cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of dopaminergic therapy on locomotor adaptation and adaptive learning in persons with Parkinson's disease

Persons with Parkinson's disease (PD) are characterized by multifactorial gait deficits, though the factors which influence the abilities of persons with PD to adapt and store new gait patterns are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dopaminergic therapy on the abilities of persons with PD to adapt and store gait parameters during split-belt treadmill (SBT) walking. Ten participants with idiopathic PD who were being treated with stable doses of orally-administered dopaminergic therapy participated. All participants performed two randomized testing sessions on separate days: once while optimally-medicated (ON meds) and once after 12-h withdrawal from dopaminergic medication (OFF meds). During each session, locomotor adaptation was investigated as the participants walked on a SBT for 10 min while the belts moved at a 2:1 speed ratio. We assessed locomotor adaptive learning by quantifying: (1) aftereffects during de-adaptation (once the belts returned to tied speeds immediately following SBT walking) and (2) savings during re-adaptation (as the participants repeated the same SBT walking task after washout of aftereffects following the initial SBT task). The withholding of dopaminergic medication diminished step length aftereffects significantly during de-adaptation. However, both locomotor adaptation and savings were unaffected by levodopa. These findings suggest that dopaminergic pathways influence aftereffect storage but do not influence locomotor adaptation or savings within a single session of SBT walking. It appears important that persons with PD should be optimally-medicated if walking on the SBT as gait rehabilitation.
Achieving reusability and composability with a simulation conceptual model

Reusability and composability (R&C) are two important quality characteristics that have been very difficult to achieve in the Modelling and Simulation (M&S) discipline. Reuse provides many technical and economical benefits. Composability has been increasingly crucial for M&S of a system of systems, in which disparate systems are composed with each other. The purpose of this paper is to describe how R&C can be achieved by using a simulation conceptual model (CM) in a community of interest (COI). We address R&C in a multifaceted manner covering many M&S areas (types). M&S is commonly employed where R&C are very much needed by many COIs. We present how a CM developed for a COI can assist in R&C for the design of any type of large-scale complex M&S application in that COI. A CM becomes an asset for a COI and offers significant economic benefits through its broader applicability and more effective utilization.
The coronary microcirculation in the potassium chloride arrested heart.

Abstract The experiments were concerned with the coronary capillary circulation of the left atrium in the potassium chloride arrested cat heart, using transillumination. Capillary red cell velocity was measured using cinematography and color films (16 mm 24 frames/s) and frame to frame analysis of red cell progression. Optical magnification on the film was from 20 to 30 times. Capillaries were visualized as lying on either side of the muscle fiber. Numerous intercapillary anastomoses which communicate through interconnecting loops of varying lengths were visualized. Capillary diameter varies from 4 to 8 μm. Constancy of capillary red cell velocity was present at from 75 to 210 mmHg. With increasing perfusion pressure, the number of capillaries with discernible red cell movement increased as perfusion pressure rose (recruitment). In some capillaries, abrupt and extreme changes in red cell velocity were observed at the same perfusion pressure. About 10 to 30% of all capillaries showed counter-current flow in adjacent capillaries.
Craze dissemination during fatigue fracture in polystyrene

Results of studies on fatigue fracture in polystyrene are reported. Experiments were carried out on tension-tension single edge notched specimens, 0.25 mm thick. Macroscopic studies involved the propagation of the crack and its associated active zone (or the so-called process zone) evolution. Microscopic studies consisted of fracture surface examination and quantitative characterization of the crazing distribution along the trailing edge and within the active zone. The width and length of the active zone increased monotonically during the quasi-static phase of crack layer growth. The crack growth kinetics followed an S-shaped curve. Analysis of crazing distribution showed that; (i) the distribution of crazing along the trailing edge of the active zone is related by a scaling parameter, (ii) the average crazing density along the trailing edge as well as within the active zone is constant, (iii) the specific energy of crazing evaluated here compares well with previously reported data. The results of this work support the form of self similarity of damage evolution adopted by the crack layer model, and that the specific energy of damage is a material constant.
PLEOMORPHISM AND PLEOBIOSIS OF BACILLUS BIFIDUS COMMUNIS

From the foregoing experiments, the conclusion may be drawn that B. bifidus communis of Tissier has an aerobic phase, in which it resembles B. mesentericus fuscus. Numerous intermediate phases can occur between these two extremes; and their morphological and biological variabilities demand the utmost attention in order to interpret more intelligently the various phases of a given organism, constantly found in the stools of sucklings, and to avoid the artificial creation of two or more organisms from a single microbic type.
A study of dewfall in an arid region: An analysis of wangara data

