cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of BCL-2 family proteins on subcellular particle size distribution

Intrinsic optical properties of biological tissue can be modulated with specific genetic alterations, and used as a phenotypic response to probe specific signaling pathways. Utilizing this approach, we used optical scatter imaging to probe the effect of BCL-x L on subcellular particle size distribution within monolayers of living CSM14.1 and iBMK cells. Expression of YFP-Bcl-x L shifted the center of the subcellular particle diameter distribution from 1.5μm to 2μm in CSM 14.1 cells and from 1.5 to 1.8 μm in iBMK cells. This shift was also observed in cells expressing YFP-TM, in which YFP is directly fused to the C-terminal transmembrane (TM) domain of BCL-x L , but not in cells expressing YFP or YFP-BCL-x L -ΔTM, which lack the TM domain. YFP and YFP-BCL-x L -ΔTM were diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm, while YFP-TM and YFP-BCL-x L were localized on the mitochondria. The measured particle sizes, combined with the localization of the TM domain to the mitochondria, suggest that morphological disturbances of the mitochondrial membrane effected by the TM domain of Bcl-x L , underlie the measured optical scatter changes. We have also found that expression of BCL-2, another anti-apoptotic protein, in iBMK cells, results in a subcellular particle diameter increase similar to that induced by BCL-xL. However, BCl-xL-ΔTM induced as much apoptosis resistance as BCL-x L . Thus, mitochondrial morphology changes are not required for apoptosis resistance. Nonetheless, expression of YFP-TM also conferred a moderate level of apoptosis resistance, while apoptosis resistant iBMK cells lacking Bax and Bak, showed an increase in the light scattering contribution of particles less than 1.5 μm in diameter. Our results suggest a possible secondary role of the BCL-xL TM domain in apoptosis resistance. However, the functional relationship between mitochondrial morphology and apoptosis resistance remains to be fully elucidated.
Theoretical analysis of the effect of the temperature fluctuation in an isothermal stability study

AbstractThe effect of the temperature fluctuation in a nominal isothermal stability study is theoretically analyzed using hypothesized temperature-time functions. It is concluded that for symmetrical temperature-time profiles the extent of degradation in the real nonisothermal condition is less than that in the nominal isothermal condition. However, with the temperature fluctuaction obtainable with the current thermoregulated devices, the difference between the two is usually very small and can be neglected except for extremely fast reactions.
A comparison of abused children and their nonabused siblings.

Abstract We compared 295 targets of abuse to 284 nonabused siblings with reference to birth record data and maternal perceptions of the birth and subsequent development of the child. Prematurity; Apgar scores: age of mother at child's birth; self-reports of postpartum depression; maternal perceptions of emotional difficulties of the child, of the child's ability to be influenced by the mother, and of negative characteristics of the child reminiscent of others were related to certain types of abuse and gross neglect. Explanatory hypotheses include weakened attachment bonds and maternal projection of negative attributes and feelings of helplessness.
Advanced amorphous silicon thin film transistor active-matrix organic light-emitting displays design for medical imaging

Constant-current, active-matrix organic light-emitting displays (AM-OLEDs) with the advanced hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin film transistor (a-Si:H TFT) pixel electrode circuits have been designed in our laboratory for medical applications. An extensive pixel electrode circuit simulation and analysis indicate that a continuous pixel electrode excitation can be achieved with these circuits, and a pixel electrode driving output current level up to 1.4 (mu) A can be reached with an a-Si:H TFT technology. Small feed-through voltage (few tenth of mV) that can be achieved with this circuit will enhance the display gray level controllability needed for medical imaging. Each pixel electrode has a threshold voltage compensation circuit to adjust the pixel electrode driving current level for threshold voltage shifts of both the organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and the current driving a-Si:H TFT. For a 16-inch VGA full-color AM-OLED with a pixel electrode size of ~60x115 micrometers 2, the output current level is equivalent to a pixel current density of 20 mA/cm2. Assuming the OLEDs with an external quantum efficiency of 1%, the AM-OLED brightness of ~88, ~960, and ~160 cd/m2 for red (650 nm), green (540 nm), and blue (480 nm) light emission, respectively, can be achieved with this type of pixel electrode circuits.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Addressing Response Time and Video Quality in Remote Server Based Internet Mobile Gaming

A new remote server based gaming approach, where the responsibility of executing the gaming engines is put on remote servers instead of the mobile devices, has the potential for enabling mobile users to play the same rich Internet games available to PC users. However, the mobile gaming user experience may be limited by risks of unacceptably high response time, and low gaming video quality, as gaming control commands, and the resulting gaming video, have to travel through wireless networks characterized by high bandwidth fluctuations, latency and packet loss. In this paper, we propose a set of application layer optimization techniques to ensure acceptable gaming response time and video quality in the remote server based approach. The techniques include downlink gaming video rate adaptation, uplink delay optimization, and client play-out delay adaptation. Experiments conducted on a commercial HSDPA network demonstrate that the proposed optimization techniques can make the remote server based approach feasible, allowing rich Internet games to be played on mobile devices, while ensuring acceptable user experience.
Optimal projection control of an experimental truss structure

