cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ca2+·Calmodulin Prevents Myristoylated Alanine-rich Kinase C Substrate Protein Phosphorylation by Protein Kinase Cs in C6 Rat Glioma Cells

Abstract Ionomycin stimulated membrane-associated protein kinase Cs (PKCs) activity in C6 rat glioma cells as much as the potent PKCs stimulator 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA). However, while TPA, as expected, powerfully stimulated the phosphorylation of the PKCs' 85-kDa myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS) protein, ionomycin unexpectedly did not. Instead, ionomycin reduced the basal MARCKS phosphorylation. Pretreating the glioma cells with ionomycin prevented TPA-stimulated PKCs from phosphorylating the MARCKS protein. The stimulation of membrane PKCs activity and the prevention of MARCKS phosphorylation by ionomycin required external Ca2+ because they were both abolished by adding 5 mM EGTA to the culture medium. Recently (Chakravarthy, B. R., Isaacs, R. J., Morley, P., Durkin, J. P., and Whitfield, J. F.(1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 1362-1368), we proposed that Ca2+•calmodulin complexes block MARCKS phosphorylation by the activated PKCs in keratinocytes stimulated by raising the external Ca2+ concentration. In the present experiments calmodulin prevented MARCKS phosphorylation by TPA-stimulated PKCs in glioma cell lysates, and this blockade was lifted by a calmodulin antagonist, the calmodulin-binding domain peptide. But, physiologically more significant, pretreating intact glioma cells with a cell-permeable calmodulin antagonist, calmidazolium, prevented ionomycin from blocking MARCKS phosphorylation by PKCs in unstimulated and TPA-stimulated cells. The effect of ionomycin on MARCKS phosphorylation was not due to the stimulation of Ca2+•calmodulin-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase, calcineurin, because cyclosporin A, a potent inhibitor of this phosphatase, did not stop ionomycin from preventing MARCKS phosphorylation. The ability of ionomycin to prevent TPA-stimulated PKCs from phosphorylating MARCKS depended on whether ionomycin was added before, with, or after TPA. Maximum blockade occurred when ionomycin was added before TPA but was less effective when added with or after TPA. These results indicate that Ca2+•calmodulin can profoundly affect PKCs' signaling at the substrate level.
A review of the genus Paraphyllanthoxylon

Abstract Thirteen species of petrified wood have been assigned previously to the genus Paraphyllanthoxylon which was established by Bailey (1924) as representative of the section Phyllanthoideae of the family Euphorbiaceae. Madel (1962) considered the genus Paraphyllanthoxylon representative of only the Glochidion wood group of the section Phyllanthoideae. This necessitates the establishment of a new genus, Phyllanthoideoxylon , for fossil woods which have characteristics in common with several of the other wood groups in the section Phyllanthoideae. The thirteen previously identified species of Paraphyllanthoxylon are reviewed and compared with the characteristics of the genus. Eleven of these species are retained in Paraphyllanthoxylon Bailey (emend. Madel), one ( P. bangalamodense ) is assigned to Phyllanthoideoxylon nov. gen. and one ( P. keriense ) is transferred to Bridelioxylon Ramanujam.
Health effects of acid aerosols on North American children: pulmonary function.

We examined the health effects of exposure to acidic air pollution among children living in 24 communities in the United States and Canada. Parents of children between the ages of 8 and 12 complete...
Prosody in Stuttering Adaptation

Sixteen young adult male stutterers read a 207-word passage five times in succession under two conditions. In one condition the passage was exactly the same in all five readings. In the second cond...
Effects of irradiating adult mdx mice before full-length dystrophin cDNA transfer on host anti-dystrophin immunity

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a fatal, genetic disorder in which dystrophin-deficient muscle progressively degenerates, for which dystrophin gene transfer could provide effective treatment. The host immune response to dystrophin, however, is an obstacle to therapeutic gene expression. Understanding the dystrophin-induced host immune response will facilitate the discovery of strategies to prolong expression of recombinant dystrophin in dystrophic muscle. Using whole-body irradiation of the dystrophic mdx mouse before gene transfer, we temporally removed the immune system; a 600 rad dose removed peripheral immune cells, which were restored by self-reconstitution, and a 900 rad dose removed central and peripheral immune cells, which were restored by adoptive transfer of bone marrow from a syngeneic, dystrophin-normal donor. The anti-dystrophin humoral response was delayed and dystrophin expression was partially preserved in irradiated, vector-treated mice. Nonirradiated, vector-treated control mice lost muscle dystrophin expression completely, had an earlier anti-dystrophin humoral response and demonstrated muscle fibers focally surrounded with T cells. We conclude that dystrophin gene transfer induced anti-dystrophin humoral immunity and cell-mediated responses that were significantly diminished and delayed by temporal removal of the host central or peripheral immune cells. Furthermore, manipulation of central immunity altered the pattern of regulatory T cells in muscle.
A Good Idea: A Physician’s Perspective on Genetic Counseling for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

