cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Weight Teasing and Disordered Eating Behaviors in Adolescents: Longitudinal Findings From Project EAT (Eating Among Teens)

OBJECTIVE. To assess whether weight-related teasing predicts the development of binge eating, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and frequent dieting among male and female adolescents. METHODS. A prospective study was conducted with an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 2516 adolescents who completed surveys at both time 1 (1998–1999) and time 2 (2003–2004) of the Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) study. RESULTS. In 1998–1999, approximately one fourth of participants reported being teased about their weight at least a few times a year. After adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and BMI, boys who were teased about their weight were more likely than their peers to initiate binge eating with loss of control and unhealthy weight control behaviors 5 years later. The predicted prevalence for incident binge eating behaviors with loss of control among boys who were teased was 4.1% as compared with 1.4% for those who were not teased, after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, SES, and BMI. For unhealthy weight control behaviors at time 2, the predicted prevalence was 27.5% among boys who were teased and 19.3% for boys who were not teased, after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, SES, and BMI. Girls who were teased were more likely than their peers to become frequent dieters. The predicted prevalence for incident frequent dieting among girls who were teased was 18.2% as compared with 11.0% for those who were not teased, after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, SES, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS. Weight teasing in adolescence predicts disordered eating behaviors at 5-year follow-up. The patterns of these associations differ by gender. Reducing teasing through educational interventions and policies may reduce the level of disordered eating behaviors among youths.
On the kinetics of thermal donor formation in silicon

A model for the kinetic growth of oxygen-related thermal donors in Czochralski silicon at about 450°C is presented. The model, which is based on the work of Suezawa and Sumino, derives forward reaction rates for the electrically active species by comparing analytic expressions for the early-time annealing kinetics with the infrared electronic absorption data. The analytic expressions, which are independent of the chemical structure of each species, result from three assumptions: (1) the donor defects beyond the first donor species (TD-1) are chemically stable at the donor formation temperature, (2) the reactions for the TD-1 and those electrically inactive clusters smaller than TD-1 are in equilibrium, and (3) the oxygen interstitial concentration remains constant for short annealing times. The parametrized values of the rate constants indicate that the forward rates of reaction vary widely between species, with a sharp peak at the reaction which takes the first electrically active species to the second. If the rate constants are taken to be of the form K = 4π RD , where R is the capture radius for the given forward reaction and D represents the effective diffusion coefficient, then the variation between reaction constants may be associated with differences in capture radii between species, with the diffusion coefficient assumed to be the value determined by Stavola et al . [Appl. Phys. Lett. 42 , 73 (1983)] for “as-provided” material, which has an activation energy of 1.95 eV. The model is successfully applied to the two available sets of infrared absorption data (the Oeder-Wagner and Suezawa-Sumino data) when differences in the annealing temperatures and initial oxygen concentrations are taken into account. The best-fit parameters found by fitting the analytic expressions are then applied to a set of chemical reaction equations which characterize the formation rates of specific oxygen aggregates. The use of such a set of coupled, nonlinear differential equations, which must be solved numerically, introduces free parameters for the oxygen clusters smaller than the first thermal donor. It is shown that the assignments of a thermal donor core containing two, three, four, or five oxygen atoms are all capable of fitting the experimental data. This result indicates that a best fit to the kinetic data cannot be used to argue for a specific thermal donor core. Finally, the authors discuss possible mechanisms for the enhanced values of the capture radii.
All-optical wavelength shifting of microwave subcarriers by using four-wave mixing in a semiconductor optical amplifier

We demonstrate all-optical wavelength shifting over 9 nm for two microwave subcarriers by using four-wave mixing in a semiconductor optical amplifier. In our experiment, the RF spectrum is relatively unaffected by wavelength shifting and the resultant system power penalty is /spl sim/0.5 dB. Such a transparent wavelength shifter may be a critical component in WDM networks supporting both subcarrier multiplexed (SCM) and high speed digital transmission.
Enhancing possible selves in Mexican American students

This project assessed the modifiability of “possible selves” in young Mexican American children. Three intervention conditions were compared in a pre- and posttest design: child-only intervention, parent and child intervention, and a no-intervention control. Following eight intervention sessions, children in the two intervention groups showed significant gains in understanding the characteristics associated with becoming a good student and in recognizing the value of education in bringing about future occupational goals. Children in the intervention conditions also reported greater interest in becoming a physician, judge, or pilot — occupations they had directly experienced during training. The parent intervention phase contributed little to augmenting the positive results attributable to the child intervention component.
Understanding the Lunar System Architecture Design Space

