cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Accuracy and Reproducibility of RV Volume Measurements by CMR in Congenital Heart Disease

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine whether right ventricular (RV) volumes are more accurately and reproducibly measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in an axial orientation or in a short-axis orientation in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Background There is little agreement on the most suitable imaging plane for RV volumetric analysis in the setting of abnormal RV physiology. Methods Measurements of RV volumes from datasets acquired in axial and short-axis orientations were made in 50 patients with CHD. RV stroke volumes (SV) calculated using these 2 methods were compared with forward flow measured in the pulmonary trunk by phase contrast (PC) imaging. Repeated volume measurements were made to assess intraobserver and interobserver reliability. Bland-Altman plots and Lin9s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) were used for all analyses of agreement. Results Analysis of all subjects revealed a statistically significant difference in interobserver reliability of RV end-systolic volume (ESV) measurements that favored the axial method (p = 0.047). The magnitude of measurement differences between observers in this case was small (−2.8 ml/m2; 95% confidence interval: −5.6 to 0.0). There was no difference between the 2 contouring methods in terms of intraobserver reliability in measurements of RV end-diastolic volume (EDV), ESV, ejection fraction, or SV (p > 0.05 in all cases). In subjects with RV EDV ≥150 ml/m2, RV SV measured using axial contours yielded better agreement with forward flow measured in the pulmonary trunk (CCC = 0.63) than did measurements made using short-axis contours (CCC = 0.56; p = 0.007). Conclusions Trends favoring the axial orientation in terms of reproducibility were not clinically significant. In subjects with RV EDV ≥150 ml/m2, the axial orientation yields RV volume measurements that agree more closely with flow measured in the pulmonary trunk than does the short-axis orientation.
The cost-effectiveness of endovascular repair versus open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms: A decision analysis model

Abstract Purpose: Endovascular repair (EVR) is a less-invasive method for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) as compared with open surgical repair (OSR). The potential benefits of EVR include increased patient acceptance, less resource utilization, and cost savings. This study was designed to determine whether the EVR of AAAs is a cost-effective alternative to OSR. Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed using a Markov decision analysis model to compute long-term survival rates in quality-adjusted life years and lifetime costs for a hypothetical cohort of patients who underwent either OSR or EVR. Probability estimates of the different outcomes of the two alternative strategies were made on the basis of a review of the literature. The average costs of (1) the immediate hospitalization ($16,016 for OSR, $20,083 for EVR), (2) the complications that resulted from each procedure, (3) the subsequent interventions, and (4) the surveillance protocol were determined on the basis of average resource utilization as reported in the literature and from our hospital's cost accounting system. Our measure of outcome was the cost-effectiveness ratio. Results: For our base-case analysis (70-year-old men with 5-cm AAAs), EVR was cost-effective with a cost-effectiveness ratio of $22,826—society usually is willing to pay for interventions with cost-effectiveness ratios of less than $60,000 (eg, cost-effectiveness ratios for coronary artery bypass grafting and dialysis are $9500 and $54,400, respectively). This conclusion did not vary significantly with increases in procedural costs for EVR (ie, if the cost of the endograft increased from $8000 to $12,000, EVR remained cost-effective with a cost-effectiveness ratio of $32,881). The cost-effectiveness of EVR was critically dependent on EVR producing a large reduction in the combined mortality and long-term morbidity rate (stroke, dialysis-dependent renal failure, major amputation, myocardial infarction) as compared with OSR (ie, a reduction in the combined mortality and long-term morbidity rate of OSR from 9.1% to 4.7% made EVR no longer cost-effective). Conclusion: Despite the high cost of new technology and the need for close postoperative surveillance, EVR is a cost-effective alternative for the repair of AAAs. However, the cost-effectiveness of this new technology is critically dependent on its potential to reduce morbidity and mortality rates as compared with OSR. EVR may not be cost-effective in medical centers where OSR can be performed with low risk. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:958-72.)
Stability of Magnitude-Production Scales for Lingual Vibrotactile Sensation

The stability of lingual vibrotactile magnitude scales produced by the method of magnitude production was investigated for 10 adult subjects. These subjects produced highly stable magnitude scales across two test sessions separated by 1 wk. The subjects appeared to use absolute rather than ratio scales in the magnitude-production task. A discussion of the stability of the scales is conducted with reference to the likelihood of an internal, absolute mechanism for magnitude scaling.
Observed increases in positive affect during behavioral treatment

A 15-year-old female diagnosed with mental retardation was admitted to an inpatient facility for the assessment and treatment of a severe behavior disorder. A behavioral treatment to reduce destructive behavior consisting of enriched environment, differential reinforcement, and time-out was evaluated in a reversal design. Data on affect were collected during baseline and treatment phases. In addition to achieving clinically significant reductions in problem behavior, collateral improvements in positive affect were observed during treatment phases. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure of the N-WASP EVH1 Domain-WIP Complex: Insight into the Molecular Basis of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome

