cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo gene transfer and overexpression of focal adhesion kinase (pp125 FAK) mediated by recombinant adenovirus-induced tendon adhesion formation and epitenon cell change

Adhesion formation is a frequent complication of tendon injury repair: however, little is known about its mechanisms. The intracellular focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-related signaling pathway may be one of the mechanisms involved in the induction of tendon adhesions. The replication deficient adenovirus containing the FAK gene (pp125 FAK) was constructed and named Adv-Fak. By in vitro transductions with the recombinant virus, overexpression of the FAK protein was documented in transduced cultured primary tendon cells. By in vivo direct injection of Adv-FAK into the space between the tendon and tendon sheath of White Leghorn chickens, FAK gene transfer with overexpression of the FAK protein was detected by immunohistological staining. The morphology of these stained cells changed from the normal flat shape to cuboid. The group with overexpressed adenovirus-mediated FAK had significant adhesion formation, as seen by increased work of flexion (118.197 +/- 29.616), compared with the group with overexpressed adenovirus-mediated beta-galactosidase (67.507 +/- 36.066) (p < 0.0393) and the group with adenovirus-mediated FAK antisense gene transfer (60.357 +/- 48.562) (p < 0.0211). Histological examination of the samples from tendons with Adv-FAK showed fibers between the tendon and tendon sheath; there were no fibers in the cavities of samples of injured tendons infected with Adv-beta gal. Moreover, at the application site of the former tendons, a thick fiber layer without epitenon cells was built up on the outer surface, whereas a thin fiber layer with clear epitenon cells was observed in the tendons to which Adv-beta gal was applied. Our results show that overexpression of FAK can induce tendon adhesion formation in vivo. This indicates that FAK and the FAK-related signaling pathway may be involved in the process of tendon adhesion formation. Understanding the details of this process may help to prevent tendon adhesion and improve healing.
Non-polar GaInN-based light-emitting diodes: an approach for wavelength-stable and polarized-light emitters

In absence of piezoelectric polarization along the growth axis, a- and m-plane green GaInN light emitting diodes manifest stable emission wavelength -- independent of the injection current density. The shift of the dominant wavelength is less than 8 nm when varying the forward current density from 0.1 to 38 A/cm2. Furthermore, the light emitted from the growth surface of such non-polar structures shows a very degree of linear polarization. This is attributed to a strong valance band splitting in such anisotropically strained wurtzite GaInN quantum wells . Such light emitting diodes show a high potential for energy efficient display applications.
Simulating the influence of stocking rate, sward height and density on steer productivity and grazing behavior

Abstract A simulation model was written to study how sward characteristics affect steer performance and the grazing behavior of steers. This model, called INTERFACE, simulates grazing behaviour as affected by both horizontal and vertical distribution of forage quality throughout simulated swards. Simulated steers grazed small, rectangular pastures containing a tall fescue monoculture. Horizontally, the pasture was divided into 12 equally-sized sites with the water and mineral source both located in one site. Steers randomly selected a site for grazing. Vertically, the sward was divided into five layers, each of which varied in quality, i.e. proportion of cell wall, nitrogen, minerals or lignin. Results of trial simulations indicated that steers spent more time grazing sites near the water source and progressively less as distance from the water source increased. Grazing time increased as the sward became shorter and more inferior in quality. Although this model simulates diet selection simply as a random process, grazing time comparisons with actual grazing data suggest that this assumption may be adequate. This model can be used to test hypotheses about grazing behavior as influenced by forage quality and sward height.
Improved detection of botulinum neurotoxin type A in stool by mass spectrometry.

Abstract Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most toxic substances known to humankind. Rapid and sensitive detection of BoNTs is necessary for timely clinical confirmation of the disease state in botulism. BoNTs cleave proteins and peptide mimics at specific sites. A mass spectrometry (MS)-based method, Endopep–MS, can detect these cleavages and has detection limits of 0.05–0.5 mouse LD 50 (U) in serum, depending on the BoNT serotypes. In this method, the products generated from cleavage of peptide substrates using antibody affinity-purified toxins are detected by MS. Nonspecific bound endogenous proteases or peptidases in stool can coextract with the toxin, cleaving the peptide substrates and reducing the sensitivity of the method. Here we report a method to reduce nonspecific substrate cleavage by reducing stool protease coextraction in the Endopep–MS assay.
Internal hydrogen bonding in gaseous 3-aminoacrolein: an electron-diffraction investigation augmented by ab initio calculations of its molecular structure and conformational composition

