Search

Purpose To examine how prenatal drug exposure (PDE) to heroin/cocaine and behavioral problems relate to adolescent drug experimentation. Methods The sample included African-American adolescents (mean age = 14.2 years, SD = 1.2) with PDE (n = 73) and a nonexposed community comparison (n = 61). PDE status was determined at delivery through toxicology analysis and maternal report. Internalizing/externalizing problems were assessed during adolescence with the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition. Drug experimentation was assessed by adolescent report and urine analysis. Logistic regression evaluated the likelihood of drug experimentation related to PDE and behavioral problems, adjusting for age, gender, PDE, perceived peer drug use, and caregiver drug use. Interaction terms examined gender modification. Results Sixty-seven subjects (50%) used drugs: 25 (19%) used tobacco/alcohol only and 42 (31%) used marijuana/illegal drugs. Ninety-four subjects (70%) perceived peer drug use. PDE significantly increased the risk of tobacco/alcohol experimentation (odds ratio = 3.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–8.66, p = .034) but not after covariate adjustment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.16, 95% CI .31–4.33, p > .05). PDE was not related to the overall or marijuana/illegal drug experimentation. The likelihood of overall drug experimentation was doubled per SD increase in externalizing problems (aOR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.33–3.91, p = .003) and, among girls, 2.82 times greater (aOR = 2.82, 95% CI 1.34–5.94, p = .006) per SD increase in internalizing problems. Age and perceived peer drug use were significant covariates. Conclusions Drug experimentation was relatively common (50%), especially in the context of externalizing problems, internalizing problems (girls only), older age, and perceived peer drug use. Findings support the Problem Behavior Theory and suggest that adolescent drug prevention addresses behavioral problems and promotes prosocial peer groups.

We propose a method to determine the radius of curvature of an isotropic Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beam by measuring the transverse beam widths and the transverse coherence widths at two different planes. Furthermore, we carry out experimental determination of the radius of curvature of a GSM beam. Using the measured beam parameters, we carry out a comparative study of the propagation properties of a GSM beam both theoretically and experimentally. Our experimental results agree well with theoretical predictions.

Scientists have known for decades that persons who volunteer for behavioral research may be different from those who decline participation and that characteristics differentiating volunteers from non-volunteers may vary depending on the nature of the research. There is evidence that volunteer self-selection can impact representativeness of samples in studies involving physically or psychologically stressful procedures, such as electric shocks, sensory isolation, or drug effects. However, the degree to which self-selection influences sample characteristics in “stressful” studies involving positron emission tomography (PET) has not been evaluated. Since estimation of population parameters, robustness of findings, and validity of inferred relationships can all be impacted by volunteer bias, it is important to determine if self-selection may act as an unrecognized confound in such studies. In the present investigation, we obtained baseline data on 114 (56M, 58F) subjects who participated in a study involving completion of several self-report questionnaires and behavioral performance tasks. Participants were later given the opportunity to enroll in an [11C]raclopride PET study involving intravenous amphetamine (AMPH) administration. Demographic characteristics, personality traits, and task performance of subjects who consented to the latter study were compared with those who declined participation. Findings showed that the principal personality trait that distinguished the two groups was sensation-seeking; volunteers scored significantly higher on this dimension than non-volunteers. Males were more likely to volunteer than females. However, results of mediation analysis suggested that the relationship between gender and volunteer status was mediated by greater sensation-seeking traits in the males. Implications of these findings are discussed.

We demonstrate a convenient approach for simultaneously manipulating the amplitude and polarization of light beams by means of the modulation of the correlation structure. As an illustration, we constructed a periodic correlation structure that can generate an arbitrary radially polarized array (RPA) beam of a radial or rectangular symmetry array in the focal plane from a radially polarized (RP) beam. The physical realizability conditions for such source and the far-field beam condition are derived. It is illustrated that the beamlet shape and the state of polarization (SOP) can be effectively controlled by the initial correlation structure and the coherence width. Furthermore, by designing the source correlation structure, a tunable OK-shaped RPA beam and an optical cage are demonstrated, which can find widespread applications in non-destructive manipulation of particles and living biological cells. The arbitrariness in the design of correlation structure prompted us to find more convenient approaches for controlling the statistics of light beams in terms of amplitude and polarization.

