cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internal loss, modal characteristics, and bend loss of asymmetric cladding ridge waveguide lasers at 850 nm

The upper cladding and residual guide thickness have been varied to develop an optimal asymmetric cladding ridge waveguide geometry for use in photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Measured values of the intrinsic loss, threshold current, and lateral modal characteristics allowed the determination of the geometry that simultaneously achieved good active device performance and a strong lateral index step. The bend loss was found by fabricating curved-waveguide y-branch lasers. These characteristics are important for fabricating low-loss routing structures in PICS. This experimental work analyzed an asymmetric cladding ridge waveguide for use with photonic integrated circuits; however, the method presented here generally can be used for the experimental optimization of ridge waveguide lasers.The upper cladding and residual guide thickness have been varied to develop an optimal asymmetric cladding ridge waveguide geometry for use in photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Measured values of the intrinsic loss, threshold current, and lateral modal characteristics allowed the determination of the geometry that simultaneously achieved good active device performance and a strong lateral index step. The bend loss was found by fabricating curved-waveguide y-branch lasers. These characteristics are important for fabricating low-loss routing structures in PICS. This experimental work analyzed an asymmetric cladding ridge waveguide for use with photonic integrated circuits; however, the method presented here generally can be used for the experimental optimization of ridge waveguide lasers.
Characterization and Thrust Optimization of Synthetic Jets

A synthetic jet is a zero-mass pulsatile jet. A common approach in creating a synthetic jet is to use a cavity with an orifice on one side and an oscillating membrane on another side. In this study the dynamics of a piezoelectrically driven synthetic jet is investigated using a laser nano sensor to capture the temporal and spatial deflection of the membrane. The frequency and voltage response of the piezoelectric membrane for different cavity dimensions are presented, while the velocity field of the resulted jet is characterized by hotwire anemometry. Subsequently, the volume of the expelled jet for any given exit diameter is correlated to the resulting jet velocity. It is found that at a formation number around 3 the nature of the average jet velocity changes and the resulting jet velocity shows less sensitivity to the formation number.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Correlation of the electrical properties of metal contacts on diamond films with the chemical nature of the metal-diamond interface. I. Gold contacts: A non-carbide-forming metal.

The I-V characteristics of titanium contacts on polycrystalline diamond have been correlated with x-ray-photoelectron-spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger-electron-spectroscopy (AES) characterizations of the interface. As-deposited titanium contacts were rectifying in nature because of minimal interaction between as-deposited titanium and diamond as confirmed via XPS and AES. Once annealed, however, these contacts became Ohmic. The change was related to the formation of a carbide at the interface as observed by XPS. The Schottky-barrier height of the titanium contacts, which was determined by valence-band XPS, decreased from 1.3 to 0.8 eV as a result of the postdeposition annealing. It is believed that the carbide formation at the interface creates a diamond surface layer rich in electrically active defects which lower the barrier height of the metal and increase the leakage current. The interface between titanium and an argon-sputtered diamond surface was also characterized. Titanium formed as-deposited Ohmic contacts on the sputtered surface. A high density of ion-radiation-induced defects and a formation of a carbide during deposition both contributed to the Ohmic-contact formation. These contacts remained Ohmic after postdeposition annealing despite the fact that the annealing did not increase the carbide formed at the interface. It is believed that the carbide formed by the deposition of titanium behaved as a diffusion barrier to prevent the damaged layer from being annealed out into the titanium overlayer. It is concluded that most materials will yield rectifying contacts on a clean diamond surface. Ohmic contacts can be obtained by modifying the interface in some way (i.e., carbide formation, sputtering, etc.).
Health services research in anorexia nervosa.

The present paper reviews studies of the delivery of health services for individuals with anorexia nervosa, utilizing four interrelated concepts that guide much of health services research: equity, effectiveness, efficiency, and economy. It identifies major gaps in knowledge regarding health services utilization and costs. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electron density measurements of argon surface-wave discharges

The electron density of microwave-generated surface-wave discharges in argon have been measured using Stark broadening and calculated from the measured wavelengths of the standing surface wave. Results obtained from these two techniques compare well. The electron density varies from 1013 to 1014/cm3 for pressures ranging from 50 to 800 torr.
ORIGIN AND INHERITANCE OF SOLARMARINE GLYCOALKALOIDS IN COMMERCIAL 'POTATO CULTIVARS

