cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lenalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma

Purpose. The pharmacology, clinical use, adverse effects, dosage and administration, and cost of lenalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) are reviewed. Summary. Lenalidomide is an analogue of thalidomide and has been shown to be more potent than thalidomide in the stimulation of T-cell, interleukin-2, and interferon-γ production. Both drugs have direct cytotoxic effects on myeloma cells and are capable of inducing apoptosis. They are also capable of reducing angiogenesis through the inhibition of the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Inhibition of VEGF leads to alterations in the microvasculature of the bone marrow environment and inhibits myeloma cell growth and proliferation. Unlike thalidomide, lenalidomide has almost no sedative or constipative properties and induces only minimal neurotoxicity; however, there is concern about lenalidomide’s teratogenic potential. Phase I, II, and III trials have been carried out with lenalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory MM, and the drug has shown impressive response rates in relapsed disease. The combination of lenalidomide and dexamethasone has shown superior patient survival. Lenalidomide’s efficacy in newly diagnosed MM is currently being studied. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were found to be the most common grade 3 or higher toxicities. Rates of these toxicities varied among trials and may have been affected by the setting in which lenalidomide was used (i.e., relapsed or refractory disease versus newly diagnosed MM). Conclusion. Lenalidomide, a thalidomide analogue, has produced good results when used with dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory MM. Lenalidomide is associated with hematologic toxicities, and participation in a restricted-distribution program is required of prescribers, pharmacies, and patients because of the drug’s teratogenic potential.
The kinetics of the pH rise in illuminated chloroplast suspensions.

Abstract A flow method applied to a pH-measurement system was able to resolve the initial phase ( H + h per mg chlorophyll, respectively (pH 6.2, 5°). Simultaneous measurement of electron transport and pH rise indicated that the maximum stoichiometry of H+ uptake, the H + e 2 − ratio, may be 4.0.
In vivo corrosion of modular hip prosthesis components in mixed and similar metal combinations. The effect of crevice, stress, motion, and alloy coupling

One hundred forty-eight retrieved modular hip prostheses of both mixed (Ti-6Al-4V/Co-Cr) and similar (Co-Cr/Co-Cr) metal combinations were examined and positive evidence of corrosive attack was found in the conical taper region between head and stem. Significant corrosion was observed in both mixed and similar metal combinations with 16% of necks and 35% of heads (for mixed-metal cases), and 14% of necks and 23% of heads (for similar-metal cases) showing moderate to severe corrosive attack. There was a significant correlation between the percentage of prostheses with moderate to severe corrosion and the duration of implantation for both mixed and similar metal cases, indicating that this corrosion process is progressive in time. Moderate to severe corrosion was seen as early as 2.5 and 11 months (mixed and similar metals, respectively). Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray analysis identified several forms of corrosive attack in the cobalt-based component of the taper. These included, for both mixed and same metal combinations: preferential dissolution of cobalt, fretting, and pitting; mixed metals only: the formation of a Ti-Cr-Mo interfacial phase and interdendritic corrosion; and for similar metals: intergranular attack adjacent to grain boundaries enriched in molybdenum and silicon. It is hypothesized that the restricted crevice environment, coupled with high cyclic stresses which cause repeated fracture of the passive oxide films in the taper, result in an unstable electrochemical environment within the crevice for both the cobalt alloy and Ti-alloy passive films. The passivity of these alloys is subsequently lost and active attack of the taper results. Also, the repeated fracturing of the passive films will result in large amounts of corrosion products being formed. This corrosion and particulate accumulation could result in loss of mechanical integrity of the implants in vivo, create particles for third body wear, and release particles into the surrounding tissues.
Direct Measurement of Singlet-Triplet Splitting within Rodlike Photogenerated Radical Ion Pairs Using Magnetic Field Effects: Estimation of the Electronic Coupling for Charge Recombination

Determining the electronic coupling matrix element, V, for an electron transfer reaction is challenging both experimentally and theoretically. The magnitude of the singlet−triplet splitting (spin−spin exchange interaction), 2J, within a radical ion pair (RP) is directly related to the sum of the squares of the matrix elements that couple the RP state to the ground state and to other energetically proximate excited and ionic states. Each term in this sum is weighted by the reciprocal of the energy gap between the RP state and the particular state to which it is coupled. We present here a series of intramolecular triads with linear, rodlike structures that undergo very efficient two-step electron transfer following direct excitation of a 4-(N-piperidinyl)naphthalene-1,8-dicarboximide (6ANI) chromophore. Attachment of a p-methoxyaniline (MeOAn) donor by means of the piperazine bridge and naphthalene-1,8:4,5-bis(dicarboximide) (NI) or pyromellitimide (PI) acceptors, either directly or through a 2,5-dimethylph...
In vitro inhibitory and bactericidal activity of cefpiramide and seven antipseudomonal agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract Cefpiramide was tested against 493 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the results of minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal bactericidal concentration, bactericidal rate, and time-kill synergy studies were compared with those obtained with seven other antipseudomonal agents. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of cefpiramide for P. aeruginosa were comparable to all of the agents tested. Minimal bactericidal concentration results were generally within one twofold dilution of the minimal inhibitory concentration values for all agents tested. Bactericidal rate studies showed that at concentrations of four times the minimal inhibitory concentration, all of the agents produced rapid killing. Results of time-kill synergy studies showed a marked synergistic interaction between cefpiramide and each of three aminoglycosides, gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin. These results suggest that cefpiramide may be useful in the therapy of infections due to P. aeruginosa .
4736 Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and tumor seeding: an emerging complication of the pull technique in patients with head and neck cancer.