Objectives are to examine the efficacy of new synthetic curcumin analogs EF31 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in vitro and in vivo, and study their pharmacokinetic and toxicologic effects in vivo. The synthesis of EF31 was described for the first time. Solubility of EF24, EF31 was compared using nephelometric analysis. Human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Tu212 xenograft tumors were established in athymic nude mice and treated with EF31 i.p. once daily five days a week for about 5 – 6 weeks. The long term effect of EF31 on the NF-κB signaling system in the tumors was examined by Western blot analysis. EF31 at 25 mg/kg, i.p. inhibited tumor growth almost completely. Solubility of EF24 and EF31 are

Background Considerable research on preventive health care behaviors has been conducted in different segments of the population. Although nurses are the largest group of direct health care providers (3 million), little is known about their preventive health care behaviors. As the average age of nurses working in the United States (US) increases (mean age 47 years), maintaining their health to ensure they can continue to provide optimal health care to others becomes a greater priority. Method This descriptive online study examined registered nurses' dietary and exercise practices, weight status, stress levels, and preferred preventive health strategies using a sample of nurses recruited from a community-based, urban teaching hospital ( n = 183; mean age 47 ± 11.3 years). Findings The majority of participants (72.2%, n = 122) reported a lack of exercise, and more than half (53.8%, n = 91) had an irregular meal pattern. The average body mass index (BMI) was 28.3 ± 6.8, and 59.2% ( n = 100) were either overweight ( n = 47) or obese ( n = 53). BMI had a significant inverse relationship with having a regular meal schedule and the amount of time spent exercising. Participants who reported greater stress had more irregular meal schedules. The most frequently used stress-release method was eating ( n = 32), followed by exercise ( n = 31). Discussion Nurses are fully aware of measures that should be taken for healthy living. Their knowledge, however, has not been well translated into their own self-care. As nursing shortages loom, maintaining the health of the aging nursing workforce is essential to retention. Further research is needed to identify factors that may motivate nurses to better care for themselves and measures that can be implemented by employers to initiate and sustain these preventive health care behaviors.

We carry out an experimental and theoretical study of the focusing properties of a Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) vortex beam. It is found that we can shape the beam profile of the focused GSM vortex beam by varying its initial spatial coherence width. Focused dark hollow, flat-topped, and Gaussian beam spots can be obtained in our experiment, which will be useful for trapping particles. The experimental results agree well with the theoretical results.

BACKGROUND We performed this study to evaluate the hemostatic efficacy of the FAST Dressing in treating a grade V liver injury in noncoagulopathic swine. METHODS Sixteen female splenectomized, noncoagulopathic swine underwent reproducible grade V liver injuries. The animals were blindly randomized to two treatment groups: (1) FAST Dressing (n = 8) or (2) IgG placebo dressing (n = 8). After 30 seconds of uncontrolled hemorrhage, dressings and manual compression were applied at 4-minute intervals. The number of dressings used, time to hemostasis, total blood loss, mean arterial pressure, blood chemistry, and total resuscitation fluid volume were monitored for 2 hours after injury. RESULTS The mean total blood loss was 412.5 mL (SD 201.3) for the FAST Dressing group compared with 2296.6 mL (SD 1076.0) in the placebo group (p < 0.001). All animals in the FAST Dressing group achieved hemostasis and survived for the duration of the experiment (2 hours) after injury, whereas none of the animals in the placebo group attained hemostasis or survived to 2 hours after injury (p < 0.001). The mean time to hemostasis was 6.6 minutes (SD 2.5). A median of five dressings (mean absolute deviation 1.0, p = 0.007) was sufficient to control hemorrhage in the FAST Dressing group. CONCLUSION The FAST Dressing reduced blood loss and improved survival compared with placebo in a noncoagulopathic, grade V liver injury swine model.