Tuber tissues of 123 commercial cultivars were tested for their ability to synthesize solamarine glycoalkaloids. Eleven cultivars including ‘Kennebec’ and ‘White Rose’ synthesized major concentrations of solamarines, ranging between 42 and 85% of total glycoalkaloid, when tuber slices were exposed to light during wound-healing. Tuber tissues of the other 112 cultivars did not synthesize solamarines, or they synthesized only trace concentrations of these unusual glycoalkaloids. Nine of the 11 solamarine-synthesizing cultivars have a common ancestor, USDA 96-56. This parental clone synthesizes major solamarine concentrations and it also carries the R1 gene for late blight resistance that it inherited fromSolatium demissum. Results of solamarine analyses of foliage from 47 USDA 96-56 selfed progeny suggest that this parental clone is the source of a major gene(s) for solamarines present in 9 of the commercial cultivars. However, there appeared to be an alternative source of a gene(s) for solamarines because ‘White Rose’, with onlyS. tuberosum ancestors, also synthesized major solamarine concentrations. There was no association between the R1 gene for late blight resistance and the ability to synthesize solamarines in 31 USDA 96-56 selfed progeny that were analyzed for both characters.
Treatment of circulating CD34+ cells with SDF-1α or anti-CXCR4 antibody enhances migration and NOD/SCID repopulating potential

Abstract Objective Stromal cell–derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) has been implicated in homing and engraftment of primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) in studies demonstrating reduced NOD/SCID repopulating potential of HPC exposed to supra-physiologic concentrations of SDF-1α or anti-CXCR4. Outcome of CXCR4 signaling in some cells has been shown to be dependent on the concentration of SDF-1α. We aimed to determine whether similar concentration-dependent responses to CXCR4 signaling are present in CD34 + cells. Materials and Methods Human peripheral blood (PB), mobilized PB (MPB), or bone marrow (BM) CD34 + cells were incubated for 30 minutes with different concentrations of SDF-1α or anti-CXCR4, washed, then assessed for in vitro hematopoietic potential, migration, and NOD/SCID repopulating potential. Results Exposure of MPB or PB CD34 + cells to 100 ng/mL SDF-1α increased tyrosine phosphorylation without subsequent proliferation or apoptosis. Spontaneous and SDF-1α-directed migration also increased in pretreated cells, despite previous exposure to SDF-1α. Cells exposed to 1 μg anti-CXCR4/10 6 cells displayed similar increases in activation and migration as cells exposed to SDF-1α, demonstrating the ability of anti-CXCR4 to activate the CXCR4 receptor. Interestingly, chimerism in NOD/SCID mice transplanted with MPB CD34 + cells pretreated with SDF-1α or anti-CXCR4 was increased, while exposure of these cells to 10- to 100-fold higher concentrations of these proteins inhibited in vitro migration and NOD/SCID repopulating potential. Migration and NOD/SCID repopulating potential of BM CD34 + cells remained unchanged after treatment with either protein. Conclusions These results illustrate the ability of SDF-1α and anti-CXCR4 to augment repopulating potential of CD34 + cells, and suggest that HPC function can be favorably modulated through specific CXCR4 signaling.
Magnetic resonance imaging of gastric cancer in Tff1 knock-out mice.

In this work, the use of MRI to stage gastric neoplasia in a mouse model of spontaneous gastric cancer is demonstrated. The methodology involves 1) the use of deuterated water (2H2O) to distend the stomach, and to provide negative contrast between the stomach and the lumen without inducing susceptibility-based field shifts; 2) GlucaGen® to minimize motion artifacts that arise from peristalsis; and 3) Gd-DTPA to enhance contrast between the dysplasia/tumor and the normal wall. Initial images are presented from a Tff1 −/− homozygous knock-out model of gastric cancer and a heterozygous C57BL6/J control mouse. There are clear differences between the two types of animals in the MR appearance of the stomach. The distended stomach of the control mouse has a smooth perimeter and a thin wall, and an absence of nodules. The stomach of the Tff1 −/− mouse demonstrates a thickened wall; a jagged, irregular surface; and protruding nodules that are bright after injection of Gd-DTPA. Magn Reson Med 49:1033–1036, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Operator-induced compressive axial forces during implant gold screw fastening.

Abstract Statement of problem. The gold screw of an implant is put under tension during fastening. An increase in operator-induced compressive axial force during fastening may diminish screw tension, lower the friction between the screw threads, and allow for increased tightening torque. Purpose. This study was undertaken to assess and compare the compressive axial forces and torques placed simultaneously on implant gold screws by persons with varying degrees of expertise. Material and methods. A calibrated electric torque driver was used to fasten implant gold screws. Three groups of operators with various levels of implant experience (faculty [F; n=4], prosthodontic residents [R; n=4], and undergraduate dental students [S; n=6]) were asked to repeatedly tighten and loosen a new gold abutment screw into a standard 3.75-mm diameter Bronemark abutment. Compressive axial forces during torquing were assessed over the tightening time by means of a miniature load cell adapted to the electric torque driver. Each operator repeated the experiment 3 times after calibration. Within operator and between operator reliability were evaluated. Results. Loosening compressive axial forces were always higher than tightening compressive axial forces, and peak torque was less on loosening than tightening. Faculty placed a smaller range of forces on the screws (mean = 3.29 N, SD ± 1.45 N) than did the residents (mean = 2.74 N, SD ± 1.96) or the students (mean = 3.01 N, SD ± 2.54). Conclusion. The clinical experience of operators seems to influence their application of compressive axial force during gold screw tightening. Less torque during unfastening of gold screws seems to be related to increased axial loading. (J Prosthet Dent 2001;86:15-9.)
Histidine transfer across the human placenta: characteristics in the isolated perfused human placenta and the effect of ethanol.

