cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The basic flow equations of electrophysiology in the presence of chemical reactions: II. A practical application concerning the pH and voltage effects accompanying the diffusion of O 2 through hemoglobin solution

Previous papers by F. M. Snell (Jour. Theor. Biol.,8, 469–479, 1965) and M. A. Fox and H. D. Landahl (Bull. Math. Biophysics,27, Spec. Issue, 183–190, 1965) have found that the formulation by previous authors for the oxygen flow rates through hemoglobin solution as a function of pressure determined by E. Hemmingsen and P. F. Scholander (Science,132, 1379–1381, 1960) did not give a satisfactory quantitative fit of the curve for constant pressure difference. The suggestion of Fox and Landahl that the Bohr effect involving the shift in acidity accompanying the oxidation of Hb should give rise to voltage and pH differences in oxyhemoglobin transport is examined in more detail. In this paper, the previous expressions for the total oxygen flow rate in terms of the end point concentrations are extended to include the effects of the electrical field. Estimates of the potential difference shows it to be negligible. A derivation of a voltage-pH relation shows that the Nernst relation does not apply and a negligible voltage difference does not preclude a pH shift which is the more probable explanation of the discrepancies observed. Several other predictions suitable for experimental testing are made.
Optimal parallel sorting in multi-level storage

We adapt the Sharesort algorithm of Cypher and Plaxton to run on various parallel models of multi-level storage, and analyze its resulting performance. Sharesort was originally defined in the context of sorting n records on an n-processor hypercubic network. In that context, it is not known whether Sharesort is asymptotically optimal. Nonetheless, we find that Sharesort achieves optimal time bounds for parallel sorting in multi-level storage, under a variety of models that have been defined in the literature.
Performance-Based Assessment in Schools A Comment on Hojnoski, Morrison, Brown, and Matthews (2006)

This article addresses a 2006 article by Hojnoski, Morrison, Brown, and Matthews on the use of performance-based measurement among school-based practitioners. Their results suggest that many of their survey respondents favor the use of this form of measurement. This line of research is important and addresses an important issue in current clinical practice. However, they offer a critique of this form of assessment, in response to which the author raises four issues. First, there is a difference between tests and techniques. Second, assessment tools do not make decisions or diagnoses; clinicians do. Third, actuarial prediction and clinical expertise are mutually enhancing. Last, the relationship between science and practice should be bidirectional and integrative. These points are discussed in terms of the utility and appropriateness of performance-based measurement tools and techniques for helping psychologists answer diagnostic, placement, and treatment questions in the school setting.
Expression of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked Manduca sexta aminopeptidase N in insect cells.

Aminopeptidase N (APN; EC 3.4.11.2) is an exopeptidase that is attached to cell membranes by a hydrophobic amino-terminal stalk in vertebrates or a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor in insects. In this study, we report the cloning, expression, and characterization of an aminopeptidase N from Manduca sexta midgut. The full-length aminopeptidase N cDNA (APN1a) encodes a 995-amino-acid protein. The predicted amino acid sequence differs by 8 amino acids from M. sexta APN1. These different amino acids do not modify any putative glycosylation or glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor sites. The full-length cDNA was cloned into an expression plasmid, pHSP-HR5, and transiently expressed in an insect cell line derived from Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21 cells). Immunoblot analysis with anti-APN antiserum showed that APN1a expressed in Sf21 cells is the same size (120 kDa) as APN found in midgut brush border membranes. After treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC), anti-cross-reacting determinant antibody specific for PIPLC cleavage products recognized the expressed 120-kDa APN1a, but not endogenous Sf21 proteins, indicating that APN1a has an intact glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. These results are evidence that Sf21 cells synthesize few, if any, endogenous GPI-linked proteins. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the expressed APN1a was located on the surface of Sf21 cells.
The Effect of Root Lubrication on the Damping of Cantilever Beams

Lubricating the root contact surfaces of a simple cantilever beam will increase the vibration damping of the beam. Experimental evidence is given for cantilever beams of cold-rolled steel, stainless steel, and brass, with contact surfaces dry and greased. Soft-metal platings as alternate lubricants were used as suggested by the work of Bowden and Tabor. They are shown to produce a significant increase in the damping of cantilever beams; and while this increase is not so great as for greased surfaces, their use appears promising and worthy of further study for possible applications where grease cannot be used. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the Lubrication Conference held in New York, N.Y., October 1959.
A noninvasive method for monitoring cerebral perfusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Abstract Purpose: This study evaluates the use of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound in assessing the changes experienced by the cerebral circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and compares it with measurements of internal carotid artery (ICA) flow rates (ultrasonic flow-meter measurements) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) (radioactive-microsphere measurements) in a porcine cardiac arrest model undergoing closed chest CPR. Methods: Sixteen piglets were anesthetized and subjected to TCD monitoring, ICA flow-rate measurements, and CBF measurements during CPR following induction of ventricular fibrillation. A total of 14 comparisons between TCD and CBF measurements, and 36 comparisons between TCD and ICA flow measurements were performed. Correlations were determined using Pearson's method, and the validity of the correlation was determined using Bonferoni's adjusted probabilities. Results: The correlation between mean cerebral blood flow velocity and mean total ICA flow rate was 0.67 (P Conclusions: TCD can provide on-line information about cerebral perfusion during CPR.
Correlation of hammett substituent constants with reversed-phase “ion-pair” liquid chromatographic adsorption parameters of charged organic compounds

