cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-year trends in psychosocial functioning after adolescent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Abstract Background Comprehensive studies of adolescent bariatric surgery outcomes are in their infancy and are critically needed. The present study examined the rate of change in the body mass index (BMI), health-related quality of life (HRQOL), depressive symptoms, and self-concept in adolescents undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) during the first 24 postoperative months using a prospective longitudinal design at a pediatric medical center. Methods A total of 16 adolescents (mean age 16.2 yr; 62.5% female, mean BMI 59.9 kg/m 2 ; 97% of eligible, consecutive patients) completed the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Kids, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents, and height and weight measurements at baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after RYGB. A total of 75% participated at all follow-up points. Results Before RYGB, global psychosocial impairments were documented. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the growth trajectories. Several quadratic (nonlinear) trends were revealed. A substantial reduction in weight and depressive symptoms, as well as improved HRQOL and self-concept were identified across the first postoperative year, followed by decelerations in year 2, including weight regain ( P P = .004) and decreases in HRQOL (Social, P = .002; Body Esteem, P = .0007; Physical Comfort, P P P = .02; Appearance, P = .002; and Close Friendship, P = .008). Conclusion During the first 24 months after RYGB, preliminary evidence suggests adolescents experience significant weight loss as well as psychosocial and HRQOL improvements. A deceleration in these gains occurred in the second postoperative year. Longer term follow-up with larger samples is critical to determine the weight and psychosocial trajectories, and what role psychosocial status plays in adolescents' weight change and maintenance.
Comments on “Calculation of the Energy of Transition Associated with Inversions in Double-Stranded DNA” [P. Aggarwal, D. Dollimore, Thermochim. Acta 284 (1996) 109]: a test

Abstract An alternative kinetic model of DNA melting curves, rising temperature kinetic evaluation, was recently suggested [Thermochim. Acta 284 (1996) 109] and applied to UV melting profiles of duplex DNA oligomers. We have investigated this kinetic model and compared it with the two-state thermodynamic equilibrium model. UV melting profiles for native DNA duplex oligomers were collected at various heating and cooling rates. Experimental melting curves of duplex DNA oligomers were found to be reversible and independent of the heating rates in range from 2.5 to 45°C h −1 . When the melting curves were evaluated in the terms of the alternative kinetic model, specific kinetic rate constants for duplex denaturation depended on the heating rates. These results indicate that native DNA duplex oligomers exhibit equilibrium melting transitions and the suggested kinetic model is invalid for melting profiles of native DNA duplex oligomers collected at the studied range of heating rates.
Low 2-Dimensional CD4 T Cell Receptor Affinity for Myelin Sets in Motion Delayed Response Kinetics

T cells recognizing self-peptides that mediate autoimmune disease and those that are responsible for efficacious immunity against pathogens may differ in affinity for antigen due to central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms. Here we utilize prototypical self-reactive (myelin) and viral-specific (LCMV) T cells from T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice (2D2 and SMARTA, respectively) to explore affinity differences. The T cells responsive to virus possessed >10,000 fold higher 2D affinity as compared to the self-reactive T cells. Despite their dramatically lower affinity for their cognate ligand, 2D2 T cells respond with complete, albeit delayed, activation (proliferation and cytokine production). SMARTA activation occurs rapidly, achieving peak phosphorylation of p38 (1 minute), Erk (30 minutes), and Jun (3 hours) as well as CD69 and CD25 upregulation (3 and 6 hours, respectively), with a corresponding early initiation of proliferation. 2D2 stimulation with MOG results in altered signaling – no phospho-Erk or phospho-p38 accumulation, significantly delayed activation kinetics of Jun (12 hours), and delayed but sustained SHP-1 activity – as well as delayed CD69 and CD25 expression (12–24 hours), and slow initiation of proliferation. This delay was not intrinsic to the 2D2 T cells, as a more potent antigen with >100-fold increased 2D affinity restored rapid response kinetics in line with those identified for the viral antigen. Taken together, these data demonstrate that time can offset low TCR affinity to attain full activation and suggest a mechanism by which low affinity T cells participate in autoimmune disease.
Role of the Brk SH3 domain in substrate recognition.