In this special issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research, two articles provide a pediatric and an adult perspective on genetic counseling for evaluation of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The articles by Demo et al. (“Genetic counseling and testing for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: the pediatric perspective”) and Skrzynia (“Genetic counseling and testing for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: an adult perspective”) provide important viewpoints on genetic counseling with specific examples of this application in patients and families suspected of having or definitively having genetic forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These articles provide thoughtful overviews of many positive contributions of genetic counseling to clinical care of cardiac patients, while also outlining some of the present limitations to widespread implementation of cardiac genetic counseling. I would like to highlight several key issues from a physician’s perspective for genetic counseling in this circumstance.
Multiple Phase Transitions of Starches and Nägeli Amylodextrins

At temperatures above that required for gelatinization, an order-disorder transition is observed for wheat, maize, waxy maize and potato starches. This transition is the melting of the crystallites in the granules. A second, higher temperature, transition occurs in wheat and maize starches. This also appears to be a melting transition. Potato starch Nageli amylodextrins show increased thermal stability of the crystalline regions with increasing hydrolysis of the amorphous regions. Extensive hydrolysis lessens the destabilizing effect of the amorphous regions on the crystallites sufficiently that the gelatinization transition occurs to only a small extent, the crystalline regions melting, instead, at temperatures above the gelatinization temperature. Mehrphasen-Ubergange bei Starken und Nagell-Amylodextrinen. Bei hoheren Temperaturen als fur die Verkleisterung erforderlich wird bei Weizen-, Mais-, Wachsmais- und Kartoffelstarke ein Ordnungs-Unordnungsubergang beobachtet. Dieser Ubergang beruht auf dem Schmelzen der Kristallite in den Kornern. Ein zweiter Ubergang bei hoherer Temperatur tritt in Weizen- und Maisstarken auf. Hier durfte ebenfalls ein Schmelzvorgang stattfinden. Nageli-Amylodextrine aus Kartoffelstarke zeigen erhohte thermische Stabilitat der kristallinen Bereiche mit zunehmender Hydrolyse der amorphen Bereiche. Durchgreifende Hydrolyse vermindert ausreichend die entstabilisierende Wirkung der amorphen Bereiche auf die Kristallite, so das der Verkleisterungsubergang nur in geringem Ausmas auftritt und stattdessen bei Temperaturen oberhalb der Verkleisterungstemperatur die kristallinen Bereiche schmelzen.
The sufficiency economy philosophy and strategic HRD: a sustainable development for Thailand

This paper explores Thailand's ‘sufficiency economy’ (SE) philosophy and its impact on human resource development (HRD). The paper highlights the current attempts to achieve sustainable development, especially after the economic crisis of 1997. The philosophy introduces a great shift of conceptual thinking on the general development and administration in the country. This paper examines the importance of the SE philosophy and discusses its impact on HRD in Thailand at different levels of the society.
Amifostine (Ethyol®): Dosing, administration and patient management guidelines

Cytoprotection utilising amifostine (Ethyol®, WR-2721) is an evolving strategy to protect normal cells from the toxicity of chemotherapy. The dosing and administration guidelines are reviewed. The recommended dose of amifostine is 910 mg/m 2 as a 15-min infusion prior to chemotherapy. Toxicity of this agent is moderate with hypotension and nausea/vomiting being observed in variable numbers of patients. Administration of amifostine with chemotherapy is simple and is associated with acceptable toxicity.
Line shapes and decay dynamics of dissociative resonances above the second dissociation limit of molecular hydrogen

We have systematically studied the line shapes and dynamics of several dissociative resonances near the second dissociation limits of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$, and HD. Spectral overlap is eliminated using laser double resonance through the $\mathrm{EF}$ ${\mathrm{}}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{g}}^{+}$state, and state-selective detection is used to distinguish dissociation to the $\mathrm{H}(1s)+\mathrm{H}(2s)$ and $\mathrm{H}(1s)+\mathrm{H}(2p)$ channels. The threshold region contains both dissociative Rydberg states belonging to the $3p$ complex and shape resonances from the $B$, ${B}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, and $C$ states. Line shapes range from nearly symmetric to highly asymmetric, and most fit well with Beutler-Fano profiles. The observed linewidths of near-threshold shape resonances are in strong disagreement with nonadiabatic theoretical calculations. In some instances, broad resonances coincide almost exactly with the dissociation thresholds, greatly affecting the cross sections and dissociation dynamics. An unusual resonance in HD is observed, in which the $\mathrm{H}(2s)$ cross section exhibits a strong interference line shape at the position of the threshold for $\mathrm{D}(2s)$ production.
Conversion of normal human lymphocytes to tumor-specific immunoreactivity by xenogeneic Immune RNA: Blastogenic responses to soluble tumor antigens

Lymphocyte blastogenesis was used as an assay of Immune RNA (I-RNA) activity. Normal, non-immune human lymphocytes following incubation with xenogeneic antitumor I-RNA extracted from the lymphoid organs of specifically immunized sheep underwent blastogenesis when exposed to solubilized human tumor antigens in vitro. Blastogenic responses were, unexpectedly, relatively specific for the tumor type used to immunize the I-RNA donor sheep. No significant blastogenic responses were elicited by the I-RNA extracts or by the antigen preparations themselves. This study suggests that normal, human lymphocytes incubated (‘sensitized’) with I-RNA, in vitro, behave, in terms of antigen recognition, like lymphocytes which have previously been sensitized to tumor antigens and demonstrates that xenogeneic Immune RNA will mediate ‘afferent limb’ immune responses to human tumor antigens.
Crystallization of ribonuclease T1.

