cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Region-specific transcriptional response to chronic nicotine in rat brain.

Abstract Even though nicotine has been shown to modulate mRNA expression of a variety of genes, a comprehensive high-throughput study of the effects of nicotine on the tissue-specific gene expression profiles has been lacking in the literature. In this study, cDNA microarrays containing 1117 genes and ESTs were used to assess the transcriptional response to chronic nicotine treatment in rat, based on four brain regions, i.e. prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAs), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and amygdala (AMYG). On the basis of a non-parametric resampling method, an index (called jackknifed reliability index, JRI) was proposed, and employed to determine the inherent measurement error across multiple arrays used in this study. Upon removal of the outliers, the mean correlation coefficient between duplicate measurements increased to 0.978±0.0035 from 0.941±0.045. Results from principal component analysis and pairwise correlations suggested that brain regions studied were highly similar in terms of their absolute expression levels, but exhibited divergent transcriptional responses to chronic nicotine administration. For example, PFC and NAs were significantly more similar to each other ( r =0.7; P −14 ) than to either VTA or AMYG. Furthermore, we confirmed our microarray results for two representative genes, i.e. the weak inward rectifier K + channel (TWIK-1), and phosphate and tensin homolog (PTEN) by using real-time quantitative RT-PCR technique. Finally, a number of genes, involved in MAPK, phosphatidylinositol, and EGFR signaling pathways, were identified and proposed as possible targets in response to nicotine administration.
Practical Dietary Approaches to Reducing Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

As a follow-up to a previous review on the relationship between diet and cardiovascular disease risk, this article offers practical advice for making appropriate dietary changes. Reliable resources and Web sites are discussed, as well as general concepts in diet planning. These include reading food labels, controlling serving sizes, and selecting foods with high nutrient density and low energy density. Tips for reducing intakes of total fats, saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium are also included, as well as guidelines for increasing intakes of vegetables, legumes, fruits, and whole grains. The importance of obtaining heart-healthy nutrients from food sources rather than supplements is emphasized. Overall, one's whole diet is critical to reducing cardiovascular disease risk, not just one food component.
Spectrum of spontaneous HPRT mutations in TK6 human lymphoblasts

The occurrence of deletions, coding sequence alterations, and intronic changes leading to aberrant splicing has been characterized among 33 spontaneous HPRT− mutants in TK6 human lymphoblasts. Deletions detectable by multiplex PCR amplification accounted for 45% (15/33) of the mutant collection. Base substitutions represented 30% (10/33) of the total, and were predominated by changes at G:C base pairs. The remaining mutants were distributed among frameshifts (9%, 3/33), small deletions (6%, 2/33), and compound alterations (9%, 3/33). Five mutants (15%) demonstrated aberrant splicing of the hprt transcript. A cluster of 4 deletion/insertion events was identified in hprt exon 6. A nearly perfect 13 bp duplication differed from the original sequence only by an A:T to G:C transition, which was observed as a unique alteration in another HPRT− mutant. A model involving correction of a mismatch in a secondary structure formed by the duplicated sequence may account for these results. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Transient Growth Factor Stimulation Improves Chondrogenesis in Static Culture and Under Dynamic Conditions in a Novel Shear and Perfusion Bioreactor

Tissue engineering emerges as a viable method to replace cartilage damaged by osteoarthritis or trauma. A key element for cartilage tissue engineering is to elucidate growth factor exposure regimes that enhance cartilage production from multipotent progenitor cells. To address this, we identify growth factor conditions that promote chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells cultured under static conditions. We identified transient exposure to bone morphogenic protein-2 in the presence of transforming growth factor beta-1 as a viable condition that promotes expression of chondrogenic phenotype for human mesenchymal stem cells seeded onto polycaprolactone scaffolds. We then use this growth factor regime as a proof of concept to test a new shear and perfusion bioreactor. This novel bioreactor design applies shear stress stimulation on the surface of constructs while allowing tissue perfusion. Constructs harvested from the bioreactor after 8 days showed cartilage development primarily near the construct surface exposed to shear stress. By day 14, cells, collagen deposition and proteoglycan deposition is observed throughout the scaffold, indicative of cartilage development.
Strategic planning and performance improvements of global supply chain with network design optimization tool

These days, many companies have customers around the world. This globalization requires better supply chain performance. The design of an optimized network supply chain model is very important to help save costs and gain profit. A good network design tool can help firms optimize their supply chain in a timely manner also saving substantial costs. In this research, we develop a series of case studies for use with a network design optimization tool. These case studies are proposed to be used as a classroom learning aid in university level supply chain courses for both strategic planning of new supply chain networks and tactical performance improvement of existing supply chains. Results of the global network supply chain design case studies with various scenarios will be discussed.
Optimal placement of the run capacitor in single-phase induction motor designs