Breast tumor kinase (Brk) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in a high percentage of breast carcinomas. Brk contains SH3, SH2, and tyrosine kinase catalytic domains in a similar arrangement as Src family kinases. In this study, we explored the roles of the SH3 and SH2 domains in Brk regulation and substrate binding. We introduced a series of mutations into Brk that were predicted to disrupt the intramolecular interactions involving the SH3 and SH2 domains. These mutant forms of Brk displayed higher activity than wild-type Brk when expressed in human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells. These studies also allowed us to pinpoint the intramolecular binding site for the SH3 domain. To examine substrate binding, we compared binding and phosphorylation of Sam68, a physiological substrate of Brk. These experiments showed that the SH3 domain plays a particularly important role in substrate recognition. We confirmed this conclusion using a series of synthetic peptides in which a substrate sequence was coupled to an SH3 or SH2 ligand. The SH3-binding substrate had a significantly lower Km than a control, while no difference was observed between an SH2-binding substrate and a control. Taken together, our data suggest that SH3 interactions will govern phosphorylation of many substrates by Brk.
Critical Coagulation Concentrations for Carbon Nanotubes in Nonaqueous Solvent

Critical coagulation concentrations for several inorganic and metallodendrimer coagulants have been determined for dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes in nonaqueous solvent. The behavior of the nanotubes is not consistent with previously reported coagulations from aqueous electrolytes and is not described using classical Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek theory of lyophobic colloids. Nanoscale rigid dendrimers are studied as they interact and bind to the carbon nanotubes. With a diameter of 5.8 nm and a charge of +20, these metallodendrimers bind strongly and specifically to the nanotubes. Systematic studies of aggregating nanotubes and nanoparticles are required to more completely understand the complex interactions between the nanotubes and the matrix in which they are dispersed. Strategies for directed self-assembly of the nanotubes have implications for the potential three-dimensional nanomanufacturing of nanoscale sensors and actuators.
Convergence of spherical harmonic expansions for the evaluation of hard-sphere cluster integrals

ForN particles (N>2), by means of a spherical harmonic expansion of Silverstone and Moats, a 3N-dimensional cluster may be reduced to 2N+1 trivial integrals andN−1 interesting integrals. For hard spheres, theN−1 interesting integrals are products of polynomials integrated between binomial bounds. With simple clusters, closed forms are obtained; for more complex clusters, infinite series inl (ofY lm ) appear. It is here shown for representative cases that these series converge exponentially rapidly, the leading pair of terms accounting for all but a few tenths of a percent of the total cluster integral.
Enhanced bioavailability of sorbed 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by a bacterial consortium.

Abstract Large quantities of trinitrotoluene (TNT) have been associated with past and present military activities worldwide. Because this contaminant is highly toxic and strongly sorbs to soil particles, bacteria that are able to transform it have had very little success, if any. This study was conducted to evaluate the bioavailability of 14 C-labeled TNT in soil for microbial mineralization. Sorption–desorption experiments indicated that a Kendaia loam soil effectively adsorbs this explosive compound, with approximately 30–45% of the added TNT remaining sorbed to the soil after a total of 10 washings. A bacterial consortium isolated from explosive-contaminated sites was prepared in liquid medium and then tested in a TNT-spiked Kendaia loam soil. The concentration of TNT in the soil that was inoculated with the bacterial consortium was reduced by more than 30% of the initial concentration compared to the soil that did not contain the bacterial consortium within a period of 20 weeks. Nearly half of the TNT was mineralized as determined by the percentage of 14 CO 2 produced. Only one member of the consortium (i.e., Enterobacter sp.) significantly mineralized 25% of TNT although the extent of mineralization was significantly enhanced to 35% in the presence of the other two members of the consortium. The data suggest that some of the strongly adsorbed TNT may be accessible for metabolism if conditions for the right combination of microorganisms with specialized capabilities are optimized. The remaining sorbed fraction of substrate is presumably sequestered and thus unavailable to the microorganisms.
Electrical response of bat retina to spectral stimulation: comparison of four microchiropteran species

Electrical responses of the retinas of 4 species of microchiropteran bats stimulated by spectrally restricted light flashes were found to diverge systematically from the rhodopsin absorption spectrum. The divergence was progressively greater across the 4 species. The results appeared explainable by assuming a second photoreceptor class and photopigment which was present in progressively greater numbers in the retinas ofEptesicus fuscus, Desmodus rotundus, Artibeus jamaicensis andCarollia perspicillata.
Immunogenic display of diverse peptides, including a broadly cross-type neutralizing human papillomavirus L2 epitope, on virus-like particles of the RNA bacteriophage PP7

The immunogenicity of an antigen can be dramatically increased by displaying it in a dense, multivalent context, such as on the surface of a virus or virus-like particle (VLP). Here we describe a highly versatile VLP platform for peptide display based on VLPs of the RNA bacteriophage PP7. We show that this platform can be used for the engineered display of specific peptide sequences as well as for the construction of random peptide libraries. Peptides representing the FLAG epitope, the V3 loop of HIV gp120, and a broadly cross-type neutralizing epitope from L2, the minor capsid protein of Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16), were inserted into an exposed surface loop of a form of PP7 coat protein in which the two identical polypeptides of coat were fused together to form a single-chain dimer. The recombinant proteins assembled into VLPs, displayed these peptides on their surfaces, and induced high-titer antibody responses. The single-chain dimer was also highly tolerant of random 6-, 8-, and 10-amino acid insertions. PP7 VLPs displaying the HPV16 L2 epitope generated robust anti-HPV16 L2 serum antibodies after intramuscular injection that protected mice from genital infection with HPV16 pseudovirus as well as a heterologous HPV pseudovirus type, HPV45. Thus, PP7 VLPs are well-suited for the display of a wide diversity of peptides in a highly immunogenic format.
Use of venlafaxine other psychiatric disorders

