cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability and validity of DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder features.

The reliability of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) features has been shown to be moderate, based on research utilizing the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (ADIS-IV), a semi-structured diagnostic interview. This may be a function of the criteria for the diagnosis of GAD, which have undergone much revision since its first inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The reliability and validity of disorder feature ratings were examined in a diverse sample of patients who presented for assessment and treatment of excessive worry, generalized anxiety, or tension at an anxiety specialty clinic and who met criteria for a principal diagnosis of GAD (N = 129). Internal consistency of the ratings of excessiveness of worry, uncontrollability of worry, and the associated symptom cluster was moderate to low and varied by disorder feature. Inter-rater reliability for all features of GAD and severity of the disorder varied between good and poor. Additional findings showed that the GAD features, as measured using the ADIS-IV module, have modest to strong convergent validity, varying by feature, and poor discriminant validity when tested against measures of social anxiety. Potential reasons for rater disagreement are discussed. Results are also considered in terms of how they may inform the evolving criteria for GAD in DSM-V.
Dependence of inflationary reconstruction upon cosmological parameters.

The inflationary potential and its derivatives determine the spectrum of scalar and tensor metric perturbations that arise from quantum fluctuations during inflation. The CBR anisotropy offers a promising means of determining the spectra of metric perturbations and thereby a means of constraining the inflationary potential. The relation between the metric perturbations and CBR anisotropy depends upon cosmological parameters---most notably the possibility of a cosmological constant. Motivated by some observational evidence for a cosmological constant (large-scale structure, cluster-baryon fraction, measurements of the Hubble constant, and age of the Universe) we derive the reconstruction equations and consistency relation to second order in the presence of a cosmological constant. We also clarify previous notation and discuss alternative schemes for reconstruction. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Simple partial purification of d-pinitol from soybean leaves

There is growing interest in the use of D-pinitol (D-3-O-methylchiro-inositol) as a food supplement because of its reported efficacy in lowering blood glucose levels. Pinitol is a common constituent of legume plants and is a major component of soybean [Glycine mar (L.) Merr.] leaves. The objective of the studies was to identify a combination of simple methods that would result in the purification of pinitol from soybean leaves. Ethanolic extracts of soybean leaves following solvent partitioning to remove lipids, passage of the aqueous fraction through ion exchange resins, and treatment of the effluent with activated charcoal yielded a white crystalline product that was 85.5% pinitol by weight. Other components in the product included D-chiro-inositol (5.2%), myo-inositol (3.4%), and ononitol (D-4-O-methyl-myo-inositol; 1.9%). Thus, 96% of the crystalline product was cyclitols following the simple purification protocol.
Fear of injury in gymnastics: Self-efficacy and psychological strategies to keep on tumbling

The aim of this study was to examine female gymnasts' fear of injury, their sources of self-efficacy and the psychological strategies used to overcome their fears. The participants were 10 female gymnasts aged 12 - 17 years. They had all taken part in competitive gymnastics and had experienced some type of injury during their careers. Individual interviews were conducted using a structured interview guide. Data were analysed using an inductive content analysis. The results indicated that gymnasts were most fearful of injuries because of the difficulty in returning from an injury and being unable to participate in practices and competitions while injured. Gymnasts described aspects of their past performance experience, such as success, consistency and communication with significant others, as important sources of self-efficacy. Some examples of psychological strategies used to overcome their fear of injury were mental preparation (e.g. imagery, relaxation), just "going for a skill" and the coaches' influence.
Cyclopropylmethoxycarbene: A kinetic limit on the 1,2‐carbon migration

Cyclopropylmethoxycarbene undergoes ambiphilic-nucleophilic intermolecular reaction with alkenes and methanol, but its intramolecular chemistry (1,2-carbon migration) is suppressed (k < 3 × 103 s−1) by the α-methoxy substituent.
Pre-B cell colony enhancing factor (PBEF/NAMPT/Visfatin) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cooperate to increase the permeability of the human placental amnion

Fluid efflux across the region of the amnion overlying the placenta is an essential component of the intramembranous absorption pathway that maintains amniotic fluid volume homeostasis. Dysregulation of this pathway may result in adverse pregnancy outcomes, however the factors controlling amnion permeability are unknown. Here, we report a novel mechanism that increases placental amnion permeability. Pre-B Cell Colony Enhancing Factor (PBEF) is a stress-responsive cytokine expressed by the human amnion, and is known to induce Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) production by other cell types. Interestingly, VEGF is up-regulated in the ovine amnion when intramembranous absorption is augmented. In this study, we show that PBEF induced VEGF secretion by primary human amniotic epithelial cells (AEC) derived from the placental amnion, as well as from the reflected amnion that lines the remainder of the gestational sac. Further, PBEF treatment led to the increased expression of VEGFR2 in placental AEC, but not reflected AEC. To test the hypothesis that PBEF and VEGF increase placental amnion permeability, we monitored the transfer of 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) from the fetal to the maternal side of human amnion explants. A treatment regimen including both PBEF and VEGF increased the rate of DCF transfer across the placental amnion, but not the reflected amnion. In summary, our results suggest that by augmenting VEGFR2 expression in the placental amnion, PBEF primes the tissue for a VEGF-mediated increase in permeability. This mechanism may have important implications in amniotic fluid volume control throughout gestation.
Association of Calcium Intake, Dairy Product Consumption with Overweight Status in Young Adults (1995–1996): The Bogalusa Heart Study

