cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extrinsic Religious Orientation and Well-Being: Is Their Negative Association Real or Spurious?

Turning to religion to seek its social benefits has been associated with poor psychological well-being. Researchers have concluded that endorsing this extrinsic and social orientation toward religion is inauthentic and unhealthy. However, few studies have focused on extrinsic-social religious orientation’s negative relationship with well-being, leaving open the possibility that their relationship is spurious. The present study argues that people endorsing an extrinsic-social religious orientation also perceive lower levels of social support in their lives, thus their turning to religion to fill this social void. As social support is important for healthy psychological functioning, perceived social support may be the critical third variable explaining why extrinsic-social religious orientation appears to have psychological costs. This study supported our expectations among undergraduates in two countries: the United States (N = 156) and the Republic of Ireland (N = 255). There were negative bivariate associations between extrinsic-social religious orientation and both perceived social support and emotional well-being. Accounting for the effects of perceived social support, however, reduced the association between the extrinsic-social religious orientation and well-being to non-significance. Thus, people endorsing an extrinsic and social orientation toward religion tend to have poor well-being because they perceive less supportive relationships in their lives.
Scholar or Librarian? How Academic Libraries' Dualistic Concept of the Bibliographer Affects Recruitment

The early 1990s are not the best of times to operate an academic library collection management unit. Financial woes abound: the escalating cost of materials (particularly serials), the continued proliferation of print sources, and the explosive development of expensive electronic media all conspire to increase the pressure on already strained acquisitions budgets. The problems are not exclusively fiscal, however. There appears to be a new and growing personnel problem: the difficulty of recruiting capable collection management staff.
Endogenous TGF-β activation by reactive oxygen species is key to Foxp3 induction in TCR-stimulated and HIV-1-infected human CD4+CD25- T cells

CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) play an important role in regulating immune responses, and in influencing human immune diseases such as HIV infection. It has been shown that human CD4+CD25+ Tregs can be induced in vitro by TCR stimulation of CD4+CD25- T cells. However, the mechanism remains elusive, and intriguingly, similar treatment of murine CD4+CD25- cells did not induce CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs unless exogenous TGF-β was added during stimulation. Thus, we investigated the possible role of TGF-β in the induction of human Tregs by TCR engagement. We also explored the effects of TGF-β on HIV-1 infection mediated induction of human Tregs since recent evidence has suggested that HIV-1 infection may also impact the generation of Tregs in infected patients. We show here that endogenous TGF-β is key to TCR induction of Foxp3 in human CD4+CD25- T cells. These events involve, first, the production of TGF-β by TCR and CD28 stimulation and the activation of latent TGF-β by reactive oxygen species generated from the activated T cells. Biologically active TGF-β then engages in the induction of Foxp3. Neutralization of active TGF-β with anti-TGF-β antibody or elimination of ROS with MnTBAP abrogated Foxp3 expression. HIV-1 infection enhanced Foxp3 expression in activated CD4+CD25- T cells; which was also abrogated by blockade of endogenous TGF-β. Several conclusions can be drawn from this work: (1) TCR and CD28-induced Foxp3 expression is a late event following TCR stimulation; (2) TGF-β serves as a link in Foxp3 induction in human CD4+CD25- T cells following TCR stimulation, which induces not only latent, but also active TGF-β; (3) the activation of TGF-β requires reactive oxygen species; (4) HIV infection results in an increase in Foxp3 expression in TCR-activated CD25- T cells, which is also associated with TGF-β. Taken together, our findings reinforce a definitive role of TGF-β not only in the generation of Tregs with respect to normal immune responses, but also is critical in immune diseases such as HIV-1 infection.
On the structure factor of large angle boundaries

A scheme for computing the structure factor of large angle boundaries which can be described in terms of a coincidence superlattice is presented. The superlattice spans both crystals and is used as a reference lattice. The structure factors of two large-angle coincidence boundaries — the twin and lateral twin boundaries in face centered cubic structures — are calculated to illustrate the method. Es wird ein Schema zur Berechnung des Strukturfaktors von Groswinkelgrenzen angegeben, die mit einem Koinzidenz-Ubergitter beschrieben werden konnen. Das Ubergitter umspannt beide Kristalle und wird als Referenzgitter benutzt. Der Strukturfaktor von zwei Groswinkel-Koinzidenzgrenzen, Zwillings- und Nebenwillingsgrenzen in flachenzentrierten kubischen Strukturen, werden berechnet, um die Methode zu illustrieren.
Temperature-dependence of optical constants in phase-change media

The reflectivity of the phase-change media of optical recording changes slightly upon the application of a weak laser pulse (i.e., a pulse of insufficient power to write/erase a mark), returning to its initial value at the end of the pulse. This behavior is shown to be due to the temperature-dependence of the optical constants of the phase-change layer.
Thapsigargin induces biphasic fragmentation of mitochondria through calcium‐mediated mitochondrial fission and apoptosis

