cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developmental Effects of Host and Temperature on Telenomus spp (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) Parasitizing Chrysopid Eggs

Abstract Telenomus chrysopae (from California and New York) parasitized the stalked eggs of five species of Chrysopidae (two Chrysoperla and three Chrysopa) and the unstalked eggs of Anomalochrysa, a genus endemic to Hawaii. Although immatures from both populations of parasitoids exhibited high developmental and survival rates in eggs of all the Chrysopa and Chrysoperla species, variation in egg size among the host species had a direct effect on the size of the resulting adults. The two populations of T. chrysopae had similar responses to temperature, and many of these responses were shared with another chrysopid parasitoid, Telenomus lobatus: (1) preimaginal survival was highest from 18.3 to 26.7°C and decreased sharply below 18.3°C; (2) lower developmental thresholds were ca. 12°C; and (3) no parasitoids completed development at 10°C. However, at all temperatures tested, T. chrysopae developed faster than T. lobatus. We conclude that T. chrysopae may have a broader host association than T. lobatus and that it can produce more generations/season than T. lobatus. Thus, T. chrysopae may have a substantial negative impact on biological control projects that involve Chrysoperla and Chrysopa species. Some of these negative effects could be mitigated by judicious timing of predator releases. However, to conserve the precarious endemic Hawaiian lacewing fauna, special care should be taken to avoid introducing Telenomus parasitoids of neuropteran eggs into Hawaii.
Psychosocial Mediators of Two Community-Based Physical Activity Programs

Previous findings are inconclusive regarding the mediators of physical activity behavior change. To test self-efficacy and social support as mediators of Active Choices, a telephone-delivered physical activity intervention, and Active Living Every Day, a group-based physical activity intervention, implemented with midlife and older adults in community settings. MacKinnon's product of coefficients was used to examine social support and self-efficacy as mediators of change in physical activity. The proportion of the total effect mediated was calculated. Each model controlled for age, gender, race (white vs. non-white), body mass index (BMI), and education (high school graduate or less vs. at least some college). Increases in self-efficacy mediated increases in physical activity among Active Choices (n = 709) and Active Living Every Day (n = 849) participants. For Active Living Every Day, increases in social support also mediated increases in physical activity in single mediator models. Increasing self-efficacy and social support may help increase physical activity levels in older adults.
Mobilizing Weak Support for Social Movements: The Role of Grievance, Efficacy, and Cost

While most studies concentrate on relatively high levels of commitment to social movements, pervasive weak support has received less attention. Ballot initiatives are one of a class of tactics which translate latent support into concrete influence. Because they are "low cost" mobilizations for individual supporters, such initiatives can minimize free riding, and are ideal for exploring weak support. A social psychological analysis complementary to resource mobilization theory reveals the impact and interactions of voters' social definitions, along with background factors. Levels of grievance, cost, and efficacy, along with demographic and political variables predict support for a recent nuclear free zone campaign. Social movements rise or fall not just on the deeds of organizations and activists, but also on the strength of a mass base. While most of the social movement literature concentrates on actors at relatively high levels of commitment, that is, those who contribute time or money to a social movement organization (SMO), less intense support within the constituency is more pervasive and potentially as important. This paper argues that attending to the margins of social movements, to those whose attachment to movements is weak, broadens our understanding of how movements survive and grow. Weak, widespread, or "low cost" support can be a key factor in the ability of groups to enter the political arena, and to achieve goals within it. Movements nearly always face the problem of "political capital formation." This problem has two key elements: representation and resources.
Anhydrous ammonioguanidinium(2+) and dihydrated bis[aminoguanidinium(1+)] hexafluorosilicates: new co-products of preparing ferroelectric ammonioguanidinium(2+) hexafluorozirconate.

Ammonioguanidinium hexafluorosilicate, CH8N_4^{2+}·­SiF_6^{2-}, and bis(aminoguanidinium) hexafluorosilicate dihydrate, 2CH7N_4^+·SiF_6^{2-}·2H2O, are new materials formed as by-products in course of preparing ferroelectric CH8N4ZrF6 in the presence of glassware. Their structures were determined for comparison with the corresponding hexafluorozirconates. All atoms including the eight H atoms in the CH8N_4^{2+} cation and the seven H atoms in the CH7N_4^+ cation have been located and refined with wR(F2) = 0.0653, R = 0.0255, S = 1.146 and wR(F2) = 0.0745, R = 0.0301, S = 1.065, respectively. The N2C—N—N backbone of the 2+ cation is close to planarity, while that of the 1+ cation does not differ significantly from planarity. The SiF_6^{2-} octahedron is nearly ideally regular in both materials, with = 1.684 (unbiassed estimator of standard uncertainty = 0.016) A in the anhydrous hexafluorosilicate and 1.6801 (unbiassed estimator of standard uncertainty = 0.0006) A in the dihydrate. The combination of coulombic and NH⋯F interactions in CH8N4SiF6 results in a relatively dense variant of the NaCl structure. In addition to similar forces, the dihydrate is also characterized by the role of the water molecule with its strong NH⋯O interactions; its packing efficiency is, however, appreciably less than that of the anhydrous hexafluorosilicate with an ∼8% increase in void space. Cleaved crystals of the dihydrate are frequently twinned across the (001) composition plane, with a twofold rotation about the b axis as the twin operation.The systematic names of the compounds studied in this paper are given following IUPAC recommendations. The corresponding fluoro­zirconates have previously been referred to in the literature by the non-IUPAC names aminoguanidinium(2+) hexafluorozirconate and diaminoguanidinium(1+) hexafluorozirconate for ammonioguanid­inium(2+) hexafluorozirconate and bis[aminoguanidinium(1+)] hexafluorozirconate, respectively.
Colorimetric determination of all-trans-retinoic acid and 13-cis-retinoic acid

