cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Respiratory Markers Significantly Enhance Anxiety Detection Using Multimodal Physiological Sensing

Specific phobia affects 7.7% of the population at some point in their lives. Virtual reality exposure therapy has demonstrated potential as a viable treatment; tracking patients’ progress, however, remains a challenge. Recent work has demonstrated that by employing machine learning, multimodal physiological sensing can be leveraged to address this need. Specifically, features extracted from the electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrodermal activity (EDA) can be used to accurately discriminate periods of phobic anxiety from rest. Herein, we extend the state of the art by demonstrating that features extracted from the respiratory effort (RSP) signal can further enhance this capability. This is investigated by adding respiratory markers to the classifier and evaluating feature importance via permutation and removal. We thereby find that respiration significantly contributes to classifier performance. In particular, five respiratory markers rank within the top 10 features based on permutation importance; notably, four of which are respiratory variability metrics. Additionally, respiration features contribute significantly to model generalizability, corroborated by the 7% decrease in accuracy caused by solely using ECG and EDA features (i.e., removing respiration).
Iterative Symbolic Regression for Learning Transport Equations

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is widely used in engineering. Although CFD calculations are accurate, the computational cost associated with complex systems makes it difficult to obtain empirical equations between system variables. Here we combine active learning (AL) and symbolic regression (SR) to get a symbolic equation for system variables from CFD simulations. Gaussian process regression-based AL allows for automated selection of variables by selecting the most instructive points from the available range of possible parameters. The results from these experiments are then passed to SR to find empirical symbolic equations for CFD models. This approach is scalable and applicable for any desired number of CFD design parameters. To demonstrate the effectiveness, we use this method with two model systems. We recover an empirical equation for the pressure drop in a bent pipe and a new equation for predicting backflow in a heart valve under arotic insufficiency.
Sarcomas More Common in Children

Several types of sarcomas are more common in children, the most common of which include osteogenic sarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. While osteogenic sarcoma presents similarly in children and adults under age 40, there are a variety of differences in the presentation of Ewing sarcoma in adults versus pediatric patients. Ewing sarcoma is predominantly a bone tumor in children, while in adults it occurs much more commonly in soft tissue. As is also noted below, there is a new class of sarcomas that are similar in appearance to Ewing sarcoma but contain translocation products other than the classical t(11;22) EWSR1-FLI1 translocation. Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma is much more common in adults than in children, while alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is rare in adults.
A detached-leaf method to study pecan aphid behavior and biology.

A detached-leaf method for the study of blackmargined aphid, Monellia caryella, yellow pecan aphid, Monelliopsis pecanis, and black pecan aphid, Melanocallis caryaefoliae, the three species of aphi...
Endoscopic Treatment of Complications of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases affect about 1 in 200 persons in Western countries. Patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) in particular often require surgery as disease evolves from a primarily luminal inflammatory process to a stricturing and/or penetrating disease. Endoscopic modalities are emerging as a viable and exciting alternative to surgery in a subset of patients with IBD. Endoscopic balloon dilation, with or without topical corticosteroid injection, for IBD-related strictures is a safe and effective intervention for patients with short, bland, symptomatic strictures, and may avoid the need for surgery. Novel strategies such as endoscopic needle-knife stricturotomy and stent placement may improve the durability of balloon dilation. Endoscopic intrafistular injection of fibrin glue, in conjunction with medical management, may be a therapeutic intervention for patients with CD-related fistulae; addition of adipose-derived or mesenchymal stem cells to fibrin glue may significantly improve fistula healing, but is awaiting further study. Endotherapy for an acutely bleeding Crohn’s ulcer and colonoscopic polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection are safe and effective treatments for adenoma and flat but raised colitis-associated colorectal neoplasia, and may obviate colectomy in patients with IBD. Endoscopy is fast emerging from a purely diagnostic modality, to a potentially therapeutic intervention in the armamentarium of gastroenterologists involved in the care of patients with IBD.
Promoter search by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase on a circular DNA template.