Abstract Capacity factors for 28 trans-cinnamic, hydrocinnamic, phenylalkylcarboxylic and benzoic acids were determined at nine combinations of pH (3.4, 4.7, 6.0) and ion-interaction reagent concentration (0,2.0, 4.0 mM octylamine hydrochloride) in methanol-water (30:70) eluents at 25.o°C. An ion-interaction model was fit to capacity factor data for each of the solutes. Correlation coefficients were calculated among estimated model parameters, carbon number, σp,m and π values. For the 28 aromatic monocarboxylic acids studied, the Hammett σp,m values correlate with estimated pKa values only. Other correlations sugges that the increased retention resulting from the addition of surface-active ion-interaction reagent to th eluent is caused by electrostatic effects at the stationary phase surface.
Maximizing Research Relevance to Enhance Knowledge Translation

This supplement focuses on an important issue in rehabilitation medicine: how to maximize research relevance in order to enhance knowledge translation into clinical practice. Authors provide insights into issues and barriers impacting effective translation of evidence into practice and provide useful guidance for rehabilitation researchers and practitioners on how to structure lines of inquiry to enhance clinical relevance. While this supplement will provide meaningful information to rehabilitation researchers, the content will also be of interest to clinicians, consumers of rehabilitation services, and reviewers for journals featuring rehabilitation research.
Interferon-induced depression: Strategies in treatment

Interferon (IFN) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is widely used for the treatment of a number of disorders including viral infections, hematological proliferative disorders, and skin malignancies. Unfortunately, IFN frequently induced depression and has led to compromised tolerability with lowering of the dose of IFN and even discontinuation of treatment. Thus, it is imperative to diagnose IFN-induced depression early, evaluate whether this depression is associated with IFN-induced anemia or thyroid dysfunction, which can be corrected, and if necessary treat with antidepressants. IFN-induced depression is highly responsive to antidepressants with benefits occurring frequently at relatively low doses and after only a few weeks. Although SSRIs have mainly been studied, non-SSRIs appear to be effective also. Antidepressants have a number of risks and side effects that must be considered and may enter into the decision as to which antidepressant to choose. If IFN induces a depression in a patient with a bipolar disorder history, antidepressant treatment must include a mood stabilizer. In the case of vulnerable patients (e.g., those who have significant depressive symptoms prior to IFN or who have had an IFN-induced depression in the past) prophylactic antidepressant treatment appears to decrease the likelihood of having an IFN-induced depression. On the basis of known and effective treatment strategies, IFN-induced depression should not be an obstacle for continued treatment in most patient populations.
Cyclic re-entry of germinal center B cells and the efficiency of affinity maturation

Affinity maturation of the humoral immune response by somatic hypermutation is marked by a rapid and dramatic increase in affinity for the eliciting antigen. We suggest that the optimal mutation schedule is one in which periods of rapid mutation alternate with periods of mutation-free growth. The multicompartmental structure of the germinal center, together with re-entry of positively selected B cells back into the germinal center, will naturally implement such a schedule, thereby providing an anatomical basis for the efficiency of the germinal center reaction.
Flexibility and function in HIV-1 protease

HIV protease is a homodimeric protein whose activity is essential to viral function. We have investigated the molecular dynamics of the HIV protease, thought to be important for proteinase function, bound to high affinity inhibitors using NMR techniques. Analysis of 15N spin relaxation parameters, of all but 13 backbone amide sites, reveals the presence of significant internal motions of the protein backbone. In particular, the flaps that cover the proteins active site of the protein have terminal loops that undergo large amplitude motions on the ps to ns time scale, while the tips of the flaps undergo a conformational exchange on the μs time scale. This enforces the idea that the flaps of the proteinase are flexible structures that facilitate function by permitting substrate access to and product release from the active site of the enzyme.
Evaluation and Management of Back Pain in the Elderly

