cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE MERGER-TRIGGERED ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS CONTRIBUTION TO THE ULTRALUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXY POPULATION

It has long been thought that there is a connection between ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs), quasars, and major mergers. Indeed, simulations show that major mergers are capable of triggering massive starbursts and quasars. However, observations by the Herschel Space Observatory suggest that, at least at high redshift, there may not always be a simple causal connection between ULIRGs and mergers. Here, we combine an evolving merger-triggered active galactic nucleus (AGN) luminosity function with a merger-triggered starburst model to calculate the maximum contribution of major mergers to the ULIRG population. We find that major mergers can account for the entire local population of ULIRGs hosting AGNs and ~25% of the total local ULIRG luminosity density. By z ~ 1, major mergers can no longer account for the luminosity density of ULIRGs hosting AGNs and contribute 12% of the total ULIRG luminosity density. This drop is likely due to high-redshift galaxies being more gas rich and therefore able to achieve high star formation rates through secular evolution. Additionally, we find that major mergers can account for the local population of warm ULIRGs. This suggests that selecting high-redshift warm ULIRGs will allow for the identification of high-redshift merger-triggered ULIRGs. As major mergers are likely to trigger very highly obscured AGNs, a significant fraction of the high-redshift warm ULIRG population may host Compton thick AGNs.
Failure to Clear Intermediate Lactate Levels in Ward Patients With Admission Blood Cultures Did Not Increase the Risk of Intensive Care Unit Transfer or In-Hospital Mortality: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction A sepsis bundle instituted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, known as SEP-1, mandates remeasuring lactate concentrations in patients with suspected sepsis who have an initial lactate level ≥ 2.0 mmol/L to identify those at risk of mortality or clinical deterioration. However, in the group with an intermediate lactate level (2.0 - 3.9 mmol/L), evidence for the predictive utility for such practice is lacking. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the potential utility of repeating the blood lactate measurement for the premonitory detection of clinical deterioration in patients admitted to a ward with a diagnosis of suspected sepsis and an initial intermediate lactate level. Methods Using electronic health records, we retrospectively evaluated all non-hospice adult patients admitted from the emergency department to a ward of an academic medical center between October 1, 2017, and November 30, 2019, in whom a blood culture was obtained on admission as part of their workup for suspected sepsis. Patient demographics, the times and values of lactate concentrations, the occurrence of subsequent intensive care unit (ICU) transfer during the admission, and hospital mortality were determined. We computed the relative risk of ICU transfer (i.e., clinical deterioration) and hospital mortality in patients whose initial lactate was in the intermediate range who failed to reduce their lactate concentration by at least 10% within six hours. We hypothesized that failure to clear the lactate would be associated with an increased risk of ICU transfer and hospital mortality. Results We studied 12,157 patients, of whom 25 hospice patients were excluded. Of the remaining 12,132 patients, 1,416 (11.7%) were initially admitted to an intensive care unit, and 10,716 (88.3%) were admitted to a ward. Repeat lactate determinations were performed in 10.7%, 77.1%, and 90.2% of the ward patients with initial normal (< 2.0 mmol/L), intermediate (2.0 - 3.99 mmol/L), and high (≥ 4.0 mmol/L) admission lactate concentrations, respectively. There was no increase in the relative risk of ICU transfer (relative risk [RR] = 0.90, 95% CI, 0.53 - 1.28, P = 0.55) or hospital mortality (RR = 1.23, 95% CI, 0.85 - 1.79, P = 0.27) within the intermediate lactate level group among those whose lactate remained within 10% of the initial value (i.e., no change) or increased by more than 10%, compared to those in whom the level decreased by more than 10%. Conclusions Failure to reduce lactate concentrations in ward patients admitted with possible sepsis and an intermediate lactate level was not associated with an increased risk of ICU transfer or mortality. These results call into question the mandate in SEP-1 to routinely repeat the lactate determination in patients presenting with an intermediate concentration.
Weight teasing experienced during adolescence and young adulthood: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with disordered eating behaviors in an ethnically/racially and socioeconomically diverse sample.

OBJECTIVE This study assessed cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between weight teasing and disordered eating in an ethnically/racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of young people and examined these relationships across sociodemographic characteristics. METHOD The EAT 2010-2018 study surveyed adolescents (n = 1,534) in the Minneapolis/St. Paul public schools (mean age = 14.4 years) and 8 years later (mean age = 22.2 years). RESULTS Weight teasing was prevalent in adolescence (34.1%) and young adulthood (41.5%). In analyses adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index, weight teasing was cross-sectionally associated with a higher prevalence of all disordered eating behaviors during both adolescence and young adulthood. For example, 64.5% of young adults who reported being teased about their weight engaged in unhealthy weight control behaviors, compared with 47.9% among those not teased (p < .001). There were fewer observed associations in longitudinal analyses, although weight teasing still predicted prevalent overeating and both prevalent and incident dieting (incident dieting-teased: 48.4% vs. not teased: 38.0%, p = .016). Weight teasing and disordered eating were more prevalent among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) young people and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and the relationship between weight teasing and disordered eating was similar across ethnic/racial, socioeconomic, and gender demographic groups. DISCUSSION Results indicate that weight teasing is strongly correlated with disordered eating in both adolescence and young adulthood regardless of ethnicity/race, socioeconomic status, or gender. Finding suggest that future research and policy interventions should address weight stigma and prioritize the needs of BIPOC young people and young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
BEV Range Improvement Using Highly Efficient Downsized DC-DC Converter