Abstract Using the rapid-mixing/photocross-linking technique developed in our laboratory, we have investigated the kinetics of interaction between Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and pAR1319, a recombinant plasmid DNA containing the bacteriophage T7 A2 early promoter. By monitoring the time-dependent density of bound RNA polymerase along the relaxed circular DNA molecule using this technique, we have been able to demonstrate kinetic evidence for linear diffusion of RNA polymerase along DNA in a different system from that previously described (Park, C. S., Hillel, Z., and Wu, C.-W. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 6950-6956). The nonspecific association rate constant kon was measured to be 7.7 x 10(4) M-1 s-1 at a DNA chain concentration of 22.4 nM. By taking advantage of the fact that rapid mixing displaces bound protein molecules from DNA, but leaves them within the domain of the DNA, the rate of intradomain binding of RNA polymerase to pAR1319 DNA was determined to be 8.2 s-1. Since the plasmid is described by a radius of gyration of 0.22 microns, the intradomain concentration of base pairs could be calculated. Using this concentration (180 microM), the rate constant for intradomain nonspecific association of RNA polymerase to pAR1319 DNA was estimated to be 4.6 x 10(4) M-1 s-1. In addition, a mathematical model has been used to fit the other two important rate constants to the experimental data: koff, which describes the dissociation of RNA polymerase from nonspecific binding sites, and D1, the one-dimensional diffusion coefficient of the enzyme along the DNA molecule. In this model, the circular DNA molecule is described as a ring of interconnected binding sites which together comprise a DNA "domain." RNA polymerase, which enters the domain via three-dimensional diffusion and binds to each site, is allowed to diffuse linearly between adjacent sites and three-dimensionally on and off the DNA molecule. The rate equations for the time-dependent occupancy of each site by RNA polymerase could be written, based on general principles. By solving the resulting family of differential equations, koff and D1 were determined to be 0.3 s-1 and 1.5 x 10(-9) cm2 s-1, respectively.
Topological Features in Vector Fields

Vector fields occur in many application domains in science and engineering. In combustion processes, for instance, vector fields describe the flow of gases. This process can be enhanced using vector field visualization techniques. Also, wind tunnel experiments can be analyzed. An example is the design of an air wing. The wing can be optimized to create a smoother flow around it. Vector field visualization methods help the engineer to detect critical features of the flow. Consequently, feature detection methods gained great importance during the last years.
EPIGENOMIC ACTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ARSENICALS

Epigenetic dysfunction is a known contributor in carcinogenesis, and is emerging as a mechanism involved in toxicant-induced malignant transformation for environmental carcinogens such as arsenicals. In addition to aberrant DNA methylation of single genes, another manifestation of epigenetic dysfunction in cancer is agglomerative DNA methylation, which can participate in long-range epigenetic silencing that targets many neighboring genes and has been shown to occur in several types of clinical cancers. Using in vitro model systems of toxicant-induced malignant transformation, we found hundreds of aberrant DNA methylation events that emerge during malignant transformation, some of which occur in an agglomerative fashion. In an arsenitetransformed prostate epithelial cell line, the protocadherin (PCDH), HOXC and HOXD gene family clusters are targeted for agglomerative DNA methylation. Aberrant DNA methylation in general occurred more often within H3K27me3 stem cell domains. We found a striking association between enrichment of H3K9me3 stem cell domains and toxicant-induced agglomerative DNA methylation. Global gene expression profiling of the arsenite-transformed prostate epithelial cells showed that gene expression changes and DNA methylation changes were negatively correlated, but less than 10% of the hypermethylated genes were down-regulated. These studies confirm that a majority of the DNA hypermethylation events occur at transcriptionally repressed, H3K27me3 marked genes. In contrast to aberrant DNA methylation targeting H3K27me3 premarked silent genes, we found that actively expressed ZNF genes marked with H3K9me3 on their 3’ ends, are preferred targets of DNA methylation linked gene silencing.
Predicting short-term positive affect in individuals with social anxiety disorder: The role of selected personality traits and emotion regulation strategies

Recently, research has provided support for a moderate, inverse relationship between social anxiety and dispositional positive affect. However, the dynamics of this relationship remain poorly understood. The present study evaluates whether certain personality traits and emotion regulation variables predict short-term positive affect for individuals with social anxiety disorder and healthy controls. Positive affect as measured by two self-report instruments was assessed before and after two tasks in which the participant conversed with either a friend or a romantic partner. Tests of models examining the hypothesized prospective predictors revealed that the paths did not differ significantly across diagnostic group and both groups showed the hypothesized patterns of endorsement for the emotion regulation variables. Further, a variable reflecting difficulty redirecting oneself when distressed prospectively predicted one measure of positive affect. Additional research is needed to explore further the role of emotion regulation strategies on positive emotions for individuals higher in social anxiety.
Studies on masticatory efficiency: IV. Mastication and experimental rat caries

Abstract In thirty-one rats, extraction of the maxillary molars was performed on twenty, and the others were kept as controls. After the animals had been 100 days on the coarse corn caries-producing diet of Hoppert, Webber, and Canniff, the condition of the mandibular molars was examined. In absence of antagonistic molars, no evidence of cusp involvements was found in the lower teeth, nor any indication of fissure caries. The findings indicate that environmental factors in the mouth arising from mastication of the coarse corn particles are important at least in initiating this type of experimental rat caries. The greatly reduced masticatory efficiency of these rats did not have any apparent effect on the growth and general health of the animals during a period of 100 days. Further work on this aspect of mastication is needed to decide its significance in digestion and utilization of food.
Preparing academic medical department physicians to successfully lead

