Showing papers by "Wilkes University published in 2011"
TL;DR: The role of TSP-1 in inflammation and its interaction with key receptors that may explain its functions in that process are discussed and novel mechanisms by which this multifaceted protein could modulate the inflammatory process and impact its resolution are reviewed.
Abstract: Inflammation is a defensive process against tissue injury. Once this self-protective strategy is initiated, an effective resolution of the process is crucial to avoid major and unnecessary tissue damage. If the underlying event inducing inflammation is not addressed and homeostasis is not restored, this process can become chronic and lead to angiogenesis and carcinogenesis. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is a matricellular protein involved in angiogenesis, cancer, and inflammation. The effects of TSP-1 have been studied in many preclinical tumor models, and mimetic peptides are being tested in cancer clinical trials. However, the molecular mechanisms explaining its role in inflammatory processes are not well understood. This paper will discuss the role of TSP-1 in inflammation and its interaction with key receptors that may explain its functions in that process. Recent literature will be reviewed showing novel mechanisms by which this multifaceted protein could modulate the inflammatory process and impact its resolution.
229 citations
TL;DR: The integrated STED-SPIM method combines the advantages of SPIM with the resolution enhancement of STED, and thus provides a method for fast, high-resolution imaging with >100 μm deep penetration into biological tissue.
103 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that candidates intrinsically value both the policies and the personal character of the winning candidate, and show that challengers who are superior to the incumbent in their character-based valence have incentives to moderate their policy positions.
Abstract: We add to the literature that examines the relationship between candidate valence and policy strategies by arguing that candidates intrinsically value both the policies and the personal character of the winning candidate. In making this argument, we distinguish between two dimensions of candidate valence: strategic valence refers to factors such as name recognition, fundraising ability, and campaigning skills, while character valence is composed of qualities that voters and candidates intrinsically value in office holders, including integrity, competence, and diligence. Our model considers challengers who value both the policies and the character-based valence of the incumbent and assumes that the incumbent’s policy position is fixed by prior commitments. Under these conditions, we show that challengers who are superior to the incumbent in their character-based valence have incentives to moderate their policy positions. We report empirical tests of this good-government result of our model, using data on t...
96 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined how attitudes and subjective norms predict channel migration across the three channels based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and found that attitudes were more relevant in predicting attitude toward channel migration for all three channels.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how attitudes and subjective norms predict channel migration across the three channels based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA).Design/methodology/approach – A self‐administered questionnaire was administered to the participants comprised of staff, faculty, and students from four different universities in the southern and midwestern USA. The survey instrument was administered online and a total of 503 completed surveys were obtained.Findings – TRA was successful in predicting channel‐migration intention in brick‐and‐mortar stores, catalogues, and the internet. Utilitarian beliefs were more relevant in predicting attitude toward channel migration for all three channels. Normative beliefs for bricks‐and‐mortar stores and catalogues were significant in predicting subjective norms, the relationship was negative. Attitude and subjective norms were the predictors of the channel‐migration intention for all three channels.Research limitations/implications – Th...
77 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that squirrels have a retriever’s advantage and may remember specific cache sites longer than previously thought and suggest that predation of scatter hoarders who store seeds for long periods and also possess a recovery advantage may be one important mechanism by which seed establishment is achieved.
Abstract: Scatter-hoarding mammals are thought to rely on spatial memory to relocate food caches. Yet, we know little about how long these granivores (primarily rodents) recall specific cache locations or whether individual hoarders have an advantage when recovering their own caches. Indeed, a few recent studies suggest that high rates of pilferage are common and that individual hoarders may not have a retriever’s advantage. We tested this hypothesis in a high-density (>7 animals/ha) population of eastern gray squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) by presenting individually marked animals (>20) with tagged acorns, mapping cache sites, and following the fate of seed caches. PIT tags allowed us to monitor individual seeds without disturbing cache sites. Acorns only remained in the caches for 12–119 h (0.5–5 d). However, when we live-trapped and removed some animals from the site immediately after they stored seeds (thus simulating predation), their seed caches remained intact for significantly longer periods (16–27 d). Cache duration corresponded roughly to the time at which squirrels were returned to the study area. These results suggest that squirrels have a retriever’s advantage and may remember specific cache sites longer than previously thought. We further suggest that predation of scatter hoarders who store seeds for long periods and also possess a recovery advantage may be one important mechanism by which seed establishment is achieved.
61 citations
TL;DR: This paper investigated the motivational beliefs and learning strategies of 2 years of college students in the second semester of organic chemistry and found that male academic performance was associated with intrinsic motivation as well as the importance placed on the learning task.
