cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The kinetics of sodium transport in the toad urinary bladder

The kinetics of sodium movement in the toad urinary bladder were determined as a function of the potassium concentration in the medium. Results indicated that (1) there is a linear relationship between net sodium transport and the measured rate coefficient for the serosal sodium efflux pump; this relationship is independent of serosal [K]; (2) changing potassium concentrations has no effect on sodium entry or exit at the mucosal border of the epithelium; (3) reduction in serosal [K] inhibits the serosal sodium pump, but elevation in [K]s up to 20mm has no effect on the pump in the steady state; (4) changes in [K]s caused reciprocal changes in sodium pool size.
AccR, a TetR Family Transcriptional Repressor, Coordinates Short-Chain Acyl Coenzyme A Homeostasis in Streptomyces avermitilis.

ABSTRACT Malonyl coenzyme A (malonyl-CoA) and methylmalonyl-CoA are the most common extender units for the biosynthesis of fatty acids and polyketides in Streptomyces, an industrially important producer of polyketides. Carboxylation of acetyl- and propionyl-CoAs is an essential source of malonyl- and methylmalonyl-CoAs; therefore, acyl-CoA carboxylases (ACCases) play key roles in primary and secondary metabolism. The regulation of the expression of ACCases in Streptomyces spp. has not been investigated previously. We characterized a TetR family transcriptional repressor, AccR, that mediates intracellular acetyl-, propionyl-, methylcrotonyl-, malonyl-, and methylmalonyl-CoA levels by controlling the transcription of genes that encode the main ACCase and enzymes associated with branched-chain amino acid metabolism in S. avermitilis. AccR bound to a 16-nucleotide palindromic binding motif (GTTAA-N6-TTAAC) in promoter regions and repressed the transcription of the accD1A1-hmgL-fadE4 operon, echA8, echA9, and fadE2, which are involved in the production and assimilation of acetyl- and propionyl-CoAs. Methylcrotonyl-, propionyl-, and acetyl-CoAs acted as effectors to release AccR from its target DNA, resulting in enhanced transcription of target genes by derepression. The affinity of methylcrotonyl- and propionyl-CoAs to AccR was stronger than that of acetyl-CoA. Deletion of accR resulted in increased concentrations of short-chain acyl-CoAs (acetyl-, propionyl-, malonyl-, and methylmalonyl-CoAs), leading to enhanced avermectin production. Avermectin production was increased by 14.5% in an accR deletion mutant of the industrial high-yield strain S. avermitilis A8. Our findings clarify the regulatory mechanisms that maintain the homeostasis of short-chain acyl-CoAs in Streptomyces. IMPORTANCE Acyl-CoA carboxylases play key roles in primary and secondary metabolism. However, the regulation of ACCase genes transcription in Streptomyces spp. remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that AccR responded to intracellular acetyl-, propionyl-, and methylcrotonyl-CoA availability and mediated transcription of the genes related to production and assimilation of these compounds in S. avermitilis. When intracellular concentrations of these compounds are low, AccR binds to target genes and represses their transcription, resulting in low production of malonyl- and methylmalonyl-CoAs. When intracellular acetyl-, propionyl-, and methylcrotonyl-CoA concentrations are high, these compounds bind to AccR to dissociate AccR from target DNA, promoting the conversion of these compounds to malonyl- and methylmalonyl-CoAs. This investigation revealed how AccR coordinates short-chain acyl-CoA homeostasis in Streptomyces.
Occupational Exposure to Particulate Matter and Volatile Organic Compounds in Two Indoor Cannabis Production Facilities

Legal commercial cultivation and processing of cannabis is a rapidly growing industry in multiple countries. However, to date little effort has been made to characterize and identify the various occupational hazards that workers may be facing in the cannabis production industry, including airborne contaminants that may affect the human respiratory system. In the current study, we quantified occupational exposures to particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various task zones of two indoor cannabis facilities in Washington State. Full-shift (8-h) area measurements of PM and VOCs were collected in each task zone. Measurement devices were placed near the employee's work area in order to attempt to estimate the personal exposure to the contaminants. In each task zone we measured particle number concentration, particle mass concentration (PMC), cumulative size distribution of the particles, and total terpene mass concentrations. The mean PMCs were greater in task zones that required the employees to manipulate the cannabis plants and materials. The arithmetic mean PMC for the trim task was 60 µg m-3, preroll task was 45 µg m-3, grow task was 42 µg m-3, and the referent office area was 27 µg m-3. When comparing each task zone PMC to the office referent PMC, the trim task, and the preroll task were significantly higher than the referent group (P-values both <0.05). The arithmetic mean terpene mass concentration for the trim task was 36 mg m-3, preroll task was 9.9 mg m-3, grow task was 15 mg m-3, and for the office referent space was 4.9 mg m-3. Compared with the office space, only the trim task area had significantly elevated terpene mass concentrations (P-value <0.01). We observed a weak but statistically significant correlation between PMC and total terpene mass concentrations (rho = 0.42, P < 0.02). Overall, we observed that exposures to respiratory hazards were highest in task zones where cannabis plants and material were manipulated by workers, including the trim, preroll, and the grow task areas. These observations can help inform the employer of the task zones where exposure to respiratory hazards are the highest, and where it may be beneficial to deploy control measures to reduce worker exposures.
Optimierung und Strategie der Gelelektrophorese

