cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Relation between Observational Measures of Social Problem Solving and Familial Antisocial Behavior: Genetic and Environmental Influences

Deficits in social problem-solving skills are often associated with antisocial behavior, particularly in children’s extrafamilial relationships. The current study was designed to examine this association in several new ways: the association was examined at two times in an adolescent sample within the context of the family; genetic models were used to estimate genetic and environmental effects on observational measures of problem solving and antisocial behavior and on the association between the two. The analyses were conducted as part of the Nonshared Environment in Adolescent Development project, consisting of 720 families at Time 1 (mean adolescent age: 14.5 years) and 440 families at Time 2 (mean adolescent age: 16.1 years). Genetic influence was found for antisocial behavior, but not for problem solving. The findings of shared environmental influences on these measures and their association are unusual in the behavioral genetic literature and are important in that respect.
The geography of US pollution intensive trade: evidence from 1958 to 1994

Abstract Over the last thirty years, the United States has experienced a reduction in the share of manufacturing workers, increased international trade in manufacturing, and rising environmental quality. One possible factor driving these three trends is increased imports of dirty goods from ‘pollution havens’. As the volume of world trade grows, the United States has the opportunity to consume goods that are not produced domestically. This paper uses US trade data from 1958 to 1994 to study trends in dirty and clean trade. Bilateral trade regressions results show that poorer, non-democratic nations are not US pollution havens. The pollution content of Africa’s exports to the US are much higher than other continents.
Presence and measurement of sample histidine in the Ames test: quantification and possible elimination of a source of false-positive mutagenicity test results.

Both histidine and dipeptides that can be converted to histidine can potentially interfere with the Ames test by increasing the number of spontaneous revertants. Such interference might be especially evident when urine and other biological samples are studied in this assay. We have developed a turbidimetric bioassay that utilizes a nonrevertible Salmonella typhimurium histidine auxotroph, NS1135. The assay is linear with histidine over at least a 300-fold range (0.015-5 micrograms/ml of L-histidine.HCl.H2O). Data indicate that several histidine-containing dipeptides can be utilized as efficiently as free histidine. Our data suggest that this assay may be used to measure biological samples accurately for their histidine content and thereby permit an adjustment for sample histidine during the setup of Ames assays, thus eliminating increased reversion caused by sample histidine.
Design of high-voltage, high-power, solid-state remote

Two general types of remote power controllers (RPC's), which combine the functions of a circuit breaker and a switch, were developed for use in direct-current (dc) aerospace systems. Powerswitching devices used in these designs are the relatively new gate-turnoff thyristor (GTO) and power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET). The various RPC's can switch dc voltages to 1200 V and currents to 100 A. Seven different units were constructed and subjected to comprehensive laboratory and thermal vacuum testing. Two of these were dual units that switch both positive and negative voltages simultaneously. The RPC's using MOSFET's have slow turnon and turnoff times which limit surge currents and voltage spiking from high di/dt. The GTO's have much faster transition times. All RPC's have programmable overload tripout proportional to I2 and microsecond tripout for large overloads.
Dimensional and material characteristics of direct deposited tool steel by CO 2 laser

Laser aided direct metalimaterial deposition (DMD) process builds metallic parts layer-by-layer directly from the CAD representation. In general, the process uses powdered metaUmaterials fed into a melt pool, creating fully dense parts. Success of this technology in the die and tool industry depends on the parts quality to be achieved. To obtain designed geometric dimensions and material properties, delicate control of the parameters such as laser power, spot diameter, traverse speed and powder mass flow rate is critical. In this paper, the dimensional and material characteristics of directed deposited H13 tool steel by CO2 laser are investigated for the DMD process with a feedback height control system. The relationships between DMD process variables and the product characteristics are analyzed using statistical techniques. The performance of the DMD process is examined with the material characteristics of hardness, porosity, microstructure, and composition.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Calcein as a marker in experimental studies newly-hatched gastropods

A nontoxic method of marking juvenile animals is a prerequisite for many field studies investigating growth and survivorship in marine invertebrates. This study investigates the effectiveness of low concentrations of calcein in marking hatchling snails (Nucella ostrina), the durability of the calcein mark, and the effects of marking on survivorship and growth. I also describe an inexpensive means of visualizing the calcein mark under a dissecting microscope. Results demonstrate that calcein provides a long-lasting, readily detected fluorescent shell mark that can be used to measure shell growth accurately. In addition, marking with calcein did not affect survivorship or growth, and had no size-dependent effects on growth or survivorship.
Management of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment with Macula Detached: Steroids, Choroidal Detachment, and Acuity

One hundred thirty-four consecutive eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment involving the macula were evaluated with reference to the effectiveness of systemic steroids in preventing choroidal detachment after scleral buckling surgery and in facilitating both anatomic and functional success. The occurrence of postoperative choroidal detachment was inversely related to the routine intravenous administration of steroids under antibiotic coverage beginning in the recovery room (P = 0.014). Eyes so treated were free of both clinically significant infection and extrusion. The infrequent but worrisome complication of angle closure sufficient to require choroidal tap did not occur among treated eyes. Routine steroid use may have been associated with increased preservation of acuity at the level of 20/200 or better (P = 0.043).
Surface grid generation based on elliptic PDE models

