cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overeating in America: Association between Restaurant Food Consumption and Body Fatness in Healthy Adult Men and Women Ages 19 to 80

McCRORY, MEGAN A., PAUL J. FUSS, NICHOLAS P. HAYS, ANGELA G. VINKEN, ANDREW S. GREENBERG, AND SUSAN B. ROBERTS. Overeating in America: association between restaurant food consumption and body fatness in healthy adult men and women ages 19 to 80. Obes Res. Purpose: To examine the association between the frequency of consuming restaurant food and body fatness in adults. Research Methods and Procedures: Usual free-living dietary intake and the frequency of consuming food from seven different restaurant types (fried chicken, burger, pizza, Chinese, Mexican, fried fish, and “other”) were assessed by food frequency questionnaire in 73 healthy men and women [ages 19 to 80, body mass index (BMI) 18 to 331. In addition, body fatness (percent weight) was determined by hydrostatic weighing, and physical activity and other lifestyle parameters were assessed by questionnaire. The relationship between the frequency of consuming restaurant food and body fatness was determined after controlling for age, sex, and other confounders by using multiple regression techniques. Results: Restaurant food consumption averaged 7.5±8.5 (Standard Deviation) timedmonth. After controlling for age and sex, the frequency of consuming restaurant food was positively associated with body fatness (partial r = 0. 36, p = 0. 003). The strength of this association did not change after controlling for education level, smoking status, and alcohol intake, but after additionally controlling for physical activity, the partial r increased to 0. 42 (p = 0. 004). Total daily intakes of energy, fat, and fiber were significantly associated with restaurant food consumption frequency (r = 0. 59, 0. 28, and −0.45, respectively, p = 0.02 to 0.0001). Discussion: The frequency of consuming restaurant food was positively associated with increased body fatness in adults. The increasing proportion of household food income spent on food prepared away from home in the United States may therefore help explain the rising national prevalence of obesity.
EP24.15 interacts with the angiotensin II type I receptor and bradykinin B2 receptor.

The carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) is known to interact with several classes of intracellular proteins that may modulate receptor function. Employing yeast two-hybrid screening of a human embryonic kidney cDNA library with the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the AT1 receptor as a bait, we have isolated EP24.15 (EC 3.4.24.15, thimet oligopeptidase) as a potentially interacting protein. EP24.15 is widely distributed and is known to degrade bioactive peptides such as angiotensin I and II and bradykinin. In addition, EP24.15 was previously identified as a putative soluble angiotensin II binding protein. Two-hybrid screening also determined that EP24.15 can interact with the B2 bradykinin receptor. Transient expression of EP24.15 in a porcine kidney epithelial cell line stably expressing full length AT1 and full length B2 followed by affinity chromatography and co-immunoprecipitation confirmed EP24.15 association with both AT1 and B2 receptors. EP24.15 was also co-immunoprecipitated with AT1 and B2 in rat kidney brush border membranes (BBM) and basolateral membranes (BLM). Both AT1 and B2 undergo ligand-induced endocytosis. Analysis of endosomal fractions following immunoprecipitation with AT1 or B2 antibodies detected strong association of EP24.15 with the receptors in both light and heavy endosomal populations. Therefore, the present study indicates that EP24.15 associates with AT1 and B2 receptors both at the plasma membrane and after receptor internalization and suggests a possible mechanism for endosomal disposition of ligand that may facilitate receptor recycling. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A rule-based computer program for advising physicians regarding antimicrobial therapy selection

MYCIN is an interactive computer program, relying to a large extent upon artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, which uses decision rules acquired from experts to advise physicians who request advice regarding infectious disease therapy selection. MYCIN provides consultatations in this problem area by means of three inter-related subprograms:(1) - A Consultation System, which uses information provided by the physician, together with its own rule-based knowledge, to choose an appropriate therapeutic regimen for a patient with a bacterial infection;(2) - An Explanation System, which understands simple English questions and answers them in order to justify its decisions or instruct the user;(3) - A Rule-Acquisition System, which accepts new rules from experts and codes them for use during future consultation sessions.
Trapping Microparticles with Strongly Inhomogeneous Magnetic Fields

By using micron size permanent magnets we have trapped directly single diamagnetic micron size polystyrene microspheres inside a buffer solution with a magnetic field and demonstrated self-assembly of several hundred microns long chains of microspheres in magnetic traps.
Synthesis and characterization of block copolymer/ceramic precursor nanocomposites based on a polysilazane

The amphiphilic block copolymer poly(isoprene-block-ethylene oxide) was used as a structure-directing agent for a polysilazane preceramic polymer commercially known as Ceraset. Two block copolymers of different molecular weights and poly(ethylene oxide) weight fractions with body-centered cubic sphere and hexagonal cylinder morphologies were used. To both polymers, 50 wt % of the silazane oligomer (Ceraset) was added. The resulting composites were cast into films and characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The silazane was chemically compatible with the polyethylene oxide) microdomains of the block copolymer, and this resulted in a swelling of those domains. After the cooperative self-assembly of the block copolymer and Ceraset, for both systems the structure was permanently set in the lamellar morphology by the crosslinking of the silazane oligomer with a radical initiator at 120 °C. These results suggest that the use of block copolymer mesophases may provide a simple and easily controlled pathway for the preparation of various high-temperature SiCN-type ceramic mesostructures.
Embryonic stem cells use ZFP809 to silence retroviral DNAs.