Es ist moglich, die optimalen Trennungsbedingungen fur Molekule mit Ladung in der Gelelektrophorese objektiv zu bestimmen. Dabei bedeutet optimal, das die molekularen Unterschiede in bezug auf Ladung, Grose und relative Hydrophobizitat zum Zweck der Trennung ausgenutzt werden. Eine geeignete Strategie wird erst Losungsmittel und eventuell Detergentien definieren, die fahig sind, das interessierende Molekul zu losen und wenigstens einen Teil seiner Aktivitaten (wenn es solche besitzt) beizubehalten. Danach folgt eine systematische Suche nach Unterschieden in der Ladung der verschiedenen zu trennenden Molekularten durch Einsatz der Gelelektrophorese bei verschiedenen pH-Werten, die man von den pH-Extremen her auf den neutralen pH hin verandert. Als Mittel dazu dient das Stapelgel (Stacking Gel), das es erlaubt, durch Analyse einer einzigen Gelscheibe, die den Stapel enthalt, die Moglichkeit der Trennung bei jedem pH festzustellen. Darauf folgt eine Methode, die die molekularen Grosenunterschiede fur die Trennung ausnutzt und auf der Gelelektrophorese bei verschiedenen Gelkonzentrationen beruht. Die relativen Wanderungsgeschwindigkeiten (RF) werden bei jeder Gelkonzentration fur das interessierende Molekul und seine benachbart wandernden Verunreinigungen gemessen. Diese Werte erlauben es, den Ferguson-Plot (log RF vs. %T) fur jede Molekularart aufzustellen. Aus den Steigungen und y-Abschnitten der Ferguson-Plots werden Molekulgrose und Ladung berechnet, sowie die optimale Gelkonzentration fur die Trennung jeder Molekularart von einer anderen. Wenn diese Rechnung auf ein Trennungsoptimum bei 0% Gelkonzentration hinweist, ist der Einsatz des isoelektrischen Fokussierens oder der Isotachophorese objektiv gerechtfertigt.
An ancestral Matryoshka doll.

This month’s Genome Watch highlights the genomic traits underlying the ancestral association between endobacteria, which live inside arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which in turn reside within plants. This month’s Genome Watch highlights the genomic traits underlying the ancestral association between endobacteria, which live inside arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which reside within plants.
Is There a Constitutional Common Good

Identifying and pursuing some widely shared idea of the common good seems central to a sustainable constitutional order. This may seem especially true in an era of deep political division. The problem, though, is that such political division may indeed heighten the need for recognizing and promoting a shared constitutional common good, while at the same time preventing just such an identification and pursuit of any such common good. What is needed is a way to disrupt this vicious circle. Herein, we illustrate the operation of this vicious circle. We conclude, however, more optimistically, that this vicious circle can ultimately be disrupted. To some degree, increased attention to familiar basic virtues can perform this vital constructive role.
If Only the Chronically Poor Could Talk: Listening to Voices in Poverty from Zambia

This paper examines the marketing of poverty reduction against twin backdrops, one global the other local: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), whose focus is the reduction of human poverty; and poverty in one “developing” economy, Zambia. The paper links marketing to a wider literature in development studies, including a stakeholder coverage that recognizes voices of the poor (Narayan et al., 2000a, b). Voice is arguably a central input to good governance by and within donor agencies, including their social marketing arms. Poverty marketing has at least four key functional elements (after Borden, 1964): Marketing Product, which in Zambia's case is largely agricultural, plus frequently both organic and small-hold; Marketing Price, which in this case is listening to the “bottom of the pyramid” (Prahalad, 2005); Marketing Place, for example via poverty reduction strategy papers (PSRPs), which must include the local community; and Marketing Promotion, which includes promoting rural infrastructure projects at politicians, to bring entrepreneurial spirit to market. These “4Ps” of Poverty marketing are probably not confined to Zambia. Many “developing” economies present a similar if not overlapping series of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Meeting the challenges to halve extreme poverty by 2015 will require a substantive contribution from both the marketing profession and its arguably fit-for-purpose discipline base.
The partial purification of thiamine triphosphatase from rat brain.

Abstract Thiamine triphosphatase has been partially purified from rat brain and some of its properties have been determined. The enzyme is localized primarily in the soluble fraction of the cell, has an absolute specificity among thiamine phosphate esters for thiamine triphosphate, and is inhibited by calcium.
Analysis of responses of garlic derivatives in the pulmonary vascular bed of the rat.