Abstract: Students enter college chemistry courses with different sources of motivation, appropriate or inappropriate assumptions about their probability of success and how to study. This study is theoretically aligned with self-regulated learning research. Clearly, academic performance is closely related to student motivational beliefs and learning strategies. This study investigated the motivational beliefs and learning strategies of 2 years of college students in the second semester of organic chemistry. Responses to the Motivational Beliefs and Learning Strategies Questionnaire indicated that student self-efficacy was highly correlated with academic performance (semester grades). Gender differences were quite pronounced. Male academic performance was associated with intrinsic motivation as well as the importance placed on the learning task. Test anxiety was negatively associated with male grades. Extrinsic motivation was negatively correlated with female grades. Responses to students’ sense of control over learning, the value of the learning task, and self-efficacy were significantly higher for males compared to females. Faculty who attend to these different patterns may influence beliefs as well as learning strategies. Correcting erroneous assumptions about how to learn chemistry may help students shift both their attitudes and their learning practices. The notable gender difference suggests that female chemistry students may especially profit from focused faculty intervention.
54 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that DWA3 is a negative regulator of ABA responses and may be involved in protein degradation mediated by CRL4.
51 citations
Lancaster General Hospital1, University of California, Davis2, Wilkes University3, Virginia Commonwealth University4, University of Utah5, Ohio State University6, Washington University in St. Louis7, Thomas Jefferson University8, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital9, St. Louis College of Pharmacy10, University of Colorado Denver11, University of Pittsburgh12, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center13, University of Toronto14, University of Georgia15, University of Kentucky16
TL;DR: The training and preparing of the pharmacist caring for critically ill patients is discussed in the context of the knowledge and skills required to provide pharmacy services in the ICU, and recommendations for the credentialing of pharmacists providing critical care services are developed.
Abstract: In 2000, the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) published a position paper that defined critical care pharmacy services as fundamental, desirable, and optimal. A task force was developed that included individuals who are members of the ACCP Critical Care Practice and Research Network, the SCCM clinical pharmacy and pharmacology section, and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists to develop an opinion paper with three primary objectives: to provide recommendations for the level of preparation and training of pharmacists to practice in critical care, to develop recommendations for the credentialing of pharmacists providing critical care services, and to develop mechanisms for documenting and justifying intensive care unit (ICU) pharmacy services. Each objective was addressed to accommodate the levels of services defined as fundamental, desirable, or optimal, and are targeted at all pharmacists providing or wanting to provide pharmacy services to critically ill patients. The training and preparing of the pharmacist caring for critically ill patients is discussed in the context of the knowledge and skills required to provide pharmacy services in the ICU. Credentialing of the critical care pharmacist and the documentation of services take into account the various scopes of practice, and recommendations are based on current and idealistic mechanisms. A detailed outline is provided for the process of services justification. This paper provides a foundation that is focused on delivering direct and proactive patient care services, particularly at the desirable and optimal levels, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the level of pharmacy services provided to the care of critically ill patients. This commentary should be of interest to numerous stakeholders including pharmacists, other pharmacy department staff, other ICU health care professionals, hospital and academic administrators, accrediting agencies, government officials, and payers. The task force encourages the profession of pharmacy in general to incorporate key recommendations provided in this document with respect to specialized training, credentialing, and service justification.
39 citations
TL;DR: To ensure that PCOA scores are an accurate reflection of student knowledge, incentivizing and/or filtering for low motivation-effort among pharmacy students should be considered fundamental best practice when the PCOA is administered as a low-stakes test.
Abstract: Objective. To measure third-year pharmacy students' level of motivation while completing the Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) administered as a low-stakes test to better understand use of the PCOA as a measure of student content knowledge.Methods. Student motivation was manipulated through an incentive (ie, personal letter from the dean) and a process of statistical motivation filtering. Data were analyzed to determine any differences between the experimental and control groups in PCOA test performance, motivation to perform well, and test performance after filtering for low motivation-effort.Results. Incentivizing students diminished the need for filtering PCOA scores for low effort. Where filtering was used, performance scores improved, providing a more realistic measure of aggregate student performance.Conclusions. To ensure that PCOA scores are an accurate reflection of student knowledge, incentivizing and/or filtering for low motivation-effort among pharmacy students should be considere...
29 citations
TL;DR: The findings do not support the hypothesis that preoperative statin use is associated with a decrease in the incidence of acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass.
