cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of the medial septum should benefit patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

Electrical stimulation of the septal nuclei via deep brain stimulating electrodes is proposed as a potentially beneficial therapy for medication-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. In a multicenter study, stimulation of anterior thalamus was shown to reduce numbers of seizures, but decrease was only in the range of 40%. This might be improved with septal stimulation, which has strong and direct reciprocal connections with the hippocampal formation, the structure most involved in temporal lobe epilepsy. Medial septal neurons drive a 3-12 Hz theta rhythm in hippocampus of rodents. Theta rhythm is less obvious in human hippocampus, but it is present and it varies with cognitive tasks. The hippocampal theta rhythm is disrupted by seizures. In animal models, restoration of theta by sensory stimulation, septal electrical stimulation or cholinergic drugs infused into septum ameliorates seizures. Seizure activity in hippocampus is faithfully reflected in septal nuclei, and septum sometimes leads the seizure activity. A subset of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy have structural enlargement of their septal nuclei. At high levels of intensity, septal stimulation is subjectively pleasurable and strongly reinforcing. Rats will repeatedly press a bar to stimulate their septum. Initial experience with human septal stimulation in the 1950s was not favorable, with ineffective therapy for schizophrenia and a high rate of surgical complications. Subsequent experience in 50-100 pain patients employing modern neurosurgical techniques was more favorable and demonstrated septal stimulation to be safe and tolerable. The current state of knowledge is sufficient to consider design of a clinical trial of medial septal stimulation in selected patients with medication-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy.
A Discontinuous Elastic Interface Transfer Model of Thin Film Nanoindentation

A new model of thin film indentation that accounted for an apparent discontinuity in elastic strain transfer at the film/substrate interface was developed. Finite element analysis suggested that numerical values of strain were not directly continuous across the interface; the values in the film were higher when a soft film was deposited on a hard substrate. The new model was constructed based on this discontinuity; whereby, separate weighting factors were applied to account for the influence of the substrate in strain developed in the film and vice-versa. By comparing the model to experimental data from thirteen different amorphous thin film materials on a silicon substrate, constants in each weighting factor were found to have physical significance in being numerically similar to the bulk scale Poisson’s ratios of the materials involved. When employing these material properties in the new model it was found to provide an improved match to the experimental data over the existing Doerner and Nix and Gao models. Finally, the model was found to be capable of assessing the Young’s modulus of thin films that do not exhibit a flat region as long as the bulk Poisson’s ratio is known.
The effect of stress state on high-temperature deformation of fine-grained aluminum-magnesium alloy AA5083 sheet

Abstract The effect of stress state on high-temperature deformation of fine-grained aluminum–magnesium alloy AA5083 sheet is investigated over a range of temperatures and strain rates for which the grain-boundary-sliding and solute-drag creep mechanisms govern plastic flow. Experimental data from uniaxial tension and biaxial tension are used in conjunction with finite-element-method simulations to examine the role of stress state. Three different material constitutive models derived from uniaxial tensile data are used to simulate bulge-forming experiments. Comparison of simulation results with bulge-forming data indicates that stress state affects grain-boundary-sliding creep by increasing creep rate as hydrostatic stress increases. Thus, creep deformation is faster under biaxial tension than under uniaxial tension for a constant effective stress. No effect of stress state is observed for solute-drag creep. A new material model that accounts for the effect of stress state on grain-boundary-sliding creep is proposed.
Overcoming social and institutional barriers to energy conservation

Abstract Although economically rational responses to the energy crisis, energy conservation actions may be hindered by social and institutional barriers. The nature of these barriers is explored and a taxonomy of barriers is proposed. Results of a series of interviews provide examples of the different types of barriers. Strategies for overcoming barriers are examined and some criteria for evaluating such strategies are developed. The importance of considering not only the efficiency of strategies in achieving the goal of energy conservation, but also their impacts on other—possibly competing—social and economic goals is emphasized. The need for increased efforts aimed at overcoming barriers and further research into the nature of these barriers is discussed.
Managing Promotion Program Participation within Manufacturer–Retailer Relationships:

The authors report the results of a study that examines retailer participation in manufacturer-sponsored promotion programs. Two particular aspects of participation are studied, namely, (1) retaile...
Two dimensional paper chromatography of proteins. II. Application to blood plasma fractions.