Mitochondrial fission and fusion are the main components mediating the dynamic change of mitochondrial morphology observed in living cells. While many protein factors directly participating in mitochondrial dynamics have been identified, upstream signals that regulate mitochondrial morphology are not well understood. In this study, we tested the role of intracellular Ca2+ in regulating mitochondrial morphology. We found that treating cells with the ER Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (TG) induced two phases of mitochondrial fragmentation. The initial fragmentation of mitochondria occurs rapidly within minutes dependent on an increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels, and Ca2+ influx into mitochondria is necessary for inducing mitochondrial fragmentation. The initial mitochondrial fragmentation is a transient event, as tubular mitochondrial morphology was restored as the Ca2+ level decreased. We were able to block the TG-induced mitochondrial fragmentation by inhibiting mitochondrial fission proteins DLP1/Drp1 or hFis1, suggesting that increased mitochondrial Ca2+ acts upstream to activate the cellular mitochondrial fission machinery. We also found that prolonged incubation with TG induced the second phase of mitochondrial fragmentation, which was non-reversible and led to cell death as reported previously. These results suggest that Ca2+ is involved in controlling mitochondrial morphology via intra-mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling as well as the apoptotic process. J. Cell. Physiol. 212: 498–508, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of Heat Treatment, Composition and Microstructure on Corrosion of 18Cr-8Ni-Ti Stainless Steels in Acids

Abstract Titanium additions to 18Cr-8Ni steels can effectively eliminate susceptibility to intergranular attack associated with the precipitation of chromium carbides. However, these additions also...
ENZYMATIC MARKERS OF GASTROINTESTINAL MATURATION IN AMNIOTIC FLUID OF HIGH AND LOW RISK PREGNANCIES

Amniotic fluid samples were prospectively collected from women undergoing amniocentesis early in pregnancy (15-19 weeks) for genetic reasons (G; n=49), or later in pregnancy (≥ 35 weeks) prior to repeat C-section (C; n=52) or in the management of high risk conditions (≥ 35 weeks), ie., gestational diabetes (D; n=12) hypertension (H; n=6) and premature labor (P; n=8). Protein, lactase, sucrase, maltase, and amylase concentrations were determined in each sample. Maturational changes were detected going from groups G to C: disaccharidases decreased greater than ten-fold, while amylase increased more than four-fold. Protein concentrations did not vary with age. Sucrase was elevated in D compared to C (10.33±6.53 U/L vs. 2.94±4.55 U/L, P<0.001). Amylase was low in H compared to C (365±115 U/L vs. 679±481 U/L, P< 0.001). In contrast, sucrase (7.25±7.13 U/L, P<0.05) was high and amylase (158±196 U/L, P<0.05) was low in P compared to C. These data suggest that in normal pregnancies, amniotic fluid enzyme profiles are dependent upon gestational age and a mature pattern is attained prior to 35 weeks. In high risk pregnancies, attainment of a mature enzyme profile was not seen even at term. The mechanisms responsible for these apparently specific profiles remain to be elucidated. Supported in part by grants from NIH (HD 12586) and BRSG (150 E267K).
Characterization of a murine model of acute lung injury (ALI): a prominent role for interleukin-1.

This report describes a rmodel developed to study local and systemic events that occur as a result of acute lung injury (ALI). C57BL/6J mice were injected with a single intravenous dose (2, 4, and 6 µg) of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). At 1, 2, 4, 12, 24, and 48 h, after injection, plasma was collected by sinus orbital puncture, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed and cells and fluid were collected, lungs were perfused, and pulmonary tissue was isolated and processed for histological, immunochemical, and gene expression studies. The results indicate a dose-dependent increase in animal distress and a decrease in survival. TPA induced an early systemic response, reflected as an initial decrease in numbers of peripheral blood neutrophils at 1 h, followed at 2 h by a sustained increase. There was dose- and time-dependent increase in IL-1β mRNA synthesis, detected using RT-PCR, and in immunoreactive IL-1α produced by both tissue-fixed pulmonary cells and cells within alveolar spaces. Infil...
Numerical computation of nonlinear forced oscillations by Galerkin's procedure

Abstract : The present paper is the continuation of the preceding paper (AD-607 820) by Urabe. In the paper (AD-607 820), Urabe has proved that, for any periodic differential system dx/dt=X(x,t), an isolated periodic solution lying inside the region of definition of X(x,t) can be always obtained by Galerkin's procedure if X(x,t) and its derivative with respect to x are continuously differentiable with respect to x and t. In the present paper, the practical numerical method based on this result is described and some numerical examples are presented. (Author)
Stimulation of proliferation in stationary primary cultures of monkey aortic smooth muscle cells. Part 2. Effect of varying concentrations of hyperlipemic serum and low density lipoproteins of varying dietary fat origins.

