cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavior of Campoletis perdistinctus (Viereck) as a Parasite of the Tobacco Budworm

Eggs of Campoletis perdistinctus (Viereck) laid in 3- to 5-day-old larvae of the tobacco bud worm, Heliothis virescens (F.), developed to the cocoon stage in 8.1 days and to the adult stage in 14.5 days when they were reared in the laboratory at 36°C. Average development period to cocoon stage in 1-day-old larvae was ¼ longer and the maximum almost 2 times longer than in the older larvae. In field tests, 200 2-day-old larvae of the tobacco bud worm and 4, 8, 16, or 32 pairs of adult C. perdistinctus were introduced into 1.8×1.8×11-m (6×6×36-ft) cages; incidence of parasitism was greater (82%) when 8 females were used than when 4 females were used (52%), hut it did not increase when 16 or 32 females were used.
Abstract A114: Dietary magnesium and calcium intake and risk of prostate cancer in Caucasian and African American men

Dietary magnesium intake is significantly less in African Americans than Caucasians. Deficiency of magnesium influences immune-inflammatory response and induces oxidative stress that leads to increased cell proliferation and DNA damage. Low magnesium level also increases the physiologic effects of calcium. Therefore, we hypothesize that low dietary intake of magnesium and high calcium intake will increase the risk of developing prostate cancer among African American men. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a pilot case-control study to determine whether deficiency of dietary magnesium and a high calcium intake are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. This study included 209 cases with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate (110 African American and 99 Caucasian men). 199 population-based controls were frequency matched by age (±5 years) and race. Risk factor questionnaire and nutrition data were collected via telephone interview. Dietary Assessment was performed using Modified Block-NCI Food Frequency Questionnaire with 129 food items, questions about restaurant intake and vitamin mineral supplementation. Dietary intake was calculated using DIETSYS + Plus version 5.9 dietary analysis program. Nutrition data for 166 cases and 155 controls were available for this analysis. Mean magnesium and calcium intake did not vary significantly between cases and controls. The odds ratios for magnesium was 0.79 (95% CI 0.39–1.61) and for calcium 1.35 (95% CI 0.87–2.09). However, among African Americans, the odds ratio for magnesium was 0.28 (95% CI 0.08–1.05) and for calcium 1.9 (95% CI 1.05–3.40). These preliminary data suggest that high dietary magnesium intake is inversely associated with prostate cancer, while higher calcium intake is associated with increased risk among African American men. These data may have significant public health implications since the identification of African American men deficient of magnesium can be targeted for preventive interventions. Results of this study needs to be confirmed in future studies with larger sample size. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):A114.
Multi-Phase Flow Computation with Semi-Lagrangian Level Set Method on Adaptive Cartesian Grids

The level set method, introduced by Osher and Sethian in 1988, is a powerful numerical approach for computing multi-phase flow problems. In 1994, Sussman, et al employed the level set approach to solve 2D incompressible two-phase flow problems. This approach was improved again by Sussman, et al in 1998. These methods are accurate but designed for structured uniform meshes only. In this paper, a quadtree-based fast Semi-Lagrangian level set method is coupled with a characteristics upwind finite volume incompressible flow solver to tackle multi-phase flow problems. By using unstructured adaptive Cartesian grids with automatic refinement near the interface, the solution accuracy and efficiency is dramatically improved. Several representative multi-phase flow problems are tackled to evaluate the effectiveness of the method. The computational results using the adaptive grids are compared with the results using uniform grids to demonstrate the ability of the method.
Abstract 3345: Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) promotes expansion of breast tumor initiation cells through activation of Notch1-jagged signaling

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL EZH2 is an oncogene which has been recently shown to regulate the differentiation of tissue specific stem cells. However the role of EZH2 on mammary stem cells is unknown. Notch1 signaling has been implicated in cell-fate determination of human mammary stem cells. We hypothesized that EZH2 may contribute to initiation and expansion of mammary stem cells through activation of Notch1 signaling. Methods: We developed two cell culture models: an inducible EZH2 up regulation system in MCF10A benign mammary cells and a lentivirus-mediated shRNA interference targeting EZH2 in SUM149 breast cancer cells. Mammary stem cells were identified using ALDH1+ and CD44+/CD24- by FACS. The effect of EZH2 on the tumorigenic ability of ALDH-1 positive and negative SUM149 cells was studied in a xenograft mouse model. Results: We found preferential expression of EZH2 in the stem cell population of normal primary breast cells compared to non stem cells. In MCF10A cells, EZH2 overexpression, (EZ-OV), was predominantly increased in the ALDH-1+ population. When we tested the role of EZH2 in the stem cell population we found that EZH2-OV increased the stem cell population of MCF10A cells while EZH2-KD decreased it in SUM149 cells. Microarray analysis identified Notch1-Jagged1 signaling as the most significantly downregulated targets of EZH2 in ALDH+ vs. ALDH- SUM149 cells. Consistently, EZH2-OV in MCF10A and primary breast cells increased Notch1 mRNA specifically in the ALDH1+ population. EZH2-OV increased Notch1 protein level and promoter activity in MCF10A cells. Mechanistically, Notch1 inhibition by GSI reversed the effect of EZH2-OV in the stem cell population of MCF10A cells. Our in vivo studies demonstrated that EZH2 KD in SUM149 cells decreased the growth of ALDH-1+ cells in xenograft experiments. Consistently, EZH2 KD tumors exhibited decreased Notch1 and Jagged1 protein levels. Conclusion: Collectively, these results indicate that EZH2 regulates mammary stem cells and requires, at least in part the activation of Notch1 signaling. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3345. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3345
The AIDS Epidemic — Considerations for the 21st Century