Missense mutants that cause the immune disorder Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) map primarily to the Enabled/VASP homology 1 (EVH1) domain of the actin regulatory protein WASP. This domain has been implicated in both peptide and phospholipid binding. We show here that the N-WASP EVH1 domain does not bind phosphatidyl inositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate, as previously reported, but does specifically bind a 25 residue motif from the WASP Interacting Protein (WIP). The NMR structure of the complex reveals a novel recognition mechanism-the WIP ligand, which is far longer than canonical EVH1 ligands, wraps around the domain, contacting a narrow but extended surface. This recognition mechanism provides a basis for understanding the effects of mutations that cause WAS.
Microwave irradiation as a generator of heat for histological fixation.

The kitchen appliance known as the “radar oven” generates heat quickly in materials containing water. Protoplasm exposed to the irradiation can thus be denatured. The amount of heat generated is a function of the time of exposure and the intensity of the irradiation, and the size and specific heat of the tissue or organism being irradiated. But docs such heating have applicabiity to histological technique? One of four carcas temperaturea (approximately 60°, 70°, 77°, and 85 C) was generated in anaesthetized, adult hairless mice of both sexes. “Control” animals were not irradiated. Specimens of liver, kidney, lung, and (from males) testis were taken from the five groups; the tissue spedmens were dehydrated in tetrahydrofuran, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 9 μm, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The preparations were suitable for histological examination. Each organ had an optimum temperature for histological fixation under the conditions of this experiment: liver, ∼70°; kidney, ∼77°; lung, ∼77°;...
Interior Design Supports Art Education: A Case Study

Interior design, as a field of study, is a rapidly growing area of interest — particularly for teenagers in the United States. Part of this interest stems from the proliferation of design-related reality shows available through television media. Some art educators and curriculum specialists in the nation perceive the study of interior spaces as a ‘practical application’ of the arts. This article discusses an experiential design problem, originally used in higher education interior design studio courses that was modified and shared with students in third grade to address national academic standards. Later, this same project was modified for use with high school students in the educator's community and with international design students in South Korea. Lastly, the project was presented in a workshop to art education students at a higher education institution. The project was modified to address (1) the age group level and (2) a topic relevant to the audience. Goals of the design project were: (1) to explore creative problem-solving, (2) to explore the application of design elements and principles, and (3) to increase student understanding of spatial relationships within an interior environment. Findings indicate that the project supported several visual art standards, including perception and community. This project may be of interest to current and future art educators and others interested in the potential of interior design content supporting art education.
Clinical Profiling of BCL-2 Family Members in the Setting of BRAF Inhibition Offers a Rationale for Targeting De Novo Resistance Using BH3 Mimetics

While response rates to BRAF inhibitiors (BRAFi) are high, disease progression emerges quickly. One strategy to delay the onset of resistance is to target anti-apoptotic proteins such as BCL-2, known to be associated with a poor prognosis. We analyzed BCL-2 family member expression levels of 34 samples from 17 patients collected before and 10 to 14 days after treatment initiation with either vemurafenib or dabrafenib/trametinib combination. The observed changes in mRNA and protein levels with BRAFi treatment led us to hypothesize that combining BRAFi with a BCL-2 inhibitor (the BH3-mimetic navitoclax) would improve outcome. We tested this hypothesis in cell lines and in mice. Pretreatment mRNA levels of BCL-2 negatively correlated with maximal tumor regression. Early increases in mRNA levels were seen in BIM, BCL-XL, BID and BCL2-W, as were decreases in MCL-1 and BCL2A. No significant changes were observed with BCL-2. Using reverse phase protein array (RPPA), significant increases in protein levels were found in BIM and BID. No changes in mRNA or protein correlated with response. Concurrent BRAF (PLX4720) and BCL2 (navitoclax) inhibition synergistically reduced viability in BRAF mutant cell lines and correlated with down-modulation of MCL-1 and BIM induction after PLX4720 treatment. In xenograft models, navitoclax enhanced the efficacy of PLX4720. The combination of a selective BRAF inhibitor with a BH3-mimetic promises to be an important therapeutic strategy capable of enhancing the clinical efficacy of BRAF inhibition in many patients that might otherwise succumb quickly to de novo resistance. Trial registrations: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01006980; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01107418; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01264380; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01248936; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00949702; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01072175.
Inhibition of mixing and self-focusing in high Mach number turbulence

It is shown that the hypothesis that eddy shocklets dissipate excess kinetic energy in compressible flow and thus limit the effective eddy Mach number to order 1 leads to the inhibition of mixing and self-focusing of turbulent jets at high Mach numbers, in agreement with experiment.
Reconsidering differential behaviors: reflection and teacher judgment when forming classroom relationships

