cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining disparities in diet quality between SNAP participants and non-participants using Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis.

Abstract Recent studies have reported that SNAP participants have poorer diet quality than non-participants. This study aimed to examine how differences in socio-demographic, household, and health-related measures explain disparities in diet quality between SNAP participants and non-participants using Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis. We analyzed cross-sectional data on 14,331 adult respondents of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009 – 2014. To measure diet quality, we applied the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 to respondents’ 24-hour dietary recall data (scale: 0–100 points). We used Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis to determine how much of the disparity in HEI-2015 total score between SNAP participants and non-participants was explained by socio-demographic (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, educational), household (e.g., household size, food security status), and health-related measures (e.g., BMI, smoking status). Analyses performed revealed significant differences in HEI-2015 total score by SNAP participation status (p We observed disparities in diet quality between SNAP participants and non-participants. Socio-demographic, household, and health-related measures explained a significant amount of the disparity that existed between SNAP participants and income-ineligible non-participants; they explained less of the disparity between SNAP participants and income-eligible non-participants.
Molecular dynamics simulation of the adsorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on smectite clay.

Abstract Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to predict the partitioning of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) to smectite clay, a high surface area adsorbent ubiquitous in temperate soils. Simulated systems model a stack of flexible smectite lamellae in contact with a bulk aqueous reservoir containing PFAS molecules. Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are simulated at various aqueous chemistry conditions to examine the effect of PFAS size, salinity, and coordinating cation type (K+, Na+, and Ca2+) on adsorption. The metadynamics technique is employed to facilitate the exploration of the simulation cell and to reconstruct the underlying free energy landscape. Adsorption is favorable on the hydrophobic domains of the external basal surfaces with the fluorinated chain adopting a flat orientation on the surface. Analysis of the adsorption energetics reveals large favorable entropic contributions to adsorption. The enthalpy of adsorption is unfavorable, though much less so in the presence of Ca2+ due to stabilizing ‘lateral cation bridging’ interactions between divalent cations and PFAS sulfonate head groups. Overall, this research advances the mechanistic understanding of PFAS-smectite interactions and provides new insights that could help inform fate and transport models and the development of adsorbents and remediation techniques.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dividends

ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dividend payouts of publicly traded firms in the U.S. Out of nearly 1,400 dividend paying firms, 213 cut dividends and 93 omitted dividends entirely in the second quarter of 2020. This proportion of cuts and omissions is three to five times higher than any other quarter since 2015. The 2008 financial crisis was characterized by a high proportion of financial firms cutting dividends without much change in dividends for non-financials. Conversely, we find evidence of increased dividend cuts across all industries. The most common industry grouping, industrials, experienced one out of every six firms cutting dividends. Regression results indicate that net income and debt are determinants of firms cutting dividends in all periods, but the economic significance is much greater during the pandemic.
Regional anaesthesia in patients with diabetes

Diabetes is the most common metabolic condition worldwide and about 20% of surgical patients will have this condition. It is a major risk-factor for worse outcomes after surgery including mortality; infective and non-infective complications; and increased length of stay. However, diabetes is a modifiable risk-factor, and programs to improve medical management have the potential to reduce peri-operative complications and the risk of harm. Regional anaesthesia has well-documented benefits in promoting the restoration of function but there are legitimate concerns that the incidence of complications of regional anaesthesia in patients with diabetes is higher. The aim of this review is to explore in detail the various potential advantages and disadvantages of regional anaesthesia in patients with diabetes. This, in turn, will allow practitioners to undertake more informed shared decision-making and potentially modify their anaesthetic technique for patients with diabetes.
Doctor of pharmacy student preferences for computer-based vs. paper-and-pencil testing in a, social and administrative pharmacy course

Abstract Introduction The use of online learning and subsequent online testing has expanded rapidly in pharmacy programs across the United States. Numerous published studies have compared online learning with traditional methods in pharmacy. However, no such studies have been published in pharmacy. This study's objective is to compare first-professional year student preferences for computer-based vs. traditional paper-and-pencil testing for a required social and administrative pharmacy class. Methods All students enrolled in the class were invited to complete one brief survey at the end of the semester to determine their testing preference. Results Of the 138 first-professional year students completing the survey, 79% (109 of 138) preferred computer-based testing, 9% had no preference, 6% (8 of 138) preferred paper-and-pencil testing, and the remainder (8 of 138) stated it depended on what was being tested. Ninety-one percent of students did not perceive the testing method to impact their grades. Students preferred computer-based testing over traditional paper-and-pencil as a convenient testing method (mean 4.73 vs. 3.4, P Conclusions First-professional year students preferred computer-based over traditional paper-and-pencil testing for a social and administrative science class, with the method of testing not perceived to impact grade. This finding is timely, given the recent required transitioning of all pharmacy classes and subsequent testing to an online format due to the coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic.
New Approach to Bacterial Kinetics in Wastewater

