cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global Health Partner: Obesity Care

Global Health Partner was founded in 2006 as a privately owned health care provider in Sweden serving both public and private paying patients. In contrast to most providers in the country, GHP organized around specific service lines where it saw the potential to provide the most value. This case details the GHP approach to both Spine Care and Obesity Care demonstrating the power of specialization for quality improvement as a basis for competitive advantage. Students will examine the organization of integrated multidisciplinary care, the impact of volume on learning and efficiency, and the importance of demonstrating quality through outcomes reporting. The case also provides a window into the Swedish Health Care System.
Resource Co-Specialization, Firm Growth, and Organizational Performance: An Empirical Analysis of Organizational Restructuring and it Implementations

This paper examines the effects of co-specialized information technology (IT) on the growth and performance of IT-investing firms as a driver of competitive advantages. By adopting resource-based and dynamic-capability perspectives on firm-specific IT systems, we first identify the mechanisms of resource co-specialization strategy in the process of IT implementation as organizational restructuring and adaptive customization of IT applications into the context of adopting firms. Then, we examine the impacts of resulting co-specialized IT system on organizational performance. Testable hypotheses are developed to investigate how the co-specialization mechanisms of organizational restructuring and IT customization influence firm growth - in terms of the number of employees, value-added, and revenue. We also examine how co-specialization mechanisms of organizational restructuring and IT customization influence project outcomes - in terms of project reference - ability and license extension measures. These empirical tests control for other contextual factors and the endogeneity of decision variables. Using a unique panel data on 334 firms adopting Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) applications, we find strong empirical support for the co-specialization hypothesis that strategic choices of using IT co-specialization mechanisms are positively associated with firm growth and with superior project outcomes in the sample firms.
Functional analysis of -571 IL-10 promoter polymorphism reveals a repressor element controlled by sp1.

Transcriptional dysregulation of the IL-10 gene may contribute to the development and severity of autoimmune, infectious, neoplastic, and allergic diseases. A C to A base substitution has been identified at −571 bp in the IL-10 promoter and has been linked to immune diseases. The role of this polymorphism in IL-10 promoter function was assessed using luciferase reporter constructs. The presence of an A at −571 (A allele) increases promoter activity compared with that of a promoter with a C at this position (C allele). Binding of nuclear extract proteins from IL-10-producing human cell lines to DNA sequences including this base exchange and flanking sequences was demonstrated using EMSAs. Specific binding of the transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3 was demonstrated to a region immediately upstream of the polymorphism. No differences in the binding affinity of recombinant Sp1 were observed between the two forms of the promoter. Reconstitution of Sp1 expression decreased IL-10 promoter function in an Sp1-deficient cell line, demonstrating that this element functions as a repressor. The C to A base exchange relieves the repression mediated by Sp1. Individuals carrying the A allele of the IL-10 promoter may display increased synthesis of IL-10, resulting in suppressed immune responses and a modulation of their susceptibility to autoimmune, infectious, neoplastic, or atopic disease.
Bringing the Mountain to Mohammed

Bacteria have often been thought of as bags of proteins and nucleotides, without internal structure. But, as discussed by Losick and Shapiro in their Perspective, evidence is accumulating that bacterial proteins do have specified locations within the cell. The most recent result to support this view is presented in this issue by Lemon and Grossman, who show that the DNA replication apparatus of bacteria are confined to the center of the cell. Losick and Shapiro discuss these findings.
Angular momentum control in coordinated behaviors

This paper explores the many uses of angular momentum regulation and its role in the synthesis of coordinated motion generated with physically based characters. Previous investigations in biomechanics, robotics, and animation are discussed and a straightforward organization is described for distinguishing the needs and control approaches of various behaviors including stepping, walking and standing balance. Emphasis is placed on creating robust response to large disturbances as well as on the types of characteristic movements that can be generated through the control of angular momentum.
Outcome of fetuses with clubfeet diagnosed by prenatal sonography

Objective To determine the outcome of fetuses with clubfoot diagnosed by prenatal sonography. Methods We identified all fetuses scanned at our institution from May 1989 to May 2002 in whom clubfoot was suspected or diagnosed on prenatal sonography. From maternal and neonatal medical records, we collected the following information when available: unilateral or bilateral clubfoot, gestational age at diagnosis, other sonographic findings, and pregnancy outcome, including pathologic reports and neonatal findings at birth. Results One hundred twenty-one fetuses had prenatal sonographic suspicion or diagnosis of clubfoot. Twenty-two had no follow-up information, and 12 fetuses were terminated with fetal parts that could not be evaluated at pathologic examination, leaving 87 study cases. Outcome information was from neonatal records in 51 and from pathologic reports in 36. The gestational age at diagnosis ranged from 12.3 to 39.2 weeks, with a mean of 22.2 weeks. Forty-two (48%) had unilateral clubfoot, and 45 (52%) had bilateral clubfoot on sonography. The false-positive rate was significantly higher with unilateral clubfoot than bilateral clubfoot (12 [29%] of 42 versus 3 [7%] of 45; P .05). Conclusions Fetuses with an antenatal sonographic diagnosis of clubfoot often have other anomalies, aneuploidy, or both. The false-positive rate for diagnosis of clubfoot is higher for unilateral clubfoot than bilateral clubfoot. The rate of associated anomalies is higher with bilateral clubfoot than unilateral clubfoot.
Nutrition Surveys in Burma and Northeast Brazil

