cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimated energy requirements increase across pregnancy in healthy women with dichorionic twins.

Background Estimated energy requirement (EER) has not been defined for twin pregnancy. This study was designed to determine the EER of healthy women with dichorionic-diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies. Objectives We aimed to estimate energy deposition from changes in maternal body protein and fat; to measure resting energy expenditure (REE), physical activity level (PAL), and total energy expenditure (TEE) throughout pregnancy and postpartum; and to define the EER based on the sum of TEE and energy deposition for twin gestation. Design This is a prospective study of 20 women with DCDA twin gestations. Maternal EER, energy deposition, REE, TEE, and PAL were obtained during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy and immediately postpartum. A mixed-effects linear regression model for repeated measures with random intercept was used to test for the effects of BMI groups and time. Results Gains in total body protein (mean ± SD: 2.1 ± 0.7 kg) and fat mass (5.9 ± 2.8 kg) resulted in total energy deposition of 67,042 ± 25,586 kcal between 0 and 30-32 weeks of gestation. REE increased 26% from 1392 ± 162 to 1752 ± 172 kcal/d across the 3 trimesters, whereas TEE increased 17% from 2141 ± 283 to 2515 ± 337 kcal/d. Physical activity decreased steadily throughout pregnancy. Reductions in physical activity did not compensate for the rise in REE and energy deposition, thus requiring an increase in dietary energy intake as pregnancy progressed. EER increased 29% from 2257 ± 325 kcal/d in the first trimester to 2941 ± 407 kcal/d in the second trimester, and stayed consistent at 2906 ± 350 kcal/d in the third trimester. Conclusion Increased energy intake, on average ∼700 kcal/d in the second and third trimesters when compared with the first trimester, is required to support gestational weight gain and the rise in energy expenditure of DCDA twin pregnancies.
Polysaccharides: Section a: General

Publisher Summary This chapter gives a brief introduction and classification of polysaccharides. The carbohydrate content of having tissue is found principally in the form of polysaccharides, which are high-molecular weight polymers of the simple sugars. They function most commonly as skeletal constituents conferring rigidity on aggregates of soft living tissue or as reserve food sources, readily convertible to metabohzable sugars when required. Polysaccharides may be regarded as polycondensation products of the monosaccharides glycosidically linked with the elimination of water to form linear or branched chains, the glycoside function being a mixed acetal from the organic chemical standpoint. The structural units of the polysaccharides are not limited solely to the simple aldose or ketose sugars but may include uronic acids and amino sugars. Amino sugar-containing polysaccharides, though seldom found in the higher plants, occur widely in the animal kingdom and in those plants that live on organic matter. The amino sugar-containing polysaccharides of the animal kingdom excluding the skeletal polysaccharide chitin form a special class called mucopolysaccharides.
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is used to treat morbid obesity. This chapter describes indications, techniques, and complications associated with the technique.
“Kitchen Histories” and the Taste of Mobility in Morocco

Scholars have long recognized the importance of everyday life to understanding the formation of modern nation-states and national cultures. Culinary culture offers especially rich insights into these processes, but the nature of culinary practice poses a challenge to researchers: namely, much of it exists not in conventional archives or written texts, but in embodied knowledge, learned gestures, and oral tradition. This article outlines a method for conducting “kitchen histories,” an ethnographically oriented oral history methodology focused on memories of kitchens and cooking. It describes the narratives of three Moroccan women in which migration and mobility are significant factors in the formation of both national and class identities. These histories highlight a tension between consolidating national cultural styles and tastes within a bounded geographical unit and the centrality of migration and middle-class mobility, both of which frequently cross national borders, to that process.
Uniform boundary observability of semi-discrete finite difference approximations of a Rayleigh beam equation with only one boundary observation

First, we study a space-discretized Finite Difference approximation for the well-known Rayleigh beam equation w tt − αw xxtt + Kw xxxx = 0 with hinged boundary conditions. This equation describes transverse vibrations for moderately thick beams. Even though this equation is known to be exactly observable with a single observation in the higher-order energy space, its Finite Difference approximation is not able to retain exact observability with respect to the mesh parameter. This is mainly due to the loss of the uniform gap among the eigenvalues of the approximated finite dimensional model. To obtain a uniform gap, and therefore, an exact observability result, we consider filtering the spurious high frequency eigenvalues of the approximated model. In fact, as the mesh parameter goes to zero, the approximated solution space covers the whole infinite-dimensional solution space. Both the discrete multipliers and the non-harmonic Fourier series are utilized for proving main results.
Towards More Accurate Uncertainty Estimation In Text Classification