Objective: To examine the association between calcium intake and dairy product consumption with overweight and obesity in young adults.Methods: The sample used in this study consisted of 1306 young adults, ages 19–38 years, who participated in the 1995–1996 young adult survey. Analysis was performed with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for ethnicity-gender groups separately.Results: No significant association was found between dairy product consumption, calcium intake and overweight, defined by body mass index or waist circumference. However, there was a significant inverse association between calcium intake, low-fat dairy product consumption and waist-to-hip ratio in white males.Conclusion: Increasing intake of calcium and low-fat dairy products may be associated with lower abdominal adiposity, particularly in young adult white males.
A topological index condition for conical controllability

covers the interior of a convex set containing e+(q) and a neighborhood of $,(a) + y. w. We say that p1 is controllable at 4 if it is w-conically controllable at w = 0. These concepts are motivated by problems of the optimal control theory and are closely related to the investigation of attainable sets. Certain higher order sufficient conditions for controllability and conical controllability were derived in [l, 21. These conditions also ensure that controllability, respectively conical controllability, is preserved when (9,) p2) is replaced by (v, + e, , pZ + ez) for all higher order perturbations (et, eJ. In the present paper we generalize the basic result of [2] by replacing a homeomorphism condition with a more general nonzero index condition. Let V be an open subset of KY’, h: I/ -+ R” continuous and w E R”\h(aV). We refer to the elements of g-‘(w) as w-points of g. Let 71, be a bounded connected component of h-‘(w) admitting an open neighborhood U whose closure is contained in I/ and is disjoint from other components of h-‘(w). We refer to such a component rc, as a bounded isolated w-patch of h, and denote by i(h, rrw, w) the topological degree d(h, U, w) for any choice of U as described above [3]. We refer to i(h, rr,,,, w) as the index of h at w with respect to rc,. We also denote by Jh(x) the Jacobian determinant det h’(x).
Endoscopic manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients between 18 months and 25 years without neurological deficits

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of erosive esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus (BE) among a large cohort of neurologically normal children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: We identified all patients between 18 months and 25 yr of age with GERD who underwent an upper endoscopy with biopsies during 1996–2000 at Texas Children’s Hospital. A manual review of the endoscopy and histopathology reports was performed. We excluded patients with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, congenital esophageal anomalies, or those with incomplete endoscopic description of the esophagus or absent histopathological reports on esophageal biopsies if BE was suspected. We analyzed the demographic, endoscopic, and histopathological findings and determined the prevalence of erosive esophagitis (defined by erosions/ulcers) and BE in children without neurological or congenital esophageal anomalies. RESULTS: We identified 402 neurologically normal children without congenital esophageal anomalies who had GERD. Of these, 208 (51.7%) patients were female. The mean age of the patients was 9.7 yr (range 1.5–25 yr). The ethnic distribution was as follows: 64.7% white, 7.7% black, 11.7% Hispanic, and 15.9% other. Erosive esophagitis was reported in 139 patients (34.6%). There were no statistically significant differences in the demographic characteristics of patients with and without erosive esophagitis. At endoscopy, BE was suspected in 11 patients (2.7%) because of the presence of pink colored mucosa at the lower end of the tubular esophagus. Histopathological examination of two to four targeted biopsies taken from these areas revealed fundic gastric glands with no evidence of intestinal metaplasia in any of these 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Manifestations of severe disease such as erosive esophagitis were present in more than one-third of patients in a large cohort of neurologically normal children with GERD who underwent endoscopy. Further studies are needed to examine the future subsequent clinical course of these children. On the other hand, BE was absent making it likely that the duration of reflux is a major risk factor for BE.
Role of gonadal steroids in determining sexual differences in expression of Fos-related antigens in tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in subdivisions of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus.