Participation of the author in the Interdepartmental Committee on Nutrition for National Defense sponsored nutrition surveys of Burma and northeast Brazil is described. These surveys not only collected important data on nutritional status but also guided the subsequent research interests of the author. The Brazil survey results contributed to the creation of legislation that mandated the addition of water-dispersible vitamin A to skimmed-milk powder products. This additive has greatly diminished the likelihood of vitamin A deficiency syndrome occurring in children after famine relief efforts.
Mouse Atlas Registration with Non-tomographic Imaging Modalities—a Pilot Study Based on Simulation

Purpose This study investigates methodologies for the estimation of small animal anatomy from non-tomographic modalities, such as planar X-ray projections, optical cameras, and surface scanners. The key goal is to register a digital mouse atlas to a combination of non-tomographic modalities, in order to provide organ-level anatomical references of small animals in 3D.
The effect of vagotomy and pyloroplasty in serotonin-induced gastric ulcerations.

Abstract The pharmacology and clinical states in which serotonin is implicated, together with the striking similarity of the gastric ulcerations produced in the rat with stress ulcers in the human are reviewed. The performance of vagotomy and pyloroplasty in white Wistar rats prior to the intraperitoneal injection of serotonin (5HT) exerted no protective or ameliorating effect upon the acute gastric ulcers produced.
MR imaging of the knee: Clarification of its role

In an attempt to further delineate the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in evaluating knee pathology, a retrospective study of 60 patients who underwent MR scanning before arthroscopy was undertaken. For medial meniscus tears, the sensitivity of MR imaging was 97% whereas its specificity was 77%. For lateral meniscus tears, MR imaging was 90% sensitive and 87% specific. The positive predictive value of MR imaging was 85% for medial meniscus tears and only 79% for lateral meniscus tears. The negative predictive value was 95% for the medial meniscus and 94% for the lateral meniscus. MR imaging had an accuracy of 93% in assessing anterior cruciate ligament pathology also. These results begin to clarify the role of MR imaging in evaluating intraarticular knee pathology. Grade III signals represented tears at arthroscopy more than 90% of the time. False-positive results occurred more frequently than false negative results did. The high negative predictive value of MR imaging indicates that with a negative MR image, the orthopaedist can reliably conclude that no meniscal pathology is present. MR imaging is a useful diagnostic tool; however, it should be used selectively and in conjunction with the clinical examination in evaluating internal derangements of the knee.
Repeated Eyewitness Identification Procedures: Memory, Decision Making, and Probative Value

Two experiments examined the effects of multiple identification procedures on identification responses, confidence, and similarity relationships. When the interval between first and second identification procedures was long (Experiment 1), correct and false identifications increased, but the probative value of a suspect identification changed little; consistent witnesses were more confident than inconsistent witnesses; and the similarity relationships between suspect and foils were unchanged. When the interval between first and second identification procedures was short (Experiment 2), suspect identification rates changed little, but foil identifications increased significantly; confidence for all identifications increased; consistent witnesses were more confident than inconsistent witnesses; and similarity relationships changed such that witnesses were less likely to identify the suspect as being the best match to the perpetrator.
Impaired fatty acid metabolism in type 2 diabetic skeletal muscle cells is reversed by PPARγ agonists

The impact of type 2 diabetes on the ability of muscle to accumulate and dispose of fatty acids and triglycerides was evaluated in cultured muscle cells from nondiabetic (ND) and type 2 diabetic (T2D) subjects. In the presence of 5 microM palmitate, T2D muscle cells accumulated less lipid than ND cells (11.5 +/- 1.2 vs. 15.1 +/- 1.4 nmol/mg protein, P < 0.05). Chronic treatment (4 days) with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) agonist troglitazone increased palmitate accumulation, normalizing uptake in T2D cells. There were no significant differences between groups with regard to the relative incorporation of palmitate into neutral lipid species. This distribution was also unaffected by troglitazone treatment. beta-Oxidation of both long-chain (palmitate) and medium-chain (octanoate) fatty acids in T2D muscle cells was reduced by approximately 40% compared with ND cells. Palmitate oxidation occurred primarily in mitochondrial ( approximately 40-50% of total) and peroxisomal (20-30%) compartments. The diabetes-related defect in palmitate oxidation was localized to the mitochondrial component. Both palmitate and octanoate oxidation were stimulated by a series of thiazolidinediones. Oxidation in T2D muscle cells was normalized after treatment. Troglitazone increased the mitochondrial component of palmitate oxidation. Skeletal muscle cells from T2D subjects express defects in free fatty acid metabolism that are retained in vitro, most importantly defects in beta-oxidation. These defects can be corrected by treatment with PPARgamma agonists. Augmentation of fatty acid disposal in skeletal muscle, potentially reducing intramyocellular triglyceride content, may represent one mechanism for the lipid-lowering and insulin-sensitizing effects of thiazolidinediones.
Non-oxidizing Purification Method for Large Volumes of Long, Undamaged Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