The use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube for enteral feeding has gained wide acceptance in various clinical settings. Head and neck cancer (HN H&NC and non H&NC.We looked specifically for the complication of tumor seeding at the site of PEG tube placement. Results: 330 cancer patients had PEG tube placed during the period of study using the pull technique. 248 patients had H&NC, mean age 66.5 (39-85) years, male/female ratio was 167/81. The non H&NC were 82 patients, mean age 64 (17-88) years, male/female ratio was 55/27. None of the non H&NC patients had tumor seeding and only two patients with H&NC had tumor seeding at the PEG exit site. The first patient was a 58-year-old man with a history of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the right maxillary sinus involving the palate. Following surgical resection a PEG tube was placed. Fourteen weeks later he presented with a mass around the PEG tube exit. The mass was resected and the histology confirmed SCC. The second patient was a 48-year-old man with a history of SCC of the piriform sinus treated with preoperative chemoradiation. The patient underwent a PEG tube placement prior to surgery. Four months later he presented with a slowly growing granulation tissue with purulent discharge that did not respond to antibiotics and local silver nitrate therapy. A biopsy of the tissue confirmed SCC. The patient underwent endoscopy which showed a large submucosal mass. He underwent wide local excision of the abdominal wall with partial gastrectomy. Conclusions: Metastatic implantation of H&NC at the site of PEG tube is a newly emerging complication following the pull technique. We encounterd 2 patients among 248 H&NC patients (0.8%) who developed this complication. Both of our patients had viable tumor in the oropharyngeal cavity. We recommend careful assessment of the oropharynx prior to PEG tube placement to avoid tumor seeding. In patients with viable tumor in the oropharynx, alternative methods of tube placement should be considered.
A Dynamic Route Optimization Mechanism for AODV in MANETs

In reactive routing protocols, active routes for connections retain their topological structure even when node movements over time make the route sub-optimal (in terms of path length). In AODV, for example, a connection route is recomputed only when one of its constituent links suffers catastrophic failure-at which point repair is initiated, often requiring global route discovery and introducing significant control traffic overhead. In this paper, we propose extensions to AODV which perform continuous route optimization. The objective of our proposed extension is to ensure connection path lengths are topologically efficient in spite of node mobility. Our experiments indicate that in many typical operational regimes, this objective is achieved successfully by our proposed scheme. The proposed mechanism has been implemented and tested in ns2 as an extension to AODV.
NMR characterization of intermolecular interactions for polymers, IV. Intermolecular interactions of low molecular weight analogues for compatible blends of polystyrene and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)

The intermolecular interaction, IMI, leading to the compatibility of polystyrene, PS, and poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide), PPO, has been identified by analyzing the IMI of the model compounds of low molecular weight; cumene, styrene oligomer, 2,6-dimethyl phenol, and its trimer. The IMI has been detected and identified applying Rummens' method for the analysis of the solvent-induced changes in NMR chemical shifts. The results indicate that the driving force in the formation of the compatible blend of PS and PPO is the π-hydrogen bond between the electrodeficient methyl groups in PPO and π-orbitals in PS. There were no indications that n-hydrogen bonds are formed between ring hydrogens of PS and the oxygen in PPO.
Center-of-gravity requirements for trim of several axisymmetric bodies.

Cone-conical-frustrum configurations meeting center of gravity requirements for higher hypersonic lift-drag ratios in axisymmetric manned spacecraft
In Search of Instructional Utility: A Function-Based Approach to Pictorial Research.

In spite of considerable research on various aspects of pictures and their instructional uses, a clear conception of the instructional potential of pictures is missing. As a result, practitioners who deal directly with the instructional process are limited in their ability to use pictures most effectively and efficiently. The approach to picture research described here attempts to make research more relevant by suggesting the need to pay greater attention to the instructional role or function served by pictures. Potential functions must be described in terms of their contribution to instructional processes and procedures. Functions should also be applicable to a wide variety of objectives, strategies, and procedures. The relevance of this approach to both basic and applied pictorial research is also discussed.
Nerve disperses preexisting acetylcholine receptor clusters prior to induction of receptor accumulation in Xenopus muscle cultures.

