cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanical and Film Properties of Thermally Curable Polysiloxane

Telechelic glycidyl epoxide siloxanes substituted with either methyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl groups were cured thermally with corresponding telechelic aliphatic amine. Also, the three glycidyl epoxide functionalized siloxanes were homopolymerized via a photo-initiated cationic mechanism. Both the UV and thermal curing were performed by formulating with reactive diluents. The mechanical properties, viscoelastic behavior, and coatings properties of the thermally cured siloxanes were studied. In addition, the X-ray measurements were performed. The rate of polymerization increased with the increasing size of substituent on the siloxane backbone. The hardness, adhesion, and solvent resistance increased as the bulk of the substituent increased in the siloxane backbone. The release properties for adhesion and readhesion increased with increase in steric bulk of the backbone substituents. Crosslink density reduced and oxygen permeability increased with increase in siloxane substituent size. There was also an increase in the advancing and the receding contact angles with the increase in substituent size. The inverse dependency of substituent size and free volume was observed in the d-spacing of the X-ray data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Developmental Aspects of Galactosemia from Infancy to Childhood

The developmental status of 60 galactosemic infants, their subsequent intellectual level, school status, visual-perceptual skills, and EEG results were analyzed. In addition, the intelligence of the parents and the unaffected siblings, as well as the educational and vocational status of the parents, were also investigated. The results reveal that the highest level of mental develop ment was in the preschool age group. The lowest level, and still within normal limits, was in the school-age children. The overall findings are consistent with earlier observations that better progress is found in those individuals whose dietary control is instituted at the youngest age level.
Communication and Political Socialization: Challenges and Opportunities for Research

Whether understood from the macro-social perspective of how “societies and systems inculcate appropriate norms and practices in citizens, residents, or members” or from the micro-social perspective...
ANALOGS OF THE AUTOINDUCER 3-OXOOCTANOYL-HOMOSERINE LACTONE STRONGLY INHIBIT ACTIVITY OF THE TRAR PROTEIN OF AGROBACTERIUM TUMEFACIENS

The TraR and TraI proteins of Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediate cell-density-dependent expression of the Ti plasmid tra regulon. TraI synthesizes the autoinducer pheromone N-(3-oxooctanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C8-HSL), while TraR is an 3-oxo-C8-HSL-responsive transcriptional activator. We have compared the abilities of 3-oxo-C8-HSL and 32 related compounds to activate expression of a TraR-regulated promoter. In a strain that expresses wild-type levels of TraR, only 3-oxo-C8-HSL was strongly stimulatory, four compounds were detectably active only at high concentrations, and the remaining 28 compounds were inactive. Furthermore, many of these compounds were potent antagonists. In contrast, almost all of these compounds were stimulatory in a congenic strain that overexpresses TraR and no compound was a potent antagonist. We propose a model in which autoinducers enhance the affinity of TraR either for other TraR monomers or for DNA binding sites and that overexpression of TraR potentiates this interaction by mass action. Wild-type A. tumefaciens released a rather broad spectrum of autoinducers, including several that antagonize induction of a wild-type strain. However, under all conditions tested, 3-oxo-C8-HSL was more abundant than any other analog, indicating that other released autoinducers do not interfere with tra gene induction. We conclude that (i) in wild-type strains, only 3-oxo-C8-HSL significantly stimulates tra gene expression, while many autoinducer analogs are potent antagonists; (ii) TraR overexpression increases agonistic activity of autoinducer analogs, allowing sensitive biodetection of many autoinducers; and (iii) autoinducer stimulatory activity is potentiated by TraR overproduction, suggesting that autoinducers may shift an equilibrium between TraR monomers and dimers or oligomers. When autoinducer specificities of other quorum-sensing proteins are tested, care should be taken not to overexpress those proteins.
Phage insertion in mlrA and variations in rpoS limit curli expression and biofilm formation in Escherichia coli serotype O157: H7.

Biofilm formation in Escherichia coli is a tightly controlled process requiring the expression of adhesive curli fibres and certain polysaccharides such as cellulose. The transcriptional regulator CsgD is central to biofilm formation, controlling the expression of the curli structural and export proteins and the diguanylate cyclase adrA, which indirectly activates cellulose production. CsgD itself is highly regulated by two sigma factors (RpoS and RpoD), multiple DNA-binding proteins, small regulatory RNAs and several GGDEF/EAL proteins acting through c-di-GMP. One such transcription factor MlrA binds the csgD promoter to enhance the RpoS-dependent transcription of csgD. Bacteriophage, often carrying the stx 1 gene, utilize an insertion site in the proximal mlrA coding region of E. coli serotype O157 : H7 strains, and the loss of mlrA function would be expected to be the major factor contributing to poor curli and biofilm expression in that serotype. Using a bank of 55 strains of serotype O157 : H7, we investigated the consequences of bacteriophage insertion. Although curli/biofilm expression was restored in many of the prophage-bearing strains by a wild-type copy of mlrA on a multi-copy plasmid, more than half of the strains showed only partial or no complementation. Moreover, the two strains carrying an intact mlrA were found to be deficient in biofilm formation. However, RpoS mutations that attenuated or inactivated RpoS-dependent functions such as biofilm formation were found in >70 % of the strains, including the two strains with an intact mlrA. We conclude that bacteriophage interruption of mlrA and RpoS mutations provide major obstacles limiting curli expression and biofilm formation in most serotype O157 : H7 strains.
Three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced coronary magnetic resonance angiography: initial experience.