A mathematical model for bacterial growth is developed by consideration of the analogy between bacterial growth and a nonelementary chemical reaction. The resulting model is very general, including both substrate storage and basal metabolism. Under certain defined conditions it reduces to the known Monod-type and two-phase growth models. It predicts quantitatively the large substrate uptake rates seen in the contact stabilization process. In this model the concentrations of substrate and biomass are defined in terms of their carbon content as this approach gives greater conceptual and practical simplicity than conventional approaches based on BOD, COD, VSS, etc. Predictions of the model are found to agree with experimental data from a system of mixed denitrifying bacteria metabolizing a dilute dextrose substrate.
Volatile Aroma Components of Wines and Other Fermented Beverages

Publisher Summary The development of gas chromatography and the more powerful combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the use in research on the trace aroma and flavor compounds of fermented and distilled beverages has provided with extensive lists of components in these beverages. This chapter presents a list of volatile aroma components of wines and other fermented beverages. It briefly discusses biosynthesis of some of the compounds found in the aroma complex of alcoholic beverages. Volatile aroma compounds in alcoholic beverages may arise from components of raw materials, the activity of yeast growth and fermentation of sugars, and aroma substances produced during storage and processing. The volatile constituent makeup of a wine at any given time is only an indication of the substances that are present in greatest concentration; minor or trace constituents are used and formed continually as the various systems tend toward equilibrium. Metabolites in fermented products arise mainly from carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. The chapter reviews the role of lipids in various foods. The division of nitrogenous compounds of fermented beverages into groups based on classical analytical methods has also been reviewed in the chapter.
Age of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis Immunization of Special Care Nursery Graduates

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) immunization data were collected on 103 special care nursery graduates in our neonatal follow-up clinic to determine whether DTP immunization schedules were significantly delayed relative to recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2, 4, and 6 months for DTP 1, 2, and 3, respectively). An inverse correlation was found between birth weight and immunization for first, second, and third DTP (r = 0.319, P less than .01; r = .205, P less than .05; and r = .236, P less than .05, respectively). We subsequently conducted a mail survey to determine the DTP immunization policy present in effect in 25 neonatal intensive care units in the United States and Canada. The survey indicates that procedural approaches remain markedly heterogeneous, and 10 of 25 (40%) units have no existing policy for implementation of DTP immunization. These data suggest that special care nursery populations are at potential risk for pertussis, which requires a conscious implementation of DTP immunization by the special care nursery, the follow-up clinic personnel, and the primary care physician.
Comparison of Natural Deduction and Locking Resolution Implementations

Two versions of the simplified problem reduction format are compared with locking resolution on some examples. The simplified problem reduction format is a complete strategy which has a goal-subgoal structure and combines features of resolution and natural deduction. Checking subgoals against previously generated subgoals to avoid solving the same subproblems repeatedly was found to be a significant benefit in the simplified problem reduction format. In general, the simplified problem reduction format with checking for repeated subgoals was found to be a better strategy than locking resolution in terms of total computing time used, although the search spaces for locking resolution were often smaller. The smaller search spaces and longer times for locking resolution persisted when the deletion method was replaced by a faster, less powerful deletion method, indicating that the difference with the problem reduction format is not due to the choice of a deletion method. The use of a faster, less powerful deletion method did lead to better performance in the looking resolution prove, however.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymerase: Two Distinct Enzymes in One Polypeptide II. A PROTEOLYTIC FRAGMENT CONTAINING THE 5' → 3' EXONUCLEASE FUNCTION. RESTORATION OF INTACT ENZYME FUNCTIONS FROM THE TWO PROTEOLYTIC FRAGMENTS

Abstract The small fragment (mol wt 36,000) produced by the limited proteolytic cleavage of DNA polymerase (mol wt 109,000) retains only the 5' → 3' exonuclease activity. The small fragment resembles the 5' → 3' exonuclease of the intact enzyme in degrading DNA to mono- and oligonucleotides and in its capacity to excise mismatched regions such as thymine dimers. It differs from the intact enzyme in that deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, which support polymerization, fail to stimulate the exonuclease or to increase the proportion of oligonucleotides among the products. However with a mixture of small fragment, large fragment (mol wt 76,000; polymerase and 3' → 5' exonuclease functions), nicked DNA, and suitable deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, the same influences of polymerization on 5' → 3' exonucleases are seen as with the intact enzyme. Thus at the locus of a nick in DNA, the two fragments bind adjacent to one another to perform the coordinated polymerization—5' → 3' exonuclease functions that characterize the intact enzyme.
Island Biogeography Redux, with a Speciation Twist