Abstract We have investigated the sequential changes of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) distribution on identified Xenopus laevis muscle cells in culture before and after innervation. AChRs on muscle cells were stained with tetramethylrhodamine-conjugated α-bungarotoxin and the distribution of AChR clusters was examined on a fluorescence microscope using an image intensifier. Large receptor clusters were identified on muscle cells and their fate was followed afterward. In muscle cells cultured without neural tube cells, about one-half of the identified AChR clusters survived for 2 days. In nerve-muscle cocultures, preexisting AChR clusters survived longer on non-nerve-contacted muscle cells than on muscle cells cultured without nerve. However, in nerve-contacted muscle cells the great majority of preexisting AChR clusters dispersed within 2 days. The dispersal of preexisting AChR clusters preceded receptor accumulation along the path of nerve contact by about 12–16 hr. Therefore, an accelerated dispersal of receptor clusters in innervated muscle cells is not a consequence of receptor accumulation along the nerve. The preexisting AChR clusters located near and far from the nerve contact sites dispersed along a similar time course. Protease inhibitors, trasylol and leupeptin, reduced the nerve-induced dispersal of the preexisting AChR clusters in the period before AChR accumulation at the nerve contact sites but did not do so during the period when AChRs began to accumulate at nerve-muscle contact. The significance of the dispersal of preexisting receptor clusters is discussed with regard to neuromuscular junction formation.
Calanoid copepod escape behavior in response to a visual predator

Calanoid copepods typically exhibit escape reactions to hydrodynamic stimuli such as those gener- ated by the approach of a predator. During the sum- mers of 2000, 2001 and 2004, two small calanoid species, Temora turbinata Dana, 1849 and Paracalanus parvus Claus, 1863 were exposed to a visual predatory Wsh, the blenny Acanthemblemaria spinosa Metzelaar, 1919, and their predator-prey interactions were recorded using both high-speed and standard video- graphic techniques. Copepod escape reaction compo- nents, including swimming pattern, reactive distance, turning rate, and jump kinetics, were quantiWed from individual predation events using motion analysis tech- niques. Among the observed escape reaction compo- nents, diVerences were noted between the species' swimming patterns prior to attack and their response latencies. Temora turbinata was a continuous cruiser and P. parvus exhibited a hop-and-sink swimming pat- tern. During periods of sinking, P. parvus stopped beating its appendages, which presumably reduced any self-generated hydrodynamic signals and increased perceptual abilities to detect an approaching predator. Response latency was determined for each copepod species using a hydrodynamic stimulus produced by a 1 ms acoustic signal. Response latencies of T. turbinata were signiWcantly longer than those of P. parvus. Despite some apparent perceptual advantages of P. parvus, the blenny successfully captured both species by modifying its attack behavior for the targeted prey.
On the X-Y convex hull of a set of X-Y polygons

We study the class of rectilinear polygons, calledX – Y polygons, with horizontal and vertical edges, which are frequently used as building blocks for very large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuit layout and wiring. In the paper we introduce the notion of convexity within the class ofX – Y polygons and present efficient algorithms for computing theX – Y convex hulls of anX – Y polygon and of a set ofX – Y polygons under various conditions. Unlike convex hulls in the Euclidean plane, theX – Y convex hull of a set ofX – Y polygons may not exist. The condition under which theX – Y convex hull exists is given and an algorithm for testing if the given set ofX – Y polygons satisfies the condition is also presented.
Evanescent wave spectroscopy for in-situ cure monitoring

The curing of epoxy adjacent an embedded silica fiber has been monitored in situ by evanescent wave spectroscopy. The epoxy studied is partially fluorinated and has a lower refractive index than the silica optical fiber. This lower refractive index allows the silica optical fiber to be used as a waveguide for the internal reflection of near-infrared light. The curing agent was polyoxypropylenediamine. The epoxy curing was monitored as a function of time by analysis of the near-infrared spectra of the epoxy/curing agent adjacent the fiber. The results obtained from the examination of the near-infrared spectra, particularly the disappearance of the primary N-H stretching/bending combination band at approximately 4935 cm-1 and the accompanying increase of the C-N overtone band at approximately 4650 cm-1, showed that the epoxy curing reaction could be followed in real time using an 85 micron diameter silica optical fiber bundle. It was found that the primary amine groups are essentially completely reacted after 60 minutes.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Orientation of precrystallized poly(ethylene terephthalate)

The orientation characteristics of crystalline poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, were studied as a function of degree of crystallinity, orientation temperature, and stretch ratio. Oriented samples were analyzed with respect to mechanical, shrinkage, and barrier properties. The results show that (a) significant impact property improvement can be achieved by orienting crystallized PET, (b) the modulus, ultimate strength, and yield stress increase with orientation of precrystallized PET, (c) the initial degree of crystallinity can affect the strain-hardening properties of PET, and (d) the total amounts of shrinkage and shrinkage stress of stretched PET increase with increasing amounts of crystallinity before orientation.
Laser-Induced Acoustic Imaging of Buried Objects