We present our initial experience on first-pass gadolinium-enhanced coronary artery magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Three-dimensional segmented gradient-echo sequences were developed to image coronary arteries within a single breathhold during the injection of a double-dose contrast agent. Comparisons were made between a short TR of 2.7-msec (n = 5) and a long TR of 5.0-msec (n = 3) sequences in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). An in-plane resolution of roughly 1 × 1 mm2 was achieved. Dramatic vascular signal enhancement by a factor of 3-5 was obtained in volunteers following the contrast agent injection, allowing for clear visualization of proximal coronary arteries. The longer TR scans generally performed better in terms of SNR and CNR improvement (approximately 50%) but allowed for less coverage. These preliminary results suggest that gadolinium-enhanced MRA is a useful tool to study proximal coronary arteries with breathhold, but for a larger coverage, ...
Interaction of atmospheric plasma jet with living tissue

Recently a great attention is attracted to creation of the cold plasma jets and their interaction with living tissue. The plasma gun operating on helium and equipped with high-voltage resonant transformer is designed (up to 10 kV, frequency ∼30 kHz). The gun is equipped with pair of high voltage electrodes - central electrode (which is isolated from the direct contact with plasma by ceramics) and outer ring grounded electrode. Long nondivergent plasma jets with length more than 5 cm and diameter 1–2 mm are obtained. The electrical current measurements indicate that discharge current appeared for applied voltages U higher than threshold value of about 1 kV. Near to the threshold discharge current appeared as two peaks in the moments corresponded to maximum and minimum of the applied high voltage, while increase of U results in shift of discharge current peaks to the earlier times (up to quarter of period for U≫3 kV). Value of current in peak increased with applied voltage (∼8 mA for U=3 kV). Part of the discharge current is closing through the plasma jet: peak of current through the jet did not exceed 1 mA and appeared once in each period (when central electrode is at positive potential).
Bacteriophage Resistance Conferred on Lactic Streptococci by the Conjugative Plasmid pTR2030: Effects on Small Isometric-, Large Isometric-, and Prolate-Headed Phages

Abstract A series of reactions between phages, sensitive hosts, and transconjugants where the sensitivity of small isometric-, large isometric-, and prolate-headed phages to pTR2030-induced phage resistance was evaluated in Streptococcus lactis and Streptococcus cremoris strains. Phage-resistant transconjugants were constructed in the desired host by conjugal transfer of lactose-fermenting ability (Lac+, pTR1040) and phage resistance (Hsp+, pTR2030) from S. lactis TEK1. S. lactis and S. cremoris transconjugants harboring pTR2030 were resistant to all small isometric-headed phages examined. In contrast, prolate- and large isometric-headed phages were either not inhibited in the pTR2030 transconjugants or exhibited a reduction in plaque size without a reduction in the efficiency of plaquing. Small isometric-headed phages subject to pTR2030 induced inhibition shared no significant DNA homology with pTR2030, suggesting that phage immunity genes are not harbored on the plasmid or responsible for resistance. The general effectiveness of pTR2030 against small isometric-headed phages was highly significant since these are the phages which have been isolated most commonly from dairy fermentation plants.
Marketing ethics: a comparison of American and Middle-Eastern marketers

This study compares the moral philosophies, ethical perceptions and corporate ethical values of American and Middle-Eastern marketers. Hypotheses are developed on the basis of their respective national and organizational cultures. Using a sample of marketing practitioners from both countries, empirical support is found for the hypothesis that Middle-Eastern marketers are more likely to be idealistic than their American counterparts. However, no significant differences are found on the relativistic dimension of moral philosophy. Also, American marketers are found to have higher ethical perception than Middle-Eastern marketers. Finally, contrary to our hypothesized direction, some support is found to indicate that Middle-Eastern marketers are more likely to have higher corporate ethical values than American marketers. Implications of the findings are discussed. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Virtual Cell: A General Framework for Simulating and Visualizing Cellular Physiology

The virtual cell project aims to develop a modeling framework that integrates cell structure and its associated functions. This framework poses two significant research challenges to computer scientists: (i) how to organize diversified sets of heterogeneous computational data so that the data can be seamlessly integrated into a computation model demonstrating complex cell biochemistry processes, and (ii) how to visually present, in a most intuitive fashion, the dynamics of cell physiology derived from the simulation model.
EXPORT-ORIENTED INDUSTRIALIZATION AND THE DEMAND FOR FEMALE LABOR: Puerto Rican Women in the Manufacturing Sector, 1952-1980