Abstract The outgrowth of medial explants of thoracic aorta from Rhesus monkeys was used to study the influence of hyperlipemic serum on cell proliferation. After 5–6 weeks of rapid growth in BME plus 10% normal serum, the cultures reach a stationary phase during which they show little mitotic activity. When it replaces 5% of the normal serum in the media, hyperlipemic serum induces another proliferative phase in the cultures, as measured by [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation and increase in culture area. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) has the greatest stimulatory effect, while high density lipoprotein (HDL) has no effect. Hyperlipemic serum or its LDL still stimulates the cells even when diluted to achieve cholesterol levels comparable to the values with normal serum or LDL. Normal LDL has no effect, even when concentrated to increase its cholesterol level in the media. Thus it appears that hyperlipemic LDL has a stimulatory effect on arterial smooth muscle cells which does not depend on its higher lipid or cholesterol level.
Forced oscillation of a second order relay system with damping

Abstract This paper discusses the application of the “patching” method to a nonlinear differential equation. The case chosen is a simple one and very representative of the difficulties involved.
ON A CLASS OF FUNCTIONAL EQUATIONS OF MODULAR TYPE.

Abstract : The purpose of the paper is to show how the Voronoi functions and their analogues in algebraic number fields, matric fields, and finite fields, can be used to generate large classes of functions possessing functional equations of modular type.
Spatial variation of ground motion determined from accelerograms recorded on a highway bridge

A set of time-synchronized strong-motion accelerograms, obtained on the San Juan Bautista 156/101 Separation Bridge in California during the 6 August 1979 Coyote Lake earthquake (M_L = 5.9), are used to study the spatial variation of ground motion at the bridge site, including traveling wave effects and the influence of multiple-support excitation. Analysis of the ground motion recorded at the base of two of the bridge supports (32.6 m apart) revealed the presence of a differential support excitation having a period of ≈ 3 sec, much longer than any structural periods of the bridge. This signal also appeared as a noticeable long-period component in the superstructure displacements. Analysis of the vertical and radial components of the 3-sec ground motion indicated that ground displacements were retrograde for the duration of strong shaking, with several cycles exhibiting elliptical particle motions. These findings suggest that long-period differential support motions were induced by phase delays in a Rayleigh wave traveling across the bridge site. Further support to this premise is given by the location of the bridge site near a maxima of the Rayleigh wave radiation pattern for the Coyote Lake earthquake (based on published focal mechanism data). Traveling wave effects were also detected for compressional body waves by a correlation analysis which indicated a time delay of ≈ 7 msec between P-wave arrivals at two of the bridge supports.
EFFECT OF OZONE AND CIGARETTE SMOKE ON LUNG FUNCTION.

There was essentially no change in lung function produced by noncontrolled inhalation of one cigarette. In contrast, of 11 volunteers inhaling from 1 to 3 ppm O/sub 3/, 6 could not continue for 30-min test (cough, shortness of breath, headache). Functional changes included: -16.5% VC, -20% FEV/sub 1.0/, -10.5% MEF, -12% MBC, +21.4% D/sub LCO/, -8.1% CO uptake, +12.6% resting ventilation, -8.3% alveolar CO/sub 2/, and -9.9% mixed expiratory CO/sub 2/. There was marked individual variation.
Contiguous pulse binary integration analysis

The probability of detecting m or more pulses contiguously-that is, in a row-from a pulse train of n pulses is determined when the detection of each pulse is an independent Bernoulli trial with probability p. While a general closed-form expression for this probability is not known, we present an analytical procedure that gives the exact expression for the probability of interest for any particular case. We also present simple asymptotic expressions for these probabilities and develop bounds on the probability that the number of pulses that must be observed before m contiguous detections is greater than or less than some particular number. We consider the implications for binary integration in radar and electronic warfare problems.
3,5,3'-Triiodothyronine Effects on the Growth Rate and Cell Cycle of Cultured GC Cells*

The effect of T3 on cell growth was studied in cultured GC cells, a thyroid hormone-sensitive rat pituitary cell line that produces GH. Cells grown in modified Joklik's Minimal Essential Medium with 15% normal serum had a mean doubling time of 27.1 ± 2.8 h, and this was not altered by the addition of T3 in concentrations up to 1 × 10-73 M. When hypothyroid (Tx) calf serum (T3, <0.15 × 10-9 M) was substituted for normal serum [medium designed to simulate Tx conditions (Tx medium)], the growth rate was unchanged for 2 days and then decreased. After 4 days in Tx medium, the mean doubling time was 107.5 ± 19.2 h. The addition of T3 (5 × 10-8 M) to the Tx calf serum used in the medium (Tx-T3 medium) resulted in a detectable increase in growth rate after 2 days and thereafter an exponential growth rate similar to that of cells grown continuously in T3-supplemented medium. The respective growth rates in Tx and Tx-T3 media were not altered by the addition of rat GH (500 ng/ml). To define further the factors contr...
KamLAND's precision measurement of neutrino oscillation parameters

The KamLAND experiment uses reactor antineutrinos to study the solar neutrino oscillation parameters. KamLAND recently updated the reactor neutrino measurement, with an almost fourfold increase of the exposure, an improved analysis technique and better understanding of the backgrounds and systematic uncertainties. Extending the analysis down to the inverse beta decay energy threshold gives a best-fit at Δm221 = 7.58+0.14-0.13(stat)+0.15-0.15(syst) × 10−5 eV2 and tan2 θ12 = 0.56+0.10-0.07(stat)+0.10-0.06(syst). Local Δχ2-minima at higher and lower Δm221 are now disfavored at >4σ. When combined with solar neutrino data, we obtain Δm221 = 7.59+0.21-0.21 × 10−5 eV2 and tan2 θ12 = 0.47+0.06-0.05. KamLAND is presently purifying the detector to measure solar 7Be neutrinos in the near future.
The reduced-order solution of the matrix differential Riccati equation of weakly coupled systems