A mild route to the purification of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) soot has been investigated. The removal of all forms of impurities commonly found in bulk SWNT material (metal catalyst nano...
Antidiuresis produced by injection of renin into the third cerebral ventricle of the dog.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether centrally administered renin stimulates vasopressin secretion. Vasopressin was not measured directly, but, instead, changes in urinary water excretion in anesthetized dogs undergoing a water diuresis were used as anindex of changes in vasopressin secretion. Intraventricular injection of hog renin in a dose of 0.1 Goldblatt unit produced a marked decrease in urine flow which was associated with a decrease in free water clearance and an increase in urinary osmolality with no change in osmolar clearance. Sodium excretion increased significantly but there was no change in potassium excretion. These effects, which closely resemble those resulting from an increase in vasopressin secretion, were prevented by hypophysectomy. The antidiuretic effect clearly resulted from an action of renin in the central nervous system since renin had no effect on urine flow orosmolality when administered intravenously. Intraventricular administration of saralasin acetate, a speci...
Mechanism of mitochondrial DNA replication in mouse L-cells: Replication of unicircular dimer molecules☆

Abstract The mouse L-cell line LD maintains its mitochondrial DNA genome in the form of a head-to-tail unicircular dimer of the monomeric 16,000 base-pair species. This situation permits a comparison of the mechanism of replication of this dimeric molecule with our previous studies of replication of monomeric mouse L-cell mitochondrial DNA. Whereas monomeric mitochondrial DNA requires about one hour for a round of replication, the dimeric molecule requires almost three hours. Denaturing agarose gel electrophoretic analyses of replicative intermediates reveals several discrete size classes of partially replicated daughter strands of dimeric mitochondrial DNA. This suggests that replication occurs with specific discontinuities in the rate of daughter strand synthesis. The strand specificity of these daughter strands was determined by hybridization with 32 P-labeled DNA representing either the heavy or light strand mitochondrial DNA sequence. The sizes and strand specificities of these discrete daughter strands indicate that the same set of control sequences is functional in both dimer and monomer mitochondrial DNA replication. Immediately following a round of replication, the majority of dimeric mitochondrial DNA molecules contain displacement loops, as assessed by their sensitivity to nicking within the displaced DNA strand by single-strand DNA specific S 1 nuclease under conditions which leave supercoiled DNA intact. This result is in contrast with the conformation of newly replicated monomeric mitochondrial DNA molecules, which lack both superhelical turns and displacement loops. This indicates that dimeric mitochondrial DNA proceeds through a different series of post-replicative processing steps than does monomeric mitochondrial DNA. We postulate that intermediates at late stages of dimeric mitochondrial DNA replication contain displacement loops which remain intact following closure of the full-length daughter strands.
The joint contributions of shape and color to variability discrimination

Abstract Two experiments examined college students’ discrimination of complex visual displays that involved different degrees of variability or “entropy.” Displays depicted 16 line drawings of various shapes and colors; the participants needed to learn to classify a display in terms of its variability in shape or color while discounting variability in the other dimension (Experiment 1), or to classify based on both shape and color variability (Experiment 2). The participants’ accuracy and reaction time scores on a two-alternative forced-choice discrimination disclosed that people can learn to discount variability in an irrelevant dimension when necessary, but this variability does affect performance. Our data further suggest that variability discrimination depends on degrees of similarity across multiple dimensions thus underscoring the shortcomings of a measure of categorical variability (e.g., entropy) that only considers whether items are identical or different.
Heterosexual anal sex among female drug users: U.S. national compared to local Long Beach, California data.

Receptive anal sex is a well-studied Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) high-risk behavior among gay and bisexual men, yet previous research indicates that more women than men may be at risk from heterosexual anal sex (HAS). 1991–1996 data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Cooperative Agreement (CA) were analyzed to model risk for women who reported having had HAS in the 30 days prior to interview. This model was then tested on recent data (2001–2006) collected on women in Long Beach, California. The multivariate model predicting anal sex in the NIDA CA dataset included sex trading; risk perception for HIV; ever had gonorrhea; sex while high; and drugs used in the last 30 days. African American race/ethnicity and older age were inversely associated with HAS. Risk factors common to both samples of women were number of days used amphetamine in the last month and risk perception for HIV.
Direct effect of insulin on the labeling of isolated plasma membranes by [γ32P] ATP