Micrometeorological flux-gradient relations have been used to deduce average evaporation rates for most hours of the Wangara experiment, using net radiation and ground heat transfer values. At night, dewfall is found to have been a common occurrence, at rates that averaged about 0·015mmh−1 and sometimes approached (but never exceeded) the value of about 0·07mmh−1 that has been proposed as a natural limit. The average nocturnal dewfall was about 0·22 mm. During the 44 days of the experiment, about 20mm of rain fell at the central site, augmented by about 9mm of dewfall. Evaporation amounted to about 26mm of water.
Two distinctive antinociceptive systems in rats with pathological pain

Abstract A common obstacle in clinical management of pathological pain is the poor response to opioid analgesics. We now report that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)-induced antinociception remained effective in rats with pathological pain. The selective central cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A, but not the generic opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, blocked the Δ9-THC antinociception. Moreover, there is no cross-tolerance between the antinociceptive effects of morphine and Δ9-THC in pathological pain states. The results indicate that Δ9-THC antinociception is both effective and independent of opioid receptors in rats with pathological pain. Thus, the cannabinoid analgesic system may be superior to opioids in alleviating intractable pathological pain syndromes.
Diffraction Phase Cytometry: blood on a CD-ROM

We demonstrate Diffraction Phase Cytometry (DPC) as a single shot, full-field, high throughput quantitative phase imaging modality, dedicated to analyzing whole blood smears. Utilizing a commercial CD as a sample substrate, along with dynamic spatial filtering via a liquid crystal spatial light modulator, we have developed a compact instrument capable of making quantitative, physiologically relevant measurements. To illustrate the ability of the system to function as a highly sensitive cytometer we imaged a large number (N=1,537) of live human erythrocytes in whole blood without preparation. We retrieved a comprehensive set of geometrical parameters including cell volume and surface area, which are not directly available using existing cytometers. Furthermore, we retrieved the minimum cylindrical diameter, through which red blood cells can pass, and deliver oxygen. These initial results prove the concept for an inexpensive lab-on-a-chip blood screening device.
Evidence for Anomalous Phonon Excitations in Solid He 3

Thermal-conductivity measurements in solid ${\mathrm{He}}^{3}$ in the bcc phase and at temperatures below about 0.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K show an unexpected temperature dependence which is less than ${T}^{3}$. Specific-heat measurements, in this temperature range, have been reported as showing a closely similar effect, and this provides evidence for a thermal excitation which must take part in the heat transport. In addition, Poiseuille flow of phonons has been directly observed.
Temporal and spectrally resolved measurements at 10.6 Mum.

Techniques are described which allow simultaneous spectral and temporal measurements to be made with combined resolutions approaching that set by the limit ΔνΔt = 1. The basis of the measurement is the optical Kerr effect. The application to observations of scattered radiation from laser-produced plasmas is discussed.
TCR triggering transcriptionally downregulates CCR5 expression on rhesus macaque CD4(+) T-cells with no measurable effect on susceptibility to SIV infection.

Abstract Studies using transformed human cell lines suggest that most SIV strains use CCR5 as co-receptor. Our analysis of primary rhesus macaque CD4 + T-cell clones revealed marked differences in susceptibility to SIV mac 239 infection. We investigated whether different levels of CCR5 expression account for clonal differences in SIV mac 239 susceptibility. Macaque CD4 + T-cells showed significant CCR5 downregulation 1–2 days following CD3 mAb stimulation, which gradually recovered at resting state, 7–10 days after activation. Exposure of clones to SIV mac 239 during their CCR5 low or CCR5 high expression states revealed differences in SIV susceptibility independent of surface CCR5 levels. Furthermore, a CCR5 antagonist similarly reduced SIV mac 239 infection of clones during their CCR5 low or CCR5 high expression states. Our data suggest a model where i) very low levels of CCR5 are sufficient for efficient SIV infection, ii) CCR5 levels above this threshold do not enhance infection, and iii) low level infection can occur in the absence of CCR5.
Achaete-scute homolog-1 linked to remodeling and preneoplasia of pulmonary epithelium