Back pain is common in the elderly. Most back pain is uncomplicated but identifying back pain due to serious systemic disease is essential. History and physical exam are critical to this distinction and guide further diagnostic evaluation. There are numerous treatments available for acute and chronic back pain, yet there are special considerations when treating the elderly. Treatment is comprehensive with pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, and alternative methods. Pharmacologic therapy for back pain is targeted at reducing inflammation and providing analgesia. Physical therapy is a necessary part of any treatment plan. Non-pharmacologic treatments are broad in scope and consist of activity-based modalities and alternative therapies. Acute back pain generally has a good prognosis, while chronic back pain can be associated with significant morbidity. This update will review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment of back pain with a particular emphasis on issues unique to the geriatric population.
Selective memory and depression: A cautionary note concerning response bias

Studies of selective memory in depression have been guided by the hypothesis that depressed individuals excel in remembering negative information about themselves. The present paper argues that response bias must be considered as an alternative explanation of selective memory effects; specifically, it is proposed that in some situations depressives may be more willing, but not more able, to report remembering negative self-relevant information. Depressed, formerly depressed, and nondepressed female college students were given recall and recognition tests for positive and negative adjectives which they had previously selected as being self-descriptive. Depressed subjects were found to recall correctly more negative adjectives, produce more negative intrusions in recall, and produce more negative false alarms in recognition. However, a signal detection analysis revealed that depressives' memories, as indexed by d', were not superior to the other groups'; rather, they employed a more liberal criterion in making recognition judgments (beta). The hypothesis that depressives show a response bias favoring the report of negative self-relevant information was therefore confirmed and can account for both the recall and recognition results.
Outcomes of Immediate Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap Reconstruction for Irradiated Abdominoperineal Resection Defects

BACKGROUND: Perineal wound complications after chemoradiotherapy and abdominoperineal resection (APR) for anorectal cancer occur in up to 60% of patients, including perineal abscess and wound dehiscence. Vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flaps have been used in an attempt to reduce these complications by obliterating the noncollapsible dead space with vascularized tissue and closing the perineal skin defect with nonirradiated flap skin. Many surgeons are reluctant to use VRAM flaps unless primary closure is not possible. STUDY DESIGN: All patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy and APR during a 12-year period at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center were retrospectively reviewed. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics and surgical complications and outcomes were compared between patients who underwent VRAM flap reconstruction of wounds that could have been closed primarily (flap group, n = 35) and those who had primary closure of the perineal wound (control group, n = 76). RESULTS: Overall, there were no significant differences in the incidence of perineal wound complications between the groups; the flap group had a significantly lower incidence of perineal abscess (9% versus 37%, p = 0.002), major perineal wound dehiscence (9% versus 30%, p = 0.014), and drainage procedures required for perineal/pelvic fluid collections (3% versus 25%, p = 0.003) than the control group had. Despite flap harvest and the need for donor site closure in the flap group, there was no significant difference in abdominal wall complications between groups during the study's mean patient followup of 3.8 years. CONCLUSIONS: VRAM flap reconstruction of irradiated APR defects reduces major perineal wound complications without increasing early abdominal wall complications. Strong consideration should be given to immediate VRAM flap reconstruction after chemoradiation and APR.
A new ventricu lar assist device for acute cardiac failure: report of initial use for biventricular support

A new ventricular assist device (VAD) developed by Symbion, Inc., received its initial biventricular clinical use in a 53-year-old man suffering cardiogenic shock from severe congestive heart failure secondary to cardiomyopathy and a 15-year history of coronary artery disease.The eight-day period of biventricular support on the Symbion devices was satisfactory in spite of two complications probably unrelated to the pump. First, a neurologic deficit was noted after transition from the temporary support pumps to the Symbion pumps, ostensibly from a small air bolus entering the aortic return line. The deficit was deemed mild and reversible, and the patient showed improvement. Secondly, poor renal function secondary to prolonged hypotension associated with cardiac arrest persisted throughout the support period. All other organs, however, were well supported.On the eighth day of support, a dramatic change in hepatic function and neurologic deterioration justified termination of support. At explant of the devic...
A Paradigm of Carbon Nanotube Interconnects in Microelectronic Packaging

Carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays/films were transferred onto copper substrates via eutectic tin/lead (SnPb) solder pastes. The morphologies, thermal stabilities, adhesion to substrates, and electrical properties of the as-transferred CNT arrays were studied. The CNT arrays generated negligible expansion or contraction below 250°C. The adhesion of CNT arrays to the substrate was significantly improved by the transfer process. An ohmic contact was formed between the transferred CNT arrays and the Sn-Pb solder. Four-probe electrical measurements yielded the resistance of the as-transferred CNT films under the electrode to be around 0.0056 Ω, from which the resistivity of each individual CNT tube was calculated to be 2.44 × 10−4 Ω cm.
Complex Nasal Defects: Structure and Internal Lining

The development of nasal reconstruction concepts such as the three-layered (lining, structure, and covering) repair has led to remarkable esthetic and functional improvements. The authors present a variety of techniques for providing nasal structure and internal lining and discuss the application of these methods to specific nasal defects.
Enabling nanoparticle networking in semicrystalline polymer matrices.

