cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ego function as a correlate of addiction

Eighty-nine substance abusers in an urban treatment facility completed the self-report version of the Ego Function Assessment as well as the Addiction Severity Index. Statistical analyses delineate ego functions that relate to specific disruptions in the social and psychological adaptation of the substance abuser. Distinct profiles of ego functions are highlighted based on patterns of drug abuse and types of treatment referrals, as well as patterns of intravenous drug injection. Education levels are shown to correlate with ego function strengths. Results are interpreted from the social perspective of drug abuse.
Studies on the Ecology of Selected Food Poisoning Organisms in Foods. I. Growth of Staphylococcus Aureus in Cream and a Cream Product

SUMMARY A commercially produced whipped cream product, sold as a “cream puff” from unrefrigerated home delivery trucks, was investigated. The need to provide refrigeration of cream and cream-filled products on trucks during the hot weather in southern California was one of the basic considerations. The product investigated was one of the most hazardous food-poison-producing food products. Although over a million cream puffs had been sold in southern California from these trucks, no report of food poisoning was recorded, or even a claim against the company of suspected food poisoning. The laboratory investigation did not explain why there have been no food poisoning cases reported from eating this product.
Regression of Colorectal Adenomas With Intravenous Cytotoxic Chemotherapy in a Patient With Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

1021 Background Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomally dominant disease. This is a case of a 45 year old woman with FAP and colorectal cancer who showed marked regression of polyps after intravenous chemotherapy. Methods Using PubMed and MEDLINE we searched all citations in English available from 1966 to the present. Search terms included polyps, regression, chemotherapy, colorectal adenomas, and polyposis. Results The patient's colonoscopy in June 2002 revealed hundreds of colorectal adenomas throughout her colon. In June 2002, she had a left hemicolectomy and an liver biopsy. The pathology showed tubular adenomas with metastatic disease in the pericolonic lymph nodes and liver (Stage IV, T3N1M1). Her APC gene test was positive in April 2003. From 9/30/02 to 4/8/03 the patient received 5 cycles of bolus 5-FU, leucovorin, and irinotecan. A colonoscopy on 2/3/03 demonstrated reduced number and size of polyps compared to her prior colonoscopy. Ultrasounds of the liver on 9/25/02 and 11/5/02 ...
Audience status moderates the effects of social support and self-efficacy on cardiovascular reactivity during public speaking.

Exaggerated blood pressure responses to stress are implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease, and an effort has been made to identify factors associated with such responses. One situational factor that impacts cardiovascular responses to stress is the presence of other people and their behavior. Here, we manipulated the status of the audience during a stressful public speaking task to explore its impact on reactivity and its possible role in moderating the effects of the speaker’s confidence and the audience’s response during the speech. Sixty-four normotensive female undergraduates, classified as having high or low self-efficacy for public speaking, gave a 5-min speech to an audience that responded positively or negatively. Half of the audiences were presented as public speaking experts and half as novices. Cardiovascular reactivity was greater for low-efficacy speakers and for those receiving positive feedback. Reactivity was also greater facing an expert audience. Furthermore, the effects of both self-efficacy and audience feedback were intensified before an expert audience. To understand social support effects, we must attend not only to characteristics of the recipient but also to those of the provider.
Video applications on hyper-threading technology

This paper characterizes selected workloads of multimedia applications on current superscalar architectures, and then it characterizes the same workloads on Intel hyper-threading technology. This technology enables multiple threads to run in parallel on a processor, by interleaving instructions from different threads in the pipeline. The workloads, including video encoding, decoding, and watermark detection, are optimized for the Intel Pentium 4 processor. Even if the workloads are very well optimized for the Pentium 4 processor, most of the modules in these well-optimized workloads cannot fully utilize all the execution units available in the microprocessor, due to the inherently sequential constitution of the algorithms. Some of the modules are memory-bounded, while some are computation-bounded. Therefore, hyper-threading technology is a promising architecture feature that allows more CPU resources to be used at a given moment. Our goal is to provide a better explanation of the performance improvements that are possible in multimedia applications using hyper-threading technology. We demonstrate different task partition/scheduling schemes and discuss their trade-offs so that the reader can understand how to develop efficient applications on processors with hyper-threading technology.
Case study: Effects of naltrexone and sibis on self‐injury

The present case study was an effort to determine the relative effectiveness of two variant treatment modalities, and to provide an exploratory study of the hypothesis that therapy with naltrexone might increase the effectiveness of an aversive stimulus in controlling self-injury. Data are presented for a man who was treated for severe self-injury with the Self-Injurious Behavior Inhibiting System (SIBIS) and naltrexone, conducted under open-trial conditions utilizing fixed doses of 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg per day. The effects of naltrexone on SIB were evaluated alone and paired with SIBIS. When used alone, lower dosages of naltrexone produced moderate decrements in self-injury. However, the rate of SIB increased in a dose-dependent manner when naltrexone was paired with SIBIS. The data also suggested that naltrexone may have caused a generalized blunting of both positive and negative affect.
Differences in apparent contrast in yellow and white light