Abstract Crystals of ribonuclease T 1 have been obtained from 55% saturated (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 buffered at pH 7.2 with 0.1 m -phosphate. The crystals are orthohombic with space group P 2 1 2 1 2 1 and unit cell dimensions of a = 91.8 A , b = 37.4 A , c = 77.9 A . The unit cell contains two or three molecules per asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract well at 2.0 A resolution on a diffractometer.
INFLATION AND THE ACCUMULATION OF ASSETS IN PRIVATE PENSION FUNDS

The effect of inflation on asset accumulation in private pension funds is analyzed using a stock adjustment model which incorporates nonbehavioral saving. Nonbehavioral saving (such as capital gains) occurs with considerably lower adjustment cost than behavioral saving. The regressions using time series data suggest that inflation has a large negative effect on aggregate funded pension saving. This effect is apparently not due to a behavioral adjustment to changed relative rates of return, but is primarily due to capital losses. The effect is larger the higher the proportion of pension fund holdings in corporate equities.
Understanding and exploiting hepcidin as an indicator of anemia due to chronic kidney disease

Hepcidin, produced by the liver, is the master regulator of iron balance. Serum hepcidin is increased by high iron stores, blocks intestinal iron absorption, and impairs storage iron release. Conversely, iron deficiency lowers hepcidin levels and enhances intestinal iron absorption and the release of storage iron. As with ferritin, hepcidin is an acute phase reactant. Consequently, inflammation increases hepcidin and leads to impaired iron absorption, lowers serum iron and transferrin saturation, and contributes to the anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We review the physiology of iron absorption, its relationship to hepcidin and the transmembrane iron transporter ferroportin, the role of hepcidin in CKD related anemia, and the possible diagnostic implications and limitations of using hepcidin as a marker of iron status.
Consciousness and life

In L. Frank Baum's story, Ozma of Oz, which is a sequel to Baum's much more famous story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her companion come upon a wound-down mechanical man bearing a label on which are printed the following words:Smith and Tinker'sPatent Double-Action, Extra-Responsive, Thought-CreatingPerfect-TalkingMECHANICAL MANFitted with our Special Clock-Work Attachment Thinks, Speaks, Acts, and Does Everything but Live(Ozma of Oz, Chicago, 1907, p. 43)As Dorothy and her companion are made to discover when they wind up this man (‘Tik-Tok’ is his name), he is indeed capable of doing all the things of which his label boasts—acting, speaking and even thinking. But as Tik-Tok himself insists, and no one in the story casts doubt on the matter, he is not alive.
Results of two global optimization algorithms applied to a problem in biomechanics

The results of two global optimization algorithms applied to an optimization problem in biomechanics are presented. Of interest is the discovery of the minimum value of an objective function derived from certain performance criteria related to a problem in biomechanics---specifically, a biomedical application called perturbation-based balance training (PBBT). PBBT is a method for improving balance through repeated exposure to postural perturbations. A parallel implementations of Spall's algorithm and a parallel implementation of the DIRECT (DIviding RECTangles) algorithm is applied to this optimization problem.
The tightly bound calcium of MauG is required for tryptophan tryptophylquinone cofactor biosynthesis.

The diheme enzyme MauG catalyzes a six-electron oxidation required for posttranslational modification of a precursor of methylamine dehydrogenase (preMADH) to complete the biosynthesis of its protein-derived tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) cofactor. The crystal structure of the MauG−preMADH complex revealed the presence of a Ca2+ in proximity to the two hemes [Jensen, L. M. R., Sanishvili, R., Davidson, V. L., and Wilmot, C. M. (2010) Science 327, 1392−1394]. This Ca2+ did not readily dissociate; however, after extensive treatment with EGTA or EDTA MauG was no longer able to catalyze TTQ biosynthesis and exhibited altered absorption and resonance Raman spectra. The changes in spectral features are consistent with Ca2+-dependent changes in heme spin state and conformation. Addition of H2O2 to the Ca2+-depleted MauG did not yield spectral changes characteristic of formation of the bis-Fe(IV) state which is stabilized in native MauG. After addition of Ca2+ to the Ca2+-depleted MauG, full TTQ biosynthesis ...
Mechanics of upward propagation of cover-collapse sinkholes

