cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoid-dextran conjugates as potential prodrugs for colon-specific delivery: hydrolysis in rat gastrointestinal tract contents.

Chronic colitis, e.g., ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is presently treated with glucocorticoids and other antiinflammatory agents. Side effects limit chronic glucocorticoid therapy. The dose, and consequently the side effects, may be reduced by using prodrugs that selectively deliver drug to the colon. We previously synthesized glucocorticoid–dextran conjugates in which dexamethasone and methylprednisolone were attached to dextran (weight-average molecular weight = 72 600) using dicarboxylic acid linkers (succinate and glutarate). In the present study, the hydrolysis kinetics of the hemiesters (hemiester = glucocorticoid + linker) and dextran conjugates were determined after incubation at 37 °C in diluted luminal contents of the gastrointestinal (GI) trace of male Sprague–Dawley rats. The hemiesters were rapidly hydrolyzed in the proximal small intestine (e.g., dexamethasone–hemiglutarate t1/2 = 0.5 h). This rate decreased progressively down the GI tract (t1/2 = 4.8, 54, and 68 h in distal small intestine, cecum, and colon, respectively). The enzyme responsible for hemiester hydrolysis, apparently a type-A alkaline carboxylesterase, is probably of host origin because its activity is highest in the small intestine where bacterial count is low. The dextran conjugates resisted hydrolysis in upper GI tract contents but were rapidly degraded in cecal and colonic contents where the bacterial count is high. The dextran conjugate tested, methylprednisolone–succinate–dextran, was easily hydrolyzed by an endodextranase, indicating that substrate specificity is not lost upon the attachment of glucocorticoid. The results of this study indicate that dextran conjugates may be useful in selectively delivering glucocorticoids to the large intestine for the treatment of colitis.
Magnetic Barcode Nanowires for Osteosarcoma Cell Control, Detection and Separation

Multilayered gold/nickel “barcode” nanowires were grown using electrodeposition for multiplexed detection in biomolecular assays. Non-specific uptake of barcoded nanowires by osteosarcoma cells (OSCA-8) was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy images. Barcode-tagged cells were manipulated with an external magnetic field and were readily separated from untagged cells. Separation efficiency increased from a maximum of 30.14% to a maximum of 47.9% as clustering was reduced. Cells exposed to nanowires (both those that incorporated wires and those that did not) appeared to be viable suggesting that the nanowires are not toxic.
Permafrost thaw and soil moisture driving CO2 and CH4 release from upland tundra

As permafrost degrades, the amount of organic soil carbon (C) that thaws during the growing season will increase, but decomposition may be limited by saturated soil conditions common in high-latitude ecosystems. However, in some areas, soil drying is expected to accompany permafrost thaw as a result of increased water drainage, which may enhance C release to the atmosphere. We examined the effects of ecosystem warming, permafrost thaw, and soil moisture changes on C balance in an upland tundra ecosystem. This study was conducted at a water table drawdown experiment, established in 2011 and located within the Carbon in Permafrost Experimental Heating Research project, an ecosystem warming and permafrost thawing experiment in Alaska. Warming and drying increased cumulative growing season ecosystem respiration by ~20% over 3 years of this experiment. Warming caused an almost twofold increase in decomposition of a common substrate in surface soil (0–10 cm) across all years, and drying caused a twofold increase in decomposition (0–20 cm) relative to control after 3 years of drying. Decomposition of older C increased in the dried and in the combined warmed + dried plots based on soil pore space 14CO2. Although upland tundra systems have been considered CH4 sinks, warming and ground thaw significantly increased CH4 emission rates. Water table depth was positively correlated with monthly respiration and negatively correlated with CH4 emission rates. These results demonstrate that warming and drying may increase loss of old permafrost C from tundra ecosystems, but the form and magnitude of C released to the atmosphere will be driven by changes in soil moisture.
Calibrating Recruitment Estimates for Mourning Doves From Harvest Age Ratios

We examined results from the first national-scale effort to estimate mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) age ratios and developed a simple, efficient, and generalizable methodology for calibrating estimates. Our method predicted age classes of unknown-age wings based on backward projection of molt distributions from fall harvest collections to preseason banding. We estimated 1) the proportion of late- molt individuals in each age class, and 2) the molt rates of juvenile and adult birds. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated our estimator was minimally biased. We estimated model parameters using 96,811 wings collected from hunters and 42,189 birds banded during preseason from 68 collection blocks in 22 states during the 2005-2007 hunting seasons. We also used estimates to derive a correction factor, based on latitude and longitude of samples, which can be applied to future surveys. We estimated differential vulnerability of age classes to harvest using data from banded birds and applied that to harvest age ratios to estimate population age ratios. Average, uncorrected age ratio of known-age wings for states that allow hunting was 2.25 (SD 0.85) juveniles:adult, and average, corrected ratio was 1.91 (SD 0.68), as determined from harvest age ratios from an independent sample of 41,084 wings collected from random hunters in 2007 and 2008. We used an independent estimate of differential vulnerability to adjust corrected harvest age ratios and estimated the average population age ratio as 1.45 (SD 0.52), a direct measure of recruitment rates. Average annual recruitment rates were highest east of the Mississippi River and in the northwestern United States, with lower rates between. Our results demonstrate a robust methodology for calibrating recruitment estimates for mourning doves and represent the first large-scale estimates of recruitment for the species. Our methods can be used by managers to correct future harvest survey data to generate recruitment estimates for use in formulating harvest management strategies.
Neural Correlates of Attentive Selection for Color or Luminance in Extrastriate Area V4