Among the physical and chemical attributes of the nanocomposite components and their interactions that contribute to the ultimate material properties, nanoparticle arrangement in the matrix is a key contributing factor that has been targeted through materials choices and processing strategies in numerous previous studies. Often, the desired nanocomposite morphology contains individually dispersed and distributed nanoparticles. In this research, a phase-segregated morphology containing nanoparticle networks was studied. A model nanocomposite system composed of calcium phosphate nanoparticles and a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) matrix was produced to understand how polymer crystallization and crystal structure can facilitate the formation of a phase-segregated morphology containing nanoparticle networks. Two chemically similar calcium phosphate nanoparticle systems with different shapes, near-spherical and nanofiber, were synthesized for use in the nanocomposites. The different shapes were used independently in n...
Imaging moving targets in a multi-path environment using multiple sensors

We develop a linearized imaging theory that combines the spatial, temporal, and spectral components of multiply scattered waves. We consider the case of multiple fixed transmitters and receivers. We incorporate a priori information about the multipathing environment, which in our case consists of a fixed reflector. The scene of interest consists of a distribution of moving objects. We base our imaging technique on a modification of the filtered-backprojection method that produces a phase-space image. We characterize the performance of the imaging system by means of its point-spread function, and we analyze the effect of parameters such as sensor positioning and waveforms. We ultimately find that enhanced phase-space resolution can be achieved using multiple sensors and appropriate waveforms.
Culture, Autobiographical Memory, and Behavioral Frequency Reports: Measurement Issues in Cross-Cultural Studies

Chinese and American respondents were equally likely to rely on response scales as a frame of reference in estimating the frequencies of unobservable behaviors, for which people have little episodic knowledge. Moreover, both drew on information extracted from the scales in making comparative judgments involving the self. Chinese respondents, however, were less influenced by the response alternatives than were Americans for observable behaviors, both in their behavioral reports and comparative judgments. The authors suggest that this occurred because members of collectivist societies attend closely to their own and others’ behaviors to ensure smooth social functioning, resulting in memories for behaviors that Americans can only estimate.
Embedded electromagnetically sensitive particle motion in functionalized fluids

The primary objective of this paper is to characterize the motion of small electromagnetically sensitive particles which are embedded in a flowing neutral fluid. There are a variety of industrial applications for electromagnetic particle-laden fluids, such as fluid-based actuators, coatings and functionalized inks, to name a few. This work compares the relative strengths of the forces induced by electromagnetic fields and fluid drag, and their composite effects on particle motion. Both analytical and numerical investigations are undertaken. After an analysis of a single isolated particle, a three-dimensional model problem comprised of a Representative Volume Element of flowing particle-laden fluid, under the action of external electromagnetic fields, is studied. A computational staggering scheme is developed to solve the coupled system utilizing a fully implicit Finite-Difference discretization of the Navier–Stokes equations for the fluid and a direct particle-dynamics description is used for the particles. For large numbers of embedded particles, because of the extreme computational difficulty of interface-conforming fine-mesh spatial discretizations for the fluid, simplifying assumptions for the coupling are made based on semi-analytical computation of drag-coefficients, allowing for the use of coarser meshes. Even after these simplifications, the particle-fluid system is strongly-coupled. The strongly-coupled system is implicitly solved, iteratively, within each time-step using a recursive staggering scheme, which employs temporal adaptivity to control the coupling error. The approach allows researchers to rapidly compute such systems with moderate laptop/desktop resources. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the model and the numerical solution scheme, and limitations and extensions of the model are discussed.
Scanning all-fiber-optic endomicroscopy system for 3D nonlinear optical imaging of biological tissues.

An extremely compact all-fiber-optic scanning endomicroscopy system was developed for two-photon fluorescence (TPF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of biological samples. A conventional double-clad fiber (DCF) was employed in the endomicroscope for single-mode femtosecond pulse delivery, multimode nonlinear optical signals collection and fast two-dimensional scanning. A single photonic bandgap fiber (PBF) with negative group velocity dispersion at two-photon excitation wavelength (i.e. ~810 nm) was used for pulse prechirping in replacement of a bulky grating/lens -based pulse stretcher. The combined use of DCF and PBF in the endomicroscopy system made the endomicroscope basically a plug-and-play unit. The excellent imaging ability of the extremely compact all-fiber-optic nonlinear optical endomicroscopy system was demonstrated by SHG imaging of rat tail tendon and depth-resolved TPF imaging of epithelial tissues stained with acridine orange. The preliminary results suggested the promising potential of this extremely compact all-fiber-optic endomicroscopy system for realtime assessment of both epithelial and stromal structures in luminal organs.
Demonstration of the UAA ochre codon in bakers yeast by amino-acid replacements in iso-1-cytochrome c.