The gene responsible for the repression of retroviral DNAs in embryonic stem cells has now been identified — some 30 years after the phenomenon was first recognized. The gene encodes the zinc finger protein ZFP809. Expression of ZFP809 is sufficient to make even differentiated cells highly resistant to infection by the prototypical retrovirus Moloney murine leukaemia virus. The authors propose that ZFP809 evolved as a stem-cell-specific retroviral restriction factor, and therefore constitutes a new component of the intrinsic immune system of stem cells. The zinc finger binding protein ZFP809 is shown to work together with the TRIM28 protein to mediate transcriptional silencing of integrated retroviruses in infected embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and other primitive stem cells of mice have been known for more than 30 years to potently block retrovirus replication1. Infection of ESCs by the murine leukaemia viruses (MLVs) results in the normal establishment of integrated proviral DNA, but this DNA is then transcriptionally silenced, preventing further viral spread. The repression is largely mediated by trans-acting factors that recognize a conserved sequence element termed the primer binding site, an 18-base pair sequence complementary to the 3′ end of a cellular transfer RNA2,3,4,5,6. A specific tRNA is annealed to the primer binding site sequence of the viral genomic RNA, and is used to prime DNA synthesis7. This same sequence in the context of the integrated proviral DNA is targeted for silencing in ESCs. We have recently shown that a large protein complex binding to the primer binding site in ESCs contains TRIM28 (refs 8, 9), a well-characterized transcriptional co-repressor10,11,12. An important question remains as to the identity of the factor that directly recognizes integrated retroviral DNAs and recruits TRIM28 to mediate their specific silencing. Here we identify the zinc finger protein ZFP809 as the recognition molecule that bridges the integrated proviral DNA and TRIM28. We show that expression of ZFP809 is sufficient to render even differentiated cells highly resistant to MLV infection. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ZFP809 is able to potently block transcription from DNA constructs of human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1), which use the same primer tRNA. These results identify ZFP809 as a DNA-binding factor that specifically recognizes a large subset of mammalian retroviruses and retroelements, targeting them for transcriptional silencing. We propose that ZFP809 evolved as a stem-cell-specific retroviral restriction factor, and therefore constitutes a new component of the intrinsic immune system of stem cells.
Respectful Death: A Model for End-of-Life Care

The Respectful Death Model (RDM) is a research-based, holistic, and practical model developed to improve end-of-life care. A respectful death is one which supports dying patients, their families, and professionals in the completion of life cycles and can be used by all members of the healthcare team. The model is a process method commencing with the establishment of a therapeutic relationship with the dying patient and his or her family and, as a result, their stories are heard and incorporated into the care plan. This article demonstrates that hospice and palliative care nurses have been practicing this model since the origination of care of the dying. Other topics addressed are the current culture toward death in the United States, the roles of nurses in the RDM, and the barriers and benefits of the RDM. Recommendations for future research in end-of-life care also are addressed.
Developing and Managing Corporate‐Academic Alliances

Strategic alliances between academic and corporate partners can provide exceptional benefits and reveal new opportunities for shared value. Benefits and opportunities include alternative sources of funding to support academic programs, more effective and efficient matching of students with prospective employers, applied research for faculty, innovative and mutual learning environments, and improved business practices. The focus of this paper will describe how three corporate‐alliance relationships with Northern Illinois University’s College of Business were initiated and developed. Other schools and companies looking to develop similar relationships may hopefully benefit from the College of Business’s experience. Moreover, corporate and academic alliances provide a potentially rich area of research.
Noncontact quantitative biomechanical characterization of cardiac muscle using shear wave imaging optical coherence tomography

We report on a quantitative optical elastographic method based on shear wave imaging optical coherence tomography (SWI-OCT) for biomechanical characterization of cardiac muscle through noncontact elasticity measurement. The SWI-OCT system employs a focused air-puff device for localized loading of the cardiac muscle and utilizes phase-sensitive OCT to monitor the induced tissue deformation. Phase information from the optical interferometry is used to reconstruct 2-D depth-resolved shear wave propagation inside the muscle tissue. Cross-correlation of the displacement profiles at various spatial locations in the propagation direction is applied to measure the group velocity of the shear waves, based on which the Young’s modulus of tissue is quantified. The quantitative feature and measurement accuracy of this method is demonstrated from the experiments on tissue-mimicking phantoms with the verification using uniaxial compression test. The experiments are performed on ex vivo cardiac muscle tissue from mice with normal and genetically altered myocardium. Our results indicate this optical elastographic technique is useful as a noncontact tool to assist the cardiac muscle studies.
1-Soliton Solution of 1+2 Dimensional Nonlinear Schrödinger’s Equation in Kerr Law Media