The optimization of a motor drive system of the battery electric vehicle (BEV) is a tradeoff among vehicle performance requirements, system efficiency and cost. In this paper, a drive system with the downsized buck-boost converter is proposed to decouple the design considerations of peak drive performance and drive cycle efficiency at a relatively low cost. The concept is verified by the detailed analysis of the system losses and energy consumptions following by the transient performance simulation. The study shows 9.7% reduction of energy consumption over average drive cycle which results in 2% vehicle range improvement. To verify the simulation analysis, a prototype system was built and tested in the lab. The test results exhibit a close agreement with the predicted performance.
The umbilical cord complications of true knots, nuchal coils, and cords around the body. Report from the collaborative study of cerebral palsy.

Abstract In summary, it was found in a review of 17,190 deliveries, that in the cord complications, true knots occurred in 1.05 per cent, nuchal coils occurred in 24.6 per cent, and cord around the body in 2.0 per cent. The incidence of these three cord complications is not related to maternal age, parity, or other congenital malformations, but was increased in Caucasian women and when there were long umbilical cords. They were less frequently associated with small infants and small placentas. There was an increased incidence of abruptio placentae with cords around the body. There was a lower oneminute Apgar score with these cord complications, but no difference was found in the 5 minute Apgar scores or in the one year neurological examination in comparison with the control group. The Apgar score was lower at one minute when the cords were pulled tightly around the neck than when they were loose. Stillbirth deliveries were associated with a higher incidence of true cord knots.
Can high efficiency aerosol delivery continue after extubation

Our in vitro results demonstrate that it is feasible to provide comparable high-efficiency aerosol delivery to adult patients whether on or off the ventilator. Additional studies with the PDDS in vivo will be required to establish the in vitro/in vivo correlations of this model.
Coherence between tropical East African and South American records of the Little Ice Age

[1] Comparison of high-resolution paleoclimate records from Lake Malawi and the Cariaco Basin reveals a consistent tropical behavior during the Little Ice Age. These records, which are interpreted to represent southward excursions of intertropical convergence zone position over southern tropical East Africa and northeastern South America, are characterized by subcentennial variability superimposed on a ramp of increasing intensity from CE 1400 to 1800. This response appears similar to that of “cold” episodes during the Late Glacial. The synchrony of these records suggests a teleconnection in tropical climate that may be a manifestation of persistent ENSO-like conditions.
Convergent evidence from microdialysis and presynaptic immunolabeling for the regulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid release in the globus pallidus following acute clozapine or haloperidol administration in rats.

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) have been primarily characterized for their effects on dopaminergic terminal regions in the brain, especially within the corpus striatum. Efferent GABA pathways are the primary outflow of striatal processing via their projections to the substantia nigra and the globus pallidus (GP). In the current study, we analyzed changes in pallidal GABA function following acute APD administration by means of in vivo microdialysis, followed by immunolabeling of presynaptic GABA terminal density in the contralateral hemisphere of the same animals. Acute administration of the atypical APD, clozapine (10 or 30 mg/kg, s.c.), produced a dose-dependent decrease in extracellular GABA. A corresponding dose-dependent increase in the density of presynaptic terminal GABA immunolabeling in the GP was found. In contrast, the typical APD, haloperidol (1 or 3 mg/kg, s.c.), had no significant effects on either measure, although a non-significant increase in extracellular GABA and decrease in the density of GABA terminal immunolabeling was noted. Paw retraction tests conducted during the time of microdialysis showed that haloperidol produced a typical pattern of highly pronounced motor impairment, while clozapine showed an atypical profile of minimal catalepsy. These complementary results obtained from in vivo neurochemistry and presynaptic neurotransmitter labeling suggest that systemic clozapine suppresses neuronal GABA release within the GP. This decrease in released pallidal GABA may play a role in the low motor side-effect liability of atypical APDs.
Stress Corrosion Cracking of Ferritic-Martensitic Steels in Simulated Boiling Water Reactor Environment

Stress corrosion cracking of advanced powder metallurgy technology (APMT) and T91 (UNS K90901, ferritic-martensitic) steels were investigated in the as-received and proton-irradiated conditions in simulated boiling water reactor environment (2 ppm O2) using constant extension tensile tests at 288°C at a strain rate of 3×10−7 s−1. Significant stress corrosion cracking was not observed in the as-received condition. A few cracks, perpendicular the loading direction, were observed in the proton-irradiated (5 dpa) specimen of T91. No intergranular fracture was observed on the fracture surfaces of as-received and proton-irradiated specimens of T91. No cracking was observed for APMT in un-irradiated and proton-irradiated (5 dpa) conditions. Results indicate that both APMT and T91 are highly resistant to stress corrosion cracking in a reactor environment and that irradiation to 5 dpa does not appreciably increase susceptibility.
5-HT released by mucosal stimuli initiates peristalsis by activating 5-HT4/5-HT1p receptors on sensory CGRP neurons