Optimal projection reduced-order control theory is applied experimentally to a controlled structure testbed. The test structure has 25 disturbed modes, and the controller uses four strain sensors to command four noncollocated stress actuators. The best optimal projection design, an 18th-order controller derived from a 58th-order structural model, is experimentally found to reduce the broad-band vibration of five independent pointing error measures by as much as 66% without saturating the actuators and without destabilizing high-frequency modes. A similar reduced-order linear quadratic Gaussian controller is found to always destabilize high-frequency modes. The homotopy algorithm used to solve the optimal projection synthesis equations is described and its convergence is discussed. Analytical and experimental closed-loop performance for a series of optimal projection controllers are compared to equivalent linear quadratic Gaussian controllers to illustrate the effect of structural dynamic modeling errors on the results.
The temperature structure, mass, and energy flow in the corona and inner solar wind

Remote-sensing and in situ data are used to constrain a radiative energy balance model in order to study the radial variations of coronal temperatures, densities, and outflow speeds in several types of coronal holes and in an unstructured quiet region of the corona. A one-fluid solar wind model is used which takes into account the effects of radiative and inward conductive losses in the low corona and the chromospheric-coronal transition region. The results show that the total nonradiative energy input in magnetically open coronal regions is 5 + or - 10 to the 5th ergs/sq cm, and that most of the energy heating the coronal plasma is dissipated within 2 solar radii of the solar surface.
Measurements of the localized state electronic structure of organic solar cells

Experimental measurements of the band tail density of states distribution in bulk heterojunction solar cells, are described, with measurements made on P3HT:PCBM and PCDTBT:PCBM. The transient photoconductivity experiment measures the electron and hole drift mobility in the solar cells. The dispersive nature of the electronic transport is directly related to the band tail density of states distribution. The technique is extended to measure the band tail DOS over a range of energies. In each type of cell we observe an approximately exponential band tail, but also find an additional broad distribution of deep states. Measurements of the photocurrent spectral response to low energy provide an alternative measure of the optical absorption spectrum for excitations from the polymer HOMO to the PCBM LUMO. These data also reveal an exponential distribution of band tail states with a slope that is the same as the electron transport measurements.
Microbial transport through heterogeneous porous media: random walk, fractal, and percolation approaches

Abstract Interest in microbial communities of the subsurface environment has greatly stimulated research on microbial transport phenomena in heterogeneous porous media. In this paper, we describe several stochastic-geometric modeling techniques that integrate, to varying degrees, random walk, fractal, and percolation approaches as alternatives to traditional mathematical and numerical models for microbial transport in subsurface media across scales. The results presented illustrate how such techniques may shed new light on modeling of microbial transport processes, including microbial cell diffusion on a fractal space, geometric properties of microbial clusters (patches), aggregation processes of microbial clusters, localization of microbial growth sites, and a model for long-term survival of microbial cells in deep strata.
Galactosamine decreases nitric oxide formation in cultured rat hepatocytes: lack of involvement in cytotoxicity.

Galactosamine hepatotoxicity in vivo has long been associated with rapid and extensive depletion of hepatic uridine nucleotides. Depletion of uridine nucleotides is considered to be causal in the toxicity, as evidenced by the protective effect of uridine administration. However, the exact mechanism of galactosamine-induced hepatic necrosis is still unclear. We have previously shown that the addition of galactosamine to rat primary hepatocyte cultures dramatically decreases production of nitric oxide, as measured in the 24 hour culture medium. The present study investigates whether decreased nitric oxide production contributes to the toxicity of galactosamine in primary hepatocyte cultures. Similar concentration-response curves were observed for the decrease in nitric oxide production and galactosamine cytotoxicity, raising the possibility that there is a similar mechanism for these effects. Suppression of NO synthesis was a direct effect of galactosamine, rather than an indirect effect due to loss of cells from the cultures. Both cytotoxicity and the decrease in nitric oxide production were attenuated by coaddition of 3 mM uridine. However, galactosamine cytotoxicity was not enhanced by prior inhibition of hepatocellular NO synthesis nor was it attenuated by maintenance of culture NO levels with molsidomine or diethylamine NONOate. These data do not support a role for decreased hepatocyte nitric oxide production in galactosamine hepatocyte toxicity. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Toxicol 13: 135–142, 1999
Modulation of B-Cell Immunoglobulin Synthesis by Retinoic Acid

