cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bromocriptine Regulates Angiotensin II Response on Sodium Pump in Proximal Tubules

Abstract —Dopamine and angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors have been reported to exhibit an interaction in renal proximal tubules. The present study was designed to investigate the regulation by a D2-like dopamine receptor of Ang II–mediated stimulation of Na,K-ATPase activity in the renal proximal tubules. Ang II (10−13 to 10−9 mol/L) stimulated Na,K-ATPase activity in the proximal tubules that was completely abolished when the tubules were pretreated with the D2-like receptor agonist bromocriptine (1 μmol/L) for 30 minutes. The effect of bromocriptine on Ang II response was prevented by domperidone (1 μmol/L), a D2-like dopamine receptor antagonist. Similarly, the inhibition of forskolin (1 μmol/L)–induced cAMP accumulation caused by Ang II (10 pmol/L) was also abolished in bromocriptine-pretreated tubules. Basal and forskolin-stimulated cAMP was not significantly different in bromocriptine-treated tubules compared with the control. [3H]-Ang II binding sites (angiotensin type 1 [AT1] receptors) were reduced by ≈65% in bromocriptine-treated proximal tubules, a result that was further substantiated by Western blot analysis revealing a 50% decrease in AT1 receptors in bromocriptine-treated tubules compared with the control. Western blot analysis of G proteins revealed a 2-fold increase in Gsα and a 20% decrease in Giα1 and Giα2 in the bromocriptine-treated proximal tubules. Bromocriptine (1 μmol/L) alone stimulated Na,K-ATPase activity during the first 30 minutes of incubation, and thereafter the stimulation fell to the basal level. Similarly, bromocriptine-mediated inhibition of cAMP lasted only up to 20 minutes. The data suggest that preactivation of D2-like dopamine receptors abolishes Ang II–mediated stimulation of Na,K-ATPase activity and inhibition of cAMP accumulation. This phenomenon may be a consequence of a decrease in AT1 receptors and alterations in G protein levels in the proximal tubules. We propose that such a regulation of Ang II response by bromocriptine is the result of heterologous desensitization of the D2-like receptor system.
A study of the influence of code-tracing problems on code-writing skills

A study was conducted to find out whether solving code tracing problems helps improve code writing skills of students. Students were asked to answer a code writing quiz before and after a problem-solving session on code tracing. Increase in the score from pre-quiz to post-quiz was treated as improvement in code writing attributable to code tracing. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data collected over three semesters. The results of the study are that whenever a statistically significant difference was observed between pre-quiz and post-quiz scores, post-quiz mean score was higher and standard deviation was smaller, confirming better student performance on post-quiz than on pre-quiz. The improvement in code writing pertained primarily to language syntax. The improvement was observed even among the students who scored 100% on code tracing problems. Finally, the students whose code writing skills improved due to code tracing had spent 10% more time on code tracing than the others.
Effects of process and source on elastic modulus of single cellulose fibrils evaluated by atomic force microscopy

A test method to measure cellulose fibril elastic modulus using atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the effects of process and source on the moduli of single cellulose fibrils. The cellulose fibrils were generated from cellulose by mechanical treatments. Individual fibrils were suspended over a micro scale groove etched on a silicon wafer. A nano-scale three-point bending test was performed to obtain the elastic moduli. The results indicated that the elastic moduli of cellulose fibrils were not significantly different between 30 min and 60 min of high intensity ultrasonic treatment for Lyocell fiber, between isolation methods of ultrasonic and homogenizer treatment for pure cellulose fiber, and between different cellulose sources of pulp fibers treated by homogenizer regardless the effects of sample size coupled with inherent variation in the raw material. The elastic modulus of Lyocell fibrils with diameters from 150 to 180 nm was evaluated to be 98 ± 6 GPa. Modulus values decreased dramatically when the diameter was more than 180 nm.
Industrial revolution and mortality revolution: Two of a kind?

In little more than a century life expectancy has doubled in most parts of the world. Neither facts nor theory support the view that this Mortality Revolution is due to the Industrial Revolution and the era of rapid economic growth that ensued. Rather, both revolutions mark the onset of accelerated and sustained technological change in their respective areas. They occur largely independently of each other, the later occurrence of the Mortality Revolution being due to the later development of biomedical vis-a-vis physical knowledge. Comparative study of the two should prove fruitful. Although entrepreneurship is important in each, there appear to be differences in the underlying motivations and the role of private property and other institutions. Links between technological change, on the one hand, and scale of operation, capital inputs, and education, on the other, also offer promising possibilities for comparative study.
Development of Synthetic Peptide Substrates for the Poliovirus 3C Proteinase