The uncertainty measurement of classified results is especially important in areas requiring limited human resources for higher accuracy. For instance, data-driven algorithms diagnosing diseases need accurate uncertainty score to decide whether additional but limited quantity of experts are needed for rectification. However, few uncertainty models focus on improving the performance of text classification where human resources are involved. To achieve this, we aim at generating accurate uncertainty score by improving the confidence of winning scores. Thus, a model called MSD, which includes three independent components as ``mix-up", ``self-ensembling", ``distinctiveness score", is proposed to improve the accuracy of uncertainty score by reducing the effect of overconfidence of winning score and considering the impact of different categories of uncertainty simultaneously. MSD can be applied with different Deep Neural Networks. Extensive experiments with ablation setting are conducted on four real-world datasets, on which, competitive results are obtained.
The influence of conversational role on phonetic alignment toward voice-AI and human interlocutors

Two studies investigated the influence of conversational role on phonetic imitation toward human and voice-AI interlocutors. In a Word List Task, the giver instructed the receiver on which of two l...
An Overview of the U.S.A. Program for the Development of Thermal Energy Storage for Solar Energy Applications

The administrative responsibility for thermal energy storage (TES) technology in the U.S.A. resides chiefly in the DOE Office of Solar Applications for Buildings (OSAB), and the Office of Advanced Conservation Technology (OACT). Management support and technical direction of DOE projects are provided by several U.S.A. National Laboratories. The organizational structure related to TES programs is given in Figure 1.
Building a better minimal supergravity: WIMP dark matter without flavor violation

The appearance of a natural dark matter candidate, the neutralino, is among the principal successes of minimal supergravity (mSUGRA) and its descendents. In lieu of a suitable ultraviolet completion, however, theories of gravity-mediated supersymmetry breaking such as mSUGRA suffer from arbitrary degrees of flavor violation. Though theories of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking are free from such prohibitive flavor violation, they typically lack natural neutralino dark matter candidates. Yet this conventional dichotomy breaks down when the hidden sector is strongly coupled; in models of gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking, the neutralino may be the lightest supersymmetric particle if the fields of the hidden sector possess large anomalous dimensions. In fact, general models of so-called ``sequestered'' gauge mediation possess the full richness of neutralino dark matter found in mSUGRA without corresponding flavor problems. Here we explore generalized models of sequestered gauge mediation and the rich variety of neutralino dark matter they exhibit.
The Learning, Self-Organizing School: The Self-Organizing School: Next-Generation Comprehensive School Reforms

Efforts to improve schools have been problematic. In The Self-Organizing School, Alan Bain presents a theory-driven, research-based model of school reform and an account of its 12-year implementati...
Synthesis of Layered Polyelectrolyte Films

The sections in this article are Film Structure Electrodes Modified with Layered Polyelectrolytes Electroactive Layered Polyelectrolyte Films Direct Voltammetry Using Layered Protein-polyion Films Electrode-driven Enzyme-like Catalysis Acknowledgments
Constructing a stacked benthic δ18O record

Composite stacks were constructed by superimposing 6 to 13 benthic foraminiferal δ 1 8 O records covering the period 0-850 ka. An initial timescale for each core was established using radioisotopic age control points and assuming constant sedimentation rates between these points. The average of these records is our 13-core "untuned" stack. Next, we matched the 41 kyr component of each record individually to variations in Earth's obliquity. Four of the 13 records produced timescales that were inconsistent with one or more of the known radioisotopic ages. The nine remaining cores were averaged to create a "minimally tuned" stack. Six of the minimally tuned cores were assembled into a "tropical" stack. For each stack we estimated the uncertainty envelope from the standard deviation of the constituents. Spectral analysis of the three stacks indicates that benthic δ 1 8 O is dominated by a 100 kyr oscillation that has a narrow spectral peak. The contribution of precession to the total variance is small when compared to prior results from planktic stacks.
A proposed metric for assessing the measurement quality of individual microarrays.

Background High-density microarray technology is increasingly applied to study gene expression levels on a large scale. Microarray experiments rely on several critical steps that may introduce error and uncertainty in analyses. These steps include mRNA sample extraction, amplification and labeling, hybridization, and scanning. In some cases this may be manifested as systematic spatial variation on the surface of microarray in which expression measurements within an individual array may vary as a function of geographic position on the array surface.
Integrating naive Bayes models and external knowledge to examine copper and iron homeostasis in S-cerevisiae

A novel suite of analytical techniques and visualization tools are applied to 78 published transcription profiling experiments monitoring 5,687 Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes in studies examining cell cycle, responses to stress, and diauxic shift. A naive Bayes model discovered and characterized 45 classes of gene profile vectors. An enrichment measure quantified the association between these classes and specific external knowledge defined by four sets of categories to which genes can be assigned: 106 protein functions, 5 stages of the cell cycle, 265 transcription factors, and 16 chromosomal locations. Many of the 38 genes in class 42 are known to play roles in copper and iron homeostasis. The 17 uncharacterized open reading frames in this class may be involved in similar homeostatic processes; human homologs of two of them could be associated with as yet undefined disease states arising from aberrant metal ion regulation. The Met4, Met31, and Met32 transcription factors may play a role in coregulating genes involved in copper and iron metabolism. Extensions of the simple graphical model used for clustering to learning more complex models of genetic networks are discussed.
The seismic response of the Los Angeles basin, California