Positive teacher–student relationships promote growth in students both academically and socially, but in today’s ever-changing classrooms creating such positive relationships can be a challenge. This study attempts to look at the influences on teacher thinking and judgment when creating and maintaining relationships. This is done by examining the relationships that developed across a year between a second-grade teacher and two of her students. The teacher participated in a systematic reflection activity that focused her attention on how emotionally close she felt to her students. Across the year the insight gained by the teacher as she participated in the reflective exercise influenced her perceptions of students and led to changes in her concerted actions towards them. The findings indicate that variation in relationships between the teacher and individual students in the classroom can be attributed to differentiated behavior based on the teacher’s perception of student need, teacher ability to meet that...
Molecular cloning and expression in E. coli of a yeast gene coding for β-galactosidase

The yeast Kluyveromyces lactis synthesizes a beta-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.32) which is inducible by lactose. We have isolated the gene that codes for this enzyme using recombinant DNA techniques. K. lactis DNA was partially digested with the restriction endonuclease Eco R1 and joined to Eco R1-digested pBR322 plasmid DNA using DNA ligase. ligase. A lac-mutant of Escherichia coli lacking the structural gene for beta-galactosidase was transformed with ligated DNA. Three lac+ transformants containing recombinant plasmids were selected. Two of the plasmids (pK15 and pK17) contain four Eco R1-K. lactis DNA fragments having molecular weights of 2.2, 1.4, 0.55 and 0.5 x 10(6) daltons. The other plasmid (pK16) lacks the smallest fragment. E. coli carrying any of these plasmids produce beta-galactosidase activity that has a sedimentation coefficient and immunological determinants that are nearly identical to K. lactis beta-galactosidase and distinctly different from E. coli beta-galactosidase. DNA-DNA hybridization studies show that the four Eco R1 fragments in pK15 hybridize to K. lactis but not to E. coli DNA.
Anisotropic Cascades in Interstellar Medium Turbulence

Anisotropic turbulent cascades in the solar wind and interstellar medium (ISM) are investigated using three-dimensional incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations with a numerical resolution of 2563. In the absence of an external magnetic field (B0 = 0), the anisotropy in the MHD turbulent fluctuations is mediated primarily by the local magnetic field. The latter leads to a disparity in the spectral transfer of energy along and across the local mean magnetic field. While the anisotropic cascades give rise to the relationship ∥ ∝ between the parallel (∥ ~ 1/k∥) and perpendicular (⊥ ~ 1/k⊥) length scales of the eddies relative to the local magnetic field, the global energy is found to obey a Kolmogorov-like k-5/3 anisotropic spectrum in our simulations where turbulence is predominantly subcritical. In the latter, the turbulent cascades are dominated by the nonlinear eddy turnover timescales compared to the linear Alfven wave periods. The critical-balance criterion is therefore not necessarily satisfied in fully developed, strong, anisotropic, high plasma-β magnetofluid ISM turbulence.
The effect of long time delays in predator-prey systems.

Abstract Past studies have indicated that a time delay longer than the natural period of a system will generally cause instability; however here it is shown that including long maturational time delays in a general predator-prey model need not have this effect. In each of the three cases studied (a predator delay, a prey delay, and both), local stability can persevere despite the presence of arbitrarily long time delays. This perseverence depends upon an interaction between delayed and undelayed features of the model. Delayed processes always act to destabilize the model. For example, prey self-regulation, usually a source of stability, becomes destabilizing if subject to a long delay. However, the effect of such a delay is offset by undelayed regulatory processes, such as a stabilizing functional reponse. In addition, the adverse effects of delayed predator recruitment can be reduced by the nonreproductive component of the numerical reponse, a feature not usually involved in determining stability. Finally, it is shown that long time delays are not necessarily more disruptive than short delays; it cannot be assumed that lengthening a time delay progessively reduces stability.
An unusual cash control procedure

Abstract This one-page case describes a self-service merchandising approach in an unusual setting. The cash control procedure described in the case has been used successfully for years, but students overwhelmingly reject it as unworkable or foolish. Classroom discussion of the case can highlight issues of creative thinking, non-value-added activities, cost–benefit analysis, and the psychology of “honest” behavior.
A SIMPLE METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF TETRACYCLINE ANTIBIOTICS.

Abstract A rapid, simple, and sensitive method for the quantitative estimation of the tetracycline antibiotics is described. This method is based on measurement of the fluorescent emission of products obtained by treatment of these substances with dilute acid at 100°C. It is applicable to measurement of tetracycline antibiotics in various biological materials, and its use for estimation of anhydrotetracycline in commercial samples of tetracycline is discussed.
Die Permeabilität der äußeren Bakterienmembran

