cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Forest diversity as a factor influencing Engelmann spruce resistance to beetle outbreaks

Tree mortality because of beetle outbreaks has become substantial and widespread in conifer forests in western North America. A number of environmental and physiological factors influence patterns of mortality. Tree diversity may reduce the severity and extent of insect damage to host trees by providing associational resistance, but the existence and importance of associational resistance varies by forest type and by tree and insect species. We assessed whether plot-level tree diversity contributed to survival of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) following a spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby) epidemic. Our study plots comprised 2 to 5 tree species including Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook) Nutt.), Douglas-fir (Pseudostuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), and white fir (Abies concolor (Gordon & Glend.) Hildebr.). We used a model-selection analysis to compare the importance of tree diversity with other known factors that influence spruce survival. We found lower rates of spruce survival in stands where spruce was the dominant tree species (by percent of stand density index) and higher survival in stands where nonspruce conifers (Douglas-fir, subalpine, and white fir) were dominant. We also found that tree diversity (Shannon index) did not show a positive correlation to spruce survival and that there was no additional benefit derived from the presence of aspen, which has higher phylogenetic distance from Engelmann spruce than the other trees in this study. The relationship between diversity and survival is complicated by factors that naturally co-vary with diversity, such as elevation, aspect, and stand density of spruce. Our results best support an explanation that if associational resistance does increase spruce survival during a beetle epidemic, it is due to host or resource dilution, which may be an indirect effect of higher stand diversity.
Genetics of Sensitivity of Salmonella Species to Colicin M and Bacteriophages T5, T1, and ES18

Nearly all of 62 strains of Salmonella paratyphi B were sensitive to colicin M and phage T5 but resistant to phages T1 and ES18 and to colicin B. All tested S. typhimurium strains were resistant to colicin M and phage T5, and many were sensitive to phage ES18. A rough S. typhimurium LT2 strain given the tonA region of Escherichia coli or S. paratyphi B became sensitive to colicin M and phage T5. We infer that the tonA allele of S. paratyphi B, like that of E. coli, determines an outer membrane protein that adsorbs T5 and colicin M but not phage ES18, whereas the S. typhimurium allele determines a protein able to adsorb only ES18. The partial T1 sensitivity of a rough LT2 strain with a tonA allele from E. coli or S. paratyphi B and also the tonB(+) phentotype of an E. coli B trp-tonB Delta mutant carrying an F' trp of LT2 origin showed that S. typhimurium LT2 has a tonB allele like that of E. coli with respect to determination of sensitivity to colicins and phage T1. Rough S. paratyphi B, although T5 sensitive, remained resistant to T1 even when given F' tonB(+) of E. coli origin. Classes of Salmonella mutants selected as resistant to colicin M included: T5-resistant mutants, probably tonA(-); mutants unchanged except for M resistance, perhaps tolerant; and Exb(+) mutants, producing a colicin inhibitor (presumably enterochelin). Some Exb(+) mutants were resistant to a bacteriocin inactive on E. coli but active on all tested S. paratyphi B and S. typhimurium strains (and on nearly all other tested Salmonella). A survey showed sensitivity to colicin M in several other species of Salmonella.
Status and Habitat Characteristics of Cypripedium kentuckiense (Kentucky lady’s slipper) in Southeastern Oklahoma

Cypripedium kentuckiense is a long-lived herbaceous perennial that inhabits floodplain and mesic hardwood forests. It occurs in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia and has been reported from Choctaw, LeFlore, McCurtain, and Pushmataha counties in Oklahoma. C. kentuckiense is considered a rare species throughout its range, but is not currently protected under the United States Endangered Species Act. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine whether known populations of C. kentuckiense were persisting in Oklahoma and (2) characterize habitat structure. Twelve sites were surveyed in 2001 and 2002 for populations of C. kentuckiense, but only three persistent populations were found. The populations that were relocated numbered fewer than 20 total stems and all showed a dramatic decline in population size relative to previous surveys.
Return of the Ridiculous, or Caricature as Political Cliché

Political caricature today is, in general, much less a comic form of cultural critique than a cliche. This essay examines the principles of and logics behind popular television shows like Scandal (2012–), House of Cards (2013–), and Alpha House (2013–), along with some commentary around them, and their presumed uncanny resemblance of “real” life. I take this combination of caricature and uncanniness seriously, arguing that the exaggerated portrayals in these programs do little to challenge preconceived notions of contemporary political culture in the United States. In a final analysis, I approach the problematic of using caricature to cater to conventional wisdom and propose that we reconsider the import of a comic uncanny as we (re)turn to the ridiculous.
Case Report: Macrodontia in a Unilateral Premolar in a Ten Year Old Child