Using strong-motion data recorded in the Los Angeles region from the 1992 ( Mw 7.3) Landers earthquake, we have tested the accuracy of existing three-dimensional (3D) velocity models on the simulation of long-period (≧2 sec) ground motions in the Los Angeles basin and surrounding San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys. First, the overall pattern and degree of long-period excitation of the basins were identified in the observations. Within the Los Angeles basin, the recorded amplitudes are about three to four times larger than at sites outside the basins; amplitudes within the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys are nearly a factor of 3 greater than surrounding bedrock sites. Then, using a 3D finite-difference numerical modeling approach, we analyzed how variations in 3D earth structure affect simulated waveforms, amplitudes, and the fit to the observed patterns of amplification. Significant differences exist in the 3D velocity models of southern California that we tested (Magistrale et al. , 1996; Graves, 1996a; Hauksson and Haase, 1997). Major differences in the models include the velocity of the assumed background models; the depth of the Los Angeles basin; and the depth, location, and geometry of smaller basins. The largest disparities in the response of the models are seen for the San Fernando Valley and the deepest portion of the Los Angeles basin. These arise in large part from variations in the structure of the basins, particularly the effective depth extent, which is mainly due to alternative assumptions about the nature of the basin sediment fill. The general ground-motion characteristics are matched by the 3D model simulations, validating the use of 3D modeling with geologically based velocity-structure models. However, significant shortcomings exist in the overall patterns of amplification and the duration of the long-period response. The successes and limitations of the models for reproducing the recorded ground motions as discussed provide the basis and direction for necessary improvements to earth structure models, whether geologically or tomographically derived. The differences in the response of the earth models tested also translate to variable success in the ability to successfully model the data and add uncertainty to estimates of the basin response given input “scenario” earthquake source models.
Bonding at the α-Al2O3(001)/Pt(111) interface: Molecular orbital theory

Cluster models of the α-Al 2 O 3 (001) and the Pt(111) surfaces have been used in an atom superposition and electron delocalization molecular orbital study of interfacial bond strengths and the bonding theory of platinum-alumina seals. It is found that Al 3+ centers of the Al 2 O 3 (001) surface have empty dangling surface orbitals into which surface Pt atoms can donate to form strong bonds. O 2− centers of Al 2 O 3 are shown to bond more weakly to Pt because of the nearly closed-shell nature of the interaction. Bonds between O 2− and oxidized surface Pt atoms to give a … Al 3+ O 2− Pt + Pt… interface are calculated to be strong.
A simple method for determination of the average particle size of coarse suspensions from measurements of apparent specific turbidity.

Abstract If the turbidity of a suspension of large spherical polydisperse particles is independent of the wavelength of light, the apparent specific turbidity, as measured by an inexpensive commercially available spectrophotometer, is inversely proportional to the average radius of the particle size distribution. It is shown experimentally that this relation holds for suspensions of monomodal polydisperse styrenedivinylbenzene copolymer latices of average radius from 12 to 50 μm. This observation permits development of a quick method for determination of the various average particle sizes of coarse monomodally polydisperse suspensions from apparent specific turbidity measurements using a simple spectrophotometer such as the Spectronic-20. Attempts to verify similar relations for the determination of the average floc size of suspensions of silica and carbon black were unsuccessful, since it was not possible to obtain comparison values of the floc size distributions by the Coulter Counter because of extensive deflocculation of the aggregates on passage through the aperture.
Plant-derived virus-like particles as vaccines

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembled structures derived from viral antigens that mimic the native architecture of viruses but lack the viral genome. VLPs have emerged as a premier vaccine platform due to their advantages in safety, immunogenicity, and manufacturing. The particulate nature and high-density presentation of viral structure proteins on their surface also render VLPs as attractive carriers for displaying foreign epitopes. Consequently, several VLP-based vaccines have been licensed for human use and achieved significant clinical and economical success. The major challenge, however, is to develop novel production platforms that can deliver VLP-based vaccines while significantly reducing production times and costs. Therefore, this review focuses on the essential role of plants as a novel, speedy and economical production platform for VLP-based vaccines. The advantages of plant expression systems are discussed in light of their distinctive posttranslational modifications, cost-effectiveness, production speed, and scalability. Recent achievements in the expression and assembly of VLPs and their chimeric derivatives in plant systems as well as their immunogenicity in animal models are presented. Results of human clinical trials demonstrating the safety and efficacy of plant-derived VLPs are also detailed. Moreover, the promising implications of the recent creation of "humanized" glycosylation plant lines as well as the very recent approval of the first plant-made biologics by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for plant production and commercialization of VLP-based vaccines are discussed. It is speculated that the combined potential of plant expression systems and VLP technology will lead to the emergence of successful vaccines and novel applications of VLPs in the near future.
SURVEY OF OBSERVATIONS OF METEOR TRAILS