Ein beliebtes Objekt fur das Studium von Struktur/Funktions-Beziehungen bei biologischen Membranen ist die ausere Membran Gram-negativer Bakterien. Diese Membran hat u.a. die Aufgabe, den Einstrom von Nahrungsstoffen und den Ausstrom von Abfallprodukten zu ermoglichen. Untersuchungen unter Verwendung von Mutanten zeigten, das es mindestens zwei allgemeine Wege fur die Diffusion kleiner Molekule durch die ausere Membran gibt: einen fur hydrophobe und einen fur hydrophile Verbindungen. Beim „hydrophoben Weg” lost sich die hydrophobe Verbindung im Inneren der Membran und verlast es entsprechend dem Verteilungskoeffizienten. Bei Wildtypformen ist dieser Weg nicht gangbar – vermutlich wegen des Fehlens von Bereichen mit Phospholipid-Doppelschichten. Kleine hydrophile Molekule durchdringen die Membran dagegen beim Wildtyp und bei Mutanten durch wassergefullte Poren.
Permanent pacing in children: Acute lead implantation and long-term follow-up

Abstract Optimal pacing in children mandates the proper selection of the pacing electrode system and appropriate follow-up testing. This review discusses factors that influence electrode selection, acute and chronic thresholds to be expected from each electrode type, electrode longevity in the child, and appropriate follow-up techniques applicable to the pediatric patient. Much information in this article is drawn from the Midwest Pediatric Pacemaker Registry. Epicardial electrode implantation has been the classic mode of electrode implantation used in children, but the endocardial approach has been increasingly used. At the current time, epicardial electrodes account for ~60% of electrodes implanted in children. Factors that require use of epicardial over endocardial pacing are small size of the patient, lack of venous access to the ventricle, the presence of right-to-left intracardiac shunting with risk of systemic embolization, and/or clotting abnormalities with an increased risk of large pulmonary emboli or the development of vena caval obstruction. The minimum size of the child deemed appropriate for endocardial pacing is controversial. Smaller electrode and generator size have decreased the lower age and weight at which endocardial implantation can be performed. However, the long-term consequences of long-term endocardial pacing in children is unknown. The most common source of epicardial electrode malfunction is electrode fracture, and the average longevity is 8.3 years. Long-term endocardial electrode failure is due predominantly to electrode fracture, with an average longevity >9 years. Finally, follow-up techniques are critical to ensure continued appropriate pacemaker system function because the underlying electrophysiological state may change. Follow-up techniques include pacemaker interrogation and threshold testing at the time of pacemaker clinic visit, ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring, transtelephonic electrocardiographic monitoring and exercise testing. All techniques need to be used to ensure appropriate pacemaker function and programming.
Using logic to handle conflicts between system, component, and infrastructure goals in complex robotic architectures

Complex robots with many interacting components in their control architectures are subject to component failures from which neither the control architecture nor the implementing infrastructure can recover. Moreover, the operating conditions for these components might be at odds with goals the robot might have adopted (e.g., through external commands or in the course of the execution of the current task). We argue that the best (if not the only) way to resolve any difficulties that arise from the different requirements at the agent, component and infrastructure levels is to use a common formal logical goal representation for all three layers. We discuss how these representations can be integrated into a complex robotic architecture and demonstrate in an experimental evaluation on a robot how the architecture can recover from a failure situation that it would not have been able to handle without explicit multi-level unified goal representations and their associated monitoring and reasoning processes.
Airborne ragweed allergens: Association with various particle sizes and short ragweed plant parts

Abstract These investigations were undertaken to size airborne particles by use of a high-volume sampler and to measure the short ragweed allergen activity of airborne particles of different sizes. We found both in vitro and in vivo short ragweed allergen activity in particles of all size ranges including >6, 3 to 6, 1.8 to 3, 1 to 1.8, and 0.3 to 1.0 μm in diameter. Furthermore, we investigated various parts of the short ragweed plant as possible sources of allergen. Plant parts collected before, during, and after the pollination season demonstrated significant in vitro and in vivo allergen activities. We demonstrated allergen activity in various plant parts, especially the inflorescence, as late as November 30. Appreciable ragweed allergenic activity was also associated with particles
FTIR study of ageing epoxy resin reinforced by reactive graphitic nanofibers

We previously developed a novel modified epoxy matrix for macrocomposites using reactive graphitic nanofibers (r-GNFs), which showed improved mechanical properties. This article is devoted to study the efficacy of the r-GNFs against the damage due to exposition of the matrix to hygrothermal environment and UV radiation. Moisture sorption characteristics of the pure epoxy and nanoepoxy were investigated and all kinds of matrices showed similar absorption behavior. Both diffusion and relaxation processes in sorption were observed. DSC curves of nonaged specimens of all concentrations confirmed that samples were not fully cured and r-GNFs lowered the curing degree. The effects of ageing were studied through the changes of molecular conformation by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that UV radiation assists in post-curing of the matrices. Hydroxyl unit, carbonyl unit, and epoxide unit were chosen to study the degradation. It is observed that the degradation due to UV radiation is more severe compared with that due to hygrothermal expose. It also reveals that r-GNFs resist the degradation of the epoxy resin; particularly, the nanoepoxy with 0.3 wt % of r-GNFs has the highest ageing resistance, which is in agreement with our previously tested results of mechanical properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
The relationships between the positive reinforcing and satiating effects of a meal in the rat