Abstract The molecular structure of 3-aminoacrolein has been investigated in the gas phase by electron diffraction, aided by ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the HF 6–31 G ∗ level and normal coordinate analyses. Of the four possible planar or near planar conformers cis s -cis (CSC), trans s -cis (TSC), trans s -trans (TST), and cis s -trans (CST) where the symbols refer respectively to orientations about the CC and CC bonds, CSC is found to be the overwhelmingly dominant conformer in agreement with the MO results. Assuming planarity of the CSC form, which is consistent with the theoretical results to within 0.1° in all torsion angles, the values of its structural parameters ( r g A and ∠ α ) and mole fraction ( x ) with rough estimates of 2σ uncertainties are 〈 r (NH)〉 = 1.002 (26), 〈 r (CH)〉 = 1.086 (20), r (CO) = 1.232 (7), r (CN) = 1.358 (26), r (CC) = 1.363 (31), r (CC) = 1.424 (18), ∠OCC = 127.0 (32), ∠NCC = 124.2 (57), ∠CCC = 120.7 (28), ∠H 6 NC = 119.5 (33), ∠H 7 NC = 122.1 (32), ∠H 1.8 CC = 119.3 (33), ∠H 10 CC = 116.1 (33), ∠CCNH 7 = 180.0, ∠CCNH 6 = 0.0, ∠CCCN = 0.0, ∠CCCO = 0.0, x = 0.98 (41). These values are reasonable, but should be accepted with care because of data contamination caused by sample decomposition during the experiments. However, although the measured composition is subject to considerable experimental uncertainty, the combined theoretical and experimental evidence leaves no doubt that only very small amounts of conformers other than CSC can be present. The relative stability of the CSC form is surely due in large part to the formation of a NH…O internal hydrogen bond.
Oxidation-reduction treatment of rhodium supported on nonporous silica spheres

Abstract The structure of Rh crystallites subjected to oxidation—reduction treatment has been investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The Rh was supported on 130-nm nonporous silica spheres so that the three-dimensional structure of the metal crystallites could be readily observed. After oxidation at 823 K and subsequent reduction at 473 K, the particles show images characterized by a lower contrast at the center. The edge-on views confirm that the particles are not toroidal but near spherical with a void at the center. This morphology is a result of the density difference between Rh metal and its oxide. The resulting metal crystallites are polycrystalline and exhibit twinning and considerable strain. These structures, however, are unstable, and annealing in the electron beam seems to cause the crystallites to revert to a single crystal morphology.
Eastern Europe at the Crossroads of Democratic Transition: Evaluating Support for Democratic Institutions, Satisfaction with Democratic Government, and Consolidation of Democratic Regimes

Research on Eastern European attitudes toward democracy has not comprehensively examined the economic, social, and political origins of support for and satisfaction with democracy and what these portend for democratic consolidation in Eastern Europe. Differentiating origins of mass support and satisfaction clarify whether ordinary citizens perceive democracy as a normatively correct, legitimate process of making collective and binding decisions or merely as a means to achieving efficiency and distributive justice. Multivariate analysis revealed that whereas social, economic, and psychological factors influence support, only economic evaluations predict satisfaction. This identifies support for democracy in Eastern Europe as emanating more from a recognition of the moral worth of the process than from a calculus about its benefits. However, the study reveals that dissatisfaction with democratic government abounds and may affect support. This challenges optimism for speedy consolidation, showing Eastern Eur...
Use of Biological Markers in Risk Assessment1

Measurements of intermediate end points in the carcinogenic process may reduce uncertainty in human risk assessment from bioassay data, by identifying sources of interspecies variation and dose nonlinearity. This paper describes desirable properties of such markers: persistence, predictive power, temporal relevance, and consistency across dose rate and species. We illustrate these properties by evaluating markers for squamous cell nasal carcinoma in rodents exposed to formaldehyde. We also discuss design issues for bioassays that evaluate markers and tumors simultaneously at necropsy.
Adolescents Are More Vulnerable to Cocaine Addiction: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Evidence

In humans, adolescence is a period of heightened propensity to develop cocaine addiction. It is unknown whether this is attributable to greater access and exposure to cocaine at this age, or whether the adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to the addictive properties of cocaine. Here, we subjected male adolescent (P42) and adult (∼P88) rats to a wide range of cocaine self-administration procedures. In addition, to determine whether behavioral differences are associated with developmental differences in dopaminergic activity, we examined and manipulated the activity of dopamine neurons. Relative to adults, adolescent rats took cocaine more readily, were more sensitive to lower doses, showed greater escalation of cocaine intake, and were less susceptible to increases in price (i.e., were more "inelastic"). In parallel, adolescents also showed elevated activity of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons, a feature known to be associated with increased self-administration behavior. Pharmacological manipulation of dopamine D2 receptor function with quinpirole (agonist) or eticlopride (antagonist), to alter dopamine neuron activity, eliminated age differences in cocaine self-administration. These data suggest a causal relationship between behavioral and electrophysiological determinants of cocaine addiction liability. In conclusion, adolescents show behavioral and electrophysiological traits of heightened addiction liability.
Precocious Cardiac Orienting in a Human Anencephalic Infant