Based on the flexible path strategy and the desire of the international community, the lunar surface remains a destination for future human exploration. This paper explores options within the lunar system architecture design space, identifying performance requirements placed on the propulsive system that performs Earth departure within that architecture based on existing and/or near-term capabilities. The lander crew module and ascent stage propellant mass fraction are primary drivers for feasibility in multiple lander configurations. As the aggregation location moves further out of the lunar gravity well, the lunar lander is required to perform larger burns, increasing the sensitivity to these two factors. Adding an orbit transfer stage to a two-stage lunar lander and using a large storable stage for braking with a one-stage lunar lander enable higher aggregation locations than Low Lunar Orbit. Finally, while using larger vehicles enables a larger feasible design space, there are still feasible scenarios that use three launches of smaller vehicles.
Langmuir probe measurements in the anode boundary layer of a high intensity arc

Summary form only given. Anode boundary layers of high pressure, high intensity arcs are characterized by large gradients of temperature, charged particle density and gas velocity. In this study, a planar Langmuir probe has been used to study the anode boundary layer of an atmospheric pressure, high intensity transferred argon arc with lateral cold gas flow. The measurements were performed with different plasma gas flow rates (15 slpm or 18 slpm) and different arc currents (80 A or 100 A). Deviations from local thermal equilibrium (LTE) and negative anode falls were observed in all experiments, which is consistent with previous studies. The electron temperature was higher with higher plasma gas flow rate and lower current. A small increase in electron temperature was observed when the probe was moved into the plasma. When lateral gas flow was present, the arc attachment changed. With increasing argon lateral gas flow, the electron temperatures remained constant initially, then slightly increased and finally decreased. The synchronized high speed images showed the arc going from a stable attachment, to a one-sided constricted attachment on the upstream side and then to a deflected attachment. When the lateral gas was nitrogen, the electron temperature increased significantly initially and then remained constant. This increase coincided with a constriction of the attachment. The increase in electron temperature during constriction of the arc can be explained by the increase in the electrical field strength. The current density at the probe position was calculated by interpolating the probe characteristic curve, and the resulting values show the same behavior as the electron temperature. A simple method was used to estimate the electron density at the sheath edge and the measured electron density was in the order of 1020 m-3 to 5*1020 m-3
Physics-based 1/ f noise model for MOSFETs with nitrided high- κ gate dielectrics

Abstract A physics-based low frequency noise model has been developed for MOSFET devices with nitrided high- κ gate dielectric materials. The new model is built upon the correlated carrier number and surface mobility fluctuations theory, where the original Unified Model was modified to take into account the multilayered structure of the high- κ gate dielectrics, and the resultant charge carrier tunneling process in terms of a two-step cascaded barrier instead of a single step barrier. The new model eliminates the discrepancies previously reported for the dielectric trap density values extracted from noise data using the original Unified Model for flicker noise. The dielectric trap density, typically taken as an average or spatially uniform in the dielectric and constant with respect to energy, is replaced here with an exponential expression dependent on the band-gap energy along with a spatial distribution of the traps in the high- κ layer. Thus, due to the energy dependence of the trap density, bending of the energy bands induces an additional non-uniformity in the spatial trap distribution. Implementation of this expression also provides the much needed flexibility in simulating realistic trap profiles in high- κ materials. Here, MOSFETs with nitrided dielectrics were considered for the noise experiments, as nitridation presents many advantages for the electrical and thermal characteristics of the gate insulator. Variable temperature low frequency noise and mobility measurements have been performed on MOSFETs with nitrided high- κ dielectric. Phonon scattering was found to have a profound effect on the mobility behavior, but no consequence on the low frequency noise characteristics. The low frequency noise data obtained on devices with different interfacial layer thicknesses and different regions of transistor operation was successfully compared with the predictions of the newly developed Multi Stack Unified Noise (MSUN) Model over a temperature range of 172–300 K.
α‐Mannosidase‐1 mutants of Dictyostelium dkoideum: Early aggregation‐essential genes regulate enzyme precursor synthesis, modification, and processing

The lysosomal enzyme alpha-mannosidase-1 is one of the earliest developmentally controlled gene products in Dictyostelium discoideum. Although this enzyme is synthesized throughout the first 20 h of development, it is not required for complete morphogenesis, since structural gene (manA) mutants lacking activity develop normally. We isolated six strains deficient in alpha-mannosidase-1 activity which, unlike structural gene mutants, fail to aggregate. Fruiting revertants of these strains accumulate wild-type levels of alpha-mannosidase-1 activity, suggesting that both the enzymatic and morphological defects are caused by single mutations in nonstructural genes essential for early development. Direct genetic evidence for mutations outside of the structural gene was obtained by complementation analysis. We used alpha-mannosidase-1-specific monoclonal antibodies to analyze the biochemical defects in these mad (alpha-mannosidase-1-deficient) mutants. All mad mutants show a significantly reduced relative rate of enzyme precursor biosynthesis. The mad-404 mutation results in a complete lack of precursor biosynthesis, as well as a lack of functional alpha-mannosidase-1 mRNA. In some cases, however, the enzymatic defect results from improper post-translational modification which affects precursor processing. We conclude that a small number of aggregation-essential genes are involved in regulating the synthesis, modification, and processing of alpha-mannosidase-1 during development.
A dose-finding clinical trial of staphylokinase SY162 in patients with long-term venous access catheter thrombotic occlusion.