The intestinal peristaltic reflex can be elicited by mucosal stimulation or circular muscle stretch. Muscle stretch activates extrinsic, whereas mucosal stimulation activates intrinsic calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing sensory neurons. The present study examined the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in sensory transmission. A three-compartment preparation of rat colon was used that enables separate measurement of sensory transmitters and modulators. Mucosal stimuli (2-8 brush strokes) caused concurrent increase in 5-HT and CGRP release in proportion to the intensity of stimulation. Release of both 5-HT and CGRP occurred exclusively into the central compartment where the stimuli were applied. Exogenous 5-HT caused a concentration-dependent release of CGRP. Release of CGRP induced by exogenous 5-HT or mucosal stimulation was inhibited by selective 5-HT4 and 5-HT1p antagonists but was not affected by 5-HT1A, 5-HT2, and 5-HT3 antagonists. Ascending contraction and descending relaxation of circular muscle measured in the peripheral orad and caudad compartments, respectively, were also selectively inhibited by 5-HT4 and 5-HT1p antagonists added to the central but not peripheral compartments. In contrast, muscle stretch elicited CGRP but not 5-HT release; the ascending contraction and descending relaxation components of the peristaltic reflex induced by muscle stretch were not affected by 5-HT antagonists. We conclude that 5-HT released by mucosal stimulation initiates the peristaltic reflex by activating 5-HT4/5-HT1p receptors on sensory CGRP-containing neurons.
Induction of Mutants of Staphylococcus aureus 100 with Increased Ability to Produce Enterotoxin A

Abstract As a result of serial exposures to a mutagenic agent, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, the yield of enterotoxin A produced by the last mutant in the series was increased nearly 20-fold over the amount produced by the parent Staphylococcus aureus 100.
Using autonomous robots to enable self-organizing broadband networks

Broadband is a ubiquitous technology for connecting people together via a basic communications medium. Incorporating mobility into broadband antennas provides for the creation of movable nodes which can seek out other nodes. In contrast, stationary broadband nodes are incapable of finding new nodes if they are out of range or have an impediment. Supplying a broadband node with mobility and the capability to adapt to its environment, as well as, to other broadband nodes, is the central aim of this effort. This research enables self-organizing mobile broadband networks with the integration of broadband radios, autonomous robotic platforms and multiagent organizations. The broadband network acts as an infrastructure for external users and connects all robotic instances. The integration of these technologies furthers the ability to communicate where mobility and adaptation are critical.
Herpes Simplex Virus and Human Cytomegalovirus Replication in WI-38 Cells I. Sequence of Viral Replication

A comparison, under standardized conditions, of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human cytomegalovirus (CMV) revealed differences in viral morphology, in the timing of their infectious cycles, and in several morphological events during those cycles. Structural distinctions between the two viruses included the coating of unenveloped cytoplasmic CMV capsids, but not those of HSV, and a variation in the structure of their cores. Since the two cycles were carried out in the same host cell strain under conditions of one-step growth (input multiplicity = 10 PFU/cell), it was possible to construct time scales locating the major events of each cycle. Comparison of the two showed that HSV replicated and released progeny within 8 h postinfection, whereas CMV required 4 days. These results correlated well with those of concurrent plaque assays. Within the longer CMV cycle, most of the major events appeared retarded to a similar degree, and no obvious limiting step in particle production could be identified. Distinctions between the two cycles included the following: condensation of the chromatin in HSV- but not CMV-infected cells; the greater tendency of HSV to produce membrane alterations; and the appearance of cytoplasmic dense bodies in CMV- but not HSV-infected cells. Identification of these differences even under identical conditions of culture and infection strongly implies that they result from intrinsic differences in the nature of the viruses, and are not caused by variations in experimental conditions.
History of muskellunge management in Nebraska

Muskellunge, Esox masquinongy, were first introduced to Nebraska waters in 1958. By 1967 anglers had caught the first muskellunge from Nebraska waters. Hybrid muskellunge, Esox masquinongy × E. lucius, culture and stocking started in 1976. Harvest regulations for muskellunge and hybrid muskellunge were first established in 1977 with a daily bag limit of one muskellunge or hybrid muskellunge of at least 762 mm (30 inches) in length. In 2000 the minimum length limit for muskellunge and hybrid muskellunge was increased to 1016 mm (40 inches). Hybrid muskellunge have been phased out, none have been stocked in Nebraska waters since 2003. Since 1998 muskellunge fingerlings have been held in Nebraska hatcheries until age-1 before stocking. Yearling muskellunge are raised on minnows and other small fish in Nebraska hatcheries and stocking success apparently is very good. Management and research of Nebraska’s muskellunge and hybrid muskellunge fisheries has been limited to routine sampling that has documented the presence of those fish in waters where they were stocked. Fishable populations of muskellunge can now be found in nine Nebraska waters across the state, but most Nebraska anglers are relatively uneducated in fishing techniques for muskellunge, identification, and proper handling.
Glycolysis in cancer: A potential target for therapy