Abstract Elliptic grid generation methods for the construction of surface grids are discussed. An improved elliptic surface grid generation method for parametric surfaces will be presented. Two methods of imposing grid orthogonality have been implemented. Several control function options are available for maintaining a desired distribution of grid points on the surface. The overall effect of these improvements is a reliable and versatile elliptic method for generating and improving surface grids. Examples will be presented to demonstrate the application of the method in generating practical grids.
Self-Determination Theory and Public Policy: Improving the Quality of Consumer Decisions Without Using Coercion

Abstract Self-determination theory identifies a basic psychological need for autonomy as a central feature for understanding effective self-regulation and well-being. The authors explain why policy that promotes autonomous choice for behavior change is often more effective than the use of coercion, especially when evaluating policy on a broad level with a long-term perspective.
An approach to documenting and evolving architectural design decisions

Software architecture is considered as a set of architectural design decisions (ADDs). Capturing and representing ADDs during the architecting process is necessary for reducing architectural knowledge evaporation. Moreover, managing the evolution of ADDs helps to maintain consistency between requirements and the deployed system. In this work, we create the Triple View Model (TVM) as a general architecture framework for documenting ADDs. The TVM clarifies the notion of ADDs in three different views and covers key features of the architecting process. Based on the TVM, we propose a scenario-based method (SceMethod) to manage the documentation and the evolution of ADDs. Furthermore, we also develop a UML metamodel that incorporates evolution-centered characteristics to manage evolutionary architectural knowledge. We conduct a case study to validate the applicability and the effectiveness of our model and method. In our future work, we plan to investigate how to support ADD documentation and evolution in geographically separated software development (GSD).
THE DIAGRAM SPERA CELESTIS IN THE HORTUS DELICIARUM: A CONFUSED AMALGAM FROM THE ASTRONOMIES OF PLINY AND MARTIANUS CAPELLA

title RIASSUNTO /title Il disegno della Sphaera caelestis nell'Hortus deliciarum ha un'origine complessa. Da una parte, infatti, si rif ad una tradizione post-carolingia relativa alle absides planetarie dell'Historia naturalis pliniana, dall'altra ad un ordine delle orbite planetarie che trae origine dalla sistemazione proposta da Marciano Capella. Quest'ordine dei pianeti sembra derivare da un diagramma simile a quello che troviamo in un manoscritto di Avranches (XII secolo).
The effect of surface curvature and discontinuity on the surface energy density and other induced fields in elastic dielectrics with polarization gradient

Abstract Mindlin's theory of elastic dielectrics with polarization gradient is used along with the values of material coefficients obtained by Askar et al. to solve two types of problems involving cylindrical and spherical cavities and a free linear crack in “plane-strain”. In the case of the two cavities the surface energy density of deformation and polarization is found to be changed by an amount directly proportional to a length parameter l 1 , of order of magnitude of the interatomic distance, and inversely proportional to the radius of curvature of the cavity. As for the crack a stress singularity of the order e −½ as e → 0 is obtained in the absence of any external forces. This singularity is of the same order as those given by classical elasticity and couple stress theories. However, the surface energy density of the crack surface is bounded.
Problems of creating bone marrow donor registries in emerging economies

Insufficient funding for non-communicable diseases in India and other emerging economies makes stabilising stem cell donor registries a tough prospect, writes Sushrut Jangi
A New Class of Distributed Sensors

A new class of distributed sensors is presented which can measure both the linear and angular deflections of composite beams. The sensor relies in its operation on a set of wires which are embedded off the neutral axes of the composite beams. The wires are arranged in a special manner which allows continuous monitoring of the deflection curve of the beam. The output signals of the wires are processed to determine the linear and angular displacements at critical discrete points along the beam axis. The theoretical and experimental performance of the sensor is presented in both the time and frequency domains. Comparisons are given between the experimental performance of the distributed sensor and that of conventional laser sensors in order to demonstrate the accuracy and merits of the distributed sensor. The results obtained suggest the potential of this new class of sensors as a viable means for monitoring the static and dynamic deflections of flexible composite SMART beams and plates.
Iron Status is Associated with Asthma and Lung Function in US Women