Abstract A method employing trifluoroacetic acid for the quantitative determination of all- trans -retinoic acid and 13- cis -retinoic acid in serum is described. The method permits the detection of as little as 0.3 μg of either compound.
Fatal eosinophilic meningoencephalitis and visceral larva migrans caused by the raccoon ascarid Baylisascaris procyonis.

VISCERAL larva migrans is a subacute inflammatory disease characterized by hepatomegaly, eosinophilia, and hypergammaglobulinemia and due to the larval migration in human beings of nematodes normally parasitic in lower animals.1 , 2 Most cases in the United States occur in young children and are caused by the dog ascarid Toxocara canis.3 A fatal outcome and central nervous system involvement are rare.3 Ingestion of soil contaminated by infective eggs is the usual mode of acquisition. A specific parasite can be identified with certainty, however, only by morphometric analysis of larvae in tissue specimens, so the recent development of serodiagnostic tests for T. . . .
Lymphoscintigraphy to confirm the clinical diagnosis of lymphedema

Abstract Confirmation of the diagnosis of lymphedema often requires lymphangiography, a procedure that is painful for the patient and technically demanding. Radioisotope lymphoscintigraphy is a relatively new technique that uses technetium 99m antimony trisulfide colloid to produce a diagnostic image similar to a lymphangiogram. The procedure requires a single subcutaneous injection in the involved extremity, and images are obtained 3 hours later. It is technically easy to perform, produces minimal discomfort for the patient, and has no adverse effects. We have recently used radioisotope lymphoscintigraphy to evaluate 17 patients with extremity edema. These patients initially had a presumed diagnosis of lymphedema involving the upper or lower extremity. Lymphoscintigraphy confirmed the diagnosis of lymphedema in 12 (70.6%) patients. In five of the 17 patients (29.4%) the clinical impression of lymphedema was not supported by lymphoscintigraphy, leading to alternative diagnoses such as lipomatosis, venous insufficiency (two patients), congestive heart failure, and disuse edema. In all patients with secondary lymphedema the lymphatic system in the involved extremity could be partially visualized. Conversely, three of four patients with primary lymphedema had no ascent of the tracer from the foot and no lymphatic channels could be visualized. Lymphoscintigraphy is relatively easy to perform, safe, minimally invasive, and not uncomfortable for the patient. It is useful in differentiating lymphedema from other causes of extremity edema, allowing institution of appropriate therapy. (J Vasc Surg 1989;10:306–12.)
Sexual selection and sex differences in spatial cognition

Abstract It is argued that a reliable and substantive sex difference, favoring males, exists in dynamic forms of spatial cognition, in particular, in the ability to mentally manipulate 3-dimensional representations of information, track movement in 3-dimensional space, navigate, and in terms of an implicit understanding of Euclidean features of physical space. It is proposed that these sex differences arise from the greater elaboration of the neurocognitive systems that have evolved for navigating and tracking movement in the 3-dimensional universe in males than in females. An evolutionary model of these sex differences is specified and examined in terms of the pattern of sex differences in navigational abilities that is evident across mammalian species, as well as in terms of anthropological, hormonal, and developmental patterns.
Duration of homeless spells among severely mentally ill individuals: A survival analysis

The major objective of this study was to identify predictors of the duration of homeless spells among persons with severe mental illness (SMI). This was the first study to incorporate time-varying covariates into the survival analysis model predicting the length of homeless spells. The sample consisted of 215 individuals who had participated in two experiments evaluating the effectiveness of various treatment programs for homeless individuals. Persons who received assertive community treatment exited homelessness sooner than individuals who received brokered case management, outpatient treatment, or services from a drop-in center. More assistance in finding and maintaining housing were especially predictive of shorter homeless spells. Inclusion of variables which varied over time in the model (e.g., income and frequency of service contacts) reduced the impact of many of the demographic variables in the model. This survival analysis demonstrated that the efforts of human service agencies to assist homeless mentally ill individuals do make a difference. In general, persons who received more services exited homelessness sooner. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Shock-wave-induced optical emission from sapphire in the stress range 12 to 45 GPa: Images and spectra