This article examines the relationship between Puerto Rico's export-oriented development program and the demand for women workers in the manufacturing sector from 1952 to 1980. Its central proposition is that the consistently high proportion of women in the manufacturing sector was the result of an employment structure characterized by specialization in assembly-type activities and low wages. Although the Puerto Rican government pursued a development strategy designed to increase job opportunities for men, the manufacturing industries attracted to the island by its export-oriented industrialization policies generated a strong demand for women workers. The apparent contradiction between the employment practices of manufacturing establishments and government policies is due to the restructuring of the global economy and the emergence of a new international division of labor that brought increasing numbers of women into the labor market.
X-ray diffraction studies of irradiated lithium hydride: oriented lithium precipitates

Abstract Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of gamma-irradiated LiH show the clear presence of metallic lithium precipitates. The Iithium is in the normal bcc form and is crystallographically oriented with respect to the matrix: {110} Li ∥{111} LiH and 〈100〉 Li ∥〈110〉 LiH . The absence of diffraction broadening is evidence that th particles are relatively large ( > 50 nm). X-ray diffraction measurements of the Li content of a heavily irradiated LiH crystal indicate that a substantial fraction of the “free” Li is present in the oriented precipitates.
Fabrication of submicron high-aspect-ratio GaAs actuators

Submicron, single-crystal gallium arsenide (SC-GaAs) actuators have been designed, fabricated, and operated. The fabrication process, called SCREAM-II (single crystal reactive etching and metallization II), uses chemically assisted ion beam etching (CAIBE) and reactive ion etching (RIE) to produce suspended and movable SC-GaAs structures with up to a 25:1 aspect ratio of vertical depth (10 mu m) to lateral width (400 nm). Integrated actuators with predominantly vertical sidewall (PVS) aluminum electrodes are used to move the structures. Silicon nitride is used as an etch mask, structural stiffener, and electrical insulator. An x-y stage with integrated actuators produces controllable x-y displacements of +or-1.8 mu m when a voltage of 54.5 V is applied to either or both of the x and y actuators. The x-y stage resonates for an applied sinewave of 20 V (peak to peak) with f=10.5 kHz and a DC offset of 10 V. The structural vibration amplitude is 0.6 mu m. >
Physics-based simulation of high-resolution polarimetric SAR images of forested areas

In this paper, we present a comprehensive simulation of high-resolution, polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of forested areas. We model forest stands using realistic fractal trees over a lossy ground. The total response of the stand is calculated by coherently summing the responses of all the individual scattering components of the fractal trees, similar to the approach in Y.-C. Lin (1997, 1999). The major advantages of our simulation method are twofold: its potential high fidelity, since it employs a physics-based forest scattering model, and its ability to model high-resolution SAR response. We introduce our simulation method beginning with a description of our fractal mathematical models of trees. Next, we consider the polarimetric formulation of the received SAR signal from a forest of fractal trees. We describe methods of more efficiently calculating the received SAR signal and present a simple example of the efficiency of the simulation.
Approximate message-passing inference algorithm

In a recent result, Weitz (D. Weitz, 2006) established equivalence between the marginal distribution of a node, say G, in any binary pair-wise Markov random field (MRF), say G, with the marginal distribution of the root node in the self-avoid walk tree of the G starting at v. Analogous result for max-marginal distribution holds for the reason that addition and multiplication commute in the same way as addition and maximum. This remarkable connection suggests a message-passing algorithm for computing exact marginal and max-marginal in any binary MRF G. In this paper, we exploit this property along with appropriate graph partitioning scheme to design approximate message passing algorithms for computing max-marginal of nodes or maximum a-posteriori assignment (MAP) in a binary MRF G. Our algorithm can provide provably arbitrarily small error for a large class of graphs including planar graphs. Our algorithms are linear in number of nodes G with constant dependent on the approximation error. For precise evaluation of computation cost of algorithm, we obtain a novel tight characterization of the size of self-avoiding walk tree for any connected graph as a function of number of edges and nodes.
2-CNFS and Logical Embeddings

The expressive power of 2-cnfs, conjunctive normal forms with two literals per clause, is shown to be severely limited compared to 3-cnfs.
In vivo comparative study of RNAi methodologies by in ovo electroporation in the chick embryo