This paper integrates the nonlinear Schrodinger’s equation in 1+2 dimensions with Kerr law nonlinearity. An exact 1-soliton solution is obtained in closed form using the solitary wave ansatz. Finally, the consertved quantities are calculated using this soliton solution.
Nonstationary gravity wave forcing of the stratospheric zonal mean wind

The role of gravity wave forcing in the zonal mean circulation of the stratosphere is discussed. Starting from some very simple assumptions about the momentum flux spectrum of nonstationary (non-zero phase speed) waves at forcing levels in the troposphere, a linear model is used to calculate wave propagation through climatological zonal mean winds at solstice seasons. As the wave amplitudes exceed their stable limits, a saturation criterion is imposed to account for nonlinear wave breakdown effects, and the resulting vertical gradient in the wave momentum flux is then used to estimate the mean flow forcing per unit mass. Evidence from global, assimilated data sets are used to constrain these forcing estimates. The results suggest the gravity-wave-driven force is accelerative (has the same sign as the mean wind) throughout most of the stratosphere above 20 km. The sense of the gravity wave forcing in the stratosphere is thus opposite to that in the mesosphere, where gravity wave drag is widely believed to play a principal role in decelerating the mesospheric jets. The forcing estimates are further compared to existing gravity wave parameterizations for the same climatological zonal mean conditions. Substantial disagreement is evident in the stratosphere, and we discuss the reasons for the disagreement. The results suggest limits on typical gravity wave amplitudes near source levels in the troposphere at solstice seasons. The gravity wave forcing in the stratosphere appears to have a substantial effect on lower stratospheric temperatures during southern hemisphere summer and thus may be relevant to climate.
Investigating the effect of forest per capita on explaining the EKC hypothesis for CO2 in the US

This paper investigates the net effect of forest resources on the emission of CO2 while testing the EKC hypothesis for CO2 at the county level in the US. Using a county-level data obtained from the Vulcan Project and employing a weighted lag-dependent variable of CO2 emissions, an inverted-U-shaped relationship between income and emissions of CO2 per capita is detected in the US. However, the estimated income turning points (ITPs) are slightly higher than the average income per capita but are within an attainable range, suggesting that further economic growth would be a viable environmental policy to address the emissions of CO2 in the US. The estimated net effect of forests resources on the emissions of CO2 suggests that forest fires and degradation dominate the carbon sequestration capacity of standing forests in the US.
Foreign exchange market efficiency and common stochastic trends

Abstract In a recent paper, Baillie and Bollerslev (1989), using daily data from 1980 to 1985, identified six common stochastic trends in a vector of seven nominal exchange rates implying the existence of one cointegrating vector. Cointegration implies that (Granger) causality must run in at least one direction, that is, at least one of the exchange rates is predictable using current available information. This result has been interpreted as foreign exchange market inefficiency, by many. Another interpretation is suggested if the stationary linear combination of spot rates proxies for a time varying risk premium in some way. Then these results could be explained in a rational and risk averse market. This possibility is eliminated if the time series properties of the risk premium are incompatible with those of the error correction term. Specifically, it is demonstrated that the forward risk premium is non-stationary for the exchange rates that comprise the exchange rate cointegration relationship. In this paper, the existence of common stochastic trends in a vector of nominal exchange rates is tested over the period 1974 to 1991. The efficiency of foreign exchange markets is then tested by examining the implications of stochastic trends in the forward premium and what this means for the time series properties of a time-varying forward risk premium. (JEL F31, G14).
The infrared spectrum of dimethyl ketene

Abstract The infrared spectrum of dimethyl ketene has been observed in the region of 2·5 μ to 100 μ in the gas phase and most of this region has been scanned for the liquid and solid phases. All of the observed bands can be assigned and all infrared active fundamentals have been accounted for except the species B2 torsion. The assignment of fundamentals is supported by a normal coordinate calculation.
Two successful pregnancies in a woman with chronic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura treated by plasma infusion

A 21-year-old primigravida in her 20th week of pregnancy developed TTP. She was managed with weekly or semiweekly plasma infusions and delivered a healthy 1.6 kg baby 2 weeks prior to the expected date of delivery. After delivery she continued to have active TTP with thrombocytopenia which responded repeatedly to plasma infusion though their frequency gradually decreased to about one unit every 3–4 weeks. Three years after the birth of the first child she conceived again and was easily managed with repeated plasma infusions although the frequency and amount of plasma required to prevent thrombocytopenia were increased. She delivered a normal 3.4 kg term baby after which she again had a decreased plasma requirement. This is the first report of a woman with 5 years of active TTP managed with plasma alone. She experienced two pregnancies in which both mother and infant survived. We believe that the use of plasma in the management of TTP during pregnancy will improve the survival rate of both mother and infant. At the time of second birth, the platelet count was low in the mother but normal in the baby. This suggests that the platelet depressing factor of this patient does not cross the placental barrier.
Nickel monolayers on copper surfaces: CO adsorption and ni diffusion