Abstract Labeling of isolated plasma membranes from rat adipocytes by [γ 32 P] ATP was studied and the effect of insulin on this process was determined. Labeling was bi-phasic, increasing to a maximum while the supply of ATP was sufficient, then decreasing as the supply of ATP was depleted by hydrolysis. Insulin added directly to the assay mixture without pre-incubation decreased the level of labeling of plasma membranes at each time of incubation tested, from 30 sec to 10 min. The effect was insulin dose-dependent and was not observed with the inactive insulin derivative, desoctapeptide-insulin.
Boa: a language and infrastructure for analyzing ultra-large-scale software repositories

In today's software-centric world, ultra-large-scale software repositories, e.g. SourceForge (350,000+ projects), GitHub (250,000+ projects), and Google Code (250,000+ projects) are the new library of Alexandria. They contain an enormous corpus of software and information about software. Scientists and engineers alike are interested in analyzing this wealth of information both for curiosity as well as for testing important hypotheses. However, systematic extraction of relevant data from these repositories and analysis of such data for testing hypotheses is hard, and best left for mining software repository (MSR) experts! The goal of Boa, a domain-specific language and infrastructure described here, is to ease testing MSR-related hypotheses. We have implemented Boa and provide a web-based interface to Boa's infrastructure. Our evaluation demonstrates that Boa substantially reduces programming efforts, thus lowering the barrier to entry. We also see drastic improvements in scalability. Last but not least, reproducing an experiment conducted using Boa is just a matter of re-running small Boa programs provided by previous researchers.
Momentum and heat transfer in turbulent pipe flow of solutions of macromolecules

Abstract An equation is established for the thickness of the laminar sublayer in turbulent pipe flow of liquids containing viscoelastic additives. This information is obtained as a consequence of a renewal model by analysis of two limiting behaviors. In the first limiting behavior the contact time with the wall is very short, while in the second it is very long. An equation for the thickening of the laminar sublayer caused by viscoelasticity is obtained by interpolating between the two limiting cases. This equation allows deduction of expressions for the pressure drop and for the heat transfer coefficient. The model used here explains the experimental observation that for a viscoelastic fluid the shear stress τ at the wall of a pipe is related to the velocity gradient ( d u)/ d y)y=0 by the relation valid for a Newtonian fluid.
Isovector and isoscalar spin-flip excitations in even-even s-d shell nuclei excited by inelastic proton scattering

Forward-angle cross sections for ${1}^{+}$ states have been measured in $^{24}$,26Mg, $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$, and $^{32}\mathrm{S}$ by 201 MeV proton inelastic scattering. Comparisons are made with (\ensuremath{\gamma},\ensuremath{\gamma}'), (e,e'), and (p,n) results. The measured strength is compared with microscopic distorted-wave Born approximation calculations using large-scale shell-model wave functions. Ratios of experimental to theoretical ${1}^{+}$ strengths are given. Almost no quenching is observed.
Editorial: Sustainable Building Systems Require New Design Guidelines

(2008). Editorial: Sustainable Building Systems Require New Design Guidelines. HVAC&R Research: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 1-1.
Coordinatively Saturated Tris(oxazolinyl)borato Zinc Hydride-Catalyzed Cross Dehydrocoupling of Silanes and Alcohols

The four-coordinate zinc compound ToMZnH (1, ToM = tris(4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolinyl)phenylborate) catalyzes selective alcoholysis of substituted hydrosilanes. The catalytic reaction of PhMeSiH2 and aliphatic alcohols favors the monodehydrocoupled product PhMeHSi–OR. With the aryl alcohol 3,5-C6H3Me2OH, the selectivity for mono(aryloxy)hydrosilane PhMeHSiOC6H3Me2 and bis(aryloxy)silane PhMeSi(OC6H3Me2)2 is controlled by relative reagent concentrations. Reactions of secondary organosilanes and diols provide cyclic bis(oxo)silacycloalkanes in high yield. The empirical rate law for the ToMZnH-catalyzed reaction of 3,5-dimethylphenol and PhMeSiH2 is −d[PhMeSiH2]/dt = k′obs[ToMZnH]1[3,5-C6H3Me2OH]0[PhMeSiH2]1 (determined at 96 °C) which indicates that Si–O bond formation is turnover-limiting in the presence of excess phenol.
Routing and spectrum allocation for video on-demand streaming in cognitive wireless mesh networks

Cognitive radio, which enables dynamic access of under-utilized licensed spectrums, is a promising technology for more efficient spectrum utilization. Since cognitive radio enables the access of larger amount of spectrum, it can be used to build wireless mesh networks with higher network capacity, and thus provide better quality of services for high bit-rate applications. In this paper, we study the multi-source video on-demand application in multiinterface cognitive wireless mesh networks. Given a video request, we find a joint multi-path routing and spectrum allocation for the session to minimize its total bandwidth cost in the network, and therefore maximize the number of sessions the network can support. We propose both distributed and centralized routing and channel allocation algorithms to solve the problem. Our algorithms not only increase the maximum number of concurrent sessions that can be supported in the network, but also improve each session's adaptivity to spectrum mobility.
Indication of Cyclic Reproductive Activity in Abyssal Organisms