An anencephalic infant, 3 to 6 weeks old, responded to acoustic stimulation with cardiac decelerations typical of the response pattern seen in normal, older infants. Such precocity implies unexpected competence of lower brain structures and suggests that, in the normal infant, feedback from immature higher centers may sometimes interfere with rather than modulate the functioning of lower centers.
Electromechanically Induced GHz Rate Optical Frequency Modulation in Silicon

We present a monolithic silicon acousto-optic frequency modulator (AOFM) operating at 1.09 GHz. Direct spectroscopy of the modulated laser power shows asymmetric sidebands, which indicate coincident amplitude modulation and frequency modulation (FM). Employing mechanical levers to enhance the displacement of the optical resonator resulted in greater than 67X improvement in the optomechanical FM factor over earlier reported numbers for silicon nanobeams.
Boson expansion based on the extended commutator method in the Tamm-Dancoff representation

Formal aspects of boson expansions in the Tamm-Dancoff representation are investigated in detail. This is carried out in the framework of the extended commutator method by solving in complete generality the coefficient equations, searching for Hermitian as well as non-Hermitian boson expansions. The solutions for the expansion coefficients are obtained in a new form, called the square root realization, which is then applied to carry out an analysis of the relationship between the type of expansion and the boson space in which the expansion is defined. It is shown that this new realization is reduced to various well-known boson theories when the boson space is chosen in an appropriate manner. Further discussed, still on the basis of the square root realization, is the equivalence, on a practical level, of a few boson expansion approaches when the Tamm-Dancoff space is truncated to a single quadrupole collective component.
How can we reduce hepatic veno-occlusive disease–related deaths after allogeneic stem cell transplantation?

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is a common and potentially devastating complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Confirmative diagnosis of this disorder can prove difficult early post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, as a broad differential diagnosis exists and no definitive diagnostic test is available. Incidence of VOD has decreased in recent years, with especially dramatic declines in severe and fatal VOD. This improvement is attributed to less toxic and reduced-intensity conditioning regimens, and more appropriate patient selection. When severe VOD does occur, current treatments have been largely ineffective. Prevention remains the primary tool in the clinician's arsenal for managing VOD. Our institution pursues aggressive preventative measures for VOD, including appropriate conditioning regimen selection, avoiding hepatotoxic drugs, early prophylactic use of ursodiol, and aggressive fluid management. With appropriate management steps, we believe the incidence of VOD and related deaths can be further decreased.
Adiabatic remelting of the mushy-zone during rapid solidification

In two-step solidification of alloys that form a metastable phase, the first stage of microstructural evolution following solidification of the primary (metastable) phase involves growth of the stable phase into the mushy-zone. The growth rate of the stable phase can be predicted using a simple dendrite growth model if the heat balance is modified to include isothermal melting of the pre-existing solid. This adiabatic remelting model successfully predicts the growth rates for the stable phase as measured experimentally in the Fe–Cr–Ni alloy system. The growth rate of the stable phase depends strongly on composition, but this dependence is countered by a reduction in the heat absorbed through melting of the metastable solid. Due to the small variation in thermophysical properties over a wide range of compositions, the net result of these two competing effects is a heat flux, which is proportional to the thermodynamic driving force.
Quantitative palaeoecology of megaspores and other dispersed plant remains from the Cenomanian of Kansas, USA

Abstract Bulk maceration of sediments from the Dakota Formation of Kansas, USA yielded a diverse assemblage of dispersed plant fossils, consisting of megaspores, seed cuticles, algal cysts, and other small plant fragments. Species abundance data were collected from samples within this transgressive sequence, which includes depositional environments ranging from fluvial floodplain to lagoonal and interdistributary bay. Multivariate analysis revealed distinct trends in the distribution of species in different facies. Some taxa are restricted to non-marine deposits whereas others commonly occur in both the marginal marine and the non-marine deposits. Many of those found in the marginal marine deposits were probably transported downstream from plants that grew inland. The habitat of the parent plants of these fossils can often be inferred from both the distribution of the fossils and evidence of their botanical affinities.
PROGRESSIVE MULTIFOCAL LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY - PROGRESS MADE AND LESSONS RELEARNED

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is an opportunistic demyelinating infection caused by a ubiquitous, usually nonpathogenic papovavirus known as JC virus. The symptoms and characteristic radiologic findings of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy are due to virus-induced lysis of oligodendrocytes, resulting in microscopic foci of myelin breakdown that coalesce to produce increasingly larger lesions.1 The virus also infects astrocytes, in which morphologic features develop that are suggestive of neoplasia, including mitotic figures and multinucleated forms. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a disease of immunosuppressed patients. The disease was initially identified by Astrom and colleagues as a rare complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Hodgkin's disease. . . .
Proton-deuteron elastic scattering at 1.0 gev/c