Abstract Picornaviruses, such as polio, translate their entire genome as a single polyprotein which must be proteolytically processed to produce the mature viral proteins. A majority of these cleavages are catalyzed by the virus-encoded cysteine proteinase, 3C. We report here the design and synthesis of a series of oligopeptide substrates, based upon native 3C cleavage sites, for an HPLC assay of poliovirus 3C proteinase activity. A similar series of peptides based upon human rhinovirus 3C cleavage sites was also examined. The enzyme shows a marked preference for those peptides with a proline in the P′ 2 position. A quenched fluorescent substrate suitable for continuous assay of 3C proteinase activity was also synthesized. Both the HPLC assay and the fluorescence assay were used to evaluate a number of potential 3C proteinase inhibitors.
A study of poly(p‐xylylene)‐coated AsF5‐doped polyacetylene

Electrical conductivity measurements and scanning electron microscopy have been used to study uncoated and poly(p-xylylene)-coated samples of polyacetylene doped with AsF5. These initial results indicate a considerable reduction in the decay rate of conductivity in the presence of oxygen as well as a decreased rate of thermal decomposition of the dopant when heated between 50°C and 115°C in vacuum by the coating.
Outbreaks attributed to fresh leafy vegetables, United States, 1973-2012

Leafy vegetables are an essential component of a healthy diet; however, they have been associated with high-profile outbreaks causing severe illnesses. We reviewed leafy vegetable-associated outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 1973 and 2012. During the study period, 606 leafy vegetable-associated outbreaks, with 20 003 associated illnesses, 1030 hospitalizations, and 19 deaths were reported. On average, leafy vegetable-associated outbreaks were larger than those attributed to other food types. The pathogens that most often caused leafy vegetable-associated outbreaks were norovirus (55% of outbreaks with confirmed aetiology), Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) (18%), and Salmonella (11%). Most outbreaks were attributed to food prepared in a restaurant or catering facility (85%). An ill food worker was implicated as the source of contamination in 31% of outbreaks. Efforts by local, state, and federal agencies to control leafy vegetable contamination and outbreaks should span from the point of harvest to the point of preparation.
Gibberellic acid regulation of adventitious shoot formation from tuber discs of potato

The formation of adventitious shoots from potato tuber discs explanted onto a modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containingN 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (3.0 mg/l), and α-naphthaleneacetic, acid (NAA) (0.01 mg/l), was affected by gibberellic acid (GA). The presence of GA in the explant medium was required for shoot formation and 3×10−10 M GA appeared optimum. However, microscopic examination of the tissue protuberances on the surface of the tuber discs from which shoots arose revealed that GA inhibited the formation of shoot meristems. Tuber discs cultured for 6 wk on MS medium containing BAP and NAA without GA did not initiate adventitious shoots that could be determined visually, but microscopic examination of the tissue protuberances revealed the presence of numerous shoot meristems. Subsequent transfer of these tuber discs to medium with GA but without BAP or NAA resulted in the formation of shoots from 100% of the recultrued dises. Thus it appears that although GA inhibits shoot meristem initiation from potato tuber discs, it is required for shoot development once meristems are initiated.
Effect of Salts and Electron Transport on the Conformation of Isolated Chloroplasts. II. Electron Microscopy

Spinach chloroplasts isolated in media containing salts and the rare chloroplasts which are still within their envelopes alike retain grana similar to those seen in chloroplasts in situ.Chloroplasts isolated in low-salt media lose their grana without losing any chlorophyll. These grana-free chloroplasts are considerably swollen and consist almost entirely of continuous sheets of paired-membrane structures. These double structures, the lamellae, are only loosely held together, primarily at the edges, by tenuous material which does not react with permanganate.Addition of salts (methylamine hydrochloride, NaCl, MgCl(2)) to the grana-free low-salt chloroplasts provide strong interlamellar attractions. These attractions result in a stacking of the lamellae which is sometimes almost random but sometimes results in regular structures indistinguishable from the original grana.The phosphorylation-uncoupler atebrin causes further swelling of the chloroplasts in the absence of electron transport by increasing the space between the paired membranes of the lamellae.The rapid electron transport (Hill reaction) made possible by atebrin-uncoupling is associated with a great decrease in chloroplast volume. This decrease results from a collapsing together of the widely separated lamellar membrane pairs. The pairs approach each other so closely that they usually appear as a single membrane when viewed with the electron microscope. The much slower electron transport which occurs in the absence of uncouplers is associated with a similar but smaller decrease in the space between the lamellar membrane pairs.Chloroplasts swell during the rapid electron transport made possible by the phosphorylation-uncoupler methylamine. This swelling is accompanied by a degree of membrane distortion which precludes an interpretation of the mechanism. As with atebrin-faciliated electron transport, obviously paired membranes disappear but it is not yet clear whether this is by association or dissociation of the pairs.
A simulation framework for performance analysis of multi-interface and multi-channel wireless networks in INET/OMNET++