The Center for Biostabilization at UC Davis is attempting to stabilize mammalian cells in the dry state. We review here some of the lessons from nature that we have been applying to this enterprise, including the use of trehalose, a disaccharide found at high concentrations in many anhydrobiotic organisms, to stabilize biological structures, both in vitro and in vivo. Trehalose has useful properties for this purpose and in at least in one case-human blood platelets-introducing this sugar may be sufficient to achieve useful stabilization. Nucleated cells, however, are stabilized by trehalose only during the initial stages of dehydration. Introduction of a stress protein obtained from an anhydrobiotic organism, Artemia, improves the stability markedly, both during the dehydration event and following rehydration. Thus, it appears that the stabilization will require multiple adaptations, many of which we propose to apply from studies on anhydrobiosis.

With the help of a tensor method, an explicit expression for the M2-factor of a stochastic electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model (EGSM) beam in a Gaussian cavity is derived. Evolution properties of the M2-factor of an EGSM beam in a Gaussian cavity are studied numerically in detail. It is found that the behavior of the M2-factor of an EGSM beam in a Gaussian cavity is determined by the statistical properties of the source beam and the parameters of the cavity. Thermal lens effect induced changes of the M2-factor of an EGSM beam in a Gaussian cavity is also investigated. Our results will be useful in many applications, such as free-space optical communications, laser radar system, optical trapping and optical imaging, where stochastic electromagnetic beams are required.

Analytical formula is derived for the propagation factor (known asM(2)-factor) of a stochastic electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model (EGSM) beam in free space and in turbulent atmosphere. In free space, the M(2)-factor of an EGSM beam is mainly determined by its initial degree of polarization, r.m.s. widths of the spectral densities and correlation coefficients, and its value remains invariant on propagation. In turbulent atmosphere, the M(2)-factor of an EGSM beam is also determined by the parameters of the turbulent atmosphere, and its value increases on propagation. The relative M(2)-factor of an EGSM beam with lower correlation factors, larger r.m.s. widths of the spectral densities and longer wavelength is less affected by the atmospheric turbulence. Under suitable conditions, an EGSM beam is less affected by the atmospheric turbulence than a scalar GSM beam (i.e. fully polarized GSM beam). Our results will be useful in long-distance free-space optical communications.

This study examined sex differences in calculated and perceived weights and weight-based stigmatization. 371 African Americans (females=258) responded to a health and wellness survey. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight and categorized as underweight (7.0%), normal (48.2%), overweight (29.9%), and obese (14.8%). Perceived weight was measured by asking participants, "Do you consider yourself to be overweight?" Responses were then dichotomized as accurate or inaccurate. Stigmatization was constructed from 16 statements regarding perceived treatment due to weight status. Males and females differed in their perceptions of their weights. More than 20% of the participants had inaccurate perceptions of their weights, with the majority of the inaccurate participants (82.5%) perceiving their weight status lower than their actual weight status. More overweight or obese males than overweight or obese females did not perceive themselves as overweight (60.3% vs. 28.3%, respectively, P.001). While male and female perceptions of weight-based stigmatization were not statistically different (P = .071), participants who accurately perceived themselves to be overweight had higher perceived weight-based stigma scores than inaccurate participants who were overweight (P =.001). Males and females who were inaccurate were less likely to perceive weight-based stigmatization.