Retinoic acid (RA) and its parent compound retinol (ROH, vitamin A) have been recognized as important immunopotentiating agents since the early 1900s. We have focused our studies on the effects of retinoids on B-cell immune function in the newborn infant. The response of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) to formalinized Cowan I strain Staphylococcus aureus (SAC), a T-cell-dependent factor for inducing the differentiation of B cells into immunoglobulin (Ig)-secreting cells, was used as a model system for studying whether RA could alter the immunoglobulin synthesis of newborn B lymphocytes. The addition of RA to SAC-stimulated CBMC cultures produced a 2- to 47-fold increase in IgM synthesis. An ELISA-spot assay showed that the RA-induced enhancement in Ig synthesis was due to the recruitment of more B cells to differentiate into Ig-secreting cells. Whereas RA enhanced IgM production of CBMC stimulated with SAC, RA augmented only IgG production of SAC-stimulated adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). To determine if the differences in dose-response characteristics between CBMC and adult PBMC resided within the target cell, i.e., the B cell, T-cell-enriched and T-cell-depleted (B-cell) fractions from CBMC and adult PBMC were cocultured in various combinations. The isotype, i.e., IgM vs IgG, and the dose-response curve characteristics were intrinsic to the responding B-cell source, i.e., newborn vs adult. Highly purified T cells from CBMC, when preincubated for 36 hr with RA, enhanced IgM synthesis of cord blood B cells. Supernatants from purified T cells generated a factor which could enhance B-cell synthesis. Although interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-6 could not be detected by ELISA in the T-cell-derived supernatants, RA probably generates a cytokine/interleukin from T cells which modulates B-cell Ig secretion. RA can also act directly on B cells as evidenced by the augmentation in Ig synthesis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-cell lines. These data suggest that RA can have a direct effect on B cells. Since increased proliferation (numbers) of lymphoblastoid B cells was not responsible for the increased amounts of Ig in the supernatant fluids, we examined whether cytokines secreted by EBV-transformed B cells could be acting as an autocrine factor in increasing Ig synthesis. EBV-transformed B-cell clones incubated with RA for 6 days produced a 20- to 45-fold increase in IL-6. An understanding of the mechanisms by which RA enhances B-cell immune function may lead to the use of RA or its derivatives in patients with immune deficiencies and in preterm infants with immature immune systems.
Measurement of atomic polarizabilities using Floquet spectroscopy.

The complex network of Floquet states that results from an application of an external ac electric field to a collection of atoms is investigated. It is shown that precision dc Stark spectroscopy can reveal the details of the quasienergy states, Floquet states, spawned by the application of a rf field. Transitions to the Floquet sidebands of quadratic (dc) Stark states are found to have absorption intensities in good agreement with theory. This combination of dc and ac fields applied to atoms, Floquet spectroscopy, is then used to determine accurately the scalar and tensor polarizabilities of the 65 $^{2}\mathrm{P}$ state of sodium. Deviations from quadratic behavior are investigated as well as the relationship of our measured polarizability to previous measurements at lower principal quantum numbers.
Water Column Characteristics from Modern CTD Data, Lake Malawi, Africa

Conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen profiles from Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa), East Africa, provide a modern snapshot of water column characteristics during January, 1992. Temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration of the water column generally decrease with depth from over 28° C and over 80% saturation at the surface to just below 22.7° C and anoxic conditions deeper than 300 m. Specific conductance (κ25) of the water column typically increases with depth from 258 μS cm−1 at the surface to 270 μS cm−1 at 690 m with approximately 50% of the increase between 160 and 240 m. The increase in salinity complements a decrease in temperature across the chemocline to restrict vertical mixing during the rainy, warm season, and salinity may be the only barrier to vertical mixing across the chemocline during the windy, cool season. However, fluctuating bottom-water temperatures, complied over the past 50 years from the deep-basin of the lake, suggest that cooler surface or near surface water is occasionally introduced into the monimolimnion. Conductivity profiles offshore of the Ruhuhu River show a mid-depth (30 - 65 m) layer of relatively fresh water (minimum of 213 μS cm−1) that is interpreted as an interflow injection of river discharge. The discharge introduces surface or near surface waters to deeper depths in the lake.
Quantum control via encoded dynamical decoupling

The ideas underlying dynamical decoupling methods are revisited within the framework of quantum-information processing, and their potential for direct implementations in terms of encoded rather than physical degrees of freedom is examined. The usefulness of encoded decoupling schemes as a tool for engineering both closed- and open-system encoded evolutions is investigated based on simple examples.
Erikson's life cycle theory and the local church

This paper recommends the use of Erik H. Erikson's life cycle theory to clarify the dynamics of the corporate life of the local church. To support this recommendation, it illustrates how an incipient institutional crisis in an inner-city church reflects the conflict ofinitiative vs. guilt. In the analysis of this case, the initiative vs. guilt conflict is broken down into four basic themes. Each of these themes focuses on a different form of interaction between participants in the conflict, and each theme provides specific recommendations for the resolution of the crisis. While only one of the eight life crises has been applied in this study, the paper concludes that there is genuine merit in the application of the life cycle theory to the corporate life of the church.
Subdural hematoma after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair: An underreported complication of spinal fluid drainage?