Dual immunohistochemistry was employed to examine the role of gonadal steroids in determining sexual differences in the expression of Fos and its related antigens (FRA) in tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurons located in the dorsomedial (DM-) and ventrolateral (VL-) subdivisions of the arcuate nucleus (ARC). In the DM-ARC, there was no sexual difference in the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (-IR) perikarya, but the number of these containing FRA-IR was greater in females than in males in all but the most caudal region. In the VL-ARC, there were more TH-IR perikarya in males than in females, but there was no sexual difference in the numbers of those containing FRA-IR throughout the entire rostrocaudal extent of this nucleus. Ovariectomy decreased the number of TH-IR perikarya containing FRA-IR in the DM-ARC, but not in the VL-ARC, whereas orchidectomy increased the number of TH-IR perikayra containing FRA-IR in both the DM-ARC and VL-ARC. These gonadectomy-induced effects were ...
On Religious Attitudes

When Christians worship God, their cultic activities display, in widely varying combinations, attitudes of fear, respect, love, trust, awe, deference and obedience. They worship the Lord with all their heart, soul and strength, confessing their own insignificance in comparison to God, yet expressing confidence in the divine mercy which they believe will assist them through the trials of this life, toward a joyful existence beyond the grave. In the liturgical churches, the dominating mood varies according to the tables of feasts and fasts: Christmas and Easter are times for joyful song, brightly coloured vestments and festive activities. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of penitence, sorrow and sombre hymnody. (‘Remember, Oh Man, that dust thou art…’) Throughout the year, the houses of worship are places of bowed heads and lowered voices, of respect and sobriety, and sometimes of veneration for icons and the objects used in worship. The inventory of revered objects varies considerably, as do the activities thought to be appropriate in this connection, ranging from the Low Protestant's respectful handling of the Bible to the High Churchman's prostration before the Monstrance, in the Benediction of the Holy Sacrament. But it is clear that divine worship normally involves reverence and awe and that it usually involves some form of self-abasement (bending the knee before).
Infiltration of the inflamed eye by NKT cells in a rat model of experimental autoimmune uveitis

NK and NKT cells play important roles in both the pathogenesis and regulation of autoimmune disease. In this study, NK and NKT cells in the periphery and in the inflamed eyes of Lewis rats developing uveitis were quantified and evaluated for function. The number and phenotype of NK/NKT cells in the inflamed eyes and spleens were determined. The cytotoxic and suppressive activity of the eye-infiltrating NK/NKT cells was also studied. In rats with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP)-induced uveitis, the number of NK/NKT cells declined in the periphery, but increased in the eyes. The eye-infiltrating NK/NKT cells inhibited cytokine production by autoreactive T cells in vitro and had a weak cytolytic effect on NK-sensitive YAC-1 cells and NKT-sensitive U937 cells in vitro. Our study shows that the number of NK and NKT cells decreases in the periphery of rats with autoimmune uveitis. It is discussed whether the changing number of NK/NKT cells allows the escape from immune surveillance of uveitogenic (i.e. autoreactive) T cells and the development of intraocular inflammation, and the increased infiltration of the inflamed eye by suppressive NK/NKT cells favors rapid recovery from disease.
Intracellular Calcium Levels Influence Apoptosis in Mature Sensory Neurons after Trophic Factor Deprivation

Embryonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons require nerve growth factor (NGF) for survival in vitro. Withdrawal of NGF results in an apoptotic death in these immature DRG neurons. After time in culture, DRG neurons become progressively less dependent upon NGF for survival. Immature embryonic DRG neurons remain highly dependent upon NGF during their first 14 days in cell culture but by Day 21 the majority lose their NGF dependence for survival. During this period of maturation the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) progressively increases from the lower levels found in immature DRG neurons to the higher levels that are characteristic of older or mature DRG neurons. By changing the cell culture medium to one with very low calcium, we were able to lower [Ca2+]i in the mature neurons to levels similar to those found in immature neurons. These mature neurons (e.g., E-15 DRG neurons grown for 21 days in culture), normally NGF independent, became highly dependent upon NGF for survival. The onset of DNA fragmentation is a marker of apoptotic cell death. We measured the onset of DNA fragmentation in apoptotic neurons with use of the fluorescent dye, Hoechst, in neurons maintained in either standard calcium medium (1800 mM) or in the low calcium medium (0.35 mM). A higher percentage of neurons with lowered [Ca2+]i showed initial signs of apoptosis, i.e., DNA condensation, at earlier times after NGF deprivation. This work provides further evidence to support a "set-point" hypothesis regarding the relationship between intracellular calcium concentration and NGF dependence for survival in DRG neurons.
Controlled Electrochemical Synthesis of Polypyrrole Nanoparticle Thin Film and Its Redox Transition to a Highly Conductive and Stable Polypyrrole Variant

We demonstrated here a unique method to produce a highly stable and conductive polypyrrole (PPY) nanoparticle film. The procedure entails controlling the redox switching and the electrochemical synthesis of PPY. PPY was synthesized at a very low forming potential or reaction rate in nonaqueous CH2Cl2 solvent to promote the PPY nanoparticle formation. Then its property was further optimized by first electrochemically reducing it at a hydrogen evolution potential in a neutral 0.1 M NaClO4, then in a slightly acidic 0.05 M asparagine electrolyte. The PPY nanoparticle thin film was characterized by AFM, UV-vis and EQCM. The procedures described here have proven to be reproducible. The data provided by the EQCM shows a reversible doping and undoping mechanism of asparagine indicating the presence of a highly conductive PPY variant. Both UV-vis and electrochemical characterization suggest that the PPY film made using our approach has excellent redox activity as well as high stability when characterized in asparagine solution. The reversible doping and undoping of asparagine during redox switching shows great potential of these PPY nanoparticle films as biological membranes for a broad range of biological applications.
March madness? Strategic behavior in NCAA basketball tournament betting pools