SummaryWhen albumins (Fraction V) were mixed with the y-globulins (Fraction II) there occurred a typical separation of a portion of each plasma fraction. Our investigations indicate that 2-dimensional filter paper chromatography may have a definite value in protein chemistry, and in clinical research, even if complete separation of proteins is not possible at present.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection and intestinal thiamin uptake: studies with intestinal epithelial Caco-2 monolayers

Infections with enteric pathogens like enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major health issue worldwide and while diarrhea is the major problem, prolonged, severe, and dual infections with multiple pathogens may also compromise the nutritional status of the infected individuals. There is almost nothing currently known about the effect of ETEC infection on intestinal absorptions of water-soluble vitamins including thiamin. We examined the effect of ETEC infection on intestinal uptake of the thiamin using as a model the human-derived intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. The results showed that infecting confluent Caco-2 monolayers with live ETEC (but not with boiled/killed ETEC or nonpathogenic E. coli) or treatment with bacterial culture supernatant led to a significant inhibition in thiamin uptake. This inhibition appears to be caused by a heat-labile and -secreted ETEC component and is mediated via activation of the epithelial adenylate cyclase system. The inhibition in thiamin uptake by ETEC was associated with a significant reduction in expression of human thiamin transporter-1 and -2 (hTHTR1 and hTHTR2) at the protein and mRNA levels as well as in the activity of the SLC19A2 and SLC19A3 promoters. Dual infection of Caco-2 cells with ETEC and EPEC (enteropathogenic E. coli) led to compounded inhibition in intestinal thiamin uptake. These results show for the first time that infection of human intestinal epithelial cells with ETEC causes a significant inhibition in intestinal thiamin uptake. This inhibition is mediated by a secreted heat-labile toxin and is associated with a decrease in the expression of intestinal thiamin transporters.
Behavior of thin lightweight structures under propagating waves

In this study, we examine the propagation of mechanical waves on thin lightweight structures, with the aim of developing a method of crack detection in such structures. By comparing the response of healthy and cracked samples, we are sometimes able to differentiate between the two. Using a network of sensors it would be possible to determine the presence of a crack on a structure that is remote. Experimental work has been performed with single-crystal Silicon thin plates and a thin rectangular sheet of steel. The Silicon plates were tested healthy and cracked, and the steel was only tested when healthy. Piezo-ceramic stacks were used to provide actuation and sensing, and wave solutions to the equation of motion are obtained for the Silicon plate. Calculated and experimental results agree reasonably well.
Corticosteroid treatment for pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia in children with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Five children with positive serology for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot were followed for chronic pulmonary disease. Lung biopsies were performed in all patients, and confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia. All children demonstrated progressive hypoxia and increasing alveolar capillary oxygen gradients over at least 1 year of follow-up. All children were on periodic intravenous gamma globulin treatment for a B-cell defect prior to the initiation of corticosteroid therapy. Prednisone was initially given at a dose of 2 mg/kg daily and was subsequently tapered to an alternate day regimen. All children showed improvement in oxygenation. No deterioration in immune function was noted, and there was no increase in bacterial infection. This study indicates that corticosteroids can successfully reverse the severe hypoxia that may result from pulmonary lymphoid hyperplasia in pediatric AIDS patients.
Chronological age and breed-type effects on carcass characteristics and palatability of bull beef.

Abstract Bulls (n = 115) of four slaughter ages (9, 12, 15 or 18 months) and of 15 genotypes were studied. In this analysis, each bullock was assigned to one of four breed groups—British and British crosses, Brahman and Brahman crosses. Jersey and Jersey crosses or Holstein and Holstein crosses. Slaughter age had an (P longissimus muscle area and the lowest USDA quality grade of the four breed-type groups. Increases in chronological age (from 9 to 18 months) were generally associated with a decrease in USDA maturity score, and increases in marbling score, USDA quality grade, longissimus muscle area, subcutaneous fat thickness and USDA yield grade. Shear force values decreased as bulls matured from 9 to 18 months of age. The meat from Brahman-type bulls had higher shear force values (P
Plastic deformation in nanoscale gold single crystals and open-celled nanoporous gold*

The results of two sets of experiments to measure the elastic?plastic behaviour of gold at the nanometre length scale are reported. One set of experiments was on free-standing nanoscale single crystals of gold, and the other was on free-standing nanoscale specimens of open-celled nanoporous gold. Both types of specimens were fabricated from commercially available leaf which was either pure Au or a Au/Ag alloy following by dealloying of the Ag. Mechanical testing specimens of a 'dog-bone' shape were fabricated from the leaf using standard lithographic procedures after the leaf had been glued onto a silicon wafer. The thickness of the gauge portion of the specimens was about 100?nm, the width between 250?nm and 300?nm and the length 7??m. The specimens were mechanically loaded with a nanoindenter (MTS) at the approximate midpoint of the gauge length. The resulting force?displacement curve of the single crystal gold was serrated and it was evident that slip localization occurred on individual slip systems; however, the early stages of the plastic deformation occurred in a non-localized manner. The results of detailed finite element analyses of the specimen suggest that the critical resolved shear stress of the gold single crystal was as high as 135?MPa which would lead to a maximum uniaxial stress of about 500?MPa after several per cent strain. The behaviour of the nanoporous gold was substantially different. It exhibited an apparent elastic behaviour until the point where it failed in an apparently brittle manner, although it is assumed that plastic deformation occurred in the ligaments prior to failure. The average elastic stiffness of three specimens was measured to be Enp = 8.8?GPa and the stress at ultimate failure averaged 190?MPa for the three specimens tested. Scaling arguments suggest that the stress in the individual ligaments could approach the theoretical shear strength.
Adenovirus-Mediated Transfer of a Minigene Expressing Multiple Isoforms of VEGF Is More Effective at Inducing Angiogenesis Than Comparable Vectors Expressing Individual VEGF cDNAs