The Birds of Northern Melanesia Speciation, Ecology, and Biogeography. Ernst Mayr and Jared M. Diamond. Oxford University Press, New York. 2001. 528 pp. $55. ISBN 0-19-514170-9 The result of a 30-year collaboration (and building on field work that Mayr began in 1929), this monograph analyzes the distribution of the 195 breeding land and freshwater birds species across 76 islands of the Bismarck and Solomon Archipelagoes east of New Guinea. The authors argue that the avifauna provides examples of all stages in speciation and can serve as a model system for consideration of those processes and of other problems of interest to population biologists.
When Knowledge Matters to Causation

Criminal and tort law are notably concerned with both actions and mental states. It is commonsensical to punish people who intended something bad to happen because they are “bad people” and might be likely to do it again. But why punish (of hold liable) people who merely “knew” or “should have known” that something bad could possibly happen – even if they neither wanted nor intended it to occur? Consistent with other research, we believe that people with such knowledge are viewed as more causal than people without such knowledge. In three scenarios involving complex causation (two involving superceding intervening causes), we measured people’s causal attributions and their responses to hypotheticals about what the main character or other people (i.e., “reasonable people”) would have thought or done given different knowledge. What the characters actually knew, what participants thought they should have known, and what participants thought other people would have done in similar circumstances were all related to causal attributions. These results are consistent with causal research showing that causes are things that change the probability of the outcome occurring relative to some baseline.
THE COMBINATION OF EDESTIN WITH HYDROCHLORIC ACID.

Electromotive force measurements of cells without liquid junction, of the type Ag, AgCl, HCl + protein, H2, lead to the conclusion that 1 gm. of edestin (or, more probably, edestan) combines with a maximum of 13.4 x 10–4 equivalents of H+ and 3.9 x 10–4 equivalents of Cl-, when the protein is dissolved in 0.1 M HCl.
On existence proofs of Hanf numbers

This paper refines some results of Barwise [1] as well as answering the open question posed at the end of [1] about the Hanf number of , positively. We conclude by showing that the existence of a Hanf bound for Y.,., cannot be proved in the natural formally intuitionistic set theories with bounded predicates decidable of [3], [4] and [5]. All notation not explained below is taken from [1]. In the Appendix, we give the axioms of ZFO, ZF1, and T in full. We remark that an important point about the axiom of foundation was not emphasized in [1]. This axiom was intended to be the axiom scheme (Vx)((Vy e x)(A(y)) -> A(x)) -> (Vx)(A(x)), where y does not occur in A = A(x), instead of the more customary (Vx)(Vy)(y e x -> (3z e x)(Vw e z) (w O x)). This is of no consequence in the presence of full separation, but is vital when considering ZFo and the T below, for with the customary form of foundation, these cannot even prove the existence of R., In [1], a proof of the following is sketched. THEOREM A. ZFo V "the Hanf number of c-logic exists." 2 But ZF1F "the Hanf number of each 2.cA exists." In [1], the question of whether T proves "the Hanf number of .F, exists" is raised. We will show that T proves "the Hanf number of .2,, exists for all infinite cardinals K." A related argument similarly shows that T proves X1(91)-separation. Standard arguments show that T proves A,(9P)-separation. It is easy to see how one can show in Tthat cardinal successor and exponentiation are defined for all cardinals, and that every set is in one-to-one correspondence with a cardinal. These two consequences of T will be used in Theorem 1 below. THEOREM 1. T "for all infinite cardinals K, the Hanf number of ?Tx exists." T E1(?)-separation. PROOF. As noted in [1, ?2], if cp E SKx has a model of power > A, then 'p has a model of power A A) is A1(69). Let us call a functionf special just in case (1) the domain off is some ordinal a, (2) for each P < a, f(p) is the least infinite cardinal A with Q(A) and f(y) < A, all
Effects of gastric emptying on oral mycophenolic acid pharmacokinetics in stable renal allograft recipients

What is already known about this subject Strategies that are more elaborate than measuring predose plasma concentrations are required for the therapeutic monitoring of mycophenolic acid (MPA). Previous studies in healthy subjects and diabetes patients have suggested that MPA pharmacokinetics are influenced by gastric emptying, but this has not been demonstrated directly. What this study adds This study has investigated the relationship between gastric emptying, measured directly (using the 14C octanoate and 13C glycine breath tests) and the steady-state plasma concentration–time profile of MPA. Delayed gastric emptying was associated with a longer tmax and lower Cmax, but total exposure to MPA was not affected. The findings suggest that it could be misleading to rely fully on short-term (<2 h) limited sampling strategies for MPA therapeutic monitoring in recipients with gastric emptying disorders, the latter occurring relatively frequently in solid organ transplantation. Aim To investigate the effect of gastric emptying on the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid (MPA) in renal transplant patients.
Anxiety management training: A nonspecific behavior therapy program for anxiety control