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a case study which details the successful development, design and deployment of a leadership course for academic medical department chairs. The course provides a needed local and contextual alternative to the lengthy and often theoretical MBA/MHA. Design/methodology/approach – Faculty developers used a multi-tiered methodology for developing the physician leadership course. The methodology consisted of literature findings, needs assessment, stakeholder input and structured interviews with administrative leaders. Findings – The research, stakeholder input and interviews revealed an increasing number of physician leaders with a general lack of fundamental administrative leadership skills. These shortfalls are largely because of underexposure to core management competencies during medical school and limited contextual knowledge outside their organization. There is an urgent need for leadership development opportunities aimed at current and future academic med...
Viscous resistance to blood flow in solid tumors: effect of hematocrit on intratumor blood viscosity

Blood flow rate in a vascular network is proportional to the arteriovenous pressure difference and inversely proportional to the geometric and viscous resistances. We have recently shown that the geometric resistance to blood flow increases with increasing tumor size and/or decreasing arterial pressure. In this study, the viscous resistance to blood flow within tumor microvasculature was determined by alternately perfusing mammary adenocarcinoma [R3230AC; N = 12; tumor weight, 2.2 +/- 1.6 (SD) g] ex vivo with Krebs-Henseleit solution and with RBC suspensions at hematocrits between 1 and 60%. Our results demonstrate that: (a) intratumor blood viscosity increases with increasing hematocrit; and (b) for fixed hematocrits between 10 and 60%, the intratumor blood viscosity is significantly reduced (P less than 0.0001) compared to bulk viscosity measured at shear rates of 460 s-1 using a cone/plate viscometer. However, this reduction of intratumor blood viscosity is not as pronounced as in a previous study of skeletal muscle. Further comparison shows that as arterial pressure is lowered, intratumor blood viscosity increases at a greater rate and at lower hematocrits than in normal tissues. We attribute the increased viscous resistance in tumor microvasculature to (a) a less pronounced Fahraeus effect (i.e., reduction in hematocrit in small vessels) and a less pronounced Fahraeus-Lindqvist effect (i.e., reduction in blood viscosity in small vessels) in dilated tumor microvessels compared to normal microvessels; (b) low shear rates (i.e., velocity gradients) associated with tumor vessels which may facilitate rouleaux formation at moderate pressures and even at low hematocrits; and (c) vascular fluid losses of 5-14% which may also increase microvessel hematocrit. We also propose that intratumor blood viscosity may be even higher in vivo than ex vivo due to the presence of WBC and cancer cells in vivo; considerably more rigid than RBC, these cells may cause increased viscous resistance and transient vascular stasis in tumors. The implications of these results in tumor blood flow modulation using chemical and physical agents are discussed.
High field semiconductor-dielectric systems: a special case of the classical two-insulator systems

Some essential properties of the prebreakdown and breakdown phenomena in high-field semiconductor-dielectric systems (HFSDS) are presented and discussed in terms of a two-channel model and a system flashover sensitivity concept. The phenomena are considered for high-field Si-vacuum and -gas (SF/sub 6/, air, N/sub 2/, SF/sub 6/ mixture) systems. Two possible types of breakdown phenomena in HFSDS, totally different from each other, are proposed: (1) surface flashover as a discharge at the semiconductor-dielectric interface, and (2) bulk breakdown, where all the processes take place in the semiconductor without any role on the part of the ambient. It is concluded that HFSDS is a special case of the classical high-voltage solid-insulator-vacuum or -gas dielectric systems. >
Coronary angioplasty performed with gradual and prolonged inflation using a perfusion balloon catheter: procedural success and restenosis rate.

Abstract The results of routine coronary angioplasty using gradual and prolonged balloon inflation with a perfusion balloon catheter were evaluated. One hundred forty patients were treated with inflation of the balloon to 6 atm over 3 minutes, with a median inflation time of 15 minutes. The procedural success rate (residual stenosis ≤50%) was 99%. In-hospital major complications occurred in five patients (3.6%), with one patient experiencing a periprocedural infarction, three patients requiring bypass surgery for abrupt closure, and one patient dying after elective bypass surgery following previous successful angioplasty of a culprit lesion. The restenosis rate in the 117 patients with angiographic follow-up (87% of those eligible) was 42%. Thus gradual and prolonged inflation using a perfusion balloon catheter resulted in a high procedural success rate and a restenosis rate similar to that reported in large studies of patients treated with standard angioplasty. These results warrant further study using a prospective randomized trial design.
Variable Assessment in Latent Class Models.