An efficient numerical method for solving the matrix differential Riccati equation of weakly coupled systems is obtained in terms of the reduced-order problems. This is achieved via the use of the decoupling transformation that block diagonalizes the Hamiltonian matrix of the weakly coupled linear-quadratic control problem. The convergence to the optimal solution is rapid. The technique is well suited for the parallel computations. The proposed methods also reduce considerably the size of the required computations and introduce full parallelism in the problem under study. >
SLC26A9 is a constitutively active, CFTR-regulated anion conductance in human bronchial epithelia

Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells exhibit constitutive anion secretion that is absent in cells from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The identity of this conductance is unknown, but SLC26A9, a member of the SLC26 family of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-interacting transporters, is found in the human airway and exhibits chloride channel behavior. We sought differences in the properties of SLC26A9 and CFTR expressed in HEK 293 (HEK) cells as a fingerprint to identify HBE apical anion conductances. HEK cells expressing SLC26A9 displayed a constitutive chloride current that was inhibited by the CFTR blocker GlyH-101 (71 ± 4%, 50 µM) and exhibited a near-linear current–voltage (I-V) relation during block, while GlyH-101–inhibited wild-type (wt)CFTR exhibited a strong inward-rectified (IR) I-V relation. We tested polarized HBE cells endogenously expressing either wt or ΔF508-CFTR for similar activity. After electrical isolation of the apical membrane using basolateral α-toxin permeabilization, wtCFTR monolayers displayed constitutive chloride currents that were inhibited by GlyH-101 (68 ± 6%) while maintaining a near-linear I-V relation. In the absence of blocker, the addition of forskolin stimulated a current increase having a linear I-V; GlyH-101 blocked 69 ± 7% of the current and shifted the I-V relation IR, consistent with CFTR activation. HEK cells coexpressing SLC26A9 and wtCFTR displayed similar properties, as well as forskolin-stimulated currents that exceeded the sum of those in cells separately expressing SLC26A9 or wtCFTR, and an I-V relation during GlyH-101 inhibition that was moderately IR, indicating that SLC26A9 contributed to the stimulated current. HBE cells from CF patients expressed SLC26A9 mRNA, but no constitutive chloride currents. HEK cells coexpressing SLC26A9 with ΔF508-CFTR also failed to exhibit SLC26A9 current. We conclude that SLC26A9 functions as an anion conductance in the apical membranes of HBE cells, it contributes to transepithelial chloride currents under basal and cAMP/protein kinase A–stimulated conditions, and its activity in HBE cells requires functional CFTR.
Politiques des enfants de la rue au Chili

Cet article pose la question : « Que representent les enfants de la rue au Chili, pays cense etre le modele economique de l’Amerique latine? ». Il trace une trajectoire dans laquelle la violence structurelle, inherente au projet neoliberal impose aux citoyens chiliens sous le regime autoritaire de Pinochet (1973-1990), a transforme les enfants de la rue, socialement vulnerables, en « criminels en devenir », deviants et indesirables. Malgre leurs bonnes intentions, les institutions etatiques ont etiquete et socialise les enfants de la rue en « criminels en devenir », statut qui compromet leur citoyennete future. Ce « continuum de violence » pervers est cause de la souffrance sociale des enfants de la rue dont les vies sont encastrees dans de multiples formes de violence, structurelle, institutionnelle, symbolique et quotidienne, qui les detruisent. Cet article suggere enfin que les enfants de la rue sont le secret public du neoliberalisme.
Full range complex ultrahigh sensitive optical microangiography

This Letter presents a useful method that combines the full range complex Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with the ultrahigh sensitive optical microangiography (OMAG) to achieve full range complex imaging of blood flow within microcirculatory tissue beds in vivo. We propose to use the fast scanning axis to realize the full range complex imaging, while using the slow axis to achieve OMAG imaging of blood flow. We demonstrate the proposed method by using a high speed 1310 nm OCT/OMAG system running at 92 kHz line scan rate to image the flow phantoms in vitro, and the blood flows in tissue beds in vivo.
Death Toll From Uncontrolled Blood Pressure in Ethnic Populations: Universal Access and Quality Improvement May Not Be Enough

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number 1 cause of death globally.1 An estimated 17.5 million people died from CVD in 2005 (7.6 million from coronary heart disease and 7.6 million from stroke), representing 30% of all global deaths.2 Globally, two-thirds of stroke and one-half of ischemic heart disease are attributable to nonoptimal blood pressure. Worldwide, nonoptimal blood pressure contributes to approximately 12.8% of all deaths (7.1 million) and 4.4% of all disability-adjusted life years (64.3 million) in the year 2000. These proportions are highest in more developed countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom.3 Racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease prevalence, treatment, and outcomes are well documented in the United States, and racial and ethnic differences in hypertension are no exception.4-7 Cardiovascular disease accounts for 35% of excess overall mortality in US blacks, largely because of hypertension.8 In Europe, ethnic differences in hypertension prevalence and morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease have also been described.
Robust strategy synthesis for probabilistic systems applied to risk-limiting renewable-energy pricing