Rhesus monkeys were trained on a conditional orientation discrimination task in order to assess whether attentive selection for a color or luminance stimulus feature would affect visual processing in extrastriate area V4. The task required monkeys to select a bar stimulus based on its color or luminance and then to discriminate the angular tilt of the selected stimulus. The majority of neurons (74%) were selectively activated when the color or luminance of the stimulus in the receptive field matched the color or luminance of the cue. The activity was attenuated when there was not a match between the stimulus and the cue. The differential activation was based on the presence or absence of the stimulus feature and was independent of spatial location. Across the population of V4 neurons, optimal stimuli that matched the selected color or luminance elicited about twice the activity as stimuli that did not match the selected feature. The feature-selective changes in activity were observed to develop beginning about 200 msec after the stimulus onset and were maintained over the remainder of the behavioral trial. In this task the activity of V4 neurons reflected a selection based on the cued feature and not simply the physical color or luminance of the receptive field stimulus. Under these conditions, the topographic representation of the neural activity in area V4 highlights the potential targets in the visual scene at the expense of background objects. These observations offer a physiological counterpart to psychophysical studies suggesting that stimuli can be preferentially selected in parallel across the visual field on the basis of a unique color or luminance feature.
Decentralized multi-armed bandit with imperfect observations

We consider decentralized multi-armed bandit problems with multiple distributed players. At each time, each player chooses one of the N independent arms with unknown reward statistics to play. Players do not exchange information regarding their observations or actions. A collision occurs when multiple players choose the same arm. In this case, the reward obtained by a player involved in the collision deviates from the actual reward offered by this arm in an arbitrary and unknown way, thus making it harder to learn the underlying reward statistic of this arm. The objective is to design a decentralized arm selection policy to minimize the system regret defined as the total reward loss with respect to the ideal scenario of known reward model and centralized scheduling among players. We propose a decentralized policy that achieves O(√T) system regret where T is the length of the time horizon. The policy thus achieves the same maximum average reward as in the ideal scenario. Furthermore, the policy ensures fairness among players, i.e., players achieve the same local average reward at the same rate. These problems find applications in cognitive radio networks, multi-agent systems, Internet advertising and web search.
Scheduling imprecise task graphs for real-time applications

Many of the real-time tasks within embedded real-time control applications fall into the imprecise category. Such tasks are iterative in nature, with output precision improving as execution time increases (up to a point). These tasks can be terminated early at the cost of poorer quality output. Many imprecise tasks in CPS are dependent, with one task feeding other tasks in a task precedence graph (TPG). A task output quality depends on the quality of its input data as well as on the execution time that is allotted to it. In this paper, we study the allocation/scheduling of imprecise TPGs on multiprocessors to maximise output quality where resources (time and energy) are limited. Our heuristic algorithms can effectively reclaim resources when tasks finish earlier than their estimated worst-case execution time. Dynamic voltage scaling is used to manage energy consumption and keep it under a specified bound.
EVALUATION OF THE CRACK FACE BRIDGING MECHANISM IN A MGAL2O4 SPINEL