Background Asthma and iron deficiency are common conditions. Whether iron status affects the risk of asthma is unclear. Objective To determine the relationship between iron status and asthma, lung function, and pulmonary inflammation. Methods Relationships between measures of iron status (serum ferritin, serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and sTfR/log10ferritin (sTfR-F Index)) and asthma, lung function, and pulmonary inflammation were examined in women 20-49 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Logistic, linear, and quadratic regression models accounting for the survey design of NHANES were used to evaluate associations between iron status and asthma-related outcomes and were adjusted for race/ethnicity, age, smoking status, income, and BMI. Results Approximately 16% reported a lifetime history of asthma, 9% reported current asthma, and 5% reported a recent asthma episode/attack (n = 2906). Increased ferritin (iron stores) was associated with decreased odds of lifetime asthma, current asthma, and asthma attacks/episodes in the range of ferritin linearly correlated with iron stores (20-300ng/ml). The highest quintile of ferritin (>76 ng/ml) was also associated with a decreased odds of asthma. Ferritin levels were not associated with FEV1. Increased values of the sTfR-F Index and sTfR, indicating lower body iron and higher tissue iron need, respectively, were associated with decreased FEV1, but neither was associated with asthma. None of the iron indices were associated with FeNO. Conclusion In US women, higher iron stores were inversely associated with asthma and lower body iron and higher tissue iron need were associated with lower lung function. Together, these findings suggest that iron status may play a role in asthma and lung function in US women.
Pig reticulocytes. IV. In vitro maturation of naturally occurring reticulocytes with permeability loss to glucose

Naturally occurring reticulocytes of week old piglets were used to characterize the maturation process under in vitro conditions. When the reticulocytes were suspended in tissue culture medium fortified with metabolic substrates, nearly all cells were viable after 24 hours incubation and usually more than 85% of the initial cell population survived after an 80 hour period. In cells maintained as long as a week in incubation, an adequate level of total adenine nucleotide with a large accumulation of IMP was found. In most cases, reticulocytes lose their reticular materials within two days and assume normal erythrocyte configuration. Concomitant with the morphological change, the cell volume decreases toward normal erythrocyte size, the extent of which can be accounted for by the intracellular loss of salt and accompanying water. As in the in vivo reticulocyte maturation process, reticulocytes undergoing in vitro maturation lose their membrane permeability to glucose. These findings suggest that the process of reticulocyte maturation occurring in cell culture approaches that which naturally occurs in vivo. Thus, these cells may be used to delineate the mechanism of the loss of membrane transport of glucose which normally occurs in the adult pig cells.
Synthetic fuels and fusion

Abstract The decreasing availability of fossil fuels emphasizes the need to develop systems which will produce synthetic fuel to substitute for and supplement the natural supply. An important first step in the synthesis of liquid and gaseous fuels is the production of hydrogen. Thermonuclear fusion offers an inexhaustible source of energy for the production of hydrogen from water. Depending on design, electric generation efficiencies of ∼40–60% and hydrogen production efficiencies by high temperature electrolysis of ∼50–70% are projected for fusion reactors using high temperature blankets. Fusion/coal symbiotic systems appear economically promising for the first generation of commercial fusion synfuels plants. Coal production requirements and the environmental effects of large-scale coal usage would be greatly reduced by a fusion/coal system. In the long-term, there could be a gradual transition to an inexhaustible energy system based solely on fusion.
Spectral functions for two-dimensional random conductors

Abstract We collect together a number of results for the spectral function for two-dimensional random conductors. Exact solutions are available for the conductivity of sheets containing a few elliptical inclusions. We show that exact results can also be obtained for polygonal holes using conformal mapping techniques. For polygonal inclusions with arbitrary conductivity, the conductivity can be expressed in terms of a spectral function which we have obtained numerically using a boundary element method. In this method the singularities associated with the sharp corners are explicitly taken care of. Spectral functions can also be used to obtain an exact solution for the conductivity when the effect of pairs of circular inclusions is also included. Throughout this paper we express the conductivity of the composite in terms of the total induced dipole moment and exploit the simplifications due to the reciprocity theorem in two dimensions.
Caenorhabditis phylogeny predicts convergence of hermaphroditism and extensive intron loss

Despite the prominence of Caenorhabditis elegans as a major developmental and genetic model system, its phylogenetic relationship to its closest relatives has not been resolved. Resolution of these relationships is necessary for studying the steps that underlie life history, genomic, and morphological evolution of this important system. By using data from five different nuclear genes from 10 Caenorhabditis species currently in culture, we find a well resolved phylogeny that reveals three striking patterns in the evolution of this animal group: (i) Hermaphroditism has evolved independently in C. elegans and its close relative Caenorhabditis briggsae; (ii) there is a large degree of intron turnover within Caenorhabditis, and intron losses are much more frequent than intron gains; and (iii) despite the lack of marked morphological diversity, more genetic disparity is present within this one genus than has occurred within all vertebrates.
Read my lips: speech distortions in musical lyrics can be overcome (slightly) by facial information

Understanding the lyrics of many contemporary songs is difficult, and an earlier study [Hidalgo-Barnes, M., Massaro, D.W., 2007. Read my lips: an animated face helps communicate musical lyrics. Psychomusicology 19, 3-12] showed a benefit for lyrics recognition when seeing a computer-animated talking head (Baldi^(R)) mouthing the lyrics along with hearing the singer. However, the contribution of visual information was relatively small compared to what is usually found for speech. In the current experiments, our goal was to determine why the face appears to contribute less when aligned with sung lyrics than when aligned with normal speech presented in noise. The first experiment compared the contribution of the talking head with the originally sung lyrics versus the case when it was aligned with the Festival text-to-speech synthesis (TtS) spoken at the original duration of the song's lyrics. A small and similar influence of the face was found in both conditions. In the three experiments, we compared the presence of the face when the durations of the TtS were equated with the duration of the original musical lyrics to the case when the lyrics were read with typical TtS durations and this speech embedded in noise. The results indicated that the unusual temporally distorted durations of musical lyrics decreases the contribution of the visible speech from the face.
Homosexuality: Is Etiology Really Important?