We address the problem of synthesizing control strategies for Ellipsoidal Markov Decision Processes (EMDP), i.e., MDPs whose transition probabilities are expressed using ellipsoidal uncertainty sets. The synthesized strategy aims to maximize the total expected reward of the EMDP, constrained to a specification expressed in Probabilistic Computation Tree Logic (PCTL). We prove that the EMDP strategy synthesis problem for the fragment of PCTL disabling operators with a finite time bound is NP-complete and propose a novel sound and complete algorithm to solve it. We apply these results to the problem of synthesizing optimal energy pricing and dispatch strategies in smart grids that integrate renewable sources of energy. We use rewards to maximize the profit of the network operator and a PCTL specification to constrain the risk of power unbalance and guarantee quality-of-service for the users. The EMDP model used to represent the decision-making scenario was trained with measured data and quantitatively captures the uncertainty in the prediction of energy generation. An experimental comparison shows the effectiveness of our method with respect to previous approaches presented in the literature.
Detection of tornados using an incremental revised support vector machine with filters

Recently Support Vector Machines (SVMs) have played a leading role in pattern classification. SVMs are quite effective to classify static data in numerous applications. However, the use of SVMs in dynamically data driven application systems (DDDAS) is somewhat limited. This motivates the development of incremental approaches to handle DDDAS. In an incremental learning approach, it is critical to keep a certain number of support vectors (SVs) without seriously sacrificing the generalization performance of SVMs. In this paper a novel incremental SVM method, called an incremental revised support vector machine with filters (IRSVMF) is proposed to resolve the above limitations. Computational experiments with tornado data show that this approach is quite effective to reduce the number of SVs and computing time and to increase the detection rate of tornados.
Mexican Americans in Higher Education Cultural Adaptation and Marginalization as Predictors of College Persistence Intentions and Life Satisfaction

This study examined how college persistence intentions and life satisfaction influenced by acculturation, enculturation, White marginalization, and Mexican American marginalization among 515 Mexica...
Does Reported Policy Activity Reduce Contributions to Nonprofit Service Providers

There is a growing recognition that charitable organizations are important actors in the policy process, but research has not, to date, systematically investigated whether reporting policy activity influences private giving to such organizations. This article develops the argument that reported lobbying should be positively related to donations because organizations seeking policy change consider such activities to be vital to their clients and missions and communicate that belief to potential donors. This article tests for the relationship between reported lobbying activities and private giving in analyses of 501(c)(3) organizations that filed Internal Revenue Service form 990 s in fiscal years 2000 and 2001. The results suggest that organizations that report policy activity receive more donations in the following fiscal year, with some variation across service type. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for the policy process and scholars of nonprofit organizations.
Masking Redistribution (or its Absence)

Research has shown that people vary widely in their support or opposition to progressive taxation. We argue here that the perception of progressiveness itself is affected by the nature of the tax system and by the way it is framed, or presented. Experiments conducted over the World-Wide Web and using within-subject design demonstrate that subjects suffer from a range of heuristics and biases in understanding and supporting progressive or redistributive taxation. After reviewing some prior results, we report four new studies. Two of them indicate that people do not sufficiently appreciate the reduction of progressiveness that results from the use of tax deductions to partly reimburse private expenditures. The other two indicate that people do not fully appreciate the reduction in progressiveness that results from cuts in government services.
Bayesian variable selection for the analysis of microarray data with censored outcomes

Motivation: A common task in microarray data analysis consists of identifying genes associated with a phenotype. When the outcomes of interest are censored time-to-event data, standard approaches assess the effect of genes by fitting univariate survival models. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian variable selection approach, which allows the identification of relevant markers by jointly assessing sets of genes. We consider accelerated failure time (AFT) models with log-normal and log-t distributional assumptions. A data augmentation approach is used to impute the failure times of censored observations and mixture priors are used for the regression coefficients to identify promising subsets of variables. The proposed method provides a unified procedure for the selection of relevant genes and the prediction of survivor functions. Results: We demonstrate the performance of the method on simulated examples and on several microarray datasets. For the simulation study, we consider scenarios with large number of noisy variables and different degrees of correlation between the relevant and non-relevant (noisy) variables. We are able to identify the correct covariates and obtain good prediction of the survivor functions. For the microarray applications, some of our selected genes are known to be related to the diseases under study and a few are in agreement with findings from other researchers. Availability: The Matlab code for implementing the Bayesian variable selection method may be obtained from the corresponding author. Contact: mvannucci@stat.tamu.edu Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Reducing defensive distancing: Self-affirmation and risk regulation in response to relationship threats

article i nfo The risk regulation model proposes that people with low self-esteem, but not those with high self-esteem, react to relationship-based self-threats by defensively distancing from their partner. In the present study, we hypothesized that a self-affirmation manipulation, by restoring self-worth and integrity for people with low self-esteem, would attenuate this defensive distancing behavior. Participants were exposed to either a relationship-based self-threat or no such threat, and then completed a self-affirmation or a control task. As predicted, when presented with a self-threat, individuals with low self-esteem distanced from their partner. This effect was attenuated if they were given the opportunity to self-affirm. By contrast, the threat and self- affirmation manipulations had no effect for those with high self-esteem. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for risk regulation theory and self-affirmation theory. © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc.
Targeted Ovarian Cancer Education for Hispanic Women: A Pilot Program in Arizona