The effectiveness of a grain bridging mechanism in the following wake zone of two MgAl2O4 spinel microstructures has been demonstrated through renotching experiments with double-cantilevered-beam (DCB) specimens. Measurements of dKR/dδa agree with previous crack growth resistance curves of similar materials, obtained from single-edgenotch-beam specimens. However, even the extended test ligaments available from the present DCB specimens did not permit the full development of the following wake zone of these coarse microstructures.
Differential gene expression profiling of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Background Differential gene expression offers an attractive means by which to study genes that may be involved in disease development and/or progression. We performed quantitative gene expression in various stages of esophageal adenocarcinoma, treated exclusively by surgery with complete 2-field lymphadenectomy, in an attempt to discern genes involved in disease progression as well as genes that may predict survival. Methods Gene expression profiling was accomplished by cDNA-mediated annealing, selection, extension, and ligation (DASL) assay. RNA was extracted from 89 archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded esophageal adenocarcinoma tissues. DASL assay was performed with the Sentrix Universal Array (Illumina Corp, San Diego, Calif) of 502 known cancer-related genes. Bioinformatics tools were used to determine significant differential gene expression in T1-2 versus T3-4 tumors and tumors without lymph node involvement (N0) versus tumors with lymph node involvement (N+). Gene expression was also correlated with overall survival. Results Twenty-one genes were overexpressed in T1-2 compared with T3-4 tumors (false discovery rate of 0). Underexpression of 1 gene was seen in N+ compared with N0 tumors (false discovery rate of 0). For overall survival, underexpression of 9 genes correlated with long survival. Conclusions Using differential gene expression of 502 known cancer genes, we identified genes that may be involved at various stages in the progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma. We also identified genes that may correlate with prolonged survival and, thus, may serve as prognostic markers. These findings may provide further insight into the mechanisms of development and/or progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Prospective studies are needed to verify the prognostic value of these genes.
A Self-Contained Culture Platform Using Carbon Dioxide Produced from a Chemical Reaction Supports Mouse Blastocyst Development In Vitro

Elevated CO2 is required for in vitro embryo culture to maintain proper media pH and to supply embryo metabolic pathways. As an alternative to current approaches using gas cylinders, we examined use of a chemical reaction to supply CO2. A closed culture system was constructed and chemicals added to generate CO2, which was then supplied to developing embryos. This system was shown to provide a stable pH (7.2-7.4) over 4 days of use. One-cell mouse embryos were cultured in the device and no difference in blastocyst formation or cell number was apparent between embryos grown in a closed system with CO2 supplied by a chemical reaction or positive controls grown in a an open system in a CO2 incubator. This approach provides a highly purified, inexpensive, and easily obtainable gas source and offers potential for development of new, self-contained culture platforms.
Genomic and Population Analyses of the Mating Type Loci in Coccidioides Species Reveal Evidence for Sexual Reproduction and Gene Acquisition

Coccidioides species, the fungi responsible for the valley fever disease, are known to reproduce asexually through the production of arthroconidia that are the infectious propagules. The possible role of sexual reproduction in the survival and dispersal of these pathogens is unexplored. To determine the potential for mating of Coccidioides, we analyzed genome sequences and identified mating type loci characteristic of heterothallic ascomycetes. Coccidioides strains contain either a MAT1-1 or a MAT1-2 idiomorph, which is 8.1 or 9 kb in length, respectively, the longest reported for any ascomycete species. These idiomorphs contain four or five genes, respectively, more than are present in the MAT loci of most ascomycetes. Along with their cDNA structures, we determined that all genes in the MAT loci are transcribed. Two genes frequently found in common sequences flanking MAT idiomorphs, APN2 and COX13, are within the MAT loci in Coccidioides, but the MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 copies have diverged dramatically from each other. Data indicate that the acquisition of these genes in the MAT loci occurred prior to the separation of Coccidioides from Uncinocarpus reesii. An analysis of 436 Coccidioides isolates from patients and the environment indicates that in both Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii, there is a 1:1 distribution of MAT loci, as would be expected for sexually reproducing species. In addition, an analysis of isolates obtained from 11 soil samples demonstrated that at three sampling sites, strains of both mating types were present, indicating that compatible strains were in close proximity in the environment.
The UCLA Body Project I: Gender and Ethnic Differences in Self-Objectification and Body Satisfaction Among 2,206 Undergraduates

This study examined whether objectification theory is useful for understanding gender, body mass, and ethnic differences in body satisfaction among 2,206 US undergraduates who completed a body image survey. Women reported lower body satisfaction than men (d = .37) and this was true across the majority of the BMI continuum. Very slender men, however, were less satisfied than very slender women who approached the female thin-ideal. Differences in body satisfaction among White, Asian, and Hispanic participants were small to moderate (ds = .18 to .45). Consistent with the prediction that self-objectification has particularly negative effects on women who deviate from the slender White ideal, the association between body dissatisfaction and appearance surveillance was strongest for heavier and minority women.
Comparative Analysis of Registered Nurses' and Nursing Students' Attitudes and Use of Nonpharmacologic Methods of Pain Management

Despite the benefits that nonpharmacologic methods of pain management have to offer, nurses cite barriers that inhibit their use in practice. The purpose of this research study was to compare the perceptions of prelicensed student nurses (SNs) and registered nurses (RNs) toward nonpharmacologic methods of pain management. A sample size of 64 students and 49 RNs was recruited. Each participant completed a questionnaire about their use and perceptions nonpharmacologic pain control methods. Sixty-nine percent of RNs reported a stronger belief that nonpharmacologic methods gave relief to their patients compared with 59% of SNs (p = .028). Seventy-five percent of student nurses felt they had adequate education about nonpharmacologic pain modalities compared with 51% of RN who felt less than adequately educated (p = .016). These findings highlight the need for education about nonpharmacologic approaches to pain management. Applications of these findings may decrease barriers to the use of nonpharmacologic methods of pain management.
Formation flying control for the MMS mission using GVE-based MPC