Abstract Nickel monolayers on the Cu(111) surface have been studied in an attempt to understand metal-metal interface mixing. High resolution energy loss (HREEL) spectra of carbon monoxide is used to monitor the surface by distinguishing between CO adsorption on top and bridge sites of the nickel overlayer. Results are discussed for nickel deposition at temperatures in the range of 300–475 K. Room temperature nickel deposition leads to nickel island formation; at slightly elevated temperatures nickel and copper mix in the first layer ; and by 475 K, nickel becomes significantly covered by copper, the thermodynamically favored configuration.
The Breadboard Project: a functioning CELSS plant growth system.

The primary objective of the Breadboard Project for the next 3-4 years is to develop, integrate and operate a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) at a one-person scale. The focus of this project over the past two years has been the development of the plant growth facility, the first module of the CELSS. The other major modules, food preparation, biomass processing, and resource recovery, have been researched at the laboratory scale during the past two years and facilities are currently under construction to scale-up these modules to an operational state. This paper will outline the design requirements for the Biomass Production Chamber (BPC), the plant growth facility for the project, and the control and monitoring subsystems which operate the chamber and will present results from both engineering and biological tests of the facility. Three production evaluations of wheat, conducted in the BPC during the past year, will be described and the data generated from these tests discussed.
Synthesis, enzyme inhibition, and antitumor activity of new 1,4-benzoquinone analogs of coenzyme Q10☆

Abstract A rationale based upon coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 , ubiquinone) for the synthesis of potential antitumor agents constitutes a new approach in the search toward chemotherapy of cancer. The antitumor activities of 38 alkyl-1,4-benzoquinones, analogs of coenzyme Q, 24 of which are new compounds, are described. The 10 best antitumor analogs of CoQ all showed long-term cures of Walker carcinosarcoma 256 in rats. Particularly impressive were the 6- n -octylmercapto-5-chloro-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (NSC 252188), which cured six out of six rats with % T C = 584 at 3.13 mg/kg , 6-phytyl-5-hydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (NSC 277818) (four out of four cures, % T C = 923 at 50 mg/kg ), and 5-phytyl-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (NSC 276371) (three out of six cures, % T C = 789 at 0.78 mg/kg ). In general, a 5-chloro or 5-hydroxy group on the quinone nucleus or a side chain with unsaturation and branching, such as the phytyl side chain of NSC 277818 and NSC 276371, seemed to increase antitumor activity. Although a perfect correlation was not to be expected, many of the most potent antitumor analogs were also among the best in vitro inhibitors of the mitochondrial CoQ 10 -enzymes, succinoxidase, and NAD oxidase.
Effects of Succinylcholine Chloride on the Response of Fast and Slow Muscle in the Cat

Fast and slow muscle fibres differ histochemically, electrophysiologically and pharmacologically. In vivo, the effect of 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1 mg X kg-1 succinylcholine on the response of the indirectly stimulated gastrocnemius (fast) and soleus muscle (slow) to single, train-of-four and tetanic stimuli was studied. There was a significant difference between the response of the two muscles. Maximum twitch suppression occurred 2 min after injection and was more significant in the gastrocnemius than the soleus. The duration of the neuromuscular blockade was 9 min or more in both groups. The train-of-four ratio dropped below 0.7 in the gastrocnemius preparation at all doses and in the soleus when 0.1 mg X kg-1 succinylcholine was used. Sustained tetanus was achieved in both muscles at 5 and 10 min, respectively. There was evidence of fatigue in the soleus muscle at the 5-min observation suggestive of the presence of a phase II block, a phenomenon not observed in the gastrocnemius.
Uptake of dissolved nickel by Elodea canadensis and epiphytes influenced by fluid flow conditions

Using a laboratory mesocosm consisting of live plants and epiphytes grown in a re-circulating flume, dissolved nickel uptake by Elodea canadensis Michaux is compared with nickel uptake by the associated epiphytic community under a range of flow conditions. A flux model was developed and applied to the measured tissue nickel concentration data and generated three parameters descriptive of nickel uptake: uptake rate, equilibrium concentration, and time to equilibrium. The relationship of these parameters to flow conditions, represented by the dimensionless variable Reynolds number, was compared between epiphytes and plants. Water flow was shown to have a stronger effect on the uptake performance of epiphytes than that of plants, implying that water-side mass transfer plays a more important role in epiphytic nickel uptake than it does in plant nickel uptake. Although nickel concentrations were much higher in the epiphyte community than in E. canadensis, more total nickel was sequestered in E. canadensis. This research indicates that fluid flow conditions alter nickel uptake by E. canadensis and the epiphytic community and that the two have different preferential flow regimes. It also suggests the promising bioremediation potential of both in moving fluids in aquatic environments.
Oxygen isotope variations in marginal basin and ocean-ridge basalts