In wireless networks, devices can be equipped with multiple interfaces to utilize multiple channels and increase the aggregated network throughput. Various channel assignment protocols have been developed to better utilize multiple channels and interfaces. However, the research of channel assignment protocols is still lack of a good simulation tool that can content with a variety of requirements and specifications of channel assignment protocols and conduct data collection and performance analysis. In this paper, we propose MIMC-SIM, a generic simulation framework for multi-interface and multichannel networks, built in INET/OMNET++. In MIMC-SIM, we put a new layer between the network layer and the MAC layer to provide a generic code structure and flexible extension for implementing channel assignment protocols. We also examine one of the channel assignment protocols within our simulation framework to study its performance.
An Investigation on the Capillary Wetting of Glass Fiber Tow and Fabric Structures with Nanoclay-Enriched Reactive Epoxy and Silicone Oil Mixtures

Capillary wetting of a biaxially-oriented glass fabric and the tow comprising the fabric was examined via the Washburn equation with silicone oil and a reactive epoxy-curative system containing 0−4 wt % nanoclay reinforcement. Capillary wetting of silicone oil was used to measure the hydraulic constant of the fabric and tow. The wetting rates for fabric were found to be greater than those for tow and this was based on the larger pore radii of fabric compared to tow. Reynolds and capillary numbers calculated from wetting rate data indicated that the flow is dominated by interfacial tension. The presence of nanoclay offered a significant perturbation to capillary wetting behavior. Wetting rates indicate that the effect of nanoclay is 2-fold: blocking of tow pores and increasing the wetted area. This suggests that nanoclay particles are aggregating and the flow field is such that the particles are not dispersed additionally under the present conditions. Capillary wetting rates of fabric and tow samples were ...
A proposed methodology for setting occupational exposure limits for hydrocarbon solvents

Occupational exposure limit (OEL) development for hydrocarbon solvents is complicated because most of these solvents have complex compositions and only a few representative constituents have been studied in detail. A proposed solution to this problem is to group constituents with similar physical, chemical, and toxicological properties and to assign “guidance values” to each group. A unique OEL can then be calculated for each solvent, using a reciprocal calculation procedure (RCP) based on the liquid composition. This procedure follows the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' (ACGIH®) generic advice for complex mixtures and is recommended by the U.K. Health and Safety Executive for OEL calculations by hydrocarbon solvent manufacturers. The RCP is justified, as the toxicological properties of the constituents are additive and the differences between the vapor and liquid compositions do not substantially affect the calculated exposure limits. The guidance values are based principally o...
Generalized selection via interactive query relaxation

Selection is a fundamental task in interactive applications, typically performed by clicking or lassoing items of interest. However, users may require more nuanced forms of selection. Selecting regions or attributes may be more important than selecting individual items. Selections may be over dynamic items and selections might be more easily created by relaxing simpler selections (e.g., "select all items like this one"). Creating such selections requires that interfaces model the declarative structure of the selection, not just individually selected items. We present direct manipulation techniques that couple declarative selection queries with a query relaxation engine that enables users to interactively generalize their selections. We apply our selection techniques in both information visualization and graphics editing applications, enabling generalized selection over both static and dynamic interface objects. A controlled study finds that users create more accurate selection queries when using our generalization techniques.
UWB dielectric resonator antenna with low cross-polarization

A new dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) for ultra wideband applications is presented. This UWB antenna has excellent Omni-directional radiation patterns over the entire band with the low cross-polarization. The antenna is composed of a solid DR inserted in a substrate, which is excited by a coplanar waveguide feed (CPW).
The Correspondence of Dr. William Hunter, 1740–1783

C. Helen Brock, editor, The Correspondence of Dr. William Hunter, 1740–1783. 2 vols. London: Pickering & Chatto, 2008. xli + 800 pp. $395/£225. ISBN-13 978-1-851-96904-3. A labour of love, this def...
Both left and right posterior parietal activations contribute to compensatory processes in normal aging

Older adults often exhibit greater brain activation in prefrontal cortex compared to younger adults, and there is some evidence that this increased activation compensates for age-related neural degradation that would otherwise adversely affect cognitive performance. Less is known about aging and compensatory recruitment in the parietal cortex. In this event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we presented healthy young and old participants with two Stroop-like tasks (number magnitude and physical size). In young, the number magnitude task activated right parietal cortex and the physical size task activated left parietal cortex. In older adults, we observed contralateral parietal recruitment that depended on the task: in the number magnitude task older participants recruited left posterior parietal cortex (in addition to the right parietal activity observed in young) while in the physical size task they recruited right (in addition to left) posterior parietal cortex. In both cases, the additional parietal activity was associated with better performance suggesting that it played a compensatory role. Older adults also recruited left prefrontal cortex during both tasks and this common activation was also associated with better performance. The results provide evidence for task-specific compensatory recruitment in parietal cortex as well as task-independent compensatory recruitment in prefrontal cortex in normal aging.
Serotonin release from rat brain mast cells in vitro