Abstract This paper uses data from the natural experiment of NCAA Basketball Tournament “betting pools” in a descriptive study of strategic behavior. The observed behavior in these pools differs from equilibrium behavior in a robust manner; bettors overback the heaviest favorites. The size of this bias falls slightly in larger pools, where the induced profit opportunities are higher than in smaller pools. This indicates that a small number of players are adjusting their behavior to reflect the changing strategic situation, while the aggregate behavior remains away from equilibrium.
Literacy in AAC: What should be written on the envelope we push?

This paper is the text of the Don Johnston, Inc. Distinguished Lecture that was presented by the author at the Biennial ISAAC Conference in Dublin, Ireland in August 1998. In the lecture, the author makes the case that literacy is integral to the augmentative and alternative communication endeavor for people with severe speech and physical impairments, rather than a separate entity or an “add on.” He emphasizes that emergent literacy is necessary but not sufficient for intervention and that intervention research and program development must seek to achieve and measure conventional literacy outcomes.
Fledgling prognostic markers in CLL

In this issue of Blood , Deaglio and colleagues demonstrate that CD38 acti-vates ZAP-70 and facilitates chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)–cell migration toward the chemokine SDF-1 (CXCL12), suggesting that CD38 + /ZAP-70 + CLL cells have a higher propensity for homing to a supportive microenvironment.
Learning and Performance Goal Orientation of Salespeople Revisited: The Role of Performance-Approach and Performance-Avoidance Orientations

This study revisits the conceptualization and operationalization of salesperson goal orientation, a mid-level construct in the achievement motivation model. Goal orientation has, in recent sales studies, been conceptualized to be comprised of a learning and a performance goal orientation. However, studies examining goal orientation’s relationship with salesperson performance and behavior have found inconsistent results. Guided by seminal studies in achievement motivation theory, this study proposes that performance goal orientation is comprised of two distinct components: a performanceapproach goal orientation and a performance-avoidance goal orientation, the latter of which is grounded in fear of failure. The contemporary model of goal orientation is tested and compared with the classic model. The results indicate that the classic model more accurately captures salesperson goal orientation and its relationship with salesperson performance. Notably, a performance-avoidance goal orientation is negatively r...
Strengthening of silica glass by gel-derived coatings☆

Abstract The use of sol-gel coatings to strengthen oxide glasses has been demonstrated for the case of fused silica. Increases in strength to as much as 2.2 tiimes the strength of uncoated glass have been obtained. The strengthening does not involve the annealing of surface microcracks, but rather the filling-in of such flaws. The strengthening does not depend on coating thickness over the range 2000–10000 A, but does depend significantly upon the state of hydrolysis of the substrate surface.
Idiopathic pedunculated mural thrombus of the nonaneurysmal infrarenal aorta presenting with popliteal embolization: two cases treated with thrombolytic therapy.

The source of emboli to large or medium sized arteries is most commonly the heart; occasionally, it is an aortic aneurysm. The unusual embolic source of aortic mural thrombus in an otherwise minimally diseased aorta has been infrequently reported, and the etiology and management of this entity are not well defined. We describe two cases of infrarenal aortic mural thrombus treated with thrombolytic therapy and review the published experience with this entity. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:383-7.)
Behavioral methods for measuring effects of drugs on learning and memory in animals

This review describes methods for measuring effects of drugs on learning and memory in animals, proceeding from relatively simple nonassociative learning (habituation) to classical and instrumental conditioning, and concluding with complex measures for measuring learning and memory repeatedly in the individual animal. Procedures for separating drug effects specific to learning and memory from non-specific effects on activity, motivation, sensory and motor capacity, etc., were emphasized. For each method, selected experimental examples were presented which described the action of drugs on learning and memory, elucidated the behavioral processes involved in the drug effects, or illustrated methodological points. The various procedures used to measure drug effects on learning and memory in animals have yielded a bewildering array of often-contradictory results. Quantitative differences in effectiveness of drugs in the different procedures are common. Drugs (for example, the nootropics) that alter learning or memory in a few procedures may be totally without activity in many others. How are these discrepancies to be interpreted? The apparent inconsistencies in the data can, for the most part, be understood in terms of the nature of learning and memory. "Learning" and "memory" are hypothetical processes presumed to underlie enduring changes in behavior resulting from the organism's interaction with environmental stimuli. Given such a broad definition, the prevalence of inconsistencies in the data is hardly surprising. It is unlikely that the same mechanisms should underlie all of the wide variety of behavioral changes included under the rubrics "learning" or "memory." (For a contrary view, based on consistencies among results obtained in the diverse procedures, see Zornetzer). How, then, should drug effects on learning and memory be identified or measured? The first step, of course, is to rule out those drug effects that do not conform to the definition of learning or memory. This review has described strategies and procedures by which this can be accomplished. However, even when this is done there is no single procedure that can detect drug effects on learning and memory in general, nor, in view of the heterogeneous behaviors involved, is it likely that such a universal procedure will ever be found. Thus, a multi-faceted strategy will be required. Some of the simpler procedures described in this review may be adequate for the initial identification of interesting effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Sterol induction of sexual reproduction inLagenidium giganteum