Abstract Oxygen isotope analyses have been made on 27 tholeiitic basalts from the Lau and Mariana marginal ocean basins and from mid-ocean ridges. The 18 O values are related to the extent of hydration by submarine weathering as indicated by H 2 O − and total water content. Extrapolation to zero H 2 O − content gives a δ 18 O value of 5.5‰ on the SMOW scale for unaltered marginal basin basalts, in exact agreement with the oxygen isotope “signature” of ocean-ridge tholeiites. Three alkali basalts from seamount provinces also fit the tholeiite relationship. A Lau Basin gabbro has the tholeiitic 18 O content, but an Indian Ocean gabbro is unusually light (δ 18 O = 4.0 for whole rock, plagioclase, and amphibole), and resembles the low - 18 O Iceland basalts. The basalt data confirm petrologic and chemical evidence for origin of marginal basins by extensional processes with production of basalts from depleted mantle material isotopically identical to the source of ocean-ridge tholeiites.
In vitro inhibition of peptic degradation of porcine gastric mucus glycoprotein by sucralfate.

The effect of sucralfate on the proteolytic activity of pepsin towards gastric mucus glycoprotein was investigated. Mucus glycoprotein isolated from pig stomach was incubated with pepsin with and without sucralfate, and the released α-amino residues were quantitated. In the absence of sulcralfate the rate of proteolysis was proportional to mucus glycoprotein concentration up to 450 μg and remained constant with time of incubation for up to 1 h. The apparent Km value of pepsin towards mucus glycoprotein was 8.7 ± 10-7M. Introduction of sucralfate to the reaction mixtures resulted in reduction of the rate of glycoprotein proteolysis. The rate of inhibition was proportional to the sucralfate concentration up to 1 μM and was of the competitive type, with an apparent Ki value of 2.0 ± 10-6 M. The results suggest that among the beneficial effects of sucralfate on ulcer healing, one may be attributed to its ability to interfere with peptic digestion of gastric mucus glycoprotein.
Response to Barbara Thayer-Bacon's Review of Education Reconfigured

Most of us adopt the standpoint of the individual when we think about education. Thus, for example, a parent asks, What is my child learning at school? A psychologist asks, How does a child construct knowledge? A philosopher asks, What is an educated person? What does a citizen in a democracy need to know? There is, however, another perspective from which to view education, namely that of the culture. Accordingly, in Cultural Miseducation (Martin 2002) I developed a ‘‘cultural wealth’’ approach to education. The question of whether the two perspectives on education could be joined did not occur to me until that book was in print. Once it did, I set myself the task of answering it. In truth, the task seemed formidable and I had no idea if I would be able to do so. I call the theory of education as encounter that I put forward in Education Reconfigured ‘‘unified’’ because it does the job. It may be true that most philosophers of education today agree that education is deeply influenced by culture. Education Reconfigured makes it clear, however, that culture is not something standing outside education that exerts an influence on it. It is a fundamental part or element of the process we call ‘‘education.’’ It has long been assumed also that whenever education occurs, an individual has some sort of encounter and, in consequence, the individual changes. The theory of education as encounter shows that the encounter is between an individual and a culture, that in the encounter some item of a culture’s stock and some capacity of an individual become yoked together, and that as a result both parties to the encounter change. It also reveals that the changes in either party can be large or small, and that even the smallest ones can turn into the radical transformations that give shape to human lives and cultures. In taking seriously the cultural perspective Education Reconfigured harks back to Plato and Rousseau as well as Dewey. But neither those three greats nor anyone else to my knowledge has spelled out the cultural standpoint in detail or shown how to join the seemingly disparate individual and cultural perspectives. Once they are united one can see that Dewey’s theory of interaction captures just one part of the story—namely, that in an educational encounter the individual changes. In contrast, the theory of education as
A model of the temporal dynamics of multisensory enhancement.

The senses transduce different forms of environmental energy, and the brain synthesizes information across them to enhance responses to salient biological events. We hypothesize that the potency of multisensory integration is attributable to the convergence of independent and temporally aligned signals derived from cross-modal stimulus configurations onto multisensory neurons. The temporal profile of multisensory integration in neurons of the deep superior colliculus (SC) is consistent with this hypothesis. The responses of these neurons to visual, auditory, and combinations of visual–auditory stimuli reveal that multisensory integration takes place in real-time; that is, the input signals are integrated as soon as they arrive at the target neuron. Interactions between cross-modal signals may appear to reflect linear or nonlinear computations on a moment-by-moment basis, the aggregate of which determines the net product of multisensory integration. Modeling observations presented here suggest that the early nonlinear components of the temporal profile of multisensory integration can be explained with a simple spiking neuron model, and do not require more sophisticated assumptions about the underlying biology. A transition from nonlinear “super-additive” computation to linear, additive computation can be accomplished via scaled inhibition. The findings provide a set of design constraints for artificial implementations seeking to exploit the basic principles and potency of biological multisensory integration in contexts of sensory substitution or augmentation.
Suspension polymerization casting of lead zirconate titanate, Part II: acrylate system