A summary is presented of some of the investigations published in an Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) report (EL-4152-CCM, 1987) concerning the optimization of single-phase induction motors with respect to efficiency for given performance constraints and costs. In this study advanced optimization techniques yield relations between efficiency, cost and capacitance value of the run capacitor. The concept of the optimal capacitance of the run capacitor is formulated to provide a basis for understanding the retrofit configuration for single-phase induction motors proposed by C.L. Wanlass (1977). Theoretical, computational and experimental investigations of the Wanlass configuration are presented to show that this retrofit can significantly improve the efficiency of single-phase induction motors. >
Double-stranded RNA activates a p38 MAPK-dependent cell survival program in biliary epithelia

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is produced during replicative viral infection or genotoxic stress. Thus knowledge of the cellular response to dsRNA is necessary to understand the effects of DNA damage or viral infection in biliary epithelia. We assessed the effect of dsRNA on biliary epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis and the role of the stress-activated p38 MAPK signaling pathway in these responses. dsRNA did not induce apoptosis or proliferation in Mz-ChA-1 human malignant cholangiocytes, but decreased cytotoxicity induced by camptothecin or tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand and decreased activity of caspases 3, 8, and 9. Furthermore, dsRNA increased p38 MAPK and JNK kinase active site phosphorylation but had no effect on either MAPK kinase (MEK)1/2 or protein kinase R phosphorylation. Inhibition of p38 MAPK with SB-203580 increased basal caspase activity. Thus dsRNA stimulates a p38 MAPK-dependent cell-survival pathway in biliary epithelial cells that may modulate the response of the biliary epithelia to dsRNA produced during genotoxic injury or virus infection.
Parallel gate-level circuit simulation on shared memory architectures

This paper presents the results of an experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of parallel simulation in reducing the execution time of gate-level models of VLSI circuits. Specific contributions of this paper include (i) the design of a gate-level parallel simulator that can be executed, without any changes on both distributed memory and shared memory parallel architectures, (ii) demonstrated speedups with both conservative and optimistic simulation protocols (almost all previous studies on circuit simulation have failed to extract speedups with conservative protocols); in particular we showed that a speedup of about 3 was obtained on 8 processors of Sparc1000 for conservative algorithms and about 2 for optimistic algorithms for circuits in the ISCAS85 benchmark suite; and (iii) performance comparison between shared memory and distributed memory implementations of the simulator.
Degradation and Life Prediction of Gas-Turbine Duplex Coatings

The high-temperature degradation mechanisms in GT29+ and GT33+ coatings on GTD-111 substrate were characterized by performing cyclic oxidation tests at maximum temperatures of 1010°C and 1066°C. Weight change data were measured as a function of thermal cycles. Metallographic examinations were performed on sectioned specimens to determine changes in microstructure, aluminum content, and volume fraction of β phase in the coatings. These experimental results were analyzed in terms of a coating life model to assess the dominant degradation mechanism affecting the coating life and the appropriate characterizing parameters. Comparison of model calculation and experimental data indicates that conservatively, the useful life of duplex coatings can be predicted solely based on the Al content in the top coat. The predicted value of the coating life is increased by a factor of 1.4 to 2 if MCrAlY is included in the lifetime estimation.
Physician interpretation of electrocardiographic artifact that mimics ventricular tachycardia.

BACKGROUND: Patients who are misdiagnosed with ventricular tachycardia because of electrocardiographic artifact may be subjected to unnecessary procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine how often electrocardiographic artifact is misdiagnosed as ventricular tachycardia. METHODS: Physicians (n = 766) were surveyed with a case simulation that included a two-lead electrocardiographic monitor tracing of artifact simulating a wide-complex tachycardia. RESULTS: The rhythm strip was not recognized as artifact by 52 of the 55 internists (94%), 128 of the 221 cardiologists (58%), and 186 of the 490 electrophysiologists (38%). One hundred fifty-six of the 181 electrophysiologists (88%), 67 of the 126 cardiologists (53%), and 14 of the 15 internists (31%) who misdiagnosed the rhythm as ventricular tachycardia recommended an invasive procedure for further evaluation or therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This physician survey suggests that electrocardiographic artifact that mimics ventricular tachycardia may frequently result in patients being subjected to unnecessary invasive cardiac procedures. Physicians should include artifact in their differential diagnosis of wide complex tachycardias to minimize unneeded procedures.
Using Smell To Triage Samples in Point-of-Care Assays†

Smell of success: Reagent 1 provides the dual readouts of odor (ethanethiol) and fluorescence (derivative of 7-hydroxycoumarin) and can be used in down-selection assays based on smell and quantitative fluorescence assays of the samples that give a positive result. An important feature of 1 is the matched sensitivity of the two outputs. This reagent is designed for use in resource-limited settings and is demonstrated in assays that detect enzymes.
A Historian's view of software engineering