We took short-duration exposure images and spectra of the optical emission from shock-compressed single-crystal sapphire $(\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3})$ for three common crystal orientations: c-plane {0001}, a-plane ${112\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}0},$ and r-plane ${11\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}02}.$ The images show that this emission is not homogeneous, but is spatially localized. For a given shock stress, the r-plane orientation consistently produces less emission intensity than the other two orientations. The emission spectra were fit to a gray-body function. Apparent temperatures range between 4700 and 5400 K, consistent with earlier spectroscopic work. The value of the apparent emissivity in the spectral fits is very low, between $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and $6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}.$ We attribute the emission source to be shear banding which is not associated with twinning or slip on {0001}.
Mechanical properties of vascular smooth muscle cells in situ.

ALTHOUGH the histology and ultrastructure of smooth muscle cells have been studied extensively there is little direct evidence concerning their mechanical properties. Their small size1,2 and lack of tendon connections have prevented them from being mounted on a myograph, as has been done with striated muscle fibres3. Moreover, their multiplicity and optical properties make it difficult to visualise them in whole smooth muscle preparations. Although isolated smooth muscle cells4–6 can be seen to contract when stimulated, it has not been possible to measure the forces they develop. There are, therefore, still serious doubts about the extent to which the mechanical properties of whole smooth muscle preparations are an accurate reflection of the properties of smooth muscle cells. We have therefore developed a technique to obtain mechanical data from a smooth muscle preparation which only contains about 1,000 smooth muscle cells, and which is thin enough for the cells to be visualised by Nomarski interference microscopy7. This technique provides for the first time the means to study the mechanical properties of smooth muscle cells in situ.
Contact Resistance Measurements for Observation of Fluid Film Effects in Journal Bearings

Wear studies of material combinations, sliding or rolling in contact, frequently produce very inconsistent results. Thin film effects are often cited as the cause of these disparities. One means of detecting the presence of these films is by the use of electrical contact measurements to determine the degree of metal-to-metal contact. This paper describes an experimental study of the wear behavior of grease-lubricated, cast bronze sleeve bearings running against steel, shafts at high loads, to 24.8 megapascals and a low sliding velocity of 1.6 m/min. The effects of the casting method, shaft speed and shaft finish were investigated. Bearing torques, temperatures, contact resistances, and wear rates were monitored, during the tests. Neither the torque nor the temperature measurements could be related consistently to the wear data. On the other hand, the electrical contact resistance measurements correlated very well. Changes in wear rates were accompanied by corresponding changes in contact resistance. A reg...
On the preservation of context-free languages in a level-based system

In this paper, a recently proposed level-oriented model for machine analysis and synthesis of natural languages is investigated. Claims concerning the preservation of context-free (CF) languages in such a system are examined and shown to be unjustified. Furthermore, it is shown that even a revised version of the model (incorporating some recent discoveries) will not be CF-preserving. Finally, some theoretical implications of these findings are explored: in particular, claims of greater naturalness and the question of recursivity.
Finite element modeling of tissue retraction and resection for preoperative neuroimage compensation concurrent with surgery

Compensation for intraoperative tissue motion in the registration of preoperative image volumes with the OR is important for improving the utility of image guidance in the neurosurgery setting. Model-based strategies for neuroimage compensation are appealing because they offer the prospect of retaining the high-resolution preoperative information without the expense and complexity associated with full volume intraoperative scanning. Further, they present opportunities to integrate incomplete or sparse, partial volume sampling of the surgical field as a guide for full volume estimation and subsequent compensation of the preoperative images. While potentially promising, there are a number of unresolved difficulties associated with deploying computational models for this purpose. For example, to date they have only been successful in representing the tissue motion that occurs during the earliest stages of neurosurgical intervention and have not addressed the later more complex events of tissue retraction and resection. IN this paper, we develop a mathematical framework for implementing retraction and resection within the context of finite element modeling of brain deformation using the equations of linear consolidation. Specifically, we discuss the critical boundary conditions applied at the new tissue surfaces created by these respective interventions and demonstrate the ability to model compound events where updated image volumes are generated in succession to represent the significant occurrences of tissue deformation which take place during the course of surgery. In this regard, we show image compensation for an actual OR case involving the implantation of a subdural electrode array for recording neural activity.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Proportionate mortality among unionized construction operating engineers.