Abstract Lagenidium giganteum, an Oomycete facultatively parasitic on mosquito larvae, will produce oosporesin vitro when supplied with exogenous sterols. Following prolonged maintenance on sterol-free medium, the fungus retains its ability for zoosporogenesis, but oosporogenesis does not occur. Oospore yield is affected by changes in the sterol side chain, especially at C-24, and by the degree and position of unsaturation in the sterol ring. Oospore yield and viability can be enhanced by incorporating fatty acids in the growth medium, especially in the form of triglycerides. Oosporogenesis induced by fatty acid sterol esters is much reduced relative to that obtained using free sterols.
We WERE There

Dedicated to my dear uncle Jerry (a wondrous retired high school and college composition teacher), who abruptly became gravely ill, underwent daunting surgery, went into and out of a tortuous coma, made an amazing comeback, insisted on being discharged not to an assisted-living facility but to his own normal-living apartment, and then abruptly died, all in the space of 6 weeks, at the admittedly not young but adamantly not elderly age of 75.
Microscopic theory of the single impurity surface Kondo resonance

We develop a microscopic theory of the single impurity Kondo effect on a metallic surface. We calculate the hybridization energies for the Anderson Hamiltonian of a magnetic impurity interacting with surface and bulk states and show that, contrary to the Kondo effect of an impurity in the bulk, the hybridization matrix elements are strongly dependent on the momentum around the Fermi surface. Furthermore, by calculating the tunneling conductance of a scanning tunneling microscope, we show that when the magnetic impurity is located at a surface the Kondo effect can occur with equal strength between bulk and surface states. We compare our results with recent experiments of Co impurities in Cu(111) and Cu(100) surfaces and find good quantitative agreement.
AMELIORATION OF HYPERTRIGLYCERIDÆMIA BY PROGESTATIONAL DRUGS IN FAMILIAL TYPE-V HYPERLIPOPROTEINÆMIA

Abstract Administration of norethindrone acetate resulted in marked clearing of hyperglyceridaemia in 4 patients with familial type-V hyperlipoproteinaemia. This progestational agent was responsible for a 2-10-fold decrease in plasma-triglyceride, and a concurrent increase in post-heparin lipolytic activity. In these cases progestational agents represented new and effective therapy for type-V hyperlipoproteinaemia.
Electrophilic aromatic substitution. 14. [1] A kinetic, NMR, and Raman study of the aluminum chloride-catalyzed reaction of p-toluene-sulfonyl chloride with benzene and toluene in dichloromethane

Vacuum line kinetic studies of the reaction of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride and benzene or toluene, using aluminum chloride as the catalyst and dichloromethane as the solvent were determined at 25°C by means of gas chromatography. The reaction is first-order in arene, tosyl chloride, and in AlCl3 as catalyst. Noncompetitive results are kT/kB=22±7 with a product sulfone isomer distribution: ortho, 14±1%; meta, 4.3±0.2%; and para 82±1%. With hexadeuteriobenzene kH/kD was determined to be 1.8±0.1. Rate constant ratios and product isomer distributions were also determined competitively: with AlCl3, kT/kB=30±2; % ortho, 13±1; % meta, 4.0±0.5; % para, 84±3; with SbCl5, kT/kB=40±4; % ortho 10.3±0.4; % meta, 4.7±0.2; and % para, 85.0±0.5. The kT/kB ratio for AlCl3 and the meta sulfone product percentages for both AlCl3 and SbCl5 are considerably higher than those reported in the literature. NMR and Raman studies suggest a molecular complex between p-tosyl chloride and AlCl3, with coordination through oxygen as the dominant species and the probable electrophile in CH2Cl2. A reaction mechanism consistent with the kinetic and spectroscopic results is proposed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 367–372,1998
The importance of modeling interoccasion variability in population pharmacokinetic analyses

Individual pharmacokinetic parameters may change randomly between study occasions. Analysis of simulated data with NONMEM shows that ignoring such interoccasion variability (IOV) may result in biased population parameter estimates. Particular parameters affected and the extent to which they are biased depend on study design and the magnitude of IOV and interindividual variability. Neglecting IOV also results in a high incidence of statistically significant spurious period effects. Perhaps most important, ignoring IOV can lead to a falsely optimistic impression of the potential value of therapeutic drug monitoring. A model incorporating IOV was developed and its performance in the presence and absence of IOV was evaluated. The IOV model performs well with respect to both model selection and population parameter estimation in all circumstances studied. Analysis of two real data examples using this model reveals significant IOV in all parameters for both drugs and supports the simulation findings for the case that IOV is ignored: predictable biases occur in parameter estimates and previously nonexistent period effects are found.
Monocyte-mediated delivery of polymeric backpacks to inflamed tissues: a generalized strategy to deliver drugs to treat inflammation.