Summary Histidine is essential to normal fetal growth. In vivo, the fetal-to-maternal (F-to-M) plasma concentration ratio for histidine is the highest of any amino acid. Previously, we have shown that histidine uptake by human placental microvillous membrane vesicles (MMV) occurs by a specific, Na + -dependent system. In this study, we have examined the maternal-to-fetal (M-to-F) transfer characteristics of histidine, using the isolated perfused human placental cotyledon. In addition, the effect of ethanol on net transfer of histidine in this human tissue model has been assessed. During 4 h of perfusion a 1.8:1 fetal-to-maternal perfusate ratio formed for histidine. In the perfused placentae, net M-to-F transfer of histidine was saturable with an apparent K m of 0.09 mM. the perfusion experiments suggest that the F-to-M histidine gradient observed in vivo is due primarily to active transport across the placenta. The presence of 300 per cent (65 mM) ethanol in the maternal perfusate did not alter the transfer characteristics of histidine, nor that of the diffusion markers, antipyrine and -glucose.
Performance of Porous Tantalum vs. Titanium Cup in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Randomized Trial with Minimum 10-Year Follow-Up

Porous tantalum monoblock cups have been proposed to improve survivorship of cementless primary THA. However, there are few direct comparative trials to established implants such as porous-coated titanium cups. 113 patients were randomized into two groups according to the cup: a porous tantalum monoblock cup (TM) or a porous-coated titanium monoblock cup (control). At a mean of 12 years after THA, no implants migrated in both groups. Two TM patients (4%) and 13 control patients (33%) presented with radiolucency around the cup (P<0.001). In the control group, 1 cup (2%) was revised for aseptic loosening. At 12 years post-implantation, porous tantalum monoblock cups demonstrated 100% survivorship, and significantly less radiolucency as compared to porous-coated titanium monoblock cups.
The Scattering and Photoelectric Absorption of High Voltage X-Rays in Nitrogen

A study of the expansion chamber tracks of 810 kv x-radiation passing through nitrogen shows that the angular distribution of total electrons emitted is in good agreement with the Klein-Nishina formula when allowance is made for the presence of photoelectrons. The latter are distinguished from recoils by the criterion of the maximum Compton energy. Electrons having energies greater than the Compton energy for the corresponding angle of emission were classified as photoelectrons while those having smaller energies were either photo- or recoil electrons. The ratio of recoils to photoelectrons is of the order of 100 in contrast to the theoretical value of about 5000. The angle of bipartition for photoelectrons is about 48\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for 360 kev and about 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for 650 kev photoelectrons.
AVIRIS Ground Data-Processing System

The Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) has been under development at JPL for the past four years. During this time, a dedicated ground data-processing system has been designed and implemented to store and process the large amounts of data expected. This paper reviews the objectives of this ground data-processing system and describes the hardware. An outline of the data flow through the system is given, and the software and incorporated algorithms developed specifically for the systematic processing of AVIRIS data are described.
Vitamin D deficiency and anemia: a cross-sectional study

Vitamin D has been suggested to have an effect on erythropoiesis. We sought to evaluate the prevalence of anemia in a population of individuals with vitamin D deficiency compared with those with normal levels in a population of a large integrated healthplan. A cross-sectional analysis in the period 1 January 2004 through 31 December 2006 of subjects with documented concurrent levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and hemoglobin were evaluated. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as <30 ng/mL and anemia was defined as a hemoglobin <11 g/dL. A total of 554 subjects were included in the analysis. Anemia was present in 49% of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-deficient subjects compared with 36% with normal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (p < 0.01). Odds ratio for anemia in subjects with 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency using logistic regressions and controlling for age, gender, and chronic kidney disease was 1.9 (95% CI 1.3–2.7). 25-hydroxyvitamin D-deficient subjects had a lower mean Hb (11.0 vs. 11.7; p = 0.12 ) and a higher prevalence of erythrocyte stimulating agent use (47% vs. 24%; p < 0.05). This study demonstrates an association of vitamin D deficiency and a greater risk of anemia, lower mean hemoglobin, and higher usage of erythrocyte-stimulating agents. Future randomized studies are warranted to examine whether vitamin D directly affects erythropoiesis.
Investigation of different transcript quantitation tools for high-throughput mapping of brain gene expression using voxelation.