Cover collapse sinkholes occur by failure of the walls of a soil void above cavernous bedrock. I examine conditions for failure in compression by crack propagation and coalescence, and for failure by sloughing in which pore water pressure produces a net tension perpendicular to the wall of the void. Compressive failure without relaxation of stress does not explain observed long-term stability of thick soils, nor failures in thin residual soils. If stress relaxation occurs with compressive failure, soil voids tend to stabilize and sinkholes are not predicted. Sloughing failure is not predicted for steady state pore pressure fields, even for a perched water table at the surface over a drained void. Transient pore pressure conditions that could produce sloughing may result from: (1) rapid drawdown causing soil consolidation and transient high pore pressure gradients; (2) approach of a wetting front in unsaturated soil, with high permeability behind the front; (3) dissolution of air from bubbles in the soil and exsolution near the void producing a low permeability zone near the void.
A ribonucleic acid-iodo-proteinaceous complex from the thyroid.

Abstract 1. RNA-iodo-proteinaceous complexes occur in the tRNA fractions isolated from bovine, ovine, and porcine thyroids. The calf thyroid complex has been partially characterized and contains diiodotyrosine and probably the hormone thyroxine in addition to several other amino acids. 2. Different preparative procedures and techniques capable of disrupting a variety of non-covalent bonds and aminoacyl and peptidyl ester bonds had no obvious effect on the calf thyroid RNA-iodo-proteinaceous complex which remained associated with tRNA. 3. Nucleolytic enzymes can degrade the complex to lower molecular weight products that contain iodine, proteinaceous, and RNA components. However, most of the iodine and proteinaceous material is associated with a relatively high molecular weight, ribonuclease-resistant, RNA-containing core. 4. It is concluded that the tRNA fractions of bovine and probably other mammalian thyroid glands contain a low molecular weight RNA linked to proteinaceous material that contains iodinated amino acids.
WE-D-M100J-01: Enhancement of Cell Killing by X-Ray Irradiation in the Presence of Gold Nanoparticles

Purpose: This investigation was initiated to determine the radiobiologic enhancement for x‐ray irradiation of cells in the presence of citrate‐stabilized goldnanoparticles.Method and materials: Citrate‐stabilized goldnanoparticles were added to a strain of lymphoma cells in suspension at a concentration of 0.017 mg of gold per ml. Cell suspensions prepared included a two sham controls, and two samples with goldnanoparticles. One sham and one goldnanoparticle based sample were irradiated with x‐ray photons from a clinical x‐ray device (120 kVp, 6.67 mm Al equivalent beam). A total dose of 0.91 Gy was delivered in two approximately equal parts (24 hour separation). The non‐irradiated cell suspensions were treated identically. Cell survival for non‐irradiated cell suspensions and irradiated cell suspensions were determined over 72 hours using methylene blue dye exclusion. Results: The ratio of live:dead cells for all cell suspensions was 7.5:1 at the start of the experiment. After 72 hours, the irradiated cells exhibited a ratio approximately 50% lower than the non‐irradiated cells. The irradiated cell suspension with goldnanoparticles showed enhanced cell killing. Conclusions: Even at the low gold concentration and low x‐ray energy, goldnanoparticles exhibit some enhancement of cell killing. Further studies are ongoing using increasing gold concentrations and varying radiationdoses. It is likely that the presence of higher Z materials contributes to secondary electrondose in a way that may be described only through microdosimetry methods. Goldnanoparticle‐enhancedradiation therapy is a possible outcome of this work. Additional effort is directed toward functionalized goldnanoparticles using targeting moieties for specific cancers. This work contributes toward an understanding of the therapeutic enhancement that may be expected with specific concentrations of goldnanoparticles. Supported by: NIH R01 CA119412‐01.
Magnitude estimation of conceptual data dimensions for use in sonification.

Sonifications must match listener expectancies about representing data with sound. Three experiments showed the utility of magnitude estimation for this. In Experiment 1, 67 undergraduates judged the sizes of visual stimuli and the temperature, pressure, velocity, size, or dollars they represented. Similarly, in Experiment 2, 132 listeners judged the pitch or tempo of sounds and the data they represented. In both experiments, polarity and scaling preference depended on the conceptual data dimension. In Experiment 3, 60 listeners matched auditory graphs to data created with the results of Experiment 2, providing initial validation of scaling slopes. Magnitude estimation is proposed as a design tool in the development of data sonifications, with the level of polarity preference agreement predicting mapping effectiveness. In virtually every science classroom and laboratory, researchers gather, analyze, and attempt to determine patterns in data. In many cases, the data sets are not only huge but also multidimensional and rapidly changing. Therefore, researchers must use all of the resources available, both technical and perceptual, to display and interpret their scientific results. However, most data exploration tools are exclusively visual in nature. These tools fail to exploit the excellent pattern recognition capabilities of the human auditory system and exclude students and researchers with visual disabilities. Sonification is the use of nonspeech audio to convey information such as that used in the interpretation of scientific results. Specifically, data sonification is “the transformation of data relations into perceived relations in an acoustic signal for the purposes of facilitating communication or interpretation” (Kramer et al.,
Factorized decision forecasting via combining value-based and reward-based estimation