Clinical imaging of primary and metastatic cancers with Fluoro deoxy-d-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography (FdG PET) has clearly demonstrated that increased glucose flux compared to normal tissue is a common trait of human malignancies (Gambhir, 2002) This is a consequence of a shift of glucose metabolism to less efficient glycolytic pathways in response to regional hypoxia and evolution of aerobic glycolysis in many cancer phenotypes. This distinctive metabolic profile presents an inviting target for cancer treatment and prevention. Here, we summarize the therapeutic strategies under investigation to exploit or interrupt tumor glycolytic metabolism. Although a number of approaches are under investigation, none has been sufficiently successful to warrant widespread clinical application. We point out that the environmental heterogeneity and evolutionary capacity of tumor cells that likely led to development of upregulated glycolysis could also promote adaptive strategies that confer resistance to therapies designed to inhibit glucose metabolism.
Characterization of the transglutaminase gene family in zebrafish and in vivo analysis of transglutaminase-dependent bone mineralization

We have characterized the protein cross-linking enzyme transglutaminase (TGs) genes in zebrafish, Danio rerio, based on the analysis of their genomic organization and phylogenetics. Thirteen zebrafish TG genes (zTGs) have been identified, of which 11 show high homology to only 3 mammalian enzymes: TG1, TG2 and FXIIIa. No zebrafish homologues were identified for mammalian TGs 3-7. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated distinct temporal expression profiles for zTGs in larvae and adult fish. Analysis by in situ hybridization revealed restricted expression of zTG2b and zFXIIIa in skeletal elements, resembling expression of their mammalian homologues in osteo-chondrogenic cells. Mammalian TG2 and FXIIIa have been implicated in promoting osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization in vitro, however, mouse models lacking either gene have no skeletal phenotype likely due to a compensation effect. We show in this study that mineralization of the newly formed vertebrae is significantly reduced in fish grown for 5 days in the presence of TG inhibitor KCC-009 added at 3–5 days post fertilization. This treatment reduces average vertebrae mineralization by 30%, with complete inhibition in some fish, and no effect on the overall growth and vertebrae number. This is the first in vivo demonstration of the crucial requirement for the TG-catalyzed cross-linking activity in bone mineralization.
Weighted scale-free networks in Euclidean space using local selection rule.

A spatial scale-free network is introduced and studied, whose motivation originated in the growing Internet as well as airport networks. We argue that in these real-world networks a new node necessarily selects one of its neighboring local nodes for connection and is not controlled by preferential attachment as in the Barabasi-Albert (BA) model. This observation is mimicked in our model where the nodes pop up at randomly located positions in the Euclidean space and are connected to one end of the nearest link. In spite of this crucial difference it is observed that the leading behavior of our network is like that of the BA model. Defining the link weight as an algebraic power of its Euclidean length, the weight distribution and the nonlinear dependence of the nodal strength on the degree are analytically calculated. It is claimed that a power law decay of the link weights with time ensures such nonlinear behavior. Switching off the Euclidean space from the same model yields a much simpler definition of the BA model where numerical effort grows linearly with N.
Recommended clinical competencies for initiating a program in endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta

The continued expansion of endovascular technology has recently led to the availability of endovascular grafts for the treatment of a variety of acute and chronic diseases of the thoracic aorta. Early clinical trials have demonstrated that this technology represents a major advance in the field, with significant reductions in perioperative morbidity and mortality as compared with standard open surgical repair. 1,2 Nonetheless, because clinical experience with endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta remains limited, widespread introduction of endografts mandates their judicious application in a manner that maximizes safe and effective outcomes. As such, a minimum set of cognitive, technical, and clinical skills must be mastered by those who intend to use this technology, so that it is used in a manner commensurate with the best standards of clinical care (Tables I-III). The requisite fundamental knowledge base necessary to care for patients with aneurysmal disease of the thoracic aorta includes a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors, epidemiology, pathology, pathophysiology, natural history, clinical presentation, and therapeutic alternatives. Appropriate decision-making regarding indications, limitations, and complications of the procedure mandates a high level of skill in patient assessment and sound clinical judgment. Knowledge about angiographic equipment, as well as familiarity with the full range of sheaths, catheters, guidewires, stents, and endografts, is critical, as is expertise in a wide range of open vascular surgical procedures. The capacity to anticipate periprocedural and postprocedural issues with appropriate management of these with adjunctive therapies is also essential to optimize both shortand long-term outcomes. For example, use of adjunctive procedures before, during, or after device deployment is routine during the course of endovascular aortic repair (Tables IV-VI). Familiarity with many, if not all, of these procedures may dictate the difference between a successful outcome and treatment failure. In this document, a detailed outlined is provided of areas in which prerequisite technical experience is recommended, including abdominal endovascular aneurysm repair and related catheter and surgical skills, as well as associated cognitive and clinical skills that are necessary for optimal perioperative management of these complex patients.
Eftects of graded hemorrhage on respiratory mechanics