In disadvantaged populations, including Hispanics, there is a deficit in understanding of cancer risk factors, symptoms, prevention, and treatment. The objective of this study was to assess ovarian cancer knowledge in a population of Hispanic women in Arizona, identify deficiencies, and to evaluate the utility of an educational program developed specifically for this community's needs. A de novo questionnaire about ovarian cancer was distributed to Hispanic women enrolled in family literacy programs at Mesa Public Schools. Following this assessment, a video educational program was developed, with emphasis on areas of greatest knowledge deficits, and post-intervention assessment administered. Chi square, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for analysis. 167 questionnaires were completed in the pretest group and 102 in the post-intervention group. Between groups, there were no differences in age (p = 0.49), education (p = 0.68), or annual income (p = 0.26). In the pretest group, 45 % of questions were answered correctly versus 84 % in the post-test group (p < 0.01). 24.2 % of the initial respondents correctly identified ovarian cancer symptoms versus 85.6 of post-test respondents (p < 0.01). With the program, there was an increase in the number of correct post-test responses for each question and symptom (p < 0.01), except those about hereditary risk of ovarian cancer (p = 0.62) and pelvic anatomy (p = 0.16). Following identification of an ovarian cancer knowledge deficit in this cohort of Hispanic women, an educational tool targeting specific deficiencies successfully increased cancer knowledge and awareness of symptoms. Similar efforts in this and other minority populations should be continued.
Fundamentals of Magnetic Island Theory in Tokamaks

AbstractTearing modes1 are magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities2 that often limit fusion plasma performance in tokamaks.3 As the name suggests, tearing modes tear and reconnect magnetic field lines, in the process converting nested toroidal flux surfaces into helical magnetic islands. Such islands degrade plasma confinement because heat and particles are able to travel radially from one side of an island to another by flowing along magnetic field lines, which is a relatively fast process, instead of having to diffuse across magnetic flux surfaces, which is a relatively slow process.4,5
Alchemy: Medical Mediation at Its Best

Anyone experienced in patient relations knows that relatively minor problems often consume the most time and resources. Many of these problems involve communication breakdowns where patients feel frightened and powerless, culminating in the dissolution of the patient/physician relationship. While good patient/physician relationships are the best way to head off communication breakdowns, healthcare institutions would do well to consider dispute-resolution measures, such as mediation, as early as possible.
Absence of critical exponents in ferroelectrics: experiments of Hilczer and theory of Levanyuk and Sigov

The pioneering breakthrough of Bozena Hilczer and her coworkers showed that the so-called critical phenomena in many ferroelectric crystals are entirely produced by defects. She studied gadolinium aluminum sulphate hexahydrate (GASH), lithium ammonium sulphate, lithium hydrazinium sulphate, PZT, barium titanate, and especially TGS, via neutron irradiation, X-ray irradiation, and e-beam electron irradiation, which showed that the divergences in specific heat or dielectric constant near the Curie temperature Tc are not caused by ‘critical’ fluctuations but by static defects, which can be annealed out and subsequently reproduced by irradiation. This work is rarely cited (modern physicists often feel that literature searches are optional), leading to frequent rediscovery and generally spurious claims of true ‘critical’ phenomena near Tc.
From ‘window dressing’ to ‘door openers’? Freedom of Information legislation, public demand, and state compliance in South East Europe

Abstract Strong arguments are made that freedom of information (FOI) laws can be particularly beneficial in young democracies while providing an important tool that safeguards basic rights. Despite the drastic increase of the number and quality of FOI laws adopted during the last few decades, press freedom around the world has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade while abuses of power and corruption continue to ravage societies around the world. This comparative study examines the outcomes of FOI laws in the context of new democracies of South East Europe. It adopts a mix methodological approach to (1) examine citizen demand for access to information and government compliance with FOI laws and (2) explore structural and political conditions that affect demand and compliance. Results from data collected in Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro suggest that the positive outcomes of the FOI laws are highly dependent on public demand and supervisory institutions. While FOI non-compliance can be attributed to the limited administrative capacities, the failure to put in place access structures also indicates the erosion of leadership political will during the implementation phase as a consequence of the lack of public demand. This article emphasizes the importance of non-political institutions, spotlighting the critical role of civil society and the media.
Multiraciality Reigns Supreme?: Mixed-Race Japanese Americans and the Cherry Blossom Queen Pageant