The basic helix–loop–helix protein achaete-scute homolog-1 (ASH1) is involved in lung neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation and tumor promotion in SV40 transgenic mice. Constitutive expression of human ASH-1 (hASH1) in mouse lung results in hyperplasia and remodeling that mimics bronchiolization of alveoli (BOA), a potentially premalignant lesion of human lung carcinomas. We now show that this is due to sustained cellular proliferation in terminal bronchioles and resistance to apoptosis. Throughout the airway epithelium the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and c-Myb was increased and Akt/mTOR pathway activated. Moreover, the expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) including MMP7 was specifically enhanced at the bronchiolo-alveolar duct junction and BOA suggesting that MMPs play a key role in this microenvironment during remodeling. We also detected MMP7 in 70% of human BOA lesions. Knockdown of hASH1 gene in human lung cancer cells in vitro suppressed growth by increasing apoptosis. We also show that forced expression of hASH1 in immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells decreases apoptosis. We conclude that the impact of hASH1 is not limited to cells with NE phenotype. Rather, constitutive expression of hASH1 in lung epithelium promotes remodeling through multiple pathways that are commonly activated during lung carcinogenesis. The collective results suggest a novel model of BOA formation via hASH1-induced suppression of the apoptotic pathway. Our study yields a promising new preclinical tool for chemoprevention of peripheral lung carcinomas.
Childhood Trauma and Personal Mastery: Their Influence on Emotional Reactivity to Everyday Events in a Community Sample of Middle-Aged Adults

Childhood trauma is associated with premature declines in health in midlife and old age. Pathways that have been implicated, but less studied include social-emotional regulation, biological programming, and habitual patterns of thought and action. In this study we focused on childhood trauma’s influence via alterations in social-emotional regulation to everyday life events, a pathway that has been linked to subsequent health effects. Data from a 30-day daily diary of community residents who participated in a study of resilience in Midlife (n = 191, Mage = 54, SD = 7.50, 54% women) was used to examine whether self-reports of childhood trauma were associated with daily well-being, as well as reported and emotional reactivity to daily negative and positive events. Childhood trauma reports were associated with reporting lower overall levels of and greater variability in daily well-being. Childhood trauma was linked to greater reports of daily negative events, but not to positive events. Focusing on emotional reactivity to daily events, residents who reported higher levels of childhood trauma showed stronger decreases in well-being when experiencing negative events and also stronger increases in well-being with positive events. For those reporting childhood trauma, higher levels of mastery were associated with stronger decreases in well-being with negative events and stronger increases in well-being with positive events, suggesting that mastery increases sensitivity to daily negative and positive events. Our results suggest that childhood trauma may lead to poorer health in midlife through disturbances in the patterns of everyday life events and responses to those events. Further, our findings indicate that mastery may have a different meaning for those who experienced childhood trauma. We discuss social-emotional regulation as one pathway linking childhood trauma to health, and psychosocial resources to consider when building resilience-promoting interventions for mitigating the detrimental health effects of childhood trauma.
Special Interest Group Formation in the United States: Do Special Interest Groups Mirror the Success of their Spatial Neighbors?

Special interest groups exert a great deal of influence over political outcomes in the United States. Understanding the determining factors for the formation of special interest groups is important. However, the literature has excluded the role of spatial neighbors. This article employs spatial econometric techniques to discriminately analyze the factors determining the number of special interest groups in a state. While geographic location is not a factor, gross state product, state general expenditures, union membership, and the percentage of manufacturing employment relationships between states are crucial in the formation of special interest groups across states.
Stromal-Epithelial Interactions in the Cornea

Communication between corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes is likely to contribute to normal maintenance, wound healing, corneal tissue organization, and the patho- physiology of corneal disease. Interactions between these cells are mediated via cytokines, growth factors, and their receptors. Other mechanisms of communication may also occur.
The Mechanisms of Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain: A Comprehensive Model

Prior studies suggest manual therapy (MT) as effective in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain; however, the mechanisms through which MT exerts its effects are not established. In this paper we present a comprehensive model to direct future studies in MT. This model provides visualization of potential individual mechanisms of MT that the current literature suggests as pertinent and provides a framework for the consideration of the potential interaction between these individual mechanisms. Specifically, this model suggests that a mechanical force from MT initiates a cascade of neurophysiological responses from the peripheral and central nervous system which are then responsible for the clinical outcomes. This model provides clear direction so that future studies may provide appropriate methodology to account for multiple potential pertinent mechanisms.
Model tests for determination of the structural response of the Apollo command module to water impact.

Model tests for determination of structural response of Apollo command module to water impact
Lysis of mouse macrophages, fibroblasts, and epidermal cells by epidermal alloantigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes: effect of culture and inflammatory agents on Epa-1 expression.