The etiology of sexual orientation can be viewed from a scientific, ethical, or socio-politico-religious perspective. The latter view makes the question of etiology more consequential because of th...
Sonority and the acquisition of #sC clusters

Because of their rather exceptional behavior in languages, #sC clusters have been assigned a special ‘adjunct’ status and discussed separately from other (true) clusters. Support for the distinction between the two cluster types can also be found in developing phonologies. While the different (adjunct) status of #sC clusters has been agreed on, there is disagreement whether all or only some of these clusters should be considered as such. Cross-linguistic acquisition studies into the patterning of the different types of #sC clusters based on sonority can elucidate their status.
New adjuvant strategies for the management of resectable non-small-cell lung cancer.

Several current conclusions about adjuvant therapy of stages I through IIIA NSCLC can be formulated as follows: (1) After complete resection of stage I disease, the majority of first failures are distant. (2) For stages II and IIIA disease, there is an increased risk of local failure, but distant metastases remain the primary problem. (3) For stages II and IIIA fully resected squamous cell carcinoma, adjuvant radiotherapy can essentially eliminate local failure as a site of first failure. However, it provides no survival benefit. (4) LCSG trials with adjuvant chemotherapy demonstrated clear biologic activity for CAP treatment. Some studies show significant delay in time to recurrence with improved failure-free survival. However, no statistically significant prolongation of overall survival has been seen. (5) At least 1 large trial of chemotherapy added to radiotherapy for stage III NSCLC shows a significant decrease in distant metastases formation in the chemoradiotherapy arm. (6) Ongoing or upcoming American adjuvant trials differ in the timing, dose intensity and scheduling of chemotherapy, as well as in the control arm employed. It is hoped that the results of 1 or more of these trials will demonstrate unequivocal benefit for adjuvant therapy and signal another step forward in the management of patients with operable NSCLC.
Structural Characterization and Aging of Glassy Pharmaceuticals made Using Acoustic Levitation

ABSTRACT Here, we report the structural characterization of several amorphous drugs made using the method of quenching molten droplets suspended in an acoustic levitator. 13 C NMR, X-ray, and neutron diffraction results are discussed for glassy cinnarizine, carbamazepine, miconazole nitrate, probucol, and clotrimazole. The 13 C NMR results did not find any change in chemical bonding induced by the amorphization process. High-energy X-ray diffraction results were used to characterize the ratio of crystalline to amorphous material present in the glasses over a period of 8 months. All the glasses were stable for at least 6 months except carbamazepine, which has a strong tendency to crystallize within a few months. Neutron and X-ray pair distribution function analyses were applied to the glassy materials, and the results were compared with their crystalline counterparts. The two diffraction techniques yielded similar results in most cases and identified distinct intramolecular and intermolecular correlations. The intramolecular scattering was calculated based on the crystal structure and fit to the measured X-ray structure factor. The resulting intermolecular pair distribution functions revealed broad- nearest and next-nearest neighbor molecule-molecule correlations.
Decade in review-pancreatic diseases: advances in understanding and care of pancreatic diseases.

Clinical and basic science discoveries over the past decade have led to considerable improvements in our understanding and care of pancreatic diseases. Findings reported in 10 key papers highlight results that have already substantially altered the care of patients with acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer (or soon will).
An integrated analysis of controlled and passive source seismic data across an Archean-Proterozoic suture zone in the Rocky Mountains

[1] We conducted a new integrated analysis of the controlled and passive source seismic data from the Continental Dynamics of the Rocky Mountains (CD-ROM) experiment in the western United States. A specific goal of our study was to establish a stronger tie between the CD-ROM and Deep Probe experiments that together form a transect that extends almost 3000 km from northern New Mexico to the southern Northwest Territories of Canada. We created a new P wave velocity and interface model from the controlled source seismic (CSS) data on the basis of an advanced picking strategy that produced substantially more arrivals whose traveltimes could be picked. In addition, we were able to identify a substantial set of S wave arrivals and to establish an independent S wave model, which allowed us to estimate the Vp/Vs and Poisson's ratios in the crust. An integrated analysis of the CSS data with recently generated receiver function results and gravity data allowed us to construct a well-constrained multiparameter structural model. This model resolves the structural framework of the crust and uppermost mantle of the transition from the Wyoming craton to the north, across the Cheyenne belt suture zone, and into the Proterozoic terranes to the south. Our tectonic interpretation that crustal-scale crocodile structures are present provides an explanation for the south dip of the Cheyenne belt in the upper crust and the north dipping slab in the mantle revealed by earlier tomographic results. The very distinct crustal structures north and south of the suture zone are clearly shown in our model and document that the blocks that collided at ∼1.8 Ga to form the Cheyenne belt suture zone have retained their basic crustal and uppermost mantle structure since then.
Effective leak conditions across a membrane