Background We investigated the safety and efficacy of several dosing regimens of catheter-directed staphylokinase (SY162) bolus administration for the treatment of long-term venous access catheter occlusion.
Characterization and pore structure analysis of a copper ore containing chrysocolla

Abstract The physical and chemical characteristics of a chrysocolla-bearing copper ore have been investigated with special emphasis on elucidation of its pore structure through gas adsorption techniques. The effect of such variables as particle size and outgassing temperature on the pore structure and size distribution has been investigated in detail. The results obtained show that the chrysocolla is a microporous solid and that its microporous nature can be considerably altered by heat treatment around 550°C. A possible reason for the so-called “thermal activation of chrysocolla” has been postulated.
Feeding Behavior of Larvae of Anasa tristis (Heteroptera: Coreidae) on Pumpkin and Cucumber

The early development and feeding behavior of larvae of Anasa tristis (DeGeer) on cucumber, Cucumis sativus L., and pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo L., were compared. First-instar A. tristis development is similar on pumpkin, cucumber, and water alone. Second-instar A. tristis develop to 3rd instar on pumpkin but do not gain substantial weight on cucumber or water alone. Reduction in feeding is at least partly responsible and could be entirely responsible for lack of growth of 2nd-instar A. tristis on cucumber. Both initiation of feeding and feeding duration are reduced. However, 2nd-instar A. tristis can extract nutrients from plants that are not suitable for development. Feeding behavior of 2nd-instar A. tristis may reflect a balance between subsisting on available plants and moving to a suitable plant.
A finite volume method for numerical grid generation

A novel method to generate body-fitted grids based on the direct solution for three scalar functions is derived. The solution for scalar variables ξ, η and ζ is obtained with a conventional finite volume method based on a physical space formulation. The grid is adapted or re-zoned to eliminate the residual error between the current solution and the desired solution, by means of an implicit grid-correction procedure. The scalar variables are re-mapped and the process is reiterated until convergence is obtained. Calculations are performed for a variety of problems by assuming combined Dirichlet–Neumann and pure Dirichlet boundary conditions involving the use of transcendental control functions, as well as functions designed to effect grid control automatically on the basis of boundary values. The use of dimensional analysis to build stable exponential functions and other control functions is demonstrated. Automatic procedures are implemented: one based on a finite difference approximation to the Cristoffel terms assuming local-boundary orthogonality, and another designed to procure boundary orthogonality. The performance of the new scheme is shown to be comparable with that of conventional inverse methods when calculations are performed on benchmark problems through the application of point-by-point and whole-field solution schemes. Advantages and disadvantages of the present method are critically appraised. Copyright © 1999 National Research Council of Canada.
Some Boundary Considerations in the Application of Motivation Models

From the actor's perspective, a behavioral environment can be typified by two continuous dimensions, knowledge of potential outcomes and knowledge of causal relationships among environmental elements. These dimensions determine the situational ambiguity perceived by the actor. Expectancy, equity, operant conditioning, and attitude theories of motivation are considered in such ambiguous environments. Propositions are set forth which allow the researcher to select the most predictive motivation model.
Reducing the Energy Demand of Cellulosic Ethanol through Salt Extractive Distillation Enabled by Electrodialysis

One of the main challenges when a biochemical conversion technique is employed to produce cellulosic ethanol is the low concentration of ethanol in the fermentation broth, which increases the energy demand for recovering and purifying ethanol to fuel grade. In this study, two design cases implementing salt extractive distillation—with salt recovery enabled by a novel scheme of electrodialysis and spray drying—along with heat integrated distillation techniques of double-effect distillation and direct vapor recompression are investigated through process simulation with Aspen Plus® 2006.5 for reducing the thermal energy demand. Conventional distillation along with molecular sieve based dehydration is considered as the base case. Salt extractive distillation along with direct vapor recompression is found to be the most economical ethanol recovery approach for cellulosic ethanol with a thermal energy demand of 7.1 MJ/L (natural gas energy equivalents, higher heating value), which corresponds to a thermal energ...
Clinical observations on the effect of carotid artery occlusion on cerebral blood flow mapped by xenon computed tomography and its correlation with carotid artery back pressure.