Software engineers suffer from excessive introspection and self-doubt about the existence of the field. This paper takes a look at the history of engineering to find examples consistent with the practice of software engineering. We find that: software engineering does not have to wait until there is a mature underlying science, as engineering practice has generally led science; software engineering has characteristics of design practice that closely match what is normally considered to be engineering design; and software engineering has many attributes of any other new branch of engineering. Finally we consider the reasons why software engineering is not recognized, mostly due to inconsistencies in practice.
Glycosylation of CHO-Derived Recombinant tPA Produced under Elevated pCO2

Carbon dioxide is a metabolic byproduct of mammalian cell metabolism that can accumulate in poorly ventilated cultures. A buildup of CO2 at constant pH will be accompanied by an increase in medium osmolality. We have examined the glycosylation of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) produced under serum-free conditions by recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (MT2-1-8 cell line) in response to elevated pCO2 at constant or elevated osmolality. The proportion of sialic acids comprising N-glycolylneuraminic acid decreased from 2.3-4.0% under 36 mmHg pCO2 to 1.5-2.2% under 250 mmHg pCO2. No changes were observed in the total sialic acid content, the content of other monosaccharides, the relative amounts of type I and type II tPAs, the distribution of surface charges, or the proportion of high-mannose oligosaccharides-even though these conditions have previously been shown to inhibit the specific growth rate of MT2-1-8 cells by 30-40% and the specific tPA production rate by as much as 40%. These results suggest robust glycosylation of tPA by CHO cells.
Sarcomere length operating range of vertebrate muscles during movement

The force generated by skeletal muscle varies with sarcomere length and velocity. An understanding of the sarcomere length changes that occur during movement provides insights into the physiological importance of this relationship and may provide insights into the design of certain muscle/joint combinations. The purpose of this review is to summarize and analyze the available literature regarding published sarcomere length operating ranges reported for various species. Our secondary purpose is to apply analytical techniques to determine whether generalizations can be made regarding the "normal" sarcomere length operating range of skeletal muscle. The analysis suggests that many muscles operate over a narrow range of sarcomere lengths, covering 94+/-13 % of optimal sarcomere length. Sarcomere length measurements are found to be systematically influenced by the rigor state and methods used to make these measurements.
THE J CURVE: CHINA VERSUS HER TRADING PARTNERS

The short-run effects of currency depreciation are said to be different from its long-run effects. In the short run, the trade balance deteriorates and improvement comes after some time; hence, the J-curve phenomenon. Previous studies that tested the response of the trade balance to exchange rate changes in China employed aggregate trade data and provided mixed results. Indeed, most of them concluded that real depreciation has no long-run impact on the Chinese trade balance. In this paper, we disaggregate the data by country and using recent advances in time series modelling estimate a trade balance model between China and her 13 major trading partners. We show that real depreciation of the Chinese currency has a favourable impact on her trade balance with a few partners, especially the USA. Not much support is found for the J-curve hypothesis.
Periodontal Health in Women with Early Stage Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Newly on Aromatase Inhibitors: A Pilot Study

Background: Aromatase inhibitor (AI) use results in low estrogen levels, which in turn affect bone mineral density (BMD). Periodontitis, alveolar bone loss, and tooth loss are associated with low BMD. The goal of this study is to assess the prevalence of periodontitis and perceived oral health and evaluate salivary biomarkers in postmenopausal women who are survivors of early-stage (I to IIIA) breast cancer (BCa) and receive adjuvant AI therapy.Methods: Participants included 58 postmenopausal women: 29 with BCa on AIs and 29 controls without BCa diagnoses. Baseline periodontal status was assessed with: 1) periodontal probing depth (PD); 2) bleeding on probing (BOP); and 3) attachment loss (AL). Demographic and dental utilization information was gathered by questionnaire. Linear regression modeling was used to analyze the outcomes.Results: No differences were found in mean PD or number of teeth. The AI group had significantly more sites with BOP (27.8 versus 16.7; P = 0.02), higher worst-site AL (5.2 versu...
A Mathematical Model of Exoprotein Production in Bacteria

We present a simple mathematical model for the synthesis of extracellular proteins by a class of bacteria which secrete significant quantities of this exoprotein in late-exponential and stationary phases. This model is the simplest generalization of Michaelis-Men ten kinetics (the Monod model) and agrees well with laboratory experiments in batch culture. The model may serve as a simple prototype for the analysis of certain virulent bacterial infections in vivo, particularly that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in burn wounds.
A generalisation of the discrete Fourier transform: determining the minimal polynomial of a periodic sequence

Let s be a periodic sequence whose elements lie in a finite field. The authors present an algorithm that calculates the minimal polynomial of s, assuming that a period of s is known. The algorithm generalises both the discrete Fourier transform and the Games-Chan algorithm. >
Fast Simulation of Laplacian Growth