Abstract: BackgroundPrevious trials investigating preoperative statin use for prevention of acute kidney injury following cardiovascular surgery were limited to patients undergoing a specific procedure and many used nonconsensus definitions of acute kidney injury.ObjectiveTo use a consensus definition of acute kidney injury for evaluating the association of preoperative statin use with the development of acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 667 patients ≥18 years who underwent any cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass between April 2007 and May 2009 at Mercy Hospital in Scranton, PA. Patients were excluded if they were receiving preoperative renal replacement therapy, had stage 5 chronic kidney disease, or did not have a postoperative serum creatinine level assessed. The primary outcome was the odds of developing acute kidney injury given the use of preoperative statins. Acute kidney injury was defined based on the Acute K...
25 citations
TL;DR: FlAsH's photophysical properties are characterized by steady-state anisotropy and time-resolved single photon counting for further applications with G-protein coupled receptors and reveals rigid orientations of FlAsH in the membrane plane for rotational correlation times of ∼50 ns in living cells.
TL;DR: In this article, pharmacacist faculty members redesigned the physical assessment curriculum to focus on those assessment skills most likely to be performed by practicing pharmacists, i.e., gastrointestinal system, pulmonary system, central and peripheral nervous system, and cardiovascular system Instructional methods used included prelaboratory assignments, brief introductory lectures, demonstration of assessment techniques, application of techniques with a laboratory partner, and demonstration of competence using a mannequin.
Abstract: Objective To assess the impact of a change from nurse to pharmacist instructors and a new curriculum intended to encourage students’ use of physical assessment skillsDesign Pharmacist faculty members redesigned the physical assessment curriculum to focus on those assessment skills most likely to be performed by practicing pharmacists The 5 focus areas were general assessment skills, gastrointestinal system, pulmonary system, central and peripheral nervous system, and cardiovascular system Instructional methods used included prelaboratory assignments, brief introductory lectures, demonstration of assessment techniques, application of techniques with a laboratory partner, and demonstration of competence using a mannequinAssessment A 16-item survey instrument was administered to determine students’ perceptions of the revised curriculum Students who received instruction from pharmacist faculty members used their physical assessment skills more, especially during advanced pharmacy practice experiences
TL;DR: In this paper, five heterocyclic benzothiazoline and -thiazole analogs have been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy.
TL;DR: Dietary canola oil may be chemopreventive for colon tumor development in Fischer rats as compared to possibly by increasing ω-3 fatty acid levels and decreasing COX-2 levels.
Abstract: Fatty acid composition of dietary fat plays a vital role in colon tumor development in animal models. Fats containing ω-6 fatty acids (e.g., corn oil) enhanced and ω-3 fatty acids (e.g., flaxseed oil) reduced chemically induced colon tumor development in rats. The objective of the present investigation was to study the effects of dietary canola oil, a source of ω-3 fatty acid on azoxymethane-induced colon cancer development in Fischer rats and compare with dietary corn oil. Dietary canola oil significantly (P<0.05) decreased colonic tumor incidence and tumor multiplicity as compared to dietary corn oil in rats. Fatty acid analysis showed that corn oil group had higher levels of ω-6 fatty acid levels, whereas the canola oil groups exhibited higher levels of ω-3 fatty acids from the colon and serum samples of rats. For the mechanistic study, COX-2 expression in the colon samples from the canola oil group was significantly lower (P<0.05) as compared to the corn oil group. Taken together, dietary canola oil may be chemopreventive for colon tumor development in Fischer rats as compared to possibly by increasing ω-3 fatty acid levels and decreasing COX-2 levels.
TL;DR: In this paper, the conditions under which large solids move in sewers with unsteady flow pulses based on over 1200 experimental runs were determined based on the density of the solid, the slope of the sewer and the flow.
Abstract: At the upstream end of wastewater collection systems, the depth of flow is small and large solids have not disintegrated to any extent. Traditional tractive stress analysis for motion of solids in sewers may not be applicable for large solids which have a larger vertical dimension than the depth of the flow. This paper presents criteria to determine the conditions under which large solids move in sewers which have unsteady flow pulses based on over 1200 experimental runs. The important parameters are the density of the solid, the slope of the sewer and the flow (or in the case of short pulses, the volume of fluid in the pulse). The solids do not move as fast as the fluid. If the duration of the pulse is not sufficiently long, the solid may be picked up and deposited further downstream as the fluid ‘outruns’ the solid.
TL;DR: It is predicted that jays foraging on smaller acorns will load more seeds per trip and disperse seeds to greater distances than when single acorns are carried in the bill, and that in some circumstances, multiple seed loading by Blue Jays may favor dispersal in some plant species.