A 100 mJ, 100 ns pulsed CO2 laser incident on the surface of soil is used as a localized acoustic source for the detection and imaging of underground objects. The acoustic pulse produced by the impulsive heating of the soil surface due to the absorbed 10.6 μm radiation is detected with an acoustic transducer suspended over the surface. Application of a Fourier domain filter enables the separation of the direct acoustic return from the faint echo from an object buried 3–25 mm below the surface. Scanning of the laser pulses across the position of a buried object allows the resolution of the shape and the depth of the buried object. The application of this technique to image buried landmines is demonstrated in trials at an outdoor test track.
Characterization of two monoclonal antibodies to human epidermal keratohyalin: reactivity with filaggrin and related proteins.

Abstract Two monoclonal antibodies (AKH1 and AKH2) were elicited with partially purified human filaggrin and characterized by immunohistochemistry on normal and abnormal skin biopsies, immunoblotting techniques, and antigen purification. Both antibodies react strongly with the granular cell layer consistent with the distribution of keratohyalin and show a more diffuse reaction with the stratum corneum in normal skin biopsies. Reaction in cultured human keratinocytes is limited to immunofluorescent granules in flattened, well-differentiated cells in confluent cultures, in which we have previously demonstrated keratohyalin. On immunoblots AKH1 reacts with filaggrin (37 kD) and profilaggrin (400 kD), while AKH2 primarily stains bands of 150 and 300 kD. The AKH2 antigens were identified in the cationic protein fraction used for immunization and were purified by gel permeation and high-performance liquid chromatography. Amino acid composition of these proteins differs only slightly from filaggrin. Immunohistochemical staining patterns of the two antibodies are very similar in the genetic disorders of keratinization tested, except for ichthyosis vulgaris, and reflect the presence and distribution of keratohyalin. In ichthyosis vulgaris, AKH1 staining is weak, consistent with the morphology and with biochemical absence of profilaggrin/filaggrin; however, AKH2 staining is positive, although weaker than normal, suggesting the presence of the AKH2 antigens even when keratohyalin is absent or abnormal. Antibodies AKH1 and AKH2 may be useful as differentiation markers for keratinization in tissues and for cells in culture. Antibody AKH1 can be used specifically for detection of profilaggrin/filaggrin in tissues, cultured keratinocytes, and extracts.
Ethics and the professional responsibility of lawyers (commentary)

I begin my comments with a "lawyer joke" not to ridicule the profession I share but because the extensity, and intensity, of legal humor testifies to the serious need to cope with the ethical ambiguities of the law. Professor Kipnis' analysis is valuable because it confronts and, in part, dissolves those ambiguities. Drawing legal ethics from political philosophy and not "general" ethical theory, Pro fessor Kipnis reminds us that the law is a complex social institution dedicated to the just resolution of disputes. As a complex institution, the legal profes sion assigns to lawyers in particular cases tasks whose relationships to general societal goals appear con tradictory. Professor Kipnis then illustrates the logic of controversial professional standards by tracing the functional bases for confidentiality and advocacy. An accountant greeted her lawyer friend one day, asking how things were in the "justice 'biz.'" The lawyer responded that he was in the law rather than the justice business; moreover, it was a profession and not a business at all.2 What is curious about this
BMP2 is essential for post natal osteogenesis but not for recruitment of osteogenic stem cells

The effects of BMP2 on bone marrow stromal cell differentiation and bone formation after bone marrow ablation were determined using C57 BL/6J (B6) mice. Inhibition of BMP2 expression with lentiviral BMP2 shRNA prevented both mineralized nodule formation in vitro and bone formation in vivo, and blocked the expression of Runx2 and osterix, transcriptional determinants of terminal osteogenic differentiation. No effect was observed on the expression of Sox9, a transcription factor, which is the one of the first transcriptional determinant to be expressed in committed chondroprogenitor and osteoprogenitor cells. In vitro studies showed that exogenously added BMP7 rescued the expression of osterix and enhanced the expression of Sox9, but had no effect on the expression of Runx2, while it only partially recovered the development of mineral deposition in the cultures. On the other hand, the exogenous addition of BMP2 rescued both Runx2 and osterix expression, did not enhance the expression of Sox9, but fully recovered the inhibition of mineral deposition in the cultures. Using antibodies against CD146 and Sox9, immunohistological examination of the cell populations found in the medullary space three days after bone marrow ablation, showed qualitatively equal numbers of cells expressing these skeletal progenitor and stem cell markers in control and BMP2 shRNA treated animals. Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) analysis of the cells found with the marrow cavities at three days after marrow ablation using CD146 antibody showed near equal numbers of immunopositive cells in both control and shRNA treated animals. In summary, the differences observed in vitro for BMP2 and BMP7 on osteogenic gene expression and mineralization suggest that they have differing effects on bone cell differentiation. These results further demonstrate that in vivo BMP2 is a central morphogenetic regulator of post natal osteoprogenitor differentiation, but does not affect recruitment of progenitors to the osteoblastic lineage.
Staged closure with negative pressure wound therapy for gastroschisis with liver herniation: A case report