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography has become an invaluable tool in aiding in the diagnosis and treatment planning of complex cases by providing information in which a conventional two dimensional image lacks. This case reports illustrates the value of CBCT in diagnosing a rare tooth abnormality involving macrodontia of a single premolar. Macrodontia refers to teeth that are larger than normal. It is a rare occurrence. Our review of the literature showed that when macrodontia involves a premolar the majority of cases reported involved the mandibular second premolar [1], further review showed that only 8 cases have been reported of macrodontia of a unilateral mandibular second premolar [2], while only 5 cases of bilateral mandibular second premolars have been reported [3]. This case report involves a patient with macrodontia of an unilateral mandibular second premolar (Figure 1).
New multipliers for estimating the phenylalanine content of foods from the protein content

Phenylalanine (Phe) is a key nutrient in the dietary management of phenylketonuria (PKU). Since the protein content of many foods is readily available, estimating the Phe content of a food is facilitated by an understanding of the statistical distribution of the Phe:protein ratio in common foods. In particular, from the minimum and maximum Phe:protein ratio, one can obtain an upper bound and a lower bound on the Phe content of any given food from its protein content. Currently, the multipliers commonly used are 30 and 50. In this document, we present and compare the statistical distribution of the Phe:protein ratio in two databases, namely the USDA National Nutrient Database and the Danish Food Composition Databank. Based on this data, we suggest replacing the 30–50 multipliers by 20–65. When used to estimate the Phe content from the protein content, these multipliers yield estimates that are correct for more than 97% of the data analyzed (as opposed to less than 76.3% for the multipliers 30–50). Furthermore, we confirm that the commonly used average of Phe:protein ratio for the foods in the categories of fruits (30) and vegetables (40) are more or less accurate.
Fastest fight/flight reaction via amygdalar visual pathway implicates simple face drawing as its marker: Neuroscientific data consistent with neuropsychological findings

Abstract Prompt unthinking violence requires fast visual processing, apparently reflected in specifically coarse neuropsychological visuospatial test performances by fear-ridden, warring hunter–gatherer tribespeople. Given that such tribes' survival depended on immediate reaction to quickly, albeit crudely evaluated visual stimuli, amygdalar visual processing was implicated, by-passing detailed cortical parieto–occipital evaluation. Independently, such amygdalar shortcut processing is now also being proposed by new neuroscientific data (fMRI, ERPS) under the impact of fear and in parieto–occipital dysfunctions. These data include representation of crude “blurred faces” analogous to the coarse “Neolithic face” (NF) patterns delineated by neuropsychological tests. Moreover, based on such congruencies between neuropsychological and neuroscientific findings, a common denominator of subcortical (amygdalar) visual processing is implicated to underlie various dysfunctions of the parieto–occipital cortex, including subforms of visuospatial dyslexia or preliterates' lack of training or ecocultural underuse of refined visual cortical evaluation. Such kinds of low or absent literacy skills reportedly also have an enhanced rate of aggressive behavior. Furthermore, NF is suggested as a triage-like marker for subtle parieto–occipital dysfunction that may also occur in early stages of Alzheimer's disease (with some reported aggressivity), possibly also early in HIV infection.
SPECIFIC INTERVENTION FOR MULTIPLICATION SKILL WITH LEARNING-DISABLED STUDENTS '

A multiple baseline design was used to assess the intervention of individual tutoring to help two learning-disabled students (15 and 16 years old) improve their multiplication of 1-digit numbers over nine days of 10-min. instruction. Observation or visual analysis indicated 40 to 50% improvement after the intervention, and a nonparametric test of randomization showed that the students' improvement was retained during the 2-wk. follow-up.
Microplane damage model for fatigue of quasibrittle materials: Sub-critical crack growth, lifetime and residual strength

In contrast to metals and fine grained ceramics, fatigue in concrete and other quasibrittle materials occurs in a large fracture process zone that is not negligible compared to the structure size. This causes the fatigue to be combined with triaxial softening damage whose localization is governed by a finite material characteristic length. A realistic model applicable to both has apparently not yet been developed and is the goal of this paper. Microplane model M7, shown previously to capture well the nonlinear triaxial behavior of concrete under a great variety of loadings paths, is extended by incorporating a new law for hysteresis and fatigue degradation, which is formulated as a function of the length of the path of the inelastic volumetric strain in the strain space. The crack band model, whose band width represents a material characteristic length preventing spurious localization, is used to simulate propagation of the fatigue fracture process zone. Thus the fatigue crack with its wide and long process zone is simulated as a damage band of a finite width. For constant amplitude cycles, the model is shown to reproduce well, up to several thousands of cycles, the Paris law behavior with a high exponent previously identified for concrete and ceramics, but with a crack growth rate depending on the structure size. Good agreement with the crack growth histories and lifetimes previously measured on three-point bend beams of normal and high strength concretes is demonstrated. The calculated compliance evolution of the specimens also matches the previous experiments. The model can be applied to load cycles of varying amplitude, to residual strength under sudden overload and damage under nonproportional strain tensor variation. Application to size effect in fatigue is relegated to a follow-up paper, while a cycle-jump algorithm for extrapolation high-cycle fatigue with millions of cycles remains to be researched.
Integration of Spirituality and Religion in the Care of Patients with Severe Mental Disorders

Spirituality and religiousness (S/R) are resources for finding meaning and hope in suffering and have been identified as key components in the process of psychological recovery. However, religion may also be associated with psycho-pathology, suffering and non-adherence with psychiatric treatment. Based on a literature review, this paper examines how S/R can be integrated in the treatment of patients with serious mental illness. We implemented a pilot “Spirituality and Recovery Group” designed to (1) help patients to resort to S/R as a means of recovery; (2) work on resolving conflicts between S/R and life issues and treatment; and (3) provide information on S/R in the context of psychosis. Preliminary results are presented.
Biology of Octomyomermis muspratti, a parasite of mosquitoes as it relates to mass production.