Abstract Xenon computed tomographic cerebral blood flow mapping was correlated with internal carotid artery stump pressures and clinical neurologic assessment during temporary internal carotid artery occlusion. One hundred fourteen patients with skull base tumors or intracranial aneurysms potentially requiring carotid resection or ligation underwent angiography, xenon CT cerebral blood flow mapping, and internal carotid artery blood pressure monitoring. The internal carotid artery was then temporarily occluded with a balloon catheter, stump pressure was measured through the catheter, and the xenon CT cerebral blood flow mapping was repeated. Adequate xenon CT cerebral blood flow was defined as >30 cc/100 gm/min. All patients had normal xenon CT cerebral blood flow before internal carotid artery occlusion. During internal carotid artery occlusion, xenon CT cerebral blood flow was found to be normal (group I, 40 patients), globally reduced but still within the normal range (group II, 50 patients), or low in the distribution of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (group III, 13 patients). With balloon occlusion, an immediate neurologic deficit developed in 11 patients (9%) requiring deflation of the balloon preceding xenon CT cerebral blood flow measurement (group IV). In group I internal carotid artery blood pressure was 128 mm Hg. (range 85 to 171 mm Hg) with stump pressure 86 mm Hg (range 46 to 125 mm Hg). In group II internal carotid artery blood pressure was 130 mm Hg. (range 78 to 199 mm Hg), with stump pressure 86 mm Hg (range 31 to 150 mm Hg). In group III internal carotid artery blood pressure was 135 mm Hg (range 95 to 194 mm Hg) with stump pressure 64 mm Hg (range 37 to 106 mm Hg). In group IV internal carotid artery blood pressure was 117 mm Hg (range 90 to 148 mm Hg), with stump pressure 62 mm Hg (range 23 to 100 mm Hg) p
Analysis of RC Structures with Carbon-Nanofiber Concrete

Concrete has been used as the major construction material for many years in the field of civil engineering because of its high compressive strength and constructability. In order to restrict the growth of micro cracks, Carbon-Nanofibers (CNF's) were added to the concrete mix. The concentration of CNF in concrete mix also yields higher strength and ductility. Uniaxial compression tests on CNF concrete were conducted to find the best CNF concentration. To evaluate the performance of CNF concrete, experiments were conducted at the University of Houston (UH) and an inelastic non-linear fiber beam element with bending, shear and axial force interaction for the analysis of reinforced concrete structures was developed and evaluated to correlate with the experimental results.
Muddling Through Metaphors to Maturity: A Commentary on Kasperson et al., The Social Amplification of Risk1

The authors of this paper have taken a bold and important step, arguing for integration of the various paradigms that have been proposed to account for human behavior towards environmental and technological risks. The fragmentation of social, cultural, and psychological paradigms has impeded their application by even the most enlightened risk managers. Realizing that there is more to human behavior than probabilistic risk analysis, they may turn to behavioral scientists for guidance, only to be faced by apparent theoretical disarray. Hence their “reaffirmation of technical risk assessment, which at least provides definite answers (however narrow or misleading) to urgent risk problems.” The paper raises many substantive issues, and points out future directions to pursue if we are to integrate (1) the multiple insights offered by the various behavioral-science approaches and (2) the behavioral and engineering approaches to risk analysis. Precisely because Kasperson et al. are embarked upon a research program of critical value to understanding risk and society, it behooves us to examine carefully the social amplification metaphor before embracing it as the vehicle for unifying risk analysis. Metaphors are good to think with; indeed, to some extent all conscious thought, including scientific theory, is inescapably suspended in metaphor. The difference between theory and metaphor is that whereas a metaphor describes a phenomenon, a theory proposes if-then entailments about it. No such predictive hypotheses are offered in the present text; but the authors write about social amplification as if
Cortical cholinergic markers in schizophrenia

Abstract Cortical cholinergic deficits have been implicated in the cognitive deficits produced by a variety of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies have suggested that many of the chronically institutionalized geriatric schizophrenic patients are also cognitvely impaired. In this postmortem study we compared cholinergic marker activity in six different cortical regions derived from elderly controls, chronically institutionalized geriatric schizophrenic patients, and AD patients. All of the Alzheimer's disease cases met neuropathological criteria for AD, while none of the schizophrenic cases met criteria for AD. Cholinergic marker activity (choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase) was significantly diminished in the AD cohort but not in the schizophrenic cohort. Additionally, cortical choline acetyltransferase activity was significantly and negatively correlated with Clinical Dementia Rating scores (CDR), whereas no such correlations were evident in the schizophrenic cohort. These results suggest that cognitive deficits in geriatric schizophrenics are not due to diminished cortical cholinergic activity.
Building energy model reduction for model predictive control using OpenStudio