The combination of emergent RNA interference (RNAi) technology with in ovo electroporation in the chick embryo has the potential to provide a powerful and rapid means for functional analyses of novel genes in vivo. In this study, we show that electroporation of short 21-bp RNA duplexes (siRNAs) is a quick and simple method for silencing exogenous and endogenous gene expression in vivo. Quantitative comparisons with two other RNAi protocols that use long double-stranded RNA duplexes and endonuclease-digested duplexes (esiRNAs) demonstrate that siRNAs are significantly more effective at reducing gene expression. Furthermore, we also find that much higher amounts of siRNA are required for silencing of endogenous gene expression relative to plasmid-borne reporter constructs. In short, these results demonstrate that siRNAs are the most effective type of double-stranded RNA duplex for silencing gene expression and suggest that there might be important differences between silencing endogenous and exogenous genes. Finally, we review the parameters for each of these RNA-based methods of RNAi and the controls required to analyze RNAi data in the context of the developing vertebrate embryo.
THE HARVESTMAN FAMILY PHALANGODIDAE 4. A REVIEW OF THE GENUS BANKSULA (OPILIONES, LANIATORES)

Two new species of Banksula are described. Banksula incredula enlarges the concept of the genus and is assigned to a new species group which is the likely sister group to the other Banksula. The species is unique in numerous morphological features, being the largest species in the genus, the first non-cavernicolous species, and occurring in the Coast Ranges of California, rather than in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The second new species, B. tutankhamen, is a typical member of the californica group but with more pronounced troglomorphy. Clinal variation is documented for B. grahami Briggs 1974, with B. elliotti Briggs & Ubick 1981, now placed as its junior synonym, representing the northern and most troglomorphic populations.
Inverse kinematics of binary manipulators with applications to service robotics

Binary actuators have only two discrete states, both of which are stable without feedback. As a result, manipulators built with binary actuators have a finite number of states. The major benefits of binary actuation are that extensive feedback control is not required, task repeatability can be very high, and two-state actuators are generally very inexpensive, resulting in low cost robotic mechanisms. These manipulators therefore have great potential for use in the service sector, where the cost of standard, high performance, robotic manipulators is often difficult to justify. A binary manipulator by contrast, provides good performance, and is also relatively inexpensive. The most difficult challenge with a binary manipulator is to control it efficiently. Given that the number of configurations attainable by binary manipulators grows expotentially in the number of actuated degrees of freedom, calculation of inverse kinematics by direct enumeration of joint states and calculation of forward kinematics is not feasible in the highly actuated case. This paper presents an efficient method for performing binary manipulator inverse kinematics based on a continuum approach.
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF THE CRAYFISH PACIFASTACUS LENIUSCULUS TO ENVIRONMENTAL HYPEROXIA: II. ROLE OF THE ANTENNAL GLAND IN ACID-BASE AND ION REGULATION

Handling of electrolytes and acidic equivalents by the antennal gland was monitored in freshwater crayfish ( Pacifastacus leniusculus ) during control normoxia (PO2 = 148mmHg; 1 mmHg = 133.3Pa), 72h of hyperoxia (PO2 = 500mmHg) and 24 h of recovery. A preparation was developed for direct collection of urinary flow (UFR) which was confirmed using inulin clearance (CIN). Renal effluxes of Na+, Cl−, Mg2+, K+, Ca2+, sulphate, phosphate, titratable and nontitratable acidity and CO2 were monitored. These were used in conjunction with filtration rates to calculate net rates of reabsorption. UFR was elevated by around 50 % during hyperoxia. Contributing to this were an increase in CIN and a reduction in [IN]U: [IN]e. Excretion of Na+ (ENa) tended to increase initially whereas ECl tended to decrease after 36 h. EK and EMg showed a similar profile to that of ENa with increases averaging 60 %. The increases in excretion of Ca2+, phosphate and sulphate were more pronounced (threefold). In control crayfish, 65–95 % of filtered electrolytes were reabsorbed at the antennal gland except for ammonia which was secreted. Electrolyte reabsorption increased during hyperoxia; percentage increases varied from 70% (Na+, Cl−) to 150% (sulphate, phosphate) with HCO3− showing a fourfold increase above control values. Ammonia secretion correspondingly increased. Control urine was acid with respect to the haemolymph and became increasingly acidified during initial hyperoxic exposure. Net renal proton excretion largely reflected (90%) ammonia excretion; both were approximately doubled during hyperoxia. Unlike the situation in mammals, ammonia appears to be more important than phosphate in buffering urine pH. Urinary parameters generally required 24 h for complete recovery when normoxia was reinstated. Renal net efflux and reabsorption rates were compared with branchial net and unidirectional influx rates from an earlier part of this study. Branchial and renal net effluxes of Na+ and Cl− had similar vectors and magnitudes during the control period but tended to counter each other during hyperoxia. Renal reabsorption rates of these ions were threefold greater than branchial influx rates, confirming increased transporting capability. Both epithelia exhibited a net H+ efflux during hyperoxia; the kidney contributed only 10% of the whole-animal response. Possible mechanisms of renal postfiltrational electrolyte and acidic equivalent processing are discussed.
Bragg v. Linden's Second Life: A Primer in Virtual World Justice