Allicin, an extract from garlic, has been shown to be a systemic and pulmonary arterial vasodilator that acts by an unknown mechanism. In the present experiments, pulmonary vascular responses to al...
Safety, Tolerance, and Efficacy of Adenosine as an Additive to Blood Cardioplegia in Humans During Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Myocardial stunning after heart surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with severe multivessel disease and reduced myocardial function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerance, and efficacy of adenosine as a cardioprotective agent when added to blood cardioplegia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Sixty-one patients were randomized to standard cold-blood cardioplegia, or cold-blood cardioplegia containing 1 of 5 adenosine doses (100 μM, 500 μM, 1 mM, 2 mM, and 2 mM with a preischemic infusion of 140 μg/kg/min of adenosine). Invasive and noninvasive measurements of ventricular performance and rhythm were obtained preoperatively, prebypass, and then at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours postbypass. Use of inotropic agents and vasoactive drugs postoperatively was recorded; blood samples were collected for measurement of nucleoside levels. High-dose adenosine treatment was associated with a 249-fold increase in the plasma adenosine concentration and a 69-fold increase in the combined levels of adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine (p <0.05). Increasing doses of the adenosine additive were also associated with lower requirements of dopamine (p = 0.003) and nitroglycerine (p = 0.001). The 24-hour average doses for dopamine and nitroglycerine in the placebo group were 28-fold and 2.6-fold greater than their respective high-dose adenosine treatment cohorts. Finally, the placebo- and 100 μM-adenosine group was associated with a lower ejection fraction when compared to patients receiving the intermediate dose or high-dose treatment. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that adenosine is effective in attenuating myocardial stunning in humans.
Etiology and Pathogenesis of Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition that occurs in two forms, an early-onset form that is genetically determined and a far more common late-onset form that is not. In both cases, the disease results in severe cognitive dysfunction, among other problems, and the late-onset form of the disease is now considered to be the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. While a good deal of research has been focused on elucidating the etiology of the late-onset form for more than two decades, results to date have been modest and have not yet engendered useful therapeutic strategies for cure of the disease. In this review, we discuss the prevalent ideas that have governed this research for several years, and we challenge these ideas with alternative findings suggesting a multifactorial etiology. We review promising newer ideas that may prove effective as therapeutic interventions for late-onset AD, as well as providing reliable means of earlier and more specific diagnosis of the disease process. In the discussions included here, we reference relevant clinical and basic science literature underlying research into disease etiology and pathogenesis, and we highlight current reviews on the various topics addressed.
Comparison of damage detection results utilizing an ARMA model and an FRF model to extract the modal parameters

The objective of this paper is to make a comparison of the damage detection results obtained from an analysis of the modal parameters extracted from a time domain model and a frequency domain model. In this paper, an autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model and a FRF model will be utilized to extract the modal parameters of a beam. Expressions for the modal parameters using the ARMA model are developed. Next, an established theory of damage localization, which yields information on the location of the damage directly from changes in mode shapes, is selected. Expressions for classification algorithms using the damage indicator functions from the damage localization theory are then generated. Using the classification algorithms, damage localization is attempted for a pinned-pinned beam which contains damage of various degrees. Finally, the modal parameters and damage detection results obtained from the two methods are compared.
Criminal sentencing in 19th-century Pennsylvania

Abstract How law is interpreted and enforced at a particular historical moment reflects contemporary social concerns, attitudes and prejudices. This paper investigates the nature of criminal sentencing in 19th-century Pennsylvania. It finds that juries systematically departed from presumptive sentences based on extralegal factors, such age, sex, nativity and occupation. Older criminals and convicts with higher status preconviction occupations received longer sentences; women and ethnic minorities received shorter sentences. Unlike 20th-century courts, 19th-century courts did not impose longer sentences on black criminals.
Nonprescription Racemic Epinephrine for Asthma

Background Inhaled racepinephrine (RE) (Asthmanefrin) became available in September 2012 as a nonprescription treatment for bronchospasm based on a 1986 US Food and Drug Administration rule. It contains 11.25 mg RE in 0.5 mL and is delivered by a handheld electronic nebulizer. In 2001, we conducted a pilot study that was never published. Now that the product is promoted as a replacement for epinephrine chlorofluorocarbon metered-dose inhaler (Primatene), we provide the results of that study. Methacholine challenge was used as a bioassay. Objective To determine the dose of RE that is equivalent to nebulized albuterol. Methods Four subjects, 18 to 45 years old, with mild stable asthma completed the pilot study. Methacholine challenge was performed on the first screening day, without pretreatment, and then on different days, 15 minutes after 1.25 mg albuterol and 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg RE delivered by a Pari LC Plus nebulizer. The end point was the provocative concentration of methacholine that caused a 20% decrease in FEV 1 . Data were log transformed and analyzed by an ANOVA for repeated measures. Results There was a significant dose response for RE. The geometric mean provocative concentration of methacholine that caused a 20% decrease in FEV 1 was 44 mg/mL (95% CI, 23-85 mg/mL) after albuterol, and 10.2 mg/mL (95% CI, 3.5-30 mg/mL) after the 10-mg dose of RE (approximate nonprescription dose) ( P = .001). There were no adverse effects. Conclusion RE provides less bronchoprotection from methacholine than does albuterol and may be less effective in treating acute bronchospasm.
Germania and Climate Variability in 3rd and 4th Centuries A.D.: A Methodological Approach to Dendroclimatology and Human Migration