Abstract Iso-1-cytochromes c from 45 intragenic revertants of the cyl-9 mutant of bakers' yeast carry at position 2 one of the following six amino acids: glutamic acid, glutamine, serine, tyrosine, leucine and lysine. The replacement amino acids and the genetic code identify the cyl-9 lesion as a base-pair substitution creating UAA at the messenger RNA template for position 2. Since, in addition, the cyl-9 mutant lacks iso-1-cytochrome c but can be suppressed by super-suppressor genes, this UAA triplet is a nonsense codon in yeast. The absence of other amino acids among the replacements suggests that UGA also is a nonsense codon in yeast. When acting to revert the cyl-9 UAA nonsense lesion, X-rays, some alkylating chemicals and spontaneous events cause substitutions of A · T base pairs with no apparent selectivity, whereas ultraviolet irradiation and nitrous acid selectively induce A · T → G · C. Single substitutions account for all 45 reversions either obtained spontaneously or induced by eight different mutagenic treatments. Reinitiation past the nonsense codon at position 2 fails to occur at a detectable level, although an efficient translation initiation site is accessible by mutation of the AAG, lysine 4 codon to AUG, in other mutant strains that lack the normal initiation codon.
Rational Design Spectra for Structural Reliability Assessment Using the Response Spectrum Method

Current design spectra, which approximate uniform hazard or risk spectra, are known to have shortcomings, but no alternative has been proven superior for the purposes of design checks. In this work...
Multivariate normal distribution based statistical timing analysis using global projection and local expansion

This paper employs general multivariate normal distribution to develop a new efficient statistical timing analysis methodology. The paper presents the theoretical framework of the statistical timing analysis technique by introducing two strategies: the global projection and the local expansion rules. By using the global projection rule, the large problem size occurring due to the delay correlations among a large number of gates across a chip caused by widely varying global sources, is sufficiently reduced. By using the local expansion rule, the arrival time correlations caused by re-convergent paths in circuits are efficiently evaluated. The experimental results show that the computed mean and the standard deviation values of the maximum circuit delay estimated by the proposed method have average errors of 0.2% and 2.9%, respectively.
Alu element‐mediated gene silencing

The Alu elements are conserved ∼300‐nucleotide‐long repeat sequences that belong to the SINE family of retrotransposons found abundantly in primate genomes. Pairs of inverted Alu repeats in RNA can form duplex structures that lead to hyperediting by the ADAR enzymes, and at least 333 human genes contain such repeats in their 3′‐UTRs. Here, we show that a pair of inverted Alu s placed within the 3′‐UTR of egfp reporter mRNA strongly represses EGFP expression, whereas a single Alu has little or no effect. Importantly, the observed silencing correlates with A‐to‐I RNA editing, nuclear retention of the mRNA and its association with the protein p54 nrb . Further, we show that inverted Alu elements can act in a similar fashion in their natural chromosomal context to silence the adjoining gene. For example, the Nicolin 1 gene expresses multiple mRNA isoforms differing in the 3′‐UTR. One isoform that contains the inverted repeat is retained in the nucleus, whereas another lacking these sequences is exported to the cytoplasm. Taken together, these results support a novel role for Alu elements in human gene regulation.
Regulation of brain androgen receptor immunoreactivity by androgen in prepubertal male ferrets.

During pubertal maturation, there is an increase in the number of androgen receptor-immunoreactive (AR-IR) cells in the preoptic area (POA), arcuate nucleus (ARC), medial amygdala (mAMY), and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) of the male ferret brain. In contrast, the number of AR-IR cells in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) or lateral septum (ISEP) does not change with pubertal development. This experiment tested the hypothesis that the pubertal increase in AR-IR cells in certain brain regions is the result of the pubertal increase in circulating androgens. Prepubertal male ferrets were left intact or were castrated and treated daily (10 days) with s.c. injections of either oil, testosterone (T; 5 mg/kg), dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 5 mg/kg), or estradiol (E; 10 hg/kg). Brains were processed for AR immunocytochemistry, and the number of immunopositive cells was quantified in POA, ARC, mAMY, VMH, BNST, and ISEP. Overall, castration reduced the number of AR-IR cells below that seen in intact animals, and E administration did not restore AR-IR cell number. Treatment of castrates with androgens restored numbers of AR-IR cells to those of intact animals in the BNST, ISEP, and VMH. However, AR-IR cell numbers were significantly greater in androgen-treated castrates than in intact animals in POA, mAMY, and ARC. These data show that AR-IR cells in prepubertal male ferrets are sensitive to circulating levels of androgens, supporting the hypothesis that the pubertal rise in T is responsible for the pubertal increase in the number of AR-IR cells in the POA, mAMY, and ARC.
Statistical analysis of the National Institutes of Health peer review system