Humankind has been besieged through-out its evolution by microorganisms that pose a continual challenge to the survival of the species.1 Although such ancient killers as tuberculosis and malaria persistently take a toll of millions of lives per year, occasionally the emergence or reemergence of a microbe results in an unexpected, catastrophic pandemic with global public health consequences. As we prepare to leave the 20th century, it is worth reflecting on the fact that within the framework of an enormous but constant burden of a variety of infectious diseases, as well as a number of mini-epidemics, this century has witnessed two . . .
What Rural Women Want the Public Health Community to Know About Access to Healthful Food: A Qualitative Study, 2011.

Introduction Living in a rural food desert has been linked to poor dietary habits. Understanding community perspectives about available resources and feasible solutions may inform strategies to improve food access in rural food deserts. The objective of our study was to identify resources and solutions to the food access problems of women in rural, southernmost Illinois.
Aerosol induction of sputum. A valuable aid in pulmonary diagnosis.

A safe, simple and effective method of inducing sputum utilizes a solution of saline and propylene glycol that is heated and nebulized and then breathed by the patient. This method produces sputum satisfactory for cytologic tests in nearly all patients. It is especially valuable for diagnosis in individuals with suspected neoplastic and infectious disorders.
E‐mentoring and its relevance for competency‐based education for students with disabilities: research from the GSAA BreakThru model

Background Communication and learning technologies to enable mentoring for students are important topics for online courses and competency-based education approaches. However, research results have been limited. The Georgia STEM Accessibility Alliance (GSAA) is a research project of the US National Science Foundation's Research in Disabilities Education (RDE) program. It is a collaborative RDE Alliance between the University of Georgia (UGA) and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Launched in 2010, GSAA seeks to enhance achievement of people with disabilities in STEM education and careers. Methods Core GSAA features are the use of virtual worlds, online, and smartphone technologies to enhance student success through mediated mentoring, collectively referred to as the BreakThru project. Results Georgia STEM Accessibility Alliance enrolled between 74 and 99 secondary and postsecondary mentees during its 4 years of mentoring activities. Participants involved in these activities reported a higher frequency of usage with communications platforms with which they were already acquainted, including e-mail, telephone, and SMS text messaging. Positive changes in these students’ internal characteristics (self-advocacy, self-determination, science and math anxiety, and intention to persist) also were documented. Conclusions Preliminary results from BreakThru can help inform course designers to maximize mentor/faculty effectiveness with students. Project results indicate both an improvement of student persistence and an improved skill in navigating critical transition points to employment.
Cardiac output in the fetal lamb: the effects of spontaneous and induced changes of heart rate on right and left ventricular output.

Right and left ventricular outputs were measured continuously in fetal lambs in utero for 2 to 21 days after implantation of electromagnetic flow transducers around the main pulmonary trunk and ascending aorta. Surface pacing electrodes were implanted on the left and right atria. The intact cervical vagus nerve was stimulated by electrodes implanted around the nerve. Spontaneous increases in fetal heart rate were associated with increases in both right and left ventricular outputs and spontaneous falls in heart rate with reduction in both outputs. There was a linear relationship between fetal heart rate and ventricular outputs. Vagal stimulation reduced fetal heart rate with a consistent and linear fall in ventricular output. Left atrial pacing increased right ventricular output by 15 to 20 per cent but produced a variable response, usually a fall, in left ventricular output. Right atrial pacing resulted in increases in both outputs but the increase in right ventricular output was less than during left atrial pacing at the same rate. The difference in response of ventricular outputs to induced as compared to spontaneous heart rate changes relates to the effects on left and right atrial phasic pressure relationships. These changes probably alter blood flow patterns across the foramen ovale.
Die TM-Komponente

Im vorigen Kapitel wurden die ‘Low-Level’-Kommunikationsfunktionen des Kerns beschrieben, die bedingt durch ihre geringe Komplexitat sehr allgemein und flexibel sind. Einerseits werden diese einfachen Funktionen benotigt, um eine Vielzahl von verschiedenen Kommunikationsmustern auf effiziente Weise unterstutzen zu konnen. Andererseits konnen jedoch Implementierungen wegen der geringen Komplexitat dieser Funktionen schwierig und zeitaufwendig werden.
Parenting and Adolescent Adjustment in Mexico: Initial Evidence of Validity for the Mexican Parenting Questionnaire for Adolescents (MPQ-A)