The latent class model provides an important platform for jointly modeling mixed-mode data—i.e., discrete and continuous data with various parametric distributions. Multiple mixed-mode variables are used to cluster subjects into latent classes. While the mixed-mode latent class analysis is a powerful tool for statisticians, few studies are focused on assessing the contribution of mixed-mode variables in discriminating latent classes. Novel measures are derived for assessing both absolute and relative impacts of mixed-mode variables in latent class analysis. Specifically, the expected posterior gradient and the Kolmogorov variation of the posterior distribution, as well as related properties are studied. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the measures.
Correlation of freezing dynamics and domain-like states in relaxor ferroelectrics

Abstract Tetragonal PLZT ceramics (Zr/Ti = 40/60) with lanthanum contents of approximately 12 atomic% posses a unique transformation. Dielectric constant measurements have revealed a spontaneous switching between relaxor and normal ferroelectric behaviors, in addition significant thermal hysteresis effects were observed near the switching temperature. Temperature dependent x-ray line broadening above the switching temperature was observed which revealed the development of significant internal strain indicating the presence of local cubic-tetragonal structural transformations which preserve the average cubic symmetry, while line splitting was observed below the switching temperature indicating the formation of a macroscopic tetragonal structure. Micropolar domain coarsening and a subsequent transformation to a normal micron-size domain configuration was observed by hot-stage transmission electron microscopy.
Performance of bioaerosol samplers: collection characteristics and sampler design considerations

Abstract The performances of various bioaerosol samplers have previously been compared in different field settings. The results are contradictory because of the arbitrarily chosen samplers, detection methods and sampling environments. In this paper, bioaerosol samplers are analyzed as to their operating principles and the different elements of the bioaerosol sampling process. The concepts of stopping distance as an estimate of sampler cut-off size, particle surface density on the collection surface and an example sampling time are introduced. Several presently available samplers are evaluated as to their collection characteristics and calculated optimal sampling times.
An atomic decomposition of distributions in parabolic Hp spaces

Abstract The results of R. H. Latter on atomic decomposition are extended to distributions in parabolic Hp spaces with diagonalizable dilation groups. The method employed uses a decomposition of the function F(x, t) = f ∗ ϕ t associated with the distribution f, which also yields real and complex interpolation results for these spaces.
The determinants of train fatalities: keeping the model on track

This paper addresses the determinants of three types of railroad related fatalities: trespasser fatalities, those at grade crossings, and those involving passengers and employees. Of particular interest are the effects of railroad deregulation (the Staggers Act) on railroad related fatalities. Models are developed using specification error analysis and seemingly unrelated regression. Deregulation of the railroads is shown not to have contributed to fatalities while alcohol consumption is found to be a significant contributor to trespasser as well as passenger and employee fatalities. Expenditures on safety are also found to reduce railroad related fatalities.
Primary care pediatricians' satisfaction with subspecialty care, perceived supply, and barriers to care.

Objectives To compare satisfaction with specialty care by primary care pediatricians (PCPs), perceived barriers to care, and adequacy of specialist supply. Study design A survey of U.S. pediatricians was conducted in 2007. PCPs were asked about satisfaction with specialty care for their patients, as well as supply of specific pediatric subspecialists. Responses of rural and nonrural PCPs were compared regarding 10 potential barriers to care. Results Most PCPs are satisfied with the quality of subspecialty care. However, they were not satisfied with wait times for appointments, and the availability of many pediatric medical subspecialties and several pediatric surgical specialties. Rural PCPs were significantly more likely to report these shortages compared with nonrural pediatricians; these included 9 of the 18 medical and 5 of the 7 surgical specialties. In addition to wait times for appointments, PCPs reported that subspecialists' nonparticipation in health insurance plans and lack of acceptance of uninsured patients were also barriers to obtaining subspecialty care for their patients. Conclusions PCPs provide valuable insight into access to the pediatric subspecialty workforce. This survey of PCPs raises significant concerns about the adequacy of children's access to pediatric subspecialists, especially in rural communities.
Effect of mixed layer depth on phytoplankton removal by coagulation and on the critical depth concept

Abstract Coagulation theory predicts that there is a maximum particle concentration that is sustainable in an algal bloom; the critical depth theory of Sverdrup [Sverdrup, H.U., 1953. On conditions for the vernal blooming of phytoplankton. Journal du Conseil/Conseil International pour l’ Exploration de la Mer 18, 287–295.] predicts a different maximum particle concentration based on light-limitation of phytoplankton growth. This paper uses a model incorporating both coagulation and light-limited algal growth to predict the effect of mixed layer depth and wind velocity on maximum phytoplankton populations. As part of this process, the critical concentration parameter is compared to the results of full coagulation simulations. Including phytoplankton aggregation decreases the maximum phytoplankton concentration but increases the rate of particle export through sedimentation. The results help explain field observations made in the Antarctic Ocean. They also suggest that the accuracy of the critical concentration parameter depends on the average shear rate.
Energetic Contributions to Channel Gating of Residues in the Muscle Nicotinic Receptor β1 Subunit