Liver herniation with gastroschisis is an uncommon occurrence that is associated with a poor prognosis. This report presents a single case of complex gastroschisis complicated by herniation of the left hepatic lobe. In the subject case, the abdominal wall defect was successfully closed by sequential closure with negative pressure wound therapy after the initial application of a preformed silo. As there are no established standards for the management of gastroschisis with liver herniation, there exists an opportunity for multicenter review to define approaches to optimize clinical outcomes with this complex congenital issue. As a result of the complexity and rarity of this congenital abnormality, reports with a positive prognosis carry clinical relevance.
IRS-Bubble PCR: An Effective Method for Representative Amplification of Human Genomic DNA Sequences from Complex Sources

Abstract A rate-limiting step in the analysis of large segments of genomic DNA is the generation of a set of representative short single-copy sequences that can be used for development of fine-structure maps. In direct response to this need, we have developed interspersed repetitive DNA sequence (IRS)-bubble PCR. IRS-bubble PCR was designed to amplify the human DNA content of somatic cell hybrids, yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), BACs, PACs, cosmids, and λ phage and to result in greater complexity and representation than standard inter-IRS PCR. Here, we describe the application of IRS-bubble PCR to the generation of complex clone libraries for targeted STS development and the construction of robust hybridization probes for FISH mapping, “chromosome painting,” or the assembly of cosmid contigs representing the human DNA content of somatic cell hybrids or YACs.
Calculation and experimental verification of two-dimensional focusing grating couplers

A ray tracing method has been performed to calculate the focus spot size of two-dimensional focusing grating couplers that are produced by holographic interferometry of freely propagating wavefronts. The calculations have been used to optimize the constructing optical configuration. Diffraction limited spot diameters of about 2 μm can be achieved for couplers at wavelength 632.8 nm. These spot sizes have been experimentally verified for coupling and focusing TE modes which are guided in sputtered glass films on Si substrates.
Pharmacokinetics of lithium in rat brain regions by spectroscopic imaging.

Abstract Lithium (Li) and its salts have been demonstrated to be the most effective drug in both acute and prophylactic treatment of bipolar disorder. The exact molecular mechanisms and particular target regions accounting for its mood-stabilizing effect remain unknown. Knowledge of Li distribution and its regional pharmacokinetic properties in the living brain is of value in localizing its action in the brain. Pharmacokinetic measurements in different anatomical regions of the human brain are not yet available. Limited pharmacokinetic measurements in rat brain subvolumes have been performed using atomic absorption technique. However, a noninvasive way of estimating the pharmacokinetics in different regions of the brain where the drug exerts its beneficial effects would allow such methods to be used in the study of patients undergoing Li therapy. Earlier 7 Li MR studies on rat brain regions have provided preliminary pharmacokinetic information from the whole brain. Using 7 Li MR spectroscopic imaging (SI) technology, Li distribution in brain regions of the rat at therapeutic dosages has been recently demonstrated by us. Here we report feasibility of local pharmacokinetic measurements on brain regions obtained by magnetic resonance SI technology. Our results suggest that Li is most active in a region stretching from the anterior cingulate cortex and striatum to the caudal midbrain, with greatest activity including the preoptic area and hypothalamic region. Some activity was seen in prefrontal cortex, but only minimal amounts in the region of the cerebellum and metencephalic brainstem.
TEACHING SCIENTISTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A DIALECTICAL APPROACH

Today, we know relatively well about what should be taught in the entrepreneurship program for non-business majors. However, our understanding of how should the non-business students be taught is still limited. To address this issue, we study the entrepreneurship curriculum developed for students in the Nontraditional Doctor of Pharmacy (NTPD) program at the University of Maryland Baltimore. In principle, the core of this entrepreneurship curriculum resembles a typical business school entrepreneurship course with an emphasis on developing a business or a project plan at the end of a two-semester, six-credit course sequence. This entrepreneurship curriculum for PharmD has a successful track record. From 1995 to 2003; 35% to 40% of the business plans developed by the NTPD students have been successfully funded. Although the program is structured in a similar manner as many other short-term entrepreneurship curricula in non-business programs, its implementation and dialectic approach create a dynamic learning environment that has effectively assisted non-business major graduate students to engage in business venturing activities. The infusion of dialectical inquiry at the NTPD program enables clinical pharmacy students to exploit their professional expertise while developing competence in business planning. Students are expected to plan for the implementation of some new aspect of clinical pharmacy into a new or existing practice. In this research, we reported the design of NTPD entrepreneurship curriculum and the training of business planning. Given the lack of foundation business knowledge and course time limitation in NTPD (and other hybrid programs), we posit that the effective implementation of dialectical inquiry will help students improve the quality of new venture planning.
Well-Being Therapy: Conceptual and Technical Issues