Summary Measurements of respiratory and circulatory changes in response to various degrees of reduction of blood volume were investigated in anesthetized dogs exhibiting spontaneous and unaided respiration. Systemic arterial pressure and cardiac output decreased as the blood volume was reduced but returned to control level upon rein-fusion of the withdrawn blood. Heart rate did not change appreciably with depletion of the blood volume. Respiratory rate and pulmonary ventilation increased as more blood was withdrawn. The work of breathing was inversely related to the cardiac output and to the volume of blood removed to a level representing a depletion of 30 per cent of the initial estimated blood volume. A further depletion of 10 per cent of the blood volume resulted in a decline of the work of breathing from that at the 30 per cent level although the values were still above control level. The work of breathing followed the pattern of changes in pulmonary compliance.
Uptake of proteins by red blood cells.

Abstract During hypotonic hemolysis red cells can take up 125I-myoglobin and 125I-immunoglobulin G. Cells which contain these proteins have distinctive cell morphology and are called gray ghosts. The association of protein with gray ghosts is fairly stable: these cells retain half of the proteins after 3 days. Passive diffusion of protein into the internal cell volume is the most plausible mechanism for uptake, and several lines of evidence indicate that the loaded proteins are freely diffusable within the red cells. Bacteriophage T4 is not taken up during hemolysis so uptake through large gaps in the red cell membrane with subsequent resealing seems unlikely. If an efficient procedure for fusing loaded gray ghosts to culture cells can be devised, it will be possible to introduce selected macromolecules into the cytoplasm of culture cells quite easily.
Metastatic clear cell carcinoma of the kidney: therapeutic role of bevacizumab

The biology and pathogenesis of clear cell carcinoma of the kidney has been extensively investgated, and the role of von Hipple-Landau gene inactivation and tumor associated angiogenesis is now recognized. Development of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and phase 3 clinical trials utilizing this class of agents has produced a new treatment paradigm for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). One of the active regimens identified is the combination of bevacizumab and interferon-α. Recently published reports provided evidence of the clinical and biologic activity of this therapy. The current manuscript reviews the background and rationale for the activity of bevacizumab in RCC, and results from recent clinical trials with this agent alone or in combination with targeted agents or cytokines. The role of this therapy in contrast to other targeted agents is reviewed, and the potential utility as well as questions raised by recent studies are discussed.
ON THE NON-VANISHING OF ELLIPTIC CURVE $L$-FUNCTIONS AT THE CENTRAL POINT

We show that a large number of elliptic curve L-functions do not vanish at the central point, conditionally on the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis and on an assumption on the regular distribution of the root number.
Visual Acuity and Increased Mortality: The Role of Allostatic Load and Functional Status

PURPOSE Poor vision may detrimentally impact functional status and affect allostatic load (AL), a measure of cumulative physiological wear and tear on the body's regulatory systems. We examined the direct effects of visual acuity (VA) on mortality and its indirect effect on mortality through its impact on functional status and AL in older adults. METHODS Data from 4981 participants (age ≥ 60 years) from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with mortality linkage through 2006 were analyzed. Functional status was assessed by activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The AL index was composed of 10 biomarkers: systolic and diastolic blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and creatinine clearance. Visual acuity was categorized as no (20/20-20/25), mild (20/30-20/40), moderate (20/50-20/80), or severe (≥20/200) visual impairment. Structural equation modeling using three mediating variables representing ADL, IADL, and AL examined the effects of VA on all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality. RESULTS Adjusting for all covariates, a one-unit change in VA category increased mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05, 1.32); IADL and AL predicted mortality (HR = 1.15; CI 1.10, 1.20 and HR = 1.13; CI 1.06, 1.20, respectively). Activities of daily living did not predict mortality (HR = 0.98; CI 0.91, 1.05). Worse VA was associated with increased AL (β = 0.11; P = 0.013) and worse IADL (β = 1.06; P < 0.001). Worse VA increased mortality risk indirectly through AL (HR = 1.01; CI 1.00, 1.03) and IADL (HR = 1.16; CI 1.09, 1.23). The total effect of VA on mortality including through IADL and AL was HR = 1.38 (CI 1.23, 1.54). Similar but slightly stronger patterns of association were found when examining CVD-related mortality, but not cancer-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS Allostatic load and particularly IADL may function as mediators between VA impairment and mortality. Older adults with VA impairment could potentially benefit from interventions designed to prevent IADL functional status decline to reduce the risk of mortality.
Auger recombination and biexcitons in Cu 2 O : A case for dark excitonic matter