In the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel family, transmitter binds in the extracellular domain and conformational changes result in channel opening in the transmembrane domain. In the muscle nicotinic receptor and other heteromeric members of the family one subunit does not contribute to the canonical agonist binding site for transmitter. A fundamental question is whether conformational changes occur in this subunit. We used records of single channel activity and rate-equilibrium free energy relationships to examine the β1 (non-ACh-binding) subunit of the muscle nicotinic receptor. Mutations to residues in the extracellular domain have minimal effects on the gating equilibrium constant. Positions in the channel lining (M2 transmembrane) domain contribute strongly and relatively late during gating. Positions thought to be important in other subunits in coupling the transmitter-binding to the channel domains have minimal effects on gating. We conclude that the conformational changes involved in channel gating propagate from the binding-site to the channel in the ACh-binding subunits and subsequently spread to the non-binding subunit.
Sampling Method Assessment and Quantification of Temporal Shifts in Densities of Grasshopper Species (Orthoptera: Acrididae) Between Winter Wheat, Triticum aestivum, and Adjacent Rangeland

In this study,we determined that 2 sampling methods (D-Vac and sweep net) taken at weekly intervals could be used to sample grasshopper species across 2 adjacent habitats of winter wheat and rangeland. We also quantified temporal density estimate shifts between winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., and rangeland by migratory grasshoppers, Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.), twostriped grasshopper, M. bivittatus (Say), and Packard grasshopper, M. packardii Scudder, all 3 species coinhabit these areas. Specifically, at 4 study sites with the highest grasshopper densities there were significant seasonal shifts in density estimates of these species between winter wheat and rangeland suggesting that these species dispersed between habitats. At a 5th site, sweep net sampling detected a shift in density estimates between habitats by M.sanguinipes and D-Vac sampling at this site suggested there was a similar trend. At 4 study sites such shifts in density estimates did not occur suggesting that no dispersal occurred or it was not detectable at these sites using our sampling methods. In all but 1 case the density of these species, were lower than those where density estimate shifts occurred.
Implications of truncating semi-infinite physical domains on the accuracy of the solutions to the N-S equations

Numerical techniques for solving the Navier-Stokes equations of laminar incompressible flow over a forward-facing step on a semiinfinite flat plate are evaluated analytically and by means of sample computations. A primitive-variable method with pseudocompressibility and full mapping of the semiinfinite domain is compared with a vorticity/stream-function method with a truncated domain, applying a flux-corrected explicit finite-difference procedure to solve the discretized transport equations. The results are presented in graphs and compared with published experimental data. The solutions obtained with the truncated-domain methods are shown to be inaccurate, even in cases when they are smooth.
Patient and direct-care staff body mass index in a state mental hospital: implications for management.

Objective: Obesity is a major problem among chronically psychotic patients. Method: We assessed body mass index (BMI) of chronically psychotic patients on admission to a state mental hospital and in follow-up. We also compared patient BMI to staff BMI. Results: The initial patient BMI (26.4 ± 5.8 kg/m2) was in the overweight range. The patient BMI (29.1 ± 5.8 kg/m2) increased (P < 0.0001) on follow-up and almost reached the level of obesity. Staff BMI (35.1 ± 8.6 kg/m2) was in the obese range with 64.9% meeting criteria of obesity and 29.9% meeting criteria of morbid obesity. African-American women made up 84.5% of clinical-care staff and constitute the race–sex mix most vulnerable to obesity in the US. Morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) was five times more common among these African-American female clinical-care staff than among African-American women in the general US population. Conclusion: Our findings may have treatment implications for chronically psychotic patients at risk for obesity.
Risk Management Instruments, Strategies and Their Impact on Project Success

Risk is an inseparable event or occurrence to any project and it is a consequence of uncertainties and unknowns associated with the project and its execution. Past research studies generally focused on types of risks and risk management processes. This research effort, using a survey questionnaire, is an attempt to understand types of specific risk mitigation approaches that are commonly employed and their dependency with the type of an organization. This research effort also addressed relation between risk mitigation strategy of an organization and individual project manager's propensity to risk. Research results show that project risk management plan and it development is likely to be influenced by cost and time aspects of a project but not on the project scope. Further, results revealed that many organizations depend on contingency budget rather than a formalized risk management plan.
Red meat consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes: 3 cohorts of US adults and an updated meta-analysis.