Suspension polymerization casting of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) filled acrylate-based system was investigated using 51 vol% suspension of PZT in an ethoxyethoxy ethyl acrylate-based system. The polymerization process was characterized with chemorheology and differential scanning calorimetry. PZT powder accelerates the process, decreasing the activation energy for polymerization from 132 ± 6 kJ/mol to 98 ± 20 kJ/mol. The influence of monomer ratio, initiator amount, catalyst, and solvent are presented.
The price of anarchy — on the roads and in football

City traffic can sometimes move faster when a road is closed. A football team can sometimes play better without its best player. The two are linked. Anarchy say Brian Skinner and Brad Carlin, is freedom to be counterproductive.
Competition-strength-dependent ground suppression in figure–ground perception

Figure–ground segregation is modeled as inhibitory competition between objects that might be perceived on opposite sides of borders. The winner is the figure; the loser is suppressed, and its location is perceived as shapeless ground. Evidence of ground suppression would support inhibitory competition models and would contribute to explaining why grounds are shapeless near borders shared with figures, yet such evidence is scarce. We manipulated whether competition from potential objects on the ground side of figures was high (i.e., portions of familiar objects were potentially present there) or low (novel objects were potentially present). We predicted that greater competition would produce more ground suppression. The results of two experiments in which suppression was assessed via judgments of the orientation of target bars confirmed this prediction; a third experiment showed that ground suppression is short-lived. Our findings support inhibitory competition models of figure assignment, in particular, and models of visual perception entailing feedback, in general.
Modifying the C Index for Use with Holland Codes of Unequal Length.

The concept of congruence between person and occupation lies at the core of Holland’s (1997) theory of career types. The C index is arguably the best available method for comparing the congruence o...
Antithrombin binding by human umbilical vein endothelial cells: Effects of exogenous heparin

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in growth media that did not contain exogenous heparin were found to grow less well while binding significantly more antithrombin (AT) than comparable cells cultured in growth media that did contain exogenous heparin (90 μg/ml). The binding of AT to plasma membranes of cultured endothelial cells was measured immunologically by flow cytometry. This binding was eliminated completely by reacting the cells with heparinase III before incubating them with AT, indicating that the most likely heparinase-sensitive process responsible for AT binding to plasma membranes was heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Increased AT binding also was promoted by addition of heparin-binding molecules (protamine, AT, or ECGF) to growth media, and the effects of other glycosaminoglycans and dextran on AT binding were found to be dependent on their sulfation. Thus, one response of endothelial cells to heparin deficiency is up-regulation of the ability to bind AT to plasma membranes.
Serum müllerian-inhibiting substance levels during normal menstrual cycles.

Abstract Objective: To measure serum levels of mullerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) during the normal menstrual cycle. Design: Serum was collected from women during ovulation and the mid-luteal and early follicular phases of the menstrual cycles. It was stored frozen at −80°C until assayed. Setting: University of Louisville Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Surgery. Patient(s): Twenty healthy women 22–35 years of age with normal menstrual cycles. Intervention(s): Blood samples were collected on menstrual cycle day two or three and on the day of LH surge plus one and plus seven or eight. Main Outcome Measure(s): Serum MIS levels were measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Result(s): Serum MIS levels ranged from a low of 1.4 ± 0.9 ng/mL (mean [±SD]) in the early follicular phase, peaked mid-cycle at 1.7 ± 1.1 ng/mL, and decreased to 1.4 ± 0.9 ng/mL in the mid-luteal phase of the normal menstrual cycle. Conclusion(s): Fluctuations in serum MIS levels during the menstrual cycle suggest that MIS may have a regulatory role in folliculogenesis.
Electrically-driven fluid motion in channels with streamwise gradients of the electrical conductivity

Abstract Electroosmotic motion through charged, narrow-bore channels and capillaries is analyzed for the case where there are dominantly-axial gradients in the composition of the flowing electrolyte. The channel width is assumed to be large compared with the Debye screening length, and the electroosmotic slip velocity along the channel wall is taken to vary locally with the ionic strength, pH and electric field. Owing to the wall slip condition, the velocity distribution is nonlinearly coupled to the composition variations within the fluid. The prototype problem studied is one in which buffer ions and other solutes (e.g. analytes) are initially distributed in a sample zone that is sandwiched between uniform running buffer. For the situations considered, the conductivity of the sample zone differs significantly from that of the running buffer; such configurations are common to stacking and electroosmotic pumping protocols. In a frame of reference that moves with the mean velocity of the flow, the velocity field exhibits flow separation in the neighborhood of the conductivity variations and this gives rise to solutal mixing and dispersion in and about the sample zone.
Nomograms of sonographic measurements throughout gestation of the fetal hard palate width, length and area.

