cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of N-acetylcysteine on mitochondrial function following traumatic brain injury in rats.

Efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in traumatic brain injury (TBI)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction was evaluated following controlled cortical impact injury in rats. Respiratory function and calcium transport of rat forebrain mitochondria from injured and uninjured hemispheres were examined. NAC significantly restored mitochondrial electron transfer, energy coupling capacity, calcium uptake activity and reduced calcium content absorbed to brain mitochondrial membranes when examined 12 h post-TBI if NAC was administered i.p. 5 min before injury or 30 min or 1 h postinjury. Glutathione (reduced form, GSH) levels in brain tissues were decreased at all time points examined over a 14-day observation period, while mitochondrial GSH levels significantly decreased only at 3 days and 14 days following TBI. NAC treatment given within 1 h greatly restored brain GSH levels from 1 h to 14 days and mitochondrial GSH levels from 12 h to 14 days post-TBI. NAC did not show protective effects when given 2 h postinjury. Our data indicate that NAC administered postinjury at an early stage can effectively restore TBI-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and the protective effect of NAC may be related to its restoration of GSH levels in the brain.
Ballistic blocks around Kīlauea Caldera: Their vent locations and number of eruptions in the late 18th century

Abstract Thousands of ballistic blocks occur around Kīlauea Caldera and record part of the latest major period of explosive activity on the volcano, in late 1790 or within a few years thereafter. The sizes of the blocks – the largest of which is more than 2 m in nominal diameter – and differences in rock types allow the definition of at least 6 dispersal lobes of mostly undetermined relative age. The orientations of the lobes help approximate the locations of vents or explosion sources on the floor of the caldera, now deeply buried by younger lava flows. The vents may have been distributed northward for about 2 km from near the site of the modern Halema'uma'u Crater and were apparently confined to the western half of the caldera. The blocks are entirely lithic except for those in one dispersal lobe, which contains cored bombs and blocks as well as juvenile lapilli. Eruption parameters calculated from EJECT! suggest that the phreatic and phreatomagmatic explosions could have been generated at the water table, about 600 m below the high point on the caldera rim.
Testosterone and avian life histories: The effect of experimentally elevated testosterone on corticosterone and body mass in dark-eyed juncos

Abstract To assess whether alterations in the normal pattern of testosterone (T) secretion might be beneficial or detrimental, we studied a breeding population of darkeyed juncos in which we elevated T experimentally and measured its effect on potential correlates of fitness. We treated both free-living and captive males with implants that were either empty (C-males, controls) or packed with T (T-males, experimentals). Timing of implant varied and was designed to mimic natural peak breeding levels except that peaks were either prolonged or premature. We bled the birds at recapture and analyzed their plasma, and that of their female mates, for T and corticosterone (B). We also measured body mass and fat score in free-living T- and C-males. In the field, T-implants elevated T and kept it elevated for at least a month. Experimental males also had higher B than controls. In captives, the effect of the implants on plasma T was detectable within 24 hr. B in captive T-males was again higher than in captive C-males. In females, neither T nor B differed between mates of T- and C-males. T-males implanted in early spring lost more mass between implant and recapture in late spring than did controls and also had lower fat scores when recaptured. When implants were inserted in summer, treatment did not influence mass. Elevated T in early spring apparently hastened the transition from the winter to the breeding mode of fat storage. We suggest that prolonged elevation of testosterone might be selected against because of the association between T and B. Premature elevation of T might be costly because of the resultant loss of mass and fat reserves, which could lead to mortality when spring snowstorms prevent access to food.
Quaternary paleoecology of the Lower Mississippi Valley

Abstract In 1938, Clair A. Brown published his classic paleobotanical discoveries from the Tunica Hills of southeastern Louisiana, indicating ice-age plant migrations of more than 1100 km. Brown collected fossils of both boreal trees such as white spruce (Picea glauca) and southern coastal plain plants from deposits mapped as the Port Hickey (Prairie) river terrace by Harold N. Fisk. Subsequent revisions of terrace mapping, radiocarbon dating, and paleoecological analysis reconciled Brown's conceptual and stratigraphic “mixing” of these two ecologically incompatible fossil plant groups. An older Terrace 2 (of Sangamonian to Altonian age) contains the warm-temperate assemblage. A younger Terrace 1 (of Farmdalian, Woodfordian, and Holocene age) includes full-glacial and late-glacial remains of both boreal and cool-temperate plants; and a warm-temperate suite of plants dates from the Holocene interglacial. New plant fossil localities with radiocarbon chronologies are now available from within the Lower Mississippi Valley of Missouri and Arkansas as well as from the adjacent Ozark Plateaus, the Interior Low Plateaus of Kentucky and Tennessee, and the bordering Blufflands of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. These studies demonstrate that glacial and interglacial patterns of vegetation have been influenced by regional changes in climate, glacial runoff, and regime of the Mississippi River.
Continuous dynamic recrystallization during friction stir welding of high strength aluminum alloys