Formation flying is an enabling technology for many future space missions. This paper presents an MPC (model predictive control) controller that uses dynamics based on a modified version of Gauss' variational equations which incorporates osculating J2 effects. A linear parameter-varying version of existing dynamics is developed, creating a highly accurate model that can easily be embedded in the MPC controller design. The linearization assumptions are shown to be consistent with typical formation flying scenarios. The controller is demonstrated on an MMS-like mission using a commercial orbit propagator with realistic disturbances (including J2). These simulations show that (formation flying using MPC with J2-modified GVEs requires fuel use comparable to using unmodified GVEs in simulations with no J2 effects
Top-Wall and Branch-Waveguide Hybrids for Millimeter Wavelengths (Correspondence)

Top-wall and multiple-branch waveguide couplers were developed as hybrid junctions for millimeter wavelengths, and their electrical characteristics were measured. For construction of the 55-GHz top-wall coupler, electroforming techniques were used; for the 94-GHz branch-guide coupler, the branch lines were cut directly into the wall of the main guide. Copper losses were less than 0.2 dB for the two types of couplers.
Identification of structural aberrations in cancer by SNP array analysis

Recent studies using single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays have pinpointed novel oncogenes and tumor suppressors involved in specific types of human cancers.
Abstract 18888: 2-Methoxyestrone Retards the Progression of Angioproliferative Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats - Role of 17beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Pathway

Background: 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2; major non-estrogenic metabolite of estradiol) attenuates monocrotaline (MCT)- and SU5416+hypoxia (SU/Hx)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH). 2ME2 is dehydrogenated by type-2 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17-HSD2) to 2-methoxyestrone (2ME1), a metabolite with no biological activity. However, in vivo 2ME1 may be converted back to 2ME2 by type-1 17β-HSD (17-HSD1). Our recent study indicates that 2ME-2 and all-trans retinoic acid (atRA; a 17HSD1 inducer) have synergistic therapeutic effects in MCT-induced PH. Methods: To study the role of 17β-HSD metabolic pathway on development of PH, first we examined the effects of 2-ME1 on proliferation of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMC), lung fibroblasts (hLF) and hela cells, in the presence or absence of atRA. Next, in male rats, we studied the effects of 2ME1 on progression of MCT-induced PH (Day14-28 post MCT). Finally, we investigated the effects of 2ME1 on SU/Hx-induced PH. Ten days into hypoxia, intact (F) and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats were implanted minipumps delivering vehicle (PEG-400 0.5μl/h; F-SU and OVX-SU groups) or 2-ME1 (20μg/kg/h; F-2ME1 and OVX-2ME1 groups) Results: In hPASMC, hLF and hela cells 2ME1 had no/modest antimitogenic effect at a high pharmacological concentration, whereas in the presence of atRA, 2ME1 exhibited strong and concentration-dependent inhibition of cells growth. In male rats, 2ME1 retarded the progression of MCT-PH, and attenuated right ventricle (RV) and pulmonary vascular remodeling. In female rats SU/Hx induced severe angioproliferative PAH (RVPSP: F=23+2 vs F-SU = 116+10mmHg) and 2ME1 reduced PAH. Ovariectomy attenuated PAH (RVPSP: F-SU= 116+10 vs F-2ME1=96+10mmHg and in OVX-SU rats 2ME1 significantly retarded the progression of disease (RVPSP: OVX-SU= 99+9 mmHg vs. OVX-2ME1= 71+4) and markedly reduces RV remodeling (RV/LV+S: OVX-SU=0.715+0.021 vs. OVX-2ME1=0.555+0.026; p Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence that in vivo 2ME1 is biologically active and has therapeutic effects in angioproliferative PAH. Presented data suggest that 17β-HSD pathway of estradiol metabolism may play significant role in development and/or progression of PH.
The Number of Paths in a Rooted Binary Tree of Infinite Height

(1990). The Number of Paths in a Rooted Binary Tree of Infinite Height. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 305-307.
Atomic Layer Deposition of MnS: Phase Control and Electrochemical Applications

Manganese sulfide (MnS) thin films were synthesized via atomic layer deposition (ALD) using gaseous manganese bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl) and hydrogen sulfide as precursors. At deposition temperatures ≤150 °C phase-pure γ-MnS thin films were deposited, while at temperatures >150 °C, a mixed phase consisting of both γ- and α-MnS resulted. In situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) studies validate the self-limiting behavior of both ALD half-reactions and, combined with quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS), allow the derivation of a self-consistent reaction mechanism. Finally, MnS thin films were deposited on copper foil and tested as a Li-ion battery anode. The MnS coin cells showed exceptional cycle stability and near-theoretical capacity.
Role of the nurse in the prevention of dependence