Model-based predictive control for buildings is an active area of research. Significant effort has been placed on developing accurate and computationally efficient reduced-order models that can be implemented in predictive controllers. During a building's design and construction process, detailed building models are often created by experienced building modelers. These models are often too complex to be directly implemented in control applications. Reducing these models to low-order models can be time-consuming and require additional skills beyond those possessed by building modelers. In this paper we demonstrate simple reduction of building models using the OpenStudio analysis framework in a script-based environment. OpenStudio is a cross-platform tool for modeling and analysis of building energy systems. A reduced-order model is created for a simple building and an economic-based model predictive controller is used to minimize summertime cooling costs in an electricity market with real-time pricing.
Discrepant Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Results in Pregnant Women Screened to Identify Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Objective To resolve discrepant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) results for pregnant women screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Study design A case was defined as discrepant HBsAg (reactive followed by non-reactive) result during the same pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined a convenience sample of cases passively reported by US Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Programs. Using a standard form, available results were obtained for hepatitis B tests and vaccination histories. Results were independently reviewed by 3 viral hepatitis experts and a clinical virologist to resolve discrepancies. The initial HBsAg result was classified as probable true positive, probable false positive, or unresolved. Results From April 2009-December 2011, 142 (75.9%) of 187 reported discrepant cases met the case definition. Of the 142 initial reactive HBsAg results, 113 (79.5%) were laboratory-confirmed, and 89 (62.7%) were resolved. Among these 89 cases, the initial test was a probable true positive in 14 (15.7%), and a false positive in 75 (84.3%). Total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen was positive for 11 (78.6%) of the true positive cases and negative for 67 (89.3%) of the false positive cases. True positives included 2 cases of resolving acute HBV infection and one case recently given hepatitis B vaccination. Conclusions In this retrospective analysis of discrepant HBsAg-reactive screening results from pregnant women, the majority were false positives, but true positives occurred. Testing for total hepatitis B core antibody, an indicator of past or current HBV infection, was useful for resolving discrepancies.
Molecular composites formed by solutions of a rodlike polymer (PBT) in polyphosphoric acid

Abstract Nematic solutions of the rodlike poly(1,4-phenylene-2,6-benzobisthiazole), PBT, in polyphosphoric acid, PPA, have been aligned in a shear flow to form a molecular composite. The tensile creep and recovery behaviour are studied to reveal a solidlike behaviour (no viscous flow) with a substantial Young's modulus E . X-ray diffraction studies show PBT to be aligned in the flow direction, and suggest that PPA oligomers may be oriented orthogonal to the PBT. The latter may reflect specific solvation of PBT by PPA. Values of E are compared with predictions from composite theory.
mLogic: ultra-low voltage non-volatile logic circuits using STT-MTJ devices

This paper introduces the design of logic circuits based exclusively on novel magnetoelectronic devices. Current signals are steered by 2× resistance change switching while operating with sub-100 mV voltage pulses for power and synchronization. The inherent memory of the devices results in fully pipelined nonvolatile logic. We demonstrate that co-optimization of the devices, circuits and logic can achieve ultra-low energy-per-operation for design examples.
Teaching and Learning in Two Languages: Bilingualism and Schooling in the United States

Abstract Teaching and Learning in Two Languages: Bilingualism and Schooling in the United States. Eugene E. Garcia, New York: Teachers College Press, 2005, 216 pages, US$29.95 (paper)
Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of 3-hydroxy, 2-methoxy sodium butanoate from the leaves of Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f.

The leaves of Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f. have been used in the Indian traditional system of medicine to treat several inflammatory diseases and arthritis. The aim of the present study was to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of the leaves of C. phlomidis and to isolate the active principle by bioactivity guided fractionation. To find the anti-inflammatory constituents from this plant, fractionations were performed with concurrent bioassays. Carrageenan-induced inflammation and Freund complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritic rat models were used. The anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of the isolated compound were studied by assessing the histology of the joints, levels of lysosomal enzymes, protein-bound carbohydrates, acute phase protein, etc., in plasma, as well as by estimating the levels and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the joints. Repeated fractionations and bioassays yielded a novel bioactive compound: 3-hydroxy, 2-methoxy-sodium butanoate. Treatment with this compound reduced the paw edema induced by carrageenan and FCA dose dependently. The levels of lysosomal enzymes and protein-bound carbohydrates decreased significantly upon treatment with the compound. The level of plasma acute phase protein was also decreased compared with control animals. Protein levels and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF, IL-1 and IL-6 in the joints were decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner and the histopathological data also added evidence of the anti-arthritic property of the compound. The 3-hydroxy,2-methoxy sodium butanoate isolated from plant leaves displays considerable potency in anti-inflammatory action and has a prominent anti-arthritic effect. This is the first report of this natural compound with bioactivity.
On the epireflective hull of topological nearness groups in the category of nearness groups

To find the specific nature of the objects that are in the epireflective hull of the symmetric topological spaces in the category of nearness spaces is a long open problem. See [BCH05] for more information. Here we consider topological nearness groups as a full subcategory of nearness groups and ask the analogous question regarding its epireflective hull. Some partial results are presented.
Are there lessons for the future of news from the 2008 presidential campaign