Abstract The first- and second-instar larvae of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus were equally susceptible to parasitism by the mermithid nematode Octomyomermis muspratti; the third-instar hosts were significantly less susceptible. The yield of postparasitic nematodes was higher from hosts exposed as second instars then from hosts exposed as first or third instars at comparable levels of parasitism. Mortality of the host prior to emergence of the nematode occurred most frequently among first- and third-instar hosts. About 4% of the infected hosts exposed as first and second instars and 37% of the infected hosts exposed as third instars pupated prior to emergence of the postparasitic nematodes. The exposure of mosquitoes as second instars was the most efficient for mass rearing and resulted in the highest yields of postparasitic O. muspratti.
Psychological evaluation and pain assessment in patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Abstract This research study was initiated to measure objectively the psychological profile and pain levels of patients who developed the signs and symptoms of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). The results from tests of the RSD patients were compared with a control group of hand-injured patients who showed no abnormal autonomic involvement. Reflect sympathetic dystrophy was defined for diagnostic purposes. Entrance criteria consisting of characteristic symptoms and signs of autonomic dysfunction were established with appropriate measurements. Based on these criteria, nine patients were diagnosed as having RSD. Eight patients, who did not show sufficient symptoms to be so diagnosed, were placed in the control group. All of the patients completed a battery of objective psychological tests that included the Shipley-Hartford Vocabulary Test, Rotter Locus of Control, Body-Cathexis-Self-Cathexis Appraisal, and Hopkins Symptom Checklist. In order to measure the pain levels in both groups, two pain tests were administered: the Visual Analogue Scale and the Ischemic Pain Ratio. Results showed significant differences in the psychological test scores of the RSD patients compared to the control group in the dimensions of depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity and body cathexis. Pain evaluation scores showed no difference in pain levels between the two groups.
Characterization of the selenotrisulfide formed by reaction of selenite with end-capped phytochelatin-2

The phytochelatins are a family of peptides synthesized by plants in response to exposure to heavy metals and metalloids, including selenium in the form of selenite. The amino acid sequence of the phytochelatin (PC) peptides is (γ-Glu-Cys)n-Gly, where n typically ranges from 2 to 5. In this paper, the products of the reaction of selenite with an end-capped analogue of PC2, Ac-(γ-Glu-Cys)2-Gly-NH2, are characterized. Selenite reacts with Ac-(γ-Glu-Cys)2-Gly-NH2 (Ac-PC2-NH2) to form a compound that contains an intramolecular selenotrisulfide (-SSeS-)-linkage (Se[Ac-PC2-NH2]) and oxidized Ac-PC2-NH2. Both Se[Ac-PC2-NH2] and oxidized Ac-PC2-NH2 were isolated by HPLC and were characterized by MALDI–TOF mass spectrometry, by two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR and, in the case of Se[Ac-PC2-NH2], by 77Se NMR. Using dihedral angles determined from vicinal 1H–1H coupling constants as constraints for the conformations around the CysCαH–CysCβH bonds, structures were predicted for the most abundant form of both compounds by Monte Carlo molecular mechanics simulations.
Detection of proteins by hyphenated techniques with endogenous metal tags and metal chemical labelling

The absolute and relative quantitation of proteins plays a fundamental role in modern proteomics, as it is the key to understand still unresolved biological questions in medical and pharmaceutical applications. Highly sensitive analytical methods are required to quantify proteins in biological samples and to correlate their concentration levels with several diseases. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot represent specific strategies for protein quantitation. However, these approaches are impractical for quantitative studies: the availability of high quality ELISAs for biomarker candidates is limited, and the performance characteristics of many commercially marketed ELISAs are poorly documented or unknown. The development of ELISA or Western blot is also expensive and time-consuming. The limitations of these strategies, combined with the large numbers of biomarker candidates emerging from genomic and proteomic discovery studies, have created the need for alternative strategies for quantitation of targeted proteins. A widely explored approach to identify and quantify intact proteins is based on (i) the detection of endogenous metals covalently bound to the protein structure or (ii) the labelling of proteins with metallic probes. The development of several hyphenated analytical techniques for metal quantitation has led to new possibilities for the quantitative analysis of proteins. In the present review, we attempt to provide a full coverage of current methodologies for protein quantitation based on the detection of endogenous metal(loid)s or chemical labeling with metal(loid)s, highlighting, to the best of our knowledge, their merits and limits.
Death of adult children in traffic accidents