Abstract Preventing frailty in elderly people to delay their dependency is one of the main missions of the Gerontopole, a centre of expertise for gerontology, in Toulouse. The proposed actions are simple to put in place and the nurses are autonomous in carrying out assessments. Nursing expertise has also been developed within the centre.
Biomarkers and Genetics in Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is highly prevalent and there is considerable diversity in the initial clinical manifestation and disease progression among individuals. Currently, there is no ideal biomarker to screen for PAD, to risk stratify patients with PAD, or to monitor therapeutic response to revascularization procedures. Advances in human genetics have markedly enhanced the ability to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches across a host of human diseases, but such developments in the field of PAD are lagging. Content: In this article, we will discuss the epidemiology, traditional risk factors for, and clinical presentations of PAD. We will discuss the possible role of genetic factors and gene–environment interactions in the development and/or progression of PAD. We will further explore future avenues through which genetic advances can be used to better our understanding of the pathophysiology of PAD and potentially find newer therapeutic targets. We will discuss the potential role of biomarkers in identifying patients at risk for PAD and for risk stratifying patients with PAD, and novel approaches to identification of reliable biomarkers in PAD. Summary: The exponential growth of genetic tools and newer technologies provides opportunities to investigate and identify newer pathways in the development and progression of PAD, and thereby in the identification of newer biomarkers and therapies.
Understanding and Measuring Endowment in Public Charities

This note delineates different motivations for holding endowment by nonprofits, analyzes the definitions and measurement of endowment in the literature, and details newly available data on endowmen...
Research Design Options for Intervention Studies.

Purpose To review research designs for rehabilitation. Summary of key points Single-case, observational, and qualitative designs are highlighted in terms of recent advances and ability to answer important scientific questions about rehabilitation. Statement of conclusions Single-case, observational, and qualitative designs can be conducted in a systematic and rigorous manner that provides important information that cannot be acquired using more common designs, such as randomized controlled trials. These less commonly used designs may be more feasible and effective in answering many research questions in the field of rehabilitation. Recommendations for clinical practice Researchers should consider these designs when selecting the optimal design to answer their research questions. We should improve education about the advantages and disadvantages of existing research designs to enable more critical analysis of the scientific literature we read and review to avoid undervaluing studies not within more commonly used categories.
A Statistical Study of Serum Cholesterol Level by Gender and Race.

Background : Cholesterol level (CL) is growing concerned as health issue in human health since it is considered one of the causes in heart diseases. A study of cholesterol level can provide insight about its nature and characteristics. Study design : A cross-sectional study Methods : National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANS) II was conducted on a probability sample of approximately 28,000 persons in the USA and cholesterol level is obtained from laboratory results. Samples were selected so that certain population groups thought to be at high risk of malnutrition. Study included 11,864 persons for CL cases with 9,602 males and 2,262 females with races: whites, blacks, and others. Non-parametric statistical tests and goodness of fit test have been used to identify probability distributions. Results : The study concludes that the cholesterol level exhibits significant racial and gender differences in terms of probability distributions. The study has concluded that white people are relatively higher at risk than black people to have risk line and high risk cholesterol. The study clearly indicates that black males normally have higher cholesterol. Females have lower variation in cholesterol than males. Conclusions : There exists gender and racial discrepancies in cholesterol which has been identified as lognormal and gamma probability distributions. White individuals seem to be at a higher risk of having high risk cholesterol level than blacks. Females tend to have higher variation in cholesterol level than males.
Vestibular loss predicts poorer spatial cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease

The vestibular system is an important contributor to balance control, spatial orientation, and falls risk. Recent evidence has shown that Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have a higher prevalence of vestibular impairment relative to healthy controls. We sought to evaluate whether vestibular loss is specifically associated with poor spatial cognitive skills among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. We enrolled 50 patients (22 MCI and 28 AD) from an interdisciplinary Memory Clinic and measured vestibular physiologic function in all patients. Spatial cognitive function was assessed using the Money Road Map Test (MRMT) and the Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B). General cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). In multivariable linear regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, education level, and MMSE, MCI and AD patients with vestibular loss made significantly more errors on the MRMT relative to patients with normal vestibular function (β= 7.3, 95% CI 2.4, 12.1 for unilateral vestibular loss and β= 6.4, 95% CI 1.9, 10.9 for bilateral vestibular loss). We further stratified AD patients into "spatially normal" and "spatially impaired" groups based on MRMT performance, and found that the prevalence of vestibular loss was significantly higher in the spatially impaired AD group relative to the spatially normal AD group. These findings support the hypothesis that vestibular loss contributes specifically to a decline in spatial cognitive ability in MCI and AD patients, independently of general cognitive decline, and may predict a "spatially impaired" subtype of AD.
A flexible transparent nanopore device for pressure sensing and drug release