This report presents the results of proportionate mortality ratios (PMR) and proportionate cancer mortality ratios (PCMR) among 15,843 members of the International Union of Operating Engineers who had died between 1988–1993. Operating engineers represent one of the 15 unions in the Building and Construction Trades Department and are responsible for the operation and maintenance of heavy earthmoving equipment used in the construction of buildings, bridges, roads, and other facilities. Using U.S. proportionate cancer mortality as the referent, statistically significant elevated mortality was observed for cancers of the lung (PCMR = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09–1.19) and bone (PCMR = 2.14, CI = 1.19–3.52). Using U.S. proportionate mortality as the referent, statistically significant elevated mortality was observed for other benign and unspecified neoplasms (PMR = 1.54, CI = 1.09–2.13), emphysema (PMR = 1.37, CI = 1.20–1.55), other injuries (PMR = 1.43, CI = 1.20–1.70) (which included crushing under/in machinery, tractor rollover, run over by crane), and suicide (PMR = 1.22, CI = 1.06–1.40). The PMR for leukemia and aleukemia (PMR = 1.19, CI = 1.02–1.37), but not the PCMR (1.07, CI = 0.92–1.24), was also significantly elevated. Some of the occupational exposures that may have contributed to these excesses include diesel exhaust, asphalt and welding fumes, silica dust, ionizing radiation, and coal tar pitch. The present study underscores the need to control airborne exposures to these substances and for injury prevention efforts aimed at operating engineers in the construction industry. Am. J. Ind. Med. 32:51-65, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
Control of Mitochondrial Lipid Biosynthesis by Testosterone in Male Sex Accessory Gland Tissue of Normal Rats1

Data previously published on 14C-acetate incorporation into total mitochondrial lipids suggest that mitochondrial lipid biosynthesis in male sex accessory gland tissue of castrate rats can be stimulated in vivo by testosterone in the absence of an effect on liver mitochondrial lipid biosynthesis. It was of interest to us to ascertain whether the mitochondria of normal animals would respond to androgenic stimulation. Significant stimulation of lipid biosynthesis in sex accessory gland mitochondriawas noted at all time periods tested. On the other hand, liver generally did not show consistent stimulation of mitochondrial lipid biosynthesis under these conditions. These data indicate that exogenous androgen can increase mitochondrial lipid biosynthesis in the sex accessory gland tissue of normal animals, suggesting that mitochondrial populations in androgen target organs of normal animals are controlled by androgen levels. (Endocrinology 85: 974, 1969)
Destruction of extracellular matrix proteoglycans is pervasive in simian retroviral neuroinfection

Disruption of the perineuronal matrix has been reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalitis. To better understand the extent of matrix disruption during lentiviral encephalitis, we characterized the extracellular matrix (ECM) damage in brains of 12 macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Matrix integrity was assessed by Wisteria floribunda lectin histochemistry. Confocal microscopy was used to quantify matrix loss, macrophage infiltration, and synaptic damage. Disruption of brain ECM was present shortly after retroviral infection, preceding parenchymal macrophage infiltration. In agreement with previous observations, reduced staining of presynaptic and postsynaptic proteins in SIV encephalitis occurred concurrently with matrix abnormalities. Lentiviral infection induced microglial and macrophage expression of two disintegrins and metalloproteinases with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS-1 and ADAMTS-4), with high substrate specificity for matrix proteoglycans. Matrix damage is pervasive during SIV neuroinfection, which suggests interventions to conserve brain matrix proteoglycans might avert or delay retroviral-induced neurodegeneration.
Ultramicroestimation of human serum albumin: Binding of the cationic dye, 5,5′-dibromo-o-cresolsulfonphthalein

Abstract An ultramicrotechnique for estimating human albumin directly in a buffered sulfonphthalein dye solution is described. The method which is extremely sensitive requires only 10 μl of specimen and can be accomplished with equipment generally available in most routine clinical chemistry laboratories. The integrity of the method is exemplified in the high degree of correlation to values obtained by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate.
The origins of cellular diversity in the mammalian central nervous system.

On etudie l'origine de la diversite neuronale dans le systeme nerveux central (CNS). On demontre le role important joue par des cellules du precurseur neuroepithelial en regulant la diversite cellulaire. On souligne l'importance des cellules precurseurs du CNS des vertebres (cellules gliales radiales) en etablissant l'organisation du systeme nerveux (differenciation des cellules)
An Examination of Personal/Situational Variables, Stress Appraisal, and Burnout in Collegiate Teacher-Coaches

Abstract Following Smith's (1986) cognitive-affective model of stress and burnout in athletics, this investigation examined (a) the relationship of personal/situational variables (social support, gender, and years of experience) to stress appraisal and (b) the relationship of stress appraisal (perceived stress, coaching issues, and role conflict) to burnout. Male (n = 99) and female (n = 115) teacher-head basketball coaches from NCAA Division III and NAIA colleges completed established measures of burnout, perceived stress, teacher—coach role conflict, and social support and a measure of coaching issues developed for this study. Multivariate analyses supported the hypothesized relationships. Specifically, greater satisfaction with social support, less experience, and gender (females higher) were related to stress appraisal, and all stress appraisal variables were positively related to burnout. Contrary to previous studies, these teacher—coaches reported moderate to high levels of burnout.
Characterization of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome with mixed bowel habit pattern