The general nature of the luminosity and ionization appearing along the trajectories of bright meteors is discussed on the basis of observations made with optical cameras and radar equipment. Six distinct categories of phenomena are described: 1) a sharp luminosity peak that moves with the meteoroid and consists chiefly of the low excitation radiation of atoms in the neutral and first ionization stages, 2) a moving-ball type of radar target that also travels at the velocity of the meteoroid and appears along the highest portion of the trajectory, 3) a trailing wake with duration measured in small fractions of a second and with a faint luminosity arising from the lowest excitation levels in a number of common atoms, 4) a metastable train lasting a second or two along the upper part of the trajectory, the luminosity arising from a forbidden green line of neutral oxygen, 5) a persistent train that may remain visible for several minutes and that probably includes the lines of neutral sodium and magnesium in its luminosity, and 6) an enduring radar echo that lasts for a considerably longer period than the optical persistent train and that, like it, is modified continually by the wind structure of the upper a tmosphere.
Mortgage design under inflation and real wage uncertainty: the use of a dual index instrument.

Designing a mortgage system which protects lenders' interests in an inflationary environment and at the same time provides continued accessibility to credit for borrowers has been a challenge during the past decade. Officials of lending institutions and agencies involved with mortgage lending have invariably developed approaches which addressed either the concerns of lenders, or those of some borrowers, or provided disincentives to lenders. Instead of focusing upon the problems of lenders or borrowers separately, this paper presents a combined approach in which the effects of inflation upon lenders are addressed through indexation of payments to prices, while at the same time, borrowers have their payments tied to a wage index, with any shortfalls in real payments capitalized for later repayment. This dual indexed system safeguards the interests of both groups while it provides for continued lending activities. The paper presents the underlying logic of a simple financial model that can examine such lending instruments. The model can also serve as an analytical tool for various officials involved in sector planning. It allows policymakers to analyze the effects of various lending policies, alternative norms and design standards, various inflation and wage prospects, interest rate issues, etc.
Status of current nuclear structure data bases for gamma-ray laser applications

Abstract A search of two nuclear structure data bases, CDRL82 and ENSDF, was undertaken in order to identify nuclei attractive for gamma-ray laser applications. Level pairs for 32 such candidate nuclei were determined that had properties (spacings, half-lives) attractive for possible gamma-ray laser use. However, many of these pairs suffer from details (for example, required spin transfers) that may take their use difficult in actual laser concepts. To complicate the problem, present data bases are deficient in the formation needed to identify additional, more promising candidates. Nuclear model calculations are suggested as a way to remedy such deficiencies in the near term. Examples from nuclear structure analyses are provided that impact consideration of current nuclear candidates or that may help identify new ones.
Effect of intracisternal and intravenous calcitonin gene-related peptide on experimental cerebral vasospasm in rabbits.

We investigated the vasodilatory effect of intracisternal (i.c.) and intravenous (i.v.) administration of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on arterial narrowing after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Forty-one rabbits were divided into five groups: control (normal animals); SAH plus i.c. infusion of vehicle; SAH plus i.c. infusion of CGRP; SAH plus i.v. infusion of vehicle; SAH plus i.v. infusion of CGRP. In all but the control group, either CGRP (100ng/kg/min) or vehicle solution was infused for two hours immediately prior to sacrifice by perfusion-fixation. A morphometric technique was employed to measure the luminal diameter of rabbit basilar arteries two days after SAH. The diameter of the basilar arteries in either the i.c. or i.v. CGRP groups was significantly greater than that of the respective vehicle group (i.c., p < 0.001; i.v., p < 0.01). Although there was no significant difference in systemic arterial blood pressure after infusion between the i.c. vehicle and i.c. CGRP groups, i.v. CGRP caused significant hypotension. Our results suggest that exogenous CGRP has some therapeutic potential for arterial narrowing after SAH not only by intrathecal application, but also by systemic use.
Lung Allocation Score Criteria Adjustment and Impacts on Transplantation: A Retrospective Study