The problem of effective boundary conditions for the flow of a viscous fluid across a type of permeable membranes is considered. Threshold leak conditions of subgradient type, introduced by [H. Fujita, A mathematical analysis of motions of viscous incompressible fluid under leak or slip boundary conditions, Res. Inst. Math. Sci. Kokyuroku 888 (1994), pp. 199–216; H. Fujita, A coherent analysis of Stokes flows under boundary conditions of friction type, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 149(1) (2002), pp. 56–79] are considered on the periodic solid part of the membrane: the normal velocity is zero unless the jump in the normal stress across the membrane reaches a yield limit. The effective conditions are of subgradient type with an effective yield limit, in the case of a densely distributed solid part, or of Navier type, in the case of dilute solid part; in the intermediate case the tangential slip cancels, whereas the normal velocity and stress are continuous. Unlike in the case of perforated walls [Sanchez-Palencia...
Fiber Length Development in Near-Long Staple Upland Cotton

Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) mean fiber length by weight (L w ), fiber length development period (FLDP), and average daily fiber length growth rates (ADGR) were determined for four experimental strains and three cultivars of upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in 1998 and 1999 in College Station, TX. TAM 94L-25 and TAM 94M-14, near-long staple sib lines developed by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES), were compared with five upland cotton genotypes that varied in high-volume instrument (HVI) upper half mean (UHM) fiber length. The FLDP was determined as the number of days postanthesis (DPA) until fibers reached a L w greater than or equal to their L w at boll opening. Final average daily growth rate (FADGR) was calculated as the average L w d -1 from anthesis to open boll. Length by weight was determined at 3-d intervals from 16 DPA until boll opening. With a higher FADGR and longer FLDP, TAM 94L-25 and TAM 94M-14 exhibited the longest final L w . TAM 94L-25 had a higher FADGR than the commercial cultivars Suregrow 125 and Tamcot CAMD-E, while TAES strain 94WD-17 exhibited the lowest FADGR. The broad-sense heritability estimate for final L w across years was 0.88.
Localization of the human T lymphocyte activation gene 519 (D2S69E) to chromosome 2p12→q11

In situ hybridization was used to localize the lymphocyte activation gene 519 (D2S69E) on human metaphase chromosomes. A significant proportion of the grains were situated over chromosome 2p1→q11, a r
The continuity of the germ cells in the urodele, Plethodon cinereus (Green)

Plethodon cinereus is favorable for a study of the history of the germ line. The germ cells are large, while the gonads are small and show an almost diagrammatic structure. Germ cell degeneration is not extensive during ontogeny. As long as all the germ cells contain yolk during development, these cells are derived solely from germ cells. In Plethodon, yolk lasts in all germ celis through sex differentiation. A comparison of the number of mitoses necessary for the primordial germ cells to produce the numbers of germ cells in gonads where every germ cell contains yolk, with the mitoses necessary for the primordial cells to produce the adult complements of germ cells, shows that at least 72% of the increase of germ cells can be followed by yolk. A cytological study from the embryo through the adult sexual cycle gave no evidence that somiatic cells ever transform into germ cells. Mitoses are abundant in the testes of salamanders starved 4 months. This fact together with a statistical study on the adult male sexual cycle indicates that the germ cells present in the testis do not need to be augmented by transformed somatic cells. It is concluded that in Plethodon germ cells alone give rise to germ cells, and that the germ line is continuous.
Atoms, Ions and Photons for Quantum Tasks: Strengths and Weaknesses

I will describe applications employing ions, photons and neutral atoms for quantum science. This will lead to an insider's comparison of single- and many-particle aspects of the production (ease and time), lifetime, manipulation and measurement of these quantum systems. Article not available.
An Infrared Scene Composer For Electronic Vision Applications

Because it is impossible to obtain real-image data that represent all of the scenarios and environmental conditions under which target recognizer models should be tested, we have developed a scene composer to aid in the analysis and evaluation of multiple-sensor electronic vision systems. The scene composer can present real-image data, computer-generated synthetic image data, and/or data composed of both real and synthetic imagery merged together so as to mimic an actual scene. For example, synthetic targets can be merged with real-image background scenes or vice versa. In addition, the composer uses a simple multiple scattering model to simulate image degradations due to fog or dust. Presently, our synthetic generator is a simple infrared scene model based on the assumption that a given absolute temperature in a scene will be detected as a graybody radiance value. The temperature model allows wavelength-dependent functions such as surface emissivity, detector responsivity, and spectral filter characteristics to be included in the integration of the Planck equation. Real-image data have been obtained from the Texas Instruments 8-bit LANTIRN Database and from other sources. The paper includes examples of real, synthetic, and merged infrared images and images degraded by simulated fog and dust.
Ethnic Differences in Secretion, Sensitivity, and Hepatic Extraction of Insulin in Black and White Americans