This study compared the timing of migrations of the Germanic tribes and the incremental growth rates of trees in Central Europe from the 3rd and 4th century A.D. It has been suggested that the Germ...
HUMAN RIGHTS ACCUSATION AND THE SCHOOL RULE CONTROVERSIES IN JAPAN: MORAL DISCOURSE, SOCIAL PROBLEMS WORK, AND SOCIAL PROBLEM SOLUTION

The social constructionist perspective stresses the importance of claims with moral appeals for successful social problems work. But it has not been clearly explored if social problem discourse with moral appeals will guarantee or at least help to rectify a problematic condition. This article examines the impact of moral discourse on the likelihood of social problem solution. Using school rule problems in Japan as an illustration, this article will suggest that, in some cases, a claim that accuses the authority of unjust, unconstitutional, and immoral practices may hinder the process of discussion and negotiation with them, thus reducing a possibility of eliminating a problem in a cooperative and expeditious manner.
Efficient Optical to Microwave Conversion

Modern-day communications often involve the use of specially designed fiber-optic channels as a guided wave propagation medium. Information is carried through this medium as a modulated light beam, which can then be received and utilized in a manner similar to traditional analog signaling. However, engineers are increasingly finding a greater use for fiber-optic communications in place of traditional, analog communications, mainly because of the significantly higher bandwidth, lower losses, and lack of interference possibility in fiber-optic channels.
Therapy of advanced squamous carcinoma of the lung. Cyclophosphamide versus “COMB”

The four-drug combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methyl CCNU and bleomycin was compared to CTX alone in a prospective randomized trial. Only one of 20 patients treated with COMB and one of 27 patients treated with CTX achieved a partial response. CTX was associated with a significantly better survival than COMB among patients who were ambulatory at onset of therapy. Survival among non-ambulatory patients was similar with both regimens.
Care Coordination for Dually Eligible Medicare-Medicaid Beneficiaries Under the Affordable Care Act

The coordination of Medicare and Medicaid benefits and services for dually eligible enrollees has been a longstanding policy challenge. Several provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) attempt to address this lack of coordination, including the establishment of the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office. This paper reviews the major changes under the ACA directed at care coordination for the dually eligible population and then concludes with a discussion of the continuing legislative and legal challenges in integrating care for the dually eligible.
Outcome of concurrent acute myeloid leukemia and granulocytic sarcoma: three clinical cases and a review of the literature

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS), also known as chloroma or myeloblastoma, is a solid tumor of leukemic myeloblasts and partially matured granulocytes that can form in skin and soft tissue, periosteum, bone, lymph nodes, the gastrointestinal tract, pleura, and other parts of the body. It can develop before or coincidentally with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), especially myelomonocitic or myeloblastic subtypes, chronic myeloproliferative diseases, myelodisplastic syndrome, or acute lymphoblastic leukemia with an incidence of 3–5%. The therapeutic approach of GS has never been formally established. Here, we reported three cases of primary GS and late AML with extensive and aggressive presenting features who were treated with intensive chemotherapy alone, myeloablative unrelated allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and autologous plus myeloablative unrelated HSCT hematopoietic allogeneic stem cell transplantation, respectively.
A Codimension-2 Bifurcation Controlling Endogenous Bursting Activity and Pulse-Triggered Responses of a Neuron Model

The dynamics of individual neurons are crucial for producing functional activity in neuronal networks. An open question is how temporal characteristics can be controlled in bursting activity and in transient neuronal responses to synaptic input. Bifurcation theory provides a framework to discover generic mechanisms addressing this question. We present a family of mechanisms organized around a global codimension-2 bifurcation. The cornerstone bifurcation is located at the intersection of the border between bursting and spiking and the border between bursting and silence. These borders correspond to the blue sky catastrophe bifurcation and the saddle-node bifurcation on an invariant circle (SNIC) curves, respectively. The cornerstone bifurcation satisfies the conditions for both the blue sky catastrophe and SNIC. The burst duration and interburst interval increase as the inverse of the square root of the difference between the corresponding bifurcation parameter and its bifurcation value. For a given set of burst duration and interburst interval, one can find the parameter values supporting these temporal characteristics. The cornerstone bifurcation also determines the responses of silent and spiking neurons. In a silent neuron with parameters close to the SNIC, a pulse of current triggers a single burst. In a spiking neuron with parameters close to the blue sky catastrophe, a pulse of current temporarily silences the neuron. These responses are stereotypical: the durations of the transient intervals–the duration of the burst and the duration of latency to spiking–are governed by the inverse-square-root laws. The mechanisms described here could be used to coordinate neuromuscular control in central pattern generators. As proof of principle, we construct small networks that control metachronal-wave motor pattern exhibited in locomotion. This pattern is determined by the phase relations of bursting neurons in a simple central pattern generator modeled by a chain of oscillators.
Anodic amide oxidations: Fundamental studies concerning the annulation of six- and seven-membered rings onto amines