Venlafaxine is a medication available by prescription in the U.S. both in an immediate release and an extended release formulation. Preclinical studies indicate it has the effect of potently blocking the serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. Venlafaxine is approved by the FDA for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Suggestive evidence, mostly from open label case series, indicates efficacy of venlafaxine in several other conditions including panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, ADHD, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia. The limited evidence supporting efficacy in these conditions is reviewed. Additional randomized clinical trials with placebo controls are indicated.
Neuropathological studies of experimental toxocariasis in lead exposed mice

Binghamton Heterogeneous stock mice intubated with embryonated eggs from the common parasite of dogs, Toxocara canis, display dramatic alterations in behavior. Many of these behavioral changes are markedly attenuated if mice are maintained also on a drinking solution containing lead acetate. The data presented here, however, show that the extensive neural degeneration of the CNS occurs after T. canis infection and that the nature and extent of this degeneration is similar, regardless of whether mice had been administered parasites alone or in combination with lead. Thus the neuropathological data reported in detail here cannot account for the striking interactive influence of T. canis and lead on behavior.
Passive acoustic sensing for tracking knocks atop large interactive displays

Describes a system that locates the position of knocks and taps atop a large sheet of glass. Our current setup uses four contact piezoelectric pickups located near the sheet's corners to record the acoustic wavefront coming from the impacts. A digital signal processor extracts relevant characteristics from these signals, such as amplitudes, frequency components, and differential timings, which are used to estimate the location of the hit and provide other parameters, including the rough position resolution, the nature of each hit (e.g., knuckle knock, metal tap, or fist bang), and the strike intensity. As this system requires only simple hardware, it needs no special adaptation of the glass pane, and allows all transducers to be mounted on the inner surface, hence it is quite easy to deploy as a retrofit to existing windows. This opens many applications, such as an interactive storefront, with content controlled by knocks on the display window.
The influence of water deficits on mRNA levels in tomato

Abstract. The levels of particular mRNAs in tomato leaves are altered in response to water stress. Certain transcripts appear as a consequence of the stress whereas others diminish in abundance. These changes were analysed by cell-free translation of leaf RNA followed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the translation products. Within 20 min of the onset of reduced leaf water potential in detached leaflets, stress-induced mRNAs appear in the transcript population. Other mRNAs accumulate more slowly and include among their in vitro translation products a prominently labelled group of polypeptides of about 18–19 kD. These transcripts are recovered from detached leaflets incubated for 2 and 8h at low water potential and from leaflets of intact plants that were stressed in situ for 10d. An additional water stress-induced mRNA that encodes a 64-kD polypeptide is detected in the transcript population from detached leaflets when [3H]glycine is used in place of [35S]methionine in the cell-free translations. Among the transcripts that decline in abundance as a consequence of water stress is an mRNA that encodes the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase. Within 2h of rewatering stressed plants, certain mRNAs that were lost from the population return and those in the 18–19 kD range that are associated with the stress are not detectable.
Reaction mechanism for mammalian pyruvate dehydrogenase using natural lipoyl domain substrates.

The pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1) component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) catalyzes a two-step reaction. Recombinant production of substrate amounts of the lipoyl domains of the dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2) component of the mammalian PDC allowed kinetic characterization of the rapid physiological reaction catalyzed by E1. Using either the N-terminal (L1) or the internal (L2) lipoyl domain of E2 as a substrate, analyses of steady state kinetic data support a ping pong mechanism. Using standard E1 preparations, Michaelis constants (Km) were 52 ± 14 μM for L1 and 24.8 ± 3.8 μM for pyruvate and kcat was 26.3 s−1. With less common, higher activity preparations of E1, the Km values were ≥160 μM for L1 and ≥35 μM for pyruvate and kcat was ≥70 s−1. Similar results were found with the L2 domain. The best synthetic lipoylated-peptide (L2 residues 163–177) was a much poorer substrate (Km ≥ 15 mM, kcat ≈ 5 s−1; kcat/Km decreased >1500-fold) than L1 or L2, but a far better substrate in the E1 reaction than free lipoamide (kcat/Km increased >500-fold). Each lipoate source was an effective substrate in the dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3) reaction, but E3 had a lower Km for the L2 domain than for lipoamide or the lipoylated peptides. In contrast to measurements with slow E1 model reactions that use artificial acceptors, we confirmed that the natural E1 reaction, using lipoyl domain acceptors, was completely inhibited (>99%) by phosphorylation of E1 and the phosphorylation strongly inhibited the reverse of the second step catalyzed by E1. The mechanisms by which phosphorylation interferes with E1 activity is interpreted based on accrued results and the location of phosphorylation sites mapped onto the 3-D structure of related α-keto acid dehydrogenases.
Views on the Ground: The Local Perception of International Criminal Tribunals in the Former Yugoslavia and Sierra Leone:

If international criminal courts are to achieve their aims—one of which is to contribute to the consolidation of democracy and the triumph of the rule of law over the instinct for revenge after prolonged periods of communal violence—perception of their legitimacy by the local population is a crucial factor. After laying out and comparing the basic features of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the Special Court for Sierra Leone as to their respective origins, objectives, and programs of outreach, the article examines local reception from three standpoints: perceptions of overall legitimacy, perceptions of tribunal impartiality, and the effect of public perceptions of the tribunals on the respective countries' reconciliation process.
Redefining sculpture digitally

Between 1979 and 2009 the author has produced several series of digital sculptures, some of which have broken radically with existing concepts of sculpture. His first digital sculpture was a series of screen-based real-time interactive virtual sculptures produced between 1979 and 1981. He subsequently used the computer to compose and fabricate several series of sculptures, while also working in a variety of other artistic media. Since 2007, he has been using the computer to design and fabricate a series of large-scale sculpture installations that combine more traditional sculptural concepts with contemporary multimedia approaches.
Who’s the Boss? Patterns of Control in Adolescents’ Sibling Relationships

The goals of this study were to examine longitudinal changes in perceived control in adolescents' sibling relationships and to describe the nature and correlates of three distinct control patterns: Firstborn dominant, equal, and secondborn dominant. Firstborn and secondborn adolescents in 184 predominately European-American families participated in home interviews and a series of phone interviews as part of a longitudinal a study of family relationships and adolescent development. Findings revealed changes in control over three years as well as sibling differences. In addition, different patterns of control were linked to qualities of the sibling relationship and to adolescent adjustment. The different roles that firstborn and secondborn siblings assume, and why these roles are linked to relationship experiences and adjustment, are discussed.
Analysis of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) for the estimation of potential toxicity in aquatic sediments

Acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) are operationally defined methods for the analysis of sulfide and associated metals in aquatic sediments. The SEM-to-AVS ratio has been useful in explaining the results of bioassay tests of metal toxicants. This paper describes apparatus that can be used in the evolution of sulfide from sediments and a method for the analysis of the evolved sulfide and the liberated metal. The method was studied with respect to gas flow rate, digestion time, and acid concentration. Liberated and trapped sulfide was determined by a colorimetric method of analysis. Using the apparatus and conditions described in this paper, the colorimetric method of analysis. Using the apparatus and conditions described in this paper, the colorimetric method of analysis is capable of detecting AVS at concentrations normally encountered with a recovery of sulfide of at least 90%. High precision is possible if this apparatus is used. The limit of detection of the method is approximately 0.01 [mu]mol/g dry sediment added 6 m HCl to produce a final concentration of approximately 1 M for the release of the AVS and SEM from unheated samples. The authors found that sulfide was not released from pyrite (FeS[sub 2]) ormore » copper sulfide (CuS) under the conditions. the liberation of copper from the two studied sediments indicates that copper was probably associated with another phase in these sediments. AVS is stable for several weeks in refrigerated or frozen samples.« less
The Effect of Duration of Stretching of the Hamstring Muscle Group for Increasing Range of Motion in People Aged 65 Years or Older

Background and Purpose. Stretching protocols for elderly people (≥65 years of age) have not been studied to determine the effectiveness of increasing range of motion (ROM). The purpose of this study was to determine which of 3 durations of stretches would produce and maintain the greatest gains in knee extension ROM with the femur held at 90 degrees of hip flexion in a group of elderly individuals. Subjects. Sixty-two subjects (mean age=84.7 years, SD=5.6, range= 65–97) with tight hamstring muscles (defined as the inability to extend the knee to less than 20° of knee flexion) participated. Subjects were recruited from a retirement housing complex and were independent in activities of daily living. Methods. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups and completed a physical activity questionnaire. The subjects in group 1 (n=13, mean age=85.1 years, SD=6.4, range=70–97), a control group, performed no stretching. The randomly selected right or left limb of subjects in group 2 (n=17, mean age=85.5 years, SD=4.5, range=80–93), group 3 (n=15, mean age=85.2 years, SD=6.5, range=65–92), and group 4 (n=17, mean age=83.2 years, SD=4.6, range=68–90) was stretched 5 times per week for 6 weeks for 15, 30, and 60 seconds, respectively. Range of motion was measured once a week for 10 weeks to determine the treatment and residual effects. Data were analyzed using a growth curve model. Results. A 60-second stretch produced a greater rate of gains in ROM (60-second stretch=2.4° per week, 30-second stretch=1.3° per week, 15-second stretch=0.6° per week), which persisted longer than the gains in any other group (group 4 still had 5.4° more ROM 4 weeks after treatment than at pretest as compared with 0.7° and 0.8° for groups 2 and 3, respectively). Discussion and Conclusion. Longer hold times during stretching of the hamstring muscles resulted in a greater rate of gains in ROM and a more sustained increase in ROM in elderly subjects. These results may differ from those of studies performed with younger populations because of age-related physiologic changes.
Bootstrapping coreference classifiers with multiple machine learning algorithms