To assess the hypothesis that angiogenic gene therapy with the genomic form of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressing the three major isoforms could be more potent than a vector expressing a single isoform, we designed an adenovirus vector (AdVEGF-All) expressing a VEGF cDNA/genomic hybrid gene. AdVEGF-All expressed all three major isoforms (121, 165, 189) in a 2:2:1 ratio. AdVEGF-All was 100-fold more potent than cDNA vectors expressing VEGF 121, 165, or 189 in restoring blood flow to the ischemic mouse hind limb. Interestingly, a mixture of Ad vectors individually expressing the VEGF 121, 165, and 189 cDNAs was equipotent to an equivalent dose of AdVEGF-All. Thus, a mixture of VEGF isoforms provides a more potent angiogenic response than a single isoform, suggesting that the individual isoforms function synergistically, an observation with important implications for gene and recombinant protein therapy.
The speaker as listener.

This study reports the results of an experiment with 4 female 5-year-old children, in which the verbal behavior of the children (talking to themselves) was studied under two conditions—an anthropomorphic toy condition and a nonanthropomorphic toy condition. The anthropomorphic condition consisted of three-dimensional toys such as dolls, stuffed animals, and figurines. The nonanthropomorphic toy condition consisted of two-dimensional materials such as puzzles, coloring books, and story books. The independent variables were the toy conditions. The dependent variables were verbal-behavior units; these included mands, tacts, intraverbals, autoclitics, and conversational units. The conditions were compared using a multiple schedule design. The results showed that more total units occurred in the anthropomorphic toy condition than in the nonanthropomorphic toy condition and that conversational units occurred in the anthropomorphic condition only. Consistent with Skinner's (1957) hypothesis, the children acted as both speaker and listener when emitting verbal behavior to themselves in the anthropomorphic condition.
Understanding R&D value creation with organizational simulation

Research and development functions are fundamental drivers of value creation in technology-based enterprises. Successful R&D is a function of invention and R&D management. This paper studies R&D management issues from the perspective of their effect on value creation. The particular issues studied are: (i) How does one attach a value to a particular proposed R&D activity, and (ii) how does one allocate funding over the various stages comprising an R&D value stream? Organizational simulation is used in an experiment to determine the value creation effectiveness of alternative investment policies. Experimental results indicate the superiority of valuation methods (options pricing vs. traditional net present value approaches) and budget allocation strategies under differing conditions and differing value-oriented performance measures. An application of the model to R&D in the forest products industry is presented. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 10: 64–82, 2007
Methadone maintenance to abstinence. How many make it

This study imposed a set of decision rules to review and compare methadone maintenance detoxification research results in three 5-year eras since 1970. Variables of interest were detoxification completion rates, relative completion rates with and without program review and approval, psychotherapy, new pharmacological agents to accelerate the detoxification process, and abstinence rates at follow-up as a function of such treatment variables. The review found progressive improvement in overall detoxification completion rates over the three 5-year eras: 39.7%, 54.9%, and 76.3%. Program-recommended detoxification showed much higher completion rates than did unrecommended detoxification in 1970-1975 and psychotherapy-assisted detoxification showed modest but consistently greater completion rates in the two eras during which it was studied, 1970-1975 and 1976-1980. The consistent gains in detoxification completion rates over the three eras are attributed primarily to the use of new drugs which greatly shorten the detoxification interval and ameliorate withdrawal symptoms. The drugs do not appear to have had an effect on follow-up abstinence rates. Limitations upon the conclusions and generalizability of findings are discussed. Suggestions are made for future methadone maintenance detoxification treatment and research.
The parton model at twist-4

Abstract The QCD operator product expansion analysis of twist-4 effects in leptoproduction is recast as a parton model. All twist-4 corrections are expressed in terms of a limited number of multiparton (quark and gluon) longitudinal distribution functions in an infinite momentum frame.
A dinucleating ligand related to the β-diketiminates

A new ligand conceptually creates two sites reminiscent of β-diketiminates, and upon deprotonation the salts exist in oligomeric forms with potassium ions linking multiple ligands.
Industry Is Changing, and So Must We

This case study is a call to action for research practitioners and academicians to revamp their skills and curriculum respectively. Failure to evolve will likely marginalize the user research discipline in industry.
Active-Learning Instruction on Emergency Contraception Counseling