Objective To assess the feasibility of sonographic depiction of the fetal hard palate and secondarily to create nomograms throughout gestation of its sonographic width, length and area. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of pregnant patients between 15 and 41 weeks' gestation. Inclusion criteria consisted of well-established dates (confirmed by early ultrasound), and singleton, non-anomalous fetuses. Sonographic measurements obtained included biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length. Fetal hard palate measurements included maximum width, maximum length and the calculated area. Tables were prepared depicting the estimated mean ± SD and 5th, 50th and 95th centiles at each gestational week between 15 and 41 weeks. Pearson's correlation coefficient and associated P-values for the relationships between fetal hard palate measurements and other sonographic measurements and coefficients of variation for each of the fetal hard palate measurements were calculated. Results The study included 602 consecutive patients. The mean maternal age was 28.7 ± 6.3 years, with median gravidity of 2 (range, 1–12) and parity 1 (range, 0–8). All attempts at obtaining fetal hard palate ultrasound measurements were successful. Mean fetal hard palate width (cm) = −0.73579345 + 0.11370432 × GA − 0.00083919 × GA2 and SD = −0.017842055 + 0.005142475 × GA, where GA is gestational age in weeks. Mean fetal hard palate length (cm) = −0.82020463 + 0.11767777 × GA − 0.00092801 × GA2 and SD = −0.043064317 + 0.006378869 × GA. Mean fetal hard palate area (cm2) = −2.40090641 + 0.17136556 × GA + 0.00097308 × GA2 and SD = −0.603647741 + 0.040740282 × GA. Sonographic measurements of the fetal hard palate width, length and area correlated significantly and strongly with gestational age (all P < 0.001) and significantly but less strongly with femur length (P = 0.004). Conclusion The fetal hard palate may be depicted sonographically with relative ease between 15 and 41 weeks' gestation and measurements of the fetal hard palate width, length and area correlate well with gestational age, biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, sonographic estimated fetal weight, and femur length. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consumer involvement, message attention, and the persistence of persuasive impact in a message‐dense environment

As part of a simulated shopping task, subjects viewed messages about fictitious brands of products. The messages rated each competing brand as either strongly negative, negative, positive, or strongly positive, and were presented via computer. Involvement was manipulated by whether or not the product was on the subject's shopping list. Subjects paid more attention to information for products on their shopping list, especially when the message provided information that might be useful for solving the shopping task. However, only the impact of involving messages describing strongly positive brands persisted. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Adaptive eigensubspace algorithms for direction or frequency estimation and tracking

The authors present an adaptive estimator of the complete noise or signal subspace of a sample covariance matrix as well as the estimator's practical implementations. The general formulation of the proposed estimator results from an asymptotic argument, which shows the signal or noise subspace computation to be equivalent to a constrained gradient search procedure. A highly parallel algorithm, denoted the inflation method, is introduced for the estimation of the noise subspace. The simulation results of these adaptive estimators show that the adaptive subspace algorithms perform substantially better than P.A. Thompson's (1980) adaptive version of V.F. Pisarenko's technique (1973) in estimating frequencies or directions of arrival (DOA) of plane waves. For tracking nonstationary parameters, the simulation results also show that the adaptive subspace algorithms are better than direct eigendecomposition methods for which computational complexity is much higher than the adaptive versions. >
A Rapid Surface Intervention Process to Kill Listeria innocua on Catfish Using Cycles of Vacuum and Steam

. D.L. MARSHALL, E.R. RADEWONUK, O.J. SCULLEN, N. GOLDBERG, AND M.F.A. BAL'A ABSTRACT: The vacuum/steam/vacuum surface intervention process was applied to catfish surface inoculated with Listeria innocua. Studies were performed to determine the optimum process conditions of steam temperature, steam time, and number of cycles. Cycling the treatment significantly improved the microbiological kill. At the optimum conditions of steam time of 0.05 to 0.10 s at 143 8 88 88C and with 4 cycles, bacterial kill in excess of 2-log cfu/ml (colony forming units/ml) was attained. The surface intervention process should ensure that catfish reaching the consumer have greatly reduced levels or are free of Listeria contamination.
Splenic Artery Aneurysms: Two Decades Experience at Mayo Clinic

Although rare, splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) have a definite risk of rupture. The optimal management of these aneurysms remains elusive. A retrospective chart review of all patients treated at our institutions with the diagnosis of SAA from January 1980 until December 1998 was undertaken. Follow-up was obtained via chart review and by direct phone contact of the patient or relative. No specific protocol was followed for management. From analysis of the patient data we concluded that although SAAs may rupture, not all intact aneurysms need intervention. Calcification does not appear to protect against rupture, although beta-blockade may be protective. Growth rates of SAA are slow and growth is infrequent. Selective management of SAAs is safe. Open ligation or transcatheter embolization should be considered for symptomatic aneurysms, for aneurysms > or = 2 cm in size, or for any SAA in women of childbearing years.
Surface dosimetry in phototherapy: comparison of three ultraviolet B lamps used in the treatment of psoriasis.