Well-being therapy is a short-term, well-being-enhancing psychotherapeutic strategy. It is based on Carol D. Ryff’s multidimensional model of psychological well-being, encompassing environmental maste
Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Articular Cartilage

MRI is one of the most accurate imaging methods available to diagnose disorders of articular cartilage. Conventional two-dimensional and three-dimensional approaches show changes in cartilage morphology. Newer and substantially faster three-dimensional imaging methods show great promise to improve MRI of cartilage. These methods may allow acquisition of fluid-sensitive isotropic data that can be reformatted into arbitrary planes for improved detection and visualization of pathology. Unique MRI contrast mechanisms also allow clinicians to probe cartilage physiology and detect early changes in cartilage macromolecules.
Catalyzing a Commitment to Community Service in Emerging Adults

In this study, the author conducted in-depth interviews with college students from affluent suburban communities who perform 10 to 20 hours of community service each week. Three fourths of these students attribute their commitment to community service in large part to a single academic experience that influenced their respective worldviews and conceptions of service. Examples of such experiences include Bible studies, secondary and university-level courses, a freshman week orientation program, and independent study. For the majority of the students in this study, these experiences occurred during the freshman year of college. In this article, the author offers a model that documents the role of these experiences in catalyzing an emerging adult's commitment to community service.
Asymptotic Analysis of Outage Region in CDMA MIMO Systems

Uplink code-division multiple access (CDMA) multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) systems are considered in the large system limit within the assumptions of synchrony and frequency flat fading. The outage region maximizing the sum capacity of non-outage users is obtained, which extends the criterion of outage in single-input and single-output (SISO) CDMA systems.
Enhancing Periodontal Health Through Regenerative Approaches: A Commentary on the Need for Patient‐Reported Outcomes

Starting in the 1970s, social scientists have discussed the importance of assessing subjective indicators of well-being and quality of life. Medical researchers followed this line of reasoning since the 1990s, emphasizing the significance of understanding how disease and its treatment affect patients' quality of life. Since the start of the 21(st) century, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) received increasingly more attention. While research concerning the effects of periodontal disease and its surgical and non-surgical treatment on patients' lives has been considered in numerous studies, research including patient-reported outcomes when assessing how periodontal health can be enhanced through regenerative approaches is largely missing. This commentary proposes to consider 1) OHRQoL and 2) patients' treatment satisfaction as patient-reported outcomes in conjunction with objectively measured patient-centered factors, and discusses the value of such an approach.
A soft-output decoding algorithm for concatenated systems

The reliability measure for a decoded symbol is the probability P/sub c/ that the symbol is correct or the probability of error P/sub e/=1-P/sub c/. Such quantities can be obtained by the symbol-by-symbol MAP (maximum a posteriori probability) algorithm. Unfortunately this algorithm is computationally inefficient. A soft output Viterbi algorithm (SOVA) can provide an estimate of P/sub e/ which is accurate only for large SNR. This paper proposes an efficient modified MAP algorithm for obtaining P/sub c/ for the outputs of convolutional inner decoders. The outer decoder uses P/sub c/ to perform soft decision decoding by choosing a codeword which maximizes the maximum likelihood (ML) metric. Decoding based on this ML metric is referred to as generalised soft decision decoding since it includes the Euclidean metric on AWGN channels and binary memoryless channels as special cases.
Currents induced in an anatomically based model of a human for exposure to vertically polarized electromagnetic pulses

The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique is used to calculate the internal fields and the induced current densities in anatomically based models of a human using 5628 or 45024 cubical cells of dimensions 2.62 and 1.31 cm, respectively. A layer of dielectric constant of epsilon /sub r/=4.2 and having a thickness of 2.62 cm is assumed under the feet to simulate a human wearing rubber-soled shoes. The total induced currents for the various sections of the body and the specific absorptions for several organs are given for two representative electromagnetic pulses. The calculated results for the induced currents are in excellent agreement with the data measured for a human subject. The FDTD method is ideally suited for exact representation of the pulse shapes and offers numerical efficiency to allow detailed modeling of the human body and the various organs. >
Physics based virtual machines

In 1998 the Department of Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University began developing a series of courses using virtual reality as a tool to integrate the concepts of mechanical engineering. As the seminal project of these four classes, students are required to select a machine from the world around them and reproduce it in 3D virtual reality. Each of these machines has an inherent physical law that governs an aspect of its function, and students are expected to write the software governing the simplified physics. This paper discusses various aspects of the four courses, but focuses on the last one.
Attentional Modulation of Receptive Field Structure in Area 7a of the Behaving Monkey