THE difficulty in sampling the sea floor at depths greater than 2,000 m (ref. 1), where the abyssal zone is believed to start2, is so great that even today there are not many samples. The yield in specimens from the samples which have been taken is low for any given species of animal and it is seldom that one species has been repeatedly taken. These factors have combined to permit few observations on the biology of any one species. In general, so few ovigerous or gravid specimens of deep sea isopods have been taken that Wolff3 has reasoned that gravid specimens hide in the mud, thus avoiding capture, or that the breeding period is short and occurs once every second or third year. An example of the absence of gravid female specimens can be found in the report by Menzies4 on 123 abyssal species of marine isopods representing 447 specimens. In six cases gravid specimens were reported.
Anxiety Behavior, Exploratory Behavior, and Activity in NZB × NZW F1 Hybrid Mice: Role of Genotype and Autoimmune Disease Progression

Abstract Behavioral changes often accompany the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in humans and animals. In a mouse model of SLE, the NZB × NZW F1 (B/W) hybrid, 12-week-old mice display more anxiety behavior, less activity, and less exploratory behavior than non-autoimmune female NZW mice. To determine whether these behaviors result from the autoimmune disease or genetic differences between B/W and NZW mice, they were assessed prior to and during disease emergence (6 and 12 weeks of age, respectively). B/W mice were less active at both ages, suggesting a genetic component to this behavioral difference. Anxiety behavior and exploratory behavior did not differ between B/W and NZW mice at 6 weeks; however, at 12 weeks B/W mice displayed more anxiety behavior and less exploratory behavior, indicating that these behaviors were related with the development of autoimmune disease. Prior experience with these tasks increased anxiety behavior in B/W but not NZW mice, suggesting that B/W mice may be more sensitive to anxiogenic experiences.
Effects of Gas6 and hydrogen peroxide in Axl ubiquitination and downregulation

The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl has been shown to be activated by its ligand Gas6 and by oxidative stress in the form of hydrogen peroxide. However, the regulatory mechanisms controlling the levels of Axl upon Gas6 binding or oxidative stress have not been elucidated. This report demonstrates that Gas6-induced downregulation of Axl is blocked by inhibitors of endocytosis and lysosomal degradation, but not by inhibitors of proteosomal activity. Furthermore, it is shown that binding of Axl to Gas6 induces the phosphorylation and ubiquitination of Axl and the interaction of Axl with the ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl. Importantly, hydrogen peroxide induces Axl tyrosine phosphorylation but not its ubiquitination, determining the inhibition of Axl downregulation. These results suggest that as shown for other receptor tyrosine kinases, ubiquitination of Axl is needed to ensure its proper degradation in the lysosome, and that oxidative stress may inhibit Axl ubiquitination and downregulation.
Dislocation behavior in fatigue

Abstract Recognizing mechanistic similarities as well as differences between unidirectional and cyclic deformation, the authors apply recent advances in understanding mechanisms of unidirectional deformation to fatigue. Reinterpretations or new mechanisms are offered for the following: the formation of dislocation veins and of persistent slip bands (PSB's), the behavior of dislocations in established PSB's, and the transformation of PSB dipolar walls into dislocation cells. In addition, the nature of extrusions and intrusions is discussed.
A new idea for searching for free quarks

The possibility that free quarks can exist but have gone undetected because they possess a strong long-range interaction with normal matter is explored. Experimental checks of this idea are suggested.
Detection of Brillouin Backscattering in Underdense Plasmas

Two new results are reported: (1) verification of the finite-interaction- length threshold for stimulated Brillouin scattering in a plasma with no critical layers, and (2) use of the time-dependent Stark effect to detect ion-frequency electric fields in a plasma. (AIP)
Money and mental disorder: toward behavioral cost accounting for primary prevention.

This paper reviews recent retrospective sociological research suggesting that rises as well as falls in the economy are associated with such indicators of mental disorder as suicide and mental hospitalization. The review emphasizes that a lag exists between economic change and the changes in associated mental indicators. It is suggested that these findings hold promise both for early warning for practitioners and for primary prevention. Also described is a survey in four centers of 93 community mental health workers, indicating that such workers are receptive to the use of such economic indicators but not well-informed about them. Suggestions are made for prospective research to relate economic change to mental disorder through such intervening constructs as life change and stress. Such research, it is hoped, would expand the capacities of community psychologists to account for the behavioral costs of economic policy alternatives. Language: en
In vitro secretion of digestive phospholipase A2 by midguts isolated from tobacco hornworms, Manduca sexta