Since 1968, a northern California pagent has chosen a queen to reign over the Cherry Blossom Festival held each April in San Francisco's Japantown. The Queen has come to symbolize northern California's Japanese American community in many ways. However, in the past five years half of the candidates, and two of the queens, have not been racially 100 percent Japanese. The increased participation of mixed-race Japanese Americans has an effect on both the mixed-race and the monoracial participants in the Queen Pageant as well as the community at large. This article examines how mixed-race Japanese American women define themselves in what has traditionally been a monoracial setting. In the context of the pageant, what does it mean to be Japanese American? How is that defined and how is that definition changing due to the increased participation of mixed-race Japanese Americans?
The crystal structure of a valinomycin•2Ca2+ complex and the multi-step solution equilibria in acetonitrile characterised by 1H NMR, UV–Vis, and mass spectrometry

AbstractValinomycin is a well-known potassium-selective ion carrier, but the nature of its direct interaction with calcium ion, another biologically important cation, is also of considerable interest. We have determined the first crystal structure of a valinomycin–calcium complex, which crystallises exclusively as a 1:2 valinomycin:Ca2+ complex, [VCa2(OTf)2(H2O)2]2+ in the solid state (V = valinomycin, OTf = triflate). Along with the 1:2 complex, the solution phase 1:1 and 2:1 complexes have been characterised in acetonitrile by 1H NMR and UV–Vis titration experiments. The molar absorptivity curves and binding equilibrium constants for these complexes have been determined by the global analysis of the UV–Vis titration data using the program SIVVU™.
The Effect of Scleral Buckling Surgery on Choroidal Thickness Measured by Enhanced Depth Optical Coherence Tomography: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction To assess the anatomical changes taking place in the choroid after a scleral buckle (SB) procedure for retinal detachment repair.
Metal Ion Binding at the Catalytic Site Induces Widely Distributed Changes in a Sequence Specific Protein–DNA Complex

Metal ion cofactors can alter the energetics and specificity of sequence specific protein–DNA interactions, but it is unknown if the underlying effects on structure and dynamics are local or dispersed throughout the protein–DNA complex. This work uses EcoRV endonuclease as a model, and catalytically inactive lanthanide ions, which replace the Mg2+ cofactor. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) titrations indicate that four Lu3+ or two La3+ cations bind, and two new crystal structures confirm that Lu3+ binding is confined to the active sites. NMR spectra show that the metal-free EcoRV complex with cognate (GATATC) DNA is structurally distinct from the nonspecific complex, and that metal ion binding sites are not assembled in the nonspecific complex. NMR chemical shift perturbations were determined for 1H–15N amide resonances, for 1H–13C Ile-δ-CH3 resonances, and for stereospecifically assigned Leu-δ-CH3 and Val-γ-CH3 resonances. Many chemical shifts throughout the cognate complex are unperturbed, so metal bind...
INCREASING CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAM REFERRALS: A CLINIC-BASED INTERVENTION

Background: Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) reduces morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease. Yet, CR is under-prescribed, with low and variable referral rates. Less than 50% of patients who enroll in CR complete the program. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of
Shortened-Duration Tacrolimus after Nonmyeloablative HLA-Haploidentical (NMA haplo) BMT with High-Dose Posttransplantation Cyclophosphamide (PTCy) Facilitates Strategies for Relapse Reduction

Abstract Background: With PTCy as GVHD prophylaxis, outcomes of NMA haplo and matched BMT are similar, and relapse rather than toxicity is the leading cause of treatment failure. Early discontinuation of IS may augment a graft-versus-tumor effect and permit early implementation of strategies to reduce relapse, but may increase GVHD. We present a completed, prospective single-center trial of stopping tacrolimus (tacro) 3 or 4 months earlier than our Day (D) 180 standard after NMA haplo BMT (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01342289). Methods: From 8/2011-11/2015,105 evaluable patients (pts) with hematologic malignancies received NMA haplo BMT on this trial. The primary objective was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of reduced-duration tacro, stopping tacro without taper before D 180.Transplant criteria included age ≤ 75, ECOG PS ≤ 2, LVEF ≥ 35%, FEV1 and FVC ≥ 40% predicted, transaminases Download : Download high-res image (66KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Deep convolutional player modeling on log and level data

We present a novel approach to player modeling based on a convolutional neural net trained on game event logs. We test our approach and a hybrid extension over two distinct games, a clone of Super Mario Bros. and Gwario, a human computation version of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. We demonstrate high accuracy in predicting a variety of measures of player experience across these two games. Further we present evidence that our technique derives quality design knowledge and demonstrate the ability to build a more general model.
Abstract 12052: Non-complement-Binding Donor Specific Antibodies and Cardiac-Allograft Vasculopathy in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients

Aim: We hypothesized that the non-complement binding of de novo donor specific antibodies (DSA) detected after heart transplant (HT) confer a lower risk for acute rejections and coronary artery vas...
The penalty of blinding during Byzantine times

This paper which is based on the works of Byzantine chroniclers examines the imposition of blinding as a penalty in Byzantium. Punishment by blinding, though of extremely ancient origin, was imposed on Christians in the Roman Empire under the rule of Diocletian (AD 303). This continued up to the time of Constantine the Great and blinding as a penalty reappeared in the Byzantine Empire (AD 705) under the rule of Justinian Rhinotmitos. The writers investigate the grounds for the imposition of the penalty, and the methods employed, and a series of examples are given as handed down by Byzantine chroniclers. Finally, the ethical background of the penalty is examined according to the legislature and common-law extant in Byzantium.
A group dynamics course for medical students.