The present study examined the validity of a self-report parenting instrument for use with Mexican adolescents. The 13-item measure was adapted from the Mexican Parenting Questionnaire. The sample included 1123 adolescents (M age = 15.07, SD = 1.52) from Puebla, Mexico. Adolescents self-reported on six subscales of parenting (i.e., affection, verbal guidance, monitoring, communication, physical punishment and verbal punishment), as well as on measures of school grades, life satisfaction, familism, depressive and anxiety symptoms. Using confirmatory factor analyses, the original constructs were found to be a good fit with the data. Most subscales consisted of moderate levels of internal consistency and predicted several measures of adolescent adjustment in expected directions. Girls were more likely to report higher levels of monitoring, affection, and communication than boys. Adolescents who were younger and who reported lower school grades were more likely to report greater levels of physical punishment. Familism was positively associated with five of the six parenting dimensions (i.e., affection, verbal guidance, monitoring, physical punishment, and communication). Findings advance understanding on families and adolescent well-being in Mexico and may inform culturally competent services for clinicians who work with Mexican families.
Prevention of Early Arteriovenous Fistula Failure Due to Thromosis: Experience with Primary Thromboprophylaxis.

Background: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access for children with end stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis. Once AVF is surgically created, it takes 6 to 12 weeks to mature. Nearly 20 to 50% of AVFs fail to mature due to development of primary or secondary thrombosis. Currently there is no uniform strategy to prevent the thrombosis at AVF. We report our experience of using primary thromboprophylaxis (PTP) for prevention of thrombosis at AVF. Methods & Results: A strategy of PTP constituted an infusion of unfractionated heparin (UFH, 10 IU/kg/hr) for the first 24 hours after AVF surgery followed by subcutaneous injection of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH, 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/dose) twice daily until AVF was matured and successfully accessed. LMWH therapy was monitored by peak and trough anti-Xa levels. Target anti-Xa levels were maintained in therapeutic range (0.5 to 1.0 IU/ml) for those with history of thrombosis or associated risk factors for thrombosis while remaining patients were maintained in prophylactic range (0.2 to 0.5 IU/ml). Trough anti-Xa level was aimed to be les than 0.2 IU/ml. Total of 26 AVF were performed on 18 children from January 2001 to July 2006: 19 (73%) historical controls; 7 (27%) received PTP. Mean time for AVF maturation was 60 days (range: 33 to 88). Among 19 children, 14 received no thromboprophylaxis while 5 received aspirin (81 mg once daily). Eleven (79%) of 14 AVF in no treatment group failed: 9/14 (65%) due to thrombosis, 2/14 (14%) due to poor growth of venous segment. Among 5 children who received aspirin prophylaxis, 2 (40%) AVFs failed, 1 (20%) developed hematoma and 1 (20%) had poor growth. In PTP group, 2/7 (29%) AVF failed: 1 due to hematoma, 1 due to poor growth. Additional events in PTP group included: vasospasm-induced thrombosis requiring thrombectomy (n=1) and hematoma (n=2, one was salvaged by surgical evacualtion). Two children who developed hematoma had anti-Xa levels at 1.56 IU/ml and 0.6 IU/ml respectively. Presently 4/7 (57%) AVFs in PTP group are functioning well (Figure 1). The 7 th patient does not require hemodialysis. Three of the 5 children in the PTP group are still on LMWH (mean duration 6 months, mean anti-Xa level 0.6 IU/ml). Mean AVF survival was higher in children who received PTP (Day 100 survival: 57.14±18.7% versus 42.10±11.32% respectively; p 0.20; Figure 2). Small sample size thus far limits the meaningful statistical analysis. Conclusion: Our experience of LMWH thromboprophylaxis appears encouraging for prevention of AVF failure due to thrombosis. Close clinical and laboratory monitoring is required to prevent bleeding complications related to LMWH. More prospective data to expand our sample size will be required to clarify our observation.
Color Blind or Color Conscious? White American Mothers’ Approaches to Racial Socialization

This study investigated the extent to which White American mothers discuss race with their children, which topics they are willing to discuss, and why some choose not to discuss it. Data were gathered from 107 mothers of children aged 4 to 7 years. Most mothers indicated the topic was important to discuss, especially for the purpose of elimination of bias and discrimination. However, many reported having no or only vague discussions. Only 30% were categorized as having a color conscious approach, whereas 70% indicated a color blind or color mute approach. The latter seemed to presume their silence would lead children to not notice differences and thus remain unbiased. Many also indicated that they would only approach it if an issue came up or the child asked questions. Almost all mothers perceived their children to have no racial biases, but their diagnostic tools for discovering biases may be inadequate. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Application of Environmental Tracers in the Memphis Aquifer and Implication for Sustainability of Groundwater Resources in the Memphis Metropolitan Area, Tennessee