Successful application of multi-view co-training algorithms relies on the ability to factor the available features into views that are compatible and uncorrelated. This can potentially preclude their use on problems such as coreference resolution that lack an obvious feature split. To bootstrap coreference classifiers, we propose and evaluate a single-view weakly supervised algorithm that relies on two different learning algorithms in lieu of the two different views required by co-training. In addition, we investigate a method for ranking unlabeled instances to be fed back into the bootstrapping loop as labeled data, aiming to alleviate the problem of performance deterioration that is commonly observed in the course of bootstrapping.
The Banality of Everyday Consumption: Collecting Contemporary Urban Materiality

This article examines what defines contemporary urban materiality, focusing on the politics of banality and everyday life and examining how museums might collect quotidian material things. Rather than engage in guesswork about what future audiences will define as early 21st-century urban significance, the article argues for a curatorial focus on the apparently prosaic dimensions of urban materiality. Such a curatorial strategy will use commonplace material things to illuminate the contemporary imagination and social construction of urban life by focusing on the things contemporary people reduce to banality and consign to the boundaries of consciousness. [material culture, consumption, everyday life]
Matching air-interface with backbone: end-to-end resource allocation in hybrid networks

In this paper, we consider a hybrid wireless-wired network consisting of two distinct parts: a wireless hop and a wired mesh backbone network shared by wireless and wires sources. The wireless air-interface is often modeled as time-varying fading channels, and the primary objective is to make the most efficient use of the available bandwidth and power. In this hybrid network model, trade-off between rate-power allocation local to the wireless hop and global congestion control that regulate both wireless and wired sources sharing wired links in the backbone. To resolve a potential conflict between maximizing 'global utility' for end-to-end transmissions and achieving 'local capacity' at the air-interface, wireless source is needed. Global and joint convergence method is used for the end-to-end resource allocation algorithm
Malicious data detection in state estimation leveraging system losses & estimation of perturbed parameters

It is critical that state estimators used in the power grid output accurate results even in the presence of erroneous measurement data. Traditional bad data detection is designed to perform well against isolated random errors. Interacting bad measurements, such as malicious data injection attacks, may be difficult to detect. In this work, we analyze the sensitivities of specific power system quantities to attacks. We compare real and reactive flow and injection measurements as potential indicators of attack. The use of parameter estimation as a means of detecting attack is also investigated. For this the state vector is augmented with known system parameters, allowing both to be estimated simultaneously. Perturbing the system topology is shown to enhance detectability through parameter estimation.
NON-DIRECTIVE AND INTRUSIVE TEACHING STYLES OF MIDDLE- AND WORKING-CLASS ENGLISH MOTHERS

Summary. Sixty-three mother-child dyads, selected from middle- and working-class English backgrounds, were observed in semi-structured teaching activities. The five activities were selected for the 2½-3½ year-old child sample. Observers scored precoded maternal and child behaviours. An analysis of covariance, with mother's age and child's age as covariates, indicated that middle-class mothers used significantly fewer negative statements and imperatives, and significantly more questions. They were also less intrusive. Within-class correlations showed two maternal styles in the working class, a negative intrusive style and a positive, non-directive style.
Endovascular Approaches for Complex Forms of Recurrent Aortic Coarctation

PURPOSE To review a single-center experience with endovascular treatment of recurrent aortic coarctation in adults. METHODS Since 1998, 11 patients (9 men; mean age 48+/-15 years, range 16-63) with recurrent aortic coarctation following previous coarctation repair were referred to our institution for treatment. Clinical presentations included pseudoaneurysm (n=2), restenosis (n=3), pseudoaneurysm accompanied by restenosis (n=4), and rupture of a post-coarctation pseudoaneurysm (n=2). All patients were treated using an endovascular approach as part of a single-center investigational device exemption protocol. RESULTS Endovascular interventions included Palmaz stent implantation (n=3), implantation of an endoluminal graft (n=2), or a combination of both treatments in 6 patients. Three patients underwent balloon angioplasty before stenting or endografting, and 2 patients had a carotid-subclavian bypass done before the endovascular repair. All repairs were technically and clinically successful. The median length of stay after repair was 2.0+/-2.3 days. In follow-up, 2 patients underwent a carotid-subclavian bypass for left upper extremity claudication. Two patients required reintervention owing to migration of the stent in 1 and an endoleak 2 years after the initial procedure in the other. CONCLUSION Endovascular approaches to adult coarctation appear to be safe and effective. With the emergence of endoluminal grafts and the widespread availability of the Palmaz stent, endovascular repair offers an excellent alternative to open surgery for complex cases of recurrent coarctation. Additional studies are indicated to assess the long-term outcomes of these patients.
Three approaches to beginning Chinese instruction and their effects on oral development and character recognition