Objective. To increase pharmacy students’ knowledge of and confidence in counseling patients regarding emergency contraception and to identify any barriers to counseling patients about emergency contraception. Design. Approximately 200 third-year pharmacy students participated in the Women’s Health Therapeutics workshop at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy. Students observed a 5-minute skit of a counseling session on emergency contraception and then were asked to pair up with a classmate and practice counseling each other regarding the use of emergency contraception following a checklist of key points. Assessment. One hundred eighty-nine students completed pre- and post-workshop survey instruments. Students’ knowledge scores increased from 86% to 93% (p<0.001). Approximately 25% of the students stated they were confident in counseling patients on emergency contraception before completing the active-learning exercise compared to 58.5% after (p<0.001). The most common barrier to counseling that students identified on the pre- and post-workshop survey was lack of knowledge. Conclusion. Participation in an active-learning exercise significantly increased pharmacy students’ knowledge of and confidence in counseling patients regarding emergency contraception and significantly reduced several barriers to counseling identified prior to participation.
SEXUALLY DIMORPHIC EXPRESSION OF THE NGF RECEPTOR GENE IN THE DEVELOPING RAT BRAIN

To define relations between trophic molecules and known sexually dimorphic traits in brain, we examined possible sex differences in nerve growth factor (NGF) and NGF receptor (NGF-R) gene expression in the rat cholinergic basal forebrain (BF)-hippocampal system. Hippocampal NGF mRNA levels did not differ between sexes; in contrast, BF NGF-R mRNA levels were greater in neonatal females than males, paralleling the known dimorphic development of cholinergic enzyme activity. Cerebellar NGF-R mRNA levels were also dimorphic in the neonate, suggesting that sex-specific influences may regulate trophic receptor gene expression in diverse brain systems.
Ontology-Guided Approach to Retrieving Disease Manifestation Images for Health Image Base Construction

Building a comprehensive medical image database, in the spirit of the UMLS, can be beneficial for assisting diagnosis, patient education and self-care. However, a highly curated, comprehensive image database is difficult to collect as well as to annotate. We present an approach to combine visual object detection technologies with medical ontology to automatically mine web photos and retrieve a large number of disease manifestation images with minimal manual labeling. Comparing to a supervised approach, our ontology-guided approach reduces manual labeling effort to 1/10 on a variety of eye/ear/mouth diseases and improves the precision of retrieval by over 10% in many cases.
Effect on peripheral arterioles of chronic fluid and sodium retention in heart failure.

Abstract To determine whether chronic fluid and sodium retention in heart failure adversely affects peripheral arteriolar behavior, systemic vascular resistance and skeletal muscle vasodilation were compared in eight control dogs and nine dogs with chronic fluid and sodium retention (ascites = 2.3 ± 2.3 liters) induced by rapid ventricular pacing for 2 months. At rest, both groups exhibited comparable systemic vascular resistance (control 45 ± 14 versus heart failure 40 ± 7 U) and femoral bed vascular resistance (control 18.7 ± 6.9 versus heart failure 19.0 ± 7.2 × 102U) (both p = NS). Femoral bed resistance also decreased similarly in both groups during treadmill exercise (resistance at peak exercise: control 4.7 ± 3.0 versus heart failure 4.9 ± 0.9 × 102U [p = NS]). In isolated gracilis muscle, vascular resistance was also comparable in both groups at rest (control 7.3 ± 3.3 versus heart failure 10.2 ± 3.6 × 103U/100 g), at peak exercise (control 1.6 ± 0.5 versus heart failure 1.8 ± 0.9 × 103U/ 100 g) and after maximal vasodilation with papaverine (control 0.7 ± 0.3 versus heart failure 0.9 ± 0.3 × 103U/ 100 g) (all p = NS). These data suggest that chronic fluid and sodium retention in heart failure does not alter peripheral arteriolar behavior.
A rearrangement of adjacency matrix based approach for solving the crossing minimization problem

In this paper, we first present a binary linear programming formulation for the crossing minimization problem (CMP) in bipartite graphs. Then we use the models of a modified minimum cost flow problem (MMCF) and a travelling salesman problem (TSP) to approximatively solve the CMP by rearranging the adjacency matrix of the bipartite graph. Our approaches are useful for problems defined on dense bipartite graphs. In addition, we compute the exact crossing numbers for some general dense graphs.
Variations in subsidence rates along intermediate and fast spreading mid-ocean ridges