Abstract Objective: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage is a commonly used adjunct to thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair that improves perioperative spinal cord perfusion and thereby decreases the incidence of paraplegia. To date, little data exist on possible complications, such as subdural hematoma caused by stretching and tearing of dural veins, should CSF drainage be excessive. We reviewed our experience with patients in whom postoperative subdural hematomas were detected. Methods: The records of 230 patients who underwent TAAA repair at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between January 1992 and February 2001 were reviewed. Results: Eight patients had subdural hematomas (3.5%). The four men and four women had a mean age of 60.6 years; two of these patients had a connective tissue disorder. All patients had lumbar drains placed before surgery, including one patient who underwent operation emergently for rupture. Drains were set to allow drainage for CSF pressure greater than 5 cm H 2 O in all but one patient set for 10 cm H 2 O; spinal cooling was not performed in any patient. All drains were removed on the third postoperative day. In patients in whom subdural hematomas developed, the mean amount of CSF removed after surgery was 690 ± 79 mL, which was significantly greater than the amount drained from patients in whom subdural hematomas did not develop (359 ± 24 mL; P = .0013, Mann-Whitney U test). Six patients had postoperative subdural hematomas detected during hospitalization (mean postoperative day, 9.3; range, 2 to 16), and two patients were seen in delayed fashion after discharge from the hospital at 1.5 and 5 months. Four patients died of the subdural hematoma (50%); only one of these patients had neurosurgical intervention. All four survivors responded to neurosurgical intervention and are neurologically healthy. Two patients, both of whom were seen in delayed fashion, needed a lumbar blood patch. Multivariate logistic regression identified the volume of CSF drained as the only variable predictive of occurrence of subdural hematoma ( P = .01). Conclusion: Subdural hematoma is an unusual and potentially catastrophic complication after TAAA repair. Prompt recognition and neurosurgical intervention is necessary for survival and recovery after acute presentation. Epidural placement of a blood patch is recommended if a chronic subdural hematoma is detected. Care should be taken to ensure that excessive CSF is not drained perioperatively, and higher (10 cm H 2 O) lumbar drain popoff pressures may be necessary together with meticulous monitoring of patient position and neurologic status. (J Vasc Surg 2002;36:47-50.)
Hot Talk, Cold Science

One of the hottest topics in climate science is understanding and evaluating the impacts of possible global warming caused by anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. In Hot Talk, Cold Science, S. Fred Singer does not accept global warming. Singer says in his preface, “The purpose of this book is to demonstrate that the evidence [for global warming] is neither settled, nor compelling, nor even convincing. On the contrary, scientists continue to discover new mechanisms for climate change and to put forth new theories to try to account for the fact that global temperature is not rising, even though greenhouse theory says it should”.
Identification of amino sugars by paper chromatography

Abstract A method is described which permits separation, identification, and determination of glucosamine and galactosamine by paper chromatography. Amounts as small as 2–5 μg. of one of the amino sugars can be detected in the presence of more than 100 μg. of the other.
Limits of norms of powers of absolutely convergent Fourier series in several variables

Abstract Let ƒ be defined on T r and have an absolutely convergent Fourier series ƒ(〈e it j〉) = ∑ k ƒk e ik·t . Set ∥ƒ∥ = ∑ ¦ƒ k ¦ . In this paper the problem of determining the limit of ∥ƒ n ∥ , as n → ∞, is studied.
Cabibbo angle and quark mass spectrum

It is proposed that the light quarks p, n, and lambda are massless when the weak interaction is switched off. Because of the mass degeneracy between the n and lambda fields the Cabibbo angle theta is undefined. When the weak interaction is switched on the light quarks manage to acquire masses by undergoing weak radiative processes involving heavy quarks (such as the charm quark), thus lifting the mass degeneracy. By identifying appropriate linear combinations of the n and lambda fields as the physical n and lambda states one in effect determines the Cabibbo angle. In this view, the orientation between the strong and weak interactions is controlled by the structure of the weak interaction. Strong interactions are assumed to be asymptotically free. The implementation of this program leads to a ''vector-like'' weak-interaction theory which involves six quarks and right-handed currents and which has been discussed on phenomenological grounds elsewhere. (One feature of this program is that the smallness of the neutral kaon mass difference is ensured without further adjustments.) The Cabibbo angle theta and the mass ratio m/subN//m/sub lambda/ (which measures the extent of chiral symmetry breaking) are thus fixed in terms of some of the other parameters appearing inmore » the theory, namely the mass ratio of the two positively charged heavy quarks and various mixing angles, for instance, the analog of theta in the right-handed current. These parameters are all measurable in principle. Our knowledge of theta and m/subN//m/sub lambda/ then enables various predictive statements to be made about these ratios and consequently the structure of the weak interaction at higher energies. This point of view also leads naturally to an intimate connection between zero theta and exact chiral SU(2) symmetry. (AIP)« less
Dentists’ Work Habits: A Survey

Analysis of responses from 141 representative dentists indicates that there is a great variation among dentists in the number of patients treated in an hour; that many dentists have not adjusted working space to enable establishment of efficient work habits; and that many dentists are dissatisfied with their present operatories. The type of treatment, number of assistants, and patient education methods appear to affect the total number of patients treated. The solution to efficient work space may be in an analysis of goals and the tailoring of the operatory and equipment to meet individually established requirements.
The Rediscovery of Early Greek History