Background: The relation between consumption of different types of dairy and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between total dairy and individual types of dairy consumptions and incident T2D in US adults. Methods: We followed 41,436 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986 to 2010), 67,138 women in the Nurses’ Health Study (1980 to 2010), and 85,884 women in the Nurses’ Health Study II (1991 to 2009). Diet was assessed by validated food-frequency questionnaires, and data were updated every four years. Incident T2D was confirmed by a validated supplementary questionnaire. Results: During 3,984,203 person-years of follow-up, we documented 15,156 incident T2D cases. After adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI) and other lifestyle and dietary risk factors, total dairy consumption was not associated with T2D risk and the pooled hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) of T2D for one serving/day increase in total dairy was 0.99 (0.98, 1.01). Among different types of dairy products, neither low-fat nor high-fat dairy intake was appreciably associated with risk of T2D. However, yogurt intake was consistently and inversely associated with T2D risk across the three cohorts with the pooled HR of 0.83 (0.75, 0.92) for one serving/day increment (P for trend <0.001). We conducted a meta-analysis of 14 prospective cohorts with 459,790 participants and 35,863 incident T2D cases; the pooled relative risks (RRs) (95% CIs) were 0.98 (0.96, 1.01) and 0.82 (0.70, 0.96) for one serving total dairy/day and one serving yogurt/day, respectively. Conclusions: Higher intake of yogurt is associated with a reduced risk of T2D, whereas other dairy foods and consumption of total dairy are not appreciably associated with incidence of T2D.
Metabolism in vivo of [7α-3H]pregnenolone by the dog ovary

In order to determine if the ovarian metabolism of pregnenolone differed between estrus and pregnancy, [7α-3H]pregnenolone was infused by the ovarian artery in anesthetized dogs and steroids containing tritium isolated in ovarian vein blood. 1. 1. Within 5 min the canine ovary metabolized pregnenolone to 17α-hydroxy-pregnenolone, progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androsterone, testosterone and probably estradiol. 2. 2. Induction of mating in the female dog by treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin was associated with a high capacity of the ovary to convert pregnenolone to testosterone and androstenedione. 3. 3. Dogs in the early part of pregnancy metabolized a considerable amount of the infused pregnenolone to progesterone.
Size, Density, and Structure of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 Inferred from the Physics of Tidal Breakup

Abstract Detailed consideration of possible fragmentation mechanisms shows that Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 (SL9) had negligible effective strength, even in comparison with tide and self-gravity, by the time it attained perijove in 1992. This reduces the tidal physics to a computable basis: we model the elongation of this “rubble-pile,” and the onset of the instability which created a chain of gravitationally bound clumps, using an N -body code with self-gravity and simple collisions. Gravitational clumping depends only on the density ρ c of the progenitor (for a given orbit), and chain length then scales linearly with initial diameter d c . We thus constrain from chain morphology that ρ c ≈ 0.6 g cm −3 and from chain length that d c ≈ 1.5 km. Our numerical results accurately match analytical derivations for the threshold of tidal breakup, and lead to general relations for erosion and disruption of strengthless or regolith-covered bodies. For a given random encounter, we show that a rubble-pile comet, or one mantled in deep regolith, is half as likely to be destroyed by tides as it is to impact an outer planet. Because of their similar density ratio, the same holds true for rubble-pile asteroids encountering terrestrial planets. Split comets such as SL9 near Saturn are unlikely: the required periapses intersect the planet.
Interaction of calcium and cyclic nucleotides in thyroliberin-stimulated prolactin release.

Abstract The object of the present study was to determine the relative importance of Ca++ and cyclic nucleotides as “second messengers” in thyroliberin (TRH)-mediated prolactin (PRL) release in the GH 3 and GH 4 rat pituitary tumor cell lines. PRL, cyclic adenosine 3': 5'-monophosphate (cAMP), and cyclic guanosine 3': 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) following TRH stimulation. TRH increased PRL release and cAMP levels in GH 3 and GH 4 cells, but cGMP increases were variable. Treatment with 1 mM theophylline increased PRL release and raised cAMP and cGMP. Addition of TRH to theophylline-pretreated cells produced further significant increases in PRL release without any additional increases in cAMP and cGMP. Co++, a Ca++ antagonist, abolished TRH-induced PRL release in a dose-dependent manner. The Co++ inhibition was partially reversed by Ca++ in GH 3 or GH 4 cells. Furthermore, the Ca++ ionophore A23187 stimulated PRL release. We conclude that Ca++ is the primary “second messenger” for TRH-mediated PRL release from GH 3 or GH 4 cells.
Regulation of the insulin receptor by protein kinase C isoenzymes: preferential interaction with β isoenzymes and interaction with the catalytic domain of βII

Abstract We analysed the effects of high glucose in rat1 cells overexpressing insulin receptor. High (25 mM) glucose inhibited insulin-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity completely at insulin concentrations of 1 and 5 ng/ml. Decapeptides modelled on insulin receptor sequences surrounding serines 1035 and 1270 were found to inhibit protein kinase C activity in vitro and after microinjection into cells blocked the inhibition of mitogenesis induced by glucose. Purification of receptor from 3T3L1 adipocytes revealed that only the isoenzymes β1, βII and δ were detected. The site of the interaction was mapped to the catalytic domain of βII. These results demonstrate that the inhibition of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity can be ameliorated using insulin receptor peptide sequences and there is constitutive and differential interaction of individual PKC isoenzymes with the insulin receptor, and in the case of βII, this interaction maps to the catalytic domain rather than the regulatory domain.
Regional patterns of affirmative action compliance costs