The differential cross section and polarization in $p\ensuremath{-}d$ elastic scattering have been measured at an incident laboratory momentum of 0.99 $\frac{\mathrm{GeV}}{c}$ (kinetic energy 425 MeV) over most of the angular range. Elastic $p\ensuremath{-}d$ scattering events from a C${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ target were selected by angular correlation, coplanarity, and time of flight. A significant feature of the results is the large positive polarization at backward scattering angles.
Tenacious nipple attachment in rodents: the sibling competition hypothesis

Abstract Tenacious attachment to the mother's nipples by suckling pups has been observed in many rodent species, but apeears to be absent in others. The natural history of this behaviour is reviewed, along with the possible adaptive value. Four hypotheses are extracted from the literature: the antipredator, anti-falling, anti-drowning, and infant-nipple contact hypotheses. These hypotheses are found to be ad hoc and supported by only anecdotal evidence. An alternative hypothesis is presented, that tenacious nipple attachment is an adaptation to sibling competition for maternal resources (nipples and milk). Morphological specialization, developmental time course, and patterns of pup mortality support the new model. The behaviour has been noted only in the Muridae. Quantitative interspecific comparisons within the Muridae demonstrate that tenacious nipple attachment is associated with reproductive tactics that promote sibling competition: breeding by means of litter overlap, low mammary number, and more offspring per mammary.
Complex Interactions between the Major and Minor Envelope Proteins of Equine Arteritis Virus Determine Its Tropism for Equine CD3+ T Lymphocytes and CD14+ Monocytes

Extensive cell culture passage of the virulent Bucyrus (VB) strain of equine arteritis virus (EAV) to produce the modified live virus (MLV) vaccine strain has altered its tropism for equine CD3+ T lymphocytes and CD14+ monocytes. The VB strain primarily infects CD14+ monocytes and a small subpopulation of CD3+ T lymphocytes (predominantly CD4+ T lymphocytes), as determined by dual-color flow cytometry. In contrast, the MLV vaccine strain has a significantly reduced ability to infect CD14+ monocytes and has lost its capability to infect CD3+ T lymphocytes. Using a panel of five recombinant chimeric viruses, we demonstrated that interactions among the GP2, GP3, GP4, GP5, and M envelope proteins play a major role in determining the CD14+ monocyte tropism while the tropism for CD3+ T lymphocytes is determined by the GP2, GP4, GP5, and M envelope proteins but not the GP3 protein. The data clearly suggest that there are intricate interactions among these envelope proteins that affect the binding of EAV to different cell receptors on CD3+ T lymphocytes and CD14+ monocytes. This study shows, for the first time, that CD3+ T lymphocytes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of equine viral arteritis when horses are infected with the virulent strains of EAV.
Natural variation in the yeast glucose-signaling network reveals a new role for the Mig3p transcription factor.

The Crabtree effect, in which fermentative metabolism is preferred at the expense of respiration, is a hallmark of budding yeast’s glucose response and a model for the Warburg effect in human tumors. While the glucose-responsive transcriptional repressors Mig1p and Mig2p play well-characterized roles in the Crabtree effect, little function for the related Mig3p transcription factor has been uncovered, despite numerous investigations of laboratory yeast strains. Here we studied a wild isolate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to uncover a critical role for Mig3p that has been lost in S288c-derived laboratory strains. We found that Mig3p affects the expression of hundreds of glucose-responsive genes in the oak strain YPS163, both during growth under standard conditions and upon ethanol treatment. Our results suggest that Mig3p may act as a multifunctional activator/repressor that plays separate roles under standard vs. stress conditions and that this function has been largely lost in the lab strains. Population analysis suggests that the lab strain and several wild strains harbor mutations that diminish Mig3p function. Thus, by expanding our attention to multiple genetic backgrounds, we have uncovered an important missing link in a key metabolic response.
Soft x-ray scanning microtomography with submicrometer resolution

Scanning soft x‐ray microtomography was used to obtain high‐resolution three‐dimensional images of a microfabricated test object. Using a special rotation stage mounted on the scanning transmission x‐ray microscope at the X1A beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source, we recorded nine two‐dimensional projections of the 3D test object over an angular range of −50° to +55°. The x‐ray wavelength was 3.6 nm and the radiation dose to the object per projection was approximately 2×106 Gy. The object consisted of two gold patterns supported on transparent silicon nitride membranes, separated by 4.75 μm, with 100‐ to 300‐nm‐wide and 65‐nm‐thick features. We reconstructed a volumetric data set of the test object from the two‐dimensional projections using an algebraic reconstruction technique algorithm. Features of the test object were resolved to ∼100 nm in transverse and longitudinal extent with low artifact in three‐dimensional images rendered from the volumetric set.
Maternal immune activation and strain specific interactions in the development of autism-like behaviors in mice