s S271 Purpose: Extended criteria donor lungs are increasingly used for transplantation. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen of donors at organ offer is widely regarded as an important marker for the quality and transplantability of the lung. More precise, a PaO2/FiO2 300 mmHg. Methods: 464 consecutive lung transplantations performed at our centre between April 2010 and October 2013 were analyzed. Outcome parameters included overall survival, hospital mortality and correlation of duration of postoperative ventilation. Results: 70 patients received grafts of donors with PaO2/FiO2 300. There were no significant recipient differences in age (45.6±0.8 vs. 48.3±1.5 yrs, p= 0.12) or sex (51% vs. 53% male). Postoperative parameters of the recipients including duration of mechanical ventilation time (14 [2-1619] hours vs. 27 [2-4077] hours; p= 0.14), intensive care stay (2 [1-49] days vs. 3 [3-203] days; p= 0.12) or total hospital stay (23 [11-199] days vs. 26 [11-224] days; p= 0.54) showed no significant differences between both groups. Also, hospital mortality (4.2% vs. 5.1%; p= 0.78) did not differ. Overall survival of the recipients showed no significant difference (p= 0.56). Further differentiation into subgroups according to donor oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2 300) showed no significant difference in survival (p= 0.52). Donor characteristics showed longer duration of mechanical ventilation in the group with a PaO2/FiO2< 300 (6.9±0.6 days vs. 5.3±0.2 days; p= 0.01). Correlation analysis showed no significant correlation between donor PaO2/FiO2 and recipient postoperative ventilation time (p= 0.49) or total hospital stay (p= 0.12). Conclusion: Donor lungs showing low arterial PaO2 values at offer can safely be used for transplantation, if a structural damage to the organ is excluded during retrieval. We conclude that a further increase of usage of donor organs that might have a compromised oxygenation capacity before retrieval should be attempted.
The Inhibition of Brain Acetylcholinesterase Activity of Juvenile Largemouth BassMicropterus salmoidesby Sublethal Concentrations of Diazinon

An effect of diazinon on brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of juvenile largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides was observed. The exposure concentration started from 1/10 of the 24-h LC50 value, 90 micrograms/liter. The exposure duration was 24 h. Statistically significant and dose-dependent reductions in the mean AChE activities we seen at 90, 180, 270, 360, and 450 micrograms/liter. The results show that juvenile brain acetylcholinesterase activities were significantly inhibited by sublethal doses of diazinon. Inhibition of brain AChE will definitely cause physiological and behavioral modifications that reduce survival ability of the animals at an early stage of growth.
Critical ATP parameters associated with blood and mammalian cells: Relevant measurement techniques

We have developed an integrated package that includes software programs and algorithms for measuring in vivo total blood ATP, extracellular blood ATP, blood ATP release rates, and plasma ATP breakdown rates. This clinically tested methodology improves upon existing luciferin/luciferase and high-performance liquid chromatography assay techniques in that it involves the multidetector luminometric system for determination of blood ATP parameters with simultaneous monitoring of ATP standards and standard curve generations with r 2 > 0.99 and increased speed of preparation and assay time (time necessarily for 96-well plate preparation, assay itself, and analysis). The system and associated software program permits analysis blood ATP parameters in mol, mol/L, or mol/red blood cell (RBC) and has been extensively tested with samples measured in clinics and with samples obtained and measured at the patient bedside. The mobility of the system and ability to perform measurements on location is an important consideration and feature because of the fact that ATP blood levels are rapidly hydrolyzed and hence extremely sensitive to any perturbations associated with any vigorous manipulations during the processing and analysis. EDTA inhibition of extracellular ATP hydrolysis permits determination of extracellular ATP (plasma) and ATP release rates levels performed by iterative measurements performed on sequentially diluted blood aliquots. Back-extrapolation permits close approximation of the in vivo blood ATP parameters. The assay system is capable of detecting RBC ATP release rates as low as 10,000 ATP molecules.RBC -1 min -1 .
EMR for Colonic Pathology

EMR is an evolving technique that extends the therapeutic armamentarium of gastrointestinal endoscopists. It is a minimally invasive means to achieve curative resection of digestive tract lesions that would otherwise require surgical or ablative alternatives. The technique has subsequently been applied to sessile and broad-based polypoid lesions throughout the luminal digestive tract. This article reviews current data regarding patient selection, tools and techniques, complications and risks, as well as, success and relapse rate following EMR.
Successful use of fondaparinux in a patient with a mechanical heart valve replacement and a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

The development of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an antibody-mediated clinicopathologic syndrome. The resultant thrombocytopenia and thrombosis can be severe and life-threatening. Fondaparinux is a parenteral factor Xa inhibitor used for venous thromboembolism prevention and treatment. Fondaparinux has minimal affinity for platelet factor 4, making it an alternative agent to unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and a plausible consideration for patients with a history of HIT. The use of fondaparinux in patients with mechanical heart valve replacement and a history of HIT has never been discussed in the literature. We report on the case of a patient with a mechanical aortic heart valve replacement and a history of HIT who was successfully bridged postoperatively with fondaparinux. While there is currently no literature to support the use of fondaparinux in patients with mechanical heart valves, this drug may offer an option for management of such patients who cannot use heparin products. However, further clinical investigations are warranted to confirm both the safety and efficacy of this agent in the mechanical heart valve population.
A delineation of diketopiperazine self-assembly processes: understanding the molecular events involved in Nepsilon-(fumaroyl)diketopiperazine of L-Lys (FDKP) interactions.