Targeted delivery of drugs and imaging agents to inflamed tissues, as in the cases of cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and arthritis, represents one of the major challenges in drug delivery. Monocytes possess a unique ability to target and penetrate into sites of inflammation. Here, we describe a broad approach to take advantage of the natural ability of monocytes to target and deliver flat polymeric particles (“Cellular Backpacks”) to inflamed tissues. Cellular backpacks attach strongly to the surface of monocytes but do not undergo phagocytosis due to backpack's size, disk-like shape and flexibility. Following attachment of backpacks, monocytes retain important cellular functions including transmigration through an endothelial monolayer and differentiation into macrophages. In two separate in vivo inflammation models, backpack-laden monocytes exhibit increased targeting to inflamed tissues. Cellular backpacks, and their abilities to attach to monocytes without impairing monocyte functions and ‘hitchhike’ to a variety of inflamed tissues, offer a new platform for both cell-mediated therapies and broad targeting of inflamed tissues.
MAP study: RCT of a medication adherence program for patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective To evaluate the impact of a community pharmacy–based medication adherence detection and intervention protocol on medication adherence for patients with diabetes. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Four community chain pharmacies in the Seattle, WA, area from April 2008 to October 2009. Patients Patients with diabetes (n = 265) who were taking oral diabetes medications and late for refills by 6 days or more. Intervention Telephone-initiated adherence support by pharmacists following computer-generated missed refill alerts. Patients were randomized at the pharmacy level with pharmacists blinded to randomization. Main outcomes measures Changes in medication adherence (i.e., days late at first refill, percent with a refill gap of 6 days or more at first refill, medication possession ratio [MPR] at 6 and 12 months) measured during three time periods. Results Baseline MPR (previous 12 months) of oral diabetes medications for study versus control participants was relatively high and similar (0.86 and 0.84, respectively). At 12 months, MPR was significantly improved for the study group ( P = 0.004) compared with the control group (difference between groups, P = 0.01). The intervention showed greater effect for patients with baseline MPR less than 80% (difference between groups, P = 0.02). The likelihood of MPR above 80% at the 12-month follow-up for any patient significantly favored the intervention group (odds ratio 4.77 [95% CI 2.00–11.40]). Conclusion A brief missed refill intervention program involving urban community chain pharmacies was effective in achieving improved diabetes medication adherence, particularly among individuals with baseline MPR of 0.80 or less.
When Does Aid Conditionality Work

Does aid conditionality—the setting of policy goals in exchange for access to aid—promote reform? Many studies on the impact of aid and reform suggest not. However, few explicitly examine whether the impact of aid on reform is mediated by recipient regime type. I argue that conditional aid is effective but its efficacy depends on recipient countries’ level of democracy because the value of aid to governments depends on the degree to which it helps them maintain power, and recent work shows that the marginal impact of aid on political survival increases with level of democracy. I test this argument on data from 68 countries over the period from 1980 to 1999. I focus on the impact of IMF and World Bank aid on fiscal reform, one of the most commonly stipulated conditions in aid-for-policy arrangements. I find that aid from the Bretton Woods institutions promotes fiscal reform, but only in more democratic countries.
Tungsten Carbide-Cobalt Particles Activate Nrf2 and Its Downstream Target Genes in JB6 Cells Possibly by ROS Generation

Hard metal consisting of a mixture of tungsten carbide (WC) and metallic cobalt (Co) was evaluated as a possible carcinogen in humans by IARC in 2003. Studies have suggested that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) constitutes one of the chemical-sensing and transcription systems that play an essential role(s) in chemical toxicity, carcinogenesis, and pathological processes. To elucidate the mechanisms of health hazards of WC-Co, effects of nano-WC-Co particles on Nrf2 signaling pathway were investigated in the present study in a JB6 cell line. After a 5 h treatment with nano-WC-Co particles, Nrf2 was released from Keap1 in the cytoplasm and translocated into the nucleus. Enzymatic activities of Nrf2 target genes, including glutathione S-transferase (GST) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), increased at 24 and 48 h after the treatment. Studies using reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensitive dyes indicated that ROS were produced in nano-WC-Co particle-treated cells. Pretreatment of the cells with catalase, but not sodium formate, resulted in a significant inhibitory effect on nano-WC-Co particle-induced Nrf2 target gene activation. These findings suggest that activation of Nrf2 and its downstream genes may be initiated by ROS generation, and ROS may act as a major contributor in nano-WC-Co particle-induced adverse health effects.
Seeing is believing: a versatile new approach to optically transparent electrodes