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the causes of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are due to both genetic and environmental factors. Animal studies provide important translational models for elucidating specific genetic or environmental factors that contribute to ASD-related behavioral deficits. For example, mouse research has demonstrated a link between maternal immune activation and the expression of ASD-like behaviors. Although these studies have provided insights into the potential causes of ASD, they are limited in their ability to model the important interactions between genetic variability and environmental insults. This is of particular concern given the broad spectrum of severity observed in the human population, suggesting that subpopulations may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of particular environmental insults. It is hypothesized that the severity of effects of maternal immune activation on ASD-like phenotypes is influenced by the genetic background in mice. To test this, pregnant dams of two inbred strains (that is, C57BL/6J and BTBR T(+)tf/J) were exposed to the viral mimic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C), and their offspring were tested for the presence and severity of ASD-like behaviors. To identify differences in immune system regulation, spleens were processed and measured for alterations in induced cytokine responses. Strain-treatment interactions were observed in social approach, ultrasonic vocalization, repetitive grooming and marble burying behaviors. Interestingly, persistent dysregulation of adaptive immune system function was only observed in BTBR mice. Data suggest that behavioral and immunological effects of maternal immune activation are strain-dependent in mice.
Assessing for generalized improvements in reading comprehension by intervening to improve reading fluency

The relationship between reading fluency and comprehension was evaluated in five 4th-grade students. These students were identified as being at risk of not meeting yearly goals in reading fluency and comprehension based on fall benchmark assessment data. A brief intervention assessment was used to determine which intervention components would be essential to improving reading fluency across the five participants. As a result, the combination of repeated practice with performance feedback and error correction was implemented using instructional-level reading materials twice per week for 30-minute sessions with progress monitored weekly using AIMSweb measures of oral reading fluency and comprehension. Empirical, single-case designs were used to evaluate the impact of the program across these five students with assessed, generalized improvements in comprehension. Results indicated increased rate of words read correctly per minute with generalized increases in comprehension for four of five participants. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determining indices of refraction for ThO2 thin films sputtered under different bias voltages from 1.2 to 6.5 eV by spectroscopic ellipsometry

Abstract We used spectroscopic ellipsometry to determine the optical constants of seven ThO2 thin-film samples, thickness ranging between 28 and 578 nm, for the spectral range of 1.2 to 6.5 eV. The samples were deposited by biased radio-frequency sputtering at DC bias voltages between 0 and − 68 V. The index of refraction, n, does not depend on bias voltage, sputter pressure, deposition rate, or thickness. Specifically, the value of n at 3 eV is 1.86 ± 0.04 for the unbiased samples and 1.86 ± 0.04 for the biased samples. The average value of n at 3 eV for the thicker samples (d ≥ 50 nm) was 1.87 ± 0.05, and 1.85 ± 0.02 for the thinner samples (d ≤ 50 nm).
Promoting Sustained Engagement with Diversity: The Reciprocal Relationships between Informal and Formal College Diversity Experiences

College diversity experiences have been praised not only for their role in promoting student growth but also for contributing to future engagement with diversity. However, the evidence supporting this latter claim is quite limited, often relying on cross-sectional analyses. This study examines whether and how students’ first-year diversity experiences predict their senior-year diversity experiences and finds that students’ positive and negative diversity interactions are both associated with greater participation in diversity coursework. Moreover, having negative diversity interactions is not associated with changes in positive diversity interactions or vice versa. All relationships are consistent regardless of students’ openness to diversity.
Further Results on the Sensitivity of Simulated Storm Precipitation Efficiency to Environmental Temperature

Abstract A method is devised for diagnosing the condensation rate in simulations using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) model, where ice-liquid water potential temperature is a prognostic variable and an iterative procedure must be used to diagnose the temperature and water vapor mixing ratio from ice-liquid water potential temperature. The condensation rate is then used to compute the microphysical precipitation efficiency (PE), which is defined as the ratio of the precipitation rate at the ground to the sum of the condensation and deposition rates. Precipitation efficiency is compared for pairs of numerical simulations, initialized with soundings having all key environmental parameters identical except for their temperature. The authors’ previous study showed that with a colder initial sounding, the conversion of cloud water to precipitation is relatively inefficient, but updrafts are stronger and there is relatively less evaporation of precipitation, with the net result being a larger cl...
A Tribute to Oliver Williamson: Williamson's Contribution and its Relevance to 21st Century Capitalism:

What is the significance of Oliver Williamson's Nobel prize? This short article is an attempt to answer this question succinctly. First, he demonstrated when it is more efficient for a firm to make a component in-house rather than outsource it to another firm. Second, his work was path breaking because economic research at the time was largely fixated on market transactions and treated firms as black boxes of production. Williamson's work made economic scholars realize the need to analyze governance and incentives within and between firms in order to better understand how efficiency can be maintained in a capitalist society. Third, his original insights and the research area he pioneered—transaction costs economics—offer clear guidance for business strategy and public policy.
Community-Scientist Collaboration in Environmental Research

