mythological status, manipulated through a perceived remembrance that addresses present and future needs. This paper explores how systems of forgetting and (mis)remembering exert profound influence upon the collective memory and identity of the individuals in a society, with an examination of the Afro‐Curacaoan community offered as a compelling example. I seek to demonstrate the processes whereby Afro‐Curacaoans raise the island of Cuba to mythological vision and continue to celebrate the assumed Cuban fountainhead of their cultural belonging through the Comback party.
Critical nucleus phase diagram for the Cu(100) surface

An experimental exploration of island nucleation dynamics during epitaxial film growth on the $\mathrm{Cu}(100)$ surface is presented that connects previous results from other groups at low temperatures with the room temperature regime. The steady-state balance of various atomistic processes during island nucleation has direct impact on the physical properties of epitaxial films, e.g., larger nuclei densities allow layer-by-layer growth to be achieved at lower temperatures. Within many theoretical frameworks, the critical nuclei size $i$ (the largest assembly of atoms with a higher probability for decay than growth) plays a major role in determining island nuclei densities, and, by extension, the physics of film growth. This paper presents island density and island size distributions from recent STM studies and analysis that allows for accurate determination of the critical nuclei size at various deposition rates and temperatures near room temperature and the $i=1$ to $i=3$ boundary (dimer to tetramer stable island). This is accomplished by using the scaling behavior of coarsening to develop statistical weight by rescaling individual distributions and summing them. The rescaled island size distributions are then compared with analytical models that allow unambiguous assignment of the critical island size. The results of this study are then combined with previously published results from other researchers to determine empirically the structure of the phase boundary from $i=1$ to $i=3$ as a function of temperature and deposition rate. At low temperatures and fluxes, the observed position of the phase boundary agrees with predictions when only adatom mobility is considered. Deviations at higher temperatures suggest that the mobility of dimers and other small islands may be important in determining the effective critical nucleus near room temperature.