Abstract To investigate the relationships between the positive reinforcing and satiating effects of ingested food, we compared the positive reinforcing effect that determines the development of preference for flavor and spout location of food that was really fed and elicited satiety with food that was sham fed and did not elicit satiety. When 17 hr food deprived rats sham fed the same volume of liquid food that they ingested in a real meal or when they sham fed for an interval that was equivalent to the duration of a real meal, they did not develop a preference for the flavor and location of food associated with real feeding or sham feeding. Since sham feeding did not elicit the behavioral sequence of satiety, the occurrence of satiety at the end of a meal did not have a measurable positive reinforcing effect under these conditions. When sham feeding was sustained for 60 min, however, rats developed a preference for the flavor and location of the food that was really fed. Under this condition, therefore, the occurrence of satiety was associated with the development of preference. It is not clear whether this association means that satiety had a positive reinforcing effect under this condition or whether satiety prevented the occurrence of a negative reinforcing effect of sham feeding when sham feeding was sustained for 60 min. Since rats sham fed approximately 6 times as much food in 60 min as they ingested in a real meal, this result also demonstrates that the positive reinforcing effect of food that determines the development of preference is not identical with the positive reinforcing effect of food that sustains sham feeding.
Schools, schooling and children's support of their ageing parents in rural Nepal.

Intergenerational transfers play an important role in individuals' lives across the life course. In this paper I pull together theories on intergenerational transfers and social change to inform our understanding of how changes in the educational context influence children's support of their parents. By examining multiple aspects of a couple's educational context, including husbands' and wives' education and exposure to schools, this paper provides new information on the mechanisms through which changes in social context influence children's support of their parents. Using data from a rural Nepalese area I use multilevel logistic regression to estimate the relationship between schooling, exposure to schools, and the likelihood of couples giving to their parents. I find that both schooling and exposure to schools itself have separate, opposite effects on support of aging parents. Higher levels of schooling for husbands was associated with a higher likelihood of having given support to husbands' parents. On the other hand, increased exposure to schools for husbands and wives was associated with a lower likelihood of having given to wives' parents. Findings constitute evidence that multiple motivations for intergenerational support exist simultaneously and are related to social context through different mechanisms.
DNA-ethidium reaction kinetics: demonstration of direct ligand transfer between DNA binding sites.

Abstract Study of the relaxation kinetics of the interaction of ethidium and DNA reveals a novel and potentially important general binding mechanism, namely direct transfer of the ligand between DNA binding sites without requiring dissociation to free ligand. The measurable relaxation spectrum shows three relaxation times, indicating that three bound dye species are present at equilibrium; about 80% of the dye is in the major intercalated form. For each relaxation the reciprocal relaxation time varies linearly with concentration up to very high DNA concentrations. The failure of the longer relaxation times to plateau at high concentration can be accounted for by including a bimolecular pathway for conversion from one complex form to another. This we envisage as direct transfer of an ethidium molecule, bound to one DNA molecule, to an empty binding site on another DNA molecule. Additional evidence for this direct transfer mechanism was obtained from an experiment showing that DNA (which binds ethidium relatively rapidly) accelerates the binding of ethidium to poly(rA) · poly(rU), presumably by first forming a DNA-ethidium complex and then transferring the ethidium to RNA. The bimolecular rate constant for transfer is found to be about four times larger than the constant for intercalating the free dye. The transfer pathway thus provides a highly efficient means for the ligand to equilibrate over its DNA binding sites, especially at high polymer concentration. The potential importance of direct transfer for DNA-binding regulatory proteins is emphasized.
The isostructural γ-sulfur phase of selenium-sulfur, SenS8−n

Abstract Two new selenium-sulfur species, Se 1.1 S 6.9 (yellow) and Se 3.7 S 4.3 (orange), have been isolated as single crystals, and the corresponding structures have been determined. The space group is P 2c, and the parameters are a = 8.34 A˚, b = 13.11 A˚, c = 9.30 A˚, β = 123.9° and a = 8.40 A˚, b = 13.26 A˚, c = 9.37 A˚, β = 124.5°, respectively. They are isostructural with γ-sulfur, having two distinct pairs of eight membered rings in the unit cell. The selenium and sulfur atoms appear scrambled throughout all atomic positions, but are not scrambled equally. When atomic site occupancy data are combined with other data from the literature, a wide compositional continuum of γ-sulfur isostructures is revealed that extends from γ-sulfur to SeS. It appears unlikely that selenium-sulfur crystals exist having the γ-sulfur structure with more than half the atoms as selenium.
Why test? Talent loss and enrollment loss