Developing Chinese character knowledge is often labor intensive and time consuming. Therefore, there is often an imbalance between character instruction and training in other language skills due to how much instructional time is occupied by learning characters. A few teaching approaches are frequently used in the classroom to accommodate this problem. This pilot study intended to compare these approaches in an experimental setting to investigate the effectiveness of them on learners’ oral and character recognition performances. This study involved nine first-year learners of Chinese at a university in the United States. Data collection of this study included the results of character quizzes and oral assessment. The participants and their teachers were also given a survey regarding their perceptions towards each of the instructional approaches. The findings illustrated that some of the instructional approaches helped develop the participants’ oral skills more rapidly than the rest, while some approaches were more effective in aiding the development of character recognition.
Impaired Recognition Memory in Rats after Damage to the Hippocampus

Rats with radio-frequency or ibotenic acid lesions of the hippocampus and rats with radio-frequency lesions of the fornix were tested on the visual paired comparison task (VPC), a test of recognition memory. Memory was assessed at five different delay intervals ranging from 10 sec to 24 hr. All operated groups performed normally at the shorter delays (10 sec and 1 min). Across longer delays, the two groups with hippocampal damage were impaired. Rats with fornix lesions performed well on the VPC task but were impaired on a spatial task (spontaneous alternation). The results show that the hippocampus is essential for normal recognition memory. Moreover, fornix lesions need not mimic the effects of direct damage to hippocampal tissue. The findings are discussed in the context of the contribution of the hippocampus to recognition memory.
Contribution of T-Cell Receptor Repertoire Breadth to the Dominance of Epitope-Specific CD8+ T-Lymphocyte Responses

Dominant epitope-specific CD8(+) T-lymphocyte responses play a central role in controlling viral spread. We explored the basis for the development of this focused immune response in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)- and simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected rhesus monkeys through the use of two dominant (p11C and p199RY) and two subdominant (p68A and p56A) epitopes. Using real-time PCR to quantitate T-cell receptor (TCR) variable region beta (Vbeta) family usage, we show that CD8(+) T-lymphocyte populations specific for dominant epitopes are characterized by a diverse Vbeta repertoire, whereas those specific for subdominant epitopes employ a dramatically more focused Vbeta repertoire. We also demonstrate that dominant epitope-specific CD8(+) T lymphocytes employ TCRs with multiple CDR3 lengths, whereas subdominant epitope-specific cells employ TCRs with a more restricted CDR3 length. Thus, the relative dominance of an epitope-specific CD8(+) T-lymphocyte response reflects the clonal diversity of that response. These findings suggest that the limited clonal repertoire of subdominant epitope-specific CD8(+) T-lymphocyte populations may limit the ability of these epitope-specific T-lymphocyte populations to expand and therefore limit the ability of these cell populations to contribute to the control of viral replication.
Educational goals for biomaterials science and engineering: Prospective view

The research field of biomaterials and surgical implants has matured to a point suggesting that a formal and comprehensive education is now required to handle all professional issues related to biomaterials and implant development. A professional curriculum is proposed for a discipline of biomaterials science and engineering on a graduate level. The curriculum includes the definition of an essential knowledge base and describes two track options for a study period of 3 years. Lists of prerequisites as well as required and suggested courses are presented and discussed. Continuing education courses are presented as examples. A quick vision of the immediate future of the field enforces the need for biomaterials professionals to take the lead in bringing the field into the next century. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Androcentrism in prescriptive grammar: singular ‘they’, sex-indefinite ‘he’, and ‘he or she’

This paper demonstrates that prior to the beginning of the prescriptive grammar movement in English, singular ‘they’ was both accepted and widespread. It is argued that the prescriptive grammarians' attack on singular ‘they’ was socially motivated, and the specific reasons for their attack are discussed. By analogy with socially motivated changes in second person pronouns in a variety of European languages, it is suggested that third person pronoun usage will be affected by the current feminist opposition to sex-indefinite ‘he’ – particularly since the well-established alternative, singular ‘they’, has remained widespread in spoken English throughout the two and a half centuries of its ‘official’ proscription. Finally, the implications of changes in third person singular, sex-indefinite pronouns for several issues of general interest within linguistics are explored. (Language change, sex roles and language, language attitudes, language planning, prescriptive grammar, pronouns.)
On the importance of looking back: The role of recursive remindings in recency judgments and cued recall