Abstract The compatibility of olefinic and acetylenic nucleophiles with an electrochemically based annulation procedure for fusing six- and seven-membered rings onto amines has been examined. Both monosubstituted olefins and acetylenes were found to be good nucleophiles for annulating seven-membered rings onto amines. Disubstituted olefins and acetylenes appear to be good nucleophiles for completing the annulation of six-membered rings onto amines. In addition, the compatibility of several proline derivatives with the annulation procedure was examined.
Working With Difference in Online Collaborative Groups

This qualitative cross-case study explored the experiences that learners describe within online collaborative groups. The study context was a fully online graduate course on adult learning. The fin...
Polymer Loss in Filter Cakes

Formation damage by polymers used in drilling, workover, and completion fluids can be a significant problem. In many of the processes that occur in the oilfield, fluid-loss agents are added to the fluids to minimize the loss of polymer containing fluid to the formation. It is well known that certain polymers will filter out on the formation face while other polymers freely enter the matrix. Some polymers will filter in low permeability rock while flowing freely in high permeability rock. This leads to the question ofpolymer filtration in fluid-loss agent and drilled solids filter cakes. Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and xanthan gum were the two polymers used in this study. Both of these fluids find wide application in drilling, completion, and workover fluids. Initial studies were carried out with polymer concentrations of one and two pound per barrel (0.29 and 0.57% by weight respectively). Bentonite, rev dust, and calcium carbonate were used in the concentration range of one to twenty pounds per barrel (0.29 to 5.8% by weight) for the filter cake material. Two different experimental protocols were used in the study. The first experimental protocol consisted of slurrying the solid material in brine, filtering a known amount of the slurry, flowing a clear brine through to establish the permeability, and then flowing a known amount of polymer solution through. The polymer solution effluent from the cell was collected in three different segments. The rheology of each segment was then compared to the rheology of the initial polymer solution. The second protocol consisted of slurrying the solid material directly into the polymer solution and filtering the slurry in the filter press cell. Again, samples were taken and the rheology compared with the rheology of the initial polymer solution.
"The policy exists but you can't really use it": communication and the structuration of work-family policies

Although work-family benefits are increasingly important organizational policies, limited research addresses the impact of communication on benefit utilization. However, communication is significant because the perceived appropriateness of work-family benefits emerges through interaction. For example, when coworkers complain about "picking up the slack" for those using family leave, their discourse may impact future decisions of other workers regarding whether they utilize the work-family benefits available to them. We apply Giddens' (1984) Structuration Theory to examine organizational members' discursive responses to conditions (and contradictions) present in utilizing work-family benefits in a governmental organization. We argue the daily discursive practices of individuals can either reinforce or undermine formally stated work-family initiatives, and in turn discuss the implications of this "structuration" of policy.
The role of adsorbed hydrogen in the catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene

A gold film, electroplated on a palladium-silver alloy thimble, was used to study the mechanism of catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene. The rate of chemisorption of hydrogen from its gaseous molecular state is very slow on gold. Yet hydrogen adatoms can be supplied readily to the gold surface by allowing the gas to contact the palladium-silver surface, to diffuse through the bulk of the metal, and to emerge in the chemisorbed state on the gold surface. The results suggest that under our experimental conditions the rate of hydrogenation of cyclohexene on a metal surface is dependent on the square of the hydrogen adatom concentration, and is independent of the partial pressures of both the olefin and the reaction product, cyclohexane. An activation energy of 5 kcal/mole was assigned to the reaction. Under certain conditions the catalytic function of the gold surface was reversible, i.e., it catalyzed the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane to produce cyclohexene. Mechanisms for the reactions consistent with our results are suggested.
Quantification of aero-optical phase distortion using the small-aperture beam technique

We discuss the small-aperture beam technique, a new way of experimentally quantifying the instantaneous optical wave front distortions imposed by propagation through an optically active, turbulent flowfield. We lay out the theoretical basis for the technique and the relationship of the measured jitter of a small-aperture probe beam to optical path difference. A numerical simulation of a two-dimensional heated jet is used to explore the validity of using beam-jitter signals from multiple probe beams to obtain optical path difference in a flow region where eddy production constitutes the major character of the turbulent flowfield.
The relationships between blood lead levels and serum follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2002

The relationships between blood lead levels and serum follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were assessed in a nationally representative sample of women, 35-60 years old, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. The blood lead levels of the women ranged from 0.2 to 17.0 μg/dL. The estimated geometric mean was 1.4 μg/dL, and the estimated arithmetic mean was 1.6 μg/dL. As the blood lead level increased, the concentration of serum follicle stimulating hormone increased in post-menopausal women, women who had both ovaries removed, and pre-menopausal women. The concentration of luteinizing hormone increased as blood lead level increased in post-menopausal women and women who had both ovaries removed. The lowest concentrations of blood lead at which a relationship was detected were 0.9 μg/dL for follicle stimulating hormone and 3.2 μg/dL for luteinizing hormone. Lead may act directly or indirectly at ovarian and non-ovarian sites to increase the concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.
Cloning and in vitro expression of the human selenoprotein, type I iodothyronine deiodinase.