Summary. The nature of subsidence near the ridge crest of the intermediate and fast spreading mid-ocean ridges of the Indian and Pacific Oceans is investigated using surface-ship bathymetry and magnetics profiles. The ridge can be divided into discrete sections, apparently bounded by distinct structural features such as major fracture zones, in which ba'thymetry plotted against crustal age forms a well-defined envelope with a width roughly the amplitude of the local bathymetry. The averaged bathymetry in all of the regions studied follows closely a square root of age subsidence curve which in most regions has a subsidence coefficient, C1, in the range of 340-390 m Myr-'l2. The best fitting subsidence curve, however, never reproduces the amplitude of the axial topographic high. The most notable region displaying unusual behaviour is the East Pacific Rise between 9"s and 22"s. In this region, the western flank of the ridge is subsiding at 200-225 m Myr-'/' while the eastern flank is subsiding at 'normal' rates of 350-400 m Myr-'/2. Other anomalous areas include the region between the Easter Island hot spot and the Chile Rise triple junction in which the ridge crest is shallow and which is subsiding at rates of about 290 m Myr-'/', and the region east of the Australia-Antarctic Discordance in which the northern flank is subsiding at 440 m MyrF'I'. This area may also be subsiding asymmetrically although there is not much data from the southern flank. The asymmetric subsidence h the 9OS-22"S region of the East Pacific Rise begins immediately at the ridge crest and the low subsidence rates on the west flank continue to at least 12 Myr old crust. Oligocene-aged crust on the western flank is subsiding at more normal rates, but is 500 m shallow with respect both to the world-wide average and to the conjugate crust on the eastern flank. The simplest model to explain these observations is that the western flank is underlain by a hotter mantle, perhaps as the result of upwelling resulting from the large-scale return circulation from the trenches. Depending on the depth of compensation, the observed asymmetry could
Theses and Dissertations Completed in Family and Consumer Sciences: 1994

This article summarizes the 771 titles of theses and dissertations completed in family and consumer sciences in colleges and universities throughout the United States in 1994. The tables present information by institution and by subject matter.
Intrabreath Diffusing Capacity of the Lung in Healthy Individuals at Rest and During Exercise

Background: Traditional approaches to measuring the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) treat the lung as a single, well-mixed compartment and produce a single value for DLCO to represent an average diffusing capacity of the lung (DL). Because DL distribution in the lung is inhomogeneous, and changes in the DL in diseased lungs may be regional, measuring regional DL, especially during exercise, may be more sensitive in detecting pulmonary vascular diseases. Objectives: To characterize regional changes in DL in healthy individuals from rest to exercise, and to provide normal references for future studies in pulmonary vascular disorders. Methods: We reanalyzed DLCO and phase III CH4 slopes that were obtained during a slow, single exhalation at rest and during exercise in our extended database of 105 healthy individuals. DLCO profiles between 20% and 80% of exhaled vital capacity (VC) (ie, the intrabreath DLCO) were analyzed by calculating the average DLCO measured at midlung volume (ie, 30 to 45% of exhaled VC [DLCOMLV]) and by fitting the whole curve with a third-order polynomial equation. Results: DLCO decreased nonlinearly by approximately 30%, from 20 to 80% of exhaled VC at rest. DLCO during exercise was greater than that at rest, and the increase was similar at all lung volumes. The CH4 slopes at rest and during exercise were similar. Prediction equations based on regressions on age, sex, and height were computed for resting and exercise DLCOMLV and the phase III CH4 slope (an index of ventilation distribution). Conclusions: Capillary recruitment/dilation during exercise in healthy individuals is a uniform process throughout the lungs. Our analyses provide a database for a noninvasive method that can incorporate exercise to evaluate the volume-dependent distribution of DLCO in lung diseases. (CHEST 2002; 122:177–185)
Geometrical optics prediction of surface scattering statistics

A composite-roughness formulation of the geometrical optics approximation is applied to study the statistics of near-nadir electromagnetic scattering from the sea surface. For scattering from Gaussian random surfaces, the scattering cross section is dependent only on the probability density of surface slopes. The statistical distribution of the scattered intensity depends on both the slope probability density function and $the mean absolute value of the surface curvature. The curvature is of interest because it provides a measure of capillary wave spectra. Numerical results are obtained for scattering from isotropic surfaces for a fixed number N of specular scatterers and for N Poisson distributed. Obtaining viable estimates of , and hence of capillary wave spectra, from backscatter data at microwave frequencies may not be practical. Optical measurements for which individual point scatterers can be identified may, however, yield estimates of the surface curvature.
Size of the Mueller-Lyer illusion as a function of its dimensions: Theory and data

In tests with naive subjects, it was found that: the apparent length of a test shaft (1) increases with angle of wing to shaft to a maximum of about 160° (wings out), and (2) is an inverted-U function of wing length, with maximum when wing length equals shaft length; (3) all effects are approximately proportional to shaft length; and (4) the angle exerts its effect within a small region near the tip of the shaft, the region extending about one-seventh the shaft length. The effects apparently do not result from simple distortion of the retinal image, but some may result from assimilation or confusion in coding image into lengths, and some effects apparently arise as lengths are combined into judgments. The new data are shown to agree in quantitative detail with results collected from 1896 to the present.
Targeted disruption of StAR provides novel insights into congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