Laplacian instability is the physical mechanism driving pattern formation in many disparate natural phenomena. Current algorithms for simulating this instability are slow and memory intensive. A new algorithm, based on the dielectric breakdown model from physics, is more than three orders of magnitude faster than previous methods and decreases memory use by two orders of magnitude. Our algorithm admits a spherical harmonic solution, letting it account for arbitrary boundary data, such as an environment map
The French Factor in U.S. Foreign Policy during the Nixon-Pompidou Period, 1969–1974

President Richard Nixon and his chief foreign policy adviser, Henry Kissinger, sought to build a close relationship with the new French President Georges Pompidou, who had replaced the testy Charles de Gaulle in mid-1969. Initially, Pompidou and his ministers warmly welcomed the new U.S. policy. But by the end of the Nixon-Pompidou period in 1974, U.S.-French relations were in a tailspin. This article explores what went wrong, showing that numerous issues helped to produce a rift in bilateral ties: the new international monetary framework after the demise of the Bretton Woods system, the U.S.-French nuclear weapons relationship in the early 1970s, the “Year of Europe” affair, and U.S.-European tensions after the outbreak of war in the Middle East in October 1973. This period may have been a lost opportunity for lasting improvements in Franco-American relations.
Adolescents and HIV infection: A clinician's perspective

During 1992 there were 159 newly-reported cases of HIV infection in adolescents in the US; this represented a 20.2% increase over the 789 cases reported prior to 1992 and 0.4% of the total reported AIDS cases. The sex ratio among the 946 cases in 13-19 year olds was 2.4 males to 1.0 females and that in the 20-24 year old group (presumed to have been infected during adolescence) was 4.43 males to 1.0 females. The cumulative incidence rate of the disease is much higher in minority adolescents (87.3/million in Blacks and 60.8 in Hispanics) although the single largest gender and racial group is still White males. 36% of the adolescents acquired the infection by medical transfusion before the development of sophisticated screening techniques. 24% acquired HIV through male homosexual intercourse and this figure increases to 57% when all behavioral factors are included. Little is known about the natural history of HIV in adolescents. Some studies suggest that the progression of the illness may be slower than in adults but others found that 50% of new patients had clinically low CD4+ cells at initial examination. Available seroprevalence data indicate that a substantial number of US adolescents are infected with HIV and that a larger number remains at risk. AIDS is already the sixth leading cause of death in individuals aged 15-24 years. Adolescents are subject to traditional risk factors and non-injection drug use may also increase the likelihood of risky behavior. HIV can be prevented in adolescents through the efforts of a national prevention program aimed at changing risk behaviors. Such an effort would require the coordinated efforts of many elements of the community to provide accurate information promote condom use and target hard-to-reach adolescents. Until more data are available treatment of HIV infection in adolescents will continue to follow protocols established for adults and children.
Management of the difficult paediatric airway

Difficulties with airway management and tracheal intubation occur relatively commonly in infants and children. Minor difficulties due to anatomical and physiological differences between paediatric patients and adults arise frequently; the more severe difficulties are usually associated with specific conditions, some of which are listed in Table 1. Although airway problems may involve pathology in the upper or lower airway, this article deals mainly with problems involving the upper airway and difficult intubation.
Development of Oral Reading Fluency in Young Children at Risk for Failure

The body of knowledge on critical components of reading instruction is broad and deep with phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension serving as building blocks for literacy. The importance of fluent reading (i.e., with speed, accuracy, and proper expression, as well as comprehension) in the formula for success is widely accepted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate oral reading rates in a sample of 2nd-grade children. Using growth curve analysis, we identified models for a combined sample of at-risk and not-at-risk children. Large and important differences in oral reading were evident, but the growth rates remained the same throughout the 2nd- grade; in fact, the gap between at-risk and not-at-risk students remained constant. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research and the improvement of practice.
Physical Training, Ethical Discipline, and Creative Violence: Zones of Self-Mastery in the Hindu Nationalist Movement

Hindu nationalist parties, organizations, and institutions built on the interventions of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Ahmedabad just after Independence. Hindu nationalist leaders were able to rehabilitate the reputation of the movement through their participation in the Mahagujarat Movement which agitated for the formation of an autonomous state of Gujarat. In the 1958–1960 period, they collaborated with the Gujarati Marxist, Indulal Yagnik, to contribute to the formation of an autonomous state of Gujarat. Members of the Jana Sangh in particular were able to be associated with Yagnik, who was a reputed leader (if also considered eccentric), and undertake satyagraha for a cause that was undertaken in the name of all Gujaratis. The 1965 war with Pakistan, over its attempt to claim part of Kutch, also strengthened the hand of Hindu nationalists not only because the Chief Minister’s plane was shot down during the event, which caused much outrage among Gujarati Hindus, but also because the event brought to the surface suspicions of Pakistan and therefore of Muslims in Ahmedabad also.
Excretion of N1-methylnicotinamide and the 6-pyridone of N1-methylnicotinamide in urine of human subjects.