The loss of adult children after traffic accidents is relatively common. Bereavement under these circumstances, however, has been little studied. Forty predominantly midlife parents (20 men and 20 women) of predominantly young adult children (27 men and 13 women) who died in traffic accidents were studied 25.6 months after the death. The parents completed the Symptom Checklist 90, the Beck Depression Inventory, and a Bereavement Questionnaire which sought information about the parent, the child, the rest of the family, and the relationship between them. It was found that the parents continued to grieve intensely and had higher than expected levels of psychiatric symptoms as well as increased health complaints. Some parents were more at risk for problems in the bereavement period. Those with unstable families who had ambivalent relationships with their children and whose children were perceived to have had problems at the time of the accident, had more guilt and increased psychiatric symptoms. Parents who had prior bereavement experiences seem to have been protected from higher levels of distress. Additionally, being a mother, losing a daughter, losing children who live at home, losing children born earlier in the birth order, and losing children in single car, single driver accidents seems to portend a more difficult bereavement. This is an important area for further study.
In the Dark

'In the Dark' is a draft of the opening pages of Blackout , a book about the New York City blackout of July 1977 to be published by North Point Press in 2004. The power went out on a hot Wednesday evening and remained out for the entire night and most of the next day. In addition to all the predictable fright and excitement in the skyscrapers and subway tunnels, theatres, concert halls, and stadiums, elevators and ICUs, there was looting and arson in four boroughs. By early Thursday evening, hundreds of stores - in some neighbourhoods whole city blocks - lay in ruins. Firemen responded to three thousand fire alarms, fought a thousand fires, sixty of them serious. Police arrested nearly four thousand people, more than on any other day in the city's history. At a time when the city was in deep financial distress, estimates of losses from theft and fire alone ran into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Long before the looting was over, people began to argue - argue fiercely - about its causes and meaning. ...
Abstract 22: Differential IGF-II response of AA and CA normal breast cell lines to prolactin treatment

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL African-American (AA) breast cancer patients have lower survival compared with Caucasian-American (CA) patients. This survival disparity is significant in view of the lower incidence of breast cancer among AA. Lower incidence of breast cancer is associated with parity and lactation in young women. Lactation's protective effect is mediated by fatty-acid binding protein 3 (FABP3), a protein that promotes differentiation of breast epithelial cells. We have demonstrated that AA normal women below 50 years have lower FABP3 levels as compared to CA women (p = 0.030). FABP3 is a protective tumor suppressor that increases during pregnancy and lactation, in response to the lactation hormone prolactin (PRL). PRL effects on the breast are mediated by IGF-II. Thus, we propose that PRL treatment of normal epithelial breast cell lines would increase IGF-II to promote differentiation, increase FABP3, and decrease FABP5. FABP5 is associated with metastasis and may compensate for FABP3 decrease. We treated MCF10A (CA) and AG11132 (AA) normal breast epithelial cell lines with recombinant human PRL (0-200 ng/ml) for 24 hours. Cell lysates were examined for protein and mRNA levels of IGF-II, FABP3, and FABP5. In MCF10A cells, PRL stimulated an increase in protein levels of IGF-II (p=0.044), and a decrease in protein levels of FABP5 (p=0.044). Protein levels of FABP3 significantly decreased with increasing PRL concentration (p=0.030). IGF-II mRNA levels also increased at 50 and 200 ng/ml PRL (2.59 and 2.58 fold, respectively). In AG11132 cells, protein levels of FABP3 significantly increased with increasing PRL concentration (p=0.016). IGF-II and FABP5 mRNA levels increased significantly at 10 ng/ml PRL (49.91 and 2.13 fold, respectively); however, no corresponding changes were seen in protein levels. Though both cell lines respond to PRL treatment, only the MCF10A line displays increased IGF-II and decreased FABP5, which are protective changes in normal mammary cells. FABP3 levels decreased in MCF10A cells at higher PRL concentrations; this may be due to untreated MCF10A cells expressing significantly more FABP3 and prolactin, relative to AG11132 cells. The higher levels of PRL and FABP3 in untreated MCF10A cells indicate that they are more differentiated and thus require less PRL stimulation, relative to the AG11132 cells, to achieve a differentiated state. The dissimilar responsiveness of these cell lines to PRL may suggest decreased protection against breast carcinogenesis in AA patients, and may help us to further understand this health disparity. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 22. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-22
33 The Impact of Early Intervention to Decrease Chronic Lung Disease: One Institution'S Experience.