Anxiety management training (AMT) is a conditioning procedure to reduce anxiety reactions. AMT involves the arousal of anxiety and the training of the client to react to the anxiety with relaxation or success feelings. Unlike desensitization, AMT does not use anxiety hierarchies; it is based on the theory that anxiety responses can be discriminative stimuli, and that clients can be conditioned to respond to these cues with responses which remove these stimuli through reciprocal inhibition. Thirteen students were treated for mathematics anxiety by AMT, 11 by desensitization, and compared with 119 untreated, nonanxious control subjects. Results show significant reductions in subjective anxiety for both treatment groups but not for the control group. The AMT group showed higher posttherapy scores on a performance measure involving mathematical computations (the DAT) than the control group; the standard desensitization group showed a significant increment in pre- to posttherapy scores on the same instrument. Although the treatment subjects were not seeking therapy for examination anxiety, self-ratings on test anxiety showed significant decrements following treatment for mathematics anxiety. The study reports on the theoretical foundation for AMT, details the technique, and discusses the value of the approach in comparison with systematic desensitization.
Early childhood growth and development in rural Guatemala

Abstract Background Small size at birth and in early childhood has been associated with impaired neurodevelopment in studies from developing countries, but few have examined associations with growth. Aims The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between growth and neurodevelopment during early childhood (birth–36 months). Design Multivariate regression models were used to analyze the data collected in the course of a study of pregnancy outcomes and early childhood growth and development carried out in rural Guatemala in 1991–1999. Motor and mental development scores were based on the Psychomotor and Mental Development Indices, respectively, derived from the administration of an adapted version of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Second Edition, 1993) at 6, 24 and 36 months. Z -scores for height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), and head circumference-for-age (HCZ) were used as indicators of attained size; changes in these Z -scores over time represent growth. Results Birth size was significantly associated with child development at 6 and 24 months. Gains in length and weight during the first 24 months were positively associated with child development, whereas growth from 24 to 36 months age was not associated with child development at 36 months. Motor development was more strongly and consistently related to child growth than was mental development. Head circumference gain after 6 months was not a significant predictor of child development at 24 and 36 months. Conclusions Small size at birth and poor physical growth during the first 24 months are related to neurodevelopmental delays. More evidence from developing countries will help explain the underlying mechanisms and identify appropriate interventions to prevent neurodevelopmental delay in early childhood.
Temperature Dependence of the Photochemical Formation of Hydroxyl Radical from Dissolved Organic Matter

The temperature dependence of the photochemical production of the hydroxyl radical (•OH) from dissolved organic matter (DOM) was investigated by measuring the apparent temperature dependence of the quantum yield (Φa) for this process. Temperature dependent Φa values were analyzed using the Arrhenius equation. Apparent activation energies obtained for DOM isolates purchased from the International Humic Substances Society ranged from 16 to 34 kJ mol–1. Addition of 40 units mL–1 catalase, used to hinder the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-dependent pathway to •OH, did not impact the observed activation energy. However, an increase in activation energy was observed in lower molecular weight DOM obtained by size fractionation. We also measured the temperature dependence of p-benzoquionone photolysis as a model compound for DOM and observed no temperature dependence (slope p = 0.41) for the formation of phenol from oxidation of benzene (the •OH probe used), but a value of about 10 kJ mol–1 for p-benzoquinone loss, whi...
Examining the Effects of Meditation Techniques on Psychosocial Functioning

Objective: An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of chanting the maha mantra on stress, depression, and the three gunas—sattva (enlightenment), rajas (passion), and tamas (inertia)—described in the Vedas as the basis of human psychology. Primary hypotheses of the study were that the maha mantra group would increase sattva and decrease stress, depression, rajas, and tamas significantly more than the other groups. Method: Participants were tested at pretest, posttest, and follow-up, with testing times separated by 4 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to a maha mantra group, an alternate mantra (placebo) group, and a control group. Results: MANOVA results supported these hypotheses from pretest to posttest at p < .05 for all dependent variables except rajas. Conclusions: The authors suggest that the maha mantra has potential in addressing problems related to stress and depression and that it be considered as one possible component of a spiritual approach to social work practice.
Transcriptional Repression by Zinc Finger Peptides EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL FOR APPLICATIONS IN GENE THERAPY

A series of studies were performed to determine whether zinc finger peptides could efficiently repress transcription from RNA polymerase II promoters in vivo and to determine how such repression might depend on the position of the zinc finger binding site with respect to those of the TATA box or the initiator element. Promoter constructs were prepared with Zif268 binding sites inserted at various positions, and the activity of a reporter gene was measured in transfection studies. We found that the peptide containing the three zinc fingers of Zif268 could efficiently repress activated transcription when bound to a site near the TATA box (19-fold repression) or when bound to a site near the initiator element (18-fold repression). Repression was even more effective when the zinc finger peptide was bound to both of these sites (63-fold repression). Novel zinc finger peptides that had been selected via phage display also served as repressors of activated transcription, but repression with these proteins was somewhat less efficient than with the Zif268 peptide.
Interleukin-2 receptor α chain regulates the size and content of the peripheral lymphoid compartment

Interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (IL-2R alpha) expression occurs at specific stages of early T and B lymphocyte development and is induced upon activation of mature lymphocytes. Young mice that lack IL-2R alpha have phenotypically normal development of T and B cells. However, as adults, these mice develop massive enlargement of peripheral lymphoid organs associated with polyclonal T and B cell expansion, which, for T cells, is correlated with impaired activation-induced cell death in vivo. Older IL-2R alpha-deficient mice also develop autoimmune disorders, including hemolytic anemia and inflammatory bowel disease. Thus, IL-2R alpha is essential for regulation of both the size and content of the peripheral lymphoid compartment, probably by influencing the balance between clonal expansion and cell death following lymphocyte activation.
Intramolecular [3+2] cycloadditions of functionalized azomethine ylides

Abstract The use of dithiane chemistry to synthesize functionalized azomethine ylides which are then employed in [3+2] cycloaddition chemistry is described. The advantages of this methodology as well as an approach to the lycorenine alkaloid system are presented.
Voltage sensor mutations differentially target misfolded K+ channel subunits to proteasomal and non-proteasomal disposal pathways

In Shaker K+ channels, formation of an electrostatic interaction between two charged residues, D316 and K374 in transmembrane segments S3 and S4, respectively, is a key step in voltage sensor biogenesis. Mutations D316K and K374E disrupt formation of the voltage sensor and lead to endoplasmic reticulum retention. We have now investigated the fates of these misfolded proteins. Both are significantly less stable than the wild-type protein. D316K is degraded by cytoplasmic proteasomes, whereas K374E is degraded by a lactacystin-insensitive, non-proteasomal pathway. Our results suggest that the D316K and K374E proteins are misfolded in recognizably different ways, an observation with implications for voltage sensor biogenesis.
Urban Income Distribution, City Size, and Urban Growth: Some Further Evidence

A recent study by Haworth, Long, and Rasmussen (1978) developed the monopoly hypothesis and presented supporting empirical evidence that suggest the Gini measure of total income inequality rises with urban size and growth. This study extends the monopoly hypothesis to apply to the inequality in racial earnings. After controlling for other important factors in a regression analysis on the 125 SMSAs with 1970 populations exceeding 250,000, our results affirm the extended monopoly hypothesis that increasing urban size and growth manifest independent and direct inequality generating effects on family and male racial earnings.
A Primer on Fiscal Analysis in Oil-Producing Countries

This paper proposes an integrated approach to fiscal policy analysis in oil producing countries (OPCs) geared towards addressing their unique and complex policy challenges. First, an accurate assessment of the fiscal stance in OPCs can be obscured by large and volatile oil revenue flows. Second, uncertain and volatile oil revenue flows can complicate the management of macroeconomic policies in these countries. Third, given the exhaustibility of oil reserves, OPCs need to address longer-term sustainability and intergenerational equity issues. The use of non-oil fiscal indicators, stress tests, medium-term frameworks, and permanent oil income models can greatly aid in addressing these challenges.
Radiograph analysis by two-dimensional microdensitometry

Isodensitometric technics with multicolored print-outs were used to determine differences in the crestal region of the alveolar process which could not be detected by visual analysis of radiographs.
Determination of three different pools of reduced one-carbon-substituted folates. II. Quantitation and chain-length determination of the pteroylpolyglutamates of rat liver.

Abstract A procedure is described for the chemical quantitation of three different pools of one-carbon-substituted, reduced folates in rat liver with the simultaneous determination of their corresponding poly-γ-glutamyl chain lengths. Pool 1 is made up of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolates and unsubstituted tetrahydro- and dihydrofolates. Pool 2 is made up solely of 5-methyltetrahydrofolates and pool 3 includes the folates with one-carbon substituents at the formyl level of oxidation. Seventy-two hours after an intraperitoneal injection of [ 3 H]folic acid into rats, the label was incorporated predominantly into pentaglutamates in pools 1 and 2. The hexaglutamates represented about one-third or less and the pentaglutamates approximately two-thirds of these pools. In contrast, in pool 3 the proportion of hexaglutamates was approximately equal to that of pentaglutamates. The proportions of radioactivity present in pools 1, 2, and 3 were 22.8 ± 0.4, 27.3 ± 3.0, and 49.9 ± 3.1%, respectively.
New flange correction formula applied to interfacial resistance measurements of ohmic contacts to GaAs

A quasi-two-dimensional analytical model is developed to account for vertical and horizontal current flow in and adjacent to a square ohmic contact between a metal and a thin semiconducting strip which is wider than the contact. The model includes side taps to the contact area for voltage probing and relates the "apparent" interfacial resistivity to the (true) interfacial resistivity, the sheet resistance of the semiconducting layer, the contact size, and the width of the "flange" around the contact. This relation is checked against numerical simulations. With the help of the model, interfacial resistivities of ohmic contacts to GaAs were extracted and found independent of contact size in the range of 1.5-10 µm.
EEEECT OF THYROXINE ON METABOLISM OF GLUCOSE AND AMINO ACIDS BY RAT KIDNEY CORTEX1