We report on secretion of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) by in vitro preparations of midguts isolated from tobacco hornworms, Manduca sexta. This enzyme is responsible for hydrolysis of fatty acids from the sn-2 position of phospholipids, a necessary step in fatty acid absorption. The in vitro midgut preparations are competent to secrete PLA(2) into incubation buffer. Secretion began within the first 30 min of incubation and increased to a maximum at 8 h. We selected 2 h incubations because substantial loss of tissue integrity was observed after 8 h incubations. Using 2 h incubations, we recorded increased secretion of digestive PLA(2) from midguts incubated in buffer amended with diet or with yeast as a component of the diet. We also recorded small increases in secretion of PLA(2) from midguts incubated in buffer amended with a specific phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine. Midguts incubated in buffer amended with increased concentrations of phospholipid did not yield higher levels of PLA(2) activity. Lepidopteran midguts can be divided into three regions, and we recorded the highest secretion of PLA(2) from the middle region and lowest secretion from the anterior region. Because isolated midguts responded to food chemicals with increased secretion of digestive PLA(2), we suggest that secretion of digestive enzymes in tobacco hornworms is regulated by a prandial and/or paracrine mechanism, as suggested for digestive proteases in other insect species. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 42:179-187, 1999.Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Systematics of vibrational intensities for “diatomic” molecules: Approximate formulas

Abstract Several approximations are discussed which enable one to estimate electric dipole moment transition matrix elements for diatomic molecules based on a very limited amount of experimental data. For strongly polar molecules, a simplistic point-charge dipole model in which there is no vibrational charge flux predicts a simple relation between the permanent moment, M 0 , and its derivative with respect to internuclear separation, M 1 . This is found to be approximately valid for a surprisingly large number of polar molecules. Next, approximate matrix elements for the fundamental and overtone bands are presented for a linear dipole moment function. Finally, systematic trends for molecules having similar electronic structures are investigated and combined with the approximations discussed above in order to estimate the transition moments for several molecules of astrophysical interest. An extension to the ν 3 fundamental and overtone bands of CH 4 is suggestive that some of these ideas may be applicable to certain polyatomic molecules as well.
How fear differs from anxiety

Animal models conceptualize anxiety as a response to potential danger while fear is a response to present danger. The way humans experience anxiety involves our capacity for higher thinking while the human experience of fear appears to be much the same as the animal model. This article examines these differences at both a phenomenological and neurological level and highlights implications for the treatment of conditioned fear in PTSD. The stimuli for human fear are sensory-perceptual, while the stimuli for most forms of anxiety are conceptual-linguistic. Individuals in a state of fear/terror undergo a radical shift from top-down to bottom-up processing in which access to conceptual-linguistic thought processes is severely restricted and the frontal regions of the cortex are no longer able to override impulses from brain stem and midbrain regions. Conditioned fear involves actual neurological changes in the limbic system. To overcome a traumatic memory, the individual must (1) gain some level of access to the bottom-up state in order to habituate or extinguish the conditioned fear response, and (2) also achieve access to the top-down state in order to process the fear experience and establish explicit memory. Effective treatments for trauma vary in regard to the degree to which they require the client to enter the bottom-up state, but all activate the fear state and eventually facilitate top-down processing. Language: en
Depressive symptomology and alcohol use among college students: the role of perceived drinking norms

This study examined the role of normative perceptions of peer drinking in the relationship between depressive symptoms and alcohol use among college students. Participants (n = 225, 73.3% female) completed measures of depressive symptoms, alcohol use, descriptive alcohol norms, and injunctive norms. Results revealed a positive relationship between depressive symptoms and alcohol consumption, as well as between depressive symptoms and normative perceptions. Perceived norms either completely or partially mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and alcohol outcomes. These findings suggest that individuals who experience more depressive symptoms may be more susceptible to peer influences related to drinking. In particular, they may perceive their close friends to drink more and to approve of excessive drinking, which in turn predict their own drinking behavior. To minimize alcohol-related harms among college student drinkers experiencing depressive symptoms, secondary prevention programs that ai...
Role of Peroxynitrite in the Vasoactive and Cytotoxic Effects of Alzheimer's β-Amyloid1–40Peptide

Increasing evidence implicates oxidative stress as partially responsible for the neurodegenerative process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent reports show an increased production of nitrotyrosine in AD brains, suggesting that peroxynitrite is produced in excess in this disease. Furthermore, incidence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in AD cases is very frequent (83%), strongly suggesting a vascular component of AD pathogenesis. We have evaluated the hypothesis that peroxynitrite could be responsible for mediating the cytotoxicity and vasoactivity induced by the amyloid-beta1-40 (Abeta) peptide. Rat brain endothelial cells (RBE-4) appear to be sensitive to Abeta-induced toxicity but not to the cytotoxicity induced by peroxynitrite. Addition of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase to cell culture media, which is only able to clear extracellular superoxide, was not effective in blocking Abeta-induced toxicity. However, we were able to partially block Abeta-induced cytotoxicity by using Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP) which dismutes superoxide intracellularily. Yet, MnTBAP was not able to prevent the vasoactivity triggered by Abeta. Moreover, addition of peroxynitrite to rat aortae did not modulate the vasotension induced by Abeta. We conclude that intracellular superoxide radicals may contribute to Abeta-induced cytotoxicity. Our results also indicate that peroxynitrite does not significantly contribute to Abeta-induced cytotoxicity in rat brain endothelial cells (RBE-4) or vasoactivity in rat aortae. These results suggest that therapeutic efforts aimed at removal of reactive oxygen species with SOD is unlikely to be beneficial for treatment of Abeta-induced endothelial dysfunction. However, compounds that clear free radicals intracellularly may well be beneficial.
Post-earthquake observations at Dasht-e Bayāz, Iran