Despite improved technology and knowledge, chronic lung disease (CLD) continues to be a significant problem for infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) settings. Many new management strategies have been developed in hopes of reducing the incidence and consequences of CLD. In our Level III NICU, we instituted such a strategy called “The Golden Hour” Guideline. Important components of the Golden Hour Guideline are: use of the Neopuff™ device in the delivery room (DR) and during transport to the NICU, surfactant administration in the DR before 15 minutes of life, and attempted DR extubation if the infantG 28 weeks gestational age and/or 1 kg in weight. Specific aims of this project were to examine the impact of this guideline on: incidence of CLD, number of ventilator hours, rates of infant steroid use, and number of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) hours, oxygen use at time of discharge, and rates of extubation failure. The sample was comprised of infants who were ≤ 31 weeks gestation on admission to the NICU between January, 2001 and January, 2004. This group was subdivided into two subgroups: infants admitted before the institution of the Golden Hour Guideline (July, 2002) and those admitted after. Data collected included: infant demographics (e.g., gender, ethnicity, gestational age, birth weight, etc.), maternal demographics (e.g., maternal age, ethnicity, medical conditions, medications, etc.), total number of ventilator hours, postnatal steroid use, total number of CPAP hours, number of surfactant doses, oxygen use at time of discharge, number and reasons for reintubations (extubation failures), and presence of CLD. The Vermont Oxford Network (VON), along with chart review, was used for data collection. Extubation failure was defined as reintubation within 72 hours of extubation. Chronic lung disease was defined as continued oxygen dependency at 36 weeks post-conceptual age. Data collection is almost complete. Data analysis will evaluate between-group differences (pre and post-guideline) using chi-square, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate. The results of this study will provide important information on the efficacy of the Golden Hour Guideline in decreasing CLD and will provide direction for further refinements in neonatal care.
Developmental Changes in LD Readers' Encoding Preferences.

The present study addressed the question, “Do encoding preferences underlie disabled readers' recall deficiencies and, if so, what cognitive mechanisms influence these preferences?” The free recall of learning disabled readers, ages 8 and 10, was compared with that of nondisabled readers during directive and nondirective encoding conditions. The former training condition was implemented to assess the independent effects of semantic and nonsemantic encoding. Both ability groups were found to recall more semantically than nonsemantically organized items. Age and ability group differences emerged in recall, but not in retrieval organization. During the nondirective phase readers' encoding preference for categorically organized and unrelated items was assessed. Although no ability group differences emerged, disabled readers preferred to encode categorically organized items nonsemantically whereas nondisabled readers organized items by semantic features. Results, discussed in terms of mismatch between encoding...
"Quotidian Disruptions, Social Influence, and Political Entrepreneurship: Evidence from India"

This paper develops and tests a theory of quotidian disruptions and political entrepreneurship. We argue that disruptions—such as abnormally low levels of rainfall—affect the subsistence routines o...
Water desalination supply chain modelling and optimization

The desalination industry has been growing progressively in the last few decades. A large number of new plants are contracted every year. Strategic decisions related to plant locations and capacity, the selection of the desalination technology, and many other technical decisions related to the plant design and operation are very critical to these strategic investments. Viewing the desalination industry network as a supply chain provides a holistic view allowing decision makers to perform optimization of water desalination operations end to end. The proposed methodology provides a set of modular simulation components to allow the creation of complex models to optimize the entire water desalination supply chain quickly and easily. The optimization is based on mathematical programming (MP) models that can be solved by external MP solvers.
Scalable end-to-end security for advanced metering infrastructures

Conventional utility meters are increasingly being replaced with smart meters as Advanced Metering Infrastructures (AMIs) provide many benefits over conventional power infrastructures. However, security issues pertaining to data transmission between smart meters and utility servers are a major concern. In particular, as data travels through several networks, scalable key management schemes are crucial for secure end-to-end communications. In this paper, we propose an approach based on physically unclonable function (PUF) technology for providing strong hardware based authentication of smart meters and efficient key management to assure the confidentiality and integrity of messages exchanged in AMIs. Our approach does not require modifications to the existing smart meter communication. We have developed a proof-of-concept implementation of the proposed approach which is also briefly discussed in the paper.
Mental health service use from a religious or spiritual advisor among Asian Americans.

Abstract Background Asian Americans experience significant underuse of mental health treatment. Religious clergy and spiritual advisors play a critical role in delivering mental health care in the United States. Limited knowledge exists about their use among Asian Americans. Objective We describe mental health service use from a religious/spiritual advisor among Asian Americans. Methods We analyzed data from 2095 respondents in the 2002–2003 National Latino and Asian American Study. Results Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of mental health service use from a religious/spiritual advisor (5.5% and 1% overall, respectively) was generally higher among U.S.-born Asians and those with a 12-month mental disorder (23.6% and 7.5%, respectively). Religious/spiritual advisors were seen by 35% of treatment-seeking Asian Americans with a lifetime mental disorder. They were seen as commonly as psychiatrists but less commonly than a mental health specialist or general medical provider. Approximately 70% of those seeking treatment had a mental disorder, significant proportions of whom sought treatment in the absence of a psychiatrist, a mental health specialist or even a healthcare provider. A significant majority with 12-month use perceived the care as helpful, felt accepted/understood and satisfied (71–86%). However, only 31% rated the care as excellent, 28% quit completing care, and referral rates for specialty mental health treatment were low, even among those with a mental disorder (9.5%). Conclusions Religious/spiritual advisors are a key source of treatment-seeking for Asian Americans with a mental disorder. Quality of care and low referral rates for specialty mental health treatment warrant further attention and need for increased collaboration with the mental health system.
A polymerase chain reaction assay for simultaneous detection and quantitation of proto‐oncogene and GAPD mRNAs in different cell growth rates