When news does its job, attentive citizens are better able to understand both the challenges facing the country and the competing visions of those seeking to lead it. Indeed, some argue that “the purpose of journalism is to provide people with the information they need to be free and self-governing.” In years past, those studying media have reliably found that consumers of traditional news were better informed about issues of national concern. However, the growth of a new media culture in which partisans are able to envelop themselves in like-minded content raises a question: in the world of ideologically tinged cable news, opiniontalk radio, and viral email, does news in any of its various incarnations still sift fact from fabrication and, in the process, heighten a voter’s knowledge about those aspiring to lead?
Strong anion/surface interactions: perchlorate reduction on Rh(100) electrode studied by voltammetry

La reduction des ions perchlorates sur une electrode de rhodium (100) avec une formation de chlore est examinee par voltammetrie
The essex earthquake of 1884

The largest British earthquake to occur in several hundred years took place in Essex, in the south east of England, in 1884. From contemporary accounts and a recent visit to the area affected by the earthquake, the intensity of the earthquake was assessed. It is estimated that the peak accelerations generated may have been as much as 0.1 g. This would be of consequence to some modern structures, designed without earthquake provisions.
AGA: Interactive pipeline for reproducible gene expression and DNA methylation data analyses

Automated Genomics Analysis (AGA) is an interactive program to analyze high-throughput genomic data sets on a variety of platforms. An easy to use, point and click, guided pipeline is implemented to combine, define, and compare datasets, and customize their outputs. In contrast to other automated programs, AGA enables flexible selection of sample groups for comparison from complex sample annotations. Batch correction techniques are also included to further enable the combination of datasets from diverse studies in this comparison. AGA also allows users to save plots, tables and data, and log files containing key portions of the R script run for reproducible analyses. The link between the interface and R supports collaborative research, enabling advanced R users to extend preliminary analyses generated from bioinformatics novices.
Sex and the single cell: meiosis in yeast

Recent studies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have significantly advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of meiotic chromosome behavior. Structural components of the synaptonemal complex have been identified and studies of mutants defective in synapsis have provided insight into the role of the synaptonemal complex in homolog pairing, genetic recombination, crossover interference, and meiotic chromosome segregation. There is compelling evidence that most or all meiotic recombination events initiate with double-strand breaks. Several intermediates in the double-strand break repair pathway have been characterized and mutants blocked at different steps in the pathway have been identified. With the application of genetic, molecular, cytological, and biochemical methods in a single organism, we can expect an increasingly comprehensive and unified view of the meiotic process.
Risk of arrhythmic and nonarrhythmic death in patients with heart failure and chronic kidney disease

Background Optimal utilization of therapies effective at preventing arrhythmic death but not nonarrhythmic death, for example, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), is challenging in patients with concomitant heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), given the association of both conditions with competing risks of death. Objectives We examined the risk of arrhythmic and nonarrhythmic mortality in patients with different severities of HF and CKD. Methods Using individual patient data from the SOLVD, we categorized HF by New York Heart Association class and CKD severity by estimated glomerular filtration rate. Cox models with HF and CKD stages as time-dependent covariates were used to calculate hazard ratios for arrhythmic and nonarrhythmic death adjusted for age, gender, and enalapril allocation. Results Among 6,378 patients without an ICD (age 60 ± 10, left ventricular ejection fraction 27 ± 6, male 86%), there were 421 arrhythmic and 1188 nonarrhythmic deaths over a median follow-up of 34 months. Worse HF or CKD stages were associated with increased risk of both arrhythmic and nonarrhythmic death. The increase in the risk of nonarrhythmic death in the worst HF stage was disproportionately higher than that of arrhythmic death, and this disproportionate effect was more exaggerated in the presence of more advanced CKD. Conclusion While advanced CKD and HF stages are associated with increased risk of arrhythmic and nonarrhythmic death, benefits of ICDs in patients with more advanced disease may be limited by the preponderance of nonarrhythmic death.
Should We Consider a Subject's Knowledge of the Etiologic Hypothesis in the Analysis of Case-Control Studies?

In the context of a case-control study of vitamin supplements and neural tube defects, Werler et al. (JAMA 1993;269:1257-61) have argued that respondents who are aware of the etiologic hypothesis might particularly be prone to misreport their exposure status. They suggest that excluding such participants could offer the best chance for obtaining a valid risk estimate. However, knowledge of an etiologic hypothesis can be the reason for a person's being exposed or nonexposed. In addition, exposed cases selectively may become aware of the etiologic hypothesis after being diagnosed. If one of these, and not recall bias, is the basis for an association between knowledge of the hypothesis and exposure status, then "knowledgeable" subjects should be retained in the analysis so as not to compromise the precision or validity of the results.
Iatrogenic Hypoglycemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Comparison of Insulin Analog Premixes and Human Insulin Premixes