Abstract : Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid state joining process 1,2,3 that uses a rapidly-rotating, non-consumable high strength tool-steel pin that extends from a cylindrical shoulder (Figure 1). The workpieces to be joined are firmly clamped to a worktable; the rotating pin is forced with a pre-determined load into them and moved along the desired bond line. Frictional heating is produced from the rubbing of the rotating shoulder with the workpieces, while the rotating pin deforms (i.e. 'stirs') the locally-heated material. To produce a high integrity defect-free weld, process variables (RPM of the shoulder-pin assembly, traverse speed, the downward forging force) and tool pin design must be chosen carefully. FSW can be considered as a hot-working process in which a large amount of deformation is imparted to the workpiece through the rotating pin and the shoulder. Such deformation gives rise to a weld nugget (whose extent is comparable to the diameter of the pin), a thermomechanically-affected region (TMAZ) and a heat-affected zone (HAZ). Frequently, the weld nugget appears to comprise equiaxed, fine, dynamically recrystallized grains whose size is substantially less than that in the parent material. The objective of the present research was to develop a basic understanding of the evolution of microstructure in the dynamically recrystallized region and to relate it to the deformation process variables of strain, strain rate, and temperature. Such a correlation has not been attempted before perhaps because of the difficulty in quantifying the process variables. To overcome such difficulties, recent work 4 to measure and model the local temperature transients during FSW was utilized, and an approximate method was employed to estimate the strain and strain rate in the weld nugget.
Inheritance in computer-aided design databases: semantics and implementation issues

Abstract Object-oriented models have been advocated as a good way to describe semantics-rich application domains such as computer-aided design. This paper describes the role and limitations of conventional type-instance inheritance modelling for CAD data, and proposes a new semantics based on instance-to-instance inheritance. A unique focus of this paper are new algorithms for object clustering, buffer management, and on-line back-up which exploit the new inheritance semantics to achieve better run-time performance.
Limb‐preserving treatment for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. The significance of surgical margins

Background and Methods. Between 1970 and 1990, 74 patients with extremity soft tissue sarcomas began a regimen of limb-sparing surgery and irradiation. Ninety-two percent received postoperative irradiation, 7% received preoperative irradiation, and one patient was treated with radiation after an incisional biopsy only. Radiation was administered with a shrinking-field technique (median total dose, 63 Gy; range, 39.6–71 Gy), with 14 patients receiving interstitial brachytherapy as a component of treatment. Ten patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Results. Local control of disease was 82% at 5 years, and 95% after salvage therapy. The actuarial risk of distant disease recurrence was 27%, with an overall survival rate of 70% at 5 years. Histologic subtype, tumor grade, size of tumor, location of tumor, status of the surgical margins, use of chemotherapy, radiation dose, interval until initiation of radiation therapy, and use of a brachytherapy boost were analyzed to determine their effect on survival, local control, and freedom from distant metastasis. Microscopic involvement of the surgical margins predicted for local disease recurrence (P = 0.0002), distant disease recurrence (P = 0.008), and poorer overall survival (P = 0.02). Low histologic grade was favorably correlated with freedom from distant disease recurrence (P = 0.004) and survival (P = 0.002). Patients with liposarcomas had superior local control (P = 0.004) compared with patients with tumors of other histologic subtypes. Five patients experienced a complication of therapy, for an actuarial risk of 10% at 5 years. Only two patients required hospital admittance for treatment-related morbidity. Conclusions. These findings support the continued use of limb-preserving management for extremity sarcomas and emphasize the importance of the status of the surgical margins.
Linear system approximation via covariance equivalent realizations

Abstract A truncation technique for model reduction to simultaneously match a specified number of output covariance derivatives is described. These COVariance Equivalent Realizations which match q + 1 covariance derivatives are called “q-COVERs.” In general q-COVERs are not unique. The additional freedom is used herein so that the q-COVER obtained also matches q Markov parameters. The truncation technique uses a form of the observability matrices of the full-order system to determine a priori the order required of the reduced order model to match a specified number of output covariance derivatives and Markov parameters. The resulting realization is shown to be independent of the basis of the complete model to within a unitary transformation. Stability conditions for the reduced order model are also described, and the relationships are established between stochastically equivalent realizations and the q-COVERs.
Half-time or Half-lifeWhat Matters for Recovery from Intravenous Anesthesia?