The purpose of this study was to investigate suprathreshold contrast perception in white and yellow light. The contrast of black-on-white letters was adjusted to match the perceived contrast of yellow-on-yellow letters presented simultaneously on a video display. At lower contrasts (7-15%), the apparent contrast of yellow letters was slightly enhanced compared to black-on-white letters (mean enhancement = 23%), but this effect diminished with increasing contrast. The slight enhancement in yellow light was independent of letter size, and could not be explained by luminance differences between yellow and white displays. This effect may relate to the subjective improvement often reported when wearing yellow (blue-blocking) lenses.
Matching-pursuit split-operator Fourier-transform simulations of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer in 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazole

The excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer dynamics associated with the ketoenolic tautomerization reaction in 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazole is simulated according to a numerically exact quantum-dynamics propagation method and a full-dimensional excited-state potential energy surface, based on an ab initio reaction surface Hamiltonian. The reported simulations involve the propagation of 35-dimensional wave packets according to the recently developed matching-pursuit/split-operator-Fourier-transform (MP/SOFT) method by Wu and Batista, [J. Chem. Phys. 121, 1676 (2004)]. The underlying propagation scheme recursively applies the time-evolution operator as defined by the Trotter expansion to second order accuracy in dynamically adaptive coherent-state expansions. Computations of time-dependent survival amplitudes, photoabsorption cross sections, and time-dependent reactant(product) populations are compared to the corresponding calculations based on semiclassical approaches, including the Herman-Kluk semic...
The clinical use of DNA methyltransferase inhibitors in myelodysplastic syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) include a heterogeneous group of acquired hematopoietic malignancies characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, peripheral cytopenias, and a varying propensity for progression to acute myeloid leukemia. Patients with higher risk MDS have dismal outcomes and treatment options are very limited. Aside from allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, the only potentially curative treatment, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTIs) are the only intervention that prolongs overall survival in patients with higher risk MDS. The clinical use of DNMTIs in MDS was one of the earliest successful attempts at epigenetic reprogramming of cancer. In this review, we discuss the clinical use of DNMTIs in MDS highlighting the current challenges and controversies and future directions of research needed to explore the full therapeutic potential of these agents.
Quantitative anatomy of the round window and cochlear aqueduct in guinea pigs.

In order to analyze the entry of solutes through the round window membrane, a quantitative description of round window anatomy in relationship to scala tympani is required. High-resolution magnetic resonance microscopy was used to visualize the fluid spaces and tissues of the inner ear in three dimensions in isolated, fixed specimens from guinea pigs. Each specimen was represented as consecutive serial slices, with a voxel size of approximately 25 Wm 3 . The round window membrane, and its relationship to the terminal portion of scala tympani in the basal turn, was quantified in six specimens. In each image slice, the round window membrane and scala tympani were identified and segmented. The total surface area of the round window membrane averaged 1.18 mm 2 (S.D. 0.08, n = 6). The length and variation of cross-sectional area as a function of distance for the cochlear aqueduct was determined in five specimens. The cochlear aqueduct was shown to enter scala tympani at the medial limit of the round window membrane, which corresponded to a distance of approximately 1 mm from the end of the scala when measured along its mid-point. These data are of value in simulating drug and other solute movements in the cochlear fluids and have been incorporated into a public-domain simulation program available at http://oto.wustl.edu/cochlea/. fl 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Some Observations on Poliomyelitis Lameness Surveys

Since 1974, greater than 100 different surveys have been carried out throughout the developing world to estimate the prevalence of lameness due to poliomyelitis. Reported prevalence rates have ranged from less than 1 to a high of 25 per 1,000 children surveyed and have prompted many countries to undertake polio vaccination programs. A review of surveys conducted to date reveals considerable variation in both the choice and use of survey methods and in the assumptions made in the analysis and interpretation of findings. More precise and comparable data about the risk of poliomyelitis could be obtained in future surveys by incorporating a standard case definition, by using house-to-house case-finding methods in representative community-based samples, by analyzing and presenting rates in more clearly defined ways, and by selecting stable populations for study.
A Comparative Analysis of Coronary and Aortic Flow Waveforms