The lifetime of excitons in ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ decreases significantly at high gas densities. This effect has been attributed to an Auger recombination process between two excitons, resulting in a loss rate given by ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}=An$, where $A$ is the Auger constant and $n$ is the exciton gas density. Previous time- and space-resolved photoluminescence measurements, however, yielded an Auger constant that is orders of magnitude larger than theoretical calculations. In addition, the experimental Auger constant varied inversely with temperature, in contrast to the linear-$T$ dependence predicted for direct Auger recombination of two free excitons. To resolve these discrepancies, we propose that excitons form biexcitons that rapidly decay by the Auger process. In this case, the lifetime of excitons is limited by exciton-exciton ``capture'' which occurs more frequently at low temperature. The instantaneous decay rate of excitons due to the capture process is given by $2\overline{C}n$ where $\overline{C}$ is a capture coefficient averaged over orthoexcitons and paraexcitons. Analysis of our photoluminescence data between 2 and $212\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ is consistent with a paraexciton capture coefficient that depends inversely with gas temperature. Detailed analysis of the exciton transients following short-pulse excitation yields a biexciton binding energy $\ensuremath{\phi}$ roughly in the range $8--15\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{meV}$ and a biexciton Auger rate ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{A}^{\ensuremath{-}1}=0.5T\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{ns}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, where $T$ is the gas temperature. Due to their short lifetimes, the density of biexcitons is predicted to be considerably lower than the density of excitons, and it is likely that the ground state of a biexciton is optically inactive. Consequently, it is not surprising that photoluminescence of biexcitons has not been observed in this crystal. The existence of such ``dark matter'' would explain the long-standing difficulties in achieving Bose-Einstein condensation of excitons in this system.
BIOMETRY OF CALCIUM, INORGANIC PHOSPHORUS, CHOLESTEROL, AND LIPOID PHOSPHORUS IN THE BLOOD OF RABBITS : II. REPEATED OBSERVATIONS ON NORMAL ANIMALS.

A series of determinations of inorganic phosphorus, calcium, cholesterol, and lecithin were made on a group of 10 animals living in the laboratory from Oct. 27, 1927, to May 17, 1928. A marked difference in both the trend and absolute values was noted in animals living in the laboratory when compared with the values obtained for animals living out-of-doors. With animals living in the open, the trend of variation for calcium was found to be the same. However, animals living in the laboratory maintained a higher level over the same period of time. The inorganic phosphorus and lecithin both showed a marked decrease and both maintained a lower level than was found in animals just received from the dealer. The cholesterol content of whole blood exhibited a similar trend in both groups of animals. However, it was found that animals living in the laboratory maintained a lower level than animals living out-of-doors. The mean value for calcium was found to be 15.7 ±0.05, for inorganic phosphorus 4.65 ±0.05 mg. per 100 cc. of blood serum, and for cholesterol 58.2 ±0.39 and lecithin 118.4 ±1.13 mg. per 100 cc. of whole blood. The coefficients of correlation having the highest degree of mathematical significance were obtained from the mean values for individual animals.
Upper limit on solar interior rotation

Individual 5-min p-mode oscillations of spherical harmonic degree 0-2 and radial order 16-26 are revealed by the Solar Maximum Mission Spacecraft's Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor power spectra for total solar irradiance flux variation. Rotationally split p-, g- and f-modes have been identified in the temporal power spectrum of Bos and Hill's (1983) limb-darkening data, and from these splittings, two rotational curves have been deduced which imply a solar gravitational quadrupole moment sufficiently large to preclude agreement between general relativity and planetary motion observations.
Instrumentation to Measure the Depth/Time Fluctuations in Acoustic Pulses Propagated through Arctic Internal Waves

Abstract Instrumentation for measuring the evolution of volume-scattered acoustic signals in both depth and time is described. Measurements were taken for 12 days during the spring of 1985 with transmitters and receivers suspended beneath arctic pack ice in the Beaufort Sea. These acoustic measurements were made simultaneously with extensive oceanographic measurements taken by other investigators during the Arctic Internal Wave Experiment (AIWEX). A depth cycling vertical array of three receivers and a single fixed horizontal receiver 100 m transverse to the propagation path were deployed 6.43 km from moored transmitters. A vertical depth cycle of 51 m produced a synthetic vertical aperture of 153 m. Pulses spanning three octaves in acoustic frequency (2, 4, 8, 16 kHz) were used. The scattered field was sampled more often at 8 and 16 kHz to assure sufficient sampling (better than Nyquist) of the space/time fluctuations. Ten Gbytes of acoustic pulse receptions were recorded on optical disk for later proces...
Performance assessment in solving the correspondence problem in underwater stereo imagery