The quantitation (dosimetry) of ultraviolet B irradiation (UVB) administered during phototherapy for psoriasis is fundamental to this modality of treatment because only absorbed irradiation can cause a photochemical reaction and, hence, a phototherapeutic effect. Significant differences may exist in surface dosimetry achieved with different UVB irradiators, and this could have important consequences for the observed clinical efficacy of phototherapy as well as practical implications for avoiding burning when transferring patients between systems. Multiple anatomically referenced polysulphone photodosimeters were applied to the skin of five subjects receiving treatment for severe psoriasis. Three subjects were irradiated with both a free-standing hot quartz lamp and a fluorescent cabinet. Two others were irradiated with a flat bank of fluorescent tubes. Topographical maps of surface irradiation were constructed. 'Cold' areas ( 100% of stated dose) included the forearms and posterior thighs for the hot quartz lamp; the lateral arms, dorsal forearm, and abdomen for the cabinet: and the central trunk (anterior and posterior) for the bank of tubes. Thus, striking differences in surface irradiation exist among the three UVB irradiators studied, and this has an impact on the results of phototherapy for psoriasis. Knowledge of these differences is of practical importance in achieving maximum therapeutic potential as well as minimizing the risk of burning reactions, particularly if patients are to be transferred between systems.
Some factors affecting the clearance of Na24 from human muscle

Abstract 1. 1. The clearance curve of Na 24 from skin is a straight line when plotted on semilogarithmic paper. 2. 2. The clearance curve of Na 24 from subcutaneous tissue is a straight line when plotted on semilogarithmic paper, although clearance is much slower than in skin. 3. 3. The clearance curve of Na 24 from muscle is a straight line. However, when the raw data are plotted on semilogarithmic graph paper, it appears to be a curve because it is a resultant of clearance from subcutaneous and muscle tissue. 4. 4. A method of determining clearance of Na 24 from muscle alone has been suggested.
Etiology of Carbon Dioxide Retention at Rest and during Exercise in Chronic Airflow Obstruction

The purpose of this project was to better define factors that influence the resting FaCO 2 and the change in the FaCO 2 from rest to exercise in patients with moderate to severe chronic airflow obstruction. Pulmonary function testing, symptom-limited exercise tests using arterial catheter lines, and resting ventilatory and mouth occlusion pressure responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia were obtained in 19 patients (mean FEV 1 = 1.07±.50 L). The resting PaCO 2 was closely related to the resting hypercapnic response. The highest correlation coefficient was between the FaCO 2 and the ventilation at Pco s = 60 obtained from the resting hypercapnic response (r = −0.74, p 2 also tended to occur in patients with a lower FEV 1 and a lower FaO 2 . The resting PaCO 2 was not correlated significantly with the Vt or the Vd/Vt. The change in the PaCO 2 from rest to exercise was not significantly related to any measure of resting hypercapnic or hypoxic response, but rather was most dependent on the ventilatory response to exercise (Δ V ˙ e/Δ V ˙ co 2 ). Patients with a lower FEV 1 or smaller decreases in the PaO 2 with exercise tended to have larger increases in PaCO 2 with exercise. The δe/δvco 2 was higher in those with a high FEV 1 a low resting PaCO 2 , and a low resting SaO 2 .
Fly Fighting: Octopamine Modulates Aggression

The genetics and neurobiology of Drosophila aggression are still poorly understood. A new study using an automated method to analyze one component of male fly aggression has shown that the biogenic amine octopamine plays a role in the modulation of aggressive behavior.
Incisional bladder hernia after rectus fascial sling.

As the current literature has expanded with descriptions of numerous techniques and materials for treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women, the list of associated complications has likewise expanded. However, incisional bladder hernia has not been reported in the sling literature. To our knowledge we report the first case of incisional ventral bladder hernia after rectus fascia was harvested for a pubovaginal sling. CASE REPORT A 54-year-old woman underwent rectus fascial slingplasty elsewhere for stress urinary incontinence. Surgical history included total abdominal hysterectomy and prior retropubic suspension procedure. Preoperative urodynamics were consistent with intrinsic sphincter deficiency. A 2 7 cm. piece of rectus fascia was harvested through the previous Pfannenstiel incision. The fascial defect was closed in a running fashion with 1-zero polydioxanone sutures. The sling was attached with 1-zero polypropylene sutures and suspended from the rectus abdominis fascia without tension. Within 2 months of surgery the patient was referred for intermittent suprapubic fullness and worsening urinary incontinence. Physical examination revealed a possible suprapubic defect in the rectus fascia. Multichannel videourodynamic evaluation was performed and findings were consistent with de novo detrusor instability. A bladder hernia was suspected based on the videourodynamic study and computerized tomography confirmed herniation of the bladder through the defect in the rectus fascia (see figure). The patient underwent ventral herniorrhaphy 9 months after the initial operation, with prompt resolution of incontinence. DISCUSSION