Empirical Mode decomposition (EMD) is a mathematical tool designed to analyze non-stationary, non-linear stochastic waves. EMD separates a waveform into its constituent modes of oscillations or intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and provides meaningful definitions of instantaneous frequency, instantaneous energy, mean trends and oscillation about the mean trends. This study provides a detailed mathematical analysis of blood flow waveforms in the porcine left anterior descending artery and aorta using EMD. Flow data with non-stationary and non-linear characteristics were obtained for several hours using an implanted wireless biotelemetry device. EMD was validated against modern numerical techniques of principal component analysis (PCA) and wavelet analysis by comparing their predicted mean trends and energy distribution. EMD has an advantage over both techniques since it combines the strengths of both: it is adaptive (similar to PCA), and it can define instantaneous frequencies (similar to wavelet analysis). Because of the iterative nature, however, calculations using EMD can be computationally intensive. Sampling rate reduction was used to reduce computation time, without significantly effecting accuracy of IMF calculations. It was found that IMFs calculated at a sampling rate as low as 20 Hz were not significantly different (<6%) from those obtained at the original sampling rate (200 Hz). Our findings suggest that EMD may be a powerful mathematical tool to characterize flow waveforms.
Angiography after aneurysm surgery: indications for "selective" angiography.

BACKGROUND The need for postoperative cerebral angiography to confirm clip placement is largely a matter of the individual surgeon's preference, but in an atmosphere of limited health care resources and rising costs this attitude may need to be changed. METHODS A series of 312 intracerebral aneurysms harbored in 227 consecutive patients were clipped by a single surgeon (WF) and studied with postoperative selective angiography. Clues were sought to identify which (if any) aneurysms were prone to require postoperative recognition of incomplete or inaccurate clipping. We examined aneurysmal size, patient's sex, age, preoperative Hunt/Hess Grade, and Fisher CT grade, to determine their relationship to poor surgical clipping results (residual aneurysm or major vessel occlusion). RESULTS There were 13 cases of residual aneurysm (4.2%) and one case of major vessel occlusion (0.3%). Deep midline aneurysms (posterior circulation, anterior communicating artery) and ophthalmic (paraophthalmic) artery regions formed a group of patients with an increased risk of imperfect clip placement (8.2%; 13/157) as compared to patients with aneurysms in other locations (0.6%; 1/155) (p < 0.05). In addition, incompletely obliterated aneurysms proved to have a high rehemorrhage rate in this series. CONCLUSIONS A retrospective analysis revealed that deep midline aneurysms are more prone to inadequate clipping, and therefore, as a bare minimum represent aneurysms requiring confirmatory postoperative evaluation. This contemporary series can be used as a basis to compare the results from intraoperative angiography.
Management of Adults With Tracheostomy Across the Continuum of Care

Abstract In this article, intervention for adults with tracheostomy and ventilator dependency specific to acute inpatient, rehabilitation, and outpatient settings is described. During the acute hos...
Evaluation of Superpave Gyratory Compaction of Hot Mix Asphalt

The effect of restricted zone on volumetric properties of mixes consisting of all crushed, and all crushed and partially uncrushed, materials was evaluated. For a given aggregate blend, gradations below or above the restricted zone provided higher voids in mineral aggregate (VMA) than mixes through the restricted zone. Mixes with crushed aggregate provided higher VMA than mixes with partially crushed aggregate. It is recommended that further work be conducted to evaluate the effect of different types and shapes of aggregates on the volumetric properties of specimens compacted with the Superpave gyratory compactor. According to the current Superpave mix design system, the bulk specific gravity of a compacted specimen at any gyration is back calculated from the bulk specific gravity determined at Nmaximum and a correction factor determined at Nmaximum. This procedure assumes that the correction factor is constant at all gyrations. A part of this study was carried out to compare the correction factors obtain...
Body-weight regulation in twins.