Community participation in governmental environmental decision making is firmly institutionalized. In recent years, citizens have also demanded involvement in the scientific research undergirding policy. Environmental agencies have responded and have made collaboration with community groups an integral part of large-scale research funding. Community-scientist research partnerships are not new but heretofore have involved a few committed scientists. This article reviews the literature (guides, protocols, and case studies) that addresses scientist-citizen collaboration that focuses on environmental research. The article concludes that community-scientist partnerships take extra time and resources and entail attitudinal changes. However, partnerships can produce more effective research tools and new knowledge and increase community capacity.
Long-term health and economic impact of preventing and reducing overweight and obesity in adolescence.

Abstract Purpose Using data from the 2000 National Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and estimates from published studies, this study projected the long-term health and economic impacts of preventing and reducing overweight and obesity in today's adolescents. Methods We developed a body mass index progression model to project the impact of a 1% point reduction in both overweight and obese adolescents aged 16–17 years at present on the number of nonoverweight, overweight, and obese adults at age 40 years. We then estimated its impact on the lifetime medical costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) after age 40. Medical costs (in 2007 dollars) and QALYs were discounted to age 17 years. Results A 1% point reduction in both overweight and obese adolescents ages 16–17 years at present could reduce the number of obese adults by 52,821 in the future. As a result, lifetime medical care costs after age 40 years would decrease by $586 million and lifetime QALYs would increase by 47,138. In the worst case scenario, the 1% point reduction would lower medical costs by $463 million and increase QALYs by 34,394; in the best case scenario, it would reduce medical costs by $691 million and increase QALYs by 57,149. Conclusions Obesity prevention in adolescents goes beyond its immediate benefits; it can also reduce medical costs and increase QALYs substantially in later life. Therefore, it is important to include long-term health and economic benefits when quantifying the impact of obesity prevention in adolescents.
Administration of the hyperglycemic-glycogenolytic factor of the pancreas to non-anesthetized and anesthetized subjects.

SummaryThe intravenous injection of a purified preparation of the hyperglycemic factor of the pancreas produces an increase in the venous blood sugar of man. This response is variable in quantity and is not increased by increased dosage. The production of anesthesia enhances the increase in venous blood sugar produced by the hyperglycemic factor. This effect of anesthesia is attributed to an increase in peripheral blood flow rather than to an augmented hyperglycemic effect.
Cardiovascular response of rats exposed to 60-Hz electric fields

Recently, it has been reported that exposure to high-strength electric fields can influence electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns, heart rates, and blood pressures in various species of animals. Our studies were designed to evaluate these reported effects and to help clarify some of the disagreement present in the literature. Various cardiovascular variables were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed or sham-exposed to 60-Hz electric fields at 80 to 100 kV/m for periods up to four months. No significant differences in heart rates, ECG patterns, blood pressures, or vascular reactivity were observed between exposed and sham-exposed rats after 8 hours, 40 hours, 1 month, or 4 months of exposure. Our studies cannot be directly compared to the work of other investigators because of differences in animal species and electric-field characteristics. However, our failure to detect any cardiovascular changes may have been the result of (1) eliminating secondary field effects such as shocks, audible noise, corona, and ozone; (2) minimizing steady-state microcurrents between the mouth of the animal and watering devices; and (3) minimizing electric-field-induced vibration of the electrodes and animal cages.
Catalytic effect of a portland cement filler on the cure of water‐compatible resorcinol phenol–formaldehyde polymer concrete

Aggregate with a water content 2000 psi (> 13.78 MPa) at age of 1 h at 24/sup 0/C was produced by mixing resorcinol phenol-formaldehyde (RPF) resin with portland cement and aggregate containing 1 to 10% water. The addition of approx. 14.7 to 17.5% type III portland cement to the PC formulation produced an acceleration in the rate of the condensation-type polymerization reaction and improved the properties of the composite. The cause of the accelerative effect was found to be the electropositive bivalent metallic ions of calcium and magnesium released from the cement grains in an aqueous medium. Conversely, the trivalent metallic ions from cement such as Al/sup 3 +/ and Fe/sup 3 +/ have no effect on the rate of polymerization of RPF resin.
On an effective design approach of cartesian space neural network control for robot manipulators