Abstract Among low- and average-scorers on high school achievement tests, whites are less likely than blacks to pursue an education after high school, but among high-scorers on these tests, blacks are less likely to do so. The interpretation is that whites with low or average test scores have low motivation to attend college and that blacks with high scores are handicapped by the lesser quality of high schools they attend. After analyzing the probability of attending any postsecondary institution, results are presented for enrolling in different types of college programs, including bachelors, associates, and a one-year program. When high school rank is substituted for test score, the findings show that high-scoring blacks are not penalized. Finally, when an indicator of educational aspirations is included in the analytical models, race has no independent effect on the likelihood of attending a postsecondary institution.
Nontraditional Validity Calculations and Differential Interviewer Experience: Implications for Selection Interviews:

The traditional way to calculate the criterion-related validity of selection interviews was compared to two nontraditional techniques. College admissions interview ratings were the predictors, and college GPAs were the criteria. Traditional interview-GPA correlations usually were not significant, whereas statistical techniques set forth by Dreher, Ash, and Hancock (1988) and Kenny and La Voie (1985) usually yielded significant validities. The differences were more pronounced when separate analyses were conducted for groups of experienced and inexperienced interviewers. Only the latter ratings provided valid predictors of GPA, and other analyses suggested that the underlying judgments were more complex.
The importance of latency in the focality of perfusion and oxygenation changes associated with triggered afterdischarges in human cortex

The spatiotemporal dynamics of neurovascular coupling during epilepsy are not well understood, and there are little data from studies of the human brain. We investigated changes in total hemoglobin (Hbt) and hemoglobin oxygenation in patients undergoing epilepsy surgery with intraoperative intrinsic optical spectroscopy (IOS) during triggered afterdischarges (ADs). We found an early (approximately 0.5 secs) focal dip in hemoglobin oxygenation, arising precisely in the stimulated gyrus that lasted for 11.5+/-10.0 secs, approximately the length of the AD (10.4+/-4.4 secs). A later oxygen overshoot and increase in blood volume occurred in the adjacent surrounding gyri. After a significant delay (approximately 20 to 30 secs), the overshoot and blood volume signal became extremely focal to the area of the onset of the AD. A smaller very late undershoot, the last phase of the 'triphasic' response, was also identified, although localization was inconsistent. In this study, we show that a 'late focal overshoot' and late Hbt signal may be extremely useful, in addition to the early dip, for the localization of seizure onset. It is likely that a separate mechanism underlies the persistent focal increase in cerebral blood volume after a long-duration cortical stimulation, compared with the nonspecific mechanism that causes the initial increase in cerebral blood flow.
An application of kernel-based versus one-to-one propensity score matching for a nonexperimental causal study: example from a disease management program evaluation

Objective: To discuss and compare kernel-based matching with one-to-one propensity score matching applied to disease management. Data sources: Administrative claims data from a US Medicaid fee for service plan. Study design: Matched two group analyses using both kernel-based matching and one-to-one propensity score matching. This comparison is applied to the estimation of diabetes disease management treatment effects. Principle findings: Kernel-based matching is found to be better than one-to-one propensity score matching when there is no sufficient number of potential controls from which to draw a matched cohort but similar when there is a sufficient number of potential controls. Matching was applied in the context of a diabetes disease management program that showed an increase in management of each person's medical care through the disease management program. Conclusions: The approach provides a methodology for researchers to evaluate healthcare service innovations without a randomized trial design and...
Abstract 607: Enhanced inhibition of prostate cancer xenograft tumor growth by combining quercetin and green tea

The chemopreventive activity of green tea (GT) and green tea polyphenols (GTPs) in prostate cancer has been demonstrated in preclinical cell culture and animal models. However, extensive methylation of GTPs in vivo to less active methyl-metabolites may be limiting the anti-cancer activity of GT. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether quercetin (Q), a natural inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), will increase tissue concentrations of non-methylated GTPs and enhance the inhibition of xenograft tumor growth in severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice. Androgen-sensitive LAPC-4 prostate cancer cells were injected subcutaneously into SCID mice (n=12 per group). SCID mice were randomly assigned to four groups: control, GT, Q, and GT + Q treatment. The interventions were initiated when tumors reached volume of 10mm 3 . The final concentration of GTPs in brewed tea administered as drinking water was 0.07% and Q was supplemented in AIN-93G diet at a concentration of 4g/kg diet. There were no differences in food intake, body weight or water consumption during the intervention. Tissue bioavailability of GTPs was increased significantly by 2 to 3-fold in lung, kidney and xenograft tumors and showed a trend to increase by 1.3-fold in liver tissue by GT and Q treatment compared to GT alone. Methylation of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main polyphenol in green tea, was decreased in tissues from mice in the GT+Q group. After 6 weeks, tumor growth was inhibited by 16% (Q alone), 21% (GT alone), and 45% (GT+Q) compared to the control group. Western blot analysis demonstrated a significant inhibition of methyl transferases such as COMT (31%) and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) (52%) in tumors from the GT+Q group compared to the control. It has been demonstrated previously that EGCG can act as androgen receptor (AR) antagonist as well as inhibit angiogenesis via inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Together Q+GT inhibited protein expression of AR (35%), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (39%), and VEGF (25%) more than either GT or Q alone. This study demonstrates an enhanced inhibition of prostate tumor growth when GT and Q are co-administered and this is likely due to inhibition of methylation resulting in enhanced anti-tumor activity of EGCG via effects on angiogenesis, and androgen-mediated tumor growth. This study sets the stage for future human interventions to confirm the increase in bioavailability and chemoprevention using GT in combination with Q. This project was supported by DOD grant W81XWH-10-1-0298 and NIH grant RO3 CA150047-01. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 607. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-607
Conditions imposed by process statics on multivariable process dynamics