Severe iatrogenic--or therapy-induced--hypoglycemia has been associated with mortality rates as high as 10% in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and is therefore one of the most significant barriers to glucose management in this patient population. Therapy with modern insulin analogs has been shown to cause significantly less hypoglycemic episodes than human insulins in basal-bolus regimens. This systematic review examines whether a similar benefit has been observed with the insulin analog premixes (aspart 70/30, lispro 75/25, or lispro 50/50) relative to human insulin premix (human 70/30). Consistent with a prior meta-analysis, the results presented here reconfirm that overall hypoglycemia risk is similar after treatment with either an analog premix or a human premix in many populations of patients with T2DM. However, several studies found a benefit for the analog premixes in a subset of patients who were under more challenging glucometabolic conditions, in particular those later in disease progression or those undergoing post-injection exercise. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies indicate that this may occur because a larger proportion of total analog premix activity is absorbed and utilized during the immediate postprandial period, when it is most acutely needed, compared with human premixes. Consequently, with analog premixes, less insulin activity is available during the inter-meal fasting period, when hypoglycemia is most likely to occur. Given the clinical significance of iatrogenic hypoglycemia, these potential hypoglycemic benefits of analog premixes relative to human premixes in some patients with T2DM may need to be factored into the therapeutic decision-making process.
Computer-Aided sphenoid sinus surgery

Abstract Over the last decade, rhinologic surgeons have increasingly incorporated computer-aided surgery (CAS) technology into a wide variety of sphenoid sinus procedures. This paper reviews the concepts of registration and surgical navigation accuracy. Specific applications of CAS for sphenoid sinus surgery are described. Finally, limitations of currently available CAS platforms are reviewed, and possible future CAS developments are explored.
Moving object detection with laser scanners

The detection and tracking of moving objects is an essential task in robotics. The CMU-RI Navlab group has developed such a system that uses a laser scanner as its primary sensor. We will describe our algorithm and its use in several applications. Our system worked successfully on indoor and outdoor platforms and with several different kinds and configurations of two-dimensional and three-dimensional laser scanners. The applications vary from collision warning systems, people classification, observing human tracks, and input to a dynamic planner. Several of these systems were evaluated in live field tests and shown to be robust and reliable. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MR imaging relaxation times of abdominal and pelvic tissues measured in vivo at 3.0 T: preliminary results.

PURPOSE: To measure T1 and T2 relaxation times of normal human abdominal and pelvic tissues and lumbar vertebral bone marrow at 3.0 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relaxation time was measured in six healthy volunteers with an inversion-recovery method and different inversion times and a multiple spin-echo (SE) technique with different echo times to measure T1 and T2, respectively. Six images were acquired during one breath hold with a half-Fourier acquisition single-shot fast SE sequence. Signal intensities in regions of interest were fit to theoretical curves. Measurements were performed at 1.5 and 3.0 T. Relaxation times at 1.5 T were compared with those reported in the literature by using a one-sample t test. Differences in mean relaxation time between 1.5 and 3.0 T were analyzed with a two-sample paired t test. RESULTS: Relaxation times (mean ± SD) at 3.0 T are reported for kidney cortex (T1, 1,142 msec ± 154; T2, 76 msec ± 7), kidney medulla (T1, 1,545 msec ± 142; T2, 81 msec ± 8), liver (T1, 809 msec ± 7...
Optimal multi-server stochastic scheduling of two interconnected priority queues

Summary form only given, as follows. A number of jobs on two interconnected queues are to be processed by m identical servers. The servers operate in parallel, so that every server can process any job. Jobs in queue i, i=1,2, incur an instantaneous holding cost C/sub i/ during the time they remain in the system. The service time for jobs in queue i, denoted by X/sub i/, is a random variable with a general distribution. The interconnection process is independent of the service process. We establish sufficient conditions on the service times, the holding costs and the interconnection process under which the nonpreemptive scheduling strategy that gives priority to queue 1 minimizes the total expected /spl alpha/-discounted cost. We call this strategy P/sub i/. We present counterexamples showing that if any of the sufficient conditions is not satisfied P/sub 1/ may not be optimal, and that the optimal policy for the single-server problem is not necessarily optimal for the multiserver problem. >
Oligonucleotide-europium complex conjugate designed to cleave the 5′ cap structure of the ICAM-1 transcript potentiates antisense activity in cells

The 5' cap structure of mRNA is a N7 methylated guanosine residue that is linked by a 5'-5' triphosphate linkage to the 5'-terminus of cellular and viral RNAs synthesized by RNA polymerase II. This unique structure facilitates several processes of mRNA metabolism, including splicing, nucleocytoplasmic transport,initiation of translation, and degradation. Previous research has demonstrated that the lanthanide macrocycle complex, Eu(THED)3+, effectively cleaves the 5' cap structure of mRNA in solution by nucleophilic attack of the triphosphate linkage via the metal-activated hydroxyethyl group of the THED ligand. This report shows that attachment of a Eu(THED)3+analog to the 3'-terminus of an antisense oligonucleotide, which targets the 5'-terminus of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 mRNA, potentiates the inhibitory activity of the antisense oligonucleotide in cytokine-treatedendothelial cells.
Analysis of NAD+ in picomole amounts with sodium [32P]pyrophosphate and NAD-pyrophosphorylase.