A reverse transcriptase followed by a polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed for the simultaneous detection and quantitation of proto-oncogene (c-fos and c-myc) mRNAs using an internal standard mRNA glycer-aldehyde-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD). Total cellular RNA was reverse transcribed and PCR amplified with oligonucleotide primers specific to GAPD and either c-fos or c-myc genes. In contrast to Northern blot analysis, the RT-PCR assay is rapid and sensitive enough to quantitate specific proto-oncogene levels from as little as 12–25 ng of total cellular RNA. The reliability of the assay was tested by measuring c-fos and c-myc expression in C3H 10T1/2 mouse embryo fibroblast cells under two different growth states: (a) quiescent cell entry into the proliferative cycle, and (b) plateau phase. Furthermore, the assay was used in measuring variations in c-fos or c-myc expression in HA-1 hamster cells following exposure to the cellular stressing agent, nitric oxide. In serum-stimulated cells, the RT-PCR measurements of transient increase in c-fos (16-fold at 30 min) and c-myc (10-fold at 1 h) mRNA levels were comparable to previously reported results in the literature using a Northern blotting assay. In addition, a two- to fivefold increase in c-fos mRNA levels was observed in plateau phase cells when compared to log phase growth. Furthermore, a transient increase in c-fos mRNA levels (threefold at 2 h) was also observed following cells’ exposure to the stressing agent nitric oxide. These results suggest that the multiplex RR-PCR assay represents a significant improvement over current methods to quantitate specific cellular mRNAs under different growth conditions or following environmental insults.
Microstructure and Oxidation of a Cast Nickel Aluminide Alloy

Specimens of the cast Ni3Al alloy IC221M were annealed in air at 900°C to examine the effects of oxidation and thermal aging on the microstructure. The alloy is comprised of a dendritically solidified γ-γ′ matrix containing γ+Ni5Zr eutectic colonies in the interdendritic regions. Microstructures of aged specimens were examined by optical microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrum imaging in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Two primary changes in the microstructures were observed: (1) there is considerable homogenization of the cast microstructures with aging, and (2) the volume fraction of the γ+Ni5Zr eutectic decreases. Oxidation products were identified using x-ray diffraction and EDX spectrum imaging with multivariate statistical analysis (MSA). During the initial stages of oxidation, the first surface oxide to form is mostly NiO with small amounts of Cr2O3, ZrO2, NiCr2O4, and θ-Al2O3. Initially, oxidation occurs primarily in the interdendritic regions due to microsegregation of alloying elements during casting. With further aging, a continuous film of α-Al2O3 forms immediately beneath the surface that eventually evolves into a double layer of α-Al2O3 and NiAl2O4. Although these oxides are constrained to the near surface region, others penetrate to greater depths facilitated by oxidation of the γ+Ni5Zr eutectic colonies. These oxides appear in the microstructure as long, thin spikes of ZrO2 surrounded by a thin sheath of Al2O3.
Modification of glutamate- effects on neuroblastoma cells in culture by heavy metals.

Sodium L-glutamate inhibited the growth (due to inhibition of cell division and cell death) of mouse neuroblastoma (NB) cells in culture in a dose dependent fashion. The sensitivity of adrenergic (NBA/sub 2/(/sub 1/)) and cholinergic (NBE/sup -/) clones to L-glutamate was similar. Sodium D-glutamate, L-aspartate, ..cap alpha..-ketoglutarate, glutamine, ..gamma..-aminobutyric acid and carbachol did not inhibit the growth of NB cells. Methylmercuric chloride (CH/sub 3/HgCl), inorganic mercury (HgCl/sub 2/), manganese chloride (MnCl/sub 2/) and lead tri-butyl acetate, by themselves inhibited the growth of NB cells in culture to a varying degree ranging from 41 to 49%. However, the combination of glutamate with CH/sub 3/HgCl, HgCl/sub 2/ and MnCl/sub 2/, produced a synergistic effect on growth inhibition of NB cells in culture. The combination of glutamate with lead tri-butyl acetate produced only an additive effect. Sodium kainate neither inhibited the growth nor potentiated the growth inhibitory effect of L-glutamate on NB cells. Neuroblastoma cells contained high levels of receptors for glutamate but not for kainate. These results show that neuroblastoma culture may be a useful model to study the mechanisms of glutamate effects and their modification by various agents.
Nature Of Pulsed Laser Deposition Technique And In-Situ Processing Of YBa2Cu3O7 Superconducting Thin Films