Hyperinsulinaemia and abnormalities in hepatic insulin extraction commonly coexist in ethnic groups with severe insulin resistance. Therefore, we compared the effects of ethnicity on glucose/insulin/C-peptide dynamics, hepatic insulin extraction, and insulin sensitivity in healthy black (n = 32) and white (n = 30) Americans. Standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and tolbutamide-modified, frequently sampled, intravenous glucose tolerance (FSIVGT) tests were performed in each subject. Insulin sensitivity index (S1) was calculated using the MINIMOD method described by Bergman et al. Basal and post-stimulation hepatic insulin extraction were calculated by the molar ratios of C-peptide and insulin concentrations during the basal steady state and areas under the post-stimulation hormone curves, respectively. Apart from a slightly greater mean serum glucose peak response after oral glucose in the whites, mean glucose levels were identical in the blacks and whites during both stimulations. In contrast, serum insulin levels at basal and during both stimulations were significantly greater (2–3 fold) in the blacks than whites. However, the corresponding C-peptide responses were identical in both groups. The basal and postprandial hepatic insulin extraction were 33% and 45% lower in the blacks when compared to whites, respectively. The mean S1 was significantly (p < 0.02) lower in the blacks (4.93 ± 0.46) than the whites (7.17 ± 0.88 × 10−4 (mU l−1)−1). We conclude that ethnicity may be a major determinant of the mechanism of peripheral hyperinsulinaemia and insulin insensitivity in black and white Americans.
Preparation of bicontinuous mesoporous silica and organosilica materials containing gold nanoparticles by co-synthesis method

Abstract Catalytic activities of gold strongly depend on its particle size. It is necessary to have homogeneous distributions of small gold nanoparticles with diameters between 2 and 5 nm for excellent catalytic activities. In this study, gold-containing mesoporous silica materials were prepared by a co-synthesis method. The essence of this sol–gel co-synthesis method is to combine together neutral surfactant template synthesis of mesoporous silica materials with the introduction of metal ions via bifunctional silane ligands, so that the formation of mesostructures and metal–ion doping occur simultaneously. The formation of gold nanoparticles with size less than 5 nm inside mesoporous materials (HMS, MSU, and PMO) has been achieved by this co-synthesis sol–gel process. In addition, the effects of post-treatments, such as calcination and reduction, on pore structures and nanoparticle size distributions were also investigated.
Structure-toxicity relationships of the tetramethylated tetralin and indane analogs of retinoic acid.

The teratogenicity of retinoids containing either tetramethylated tetralin (Ro 13-6307 or Ro 13-2389) or tetramethylated indane (Ro 13-4306) ring system substitutions was compared to the teratogenic potency of all-trans-retinoic acid. Single oral doses, administered to Syrian Golden hamsters at 10:00 A.M. on day 8 of gestation, induced a syndrome of malformations identical to that induced by treatment with all-trans-retinoic acid. These retinoids failed to induce signs of maternal hypervitaminosis A at doses associated with a significant teratogenic response. The tetramethylated tetralin retinoids and indane retinoid were 18 and 2.4 times as embryotoxic on a molar basis, respectively, as all-trans-retinoic acid. Introduction of a supplementary ring in the side-chain restricted polyene chain flexibility and maintained the hydrophobic plane of the chain. The present results are consistent with previous studies showing that the presence of or biotransformation to a free acid congener was necessary for retinoid teratogenic activity in hamsters and that increasing conformational restriction of acidic retinoids increased teratogenic potency.
On quasi-Newton and pseudo-Newton algorithms

This paper surveys some of the existing approaches to quasi-Newton methods and introduces a new way for constructing inverse Hessian approximations for such algorithms. This new approach is based on restricting Newton's method to subspaces over which the inverse Hessian is assumed to be known, while expanding this subspace using gradient information. It is shown that this approach can lead to some well-known formulas for updating the inverse Hessian approximation. Deriving such updates through this approach provides new understanding of these formulas and their relation to the pseudo-Newton-Raphson algorithm.
Effect of Alosetron (a New 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonist) on the Pharmacokinetics of Haloperidol in Schizophrenic Patients