A statistical model is proposed for the analysis of peer-review ratings of R01 grant applications submitted to the National Institutes of Health. Innovations of this model include parameters that reflect differences in reviewer scoring patterns, a mechanism to account for the transfer of information from an application's preliminary ratings and group discussion to final ratings provided by all panel members and posterior estimates of the uncertainty associated with proposal ratings. Application of this model to recent R01 rating data suggests that statistical adjustments to panel rating data would lead to a 25% change in the pool of funded proposals. Viewed more broadly, the methodology proposed in this article provides a general framework for the analysis of data collected interactively from expert panels through the use of the Delphi method and related procedures.
Individual Differences Methods for Randomized Experiments.

Experiments allow researchers to randomly vary the key manipulation, the instruments of measurement, and the sequences of the measurements and manipulations across participants. To date, however, the advantages of randomized experiments to manipulate both the aspects of interest and the aspects that threaten internal validity have been primarily used to make inferences about the average causal effect of the experimental manipulation. This article introduces a general framework for analyzing experimental data to make inferences about individual differences in causal effects. Approaches to analyzing the data produced by a number of classical designs and 2 more novel designs are discussed. Simulations highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the data produced by each design with respect to internal validity. Results indicate that, although the data produced by standard designs can be used to produce accurate estimates of average causal effects of experimental manipulations, more elaborate designs are often necessary for accurate inferences with respect to individual differences in causal effects. The methods described here can be diversely applied by researchers interested in determining the extent to which individuals respond differentially to an experimental manipulation or treatment and how differential responsiveness relates to individual participant characteristics.
Musings on genome medicine: cancer genetics and the promise of effective treatment

Cancer is the most common acquired genetic disease. Great progress has been made in documenting the genetic abnormalities that cause the disease, and in the future each tumor will be subjected to genetic analysis and the appropriate combination of drugs selected. Although there are serious technological and cost hurdles to surmount and resistance and continued mutation will be a constant problem, the way is clear to rational therapy.
A Case for Software Engineering

The paper argues for the use of the "case study" approach to educating and training software engineers. After discussing problems in software engineering education and introducing the fundamentals of case study teaching, the paper describes a project to develop a comprehensive and complete case study, called the DigitalHome (DH) system, which involves the development of "smart house" technology by a national retail chain serving the needs of home owners. Thus far the following has been developed: marketing documents, project launch material, a project plan, an SRS, and a set of scene-setting and problem-solving scenarios. The case study will eventually consist of a complete set of life-cycle artifacts, a realistic description of the people and events that are part of the DH development, and a set of exercises that are designed to involve students in the solutions of software engineering problems associated with the DH development.
Equilibrium and Transport Properties of Gases in E‐Glass Melts

The solubility and diffusion coefficients of oxygen, sulfur dioxide, and water were determined (and those for nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon were estimated) in commercial E-glass melts as a function of melt temperature and atmosphere. Knowledge of these fundamental constants of gases in glass melts is required for the development of models for bubble growth and elimination within the melt. The effectiveness of fining agents can be traced to the production of those gases in the melt which possess the greatest variation in solubility and diffusion as a function of the temperature and atmosphere. Accordingly, oxygen through multivalent elements and sulfur are the best fining agents for glass production.
Retrieval of soil moisture and roughness from quad-polarized airborne SAR

An empirically based algorithm has been presented for the simultaneous retrieval of RMS roughness and volumetric moisture of the soil surface layer using quad-polarized radar backscatter. This algorithm was developed using scatterometer data acquired for non-vegetated soils. In the paper, the proposed algorithm is applied to polarimetric SAR imagery obtained by the JPL AIRSAR at P-, L- and C-bands. AIRSAR data obtained from agricultural areas in northern Michigan in June 1991 and eastern Oklahoma in June 1992 are used to demonstrate both the success and the limitations of the technique for both bare and vegetated soils. >
MAXIMUM-ENTROPY COMPLEXITY MEASURES

A maximum-entropy approach to the classification of system complexity is proposed which accounts for assumed probabilistic knowledge concerning the system observables. The approach introduces the c...
Graft Permeabilization Facilitates Gene Therapy of Transplant Arteriosclerosis in a Rabbit Model