This paper examines the CyberOne mock trial of Bragg v. Linden in Second Life, as an educational tool, a test of virtual world property disputes, and a model for virtual world justice. I argue that while the trial itself did not fully explore the strongest property claims for either users or operators of Second Life, it did effectively teach empathic argument in a new internet space.
Isolating mechanisms among five sympatric species of Aneilema,/i> R. Br. (Commelinaceae) in Kenya

The reproductive biology and ecology of five non-hybridizing, sympatric species of Aneilema in Kenya is investigated. The high number of species at the study site is believed to be due to the ecological diversity at this locality. Differences in ecology and seasonal flowering periods appear to be inadequate to reproductively isolate these species. However, differences in daily flowering times, pollinators, floral morphology and opening behaviour, and in chromosome number, alone or in combination (perhaps also coacting with other factors not fully evaluated), are effective isolating mechanisms.
Early removal of cows with Brucellosis and the effect in strain 19 vaccinated cattle herds

Abstract The effect of early removal of cows excreting pathogenic Brucella abortus following Strain 19 vaccination of beef cattle herds was determined by comparing cumulative incidence (CI) of brucellosis reactors post-vaccination (p.v.). Adult female cattle in six herds were tested, reactors removed, and vaccinated with 3×109 colony-forming units of B. abortus Strain 19. Cattle were tested at 2 months p.v. and culture-positive cattle were removed from a principal cohort of three herds at approximately 3 months p.v., and removal from a control cohort of three herds delayed until approximately 7 months p.v. Neither CI nor time to eliminate brucellosis was significantly different between cohorts. A review of the parturition data revealed that more of the infected cows in the principal cohort herds terminated gestation before removal. These data suggest that stage of gestation plus diagnostic and management alternatives to prevent parturition of infected cattle in the herd are more important factors in herd plans than early removal of postparturient infected cows following whole-herd Strain 19 vaccination.
Confluences in programming languages research (keynote)

A confluence occurs when two rivers flow together; downstream the combined forces gather strength and propel their waters forward with increased vigor. In academic research, according to Varghese, a confluence occurs after some trigger, perhaps a discovery or a change in technology, and brings two previously separate branches of research together. In this talk, I will discuss confluences in programming languages research. Here, confluences often occur when basic research finds application in some important new domain. Two prime examples from my own career involve the confluence of research in type theory and systems security, triggered by new theoretical tools for reasoning about programming language safety, and the confluence of formal methods and networking, triggered by the rise of data centers. These experiences may shed light on what to teach our students and what is next for programming languages research.
Abstract 174: MicroRNA-216a Induces a Premature Senescent-Like Phenotype and Regulates Angiogenic Activity in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells

Background: Among the age-associated functional and structural changes, of particular note is cellular senescence of endothelial cells, which plays a key role in endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. But the molecular basis of which is not fully defined. We have identified that a particular microRNA, miR-216a, was up-regulated in senescent endothelial cells, here, the present study aimed to determine the role of miR-216a in regulating premature senescence and angiogenic activity of endothelial cells. Methods and results: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and population-doubling levels (PDLs) were calculated during passages. Briefly, PDLs was computed as Log2 (Ch/Cs), where Ch was the number of viable cells at harvest and Cs was the number of cells seeded. PDL8 and PDL44 were respectively identified as young and senescent HUVECs, with increased expression of p53 and p21 and shortened telomere length in PDL44. We found that miR-216a expression is up-regulated by 64% in PDL44...
Abstract 2009: Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDI) down-regulate Ron kinase and synergize with Ron knockdown or Ron monoclonal antibody 41A10to treat pancreatic cancer

Receptor tyrosine kinase Ron (recepteur d9origine nantais) has been reported to be overexpressed in a panel of pancreatic cancer cells, as well as in tissue samples from pancreatic cancer patients and has been correlated to late stages of pancreatic cancer. Here we hypothesize that Ron kinase can be served as a potential therapeutic target. Our study showed that Ron-specific shRNA significantly altered oncogenic signaling as reflected by reduced pRon, pAkt and pERK in conjunction with reduced cell motility, as evidenced by wound healing assays and transwell assays. Ron knockdown also reduced HIF1α expression. HIF1α is constitutively expressed in many pancreatic cancer cells and has been reported to be a transcription factor for Ron and CXCR4 gene expression, indicating the reciprocal control for these two proteins. Targeting HIF1α and Ron may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for Ron-overexpressing pancreatic cancer patients. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been reported to target HIF1α gene expression and alter the interaction of HSP70/90 with their client proteins through disruption of HSP70/HSP90 by HDAC6. We demonstrate here that HDAC inhibitors TSA and Panobinostat significantly reduced HIF1α, Ron kinase and CXCR4 expression in pancreatic cancer cells, which was associated with attenuation of pAkt and pERK. Thus our work indicates that HDAC inhibitor therapy targets both Ron and HIF1α. Our future work will demonstrate that Panobinostat can synergize with Ron knockdown or Ron monoclonal antibody to reduce cell growth by colony formation assay. Molecular mechanism will also be investigated. Ron, HIF1α and CXCR4 were reported to increase tumor metastasis. Whether HDI such as Panobinostat alone or in combination with Ron knockdown or Ron monoclonal antibody can reduce metastasis through downregulation of these metastasis related genes will be further investigated. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2009. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2009
Repetitive trauma disorders: job evaluation and design