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M) is a heterogeneous subtype with varying symptoms of constipation and diarrhea, and has not been well characterized. We aimed to characterize gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI symptoms in IBS-M patients from a US patient population, and to compare them with IBS with constipation (IBS-C) and diarrhea (IBS-D). Methods Subjects answering community advertisements and meeting Rome III criteria for IBS completed symptom questionnaires. Key Results Of the initial 289 IBS patients identified, one third (n = 51, 32.5%) who met Rome III criteria for IBS-M endorsed having either loose stools or hard stools due to medication. These patients had more severe symptoms and longer duration of flares compared to the rest of the IBS-M group (p = 0.014, p = 0.005). Excluding IBS-M patients with medication-related extremes in stool form who could not be reclassified by medical history, 247 IBS patients were assessed. IBS-M was the most common (44.1%), followed by IBS-C (27.9%), IBS-D (26.3%), and IBS-U (unsubtyped, 1.6%). While IBS-M shared symptoms with both IBS-C and IBS-D, there were significant differences in the prevalence of bowel habit symptoms (p-value range: <0.001–0.002). IBS-M patients reported most bothersome symptoms that were more similar to IBS-D, with the most common being irregular bowel habits (27.5%), bloating (26.6%), and abdominal pain (20.2%). There were no differences in non-GI symptoms between subtypes. Conclusions & Inferences IBS-M is a heterogeneous symptom group and thus requires that subclassification criteria be better defined. Use of laxative/antidiarrheal medications adds to the diagnostic complexity in a potentially more severe subset of IBS-M and should be assessed for accurate subclassification.
Unsaturation in Binuclear Benzene Manganese Carbonyls: Comparison with Isoelectronic Cyclopentadienyliron and Cyclobutadienecobalt Derivatives

The binuclear benzenemanganese carbonyls (η6-C6H6)2Mn2(CO)n (n = 4, 3, 2, 1) have been studied by density functional theory (DFT) using the B3LYP and BP86 methods. The singlet doubly bridged and unbridged isomers of the saturated (η6-C6H6)2Mn2(CO)4 are nearly degenerate, suggesting a highly fluxional system. The global minimum of (η6-C6H6)2Mn2(CO)3 is a triplet electronic state—a triply bridged isomer analogous to the known isoelectronic triplet Cp2Fe2(μ-CO)3. The doubly bridged singlet structure (η6-C6H6)2Mn2(CO)(μ-CO)2 lies 9 kcal/mol (B3LYP) or 7 kcal/mol (BP86) above this global minimum. The global minimum of (η6-C6H6)2Mn2(CO)2 is a doubly bridged structure with a short manganese−manganese distance suggestive of a Mn≡Mn triple bond. Singlet and triplet structures are found for (η6-C6H6)2Mn2(CO) with a two-electron donor CO group and metal−metal distances suggesting a M−M quadruple bond for the singlet state and a M≡M triple bond for the triplet state.
What if HCI Becomes a Fashion Driven Discipline

Recent research shows that fashion already exists in the HCI domain and influences and affects design and designers' thinking and practices throughout the design process. In this note, we draw our insights from fashion related research within HCI and interaction design, provide some observations about fashion-related design and research practices, raise questions about our field as moving forward towards fashion driven discipline.
Reverberations in echocardiograms.

Different types of reverberations which may cause confusing artifacts in echocardiograms are described. Reverberations between the targets may result in identifiable complex echo patterns. An echocardiogram with reverberating echoes is presented. Several experimental studies were done to explain the reverberating echoies. The reverberating echoes may be more prominently displayed than the primary echoes. This raises the possibility of obtaining useful information from the reverberating echoes.
Insights into thymic involution in tumor-bearing mice

The thymus is a central lymphoid organ critical for the development and maintenance of an effective peripheral T-cell repertoire. Most important, it provides a specialized environment for the selection of rearranged clones that will function appropriately in the adaptive immune response. Thymic involution has been observed in several model systems; including graft-versus-host disease, aging, viral infection, and tumor development, however, the precise mechanisms involved in this phenomenon remain poorly defined. Here, we review some of our results related to the studies of the cell-mediated immunity in a mammary tumor model; more specifically, those related to the tumor-induced impaired T-cell development and thymic involution. Collectively, the understanding of the mechanisms and pathways associated with the tumor-induced thymic involution is essential for the development of innovative and safe therapies to fight against the immune suppression caused by the tumor development.
Structure-Function Analysis of Trypanosoma brucei RNA Triphosphatase and Evidence for a Two-metal Mechanism *