A powerful recent perspective for predicting sequential decisions learns the parameters of decision problems that produce observed behavior as (near) optimal solutions. Under this perspective, behavior is explained in terms of utilities, which can often be defined as functions of state and action features to enable generalization across decision tasks. Two approaches have been proposed from this perspective: estimate a feature-based reward function and recursively compute values from it, or directly estimate a feature-based value function. In this work, we investigate the combination of these two approaches into a single learning task using directed information theory and the principle of maximum entropy. This enables uncovering which type of estimate is most appropriate — in terms of predictive accuracy and/or computational benefit — for different portions of the decision space.
Bayesian computations for a class of reliability growth models

In this article, we consider the development and analysis of both attribute- and variable-data reliability growth models from a Bayesian perspective. We begin with an overview of a Bayesian attribute-data reliability growth model and illustrate how this model can be extended to cover the variable-data growth models as well. Bayesian analysis of these models requires inference over ordered regions, and even though closed-form results for posterior quantities can be obtained in the attribute-data case, variable-data models prove difficult. In general, when the number of test stages gets large, computations become burdensome and, more importantly, the results may become inaccurate due to computational difficulties. We illustrate how the difficulties in the posterior and predictive analyses can be overcome using Markov-chain Monte Carlo methods. We illustrate the implementation of the proposed models by using examples from both attribute and variable reliability growth data.
Compliance, Conversion, and Category Induction

When children hear an object referred to with a label that is moderately discrepant from its appearance, they frequently make inferences about that object consistent with the label rather than its appearance. We asked whether 3-year-olds actually believe these unexpected labels (i.e., conversion) or whether their inferences simply reflect a desire to comply with the considerable experimental demands of the induction task (i.e., compliance). Specifically, we asked how likely children would be to pass an unexpected label on to another person who had not been present during the labeling event. Results showed that children who used an unexpected label as the basis for inference passed that label on to another person about as often as they could remember it. This suggests that children’s label-based inferences do reflect conversion rather than mere compliance.
Lead exposure from soil in Peruvian mining towns: a national assessment supported by two contrasting examples

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the population of Peru living in the vicinity of active or former mining operations that could be exposed to lead from contaminated soil. METHODS: Geographic coordinates were compiled for 113 active mines, 138 ore processing plants and 3 smelters, as well as 7743 former mining sites. The population living within 5 km of these sites was calculated from census data for 2000. In addition, the lead content of soil in the historic mining town of Cerro de Pasco and around a recent mine and ore processing plant near the city of Huaral was mapped in 2009 using a hand-held X-ray fluorescence analyser. FINDINGS: Spatial analysis indicated that 1.6 million people in Peru could be living within 5 km of an active or former mining operation. Two thirds of the population potentially exposed was accounted for by 29 clusters of mining operations, each with a population of over 10 000 each. These clusters included 112 active and 3438 former mining operations. Soil lead levels exceeded 1200 mg/kg, a reference standard for residential soil, in 35 of 74 sites tested in Cerro de Pasco but in only 4 of 47 sites tested around the newer operations near Huaral. CONCLUSION: Soil contamination with lead is likely to be extensive in Peruvian mining towns but the level of contamination is spatially far from uniform. Childhood exposure by soil ingestion could be substantially reduced by mapping soil lead levels, making this information public and encouraging local communities to isolate contaminated areas from children.
Expression of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors in Vascular Disease

Arterial lesions in cardiovascular diseases are characterized by proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells as well as deposition of connective tissue matrix. Factors that stimulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation are well described; however, the role of proteins that limit intimal hyperplasia is not well understood. To examine the function of Kip/Cip and INK cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) in vascular diseases, the expression of p27Kip1 and p16INK was examined in VSMCs in vitro and in porcine arteries and human atherosclerosis in vivo. Western blot and fluorescence activated cell-sorting analysis demonstrated that levels of p27Kip1, but not p16INK, increased during serum deprivation of primary VSMC cultures and caused G1 arrest. p27Kip1 inhibited Cdk2 activity, suggesting that Kip CKIs promote G1 arrest in VSMCs by binding cyclin E/Cdk2. In porcine arteries, p27Kip1, but not p16INK, was constitutively expressed at low levels. Immediately after balloon injury, cell proliferation increased as p27Kip1 levels declined. Three weeks after injury, p27Kip1 was strongly expressed in intimal VSMCs when VSMC proliferation was < 2%, suggesting that p27Kip1 functions as an inhibitor of cell proliferation in injured arteries. In contrast, p16INK expression was detected only transiently early after injury. CKI expression was examined in 35 human coronary arteries, ranging from normal to advanced atherosclerosis. p27Kip1 expression was abundant in nonproliferating VSMCs and macrophages within normal (7 of 8) and atherosclerotic (25 of 27) arteries. p21Cip1 levels were undetectable in normal arteries but were elevated in atherosclerotic (19 of 27) arteries. p16INK could not be detected in normal or atherosclerotic arteries (0 of 35). Thus, the Kip/Cip and INK CKIs have different temporal patterns of expression in VSMCs in vitro and in injured arteries and atherosclerotic lesions in vivo. In contrast to p16INK, p27Kip1 likely contributes to the remodeling process in vascular diseases by the arrest of VSMCs in the G1 phase of the cell cycle.
Complete heart block secondary to bortezomib use in multiple myeloma