SummaryEssentially normal subjects maintained for short periods on diets low in nicotinamide and tryptophan excrete approximately 3 mg of N1-Me and 5 mg of pyridone per day. Following an oral 50 mg test dose of nicotinamide; the average increase in excretion of N1-Me is 5.5 mg and that of pyridone, 23.4 mg. The excretion of N1-Me following the test dose rises rapidly during the first 4 hours and decreases to basal levels within 24 hours; pyridone is excreted more slowly the first few hours but appears in large amounts later in the day. After graded doses of nicotinamide, the excretion of pyridone increases more rapidly than does that of N1-Me. In subjects with pellagra, the excretion of these metabolites is lower both on standard diets and following administration of small doses of nicotinamide. These data suggest procedures that may be of use in evaluating niacin nutrition.
A new type of crusher for filter cake

Viscous and fine-particle filter cakes generated from the coal,mineral processing plants and chemical industry enterprises usually bring about lots of troubles in storage and transportation because of its large particle size,so much as increase the water content of mixed head coal in some coal processing plants.In view of the issue,a new type of crusher for filter cake was developed.The crusher was characterized by simple structure and low investment in infrastructure.Material was crushed by two steps in the crusher,so the crushing ratio was larger.The photoelectric detection device was mounted at the feeding port,and PLC was applied to judge the amount of material so as to automatically adjust the working status of the crusher.In addition,the crusher had large crushing cavity and treatment capacity,as well as easiness of maintenance and repair.
Cosmologies, Cities, and Cultural Constructions of Space: Oceanic Enlargements of the World

This is a commentary on Epeli Hau'ofa's vision of an extended Oceania. By contrasting a widening "sea of islands" with the current discourse of an ever-shrinking world, I draw attention to a heterotopic terrain of incompatible spaces. I intend to show that the widely accepted narratives and maps of a shrinking world encompass and assure the image of an ever-extending Western sphere. The rhetoric of global shrinkage as a result of an expanding West is denying others the capability to create their own enlarged world. Hau'ofa's critique of a reductionist and diminutive view of Oceania can be seen as a counterversion to presumed neutral and fixed spatial orders. I would like to contribute to Hau'ofa's project of enlarging Oceania by illustrating the connection of cosmologies and cities through examples from the northeastern part of Papua New Guinea, with an emphasis on space as a cultural construction bound to specific forms of power and knowledge.
Induction and Selection of Atrazine Resistance Variants from Tobacco Cell Cultures

Photomixotrophic cell cultures of Nicotiana tabacum L. (var. Wisconsin 38) were obtained by repeated selection of cell cultures initially established from hypocotyl expiants. Attempts to induce photomixotrophic cell cultures of N. tabacum L. var. Ky 14 were not successful. Calli derived from Wisconsin 38 hypocotyls regularly produced a greening response and were used for optimizing the growth conditions for photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic cultures. Two light intensities (67 and 7.6 μE/M2 sec) and 4 sucrose concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 2%) were tested for optimizing chlorophyll synthesis and callus growth rate. Calli growing on media containing 0.5% sucrose gave better chlorophyll synthesis and chlorophyll a/b ratios at high light intensity than did other treatments.
Nonlinear optical properties of in situ corona poled polymers

For optoelectronics and electrooptic modulators, in particular, materials must possess not only a high nonlinear susceptibility but also such attributes as ease of preparation, fabrication into waveguides, and stability. Compared to lithium niobate, poled amorphous organic materials offer important advantages. Polymers doped with nonlinear optical molecules have been extensively studied as potential nonlinear materials but generally suffer from limited solubility and fast relaxation after poling. We present results on two new and different organic amorphous materials, poled monomeric organic glasses, and poled covalently functionalized polymers. The monomeric glasses were made from organic molecules of known high nonlinearity, while the covalently functionalized amorphous polymer was made by attaching paranitroaniline groups to every monomer unit of a polymer backbone to form a new material, polyparanitroaniline (p-pNA). This way, the desired high densities of nonlinear active molecules are achieved.
Infusion reactions are common after high-dose carmustine in BEAM chemotherapy and are not reduced by lengthening the time of administration