Fourteen years of results from environmental tracer sampling for 3H, He isotopes, noble gases, and SF6 in production wells screened in the Memphis aquifer in Memphis, Tennessee, are presented and used to determine the age and mass proportion of modern water (<60 years old) pumped from this regionally important public supply aquifer. The results indicate persistent presence of modern water in water pumped from one or more production wells in most of the well fields sampled. The percentage of modern water is quantified by three methods: tritium-loading history, inverse geochemical modeling, and lumped parameter modeling. The mixing percentages and ages determined from each technique are generally in agreement, but also emphasize the unique information provided by each tracer and associated modeling approaches. The implications of the tracer data for sustainability and vulnerability are also considered, especially in regard to potential water quality threats to the water supply in the Memphis, Tennessee, metropolitan area.
Generation of Wind Wave

The processes of wind-wave generation are examined in light of recent theoretical work by several applied mathematicians. Measurements of air pressure fluctuations over wind waves in laboratory tanks are presented, and the existence of a phase shift between the air pressure fluctuations and the water surface fluctuations (waves) is demonstrated through cross-spectral analysis of the two simultaneous records. The physical significance of the measurements and the related theories is discussed, and the relative significance of normal-pressure power transfer versus shear-stress power transfer is estimated. Measured growth rates are compared, in one instance, with those predicted by Miles' theory, and found to be in fair agreement. Finally, some of the limitations of existing theories are considered.
Tyrosine as a Non-perturbing Site-Specific Vibrational Reporter for Protein Dynamics

The ability to detect changes in the local environment of proteins is pivotal to determining their dynamic nature during many biological processes. For this purpose, the utility of the tyrosine ring breathing vibration as a sensitive infrared reporter for measuring the local electric field in protein is investigated. Variations in the bandwidth of this vibrational transition in a variety of solvents indicate differences in microenvironment affect the inhomogeneous broadening and thus the frequency distribution. The ring mode is influenced by direct and indirect interactions associated with the charge distribution of the surrounding solvent molecules. Molecular dynamics simulations were implemented to obtain a correlation between the electric field induced by the solvent on the mode and the observed vibrational bandwidth. Moreover, the Trp-cage was synthesized as a model peptide system to access the efficacy of the correlation to predict the electric field strength within the hydrophobic core of the native...
Failures of Inverse Foldingand Threading with Gapped Alignment

To calculate the tertiary structure of a protein from its amino acid se- quence, the thermodynamic approach requires a potential function of sequence and conforma- tion that has its global minimum at the native conformation for many different proteins. Here we study the behavior of such functions for the simplest model system that still has some of the features of the protein folding problem, namely two-dimensional square lattice chain configu- rations involving two residue types. First we show that even the given contact potential, which by definition is used to identify the fold- ing sequences and their unique native confor- mations, cannot always correctly select which sequences will fold to a given structure. Sec- ond, we demonstrate that the given contact po- tential is not always able to favor the native alignment of a native sequence on its own na- tive conformation over other gapped align- ments of different folding sequences onto that same conformation. Because of these shortcom- ings, even in this simple model system in which all conformations and all native sequences are known and determined directly by the given potential, we must reexamine our expectations for empirical potentials used for inverse folding and gapped alignment on more realistic repre- sentations of proteins. o 1996 Wiley-Liss, Ine.
Ocrelizumab and Other CD20 + B-Cell-Depleting Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis.

Selective depletion of CD20+ B cells by anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies as monotherapy in multiple sclerosis (MS) profoundly suppresses acute inflammatory disease activity and signifies an important advance in the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. Ocrelizumab, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is also the first proven therapy to lessen disability progression in primary progressive MS-a breakthrough for patients with a disease that had no proven therapy. Ocrelizumab is generally well tolerated, with the most common adverse events experienced being infusion reactions and infections. In ocrelizumab trials in MS a numerical imbalance in the risk of malignancies was observed. In this article, we review advances in anti-CD20 B-cell-depleting biological therapies for MS, including ocrelizumab, rituximab, and ofatumumab.
Performance and Compensation on the LPGA Tour: A Statistical Analysis

This paper investigates the determinants of player performance as measured by scoring average and earnings on the United States LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) tour for the 2004 season....
A magnetoresistive sensor array for nonintrusive power consumption monitoring

Circuit level energy metering is becoming increasingly important in energy savings and demand response applications. While smart meters efficiently monitor the residential energy consumption and make it available to the users, they fail to provide circuit level power consumption. In this study, an array of Giant Magneto Resistive (GMR) sensors are deployed on circuit breakers as stick-on sensors to measure circuit level power consumption. The magnetic field interactions caused by the circuits that are placed close to each other in the circuit breaker box are recorded and their impact on the GMR sensors are eliminated. An inverse model is proposed to remove the effect of cross coupling between the magnetic fields contributed by different circuits.
Population genomics of Fusarium graminearum reveals signatures of divergent evolution within a major cereal pathogen