Alosetron is under clinical development for the treatment of schizophrenia. This study evaluated the effect of oral alosetron dosing on the pharmacokinetics of haloperidol, the latter being administered daily to 13 schizophrenic patients for 56 days. Alosetron 1 mg daily or placebo was given by random assignment for 2 weeks. After a two-week alosetron washout period (during which patients received placebo), patients received the alternate treatment for another two weeks. Serial blood samples were collected for high-performance liquid chromatography determination of plasma haloperidol, reduced haloperidol, and alosetron at selected times for 24 hours after administration of haloperidol and alosetron on study days 21 and 49. Mean pharmacokinetic parameters of haloperidol in the presence of alosetron and placebo treatments were not significantly (P > .05) different: dose-normalized Cmax (6.40 versus 5.75 ng/mL), dose-normalized Cmin (2.00 versus 1.90 ng/mL), dose-normalized AUC (85.97 versus 68.48 ng.hr/mL), and CL/f (78.23 versus 104.7 L/hr). A two-compartment model was used to assess the concentration- and time-independent pharmacokinetics of haloperidol after multiple dosing. The model confirmed that there was no change in the pharmacokinetics of haloperidol when alosetron was administered concomitantly. Mean AUC ratios of reduced haloperidol to haloperidol (0.18) in the presence of alosetron were similar to values obtained in the absence of alosetron, indicating that alosetron had no influence on the metabolism of haloperidol. Mean pharmacokinetic parameters of alosetron were similar to those in previous studies in healthy subjects.
Overhead and reliability analysis of algorithm-based fault tolerance in FPGA systems

Commercial SRAM-based, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) have the capability to provide space applications with the necessary performance, energy-efficiency, and adaptability to meet next-generation mission requirements. However, mitigating an FPGA's susceptibility to radiation-induced faults is challenging. Triple-modular redundancy (TMR) techniques are traditionally used to mitigate radiation effects, but TMR incurs substantial overheads such as increased area and power requirements. In order to reduce these overheads while still providing sufficient radiation mitigation, we propose the use of algorithm-based fault tolerance (ABFT). We investigate the effectiveness of hardware-based ABFT logic in COTS FPGAs by developing multiple ABFT-enabled matrix multiplication designs, carefully analyzing resource usage and reliability tradeoffs, and proposing design modifications for higher reliability. We perform fault-injection testing on a Xilinx Virtex-5 platform to validate these ABFT designs, measure design vulnerability, and compare ABFT effectiveness to other fault-tolerance methods. Our hybrid ABFT design reduces total design vulnerability by 99% while only incurring 25% overhead over a baseline, non-protected design.
Cell Adhesion to Fibronectin Regulates Membrane Lipid Biosynthesis through 5′-AMP-activated Protein Kinase

Abstract We have shown that attachment to a fibronectin substrate stimulates two pathways of lipid biosynthesis in cultured human fibroblasts. Detachment of these cells (mechanically, with trypsin, or by RGDS peptides) caused a significant decrease in their 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity and in their incorporation of [3H]acetate into fatty acids. This inhibition was substantially reversed by the reattachment of cells to fibronectin substrates, but not to poly-l-lysine substrates or to fibronectin in solution. Inhibiting phosphoprotein phosphatase activity with okadaic acid blocked the recovery of both biosynthetic activities. Both 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and fatty acid biosynthesis are known to be inhibited by the action of 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase, which is activated by an increase in the level of AMP relative to ATP. For example, in our system, sodium azide and 2-deoxy-d-glucose increased the ratio of cellular AMP to ATP and caused a decrease in lipid biosynthesis. We then verified the prediction that detachment of cells from substrates also caused an increase in the AMP/ATP ratio. We therefore conclude that the attachment of cells to fibronectin promotes lipid biosynthesis, presumably in coordination with the cellular growth response evoked by attachment to the extracellular matrix.
William Hazlitt, Liber Amoris, and the Imagination

In 1823, William Hazlitt published his erotic memoir, Liber Amoris, and a polemic against royalism, “On the Spirit of Monarchy.” This essay assesses the sadomasochistic nature of the royalist imagination in “Monarchy” and the psychological violence of Liber Amoris in order to illuminate Hazlitt's theory of the imagination, which, I demonstrate, posited that the expansive imagination, though driven by antisocial impulse, as a regulating force that enables sociability in a society held together by print culture.
Adapting CROPGRO for Simulating Spring Canola Growth with Both RZWQM2 and DSSAT 4.0

Currently, canola (Brassica napus L.) is gaining importance as a potential feedstock in biodiesel production industries, increasing the demand for canola production acreage. Agricultural system models that simulate canola growth and yield will help to assess the feasibility of canola production under various agroclimatic conditions. In this study, we adapted the CROPGRO model for simulation of spring canola in both Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM2) and Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT 4.0). Soil water, phenology, leaf area index (LAI) , biomass, plant height, and grain yield data from irrigation experiments conducted in 2005 on a Weld silt loam soil (fine, smectitic, mesic Aridic Argiustoll) in the semiarid climate at Akron, CO were used for model parameterization and calibration. Similar data from 1993, 1994, and 2006 were used for validation. Species and cultivar parameters for canola were developed using data from literature or by calibrating the existing CROPGRO-faba bean (Vicia faba L.) parameters. Grain yields across various irrigation levels and seasons were simulated reasonably well by RZWQM2 with root mean square error (RMSE) of215 kg ha -1 and index of agreement (d) of 0.98. Seasonal biomass development was simulated with RMSEs between 341 and 903 kg ha -1 , d between 0.55 and 0.99, and R 2 between 0.85 and 0.98. The CROPGRO-canola parameters developed were also tested within the DSSAT 4.0 cropping systems model and found to produce results with similar accuracy.
Carbohydrate metabolism in phenylketonuria.