SUMMARY The mean differences in body-weight between monozygotic twins and their co-twins (3.90lb., 1.77kg) is much less than between dizygotic twins and their co-twins (8.90lb., 4.0kg) in children between 6 and 12 years of age (p <.001). At birth dizygotic twins, on average, weigh slightly more than monozygotic twins. The differences between the birth-weights of dizygotic twins (0.361kg) are greater than between monozygotic twins (0.288kg). The first-born twin is more often heavier than the second-born. The twin who is heavier at birth is likely to be heavier during childhood (6 to 12 years). The data show that genetic factors are important in the control of body-weight in children. RESUME Regulation du poids corporel chez les jumeaux Dans une etude sur 231 paires de jumeaux du meme sexe, âges de 6 a 12 ans, la difference moyenne de poids corporel entre les jumeaux de paires monozygotes (1,77kg) est beaucoup moindre qu'entre les jumeaux de paires dizygotes (4,0kg) (p <.001). A la naissance, les jumeaux dizygotes pesent en moyenne un peu plus que les jumeaux monozygotes. Les differences entre les poids de naissance des jumeaux dizygotes (0,361kg) sont plus grandes qu'entre les jumeaux monozygotes (0,288kg). A la fois chez les jumeaux dizygotes et monozygotes, le premier ne est plus souvent plus lourd que le second et le jumeau plus lourd a la naissance a des chances de rester plus lourd durant l'enfance (6 a 12 ans). ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Bestimmung des Korpergewchtes bei Zwillingen Bei einer Studie an 231 gleichgeschlechtlichen Zwillingspaaren im Alter von 6 bis 12 Jahren fand man, das im Durchschnitt der Unterschied des Korpergewichtes bei eineiigen Zwillingen (1.77kg) sehr viel geringer ist als bei zweieiigen Zwillingen (4.0kg) (p <.001). Bei der Geburt wiegen zweieiige Zwillinge in der Regel etwas mehr als eineiige. Die Geburtsgewichte unterscheiden sich bei zweieiigen Zwillingen (0.361kg) deutlicher als bei eineiigen (0.288kg). Sowohl bei den eineiigen als auch bei den zweieiigen Zwillingen ist meistens der erstgeborene schwerer als der zweitgeborene, und der Zwilling, der bei der Geburt schwerer war, wird wahrscheinlich auch wahrend der Kindheit der schwerere bleiben (6–12 Jahre). RESUMEN Regulacion del peso corporal en mellizos En un estudio de 231 parejas de mellizos del mismo sexo de 6 a 12 anos de edad, el promedio de diferencias en el peso corporal entre mellizos monozigoticos y sus co-mellizos (1,77kg) era mucho menor que entre los mellizos dizigoticos y sus co-mellizos (4,0kg) (p <.001). Al nacer los mellizos dizigotos por termino medio pesaban ligeramente mas que los monozigotos. Las diferencias entre los pesos de nacimiento de los mellizos dizigotos (0,361kg) era mayor que entre los mellizos monozigotos (0,288kg). Tanto en los monozigotos como en los dizigotos, el primer nacido con mayor frecuencia pesa mas que el segundo nacido y el mellizo que pesa mas al nacer es probable que siga pesando mas durante la infancia (6 a 12 anos).
Analysis of Link Reversal Routing Algorithms

Link reversal algorithms provide a simple mechanism for routing in communication networks whose topology is frequently changing, such as in mobile ad hoc networks. A link reversal algorithm routes by imposing a direction on each network link such that the resulting graph is a destination oriented DAG. Whenever a node loses routes to the destination, it reacts by reversing some (or all) of its incident links. Link reversal algorithms have been studied experimentally and have been used in practical routing algorithms, including TORA [V. D. Park and M. S. Corson, A highly adaptive distributed routing algorithm for mobile wireless networks, in Proc. INFOCOM, IEEE, Los Alamitos, CA, 1997, pp. 1405--1413]. This paper presents the first formal performance analysis of link reversal algorithms. We study these algorithms in terms of work (number of node reversals) and the time needed until the network stabilizes to a state in which all the routes are reestablished. We focus on the full reversal algorithm and the partial reversal algorithm, both due to Gafni and Bertsekas [IEEE Trans. Comm.}, 29 (1981), pp. 11--18]; the first algorithm is simpler, while the latter has been found to be more efficient for typical cases. Our results are as follows: The full reversal algorithm requires O(n2) work and time, where n is the number of nodes that have lost routes to the destination. This bound is tight in the worst case. The partial reversal algorithm requires O(n $\cdot$ a* + n2) work and time, where a* is a nonnegative integral function of the initial state of the network. Further, for every nonnegative integer $\alpha$, there exists a network and an initial state with a*=$\alpha$, and with n nodes that have lost their paths to the destination, such that the partial reversal algorithm requires $\Omega(n\cdot {a^*} + n^2)$ work and time. There is an inherent lower bound on the worst-case performance of link reversal algorithms. There exist networks such that for every deterministic link reversal algorithm, there are initial states that require $\Omega(n^2)$ work and time to stabilize. Therefore, surprisingly, the full reversal algorithm is asymptotically optimal in the worst case, while the partial reversal algorithm is not, since a* can be arbitrarily larger than n.
The rabies virus glycoprotein determines the distribution of different rabies virus strains in the brain

The contribution of rabies virus (RV) glycoprotein (G) in viral distribution in the brain was examined by immunohistochemistry following stereotaxic inoculation into the rat hippocampus. Viruses used in this study include the highly neuroinvasive challenge virus standard strains (CVS-N2C and CVS-B2C) and the nonneuroinvasive attenuated SN-10 strain, as well as SN-10-derived recombinant viruses expressing the G gene from CVS-N2C (RN2C) or CVS-B2C (RB2C). The distribution of recombinant viruses in the brain was similar to those of the parental viruses from which the G was derived. For example, while CVS-B2C- and RB2C-infected neurons were seen preferentially in the hippocampus, cortex, and hypothalamus, CVS-N2C- and RN2C-infected neurons were preferentially found in the hippocampus, cortex, and thalamus. SN-10 infected efficiently almost all the brain regions. To further study the role of the RV G in virus spreading, we examined the distribution of RV antigen in brains infected with a recombinant RV in which the SN-10 G was replaced with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G (SN-10-VG) was examined. The spreading of SN-10-VG to the cortex and the thalamus was drastically reduced, but the number of infected neurons in hippocampus and hypothalamus, particularly the paraventricular nucleus, was similar to the SN-10 virus. This pattern of spreading resembles that of VSV. Together, our data demonstrate that it is the G protein that determines the distribution pattern of RV in the brain.
When will people regard robots as morally competent social partners