Although materials having both excellent optical transparency and electrical conductivity at first seem counterintuitive, such substances are essential to a myriad of modern technologies. Applications for transparent conductors include electrodes for LCD, OLED and other displays, touch screens, electromagnetic interference shielding, transparent heaters (for example, automotive windshields), and photovoltaic cells.1 For many applications, mechanical flexibility, as on plastic substrates, is also desirable for versatile form factors, impact resistance, roll-to-roll manufacture, product functionality and light weight. For many applications, the oxides of heavy post-transition metals, such as tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) or, to a lesser extent, related oxides, have traditionally served this purpose.1 However, the cost of ITO is sensitive to fluctuating indium prices, electrical conductivity is not optimum, ITO is corroded in many environments, polycrystalline ITO coatings on plastic are brittle and less conductive, and ITO films are grown by capital-intensive sputtering processes.1 A key issue in vapor-phase coating processes is the percentage of material actually transferred to the substrate, and for ITO this process has been heavily optimized for high yields.
A novel approach to feed electric bus on traction

Diesel usage, its transportation, resulting inefficiency and pollution in buses is of major concern in India. The purpose of this paper is to offer an alternative energy source that is cleaner, more efficient and eliminate the need for diesel transportation as a fuel source. A further purpose is to enable the extension of the existing bus transportation system again, without increasing the use of diesel or its transportation. The novel approach to these goals is to use the existing electric railroad distribution system as a fuel source for converted internal combustion engine buses using diesel into electric buses. The thesis here is to model and demonstrate the benefit from the increased efficiency and reduction in pollution as well as the extension of range of the existing bus system while using the existing railroad distribution system as both a source of fuel (recharging) and an enabler of that service extension.
Critical appraisal of the role of Ureaplasma in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia with metaanalytic techniques.

Background:Controversy exists over whether or not Ureaplasma colonization or infection of the respiratory tract contributes to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Because BPD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants and a potential therapeutic intervention with
Theoretical basis and kinetic sense of covalent propagation in cationic polymerization

Polymerization of several vinyl and heterocyclic monomers was described recently as proceeding by covalent propagation. In this paper the theoretical basis of purely covalent multcenter propagation is discussed in terms of the orbital symmetry theory and the parity rules. A mechanism is considered in which ionic and covalent species are present simultaneously. Covalent species may react with monomers, forming intermediate ions. The kinetic sense of the rate of this elementary reaction is described.
Estimating the size of the bacterial pan-genome

The ‘pan-genome' denotes the set of all genes present in the genomes of a group of organisms. Here, we extend the pan-genome concept to higher taxonomic units. Using 573 sequenced genomes, we estimate the size of the bacterial pan-genome based on the frequency of occurrences of genes among sampled genomes. Using gene- and genome-centered approaches, we characterize three distinct pools of gene families that comprise the bacterial pan-genome, each evolving under different evolutionary constraints. Our findings indicate that the pan-genome of the bacterial domain is of infinite size (the Bacteria as a whole have an open pan-genome) and that ∼250 genes per genome belong to the extended bacterial core genome.
Evaluation and Management of Pain in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Transient episodes of pain are common in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). A small fraction of patients have disabling chronic pain. In this review, we discuss the etiologies of pain in ADPKD; review how ADPKD patients should be assessed; and discuss medical, surgical, and other management options.
Control of antibody-antigen binding or dissociation by electric field

The development of a biosensor with adequate sensitivity generally requires a biospecific interaction with high binding affinity. The affinity constants for most antibody-antigen interactions are determined largely by the dissociation constants, k d , with little variation observed in rates of association. Additionally, surface immobilization typically results in a reduced k d . In this case, the sensor binds analyte kinetically irreversibly preventing response to changes in analyte concentration or reuse. Regeneration of the sensor surface is difficult, at best. On the other hand, a higher dissociation rate which would lend itself to a linear and reusable sensor, results in lower affinity and poor sensitivity. Consequently, most biosensors are disposable devices and quantitation is obtained using multiple single-use sensors. In this work, a new reusable biosensorplatform which provides simultaneous fluorescence detection and electrochemical control of biospecific binding has been developed. Biotin was covalently attached to a transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode, which also served as an integral part of a total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) flow cell. TIRF was used to monitor biospecific interactions while electrochemical polarization was employed to control the interactions. Two possible mechanisms of the electric field effect involving interactions with induced and permanent dipoles of proteins will be discussed.
Using an authoring system to facilitate student-centered discovery oriented learning