Kidney slices from thyroidectomized rats incubated in Ringcr-amino acid media synthesized considerable amounts of glucose, especially from L-prolinc. With added thyroxinc the amount of glucose found slightly exceeded that of the controls when incubated at 37°. When slices were incubated at 5 and 37° the amount of glucose found in the thyroxine vessels greatly exceeded that of the controls. Similar differences existed in the oxygen consumption values. Thyroxine appeared to protect enzyme systems involved in oxygen consumption as well as gluconeogenesis from deterioration at 5°. Thyroxine effects, although noted at 37°, were always associated with an otherwise mctaboli-oally failing system.
A comparison of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics in spoken language among residents with Alzheimer's disease in managed-care facilities

This research is a discriminative analysis of conversational dialogues involving individuals suffering from dementia of Alzheimer's type. Several metric analyses are applied to the transcripts of the Carolina Conversation Corpus in order to determine if there are significant statistical differences between individuals with and without Alzheimer's disease. Our prior research suggests that there exist measurable linguistic differences between managed-care residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. This paper presents results comparing managed-care residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease to other managed-care residents. Results from the analysis indicate that part-of-speech and lexical richness statistics may not be good distinguishing attributes. However, go-ahead utterances and certain fluency measures provide defensible means of differentiating the linguistic characteristics of spontaneous speech between individuals that are and are not diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Two machine learning algorithms were able to classify the speech of individuals with and without dementia of the Alzheimer's type with accuracy up to 80%.
Investigation into the rejuvenation of spent electroless nickel baths by electrodialysis.

Electroless nickel plating generates substantially more waste than other metal-finishing processes due to the inherent limited bath life and the need for regular bath disposal. Electrodialysis can be used to regenerate electroless nickel baths, but poor membrane permselectivity, leading to high losses of valuable bath components, continues to be a weakness of the technology. This research has investigated improving electrodialysis permselectivity for removing contaminants (sodium, orthophosphite, and sulfate) in a spent electroless nickel bath while minimizing the losses of valuable bath ions (nickel, hypophosphite, and organic acids). Ion permselectivity was explored with respect to electrodialysis operating conditions, membrane type, and cell configuration. Excellent permselectivity for sodium over nickel was attained irrespective of operating condition, membrane, or cell configuration. Studies on the effects of four different operating conditions (current density, pH, flow rate, and temperature) on ani...
Xanthine dehydrogenase expression in Neurospora crassa does not require a functional nit-2 regulatory gene.

Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) is the initial enzyme in the purine catabolic pathway ofN. crassa. Secondary nitrogen sources such as purines are metabolized when preferred sources of reduced nitrogen (ammonium or glutamine) are unavailable. XDH synthesis is regulated by glutamine repression and uric acid induction. Thenit-2 locus is believed to encode atrans-acting positive regulator essential for the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in secondary pathways of nitrogen acquisition, such as XDH and nitrate reductase. However, immunoblot analyses and enzyme assays reveal that XDH protein is synthesized and XDH activity is expressed innit-2 mutants. Nevertheless, XDH responds to nitrogen metabolite repression. The generality thatnit-2 is an obligate control element in nitrogen metabolite repression is questioned. Additionally, mutants defective in XDH activity, namely,xdh-1 and the molybdenum cofactor mutantsnit-1, -7, -8 and -9, are observed to grow on xanthine but not hypoxanthine.
Intravascular ultrasound to discern device-specific effects and mechanisms of restenosis

Abstract Restenosis continues to be the “Achilles' heel” of transcatheter interventions. While attempts to reduce restenosis by inhibiting cellular proliferation through pharmacologic or mechanical means have been unsuccessful, stents, which inhibit acute recoil and chronic remodeling, have been shown convincingly to reduce restenosis in 2 randomized clinical trials. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) allows transmural, tomographic imaging of coronary arteries in humans in vivo to subdivide restenosis into the two basic underlying components: tissue proliferation and arterial remodeling. In studies performed at the Washington Hospital Center, in nonstented lesions 73% of late lumen loss was due to arterial remodeling (a decrease in arterial, or external elastic membrane cross-sectional area) and 27% was due to tissue growth (an increase in plaque plus media cross-sectional area). These findings were confirmed by 2 other studies: the Optimal Atherectomy Restenosis Study (OARS) and the Serial Ultrasound analysis of REstenosis (SURE) Trial. IVUS was also used to study the mechanisms by which stents reduce restenosis. Stents created a larger final lumen cross-sectional area and, for all practical purposes, abolished arterial remodeling to offset a stent-related increase in neointimal tissue accumulation. Neointimal hyperplasia is solely responsible for in-stent restenosis and therefore appears to be a pure model for studying strategies to limit tissue proliferation. (Am J Cardiol 1996;78(suppl 3A):18–22)
Nonlinear optical properties of new KTiOPO4 isostructures