Voxelation is a new approach for genome scale acquisition of brain gene expression patterns. The method employs high-throughput analysis of spatially registered voxels (cubes) to create multiple volumetric images of brain gene expression, similar to those obtained from biomedical imaging systems. The spatial resolution of voxelation depends on voxel size, with smaller voxels giving higher resolution. An important question is the applicability of different transcript profiling tools for the various levels of resolution that can be employed. Here, we describe the use of three methods to analyze voxel transcript abundance: real-time PCR, microarray analysis and linear amplification coupled with microarrays. We show statistically significant concordance between real-time PCR and microarray analysis for the myelin basic protein gene in human brain specimens at differing levels of spatial resolution. In addition, we also demonstrate the feasibility of using linear amplification coupled with microarray analysis to create voxelation maps from the mouse brain at high resolution, 1 μl. These data indicate the suitability of a number of transcript profiling tools for various levels of spatial resolution in voxelation.
Visual recognition and detection under bounded computational resources

Visual recognition and detection are computationally intensive tasks and current research efforts primarily focus on solving them without considering the computational capability of the devices they run on. In this paper we explore the challenge of deriving methods that consider constraints on computation, appropriately schedule the next best computation to perform and finally have the capability of producing reasonable results at any time when a solution is required. We specifically derive an approach for the task of object category localization and classification in cluttered, natural scenes that can not only produce anytime results but also utilize the principle of value-of-information in order to provide the most recognition bang for the computational buck. Experiments on two standard object detection challenges show that the proposed framework can triage computation effectively and attain state-of-the-art results when allowed to run till completion. Additionally, the real benefit of the proposed framework is highlighted in the experiments where we demonstrate that the method can provide reasonable recognition results even if the procedure needs to terminate before completion.
FsFKS1, the 1,3-β-Glucan Synthase from the Caspofungin-Resistant Fungus Fusarium solani

The cell wall, a mesh of carbohydrates and proteins, shapes and protects the fungal cell. The enzyme responsible for the synthesis of one of the main components of the fungal wall, 1,3--glucan synthase, is targeted by the antifungal caspofungin acetate (CFA). Clinical isolates of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus are much more sensitive to CFA than clinical isolates of Fusarium species. To better understand CFA resistance in Fusarium species, we cloned and sequenced FsFKS1, which encodes the Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi (1,3)-D-glucan synthase, used RNA interference to reduce its expression and complemented deletion of the essential fks gene of the CFA-sensitive fungus A. fumigatus with FsFKS1. Reduction of the FsFKS1 message in F. solani f. sp. pisi reduced spore viability and caused lysis of spores and hyphae, consistent with cell wall defects. Compensating for the loss of A. fumigatus fks1 with FsFKS1 caused only a modest increase in the tolerance of A. fumigatus for CFA. Our results suggest that FsFKS1 is required for the proper construction of F. solani cell walls and that the resistance of F. solani to CFA is at best only partially due to resistance of the FsFKS1 enzyme to this antifungal agent. Fungal infections are a frequent cause of death among immunocompromised patients, and the increasing number of immunosuppressed patients has spurred development of new antifungals (30). Because the cell wall protects the fungus and because humans lack many cell wall components, the fungal cell wall is an attractive drug target. Caspofungin acetate (CFA), an inhibitor of the cell wall biosynthetic enzyme (1,3)-D-glucan synthase, is effective against the major human pathogens Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus (2, 23). However, some less common fungal pathogens of humans, including Fusarium spp., are resistant to clinically relevant levels of CFA (24). Fusariosis is increasing among immunocompromised patients, with Fusarium solani identified as the causative agent in roughly half the cases (10, 12). More than 15 species of Fusarium have now been reported to cause human and animal infections, with F. solani being the most frequent agent (11). The resistance of Fusarium species to CFA is puzzling, since (1,3)-glucan is thought to be an essential component of all fungal cell walls. It is not clear whether caspofungin resistance is a property of the Fusarium 1,3glucan synthase or of some other factor such as transport or modification of the drug by the fungus. Fusarium species are commonly found in soil and as pathogens of plants. F. solani is the designation for the anamorphic (asexual) form of the pathogen. We used a telemorphic (sexual) strain of F. solani f. sp. pisi (telomorph: Nectria hematococca mating population VI) for our studies of 1,3--glucan synthase. N. hematococca 156-30-6 was first isolated as a plant pathogen and has not been shown to cause disease in humans or mouse models; however, we chose to use it for our studies because it has a well-defined sexual cycle and many molecular tools are available for its
Eimeria kinsellai sp. n. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) in a marsh rice rat Oryzomys palustris from Florida.

SYNOPSIS. Eimeria kinsellai sp. n. is described from the marsh rice rat Oryzomys palustris from Florida. Its ellipsoidal oocysts were 23–31 by 15–19 μ (mean 26.7 by 16.9 μ). One to four polar granules were present but an oocyst residuum was absent. The sporocysts were 12–15 by 7–9 μ (mean 13.9 by 8.1 μ), and sporocyst residua were present.
The relation between fluid intelligence and self-regulatory depletion