The Nϵ-fumaroylated diketopiperazine of l-Lys (FDKP, 1) self-assembles into microparticles that can be used for pulmonary drug delivery. When these particles are formulated with insulin, the resultant powder (Technosphere Insulin) provides a novel prandial insulin therapy. To better understand the self-assembly of 1, a series of model compounds were synthesized that allowed for the determination of the preferred intramolecular hydrogen-bonding pattern of FDKP. Variable-temperature NMR (CDCl3) and FTIR studies of acyclic diamides (3−7a) and diketopiperazine models (7b−9d) revealed the preference of a 10-membered hydrogen bond between one of the diketopiperazine’s amido NH and the appended fumaramido-carbonyl (assigned as a “type B” H bond). Molecular modeling studies identified a low energy conformer in the architecture of 1, which contains two Nϵ-fumaroylated lysine side chains appended to the diketopiperazine core. The lowest energy form involved a “cooperative” hydrogen bond motif which involved only on...
Attentional biases in social anxiety: An investigation using the inattentional blindness paradigm

One line of research has examined attentional bias as a potential maintenance factor in social anxiety using cognitive experiment paradigms. The present study sought to examine the utility of the inattentional blindness (IB) paradigm for assessing attentional bias in social anxiety. Unlike other existing paradigms such as the emotional Stroop or dot-probe tasks, the IB paradigm has the advantage of eliminating the individual's expectation and intention to search for social cues, which would reduce strategic or effortful responses. Two independent experiments were conducted using college students scoring high or low on the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale. In both Experiments 1 and 2, participants were randomized to one of three IB experiment conditions, in which a positive face, a negative face, or a neutral item was unexpectedly presented, in the presence/absence of a bogus-speech threat. The overall pattern of our data suggests the presence of hypervigilant attentional processing in social anxiety. The IB paradigm appears to be a useful addition to existing experiment paradigms for investigating attentional bias in social anxiety and perhaps other psychopathology.
From value to values: sustainable consumption at farmers markets

Advocates of environmental sustainability and social justice increasingly pursue their goals through the promotion of so-called “green” products such as locally grown organic produce. While many scholars support this strategy, others criticize it harshly, arguing that environmental degradation and social injustice are inherent results of capitalism and that positive social change must be achieved through collective action. This study draws upon 18 months of ethnographic fieldwork at two farmers markets located in demographically different parts of the San Francisco Bay Area to examine how market managers, vendors, and regular customers negotiate tensions between their economic strategies and environmental sustainability and social justice goals. Managers, vendors, and customers emphasize the ethical rather than financial motivations of their markets through comparisons to capitalist, industrial agriculture and through attention to perceived economic sacrifices made by market vendors. They also portray economic strategies as a pragmatic choice, pointing to failed efforts to achieve justice and sustainability through policy change as well as difficulties funding and sustaining non-profit organizations. While market managers, vendors, and customers deny any difficulties pursuing justice and sustainability through local economics, the need for vendors to sustain their livelihoods does sometimes interfere with their social justice goals. This has consequences for the function of each market.
Analysis of the Additivity of in Vitro Inhibition of Cholinesterase by Mixtures of Chlorpyrifos-oxon and Azinphos-methyl-oxon

Organophosphorus (OP) insecticides or their active metabolites act through a common mechanism of toxicity, the inhibition of cholinesterase (ChE). The effects of in vitro exposure of brain (target) and serum (biomarker) ChE to chlorpyrifos-oxon (C=O) and azinphos-methyl-oxon (AZM=O), the active metabolites of the insecticides chlorpyrifos and azinphos-methyl, respectively, were investigated to determine if simultaneous or sequential exposure to these two OP compounds results in purely additive effects. Additive was defined by the theoretical calculated percent inhibition (dose additivity), which takes into account the fraction of ChE molecules assumed to be available for inhibition by the second compound following inhibition by the first compound, not simple mathematical summation of percent inhibition (response additivity). Brain ChE simultaneously exposed to the two compounds resulted in additive effects, which were less than the simple mathematical summation of percent inhibition. However, serum ChE simultaneously exposed to the two compounds resulted in a nonlinear response, presumably due in part to the presence of detoxifying enzymes in the serum. Sequential exposure of both brain and serum ChE to the two compounds resulted in greater than additive effects at the higher concentrations of each compound. There was no departure from additivity at the lower concentrations of the two compounds. These data suggest that simple mathematical summation of percent inhibitions, i.e., response additivity, is not the appropriate method for describing the combined effects of C=O and AZM=O on ChE in vitro. In addition, there are other mechanisms involved, such as the presence of detoxication enzymes, that must be taken into account when analyzing the effects of combined exposure of ChE to these two compounds.
Establishment of fibrillin-deficient osteoprogenitor cell lines identifies molecular abnormalities associated with extracellular matrix perturbation of osteogenic differentiation