Abstract Trypanosoma brucei RNA triphosphatase TbCet1 is a 252-amino acid polypeptide that catalyzes the first step in mRNA cap formation. By performing an alanine scan of TbCet1, we identified six amino acids that are essential for triphosphatase activity (Glu-52, Arg-127, Glu-168, Arg-186, Glu-216, and Glu-218). These results consolidate the proposal that protozoan, fungal, and Chlorella virus RNA triphosphatases belong to a single family of metal-dependent NTP phosphohydrolases with a unique tunnel active site composed of eight β strands. Limited proteolysis of TbCet1 suggests that the hydrophilic N terminus is surface-exposed, whereas the catalytic core domain is tightly folded with the exception of a protease-sensitive loop (76WKGRRARKT84) between two of the putative tunnel strands. The catalytic domain of TbCet1 is extraordinarily thermostable. It remains active after heating for 2 h at 75 °C. Analysis by zonal velocity sedimentation indicates that TbCet1 is a monomeric enzyme, unlike fungal RNA triphosphatases, which are homodimers. We show that tripolyphosphate is a potent competitive inhibitor of TbCet1 (Ki 1.4 μm) that binds more avidly to the active site than the ATP substrate (Km 25 μm). We present evidence of synergistic activation of the TbCet1 triphosphatase by manganese and magnesium, consistent with a two-metal mechanism of catalysis. Our findings provide new insight to the similarities (in active site tertiary structure and catalytic mechanism) and differences (in quaternary structure and thermal stability) among the different branches of the tunnel enzyme family.
Disparities in receipt of breast and cervical cancer screening for rural women age 18 to 64 with disabilities.

Abstract Background Previous research has found breast and cervical cancer screening disparities between women with and without disabilities, and between women living in rural versus urban areas. Living in a rural area may add to the barriers women with disabilities experience when attempting to obtain screening for breast and cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the combination of disability status and rurality in association with receipt of breast and cervical cancer screening among women age 18 to 64 in the United States. Methods We conducted cross-sectional analyses of data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, using pooled annual data files from 2002 through 2008. We compared recent receipt of breast and cervical cancer screening among four groups: 1) urban women without disabilities, 2) urban women with disabilities, 3) rural women without disabilities, and 4) rural women with disabilities. Findings Overall, women with disabilities were less likely to be up to date with mammograms and Pap tests compared with women with no disabilities. Similarly, women in rural areas were less likely to have received breast or cervical cancer screening within recommended timeframes. Women who both had a disability and lived in a rural area were the least likely to be current with screening. Conclusions Our findings suggest that living in rural regions compounds disparities in receipt of cancer screening among women with disabilities. Increased attention is needed to improve receipt of cancer screening among rural women with disabilities.
Non-Accelerator Physics With A Large Water Cherenkov Detector

A large water Cherenkov is a multi-purpose detectors which address some of the most important physics questions today, and which have proven to be extremely successful in nucleon decay and neutrino physics. In this talk, I will address the potential of a megaton scale water Cherenkov detector regarding non-accelerator physics.
The effect of dietary fat and salt on blood pressure, renal and aortic prostaglandins

Abstract The pressor effects of fat and salt were examined in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats fed high carbohydrate (5% corn oil), high salt (8% NaCl) diets demonstrated significant elevations in blood pressure within one week of diet introduction which persisted throughout the 9 week experimental period. High saturated fat (5% corn oil-15% coconut oil) diets promoted a significant elevation in blood pressure, irrespective of the level of dietary salt. High dietary salt, as opposed to basal levels, tended to decrease the blood pressure of rats fed a diet containing all unsaturated fat (20% corn oil). The greatest percent increase in the renal vasodilator prostaglandin E 2 was measured in rats fed the high unsaturated-basal salt diet compared to all other dietary treatments. A hypervolemic effect of high levels of dietary salt was demonstrated in the high carbohydrate, all unsaturated fat and high saturated fat groups. These results demonstrate that the amount and type of dietary fat interact with the level of dietary salt to influence blood pressure in rats.
"Open your heart first of all": perspectives of holistic providers in Costa Rica about communication in the provision of health care.

Research documents how the care the holistic providers offer represents the quality communication that patients often do not receive from their biomedical providers. However, research investigating the perspectives of holistic providers concerning the role they see themselves playing in the provision of health is limited. This research explores the perceptions of holistic providers in Costa Rica about their communication with their patients. The results reveal two practices of communication—authenticating and integrating as central to providers' communication with patients in the provision of holistic health care. Providers describe their communication as an exploration of an anatomy of pain/suffering, including investigating the location, timing, length, intensity, and overall rhythm of the patient's condition and sense making that leads them to seek the care of a holistic provider. Most holistic providers see their role as being careful or full of care and suggest that they have an obligation to open th...
On central limit theorems, modulus of continuity and diophantine type for irrational rotations

LetR α be a rotation on the circle by an irrational angle α. LetB(t) be a Brownian motion (for instance). Then (Lacey (1990), (1991)) there is anf ∈L 2 so that $$m^{ - 1/2} (f + ... + f o R_\alpha ^{[m1] - 1} )\mathop \Rightarrow \limits^d B(t)$$ In this note, we show thatf can be taken to be continuous, and give a sharp estimate on the modulus of continuity off, in terms of number-theoretic properties of α. The same result is given for self-similar processes other than the Brownian motion.
Clinical applications of indium-111-labeled monoclonal antibody imaging in colorectal cancer patients.