Repetitive trauma disorders of the upper extremity are a major cause of lost work in many hand-intensive industries. Reported risk factors include repetitive and forceful exertions, certain posture...
Lineage switch in acute leukemia

Conversions of leukemic cell lineage (lymphoid or myeloid) have been reported only rarely. Our review of the cytochemical and immunophenotypic features of 89 cases of childhood leukemia in marrow relapse indicated lineage switch (lymphoid to myeloid or the reverse) in six patients (6.7%). Five patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at diagnosis had converted to acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL), and one had converted from ANLL to ALL. Each child received lineage-specific multiagent chemotherapy when initially diagnosed, and all achieved a complete remission. After conversion, four patients readily achieved second remissions with treatment for the phenotype evident at lineage switch. Two patients with ANLL at conversion failed ALL-directed reinduction, while one of the two responded to high-dose cytarabine but died during bone marrow hypoplasia, emphasizing the importance of prompt recognition of lineage switch and selection of an appropriate plan of retreatment. Cytogenetic studies disclosed evidence of clonal selection in one patient and clonal stability in two. These findings indicate an unexpectedly high frequency of lineage switch in patients who relapse in the bone marrow after intensive chemotherapy. Although specific causative factors could not be identified, our observations suggest at least two general mechanisms for lineage switch in acute leukemia. In one, chemotherapy appears to eradicate the dominant clone present at diagnosis, permitting expansion of a secondary clone with a different phenotype. In the second, drug-induced changes in the original clone may either amplify or suppress differentiation programs so that phenotypic shift is possible.
Human hypothalamic and pituitary neuroendocrine function during in vitro perifusion.

In vitro perifusion of hypothalamic and pituitary tissue is a technique, which has been used extensively in animal studies, where it has been clearly demonstrated to complement and enhance other in vivo and in vitro methodologies for investigating neuro-endocrine regulation. This chapter discusses the basic in vitro perifusion technology, the examples of the application of this technique to human hypothalamic and pituitary neuroendocrine regulation, and the strengths and limitations of this experimental approach to assess the utility of this methodology in the investigation of human hypothalamic and pituitary function. This technique offers several advantages, for example, interactions among neuro-endocrine factors directly and exclusively at pituitary or hypothalamic sites without confounding intermediary responses can be readily investigated, or the concentration, pattern, and duration of administration of one or several potentially interacting modulators can be easily controlled. However, there are also significant limitations on the utility of this technique, such as it is difficult to confirm whether the activity of the tissue in vitro accurately reflects activity in vivo . Therefore, in vitro perifusion results must always be considered in the context of results obtained with other complementary experimental methods.
Development: What have we Learned?

I interpret my task as being to survey development theory critically, in the light of its realism and relevance to the problems of development, to discuss the case for interdisciplinary studies, to separate ideas that have been discarded from those that have withstood the test of time and to point to promising new departures.
Simulating Peace Negotiations

Background. This article reflects on the use of a simulation of peace talks between Israeli and Palestinians in an upper-level undergraduate course at a liberal arts university in the United States. The university was commissioned to test an externally developed proposal and implementation plan for peace negotiations between Israeli and Palestinians the źIMPLEMENTATION PLANź. Aim. 1 To contribute to student's academic learning and understanding of the conflict; 2 to find strengths and weaknesses of the model. Method. Analysis of data collected using a convergent parallel mixed method approach involving surveys, exit interviews, and guided reflection papers. Results. Student Learning Outcomes. The data supports a deeper understanding of the nature of the conflict as well as the complexity of peace negotiations. Students reported a higher level of engagement with the subject matter as a result of the simulation. The model encouraged innovative thinking and new solutions, which might be of interest in real life application. Challenges to student learning were mainly related to 1 student identification with their roles and 2 a need to compromise and finding quick answers. Model. The simulation demonstrated the strengths of the IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, namely to the focused, structured negotiation process with narrowly defined źtracks.ź Challenges include the structure of the simulation, the question of applicability of the model to a real life situation, as well as the long-term implementation strategy of negotiation outcomes. Conclusion. The simulation of the IMPLEMENTATION PLAN greatly benefited student learning and led to thought-provoking outcomes concerning negotiations. However, the findings suggest the need for flexibility and modification of the model.
Society of Thoracic Surgeons Score Variance Results in Risk Reclassification of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