Summary: Carbohydrate metabolism was studied in 6 adult patients with phenylketonuria both on a low phenylalanine and an unrestricted institutional diet. Tolerance tests included PO glucose, PO phenylalanine, and combined glucose and phenylalanine loading. Glucose, insulin, pyruvate, lactate, and phenylalanine were sampled at 0, ½, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hr. Fasting glucose levels were normal as were mean glucose values after challenge. Basal insulin secretion, as well as insulin response, to glucose challenge and to combined phenylalanine and glucose loading appeared normal. Insulin response to phenylalanine alone, however, was lower than expected in the phenylketonuria patients. Both off and on low phenylalanine diet, blood pyruvate and lactate values were also normal. Thus, our data from blood did not show evidence of the abnormalities in glucose and pyruvate metabolism which have been proposed to occur in phenylketonuric patients but did suggest that the potency of phenylalanine as an insulin secretagogue is diminished by chronic hyperphenylalaninemia. Speculation: Carbohydrate metabolism following a glucose load and measured in whole blood appears normal in phenylketonuria. In contrast, the insulin response to a phenylalanine load appears decreased. Chronic hyperphenylalaninemia may produce a state of subsensitivity of the pancreas for the insulin response to an acute phenylalanine load.
Estimation of Radiation Risks: BEIR V and Its Significance for Medicine

IN EARLY 1990 a new report on radiation risk estimation was released by the National Research Council (NRC), an agency administered by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. 1 This report, entitled "Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiations," was prepared by the NRC's Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiations (BEIR) and is commonly referred to as BEIR V. The report was commissioned by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy through its Committee on Interagency Radiation Research and Policy Coordination. The BEIR V committee was composed of 17 of North America's experts on radiation epidemiology, bioeffects, and risk estimates. The mission of the BEIR V committee was to conduct a comprehensive review of the biological effects of ionizing radiations and to provide new estimates of the risks of genetic and somatic effects associated
Sleep deprivation and neurobehavioral dynamics

Lifestyles involving sleep deprivation are common, despite mounting evidence that both acute total sleep deprivation and chronically restricted sleep degrade neurobehavioral functions associated with arousal, attention, memory and state stability. Current research suggests dynamic differences in the way the central nervous system responds to acute versus chronic sleep restriction, which is reflected in new models of sleep–wake regulation. Chronic sleep restriction likely induces long-term neuromodulatory changes in brain physiology that could explain why recovery from it may require more time than from acute sleep loss. High intraclass correlations in neurobehavioral responses to sleep loss suggest that these trait-like differences are phenotypic and may include genetic components. Sleep deprivation induces changes in brain metabolism and neural activation that involve distributed networks and connectivity.
1019-23 Use of a Cost Outcome Risk Score to Simultaneously Stratify Mortality, Morbidity, and Cost Outcomes for Cardiac Valve Patients

To investigate whether risks in postoperative outcomes (mortality, morbidity and costs [not charges]) can be simultaneously stratified preoperatively, data were reviewed for 551 consecutive patients who underwent valve surgery. Patient age 64.0 (± 15.4) years and 43.4% females. There were 279 (50.6%) aortic valve procedures, 177 (32.1%) mitral valve procedures. 7 (1.3%) tricuspid valve procedures, 88 (16.0%) combined valve procedures, and 150 (20.7%) valve plus coronary procedures. The average total hospital stay was 13.7 (± 14) days and postoperative stay was 11.0 (± 12.6) days. To develop a cost outcome risk score, multivariate analysis of hospital costs via the Cox proportional hazards model was applied. This model adjusts for patient's death, patients's health status at discharge and is not distorted by cost outliers. Patient age, gender, body surface area, body mass index. surgeon case-volume, procedural urgency, preoperative ejection fraction, history of diabetes, infective endocarditis, pulmonary hypertension, history of CABG, prior MI, and type of procedures were incorporated. Score N Hospital † Hasp. Total † Hasp. Cardiact † Hospital † Costs ($) Mortality Mortality Morbidity 2–6.9 72 15,571 0.00 0.00 2.78 7–11.9 137 18,414 2.92 0.73 13.14 12–17.9 120 23,040 4.17 2.50 20.00 18–27.9 97 27,906 10.31 5.15 31.96 ≥ 28 125 41,605 22.40 10.40 52.80 ALL 551 25,982 8.53 3.99 25.59 † P l 0.001 for testing differences among risk groups. Hospital costs = hospital adjusted direct costs Conclusions 1) When patients are stratified for hospital costs by preoperative risk factors, the same scoring system accurately predicts mortality and morbidity outcomes. 2) Using this analysis framework. with agreed upon preoperative risk factors, cost efficiency as well as other outcomes can be compared across programs, physicians, and geographic regions.