We propose that moral competence consists of five distinct but related elements: (1) having a system of norms; (2) mastering a moral vocabulary; (3) exhibiting moral cognition and affect; (4) exhibiting moral decision making and action; and (5) engaging in moral communication. We identify some of the likely triggers that may convince people to (justifiably) ascribe each of these elements of moral competence to robots. We suggest that humans will treat robots as moral agents (who have some rights, obligations, and are targets of blame) if they perceive them to have at least elements (1) and (2) and one or more of elements (3)-(5).
Nondisruptive RTSP video over the Internet using a modem connection

The lack of a delay constraint in the transmission control protocol/Internet protocol scheme is a barrier for time- based media transmission over the Internet. Recently, this barrier has been overcome with the introduction of protocols such as real time protocol and real time streaming protocol. However, these new protocols do not address the issue of smooth time-based media delivery in a server/client environment. Approaches such as buffer control can alleviate the non-smooth delivery problem up to a certain extent, but they are vulnerable to long propagation delay. In this work, we propose a new approach for non-disruptive video playback on the client with a minimal amount of buffering. This is achieved through a combination of video frame insertion and multitasking threads for data reception and video playback. The major contribution of this work lies in system integration of networking and video compression techniques.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Harmonic representatives for cuspidal cohomology classes

We give a construction of harmonic differentials that uniquely represent cohomology classes of a non-compact Riemann surface of finite topology. We construct these differentials by cutting off all cusps along horocycles and solving a suitable boundary value problem on the truncated surface. We then pass to the limit as the horocycle in each cusp recedes to infinity.
Circadian misalignment increases cardiovascular disease risk factors in humans

Shift work is a risk factor for hypertension, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. This increased risk cannot be fully explained by classic risk factors. One of the key features of shift workers is that their behavioral and environmental cycles are typically misaligned relative to their endogenous circadian system. However, there is little information on the impact of acute circadian misalignment on cardiovascular disease risk in humans. Here we show-by using two 8-d laboratory protocols-that short-term circadian misalignment (12-h inverted behavioral and environmental cycles for three days) adversely affects cardiovascular risk factors in healthy adults. Circadian misalignment increased 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 3.0 mmHg and 1.5 mmHg, respectively. These results were primarily explained by an increase in blood pressure during sleep opportunities (SBP, +5.6 mmHg; DBP, +1.9 mmHg) and, to a lesser extent, by raised blood pressure during wake periods (SBP, +1.6 mmHg; DBP, +1.4 mmHg). Circadian misalignment decreased wake cardiac vagal modulation by 8-15%, as determined by heart rate variability analysis, and decreased 24-h urinary epinephrine excretion rate by 7%, without a significant effect on 24-h urinary norepinephrine excretion rate. Circadian misalignment increased 24-h serum interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, resistin, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels by 3-29%. We demonstrate that circadian misalignment per se increases blood pressure and inflammatory markers. Our findings may help explain why shift work increases hypertension, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease risk.
Perceptions of Transformational Leadership in Academic Libraries

ABSTRACTTransformational leadership is highly correlated with effective organizations and successful change, yet few studies of this leadership style exist in the library literature. This study examined perceptions of transformational traits in academic library leaders. The study asked academic librarians at 4 year institutions to rate their library's leadership using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. While the librarians perceived their library leaders to be more transformational than transactional, the mean score for transformational leadership was middling, as were the scores for each of the transformational components. This could indicate a lack of change readiness in these libraries.
Adaptation and validation of stochastic limiting strain distribution and fatigue ratio concepts for perpetual pavement design

Traditional perpetual pavement thickness design is based, in part, on controlling strain levels at the bottom of the asphalt concrete layer below an endurance limit to prevent bottom-up fatigue cracking (FC). A field-based limiting strain threshold was developed from cumulative distributions of field-measured tensile strains in the 2003 and 2006 research cycles at the National Center for Asphalt Technology Pavement Test Track to understand the limiting strain necessary to control FC. Additionally, the fatigue ratio, the ratio of the nth percentile strain to the fatigue endurance limit, was developed. Both the tensile strain distributions and fatigue ratios showed a clear difference between sections that experienced bottom-up FC and those that did not. However, it is necessary to adapt these thresholds to strains predicted by perpetual pavement design tools. PerRoad, a stochastic perpetual pavement design programme, was used to predict strains for the same 2006 sections. Previously developed strain distrib...
Characterization of a novel cross-linked lipase: impact of cross-linking on solubility and release from drug product.