The deposition characteristics of YBa2Cu3O7 thin films formed by pulsed laser evaporation (PLE) method have been found to be significantly different from films obtained by other vaporization methods primarily because of very high evaporation flux which absorbs the incoming laser irradiation. Based on the experimentally obtained deposition characteristics, the physics of the PLE process is analyzed, and a hydrodynamic gas expansion model is proposed for the PLE process. In this model, the laser generated partially ionized plasma, initially under high temperature and pressure, expands anisotropically into vacuum. The plasma expansion characteristics determine the nature of the deposition process. Solutions governing the plasma expansion are obtained, and the calculated deposition characteristics are compared with results obtained on PLE deposited YBa2Cu3O7 films on silicon substrates. This model is able to explain most of the salient features of the pulsed laser deposition technique. The non-equilibrium nature of the PLE technique has been utilized for in-situ fabrication of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 thin films on (100) SrTiO3, (100) YS-ZrO2, and (100) LaA1O3 substrates in the temperature range of 500-650°C. A positively biased ring between the substrate and the target has been found to reduce the processing temperatures to 500°C, although the epitaxial quality of the films deteriorated considerably below 550°C. The films formed on lattice matched SrTiO3 and LaA1O3 substrates are virtually defect-free with minimum channeling yields values equal to the single crystal value. Critical current densities values over 6.0 x 106 amps/cm2 (at 77 K and zero magnetic field) were obtained for epitaxial silver doped films YBa2Cu3O7 films on (100) LaA1O3 substrates. The effect of the processing parameters on the superconducting properties and microstructure of thin films is discussed in detail.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
AN ENHANCED MODEL FOR MINIMIZING FUEL CONSUMPTION UNDER BLOCK-QUEUING IN A DRIVE-THROUGH SERVICE SYSTEM

Abstract We present a new model for determining the optimal block-size under block-queuing in a simple, single-channel queue at a drive-through service facility. With block-queuing, a queue is partitioned into an active section and a passive section, where drivers are asked to turn off their engines until the active section clears. Our model prescribes a block-size, i.e., a maximum number of vehicles in the active section, that minimizes the expected amount of fuel consumed in the queue. It can assess the effects of the traffic intensity, the service-time variance, and the proportion of compliant drivers in the passive section on the optimal block-size and on fuel consumption in the queue.
Optical and ODMR Studies of Luminescent Halo(dimethylphenylphosphine)gold(I) Crystals.

Crystals of {(Me2PhP)AuX}n (Me = methyl; Ph = phenyl; X = Cl, Br, I; n = 2, 3) show emission from two excited states. Both states are assigned a triplet multiplicity, on the basis of their lifetimes and zero-field splittings. The structured, higher energy emission originates at ≈360 nm and has the greater relative intensity at low temperatures. It is assigned as intraligand phosphorescence from a phenyl-localized 3ππ* state. The unstructured, lower energy emission has a peak wavelength that varies in the range 630−730 nm. It is assigned as phosphorescence from the triplet state due to the gold-based σ(p) ← σ*(s,d) excitation. The corresponding singlet state is observed at 290−310 nm. The results of SCF−Xα−SW calculations on the model complexes H3PAuX and (H3PAuX)2 are also presented.
Media processing with field-programmable gate arrays on a microprocessor's local bus

The Chidi system is a PCI-bus media processor card which performs its processing tasks on a large field-programmable gate array (Altera 10K100) in conjunction with a general purpose CPU (PowerPC 604e). Special address-generation and buffering logic (also implemented on FPGAs) allows the reconfigurable processor to share a local bus with the CPU, turning burst accesses to memory into continuous streams and converting between the memory's 64-bit words and the media data types. In this paper we present the design requirements for the Chidi system, describe the hardware architecture, and discuss the software model for its use in media processing.
Interaction of the antiestrogen [3H]H1285 with the two forms of the molybdate-stabilized calf uterine estrogen receptor.

The high affinity antiestrogen [3H]H1285 bound to the cytosol calf uterine estrogen receptor dissociated very slowly (t121,3 approx 30 h at 20°C) and did not demonstrate a change in dissociation rate in the presence of molybdate, which is characteristic of [3H]estradiol-receptor complexes. [3H]H1285-Receptor complexes sediment at approx 6S on 5–20% sucrose density gradients containing 0.3 M KC1 with or without 10 mM molybdate. This is in contrast to [3H]estradiol-receptor complexes which sedimented at approx 4.5S without molybdate and at approx 6S with molybdate. These results suggest a physicochemical difference in the estrogen receptor when occupied by antiestrogens versus estrogens. We recently reported that the cytoplasmic uterine estrogen receptor, when bound by estradiol and prepared in 10 mM molybdate, eluted from DEAE-Sephadex columns as Peak I (0.21 M KC1) & Peak II (0.25 M KC1). However, [3H]H1285 bound to the estrogen receptor eluted only as one peak at 0.21 M KC1, also suggesting that the initial interaction of antiestrogens with the estrogen receptor is different. We have extended these studies and report that H 1285 can compete with [3H]estradiol for binding to both forms of the estrogen receptor and [3H]H1285 can bind to both forms if the unoccupied receptor is first separated by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. However, if the receptor is first bound by unlabeled H1285, eluted from the column and post-labeled by exchange with [3H]estradiol, only one peak is measured. Thus, it appears that H1285 binding alters the properties of the receptor such that all receptor components seem to elute as one form. These partially purified [3H]1285-receptor complexes obtained from DEAE-Sephadex columns sedimented as 5.5S in sucrose density gradients in contrast to the sedimentation values for the [3H]estradiol-receptor components eluting as Peak I (4.5S) and Peak II (6.3S). These differences in the physicochemical characteristics of the estrogen receptor when bound by estrogen versus antiestrogens may be related to some of the biological response differences induced by these ligands.
On the generation by winds of inertial waves in the ocean