Purpose Carmustine (BCNU) is used in the conditioning regimens BEAM and CBV for autologous stem cell transplantation. Carmustine-related infusion reactions, while not described in the BEAM literature, occurred in 95 % of patients who received CBV. The most common symptoms include flushing, facial pain, headache, and hypotension. These reactions have been attributed to the absolute ethanol that is used in the reconstitution process or alternatively by a direct effect of carmustine. It is currently recommended that carmustine 300 mg/m2 be infused over at least 100 min (3-5 mg/m2/min). Prior to October 2014, carmustine infusions were given over 90 min but were changed to 120 min based on the above recommendation. We compared the two infusion rates in patients receiving BEAM to see if lengthening the infusion decreased the frequency of reactions. Methods Overall, 100 patients received BCNU as part of BEAM or Zevalin BEAM and were equally divided between 90 and 120 min infusion times. The primary outcome was the incidence of infusion-related reactions which were graded based on CTCAE 4.03 descriptions of flushing and infusion-related reactions. We also evaluated the impact of premedication as well as the efficacy of medications used to treat infusion reactions. Results Between the years 2013-2016, there were 50 patients who received BCNU over 90 min and 50 patients over 120 min. There were no significant differences observed for diagnosis, age and gender between the two groups. Twenty-eight (56 %) in the 90-min and 26 (52 %) in the 120-min infusion intervals developed a reaction (p = 0.6882). Of the patients that developed a reaction, 19 patients (67 %) in the 90-min and all 26 patients (100 %) in the 120-min infusion were given premedications predominately acetaminophen, in addition to dexamethasone. Among reacting patients, 57 % of the 90-min and 65 % of the 120-min groups received additional intervention (p = 0.53). Conclusion Infusion reactions during high-dose BCNU are common and are not clearly reduced by modestly extending the duration of infusion or giving premedications.
Association of Chorioamnionitis with Aberrant Neonatal Gut Colonization and Adverse Clinical Outcomes.

Author(s): Puri, Kriti; Taft, Diana H; Ambalavanan, Namasivayam; Schibler, Kurt R; Morrow, Ardythe L; Kallapur, Suhas G | Abstract: ObjectiveChorioamnionitis (inflammation of the placenta and fetal membranes) and abnormal gastrointestinal colonization have been associated with an increased risk of sepsis and death in preterm infants, but whether chorioamnionitis causes abnormal pioneering gastrointestinal colonization in infants is not known. We determined the relationship between chorioamnionitis, altered infant fecal microbiome indicating abnormal gastrointestinal colonization, and adverse outcomes.Study designPreterm infants ≤ 28 weeks at birth were enrolled from 3 level III NICUs in Cincinnati, Ohio and Birmingham, Alabama. Sequencing for 16S microbial gene was performed on stool samples in the first 3 weeks of life. Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed by placental histology. Late onset sepsis and death outcomes were analyzed in relation to fecal microbiota and chorioamnionitis with or without funisitis (inflammation of the umbilical cord).ResultsOf the 106 enrolled infants, 48 infants had no chorioamnionitis, 32 infants had chorioamnionitis but no funisitis (AC), and 26 infants had chorioamnionitis with funisitis (ACF). The fecal samples from ACF infants collected by day of life 7 had higher relative abundance of family Mycoplasmataceae (phylum Tenericutes), genus Prevotella (phylum Bacteroidetes) and genus Sneathia (phylum Fusobacteria). Further, AC and ACF infants had higher incidence of late-onset sepsis/death as a combined outcome. Presence of specific clades in fecal samples, specifically, order Fusobacteria, genus Sneathia or family Mycoplasmataceae, were significantly associated with higher risk of sepsis or death.ConclusionThe results support the hypothesis that specific alterations in the pioneering infant gastrointestinal microbiota induced by chorioamnionitis predispose to neonatal sepsis or death.
Retention strategies for health disparities preventive trials: findings from the Early Childhood Caries Collaborating Centers.

Objectives To identify successful strategies for retention of participants in multiyear, community-based randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aiming to reduce early childhood caries in health disparities populations from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and across diverse geographic settings. Methods Four RCTs conducted by the Early Childhood Caries Collaborating Centers (EC4), an initiative of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, systematically collected information on the success of various strategies implemented to promote participant retention in each RCT. The observational findings from this case series of four RCTs were tabulated and the strategies rated by study staff. Results Participant retention at 12 months of follow-up ranged from 52.8 percent to 91.7 percent, and at 24 months ranged from 53.6 percent to 85.9, across the four RCTs. For the three RCTs that had a 36-month follow-up, retention ranged from 53.6 percent to 85.1 percent. Effectiveness of different participant retention strategies varied widely across the RCTs. Conclusions Findings from this case series study may help to guide the design of future RCTs to maximize retention of study participants and yield needed data on effective interventions to reduce oral health disparities.
Hierarchically Ordered Porous and High-Volume Polycaprolactone Microchannel Scaffolds Enhanced Axon Growth in Transected Spinal Cords.