(1962). The Rediscovery of Early Greek History. The Historian: Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 137-152.
Illness and other assaults on self: the relative impact of HIV/AIDS on women’s lives

Based on interviews with 37 women with HIV infection, this paper explores women’s perceptions of HIV/AIDS in relation to other traumatic life events. Employing a biographical disruption framework, this paper demonstrates how women reconstruct the meaning of HIV infection in light of other disruptive life situations. Findings indicate that despite initial disruption, in retrospect, many of the sample women did not consider HIV to be the most devastating event in their lives. Rather, violence, mother-child separation, and drug use were deemed more disruptive than HIV infection. Several factors, including race, drug use and abuse histories, social support and diagnosis, were central to women’s differential assessment of HIV in relation to other disruptive events. Results are discussed in terms of the practical and theoretical implications of the analysis.
Elaborating on the Construct Validity of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale in Incarcerated and Non-Incarcerated Samples

The Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP) is a promising, efficient measure of the psychopathic personality. Previous examinations of its latent structure have yielded inconsistent results; therefore, the goal of the current study was to evaluate previously reported two- and three-factor models in three separate groups of male correctional inmates (n = 573), male college students (n = 202), and female college students (n = 200). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the best-fitting model across all the three groups was the three-factor model proposed by Brinkley et al. (Assessment 15:464–482, 2008). The convergent and discriminant validity of this three-factor structure as well as a revised 19-item total score were elaborated on in terms of predicting scores on conceptually relevant external criteria. The LSRP total and factor scales evidenced good convergent and discriminant validity with a few notable exceptions. Implications for theory and future research are discussed.
Resection for bronchogenic carcinoma involving the carina: Long-term results and effect of nodal status on outcome☆☆☆

Abstract Objective: Bronchogenic carcinoma in close proximity to or involving the carina remains a challenging problem for thoracic surgeons. The operative procedures to allow complete resection are technically demanding and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Little is known about long-term survival data to guide therapy in these patients. Methods: We conducted a single-institution retrospective review. Results: We have performed 60 carinal resections for bronchogenic carcinoma: 18 isolated carinal resections for tumor confined to the carinal or proximal main stem bronchus; 35 carinal pneumonectomies; 5 carinal plus lobar resections, and 2 carinal resections for stump recurrence after prior pneumonectomy. Thirteen patients (22%) had a history of lung or airway surgery. The overall operative mortality was 15%, improved from the first half of the series (20%) to the second half (10%), and varied according to the type of resection performed. Adult respiratory distress syndrome was responsible for 5 early deaths, and all late deaths were related to anastomotic complications. In 34 patients, all lymph nodes were negative for metastatic disease; 15 patients had positive N1 nodes, and 11 patients had positive N2/N3 nodes. Complete follow-up was accomplished in 90%, with a mean follow-up of 59 months. The overall 5-year survival including operative mortality was 42%, with 19 absolute 5-year survivors. Survival was highest after isolated carinal resection (51%). Lymph node involvement had a strong influence on survival: patients without nodal involvement had a 5-year survival of 51%, compared with 32% for patients with N1 disease and 12% for those with N2/N3 disease. Conclusions: This constitutes one of the largest single-institution reports on carinal resection for bronchogenic carcinoma involving the carina. Morbidity and mortality rates are acceptable. The overall survival including operative mortality is 42%. Positive N2/N3 lymph nodes may be a contraindication to surgery because of poor prognosis. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;121:465-71)
Real-time data driven arterial simulation for performance measures estimation

Transportation professionals are increasingly exploring multi-pronged solutions to alleviate traffic congestion. Real-time information systems for travelers and facility managers are one approach that has been the focus of many recent efforts. Real-time performance information can facilitate more efficient roadway usage and operations. Toward this end, a dynamic data driven simulation based system for estimating and predicting performance measures along arterial streets in real-time is described that uses microscopic traffic simulations, driven by point sensor data. Current practices of real-time estimation of roadway performance measures are reviewed. The proposed real-time data driven arterial simulation methodology to estimate performance measures along arterials is presented as well as preliminary field results that provide evidence to validate this approach.
An Examination of Critical Thinking Skills in High School Choral Rehearsals

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between time spent in nonperformance and critical thinking activities in high school choral rehearsals. Eighteen rehearsal observations were collected from public school music programs. Observed rehearsal behaviors were coded into three categories of nonperformance activity: lower-order thinking, critical thinking, and nonspecific activity. Results indicated that the mean rehearsal time spent in all nonperformance activities was 53.89%, with 45.96% focused on lower-order thinking skills, 6.36% in critical thinking skills, and 1.57% in nonspecific activities, including off-task behavior and silence. A significant positive correlation was found between the amount of time spent in nonperformance activities and time spent engaged in critical thinking skills. No significant correlation was found between the level of ensemble in which students were enrolled and percentage of time spent in activities that required the use of critical thinking skills. Find...
Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Support as a Bridge to Decision in Patients with End-Stage Heart Failure Complicated by Pulmonary Hypertension