Abstract The model used by Veronis (1956) to examine the response of the ocean to a transient applied wind stress is refined to include continuous stratification. This enables one to examine in detail the structure of oscillations of near-inertial frequency as they disperse both vertically and horizontally from a forced region, in order to see to what extent wind generation can account for the observed properties of inertial waves in the ocean documented both by Webster (1968) and in the present study. The amplitudes and intermittency of oscillations observed near the surface and also their rapid decay with depth can be explained by the model, and it is believed that they are indeed often wind-generated. The amount of energy put into such oscillations is nearly independent of the stratification and of the horizontal scale of the wind but is strongly influenced by its time dependence. Sudden changes in the wind field are of most importance in both generating and destroying inertial oscillations. The model cannot account for the amplitudes of inertial waves observed at great depths, and it is doubted whether such waves can be traced to the action of a single storm on the ocean surface.
Thermal sensitization through ROS modulation: a strategy to improve the efficacy of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate whether modulation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) provides a synergistic effect with hyperthermia to induce tumor cell death in a colon cancer cell line. Materials and Methods HT-29 colon cancer cells were exposed to heat (43°C) in the presence of the ROS-generating drug, 2-2′-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) for 1 h. Viable cell mass and apoptosis was measured by MTT and annexin V staining, respectively. Oxidative stress was evaluated by DCFH fluorescence. Protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis. Results A synergistic effect on cell viability with AAPH was noted under hyperthermic conditions as compared with hyperthermia alone ( P P P Conclusions Oxidative stress increased the cytotoxic effects of hyperthermia in colon cancer cells. Thermal sensitization through modulation of cellular ROS may represent a novel approach to increase the efficacy of hyperthermia as an anticancer modality.
Effects of domperidone and medroxyprogesterone acetate on ventilation in man

Abstract If endogenous dopamine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the carotid bodies in man, domperidone (DP), a selective dopamine D-2 receptor antagonist should stimulate carotid bodies and augment ventilation. Furthermore, the combination of a central ventilatory stimulant, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), with a peripheral ventilatory stimulant, DP, may produce an additive/synergistic ventilatory effect. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled (P), cross-over trial comparing MPA 20 mg three times daily (TID) and DP (20 mg TID) alone and together in 8 healthy male human subjects. Drug effects were measured after 7 days, and a two-week drug washout period was allowed. MPA significantly increased alveolar ventilation (V a ), and slopes of hypercapnic and hypoxic ventilatory responses. Domperidone alone significantly increased the slope of the hypoxic response; however, V a and PaCO2 did not change significantly. The combination of MPA and DP resulted in ventilatory changes similar to MPA alone. We conclude that in man endogenous dopamine acts as a modulator of chemoreception during hypoxemia, but plays no major role tonically in control of ventilation during normoxemia and normocapnia. Lack of additive effect with combined DP and MPA suggests that these drugs may share the same final common pathway in the process of chemoreception.
Online Extensive Reading for Advanced Foreign Language Learners: An Evaluation Study.

: The following article reports the findings of a qualitative evaluation of an online extensive reading program in German as a foreign language. Designed for advanced learners, it differs from traditional extensive reading programs in two important aspects: students read online instead of printed materials, and there was no teacher preselection to ensure that learners were reading at the i minus 1 level. Data from reflections and questionnaires indicate that learners experienced a variety of affective and linguistic benefits. Interestingly, some learners purposely sought out more difficult texts to challenge themselves. While this violates a key principle of extensive reading, it is indicative of learners' growing motivation and self-confidence. There is also evidence that they developed into skilled second language readers, making conscious decisions about reading strategy and dictionary use.
Participation in union activities: A multivariate analysis

Multivariate analysis is used to estimate a model of member participation in local union activities. A sample of 387 members of the UAW living in the Detroit area was drawn from the1961 Detroit Area Study: Work Group Influence and Political Participation. It was hypothesized that participation would be positively associated with level of schooling, current wages, seniority, skilled jobs, job dissatisfaction, dissatisfaction with the local union, desire for another job, commitment to the labor movement, and getting along with others. OLS and Logit estimation techniques were used and support was found for all hypotheses except those related to wage levels and seniority.