Mast cells are primarily localized in connective tissues, where they secrete numerous mediators. They have also been identified in the mammalian central nervous system on the basis of their histochemical and morphological properties, but their role there remains unknown. A perfusion system was used to investigate in vitro mediator release from rat brain mast cells. Compound 48/80, the classic mast cell secretagogue of connective tissue mast cells, induced dose-dependent and non-cytotoxic release of serotonin, histamine and beta-hexosaminidase from mast cells in the rat thalamus and hypothalamus, but not in the cerebellum which was used as a negative control. Detailed studies were performed on thalamic mast cells, which were identified on the basis of metachromasia with Toluidine Blue and Safranin-positive staining with the Alcian Blue/Safranin technique. Their secretion was characterized by: (a) parallel release of serotonin, histamine and beta-hexosaminidase; (b) lack of dependence on extracellular calcium; (c) susceptibility to inhibition by disodium cromoglycate; and (d) lack of lactate dehydrogenase release. These results indicate that the morphology and secretory characteristics of thalamic mast cells resemble those of connective tissue mast cells. The ability of brain mast cells to secrete their mediators is discussed in the context of their possible involvement in brain pathophysiology.
The control of imitative and nonimitative behaviors in severely retarded children through "generalized-instruction following".

Abstract “Instruction-following” behavior was investigated in four severely retarded boys who possessed imitative skills. For two boys, unreinforced imitations were maintained when interspersed among reinforced nonimitative behaviors. With two other boys, unreinforced, nonimitative behaviors were maintained when interspersed among reinforced imitative behaviors. In the second and third phases, DRO procedures demonstrated that the maintenance of unreinforced “instruction-following” was dependent upon the response-contingent reinforcement of other “instruction-following” behaviors. In a final phase, those behaviors which were not reinforced in the first phase were reinforced, while those behaviors which were reinforced during the first phase were not reinforced. Again, unreinforced imitations were maintained when nonimitative behaviors were reinforced and unreinforced nonimitative behaviors were maintained when imitative behaviors were reinforced. These data suggest that after imitative behaviors are acquired they may become members of a larger class of responses and so may come under the control of instructional stimuli; however, contingencies of extrinsic reinforcement can still be functional in the role which instructional stimuli play.
The metabolites of the marine molluscs Tridachiella diomedea and Tridachia crispata

Abstract Tridachione ( 1 ) and 9, 10-deoxytridachione ( 2 ) were isolated from Tridachiella diomedea collected from the Gulf of California. The corresponding mollusc from the Caribbean, Tridachia crispata , contained crispatone ( 13 ) and crispatene ( 14 ). The structures of tridachione ( 1 ) and crispatone ( 13 ) were determined by X-ray crystallographic studies. The structures of 9,10-deoxytridachione ( 2 ) and crispatene ( 14 ) were elucidated from spectral data and chemical interconversions. Photolysis of 9,10-deoxytridachione ( 2 ) gave a single photoproduct 18 having the bicyclohexene ring system of crispatene ( 14 ).
Cardiac MRI: where are we?

To date, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has occupied a valuable niche in the diagnosis of uncommon cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac MRI is key in characterizing cardiac masses, in defining the cardiac anatomy in congenital heart disease, in diagnosing certain cardiomyopathies, such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, and in imaging the pericardium in constrictive cardiac syndromes. Because of the expense of MRI technology and its previously limited applications, cardiac MRI has remained in the hands of cardiovascular imaging subspecialists at tertiary care institutions. In the future, however, it is likely that cardiovascular MRI will have an ever-expanding role in everyday cardiology practice. Recent advances promise to make cardiac MRI the imaging modality of choice to assess myocardial viability, myocardial ischemia, the severity of peripheral vascular and coronary artery disease and the extent of atherosclerosis, including the identification of the vulnerable plaque (Table 1). A real advantage of cardiac MRI is that it can provide a complete cardiovascular assessment of a patient in a single setting.
Sexually transmitted diseases and child abuse.

The diagnosis in a child of any infection that is usually sexually transmitted in adults should raise the suspicion of possible sexual abuse. We know sexual abuse is a common childhood experience. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect has rated the implications of sexually transmitted diseases for diagnosing sexual abuse (Table 6). Language: en
Genetic Analysis of Seedling Growth under Cold Temperature Stress in Grain Sorghum

Planting of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] earlier in the season should contribute to a longer growing season and more effective utilization of late spring and early summer rainfall, but early planting is hindered by poor seedling vigor under cold temperature conditions. Sources of cold tolerance have been identified, but little is known about the inheritance of this trait. This study was conducted to determine combining ability for seedling growth characteristics under cold temperature conditions in genetically diverse sorghum lines using a Design-II mating scheme. Parental lines and hybrids were evaluated under early and normal planting conditions in the field. The traits measured included emergence, emergence index, leaf number, vigor, and dry weight. Significant differences were observed among entries. Among hybrids, these differences were primarily due to effects of general combining ability. These results indicate that general combining ability is more important than specific combining ability in breeding for seedling vigor in sorghum. Heterosis had favorable effects on all seedling traits measured.
Organic Bulking Agents for Enhancing Oil Bioremediation in Soil