The cereal pathogen Fusarium graminearum is the primary cause of Fusarium head blight (FHB) and a significant threat to food safety and crop production. To elucidate population structure and identify genomic targets of selection within major FHB pathogen populations in North America we sequenced the genomes of 60 diverse F. graminearum isolates. We also assembled the first pan-genome for F. graminearum to clarify population-level differences in gene content potentially contributing to pathogen diversity. Bayesian and phylogenomic analyses revealed genetic structure associated with isolates that produce the novel NX-2 mycotoxin, suggesting a North American population that has remained genetically distinct from other endemic and introduced cereal-infecting populations. Genome scans uncovered distinct signatures of selection within populations, focused in high diversity, frequently recombining regions. These patterns suggested selection for genomic divergence at the trichothecene toxin gene cluster and thirteen additional regions containing genes potentially involved in pathogen specialization. Gene content differences further distinguished populations, in that 121 genes showed population-specific patterns of conservation. Genes that differentiated populations had predicted functions related to pathogenesis, secondary metabolism and antagonistic interactions, though a subset had unique roles in temperature and light sensitivity. Our results indicated that F. graminearum populations are distinguished by dozens of genes with signatures of selection and an array of dispensable accessory genes, suggesting that FHB pathogen populations may be equipped with different traits to exploit the agroecosystem. These findings provide insights into the evolutionary processes and genomic features contributing to population divergence in plant pathogens, and highlight candidate genes for future functional studies of pathogen specialization across evolutionarily and ecologically diverse fungi.
An effort expenditure perspective on cancer-related fatigue.

Abstract While fatigue is the most common and debilitating side effect of cancer and cancer treatment it is still poorly understood, partly because it is usually characterized by patient-reported outcomes. As patient-reports are inherently subjective, behavioral correlates of the symptom of fatigue are needed to increase our understanding of the symptom. We focused on motivational effort expenditure as a crucial behavior in cancer-related fatigue, using a validated computerized task contrasting high effort/high reward and low effort/low reward choices under different probabilities of success. Effort expenditure-choices were analyzed in 47 cancer patients differing by their status; current evidence for disease (n = 17) or post-treatment survivors with no evidence for disease (n = 30). In addition, patient-reported fatigue, negative and positive affect, and biomarkers of inflammation were assessed. Patient-reported general and motivational fatigue, negative affect, and plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory biomarkers were related to higher effort expenditure while positive affect was associated with lower effort expenditure. As all four measures interacted with patient status, exploratory models were computed for patients and survivors separately. These analyses indicated that the effects of fatigue and negative affect were predominantly seen in survivors. In patients still under or shortly post treatment, general fatigue, but not motivational fatigue, was associated with lower effort expenditure but only in the most favorable reward condition. Negative affect did not have an effect. Thus, the effects observed seemed primarily driven by cancer survivors in whom both fatigue and negative affect were associated with higher effort expenditure. These findings are tentatively interpreted to suggest that a tendency to invest more effort despite feelings of fatigue is a vulnerability for developing chronic fatigue. Inflammation and negative affect might contribute to fatigue in some survivors through this effort investment pathway.
Age and Its Research Significance

Why would anyone want to study the psychology of aging? The popular stereotypes portray the older adult as a fragile and feeble person whose physical and mental capacities are continuously deteriorating. Many people would therefore consider it depressing to focus on the period of decline that seems to characterize the later adult years. Indeed, some cynics might claim that youthful investigators interested in the behavior of older adults have sadistic tendencies, while older investigators are definite masochists.
The Yang-Mills measure and symplectic structure over spaces of connections

A short overview is presented of: (i) the quantum field measure associated with pure Yang-Mills gauge theory on a compact surface, (ii) an approach to the symplectic structure on the [moduli] space of [flat] connections over compact oriented surfaces (with and without boundary), and (iii) the relation between the classical Yang-Mills measure and the volume measure on the moduli space of flat connections.
Distinct Apoptotic Responses Imparted by c-myc and max

The c-myc oncoprotein accelerates programmed cell death (apoptosis) after growth factor deprivation or pharmacological insult in many cell lines. We have shown that max, the obligate c-myc heterodimeric partner protein, also promotes apoptosis after serum withdrawal in NIH3T3 fibroblasts or cytokine deprivation in interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent 32D murine myeloid cells. We now show that c-myc– and max-overexpressing 32D cells differ in the nature of their apoptotic responses after IL-3 removal or treatment with chemotherapeutic compounds. In the presence of IL-3, c-myc overexpression enhances the sensitivity of 32D cells to Etoposide (Sigma, St Louis, MO), Adriamycin (Pharmacia, Columbus, OH), and Camptothecin (Sigma), whereas max overexpression increases sensitivity only to Camptothecin. Drug treatment of c-myc–overexpressing cells in the absence of IL-3 did not alter the spectrum of drug sensitivity other than to additively accelerate cell death. In contrast, enhanced sensitivity to Adriamycin, Etoposide, and Taxol (Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Princeton, NJ) was revealed in max-overexpressing cells concurrently deprived of IL-3. Differential rates of apoptosis were not strictly correlated with the ability of the drugs to promote G1 or G2/M arrest. Ectopic expression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-XL blocked drug-induced apoptosis in both cell lines. In contrast, whereas Bcl-2 blocked apoptosis in both cell lines in response to IL-3 withdrawal, Bcl-XL blocked apoptosis in max-overexpressing cells but not in c-myc–overexpressing cells. These results provide mechanistic underpinnings for the idea that c-myc and max modulate distinct apoptotic pathways. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.
THE BASIC CONCEPTS OF MOLECULAR MODELING