Binocular stereo vision is a common technique for the recovery of three-dimensional shape. Underwater, backscatter degrades the image quality and consequently the performance of stereo vision-based 3-D reconstruction techniques. Recently, we proposed a method that exploits the depth cue in the backscatter components of stereo pairs, as an additional constraint for recovering the 3-D scene structure. In this paper, we compare the performance of this method with the application of classic normalized SSD-based minimization to raw underwater data, as well as to de-scattered images. Results of experiments with synthetic and real data are presented to assess the performance of our method with these other techniques.
The Mechanism of Retinoic Acid Radiosensitization Is Independent of AP-1 Repression in a Cervical Carcinoma Cell Line

Abstract Introduction. Retinoic acid (RA) has been shown to radiosensitize some tumor cell lines. RA regulates gene expression through nuclear receptors that bind to retinoic acid response elements in gene promoters and that inhibit activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor activity. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine if the mechanism of radiosensitization of the CC-1 human cervical carcinoma cell line by 9- cis -RA (9cRA) involves repression of AP-1 activity. Methods. The CCA reporter cell line was established from CC-1 by permanent transfection with the ColCAT reporter plasmid which consists of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene under the control of the AP-1-responsive collagenase gene promoter. CCA cultures were treated with various combinations of 9cRA, 60 Co radiation, and an AP-1 inducer called O -tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Cultures were then evaluated in parallel for CAT expression as a measure of AP-1 activity and for clonogenic survival as a measure of radiosensitization. Results. The CCA reporter line exhibited a radiation dose-responsive induction of AP-1 activity that was decreased by 5 μM 9cRA and increased by 50 ng/ml TPA. Simultaneous treatment with TPA and 9cRA prevented 9cRA repression of AP-1 and resulted in AP-1 activity above basal level. The 9cRA radiosensitized CC-1 cultures with a dose modification factor of 1.5. The survival of cultures treated simultaneously with TPA and 9cRA was statistically identical to that of cultures treated with 9cRA alone. Conclusion. Although TPA prevented AP-1 repression by 9cRA, it did not prevent radiosensitization in CCA cultures, therefore the mechanism of radiosensitization of CCA by 9cRA is independent of AP-1 repression.
Cinnamaldehyde Content in Foods Determined by Gas Chromatography−Mass Spectrometry†

trans-Cinnamaldehyde, the principal component of cinnamon flavor, is a potent antimicrobial compound present in essential oils such as cinnamon. In the course of studies designed to discover its maximum microbial lethality under food-processing conditions, a gas chromatographic-mass spectrophotometric procedure was developed for the extraction and analysis of essential oil components such as cinnamaldehyde from commercial cinnamon-containing foods (several brands of cinnamon breads, cereals, cookies, puddings, applesauces, and fruit juices). The cinnamaldehyde content ranged from trace amounts in orange juice to 12.2 mg/100 g (122 ppm) in apple cinnamon cereals and 31.1 mg/100 g (311 ppm) for cinnamon swirl bread (highest value). To ascertain the heat stability of cinnamaldehyde, pure cinnamaldehyde, pure eugenol, cinnamon oil, and mixtures consisting of cinnamaldehyde plus eugenol or cinnamon oil were heated at graded temperatures up to 210 degrees C and 60 min, and then possible compositional changes were examined. Eugenol was stable to heat, as were the components of cinnamon oil: carvone, eugenol, and linalool. In contrast, starting at approximately 60 degrees C, pure cinnamaldehyde undergoes a temperature-dependent transformation to benzaldehyde under the influence of heat. Eugenol, both pure and in cinnamon oil, when added to pure cinnamaldehyde protected the aldehyde against heat destruction. The protection may due to an antioxidative action of eugenol. The possible mechanism of this effect and the significance of these findings for food chemistry and microbiology are discussed.
Fenfluramine effects on insulin resistance and lipogenesis in genetically obese (ob/ob) mice.

AbstractTreatment of 15-week-old obese and lean mice with the amphetamine derivative fenfluramine (15, 25, and 40 mg/kg body wt, ip) for 14 days did not reduce body weight, except in lean mice receiving 40 mg/kg. In vivo insulin sensitivity, measured as the ability of exogenous insulin (1 IU/kg body wt, ip) to lower blood glucose, was improved in obese mice receiving the two higher doses (25 and 40 mg/kg) of fenfluramine for 14 days, when compared to untreated obese mice. There was no change in insulin sensitivity between treated and untreated lean mice. This improvement, seen in obese mice which did not lose weight, demonstrates an effect of this drug distinct from its anorexigenic properties. On Day 21 of fenfluramine treatment, the in vivo rates of fatty acid synthesis were determined by injecting 3H2O ip and measuring the amount of 3H incorporated into fatty acids over a 1-hr period. The rates of fatty acid synthesis per gram of liver and adipose tissue of obese and lean mice receiving 40 mg/kg fenflu...
Patient Misunderstanding of the Individual Questions of the American Urological Association Symptom Score