Abstract Introductory students “brainstormed” experiments on subliminal messages and behavior, then evaluated them in terms of ethics, practicality, measurement, and control. The instructor used Authorware Professional and a Macintosh IIcx to implement five student-generated experiments in which students served as subjects. The pedagogical rationale for the exercise was to give students a sense of investment and ownership in the process of scientific inquiry, to “create a demand” for knowledge of statistics and experimental methods, and to make a convincing case for empiricism as a way of knowing. The exercise generated enthusiasm, produced meaningful discussions, and increased students' understanding of experimentation, measurement, control, and statistics. It was concluded that providing students with this experience would not have been possible without a sophisticated authoring system, and that this student-centered discovery oriented approach may be used effectively in a number of natural science and social science courses where on-line experimentation is appropriate.
Effects of Modification Sequence on Structures and Properties of Hydroxypropylated and Crosslinked Waxy Maize Starch

The effects of modification sequence on chemical structures and physicochemical properties of hydroxypropylated (HP) and crosslinked (XL) waxy maize starch were investigated. The physicochemical properties, including pasting, gelling, and thermal properties, were studied. The chemical structures of dual-modified starches and their beta-limit dextrins were characterized with high-performance liquid chromatography. The HP-XL starch had higher Brabender viscosity than did the XL-HP starch at both pH 7 and 3; however, both showed similar gelling properties. Significantly higher onset and peak gelatinization temperatures, gelatinization enthalpy, and lower retrogradation were observed for the HP-XL starch. The HP-XL starch also exhibited significantly higher beta-amylolysis limit and higher content of low molecular weight saccharides in its isoamylase-debranched starch, suggesting its structure was more accessible to enzymatic attack than the XL-HP starch. Structural analyses revealed different distribution patterns of modifying groups between the two modified starches. The results indicate that the modification sequence altered the susceptibility to enzymes, changed the locations of substitution, and modified the physicochemical properties of the HP and XL waxy maize starches.
The chemical utilization of fats and oils. III. Ester-amides of certain aminoalcohols as plasticizers

A number of ester-amides and diester-amides of aminoalcohols were prepared and evaluated as plasticizers. Screening tests established the necessity of a secondary amine group in the aminoalcohol to impart the desired degree of compatibility with vinyl resins. Optimum plasticizer properties were attained with the C8 and C10 diester-amides of diethanolamine. The mixture of caprylic and capric acids as obtained from coconut oil was convenient and economical.
An Effective Mixed Annealing/Heuristic Algorithm for Problems in Mechanical Design

The wide application of stochastic optimization methods in mechanical design has been partially hindered due to (a) the relatively long computation time required, and (b) discretization of the design space at the onset of the optimization process. This work proposes a new stochastic algorithm, the Mixed Annealing/Heuristic Algorithm (MAH), which addresses both these issues. It is based on the Simulated Annealing algorithm (SA) and the Heuristic Optimization Technique (HOT). Both these algorithms have been successfully applied to problems in mechanical design and up to now have been considered as competing algorithms. MAH capitalizes on each of their individual strengths and addresses their weaknesses, thereby considerably reducing the computational effort required to attain the final solution. A pseudo-continuous approach for configuration generation is employed, making the discretization of the design space no longer necessary. The effectiveness of MAH is demonstrated via three problems in kinematic synthesis. Comparison of the results with other stochastic optimization methods illustrates the potential of this technique.
New Developments in Understanding Cardiovascular Disease and the Implications for Social Work

ABSTRACT Cardiovascular disease is now viewed as an inflammatory disease. An index of chronic inflammation (viz., C-Reactive Protein) is as good a predictor of heart attacks as are fats in blood. The data suggest that stressful events are so closely associated with chronic inflammatory states, that the body's stress response can be viewed as an inflammatory state. This paper summarizes and explains the link between stress and cardiovascular disease. Negative health outcomes, particularly for cardiovascular diseases, are higher among those of lower socio-economic status. Differential stress among socio-economic tiers is considered as an explanation for the disparities. The literature linking cardiovascular risk factors to the Stressors of workplace unfairness and lack of control over working conditions is reviewed. The role of the Stressor of racism in explaining the higher rates of cardiovascular mortality in African Americans is discussed. Finally, for societies with wider gaps in income between the rich...
Topical Diclofenac Sodium in the Management of Anesthetic Abuse Keratopathy

Abstract Purpose: To report a case of anesthetic abuse keratopathy and to suggest the use of topical diclofenac sodium in the management of this disorder. Method: Narcotics and topical diclofenac were used to control pain in a patient who developed a corneal ulcer after abusing topical anesthetics. Result: After the institution of topical diclofenac, the patient reported substantial improvement in comfort and less reliance on narcotic agents for analgesia. Conclusion: We found topical diclofenac to be useful in controlling pain in this patient with anesthetic abuse keratopathy.