Liprotamase is a novel non-porcine pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy containing purified biotechnology-derived lipase, protease, and amylase together with excipients in a capsule formulation. To preserve the structural integrity and biological activity of lipase (the primary drug substance) through exposure of the drug product to the low-pH gastric environment, the enzyme was processed through the use of cross-linked enzyme crystal (CLEC) technology, making the lipase-CLEC drug substance insoluble under acidic conditions but fully soluble at neutral pH and in alkaline environments. In this report we characterize the degree of cross-linking for lipase-CLEC and demonstrate its impact on lipase-CLEC solubility and release from the drug product under relevant physiological pH conditions. Cross-linked lipase-CLEC was characterized via size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and capillary electrophoresis sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (CE-SDS–PAGE). A combination of methodologies was ...
Hydrodynamically-Confined Microflows for Cell Adhesion Strength Measurement

Cell adhesion plays a fundamental role in numerous physiological and pathological processes, and measurements of the adhesion strength are important in fields ranging from basic cell biology research to the development of implantable biomaterials. Our group and others have recently demonstrated that microfluidic devices offer advantages for characterizing the adhesion of cells to protein-coated surfaces [1,2]. Microfluidic devices offer many advantages over conventional assays, including the ability to apply high shear stresses in the laminar regime and the opportunity to directly observe cell behavior during testing. However, a key disadvantage is that such assays require cells to be cultured inside closed microchannels. Assays based on closed channels restrict the types of surfaces that can be examined and are not compatible with many standard techniques in cell biology research. Furthermore, while techniques for cell culture in microchannels have become common, maintaining the viability of certain types of cells in channels remains a challenge.© 2010 ASME
A comprehensive clinical review of maxillary sinus floor elevation: anatomy, techniques, biomaterials and complications

Several systematic reviews have shown that maxillary sinus augmentation is a predictable and effective procedure for augmentation of an atrophic posterior maxilla. However, we know of no reviews that have covered all the clinical aspects. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cinhal, and Cochrane databases up to January 2015 to select relevant studies that cover the different objectives of this review, including the anatomy of the maxillary sinus, surgical techniques, biomaterials used in the sinus augmentation, and potential complications.
Abstract 1835: NFATC1 regulates the long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in breast cancer

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is a long non-coding RNA overexpressed in many solid tumors such as breast, colorectal, liver, lung, and pancreatic. Its expression progressively increases, first in comparison of adjacent normal tissue to the primary tumor and again from the primary tumor to secondary metastatic sites. It has been reported that MALAT1 controls gene expression through regulation of alternative mRNA splicing as well as chromatin binding and histone modification. These processes result in cell cycle advancement, cell proliferation and migration. In tumor cells, loss of MALAT1 prevents epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), reduces proliferation, invasion, migration, and increases apoptosis. Even though MALAT1 is overexpressed in many tumors, the signaling pathways and transcription factors which regulate its expression are poorly understood. To identify positive activators of MALAT1, we first selected candidate transcription factors for screening which were identified by ENCODE ChIP-Seq as bound to the MALAT1 promoter and were linked to metastasis. Through small inhibitory RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown, we identified NFATC1 (nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 1) as a transcription factor that activates MALAT1 expression in multiple breast cancer cell lines. Overexpression of NFATC1 demonstrated an increase in MALAT1, verifying the siRNA results. Our luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that the MALAT1 promoter region is indeed controlled by NFATC1. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation using an NFATC1 antibody demonstrated enrichment of NFATC1 at multiple sites within the MALAT1 promoter region. Examination of endogenous levels of NFATC1 and MALAT1 in five breast cancer cell lines indicated those which were HER2-positive had highest expression of both NFATC1 and MALAT1. To determine the effect of HER2 on NFATC1 activity and MALAT1 expression, we ectopically expressed HER2 in HER2-negative cell lines. Interestingly, this increased total and nuclear NFATC1 protein as well as MALAT1 transcript levels. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that NFATC1 is a positive activator of MALAT1 in breast cancer and HER2 expression can modulate this activity. Notably, NFATC1 is associated with breast cancer EMT, invasion, and migration which match well with those phenotypes ascribed to MALAT1. Furthermore, HER2-positive status is associated with increased tumor proliferation and risk of metastasis. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that the HER2-NFATC1-MALAT1 signaling axis is a novel driver of breast cancer tumorigenesis and represents a potential therapeutic target. Citation Format: Joshua K. Stone, Jung-Hyun Kim, Ming Tan, Eun-Young E. Ahn. NFATC1 regulates the long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1835.
Systematically developed pilot randomized controlled trial of exercise and cognition in persons with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACTCognitive impairment is common and debilitating among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) and might be managed with exercise training. The present pilot study adopted a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) design and is the first to examine the effect of a systematically developed, progressive treadmill walking exercise training intervention on cognition among fully ambulatory persons with MS. Ten fully ambulatory females with MS were randomly assigned into exercise training intervention or waitlist control conditions. The intervention condition involved 12 weeks of supervised, progressive chronic treadmill walking exercise training. Participants underwent measures of cognition (i.e., cognitive processing speed (CPS), executive function), walking performance, and cardiorespiratory fitness before and after the 12-week period; baseline and follow-up assessments were performed by blinded assessors. Overall, there were large intervention effects on CPS (d = 0.95), walking performance (d = 0...
Incentives, Risks, and Motivating Innovation