The steady-state behavior of a multivariable process system imposes certain necessary conditions on its dynamic behavior, particularly in any feedback control system containing integral action. These conditions are derived in general and compared with previous restricted results. A more flexible design view is allowed by the general result.
Injuries in overhead athletes: editorial comment.

While baseball has been played for more than 100 years, it was not until the middle of the 20th century that Dr. Bennett began writing about the unique injuries experienced by these athletes [2–4]. (In this issue, we have republished Bennett’s article from 1947 [10.1007/s11999-012-2335-2], and in 2008, we republished his article from 1959 [5].) In the 1970s and 1980s, Drs. Frank Jobe [6–8] and James Andrews [1, 9] began to specialize in the treatment of throwers and dedicated a substantial amount of time to improving the understanding of the mechanics of throwing and how those mechanics translated to the classic injuries seen. Elbow ulnar collateral ligament injuries, which at one time were career ending for pitchers, are now treated with surgical reconstruction that gets athletes back to their previous level of play more than 80% of the time [10]. The lay media suggest more than 10% of current major league baseball players have undergone ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. The same can be said about superior labral anterior-posterior lesions, which are now treated relatively easily with arthroscopic repair. More recently, with improvements in biomechanical testing and imaging, and with the use of arthroscopy, we have been better able to classify the adaptive and pathologic findings unique to throwers. To that end, we have organized a symposium to summarize some of the current thinking as it pertains to the treatment of these athletes. The reader will see injuries to baseball players are no longer limited to the shoulder and elbow. Treating these athletes appropriately hinges on knowing what is considered a normal adaptive response to throwing and being able to discern when these adaptations become pathologic. Successful treatment also depends on understanding that the forces experienced by the body during throwing activities are not just limited to the shoulder. Clearly, the hip, scapula, and elbow are intimately involved in throwing effectively and in dissipating the stresses generated during the throwing motion. While it has been said “baseball is America’s national pastime,” it has truly become a game played by athletes of all levels all over the world. To that end, treatment of the characteristic injuries experienced by baseball players is no longer limited to the United States. Doctors from places such as Europe and Asia are becoming thought leaders in this field, and this is represented in the articles chosen for this symposium. We believe this compilation represents much of the current thinking as it pertains to preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries that affect overhead athletes. More importantly, we believe these studies will inspire conversation and debate and act as a stimulus for future investigations. Fig. 1 Dr. Joshua S. Dines is shown Fig. 2 Dr. David W. Altchek is shown.
A study of energy consumption and reliability in a multi-hop sensor network

For a moderate-size, multi-hop, sensor network, we present experimental measurements of radio energy consumption and packet reliability. We categorize the energy measurements by energy consumed in each radio state and for each traffic type. Packet reliability results are presented from a network and link perspective, whereas prior work only considered the former. We introduce a novel technique of application-aware radio duty cycling called on-demand spatial TDMA. When compared to the non-cycling case, this technique can achieve greater than an order of magnitude reduction in idle energy consumption, while not sacrificing reliability. We show end-to-end packet loss rates as low as 0.04 when averaged over the network. Even with substantial idle energy savings, we identify radio idling as the dominate energy consumer and overhearing as the dominate traffic type.
Node-packing problems with integer rounding properties

This paper considers an integer programming formulation of the node-packing problem $\max \{ 1 \cdot x:Ax\leqq w,x\geqq 0,x\,{\text{integral}}\} $, and its linear programming relaxation, $\max \{ 1 \cdot x:Ax \leqq w,x\geqq 0\} $, where A is the edge-node incidence matrix of a graph G and w is a nonnegative integral vector. An excluded subgraph characterization quantifying the difference between the values of these two programs is given. One consequence of this characterization is an explicit description for the “integer rounding” case. Specifically, a characterization is given for graphs G with the property that for every subgraph of G and for any choice of w the optimum objective function values of these two problems differ by less than unity.
Mechanisms of enhanced HIV spread through T‐cell virological synapses