Self-regulation depends on a limited resource that can be depleted temporarily, but little is known about how this resource relates to individual differences in cognitive ability. We investigated whether self-regulatory depletion would vary with individual differences in fluid intelligence (gF), a stable index of cognitive ability with ties to executive function. Participants performed an emotion regulation task varying in self-regulatory demand, followed by the Multi-Source Interference Task to assess depletion. On a separate day, participants completed Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices to assess gF. Emotion suppression led to impairment on the interference task, indicating self-regulatory depletion. Critically, higher g Fw as associated with greater depletion. Controlling for variables reflecting susceptibility to task demands and trait motivation did not influence this effect. The results have implications for theories of the relation between self-regulatory and cognitive abilities, and the mechanisms supporting the control of behaviour. The ability to exercise voluntary control over one’s own thoughts, feelings, and actions is an essential component of daily life. The importance of self-regulation becomes especially clear when considering some potential consequences of not exercising enough of it. Chronic or repeated failures of self-regulation relate to a host of personal and social problems (see Tangney, Baumeister, & Boone, 2004, for a review) and characterise numerous
The Occurrence of Acetylcholine in the Nervous Tissue of American Cockroaches

The presence of acetylcholine in the nerve tissue of American cockroaches was investigated. The nerve tissue was repeatedly extracted with ethanol and acetylcholine was separated by paper chromatography. Acetylcholine was demonstrated in the roach nerve tissue both chemically and pharmacologically. Acetylcholine is present in potentially effective concentration, 41.5 µ g per gram of nerve tissue and this accounts for all the pharmacological activity of the original nerve extract. In addition to acetylcholine, the roach nerve tissue extracted by these methods contains choline, tyrosine and histidine.
Focal depths and fault plane solutions of earthquakes under the Tibetan plateau

Seismic data are used to place constraints on the focal depths and fault plane solutions of 16 crustal earthquakes beneath the highest parts of the Tibetan plateau. Synthetic seismograms were computed for large events from 1962 to 1976, and compared with the observed waveforms. All of the events studied are found to have occurred at depths less than 15 km and probably between 5 and 10 km, suggesting that the crust below 10-15 km is essentially aseismic, as in most of the Western United States. Fault-plane solutions show combinations of normal and strike slip faulting with T axes consistently oriented approximately east-west, supporting the inference that the upper crust of Tibet is actively extending in an east-west direction. In addition, solutions for two intermediate-depth events at depths of 90 and 85 km show primarily normal faulting with east-west T axes. Results show that brittle deformation occurs at shallow depths in the crust and in the uppermost mantle, but the lower crust seems to be aseismic.
Inflammatory bowel disease in patients with celiac disease

Background: Several case reports and series report an association between celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, there is no current data assessing this association. We therefore studied the occurrence of these conditions in a cohort of patients with celiac disease seen at a referral center. Methods: A database of patients with celiac disease seen between 1981 and 2002 was analyzed. Only biopsy-proven adults were included. Patients who had endoscopic and pathologic evidence of IBD were identified, and their pathology was reviewed. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rate ratios were determined by comparing results with population-based prevalence data. Results: Among 455 patients with celiac disease, IBD was identified in 10 (5 had ulcerative colitis and 5 had Crohn's disease). This represented an age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rate ratio for ulcerative colitis of 3.56 (95% confidence interval, 1.48-8.56) and for Crohn's disease of 8.49 (95% confidence interval, 3.53-20.42). Conclusion: Within our cohort of patients with celiac disease, IBD was significantly more common than in the general population.
On the grain-size-dependent elastic modulus of nanocrystalline materials with and without grain-boundary sliding

A closed-form model was proposed to evaluate the elastic properties of nanocrystalline materials as a function of grain size. Grain-boundary sliding, present in nanocrystalline materials even at relatively low temperatures, was included in the formulation. The proposed analytical model agrees reasonably well with the experimental results for nanocrystalline copper and palladium.
Faculty Perceptions of Electronic Portfolios in a Teacher Education Program.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of selected teacher education faculty members engaged in electronic portfolio development. The research questions driving this study were (a) What are the faculty members experiencing as they adopt eFolios? (b) How do these professors understand and make sense of the role eFolios play in teacher education? A phenomenological case study research design framed and guided the study. Six overlapping themes emerged from this study. Interpretation of the teacher’s voices revealed assertions that attempt to make sense of their collective experience. Implications of these five assertions are discussed.
Effect of BMI on cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome risk factors in an Appalachian pediatric population.

Background The purpose of this study was to characterize cardiovascular risk factors in a rural pediatric population by body mass index (BMI) category and the presence of the metabolic syndrome. Methods Data on 13,018 children and adolescents (aged younger than 20 years) from West Virginia and Ohio in 2005-2006 were obtained from the C8 Health Project to determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity and the metabolic syndrome, which was then compared with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006 data. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed by age-standardized and sex-standardized BMI category ( 95th percentiles) and the presence of metabolic syndrome, defined as the presence of three or more of the following criteria: BMI >97th percentile, triglycerides >110 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 110 mg/dL. Results The population was 51% male and 95% white. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 38% and metabolic syndrome was 4.6% in the C8 population, compared with a prevalence of 30% and 3.4%, respectively, within the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey population. In our Appalachian population, a significant adverse trend across BMI categories was observed for lipids, insulin, inflammatory markers, white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein. Significant differences in these risk factors were seen among those with metabolic syndrome compared with those without metabolic syndrome. Conclusion The increased prevalence of overweight/obesity and the metabolic syndrome along with the increase in cardiovascular risk factors in Appalachian children and adolescents, suggests a cohort that may develop earlier onset and possibly increased severity of cardiovascular disease and other complications associated with metabolic syndrome and obesity.
C-reactive protein in human lattice corneal dystrophy

Lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD), an autosomal dominantly inherited disease, is characterized by a branching network of subepithelial and stromal amyloid deposits (1). Due to their small size and close association with stromal components and epithelial cells, their chemical composition is as yet undetermined. Amyloid deposits in other types of diseases have been found to contain amyloid P protein (AP). Serum amyloid P component (SAP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) resemble each other in molecular structure and amino acid sequence, but appear to be antigenically distinct (2–6). A humoral mediator most likely stimulates CRP release by hepatocytes and could be related to Interleukin-I synthesis from macrophages (4–6). Rabbit corneal epithelial cells also produced an Interleukin-I-like activity and contain a thymo-cyte activating cytokine (7). In this study, corneas from normal controls, primary LCD and recurrent LCD were fixed in formalin with ImM CaCl2 and tested with antibodies to CRP, AP and AA (nonimmunoamy...
Enhanced cholinergic response in pancreata of nonhuman primates with impaired glucose tolerance shown on [18F]fluorobenzyltrozamicol positron emission tomography.

Abstract Background: Islet cell adaptation to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus may be due in part to increased stimulation of beta cells by the autonomic nervous system. The parasympathetic neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) mediates insulin release via M3 muscarinic receptors on islet beta cells. The vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT) receptor correlates with cholinergic activity in vivo. The positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer (+)-4-[18F]fluorobenzyltrozamicol ([18F]FBT) binds to the VAChT receptor on presynaptic cholinergic neurons and can be quantified by PET. In this study, we utilize [18F]FBT PET to demonstrate pancreatic cholinergic activity before and after dextrose infusion in nonhuman primates with normal (NGT) and impaired (IGT) glucose tolerance. Methods: Seven adult female vervet (Chlorocebus aethiops) monkeys were maintained on an atherogenic Western diet. They were divided into two groups: four with NGT and three with IGT. Each subject underwent [18F]FBT PET twice:...
DNA signatures for detecting genetic engineering in bacteria

Using newly designed computational tools we show that, despite substantial shared sequences between natural plasmids and artificial vector sequences, a robust set of DNA oligomers can be identified that can differentiate artificial vector sequences from all available background viral and bacterial genomes and natural plasmids. We predict that these tools can achieve very high sensitivity and specificity rates for detecting new unsequenced vectors in microarray-based bioassays. Such DNA signatures could be important in detecting genetically engineered bacteria in environmental samples.
Nasal Septum Resection in the Horse

The nasal septum was surgically removed from 22 horses with upper airway obstruction caused by thickening and/or deviation of the septum. The most common presenting complaints were a low-pitched, snoring, respiratory noise and respiratory difficulty during exercise, which usually occurs in young horses. Abnormalities of the septum were most commonly congenital defects or caused by trauma or inflammation secondary to severe respiratory infection. Diagnosis was made based on history, clinical signs, and results of physical examination. Radiography and endoscopy were useful adjuncts in some horses. Under general anesthesia, the septum was removed by scalpel and osteotome (19 horses) or by obstetrical wire and osteotome (1 horse). In two horses, the rostral one third of the septum was removed by scalpel alone. In three horses, the alar folds and floor of the nasal diverticula were removed in an attempt to relieve airway obstruction caused by flattening of the bridge of the nose following removal of the nasal septum. Follow-up was obtained on 18 horses: persistent noise during exercise continued in 90%; however, 50% returned to usefulness.
Testing for Overdispersion in Truncated Count Data Recreation Demand Functions

Abstract Recreation demand functions specify the relationship between the number of trips a recreationist takes to a recreation site in a given time period and the cost of the trip. The dependent variable in these recreation demand functions is a non-negative integer, which suggests the use of an estimator based on a count data distribution. Additionally, because much of the data for estimating recreation demand functions are obtained through the use of on-site samples, an estimator which accounts for truncation is called for. Current research has addressed these issues by employing truncated count data estimators. Some of these estimators, however, are subject to problems of overdispersion. As in standard regression analysis, it is desirable to test the adequacy of the fitted count data model and to examine whether a specific deficiency of any initially entertained count model can be removed by progression to a less restrictive model. Prior research in this area has not adequately addressed this issue. Hence, in the present research, score tests for overdispersion are presented and discussed. The usefulness of such tests for recreation demand modelling are illustrated through an empirical recreation boating example. The results indicate that overdispersion can have significant effects on consumer surplus estimates. The importance of these tests and the ease with which they can be implemented gives credence to their routine application in future cases where truncated count data recreation demand functions are estimated.
Assessment of a Novel Watchstanding Schedule on an Operational us Navy Vessel