Abstract A new method is described for the determination of NAD + in picomole amounts. An enzymatic coupling system of NAD-pyrophosphorylase and hexokinase is used to convert sodium [ 32 P]pyrophosphate and NAD + to [ 32 P]ADP, glucose 6-[ 32 P]phosphate, and NMN. The key step in this analysis is the selective adsorption of the reaction product [ 32 P]ADP, onto activated charcoal with a solution of 1 m K 2 HPO 4 :10% trichloroacetic acid (1:3, v/v, pH 2). The range of concentrations of NAD + that can be measured is 1–200 pmol. The simplicity of the method allows as many as 180 samples to be assayed in 4–5 h. This procedure has been used to quantitate NAD + in crude extracts of germinating wheat embryos.
Stripe Sensor Tomography and application to microcoil Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has undergone a multitude of innovations in the past decade. In conventional MRI, the major contribution to image resolution is the strength of the gradient magnetic fields used for frequency and phase encoding. A novel imaging technique, Stripe Sensor Tomography (SST), replaces conventional 2-D radiation required for radiation tomography by a linear array sensor and angular scanning. SST can be applied to MRI where the array replaces the receiver antenna and 2D electromagnetic radiation (magnetic field gradients in MRI) are no longer required to acquire a MR image. This prospect of Stripe Sensor Tomography in the application of MRI is demonstrated in the submicron scale [2].
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SURFACTANTS VII. GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF BRASSOCATTLEYA(ORCHIDACEAE)SEEDLINGS

SUMMARY Phytotoxicity of a homologous series of sulphobetaine surfactants, 3-(alkyldimethyl-ammonio)1-propanesulphonates, on Brassocattleya orchids increased with increasing alkyl chain length from eight to 14 carbon atoms of the lipophile, levelled off and then declined with the 18 carbon derivative. Because of its high Krafft point the latter had reduced solubility at the assay temperature. Interfacial tensions of the nutrient solutions, measured against a test lipid, declined in parallel with the observed phytotoxicity. This and previous findings strongly support the suggestion that disruption of cellular membranes by surface active agents plays a key role in their toxicity.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase in Pfiesteria piscicida and its growth rate-related expression

A full-length cDNA (1,434 bp) of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a key molecule of a signal transduction cascade, was isolated from the estuarine heterotrophic dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida. This cDNA (Ppmapk1) encoded a protein (PpMAPK1) of 428 amino acid residues that shared about 30 to 40% amino acid similarity with MAPKs in other organisms. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that PpMAPK1 was tightly clustered with MAPK3 in protozoans. Using reverse transcription-PCR, expression of this gene was evaluated for P. piscicida cultures grown under different conditions. While salinity shock, heat shock, starvation, and a subsequent encounter with prey did not appear to affect expression of this gene, Ppmapk1 expression level was correlated with growth rate, suggesting involvement of this gene in the regulation of cell proliferation in the organism.
Abdominoperineal Resection in the Treatment of Locally-advanced Low Rectal Cancer: Is Preoperative Chemoradiation Advantageous?

Purpose: An abdominoperineal resection (APR) has a poor prognosis. However, limited studies about the prognostic factors in APR and the role of preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) have been performed even though in rectal cancer, the application of preoperative CRT provides better local control compared to postoperative CRT. The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic factors and the impact of preoperative CRT in patients who undergo an APR. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted with a total of 133 patients who underwent an APR, cT3, cT4, or cN(+) patients, for rectal cancer between January 1995 and October 2004. Fifty-one patients treated with preoperative CRT (Group 1) were compared with 82 APR patients treated with postoperative CRT (Group 2). Oncologic outcomes were compared between the two groups, and the clinicopathologic factors affecting the treatment outcomes were evaluated. Results: The median follow-up period was 61.2 mo (range 6 to 194 mo). Circumferential margin (CRM) involvement was significantly associated with local recurrence (LR) and with disease-free survival in APR patients (P<0.001, P=0.011). The 5-yr LR rate was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P=0.013) in the univariate analysis, but no difference was noted in multivariate analysis (P=0.315). In Group 1, CRM involvement, tumor size, and lymph node metastasis were significantly lower than they were in Group 2 (P=0.043, P=0.003, P<0.001). Conclusion: For achieving adequate oncologic outcomes in APR patients, an adequate CRM should be acquired with an optimal operation. In addition, preoperative CRT would be helpful for high-risk APR patients with a threatening CRM margin, providing the benefit of tumor downstaging.