During the past two decades, the in vivo application of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) in cancer diagnosis and therapy have been widely studied. This can be related to three main factors: (1) dramatic improvement in monoclonal antibody production, revolutionized by Kohler and Milstein; (2) improvement in radioisotopes and monoclonal antibody conjugation procedure and further simplification and ease of use of these procedures; and (3) the apparent safety of single or, in selected cases, multiple administration of MoAbs to humans. The development of radioimmunoscintigraphy or radioimmunodetection has added a significant new dimension to nuclear medicine imaging, and it is very likely to broaden our approach to diagnosis and perhaps therapy of malignant diseases. The indications and limitation of radioimmunoscintigraphy must be clearly outlined to the referring oncologists and surgeons. The unique capability of radiolabeled MoAbs in detecting occult disease, upstaging patients, and, most importantly, changing patient management must be emphasized.
Improving Endmilling Surface Finish by Workpiece Rotation and Adaptive Toolpath Spacing

Free-form surfaces are being used in a growing number of engineering applications, especially in injection molding of consumer products. Decreasing the manufacturing cost and time of these molds will improve the efficiency of manufacturing injection molded consumer products. This paper is motivated by the need for simple strategies to improve the quality of and decrease the time required to machine free-form surfaces. We present two methods to improve the surface finish of parts finished with ball-nose endmilling. In the first method the surface finish is improved by finding an optimal orientation angle for the workpiece relative to the machining axis. In the second method finish is improved by adaptively varying the step-size when using raster toolpaths. The adaptive variation is controlled by a user-defined finish improvement factor, where the spacing density is increased only if the improvement in surface finish is greater than the finish improvement factor. These methods are implemented using an analytical model of the workpiece surface finish based on the mean scallop height of the machined surface. Results from the analytical model are verified with machining experiments, and we show that the adaptive spacing strategy can improve the surface quality by more than 50% with a small increase in the toolpath length. To achieve a similar improvement in surface quality by uniformly decreasing the path spacing results in a much larger increase in the toolpath length. The strategies discussed in this paper allow process planners intuitive control over the toolpath layout and spacing and improve the efficiency of machining high quality parts.
Reconfigurable electro-optical logic in silicon photonic integrated circuits

The paper presents a new optical directed logic architecture that is based on a regular array of integrated optical switches. The same circuit can be reconfigured to perform different combinational logic functions. Its application in network routing is discussed.
Economic, energy, and environmental impact of the Louisiana Energy Fund

Abstract The Louisiana Energy Fund is a public–private cooperative endeavor created by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources in partnership with the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Hibernia National Bank and Lehman Brothers to provide publicly funded institutions in the state with low cost, tax exempt financing to implement energy and water conservation projects. In September 2002, the Louisiana Bond Commission authorized the issuance of $15.3 million dollars in tax-exempt bonds to fund seven energy and water retrofit performance contracts. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the expected economic, energy, and environmental impact of the performance contracts. An input–output model is developed to quantify the expected total economic benefit, and based on the terms of the performance contracts, the expected energy and environmental impacts of the program are estimated.
Pathogen exposure and blood chemistry in the Washington, USA population of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni).

Abstract Northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) from Washington State, United States were evaluated in 2011 to determine health status and pathogen exposure. Antibodies to Brucella spp. (10%) and influenza A virus (23%) were detected for the first time in this population in 2011. Changes in clinical pathology values (serum chemistries), exposure to pathogens, and overall health of the population over the last decade were assessed by comparing 2011 data to the data collected on this population in 2001–2002. Several serum chemistry parameters were different between study years and sexes but were not clinically significant. The odds of canine distemper virus exposure were higher for otters sampled in 2001–2002 (80%) compared to 2011 (10%); likelihood of exposure significantly increased with age. Prevalence of exposure to Sarcocystis neurona was also higher in 2001–2002 (29%) than in 2011 (0%), but because testing methods varied between study years the results were not directly comparable. Exposure to L...
Inhibition of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Growth by Inhibition of Fibronectin Matrix Assembly

The regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation by the fibronectin matrix was tested by treating human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs) with a recombinant fragment of fibronectin (protein III1-C) that has previously been shown to modulate fibronectin matrix assembly. III1-C inhibited HUASMC proliferation by 75% to 90%. The inhibition of growth was time dependent; III1-C had no effect on DNA synthesis after 0 to 5 hours of treatment but did have an effect at 24 hours and beyond. III1-C did not stimulate apoptosis in these cells, indicating that the inhibition of proliferation was not due to an induction of programmed cell death. The effects of III1-C on cell growth were only specific for normal diploid smooth muscle cells. III1-C had no effect on the proliferation of IMR-90 fibroblasts, endothelial cells, NIH 3T3 cells, or the rat aortic smooth muscle cell line A7r5. However, III1-C did inhibit proliferation by primary rat aortic smooth muscle cells. An analysis of HUASMC fibronectin receptor (integrin alpha5beta1) distribution revealed that III1-C did not inhibit alpha5beta1 localization to focal contacts. Moreover, III1-C had no effect on the relative expression levels of seven different integrin subunits on HUASMCs. However, III1-C did inhibit fibronectin matrix assembly by rat aortic smooth muscle cells, HUASMCs, A7r5 cells, IMR-90 cells, and endothelial cells. An analysis of fibronectin synthesis indicated that the inhibition of fibronectin matrix assembly by III1-C was not due solely to a decrease in fibronectin synthesis. Finally, treatment of HUASMCs with anti-fibronectin monoclonal antibody L8 (which is known to inhibit fibronectin matrix assembly) also decreased the rate of HUASMC DNA synthesis. These results demonstrate that III1-C inhibits VSMC proliferation and suggest that this effect may be mediated by the inhibition of fibronectin matrix assembly.
Involvement of Synthesis of RNA in Thymineless Death