Much of our understanding of motivating innovation builds on the conceptual idea that agency conflicts affect decisions on innovative activities, but empirical evidence on this fundamental relationship is scarce. This paper exploits an identification strategy using an exogenous cut to the taxation on managers’ dividend and capital gains income from the employer firm, which increases the after-tax value of those income. The agency effect on innovation is quantified by comparing heterogeneous behaviors after the tax cut among firms whose managerial ownership is low (insensitive to the event), medium (moral hazard is mitigated), and high (managerial risk aversion is exacerbated). I find that mitigating moral hazard stimulates innovation input and output quantity, while aggravated managerial risk aversion impedes innovation quantity. Managerial risk aversion shifts innovation directions to safer and more incremental paths, and merely alleviating moral hazard problem does not solve this issue. In response to agency shocks, firms adjust their innovative labor and organizational structure of innovation investment to achieve the documented changes. The agency effect on motivating innovation is sensibly governed by corporate governance, compensation structure, and CEO characteristics.
Ambulatory function in motor incomplete spinal cord injury: a magnetic resonance imaging study of spinal cord edema and lower extremity muscle morphometry

This research utilized a cross-sectional design. Spinal cord edema length has been measured with T2-weighted sagittal MRI to predict motor recovery following spinal cord injury. The purpose of our study was to establish the correlational value of axial spinal cord edema using T2-weighted MRI. We hypothesized a direct relationship between the size of damage on axial MRI and walking ability, motor function and distal muscle changes seen in motor incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). University-based laboratory in Chicago, IL, USA. Fourteen participants with iSCI took part in the study. Spinal cord axial damage ratios were assessed using axial T2-weighted MRI. Walking ability was investigated using the 6-min walk test and daily stride counts. Maximum plantarflexion torque was quantified using isometric dynomometry. Muscle fat infiltration (MFI) and relative muscle cross-sectional area (rmCSA) were quantified using fat/water separation magnetic resonance imaging. Damage ratios were negatively correlated with distance walked in 6 min, average daily strides and maximum plantarflexion torque, and a negative linear trend was found between damage ratios and lower leg rmCSA. While damage ratios were not significantly correlated with MFI, we found significantly higher MFI in the wheelchair user participant group compared to community walkers. Damage ratios may be useful in prognosis of motor recovery in spinal cord injury. The results warrant a large multi-site research study to investigate the value of high-resolution axial T2-weighted imaging to predict walking recovery following motor incomplete spinal cord injury.
April Fools' in Weimar: Photography and Crisis in the Illustrierten

Each April 1st, the popular glossy tabloids known as Illustrierte published a series of mischievous April fool jokes. In this annual game of discerning the real news from the fake, prominent magazines tricked readers unable or unwilling to exercise their critical faculties by interspersing manipulated photographs amid the familiar array of advertisements, serialized novels, puzzles, and articles of the Illustrierten . Often critiqued as manipulating their naive readers, the magazines’ use of fake photographs and the mixed message of their satirical sight gags astutely comment on the notion that “the camera does not lie”. Their interweaving with serious photojournalism pieces complicates the arguments of critics that the Illustrierten were exclusively naive purveyors of distraction. Far from being trivial, April fool jokes reflect and refract the obsessions of Weimar popular culture with such modern themes as mechanical movement, sensational spectacle, or miraculous weight loss.
Abstract 1445: Understanding the 8q24 colorectal cancer risk locus via CRISPR/Cas9 scarless genome editing