One watchstanding schedule used in the US Navy is the modified 6-hr on/18-hr off, a 6-hr watch followed by an 18-hr non-watch period. In this four-section watchbill, rather than standing the same 6-hour period each day, two 3-hr watches are “dogged”, resulting in a day shorter than 24-hrs in length. We assessed the 6-hr on/18-hr off schedule to determine its affordance of rest/sleep and psychomotor vigilance, comparing it to a 3-hr on/9-hr off schedule. Results show the 3-hr on/9-hr off schedule is superior, affording 0.63 more hours of rest daily (p=0.054), 0.89 more hours of sleep daily (p=0.024), and decreased variability in psychomotor vigilance (i.e., reaction time and lapses) compared to the standard schedule (p<0.05). Variability of daily rest and sleep is also reduced (p<0.05). Subjective assessments between the 3-hr on/9hr off and seven other watch schedules showed that participants preferred the 3-hr on/9-hr off schedule. The 3-hr on/9-hr off schedule yields better sleep hygiene, more stable performance and is well-accepted by crewmembers.
"The Only 13- Year Old on Planet Earth Without a Cell Phone": Meanings of Cell Phones in Early Adolescents' Everyday Lives

Cellular telephones have become an increasingly prevalent feature of contemporary American life, with usage often beginning during early adolescence. With this in mind, twenty 7th graders and their mothers participated in separate qualitative interviews regarding early adolescents’ use of cell phones as well as perceived risks and benefits of such use. Analyses indicated that early adolescents and their mothers imbued cell phones with a variety of psychological meanings. These meanings included cell phones as a source of connection to family and friends, cell phones as facilitators of adolescent autonomy development, and cell phones as sources of social status. These findings are discussed in relation to psychosocial developmental tasks occurring in early adolescence.
Differential role of ionotropic glutamatergic mechanisms in responses to NTS P2x and A2a receptor stimulation

Activation of ATP P2x receptors in the subpostremal nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) via microinjection of α,β-methylene ATP (α,β-MeATP) elicits fast initial depressor and sympathoinhibitory respons...
A Regionally Structured/Unstructured Finite Volume Method for Chemically Reacting Flows

A nite volume method for solving chemically reacting ows on unstructured meshes has been developed and successfully tested against experimental results and various computational simulations. Whereas this stand alone code, FVFLO-NCSU, is capable of resolving ows for high-speed propulsion devices with complex geometries, unstructured mesh algorithms are inherently ine cient when compared to their structured mesh counterparts. However, the advantages of structured algorithms in developing a ow solution in a timely manner can be negated by the amount of time required to develop a mesh for complex geometries. To help alleviate some of the di culties in creating these complex meshes, the global domain can be split up into numerous smaller blocks where adjacent block interfaces may or may not have matching nodes. One code capable of solving chemically reacting ows on these multiblock grids is VULCAN, which uses a nonconservative approach for patching nonmatching (or non-C) block interfaces. Initial work towards development of a regionally structured/unstructured nite volume method has been completed through integration of parts of the FVFLO-NCSU code into VULCAN. Parallel to this work has been the development of an algorithm capable of replacing non-C block interfaces with an unstructured mesh to ensure conservation across these boundaries.
Teaching a computer to teach

The long-range goal of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) should be to construct computer programs that interact with a student as a human tutor does. In order to make computers act as intelligent tutors, we must consider three aspects of teaching; (1) A tutor makes use of many different knowledge sources. (2) A tutorial session is a kind of problem-solving situation in which the tutor is trying to solve the problem of imparting understanding to the student. (3) There is an analogy between the process of communication and those of teaching in that both require the participants to make a number of inferences about each other’s states and responses. A tutor designs an “instructional act,” anticipating how the student will interpret and learn from it, and the student interprets and learns from the instruction in a manner that depends on his hypotheses about the intent of the tutor. The paper reviews the relevant literature and discusses how we will incorporate such ideas into CAI systems.
Human metapneumovirus infections in children of Fuzhou city,China

Objective To estimate the prevalence of human metapneumovirus(hMPV) infection in children of respiratory tract disease in Fuzhou,Fujian,China.Methods Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from children with respiratory tract infections from November 2007 to April 2010.Sequence analyses were done after RT-PCR amplification of a 213-nucleotide fragment of the hMPV N gene to compare with available sequences in GenBank.Results A total of 137 clinical samples were tested for hMPV using RT-PCR.Six were hMPV positive(4.4%) with 2 of them co-infected with respiratory syncytial virus(RSV).The sequence of the 213-nucleotide fragment of the hMPV N gene from four samples were compared with 4 representative strains in GenBank;it showed that the hMPV strains associated with acute respiratory infection in children of Fuzhou,China can be categorized into genotype A and B.Conclusions The hMPV infection in children with respiratory tract disease is 4.4% and the virus strains are genotypes A and B in Fuzhou,China.
No benefit to prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent placement.