This paper reports a newly developed flexible nanopore device for both drug release and pressure sensing for the first time. Different from our previously reported drug release device based on the nanopore thin film fabricated on rigid substrates [1], this new flexible device not only can serve as a drug delivery device, but also can be used as a pressure sensor as well. Specifically, the periodically distributed honeycomb-shape nanopores can store the drugs, facilitating the extended drug release. In addition, the applied pressure on the device deforms the shape and interspace among the nanopores, as a result, the reflected optical interference fringes from the device shift, which is used as a pressure transducing signal.
The Pseudo-Equivalent Groups Approach as an Alternative to Common-Item Equating

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of linking test scores by using test takers' background data to form pseudo-equivalent groups (PEG) of test takers. Using 4 operational test forms that each included 100 items and were taken by more than 30,000 test takers, we created 2 half-length research forms that had either 20 (strong anchor) or 10 (weak anchor) items in common. Because the 2 research forms were assembled from a single form that had been administered in a large-scale operational testing setting, we obtained the direct equating function between the 2 research forms through the single-group design and treated it as a criterion or true equating function between the 2 research forms. We equated the 2 research forms in a common-item design using the poststratification equipercentile (PSE) and chained equipercentile (CHEQ) methods, and then compared the common-item results to the results derived from the PEG linking. Because the new and reference groups differed substantially in ability, by study design, the CHEQ method produced more accurate results than did the PSE method in both the strong and weak anchor conditions. CHEQ using 10 common items was as effective as PSE using 20 common items. PSE using 10 common items produced the least accurate results among the five methods. The PEG linking produced more accurate results compared to the PSE method using the weak anchor.
When Will Most AIDS Patients in the World Have Access to Effective Antiretroviral Therapy

When will most AIDS patients in the world have access to effective antiretroviral (ARV) therapy?
Methodological Issues in Family Observational Research

Increasingly, researchers are turning to observational data to understand the development and functioning of family systems and to identify family interaction patterns that reliably differentiate problem from nonproblem families. The burgeoning interest in observational methods stems in large part from the emphasis of family systems theoretical orientations on the interdependency of individuals and relationships within the family and on the need to capture the nature of complex systemic interactions scientifically. Observational research is costly and labor-intensive, yet it offers investigators the opportunity to collect reliable and valid data unavailable through traditional assessment strategies. From a methodological perspective, whereas self-report measures are useful when one is interested in family members’ perceptions of family functioning (e.g., satisfaction with roles within the family), observational data are preferred for more complex aspects of family functioning. For example, observational methods can capture patterns of interaction, including responses that are difficult to describe such as behavior rates, affective expression sion, nonverbal behavior, and events that participants may be unwilling to report or else may distort as a function of the event’s social undesirability or of the effort required for adequate description (Hartmann & Wood, 1992). Direct observational methodology may be particularly useful for studying families with young children who do not have the language skills to respond to questionnaires or interviews. In addition, direct observations have high face validity and good generalizability and are less susceptible to confounding influences (Jacob, Tennenbaum, & Krahn, 1987). Data gathered through the direct observation of behaviors without an intermediaryquestionnaire or other instrument reflect those behaviors directly. It therefore requires relatively little conceptual inference to connect the data to the phenomenon (Suen & Ary, 1989).
Regulation and functions of Escherichia coli genes induced by DNA damage.

We have used the operon fusion vector Mud(Ap, lac) to generate a set of fusions within the Escherichia coli chromosome in which β- galactosidase (the product of the lacZ gene carried by the phage) is induced in response to DNA damaging agents such as UV, mitomycin C, 4-nitroquinoline-l-oxide, and N-methyl-N’-nitro-N-nitrosoguani- dine. This induction is not seen in recA - or lexA - cells. We have identified two members of this set of inducible genes as being uvrA and uvrB; the products of these two genes are required for excision repair of pyrimidine dimers and other lesions. In addition we have recently isolated a Mud(Ap, lac) insertion in the umuC gene. The product of this gene is specifically required for most chemical mutagenesis in E. coli and for inducible (Weigle) reactivation of UV- irradiated bacteriophage λ. Expression of β -galactosidase in the umuC::Mud(Ap, lac) fusion strain was induced by UV and a variety of agents in a recA + lexA +-dependent fashion. In all, the expression of ten E. coli genes is now known to be induced by DNA damage. Genetic analysis and biochemical experiments indicate that the lexA gene product is the direct repressor of these genes and that proteolytic cleavage of the lexA protein by the recA protease is required for their induction.
Infiltrating Lymphocyte Populations and Cytokine Production in the Salivary and Lacrimal Glands of Autoimmune NOD Mice

It is only in the last five years that significant interest has developed in detailing the autoimmune destruction of the salivary and lacrimal tissues in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse. Pioneering studies have demonstrated that the lymphocytic infiltration of the salivary and lacrimal glands correlates with a functional decline in saliva flow and tear production, respectively, that is not attributable to the loss of blood glucose regulation in NOD mice.1,2 Together, these studies indicate that the NOD mouse represents the first-described animal model for the spontaneous, autoimmune-induced loss of both tear production and saliva flow, and is, therefore, emerging as an excellent animal model for the study of human Sjogren’s syndrome.
Distribution of glycoconjugates in the human retinal internal limiting membrane.