Elimination half-life is the pharmacokinetic parameter used most commonly to describe duration of pharmacologic action, including that expected of intravenous anesthetic drugs administered by continuous infusion. Little consideration has been given, however, to the relevance of elimination half-life in describing plasma (central compartment) drug concentrations in the context of relevant infusion durations. Therefore, simulations were performed with multicompartment pharmacokinetic models for six intravenous anesthetic drugs. These models had elimination half-lives ranging from 111 to 577 min. The input in each simulation was in infusion regimen designed to maintain a constant plasma drug concentration for durations ranging from 1 min to 8 h and until steady state. The time required for the plasma drug concentration to decrease by 50% after terminating each infusion in each of the models was determined and was designated the "context-sensitive half-time," where "context" refers to infusion duration. The context-sensitive half-times were markedly different from their respective elimination half-lives and ranged from 1 to 306 min. The half-times were explained by posing each pharmacokinetic model in the form of a hydraulic model. These simulations demonstrate that elimination half-life is of no value in characterizing disposition of intravenous anesthetic drugs during dosing periods relevant to anesthesia. We propose that context-sensitive half-times are a useful descriptor of postinfusion central compartment kinetics.
The effects of maternal separation on adult methamphetamine self-administration, extinction, reinstatement, and MeCP2 immunoreactivity in the nucleus accumbens

The maternal separation (MS) paradigm is an animal model of early life stress. Animals subjected to MS during the first two weeks of life display altered behavioral and neuroendocrinological stress responses as adults. MS also produces altered responsiveness to and self-administration (SA) of various drugs of abuse including cocaine, ethanol, opioids, and amphetamine. Methamphetamine (METH) causes great harm to both the individual user and to society; yet, no studies have examined the effects of MS on METH SA. This study was performed to examine the effects of MS on the acquisition of METH SA, extinction, and reinstatement of METH-seeking behavior in adulthood. Given the known influence of early life stress and drug exposure on epigenetic processes, group differences in levels of the epigenetic marker methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core were also investigated. Long-Evans pups and dams were separated on postnatal days (PND) 2-14 for either 180 (MS180) or 15 min (MS15). Male offspring were allowed to acquire METH SA (0.05 mg/kg/infusion) in 15 2-hr daily sessions starting at PND67, followed by extinction training and cue-induced reinstatement of METH-seeking behavior. Rats were then assessed for MeCP2 levels in the NAc core by immunohistochemistry. The MS180 group self-administered significantly more METH and acquired SA earlier than the MS15 group. No group differences in extinction or cue-induced reinstatement were observed. MS15 rats had significantly elevated MeCP2-immunoreactive cells in the NAc core as compared to MS180 rats. Together, these data suggest that MS has lasting influences on METH SA as well as epigenetic processes in the brain reward circuitry.
Improved parametric reconstruction using variable projection optimization

This paper addresses the problem of image reconstruction from limited Fourier data. An improved parameter estimation algorithm is proposed for use with a polynomial model-based image reconstruction method. Results from magnetic resonance imaging data are shown to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Do we need randomized controlled clinical trials to evaluate the clinical impact of breast MR imaging

MR imaging of the breast has been shown to identify breast cancers that have gone undetected by mammography. There are a number of potential designs that can be used to further evaluate breast MR imaging, particularly with respect its impact on clinical care. Determination of whether using breast MR imaging to screen healthy individuals for breast cancer actually reduces breast cancer-specific mortality--and whether this can be accomplished at an acceptable cost--probably requires randomized, controlled clinical.
Measuring flood output from 110 coastal watersheds in California with field measurements and SeaWiFS

The 1300-km-long California coast receives output from watersheds that range from ∼10 km 2 within the coastal mountain ranges to ∼120 000 km 2 for the drainage basins of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Results from a combination of field and remote-sensing data, modeling, and digital techniques show that during the El Nino winter of 1998, the impact of sediment and water transport on nearshore waters from coastal watersheds was spatially extensive, varied with depth, and was comparable to the impact of output from large rivers. The mass of sediment estimated from SeaWiFS data for 25 discrete and coalesced buoyant river plumes emanating from 110 watersheds was 2.2 × 10 6 t. Although the mass of all of the plumes represents only 1%–2% of the total sediment output from the rivers, the plumes covered an area of 29 500 km 2 of coastal waters. An important cautionary note is that the surface plumes visible in the remote-sensing data (even though nearly coincident with flooding) do not represent mass output from the rivers.
Changes in rate of cellular proliferation during the differentiation of cartilage and muscle in the mesenchyme of the embryonic chick wing

Summary Changes in the rate of cell division in the embryonic chick wing bud during the first 48 hours of wing development have been described using autoradiographic techniques. The tritiated thymidine labeling index decreased in all regions of the wing between stage 21 and stage 23. Continuous tritiated thymidine labeling experiments showed that the decrease in labeling index was almost entirely due to a cessation of cell division by some fraction of each of the cellular populations studied. At stage 19, the proliferative index in all regions of the wing is 100%. At stage 24, the proliferative index in the dorsal proximal, ventral proximal, and subridge regions was 75%, and the proliferative index in the cartilage-forming region was 25%. Graphical analysis of the continuous labeling data showed that there is very little change in the length of the cell cycle or its component phases during this period of embryonic development.
Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy after shrinkage of a caval tumor thrombus with sunitinib.