Abstract Soil contaminated with oil is bioremediated by optimizing conditions for microbial activity. Often the question arises about the benefits of bulking with organic materials to improve soil conditions to enhance degradation of the less biodegradable or less bioavailable components. An investigation was undertaken in the laboratory with the objective of measuring the influence of bulking with dried plant material, bermudagrass, and alfalfa on the degradation of oily sludge added to soil. The oily sludge was diluted 50:50 on a weight basis with soil to achieve a final concentration of 100 g oil and grease kg−1 of final soil mixture. Bulking agents were added 40 d after dilution of the sludge and optimization of environmental conditions to allow time for the readily decomposable fraction to be degraded before amendment with bulking agents. Populations of heterotrophic microorganisms increased approximately ten times by 40 and 80 d after addition of bulking agents, but the numbers of hydrocarbon-degrad...
Camera Network Calibration and Synchronization from Silhouettes in Archived Video

In this paper we present an automatic method for calibrating a network of cameras that works by analyzing only the motion of silhouettes in the multiple video streams. This is particularly useful for automatic reconstruction of a dynamic event using a camera network in a situation where pre-calibration of the cameras is impractical or even impossible. The key contribution of this work is a RANSAC-based algorithm that simultaneously computes the epipolar geometry and synchronization of a pair of cameras only from the motion of silhouettes in video. Our approach involves first independently computing the fundamental matrix and synchronization for multiple pairs of cameras in the network. In the next stage the calibration and synchronization for the complete network is recovered from the pairwise information. Finally, a visual-hull algorithm is used to reconstruct the shape of the dynamic object from its silhouettes in video. For unsynchronized video streams with sub-frame temporal offsets, we interpolate silhouettes between successive frames to get more accurate visual hulls. We show the effectiveness of our method by remotely calibrating several different indoor camera networks from archived video streams.
A note on the composition and structure of interstellar grains

Gurtleret al. (1981) argue that SiO could not be the material responsible for the interstellar 10 micron feature as had been proposed by Duleyet al. (1979). While Millar (1982) has quite successfully refuted the arguments of Gurtleret al. (1981), we present here some additional considerations which indicate that the model of Duleyet al. (1979) requires appreciable modification to be consistent with recent experimental results.
Recent improvements in the CMU spoken language understanding system

We have been developing a spoken language system to recognize and understand spontaneous speech. It is difficult for such systems to achieve good coverage of the lexicon and grammar that subjects might use because spontaneous speech often contains disfluencies and ungrammatical constructions. Our goal is to respond appropriately to input, even though coverage is not complete. The natural language component of our system is oriented toward the extraction of information relevant to a task, and seeks to directly optimize the correctness of the extracted information (and therefore the system response). We use a flexible frame-based parser, which parses as much of the input as possible. This approach leads both to high accuracy and robustness. We have implemented a version of this system for the Air Travel Information Service (ATIS) task, which is being used by several ARPA-funded sites to develop and evaluate speech understanding systems. Users are asked to perform a task that requires getting information from an Air Travel database. In this paper, we describe recent improvements in our system resulting from our efforts to improve the coverage given a limited amount of training data. These improvements address a number of problems including generating an adequate lexicon and grammar for the recognizer, generating and generalizing an appropriate grammar for the parser, and dealing with ambiguous parses.
Endocytic trafficking of CFTR in health and disease

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a Cl-selective anion channel expressed in epithelial tissues. Mutations in CFTR lead to the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF). Within each epithelial cell, CFTR interacts with a large number of transient macromolecular complexes, many of which are involved in the trafficking and targeting of CFTR. Understanding how these complexes regulate the trafficking and fate of CFTR, provides a singular insight not only into the patho-physiology of cystic fibrosis, but also provides potential drug targets to help cure this debilitating disease.
Stability of loperamide hydrochloride in aqueous solutions as determined by high performance liquid chromatography

Abstract The stability of loperamide hydrochloride at 90 ± 0.2 °C in different pH solutions with various buffer species (acetate, phosphate and borate) at a constant buffer concentration of 0.1 M and ionic strength of 0.5 has been studied using a developed stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic method. This analytical procedure shows a linear response range at concentrations of 2 to 10 μg/ml with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.99. The observed rate of degradation was founf to follow apparent first order kinetics with respect to loperamide hydrochloride. The maximum stability of loperamide hydrochloride was shown to be at an approximate pH of 4.5. The catalytic effect of specific acid-base and water on the degradation of loperamide hydrochloride aqueous solution was expected; however, general acid-base catalysis from different buffer species is possible but needs to be studied further.
Differential susceptibility to adolescent externalizing trajectories: examining the interplay between CHRM2 and peer group antisocial behavior.