Abstract The expression of Epa-1, a tissue-restricted non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alloantigen, on CBA epidermal cells (EC), fibroblasts (FB), and macrophages (Mφ) was investigated using bulk-cultured and clonally-derived anti-Epa-1 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Epa-1 was readily detected on freshly trypsinized and 24-hr-cultured EC, and on skin FB cultured for 1–3 weeks. In contrast, fresh peritoneal (PE) Mφ were specifically resistant to Epa-1 CTL but became susceptible after 12–24 hr in culture. Epa-1 expression by PE Mφ also could be induced in vivo by Mφ-activating agents such as concanavalin A or Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), but not by the sterile inflammatory agents peptone broth or thioglycolate, suggesting a correlation between Epa-1 phenotype and Mφ activation. From this and from parallel studies of spleen cell Mφ it is concluded that Epa-1 may be a strain-specific marker for activated Mφ in the mouse, as well as an inducible histocompatibility antigen in vivo .
Detection and Characterization of Pulsatile Flow Induced Acoustic Emissions in Stenosed Arterial Geometric Models

A Newtonian fluid is used in a simplified experimental hydraulic model of a cardiovascular system (CVS) to study pulsatile flow in arterial geometric models with different stages of stenosis (restriction rates) and understand the progression of stenosis and how the fluid flow properties in stenosed sections of arteries behave. In this study, 16mm long cylindrical stenosis models (orifices) with different restriction rates were pressed into the middle section of a 570 mm long arterial geometric model (polyethylene tube) one at a time. The arterial geometric models were connected to a solenoid or reciprocating pump (DC Voltage) capable of generating pulsatile flow at different pumping frequencies. The effects of pulsatile flow properties (pressure pulse, flow rate, etc) on acoustic emission (AE) signal levels using sensors for the detection of elastic waves in the arterial models for different restriction rates of stenoitic geometric models (orifices) at different pumping frequencies have been investigated. The results from this research show that there is a strong correlation between the flow properties of the Newtonian fluid in the arterial geometric models and the level of the flow induced AE signal indicators such as the waveforms, elastic energy, number of events, etc. Thus, as AE techniques can be used to predict flow characteristics in a given geometric model to assess the restriction level of a flow passage, the same principle could be applied in the detection of severe atherosclerosis or stenosis in large arteries — human external carotid arteries.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Improved lower bounds for minimizing the sum of completion times of n jobs over m machines in a flow shop

Abstract The paper considers the classic n job, m machine scheduling problem where the objective is to minimize the sum of completion times. A procedure is presented for obtaining m − 1 new machine based lower bounds. The result is an improved overall lower bound.
Heterodyne Detection of a Weak Light Beam

An analysis is made of the problem of detecting a weak. light beam from a distant source in the presence of a background of much greater intensity, by the photoelectric heterodyne technique. In this method the incident light is superposed on the light beam from a local laser, whose frequency can be adjusted by a feedback arrangement so as to maximize a certain “beat note” in the output of the detector. With the aid of plausible assumptions it is shown that the effectiveness of the method is largely independent of the intensity of the background light, and of the fluctuation properties of the incident light. The key parameter is the number of photoelectrons released by the signal beam in a time comparable with its coherence time.
Delayed Luminescence of the M Center in F − t o − M Conversion in NaF

A "delayed luminescence" has been observed in x-irradiated NaF samples after bleaching with $F$ light near room temperature. The delayed luminescence (D.L.) is attributed to the latent formation of $M$ centers in their excited state and their subsequent luminescence. An analysis of the decay of this D.L. indicates that there are two types of migrating center involved in $F\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{o}\ensuremath{-}M$ conversion, corresponding to two competing optical bleaching processes. It is proposed that these two migrating centers are ($\ensuremath{\alpha},\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$) centers (vacancy pairs) and $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ centers (anion vacancies). The activation energies for individual migrating centers are found from the temperature dependence of the exponential decay of the D.L. to be ${E}_{1}=0.75\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$ eV and ${E}_{2}=0.77\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08$ eV. The temperature dependence of the time constant for the growth of the D.L. when the $F$ light is turned on indicates that the activation energy for $F\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{o}\ensuremath{-}M$ conversion is ${E}_{g}=0.62\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$ eV.
Molecular diagnostic dilemmas in Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome (OMIM 312750) is a progressive, X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene located on chromosome Xq28. The disorder is characterized by a period of normal development during the first 6-18months of life, followed by gradual loss of skills already gained, such as speech and purposeful movement of the hands. The majority of cases are sporadic and represent "de novo" mutations. In this study we summarize the results of diagnostic testing of 30 patients with Rett syndrome (RTT) or mental retardation of unknown etiology using bidirectional sequencing of the open reading frame of the MECP2 gene. Twenty different variants were identified in those patients including 12 missense (R133C, P152R, T158M, V300I, I303M, R306C, T311M, R344W, A358T, P384L, A443T, V481M), four nonsense (R168X, K192X, R255X, R270X), two deletion (E137_L386del, I293_S350del), and two frameshift (S291QfsX26, G343AfsX6) mutations. Seven of the twenty variants identified were novel mutations (E137_L386del, K192X, S291QfsX26, G343AfsX6, I293_S350del, P384L, and A443T). In the cases with novel or non-recurrent missense mutations, family studies were performed to investigate genotype-phenotype correlations. Our results demonstrate the importance of family studies and highlight the complexity of interpretation of MECP2 alterations, which may or may not be disease-associated.
Adjoint operators for the natural discretizations of the divergence gradient and curl on logically rectangular grids