Fibrillin-1 and fibrillin-2 are structural components of the extracellular matrix which are also involved in modulating local TGFβ and BMP bioavailability. Loss of fibrillin-1 or fibrillin-2 is associated with perturbed osteoblast maturation principally as the result of unbalanced TGFβ and BMP signaling. Here, we demonstrated that stable expression of small hairpin RNAs against fibrillin-1(Fbn1) or fibrillin-2 (Fbn2) transcripts in the clonal osteoprogenitor cell line Kusa-A1 led to the same phenotypic and molecular manifestations as germline Fbn1- or Fbn2-null mutations in primary calvarial osteoblast cultures. Proof-of-concept experiments are also presented showing that Fbn1- or Fbn2-silenced Kusa-A1 cell lines are suitable models to identify candidate determinants of osteogenesis which are under the control of extracellular microfibrils. Specific findings included: the inference of a potential role for fibrillin-1-mediated cell–matrix interactions in regulating Kusa-A1 proliferation; the possibility of fibrillin-2 involvement in modulating the activity of transcription factor Runx2 by restricting microRNA expression and/or processing; and the suggestion that fibrillin-1 and fibrillin-2 influence Notch signaling indirectly by differentially regulating BMP signaling. Collectively, the data reiterated the notion that fibrillin-1 and fibrillin-2 exert opposite effects on osteoblast differentiation through the discrete modulation of a broad network of interacting signaling molecules.
Development of insulin resistance and obesity in mice overexpressing cellular glutathione peroxidase

Insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, is associated with oxidative stress. However, the role of reactive oxygen species or specific antioxidant enzymes in its development has not been tested under physiological conditions. The objective of our study was to investigate the impact of overexpression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), an intracellular selenoprotein that reduces hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in vivo, on glucose metabolism and insulin function. The GPX1-overexpressing (OE) and WT male mice (n = 80) were fed a selenium-adequate diet (0.4 mg/kg) from 8 to 24 weeks of age. Compared with the WT, the OE mice developed (P < 0.05) hyperglycemia (117 vs. 149 mg/dl), hyperinsulinemia (419 vs. 1,350 pg/ml), and elevated plasma leptin (5 vs. 16 ng/ml) at 24 weeks of age. Meanwhile, these mice were heavier (37 vs. 27 g, P < 0.001) and fatter (37% vs. 17% fat, P < 0.01) than the WT mice. At 30–60 min after an insulin challenge, the OE mice had 25% less (P < 0.05) of a decrease in blood glucose than the WT mice. Their insulin resistance was associated with a 30–70% reduction (P < 0.05) in the insulin-stimulated phosphorylations of insulin receptor (β-subunit) in liver and Akt (Ser473 and Thr308) in liver and soleus muscle. Here we report the development of insulin resistance in mammals with elevated expression of an antioxidant enzyme and suggest that increased GPX1 activity may interfere with insulin function by overquenching intracellular reactive oxygen species required for insulin sensitizing.
Effect of pinning on flux-lattice melting in an anisotropic superconductor

When interlayer coupling can be neglected (infinite effective mass perpendicular to the layers), the Lindemann criterion for flux lattice melting naturally crosses over to the two-dimensional (2d) melting theory for a thin slab with a magnetic-field dependent effective thickness. This allows incorporation of corrections to the melting transition due to pinning.
Physical activity enhancement to a behavioral weight loss program for severely obese individuals: A preliminary investigation.

Severe obesity is characterized by low physical activity (PA) and interventions to enhance PA are needed. Participants (45.0 ± 3.9 kg/m2) were randomized to a 6-month standard behavioral weight loss program (SBWL; n = 14) or SBWL
A software environment for digital signal-processing simulations

A signal-processing software system is described which allows the simulation of systems described by block diagrams or signal-flow graphs. A high-level data-flow language describes the interconnection of the components. All configurations of interconnections are allowed, including those containing feedback. Component systems (blocks) are allowed to be multi-input, multi-output, and to be programmed in any language. Blocks are implemented as separate processes running under a UNIX2 operating system. Input and output signals are transferred between blocks via the UNIXpipe facility. Thedata type of a signal is arbitrary in the context of the compiler; within a component or system, signals and internal variables can be either floating point or fixed point. The compiler enforces strong or weak type checking of signals according to the characteristics of the blocks generating and receiving the signals. The invariance of the program to implementation data type is accomplished by the use of abstract data types. Fixed-point simulations having differing number of bits per signal and per internal variable in a block are supported. Special display software is used to allow any signal in the system to be displayed on any graphics device.
The effectiveness of occluder contact lenses in improving occlusion compliance in patients that have failed traditional occlusion therapy.