The present study characterized prototypical patterns of development in self-reported externalizing behavior, between 12 and 22 years of age, within a community sample of 452 genotyped individuals. A Caucasian subset (n = 378) was then examined to determine whether their probabilities of displaying discrete trajectories were differentially associated with CHRM2, a gene implicated in self-regulatory processes across a range of externalizing behaviors, and if affiliating with antisocial peers moderated these associations. Findings indicate that relative to a normative “lower risk” externalizing trajectory, likelihood of membership in two “higher risk” trajectories increased with each additional copy of the minor allelic variant at CHRM2, and that this association was exacerbated among those exposed to higher levels of peer group antisocial behavior.
Mental distress and service utilization among help-seeking, community-dwelling older adults.

Background This study aimed to characterize healthcare and human services utilization among mentally distressed and non-distressed clients receiving in-home care management assessment by aging services provider network (ASPN) agencies in the U.S.A. Methods A two-hour research interview was administered to 378 English-speaking ASPN clients aged 60+ years in Monroe County, NY. A modified Cornell Services Index measured service utilization for the 90 days prior to the ASPN assessment. Clients with clinically significant anxiety or depressive symptoms were considered distressed. Results ASPN clients utilized a mean of 2.93 healthcare and 1.54 human services. The 42% of subjects who were distressed accessed more healthcare services (e.g. mental health, intensive medical services) and had more outpatient visits and days hospitalized than the non-distressed group. Contrary to expectations, distressed clients did not receive more human services. Among those who were distressed, over half had discussed their mental health with a medical professional in the past year, and half were currently taking a medication for their emotional state. A far smaller proportion had seen a mental health professional. Conclusions In the U.S.A., aging services providers serve a population with high medical illness burden and medical service utilization. Many clients also suffer from anxiety and depression, which they often have discussed with a medical professional and for which they are receiving medications. Few, however, have seen a mental health specialist preceding intake by the ASPN agency. Optimal care for this vulnerable, service intensive group would integrate primary medical and mental healthcare with delivery of community-based social services for older adults.
Metamodeling for large-scale optimization tasks based on object networks

Optimization in large-scale networks - such as large logistical networks and electric power grids involving many thousands of variables - is a very challenging task. In this paper, we present the theoretical basis and the related experiments involving the development and use of visualization tools and improvements in existing best practices in managing optimization software, as preparation for the use of “metamodeling” - the insertion of complex neural networks or other universal nonlinear function approximators into key parts of these complicated and expensive computations; this novel approach has been developed by the new Center for Large-Scale Integrated Optimization and Networks (CLION) at University of Memphis, TN.
Advanced array optimizations for high performance functional languages

We discuss and evaluate three optimizations for reducing memory management overhead and data copying costs in SISAL 1.2 programs that build arrays. The first, called framework preconstruction, eliminates superfluous allocate-deallocate sequences in cyclic computations. The second, called aggregate storage subsumption, reduces the management overhead for compound array components. The third, called predictive storage preallocation, eliminates superfluous data copying in filtered array constructions and simplifies their parallelization. We have added all three optimizations to the Optimizing SISAL Compiler with rewarding improvements in SISAL program performance on vector-parallel machines such as those built by Cray Computer Corporation, Convex, and Cray Research. >
The clarification request as a feature of adult interactive styles with young children

The analysis of videotaped naturally occurring adult—child interaction led to the isolation of the clarification request as a consistent feature of adult interactive styles. The analysis of the form and function of adult clarification requests demonstrated the importance of the interactive demands adults encounter when interacting with young children. The nature of these interactive demands and how adults deal with them are discussed in regard to Cicourel's (1970) notion of interpretive procedures. Finally, a discussion of the possible effects of adult interactive style on the child's development of communicative competence is presented. (Developmental sociolinguistics, conversational analysis, adult—child interaction, US English.)
Next-generation lithium-ion batteries: The promise of near-term advancements

The commercialization of lithium-ion batteries has intimately changed our lives and enabled portable electronic devices, which has revolutionized communications, entertainment, medicine, and more. After three decades of commercial development, researchers around the world are now pursuing major advances that would allow this technology to power the next generation of light-duty, electric, and hybrid-electric vehicles. If this goal is to be met, concerted advances in safety and cost, as well as cycle-life and energy densities, must be realized through advances in the properties of the highly correlated, but separate, components of lithium-ion energy-storage systems.
Broadband monopole patch antenna optimization

The tab monopole is a very useful broadband microstrip antenna. This paper optimized the shape and size of the tab monopole at a lower frequency. A microstrip line fed version was also optimized.
The postcolonial city symphony film and the ‘ruins’ of Suite Habana