BACKGROUND—Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) in heart failure (HF) is a risk factor for adverse outcomes after heart transplantation (HTx). Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve pulmonary hemodynamics, but our understanding of the degree of improvement and the effect on outcomes is still evolving. METHODS—We reviewed invasive pulmonary hemodynamics from 58 consecutive patients receiving LVAD support as a bridge to HTx from 1996 to 2003. The primary outcome was change in baseline transpulmonary gradient (TPG) during LVAD support and after HTx/recovery. The secondary outcome was post-HTx survival. RESULTS—All patients (age, 49 ± 14 years, 79% male, 40% ischemic) received a pulsatile LVAD (median support, 97 days; interquartile range [IQR], 31–222). Hemodynamic measurements were obtained at baseline (median, 1 day; IQR, 1–3), during early (median, 1 day; IQR, 0–4) and late (median, 75 days; IQR, 24–186) LVAD support, and after HTx/recovery (median, 28 days; IQR,17–40). Improvement in TPG occurred throughout LVAD support and was sustained after HTx/recovery. Levels of TPG reductions in patients with a baseline TPG in the highest quartile (14.1–26.0 mm Hg) were 8.6 ± 3.5 vs 6.5 ± 3.1 mm Hg in the lowest quartile (2.0 –7.7 mm Hg) during LVAD support (p = 0.102), with 90% vs 100% 30-day post-HTx survival (P = 0.113). CONCLUSION—Pulmonary hemodynamics and post-HTx survival were similar after pulsatile LVAD support in patients with and without pre-implant PH. LVAD support may be a useful strategy to reverse PH in carefully selected patients, thus improving candidacy for HTx. © 2010 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. All rights reserved. Reprint requests: Marc A. Simon, MD, FACC, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Scaife Hall S554, 200 Lothrop St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Telephone: 412-647-1174. Fax: 412-647-3913. simonma@upmc.edu. Disclosure statement None of the other authors has a financial relationship with a commercial entity that has an interest in the subject of the presented manuscript or other conflicts of interest to disclose. NIH Public Access Author Manuscript J Heart Lung Transplant. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 March 29. Published in final edited form as: J Heart Lung Transplant. 2010 February ; 29(2): 201–208. doi:10.1016/j.healun.2009.09.013. N IH PA Athor M anscript N IH PA Athor M anscript N IH PA Athor M anscript
Glc-6-PD and PKG contribute to hypoxia-induced decrease in smooth muscle cell contractile phenotype proteins in pulmonary artery.

Persistent hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension, which is an emerging clinical problem around the world. We recently showe...
Orofacial neuropathic pain mouse model induced by Trigeminal Inflammatory Compression (TIC) of the infraorbital nerve

Background: Trigeminal neuropathic pain attacks can be excruciating for patients, even after being lightly touched. Although there are rodent trigeminal nerve research models to study orofacial pain, few models have been applied to studies in mice. A mouse trigeminal inflammatory compression (TIC) model is introduced here which successfully and reliably promotes vibrissal whisker pad hypersensitivity. Results: The chronic orofacial neuropathic pain model is induced after surgical placement of chromic gut suture in the infraorbital nerve fissure in the maxillary bone. Slight compression and chemical effects of the chromic gut suture on the portion of the infraorbital nerve contacted cause mild nerve trauma. Nerve edema is observed in the contacting infraorbital nerve bundle as well as macrophage infiltration in the trigeminal ganglia. Centrally in the spinal trigeminal nucleus, increased immunoreactivity for an activated microglial marker is evident (OX42, postoperative day 70). Mechanical thresholds of the affected whisker pad are significantly decreased on day 3 after chromic gut suture placement, persisting at least 10 weeks. The mechanical allodynia is reversed by suppression of microglial activation. Cold allodynia was detected at 4 weeks. Conclusions: A simple, effective, and reproducible chronic mouse model mimicking clinical orofacial neuropathic pain (Type 2) is induced by placing chromic gut suture between the infraorbital nerve and the maxillary bone. The method produces mild inflammatory compression with significant continuous mechanical allodynia persisting at least 10 weeks and cold allodynia measureable at 4 weeks.
Altered thyroid function in severely injured patients

Background Hemorrhagic shock profoundly affects the neuroendocrine profile of trauma patients, and we hypothesized that massive resuscitation would negatively impact thyroid function.
Predicting Travel Times with Context-Dependent Random Forests by Modeling Local and Aggregate Traffic Flow

Predicting future traffic flow has the potential to decrease travel times. This paper describes a methodology developed to predict future travel times based on GPS reports of 1% of the cars on the road in a simulation framework. Features representing local and aggregate models of traffic flow were extracted from these reports. These included the counts of moving and stopped cars in different areas, along with each road segment’s mean speed. Context-dependent Random Forests were then trained to predict traffic flow six and thirty minutes into the future. This algorithm performed best in one track of the 2010 IEEE ICDM Contest: Tom Tom Traffic Prediction for Intelligent GPS Navigation, improving 9% on the next-best algorithm and 62.5% on the baseline.
Study of The Molecular Defects in Pyruvate Kinase Deficient Patients Affected by Nonspherocytic Hemolytic Anemia