We previously reported a novel drug delivery system, drug-linker-Phe-Phe-Arg-methylketone-(FFR-mk)-factor VIIa (fVIIa). The method utilizes tissue factor (TF), which is aberrantly and abundantly expressed on many cancer cells. The advantage of this delivery system is its ability to furnish a potent anti-cancer drug specifically to the tumor vasculature and cancer cells. In this paper, we describe the synthesis of paclitaxel (PTX)-Phe-Phe-Arg-chloromethyl ketone (FFR-ck), followed by coupling with fVIIa to form PTX-FFR-mk-fVIIa. FFRck was separately linked to the OH groups at the C2′ or C7 positions of PTX (C2′- or C7-PTX-FFRck), the C2′ analog exhibiting better activity against human head and neck squamous KB 3-1 cells. The activity order against PTX-sensitive KB 3-1 cells is C2′-PTX-FFRmk-fVIIa > PTX >C2′-PTX-FFRck. The C2′-complex shows an IC50 of 12 nM against the PTX-sensitive cell line and 130 nM against PTX-resistant cells. a

The nanoscale contacts, which play a key role in nanotechnology and micro-/nanoelectromechanical systems, are fundamentally important for a wide range of problems including adhesion, contact formation, friction and wear, etc. Because continuum contact mechanics has limitations when it is applied at length of nanoscale, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, which can investigate internal physical mechanisms of nanostructures by atomic motions in detail, become one of the most promising approaches for investigating mechanical behaviors of contacts in nanoscale. First, contacts between rigid cylindrical probes with different radii and an elastic half-space substrate are studied by using MD simulations with the assistance of the classical Lennard-Jones potential. For contacts without adhesion, the relationship between the applied force and the contact half-width is analyzed. The von Mises stress distributions are then discussed. For contacts with adhesion, the phenomena of the jump-to-contact, the break-off contact, and the hysteresis are observed. The pressure distributions and the von Mises stress contours in the contact region agree with the existing solutions. Second, the effects of the surface topography on adhesive contacts are studied by using MD simulations with the embedded atom method potential. The adhesive contact mechanical characteristic of a series of asperities with different shapes, different sizes, and different numbers on contacting surfaces are discovered and compared. The results show that the surface topography is one of the major factors, which may influence the contact behaviors between the interfaces of nanoscale components.

The Chinese economy has increased quickly and continuously in recent years. Manufacturing is an important part of Chinese industry. The enhancement of modem manufacturing technology is becoming an important issue. The aim of the present thesis is to develop nonstandard (over-stiff) tools5 CAD/CAE/CAPP/CAM integrated system. This will involve integrating modern information technology, manufacturing technology and management technology. The thesis objective is to propose a totally new and integrated design, analysis and manufacturing system. This would provide to manufacturers a capability to carry out the incorporation of CAD/CAE/CAM systems. Many enterprises and universities have developed standard CAD system tools5 in recent years in China. But in regard to nonstandard complex CAD/CAM tools5, there is still much to be done. After more than one year investigation and research, a great quantity of information and data has been assembled, thus setting a solid foundation for completing this project successfully. This thesis considers in detail the problem associated with non-standard over stiff end milling cutters to illustrate the design approach used and its implementation. It uses a feature based model constructing technology and applies the CAD and finite element analysis together with relevant theories and technologies for processing and manufacturing. The thesis completes the development of non-standard complicated tools5 CAD \CAE \ CAM integrated system. The thesis consists of six chapters, dealing with the project's background, system's design and structural design requirements, finite element analysis, CAM, and some concluding remarks based on what was learned during the thesis work. The project's kernel technology is to use finite elements method to analyze the nonstandard complex tools' models using ANS YS large-scaled finite element analysis software.

System integration has been always the most important issue for the development of informatization in healthcare industry. The formulation and popularization of HL7 and DICOM, the healthcare data exchange standards, have greatly improved sharing extent of healthcare information, but they are not enough to solve the problem of workflow integration. The IHE technical framework has promoted the workflow integration by specifying the implementation mode of HL7 and DICOM, and its essential idea and the initiative, designed for hospital workflow and dataflow, provide a practical guidelines, but we could not be forced to conform to the way IHE specified in many real cases. Based on the IHE technical framework, the authors try to present a service oriented way of healthcare information integration in this paper.