In this paper we estimate the amount by which firms' labor costs are increased by compliance with affirmative action regulations imposed on federal contractors for 160 SMSAs in 1980. The paper focuses on determining the cause(s) for variation in these “compliance costs” across SMSAs and in identifying areas of high and low compliance cost. We find that compliance costs are lower in larger SMSAs, more rapidly growing SMSAs, and SMSAs that have relatively large proportions of minorities and females in the labor market.
Age-dependent effects of isolation housing on the self-administration of ethanol in laboratory rats

Studies of the influence of housing conditions on ethanol self-administration have been inconsistent, with findings that isolation housing increases, decreases or produces no effects on ethanol intake. One possible explanation for these discrepant findings is that the effects of housing are dependent on the age at which the manipulation is performed. In the present experiment rats were housed from weaning or from age 65 days in either an isolated or grouped condition. After 12 weeks, they were tested for the voluntary oral self-administration of ethanol. Although all rats consumed comparable quantities of ethanol when lower concentrations were available, the rats isolated from weaning consumed significantly greater amounts of more concentrated ethanol than their group-housed counterparts. In contrast, there was no difference in ethanol consumption between isolated and grouped rats when they were differentially housed at maturity. These data suggest that an important determinant of ethanol intake in rats is related to environmental factors and that the influence of these factors is age-dependent.
Interaction of nanoparticles with lipid layers

Poly (amidoamine) dendrimer nanoparticles are used extensively in diverse biological and medical applications. Examples include gene and drug delivery, where nanoparticles disrupt cell membranes to allow the transport of material into cells. The size and surface chemistry of these particles have a strong effect on their interaction with membranes. This paper proposes a three-dimensional phase-field model to investigate how the interaction drives deformation and morphological evolution of the membrane. Attention is focused on the hole-formation process in the membrane. The simulations have demonstrated that a larger amine-terminated generation 7 dendrimer, which has positive charges, causes the formation of a hole in the membrane. The displaced membrane molecules enclose the particle and form a dendrimer-filled membrane vesicle. The effect is significantly reduced for a smaller dendrimer. An acetamide-terminated dendrimer, which has a neutral charge at the surface, does not cause hole formation. These results agree with experimental observations from atomic force microscopy. The study will provide insight into the design of appropriate nanoparticle surface properties for medical applications.
Constraining the Solution to the Last Parsec Problem with Pulsar Timing

The detection of a stochastic gravitational-wave signal from the superposition of many inspiraling supermassive black holes with pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) is likely to occur within the next decade. With this detection will come the opportunity to learn about the processes that drive black-hole-binary systems toward merger through their effects on the gravitational-wave spectrum. We use Bayesian methods to investigate the extent to which effects other than gravitational-wave emission can be distinguished using PTA observations. We show that, even in the absence of a detection, it is possible to place interesting constraints on these dynamical effects for conservative predictions of the population of tightly bound supermassive-black-hole binaries. For instance, if we assume a relatively weak signal consistent with a low number of bound binaries and a low black-hole-mass to galaxy-mass correlation, we still find that a nondetection by a simulated array, with a sensitivity that should be reached in practice within a few years, disfavors gravitational-wave-dominated evolution with an odds ratio of $\ensuremath{\sim}30\ensuremath{\mathbin:}1$. Such a finding would suggest either that all existing astrophysical models for the population of tightly bound binaries are overly optimistic, or else that some dynamical effect other than gravitational-wave emission is actually dominating binary evolution even at the relatively high frequencies/small orbital separations probed by PTAs.
Calmodulin-Like Region of CaV1.3 Harbors Novel Structural Determinants Underlying CaM-Mediated Channel Regulation