Background—Smooth muscle cell (SMC) replication plays a central role in the pathogenesis of transplant arteriosclerosis. One strategy to eliminate dividing cells is to express a herpesvirus thymidine kinase (tk) gene that phosphorylates the nucleoside analogue ganciclovir into a toxic form leading to cell killing. However, medial SMCs are resistant to gene transfer unless the artery undergoes deendothelialization. We hypothesized that manipulations that increase the “porosity” of the artery can make SMCs prone to gene transfer without denudation. Methods and Results—In organ culture of rabbit aorta, longitudinal stretch and supraphysiological pressure applied for 3 hours during incubation with adenoviral vector facilitated gene transfer into medial SMCs without denudation. Of the SMCs, 10.2±3.8% expressed a reporter gene of human placental alkaline phosphatase (hpAP), whereas SMCs in control arteries did not express hpAP. To evaluate the feasibility of transgene expression in arterial grafts, we performed...
Roles, Risks, and Benefits of Peer Mentoring Relationships in Higher Education

Successful peer mentoring in university settings is the result of relationships among students, mentors, and instructors. Findings from this study indicate that even in programs where training is ongoing and established, assumptions cannot be made about the understanding of the roles, risks, and benefits involved in such relationships. This study demonstrates that students, instructors, and mentors all have different perspectives about a mentor’s role and how that role should be enacted. Connecting link, peer leader, learning coach, student advocate, and trusted friend were identified as predominant roles enacted by mentors. Also described are risks and benefits for being or having a peer mentor.
Calorie restriction and glucose regulation

Ketogenic diets (KDs) are effective treatments for epilepsy. The mechanisms of action are poorly understood. In some experimental seizure models, calorie restriction and hypoglycemia may augment the antiseizure effects of KDs. In addition, inhibiting glycolysis or diverting glucose from the glycolytic pathway inhibits seizures and possibly epileptogenesis, suggesting an interaction between energy regulation and the anticonvulsant actions of these interventions. Children on KDs frequently exhibit poor weight gain and have lower blood glucose levels compared to children on standard, balanced diets. Young rodents on a KD also exhibit slow weight gain, lower blood glucose and insulin levels, and elevated leptin levels. This review considers the possibility that calorie restriction, low serum glucose, and KDs share common cell signaling pathways to alter brain excitability. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an attractive candidate signaling protein that could link energy balance to gene expression in such a way so as to reduce brain excitability.
Relation of Pregnancy History to Insulin Levels in Older, Nondiabetic Women

Pregnancy has been associated with increased risk for diabetes, but an association independent of obesity has been questioned. The hypothesis that the repeated demands of pregnancy lead to reduced sensitivity to insulin and hyperinsulinemia was tested by examining the relation of pregnancy history to fasting and postchallenge insulin levels and insulin sensitivity in 764 Caucasian, nondiabetic women aged 50-89 years from the Rancho Bernardo cohort. Between 1984 and 1987, an oral glucose tolerance test was administered, fasting and postchallenge levels of glucose and insulin were measured, and an index of insulin sensitivity was calculated. After adjustment for covariates, an increased number of pregnancies was associated with increased fasting insulin (p < 0.05) and decreased insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05). Postchallenge insulin was unrelated to pregnancy history. Obesity and fat distribution were associated with higher fasting and postchallenge insulin levels and lower insulin sensitivity (ps < 0.001), but did not explain the associations between pregnancy history and insulin or insulin sensitivity. Analyses restricted to women with normal glucose tolerance yielded similar results. Thus, there is a small, but significant increase in fasting insulin and a decrease in insulin sensitivity with increasing pregnancies many years after childbearing that is independent of obesity and present even in normoglycemic women. Confirmatory studies using insulin clamp techniques would be of interest.
Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB–Mediated Adhesion Molecule Expression in Human Endothelial Cells

Abstract —The transcriptional regulatory protein nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) participates in the control of gene expression of many modulators of the inflammatory and immune responses, including the adhesion molecules E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). NF-κB is found in the cytoplasm complexed with its inhibitory protein IκB. On activation, IκB is phosphorylated and degraded, thereby freeing NF-κB for translocation to the nucleus. We have generated populations of endothelial cells expressing wild-type and a proteolysis-resistant mutation of IκB that is lacking the 36 N-terminal amino acids (IκBΔN) in order to examine the effects of expression of the mutated IκB on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)–induced E-selectin and ICAM-1 expression. Wild-type and IκBΔN were introduced into primary endothelial cells using retrovirus infection followed by selection with G418. The IκBΔN protein remained at untreated control levels in endothelial cells treated with TNF-α and also remained complexed with the NF-κB family member p65. Furthermore, TNF-α–induced NF-κB DNA binding activity was inhibited in the population of endothelial cells expressing IκBΔN. That population of cells was also refractory to upregulation of E-selectin and ICAM-1 after treatment with TNF-α. The use of a truncated IκBα protein to prevent NF-κB–mediated gene expression provides a novel and specific approach for investigating the role of NF-κB in processes associated with adhesion molecule expression during inflammation.
The Ethical Aspects of Regulating Production