Although rare, cardiac rhythm abnormalities have been documented with bortezomib use in clinical trials. These side effects must be recognized promptly by physicians of various specialties as well as pharmacists. Special attention is required in patients with liver function abnormalities, elderly and patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions. Prompt bortezomib withdrawal is essential in these cases as it may prevent dismal outcomes. This is the first report of a complete heart block caused by bortezomib in the setting of myeloma therapy outside a clinical trial. The author discusses further various heart rhythm and other autonomic nervous system abnormalities attributed to bortezomib in the existing literature.
Not as Happy as I Thought I'd Be: Affective Misforecasting and Product Evaluations

The authors introduce the concept of affective misforecasting (AMF) and study its impact on product evaluations. Study one examines whether and when AMF affects evaluations, finding that AMF impacts evaluations when the affective experience is worse (but not when better) than forecasted. Study two tests a process model designed to understand how and why AMF influences evaluations. The extent of elaboration is shown to underlie the observed effects. The studies demonstrate the robustness of the findings by controlling for alternative factors, specifically experienced affect, expectancy-disconfirmation, and actual performance, which might impact these judgments.
A comment on Baron and Ferejohn (1989): The Open Rule Equilibrium and Coalition Formation

I present a more general characterization of the symmetric stationary subgame perfect equilibrium to the Baron and Ferejohn (1989) open rule divide-the-dollar game. Specifically, I show that an amender can follow several different randomization strategies when deciding whom to make offers to, and each can be sustained as a distinct equilibrium with slightly different payoffs. The result demonstrates that, when building coalitions in bargaining settings where an offer is already on the table, those with the worst offers need not be the ones "bought up" first.
The cost-effectiveness of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty compared with hemiarthroplasty for rotator cuff tear arthropathy.

Background Hemiarthroplasty (humeral head replacement [HHR]) and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) are surgical options for cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). RSA may provide better pain relief and functional outcomes, but it costs more and may have a higher complication rate. The goal of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of these two treatments and to use sensitivity analysis to determine the drivers of the model. Materials and methods A Markov decision model was used. Outcome and complication probabilities were obtained from existing literature. Costs were based on average Medicare reimbursement and implant prices. Utilities were derived from responses to health state surveys (Short Form 6D) from 31 patients at one institution who underwent RSA or HHR for CTA. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were used to compare treatments. Results Our model showed RSA could be a cost-effective strategy for treatment of CTA, using $100,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained as a cutoff and the Short Form 6D for utilities. The model was extremely sensitive to the complication rate and the utility of each procedure and was also sensitive to implant price, with an implant price Conclusions Currently available cost and outcome data show that RSA could be a cost-effective alternative to HHR for CTA. The cost-effectiveness of RSA depends most on the health utility gained from the operation, the utility lost due to complications from the operation, and the cost of the implant. Dropping the implant price to
Measurement system for doping and alloying trends in new thermoelectric materials

Several new materials in the A/sub 2/Bi/sub 8/Se/sub 13/, (A=K, Rb, Cs), HoNiSb, Ba/Ge/B (B=In, Sn), and AgPbBiQ/sub 3/ (Q=S, Se, Te) systems have shown promising characteristics for thermoelectric applications. To accommodate the large number of samples required for doping and alloying studies, a new measurement system has been designed with a high sample throughput. A second system is then utilized for complete characterization of the most promising samples. This paper presents a description of the systems and measurement techniques involved, with preliminary data on some of the above mentioned compounds.
Learning Fuzzy Rule-Based Neural Networks for Control

A three-step method for function approximation with a fuzzy system is proposed. First, the membership functions and an initial rule representation are learned; second, the rules are compressed as much as possible using information theory; and finally, a computational network is constructed to compute the function value. This system is applied to two control examples: learning the truck and trailer backer-upper control system, and learning a cruise control system for a radio-controlled model car.
Asset Management Strategy to Meet Long-Term Transit Fleet Needs of State Departments of Transportation