Abstract: Studies from both tropical and temperate systems show that scatter-hoarding rodents selectively disperse larger seeds farther from their source than smaller seeds, potentially increasing seedling establishment in larger-seeded plants. Size-biased dispersal is evident in many oaks (Quercus) and is true both across and within species. Here, we predict that intraspecifc variation in seed size also influences acorn dispersal by the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata Linnaeus), but in an opposite manner. Blue Jays are gape-limited and selectively disperse smaller acorn species (e.g. pin oaks [Quercus palustris Munchh]), but often carry several acorns in their crop during a single dispersal event. We predict that jays foraging on smaller acorns will load more seeds per trip and disperse seeds to greater distances than when single acorns are carried in the bill. To test this, we presented free-ranging Blue Jays with pin oak acorns of different sizes over a 2-year period. In each of 16 experimental trials, we monitored the birds at a feeding station with remote cameras and determined the number of acorns removed and the distance acorns were dispersed when cached. Jays were significantly more likely to engage in multiple seed loading with smaller seeds in both years of the study. During the second year, these smaller acorns were dispersed farther than larger acorns, and during the first year, larger acorns were dispersed farther, revealing an inconsistent response to seed size during our study. We suggest that in some circumstances, multiple seed loading by Blue Jays may favor dispersal in some plant species.
TL;DR: In this paper, the degradation of ballistic mobility in a metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor is attributed to the nonstationary ballistic injection from the contacts as the length of a channel shrinks to the length smaller than the scattering-limited mean free path.
Abstract: The degradation of ballistic mobility in a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor is attributed to the nonstationary ballistic injection from the contacts as the length of a channel shrinks to the length smaller than the scattering-limited mean free path. Apparent contradiction between the rise of magnetoresistance mobility and fall of drift mobility with increasing channel concentration is attributed to scattering-dependent magnetoresistance factor. The ballistic mean free path of injected carriers is found to be substantially higher than the long-channel drift mean free path. Excellent agreement with the experimental data on length-limited ballistic mobility is obtained.
TL;DR: The reaction of fluorocarbon (Rf) reagents with diaminochlorophosphanes (R2N)2PCl produced four new phosphane ligands as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: An elective course in information mastery improved students' knowledge and understanding of information mastery as it pertains to practicing evidence-based medicine.
Abstract: Objective. To design and implement an elective course in information mastery and assess its impact on students' ability to identify information needs and formulate clinically relevant, evidence-bas...
TL;DR: Based on the findings from previously published clinical trials, pitavastatin is an effective lipid lowering agent and is another therapeutic option of currently available statins.
TL;DR: The transient switching delay in a micro/nano-scale circuit containing resistive and reactive elements is sternly affected by the surge in the resistance arising from sublinear currentvoltage (I-V ) characteristics limited by the velocity and current saturation as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The transient switching delay in a micro/nano-scale circuit containing resistive and reactive elements are sternly affected by the surge in the resistance arising from sub-linear current–voltage ( I – V ) characteristics limited by the velocity and current saturation The saturation arises due to the realignment of randomly oriented velocity vectors to the unidirectional streamlined ones in a high electric field when voltage applied across a resistor exceeds its decreasing critical value with reduced channel length The frequency response f = 1/2 πτ t is affected by a transit time delay τ t is lower than that predicted from the application of Ohm’s law The resistance surge dramatically boosts the RC time constant and switching delay and attenuates the L / R time constant and switching delay
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: Three teaching environments were examined including a traditional lecture method, an on-line environment and a student response system, more commonly called “clickers”, finding no statistically significant differences between the three groups’ learning, regardless of the teaching method.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of technology-enhanced pedagogy on student learning. Three teaching environments were examined including a traditional lecture method, an on-line environment and a student response system, more commonly called “clickers”. A counterbalanced design using three intact classes of upper level college business students enrolled in a capstone business strategy course comprised the study population (n = 62). Student learning was measured via standardized textbook chapter tests. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. A 3 x 3 mixed factorial (repeated measures) ANOVA procedure did not detect any statistically significant differences between the three groups’ learning, regardless of the teaching method.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented evidence for long-term cycles in the parliamentary seat share of the major British parties using a four-parameter voter-party interaction model developed by Merrill, Grofman and Brunell.
Abstract: Evidence for long-term cycles in the parliamentary seat share of the major British parties is presented in this article. Spectral analysis of data from 1832 to 2005 suggests a cycle period of about twenty-eight years, similar to findings in US studies and to cycle-length estimates restricted to the post-1950 period in Britain. A four-parameter voter–party interaction model developed by Merrill, Grofman and Brunell is adapted and applied to Britain. That model depends on tensions between parties’ policy and office motivations and between voters’ tendency to sustain the governing party while reacting against non-centrist policies. The model operates homeostatically, projects patterns consistent with the empirical record and fits the data better than models based on economic factors or autoregressive predictions.