Abstract A program of field observations of post-earthquake characteristics has been established at the site of the devastating 1968 Dasht-e Bayāz earthquake in northeastern Iran. Data for the period 2–4 1 2 years following the main shock have been analyzed. Aftershocks are still occurring, about seven per day of magnitude over zero, and their rate of occurrence is decaying at approximately t−1.1. The aftershocks are confined to the 1968 rupture zone, concentrated near the ends with a conspicuous aseismic region near the centrally situated 1968 focus. The shocks define a steeply dipping fault plane by their distribution, this plane being consistent with the 1968 surface rupture and fault-plane solution, as well as a composite fault-plane solution of the aftershocks. Left-lateral fault creep of several mm/year seems to be occurring, as evidenced by survey monument arrays and creepmeters installed in the study.
The art of the state

Quantum field theory on curved spacetimes lacks an obvious distinguished vacuum state. We review a recent no-go theorem that establishes the impossibility of finding a preferred state in each globally hyperbolic spacetime, subject to certain natural conditions. The result applies in particular to the free scalar field, but the proof is model-independent and therefore of wider applicability. In addition, we critically examine the recently proposed `SJ states', that are determined by the spacetime geometry alone, but which fail to be Hadamard in general. We describe a modified construction that can yield an infinite family of Hadamard states, and also explain recent results that motivate the Hadamard condition without direct reference to ultra-high energies or ultra-short distance structure.
Ketosynthases in the initiation and elongation modules of aromatic polyketide synthases have orthogonal acyl carrier protein specificity.

Many bacterial aromatic polyketides are synthesized by type II polyketide synthases (PKSs) which minimally consist of a ketosynthase-chain length factor (KS-CLF) heterodimer, an acyl carrier protein (ACP), and a malonyl-CoA:ACP transacylase (MAT). This minimal PKS initiates polyketide biosynthesis by decarboxylation of malonyl-ACP, which is catalyzed by the KS-CLF complex and leads to incorporation of an acetate starter unit. In non-acetate-primed PKSs, such as the frenolicin (fren) PKS and the R1128 PKS, decarboxylative priming is suppressed in favor of chain initiation with alternative acyl groups. Elucidation of these unusual priming pathways could lead to the engineered biosynthesis of polyketides containing novel starter units. Unique to some non-acetate-primed PKSs is a second catalytic module comprised of a dedicated homodimeric KS, an additional ACP, and a MAT. This initiation module is responsible for starter-unit selection and catalysis of the first chain elongation step. To elucidate the protei...
Influence of forebody cross-sectional shape on wing vortex-burst location

A water tunnel study examining the influence of forebody cross section on the position of the wing vortex burst was carried out in the NASA Ames-Dryden water tunnel for a 55-deg cropped delta-wing model. Two of three cross sections investigated were chine-shaped, where the included angle of the chine was either 7.5-deg, representing a rather small side-edge angle, or 90 deg, representing a more moderate design. The third cross section was circular and served as a baseline for comparison. It is found that the 7.5 deg chine cross section generated the strongest forebody vortices of the three configurations and that these strong forebody vortices interacted with the main wing vortices in such a manner as to dramatically delay wing vortex burst position at zero sideslip. If the configuration is sideslipped, large asymmetries in wing vortex burst location may result.
Neural netowrk approximation of continuous functionals and continuous functions on compactifications

Abstract This article characterizes the set of activation functions, bounded or unbounded, that allow feedforward network approximation of the continuous functions on the classic two-point compactification of R 1 . The characterization fails when the set of targets are continuous functions on the classic compactifications of R n , n ≥2. Nonpolynomial, analytic activation functions with input-to-hidden weights in very limited sets allow approximation of continuous function over compact sets in R n , while even sigmoidal activation functions with weights in limited sets cannot approximate continuous functions on compactifications. The abstract structure foregrounded by compactification leads directly to possibility results for multi-layer networks and possibility results for neural networks in infinite dimensional settings.
The Glass Ceiling Revisited: Determinants of Federal Job Advancement