The atomic structures of the nonlinear optical materials potassium titanyl phosphate (KTiOPO4, or KTP) and potassium titanyl arsenate (KTiOAsO4) feature one- dimensional channels through which the potassium ions are relatively free to migrate. Ion exchange results when these materials are immersed in molten salts containing alkali metal ions. Sodium, lithium, and silver all exchange readily for K+ in single crystals of both KTP and KTA to yield the exchanged derivatives Na.95K.05TiOPO4 (NaTP), Na.83K.17TiOAsO4 (NaTA), Ag.85K.15TiOPO4 (AgTP), Ag.98K.02TiOAsO4 (AgTA), Li.45K.55TiOPO4 (KLTP), and Li.46K.54TiOAsO4 (KLTA), which are all KTP isostructures. The optical nonlinearities (measured as SHG intensities) of the limiting compositions in the NaTA, KLTP, and KLTA systems are similar to that of KTP, but are much smaller in NaTP, AgTP, and AgTA. Single crystal x-ray data have revealed differences in coordination of the mobile cations to oxygen atoms linking the TiO6 groups in these compounds, and these differences correlate with changes in optical nonlinearity. The observed nonlinearities can be rationalized if they are viewed as being dependent on the degree to which delocalized charge- transfer excited state character can be mixed into ground state bonding and nonbonding orbitals in the TiO6 chains. The relative lack of association of Na+ and Li+ ions with these chains in NaTA, KLTP, and KLTA allows extensive excited state delocalization, and thus significant electronic hyperpolarizability.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Classification of local generalized symmetries for the vacuum Einstein equations

A local generalized symmetry of a system of differential equations is an infinitesimal transformation depending locally upon the fields and their derivatives which carries solutions to solutions. We classify all local generalized symmetries of the vacuum Einstein equations in four spacetime dimensions. To begin, we analyze symmetries that can be built from the metric, curvature, and covariant derivatives of the curvature to any order; these are called natural symmetries and are globally defined on any spacetime manifold. We next classify first-order generalized symmetries, that is, symmetries that depend on the metric and its first derivatives. Finally, using results from the classification of natural symmetries, we reduce the classification of all higher-order generalized symmetries to the first-order case. In each case we find that the local generalized symmetries are infinitesimal generalized diffeomorphisms and constant metric scalings. There are no non-trivial conservation laws associated with these symmetries. A novel feature of our analysis is the use of a fundamental set of spinorial coordinates on the infinite jet space of Ricci-flat metrics, which are derived from Penrose's “exact set of fields” for the vacuum equations.
Inhibition of trichothecene toxin biosynthesis by naturally occurring shikimate aromatics

Certain naturally occurring flavonoids and furanocoumarins are inhibitors of trichothecene toxin biosynthesis. These compounds block T-2 biosynthesis in liquid cultures of Fusarium sporotrichioides NRRL 3299 at concentrations substantially less than required to block fungal growth. Inhibited cultures accumulate variable amounts of trichodiene, the hydrocarbon precursor of the trichothecenes. These inhibitors appear to block the trichothecene biosynthetic pathway after formation of trichodiene and before formation of highly oxygenated trichothecenes. Exposure to these widely occurring plant shikimate aromatics may inhibit trichothecene production during plant pathogenesis.
IRF family proteins and type I interferon induction in dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DC), although a minor population in hematopoietic cells, produce type I interferons (IFN) and other cytokines and are essential for innate immunity. They are also potent antigen presenters and regulate adaptive immunity. Among DC subtypes plasmacytoid DC (pDC) produce the highest amounts of type I IFN. In addition, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12 and IL-10 are induced in DC in response to Toll like receptor (TLR) signaling and upon viral infection. Proteins in the IRF family control many aspects of DC activity. IRF-8 and IRF-4 are essential for DC development. They differentially control the development of four DC subsets. IRF-8-/- mice are largely devoid of pDC and CD8alpha+ DC, while IRF-4-/- mice lack CD4+DC. IRF-8-/-, IRF4-/-, double knock-out mice have only few CD8a-CD4-DC that lack MHC II. IRF proteins also control type I IFN induction in DC. IRF-7, activated upon TLR signaling is required for IFN induction not only in pDC, but also in conventional DC (cDC) and non-DC cell types. IRF-3, although contributes to IFN induction in fibroblasts, is dispensable in IFN induction in DC. Our recent evidence reveals that type I IFN induction in DC is critically dependent on IRF-8, which acts in the feedback phase of IFN gene induction in DC. Type I IFN induction in pDC is mediated by MyD88 dependent signaling pathway, and differs from pathways employed in other cells, which mostly rely on TLR3 and RIG-I family proteins. Other pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced in an IRF-5 dependent manner. However, IRF-5 is not required for IFN induction, suggesting the presence of separate mechanisms for induction of type I IFN and other pro-inflammatory cytokines. IFN and other cytokines produced by activated DC in turn advance DC maturation and change the phenotype and function of DC. These processes are also likely to be governed by IRF family proteins.
Competing reactions in condensed phase combustion: wave structure and stability