Abstract We use the support-operator method to derive new discrete approximations of the divergence, gradient, and curl using discrete analogs of the integral identities satisfied by the differential operators. These new discrete operators are adjoint to the previously derived natural discrete operators defined using ‘natural’ coordinate-invariant definitions, such as Gauss' theorem for the divergence. The natural operators cannot be combined to construct discrete analogs of the second-order operators div grad, grad div, and curl curl because of incompatibilities in domains and in the ranges of values for the operators. The same is true for the adjoint operators. However, the adjoint operators have complementary domains and ranges of values and the combined set of natural and adjoint operators allow a consistent formulation for all the compound discrete operators. We also prove that the operators satisfy discrete analogs of the major theorems of vector analysis relating the differential operators, including div A = 0 if and only if A = curl B ; curl A = 0 if and only if A = grad ϕ .
Abstract 769: Restoration of c-Cbl function, by inhibiting Cdc42, confers tamoxifen sensitivity on basal-like (triple negative) breast cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Our present work offers a new means by which cancer cells become resistant to anti-cancer treatments and mechanism-driven approaches for overcoming such resistance. Specifically, here we demonstrate a previously unrecognized mechanism of tamoxifen (TMX) resistance distinct from loss of estrogen receptor on basal-like (triple negative) breast cancer cells, which are among the most challenging tumors to treat with current therapies. Our present finding emerged from trying to understand the puzzling differences in regulation of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) degradation in normal progenitor cells and in breast cancer cells. When glial progenitor cells become slightly more (15-20%) oxidized, such as by exposing them to TMX, we find sequential activation of Fyn (a member of the Src-family of kinases) and c-Cbl (an E3 ubiquitin ligase) is activated. Phosphorylation of c-Cbl causes ubiquitylation of its target proteins and thus increases the degradation of its target proteins, such as particular RTKs, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, our specific target in this study). In contrast to normal progenitor cells, basal-like breast cancer cells exposed to TMX show increased Fyn activation but no increase in c-Cbl phosphorylation. We now have found that oxidation-induced activation of c-Cbl in basal-like breast cancer cells is inhibited due to expression of Cdc42. Cdc42 sequestered c-Cbl, prevented its activation and prevented EGFR from being degraded. Restoration of c-Cbl function, by genetically or pharmacologically inhibiting Cdc42 activation, reduced EGFR levels in these cells. More critically, restoring c-Cbl function sensitized these cells to TMX both in vitro and in vivo. Analysis of tumor growth in vivo showed that reducing the levels of Cdc42 both reduced the size of tumors and made them more sensitive to TMX. The results provide a novel defense mechanism that basal-like breast cancer cells utilize to prevent EGFR degradation which may have high relevance to treatment of these tumors. Of particular importance is the ability of Cdc42 knockdown to confer TMX sensitivity on these otherwise resistant tumor cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 769. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-769
Cystic fibrosis, gene therapy, and lung inflammation: for better or worse?

the study by van Heeckeren and colleagues, one of the current articles in focus (Ref. [20][1], see p. [L717][2] in this issue), addresses the question of whether adenoviral delivery of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) to the cystic fibrosis airways attenuates inflammation
Catalepsy induced by combinations of ketamine and morphine: potentiation, antagonism, tolerance and cross-tolerance in the rat

Previous studies demonstrated that both ketamine and morphine induced analgesia and catalepsy in the rat. Pre-treatment with ketamine produced cross-tolerance to morphine, whereas pretreatment with morphine did not induce cross-tolerance to ketamine but rather augmented the cataleptic response; this augmentation was attributed to residual morphine in the brain. The present studies explored the duration of the loss of righting reflex induced by sub-effective doses of ketamine and morphine, administered simultaneously. There was mutual potentiation between sub-effective doses of ketamine and morphine, but sub-effective doses of ketamine partly antagonized fully-effective doses of morphine. Latency to the loss of righting reflex, rigidity and behavior on recovery, reflected the relative predominance of ketamine or morphine in each combination. Naloxone inhibited the induced cataleptic effects. The degree and time course of development of tolerance to daily administration of sub-effective dose combinations of ketamine and morphine were similar. Rats, tolerant to ketamine-dominant combinations, were cross-tolerant to both drugs, while those tolerant to morphine-dominant combinations were cross-tolerant to morphine but showed either no cross-tolerance or an augmented response to ketamine. While the mutual potentiation, antagonism and tolerance suggest common mechanisms for the induced catalepsy, differences in latency, rigidity and behavior, asymmetry of cross-tolerance and a widely-different ID50 for naloxone would argue against an action at a single opioid site.
Relationships between DNA synthesis and mitotic events in fertilized sea urchin eggs: Aphidicolin inhibits DNA synthesis, nuclear breakdown and proliferation of microtubule organizing centers, but not cycles of microtubule assembly