Polls and surveys conducted within the United States show general agreement that there is public support for the protection of farm livestock and poultry. Concurrent with the growing public sentiment is the recent adoption of socially responsible corporate policies by major food retailers relative to animal welfare. The animal welfare assurance and audit programs developed by the private sector are an attempt to assure consumers that best practice measures and independent oversight result in a reasonable quality of life for food-producing animals. These programs represent voluntary self-regulation and arguably a market-based approach to secure the welfare of food-producing animals. Animal advocacy organizations historically seek regulatory oversight of animal care practice. Legislative routes that require government promulgation and enforcement of animal care regulations represent an involuntary form of animal welfare assurance. There are ethical considerations concerning the employment of voluntary or involuntary regulation of the welfare of food-producing animals. For example, degree of public endangerment, economic impact, viability of small to medium producers, food price, food quality, and food security are prominent among the ethical considerations in deliberating whether to impose regulatory mandates on production. In either regulatory approach, the public must be convinced that the welfare of food-producing animals can be secured in a transparent and convincing manner.
The thermochemical structure and evolution of Earth's mantle: constraints and numerical models.

Geochemical observations place several constraints on geophysical processes in the mantle, including a requirement to maintain several distinct reservoirs. Geophysical constraints limit plausible physical locations of these reservoirs to a thin basal layer, isolated deep 'piles' of material under large-scale mantle upwellings, high-viscosity blobs/plums or thin strips throughout the mantle, or some combination of these. A numerical model capable of simulating the thermochemical evolution of the mantle is introduced. Preliminary simulations are more differentiated than Earth but display some of the proposed thermochemical processes, including the generation of a high-mu mantle reservoir by recycling of crust, and the generation of a high-(3)He/(4)He reservoir by recycling of residuum, although the resulting high-(3)He/(4)He material tends to aggregate near the top, where mid-ocean-ridge melting should sample it. If primitive material exists as a dense basal layer, it must be much denser than subducted crust in order to retain its primitive (e.g. high-(3)He) signature. Much progress is expected in the near future.
High-speed learning algorithm for constructive granular systems

Conventional gradient descent learning algorithms for soft computing systems have a learning speed bottleneck problem and the local minima problem. To effectively solve the two problems, the n-variable constructive granular system with high-speed granular constructive learning is proposed based on granular computing and soft computing. The new anular constructive learning algorithm can highly speed up granular knowledge discovery by directly calculating all parameters of the n-variable constructive granular system using training data, and then constructs the n-variable constructive granular system using a small number of granular rules. Simulation results indicate that the direct calculation-based granular constructive algorithm is useful in terms of learning speed, learning error and prediction error.
Ascorbate oxidation reduction in Helicoverpa zea as a scavenging system against dietary oxidants

We provide evidence of an important role for ascorbate free radical (AFR) reductase, dehydroascorbate (DHA) reductase, glutathione, and glutathione reductase as components of an oxidant-scavenging system in the midgut of larval Helicoverpa zea. Also, midgut ortho-quinone reductase is a potentially important constituent of the protective system against quinones. The midgut activities of AFR reductase, DHA reductase, glutathione reductase, and ortho-quinone reductase were, respectively, 168, 22.1, 6, and 39.5 nmol/min/mg protein. The relatively high activity of these enzymes in the midgut provides circumstantial evidence for a protective mechanism utilizing ascorbate as an antioxidant and glutathione and/or NADPH as reductants. To our knowledge, the enzymes AFR reductase and DHA reductase have not been reported in insects. The particular relevance of this system to antioxidant protection, and in particular to the detoxication of quinones formed in damaged leaf tissues, is discussed.
Of that Waltz in my heart.

The intrinsic anatomy of the left ventricular (LV) wall has fascinated anatomists over the centuries and resulted in varying designations ranging from descending and ascending bands, fascicles, and laminated layers to the more recent description as right- and left-handed helical arrangements of the
Non-uniform Composition Profiles in Inorganic Thin Films from Aqueous Solutions

A variety of metal oxide films (InGaOx, AlOx, “HafSOx”) prepared from aqueous solutions were found to have non-uniform electron density profiles using X-ray reflectivity. The inhomogeneity in HafSOx films (Hf(OH)4–2x−2y(O2)x(SO4)y·zH2O), which are currently under investigation as inorganic resists, were studied in more detail by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and medium-energy ion scattering (MEIS). The HAADF-STEM images show a greater concentration of heavy atoms near the surface of a single-layer film. MEIS data confirm the aggregation of Hf at the film surface. The denser “crust” layer in HafSOx films may directly impact patterning resolution. More generally, the phenomenon of surface-layer inhomogeneity in solution-deposited films likely influences film properties and may have consequences in other thin-film systems under investigation as resists, dielectrics, and thin-film transistor components.