The goal of this work was to design nerve guidance scaffolds with a unique architecture to maximize the open volume available for nerve growth. Polycaprolactone (PCL) was selected as the scaffold material based on its biocompatibility and month-long degradation. Yet, dense PCL does not exhibit suitable properties such as porosity, stiffness, strength, and cell adhesion to function as an effective nerve guidance scaffold. To address these shortcomings, PCL was processed using a modified salt-leaching technique to create uniquely controlled interconnected porosity. By controlling porosity, we demonstrated that the elastic modulus could be controlled between 2.09 and 182.1 MPa. In addition, introducing porosity and/or coating with fibronectin enhanced the PCL cell attachment properties. To produce PCL scaffolds with maximized open volume, porous PCL microtubes were fabricated and translated into scaffolds with 60 volume percent open volume. The scaffolds were tested in transected rat spinal cords. Linear axo...
Resolving the In‐Plane Anisotropic Properties of Black Phosphorus

Two-dimensional (2D) black phosphorus (BP) has recently attracted significant attention due to its favorable semiconducting properties and promise for nanoscale devices. Additionally, BP possesses distinctive anisotropic physical properties, which stem from the non-equal bond angles and bond strengths in its crystal structure along its orthogonal in-plane directions. Here, the anisotropic properties of BP are summarized, along with the methods to characterize them and the opportunities they present for novel technological applications. This survey of the progress in characterizing the anisotropy of BP will inform future efforts in BP and related anisotropic 2D nanomaterials.
Optimal Waste Discharge in Estuaries and Bays

Abstract The optimal waste loading in order to meet a specified water quality goal is found for a class of estuaries exhibiting zero fresh water flow. The distributed parameter models of the estuary are derived and the response of dissolved oxygen deficit to a discharge of waste material is expressed in the form of integral operators, where the kernels are Green's functions. Using functional techniques a minimization problem is formulated and the condition for a minimum in the form of a Fredholm equation is presented. The optimal waste discharge is then found and an example is presented.
Rethinking the Way We Do Research: The Benefits of Community-Engaged, Citizen Science Approaches and Nontraditional Collaborators

There is tremendous opportunity for basic scientists to enhance the impact of our research by engaging more deeply with nontraditional partners and expanding the way we think about interdisciplinary research teams. These efforts can include more deeply engaging our participants, and the broader public, in our research; working with individuals from other fields to take a more active role in the dissemination and translation of our research; and working with collaborators from the arts and communication sciences to make our research more engaging and understandable. In this review, I provide an overview of our efforts along these lines in a project called Spit for Science (https://spit4science.vcu.edu/). This project draws from concepts central to community-engaged participatory research and citizen science. Although conducting research in this way involves a considerable time commitment, it has many potential benefits, including raising awareness about our research areas and findings; creating a public that is more connected to and aware of the importance of research, which can have potential implications for funding for science; creating new job opportunities for students; and increasing participation rates in our studies. By thinking creatively about how we conduct our research, and more broadly engaging diverse groups of individuals in the research process, we have the potential to significantly increase the reach and impact of our science.
Uncovering an electrically heterogeneous cardiomyocyte by FRAP-quantified diffusion in the T-tubules.

A recent elegant study in PNAS by Scardigli et al. (1) provides a subcellular look at the electrical properties within the cardiomyocyte transverse T-tubular system [transverse-axial tubular system (TATS)] by extrapolation from FRAP-based diffusion measurements of fluorescent dextran and geometric considerations. It was shown that the disarray of the T-tubules in heart failure decreases the electrical conductivity of the extracellular space within the TATS by a factor of 2 and can lead to a spatially heterogeneous action potential response within a cell. Current understanding and computational modeling of cardiac tissue, in general, preclude spatially heterogeneous action potential responses within a myocyte (e.g., failure to produce an action potential only in some parts of the cell) … [↵][1]1Email: entcheva{at}gwu.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Counseling Adolescents Who Engage in Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: A Dialectical Behavior Therapy Approach

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), the direct and intentional destruction of one's own body tissue in the absence of any intent to die, is becoming an alarmingly common behavior in adolescents of both sexes and across all racial and ethnic groups. The purpose of this article is to (a) provide a model for conceptualizing the onset and maintenance of this behavior, and (b) describe how a dialectical behavior therapy treatment approach can be applied to working with adolescents who engage in NSSI.
After-school programs for low-income children: Differences in program quality.

Interest in after-school programs is at an all-time high. In 1991, approximately 1.7 million children were enrolled in 49,500 beforeand/or afterschool programs (Seppanen, Love, de Vries, & Bernstein, 1993). By 1997, 6.8 million children of employed mothers were reported to attend programs before and/or after school (Capizzano, Tout, & Adams, 2000). Fully two thirds of the principals in one recent national survey reported that their individual schools or school districts offered after-school programs (Belden Russonello & Stewart, 2001). Funding for after-school programs also has increased substantially. For example, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLCs), a federally funded initiative to support after-school programs in schools serving low-income children has grown from $40 million in 1997 to $1 billion in 2001 (Grossman, Walker, & Raley, 2001). Even so, the increased funding has not kept pace with interest from school districts in offering after-school programs. In 2000, 2,252 applications were submitted to the U.S. Department ofEducation to establish school-based after-school programs, but funds were available to support only 310 of these applications (C.J.Mitchell, personal communication, October 21, 2002).
Hospitalization Increases the Risk of Acute Arthritic Flares in Gout: A Population-based Study over 2 Decades.