Molecular modeling techniques have made significant advances in recent years and are becoming essential components of many chemical, physical and biological studies. Here we present three widely used techniques used in the simulation of biomolecular systems: structural and homology modeling, molecular dynamics and molecular docking. For each of these topics we present a brief discussion of the underlying scientific basis of the technique, some simple examples of how the method is commonly applied, and some discussion of the limitations and caveats of which the user should be aware. References for further reading as well as an extensive list of software resources are provided.
Introduction to the Panel on: Live Targets for Lifetime Measurements

In a few short years, identifying and measuring lifetimes for charmed particles has grown from nonexistence into a thriving cottage industry. If this conference is any indication, the trend will continue well into the future.
Predicting Inpatient Dissatisfaction Following Total Joint Arthroplasty: An Analysis of 3,593 Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey Responses.

Abstract Background The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, is directly tied to hospital reimbursement. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that are predictive HCAHPS survey responses following primary hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods Prospectively collected HCAHPS responses from patients undergoing elective hip and knee arthroplasty between January 2013 and October 2017 at our institution were analyzed. Patient age, gender, race, marital status, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, preoperative pain score, smoking status, alcohol use, illegal drug use, socioeconomic quartile, insurance type, procedure type, hospital type (academic vs community), distance to medical center, length of stay (LOS), and discharge disposition were obtained and correlated with HCAHPS inpatient satisfaction scores. Results Responses from 3593 patients were obtained: 1546 total hip arthroplasties, 1899 total knee arthroplasties, and 148 unicompartmental knee arthroplasties. Mean overall HCAHPS score was 79.2. Women had lower inpatient satisfaction than men (77.6 vs 81.6, P Conclusion Patients more likely to report lower levels of inpatient satisfaction after total joint arthroplasty are female, affluent, and alcohol consumers, who are discharged to postacute care facilities. Inpatient satisfaction was inversely correlated with LOS and positively correlated with distance from patient home to medical center. These findings provide targets for improvements in TJA inpatient care.
Feasibility Study of a Microfluidic Solenoid for Discrete Quantitation of Magnetized Cells

In this paper, a cell quantitation system is proposed based on a new microfluidic solenoid design. The design is simulated in COMSOL and a scaled version of the prototype is built and the induced voltage due to the passage of a magnetic material is measured using a low-noise amplifier and converted to a digital signal using a DSP chip. The simulation results show approximately 16-nV induced voltage across the solenoid and the measurement results for a scaled version of the solenoid outputs 125-mV peak voltage. A microfluidic fabrication process demonstrates a successful prototype of a microfluidic solenoid.
The Impact of Administrative Decisions on Implementation Fidelity of Direct Instruction and Student Achievement

This article examined the extent to which administrative decisions that affected the implementation fidelity of Direct Instruction programs were related to student achievement. Data from three stud...
Application of Elastodynamic Finite Integration Technique (EFIT) to Three-Dimensional Wave Propagation and Scattering in Arbitrary Geometries

Over several decades, railroad ultrasonic examination (UE) industry techniques have primarily been developed through simple analytical modeling and experimental approaches. However, with present-day computational capabilities, we can use numerical techniques such as the Elastodynamic Finite Integration Technique (EFIT) to fine-tune systems for complex applications before the fabrication process begins. EFIT is well-established as a useful method in numerical analysis of ultrasonic wave propagation with distinct advantages over the Finite Difference Time Domain method. Several software packages exist that use EFIT as the primary method for simulating the behavior of ultrasonic waves over time in two or three dimensions, but none of them are well-suited for railroad UE RD (2) allow for the input of specific ultrasonic impulses from varying emitter designs; and (3) produce verifiable results, as confirmed by experimental measurements.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of PIK3CA-related vascular anomalies

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is a major mediator of growth factor signaling, cell proliferation and metabolism. Somatic gain-of-function mutations in PIK3CA, the catalytic subunit of PI3K, have recently been discovered in a number of vascular anomalies. The timing and origin of these mutations remain unclear although they are believed to occur during embryogenesis. The cellular origin of these lesions likely involves endothelial cells or an early endothelial cell lineage. This review will cover the diseases and syndromes associated with PIK3CA mutations and discuss the cellular origin, pathways and mechanisms. Activating PIK3CA 'hot spot' mutations have long been associated with a multitude of cancers allowing the development of targeted pharmacological inhibitors that are FDA-approved or in clinical trials. Current and future therapeutic approaches for PIK3CA-related vascular anomalies are discussed.
Female sex and western-style diet protect mouse resistance arteries during acute oxidative stress