It is well known that computed torque robot control is subjected to performance degradation due to uncertainties in robot model, and application of neural network (NN) compensation techniques are promising. In this paper we examine the effectiveness of neural network (NN) as a compensator for the complex problem of Cartesian space control. In particular we examine the differences in system performance of accurate position control when the same NN compensator is applied at different locations in the controller structure. It is found that using NN to modify the reference trajectory to compensate for model uncertainties is much more effective than the traditional approach of modifying control input or joint torque/force. To facilitate the analysis, a new NN training signal is introduced and used for all cases. The study is also extended to non-model based Cartesian control problems. Simulation results with three-link rotary robot are presented and performances of different compensating locations are compared.
Attraction of Anoplophora glabripennis to Male-Produced Pheromone and Plant Volatiles

The male-produced pheromone of Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), which is an equal blend of 4-(n-heptyloxy)butan-1-ol and 4-(n-heptyloxy)butanal, was used in laboratory bioassays and in the greenhouse to determine its potential for attracting A. glabripennis adults. In modiÞed "walking wind tunnels," virgin females were most attracted to the alcohol component, and virgin males were repelled by the pheromone blend at the lowest and highest amounts offered. Y-tube olfactometer bioassays also showed that females were signiÞcantly more attracted to the pheromone and its components than males were. However, males were more attracted to plant volatiles than females. Of 12 plant volatiles tested, -3-carene and (E)-caryophyllene were highly attractive to males, whereas (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate was repellent to males. Combining the male pheromone blend with ()-linalool alone or with (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol attracted signiÞcantly more males than did the pheromone alone. We tested four trap designs in our quarantine greenhouse with eight different lures. The Intercept Panel traps and the hand-made screen sleeve traps caught more beetles than the Plum Curculio traps and Lindgren funnel traps. Intercept traps worked best when baited with male blend and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, whereas screen sleeve traps were most attractive when baited with ()-linalool. Our Þndings provide evidence of the attractiveness of theA.glabripennis male-produced pheromone and suggest that it has a role in mate-Þnding. It is also a Þrst step toward the development of an efÞcient trap design and lure combination to monitor A. glabripennis infestations in the Þeld.
Ovarian morphological and functional changes in reproductively senescent hamsters.

Ovaries from young and senescent hamsters were examined morphologically on days 8, 12 and 14 of pregnancy to determine if there were any differences between the two age groups. The senescent hamsters had fewer follicles present than the young on all days of gestation. The senescent females' corpora lutea experienced the greatest growth between days 8 to 12, whereas corpora lutea from young animals grew the most between days 12 and 14. Corpora lutea in senescent females did not grow at all between days 12 and 14. The lower number of follicles in senescent females was not due to the lower rate of implantation. Superovulation with PMS revealed that the senescent ovary was refractory. It was concluded that there are quantitative not qualitative differences between ovaries from young and senescent hamsters during pregnancy. The refractory ovary of senescent females could be contributing to pregnancy wastage in this species by secreting less progesterone.
Preferences for quality of life or survival expressed by patients with heart failure.

Abstract Background: As many patients with heart failure develop symptoms limiting daily life, newer therapies may be found to improve functional status without concomitant survival benefit. As some of these therapies may actually increase mortality, it is increasingly relevant to assess patients' preferences for survival vs improvement in symptoms. Methods: We enrolled 99 patients with advanced heart failure (ejection fraction 24 ± 10, duration 6 ± 5 years). Each patient completed time trade-off and standard gamble instruments, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaires and visual analog scales for dyspnea and overall health. Jugular venous pressure was assessed in all patients and peak oxygen consumption was measured during bicycle exercise in 60 patients. Results: Strong polarity of preference toward either survival or quality of life was expressed by 60% of patients. There was good correlation between time trade-off and standard gamble utility scores ( r = 0.64), and between preference and functional class ( r = 0.60). Higher jugular venous pressure and lower peak oxygen consumption were associated with poorer utility scores ( p Conclusions: These findings suggest that heart failure patients express meaningful preferences about quality vs length of life. High jugular venous pressure, low peak oxygen consumption and poor Living with Heart Failure scores were related to low utility scores. These cannot be assumed, however, to predict the intensity of individual preference to trade nothing or virtually everything for better health.
Expression of the Drosophila gooseberry locus defines a subset of neuroblast lineages in the central nervous system.

Abstract The development of the central nervous system is known to require lineage-specific factors that are expressed in neuroblasts and their descendants, as well as molecules involved in cell-cell signaling mechanisms. The transcription factors encoded by the gooseberry locus appear to be required for the proper specification of neuroblasts and their lineages. To examine whether gooseberry expression is lineage-specific, we have utilized the FLP recombinase of yeast to positively mark cell lineages throughout Drasophila development. In this system, the actin5C promoter and the lacZ gene are separated by a polyadenylation signal flanked by two direct repeat FRTs. A heat shock is used to induce a pulse of FLP recombinase which catalyzes a site-specific recombination event between the FRT sites. The resulting excision of the polyadenylation site allows expression of lacZ from the actin5C promoter. The descendants of a cell which has undergone a recombination event are now positively marked, enabling us to compare cell lineages with the pattern of gooseberry gene expression. We find that the expression of the gooseberry locus is lineage-specific, suggesting that gooseberry may function as a selector gene in the patterning of the Drosophila central nervous system.
System-level power consumption modeling and tradeoff analysis techniques for superscalar processor design