The authors present a 57-year-old woman with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and a tumor thrombus extending into the vena cava. She received neoadjuvant sunitinib, which shrank the tumor thrombus, and enabled laparoscopic radical nephrectomy to be performed. The case highlights the potential of targeted agents before surgery in RCC.
Phenomenological delineation of the quark-gluon structure from nucleon electromagnetic form factors

Abstract We investigate a synthesis of topological chiral models with the vector meson dominance idea, with applications to nucleon and pion electromagnetic form factors. We suggest that the large tensor coupling of the ρ-meson to the nucleon, about twice that given by the vector dominance model, is an indicator of quark-gluon substructure of the nucleon at distances ≲ 1 2 fm . Nucleon and pion form factors are fit within this model, which implies that the γ-ray coupling is about 50% directly to the intrinsic quark structure of the nucleon or pion, and the other 50% is indirect, through vector mesons.
Using conjoined rigid body/torsion angle simulated annealing to determine the relative orientation of covalently linked protein domains from dipolar couplings.

Abstract A simple and robust method for determining the relative orientations of covalently linked protein domains using conjoined rigid body/torsion angle dynamics simulated annealing on the basis of residual dipolar couplings is presented. In this approach each domain is treated as a rigid body and the relevant degrees of conformational freedom are restricted to the backbone torsion angles (φ, ψ) of the linker between the domains. By this means translational information afforded by the presence of an intact linker is preserved. We illustrate this approach using the domain-swapped dimer of the HIV-inactivating protein cyanovirin-N as an example.
Rethinking Policy Diffusion: The Interstate Spread of “Finance Innovations”

Recently a number of studies have focused on states' adoptions of postsecondary-specific policies. Cutting across much of this research is the presence and influence of interstate diffusion of policy adoptions, a phenomenon for which support is scant. This paper seeks to address this through broadening the categorization of policies beyond the discrete form traditionally used to one that encompasses a larger conception of "finance policy." Our sample uses 131 finance innovations for 47 states over a 29 year period, finding that upon broadening our definition, we can detect the process of diffusion. However, the findings are striking, showing that while states do learn from one another, the process is dynamic and shifts across time.
CuSO4 filters influence flowering of Chrysanthemum cv. Spears

Abstract `Spears' chrysanthemums ( Dendranthema × grandiflorum [Ramat.] Kitamura) were grown under solar filters filled with CuSO 4 in solution which absorbs FR, or water, which does not absorb FR, and were exposed to marginally long natural photoperiods, artificially long photoperiods, or artificially short photoperiods. Internode length and plant height were reduced under CuSO 4 filters compared to plants grown under water filters, regardless of photoperiod. Plants grown under water- or CuSO 4 –filled filters that received artificial short days flowered 7 days ahead of the plants grown in natural, marginally long photoperiods under CuSO 4 filters and 17 days ahead of the plants grown under water filters and receiving natural, marginally long photoperiods. The number of nodes was the same for the plants grown in short and marginally long days under CuSO 4 filters and in short days under water filters, indicating that flower induction occurred simultaneously in these treatments. Development of additional nodes on plants under water-filled filters and receiving natural long-days indicated that floral induction was delayed. A cool white fluorescent light night break prevented or delayed flowering of plants grown under water- and CuSO 4 –filled filters during natural short days. The results demonstrate that standard practices of photoperiodic control can be used to time chrysanthemums `Spears' grown under CuSO 4 filters for pot mum production.
Posterior segment ocular pharmacokinetics using microdialysis in a conscious rabbit model.

PURPOSE. To develop and establish a conscious rabbit model for ocular pharmacokinetic studies and to delineate the effects of anesthesia and probe implantation on the ocular disposition of ganciclovir. METHODS. A conscious rabbit model was developed for microdialysis of the posterior ocular segment. Rabbits were divided into three groups. Group I consisted of rabbits with no recovery period after probe implantation and were anesthetized throughout the experiment. Group II consisted of rabbits that had a more than 5-day recovery period and were conscious during the experiment. Group III consisted of rabbits that had a more than 5-day recovery period and were anesthetized during the cxperiment. 3 [H] ganciclovir was administered (50 μL) intravitreously in all groups, and ocular levels were determined for 10 hours at appropriate time intervals. Data obtained were subjected to noncompartmental modeling. RESULTS. Probe calibration studies indicated that the probes were functional for at least 14 days. The anesthetized groups, regardless of the period of recovery from probe implantation, exhibited higher areas under the curve than did the conscious group. The vitreous halt-life of ganciclovir was significantly shorter in the groups with a recovery period of more than 5 days compared with the group with no recovery period. CONCLUSIONS. The conscious rabbit model was developed and can be used for a period of at least 14 days. Anesthesia increased ocular bioavailability of intravitreously administered ganciclovir, whereas probe implantation led to increased protein efflux into the vitreous, which may be the reason for the increased half -life of ganciclovir in group I.
Process, Not Product: Investigating Recommendations for Improving Citizen Science ``Success''

Citizen science programs are increasingly popular for a variety of reasons, from public education to new opportunities for data collection. The literature published in scientific journals resulting from these projects represents a particular perspective on the process. These articles often conclude with recommendations for increasing “success”. This study compared these recommendations to those elicited during interviews with program coordinators for programs within the United States. From this comparison, success cannot be unilaterally defined and therefore recommendations vary by perspective on success. Program coordinators tended to have more locally-tailored recommendations specific to particular aspects of their program mission.
Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule is conserved in mouse and highly expressed in the adult mouse brain.