To explore the function of StAR in a system that can be experimentally manipulated, and to develop a mouse model for the human disorder lipoid congenital adrenal hyperplasia (lipoid CAH), we used targeted gene disruption to produce a mouse line deficient in StAR protein. Initially, StAR knockout mice were indistinguishable from wildtype littermates, except that all had female external genitalia. After birth, they showed signs of either respiratory distress or volume depletion and eventually died. Hormone assays confirmed severe defects in adrenal steroids, whereas hormones constituting the gonadal axis did not differ significantly from levels in wildtype littermates. Histologically, the adrenal cortex of StAR knockout mice contained florid lipid deposits, as visualized with oil red O stain. Lesser lipid deposits were observed in the steroidogenic compartment of the testis and none in the ovary. The sex-specific differences in gonadal involvement provide evidence for a two-stage model of the pathogenesis o...
Aortic valve disease and treatment: The need for naturally engineered solutions ☆

The aortic valve regulates unidirectional flow of oxygenated blood to the myocardium and arterial system. The natural anatomical geometry and microstructural complexity ensures biomechanically and hemodynamically efficient function. The compliant cusps are populated with unique cell phenotypes that continually remodel tissue for long-term durability within an extremely demanding mechanical environment. Alteration from normal valve homeostasis arises from genetic and microenvironmental (mechanical) sources, which lead to congenital and/or premature structural degeneration. Aortic valve stenosis pathobiology shares some features of atherosclerosis, but its final calcification endpoint is distinct. Despite its broad and significant clinical significance, very little is known about the mechanisms of normal valve mechanobiology and mechanisms of disease. This is reflected in the paucity of predictive diagnostic tools, early stage interventional strategies, and stagnation in regenerative medicine innovation. Tissue engineering has unique potential for aortic valve disease therapy, but overcoming current design pitfalls will require even more multidisciplinary effort. This review summarizes the latest advancements in aortic valve research and highlights important future directions.
Electrophoretic Method for Assessing the Normal and Pathological Distribution of Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes in Serum

We describe a simple, reproducible, discontinuous system for polyacrylamide disc gel-electrophoresis, with which the alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in human serum can be fractionated. No sample preparation is needed. The isoenzymes are classified according to their electrophoretic mobilities ( R F values) and quantitated by peak area measurements from spectrophotometric scans. The four alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes usually present in normal sera, in order of descending mobilities (and designated according to principal tissue of origin) are: "fast" liver, "slow" liver, bone, and intestine. Sera of diseased patients show a greater variety of isoenzyme distribution patterns, but the most frequently observed patterns are the same as normal patterns. We conclude that the finding of "fast" liver only is not pathognomonic, as previously reported by others, and that information on relative distributions per se is not diagnostically useful, although information on specific increases in activity is useful. With this system, hepatobiliary disorders can be differentiated from other forms of liver and bone diseases.
Improving manufacturing reliability in IC package assembly using FMEA technique

The author presents the basic potential failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) technique as applied to IC assembly and shows how the technique is useful for complex package assembly and multichip module assembly. The FMEA technique can be described as a systemized group of activities intended to: (a) recognize and evaluate the potential failure modes and causes associated with the designing and manufacturing of an IC package; (b) identify actions which could eliminate or reduce the chance of the potential failure occurring; and (c) document the process. The use of FMEA for improving the manufacturability and manufacturing reliability of packages by a systematic and quantified analysis of the package design and process is also discussed. >
The nature of body image disturbance in patients with binge eating disorder.

Objective This study examined the distinction between body dissatisfaction and self-evaluation unduly influenced by body shape and weight, and their longitudinal relationships to depressive symptomatology and self-esteem in patients with binge eating disorder (BED). Method Ninety-seven patients with BED completed measures tapping these constructs at baseline and again 4 weeks later. Results Change in body dissatisfaction was significantly correlated with both change in depressive symptomatology and change in self-esteem over time, whereas change in self-evaluation was significantly correlated only with change in self-esteem. In addition, change in shape concern, but not change in weight concern, was significantly correlated with change in self-esteem only. Discussion These findings suggest that self-evaluation unduly influenced by body shape is a more useful indicator for BED than body dissatisfaction or self-evaluation unduly influenced by weight. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 33: 333–341, 2003.
The early upper Paleolithic of eastern Europe reconsidered

Artifacts of Paleolithic age were first recognized in eastern Europe during the 1870s. Archeologists have struggled ever since to integrate them into the better known record of western Europe, where the interpretive framework of Paleolithic archeology was originally developed.1–5 The essential elements of both the Middle and Upper Paleolithic were recognized quickly in eastern Europe, and a close connection with a major middle Upper Paleolithic industry of central Europe (Gravettian) was established many years ago. The early Upper Paleolithic (EUP) has remained a major challenge, however; it is represented primarily by a bewildering array of local archeological cultures that exhibit limited similarity to contemporaneous industries of western and central Europe.6–9
Fatal Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in a Lung Transplant Recipient

Lung transplant recipients are at increased risk for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection secondary to the intense immunosuppressive regimen after transplantation. We report a case of fatal M tuberculosis infection that presented as a pericardial abscess in a lung transplant recipient and review the literature.
Pcif1 modulates Pdx1 protein stability and pancreatic β cell function and survival in mice