THE phenomenon of thymineless death in bacteria1 is of particular interest because of its apparent relationship to DNA replication, as shown by Maaloe and Hanawalt2. Only those bacterial cells which are synthesizing DNA at the time thymine is removed from the culture medium appear to be susceptible to thymineless killing under conditions of protein synthesis inhibition3. The 97 per cent susceptible fraction from an exponentially growing culture of strain TAU (E. coli 15T–A–U–, requiring thymine, arginine and uracil) succumbs to the lethality of thymine deficiency at about the same rate whether arginine and uracil are present or not2. Thus, little correlation exists between thymineless killing and cytoplasmic synthesis. Using E. coli B3 Gallant and Suskind4 also reported thymineless death under conditions of protein synthesis inhibition, but they found further that phosphate starvation prevented killing. They implicated RNA synthesis on the basis of this result and the finding that the inhibitory effect of 5-methyl tryptophan could be partially reversed (with respect to RNA synthesis and thymineless killing) by chloramphenicol. The investigations to be reported here provide evidence that messenger-RNA synthesis in particular is necessary for the killing event in thymine-deficient cultures.
Temperature of the Sun in the Early History of the Solar System

WE have attempted to determine the temperature of the Sun1–5 shortly after formation, from the difference of the isotopic compositions of terrestrial and extraterrestrial xenon. Fig. 1 shows the xenon isotope ratio data for typical carbonaceous chondrites6,7 and lunar soils8–10.
The independence of syntactic processing

Abstract Three experiments addressed the question whether semantic content or pragmatic context can direct the initial syntactic analysis assigned to sentences. Each experiment determined whether syntactic processing biases that have been observed in sentences presented in isolation can be overcome. In two experiments that measured eye movements, we found that the syntactic processing biases remained even when they resulted in thematically based anomaly or when they conflicted with discourse biases. In a third experiment, we used a self-paced reading task to replicate some of the results obtained using eye movement measures. We argue that the data support the existence of a syntactic processing module.
Pattern selection in directional solidification

The equations of motion for a slightly deformed planar solidification front advancing with a steady velocity and stabilized by a thermal gradient are integrated numerically. The regime where the interface develops a cellular pattern is analyzed. We study the case where the system is subjected to Gaussian white noise. The wave number is found to change in a discontinuous way, through strongly nonlinear events which either create or destroy one cell at a time. Ultimately, the process appears to lead toward a unique final wave number. The structure of the equations is examined with respect to the wave-number dependence and the selection phenomenon observed in the computer simulations is understood phenomenologically on the basis of a phase-space type of argument.
A methodological note on the evaluation of new technologies: the case of coal gasification

Abstract The traditional methodology of engineering cost analysis employed in the evaluation of emerging technologies implicitly assumes an economic independence between output and factor markets. For certain processes currently under investigation in the energy area (e.g. coal gasification), this assumption is violated. As a result, a bias is introduced into the process evaluation procedure by use of the conventional methodology. This paper proposes and demonstrates a simple revised methodology that incorporates an economic analysis of the relevant cross-market price effect with the engineering cost results to correct this bias.
Alloying effects in near-eutectic Sn-Ag-Cu solder alloys for improved microstructural stability

This study included a comparison of the baseline Sn-3.5Ag eutectic to one near-eutectic ternary alloy, Sn-3.6 Ag-1.0Cu and two quaternary alloys, Sn-3.6Ag-1.0Cu-0.15Co and Sn-3.6Ag-1.0 Cu-0.45 Co, to increase understanding of the beneficial effects of Co on Sn-Ag-Cu solder joints cooled at 1–3 C/sec, typical of reflow practice. The results indicated that joint microstructure refinement is due to Co-enhanced nucleation of the Cu6Sn5 phase in the solder matrix, as suggested by Auger elemental mapping and calorimetric measurements. The Co also reduced intermetallic interface faceting and improved the ability of the solder joint samples to maintain their shear strength after aging for 72 hr at 150 C. The baseline Sn-3.5Ag joints exhibited significantly reduced strength and coarser microstructures.