Prolonging dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin plus clopidogrel (Plavix) for more than one year after the placement of a drug-eluting stent confers no clinical benefit.
Oxidative Addition of Methyl Iodide to Dinuclear Gold(I) Amidinate Complex: Schmidbaur’s Breakthrough Reaction Revisited with Amidinates

Gold chemistry was stimulated nearly 30 years ago by the addition of methyl iodide to a dinuclear Au(I) ylide complex by Schmidbaur. Congratulations Hubert on the occasion of your 70 t h birthday. God speed for many more.Oxidative-addition of methyl iodide, CH 3 I, to the dinuclear gold amidinate [Au 2 (o-Me 2 -form) 2 ] in THF generates a metal-metal bonded Au(II) product, formulated as [Au 2 (o-Me 2 -form) 2 CH 3 I], in quantitative yield under nitrogen at 0 °C and in absence of light. The product is characterized by 1 H NMR, elemental analysis and preliminary X-ray crystallography.
The Role of Adenosine Triphosphate in the Pathogenesis of Rosacea: An Explanation for the Mode of Action of Tetracyclines for the Treatment of Rosacea

Tetracylines have been used to treat acne vulgaris and rosacea for many decades; they share some common clinical manifestations. Their efficacy has usually been attributed to their antimicrobial activity, especially in the case of acne.
Dilute condition corrosion behavior of glass-ceramic waste form

Abstract Borosilicate glass-ceramics are being developed to immobilize high-level waste generated by aqueous reprocessing into a stable waste form. The corrosion behavior of this multiphase waste form is expected to be complicated by multiple phases and crystal-glass interfaces. A modified single-pass flow-through test was performed on polished monolithic coupons at a neutral pH (25 °C) and 90 °C for 33 d. The measured glass corrosion rates by micro analysis in the samples ranged from 0.019 to 0.29 g m−2 d−1 at a flow rate per surface area = 1.73 × 10−6 m s−1. The crystal phases (oxyapatite and Ca-rich powellite) corroded below quantifiable rates, by micro analysis. While, Ba-rich powellite corroded considerably in O10 sample. The corrosion rates of C1 and its replicate C20 were elevated an order of magnitude by mechanical stresses at crystal-glass interface caused by thermal expansion mismatch during cooling and unique morphology (oxyapatite clustering).
Analysis Of a Single Institutional Cohort Of 20,593 Patients Tested For Antiphospholipid Antibodies Indicates Significant Prospective Risk For Thrombosis

Background Quantification of the risk associated with positive antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies has been problematic since previous assessments have relied on observing relatively small study populations or meta-analyses of collected larger groups. There would be a significant benefit to a tool that would permit analysis of clinical outcomes of large patient cohorts. We applied a novel analytical information system, named “Clinical Looking Glass” (CLG), which aggregates clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and outcomes data from a single large academic health care center to address this question. Methods CLG was employed to collect all patients at a large tertiary care institution for whom antiphospholipid antibodies including lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies and anti- β2-glycoproteinI (aβ2GPI) were performed. The immunoassays were grouped by isotype and values of >30U/L (>99 th percentile) were considered positive. An untested control group was derived from outcomes data on all institutional Pioneer Accountable Care Organization patients, a cohort, whose coordinated care is managed by a single institution, permitted accurate and robust follow-up data. We used the CLG to track patients for a period of 583 days (maximum data available for control group) following their individual test results to identify a predefined thrombotic outcome. The outcome was defined by any encounter (inpatient, outpatient or ED), subsequent to the initial lab value date, which demonstrated a new thrombotic event. Results Using CLG we were able to evaluate 20,593 unique patients who had some form of LA testing performed. The aCL assays were performed on the greatest number of patients (18,201) followed by the LAC (11,267) with the fewest number of patients tested for aβ2GPI (7,914). A total of 5,660 patients had testing for all three. Of all 11,267 patients having LAC testing performed, 754 patients had at least one positive result. Of these 25.9% went on to develop a thrombotic event during the follow-up period compared to 15.0% of LAC negative patients ( p value p value Conclusions This first large study of aPL assays with prospective data from a single clinical information system confirms previous observations from smaller studies that LAC is the most significant laboratory predictor of future thrombotic events. However, in contrast to previous studies, all aPL antibodies, including IgA, demonstrated a statistically increased risk over a control population with LAC positivity having statistically greater risk than all others. Interestingly, aCL IgM was the weakest predictor of a future thrombotic event. Additionally we demonstrate the utility of clinical analytical software tools to offer very powerful ways to test prior assumptions and obtain novel results on large cohorts of patients in “real world” settings. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Animal Research in Neuroscience: A Duty to Engage

Activists opposed to the use of animals in scientific research are increasingly dominating the public discourse and pressuring government officials to severely limit the scope of the work. Polls show that public support for animal research is in decline. Scientists must respond by engaging with the public and policymakers to explain their research and its importance and by addressing moral concerns and objections.