Purpose. Management of infants and young children with dense amblyopia, including that which results from unilateral congenital cataracts, is challenging because of noncompliance with occlusion therapy. Occluder contact lenses (OCLs) have been described to successfully improve visual acuity in patients with amblyopia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of OCLs in improving occlusion compliance in infants and young children with dense amblyopia who had failed traditional occlusion therapy. Methods. Thirteen patients were fit in their nonamblyopic eye with OCLs provided by Wesley Jessen (Des Plaines, IL). All patients had dense amblyopia as diagnosed by a pediatric ophthalmologist. Nine of the 13 patients had deprivational amblyopia associated with unilateral aphakia, 2 patients had strabismic amblyopia, and the other 2 had mixed mechanism amblyopia. All patients had failed traditional occlusion methods. Occlusion was prescribed on a part-time basis to prevent occlusion amblyopia to the better-seeing eye. Compliance with the OCLs was determined by questioning the parents as to whether the prescribed occlusion time was accomplished. Results. Five of the 13 patients (38.4%) did not succeed in the initial 1-mo trial period because of parental difficulties with lens handling. Four patients (30.7%) achieved partial success, as they were able to wear the lens between 4 to 14 mo, at which time they learned to remove the occluder lens. The four remaining patients (30.7%) successfully wore the occluder lenses until the conclusion of the study, a time period ranging from 26 to 60 mo. No complications resulted from OCLs. Conclusions. OCLs can provide an alternative to achieving occlusion compliance after the failure of traditional occlusion therapy in infants and young children with dense amblyopia.
Upper-mantle seismic reflections beneath the East Pacific Rise

Multichannel seismic reflection profiles from the East Pacific Rise show distinctive patterns of reflecting events immediately below the reflection Moho in the axial region. These events begin at the reflection Moho horizon between 2 and 12 km from the ridge axis. They dip inward, in two-way traveltime, by 0.2 to 0.4 s over horizontal distances of ∼1 to 3 km; depth conversion indicates that their dip is between 30° and 45°. The events terminate or fade away down dip and are not observed beneath the ridge crest itself. They are observed individually or in pairs about the ridge axis and have only been identified in the axial region. We believe that these are the first well-documented examples of upper-mantle, events in marine seismic observations from an active spreading environment. They provide much-needed observational data on the structure of the uppermost mantle beneath the mid-ocean ridge. We favor the hypothesis that the sub-Moho events are directly related to the accumulation of melt in the upper mantle. If this interpretation is correct, the distribution of events implies that melt arriving at the base of the crust is not always centered with respect to the ridge axis or any imaged crustal features.
An animal model of vascular amyloidosis

A new study presents the first mouse model of hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis–Dutch type, a disease associated with amyloid deposits in the brain's vasculature, and gives insights into Aβ deposition that may be relevant to Alzheimer disease treatment.
Video cross-talk reduction and synchronization for two-way collaboration

Recent two-way collaboration prototypes attempt to improve natural interactivity, correct eye contact and gaze direction, and media sharing using novel configurations of projectors, screens, and video cameras. These systems are often afflicted by video cross-talk where the content displayed for viewing by the local participant is unintentionally captured by the camera and delivered to the remote participant. Prior attempts to reduce this cross-talk purely in hardware through various forms of multiplexing (e.g., temporal, wavelength (color), polarization) have performance and cost limitations. In this work, careful system characterization and subsequent signal processing algorithms allow us to reduce video cross-talk. The signals themselves are used to detect temporal synchronization offsets which then allow subsequent reduction of the cross-talk signal. Our software-based approach enables the effective use of simpler hardware and optics than prior methods. Results show substantial cross-talk reduction in a system with unsynchronized projector and camera.
Validation of a spectrophotometer-based method for estimating daily sperm production and deferent duct transit

ABSTRACT The objectives of the present work were 3-fold. First, a new method for estimating daily sperm production was validated. This method, in turn, was used to evaluate testis output as well as deferent duct throughput. Next, this analytical approach was evaluated in 2 experiments. The first experiment compared left and right reproductive tracts within roosters. The second experiment compared reproductive tract throughput in roosters from low and high sperm mobility lines. Standard curves were constructed from which unknown concentrations of sperm cells and sperm nuclei could be predicted from observed absorbance. In each case, the independent variable was based upon hemacytometer counts, and absorbance was a linear function of concentration. Reproductive tracts were excised, semen recovered from each duct, and the extragonadal sperm reserve determined by multiplying volume by sperm cell concentration. Testicular sperm nuclei were procured by homogenization of a whole testis, overlaying a 20-mL volume of homogenate upon 15% (wt/vol) Accudenz (Accurate Chemical and Scientific Corporation, Westbury, NY), and then washing nuclei by centrifugation through the Accudenz layer. Daily sperm production was determined by dividing the predicted number of sperm nuclei within the homogenate by 4.5 d (i.e., the time sperm with elongated nuclei spend within the testis). Sperm transit through the deferent duct was estimated by dividing the extragonadal reserve by daily sperm production. Neither the efficiency of sperm production (sperm per gram of testicular parenchyma per day) nor deferent duct transit differed between left and right reproductive tracts (P > 0.05). Whereas efficiency of sperm production did not differ (P > 0.05) between low and high sperm mobility lines, deferent duct transit differed between lines (P