Spatial attention modulates the activity of inferior parietal neurons. A statistically rigorous approach to classical retinotopic mapping was used to quantify the receptive fields of area 7a neurons under two attentional conditions. Measurements were made with retinal stimulation held constant and the locus of attention manipulated covertly. Both tasks required central fixation but differed in the locus of covert attention (either on the center fixation point, or on a peripheral square target in one of 25 locations). The neuron's identity over the recording session was confirmed using chaos theory to characterize unique temporal patterns. Sixty-six percent of the neurons changed prestimulus activity based on task state. Retinotopic mapping showed no evidence for foveal sparing. Attentional factors influenced visual responses for ∼30% of the neurons. Two types of modulation were equally observed. One group of cells had a multiplicative scaling of response, with equal instances of enhancement and suppression. A second group of cells had a complex interaction of visual and attentional signals, such that spatial tuning was subject to a non-linear modulation across the visual field based on attentional constraints. These two cell groups may have different roles in the shift of attention preceding motor behaviors and may underlie shifts in parietal retinotopic maps observed with intrinsic optical imaging.
Convergence of Redox-Sensitive and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways in Tumor Necrosis Factor-α–Mediated Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Induction in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is an important component of the inflammatory response of the vessel wall and has been shown to be regulated by cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). However, the precise signaling pathways leading to MCP-1 induction have not been fully elucidated in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Cytokine signal transduction involves protein kinases as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS). The relation between these 2 factors is not clear. In this study, we show that TNF-alpha induces a parallel phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and increases MCP-1 mRNA expression in cultured VSMCs. Inhibition of ERK1/2 but not p38MAPK caused a partial attenuation of MCP-1 induction (43+/-10% inhibition). Incubation of VSMCs with multiple antioxidants (diphenylene iodonium, liposomal superoxide dismutase, catalase, N-acetylcysteine, dimethylthiourea, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) had no effect on TNF-alpha-mediated MCP-1 upregulation. However, simultaneous blockade of the ERK1/2 and ROS pathways by using PD098059 combined with diphenylene iodonium or N-acetylcysteine potently enhanced the ability of MAPK kinase inhibitors to abrogate MCP-1 mRNA expression (100+/-2% inhibition). Thus, parallel ROS-dependent and ERK1/2-dependent pathways converge to regulate TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 gene expression in VSMCs. These data unmask a complex but organized integration of ROS and protein kinases that mediates cytokine-induced vascular inflammatory gene expression.
A Simulation-Based Approach to Decision Making with Partial Information

The construction of a probabilistic model is a key step in most decision and risk analyses. Typically this is done by defining a single joint distribution in terms of marginal and conditional distributions. The difficulty of this approach is that often the joint distribution is underspecified. For example, we may lack knowledge of the marginal distributions or the underlying dependence structure. In this paper, we suggest an approach to analyzing decisions with partial information. Specifically, we propose a simulation procedure to create a collection of joint distributions that match the known information. This collection of distributions can then be used to analyze the decision problem. We demonstrate our method by applying it to the Eagle Airlines case study used in previous studies.
Sex in the worm

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans counts its X chromosomes to determine sex and to activate the process of dosage compensation, which ensures that males (XO) and hermaphrodites (XX) express equal levels of most X-chromosome products. The number of X chromosomes is communicated by a set of X-linked genes called X-signal elements, which repress the master sex-determination switch gene xol-1 via two distinct, dose-dependent molecular mechanisms in XX embryos. X-chromosome gene dosage is compensated by a specialized protein complex that includes evolutionarily conserved components of mitotic and meiotic machinery. This complex assembles on both X chromosomes of hermaphrodites to repress transcription by half. The recruitment of chromosome segregation proteins to the new task of regulating X-chromosome-wide gene expression points to the evolutionary origin of nematode dosage compensation.
On user interfaces for educational multimedia applications

The paper addresses two questions related to educational multimedia applications: (a) what lessons should we learn from today's graphical user interfaces (GUIs)?, and (b) what should the user interfaces should look like in the future? We address the first question by drawing on our experience from two multimedia projects, that deal with multimedia proceedings and multimedia lectures. For the second question, we criticize the directions that today's research for 3D and VR GUIs is going, and we argue that they may not necessarily be on the way to the optimum user interface, which is none, and we describe an alternative path.
Extracranial Carotid Stenosis

A 64-year-old man with a history of smoking and hypercholesterolemia has a sudden, transient loss of vision in his left eye. The results of the physical examination are normal except for a bruit in the left side of the neck. High-resolution carotid ultrasonography demonstrates stenosis of 60 to 79 percent in the left carotid artery that is confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography. How should this patient be treated?
Morphology and cytochemistry of acinar secretory granules in normal and isoproterenol-treated rat submandibular glands.