We consider the use of step functions to model Arrhenius reaction terms for traveling wave solutions to combustion problems involving condensed-phase competing reactions such as those occurring in combustion synthesis via the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis process. For each reaction, the Arrhenius temperature dependence of the reaction rate is replaced by a step function. The resulting model introduces interior interfaces and allows the transport equations for energy and species to be solved explicitly within the subdomains bounded by these interfaces. The problem can then be reduced to a small number of algebraic equations describing appropriate interface conditions. We apply this methodology to study steady traveling waves with competing reactions, finding regions where multiple solutions are possible, and comparing our results with numerical calculations employing Arrhenius kinetics. We then analyze and determine regions of stability and instability for the traveling wave solutions.
Effects of Intravenous Infusion of TRH on Plasma TSH and Prolactin Concentrations in Rats

SummaryIn rats, blood was withdrawn through one of two indwelling atrial can-nulas while saline or TRH in saline was infused at a constant rate for 5 hr through the other. Plasma TSH and prolactin were measured by radioimmunoassay. Infusion of TRH at 100 ng or 1 μg/hr in ovariecto-mized and male rats as well as 4-day cyclic rats on proestrus and the first day of diestrus caused a rapid rise in plasma TSH which remained at a plateau for 5 and 2 hr, respectively. In the 1 μg/hr group, plasma TSH declined progressively during the last 3 hr of infusion. No increases in plasma TSH were measured during the 5 hr period after infusion of saline or TRH at 1 or 10 ng/hr. Plasma prolactin rose a small but significant amount only in cyclic rats infused at the 1 μg/hr rate but it decreased to basal values after 30 min of infusion even though infusion was continued. The results suggest that TRH does not prime the pituitary to release greater quantities of TSH or prolactin in response to additional stimulation by TRH. T...
State estimation using the reduced sufficient statistics algorithm

The reduced sufficient statistics (RSS) algorithm was originally developed by Kulhavy for parameter estimation only. Here, we present a modified form of the RSS algorithm which recursively computes a model posterior probability density function for the state vector. The model density is chosen to be a multidimensional Haar basis representation with dyadic scale, such that the basis functions are disjoint hypercubes. It is then shown that the model density coefficients can be obtained in closed form for this choice of basis functions. A critical part of the modified RSS algorithm is the approximation of the one-step predicted density for the state vector. It is shown that when the transition density for the state vector also has dyadic scale, that a closed-form recursion is ultimately obtained for both predicted and filtered approximating densities. Finally, an application of the algorithm to target tracking using bearings-only measurements is given.
Improving Winter Hardiness in Nondormant Alfalfa Germplasm

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) adapted to the midwestern USA typically becomes dormant in autumn to survive winter stress. Nondormant alfalfa germplasm produces higher biomass yield during autumn but usually dies during the winter. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that recurrent selection could decrease winter injury in nondormant alfalfa populations. Between 1997 and 2000, three cycles of selection were conducted at Ames, IA, in four nondormant cultivars (5939, GT13R+, CUF101, and Magna 8) by recurrently selecting the most vigorous plants in the spring following establishment. In May 2001, the original cultivars and the three cycles of selection (C0, Cl, C2, and C3) of each cultivar were transplanted with six check cultivars in the field at Ames, IA, and West Lafayette, IN. Biomass yield was measured in September and November 2001 at both locations. In November 2001, half of the plants in each plot were removed and roots were analyzed for total sugar, starch, and protein concentrations. The remaining plants were scored for winter injury in April 2002. Strong negative linear trends were observed across cycles for both winter injury and autumn plant height. In contrast, forage biomass yields showed little change. Root total sugar concentration in November increased with cycle of selection, but root starch, protein, and amino acid concentrations remained constant. Little change was noted among cycles for forage nutritive value. Selection based solely on winter injury can improve winter hardiness of nondormant populations. A concomitant decrease in autumn plant height may not affect autumn yield.
The effect of pressure on the sinking rates of the embryos of the Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba

Abstract The sinking rates of embryos of the Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba , were measured during development in the laboratory. The sinking rates were determined at two hydrostatic pressures, 10 and 1000 dbar. There was no significant difference in the sinking rates of the eggs measured at the two pressures at any time during development. The two possible effects of hydrostatic pressure—increasing the density of the seawater and compressing the embryo—are antagonistic and of the same relative magnitude. In a static water column, the effect of the physical environment on the developmentaltime and not the sinking rate appears to be the most important factor determining the depth where the embryos of E. superba hatch.