The homeodomain transcription factor pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) is a major mediator of insulin transcription and a key regulator of the β cell phenotype. Heterozygous mutations in PDX1 are associated with the development of diabetes in humans. Understanding how Pdx1 expression levels are controlled is therefore of intense interest in the study and treatment of diabetes. Pdx1 C terminus-interacting factor-1 (Pcif1, also known as SPOP) is a nuclear protein that inhibits Pdx1 transactivation. Here, we show that Pcif1 targets Pdx1 for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Silencing of Pcif1 increased Pdx1 protein levels in cultured mouse β cells, and Pcif1 heterozygosity normalized Pdx1 protein levels in Pdx1(+/-) mouse islets, thereby increasing expression of key Pdx1 transcriptional targets. Remarkably, Pcif1 heterozygosity improved glucose homeostasis and β cell function and normalized β cell mass in Pdx1(+/-) mice by modulating β cell survival. These findings indicate that in adult mouse β cells, Pcif1 limits Pdx1 protein accumulation and thus the expression of insulin and other gene targets important in the maintenance of β cell mass and function. They also provide evidence that targeting the turnover of a pancreatic transcription factor in vivo can improve glucose homeostasis.
Rotaviral gastrointestinal infection causing afebrile seizures in infancy and childhood.

Diarrhea1 diseases in children often require hospitalization and can cause significant morbidity and mortality.’ An average of 500 children ages 1 month to 4 years die each year with diarrhea reported as a cause of death. Diarrhea1 deaths constitute an important and preventable fraction of postneonatal infant mortality in American children. ’ Although diarrhea1 deaths can be caused by many different causes, one etiological agent, Rotavirus, is believed to be responsible for the excess number of these deaths that occur in the winter months.2 This number is estimated to be 70 to 80 per year.‘,’ Associated causes of death in hospitalized children with acute diarrhea1 illness have been studied. The most commonly associated diagnoses were dehydration (34%), cardiac arrest (21%), respiratory failure (14%), prematurity (13%), shock (5%), malnutrition (2%), and bronchopneumonia (I%), conditions consistent with diarrhea and its complications as the main determinant of a fatal outcome.2,5 There are a few reports of central nervous system involvement associated with rotavirus gastrointestinal infections.3 Usitijiama et al describes a 9-month-old boy with suspected rotavirus encephalitis who developed afebrile tonic clonic seizures and delayed psychomotor development. Salmi et al described two patients, one whom developed fatal Reye’s syndrome and the other encephalitis with slow recovery.4 It is unclear if the etiology of the central nervous system involvement is the direct invasion of the virus into the central nervous system or a result of a coexisting viremia.3 We present three cases of afebrile seizures in patients with documented rotavirus gastrointestinal infections who presented to our institution in the winter of 1992.
Tracking river plumes with volatile halocarbon contaminants: The St. Clair river-lake St. Clair example

The concentrations of seven widespread, volatile, halocarbon contaminants–tetrachloroethylene (C2Cl4), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (C2H3Cl3), trichloroethylene (C2HCl3), chloroform (CHCl3), bromodichloromethane (CHBrCl2) and Freon 12 (CCl2F2)–were determined in the lower reaches of the St. Clair River and throughout Lake St. Clair. The results indicate large inputs of carbon tetrachloride and tetrachloroethylene and smaller loadings of chloroform, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and trichloroethylene from the St. Clair River, particularly the South Channel, Bassett Channel and Chenal Ecarte, to Lake St. Clair. In total, daily loadings of more than 100 kg are indicated, resulting in a lake burden of approximately 1,000 kg of these halocarbons. The plumes of contaminated river water, particularly for carbon tetrachloride and tetrachloroethylene, extend approximately 15 km into the shallow, well-mixed lake. At that range, the halocarbon levels generally drop to near-background concentrations, suggesting significant removal of the waterborne contaminants through volatilization.
The primary care physician and cancer literacy: Reducing health disparities in an immigrant population

Objective:To evaluate the level of cancer literacy among Korean American immigrants and to identify the most influential predictors of cancer literacy in this population.Method:Using a quota-sampling strategy, 407 Korean American immigrants were recruited in the New York metropolitan area. The study was theoretically guided by the Andersen’s Health Behaviour Model and ordinary least squares regression analysis was used for data analyses.Results:The cancer literacy level of this Korean American immigrant sample was much lower than that reported in studies of non-Latino whites and other racial/ethnic minorities. The results from the multiple regression models indicated that age was the only predictor of cancer literacy among predisposing factors. As for enabling factors, educational attainment and having a primary care physician were significant predictors. No need factors were found to be significant predictors in this study.Discussion/implications:The findings reinforce a need for developing public health...
Comparative evaluation of segmental asynergy in remote myocardial infarction by radionuclide angiography, two-dimensional echocardiography, and contrast ventriculography