Down Syndrome (DS) is a major cause of mental retardation and is associated with characteristic well-defined although subtle brain abnormalities, many of which arise after birth, with particular defects in the cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. The neural cell adhesion molecule DSCAM (Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule) maps to 21q22.2-->q22.3, a region associated with DS mental retardation, and is expressed largely in the neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems during development. In order to evaluate the contribution of DSCAM to postnatal morphogenetic and cognitive processes, we have analyzed the expression of the mouse DSCAM homolog, Dscam, in the adult mouse brain from 1 through 21 months of age. We have found that Dscam is widely expressed in the brain throughout adult life, with strongest levels in the cortex, the mitral and granular layers of the olfactory bulb, the granule cells of the dentate gyrus and the pyramidal cells of the CA1, CA2 and CA3 regions, the ventroposterior lateral nuclei of the thalamus, and in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Dscam is also expressed ventrally in the adult spinal cord. Given the homology of DSCAM to cell adhesion molecules involved in development and synaptic plasticity, and its demonstrated role in axon guidance, we propose that DSCAM overexpression contributes not only to the structural defects seen in these regions of the DS brain, but also to the defects of learning and memory seen in adults with DS.
Does an immigrant health paradox exist among Asian Americans? Associations of nativity and occupational class with self-rated health and mental disorders

A robust socioeconomic gradient in health is well-documented, with higher socioeconomic status (SES) associated with better health across the SES spectrum. However, recent studies of U.S. racial/ethnic minorities and immigrants show complex SES-health patterns (e.g., flat gradients), with individuals of low SES having similar or better health than their richer, U.S.-born and more acculturated counterparts, a so-called “epidemiological paradox” or “immigrant health paradox”. To examine whether this exists among Asian Americans, we investigate how nativity and occupational class (white-collar, blue-collar, service, unemployed) are associated with subjective health (self-rated physical health, self-rated mental health) and 12-month DSM-IV mental disorders (any mental disorder, anxiety, depression). We analyzed data from 1530 Asian respondents to the 2002–2003 National Latino and Asian American Study in the labor force using hierarchical multivariate logistic regression models controlling for confounders, subjective social status (SSS), material and psychosocial factors theorized to explain health inequalities. Compared to U.S.-born Asians, immigrants had worse socioeconomic profiles, and controlling for age and gender, increased odds for reporting fair/poor mental health and decreased odds for any DSM-IV mental disorder and anxiety. No strong occupational class-health gradients were found. The foreign-born health-protective effect persisted after controlling for SSS but became nonsignificant after controlling for material and psychosocial factors. Speaking fair/poor English was strongly associated with all outcomes. Material and psychosocial factors were associated with some outcomes – perceived financial need with subjective health, uninsurance with self-rated mental health and depression, social support, discrimination and acculturative stress with all or most DSM-IV outcomes. Our findings caution against using terms like “immigrant health paradox” which oversimplify complex patterns and mask negative outcomes among underserved sub-groups (e.g., speaking fair/poor English, experiencing acculturative stress). We discuss implications for better measurement of SES and health given the absence of a gradient and seemingly contradictory finding of nativity-related differences in self-rated health and DSM-IV mental disorders.
Monocot‐dicot variability in response to an iron oxide‐metallic iron source

Abstract Iron from a mixture of Fe oxide and metallic Fe was more available to corn (Zea mays L.) than it was to soybeans when the plants wore grown in calcareous soil or in nutrient solution. All this Fe, however, was DTPA (diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) extractable. In solution culture the Fe was available to the soybean (Glycine max L.) plants unless CaCO3 was included in the nutrient solution.
Neighborhood Disparities in Prevalence of Childhood Obesity Among Low-Income Children Before and After Implementation of New York City Child Care Regulations

Introduction New York City Article 47 regulations, implemented in 2007, require licensed child care centers to improve the nutrition, physical activity, and television-viewing behaviors of enrolled children. To supplement an evaluation of the Article 47 regulations, we conducted an exploratory ecologic study to examine changes in childhood obesity prevalence among low-income preschool children enrolled in the Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in New York City neighborhoods with or without a district public health office. We conducted the study 3 years before (from 2004 through 2006) and after (from 2008 through 2010) the implementation of the regulations in 2007. Methods We used an ecologic, time-trend analysis to compare 3-year cumulative obesity prevalence among WIC-enrolled preschool children during 2004 to 2006 and 2008 to 2010. Outcome data were obtained from the New York State component of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System. Results Early childhood obesity prevalence declined in all study neighborhoods from 2004-2006 to 2008-2010. The greatest decline occurred in Manhattan high-risk neighborhoods where obesity prevalence decreased from 18.6% in 2004-2006 to 15.3% in 2008-2010. The results showed a narrowing of the gap in obesity prevalence between high-risk and low-risk neighborhoods in Manhattan and the Bronx, but not in Brooklyn. Conclusion The reductions in early childhood obesity prevalence in some high-risk and low-risk neighborhoods in New York City suggest that progress was made in reducing health disparities during the years just before and after implementation of the 2007 regulations. Future research should consider the built environment and markers of differential exposure to known interventions and policies related to childhood obesity prevention.
Derepression of a Neuronal Inhibitor due to miRNA Dysregulation in a Schizophrenia-Related Microdeletion