Summary An elaborate network of cell–cell interactions in the immune system is essential for vertebrates to mount adaptive immune responses against invading pathogens. For lymphotropic viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), these immune cell interactions can also promote the spread of the virus within the host. The main target of HIV-1 infection is the CD4+ helper T lymphocyte, a cell type that is responsible for coordinating immune responses and modulating effector responses to foreign antigens. As part of their normal immune surveillance duties, these cells migrate actively within lymphoid tissues and can travel from inductive sites to effector sites in search of their cognate antigen. For CD4+ T cells, there is an ongoing search for a unique peptide antigen presented in the context of class II MHC that can activate a proliferative or tolerogenic response. This iterative and continual probing and interrogation of other cells determine the outcome of immune responses. Recent studies in vitro have revealed that the viral infection program induces cell–cell interactions called virological synapses between infected and uninfected CD4+ T cells. These long-lived, virally induced adhesive contacts greatly enhance the rate of productive infection and may be central to the spread of the virus in vivo. Here, we review aspects of this efficient mode of cell-to-cell infection and the implications for our understanding of HIV-1 pathogenesis.
Pion-proton elastic scattering from 3 Gev/c to 5 Gev/c

Results of a spark chamber experiment on elastic scattering of pions on protons are presented and analyzed. The processes studied were ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}p$ at 2.92 GeV/c, and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ at 3.15, 4.13, and 4.95 GeV/c. The data are fitted to an exponential function of the four-momentum transfer, $t$, in several different ways in attempts to explore systematic energy and angular dependences. No shrinkage of the diffraction peak is seen in comparing the coefficients of a linear exponential fit for $|t|l0.4$ ${(\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^{2}$; at larger $|t|$, however, the cross section falls off with increasing energy. The large-angle differential cross section is examined for structure and is compared with all other large angle scattering data. The results are compared with proton-proton scattering data over the same energy range and substantial differences between the two processes are evident.
The influence of phosphate deficiency on nitrification

Ammonium sulphate applied to savanna grassland stimulated nitriteoxidizers in some plots but not in others. Extracts from the contrasting soils differed in suitability as growth media for nitrite-oxidizers. This difference could be eliminated by adding KH2PO4 or Na2HPO4 to the extracts. The concentration of available P was highest in soils where nitrite-oxidizers had responded to (NH4)2SO4.
436. Coxsackievirus A21 Has Potent Oncolytic Activity in Multiple Myeloma

The Enterovirus, Coxsackievirus A21 (CVA21) has been shown to have a significant oncolytic effect on melanoma tumors grown in mice (Shafren et al. Clin Cancer Res, 2004). CVA21 binds to decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and requires a second receptor intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) for entry into cells. We wanted to explore the effect of CVA21 on multiple myeloma cell lines and xenografts. CVA21 was propagated and titered on H1-HeLa cells. FACScan analysis was performed with human multiple myeloma cell lines (KAS6/1, MM1, JJN-3, ARH-77). All the cell lines tested were found to express surface receptors for both DAF and ICAM-1, making them viable candidates for CVA21 infection. We continued with in vitro studies and found cell lines that were incubated with decreasing amounts of CVA21, showed rapid cytopathic effect in doses as low as MOI = 0.0014 for three of the cell lines tested (dose for CPE with JJN-3 was MOI = 0.028). With in vivo studies in SCID mice bearing human myeloma xenografts, tumors quickly and completely responded to CVA21 (both IV and IT administration). However, as promptly as the tumors regressed the mice became sick with hind-limb paralysis and quickly died. Pathology reports showed complete ablation of all tumor tissue but also signs of widespread myositis in muscle tissues. CVA21 virus was recovered from muscle biopsies but there was no evidence of CNS infection. Toxicity was observed in tumor bearing animals with a CVA21 dose as low as 560 TCID50. In an attempt to ameliorate the myositis, adenoviruses coding for mouse IFN-|[alpha]| was administered prior to CVA21 therapy. Blood levels of IFN-|[alpha]| were measured by ELISA and were 1500-3000 pg/ml compared to 150 pg/ml in untreated control mice. However, there was little impact on tumor response or survival. CVA21 is a promising anti-myeloma agent but its associated toxicity in SCID mice is a major concern. Potential solutions to this problem are currently under investigation.
Quantitative Analysis of Transaction Level Models for the AMBA Bus

The increasing complexity of embedded systems pushes system designers to higher levels of abstraction. Transaction Level Modeling (TLM) has been proposed to model communication in systems in an abstract manner. Although being widely accepted, TLMs have not been analyzed for their loss in accuracy. This paper will analyze and quantify the speed-accuracy tradeoff of TLM using a case study on AMBA, an industry bus standard. It shows the results of modeling the Advanced High-performance Bus (AHB) of AMBA using a set of models at different abstraction levels. The analysis of the simulation speed shows improvements of two orders of magnitude for each TLM abstraction, while the timing in the model remains accurate for many applications. As a result, the paper will classify the different models towards their applicability in typical modeling situations, allowing the system designer to achieve fast and accurate simulation of communication.