The internal limiting membrane (ILM), or basal lamina, of the neural retina is located between the end feet of retinal Muller cells and the vitreous cortex. Recent studies of ILM substructure and histochemistry suggest that the ILM lamina rara externa, a region of the ILM likely to mediate vitreoretinal adhesion, is rich in noncollagen glycoconjugates. To characterize the spatial distribution and temporal expression of ILM glycoconjugates further, fetal and adult human retinas were examined using lectin histochemistry. Eyes from early fetal (13-15 weeks of gestation), midfetal (17-20 weeks of gestation), late fetal (23-26 weeks of gestation), full-term (38-41 weeks of gestation), early adult (17-20 yr of age), and late adult (57-84 yr of age) stages were examined. Although a number of significant observations pertaining to the distribution and temporal expression of ILM-associated glycoconjugates are described, two may have a significant relationship to vitreoretinal adhesion. In contrast to laminin and fibronectin, which are detectable throughout the retinal ILM at both young and older adulthood, erythrina cristagalii (ECA), a lectin with high binding affinity for galactose beta (1,3) N-acetyl-glucosamine, binds strongly to the ILM of young eyes but does not bind to the ILM of eyes from older donors. In addition, dolichos bifloris (DBA), a lectin with high binding affinity for N-acetylgalactosamine, does not bind to the ILM at early fetal stages, but binds at the midfetal stage, a time which corresponds with the onset of tertiary vitreous elaboration. More significantly, the DBA-binding glycoconjugate is neural retina ILM specific; it is not present in the basal lamina of the ciliary epithelium. Based on the known oligosaccharide composition of nonocular forms of human laminin, fibronectin, and collagen type I, and on the distribution of these molecules in the basal laminas of both the retina and ciliary epithelium, the authors conclude that the molecule bound by DBA has not been identified previously as a component of the ILM. Further characterization of ILM-associated molecules will be important to understand vitreoretinal adhesion and clinical disorders where adhesion is anomalous.
Ontogeny of Bradleya normani (Brady): Shape Analysis of Landmarks

The choice of a method of shape analysis is limited by the purpose of the research to which the method is to be applied. Three areas of investigation to which shape analysis lends itself are describing morphology; studying environmental, geographical, or stratigraphical change of morphology; and comparing similarity of morphology. Selection of a method is further dependent on whether the shapes of the objects being studied are defined by homologous landmarks or are defined by outlines. We encourage investigators first to ask biologically important questions and then to select the appropriate method of shape analysis. Although these caveats may seem unnecessary, we believe that too little attention has been directed toward applications in the rush to develop new methodologies. Bradleya normani (Brady) is unusual among species of its genus because it lives in relatively shallow water. Its study may provide a better understanding of deep-water species of Bradleya that have been used extensively in paleoceanography. Our understanding of the evolution of ostracodes in general would be enhanced by investigation of heterochrony, but especially little is known of the ontogeny of deep-sea ostracodes because their immature instars are comparatively rare. Homologous landmarks on the carapaces of adults and five instars of B. normani (Brady) were studied by traditional multivariate morphometric methods that are orientated toward graphical representation of results, by tensor analysis, and by robust regression analysis. Multivariate discriminant function analysis and ordination by nonmetric multidimensional scaling provide useful graphical summaries of overall morphological difference, but they do not show directly in which areas of the carapace the change occurs. Tensor analysis gives a useful graphic and quantitative impression of ontogenetic changes of shape of regions of the carapace that are bounded by landmarks. Robust regression analysis focuses attention on changes of the relative positions of the landmarks themselves rather than on changes of shape of the regions bounded by landmarks. It also provides a numerical estimate of change between selected pairs of indivials, the average residual length. In general, different methods of analysis showed the same progressive change of shape from the youngest instar, A-5, to the adult, but the results of the methods also differed in minor ways. The greatest ontogenetic change in the location of the landmarks occurred in the growth from instars A-4 to A-3, and from instars A-3 to A-2. Sexual dimorphism is apparent but not pronounced among adults of B. normani (Brady). Few males were found, however, and dimorphism was not detected with the measurements taken. In choosing a method, one should bear in mind that results of analysis of shapes are most easily interpreted when they lend themselves to production of simple graphs.
Socioeconomic Mediators of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Congenital Heart Disease Outcomes: A Population‐Based Study in California