This study compares the Society of Thoracic Surgeons scores of patients in 2008/2009 with their recalculated 2015 scores.
Decent Work and Social Protection in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

This article examines how beneficiaries of Brazil’s Bolsa Familia (BFP) conditional cash transfer program find employment in a Brazilian municipality and assesses their participation in decent work...
Drug Product Approval in the United States and International Harmonization

Any person or organization who intends to bring a drug product to market in the United States must, by law, first submit a marketing application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is responsible for reviewing each marketing application and determining whether the applicant or sponsor has provided adequate evidence of safety, efficacy, and quality to warrant marketing approval. FDA oversight of drug products extends, as described in chapter 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations and guidance documents, over the lifecycle of marketed drug products and to all relevant drug manufacturing activities and facilities. This chapter presents a current overview of the drug approval process as it pertains to new drug applications (NDAs), abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs), and biologics license applications (BLAs) in the context of FDA.
Building occupancy simulation and data assimilation using a graph-based agent-oriented model

Abstract Building occupancy simulation and estimation simulates the dynamics of occupants and estimates their real-time spatial distribution in a building. It requires a simulation model and an algorithm for data assimilation that assimilates real-time sensor data into the simulation model. Existing building occupancy simulation models include agent-based models and graph-based models. The agent-based models suffer high computation cost for simulating large numbers of occupants, and graph-based models overlook the heterogeneity and detailed behaviors of individuals. Recognizing the limitations of existing models, this paper presents a new graph-based agent-oriented model which can efficiently simulate large numbers of occupants in various kinds of building structures. To support real-time occupancy dynamics estimation, a data assimilation framework based on Sequential Monte Carlo Methods is also developed and applied to the graph-based agent-oriented model to assimilate real-time sensor data. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the developed model and the data assimilation framework. The major contributions of this work are to provide an efficient model for building occupancy simulation that can accommodate large numbers of occupants and an effective data assimilation framework that can provide real-time estimations of building occupancy from sensor data.
Microfluidic Device to Study Phosphoinositide Gradients in Model Membranes

The availability of phosphoinositide-(3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P3) in the plasma membrane (PM) dictates downstream activation of cellular division, growth and motility via the PI3K-Akt pathway. PI(3,4,5)P3 composition in the PM is regulated by the competition of PI3K kinase versus the phosphatase PTEN, whose role is to dephosphorylate PI(3,4,5)P3 to produce PI(4,5)P2. These opposing actions in motile cells result in a gradient of PI(3,4,5)P3 at the leading edge giving way to PI(4,5)P2 at the trailing. Despite this important feature in cells like Dictyostelium and neutrophils, there are no current model systems available to study gradients of phosphoinositides. The work presented here shows a novel methodology using microfluidics to generate PI(4,5)P2 gradients in supported lipid bilayers (SLB).We have successfully developed a tapered microfluidic device where a gradient of PI(4,5)P2 can be generated with both temporal and spatial control. The tapered design allows for a choice of channel width to observe the gradient ranging from 500 μm to 50 μm. Using total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy we can quantify single molecule dynamics in the channel. In addition to this, we demonstrate Ca2+ gradient dependent domain formation in SLBs composed of PI(4,5)P2, PI(4,5)P2 and cholesterol, and well as POPS containing membranes.This novel method will allow for the investigation of gradients in membranes that where not attainable before. The advantage of having a choice to work with a model system in addition to the cellular systems is the ability to test hypotheses outside the complex cellular milieu to see if a trend is preserved. With this device we hope to start piecing together the most basic components necessary to maintain or degrade cellular gradients whose results could continue to answer the ultimate question of how lipid organization affects the information transduction within a cell.
Association of Testosterone Levels With Anemia in Older Men: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