22q11.2 microdeletions result in specific cognitive deficits and schizophrenia. Analysis of Df(16)A(+/-) mice, which model this microdeletion, revealed abnormalities in the formation of neuronal dendrites and spines, as well as altered brain microRNAs. Here, we show a drastic reduction of miR-185, which resides within the 22q11.2 locus, to levels more than expected by a hemizygous deletion, and we demonstrate that this reduction alters dendritic and spine development. miR-185 represses, through an evolutionarily conserved target site, a previously unknown inhibitor of these processes that resides in the Golgi apparatus and shows higher prenatal brain expression. Sustained derepression of this inhibitor after birth represents the most robust transcriptional disturbance in the brains of Df(16)A(+/-) mice and results in structural alterations in the hippocampus. Reduction of miR-185 also has milder age- and region-specific effects on the expression of some Golgi-related genes. Our findings illuminate the contribution of microRNAs in psychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunction.
Effectiveness distributions on turbine-blade cascade platforms through simulated stator-rotor seals

A five-blade linear cascade is used to experimentally investigate turbine-blade platform cooling. Three slot configurations placed upstream of the blades are used to model advanced seals between the stator and rotor. The seal configurations include vertical injection of the coolant onto the platform, a redirection of the coolant onto the platform, and a labyrinthlike configuration between the stator endwall and rotor platform. The coolant flow rate through the seals varies from 0.5 to 2.0% of the mainstream flow. The film-cooling effectiveness is measured on the platform using pressure-sensitive paint. The upstream slots cover 1.5 passages with the coolant exiting the slot 3.87 cm upstream of the leading edge of the blades. The mainstream Reynolds number is 3.1 x 105 based on the inlet velocity and the chord length of the scaled high-pressure turbine blade. With the pressure-sensitive-paint measurement technique, the effect of the passage-induced secondary flow on the film-cooling effectiveness is easily captured, as the distribution of the film effectiveness is very nonuniform through the passage. In addition, the more advanced seal configurations, considered in the present study, yield reduced film-cooling effectiveness compared with the more fundamental inclined slot configurations.
Novel Lithography-Based Approaches to Pattern Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembled Thin Films

Layer-by-layer self-assembly is a key enabling technique in nanotechnology. It is very crucial to pattern the self-assembled thin films for the realization of nano/microelectronics devices or NEMS (Nano Electro Mechanical Systems). Two approaches to generate spatially separated patterns comprised of organic or inorganic nanoparticles are demonstrated. The processes are based on the lithographic patterning of the nanoparticle-based thin films which are layer-by-layer assembled. This opens to industrial applications of popular layer-by-layer method to produce multilayers for polymers, nanoparticles and protein organized in nanometer scale. These two methods are referred to by us as “lift-off” and “metal mask”, respectively. Sharp and clear patterns are created with both methods and images are recorded by scanning electron microscope. Their advantages and disadvantages are discussed and potential usage in 3-D nanostructure fabrication is investigated. In addition, temperature-dependent experiment has first been carried out to make this techniques more practical for micro/naoelectronics or NEMS devices.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Glucose phosphotransferase and intracellular trafficking.

Glycoproteins containing phosphodiester-linked glucose residues have recently been described. The synthesis of this structure occurs due to the intact transfer of αglucose-1-phosphate from UDP-glucose and is catalyzed by the enzyme glucose phosphotransferase (GlcPTase). The endogenous acceptors for GlcPTase have been characterized as to molecular weight following incubation of selected homogenates with (β32P)UDP-glucose. These glycoproteins are distinct from the lysosomal hydrolases recognized by the GlcNAc phosphotransferase. The transfer of 32P from (β32P)UDP-Glc can also be detected when the nucleotide sugar is microinjected into the cytoplasm of individual neurons in Aplysia. The phosphorylated acceptors in this system seem to be predominantly two glycoproteins that are subjected to rapid axoplasmic transport. The possible role of this post-translational modification in the intracellular trafficking of a subset of newly synthesized glycoproteins is discussed.
Adsorption and binding of peptides on homoionic montmorillonite and kaolinite