TL;DR: The momentum generated at the meeting was a motivation to capitalize on the diversity of expertise, study systems, levels of organization, and experience at FSD 2010, and the result is this special section of Integrative Zo- science.
Abstract: The declaration of 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations’ General Assembly was a recognition of the reality and gravity of the current biodiversity crisis, an episode in earth’s history that many now consider the 6 Mass Extinction (Wake & Vredenburg 2008). Human-driven loss of biodiversity refers not only to the loss of species, populations, and genetic diversity, but also to the loss of ecological interactions that are central to ecosystem function (Tylianakis et al. 2008). One of these key interactions is the process of seed dispersal — the movement of seeds away from their parent plants — often mediated by frugivorous or granivorous animals engaged in a tight plant-animal mutualism bearing profound implications for the regeneration, maintenance, and conservation of terrestrial ecosystems (Wang & Smith 2002). 2010 was also the year of the 5 International Symposium on Frugivores and Seed Dispersal (FSD 2010), held in Montpellier, France, with a focus on ‘Mechanisms and Consequences of a Key Interaction for Biodiversity’. This seminal international gathering takes place every 5 years and serves as a nucleus for a rapidly growing, integrative field of inquiry. The study of Frugivory and Seed Dispersal serves as a meeting point for scientists with a broad range of expertise studying natural systems from different perspectives and at different levels of ecological organization (Jordano et al. 2010). Frugivory and Seed Dispersal is by definition a melting pot of integrative research where the animal ecologist meets the botanist, the physiologist, the landscape ecologist, the geneticist, the modeler, and increasingly, the conservation biologist. At FSD 2010, we met a rich combination of the most prominent people in the field, young emerging researchers, and “hungry” graduate students. It was precisely among the café au lait and croissants of FSD 2010 coffee breaks that this special issue was forged and its contents initially outlined. The momentum generated at the meeting was a motivation to capitalize on the diversity of expertise, study systems, levels of organization, and experience at FSD 2010. The result is this special section of Integrative Zo-
01 Nov 2011
TL;DR: The form of friendship in the Imperial Allegories of Anand and Forster is discussed in this article. But it is not discussed in this paper, nor is the form of love in the Anand-Forster correspondence.
Abstract: (2011). The Form of Friendship in the Imperial Allegories of Anand and Forster. South Asian Review: Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 185-207.
TL;DR: In this article, an estimator of the standard deviation of the Buckley-James estimator by using plug-in estimators is proposed. But no simulation has been done to directly estimate the asymptotic variance of the BJE.
Abstract: The Buckley–James estimator (BJE) is a widely recognized approach in dealing with right-censored linear regression models. There have been a lot of discussions in the literature on the estimation of the BJE as well as its asymptotic distribution. So far, no simulation has been done to directly estimate the asymptotic variance of the BJE. Kong and Yu [Asymptotic distributions of the Buckley–James estimator under nonstandard conditions, Statist. Sinica 17 (2007), pp. 341–360] studied the asymptotic distribution under discontinuous assumptions. Based on their methodology, we recalculate and correct some missing terms in the expression of the asymptotic variance in Theorem 2 of their work. We propose an estimator of the standard deviation of the BJE by using plug-in estimators. The estimator is shown to be consistent. The performance of the estimator is accessed through simulation studies under discrete underline distributions. We further extend our studies to several continuous underline distributions throug...
TL;DR: A standardized method of providing training on physicians' interactions with pharmaceutical representatives increases the likelihood that physicians will use information about a medication in a manner in line with the AOA Code of Ethics and ultimately enhance the care of their patients.
TL;DR: In this paper, the title structure (IrCl(C8H12)(C14H10F5P) showed that (C2F5)PPh2 (penta-fluoroethyl-diphenyl-phosphane or pfepp) disrupts the iridium dimer (cod)IrCl]2 (cod = cyclo-octa-1,5-diene) by rupturing the bridging chloride ligands and binding in the open coordination site.
Abstract: The title structure,[IrCl(C8H12)(C14H10F5P)], reveals that (C2F5)PPh2 (pentafluoroethyldiphenylphosphane or pfepp) disrupts the iridium dimer [(cod)IrCl]2 (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) by rupturing the bridging chloride ligands and binding in the open coordination site to form (cod)Ir(pfepp)Cl with the IrI atom in a distorted square-planar coordination environment. The structure deviates very little from the IrI–triphenylphosphine analog, although a significantly (∼20σ) shorter Ir—P bond is noted for the title compound.