SUMMARY Several fixation procedures have been utilized in a fine-structural study of rat submandibular glands with the aim of correlating the morphology of granule substructure with its composition. Procedures included fixation with aldehyde in a variety of buffers, with or without fixation additives such as tannic acid or calcium chloride. Both immersion and perfusion fixation studies were performed. Osmium tetroxide postfixed tissue was compared with non-postfixed tissue. Thin sections were stained for carbohydrate-containing constituents by either periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate or tannic acid-ferric chloride sequences. The morphology and cytochemistry of acinar secretory granules were highly dependent upon the fixation procedure utilized. In postfixed tissue, fine filaments and vesicles were the major granule constituents. Filaments often aggregated into fibrils in fixatives containing phosphate buffer or calcium, whereas vesicles were prominent with fixatives containing collidine buffer. Tannic acid, as a fixation additive, imparted enhanced density to the peripheral rim of aggregated filaments. If post fixation was eliminated, an amorphous meshlike material was the major granule component. This stained readily with methods for carbohydrate whereas the granules of post-osmicated tissue did not. Following chronic isoproterenol treatment the degree of filament aggregation in postfixed tissue was augmented, and this corresponded to an increase in amount of material stainable for carbohydrate in non-post-osmicated tissue.
Factors affecting detectability of river otters during sign surveys

Sign surveys are commonly used to study and monitor wildlife species but may be flawed when surveys are conducted only once and cover short distances, which can lead to a lack of accountability for false absences. Multiple observers surveyed for river otter (Lontra canadensis) scat and tracks along stream and reservoir shorelines at 110 randomly selected sites in eastern Kansas from January to April 2008 and 2009 to determine if detection probability differed among substrates, sign types, observers, survey lengths, and near access points. We estimated detection probabilities ( p) of river otters using occupancy models in Program PRESENCE. Mean detection probability for a 400-m survey was highest in mud substrates ( p ¼ 0.60) and lowest in snow ( p ¼ 0.18) and leaf litter substrates ( p ¼ 0.27). Scat had a higher detection probability ( p ¼ 0.53) than tracks ( p ¼ 0.18), and experienced observers had higher detection probabilities ( p > 0.71) than novice observers ( p 3-fold, providing further evidence of the potential negative bias that can occur in estimates from sign surveys when imperfect detection is not addressed. Our study identifies areas for improvement in sign survey methodologies and results are applicable for sign surveys commonly used for many species across a range of habitats. 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Managing Febrile Infants Impact of Literature Recommendations Published During a Physician’s Residency

The authors hypothesized that sepsis workup recommendations are associated with practice recommendations published during the physician’s residency. The first published recommendations suggesting s...
Soil microbial activity and N availability with elevated CO2 in Mojave Desert soils

[1] We examined the effects of elevated CO2 on soil nitrogen (N) dynamics in the Mojave Desert by measuring plant N isotope composition (δ15N), soil microbial biomass N, soil respiration, resin-available N, and C and N dynamics during soil incubations. With elevated CO2, foliage of Larrea tridentata and Krameria erecta had mean δ15N 2.1 and 1.1‰ higher with elevated CO2, respectively, and elevated CO2 increased microbial biomass N in dry soils under a perennial grass (6.8 ± 1.4 versus 3.7 ± 0.3 μg/g). Elevated CO2 significantly increased cumulative resin-available N in the field by 12%, driven by available soil moisture. Rates of soil respiration with elevated CO2 were sporadically higher under Pleuraphis and Larrea. Soils under shrubs had greater potential net N mineralization (102.6 ± 24.2 μg/g) than soils under grasses and in plant interspaces (40.0 ± 9.69 μg/g). Rates of recalcitrant N turnover in soil incubations were related to soil substrate availability. Results indicate that shifts in soil microbial structure and/or activity may occur with elevated CO2 and may result in increases in plant-available N when soil moisture is available.
A WIP Balancing Procedure for Throughput Maximization in Semiconductor Fabrication

In a semiconductor fabrication line (fab), high throughput often guarantees high revenue and profit since relatively constant operating cost is required throughout the year; however, maintaining high throughput has been a challenging task due to complicated operational variables in a modern high-end wafer fabrication line. To deal these variables, the industry has developed a fab scheduling system consisting of several functional modules that focus on different areas of decision making. WIP balancing, which aims to prevent starvation of bottleneck toolsets, has been an important component for fab scheduling. This research proposes a new WIP balancing concept, which directly considers load levels of bottleneck toolsets for higher throughput. Also, an MIP (mixed integer programming) model is developed for the new WIP balancing. A performance test shows that the new approach increases throughput, especially when WIP level and product routing flexibility are low.