The regulation of CaV channels by calmodulin (CaM) is both biologically critical and mechanistically rich, rendering this system a central prototype for ion-channel modulation. Despite a decade of study, little is known of the structural mechanisms underlying such modulation, beyond the initial preassociation of Ca2+-free CaM (apoCaM) with an IQ domain on the carboxy-terminus of channels. We have recently argued that the ultimate end-point of channel regulation is allosteric modulation of S6 cytoplasmic gates (Biophys J96:222a). However, the transduction events®ˆ'those linking calcification of apoCaM to this allosteric effect®ˆ'remain essentially unknown. The majority of structure-function analyses have narrowly focused on the IQ domain and immediately upstream ‘preIQ’ regions, despite hints that further upstream elements in the carboxy-terminus could be important. Additionally, deletions and non-conservative mutations have often been employed in these analyses, confounding interpretation with the potential for backbone fold disruption. Here, we undertook exhaustive alanine scanning mutagenesis of the carboxy-terminus, up to the IQ domain of CaV1.3 channels. Importantly, the substitution of alanines likely preserves backbone fold throughout. Moreover, CaV1.3 (highly homologous to classic CaV1.2 channels) exhibits robust CaM-mediated inactivation (CDI) that enhances structure-function analysis. Surprisingly, alanine substitutions throughout the preIQ domain left CDI essentially unchanged, at odds with functional hotspots in the homologous region of CaV1.2 (1582NEE1585, 1572IKTEG1576, and 1600LLDQV1605). Instead, newly identified and critical segments were situated upstream, in a region predicted to resemble a lobe of CaM by structural modeling (Rosetta). Intriguingly, homologous residues of NaV channels are linked to mutations underlying heritable LQT syndromes, hinting at conserved modulatory mechanisms across NaV and CaV channels. Overall, this alanine scan of the CaV1.3, together with that of the IQ domain in a companion abstract, lays the groundwork for understanding the structure-function mechanisms underlying CaM/channel regulation.
Precipitated withdrawal by a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist (Ro 15-1788) after 7 days of diazepam

Baboons implanted with intragastric catheters were given diazepam (10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight) twice daily for 45 consecutive days. On days 7 and 35, they were given intramuscular injections of the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist Ro 15-1788. Mild and intermediate withdrawal signs, including retching and vomiting, were observed after 7 days of diazepam, and more frequent and intense withdrawal signs, including tremor and convulsion, occurred after 35 days of diazepam. With the termination of the diazepam injections after 45 days, a mild to intermediate withdrawal syndrome was observed over the next 15-day period.
Rapid prototyping in human-computer interface development

Abstract Some conventional approaches to interactive system development tend to force commitment to design detail without a means for visualizing the result until it is too late to make significant changes. Rapid prototyping and iterative system refinement, especially for the human interface, allow early observation of system behaviour and opportunities for refinement in response to user feedback. The role of rapid prototyping for evaluation of interface designs is set in the system development life-cycle. Advantages and pitfalls are weighed, and detailed examples are used to show the application of rapid prototyping in a real development project. Kinds of prototypes are classified according to how they can be used in the development process, and system development issues are presented. The future of rapid prototyping depends on solutions to technical problems that presently limit effectiveness of the technique in the context of present day software development environments.
Electromagnetic and weak masses

In theories with spontaneously broken gauge symmetries, various masses, or mass differences may vanish in zeroth order as a consequence of the representation content of the fields appearing in the Lagrangian. These masses or mass differences can then be calculated as finite higher-order effects. The mechanism for cancelation of divergences in second-order fermion masses is described explicitly. The weak interactions play an essential role in canceling infinities in electromagnetic masses.
Measurement of cardiac troponin I utilizing a point of care analyzer in healthy alpacas

Abstract Background Myocardial disease in camelids is poorly characterized. Nutritional (selenium deficiency) and toxic (ionophore toxicity) myocardial disease have been reported in camelids. Diagnosis and management of these and other myocardial diseases might be enhanced by evaluating cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations. No information about cTnI reference intervals in camelids is currently available. Hypothesis/Objectives (A) To determine cTnI concentrations obtained using a point of care i-STAT ® 1 analyzer (Heska Corporation) in healthy alpacas; (B) to compare alpaca cTnI concentrations between heparinized whole blood and plasma samples and between 2 different storage conditions (4 °C for 24 h or −80 °C for 30 days); (C) to examine assay reproducibility using the i-STAT ® 1. Animals, materials and methods 23 healthy alpacas were evaluated. Blood and plasma samples were analyzed by the i-STAT ® 1 within 1 h of collection. Aliquots of plasma were stored at either 4 °C for 24 h or −80 °C for 30 days, and then analyzed. Assay reproducibility was determined by comparing 2 plasma or whole blood cTnI concentrations measured on the same sample over a 10 min period. Results Analyzer-specific plasma cTnI concentrations in clinically normal alpacas had a median of p > 0.75). Plasma cTnI concentrations had coefficient of repeatability of 0.02 ng/mL. Conclusions The i-STAT ® 1 can measure cTnI in alpacas on both plasma and whole blood and provides similar values for both samples. Storage at 4 °C for 24 h or −80 °C for 30 days does not affect estimates of plasma cTnI. Evaluation of cTnI might be of value in assessing cardiac disease in this species.
Air pollution ranks as largest health risk

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 7 million people died in 2012 from air-pollution-related sicknesses, marking air pollution as the single largest environmental health risk. This finding, a result of better knowledge and assessment of the diseases, is more than double previous estimates of the risk of death from air pollution.