Objective To assess in-hospital gout flares in patients with gout. Methods Hospitalizations were evaluated for gout flares in a cohort of Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents with incident gout in 1989–1992 or 2009–2010. Results There were 429 patients followed up to 5 years. Of these, 169 patients experienced 454 hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates increased without reaching statistical significance from 1989–1992 to 2009–2010 [rate ratio (RR) 1.19, 95% CI 0.98–1.45]. The gout flare rate increased significantly during hospitalization (RR 10.2, 95% CI 6.8–14.5). In-hospital gout flare increased the average hospital stay by 1.8 days (p Conclusion Hospitalization increased the risk of gout flares 10-fold. In-hospital gout flares were associated with longer hospitalization.
The Value of Rosh Review Question Bank Performance Analytics to Emergency Medicine Residency Program Directors

Background: Prior work in cognitive and educational psychology have demonstrated the effectiveness of practice testing as a study technique for physician board examination. Rosh Review is an online educational platform centered around a question bank of board-style multiple choice questions that is used by many emergency medicine resident physicians as part of their preparation for initial board certification. Rosh Review recently introduced a novel package of performance analytics called “PD Dash” for use by residency program directors to gain greater insight into practice question performance by their residents and to help identify knowledge gaps, trends, and make performance predictions. Objective: This study aimed to identify the degree to which residency program directors used the novel PD Dash functionality and characterize their assessment of its utility and value. Methods: We conducted a survey of the forty-eight emergency medicine residency program directors who had access to the PD Dash during its inaugural academic year to assess whether they used it and ascertain their perceptions of the value of the analytics it provided. Results: Twenty-five program directors completed the survey (52%), collectively responsible for approximately 870 resident physicians. Eighty-four percent of respondents had used the PD Dash to analyze the individual performance of their residents on the question bank. Seventy-two percent had compared their residency program’s overall performance to other programs across the country. Of program directors who used the PD Dash, 90% found it to be overall “very useful” or “extremely useful” (4 or 5 on a 5-point Likert scale) and rated the added value of the PD Dash, beyond simple access to the question bank alone, an average 4.1 on a 5-point Likert scale. Eighty-six percent said they were “very likely” or “extremely likely” to renew their access to the PD Dash for the next academic year. Conclusions: While somewhat limited by the survey’s response rate, a large majority of responding program directors both used the PD Dash and found the data it provides to be useful and valuable. The fact that a large proportion of respondents plan to renew their subscriptions indicates that the PD Dash is a worthwhile addition to the Rosh Review question bank. Future analyses should focus on the specifics of how performance data are used by program directors, the importance of PD Dash data in their educational decision-making, and outcomes-driven research to assess whether the use of Rosh Review and the PD Dash ultimately improve board examination performance. []
Expression of the Gene Defects of Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP) and Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP) in Mitogen-Stimulated Lymphocytes

Deficiency of uroporphyrinogen-I synthetase (uro-S) activity by 50% in liver cells (9), erythrocytes (3, 4), cultured skin fibroblasts (7), and amniotic cells (7) reflects the primary gene defect of AIP, and accounts for the excessive urinary excretion of porphobilinogen and 6-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). The decreased activity of ferrochelatase found in cultured skin fibroblasts and bone-marrow cells from patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is also probably responsible for protoporphyrin accumulation in this disorder (1). We have investigated the porphyrin-heme biosynthetic pathway in human lymphocytes that undergo mitogen-induced blastic transformation to determine whether the biochemical lesions of these hereditary disorders could be identified in such cells.
Design for Media: Nurturing the Transition of Media Arts Students from Consumers to Producers Through Deliberate Practice

This chapter reviews the fall 2007 implementation of a sophomore design course in the Media Arts department at the Columbus College of Art and Design. The course, Design for Media, applies Schank’s Story-Centered Curriculum to Digital Arts Education. Students learn how to leverage new techniques, enjoy failure, and promote documentation through blogging. By mimicking the production processes of Animation, Cinematic Arts, and Photography, sophomores enter the junior year with a clear understanding of what it takes to start and more importantly, complete a comprehensive project. Students maintain a weekly process blog, meet weekly as critique groups, and take ownership of process and revision.
Multidimensional Analysis in the Study of Environmental Behavior and Environmental Design

The literature on environmental knowing is largely problem-oriented (though see Moore and Golledge, 1976, for statements of current theory), and finding solutions to these problems has occupied the greatest part of the total research effort in this area. So intent has this search been on collecting and representing cognitive information that the equally important task of determining how to analyze results has been relegated to the background. An inevitable result of this neglect can be the selection of inappropriate analytical methods for the level of data collected. To help overcome this problem, I present in this paper a variety of multivariate and multidimensional analytical techniques. The selection is not exhaustive; rather, it attempts to illustrate some of the relationships between data type or representational form and a subset of appropriate analytical methods.