State departments of transportation (DOTs) that provide the bulk of matching funds to local transit agencies for the purchase of new buses are duly concerned about the escalating costs of new buses and the lack of sufficient funds to keep up with bus replacement. An asset management strategy is presented for state DOTs to meet their long-term fleet needs. It is a two-stage process: (a) allocating capital dollars for the dual purpose of purchasing new buses and rebuilding existing buses (taking into consideration the needs of all the constituent transit agencies) and (b) distributing funds among the agencies in an equitable manner. The proposed management strategy includes two optimization models. Model 1 attempts to maximize the weighted fleet life of all the buses that are being purchased and rebuilt for a given peer group, within the constraints of a fixed budget. Model 2 is designed to maximize the remaining life of the entire peer group composed of the existing buses as well as those being replaced or rebuilt. The need for every single bus that is eligible for replacement is addressed in the model through either replacement or rebuilding. A comprehensive case study depicting a 7-year planning cycle for the entire fleet of medium-sized buses in the state of Michigan is used to demonstrate the strategy. A plan for evaluating the strategy is also presented and demonstrated. Results show that the strategy is viable and that it can be used for the designated purpose with fleet data that are currently available to the transit agencies. Even though the strategy is demonstrated with medium-sized buses, it will function efficiently with buses of different sizes and with a different number of agencies.
Using Massage to Reduce Use of Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs With Older Adults A Brief Report From a Pilot Study

Despite known adverse effects, sedative-hypnotic drugs (SHDs) are widely used in institutional settings serving the elderly. Using a 2 (Intervention, Control) × 3 (Baseline, Intervention, Withdrawal) mixed design with random assignment to the intervention (n = 15) or control (n = 13) group, the authors sought to determine if a nonpharmacological sleep intervention (massage at bedtime) could reduce “as-needed” SHD (PRN-SHD) usage. Each phase of this pilot lasted 7 days and PRN-SHD usage was monitored via chart review. Results, indicating a 13% greater reduction in requests for PRN-SHD for the intervention group when it received massage, approached statistical significance for the quadratic planned comparisons (p = .17) despite limited power (.28) for the observed effect size of .07. While preliminary, results suggest that massage at bedtime may reduce PRN-SHD usage with older adults. Randomized controlled studies with larger samples are needed.
Linear signal analysis of shielded AMR and spin valve heads

Simple analytic expressions for shielded MR heads are developed for the linear response of both anisotropic and spin valve devices. The analysis is compared with data on a variety of current heads. The results can be utilized to understand the role of parameter variations on signal voltage. Limits on performance due to maximum applied current density and device non-linearities may be readily estimated. It is shown that the area of an isolated pulse is independent of the record spacing, transition shape, and length and thus may be useful for head analysis.
Long-Term Trends in the National Demand, Supply, and Shortage of Special Education Teachers:

With a focus on both teacher quality and quantity at the national level, this research examined longterm trends in the demand, supply, and shortage of special education teachers for 16 school years, from 1987/1988 through 2002/2003. These trends were based on data published in annual reports to Congress on the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education. Rapid growth in teacher demand for students with disabilities aged 3‐5 years was found, whereas the growth in teacher demand for students aged 6‐21 years was more gradual and paralleled the rate of growth in teacher demand in general education. Although teacher demand was mostly satisfied by growth in the supply of fully certified teachers, the shortage of fully certified teachers for students with disabilities aged 6‐21 years has been chronic since 1987/1988 and has increased annually, from 7.4% in 1993/1994 to 13.4% in 2002/2003 (a shortage of approximately 54,000 special education teachers, including estimated vacant positions).
Decimal-Binary Conversions in CORDIC

A special-purpose, binary computer called CORDIC (COordinate Rotation DIgital Computer) contains a unique arithmetic unit composed of three shift registers, three adder-subtractors, and suitable interconnections for efficiently performing calculations involving trigonometric functions. A technique is formulated for using the CORDIC arithmetic unit to convert between angles expressed in degrees and minutes in the 8, 4, 2, 1 code and angles expressed in binary fractions of a half revolution. Decimal-to-binary conversion is accomplished through the generation of an intermediate binary code in which the variable values are +1 and -1. Each of these intermediate code variables controls the addition or subtraction of a particular binary constant in the formation of an accumulated sum which represents the angle. Examples are presented to illustrate the technique. Binary-to-decimal conversion is accomplished by applying essentially the same conversion steps in reverse order, but this feature is not discussed fully. Fundamental principles of the conversion technique, rather than details of implementation, are emphasized. The CORDIC conversion technique is sufficiently general to be applied to decimal-binary conversion problems involving other mixed radix systems and other decimal codes.
The Contribution of the Y Chromosome to Hybrid Male Sterility in House Mice