Importance In one-third of older men with anemia, no recognized cause can be found. Objective To determine if testosterone treatment of men 65 years or older with unequivocally low testosterone levels and unexplained anemia would increase their hemoglobin concentration. Design, Setting, and Participants A double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with treatment allocation by minimization using 788 men 65 years or older who have average testosterone levels of less than 275 ng/dL. Of 788 participants, 126 were anemic (hemoglobin ≤12.7 g/dL), 62 of whom had no known cause. The trial was conducted in 12 academic medical centers in the United States from June 2010 to June 2014. Interventions Testosterone gel, the dose adjusted to maintain the testosterone levels normal for young men, or placebo gel for 12 months. Main Outcomes and Measures The percent of men with unexplained anemia whose hemoglobin levels increased by 1.0 g/dL or more in response to testosterone compared with placebo. The statistical analysis was intent-to-treat by a logistic mixed effects model adjusted for balancing factors. Results The men had a mean age of 74.8 years and body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 30.7; 84.9% were white. Testosterone treatment resulted in a greater percentage of men with unexplained anemia whose month 12 hemoglobin levels had increased by 1.0 g/dL or more over baseline (54%) than did placebo (15%) (adjusted OR, 31.5; 95% CI, 3.7-277.8; P = .002) and a greater percentage of men who at month 12 were no longer anemic (58.3%) compared with placebo (22.2%) (adjusted OR, 17.0; 95% CI, 2.8-104.0; P = .002). Testosterone treatment also resulted in a greater percentage of men with anemia of known cause whose month 12 hemoglobin levels had increased by 1.0 g/dL or more (52%) than did placebo (19%) (adjusted OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 2.1-31.9; P = .003). Testosterone treatment resulted in a hemoglobin concentration of more than 17.5 g/dL in 6 men who had not been anemic at baseline. Conclusions and Relevance Among older men with low testosterone levels, testosterone treatment significantly increased the hemoglobin levels of those with unexplained anemia as well as those with anemia from known causes. These increases may be of clinical value, as suggested by the magnitude of the changes and the correction of anemia in most men, but the overall health benefits remain to be established. Measurement of testosterone levels might be considered in men 65 years or older who have unexplained anemia and symptoms of low testosterone levels. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00799617
Science of Health Care Delivery: An Innovation in Undergraduate Medical Education to Meet Society's Needs.

Abstract The purpose of this special article is to describe a new, 4-year Science of Health Care Delivery curriculum at Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, including curricular content and structure, methods for instruction, partnership with Arizona State University, and implementation challenges. This curriculum is intended to ensure that graduating medical students enter residency prepared to train and eventually practice within person-centered, community- and population-oriented, science-driven, collaborative care teams delivering high-value care. A Science of Health Care Delivery curriculum in undergraduate medical education is necessary to successfully prepare physicians so as to ensure the best clinical outcomes and patient experience of care, at the lowest cost.
TRANSDUCERS FOR DYNAMIC FLUID PRESSURES

Synopsis “Dynamic” pressures are defined as those which are varying too fast for the human senses to follow without the aid of memory or recording devices. Accurate measurement demands that the in-service behaviour of the measuring instrument be known in sufficient detail so that the results obtained from it can be soundly interpreted. This paper is concerned with transducers for the conversion of dynamic pressures to electrical signals. The object is to simplify the task of the potential user who has to choose transducers for specific applications. The basic principles of these devices are reviewed and the performance characteristics described. The relationships between size, accuracy, stability, sensitivity, frequency response and immunity from environmental changes are discussed, and supported by data from various sources. A survey is made of some types of mechano-electric effects that have practical application to pressure transducers. Like many other problems, that of selecting or designing a transducer is solved most successfully if a suitable compromise between many conflicting factors can be reached. This is illustrated by examples of several types of pressure transducers, applied in diverse fields, including references to the latest available data on the newest designs.
Pediatric Choroid Plexus Carcinoma: Current Management and Future Directions

Abstract Choroid plexus (CP) carcinoma is a rare intraventricular brain tumor derived from the CP epithelium and occurs mainly in young children. CP carcinoma is a World Health Organization (WHO) grade III neoplasm. Despite multidisciplinary treatment approaches, including surgical resection, radiotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy, the outcome remains guarded and many of the survivors exhibit significant neurologic sequelae of both the tumor and its treatment. TP53 mutations are common in CP carcinomas and have been associated with poorer outcome. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of genome-wide methylation profiling, gene expression profiling, and p53 mutation status to provide additional layers of information to improve risk stratification in CP tumors. In this chapter, we discuss the current management of CP carcinoma and future therapeutic potentials in the era of new molecular discoveries in this rare tumor. Further studies are needed to standardize the treatment paradigm for this neoplasm.
Learning from Research on Youth Engagement During Out-of-School Time

In this chapter, research is reviewed, revealing that out-of-school time, and structured after-school programs in particular, provides an optimal developmental context for fostering engagement and positive youth development. Several studies using the experience sampling method (ESM) are then presented contrasting the experience of middle school students while at a variety of school-based after-school programs with their experience when they were not attending organized programs during after-school hours. While attending the after-school programs, the participants reported higher intrinsic motivation, concentrated effort, and positive mood states at the after-school programs than elsewhere after school. When in the after-school programs, students were the most engaged during sports and arts enrichment activities. Affect was significantly higher while doing academic enrichment activities compared to homework, suggesting that a positive emotional response was enhanced when academic work was approached as an individual or group activity that allowed students to demonstrate their skills and initiative and to gain feedback from adults and peers. Furthermore, the difference in quality of experience when in programs versus elsewhere was a significant predictor of a variety of academic and developmental outcomes including English and math grades. Community service and civic engagement opportunities are also discussed, as such opportunities are frequently found to be highly engaging and rewarding. Research on these and other after-school experiences is beginning to answer the question of what types of programs provide high quality experiences for youth, and to illuminate the nature of youth engagement with learning, whether inside or outside of the classroom.