This paper situates the recent Cuban film Suite Habana (Perez, 2003) in relation to the city symphony film tradition. I argue that Perez's preoccupation with the question of individual self-realization within a socialist society constitutes an elaboration of Garcia Espinosa's main theoretical contribution to the aesthetics and politics debate. That Perez turns to the tradition of the city symphony film – the first film genre to systematically treat the nature of labor and leisure in capitalist modernity – underscores the film's engagement with another premise of Garcia Espinosa's manifesto – namely, that authentically socialist art cannot exist unless work and leisure are reorganized. In Suite Habana, the questions of work, leisure, and technology come together in the film's style and narrative, but this time with a difference from the first city symphony films. If the early city symphony films tried to mimic for the spectator the sensorial experience of capitalist modernity, Suite Habana goes after the e...
Solutochromic Molecular Spectroscopy with a Reference Hydrogen-Bond Acid Dendrimer

A zeroth order dendritic carbosilane structure, SiFA4H with four hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) functional groups attached via propyl ligand arms to a central silicon atom, has been developed as a model hydrogen-bond (HB) acid sorbent coating and candidate reference HB acid. The HB donor interaction, through the hydroxyl of the HFIP moiety, with a solute HB base can be monitored by observing the hydroxyl stretching frequency through measurements of SiFA4H FTIR spectra before and during vapor exposure. HFIP hydroxyl stretch shifts, upwards of 700 cm-1 have been observed depending on the HB base. For a range of HB bases, the resulting hydroxyl stretch shifts correlate directly with the solute HB basicity scale, “B”, developed by Abraham et al [1]. A variety of techniques exist to measure solute HB basicity, however, the applicability to examine HB bases delivered as vapors or gases and the simplicity of the measurements described herein, with a reusable reference HB acid sorbent coating and standard FTIR spectrophotometer techniques is attractive for some applications including those with hazardous chemicals. Moreover, as an extension of this work we propose employing SiFA4H or related sorbents as molecular sensing coatings, where the semi-selective sorbent is examined by various infrared (IR) spectroscopic techniques to monitor and identify hazardous chemicals, taking advantage of molecular binding phenomena which occur in the sorbent [2].
Critical issues in energy-constrained sensor networks: synchronization, scheduling, and acquisition

Energy-constrained wireless sensor networks have conflicting requirements between the need to communicate, and the desire to avoid idle listening and thus save energy. Beneath this simple observation lies a complex design space that encompasses all layers of the radio through application. Broad design principles include the desire to exploit resources external to the network, such as beacons and (perhaps mobile) access points that do not have strong energy constraints. We consider synchronization, scheduled communications rendezvous, and packet acquisition. Synchronization accuracy worsens with prediction interval, saves energy by enabling scheduling, but costs energy to maintain. Acquisition is probabilistic due to noise, fading, and synchronization error, with operating points defining energy-performance tradeoffs.
Diagnosis and treatment of complications related to deep brain stimulation hardware

Deep brain stimulation is a therapeutic technique increasingly used in the treatment of a variety of neurological, psychiatric, and pain disorders. Although beneficial, it carries the immediate and long-term risks associated with implanted hardware in the brain parenchyma and subcutaneous tissue. The most common hardware complications include electrode migrations or misplacements, wire fractures, skin erosion, infections, and device malfunction. We systematically reviewed the literature on deep brain stimulation-related complications and propose a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. Our aim is to provide a guide for clinicians and medical staff involved in the treatment of patients with deep brain stimulation for rapid recognition and efficient management of these complications.
A connection between singular perturbation theory and high gain PI feedback control

An application of the principles of singular perturbation theory to the design of high-gain proportional and integral control of systems with parameter uncertainties is presented, and the main results are summarized. >
Reaching Your Full (Over)Potential: A Novel Approach to Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction

The next century’s energy needs demand novel catalysts. Robert Knowles discusses Gerken and Stahl’s system for oxygen reduction.
Monoclonal antibodies targeting PCSK9 and the search for prolonged duration of effect

This editorial refers to ‘Safety and efficacy of LY3015014, a monoclonal antibody to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9): a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 study’[†][1], by J.J.P. Kastelien et al , on page 1360. Few interventions in atherosclerosis prevention have been as highly anticipated by the clinical community as the advent of monoclonal antibodies that target proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9).1 On the basis of clinical data indicating robust reductions in LDL-cholesterol when provided as monotherapy, as add-on therapy to statins, and in heritable settings with at least some residual LDL receptor function, two monoclonal antibodies to PCSK9—alirocumab and evolocumab—were recently approved in the USA and Europe for use among individuals with marked elevations of atherogenic lipoproteins, usually on a genetic basis. Substantial relative risk reductions have also been observed in cumulative phase II data accrued for both of these agents, suggesting utility in far broader categories of patients.2,3 Large-scale hard outcome trials with these agents, as well as a third PCSK9-inhibiting antibody bococizumab, are well underway, and will together enrol >70 000 patients worldwide. It is crucial that the international cardiovascular community support these trials through to completion so that adequate safety data can accrue and accurate estimates of efficacy can be obtained, particularly among those already taking high-intensity statin … [1]: #fn-2
Corticosterone inhibition of osmotically stimulated vasopressin from hypothalamic-neurohypophysial explants