Hybrid sterility in the heterogametic sex is a common feature of speciation in animals. In house mice, the contribution of the Mus musculus musculus X chromosome to hybrid male sterility is large. It is not known, however, whether F1 male sterility is caused by X–Y or X-autosome incompatibilities or a combination of both. We investigated the contribution of the M. musculus domesticus Y chromosome to hybrid male sterility in a cross between wild-derived strains in which males with a M. m. musculus X chromosome and M. m. domesticus Y chromosome are partially sterile, while males from the reciprocal cross are reproductively normal. We used eight X introgression lines to combine different X chromosome genotypes with different Y chromosomes on an F1 autosomal background, and we measured a suite of male reproductive traits. Reproductive deficits were observed in most F1 males, regardless of Y chromosome genotype. Nonetheless, we found evidence for a negative interaction between the M. m. domesticus Y and an interval on the M. m. musculus X that resulted in abnormal sperm morphology. Therefore, although F1 male sterility appears to be caused mainly by X-autosome incompatibilities, X–Y incompatibilities contribute to some aspects of sterility.
Psychosocial changes following retirement

This study was designed to: (a) identify the perceptions of retirees about changes in their life patterns during retirement; (b) investigate the kinds of adjustment problems occurring in retirement as a basis for developing prevention oriented pre-retirement programs; and (c) identify extant factors which could demonstrate underlying themes relating to retirement adjustment. A 72-item, multiple response questionnaire was used to gather demographic data, information on use of time, pre-retirement planning, health problems, changing life patterns, and adjustment to retirement. It is the latter which is reported in these findings. The population included 1565 retirees from a designated company living in the south-eastern United States of America, with a response of 764 subjects (48.82%). Findings suggest the respondents were generally healthy and well adjusted; however, numerous adjustment problem areas were identified within the six life patterns. Additional factor analysis (principal components) demonstrated four factors of particular importance: satisfaction with retirement, retirement concerns, spousal relationships, and pre-retirement preparation outcomes.
Using Self-Management Strategies to increase the On-Task Behavior of a Student with Autism:

A multiple-baseline design was used to investigate the effectiveness of using self management strategies and reinforcement to increase the on-task behaviors of a high-functioning second-grade stude...
Relationship-specific alcohol expectancies and gender moderate the effects of relationship drinking contexts on daily relationship functioning.

OBJECTIVE: Research shows that drinking with one's partner in romantic relationships is associated with positive relationship functioning (e.g., increased intimacy), whereas drinking apart from one's partner is associated with negative relationship functioning (e.g., increased negative behaviors/events). Relationship-specific alcohol expectancies (RSAE) may moderate these associations and illuminate for whom these processes are more positive or negative. The current study tested RSAE as a moderator of the time-lagged daily associations between relationship drinking contexts and next-day relationship functioning in a sample of mostly adult, married, moderate-drinking couples. METHOD: Both members of 118 couples completed daily diary reports of drinking episodes and positive and negative relationship functioning for up to 56 days. Multilevel models predicted next-day relationship functioning from time-lagged relationship drinking contexts and between-person differences in RSAE and gender. RESULTS: The results replicate previous research showing decreased negative and increased positive relationship functioning following drinking with (vs. apart from) one's partner. RSAE interacted with gender to moderate the association between drinking-with-partner and next-day positive relationship functioning. Men high in social expectancies and women high in intimacy expectancies reported significantly greater next-day positive relationship functioning following drinking-with-partner. In addition, both men and women high in intimacy expectancies reported significantly greater next-day negative relationship functioning following drinking-apart-from-partner. No effects were found for other RSAE domains. CONCLUSIONS: These results support and extend prior research showing that women's relationship drinking is associated with intimacy enhancement, whereas among men it is associated with social effects. The current study has implications for future research and theory on relationship-motivated drinking processes. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 75, 269-278, 2014). Language: en
Placing faith in numbers: quantification of perfusion with myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Clinical decisions in cardiology are increasingly being based on absolute measurements of chamber size, left ventricular (LV) performance and valve area. Accordingly, quantification has become an integral part of echocardiography. A relatively new application for echocardiography is the assessment
Defining the Proteostasis Network Responsible for Managing the Fate of Newly Synthesized Alpha1-Antitrypsin

Alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) is a serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) secreted from hepatocytes. Its normal circulating concentration in the bloodstream is sufficient to prevent the destruction of lung elastin fibers by excessive elastase released from activated neutrophils, thereby maintaining the organ’s elasticity and function. Many naturally occurring genetic variants of AAT, unable to acquire correct structural maturation following biosynthesis, are subjected to intracellular proteolysis in the hepatocyte secretory pathway. This, in turn, can contribute to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, the inappropriate accumulation of structurally aberrant AAT within hepatocytes can contribute to the etiology of liver disease. The mechanistic analysis of intracellular systems that manage AAT fate has led to the identification of dedicated systems that facilitate proper polypeptide folding and orchestrate the selective elimination of molecules that fail to acquire conformational maturation. These systems, which contribute to the diverse cellular proteostasis network, are expected to aid in the identification of disease modifiers and development of novel strategies for therapeutic intervention of the lung and liver diseases, as well as additional conformational disorders that involve the secretory pathway. This review focuses on the discovery and characterization of proteostasis systems that operate in the secretory pathway that selectively eliminate different forms of structurally aberrant AAT.