The type I 5' iodothyronine deiodinase (5' DI) catalyzes the deiodination of T4 to the biologically active hormone T3 and accounts for a significant fraction of its production. We have recently cloned the complementary DNA (cDNA) for the rat 5' DI, which contains the rare amino acid selenocysteine, and used this to screen human liver and kidney cDNA libraries to identify a human 5' DI cDNA clone. From these, we constructed a cDNA encoding a functional 5' DI. The 2222 base pair human 5' DI cDNA is approximately 200 nucleotides shorter than the 2.4-kilobase hybridizing band in Northern blots of human liver, kidney, and thyroid, because of missing 5' untranslated sequence and the poly A tail. The deduced amino acid sequence codes for a protein of 28.7 kilodaltons assuming the UGA codon at position 382 encodes selenocysteine, and is highly homologous (88% similarity) to the rat. We transiently expressed the 5' DI in COS-7 cells to establish that it encodes a functional enzyme and to study its kinetics. These ...
Stability and contraction of a rectangular liquid metal jet in a vacuum environment

Abstract Hydrodynamic similarity criteria and experimental data are reported here from experiments underway at UCLA that simulate the slab jets of the HYLIFE-II inertial fusion reactor. The current experimental setup produces a 2×20 mm slab jet, and reaches a maximum Reynolds number 5×104, corresponding to a jet velocity of 12 m/s. A high-speed camera is used to obtain and analyze data. Two major phenomena are observed, the inversion (axis-switching) of the slab jet owing to surface tension and corner vortices; and surface waves due to turbulent velocity profile relaxation. The main purpose of this series of experiments is the study of the rapid inversion (almost 50% of the jet over the length of interest) seen in previous experiments. It is shown here that this was due to secondary flows caused by features of orifice nozzle design. Current experiments show an inversion length considerably in excess of analytic correlations based on 2-D inviscid theory. For parameters approaching HYLIFE-II jets, inversion length is shown to be more than several hundred non-dimensional lengths.
The Sage System Architecture: A System for the Rapid Development of Graphics Interfaces for Decision Support

Easily defined and modified icons are the building blocks of a flexible system designed to support sensitivity analysis.
Cooperative learning in engineering through academic excellence workshops at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

In order to increase the number of successful underrepresented minority engineering graduates, the Minority Engineering Program and the Mechanical Engineering Department developed two model academic excellence workshops for introductory engineering mechanics: vector statics, first offered in the fall of 1987, and vector dynamics, begun in the spring of 1988. The results of the workshops have been dramatic. In the first vector statics workshop underrepresented minorities, who on the average have historically scored lower in engineering mechanics than other groups, scored on the average one full letter grade above students who were not a part of the workshop program. The authors present the overall structure of the program and the focus of the workshop sessions, especially in engineering mechanics. Workshop strategy is described, and program cost is noted. >
Reliability and Validity of the Addiction Severity Index among Homeless Substance Misusers

Retrospective self-reports of behavior are widely used in alcohol and drug research. However, assessments of the reliability and validity of such data among certain populations are nonexistent. This study examines the ability of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), a widely used clinical and research instrument, to provide valid and reliable data within a homeless population of drug misusers. The results support the usefulness of the ASI in producing quality data among homeless substance misusers seeking treatment. Qualitative data gathered from field interviewers are used to highlight strategies for enhancing the quality of ASI data in the future.
Vertical Structures of Precipitation in Cyclones Crossing the Oregon Cascades

Abstract The vertical structure of radar echoes in extratropical cyclones moving over the Oregon Cascade Mountains from the Pacific Ocean indicates characteristic precipitation processes in three basic storm sectors. In the early sector of a cyclone, a leading edge echo (LEE) appears aloft and descends toward the surface. Updraft cells inferred from the vertically pointing Doppler radial velocity are often absent or weak. In the middle sector the radar echo consists of a thick, vertically continuous layer extending from the mountainside up to a height of approximately 5–6 km that lasts for several hours. When the middle sector passes over the windward slope of the Cascades, the vertical structure of the precipitation exhibits a double maximum echo (DME). One maximum is associated with the radar reflectivity bright band. The second reflectivity maximum is located approximately 1–2.5 km above the bright band. The secondary reflectivity maximum aloft does not appear until the middle sector passes over the wi...
Rare-earth-doped multicomponent Ge-based sulphide glasses