Abstract The adsorption and binding (amount retained after extensive washing) of peptides (two, three or four amino acids with isoelectric points ranging from pH 3.31 to 6.81) on montmorillonite (M) and kaolinite (K) made homoionic to H, Na, Ca, Zn, Al or La were studied. The amount of peplide adsorbed or bound varied with the type of clay, the type of cation saturating the clay, and the constitutive amino acids of the peptides. Di-, tri- and tetraglycine were adsorbed to a greater extent on M than on K. A larger amount of the basic peptide, l -alanyl- l -lysine, than of the acidic peptide, l -aspartylglycine, was adsorbed. The heterocyclic peptides, l -histidylglycine and l -prolyl- l -phenylalanylglycyl- l -lysine, were preferentially adsorbed on M homoionic to di- and trivalent cations. Only l -aspartylglycine, l -histidylglycine. l -alanyl- l -lysine and l -prolyl- l -phenylalanylglycyl- l -lysine were bound on M, and only diglycine, tetraglycine and l -prolyl- l -phenylalanylglycyl- l -lysine were bound on K.
INFLUENCE OF REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES UPON GROWTH IN OVARIECTOMIZED AND NORMAL FEMALE RATS

CONTRIBUTIONS to the knowledge of the influence of reproduction, especially that of the individual reproductive hormones upon the growth rate in the female, have not been numerous. In most of these investigations the effects of ovariectomy or of pregnancy were generally studied. Evidence that ovariectomized rats grow more rapidly than virgin controls has been presented by Stotsenburg (1913), Slonaker (1930), Freudenberger and Billeter (1935), Freudenberger and Howard (1937), Freudenberger and Hashimoto (1937–38 and 1939) Bogart et al. (1940), and Tang (1941). Pronounced differences in the rate of growth were shown to exist between pregnant and virgin female rats of the same age by Slonaker (1927), Cole and Hart (1938) and Bogart et al. (1940). The effects of pregnancy, pseudopregnancy (Hart and Cole, 1939) and ovariectomy upon growth indicate that the reproductive hormones may be directly or indirectly involved.
Observations on the nature of radioactive contaminants in biosynthetic cholesterol-C14.

SummaryExperiments have been carried out on the nature of the radioactive contaminants in biosynthetic cholesterol-C14 obtained from rat livers, employing preparations in which as much as 80% of the radioactivity was due to contaminating material. At least one major contaminating substance was still precipitable with digitonin after treatment with bromine, but it was not 3β-cholestanol. The data make it unlikely that 7-ketocholesterol, 7β hydroxycholesterol, cholestane-3β, 5α,6bT-triol, squalene or unutilized acetate contributed significantly to the radioactive contamination found in these preparations.
Nucleation and annihilation of magnetic vortices in submicron-scale Co dots

We describe experiments on arrays of polycrystalline Co structures fabricated by interference lithography. The dots are thin (15–40 nm), submicron in size, and are patterned with a uniaxial, in-plane, shape anisotropy axis. We use magnetic force microscopy (MFM) in the presence of an applied field to directly observe magnetic reversal in the dots. These experiments reveal that reversal occurs predominantly through the nucleation and annihilation of a single magnetic vortex in each dot. Hysteresis loop measurements indicate that the vortices are stable over a wide range of applied fields and that the limits of this range depend on the size and thickness of the dots. Using the MFM data, we determine the statistical distribution of the single-vortex nucleation field for several different arrays. We attribute the observed variance to the random orientation of the polycrystalline grains. Finally, we show that the average vortex nucleation and annihilations fields are linearly correlated to the demagnetization ...
Minimal perfect hashing in polynomial time

We present a universally applicable algorithm for generating minimal perfect hashing functions. The method has (worst case) polynomial time complexity in units of bit operations. An adjunct algorithm for reducing parameter magnitudes in the generated hash functions is given. This probabilistic method makes hash function parameter magnitudes independent of argument (input key) magnitudes.
Large-scale atmospheric circulation features of warm and cold episodes in the tropical Pacific

Abstract Ship observations of sea surface temperature (SST), sea level pressure and surface wind, and satellite measurements of outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) (an indicator of deep tropical convection) are used to describe the large-scale atmospheric circulation over the tropical Pacific during composite warm and cold episodes. Results are based on linear regression analysis between the circulation parameters and an index of SST in the tropical Pacific during the period 1946–85 (1974–89 for OLR). Warm episodes along the Peru coast (i.e., El Nino events) and basin-wide warmings associated with the Southern Oscillation are examined separately. Charts of the total as well as anomalous fields of SST, sea level pressure, surface wind and OLR for both warm and cold episodes are presented. SST and surface wind anomalies associated with warm episodes are consistent with the results of Rasmusson and Carpenter (1982). El Nino events are characterized by strong positive SST anomalies along the coasts of Ecuador a...
A NEW STOCHASTIC LOAD FORECASTING MODEL TO PREDICT LOAD GROWTH ON RADIAL FEEDERS

A new stochastic load forecasting model to predict load growth on radial feeders has been developed. Present methods of making such predictions have no underlying a priori model on which to rely. This paper summarizes an attempt to apply developmental models to the load growth prediction problem. A parameter study is described which suggests the relative importance of the model's parameters. Using actual data obtained from a utility company, forecasts are compared with network growth.
Telosome, a Mammalian Telomere-associated Complex Formed by Multiple Telomeric Proteins