Purpose: Lower urinary tract symptoms are often assessed using the American Urological Association symptom score. However, some patients may experience difficulty completing the AUA questionnaire. We hypothesized that certain individual questions may generate more misunderstanding than others.Materials and Methods: This study involved patients at 2 hospitals who completed the American Urological Association symptom score twice, that is 1) self-administered and 2) physician assisted. Analyses compared self-reported and physician obtained responses to each individual question. One-way ANOVA with the Tukey HSD post hoc test was done to assess whether mean disagreements between self-reported and physician administered American Urological Association symptom scores differed significantly by patient education level.Results: The study group consisted of 998 patients. For each symptom score question we found an inverse relationship between education level and symptom misrepresentation. This discrepancy was the la...
Fibrinogen is a co-antioxidant that supplements the vitamin E analog trolox in a model system

Objective: It appears that the atherosclerotic plaque is a prooxidant environment where some molecules that are normally antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, may act as prooxidants that contribute to atherosclerosis by oxidizing LDL. Some molecules can act as co-antioxidants to eliminate this prooxidant effect by recycling or other mechanisms of supplementation. Fibrinogen and other acute phase proteins found in the plaque are antioxidants. We hypothesized that fibrinogen can act as a co-antioxidant to supplement vitamin E thereby eliminating its oxidative effect under prooxidant conditions. We tested a model system for this hypothesis using the vitamin E analogue Trolox in a cell free system.Methods: LDL was oxidized using 5 umol/l copper. Antioxidant conditions were achieved by adding the antioxidants immediately with LDL, while prooxidant conditions were created by adding antioxidants after a 40 min delay. Oxidation was monitored as the lag phase at 234 nm.Results: Under antioxidant conditions, th...
Distinct Conformational Spectrum of Homologous Multidrug ABC Transporters

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) exporters are ubiquitously found in all kingdoms of life and their members play significant roles in mediating drug pharmacokinetics and multidrug resistance in the clinic. Significant questions and controversies remain regarding the relevance of their conformations observed in X-ray structures, their structural dynamics, and mechanism of transport. Here, we used single particle electron microscopy (EM) to delineate the entire conformational spectrum of two homologous ABC exporters (bacterial MsbA and mammalian P-glycoprotein) and the influence of nucleotide and substrate binding. Newly developed amphiphiles in complex with lipids that support high protein stability and activity enabled EM visualization of individual complexes in a membrane-mimicking environment. The data provide a comprehensive view of the conformational flexibility of these ABC exporters under various states and demonstrate not only similarities but striking differences between their mechanistic and energetic regulation of conformational changes.
Influence of cold temperatures on leaf lipids of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Abstract Triaclyglycerols (TAG) accounted for 15% of the leaf acyl lipids in a Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plant that survived the January 1986 freeze in Florida, U.S.A. This high TAG level suggested that the plant had cold hardened. The TAG concentration in leaves on new shoots from this plant was greater than that in new leaves on new shoots from five plants frozen to the roots during the freeze. However, five months later, the amounts of TAG in the six Hibiscus plants were nearly the same. The minor differences in TAG levels, however, related to the survival rate of these six plants during subsequent freezes. In addition to linoleic acid, two cyclopropene fatty acids, malvalic and sterculic, were major constituents of the leaf TAG. Hibiscus plants placed in environmental chambers under control and cold-hardening regimes optimized for Citrus showed TAG concentrations of 7% in control and 20% in hardened plants. A survey of neutral lipids in Hibiscus and other plants showed that plastoquinone A (B) and α-tocopherol decreased and plastoquinone C increased under cold-hardening conditions. Polyprenols, a major component of Hibiscus leaves under normal conditions, declined greatly under cold-hardening regimes.
Il-19 reduces VSMC activation by regulation of mRNA regulatory factor HuR and reduction of mRNA stability

While much is known about the deleterious effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on development of vascular disease, little is reported on the direct effects of anti-inflammatory cytokines on the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) response to injury. Interleukin-19 (IL-19) is a recently described Th2, anti-inflammatory interleukin. We have previously reported that IL-19 is absent in normal VSMC, but induced in VSMC by inflammatory cytokines and in arteries by injury. IL-19 is anti-proliferative for VSMC. The purpose of this study is to determine the molecular mechanism of these effects. In cultured, primary human VSMC, IL-19 reduces abundance of proliferative and inflammatory gene proteins and mRNA, including Cyclin D1, IL-1beta, IL-8, and COX2. IL-19 does not inhibit NF-kappaB, but does transiently reduce cytoplasmic abundance of the mRNA stability factor HuR. The mRNA stabilizing function of HuR is linked to its phosphorylation and cytoplasmic translocation. IL-19 reduces serine phosphorylation of HuR, and activation of PKCalpha, a known regulator of HuR translocation. Actinomycin D transcription blockade demonstrates that IL-19 treatment significantly reduces stability of proliferative and inflammatory mRNAs. Knock down of HuR with siRNA also reduces stability of these inflammatory mRNA transcripts. These data indicate that IL-19 has direct effects on VSMC mRNA stability. One potential mechanism whereby IL-19 reduces the VSMC response to injury is by regulation of HuR abundance and cytoplasmic translocation, with a subsequent decrease in mRNA half-life of proliferative and inflammatory mRNA transcripts.