Abstract The synthesis of DNA in fertilized eggs of the American Gulf Coast sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus is 90% inhibited in the presence of 5.0 μg/ml aphidicolin. This inhibition may be imposed immediately upon addition of aphidicolin to the external medium when embryos are in “S” phase. Observations of living embryos with Nomarski optics and time-lapse video microscopy reveal that when eggs are fertilized and cultured in the continuous presence of aphidicolin, nuclear envelope breakdown, chromosome condensation, and cytokinesis are inhibited. All other post-fertilization events observable with this technique, including the assembly and disassembly of a bipolar spindle, proceed in the presence of aphidicolin. Antitubulin immunofluorescence microscopy of aphidicolin-arrested embryos demonstrates that microtubules attempt to assemble a mitotic apparatus at the first cell cycle; the arrested intact zygote nucleus is embedded within this bipolar structure. Subsequent cycles of microtubule assembly and disassembly proceed roughly on schedule with later division cycles, but the microtubule organizing centers (MTOC's) are unable to duplicate properly and irregular monasters are observed. If aphidicolin is added to embryos after the first DNA synthetic period, nuclear envelope breakdown, chromosome condensation, and cytokinesis proceed for that cycle and the embryos arrest at the two-cell stage. These results suggest that the direct inhibitory effects of aphidicolin may well be limited to the synthesis of DNA, which itself regulates nuclear cycles independently from the subsequent generation of mitotic poles, and that cytoplasmic clocks regulate microtubule assembly cycles but not the configuration of microtubule arrays.
Progenitor cells for regenerative medicine and consequences of ART and cloning-associated epimutations.

The “holy grail” of regenerative medicine is the identification of an undifferentiated progenitor cell that is pluripotent, patient specific, and ethically unambiguous. Such a progenitor cell must also be able to differentiate into functional, transplantable tissue, while avoiding the risks of immune rejection. With reports detailing aberrant genomic imprinting associated with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and reproductive cloning, the idea that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) derived from surplus in vitro fertilized embryos or nuclear transfer ESCs (ntESCs) harvested from cloned embryos may harbor dangerous epigenetic errors has gained attention. Various progenitor cell sources have been proposed for human therapy, from hESCs to ntESCs, and from adult stem cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS and piPS cells). This review highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each of these technologies, with particular emphasis on epigenetic stability.
The Dueling Hazards of Incomplete Revascularization and Incomplete Data

Although the survival benefit of complete revascularization after bypass surgery is well documented, the importance of opening all stenotic or occluded vessels during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is less certain. On the contrary, much data support targeting only the culprit vessel during PCI. A strategy of “ischemic-driven revascularization” is often the standard of care. Through a potpourri of noninvasive imaging (eg, nuclear imaging, positron emission tomography, stress echocardiography), as well as invasive techniques (eg, fractional flow reserve, intravascular ultrasound measurements, quantitative angiography), much effort has gone into identifying the functional importance of coronary blockages and confining intervention to diseased vessels that significantly limit blood flow to viable myocardium.1,2 Indeed, the phrase oculostenotic reflex was invented to describe the indiscriminate interventionalist, bent on opening any suspicious angiographic blockage. This subcortical reflex has long been considered a liability, and interventionalists are taught to be more cerebral in their decision making. In this issue of Circulation , Hannan et al, in a very provocative report, use data from the New York State reporting system to turn decades of teaching on its ear.3 Using a database created from a State of New York reporting registry, procedural information was collected on 21 945 patients with ≥2-vessel coronary artery disease undergoing stenting. Then, using patient’s Social Security numbers, these in-hospital data were correlated with the New York State Vital Statistics Death File to capture mortality events over a follow-up period of &3 years. The study found that patients with incomplete revascularization (after adjustment for baseline differences) were 15% more likely to die at follow-up than patients with complete revascularization. This mortality risk increased with the degree of incomplete revascularization. Patients with 1 unopened total occlusion were 35% more likely to die. If ≥2 vessels were incompletely revascularized, and at least 1 of them was …
Archaeology in the Age of Globalization: Local Meanings, Global Interest