Using the results of a recent survey of federal employees and focus groups of the same population, this article extends previous research on the existence of a glass ceiling in the federal bureaucracy. Even when controlling for differences between the sexes in human capital factors, work habits, work opportunities, and personal circumstances, women who have been in the federal bureaucracy from zero to 10 years and from 20 to 30 years have not advanced in their professions as successfully as have men. In contrast to and departing from previous research, there is little evidence that a glass ceiling has been experienced among women who have worked in the bureaucracy between 10 and 20 years. Additional findings consistent with past literature include the fact that among women who have faced gender-based barriers, those who chose to have children during their careers have been especially disadvantaged. We conclude that the glass ceiling on the federal level, where apparent, has been multidimensional and quite subtle.
Parallel direct implementations of second-order perturbation theories

Two algorithms are presented for parallel direct computation of energies with second-order perturbation theory. Closed-shell MP2 theory as well as the open-shell perturbation theories OPT2(2) and ZAPT2 have been implemented. The algorithms are designed for distributed memory parallel computers. The first algorithm exhibits an excellent load balance and scales well when relatively few processors are used, but a large communication overhead reduces the efficiency for larger numbers of processors. The other algorithm employs very little interprocessor communication and scales well for large systems. In both implementations the memory requirement has been reduced by allowing the two-electron integral transformation to be performed in multiple passes and by distributing the (partially) transformed integrals between processors. Results are presented for systems with up to 327 basis functions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Prevalence of Obesity Amongst School Children and Adolescents in Qatar

Abstract Introduction: There has been a great increase in the worldwide prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity and secondary diseases such as diabetes mellitus type II in recent years. However, there is insufficient data regarding this topic in Qatar and the Gulf region. Objective: To assess obesity prevalence among schoolchildren and adolescents (6–18 years) in independent schools in Qatar. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in independent schools selected by the Supreme Council of Education in Qatar. Participants were sampled from schools managed by the Ministry of Education in Qatar using a multi-stage random selection with clusters being school type (primary, preparatory, secondary), grade, class section and gender of students. Two questionnaires translated to Arabic (one for grade 4 and one for grade 8 and 11) were used, and weight and height were measured using a portable stadiometer. Ethical board approvals as well as parental permission and students’ assent were obtained. Re...
The cofinality of the saturated uncountable random graph

Assuming CH, let Open image in new window be the saturated random graph of cardinality ω1. In this paper we prove that it is consistent that Open image in new window and Open image in new window can be any two prescribed regular cardinals subject only to the requirement Open image in new window
S-wave residuals from earthquakes in the Tibetan region and lateral variations in the upper mantle

Abstract Mean S-wave residuals from 46 earthquakes within and on the margins of the Tibetan Plateau exhibit systematic lateral variations that do not correlate well with elevation or with simple aspects of the geologic history. The earliest S waves come from earthquakes in western Tibet, the Karakorum, and the western Himalaya, and the latest come from earthquakes in north-central Tibet. Although S-waves from earthquakes in the Himalaya tend to be early, the east-west variation in residuals across Tibet is at least as large as the north-south difference between the Himalaya and northern Tibet. If the variations in residuals are a reflection of temperature variations in the upper mantle associated with convection, then upwelling beneath north-central Tibet seems to be flanked by downwelling in western, eastern, and probably southern Tibet. This convective flow might reflect the detachment and removal of thickened mantle lithosphere beneath Tibet.
The distribution of13C in the Atlantic Ocean

Individual vertical profiles and north-south sections for the distribution of theδ13C of total dissolved inorganic carbon are presented for the Atlantic stations of the GEOSECS program. In most cases theδ13C data parallel the distribution of dissolved O2. Differences are attributed to in-situ oxidation of organic matter and dissolution of particles of CaCO3. Antarctic Bottom and Intermediate Waters have aδ13C value of near 0.5‰ relative to the PDB isotopic standard. The lowest values in the Atlantic ocean were found in the Antarctic Circumpolar waters which haveδ13C values as low as 0.2‰. The core of the North Atlantic Deep Water has aδ13C value of 1.0‰.
Effects of Pulsatility on the Laminar Mixing Surface in Converging Microchannel Flows

With the growing interest and development of microfluidic systems, the need for micro-scale laminar flow mixing techniques is evident. Traditional mixing methods often rely upon turbulent flow for mixing which is generally not present on the micro-scale and so alternative approaches must be sought. In this work, we report on the impact of flow pulsatility on the laminar mixing surface/interface formed between two converging microchannel flows. The motivation behind the study is to assess the potential for pulsatility as a possible MEMS-mixing strategy. A 3-D computational model of the converging flow at a 90° junction is developed using the Fluent6® CFD software and the volume-of-fluid algorithm is used to track time-dependent behavior of the interface downstream of the junction. Results thus far have shown that for certain parametric regimes a complex, evolving interfacial distortion can form which propagates and persists downstream of the junction. Time-series for the total interfacial area and the interfacial motion have been extracted from numerical data and spectral analyses have been performed; some interesting nonlinear behavior has been observed. Of particular importance, the results also show that the complexity of the interfacial structure is only significant at higher frequencies (order of kHz) which is appropriate for MEMS-based pumping devices.Copyright © 2002 by ASME