In mammalian cells, telomere-binding proteins TRF1 and TRF2 play crucial roles in telomere biology. They interact with several other telomere regulators including TIN2, PTOP, POT1, and RAP1 to ensure proper maintenance of telomeres. TRF1 and TRF2 are believed to exert distinct functions. TRF1 forms a complex with TIN2, PTOP, and POT1 and regulates telomere length, whereas TRF2 mediates t-loop formation and end protection. However, whether cross-talk occurs between the TRF1 and TRF2 complexes and how the signals from these complexes are integrated for telomere maintenance remain to be elucidated. Through gel filtration and co-immunoprecipitation experiments, we found that TRF1 and TRF2 are in fact subunits of a telomere-associated high molecular weight complex (telosome) that also contains POT1, PTOP, RAP1, and TIN2. We demonstrated that the TRF1-interacting protein TIN2 binds TRF2 directly and in vivo, thereby bridging TRF2 to TRF1. Consistent with this multi-protein telosome model, stripping TRF1 off the telomeres by expressing tankyrase reduced telomere recruitment of not only TIN2 but also TRF2. These results help to unify previous observations and suggest that telomere maintenance depends on the multi-subunit telosome.
Miscibility and Phase Behavior in Blends of Poly(vinyl butyral) and Poly(methyl methacrylate)

The miscibility and phase behavior in blends of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) and atactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were studied by dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and optical microscopy (OM). PVB is regarded as a random copolymer containing vinyl butyral (VB) and vinyl alcohol (VA) units. In this study the copolymer composition was varied over a wide range, and PMMA was varied with respect to molecular weight. DMTA measurements show two distinct Tg's for the blends of all PVBs with PMMAs of high molecular weights (Mw = 1.2 × 105 and 1.5 × 104), indicating completely immiscibility. However, OM observations show that the size of phase-separated domains of PVB blends with PMMA (Mw = 1.2 × 105) depends on copolymer composition and displays a minimum in the range 22−33 wt % VA content. For low molecular weight PMMAs (Mw = 2 × 103 to 5 × 103), miscibility with UCST-type phase behavior was observed in certain blends, the miscibility range depending on the copolymer composition and the molecular ...
Real-time snapshot hyperspectral imaging endoscope

Hyperspectral imaging has tremendous potential to detect important molecular biomarkers of early cancer based on their unique spectral signatures. Several drawbacks have limited its use for in vivo screening applications: most notably the poor temporal and spatial resolution, high expense, and low optical throughput of existing hyperspectral imagers. We present the development of a new real-time hyperspectral endoscope (called the image mapping spectroscopy endoscope) based on an image mapping technique capable of addressing these challenges. The parallel high throughput nature of this technique enables the device to operate at frame rates of 5.2 frames per second while collecting a (x, y, λ) datacube of 350 × 350 × 48. We have successfully imaged tissue in vivo, resolving a vasculature pattern of the lower lip while simultaneously detecting oxy-hemoglobin.
Defusing the Objectification of Women by Other Women: The Role of Competence

This study provides empirical evidence that the objectification of women by other women can be attenuated by drawing attention to their competence. Primarily European American female undergraduate participants (N = 154) from the Midwestern part of the United States rated photographs of college-aged female models dressed provocatively a) standing against a plain background (control condition), b) showing athletic competence (standing near a swimming pool holding a trophy), and c) showing academic competence (solving a math problem on a whiteboard). Results showed that compared to the control condition, the models showing competence were rated lower on objectification variables and higher on capability variables regardless of their provocative manner of dress.
Prevalence of Disordered Eating and Pathogenic Weight Control Behaviors Among NCAA Division I Female Collegiate Gymnasts and Swimmers

(2012). Prevalence of Disordered Eating and Pathogenic Weight Control Behaviors Among NCAA Division I Female Collegiate Gymnasts and Swimmers. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: Vol. 83, No. 1, pp. 120-124.
Pool fires in a simulated aircraft cabin interior with ventilation

Results of experiments conducted at the JPL to evaluate aircraft postcrash fire hazards are presented. The experiments were carried out in a one-third scale simulated aircraft cabin geometry to study pool fire and ventilation flow interactions. It is shown that wind-induced ventilation may significantly affect fire plume orientation, smoke transport, and heat fluxes and thus will affect subsequent fire spread and the immediate survivability of the passengers.
Current Techniques in the Performance, Interpretation, and Reporting of CT Colonography

The technical objective of computed tomographic colonography (CTC) is to acquire high-quality computed tomography images of the cleansed, well-distended colon for polyp detection. In this article the authors provide an overview of the technical components of CTC, from preparation of the patient to acquisition of the imaging data and basic methods of interpretation. In each section, the best evidence for current practices and recommendations is reviewed. Each of the technical components must be optimized to achieve high sensitivity in polyp detection.