I discuss the growing interest in archaeological research worldwide and suggest that while dissemination of archaeology in the twentieth century may be explained through the use of the world-system model, current tendencies toward globalization of archaeological thought and practice advise a new phenomenon – archaeology as geoculture. Archaeology is now a worldwide operation and current tendencies regarding research and preservation of cultural heritage worldwide indicate a globalized approach to the past and archaeology as the only discipline to study societies not recorded through script. Such integration of interest about the past contributes to a shift of power thus far represented by academic centers produced through the socioeconomic and political constrains of the world-system. Their power was in abilities to control research worldwide by providing funds, setting research agendas, designing methodologies, and offering theoretical outlooks. The current integration is qualitatively different as archaeology becomes nationless and cultural heritage is understood as global rather than local patrimony. Despite its global context, archaeology still depends on local politics. A look at this global scale allows for identification of problems and pressures inflicted on the archaeological research by overwhelmingly potent socioeconomic and political contexts.
A frontier-based approach for autonomous exploration

We introduce a new approach for exploration based on the concept of frontiers, regions on the boundary between open space and unexplored space. By moving to new frontiers, a mobile robot can extend its map into new territory until the entire environment has been explored. We describe a method for detecting frontiers in evidence grids and navigating to these frontiers. We also introduce a technique for minimizing specular reflections in evidence grids using laser-limited sonar. We have tested this approach with a real mobile robot, exploring real-world office environments cluttered with a variety of obstacles. An advantage of our approach is its ability to explore both large open spaces and narrow cluttered spaces, with walls and obstacles in arbitrary orientation.
Flipped Classroom Model Improves Graduate Student Performance in Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Renal Physiology.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a traditional lecture-based curriculum versus a modified "flipped classroom" curriculum of cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal physiology delivered to first-year graduate students. Students in both courses were provided the same notes and recorded lectures. Students in the modified flipped classroom were required to watch the prerecorded lectures before class and then attend class, where they received a quiz or homework covering material in each lecture (valued at 25% of the final grade) followed by a question and answer/problem-solving period. In the traditional curriculum, attending lectures was optional and there were no quizzes. Evaluation of effectiveness and student performance was achieved by having students in both courses take the same multiple-choice exams. Within a comparable group of graduate students, participants in the flipped course scored significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) on the cardiovascular, respiratory, and weighted cumulative sections by an average of >12 percentage points. Exam averages for students in the flipped course also tended to be higher on the renal section by ∼11 percentage points (P = 0.06). Based on our experience and responses obtained in blinded student surveys, we propose that the use of homework and in-class quizzes were critical motivating factors that likely contributed to the increase in student exam performance. Taken together, our findings support that the flipped classroom model is a highly effective means in which to disseminate key physiological concepts to graduate students.
Simulating calls for service for an urban police department

Police departments in the United States strive to schedule officers so that a number of benchmarks are met. The police administration is often asked to justify to local governing bodies the size of the police force. To assess the effects of force size and scheduling strategies on the ability to meet the benchmark goals, we develop a discrete-event simulation for the calls for service (CFS). Using actual call data from an urban police department in the United States, we fit distributions for call rates and service times for input to the simulation. The output of the model includes statistics related to the response delay, cross-sector calls, and officer utilization. The simulation model verifies intuitive notions about policing and reveals interesting properties in the system.
A postprocessing procedure of test enrichment for path delay faults

Test sets for path delay faults in circuits with large numbers of paths are typically generated for faults associated with the longest circuit paths. Such test sets may not detect faults associated with the next-to-longest paths. This may lead to undetected failures. A dynamic test enrichment procedure proposed earlier increases the number of faults associated with the next-to-longest paths that are detected by a test set in order to improve its quality without increasing its size. The earlier procedure is referred to as dynamic since the decision as to which faults associated with next-to-longest paths will be detected is done during test generation. In this work, we describe a postprocessing procedure for test enrichment that accepts a given test set. By processing the tests in reverse order, the proposed procedure increases the number of detected faults associated with next-to-longest paths without increasing the number of tests. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed reverse order test enrichment procedure when applied following, and instead of dynamic test enrichment.
Hypersecretion of arginine vasopressin in acromegaly.