A Western-style diet (WD; high in fat and carbohydrates) increases vascular oxidative stress. We hypothesized that vascular cells adapt to a WD by developing resilience to oxidative stress. Male and female C57BL/6J mice (4 wk of age) were fed a control diet (CD) or a WD for 16-20 wk. Superior epigastric arteries (SEAs; diameter, ~125 µm) were isolated and pressurized for study. Basal reactive oxygen species production was greatest in SEAs from males fed the WD. During exposure to H2O2 (200 μM, 50 min), propidium iodide staining identified nuclei of disrupted endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). For mice fed the CD, death of SMCs (21%) and ECs (6%) was greater (P < 0.05) in SEAs from males than females (9% and 2%, respectively). WD consumption attenuated cell death most effectively in SEAs from males. With no difference at rest, H2O2 increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) to the greatest extent in SEAs from males, as shown by fura 2 fluorescence. Selective disruption of the endothelium (luminal air bubble) increased [Ca2+]i and SMC death during H2O2 exposure irrespective of sex; the WD reduced both responses most effectively in males. Nonselective transient receptor potential (TRP) channel inhibition (ruthenium red, 5 μM) attenuated the rise of [Ca2+]i, as did selective inhibition of TRP vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4) channels (HC-067047, 1 μM), which also attenuated cell death. In contrast, inhibition of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (diltiazem, 50 μM) was without effect. Thus, for resistance arteries during acute oxidative stress: 1) ECs are more resilient than (and can protect) SMCs, 2) vessels from females are inherently more resilient than those from males, and 3) a WD increases vascular resilience by diminishing TRPV4 channel-dependent Ca2+ entry.
BRUGADA ELECTRICAL STORM: WHERE AGE DOES NOT MATTER

Brugada storm is an unusual cause of incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT) in elderly population. Acute management is also challenging as many of the commonly used anti-arrhythmic drugs can further aggravate this condition. A 72 years old male with no known cardiac history presented to the
Millimeter-wave spectrum of 4-cyanopyridine in its ground state and lowest-energy vibrationally excited states, ν20 and ν30

Abstract The rotational spectrum of 4-cyanopyridine (μa = 1.96 D) was recorded from 130 to 360 GHz, and the analysis of the ground state and two lowest-energy excited vibrational states was completed. Over 3900 new rotational transitions were measured for the ground state, allowing the determination of spectroscopic constants for a partial octic, distorted-rotor Hamiltonian. Over 5600 new transitions were measured for the Coriolis-coupled dyad, ν20 and ν30. A coupled-state least-squares fit of the dyad was obtained, which resulted in the precise determination of several parameters addressing the Coriolis coupling between the two states: G a , G a J , F bc , and F bc K . With inclusion of these terms, numerous resonance transitions associated with selection rules ΔKa = 2 or ΔKa = 4 between vibrational states were assigned and fit to low error (σfit ζ 20 , 30 a = 0.8432 (8). Determination of the spectroscopic and perturbation parameters for the vibrational states permits comparison to other arenes bearing –CN or –NC substituents and sharing a similar Coriolis-coupled dyad ~150 cm−1 above the ground state. This new data provides the foundation for an astrochemical search for 4-cyanopyridine in the interstellar medium.
VEBLEN'S PLACEBO: ANOTHER HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON ADMINISTRATIVE EVIL

Thorstein Veblen was a turn of the 20th century American economist concerned with the implications of financial capitalists directing the means of production. Veblen proposed that the rationality of “material science” as practiced by the “production engineers” is fundamentally different from the rationality of market capitalism. If this claim is valid, our previous contentions regarding accounting, as a facilitating technology, for administrative evil warrant reconsideration. Veblen's position provides a historical perspective on one dimension of administrative evil that is generally unquestionably accepted, especially within accounting. That is, technology, such as accounting and the related information systems, is amoral, and it is only through ideologically instigated applications that any moral value accrues. We discuss administrative evil and the role of instrumental rationality generally, and accounting specifically, in creating it. Veblen's characterization of financial capitalism and production en...
Regulation of poly(a)-specific ribonuclease activity by reversible lysine acetylation.

Poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) is a 3′-exoribonuclease that plays an important role in regulating the stability and maturation of RNAs. Recently, PARN has been found to regulate the maturation of the human telomerase RNA component (hTR), a noncoding RNA required for telomere elongation. Specifically, PARN cleaves the 3′-end of immature, polyadenylated hTR to form the mature, nonpolyadenylated template. Despite PARN's critical role in mediating telomere maintenance, little is known about how PARN's function is regulated by post-translational modifications. In this study, using shRNA- and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene silencing and knockout approaches, along with 3′-exoribonuclease activity assays and additional biochemical methods, we examined whether PARN is post-translationally modified by acetylation and what effect acetylation has on PARN's activity. We found PARN is primarily acetylated by the acetyltransferase p300 at Lys-566 and deacetylated by sirtuin1 (SIRT1). We also revealed how acetylation of PARN can decrease its enzymatic activity both in vitro, using a synthetic RNA probe, and in vivo, by quantifying endogenous levels of adenylated hTR. Furthermore, we also found that SIRT1 can regulate levels of adenylated hTR through PARN. The findings of our study uncover a mechanism by which PARN acetylation and deacetylation regulate its enzymatic activity as well as levels of mature hTR. Thus, PARN's acetylation status may play a role in regulating telomere length.
The role of race in rural-urban suicide disparities

Purpose To assess the role that race-ethnicity plays in modifying the observed rural-urban disparity in suicide among Veteran Health Administration (VHA) users. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of 10,737,864 VHA users between 2003 and 2017, using cross-linked VHA medical records and National Death Index mortality data to assess longitudinal race-stratified rural-urban differences in age- and sex-adjusted annual suicide rates. We used Poisson regression and generated incident rate ratios (IRRs) to formally assess the impact of race on the rural-urban suicide disparity. Given evidence of effect modification, we performed additional race-stratified Poisson regression models. Findings Rurality is significantly associated with a higher risk of suicide in models which do not control for race (IRR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.10-1.17). However, when race is added to the model, rural residence is no longer significant (0.98, CI: 0.95-1.01). Stratified models demonstrate that rural residence is significantly associated with a higher suicide risk among Hispanic VHA users (1.41, CI: 1.11-1.79), but it is not substantially associated with suicide among White (0.97, CI: 0.94-1.00) and Black (1.03, CI: 0.86-1.23) VHA users. White VHA users have considerably higher suicide rates than Black and Hispanic VHA users, though the suicide rate among Hispanic VHA users, particularly those in rural settings, increased markedly over the period of observation. Conclusions Race significantly modifies the relationship between rural residence and suicide risk. Studies seeking to assess suicide disparity between rural and urban VHA user populations must include adjustment or stratification by race.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: New concepts in pathophysiology and management

Abstract Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a common and therapeutically challenging condition affecting numerous people worldwide. Recent studies have begun to shed light on the pathophysiology of this disorder. At the same time, both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies have emerged that offer additional treatment options for those afflicted with this condition. This paper reviews new concepts in both the pathophysiology and management of POTS.
Husbands, wives, sons, and daughters: Fertility preferences and the demand for contraception in Ethiopia

Ethiopia, with nearly 65 millionpeople, is the second most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa. Fertility levels are among the highest in the world. Using the matched wife-husband sample from the 1990 National Family and Fertility Survey of Ethiopia we investigate the fertility desires of wives and husbands and the degree to which they are similar, including whether a preference for sons exists. We model the determinants of the desire to limit or space births, and estimate unmet need. Results indicate high levels of concurrence among husbands and wives on reproductive preferences. Where differences exist, husbands are more pronatalist than their wives. Both husbands and wives prefer to have sons and daughters, but more sons overall. Approximately 22% of wives and husbands desire to limit or space births but do not use contraception. More than half of wives and husbands with an unmet need for limiting are paired with a partner who has no such need. Three implications follow from these results: (1) differences in wives' and husbands' son and daughter preferences may help to explain discordant views among couples when it comes to the desire to limit or space births; (2) husbands' overall contribution to wives' unmet need can be substantial in African societies in the early stages of fertility transition; and (3) wives' preferences regarding children and contraception can result in unmet need on the part of husbands, even in highly gender-stratified societies where men are more pronatalist.
Computer aided design perspective of advanced logic design

This paper describes a novel approach to teaching an advanced logic design course at the undergraduate level. The emphasis is on the use of different CAD tools as (1) a vehicle to accelerate the student learning, (2) a means to demonstrate design approaches and implementations, (3) an instrument to measure circuit parameters, and (4) an opportunity to prepare the students for their careers. Course assessment through examination results and course evaluation indicates that the CAD tools have helped clarify and reinforce the concepts learned in the lectures and have aided the student ability to incorporate the algorithmic nature CAD tools in their design process.
Minimally invasive tissue engineering composites and cell printing

Injectable composites combined with tissue-printing technology for improved bioengineered devices. The invisible engineering problem, the one often ignored, is the design of a readily implantable, precisely assembled cellular construct. Previous studies have consistently shown that composite tissue-engineered devises are readily implanted via minimally invasive means and, in the systems tested, produce minimal inflammation and fibrous encapsulation. Gels of optimal viscosity are able to maintain separation between the cellular scaffold and allow tissue growth. Studies with the cell/substrate printing system have shown that it is possible to define, in a controlled manner, spatial arrangement of cells within a gel substrate.