Abstract Sulphide glasses are promising hosts of rare-earth ions for a variety of photonic applications. Their large refractive index and good infrared transparency, respectively, result in large transition probabilities and low multiphonon relaxation rates for relevant optical transitions. Ge sulphide glasses are particularly attractive due to their transparency in the visible, but rare-earths are relatively insoluble in binary Ge–S glasses. Multicomponent Ge-based sulphide glasses are good solvents for rare-earths, yielding materials with high quantum efficiency. As-containing glasses have even greater optical efficiency, which, along with density and bandgap, shows a non-linear dependence on the concentration of codopant ions.
Sleep duration predicts cardiometabolic risk in obese adolescents.

Objective To examine the independent contributions of objectively measured sleep duration and fragmentation on cardiometabolic risk accumulation in free-living obese adolescents. Study design Characteristics of metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, mean arterial pressure, fasting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose) were measured in obese adolescents and standardized residuals (z-scores) were summed (inverse high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) to create a continuous cardiometabolic risk score (cMetScore), adjusted for age, sex, and race. Sleep and physical activity were objectively measured in habitual, free-living conditions for 7 days (SenseWear Pro3, BodyMedia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; n = 37; 54% female, ages 11-17 years). Associations between sleep duration and cMetScore were assessed via multiple linear regression. Results Body mass index, total sleep time, and sleep session length were each correlated with cMetScore ( P P = .001) and was the best independent predictor of metabolic risk. Conclusions Sleep duration inversely predicts cardiometabolic risk in obese adolescents, even when we controlled for various measures of physical activity, anthropometry, and adiposity. Further research should investigate the biological mechanism of this relationship and the potential treatment effect of sleep intervention in decreasing cardiometabolic risk in this population.
On the design of multi-component cable systems for moored offshore vessels

Abstract A mooring system for an offshore vessel must meet certain prescribed requirements imposed by factors such as the environment at site, the operational constraints and the vessel employed. Its adequacy, survival and ability to stay on site must, therefore, be checked out using proper analytical methods. In this paper, the equations of motion of a moored vessel are presented and methods of generating the restoring forces from the mooring cables are discussed. Equations for computation of environmental loadings due to wind and ocean current on the vessel are also cited and a procedure for generating a wave force time history from a given random sea spectrum outlined. Numerical results for a typical construction vessel moored by a multi-leg mooring system in a random sea environment are generated with, as well as without, the effect of cable dynamics included in the analysis. Since the inclusion of vessel added mass is an important consideration in the dynamic analysis of a moored structure, its effect on vessel station keeping response is also investigated. Finally, some conclusions toward designing a mooring system are drawn on the basis of the numerical results obtained and the observations made.
Density Functional Theory Study of Proton Mobility in Zeolites: Proton Migration and Hydrogen Exchange in ZSM-5

Acidic protons in zeolites are known to be mobile at elevated temperatures. In this study, density functional theory was used to identify the reaction pathways for proton migration in a model that represents the zeolite ZSM-5. In the absence of water, the acidic proton “hops” or migrates between two of the four O atoms surrounding an aluminum center with an activation barrier of 28 kcal/mol. During proton transfer, the O atoms stretch closer together in order to stabilize the transition state. This is revealed by a 13.4° decrease in the O−Al−O bond angle. Adsorbed water bridges the proton donor and acceptor sites, reducing the barrier height by 24 kcal/mol. Hence proton migration depends heavily on the local geometry and conditions of the zeolite. We show that experimentally undetectable amounts of water can greatly influence the measured rates and apparent activation barriers. We broaden the scope of our study to consider hydrogen exchange with other gas-phase species of the form RO−H (RO = CH3O, CH3CH2O...
In vitro functional correction of Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome type-1 by lentiviral-mediated gene transfer

Abstract Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a genetic disorder characterized by oculocutaneous albinism, bleeding tendency and susceptibility to pulmonary fibrosis. No curative therapy is available. Genetic correction directed to the lungs, bone marrow and/or gastro-intestinal tract might provide alternative forms of treatment for the diseases multi-systemic complications. We demonstrate that lentiviral-mediated gene transfer corrects the expression and function of the HPS1 gene in patient dermal melanocytes, which opens the way to development of gene therapy for HPS.
A method for reduction of eye fatigue by optimizing the ambient light conditions in radiology reading rooms