Background Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities exist in outcomes for children with congenital heart disease. We sought to determine the influence of race/ethnicity and mediating socioeconomic factors on 1-year outcomes for live-born infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and dextro-Transposition of the great arteries. Methods and Results The authors performed a population-based cohort study using the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. Live-born infants without chromosomal anomalies were included. The outcome was a composite measure of mortality or unexpected hospital readmissions within the first year of life defined as >3 (hypoplastic left heart syndrome) or >1 readmissions (dextro-Transposition of the great arteries). Hispanic ethnicity was compared with non-Hispanic white ethnicity. Mediation analyses determined the percent contribution to outcome for each mediator on the pathway between race/ethnicity and outcome. A total of 1796 patients comprised the cohort (n=964 [hypoplastic left heart syndrome], n=832 [dextro-Transposition of the great arteries]) and 1315 were included in the analysis (n=477 non-Hispanic white, n=838 Hispanic). Hispanic ethnicity was associated with a poor outcome (crude odds ratio, 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37-2.17). Higher maternal education (crude odds ratio 0.5; 95% CI , 0.38-0.65) and private insurance (crude odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI , 0.45-0.71) were protective. In the mediation analysis, maternal education and insurance status explained 33.2% (95% CI , 7-66.4) and 27.6% (95% CI , 6.5-63.1) of the relationship between race/ethnicity and poor outcome, while infant characteristics played a minimal role. Conclusions Socioeconomic factors explain a significant portion of the association between Hispanic ethnicity and poor outcome in neonates with critical congenital heart disease. These findings identify vulnerable populations that would benefit from resources to lessen health disparities.
Cefepime-Induced Encephalopathy and Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus: Dispelling an Artificial Dichotomy:

Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic known to have neurotoxic side effects. Recent reports have described patients on cefepime presenting with altered mentation and concurrent triphasic wave discharges on electroencephalogram (EEG). Some have described this clinical presentation as cefepime-induced encephalopathy, while others have termed it as cefepime-induced nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). We report on 4 patients who developed cefepime-associated altered mentation with triphasic discharges on EEG. A benzodiazepine trial was attempted in 3 of the patients, all of whom had improvement in the frequency of the triphasic discharges, but only 2 of whom demonstrated a concurrent partial and transient improvement in mental status. All 4 patients had normalization of mental status upon discontinuation of cefepime. We provide a literature review of prior cases and propose that these reports, including those labeled as NCSE, are best described as a cefepime-induced encephalopathy with triphasic discharges as opposed to an ictal phenomenon. We contend that aggressive treatment with anti-seizure medications is not warranted and that cefepime discontinuation is the definitive treatment. This case series and review of the literature clarifies a long-standing terminological ambiguity in a unique clinical picture that can be encountered by the neurohospitalist or other providers.
The asymmetric responses of aggregate earnings and stock returns to oil shocks and policy uncertainty

This paper utilizes a structural VAR model to investigate the asymmetric responses of aggregate earnings and stock market returns to oil price shocks and economic policy uncertainty. It finds that ...
Mental disorders in popular film: How Hollywood uses, shames, and obscures mental diversity: by Erin Heath, Lanham, MD, Lexington Books, 2019, 106 pp., $80.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-1-49-852171-0

Mental Disorders in Popular Film: How Hollywood Uses, Shames and Obscures Mental Diversity examines an array of portrayals of mental disorders within film. Erin Heath (2019) analyzes the ways in wh...
The Independence of the Belgian Constitutional Court

The independence of a constitutional court depends on the independence of the institution itself and of its members. This chapter argues that the Belgian Constitutional Court is a strong, independent institution. Its existence, competences and composition are entrenched in strong legislation: the Belgian Constitution and the Special Act on the Constitutional Court. The Belgian Constitutional Court also enjoys normative and operational autonomy. The financial autonomy of the Constitutional Court is however not fully guaranteed in practice, for two reasons. Firstly, the government forces the Constitutional Court to cut down on its expenditures, regardless of the consequences on its functioning. Secondly, the House of Representatives wants to have more control on the budget and the expenditures of the Constitutional Court than the Special Act on the Constitutional Court allows for at the moment. It is argued that more control by the House of Representatives would endanger the independence of the Constitutional Court and the principle of the separation of powers. It is furthermore argued that the independence of the constitutional judges is also quite well safeguarded. Nevertheless, the appointment procedure could be ameliorated by the obligation for Parliament to organize a public hearing before confirming the nomination of a candidate-judge. This would contribute to the legitimacy and thus independence of the Constitutional Court. Finally, it is argued that the accountability of the Constitutional Court could be reinforced if the Constitutional Court would use a more deliberative argumentation style and would allow separate opinions.