(1975). A Group Dynamics Course for Medical Students. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy: Vol. 25, No. 3, pp. 305-313.
Modulation of neuroreceptor functions by lipomodulin, a phospholipase inhibitory protein.

Glucocorticoids are hormones from the adrenal cortex. Secretion of these hormones is controlled by ACTH from the pituitary gland. The regulation of glucocorticoid secretion by ACTH is influenced by a variety of factors, including stress and depression. Therapeutically, glucocorticoids are often used to treat patients with chronic inflammation and immunological diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Antiinflammatory action of glucocorticoids is now proposed to be associated with the induction of synthesis of phospholipase inhibitory proteins, macrocotin in macrophages (1), renocortin in kidney cells (2) and lipomodulin in neutrophils (3). All these proteins are immunologically and biologically related (4). We isolated this protein from neutrophils treated with glucocorticoids and examined its effects on receptor functions and on neural development. We found that lipomodulin can regulate functions of certain types of receptors and differentiate neuronal cells to the adrenergic phenotype.
Sequence and detailed organization of the human caveolin-1 and -2 genes located near the D7S522 locus (7q31.1). Methylation of a CpG island in the 5' promoter region of the caveolin-1 gene in human breast cancer cell lines.

The CA microsatellite repeat marker, D7S522, is located at the center of a ∼1000 kb smallest common deleted region that is lost in many forms of human cancer. It has been proposed that a putative tumor suppressor gene lies in close proximity to D7S522, within this smallest common deleted region. However, the genes located in proximity to D7S522 have remained elusive. Recently, we identified five independent BAC clones (∼100–200 kb) containing D7S522 and the human genes encoding caveolins 1 and 2. Here, we present the detailed organization of the caveolin locus and its relationship to D7S522, as deduced using a shot-gun sequencing approach. We derived two adjacent contigs for a total coverage of ∼250 kb. Analysis of these contigs reveals that D7S522 is located ∼67 kb upstream of the caveolin-2 gene and that the caveolin-2 gene is located ∼19 kb upstream of the caveolin-1 gene, providing for the first time a detailed genetic map of this region. Further sequence analysis reveals many interesting features of the caveolin genes; these include the intron-exon boundaries and several previously unrecognized CA repeats that lie within or in close proximity to the caveolin genes. The first and second exons of both caveolin genes are embedded within CpG islands. These results suggest that regulation of caveolin gene expression may be controlled, in part, by methylation of these CpG regions. In support of this notion, we show here that the CGs in the 5′ promoter region of the caveolin-1 gene are functionally methylated in two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and T-47D) that fail to express the caveolin-1 protein. In contrast, the same CGs in cultured normal human mammary epithelial cells (NHMECs) are non-methylated and these cells express high levels of the caveolin-1 protein. Comparison of the human locus with the same locus in the pufferfish Fugu rubripes reveals that the overall organization of the caveolin-1/-2 locus is conserved from pufferfish to man. In conclusion, our current studies provide a systematic basis for diagnostically evaluating the potential deletion, mutation, or methylation of the caveolin genes in a variety of human tumors.
Systems of Partial Differential Equations

As we discussed earlier, many applications of partial differential equations involve systems of partial differential equations. The approach that we used in the introduction to Chapter 5 was to uncouple a system to motivate the importance of the model equation $$v_t + av_x = 0$$ .
Genetic and Modifiable Risk Factors Contributing to Cisplatin-induced Toxicities

Effective administration of traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy is often limited by off-target toxicities. This clinical dilemma is epitomized by cisplatin, a platinating agent, which has potent antineoplastic activity due to its affinity for DNA and other intracellular nucleophiles. Despite its efficacy against many adult-onset and pediatric malignancies, cisplatin elicits multiple off-target toxicities that can not only severely impact a patient's quality of life but also lead to dose reductions or the selection of alternative therapies that can ultimately affect outcomes. Without an effective therapeutic measure by which to successfully mitigate many of these symptoms, there have been attempts to identify a priori those individuals who are more susceptible to developing these sequelae through studies of genetic and nongenetic risk factors. Older age is associated with cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, neurotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. Traditional genome-wide association studies have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ACYP2 and WFS1 associated with cisplatin-induced hearing loss. However, validating associations between specific genotypes and cisplatin-induced toxicities with enough stringency to warrant clinical application remains challenging. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge with regard to specific adverse sequelae following cisplatin-based therapy, with a focus on ototoxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, myelosuppression, and nausea/emesis. We discuss variables (genetic and nongenetic) contributing to these detrimental toxicities and currently available means to prevent or treat their occurrence.