Abstract ABSTRACT We have examined DNA from fifteen unrelated pyruvate kinase deficient patients with hereditary nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia (HNSHA) for the molecular alterations responsible for the enzyme deficiency. All but 3 of the 30 putative mutations were identified. Fourteen different mutations were found. Nine were missense mutations: 320 T_C, 823 G_C, 1276 C_T, 1376 C_T, 1378 G_A, 1484 C_T, 1529 G_A, 1654 G_A, 1675 C_G; three were nonsense mutations: 603 G_A, 721 G_T, 1501 C_T; one was an insertion at 1574 GGG_GGGG and the other a three nucleotide in-frame deletion 391-392-393 ATC. Eight of these mutations have not been previously described. We also investigated all of the patients for the C/A polymorphism at nt 1705 and the microsatellite ATT repeat in intron 11. All of the mutations that had previously been reported by us (391-393del, 721T, 1484T, 1529A) were found in the context of the same haplotype as the earlier cases, supporting the concept that each may have a single origin.
Stress-Induced Phenotypic Switching in Candida albicans

Candida albicans is both a common commensal and an opportunistic pathogen, being a prevalent cause of mucosal and systemic infections in humans. Phenotypic switching between white and opaque forms ...
Kinetic and Thermodynamic Aspects of In Vitro Interphase Transfer of Tetracyclines II: Influence of Divalent Metal Salts

With a two-phase in vitro model composed of an aqueous pH 5.5 buffer and 1-octanol, the kinetics of the interphase transfer of tetracycline derivatives were examined in the presence and absence of calcium and magnesium salts, and the contribution of some functional group substituents to the “apparent” free energy changes for partitioning of tetracyclines was evaluated. Only small changes were observed in kf, kb, Kω0, and apparent functional group free energy changes, ΔFG ΔF, m the presence of divalent metals as compared to values observed in the absence of these metals. Introduction of the C-6β hydroxyl group on the tetracycline nucleus decreased the apparent Kω0 because of a positive apparent ΔFG ΔF contribution, whereas introduction of C-5 hydroxyl, C-6α methyl, or C-7 chloro groups increased the apparent Kω0 through negative apparent ΔFG ΔF contributions.
Effects of Media Violence on Health-Related Outcomes Among Young Men

Objective To test the effects of media violence exposure on blood pressure, negative affect, hostile social information processing, uncooperative behavior, and attitudes toward health risk behaviors among young men varying in lifetime violence exposure within the home and community. Design Experimental laboratory study. Setting University campus situated within an urban environment. Participants One hundred male undergraduates aged 18 to 21 years. Intervention Men who had previously reported differing amounts of lifetime home and community violence were randomly assigned to play The Simpsons: Hit and Run (low-violence condition) or Grand Theft Auto III (high-violence condition). Main Outcome Measures Systolic and diastolic blood pressure; negative affect; hostile social information processing; uncooperative behavior; and permissive attitudes toward violence, alcohol use, marijuana use, and sexual activity without condom use. Results Men randomly assigned to play Grand Theft Auto III exhibited greater increases in diastolic blood pressure from a baseline rest period to game play, greater negative affect, more permissive attitudes toward using alcohol and marijuana, and more uncooperative behavior in comparison with men randomly assigned to play The Simpsons . Only among participants with greater exposure to home and community violence, play of Grand Theft Auto III led to elevated systolic blood pressure in comparison with play of The Simpsons (mean, 13 vs 5 mm Hg). Conclusions Media violence exposure may play a role in the development of negative attitudes and behaviors related to health. Although youth growing up in violent homes and communities may become more physiologically aroused by media violence exposure, all youth appear to be at risk for potentially negative outcomes.
Ethics and Information Technology: Protecting Your Company and Your Employees

Companies that rely heavily on electronic information processing cannot afford an ethical slip. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Seeds of Cynicism: The Struggle over Campaign Finance, 1956–1974

�� “It is a cesspool, it is a source of infection for the body politic,” Senator Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn.) warned his fellow senators in 1973 about the private financing of elections. “[I]f it doesn’t stop, there are going to be good men in this hall right here today who are going down the drain, not that you are guilty, not that you have done anything wrong, but that the public is disenchanted with all of us, and they are going to want somebody new and say I want a fresh one here.” 1 From 1971 through President Nixon’s resignation in 1974, Congress enacted the boldest campaign finance reforms in American history, including strong disclosure laws, public financing for presidential elections, contribution and spending limits, and an independent enforcement commission. Despite these reforms, after only a decade under the new laws, citizens still felt that campaign finance was corrupt. Campaign finance is one of the most vexing problems in American democracy. To achieve reform, proponents must convince in
Crystal chemistry and luminescence of the Eu2+-activated alkaline earth aluminate phosphors