Abstract Radionuclide angiography (RNA), two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), and contrast ventriculography (CVG) were compared in the evaluation of regional wall motion (RWM) in 58 patients with remote myocardial infarction (MI). All 58 patients were studied by 2DE, 52 by RNA, and 24 by CVG. Severe degrees of segmental asynergy (akinesia/dyskinesia) were noted more often by 2DE (56% of all segments, p p p p p
Improved Passive Microwave Retrievals of Rain Rate over Land and Ocean. Part I: Algorithm Description

AbstractA new approach to passive microwave retrievals of precipitation is described that relies on an objective dimensional reduction procedure to filter, normalize, and decorrelate geophysical background noise while retaining the majority of radiometric information concerning precipitation. The dimensional reduction also sharply increases the effective density of any a priori database used in a Bayesian retrieval scheme.The method is applied to passive microwave data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), reducing the original nine channels to three “pseudochannels” that are relatively insensitive to most background variations occurring within each of seven surface classes (one ocean plus six land and coast) for which they are defined. These pseudochannels may be used in any retrieval algorithm, including the current standard Goddard profiling algorithm (GPROF), in place of the original channels. The same methods are also under development for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Cor...
Efficiently scripting change-resilient tests

In industrial practice, test cases often start out as steps described in natural language and are intended to be executed by a human. Since tests are executed repeatedly, they go through an automation process, in which they are converted to automated test scripts (or programs) that perform the test steps mechanically. Conventional test-automation techniques can be time-consuming, require specialized skills, and can produce fragile scripts. To address these limitations, we present a tool, called ata, for automating the test-automation task. Using a novel combination of natural-language processing, backtracking exploration, and learning, ata can significantly improve tester productivity in automating manual tests. ata also produces change-resilient scripts, which automatically adapt themselves in the presence of certain common types of user-interface changes.
Enhancing Portability of HPC Applications across High-end Computing Platforms

Fast hardware turnover in supercomputing centers, stimulated by rapid technological progress, results in high heterogeneity among HPC platforms, and necessitates that applications are ported and adapted frequently. The cutting-edge nature of the hardware mandates customized performance tuning, which, coupled with continuously growing application complexity, makes the process inherently and increasingly challenging. In this paper, we analyze build procedures of a representative set of HPC applications, and attempt to identify commonalities that can be exploited to enhance cross-platform portability. We then propose a novel method for reducing non-portabilities while preserving high performance. The approach, based on profiles that capture and isolate non-portable features at various levels, requires only a moderate amount of changes to existing makefiles. It leverages the expertise of system designers and administrators, and reduces burdens placed on application scientists. As a proof of concept, we discuss the application of our methodology to enhancing portability of the Mile application across heterogeneous HPC platforms.
Minorities join the majority: Eating disturbances among Hispanic and native American youth

Researchers have begun to realize that disturbed eating behaviors and attitudes are not restricted to white, middle class, college-aged females. Yet investigations typically have not focused upon high school minority populations, particularly Hispanics or native Americans. This study administered the Eating Disorder Inventory and the Bulimia Test to 545 high school Hispanic, native American, and white (nonHispanic) youths. The native Americans consistently scored the highest on each of seven items representing disturbed eating behaviors and attitudes. Significant ethnic group differences were detected for binge eating when broadly defined, and for self-induced vomiting as a weight-control technique. Significant sex differences were found on four of the seven measures. Noteworthy was the dramatic difference in binge eating prevalence estimates as a consequence of the operational definition adopted. Adherence to the stricter criteria resulted in percentages for the native Americans (14.2%), Hispanics (13.1%) and nonHispanic whites (10.1%) which were much lower than those reported when the more general definition was applied. Results were discussed in terms of the need to address this rapidly growing problem among minority adolescents.
Horseshoes in a relativistic Hamiltonian system in 1+1 dimensions.

We study the classical motion of a relativistic two-body system, in 1+1 dimensions, with interaction described by a relativistic generalization of the well-known Duffing potential. The equations of motion are separable in hyperbolic coordinates and are solved in quadrature. The radial equation (in the invariant variable corresponding to the spacelike distance between the particles) has an effective potential depending on the separation constant for the hyperbolic ``angular momentum,'' and analytic solutions are obtained for the separatrix motion. In the presence of weak driving and damping forces, the Melnikov criterion for the existence of homoclinic instability is applied, and it is shown that chaotic behavior is predicted for sufficiently strong driving forces (bounds are given).
Gay-Straight Alliances in the Battle for Rights: A Tipping Point for Progress Over Prohibition

This is a brief essay on the oppressive natures of school and the rights of students to arm themselves with the creation of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs). Students who identify as LGBTQ are at higher risk for victimization, among other negative outcomes. For those who identify as LGBTQ, GSAs are often a safe-haven from the heteronormative realities of school, yet students face continued opposition. This essay describes how GSAs can counter the oppressive effects of schooling.