A Swirling Fluidized Bed Cambustor (SFBC) hot model with the exhaust gas cleaning equipment was carefully designed and fabricated in this paper. The systematic airflow test was conducted to check the air subsystem connection leaking, control valve, the flow rate and pressure. The air subsystem is adjusted and updated based on the result of the system test. Series fuel combustion experiments were conducted at the different biomass fuels. The overall heat transfer rate and combustion efficiency were calculated. The swirling fluidized bed combustion system burned low heat value biomass (chicken litter) at the relatively high combustion efficiency with low NOx and SOx emissions. The overall heat recovery efficiency is about 45–65%. The combustion efficiency can reach 92% while the sawdust was burned in this waste disposal system. The results indicate that the swirling fluidized bed combustion waste disposal system has a prospect in burning the extra chicken litter in the chicken farm communities with very low emission.Copyright © 2003 by ASME

Laguerre-Gaussian Schell-model (LGSM) beam was proposed in theory [Opt. Lett.38, 91 (2013 Opt. Lett.38, 1814 (2013)] just recently. In this paper, we study the propagation of a LGSM beam in turbulent atmosphere. Analytical expressions for the cross-spectral density and the second-order moments of the Wigner distribution function of a LGSM beam in turbulent atmosphere are derived. The statistical properties, such as the degree of coherence and the propagation factor, of a LGSM beam in turbulent atmosphere are studied in detail. It is found that a LGSM beam with larger mode order n is less affected by turbulence than a LGSM beam with smaller mode order n or a GSM beam under certain condition, which will be useful in free-space optical communications.

In a recent publication (Appl. Phys. Lett. 100 (2012) 051108), a monochromatic partially coherent radially polarized (RP) beam was generated experimentally. In this paper, we analyze the spectral changes of a polychromatic partially coherent RP beam focused by a thin lens for the first time, and compare with that of a focused scalar polychromatic GSM beam. Furthermore, we report experimental generation of a polychromatic partially coherent RP beam and carry out experimental measurement of the spectral changes of such beam focused by a thin lens. Our results show that the behavior of the spectral changes of a focused polychromatic partially coherent RP beam is different from that of a focused scalar polychromatic GSM beam. Our experimental results are consistent with the theoretical predictions.

With the help of a tensor method, we investigate the evolution properties of the state of polarization of an electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model beam propagating through a gradient-index (GRIN) fiber. We find that the Stokes parameters and the polarization ellipse exhibit periodicity. The initial beam parameters affect the values of the Stokes parameters and the parameters of the polarization ellipse. Furthermore, based on the second-order moments of the Wigner distribution function, the explicit expression for the propagation factor (known as the M(2) factor) in the GRIN fiber is derived. It is shown that the M(2) factor remains invariant on propagation and is determined only by the initial beam parameters.

Purpose/Objectives: DNA methylation is an essential step in epigenetic modification and carcinogenesis. HSP90 and NF-κB have a central role in DNA methylation. Curcumin down regulates HSP90 and NF-kB. UBS109 and EF-31 are potent synthetic analogues of curcumin. We tested the hypothesis that EF-31 and UBS-109 can inhibit DNA methylation and induce SPARC through inhibition of NF-kB and HSP90 in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Methods: Two pancreatic cancer cell lines were used, PANC-1 and Mia-PaCa2. Cells were either untreated (control) or treated with curcumin (20μM), EF-31 (750nM) and UBS-109 (250nM) for 24 hours. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses were carried out to determine the effect of curcumin and its analogues EF-31 and UBS-109 on different signal molecules involved in carcinogenesis. Electromobility shift assay (EMSA) was performed in pancreatic cells to evaluate the effects of ganetespib on NF-kB activity. Immunocyto and histo chemistry assays were also performed. Results: The treatment of pancreatic cancer cell lines with curcumin and its analog EF-31 and UBS-109 inhibited NF-κB and HSP90 at transcriptional and translational level resulting in inhibition of DNMT1, decrease in CpG island methylation and up-regulation of SPARC. EF-31 and UBS109 were more potent at inhibition of DNMT1 than curcumin. To confirm that the observed effects were mediated by NF-kB, a stable transfection with p65 (NF-kB) was performed. Cells with overexpression of NF-κB resulted in increased DNMT-1, HSP90 protein and decreased SPARC. Inhibition of NF-kB using EF31 or UBS109 resulted in up-regulation of SPARC and inhibition of the DNMT due to NF-κB down-regulation. Similar effects were observed in tumors from animals treated with EF-31 and UBS-109. Conclusion: UBS109, EF31 and curcumin can inhibit DNA methylation through down-regulation of DNMT-1 expression by NF-kB. Inhibition of methylation was associated with expression of silenced genes such as SPARC. UBS109 and EF31 are significantly more potent than curcumin. UBS109 and EF31 are promising agents for therapy in pancreatic cancer. Citation Format: Purnachandra Nagaraju Ganji, Shijun Zhu, Shoji Mamoru, Bassel El-Rayes. Novel potent curcumin analogues EF-31 and UBS109 inhibit DNA methylation and induce SPARC expression in pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 684. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-684