Glucocorticoids inhibit and glucocorticoid deficiency increases vasopressin (AVP) release in vivo. To determine whether the effect of glucocorticoids is hypothalamic and mediated via a glucocorticoid receptor, explants of the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system were used to measure AVP release during agonist and antagonist exposure. Explants from adult rats, which contained AVP neurons of the supraoptic nucleus with axonal projections terminating in the neural lobe but excluded the paraventricular nucleus, were perifused with an osmotic stimulus (increase of 5 mosmol/h over 6 h) in the absence or presence of corticosterone (100 micrograms/dl) or with corticosterone (100 micrograms/dl) in the absence or presence of the glucocorticoid antagonist RU-486 (10 microM). AVP release was not increased during osmotic stimulation in the presence of corticosterone (Cort) and was 20-30% lower than osmotically stimulated release observed in the absence of Cort. RU-486 reversed the inhibitory effect of corticosterone on AVP release. No changes in AVP mRNA content were detected. These results suggest that Cort inhibits osmotically stimulated AVP release by a direct effect within the hypothalamus and/or neurohypophysis. This effect is mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor through either genomic or nongenomic mechanisms.
A Resonant Temperature Sensor Based on Electrical Spring Softening

A high-resolution resonant temperature sensor based on resonance frequency shifts caused by thermally-induced changes in the electrical spring stiffness across the capacitive transducer of a 10.7 MHz µmechanical resonator has been demonstrated with a sensitivity as high as −347ppm/°C (or −3.7kHz/°C). This sensor exhibits a fairly linear temperature-to-frequency transfer function with a slope (i.e., sensitivity) that can be controlled in real-time via adjustment of a dc-bias voltage V P applied to the resonator structure. Such adaptability makes this temperature sensor useful for applications requiring wide dynamic range.
Measured Enthalpy and Derived Thermodynamic Properties of Solid and Liquid Lithium Tetrafluoroberyllate, Li2BeF4, from 273 to 900 K.

The enthalpy of a sample of lithium tetrafluoroberyllate, Li2BeF4, of 98.6 percent purity was measured relative to 273 K at eleven temperatures from 323 to 873 K. Corrections were applied for the impurities and for extensive premelting below the melting point (745 K). The enthalpy and heat capacity, and the entropy and Gibbs free-energy function relative to the undetermined value of S 298.15 ° , were computed from empirical functions of temperature derived from the data, and are tabulated from 273 to 900 K.
Serosurvey and analysis of echinococcosis in students aged from 6 to 12 year-old in Xinjiang

Objective In order to know epidemiological situation of echinococcosis in students at age of 6-12 year-old in Xinjiang,to provide epidemiological information for formulating prevention and control strategy in students.Methods The students from 94 counties(cities) were investigated with stratified sampling and Ig G antibody was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results Totally 169 435 students were detected,and 6 145 had the positive Ig G antibody,with the positive rate of 3.63%,including the male of 3.47%(3 053),the female of 3.80%(3 092).Out of the different age groups,the highest positive rate was 3.81% at the age group of 11 year-old students,without statistical diffe-rence in average positive rate(χ2=2.570,P0.05).And there was statistical difference in the positive rate of Ig G antibody among different nationalities(χ2=958.291,P0.01),with the highest positive rate of 5.19% in Uygur students,obviously higher than the average positive rate(χ2=323.208,P0.01).Conclusions The results show that the positive rate of Ig G antibody is at a high infection level in the students of 6 to 12 year-old in epidemic area of echinococcosis in Xinjiang,especially,it is higher in students of minority than in the students of Han nationality.It is necessary to reinforce propaganda and education on knowledge about echinococcosis control in the students,and relevant prevention measures should be formulated to control its prevalence.
Feminine hygiene practices among female patients and nurses in Lebanon

Inappropriate feminine hygiene practices are related to vulvovaginitis. We investigated the prevalence of personal hygiene habits among Lebanese women as well as their awareness of adequate practices.
Molecular Soybean-Pathogen Interactions

Soybean hosts a wide variety of pathogens that cause significant yield losses. The importance of soybean as a major oilseed crop has led to research focused on its interactions with pathogens, such as Soybean mosaic virus, Pseudomonas syringae, Phytophthora sojae, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, and Heterodera glycines. Pioneering work on soybean's interactions with these organisms, which represent the five major pathogen groups (viruses, bacteria, oomycetes, fungi, and nematodes), has contributed to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying virulence and immunity. These mechanisms involve conserved and unique features that validate the need for research in both soybean and homologous model systems. In this review, we discuss identification of effectors and their functions as well as resistance gene-mediated recognition and signaling. We also point out areas in which model systems and recent advances in resources and tools have provided opportunities to gain deeper insights into soybean-pathogen interactions.