Abstract Alkaline earth monoaluminate phosphors activated with Eu 2+ were synthesized by microwave processing and alkaline earth hexaaluminate phosphors activated by Eu 2+ were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions. The emission spectra of the monoaluminates are similar to phosphors prepared by high-temperature firing except for BaAl 2 O 4 which emits farther in the blue. The spectra of the hexaaluminate phosphors in general have their emission peak at different wavelengths than what are nominally the same compositions prepared by high-temperature firing.
Distributed Routing, Relay Selection, and Spectrum Allocation in Cognitive and Cooperative Ad Hoc Networks

Throughput maximization is one of the main challenges in cognitive radio ad hoc networks, where the availability of local spectrum resources may change from time to time and hop-by-hop. Cooperative transmission exploits spatial diversity without multiple antennas at each node to increase capacity with reliability guarantees. This idea is particularly attractive in wireless environments due to the diverse channel quality and the limited energy and bandwidth resources. With cooperation, source node and relay node cooperatively transmit data to the destination. In such a virtual multiple antenna transmission system, the capacity of the cooperative link is much larger than that of the direct link from source to destination. In this paper, we will study decentralized and localized algorithms for joint dynamic routing, relay assignment, and spectrum allocation under a distributed and dynamic environment.
Power from Switching across Netdoms through Reflexive and Indexical Language

In differentiated societies with far-reaching yet fragmented social networks, the ability to manage pervasive ambiguity is crucial to navigate domination orders. In this paper we contend that identities, to enhance their control through switchings across networks and domains (netdoms), manage growing ambiguity via language’s reflexive and indexical features. We elaborate on several features—metapragmatics, heteroglossia, and poetics—and assert that they are seldom innocent performances to build consensus in the reproduction of social orders. On the contrary, language is inherently implicated in relations of domination. We then argue that metapragmatic control of stories acquired in countless netdom switchings leads to strong footings that secure resources and opportunity; that rhetorics that include rich heteroglossic voicing via structural holes generate stories that can be reflexively transposed to other institutional arenas; and that poetic control of speech styles may transform identities into power-law constellations with robust footing that decouple into prisms to preserve quality. Our goal is to twofold: First, to show that the reflexivity and indexicality of language emerges from myriad switchings across netdoms; and second, to demonstrate that reflexive and indexical language is critical to identities’ struggles for control—of footing and domination—via their switchings across rapidly polymerizing netdoms.
Dental development in children with growth hormone insensitivity syndrome: Demirjian analysis of serial panoramic radiographs.

Abstract Objective: This study evaluates the effects of 8 years of insulinlike growth factor-I therapy on tooth development in patients with growth hormone insensitivity syndrome. Methods: Forty-nine panoramic radiographs were evaluated from eight patients (six boys, two girls). Seven teeth in the mandibular left region were graded according to the Demirjian system. Radiographs were taken at the start of insulinlike growth factor-I therapy and were continued at approximately yearly intervals for 8 years. Results: Three of six boys and one of two girls who began treatment with insulinlike growth factor-I at earlier ages experienced an increase in the rate of tooth development. One of six boys who began treatment with insulinlike growth factor-I at a later age had a slower rate of dental development. The patients had more rapid tooth maturation during the beginning of treatment. By the end of treatment, all patients had normal dental maturity for their age. Conclusions: Treatment of growth hormone insensiti...
A viscoplastic model for the confined permanent deformation of asphalt concrete in compression

Abstract This paper presents a viscoplastic model for the permanent deformation behavior of asphalt concrete in compression. Triaxial repeated load permanent deformation (TRLPD) tests with haversine-shaped load pulses and rest periods were used in the experimental investigations as they are able to simulate real traffic loading patterns. For the first time, the viscoelastic–viscoplastic coupling phenomenon in asphalt concrete is illustrated using experimental data, which motivates the direct collecting and modeling of permanent deformation history in the present work instead of modeling the viscoelastic and viscoplastic responses in a separate and uncoupled fashion as in the traditional scheme. By applying a long rest period (100 s) to allow the viscoelastic deformation to recover sufficiently, the permanent strain data can be collected directly for viscoplastic model development. The proposed viscoplastic model features a convolution integral enclosed in Macaulay brackets. A single viscoplastic relaxation spectrum is assumed as the material's intrinsic property, and the nonlinear stress effects are captured through the variable E∞, which is the infinite modulus expressed as a logarithmic function of the triaxiality ratio. Material hardening (or softening) is described via the increase (or decrease) of the internal stress during loading (or unloading and rest period). The model was characterized using TRLPD test data at three levels of deviatoric stress and confining pressure. Finally, the calibrated model was verified by applying it to random loading tests conducted at other confining levels. The proposed model provides an efficient and convenient approach that is able to determine the material's macroscopic deformation as well as to capture the material's internal hardening/softening mechanisms.
Sorafenib targets BRAF and VEGFR in metastatic thyroid carcinoma

6019 Background. There is no effective therapy for patients with metastatic thyroid cancer not cured by surgery or treatment with I131. Sorafenib is a promising multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor for ...