Background: Curcumin, a component of turmeric, has demonstrated anti-cancer properties mediated through inhibition of NF-κB in preclinical models. In clinical trials, curcumin failed to demonstrate activity against pancreatic cancer. The pharmacologic properties, low absorption, and low potency of curcumin may account for this discrepancy between preclinical and clinical results. Using the curcumin molecular model, our group synthesized over 100 analogs. Of these analogs, EF31 and UBS109 demonstrated higher potency in squamous cell cancer xenograft models as well as inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathways. Based on this preclinical data, we hypothesized that these analogs EF-31 and UBS-109 would be more effective in inhibiting growth of pancreatic cell lines than curcumin. Methods: MiaPaCa-2 and PANC-1 cell lines were used in the experiments. Cells were cultured and then treated with nothing (control), curcumin, UBS-109, EF-31, 5FU, or combination. Cell proliferation was evaluated using XTT assay. Western blot was used to evaluate effects on HSP90, HIF-1α, and VEGF levels. Angiogenic effects were measured by tube formation and chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane (Egg CAM) assays. Results: UBS-109 and EF-31 demonstrated significantly improved inhibition of cell proliferation as compared to curcumin. UBS-109 and EF-31 potentiated the growth inhibitory effects of 5FU. UBS-109 and EF-31 resulted in significant inhibition of expression of protein and mRNA for HSP90 and HIF-1α as compared to curcumin. In turn, UBS-109 and EF-31 significantly inhibited VEGF protein and mRNA expression resulting in inhibition of HUVEC tube formation in vitro and also inhibited angiogenesis in vivo using the Egg CAM assay. Conclusion: UBS-109 and EF-31 are more potent analogs of curcumin. Preliminary data demonstrate potentiation of chemotherapy effects as well as antiangiogenic effects. Evaluating UBS-109 and EF-31 in patients with pancreatic cancer is a rational approach to target HSP90 and HIF-1α in this disease. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3828. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3828

We report the experimental measurement of the beam parameters of an electromagnetic Gaussian Schell-model (EGSM) source based on the technique for measuring the fourth-order correlation function (i.e., intensity correlation function). Furthermore, we carry out experimental measurement of the intensity distribution of a focused EGSM beam, and we carry out theoretical simulation using the measured beam parameters. Our experimental results agree reasonably well with the theoretical predictions.

The bioactive flavonoid p-hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA), which is an intermediate-metabolic substance in plants and fruits, is synthesized from tyrosine. The biological effect of HCA is poorly understood. Among cinnamic acid and its related compounds, HCA has a specific-anabolic effect on bone, being found to stimulate osteoblastogenesis and to inhibit osteoclastogenesis through the suppression of NF-κB signaling, thereby preventing bone loss. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells give rise to ostoblasts and adipocytes. HCA might therefore have effects on osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis in bone marrow culture. This study demonstrates (1) that HCA has stimulatory effects on osteoblastogenesis and mineralization and suppressive effects on adipogenesis in mouse bone marrow culture and (2) that HCA depresses adipogenesis in mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in vitro. Such effects of HCA might be involved in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.