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality in the US, being the third most common cancer among both men and women. While an exact cause of CRC has not yet been elucidated, the existence of a clear heritable genetic component has been established. With the recent surge of data from Genome-Wide Association Studies, a handful of CRC-associated loci have been identified, each containing numerous Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). We hypothesize that among the ~25 loci associated with increased risk for CRC, there are driver SNPs functioning to contribute to initiation or progression of CRC development. It is crucial, in order to enhance our understanding CRC tumorigenesis, to extract these functional variants from the pool of associated SNPs and validate their causative significance within the cell. To model these functional SNPs, we have developed a novel “scarless” isolation pipeline for selecting isogenic clones with the desired single-base edit without selection markers following CRISPR-Cas9 mediated HDR. With this pipeline, we have successfully modeled our first selected SNP, rs6983267, from the 8q24 risk locus in HCT-116 cells, producing the heterozygous genotype (G/T) from the parental homozygous risk (G/G) genotype. Rs6983267 is located within a known c-Myc enhancer and has been shown to exert risk-allele specific increase in enhancer activity. Oncogenic c-Myc is known to play a significant role in CRC pathogenesis. In line with previous studies, we observe a slight decrease in c-Myc expression in our heterozygous clones compared to wildtype homozygous risk. Moreover, we observe a preferential binding of the transcription factor in control of c-Myc transcriptional regulation, TCF7L2, to the risk allele over the reference allele while binding of proximal factors such as CTCF show no allelic preference. Interestingly, we also see significant changes in expression of target genes of the WNT signaling pathway. Dysregulation of WNT is a hallmark characteristic of CRC. These changes indicate there is indeed an effect of the risk allele of rs6983267 on overall WNT activity in CRC cells due to increased binding of transcription factor TCF7L2. This novel SNP editing pipeline provides a method to study precise effects of single base changes located anywhere in the genome. Utilizing it to model other risk SNPs will enable the enhancement of our current understanding of GWAS-identified risk loci in CRC pathogenesis at the molecular level. Citation Format: Nicole Coggins, Jacob Stultz, David Segal, Luis Carvajal-Carmona. Understanding the 8q24 colorectal cancer risk locus via CRISPR/Cas9 scarless genome editing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1445. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1445
Issues in Research Methodology on Educator Stress

Research on educator stress and its effects on health outcomes faces numerous methodological challenges that affect the design, execution and analysis of scientific investigations. The chapter begins with an overview of the statistical challenges associated with multilevel field studies, which are ubiquitous in research on educator stress. Secondly, we will examine the specific challenges posed by time in the study of stress and the various methods and models used to capture the many roles of time in stress research, including individualized developmental and dynamic models, and ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Finally, we conclude with an examination of the special challenges that arise in the study of event occurrence in multilevel settings, such as leaving the workforce, changing employers, or experiencing a medical incident. These challenges stem from the complex nature of the construct of stress, the time frame over which stress exerts its influences on behavior, health and emotional well-being the many levels at which occupational settings create and mitigate stress, and the many levels at which individuals experience stress and demonstrate its influence on health and work outcomes. The chapter provides an overview of some of the more salient methodological, measurement, and analysis related issues that affect the work reported on in this volume. Our goal is to provide the reader with a firm understanding of the more complex methods and analyses relevant to the study of educator stress in an effort to strengthen the readers’ ability to benefit from the science presented throughout the volume.
Abstract 14964: A Novel Caveolin-3 Mutation Identified in a Patient With Profound Drug-Induced QT Prolongation and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Results in Dysfunction of Multiple Ion Channels Responsible for Cardiac Action Potential Duration

Introduction: Caveolin-3 (CAV3) is an essential scaffolding protein for caveolae formation in cardiomyocytes and targets multiple long QT syndrome (LQTS)-associated ion channels including the cardiac sodium channel (Nav1.5, LQT3), L-type calcium channel (Cav1.2, LQT8), and the voltage-gated potassium channels, Kv7.1 (LQT1) and Kv11.1 (LQT2), to the cell surface membrane. Mutations in CAV3 have been linked to LQTS (LQT9) by causing an LQT3-like accentuation in late sodium current. Here, we characterize a novel CAV3-V37L mutation by heterologous co-expression with the 4 major LQTS-related ion channels. Methods: The proband was a 39-year-old female with drug-induced, in-hospital sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) with documented profound QT prolongation (QTc > 600 ms) and torsades. Her QTc after removal of all offending drugs was 500 ms. LQTS genetic testing revealed a rare CAV3-V37L mutation and the common Kv11.1-K897T polymorphism. The CAV3-V37L and Kv11.1-K897T variants were engineered using site-directed mutagenesis. Standard whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to measure Nav1.5, Cav1.2, Kv7.1, and Kv11.1 currents when heterologously co-expressed with either CAV3-WT or CAV3-V37L in TSA201 cells. Results: Surprisingly, Nav1.5 channel function was not disrupted by CAV3-V37L. Instead, Cav1.2 channels co-expressed with CAV3-V37L had slower inactivation and a 1.4 fold increase in late current at +10 mV compared to CAV3-WT (p Conclusions: Studies identified the underlying mechanisms of QT prolongation and SCA in a patient with a novel CAV3 mutation. Rather than altered Nav1.5 function, the CAV-V37L mutation precipitated a gain-of-function of Cav1.2 and a loss-of-function of both Kv7.1 and Kv11.1. K897T displayed a modifying effect on the electrophysiological phenotype of Kv11.1 when co-expressed with CAV-V37L.