ABSTRACT Four of 5 patients with untreated active acromegaly demonstrated prolonged antidiuresis and sustained release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) with nicotine stimulation of the neurohypophysis. This hyperresponsiveness was acutely suppressed by adrenal steroids in 2 subjects. Long-term estrogen treatment restored a normal nicotine response in one patient; another showed improved nicotine response after pituitary X-ray irradiation and a normal response with added estrogen therapy. Three additional active patients in clinical remission with estrogen medication showed normal responses to nicotine. These studies suggest that, in active acromegaly, there is a neurohypophyseal hyperresponsiveness to nicotine which improves with clinical remission of the disease. Since the osmoregulatory responses of the neurohypophysis to dehydration, hemodilution and induced hyperosmolality fell within the expected normal range, it appears to be a selective neurohypophyseal derangement.
Multiplicity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections in Lymphoid Tissue

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected splenocytes in humans were recently shown to harbor three to four proviruses per cell on average (A. Jung et al., Nature 418:144, 2002). However, the mechanisms that lead to such extensive multiple infections are not understood. Here, we find by using mathematical analysis that two mechanisms quantitatively capture the distribution of proviral genomes in HIV-1-infected splenocytes, one where multiple genomes are acquired one at a time in a series of sequential infectious contacts of a target cell with free virions and infected cells, and the other where cell-to-cell transmission of multiple virions or genomes results from a single infectious contact of a target cell with an infected cell. The two mechanisms imply different genetic diversities of proviruses within an infected cell and therefore different rates of emergence of drug resistance via recombination.
The relationship of oral health literacy with oral health-related quality of life in a multi-racial sample of low-income female caregivers

Background To investigate the association between oral health literacy (OHL) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and explore the racial differences therein among a low-income community-based group of female WIC participants.
Variation Within and Among Vitis spp. for Foliar Resistance to the Powdery Mildew Pathogen Erysiphe necator

To complement existing control strategies, grape growers desire cultivars with resistance to powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe necator. Numerous disease resistance screens of diverse Vitis germplasm have been conducted previously to identify powdery mildew resistance but ratings of named cultivars were inconsistent and identities of resistant individuals in wild species were not typically provided. In the current study, controlled inoculations of a single isolate were made onto detached leaves from 1,025 Vitis accessions. The results were compared with natural epidemics in two vineyards: the cold-hardy Vitis spp. repository in Geneva, NY, in 2007-08, and a replicated vineyard of 89 Vitis accessions in Fredonia, NY in 2006-08. Of the genotypes screened using both natural infection and single-isolate inoculation, 33% were resistant to a single isolate but susceptible to diverse isolates in either or both vineyards, possibly due to race-specific resistance. This was exemplified by selection of E. necator genotypes virulent to Vitis labrusca in the Fredonia, NY vineyard, which is surrounded by production of the interspecific labrusca hybrids Concord and Niagara. Otherwise, there was good correlation of ratings between the vineyard and single-isolate ratings (r = 0.55 to 0.56) and between Geneva and Fredonia vineyard ratings (r = 0.75). No accession rated in all three screens was immune from infection. Although individual accessions of V. aestivalis, V. palmata, Vitis × doaniana, and Ampelopsis brevipedunculata were resistant in Geneva and Fredonia, each well-represented species had notable intraspecific variation in resistance. For 129 interspecific hybrids in this and previous studies, ratings infrequently corresponded among previous studies (39%) and between the current and previous studies (17 to 46%). However, three cultivars (Cayuga White, Diana, and Mars) were consistently rated as resistant across four independent studies. The results underscore the importance of uniform testing in multiple environments and the need for strategies for the development of cultivars with durable resistance.
A longitudinal examination of racial identity and racial discrimination among African American adolescents

This study tested the longitudinal association between perceptions of racial discrimination and racial identity among a sample of 219 African American adolescents, aged 14 to 18. Structural equation modeling was used to test relations between perceptions of racial discrimination and racial identity dimensions, namely, racial centrality, private regard, and public regard at 3 time points. The results indicated that perceived racial discrimination at Time 1 was negatively linked to public regard at Time 2. Nested analyses using age were conducted, and perceptions of racial discrimination at Time 2 were negatively linked to private regard at Time 3 among older adolescents. The findings imply that perceived racial discrimination is linked to negative views that the broader society has of African Americans.
Validity Issues in Cognitive-Behavioral Case Formulation

Despite considerable interest and growth in methods to develop or generate cognitive behavioral case formulations (CBCFs), relatively little conceptual and empirical work has focused on the validation or testing of these formulations. A case formulation can be regarded as an idiographic theory of the person and his or her life situation. This complex set of clinical judgments consists of a measurement model including the behavior problems or distress constructs and how they are measured; and a causal model involving variables such as thoughts or beliefs hypothesized to trigger and maintain this person’s distress or dysfunction. This article describes four types of validity issues in CBCF and how these validity issues can be evaluated using person-specific, intraindividual data collected daily or multiple times a day. Specific topics include the evaluation of content and construct (convergent and discriminant) validity for the measurement model, and the evaluation of predictive and treatment-related validi...