Ambient lighting in soft-copy reading rooms are currently kept at low values to preserve contrast rendition in the dark regions of a medical image. Low illuminance levels, however, create inadequate viewing conditions and may also cause eye-strain. This eye-strain may be attributed to notable variations in luminance adaptation state of the reader's eyes when moving the gaze intermittently between the brighter display and darker surrounding surfaces. This paper presents a methodology to optimize the lighting conditions of reading rooms to reduce visual fatigue by minimizing this variation by exploiting the properties of LCDs with low diffuse reflection coefficients and high luminance ratio. First, a computational model was developed to determine a global luminance adaptation value, Ladp, when viewing a medical image on display. The model is based on the diameter of the pupil size which depends on the luminance of the observed object. Second, this value was compared with the luminance reflected off surrounding surfaces, Ls, under various conditions of room illuminance, E , different values of diffuse reflection coefficients of surrounding surfaces, Rs, and calibration settings of a typical LCD. The results suggest that for typical luminance settings of current LCDs, it is possible to raise ambient illumination to minimize differences in eye adaptation, potentially reducing visual fatigue while also complying with the TG18 specifications for controlled contrast rendition. Specifically, room illumination in the 75-150 lux range and surface diffuse reflection coefficients in the practical range of 0.13-0.22 sr-1 provide an ideal setup for typical LCDs. Furthermore, displays with lower diffuse reflectivity and with higher inherent luminance ratio than currently possible in most LCDs can potentially help further decrease eye fatigue, providing an improved ergonomic viewing conditions in reading rooms.
Loss-in-Weight Feeding Trials Case Study: Pharmaceutical Formulation

This article presents a case study of a continuous feeding strategy for five pharmaceutical components (active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), Prosolv HD90, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, and colloidal silicon dioxide), for the purpose of developing a direct compression continuous manufacturing system. Feeding options for each of these five powders were examined. Prosolv HD90 and crospovidone easily resulted in optimal feeding conditions, whereas the remaining powders in the formulation presented some challenges. The API displayed flow issues, leading to clogging of the screen with small openings. Magnesium stearate exhibited shear sensitivity; increasing shear of the powder due to hopper agitation resulted in drifting feeding performance. Colloidal silicon dioxide exhibited electrostatic issues that render most tooling options unsuitable for steady operation. All of these difficulties were resolved using the methods described in this article.
Routinization of behavior in a charismatic leader

Processual studies in anthropology can benefit from a consideration of Max Weber's theory of charisma. Two charismatic leaders in the sectarian and formerly communal Amana Society of Iowa have always been regarded by members as possessing different degrees of charisma. A statistical analysis of the inspired revelations of the two leaders reveals that the testimonies of one were highly patterned. The patterning is indicative of the “routinization of charisma” process described by Weber and is accounted for by the historical particulars of the case. Loss of creativity is identified as one factor in the routinization process. [processual analysis, change, communitarian societies, charismatic leadership]
Opening Pandora's Stream: Piping Music into the Information Literacy Classroom.

Although it is well known that music can affect cognitive processes, little research has been conducted examining the influence of background music on students in information literacy classrooms. In 2010, librarians at Western Michigan University investigated the effect of background music on student engagement and retention of information literacy concepts. This article examines the theory and practical applications of background music to improve a classroom atmosphere and its impact on students' learning. Results from this qualitative and quantitative study indicate positive correlations between background music and student comfort, confidence, and retention.
Spatial variation in concurrent settlement of three damselfishes: relationships with near-field current flow

Replenishment of local populations of reef fishes typically occurs via settlement of planktonic larvae, a process that is variable in space and time. We examined spatial variation in settlement of three species of damselfishes (genus Dascyllus) in relation to variation in average near-field current speed. Although the larvae of these species colonized at the same times, they repeatedly exhibited qualitatively different spatial patterns of settlement in the lagoons of Moorea, French Polynesia. Each damselfish had a unique, temporally consistent pattern of variation in settlement relative to among-site variation in near-field flow speed. At the speeds encountered, settlement was related linearly to increasing average current flow for yellow-tail dascyllus (D. flavicaudus), was a positive but decelerating function for humbug dascyllus (D. aruanus) and was a hump-shaped function for three-spot dascyllus (D. trimaculatus). Such qualitatively different relationships could arise if variation in current speed affected an individual's probability of settling differently among the species. The generalized relationships between flow speed and settlement of these species predicted well the pattern of covariation in settlement of these species among new sites where the availability of suitable habitat was standardized. These findings imply that differences in larval abilities in the near-field can result in distinctly different patterns of larval colonization among species, even in the absence of any other source of variation.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Managerial Decision Making

This issue is all about managerial decision making, i.e., how managers go about making decisions and how these decisions can be improved via good marketing analyses. As such it differs somewhat from the regular issues of Marketing Science in that it contains no analytic models or papers that focus only on methodology. Yet it still is true to the overall mission of the journal: it addresses areas of inquiry relevant to marketing practitioners and academics.
Solid insulators in vacuum: A review (Invited paper)

Abstract After reviewing the prebreakdown phenomena (leakage currents, outgassing and luminosity) that arise across a solid insulator held between two electrodes in a vacuum gap, the factors that affect the magnitude of the breakdown voltage (conditioning, electrode and insulator material and surface finish, insulator length and shape, pressure, etc) the phenomena occurring in the region of the cathode-insulator junction and the hypotheses put forward to explain the breakdown mechanism are discussed.