Suppose that you were asked which of two movies you had most recently seen. The results of the experiments reported here suggest that your answer would be more accurate if, when viewing the later movie, you were reminded of the earlier one. In the present experiments, we investigated the role of remindings in recency judgments and cued-recall performance. We did this by presenting a list composed of two instances from each of several different categories and later asking participants to select (Exp. 1) or to recall (Exp. 2) the more recently presented instance. Reminding was manipulated by varying instructions to look back over memory of earlier instances during the presentation of later instances. As compared to a control condition, cued-recall performance revealed facilitation effects when remindings occurred and were later recollected, but interference effects in their absence. The effects of reminding on recency judgments paralleled those on cued recall of more recently presented instances. We interpret these results as showing that reminding produces a recursive representation that embeds memory for an earlier-presented category instance into that of a later-presented one and, thereby, preserves their temporal order. Large individual differences in the probabilities of remindings and of their later recollection were observed. The widespread importance of recursive reminding for theory and for applied purposes is discussed.
Measuring Concavity on a Rectangular Mosaic

A theory for describing and measuring the concavities of cellular complexes (digitized silhouettes) is developed. This theory involves the use of the minimum-perimeter polygon and its convex hull.
Attenuated DNA Damage Repair by Trichostatin A through BRCA1 Suppression

Abstract Zhang, Y., Carr, T., Dimtchev, A., Zaer, N., Dritschilo, A. and Jung, M. Attenuated DNA Damage Repair by Trichostatin A through BRCA1 Suppression. Radiat. Res. 168, 115–124 (2007). Recent studies have demonstrated that some histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors enhance cellular radiation sensitivity. However, the underlying mechanism for such a radiosensitizing effect remains unexplored. Here we show evidence that treatment with the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) impairs radiation-induced repair of DNA damage. The effect of TSA on the kinetics of DNA damage repair was measured by performing the comet assay and γ-H2AX focus analysis in radioresistant human squamous carcinoma cells (SQ-20B). TSA exposure increased the amount of radiation-induced DNA damage and slowed the repair kinetics. Gene expression profiling also revealed that a majority of the genes that control cell cycle, DNA replication and damage repair processes were down-regulated after TSA exposure, including BRCA1. The involvemen...
Tomicus piniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) initial flight and shoot departure along a north-south gradient.

Abstract The exotic pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (L.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), established in the north central and northeastern United States (U.S.) and adjacent regions in Canada, is regulated by a federal quarantine that restricts movement of pine material during specific times of the year based on the beetle’s life history. Although climatic variation occurs across T. piniperda’s range, a single set of dates is used for timing the movement of pine logs. We monitored T. piniperda spring flight, fall shoot departure, and air and internal tree temperatures at three sites along a 300-km north-south gradient in Michigan and Indiana. We also estimated dates for initial spring flight (12°C threshold) and fall shoot departure (0°C threshold) across an 850-km gradient using historical temperature records (1901 to 1999). Average daily temperatures in fall 1997 (8 October to 12 December) and spring 1998 (20 February to 21 April) were 1.8 to 2.4°C colder, respectively, at the northern field site than at ...
Targeting Smad-Dependent TGF-β Signaling with Peptide Aptamers

Peptide aptamers, variable constrained protein motifs displayed on a rigid protein scaffold, have been used to disrupt a number of different protein-protein interactions in cells, resulting in specific changes in cell proliferation or signaling. TGF-β signal transduction relies on the assembly of protein complexes around the Smad heterotrimer to activate or repress specific gene expression responses. In order to understand which Smad protein interactions are important for specific responses to TGF-β, and to identify protein binding sites on Smads that might be selective therapeutic targets, we are developing a library of Smad-binding peptide aptamers, initially based on displaying known, Smad binding motifs on the Thioredoxin A (Trx) scaffold. We review here the use of peptide aptamers, the known Smad binding motifs, and our initial studies that demonstrate that peptide aptamers have selective effects on TGF-β induced transcription.
Teaching In Cyberspace: The Faculty Perspective

Broader audiences of students are seeking alternative course delivery methods using electronic formats. For this reason, business instructors are embracing web-based delivery modalities to accommodate the needs of such audiences. This presentation is intended for instructors choosing to enter online learning environments. It provides suggestions for student-friendly online course design, delivery and closure. Student friendly online courses begin with mental thought processes that drive course objectives and learning outcomes in the preparation phase of course development. The student friendly environment then transpires as a result of the instructor’s style during course delivery. The online instructor then leaves the audience with a final impression through course closure activities. With the final course details completed, the instructor reflects on areas of success and potential improvement to be applied to future courses.
A Hardware-in-the-Loop Strategy for Control of a Wind Turbine Test Bench