This paper presents systematic techniques to find low-power high-performance superscalar processors tailored to specific user applications. The model of power is novel because it separates power into architectural and technology components. The architectural component is found via trace-driven simulation, which also produces performance estimates. An example technology model is presented that estimates the technology component, along with critical delay time and real estate usage. This model is based on case studies of actual designs. It is used to solve an important problem: decreasing power consumption in a superscalar processor without greatly impacting performance. Results are presented from runs using simulated annealing to reduce power consumption subject to performance reduction bounds. The major contributions of this paper are the separation of architectural and technology components of dynamic power the use of trace-driven simulation for architectural power measurement, and the use of a near-optimal search to tailor a processor design to a benchmark.
National environmental performance: an empirical analysis of policy results and determinants

Effortsto identify the determinants of environmental policy success at the national level have largely been anecdotal and case study based. This article seeks to identify empirically the factors that drive environmental performance as measured by levels of urban particulates and sulfur dioxide and energy use per unit of GDP. Although the data are imperfect and causal linkages cannot be definitively established, the statistical analysis presented suggests that environmental results vary not only with income levels as suggested by the environmental Kuznets Curve literature but also with both the sophistication of a nation's regulatory regime and, perhaps more notably, its broader economic and social context. Thus, at every level of development, countries face policy choices that determine environmental quality in important ways. Strong environmental performance appears to be positively correlated with competitiveness, putting into question the presumed trade-off between economic progress and environmental gains. Although preliminary, these results provide evidence that environmental decision making can be made more data driven and analytically
Effect of Various Agents Upon the Attachment of Pseudomonas fragi to Stainless Steel

Epifluorescent microscopy was used to assay for the effect of selected chemicals and enzymes upon physical attachment of Pseudomonas fragi to stainless steel. The assays were conducted after the pretreatment of cells with the agents, in the presence of agents, and in the removal of attached cells with test agents. Compared to the controls, sodium periodate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (Cetavlon), NaOH, and Concanavalin A inhibited the attachment process in the pretreatment and presence assays. Trypsin, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), NaOH and sodium periodate were effective in removing attached cells, while Cetavlon and Triton X-100 stabilized the attachment of cells to the stainless steel surface and prevented their removal. Neither EDTA nor mechanical removal of flagella had a significant effect upon attachment. These results suggested that attachment of P. fragi to stainless steel involved a polysaccharide and protein matrix surrounding the cells.
Addition of short-term androgen deprivation therapy to dose-escalated radiation therapy improves failure-free survival for select men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer

ABSTRACT Background Dose-escalated (DE) radiation therapy (RT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improve prostate cancer outcomes over standard-dose RT. The benefit of adding ADT to DE-RT for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IR-PrCa) is uncertain. Patients and methods We identified 636 men treated for IR-PrCa with DE-RT (>75Gy). The adult comorbidity evaluation-27 index classifed comorbidity. Kaplan–Meier and log-rank tests compared failure-free survival (FFS) with and without ADT. Results Forty-five percent received DE-RT and 55% DE-RT with ADT (median 6 months). On Cox proportional hazard regression that adjusted for comorbidity and tumor characteristics, ADT improved FFS (adjusted hazard ratio 0.36; P = 0.004). Recursive partitioning analysis of men without ADT classified Gleason 4 + 3 = 7 or ≥50% positive cores as unfavorable disease. The addition of ADT to DE-RT improved 5-year FFS for men with unfavorable disease (81.6% versus 92.9%; P = 0.009) but did not improve FFS for men with favorable disease (96.3% versus 97.4%; P = 0.874). When stratified by comorbidity, ADT improved FFS for men with unfavorable disease and no or mild comorbidity (P = 0.006) but did not improve FFS for men with unfavorable disease and moderate or severe comorbidity (P = 0.380). Conclusion The addition of ADT to DE-RT improves FFS for men with unfavorable IR-PrCa, especially those with no or minimal comorbidity.
DE-1 measurements of AKR wave directions

In addition to its wave rotation sense, the direction of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) can also be measured with the plasma wave instrument on Dynamics Explorer 1, from the relative phase of the signals received by its orthogonal electric dipole antennas. By this method, which differs in principle from the previous spin-null method for measuring wave directions, it has been found possible to pinpoint the AKR source by triangulation, using measurements from different points along the DE-1 orbit. The resulting apparent source, in one instance, seemed to occupy a well-defined auroral-zone invariant magnetic latitude and showed the expected increase of altitude with decreasing frequency. An analysis of the method also confirmed the validity of the previous rotation sense measurements.