This paper presents a strategy for operating and simulating a full scale wind turbine test bench in order to emulate the field conditions experienced by the mechanical portion of a nacelle’s drivetrain. The presented strategy makes use of a real-time simulation of a wind turbine model to provide reference signals for the test bench. These reference signals include the thrust force, lateral force, vertical force, pitch moment, yaw moment, and drivetrain speed at the nacelle’s control point or hub point: a point along a nacelle’s drivetrain representing what would be the center of the nacelle hub. The effectiveness of this approach is studied with the help of a multibody, dynamic model of the 7.5 MW test bench located at Clemson University’s Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility. Simulation results show that the proposed control strategy is feasible for emulating field conditions on a wind turbine test bench.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Molecular Regulation of Parturition: A Myometrial Perspective

The molecular mechanisms that maintain quiescence of the myometrium throughout most of pregnancy and promote its transformation to a highly coordinated contractile unit culminating in labor are complex and intertwined. During pregnancy, progesterone (P4) produced by the placenta and/or ovary serves a dominant role in maintaining myometrial quiescence by blocking proinflammatory response pathways and expression of so-called "contractile" genes. In the majority of placental mammals, increased uterine contractility near term is heralded by an increase in circulating estradiol-17β (E2) and/or increased estrogen receptor α (ERα) activity and a sharp decline in circulating P4 levels. However, in women, circulating levels of P4 and progesterone receptors (PR) in myometrium remain elevated throughout pregnancy and into labor. This has led to the concept that increased uterine contractility leading to term and preterm labor is mediated, in part, by a decline in PR function. The biochemical mechanisms for this decrease in PR function are also multifaceted and interwoven. In this paper, we focus on the molecular mechanisms that mediate myometrial quiescence and contractility and their regulation by the two central hormones of pregnancy, P4 and estradiol-17β. The integrative roles of microRNAs also are considered.
Metal-Hydride Adsorption Systems for Space Conditioning in Commercial and Residential Buildings

A review on thermally-driven metal-hydride adsorption systems is conducted to identify its current development for cooling and heating applications. The state-of-the-art status of these systems is summarized, and the advantages and disadvantages are discussed as comparing to other sorption systems. Moreover, the potential of a heat pump system with metal hydride and hydrogen is evaluated for building space conditioning application. Two methods are used for the evaluation: one is the performance evaluation with system modeling for the operating conditions specified by ASHRAE Standard 116; and the other is a thermo-economic analysis as comparing to electric space conditioning systems. The results of the evaluation are presented in addition to metal hydride selection and the property characterization of selected working media from in-house tests. The conclusion from the thermo-economic analysis is applicable to all thermally-driven systems for space conditioning in commercial and residential buildings.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Abstract 301: Resistin is an Independent Indicator of Inflammation in Patients Undergoing Carotid Interventions

Objective: Resistin has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular complications. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate whether resistin modulated plasma cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in patients undergoing carotid revascularization procedures. Methods: Patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) at a single institution were recruited to participate. Blood plasma collection was performed within 48 hours following intervention using an established protocol, and demographics were recorded. Samples were stored at -80 °C and analyzed with a Luminex magnetic beads-based assay. Patients were divided into tertiles based on plasma resistin concentration (mean pg/mL): low (2237.6, n=30), medium (4252.3, n=31), and high (7467.5, n=30). Levels of cytokines were compared using ANOVA. Results: 91 male patients with a mean age of 69 years were included (50 CAS, 41 CEA). Most patients had a history o...
NFAT1 Directly Regulates IL8 and MMP3 to Promote Melanoma Tumor Growth and Metastasis

Nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT1, NFATC2) is a transcription factor that binds and positively regulates interleukin-2 expression during T cell activation. NFAT1 has important roles in both innate and adaptive immune responses, but its involvement in cancer is not completely understood. We previously demonstrated that NFAT1 contributes to melanoma growth and metastasis by regulating the autotaxin gene (Enpp2). Here, we report a strong correlation between NFAT1 expression and metastatic potential in melanoma cell lines and tumor specimens. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying NFAT1 overexpression during melanoma progression, we conducted a microarray on a highly metastatic melanoma cell line in which NFAT1 expression was stably silenced. We identified and validated two downstream targets of NFAT1, IL-8 and MMP-3. Accordingly, NFAT1 depletion in metastatic melanoma cell lines was associated with reduced IL-8 and MMP-3 expression, whereas NFAT1 overexpression in a weakly metastatic cell line induced expression of these targets. Restoration of NFAT1 expression recovered IL-8 and MMP-3 expression levels back to baseline, indicating that both are direct targets of NFAT1. Moreover, in vivo studies demonstrated that NFAT1 and MMP-3 promoted melanoma tumor growth and lung metastasis. Collectively, our findings assign a new role for NFAT1 in melanoma progression, underscoring the multifaceted functions that immunomodulatory factors may acquire in an unpredictable tumor microenvironment.